Value System

[I found myself thinking about this yesterday, and I wanted to share some thoughts.]

Does everything belong to you?  What makes you the owner of the things in your house, in your life?  Why is it so important to consider yourself the owner?  Is it to make us feel better about having something that someone else does not?  Or even to have the same type of thing that someone else has?

Where does our value as a human being come from?  Is it from having things?  Is it from where you work?  How much money you make?  Is it the type of work you’re in?  Or is it something else?

Does your value as a human come from what you look like?  What about the type of clothes you wear?  How you talk?  How refined your lifestyle is?

What if your value wasn’t based on any of those things?  Would it be easier?  Would there be less guilt for what we do or wear or think or conduct ourselves?  Would we treat others differently?

What if your value as a human was based on the fact that you are alive?!

That’s it.  You are alive, therefore you have value.

It doesn’t matter what your name is, if you can even spell your name, what language you speak, or how many, where you live, what country you’re from, what religion you practice, how many are in your family, what your job is, what you wear, how many possessions you have, or any of that stuff.

Your value is important because it shapes how you see yourself and others.

Now, shouldn’t it be that way?  I feel as if humans, in my culture and much of the ‘civilized and developed world’ have misplaced how to value life.  We’ve placed it on those lists, instead of letting it be because of the breath in our lungs.

I feel as if I could contemplate all of that for a long time, and I would have many years of working it out as I struggle to replace that value system with the one that has been force-fed to me by my culture.

Yet I bring this up because I was thinking about the upcoming election, and I was recalling a conversation I had the other day.

Where I live, many Christians tend to vote Republican.  It’s almost an unwritten rule in my circles that you aren’t really a Christian if you don’t side with the Republicans.  There are some things that I agree with in the Republican party, but there are some things I don’t, as well.  Abortion—I tend to be against it, but I don’t think it should be mandated policy that no one, ever, should be allowed to have an abortion again.  Will Rachel and I choose to have one if a birth defect or something should be discovered with one of our future children?  I highly doubt we’d opt for an abortion.  But, I’m not going to say that I need to mandate that policy for everyone in our country.  Yes, I would suggest having the baby and allowing for adoption instead of abortion, but I don’t know.  There’s also the issue of the mother possibly losing her life if she tries to give birth or even carry the baby full term.  We have c-sections and lots of equipment to keep a premature baby alive, but it may be a serious question for a mother to face.  So I’m not going to say that abortion would never be an option for someone.  For it to be an option based on convenience for the mother or trying to hide a ‘one night stand mistake’ or something like that—yes, I think that would be wrong.  So I would, again, recommend adoption instead.

Another thing that I tend to agree with the Republicans is the general issue of hard work and earning your own money.  I think everyone should work if they are able, instead of living a life of dependence on a substance or system or taken-advantage-of-family-member.  But I don’t think that describes a certain ethnicity in our country!  Get out of your cozy life and meet some people if that’s what you think to be the case.

Yes, I agree with the principle ‘He who doesn’t work, doesn’t eat,’ to an extent.  Children don’t need to get a job, disabled people (not to be read only as mentally disabled; it includes someone losing a leg or arm, etc.) aren’t always able to find a job, elderly people aren’t always able to continue working as their bodies slow down and begin dying.  Yet I’m pretty sure most people would agree with those three examples too.  (I feel like I’m leaving this topic undeveloped, but my mind is working quickly as I get to the point of this whole post!)

Where I’m going with this post is this: many people don’t want the government to redistribute the money they earn to those who don’t work or can’t work.  I think this ties back in to the value issue.

It seems to me that the real issue is how we value people.

Here’s why: our value system is set up to give certain people more value if they have a certain job, or make a certain amount of money, or have a certain type of lifestyle that’s at least similar to ours.  We tend to give less value to those who make less than we do, or who live in a house that’s not kept up as nicely as ours, or who wear thinner, older, out-of-style-in-a-very-noticeable-way, dirty, not-the-correct-size, rattier type of clothes.  Why in the world do we do this?

