I’ve mentioned that I’m starting to feel better about
America. I think we are all starting to
wake up and smell the coffee. This
election brought in some good people and knocked out a few not so good. I mentioned the other day that I thought with
Elizabeth Warren, the Senate now has a conscience. Only problem is that she is only one person
is a sea of many other politicians who I don’t think have a conscience.
I believe in my heart and soul that Elizabeth Warren does
have the best interest of most of us in this country in what she is planning to
do. There are so many issues that I’m
not sure I understand what the best way to go is. When I feel that way from now on, I’ll go
check to see….WWEWD?
She may be only one voice but she’s going to be a voice that many of the
rest of us will be listening to. When we
find out what Elizabeth would do, we can help by contacting our senators and
representatives to ask them to help her.
Remember they do work for us. We
can fire them!
Even though I live in the swampy flatlands of Louisiana, I heard we will all be facing a cliff. They call it the fiscal cliff. I'm not sure what will happen there and I'm worried. I'll be waiting to find out...WWEWD.
140 comments:
Some years back, during the early years of the Iraq war, I remember a story about these billions of dollars that were misplaced. It wasn't shouted from the roof tops like I think it should have been and you guys might not even remember it. It wasn't just peanuts it was possibly as much as 18.7 billion. Not easy to hide.
I Googled to see if anything was ever done about that missing money. Doesn't look like it.
New York Federal Reserve mum on missing Iraq billions
Didn't want to mention it yesterday, on a day we reserve to honor veterans, but I don't think any of these recent wars were fought to protect our freedom. They were fought to waste and/or misplace lots of money.
Yesterday I had to rescue another baby kitty. I heard one crying and so far the only time I hear that is when one has fallen off the love seat. Sure enough, when I went in and counted, there were only three. Mama kitty, Ms Kitty, was in there hiding. As soon as I entered the room, they all shut up. Mama must send out a signal that danger is near. I had to dig around until I found the kitty. It was a different kitty this time. I tried to shore up the leaks and things have been quiet since. I go outside and listen frequently. Yep Jan, being a grandma is a stressful job.
"Didn't want to mention it yesterday, on a day we reserve to honor veterans, but I don't think any of these recent wars were fought to protect our freedom. They were fought to waste and/or misplace lots of money."
I agree, Carol... although I don't think we know everything. The sad part is about all those deaths and lives that have been ruined.
The Army recruiter was telling us why the Construction department of the armed forces in is so important. He's said very nonchalantly that after we blow up all these places, we have to go back and rebuild them.
Of course, I knew that's what we do, but his nonchalance struck me as what a waste it all is... (mostly the loss of human life).
Chloe, I agree if we break it, we fix it but companies who had friends in high places got no bid contracts to go in there and make a big mess trying to rebuild. They charged us all a fortune and left it like that. There were hundreds of stories about that. Remember?
"I agree, Carol... although I don't think we know everything."
Believe me, if anything good happened, we'd have heard about it. They don't hide the good stuff.
Financial cost of the two wars?
"$3.7-4.4 trillion estimated total costs to American taxpayers. This includes the official Pentagon budget (above), veterans’ medical and disability costs, homeland security expenses, war-related international aid and the Pentagon’s projected expenditures to 2020.
$1 trillion more in interest payments through 2020 on money the U.S. borrowed for war."
The Real Costs of War
This article also shows the lives affected.
I've often tried to wrap my brain around how much money a trillion dollars is. It's a million million.
I can't wrap my brain about those huge amount of money either.
For the last year, we've been trying to squirrel away as much money as we can in case things really get bad. We finally got our mortgage paid off, and the house is the most important thing to me (of course). How's your camp coming along?
The thing that seems much harder to prepare for is if the dollar takes a huge drop.
I hope your optimism is right on, and maybe then things will begin to at least level out.
Glad your looking after those kitties. It's going to be cold tonight, but their mama will keep them warm.
Believe me, she can move them around if she wants (at least I've never seen one that couldn't.)
The younger you handle them the better though, so it's good that you are. Their mama doesn't seem (from what you've said) completely feral. Most of them will hiss when you hand handle their babies.
Well Chloe, truth is...I'm not optimistic. I'm scared too. After listening to The Young Turks tonight, I'm even more afraid. Cenk had William Black on. He's a guy that I listen to like I do Elizabeth. What he had to say about the plans of both sides doesn't sound good. I hope Liz has our backs.
I'm still waiting for my contractor to get started on my camp. He did tell me last week that he should be getting started this week if he doesn't run into any complications with the job he's doing now.
I'm worried about the babies tonight. I keep going out and listening for any sounds of distress. I don't think mama knows how to pick the babies up if they fall off the seat. I've been thinking about changing their set up but I'm afraid mama may not like what I have in mind. It's hard to know when to leave well enough alone. I guess that could apply to people also.
"It's hard to know when to leave well enough alone"
I know exactly what you mean. What I've always tried to do is build them a type of manger to lay in. Cats love terry cloth (towel) or some soft and cuddly they can crawl into. They probably need to be down on the ground in order to move around and to go potty.
I really don't think you have anything to worry about. Mama will definitely take care of them, but your involvement is a very positive, good thing (for her and her babies).
If you put out a little kitten hard food (which will be fine for mama right now to, since she's lactating) and a small enough water, by the time the ready for it, they'll start eating very young (a few weeks -- as early as 3 or 4 weeks) but of cause will still depend mostly on mama's milk.
Don't worry about doing to much. The more you're around, the better they'll all end up in the end. If you don't handle them young, then they're never completely tame later. (There are some gene effects too though.)
See! Being a gramma isn't easy. Especially for people like us that worry and care a little (I mean lot) too much.
Don't worry, you doing all the right things. You have plenty of help, because their mama knows best. Since you're keeping her well nourished, you're giving her the opportunity to be very maternal (like you're being).
Like I told you long ago, we don't show our materialism only to humans, we show it in many other ways too. Go with your gut feeling.
