Random Acts of Remembrance

For the last 12 years, I've gone to the family grave plot to help clean up as well as decorate family members' and relatives' graves. It seems as if we're doing a well enough job that we only need to clean up about every other year, and even at that, it's more maintenance than anything. This year, we didn't have to do anything except leave our presence there.

Last year, Metalfan and I started a new tradition. In addition to cleaning up my family section, for various reasons, we decided to clean up at least one other spot while there. You see, I have my great grandparents, as well as a baby cousin and my own at my family's plot. About two groupings over, my former mother in law. While I'm not obligated to keep hers up, she is still my son's grandma, so I do it anyway...

Last year, we found a guy and his wife about half way between, that seemed to have gotten forgotten about. We dug around the marker to remove the dead and overgrown grass around it, got some water, washed up the dirt...

This year, we found two military persons whose markers looked forgotten. One, we got his wife's, also, and left a small flag for her, since this was for a Military Medical Captain. The cemetery usually at least puts flags up around the markers, but, unless someone takes the time out to actually clean it up, little is done about it, because they don't have the resources to keep up with everything.

I just think it's wrong, that no one comes out for some of these people anymore... I'm not blaming the cemetery. They have other jobs to do. But, it's just odd that here are some heroes from wars past, and I don't know if they have no family, or if they moved away, or what's going on...

So, we've heard of random acts of kindness. This was Memorial Day. So, we figured we would perform a random act of remembrance, because they cared enough for us, to give so much to the greater good of the country. The least we can do is spend an extra few minutes to keep their marker clean another few years... They thought we were worthy of defending. In my mind, they are worthy of remembering.

Until next time, peace out.

Answers to the brainteasers in the last blog...

1) The Declaration of Independence (1776)

2) Martin Luther King's Speech (1963)

3) Account of Susan B. Anthony's trial (1874)

4) Benjamin Franklin's Epitaph (Written in 1776)

5) The Bill of Rights-Amendment I (1791)

6) Franklin Roosevelt's Four Freedoms Speech (1941)

7) U.S. Constitution Thirteenth Amendment (1865)

8) The James Monroe Doctrine (1823)

9) John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address (1961)

10) United States Constitution (1787)

11) The Treaty of Paris (1783)

12) U.S. Constitution Nineteenth Amendment (1920)

13) Star Spangled Banner (1814)

14) Thomas Jefferson's Inaugural Address (1801)

15) Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (1863)

A Memorial Day Brain Teaser.

I like the occasional brain teasers. So, in honor of Memorial Day, I'd like to present some brain teasers because it's stuff like this our soldiers stand up and give their lives for... I will post the answers at the end of the day.


Here are the questions -

1)
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
Happiness.

2)
I have a dream that one day out in the red hills of Georgia the sons of
former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit
down together at the table of brotherhood.

3)
It was we, the people, not we, the white male citizens, nor yet we, the
male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed this Union.

4) The Body of B. Franklin, Printer,

Like the Cover of an old Book,

Its Contents torn out,

And stript of its Lettering & Gilding,

Lies here, Food for Worms.

5)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

6)
That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a
kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of
world is the very antithesis of the so called new order of tyranny
which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.

7)
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for
crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist
within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

8)
We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing
between the United States and those powers to declare that we should
consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion
of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.

9) And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

10)
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United
States, at the time of the Adoption of the Constitution, shall be
eligible to the Office of President, neither shall any Person be
eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of
thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United
States.

11)
His Brittanic Majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz., New
Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to be free sovereign and
independent states, that he treats with them as such, and for himself,
his heirs, and successors, relinquishes all claims to the government,
propriety, and territorial rights of the same and every part thereof.

12)
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

13) And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

14)
To you, then, gentlemen, who are charged with the sovereign functions
of legislation, and to those associated with you, I look with
encouragement for that guidance and support which may enable us to steer
with safety the vessel in which we are all embarked amidst the
conflicting elements of a troubled world.

