The War

This war is impacting our nation in so many horrific ways. The death of soldiers was not unanticipated. That doesn't mean the deaths are any less important or any less of a loss but death is a known entity of war. But what of the reprecussions of war now demanding attention?

Soldiers wounded in this war have a 90% survival rate which is applaudable while also presents the injured with rehabilitations never before seen in a war's wounded. Savage head injuries and facial disfigurations cause mindboggling challenges to the survivors. Loss of limbs have been a tragedy of war since wars began but ingenuity/progess in prosthetic design helps survivors better adapt to non-military life.

2007 soldier suicide rates were at an all time high and soldiers with facial disfigurement committed suicide at an even higher rate. (2100 soldiers injured or tried to kill themselves in 2007 compared with 350 in 2002; 210 succeeded in killing themselves)

And then there are the children of wounded soldiers. ABC News ran a segment tonight about the impact of parental war injuries on children. Head injuries and PTS can cause a parent to experience extreme mood swings, anger issues arise, wounds create physical challenges -- and it isn't just the soldier who deals with all this. Their children suffer from the changes in their parent.

It is clear our country's leaders did not prepare for this war in any capacity other than to invade Iraq. Troops were inadequately equipped, medical facilities in the US are embarrassingly shabby (think Walter Reed), and the VA is unable or unwilling to provide veterans with the care they need and deserve.

I despise this war and the leaders who got us into this situation. But the soldiers who volunteered are doing their job, at an embarrassingly low salary, and should be given excellent treatment upon their return. Their families must be recognized and healed also. I'd like to see our elected officials receive the care given to our returning soldiers; things would change quickly then.

Saint's Bracelet Continued

I've started wearing the Saint bracelet again. I wore it while in River Falls for Ann's college graduation and while paying the lunch bill at Mariachi Loco, the gentleman who waited on us complimented the bracelet. He then asked if I had a favorite picture and I showed him the angel that I like. He picked out three he liked and said that the picture of baby Jesus reminded him of his three year old son. Since this is a bracelet popular in Mexico I was tickled he liked it. He is from a small town near Guadalajara but only gets back there once a year.

This is a perfect example to a drive by conversation that I will always remember. The sincerity and interest shown by this stranger was endearing and, like many of these kinds of conversations, I would have loved to continue talking to him but time did not allow for it. As short as it was, the impact of this chat will be long.

Windmill Lawn Ornament

Windmills are popular lawn ornaments. In the Little Chute/Kimberly, Wisconsin, area windmill ornaments are a visible reminder of the significant Dutch population in the region. The windmill in this picture is very tasteful. This is not always the case. I have seen pink windmills, bright blue and white windmills, and some crudely crafted brick and arrow/twirly thingy creations that make Gladys's donkey look classy.

I spotted this windmill while out looking for more tacky lawn ornmaments. The quest continues.

Lawn Ornaments

Spring. Green grass, perky yellow dandelions, tulips, robins, lawn ornamentation.

There are tasteful lawn ornaments: birdbaths are one, hard-to-go-wrong decoration. Bird houses are another simple example. There are some attractive bronze/copper metal flowers. Important rule to remember in any lawn decorating with objects is that less is more. A few birdbaths are good -- 10 are not. 3 birdhouses are fine --- 12 aren't.

Walking the dog the other day I saw an interesting combination of outdoor decorations. A windmill, conastoga wagon, lighthouse, and miniature gazebo lined up in front of the house. This is in central/northeastern Wisconsin area. The gazebo would work here although this one must be for lawn gnomes, rabbits. A lighthouse would be good for a house on a lake. I suppose I could pardon the owner for the windmill if they are of Dutch heritage. But the conastoga wagon? This is a new lawn decoration. Maybe the homeowner moved from Colorado (or somewhere else out West where such wagons were common "back in the day.")

I don't get it. I hope it makes the home owner happy, though. But maybe just one of those items would be better than all of them. I vote for keeping the gazebo and planting flowers inside. Maybe put a lawn gnome inside. Just a suggestion.

Playing it Safe

I've never been a risk taker. I fear failure and don't always adapt well to change. As a child I never felt I quite measured up to people's expectations. It has taken 40+ years to get past worrying about what others think, but I still am not much of a risk taker. There are times when I so vey much want to spin a pencil on a map of the US, point the car in the direction indicated and drive. No plans, just drive. That in itself is a pretty safe venture but would still be fleeing some obligations and responsibilities for a time. Go as far as I want for as long as I want doing whatever I want on the way. I love reading stories of women who have done just that.

I want to escape. I want to take a risk at something. I think that is why the thought of teaching in Mississippi keeps coming back to me. Why don't I just get in the car and drive to Mississippi and see what it has to offer. What is to lose in doing that? Why am I so bogged down in what I know? I tell people about the Mississippi idea in a joking manner because I don't want to hear their objections. Some people I don't tell at all because I don't want to hear their opinions on why this would be a bad idea.

So much of my life has been lived inside my head because it is easier to live just with me than explaining and listening to others. A counselor once told me I am my own best friend because I've had to be. At the time I didn't consider that a positive but now I'm not so sure.

I envy people who can take a different route and pay no attention to the advice of others. If it doesn't work out they have gained experiences. At 53 years old I have been playing it safe my entire life. Am I going to die without having done anything exciting? Without taking any risks?

Driving Hazards

While in Appleton this morning I saw the results of one car accident and listened to the radio report of 2 others. The two were on Highway 41 south by Neenah to Oshkosh. The other was on Northland and Lynndale which is a well regulated intersection. I was caught in the traffic backup of this last accident and at first wondered how the heck someone could get into an accident here. Upon further reflection I realized that we aren't always "in the moment" when driving. How many times have drivers had near misses and avoided an accident by the grace of the driving gods. How many times have we driven to a destination and, upon reflection, cannot remember the drive because our mind was on other things.

The accident on Northland and Lynndale was a van that had flipped. Probably easier to do thanI want to realize.

Imagine driving along on a sunny, pleasant 70 degree spring day and suddenly have your entire world changed in a split second --- changed either due to your own neglegence or someone else's. We are all too distracted these days and distracted behind the wheel of a car is not good. An obvious statement but how often are any of us putting ourselves and others in danger because of this distractedness?

No Ideas

I'm having a writing block. Or maybe its an enthusiasm block. I think of things to write when I'm not near paper or computer. Not earth shattering ideas but still ideas. They disappear when I want to write.

So let me be cliche. I am cast adrift on the sea of nothingness. I am blank, devoid of creativity. My pen (keyboard) is forlorn from uselessness. I mourn my muse.

You get the drift.