... above, materialism was supposed to actually be maternal-ism. I've noticed yours has always been very strong.
Carol,
I just turned my computer back on to remind you (although I sure you already know) not to have even a speck of food nearby them after dark.
During the day they're safe from everything (except dogs). I'm not exactly sure where you have them. I missed to posts.
As this story about Petraeus unfolds, I'm starting to see a different person from what I thought he was. Maybe we expect too much from a person in his position. And what would I know anyway. But as the head of a major military operation and the CIA, I would expect a little more intelligence.
I saw on TM, that Flatus called Petraeus a scumbag. That started me pondering. At first I thought Flatus was being kinda harsh but he was a career military man and he has the expertise and insight in that area. Patreaus certainly didn't size up that Broadwell woman very well but can any man do that when they let their genitals get involved.
That Broadwell woman is something else. Sending threatening emails to one of his female, family friends? How smart is that woman? Seems both of them regressed to high school level behavior.
Just another opportunity to reevaluate those crazy wars and those involved in the hierarchy of them.
Thanks for the kitty advice. I'm kinda waiting to start offering them food because I'm afraid of attracting varmints. I think they are only a couple of weeks old??
I'm thinking about putting them into a large rubber made storage containers? Tall enough so that they can't crawl out yet but mama can get in. What ya think? Maybe I can set that up on that wicker love seat so they aren't too close to the ground. I don't want to piss mama off so that she leaves them.
Sorry Chloe, just when you call me optimist over at TM, I go and blow it. I was just teetering on the edge.
I've always had this sneaky feeling that the Repubs threw these last two elections. What did they offer as competition? Really. They knew that they did about as much damage to this country as they could get by with. They knew that Obama wouldn't cause too much trouble because he wasn't that far off from what they want. They could let the Dems take the blame for a while.
Will MSNBC Continue to Shill for the Great Betrayal?
That was an article by William Black. Scary. That guy is a pretty sharp cookie.
Hi Carol and Chloe, I don't have anything to offer regarding the kitties. I know nothing about cat behavior. Hope all goes well with them Carol.
I have been reading lots about the Pitreaus affair. Probably misspelled his name. These things amaze me. You would think that when they are such high-profile people that they would realize they will be found out. Oh Well, makes the news more interesting. I do feel badly for his wife and grown kids. The other woman sounds like a real piece of work. Do you think the woman's husband wrote the letter to the "dear ethics" guy on the NYT? We used to say, "this sounds like Peyton Place." You two are probably to young to remember that book/movie.
Jan, you like to read fiction, so do you Chloe, I think. I find non-fiction so much more fun especially when it's interactive, when the story is unfolding. You have to work to get the info.
This morning I found that letter the the NYT. Pretty interesting letter and response from the ethicist.
MY WIFE’S LOVER
Oh, and the plot continues to change.
And non-fiction often seems to be stranger, less predictable, than fiction.
Something else I've considered...is any of this overexposure planned to distract us from something else that's going on???
I am intrigued by the enclosed statement in the sentence from the letter to the ethicist. What do you think that refers to???
"I have watched the affair intensify over the last year, and (I have also benefited from his generosity). He is engaged in work that I am passionate about and is absolutely the right person for the job."
Last night Jon Stewart had Huckabee on. He's promoting a book. I think that it's strange he would go on that show. Jon held his feet to the fire for some of the crazy comments he's made and the crazy things that Fox says. He even had him on for longer than he usually has someone on for most interviews. He showed that political commercial where Huckabee insinuated that if a person voted for Obama he/she would go to hell. I saw that commercial and thought that it was outrageous. I'd be scared of anyone who would be influenced by that commercial. The right must assume that most religious fanatics are ignorant. I would hate to make that assumption. Actually, I think they assume that most of us are ignorant at least most of their audience.
Huckabee deserved that kind of confrontation but I couldn't even watch the entire interview, it made me too uncomfortable.
Carol,
I can't speak for Jan, but I like to read fiction for exactly the reason you mentioned: that it's 'not' interactive. That's what's comforting about it (especially at bed time), ane we know there's nothing in that book that can really hurt us -- nothing for us to worry about. It's make believe, therefore, non-threatening.
This stuff that goes on in the government can get downright scarey (and as I often mention) disillusioning.
I understand what you said about the mystery of what's going on in this non fiction drama (such is what's going on now in the world) can be fun, and reads more like a mystery, where you don't know what else will happen, or how it will end.... and everyone has a theory.
But there are so many lie's involved, and so many different points of view, that it becomes too much of a puzzle, and leaves us more confused than enlightened. Fiction is more about control, and also about the lack of it. It lets us rest, because we know no one will ever have to suffer the consequences of it it.... unless it's too close to reality (and that ruins it for me, because it's no longer escapism).
We need escapism, so we don't get lost in never ending confusion (and yes disillusionment) of reality. Reality can litterally drive you crazy. That's why people sometimes go crazy in order to escape it.
I do think you have a fun way of thinking about things.... pondering them, and it makes it more fun and allows us to not take it so seriously (hopefully). But it's also downright maddening that we are lied to so much, and left in the dark about so much, that it becomes a source of conflict (and even anger) to me.
I stopped where I stopped, because I knew I would go over the word limit if I didn't.
I do like reading about every single thing that's coming to light about the whole mess involving the affairs, but still believe we'll never know the whole story. And it has been suspected by some that it's all a distraction to keep us from focusing on even worse things.
I honestly don't believe this is just a fight about the bad guys against the good guys. I realize people try to fit into one party or the other, but I look at things issue by issue, and don't look at them either sides point of view. I wish we could vote that way (everyone's vote counting, and no electoral college).
Flatus see's this through a different set of value's, because he lived his life believing in and living by those particular values because that was his job in the military.
I have different values. Now it's starting to look like maybe national security secrets were passed on to this woman from 'Peaches' (that was her pet name for Petraeus, and the fun of the original story that we were joking about at TM last night is gone, because it's become so much more serious.
