Simple Things

      Soon it will be July 4th, Independence Day. According to Websters Dictionary, independence is:  state of being independent, complete exemption from control, self-reliance, political freedom.  See anything wrong with that statement, as compared to what we are living today?

     Never before have our citizens felt so controlled and so bereft of political freedom.  Many Americans would love to celebrate our independence, but can’t because we lost the jobs which enabled us to have enough money to blow on things like July 4th Celebrations.  We’d love to celebrate our “exemption from control”, but we can’t because we have become so controlled that we sit and wait for the government to tell us what we’re going to do next (whether we want to or not!)  No, we’re not controlled ~ our homes are taken away, the economy is so bad that we can’t afford the gas for our vehicles (which will one day soon all be made in another country), and there is absolutely nothing to look forward to but debt and more debt.  Thank you ~ Mr. Obama!

     On another front, we ARE celebrating the life (after death) of a man who was an entertainer (and a creepy child molester).  Many of our citizens are more interested in the life and music of Michael Jackson than they are the state of our country and the world.  Wonder how many dead soldiers were returned to the U.S. this week for burial after serving in Iraq? I don’t know that either, because the news was focused on a dead singer/entertainer who had never done anything for his country ~ only for himself.

     There are times when I think the U.S.A. deserves a big shake up of some kind ~ just so we realize what we have allowed to happen, how far we have strayed from the ideals that our country was founded upon.  And I don’t think we have long to wait.

     Enough doom and gloom!  I hope anyone reading this has the time and money to go enjoy themselves for our Independence Day.  I hope you think about what the day was really for, and I hope you can truly appreciate what you have (or once had).

     ” I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died; who gave their lives for me, and I’d proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today; for there ain’t no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA.” 

          “Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.”  (H. Jackson Brown, Jr.)

     This quote so appropriately sums up my father (pictured above).  I could not let this Father’s Day go by without sending up some kind of tribute ~~ so here’s to you, Dad.

     If only all children could be subjected to the kind of father that I had, there would be much less hate, discontent, and downright meanness in this world today.  The man was not perfect, but he was much closer than a lot of people could ever hope to be.

     When I think of Dad, I remember laughing when he sang some silly song; how much he loved home-made icecream; the “look” I would get over the top of his glasses when I had done something wrong; and the empty spot that will forever be in my life, but not in my heart.

     Yesterday, as we were peacefully enjoying a Friday afternoon (with no rain), my husband suddenly jumped from his chair (in front of the TV) and said “There’s three horses in the front yard!”  I thought he might have just had one of his naps and was not too concerned, until the dogs started freaking out.  Sure enough, there were 3 beautiful horses chomping on the clover in the front yard. 

     I could tell by the time we got out on the deck, they were very friendly and apparently had just come for a visit (their owner most likely oblivious to their escapade).

     Hubby shooed them out of the yard, so they decided to walk on up the hill beside our house, where we keep the camper parked.  While they were otherwise entertained, hubby jumped into the car and went down the road to see if he could locate anyone who was missing a few horses.

      About 20 minutes later, he came back with the news that the owner lived about 4 miles away, and apparently the horses had taken themselves out for a stroll, as other neighbors had seen them walking by.  (You could follow their progress along the road by the occasional pile of you-know-what).

      So, the owner comes with his horse trailer in tow and parks up on the hill to seek out his wandering herd.  They had walked back into the woods and were playing hide-n-seek with him (especially when they saw the horse trailer).  It seems that the horses were due to participate in a rodeo on Friday night ~ and by all appearances, they weren’t really thrilled with the idea.  (If horses can think that far ahead).

     So, with all the excitement over for the day, things went back to normal for us, but it was an interesting afternoon to say the least.

     “A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.” (Mark Twain)

     Have you read any classics lately?  I know most of us have to read some when we’re in high school and college, but do you remember any of them?  I’ve decided (in my advancing years) to read most of the classics.  I dug out an old copy of “Wuthering Heights” and am having trouble getting “into” it because it’s not my usual kind of reading material.  Anyone have any particular favorites when it comes to the classics? Suggestions would be appreciated.

     It makes you wonder, in the next 100 years, what books will be elevated to the status of “classics”.  I don’t think it will be any of the ones by current and ex-politicians, but you never know.  Seems like everyone from movie stars to auto mechanics now want to write a book about their sad childhood, and expect the story to be turned into a movie of the week.  I could write one myself (even thought about that at one time) but my life was not all that interesting when it’s put down on paper.  I have come up with a few entertaining stories of things that happened in the past, most of which I’ve already shared on this blog, (some I will never tell ~ those might be the ones that people would find interesting!)

     Actually, my life was pretty normal (for an erratic Aquarian): birth, school, more school, work, married, kid, more work, divorce, still more work, married, kid, divorce, married, divorce, married, retired from work, bored, living thru my children and grandchildren, wondering what’s next.

     I’ve discovered that blogging gives a person the opportunity to share thoughts and experiences that other people read, but mostly don’t care about anyway, and is only an outlet for me to express the things that I probably wouldn’t say in the course of everyday conversation.  One of the things I find totally funny about blogging, is that there is always someone out there who wants to correct your personal thoughts.  It’s like asking someone for an opinion and then arguing with them when you get it.   Okay, got a little off course here ~~~~~~

      How about those classics?  You’re welcome to comment and let me know what your favorite ones are (and I promise to not tell you that you’re wrong!)