Thursday, March 31, 2011

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: THE PAIN GOES ON

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: THE PAIN GOES ON: "This may seem a rather negative essay for this blog--however, it is meant only as a deterrent to anyone who may be in a depressed and ..."

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: THE PAIN GOES ON

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: THE PAIN GOES ON: "This may seem a rather negative essay for this blog--however, it is meant only as a deterrent to anyone who may be in a depressed and negative mood. Depression can be deadly, we must not fall victim to it, but rise above whatever it is that troubles us. It isn't easy, but if we have faith in a higher power He will bring us through if we but ask Him too.

THE PAIN GOES ON

This may seem a rather negative essay for this blog--however, it is meant only as a deterrent to anyone who may be in a depressed  and /or helpless state of mind.  I know few who have not at one time or another in life experienced this particular vulnerability.  I myself have been on both sides of this fence, therefore am able to have empathy for both.  I have suffered through the pain of loss, guilt, what if's, anger, self-loathing, and all of the degrading epithets we place upon ourselves and the loved ones who were unable to withstand whatever illnesses, obstacles, or seemingly impossible onuses life deemed to have placed upon them.


Not long ago I was tuned into the Oprah Show.  I watched as a saddened Marie Osmond related the story of her son Michaels death by his own hand.  I was reminded of a piece of poetry I wrote on this subject several years ago after the death of a loved one's relative.  Every stroke of my pen brought back the horrific feelings that I had to endure upon hearing that my mother had taken her life at the young age of forty-five.  I am a survivor--she was not.  I will not go into why she was not, because that is her story.  Suffice it to say I'm not so sure I could have survived it either.  However, I will say that because of my own grief it kept me from ever doing anything to cause that same grief to my own family no matter how tough the going became.


For anyone out there having a difficult time, know that tomorrow is another day, and help is simply a prayer away.     


The name of my poetry is:  THE PAIN GOES ON--because it does!


                                THE PAIN GOES ON


Suicide is devastating! It tears asunder 
the heart, and rips it until nothing is left except fragments, that continue to haunt like bits and pieces of abstract painting on an artist's canvas.


Explosions of color signifying anger, guilt,
resentment and pain brush across stark white 
void, writhing in wild configurations until--
frustration totally spent--the brush of memory
moves on.


When motion ceases, words appear.
"Why did you leave me?"  
"You didn't love me."
"You're selfish."  


The brush of memory having temporarily purged the pain and frustration, creates new words on yet another stark white canvas.


"I'm sorry!"
"forgive me?"
"I forgive you."
"I'll always love you!"


These fragments are tucked away, and brought out only rarely.  As time goes by, love has replaced anger and resentment--however, 
THE PAIN GOES ON!
                             
  

Sunday, March 27, 2011

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: R.I.P. DAME ELIZABETH

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: R.I.P. DAME ELIZABETH: "I grew up with her movies. I am not an idol worshiper, but I came close with Elizabeth, because my mother looked like her, and I lost ..."

R.I.P. DAME ELIZABETH

I grew up with her movies.  I am not an idol worshiper, but I came close with Elizabeth, because my mother looked like her, and I lost my mother when she was only forty-five.


Just the following memorial from me--short and sweet.


Good night sweet princess--may flights of angels speed thee to thy rest.


I had a little help from Mr. Shakespeare.


God Bless!  See you next time!!



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

MARCEL? YOU HEAR ME?

WHO IN THE HECK IS MARCEL?


The TV has been bombarded of late with ads shouting, "Do you hear me Marcel?"  Even one of our news reporters here in Kern county chants it.  I would like to know who this person is.


I looked up famous Marcels, and the only ones that I thought worth writing about are:


Marcel Marceau--a famous French actor and mime.  His most famous character was called, "Bip the Clown."   Mssr. Marceau was born on March 22, 1923, and died on September 22, 2007.


Marcel Cerdan--a French boxer who was supposedly a peace-loving man, not easily ruffled or given to emotional display.  He was born in 1916--no date of death is given, so perhaps he is still alive.   He would be in his nineties.


Marcel Proust--French Novelist.  He was born in 1871, died in 1922.  He also gave us some famous quotes as follows:


1.   Everything great in the world comes from neurotics.  They alone have founded our religions and composed our master pieces.


2.  Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.