I agree with you about the fanatics (like Huckabee). But I don't think they're trying to necessarily brain was the rest of us. I think they're the ones that are brainwashed. They believe that stuff.
Right now, at this moment in time, I think those darling little kitties you are caring for is more important than all the other stuff that is going on and being discussed. That's because you have 'control' of your actions, but have no control over all those other things will do nothing but frustrate you, because you care so much.
Please don't let go of those light heart-ed feelings you were having.
I have a pretty little bird picture (did I already tell you this?) that says 'EVERY LITTLE THING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT'.
We just have to keep on doing the best we can do, and hope for the best.
I feel driven to follow everything that is going on, and to analyze it, but that's all I can do because I don't know what is true and what is being withheld.
Peaches made a mistake, and is paying severely for it, but I still don't think he is a bad man.
Bless you for saying we are too young to remember Peyton Place, Jan... but I remember it well. Just saying it makes thing take on a whole new meaning.
I guess things haven't really changed as much as we think they have.
You are so right Chloe, things have not changed. I too do not believe Petreaus is a bad man. I had a friend in Austin (a woman). She was a beautiful woman and very smart. She was in her 30's when I knew her. She went after powerful men - usually married - and they usually succumbed. It amazed me. She was not interested in ordinary men. I think there are few men who can resist a good looking, intelligent, younger woman who pursues them with everything they have. Petraeus is 60 and she is 40, in great physical shape and obviously is very intelligent.
In many of these situations I think it is the woman who pursues the powerful older man.
I cannot stand Huckabee. He is a Baptist preacher and I don't think he blieves half of what he says. He was the Gov of Arkansas after Clinton. He is full of s***.
Jan, I definitely remember Peyton Place. Wasn't it the first of the night time soap operas? I just looked to see when it was on TV. It was 64-69.
Following this Petraeus story is like watching a TV soap opera. We have to wait each day for the next episode.
I certainly don't look down on Petraeus except that you would think that the head of the CIA should be better at keeping his under cover stuff, undercover. Wouldn't ya think?
We just better make sure that while we all have our noses in their business, the country hasn't started a war with Iran or something else.
When I got home tonight, Ms Kitty, AKA mama kitty, was waiting for me at my back door for a bowl fill up. I usually do that again at about 3p but I was out trying to prepare the camp in case my guys start tomorrow. He was suppose to call me either last Friday or Monday and I didn't hear from him. It has not been easy to get someone who I feel I can trust to do this work.
While Ms Kitty was eating I went in and put another blanket down for the kitties. They were hissing and spitting at me. Their little hisses/spits were soooo cute.
It was cold here today, well..at least for this neck of the woods. I had a hard time leaving the house. I just couldn't face going to the camp where I knew it would be cold. I turned on both AC/heaters and it warmed up fairly fast.
It's supposed to be in the 30s tonight. That's cold here.
Both of the women involved were married to doctors. I think that is kinda ironic and amusing because docs are notorious for screwing around on their women.
Yeh! I thought the same thing when I read the women's husbands were doctors. I found that amusing.
I know you guys don't watch DWTS any longer but thought you might like to know who was eliminated tonight. It was Kirsty and Gilles. I was pleased with the voting. The best dancers stayed on tonight. I was getting tired of Gilles - don't know why?
Can you believe the scandals involving the 2 Generals? Good grief!
"Good grief" pretty much sums it up, Jan,
I need to leave it at that, because I'm left speechless and worried about what is next to come.
What bothered me this morning is reading about the businesses (small to medium) that are having their loans called in, even though they have been in business for many years and have made all their payments on time. The banks are running scared.
Thank goodness we don't don't owe a lot of loans, except on our work trucks. We need to work toward getting them paid off too.
... we've been preparing for this.
Jan, I'm a little ashamed to admit that I've kinda enjoyed this modern day Peyton Place. I do wonder why the story has gotten so much attention. I've heard a few say that after it was learned that no national security was breached, that this story shouldn't be getting this kind of attention.
Anyone know who actually leaked it to the media? Having affairs is pretty much, a dime a dozen, wherever it occurs. I don't think anyone can use it for any partisan ammo either since Petraeus crosses the aisle. He's worked for both administrations. And it's not like there's nothing else important to cover.
I just couldn't enjoy DWTS anymore. It was so blatantly political. And I was kinda grossed out by the way these judges were acting like horny school kids. It was hard for me to separate just enjoying watching the dancing from all the other BS.
I'm still following "The Voice". It's been refreshing. All the judges are sincere. They treat all the contestants with respect. Looks don't seem to play a role in who moves forward. By the time it gets to the viewers voting, they are all so good that it doesn't matter who they vote for.
Chloe, how can a bank call in a loan under those circumstances?
Is this part of punishing the country for the Obama win? Or a way to pressure Obama to make the right decision regarding this fiscal cliff issue?
I've been paying attention to some of these big corp/businesses who are still threatening to cut their employees because of Obamacare. ie Papa Johns. I was reading about the size of his home and how many pools he has there. And I see their ads about giving away 2 million free pizzas when I watch football games. They could use that money on their employees.
"We're guessing Obamacare won't impact life at Schnatter's lavish home, a 40,000 square-foot mansion in a tony suburb of Louisville, Kentucky, that features several swimming pools, a private golf course and a 22-car garage among other amenities.."
Papa John's Obamacare Costs Are Far Less Than Price Of Free Pizza Giveaway
Kinda disgusting huh?
I'm watching The Young Turks on Current TV. Even though they seem to lean left, they hold Obama's feet to the fire. They did support him but they don't trust him either. That's how I also feel.
I buy cheaper pizzas at the deli in the grocery store and doctor it up with extra stuff I like on it.
Carol, I read the story about the loans being called in this morning online. It was before 8 am, and now I can't find it.
