Today's thought...How did we get so off course...????
Okay this is going to be a nostalgia post, I know, but you know what? It's Christmas. I don't care. I'm going there. How did this world get so strange? How is it that this world got to the point that it's in now? And not just in America, EVERYWHERE!!!
I was talking to my mom tonight, and we got into a convo about Christmas past. When times were simpler. When it was just us three families, and really just one. It was my grandma and grandpa, and their three kids, their kids included. I remember Christmas. Going to my aunts house, eating at the table in the living room, Mom and Dad, Son and wife, Daughter and husband, Daughter, five children, and usually someone who was adopted into the family at some point by someone. That's what I remember. Those are the times I cherish.
Of course, this was years ago. Times do change. People move away, people pass to heaven, lives grow, children have children and so on and so forth. But is it so strange for me to want my child, to have the same memories I do? But alas, she can't. My little girl doesn't have what I have. She isn't going to have the memories of the whole family getting together. Because the generation she's growing up in, we don't have such things.
Christmas isn't about getting together as much any more. Christmas is about Skyping with the parents that aren't close enough to be here. It's about seeing the pictures of the cousins on Facebook and trying to share it. It's about seeing the parents that thankfully CAN be there, and hope that THAT side of the family is able to be together, and not stuck working or otherwise.
And it makes me sad. I get it. I realize that Christmas should be the last time of the year that I should be sad, but it does make me sad. Christmas isn't what it used to be. My little girl is NEVER going to be able to have the memories I did. Then my mom, smartest woman in the world, tells me that I need to make my own memories for my daughter, so that she has something to take with her in the future.
Then we get into a conversation about how much times have changed, and family dynamics are a thing of the past and how much our world has changed. When did my relationship with my mom, something that I hold so sacred, and so dear, become so out of the realm, that I look around, and I can't find more than one or two people that I know, that have the same relationship with their mom's as I do?
Or even my daddy. And I mean, I totally get that mine and my mom's relationship or even mine and my dad's, is special. But (literally, I can count on one had) the people I know, don't have even remotely CLOSE to the relationship with their parents as I have. How did this happen? How is it parents and children have gotten to the point that they're so estranged from each other, that the relationship isn't anywhere close to what it should be? How is it we've gotten so far away from what family is, that we don't know where it's from any more? Why isn't my relationship with my mom, the norm?
I'm not complaining at all, don't get me wrong. But seriously!? My friends look at me like I'm on crack, when I talk about things I discuss with my mom. Why? When did this world get away from being able to talk to our parents? When did this world get to the point that family get-togethers, and family dynamics, stopped being basic connections to the other person, period? When did we get away from what family is really about?
Am I just that strange? Is my relationship with my mom, just that different from the norm? Is it just that wrong, to want my daughter, to know half of what I did growing up?
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Today's thought...Legends are funny things.
My husband and I were out to dinner the other night, at Logan's. I was talking to our server and I asked him if he knew there was a Gnome inside every peanut. He says no, so I show him. But in the process of showing him I realize, I don't know about the legend behind the gnome inside the peanut.
So, I come home, and I Google it. Alas I find, there is no such legend anywhere on the internet. So I go back to the source of the original person that showed me. They tell me to ask another person and I do. Turns out, as far as anyone is aware, there is no legend anywhere. So I, being the creative brain that I am, created one. And here we have:
The Legend of the Gnome Inside the Peanut (Copyright 12/13/14)
One day, a long time ago there lived a village of gnomes, thriving peacefully. Now gnomes, who can live up to four hundred years, have two known enemies. Trolls, and humans. One could live below ground with the gnomes, one above. Well one day, while in a battle with the humans, this particular bunch of gnomes, wound up fighting once more, when they went underground, with the trolls. Turns out, the humans, had made a deal with the trolls, to wipe out this village of gnomes, being as gnomes are notorious for being impish.
Stuck, and not willing to give up their lives, they traveled as far as possible, winding up in a peanut grove. Knowing that both the trolls and the humans were bearing down on them, they did the only thing they could think of, and hid inside the peanuts that were growing there. Their hope, was if they hid inside the peanuts, they would be able to avoid devastation. But, they couldn't just jump inside of a plant or seed. As guardians of the ground, they did the right thing, and asked for permission. The peanuts of course, agreeing to hide the gnomes; as they knew that though they were impish above the ground, below the ground, they took care of the roots, flowers, plants and soil.
