' I hear you got your families living in cages taut and cold, Some just sit there and dust away past the age of old.' Jimi Hendrix. Up from the Skies. This is the last in a series of posts that I hope have upset you. They should. I am 67 years old, which means I am officially a senior citizen. I know folks who call that middle age but, as my Dad once said, not unless you expect to live to 130. I have no such expectation.
Physically, it's tough at times. I can be dog tired for no reason and, when arthritis kicks in, I can barely walk. My vision is poor and I don't hear too well. Some days, here and there, I feel pretty darn good. Mostly, I live in a middle zone. Not awful, but not good. I certainly have lost energy. Mentally, I have days when I feel 100 and days when I feel 20, but even on good days, I cannot hold my concentration like I used to. But, it's all okay. It's just the way life is.
I try to stay connected to the World. That's one reason I write. And here comes the issue I want to touch on.
When I was young, and yes I know that phrase is annoying, old folks were part of our lives. We learned much from then and, for the most part, it was a delight to be around them. That does not seem to be the case anymore.
I worked for a long time at a S. Florida condo, a place where old folks went to live. In talking to them, I learned that most of them had little contact with their adult children and less with the grandkids. A card on the holidays, a call here and there, maybe a visit once every 2 or 3 years for a day or 2. The rest of their lives were spent watching TV and playing cards. They were bored and eventually grew listless. They existed. That's about all. A few lucky ones found little jobs. That gave them a reason to feel like they were still an active part of things.
Now, if you are on a fixed income, trust me, it is hard to get by Do not believe for a minute all those ads and shows on TV where old folks are partying and golfing and going on exotic journeys. That is just BS. A few, do such things but for most of the elderly, surviving is an issue. Mix that with long periods of neglect and you have a deplorable situation.
There was a time when older folks could find little jobs. Now, those jobs are taken by younger people who will work 3 little jobs instead of getting some training to get a good job, They do this because they know that if they except low wages, they can get away with poor work. I see this every day. I would love to find a small job and I can proudly say that I was and would still be an excellent worker.
Even if jobs are unavailable, the elderly need to feel included. Just talk to us. I promise, we won't bite. Most of us are eager to stay in touch with the World and want to just talk and learn and exchange stories.
Money is an issue. If employers won't hire older folks, then others need to step forward, Not the Government, They botch almost everything they touch. Private groups, Churches and most importantly families and neighbors need to offer a helping hand.
We are not saints, nor are we necessarily fountains of wisdom. We are just human beings and once more I ask, Are you?
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Physixal Disability
All of us have disabilities in that we are not physically ideal. I don't have the traits required to play center in the NBA. My Dad was severely near sighted. My Mon shook constantly from Parkinson's Disease. My friend and companion of 34 years has been totally blind from birth. All of these are physical defects that are disabling to certain degrees.
Recently, I have experienced disability more directly. I go through bouts of near crippling arthritis and have lost a good bit of my vision. Okay, that's just how it is.
Folks with disabilities need help, but they do not need to be babied. They are not helpless children. they just need a bit of help. Instead, all too often they are shunned left to languish in a dark, lonely place. Families all too often say,' let the Government take care of them." Why? Well, they are afraid they might have to spend a dollar or two. That is some of it. They are afraid that they will have to give up a few minutes of fun and games. And, they are scared to death that they might end up the same way.
I have known many people with a variety of disabilities, blind, deaf, paraplegic, missing limbs, neuro-muscular diseases, and guess what? They are just people. Not saints, not children, just people. Some are rotten SOBs, to be blunt. Some are talented and brilliant, Mist are just folks, with the same hopes and dreams, the sane joys and angers, and the same desire to be included , to be productive members of the human race and pushing them aside, ignoring and excluding them is perhaps the worst mortal sin a person can commit.
Some say, 'well, the Government takes care of them.' The Government cannot agree on what color the sky is. Disability pays a bit of money to those who worked at some time, but it is not a lot. Those who did not work are stuck with SSI and trust me, it is a pittance, which then makes them reliant on Medicaid, food stamps and subsidized housing, Not a good way to live, just mere survival. The Government programs are necessary, but that fact is not acceptable.
We have Vets coming home broken and Trump, despite all of his effort, cannot get Congress to vote for enough money to really care for them.
