America, on a down hill slide

This is a rant which started out as just a thank you. Thank you for your explanation of the importance of animals. I guess I am just fed up with our upside down world way of thinking. It is a sheer tragedy to some if a tree is cut down, or an animal put to sleep yet they think it is okay to abort a baby. We are so messed up in our minds in America that we have been nailing our own coffins shut. God will not put up with this behavior. As with other 'smart' cultures we are on our way out. I know; the Bible teaches these things will come to pass. American minds just are not getting it. Even when we know a person has killed another, we pay for the killer to be kept in prison where he has more than some of our military that come home after fighting to keep us safe. I think it is time to right the wrong. Give the soldiers the buildings that house the lawbreakers and put the lawbreakers on the street. Let them kill each other. It is a fact the government isn't doing a good job at handling such things. Maybe we could loose all the gangsters, killers and rapists into the Washington D.C. area. They should fit right in. Too many who have been elected by 'we the people' are just as crooked as those in prison. Let them all get together and watch the fray. Where are all the morals? Everyone seems interested in only themselves. "We the people" went to the poles this year. Who did they vote to put in office? Well they chose people who would give them 'stuff'. Lord knows if you can get it for free take it. Don't try to work for a living. If the money is there for the taking, who needs a job? After all, one must have a new video game, a big screen TV and so much more. Make sure each child has the latest fashions, the most popular brand of shoes endorsed by an over-paid athlete. Why should your child do without? Just sit back and let the government take care of it. One day, everyone will know, just as those in Germany learned. Hitler was voted into office because of his ability to talk a good talk. He then took his opportunity and began the process of causing Germany to lose its greatness. Yes, folks it can and will happen to America. The mind set of those in power is to control your every move. They want your guns, they want your homes, they want your children. The sad thing is, they are getting them. I watch the commercial about reverse mortgage and just simply shake my head. The word that sticks out to me is 'government'. This plan is backed by the government. Now who do you think will own your home if you buy into that money saving, I can spend it now on things I want (not need) and still live here attitude. Yes, it is one more way the government is trying to control each person. As my dad said years ago, they will take my gun only when they pry it from my cold, dead hand. He saw today so many years ago. No one listened then and more than likely no one will listen to me. After all I am just an old woman deep into her allotted time on this earth. What could I know! Did I home school my kids before it was legal because I was nuts? Nope, I saw what was being taught. The government has changed the school books to say only what they want kids to learn. So many truths have been omitted. Do I have credit cards so I can keep all things up-to-date? Nope. I have no intention for the bank to own me because of my wants. Do I can and preserve my own food because I am a glutton for work? Nope. I do it because I know what is in each jar. It will come in handy when others are looking to a store to furnish them over priced, unhealthy food. Do I still earn money by working? Yep, sure do. I will continue to do so as long as these fingers have any ability to move. I will not sit and let the government take over my life. It leads to wrong behavior. The person that killed all those people yesterday is said to have a mental illness. Folks, our country has a mental illness. Had he not done us the courtesy of ending his own life, we the tax payers would be paying for his legal expenses, his housing, his food and everything else he wanted. Yes, he was a person. Maybe he did or did not have a mental disease, I don't know. I just know we are seeing these things more often now. Must step off my soapbox and get busy. The turnip greens are cooking. I am eating breakfast and have so many things I need to do today.