15)
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or
any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met
on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion
of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their
lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper
that we should do this.

Political Rant by a nice mad woman

I wish I had more time to blog, the way I used to blog when I had more time...

Anyway, it just seems to be a toilet bowl of political blogging when it comes to some of these networks. Let's face it, some politics are going to instigate debates. So anyway, here is this article from my local paper, the Racine Journal Times Online - readers were asked to ask questions because the paper was going to interview him Tuesday and Wednesday. Paul Ryan answers JT, reader questions. In the article where the paper asked the questions, I'd posted mine late Tuesday night, but early enough Wednesday morning (like 2am) about April's Law, I'd even posted links to say what it is all about, and it never got asked. It's a situation such as a 42 year old man getting charged with sexually assaulting a 9 year old, and then these child enticement reports which makes it needed that we have April's Law. Yet we don't want to talk about this?

What is super irritating is that here we're making all these budget cuts, and here we're looking at the schools not re-filling at least some positions that are retiring, but also going to slash another 125 positionsfrom our school district. So now they get to do MORE work with less money. And what are the plans to counter this? Nothing other than Walmart, who wants to put up a superstore in the middle of a county setting, where there are open farmland to one side, country homes on the other side, and like Walmart is really going to fit there?

I still think that we need a gimmick instead, more like a country store that sells stuff like hand made quilts, antiques, and other country type stuff, and then have a country cafe there too, serving farmer style breakfasts. It would be cool to have it in the shape of a barn. I've suggested it, but, what do I know?

Anyway, the other options? Two ladies who used to own the best Chinese restaurant in town wants to come out of retirement in Illinois wants to come back to Racine to start a carry out Chinese place. Then there is talks about a Red Lobster coming back... maybe I can get a creep to take me there for dinner one day... And the waitress can talk about how she used to be a teacher making $20,000 salary with benefits on top of it, now she can't afford to take her lunch break...

Then, of course, there is our new Voter ID bill, that's getting sent to the Governor to be signed into law. I'm actually ambivalent on this issue, because I really think the republicans are paranoid about voter fraud, while the democrats are paranoid about disenfranchisement. Sure, there is some fraud, but there is no way to eliminate it all. On the other hand, I really don't think that other than absentee voters from the shut in disabled and our over seas people, that those who are here and even get to the polls are going to be turned out too much. On the other hand, if you're a recently married woman, would you be disqualified because your name doesn't match the form? Or is this ANOTHER appointment to have to follow up on, to have to re-register, AGAIN, just because this is another way to hinder the woman's right to vote?

What is the most frustrating, even aside from this party politics thing, I've been working on April's Law for almost 3 years, and that I had my original appointment with former Senator John Lehman about April's Law Wisconsin about 2.5 years ago. I got to talk with Representative Robin Vos, and he was supportive of the issue, which I am grateful. Last summer, I talked to Sen. Lehman and Representative Cory Mason, and they were kind enough to draft it. Super cool. Lehman was going to put it in right at the start of this session back in January. Well, he was replaced with Senator Van Wangaard, and he wants to "wait for Rep. Mason's office" to do something about it. Well, I've recently submitted the petition results for the Wisconsin Petition for April's Law. Because the paper copy went to Sen. Lehman, I don't have the around 60 Racine residents signatures that I collected single handely, no less, and it's maddening that 3 years worth of MY HARD WORK via YVI might be flushed down the toilet like our kids don't matter because the politicians are playing a game of "Whose Law is it Anyway?" I'm asking people to write/call Rep. Mason urging him to put April's Law to the floor. Obviously, this one woman battle is not moving very well, and I need your help. I also need people to write to Sen. Wangaard to have him take a more pro-active role on the issue.

