Displaying 2,011 To 2,040 Of 2,240 Comments Morning (at least here) Ms. K! We FINALLY got some relief yesterday – big old boomer thunderstorm rolled through my neighborhood. I did not have to water today – YEA! I’ll try and send them to you. The air smells great, the ground is moist (not cracked). It’s still August, but our “highs” here on the weekend will be high 80sF – unheard of! I just wonder if that means we’ll have a miserable October…. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 25, 2010 @ 6:33 am I have often played the Sounds of Nature – Thunderstorm CD in hopes that – like a bird call – it will attract the rain! Helps me sleep too. Try it. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 19, 2010 @ 4:42 am Mornin, Ms. K! Don’t believe the hype on rain. Last summer we had almost 6 weeks of temperatures over 100F (or at least that’s my memory of that horrid summer and that’s the story I’m sticking with). This year it’s ONLY 99…..No rain, so every day I spend about 2 hours each morning, dressed in an odd assortment of clothes (my fashion style – no offense intended – is Cambodian Refugee), standing in near dark (when it is only 80 or 90F), and watering my wildscape for 2 hours. I need it to bloom for the hummingbirds and critters. (Yes, I also have feeders) I know hot and miserable and it sucks. Each August I eagerly count down the last six weeks of hell in south Texas. Mid September, I give myself time off – the temperature USUALLY does nto get over 100 by mid September; my mid October, we are good to the less than 90F theory). I’m getting older, so we are selling the house this year. Considering a loft downtown, or a garden home. Someplace with fewer responsibilities. So I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and hope that your heat wave finally breaks for good. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 19, 2010 @ 3:24 am Hi Kalima – neve get a chance to thank you for these lovely blogs in the morning; I love the photos. I agree – #8 was very touching. Did you try pretending the drips were sheep???? Again, thanks for your morning blogs. Now I have to run out and water some plants before it gets to 100. Sigh. August is always a bear….. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 10, 2010 @ 5:14 am QUICK, GO BUY A CARD. MAYBE A TIE? Thanks to everyone for sharing. My daddy died some 20 plus years ago, and I still miss him terribly. He taught me everything. Some of his lessons were: – Don’t ever lie. ALL bad things begin with a lie. – Not everyone can be smart, but everyone can be good. (He didn’t expect my sister or I to make As in school, except in conduct. We HAD to make a B or better, or we suffered through a six week grounding until our grades improved. I was traumatized by my older sister’s ordeal, so I never made a bad grade in conduct. I think, just being quiet and paying attention, is what helped me be a very good student.) – You can learn from each person and each situation that you encounter. Just be smart enough to listen. It’s harder to listen than to talk. (OK, maybe I’m not that successful with this lesson!) – God SHOULD live more in our hearts and less in a church. (He never went to church; my mother came from a family of German immigrants whose eldest sons were all Lutheran ministers.) – It’s not how many times you get knocked down in life that matters; it’s how many time you get up that does. – You can BE anything you want to be, and DO anything you want to do. Just be sure you don’t hurt anyone along the way. And so many, many more. We shared the same love of music, and books, and the outdoors, and fairness and justice and all the other good things. I saw him scare the beejesus out of a man who tried to hurt my sister; my dad weighed about 145 lbs, and stood about 5’8″. He was tough when he needed to be, and tender when he saw it was needed. I still hear his voice, live his creed, and love him tremendously. I try to be – to my little Afghan “babies” – the type of parent he was to me. I know he would be proud, and that’s part of what keeps me going. To all the daddies out there: your children listen and learn from you. Try and make the lessons meaningful. Thanks again, dear friends and dear, dear Bito. » Posted By AlphaBitch On June 20, 2010 @ 6:54 pm Shay-tawn! Who knew AdLib could nab a minute with you? Geez (and we ALL know who that is shorthand for), it’s been a while since I’ve seen/heard from you. Just wondering, if AdLib ever gets another chance – one quick question: are you and Dick Cheney IDENTICAL twins or FRATERNAL? For the life of me, I can’t seem to tell the two of you apart. Best of luck with the Taliban and all the lithium in Afghanistan. That one belongs to you now. » Posted By AlphaBitch On June 14, 2010 @ 6:56 pm Question CL: Even if there was a reversion to the 67 borders, and a two state solution was finalized, how would Gazans travel to WB and vice versa?? Through Israel? Why