The Four Letter Word

There is a four letter word that is being used more and more often. It is the new "F-word" and to me is even more disgraceful. This four letter word by itself, is bringing down our society. It has entertwined itself into everything we do today. The four letter word I'm talking about is, "fair." Sometimes I wonder how did this happen? How did such a small word change so much around us? When did it slip into our psyche that everything must be fair for all, that no one is allowed to fail? Fail in itself has become a four letter word that no one wants to hear, even though failure is what makes us stronger.

I think back to when I was in elementary school. I remember, as young as we all were, we were challenged to do our best. We were challenged to do our best in anything from schoolwork to the kickball game at recess. Yes, I remember the kids that weren't really very good at kickball, but they could kick butt in a classroom. They were little geniuses. Everyone had something they were good at and built on that talent. Then something started to change. I really noticed the change when my children started school. Of course I had heard on the news that some schools were not giving grades anymore, because it hurt the feelings of children that did not do so well in the classroom. It just wasn't "fair." That was happening in the far off, strange place of California, where they do everything a little differently. That kind of stuff wouldn't happen in our little Tennessee school. Well, it did. I attended my son's first Field Day. I was looking forward to seeing a little Track and Field competition. Running the race, doing your best and if good enough, winning a blue, red or green ribbon. That is why this certain day is called FIELD DAY. What did I find? A lot of stuff that had nothing to do with competition, no races and everyone got a ribbon. Huh? Why call it Field Day? Did the school not get what Field Day is? Nowadays the Field Day has gone the way of the dinosaur and it is more appropriately called something like "Fun Day." Just think about it though. Think about the fun of competition and what the children today are missing. They are not only missing physical activity, but the teaching of handling success and how to handle failure. That is why I believe we see so many young people lash out with anger, like shooting up a school, because of the "F-word." They don't know how to handle life's ups and downs.

When my children were young, they were not immune to saying that something wasn't fair. I would pick them up from school and cringe while my son or daughter declared, "That's not fair!" I put the hammer down on that pretty quick. It took a couple of years before the "F-word" was completely out of their heads, but I did it. They got "The Look" and a firm talking to about life not being about fairness. I was not going to allow my children to believe that they were entitled to everything going their way. You work hard, you overcome and you succeed. You choose your path carefully, wisely and with God's help, you will find success. That's the American way, right? Determination to accomplish without all the whinning and without being handed everything to make life easier. You enjoy success so much more when you work hard for it, right? My feeling is pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again. Am I in the minority here? Well, it seems I am at times.

So, I come back to how the "F-word" is affecting our society as a whole. It slipped in when no one was looking, kind of like the "Press one for English, two for Spanish," thingy. Many of this generation has grown up saying, "That's not fair," and my generation unfortunately has allowed that to happen. Fairness has become the American way. Our Constitution does not tell us that all will be fair if we live in America, it tells us that we have an equal opportunity to pursue happiness. We are given the opportunity and it all depends on what the individual does with it. As usual, our Constitution has been twisted to the thinking of the people that love to use the "F-word." Our public schools have lowered their standards all in the name of "fair." Sad to say, but our children are not learning what they need to learn and prepare themselves for the future. We now have the "Fairness Doctrine" on the table, where the government will control what is said in media. We need to be "fair" to the have-nots in this country. You know, I really understand that there are people who are extremely poor in this country and it seems like they always hit a brick wall trying to succeed. We citizens, not government, need to and should lend them a hand. Then there are others that did not grab the opportunity baton and run with it. Is it "fair" that they get a free ride? Can you see where we are headed? The "F-word" will eventually bring us to the point where we think that we need not work hard to succeed, but rely on someone to take care of us. We don't need to work from the bottom up, start at the top or don't work at all, is the new ideal. This is where the "F-word" will bring us down. If you watch, you can see it coming like a big, black train. That big, black train is our government, barreling down on us and barreling down on what is really fair for Americans, our freedom. The scary thing is that the future leaders of this country, have grown up using and believing in the "F-word." The "F-word" has been engrained. That is why they see nothing wrong in what is happening in our country. They are being taught in our schools and our homes that Capitalism is bad, that the very foundations of what we as a people believe in are bad, and that the "F-word" should be applied to all.

Think back. Don't you really miss the hard stuff? Don't you miss having to overcome? Wasn't victory so much sweeter when you weren't given something out of fairness and the feeling of accomplishment flowed through you? Don't you remember getting teased about something, in the end being a huge success and having the last laugh? We need that back in our children and in our country. If we don't have that, our children are not going to know those feelings and won't that be a shame? We will see and live in a different kind of place. Then, this little four letter word, will stand on it's own as the foulest of them all.

Stuff About Me

Cece at WVU Chick, tagged me with Seven Personality Traits. Here goes:

1. I am a little quiet at first, but once I get to know you, I'm a loyal friend.

2. I don't like crowds.

3. I am a "snapper." It takes a lot to get me angry, but watch out if I do.

4. I love my country, and don't like it being destroyed. Never talk bad about Ronald Reagan, please.

5. I like to get up early to get things done and enjoy the quiet.

6. I can laugh at the weirdest things.

7. I love to be creative.

A. Available/Married...Married for 23 years!

B. Best Friend.....My husband

C. Cake or Pie.....Cake!

D. Drink Of Choice.... Coke

E. Essential Item Used Daily.... House Seasoning

F. Favorite Color...Blue

G. Gummy Bears or Worms...Neither

H. Hometown....Sumter, SC

I. Indulgence....Bubblebath

J. January/February...February-My birthday and baseball begins

K. Kids and Their Names....2 Britnee and Brett

L. Life Is Incomplete Without...God

M. Marriage Date....1/25/86

N. Number of Siblings...4

O. Oranges/Apples....Apples

P. Phobias/Fears.....Flying, heights

Q. Quote of the Day....I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me--Phil. 4:13

R. Reason to Smile....The blessings God has given me.

S. Seasons....My favorite is Spring.

T. Tag 3 People..Tracy
Susan
Molly

U. Unknown Fact About Me....I had Meckel's Diverticulum. Only 1% of the population has this.

V. Vegetable You Don't Like....Brussel Sprouts

W. Worst Habit....Talking with my hands.

X. X-Rays You've Had.....Arm, elbow, torso

Y. Your Favorite Food...Shrimp and Grits

Z. Zodiac Sign....Pisces

"A Scary Season For Obama?"

This morning I was flipping through the TV channels, landing on C-Span and seeing the words on the screen, "A Scary Season For Obama?" I had to chuckle a little. The title should have been, "A Scary Season For America?" If THIS was the question posed to me, I would have to answer with a resounding, "YES!" We have been watching for years the dismanteling of our basic fundamentals in this country and now we have a leadership that has taken up the baton and is forging full steam ahead. In the past seven months, I believe we have witnessed the most radical proposed changes ever witnessed in America. Changes that go against our Constitution and our core beliefs. The change has been coming in little spurts over the years. I remember when President George Bush, Sr. started the "New World Order" ideal. My ears pricked up on this one. I don't know what it was, but something just didn't sound right when I heard that. It sounded Biblical to me or maybe a little "1984-ish." To me, this marked a rush to become a one world government, for America not to stand alone as the greatest nation or as President Ronald Reagan described us as , "That shining city upon the hill."

Nikita Khruschev once said, "We can't expect the American people to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find they have Communism." Take a step back and look at our country right now and I think you'll see that Khruschev was no dummy. It is my belief that our leaders of today have been indoctrinated over the past forty years through their studies in universities and schools. Communists knew that this would be a sure way to destroy our country from within without having to use force. If you read through school history books used in our schools today, you would be surprised at the half truths or no truth at all about the history and basic beliefs of what this country was founded on. I know of two teachers at the high school my son attends (we do not live in the big city)who are trying to indoctrinate their students, one outwardly confessing to be a Socialist. Our President has surrounded himself with dozens of "Czars" and expanded the role of the Executive Branch with very little protest. These "Czars" are appointed without any background check nor with any questioning by our Legislative Branch of government. Please take time to look at what these "Czars" will be in charge of and how radical their ideals are and have been in the past. It is just crazy. We are being bombarded with so many things at once, healthcare, cap and trade, etc., etc. I feel as though Obama is one of the greatest illusionists ever. He talks in circles to confuse. His left hand is doing one thing while he gets us to look at his right hand doing another. I do believe the American people are starting to wakeup to this fact. Washington for some reason thinks we are a bunch of dummies that need to be led around like sheep. I think they are about to find out that outside of their Washington "bubble" is a real America that is no longer going to stand for their arrogant ways. Our leaders kind of remind me of a great-aunt of mine. She was always willing to do something for someone, as long as there was something in it for her. Our leaders are pushing a lot of things to be passed because believe you me, they have stock ( a lot of money invested) in whatever their "cause" may be. The "Green Movement" is one example. They don't believe in "Term Limits" in fact shy away from the suggestion. They've got it made in the shade and it's not supposed to be that way. Governing our country was not originally the career, cushy job it has become. So, I will do my part next November to see they do have a limited term. Any of my Representatives that have been in Washington six years or more, will not get my vote, Democrat or Republican. I could care less about Party for those of you that may have that idea.

I am hoping some of you will start paying attention to what's going on. Ask questions of your children. What are they learning and what history they have learned. You might be in for a big surprise. Do you realize that most young people don't understand what happens to a country totally under government control? The Wall came down and Communism left. Remember back in the day when we would see Russians on the news with no teeth and standing in long lines? All this generation has seen is a Westernized Russia. Pay attention to what is happening in Washington so that you won't wake up one day and say, "What the hell (excuse my French) happened to my freedom?"We have become so spoiled that I think we've forgotten that you must keep up the fight for freedom. You can't just let someone else handle it. We all need to be involved in some way, so that our country does not become something unreconizable. That would be a sad day. Think about it.

