It must be Spring

I guess it's time to bring out the rusty blogging pen after a good long rest.  Topics cross my mind everyday and I find myself saying, "I should put that down for someone to read".  I could proceed to vent about any number of things - but will choose the one most relevant at this time.

Passover/Easter/Spring...

We went to our first "Seder" this week.  It was pretty eventful for us agnostic types.  I've long been fascinated by the Jewish culture and religion (or are they one and the same?).  We sat at the ritual feast prepared by our friends and took it all in as respectful observers.  Listening to the proceedings and being asked to participate in the readings was amazing to us since we were never made to feel like we should become Jewish after the evening or even share the same affinity for their history and belief system.  It was a simple act of being invited by friends to share in something that is important in their lives.  We couldn't help but leave feeling a little more educated about something we weren't completely familiar with along with knowing that our friends have just as much respect for our belief system as we do theirs (although they are probably going to be waiting a long time for a return visit to celebrate our "we don't know" culture).  One of the best parts of the evening was that Caden tried Matzo Ball Soup for the first time ever - and loved it (although he will deny it because he thinks I am now going to force him to eat soup).  He had question after question on the way home about all the things he didn't understand that occurred around the table.  I think watching the classic Charlton Heston version of "The Ten Commandments" will help answer some of his questions.

Explaining Easter is a little harder.  We obviously know what Easter represents to the Christian faith - but upon explaining it to Caden, his response was - "That's Freaky!"  Not a single question.  The standard "Happy Easter" takes on a more commercial role in our household - just as "Merry Christmas" does.  We try and explain to him that we are more into celebrating Spring and the renewal of all that occurs during that time.  As with most 8 year olds - he gladly celebrates eggs filled with candy - and if it took a story of a man named Jesus coming back to life to get us and TARGET to that celebration - he'll put up with it.   One day he will be the more mature one in our household and will insist that we stop using any wording that makes it appear as if we are in agreement with the stories associated with such words.

I think we can take a lesson from our Jewish friends and recognize that when we say "Happy Passover" to them - we are truly wishing them a good time as they celebrate something important to their family.  It doesn't mean I have to start liking gefilte fish.

and on a completely different note... I ended my last blog slamming the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act.  Yes - it was a very poor beginning - but by golly - I think they've got it - and it just might not be the end of our country after all (if you listen to the other side).

Happy Easter/Passover/Spring to those of you participating in the revelry of any or all of them!

"The Good Old Times"

Or better known as "Auld Lang Syne"...that familiar tune ringing in the New Year...

And what a year of good times it was!  Politically, socially, and personally, the hits kept coming.  Never in my lifetime did I think I would see a sitting President publicly state his support for same-sex marriage.  Oh - I thought the issue would keep gaining momentum in the right direction as it has been doing for the past few years - but not nearly as quickly as it has since our President made such a simple  statement in 2013.  The opposing side on this issue has lost.  Surely they will let it go now (along with the "Right to Choose" issue) if they ever expect to win a national election again.

The U.S. Supreme Court even weighed in on the issue and ruled (correctly) on DOMA along with overturning Prop 8 in California.  Wham! Bam!  It was almost hard to keep up with all the positive rulings between courts (along with actual state voters).  Lost in all of the coverage was the fact that my partner (of almost 18 years) and I might actually have the chance to partake of these rulings IN OUR LIFETIME.

You better watch what you ask for...because one day you just might get it.  On December 11, 2013 we drove 20 minutes away to Vancouver, Washington and stood in front of our son and a few other people (witnesses) and became a LEGALLY married couple.  It was a simple 10 minute event where we expressed our love to each other, exchanged rings and vows, and then signed a piece of paper to make it all "proper".  Our son will grow up knowing that his parents are just like everyone else's married parents (legally that is).  That's all the court battles and votes were ever about...being treated just like everyone else.  (and just one final note to the "losing" side on this issue.  Our son and all of his friends and every "young" person we come in contact with has expressed their support and congratulations on our marriage.)  Do I need to make this any clearer?

Since I've made this post pretty political, I might as well end on this note...

Hey President Obama... love you for your support of my family and all the other good things you have done...but I have to say...
Affordable Care Act rollout...WTF?!?!

Paula Paula Paula

What a week for news it has been!  Between Snowden, Supreme Court rulings, the Zimmerman trial, and Paula Deen, it's hard to keep up!  I'm sure all the reporters who were hoping to take a week's vacation in late June have been sorely disappointed.

You know where my priority has been this week in the news cycle...but I've also found myself oddly attached to the Paula Deen story.  I would love to give all of my thoughts as to why I find it fascinating that people care that her show was cancelled (as if she is going to be in the bread line any day now - if for no other reason than she already knows how to bake her own bread...)

Anyway...here's an excellent article by Frank Bruni that says it so much better than I ever could.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/25/opinion/bruni-paulas-worst-ingredients.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130625&_r=0

And to make matters worse for her...Target and WalMart have now dropped Paula.  Yes - WalMart.  When WalMart (a bastion of the South) says we don't want you 'round these parts  - maybe it's time to take a look at yourself a little closer.

Just sayin'...

Yes - We Won!

Caden began the day with "did we win?".  He knew his two Dad's were in the kitchen glued to the computer and television.  I know he doesn't completely understand what had us on the edge of our seats - but I do know that he was on our side and anxious to hear an answer.  Yes Caden...we won!

