Why the world needs America

Today is September 11.  That brings up many memories, laced with an equal measure of both fear and pride.  Fear was rampant as I watched the airplanes collide with the towers.  Fear, as I watched the towers come tumbling down.  Fear, as I watched thousands of people run to safety. 

Pride was there, too, and brought just as many tears.  Pride in watching strangers help each other from wreckage.  Pride in watching first responders enter each and every danger zone with one purpose, to save lives.  Pride in watching and being a part of my nation swell with unity and strength.

America reeled from an attack on home soil.  We have grown used to seeing the horrors of war from afar.  Not since Pearl Harbor have we had an attack on American soil.  Yet, I know there are other people in countries both war torn or in recovery that ask, why are you so special?  What makes you so different? 

Americans often sees war as images and video.  We see refuges, we see crying, orphaned children, we see homes and lives destroyed, but we don't really live it.  Some would say we are spoiled.  Some would say we have a superiority complex, but let me ask you, what would the world be like without America?

For that matter, it isn't just America.  It is the Austrailias, the Englands, The Irelands, the Spains, The Italies, the Argentinas and the Switzerlands of the entire world.  It is the safe locations around our globe that matter, that are needed.

The world, the war torn and the despairing,  need some place that they can know is safe.  They need to know that somewhere, there is a place where war isn't epidemic, that there is a place where culture exists, where science can flourish, where people can grow kind hearted.  They need to know there is a place where children down grow up learning not the tools of war, but learn agriculture and art, reading and medicine, where they can worship the God of their ancestors and not fear reprisal.

The world needs to know, that somewhere, people can get it right....or almost right.  That there is a place where parents can safely tuck their children in bed and not worry about where they will be in the morning.  Where food and help and safety are available, even for a price, they are still available.

It gives people in places like Eastern Europe and the Middle East a place to cast their attention and say, I want this for my country, there doesn't have to be war, there can be a future.  If people see England or Argentina as a fairy tale land, well, then that gives them hope, a  goal.  It gives them a dream.  They can run to it, or they can turn and recreate it.  It is the power of an idea.

Think about what it would be like if people in these downtrodden, war wracked places looked across the breadth of the horizon and only saw....war, chaos, hate and pain.  Would they have hope?  Knowledge that somewhere, the world is better?  That there is a place where children play on swing sets and seniors grow gardens?

Without America (warts and all, don't get me wrong on that), there is no safety net for people beyond the reality of war.  There is no hope that it can and does get better.  There is no goal, no fight or perseverance.

By being a war free world, America, (and the other lucky nations) provide a snap shot to the world of a hope we all share.  A hope that the world can evolve into something better.  We deserve it.  As citizens of the world, and the only known home of the human race, we deserve better from each other. 

So, rather than raise the hate, remember the pride.  Remember selfless hands stretched out to help.  Every time hate is passed on, pass on compassion, understanding and love. 

The world needs America....but sometimes, America needs to be reminded why.

End of 2014

Oh yes, oh yes.  I was one lucky lady this Christmas.  A new camera! 

 

All in good fun!

 

And how was your day?

 

 

 

Never a Normal Holiday

We can't have a normal holiday.  Nope, not ever going to happen.

Right before Christmas the boys came running in, telling me that Bella was bleeding.  I went out and expected the usual Bella level injury.  Nope.  After cleaning it out and applying pressure, it still continued to bleed, and by bleed, I mean flow.
I wrap her in gauze, vet wrap and compression bandages and call the vet. 
We get there and leave a trail of blood from the parking lot to the treatment room.  This is us as we walked in.

Our tech, Wyatt, took over because our Vet was in emergency surgery.  Unwinding my soaked mess of a bandage, he starts to evaluate the wound.  He clamps the vein and we wait.  Normally, after clamping, the bleeding stops. 

I laugh at the concept of normal. 

After clamping, we had to go with stitching.  We completely soaked the treatment room.

In the end, she had a pretty bandage and had to spend the night.

I called and asked how she was doing.  She was angry, hated the staff, hated the clinic donkey and could I please come get her?

 

This lasted until just after Christmas when she became progressively more lame.  Back to the Vet, x-rays, and we have....

a bone chip!  And upper joint fluid leaking.  She is currently spending a few more days to do regional infusion treatments to force antibiotics into the bone and joint.  In theory, she should make a full recovery. 

 

And how was your day?

 

 

 

Only living in the country can you......

Country living has some draw backs.  There is no huge mall.  Our micro-mall is twenty five minutes away and boasts all of four department stores and a handful of small retailers.  If we want "real" shopping, we travel two hours to Lubbock, TX. 

Hospitals are small and are mostly for basic things. Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful they are here, but specialty care is twenty five minutes away, and even then, all trauma gets flown to....Lubbock, TX.

The scenery is boring.  I won't lie.

There is dirt every where.  I often wonder how people on TV wear such gorgeous clothing and shoes and I realize, they are on some form of concrete or man made flooring, ALL THE TIME!  I have regular shoes, but then there are yard shoes, barn shoes and riding boots.  Sometimes it is just easier to wear the boots all the time.

Dirt migrates.  I am not lying.  It creeps in every crack and "sealed" door.  It collects on electronics, the tops of books, the floor, it is pervasive and it is eternal.  Don't even get me started if some of those barn shoes are worn into the house.

Bugs.  And Mice.  Yes, being surrounded by fields is great, but those fields aren't empty.  Your home is a beacon of food, water and shelter for all things that creep, crawl and slither.  I am not a fan.

Amazon.  Remember what I said about shopping?  Everything is off the internet. 

No pizza delivery. 

Then again, it is quiet.  It is serene.  It is the ideal place for children. 

Can city kids do this?

This is driving home from Grandma's house.  The less than two miles.

 

Rain produces PUDDLES and little brothers get stuck.

Trick or Treating gets real

Snow shouldn't keep you inside

Improvised swimming pool

 

Normal kid behavior

 

more "normal" behavior

Shaving cream is an acceptable weapon

 

 

Your bestie can be a bird

Your hard work pays off in wonderful ways

And Glow in the Dark Capture the Flag was never more fun

 

So, while I may have to drive into town for pizza, and sometimes, I would really like some shopping without planning a road trip, I wouldn't change the way my kids are being raised.  The freedom they have, the responsibilities they are learning, the understanding that they gain.  Worth all of it.

 

And how was your day?

 

Day 13, 14 and 15 Photo Challenge

 

Handmade!  My first double knit square!  Woot woot!

 

Enjoy!

 

tree

 

 

And how was your day?

 

 

More photos!

Behind, again.  Of Course.

Cozy, because it just doesn't get more comfortable than that.

Blessed, because things got so much better after I took this photo

Stockings

 

Mom had a new port cath placed today in anticipation of Chemo Wednesdays.  While she went into surgery, my Dad and I went to the cafeteria where our prep nurse bought us breakfast with a cheery "Pay it forward!"

 

So, in other words, I had a great day.

 

And how was your day?

Days 8 and 9

Trying not to get too far behind! 

"New"

New, Squishy yarn!  YUMMY!

 

"Weather"

 

Granted, I took this last picture way earlier, but given the fact we are in a weather rut right now, I went with it!

 

 

And how was your day?