...and caught a glimpse of Loree.

I'm not here much anymore either Loree, there is too much in life yet to do it seems and I'm feeling like I am all opinioned out, both in voicing my own and hearing the opinions of others. I'm looking for and hoping maybe in some small way to contribute to a kinder/gentler world where we all recognize life is not easy even without humans making life harder on other humans or themselves.

I truly believe that the meek will inherit the earth one day as it does not appear as though the earth could long survive the aggressive and dominant, much in the same way living things do not long survive aggressive and dominant cancers. I always thought there was something that set humanity apart from other living things or creatures in that we have a free will. I question whether we have demonstrated our free will and it keeps repeating itself in its cruelty, aggressiveness and dominance over one another or have we not yet figured out fully enough that we all benefit by helping one another instead of pushing against one another and reacting to reactions instead of floating with the flow.

In mission statement or philosophy, I could be called a Libertarian and I am a Republican in many ways based on the philosophies of past Republicans which are in many ways unrecognizable from the neo-con Republican genre of today. I do agree with less government, but only based on the idea that people are honorable and honest, not only to themselves, but to others. I am a strong advocate of checks and balances as I believe they were the aim of our founders, to prevent too much influence in one direction or the other. To prevent government from dominating the people and the people from running rough shod over one another because no one, the society of people they live in has no central means to say no, that is not ethically or morally right for the majority of people, even if you may benefit individually at the cost of all others in the society.

In the last 8 years we have seen how well Republicans (the neo-con branch) have done when placed under their own recognizance and yet many still remain clueless when caught wondering why they lost and why they are so unpopular, so even thinking it was because they were not aggressively greedy, fascist (real word for “conservative”) and capitalistic enough. It reminds me of teenagers left at home under their own guidance while mom and dad are away, having a party that is crashed by every teenager for miles with drugs (including alcohol) and trashing of property abounding and the teens wondering why their parents will never leave them on their own again. Is it plain arrogance, is it a defensive mechanism to pretend they had no idea they were doing anything wrong or is it a failure of our society and parenting that never taught the word “no”, much less explains the potential consequences of playing chicken in one’s car or having an open house party when your parents are out of town? Maybe it is a combination of both. The irony is that today, quite a few people appear to have little or no perception of there being other people in the world besides themselves, yet when they are offended by someone else’s actions, they are quick to notice someone else and hold them responsible for their acts.

I’ve always found life to be very easy and much easy when approached from the standpoint of remembering other people on earth have as much right to be here on earth as I do and that if there is mutual cognizance of others around us, we all seem to flow through life much more smoothly than if we were 6.5 billion people walking the earth either with our heads down, caring only about our individual direction and ignoring others. We tend to bump into one another more often and harder when we are all focused on ourselves than focused on to get where we want to go with the least amount of conflicts.

Anyhoo, maybe one day we’ll learn that the easier way for all of us is to work together than to work against one another.

I hope you do poke your head in here from time to time, but as with Gramps, know that if you do not, you have much better things to do. This is a good place to vent and voice our opinions once in a while, but like with all things, a certain level of moderation seems to be the key to keeping on.

You just keep on keeping on Loree, wherever you are. Don’t doubt for a minute that those of us lucky enough to cross your path (some may have felt unlucky too) will remember your spunk, desire, passion and compassion.

I can’t fault anyone for having convictions, just the point to which those convictions are held or felt. I’ve always thought there was a recognizable tinge of sincerity in the way people express thoughts and words. Something of our general personalities seem to shine through no matter who we are, no matter how we would like to portray ourselves or have others see us. Some people are very firm in their opinions, direction, ethics and morality, yet have a real ability to be sincerely compassionate. Some are obsessive in their opinions, direction, ethics and morality and their failure to be sincerely compassionate becomes apparent, even if they put in a great effort to look compassionate. Some people fear that expressing their compassion will make them weak in the eyes of those they want to remain popular with. The irony of this is that their apparent and visible fear of being “weak”, exposes their weakness. The gruff old humbug Scrooge type might have a heart of gold inside, but because they are obsessively afraid of allowing anyone they know to see that heart of gold, it remains hidden away until an event occurs that allows them to recognize there is no weakness in compassion and in many cases there is more strength in being compassionate that always pretending to be the “tough” dude.