3.   A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.


I wonder if he knew something we didn't about global warming, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and tsunami's?


God Bless!  See you next time!!


Monday, March 21, 2011

DID YOU KNOW?

OVERHEARD ON THE STREET


1.    "Vegetarian   is an old Indian word meaning 'lousy hunter'."


2.   "Did you know that it costs forty-thousand dollars a year to house  each prisoner?  Jeez, for forty-thousand bucks apiece, I'll take a few prisoners into my home.  I live in Los Angeles, so I already have bars on the windows."


3.   "I don't think we should give free room and board to criminals. I think they should have to run twelve hours a day on a treadmill and generate electricity.  If they don't want to run, they can rest in the chair that's hooked up to the generator."


4.   "My wife uses fabric softener. I never knew what that stuff was for until I noticed women coming up to me, sniffing, then saying under their breath, 'Married!' and then walk away.


5.   "Fabric softeners are how our wives mark their territory.  We can take off the ring, but it's hard to get that April fresh scent out of your clothes."


6.   "Men and women are different in the morning.  We men wake up aroused in the morning.  We can't help it.  We just wake up and want you.  And the women are thinking, 'How can he want me the way I look in the morning?' --It's because we can't see you.  We have no blood anywhere near our optic nerve."


7.   "You know those shows where people call in and vote on different issues?  Did you ever notice there's always like 18% that say 'I don't know.'  It costs 90 cents to call up and vote they're voting 'I don't know'.  He says, 'Honey, I feel very strongly about this.  Give me the phone. (Says into the phone) 'I DON'T KNOW!' (Hangs up looking proud.) Tells his wife, 'Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe you're not sure about.'  This guy  probably calls up phone sex girls for $2.95 to say, 'I'm not in the mood'."


8.   "My grandmother has a bumper sticker on her car that says, 'Sexy Senior Citizen.'  You don't want to think of your grandmother that way, do you?  Out entering wet shawl contests. Makes you wonder where she got that dollar she gave you for your birthday."


9.   "Did you ever hear one of those corny, positive phone messages on someone's answering machine? You have two new messages: Beep: 'Hi, it's a great day and I'm enjoying it right now.  I hope you are too.  The thought for the day is: 'Share the love.'  Beep:  'Uh, yeah...this is the VD clinic calling...Speaking of being positive, your test results are back.  Stop sharing the love'."


10.  "Because over the past few years, more money has been spent on breast implants and Viagra than is spent on Alzheimer's Disease  research, it is believed that by the year 2030 there will be a large number of people wandering around with huge breasts and erections who can't remember what to do with them.


Hmmm...I guess we'd better find another street to listen in on!


God Bless!  See you next time!!
.   

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES & GROANS: A JOKE EVERY DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY!!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES & GROANS: A JOKE EVERY DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY!!

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES & GROANS: A JOKE EVERY DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY!!: "There are three kinds of people in this world: Those who can count and those who can't! Man: Doctor, I have a serious problem. &nbsp..."

A JOKE EVERY DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY!!

There are three kinds of people in this world: Those who can count and those who can't!


Man:  Doctor, I have a serious problem.  I can never remember what I just said.
Doctor:  When did you first notice this problem?
Man:  What problem?


FUNNY QUESTIONS:


1.   If it's true that we are here to help others--then what exactly are the others here for?


2.   Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called "rush hour".


3.   Why do they lock gas station bathrooms?  Are they afraid someone will clean them?


4.   If you can still  move your lips--why do they call it lipstick?


5.   The teenager said, "Why is it so HARD to listen to EASY listening music?"


6.   If people with multiple personalities threaten to kill themselves--is it considered a hostage situation?


7.   You can't have everything--where would you put it?


8.   What do they use to ship Styrofoam?


9.   Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns--because they taste funny?


10.  Do cemetery workers prefer the--graveyard shift?


11.  If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it--Fed UP?


12.  Can vegetarians eat--animal crackers?


13.  Why do the people who know the least--know it the loudest?


14.  What does "cheese" say when it gets its picture taken?


15.  Why do they call the man who invests all of your money  a "broker"?


16.  If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't Hollanders called Holes?


17.  Why is bottled lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dish washing liquid is made from real lemons?


18.  Why are they called "hemorrhoids" instead of "asteroids"?


19.  Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all"?


