Are things as bad as they seem?

Odd man out
Driven by forces beyond my control I have
become a curmudgeon. A dour, frowning,
and often "pissy" guy. One of those people
who seems to never be happy. Or at least
easily satisfied. Said new reality comes as
a shock given I historically always thought
of myself as a rather happy go-lucky guy.
However if I'm totally honest with myself,
I've always been nothing but that. In truth
I'm more than a bit of a control freak. One
who for most of his life has been in charge.
Given the world seems out of control, the
odds may be against me. And the rest of us.

Against all odds
Why is everything so hard? And never easy.
Hence even the simplest of tasks becomes an
over complicated and convoluted process. In
part because nobody does their job. For some
reason we have become incredibly lazy. Thus
everybody is quite happy blaming anybody
but themselves for life's challenges. Such a
flawed perspective insures that few if any of
us assume responsibility for the error of our
ways. A negative phenomena that keeps us
stuck in a state of suspended animation. One
where inertia guarantees that nobody gets
anywhere. Even if they wanted to....

Caught in the balance
Sadly we're at our most vulnerable state when
mired in malaise. Making us easy targets for
attack. Or innocent prey for those who want to
take advantage of us. Thus like some wounded
wild beasts we slowly fail. Allowing vultures
like Donald Trump who lay in wait to pounce.
Only later to claim that we did it to ourselves.
No wonder I'm angry or disenfranchised. On
the surface our current situation is unfair at
best. However beneath such false pretenses,
it's rotten to the core. Hence what can we do
when the odds are obviously not in our favor?
Give up? Or stand up? Shut up? Or speak up?

Fighting chance
We all have a choice between being victims or
victors. Even if we don't win, doing everything
possible to right this world's wrong will reap
some form of rewards. If nothing else, a clear
conscience. And the knowledge that we tried
to make things better. Yielding worst a sense
of accomplishment post fighting against such
seemingly insurmountable odds. At at best the
knowledge that even in the word of time there
in good in all of us. Thus rather than give up
we must rise in opposition to battle those who
attempt to deceive us. Drawing a line in the
sand between right, wrong, and indifferent.

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THE LATEST C+V HOME BLOG

Yet another growth experience

The plot thickens
Many decades ago I had no idea that
Frank would someday become Mr.
Green Jeans. In fact, I would have
fervently argued the point. Yet as the
years pass, my beloved spends more
time and energy in his garden getting
his green on. First he took over the
very large garden at the family ranch.
Then post purchase of our historic
home, he shifted his focus to our lot.
Therefore once the weather warms
up, he spends most of his day digging,
planting, and plucking. He loves it.

Garden view
I certainly love a garden and honestly
have no desire to tend one. So as with
most things in life - his yin balances
my yang. If nothing else, the task of
keeping Mother Nature at bay takes
up much of his time. Yet while I miss
the pitter pat of his feet in the house -
I'm happy he's happy. Every day he
proves that he has become a master
gardener. Somehow finding out that
doing what comes naturally is what
satisfies my nature boy's soul. Thus
while I don't "dig it" I'm glad he does!

Nature boy
Frank's always been a bit of a naturalist.
Going organic long before it became
chic. Hence the fact that he prefers to
control our weeds in a non-toxic way
should come as no surprise. Even if it
means hours out on the turf digging up
all sorts of sprouts. Whereas I tend to
be impatient. I'd rather die from poison
via a dose of insecticides than break
my back in such an exercise of futility.
However I've learned to not argue that
point. Therefore I've got his back as he
literally "cracks"away against the odds.

Alter egos
One has to appreciate the differences
in any relationship. Therefore I must
admit that we're more than good for
each other. At times I marvel at how
he compliments me Even if we drive
each other nuts behind the scenes.
Everything about Frank makes me a
better man in the end. Even if I fight it.
Hence my hope is that he gets back a
bit of said largesse in some way. The
longer we're together, the easier it gets.
Thus I won't push my outer limits by
spraying weed killer anytime soon!

Golden glow
Obviously aging is a growth process.
Along the way we learn that the key
to happiness is embracing our reality.
Rather than fight one's weaknesses,
finding the best (and easiest) way to
counter them is the only way to go.
That's why we're all in this together.
Helping one another. You reap what
you sow. Thus if plucking dandelions
makes the one I love happy - it does
the same for me. So rather than being
contrary I'm GLAD to step aside and
allow Frank to make his garden grow!

What a difference a month makes...

A new day is dawning
Even here in Lewistown Montana there is no
doubt that spring is imminent. Every morning
I monitor the progress in Frank's garden. Post
one of the longest and most brutal winters in
memory, it somehow survived. As proven by
the rebirth of perennials and plethora of weeds
already sprouting. All as the lawn gets greener
on a daily basis. While our lilacs, apple, and
Canadian choke cherry trees are heavily laden
with buds just about to pop. Which means that
any day now we're likely to have some sort of
blizzard. After all it wouldn't be springtime in
Montana without another white out or... two...

Fresh start
Amidst said spring awakening we're reminded
that cliches often prove to be anything except
trite. As the sun grows warmer it naturally puts
a spring in one's step. Post being trapped in the
house for months, a breath of fresh air is certain
to invigorate. And given what's going on in our
gardens one must admit that yes, April showers
absolutely bring May flowers. Seasonal shifts
have us all doing what comes naturally. Thus
spring cleaning is all about exiting the old in
order to welcome the new. Even if many claim
they "don't do windows," little is as rewarding
as viewing one's world via a crystal clear plate.

