Cops To Decide Who Boy Loves More

Myrtle and Madge were on their way home from school, grumpity, bumpity in the little yellow school bus, when Myrtle stated, rather smugly, that handsome Johnny had asked her to the school dance on Friday. She knew that this would upset Madge, who had been pining away for Johnny since the beginning of the year.

As expected, Madge was most distressed at the news and muttered something unflattering about Myrtle under her breath. The situation began to escalate when Myrtle claimed the good Johnny had said that he thought Madge was a "Silly Ninny". The two girls then proceeded to exchange insults, mostly concerning the other's less attractive clothing items and anatomy. The situation became so heated, that there would almost certainly be hurt feelings as a result, and possibly necessitate an apology, or even two.

The bus driver, a sensible lady, turned to them after she had stopped at a traffic light, and gave them both a stern talking to - upon which both girls apologized and promised to behave for the remainder of the ride home.

The End.


That is how such a situation unfolds and is resolved, more or less, in a civilized society - one where parents raise their children to behave themselves, even during times of stress and discomfort.

Adults, act like adults and intervene just enough to set things on the right track again. Children respect adults, because adults are worthy of respect, having themselves, as children, been through similar uncomfortable situations that were ultimately resolved in one way or another and put into perspective with the passage of time. This process has made them wiser, and gives them good judgement which they put to use in everyday life to avoid life's little pit-falls and stumbling blocks.

What a valuable thing it is: good judgement. The ability to consider the possible outcomes of each decision or action before one decides or acts; a course of action that is fitting to the situation at hand, and the ability to recognize when a chosen course of action is grossly out of proportion with the reality of the situation.

Which brings me back to the reality of 2009 in The United States Of America, where Madge and Myrtle are just quaint memories or perhaps just figments of my imagination. Because in today's America, a squabble between two girls on a school bus requires police intervention, trips to the emergency room and will, most likely, mean an Arizona lawyer or two will be gainfully employed for the foreseeable future.

When you consider how much all of that will cost, you begin to understand how expensive it is for a society when civility breaks down and manners, restraint and a disciplined approach to proper conduct are tossed out in favor of self-actualization and the perpetual demanding of one's rights.

Let me reiterate: A situation on a bus in Arizona that should have been nothing more in the grand scheme of things than a mention at the dinner table, involved grown men carrying guns, an emergency medical response unit, and medical professionals at the hospital.

Send Gloria Steinem the bill for that.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Wednesday, October 9, 1929

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 (1929)

A little cool today, but not at all unseasonable. Dan cleaned out the stock tank this morning. I helped him tip it on end so he could scrape it well. It had to be moved to a little different position so it was good chance to give it a thorough scrubbing. The new mill pumped it full again without any expenditure of either muscle or gasoline.

Mr. and Mrs. Cope drove out for a little call just before we went over to Nancy's. The child had such a nice dinner prepared for her families and presided with very pretty dignity at her own table. Mary and I helped clear up afterwards and got in our share of visiting. The men of course, did the usual wandering around inspecting things generally.

Before we came home we drove over to see the fine new chicken house Mary is building. (Bob is doing the carpenter work, but it is Mary's project.) It is going to be very complete and if Mary's birds don't pay for it, it certainly won't be her fault, for they will be exceptionally well housed and she always gives them every care and attention.

Dave and Nancy have been over here all evening and we have been listening to the radio; haven't had much pleasure from it for some time for we've been using the batteries in the pump engine.

A Case Of Aggressive Panhandling

What is the proper way to deal with aggressive panhandlers? If somebody asks you for money, are you obligated to fork it over? What if that somebody is demanding $50 from you, to pay for something that you have already given money to pay for?

Does one just smile and write out a check, figuring that $50 is a small price to pay to keep the peace and harmony in one's life? This is the situation a friend of mine is facing at the moment. In the end, she pulled out her checkbook and paid up, because she wanted to protect her son who has to spend his days with the panhandlers.

