Still more Left than Right

8-7-10 weekend brain
My friend Ann thinks I have been talking “conservative” lately. I think she might be wondering if she is rubbing off on me.

Maybe a little..... but probably not much. I am all for the Bush tax cuts to expire. It only benefited the wealthy and only effected 7% of “small business”, many which seemed to be Law Firms. (reported on NPR)

To prove myself, I just have to read the Des Moines Register’s “Two Cent Worth” column where people can phone in brief “editorials” anonymously…. Friday there were several I agreed with.

“The largest corporations, the wealthy and the highest income earner are holding the rest of America hostage for more tax cuts. How pathetic”. Signed- some guy

The New Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the cash of the CFO. And to the corporation from which it came, One Congress brought and paid for, with perks and profits for them all. Signed- One the losing End

So see Ann, I might lead a conservative life, but I still think Reagan and Bush made a mess of things. Although I do NOW see that it is the whole Congress and the whole system that is corrupt and pathetic.

I wonder what we can do about it?

Another August color

8-6-10 perplexed brain
Oh no... this can't be a good sign... can it?

This week, on an early morning walk, before the heat index reached 100, I came upon this colored leaf down at the end of my street.

This came from one of the prettiest and earliest turning maple trees in the neighborhood. Looking up, I saw one branch that already had some colored leaves on it.

I'm not sure if I am happy or sad. After this hot and humid spell we have had, some nice fall weather does sound good. But my memories of last winter have me resisting any thoughts of autumn!

PS: Notice the green grass. This year we have had enough rain to keep the grass very green and in need of weekly mowing. In the past, by August the grass has gone dormant, and is brown.

August Blues, and other colors

8-5-10 absence makes the heart grow fonder brain
August already seems like a long month to me. I’m missing Greg and feel a bit blue! We were able to spend quite a bit of time together in July, and unfortunately our August schedules aren't jiving as well. What can I do to relieve my loneliness except to spend more time with my other "love" and passion…. Art!

This past week I been finishing up three art projects that have been in-the-making. One was finishing up some pixel/mosaic art canvases for my neighbor friend Sue.

The colors were to match up with her throw rug in her living room. After the prospects of hanging on 3 different walls in her home, we decided to hang all four pieces together in a grouping above the love seat.



Sue and her teenage daughter, Paige, just returned from a two week trip to Europe. It sounded like a trip of a lifetime. I helped take care of their cats and bunny while they were gone and I was rewarded with Belgium Chocolates (cat shaped), among a few other goodies from France and Paris.



Mmmmmmmmm.... chocolate good!

Porch curtains

8-4-10 copy-cat brain
Earlier this summer I was reading one of my usual blogs I follow, which is about living in a smaller home: The Jewel Box Home... and I came upon this picture of a porch which looked so charming, comfortable and an inviting place to hang out. HERE

I thought to myself if I ever have a house with a porch, I'm going to hang a curtain like this.

Then the funny thing is when I was spending time at the KC house in late July....

.... Greg was complaining about the sun coming in the front door in the late afternoon and heating up the living room. It was then I realized I do have a porch which NEEDS a curtain.

So I added a functional curtain and an old chair. I never thought my wish would come true so fast! It's not as charming as it could be, but it's a start.

Gardening is complicated

8-3-10 confused brain

Last Thursday the hot weather finally broke a bit and the humidity was down, so I used an hour of vacation time to do some weeding out in the front garden.

I headed out at 7:30 AM covered in bug repellent and started tackling the weeds and overgrown mess. For some strange reason, as I was pulling out unwanted plants, I started thinking and getting “philosophical” about Arizona… (so bare with me on this)…

A few years ago, a plant entered my garden. I started to like this plant since it produced berries which the Robins enjoy eating in the fall. Molly warned me that this was an invasive plant and would spread. But since I found value in this plant I allowed it to stay for a few years.

Molly was right….. my garden NOW is totally out of hand. Over the last few years I did not keep this plant under control. I got distracted by Greg in Kansas City (i.e… distracted by making large profits with cheap labor, distracted by war, distracted by arguing between the political parties…. etc). I only have myself to blame, since I was not doing my job as a gardener.



Now what do I do? Well, I’ve got to invest some time in this garden now, probably more time and work than it would have taken to keep it in control over the past few years. I think I can understand what Arizona wants to do. Doesn’t the weeding need to start some place?

But what do I do about my hungry Robins, who thrive on these delicious berries? I like attracting birds to my yard. I get a lot of enjoyment out of bird watching in my yard.

By now, I had been out weeding for an hour and a half and the 9:00AM church bells rang and my body was starting to get worn out. It was time to stop for now, even though there was still so much more work to be done. At this point, I thought to myself, “boy, I could sure use a source of some cheap $5 an hour labor to finish the job for me” …. Oh no… did I just say that?... guess that is just an example of ME wanting it both ways.

By now, you are probably as confused as I am about my “philosophical thoughts on Arizona”.

Gardening is complicated, immigration is complicated....

Weekend

8-2-10 lounging brain
This weekend I really tried hard to rest and relax.... I was only half successful at it. I did take a good 2 hour nap Saturday afternoon, which was wonderful.

This came after a quick trip up 40 miles north to Ames. Greg had the National Buick Car Show he wanted to attend. I dropped him off at 11:00 AM, and I went to meet up with my co-worker friend Renee for lunch. Renee had been caring for her youngest granddaughter Maci, while her parents were at a horse show.

Maci is 2.5 years old.... cuter than a bug! Stubborn as a mule, so I've been told.... well "strong willed" anyway.... probably like any normal 2 year old.

While Renee was getting the drinks, Maci and I waited at the table. Let's do a fun caption game with this picture..... What was Maci thinking while she had to wait at the table without Grandma?



Post your caption in the comment section please :)
For more pictures of Maci click HERE: at Grandma's blog!

I could kick myself... I had planned to deliver a package to Renee. That was part of the reason for your meeting. Along with other items I needed to get to her, I had a surprise for Maci. But it's probably not something a 2 year old would really appreciate. But I'll get it to her sooner or later.

Wholeness

8-1-10 changed brain
In July I decided it was time for a new look, but I didn’t find enough time during vacation to play around with all the new template choices offered…. So finally in August I picked one to try.... I just kept it simple.

With living my life in two cities, Des Moines and Kansas City, and holding down a full-time job in Cancer Research while working on my true passion of creating ART….. I have come to not only need “simple”…. But appreciate “simple” as well. I’ll take “simple” where ever I can find it.

I have updated my blog title to read, “Split in Two, yet approaching wholeness” . This (WHOLENESS) realization came to me during my vacation. Being “split” in many directions is a challenge, but also such an opportunity for growth in more ways than I would have ever imagined.

Currently my life feels wide, broad, and fulfilling…. Full of love, family, friends and new adventures….. I’m going to enjoy it to the fullest and be grateful, since I know I won’t live a split life forever…. At some point the winds will shift and the time will come to move in a different direction.