The yellow primrose stained glass Light-catcher

I had a dream about this last night (and wrote a poem based on the dream). Click image to view larger. (Art piece by me.)

Geese and Goslings

Yep, I took this this spring. The goslings all look like geese now. And essentially are. Click image to view larger.

Choosing to be PC

I am tired of people who make fun of and criticize those of us who make an effort to be "Politically Correct (PC)" because they, the critics, want to do and say mean things. How "tedious" those critics say we are when we try to be sensitive to the feelings of others, as if tediousness were a worse affront than what they are perpetrating with their thoughtless (or intentional) meanness.
I'll be the first to admit my own occasional hypocrisy in that I, too, have said, upon occasions, "forgive me for this un-PC remark (or joke), but . . . " and then proceeded to say something that might offend someone else if they were listening (I'm assuming [and hoping] they are not.) However, I try to be careful, to do it as rarely as possible, be aware of the possible harm of it, and feel appropriately guilty.
These days, (some) people (alarmingly many) seem to have lost the ability to feel shame and guilt for inappropriate behavior. Strangely, the radio, which happens to be on as I write this, just repeated the exact words I was writing, a synchronicity that echoes and underscores the spiritual nature of this quest. "What quest?" you might ask. Why, the continuing quest to live honorable lives and to make honorable choices, of course. To be good, to live a life based on making loving and thoughtful choices. Is that not what we all hope for, to be the best people we can be? This is why we need to examine our choices, our words, and our behavior.)
Do I, as an imperfect human, have the right to criticize others when I myself sometimes act out, act shamelessly. When I'm in a shamelessly negative frame of mind, I tend to be belligerent about my right to be wrong. Don't criticize me, my behavior seems to say, or I'll slap you down, if only verbally. It seems possible that other people might be following a similar script. (Where'd it come from?) I do not know why I am sometimes like that but I wish I weren't. Luckily, I'm not that way too often (I hope). I do tend to sometimes ignore my own foibles, but then again, I tirelessly beat up on myself, too. The point is, someone has to bring up issues like criticizing the PC. Not airing the dirty laundry keeps the elephant in the room endlessly, to mix metaphors. So yes, I can talk about this, even though I am imperfect. We must talk about it.
I would prefer that people would get over their objections to making a real attempt at being PC and stop hassling and criticizing those who attempt to express kindness though considered political correctness. Being PC means being kind, considerate, loving and caring. It means being inclusive rather than exclusive. It means being able to follow the golden rule at a deep level and to truly do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It means being sensitive to the needs and feelings of other. It means that if you have to laugh at someone, laugh at yourself, not someone else. I guess that's not cool in our brash new society, but I'd like everyone to get over a version of "coolness" that requires meanness (in my opinion, there is nothing cool about cruelty) and consider a version of coolness that involves love and consideration.
OK, so I'm a Goody Two-Shoes (where did that expression come from--if I knew, I've forgotten) and sounding almost religious and preachy. I don't want to be preachy or offend or be offended. I don't want to be mean to others or have them be mean to me. I don't want to make blond jokes or forgive me Polak jokes or jokes about fat people or stupid people or "retards" or anyone else. No jokes about old people or short people, either.
Why is it that we want to join others in laughing at someone else? Is it an instinctive behavior, like chickens pecking to death an injured comrade or wolves attacking and killing a non-pack-member that inadvertently wanders into their midst? Is it like sororities and fraternities? If you laugh hard enough at someone else's expense, you get to be in the in-group? I wish that we could be civilized enough to rise above that pack-mentality behavior. Must we be sheep? Need we follow the hurtful examples of the lowest common denominator?
I want us all, including me, to be aware of what we are saying and speak and act with love in our hearts in an honorable thoughtful way and I want others to treat me that way. It's not always easy, but I'd like us to work at it and have others do the same and not criticize those who try--in my mind, it's the constant critics who are tedious, not those who try to be PC.

In all the vastness of the Universe

In all the vastness of the Universe, it's amazing Keith and I met, and I am glad we did.

I am studying Adobe Illustrator and this is lesson 1: open a document, make a shape, fill it. Click image to view larger.

At the Butterfly House at the Detroit Zoo

I'm home from my trip to California but we've been away over Labor Day and now I am leaving for a two-day sleep study. There are gazillions of butterflies at the Detroit Zoo, more than I've ever seen before, flockinge everywhere! (I think they said over 300, but it sure seemed like more than that!) WOW! It was amazing! See another here, at IMAGIK.

Back from California

I'm back from California but may be going away again for a few days. Here I am inside a redwood in California, photoby Gail at Eureka Community Redwood Forest.

What I Ate for Lunch: Yellow Pancake Roll-ups

"Yellow Pancakes" is the name my children gave crepes when they were small.  I haven't eaten them in years, but lately, I've been on a yellow pancake kick.  They are so easy and quick and allow me to eat healthy, non allergenic food without spending too much time cooking. 

The old basic recipe was this:  1/4 fourth cup flour, 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk, blend and cook in a crepe pan with butter.

My new recipe is this:  1/4 cup organic whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup rice milk, 1/4 cup egg subsitute, added seeds and bran.  I cook them until they "harden."  It it not necessary to turn them but I sometimes do for color.  I do NOT use a blender, I whisk or stir them by hand.  (No blender to wash).

Then roll in your favorite sandwich ingredients.  E.g.:  fresh garden veggies and homemade salsa, rice and beans, fruit and homemade fruit jellies (for dessert.)

They are delicate and messy but oh so delicious and quick and easy.  I am sorry I have no pictures, I always get excited and eat them before I remember to photograph them.

Remembering to Notice

One of the first tenets of Zen Buddhism is awareness:  noticing.  But Noticing is hard work.  I am having a problem with noticing in simple areas of my life.  Pills for example.  If I take the same pill three times a day every day, one time blends into the next.  I can't remember if I've taken one at a given meal.  I've tried logging them, but I can't remember if I took them to log them.  I shake the bottle to bring my attention to what I'm doing.  I turn the bottle upside down.  I'm afraid I'm getting senile and will have to get one of those pill things with 5 times a day to take pills that my Mom had.  I should have taken hers when she died.

Right now, I am noticing that even though it's hot and muggy outside, my bare feet are cold in here.

Biker Buddy rules

We were out walking and a huge storm came rolling in with thunder, lighting, wind and sudden hard rain. Biker Buddy ran home and got the car and picked me up--he got soaked--and then took me to the mall to complete our walk--even though he was still soaked! There was six-eight inches of water in the streets and the traffic lights were out. Hard driving waiting turns at every light and puddling through the water. The sky looked GREEN but it doesn't show up in the photos. Tornado warnings.

flower photo Friday

It's been a long time since I've done a flower photo Friday, but here's one for today. I like the bell-like shape this hibiscus made in yesterday's rain. Click image to view larger. See another view of this.

PS: just a reminder: I'll be away and incommunicado all next week.