Not a Hobby-Lobby Kinda Gal

I've never been the hobby type. I mean, I have varied interests in a lot of things but never took the time to really get in to something of interest. Painting, dogs, writing, coloring, dogs, reading, anything with the dogs, cooking, baking, dogs...I'm all over the place all the time. Moving in to a new home has brought new interests and new space to work on these new interests for sure but I haven't really landed on any one thing, sorta. For example, I like my yard. Mostly. Still needs some work of which my sweet Huckleberry will be facilitating. Hey, I help a little! My whole thing is chores (yard work) turn in to temporary hobbies and end up being treated like projects. When the project is done I start another or two and sometimes never finish one completely!

My mother has this magical power were she can grow anything in the most nutrient lack, sandy soil. Everything in her yard and planters flourish! The blueberries, mangoes, avocado, bananas, dragon fruit, star fruit, sugar apples, citrus, tomatoes, etc have all found their way to my belly at some point! I know at times some of her plants end up dead but not from her lack of trying to cultivate and nourish. Conditions being as they are on the beach - some things just don't do well with the salty air. My dad...he grew orchids in his trees!

Audrey III

I have always held some interest in gardening except for the dirt and the sweat and the weird caterpillars and spiders and other icky things associated with dirt and plants and the stuff that makes you itch but have no idea what you touched. You understand why Huckleberry ends up doing most of the yard work, right? Anywho, I always loved taking care of roses. I have a beautiful rose bush in a pot given to me by my darling for Valentine's Day several years ago. She has given me many sweet smelling blooms and I take care of her most. Clipped a bud to put in a vase today as a matter of fact. Her fragrance is wonderful! I now have a Don Juan rose bush climbing the side of the house left here by the previous owners. It's ok - needs a lot of work. The roses are larger since its a bigger plant but they don't smell. Huckleberry bought me two more rose bushes he planted by the climber - I can't wait to see how those do! I have other varied potted plants and herbs, too, all in different stages of hospice need.  

First self buy - Orange Girl

I bought myself an orchid when we moved in after almost killing my Christmas gift from dear brother and sister-in-law. When I saw how much the almost dead orchid liked being on the covered patio and started growing new roots and leaves, I was stoked! What did I do? Go buy more! I have eleven orchids now, a mixture of gifts and self purchases, and was hoping the bamboo orchids from Hawaii would grow (Xmas gift from Huckleberry) but I think I've murdered them in my early ignorance of caring for orchids. My favorite orchid is the phalaenopsis, the one with really big, flat leaves. I have a few dendrobuim and understand they are more suited for neglect which fits my level of care perfectly! 

Messy night shot but look at all those healthy plants!

I've read blogs and care sites all saying different, contradictory things about how to take care of these plants. I found my own variation of care using all the tips I've learned and seems to be the best type of care so far. I have new roots developing, leaves growing, and new flower spikes sprouting from the plant base. All good signs I'm doing something right! My tips: I water each plant once every 7-10 days when the moss feels dry with only a quarter cup. Stick your finger down in the pot...if its dry, water! I use a spray bottle with a weak fertilizer mixture and spray the base of each plant weekly. This seems to be the trick! Oh, orchids are sensitive to too much, too hot sun. Covered patios and indoor windowsill rotation are great locations to grow a healthy, blooming plant. Over watering causes roots to rot and plants to die. Too much and too hot sun burns the plant. Learned these lessons the hard way.

 

So I guess I do kind of have a hobby. Roses and orchids! 

Knock, knock, knockin' on 50's door....

I have learned so much about nutrition and the metabolic process in the past two months. I didn't even realize, at first, my new healthy eating habits have a name. I was more about not eating sugar, grains, and starchy vegetables. I am all about the low carb life because flour and sugar is not food! It worked for me 8 years ago when I lost 92 pounds and I am resolute it will work for me again. 

After 8 weeks and 5 days this is what I have learned. 

