Who Do The Snopes People Think They Are? Unbiased Reporters of Fact and Fiction?

Of all of the interesting stuff I have seen in regards to President Obama one of most perplexing out there is about Snopes.com.

For those of us who routinely get spam e-mail with bad information, Snopes.com has been useful in debunking the urban legends racing across the internet.

Image from snopes.com

I recently had it spat out at me that Snopes is funded by George Soros, a liberal rich guy who allegedly funds various outlets. Guess who started this one?

Wait for it!

One of our favorite conservative talkers – Glenn Beck. Or not.

Traces back to his show on May 31, 2010, Beck stated that Soros backs Snopes.com and therefore should not be trusted as this makes them a liberal shill. In the next statement, Beck states that he and his team uses Snopes.com all of the time for information, saying what a great resource Snopes can be.

Before that, Another source states this information as well in May 2010.  What this blogger fails to do is find out that Snopes co-founder Gregg Mikkelson is actually a register republican voter. And that his wife, Barbara is Canadian and ineligible to vote here. Truthorfiction.com found origins of the Snopes/Soros dating back to 2008.

The problem is there are many emails about Obama and what he said or did here or there. People who are politically opposed do not want to believe he is who he is. They can’t believe the paper work that is out there, the history that is out there. How can that not be his picture on a Columbia ID in a style that was not even used by Columbia before 1996.

According to the haters, Obama seemingly failed up the ladder after taking advantage of the affirmative action advantages available during his college years. And mixed in all of that are the fact checking sites which deny some of the crazier stuff.

So what have I found out? Media Matters is funded by Soros, Snopes is not. FactCheck is partially funded by Annenberg Foundation, whose head gave money to John McCain in his presidential run, but Snopes is not.  TruthOrFiction has verified that Snopes is who they say they say they are and not funded by Soros.

With that in mind I checked out how Snopes treated former President Bush. If they really are a liberal front, would they not make sure to print falsehoods about Bush such as using the word ‘feces’ instead of ‘fetus.’ Or holding a book upside down.

What I found is that Snopes was fair to Bush. Stories that would make him look like the village idiot or a racist were proven false. Some stories that put him high on a pedestal were proven false. And some that show him as a human with good qualities were proven true.

Then I checked to see what they have on Mitt Romney. Again, it looked pretty fair and balanced.

Snopes appears to tell the truth about democrats and republicans.

So what does that tell a person?

There must be a secret conspiracy somewhere. No media outlet could be that unbiased, could it?

 

 

When is a Blanket Just a Blanket?

While doing my morning skim of newspaper headlines and reading of any stories on interest, chances are I am going to be sucked into links of other stories.

One day last week I clicked onto Hospital Gives Newborns Handmade Blankets – Made by Prisoners! written by a Mary Fisher. The writer wanted to let us know that she felt this was the most disgusting idea to ever be hatched.

Imagine having prisoners do something useful, productive, that could benefit the community. This writer could only think in terms of how this was disgusting.

   “How cute and sweet do those blankets sound now? The idea of    wrapping your perfect little bundle of joy in something that   was created by a criminal is incredibly creepy. Newborn babies are the epitome of innocence, so the fact that they are being given something that was touched by prison inmates really kind of contradicts the whole birth experience.”

That’s right, we can rehabilitate those prisoners just so long as it never touches anyone. What about when Martha Stewart came out of her prison experience with a poncho made by a fellow prisoner? That set off a crafting craze as people wanted the pattern and exact yarn used to make Martha’s exit-wear.

So these prison inmates are crocheting blankets and hats and other items for newborns. Some of these families receiving these items may have nothing at all, others might be well equipped for a new baby. But learning a craft helps give a person focus. Combine that with knowing that the items are going to real people who will appreciate the items.

If that is not a powerful feeling for a person, I do not know what is.

According to The Republic  newspaper of Columbus, Indiana, there is one person to thank. Sister Dorothy Rasche of Connecting Link in West Terre Haute saw a need and was able to get donations of yarn to make the program possible. Some of the inmates are in for life while others have a limited sentence. I can only imagine what learning a simple craft can mean to someone. I cannot imagine how someone cannot see the good in it.

So I am wondering if Sister Dorothy needs more yarn for the project? I realize that there will always be people like Mary Fisher who sees this program as unseemly. But Jesus taught us that the least will be first and the first will be least. How wonderful that people who are the least in our society can help others.