They created a special bond, that spanned generations as well as tribes, allowing the gnomes to hide within the peanuts when the need arose, no questions asked. What they didn't realize, was that when the gnomes jumped inside of the peanuts, it created a small spot in the top of the nut, that would, if inspected, reveal their hiding spot, leaving the part in the top, only visible to humans that were careful enough to discover it. And so, every time you open a peanut and find a gnome, remember that even though they are not there any longer, on one fateful day, possibly long ago...possibly not, a gnome hid, inside that peanut, for the safety and protection during a battle, leaving it's legacy behind.
ADDENDUM: It has recently come to my attention that there is a STORY about a gnome in peanut, an old fairy-tale. I'm currently researching this to make sure that I am not stepping on toes with my creative legend.
My husband and I were out to dinner the other night, at Logan's. I was talking to our server and I asked him if he knew there was a Gnome inside every peanut. He says no, so I show him. But in the process of showing him I realize, I don't know about the legend behind the gnome inside the peanut.
So, I come home, and I Google it. Alas I find, there is no such legend anywhere on the internet. So I go back to the source of the original person that showed me. They tell me to ask another person and I do. Turns out, as far as anyone is aware, there is no legend anywhere. So I, being the creative brain that I am, created one. And here we have:
The Legend of the Gnome Inside the Peanut (Copyright 12/13/14)
One day, a long time ago there lived a village of gnomes, thriving peacefully. Now gnomes, who can live up to four hundred years, have two known enemies. Trolls, and humans. One could live below ground with the gnomes, one above. Well one day, while in a battle with the humans, this particular bunch of gnomes, wound up fighting once more, when they went underground, with the trolls. Turns out, the humans, had made a deal with the trolls, to wipe out this village of gnomes, being as gnomes are notorious for being impish.
Stuck, and not willing to give up their lives, they traveled as far as possible, winding up in a peanut grove. Knowing that both the trolls and the humans were bearing down on them, they did the only thing they could think of, and hid inside the peanuts that were growing there. Their hope, was if they hid inside the peanuts, they would be able to avoid devastation. But, they couldn't just jump inside of a plant or seed. As guardians of the ground, they did the right thing, and asked for permission. The peanuts of course, agreeing to hide the gnomes; as they knew that though they were impish above the ground, below the ground, they took care of the roots, flowers, plants and soil.
They created a special bond, that spanned generations as well as tribes, allowing the gnomes to hide within the peanuts when the need arose, no questions asked. What they didn't realize, was that when the gnomes jumped inside of the peanuts, it created a small spot in the top of the nut, that would, if inspected, reveal their hiding spot, leaving the part in the top, only visible to humans that were careful enough to discover it. And so, every time you open a peanut and find a gnome, remember that even though they are not there any longer, on one fateful day, possibly long ago...possibly not, a gnome hid, inside that peanut, for the safety and protection during a battle, leaving it's legacy behind.
ADDENDUM: It has recently come to my attention that there is a STORY about a gnome in peanut, an old fairy-tale. I'm currently researching this to make sure that I am not stepping on toes with my creative legend.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Today's thought...quitting, and technology.
We'll start with the low side. Bills are forever hounding me. Looking to see if I could help bring some kind of income into the house, I've published a couple of my books. Going to the reports to see what I had available for a paycheck today, I realized on my website, I have nothing. I have two books published, and no one has purchased them but myself it seems. Well, myself and a few people who have bought them because they're kind of tied to me, so they're obligated...I guess? And maybe this is because I'm on some major cold medicine and tired as everything, but it's just made me wonder. What's the point? Should I quit publishing my works all together? No one reads it. No one buys them. Does anyone care if I publish anything else? And as I read this now I realize it seems like a pity party...but whatever. It's how I feel. Maybe once I get it out there, I'll feel better and get back to it tomorrow. But as for now...I'm really not sure if my writing makes a difference to anyone out there. And if it doesn't, and isn't being enjoyed, then there's not really a point. Is there?
Now for the high side. Talking to my mommy tonight (And most of you that read this...ya'll KNOW how important my mommy is to me), I thought about how much technology has come so far. Let me explain. Fifteen years ago, when I wanted to talk to my mom, and she lived far away, or I was on the road and was far away, I had to call and talk to her over the phone. My mom is deaf. This was no easy task. There were no cell phones. I mean, there were, but she could barely understand me on a land line, and cell phones were big, and bulky and only for the rich. Well, to me anyway. It was an expense we could do without. I mean hell, we had a land line. We'd survived without a cell for thousands of years, what did we need one? My how times have changed. And not just cell phones....My gosh, COMPUTERS!!! Holy crap!
