I Declare!!!!!

They made us memorize this (in school, when I was 14) and say it aloud. But I've been thinking about it a lot lately, the Declaration of Independence. Especially the unalienable RIGHTS we are supposed to have.

Re-read it. Think about what the words mean today.


Second Paragraph:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.


Full Text

Watch My Garden Grow

I planted so many seeds back in April, and finally got the back yard tilled to be a garden. We are in severe draught in these parts, so I water my garden daily.

The seeds I was most interested in seeing develop were called "Eight Ball Zucchini." They are supposed to be round shaped! I have been harvesting my gold zucchini, black zucchini, basil, swiss chard, snap peas and cucumbers (tomatoes and carrots are still growing) but hadn't seen any of the Eight Balls.

On Saturday morning, while watering, I lifted up a leaf on one of my plants and BEHOLD! There were TWO round little Eight Balls! I picked one and a regular zucchini for comparison. I realize this photo is pretty green, I ate all the golden zukes and the ones in the garden were too small to pick.

I'm sure there will be more garden photos when my 8 different kinds of tomatoes take off!

Is Anybody Out There?

Today's post secret card that I most resemble (above)

It's starting to seem like perhaps my friends are no longer coming here to get my news. That's what I get for just calling, talking face to face, or e-mailing them!!! But seriously, how long has it been since there was a comment????

Health Care Crisis

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/what-can-i-do/

Go See the film "Sicko" and then start pushing your representatives for change. We NEED nationalized health care. Our current system helps the rich to get richer while the working poor are DYING. Yes, dying.

I spent the last five years working in the health care industry. I KNOW firsthand the kind of record profits that hospitals are making. Even (and in some cases especially) the so called "non-profits." Millions, and BILLIONS of dollars. They make the most money by treating the fewest patients. Other countries don't have this problem because they have nationalized care.

We as a country and a people will ultimately be judged by how we care for our poorest and most vulnerable. We MUST demand better more equal treatment. For our elderly, for our poor, for our children. For the future....

How I Spend My "Free Time"

My free time is rarely free.

I'm currently playing in a musical which held a rehearsal on the morning of the 4th of July (so much for sleeping in on a non-work day!) and in addition to non-stop rehearsals and shows, I had to dog sit for my parents over the weekend.

I've been trying to get a good shot of the three dogs together (since we have all the colors of the bouvier rainbow) for a while now and I think I finally succeeded! Aldo looks kind of small sitting behind the girls, but that's OK. They posed nicely. I think everyone finally knows "stay."

I've been watering the heck out of my garden every morning (geez, why don't I have photos of that???) and lots of things are flowering, which means veggies to follow soon!

I managed to sneak off to the fireworks on the evening of the 4th (not too far from my house, a good deal!).

Although I would LOVE to have some actual free time, and time to myself, and time to relax, and time to clean my house, I think I just signed on for a big (and time consuming, and somewhat expensive) project. I'm keeping it somewhat under wraps for now. Towards the end of September, I'll let you all know how it went! And thanks (in advance) to the French-man who will likely be offering some assistance. I really do appreciate it.

Who turned on the heat in here? It's about 95 degrees out and I have to go get ready for my show (that means dressed in black) and AFTER the show this afternoon I get to do some major heavy lifting (get my super-sized amp out of the basement-pit). The joys of musicianship!

Bon Weekend mes amis!