Missin' the biscuit, but not that much....

This morning I made a blueberry smoothie. I used vanilla soy milk, Bolt House super C juice, and some ice. Very good. I have been eating a non-processed, mostly organic diet for a few weeks now and I cannot believe how much better I feel, from head to toe and everything in between. I cannot believe the amount of junk I was putting in my body. I don't mean junk food necessarily (although I was), but the chemicals disguised as "healthy" food. All the artificial sweeteners and extra added chemicals to take out the fat and carbs. Not clean and not real. I had achy joints, shortness of breath, swelling, and headaches that just wouldn't go away. I am down 11 pounds and never, ever get sleepy during the day like I did before. I hope I can keep this up, why wouldn't I?

Do I miss a chicken biscuit? Oh yes! I haven't done a cheat meal yet and am totally frightened to do this. Some "clean eaters" allow themselves that once a month, I think it would be like crack.

Hardees, I miss you, but I am sure you will do fine without me!~

Let's wash some feet, as opposed to kicking them out from under people.

Ohhhhhhh ohhhh ohhh.....Let's stay together ...........

I just caught the highlights of the 75th Republican debate last night, but let me say wow! That is an angry crowd. The king of dirty tricks Newt started the anger ball rolling by being incensed that someone in the media would ask him if he would like to address an issue that has been raised about his former marriage. Instead of being gracious and saying, yes thanks, let me tell you the truth, he answered like a bull in a china shop, inciting an already more than miffed crowd. Of course, it's all the media's fault. They are so mean, so unfair, no one ever torments Obama like this (have you watched Fox News, Newt?).

Anyway, I think I will never cease to be amazed at how mean these crowds are. Where do they get these people? I know a lot of conservatives, and while some are pretty adamant about their views, none are that "throw down mean". These people cheer the death penalty, boo Ron Paul's suggestion of the Golden Rule, and screech in utter joy at the thought of a terminally ill, uninsured patient dying. These are some blood-thirsty people. I have never seen such a group more in need of a little compassion.

Anyway, things got better when I saw the President singing at the Apollo theater. Let's stay together.........pretty good! It made me happy watching it. That is one thing you have to give him, you aren't going to find him screaming at a crowd, inciting anger, or calling out a specific group of people as "less than". As I was watching it struck me that as I watched, I probably viewed this very differently than some of his "non-fans". They may look at this just hate him more. It's either endearing or dividing. To me it's endearing. I wonder if Newt's meanness is endearing to his fans. To me, it would be embarrassing, but they seem to love it and he eats it up. This man does not need a bigger ego.

I think it will be interesting to see who the GOP sends in November. I would actually not mind seeing Romney and Obama debate. I say Republicans you should vote charm, not smarm.

We will say in the 21st century, when we had the chance to do the right thing, but we didn't care enough to do it.

The GOP Race aka Lord of the Flies

I have been watching the GOP candidates pretty closely. Not saying that I would necessarily vote for any of them, but I do want to keep an open mind and listen to what they have to say. Right now they are mostly talking about each other, with the obligatory "Obama is a socialist", "traditional family values-I have more kids than you", "class warfare" and "gay is bad" comments thrown in for good measure.

Michelle Bachmann is out of the race, now she can devote more time to the Fox News channel, her book tour, her very large family, and of course shopping with Marcus (those doggy sunglasses don't come cheap!). Perry might as well hang it up, he has made too many gaffes (use your words Rick) but he may hang on for another debate. How many have there been now, 45? We have Newt, douchebaggery in a men's warehouse suit. This man's mouth opens and smarm just oozes out. Do I care that he is on his third wife? Nope. Do I care that he stands up and advocates for traditional marriage, um yeah. Marriage should be between a man and a woman, and a woman, and a woman...puuuulleease.

Another choice is Ron Paul. Many traditionally left-leaners are now backing him. I like his ideas about the military (yes, let's stop policing the world and take care of our own), and some of his economic plans. Plus, he is just really likable, kinda like a grandpa. His stand on civil rights issues bother me, separate is not equal Ron. I am sure the people that got blasted by water hoses in the streets would not agree that we all just need to "embrace our cultures". I don't think he is going to reinstate Jim Crowe though.

Rick Santorum, wow. This is a guy being touted as the "evangelical's choice" for President. He says all the right things to them evidently. "Gays are destroying America" and "blacks are not willing to work for their paychecks", etc. Yes, just like Jesus. I think the NH caucus showed him that bigotry does not play well above the Mason-Dixon line. ZERO delegates, good riddance and shame on you.

