HDQ/Ask Nic & G. B.'s!

OBITUARY---Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.

Common Sense lived a very long life but recently died in the United States from heart failure. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.

For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn and don’t give a frivolous man money), reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge and children need boundaries and discipline), and it’s okay if you don’t win first place (as long as your best efforts were given).

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived all previous educational and cultural trends including body piercing, whole language, "new math" and don’t ask don’t tell. Sadly, his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus.

In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentioned but overbearing regulations. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero-tolerance policies.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense suffered endlessly when people could no longer defend them self from a burglar in their own home yet the burglar could turn around and sue them for assault because they protected themselves and their own.

Common Sense turned the corner for the worse as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; criminals received better treatment than their victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from National Elections to the Boy Scouts to professional sports. He headed downhill fast as those same federal judges began writing law instead of adjudicating justice and tried to kick even the mention of God out of every public arena.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live when a woman was promptly awarded a huge settlement after she failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot and she spilled a little in her lap.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as those for asbestos, low flow toilets – which quite often require two flushes, "smart" guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws, stepladders and mandatory air bags.

Finally when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his brother, Integrity; his sister, Honesty; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by several stepbrothers; Mye Rights, Everyone Else’s–Fault, Politically Correct, Tolerance Exceptfor–Christians’nJews and Ima Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him pass this on. If not join the majority and do nothing.

So, obviously my HDQ today has something to do with the above obituary. My HDQ today is:

After reading the above, what do you find has died that used to be prevalent in America/the world, back when you were growing up?

Common Sense aside, I find that Respect for all has declined in a major way, if not almost extinct. There are so many people today who are in their 20’s and under who have no respect for their elders, those in authority or even their family/friends/significant others. Everywhere I go, I see rude children talking back to their parents or teachers, I see teenagers who yell at their parents, I see others who no longer stop to help someone in need, who think more of getting out to their car than holding the door for someone who has their hands full, has a bunch of kids, is disabled or who is elderly. There is no respect or courtesy left except for a very few examples. I try my best to teach Emily manners, to respect and obey her elders and others in authority instead of questioning everything they say and to be kind to all, no matter what race, age, religion, color or disability. Honestly, the world would be a much nicer place if respect and courtesy hadn’t died out with common sense.

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Next is Ask Nic:

This is the place where you can ask me anything that is on your mind about me, something you have wanted to know or were just curious about in general. You can ask about my experiences in life and love and parenting, my beliefs, etc... Be creative, be fun, be introspective, but please be clean! You can post the questions in the comments section or email me your question directly to asknic@gmail.com.

I will be posting the questions and their responses soon so check back within the next week for them. They probably will be up before I leave if I get enough questions.

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As mentioned previously, I will be out of town starting the Tuesday after Memorial Day for a week of glorious vacation(!) to lovely Branson, MO and I am looking for some people willing to be guest bloggers on those days.

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please let me know by leaving a comment or emailing me at nboedeke@gmail.com. I will get with you regarding password, etc. for this venture. I've never had guest bloggers but I have guest blogged for others before so I know a little of how it works.
As you know, I have specific posts on specific days and if any of those appeal to you, please let me know which day(s) you would like to cover.

Please keep in mind that you do NOT have to blog what I do on those days, but in case you are interested in doing so here is the schedule of what posts I do on what days:
Sundays – whatever comes to mind
Mondays – Monday Meme (self explanitory - a meme on a Monday - see the post below this one), Monday Meals (usually a tasty meal that is easy to make for those who are “culinarily challenged” or who have children and includes a side dish(es), entrée and a dessert) or Monday Meanderings (what's on my mind)
Tuesdays – Truthful Tuesdays (usually answering questions from the previous weeks HDQ/Ask Nic session) or whatever comes to mind
Wednesdays – HDQ (the "humpy day question") and Ask Nic (ask me a question about anything you want to know about me, but please keep it clean as this is a family blog)
Thursdays – Thankful Thursdays (What Nic is thankful for this week)
Fridays – the FFT (Friday Field Trip – a link to a fun, funny or interesting website) and the Friday’s Feast
Saturdays – whatever comes to mind

It will be possible to have multiple guest bloggers on one day if more than one person wants to do a specific day.
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