It's good to have a friend......

A few days back I found myself in a bad spot. But, I had a good friend who listened to me, didn't judge, and supported me through a very rough moment and rough following days. In reading a letter from him today I found myself thinking how wonderful it is to have such a friend. And, maybe it was a phrase, or - well, who knows, but in my mind begins this song, and I just wanted to share it with you. If I may be so bold as to thank my very good friend for his friendship by offering my shoulder to another...sort of a pay it forward type thing. I know that I am not alone, despite how I sometimes feel. If you have something weighing you down, hang tight my brothers and reach out. We can all be here for eachother.

Cute and odd photos that made me smile. Hope you like them too.

In a very serious situation, some take things just a bit too seriously.

I'm sure this has a great deal of meaning to those who are involved. It does my heart good to see them shake hands there at the closing. But, from my very limited perspective, this is very odd behavior.

Ok, now I'm pissed!

Hi Everyone; Yep, here I sit, pissed off! I'm hoping all who read this will investigate on thier own and tell their friends....shoot, tell your enemies too. I have received 4 calls in the last two months from an organization that depicts itself as standing up for children with leukemia. Now, helping sick kids.....that's a heartstring button if there ever was one. You tell me you need money to help a sick kid I ask where and when. But, something slowed me down on this one. I asked them to send me their information so I could investigate their charity. Oooh, it got quiet. It got real quiet. "We can't do that, sir". Hmm. They told me that because mailing out the information was cost prohibitive I would need to commit a donation. Well, that wasn't going to happen, but I bought their line about the expense and shrugged it off as just not something that was going to work out. Then I got their next call. Well, today I have received my fourth call from them. Now, that is four calls that I have answered. My caller id lists at least 10 others. Since that first call, I have informed the solicitor that I would not donate without better information. Today's call interrupted my sleep and I answered out of habit, barely awake. I angrily told the solicitor that they have yet to send the information yet continue to call asking for money. Do not call me again. Would you believe the jerk hung up on me?! Well, google to the rescue. I asked how to rate a charity and found a site that showed the rating for this charity was 2-of-4 stars. Most of that was for "capacity"....ie: how much could they fleece. They give out less than 1% of the revenue. I can't wait for the next call !!! So, here is my request to you: If you get a call for donations, be generous - but wise. Look up the expenses to dispersals rate. How much of a dollar gets to the child. If it's a scam, I say let them have it with both barrels! What assholes. Aaargh!

Dominant Ideology

What is the dominant ideology of your world? Is it the same seen on the 6:00 news? Is it written in the local newspaper? Do you see it from the pulpit? Now, here is the big question: is it factual? Or, here one: is it right? One of the wars going on in my mind is the conflict I feel being raised in the republican conservative all's-good-on-Sunday-if-we-don't-talk-about-it ideas. I read Scottie's calling out and wonder if he sees it so clearly why are we not seeing it in other media. I look into the words of those who pound the podium in self-agandizement soon found charlatan and hypocrite and wonder if they can continue spouting the party line despite their life then the party must only care about the line not the messenger. And, it's eaten up. That line of ___ is eaten up by a populace that just doesn't want to think, to feel, to know. Somewhere it just wants to be assured, consoled and patted on the back. It wants to believe that the little world in which it lives is right with God and man. It wants to find someone to hate....it really doesn't care who, as long as it's someone, or at least something, but just one or two to keep things understandable. It doesn't want anything to really love outside of itself, maybe it's offspring as long as no one threatens the status quo. It's living life as a marshmallow....keep it in a nice climate and all is sweet and good. I feel hurt and angered when I hear people pounding the podium, where-ever that particular "podium" is found. Soap-box politics; let me stand up and shout out the party line and all is good. Think? oh hell no! Just follow. It's ever so much easier. Thank you to all those out there who force me to think. To come out of my little comfort zone, typically kicking and screaming, and look at the world around me, to look at the me in the world. I love this song. I hope you do too.