A Change to My Blog

Well, it had to happen.  I have been getting spam comments on this page.  Therefore, I've changed my settings for comments to require word verification.  I know it's a pain, and I hate it, but I don't think very many of my faithful and legitimate readers care about links to Miley Cyrus Naked (if that is really where the links take you).  So, my apologies to those who have meaningful comments.  Why do people find it necessary to muck things up and make it harder on everyone?

The Majority takes Rights from the Minority - Again

The results of the vote in Maine overturning the right of ALL people to marry the person of their choice are in, and -- big surprise -- the narrow minded heterosexual majority stripped away the rights of a minority.  Why do we continue to put basic human rights up to a popularity contest?   When will we learn that all people are deserving of the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that these rights are not subject to "majority rule"?  Again I need to ask the question, 'How does my choice of a lifemate or spouse affect your marriage?'   I believe that eventually this matter will have to be decided in the courts and the legislatures, and once the rights are granted, they will not be taken away by narrow minded bigotry.  Marriage WILL ultimately be expanded to include all people -- why continue to fight and impede progress and inclusion?  

Ready or Not, Christmas is Coming.

Well, we have passed Halloween, so it seems that the Christmas preparation season is "game on."  As I sat this morning trying to figure out how to juggle money to pay the first of the month bills, I began to shudder at the thought of the costs of Christmas.  Gotta buy a few gifts; there's the added cost to the electric bill for decorations; charitable requests, unpaid time off from work, and the list goes on.  Then I began to ruminate on how one can be expected to enjoy Christmas -- to be "merry', to celebrate and rejoice -- when one cannot possibly fully participate in the annual "traditions" of spend, spend, and spend.  Then, of course, I began to reflect of the true meaning of Christmas -- while it is about the giving and receiving of gifts, it doesn't necessarily mean the giving and receiving of the newest, most expensive, biggest, most popular stuff.  The greatest gift was given centuries ago, and that gift is still a source of joy, strength, peace, and hope to all who take the time to receive it -- that gift is the human manifestation of the grace and love of God.  So--much as my worldly self is stewing about what Christmas 2009 is going to look like here -- I will be celebrating the joy, peace, hope, and love of God made real in our lives.  There may not be much under the tree, and the decorations may be a little less than usual (though with Ben in the house, I expect a lot of decorations), but the spirit of Christmas will be alive and well.  My wish for all of you is that you keep a sense of balance and recognize that Christmas is not just a day, but a way of life.  As you ski down the slope of Christmas prep, keep a sense of balance and take time to not only give, but to live the Spirit of Christmas.

Tueday

I am till reeling from my 61 hour work week (plus doing church stuff) and into a new week that doesn't look much better.  As I see things, we need more people.  We have proven that throwing excessive overtime at the problem is not the solution since we got half way to a controllable situation with people working OT last week, but by yesterday afternoon, we were right back behind the 8 Ball.  I fear what the situation will become as our team is relocated and some don't go.  Ben keeps telling me it isn't my problem and I know that on some levels, but I feel as though in some ways I need to be involved in the solution.  Don't know what's going to happen -- we shall see.

I AM GAY

In preparation for National Coming Out Day, I just wanted everyone to know that I AM GAY and proud.  The coming out process is exactly that -- it is a process filled with several "coming out"s, not a specific event frozen in time.  One can come out to family in a single event, or at work or here or there.  However, I come out each time my partner and I are out in public -- he gets asked, "Is that your Dad?"  Do we change the subject or tell the truth of who we are to each other.  Each time we encounter a situation where our sexuality is either unknown or questioned, we make the conscious decision  whether or not to "come out."  I have been "out" to myself, my family, my church(s) and more for more years than I care to think about, but new opportunities to come out arise frequently if not every day.  So, today I take this opportunity to say for NCOD -- I AM GAY!

Thursday

Well, I went back to work today after two vacation days.  I put in 10 1/4 hours today and probably that tomorrow.  They want folks to work Saturday and Sunday to catch up, but I cannot.  Saturday I am doing a workshop in Pontiac (four times during the day -- yuck) and Sunday I have a Board meeting and church.  That kind of fills up a weekend.  It appears that the overtime will be continuing next week.  GM seems to be offboarding a LOT of people recently.  Perhaps the recession is not over -- at least not here in the mitten state.

Tuesday

There is a ray of hope on the job front.   I cannot elaborate on it yet, but it sounds like a workable solution at least in the short term.  At least I am not staring directly at the soup line for the moment.  Also, sent my grandson's birthday card out today -- he will get it a day or two late (Sorry about that), but it's sent.  Sadly, the only contact with daughter, SIL and grandson seems to be when I send a birthday or Christmas card.  I think that we are all missing a valuable resource in the relationship that we are not cultivating, but I am lost as to how to make it happen.  There isn't a day goes by that they aren't on my mind.  My hope and prayer is that they are well and happy and that they know that they are loved.

What Next?

"What Next?" is usually a dangerous question to ask, because no sooner do we ask it than we find out the answer -- usually something not too exciting.  Well, I guess I asked the question this week and yesterday the answer began to unfold.  Before leaving for work I had a premonition that I was going to lose my job.  It did not happen -- quite!  However, imagine my mood when I read the email that said that my job will be moving to a site some 75 miles away sometime over the next few months.  Of course, I do have the "opportunity" to "transition" with them, but is that a practical choice?  I have to sit down and do the math on costs etc.  The trouble is that the employer is not providing the answers that we need to make an informed decision, but they want our answer on whether or not to go -- by Monday.  There's supposed to be a rep from the temp agency on site tomorrow, so we shall see what THEY have to say.  According to the unemployment office, if I don't go, it is viewed as a voluntary separation and benefit would be dependent on the outcome of an "investigation."  Again, no clear cut answers!   So the question of the day, like it or not, is "What's next?"  Only time will tell!

Monday Musings

I survived Monday somehow.  Had a very busy weekend.  Took part in AIDS Walk in Midland on Saturday and church twice on Sunday.  That all meant two long drives (totalling about 400 miles).  The rest of Saturday was spent getting ready for Sunday, so there wasn't much down time on the weekend.  I woke up feeling fuzzy and almost panicky this morning which made the first half of the workday a bit weird.  The fog started to lift about halfway through the workday.  Of course, by that time, the fog and panic were replaced by a bit of exhaustion.  Came home where Ben had dinner and a big tall cocktail waiting for me.  Doing laundry this evening and perhaps tomorrow will actually get some of LAST WEEK'S laundry put away.  LOL.  Life is always an adventure here at Happy Acres.