How do you feel about a prison inmate making blankets, hats and toys for newborns?

Wagging the Dog

Sometimes when I watch the news and see what is going on, I have to admit I wonder what is the real story.

Picture by Grafixer

For the last few weeks, we have heard nothing but how birth control – and who pays for it – is a religious freedom. Women are not allowed to speak before the congressional hearing, only clergy who happen to be men. And Rush Limbaugh, in his infinite blast of nonsense, calls the female law student a slut, whore and prostitute because she wants to testify in the defence of birth control as a covered healthcare item. I wonder what that makes those men who take Viagra which is covered under most health insurance policies.

 See how easy it was to go into righteous indignation?

I am not saying birth control is not important. I am saying it is being used as a screen because the issue is so important to us. People are going to get fired up about birth control pills and devices – once again – being seen as a tool for easy sex and not how they help many women deal with endometriosis or heavy periods. Heck, some of the pharmaceuticals advertise that the pill does wonders for your skin.  

What we need to be asking is why this issue is being brought up – especially by the Republican party? What are they trying to hide?

I think the screen is coming up because the Republicans have no unifying voice and cannot find one presidential candidate to get behind. Mitt Romney is too rich and a Mormon. Rich Santorum has the looks but wants life to be the way it was in the 1950s. Newt Gingrich might have so good ideas but his baggage and bombastic personality is a turn off. Ron Paul, again with some good ideas, but who is he?

None of these guys seem to have that pizzazz, the touch with the regular guy, that sparkle that makes us want to follow him. Argue all you want about Herman Cain but his lack of foreign knowledge – and sexual baggage – made him a non-runner. Michelle Bachman was out of the race the day she promised gas prices back to under $2.00 a gallon. Rick Perry blew himself up by forgetting his own policy changes. Rick Pawlenti who?

The time before convention is shorter and shorter with no clear winner in sight. The GOP governor of Maine, Paul LePage, is calling for a dark horse to emerge during the convention that will take place in Tampa. The republicans need a superstar who can compete with Obama while setting forth an agenda the republican voters can rally behind.

Right now that is not happening. I am not sure why but they seem to want to alienate women voters the most. Every time I watch one of the candidates speak, they seem to try to push back time once more so that men are in control and women follow along. Guys, that is not going to happen anymore. Women have learned that a man will abandon them with kids who still need to be feed and clothed. Women have learned that they can support themselves and that a man completes their life, not make it. We don’t have to depend on you any more.

So the birth control screen is running rampant to help us not see those issues or forget the ones at the gas pump. A 70-cent increase in the last two weeks is going to kill those who have been struggling. But the possibility of having another child when that would wreak havoc with the family budget. Which is worse? That is a hard one but watching gas prices rise every other day is frustrating after you work your usage down, get a car with better mileage and give up the little extras because you need gas to get back and forth to work.

Want to get heated conversation going just ask “did you see how much gas is today?”  

We hear that it is Iran’s threats to block the shipping lanes is causing the higher gas prices. Another causal factor is greater demand around the world despite drop-offs of demand in the U.S. My favorite is that the speculators on Wall Street are causing the high prices as that one is the most logical. Then there are the industry insiders’ predictions of $5.00 a gallon by summer. Was that prophecy or just a way to prepare us for what the oil companies want to happen?

Picture by Karpati

I don’t have those answers but I do see a disturbing trend. When the bigger issue needs to be hidden, one that gets people’s’ ire going is brought to the forefront to take notice off the original issue. This is an old trick called “wagging the dog.”

So why is the dog being turned around? What is your theory?

 

 

I Say a Little Prayer For You…

Image by Kakisky

Now that the Biggee Game is over, we get to pick over the remains of the best ads, the worst plays and just what the hell Gisele Bundchen is thinking.

If you ask me, she looks like a wife who is concerned about her husband.

Last week one of the stories the press covered was the contents of an email in which she request that family members and close friends pray for Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots. She wants him to win and she wants prayers to make that happen.

First thing I want to know is who leaked the email. One story has her wondering the same thing as she states the email was only sent to  a small group of people.  I would not rest till I found out who was the leaker.

Secondly, I am wondering why she is getting crap for a private e-mail about praying that her husband does well at his job. How many of us wives do that at crunch time. Does the wife of a surgeon pray for him to be crappy at his job? Or a banker or accountant? I don’t think so. And how many of us pray for our husband’s safety at his job? Every time my husband says he is going ice fishing, I make sure to find out if he is going with someone.

