Today is a time of reflection for me

I've been thinking a lot today about my country.  Thirteen years ago, E and I were newly retired and living in a family owned condo while our new home in Florida was being built when my son called us, "Do you have the t.v. on Mom? Do you know what is happening?" and my answer was no...and we turned on the worst our nation had experienced since (IMHO) Pearl Harbor.  We had been attacked.

And today, I am thinking that why does it have to take a horrific event like Pearl or 9/11 to bring us together as a nation.  The recent beheading of two American free lance newsmen might be the catalyst that spurs us to nationality, the togetherness this fragmented nation needs but, sad to say, we only seem to respond to horrific huge loss of life to spur us to become one. 

I am a conservative liberal and my husband is a liberal conservative so we meet a happy medium...shame our country can not do the same!  We respect each other's view points though we do not agree on all of them.  At least we give each other credit for having both our best interests at heart.

I have a good friend who sends me posts he find interesting.  He is a stanch believer in what I often do not but he know I read his posts as I need to know all sides before I make decisions and he and I respect each other enough to have civilized conversations allowing the other to speak.  We do not have to agree.  The respect is enough. Shame that is not true in our government today.

So, I am sad today that my nation, my country is so lacking in respect...respect for our President, for our elected officials ( and I do not think most have earned that respect so I so understand the lack here), and,  most importantly,  each other.

Is it going to take another calamity, more loss of life, more sadness to bring us back to doing what we need to do as citizens of this country? We need to take care of us, our children and our future as a nation.

The United States is currently 18th among the 36 industrialized nations.

 

Now, how the hell did that happen?  Doctors censor themselves, lawyers censor themselves so who  dictates how teachers teach? Who allowed people who have never been in the classroom decide how a teacher could best impart knowledge and educate her/his students?  And who decides what teachers are good and what ones are not...not a state test ! There are bad doctors, bad lawyers and bad teachers but only teachers are not governed by other teachers.  

 

If you have read this far, thank you.  I am sad for our country.  If we continue on the path that we have so far, we are never going to be the GREAT country I knew, the GREAT country I KNOW we have the potential to become once again.

 

I am sad because I don't see a bright future.  

The List

When Colvin spent the night last, he was talking about all the things he wanted to do on his next visit and he went on and on.  I reminded him we only do one BIG thing when either of the boys spend the night so he said, "Let's make a list, Nana".  (they must make a lot of lists at his house...lol).  And we did. 

Now, we always do 3 things but they are standard and not BIG things.  The boys always help Papa cook breakfast the next morning, they always get ice cream with Nana (and sometimes we let Papa come too especially if he is treating!), and we always watch a movie cuddled on the couch or Nana and Papa's bed).  So, Colvin "dictated" his list to me and then said, "Brudder needs a list too!" so we started Landon's.  His turn is next so I imagine he'll have as many as his little "brudder" before the visit is over.

I don't know what is on your fridge, but mine has been enhanced by the boys' lists!

The Grands on Labor Day continued.

After we helped Papa clean up the kitchen, we headed to Spring Bayou to take some flowers to our mermaid and have a short walk.  Next, after we got home,  Colvin and I took a spin or three around the block and then back to our house to change.  It was off to the Splash Park to meet up with the Grands' daddy, sis and "brudder".  And what a great time we had...

After about an hour, it was lunch and nap time.  Colvin and Nana were both ready for some rest.  Around 4, we headed towards the kids' house with a short stop for what has become our Grand tradition...ice cream!  We stopped at the new gelato place in Old Palm Harbor that had been highly recommended by Mr. Roger, the Jolly Trolley driver Sat. but it was closed.  On to Strachens on Tampa Road and nothing would do but Colvin have the same kind of ice cream that "Brudder" had...Birthday Cake!

A brief clean up in the bathroom and Colvin joined his sibs at home.  I am not sure who has the most fun on these sleep over weekends at our house...us or the Grands. 

New Day...new Grand son.

We started our morning with Landon learning how to make E's grandmother's pancakes which are more like crepes than anything else and very yummy.  I prefer mine with jam but  Landon and Papa are purists...syrup all the way with plenty of butter!

Because thunder storms threatened the late afternoon, we moved the swim and dinner to swim and lunch.  Chris brought Colvin and Leighton over and we all had a great time in the pool.  Landon and Leighton went home with their daddy sufficiently worn out and fed.

After Colvin's nap, we began our adventure with other "brudder" as the boys call each other.  We showed Colvin the surprise two wheelers and he was offfffffffffffffff Speed Racer.  He and I spent about an hour circling the block and discussing the pros and cons of the two bikes.

 We cooled down by watching the Muppets Caper (lots of which were way over his head) with lots of discussion as the movie unfolded.  Who is Colvin's favorite muppet?  Why Miss Piggy of course!  We took a final half hour dip in the pool after dinner, got into our jammies and read books.  Nana fell asleep around 8:15 and Colvin and Papa watch American Ninja something or other til around 9. 

Bright and early Monday morning, Colvin was up and wanting to help Papa make breakfast...EGGGGS for Colvin.

 After breakfast, Colvin and I took flowers from my garden to the mermaid at Craig Park, had a nice walk and then went home to ride the bike around and around again.  Around ten, we met Landon, Leighton and daddy at the Splash Park for a full hour (maybe more) of aquatic fun.  I'll post the pics from the rest Colvin's visit soon so check back.