De-Evolution

The Edge.

Yeah...it is a lot like this.  A friend/ buddy/long ago lover of mine (now deceased) and I used to call it "de-evolution"...which it was.  He battled the long term after-effects of a bad motorcycle wreck and I was just getting used the slow deterioration of my abilities, that we would find out later was a result of FRED (glioma/astrocytoma).  Yeah...we were a mess. But we laughed and called it "De-Evolving" and when my gait first got to the point I required a cane for assist , Bill and I picked out a really great Dragon handle

And my friend's advice...with a grin...when this time came, was to purchase Leather Trousers and a Harley tee-shirt...which I did.

They'll just assume you've been in a bad bike wreck!"

I sure could have used his perspective, yesterday.

I shouldn't whine.

I have been a Gypsy all my life. Travelling for me is like breathing is for other people. I have done/seen more in my (nearly) 55 years than many people do in their entire lives.

But yesterday...those facts didn't ease the impact. 

After a several day recovery from The Easter Weekend...then on Wednesday a trip across to Greenwood necessitating about an hour and a half both ways...and the following two days spent in severe pain and absolutely exhausted...feeling as though I was never going to bounce back...I realized that my ability to travel out of state for even 2-3 days was now completely beyond my capabilities.

Followed closely by the realization that I already had a trip planned and paid for to meet "Idgy" halfway in only weeks...and that my eldest had asked me to accompany him, his wife, and two of my grandchildren on their vacation in August. 

Yeah...bummer...doesn't really seem to cover it, you know.

But after a short "pity-party" 

A Bakery Cupcake.
(...to be fair...I would have eaten this anyway..)

And a few tears...I had coffee and chat with "Idgy", who immediately kicked my well-deserving pathetic ass, and let me know that

"You Aren't Getting Rid of ME that easy...You are STUCK with me...okay?"

And then proceeded to make plans to come HERE for the weekend we planned...and suggested if Greyhound actually did refund my ticket...that I should use the refunded cash to invest in a bit more wine and chocolate for our celebration in May...and maybe a fire extinguisher for the cake...lol!

 And that we were just going to adjust/adapt to the situation. 

You know what is wonderful about real friends? 

Everything. 

Just like the September DS Gathering...here...this year.

So..."Idgy" thanks for having my back...and to my DS Family...September means more to me than you can even imagine...and James and Nicole...I will always treasure the invite...and take a million pictures and share them with me. It is your turn now to Show Your Children the World!  
                                          (...see...there it is!)

 And Wednesday's trek to Greenwood was good despite the set-backs. Once again spent with Loretta, Gail, Gina, Sharon, Eric and Don. Real Friends. People who understand and care...who look past the difficulties and just enjoy life. 

An early morning together at Starbucks sipping Cappuccino and enjoying Almond Pastries.  Perusing the shops at the mall...smelling the new Spring Scents at Yankee Candles including Cotton Candy and Salt-Water Taffy. Two of MY favorites. Picking up Peach Bellini foaming hand soap at Bath and Body and a small bottle of shimmery Diamondesque hand gel (sparkly)  Loretta surprised me at lunch with an early birthday gift of beautiful matched 6 mm pearl earrings from the jeweler's. They go perfectly with my 6 mm necklace. We laughed. Shared Chinese. Enjoyed a treat of "Cookies and Cream Dippin' Dots" and planned Sharon's Birthday (at my house) this year. Judy and I, are celebrating ours at Loretta's later this month. 

So curtailed travel, and pain aside. Still many more good days than bad....and those days are filled with Real Friends and Family. 

And THAT is EVERYTHING, people.

Have a wonderful Weekend!







 






 

Easter!

I woke up to coffee and blooms...but the kids woke up to THIS!

After spending an evening hunting these.

Plastic Easter Eggs with Glow Sticks in them.

And a Pre-Easter Afternoon with Tina and Chris (and Neville & Bennie; their Rat Terriers) complete with Easter Treats for "The Boys".

Swooped up on Sunday to spend the day with James, Nicole, Johnnie (one of my honorary sons from a lifetime ago), Brandon and Summer and their 3 kids, Aiden, Brenden, Jasmine, Hannah, Kaylee and Emma...and of course Katie (Their American Bulldog)

Listening to the guys play guitar and sing.

And fixing brats, dogs and burgers on the grill...and having an outdoor feast because it was so perfect outside!

And playing with the kids...

 and later a bonfire...by then it was getting a bit chilly out.

A Wonderful Weekend of Family, Friends, Food and Fun!

Too Far...Not Far Enough...A Third Perspective on the Fix...

After this week's political rollercoaster...the dust is finally settling here in the Hoosier State, and the Final Four has taken center stage.