First, I found I inadvertently chose a Ketogenic way of eating. This means I eat low carbs, good fats (all about the fats), and moderate protein. Carbs are derived from vegetables and the few fruits I eat. Sometimes cheese. There is a bunch of science backing this way of eating to be super healthy for the obese, diabetic, and epileptic populations. As a matter of fact, the diet was specifically designed to help epileptic people improve brain function and reduce seizures. Keto has also been found to reduce bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, reduce high blood pressure, blood sugars, and improve female fertility (No! That ship sailed in 1993). Not to mention, this way of eating has increased cognitive function for those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's due to the amount of good fats eaten. Ok, I'll take it! 

Second, there is sugar in every effing processed and prepackaged food known to man. In dressings. In processed meats like deli ham or turkey. Even bacon and seasonings! If you do find there is no sugar (specifically) in the ingredients there are other forms of sugar listed. Gah! You can't get away from it! At this point you end up spending much more $$$ on grass fed and/or organic foods to avoid the sugar. Our commercial food makers are trying to purposely keep us addicted to their brands by adding sugar as a top ingredient to everything they market. You are better off learning how to make your own buttermilk ranch or blue cheese dressing let alone using single spices to make the steak rub you like minus the sugar. Imagine my disappointment to find out my favorite seasoning has sugar as a second ingredient. MFers.

Third, as you get older weight loss comes at a glacial pace. It is S-L-O-O-O-W. Really, really, really slow. I keep stepping on the darned scale and it doesn't move for weeks then boom, three pounds down to a total of 15 in a little over 8 weeks. Not bad. I wish it were more but I am exercising now using weights mostly so the scale isn't going to show weight loss progress if I'm trading fat for muscle. We all know that drill. I do see my figure changing as in my middle isn't much an XXL marshmallow now. Instead of having one big Buddha belly I now have rolls again. I realize happiness in that kind of progress is kind of messed up, but hey, I am kinda starting to see a waistline again and that has me pumped! Still wearing the same clothes but they fit so much more comfortably. I am becoming less self conscious in fitted gym clothes but that is more a change in attitude than self perception. I like exercising now especially when those endorphins kick in. Comfortable work out clothes is essential to a good workout. And duh, I'm fat so suck it with your fat shaming thoughts when you see me sweating at the gym wearing Fabletics like I belong in them. You heard me. Kiss my ass 'cause you can't miss it! 

Fourth, my body seems to be healing from the inside out. The eczema patches on my face are gone. The rough and bumpy skin on my arms is virtually gone. Oily scalp has subsided. Dry skin is on the mend. Female issue not so much anymore though mood swings are still a mess. That has to be menopause. I have taken two little purple pills for acid reflux in the past two months. I was taking one of those a day with a Tums chaser before. Haven't had a migraine headache since I started watching my diet and cut out sugar and grains. I did have a bout with sinusitis from Hell but if I am not mistaken a ketogenic diet that results in ketosis means you are burning fat instead of sugar (insulin) for fuel which makes this a common thing. Great! But Why? I'll tell you why. Toxins and hormones are stored in your fat cells. When I started burning fat instead of sugar I got all kinds of sick and cranky and funky from the release of toxins. Yeah. I kinda sorta knew this would happen but boy did not expect it to hit me like a bus.

Fifth, it's not all that hard to get in to the groove of eating the right foods to fuel your body. I have a minuscule amount of cravings for sweets. I like eating eggs and bacon and salmon and rib eye steaks with butter and avocados and olives and cheese burgers and all beef hot dogs. Don't hold the cheese please! I found the trick for me is variety but keeping the staples of what I know I enjoy on hand. For instance, my version of bulletproof coffee. Drip coffee, grass fed butter, MCT oil, heavy whipping cream, a good mix with the portable froth wand and SHAZAM! Instant breakfast that holds my appetite for hours and gets my brain out of the fog. 

Y'all, this climb up the 50 hill sucks. Hopefully my newly developing habits make the climb easier. Soon. 

