Bees' Paradise

                                                                                          Photos by Ricardo

Bob does not spray. Whatever kills weeds will also destroy our bees. Bees are disappearing and we need them for our survival. The bees absolutely love the perennials in our yard! Welcome bees! We are a "no spray" zone.

Sprouting Like Weeds

It is that time of year once again. The political signs are popping up all over town, much as the dandelions that preceded them a short time before.

The signs got me thinking. They all ask for our vote to represent them. But when they gain the seat how many of them represent us, or is it the large corporations or whoever feeds them the richest fertilizer?

You know, especially on a local level, I believe that most candidates mean what they say. They want what is best for the town, county or state. Then something happens. I guess at times it is reality, the need for approval or to belong. It is tough being a good politician. What is a good politician? Is it someone who represents the majority of the people and the best for a community? Then again, do they really know what is best for the group they represent, the environment that surrounds them, the consequences of their decisions? One decision usually leads to unforeseen results, unexpected outcomes. Life is not simple and it is no simple matter to predict future aftermaths of a present decision.

So as I drive by the signs sprouting up amidst the dandelions and the fresh, spring, green lawns, I can only wish those running for office will manage somehow, someway to cling to honesty and values that really represent what is in the best interests of those they are asking to elect them to an office. My wish is that they will listen deeply to all sides and in the end, thoughtfully and carefully make decisions that are not only for the present, but will carry on for the hope of future generations.

Dandelions will sprout among the grass. Those who use chemicals may rid their grass of weeds, but what are the consequence to the birds, bees and other insects? The poisoned worms are eaten by the robins. Do politicians look to getting rid of "the weeds" or do they see the long-term consequences for the rest of humanity?  Food for thought.

Living Life A La Bob

"I hate all the closed and empty buildings in town."

"Me too", I said to my husband, Bob, after our walk along the river and as we made our way back home through the main street of Hot Springs.

Our lovely town has had its issues. Our largest employer, the VA hospital on the hill, has been cutting back over the years and we have lost residents and stores. The latest blow is the nearby railroad yard closing and many of its employees reside in Hot Springs.

We moved into the town in 2007 after the Cascade Fire wiped out our home and with that horrific event Bob lost his mission of creating an off-the-grid house on land south of Hot Springs. He had spent nearly 7 years working slowly and methodically on our dream house. He never really wanted to completely finish it because as he said, "What will I do with the rest of my life?"

Back in Minneapolis Bob had a motorcycle business, sales and service, and his life had centered around bikes, restoring and racing, and the milieu of the freedom of the road. His biggest enjoyment came from fixing what was "unfixable" by the experts. He wanted to open a store in Hot Springs, sharing his expertise with the many bikers in the area, offering services not available nearby, and perhaps, in time, doing his part for the economy which at the present time is in a bit of a slump.

After several years of searching for a spot in town, he bought a building on the main street, and knowing Bob as I do, will take his time, filling the building slowly with a few businesses that will allow residents to shop locally, without the lengthy drive to the nearest large city.

Have you ever wanted something so badly that it aches deep inside? This has been rare during my lifetime, but right now in this time and place I want for my partner to succeed with his dream of helping others by repairing and restoring and recycling. Some friends have chided him and told him that at his age he should stay retired, travel and enjoy life. I know my husband. Sitting on the front porch will not bring him enjoyment. Doing work he cares about in a community he cares about will keep him vital and young.

My dream for my partner is that he does not retire until he reaches 100 or more. If he dies before then, up until that time, may he thrive doing what he does best.

Closing, closing, closing. Not Bob, he will be opening, opening, opening. Watch for it!

Rooting for Bob. Rooting for Hot Springs!

Happy Mother's Day

Today is the special day for remembering mothers. Mine has long gone, killed by a drunken driver as she and my father were leaving a Saturday night service at the church.

But I want to take this space in time to thank you, Mom, for giving me life. You taught me correct grammar, social graces and gave me room to grow. You hoped and wished for me as most mothers do, but in the end you followed my lead and the path I chose, supporting me as best you could.