No, she doesn't send him out on the street to beg for money, his elementary school is demanding the money in the form of a pledge drive in which 100% participation is mandatory. A parent has taken it upon himself to harass all the other parents of the children in the class until they too, pledge money.

First there were multiple emails, then the phone calls started. One message informed her that a certain member of the office staff was waiting for her to bring the envelope by containing her pledge. She finally gave in when her son came home and told her that his parents were one out of three sets of parents that had not yet paid up. Don't think for a moment that he learned this in any sort of private setting - all of his classmates are wise to this bit of information as well.

Am I wrong to think that this is a few steps over the line? Especially these days, $50 can be a substantial amount of money - it can mean having water or electricity for the next month, or being able to pay that little bit extra on a high interest credit card to finally start to attack the principle. There were a few months there where all our bills were turning red and I didn't have $50 extra dollars. Not to mention the fact that my friend and her husband pay boom market property taxes which are supposed to pay for the schools.

My daughter went to private school and the administration there looked over our shoulders the entire time when we started fund raising for the senior prom to make sure we didn't put pressure on anyone or put them in a tight spot (Just call me Guido...).

I dunno, is this normal now in elementary school? Has anyone else had this kind of experience at a public school? I am interested to hear what people think, so by all means say your piece!

RH

PS... More "Diary" later today, after I get some sleep.

We Interrupt This Program To Bring You A Special Report ...

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Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Friday, October 4, 1929

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 (1929)

The weather behaved properly, the helpers arrived in good season, and before noon the mill was in place. It was rather interesting to watch it raised. Mother and I went out and viewed the proceedings. I held one of the guy ropes, but didn't actually do any work. I scribbled around more or less earlier, preparing food, as I supposed of course the three extra helpers would be here for dinner but they finished about eleven and went off to a sale so there were only the four of us to eat, after all.

After dinner Dan and the man mixed and poured the concrete around the anchor posts and filled in the holes so our mill is in running order, I'm glad to say. Dan says it took quite a bit longer to set it up than he had expected but they made a good job of it.

It is quite cloudy this evening and has turned somewhat colder.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

We drove in this morning with cream and eggs, did our marketing, and brought out a couple of sacks of cement to use in concreting the anchor posts of the mill. They thought they would be able to raise it after dinner, but the wind came up and they decided to wait until tomorrow. They want to have it well anchored so the winds won't topple it.

One of the neighbors phoned this morning offering me a stray dog that had come to them. Mother and I stopped for him on our way home from town. He is a nice little pup- collie, I'd say, and promises to be quite intelligent. I hope he doesn't run away.

Mother and I had planned on going to a show this afternoon, but Dan thought they might need me here on a guy rope when the tower was raised so we decided we would wait until another day. They did not use me but I found enough to keep me busy. For one thing, I stocked up with cobs, just in case we get a rain. Some extra men will be here in the morning, weather permitting, and I hope the mill will be upright on its four legs this time tomorrow.

Will got back from his trip last night and he and Jean drove out for a little visit this evening.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Sunday, September 29, 1929

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (1929)

Will left this morning for a brief trip to the western part of the state. I asked Jean to come out for dinner with us, but she decided she preferred staying at home and resting. I had an easy time o£ it myself as the remains of yesterday's luncheon were ample for our dinner today.

Dan worked on the shed all forenoon and I helped him get up some of the roof rafters. It has been a beautiful fall day and it was nice to be out in the sunshine.

Some friends called in the afternoon and we visited with them until chore time. Just as we started milking the man came to arrange about setting up the windmill. He will come to work on it Tuesday, so I hope our hand pumping days are about over. The engine has continued on its good behavior however. '"Twas ever thus!" Probably if the windmill hadn't been ordered, the engine would have been on a strike most of the time. Inanimate things are about as "contrary" as animate.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Some of my spring chicks have been showing signs of cold lately, so I decided I'd better clean and spray all the houses today. The washing had to be done first but as soon as that was on the line, I armed myself with broom, pitchfork and spray gun, and set out to wage war on the roup germs. Tonight I feel quite as if I'd been in some kind of a fight! I shut the east coop off and am using it as headquarters for all sneezers, and have instructed Dan if he hears any bird coughing or sniffling, he is to capture it and shut it up, so I hope to cut short any serious outbreak.

