Once I was young and sharp I was born in and live in the United States of America.
There are many things about this country that are wonderful, and others things or issues that many people seem to not care for very much.
There is freedom of choice of your manner of worship, of where you live and what you say and think. There are laws which like most in other countries, must be obeyed, or you will be cited and fined, or go to jail, depending of course on the gravity of the infraction, be it a minor traffic violation or something more serious. If you cannot afford an attorney to represent you, one may be provided, free of charge for your defense, in the case of more serious crimes.
You have a choice where you want to live or vacation, whether in the very cold climates,where you can ski, play in the snow, or near more tropical areas where there are swamps with alligators, and poisonous snakes. You may like snorkeling, skin diving, or deep sea fishing, and there are many choices for that, as well.
You can choose to live in one of our large cities, such as New York City, or Los Angeles, or in a town with fewer than one hundred residents. You can live in the mountains or the desert, or near the beaches of the Pacific or the Atlantic Oceans.
You also have the option of living in the State of Hawaii, which is comprised of many islands, some very congested tourist attractions, while others are less populated, where most people are either retirees, or run family farms, growing crops such as pineapples, or sugar cane.
You may decide that Alaska is more to your liking. Alaska has millions of square miles of open wilderness, where many people travel by private or rented airplanes, as much of Alaska has no paved roads. Alaska is the only state in the United States that has an area larger than the state of Texas, albeit not nearly as populated due to is more extreme climate.
There are many midwestern states where ranching is the main source of making a living, or you may opt to live in one of their middle-sized cities and possible work in a college, or one of the local stores.
In California, you have practically any of the above choices, as this state begins at the border of Mexico, and has more than a thousand miles of coastline, which runs from Mexico to the border of the of Oregon. You can live near the coast, inland, or in the desert. Whether you prefer mountains with snow in winter or on some of the high desert valleys, where the temperatures range from the teens in winter, to in excess of 115 degrees in the summer.
California also has Death Valley, where temperatures often are in excess of 135 degrees in the shade during summer months. This is one of of the hottest places on earth.
The Mojave Desert in California also has the Salton Sea, an inland saltwater lake which is lower than sea level. You can live within about an hour or so of the beaches, and still live in a semi desert area.
Florida and California both have many amusement parks, such as Disneyland, and Disney World, Knott's Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, and lots of other places of interest for tourists and residents alike.
You may choose to live in the hustle and bustle of the many larger cities, or in a more relaxed area where there are primarily families, strip malls, and nearby lakes to go boating on weekends.
The cost of living varies depending on local prices of real estate and property, state and local taxes, as well as how far you live from your employment.
I've always had an interest in things medical, whether in saving life, or solving reasons for a person's demise.
While Kathy Riechs is a Forensic Pathologist, she is also a very accomplished writer. In 206 Bones, the scenes are always described in just the right amount of detail so you can imagine being there, and feeling everything happening.
In 206 Bones, Dr. Temperance Brennan has been working on a case of someone's death from many years ago, and someone has been attempting to ruin her reputation. She is eventually kidnapped and imprisoned underground in some sort of tunnel. While injured, and in complete darkness, she is in and out of reality.
I won't spoil the story by providing too many more details, but it is a very captivating book.
She is quietly sleeping when "Sequoia Dawn", her six year old Chihuahua/Basenji mix (a rescued dog she's had for two years) begins to snuggle under her chin, while she lies on her left side. The sound of her ever-running radio is tuned to "Handel On The Law" as it usually is on Saturday morning, with Bill Handel making jokes about telling callers that they "have no case."
She slowly begins to turn onto her back, first checking to be sure she doesn't roll onto "Pugsly," her recently rescued five pound Chihuahua puppy that is now ten months old, and Peanut, her other five pound Chihuahua that is now almost eleven.
Snow Bear, her other rescued dog, a mixed Autralian Shepherd decided to sleep on the floor, since it was such a hot night. Snow Bear is now nine years old.
"Buddy Cat," her latest rescued critter is sleeping in the bathroom sink, where it is somewhat cooler, than sharing the bed with all the dogs, and mom, too.
