Call Me Crazy

There have been a few rather notable things happen to me these  past few weeks.  First and foremost I attended my first government protest.  

As I was heading to it,  I was wondering "What are you doing!?".  Was I going to be the lone person on the sidewalk?  Like those tax agency employees wearing the Statue of Liberty or Uncle Sam costumes, pointing at people in their cars and making them honk. Then there was another extreme thought.  "What if I'm going to be hanging with lots and lots of crazy people?"  Crazy people with big "Anti" slogan buttons on their hats, "Hate" buttons on their vests.  Gun totin', Bible thumpin' crazies.  You know, THOSE kind of people.

There were about 500 people attending in little Pocatello and while I didn't see any "crazies", there was one elderly gentleman with a baseball bat...Ok...ok...and a sign that said "Government Struck Out".  (You have to admit that with the last part missing it would have made a more interesting story.)  In fact all of them looked like your next-door neighbor, a nice, sane, next-door neighbor. I met a fellow first time protester and her first time protester husband. They were in their 80's and quite lovely to be around.  

I went to this protest because I've been watching these past few years as our freedoms have been eroded. How our country has been moving towards Socialism.  How many of our leaders seem to be ignoring us. And for some time I've been feeling lonely and scared.  

On Wednesday, it changed.  I know now that there are many, many good people in our area who have been seeing the same things and, just like me, are ready to stand up and let their voices be heard.  All in all it felt good to physically stand with people of similar beliefs.

Second thing:  According to the Department of Homeland security, I am a potential domestic terrorist.

I am anti-abortion, support traditional marriage, am interested in owning a gun (I'm a good shot with a Glock 9 mm). I've thought about voting 3rd party, support state's rights over federal power, actually parent my children, write my congressmen at least monthly, and am active in a religious denomination that encourages its members to be active in their communities.

Sadly, I do not have a Gagsden "Don't Tread on Me" flag. However, since I'm already on the "Terrorist" path I'd like to order about 200 5'x7' flags and modge podge them onto the house. I think climbing purple climatis and yellow roses will make it look lovely.

Call Me Crazy

Five months ago the price for a barrel of oil was about $150.00.  Then almost overnight it went down to about $45.00 a barrel.   Odd?  

Is anyone else feeling a little uneasy about how quickly the price of gas has gone down?  

Please don't get me wrong.  I am euphoric that I can fill up my minivan for under $30 bucks.  I am leaping for joy over the fact that I don't have to microplan when, where and if I am going to be driving today.  (I love to drive.  It is very soothing to me.)

But I have a sense that something is wrong.  I haven't been able to figure out what, but I have an analogy to illustrate my feeling.

Some people lived on a small island with a mountain in its center.  Passed through their oral history was a cautionary tale that said "if the water ever left the bay they must run to the highest point on the mountain".  

No one really knew why and most people passed it off as a fanciful spookie story to scare the children.  For as long as the people had lived there, the water had always been where it was supposed to be. 

One day the water receded from the bay.  The people were amazed.  Curiosity took over and many of them went down onto the previously covered ocean bottom to explore and see what treasures they could find.

Others remembered the history and in spite of the wonder and curiosity to go see,  they ran to the mountain.    From the their vantage point the people could see a strange line on the horizon.  A tsunami was headed their way.  

They started yelling down to the village about the danger that was about to hit.  Trying to get as many as would listen to come to safety.  But for many down below the excitement of the moment was too overpowering.  

As the tsunami hit there were many villagers who were unable to escape the great speed and ferocity of the wave and their lives were lost.  If only they payed attention to those who saw the danger coming.

I feel that our country is about to be hit by a figurative tsunami.  There are many on the mountain who are crying danger and there are some of us who are moving towards relative safety.  However there are masses of people who are not paying attention to the of the signs of danger.

One of my many questions is this.  Am I the only person who feels this way?  Am I becoming a paranoid middle-aged person? 

A Gift that Keeps on Giving

Today I received an interesting Christmas Catalog.  "World Vision Gift Catalog".  It said that it was "full of meaningful gifts that change the world".  

With last week's historic election of America's first socialist president, bailouts, and the thought that McDonald's french fries might soon be financially out of reach, it certainly piqued my curiosity.

I must admit that I was surprised, I mean, I did not know you can feed a family with 5 ducks and 2 chickens.  Just $55 dollars and they can be yours!  If you don't want a gift that breathes, how about a cute little plush goat named Gertie?  Or if you're more the practical type, how about a colorful, scripture-citing, ceramic coffee mug.

As I thumbed through it, I stopped thinking about my own petty problems and I realized that I have it pretty good, all things considered.  So what if there is a push towards Socialism.  It will only go that way if Conservatives don't stand up and be as loud as the other side.  The bailouts? Let's face it, either way we're in for some rocky times.  Let's choose the rocky road that won't strap us as much as the other.  

And then it hit me, a meaningful gift that changes the world is "Courage".  Courage,  is doing what is right even when you're scared out of your wits and the world thinks that you're stupid. It's standing for principles when many around you don't.  It's going to bed at night and being at peace with your conscience.  That's powerful!  Can you believe it?  And it wasn't even in the book.  So don't fret about the future too much.  As long as there is courage there will be faith and hope . . . and change . . . well, who wants to sign up for the "Animal of the Month" club?!

Hello World

The world may now rejoice...I am now learning how to blog.

I'm afraid that the first few blogs might be a bit dry as I really don't know what I'm doing, but oh well!  Forward!

For those of you whom have lost touch with us, we are now a family of 7.  Which means that if the nation switches to alternative energy cars...we will need two.  (I wonder if the environmentalists ever considered that?) But I digress, well, maybe not.

Riley and Nathan are attending "The Academy", a charter school and are doing quite well.  As Riley put it, "They don't let me get away with a lot of stuff". (hmmm)

Timothy is still at Wilcox and feels "left behind".  It's nice to know that, when they're not arguing, he misses his brothers.

Eric is ever the clever opportunist.  When I'm cleaning upstairs, he'll make a mess downstairs.

Ari is cute and sweet...we hope it will last.