It stated several examples, along with the names of the companies. One was a million dollar plus loan that a lumber company (with several outlets) had. They had the first loss ever they reported the last quarter, but had never missed a payment on their loan. They well expected the next quarter to show a profit, and things were fine. However, their bank called in the loan.
The article went on to mention other banks that are calling in business loans also, and named specific small businesses. The banks gave being: they reason they want to clear their ledgers of any kind of risk, and lower the total amount loaned out. None of it was because of missed payments.
How can they do it: I don't know. I went back to look for the article (it must have come from Yahoo or Drudge, since I usually get my first look there in the morning ) but they've both updated already I no longer find the story. I wish I had saved it now. I have my Firefox set to automatically erase my history when I shut down. Then my computer runs my CCleaner. Therefore, I don't have my 'history' to look through.
If I search banks calling in small business loans a lot of stuff comes up, but not the particular article that got me going this morning. I was ranting to hubby about it earlier, reading parts of it out loud to him. Then boom, it's gone now.
... sorry I can't find it, but if I do happen to run across it again, I'll link it. (I even tried to check Drudge archives). Too much is happening too fast I guess.
Carol, John and I do the same when we are hungry for a pizza. That way we can make it a healthier alternative.
Can't say that I make my pizza healthier Jan, but more interesting. I like more of the red sauce than most pizzas have so I get a pizza sauce and add more of it. I add green olives, shouldn't be a shock to your guys since you must have learned by now that olives are one of my food groups. Sometimes I add chopped up, deseeded jalapenos. Remove the seeds and no ouchy the next day.
I've occasionally added some of spinach if I have some left over from the pound of fresh organic spinach I buy every week. I cook it down, drain the spinach then I put a small amount of butter in a frying pan, saute a little chopped garlic, add a small amount of flour and add the spinach. Saute that together for just a little while. That's how mama cooked spinach for us and it never even made it to the supper table. We ate it right out of the pan. I've even gotten people who hate spinach and all other green stuff to love it, when it's cooked that way.
If I use the spinach on my pizza, I'll also add some feta cheese.
Cooking and eating are some of my favorite hobbies and pretty much the only ones that work with cold weather. In the heat of the summer, there's not much food that really sounds interesting to me even though that doesn't slow me down much. Now, I even dream about food. I did buy a scale for the house here so that I might keep an eye on what my hobby is doing to me.
This week I'm pondering what to have for Thanksgiving. No family to worry about this year. I'm going to have Thanksgiving with TW and am thankful that we both like to cook and eat and like most of the same things.
Turkey will be involved and TW suggested a fried or smoked one but noooo, I don't want to miss out on my favorite gravy.
I'm still thinking about the rest of the menu. Checking out the food shows for ideas.
You are making me hungry Carol. All the talk about what you put on your pizzas and pondering what to have for thanksgiving.
Went out this morning to feed mama kitty and check on babies and all the babies are gone. It doesn't look like something got them because nothing seems disturbed. I think mama kitty didn't want my help. I guess it's similar to other kids who are parents. They don't want help from their parents even if they might need it. After my initial sadness, I pondered that I can look at it in a different light, a more favorable one, that the universe took that worry off of my plate o plenty.
It's amusing that Fox News is trying to make out that the results of this election has changed our world from how we once knew it. I do think they are responsible for this crazy talk of succession. That, along with the fact that every temporary, crazy thought we have can now be documented on the Internet. It used to be that when we had crazy thoughts they just passed and no one was aware of our temporary insanity. Now, we post them and they are set in stone. I'm guilty of doing that also.
What really changed with this election? Seems like it's about the same as the last 4 years and we survived them. Actually close to same as the last 12 years.
The other day I went to see the new Bond movie. I'm not a huge Bond fan but it was getting a lot of hype and the kind of movie that's better on as really big screen. Sorry to say that I wasn't impressed. I almost dozed off a couple of times.
There was some good action, not much sex but I just couldn't connect the dots in the plot. I like to be able to connect the dots.
Carol sad & disappointing that the fur family is gone...hope they are safe & not far away & may indeed return...unfortunately cats that live outside have a poor future...
I remember the 1st Bond movie I saw - Goldfinger. I think I saw it on one of my first dates with Bob (about 1965). I looked it up and it said "released in 1964" but it was jan 1965 when we met - back then they showed movies in theatres for several months.
The Patreaus stuff gets weirder every day.
I hope Pat.... and his wife can put this behind them. Despite the affair, I think divorce after many years of marriage is harder on the woman.
And while we're paying attention to this crazy soap opera another war might be brewing. I vote NO on another war.
I found the kitties. I was wondering if mama had put them in a this cabinet under the bar in the pool house. The door to that cabinet was slightly open. I creeped around the back to look in the little house to see if I could see any action and I startled the kitties that were playing behind the little house where I have some stuff stacked up. It's not a good place for them but I'll just have to let mama have her way. I did tell her that I thought it was a dumb idea.
I did put a large plastic storage container, on it's side, with a blanket in it, facing the back of that house, just in case they need a more substantial shelter. Hope that didn't piss her off.
Did anyone catch that story about that Rep. Scott DesJarlais, who won re-election last Tuesday. He's an anti abortion Republican congressman from Tennessee.
He's the doc who had an affair with one of his patients and tried talking her into having an abortion. Turns out one of his wives had two abortions, two. One was because she had taken a prescription that might have affected the fetus and the other was because they were going through a rough patch in their relationship. Doesn't that just beat anything you've ever seen?
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/16/tennessee-republican-gave-testimony-detailing-wifes-abortions/
Personally, for myself, I'm definitely pro life. That applies to pretty much everything except roaches. That's where I draw the line. Now spiders, unless I'm vacuuming and one gets sucked up or if it looks particularly frightening I might kill it. Even with snakes, I try to catch and release. If it were poisonous I'd probably not mind killing it..if I could commission someone else to do the job. It would be kinda hard to do myself while moving away at a high rate of speed.