She looks on the ceiling to see what time is it, even though she knows it's after six A.M. as that's when "Handel On The Law" starts every Saturday morning. It's actually already 6:30. She got amore sleep last night. She's been getting by on only four or five hours for weeks now, what with the heat and all. After all, this is sunny Southern California, and this is the Inland Empire, not one of the cooler coastal areas.
Well, it's time to get up and let all the dogs out, so Pugsly doesn't have another accident on the comforter. He is really doing well lately, but still doesn't have the complete bladder control of a more mature dog.
Quietly, she shuffles off to the bathroom, and returns without saying a word. One word from her, and all the critters will be on alert, and ready to go outside to take care of their business.
It's going to be almost 110 today, so she leaves the dogs out while it's still only in the 60s, so they can enjoy the nice cool morning, and returns to her bedroom, and takes a look at Plinky.com, to see what the daily prompt for the day may be. She's really been disappointed with the prompts of the last few days, and it considering possible leaving Plinky if it doesn't come up with more interesting and worthwhile prompts soon.
She puts water in the teapot, adds her usual two Pomegranate Pizzazz tea bags, and heads to the microwave to heat the already hot water, to coax the flavor and color from her tea.
She decides that Plinky apparently has reawakened, and left their recent dumb and useless prompts, and actually has one this morning that she will write to, and possible even use photos of some of her pets.
Ahhh. Teas ready, and she's about ready to begin her daily Plinky prompt response.
She begins looking for a picture of at least some of the dogs, all in one photo...
Another reason I always keep my vehicle locked, whether alone or with passengers.
I was inspecting one of our firm's landscaping projects, just checking thing out to be sure everything was alive, and getting sufficient water. I had actually worn levi jeans and a blouse that day, nothing special, and was taking one last pass along the sidewalk in front of the property.
A car pulled to the curb, and the driver said something I couldn't quite make out. Without getting too close, I sort of approached, and asked if he needed something.
The man then said a bit louder, "Do you wan tot take a little ride with me?" I looked at him like he was nuts, of course, and just said, "No thanks, I don't think my husband would like that very much."
I didn't get a chance to get his car's license number, but who knows? Maybe he was looking for a "hooker," or looking for a victim he could kill.
In any case, I left as soon as I could get back to my vehicle, and get back to the office. I also watched my rear view mirror, just in case.
In North Eastern San Diego County of California, lies Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, which is a place to relax and get back to nature, and breathe air not so polluted by smog. I just love this place.
This is a favorite camp site for horse lovers, as well as those who use Motor Homes, or camping trailers.
No personally, it's my favorite place to get away for a weekend, or a week, if possible. Sleep either in my tent, or under the stars. I love the night sounds from owls, raccoons, and coyotes that live in these mountains.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is close enough to travel to within a few hours, and far enough from city sights and sounds. I love listening to wonderful relaxing music while sitting around the campfire sharing stories, and singing with friends who are also come along, with their horses.
There is a lake for anyone who cares to fish, and nice large pastureland for the grazing deer that come every morning and evening to quietly graze on green pastures of grasses, flowers, and plenty of fresh water for them to drink from the lake, too.
I loved riding my horse to the peak of the tallest mountain there, which by mountain standards hardly qualifies as a mountain. However, it is tall enough to collect a good amount to snow in the winter, and have pine trees providing shelter and shading riding paths that take you to the top, where you can see practically all of Southern California in the distance from each side.
If you ride to the east side, you will see the Salton Sea in the distance. Riding to the south, you will see over into Mexico, or more correctly, Baja California. Continue to the north side, and you will see the layers of smog which blanket Orange and Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties. Then, if you ride to the west, you will see the Pacific Ocean.
If you ever get to take a vacation there, be sure you don't forget to walk among the Native American corn grinding areas. There are huge boulders with hundreds of deep holes that were used by the women to grind their corn for mash for cooking.
It is a lovely, and refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of living practically anywhere there days, and allows you to recharge your batteries.
This movie really touched me, to see a young person who worked so hard, to attain his dream of having two such fine hunting dogs. Then, to watch as one was killed, and the other one pines, and just grieves herself do death.
There was a very good story between the really sad parts, but I really react the same, every time I watch "Where The Red Fern Grows."
There was another version of this movie where they used two Irish Setters, instead of Red Bone Coon Hounds, and that movie also stayed with me, as those two dogs also died.
