When Knowledge is Power

Ignorance causes fear. Ignorance being a lack of adequate information about a subject. Take for instance a child who turns the light off at night in his room. He is afraid because he doesn't realize that there is nothing more in his room in the dark than there is when the light is on. Once he is of an age where reason sets in he is able to make that distinction.

Elections can be a lot like the aforementioned situation for a first time voter. Like this child, the uninformed voter is afraid of what they cannot see. It is very intimidating to try and sift through the various media venues to find truth in either candidate's speeches or promises. On top of that, they are both slinging mud at this point in an attempt to diminish the character of the other. I once told my children that voting was like making a choice between the lesser of the two evils. This year seems no different. So, amid the political muck, where does one help find truthful information to make an educated decision before voting in November?

Any ideas?

It's Getting Darker Sooner Now

The only thing I dislike about this time of year is the fact that there are fewer daylight hours. It makes it difficult to perform many outdoor tasks like taking the trash out to the shed. Goodness knows that if it were not for the outdoor lighting my son would never take the trash out in the winter months in the evening. We keep it turned off to conserve energy. So if you want it on you have to walk out in the dark, turn it on, do your business, turn it back off, and then walk back in the dark. It might not be so bad but the shed is quite a ways from the back deck. I guess he is afraid of the boogie-man, or is it the bears?

Perhaps I'll suggest he take it out in the morning. :)

Root Canals ... Ouch!

Today Ryan had a dental appointment to see why his tooth was bothering him. The dentist says he needs to have a root canal performed followed by a crown. I had hope never to hear those words for any of my children but figured it might happen with Ryan and Jennifer. Their grandmother on their father's side had to have all of her teeth pulled when she was 18 years old, apparently there was something wrong with her gums as they wouldn't support her teeth. Their father is the same way only he managed to keep his teeth. However the condition of his teeth is horrible. He feared dental visits and so he paid for that with pain and embarrassment. My hope is that this injury to Ryan's teeth will be his last major one. I would hate for him to suffer through his life like his father. One thing that will set them apart is that Ryan does not fear doctors or dentists. This event will definitely cause us to keep a closer eye on his and Jennifer's dental health!