Breaking Through Poverty with Microfinance - Grameen Fdn

Helping people to help themselves.

Check out KIVA, also a good program (bottom right of blog)

Jack White - Wayfaring Stranger (Live)

Life is but a journey. What footprints are you leaving?

Only Time Will Tell

There was a time when a few men went over-mountain with a man named Daniel Boone to the wilds of the unknown in now what is East Tennessee. They went to carve a life for themselves and their loved ones; and, to remove themselves from political unrest and oppressive taxes. Beyond the government boundaries, they met with the local natives peacefully and leased land from them. They worked the land, expecting handouts from no one. Their women and children worked alongside, all contributing in their own way. A government council, known as the Watauga Association was set up to allow the order of law and was democratic in fashion. All was well for a while. Times being what they were, and with tea dumped into the Boston Harbor, peaceful times were not to be. Unfortunately for the settlers, their Native American neighbors were influenced by a king's government who would quash any insurrection. Being self-determined, they chose to side with those who would seek the freedom of self-rule. It was difficult decision for some, because there were Native Americans and those loyal to the crown who were their friends; and, then there were the formidable red coats to consider. Lives were taken, lives were spared but they all had their own resolve in the matter and would not be swayed. History played out at the Battle of Kings Mountain, and as such they say the tide of the war was turned much to the determination of these mountain men....names such as John Sevier and Davy Crockett who might be familiar; and, much lesser known names such as Gillespie, Bean, Lane, Russel of whom I have to thank in part for my being here.

History is fascinating to me, especially stories of people caught up in times greater than themselves. It seems there is always something we can learn from their story. Yet, as

fascinating as it is, I'm not sure that I am one to wish for this responsibility. The American election is looming and unfortunately, I think the ugliness will only worsen. There's a lot at stake for this country and for the world. Can we meet this with integrity and forbearance? How can a nation with a history of great men and women produce the leaders it has these last two decades and into the present?

Some say that this country already practices socialism; yet, aren't helping the poor and needy biblical principles as well? I think what is feared is heavy taxation of those who Do work, only to redistribute to those who don't, but could work. This will only continue the cycle of welfare dependency, ignorance, entitlement, juvenile delinquency, crime and incarceration, and support of illegals; and, to continue to deepen the troughs of the government itself. This is not the ethic that this country was founded upon.
I've investigated both sides of the debate, and have found both sides to be lacking. I see the strengths and weakness of both arguments and see that nothing comes without hard work and sometimes sacrifice. I question the one who is promising so much, he fairly tickles the ears. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
They say if a lie is repeated enough, soon people will accept it as fact. So much of this seems to be going on. Review the last 25 yrs of history, and see what has played out. Take the time to question what is really going on. Count the cost. Vote with conscience and informed decision, not emotion.

We live in a country where we have the right to voice our dissent, the right to self-defense, the right of habeus corpus, the right to work hard and better ourselves despite our social station but there are so many who seem to take this for granted or forget that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. What I don't understand are those who would undermine the very foundations and principles of what this country was founded upon. We have an obligation to ourselves, to the world, and to the next generation to make a moral choice as to which person will be the best to continue the light to so many, that of the American Dream. Or, is it time to awaken, the dream is no more. We've allowed the dream to fade away as Rome self-imploding through moral decay, complacency, corruption and loss of sense of self. Only time and the history books will tell.

"Only a moral and virtuous people are capable of freedom; the more corrupt and vicious a society becomes, the more it has need of masters."
-Ben Franklin

Carmen 'Habanera' - Muppet Style

Enjoy!

Falling Forward!

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you're happiest, you are outgoing and expressive . You love celebrations, and you enjoy showing off a little. You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes. You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

http://www.blogthings.com/theautumnquiz/

I know, I know, one of Those tests.
The weather is changing!! The long, hot, dry, dusty, windy days of live-in-an-oven summer are over!! It actually rained the other day. Just a light rain, mind you, but we all were outside lickety-split; me hobbling on my crutches as fast as I could go. Even the cat joined us in a game of chase and catch when the kids would throw things for him. (We would have asked the dog to join us, but she is not as good as the cat at playing chase and catch, unless it was after the cat, of course!)
Fall means sunny skies and brisk air, rainy days fresh and cool; yummy scents filling the house from things baking in the oven, warm fires and hot cocoa (with Baileys and Kahlua added for the grown-ups), my favourite sweaters/jumpers or a cozy cardigan, continued family adventures with snowshoeing, long horse rides without getting heat exhaustion, high electric bills from continued use of the air conditioner fading away into the sunset at last....ah, sorry, getting carried away here...!! :D
Don't get me wrong, I love our summer evenings just after sunset, sitting outside in our garden, sipping a nice Merlot.....
...well,.....It's all about attitude, I suppose....surely there's a handy quote....

"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change."
-Earl Nightingale

Follow Me

Twenty Years Strong
...just a bit more wear and tear is all! :)

Courage, Belief, Responsibility, Friendship

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."
--Walt Disney

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
--Eleanor Roosevelt

"In dreams begins responsibility."
-- William Butler Yeats

"Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend."
-- Plautus


Things have been busy here, and my current condition leaves me easily tired, pained, and even a wee bit grumpy! Still, with doctor visits, and Physio to attend to, we've undertaken to replace our work truck that was totalled. Things being what they may, this has been no easy task. But, I'm not really here to talk about trucks. Really, I've just a quick post about decisions. Decisions regarding following the pursuit of dreams; and trying to be in step with your life partner. This unfortunately is no easy task, especially when you both seem at odds with each other. Even after all these married years, you would think we would be more mellow with our opinions about certain things. Ugh!!

There's a lot to be said about 'following your dreams'...there's a lot that entails making them happen, including sacrifice. I do know, as frustrated as we can get with each other and as different we can be with our approaches, our dreams would be less without each other. Our Song to start us out was "Follow Me" by John Denver. Sometimes, I think I need to powerdown, and just think of those words from 20yrs back. I've no doubt sometimes he feels like he's dragging me along the 'path', and I'm yelling you're moving too fast and too close to the edge!

ah, Life! :)