Originally "Where The Red Fern Grows," was a book, and it has been made into at least two, if not three movies.
The story takes place in hill-country, during nineteen thirties, or forties, and things were hard in those days, especially for a family living in the back hills of the southern portion of the country.
Families just didn't have the where-with-all to spend hard earned money on dogs, even to help hunt meat and skins to help support their family. Things were pretty much hand to mouth, and just getting cloth to make your own clothes was tough enough.
While I loved this movie, I also hated it, as that kid put heart and soul into those two dogs, as well as trying to help save another dog that belonged to a hardened neighbor who only fed his dogs if they hunted for him, and stuck around no matter how badly they were treated.
Shirley, is a nurse by vocation. She also works with Bloodhounds, for Search & Rescue, and is a member of the local Mounted Posse.
This conversation is about two of her horses that are getting older, and now have special needs for their comfort and mobility.
The farrier, Chuck and Shirley have a conversation...
Hold it Kandi, good girl.
Chuck, I sure appreciate you coming on such short notice to trim Kandi and Red's hooves. I've been working so much, I haven't even had a good look at them for a couple of weeks.
Hey Shirley, what are good friends for, Alma and I are always happy to help you, you know that. Besides your horses are always so good, and you saved them from the life they had, what with Red just all messed up with bowed tendons off the track, that horse would have been destroyed if you hadn't taken him in. Didn't you once say that he was about two or three years old then?
Yes, Red was between two and three. He was not yet gelded, and the tendons in both his front legs were badly bowed. He had trouble just walking. red was also a bag of bones, since he was no longer paying for his keep, his days were numbered.
Chuck, were you around when I bought Kandi? Kandi was well cared for until her owner allowed his friend to use for for herding cattle in Colorado. She wasn't used to running over that kind of terrain. She had fallen on some rocks, and really damaged her knees. Since she has aged, they have developed arthritis, and stay swollen and sore.
Since I got her, she's had a great life. She's never again been overworked. I trained her as a posse horse, and she really took to that.
Now, with her into her thirties, the damage to her knees has caught up with her, and they stay swollen and painful. So, I really do need to keep her hooves in good shape, so she can function as best she can.
It's a good thing you brought your daughter along, too.
How are things at school Mandi?
Well, I like school, but there are times I would just rather stay home and do something else. But with Mom driving a school bus, she isn't at home all day, and I really don't like having to stay home alone, either.
Ah, all done Kandi, come here Red, let's see what you need now...
They are both getting on in years now, and they have earned a better life.
During a visit to a petting zoo, three young children and their Mother happen up on a couple of the cutest Pot Belly Pigs, you'd ever want to meet, and guess what?
It just so happens that they lady who owns the two piggies, also sell baby ones...
Look Mom, pigs, and they're not big like Uncle Jim's pigs.
Look Mom, can't we get one? They are so cute, and that lady already said they don't get really big. She said they're tea-cup pigs, I think...
Yeah, Mom I want one too, can I, can I have one too?
Now boys, they don't get as big as the really big pigs, that we see at Uncle Jim's farm, but they aren't going to stay as small as they are now, either. Those piggies may be tea cup sized now, but like big pigs, they take several years to grow as big as they will get, and nobody knows for sure how big that will be. They could get nearly as tall as our dog, Cruzer, and he's pretty big. They will also weigh more than Cruzer, because their body is made differently. They could be as tall as Cruzer, but weigh more than a hundred pounds. I only weigh a hundred and twenty, and they could actually get at heavy as I am, and maybe even more.
Mom, if Joey and Steve get one, I want one, too.
Now, Sandy, I didn't say anyone was getting a pig, did I? Besides, a pig also needs another animal for a friend, like maybe another pig. Two pigs will be lots of work, and they need a good place to play outdoors, too. They need lots of attention, too, or they won't really be pets, will they?
That lady said they can stay inside like our cat does.
Look Mom, that one's licking Joey's fingers, and it's not biting, either. Can't we have one, please???
Look sweetie, before anything, your dad an I will have to talk about this, and see how he feels about having a pig or two. Then, if it's ok with Daddy, I have to talk to our neighbors, and see if they don't mind. If it's alright with the neighbors, we would still have to check to see if the city would even allow us to have a Pot Belly Pig. They may not even be allowed where we live.