It is a pride thing

I don’t like to cry. I think of myself strong enough to handle life, and crying is not done by people that are strong. Well, at least that is how I felt. This came by email today. Read it carefully, I did. It spoke directly to me. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 "...Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now..." I am not sure from which translation this was taken. I only know this is the translation that spoke loud and clear to me after a very unexpected happening. The part that struck me was to make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present." Accept what God gives. I am better, much better at giving than I am at receiving. I know I don’t deserve anything as I have done nothing to promote others giving to me. I just like to give. Is that pride? Well, we all know it is. God is busy teaching me to be gracious in my ability to accept the gifts of others. What a hard lesson I am learning. God will lead me down the same path until I “get it” Oh, how I hate traveling the same road over and over, but I am wearing a rut in this one, the one that leads to being able to accept things from others without trying to ‘out do’ their kindness. I know many of you are aware of my health issues and their leading me to be less of a do’er than I have ever wanted to become. I thought my problems stemmed from getting older only to find out I am being consumed with an illness that has taken twenty years to act up. The symptoms came on slowly which gave me the notion I was just too old to do things now. Ah, the dreams we tell ourselves. So, back to the kindness I have been shown. I enjoy springtime and all the flowers it brings. I like sitting on my deck listening to the birds, enjoying the beautiful flower garden. This year the whole thing would be a hay field if not for my church family, with one friend in particular who has made countless trips out here to help me. Actually, I sit, she works. That is just not right! I should be helping. I feel useless like I am taking her away from her family, but she keeps coming. She even takes me to get flowers or items I need from the store. She never complains, just asks what else I need. She as well as her husband spent an entire day putting weather seal on my deck after another gentleman did the power wash. Another group spend an entire day weeding as well as cleaning my beautiful garden and yard. One man even cleaned the gutters on the house. A huge stump that sat between me and my neighbor is no longer there. I was amazed when I saw it gone. Did I mention, not one person asked to be paid! Do you see a pattern here? These are all Christians who are doing as the Bible asks. I am blessed. While all this yard work was going on three others were installing another kitchen stove for me. The old one had been so overworked the door would not shut properly. The stove? Well it too was given to me by a lady at church. I look at it in amazement because I think it is so nice. The cost, you ask. Not a dime. The only chore I had to do was clean the floor and wall before the workers put the new stove in place. Then later I discovered one cannot judge a stove by its looks. For some reason the oven will not light! I don’t know why, one of the men from church does not know why. I haven’t stressed a lot about this as I know in time God will send the right person to fix the problem. Today was the day. A lady I met on an online yard sale stopped by to bring me part of a mixer I had purchased from her. That mixer was a total blessing. I could never afford to buy a Kitchen Aid mixer, they are well above my price range. This one which she had for sale was pricy for me, but well worth what she asked. I just stand looking at it knowing I can now mix pie crust with ease. Well, I could if the oven would work! I thought back to the days when we cooked on a coal stove feeling rather at peace just having the burners working. As we sat visiting another Christian came in with three containers of canning jars. She too had a yard. I asked her how many and how much. If the price was right I would take them all. Her answer; “for you, Hazel the price will be right. I will take $10 for all of them”. That indeed was a more than fair price as at the store it would have been a lot more. While those two ladies were talking, my neighbor came in. We were really enjoying our time together. Then came the bombshell. I was told I was going to be given a new stove. The Internet friend and her husband want to buy me a stove that will last until I am too old to cook! Good thing I was sitting. I did what I am too strong, to self-reliant to do. I cried openly. Right there in front of everyone, I cried. I wanted to scream NO! You can’t do that, but this voice inside said; Learning to take is really a pride issue, Hazel. Accept what is being offered or go down this road until you are chin deep in the rut. I will take you through again if you don’t let go of the pride. Just accept. I am learning accepting help is just as important as giving help. Is it easy for me, not by a mile! All my mind can focus on is the willingness of an almost complete stranger purchasing for me what I would not be able to have. I had already started the process of saving to get a stove. Giving up TV puts a little more back. Cutting out the Internet on my phone cut that bill in half. It would have been a long struggle, but I was willing to manage on my own. All I can do now is just sit and shake my head. I see in my mind how Jesus hung on the cross just for me. He did not have to, He wanted to. He purchased for me something I could never purchase myself. I could never live a perfect life, so I needed a Savior to pay the price I could not pay. He did it willingly, asking nothing from me except my belief that He did care for me enough to pay a price I could never afford. I am not sinless, so dying on the cross would not be something I could do. How grateful I am for his unselfish love.

Let's talk

Conversation has indeed been replaced by gadgets. God’s word said it is not good for man to be alone and then he made woman. He put the two together to be companions. He gave them the ability to speak which I would imagine was for a reason. I think conversation stimulates.

Being a writer, I know it is easy to forget the human need of one-on-one conversation. In person, with a steaming cup of coffee at my kitchen table is one of my favorite places to enjoy a person’s company. When the weather is warmer, I find relaxing with words goes well on my deck. As warm breezes soothe the senses so does the sound of the voice of a dear friend. The chatter of grandkids enhances my mood as well. Yes, we need the sound of the human voice.

I became very aware of the lack of human conversation as I traveled home from Alabama. At Pensacola airport I awaited my connection to the next destination, Charlotte, N.C. All was doing well, until Continental canceled a flight or two. There were six of us flying on employee passes which meant we would board after everyone else was seated. Standby flights are much cheaper but if a time schedule needs to be met, this is not an option. When I checked the day before the flight was to leave there were several seats available. Life changed in a very short space of time. I was not on any particular schedule but certainly was not looking forward to spending the night in the terminal. At the age of 74 curling up in a not-so-spacious seat did not strike my fancy. As you know, God is in control. He was working out the problem even before prayers were being said.

Three adults and two children were left waiting with me. The one difference for them was they needed to be ready to work the next morning. One was traveling to Detroit with her daughter, one was needing to be in Charlotte early to clock in. The man traveling with his son was from Peru and though he told me his destination I have stored it in the recesses of my mind. I do remember his son’s name was Antonio. Why do I remember it so well? The little chap had a mind of his own, listening to a different drum beat. His dad spoke his name over and over. Most of the time he was wasting his breath as Antonio was off in his own little world.

Due to my inability to walk quickly enough to get from point A to point B in ample time, I opted to use the service of a wheelchair. After a short time of walking my left leg is numb. Then also there is the added carry on luggage to tow as well as my purse. I have a hard time walking and chewing gum, so the wheelchair gave me clear sailing through the airport. We were a group of ill-fated travelers all with our own set of problems. I was not fretting as I felt all would work out for good.