I need to go too, but to you and all the posters here, I have enjoyed your company, whether constant or not and whether we agree all the time or not. The world would be boring if we all agreed upon all things which is not to be mistaken with coming to some sort of agreement on all or most things, which is something I believe we can do.

Best wishes and lots of love to you Loree!

Knot

“Life isn't supposed to be an all or nothing battle between misery and bliss. Life isn't supposed to be a battle at all. And when it comes to happiness, well, sometimes life is just okay, sometimes it's comfortable, sometimes wonderful, sometimes boring, sometimes unpleasant. When your day's not perfect, it's not a failure or a terrible loss. It's just another day. “
-Barbara Sher

But I am afraid that, with the departure or most of the posters from KFS it likely will not survive much longer.

Happiness
By Priscilla Leonard

Happiness is like a crystal,
Fair and exquisite and clear,
Broken in a million pieces,
Shattered, scattered, far and near.

Now and then along life's pathway,
Lo! some shining fragments fall;
But there are so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

You may find a bit of beauty,
Or an honest share of wealth,
While another just beside you
Gathers honor, love, or health.

Vain to choose or grasp unduly,
Broken is the perfect ball,
And there are so many pieces,
No one ever finds them all.

Yet the wise as on they journey
Treasure every fragment clear,
Fit them as they may together,
Imaging the shattered sphere.

Learning ever to be thankful,
Though their share of it is small;
For it has so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

d;-)

Sorry to hear that friend. We have learned a lot from one another regardless of our differences politically. I don't know what has happened fully yet, in your case, but I do know I have always enjoyed your poems and honesty with me. Like you, I have found less and less time to spend here with our anonymous friends. That said, I count each one as an individual and would hope only the best for each of them. You are up there among the top Red.

Seasoldier/

you and poet Loree, Poet Denny.

But when you say "before you leave" which time do you mean? If its really for good and not a cheap thrill like your last or second to last farewell then Ill back off.

if Denny the Poet had not been busted out here of lately then he would have posted this same poem except with

"Denny 1/31/09" at the bottom and no "by Prisilla Leonard" at all.

Miss or Mrs Leonard you are very welcome!

I'm not sure if anyone has even noticed my absence, but I've found the Fray to be a much less enjoyable place lately as well. I don't know if it's the sock-puppets of old posters or "new" people from other boards coming onto the ones I frequent, but the dialog has become repetitive and quite boring, not to mention unpalatable in some cases.'

I'm sure I'll continue to lurk on occasion, but my participation has been much less in the last couple of months. Others seem to be feeling the same way, since the boards have been turned over to the loons.

I hope your new endeavors work out well. Good luck to you.

You have no idea of what you are trying to talk about, poor thing.

Of course Cat e-mailed you....of course she 'convinced you' that I was wrong.

I only use my 'Loree (Mason) O'neil on my website, as that was my maiden name.

I've never used the 'Mason' on the Boards....ever.

Now, I know the Fray has a cache of my posts, your posts, all posts. But GOOGLE itself, (WWW) doesn't.

And when One can click on a GOOGLE LINK (from the GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE), that has my name on it (last count, she had posted four or five of them), and then click on the word 'cache, in that link, and it will take you right straight to Catnapping and posts by HER, then you know something is wrong.

But hey, that's okay....I'm fixing to have 'my day' right away...and it won't be on here, with the likes of you.

It certainly is, Denny.

But you know something? It isn't the majority of the posters on here...it's that select few in that one little clique.

That is why I never like BOTF...they did the same thing over there, and STILL do. It is almost like they are possessed...and they just do it wherever they poast...on each and every board they post on.

Who needs that? I don't. I have too many things to do, other than waste my time putting up with the stuff they throw, and their methods.

Nope! I've had it with all of that.

Thank you for a kind and another great post, Knot. I've always enjoyed reading the posts from you and the other outstanding posters here...all containing so much wisdom and sincereity.

It sure isn't hard to seperate athe adults from the kids on here.