Now, I can bring my mom, INTO MY HOUSE! Straight through the computer or cell phone. Instant messaging has completely revolutionized how we talk. Fifteen years ago, I got to talk to my mom....probably once every two or three days and for five minutes, and nine times out of ten, she didn't get half of what I said. Now, I can get online and IM her, and we can talk all day, with no misinterpretation or misunderstanding. And when internet is down, or we're away from our computers/homes, we can text each other. And not only can we text...we can send pictures!
Again, bringing mom into the house! Mom asked if I was at my computer. I tell her I'm peeling potatoes. She asks what's for dinner. Not thinking a thing of it, I snap a picture of the pot roast in the crock pot, and send it to her. She chimes back with Yumm...and I stop and realize, fifteen years ago, I could have never done that. I wouldn't be able to spend time with my mom every night, even though she's seven hundred miles away, if it wasn't for technology. People gripe about how much technology has taken away from every day things and every day conversations with people. In some points of it, I can understand and see. But I have to disagree with most of it. Because of booms in technology, I can, and DO, talk to my mom, every day. I never miss a day. Be it over a text, or over IM, or even Skype. She can see her granddaughter, instead of watching her grow up in pictures. She can talk to her, and they have several conversations over IM (With me typing of course).
Does technology replace hugs? Not in a million years. Do I still miss my mama? Daily. So does my daughter. She always talks about her Grahmma and Grahmpa and how much she can't wait to see them again. But now...we can see each other, and we can talk daily, and I can send her a pic of a pot roast in the crock pot, and not think twice about it. Now if it can keep up, maybe in a few more years I'll be able to teleport them here for dinner once a week, and visa versa. Asking too much you think?
We'll start with the low side. Bills are forever hounding me. Looking to see if I could help bring some kind of income into the house, I've published a couple of my books. Going to the reports to see what I had available for a paycheck today, I realized on my website, I have nothing. I have two books published, and no one has purchased them but myself it seems. Well, myself and a few people who have bought them because they're kind of tied to me, so they're obligated...I guess? And maybe this is because I'm on some major cold medicine and tired as everything, but it's just made me wonder. What's the point? Should I quit publishing my works all together? No one reads it. No one buys them. Does anyone care if I publish anything else? And as I read this now I realize it seems like a pity party...but whatever. It's how I feel. Maybe once I get it out there, I'll feel better and get back to it tomorrow. But as for now...I'm really not sure if my writing makes a difference to anyone out there. And if it doesn't, and isn't being enjoyed, then there's not really a point. Is there?
Now for the high side. Talking to my mommy tonight (And most of you that read this...ya'll KNOW how important my mommy is to me), I thought about how much technology has come so far. Let me explain. Fifteen years ago, when I wanted to talk to my mom, and she lived far away, or I was on the road and was far away, I had to call and talk to her over the phone. My mom is deaf. This was no easy task. There were no cell phones. I mean, there were, but she could barely understand me on a land line, and cell phones were big, and bulky and only for the rich. Well, to me anyway. It was an expense we could do without. I mean hell, we had a land line. We'd survived without a cell for thousands of years, what did we need one? My how times have changed. And not just cell phones....My gosh, COMPUTERS!!! Holy crap!
Now, I can bring my mom, INTO MY HOUSE! Straight through the computer or cell phone. Instant messaging has completely revolutionized how we talk. Fifteen years ago, I got to talk to my mom....probably once every two or three days and for five minutes, and nine times out of ten, she didn't get half of what I said. Now, I can get online and IM her, and we can talk all day, with no misinterpretation or misunderstanding. And when internet is down, or we're away from our computers/homes, we can text each other. And not only can we text...we can send pictures!
Again, bringing mom into the house! Mom asked if I was at my computer. I tell her I'm peeling potatoes. She asks what's for dinner. Not thinking a thing of it, I snap a picture of the pot roast in the crock pot, and send it to her. She chimes back with Yumm...and I stop and realize, fifteen years ago, I could have never done that. I wouldn't be able to spend time with my mom every night, even though she's seven hundred miles away, if it wasn't for technology. People gripe about how much technology has taken away from every day things and every day conversations with people. In some points of it, I can understand and see. But I have to disagree with most of it. Because of booms in technology, I can, and DO, talk to my mom, every day. I never miss a day. Be it over a text, or over IM, or even Skype. She can see her granddaughter, instead of watching her grow up in pictures. She can talk to her, and they have several conversations over IM (With me typing of course).
