Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sequester Snot
So when people who have the resources to buy airplane tickets and travel across the country get delayed, it is a national emergency that must be solved but when poor senior citizens and babies don't get food, that's okay?
Monday, April 22, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Prayers For West
My family has enjoyed a lot of rest stops at the Czech Stop in West, Texas, always a favorite place to stop on the I-35 corridor. Our prayers are with them.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Hold Fast
Yesterday, I ran the two errands I really needed to run while Lone Star Pa did the afternoon pick-up, but I cancelled my other evening "plans" of errands with the Lone Star Baby in favor of everyone meeting up at home, ordering pizza and huddling in together. I just wanted us all home and together.
I keep reminding myself of the Mr. Rogers quote about looking for the helpers in times like these, and remembering that there are always so many helpers.
May we all find helpers. May we all be helpers.
I keep reminding myself of the Mr. Rogers quote about looking for the helpers in times like these, and remembering that there are always so many helpers.
May we all find helpers. May we all be helpers.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
A Funny Story About Reproduction And Cable TV And Rude Cartoons
The other day, the Lone Star Girl came home from school with a funny story from her HL Biology class. She said they were talking about different types of reproduction and the teacher asked the class if they could name an animal that reproduces by budding.
My daughter said that the whole class, except for one other student and herself, all yelled "Sponges!"
"How did you know that?" my daughter, used to being the one with the answers, incredulously asked her classmates.
"Didn't you watch Sponge Bob when you were little?" asked her teacher.
"We didn't have cable," she muttered, embarrassed. She left out that her mother finds that cartoon rude and doesn't let her sister watch it now that we do have cable. I guess it's pretty educational, though!
My daughter said that the whole class, except for one other student and herself, all yelled "Sponges!"
"How did you know that?" my daughter, used to being the one with the answers, incredulously asked her classmates.
"Didn't you watch Sponge Bob when you were little?" asked her teacher.
"We didn't have cable," she muttered, embarrassed. She left out that her mother finds that cartoon rude and doesn't let her sister watch it now that we do have cable. I guess it's pretty educational, though!
Gun Reform Debate Starts Today
Today, 50 Democrats, 16 Republicans and 2 independents voted to open the debate on gun reform measures suggested by President Obama. I pray that Congress will listen to the parents of America and strengthen background checks. I also pray they will ban high-capacity magazines and assault weapons.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Child Abuse Prevention Month
I am wearing blue today to raise awareness about child abuse. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. I feel very strongly that the vast majority of child abuse can be prevented by providing adequate support to struggling parents. There will always be a small number of sick puppies out there, but most parents desperately want what's best for their children, even when they lack the information and personal resources to treat children well.
That said, the state of Texas could do a lot more to help children in oh, so many ways. One way would be to adequately fund Child Protective Services.
According to the Dallas Morning News, 34% of all child abuse investigators in Texas quit last year. Turnover for other CPS workers was 25%, even in this economy. The caseloads are too high and the pay too low to keep people in such a stressful job.
I would like more funding for tons more caseworkers for CPS myself. I would also like all of those new caseworkers to be licensed social workers.
Our kids deserve it.
That said, the state of Texas could do a lot more to help children in oh, so many ways. One way would be to adequately fund Child Protective Services.
According to the Dallas Morning News, 34% of all child abuse investigators in Texas quit last year. Turnover for other CPS workers was 25%, even in this economy. The caseloads are too high and the pay too low to keep people in such a stressful job.
I would like more funding for tons more caseworkers for CPS myself. I would also like all of those new caseworkers to be licensed social workers.
Our kids deserve it.
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Equal Pay Day
Today is Equal Pay Day, the day that women would have to work past December 31, 2012 in order to earn as much as a man in a similar job earned in 2012 proper (on average), since women earn - on average - only 77 cents for each dollar that men earn.
Democrats in Congress are pushing for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would prevent employers from punishing women who point out pay disparities, but Republicans will not bring the bill to the floor.
Democrats in Congress are pushing for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would prevent employers from punishing women who point out pay disparities, but Republicans will not bring the bill to the floor.
First Day School: More Peace Testimony
On Sunday, the Lone Star Baby and I continued our study of the Peace Testimony in First Day School. We read Seven Brave Women by Betsy Hearne and discussed ways that people are brave that do not have to do with fighting or war. We pondered some queries on the theme of peace. We reviewed our SPICES work. It was very nice. We have the best conversations at First Day School.
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Poetry Published: Speak One Promise
My poem Speak One Promise is published here at Vox Poetica today! Please read it and let me know what you think. Tomorrow it will be on the poemblog.
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Hoping For Marriage Equality
I did not get to post last week when the Supreme Court considered Prop. 8 and DOMA. I was listening to the news whenever I could, though (that means in the car).
It's hard to have to wait to find out what they will decide, for months. I am hoping and praying so hard that their decisions finally reflect the respect for human rights that our gay brothers and sisters deserve.
The media I heard seemed to think that the Court was going to try to duck on Prop. 8, but that on DOMA, it sounded like maybe there was a chance.
It would be perfectly awful if the state-sanctioned bigotry that now occurs was supported by the Court.
I'm on pins and needles.
What with the Court reviewing these cases and the Voting Rights Act, it is an awfully suspenseful time for civil rights.
It's hard to have to wait to find out what they will decide, for months. I am hoping and praying so hard that their decisions finally reflect the respect for human rights that our gay brothers and sisters deserve.
The media I heard seemed to think that the Court was going to try to duck on Prop. 8, but that on DOMA, it sounded like maybe there was a chance.
It would be perfectly awful if the state-sanctioned bigotry that now occurs was supported by the Court.
I'm on pins and needles.
What with the Court reviewing these cases and the Voting Rights Act, it is an awfully suspenseful time for civil rights.
Monday, April 01, 2013
Photog
Not totally all but almost all of the pictures posted on this blog are taken by Lone Star Pa. He graciously allows me to use them.
National Poetry Month
Daily writing reminders greatly appreciated. Strongly worded is best. Possible strong words to use: bathroom cleaning, cooking, dusting, bathing the children, grading papers, Twilight books, Joel Osteen, the Republican State Convention. Thanks. Mwah!
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