And I thought I didn't have time for deep thinking....Thanks to senorsock for the heads up, and please be patient. It takes some time to load all the gadgets and gizmos.
And, no, I never thought I'd agree with this guy.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Some Thoughts
Bear with me. With upwards of 10 people to feed, clothe and keep happy around here (the actual number varying widely, and often changing mid-day) I don't really have the time for deep thinking. But I have been tossing some ideas around in my head, and I thought I'd let them out.
About this pro-life thing. I've been thinking that I'm not sure the movement is taking the right tack. I mean, babies are cute and lovely and I'd have 5 more if I could, but this is not a generation that gives a rip about someone else. If they can't be reached by showing life in the womb, by describing the horrific ways in which women who have "made a mistake" are kept from "being punished by a baby," then it needs to be made more personal.
Perhaps a discussion could be started about end-of-life issues. We already discuss euthanasia, and how "it should be available for those who want it." How about those who DON'T. What happens to those who age less than gracefully and find themselves to be "non-contributing members of society?" What happens when (not if) society comes to the point of totaling up medical costs, labor, energy, etc, to "keep these people alive?" What happens when (not if) it comes down to minimal resources TO keep "non-contributing members of society" alive?
I have been thinking that, if we let the pro-choice folks have their way, it's only a matter of time before we look to our elderly as burdens. Heck, we already do. I see that first-hand. It's only a matter of time before we decide that no one should be "punished" by having to take care of Grandma when they'd rather be spending their middle age years traveling and having fun. It's only a matter of time till we try to convince Grandpa that he really doesn't want his money pumped into the medical industry, does he, and he could save a lot by talking to Dr. Kevorkian now.
And it's only a matter of time before we are old enough that we'll be the Grandma or Grandpa.
Please don't start with me about how we're too caring for such things. About how no one would be forced to do something they didn't want to do. Talk to me sometime about how many of my personal friends have been abused by physicians who didn't want to care for them through high-risk pregnancies, and even pregnancies where defects were identified and moms were told it was "their child's right" to not have to live "like that." Let's have that conversation someday.
If you can't support pro-life initiatives because a precious little child, who may be destined for greatness, will meet his or her death by suction or saline or some other monstrosity, do it for yourself. Do it for the day when you will be strapped to a gurney and told to say a permanent goodbye to those you love. 'Cause it's coming.
About this pro-life thing. I've been thinking that I'm not sure the movement is taking the right tack. I mean, babies are cute and lovely and I'd have 5 more if I could, but this is not a generation that gives a rip about someone else. If they can't be reached by showing life in the womb, by describing the horrific ways in which women who have "made a mistake" are kept from "being punished by a baby," then it needs to be made more personal.
Perhaps a discussion could be started about end-of-life issues. We already discuss euthanasia, and how "it should be available for those who want it." How about those who DON'T. What happens to those who age less than gracefully and find themselves to be "non-contributing members of society?" What happens when (not if) society comes to the point of totaling up medical costs, labor, energy, etc, to "keep these people alive?" What happens when (not if) it comes down to minimal resources TO keep "non-contributing members of society" alive?
I have been thinking that, if we let the pro-choice folks have their way, it's only a matter of time before we look to our elderly as burdens. Heck, we already do. I see that first-hand. It's only a matter of time before we decide that no one should be "punished" by having to take care of Grandma when they'd rather be spending their middle age years traveling and having fun. It's only a matter of time till we try to convince Grandpa that he really doesn't want his money pumped into the medical industry, does he, and he could save a lot by talking to Dr. Kevorkian now.
And it's only a matter of time before we are old enough that we'll be the Grandma or Grandpa.
Please don't start with me about how we're too caring for such things. About how no one would be forced to do something they didn't want to do. Talk to me sometime about how many of my personal friends have been abused by physicians who didn't want to care for them through high-risk pregnancies, and even pregnancies where defects were identified and moms were told it was "their child's right" to not have to live "like that." Let's have that conversation someday.
If you can't support pro-life initiatives because a precious little child, who may be destined for greatness, will meet his or her death by suction or saline or some other monstrosity, do it for yourself. Do it for the day when you will be strapped to a gurney and told to say a permanent goodbye to those you love. 'Cause it's coming.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Saturday Again!
I gotta get an imagination...that title auto-filled! I've used it before.
This week was Farmer John's week of vacation. Every fall we try to take a week and organize things for the winter. This year it was an abject failure. We started by tearing out our ancient, stained and vile-smelling living room carpet. I just couldn't be cooped up with that thing for an entire winter again. So now my living room looks like this;
I will say, this house was built 40 years ago, when they used actual wood for the plywood for floors.
We toyed with just varnishing the plywood and waiting until spring to worry about putting in a real floor, but let's just say our terriers had other issues besides running away. Hence the stained carpet...and plywood. So we were going with Plan B, painting the floor. We were resigned to living with Sandy Beige floors for a few months.
