Mothering Heights

For those of you who are called "Mom, Mother, Mama, etc" on a daily basis, sometimes rather repeatedly, I salute you as the day in which we honor all mothers, is close at hand. It does not matter whether children are born of your womb, or of someone else, in which this child, to you has been given. What truly earns you that coveted title, is the unconditional love and acceptance as well as the devotion to providing a safe and stable (as possible) environment for which this person for whom you are responsible can grow to become a positive addition to the human race.

I would be remiss in not stating there are those who produce biological offspring who should never bear the fruit of humanity. For every wonderful loving mother, there is an abusive and despicable excuse for what the term "motherhood" represents. I prefer to honor the deserving , instead of chastising the never should have beens.

I loved my mother but we had our moments. There are things I have had to forgive and perhaps she had to do the same of me. She was a storybook perfect grandmother who left nothing but kind and loving memories for my children to look back on. I was the one who held her hand as she uttered her very last breath and it is a moment I will always be grateful for. She knew I loved her and I knew she loved me.

I am now the grandmother of four lovely children who give me such great joy. I am so very proud of my daughter who has experienced some good times and difficult times, which can be motherhood and life but no matter what, she always will love and guide her children while they continue to grow up all too quickly. I aspire to be half the Grandmother that my mother was. I am and have always been strongly opinionated, artsy and compassionate toward others. My thoughts may not always resonate with my children's but I respect them and they respect me.

I wish all of you Mothers or those who are thought of lovingly as such, a wonderful day with those you have loved and nurtured in this world and as angels in the next.

Never Defeated

We are living in troubled times, of that no one on this planet can deny. Whether you are of priveledge or poverty stricken, at war or a victim of the rath of "Mother Nature", we are all effected by the tidal wave of events of late. I often wonder if all the ravages of humanity are the doing of some celestial being who is attempting to give us a not so subtle message.

The dawning of the dreaded 2012 prophecy looms ahead of us and while there are those who have suffered the latest natural and world disasters, who cannot image any worse scenario, we must admit that yes, things can and may, get much worse. Do I believe that the world apocolypse is about to unfold upon the date of the doomsday theory? I honestly don't know.

I say to myself that I have never lived through such troubled times but have I forgotten the Vietnam war and the aftermath and devastation to those left behind, our returning soldiers who received a less than warm welcome due to the "make love not war" mindset of the "hippie" generation. Most of these soldiers were barely out of high school and if they were lucky enough to survive the war, some had difficulty surviving the reality of coming home to an unwelcoming country in which they felt all but forgotten.

Dare I forget the "Gulf War" and all that followed in it's wake. Who ever would have thought that the horror of 911 could have ever happened in our lifetime. Americans assume that we are far removed from these kind of attacks. Not here, because WE are the United States of America! It has forever scarred our sense of security and faith in our country to protect us from harm.

We now face difficult times in a country divided, the left and the right and there seems to be no middle ground, no compromise. Jobs are difficult to find and just as difficult to keep. We are not kind to each other and we still cannot get past the value of materialism over human dignity, compassion and kindness toward each other. We cheer at the demise of a evil terrorist leader and infiltrator. I do not cheer, I do not lament. I still fear for our safety but most of all, I fear for those who cannot stop hating.

Yet, I am blessed in family and friends who are like minded and maybe, just maybe, there is a flicker of hope that might just burn brightly in that one small thing that nothing can destroy if we do not let it... The human soul.

Movie Etiquette 101

I remember going to the movies as a kid (many, many years ago) and how much my friends and I would look forward to one of the few forms of recreation in our small town. We did not have VCR's or DVD's at that time and the movies on tv were older movies with limited channels.
I also remember not having to pay nearly as much admission and the concessions were signifigantly less costly as well. Today, the cost of a movie is not so cheap and snacks and beverages are outrageously overpriced! That is the way of things though and the sound system is much improved as is the movie atmosphere.

