Monday, November 4, 2024

Some thoughts - trigger warn


 


Some thoughts on current issues - probably need a trigger warning here.



I thought I'd write about some generic thoughts and just share them in my social media, but the AI prevents or flags a lot again. Apparently, it's a wild card if you are allowed to share anything positive about Trump or negative about Harris. Some manage to get a lot posted, me? I get flagged with threats of one more time and it's a 30-90 day Facebook jail. So, here we are. Grab some coffee, or your favorite beverage and let's just chat.


Having strong opinions is pretty common anymore. The biggest difference I can see, is that some strong opinions have a hollow base to them. This can be true of any number of subjects. If you base an opinion on what you see on the news, you've got a hollow base. It's been proven fact, for a long time, that you only get snippets of truth mixed with a whole lot of narrative direction from them. If you are familiar with the Smith-Mundt Act, you know that between 2008 and 2016, that was revised to allow propaganda to be used against the American people. This completely reversed the original intent, which was to require facts and truth only, to the American people. This essentially turned our media from fact focused, to shear entertainment and propaganda. The biggest problem is that American's have become to lazy to actually know what is going on with the legislation in our government. This is also true of how our branches of government are expected to work, how our military is expected to work, and how our Constitution and Bill of Rights work. There are so many that can not even tell you the simplest explanation of our Bill of Rights. It's truly remarkable how complacent we have become. We expect the 4 year elections to just "fix" everything, but we don't realize that the biggest changes we can make is in our Congressional races, and in our state and local elections. We don't realize how all the divisions that have force fed to us, have done nothing more than allow those, who have nothing but greed and power as their priority, to continue to dictate what is acceptable for us. People that spend 20+ years in federal government, have lost touch with the very people they are supposed to represent. That is just fact. Sadly, it is the same with local and state elected positions. We do not force these people that want our vote, to actually work for it. We listen to what they say, or how they bash their opponent, or their slander ads; and think that is what they will actually do. How has that worked out for us? There is not a single person running for an elected position, that will be 100% perfect. That's a stupid wish for anyone. In my mind, it's like the lists I was taught to make as a younger person. The pros/cons lists. When you draft out that list for whomever is in each position, what they have already done in their lives and in positions of leadership, and IF they will be the person you believe will help you/your family/your community/your state/your country. It requires effort from ALL of us to be educated, and not from the sham of edited and diced information on the noise box. When you base decisions on what the news stations are telling you, you are cutting the corner of actual education and responsibility. As American citizens, it is our responsibility to vet those we send to elected positions. It's not about personality, it's not about the slander either. It's about track record. Have these people done anything productive, have they started wars, has our economy grown, has our independence grown, how are our average families fairing? 


On the state level, I believe it should be required that anyone wanting a vote for a position that will guide the entire state, should be required to go to every single county in that state, at least once every year. Listen to the people in those communities, what their challenges are, what their victories are, areas that need improvement, etc. So many states, focus solely on the few big cities in each state, and the rest of the state goes to hell in a hand basket. On the local level, this is a big ole can of worms for me! From experience, I live in an area of the county that is forgotten about...until it's tax time. As with most of the secondary roads in our county, our road sucks. They put on this tar & chip stuff to make it appear "better" but the sides of the road are crumbling, living in rural areas - the roads are not wide enough for the farming equipment used today and another vehicle. This fall, the state decided to replace all the tubes in our road, and that has been a disaster! They put asphalt over them, only to have the large amount of traffic cause all of it to create big dips across the entire road, at every single tube. It's pathetic to pay so much, so the only roads to be maintained is the 2 main highways. Unfortunately, the state decides to determine how much traffic the roads get by placing these strips that count the vehicles. Well, they do this on a weekend, and when the traffic is not of normal flow. This road is a major through way for tons of hog trucks, tons of farm equipment, grain trucks, not to mention all the vehicle traffic, on a normal day. It's really a busy road that connects Missouri and Iowa. However, getting a rep out here to see any of this, has never happened. 