John Huntsman. He doesn't have a chance, not because he is smart, has some good ideas, plus actual foreign policy experience, he has no chance because he::::gasp::::worked for Barack Obama! The kiss of death. Why would Republicans want to elect someone willing to work in a bipartisan fashion? I mean that is totally ridiculous (insert sarcastic tone). We might actually get something done in this country. Can you imagine if he had turned the appointment down? They would be saying, "He is UN-American! He would not serve his country!" How can you win with these people. I mean Obama got Bin-Laden and he is "weak on foreign policy".

Then the front runner, Mitt Romney (Mr. Handsome). to quote Jon Stewart loosely, it's like he answered the GOP's E Harmony ad and now that he is ahead they hate him. He's a rich capitalist, a business owner, AND has graying temples....so what's the problem? He is everything they love, minus the hating. Beats me. Yes, they have a point on Romney-care, but he's a good flip-flopper, I don't think they have anything to worry about. They know he is really a moderate, but they will swallow that to beat Barack.

I have a love-hate relationship with politics. I wish I didn't care, I wish I could just get mad and get over it. My youngest came in the other night while a debate was on and said "oh, where is crazy eyes?". Wow, he noticed. Then he said "OK so who is left? Crazy eyes is gone, there's still Ron Paul, and then ummm who is that third one? Let me see, who is it, the third one, help me out?" It took me a minute to realize he was making a Rick Perry debate gaffe reference.

Maybe we should go to the park.

The Tebow Effect

This photo has been making its rounds on Facebook and emails lately so much that I really had to take a better look at it. I have to honestly say at first glance I read it as the why is this ok (under Tebow) and why is this not? (under the group of people praying). Maybe because it is how my mind works or maybe it is because of my geographical location. I mean we don't see hoards of Muslims in the south bowing to Mecca on the street or in a public place. We see teapartiers protesting, occupiers rallying, people gathering to worship outside on Easter morning, and LOTS of southerners partying loudly at tailgate parties, but I guess I could count on my one hand when I have EVER seen even one Muslim fall to the ground at noon and pray. As a nurse, I did have patients whose families would have their prayer time in the room. They never made a huge deal about it that I remember. I have had families gather around a patient to pray for healing, or safety in surgery. Maybe I needed to get things done and this was not the most opportune time, but out of respect I let both families finish. Maybe because I am a nurse I have been trained to be more sensitive to different cultures and religious practices. Asians patients will not eat or drink anything cold after they give birth, families bring in soup and hot tea. I don't remember stomping around saying "this is America we eat our food cold!!".

Why do we have to be so ungracious?

The picture of Tim Tebow almost makes me laugh. This is a guy who proudly displays his religion, his salary is more than I will ever think about making in my entire life, his product deals, sponsorships, book sales will garner him millions of dollars. I am not going to feel sorry for him and I am certainly not going to say he is a martyr for the Christian cause, how ludicrous. One poster mentioned that "persecution was just a part of Christianity". Really? This man is being persecuted? Ask some Christians in India what real persecution is like.

Each Sunday we go to the church of our choice, we read our Bibles publicly, we hang verses on our cars, plates, purses, shoes, whatever else we chose. This is religious freedom. When someone wears their traditional garb, bows and prays to the God they hold as dear as we hold ours, and stops for a time of worship in a country that has told them to come here for religious freedom, do we really mean it? I am not even talking about the crazies that spout their fear mongering of the "Islamization of America" or screech continually that Sharia law is coming I am not talking about paid entertainers like Limbaugh and Beck whose job is is to stir it up and laugh all the way to the bank. I am not even talking about our own politicians that seem to live to stir up fear and hatred on a local level. I mean good and smart people with a working brain and conscience that are happy to have their freedom and want everyone to share that same feeling.

Where does the love and grace come in that we all talk about in those praise songs we sing?

I am not saying we shouldn't be vigilant, I am not saying there are people we may not trust, that is human emotion, but to lump a whole group of people in a pot and say there is no redeeming value to this group, how can a Christian do that? It baffles me to say the least.

There are a lot of really bad football players who do a lot of really bad things (drugs, murder, infidelity). Do we lump Tebow into that category? Well, of course we don't. He is a Christian, he would never hurt anyone.

Don't get me wrong, I would bet Tim is a great guy, he probably loves his family and friends and has a heart of gold.

I bet Tim's gonna do just fine.