Monday

I dislike the term “homosexual” and prefer to hear the word “gay.”  This has always bothered me and I think it’s part of the reason there are problems of all sorts in the gay AND straight worlds.  Of course, I must say here that straight people don’t go around introducing themselves as “heterosexual.”  As a matter of fact, they don’t introduce themselves as “straight,” either.  If the subject comes up during a conversation, one person will say, “Yes, I’m gay,” and the other person will answer, “Well, I’m straight.” 

 

Introductions are important to all us of–we do it every day–and we don’t use these types of labels when we introduce each other.  We may hear “Chairiperson so and so, ” or President David Jones,” but we don’t hear gay and straight.  To me, that seems to make the use of these two labels of less value and that’s good.  It also rules out the need to use Heterosexual and homosexual.  I think the word “homosexual” has been used so much that people automatically attach all sorts of dirty and evil things with the word.  TV has been of great help in introducing the word “gay” to the public and done so in a positive manner and that’s what is needed. 

 

Different areas of te country, however, have mixed feelings about gay marriage and gay unions.  The various Bible-belt regions of the country seem to be the worst.  Mention the term “gay” and they are off and running with a roster of reasons why such partnerships should be allowed AND recognized.  Other parts of the country really don’t care.  New Jersey just recently passed a law that allows gay union, but not marriages.  Massachusetts and California have laws allowing gay marriages.  But there are forces in both states that want to see it banned.  I think their biggest reason is that they feel gay couples will try to indoctrinate children into becoming gay.  Let me write here that most gay couples don’t even like children and therefore would stay away from them.  Other couiples want to adopt children and give them love and support, all without wanting them to be gay.  The couples show love for one another so the child grows up loving others as well.

 

I could go on, but I’ve written enough here.  That’s all for today from Arcadia Valley.

Sunday

I’m too tired today to add anything of significance.  Y’all understand?

Arcadia Valley out.

Thursday

I don’t think I’ve ever been as upset as I was yesterday.  I was trying to qualify for a $500 Visa gift card and went through the various steps rquiired to ge the card.  I spent two hours doing this and at the end when I checked my qualifying status, I was told I still needed two items from each of the three levels.  I ended up making seven purchases, spending $70 and stil did not qualify.  My bank even called me to see if someone else had stolen my card and was using it to make all these purchases.  I assured them I was doing it.

 

My concern is how easy it is to be sucked in to online schemes like this.  I should have never tried the qualifying process in the first place.  Secondly, I feel I was duped when I made the sufficient choices for each level and should not be punished by making more purchases.  This “scheme” is a waste of time and something should be done about it.  I don’t know what that would be, but something needs to be done.  Any suggestions?

 

Over and out from the Arcadia Valley.

Wednesday

“No man is an island entire to himself.”  I want that engraved on my headstone.  To me, it says a lot about the person.  I’ve always been attentive to the needs of others and sometimes placed their “predicaments” ahead of mine.  Some might think that’s a selfish way to handle matters, but I was brought up to be concerned about others and their safety.

 

Years ago, people would come to me and ask if we could talk.  I would always take the time to speak with them.  In most instances, their troubles were far worse than mine and that made me feel good.  I mean, I felt good that my problems were miniscule compared to their and I would help them in any way I could to feel better and see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  However, I got burned out quickly because no one was coming to me to see if I needed help.  And, there were many times I thought I would explode if I didn’t get help.

 

No matter now.  I realize that I have some problems that need fixing, but I fall, pick myself up and start again.  I very seldom share my inner feelings with anyone and have learned to live with that in my life.

 

So, what does the quote mean to you?

Wednesday

Why do we do what we do when we know what we know?  I don’t think there’s an easy answer to that question.  But, it applies to so many things in life.  Why have unsafe sex when we know what might happen?  Why smoke when we know it could cause lung cancer?  Why dance when we know we’ll be tired?  I know that last question is a little inane, but get you the drift.

 

I guess because we are creatures of habit we do things over and over, not thinking ahead to the consequences.  Perhaps we think the outcome will be different this time.  Usually, they are not.  All we can do is stand up, shake our heads, and vow not to do it again, knowing the answer is that we probably will.  At least we can try.  How many times do we burn our fingers before we finally realize we need to keep our hands off a lit stove?  We finally learn.  Ah, ut some lessons are harder to learn than others.

 

So, what do YOU think?

Monday

I listened to some very good CDs over the weekend including Carly Simon’s newest, “This Kind of Love.”  It’s her first time to try something Brazilian and it’s very good.  The orchestral backup was bassa nova, calypso and samba music.  She wrote most of the songs on the album and I had the chance to review it for http://popsyndicate.com. I also reviewed Bret Michael’s “Rock My World,” and Gladys Hardy’s “I Love Jesus, But I Drink a Little.”  Bret’s album was pure rock while Gladys’s was pure standup comedy.  They, too, will appear on Pop Syndicate some time this week.

