We are 241 years old. Everywhere across the United States people are gathering in their homes, at parks, and anywhere they can to celebrate.
I think though, a lot of people have no real idea what we stand for. Sometimes I think that there is not enough pride in our heritage or its core values. We were founded as a nation under God and with rights that cover a whole multitude of principles and people and beliefs. In America we are supposed to stand for justice and liberty to all, but sadly I see us tearing ourselves apart. I see people being discriminated against, people’s rights being taken away, and our moral system vanishing. No, I am not saying this is abundant every single place in America, but it is prevalent. I see us tearing down the very heart of who we should actually be and what we should stand for.
Don’t get me wrong, I love America, and believe it to be one of the best places in the world. Yet, I am not under a false sense that says we are doing everything right. Anymore I see people afraid to go to public events, afraid to speak out against things that are wrong, and people who would rather bend to every one and everything just to keep from conflict and maintain peace. I see in some accounts people who feel ostracized and manipulated and those who fear being their selves.
I wish our nation was always pleasant and kind, never wavering in the fundamentals and basic rules of humanity but less face it, that is not the world we are now living in. Instead we find ourselves losing that in our daily lives. We need to go back to our beginnings and learn from past mistakes. We do not need to conform to the changing times but stay strong in the midst of it. Just my perspective. I just want my children, grandchildren to know the great America we can be.
Despite all the things that are wrong or going in the wrong direction, we still genuinely care for people and we still love our country. We still help our neighbors and come together when a community is devastated or has been attacked. WE still pray and worship as we see fit and we are genuinely resourceful and proud. We are thankful and we for the most part contribute back to our nation. In spite of the turmoil, we generally seek peace. WE rise when we should and we don’t retreat. I love my country, I love its roots, its people and the fact we started as a God-fearing country. I applaud our efforts toward peace and our advances in our medical, scientific and military efforts.
We are not superior in this world of many nations, but we certainly should be proud.
Happy Birthday America! I salute you, which by the way is my right, living here in America. A lot of people have sacrificed and defended our nation. I believe we can make America a safe and good place for all.
“Just because Fate doesn’t deal you the right cards, it doesn’t mean you should give up. It just means you have to play the cards you get to their maximum potential.”
It was always cold in here, not one bit of heat, except from my teacup poodle, who I kept beside me to help with warmth. I never knew why my room was always the coldest one in the house. Perhaps it was because my door to my bedroom was always to stay shut and we only had a fireplace with which to keep the house warm. Much of that house was cold…in a different sense. Why was my brother allowed to keep his door to his bedroom open and mine had to be closed? I bet it was because when it came to him, nothing was second best,, he always had the choice among choices, the supreme choice, as far as my mom was concerned. He was much younger than me but that did not really matter or put his needs in their proper order of ages. What he wanted, he always, somehow, no matter if needed or not, he got .
Back to the heat issue…
My room was next to the living room and across from my room was my brother’s room. So we both should have received warmth from the living room’s fireplace, just my opinion, of course. I often dreaded winter time because I knew I would freeze through the night and have to stay bundled up under a tremendous amount of cover. My poor little dog was always shivering and I bought him a sweater to put on during the winter months. He was a mere 5 pounds, dripping wet. He was my best friend and more than not, my protector. Anytime my mother would barge in my room, disgruntled or in a bad mood, she would start her tirade of demeaning words and my dog, would take a guarded defense stance across my lap as if to protect me. It was a good thing my dog was scary to my mother or he would have surely been hurt doing his guard of me. I appreciated him on that fact alone, he was an ankle biter to all but me. The lack of heat was not my only issue at my parent’s house growing up but one I am choosing to share.
What was it that made my room off-limits to the heat from our fireplace? Why did I have to stay cold while the other family members were warm and toasty. In fact my parents camped out on our couch bed I the winter time, because they wanted to stay warm. Their bedroom was in the back of the hall where there was also a bathroom, and my bedroom and my brother’s. So if my parents needed to stay warm, just imagine the cold I felt inside my bedroom. I was at my biggest weight 105 pounds. I was petite and small framed and needed a lot of warmth back in those days. Haha. I can’t say that now, in fact I run from heat, just kidding, but seriously close to the truth.
A lot of things come to mind when I think of my parent’s house, my childhood life. Not everything was bad there, but there was ways that would make a person question what the reason behind their actions could have been. I was often not as “special” to my parents as my sister, or brother. I did not even have to hear those words, because they showed me. I am not sure what causes parents to treat their children with such difference and disdain. Being a mother I have a lot of things I would like to change about my children but they are who they are, and they all are special to me in one way, shape, or form. I really hope they know that.
Anyway, I hope you treat your loved ones with the love they deserve and nothing less.
Each person is an individual, no two the same, if people were clones we would never be “special”.
Ingredients
1 oz. butter or coconut oil
1 egg
1 tbsp. coconut flour
1 pinch ground psyllium husk powder
4 tbsp. coconut cream
1 pinch salt
by Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt, MD
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a non-stick saucepan. Mix well and place over low heat. Stir constantly until you achieve your desired texture.
Serve with coconut milk or cream. Top your porridge with a few fresh or frozen berries and enjoy!
Ingredients
2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped dill
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
Place cucumbers in serving dish. Sprinkle with salt. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Pour off the liquid (do not rinse).
Meanwhile, combine vinegar, water, sugar and dill in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat just until sugar is dissolved. Add onion to cucumbers. Pour vinegar mixture over cucumbers and onion. Toss to combine. Refrigerate over night.
Serve and enjoy! DONNA’S NOTES
I like to peel one cucumber for different textures. http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/2016/06/cucumber-vinegar-salad-recipe.html
Mws R Writings 