Hi Carol,
I knew you'd find those kitties. The feral cat that we have outside 'always' moves them at least once (she's had 3 litters because we tried everything, and can't catch her, no even in a humane trap). I'm sure they move them for a good reason and that it is probably has to do with predators. Mama always knows best. :)
She knows you're their friend, and will probably appreciate that you put that shelter in there. And not to worry, she'll never take them far, because she depends on you and trusts you -- she's found home, thanks to you. If she didn't trust you, she'd not let you near her babies. Animals are such wonderful mothers. We could probably learn plenty from them.
Mama may have been dumped and not be completely wild (if she was handled when she was young). The one we have is completely feral, but she's let us take her kittens when they're ready to be weened. We then feed them until they're old enough to be neutered or spayed.
If you get them young enough, they'll always become somewhat, if not completely tame. It's important that they don't keep multiplying, or it becomes a nightmare.
"I hope Pat.... and his wife can put this behind them. Despite the affair, I think divorce after many years of marriage is harder on the woman."
Jan,
I completely agree.
We saw the new Bond movie too (for some reason I've also called them the double 07 movies). I bought the tickets and said I wanted them for the double 07 movie, and the and the guy said, oh... ok: Skyfall.
When I buy tickets for a new Tom Cruise movie, I always tell them at the ticket window I want them for the 'Tom Cruise' movie -- guess I'm too lazy to remember the name. But they always know which one I mean. I must enjoy being quirky. Come to think of it, I'm sure of it.
I missed Sean Connery when they changed him (never thought any of the others were as good), until now. I now think Daniel Craig is the perfect James Bond.
Chloe, I do the same thing. Can never remember names of movies. Most ticket takers get it - LOL.
We rented a movie from Redbox last night that was good. Even John stayed awake. The name of movie is "Love Actually" It is a British movie with some of my fav actors - Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson - to mention just a few. It is a Christmas story of several couples - filmed in London- low key. Sorry Carol but not any big action. I think the movie is a couple of years old but worth the watch.
I don't watch Bond movies - I don't care for all the action/shootings etc. I like a human interest story.
Jan, We saw that movie (Love Actually) when it in the theatres, and we loved it too!
I'm with you -- way too much action in most American movies now-a-days. I was considering going seeing 'Lincoln' yesterday, but it started an hour later.
Chloe, we want to see the Lincoln movie too.
I like movies with some history too
I'm also not into action movies. TW wanted to see it and since it was getting so many good reviews, I decided to give it a try. Like I said, I wasn't impressed.
I do want to see the Lincoln movie but I have a hard time sitting still for that long. I think I'll wait for it to come out on DVD.
My plumber guy finally got here today. He's a friend of a friend and works for a pretty expensive plumbing business.
He does extra jobs on weekends. We tried to hook up one day but I had to do something that day. I thought that maybe he forgot about me but I wasn't in a rush because I was actually enjoying using my other bathroom that I've never even showered in before. He called this morning and said he would be here today.
I was afraid of what he was going to find since the leak seemed to be coming right at the wall. It was a bit of a problem because the pipe he had to remove was into the wall and over half of the end with the threads broke off. I thought..ut oh, there goes the wall. He ended up having to make two trips out to get stuff he needed but it was fixed without the wall coming down. Phew!
My contractor called yesterday and they will start of the camp Monday. Whoopee.
My plumber guy is a young fellow who is raising his three young children by himself. He's a sweetie. With all the work and running out twice, he only charged me 80 bucks. I gave him more.
Tony Kushner, the guy who wrote the screenplay for Lincoln was raised right here in our little town. I remember his parents. His dad was a clarinetist and, for 40 years, conductor of our Civic Symphony here. He graduated from the Julliard School of Music in New York City and played with the Houston and New Orleans Symphonies, the New York City Opera and Metropolitan Opera orchestras in New York.
Tony was born in Manhattan but shortly after moved with his family here.
Big sis played with the Civic Symphony and mom and dad brought us. My mom and dad weren't fancy people but they made sure we were introduced to some culture. They both loved music.
Besides not liking action flicks in my older years, football can be too tense for me also especially the LSU/Old Miss game today. Phew, glad it's over. I had to pause it several times to take a walk around.
Carol, glad you got your plumbing problem fixed and by a nice young man and did not cost too much. We have had our share of plumbing problems in this house.
Did LSU win? John was watching the game but turned it to another game before the end.
How cool that Tony K. is from there. Maybe the movie will get some academy award nominations. Now I really want to go see the movie.
I had to chuckle at your tried to "hook up" with your plumber guy one time. You do know the meaning of "hooking up" in the younger crowd?
Carol and Jan,
We we bought the tickets for 007, the guy told me they were actually selling more tickets for Lincoln.
There was another movie there call Sessions, but I haven't looked it up yet. The guys roaming working and roaming the halls said it was the only R movie showing.
I'll probably look it up out of curiosity.
We show a smaller theater than we usually go to for Bond. It's a theater I've always liked and it doesn't get quite as crowded (especially when we go to the early bird). $6 to get in, not bad compared to others. It only has 5 theaters, where our regular one has about 19 (I think it is).
Both nice theaters though.
.. sorry about my many mistakes when I start racing faster than the brain can keep up with. The one I just deleted was easier to redo than to fix. I'm too lazy to proofread, and notice I still tend to leave the ends off my words and also have some sticky keys that screw me up. Hope you all can decipher my messes.
.........
Carol, I too am glad your plumber showed. Are you moving back in there when it's done. Figured you might wait 'til Spring.
I bet your house is a lot more insulated and warm for the winter (just guessing?)
Nice that you own 2 homes and they're both paid for. That's the best security for the unpredictable future we have coming our way. Don't know if it'll be as bad as some say, but can't hurt to be ready.