The grownups seemed to be working out details. Because of their need to get to their destination it was suggested we all pitch in and rent a vehicle and drive to Ft. Walton which had wide open seating. The younger of the two women had no extra money and would have been left with her daughter in the airport overnight unless we split the cost of the van three ways. Was the choice hard to make? Not at all. If I had to stay overnight in the terminal I would have had to eat. Eating at the airport is like eating in a five-star restaurant without the ambience. Earlier I had a cold ham and cheese sandwich, some fresh fruit and coffee. I winced at the bill of $18.00. If I were not diabetic, I would have settled for an over-priced bag of chips.

I sat in the chair entertaining the little ones while the USAirway workers worked their magic. In order to keep Antonio focused I told him it was because of him we were getting to the gate at Ft. Walton in time to board the flight. We barely made it, but make it we did. Now things were looking up. I had a window seat and enjoyed the beauty of the view above the storm clouds below. The flight from Ft. Walton to Charlotte was uneventful and short. Once in Charlotte, each employee went their own way and I sat conversing with a lady who also was in a wheelchair. She had braces and I could only think how blessed I really am to only have to use a cane. While we talked a man was pacing back and forth, grumbling about how this airline was the worst he had ever seen. I purposely stopped him and told him, in my opinion, this is one of the best airlines. He continued to grumble. I felt he needed to take a deep breath and think of the possibilities of pending troubles that only God could see and in fact he was being protected from unforseen problems. Soon we boarded.

This is when I came face-to-face with the fact conversation between people is becoming outdated. I had an isle seat this time and was seated next to a very pleasant gentleman who indulged an old woman’s queries with light conversation. Soon I noticed his breathing had become rhythmic and he slept. There was one seat in front of us where a young man and woman talked.

In the left side of the plane I noted the choices those passengers made. In the first seat a man was reading a paperback book. Behind him a gentleman was reading something on a Kindle. The disgruntled man was next and had ear buds in his ear. Behind him, just across the isle from my seat a gentleman was playing games on an ipod while the woman next to him was playing games on her smart phone. The next seat back a man was reading a magazine. I sat there in amazement as I saw why conversation is becoming obsolete. Everyone was wrapped up in their own world, never curious about their surroundings. Completely lost in their own worlds they traveled. The only conversation was between one man and one woman. What a waste of a precious gift God gave to man. I don’t think He wants us so wrapped up in ourselves that we function without talking. We could just do away with our voice boxes if we fail to use them. I wonder if a voice box becomes obsolete without use?? Let’s talk about it.

Another soldier dies

Another soldier was killed as he did his duty in the Armed Forces. He was not forced to join the service but chose to do so. He wanted to keep me safe by offering his own life and sacrificing dearly by being far from home and family. He did this because he loves America and her citizens. This soldier ignored the warning that he could be killed as a result of his enlistment in the Armed Forces to protect America. The soldier gave his life for me, someone he never met, someone too old to fight for herself. This brave soldier is a patriot. And who cares? How much money did he receive for all this? Not nearly enough I am sure. I wonder how many flags flew at half-staff for him? Was his funeral attended by the media moguls and high-society people?

A celebrity takes too many drugs, and falls asleep in a bathtub. With riches and fame she played her game not in the least concerned about me. How much media coverage was given there? Well, of course it was all over the news. After all, this was someone famous. It was even said that "God was in awe" when this talented person reached heaven. Many celebrities attended her funeral. The media moguls showered her with accolades befitting a queen. I am sure the amenities attached to her funeral were well beyond the month's pay of the soldier who died.

And yes, because of my statement regarding what I already knew in my heart regarding how she died, I was chastised by someone. Innocent until proven guilty was quoted. Now that the truth of the drugs that were in her body comes out, how much of that is in the news? I would say most people have not heard a word regarding the fact she had Valium, Xanax and alcohol in her system. The warnings regarding drinking and taking Xanax were ignored. ("It may also slow both the heart rate and breathing, which can cause you to pass out or have difficulty breathing -- and may even lead to death.") http://anxiety.emedtv.com/xanax/xanax-and-alcohol.html
The warnings regarding drinking and taking Vallium were Ignored. ("The additive affects of alcohol to Valium's central acting depressant effect can cause severe respiratory depression and death. Using alcohol and Valium can result in a fatal overdose which can stop the heart or cause coma." http://www.livestrong.com/article/216529-side-effects-of-valium-alcohol/#ixzz1nQfK9p6L

Taking drugs became a crutch for the celebrity. She was so famous she lost control of good sense. Yes, that is what I said, she lost any good sense she had when she was just a voice in a church choir. How sad. From singing for God to pleasing herself led to her demise. I have a hard time grieving a lost such as this. As for the soldier my heart grieves deeply because he cared for others more than himself. I grieve for his family who laid him in the ground many years too soon. I have been where this family is now. Folks, it hurts. It hurts more knowing so little attention is paid to a soldier that dies than to a celebrity who of their own free will gets so involved with self they have to medicate daily to cope with life.

We should be ashamed of ourselves for being so backward in our thinking. There will come and time when we answer to God for those things we neglect here on earth. I am not impressed by celebrity. I am impressed by the valor of an American soldier. God help us change our way of thinking.