Suffice it to say, that when spending said amount of money on the latest movie of our choice, we expect to be able to enjoy our viewing without interruption or disruption (whatever the case may be). It is not unreasonable to expect fellow viewers to be silent or speak softly as not to compete with the movie's dialogue. After all, you wouldn't want the person next to you to confuse your conversation about your disappointment in the fact that you are now two sizes bigger as you went on a binge eating spree during your winter depression, with the movie dialogue concerning the leading lady's downward spiral into insanity.

I can be fairly certain that no one sitting next to or behind you wants to listen to you chew your gum like a cow in a pasture and snap, crackle and pop are for rice krispies and NOT your gum!
For those who enjoy eating chewy or extra crunchy snacks, be aware that there are those around you who are plotting your demise and how best to make you suffer if you don't learn some manners. FYI: If people around you are casting evil glances your way, get a clue and be respectful to your fellow movie goers. Don't get me started on cell phones going off during a movie!

Parents, please monitor your children or hire a babysitter and keep them at home if they cannot behave in a public establishment. Do I seem a bit extreme in my expectations of the above mentioned patrons? I guess I believe that we should all be aware of our behavior when attending public events. Everyone wants to enjoy what they pay for, to relax and de stress and enjoy one of life's simple pleasures. Enjoy the movies, the concessions and do so respectfully.
Or take a class in Movie Etiquette 101.

Declaration of MY Independence

I, Patsy McKenzie, am proud to proclaim, that I am a citizen of the United States of America. I am a hardworking, underpaid, member of society and a single, divorced woman with strong opinions and admirable intellect. I, like many other Americans, pay taxes, a multitude of bills, drive a "sensible" four door sedan ( I cannot afford a gas guzzling,  pricey vehicle the size of a bus with today's gas prices!) This patriotic Patsy was a girl scout leader, PTO officer and keeps the cleanest abode in the region. I also take advantage of the privilege which our female ancestors fought so hard for, one of which is the right to vote for the candidate of my choice when election time rolls around. Or whatever candidate can AFFORD to run for office.

I believe in affordable health care for everyone in this country, a livable wage (What IS minimum wage again?) as well as a safe and crime free environment, clean, breathable air and quality education for all children who live in this country, so that "no child left behind" will ever have to say nu-clear, secertary and dubya. I believe all the above are rights and not privileges. I am here to state and these are my opinions, that everyone should have the right to choose the religion of their choice, or none at all if they so choose. Our sexuality is our own individual concern and no one else's, whether you are gay, straight, bisexual, or a single, middle aged, female who has been divorced for quite some time and doesn't want to date until SHE feels like it so back off already! I also believe that before we judge others, we should take a good look at ourselves, less we be judged by a jury of our peers and are found to be contemptable.

The rights I believe we do not have, are to ever raise our hand to strike another living soul, no matter what age, religion or reason unless your life it at stake. No one has the right to take what does not belong to them, whether we are a petty thief, bored housewife( most of the housewives on Bravo) rich drugged out starlets (Lindsay Lohann) corporate executives (Bernie Madoff) or government official ( I would get writer's cramp).
We also haven't the right to condemn, because we are condemnable and last but no less important, to kill because we covet or hate.

Bearing all this in mind, I still say that I am proud to be a strong, independent, opinionated, free spirited, spiritual (not religious) female citizen of the United States of America, in which because of the freedoms accorded by the United States Constitution, one of which being the right to free expression. I am able to state all of the above and I, Patsy McKenzie, thank you for sharing in my freedom!

Channeling Our Inner Sunshine

There are times when a rainy day can bring comfort. If we happen to be working at our place of employment on such a day, we may say to ourselves" It's such a gloomy day, I might as well be at work!" However, if we find ourselves at home on days such as these, we may be grateful to curl up in a comfy chair with a good book and a hot cup of coffee or tea and listen to the sounds of rain upon the roof.

Why then, do we not take the latter mentality and apply it to everyday living? We reside in a world where a great deal of focus is placed upon all that is wrong with us. We are plagued with allergies, mental disorders and physical ailments and those who are afflicted are driven to live their lives around their disorders, which greatly effects the quality of their lives. The afore mentioned conditions are very real, it is true but must we let them hold us back from all that life has to offer?