"I had to chuckle at your tried to "hook up" with your plumber guy one time. You do know the meaning of "hooking up" in the younger crowd?f"
... yep, that crossed my mind too, Jan. But know Carol well enough to understand which meaning she had in mind. :)
They don't date anymore. They just 'hook up' or 'hang out'.
Guys, I'd be a perv if I tried to hook up, in that way, with my plumber. I'm old enough to be his mama.
I don't plan on moving back to the camp but just staying out there off and on like I used to before I moved out there.
The insulation here is not much better than it is at the camp but I do have central air and heat here. Most of this house is off the ground also but much closer to the ground and there's not all the windows.
I do miss Owl Camp. I haven't been able to stay out there for quite a while now. I try to go there every day to visit. Maggie likes to go and gets really aggravated if I don't take her there everyday.
I don't know Carol. Older men "hook up" with women who are young enough to be their daughters or even granddaughters all the time.
Why is it that women get all this flak when they have romantic involvements with younger men. They have even named such women as "cougers." What do they call men who do this? They are the ones who should be called pervs.
My mother once told me when I was a teenager "you can be a young man's slave or an old man's darling." My mother married a man her age who treated her like s***. I really did get a slanted view of love and marriage when I was young. Both my parents contributed.
Jan, I found this online when I searched for the male version of a female 'cougar':
"a male who is between his 30's and 40's who gets much younger women. a male cougar is also called a rhino."
... I liked your word better: perv.
The problem is, I don't see it as 30 or 40s with younger women as I do 50 through 70s (or so). And completely acceptable to many people.
"I really did get a slanted view of love and marriage when I was young"
Yep, didn't we all?
... as a matter of fact, we probably got a slanted view of just about everything. Thank goodness we can now think and filter better than a kid.
Carol,
The arrangement you've made between using your camp as a get-away and your home for convenience (safety?) and comfort seems like a good decision.
I've often enjoyed your camp (through you) as much as you have.
Living at the camp for three years was an adventure. If you recall, it also took out a number of my bones. Running up and down all those steps was a bone killer. Good exercise also.
Cooking was an adventure out there also. What is weird now is that I never use my stove or big oven here now. I have a little oven here and since I bought that NuWave induction cooktop, that's what I use instead of the stove top.
I've been missing one of the best times of the year, fall, for being at the camp. Winter is not so good even though not terrible.
One thing that is good is that by being back at home, going to the camp will be very special again. I remember all the years that I dreamed, day and night, about having a camp out there. I'd go drive up and down the camp road and ponder. Even though not entirely, the thrill has worn off a bit.
There is a tremendous amount of fun in wanting and anticipating. Think about all those toys we wanted. After we got them, they weren't that special anymore. I did learn from those experiences and I don't go buy junk that I really don't need because it looks like it would be really fun to have it. I remember...that won't last for long, and I save my money.
Just think about all those poor filthy rich people who don't get the opportunity to dream about, want and anticipate. They're missing out on some of life's simple pleasures.
And people who get what they dream about having before they are properly prepared for it....those dreams turn into nightmares.
An article written by our girl Elizabeth. I think she's on the right track.
The First Week in January
Yesterday, I really enjoyed watching football. I'm not a big sport's fan, really I'm not, but last night I had fun watching some of the underdogs beating the number one and two teams in college football. That would be Baylor and Stanford. I kinda beat that Ivy was happy about those two wins also. I think that will give Alabama a better chance of getting into the playoffs. I think? LSU was a fun game to watch also.
Now I must go prepare for the holiday feast. Off to the grocery store and then to the camp to make sure it is really for surgery tomorrow.
Chloe, thanks for finding the "name" of guys who marry younger women. Rhino - hmm. There is an adult men's club here called something "...Rhino." Interesting. When I was single the last time - twenty some years ago I dated a guy who was about 5 years younger than me. It was no big deal. He is the only one I have ever dated who was younger than me. My hubby is 5 years older and I like it that way. I like the younger one in the relationship.
Carol, I too think it is great that you have both homes. I think that is a great arrangement. I hope you get to spend more time in your camp when the weather is better and you get the maintenance and repairs done. Like Chloe, I have loved seeing your pics and hearing of your adventures in your camp.
I completely agree that the anticipation of something is more fun and exciting than when it is acquired. I spend so much less money on possessions than I used to. I used to love new clothes- no more. I love my old clothes now.
I do like to take trips. But also love getting back home after a trip. There are still places I would love to visit. But it is so expensive to travel any more. Also, John gets really cranky when we travel somewhere new. He has a fear of something happening. When we take car trips to familiar places, he is ok. He likes cruises because they plan everything and take care of luggage and you stay in one room the entire trip - except getting to the ship and then getting back home. He gets anxious at those times.
Back in an earlier post - I meant to say "I like to be the younger one in the relationship." It is not the same as friendships - age does not matter to me in friendships. Most of my friends are younger than me.
"There is a tremendous amount of fun in wanting and anticipating"
I guess they're right when they say that the fun is in the journey. Still, I think you'd lose a part of yourself if you lost your camp. Fall is a beautiful time of the year, but I prefer Spring (... it represents the beginning to me, because I'm always anxious to have to cold weather leave -- it's the warm weather life style I love. Walking around the house barefoot, wearing light weight clothes 24/7.... often sleeping on top of the sheets and bedspread, instead of under it.... it all gives me a higher energy level and feels like such a care free way of life).
Hubby wants Lasagna for Thanksgiving this year. I was thrilled, because he's always so traditional -- and I 'fight' tradition, because I hate to feel programmed and like to think I can keep changing and will. Little Emma will get all the traditional activities at the wonderful school she goes too. They celebrate every holiday for weeks (at least it seems they start awfully early). Even her school birthday party will probably be the most fun party for her.
Christmas will be traditional and always will be, because of her. In years past it was because of the kids too.
Carol, once you're camp is back to normal, and once you've completely healed from the trauma of what happened there, and the trauma of the broken bones.... I think things will be different for you. After winter, everything will be new and fresh again.
