DO Something January 26, 2007
Posted by sideways in War.add a comment
I can fuss, complain, moan, groan, but it does not count unless I DO something. I am helping my neighbor with a broken foot, tutoring in English, trying to be a reasonable consumer, using environmentally friendly habits, products and foods. I try not to yell a lot at my teenager. Try to cook a decent dinner. I am not perfect, nor a saint nor a martyr, but in my own small ways I fight the war, little and big. I have a bumper sticker on my car, I vote, and I express my opinions while working to make a community. I am tired, but not broken, and I will persist in being a good person. I cannot win the big Iraq war, so I work on not losing my own small battles. Every little nudge towards the good counts. Every little thought and deed–it all accumulates to goodness. And that is my motive for this day.
Thanksgiving November 22, 2006
Posted by sideways in The cats, Uncategorized.add a comment
I am thankful for Pip the psycho cat who appeared at our backdoor four years ago, Thanksgiving Eve, starving, emaciated, beautiful and loving. Loving, because he was starving. He has now fully recovered his health, but not a happy state of mind. He is Galileo Pip Dickens von R., orange and white, gorgeous moon face, and totally crazy mean to me. At least other members of the household can pet him a little. He was meant to be ours, I guess. Anyone else would have taken him to the deathhouse (an attractive idea to me some days, just kidding). Oh, Pip, the wonder cat. I wonder how you can be so lovely and so demented. Happy Thanksgiving, you little Pilgrim.
Animals November 22, 2006
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Who are the “animals” in this world? For some reason, stories of animal cruelty seem to be on the increase. Not to mention our own government failing in so many ways to protect the environment for all of us. How short sighted can we be? I cannot believe these decisions are made by anyone with children. Are they so deluded, so greedy? I am trying hard to remain optimistic but everything seems to be going right down the tubes. I knew it would, just not so fast. I just want my son to have a decent and happy life.
Flowers are the earth’s laughter? August 18, 2006
Posted by sideways in Funnies, Uncategorized.add a comment
Are worms just a giggle? Dust, a sneeze?
Are rocks like goose bumps? Weeds a smirk?
Are her sighs in a breeze?
HOT.* August 18, 2006
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*.off the presses, *.dog, *.as Hades, *.flashes, *.mama
*.as Austin is right now…HOT
(coming to theatres soon….DRY.*)
Not another learning experience…. July 28, 2006
Posted by sideways in Uncategorized.add a comment
Like the bumper sticker, I express dismay at more life-bumps. I keep thinking things will smooth out; but even with a smooth pavement, I’ve got a rock to push up the hill, again, and again.
The car, again. Can’t afford a new one, can’t afford to fix this one…
The friend I have most likely lost because I could not bear to lie to her child, my former student, about his mother’s life-threatening illness. I chose silence. She chose to end our relationship. Someday I hope he will realize I was one of the few who kept trust in escrow for him.
The man I love, who weathered brain surgery, a pre-teen, and 23 years at a job that may end in the next few weeks.
And me, not quite ready for primetime in the job market again, now looking for something that won’t strain my integrity. I loved the gardening retail job but too many changes, and too many needs from the child this summer.
And the cat, still living with cancer, still hanging on. I cooked chicken just for her this morning, and she loved it. As long as she still loves ANYthing–sunshine, a headrub, a sardine bit–we’ll keep her going.
Gee whiz, I feel so mortal today. I feel attached but unconnected. Even Abraham bargained with God; do my skeptic’s arguments stand a chance? I shouldn’t wheedle and plead with the universe, and yet, sotto voce, I carry on a dialogue with the What-If who may be in charge.
OK, OK, next post will be something cheerful. I still have a lot to be grateful for, e.g., the friends who drive me when the car is broken; the friends who understand my stand on truthtelling and illness; the man I love who survived everything and with whom I hope to share the rest of my life; the fact that I worked for a year at a job I loved; the child who is beautiful in spirit and great on a skateboard; five other cats to love; and a universe that is at least not boring.
And I have a rock to push and a hill ahead and a beautiful sunny pavement. Someplace to go.
And now, for something completely different…Taxes April 12, 2006
Posted by sideways in Funnies, Uncategorized.add a comment
Yes, yes, taxes are not very funny. But the tax laws can be amusing. Here are a few of my favorite tax laws, taken from the free to-the-public, world famous Publication 17.
Barter – You already knew that professional bartering is taxed, yes?
Bribes – If you receive a bribe include it in your income. (p.85)
Found Property – If you find and keep property that does not belong to you that has been lost or abandoned (treasure trove) it is taxable to you at its fair market value in the first year it is in your undisputed possession. (p. 87)
Illegal Income - Illegal income, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Form 1040, Line 21, or on Schedule C or C-EZ (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity. (p. 87)
Kickbacks must also be reported. And beware, just in case you won a Pulitzer or Nobel Prize; those are taxable under certain conditions, too.
And finally, Stolen Property – If you steal property you must report its fair market value in your income in the year you steal it, unless in the same year you return it to its rightful owner.
So, if you get anything, anytime, unless it was a gift of some insubstantial value, whether through winning, trading, finding, stealing, bribing, legally or illegally obtaining, your government gets a bite. Did we leave anything out?
Thanatopsis April 12, 2006
Posted by sideways in Uncategorized.2 comments
http://www.bartleby.com/102/16.html
To me this is a comforting poem about death.
Peripheral vision April 11, 2006
Posted by sideways in The friends, The garden.1 comment so far
An online meditation suggested taking the usual tunnel vision we use in every day life (stressing out over small things) and widen our perception, increasing our mindfulness in a 360 direction. So I did.
And was instantly awash with the world's grief and beauty all at once. Whoa, narrow that vision again. I'm just going to focus on moving forward a little each day, focus on one aspect of grace and beauty, and get one ugly hateful loathesome thing I put off done that day (like clean the fridge).
Yeah, that's the ticket for me right now. Breathe deep but live shallow for the most part. My career involved deep thinking; I do that so reflexively that I get all het up about mostly nothing and spin my wheels in aggravation. Enough! I shall go have tea in my garden and gather a handful of fallen rose petals to play with until my cherub arrives home from school.
Relatively anonymous April 11, 2006
Posted by sideways in Uncategorized.add a comment
How can my thoughts be shared without revealing identity? Am I writing this for me or for anyone else? Perhaps I need two blogs, with one being the REAL me, divulging all the petty secrets, uncomfortable prejudices, stupid reasoning, pitfalls and pratfalls…
Nahhhh…
