Autumn Makes a Strong Appearance

We had our first substantial cool front over the weekend. Saturday afternoon was hot, humid and the temperature in the low 90's.

Sunday was clear, with a low in the middle 50's and a high in the upper 60's.

This morning it's 57 and cloudy. The weather wizards forecast a high of around 72 and a warming trend.

It's autumn, which is probably like summer in many locations.

Doom and Gloom

There's a huge amount of opinion on the state of the nation. It runs from total fiscal collapse to a life of directed misery by the bureaucrats and their puppets. It's as though there's no hope and we're doomed. I don't think so.

In other countries, the acceptance of involuntary servitude, or a quality of life that is lower than what can be realized may be accepted, but not the in the United States. Our genetics don't allow this. We're the culmination of centuries of genetics that include those that refused to accept less and demanded opportunity.

Things will change, but not for the worse. Things may be tough for awhile, but we'll win. Good will prevail and we won't accept less. We're better than that.

....And I Don't Like What I See

I look in the mirror every morning. I think most everyone does, but in the past, it was the typical vanity thing and I was making sure I was presentable to the world.

Now, I'm finding I'm examining the ravages of time; the numerous lines in my face; the crows feet around my eyes; the sagging skin that's appearing on my neck and the lack of clarity in my aging eyes. I'm seeing more of my grandparents and it's a little frightening, although not for the reason of vanity.

For those that haven't experienced aging, it's a lesson in ingenuity and acceptance. What was physically well within tolerances, is now turned into strenuous efforts that lead to exhaustion. The tough labor tasks mean days of recovery, which include exhaustion and pain. Eventually these are beyond abilities and are delegated or placed on the back burner for future finances.

Aging means the errors of youth return as the realities of fate. Injuries ache on cold winter days. Poor health choices lead to major medical experiences that can bankrupt or lead to early death. Meanwhile, the efforts of daily existence continue; even if sacrifices of things once relished are required. It's a choice, I guess. Live longer, or die younger. On some days, the choices seem apparent. On others, the view of world through bifocals is distorted and unreal.

I don't know why I chose today to elaborate on this topic. Maybe the obvious change of seasons has made me realize that my life has reached late summer. The long lazy days of youth are gone and the changing colors of the foliage only forecasts the eventual empty branches that may last another season.

I've spent a lot of time with my mother for the last few years. She had some medical problems, which removed a lot of her mobility, besides her short term memory. It's an up and down thing, with the downs becoming more prevalent. Her passing is inevitable, which is something that I too will face in an amount of time that will probably be substantially less than the time I've been alive. It brings sobering thoughts, which I felt compelled to record.

There Was No Surprise

I've been reading, and watching, the reactions to the first Presidential debate. I get the feeling many are surprised by the result, which confuses me. How in the world could anyone be surprised? Obama didn't have a record of success when he ran for office; too much of the media never made any effort to examine the man, or his past; and the last four years have been a national debacle of failed policies. Yet, the alphabet networks, and many like them, have plenty of excuses, which make little sense when you examine the reality.

This administration is a litmus test of our society. As in the past, the knee jerk reaction of irresponsibility by our government led to allowing the same government to pursue policies that cause severe harm to the United States. I saw the same after Nixon, when the American people embraced Jimmy Carter, who was woefully inadequate as a President. As a nation, we should be smarter and demand better, but it appears we're going to do these things forever.

Is there somewhere to place the blame? You're damn right there is: We blame ourselves. We're willing to continue to support media outlets that fail to accurately investigate and report on future candidates. Until we do, we'll repeat this unhealthy process until the United States fails as a nation.

You Really Have to Hunt to Find This Report

George Zimmerman is suing NBC for editing a 911 call to give the appearance he's a racist. Since this was exposed, the network issued an apology and Zimmerman can no longer function in society due to deliberate efforts to prevent an honest assessment of the event. I'd say he's going to be worth million, if not tens of millions.

Personally, I think there's no amount of money that can compensate for this type of action. When you destroy a reputation, you destroy the person as they were. If it was me, I wouldn't be happy until there was a public caning of the culprits and NBC was a sandwich shop.