Tag Archives: current events

I Passed!!!!

Current Events, Employment, personal, , ,

Oh my goodness – I passed the insurance exam, and now can apply for my license to be a producer for Life Health & Accident Insurance!! And I made a pretty respectable score, better than I was expecting. (Yeah, I was stressing just a bit!)

I haven’t had to take a test like this in a long time and though I have always been an above average student and an excellent test-taker, I was a bit worried. I am a lot older and my memory, in my opinion, doesn’t seem to be as good, and in all honesty this isn’t something I ever saw myself attempting to obtain.

Life can lead you down some strange and unexpected paths throughout your lifetime. At least mine has, that’s for sure. I’ve always been a good writer, and love the craft. I have spent the last 20 years working as a writer, which in all honesty I never anticipated, or even dreamed of, in my twenties. I can be a natural-born storyteller, and can have a roomful of people cracking the fuck up and fully engaged. I tend to make people think in different perspectives. I’m not always what one might expect 😉 I like that about me, and I think others do, too.

2-wd-note2younger-self
Be open-minded . . .

Having said all that, I am not a salesperson, and have NEVER aspired to be. BUT, from my own experiences, I know how important and advantageous safe annuities and Long Term Care insurance can be to one’s future. Right now I am setting appointments, and will now be making commissions 🙂 Never worked on commission before, that’ll be different. And here’s to having mentors – people who may see things in you that you might not see.

Well, here’s to a new path, new adventure, new experiences, and hopefully some income that’s not from our 401K. Stopping the bleeding there would be awesome . . .

Anyway – I want to thank all of you for your support

I have a wonderful family, and it continues to grow larger (just had a new great-niece born three weeks ago), and more great friends than I can count, but my blogging family is important to me, too. I miss y’all when I am absent, just like with my other friends and family. I miss reading your posts, and will be blog-bingging/stalking you soon! And I know I have been so neglectful of my blogs, but I am hoping to start posting more regularly. Thanks for sticking with me 🙂

Oh, and I just have to say . . . I will miss Doobster . . . Mindful Digressions can be such a pleasure . . .

Just something I was thinking about . . .

February Already?!?

American Jobs, Awards, Current Events, Made In the USA, Opinion, Reality, , , , ,

sadie-funia-byYvette-prior

I want to thank Yvette over at Priorhouse Blog for the awesome billboard image she made just for me ❤

I can’t believe it is already February! February, really . . .

Each year that I celebrate another revolution around the sun, it seems that my revolutions get faster. And though I feel a bit like my ass is on the front-end of a rocket, I also feel as though I am on a slow free drift out in the middle of the ocean – no land to be seen, anywhere.

I can’t remember the last time I actually wore a watch – well yes, I can, it was 19 months ago. Often I have no idea where my day goes – it’s just gone. I wake up and then before I know it, it’s way past normal peoples’ bedtime.

Though I spend a large amount of time searching for a job, and working on other ways to make a living, I also spend a lot of time doing mindless/relaxing/time-suck activities – but they are activities I enjoy that when I worked I did not have time for.

Here’s a good for instance – I had planned to re-work my resume today, which may or may not need to be done. Instead I have spent a good part of the day catching up on a few of my fav blogs, though there are many more I want to get to!! [Okay by the time I finished this post, I did get my resume re-worked 🙂 ]

I have get to make three batches of apple butter this week, and blueberry jam, since blueberries are on sale at the grocery store and I have had many requests for that one. For some reason though, I am feeling quite lazy today . . . though I like a little winter, I have had enough. I feel for all y’all getting the brunt of this winter, mine is mild compared to yours.

I have started working on my posts about our food supply and how fucked up it is. Those are forthcoming. I keep writing myself into a corner in my novel – not sure what’s up with that! My blogs are all being neglected (yeah, I laughed out loud at that one!).

There’s a couple of very interesting jobs I have applied for in the last couple of weeks. I am so hoping to get an interview for at least one. Any extra prayers, good thoughts, finger-crosses, rabbit’s foot rubs, whatever I can get – I’ll take them!!

