Still a proud American, still a devout Christiian

A white supremacist shot up a grocery store in a predominantly black area of Buffalo. It was live-streamed on Twitch. Yet I keep hearing that an 18-year-old has a right to an AR-15 and any attempts to reign in social media are part of the "cancel culture." Never mind that the many of these same people are totally into banning books.

I'm supposed to accept that somehow feeding infants at the U.S.-Mexico border is a terrible thing, responsible for the formula shortage. To believe that, I'd have to ignore that Abbott Labs (a top player) recalled their formula and shut down a Michigan factory months ago, which hasn't yet reopened. But why think like a businesswoman when it's so much easier to blame brown babies? And aren't these the same people who decry socialism at every turn? Isn't it obvious the formula shortage has more to do with unchecked capitalism and monopolies than it does immigration? (While I assume it's fun to spread wacky conspiracy theories online, perhaps it would be more helpful to use your keyboard to let mothers know that our neighbor to the north has no such shortages and Canadian companies can ship to the US. WWG1WGA, right?)

The people who resent immigrant babies getting formula before God-fearing 'Murican babies are, generally speaking, the same ones who wish to mandate that every pregnancy end in birth. That's pretty rich. Not only that, it completely ignores the very troubling religious questions within their anti-abortion stance. I am a Christian woman who personally could never have an abortion. I am also an American woman who is not going to tell those of the Jewish faith whose beliefs may be different that their relationship with God is less than mine. I see the danger of legislating the supremacy of one faith over another. I also want to protect the rights of women who don't believe in a higher power at all. Because that is what a patriotic American woman should do. Of course according to many in the blogosphere, I'm a  libtard who needs to get closer to my faith. (Is that really what the Lord had in mind? To establish a Top 10 of who loves Him best?)

I'm reading a book about the First Ladies and I'm learning a lot (Ida McKinley was a thoroughly unlikable yet fascinating woman; must look for more about her). The cover shows Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump. I have been hearing talk about Hillary and Michelle for years. They aren't feminine, they are too butch, they are lesbians or perhaps transgender. Yet of the three women pictured, only one has been photographed nude nuzzling another nude woman, and she was paid for it. I am not judging Melania Trump for modeling assignments Melania Knauss took. I don't know what went into her long ago choices and I don't care. I am judging the hypocritical, silly people who dismiss her gay-for-pay episode and the fact that she's the third Mrs. Trump (21 years younger than the still-living first Mrs. Donald Trump and 6 years younger than her immediate predecessor) in order to elevate Melania to paragon of Christian womanhood, while proclaiming Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama are at the vanguard of the fall of the traditional American family.

This morning I am feeling more like a Christian American woman than ever. My heart and head hurt, but I remain hopeful. I keep reminding myself that I am not helpless. I must work harder to get out the vote this November.

Sunday Stealing

FROM THIS SIDE OF THE POND

1. Where do you get your news these days? The Chicago Sun Times, WGN Morning News, MSNBC

2. Do you like crab meat? What makes you crabby? Yes, I like crab meat. Temperatures over 85º make me crabby.

3. Does freedom mean more choices? Have you ever felt there were too many choices? Elaborate. Yes. Yes. Whenever I make a choice about what book to read, movie to watch, vacation destination to travel to, I fleetingly wonder if I wouldn't be happier rereading, rewatching, or revisiting.

4. Barbara Millicent Roberts was introduced to the world on March 9, 1959...that's Barbie to most of us. Did you have Barbies as a kid, or did you let your own children play with Barbies? What well known Barbara (living or not) would you most like to meet? 

 

My favorite Barbie

My favorite Barbra

5. What are three things you value most in another person? Humor, sensitivity, integrity

6. How would you define “old.”  At what age is a person old? According to the Social Security Administration, I can expect to live to 86 (though something tells me I won't make it that long). Therefore, by my calculations, I moved from middle-aged to old on my 60th birthday.

7. A place you’ve been that’s “old.” Tell us something about your visit there. Abraham Lincoln's home in Springfield. This is the only house he ever owned. I have been here many times since I was a little girl. I love walking the halls where he walked.

That little figure in the Cubbie blue shirt is me

8. Something you miss about the “good old days.”  When were they? 2015-2021, when my guys were still together. They were not only good (World Series!), they had chemistry and were a joy to watch.

 

9. In what way are you a 'chip off the old block'? Or if you'd rather, in what way is your child a 'chip off the old block'? I have my mother's affinity for animals. I have my father's temperament.

10. Old fashioned, Old Testament, old timer, same old same old, old glory, good old boy, old wives tale...choose an 'old' phrase that relates to something in your life or the wider world currently and explain. I love listening to the oldies. Every morning, no matter what is going on with my life, when I reach for the shampoo bottle and sing tunelessly with my shower radio, I am happy.

11. July 5th is National Hawaii Day...have you ever been to Hawaii? Any desire to visit or make a return trip? Pineapple, mango, or guava...what's your pleasure? I've been to Hawaii twice. If it wasn't so far and so expensive, I'd love to go back. It's beautiful! Plus, it's America. Why leave the country for Jamaica or the Bahamas when you can stay in the US of A. And I love pineapple.

12. Last time you were 'thrown in at the deep end'? Explain. Many times throughout my career. We're not big on providing training in advertising.

13. Sun, sea, sand, salt...your favorite when it comes to summer? I like leaving the house in summer. No coat. No socks. Clothes are less complicated.

14. Bury your head in the sand, the sands of time, draw a line in the sand, pound sand, shifting sands...pick one and tell us how the phrase currently relates to your life in some way. Bury your head in the sand -- I'm afraid I do that a lot.

15. On a scale of 1-10 (1 = make your own rules and 10=like a warden), how strict were your parents? If you're a parent where on the scale do you land? I'll give them a 5, because my mom wasn't strict at all and my dad would have been, had be chosen to be more involved.