Is the Sky Really Falling?

The government shut down Friday night.

Run!  The sky is falling!  The sky is falling!  Attention, Chicken Littles!  Anyone listening?

Or is it?

As I journeyed around the state over the weekend (at least from Ash Flat to Little Rock to Cord to Sulphur Rock to Batesville), I heard not one comment about the government shutdown.  Do they not know about this halt in finances to so many?  Ignorance?  How blissful is that?  This lack of response concerns me.


Social media was a bit more active with comments on Twitter and a post on Facebook from Fort Huachuca explaining the effects...or lack of.  No sense of real panic...more blame being posted on Twitter than panic, for this is not the first time this has happened, right?  No big deal, right?  Right?

May we consider...

1. Should we be embarrassed that our government remains shut down...or at least until noon when another vote is scheduled...?
2. Should we be concerned for those who paychecks are frozen?

My One Word for 2018: Less

Each year, for several years now, I have chosen a theme word to go with me throughout the year.  What a journey these words have been for me...and I strongly encourage everyone to adopt this focus each year.

In 2011, I needed peace...I had so much turmoil.  During this time, the gift of peace came.

In 2012, I need times of quiet, for my mom eased into Heaven in January, and, while this was a prayer for which we had prayed...my mom suffered from severe dementia...that grief process simply takes time.

And so on...every year a word.

This year, my word is less.  Part of the reason I chose this word is, yes, less is more.

To Blog, To Blog, To Blog!

I very much enjoy blogging!  I have three personal blogs and several with my classes...AND each of my students has his/her own blog!  Why do I blog?  The power of reflection is immense, and this genre has become quite the journal of my literary life.  I, also, enjoy reading other's blogs and follow many within my Feedly account.

Blogs I Follow

• Literary Life:  I follow many, including some literary peers and giants in our curriculum area, including Dana Huff, 
• Crafty Chics
• Devotional Delights
• Bookish Thoughts

Growth Mindset: Is This a Sign of Intelligence?

Carol Dweck in her video entitled  The Power of Believing That You Can Improve discusses her research on fixed and growth mindsets.  (Later, in this article, she updates her findings.)

Dweck supports the growth mindset when she states, "

Oh, Cute Little Ladybug! NOT!

Just no!  Get out!  I will place you in your eternal home = the vacuum cleaner.  For several years now, these beautiful ladybug want-to-look-alikes have invaded my home, my space, my domain.

In the article Ladybugs or Asian Beetles, the author informs us that these critters were intentionally released, "Over the past 15 years, USDA, the Forestry Commission, state and private agencies have released this ladybug in several locations in the Northeastern part of the US."  What?!  Intentionally released these pests?

ISIS: Enemy of the State and World?

Here, in the good ol' United States of America, we often are so busy with our busyness that we forget the enemies we have abroad.  One of those remains the group ISIS, a group of militants who have little appreciation for the manner in which Americans live nor do they seem to appreciate the belief systems of many US citizens, was recently conquered (or were they) in a seizure partially enabled by own military.

According to Annie Barnard and Hwiadi Saad in their article "Raqqa, ISIS ‘Capital,’ Is Captured, U.S.-Backed Forces Say," they report, "American-backed forces said...they had seized the northern Syrian city of Raqqa from the Islamic State, a major blow to the militant group..."  With the assistance of the US military, this group diminished in size and power, resulting in a victory for all who oppose this group, a group that is harsh to its captives (yes, see pics of beheadings and burnings...or not).

Now what? "The fall of Raqqa threatens to inflame relations between Kurds and Arabs, who have been fighting the Islamic State in an uneasy alliance with the United States-led coalition... Most immediately, they may be at odds over the future governing of Raqqa."  Fighting one's culture does seem to be a battle one cannot win.  Therefore, when the US goes in and assists and then leaves, very often no change has really occurred, as those living there simply cannot leave the past, their embedded culture, behind.

My concern?  This:  "The United States Central Command stopped short of declaring victory, saying that 'more than 90 percent of Raqqa is in S.D.F. control,' a reference to the Syrian Democratic Forces, an American-backed militia group made up of Syrian Kurds and Arabs."  Do the math.  That leaves 10%.  Too many for too much celebration, for this group seems to have not problem recovering, recruiting, and retaliating.

This groups concerns me, for they greatly despise what so many stands.

Hacking...Hack! Hack! Cough! Oh, No!

People would hack into other's private information should have special kind of punishment awaiting them.  In The Week's article entitled "You Have Almost Certainly Been Hacked,"

According to the staff writer at The Week, "...some in the security community are advocating that businesses go on the offensive, breaking into their attackers' systems to steal back or delete stolen data or even damage their computers."  Add two sentences of CM.

Last Friday while doing a good deed, my credit was hacked.  Add two sentences of CM.

A three-sentence conclusion.