Does technology replace hugs? Not in a million years. Do I still miss my mama? Daily. So does my daughter. She always talks about her Grahmma and Grahmpa and how much she can't wait to see them again. But now...we can see each other, and we can talk daily, and I can send her a pic of a pot roast in the crock pot, and not think twice about it. Now if it can keep up, maybe in a few more years I'll be able to teleport them here for dinner once a week, and visa versa. Asking too much you think?
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Today's thought....wow have I been SLACKING!!!!????
Lots of things have been happening to me lately. I've gotten my fourth book published, I got an editing job with one of the coolest magazines ever, and the best part of my summer thus far, my Shima, flew my mama in from out of state, and surprised me with a two week visit. It's been pretty amazing and a lot of fun.
I've been doing a lot of horseback riding and I'm actually being given the opportunity to show in a couple of weeks. Holy cow am I nervous! But it's a great nervous. :) That's honestly all I got right now, there's been a lot more, but too much to write about tonight. But I'll start getting back into this habit of mine, and making some actual sense with my blogs again soon! :) I promise!
Lots of things have been happening to me lately. I've gotten my fourth book published, I got an editing job with one of the coolest magazines ever, and the best part of my summer thus far, my Shima, flew my mama in from out of state, and surprised me with a two week visit. It's been pretty amazing and a lot of fun.
I've been doing a lot of horseback riding and I'm actually being given the opportunity to show in a couple of weeks. Holy cow am I nervous! But it's a great nervous. :) That's honestly all I got right now, there's been a lot more, but too much to write about tonight. But I'll start getting back into this habit of mine, and making some actual sense with my blogs again soon! :) I promise!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Todays thought...who I am.
I've been discovering a little bit about who I am versus society and people that I associate with and what I see. It's an interesting concept trying to figure out who you are, when those around you are giving you conflicting ideals of who you should be. Let me give a few examples. I stuck up for Katy Perry at her Grammy performance Sunday night. Automatically that makes me a devil worshiper. I stuck up for Miley Cyrus when the whole music awards thing happened. This instantly makes me a slut with no morals. I support my cousin's right to be happy and have equal rights. Of course you know this means that I hold no Christian values. I support the Tea Party and am a die hard Conservative. This makes me a close minded racist.
Now, do you want to know who I am? Or are you interested only in what other people think and say I should be? I know who I am now. It's taken me a long time to get there, but I'm there. I love Katy Perry and I think she's no more a devil worshiper than I am. She did an incredible job in that performance and I thought it was great. I believe in religious tolerance and more than just those that make me comfortable. I love talking about God and I love learning about other religions. This in no way changes me and how I feel about God and my walk with him. I am confident enough in the foundation of our relationship that learning, isn't going to make me sway.
I love Miley Cyrus. Have since she was Hanna Montana. Love her now, even if I wouldn't want my daughter watching her. Doesn't mean she's a bad person or that she has gone way off the deep end. She's smart. And she knows what she wants and how she wants to do it. Don't believe me. Consider for me if you will, Madonna. Or even more THIS generation, Britney Spears. Both brilliant, both wild for their days, both amazing singers, and both richer than I'll ever be. And here comes Miley. Just as brillaint, just as wild for her day, just as amazing a singer. Guess what? I don't dress like that, I don't flaunt myself like that, I don't let my daughter see it, though she does hear the songs and loves them. While I will raise her to respect herself, I will NOT raise her to be afraid or ashamed of any part of her body.
I support my cousin's right to be married. This is not about religion. This is not about my own feelings. This is simply about the fact that flat out and point blank, I feel like my gay cousin, has every much as right as I do, to get married, have benefits, be an equal. Have those rights afforded to him. I have no qualms with it. I'm a God fearing Christian. Do you have any questions of my faith? Please refer to the Katy Perry paragraph.