While there have been too many athletes who make a big deal that God helped them win, too many who have thanked God giving their team the win, I think a wife asking for prays is a different thing. The former glorifies that person but the latter is a prayer for wellbeing.  When your husband comes home with a big ‘win’ at work, chances are it is better being with that person. And if he does not get hurt with a serious injury, that is even better.

The marriage vows say ‘for better or worse’ and if we can make it more better than worse, well then more power to that couple. I think Gisele was asking for the prayers in order to see her husband have continued success. For crying out loud, Brady is being compared to Joe Montana. What spouse would not want their husband to have another win under his belt to prove his greatness to the world?

Here is another thing to consider. The average lifespan of a football player ranges from 52 – 59 years of age. Perhaps her prayers were a desire for her husband to avoid a concussion. The NFL has been under fire for the amount of head injuries in the past year, and a number of players have pledged to have their brains studied upon their death in regards to the effects of concussions. Because I listen to more sports radio than a wife of a sports nut should, I routinely hear stories about former players who are suffering from brain injuries.  I routinely hear stories about how the NFL is changing rules to safeguard players.

So Gisele asked for prayers and support for her husband. She asked for positive vibes to come her husband’s way as he and his team prepared for the biggest game of the season, one that would determine contractual bonuses and endorsement deals. Maybe she just wanted that free trip to Disneyland for their family. Maybe she wanted a game to go well and his safety insured.

What I love is that she asked for prayers for her husband. In a portion of society that appears to push away faith as being ridiculous (look at how people make fun of Tim Tebow), it interests me that Gisele admits to praying and believing in a higher power. Maybe, just maybe, this will encourage others at her level to pray, to believe, to find a space in their heart for God.

And that should not be laughed at or dismissed.

Do you ask friends and family to pray for you or people in your life?

Where My Vote Is Not Going…

During the weekend, Newt Gingrich won the primary in South Carolina.

What does this do for the current election season?

In the short-term it makes the next primary a little more viable, it makes the primary that will happen in my state in the month of March possible relevant. Can I say I really hate our current primary system? While there is hope that the mid-March primary in the State of Illinois will have meaning, I honestly doubt that it will. The candidate will be solidified by then and our turn will not matter.

I once saw a schedule breaking up the U.S. in six parts which would make campaigning-traveling sense and even out numbers. The sections would be rotated so that no one section would have 1st vote dominance except when it is their turn to go first. Guess that is a dream.

The primary results also makes Newt Gingrich appear to be a viable candidate.

But the truth is, even if I was of a Republican bent, I could never vote for Newt.

Image from Wikipedia

I find the man despicable. The reason why comes before taking money from Freddie Mac in the role as a historian, before being the only Speaker of the House to have 80+ ethical violations. It comes before divorcing his second wife six months after she was diagnosed with a chronic illness and then marrying his mistress of the past six years.

My issues with Newt have everything to do with how he treated his first wife, Jackie. The story usually goes that he served her divorce papers as she lay dying with cancer. That is the one I have heard over the years. But the truth more disgusting than that.

Jackie had been diagnosed with uterine cancer. Even so, she campaigned for him and she worked hard as she had done throughout their marriage. Seven years older, she put Newt through school so he  eventually held a doctorate and become a college professor. They had two daughters together. When he decided to hold public office, she was there by his side.

But Jackie was not pretty or young enough. He wanted to run for president,  needing a ‘Jackie O’ by his side and not the frumpy woman who was his wife. He filed for divorce and right there on the papers dug up by CNN it states that she did not want the divorce. That part of the story is old news. There have always been male professionals who divorced the women who supported them through med school or whatnot.

So how does it get worse?

Jackie was not served divorce papers on her death-bed. Instead she was in the hospital after having a tumor removed. She was in her room when Newt and the girls stopped by to see how Jackie is recovering. She was still groggy from surgery when Newt pulls out a yellow pad with the terms of their divorce, demanding she sign it there and then. At least that is how the story goes from the original article in Mother Jones magazine in 1984 but FactCheck.org disputes based on accounts from three people in that hospital room.

But that is not the worst of it. The worst is when Jackie and the girls move back to their home in Carrollton. The house has no utilities, no heat, no water no electricity. Newt refuses to give Jackie any money to support the girls. Their home church held a food drive for the family, they asked members to donate money so Jackie and the girls can get back on their feet.