Instead of taking a night time sedative, why not meditate or listen to relaxing music and apply breathing techniques to calm our restless spirit. Those who suffer from depression, bi-polar and anxiety disorders would all benefit from exercise, which releases endorfants to stimulate not only the physical body but brings balance to our emotional well being. Medication alone, is not the answer. Even if one does not suffer from serious disorders, we are still prone to the stress and anxiety that accompanies all of life's challenges. We all must face crisis at some time or another such as: finances, relationships, parenting, peer pressure, self image and self acceptance.

Realistically, we can expect all of these things to happen as they are simply a part of life. We will not always find contentment every minute of the day but we can and must take responsibility for our own nirvana.
When life becomes a downpour, it is up to us to allow our inner sun to shine.

Tending Mary's Garden

As I look out my window at the beckoning space, which contains the lovely flowers and foliage placed inside a semi-circle of stone, I can't help but think of the petitie soul who created this sactuary of peace and serenity, amidst the suburban dwelling, in which those of us, her neighbors, still live. Her name was Mary and she was a fair haired Irishwoman, who could be brought to tears upon hearing an opera aria, or just as easily put you in your place, if so inclined, and sometimes, without much provocation. This feisty little woman with the Irish lilt, which had softened over the forty years she had been absent from her native country. She was a cultured individual who embraced art and music, was well traveled and an avid conversationalist, when she so chose.

There were those of us who called her mother, aunt, sister and friend.
Some knew her better than others but all who knew her will remember her in their hearts and minds. Mary is now gone in body but her spirit lives on in our memories and the lovely garden created by her loving hands and the blessings of Mother Nature. Some of us continue to nurture the delicate petals of the flowers that still bloom, despite the fact that she no longer tends them. We all realize that soon enough, someone else will possess "her" garden. As all good neighbors do, we will welcome them and wish them well and most of all, hope that they too, will cherish tending Mary's garden.

Wisconsin Governor slams capitol door in face of constituants

I do not mean the above title quite that literally but I think it is safe to say that the Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker seems to think that being head of the household means that he has the right to dictate who is and is not allowed to occupy the "capitol of the state of Wisconsin" including those who elect the very officials who represent our fair state. There have been state representatives who upon showing their ID badges, have not even been allowed in the building. This is a travesty and unconstitutional to say the very least!

I have been amused of late at the mathmatical findings and percentage quotes of those who find favor with our highest ranking state official. It seems that there are those who deem themselves proficient in the monetary amount of the expenditures of the cost of union workers and their representatives. I do not garner information that I cannot back up as factual as it may seemingly sneak up and bite one in the hindquarters when least expected. People are paying close attention to what is being said and by whom and the click, click, clicking of the computer keyboards across the state and all across the country for that matter, wield the sounds of those who must have facts and information as well as much needed ammunition (the peaceful kind) in which to carry forth into battle. Battle you say? You better believe it! Our very way of life and the way in which our state is being governed is at stake. Let us not forget the grandiose way in which Mr. Walker has decided to blaze his trail of glory right across the constitutional rights of public workers and their right to voice their concerns. His political stance on this bill would impact their very livlihood and ability to support their families, as well as the educational process in this, a state which has prided itself as having one of the highest levels of academic achievement on a national level.

We are now reaching a state of economic crisis not only in the state of Wisconsin but as a nation. I agree that we need to balance our budget and decrease our deficit but must we put the extent of this burden on those who serve our state with honor and diligence? This is not the way our state officials should treat the people whom they represent. I am deeply saddened that the state in which I have returned to call my home after an 8 year absence has come to this.

I hereby call out to all the citizens of the great and humble state of Wisconsin to defend those who serve all of us, for what they are asking is not much. Stand up for the equality of everyone's right to a fair wage and the right to voice their concerns when one would endeavor to take them away but most important, stand up for yourself for if we do not do this now, at this time,
we will forever regret using the single most powerful thing we possess.
The voice with which to say "I matter"!