Politicalseasoning's Blog

Ron Paul would be great if only…

politicalseasoning — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:03:10 +0000

Republican candidate Ron Paul often catches ones attention because of his ideas. He takes on issues others won’t touch like the war on drugs but then he gets to talking… and all I end up thinking is “yikes.”
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Recently when talking about limiting government because of its inefficiency and overreaching power to give the control back to the states Jon Stewart asked Ron Paul if he wouldn’t worry that the state would develop their own mechanisms for that type of…
Paul responded with-
“Well, let’s hope the people would work it out and make it decent. Some states would do better than others and that was the wonderful part of our country.”
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Really? Some states having minimal education, health care, working conditions and no money to fix it, while others… Wait, should states raise taxes to pay for what he thinks the government shouldn’t do? That could be scary. Go Ronnie… please keep talking.
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And we can trust state government more than the Feds? Because inside all the individual liberty and freedom s**t you keep talking about there still does need to be a governing force. Perhaps we could replace all of congress with howler monkeys using Ouija boards, take away their health insurance and pay them… oh I don’t know, less than minimum wage, since Ronnie thinks abolishing that would somehow “help People.”

That should be Ron Paul’s slogan “Well, let’s hope.”

Libertarianism is as bad as Utopian bulls**t. It sounds good but runs against human nature.
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I’m going to get my guitar now. We’ll all hold hands (only if we want to of course) around the campfire (fueled by the middle class) to sing Kumbaya and pass around what ever you and your son Rand are smoking.

Good day.

A Red Tick Coon Hound Joins The Family. Welcome Freckles.

politicalseasoning — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:18:36 +0000

I’ve been talking about getting a dog for quite a while now and have been checking the animal shelters every week for months. I’ve seen lots of cute adoptable dogs of all different sizes, colors, ages and breed/mixes, even a few I considered adopting, but no hounds or even beagles that were available.
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A week or so ago we were shopping at Home Depot and saw that over at Petco there was an adoption group with puppies that were rescued. We decided for the heck of it to go over and look. That was it. There was one dog that looked so much like the Fox Hound I grew up with that I was amazed. His temperament was gentle, he was cute and smart and I fell instantly in love with him… and he was adoptable!

Freckles

He was from a roundup in South Carolina with a number of other dogs. He’s mostly Red Tick Hound (or Coon Dog as they call them, because they use them for hunting and to tree raccoons.) Maybe a mix with other hound breeds but this dog is a winner. Curious and bright.
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I’m crazy about him. He’s my very best friend. We’ve had him about 2 weeks and he’s doing great, he’s been to our vet and got up to date on all shots and things like that. He’s 25 pounds and between 5 and 6 months old. And the amazing thing: he hasn’t had a single accident in the house. He waits all night, and goes out on walks. He even walks well with the leash. It’s amazing. Friendly sort of dog too!!!

Seems like it was fate for us both to be at the same place at the same time, neither of us expecting to find the other, not even looking, but then there we were… I couldn’t walk away and leave that adorable loveable pup.
I was very lucky indeed.

Welcome Freckles!!!

G’night.

New Hampshire “Debate” not excited as of yet.

politicalseasoning — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:52:27 +0000

New Hampshire “Debate”

Romney Care. Obamney Care? Affordable health care act? Too bad Romney can’t own his own successful health care program. Not allowable of course.
Bachmann announces her presidential run… Oh hallelujah a real Tea Party candidate.
Ron Paul thinks we shouldn’t treat illegal immigrants at all.
Gingrich says we need National Guard to patrol the Mexican border.
Herman Cain doesn’t want Muslims in his administration… Godfather’s Pizza anyone?
Pawlenty against unions? So I guess workers shouldn’t unite against… anything.
Rick Santorum really? Just can’t see it.

Not there:
Rick Perry the cowboy Texas secessionist… what ever could go wrong there?
And what’s The Palin Doin? I don’t think she’s going to run just like Trump but… I’d love to see the Bachmann-Palin face off.
Maybe the republicans could run an all woman ticket for 2012.
Wow now that would really be something… not sure what, but definitely something.