Changing your ways in your late 40's

I've been on a pseudo keto diet for 15 days now. I say pseudo because I am following the philosophy of not eating sugar or grains (rice, beans, pasta, bread - you know, the good stuff) but I am not a 'macro' nut regarding tracking fats and protein. Every time I want to feed my face I ask three things: 1. Is this healthy? 2. Will this food help me be healthy? 3. Will I lose some of this menopausal thickness if I eat this healthy food? Seriously. I was saddened to not have a waist while carrying a wide load because, baby, I always had back. Unfortunately the itty bitty waist has become a dwindling bygone. It's a horrible feeling not being able to button my jeans and having to dig out the elastic waist pants. I was always tired and my hair was falling out. My face was breaking out. My skin is in bad shape with dryness and deepening creases. I was starting to look my age. GAH! As I see it though the only drawback to this journey is my boobs become first tribute when I start to downsize. On the flip side it's great my double chin is disappearing! Really...it's not touching my neck anymore. Look, I'm not on a path to be 15 year old me. It isn't realistic to think I'll ever be that thin again. Do I want to be healthier and a few pant sizes smaller as a result of eating healthier though? Heck yeah!!

It is so easy to put on weight and not notice. This is especially true when you work at home in yoga pants every day. Not having to put on trousers and jeans regularly is a disservice to your waistline people! Make good practice of putting on pants that have a button and zipper occasionally. That is most telling way of knowing if your waist is expanding. Eating like I didn't need to watch what I eat was a killer too. This is how I got to where I am now and why I need to lose some weight (ok, a lot) to decrease my blood pressure and keep my hypoglycemia in check. Nothing more fun than breaking out in to a cold sweat and shakes when you're in the drive through at McD's. Yeah, that was my life because I didn't give my body the right fuel.

The first few days were hell detoxing from the sugar. Day one was pretty miserable adjusting to not grabbing the crackers to fill the hole in my belly but day two...holy crap! I was hungry ALL darn day. I would have eaten the drywall if I thought it'd stop the gnawing agony of my stomach trying to digest itself. Day three was not so horrible but I was craving wine and sweets. Day four however is when I suspected I entered, or sort of entered, ketosis. Nah, I'm not going to go full "expert" on ya because that I am not. Here's the simple breakdown, "Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, something your body does to keep working. When it doesn't have enough carbohydrates from food for your cells to burn for energy, it burns fat instead." (See: WebMD) THAT is the whole point of being in ketosis - burning your fat reserves for energy thus reducing weight and ass spread. Yay for a smaller ass! 

One of the more challenging parts of activating my fat cells for energy is all the hormones that are being released from these fat reserves. One of those hormones released form fat stores is estrogen.  I have always been unbalanced and this has resulted in many years of womanhood suffering. Not to mention other atrocities that are better left unspoken. That is where all my problems began as a teenager with developing endometriosis and later developing fibroids and ovarian cysts. I am a raging estrogen factory and has resulted in a very difficult life pretty much every day of the month. I was recently - about two years ago, placed on a progesterone regimen to balance my hormones out. While it has helped to this point the new flood of estrogen being released from fat stores has made life a little, well, interesting. Needless to say the chains on my mood swing haven't snapped thank goodness but I have been experiencing some of the old discomforts resulting form the estrogen wash through my blood stream. I did not know estrogen and several other hormones were stored in our fat cells so this came as a surprise.

The benefit of changing my diet so far has been pretty darn awesome aside from the few surprises that came up. Not only am I down 10 pounds I am sleeping better. What was becoming a "I think I need a cpap" snore has waned to almost normal again. That's what I'm told anyway. C'mon. Everyone snores! Thankfully it's not loud like it was. I have more energy during the day and a better mental focus now because I am sleeping better. I didn't experience the keto flu that everyone complains about - or I did and had no idea it was happening. My acid reflux has really calmed down and not needing the little purple pill as often. I was a bit brain foggy in the beginning but that didn't last too long. I know my super wonderful boyfriend will beg to differ on that one - sorry Sugar, I'll always be part ditz. 

Anyway. Two weeks isn't long enough to start seeing results but I sure am feeling them. To me, that is a great start!

Why aren't DACA Dreamers seeking citizenship when they come of age?

Many times my opinions surrounding political issues are unpopular and is the primary reason I typically keep quiet. I feel compelled however to talk about the most recent topic in the news regarding DACA, immigration reform, and the 'dreamers' (many now adults) it affects. I had so many questions about this topic but after a little research found some clarification. Even armed with new knowledge I still feel the same. My final thoughts about DACA being rescinded by our current administration will likely remain unpopular.