Hope, faith, and charity
Here in Central Montana, spring is all about
getting back to business. Post a winter break,
our agricultural community is out and about
making things happen. Naturally gamblers,
they know each seasonal step forward comes
with its risks and liabilities. Hence at this early
stage too much or too little of a good thing can
negatively impact the end result. No wonder
most ranchers are naturally skeptical. Fully
aware that anything can happen, they cannot
help but worry and rightfully so. Thus as the
rest of us tiptoe through the tulips, they must
plan for the smartest way to hedge their bets.

There is still time to chill
Which explains why most Montanans approach
spring with caution. Seventy degree days can be
followed by blizzard like conditions. Therefore
local gardeners never plant their seedlings until
after Mother's Day. While it's tempting to turn
off the heat, chances are a deep freeze is about
to hit. Straddled between such seasonal yin and
yang, it's best to enjoy whatever comes our way.
Knowing that all too soon summer will be here
in full force. Bringing with it the threat of hail,
drought, floods, and insects. Which are all the
more reason to seize the moment. And here in
Montana - prepare for the worst! SPRING ON!

Really? Do YOU think it's "OK"?!

Four out of ten ain't bad
After days of review of the Mueller report
something is very apparent. Which is that
our President is if nothing else a man of
questionable character. The truth that many
tried to warn America of prior to November
2016. Confronted with the facts, we and our
elected leadership have two choices. To do
something about Mr. Trump's impropriety,
deceit, infdelity, and wrongful manipulation.
Or ignore them which in theory seems to be
the easiest. Especially given we've learned
to look the other way since Mr. Trump took
office. Have we all become numb or dumb?

As bad as it gets
Whether the law has been legally violated isn't
the only issue. Our challenge is whether our
moral fiber, the core of what historically made
America great, is wounded beyond repair. Have
we sunk so low that it's better to sleep with the
fishes rather than rise to the occasion? Is our
inability to discern right from wrong proof that
western civilization is poised on the brink of
extinction? Has contrition replaced righteous
indignation? Or have we been beaten down to
a point of no return. So compromised that we
no longer aspire to better ourselves. Let alone
fight for what is right. Have we given up?

What's wrong is right?
Apparently it is now acceptable to lie, cheat,
and steal. The fact that Mr. Trump has done
just that and more is documented within the
four hundred and forty eight pages of Mr.
Mueller's report. Yet many rise to defend
said actions. To provide lame excuses for
things that are if nothing else crimes against
decency. Some claim it's quite acceptable
for politicians to gather information from
hostile foreign powers. Others suggest that
everybody does just that. And that bringing
"morality" into the equation is foolhardy..
Have we the people have lost all shame?!

l

Liars never prosper?
To be clear, what's wrong is wrong no matter
how some spin the facts. A lie is nothing but
an act of deception. Cheating gives some the
unfair advantage. Allowing them to steal from
the rest of us. NONE of which are acceptable.
Bad is bad. Evil is evil. And morality is what
separates positive from negative. Therefore
enabling the President of the United States to
lie, cheat, and steal damages the core of our
democracy. Unless we stand up for what is
right, we forfeit what makes America great.
No more excuses. We must hold Mr. Trump
accountable. Anything else is not "OK"

Who turned the lights on?

Watts wrong?
Before you read today's missive, I know that
some of you will think I'm crazy. Or at best
delusional. Whatever you may conclude, my
experience is that strange things often happen.
And invariably they are somehow linked to
someone else's departure from this planet. So
here we go... About six weeks ago a switch
in our kitchen just stopped working. Beyond
irritating, we put calling our electrician down
on our list of "to-dos." Last Sunday, a smoke
detector on our first floor started to squeak.
Only to just as suddenly stop. And very soon
thereafter we flipped the switch... literally.

Power outage
For reasons beyond our control said switch
was back in operation. Thinking little of it,
we scratched calling our electrician off our
list. That is until we later found out that the
prior weekend he had gone to a better place.
A fact that we not only found shocking, but
unbelievably sad. You see we loved the guy
and considered him "family." In part because
he had spent eighteen months reconnecting
our house to reality. And the next four years
fixing any electrical issues as they came up.
Always with a joke, a smile, and on our end
a guffaw in grateful response. What a guy...

Energy deficient
All too often we don't realize what we've got
until it's gone. However in the case of such a
consummate professional, we knew we were
blessed to have his help from the beginning.
Post first walking through the "Passion Pit"
we knew the "updated" electrical system was
an issue. Prior to purchase we made certain
that everything installed had been up to code,
inspected, and approved by the authorities.
Shortly thereafter our contractor called in
"H" to review the scene of the crime.  His
reaction was a mix of shock, awe, and terror.
Yet thankfully he still agreed to fix our mess.

Emergency outlet
Given the size and scope of our house he did
not want to rewire everything. Hence for the
next eighteen months were an intense process
of discovery. Like an archeologist he slowly
uncovered all sorts of issues and quickly fixed
them. As with any old house some things did
not always cooperate. Yet somehow "H" still
made things work. Grumbling, humming, and
talking to himself in the process. All while he
left a trail of coffee cup rings, bits and pieces,
and North Dakota jokes in his wake. In the end
he got the job done. And for months after, we
missed him on a daily basis. And always will.

Direct connection
Whether you believe in "ghosts" (or spectral
flips of a switch) it's hard to deny that some
folks haunt us. Their role in our lives remain
just as strong post their departure. Leaving a
residual legacy behind. "H" was one of those
people. Now that he's gone, we're left with an
empty spot in our hearts. That plus the fear of
ever finding someone who will be able to keep
the power on in our work in progress. In the
end "H" will never be forgotten. Each "squeak,"
flickering bulb, or blown fuse is a reminder of
his greatness. So "until we someday reconnect
with "H", we'll leave the lights on for him.

HOPPY EASTER

GET THE YOLK?

Today is all about renewal.
Of overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles.
So go out there
and find that egg.
It's yours for the taking!

Happy Easter!