Well, if this is a sampling of the republican ideas, so far I’m unimpressed.
Privatize Social Security, repeal health care, abortion restrictions, marriage defined by state, nothing truly new. How about jobs, taxes, medicare, consumer protection, bank reform, wars, mortgage crisis (by the way since middle class are busy paying their own bills, or in foreclosure I wonder who is buying houses here… hint: they’re from other countries, not American newlyweds) and the debt crisis. The educational system from K-12 is a mess. Forget college tuition going up faster than anything and it’s already unaffordable for many.

Bank crisis number two: the kids and parents who borrowed heavily to go to college who won’t be able to pay back the loans in this economy with little job market.
I’m sick of conservative family values voters. If you want this country to survive we need to look at the real problems.

G’night

A Woman’s Best Friend Can Be a Beagle

politicalseasoning — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 04:14:52 +0000

Probably at some point sooner or later I’m going to get another dog. For 12 years we had a family dog Jake, not the world’s smartest beagle but we made room for him in our house. Jake came from a local shelter, he was abandoned out in the fields by hunters along with two other more gregarious young hunting dogs. Every year the shelters get dogs that either ran away, got lost or were abandoned by hunters when they left. It’s sad that they just run around lost until picked up and taken off to the shelter.
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Jake was skitterish but had big brown eyes and obviously mistreated by his previous owner. He spent a bit of time getting used to the family. He hid under the table for a month, then slowly he came out to play with the kids when they were young. He hated pick up trucks, UPS trucks and any men in uniforms. For the first year he was afraid of loud noises, and barked and cowered if you picked up a broom, rake or anything remotely like that. He had scars from being beaten and a general distrust of people. Early on if the kids got loud he would hide. Despite all his odd behaviors he wasn’t aggressive with us at all and loved the kids attention the most. He trusted them before any “adults.”
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We almost got rid of Jake because when we “rescued” him he was two to three years old and very hard to train with all his quirks. Most things were ok and he learned but you couldn’t leave him overnight because he would eat anything he could wrap his teeth around. The hard part was that he also wouldn’t hold his water/other overnight. I tried everything gently with him, did everything the vet suggested to no avail. At one point I asked advice from the shelter I got him from and they said “gee we don’t know what you can do but we certainly won’t take him back because it sounds like he’s unacceptable for adoption and they’d have to have him put to sleep.” Yea, so thanks for the help and all your great advice, no, I don’t want Jake put to sleep I just wanted some help or advice.
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My family was starting to get tired of hiding all belongings so their favorite things didn’t get chewed to pieces overnight. I was also tired of trying to gate the kitchen every night so we only had to watch our step in the morning in one room instead of throughout the house. Jake didn’t like being in the kitchen alone and away from the kids. Frantically I spoke to the vet again at a checkup for Jake. We all are attached to the dog (my husband perhaps not as much) what are we to do? We’d tried almost everything. The vet said one very simple thing- get a dog crate and put it where he’s nearby overnight. He said many dogs won’t mess where they sleep, give him a cushion and see if it works. Well, I didn’t really like the idea of confining a dog even if it was for overnight but I thought at least I’d try it.
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We got the proper size crate that the vet recommended for him and the weirdest thing happened. I had dreaded the thought of getting poor Jake in a “cage” but to my surprise after we assembled it he went in it on his own. Every night after that he slept in the crate (though we had to give up on soft or puffy cushions because he tore them to shreds) a floor mat worked and he didn’t seem to mind. Problem solved. Twelve years later he got very sick and had to be put to sleep and I went with him and stayed with him. His ashes are scattered out back in the fields we walked along. Now the kids are all grown up and for the most part off on their own and Jakes been gone for 5 years now and I keep telling myself I don’t want the responsibility of another dog, but…

Sawyer aka Freckles

Which brings me to Freckles… he’s not really my dog, though I wish he was for sure. He’s a friend of my son’s dog and shares their apt. Actually his name is Sawyer, not Freckles, I just call him that because he’s got light tan spots all over on his coat. At any rate, he’s such a cute, smart, and well behaved dog that I’m crazy about him. He’s a beagle/dachshund mix (I think) and he makes me miss having the friendship and love of a dog. I’ve always been a dog person and every time I visit my son or he brings Sawyer for a visit, I spend a number of days wishing I had such a good companion as Sawyer to take walks with and share my life.
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Last night my son came here to work on his car outside and brought Sawyer with him. I got to take him for a long walk where we chased some rabbits around and he was barking and excited by 10 deer in the back field. It made me smile and remember all those walks with Jake over the years. Though I do have to admit Sawyer is far better behaved to walk with.

