Blogging – Page 3 – 50 Shades of Gray Hair

The Post Politic

As I await the dawn of my 20,075th day on this earth, I feel the need for reflection. Time enough alive, I should think, to have learned a thing or two. Sorry to say, it hasn’t been all good.

However, owing to the fact that tomorrow is an election day here, and the boob-tube shows nothing but boobs…I couldn’t help but get stuck in the quagmire that is our government

Having learned that cliches are cliches, and euphemisms are euphemisms for good reason, and never more evident than when a pattern of behavior BEGS to be seen for exactly what it is, I do think it’s time for me to call it what it is and like I see it…
B U L L S H I T

And by bullshit, I mean Politics

If you’ll allow, I give you:

The top 20 cliches and euphemisms of this 20,074 ½ day old female, who believes are alive and well in today’s bloody, rotten, stinkin’, crappy, silly, non-productive, infuriating, ridiculous, embarrassing; yet ours…world of politics

The more things change, the more they stay the same – POLITICS

A house divided against itself, cannot stand – POLITICS

Actions speak louder than words – POLITICS

Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it – POLITICS

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em – POLITICS

Money talks – POLITICS

Stupid is as stupid does – POLITICS

Birds of a feather flock together – POLITICS

Talk is cheap – POLITICS

The ends justify the means – POLITICS

There’s one born every minute – POLITICS

The truth is stranger than fiction – POLITICS

Two wrongs don’t make a right – POLITICS

Cut off your nose to spite your face – POLITICS

Feeding frenzy – POLITICS

Out of sight, out of mind – POLITICS

The blind leading the blind – POLITICS

The status quo – POLITICS

It takes one to know one – POLITICS

A good man/woman is hard to find – POLITICS

…and trust me, I could go on

But another pattern of behavior ‘frosts my ass’ too. And you’ll likely notice that many of the above can be applied to what is below

I think I’ll call it the Tolerance/Intolerance Side Show to the circus that is Political Correctness:

Protesting to rename highways, parks, etc., and trying to remove monuments that celebrate confederate Generals because they fought a fight you don’t agree with

Yet…organizing campaigns to rename those same said highways, parks, etc. for people that answered the call for civil rights decades after the fact. The same protesters, I might add, who themselves never cried out for the removal from written history, all who made their lives hell

Removing the Confederate flag from all state and federal facilities because some see it as a symbol of hatred, when in fact, it was a battle flag designed to differentiate it from the Union flag and therefore has historical value; nothing more

Yet, not protesting when a world renowned symbol of the United States, The Empire State Building, is used to herald the achievements or celebrate holidays of the very countries that would like nothing more than to see the United States cease to exist

Removing something as iconic as The Duke’s of Hazard from TV Land because the car had a Confederate flag on it, even though not a single word of a single episode, ever suggested bigotry or racism or intolerance

Yet, if you’re a fan of TV Land programs, have you noticed George Jefferson says the word Honky in just about every episode?

And there are some behaviors that are not so easily categorized, yet the influence of today’s PC madness is evident in the overwhelming number of those who ascribe to these beliefs relating to color:

Listening as people of color tell me that I’ll never understand, could never relate, to what it’s like to be a person of color

True. Yet at the same time, those said same people of color, tell me they know exactly what it is to be white, because being white means only one thing; privilege

[I get it, in theory. But I can just as easily say that I wouldn’t know what it’s like to be a bird. It’s irrelevant. And, another truth is that, unless you’ve walked the back roads of my life…your right to this claim is false. So let’s stick to the truth that none of us can know what it’s like to be in another man’s shoes, unless we’ve walked in them, and call it a day.]

Sanitizing our history books to shield our kids from the worst in our country’s history, including the path of our growth (that we are still on by the way)

Yet making sure we do include a focus of study that tries to maximize a culture of them vs us, with little regard for how far we’ve come, nor teachings on the strides made in the last 200 years…as though nothing has changed

The worst of it comes out in the various ways we bite each other’s ankles…and to what end?

