Random Gems From the Second Half of Life: Just gotta brag

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Just gotta brag

This was my daughter's first horse show. She has been working hard for 2 years at a local stable to pay for her own lessons and yesterday she had her first show. She came home with 5 ribbons, two of them 1st place! Even the horse looked up and "smiled" for this picture!

I know it's corny, but because she WORKS for her lessons, we have treated it just like a job and have not stayed around to watch her. This is really the first time I have seen her on a horse since one of her first lessons. When she rode out and I saw her, she looked so beautiful I almost cried.

I am so proud of you, Amanda!

Check your chip at the door.

If you are easily offended, you may want to stop where you are. I am a Christ follower, a human, and a political science major, which you can imagine, makes for an eclectic mix of ideas. I go to church, but I do not believe "religion" is anything more than an institution. Relationship, now that's what it's all about.

I do not see color unless color is thrown in my face. I do not believe in being offended by things people say because we all say stupid things from time to time and sometimes what we say isn't meant to sound the way others hear it. I also believe that the things people say are often colored by their circumstances. Often, very kind people are faced with situations that make their words sharp and coarse.

I don't mind people who disagree with me because I reserve the right to disagree with them. We have a right to free speech and if I want to have it, then you get it too. However, foul language and name-calling are just plain stupid. If you can't disagree in an intelligent manner, then I don't want to hear your stupidity. Know why you disagree and don't just mimic what you've heard from someone else. Think for yourself. Also, find truth. It won't be given to you on TV or in the papers. Blogs will often go way off in the other direction. Find it for yourself and then stand up for it. It does exist.

That being said, THIS IS MY BLOG and I won't have it hijacked by ANYbody. If you don't like what you read and feel the need to spew, you can e-mail me, but you will not be allowed to comment anywhere on my blog. Even if you find a place to, it will be deleted. This is MY place. Go get your own.