Why I'm Conservative

I generally like liberals. But I've always felt conservatives are better suited to deal with reality. I happened to hear author George Will talk about his new book, One Man's America both on the Armstrong and Getty show on June 13 and also on the Colbert Report earlier on. It's hard to say which was more entertaining. I think maybe the Colbert Report (click here for the clip). But his definition of each point-of-view struck me: Liberals are willing to sacrifice some freedom for better equality. Conservatives are willing to sacrifice some equality for more freedom. There is room for intelligent and well meaning people on both sides.

Here are two other quotes from the book (when Will is discussing Barry Goldwater) that I liked:
"Limited government by its limitations nurtures in men and women that which will make them competent for and worth of freedom" (in precisely the way you get your children to be ready to be responsible adults, according to Armstong and Getty).

"One consequence of unlimited government is unlimited dependency, learned dependency, a degrading addiction of citizens to public provisions."

My New Talent

My father has a gift with plants. It has been said of him, "Werner could spit and it would grow." He has succeeded in growing plumaria trees and an avacado tree in Idaho. The former he grew from a twig he broke off the parent tree as he walked by it in Hawaii. He also attracts small woodland creatures like squirrels and birds, but that is fodder for another post. The point I would like to make today is, I did not inherit his gift. I cannot keep anything alive, potted flowers, basil I try to grow in my kitchen, house plants, lawn grass. I have no instict for these things. I always felt it was a curse. Up until this spring. It turns out what I thought was an terrible weakness, was actually a misguided strength! I found an outlet for my gift. Below is a picture of our patio as it greeted us when we returned from our trip to Idaho this spring, followed by a picture of our patio after I exposed it to my special plant-murdering gift.

poor weeds never saw it coming

once a plant enters my realm of stewardship,

its life expectancy is usually about a week

Good Form

Have a little sympathy for Brent. I have decided to read one of my favorite manners guides from cover to cover, and in so doing have been struck by several passages I found so brilliant that I needed to share them, and Brent was the most convenient victim. I'm not sure if there are many things that interest a man less than listening to passages from a 19th-century manners book. Maybe attending a ballet. But don't cast too much pity on Brent, as I am about to inflict the same punishment on you. Following is one of my favorite passages:

CHEERFULNESS AT THE TABLE: Children should not be prohibited from laughing and talking at the table. Joyousness promotes the circulation of the blood, enlivens and invigorates it, and sends it to all parts of the system, carrying with it animation, vigor and life. Controversy should not be permitted at the table.... Every topic introduced should be calculated to instruct, interest or amuse. Business matters, past disappointments and mishaps should not be alluded to, nor should bad news be spoken of at the table, nor for half an hour before. All conversation should be of joyous and gladsome character, such as will bring out pleasant remarks and agreeable associations. Reproof should never be administered at the table, either to a child or to a servant; no fault found with anything, and no unkind word should be spoken.... Thus will the family table be the center of pleasant memories in future years, when the family shall have been scattered far and near, and some, perhaps, have been laid in their final resting place. -John H Young, A.M. A Guide to the Manners, Etiquette, and Deportment of the Most Refined Society. The Lyon's Press, 1879.

When is Too Early to Think about Christmas?

I am as annoyed and dispirited as the next person when I show up in Costco in August and find Christmas displays. I have a birthday in August and I never expected it to be spoiled by Christmas decorations. But perhaps it is not too early to be thinking about Christmas, is it? Don't jump to conclusions until you read Andrea's post.

As for me, after a hectic holiday season last year, I did create my own Christmas countdown checklist, with the hope of creating for myself a few moments when I can relax and ponder the season. I just checked it, though, and I've assigned myself only one task in September. October is when the fun really starts.