There are a lot of topics in this election, that I am concerned about. I know we are at the end game with the election being tomorrow. I thought I would just share a few thoughts, and maybe a different perspective. The biggest decision maker issues for me: the economy, the border, the accountability, the world stage, American independence, and American citizens. In this federal election, we have track records for both people trying to get elected. So, we have the responsibility of comparing what they have done. For 3 1/2 years we were told the border was secure and closed, except the visual evidence stated otherwise. In the current administration, many of our American citizens have been forgotten. The people of Lahania, Ohio, North Carolina, all the cities/towns that had factories burn, businesses burn, bridges knocked out, and on the world stage - 13 American soldiers lost in Afghanistan, and countless American's left behind. The current administration supported and even bailed out, the people that burned our cities, our federal buildings, our citizen owned businesses and homes. They allowed all these non-American people to invade our "sanctuary cities/states" and those people have raped, murdered, and physically taken over hotels, condos, and homes. The American tax payer has been on the hook to pay for those here illegally, in food, housing, healthcare, education; all while so many of our own people and VETERANS, go with out any or all of that. Our own citizens have been left trying to juggle the increased cost of food, fuel, healthcare and prescriptions; by the very people that are sent to D.C. to work for the American people. So much of this election cycle, both federally and in my state, is based on this abortion issue. My opinion on this one, is not even close to so many I've heard. Let's dive into that, just for a different perspective.


The abortion issue, should not even be an issue, period! I do not support it in the sense of a form of birth control. The biggest thing to me, IT SHOULD NOT BE A PUBLIC NOR GOVERNMENTAL ISSUE! PERIOD! That decision is one that should be considered a medical issue, meaning: it is a decision between doctor and patient ONLY. No one publicly, not a single politician, and not a single insurance company. The problem as I see it, is this:  there are some people pushing for a ban on them, and some pushing to remove bans. Why is this in the public, why was this ever in the Supreme Court, why was this allowed in any of our law making jurisdictions? You see, covid and watching people willing sharing their medical issues publicly opened my eyes to this thought. When and why is any person's health conditions, anyone else's business? It's NOT!! It's the same as the gay rights, and all of that. What you do medically or behind closed doors - IS NO ONE ELSE'S BUSINESS BUT YOUR OWN. The problem is, too many people want to feel important or part of the "in" crowd, like they are in school. So many think labeling everyone or everything, is such a priority now. The only thing labeling does, in my eyes, is proves you do not have good enough character - as your own person, to stand on. It means your priority is to be liked and accepted; instead of being a good person, a productive person or a person of value. So much has been focused on this pathetic "victim" mentality, instead of taking personal responsibility. We have allowed the government to dictate our lives, from what we can/can not purchase to what we can or can not do. That was never what the American Republic was supposed to be about. 


I see so much posted about religion. I will be the first to say, I pray, a lot! However, I am NOT religious. I do not believe in the church of today. I believe in God, but I believe the entire system has been misrepresented by a lot, over centuries. I know this riles people, so I tend to keep it to myself. However, there are some that use religion as a shield from what is happening in our country and honestly, around the world. America was founded on Christian principals, but individual religions were kept out of the Constitution for a reason. Many early settlers came here to escape religious persecution. When religious leaders disagreed with their churches, they ventured off to begin their own. I personally know of a religion that claims they don't get involved in politics, they disagree with war, and they won't prosecute for stealing from them; because God will handle it. Well, in my eyes, this is simple stupid thinking. If you are not willing to get involved in the very process that allows you to have your "communities" and allows you to have a legal means at tax evasion, you probably should be willing to defend that. Yet, this group has massive tax breaks, has their own school systems, their own financial system, and they spit on our soldiers and veterans by not supporting or joining them. How many of these "special" religions are 501 non-profits? How many of these special groups of people, get all kinds of benefits from the government, yet do nothing to help their fellow man? How many are willing to talk crap about how they treated, yet do nothing to help themselves? Yes, I believe God delivers. But he also gave us free will, and expects warriors to defend themselves. 


This area is one of what I consider a visible one. I do not understand how some can not see the damage that has been done to our independence. Independence is linked together both in the literal and the the financial sense. American independence was fought for, and thousands of brave men and women died for this!! In the financial sense, American's are in the pot. We depend on other countries to produce the majority of what of use: products, fuel, and even food. This was not always the case. At one point in American history, we produced the majority of stuff, right here in the good ole U.S. of A. We had pride in our products and services. We had a healthy economy because our products were bought and sold here and abroad. Our American dollar was the premier currency to have, and other countries revered us because of it. Now, the American dollar is worth pennies, and we are on the verge of the collapse of that prestige. Our "experts and life-long politicians" haven't got a clue about economic responsibility. If they did, we wouldn't be $36 TRILLION in debt. These experts and politicians have failed miserably for the American people. Yet, we keep putting the same ones back into office. Stupid!! Most of our manufacturing has been moved out of our country. The businesses that are here, are constantly being berated with a call for higher taxes on them. I may not of a doctorate, but even I know that shit rolls down hill. You increase the taxes on those creating the jobs, and that is a numbskull idea! Those tax increases raise the cost to the American people. Those tax increases cause the industries to move manufacturing to other countries because the taxes are cheaper/labor is cheaper/ and it's worth paying the importing, because it is still cheaper than the taxes. This is basic economics people. Think back to the last 4 years. Every single time the fuel prices spiked, the cost of the products we purchase, has increased. This is the most basic example I can give. When we have to depend on products, fuel, or anything from another country; we have lost independence and our elected officials have failed to do their job. Yet, so many are blind to the facts. 