Mom, what if we all agree that we'll share, and that way, we'll only have to get one. We'll even take care of it, we promise, right guys?
Look kids, this is something we have to learn a lot more about before we just rush into it, you know? Right now, we don't even know what they eat From what I understand, miniature pigs have to be on a special diet. They can't eat things like dog food, it's really bad for them. We still need to find out if they need shots like our dog and cat do.
It's expensive having any animal, much less one that will need us to get a whole lot of new things, like building a pen for it to play in when we're not at home, special food dishes, a piggy house and a place for it to have mud or water to keep cool when it's really hot outside. Why, it will also need shade from the hot summer sun, and shelter when it's cold outside. The pigs I've seen on TV have lots of blankets and quilts to help keep them comfortable at night, and in cold weather, even if they are inside. That' something else we need to consider.
It certainly can't stay indoors when we're not at home, either, so it will have to have the pen built before we even bring it home, IF we bring one or two home, later.
This much I do know. I've seen programs on TV about how many people are getting pigs for a pet, and then, for one reason or another, they can't keep it. If that happened, we'd all be very disappointed, and what about the pig? They have feelings too. I also know that it's not even good for a pig to stay indoors all the time. They need to play in the dirt, and root in mud like Uncle Jim's pigs get to do. That's just what pigs do. Just because they are smaller pigs, doesn't mean they don't like the same things as big pigs. Pigs also need some sunshine every day, or their bones don't grow they way they are supposed to.
What do you think we'd feel like if we ever had to give up or dog, or out cat?
All together, the three kids say, "Aw Mom, can't you at least talk to Dad and see what he says?"
Look, aren't they just so sweet? They are really smart, too. Look, that lady called Susie, and she went running to see what the lady wanted.
Tell you what, I'll talk to Daddy, and if he says it would be OK with him, I'll call around to see if it's OK with the city and see if I can find a vet that takes care of Pot Belly Pigs, to learn as much as I can. I'm not about to take that lady's word for anything. She may be OK, but she also wants to sell the pigs to us.
Sometimes when someone wants to sell something, they will not always be telling you the truth.
We have to think about us, as well as the pigs, they shouldn't have to be dumped just because we bought them not knowing we can't keep them. now, should they?
No Mom, they shouldn't. But we really want one. Pleease, talk to Daddy, OK?
Look sweetie, I said I'd talk with your Father, and we will investigate to see if we can manage it, and if it's ok with the city, like I said, OK?
It may be OK, and it may not, but we'll find out, and then your Daddy and I will decide if it's a good idea or not.
Pet the piggies good bye now, we have to go home now. I still have to make dinner for us, and Daddy's going to be very hungry. You know he's been working all day, and when he gets home, it really makes him happy to see dinner on the table. Right?
Yeah, Daddy is always hungry when he come home. Then, after we eat, we can tell him about our pigs.
Whoa now, it's still not for sure. You all do understand that, don't you?
"Sure we do," they all said in unison. "But Daddy will say it's ok, for sure!"
We'll see, just don't forget that, we still have to see!
The kids all said good bye to the Pot Belly Piggies, and headed with Mom to the car, and dinner.
Mars was within 34,000,000 miles of the earth tonight, and though Mars certainly was not as large as the moon, it certainly was the brightest in the sky other than the moon.
Photo © 2010Helen Dawson
I sure hope this shows up on here as well as it did on my computer screen. I live on the west coast in sunny southern California. I managed to get a few shots of the moon with Mars off to the right. It's unbelievable how many other stars show in the photos I took about half an hour ago.
Just checked my digital camera, and it appears that I took several pictures between 12:27 and about 12:35 A.M. Pacific time.
I actually managed to get both planets in the same frame. Fortunately, the only cloud that I could see was low enough in the sky it didn't block my view.
After previewing the photo, as I was afraid, the picture is to small for Mars to show up very much, but if you look carefully, off to the right, and slightly higher up on the frame, you should be able to make out the planet Mars.
I suppose I could have taken a telephoto shot, but then, the two planets would not have been in the same frame.
Once I loaded my pix onto my IMAC, I lit up the exposure, and adjusted it to make the photo as visible as possible.
See you in the year 2287 for the next Mars up close and personal visit.