It is only when Jackie states she is going to take Newt to court that he relents. He gets everything up to date and must make monthly payments to Jackie. By making this legal agreement, he manages to avoid the jury trial Jackie had requested.

Why are the actions from a broken marriage 30 years ago relevant? Because this is a man who runs on a ‘family values’ platform. This is a man who judged Bill Clinton on his lack of ability to keep his business in his pants – publicly. This is a man who wants to judge you and me on our private lives. And yet his past behavior is vile and disgusting.

His role as a father should have been to make sure his children had a place to call home that was functional. They only had it after Newt was being taken to court. In my world, we call this kind of man a SCUMBAG. That is detailed in court records and something Newt or his daughter cannot deny. I find this behavior very hard to forgive.

Understand that this is a man who campaigns on ‘family values’ but does not live those values. This is a man who changes wives for younger models on a regular basis. This is a man who expects to call others on their deepest sins but gets upset when the tables are turned on him.

This is a man who will never receive my vote or respect.

We didn’t have this ‘green thing’ in my earlier days

I recently saw this long and lengthy post on an acquaintance’s Facebook page. At first I was interested and wanted to see where it was going to go.

Image from chloesblog.bigmill.com

     Checking out at the supermarket recently, the young cashier suggested I should bring my own bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. I apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this green thing back in my earlier days”. The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.” She was right about one thing–our generation didn’t have the green thing in “Our” day. So what did we have back then? After some reflection and soul-searching on “Our” day, here’s what I remembered we did have…. 

As soon as the person had a chance to respond to the ‘whippersnapper’s’ comment, I knew it was going to run into that trite BS about how life was better in the old days. Worse yet the person continuously makes the comment that we did have this ‘green thing’ back in their day.

What a waste of a ‘teachable’ moment.

You could have regaled that young person with the facts that President Theodore Roosevelt may not have been the first President to create National Parks but he doubled their numbers within his term of office.

Not only that, but he was friends with John Muir, the crazy Scottish fellow who founded the Sierra Club about 100 years ago. The biggest grassroots environmental group was founded that long ago by people considered a little nutty.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled. But we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.

But wait, I have more. There is Rachel Carson who graduated from college in 1919 (huge feat in those days) to become a biologist. She is credited with creating the contemporary conservation movement and published the groundbreaking Silent Spring in 1962.

Carson would pass away in 1964 but her legacy lived on in The Clean Water Act of 1972 and The Clean Air Act of 1970 as well as the banning of DDT.

Image from Snowyoctonber.blogspot.com

We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn’t have the green thing in our day.

When the American bald eagle was endangered, it was discovered that the pesticide DDT weakened the shells of eagle eggs  and put eaglets at risk when the mother roosted on the eggs. Numbers of the birds had dropped dramatically but were on a resurgence until this pesticide was introduced.  DDT was banned in the US in 1973. It took about 20 years for the bird to regain population levels to be taken off the endangered list. To get this done took much lobbying from people in the ‘environmentally conscious’ community.

 Back then, we washed the baby’s nappies because we didn’t have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts — wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right. We didn’t have the green thing back in our day.

Who can forget President Ronald Reagan’s dismissive attitude towards environmentalists, those ‘tree huggers,’ and how instead he claimed trees were killing people. Oh, and remember ‘Acid Rain?’

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of Wales. In the kitchen, we blended & stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us.

I remember back in the 80′s when Chicago had the recycling centers and how I would drive my stuff over. We sorted our glass by color at that time. Blue bags came later. Now, we take our recyclables to a private firm but we can still do it.

What I wish is that people would stop perpetrating the lie that the ‘green thing’ wasn’t happening. There were crunchy people back then who worked to make a difference when they were saving the whales, dolphins, tuna and manatees. Those crunchy people fought for a better environment and to get big business to stop polluting our drinking water sources.

It is easy to sit back and say that trite reminiscent response to try to make the current youth feel guilty because they are smug and this ‘green thing’ is all they have ever known. But what you are really doing is being just as dismissive and ignorant of what was going on in the past as that young cashier.

It means that during the last 50 years you’ve ignored the sad Indian commercials , all of Lady Bird Johnson’s efforts to clean up America and the ‘don’t be a litterbug’ advertising campaigns. You have completely forgotten the gas crisis of the 70s, the electric and hybrid car revolution of the 00s (remember Al Gore’s son getting a speeding ticket in his Prius), and wind turbines.