not allow them a contiguous piece of land through which they could travel? And what about protecting the resources? Qalquilya sits on an aquifer; it has been COMPLETELY walled off by Israel, and pumping stations (on the Israeli side, of course) take the water out. We have photos going to Qalquilya -it makes me weep each time I look at them. Just wondering what your gorup thinks. Has anyone here been to Palestine/Israel? If so, where. The Blovicator (my spouse) has, and has a pps that says it all. Maybe we can do a link to it this weekend, for those interested. AB PS Nursing one of my Afghans from foot surgery; another coming “home” on Tuesday; another needing help with her housesitting. I’m running ragged, but loving every minute of it and them!!! » Posted By AlphaBitch On June 4, 2010 @ 11:05 am BSM: So sorry for your (and our) loss. I was a fan of Floyd’s and AM a fan of the “doc” on the other site. May his passing have been easy, and may his loved ones be comforted. As they say in the world of bluegrass: “Gone clear”. » Posted By AlphaBitch On May 26, 2010 @ 6:04 am Hey all – just dropped by. Ecat – check out a video on the web called “The Hidden Massacre of Fallujah”, made by Italian journalists about the US use of WP in Iraq. Followed by interviews of military guys who knew they were transporting the stuff. Don’t have time to look it up, but it’s astonishing. And very, very sad. » Posted By AlphaBitch On April 9, 2010 @ 5:55 am How Long Is a Piece of String? I spent 20 years as a litigation paralegal, in another life. Once I was working with one of the nicest people I have ever met, whom I will call “W”. He had been molested for 7 years by a priest – and was so emotionally fragile some 15 years after that time. It broke my heart, really. This was in the 1980s; the abuse occured in the 1960s-1970s). What happened to that priest? He was sent to an alcohol rehab clinic in Tucson, and then reassigned to another parish! I was reared as a Lutheran, chose to become a Methodist, and now don’t attend church any more. I have decided to roll up my sleeves, do the work myself, and worship God on my own. God is not in a building, but in my heart. The money I could tithe to support a ministry and/or a building and salaries is better used directly on the ground, IMHO. Thanks to all those who write and care and keep vigilant. As the Blov stated to me: “A nun for Pope would fix this.” » Posted By AlphaBitch On April 4, 2010 @ 10:38 am PlanetPOV Political Easter Egg Hunt GOT ‘EM! I love this! If only I could get paid to do this stuff…. » Posted By AlphaBitch On April 4, 2010 @ 10:24 am excellent article, as always Khirad! Printed and saved. Whenever there is such a deep subject as this, I always, always send out an email blast to interested people to read it. » Posted By AlphaBitch On April 4, 2010 @ 10:28 am The definition of cognitive dissonance, part 2 Good Lord! Shades of Graceland! At least Elvis could sing…. white trash and too much money – what to say? » Posted By AlphaBitch On March 23, 2010 @ 6:12 pm Hey Kesmarn – back at ya! You and your job caring for the sick. I applaud your work and know that I could never do what you do. I have many nurses in my family, and have such respect for all of them. And I met two of the most fabulous women, who are also “community partners”, and who teach at our local med school (nurse practitioner courses). They have adopted one apartment complex of refugees, and give of their time and energy by going over each week to do checkups – blood pressure and sugars mostly. Word has spread by mouth, and many others from neighboring areas are also showing up. They are trying to learn all the cultural issues – men can’t see women alone, or maybe not at all and vice versa. They are energized and just the most wonderful people. What I’m trying to do – although needed – seems like such small potatoes. So keep up the good, honest, true work Kes. You are one of my inspirations here. » Posted By AlphaBitch On March 19, 2010 @ 6:45 am Cher – I’m truly not trying to be humble (trust me – those who know me well would agree) BUT – there is no “Bravo” for me. I look in awe on the strength and courage and determination of these folks that I have just started meeting, and feel like a small grain of sand. I’m just trying to irritate the world as my oyster to get that pearl to help those folks. That’s all. Thank you for the compliment – but again, it’s THEM not me who deserve praise. And towels and lamps. And the Blov shudders with the thought of millions of me…..my greatest strength is also my greatest weakness, as is so often the case…..I don’t think we could take hundreds more, to be honest….. » Posted By AlphaBitch On March 19, 2010 @ 6:39 am Hey everyone: great article, lots of interesting points. The reason I’ve been missing lately is trying to get an organization off the ground that will help refugees – those who are here at the very invitation of the US