Because it’s a pride issue.  We feel more important and better and worth more if we can compare ourselves with someone else and come out ahead, at least in our own head.

So why are so many people against this issue?  I think it’s because people value people improperly.  I’m guilty too, but I want to point this out so we can help each other with this.

What if we started being intentional about not being tied to stuff?  What if we gave away money to people who don’t deserve it?  What makes that money yours anyway?  What if we met and became friends with people who don’t make enough money to own a car?  What if we invited poor people into our lives, into our homes, and shared conversations and laughs and tears and food and things?  What if we started sharing now?

If the government wants to make it happen anyway, why not figure out a way to enjoy it.  It’s somewhat a subversive act, in that regards.  And if there’s part of you that still wants to be a rebel in some way, you can join me in figuring this out.  We can be rebels together.

Now, the practical step.  I am a dreamer.  I tend to think of something and imagine what it could look like.  I really enjoy it.  It's part of who I am.  I'm not so good at actually carrying it out.  Most of my dreams are still in my head, with very few steps taken in the real world.  So, this is where I need your help.  I am definitely pointing to my own lifestyle and choices and comfort as I think about this issue.  I don't like that I point stuff out in others that I still see in myself, but I'm reminded that I have a lot of work needed in my own life too.

So, share your thoughts.  How could we make this work?  What steps could we take?  I don't think I know very many people who vote differently or make less than I do or wear the clothes that don't match the standard in my foolish brain.  So what's something practical that I can do to take a step toward this?

(Now, in closing, I’m not trying to say which way you need to vote.  That has nothing to do with why I’m posting this.  I won’t be upset whichever way you vote, and I think I’ve decided which candidate I’m voting for.  So don’t try to tell me which way to vote either.  We can talk in person, but not online.  Also, please share your thoughts about the value issue.  That’s the point of the post.  Once you’ve shared on that, then feel free to add to the other issues or bring something else up.  But only after addressing the point of this post.  Thanks!)

-mister-

September

This post will be tying up some loose ends for me.  I have lots of pictures too!  And this will be long. 

So here we go.

We had Ainsley’s birthday party on September 1, which meant we were either going to have a beach theme party, or we were going to get the back patio finished.  Well, we didn’t pass out leis, so we’ve finally finished the project.  And it looks amazing, if I may say so myself.

Weedless landscaping, almost!

With our gazebo!

We finished the Thursday before, I pulled weeds (tons of them), I mowed, we put up some tents and tables, we busted out the lawn chairs, and we had ourselves a party.  It did rain just a little bit, but it was a great day.  Ainsley really enjoyed her cake too.  My mom made a cake for everyone, and then made a large cupcake for Ainsley, which we affectionately called her ‘Smash Cake.’  And that she did.  She probably ate half of it, and wore the other half.  It was shower time afterward, before opening presents. J  We had a blast though!  The photographer we had for her party was amazing too!  (ahem)  He only took pictures for about 20 minutes, and never got any besides Ainsley, her cake, and a tomato worm we found in the garden.  We'll see if he makes it to the next one!

You may not want to eat after her.

Precious Princess!  Love her lots!

On a different note, I did get my clothesline put in a while ago.  I’ve finally used it a few times as well.  I find it very relaxing as I hang up clothes to dry.  It’s a way to help me slow down and enjoy the little things.  It’s weird, but I think I will have a clothesline at our next house, if we ever move.  There’s just something about having to slow down to let your clothes dry.  It’s … I don’t know.  I may be in love with it!  Now, we’ve discovered that we won’t put everything out there to dry.  For instance, none of Rachel’s undergarments, no nice shirts, no pants, and I think that’s it.  So t-shirts, Ainsley’s clothes, socks, some of my underwear (as long as I’m cool with it), towels.  So, yes, we still use our dryer, but we use it less now, unless it’s raining when I do laundry.  And, no, I’m not planning on using it in the winter time.  It would be hard to put on a frozen tshirt.