. Churches should help, but I know from personal experience that they generally only help members and that they do reluctantly. This is not what Jesus taught and they should be ashamed
especially the mega Churches who are getting richer by the second and, yes, I include the Roman Catholic Church.
Private organizations try but are woefully underfunded. There are people and corporations in this Country who are enormously wealthy. I do not begrudge them a nickel of their profits, but they could do more. Not so much in cash, but in a better way.. In our modern world, there are many devices that allow the disabled to function about as well as anyone. With such equipment and a bit of training, the disabled, with the exception of severe cases, like quadriplegia, can become employed. It may be a bit rocky at first, but with a little time and patience, fine employees can be found. I, everyday day, run across able bodied workers who do not really want to do their jibs, They whine and complain. Most disabled folks I have met would be over joyed at having those jobs and would work hard to keep them.
The rest of the solution lies with us. We must start including folks with physical issues in all the activities we engage in. This is especially vital for children. Isolation warps all people but it is especially, damaging to kids. The disabled are exactly like us. Cranky at times. Warm and funny at times. Intelligent, at times and not so much at others. They have all of the assets and liablities that we do. They are human beings and, again, I ask, Are you?.
Recently, I have experienced disability more directly. I go through bouts of near crippling arthritis and have lost a good bit of my vision. Okay, that's just how it is.
Folks with disabilities need help, but they do not need to be babied. They are not helpless children. they just need a bit of help. Instead, all too often they are shunned left to languish in a dark, lonely place. Families all too often say,' let the Government take care of them." Why? Well, they are afraid they might have to spend a dollar or two. That is some of it. They are afraid that they will have to give up a few minutes of fun and games. And, they are scared to death that they might end up the same way.
I have known many people with a variety of disabilities, blind, deaf, paraplegic, missing limbs, neuro-muscular diseases, and guess what? They are just people. Not saints, not children, just people. Some are rotten SOBs, to be blunt. Some are talented and brilliant, Mist are just folks, with the same hopes and dreams, the sane joys and angers, and the same desire to be included , to be productive members of the human race and pushing them aside, ignoring and excluding them is perhaps the worst mortal sin a person can commit.
Some say, 'well, the Government takes care of them.' The Government cannot agree on what color the sky is. Disability pays a bit of money to those who worked at some time, but it is not a lot. Those who did not work are stuck with SSI and trust me, it is a pittance, which then makes them reliant on Medicaid, food stamps and subsidized housing, Not a good way to live, just mere survival. The Government programs are necessary, but that fact is not acceptable.
We have Vets coming home broken and Trump, despite all of his effort, cannot get Congress to vote for enough money to really care for them.
. Churches should help, but I know from personal experience that they generally only help members and that they do reluctantly. This is not what Jesus taught and they should be ashamed
especially the mega Churches who are getting richer by the second and, yes, I include the Roman Catholic Church.
Private organizations try but are woefully underfunded. There are people and corporations in this Country who are enormously wealthy. I do not begrudge them a nickel of their profits, but they could do more. Not so much in cash, but in a better way.. In our modern world, there are many devices that allow the disabled to function about as well as anyone. With such equipment and a bit of training, the disabled, with the exception of severe cases, like quadriplegia, can become employed. It may be a bit rocky at first, but with a little time and patience, fine employees can be found. I, everyday day, run across able bodied workers who do not really want to do their jibs, They whine and complain. Most disabled folks I have met would be over joyed at having those jobs and would work hard to keep them.
The rest of the solution lies with us. We must start including folks with physical issues in all the activities we engage in. This is especially vital for children. Isolation warps all people but it is especially, damaging to kids. The disabled are exactly like us. Cranky at times. Warm and funny at times. Intelligent, at times and not so much at others. They have all of the assets and liablities that we do. They are human beings and, again, I ask, Are you?.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Mental Issues
'Sickness will surely take the mind, where minds don't usually go.' The Who, The Amazing Journey, from Tommy
Today will start a series of posts on a topic that will make most folks uncomfortable. Good. We are going to talk disabilities.
In the wake of countless mass shootings and other acts of depravity, President Trump has, quite rightly, attempted to bring attention to the issue of mental illness.
There does seem to be a lot more people with such problems these days. Why?