I had to wonder why a "dreamer" and/or any illegal immigrant in general failed to begin the naturalization process. Do they understand they continue to perpetuate a serious immigration issue by not following through with the proper citizenship process? Don't they understand they may be deported to a country they do not know (if here since childhood)? One they may not even speak the language? Are you that sure you will not break up your family by thumbing your nose at the law? A story broke yesterday about a gentleman that was forced by ICE to go back to his home country after being here 30 years illegally. Bear in mind, the rescinding of DACA was not the reason this fella was sent packin' as the article will lead you to believe in this case. He's too old to qualify for DACA to start. It's possible he may have qualified if and when a new executive order for DACA expanded the ages. Pfft. As if. It was not a gamble ICE was willing to bet on. Unfortunately he over stayed his illegal welcome and ICE decided it was time for him to go.

Here's the article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/15/deported-after-30-years/1034668001/ 

Let's regroup and discuss. This fella knew since 2009 he had to do something to make his stay legal and didn't. The fact he was brought to the United States by an undocumented family member at the age of 10 doesn't change that he chose to do nothing to correct his situation. He went to school, became a productive member of society (paid taxes), married, and began his own family. He's a grown 39 year old man now with tween age children and a wife and he couldn't be bothered to clear up his undocumented illegal situation? I'm not an immigration lawyer nor am I an expert in immigration law but doesn't he have some protections being married to an American citizen? That is what I originally believed DACA was designed for. Essentially yes, but not in this guys case. Come to find out, he doesn't have protections because he is not here nor was he ever here legally. Even if he fell under DACA he is still unable to become a legal citizen. He will never meet permanent residency requirements to become a legal citizen due to the nature of his arrival and current immigration laws. The rescinding of DACA had nothing to do with his deportation. His separation from his family is of his own doing. He simply ran out of extensions to stay illegally. It's heartbreaking to see a family split up like this but when will people start taking personal responsibility for their own circumstances?

What is DACA?

What is the DREAM Act 2001

This is where the true topic of debate starts. DACA is not a law. It is a temporary executive order of relief implemented by the Obama administration directing USCIS to grant limited, temporary benefits to student "dreamers" (DACA was ordered as a short term solution to the DREAM Act of 2001) raised here in the US. DACA considers this group a low priority to immigration enforcement as long as they do not have a criminal history. They must apply, complete a back ground check, and pay a fee every two years to extend their stay. It is not nor is it meant to be a pathway to any form of legal immigration status such as permanent residency. Permanent residency is the primary step necessary to become a US citizen and DACA recipients are not eligible to become permanent residents, therefore cannot become US citizens. There is no legal pathway for anyone covered under DACA to become a citizen of the United States. Well, there is one way but it is VERY risky involving crossing the border to their home country and hoping to God they are let back in to the US. DACA was executed to keep these "innocents" from being deported and essentially separated from their families. DACA was designed as a humanitarian measure only until Congress could sort out their immigration reform laws. It was not meant to be a perpetual solution to the main issues of immigration reform. This why I believe DACA was rescinded by our current administration. DACA is a band-aid and it's long past time to rip it off.

I know for certain many of you are NOT fans of our current President. There is a visceral loathing for this man and it's understandable. He's rude, crude, and socially unacceptable to put it simply and mildly. I, too, flinch every time he opens his mouth in hopes he isn't eating his foot once again. But do you not realize he just did the DREAM Act, Immigration Reform, and Congress a favor by rescinding DACA last September? Don't forget there is still a six month stay on DACA so Congress has until March. Trump has essentially forced the hand of Congress to find a reasonable solution by way of new laws to advance amnesty that will be acceptable by all and a benefit to our United States. Congress is the reason we are in this mess. Congress is only rushing it now to close out the new spending budget. Congress has failed over and over to come to a reasonable and beneficial solution to provide legal citizenship to thousands of minor aliens (many who are now adults) here illegally by no fault of their own.  Side question of curiosity: What is the benefit of Congress keeping these folks illegal? Anywho...We need immigration reform in general. Fixing the DREAM Act, in my opinion, will be the first positive step Congress can make. It's time to succeed, Y'all. Seriously. Congress tried four years in a row to make this bill a law and gave up. Just threw up their hands and said "forget it." How confident does that make you feel about our legislative process? As a side note, this is why I support term limits. We have too many establishment elite's on both sides of the aisle taking handouts from their donors and no longer caring for their constituents, you and me.

