I trust me. More than anyone.

I trust government. It's the people that run government that I don't trust. Especially conservatives. And Republicans. And dishonest officials. Some of 'em are one and the same. If government is run all right, it's good. That goes for American government or socialist government or communist government or big government or small government or local, state and federal government. Even world government. I could warm up to almost any kind of government. As long as it's run right and proper and serves the common good. I also trust private business and big corporations. Except for the people that run 'em. Especially if they are crooks or greedy capitalists. Maybe I distrust people the most. Though I do trust my closest friends. Especially my Italian true love. And come to think of it, I trust me. More than anyone. --Jim Broede

I'm in control.

I want life to go in certain ways. Pleasing ways for me. But I know damn well that ain't gonna always happen. Only sometimes. And when things go right, I relish and savor the occasions. Makes me happy. But I try not to be sad when things go wrong. Because usually there's nothing I can do about it. Other than to keep an upbeat and positive attitude about life, in general. I count my blessings. And try to discount the pitfalls. And try not to worry. For instance, it could become worrisome if Republicans make big political gains in the November elections. But why worry about it? Because it might not happen. Might as well stay optimistic. And if Republicans make a sweep, I'll deal with it. Really won't change my personal life in any dramatic or significant ways. Could change other people's lives. But not mine. I'll continue to focus on my many blessings. Living one day at a time. Trying to make the best of each day, each moment. Without fretting. Better to just get on with life. That's my practice. And it returns many happy dividends. More and more, I'm learning to control my destiny. But more important, I'm able to control my attitude. In positive ways. --Jim Broede

Wouldn't trade love for anything.

If I expect the worst to happen, it usually does. Especially when it comes to the Chicago Cubs, my favorite baseball team. For instance, today the Cubs went into he ninth inning leading Cincinnati by 3-0. The Cubs starter was breezing along. With a three-hitter. Pitching superb baseball. But the Cubs manager decided to bring in his closer to get the final three outs. And I had a terrible feeling. That the Cubs would blow the game. Sure enough, the closer was ineffective. Walked three batters. Gave up a hit. And the Cubs committed an error. Cincinnati tied the game in the 9th. And then pushed across the winning run in the 10th. Yes, the Cubs lost, 4-3. In typical Cubs fashion. Used to be I'd consider such a loss a heartbreaker. But I've toughened up. I expect the worst. I've become a negative thinker when it comes to Cubs baseball. No way will the Cubs ever win a World Series. Not in my lifetime. They haven't won one since 1908. Long before I was born. And they won't win another World Series. Even if I live to be 200. Because when it comes to Cubs baseball, I'm a negative thinker. Fully. Completely. As for other aspects of my life, I'm a positive thinker. Especially when it comes to love. I'm a romantic idealist. I'm in love with life. Despite my addiction to the terrible Cubs. Knowing full well, they'll always be losers. Never going all the way. I accept that. In some respects, maybe that makes me a truly positive thinker. Because I've learned acceptance. I accept the fact that I can't have everything. Yes, love is sufficient. That makes me happy enough. I wouldn't trade love for the Cubs fulfilling my impossible dream. --Jim Broede

I have divided loyalties.

My conservative Republican neighbors won't like it. But that's their problem. I've hoisted two flags in my yard. Flags of Sardinia and Italy. They flapped in a southerly breeze today. For everybody to see. I'm doing this as a gesture of appreciation. For my second homeland. I'm now living half of the year with my Italian true love. In Italy. On the island of Sardinia. In the Mediterranean Sea. I'm a proud citizen of the world. Not merely just an American. And if the Republicans take control of American government, I might consider living abroad year-round. Permanently. Could be that my rich Republican neighbors might even take up a collection and buy me a one-way 'good riddance' ticket. Out of town. Anyway, I have options. I'll live where I'm most happy. At the moment, in both places. Italy. And the USA. By the way, I'm not flying the Stars and Stripes. Leaving that to my next door neighbor -- a super patriot. --Jim Broede

Learning how to love. Each other.

Just some random thoughts. Why is it that American politicians have no qualms about going into huge debt to fight wars? But steadfastly refuse to spend beyond our means to help our own citizens. Especially in bad economic times. Doesn't make sense. We proclaim that we can afford wars. But we can't afford rebuilding America. From within. Seems to me we have our priorities out of whack. We try to fix the rest of the world. Before we fix America. Think of all the money we've dumped down ratholes in Iraq and Afghanistan. And in fighting communists all over the world. For decades. Almost seems like an eternity. And in the process, we've neglected the needs of our own people. Oh, not everyone. We've managed to cater to the rich and big business. And ignored the poor and the middle class. Widening the gap between the rich and poor. Indeed, a sad state of affairs. Makes me ashamed to be an American. Anyway, I've discovered that most communists and socialists are good people. I know. I mix with 'em in other parts of the world. We misjudge so many people. Atheists, for instance. I know so very many nice atheists. Nicer than many hypocritical Christians and Muslims. One doesn't have to believe in a god to be a decent human being. It's not even a requirement to be a capitalist to be a decent human being. Yes, we have to learn to accept each other. Despite our differences. I'm for human decency. For tolerance. For learning how to love. Not only life. But each other. --Jim Broede

Politics ain't a fair game.

It'll never happen. But I'd like to see a sense of fairness in politics. From both sides of the aisle. Republicans and Democrats treating each other with mutual respect. Actually finding ways to work with each other. To find solutions to problems. For the sake of the common good. For the best interests of the country. Instead, politicians will continue to bad-mouth and obstruct each other. Because that's the nature of politics. But it doesn't have to be. If only political leaders came to their senses. Of course, politics are partisan. By tradition. But it doesn't have to be. Objectivity and fairness could reign. Just think of the benefits coming from such an approach. Seems to me that the purpose of ungawdly politics is to make one's opponent look bad. By whatever means it takes. Including dirty tricks. And lies. And insults. No such thing as reasonable compromise anymore. In every day dealings with our fellow human beings, we are expected to act fairly. Except when it comes to politics. Why is that? --Jim Broede

The happiest couple.

Until a few days ago, I was known as the bicycle man. By a youngster. But now I'm known as Broede. And I know the youngster's parents. Brian and Cici. And it's possible they are the happiest couple in my neighborhood. For many reasons. Not the least being that they have two youngsters. And life is good. They live in a nice big yellow house on a lake. And Brian is employed. In a good job. With a medical supply company. Which gives him opportunity to travel in Europe. On business. And Cici teaches first grade. In a public school. They moved into the neighborhood. Maybe two or three years ago. Many times I passed Brian and Cici while riding my bicycle or walking. But we never bothered to get introduced. Until I steered my bicycle into their driveway. And boldly announced that it was time for introductions. Because I'm on a mission. To meet my neighbors. And to start calling 'em by name. My ultimate aim is to learn something significant about each of my many neighbors. People living within a half-mile radius of me. I still have many to go. Anyway, Brian and Cici met when they attended the same college. Winona State. They fell in love. And got married five years ago. They honeymooned in Italy. Around Tuscany. And in Florence. So we have something in common. I live half of the year with my Italian true love. In Sardinia. And I'm recommending that when Brian and Cici return to Italy some day, they come to Sardinia. Where I'll show them a good time. --Jim Broede