“Carnegie’s Maid”

 

”I thought you came from a…family who cared about equality and who understood how the poorer folk are harmed when those in control - whether in business or in government - unwittingly alter the world around them.” (304)

Industrial Revolution. Robber Barons. Post Civil War. Money. Society. Charity. Philanthropy. Immigrants. Pollution. Power.

How is it that I keep drawing parallels to our country today? Monied  heartless businessmen. Power hungry politicians. Working class people bearing the brunt of decisions being made without thought for their wellbeing. Is this what our current politicians and businessmen are trying to achieve - this distorted Golden Age? Just as in the book, those who will pay the price for their greed are the working men and women. When will we reach our breaking point?

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”

I’m not sure which is more disturbing, Alice’s nightmarish adventures or Dali’s art.

When the Queen said, “Off with her head” she should have done it…

More thoughts on books and stuff at mytossiecup.blogspot.com

“A Death in Door County”

My thoughts.

Cryptozoologist.

The Hound of the Baskerville - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Gold

That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. Oh, and there’s a budding romance…

Declaration of Independence

 Declaration of Independence

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it…

”To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”

“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”

“He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people…”

”He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices…”

”For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury...” 

“He has…destroyed the lives of our people.”

”In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.”

”A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”

I find it interesting that Trump has a copy of the Declaration of Independence in his office. I wonder if he has ever read it? Does he realize that the colonists sent the Declaration of Independence as a letter of complaint to King George III?

The colonists presented the Facts to the world seeking to break free from British rule. That government is only created by the consent of the governed. That our voices need to be heard. When you are “ruled” by someone who has NEVER served another human being, NEVER put someone else’s needs before his own, NEVER been part of a community working together, you are being ruled by a bully, a TYRANT.

So many of the complaints that the colonists put down on paper are now part of our reality, 250 years later. Why? What happened to our ideals? What happened to the spirit of the men who pledged their Lives, their Fortunes and their Sacred Honor?

“And Now There’s Zelda”

”Do not underestimate the difficulty in the shift from being the director of your child’s life to becoming a member of the audience. It will be your greatest transformation.” @heymom.co

Protecting our children vs. raising independent, self-sufficient adults.

There is a fine line. Knowing when to let go. When to hover. When to step in. When to back away. We love our children fiercely; want only the best for them. Keeping an eye out for pitfalls and traps. Looking out for their emotional well being.

BUT, there are some who cannot, will not, cut the apron strings. Keep a cynical eye on all who interact with their offspring. Dare anyone to come between them. Is that healthy? Is it logical? Is it what is in the best interest of the child…I mean adult child?

There are no easy answers. We can only let our heart lead us through the journey. Trust that we did the best we could. Fingers crossed that what our children become is all that we ever wanted for them…on their terms, not ours.

“The Women”

 

I sat with this book for days after finishing it. My thoughts, as the title suggests, went to the women. Wives. Sisters. Daughters. Grandmothers. This is what I was left thinking about…

From the book:

”We were the last believers, my generation. We trusted what our parents taught us about right and wrong, good and evil, the American myth of equality and justice and honor.

I wonder if any generation will ever believe again. People will say it was the war that shattered our lives and laid bare the beautiful lie we’d been taught. And they’d be right. And wrong.

There was so much more. It’s hard to see clearly when the world is angry and divided and you’re being lied to.” (455)

(This is the generation leading us today…)

As women’s rights are slowly being stripped away, what strengths do we possess? How can our voices be heard? How do we shape the world into a better place for all of us? Whose ear do we need to bend to affect change? What kind of courage will it take to fight?

The First Ladies of the United States: I see women of powerful men - standing idly by, waiting for the next photo op. The next gala event. What does their pillow talk sound like? Do they play “devil’s advocate"? Bring a voice of reason to the conversation? Share their empathy for others? Help steer a more humanitarian course for our future?

Thoughts again began to swirl…Voices of reason. Compassion. Devil’s advocate. Hero. Empathetic. Partner. Supportive. Strong. Tough. Protective. Complissant. Complacent. Passive. “Stepford” Wife. Independent. Dependent. Privileged. Gold digger. Heartless. Vindictive. Loving. Caring. 

Which words will we use to describe the women standing beside the men leading our great country? Only history will judge their actions and their inaction.

“Murder Your Employer - McMasters Guide to Homicide”

 

Imagine hating your boss so much you want to kill them. Where would you start? How would you accomplish the deed? Is this person worthy of all the planning and dedication you are willing to put into such an endeavor?

Would you need specialized training? Classes in forensics? Physical stamina? Acting lessons? A working knowledge of chemistry? How about a few physics lectures? Practical application? A meticulous plan?

And what if there was a place where you could get all those skills and the confidence to carry out your nefarious plan? Would you apply? Could you commit to such a rigorous education?

McMasters may be just the place for you. Goodbye boss!!!!