First, electronics. We all love our gadgets, TV, computers, smart phones, etc., but people five little thought to how such things affect the mind. Constant, and some people cannot put these toys down, exposure to all the blips of noise and flickering pixels triggers a reaction in the brain. A trance like state ensues. If that brain is then exposed to unsettling imagery, that imagery sticks. Let's admit it, todays entertainment industry is largely violent and sexually both perverse and graphic, images. Also, there are many symbols displayed that trigger certain weird responses of occult significance. Don't believe me? Read Carl Jung, Or, just read the Bible. It says the same thing poetically. People seem to respond to all this in 3 ways. They grow depressed. They grow manic. or they develop ennui. All 3 responses are unacceptable and dangerous. Monitor both the frequency of use and the content of what you watch, and parents must be strict io this issue.
Then, we must turn to drugs, both illegal and legal. As I have written, I did my share of drugs many years ago. At least we were reasonably sure what we were taking. Now, with all the dangerous synthetics. if you touch anything illegal, you are insane.
Legal drugs are medical and psychiatric. Medically, you di what you have to. Psychiatric drugs are useful. In fact, they are a blessing for many. If a doctor prescribes them after a complete medical and psychiatric evaluation and monitors their effects, fine. If you say you feel sad and they hand you a bunch of happy pills, be very careful. If they work, great, but they can have horrible effects. They are even mire dangerous for children. The brain is nit fully formed until you are in your early 20s and filling it with powerful psychotropic drugs should be a last resort.
Then, we have trauma. Abuse breaks the mind, shatters reality and far too many kids and adults suffer horrible abuse, In addition, soldiers returning from our seemingly never ending series of wars, are returned to society with little in the way of support, something Trump is appalled by.
.A more subtle problem is those with mental difficulties, the mentally slow the dyslexic, etc. These folks are very capable of functioning in our society, but all too often just shoved aside in schools and not encouraged to learn. When pushed aside and ignored, humans may curl up in a shell, ir they may react violently. All it takes to stop such cycles is a bit of kindness and patience.
What can you do? Easy/ Just be kind and patient. This may sound simple and it is. At the same time, ve firm. Don't play into the delusions of those suffering. And, of the greatest importance, do not take any abuse. If they grow abusive, call authorities. If they must be institutionalized, do not abandon them. They are still human beings. Are you? Next, physical disabilities.
Today will start a series of posts on a topic that will make most folks uncomfortable. Good. We are going to talk disabilities.
In the wake of countless mass shootings and other acts of depravity, President Trump has, quite rightly, attempted to bring attention to the issue of mental illness.
There does seem to be a lot more people with such problems these days. Why?
First, electronics. We all love our gadgets, TV, computers, smart phones, etc., but people five little thought to how such things affect the mind. Constant, and some people cannot put these toys down, exposure to all the blips of noise and flickering pixels triggers a reaction in the brain. A trance like state ensues. If that brain is then exposed to unsettling imagery, that imagery sticks. Let's admit it, todays entertainment industry is largely violent and sexually both perverse and graphic, images. Also, there are many symbols displayed that trigger certain weird responses of occult significance. Don't believe me? Read Carl Jung, Or, just read the Bible. It says the same thing poetically. People seem to respond to all this in 3 ways. They grow depressed. They grow manic. or they develop ennui. All 3 responses are unacceptable and dangerous. Monitor both the frequency of use and the content of what you watch, and parents must be strict io this issue.
Then, we must turn to drugs, both illegal and legal. As I have written, I did my share of drugs many years ago. At least we were reasonably sure what we were taking. Now, with all the dangerous synthetics. if you touch anything illegal, you are insane.
Legal drugs are medical and psychiatric. Medically, you di what you have to. Psychiatric drugs are useful. In fact, they are a blessing for many. If a doctor prescribes them after a complete medical and psychiatric evaluation and monitors their effects, fine. If you say you feel sad and they hand you a bunch of happy pills, be very careful. If they work, great, but they can have horrible effects. They are even mire dangerous for children. The brain is nit fully formed until you are in your early 20s and filling it with powerful psychotropic drugs should be a last resort.
Then, we have trauma. Abuse breaks the mind, shatters reality and far too many kids and adults suffer horrible abuse, In addition, soldiers returning from our seemingly never ending series of wars, are returned to society with little in the way of support, something Trump is appalled by.
