"Shuttin' Detroit Down"

As a former Detroiter living in Oklahoma, the following interview and song by John Rich is perfect for my blog. It is a country song that raises the concerns of many who are near and dear to my heart.

Give it a listen, and comments are welcome.




Oh, and P.S.

Be Patriotic! Buy American!!!! :)

http://www.americansworking.com/

It's a Play Day

There is nothing more cozy than snuggling up at home on an icy cold day with a steaming mug of split pea and ham soup, listening to the sleet pounding on the windows in rhythm with our favorite radio station.

We were hit with an ice storm which has closed our schools today and tomorrow. Perhaps I should feel a bit guilty for being a lazy slug today, I really haven't done anything. Oh, but it feels so GOOD to do nothing for a change!









The kids preferred spending their time playing outdoors. To each his own, I guess.






It would be so nice to be young again! :)

A little something to worry about

Why would anybody steal a snow shovel from an elderly couple?

That is what happened to my inlaws over the weekend. The thieves not only knew their victims were elderly, they laughed at them and ran when my mother-in-law rapped on the window.

Unbelievable, and terribly sad.

Their neighborhood becomes less safe as the years pass. Many neighbors have been broken into, the overburdened police department is slow to respond to calls. We would like to see Mom and Dad move, have offered them help to do so, but they refuse. It is their home of 50-plus years. In many ways, we see their point. Why should they be forced to leave because of neighborhood terrorists?

Still, we pray and worry. We don't know what else to do.

A New President

I was hoping that someday my son Jimmy would become president. This is his first campaign photo, taken in 1988! :)


Since that hasn't happened yet, I congratulate President Obama, and pray for him and our great nation.

This article says a lot: Bring Change Yourselves, America

I am very sensitive...

... and I know it. Over the years I have tried to toughen up, grow a thicker skin, not let myself get hurt. Sometimes I succeed, but still, it smarts when people get mean.

It seems to be getting worse lately. Maybe it is the stress of the current economy or something. But everywhere I go, people are jumping on others. I see it in the stores, in the parking lots, and at work. As hard as I try to avoid it, occasionally a jumper turns me into a jumpee. I don't like it!

I have been told, "Don't take what they say to heart, that is just how they are."

"The problem is you want validation, and you are hurt when you don't receive it."

"You are just too nice!"

That makes it very easy to continue to blame myself for other people's rude behavior.

It is apparent that it isn't just me on the receiving end of the dirty stick. I see the sad look and the defeated attitude of many around me, often caused by the same perpetrators.

Yet, the same solution is repeated to them: "You have to understand, that is just how they (the mean people) are, they are not going to change."

Huh? Let me get this straight.

We who are sensitive are supposed to grow a thicker skin, those who are cruel are supposed to be allowed a pass.

I have decided, starting today, to make sure I truly am treating others the way I wish to be treated. After that, am not going to run from my sensitivity, rather I am going to embrace it. I hope others will join me! If it makes cruel people uncomfortable when feelings get hurt, maybe they will learn something! :)