No one's panties are hanging on it right now.

My brother Paul is leaving for his final deployment and final leg of being enlisted as a Marine.  So we’re getting excited for his move back home.  My parents drove out a couple weeks in advance to enjoy some western sites and to help Paul’s wife Kambria move some stuff back home to Ohio.  So since my parents have been gone, I’ve been blessed / cursed with a huge tomato harvest.  I don’t HAVE to get them, but I feel as if not using them would be a huge waste of a large tomato crop.  So we’ve been trying our hand at making our own sauce.

Our first attempt wasn’t bad, but it didn’t have much flavor, even though we added garlic and onions.  Our second attempt was better with flavor since we added some herbs, but weird in texture, because the tomatoes were larger and had longer strings / tissue than the previous batch.  So on our third attempt, we decided to ask for some recipes from others.  And we got lots of great advice.  I think our ingredient amounts were off because it came across somewhat bland.  So we'll keep experimenting until we get something that works great.

Slicing and Coring

Blanching

Blanched and about to be peeled

Stewing

We cored them, squished out the seeds, boiled them for about 10 minutes, doused them in cold water, peeled off the skins, and then added some herbs, onions, garlic, and anise extract.  Yes, that’s right, anise, the stuff that gives black licorice its flavor.  It actually smells really good when you’re cooking it, and it reminds me of Sambuca from Olive Garden, an Italian liqueur that you’re supposed to drink with 3 espresso beans for good luck.  I never tasted it, but it smelled pretty good.  Even though I’m not a huge fan of black licorice, I do like the smell of the extract.  We froze it in 3 cup amounts, perfect for spaghetti for 2!

Also, while we’re speaking about tomatoes, I tried some fried green tomatoes the other day.  I didn’t really like them, but I’ve never seen them cooked before.  So I could have done it wrong.  Rachel’s grandma says she eats them with sugar, or at least can tolerate them with sugar.  So I may give that a shot next time.  But I decided I’d try to see if I like them because I have slugs eating holes in my red ones if I don’t get them the day they turn red.  So I thought I’d try a green one and see if I could beat ‘em to the punch.  Nope.  At least not this year anyway.  Maybe I’ll force myself to like them next year.  I’m good at that.  Last year I didn’t even enjoy eating raw tomatoes.  This year, I eat them off the plant, and even got Ainsley to like them too!  Careful, world, I may decide to conquer you!

Slug-eaten Tomatoes

So our garden has produced an excessive amount of tomatoes, and it’s also done well with zucchini and spaghetti squash.  We grew tired of grilling and frying zucchini, so I made some zucchini bread.  OK, let's be honest.  I made A LOT of zucchini bread: 8 loaves to date.  It’s so good!  We made chocolate zucchini bread last time, but decided to skip the choc this time.  By no means does it mean it’s healthier.  There’s so much sugar in it, I was amazed.  But, again, it’s delicious, and I don’t really care that much.  Especially since I like to slather it with butter as well.  So stop on by and get some.  We have a few loaves in the freezer.  But they don't last long.

Zucchini Bread

Here’s the berries, growing like crazy.  I’m wishing I only got blackberry plants, because they’re growing so much better and look so much healthier.  But alas, I didn’t.  I’m feeling better about the raspberries as they get bigger though.

Raspberries.  The blackberries are seriously 4x times as big!

Here’s the garden.  I replanted some beans, peas, spinach, and lettuce.  I think it’s been too hot for the peas still, but we’ll see what happens.  I hope there are enough bees or butterflies to pollinate them for fruiting.  The first crop of beans were eaten alive by insects.  This time I put some Seven on them to keep them off.  Well, it rained one day.  I told myself I’d wait til after the next rain to put more on, but I was already behind.  But they haven’t gotten worse since I did that.  They need another dusting soon though, or else they’re gone-ers too!  The spinach and lettuce have barely come up, but it’s been hot lately, and I haven’t given them much water.  And since two and two is four, that explains our problem!

