So, DOMA has been overturned.  It is considered unconstitutional and the Federal Government (to include the military) is scrambling to recognize those that are already married.  And Facebook is bleeding with pro and anti gay marriage opinions.  Every other posting has something to do with it.  Personally, I'm glad it was overturned.  Now if the rest of the states would recognize it, that would be wonderful.  We are all equal in the eyes of the law and for those who are religious in the eyes of God as well.  This is not Animal Farm where some of us are more equal than others, though it sure feels like it sometimes.  Anyway, I'm happy for my son, I'm happy for his gay friends, I am happy for the gay community, and I'm happy that we can begin looking at homosexuality not as an aberration but rather as normal. 

A little old lady bumped into me at the grocery store today.  She was so precious, so sincere in her apology for not watching where she was going.  That's when I saw her tattoo and before I could catch myself I asked "is that what I think it is?"  She smiled and replied..."what do you think it is?" to which I replied "a concentration camp tattoo" as my eyes filled with tears.  She said, "yes, but someone once asked f it was my phone number." We both chuckled at that.  I asked if I could hug her, and she said, of course....and my tears spilled over.  She was a child when she was put into that concentration camp and she said that she thinks about the experience daily.  It has made her a strong woman.  She also told me that she was not a practicing Jew.  I asked why, and she said that a majority of Jews are full of hatred and bigotry.  They dislike and distrust anyone who isn't Jewish, they hate blacks they do not treat women well, just like their brothers the Arabs.  I was surprised by this.  She said the Orthodox are worse than anyone.  Then she asked, "did you know that women can't pray at the wall?  Isn't that ridiculous?  That wall was built thousands of years ago and to prevent anyone from praying there goes against God", at least that was her opinion.

We talked politics and religion, about raising children and how important it is to respect those around you for not only what you have in common but for those differences as well.  It was a wonderful 35 minutes in the cookie aisle.  I finally asked her her name, "Esther, like the queen" she replied.  "mine is Caroline, like the princess" I said.  We laughed then she said "may I kiss you good bye" so I leaned way down (she was about 5 feet tall) and we kissed each others cheeks.  Not those kisses that land somewhere in space by the ear, but right on the skin.  She smelled of lavender.  We said goodbye and she went her way and I went mine.  I wish I had gotten her phone number for that was such a delightful episode in my rather mundane life.  And it reminded me of something my mother used to say.  "A stranger is just friend you haven't met yet."

 

A Country Founded by Geniuses but Run by Idiots

Attributed to Jeff Foxworthy:

If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for entering and remaining in the country illegally — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If you have to get your parents’ permission to go on a field trip or to take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If you MUST show your identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor, or check out a library book and rent a video, but not to vote for who runs the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If the government wants to prevent stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds, but gives twenty F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If, in the nation’s largest city, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas, but not one 24-ounce soda, because 24-ounces of a sugary drink might make you fat — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If an 80-year-old woman or a three-year-old girl who is confined to a wheelchair can be strip-searched by the TSA at the airport, but a woman in a burka or a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If a seven-year-old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher is “cute,” but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government regulation and intrusion, while not working is rewarded with Food Stamps, WIC checks, Medicaid benefits, subsidized housing, and free cell phones — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If the government’s plan for getting people back to work is to provide incentives for not working, by granting 99 weeks of unemployment checks, without any requirement to prove that gainful employment was diligently sought, but couldn’t be found — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If you pay your mortgage faithfully, denying yourself the newest big-screen TV, while your neighbor buys iPhones, time shares, a wall-sized do-it-all plasma screen TV and new cars, and the government forgives his debt when he defaults on his mortgage — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

If being stripped of your Constitutional right to defend yourself makes you more “safe” according to the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

What a country!

Jeff Foxworthy makes me laugh.....usually.  This hit the nail on the head in so many way.  I am just disappointed there weren't more.  There should be one about the rich not paying taxes (but Jeff is a wealthy guy so maybe he likes having all the tax breaks...sure wish I could afford some of them).   There should be something about having a President fly all over the world with his family during these hard economic times.  There should also be something about being able to pick on Christianity but not being able to pick on Islam.  Believe it or not I'm a Democrat, but I do not like being taken advantage of by my government, I do not like being spied on by my government, I do not like the fact that here in America, during terrible economic times which I personally feel, that all people aren't willing to give more but the majority who have nothing are expected to give all.  Maybe then Jeff can get back to writing things that make us laugh!

  I'm not sure what to think about this administration anymore.  There are so many rumors flying around about Obama and his cronies that one must feel that there has to be some truth to them.  It started with the birth certificate, then there is the way he keeps cow-towing to the Arabs, the guns sold to the Mexicans, now it's the IRS and NSA.  All of these are serious allegations but nothing is coming of it. Talk about teflon?  I can't help but wonder what happened to the days of Nixon and Watergate, when an administration did something wrong the leader took responsibility.  Not that I wish anything bad for Obama, but please, something's gotta give soon!

What a difference new cabinets and new appliances make.  The frig is a little bigger than we expected it to be, but it's easy to find things in there and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having all the room inside. Dinner tonight?  Roast chicken, green beans, stuffing, and sliced tomatoes.  Can't wait to start cooking.....

So the kitchen refit has just begun.  Jim was late today, got lost, typical, then he informed me that he was leaving at 2.  Not a very long day from 10 to 2.  But he did get the old broken cabinets down and replaced, he removed all drawers and hung all the new cabinets.  Unfortunately he said it could take 4 days, that's a lot of days but we'll see.  Especially since the new appliances are coming on Thursday.

Jim turned into Mr. Chatterbox.  I was trying to write and he brings in the new cabinets mentioning something about having 2 cats and how he loves cats.  And dogs....and birds........He prattled on for about 15 minutes when I said, "I'm sorry, my chatting has kept you from your work.  Let me let you get back to work."  I turned to my own computer and started typing again.

An hour later he went back out to the truck and brought in some pieces of wood and he started yammering again.  I let him chatter for about 5 minutes before I excused myself and went to the bathroom.  He was busy working when I came back.

He'll be back in tomorrow at 9:00 and leave at 6:00.  Let's hope and pray this doesn't take more than two more days.