Furthermore, Congressional threats of government shut down to prove the sad point of their gross incompetence is not the answer.  Get to work, Congress,  and stop your childish posturing! All of you! For the love of Pete, it's time to play nice in the sand box and work together. 

PS...

I never cared about a wall one way or the other. I'd rather we spend our tax dollars on more tangible infrastructure. Using the wall (this is the proverbial "stick" Republicans aim to beat the Democrats over the head with) as the only way to to come to an agreement on immigration reform is the wrong bargaining tool. We have no ground to stand on if you keep pulling that rabbit out of your hat, Mr. President. To hec with the wall for now. The Dems will never agree to it. Find the "carrot" the Dems want instead and use it to your advantage. You did write, Art of the Deal, didn't you? 

If the vinegar ain't workin' it's time to get the honey...

Passive aggressive behavior pisses me off and the irony is not lost on me.

Recently, I found myself in a situation where I made a mistake. It doesn't matter how big or small the mistake was, it was a mistake. I hid the truth from someone to avoid a confrontation. Call it a lie, an omission of facts, whatever. It was a mistake. I still feel my reason behind hiding the truth is legitimate and doing what I did really had nothing to do with what I was hoping to accomplish or directly related anyway. Yes I am trying to reason my reason. Human nature. Alas, this person took it as a personal assault and felt I was out to get them, throw them under a bus, de-legitimize, or discredit them in some way. No. That is not what I was doing contrary to what they may think and no, it never happened this whole throw them under a bus, de-legitimize, or discredit them thing. 

The important thing here is I realized my error and apologized. Sincerely. I acknowledged what I did and how I realized it was wrong of me and said I was sorry. And I still mean it with sincerity. It was not my intention to hurt this person, ever. We shared many great times in and out of work over the past few years and I didn't want to lose that over a mistake. I hoped this person would come around and engage in adult conversation again soon to get us past this speed hump. 

I was and still am sincere in my apology. I know this person well enough though to expect it would be a while before we would speak again. Out of respect and loyalty to this person I gave them space and time to process their anger as any caring and loyal friend would do. I'm a firm believer of giving space to sort things out. It's how I'd want to be treated in this same situation. Imagine my surprise and how glad I was when this person liked a bunch of my posts a few days after the incident. They even sent me a nice "Happy 4th" text message to which I replied! I was hoping this was going to reopen dialogue. I was missing our friendship but still kept my distance out of respect. I didn't want to act as though nothing had happened or make them feel like I'm forcing myself back on them. For some reason though things turned south a day or two later. I am not even sure what happened or why. 

We were friends on Facebook and we have many friends and acquaintances in common. So I see it all. This person began posting quotes and memes about sneaky people, liars, shady folks, and even snakes in the grass. These were all of the things I was called specifically when the fight happened. This person was even making snide remarks on their own timeline in response to posts I made on my timeline like I was hiding some secret message that required a cryptic response. Look, I suspected these posts were passively aggressively focused on me and it wasn't coincidental. I'm pretty sure of my suspicion. Now I was siting here stupidly allowing this person to disrespect and insult me publicly on Facebook (albeit indirectly) thinking it was part of the anger purge. I remained quiet and didn't let it get to me and gave them the benefit of the doubt but I am now unfriended on Facebook! What the fuck kind of juvenile shit is that?

This isn't the first time this person stopped talking to me. This person stopped talking to me for six months or so over something that had absolutely zero to do with them and was a result of nothing I did at all. I'm not the only one that has been subject to this behavior. I can attest to that. This person is now likely talking about me behind my back as though I never mattered. Actually, I know this for a fact. I believe it's time someone speaks up and speaks out. I can't keep it zipped any longer. I did long enough out of respect but that shit is clean out the window now. 

But wait! After all this it hit me! While my mistake was the catalyst for this behavior this is not about me! Not about me at all!

This person has spent their entire life playing victim to their own circumstances. This story is no longer about how or why I hid the truth. This story shines a spotlight on how this person is unable to be a true friend through good and bad because they don't know true happiness. It's so sad. Conflict makes this person uncomfortable and wants nothing to do with it. Like it's a shameful act or something to deal with conflict. I know how to avoid conflict with me! Just throw me away and get a new friend or recycle an old one. Yep. I said it.