G’night,

Laura

My MX5 Cobalt Snow Baby

politicalseasoning — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:52:10 +0000

The MX5 probably isn’t the greatest car to drive in the snow… Well, unless you have a nice open space like a large parking lot to play around in that no one is going to bother you while you slip and slide for FUN. If the roads aren’t icy or under inches of snow it’s not too bad. Though honestly I don’t go out of my way to drive in bad snow anyway… seriously there isn’t anywhere I want to go that’s worth taking the chance of having an accident from either my sliding or someone else sliding into me.
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I love those 4-wheel drive vehicles that race around because they have better traction, at least until they have to brake anyway. Fortunately, we don’t get that much snow here and when we do it’s cleared up after a day. Usually everything closes if we get a lot of snow anyhow so it doesn’t matter all that much if I don’t get out.
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Here’s a shot of my Cobalt Snow Baby MX5 all nestled in the driveway. Much happier with the hard top especially in the winter! Has such a great coupe line and easily turns convertible! Car has around 25000 on it now and I still love it. Love the car, the color, but most importantly the clutch. Of course Mazda calls the color Stormy Blue Mica but yea, it’s Cobalt.

I love the snow, but I prefer long walks in it while it’s falling down over driving on the road!!!

G’night!
Laura

2011 is here and I need a nap!

politicalseasoning — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:52:16 +0000

This photo pretty much sums up the holiday season for us! Family dinner for Christmas and went out for a few drinks for the New Year. Tired today but glad it’s finally the end of 2010! Really turned into what seemed like a long, long, not too much fun, year around here. I’m hoping that 2011 is a far better year for everyone!!! I’m determined to make some changes this year and well, I’ll start just as soon as I take a nap that I really, really need. Ha. Cooked a wonderful spiral cut honey baked ham for dinner and just cleaned up the debris. Always, always with the food cooking it seems.

So EVERYONE have a happy, healthy New Year. 2011 is here!
Now if you’ll pardon me, I need to crawl off and rest.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………………

Happy Holidays!!!

politicalseasoning — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:30:28 +0000

All right so I’ve lost my mind cooking, shopping with low funds, running around and Christmas isn’t even here yet. Feel that tension creeping up into my neck and shoulders. Bah Humbug! That’s what they make Aspirin, Mylanta and all those products for right? Well, that and Vodka, da?
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It’s not that I don’t like Christmas, but it’s far too stressful. I like Thanksgiving, cook a nice dinner, chill and watch football or talk. No presents, no disappointed looks, no competitions for who got or gave the better gifts. No excess spending, wrapping, running around and feeling the inevitable next day let down (and clean up), no tree to pack up. Yup.
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Just want to skip it all and go caroling (used to when I was young every year) and take a fun sleigh ride or go ice skating… did that all the time years ago too. Fun activities are stress busters!!! Driving around avoiding crashes with crazed shoppers zipping around from place to place, only to finally arrive safely and park what seems like a mile away at your destination. Fun so far eh? Then you enter an overcrowded, overpriced store to find they don’t have what you really wanted after all… Multiply this experience by the number of gifts you need to acquire, and then figure out what you have to finally settle on that wasn’t really what you wanted but was all you could find… but you have to go back to an earlier store, which upon arrival you find THEY don’t have the item any longer…
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And you find yourself caught in the Twilight Zone of an endless shopping loop, forever doomed. Well, at least until Christmas. So you could shop online but try explaining that your awesome gift just didn’t arrive in time, or that at the last minute you got an e-mail stating it simply wasn’t going to arrive “until Feb. and did you still want it?” AAAaaaarrrggghhhhhhhhhh.
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Feels more like Indiana Jones and the Macy’s of Doom… (first store I went to, could be any store really)
Like I said it’s not that I don’t like Christmas but…
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Anyway to anyone else out there that’s stressed out by Christmas and the whole holiday thing till the New Year… Take a couple hundred deep breaths over the next few days and have a Happy Holiday whatever you celebrate!!! Let’s all hope that 2011 is a better year for everyone!!!