Lastly, I support the Tea Party and am a die hard Conservative. That's right. I said it! What about it? I don't like our current president. And I PROMISE YOU, it has ZERO to do with what race everyone THINKS he is or is not. I have my doubts regardless of whether or not unfounded, but it's personal. There are things about the man that I dislike. And I assure you, NONE of them, have ANYTHING to do with the color of his skin. I am not a racist. If you ask any of my friends, they will tell you that I have never treated them as anything but an equal, Black, White, Mexican, Native...you name it, I have several. Do you know why that is? My mama raised me to know that there was no such thing as color of skin. There was person, personality and inside emotion. Just like me. My daddy raised me to know that it didn't matter where you came from, what mattered was a persons mind. If they had things in common with you. If they liked the same foods, the same music, the same...ANYTHING, that could connect you with that person. Because as I was taught, chances are, if there's one thing, there are several others. I was not raised by EITHER parent that outside appearance mattered, and I'll be DAMNED if I teach my daughter anything else.
Anyway, this is me. God fearing child of Christ, lover of all, fighter of equal rights and seer of no outside appearance. Think of me what you will, but I know who I am. And my FAMILY (friends included), knows who I am. And you know...I don't need anyone to justify me. I am awesome. And I am who I am. And the people in my circle, love me for it. So bring it on world. I'm gonna be me. Who's strong enough to hang in?
I've been discovering a little bit about who I am versus society and people that I associate with and what I see. It's an interesting concept trying to figure out who you are, when those around you are giving you conflicting ideals of who you should be. Let me give a few examples. I stuck up for Katy Perry at her Grammy performance Sunday night. Automatically that makes me a devil worshiper. I stuck up for Miley Cyrus when the whole music awards thing happened. This instantly makes me a slut with no morals. I support my cousin's right to be happy and have equal rights. Of course you know this means that I hold no Christian values. I support the Tea Party and am a die hard Conservative. This makes me a close minded racist.
Now, do you want to know who I am? Or are you interested only in what other people think and say I should be? I know who I am now. It's taken me a long time to get there, but I'm there. I love Katy Perry and I think she's no more a devil worshiper than I am. She did an incredible job in that performance and I thought it was great. I believe in religious tolerance and more than just those that make me comfortable. I love talking about God and I love learning about other religions. This in no way changes me and how I feel about God and my walk with him. I am confident enough in the foundation of our relationship that learning, isn't going to make me sway.
I love Miley Cyrus. Have since she was Hanna Montana. Love her now, even if I wouldn't want my daughter watching her. Doesn't mean she's a bad person or that she has gone way off the deep end. She's smart. And she knows what she wants and how she wants to do it. Don't believe me. Consider for me if you will, Madonna. Or even more THIS generation, Britney Spears. Both brilliant, both wild for their days, both amazing singers, and both richer than I'll ever be. And here comes Miley. Just as brillaint, just as wild for her day, just as amazing a singer. Guess what? I don't dress like that, I don't flaunt myself like that, I don't let my daughter see it, though she does hear the songs and loves them. While I will raise her to respect herself, I will NOT raise her to be afraid or ashamed of any part of her body.
I support my cousin's right to be married. This is not about religion. This is not about my own feelings. This is simply about the fact that flat out and point blank, I feel like my gay cousin, has every much as right as I do, to get married, have benefits, be an equal. Have those rights afforded to him. I have no qualms with it. I'm a God fearing Christian. Do you have any questions of my faith? Please refer to the Katy Perry paragraph.
Lastly, I support the Tea Party and am a die hard Conservative. That's right. I said it! What about it? I don't like our current president. And I PROMISE YOU, it has ZERO to do with what race everyone THINKS he is or is not. I have my doubts regardless of whether or not unfounded, but it's personal. There are things about the man that I dislike. And I assure you, NONE of them, have ANYTHING to do with the color of his skin. I am not a racist. If you ask any of my friends, they will tell you that I have never treated them as anything but an equal, Black, White, Mexican, Native...you name it, I have several. Do you know why that is? My mama raised me to know that there was no such thing as color of skin. There was person, personality and inside emotion. Just like me. My daddy raised me to know that it didn't matter where you came from, what mattered was a persons mind. If they had things in common with you. If they liked the same foods, the same music, the same...ANYTHING, that could connect you with that person. Because as I was taught, chances are, if there's one thing, there are several others. I was not raised by EITHER parent that outside appearance mattered, and I'll be DAMNED if I teach my daughter anything else.
Anyway, this is me. God fearing child of Christ, lover of all, fighter of equal rights and seer of no outside appearance. Think of me what you will, but I know who I am. And my FAMILY (friends included), knows who I am. And you know...I don't need anyone to justify me. I am awesome. And I am who I am. And the people in my circle, love me for it. So bring it on world. I'm gonna be me. Who's strong enough to hang in?
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