.A more subtle problem is those with mental difficulties, the mentally slow the dyslexic, etc. These folks are very capable of functioning in our society, but all too often just shoved aside in schools and not encouraged to learn. When pushed aside and ignored, humans may curl up in a shell, ir they may react violently. All it takes to stop such cycles is a bit of kindness and patience.
What can you do? Easy/ Just be kind and patient. This may sound simple and it is. At the same time, ve firm. Don't play into the delusions of those suffering. And, of the greatest importance, do not take any abuse. If they grow abusive, call authorities. If they must be institutionalized, do not abandon them. They are still human beings. Are you? Next, physical disabilities.
Monday, May 28, 2018
Remember
Just a quick note on Memorial Day,
Whether you are having a day of barbeque and beer or chardonnay and cucumber sandwiches, please take a moment to remember those of 'The Greatest Generation.' There are few of those amazing people left, the ones who won WW2 and came back to build this magnificent civilization we live in. I recently lost such a person, an old friend and a true hero who served in the nightmare of New Guinea in WW2.
If you know such a person who is still with you, see that they have a special time on this day which was created to honor them. If not, just stop and give a thought or two to the men and women of that time. They ill gear you. Great souls never die.
Then, go out and have some fun. They would want you to.
Whether you are having a day of barbeque and beer or chardonnay and cucumber sandwiches, please take a moment to remember those of 'The Greatest Generation.' There are few of those amazing people left, the ones who won WW2 and came back to build this magnificent civilization we live in. I recently lost such a person, an old friend and a true hero who served in the nightmare of New Guinea in WW2.
If you know such a person who is still with you, see that they have a special time on this day which was created to honor them. If not, just stop and give a thought or two to the men and women of that time. They ill gear you. Great souls never die.
Then, go out and have some fun. They would want you to.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Rainy Day
'Rainy day, dream away. Let the Sun take a holiday. Let it drain your worries away. Lay back and dream on a rainy day'. Jimi Hendrix from Electric Ladyland
Ah, Memorial Day is here. A 3 day weekend and, if the Sun is shining where you are, that means fun and games, friends and family. Baseball, golf, tennis, swimming, hunting fishing. Meats will be grilled and grown ups will join kids and dogs in joyous revelry. Have fun.,
However, if you are in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, you are awaiting the arrival of Tropical Storm Alberto. This will not be dangerous, unless you are dumb enough to go driving around in it. But, it will be annoying, if you let it get to you.
There is no reason for upset. You still have time off and the TV will have an abundance of movies and games. There is music to hear and books to read (remember, I have books on sale on Amazon. Sorry, I couldn't resist a quick commercial). So what if you can't grill outdoors; you can still fix great meals in your kitchen and sooth your nerves with an extra bite or two (it's a holiday. you have permission to go off your diet for the weekend).
Most important of all is the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends. So relax. Don't let the rain get you down. Put your feet up and if you doze a little, that's just fine. Lay back and dream on a rainy day.
Ah, Memorial Day is here. A 3 day weekend and, if the Sun is shining where you are, that means fun and games, friends and family. Baseball, golf, tennis, swimming, hunting fishing. Meats will be grilled and grown ups will join kids and dogs in joyous revelry. Have fun.,
However, if you are in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, you are awaiting the arrival of Tropical Storm Alberto. This will not be dangerous, unless you are dumb enough to go driving around in it. But, it will be annoying, if you let it get to you.
There is no reason for upset. You still have time off and the TV will have an abundance of movies and games. There is music to hear and books to read (remember, I have books on sale on Amazon. Sorry, I couldn't resist a quick commercial). So what if you can't grill outdoors; you can still fix great meals in your kitchen and sooth your nerves with an extra bite or two (it's a holiday. you have permission to go off your diet for the weekend).
Most important of all is the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends. So relax. Don't let the rain get you down. Put your feet up and if you doze a little, that's just fine. Lay back and dream on a rainy day.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Another Word From Our Sponsor
I mentioned a few days ago, that I have books for sale on Amazon/Kindle. I would like to mention 2 more.
First, The One, by John Wright and Debra Weiner.