As we head into another election cycle, with a barrage of issues that should be troubling ALL American's - those I shared, and the shear number of missing migrant children as just a starting point, I hope more American's will start getting to the bottom of issues. More government is never a good option! They are the problem, and we need to accept that. We need citizen politicians again, the ones that were intended by our founding, that served their terms and went back to their communities and jobs. We need to lose the victim mentality, and start being accountable for our own lives again. We need to get medical and sexuality back where it belongs and out of the a public spectacle. We used to put these types of things in a circus freak show...now, it's made the entire country a circus. I never cared what color, what religion, or what sex or sexuality you were...until it was shoved down my thought, and made into the freak show it is. Now, for the most part, I still don't care - AS LONG AS YOU ARE A PERSON OF GOOD CHARACTER!!! If you can't be a person of good character, then you will need one of those "special" titles and a mental health exam.

Monday, October 21, 2024

Coffee Chat

 

A coffee chat to start the day. My least favorite couple of weeks each year, is now upon us. Which is strange since my youngest child loves Halloween. Locally, the city offers a trunk or treat, usually the day before Halloween so kids can go to other towns. This to me is ridiculous, but whatever. It gets me past it one day sooner. I know a lot of people that love Halloween, I just don't like to be scared, and that is what that holiday is all about. So, I pull on my mom pants, and we go to hand out candy/decorate the car(a little)/she dresses up...and the best part for me - I get to make a trip to the local coffee shop. Then, the next day...I start decorating for my favorite season.


I have been following the hurricane clean up/relief efforts of Helene. Ya'll it's terrifying what they have experienced, but seeing them pull together and entire country donating to help our own citizens has been incredible! It's terribly sad how many lives were lost, homes lost, and entire towns wiped out. The resilience, determination, and grit of the folks in Appalachia is unmatched! It has brought home several important thoughts. Through all the destruction, they have pulled together, helping each other. Those left completely isolated - most were well prepared in the sense of having backup supplies for an emergency situation. Another thought, the American people have incredibly generous hearts. To see semi loads of food, water, pet supplies, medicine, blankets, and a couple of notable companies that stepped up...The Buddy Heater company and the Rocket Stove company; have made generous donations. The people of those areas are building back roads and bridges to get to those still isolated. Most of them, are regular citizens utilizing what they can to help their neighbors. The Cajun Navy, and so many with pack mules and horses have takes supplies across treacherous terrain to get help to those unreachable due to roads/bridges being wiped out. It will take a long time for the people of Appalachia to rebuilt, but they have proven to the entire nation, what is possible when we help each other! 


This brings me back to preparing. I know I get a lot of grief about this. The one thing I can attest to, on a personal level, is the importance of preparedness. Where I live, is kind of a crap shoot, on what the winter weather will be. It's been brutally cold, super snowy, warm, wet, and even dangerously dry. Having spent the better part of 26 years living in a rural setting, preparation is not an option. If we get snow, it could be days before we see a plow. If there's ice...no one is going anywhere until it thaws. Just last winter, we had a major snow storm, and lost power for 27 hours. We would not have been that long without power, except the state snow plows had not even tried to get down our roads, until the electric company started insisting they needed to get power restored; that meant they had to get to our location. We were prepared for a lot of possibilities, but that long without heat in January, was a hole in our preparations. We have a generator, we had means to cook and the pans to do so, but we didn't have everything in place to actually be able to utilize it. We had snow drifts over 6 foot tall, had we had everything in place...it would have been buried under snow anyway. We did find holes though. No matter how prepared, you will always find a hole, but the importance of doing what you can, can not be stressed enough. We spend half a year getting our preparations in place each year. It's a cycle that makes sense. We prepare April, May, June, July, August, September and sometime October - for November, December, January, February and March.I try to make sure to have enough supplies for several months, although that has become more difficult in this economy. Things like: food, water, pet supplies, live stock feed, hay, straw, mineral, medical supplies for humans and animals, wood for the furnace and if necessary a fire, propane for grills/griddle, candles, batteries, flashlights, lots of blankets, warm clothes, hats/gloves/insulated clothing for everyone in the house, thick socks, food that can be eaten without being cooked, OTC meds(allergy, Tylonal, Aspirin), extra fuel/diesel for the tractor, and keeping our vehicles/tractor full of fuel. Don't forget treatments for anything with a diesel engine...they gum up in the cold! I learned to can the vegetables from the garden, fruits, jellies, soups and meats too. This helps a lot if you do not have power. Anything in jars, can be eaten right from the jar. As I said, we keep cast iron for cooking outdoors and some foil pans too. Cast iron can be used on a grill or over an open fire. Plus, the taste of foods out of cast, is amazing. Having printed information is great in a situation without power. We all love the online recipes and sites for getting them, but if there is no power...that won't work very good. Having holistic knowledge is immeasurable. Keeping books that can tell you how to mix up a remedy for coughs, colds, or any number of illness is life saving. If you want to find your holes in preparation...take at least 24 hours dark. No electric, no internet, nothing. 