Photo ©2010 Helen Dawson
This photo was taken from the road in front of my home this week, just a couple of hours after a freak storm that doused one area about five miles north of here, and another are about fifteen miles to the south, just north of the San Diego County line.
Late that afternoon I went out to feed my pond fish, and saw some really spectacularly gorgeous skies. The sun was just below the peaks of the nearby mountains, and the clouds that remained from our earlier weird lightning display and the flash flood threat had passed.
This was just breathtaking, and something we may not usually take the time to even go outside and just stop and take it all in.
This is about something that happened just a couple of days ago in my area of Southern California.
Photo ©2010 Helen Dawson
It's really interesting how our weather can change so quickly. Recently, we had weather in excess of 110 degrees for three days in a row. Our humidity was at only 5%, when suddenly, I could hear lightning flashes causing static on my radio, the static from the lightning could be heard for about twenty minutes, when all of a sudden the wind began blowing stronger and stronger still.
I went outside to be sure there was no damage from the strong winds. It was then that I saw the most impressive clouds: Huge, white billowing clouds, gigantic in size, and rising very high in the heavens. Yet, they were only in some places, and not covering the entire area.
Then, we suddenly got a temperature drop of five degrees within about three minutes. Earlier I saw there were huge rising clouds in the far distant eastward skies, which is normally in the desert areas, where it gets a lot hotter that we have.
Within a few minutes, people were losing power, and within a few more minutes, there were news reports on the radio that the area south of us about 15 miles, had a fire that was caused by the lightning, and there were also flash flood warnings for that area as well.
In the next few minutes, the temperature had fallen about ten degrees, and the humidity rose from 55 to 22%, within minutes.
Just about the same time, the area about 5 miles north, they had a power pole that was hit by lightning, causing the power lines to fall across the street, and land atop a public transit bus containing passengers. They also were under flash flood warnings.
Fortunately no one on the bus was injured, but they did have to stay onboard, until someone from the power company could come shut off power to the area, to allow the passengers to escape the damaged bus, and they power to be re-routed, making it possible to replace the broken pole.
Meanwhile, we were right between both affected areas, and we got not one drop or rain, nor any very nearby lightning. Micro-cell weather certainly can be strange, can't it?
Dusty was a nine year old red roan Appaloosa mare, that had been taken from an area where she had grown up, and matured into quite the gymkhana horse, but due to her owner leaving for collage, and no one else that felt they could manage this powerful, though trustworthy mare, she was being sold to someone out of the area she knew, and away from everyone and all the other animals she was secure with.
Now, Dusty was going into the Inland Valley of Riverside County. Sue, her life long rider thought it would be wonderful for Dusty to live in the open, instead of living at a stable where she was boarded.
Dusty had been called "Killer" ever since she was first brought from the sheltered area of Gymkhana arenas to the wide open area where I lived.
Jean, my sister Amy's neighbor bought Dusty, thinking that she was just the right size horse for her to ride in the hills and in the area surrounding the nearby lake. When Dusty was delivered to her new home, she had been hauled all along in a stock trailer, and she had apparently completely thrashed it during her 60 mile ride over the California freeway system, through all the heavy traffic.
Mr. Phillips, the man who transported Dusty told Jean that if she ever needed "that mare" moved again, "Don't call me, OK? It's going to cost me more to repair my stock trailer than you paid me to haul that killer mare in it."
Dusty was only accustomed to being ridden along the dry riverbeds of Orange County, or in an arena. She had never before, in her nine years seen the wide open spaces she was to face in Riverside County.
Why there was even a lake, with miles of shoreline, and mountain loins, coyotes, and heaven only knew what else she would have to face here.
The mountains only about half a mile from her new home. At nights, and sometimes in the early morning hours, she could hear the screeching screams of the mountain lions from her paddock, and hear coyotes calling whenever they had made a kill. She was absolutely terrified.
It was even worse when anyone actually attempted to ride her off the property. The world was nothing like what she was used to seeing, hearing, or smelling where she came from. There, she had a nice secure barn to live in, with her own box stall and corral.
Now, Jean the woman who owned her was kind enough, always making sure she was well fed, and had plenty of fresh cool water to drink, but she was also very short, and very heavy, and unable to even mount her properly, unless she got on something tall and very stable to even get her foot into the stirrup.