20.  George said, "My wife's from the Midwest, very nice people there--very wholesome.  But, I keep wondering why they use words like 'cripes' as in, 'for Cripe's sake.'  Who would that be--Jesus Cripes? The son of 'Gosh' of the church of 'Holy Moly'?  Please, I'm not making fun here.  You think I wanna burn in 'Heck'?"


More funny stuff tomorrow or the next day!!


God Bless! See you next time!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES & GROANS: GOOD GLOBAL WARMING

GRANNY'S  GOODIES, GRIPES & GROANS: GOOD GLOBAL WARMING: "My dearest brothers & sisters: I started this on February 27, but had to put it on hold for a couple of weeks. This is actually being w..."

GOOD GLOBAL WARMING

My dearest brothers & sisters:

I started this on February 27, but had to put it on hold for a couple of weeks. This is actually being written at 4:00am on Monday morning, March 14, 2011.

Granny hasn't been writing for the past couple of weeks because she is in a groaning mood.  It is so difficult to write about positive stuff, when there is so much negative stuff going on.

Some of it has been up close and personal--like severe illness and ultimate death in the family.  That leaves me with a heavy heart for the loved ones who are trying to cope with it. All I can do is cry and say prayers, and let them know that I am there for them, and to help in any way that I can.  That is how I show them that I love them--I also tell them that I love them--constantly.  Grieving folks need all the support they can get. I could use a little myself--I'm about cried out.  


On top of everything else, along comes a tsunami and just about wipes out Japan.  I have been glued to the television, while my heart is still breaking for my loved ones, now it is breaking for a nation that is reeling from such horrible devastation that it leaves one wondering, "What next?"

However, the political winds that are blowing in this country and around the world, is also placing more weight on my already weakened heart(don't panic, emotionally--not physically).  I keep promising myself I will not watch the news anymore--but then--how will I keep up with what is going on around the globe, as well as here at home?  It's a big "catch 22" for me right now.

Is it not enough, that all of those wonderful human beings who are fighting for their "freedom" in the "middle east", have been  beaten, jailed and even killed, to gain what our wonderful human beings here in this country fought for--forever, and still haven't totally gained?  Is that not enough, to convince the crazy egoistic creatures, who claim that they know what is good for their country-men, to back down and say, "Okay, we'll change--we'll give you freedom?"  Or at least "man-up" and step down if they can't or won't give the people what they want and deserve
These so-called leaders seem more like narcissitic controlling dictators.  They are--sick-sick-sick individuals. I say God help them. 

But first, with your help O LORD, mustn't we make an effort to help these poor people to the best of our ability?  They are our God relatives, our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, sons and daughters.  They just come from another country that He created. We're not just America, or North America, or Africa, or Asia, or Europe anymore. It's a "small world after all"  doesn't only apply to a small area of land called, "Disneyland". Human beings live in every corner of this earth, and possibly creatures of many kinds live on other planets (keep an open mind) you never know. 


I believe that we Americans are a compassionate and caring people.  We prove it whenever their is a disaster of great magnitude, such as 911, Katrina, Indonesia, Haiti or the present Japanese devastation.  We immediately do what we can to help those suffering souls. 


The unfortunate beings who happen to live in a country where they are controlled by narcissistic madmen should be given the chance to choose whom they want to govern their country, and if the person they choose fails them, then they should be able to vote them out of office.  Any country should allow their people to have the freedom to do this.  It is time for all men and women to be free to pursue their dreams, choose whatever religion they believe in, and to live a healthy and fulfilling way of life.

I find that most folks today believe that there is only "one God", and that He can do whatever He wants. The majority of people seem to be quite "spiritual". Even those who have no obvious religious affiliations, appear to believe in a "higher power". I chose to become a Baha'i, meaning a follower of the prophet Baha'u'llah who we believe is the Manifestation of God for this day. His name means, "The Glory of God." I found my way there after many years of searching, seeking, praying and falling on my face a few times.  I seemed to have my own path, and it had many detours along the way.  Every now and then, I would get curious and take one of them--only to run speedily back to the main path. Why? Because I got my butt kicked. Did I learn from my experience? You betcha! However, that didn't keep me from being curious and taking another detour that looked inviting. Guess what happened?  I got my butt kicked again. Now, you would think that after enough butt kickings I would know better.  It took quite a few--but I think I have finally gotten the message. My therapist told me I should write a book(perhaps I will one day)right now I am writing a book, but it is a historical novel.