Loved the fight at the end of the Super Bowl game – what a shining example that was for the youth of our country 😉 (Yes, that was meant to be snarky!)

They keep saying unemployment is going down, but I know more and more people who are unemployed than I have ever known before, and sadly many are in the 50+ age group. Most of us aren’t being counted on the unemployment rolls anymore. I do live in an area where there have been many different industries laying off employees, and are continuing to do so.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and I bought each of my granddaughters a giant card. I was thrilled that they were $3 a piece and were Made In America 🙂 (which honestly is the only reason I bought them) AND I found them at Walmart of all places.

I also want to send a shout out and thank you to Doobster at Mindful Digressions for the honor of his nomination for the Premio Dardos award. According to Doobs, “Premio Dardos means “Prize Darts” in Spanish. It is an award given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing.” I haven’t named my 15 bloggers yet, as I have decided to add that widget of the blogs I follow  – I like that idea because in my opinion they are all worth reading!!

premio-dardos-award

Just a few random things I was thinking about today . . .

Happy Bday Janis – Just Jot It January

Current Events, Just Jot It January, Music, , , , ,

Yes, as customary for me lately, I am a day late and probably a dollar short, too – if we were to count and get technical 🙂

Yesterday, January 19, was the birthday of Janis Joplin. I was just an elementary school kid when she was making a name for herself and then burnt up in a star’s cosmic tale tragically dying.

Between Janis, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Duane Allman, Jim Croce, Mama Cass Elliot, and a few others – there was this group of trail blazing musicians/poets/storytellers/performers that graced our presence for a short time, but left us with music and legends that hopefully will live on forever! They will for me, anyway – as I have so many memories connected to their songs.

When my husband and I moved into our first apartment, we didn’t have a lot of money – I was several weeks from turning 18, and he had just tuned 19 several weeks before – so money was tight, and decorating was, well let’s say that of young people. We had two LARGE silk screen prints – one of Janis Joplin and one of Jim Morrison that graced the walls of our living and dining area.

The CD had not been invented yet, and though cassettes existed, albums were still quite desirable. I hit a well known local record store typically once a week for new albums, though some really were old, and other “things” – sometimes the first expenditure from my just received paycheck. (Yes, this was a paper check, as direct deposit didn’t exist back then either – yes now I am laughing, as well!). Damn, times were good back then 🙂

Anyway – realizing it was her birthday brought back some wonderful memories, and since I have been such a slacker lately about writing anything of real substance (this is a blog that is intended to make people think about their world and what’s going on around them after all) – thought I might share a little more about myself and my influences and experiences. At least I am writing 🙂 I’ve been working on the novel a bit, but then got stuck again. It’s a personal thing and I’m working on it.

Here’s a couple videos I hope you will enjoy. Hard choice, as I really love Janis – she speaks to me. I have actually been compared to her a few times, mostly because my voice is deep and raspy – though we really sound nothing alike.

 

And the one me and my “peeps” know and love, and one I’ve been singing, even
a cappella, since high school . . .

 

And of course, the ever-famous and another we sang all the words to 🙂

Hope you enjoy ❤

Just something I was thinking about  . . .

[Also, written in response to Linda Hill’s Just Jot It January Prompt :-)]

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No Mother – One-Liner Wednesday

Current Events, One-Liner Wednesday, , , , , , , , ,

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So I keep seeing this picture on Facebook, and I’m not sure where exactly it came from or how “authentic” it is. But the first time I saw it, I just had one thought . . .

No mother should have to fear for any of their loved ones lives because someone else’s son robs a store, regardless of race. 

Anyway, just something I was thinking about . . .

[Written for Linda Hill’s One-Liner Wednesday, though it’s neither funny or inspirational per say, so I didn’t exactly follow the rules this time.]

Image source: https://www.facebook.com/waltonandjohnson/photos/a.178779813472.122034.172224883472/10152617857393473/?type=1

Thank You & Happy Thanksgiving!