Image from The Daily Green.com

There was always a ‘green thing’ going on but you choose to mask your ignorance with sentimentality. Meanwhile, there are communities banning those plastic grocery bags. Perhaps now is the best time to start doing that ‘green thingy’ by taking a canvas bag with you whenever you go shopping.

Unless you like appearing as the neighborhood old fart on a regular basis.

I Would Do Anything But I Won’t Do That…

 

 

Like all of us, I read many of the freshly pressed posts of the day. I want to see what people are writing about and find topics other than mine interesting.  I also like to see what other people make in their kitchens or craft rooms. Some of it is very inspiring.

So today, I was looking at EcoWomen: Protectors of the Planet as they discuss green resolutions that can make a difference for our planet. This post resonated with me as the hubs and I do many of these things. We recycle and compost. Our water bottle usage is less as we re-use those bottles until they can no longer be used. We have a garden and use it well. We have re-useable bags that need to be used more.

The one thing I cannot do on this list is give up meat – even for one day.

I am willing to try to lessen my paper towel dependance and I do try to hit the local farmer’s market for produce. Our garden produces wonderful vegetables. We want to plant at least one more tree in our yard.

But the meat thing is a sticking point.

My family has a history of diabetes running through it like wildfire on both sides. One of the things I have noticed is how protein really helps keep my blood sugar from going crazy. My diet has become a balancing act of fresh produce and proteins so that I do not get dizzy while keeping the calories at a point where I continue to lose weight.

When I was college age, I did try the vegetarian diet. I went for less beef and more chicken. Slowly, I realized it was the grease that made me sick so I went for lean meats. I tried tofu but I didn’t like it all that much. I do some bean dishes but they are not my main source of protein. I learned how to cook what I like in a tasty manner which means there can be a lot of cheese. Many of our meals might be chicken as opposed to beef.

However, as I get older I find I want meat – especially beef. There is nothing like a real Italian Beef sandwich. A hamburger made well is a thing of glory. I do not need bacon on my burger but sharp cheddar or blue cheese takes that burger to another level. I feel better when I have an animal based protien. I would like to think this does not make me a bad person just one who needs certain foods to survive. I am sure there are plenty of vegans who will tell me differently, that a few minor adjustments will make life better for me.  

The suggestions made by the Eco-Women are wonderful. I agree with most of what they say. While I am willing to give up using plastic bags, and our family will continue to compost and recycle the one thing we are not doing is giving up meat. 

I wonder if planting a new tree will make up for my meat consumption.

Are you making any resolutions to help the planet?

 

 

Muddling Through to the New Year

Resolutions

This is the week in which we think and write down those changes we want to make for the coming year.

Image by PPDigital

We want to stop smoking, lose weight, be kinder to those we love. We want to be better humans or maybe prove that we can finish something. There are dreams rumbling in our hearts and brains that want to come out. Goals and end results that want to be made.

Maybe you do it by completing a marathon, finish writing that book, getting that degree, making partner, becoming a doctor.  

Blogs fill the internet with people working on a goal, a list, a quest. It might be Robert reading the Time’s list of the best books of the modern age. Or maybe it is Maura’s list of 36 things to do before her 37th birthday. Then there is one of the most famous quest blogs – that of Julie cooking every recipe in Julia Child’s cookbook.

We see others striving and making it. I see people in the film business who cannot do anything but make movies. I admire people who start their businesses and see it through good times and bad. I wish I was that brave.  

I haven’t written my resolution list yet. I know a few things I want on it. Such as having most of my debt gone by the time I reach 50 in two years. Finish the novel that has stalled. Keeping up with my writing group (those people are kick-ass and I love it). Find a sense of purpose because right now I do not have one.

That is the point of resolutions. They give us a direction, something to strive for, a goal. Those ten pounds don’t lose themselves, we have to work at it to make them go away.

Image by Seeman

I say this knowing my oldest is going through the same thing but he is about to turn 20. It is ok for a 20-year-old to feel this way but a 40-something feeling this way is just cliché. Worse yet, I don’t have the money for the little red convertible to go with a mid-life crisis.

While I am muddling through, what I want to know from all of the people who stop by and read my words is how you have gotten through something similar or what resolutions you are planning for this upcoming year.

Happy New Year.

 

Editor Note: I found this post on finding direction on Freshly Pressed today. I really liked it and hope it helps others who are stuck in place for the moment as I am.

A Case of the Grinchies

Image from Christmasgeek.com

It is the final week of Christmas. Everyone is happy and cheery.

