Knights of the TeaParty

Now we see the violence inherent in the system!

This has been burning in me all day and it has to come out. My name is Walter. I am named after that good looking guy with the dog. I come from that couple in the cheap photo. They are my grandparents. Good hard working, hard living people. Always ready to help, always willing to pitch in. Sadly neither made much of a dent in this world. They did not leave a load of money to my parents, and my parents will not leave me a load of money, or business to run, or investments to live off of. I hope this is no surprise to my children, but I ain't got nothing to leave them, nor does the future look much better.

Yet there are an awful lot of people (and sometimes they are indeed an awful lot) who have benefited greatly from those that went before. As Bill Murray said in the movie Rushmore..."they were born rich and they will die rich". It is hard to loose a race when you have a head start, yeah some can come close to catching up, there are rags to riches stories. But the REAL DEAL in America is you are lucky to have what you have and damn lucky to improve much. Don't beleive me....step off the track for a month, can you do that?...didn't think so.

Yes, my parents improved on their parents life, and I think I have improved on my parents life, and I HOPE my children have a better life, but we are not talking about leaps and bounds here.

Now, I will try to get back to my thread, back to my point. In the days of the Nobles, Kings and Queens very few controlled very much. And their courts consisted of some that got to eat from the table as long as they pledged their allegiance and did the dirty work. And then there were many that lived horrible lives and lived in the muck.

Western Nations have improved upon that premise. But we still resemble the model more than we think. Lately (since the 80's) we have begun to embrace greed again and there are some on this planet that have now exceeded Kings and Queens. It stuns me when I hear of the select few that control billions and billions and yet there is so much of the world that have so little.

And this week I watch the Tea Party people screaming at rallys for freedom? What, freedom to keep oppressing others? Freedom to keep what they got and turn their backs on others?

And I see these people and I think, what are they afraid of loosing. They do not look like they have that much. It seems the MAN has convinced them that sharing means the table scraps that have fallen to them will be shared with the huddled masses while the super rich will remain unchanged.

I call to you Knights of the Teaparty (think of the Nobles in Braveheart that sold William Wallace out to Longshanks) loose your allegiance to the King. Join us and really know freedom.

Freedom of conscience. Sleep tonight knowing that this abundant world is being shared. Sleep tonight knowing that some poor bastard (yes he will still indeed be poor) will now be able to get ONGOING medical care.

Yes ongoing. Not pain killers but actual LIFE EXTENDING treatment. He will not have to beg in the emergency room. Will not have to hear a diagnosis for a treatable condition for which he cannot afford treatment. No. Sleep tonight knowing he will be able to get the same treatment as you. He is your equal, no matter what the banks think, no matter what employers think, no matter what the fat cats think.

Happy Anniversary Sweety

What a glorious day. Happy anniversary Peggy. #3.

The Best Time Of The Day

by Raymond Carver

Cool summer nights.

Windows open.

Lamps burning.

Fruit in the bowl.

And your head on my shoulder.

These the happiest moments in the day.

Next to the early morning hours, of course.

And the time just before lunch.

And the afternoon, and early evening hours.

But I do love these summer nights.

Even more, I think,than those other times.

The work finished for the day.

And no one who can reach us now.

Or ever.

And might I add,

going to sleep next to you, and waking up each day

Whistler While You Work

Peggy and I were supposed to be in Whistler this week.  We were to leave Monday and come back Saturday.  We were given a free condo for the week by some people we know who could not use it.  It was going to be a nice get-a-way to help us celebrate our third anniversary.

So far it has been a very enjoyable and relaxing week.

Her biggest client sent her their annual report last Friday.  Boom.  We talked about not leaving until Tuesday.  So I went into work on Monday and she started to tackle the annual report.  Late, late Monday night I suggested that maybe we shouldn't 't leave until she was done, maybe wait another day.  

Late, late Tuesday night she came to bed after working until 1:00 AM.  I said maybe she needed another day.  Let's leave Thursday.  Thursday night at out favorite restaurant at 9:30 I asked how it was going.  Just a little bit longer I was told. I suggested we just not go to Whistler and saw intense relief in her eyes.

It is hard to be self employed.  Hard to be a one woman office.  Hard to serve huge clients, hard to make it without them.

I know the feeling.  When  duty calls and you are squeezed between making a living or going on a vacation.

Me, I have had a ball this week.  I envision myself as Bret Farve, I am retired.  But I know full well I will soon be back to work.

I have run errands, played Cabana Boy around the house, dropped in on Kelsey and Eli, dropped in on my Mom and hit the gym at odd hours.  I am getting to those little nagging things that always seem to be eating at you that you just do not have time for.  I get to cook more elaborate dinners.  I am  bonding with Neko, Pushy and Munchy like never before (Neko slept with ME last night, Neko licked my feet for too long before sleep hit me). I get to ride my motorcycle during mid day on a nice day.  I get to check out high school baseball games and practices.  I am seeing more NCAA basketball games than ever.  And do not get me started about the MLB channel.

The coolest part of this vacation is that I do not have that dread of travel and end.  You know, in two more days I have to load the car and drive for five hours, cross a border, fight traffic and hope I get home in time.  I did not have to pack, nor will I have to un -pack.

This has been the most relaxing vacation I have ever had, and it is still not over.....And I am already home! 

 

Morning Chill, with a Wee bit of Wresting

We have two semi-ferrel cats. Born in a wood pile, and and born with disability. We saved Munchkin from an early death and are quite pleased with her progress and she seems very happy with her life. Pushkin, her sister was adopted to help (push) her along. They are wonderful cats, but most people never see them as they scurry away at the sound of visitors. Their most active time is the morning as we all start our day.

Neko gets along great with them both, but is in for a rude surprise should she ever meet a cat NOT from our household. What Munchy and Pushy let her get away with will get her killed with strange cats.

Here is Pushy, keeping our house safe from squirrels.

Here is Munchkin, positioning herself for the upcoming wrestling event with Pushy

Rare footage of the playful wrestling. Do not feel sorry for Munchy, she has claws of steel and Pushy usually gives way.

And finally, a long movie showing off Munchy's mobility.