On the edges there are factions from both sides whining. Conservatives unhappy.saying the "Fix" went too far. GLBT complaining that the fix didn't go far enough.

I just want to toss in the view from where I am standing for your consideration.

Ironically, the very legislation that was suppose to "protect" conservatives from baking "gay" wedding cakes or arranging "gay" flowers will go down in history as the Bill that helped "Turn the Tide" for GLBT Civil Rights.  Not because of The bill itself (which does very little)..but because for the first time in Indiana CEO's and Protesters stood side by side and said "We aren't going to tolerate this treatment any more." and the State was hit the only place that makes any difference to them...directly in their wallets.

Now the eyes of a Nation are on us. With BBC coverage, it is true to say the eyes of the World.

We have both Republican and Democrat Gubernatorial hopefuls for 2016 that want to expand Civil Rights in this State to encompass both sexual orientation and gender identity. 

And the uprising started by the original bill was the spark that set off the powderkeg of change. 

And THAT is a good thing  Instead of lamenting that the fixed bill doesn't go far enough...try to savour the small wins along with the large and take a moment to process what this particular win has accomplished...in the big picture. 

And for those of you who have a problem with equal civil rights protection for everyone...I only have one word:   EVOLVE.

More anon...

State Politics in Indiana...Sit Down and Pass the Popcorn!

This may be the face of a man with his unmentionables caught in a wringer.

Ironically, the "fix" to RFRA as proposed may actually offer a layer of protection to the LGBT community that they didn't previously have.  To refuse to sign the fix shows what we have known all along that this was a direct follow up to the passage of SSM and was directly meant as a way for business owners to refuse service to gays and lesbians.

If he signs it Micah, Eric and his rabid Christian Cronies heads explode in unison and he is branded as a RINO.

If he doesn't sign the State stays in the World News...not in a good way. It helps reinforce the idea that the bill's entire purpose was to discriminate...and we lose businesses, events, and revenues...as a bonus he also pisses off major Indianapolis businesses like Eli Lilly.

Not Good. This must be what President Obama feels like...pretty much ALL the time...don't you think?

Either option...he is still finished politically. So there is an upside, I guess. 

To repeal RFRA may be his only option...that would be a punt. 

We'll see.

And look at that face. How could you NOT feel sorry for that? Like a scolded puppy.

Let me explain. 

Typically, I am certainly not a "cheer while the World is burning" kind of person. Okay, maybe sometimes I am.  However...this time I am not only huddled around the bonfire..I've brought the fucking marshmallows, okay?

When Pence looks you in the face and says he did not know this bill was designed to legislate discrimination...he is LYING to you, okay?  Mike and his band of Merry Uber Conservatives have been fighting gay rights/SSM since the year 2000. This entire piece of legislation was drafted in response to the legalization of SSM in Indiana.

It is a matter of public record.
Look it up. 

And we don't even have to go back that far. Before the RFRA was signed- 30 law professors sent a signed statement of their own, warning Pence of the repercussions of signing such a bill.  So how the hell could he be shocked and stunned at the blow-back he has received?

So...are you feeling a bit more like kicking the puppy now?

But wait...there is more...

How can we forget the George Stephanopoulos interview in which Pence was asked (less than a week ago) if he thought lesbians and gays should be discriminated against (regardless of this bill)...and asked to answer yes or no....three times,and he could not do it. 

For the RECORD, Mr. Pence..the correct answer is NO.

If the question had been:
Is it okay to discriminate against Christians...the answer would STILL have been NO.

The correct answer is always
NO.

It isn't a "trick question". No "Gotcha" moment. Just being a goddamn human being.

"Okay...bring me my boots and that damned dog."

And, if you are still wondering why I am clutching the bag of Stay-Pufts; here is a response to today's proposed "fix" by one of the people who heavily supported this bill:

Advance America, the nonprofit lobbying group run by influential lobbyist Eric Miller, posted on its website that the "Indiana Senate and Indiana House of Representatives will be voting to destroy the Religious Freedom Restoration Act."

[sic]

The legislative fix forbids using the law to discriminate against someone's gender identification or sexual orientation.

REALLY?

"woof woof...yelp.."

So-

Add the Words or Repeal it.   (Miz Carla sees a Repeal in her crystal ball...but you never know...)


We're waiting.

In the meanwhile both John Gregg (D) and Mayor Ballard (R) are now climbing over the still warm corpse and making all the right noises to kick off their 2016 Gubernatorial Run.

Pull up a seat and enjoy the fire. It is going to be a long night.

 "Marshmallow, guys?" 

OMG...............he signed it!  The sound you just heard in the background was Micah, Eric and Smith's heads spontaneously exploding!  Mike...I still won't vote you back into office...but you did the right thing, finally! 