Dusty was more accustomed to an experienced gymkhana rider, young and limber, able to mount quickly, and stay well seated, even while running barrels and pole bending, and even keyhole.
Poor Dusty didn't ever think of injuring her new owner, but she was so frightened when she was asked to leave the property, that she would totally freak out, and spin, and run for home and the relative safety of her paddock.
Finally in desperation, Jean finally accepted her neighbor, Amy's offer to work with Dusty to see if she might be of some help getting Dusty to settle in, and feel more confidant, enough to at least allow someone to stay in the saddle.
Unfortunately, Amy also worked full time and had two preteens to supervise while riding, as well. Handling Dusty with all her head problems and still making sure her own children were safe while riding their horses was just too stressful, so she finally talked to Jean about allowing her, (Amy's) brother-in-law to work with Dusty, since he and his wife had no children to worry about while riding.
Bill took Dusty down to the lake several times, but many of those rides ended with Bill walking home, and with Dusty waiting at her corral gate when he returned. Bill was also getting tired of landing on the hard ground in his hind-end, too.
Between the trailering problem and Bill having been tossed into the air several times, Dusty earned the name "Killer,"
Amy's sister, Evelyn was looking to get another horse for herself, for pleasure rides in the local hills, and one which would also take to the local rural traffic, including school buses, and fire trucks. It had been several years since Evelyn had owned or even ridden a horse, but that was her passion, and she had decided that when she was again living in an area where she could have another horse, a horse she would certainly get.
When Evelyn asked Amy if she knew of any good horses for sale, Amy told Evelyn about Dusty, including her problems, and the new name she was being called. "Besides, said Amy, you already have a bad back and neck from being rear-ended a few years ago. I don't think Dusty is the horse you are looking for."
Evelyn certainly wasn't discouraged by the story, as she had already rescued other horses, and a pony that were problems, and they turned out fine, with some patience and hard work.
"Amy, I will be over to see Dusty, please ask Jean if I may ride her at least down to the lake with you and the girls, so she will be more comfortable with other horses that she already knows being with her."
When I first saw Dusty, I knew she was just the horse for me. And I would be the person that could help her adapt, and feel at ease in her new surroundings. Of course, it would take time and a lot of patience and work, but this horse would never end up being sold the people called "the killers' who sold practically every horse they bought to slaughter houses, for dog food, or human consumption in some other country.
A Toddler's Early Memories
I have early memories from about the age of 18 to 24 months. It may have actually been somewhat younger, as I was still using a pacifier, as many today call it a binky.
I remember playing hide and seek in our house with my older sister, and falling down the steps leading to our basement in one home we lived at in Hamilton, Ohio. I still have the lump on my forehead from banging my head on the concrete basement floor. I remember that we lived on Heaton Street in Hamilton at the time.
I can still see several cousins and my older sister, and myself taking turns with roller skates. Then they were the kind that you used key to tighten them onto the sole of your shoes. There apparently was only one or two pairs skates, so we all used only one at at time, so the others could also skate.
That is one of my most cherished memories, because my dear cousin Jerry and his family were visiting from California. Jerry always looked out for me, to be sure the older kids weren't too rough or knock me down in their enthusiasm to do their own skating. Even though Jerry was only two years older than I, he was so kind, and helpful to his younger cousin, me.
Jerry only lived to be eight years old, as he died as the result of damage to his lungs, when he accidentally set himself on fire, playing with matches and gasoline that he found in their garage on Easter Sunday 1951.
I clearly recall visiting my father's older sister, Edith who lived in Cincinnati. We young ones always thought her very odd, as no matter what the weather outside was doing, Aunt Edith always had her living room windows wide open, even in Ohio's cold, and snowy winters.
I recall during one visit to her home, when her son and I went to some local store, and on the way back, he stuck a fire cracker under a can alongside the road, just to watch it blowup and startle the passing motorists. Even then, I knew he was not going to turn out well, and he didn't.
I remember once my Dad and I were out taking care of some things he needed to attend to, and there was a carnival in town. They had a Gorilla that smoked cigars, and also had a black Panther in a cage. I also recall feeling upset that those uncaring men would give that cigar to the gorilla, as even then, I had enough sense to realize it couldn't be good for him.
The Panther barely had room to turn around, and that also bothered me.
