November 2011

November felt like a fly-by month. Now it's done.

The first days of  November will forever be tough for me. Seems, in my life's journey, the days of October 28-November 3 have been designated my trying time of year. I always feel, if I can get through those days without anything horrible happening or any life changing event, I'm good for the next year. Several major events happened over my lifetime and they were often during this time. From the death of my grandparents,cancer diagnosis, to surgeries for my sons, among some of the events,and then ultimately my dad's passing on November 3, 2009. I always feel apprehension, sadness, and often depression when the end of October into the first of November arrives. No major events this year. I breathed a big sigh of relief this morning. I made it.


Looking back over November, the next big day of the month is November 14, which was my youngest son's twenty-sixth birthday. My oldest son (who's twenty-eight) was determined we'd all get together for his brother's birthday. They live about three hours from each other, with our home right smack in the middle of their travel time, meaning we'd all gather here. It made me smile that my two adult sons still think the world of each other. I made a point to foster a caring relationship between the two of them when they were growing up. I am more than pleased my influence paid off. They are brothers, but they are also best friends. Makes me proud! We gave baby brother a sweet little birthday party including sword play (Hubby's new collectable weapon) outside, practicing their slicing technique through water filled gallon milk jugs sitting atop a tree stump. My "boys", all three of them, have never been lacking for ideas when it comes to play of one sort or another. My daughter-in-law even took a turn knowing full well,this is how we often have fun in this family. It was a good day!

Thanksgiving came earlier than I had anticipated this year. I hadn't paid attention to the calendar. I thought we had one more weekend before Thanksgiving Day. I was caught off guard. I remedied that by ordering from Bob Evans for our Thanksgiving dinner, the week prior. My mother-in-law probably shook her head at that, but who cares? She didn't come anyway. My mom thought it was a fantastic idea. Food is food and however it's served, it's the time spent with those we love that matter the most. 

My sons were here Thanksgiving afternoon, and evening,with their ladies. Both ladies have their families in the area and I told both sons to go to those gatherings because I felt it was more important. I told my sons I'd have something here in the late afternoon into evening and hoped they'd stop in. I left it open ended. 

Oldest son has been married for three years now. He and his wife have known each other since they were kids. Youngest son is getting married in June 2012. They've known each other since high school, and she has said she ALWAYS had a crush on my son. After graduation they went separate ways when they attended college. They got back together a couple of years ago and officially started dating. The story she tells is that they remained friends via Facebook chat through their four years of college. They jokingly agreed that if neither one of them was married, or involved with anyone, when they both turned twenty-five,they'd just marry each other! As it turned out, they were probably meant to be together way before they both realized. They were engaged in December last year, the year they both turned twenty-five.

Hubby and I are thrilled whenever we can have all our kids together, and on Thanksgiving Day, it worked out that way this year. I'm a realist. I know that these times are precious and as lives evolve, children come along, time becomes more demanding for all of them, we may not all be able to get together on the same day. That's why I find these gatherings very special.


Hubby and I made one more hay run last week. We picked up thirty more bales of hay. When we placed the last bale I felt a sense of relief. My hay building is full. I am ready for winter! I have enough hay to get through even the toughest winter this time around. The dog houses are filled with straw. The cat is warming by the fireplace. Our new generator has been tested and ready to go should we get any foul weather power outages. We got a few flakes of snow last night. OK, December, and winter, bring it on!

Hello November

October was a busy month. We finally got busy clearing out the dead trees in the back field. Not complete  but sure looks different. The horses seem to appreciate their more open space too. Not more pasture grass, but more space. We will always be lacking pasture grass. I've just come to accept that. 

Hubby and I spent our weekends and evenings on that project. October was nice to us, weather-wise and I truly appreciate that. Now, we're moving into colder temps and shorter days. The horses remind me of fuzzy bears with their soft winter coats. Time to put the heater in their water tank and lay the water hose down the hill so we don't have a frozen hose. Didn't have to fight mud which is always good. No more flies. Hay is in the building.


Today is election day, and yes, I voted. I wouldn't think to admonish anyone if they decide not to vote because it's my belief that's what's great about this country. We can CHOOSE to vote or not. 


Today is also the day my beloved dad passed away last year. I had a tough emotional weekend which I was surprised by but I've learned grief over the loss of a loved one is not on a time table. Sometimes it creeps up when you thought you'd cried all the tears you possibly could. Even through an extended illness, you are never really ready for the end. But, I know my dad wouldn't want me to dwell. He's probably shaking his head at me now telling me to get on with my own life. That's just the way he was, not wanting anyone to worry about him. He was a good man, and a great dad as well as grandpa. My sons adored him. I'm so thankful they got to share their lives with him and he was able to enjoy them.


November is the month of giving thanks.Take a moment each day to be thankful for something in your life.

Thoughts on the 1st of November but not about horses

Thank Heaven above Tuesday is election day and we can be done with this marathon thing they've called "campaigning".

I am fed up.

I am tired.

I am weary.

It's all been extremely frustrating, in my honest, humble opinion. It's gone on for too long, I believe it's been stated 18 months. Sadly, I doubt Tuesday will be the end of anything, least of which will be the election.


Back in March, I was ready to give the younger presidential candiate a chance, that is, until he started hiding from things. Hiding from his associations. Skipping around issues that were presented and acting as if his past associations meant nothing. I think he appears to be a very nice man, but you cannot dissassociate yourself from the past. None of us can. That's just life! If he would have stepped up and admitted, yes, he did know these "assoicates" having worked with them, prayed with them, served on committees with them, I might have been more forgiving, more able to believe in what he said. But, I don't like people hiding things (dare I say lying?) and that's how I see his political ambitions.

Then, a few weeks ago the plumber showed up. I don't agree with "spreading the wealth". I don't believe everyone can be equal in a society. Too many generations await handouts as it is. Sure, there are people who just need a helping hand, gladly give them a hand. That's not what I see happening.

We're losing our freedoms. We're losing our liberties too. I am amazed that people are blinded to this.

As a family, we are gun owners. I believe in that freedom. I believe in the 2nd amendment. I don't mind having stricter licensing for gun ownership, I think that is as it should be. But I don't think that's what the younger guy is looking at, from what I'm seeing in his past record, on the gun ownership issue.

I don't believe I should have to take care of my neighbor. Call me selfish. Guess I am. I'm getting the feel, that's the plan. Individual independence, my friends, will be something for the history books.


Now, I'm not saying the older guy is a saint. I've studied his actions too. In my view, he is only the lesser of the two evils. His views and plans are very similar, but not as extreme as his opponents. His record isn't all that pristine. Heck, no politician's is! These guys want the top job in the country. Power is their motivator, though they always want us to believe it's for the Good of the people. Ya. Sure. I never did like fairy tales. Yes, I'm jaded and cynical.

So, as the days wear on I am making every effort to avoid tv coverage, internet news, though I do read some and the radio ads that drone on hour after hour. I've already voted anyway through absentee ballot. Almost thought about not voting at all because that's how I've been feeling lately. Unmoved and wary of either candidate. Whatever Wednesday morning brings, I sincerely doubt anyone's life will dramatically change, no matter what They've promised!

We don't need more government involved our lives, that's not what our country is suppose to be about, but evidently, They think we do!

From Merriam-Webster: socialism
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

deomcracy
1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections