Brush Strokes

The hypocrisy of it is that while Hobby Lobby refuses to pay for contraception, they do cover Viagra and INVEST in contraception.

I am horrified at this decision and wonder how many corporations will suddenly "find God".

I love stuffed peppers but only seem to make them in the summer time. My mom made wilted spinach salad but I could never do it right. I will try your directions.

I was out on my own at 17 too- not any fun! Fortunately, we were young enough to endure. I love reading your stories. Ordinary person with an extraordinary life.

I love Rex just from reading about him over the years. He puts me in mind of Coco, my Chocolate Lab. She was the ONLY thing I fought for when I divorced. I was so determined to divorce John that I let him have anything and everything that he paid for or helped to bring into the house. In the end, he chose to fight me over Coco because she was the only thing that got a rise out of me.

Politics depress me. A few days ago, I had a Eureka moment- something that I knew all along, but the gravity of it finally sunk in. Republicans, Libertarians, Tea Partiers can argue that what they stand for is less government, but what they really mean is less for the poor, fewer universal benefits, less anything that will end up putting more money in their pockets! I look at places where wars are raging like Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, and while many of the 'rebels' espouse extreme religious and political views, for the most part, they all live in dire poverty. They don't have food, clothing or shelter, let alone the opportunity to educate themselves or offer their children a better future. Is it any wonder that they view capitalism as evil?

So glad Bobby is doing better! Yhat is such good news.

Nice he is still there and did not relocate to some place where he might do more damage.

Let's hope the river does not rise too high. There was a great amount of snow this year!

This is beautiful!

Drugs are so expensive. I hate when I need antibiotics. I am allergic to almost all of them/every class, and when I need one, I have to waltz an authorization all over the VA hospital to get three different doctors sign off on the prescription because the only ones I can take are drugs the VA does not ordinarily dispense. It takes almost all day. I hope Bobby does well with his tests.

Yes, Teal, you worded it right: the medium is teaching me. I love learning, which is probably why I am so excited about working with pastels again.

Too bad! You took quite a hit with this last flood. So sorry.

Studying cemeteries sounds fascinating! I think I would have enjoyed that class. My 'spring planting' urges are limited to refurbishing the plants on my porch.

Afterlife- yes, I believe there is one. While I profess Christian beliefs, I know what you mean about using religion to impose laws and lifestyles on others. That is wrong! I believe God is limitless and can reveal himself to us through many "religions". Most of all, I believe God is love and the only expression of godliness we have on earth is love for one another.