Pinky on "In this Economy"

What will you do differently?

The phrase, “In this economy” has become forbidden in my household. In a relatively short media span of time, it has become the catchall phrase for all the ills of the past three months, whether strictly economic woes or not and thus, has even passed joke and annoying status to become meaningless. As we have strived to indicate in previous posts, our approach to life over the past five years has been increasingly rooted in recognition and celebration of the moment and the gifts with which we are blessed every day, thus, the frailty of “this economy” and the fear factor of joblessness, meeting our financial obligations, and “what will I do when I grow up” has a somewhat weaker hold than it has had in the past. (Maybe this is early Alzheimer-like naiveté, but, let’s go with it for now).
I offer the thought that our laissez-faire approach to life is more at work here than Adam Smith’s doctrine that a self-correcting economic hand would correct any self-interest that drives capitalism (see, liberal arts education means something!). Is it possible that we have gone beyond the point of extreme self-interest in our engagement in the marketplace and in life that we don’t even recognize the give and take that is required for a balancing effect in the universe, much less in a capitalist economy? Is it possible that we are so removed from the fragility of survival that we do not engage in the basic instinctual combativeness on which our markets, and (I am reaching) our relationship with others is predicated? I am mixing so many biological, socio-economic, and metaphysical metaphors in my own brain right now that I am confusing myself, but it’s Pinky’s blog…so…back to the question: What will you do differently:

If your concern right now is solely how to survive this economic situation…what will you do differently?
If your thoughts run a little deeper, and think this “situation” is indicative of an “opportunity” to look at our complex and dynamic relationships with our world, economies, and populations in a radically new way….what will you do differently?
If you think Pinky just has too much time on her hands…. J

Pinky's Holiday Message - Part I

I am very fortunate to have been raised by two people who embody the spirit of the holidays as a daily practice. In standard etiquette fashion and in many anonymous ways, my parents have offered their hands and their hearts to many people. On Tuesday afternoon, my father had to be taken by ambulance from his doctor's office to the emergency room. As my mother and I waited for them to get a room for him after it was determined that he would be having surgery, we overheard a very disheartening conversation between a nurse and a patient's nursing home. Apparently the nursing home was unaware that one of their patients/residents had even been taken to the emergency room and it seemed (from the side of the conversation that we could hear) that they were reluctant to make any arrangements to take him back.

I believe that we have infinite capacity for love and care-taking of others. I do not believe that it is taxing in anyway for me to have concern for all people around me. I cannot help everyone: offer them shelter or money or support, but this does not mean that I cannot think and pray for all. My parents taught me this. I hope that celebration of those around me is never restricted to specific seasons or days. I hope that I can give unselfishly of my heart and my ears all the time. I hope that the holidays are just another way to demonstrate my deep love for my family and humanity rather than the only time I nod to tradition and humanistic values.

Pinky's Prognosis

Pinky visited Dr. Sievers today because she apparently has inherited Scooter's black lab ears. Pinky is in a love/hate relationship with the vet as he is very kind and is liberal with the treats, but she doesn't like shots and having her ears cleaned out with giant Qtips. But I digress...

Pinky has also developed some disturbing lesions on her lips. Her mother, having just lost Scooter the Wonder Dog is behaving like Paris Hilton with a purse accesory when it comes to the care and love of Pinky. So after we went through the "Oh, God, another million dollars on antibiotics and ear cleansing (read soapy water that is priced at $20.00/bottle)" phase, we asked Dr. Sievers to look at our lip.....And he pronounced quite immediately and quite comically that Pinky has

Wait for it

Acne. Okay, the brother and sister-in-law have produced two beautiful granddaughters who continually amaze the family with their feats of intelligence, creativity, and beauty. I, much proclaimed the black sheep, have given the parental units several four-legged grandchildren who are prone to ear infections and now I have to buy Stridex for Pinky's acne.

Are you kidding me? Next thing I'll be bra shopping and looking at battery operated cars. Yes, she could probably learn to drive. Yes, I am crazy about her.

My life: is a stand-up comics DREAM!!!

Pinky on Jones' Envy

Did you ever notice how even in pictures, other people's lives look more interesting? I've been browsing the photo albums and profiles of my friends on Facebook and can't help but notice that they are always surrounded by friends, travelling abroad, skiiing, yucking it up, or WORSE for my sense of a fully-rounded life, participating in good deeds. I can't help but think there is a conspiracy afoot to put my fairly prosaic, stripped-down, reading-on-couch-and-not-necessarily-great-works-get-up-to-walk-dog-when-she-is-crossing-paws-at-front-door life to shame. I mean really, who has a karaoke party with 150 friends for their birthday and then plays football with the entire Boys and Girls club of Seattle and then wake-boards in Spain the next day? Do you think that I really believe this isn't a large-scale effort by Photoshop to expose my pitiful rurual existence to shame?

Okay, I have great friends and they do great things and lead great lives.......I guess my diamond encrusted invitation just got lost in the mail :) I love you ALL! (the person whose photo albums I abused to make a somewhat humorous, but truly loving and impressed point....I'll buy lunch next time :)