Show of hands, how many of you had serious fights with your friends over the years but work through it? You put it aside because the good times together outweigh the slights dealt each other over the years. You bond on common ground and you're heart breaks for them when they are going through tough times. I have life long friends I trust to forgive me for any transgression infinitely larger than the one I dealt this person. I love them and they love me. I am not saying there are unforgivable acts that can't be forgiven. I'm just saying we are all human and we all make mistakes. When you care enough about someone and the friendship you have, and you are a grown ass adult, you try to find an understanding instead of just kicking them to the curb with out the courtesy of a Fuck You.

Anywho, this story is about a person that claims loyalty to all friends but has no idea what true loyal friendship is. You don't publicly defame people you care about and are loyal to over a misunderstanding. You don't talk about them behind their back like they never matter to you. No, you just don't do that to people you care about. I didn't do it to you. 

Life is short and there is no time to waste on hateful, negative people. It's just a harsh reality y'all. Lesson learned.

It's a three ring circus and media focuses on the show in only one ring...

I have to admit, United Airlines is in the midst of massive negative publicity cycle (now exponential) after the most recent horror of a "customer service" issue this past Sunday evening. The media seems to be honing in on United Airlines as the only culpable party. More on that in a minute. Listen, I am in no way defending what happened. I am not supportive of how the events transpired. Just because they are legally or federally obligated to do what they did, I feel they could have done more to avoid injury to the doctor.

The facts of the events that I am aware: The flight was not over booked. Passengers were boarded and in their seats. The United Airlines flight 3411 was full with no open seats remaining. Four seats were needed in the last minutes to carry employees to their destination. Must-Ride employee passengers (I just learned about this) is a thing with all airlines and has to do with minimizing the number of passengers that must be inconvenienced, or rather re-accommodated - something to do with these folks having to get to Kentucky so they didn't have to cancel and entire flight displacing hundreds of flyers instead of just four. UAL asked for four volunteers offering $400 and a room for the night with a flight leaving first thing in the morning. No takers. UAL increased the offer to $800 and a room for the night with a flight out in the morning. No takers. The gate agent apparently did not have authorization to offer a higher reward. UAL used the computer to select four passengers to remove. They were going to be compensated with the $800 each, a room for the night, and a flight in the morning even though they did not volunteer since that was the going offer. Three of the four passengers selected by this random drawing decided to deplane when asked politely the first time by the flight crew. 

The one passenger that refused? Any of the federal laws that are going to be reviewed by FAA, DOT, or DOJ is not what I am going to focus on because I am not aware of those laws or rules or regulations or whatever. I don't work for an airliner or the government. It seems to be the consensus with most media sources (regardless of what side they are supporting) that United had the legal right to remove the passengers already seated. I'm more interested in who is responsible with the doctor's injuries. Media will have you believe it's all on United.  

Why the hec did this one passenger refuse to leave the plane when asked politely by United flight crew? He says he's a doctor and he has patients to see the next day. Well, my recall tells me United offered a flight so he'd make it home the next morning. What difference would it have made if he arrived that evening or in the morning? He was getting a good night sleep either way. Unless his patients have rare illnesses and he's the only doctor in the world that can treat them then, OK. Pick another passenger or something. Why re-accommodate this doctor passenger? Far fetched? Yes. Again, there may have been much more United could have done to avoid the doctor's physical removal but maybe there wasn't. I wasn't there to know for certain. Neither were most of you with your opinions of outrage of which you are all entitled.

Who is responsible for the doctor's injuries? It's reported he suffered a concussion, busted nose, two broken teeth and sinus injury that may require surgery, How did that happen? Well, when the doctor refused to get out of his seat an airport officer, not a United employee, had to forcibly yank him out of his seat. The force of the yank caused the doctor to fall forward and that fall forward - not push - is how the injury occurred. You see this in the videos plainly. Well, here's were you may decide you don't like me anymore because I feel the doctor, after refusing to leave his seat of his own volition, is partly responsible for his own injury. I do not know what the doctor's motivation was for NOT complying with a request to deplane by UAL and airport authorities. I don't believe the doctor intended to get his face bashed from his forward gravitational trajectory when yanked from his seat or even expected to suffer a concussion and broken teeth when he refused to leave the plane on his own. I don't know he man to know his motivation. But I bet you he saw an opportunity to turn an $800 award in to a multi-million dollar settlement. He just didn't gamble on needing surgery after all is said and done. 