Govt. The US accepts between 20,000 and 50,000 refugees each year – many are now coming from Africa and Iraq, as well as Bhutan and Burma. The resources available at one time have shrunk, as has the economy. Instead of leaving these newbies to their own devices, we are trying to help them realize that – with the exception of very few – most of us have families that came from somewhere else. We are all part of the thread that makes up the tapestry that is the United States. With the exception of Canada and perhaps a few other countries, we can be proud of the fact that we are not a homogenous society, but rather a very diverse one. I recently met a family of nine who WALKED – WALKED – across Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and finally arrived in Ethiopia, where they lived for seven years in a refugee camp. The father had an infection and had to have a colostomy; because of his medical needs, he was given asylum in the US. He is fed exclusively by IV nourishment. His wife works at a minimum wage job; they have seven children, from late teens to probably 8 or 9 years old. The woman’s job will end this month; their four to six months of assistance also ends. They could face eviction. Their needs are huge, but they were invited here. It seems to me that if we take refugees such as these, we have an obligation to “help” them more than 4 to 6 months. Can you imagine if the situation were reversed, and you ended up in Burundi? I don’t get to weigh in often – love God’s Blog, as it always makes me laugh – but this is so critical. There is a difference between legal and illegal immigration. Refugees are an entirely separate status than immigrants, meaning they have no sponsor or family member to help them. Our organization will work to pair an American family with a refugee family for emotional support, cultural assimilation, and friendship for one year, to enable them to become familiar with their new homeland. Do yourselves a favor: contact Catholic Charities in your region. I have a list of “needs” for the newly arrived families- honestly, towels, blankets and lamps are the most desired items. When you buy something new, or if you have a friend who is doing the same, consider passing along your former things to a refugee family. It’s a small act of kindness we can all do. They are TRULY the tired, the poor and the huddled masses. Thanks for the great article, Cher! » Posted By AlphaBitch On March 18, 2010 @ 5:34 pm Thanks, LL. And yours is lovely as well. Even though you seem to have the Brains+Compassion+Wisdom combo slide (see above). You got it all! » Posted By AlphaBitch On March 16, 2010 @ 7:12 pm So that explains the phenomena we know as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Sen. Joke Corndog and Gov. Rick Goodhair Perry! But what up, Dude, with that Porky Pig lookalike, Karl “Hair the Color of Flesh” Rove? » Posted By AlphaBitch On March 16, 2010 @ 7:10 pm Kalima: Be VERY CAREFUL not to let “Joe the Plumber” in! He’s a crazy in plumber clothing! You’d be better off with “pipe poo in the loo” than that nut in your house. (Although that’s just my opinion, and I don’t claim to speak for God) » Posted By AlphaBitch On March 16, 2010 @ 5:52 pm Yo, God! Thanks for weighing in on my home state’s crazies. I mean, aren’t textbooks boring enough, without putting all their Republicrap in it? It was enough for me to ALMOST take Your name in vain. Instead, I used Your old pal, DICK Cheney. I mean, he shot his friend IN THE FACE here in what we call “God’s Country”, and THEN got his friend to apologize for it! Whack, right? But being as You put me here, Lord, (and I do sing “Why Me, Lord?” to You – can’t You have given me a better voice???)- why can’t You put brains into some of these folks’ heads? It’s not all about the hair………..or is it? Ever Your humble servant (with hair that is much too fine), » Posted By AlphaBitch On March 16, 2010 @ 5:07 pm START YOUR TALKING POINTS! “SUMMIT” IS HERE! Bito! My dear! You are in my thoughts and prayers, and help form my anger at the Breck Girl Senator. The main thing is to publish. I’ve got to go post on a few sites, and call my friend at the local rag. I just HATE the freakin’ form letters. » Posted By AlphaBitch On February 25, 2010 @ 8:40 am Hey e’cat! A lot of Craig Ferguson, while I write the handbook on welcoming our refugees! Cheeky monkey seems to be what has stuck….. » Posted By AlphaBitch On February 25, 2010 @ 8:38 am Hello Strangers: Good job, all – on EVERYTHING. I’ll be coming to buy mugs, vote, etc later. Life is full tilt for now. However, I thought you might like the response I sent to Dear Senator Hutchison, once I received her pap form response to my email in the MoveOn effort….. LETTER TO KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON Thank you for your response…but let’s be VERY clear. First, I am NOT your “friend” (note your salutation). I am your BOSS. You work for me, right? Next, you