For instance:

Demonizing the rich for having too much

Denigrating the poor for having too little and needing more

Expecting the government to give more and more

Blaming the government for sticking it’s nose in our business

Tolerance for groups that separate and segregate

Intolerance for groups that point it out

Fighting for women’s equality

Crying that chivalry is dead

Calling for change through peaceful protest for the injustices seen in all facets of the human struggle, especially those affecting minorities

Yet some especially touched by these injustices hide behind a guise of protest for change, take it as the opportunity to loot for personal gain and destroy entire neighborhoods, then scream racism when motives are questioned

Are we so intolerant or jealous of each other’s success that we have to denigrate and belittle?
Are we so comfortable in our misery, we feel we must maintain it at all costs?
Have we forgotten what it’s like to celebrate each other to the point that every gain should be looked at as a loss because it didn’t happen 200 years ago? 100 years ago? 50? Yesterday?

When all we have to show for the 3 centuries we’ve been a country are broken teeth and bloody socks…why the hell do we even try?

Is this to be our legacy…?

Welcome to the United States

The land of equal opportunity damning

Damned if we do

And by God

Damned if we don’t

Is the only way to prove I’m not a racist to agree with everything a person of color says and thinks?

Why? Why can I not just agree and disagree with anyone and everyone based on what I believe and be done with it!

Conversely, is the only way to be true to your heritage as a person of color to pretend success doesn’t matter lest your peers think you an Uncle Tom or some other stupid shit?

That’s ridiculous on its face and damned insulting to every person who’s ever made more of themselves than those around them! REGARDLESS of your heritage.

Is the only way I can prove I’m a strong woman to think and act like a man?

Shit, I’d rather be a cat (I almost said dog, but cats get away with more!)

We are better than this!

We…men, women, black, white, red, yellow, brown, HUMAN…are better than this!

This began as a reflection in the wading pool that is this political swamp, but resulted in getting caught in the current of political correctness, and nearly drowning in the tidal wave of whatthefuckarewethinking!

Enough already!

Just

Enough

I end it here…I am 55 tomorrow.
I am seeing the country I love implode because of an agenda I have no interest in adopting as my own.

I am proud to be an American.
I am proud to be a Christian.
I am proud to hold the values I hold and don’t feel the need to label them one way or the other.
I am proud to be a woman.
I hold no pride in being white…I have ZERO say in that.
Nor do I maintain guilt because of it.
I am proud to champion anyone who leaves the world a better place.
I don’t see the race or religion.
I could care two-shits for the land that you hailed from as long as you take good care of the one you are living in.
I will celebrate your achievements, but none so much as your paying forward that which you can to those that cannot.

I am a member of one race – the human one – and unless you expect me to give that up – I’ll always welcome you at my table

THIS…IS WHAT I WILL ALWAYS BE

R I P

H A P P Y ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ H A L L O W E E N ! ! !

Cheery-Boo! 🙂

I’ve been framed!

This week, Ailsa of Where’s My Backpack fame, gave the theme FRAME for her Travel Theme Photo Challenge.

I like this theme because even interesting or good photos can be elevated to something a bit more special in how they are framed.

Let’s see if I have proven this point somewhat…

Reflections – I could have stuck to just taking photos of the stained glass windows and stone work at Canterbury Cathedral, like most people do. But I thought seeing them in the reflecting font was so much more interesting.

This house is interesting enough on its own to be sure, but I loved seeing it reflected in the puddle in the road. It added just enough to make it ‘more’.

There’s more to windows than just seeing out of them too…when used as mirrors to frame something interesting…it can be quite wonderful.

I can’t say I would always advise looking backwards as a way to move on in life, but in photography…why not?

Man-made structures can be a fun subject matter when you find them framed this way. Makes one wonder if the architects were in cahoots with Mother Nature doesn’t it?

And of course, in grand old cities, there always seem to be the old framed by the new, which of coure, makes for another type of frame job!

There is nothing like catching beautiful creatures of land and air, framed in their natural environments is there?

I especially love when I can catch the moon, in daytime or night, framed softly by something earthbound. Definitely one of my favorite framing jobs!

To say nature is a wonder is an understatement. It’s so much more than that. Ever changing, season in a and season out, always there for any who wish to see. Whether naked or adorned by something man-made; it’s nature’s frame that is the star.