Jan, It's always good to hear about your love of traveling. You and John seem to do a good job balancing out one another.
I always think of it as Yin and Yang, and like you, I've always needed that feeling in my life.
I know it's not for everyone though, and have no problem understanding that either. Relationships don't allow the independence and complete freedom of choice that many people need.
It's all good... whichever route we take, imo. Always love that saying: 'I did it my way".
Frank Sinatra, My Way.
The part of the lyrics in that whole song that have gotten me in the most trouble is 'saying what I truly feel'. I've always felt driven to do so... no matter what the consequences. But some where along the line I made up my mind that I can't compromise the things that I most believe.
I know you said you don't think it's worth it, Jan. Getting into that argument or disagreement. But I am unable to let it go, when it goes against everything I live by or believe in.
Hubby gets it, and just laughs at me when he see's it coming. It works for us.
"Jan, you like to read fiction, so do you Chloe, I think. I find non-fiction so much more fun especially when it's interactive, when the story is unfolding. You have to work to get the info."
Oh yeah, Carol. 'Now' I get what you meant by this, and I feel the same way.
I even love gossip... then seeing where it leads. The stuff that's happening right now is comedy/tragedy all wrapped up in one.
But still need fake stuff to think about if I'm going to sleep. If my mind gets to wound up in real life plot... it keeps me awake.
Chloe, I too need something fiction to read before sleep. It helps turn off my brain so that I can get out of the day's events and into my dream world.
It is interesting how some people love a good argument. I do like a discussion if the person I am talking does not get mad.
Chloe, your hubby sounds like a neat guy.
Yeah, I regret it when I make others mad too, Jan. Hindsight always make it seem petty 'on my part' (and I often wish I'd kept my mouth shut).
... from Carol's link:
"That's not open debate -- that's paralyzing progress.
I learned something important in my race against Senator Brown: voters want political leaders who are willing to break the partisan gridlock. They want fewer closed-door roadblocks and more public votes on legislation that could improve their lives.
On the first day of the new session in January, the senators will have a unique opportunity to change the filibuster rule with a majority vote, rather than the normal two-thirds vote. The change can be modest: If someone objects to a bill or a nomination in the United States Senate, they should have to stand on the floor of the chamber and defend their opposition.
I'm joining Senator Jeff Merkley and six other newly elected senators to pledge to lead this reform on Day One, and I hope you'll be right there with us. Our campaign didn't end on Election Day -- and I'm counting on you to keep on working each and every day to bring real change for working families. This is the first step."
Carol, I meant to read Elizabeth's article when I was here earlier, but couldn't 'til now. She doesn't even sound like a politician. Can you imagine her being our first female President. I'm afraid to even let myself 'hope' for something that great.
Oh Jan, I think sometimes you do love a good debate but mainly when you're winning. LOL. Just remember, from your point of view, you always are.
Chloe, I say what I'm thinking and occasionally I regret it. A good argument or debate challenges us to see if we are really committed to how we think we feel.
And I don't think of some guy being 5 years younger as a significant age difference..unless the women is 20 and the guy is 15. That would be a problem..for some people.
Jan, when I was younger, in my 20s, I preferred hanging out with friends that were older. Most of my friends were at least 9+ years older. Back then, I found people closer to my age, too silly. Now...I'm cool with being silly.
Another of my favs in the Senate is Bernie Sanders. Very cool guy.
Bernie Sanders, Progressive Senators Pressure Obama Not To Cut Social Security
Arianna had two good posts today, one about Petraeus and one about Obama.
I mentioned a while back that I think the Universe has been tapping us on the shoulder lately, saying..maybe you ought to think about this.
Hurricane Sandy was to remind us that we seemed to be forgetting about the little global climate change problem.
With Petraeus...maybe it's to have us pay more attention to this little war in Afghanistan. What better way to get our attention than a sex scandal.
The one about Petraeus
And since we've given Obama another chance, we need to make sure he uses it this time for that hope and change he promised.
The President Asked Us to Push Him: Here's a To-Do List to Get Us Started
"A good argument or debate challenges us to see if we are really committed to how we think we feel. "
Wow... I agree so much with what you said there. I never knew how committed I was to so many of my beliefs until I had them challenged on a blog! It shocked me from the beginning that I am so much more opinionated than I thought I was.... and how strongly I am willing to fight for those beliefs.
It 'is' like a journal. You find out so much about yourself (good and bad) by writing things down. I like that you said "how we 'think' we feel". Once we put it out there, and have it questioned (by ourselves and others?), then we know if we've been kidding ourselves (or not).
I've learned more about myself online than I ever expected to. There are times I don't even know where half the stuff I say is coming from. But it's not about reason, it's about faith, I think. Faith in a philosophy that we've spent our lives putting together (and it's still changing as things around us change).
You said all the things in that one quote, Carol, that have taken me a huge amount of pages (and maybe years) to understand.
I'm glad you said 'how we think we feel', instead of just 'how we think'.
That's because thinking has always been more about feeling than just plain old logic. Not an easy way to live, but apparently the one I chose.
Internalizing things can be so daunting at times.
Interesting segment on 60 Minutes about a study that asks the question, "Are we born with a sense of morality or do we arrive blank slates, waiting for the world to teach us right from wrong?" Pretty cool. If you missed it and are interested.
Born good? Babies help unlock the origins of morality
Chloe, I prefer writing my thoughts and arguments to speaking them. I have to think a little more about it to write it down and then it's less likely that I will be misquoted. That still happens though.
And I am aware that I can be totally unreasonable, both in speaking and writing.
We have so much in life that we have to do, even though we often did choose some paths that require that we have to do those things. Those opportunities to be totally unreasonable are our pressure relief valves.
Jan, because of all your experience in child development, if you get the opportunity to watch that baby lab study, I'd be interested in your opinion. I'd be interested in everyone else's opinions also.
It sure got me pondering last night. I've already spent a good bit of time pondering about when evil develops in a person. Are people born that way? Is it the result of life's experiences? Is it coded in our destiny?