As always,

M


http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/10/523275494/passenger-forcibly-removed-from-united-flight-prompting-outcry

http://time.com/4735340/must-ride-passengers-united-airlines/

https://thepilotwifelife.wordpress.com/2017/04/11/i-know-youre-mad-at-united-but-thoughts-from-a-pilot-wife-about-flight-3411/

http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2017/04/11/real-reason-man-dragged-off-united-flight-stop-happening/

    

I come in peace

Blogging or Facebooking is not a feigned attempt at hiding my true self from my friends and family. I'm not throwing my rants out for the world to read then ducking behind some imaginary wall to avoid the egg throwing. Yes, I was accused of this. I use blogging as an outlet like some use art, sex, or music. Blogging helps me sort my thoughts and put in order things I cannot find a rhyme or reason or simple understanding. Most times its just to rant. Yeah I am pretty opinionated and if you want to converse about my written opinions over a beer/wine/cheese fries, I'm happy to, just ask! My opinions are never meant to hurt anyone's feelings or be judgmental or insinuate stupidity or raise hackles in any way. Yes, I was accused of this, too. Honestly, if I am going to attack your intelligence I will tag you :) I don't make it a habit to verbalize my perspective to change the minds of those who's opinions differ. I do it to provide a different perspective and raise awareness that there is more than one point of view out there in the big blue world.

My opinions are based on my feelings, thoughts, and perceptions of the events that I witness taking place around me (on the TV, heard on the radio, or read somewhere along the way). Sometimes my reaction is immediate. Sometimes not. I have to add of course, I have a problem when I see others believing and using fallacy as fact. This will always compel me to try to set things right or educate the possibly misinformed. And, oh my, this is super fun for me when it's about the traditions and processes of our government!

What does Inauguration Day mean to me? You've heard it over and over. The presidential inauguration is about the peaceful exchange of power. Its about one president elected by the people in a democratic system handing the reigns over to the next president elected by a democratic system. It isn't about who is elected specifically because, face it, there will never be 100% of the people happy about who was elected to be president. Inauguration Day, the "installment under good omens," is unique to the United States of America in it's deep rooted traditions and ceremony. Anywho...

To me, Inauguration Day in the United States of America is about unity. About patriotism. About peace. The day is reserved for ALL citizens to come together and witness a peaceful transition of power. It's about honoring those who came before and those who will come after. I cannot express enough how awe-inspiring it is for me to witness this dignified exchange whether I voted for the new president being sworn in or not. Someday I will make that trip to our nations capital on Inauguration Day to see this transition with my own eyes.

It didn't sit well with me we had 67 democratic members of Congress choose this day to sit out such an important ceremony. This group decided to override the sentiment and meaning of inauguration in favor of their personal feelings for the person being sworn in. The example set by this group, I fear, will hold those like minded to continue a negative campaign in an attempt to override our President's message of unity and patriotism. It will cause the valley of divisiveness to continue to widen with the rough river waters teeming with disdain, contempt, and derision. As far as the protests go, let them. As long as it's peaceful. When protests turn violent the messages changes though. Observers no longer see a group peacefully assembling to protest a single sentiment when the group turns violent or destructive. The violence removes the sentiment and twists it to a personal agenda, one designed solely for 15 minutes of fame, taking away the voice of the whole group. The focus then becomes on the violence and destruction and no longer the message. And to repeat a friend's point - Protesting is legal and a right. Rioting is not legal and not a right.

More side bar...Hoping for our President to fail is like hoping the United States of America fails. No American wants to see our nation fail. So just STAHP already!

I voted for President Trump as you all know. I voted for him because I believe he will make the changes he promises and if he screws up, I will sorrowfully admit I was wrong about him.

Now, the big question I leave for you...

If President Trump doesn't screw up, will you admit you were wrong about him?