I have digressed to the extreme--forgive me. Meanwhile--back to the environment and the meanings of words that really aren't as ugly as some ugly people make them.

Anyway, the people in the middle east, and other parts of the world are normal human beings--who simply want to live a peaceful, comfortable life--with clean water, fresh air, an ample supply of healthy food, a safe environment with sturdy buildings to live in, and adequate medical help available when they are ill, and above all--shouldn't they have a fair and just government?

Mustn't we also try to help stop the enlarging of the "hole in the O-zone",as well as doing what is necessary for the "greening" of America and the rest of the world.  Mustn't we somehow convince "ego centrists" to put an abrupt stop to their "eco centric behavior", and all the other atrocity's that contribute to the problem of bad global warming. There is a method whereby we can obtain good global warming.  Please read on.

The words, "communism" and "socialism" have been bandied around since I can remember. I grew up under the "Franklin Delano Roosevelt Administration". I've been a spectator through the raising up of this country from one of the worst financial disasters of our time. 


I watched while my dad joined the Maritime Service, my twin brothers joined the Navy and were stationed on the, "U.S.S. Curtis". Those boys saw more action than most of us see in a lifetime.  It was WORLD WAR II , and they were hit by Kamakazi Fighters on a regular basis. Their buddies died in their arms. When they returned home, they were no longer the "boys" that left us. They weren't men either.  They were shells of what was left of the sweet young men they once had been. One of my brothers got married eventually, after he had healed somewhat, but he was really never a happy person. The other twin was all ready married before he left, and his wife was unable to understand the change in him, and they were divorced. I remember walking down the street with him one day, and an airplane flew ovehead--he dove for the bushes, but there were none, we were on the sidewalk. That was only one of my early "heartbreaks". He had a son while he was gone, and they went back together to try to save the marriage--they had a daughter, but it just didn't work--the emotional damage had been done. 


My stepmother had joined the WAAC's, and she and my dad had been together for over 22 years and had three children, but even their marriage ended in divorce.

My own husband was in the Seabeas when I met him, he was in the Second Batallion and stationed in Oxnard, California.  He was sent overseas to New Caledonia.  He would write me the most beautiful letters, and he wrote every day. Then one day I got the most wonderful news. They were sending him home on a medical leave. He was one of the "lucky" ones--his unit was shipped to Saipan where they were (God Bless them) all wiped out by the enemy. I'm sad to say that our marriage didn't last either.  I was only sixteen and he was twenty-one. I was too young to understand , and he had turned into a very selfish individual with little compassion for anyone else. There was a son involved, and it nearly destroyed him when his mother and father separated. I too went back and tried again for several years, but it simply didn't work out. Unfortunately he died last year from a stroke, and there was hardly anyone at his funeral--how sad. 


I also lost a cousin in the Korean War, He was only sixteen, but his mother signed for him to go into the Army because she thought it would straighten him out--he was killed. Mr. Winston Churchill said it best--WAR IS HELL!

I said all that to say this. We had better start straightening ourselves up, or else we may be flattened out! 2012 is just around the corner--not tryin' to scare ya--just givin' ya a heads up.

Now back to the meaning of the words:

"Propaganda" is a common "war-time strategy", and now it's being used as a "political" strategy.

I am in no way condoning the attitudes on communism that the Russians, Chinese, Marxists, Rightists, Leftists, or any other ists, or countries subscribe to that subjugate their people. It's vicious and only leads to destruction and death. 

All of us have a right to voice our opinions, and I'm sure that they are varied--and entitled. However, what I would like to do here is show what the words really mean (according to the experts) and give  a positive connotation to them. I don't understand what  all the "hullabaloo" is about.  The so-called Communists and Socialists have been at one another's throats since the year one--it's sort of like the "right", the conservative republicans, and the "left" , the liberal democrats. Somewhat like families who have to have something to fight about. I think they get bored easily and simply have to pick on someone--each other. Unfortunately their sibling rivalry spills over into the rest of society. 


