Wednesday, September 30, 2009

I guess we'll never be smart

Joshua and I just got back from Nashville/Knoxville and I'm sad to say that I suck at taking pictures. Plus it rained all day on Saturday when the little people would have otherwise provided ample photo opportunities. We did spend a beautiful day with Joshua's parents strolling around the Cumberland River (I think) before we came home. I wish Utah had more trees.
We also thought this was noteworthy. We saw a Smart Car outside our hotel and had to take a picture. Joshua and I will never be "Smart", as in owning one of these, so long as his wingspan is longer than the car itself.

Does this strike anyone else as ridiculous? Bring on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, if you please!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Cultivating

Our garden is thriving, still with weeds but other stuff too. This morning I went out early to gather some yummy goodness for breakfast omelets.

I came back with tomatoes, onions, peppers, zucchini, and carrots. They were good omelets.

The strawberries didn't really take this year. I think we got about 3.

But we've also got 2 pumpkins that we'll be carving up next month.

Their blossoms are so pretty.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

I serve my God and my country

In general, this message speaks mostly of things I believe in. Things I would venture that Jesus Christ taught. However, they had me up until referring to:

1) Ending 200 years of slavery-- if by that you mean the American Companies that hire undocumented workers who have immigrated illegally and pay them a laughable wage because they wont argue--then yes. I too pledge to end slavery. However, somehow I fear your "white guilt" implies that African Americans are still slaves in this country. I disagree. I came from a poor, single-mother family in a fairly high crime part of town (not Detroit, but still) and I put myself through college, have a hard but successful career, and am a home owner in America. All because of the choices I made and the mother who taught me how to make righteous ones. Every American has the same opportunity to make the choices and sometimes sacrifices that give them access to "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." I take offense to your implication that anyone of any ethnicity who chooses not to pursue happiness through righteous choices is a slave.

2) I recycle my plastic bags at the grocery store, my cereal boxes, the few plastic bottles I purchase. I map out errands so as to conserve gas. I put a sweater on in the winter to keep the thermostat lower. I do a pretty good job of reducing my consumption and increasing what I cultivate (so far...about 10 zucchinis from our garden). How many new, belts, Prada handbags, hybrid cars, houses, pairs of ugs, electronic gadgets, sparkly bracelets have you, Cameron, Demi, Ashton, etc., bought this year? I drive a 10 year old car that gets 30-35 mph, hardly a gas-guzzler, or "obnoxious car". I wear the same shoes and jeans as last season because they're still in good shape. Trying to be more green, doesn't mean you are doing a good job consuming less and cultivating more.

3) I am not a servant to my President. I pledge to serve my God and my country. My President took an oath to serve me, as a citizen of the United States of America. Did you forget that oath, Mr. President? Or did you not believe in the words of that oath? Okay, in fairness, I don't think President Obama created this message, but if he sits back and allows this understanding of "Change" to be perpetuated by those that live in Hollywood (and by that I mean the fairytale world it represents) instead of the real world (where Mom and Dad work two full time jobs for less than $100,000 a year) then he's guilty by omission.

Shame on the school principle who thought it was appropriate to indoctrinate Utah children with this blatant, one-sided propaganda. If their parents believe this message, it is there right to give it. It is the school's responsibility to teach: reading, writing, arithmetic, science, history, government, and world events in an unbiased way so they may learn critical thinking skills and choose their own beliefs.