You Can Lead A Horse To Water...

But you can't make it drink, or anything else unless it's so inclined.

Likewise with people.

These past few days have been a real education (mainly on my part) regarding that old adage. "Family" continue to arrive to visit Sweetie's mother during her last days. And, they bring all their baggage with them...old wounds, unsettled family disputes, anger, fear, resentment, worry, addictions and just plain ignorance.

As Sweetie's mother is dying, it seems that the family is unravelling. One granddaughter's son delayed her arrival because he had an "incident" and was diagnosed as bi-polar. A grandson wrecked his car and was ticketed for speeding and intoxication (third offense). He keeps calling his mom up here complaining that he doesn't have any wheels (but not asking about his great-grandmother). Another grandson and his wife took off on a cruise but called to say, "Maybe she'll be here when we return, maybe not. Doesn't really matter cause we've hired a lawyer in anticipation of getting screwed!"

I stand here shaking my head in disbelief and Sweetie says, "They've always been this way. It's one drama after another."

What an incredible waste! The whole bloody world is going to hell in a handbasket and they're caught up in who said or did what and "please pick me up a few more beers."

My last dose of this insanity was 7: p.m. Sweetie's cousin - the only one who's come over here and asked about prepping - introduced me to two of her sisters: "This is Suzann, the prepper. We've eaten her food for two days. It's great!" One says, "Well, goody, goody for you. Who gives a shit if you've got food. I want food I'll go buy it." She lost her job Thursday and has remained drunk. I'm told it's her usual condition.

Her other sister laughs and says, "If I lived in Bum F----- Egypt I'd be worried about what I was gonna eat. You're 10 miles in the middle of nowhere what else is there to do?" This sister has a good job but has lost her home, declared bankrupcy for the third time in 30 years and is forever visiting the doctor for some real or imagined ailment.

After the whole room went silent I just smiled. Then I took a step forward, lowered my voice and enunciated clearly and slowly...

"Well, the next time either of you have to borrow money for gas, or food, or beer, or cigarettes, tell me how well you take care of yourself."

Then I came home.

Sanity and Peace reside here and I much prefer it to ignorance, complacency and laziness. Unfortunately, I'm in the minority!