Kim McMahill

  I’ve noticed a growing trend lately of people accusing others who don’t share their views of “hating America.” This generalization is melodramatic and most likely extremely erroneous, and I would caution not confusing a single policy, law, handling of an issue, person, or party with America. Equating a dislike of a politician or disagreeing with how a crisis is handled with hating America makes no more sense than equating the dislike of a minister or how a church handles a controversial issue with hating God. Clearly the terrorists who hijacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Center hated America, but having differing opinions on politicians and issues is not a “you see it my way or you hate America,” scenario. We can have different views and still love America.

Each year the National Park Service has a number of entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. There aren’t many left in 2020, so make sure you take advantage of these two remaining dates. September 26: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

This Monday’s meme is from Deadly Exodus, which explores a time when U.S. citizens feel compelled to undertake dangerous measures to escape into Mexico. Learn why in this dystopian action-adventure.

I’ve posted a lot about my garden this summer. This is the first year since growing up helping my mom with giant gardens that I haven’t had to rely on small raised beds. I’ve always made the most of those small plots, but this year I had enough space for everything I wanted. I think I can do even better next year by different crop placement, altering some planting times, and more soil amendment but overall, it was a great year. So, here’s where it ended up: Lettuce - produced enough to last two families until September. Peas – snacked on fresh while grazing in the garden and froze six bags. Green beans - enjoyed all the fresh we could eat and froze about ten bags. Cucumbers - made many salads and two batches of refrigerator pickles. Bok Choy and spinach – all we could eat through July. Potatoes - dug about fifteen pounds that we’ll store for use throughout the winter. Corn - had about five meals of fresh corn on the cob (got a late start, which we’ll remedy next year).

Here’s this Monday’s meme. Big Horn Storm is a contemporary western thriller. Think Red Dawn with adults on horseback in beautiful rugged mountain country.

  “Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” ―  Roy T. Bennett,  The Light in the Heart

  “It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” ―  Anne Frank,  The Diary of a Young Girl If Anne Frank could believe, so can I, and I do. Let's all be the best we can be and try to bring out the best in others.