Minnesota and the Marriage Amendment

I've been thinking a lot about marriage lately.  I should clarify-- I'm not getting married any time soon, but with Minnesota voters, including myself, voting on adding an amendment to the state constitution , defining marriage in the biblical sense of one man and one woman, it has been on my mind!

 According to the dictionary, marriage is:

Merriam-Webster:
(1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage <same-sex marriage>


American Heritage Dictionary:
a. The legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife, and in some jurisdictions, between two persons of the same sex, usually entailing legal obligations of each person to the other.
b. A similar union of more than two people; a polygamous marriage.
c. A union between persons that is recognized by custom or religious tradition as a marriage.
d. A common-law marriage.
e. The state or relationship of two adults who are married: Their marriage has been a happy one.
I recently visited a friend of mine and saw a "Vote Yes" sign in their yard.  I was a bit surprised, but I have to admit, I am frequently surprised whenever I realize that anyone could possibly vote "Yes" on something that would affect the rights of a particular group of people (typically the minority) based on biblical context.

Furthermore, I'm disappointed and saddened.  While we honor those who have fought against past injustices, Martin Luther King Jr. , Elizabeth Cady Stanton, etc., it is a  reminder that as in any case of progress, there is equal opportunity to regress...and when it comes to equality we have a long way to go.

In closing, my hope is that when people vote on the definition of marriage in Minnesota, we think about definition in the sense of Webster and American Heritage and NOT the interpretation of select verses in religious texts. It is my hope that when we vote this fall, we think about moving forward--call it progress.  My hope is that when we vote, we think not only of ourselves and of our beliefs , but about  how voting "Yes" would impact the every day lives of others.  The others we call family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, their families and their children.  It is my hope that everyone votes with an emphatic NO. 

Food For Thought...

Ugh, I always swear I'm going to get better at posting on a regular basis...

As I enjoy breakfast this morning (it's nothing extravagent--toast, coffee and a couple of eggs, but just in case you were wondering), I think about how fortunate I am to have just those very things.  Okay, so perhaps it is a bit extravagent when put in perspective of how so very little, very many people in our world have. 

So speaking of perspective, as of late, I have been thinking a lot about the following:

--Every day, I go about my business without the fear that my home, work or family will likely be hit by an artillary shell.

--Every day, my basic needs are met at even an above the most basic level.   I have food, electricity, clothing (all be it, I'm not the most fashionable chica on the planet but if no one else cares, nor do I), a home, water, heat and even air conditioning.

--My can express my attitudes, thoughts, feelings and beliefs without worrying that those in political office will disagree and throw me in jail. 

--I have health care when I need it and insurance that covers my health care.

This blog post probably seems a bit sappy or even a bit like something your parent would say to you when you, or I, adopted a less than optimistic view of our current life situation.  The reason I posted, however, is not for you, or really for me, because it is food for thought. It is a simply luxury to even think about the little things on a daily basis, and to feel appreciative for what we have in this world, while others have so incredibly little...

A reason, a season, a lifetime

I've heard this saying a handful of times, "The people in our lives are there for a reason, a season or a lifetime." And really up until now, it never seemed deserving of much introspection. Actually, the most thought I gave it was, "Well, that's endearing," or "Who came up with that one- I hoped it help them through their crappy breakup." Oh wait, that was my breakup...I digress... Now, back to the focus of my story. I've wondered why this friend is in my life and previously, had always wondered why fate, God, divine intervention, random circumstance, call it what you will with exception of the last, which I refuse to believe in, had introduced me to this person. Why was I there for them? The simple answer is: I wasn't. It was they who were there for me. I just didn't know it until now and in realizing how much I've grown, because of their influence in my life. Our paths, as of late, have become a road diverged. Hell with the woods, there's only forward, both of us now forced in different directions. All I know is that there has been a reason, there have been several actually. There has been a season, there have been several of these too. Now, my only hope is that as our paths branch own, that our friendship lasts a lifetime.

Bring on the Rain

Okay, I'm not really sure what's up with me and the weather sayings, but it some ways it seems appropriate.  In Minnesota nothing seems to change or be as completely unpredictable as the weather here.

Also rather fitting to this week is a recent quote I read.  I'm sure it's not recent, however, relevent notheless. It went something like this, " We make plans. God laughs." Okay, it went exactly like that.  And, quite frankly that's how this week is going. 

Just when you think you have it all figured out, or even somewhat figured out, something happens and it makes you question everything.  Oddly enough, it makes you doubt the things that you thought were important and validates the things that really matter the most.

For now, there are many questions but also, with some sort of relief, I say bring it.  Bring on the rain but help me to keep it all in perspective.  Help me to remember that everything in this world is a whole lot bigger than what's going on in our own tiny bubble.

Hotter in the City

I guess I sort of forgot about blogger--Is it really forgetting if you haven't touched something in 2 years? Or is it just that you thought it was novel at the time and then let it fall by the wayside, along with other fleeting interests?  Maybe a bit of both.

I've decided that I will still leave my blogger ID as Cooler By the Lake. However, it's been a while, just over 2 years to be exact, since I've lived along the shores of Lake Superior, and well, since I've posted a blog. And although I miss the breezy updrafts that once blew through the windows of my house with a view, I've found that city life suits me. 

The adjustment to Minneapolis life, although not exactly, smooth (living in a 10 x 12 room while saving up for the downpayment on the new house was a bit cramped even if I don't consider myself to have all that much style) However, I still had a place to live, was able to keep my cat Belle and had money to pay for food.

In just two short, or long, years, I have managed to secure a good job, meet new and wonderful people, spend more quality time with family and explore the arts that the city has to offer.  So despite my transition from the cool updrafts to the glistening skyscrapers, I'm not going to complain.  And, even though the jump from today's 80 degree high in Duluth and the 100 degree mark, here in the Twin Cities, I'll take the change--for the most part it has been all for the better and I have been truly blessed!