Current Events, Life, Memoirs, Music, NaBloPoMo, Nano Poblano, NaNoWriMo, Opinion, Reality, , , , ,

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving – if you celebrate it! I spent mine with my family and we ate until we hurt 😉 Yes, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner!

I doubt seriously that I am going to “win” NaNoWriMo by completing my 50, 000 words, but I managed to get a little over 25,000 words and I am continuing to work it as much as possible through the weekend, but regardless I will keep working on it after, as well. I have made great progress this month – more than I ever have before. I have other pieces to the story that I had written previously that can be incorporated and woven into the overall story – so certainly not a wasted effort by any means! I have gotten some good feedback in various places – and would look forward to more should you decide to peruse a few tidbits I shared and provide comments.

I have so been missing reading your blogs and plan to catch up with everyone next week!!

I also have quite a few topics on my list of future posts that I want to start knocking out 🙂

Thought I might share this song with you – it’s another one of my favs! May we all have someone like this in our lives, be it spouses, lovers, friends, family, kids, grandkids 🙂

Just something I was thinking about, as I’m reflecting on my many blessings today  ❤

[This song came on as I’m listening to my iTunes writing my novel – so of course I wanted to share & got distracted LOL!! Hope you enjoy it!]

nanoPoblano               NaBloPoMo_1114_465x287_NOV

There’s a little bomb in your airbag

Current Events, recalls, safety, , ,

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Yep, it’s true, heard it on the news the other night. A company in Japan is being investigated for injuries caused when the automobile airbags they manufacture are exploding into the very people they are made to protect.

Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata Corporation originally discovered the issue back in 2004 and began to investigate, according to insider reports, but then shut that internal investigation down and destroyed all evidence collected. The airbags in question were made at the company’s Monclova Plant in Mexico. The issue and several recalls, involve defective inflator and propellant devices.

In 1998, Takata publicized the fact that they were using tetrazole, a new propellant developed as a “reliable and effective compound” for airbag inflation. By 2001, they had switched to an ammonium nitrate compound, which is among other things a cheaper alternative. Ammonium nitrate  is highly sensitive to temperature changes and moisture. It also breaks down over time, which can result in violent combustion. Ammonium nitrate is used in fertilizer, in the manufacture of explosives, and in solid rocket fuel.

Still considered one of the worst accidents in Texas history, in 1947 a ship, the S.S. Grandcamp was taking on a load of ammonia nitrate, when it caught fire and exploded (killing close to 600 people. It had caught on fire and the fire department was trying put it out when it became unstable and exploded killing all twenty-six Texas City firemen. They all thought it was just fertilizer and had no idea of the danger. Wow, does that sound familiar – they had no idea of the danger.

My point here, Takata manufactured and sold these devices that have been installed in almost 8 million vehicles in the U.S. alone, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These defective airbags explode releasing metal shrapnel pieces. My research showed that the other airbag manufacturers do not use this type of propellant. Pretty nasty stuff, especially when I already worry as close as I have to sit to the steering wheel that I’m going to be decapitated or have my chest crushed as it is . . .

I have to be honest, I had never given a thought to how my airbags worked, and I’ll bet most of you haven’t either – yet we use these unconsciously every day, with them pointed at our faces and chests.

If you haven’t checked your vehicle, this is your public service announcement – please do so here:

List of Vehicles Involved

VIN Recall Registry

Just something I was thinking about . . .

[Still working on the novel for NaNoWriMo – but seriously behind. Close to 25,000 words. Whether I make it or not, I’m already much further than I have ever made it before, so . . . I’m cool, and not giving up yet, either. 🙂 ]

nanoPoblano       NaBloPoMo_1114_465x287_NOV

Tupperware® Got Me Thinking

America, American Infrastructure, American Jobs, Current Events, Employment, Future Generations, Health Issues, Made In the USA, NaBloPoMo, Nano Poblano, Opinion, Reality, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

vintagetupperwaread

So my last post got me to thinking about Tupperware®. I love Tupperware® and have many pieces I bought years ago from a party I had. I even have a couple of very old pieces from my grandmas, back from the late 1940s and 1950s. After World War II, Earl Tupper modified his factory machines to mold raw polyethylene (developed for weapons use) into food containers – using a paint can as inspiration for the tight-fitting lids. Originally, Tupperware®  was made in the Massachusetts’ plastics industrial complex.