Dan went out to dig potatoes this afternoon. He did his corn picking before dinner. About 4:30 a brisk shower came up and it rained until we were through milking. Mother and I are due in town for a party tomorrow - hope it doesn't get too sloppy.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1

A glorious day. Everything looked so pretty in the sunshine for the grass is greener now than it has been all summer and the trees are all bright yellows and reds. Last year at this time, mother and I were in Denver making trips to the mountains and reveling in scenery and gorgeous coloring. She would like me to go with her again this year, but I tell her I can't indulge in such dissipations every year, much as I would enjoy it.

Our windmill expert didn't show up this morning - got here about the middle of the afternoon and when mother and I got back from town, he and Dan were busy putting the tower together.

I got the ironing out of the way this forenoon and found time for a little mending too. I wish all this month would be as beautiful as the beginning. Already we're beginning to hear prophecies of "the worst winter in years." But I suppose there is no use crossing the bridge until we come to it. If one had heaps of feed for the stock it wouldn't be so bad, but when haystacks are few and there is a shortage of everything else, one hopes for an open winter.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Tuesday, September 27, 1929

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 (1929)

Rain again. I'm not sure whether we will have our luncheon tomorrow or not, but am hoping the ladies can get here. Jean and Will drove out tonight to see how the roads were. Jean has to bring the "picnickers" out tomorrow as none of the others drives and naturally she is not keen about coming if the road is bad. I dressed a couple of fries for tomorrow and got the house in order so am ready for guests if the guests can come.

Dan picked corn in the forenoon and carpentered in the afternoon. He has the side studding ready to raise. He is using considerable old lumber which takes longer to work in, but he has to utilize what was in the old shelter as we can't put too much expense on the building. It is going to make a fine roomy addition to the barn. At least the animals will have good quarters this winter whether they have enough to eat or not.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

It sprinkled off and on until nine o'clock this morning, then decided to clear up partially, so our guests got here without much trouble. I furnished the hot dish for lunch as I wanted to serve fried chicken and the other ladies supplied the balance of the menu -coffee cake that tasted like more, a salad as tempting to look at as it was good to eat and peach ice cream that made one wish for a greater capacity or else that she had eaten less of the substantials. One of our crowd couldn't come, much to our regret. The others made up a game of bridge after lunch while I cleared things up. We don't have prizes - just play for the interest of the game and we always have a good time. These picnic lunches are really a very nice way to do, for the hostess has an easy time of it and it is not very strenuous for anyone.

There was so much food left that I told Nancy she and Dave would have to come to dinner tomorrow to help us dispose of it. We had some of the ice cream for supper then Dan repacked it and I think it will keep over for tomorrow.

Dan, not being invited to the lunch, had his dinner early and spent the afternoon working on the shed. We gave him some of the ice cream, however, when dessert time arrived for the rest of us.

The windmill was delivered this evening -hope we'll have it in working order this time next week.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Tuesday, September 24, 1929

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (1929)

There was such a collection facing us in the attic this morning that we scarcely knew where to begin. I established mother on the stairs and put her to sorting magazines while I looked over the books and decided which ones I wanted to keep. The give-away pile loomed up pretty well when I was through - about forty volumes in all. After the books and magazines were in order we went through some boxes finding several garments which might be made useful for some one. I still have two trunks to investigate, but I can find my way around the attic now and it is at least respectable. We thought we would take the books in to the library after dinner, but it started to rain, so we concluded home looked better than a damp drive.

Dan and I went up for the mail and delivered a big bunch of magazines to our young neighbor who has been ill. When we got home mother and I indulged in a little nap while Dan worked on the new shed.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Still rainy -I hope it clears up by the last of the week for the picnic luncheon ladies are to come out here Saturday.

I baked a pumpkin pie this morning and did the ironing. Dan had to pick a load of corn in spite of the dampness. We are glad of the moisture because the soil can always use it, but can't help wishing it had come in the growing season.