Of course it's not really that simple.  It involves the "have" and the "have-nots", money, oil, big corporations, freedom, and the underground that have quietly moved above ground, and have become "legal", (wink-wink), oh--and capitalism.  There's another ism for you.  Put an "ism" on the end of any word, and voila, suddenly it becomes a dirty word. None of these are bad in and of themselves--it's what and who makes them "bad".


Communism comes from the word community. The dictionary terms for the following words: According to Websters Standard Thesaurus and Webster's New Dictionary, and Wikipedia:

community--n. public, people, village, hamlet, state; body of people with something in common, e.g., district of residence, religion; joint ownership.


commune--n. small administrative district; organization where property and responsibilities are shared in common. 


Well, well--sounds a lot like a family doesn't it? Think about it! Let's say I have a husband, children, grand-children, the grandparents and a few uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews all living in one big house, and we all share the responsibilities. 


According to the dictionary--we are living in a commune, which is communal living, which makes us communists. Is that bad? NO! It becomes bad when someone in the family decides to be the "boss" and  tells everyone else what to do and if they don't he/she whips them or perpetrates some other horribly degrading act upon them. Now it becomes "bad".

comrade--n. mate,companion, friend.


My husband then becomes my comrade, hopefully my friend, and my companion--my mate. What's wrong with that? Would that more families could be like that. There are far too many divorces today, and not enough marriages--everyone is living together. I'm sure that doesn't make the Father very happy. I'm not talking about the one in the home, although I'm sure he's not too happy either.:):)


Now we come to the word socialism: See--we tack on that "ism" and all of a sudden it becomes a dirty, scary word--to some people who don't understand what it means to be "social". Let's start with the word social:


so'cial--a.  living in communties; relating to society; sociable. -so'cially--adv.  -so'ciable--a.  inclined to be friendly, of ready companionship. -so'ciabil'ity--n.  -so'ciably--adv.  -soci'ety--n.  companionship; living associated with others; those so living; fashionable people collectively; association or club. -sociol'ogy--n.  social science. -so'cialism--n.  policy aiming at ownership of means of production and transport,etc., by the community.  -so'cialist--n.  socialis'tic--a.    (Websters New Dictionary)


social--a.  genial, pleasant. polite, civil. society: (organization) fellowship, association, brotherhood, fraternity, club. (culture)  community, civilization, people, nation. (Websters Standard Thesaurus).


In my opinion, and I am not alone in what I feel, that unfortunately there are those who aren't interested in being sociable, they are mainly interested in making money and maintaining their power structure. This autocratic thinking makes them dangerous, and motivates them to do whatever it takes to destroy whoever and whatever gets in their way. They are very clever and make it perfectly clear that it is only in our best interests that they do what they do or say (what they want us to hear). 


These entities have us fighting against each other because we, like fools think it's the government that gives the orders, so we choose up sides and believe that whatever party we belong to are the good guys. In order to win we have to resort to name calling, and lies about the other party.  I don't think that the "founding fathers" meant for this to happen when they created the two-party system.  


The government itself is not the monster here. The President is not in charge, he is only a puppet--any man that runs for the office is living in a dream if he believes that he can really make a difference. There are those of us who believe that corrupt organizations are running this country, and that they have, or at least think that they have pulled the proverbial wool over society's eyes. There are many of us who are not fooled, we simply don't have the numbers to fight them.  


We the people need to stand up and be counted and let them know that we will not let our country be sold down the river--so to speak. Our jobs are going elsewhere, rents are ridiculous, food is high, gas prices are unbelievable, and it's not just in this country--it's everywhere.


Most of us tend to buy into the propaganda put out by these inane persons who come along and try to convince us that their words are "gospel". Then there are the religious zealots who absolutely know that their way is the right way--usually the very far right way where the money and the power lay.


I believe that each one of us as individuals must say, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."  Also, "Love is the answer." should be in our hearts.  Until and unless we change our trifling ways and try to build a world that is at peace the outcome will be far more devastating than any tsunami, hurricane, tornado, famine, or earthquake we have ever witnessed.


The good global warming that I spoke of above is the "peace on earth good will toward man" kind of global warming that we should be aiming for.  If we can accomplish that then perhaps the bad global warming will cease to exist.


I wish to add here that I am no expert on anything. I am merely an individual who loves my fellow man/woman/child.  I wish to do whatever is in my limited power to help mankind grow in love and spirit, and to "pay it forward".


God Bless!  See you next time!!