misread or misrepresented what is best for me. What you call “radical approach” and “government takeover” I call a freakin’ COMPROMISE. Let me be VERY clear, in case you are slow learning, or in case you are just stubborn. I WANTED UNIVERSAL/SINGLE PAYER. I FEEL IT IS A TOTAL COMPROMISE TO SETTLE FOR A STRONG PUBLIC OPTION. Texas has tort reform, yet we still lag in health care coverage. How did that work on cost containment? Where’s your proof this will help? Kay, please take time from running for governor, or styling your hair, or whatever else it is that occupies your time, and READ SOME OF THE STUDIES AND POLLS! Well over 50% of the people want a PUBLIC OPTION. They don’t like THIS bill because it doesn’t include one. 45,000 die EACH WEEK because of no health care. Voting against providing health care – AFFORDABLE health care – to all will mean you bear some of that responsibility. Now, knowing you are a good Christian lady, as I think of myself: you’ve got to be worried about that. Deficits? Cut the military. Rein in banks. RAISE TAXES ON THOSE WHO HAVE PROFITED ON THE BACKS AND HARD WORK OF THE POOR. Thanks. I hope this sets out my true feelings. I tried being polite, but that didn’t seem to get my true feelings across. I will be publishing my letter to you on several web sites and in various publications. And try not to be late for work. I’m watching you. ************************** » Posted By AlphaBitch On February 25, 2010 @ 8:10 am Well put, as always AdLib. I’m on the same page as you. It’s hard, but sometimes “patience is a virtue” can be my mantra. Besides, I rail against the concept of instant gratification in our society ALL the time. So we’ll wait….and see….and maybe Mr. O will decide for himself that it’s best to shoo the rat away. » Posted By AlphaBitch On February 3, 2010 @ 5:50 am [Meant to be a reply to Cher, below. Sorry – I’m rusty] Wow, Cher! I have so little time, and had just logged on to take a quick peek (I’ve been telling folks about the Criminal Elements Table from KQ). What a heart-felt, honest and at the same time sad comment. But let it be a consolation of some sorts to you – I was reared as a Lutheran, and boy oh boy, do we have stereotypes of bad things in our culture too. And THEN I became a Methodist. Guess who else thinks he is a Methodist? Dick Cheney. Need I say more? So talk about people representing the worst of your culture or religion…. I have spent the last three years, working with my Afghan kiddos. I have more Muslim friends now than Methodist, in all likelihood. One of the sweetest, most touching moments in my life was when my Jewish friend Barbie made iftar for my first three children during Ramadan. I cried. And they GOT it. Assholes are assholes (God, it’s so nice to be able to say that!) no matter their faith/culture. And good people are good people. You are one of the best. Thank you for your thoughts, and sharing them on the Planet. » Posted By AlphaBitch On February 2, 2010 @ 4:36 pm State of the Union Address – Live Blog Now there’s a job no amount of $$ in the world could make me do…however, I would be glad to throw the switch! » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 27, 2010 @ 6:41 pm Did I count only 8 SCOTUS members? Is Sc-hole-ia there? » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 27, 2010 @ 6:26 pm Round One of the New President Obama: The Populist Lady: Warm compresses (like the Bed Buddy) help, too. So does a big steaming bowl of water w/ some eucalyptus oil in it; drape a towel over your head and breathe. To help (I have bad allergies which go easily into the sinus thingy), I do the essential oils (using eucalyptus) in water in an aromatherapy jar at least once a week. Seems to help. (Knocks on head, which is hard as wood) Take it easy. Sleep is my recipe for all that ails me. » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 22, 2010 @ 6:38 am He’s sort of a Dennis Miller lite, don’t you think? And he’s grey. Maybe he should try a little meat…… » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 21, 2010 @ 6:29 pm The Supreme Court puts our democracy in the hands of corporations Hey Sue: I’m a Caribbean type of gal myself. I would love to cash out ye old 401(K), and instead of needing it in the future for my healthcare needs, just head off to the islands and spend whatever time I have snorkeling. Of course, I have to convince The Blov that this makes sense. He’s the one who lives in denial….. I’d take Canada, though. When we lived in Seattle, I was lucky to spend time in Vancouver. It was a wonderous place – the Sylvia Hotel by Jericho Beach (? if memory s correct) and Stanleey Park. Lovely! » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 21, 2010 @ 6:33 pmComments Posted By AlphaBitch
AlphaBitch
And I’m watching you guys! Peace out. Carry on the good work. Check ya later. With fond kisses and wishes, AB.
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