'... pressure relief valves.'
There's that pressure cooker in Faire's beautiful post that I quoted here a while back. We always hear about the people who are the most dangerous are the ones who hold everything inside.
I agree with you on the writing thing. I believe a blog provides an excellent opportunity to form relationships that are much different than those in the outside world. Much more focused and often more convenient.
I can't listen to your link yet, Carol... but will when I get home.
"Are people born that way? Is it the result of life's experiences?" ... of course (as you know), off the top of my head, I firmly believe that our 'destiny' is NOT coded. There are too many unpredictable variable along the way. It would be horrible to we can't make a 'difference'.
But I do believe that our DNA has memory from our ancestors (continuing into the womb) encoded in it, other wise, Darwin's Theory of Evolution wouldn't work (and to me, scientifically I see proof of his theory daily).
I do believe we are born with a certain 'disposition'..... but then I feel like environment takes over in shaping our lives in different ways. We do what we do with our life -- hence, the importance of our decisions.
Habits, bad or good, are just that: habits. We may not be able to change who we are, but we can change our habits (as impossible as it feels most of the time).
Maybe the video will change something in my mind (ha! fat chance... I'm like everyone else: looking for reality to fit into my perception).
I do try to stay open to change though, and it's so nice to be able to communicate with others that are open to question our beliefs, and willing to communicate them.
This blog started as a 'choice' Carol, but it may change some of our destinies. Seems to me you devoted your life to helping others.
"I've already spent a good bit of time pondering about when evil develops in a person."
I've always viewed the world as 'good vs. evil'. That's been a problem, because (of course) it's on a very long spectrum.
Have a good day everyone!
Chloe, many of my life experiences, more often those working with people who were incarcerated, really make me ponder if people are in control of their destiny. At least not in this lifetime. Even in my own personal experiences.
Carol, I did see that segment on 20/20 with the babies. I too thought it was extremely interesting. In some course I took, we studied moral development theory and research. It does seem that moral development is either learned or at least we become more moral human beings as we grow older based upon our life experiences and education.
But look at those babies in that study Jan. They were making moral judgments at 3 and 5 months. When did they have time for life experiences to influence that, in utero?
And I have watched people who I thought were pretty selfish and cruel go through some significant life traumas that I was sure would change them, would open their eyes, would change their hearts. Nope, it didn't. They didn't learn crap. They never connected the dots. But I was learning from their experience.
I often see people who I ponder if their mission in life is mainly to teach the rest of us.
I went to my doc for my semi annual visit. They had heard that I retired and asked me if I was enjoying it. I told them that I'm still working on that. My doc said that she was surprised because she thought that my job was more than just a job to me. I told her yes, but it wasn't totally my idea to leave. I left it to the Universe to give me direction on what to do and the Universe said...it's time to go. If I would have stayed, it would have been just a job, with a good paycheck but I would have had to compromise my principles. I was finally at a place where I no longer have to do that for survival.
I watched the Voice again last night and a couple of the performances moved me to tears. They were all really good. I love music but don't often listen to it anymore. So much of what's out there that is considered popular music is just noise in MHO.
This is the first season that I watched the Voice and it has now spoiled me to all other singing competition shows. I doubt they will even be able to repeat this season. The judges also made comments similar to that. Some of the talent on that show are very young but have much older souls.
They did start the surgery on Owl Camp yesterday. Some of it went deeper than we all expected, not that I was really surprised. Like so much of what happens in my life, even that tornado ended up being a good thing. There were many things that needed to be done to the camp but I needed a shove. It finally got a new roof on the part of the camp that had a really old rickety one. Now they are ripping into floors that had lots of old damage, termite damage. She's going to feel a lot better when this is all done.
TW went to see Lincoln yesterday afternoon. I wasn't sure that I wanted to sit for over two hours to see it in the theater. She said it was packed. She loved the movie, said it took her through all the emotions. I probably would have ended up going with her but they were starting on the camp and I had my doc appt in the afternoon.
Probably a good time for this movie to come out. Hope Obama and other politicians were inspired by it.
Don't know if there is anything to this 2012 Mayan calendar business but it does seem that lately...the Universe is speaking very loudly to us all. I hope we're listening.
Let's all pray for Sec Clinton in her mission to the middle east.
Yep, that little "General" sex scandal wasn't the real scandal. It was just the Universe's way of getting out attention on what we should have been attending to.
The Real Scandal Involving Generals
Carol, I went back and watched the babies from the link you sent. I had only seen part of it on TV. Yes, they were making moral decisions at a tender age. I also was fascinated by the older children who were giving themselves more tokens and leaving fewer for other children until they were about 9 or 10 years old.
One of the most interesting things I see at the child care centers I visit are that babies do seem to empathize with other babies. If one is crying, others cry too. I have even seen them hand a crying baby their own toy. However, children do not naturally share. If another child wants their toy at 18 to 30 months most babies will not give it up. They only begin to share at about age 2 1/2 with the encouragement and guidance of an adult.
The Yale study will prove to be a landmark study about extremely young babies. I too was fascinated by it.
Well, I bet you guys have been busy. I'm taking a breather. Working on pre Thanksgiving food prep. I called Krogers to try to reserve one of those Tuxedo Mousse cakes. I love them. They didn't have any and wouldn't until next week. I don't know why they don't order more since they are always out of them. There's only one of our 3 Krogers stores that carry them and that store is 20 miles away.
I didn't want to go without so I decided I'd check to see if I could find a recipe for one. I did and I'm working on it right now. It will take some time. I'll let you know how it turns out. It has three layers of a chocolate and white cake. There's a layer of dark choc mousse and a layer of white choc mousse between the layers of cake and it's topped with a chocolate ganache.
I'm not a baker so we'll see how this turns out.
4 hours and 22 minutes and my Tuxedo Mousse cake is done. Chilling in the frig.
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