Sunday? Time for Photos!

A week in photos!
Last Monday, Karen and I took the day off.  We asked Linda to join us for general mischief, and she was happy to oblige!  We did a lot of driving in the local area, looking at cool houses, and then we saw this:

I call it "The Adoration of the Flaking Baby", because he was.  Please note 2 things:  1)  I was on a stranger's porch.  I only had the camera on my phone (more about that later), so had to get really, really close.  2)  Mary's "halo" is a candy dish!

Tuesday was "More Attacks on Women from the Republican Brotherhood"--really, that's every day--when Indiana Rep. Bob Morris declared Girl Scouts were "a radical group" .  Geez, when will these idiots learn?!  I was proud to be a Girl Scout, proud my daughter and nieces were Girl Scouts, and I could go on.  Anyway, I found this photo of me.

I try to ride my bike to work when the weather is nice, but because it's technically winter, I do my biking at home.  In the basement.  The previous owner was nice enough to give us a view...

I had to take my camera in for repair a couple of weeks ago, and it was a challenge to keep up the "Photo a Day".  But I did it, and I love the work these people did on my camera--I honored them with the first shot with the almost-new camera.  Thank you!

Friday, we celebrated Beth's 50th birthday!  Here, she admires my "Partridge Family" shoes.  I wore them just for her.

Saturday night, there was an auction at our church.  It's dangerous to drink and drive, but in my opinion, it's far more dangerous to drink and bid!

Today was the last home game of the season, AND was Breast Cancer Awareness Day.  The band said it best....

What? More Photos? OK!

It's women's basketball season in these parts.  We have season tickets, but when we can't make it to a game (if it's away), we go to the next best place--Linda's house!  Today was chili and cornbread and big screen television.  If I had another hand, there would have been beer in the photo too.

Tuesday was Valentine's Day.  I love the color red, so this is an easy holiday to like.  Fresh snowfall, a Solo cup, and voila!  Photos of the Day.....

Morning.....

Afternoon....

Later in the week, we were at a home women's basketball game.  It was a hard-fought battle, our team lost, and I cheered on the team so much I broke a blood vessel in my hand.  Why yes, I am hard-core!

Keep in mind it's February here.  It snowed earlier in the week (see above).  It's been an unusually mild winter, but I was still surprised to see how high the daffodils were already.  I call this one, "Overachievers".

Saturday night, we went to see the Broadway play, "Proof".  And here's the...well...proof....

Today, I attended a retreat for a Board I am on.  It was a nice day, I was feeling unmotivated, it would have been soooo easy to blow it off, but then I wouldn't have been in the right place at the right time to take these photos.  And, I would have missed a very good meeting.

Also, in the interests of full disclosure, almost all of these photos were taken with the camera on my phone.  My precious Panasonic being repaired.  I miss her, but the phone is doing an admirable job.

Transvaginal. Ultrasound. Yes, Transvaginal.

Sometimes it's best to have a visual.  I'm not apologizing for the image above.  I hope it shocks you, makes you gasp, look away, get mad....all of the above.  I hope you're pissed as hell, and I hope THIS is the kick in the ass you need to get involved.
Because THAT--up there--is now allowed to happen to women who who are seeking reproductive health services in the state of Virginia.  The Republican governor has promised to sign this bill as soon as it reaches his desk.  Yes, in the United States of America.  In 2012. 
In case you haven't heard, from now on, if a woman in Virginia wants an abortion, the doctor will be REQUIRED to do a transvaginal ultrasound.  For no other reason than the legislature told the doctor to--there is no medical reason why this is necessary.  It's just that men in suits in March 2012 decided that they would love to rape a woman without getting their hands dirty.  They would love to rape a woman because they can.
Let me let that sink in.
Rape--a sexual assault initiated without a person's consent.  This is what the legislature voted to have done to women who don't consent.  Girls who are abused, pregnant, and need an abortion.  They have to be "probed".  Women who are raped, need a abortion--a legal medical procedure, are required to be "probed". Again.  I could go on, but this just makes me sick.
What the hell?  Have men in the United States lost their minds?  Yes, you can remind me that women are legislators too, but they are not a majority of the legislator in any state in the United States.  This is proposed by men, and approved by men.   
I thought it was our economy that sucked, that we needed jobs and infrastructure, and good education; clean air and clean water and safe food.
Turns out that, according to a lot of Republicans, a lot of male legislators, what we really need is to fuck our women any way we can.  Some call it a transvaginal probe, some call it rape.  I call it frightening.
And don't get me started on the "Personhood at Conception" bill that was also passed, most recently in Virginia. 