But then, we were out shopping, and found a deal we couldn't refuse. And so, now my front hallway looks like this;
21 boxes of unfinished red oak flooring. Yee-haw! I love sawdust and polyurethane! Even more...I love what the floors look like when it's all over. The thing is, other couples would have organized this better. Other couples would have bought the flooring at the beginning of the week off, not at the end. Then they could have done the installation over the course of the week, not in little bits in the evenings or on the weekends. But not John and I. Oh, no, we LIKE chaos in our life.
That's why we're having a garage sale today.
And this is what passes for "life in the fast lane" on the farm!
This week was Farmer John's week of vacation. Every fall we try to take a week and organize things for the winter. This year it was an abject failure. We started by tearing out our ancient, stained and vile-smelling living room carpet. I just couldn't be cooped up with that thing for an entire winter again. So now my living room looks like this;
I will say, this house was built 40 years ago, when they used actual wood for the plywood for floors.
We toyed with just varnishing the plywood and waiting until spring to worry about putting in a real floor, but let's just say our terriers had other issues besides running away. Hence the stained carpet...and plywood. So we were going with Plan B, painting the floor. We were resigned to living with Sandy Beige floors for a few months.
But then, we were out shopping, and found a deal we couldn't refuse. And so, now my front hallway looks like this;
21 boxes of unfinished red oak flooring. Yee-haw! I love sawdust and polyurethane! Even more...I love what the floors look like when it's all over. The thing is, other couples would have organized this better. Other couples would have bought the flooring at the beginning of the week off, not at the end. Then they could have done the installation over the course of the week, not in little bits in the evenings or on the weekends. But not John and I. Oh, no, we LIKE chaos in our life.
That's why we're having a garage sale today.
And this is what passes for "life in the fast lane" on the farm!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Conversationally Speaking...
Ethan participated in a conversation at his last National Guard drill. Participants were himself, another private, and a staff sergeant who is a medic, has been for 35 years. For those not militarily blessed, here's a glossary; MOS=job in the Army, 64-W=the designation for combat medic, and 11B (also called 11-Boomer here)= the designation for infantryman.
I'm sharing this with you because I thought it was a hoot. Your mileage may vary.
Pvt. 11B "What's your MOS?"
Ethan "64-W."
Pvt. 11B "A medic? Geez, why? How hokey is that? (etc, etc)"
SSGT (listening nearby to conversation that shouldn't have been happening in chow line, anyway) "What's YOUR MOS, private?"
Pvt. 11B "11-Bravo, Staff Sergeant."
Ethan "64-Whiskey, Staff Sergeant"
SSGT "Oh, are you one of my medics?"
Ethan "Yes, Staff Sergeant."
SSGT "Well, 11-Boomer, what's the effective range of a (names a weapon.)"
Pvt 11B "I don't know, Staff Sergeant."
SSGT "64-Whiskey, what's the effective range of an IV?"
Ethan "I would guess, Staff Sergeant, the length of the tube?"
SSGT "See here, 11-Boomer, Pvt. Peterman seems to know what's going on. Do you?"
Pvt 11B (think Eeyore speaking, here) "No, Staff Sergeant"
SSGT "And, 11-Boomer, which private here has chosen an MOS that is 75% female?"
Pvt 11B (still channeling Eeyore) "Pvt. Peterman"
SSGT "And, 11 Boomer, who's gonna have a date on Saturday night?"
Pvt 11B (Eeyore again) "Pvt Peterman"
SSGT "Get your chow."
I'm sharing this with you because I thought it was a hoot. Your mileage may vary.
Pvt. 11B "What's your MOS?"
Ethan "64-W."
Pvt. 11B "A medic? Geez, why? How hokey is that? (etc, etc)"
SSGT (listening nearby to conversation that shouldn't have been happening in chow line, anyway) "What's YOUR MOS, private?"
Pvt. 11B "11-Bravo, Staff Sergeant."
Ethan "64-Whiskey, Staff Sergeant"
SSGT "Oh, are you one of my medics?"
Ethan "Yes, Staff Sergeant."
SSGT "Well, 11-Boomer, what's the effective range of a (names a weapon.)"
Pvt 11B "I don't know, Staff Sergeant."
SSGT "64-Whiskey, what's the effective range of an IV?"
Ethan "I would guess, Staff Sergeant, the length of the tube?"
SSGT "See here, 11-Boomer, Pvt. Peterman seems to know what's going on. Do you?"
Pvt 11B (think Eeyore speaking, here) "No, Staff Sergeant"
SSGT "And, 11-Boomer, which private here has chosen an MOS that is 75% female?"
Pvt 11B (still channeling Eeyore) "Pvt. Peterman"
SSGT "And, 11 Boomer, who's gonna have a date on Saturday night?"