                                      (looking a bit less than thrilled)


 
Disclaimer:   No puppies were actually harmed in the making of this blog. Nor does the writer of said blog in any way support or encourage the kicking of puppies. Just politicians. Often Repeatedly.

The Ripples...Hannah's Birthday...Gardening Ideas and a New Recipe

Front page of my morning paper....

~laughing~

Oh sure. You're all looking around yourselves now. And did you manage to catch Governor Pence earlier in the week on GMA?  Seriously??? The man was asked point blank, yes or no, whether LGBT should be discriminated against overall...not just in reference to this badly botched bill...THREE TIMES...and he would not answer the question.

Which, of course, is your answer.

By early morning he was steadfastedly defending the RFRA again.

Mayor Ballard has called for a repeal, or at the very least, protective legislation passed so this bill can't be used to chose who gets to "sit at the lunch counter". Not that he really cares, of course. This is the guy that wanted to incarcerate the homeless for...er...being homeless, okay? But the GOP are notorious for walking over the bodies of their crushed party members when there is a political light at the end of the tunnel. 

"oops...sorry Mike...was that your head?"

Ballard is a lot of things...but he isn't stupid. He knows which way the wind is blowing and who butters his  bread. Revenues from Downtown businesses and events. And, he sees Pence's stumble and fall as a sure way to clear a path to the Governorship.

For Mayor Ballard, Christmas has come early this year.


Six of Indianapolis' major corporations...including Eli Lilly have sent CEO's to fight the RFRA. The fiscal backlash has been swift and terrible.  Bosma and Ballard have started the back-pedal and "let's fix this thing" hoping to repair some of the damage Pence has done.

I kind of want to send him a tee-shirt that reads

I passed the RFRA 
And all I got was This Lousy Tee-Shirt
(and Lost All HOPE of re-election
or a Presidential Bid)

Anyway...Miz Cleo...er...Carla predicts either a Repeal (less likely) or additional protective legislation (where my money is ) before the end of the week.

We will see!

To paraphrase Brando's character in Apocalypse Now:

"I LOVE the smell of Politics in the Morning!"


Enjoyed part of Spring Break with two of my grand-daughters last week.

Kaylee...With Easter crafts, lunch out together, checking out the new Children's Section at my Local library and making Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies to enjoy with tea and share with EVERYONE!

And Hannah...for a lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings (...my FAVORITE, Grandma Rose...) and some pre-shopping for her Birthday outfit...and planting flowers and crafts.


Grandchildren are the BEST!

Everyone came together for Hannah's 8th Birthday Party on Sunday!

 

                        

 

All of the Grandparents, family and friends showed up. Tanya outdid herself with the arrangements and the cooking! 
All in all it was perfect.  She had a wonderful day!

                                                        It Bloomed!

So...slowly but surely there is hope for Spring. Not quite basking weather yet...but perfect to tuck in some pansies and Johnny-Jump-Ups.

Just the very beginning of "muddy knees and dirt 'neath my nails" season.
Big plans for this year. A small water feature. Several heirloom roses. A lot more herbs...including fresh bay. And I found this idea on Pintrest that I love love love...and plan to do throughout the house. Mini water lilies and other aquatic plants anchored in decorative gravel at the bottom of apothecary jars. 

I may even add a Betta to a couple of the container gardens!

But for now...picking up the dead-fall and leftover leaves and such and starting this year's compost box. Using the end of last year's deep rich black soil to feed my existing Roses and Boxwoods and fill baskets and planters. As soon as it gets a bit warmer going to touch up the arbour and do a re-paint outdoors. So nice to be able to sit on the patio with my morning cup and watch the sun rise again.

Only

More days until our Spring Adventure, Idgy!

Can't wait! 

Everything should be warm and green and beautiful by then. Looking forward to our mutual birthday celebration...some horticultural and geological larceny (our MO) and laugh and chat until dawn!

Okay...and maybe singeing our eyebrows off with the candles.

LOL!


Today's recipe is fairly straight ahead...and is great for a quick breakfast, or as a nice dessert after a meal.

Grilled Honey Glazed Fresh Peaches

Cut in half and pit fresh peaches. Use One peach for each serving.

Brush cut sides with Honey
(I like to use wild-flower honey as it has a stronger flavor)

Lightly sprinkle the cut sides with cinnamon.

Grill honey side down for 7-10 minutes.

Cool for 3 minutes. Serve with a dollop of Vanilla Yogurt and garnish with a sprig of mint (optional)

Just delicious!

WELL...that didn't take long.

Complete with a FB Site...lol!  

https://www.facebook.com/GregBallardforGovernor


And you think I make these things up.


So as reprehensible as he is to me "Go Greg!"  Get that anti-discrimmination legislation together and passed. 

We can deal with you in 2016.

You know what is wrong with being clairvoyant?

Very few surprises.