Please....get mad.  Get involved.  Draw the line in the sand NOW.
At the very least, donate.  To NARAL.  To Planned Parenthood.  To the Democratic Party.  Because the Republicans have just proved all they want to do is fuck you and your women.  Literally.

Can We Take a Moment?

In the midst of another Monday, another political-story-that-doesn't-mean-squat-really, I would ask you to take a moment and look at this photo.  Really LOOK at it.
Look behind the candidate--at the woman to his left.  Look at his wife, Karen.
This should tell you all you need to know about the measure of this man.
This man is not "pro-life".  This man is pro-Rick Santorum.
How can anyone look at her and not feel sympathy?  Her face says it all--she wants, needs to be somewhere else.  Not here, at stupid CPAC.  No, she knows she should be with her child.  You remember, the one who's dying?  Three years old?  Isabella, who has a fatal genetic disorder?  Remember her?
Her mom remembers.  Her mom knows where she should be, and it's not here on this stage, at this Convention that is meaningless.
 Oh yes, you can justify it by saying that Karen has a choice, that she chose to be with her husband.  Really?  You think she really has a choice?  When she's married to Mr-I'm-pro-life-and-women-can't-have-that-choice?
Look at him.  Look at her.  Is THIS the man you want to lead the free world?  Someone who has chosen a meaningless job over his own kid, who is dying?  A man who, on his deathbed, will probably say, "I should have spent more time at the office?"
Pro-life indeed.
I was once a sick kid.  Really pretty sick--at about age 3, I was in the hospital with pneumonia.  In an oxygen tent.  That was back in the day when parents weren't allowed to stay with their sick kids--they had to follow strict visiting hours.  I cannot tell you how much I missed my parents when they weren't there.  Yes, I do remember.  And when I look at this photo, my heart breaks.
My advice to the Santorum family?  Go home.  Cuddle and hug that little girl that really needs you right now.  Nothing else in this world should matter more.    

Tired of photos yet?

This week, we've had a lot of frozen fog--I always remember the weatherman in England saying, "I must be careful when saying frost and fog...otherwise, it comes out fost and frog!"  Fost and frog indeed--I did notice the lights reflecting in the windows when I took this, but thought they added a warm touch to an otherwise cold day.

I got sick this week, which means a round of antibiotics and Prednisone.  I hate the drugs, but do like to keep breathing, so....this is what my morning regime looks like.  Most of these I take on a regular basis, twice a day.

More photos with cats!  Last night, Charlie wanted Karen to play with him in the worst way.  She was ignoring the message.

We used to be on a bowling team, but couldn't handle the rules and regimentation,  so we quit (we're rebels that way).  We really miss our friends and the game, so on a very cold Saturday afternoon, we got together for a couple of games.

The Road to Theocracy...

The road to Theocracy is paved with good intentions.

According to a dictionary:  Theocracy:  "a system of government in which God or a deity is held to be the civil ruler."


When I read that Rick Santorum had won the primaries of 3 states, all I could think was "Theocracy".  For that's what he and his supporters are asking for in this country.  And for those in this country who fear Sharia Law; that is, those who think the "Muslims are going to take over this country", I have a warning for you.  Once you open the door to electing only those who share YOUR "Christian values", there's no shutting it.  If people get used to being governed by only fundamentalist Christians, why wouldn't they agree to being governed by fundamentalist any religion?  Why, if you're charismatic enough, and have enough money, you can convince anybody that your God is better than their God.

I've said this before, and I'm sure I will say it again:  Our country, the United States of America, is a Republic.  We, all of us, are responsible for electing other people to represent us.  All of us.  All colors, all genders, all lovers of others, all believers of all religions, AND all non-believers.  If you are elected to public office in this country (any office), you swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States, not the edicts of your clergy.  And that's good, because the Constitution protects all of us--and, if you care to read it, you will note--establishes no state religion.  Which is great.  Because you are allowed to personally believe what you do, and I am allowed to believe what I do, and we have to be aware that our beliefs may not be the same.  Which is good--my church does not tell you what you have to believe, and vice versa.  What we DO have to believe is that our elected officials will represent all of us.  

