The "Independent Voter"?

I've been thinking about the "independent voter" lately. It sounds so noble--as if a person is not tied down to any party, any candidate, but is "free" to vote what he thinks at the time of the election. (How typical of our society's thinking today.) Actually, a person who calls himself an "independent voter" is, in my opinion, either unmoored or very shallow in his values.

The differences between the two major political parties are real, are documented, and are extensive. The differences represent major opposites in philosophy of government and of life. These two parties are at extreme odds with each other. How in the world can a person say he can go in one direction or another, voting for the nominee he chooses at the time of the election, without betraying deeply held values?

I'm not talking about local elections, or even state ones. But our two national parties always select nominees who reflect their very different and very strong ways of thinking. I may disagree wholeheartedly with someone of the opposite political stripe, but I can respect him for holding to his principles. An "independent" who is proud of having no label does not engender that same respect.

Actually, the "independents" are probably far fewer than thought. Elections really boil down to how many of the philosophically-faithful a party can get out at election time. It's time for the (so-called) influence of the "independent voter" to no longer be given so much credit every four years.

A New Room

Mary Lee was tired of the bubble-gum pink room from her early teen years. So getting it painted and a new set of bedding was her birthday present.

Before:

During:

After:

She plans to add large white letters with her initials over her bed, and other touches to fix it up.

It's really turned out quite nice, and Mike worked hard on his few days off to get it fixed up the way she wanted.

We Need Rain

This picture was in our newspaper, the Anderson Independent Mail, this morning. That's what Lake Hartwell looks like right now! It is painful to drive over the lake and see the huge circle of dry brown dirt around all the edges, and the many docks that don't even reach the water any more.

Last night on the news the meteorologist said we are in extreme drought here in Anderson County, and we are right on the edge of the area labeled exceptional drought. Voluntary water conservation measures are now in place and I expect they will become mandatory in the coming weeks. No rain is in the extended forecast until fall.

I think of my Illinois cousins and all the rain they've had in recent weeks and months. Could you please send some this way?!!

Good Lesson

Andrew came home from work the other day and said "I'm sick of this!!!" When I pressed him further, he said "People who can't even afford the necessities of life are in here wanting to buy pools--luxuries--and then they have to finance them to buy them. And half the time the financing is turned down because their credit is bad." I am so glad that Andrew is learning this valuable lesson. Money has always tended to burn a hole in his pocket, so maybe this experience will help him see as he gets older the importance of not using credit as a way of obtaining things. If he can learn that lesson it will make it worth it that he didn't get to be a camp counselor but had to come home and work instead to make up the value of that Life scholarship.

Having a Good Time

My daughter just called from art camp. She's taking drawing, photography, and watercolor. She said she's got a lot to do before the show tomorrow but she's having a wonderful time and she's met a lot of nice people. I'm so glad!

Nice Time with Mike's Family

Some stayed around the pool (above) and some on the porch (below).

Mike and his sister Barbara.

We have a ton of barbecue left! As well as deviled eggs, chips, slaw, beans, etc. Funny. . .the sweets are all gone.

Update on Pool and Rabbit(s) - PLURAL!

Last night Mike was watering inside the pool enclosure and sprayed some toward the poolhouse--and two little rabbits hopped out! This was after he had seen (and almost eradicated) an adult rabbit earlier in the evening. He was glad he hadn't after seeing the babies. So, apparently we did not have one rabbit underneath the poolhouse--we have a nest. Therefore my remaining cucumber plant and three squash plants are not out of danger yet.

Here are two better pics. of the pool - uncovered now. The wildly colored Adirondacks are the result of a huge impulse I had last spring. And the rabbits are living under that small deck in the above picture.

Mike has been doing a fabulous job with our lawn this summer. It's amazing the way the flowers have kept going even with the lack of rain. We are becoming believers in perennials--everything in front of the garage came up by itself this year. (pink lantana, black-eyed susans, and two hibiscus--unfortunately they turned out not to be the giant kind like last year's which is still on the side of the house, but not blooming yet).

The Pool - 2008

The new porch has led to a renewed interest in the pool this year. Andrew and I have challenged each other to swim at least five days out of seven this summer, and so far we're both on track. I can put a radio out on the porch, listen to Dave Ramsey's call-in program or maybe Limbaugh, and have that extra entertainment / stimulation / call it what you will that makes repetitious laps not so . . .boring.

Andrew is keeping up the pool this summer. Last night he found a small dead rabbit in the skimmer! One of his buddies thought he saw one under the poolhouse the other night. Now I know the probable reason why my squash and cucumber plants kept disappearing. Three times I set out plants on the edging of the grassy area to the right of the porch, watered them, and then they would be, not wilted, but gone! Unfortunately, now it's about too late to set new ones out. Apparently the rabbit did not care for tomato plants as they are doing just fine. Poor little thing--thinking he was just hopping across to get a snack, and landing in the pool.

I will try to replace this picture soon with a picture of the pool opened, not still covered. It was either a covered pool with the current porch, or an uncovered pool with the old deck. I've not got time right now to go get a picture.

I, Me, My

It is impossible, and even undesirable, to write a personal blog or a personal anything without ever using personal pronouns. However, my father has drilled into his children from childhood that we should be conscious of how often we use these words in correspondence and writing, and should minimize their use--and I have used the concept in teaching English classes as well. Lately I've become conscious of this phenomenon again, partly due to some reading for a study. For example, here is one of the statements in the book:

"I don't know how many times I've repeated the statement I'm about to make, but I'll keep saying it. . ."

Or: (leaving some words out to maintain anonymity)

". . .I realize I am far from the only. . .(10 words). . .Although I would never characterize myself as godly, I will tell you that I loved God. . .(13 words). . .I know plenty of others whom I would not hesitate. . ."

This author desperately needed an editor to cut out what comes across as self-centeredness.

I will be forever grateful to Dad for pointing this out!!

Now anyone who reads this blog will be watching to see how self-centered the author is!

To Expand. . .

To expand and clarify last night's post:

My teenagers love to have friends over. I'm glad that they like to invite people and I'm glad that people apparently like to come. But it's bothered me that so often the only thing they can think of to do is "watch a movie."

"Mom, can we have friends over to watch a movie?"

I'll say. . ."Why don't you play volleyball" or "Why don't you play Taboo" or "Why don't you swim?" But the least common denominator is always. . ."Let's watch a movie."

From what I understand, this is not the only household where that is the norm.

It bothers me on many levels. There is no physical activity involved. There is less opportunity for conversation. There is always the possibility of objectionable materials in today's movies. Their minds are numbing and dumbing down through all this movie watching. It's just such a passive way for friends to be together.

I like a good movie occasionally as much as the next person. (Chick flicks please, no horror or action stuff.) But today's kids (and adults for that matter) are just too used to gluing their faces in front of a screen.

I didn't care for the movie they had rented last night, and spoke up. So that's how the game playing started. And it was fun, and they had a great time. Three cheers for a non-movie night!