A Friend's Passing

I've seen this on numerous occasions and thought I would share it with you.  It is so disturbingly true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.  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 lived by simple financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.  Reports of a 6-year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for sing 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 had failed to do in disciplining unruly children.
He declined een fourth when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
He finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot.  She spilled some in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death,
     -by his parents, Truth and Trust,
     - by his wife, Discretion,
     - by his daughter, Responsibility,
     - and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
     - I know My Rights,
     - I Want It Now
     - Someone Else Is To Blame,
     - I'm A Victim, and
     - Pay Me For Doing Nothing.
Not many attended the funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Bats

One of the gentlemen, a veteran, who attends the veterans' workshop at the Helen Art Center, makes bat houses.  I saw them at our Christmas in July event and bought one.  Yesterday morning he and his wife came by and installed it.  I can see it from the porch.  Now all I need are bats.  I'm told they'll come, just be patient.  My neighbor used to have them but closed off their access.  Maybe they'll make their way over here.  They'll certainly keep the mosquito population down and maybe some of the other bugs that hang around here also.  I don't know why some people are afraid of bats.  Maybe the horror movies about them?  Yes, I know they can carry disease but it's rare.
This same gentleman is going to start making bluebird houses.  I'll be getting some of those also.  The post holding the one I have finally gave up and crashed.  The bottom had rotted.  I had birds in there all the time so need to get that house up again.  This time on something that won't rot.