Category: Making a Difference

Congressional Correspondence

I try to keep my blog free of political topics; although, occasionally I get a bee in my bonnet and have to let the darned thing out before it stings my delicate pate. And truly, this isn’t a political post as much as it is an observational one.

The age of electronic communication is still amazing. I remember purchasing air mail stamps so that correspondence might reach its intended destination in a couple of days rather than a week. 

When I email my congressional representatives these days I receive an almost immediate response. Granted, it’s a form letter, but at least I know that someone in his/her office noted that a constituent felt strongly enough about an issue to make public their stand.

I seriously doubt that Senator Rubio will heed my plea, whatever it might have been. I haven’t the money or the political pull to sway his thinking. That’s the cynic in me. However, the eternally optimistic side of my brain thinks, maybe, just maybe, he’ll read my words and a lightbulb will appear over his head, or he’ll be moved to tears by my story and say, 

“Yes! I don’t need the support of powerful corporations and their money anymore! I don’t need to be beholden to the far right. I’m going to seriously consider the words of Nana Noyz!”

And pigs shall fly.

 
Peace, people!

Stars and Gripes

it isn’t easy being red,
white, and blue
sometimes we’re a target
other times we’re ridiculed
and now that we are growing
outside of old constraints
many of our own folks are
lodging new complaints.

they say we’ve wandered,
become too secular
but our founding fathers
were quite particular
refusing even then to
name a national faith
knowing well the tyranny
that lay along that path.

for if we honor only
Christian ideals
on government buildings
and official seals
then how can we expect
those of other creeds
to be willing taxpayers
when we ignore their needs?

  
Peace, people!

Thanks, but no thanks

   
Got this in the mail from the NRA today. Obviously they haven’t read my Facebook timeline.

See the badge in the upper left hand corner? They’ve asked me to place that on my truck, car, boat, or God forbid, on my window at home so that, 

“When your local lawmakers see this shield on NRA vehicles, they see crystal-clear proof that if they push gun regulation, licensing, and prohibition, they risk DEFEAT on Election Day. It’s that promise, backed by NRA membership muscle, that stops gun banners in their tracks.”

Apparently, this shield has…

“…stopped hundreds of schemes to ban your guns and close down gun shows, gun shops, ranges, and hunting lands.”

I own a gun. One of these days I’ll learn to use the darned thing, but I refuse to become part of an organization that plays on our fears in order to pump up their membership. 

I refuse to belong to a group that fought against common sense gun regulations following the shooting of innocent schoolchildren in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, a group that instead said the answer to such tragedies was to arm more people.

The NRA was founded with good intentions, but radical organization leadership and a focus on political and societal manipulation has twisted that goodness into something profane. 

I’ll take that sticker. There’s a great stinky place just inside my trashcan in need of an NRA endorsement.

Peace, people!

  

Forgiveness; Forgetfulness

Daily Post’s Daily Prompt: Forgive and Forget–share a story about a time when you had a difficult time forgiving a perpetrator, but you forgave them.

I stated my point of view
to which they responded,
“Surely you’re joking!”
“We’re still waiting for the punchline.”

When I held firm; explaining my rationale, they responded,
“Abomination!” and
“Thou shalt not!” and took themselves out of my life.

I became more militant.
Demanding to be heard.
They became more deeply entrenched in beliefs I’d left behind long ago.

The thing is, I have forgiven those who don’t understand my point of view.
And I can forget how I felt when
they scoffed at my beiefs.

I’m not sure the same can be said of them. And, I forgive them of that, as well.

Peace, People.
  

There’s This Song Stuck in My Head

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Ever since I first heard “Take Me to Church” by Hozier the lyrics and the sexy, haunting melody have been stuck in my head. According to Pinterest, I’m not the only one. Many people are loving the song and its handsome messenger.

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Seldom do I look up musicians on Google, but after watching a clip of Annie Lennox performing with Hozier on the recent Grammy broadcast I googled him. According to Wikipedia,

Andrew Hozier-Byrne (born 17 March 1990),[1] known mononymously as Hozier, is an Irish musician and singer-songwriter from Bray, County Wicklow.[2] In 2013, he released his debut EP, featuring the hit single “Take Me to Church”, and his second EP From Eden in 2014. His debut studio album, Hozier, was released in Ireland in September 2014 and globally in October 2014.

I hope he is more than a one-hit wonder. Only time will tell, but I’d sure appreciate it if I could get this song out of its continual loop through my mind. In the meantime, take me to church. Please.

Mentor-view

Today’s blog is interactive. No “likes” unless you also leave a comment. Sorry to be such a crotchety old woman, but this is important. I’ll compile your comments into a future post. Anonymity is guaranteed unless I’m given the ok to use your name.

Here are your questions:

1. Did you have a mentor, other than your parents, to guide you during your youth?
2. Who mentored you? (Ex. Teacher, coach, etc. You don’t have to name names.)
3. In what way(s) did he/she/they act as your mentor?
4. Have you ever acted as a mentor to a young person other than your own children?
5. In what country do you live?
6. May I use your name?

I’m looking forward to reading your responses.

Peace, People!

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