Cheers 🙂

In The Pink

A Photo a Week Challenge: Pretty in Pink

I’ve never been a girly-girl so pink has very little space in my closet. It’s not because I don’t like it. I do. But I never think of myself in pink. My husband says I don’t look good in pink. I disagree because I happen to think everyone looks good in pink. It’s one of those colors that brings out life’s natural blush and who doesn’t look good in blush?

I’ve always made a point of putting my boys in pink. Yup, I was one of those mothers. I wasn’t keen on teaching them that blue is for boys and pink for girls. That there are differences in the sexes sure, but color choice isn’t one of them. And damned if they don’t look great in pink!

Still, pictures of people in pink I do not have. Nary a one. A shame it is too. But one thing I do have is nature in pink. Lots of it. Light, medium, dark – you name it, nature’s got it. So, while I may not be able to show you how gorgeous a couple’a handsome dudes are in pink, and because nature lovers will leave pink all over the page…how about I leave you with a little man-made Pinkishness?

Wow…I’d say London’s Museum of Natural History looks darn good in pink!

One Word Photo Challenge: Winter

426775_3085336863263_911556598_n[1] — Night time cherry tree – Massachusetts

538123_10200540609828605_1316359688_n[1] — Ice flow off the mountain – Vermont

the-last-summer — The final descent – Vermont

King of the Mountain - Alaska — King of the Mountain – Alaska

I guess you could say I love winter and I’m glad it’s almost here

Cheers 🙂

My Life-Bucket List

We’ve all heard of a Bucket List.
With another birthday looming, I can’t help but look at mine and say
“Aw Crap! Another year gone and the bucket’s about where it was last year.”

But, that’s just one bucket right?
We have more than one bucket surely.
I know I do.
I probably have more buckets than I have lists!

But this did get me thinking…do I have a Life-Bucket?
A Life-Bucket List?
Never heard of it?
That’s okay, it’s nothing official, just a easy way to visualize it.

Being a list person to the nth degree, I find I actually DO have one.
I draw from it; this life-bucket; and drink from it to nourish the virtues, qualities, lessons, reminders, etc., of and for, the person I’m working to be

I also choke on it once in a while, but that’s all part of it isn’t it? Learning to drink without choking?

You may agree with all, or some, or none at all.

And that’s okay.

Do you have one? Would you share it if you did?

I think of it as a resource – a life resource.
A very personal gift from me to myself.

Still, it’s one I am happy to share.

Now, just because it’s on my list, doesn’t mean I follow it perfectly.
I believe in it perfectly, drink from it religiously, but it is a fluid work in progress.

And this is one bucket whose contents will remain fluid.
I fill it; I kick it over; I shoot it full of holes.
What matters is that I re-fill it.
What matters is that I remember it’s there so I can draw from it.
It may never be perfectly filled, at least until I am no more.

But, what is left in it is where those who know and love me, will see me reflected.
So I fill it with care.

Always…I fill it with care.

My Life-Bucket List:

The most destructive habit……………………………………..Worry
The greatest Joy…………………………………………………….Giving
The greatest Loss……………………………………………………Self Respect
The most satisfying work…………………………………………Helping Others
The ugliest personality trait……………………………………..Selfishness
The most endangered species…………………………………Dedicated Leaders
Our greatest natural resource………………………………….Our Youth and Our Elderly
The greatest ‘shot in the arm’…………………………………..Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome…………………………..Fear
The most effective sleeping pill………………………………..Peace of Mind
The most crippling failure disease…………………………….Excuses
The most powerful force in life…………………………………Love
The most dangerous outcast……………………………………A Gossip
The most incredible computer………………………………….The Brain
The worst thing to be without…………………………………..Hope
The deadliest weapon………………………………………………The Tongue
The two most power-filled words………………………………I Can
The greatest asset……………………………………………………..Faith
The most worthless emotion……………………………………..Self Pity
The most beautiful attire……………………………………………A Smile
The most prize possession…………………………………………Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication…………..Prayer
The most contagious spirit………………………………………..Enthusiasm
Our greatest teacher…………………………………………………Experience

Now get out there and fill your buckets!

Cheers 🙂
R

Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge – Week #43

When I saw this on the rocks in a cove somewhere near Rockland Maine, I had a shiver me timbers moment for sure. A couple actually. I mean, WHO was that crawling up the rocks??? I really had to look twice to make sure this thing wasn’t alive!

