Hootin’ Anni’s

I haven’t done a Thursday Thirteen* in eons! I thought since I usually do something in the line of Thursday Thoughts, I’d once again try to come up with thirteen thoughts instead—

01) I think I’m an okay person. Nothing I do is outstanding in any field. I’m common.
02) I think Springtime is the best time of year! It’s like the world comes to a rebirth.
03) I think Baseball is super. I watch most all the time on TV, the games that are televised for the week
04) I think the world outside is getting noisier and noisier. Traffic, boom box volume in cars, cell phones ringing no matter where you go. Construction equipment beeping constantly. Loud speakers in stores. Children being unruly in restaurants with no parental guidance. Air traffic. Things like that….the volume of life is at a much higher decibel range.
05) I think, from a personal view, that movie quality is going down hill, fast!
06) I think reality shows are over-saturating the radio/tv waves!
07) I think being “politically correct” is an oxymoron. By this I mean, just how can anyone be in politics and be ‘correct’. LOLOL-[gigglin']
08) I think the news media is way too dramatic and most often far-fetched.
09) I think there should be palm trees planted near the sand dunes of our shores. Beauty and perhaps stop erosion.
10) I think purple African violets are the prettiest of the violet family.
11) I think every married man should help around the house, cleaning. Whether each of the spouses are working, or NOT.
12) I think all younger cashiers should be taught math!! Have you ever gone to the store and the computers are down —and the young cashiers don’t know the correct change by working it in their heads? They have a dazed look on their faces and are stymied when it comes to making change for that $5.19 purchase total and the patron pays with cash—-$10.00!! That is unreal!
13) I think, no —I fear, that the Gulf Coast will have another hellacious hurricane season in 2007.

*The header I am using was designed by me. If you wish to use it…please give me credit.

This is a photo of some beauty in nature! I call it Nature’s Lace…I saw it in the yard the other day while raking leaves, and kept it in one piece, from harming it ’til I got a picture of it. I soaked it in a bowl of water, the dried part was curled and I wanted it to lay flat with the ‘lacy’ part of the skeletal ribbing of the leaf. I think it’s really pretty, hubby thinks it’s full of ‘bug juice’…but guess what? I brought it into the house, laid it on the counter even, to his fear of being contaminated and dismay—*giggles*, and snapped away!! The photo has not been retouched or recolored [in other words, I've not used anything but----]—the brown/sepia effect is from being on a white counter under the artificial lighting and no flash! And of course, the ‘whiter’ effect comes from having the photo in PaintShopPro, and unmasking the image. Isn’t it pretty in it’s own way?

With the widespread [watching Al Gore win an oscar for a short film on the environment and keeping the world 'green' made me have even more thoughts of Global Warming] impact of support and interest in an all important shift of thoughts and understanding to the relationships of humanity and nature, I want to stop and reflect a bit of what I’m doing in my little world called home and yard and city….

I keep my yard clean of debris. There are so many areas of town where you can see trash flying around in the wind. It’s garbage. People can lift a hand to make our cities and roadsides cleaner. There is no such thing as not ‘having enough time in the day’—just pick it up. Put it in a trash can!! You don’t need to worry about germs –use a kleenex[I carry them in my pocket for more purposes than wiping my nose], or gloves…anything to protect your flesh—but just pick it up! Now, believe me, I have sanitary issues for my well being…truly…but I take my fear of contamination and swallow my pride when it comes to keeping the world a far cleaner place. The world is more important to me than my own fixation about germs…it’s different if someone coughs on me, or if someone leaves behind their germs…for this, I wish people who are ill with contagious stuff—I wish they’d stay home!!! I, and others around you don’t need to be infected!!]

Or if at home, place it all in a TIED bag. Don’t just dump your household trash, or yard debris into your trash bin, loose!! If your city is like so many others, they come around and pick up trash at least ONCE a week….but so many times I’ve seen papers, cans, plastic bottles, tin cans, etc. fall from the bucket into the air, or falling to the ground—if it were tied up in bags…that wouldn’t happen!! I DO make sure our trash in tied, in a bag, BEFORE it goes into our bin.

I recycle papers, boxes, plastic, and aluminum!!

I pick up cigarette butts. I’m a smoker, and I have several decorative flower pots around the yard, that contains fine sand. I just don’t toss my butt around. If I’m somewhere that actually ALLOWS smoking, I don’t toss!! I even field strip my cigarette butt –learning from my USMC brothers. Tearing it apart right down to nothing…no trace of a cigarette anywhere; and what’s left—goes in my pocket ’til I can remove it to it’s proper place. The butts are NOT biodegradable, but if placed in the compost pile, they help keep the soil loose and unpacked around your bedding plants!! And, ask my dad, tobacco is good mulch!! And the filters are used as stated above–as in part of the mulch…it’s another form of ‘sand’ that helps keep loose soil.

Believe it or not, I walk when I can. If there is something I need, and I’m within safe walking distance, I’d much rather walk than jump in the car and drive. It not only saves on fuel and pollution…it’s healthy to walk!! [But again, there is a drawback on this for my health also, because I'm BREATHING the exhaust!] If I do need use of the car, I try to make good use of the time/gas/vehicle emissions….I do all tasks at once instead of three trips or more —retracing the same routes I used for the other trips!! Do it once, and get it ALL done in ONE trip!!

I pull weeds that harm the air for us humans. I know this is taking away from the ecosystem, but I DO replace those weeds with more substantial beauty such as strawberry plants…or anything that will continue growth that will ‘eat up’ and thrive on the nasty stuff found in our air we breathe. Plant a tree!!!—Trees thrive on carbon monoxide!! [Save the forests comes to mind]

I find myself taking showers that the naval friends of mine tell me about. Yes, I do. I go into the shower daily. So, I wet my body, and washcloth…turn the water off and scrub!! Then rinse myself off! Saves gallons of water this way.

I’ve nearly completely stopped using styrofoam paper plates and cups!! Instead, I use our everyday dishes. And I don’t run a dishwasher that is half empty!! I make sure our laundry day are FULL loads! —which brings to mind dryers….I dry outdoors when I can. Even if the neighborhood covenants tell me not to….it saves energy!! I scrub windows with vinegar and water instead of chemical filled glass cleaners! AND I use a non-terry-cloth towel instead of paper towels…I know they are more than likely biodegradable, but they fill landfills to overflowing!! I’ve discontinued using any aerosol sprays!! Toilets are not flushed every time they’re used these days. When I brush my teeth or wash my hands, I wet them, then shut the water off while doing the task and turn the faucet back on when I need to rinse!!

I rarely use lights excessively at night any longer. If I’m in one room….that’s where the light is on. No other room is lighted artificially any more, unless I’m in need of it’s uses.

I also read or heard on the news that when cleaning out our medicine cabinets of old out-dated medications we’re not to pour them out into the toilets —eventually they contaminate the water supply. Instead, we’re supposed to return the old stuff to pharmacies and have them dispose of them properly.

I cook a lot of things from scratch. Like dessert dishes….instead of boxed items with cans/plastic containers inside, I purchase flour and sugar etc….that will last a lot longer and take up less room in landfills!! A small paper bag of flour/sugar or what have you is less landfill filling than chocolate syrup containers and plastic frosting containers or jars of flavoring…..things like this helps.

If I tire of a certain clothing article [except for unmentionables] —I donate, instead of tossing in the garbage.

Paints, stains, batteries, I keep until the city can come and dispose of them properly to protect the fragile environment.

I never leave the beach without taking out my trash for the day!

Around the holiday season, for the last 30+ years, I’ve NEVER purchased a real pine tree!! Again, live trees are good for our environment!!—So, artificial trees for us. Always.

If at all, if you can contribute new and wonderful ideas for me and hubby….keeping our world a better place——-
leave me a comment on the idea, issue! It’ll be greatly appreciated!!

A quote I am trying to make my motto these days is:

From Sir Francis Bacon one of the founders of “natural” modern science—
“The world is made for man, not man for the world”.

NOTE: I met up with an incredible older woman who blogs with the help of her keyboardist, Mike. OLIVE Riley. Olive is Australian, and blogging….age? 107!!!! Her blog is now on my ‘friends list’. Amazing woman, telling us wonderful adventures of life!! In her ‘blob’!!!

This afternoon, in my ever so busy mind, I’m wondering. After viewing a clip on the news about a week ago, on ABC News, the segment was from Germany. For some time I’ve always thought that a lot of European countries are so far ahead of the U S A, that it “bloggles” my mind.

In this particular section of the news cast, it was showing a part of Germany that has grocery stores that ‘cater’ to the senior citizen….but still does not discriminate with the younger generations. But this in one in particular has stayed with me since I’ve seen the news that evening. Having grocery carts that are more like ‘walkers’ you see in America to assist the aged or disabled—the handles of the carts are curved for more support….without the complete ‘bar’…thus, handles for the more feeble for support. Also, instead of having the carts open from the bottom as you see in America, there are wooden ‘benches’ bolted on that particular area….for resting when the aged get weary or tired and need to sit. Then, on the cart, there are magnifying glasses so the older can read the small print on the labels. Also, the local companies in Germany package single servings of food items. Awesome.

And of course, this got me thinking. In the U S A, the most ‘assisted’ carts for the handicapped and aged that I’ve seen, are the motorized carts. Yes, this is all well and good. But, I’ve often wondered; why have these carts to actually ‘help’ the customer and patronize them—yet, have you noticed just how low to the floor they are? With that, just how the heck can one reach even the 3rd shelf in the store? I mean, really—I have a hard time myself reaching the top shelf sometimes.

Are these actually helping the disabled and seniors, or are they a hindrance? Could there possibly a better solution that would actually HELP the older ones?

Sure, you could have someone go with you if need be. But there ARE some who live alone? And others are quite independent and wish to do things for themselves, which I can empathize!! Perhaps there are employees who are willing to, or hired on, for the sole purpose of helping shoppers with their needs….but here in America, I see a large lack of these kinds of people!! And if they are called for over the intercom—they take their sweet time…even long minutes for anyone to show.

What can be done? I don’t know. But there should be a new beginning for franchise stores that will cater more to the older ones. Heck, I’m nearing 60 and for the most part, I’m considered a senior citizen. And, I think it’s high time we as a whole should consider helping the ones who tend to spend more money for groceries than any other…the seniors. [at to clarify that---I'm comparing this as ONE individual's grocery tab...NOT a family of 6 or more...if you take their grocery bill and divide it by 6---then, the senior's total is more, normally]

And America IS getting older!! And the older are sticking around a lot longer.

I was just reading an article in Yahoo News© this morning about U S A passing an “English Only” law. Tho, to be honest, I’ve not really paid much attention to this particular subject in the past.

My feelings on this, and the Nevada town’s city council repealing the law, is high kudos for the small community!!!

My opinion is this: If America, founded on immigrants, is so ‘dead set’ on making this a one language citizenship, it’s wrong. Have you traveled to other foreign countries? Are they not filled with many people, speaking many different languages? Do they harp about English speaking residents? I don’t think so; besides, if you have traveled to ‘foreign’ countries, you always seek ones who can understand and speak English, so the more different languages spoken in any country has advantages!! Perhaps others think on these terms also…I am not a resident of any country other than America. But why single out a certain LANGUAGE when we’re all Americans? No matter what language we speak?

Granted, some can’t even speak or understand some dialects of our own language….but, I agree with Pahrump’s city council —repeal any laws that state we as American citizens have to speak English, in order to be or become Americans!! That’s a law in the books that isn’t important in their minds. The citizenry is tho!! And I agree.

Yet, my Thursday Thought is that new laws in this land are getting out of hand if you ask me. New laws just make more outlaws! The police force in ANY town or city has too much to handle these days the way it is!! The prisons and community jails are over-filled now!! Can you imagine what it would be like to have ‘non-English’ speakers that have broken such a minor factor by speaking their native tongue–how much more the over crowded situation would be? Remember, we as tax payers pay for their lodging and food!! And we dole out money for their education and medical too, so perhaps we should think strongly on the subject of such trivial laws. My great great grandparents coming here to seek ‘freedom’ spoke their country’s native language….they became citizens! And continued to speak their own tongue —worked and paid taxes!! And speaking an Irish dialect didn’t make them less American back then in the mid 1850s—why should it now?

Thing is, this little article got me to thinking —
I’ve recently read about new driving laws…
There is talk about laws being passed these days about it being illegal to “use” cell phones-eating while driving-putting on makeup-using the video advancements in some vehicles-radios/cd players-drinking-smoking-use of computers, and get this!!!—even talking to someone in the same vehicle!!—they’re all soon to warrant tickets if caught using or doing such activities!! Simply put: Keep both hands on the wheel!!! What about those who have manual transmissions?—Does this mean they too will be ticketed because they’re not having the use of both hands on the steering wheel? It’s becoming very socialist-like!!!
[Oh, and by the way, I've witnessed many times, police officers, using cell phones --eating and drinking-- while patrolling our streets!! What about the use of their radios? Granted, they are enforcing the laws we now have, and they are keeping our towns safe----but isn't this double standards here?---Police have caused accidents by being distracted with their activities!! Which brings us to firemen, ambulance drivers ---etc. etc. They are talking while driving ---I realize the radio is being used by the 'co-worker' ---but the drivers ARE being distracted also---again, double standards?]

….and I’m thoroughly disheartened by what our government seeks in bills for lawmaking!! What about the important things like working together making things happen to improve the cities!!!?!!

High five to the little Nevada town! (And it IS little—I’ve been there.)

Now, I’ve done my Thursday Thought for the week which is the influx of new laws. I’m not much on proclaiming my own political views, but I’m getting tired of our government telling us we can’t live!!! Someday, as things progress, we won’t be able to fart in public!!!!

On World News [ABC], Charles Gibson reports this week on a special nightly segment, “TEST OF FAITH” series. On Tuesday evening the report was about a Catholic Priest and a devout Catholic Nun. Eventually the two married. He, being married, can no longer provide 100% of his priestly duties. I just watched the video online.

ABC interviewed the couple. Now, married as I typed above, they have three children. Are middle aged and very happy together. They’re both still devout believers in the Catholic religion.

But, my Thursday’s Thoughts are not about religion, per sé. It is about the vow of celibacy among the men who become Catholic priests, and women who become nuns. About love of god and love of ‘man’ —marriage and faith and the scandalous abuse of children from long past and in today’s times. My thoughts are more of the ‘politics’ side of this.

Why?

Because this man that was being interviewed brought up the fact that allowing priests to be married, and still be allowed to become or be a full-fledged priest of their faith would more than likely stop or slow the process of the the sexual abuse reports and findings we’ve all heard about recently.

I am very much inclined to agree with his statement.. Being of human flesh also has the desires and needs of afore-mentioned. I think that celibacy is a hindrance—I know that most men and women willingly take the vow of chastity, that is a given. To me, marriage, the very first marriage, was sanctioned by the Creator. I think it should be up to the individual , and not be ruled by the church.

This subject brought forth by the couple of the program on Tuesday’s airing, has been going through my mind for decades. I feel it’s time to allow Catholic men and women of the cloth to be human AND serve the god of their choice to it’s fullest extent.

And, I’m certain, this subject is quite controversial. ABC News has an open forum, and this airing has the most comments. Some bring very valid points of which I agree. But all in all, each have their opinions and rightly so —a very interesting history in the making. In a way.

Throughout the Bible, there are occupations. Some of the Apostles were married, and they and their wives followed God with true devotion. I think of the book “The Thorn Birds”…..and the turmoil it caused. The vow of celibacy. Some may even consider being a priest a ‘job’ or an occupation/vocation. It is serving. Serving people in a ’round about way’—helping the faithless or keeping the parishioners’ faith strong. AND yet, so is manufacturing foods, or building cars, being a letter carrier, etc. They all serve…and they too can serve their god. AND be married.

Again, my Thursday’s Thought is celibacy —as opposed to marriage AND the hoards of adults who are now coming forth and admitting being sexually abused by their priests! Perhaps the church should look into what the man said. There may be some truth in his statement. Allowing marriages for priests and/or nuns —maybe, just maybe the abuse would diminish a great deal?

Oh, and if you watch the video that is on the site above [linked] —you will realize the priest’s wife, the nun, was sexually abused by another priest when she was a child. Ironic, it may be.

I’m all for improving the system. And anything that will assist the police force in keeping the drunken drivers off the streets is a thing these days that really needs help.

A couple of years ago, that’s just what happened. A drunken driver out on the night’s city streets —result of course, killing an innocent 18 year old. The drunken driver? A mere 23 year old!

What I’m getting at, there was a trial. The driver was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter and ordered by the district judge to pay the kin $5, 000.00! Along with 10 years probation, with the stipulation he cannot drive HIS vehicle without having a breathalyzer test –that the breathalyzer is hooked to his locked steering wheel. Along with the above mentioned he must spend six months in a substance abuse treatment facility which is operated by the Texas Deapartment of Criminal Justice, afterwards to live in a halfway house for another minimum of 6 months!

Now, previously, the drunken driver was convicted and sentenced to 15 years along with the $5,000.00 fine. In the interim he was granted a new trial…which resulted in the above sentences.

Now, what my thought on this is, very lenial. And way too easy on the ‘criminal’. The new trial re-enactment showed the jury that even tho he was intoxicated, a driver with no alcohol intake could have done the same—there was proven no reaction time to the scene of the death. Okay, maybe so.

Again, that’s not my thoughts for today—just a recap of why it’s leading me to my Thursday’s Thoughts.

And here it is….
If the police department actually DOES have HIS VEHICLE’S steering wheel locked and it will not unlock properly until the breathalyzer is recorded and okayed through computers at the station —-they then can ‘unlock’ the wheel. All good. Yes? NO!! I don’t think so!!!