It's a hard thing to do; represent everyone.  The majority of your constituents, and the minority.  Some elected officials might pray to a deity for guidance.  Some may meditate.  Some others just go with a "gut feeling".  No matter what, I hope the official takes time to consider all sides of an issue, intelligently. I sincerely hope they are guided by the principles of justice and equality, not the latest edict from their religious leader.  [I'm going to digress a moment, and ask--how in the hell does the Catholic Church maintain its' tax exempt status?  Really?] 

Let's take the issue of contraception as an example.  Really, this should not be an issue discussed in government--the job of the government in this case would be to make sure any form of contraception is safe to use, and available to everyone.  Like drinking water.  And air.  And food.  I daresay we don't expect the government to tell us what kind of water to drink, but we do want them to regulate the quality, and ensure an adequate supply.  That's exactly the way our government should handle our health care--make sure it's available to all, it's safe, and then let the people decide what doctor to see, what course of treatment to pursue.  A man "needs" Viagra?  Fine, let him talk to his doctor, and they decide what's best.  He doesn't have to ask his congressional representative if it's OK.  A woman decides she needs birth control.  She talks to her doctor, and based on the medical information, decides what's best.  SHE DECIDES.  If she discovers she's pregnant, SHE decides whether her body can deliver a baby--taking various factors into account.  If she's healthy, feels capable of raising a child, will do all she can to ensure the pregnancy will lead to a healthy child, and so on, she might even consider her own beliefs about adoption, abortion, circumcision...she might decide to consult a religious guide of some kind to help her make her decision.  It's a big one, for sure.  But it's the woman's own choice to make.  She doesn't have to ask her congressional representative if it's OK.  She shouldn't have to ask you, me, or anyone else in this country to take a vote on it.  

It's a basic human right, to have control over your own body.  We tell kids this all the time--it's your body.  Nobody else has a right to touch you.  At what age does that change?  Because for some Americans, if you're a woman, all bets are off.  EVERYONE has a say about your body.  Fuck your fundamental right.

But let's get back to Rick Santorum, shall we?  Oh, he's a slick one. all right.  To save you the trouble of Googling "Rick Santorum", and getting lost, I've done it for you.  The following is from his official campaign website (I skipped past the money beg on the first page):  

http://www.ricksantorum.com/oped/no-more-leading-behind-america

He talks the talk, all about religious liberty and equality for women, respect for all beings, blah blah blah.  But he never walks the walk--he believes life begins at conception, and if elected, you will too.  Especially if you're a woman--no choice for you.  No right of control of your own body.  Liberty for all?  Except if you're gay.  Then the 14th Amendment does NOT apply to you.  Are you a Muslim?  Try not to be too "extreme" in your beliefs, because Rick Santorum will take you out.  And not for dinner.  Is your child in a PUBLIC school?  Not for long, not if Rick Santorum has his way.  Prayer will be back--the right, Christian prayer, that is.  Theocracy all the way...

God help us.

Another week, some more photos

Time for some more photos....

Our cats rarely sleep anywhere near each other.  To find them sleeping on the SAME sofa, in the same space as me, was suspicious......

This week, I did a little light shopping for the library...gee, I'm suddenly hungry....

I rarely get downtown during the week, but I met a friend for lunch, and coming out of the restaurant, I was struck by the contrast of wind turbines and buildings....I might call this "City Sidewalks".

I took a whole series of photos one morning, as I sat in my car.  The frost made such cool patterns on the window, and I played with the focus.....

And another...

We went shopping, and everyone got new shoes--Karen and I (and Karen and I)....

Super Bowl Sunday!  My camera is being repaired, so I am trying to be creative in my effort to take photos every day.  This one is from a friend's camera, so I actually get to be in one.  This is Randy and I--he's so very cool, and I'm just a dork (in case you haven't figured that out already).

More fun with frost on my car--on this morning, the frost was REALLY thick.  I call this one, "What's behind you is not important.  Or maybe it is..."

Once a month at work, I process bills for payment.  I call this photo, "Job security."

And finally, a still from a local horror show, "Return of the Sock"...