Dan is getting the plates on the shed. Of course, he can't work at the building steadily as there are so many other things to be done, so it goes rather slowly.

At last our windmill is ordered —expect it will be here by the last of the week. Dan will have to have help to set it up as I fear he and I aren't equal to it alone. We've tackled quite a few husky jobs, but that is too big a one to venture on.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

We thought perhaps it wasn't going to rain much today so all went to town this morning. We had hardly gotten there when the clouds settled down in earnest and dropped their contents in a deluge. We got a little damp around the edges in dashing from store to store but managed to get all our errands done. We made a brief call on Jean, then went back down town for lunch. After we came home it brightened up for a time but is drizzling again tonight.

I busied myself on odd jobs this afternoon and got a number of little things done.

Dave and Nancy were over this evening. Merely living is a glorious experience to them at present. Of course this extremely exalted state can't last indefinitely. It is blissful while it does but unfortunately they will have to come down to earth in time. However, I believe their love will wear well. It is sure to if they will but realize that a happy married life comes from mutual effort—it needs give and take on both sides and forbearance always to make it a success.

Diary Of A Central South Dakota Farm Woman - Monday, September 23, 1929

Sorry for jumping around, but I found entries as far back as 1929. I will try and go in order now...

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 (1929)

Quite breezy today too, but cooler than yesterday. After the washing was on the line I cleaned out the brooder house, but didn't get the straw in until after dinner. I find I can carry twice as much straw and do it much more easily if I put it in sacks. Then too, it does not blow as it does when I use the bushel measure for transportation. I think that is quite a "discovery" -wonder if Good Housekeeping magazine would pay me a dollar for that idea. Perhaps, though, that is the way most people carry their straw and I was being stupid not to think of it sooner. I always feel virtuous when I have the coops all clean, mash hoppers full and all shipshape. Tomorrow.. I think we will tackle the attic.

Dan went to town this afternoon for lumber for the shed hauled it out on Will's trailer. That is so much easier than going in the wagon. Life really is simpler in many ways than it used to be. When I recall our homesteading days when most of the town trips were made in the wagon -thirty miles each way- it seems as if things are much easier nowadays. But we are spoiled too, for now even a five mile wagon trip seems very tedious.

Watch This, Make Your Kids Watch This, Your Neighbor's Kids, Grand Kids,

Some never lose sight, some have forgotten and some don't want you to know. I don't think this is taught in the schools anymore... but it sums it up nicely.

Enjoy!

RH

PS - Working on next episode of South Dakota Farm Woman...

City Of Ventura Spending Cuts And Other Big Fat Lies

On Tuesday we have a local election here in Ventura County. There is a measure on the ballot which proposes increasing our local sales tax by 1/2 a cent for 4 years, because the city claims it is experiencing hard times, just like the rest of us. Measure A is being sold with the usual buzz words of "avoiding cuts to police and fire" and "keeping Ventura safe". At least that is what the glossy mailer said. It listed a website address to go find out more http://yesonaventura.org/ - I took a look at the website, then thought I should take a look at the budget to see just how dire things were.

Here is what I found:

All of the proposed "cuts" and "savings" produced budgeted expenses that are $600,000 higher than last year. In addition, they claim to have eliminated 40 positions - which I, and most likely any reasonable person would assume meant that they would have fewer employees, and lower expenses.

When I looked at the detail of the "cut" positions, many of them were listed as "vacant" - meaning nobody actually was working in those jobs. Despite this, they are making all kinds of cuts they say to police and fire - which according to their own survey, were the community's top priority. What I don't get, is why do you have to make cuts when you spend more?

The sickening thing here is that these "public servants" are using the state of the economy to justify raising taxes yet again, which will hurt the already struggling local business even more - and their own revenues haven't even declined. They just want to spend more money.

What has actually happened is that they have burned their way through the city's reserves. How many of you out there have cut your spending by increasing it by $600,000? And if you have, can you please respond with how that works?

Thanks!

Sign me,

Voting NO WAY ON MEASURE A!

RH