Small Things Count

Today’s Thursday Thought is a reminder that we’re living in a world that depends on each individual one of us.

Coaches (the good ones) teach sportsmanship to their young players. They should do the same for the parents. If you’ve attended ball games and such to support your or a friend’s children, you’ve probably heard other parents not, shall we say, being a good example to their kids.

Today, on Memorial Day, let us remember with love and appreciation ALL those who died in service to our nation. Those who were killed in battle or died of wounds.  Those who returned home but later died as a result of diseases and conditions due to the environment they served in, such as Agent Orange. Those whose lives were so traumatized that they died of suicide, not being able to handle PTSD.  Those who returned but no longer had a life to return to and so died, homeless, on the streets.

Let us say thank you to all of them, and may they rest in the peace that they attempted to provide in our world.

Can someone please explain to me why, if guns are safe and all gun-owners responsible, why are GUNS NOT ALLOWED at National Rifle Association conventions?

Today’s Thursday Thought quote focuses on the benefits of caring for our fellow human beings rather than hating them.

Only in America is this a cancer. This month alone, up through yesterday (May 24)–44 mass shootings in almost half of our states. Note that the month isn’t even over. Such carnage is increasing, from 417 (2019), to 611 (2020), to 693 (2021). We’re well on our way in 2022 to topping last year’s dubious record. Check these figures and previous months/years at https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/

So many people, going about their daily lives–adults shopping or going to church, children at school, like yesterday’s 9-10-year-olds in Texas–hurt or killed. So many families’ lives changed forever.

No matter how we interpret the Second Amendment or cherish or fear guns, THIS MUST STOP! We must put aside political party, close our ears to lobbyists, and do the right thing. I’m not advocating taking away anyone’s guns except from those who are at best irresponsible and at worst dangerous, those who are immature, mentally/emotionally incompetent, unwilling to ensure their guns can’t be stolen or unknowingly used by others, have deep-seated hatred toward ethnic groups. Isn’t this just common sense? Of course it is. So why are we NOT doing what needs to be done to save lives from gun violence?

We humans always look for someone to blame for things that disrupt our lives. Some people are so handy, so visible that they’re easy to get mad at. Who’s to blame for gas prices, and are people tossing blame in the right direction?

If you’ve been reading my blogs awhile, you know that I’m an animal-lover. I’m even a turtle-lover. Her name is Shelley (of course…she has a lovely shell) and she’s a red-eared slider. When my son gave her to me a few years ago, I tried to be enthusiastic. (What the #@&!!! was I going to do with a turtle?) She grew on me, coming over to me when I’m beside her large outdoor tank and looking up at me with eyes that say, “I’ starving! Feed me.” We have a game we play: as I scoop out debris from the surface, she chases the net. She even exercises my Border Collie, who runs around and around the tank, jumping her front paws up onto the edge, while Shelley looks at her from her sunning deck with what I imagine is an attitude of “You don’t impress me…yawn.”

In honor of Shelley (I’ve actually bonded with a turtle?!), I offer you her picture on this World Turtle Day.

In today’s Thursday Thought quote/picture, Charlaine Harris gives us a great idea for an enjoyable yet cheap vacation.

Happy “hump day”!  And keep your mind out of the gutter.  Every Wednesday is a red-letter day because we’re over the “hump” of the work week. The phrase “over the hump” originated in WWII and referred to the hard, dangerous flight of supplies over the Himalayan Mountains. Eventually the phrase referred to anything that was particularly difficult. Since at least the 1980s it came to mean you made it to noon on the middle day of the work week, so you’re on your way to your weekend. The rest of the week would be good. Thursday was usually payday, and Friday was the last working day of the week.  After lunch today, enjoy riding the hum down to a relaxing weekend.