As I said earlier, we are less than 2 weeks from my favorite time of the year; Thanksgiving, Christmas, my birthday and New Years. To me, they are one giant holiday, that stretches to my birthday and on to the New Year. It takes me weeks to get all my decor out and put up. My kids tell me, Christmas explodes on our house every year. I believe in being grateful everyday, but Thanksgiving to me, is about the kick off to family/holiday get togethers. I love our gatherings, even if they were difficult for a few years. It has changed for me this year, since I only have one child left at home. For several years, we had a house full! I love that, and hope they are all able to still spend time here. A lot changes when your "Mom role" changes. Like I said, I still have one at home, but 2 are now adults with their own homes, and my other bonus kids have all gotten engaged this year...so, I'm sure they will be super busy. I am excited that my youngest is as excited, as I am, for Christmas this year. It is definitely making it easier, for me, to get excited too. I can't wait to start putting up lights, decorations and the trees. My house always seems to pretty, to me, with all Christmas stuff up. I decided to go ahead with some gatherings this year, that I had actually decided not to do previously. Thanksgiving is the first. I love our traditional meals! I never bought into the story told of how Thanksgiving started. It just never felt right. So, for us, it's always been about being grateful for all we have, sharing the day with our loved ones, and kicking off Christmas season. After that, will be our annual open house. This was something we started when we first moved to our farm. We welcomed our neighbors, friends and family to our home, prepared soups/lots of cookies/fudge/candies/breads to share with everyone. There are no gifts, other than good old fashioned visiting. Years ago, we had a lot of little people, most of those little people are now nearly adults. Then comes our Christmas Eve. When the kids were little, we started a tradition of opening a gift on Christmas eve. It was always a gift that contained new PJ's, some microwave popcorn, a box of candies, and sometimes a mug and hot chocolate. We'd open that gift, go put on our new duds, pop some popcorn or make hot cocoa, and settle in to watch Christmas movies until bed. Christmas day, has always been an early start for us. If it's not one of the kids...it was me, to get the kids up by 4 am to see what Santa brought. We'd get our coffee, and then the kids would take turns opening a gift and "oohing and ahing" each others gifts until all were open. There were years that gifts were all very practical because money was tight, and that practical gifting has stayed in our traditions too. We do not buy technology or electronic, they always get a few gifts of need(socks, underwear, etc.) and a couple of gifts that are just fun. I always tried to get a least one gift each, that was educational be it a book, or learning project. Moving on, a few days later is my birthday. So many people who have December birthday's really hate it. I don't. I love my birthday, even so close to Christmas. I love each new one, knowing I get another year to do better. Although my family doesn't ever do much for my birthday, I still love it. This year I hit the 50 mark! I am super excited. I keep thinking, maybe this year I won't have to bake a cake for myself, and can get some friends here to celebrate with me. Anyway, then we are on to New Year's Eve...that is always fun. We make up lots of snack foods, and have a night of board games, card games, New Year's Rockin' Eve on the noise box...until midnight. Even if I am the only one still awake, I toast a new year, and a new journey. So, there you have it. Why I love the last 2 months of the year.


Since we are still in full harvest mode, all the windows have been locked up, and the air was turned back on. My allergies are not handling all the crop dust/dust this year. Everything is so dry and dirty. They have begun harvesting here around the house, and the dust clouds get a bit wild. I am ready to be past harvest this year. Richard has been working his butt off, lots of long hours and working entire weekends. He deserves a break when harvest is done! He stepped up and took on running a service truck, and I really hope those in charge appreciate it. I can tell you, it was not anywhere near his list of "want-to-do things." 


I believe I will end this blog here for today. I have so much I want to get accomplished, I just have to be off my backside to do it! HA! So, I hope you have an incredible week!