I emailed them last week, using the “Contact Us” link on their website, inquiring about where their products are manufactured. Several emails went back and forth, and I must admit they were very prompt with their responses. I was told that Tupperware® products are made all over the world – Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Portugal, France, Belgium, Greece, India, China, Korea, Japan and United States.

I was assured of their continued history of high quality and design and “all Tupperware® products meet all applicable laws and regulations for product safety in each country they are made.” I’m not sure what that means exactly. Do they mean that all countries manufacture products that meet all U.S. laws and regulations regarding health safety, or are they different in different countries? Pretty sure it was stated that way on their website, too.

Though their home office is in Orlando, Florida, their Customer Care Center is located in Mexico City. You know I asked, and I asked because I could tell from the way the email was composed. Again – that shit just pisses me off, though they were – again – prompt and most informative and polite. But their English writing skills weren’t great. Kind of scares me when big corporations don’t find good clear concise written communication important.

A Google search turned up a WP blog that stated “the Tupperware®  factory in the United States is located in Hemmingway, South Carolina.” Debra Todd Jordan, a Tupperware®  consultant, went on to say, “Each plant makes the items that are indigenous to their region.” So, if that’s correct, I can get on board with that – if nothing else saves on shipping and props up the economies using the products. Unfortunately, how those corporate taxes are handled I probably would not agree with.

Anyway, since I didn’t have my fingers in enough pies this week, I had to research this 😉 I am a glutton for punishment lately. Just thought I’d share what I found out. I haven’t bought any lately, but read in my research that now they are not marked with where they are made, just the Tupperware® mark. Where our medicines come from is next on my agenda – after . . .

Still working NaNoWriMo . . . still behind, but continuing to work it. I may not meet my goal, but damn it, I will be further along in this story than I have been. I posted a couple of snippets from the novel on my other blog, in the event you are interested in this type of reading. It is very different from this blog – that’s why I have more than one, my interests are varied, random, eclectic for sure.  My novel is fiction, with a little romance thrown in, more a story of life and how it plays out sometimes. There’s a lot of dialog. If you check it out, please leave me some feedback. I value and respect all of your opinions as writers in general. Having said that – don’t make me cry now 😉

All of a sudden I have a bunch of people wanting apple butter and this week blackberries are on sale for 88-cents a six-ounce container, so I have a few orders I have to fill this week. Doesn’t make much money, but brings in a little cash and I enjoy doing it. (Though my hands aren’t as good as they used to be and when you make this shit – if you’re doing it right, you’re gonna get burned LOL – seriously! Looking forward to that blackberry jam, though!!)

Listening to this right now – I find this to be good writing music sometimes, depending on my mood . . . plus it’s raining and the wind’s kicking, and the windchimes are singing – n~i~c~e.

Also, trying to keep up with y’all, slowly but surely 😉 I’m definitely becoming a binge reader, seemly stalking sites 🙂

Just some things I was thinking about ☮☮☮

[POSTSCRIPT – OH NO, the video I linked to has been removed . . . that’s never happened to me before. I hope I didnt just get added to some LIST somewhere, ya know what I mean 😉 I’m going to look for another link, but in case I don’t find one, the music was the soundtrack to the movie “Rush” from 1992, mostly instrumentals by Eric Clapton. Soulful, contemplative music for sure!]

nanoPoblano                                                                           NaBloPoMo_1114_465x287_NOV

Made in ‘WHERE?”

America, American Infrastructure, American Jobs, China, Current Events, Future Generations, Health Issues, Life, NaBloPoMo, Nano Poblano, NaNoWriMo, , , , , , , , , , , ,

photo 1            photo 2

I was so excited today when I found these little plastic containers (like Ziplock storage containers) that have snowmen and Merry Christmas and other holiday stuff on them to use for putting cookies, candy, other baked goods in for the holidays. They weren’t on my shopping list, as I was only going for more apples on sale for the apple butter I am making and selling now.