We were discussing the Gospels one day (yes, we do talk occasionally about such things) and decided that it was a shame that there were so many gaps in the story, not surprising since the 4 books disagree wildly. So, we wrote our own version. Is ours true? Remember, when Pilate asked Jesus, 'what is truth?' he got no answer and we won't answer either. This version is as likely as any other. We now know that in the early days of the Church, many Gospels were written and all but the 4 were repressed. Which are true? Maybe ours. You will have to read the book and decide for yourselves. Whether you believe it or not, it is a great adventure, the greatest any man ever had.
Second, is another book dealing with truth, The Agent by John Wright (a solo effort).
I am sure that anyone reading my blog has read some of the many conspiracy blogs on line. I seldom go deeply into conspiracies because it is so hard to get any real evidence and speculation can easily get out of hand. But, there is some proof, including their own files and reluctant admissions, that from about 1945 through the mid 70s, the CIA was involved in some very weird activities. Now, what if an Agent, who was involved in all this wacky weirdness, up to his eye balls involved, decided, as a very old man, to write a tell all memoir. The Agent just might be his story. Is it true? He says it is, it may be, but such agents have been known to lie. You will have to read the story and decide. I promise that whether you believe it or not, this is a wild and entertaining story of this Nation's wildest and strangest era.
First, The One, by John Wright and Debra Weiner.
We were discussing the Gospels one day (yes, we do talk occasionally about such things) and decided that it was a shame that there were so many gaps in the story, not surprising since the 4 books disagree wildly. So, we wrote our own version. Is ours true? Remember, when Pilate asked Jesus, 'what is truth?' he got no answer and we won't answer either. This version is as likely as any other. We now know that in the early days of the Church, many Gospels were written and all but the 4 were repressed. Which are true? Maybe ours. You will have to read the book and decide for yourselves. Whether you believe it or not, it is a great adventure, the greatest any man ever had.
Second, is another book dealing with truth, The Agent by John Wright (a solo effort).
I am sure that anyone reading my blog has read some of the many conspiracy blogs on line. I seldom go deeply into conspiracies because it is so hard to get any real evidence and speculation can easily get out of hand. But, there is some proof, including their own files and reluctant admissions, that from about 1945 through the mid 70s, the CIA was involved in some very weird activities. Now, what if an Agent, who was involved in all this wacky weirdness, up to his eye balls involved, decided, as a very old man, to write a tell all memoir. The Agent just might be his story. Is it true? He says it is, it may be, but such agents have been known to lie. You will have to read the story and decide. I promise that whether you believe it or not, this is a wild and entertaining story of this Nation's wildest and strangest era.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
The Federal Government
Any sane person will agree that the Federal Government is bloated and nearly useless. The Founding Fathers meant America to be a loose confederation of states. The Federal Government was given the right to oversee interstate commerce, so silly trade wars between the states would be kept minimal and the right to conduct international affairs, It has grown into a monster and seized absurd power. Some love this and wish it to grow larger. This would create a National Socialist state and, yes, the Nazis were just that.
The answer? In this election year. vote for anyone who wants to shrink the Federal grip. Certainly, some of these conservatives are a bit over the top, but when the Federal Government shrinks, they will find themselves with little power and the inability to carry out their wackier plans.
That will leave a power vacuum which will. if sane heads prevail, be filled by state and local governments. This is how it was intended. The States have different needs. Florida has much different problems than Montana. Even here in Georgia, Brunswick, on the SE Coast, has many different issues than Atlanta. Keep power close to home and keep you tax money close to home. The Federal Government should balance their budget, defend the Country from direct foreign attack, settle the rare interstate commerce issues and stay out of our lives.
This election year, vote to shrink the Federal monster and return power, and your tax money, to lacal authorities, where they belong. Keep everything close to home.
The answer? In this election year. vote for anyone who wants to shrink the Federal grip. Certainly, some of these conservatives are a bit over the top, but when the Federal Government shrinks, they will find themselves with little power and the inability to carry out their wackier plans.
That will leave a power vacuum which will. if sane heads prevail, be filled by state and local governments. This is how it was intended. The States have different needs. Florida has much different problems than Montana. Even here in Georgia, Brunswick, on the SE Coast, has many different issues than Atlanta. Keep power close to home and keep you tax money close to home. The Federal Government should balance their budget, defend the Country from direct foreign attack, settle the rare interstate commerce issues and stay out of our lives.
This election year, vote to shrink the Federal monster and return power, and your tax money, to lacal authorities, where they belong. Keep everything close to home.
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