February 1, 2023

Today is the beginning of the shortest month of the year. A Dad joke exists, that February isn’t the shortest month of the year – they ALL have 28 days. Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk. Yep, my dad had a million of them. How about yours?

Yesterday was a blessed day in the grand scheme of things. It was quite nerve-wracking, though. We awoke to news of two Omaha police officers being shot by a burglar at a storage facility; the unit, known to have guns and ammo, was a mark for burglary. Our concern was for the safety of the officers. They are both doing ok, one released, one requiring surgery.

Our concern was our neighbor Rosa. Rosa is an Omaha OPD officer. She is a such a wonderful human and often works the area the crime happened. Thankfully, it wasn’t her, and she is safe. She and her husband are both in law enforcement, and they introduced their children into participating in politics, particularly the last presidential election, and congressional race. I am amazed at this family. We are so lucky to have them for neighbors.

As if all that wasn’t enough, while we were feasting on Nachos for lunch, I saw our Target, which is where we shop a lot, frequently picking up grocery orders or in-store shopping, had an active shooter situation. Oh my gosh. It is too close to home. Too close to home everywhere it happens.

Within six minutes, all law enforcement from the city of Omaha, and nearby towns and counties responded, and the suspect was dead. No one else is injured. I am grateful I was not inside the store, witnessing anything, and especially not being injured or killed. It’s a hard word to say, much less have to think. Killed. Thank God for the response. I am grateful we live in a part of the state where there is a lot of law enforcement, ready to act and keep us safe.

I know there are many corrupt police officers in the country now committing horrible crimes against people. Excessive force is often deadly and not warranted. This is not the case today, in Omaha, Nebraska. And for that, I am grateful. I hope you are all safe in your home, school, and shopping areas. Take care and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Shame on ???

When a creative person produces a sculpture, a painting, or writes a novel, their family expresses horror. They try to shame the relative into not creating anymore. The family is often afraid a family secret is let out of the bag.

That is the reason many of us are reluctant to let our family read our book, view our painting, or know what we are creating. It’s just easier, you know? Dysfunctional families really know how to take the wind our sails. We become ashamed of what we were previously proud. Everyone but your own family cheers for you and recognizes your gift.

For some of us, that is how it goes. Fear drives those families and their reactions. Pride and humiliation are a breath apart. They don’t want anyone to know what life is like inside that home that they believe looks so perfect. There is no risk of blowing their cover. There is no risk of anyone asking questions. No risk of anyone finding out. The family is less uncomfortable. But not comfortable enough to be honest with themselves or the world.

When I was in high school, and for years before me, it seems the very worst thing in the world for a family was to have their daughter become pregnant “out of wedlock.” Mind you, no one ever questioned the boy or his family. Only the girl. I even remember being told the girls were the ones who had to keep control of the situation when dating. The myth was boys couldn’t control themselves. And the girls aroused slower, and could stop at any point. Boys, no they couldn’t control themselves. Who thought all that up? Wow!

They decimated those myths. Now no one wants their family secrets revealed. Especially not by some crazy artist-type. A hippie artist, or a beatnik poet, or a revolutionary writer. Keep those family skeletons where they belong; in the closet. But not the closet like the sexuality one. The light is being shone on this remarkable art, and those who do not want to see scold us. “How dare you!”

No, how dare you! The world needs to see this, and know it happens, and it’s ok, and not to feel afraid or singled out or feel you’re the only one. Because you’re not. And we’re not. And people understand.

How much the world has changed! And how much the world accepts now it didn’t before. How good for the world. And it’s people. The artists and authors and photographers and creatives have shown the world as they have not seen it before. How wonderful!

Yes, the bigger our world becomes by expanding our thinking, the better it is for us. Growth is going where we’ve not been before. As we continue this week and concentrate on our personal development, let’s keep our eyes on the future. Let’s not concentrate so much on the future that we miss the present every day. And let’s not keep our eyes on the past. We’re not living there anymore. Make the most of these days, the ones right now.