Peas.  I've eaten 4 so far this round.

Beans.  Doing a little better since the picture was taken.

I’m still amazed my spaghetti squash is still producing so well.  The one section got some mildew on the leaves, and it killed all the plants.  I thought the other section was already done, but it decided it wanted to go for another round.  So I still have 9 more squash coming!  I hope I can figure out how to eat it all, because I don’t think Rachel is going to want much of it.

The ONLY pepper to grow this year!

Ainsley eating an apple.  It is fall after all.

All right.  Loose ends all tied up.  Thanks for reading.  Go enjoy something today!

-mister-

Garden Satisfaction

Well, it's August.  That means school is coming around again.  It means it's supposed to be blazing hot outside.  It means tomatoes should be turning red...and they are.  Remember back with me to the spring when I planted way too many tomato plants from seed.  Remember with me how I didn't care for them and most of the first batch died.  Remember with me that I did successfully start from seed 4 Brandywine plants and 4 Jelly Bean plants.  Well, I've only enjoyed 2 jelly bean tomatoes so far.  This first picture is the first harvest of tomatoes.....off the plants that I didn't plant on purpose.  I have 5 plants that started growing on their own, and they're doing phenomenally well!  You will only see 10 tomatoes in the picture because Ainsley helped me get them.  I set her down with one zucchini, and went after the tomatoes.  She tried to eat the stem of the zucchini, which was pretty funny.  I put 12 tomatoes in front of her, turned around for 30 seconds to pick the other two zucchinis and I laughed at what I saw.  She had bitten and spit out the first tomato, but she was going in for another!!!!  She's like a bull, she loves the color red.  I've tried giving her tomatoes again, but she spits it right out.  I think she gets the texture thing from her mama, but I didn't like tomatoes as a kid either.

We have probably picked about 6-7 dozen tomatoes!  No joke.  We've used them all so far with different recipes.  My favorite super simple one was dicing them up, adding some garlic salt, and spreading it on buttered toast.  Refreshing!

We've picked about 10 zucchinis so far, using all but two of them at this point.  Some top recipes for these has been the zucchini cakes mentioned last time and the chocolate zucchini bread we made for Sunday school.  Oddly, Rachel wanted to make it, and then never even tried it.  One of our pastors said it's the only way to make zucchini taste good.  :-)

The next picture is some lovely homegrown goodness from our friends John and Amber.  They have some peach trees in their backyard, and it's way too many peaches for them to eat themselves.  It's pretty rough being their friends and HAVING to take them off their hands.  I ate about 5 peaches the day they brought them, and then cut all these up the next day, finishing them off on day 3.  They didn't last long.  Thankfully, they brought another bag this week too since they were blown off with the last storm that came through this past weekend.  I'm trying to savor them this time.  Ainsley is definitely my daughter though; she polished off 2 peaches all by herself.  (Oh, I also saved a seed or two to try planting a tree for us too.)

One other amazing surprise from the garden this year: remember how 5 tomato plants are growing that I didn't plant on purpose?  Well, I had a couple potato plants do the same thing.  I dug up 2 decent-sized potatoes yesterday, and I didn't even plant them!  That was really cool.  I also harvest the beets, which only produced one fairly small beet and four tiny things.  So if I choose to grow them again I'll look for growing tips.

We received about 50 carrots the other week, from my mom's garden.  They tasted just as good as the full sized carrots from the store, but knowing where they came from made them even better.  I just need to find a good way to make them last longer than a week in the fridge, because I can only eat so many carrots in such a short amount of time.

I'm also hoping to grow more diversity next year with more root crops and different things.  I also intend to plant them at the right time and give them what they need.  We'll see if I can actually follow through with that though!

Thanks for reading.  Time to eat.

-mister-