My Lost Love, continued...
I've been thinking about this one just about all day, (actually more than just all day. It's 2 A. M.) and I just can't seem to think of anything, except maybe something I did to myself and the young man I cared for very deeply. I'm just not in the habit of doing anything like getting even with anyone for anything.
What I did or didn't do, depending on one's point of view, changed both of our lives forever. I lost my soul-mate, because I jumped to conclusions. This is the only thing that may possibly qualify.
I didn't respond to his letter telling me it was o.k. if I wanted to date someone else. I should have written back and asked him if he was either dating someone else, or wanting to date someone else since he was in another state for a few months with a few close friends.
As many of you already know, that letter from him, broke my heart, and I still haven't gotten over loosing him, simply because I misread his motives.
I was wrong, and a few years later, I found out, face to face with his wife. It was almost like looking in a mirror, though that's where the resemblance ended. By then, we were both married to someone else, and we also each had a child.
He was my soul-mate, and though it's been many years, and I am now widowed, I have never attempted to contact him. As far as I know, they are still together, and I don't want to cause a problem.
Many people claim they believe the Word of God, but they like to pick and choose what they will do, or accept as truth of God's word.
The Bible is not easily understood, as it was written with what God called a "Sacred Secret" that would not be understood entirely until the time he opened the eyes of those who recognized their spiritual need.
I may have a completely different view of what being "religious" or "spiritual" means than you do, so I will begin by providing the definitions of both words.
I believe in a higher power who created our universe, as well as out earth, including all plant and animal life upon it, as Genesis 1:1 states: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
I also believe he sent his "only begotten son" who was originally know in heaven as "The Word," as he was the spokesman between the angels, and his Father, Jehovah.
I believe his Son was sent to earth in the form of Jesus, the only person ever born to a woman who was still a virgin, until after giving birth to this perfect child that had been transferred from his heavenly position, into Mary's womb, born as a human, and who grew up with most other people being under the impression that Joseph was his natural earthly father.
I believe what the Bible says about the reason God sent his son to earth as being to pay a ransom, to repurchase all obedient humans from the sin and death they inherited from their original forebears, Adam and Eve, since they sinned prior to have had any children. Therefore, their children, and all subsequent descendants also inherited imperfection, including sin and death.
I believe that as Jesus himself stated that he left us a pattern for us to follow his steps closely, in order that we do, as he did, preaching and teaching all earth's inhabitants about God's promise to once again bring the earth as well as all obedient mankind back to a state of physical and spiritual perfection.
As the Bible teaches, God will bring to a end, all sighing and crying, sickness and pain, and as man's last enemy, death will also be brought to nothing.
The Bible book of Revelation 21:4 states this: " And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
I believe God never tells a lie, and that we can put our complete trust in everything he says.
In Isaiah 11:6-9, it states the following:
" And the wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the well-fed animal all together; and a mere little boy will be leader over them. And the cow and the bear themselves will feed; together their young ones will lie down. And even the lion will eat straw just like the bull. 8 And the sucking child will certainly play upon the hole of the cobra; and upon the light aperture of a poisonous snake will a weaned child actually put his own hand. They will not do any harm or cause any ruin in all my holy mountain; because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea."
I also believe it when Christ Jesus, the Messiah said the following, in John 14:28:
"YOU heard that I said to YOU, I am going away and I am coming [back] to YOU. If YOU loved me, YOU would rejoice that I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am."
I believe everything that Christ Jesus said to his disciples, as well as to the crowds that gathered to listen to him. In Matthew 5:3-7, he said the following:
3 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.
4 “Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted.
5 “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.
6 “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled.
7 “Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.
I really didn't even finish reading it, I hated it so much. There was just too much evil, strangeness, and too many things that were sort of paranormal about it.
I recall when I was young, my parents took me to see the Disney version, and I didn't like that for much the same reason.
Fantasy is one thing, but when it is taken to that extreme, it's just too much.
I don't consider this book appropriate for young children. Children I have seen watching that movie, were just too frightened to enjoy the movie.
Luis Chico grew up having parents who were an alcoholic, and a prostitute. At least his father had a steady job, even if it was working as a Mexican version of a skycap at the Mexico City International Airport.