Pvt 11B (Eeyore again) "Pvt Peterman"
SSGT "Get your chow."
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Shhh...Quiet Announcement
Tomorrow is Farmer John's birthday. His birthday has a 9 in it.
We're heading out this afternoon for a night away from the farm and all it's...joys. Yes, there are many joys here, more than there are trials. But sometimes you just gotta get away. We'll come home tomorrow.
So tonight will be dinner out, pool time, and quietness. Much quietness. Tomorrow will be wood floor shopping with no kids and not much of a schedule.
See you tomorrow night!
We're heading out this afternoon for a night away from the farm and all it's...joys. Yes, there are many joys here, more than there are trials. But sometimes you just gotta get away. We'll come home tomorrow.
So tonight will be dinner out, pool time, and quietness. Much quietness. Tomorrow will be wood floor shopping with no kids and not much of a schedule.
See you tomorrow night!
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Wheels of Justice...
This morning our workout was interrupted by Jay, reminding us that he had to appear in court today. We generally tag along as some sort of support system.
He is facing two charges. On the one, the case was continued. There didn't seem to be any reason given, just "continued." On the second, a DUI, key evidence is missing. His blood alcohol test is lost in the system. The chance of this evidence turning up at this point is next to none, but the county has a full year (from May) to charge him with this crime. So, the case was continued.
Next month, he will again appear in court. Most likely, both cases will be continued. Did I mention that in the first case, there is evidence that the charges have been falsified, and he really didn't do what he's accused of? Did I mention that witnesses in the second case, included someone severely injured in the automobile accident which brought the charge, have all concurred that he was NOT driving under the influence? That is was a nasty accident, but not a DUI accident? Nevertheless, it is likely he will be taking time off work monthly until at least next May to deal with this.
Continued cases, lack of evidence, no resolution. I'd like to work in an industry like this, where I wouldn't have to produce anything to continue in my field and accept my pay. Don't get me wrong. I rejoice in the fact that I live in a country where my son would not already be beheaded for his "crimes." Or where he would be imprisoned, and considered guilty, until he had the chance to prove his innocence. But when we complain about the backlogs in the court system...now I see how this happens. And I'll be remembering.
He is facing two charges. On the one, the case was continued. There didn't seem to be any reason given, just "continued." On the second, a DUI, key evidence is missing. His blood alcohol test is lost in the system. The chance of this evidence turning up at this point is next to none, but the county has a full year (from May) to charge him with this crime. So, the case was continued.
Next month, he will again appear in court. Most likely, both cases will be continued. Did I mention that in the first case, there is evidence that the charges have been falsified, and he really didn't do what he's accused of? Did I mention that witnesses in the second case, included someone severely injured in the automobile accident which brought the charge, have all concurred that he was NOT driving under the influence? That is was a nasty accident, but not a DUI accident? Nevertheless, it is likely he will be taking time off work monthly until at least next May to deal with this.
Continued cases, lack of evidence, no resolution. I'd like to work in an industry like this, where I wouldn't have to produce anything to continue in my field and accept my pay. Don't get me wrong. I rejoice in the fact that I live in a country where my son would not already be beheaded for his "crimes." Or where he would be imprisoned, and considered guilty, until he had the chance to prove his innocence. But when we complain about the backlogs in the court system...now I see how this happens. And I'll be remembering.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Hunting and Gathering
Today's farm report is pretty dull...unless you like shopping stories.
Today was that day when we finally reacted to the lack of fruits and veggies in the house and headed out for some grocery shopping. 3 hours and many dollars later, we are stocked up and ready to cook! Tomorrow is ham (one of ours) hashbrown casserole and acorn squash. Or broccoli. Squash would be too many yellows on the plate, if you're the kind to worry about such things. And sometimes I am.
This week Farmer John will be taking some vacation time, and we'll be having a fall break from schoolwork. Our hot vacation plans including fixing some chicken fencing, filling the barn with hay, and burning our ginormous burn pile. We may find time in there for a getaway, and for tearing carpet out of our living room. I tell ya, life on this farm...never a dull moment!
Today was that day when we finally reacted to the lack of fruits and veggies in the house and headed out for some grocery shopping. 3 hours and many dollars later, we are stocked up and ready to cook! Tomorrow is ham (one of ours) hashbrown casserole and acorn squash. Or broccoli. Squash would be too many yellows on the plate, if you're the kind to worry about such things. And sometimes I am.
This week Farmer John will be taking some vacation time, and we'll be having a fall break from schoolwork. Our hot vacation plans including fixing some chicken fencing, filling the barn with hay, and burning our ginormous burn pile. We may find time in there for a getaway, and for tearing carpet out of our living room. I tell ya, life on this farm...never a dull moment!
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