Too freaky not to shoot right?

dead rope crawling — **Arrrrrrrrrrrg…I’m all in knots!**

A little fun for Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge – Week #43

Cheers 😉

Love Me Tender

A Photo a Week Challenge – Tender Moments

Tender moments come in all kinds of situations, but the first time I captured my first born grandson in his mother’s arms, is a moment I’ll never forget.

No less tender was when our newly rescued Miss Sadie, placed her head on my shoulder. In that one moment, she let me know she trusted me and everything was going to be okay. I loved her for that!

Me…from down under

Is it possible that I’m a dreamer?
Do I spend too much time with my head in the clouds?
Or my nose in the air?
Or my eyes on the sky?

Maybe, just maybe.

Because when I was getting photos together for Ailsa’s Travel Theme Challenge theme BELOW, I realized how much time I spend looking up and how lucky I am I haven’t fallen over and broken my nose!

But then again, perhaps it’s not so much dreaming [though that’s okay] as what I like to think of as paying attention, seeing the whole picture, taking stock in everyday life, seeing beauty in the ordinary…

Right?

Oh alright. I’m a dreamer then and damned proud of it!

So let’s see what a dreamer with her head in the clouds, nose in the air, eyes on the skies, is all dreamy about then.

And if you are a dreamer too…would you see what she sees when the lens go vertical?

The Tate Museum in London from an ant’s perspective:

A Lloyd Wright design as seem from this lowly architecture lover on the ground:

Reflections are just reflections until they become art. Can you see the cranes? Construction never looked so good!:

It would be shameful it no one paid attention to the details of something as innocuous as ceilings…but when they look like this, it would be a crime!:

Bridges are a favorite of mine, and the Tobin in Boston is no exception. This, however, was taken on the fly and yes (shhh) I was driving! Thank goodness for sun roofs 🙂 Oh, and thank you God that I’m still here (dumb, I know):

Street light art? If you’re in London, the answer is a resounding YES!:

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a bird, it’s a ….yup, like that:

It’s a religious experience!:

Clouds are the ultimate source for wonder and awe from below:

Ever the Patriot:

Goodnight Moon:

Cheers everyone up there…from me, down below 🙂

Simplicity isn’t always simple!

This week, I’m trying a new challenge with Cee. This is her Compose Yourself Photo Challenge and the theme this week is Simplicity.

I encourage all my photo buff friends to go here and read her directives as well as her tips and tricks, as you have nothing to lose and tons to gain!

Here goes nothing…per instructions…4 photos of nearly raw and simple

(And as always, simply click on photo for full version. See what I did there? Simple? You got it).

Tree with Hula Skirt :) OR Lake Reflections — **Tree with Hula Skirt 🙂**
OR
**Lake Reflections**

What comes next is for extra credit (sweet)

Cropping before and after and Color vs. Black and White

The crop before and after:

BEFORE * I chose this because I like it, but also because the boat is about 1/3rd of the photo and wanted to see if I could crop it from landscape to portrait and still like it — **BEFORE**
*
**I chose this because I like it, but also because the boat is about 1/3rd (okay, maybe a little more) of the photo and I wanted to see if I could crop it from landscape to portrait and still like it**

AFTER * I find that I may have to redefine what the subject is with the crop version...but I still like it. Rather than the boat, I think my new subject is the light. — **AFTER**
*
**I find that I may have to redefine what the subject is with the crop version…but I still like it. Rather than the boat, I think my new subject is the light through the mist.**

The Color vs Black & White: I still struggle with the tones of black and white, but I do love them. Hopefully, they’ll get better with practice (or an editing software? Santa, you listening?)

COLOR VERSION * This regal fella doesn't have a whole lot of color to begin with, and I hope that is okay, but sometimes the most challenging for me are photos with a lot of white — **COLOR VERSION**
*
**This regal fella doesn’t have a whole lot of color to begin with, and I hope that is okay, but sometimes the most challenging for me are photos with a lot of white**

BLACK & WHITE VERSION * I'm surprising myself, but I actually like this one better. :) — **BLACK & WHITE VERSION**
*
**I’m surprising myself, but I actually like this one better. 🙂**

I may not have gotten the simplicity in every photo I chose, but I think I’m at least on the right road.
Cheers 🙂