Did you ever take the Emode IQ test just for the fun of it online? Some of us used to do it every year...and I invariably ended up a 'Libeterian...and hey, that was good. I vote democrat, because the Republicans have been overrun by the Neo-Cons. It's good though, that by so that, it has opened people's eyes to the need for damage control, working together when something is REALLY screwed up and out of whatck, to make it right...even across party lines.

I'm just tired of the hassle of turning the other cheek, for I seem to be the target of choice, though Denny runs me a close race.

It's sad when adults, who are old enough to know better, still have not found the capacity for acting, thinking, and coming across as adults. But that is their loss. The one thing they have in common, though, is a total lack of compassion, and have not the ability to put themselves in another's shoes, lashing out...with their soul goal to 'hurt' their victim.

I still believe that what goes round, comes round, and a person had better be prepared for that, even if they don't believe in the Golden Rule.

I've always believed that God created all mankind EQUAL...with the only difference being the pretty colors they come in.The difference manifdests itself later...as they mature, in the way they conduct themselves, and the way they treat others.

Anyway, I just do not need the stress, but I'm not a quitter either...I have some plans for keeping busy, and things I have to do while I still have the time.

Just don't let the contamination change you ever...for you are one more of the 'good guys'.

Hope you own a white hat:-)

Loree

My dear Sea....you will always be one of those that I never forget, nor forsake. We are miles apart, both in real miles and in our opinions often, yet you and I have always been able to converse. You showed respect when I had something to say, and I sure hope that I retaliated in kind:-)

You've been a great teacher, of getting me interested in 'green' issues, and you've cheered me up, and you've made me laugh. Just as important is the laughter.

I will be gone from here, but not from giving you a 'call' now and then, on e-mail. It's been a fun trip with you and the other people from the War Stories board especially, for all of you seem to have that 'something special' that contributes to leadership and intelligence, that far surpasses some of the rest of us. Life's experiences have much to do with that....I think that two years ago, I did a lot of growing up in a hurry, as I tried to deal with life when it shattered around me.

That is why I don't need this petty stuff now, don't have to endure it, and so no longer will.

I'll leave the 'little ones' in the sandbox, where they can throw all the sand in each other's eyes that makes them happy:-)

Hey...adopt an under-privileged...a redhead:-)

Loree

Darn it Loree. I'd be sad to see your name vanish from KFS. Did you ever think that the arseholes who shove out all the poison about you are just jealous? People with no talent of their own, slagging off someone who has it in abundance.

Anyway, you've got my E-mail addy, so, drop me a line from time to time, or even better drop a line in here. Have a rest, from the Fray, and, then, pick your moments.

Don't let the bastards grind you down, they're just a bunch of idiots, with the IQ of the average boiled cabbage, who can't argue politics, so, gang up in a vendetta against certain posters.

Regardless, I wish you well, with lots of love and laughter in your life.

Ah Wulk...another of my good War Stories buddies:-) Whatever will I do without the lot of you, and Gramps, and all of the other great posters from there?

And yes, I have even let slip a time or two that I think jealousy has much to do with it. Not to take away the 'talent' from another one who hates me, for she has written some really great free verse, and I used to tell her so. A gift that I cannot do myself. Except that instead of expanding as much on those as she could have, she channeled her talents into an entirely different direction...one that has gotten us from point A years ago, to the divided road where we are today.

I have a ton of friends through my poetry site, and those along with certain ones of you, will get my attention from now on:-)

Gee! I remind myself of Sarah Pain in a way...people either like me or they hate me. Except that I can't see Russia from Kansas, darn it, so I don't even have that to crow about:-)

Thanks for your support Wulk...and you will hear from me now and then...and who knows? I may be like so many others...so addicted to this, that a month off will give me a whole new lease on it? Just imagine the flak I'd catch were that the case:-)

Until next time our paths cross, take care Wulk.

Loree

Can you dangle shoes too?

Seasoldier/Hahahahahahahahahah­ahahahahahahahahaa

Keep smiling, Loree, and remember you got friends.

Thank you so very much, Wabooz.

In the end, that is all that matters, for it is friends that sustain us in times of trouble and sorrow.

They are invaluable.

Thank you again, Loree