Mason's:
Room 6 North State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708 Telephone (608) 266-0634 Or (888) 534-0062 Fax (608) 282-3662 Email Rep.Mason@legis.wisconsin.gov

Wangaard's
Room 319 South State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707 Telephone (608) 266-1832 Or (866) 615-7510 Fax (608) 282--3561 Email Sen.Wanggaard@legis.wisconsin.gov

People, just remember to be polite, you get better responses. Here is a sample letter:

Dear Honorable (Senator or Representative)

My name is (your name), I am a constituent. (I am not a constituent, but have relatives who are). I strongly support April's Law in order to consistently protect our sexually abused children who need us to be on a look out on their behalf. Too many sex offenders who prey on our children go back into society just to reoffend again. For the sake of our children, please push April's Law Wisconsin through!

Thank you sincerely,
(Your Name)

Mother's Day Weekend... An Extra Special Occasion!

Hi all! I know I've already done a mother's day tribute.

But anyway, we ended up celebrating Mother's Day over at my mom's, where my grandparents are there also. They're 98, going on 99, and they're very sweet. I don't think I could ask for better grandparents, and being they can't go anywhere, we went there. My grandma is so cute. While she still has her wits about her, since she can't physically do much for her self, her semi-helpless state makes her cute.

This year would also celebrate their 74th wedding anniversary, if they make it to September. I'm not so sure, though, but regardless, they've lived a good long life. We also sent a nice card to Euro's mom, with all the updates to let her know that even if we can't be with her, we're still celebrating her in spirit.

Anyway, we went over there to my mom's on Saturday to celebrate with them, since my grandparents don't like large groups of people, and it's more enjoyable anyway, talking to her when she doesn't need to keep asking me "What?" because she can't hear past the background noise. It was nice, I'd brought Jello, because my grandparents like it, and a green bean casserole to go with my mom's home made Sloppy Joe's, and she'd found a good potato salad recipe online.

On Sunday, my son and I spent about an hour or so over at Our Savior's Church to serve the meal for the soup kitchen they run every Sunday. Our church helps serve every so often, and there are a group of churches that help take turns.

Funny thing, is that the menu for that evening was Sloppy Joes, coleslaw, potato chips, two types of pickles, baby carrots, a small casserole, and a bunch of cookies that were left over from my church, some donated by O & H bakery. I was worried that there wouldn't be enough, and there was JUST enough to feed everyone to a comfortable full, and to send home some left overs for whom needed to bring some with them.

I got put in charge of serving the slaw, and my son served next to me dishing out the pickles. After the meal, while I was helping to dole out the left overs, my son rinsed off the food serving trays. He worked hard, and well, I think he practically took a shower at the sink, as well as got the floor washed with the sprayer. But hey, it's just water, and it's fun for a kid.

It always amazes me when I go to these places to serve it up for these people who may or may not be homeless, some are transient though they work, others have a permanent place but don't have food security, and a few are there for the company and fellowship because they have no one else. Yet they come in, and are so thankful that we are here to help them out.

I remember one time, before there was HALO, there was REST, and we'd take turns serving supper during the summer. Once we had a cook out, and all I'd brought was a cake. They were so thankful that they'd acted as if I'd brought them steak, for a cake mix I'd bought on sale... I actually thought that maybe I was lucky to have served them, and not the other way around.

Regardless, it was cool to be of community service with my 11 year old, who is learning that even if we don't have a whole lot, that there are those less fortunate, and in some ways we are rich, because we have each other.

Your Recipes:

Barbecued Hamburgers (Sloppy Joes)

3# hamburger meat, the leaner the better. (For a vegetarian or vegan twist, you may use smashed hard boiled eggs or firm tofu crumbled up, just use oil for these options), A large minced onion. A large minced green pepper. About 3 stalks of celery, minced. Brown meat or meat substitute well, drain extra grease, add onion, brown a bit, add bell pepper & celery, and brown meat very well.

For the sauce:

2 cups ketchup. 2 TBS dry mustard. 6 TBS vinegar. 1/2 cup sugar. 1/2 cup water. 1 tsp salt. 1/4 tsp paprika. 1/2 TBS black pepper.

Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add to the meat mix, and let stew for flavors to blend.

Potato Salad:

6-8 red potatoes, cube to large bite size. 3 eggs. Boil potatoes 30 minutes, until barely done. Hard cook eggs, crumble into the potatoes.

2 celery stalks, 3 bunches of green onions, 1 green pepper, & 6 radishes diced small.

Add diced veggies and mix with salad dressing until just wet. Let sit overnight, and the flavors are well blended. You won't need to add any more seasoning.

Serve with a salad or vegetable of your choice to keep it healthy.

Happy Mother's Day - a tribute to ALL moms!

I would like to warn everyone that this blog may contain "TMI" for some people. Happy Mother's day to all!

First off, I'd like to wish every mother here a very happy mother's day. No matter if you have 1 child, or 5, babies or you're a seasoned grandma. Happy mother's day to everyone.

I also want to pay tribute to mothers passed. Growing up, we always figure that Mother will always be here for us. While we realize that eventually, we will always lose her, too often we don't think about that until after she's gone...

My ex-mother in law was one of those that you can't just forget about. Sure, she's imperfect just like the rest of us. But her so individual quirks made her lovable. When I was first introduced to her and my ex father in law, they took me straight in as a daughter, not as an in law. I was very appreciative.

The first Christmas I was to spend with them, my mother in law at the time sent me out to get Kringles from O & H Bakery, because that was her favorite. Of course she wanted the usual, one pecan, one apple. I got the apple just fine, but they were out of the pecan, so I'd hunted high and low for the next best, with odd flavors like prune, I don't like cherry, etc... so I'd settled on a different flavor, I forgot which... I was worried she'd be upset, because I didn't get the pecan kringle. She flat out said, "Oh, I can't be mad at her, I love her!" Bless her heart... How could I not love her back?

Anyway, when my son was first learning how to talk, she'd call him "Honey". Somehow, even as a baby, he'd understood terms of endearment. He called her Honey right back. It was sweet. She'd wanted to hear him say grandma, since other grandchildren called her Nana or some other word for grandma. She became Grandma Honey, because my son insisted her name was Honey. So he made the connection, and decided on his own, that it's Grandpa Honey. For the longest time, he wanted to tell everyone that his grandparents' last name was Honey.

So, anyway, she'd raised 4 kids (2 boys, 2 girls) and had 7 grandchildren (4 girls, 3 boys) before mine was born, so she was a world of advice when I had questions about the intricacies of motherhood and how to deal with certain boy issues.

Back in 2003, just days before my son's 3rd birthday, she died... Which was crazy, because I'd just talked to her just before noon, as I'd stopped in because I'd dropped off her prescription there. She was coherent, and upset because her youngest daughter had to be hauled into ER and was unconscious. After ensuring that all is well there, I went to go to my sister in law. Thankfully, all went well, she was fine. We checked in, and went about our merry way. Just before midnight the same day, exactly 12 hours later, we get a strange phone call from a police officer "Please call ASAP to your dad's house". I immediately call back, just to find out that she'd died... I was just dumbfounded. Anyway, even though I've been divorced from my ex for a couple of years now, I still miss "Grandma Honey", and still in good terms with "Grandpa Honey".

Just because she's gone does not mean she's any less of a mom, so in her memory as well as all moms who have passed, I'd like to look up to the Heavens and wish all of them a happy mother's day.

Back about 12-13 years ago, I was happily expecting my first child. I was elated, and felt like I was glowing. But I had serious problems regarding health. I had edema (water retention), preeclampsia (high blood pressure with spilling proteins) and the combination made me toxic, where I later found out that it was called toxemia. Anyway, my doctor just told me to watch the salt, eat more protein, get bed rest, and drink a lot of water. I did the best I could. I was never referred to a specialist. My mother went with me, and after an appointment, got mad at me stating I needed a specialist at Froedert, and when I point blank asked her what's wrong with me, she'd hastily stated "Nothing! I'm sorry for alarming you".