Here are a couple of other Khruschev quotes for you to ponder:

"The press is our ideological weapon."

"We say the name of God, but that is only a habit."

"Comrades, we must abolish the cult of individual decisively, once and for all."

Journey Strong!

A couple of months ago, my friend Susan's son Matt, was brutally attacked. Matthew Wright was in Sacramento, CA. when he witnessed two strangers in a confrontation. A man was in an argument with a young lady. Matt went to defend her and there was a scuffle. The young man walked away, but returned holding a Maglite flashlight. He beat Matt in the head and face, causing Matt to fall into a coma. He was in that coma for 3 weeks. Susan flew out to California and has not left his side except for one day. She flew home to find a facility closer to her home here in Texas. The closest she could find was in Austin, which is an hour away from us. Today Matt will be flying into Austin to move into his new home. He has been responsive for the past couple of weeks and has begun his rehab there in California. I am not sure what his prognosis is, but he and his family need everyone's prayers right now.

The medical bills for this family will be enormous, so this past Saturday, my small town of Bulverde, TX, held a benefit for Matt. The outpouring of love and support from these country folk has been tremendous. There were all sorts of donations for food, drink, the venue and for the silent auction. The benefit raised $20,000! God is good! There will be more benefits to come and people will continue to give and to pray. "Journey Strong" Matt and find your strength from God!

Matt, his mother Susan, his sister Carissa, and his step-dad Bill.

Britnee and me

Lana, me and Patti getting ready for the event

Robert Earl Keen donated an autographed guitar for silent auction

Robin, who was in charge of the benefit and Britnee

Kim (my wonderful dentist) and me






Cookies I baked for the benefit and the benefit T's printed with Matt's self-portrait sketch

Yep...I'm In Texas

Where else can you fill up and order your DQ Hunger Buster while you pump gas? Yep, I'm in Texas.Chevron Station near Lindale, TX, home of country singer Miranda Lambert.

I'm Traveling....Still

I'll be back as soon as I can...

Hope And Change Is Within

My son is attending a baseball camp at Vanderbilt University. The camp began on Sunday and will end tomorrow. We get up early every morning to take him and he gets home late every night. Each day I travel down Wedgewood Avenue here in Nashville. It's a nice drive down treelined streets, past Belmont University and onto the Vanderbilt campus. On one corner of Wedgewood and I believe 12th Avenue, there is a small park with big trees throughout. Every morning I see a man under a certain tree when I take Brett to camp. When I return to the house a few minutes later, I see a couple of more men. I drive back and forth to the camp throughout the day, and each time, I see more men under this tree. They are able bodied men just gathered there, some sitting on coolers. They spend the entire day there. I have no idea what they could be doing. I wonder how a man can just sit there all day, everyday, without lifting a finger? What inside him, keeps him from doing so? Where is his pride?

This past year we have heard a lot about "hope and change." To me hope and change come from within, not from dependence on a president or government program. I understand that things are tough these days. I have family and friends that have lost jobs and are finding it hard to keep afloat. My husband and I went through some bad times ourselves during the baseball strike of the mid-1990's. It was the little man that suffered during this strike, which is what happens a lot of the time. Been there, done that and understand how depressed a person can get. However, I have faith in God and my faith only grew larger because of these hard times. I knew inside myself and my husband there was a raging resolve to get out of the situation we were in. I don't quite understand how a human being cannot have this resolve, especially an American citizen.

We are all given the same opportunities and rights in this country. Our Founding Fathers knew that it was a God given right to have a freedom of choice and opportunity to better ouselves. All of us are given 12 years of education, but many do not want to take advantage of that. They have no resolve. They don't see the hope and change that is inside themselves. They don't understand how great our freedoms are to have choice. How can they not know is a mystery to me. So, the cycle of finding hope and change in something beyond themselves, continues. There is no way one man or a government can change the makeup of a human being. The president and or the government will only make things worse. They are crutches. A person has to look inside themself to find the strength to hope, to find the strength to change, to find a way to change the cycle of their life.

I am afraid that today we have too many people not wanting to change that cycle. I am afraid that one day we will not see several men under a big oak in a park, but a forest of Americans who are no longer willing to seek hope and change for themselves, by themselves.

If you are able to help just one person with encouragement, a place to live, food or transportation. If your church can help, do so. I believe that is one of the main functions of a church. Let's get back to the way God wanted us to help people. It is our job, not the government's. If we can be a crutch for a time for someone, that's okay. Instead we have allowed the government, with it's never ending funds, to take over what we need to be doing and to make it harder for people to throw the government crutch away. Encourage the downtrodden that hope and change comes from within.