What I believe. (But ask me again in the future.)

These are top-of-the-mind thoughts that I wished to put down somewhere with the hope of further exploring my positions as time goes on.

1. I believe in God and I believe in evolution.
2. I believe that God is not a Republican or a Democrat.
3. I believe in the separation of Church and State.
4. I believe in a strong military but I believe in diplomacy.
5. I believe everyone has the right to own a gun but I believe in background checks.
6. I believe a woman has the right to choose even if you or I don't like abortion.
7. I believe there should be a path for immigrants to earn their citizenship.
8. I believe building a wall along the Mexican border is a stupid idea.
9. I believe an individual has the right to burn our flag. Although it makes me sad.
10. I believe taxes are a rip-off and a flat tax with no deductions is the way to go.
11. I believe the death penalty is an idea whose time has come to pass.



To be continued...

Fat Cats - A little bit of irony. Just a little.

(The statement below is just a funny thought I had. The issues I touch on here are obvious but are much more complicated and bigger than what I address. But what the heck. It's a blog where I can write, right?)

Isn't it funny that Fat Cats are now thin?

The term "Fat Cat" once referred to the well-to-do who had so much money that they were able to sit back and enjoy the good life.

Most of these people were overweight by today's standards due to their privileged life and living "high on the hog" (or so to speak) while many average citizens were very thin due to lots hard physical work and limited funds for food.

Nowadays with the fattening of America, the idea of the "Fat Cat" has flip flopped.

I'm not saying that there aren't thin people in all socio-economic classes but with the abundance of cheap food, the "super-sizing" of food stuffs and a labor market that has shifted from hard labor to a more sedentary office environment the lower classes have gained substantial weight.

Whereas the wealthy of today have the opportunity to maintain their physique by way of luxuries that many can only dream of.

Personal trainers, nutritionists and of course plastic surgeons are ways the new "not-so-fat-cats" can indulge themselves for both health and vanity while many others are too busy working just trying survive in today's world.



(Definition - Fat cat is a slang term which describes a fat, rich, greedy person who, due to ownership of large amounts of capital, is able to "live easy" off the work of others.)

Want Fries With That?

In the summer our 7 year-old daughter goes to a local summer camp and during the last monthly session they all go to the local pool. O, to enjoy a long afternoon of goofing off at the local pool amongst one's friends!
Anyway, we usually give her a little money so she can buy a treat at the concession stand. You know... healthy things. ;-)

So one evening she asked mom, "Can I have some money to buy a Ring Pop at the pool tomorrow?".

"Sure. Here's a couple dollars and you should get some change back. Okay?", said mom.

She took the money and started to turn away.

Then matter of factly she said, "Can you make it five? Then it comes with fries."

:-D

For What It's Worth....

My 7 year-old daughter told me that she wants to be an "Evil Doer" for Halloween next year.

Don't tell President Bush!

For What It's Worth...

This morning my daughter asked me, "Do you know where our dreams are kept?"

"They're in our eyelids. When you close your eyes, there they are.", she said.

I replied, "What if you don't like the dream you're having?"

She answered, "Just open your eyes."

Olfactory Senses

July, 2007 -

My wife has been into physical training and bodybuilding for some time now. Along with eating a healthy or "clean" diet, you also tend to eat very frequently. Sometimes she'll have a tuna or salmon packet and just for filler she'll eat green beans, broccoli or sauerkraut. All served cold of course. Have you smelled broccoli or sauerkraut when opened in a confined space?
Wow.

So anyway...

We were driving to my father-in-laws house for his birthday along an old county road when suddenly an overwhelming odor consumed the car. "Mommy! What are you eating!?", my daughter exclaimed from the backseat.

We burst into laughter.

We had just passed a dead skunk.

I hope this doesn't confuse anyone...

I saw this in a gas station restroom on the way back from Pittsburgh.



I did notice the little pink soap seems to be missing. ;D

For What It's Worth....

My daughter used to refer to olden times as "The Old Backs".

Caterpillar

One sunny morning as I was backing out of the driveway to take my 2 year old to daycare, she pointed at the window and said, "caterpillar".

I replied, "Oh, do you see a caterpillar honey?"

Isn't that cute I thought to myself.

But where is the caterpillar? I turned to look over my shoulder at the rear passenger side window beside her but I saw nothing.

"Caterpillar!", she happily exclaimed.

I tried to turn and look again but realizing that I had to keep my eyes on the road I said, "Where honey? Is it on the window or did it go away?".

But she just pointed at the window and again said, "Caterpillar!".

After a short drive, we arrived at her daycare and I couldn't wait to get out of the car and see where this caterpillar had crawled off to.

I approached her door but saw nothing.

As I was getting her out of her car seat I told her, "I think the caterpillar must have fallen off or blew away."

Then just as I lifted her into my arms she looked at me and pointed to the sky and said, "Caterpillar!"

I looked up and sure enough, there were chains of wispy white cirrus clouds across the bright blue sky.

"Oh sweetheart!", I said.

"Look at that. You're right. I see the caterpillars too."

Things I Love...

I love the light of a late afternoon in Autumn. You know... that almost atmospheric glow. When everything around you has an intense color and the clouds (in a rich and deep blue sky) are a perfect combination of dark gray and the whitest whites.
I love the smell of freshly cut grass.
I love the smell of creosote.
I love the sight of rain falling on the horizon, like chalk smudged against the sky.
I love the smell of an impending rain.
I love the seeing the stars at night. Although I miss the intensity they once had. Thanks light pollution.
I love densely forested areas. The cool shade. The earthy smell of rotting wood, fungus and fern followed by the sweet smell of pine.
I love the dense muted silence of a steady snowfall.
I love M&M's
I love the sound of cicadas.
I love peonies. There I said it!
I love the sound of church bells tolling in the distance.
I love wide open spaces.
I love barns.
I love old houses.
I love the smell of a wood burning fire. Unless it's a neighbors house. That really happened once!
I love getting my hands dirty working with plants.
I love the sound of a train clacking along.
I love the sound of a distant highway while sleeping.
I love the tic tic sound of the car tires passing over seams in the road.
I love Ohio.


to be continued...