 

CDs seem to be my niche in the world of reviewing.  I’ve reviewed DVDs and books, but find real enjoyment in reviewing music CDs.  Usher’s new CD is also out on the market and I was fortunate to review it as well.  Called “Here I Stand,” its 18 tracks tell the story of Usher growing up.  There are some profound songs on the CD and I found the music (R&B) to my liking.  He’s got a great voice and the renditions on the CD are superb.

 

Mandi is doing fine except she’s learned that she can now chew on the computer cables and I’m constantly after her with a broom to keep her away from them.  She’s only a year old, but can be quite feisty at times.

 

Arcadia Valley over and out for today.

Friday

Today in the Arcadia Valley, I feel better than I did yesterday.  I would just as well like to forget Thursday, altogether.  It was filled with pain in my lower back and left leg to the extent I could not sit or stand for more than 30 minutes.  A relative (I know we’re not supposed to do this.) gave me a pill that stopped the pain entirely.  There were no side effects and I felt great the bigger part of the day.

 

Amazing what modern medicine can do.  I slept well also and I owe it all to a little pill.  Fortunately, I will be able to see my doctor on Monday so she can prescribe something until we decide if I’m going to need surgery again on my leg for circulation.  I hope I don’t need surgery, but I can’t live on pain pills the rest of my life, either.

 

A good day to everyone who reads this.

 

Arcadia Valley out!

Wednesday

June 18

Oh, my!  This is the first day I’ve been without 24 hours of pain in my lower back and left leg.  Let me tell you:  I would not wish this pain on my worst enemy.  It all started in Nov. 2007 when I was in such pain that I had surgery to place 3 stints in the iliac of my left leg.  After recovery, I could not believe the difference the surgery had made; I could walk and stand without pain even in my lower back.  Well, some time in May, I felt one of the stints move into my groin and the pain has been intensifying ever since.  I finally got the doctor’s attention and it looks like I will be going back in for surgery to move the stint back into the iliac.

 

When I came home from the doctor’s office yesterday morning, I took some aspirin and went to bed at 9 a.m.  I slept until midnight when the pain awakened me.  For some reason, the pain has gone away entirely (Thank you, Lord.) and it’s almost five a.m.  I feel great right now.

 

I was in so much pain that I became desperate and wished I’d had some sort of pain killer available to get rid of the pain.

 

Let’s hope that today in the Arcadia Valley is a much better one than yesterday!

Review of “Unscrambled Eggs” by Nadia Brown

It’s been quite a while since I have been so moved by poetry.  “Unscrambled Eggs” has been such a book.  After all, you can’t unscramble an egg.

 

I’m a poet at heart and know the feelings that can rush through a body, the feelings that what you are thinking “must” be placed on paper before the moment of exhilaration is gone.  Such are the writings of Ms. Brown.  She writes free verse and in very few instances does she need a comma to separate a thought.  She started writing poetry in 1999 after studying many of the Psalms in the Bible to get a feel for how poetry is written.  Her poetry reminds me of Dr. Maya Angelou’s writings and how it clamors to be free from earthly boundaries.  Ms. Brown has accomplished that mission, something I think she may not have been aware of when she was writing each poem; Maya Angelous is her favorite poet.

 

There’s flow and grace in her writing and it’s easy to read.  I finished her 70 poems in a little more than thirty minutes and wanted more to read.  Her poetry sets one’s mind free to soar as she pours out her soul onto paper and the reader begins to ponder what she has written.  She’s a gifted poet and this is her first book.  I daresay someday her poems will be used in classrooms throughout America as examples of fine writing that is to be emulated and stir the pulse of the reader to open new avenues to thinking and expressing oneself.

 

Ms. Brown and her family live in Florida and I’m blessed for having been able to read her book of poems.  Many people write but their writing has no effect on the reader.  Not true with Nadia.  Her poems are sweeping in nature and make the reader think.  These are not deep poems that have to be re-read to get the meaning; it’s right there on the surface.  She just makes one think about what she has written.

 

I’m glad I have this book in my library for I will refer to it quite frequently.  I realize it has made changes for the better in me.  Look for more about Nadia at www.nadiabrown.com.

Monday

Arcadia Velley is just fine today.   There was a little rain early this morning, but the clouds have cleared and the sun is shining.  Not to be too hot and the humidity is going to be lower.  That’s just great by me.

Until again.  Bye!