Old Sears Catalog

Margie: Edna, come look what Cousin T bought us at the flea market. He found an old Sears catalog. This sure brings back a lot of memories. Remember all the uses Mama could find for a Sears catalog?

Edna: My lands, I sure do. Mama sure was resourceful, wasn't she? I remember how she used to wrap Christmas presents in the pages when times were tight.

Margie: She sure did and she'd use some pages to start the morning fire. Mama always wanted the house to be warm when we got out of bed.

It sure wasn't fun using those pages in the outhouse though. My behind was always... never mind.

Edna: You always give our readers too much information, Margie.

Margie: Lawsy me, Edna. Look here. Remember when we ordered these pretty slips? They don't make them like this anymore. Look at that price!

Edna: I know, and those slips lasted for years, didn't they? Longer than some of your marriages, anyway.

Margie: Dear readers, I'm not talking to this moron. I want to say to you all that I have fond memories of the Sears catalog and the main reason is because I cut the models out and made paperdolls. I hope you all have happy memories like this.

Edna: I bet they do. You know Margie, I'm an old woman, you need to get to the point faster next time.

Freedom Of Speech

If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. --John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)


Edna: Margie, I think it’s safe to say that anyone who knows us (and reads our blog) understands how much we cherish our right to complain about anything and everything under the sun. But what if we didn’t have that freedom?

Margie: If we didn't have that freedom, Edna, I'd point out that I have the right to own and bear arms and shoot anybody who wants me to shut up.

Edna: Trust you to take this in a violent direction, you ninny. You know, I'm trying to make a point about how lucky we are. Turn up your hearing aid and listen. Think about all those poor people who don't have the right to say whatever they want, whenever they want. They get threatened by their own governments for speaking their minds, and that's unfair.

Do you remember that speech that FDR gave back in 1941, the "Four Freedoms" speech?

Margie: Of course it's unfair, Edna, but what can we do? It's like when you threaten me to hush up. That's not fair either.

I do remember that speech. FDR talked about freedom of speech and expression. I have some things I'd like to express to you.

Edna: Well, FDR had the right idea: he said that one of the fundamental human freedoms, for ALL humans, was the right to freedom of expression. I think he'd be sad to see that while it's true today for some people, it's not true for everyone.

As for what we can do about it? I think that we can use our freedom of speech to tell others about this and make them aware of what's going on. I know that if I lived somewhere where I couldn't express myself, I wouldn't be at all happy.

And I don't "threaten" you to "hush up." I urge you to try and make sense for once in your life. Two completely different things, sister.

Margie: FDR also said all humans should be free from fear. Nobody is free of fear if they live with you. You need to hush up and tend to your own business.

Edna: Oh honey, I surely do hope that you're not telling me what to say, because I will go ballistic on your wrinkled tushie. Try me and see.

Bloggers Unite: May 15

We have been privileged to participate in previous Blogger's Unite campaigns through BlogCatalog and we are thrilled to be participating in the upcoming one.


"This time, on May 15, bloggers are being asked to tackle a topic selected by members — Bloggers Unite For Human Rights", says Rich at Copywrite Ink. "Although no one knew it a few months ago, the timing for a human rights social awareness campaign couldn’t be better. This year is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For most of us, human rights — life, liberty, justice, and freedom of expression — seem so commonplace that they are taken for granted. Yet, all over the world and sometimes just out of sight in our own backyards, human rights are treated with utter disregard. This is a great opportunity to speak out for those who cannot."

Copywrite Ink will be recognizing several top bloggers who join the campaign and list their posts on the Bloggers Unite Discussion Group on May 15. Please join us. Go here for more information.