No complaints.

Used to be a breeze to survive a Minnesota winter. But I’ve lost my toughness. Need a break from winter. Though it’s only mid-December. Not yet the first official day of winter. I’m about ready to flee to Arizona. For  a few weeks. Where I’ll link up with my Italian true love. Normally, I’d spend winter with her in Sardinia. But this sojourn to the American Southwest will be a nice change of pace. Especially for her. Because she’s never been there before.  I’m also thinking about a return to Arizona in March. To take spring training with the Chicago Cubs. I have Sardinia in my plans for April and May.  Ah, the good life. I’m blessed.  No complaints. Even winter ain’t all that bad. –Jim Broede

My greatest fear.

Fortunately, I’m one of the least  dangerous people in the world.  I have goofy ideas. Political. Economic. Social. But I wield virtually no power. It also helps that my government hasn’t yet been taken over totally by lunatic fringe Republicans. If that ever happens, I’m in deep trouble. Because I’d be considered unpatriotic and a security risk. For my excessively liberal political views. I might be placed in a concentration camp. If not summarily executed. That’s my greatest fear. Being caught up in a topsy-turvy world. For instance, if I had been born into Nazi Germany, I would have had great difficulty surviving. I’m not a Jew. But I have what Nazis would have deemed radical ideas. I’d not have pledged allegiance to Hitler. Could be, I’d have kept my mouth shut.  And done nothing. Other than acquiesce. Like so many other Germans. Don’t know. But I’d like to think not. Certainly, I’m a vocal critic of conservative Republicans. Especially the more far-out ones that might some day force me to flee America. To save my own skin.—Jim Broede

Mutual respect: That's the big thing.

I know good communists. Good atheists, too. And horrid Christians. What does this prove? That labels often are meaningless. Meant to categorize people. If you are a conservative Republican, for instance. all communists are bad. All atheists are bad. And all Christians are good.  I know better. Maybe because I’m less judgmental than most Republicans. I approach people with an open mind. Doesn’t matter what they are called. Instead, I try to get to know them. As they really are. Most people, I’ve discovered, are likeable. Good enough to have as acquaintances and friends. Generally, doesn’t matter whether they are communists, atheists or Christians.  I even like people who have done bad.  Because nobody is perfect. I even like some Republicans. Despite their political views. I don’t have to agree with my friends.  We can be diametrically opposed on many matters. We’ve learned to be tolerant. Of each other. We learn, too. From each other. We find ways to show mutual respect.  That’s the big thing. –Jim Broede

Yes. Yes. Ain't America great?

One can love life. Without loving money. Not all monetarily rich people will agree with me. They covet money. Because it buys them the comforts of life.  Not only the essentials. But luxuries, too. But others require only the essentials. They don’t need the luxuries. I know some very happy people. Without much money. In fact, some of ‘em live at the poverty level. Still, they are happy. And in love with life.  They even love their work. They work hard. Maybe even hold two jobs. But they still have difficulty making ends meet. And if per chance they become ill and need health care, all too often they can’t afford it. They are uninsured. But that’s a problem that the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) seeks to remedy. To make health care affordable to even the poorest of the people. That’s admirable. Unless you are a rich, conservative Republican. Then you might conclude that poor people are lazy bums. They don’t deserve a break. They don’t deserve subsidized health care. And to hell with the 41 million Americans without health insurance.  After all, it’s survival of the fittest. Which translates to survival of the richest. In fact, if you are so poor that you can’t properly feed your entire family – well, that’s tough. It’s your fault that you can’t find a job, or that you have to subsist on the minimum wage. You will no longer qualify for food stamps. Because that’s a government handout that’s gonna be denied. By rich Republicans. Because they need the money for corporate welfare. Intended for the benefit of the rich.  Yes, the message is that government exists to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Yes. Yes. Ain’t America great? –Jim Broede

A common element in all my dreams.

Life is good. As long as I’m allowed to dream. That’s a big part of my happiness. Dreams. I don’t achieve everything. But hey, I have boundless dreams. And if a few come true, that’s all I need. The unhappy people are the ones that brood over lost/failed dreams. Instead, I focus on the dreams that come true. If I have enough dreams, the odds are with me. I can’t miss on ‘em all.  Never have. Never will. I have confidence. Because my dreams are worth pursuing. Not just frivolous. And they are all geared for happy endings. Because they have a common element. The love of life.  –Jim Broede

Winter ain't so bad.

I’ve adjusted to Minnesota winter in positive ways. A prime example: Tomorrow’s high temperature is supposed to be 18 degrees. It’s gonna feel balmy.  Because we’ve spent much of the past two weeks below zero. Last night, it was 14 below. And that doesn’t count the wind chill. Therefore, 18 degrees (yes, above zero) will seem like a heat wave.  The next time we get above freezing, I’ll probably go outdoors. In shirtsleeves and shorts.  Anyway, next week I’m headed to Arizona. For a winter break. When I hear folks there complain of a ‘chilly’ 60 degrees, I’ll scoff. As I wipe the sweat from my brow. –Jim Broede

Aiming for perfect balance.

In my book, there are good communists and bad communists. Good socialists and bad socialists. Good capitalists and bad capitalists. Yes, good people and bad people. Of all stripes.  I’m the one that decides. Because I’m judgmental. I reserve that right. To differentiate between good and evil. Sometimes I’m right. Other times I’m wrong. That’s the peril of being. I make choices. Every day.  Unfortunately, I make mistakes. Misjudgments.  I also leave many judgments to other people. That’s the easy way out. To make no judgment at all. Though that may be a judgment in itself. Steering clear of responsibility. But I’ve also been accused of being far too judgmental. I really don’t know. Therefore, I swing back and forth. Judgmental and non-judgmental. Aiming for perfect balance. –Jim Broede