In the end, well, at about 30 weeks, I had started spotting, and it was alarming because of the other symptoms I was having. I was told it was just old blood, and not to worry about it since I had "no idea what a normal pregnancy" for me is, because this was my first one. Three and a half weeks later, my placenta ripped off my uterus, and ended the pregnancy. I spent about 22.5 hours in labor, and darn near bled to death myself. I am lucky to be alive, and my 11 year old makes me the luckiest mom on the planet.

I know some may wonder why I'm posting such personal info. My goal is that if anyone who may be reading is experiencing the same situation, or knows someone can push for the medical care needed, even if it means having your baby early for a happy ending. Or, even if it didn't end up happy, that there is strength and hope, and life after death.

While I never got to hear my first son cry, nor look into his eyes, he is my angel baby, and I am the proud mother of two boys, even if I'm raising only one. For all mothers who have lost their children, at what ever age... Happy mothers' day to you! You are no less a mother, you're the mother of an angel!

For the rest of us who are lucky enough to have our kids with us, even the distance of miles or right in our own homes or across town, happy mother's day.

For our children, please keep signing the federal April's Law Petition, to help curb sex predators from preying on our children on and offline. The Wisconsin version has rounded up the co-sponsors this last Friday, May 6, 2011. It will be moving to legislative introduction this up coming week, and with any luck, will pass. Thank you for your continued support!

May 5th - A Multi-Cultural Celebration!

Many of you are familiar with Cinco de Mayo, literally translated as the Fifth of May. It's a Mexican celebration in honor of the unlikely win of the small Mexican Army against the mighty French back on May 5, 1862, where they held their ground, and kept their territory. It is not overly celebrated in Mexico, but here in this country we like to toast margaritas (Mexican) and daiquiris (which are actually Cuban) or Dos Equis - a Mexican beer, that you can serve with or without the lime, while munching on good Mexican food.

While it's highly unknown here in the States, May 5th is Boys' Day in Japan. Everyone with a son flies wind socks in the shape of salmon, to show off the strength.

It is a time to honor the personalities of the children, and to respect their personalities and celebrate their happiness.

Of course we all love an excuse to have a celebration, because we all love to eat, drink and be happy.

I just think it's cool that with good food, we keep our children happy also.

Here are some recipes in honor of both cultures.

Flautas -

1 pound of chicken, diced and sauteed in onion powder, cumin & cilantro to taste. 1 or 2 cans of black beans, drained well. Tortillas of your choice, I prefer the flour, in the fajita size. Dice up tomatoes & lettuce to set aside, along with shredded cheddar cheese or the Mexican crumble cheese. Sour cream, salsa, and guacomole is good too.

Roll some chicken and black beans into a tortilla wrap, and use tooth picks to hold together. Deep fry, and set on drip tray. You'll want to keep them warm.

When done, place them on a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan, spread sour cream, cheese, lettuce and tomato over the top. Reserve the salsa on the side for everyone to take for themselves.

Salsa -

4 Roma tomatoes, diced. Mince up a small onion, 3 jalapenos, and add a little lime juice & cilantro.

Guacamole -

5 avacados, scooped out of shell. 1 medium tomato, diced. A small onion, minced. About a tsp of salt. Juice of a lime (or to taste). Cilantro to taste. Mash and mix. Can be served with your flautas or with chips.

Japanese stir fry -

Cut about 1.5 pounds of chicken to bite sized pieces. (Or use shrimp). Dice/cube a large onion, and stir fry in oil. Add chopped cabbage such as bok choy, and other cut veggies like broccoli, cauliflaur, baby corn, green beans, slivered carrots, or what ever you like.

At the 2 minute mark, when they're just about crisp yet tender, add about 2 tsp of sugar, or if you need some liquid, use 1 Tbs of mirin. Add about 2Tbs soy sauce, or more to taste, and some pepper. Keep stiring on high until done.

Serve with tender brown rice. Enjoy!