It's not a complete victory, but it's one that has us headed in the right direction.  The federal government  must finally acknowledge that families like mine are real and we're not going away - and we deserve Equality.  Nothing more and nothing less.  That's all this is about really.  It's just the chance to live amongst the same set of rules and responsibilities that apply to all other families in our country.

A day like this can pass for many people with nothing more than a simple nod of acknowledgement or maybe not even noticing the news.  For many others though it provided a chance to celebrate and unfortunately, a chance for some to bring out the same old arguments.  I still don't understand the anti-equality side.  Oh - I get that they don't like it and that most of their arguments are based in fear and ignorance, but from a legal stand point I've never been able to figure out why they think they have a dog in this fight.  And today, the Supreme Court basically said the same thing.  In so many words, they were told that they aren't being harmed by same-sex marriage and thus they can't keep it from happening (as it relates to the Prop 8 case).

I have never understood their tired old argument about "every child deserves a mother and father". Huh?  How is that relatable to the issue of same-sex marriage today?  Aren't they aware that same-sex couples are able to be full joint parents today!  (Not in every State though.)  And I'm not just talking about pretending to be parents...I mean full legal parental rights.  I'm part of one of those...and we aren't even MARRIED!

The heartening thing about today is that although those nay-sayers voices were still heard...they were drowned out by us victors.  I have a feeling those lesser voices will soon become smaller and smaller (based on the indications of people in my own family) and although they will always be present, will be considered a sad fringe element in the near future.  (and we always like to have sad fringe elements around to help with blog posts.)

Our day began in the kitchen and pretty much wound down in the kitchen.  This time it was with balloons and champagne for the adults in the family and a root beer for the seven year old boy before heading out for pizza and ice-cream.

We party hard around here!

It's happening....right before our eyes

Marriage Equality that is...

I can't even say "slowly but surely" anymore.  The last few weeks have shown progress that was unheard of just two years ago.  Yes - it's happening in State legislatures and quickly being signed by those states Governors.  I expect more states to follow suit in the next few weeks.

Do you notice what is happening once the Governors sign their new legislation?  Of course, you can't help but hear the the whoops and hollers from the supporters and the boos from the typical naysayers, but do you notice anything else?.  I'm talking about the "nothing" that results from this change in policy.  No earthquakes, no falling sky, and no heterosexual marriages falling apart at the seams (oh - those are still happening, but that's nothing new).  

It's just a bunch of new people being able to finally take part in the rights and responsibilities of marriage.  Period.

They are panicking (new subject now).   The Republican Party that is...

They know they have no one who can win a national election and have to resort to fabricating a controversy to tear Hillary Clinton down.  I'm not even sure Hillary is the best candidate for the job at this time - but the Republican hierarchy must think she is or they wouldn't be going into hysterics to bring her down so early in the 2016 Sweepstakes.

When the Republican party can show that they are interested in governing as a truly fiscally responsible party (as in paying for wars they start) along with having the ability to recognize my family as an equal member of society, I'll give them a look.  Until then, they're just continuing to be a hypocritical and dying organization. 

Seque (pronounced "segway")...I tried to think of an appropriate one - but I couldn't...

Remember when watching American Idol was something that everyone did on Wednesday and Thursday nights?  Don't lie...you know you used to watch it.  Anyway...we haven't watched it for years here, but have found it for the final week the last few years.  My point to all of this is...that Candice girl...Wow!

That's all my rambling for the night...

Facebook Not

Is it weird to write an anti-Facebook post and then post it on Facebook?  Probably so.

Why oh why do people feel the need to report where, when, and why they go through their daily lives. And I'm the one who writes drivel?  I don't need to know what you are doing this evening or what you are making for dinner or what things you are pleased or displeased with.  For Pete's sake - put all of that stuff in a blog.  (although I think Facebook is supposed to be a replacement for blogs - but I'm now in my 50's and supposed to mock anything newer that comes along.)

I'm also not interested in your kids daily lives - although I am guilty of posting a few pics now and then of mine - but if I get to determine the appropriate amount - I must be doing it appropriately (or something like that).

By the way - we're going to eat Thai food tonight.  I won't take pics of the food.  That would be too "Facebookey"!

and you wonder why I call this "drivel"?

Parent-Teacher Conference

Before I begin what I really want to tell you about, let me make a comment.  It's been brought to my attention that some of my writing does not always represent the finest in grammar and punctuation.  Too bad...that's why I sometimes refer to it as "drivel".  I'm just typing thoughts as fast as they come.  In other words, I don't do an outline prior to putting words to page.

It might get a little sappy here in a minute....you've been warned.

Today was parent-teacher conference day at school.  I should clarify and say that it is really student-teacher-parent conference.  From first grade on, the students lead the conferences.  And I truly do mean lead.  It began with Caden thanking us for coming to the conference.  He then went through page after page of things he considers strengths and areas where he feels he has room for improvement.  A lot of self-assessment was quite evident.  When he mentioned that he enjoys "text-to-self connections" in reading, I knew we were at a different type of school.  We had to sit there quietly and refrain from shouting "Oh My God - what are you talking about?"  You probably know that "refraining" is not one of my strengths.  After we got over the bewilderment of watching our 7 year old son present a thoughtful and organized assessment of his academic side, we then had to hold back the tears that come when you realize  the word "proud" just isn't strong enough to convey what you feel at that moment.