At least his father, Juan Carlos was doing an honest days work and getting decent tips, what with so many American Tourists, and business men who were always flying in and out of Mexico, DF. But, when he was off work, his avocation included drinking to forget about his present life’s situation, as well as his growing up years.
Luis Chico had a younger brother and sister, who along with Luis Chico were always locked inside their apartment while their father was at work, and their “mother” worked the streets, for her income. Juan Carlos, of course really had no idea what his wife was up to while he was working, until finally one day, he became very ill at work, and had to return home much earlier than usual.
He discovered his three children locked inside their apartment, with a padlock on the outside of the door. At first he assumed that his wife, Norma had taken the children with her to shop for groceries for the families dinner, which would consist of fresh masa (corn) tortillas, and frijoles, (pinto beans) with a cup of coffee for her, and maybe, if there was enough money, the children could have half a glass of milk.
There was always plenty of fresh or canned Chili Jalapeños, which practically everyone in most Latin American home served with their meals.
Luis Chico had long ago decided that as soon as he got old enough, he was running away to America, (Los Estados Unidos) and become a drug runner, because that’s where the money was.
His father, Juan Carlos had told him about his older brother, Julio who was married to a good American lady, and that they had lots of money, and were coming to visit them this fall.
Luis Chico was already getting in with the wrong crowd, and in Mexico City, there were some really rough people who could eat Luis Chico for dinner, (chew him up and spit him out, unless he did as they said.
The day finally arrived when Juan Carlos said her brother, Julio and his family would be arriving at the airport about midnight, and he planned to tell Julio and his with Ruth about his problem with Luis Chico and what had been happening to his kids for so long. Maybe Julio and his wife would agree to take his son, Luis Chico with them back to the United States when they returned home.
Of course Juan Carlos knew nothing about Luis Chico’s plans to join drug runners, or even open his own drug running business…
Love should last... "Till Death Do Us Part"
She doesn't believe in love at first sight, but there's something about this man, not only his handsome face, and physique, but also his whole demeanor. He's tall, but not so tall that he towers over her 5'3" petite frame. He is well muscled, but not the body builder type in appearance either.
There is something about him, that makes her want to get to know him better, not that she knows him at all, not yet anyway. He's quietly eating alone, but appears very at peace, contented. She feels, she is practically being driven to learn more about him, to get to know who he is, and what he's all about as well.
After her "Mr. Right" will have a balanced measure of self-confidence, but not “be full of himself,” patient, but certainly not a wimp by any means.
Slowly, she moves in his direction, just so he may notice her, after all, she's never been the type of woman who would brazenly seek out any man, after all, she still cares about their inner personality, and she sure doesn't want to attract the attention of some serial killer, or anyone who may be violent or abusive, either. She seats herself two tables from his.
Just because someone looks clean-cut, doesn't necessarily mean they are a decent person. She is, after all, looking to find her life-long mate, someone she can marry, and with whom she can happily, contentedly grow old.
He’s looking in her direction, …
It just takes too long to tell this whole story...
There once was a woman, Gross was her name. Mrs. Gross. No one seemed to even know what her first name was. Everyone, from neighbors to local law enforcement just called her, Mrs. Gross.
What an evil woman she was, and maybe that’s the reason everyone just called her, Mrs. Gross, for gross she was. She made everyone hate her, and I don’t think she ever had a kind or honest bone in her body.
When one of her tenants was moving away, because they could take her no longer, she kept coming over, pretending to measure for new curtains that she never planned to buy. Heck, she didn’t even have a pencil or paper to write the measurements down.
Mrs. Gross attempted to enter the house again. She’s just open the door and walk in, this time while only the man’s two daughters and their two-year old granddaughter were there cleaning and taking care of final touches, to leave the place squeaky clean.
Only this time, the screen door was locked. When the young women asked her to return when their father was back, she few into a rage, and commenced to jumping up and down, screaming, “I’ll get in, you’ll see.”
This woman went to her pick-up truck, which she kept parked on the curb. She opened the rear of the camper shell, and returned with a Bowie knife, and again attempted to enter. She tried forcing the windows, prying them with her knife.
Eventually, she managed to get the kitchen door to give, so both daughters slammed against that door, re-locking it and holding the turn-button so she couldn’t use her side-door key.
And, that’s only the beginning of the story…