I am a Grinch.

We were planning a trip to my parents house for Christmas. Because of that I was  arguing to not have a tree to which my husband told me “that’s just wrong.” So this past weekend we trekked out to the tree farm, picked a small tree and brought it home.

After a weekend of holiday busyness and flu.

That’s right, just before the office party Friday night, I was sicker than a dog. Once I got to the party and smelled the fried and spicy foods that I would normally eat, I left early. There is nothing like seeing your favorite food (shrimp) and not being able to eat it.

Because one must persevere, I brought up the boxes of ornaments and lights. The lights went around the tiny white pine and it began to look better, right until I found out all of our ornament hooks were missing except for about a dozen.

Image from myrecipes.com

I almost started crying right there and then.

This was worse than the milk going sour but certainly better than when the brakes went out on my minivan – as I was driving it.

I was going downhill when the brakes stopped working. I felt like I was in a movie where a driver keeps pumping to no effect. Strangely enough, I was able to coast all the way to my office without breaking laws, hitting other cars or destroying my car. For me, it was an unbeatable sign of faith  and that I was not alone in that van.

The van is now at the garage, repaired and waiting for me to pick it up. With it sits my hopes of getting away even if it was only for a weekend.

Monet Scarf Project

New hooks have been bought and I made chocolate cake out of the sour milk. Christmas shopping is getting done and maybe I will get some baking done. After all, Santa needs his cookies and Egg Nog (liberally spiked with Rum) on Christmas Eve.

This Grinch now feels happy to be alive but a little let down. I have to gather the presents meant for my parents, wrap them and pack them up to send to Missouri. Perhaps this is for the best as snow storms are rolling across the plains towards the Show-Me-State.

Flecks Scarves

When one needs to lift their spirits the best thing to do is to have a little chocolate and an easy craft project on the side. I am making scarves for the mitten tree at church.

I am playing with the “flecks” style-yarn and a varigated yarn called “Monet.” These are so pretty it is hard to give them away. Then again I can always make one for myself, maybe the person who will get the scarf cannot.

How are you dealing with the Grinch-y feelings this Christmas season?

The Gratitude Shine

I was thinking about writing on thankfulness today with the big holiday coming up.

Perhaps it is a desire to remind myself that - even when I mess up, blow deadlines and have a generally yucky feeling - life is pretty good. My family is healthy, I have a job as does my husband and while we do not have a lot of money we do have enough.

That idea was totally blown out of the water when I read “Gratitude, Shmatitude” at Snide Reply. How right she is that sometimes you have to deal with what is at the moment and gratitude has to wait some days.

The strange thing is that it reminded me of a life lesson found in a Star Trek movie. Spock’s human brother is a healer who takes away the emotional pain that the roughest situations give us. Dr. McCoy in particular has become a believer as he never got over the guilt of taking his father off of life support one week before a cure for McCoy’s father’s illness was discovered.

It is at this moment that Captain Kirk refuses, stating that the worst moments of our lives are what shapes and forms us. Would Dr. McCoy had become a less able doctor if his father’s experience had not propelled him? We need those times to push us and eat at us to make ourselves better.

I am going to think about that as my frozen rock of a turkey slowly thaws and perhaps be cook-able tomorrow. I will think about that as I put up Christmas lights on the warmest Thanksgiving in years. I will think about it all as I watch Miracle on 34th Street for the umpteenth time.

That is not going to stop me from feeling grateful for the good things because I learned long ago there are always going to be people trying to drag you down. Some people are happiest when they are dragging you down. Some people think cynicism is hip when it is really hiding from your own emotions. I have been one of those persons at different times in my life and I am not going back there. If that means I have to shine the light of gratitude to keep from sliding down the slope of despair, I am doing it.

But here is what I am not doing. I am not joining a gratitude group or keeping a gratitude journal. Some days, I will go to bed angrier than a red hen at something stupid the husband has done and forget to think of things that make me grateful. (Like no one else has ever done that.) Nor am I going to force you to state how you feel grateful for something or chide you when life puts you on the negative side of the fence. I have cousins whose mother died two years ago at this time and telling them to be grateful they had her as long as they did is a bit cruel and stupid.

What I am still going to do is be happy for what I do have because as far as I can tell, I have it pretty good. It has not always been easy but my life is easier than a lot of other people. And that makes me feel lucky and good.

If that is gratitude, well, so be it.