Waiting

for the siding to be replaced, I sure hope he finishes this week.

There are only three dozen boards being replaced, maybe a few more.  We got an estimate to replace one side of the house which has the garage attached so it's not even fully sided, and the cedar alone would be over $8500.  Ain't happening.  So we'll just enjoy the warm weather, wait for our guy, and hope for the best.  By the way, he has a six foot level.  My hero.

Two additional issues with the door.  One door, many headaches.  They ordered a bright silver sill which shines like a spotlight on the dark house.  When the sun hits it, the light beam is enough to guide alien spaceships.  With black hinges, bronze weatherstrips, bronze sweep, why the hell didn't they order the bronze or black sill?  Now I have to paint it.  The door also came in with 2 3/8" backsets.  Standard is 2 3/4" which is what our door locks are, so we had to purchase a new set for over $100 that matches our others.  They are older Emtek and not adjustable, wrought iron knob and bolt.  Damn.  We have rags in the predrilled holes and a board secured across the interior.

Sometimes we have to put our heads together to come up with solutions.  Sometimes we use the other end.

Either way, I still am baffled by raw bacon being better for you than smoked.  I know nitrates in processed foods are not good for you, but if a rodent had a choice of nitrate or non-nitrate poison, would one be better for him than the other?   Like a stick of dynamite wrapped in red paper is better for you than the blue paper.  Why be concerned about nitrates being bad for you, but not the raw bacon itself, the diet, and the smoking?  Certainly a risk for a pace-maker, triple bypass coronary patient.  But I guess many of us are guilty of choosing our poisons by preference. 

I do choose the leanest slab for my order at the market and indulge in crumbled bits on my salads.  I do eat too many sweets.  I did smoke like a chimney years ago.  Too many of us wait until our health has a crisis or diagnosis to change bad habits.  But once they develop, we have to be reasonable about diet modifications.  I know several people that felt they had their "pipes cleaned out" so there wasn't a need to change.  Everything and anything in moderation will not harm you.  Or maybe some think they will die young anyway so what the hell.  I don't think anyone should tell others how to live or eat, even when we are upset about their choices.  Personal responsibility is just that .... personal.  But personally, I would love to smack a few knuckleheads. 

 

It just seems that as accountability for your actions has left our country, so has responsibility.   From looking at FB and other media, the rage and lack of compassion for others has become an epidemic, the brutality of fighting, the name calling and screaming, the hatred for those that don't agree with them.  Yet they call others haters.  When you hold yourself accountable for your actions you also respect yourself.   How people were raised and what they have endured, desperation they have felt, lack of love and belonging, all contributes to their self respect.  How difficult it must be, or maybe even impossible, to change the emotional development of the brain that was formed so long ago.  I enjoy seeing young people at work and doing an excellent job, or having fun while being responsible, or eager to learn and pursue their goals.  But in my area, I am seeing more of the opposite, with attitude.  And I am torn between blaming them, or blaming their home life.

 

A recent article claims that allowing babies to "cry it out" produces more adrenaline, affecting areas of the brain, which results in short tempered and sometimes violent individuals.  The child's brain is still developing and forming and absorbing significantly until 3, and continues on for years after.  When I see these young babies and children being treated so horribly, I wonder what personality traits are forming that will affect them for life.  And it seems to be getting worse with each generation's lack of understanding of the responsibility of raising children, the rampant drug use, and the casual attitude toward their welfare. 

 

Holy crap.  What the hell was that?  One thing leads to another.  That was a good song.  Is there one titled Time to Shut Up?

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