I have written tributes to you in previous blogs and in my first book, A (not so) Simple Life. But today, after my daughter called to wish me a happy day, I thought of you especially, remembering your gentle, quiet, loving ways, and after three months of being in a coma after the accident, as you lived your life, you quietly slipped away from our lives forever.

You will always be there for me in memories and the social etiquette and correct grammar you taught and mostly the freedom to be me, have remained with me forever, easing my passage through my life.

Who Has Walked in Their Shoes?

This world we live in can be a confusing place. It is difficult understanding others, let alone ourselves. I guess it does have to start within ourselves. The greater self-understanding, the more we can walk in another's shoes, accepting or rejecting their beliefs without condemning the person.

This week we watched a documentary and listened to those who participated in the FLDS group, those who wrote about this group or those who are welcoming the ones who left the group and are trying to adjust to a strange new world outside of the one they were born into.

The group is a cult, an offshoot of the Mormon church, the FLDS, who now reside within the borders of our beautiful Black Hills. It is not an easy thing to ignore this group when they live so close, practicing polygamous marriage, blind obedience, raping of young girls by the elders and money laundering and cheating our government of money, all within the boundaries of a "religion". We know the protections that surround a "religious" group ....fifth amendment, no taxes and no invasion of privacy. It is all in our constitution, these protections. There are those in power who are reluctant to go after them because they hide behind "religion".

Yes, this particular group even got more water rights without proving how many residents would be using the water. Our South Dakota water board approved the request of Seth Jeffs, brother of Warren and leader of the Pringle, SD compound, by a vote of 9 to 1. Was it in respect of "religion" or was there a money exchange under the table? We may never know for certain but what we do know is that this cult knew what they were doing when they settled in our Black Hills. They found scenic privacy and a government that often looks the other way. It is ingrained in South Dakota politics from accepting requests for uranium mining from a foreign government to cover ups involving high ranking government officials.

Things were put into perspective by Sam Brower, the writer of Prophet's Prey, a book about his long-time investigation of the group that follow the leader, Warren Jeffs, and his brothers who continue to lead the cult while Warren commands from behind prison walls. Brower believes that Warren is insane and the government should look upon this group, not as a "religion", but for what it really is.....an illegal syndicate.

The members follow blindly, having been immersed in this cult since birth. They turn over all of their money to the "church" and work hours on-end in construction of buildings such as Walmart and Costco or making parts for the government space programs. Meanwhile, the elders live in luxury, impregnating young girls, ejecting the young men who ask too many questions or prove to be a rival for the under-age girls, money laundering, exploiting the food stamp program, cheating honest taxpayers and our democratic system, all in the name of "religion".

So, in a nutshell, we have an insane leader with greedy, sociopathic elders and obedient followers who have little chance of breaking away from a fear-instilled group. Those who do manage to break free will face years of recovery time. Even though the world they left was filled with fear and blind obedience, it was the only world they knew. Who of us could ever "walk in their shoes" or completely understand?

It is too easy to judge and condemn. Until we have experienced brain-washing, fear of the unknown and change, it may be best to read, listen, learn and then try to influence the press and powers that be to look upon this group as what it really is...a true crime syndicate controlling its members through ignorance, isolation and fear.

I applaud the members of the large audience in Hot Springs, SD, who came to the presentation to raise their awareness. The questions asked showed me that there are folks here who care and who want to learn and in one way or another, try to help those who are enslaved by a mentally disturbed, but very clever, controlling leader.

Life can be very confusing and disturbing, but there is hope, proven by those who stood on the stage at our Mueller Civic Center in Hot Springs. They are raising awareness and are putting their time and energy into helping those who have fled the group, seeking a better life for themselves.

And, after all, it is in helping others that we truly help ourselves. It is the key to happiness. We may choose to remain islands or we can reach out in this confusing world and give a hand to those who are struggling to break free from mind control and find the path to self-awareness and their own inner peace.