Summer Wrap-Up

Being that I haven't blogged since April, you would think this should be something like the "Half-Year Wrap Up" and maybe in a way, it is. When you move from day to day, you think that nothing important or momentous happened that is necessarily worth blogging about. When you do a retrospective, and see what has transpired over a 5- or 6-month period, it gives pause to how quickly life passes.

With the approach of Labor Day, I lament the waning summer days and wish (as I do every year) that I did more to capture the essence of the season's freedom. Sure, we have a few more weeks before summer officially comes to a close, but here are the highlights (and low) of my summer:

• May: I became an aunt for the first time, and I'm loving it. My little nephew is the cutest boy and, even though he is not my child, I cannot wait to watch him grow and change. I wonder what kind of person he will develop into. If he is anything like his parents, he will be intelligent, loving, outgoing - and tall.Will he play football like his daddy? Will he be involved in the community like his mommy? Will he create new paths and follow his own dreams? Either way, I vow to be the best aunt I can be for him. 
• June: A heart-breaker of a meeting for work, but lessons learned. Dad had emergency surgery for a detached retina. Summer Fridays spent in hospitals or doctors' offices. A beach day thrown in for good measure. Spent a Girls Night Out with my friends, catching up. Finished "So Cold the River." Spent a lovely day in NYC with hubby, and discovered a fantastic restaurant.
• July: A series of health scares with my 93-year old grandfather. In and out of hospitals and related facilities. Preparing ourselves (over and over) for his final days. Each day feels like limbo, watching my 93-year old grandmother fear for the worst, losing her partner for almost 74 years. Having him come back from the brink, for the time being. Managed a low-key celebration of my birthday with hubby. Hot, hot summer.
• August: Similar to July, minus the birthday dinner. More serious scare with grandfather and his placement into hospice. And again, back from the brink. Remembering the tropical storm that hit one year ago today, flooding our town and surrounding areas. Also remembering preparing for our trip to Germany, just a few days after the storm. Watching now, reports of Hurricane Isaac nearing New Orleans nearly 7 years to the day after Katrina and hoping for the best. Interested to see Republican National Convention this week and Democratic National Convention next week, and wonder with a little trepidation which direction our country will take. Either way, I have a few concerns.

So, there you have it. My little summer wrap up. Let's see what autumn brings!

Feeding the Fear

Well, hello, April. When did you slip in?

So, there is this show on the National Geographic Channel called "Doomsday Preppers." Have you seen it? My husband and I have watched a few episodes, mostly in disbelief and with a chuckle. Are these folks for real?

If you haven't seen it, the show focuses on people around the country who, as the Website describes, are "...otherwise ordinary Americans who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it." They are convinced that the world will implode, metaphorically or otherwise, in their lifetime, and there will be food and supply shortages, mass riots, killing, and worse. Think The Road. They train themselves on survival skills and prepare earnestly for that unavoidable "doomsday."

I have to say, in some ways, I admire these preppers. As the suburban girl that I am, where most things I use are purchased, I can't say that I have developed many survival skills like sharp-shooting, growing my own anything (other than the tomatoes that seem to rot every year!), sewing my own clothes, camouflaging, digging bunkers or spider holes, etc.  Other than the natural intuition to fight or flee, I don't know how I would hold up. So far, our plan for {cough} apocolyptic supplies include Spam (yuck), Slim Jims, Tang and Twinkies (provided Hostess doesn't go out of business). Not quite sustenance. And what could I throw into my bug-out bag (aka, my LL Bean backpack)? Chapstick?

Also, the preppers' fear that a doomsday is upon us is not totally unfounded. Our society - any society, not just in the U.S. - is frail. We see dysfunctional governments, skyrocketing costs and unemployment, never-ending wars, terrorist cells, nuclear threats, civil uprisings, environmental disasters.  The way things are going, it's very likely we'll bring about our own demise unless we pull ourselves together. Soon. I won't even get into the Mayan prophecy that the world will end this December. I'm more skeptical on that, but we'll see. It would be a shame to have everything end just before Christmas.

So, I wonder, with everything going on in the world, whether this show is feeding the fear - or creating fear when there presently isn't any. Or should we be afraid? Should we all be more prepared for that elusive "doomsday" or is it just hype? Some let the idea consume them fully. Others feel that the Good Lord will take them when it's time so they are not scared. What about you? I'm just curious to hear other opinions on this.

Leaping Lizards

Happy Leap Day!

There's something special about a day that makes an appearance on the calendar only every 4 years. Some think it's an extra chance to do something out of the ordinary; others think of it simply as extra time to get more done and cram more "life" into a year. Some expect the unexpected; some have no expectations and just see what the day brings.

Whatever you think of today, let's make the most of it. We won't see it again for another 4 years - and who knows what the world will be like then.

What are your plans this Leap Day?

It Ain't Me

During my first trip to Germany, back in high school, I visited relatives of my host student. They were very kind to me and showed me the sights of the Black Forest and surrounding areas. When we got back to their house for dinner, the aunt asked me if I wanted McDonald's for dinner. I was stunned and confused, and said, no, I would eat whatever they were preparing. The aunt said that she thought all Americans eat McDonald's. 

That wasn't the first time I realized that Americans are often misrepresented abroad...or even at home for that matter. It was just one of the first times it happened directly to me. Clearly, that had a resonating impact.

Now, I am aware of the unfavorable perception many around the world have about America and its citizens. Some perceptions are warranted, most are not. What's frustrating to me is that America isn't helping the cause, and it seems to be undermining us all the time by exporting the worst of American pop culture and politics, and much more. Unless you live in a particular society, you won't understand the intricacies of that culture. {This same philosophy applies to American perceptions about other cultures, too, 'k?} Stereotyping is just plain ignorant. Period.

A very simple example: When I hear ANYTHING about Snooki and her pals on Jersey Shore, I want to scream at the top of my lungs that "Not everyone from New Jersey is like that!!" We are as varied as the day is long.

Other examples: Not all Republicans are ignorant, bigoted Bible-thumping evil spawns of Satan (I can hear you mutter under your breath...you're not getting my point, are you?). Not all Democrats are ignorant, granola-loving, unwashed, unambitious, unemployed moochers. Not all Christians are born-again Tea Partiers and not all Muslims are terrorists. Not all Americans are overweight diabetics that only eat McDonald's. And one more for good measure - not everyone who is working class wants to be a part of the 99%. Strong words? Sure. I'm sure you've heard - maybe even said - worse. I don't mean to offend. But it's time that people (here and abroad) stop pigeonholing folks because they have only part - or a gross misinterpretation - of the story.

I don't let these people speak for me - or define me - and neither should America.