They were only about $1.69 a package (three in one package, and five in the other), BUT what made me so excited about these cheap plastic products is that they were not only BPA-free but MADE IN AMERICA!!! Not made in China, like just about everything else we come in contact with. (Again, let me say, I have nothing against China, per say, I just think we need to be making our own products and putting Americans to work.)

I was going through my grandkids Halloween candy yesterday, and I had to throw away a bunch of candy bracelets and rings and stuff – all made in China. I will not indulge in any food products made there, or pet products either. Especially not for my grandkids – food stuff, not pet stuff. Quite frankly, I can’t help but wonder if China is trying to poison us and the rest of the world with their inferior products – but that’s a whole blog post on its own!

This led me to start thinking about, and not for the first time, where in the hell all of our drugs – name brand and generic are being made, since that is not information we are typically privy to as consumers – though maybe we should be. I know I would like to know where the drugs I may have to take are coming from, since I take that much care in selecting other consumable goods I buy.

Do any of you know where your medications are made? Do you think this is important?

Okay – off to NaNoWriMo land – need to get in an hour or so tonight. Didn’t get much done last night, had to catch up with a few of your blogs – I was blog-jonesin’ 😉 But I am still at it!!

Just something I was thinking about . . .

nanoPoblano   NaBloPoMo_1114_465x287_NOV

 

Wrongful Convictions Trend?

America, Current Events, Opinion, , , , , , ,

One of the topics on my agenda lately has been this case in Dallas where two men were wrongly accused and convicted spending 15 years behind bars. The Innocence Project worked the case and proved their innocence via DNA evidence. The two men, Dennis Lee Allen and Stanley Orson Mozee, were released from prison Oct. 28.

I know that unfortunately innocent people end up in prison more often then we think. This is why the Innocence Project’s work is so important. I would so love to work for them!

What I find troubling is that Dallas has had more than 30 convictions overturned in the last 10 years, freeing these men after they served years in prison for crimes they didn’t commit.

I realize they try 1000s of cases a year, maybe more, but this number just seems a bit high to me. Am I the only one troubled by that number? I want to do some more research on this when I get some extra time.

NaNoWriMo update:  Oh my gosh – I am still at it. Shocked the shit out of me, for sure. So far 13,764 words in, with only 36,236 to go 😉 Fixing to try and work an hour or so tonight. It’s been a busy day! I need to play a little catch-up here, too – family stuff has been calling me away the last few days.

I am way behind on my blog reading, so if I haven’t hit your posts lately, I am planning to catch up soon! Hope you are all doing well!

Just some things I was thinking about . . .

nanoPoblano           NaBloPoMo_1114_465x287_NOV

Hey Blog Buds!

Current Events, Elections, NaNoWriMo, Politics, Women in Politics, World Events, , , , , , , , , , ,

Hello my Blog Buds!!

[I used that term in a comment to another blogger, a fav of mine Opinionated Man and decided to keep it 🙂 ]

I just wanted to thank you again for following me – reading, commenting, and engaging! I doubled my number of Blog Buds over the summer, something I never expected to happen. I’m glad you are enjoying my random rambling thoughts, as I have many! I read as many of you as I can when I can.

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I mentioned I am participating in National Novel Writing Month. Yes, I am definitely a glutton for punishment!

This is not my first attempt at this, but I hoping this will be my first success. I am proud to say that as of the end of today, Day 3 (just finished up for the day), I am 6543 words in, though my friendly counter reminds me that I still have 43,457 to meet my challenge goal.

I voted early last Friday. Political races are nasty here, so I’ll be glad when it’s over, tired of hearing all the bullshit. Today is Election Day – I hope you go and exercise your right to vote. Though inherently we all want and need the same things, we will never all think the same, nor should we – BUT we should think ☮