Thinking in criminal terms here….isn’t it possible to have a really good friend at his side —taking the test for him? I’m sure there is not quick way that this breathalyzer will actually have a saliva testing along with a DNA match!!! Do they? Dunno….this was not divulged to the laymen. But if the DNA testing is like any of the ones I’ve seen on Discovery, it takes a long time for a match.

Come on!! Yes, again, there is a great need to keep them off the roads –they ARE killers! But this locking the steering wheel and breath testing before it’s unlocked, well —to me it’s just not feasible. There are too many ways that one on probation can once again break the laws and get out there on the streets to kill again!!!

Tho I and hubby are retired, and luckily need not worry about income….I wonder.

Just recently, the lovely Senate decided it was high time to raise the minimum wage in the United States. I see by doing some research that this is the first time since 1997!! What gives? I ask over and over to myself, why is our government so dead set on supporting the people who run the government, but are most always unwilling to help the commoners?

Minimum wage was raised to $5.15 an hour in 1997. The proposed hike for 2007 (again, a long time between hikes is beyond me when the cost of living doesn’t slow down to keep up with minimum wage earners!!)—anyway, the hike is now a wallopin’ $7.25 an hour?

Sad thing is, hardly any employer will hire someone for $7.25 an hour and keep them full time[from 20 hours part-time to more to make a full-time] employees because of the cost of insuring a full time worker! So, even if I do my math; forty hours a week @ $7.25 per hour —that’s a mere $290 a week. Multiply that by four weeks in a month —hmmmmmm, $1160 a month. WITHOUT taking any tax to support our government and social security; yet—-most house payments are above this. How do families make it?

It’s sad!!!

~~

Hubby, reading a book called “Historic Ranches of the Old West” brings an astounding point. A ranch hand was making $208 a MONTH….but room and board was included. Were they better off than our times? I’m not sure. Yes, they had to work long hard hours….no frills that we are accustomed to today, but the money was clear.

Is the minimum wage for 2007 a fair wage? Again, I’m not thinking it is. When you know your congressmen and senators are making a fortune and always voting themselves a raise!!

~~
Now, on another note: I get a kick out of thumbing through the books about the old west. [I've oftentimes wondered why Wyoming is called the Cowboy state when I think it shoulda been Texas as the Cowboy state....heck, even California had more cowboys than Wyoming!!!] Anyway, off track there for a sec—here are some fun items I came across from the same book mentioned above:

Hound Ears …. strips of sourdough fried in a dutch oven
Texas Butter …. Flour, cream gravy
Saddle Blankets …. Pancakes
Swamp Seed …. rice
Pecos Strawberries …. beans
Lumpy Dick …. boiled pudding
Spotted Pup ….rice, raisins, cinnamon pudding

[It fascinates me to read things like this---and wonder how Spotted Pup became Rice Pudding in our times.]

courtesy of Yahoo News© 2007 January 11, 2007

An associated press writer has issued a story on Yahoo today.
Espionage coins?

I admit, I’m a down home country gal who will admit that all things going on in land security and issues of our safety these days just bloggles* the mind. I once again must ask what it’s all about. And how, if there IS such a thing (which I’m not doubtin’) –how on earth are they being used? I mean really, if the carrier is not aware he/she actually has a coin (be they contractors or not, like the statement reads)…I’m thinking, first of all: Dollar coins in the USA are rare anyway. (and the article states they are in fact, Canadian coins, but the photo clearly shows us UNITED STATES OF AMERICA). And another thought here—first of all, there has to be someone MINTING these coins to get it the correctness of the metal along with getting it the same weight. Hmmmmmmmm. But, secondly, if one is in ownership of such a coin, it’s all that possible that they can go to the corner Circle K and buy a cup of java with it!!

Right?

Or, if it isn’t the case, what do these spies do? Put the coin in the federal contractors’ pockets or hands and tell them it’s a special coin—-don’t use it? Huh? *scratchin’ head in confusion*

So, here the coin is sitting in the cash drawer at Circle K and someone buys 4 dollar lottery tickets…hmmmmm, the clerk not liking the idea of having to count the odd coin when he closes his register to leave from his shift—he asks if the store patron would like a silver dollar.

“YES! My kid collects coins”…

Okay, so in the pocket it goes, on it’s way home to some unknown child who has a spy coin? And it will track the actions of his play time, study time, school time, or going to visit the Lunch Lady Land around noon…..

What does this all mean? How would it be efficient for the Canadians to spy on American contractors, if it’s a spendable American coin?

I don’t get it.
*explaining my “bloggles” verbage linked above.