Do I Dare Share?

You remember the recent ruling regarding the Pledge to the US flag? The problem being the "God" word and having kids say it in school?

First the guy who wrote the pledge didn't have "God" in it. Congress chose to add it and frankly I don't think they have the right to manipulate and change other people's writings to suit their whim.

Second, what the hell are we doing making children pledge allegiance to this country for every morning before school starts?? They can't drive, they can't vote, they don't pay taxes, they can't get married but we insist they be mature enough to blindly agree with the values and beliefs of an entire country and a government that someday they may grow to despise because depending on their gender, love interest, income or race they may end up feeling like they got short changed on the pledge!

Yes I hope that they will eventually come to love and respect the US. Seems to me however that the first thing they should be PLEDGING to in SCHOOL.... is something like this:

United States of America School Pledge of Alligance

I pledge to show up to class on time each day. I pledge to respect my teachers, to pay attention in class, to do my homework and complete my education to the best of my ability. I pledge to avoid drugs and alcohol, to not practice violent behavior towards others and to never ever ever bring a gun to school and shoot my classmates. By making this pledge I hope to promote liberty and justice for all.

As for the pledge to the flag? How about having immigrants say it before they are sworn in as citizens. Is it really relevant for anyone else?

Oh yea, I will be more than happy to write up a pledge for congress to say each day... it will include words like honesty, integrity, fair play, punishment for lying, accepting others.... and then there is the pledge that Mr. Bush could state each morning in the Oval office. Of course I don't think I would have him say anything much different than the one I would have the kids say.

Phew, glad to get that off my chest.

j

Long Break

On September 16th Maarten and I flew off to Phoenix, Arizona for my brother Scott's 2nd wedding.

He married Julia Damian so now we have two Julia Ferguson's in our family!

On the left is Maarten and I and my mum just after the garden wedding ceremony at the Wrigley Mansion.

Scott's 3 kids were part of the event. 6 yr old Vivian was flower girl, Duncan was the ring bearer and Brenna ensured everyone was seated properly and the brides dress and veil were ok during the ceremony.

The 17th provided us a full moon and a gorgeous night. The moon rose over Camelback mountain just as the wedding service ended.

Sure the were some fiasco's and a lovely wee bit of drama the night before to remind those of us without kids why we made such a great choice. All in all however, the wedding was a beautiful experience and I hope that Julie and Scott remain happily and "uneventfully" married forever.

Second Break ~ Same Day

Hot Pink Perfection - Wordweaver


Wow...another break already you say? Damn straight! It's my day I will spend it like I want to. Besides it is almost 7pm thus my evening break.

Why do I return so late in the day you ask?

Why to share with you my hair color of course. Yup my hair color. My mum hates it, I garnered harsh stares of horror from fellow Trader Joe shoppers here in the homogenized OC but do I care?

Hell no. Fuschia never looked so good. Fuschia is fun. I've come undone. Well that's what "they" would like you to believe.

Simply, life is too short to not have fun. Lighten up, whether by hair color or mood.

My brother gets married in a week, wonder what sort of looks I will garner under the hot Phoenix sun. This will be fun.

The First Break

Wyatt Burp



Today started with my donating to Bestfriends.org to help with the continued rescue of animals in the Hurricane affected areas of the gulf coast. Now we have sent off money to the Red Cross, Noah's Wish (noahswish.org) and Bestfriends. If I didn't live so far away I would be sheltering animals in my home. They give so much and ask so little. To see them suffer due to the horrific lack of response and regard for the people in that region and their right to take their pets with them is more than I can bare.

So I dedicate this first entry to the memory of my precious Wyatt Burp, my golden retriever who died due to malpractice and suffering from the very Pet hospital that was supposed to be helping him. My Internal Blue reflects the nature of my personality that is highly sensitive and empathetic and thus easily affected by the sadness of life. Losing Wyatt was at a stage in my life when suicide was becoming a plan more than a fantasy and the dark mud pit of depression that was my life was rapidly deteriorating.

I share a poem I wrote about his loss and pray for all of those who will have lost their loved pets in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The photo above is Wyatt when he was about 1 yr old.

~~~~~~~~~
My Empty Yard

I stare into the yard and you’re not there
No one to stand guard or bark “beware”.

The shadows on the leftside fence roam free
You don’t jump at them from behind the tree.

The mailman comes and asks me where you are
I whisper quietly that you’ve gone afar.

I go into the house to sit and cry
I want you back…at least to say good bye

I see your rock beside my big blue chair
I pause to pick it up…but leave it there.

I put your bowl, your leash, your toys away
Oh God please help me make it through the day.

I say a prayer for you and close my eyes
Reality sets in as I realize.

You may not be here for me to touch
But I still love you very, very much.

And in my heart I know you’ll always stay
And in my mind I’ll see you always play.

~ July 21, 1997 ~