Freedom of Speech

On this Independence Day, I'm going to take a minute to exercise my right to free speech and get on my soap box. I'll try to make it short though...

I've often thought that for my generation freedom and independence was a given, and something we take for granted. Because, it's not like we've had a hand in fighting for it. 

However, as I was reading the news this morning about more unrest in Egypt, coupled with a recent conversation with my Dad and thoughts about last weeks SCOTUS ruling, I took a moment to reflect. We (and by we, I mean Americans) may not be fighting for freedom and independence from government rule, but we are still fighting for freedom of oppression from each other. 

It is our constitutional right to have beliefs and opinions, but it's how we act upon them that either sparks a fire for bias and prejudice, or cultivates a deep reverence for diversity.

Unfortunately, bias seems to come much easier than understanding. I suppose because you don't have to educate yourself...I think the saying is "ignorance is bliss." Except that it's not. It's just lazy.

We've all succumb to laziness in some form or fashion, whether we want to admit it or not, but we have to keep pushing ourselves to fight for and towards the founding principles of this country...freedom and equality. We are the melting pot of the world after all, so if we can't embrace our differences and see the beauty in that, then we've failed ourselves, and as a role model to those who are literally still fighting for this dream.

-Mo

Bailey & Sydney Go For A Walk

Bailey and Sydney are my parents new beloved little furry companions. You see about 10 months ago, we had to say goodbye to "Annie the Wonder Dog" ... aka Annie and the Rocket Dog. Annie, over came several illnesses throughout her life that would have broken the spirit of most dogs, but not "the wonder dog". She had an unrelenting drive...for food, walks and attention, even up to almost the very end. So, it was really hard to say goodbye, but solace comes with tears, time and knowing she had it pretty good...actually, probably couldn't have had it any better. Here's the cutie:

"Annie the Wonder Dog"

Sigh....well, they say the best thing to do to help the pain, is to go looking for other furry little friends, who need you just as much as the ones before them. So after roughly 4 months, I think my Mom caved in, and found Bailey, and then it wasn't long before Sydney came along, which in my opinion looks like a mini Annie.

Puppies are always a challenge. Bailey and Sydney are testing the definition of challenge!

But they are cute, and the Junebug seems to like them too. Sydney is providing payback for all the relentless puppy moments in Juno's not so distant youth.

And this week, marks Bailey and Sydney's first sleepover/vacation, while the parents took a much needed vacation...however, I'm not sure if the parent's vacation is much needed from work and the everyday stresses of life, or rather from these little puff balls. And with that said, Bailey and Sydney definitely don't allow for any dull moments.

And today was no different. Bailey and Sydney went for their first walk....was it success or failure?

Scroll to find out......

Juno is thinking yes, we are going for a walk

(she loves them; walks that is)

If I could guess, Bailey is thinking, I'm not so sure about this....

Sydney (the black streak in the bottom left corner)

is trying to go the other way.

Out the door we go, and curiosity ensues.....

(Just to clarify, now that they are visible,

Bailey is the brown one, and Sydney is solid black)

 Bailey seems to be happy!

And we are walking!!!!

And if you could see Sydney in action,

this is the equivalent of success.

Most of the time she is just a blur in photos

because she's bouncing and charging around

like a "mini rocket dog"...a little uncanny if you ask me 

So, the official results...success it was. Not with out a few tangles along the way, because of course Juno came with us, and that made it all the more fun. But, we did make it around the block. And when you are 10 pounds, that is a long way.

Mom & Dad...if you're reading this, you have a new evening activity waiting for you upon your return! 

-Mo

Thunder & Mint-Raspberry Gin and Tonics

A little clip from our Saturday evening as we listen to some thunder on our deck...

A couple of Minty-Raspberry Gin and Tonics with a twist of lime and M.Ward playing on Pandora while listening to the thunder makes for a relaxing Saturday evening.

Even Juno is braving the Thunder...........

Change

If there's anything I've learned in the past 6 months, it is this...Change is inevitable. Change is good. Change is hard. It is scary, and it is sometimes a necessity. But with change, comes new adventures.

In the last two months, I decided to limit my blogging to focus on a little soul searching. And among all the things I needed to weigh, I needed first to decide whether I would let the fear of change paralyze me from taking action, or if I would put my big girl shoes on and walk straight into embracing change.

Well, I put the big girl shoes on, not without struggle, or a lot of support, and went forth. And guess what...change was going to happen whether I wanted to welcome it or not, but it is much better when you do, because you can have some say in that change.

You might ask what's all the fuss about. Well, I decided to change jobs. I know people do this everyday. But I had spent almost one-third of my life with this company and the people (often spending more time with them, than my own family). So, the people factor made it really hard. But the personal and professional part really needed the change.

So as I said before, with change, comes new adventures. I set the chain of events in motion for my own change, and found out, this chica is ready! So, here's to new adventures. New job starts next week!

And thank you Vladi, Dad, Mom, for dealing with me and for supporting me. Love you guys.

Random Babble

What is this?

So how did I find out? I asked the Bug Man (a.k.a. my husband, who knows anything and everything about the natural world, especially bugs!).

Wanna know the answer? Read on....

Apparently, it's a good thing I didn't get too close. This is commonly known as an Oil Beetle or Blister Beetle, part of the genus Meloe. (I told you he would know.) They get their name from the oily droplets of hemolymph released from their joints when disturbed; the oily substance contains cantharidin, a poisonous chemical causing blistering of the skin and painful swelling. This is why Mom's tell you look but don't touch!!! Because nature has built-in self defense systems.

So my question is, what is ours? Fear. Goose bumps. Shivers down the spine. A plain bad feeling, or pit in the stomach. Throwing a punch in self defense, doesn't seem quite as cool.

Maybe the force is within us all, if we just believe. Which brings me to my favorite Superbowl Commerical:

How many people do you think will buy the new VW Passat now?