Laura

Overcooking: A constructive means of dealing with stress?

politicalseasoning — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:03:28 +0000

So it’s a bit of a joke to me at this point but, whenever I’m bored, depressed, upset, frustrated or any other emotion that I find unpleasant, I cook. Not that I don’t always cook regardless, but I’ll cook up a storm. Usually I cook up some odd dessert or huge pot of soup or stew, a roast creature, etc… I don’t know why, I just do. The problem is that I cook more than we can possibly eat and I feel odd just offering food randomly to people I don’t know too well or neighbors/friends. Can’t really plan for it either since I overcook when I’m feeling a bit off kilter and don’t know what to do with myself. Hmm.

Cooking as therapy? Surely when I can’t drive, which is my other stress reliever… but not always possible.

Anyway here are the three things I cooked a couple of nights ago (huge pot of stew is already gone since everyone loves it at least).

So now the reason I’m writing about this cooking thing is to distract me from cooking more food tonight. Sigh.
Oh well, could be a much worse response to stress than overcooking I suppose.
And since I’m on a diet and have lost 21lbs to date I don’t eat a lot of it myself either. Weird huh?

My favorite thing to cook? Chicken vegetable noodle soup and beef stew. Love the smell of it simmering for hours, love to eat it with crackers or warm Italian Bread, and most of all I love to chop up the veggies. Works wonders for any aggression one might harbor… lol.

As Dana Carvey once said: “She was chopping broccoli.” Oh yea she was and with a vengeance too!

G’night,

Laura
PS: Happy Holidays Everyone.

The 2011 Mazda2 Inner Driver

politicalseasoning — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 03:20:19 +0000

I love the ad campaign for the new 2011 Mazda 2 car. The Neon Green really caught my eye. A daring choice. They call the color Spirited Green Metallic while I would all it Day Glo Lime Green.
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I’m not complaining about the color. I actually like it! But don’t go by me because I seriously considered buying a Mazda MX-5 in Competition Yellow (which looked More like Orange to me) and having the Checkered Cab pattern airbrushed along the sides, similar to the taxis, fading as reached the back. The only reason I didn’t is because the only one I could get at the time was a rag top and I really didn’t want a rag top. If I could’ve gotten a PRHT MX-5 in Competition Yellow at the time I definitely would’ve done the checkered thing. Yea, I know I’m a little odd.

I can’t imagine a better rendition of my inner driver than the little green helmeted imp they came up with. I love it. Spirited Green indeed!
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I don’t actually want a Mazda 2 at any rate. I absolutely LOVE my manual prht MX-5 in Stormy Blue Mica! Though I say it’s definitely Cobalt Blue.

I wouldn’t trade my car for anything (in my price range anyway), well that’s not true if they ever turbo the dang things I suppose I would get in line…

Inner Driver’s Drive on!

“Jinba-Ittai”

Laura

Please No More Paladino

politicalseasoning — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:23:14 +0000

As much as I will probably be discouraged by the results of the upcoming polls, I won’t miss the constant barrage of political campaign ads one bit. I can’t stand any of the parties anymore… The republicans are not planning anything that will change anything, just more of the same- battering down the middle class. The democrats who had a real chance to accomplish even more done than they did and give all the reasons WHY we need to change things clearly, dropped the ball and will likely pay for it (as usual).
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I’m from NY and have been more and more disgusted by our elected officials and what they say and do. We need better officials in NY. So what do we get as one choice? Carl Paladino. His signs have been turning up on lawns around the area.

I do agree with the sign, Carl is certainly mad. But I think more along the line of “mad” as a hatter. Angry might have been a better word to choose on the sign writer’s part. He’s angry all right, at everything it seems, no good reasoning behind what he would do and why, but I guess right now being angry is enough to run on. Sigh.
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What bothers me are the racial, ethnic, anti gay, pornographic things he’s passed on to others. Tough guy indeed. Sorry but unacceptable Carl. Just what we don’t need to represent New Yorkers.
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I’m sick of people that preface their stories/jokes with “Well, I’m not a racist BUT this joke is so funny…” And then they repeat it and don’t understand why it might bother you at all. Paladino thinks it’s okay… seriously Carl, really?
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I won’t be voting for Paladino. It wouldn’t matter to me if he was Dem, Repub or, um, a Tea Party Patriot…

Can’t wait until the ugly signs come down and the elections are over!

G’night