Sunday, February 19, 2012

The things I do not blog about

While I try my best to be honest on my blog, my readers don't know everything that goes on around here.  I keep many things hidden, as much for the benefit of others as for myself.  If I think some activity would be upsetting to my readers, I keep it to myself, within reason, of course.  I realize the fact that we butcher and eat animals that we have raised from birth bothers some people, but I am not going to hide the fact that we do it.  I grew up watching my mother butcher a couple of chickens almost every Saturday so we'd have a good Sunday dinner.  It's the most natural thing in the world to me.  
Animals are more dispensable around here than they are to city folks.  This is sometimes a necessity in the country.  I alluded to one of the darker aspects of this fact of life when David was visiting, and he said, "Don't blog about it!"  
Trust me, I wouldn't.  I've spent years following Pioneer Woman's blog, and I've seen city folks criticize her for pictures of her husband and the hired hands roping calves and castrating them.  When people criticize Ree Drummond, they do it in a BIG way.  I have seen whole blogs dedicated to bashing her.    
My husband butchered for over twenty years.  It may seem like a cruel way of making a living, but until the whole world becomes vegetarian, somebody has to do it, .  One thing Cliff always made sure of, though, was that the animal died instantly and without pain.  He is the one who put Blue down for me, and when he was finished with the task, said, "He never knew what hit him."
My family could tell you about various things I don't include in my blog, and not all of them have anything to do with animals.  Sometimes I'm just avoiding the judgement of others.    
When I take pictures in the house, I sometimes crop them so you don't see certain things:  clutter on the end table, for instance.  Or I'll pick things up hastily so people don't see what a lousy housekeeper I am.  If that's dishonest, so be it.   
If you have thought of me as totally honest, loving, and hard-working, I'm just letting you know that this tarnished angel flies pretty darned close to the ground.  
Moving on:  I had another wonderful day yesterday.  Great-granddaughter Kami spent several hours with me while my daughter and her girls went to the beauty shop.  This is the first time she's been here alone with me, and it was great fun.  I held the camera at arms length and took this picture.


Isn't she beautiful?

We read all the "Spot" books, ate bananas and PBJ sandwiches, and watched some kid TV shows.  
Good times.  Things I can blog about.
  
(How about the fact that I am wearing the same sweatshirt two days in a row and it's on my blog for all the world to see?)

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Zoom in on Gratitude: 30 day challenge: NIGHTTIME

NIGHTTIME


Is there anything more comforting than knowing you have, at night, a warm and comfortable place to sleep?


This is Day 28 of the thirty day photo challenge.