Is it really me .........?

I can't figure out if I am just in a prolonged ranting mood, or, if I am turning into one of those prudish, mean, overbearing, outspoken old women that stick their noses into everyone’s business and call the cops at the slightest provocation. I am finding that so many of the things I encounter in my daily life, make me want to find a isolated mountain top or deserted tropical island to move to, if such things still exist.

Today, we were eating in our favorite diner when a fortyish woman came in and sat down at the counter. She looked like she spent her days laying asphalt. She was dressed in men’s clothing: muscle shirt, jeans and work boots. Her hair was in braided pigtails and both arms were covered from wrist to shoulder in tattoos. The waitress set a double order of biscuits and gravy in front of her and she quickly stirred everything into a pile of mush and started stuffing large spoonfuls into her mouth. Within minutes she was fishing a trucker’s wallet from her hip pocket as she took giant strides toward the register. It was all I could do to keep from going over and pointing out to her how ridiculous her look and behavior were. Actually, I should have been praying for the poor soul since she seemed to be a man trapped in a woman's body.

I am finding that children have neither manners nor imagination and I want to shake their parents or submit them to a public flogging. Would they really want to have adult versions of their children living next door to them for the rest of their lives.

When out for our nightly walks it takes all the will I can muster to keep from knocking on doors and chastising people for allowing their nice city property to become virtual junkyards strewn with all manner of derelict items. Or, should I become the anonymous crackpot calling the city?

A few days ago I passed two different houses that had old tattered recliners sitting on the front porch. I know for a fact that they have been there for several years and I so wanted to go offer to replace them with a nice porch swing. Does someone have to point out the obvious conclusions drawn about those that live there?

I am very rapidly reaching the point of not wanting to go for a walk without taking along several trash bags and my grabber. We will be walking on a nice street with lovely manicured homes and the curbs will be full of litter. Do people really not notice that someone left beer bottles, soda cans or leftover Mickey D’s in front of their house. Well, after the third day, I want to collect it for them and tie the bag to their front door with a nasty note.

This last Saturday I attended a wedding at my church. The thirty something bride and all of her bridesmaids were wearing expensive formal strapless gowns. As they walked down the aisle I noticed three ankle tattoos and one shoulder tattoo. All were barelegged, two were in mules and kept falling off the platform of their shoes, and two were so busty they were falling out of the top of their dresses. Bad enough to have this in front of a church full of people, but, to stand on the Lord’s alter half naked? I’m still trying to talk myself out of writing a letter to the priest suggesting that he start giving better instructions to the brides on what is proper in church attire or just refuse to perform the ceremony until they get covered up.

Boy, am I turning into some type of witch or is it just that the world has gone to blazes?

I guess I'm thankful

Since posting my last entry on the loss of our train whistles, I have heard on the news about a city council in Nevada that wants to prevent a car dealership from flying a large American Flag over the car lot because the neighboring residents are disturbed by the noise that the flapping flag makes. I have also heard about a high school student that took a 410 shotgun and killed a bird in the tree outside his bedroom window because the birds song was interfering with his concentrating on the book he was reading.

On a recent rainy day, my husband and I were traveling on the interstate highway when we were caught in a major traffic jam caused by a traffic accident. Based on the amount of time and the speed we were inching along the roadway, and the number of police cars passing us on the shoulder we figured it had to be very serious. The accident was indeed serious and unfortunately someone did lose their life, but the accident was not the main reason for the traffic jam. The problem was the motorist that were leaving their vehicles to get a better look at the gory scene (see the photo I snapped as we passed) and compounding both the traffic situation and the police efforts to clear it.

What is this world coming too? Are we all so overworked and stressed that we have to overreact to everything around us? Have we all become so self-centered, developed such a strong “my way or else” attitude, that we can no longer see the big picture? Have we become so jaded by all the violence and mayhem in the world that we must feed on the suffering of others? What has happen to the hard earned rights of a nation that so many have fought and died to protect?

I guess (no I ‘m sure) I am grateful that I was able to live the lion’s share of my live in a simpler world. A world, where the sound of birds chirping, flags flapping and trains whistling; did not send the public into revolt. A world where a traffic accident would have people bowing their head in prayer for the victim, and made physically ill by sights they could not avoid.

I’m grateful that I do not have to be a young person facing life today. I’m grateful that my children were raised in a time when they could be kids and play was still fun created from make believe and imagination. A time, when every horrible action in the world, was not displayed in bold color on a television or computer screen for all to see. A time when they did not have to be afraid of the motives of every adult they met.

Yes, if I could choose, I would want the world I grew up in to be the world that all today’s children would also grow up in. And, when I am the one in charge I will see to it that is exactly the kind of world they will have. Until then I will do my best to improve my little corner of the world, and I think I will start by working on getting my town council to revoke the no train whistles ordinance in my small town.