Pictures, Pigs . . . and Politics?

I should be blogging.  Better yet: writing.  There IS a difference.  It's not simply semantics.  (We won't get into that here.)  But instead I am distracted by pictures.

Take these, for instance.  Our Quill.  The kitten-cat.  As you'll notice, the cone is missing.  And has been for almost a month.  Glorious.  Makes my heart sing for her.  In these shots, she had hopped up into my lap for a cuddle and nap during the beginning of American Idol.  Notice that she's not watching it.  Her eyes, so wide, almost startled, definitely captivating, called out for my camera.  So, I snapped a series with her attention caught by the green focus light and the lens cap floating just out of lens shot.  When I uploaded these to check them out, I noticed in the top shot that she appears . . . well-l . . . not to put too fine a point on it . . . but . . . DEAD.  Is it possible to both like a picture and be disturbed by it?  I say, "Yes.  Yes, it is."  That's the difference between a snapshot and a brush with something more artful.  Art evokes feeling, positive or negative, but never indifference.  I am most certainly NOT indifferent to this photo.  Oh, and notice that the top of her nose seems to be made of dark brown polished leather.  So much texture going on.

Her she appears to have been resurrected from her momentary brush with death.  Phew!  We can't handle another deceased feline so soon after the passing of our beloved Fabio.  Sigh-h-h . . .

Honestly, there are any number of topics upon which I could choose to land the ol' blog topic dart.

For instance, just today, Obama announced to the world that he personally supports gay marriage.  One of my Facebook friends had a status post which gave one reason to pause as to possible political motive of a different kind [other than procuring the vote of another population segment while further isolating the far right] when he wrote:  "Well, at least we know he isn't Muslim."  It was rather clever.  But is it actually funny?  Humor often springs from the fount of fear and serious concern.  So, I guess it can couch seriousness in a bed of laughter.  And be both funny and somber.  I, for one, have not ever worried that Obama was a Muslim.  I've not even worried whether he was genuinely Christian.  Because even the genuine 'practicing' Christians who make it that far are so far compromised as to be less than a stellar model for my faith.  And I've known plenty of Christians who've made unwise choices; plenty of non-Christians with compassion and wisdom who have made solid choices.

And the future of our country's policies have very little to do with whether I continue to believe in Christ, whether I continue to grow in Christ, whether I continue to share the love of Christ.  I'll out myself right here and declare my Independent voting status.  I'll further reveal that I believe in the separation of church and state though I'm up for praying in school if everyone is in agreement.  My Christian faith does not implore me to bash the non-believing about the head and shoulders with the big ol' bat of "THOU SHALT."  Christ doesn't promise me that the government will be my security or have the answers to morality.  He does state that I should "render unto Caesar."  I vote.  Which is my right and duty as a citizen.  I could also choose not to vote.  Which is also my right.  But then I feel my voice is dampened due to my lack of participation.  Flawed two-party, high-monetary-stakes process though it is.

And as far as the whole homosexuality issue goes?  Whether your religious belief states that such sexual inclinations are sinful and go against God, or not, my God reminds me that He watches over even the sparrow.  As a citizen of a country, a gay or lesbian American deserves healthcare, the right to love, the right to benefit from the taxes he or she pays the government which paves the roads over which we all drive and funds the public schools to which many of our children go.  They are people, folks.  Human beings.  Children with parents and uncles and siblings.  I would hate to be denied such basic human rights and needs as those purely on the basis of my Christian faith.  Churches who feel it goes against their tenets and puts them in sin's path, should also be allowed the religious right to deny a gay or lesbian couple a marriage ceremony through their institution.  There will be plenty of churches that don't feel that way and will welcome the opportunity to officiate a wedding.  And the opposing sides will battle on.

Since I've stumbled into this bramble patch, I might as well add one final note before some of you decide to quit reading my blog.  The issue here, to me, is more personal than political.  Not that there is any room for doubt that there are politics a-whirlin' and a-swirlin' here.  But for President Obama, in this modern world, with insights and experiences many have not had, with children whose friends have same-sex parents and see it as perfectly normal and acceptable, he decided to quit riding the fence.  He became a role model for his children based on his beliefs as a man and parent.  He stopped opting for the safe play.  He left the gray area and stepped into the black and white of the issue.  Whether you agree with the issue upon which he made his stand, whether you like the man or not, whether you be Republican or Democrat or Independent, you've got to be able to step back and just admire the purity of the highest politician in the land actually taking a solid stance on a hot topic without spin.  It's refreshing.  Shocking even.  And risky.

What a surprise.

So, with that, I'll bid you good night.  And leave you with yet a few more photos which have absolutely nothing to do with the preceding paragraphs.

I miss my son-in-law.  He has very talented and useful toes.  Prehensile in action.  The newlyweds are seen here opening their cards and tallying up their loot.  This mother finds them altogether happy and TOO CUTE for mere words.

    
I visited a small specialty butcher and cheese shop in Nashville with my Earth Divas back in January of this year.  While there, I interviewed one of the owners behind the counter, recording our discourse on my iPhone.  One of the many recordings to which I never return but collect like kids collect sports cards, Legos and insects.  Of course I took companion pictures.  And this one below is my favorite.  It's a zampone.  Literally, a stuffed pig's foot, or trotter.  This particular creation originated from a Mangalitsa pig.  The breed is what's referred to as a 'lard-type' pig.  (I hadn't realized there were pigs who were NOT lardy.)  The fat has special qualities, which, interestingly enough, allow it to be whipped like cream!  Mmmm, pie anyone?  I'm including a link if you harbor a further interest.  I found it fascinating.  But then again, I find many things fascinating.  And I did spend time at a hog farm where my Uncle Dan worked in Alaska when I was a very little girl.  Arnold the Pig was their champion hog; I loved Arnold the pig.  I rather like pigs.  Not so much to eat.  But I have been known to eat them as bacon or barbecue.  Sorry, Wilbur!

Click here to bone up on what makes Mangalitsas so unique and tasty.

Of ALL the rears that Hank the Wonder Pup could ever choose to sniff, this one seems risky.  Wondrous though he may be, I'm not altogether sure how smart he is.  He learns his commands and tricks well enough.  But in the common-sense smarts area he may be slightly lacking.  Perhaps his exuberant Labrador Retriever nature is the problem.  I mean, he's afraid of the baby gate in the laundry room, for Pete's sake, but not a husky Doberman Pinscher?!

My son's wrestling team had their banquet over this past weekend.  Coach Ramsey called up each boy and had something genuinely thoughtful and honest to say about each one.  Here is Zachary at his turn. He's truly overwhelmed, eh?  I keep waiting for his smile.  But it never came.

Now, THIS kid was happy.  Cheery.  Thrilled, in fact.  He couldn't QUIT smiling.  And several other boys grinned and cheesed it up when their turns came.  The awards come next.  Maybe if Zachary receives an award, the smile will appear.  Let's see.  Shall we?

And for the second year in a row, the award for Most Improved For The Season goes to:
ZACHARY VALDEZ!  Come on up here, boy!

If you're waiting for the smile.  Keep on waiting.  Maybe by next year it'll show up.  Turns out he was tired . . . and a bit uncomfortable in front of the crowd.  Figures.  He hams it up, practically begging for an audience when one isn't around, but freezes when one is provided ahead of time.

And, as we started our picture series with a cat, thus so we will end with cats.  This group of diners was enjoying their breakfast on the porch of a small house situated next door to my mother's apartment building.  I had just started out on my walk and upon seeing this scene, raced back to mom's for my camera.  They're all getting along so well in the midst of their focused grubbing.