Enjoy this Tuesday; we’re expecting snow Wednesday. Stay safe out there. See you tomorrow, from the snowy tundra.

Finally Friday!

In the Midwest, whenever bad weather could develop, the trusty weather guys/gals clog the airways of local channels with many worst-case scenarios. Severe T-Storm warnings beep in every 2 minutes. It’s annoying. The frequency is unnecessary and most of us know to stay inside during a hailstorm, thunderstorm, tornado. We know better than to drive into a blizzard with 75 mph winds. If you just moved here, someone will clue you in.

I’m feeling stuck. Stuck in decluttering. Stuck in writing and life. Why? I’m finding a little tug when the thought of my birthday coming up. I’m feeling a little ancient, and a little not so much. It’s silly, really. All people go through it. I’m grateful to be reaching the age of 70 on the 22nd, and hope for a great birthday cake. I’m here for the cake!

I took Mom to the eye doctor for a six-month check again and she’s stable. I’m glad that’s the report for now. We need no more to deal with. She has PT coming in again and has a new lady coming in for help once a week. Hopefully, this will let her get Mom’s house clean and help her feel satisfied. After three years, the other lady didn’t work out. Those things happen sometimes.

I hope you have a great weekend, now that it’s here. The weather should be perfect and we’ll make the most of it for sure. Have a beautiful evening, and see you tomorrow!

July 1, 2021

So here we are again. It’s the first day of the rest of this year we call 2021. I have resolved to spend every minute I can doing positive things for the rest of the year. I have issued a challenge to our VFW Post 2503, on their Facebook page. I am going to do a total 2200 Squats in July to raise awareness for Veterans Suicide. Each day, 22 Veterans commit suicide. That is 22 too many. We need to get help for them. There are programs out there for each and every one of them. Take my hand, and I’ll walk with you to get you some help. Please.

A mere 71 squats a day will give me 2201 total squats. I also am doing 22 wall pushups daily to focus closer on that number, 22. 22 is the day of my birth. I find coincidences like that very weird. Do you? It tells me I need to help any way I can. Join me. If nothing else, we’ll be stronger on August 1, 2021.

One of the fundraisers our Post is organizing is for the 50 Mile March. A walk from Lincoln to Omaha, sponsoring walkers with funds, moral support, snacks, and cheers. The funds will be divided between two Vets Support Groups, Moving Veterans Forward Nebraska, and Guitars for Vets, Nebraska. Ron Hernandez and Peg Ullom are tireless in their quest to help as many Veterans as possible have a more normal life. I love being involved with their efforrts.

Come along with me as I try to improve life around me. Concentrating on the Squat/Push Up Challenge does something else for me. It helps pass my time while I’m eagerly awaiting the illustrations for my kidlit book. I’ve combed over the narrative over and over, and will once again when I get the illustrations. In the meantime, I’m taking a Master Class on Kid Lit. It will help me identify any other holes in my manuscript, and hopefully, get them all edited out soon. My goal is to get it to the printer in September. Then the fun begins!

There is a craft show at our Post on October 2, 2021. I’d love to have my book available there. It could generate some sales, and I’d get a start on marketing/selling. I will shift my focus onto all of that. It will be an exciting fall here at Raabe Ranch, with the dogs and the Babe (not necessarily in that order)!I believe it will work like it’s supposed to work. No amount of worry will make it happen. I won’t procrastinate or ignore the next step, and I believe it will fall into place. If not, we’ll make Plan B.

I have a meeting in a bit about our July 11 fundraiser for the families of Law Enforcement Officers who were lost in the line of duty. We have 10 days, and we have already garnered a great number of donations for silent auction. People are so generous. Love it. I’d better find a snack as I’m currently starving. I hope you all have a beautiful rest of the day. I will make it one, too! See you tomorrow!

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