by S. J. Brown
This past month, while catching up on blog posts it became obvious that I am really a middle of the road type of person. I became a middle child when I was 16. Maybe that plays a role in the type of person I am, maybe not.
I have seen lights in the sky I could not explain. UFO, well I don’t know. At the time I lived near an Air Force base. Perhaps it was an experimental plane. But then again is it feasible that our planet is the only planet with intelligent life on it? So like this Black Bear I am in the middle of the road on this one.
On the subject of ghosts, I waver back and forth. Having lived in an old Victorian house there were things that I couldn’t explain. We had a persistent banging noise that could not be traced. Also our dog at the time would sit next to the rocking chair, wagging his tail as if an old friend was sitting in the chair petting him. Things would disappear throughout the house, but eventually turn up. So like this family of otters I have covered the left, right, and middle of the road on this subject as well.
It’s possible that I don’t have all the facts so I can’t make an informed decision on issues like these. It’s also possible I have other things on my mind. Some things people are adamant about simply don’t matter to me. It doesn’t matter to me if the toilet paper roll is loaded so the paper rolls out or over, as long as it’s there when I need it.
When dining with friends some people want to split the check evenly, others want to pay for exactly what they ate. Since I am not a money oriented person either way works for me, again I’m in the middle of the road like this coyote.
Long ago I learned to pick my battles. Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things, if not, I let it go. When my mother in law helped me set up the kitchen at our house she insisted glasses needed to go in this cabinet, cups over here and pots had to be near the stove. I know it was my house I should really have had an opinion on this. But wherever the glasses ended up that is the cabinet I would go to when I needed a glass. If the pots didn’t work out well where she wanted them I could always move them later and tell her they just didn’t work well for me since I’m left handed. So even on things like my kitchen I am in the middle of the road like this white tailed deer.
I am not a middle of the road type of person about everything. I do have opinions on a lot of things and I am not shy about sharing them. I recycle, buy recycled products and reduce the amount of trash that goes to the curb whenever I can. I think it is our duty to protect this planet we call home for future generations. When I am in someone else’s home I will ask them if they recycle before placing an item in the trash. This is a subtle hint that maybe they should.
I plant trees with a local group; I think everyone should plant trees. Why? When you plant a tree it will live and grow for years, even generations after you are gone. They provide shade, oxygen and are esthetically pleasing.
Being cruel to children and animals is wrong; there is no wiggle room on this. So as I travel down the dirt roads of life you will find me mostly in the middle of the road. However when something gets my attention I will firmly plant my feet on the shoulder.
So where do you stand? What issues do you take a stand on? Do you waver on other issues?
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Writing Wranglers and Warriors 
I guess most things don’t bother me, I’m pretty easy going. I have a few issues that I’m adamant about. I loved your blog. I thought it was interesting they way you compared to the animal placements and photos. I also liked the subjects you covered. Thanks for sharing. Cher’ley
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Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry it posted so late. Generally I think of a subject to wrote about and several photos come to mind. This time I had to search for photos to fit the words.
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Love your photos, S.J.! And I am in complete agreement with you regarding the abuse of children and animals, as well as the elderly, truly people abuse of any kind. I am saddened by the way humans treat other humans, animals and the planet — I just came back from seeing “Free State of Jones,” and it broke my heart to know how AWFUL humans are to one another — and the cycle doesn’t seem to be severed to this day. So, it’s good to be the middle of the road on things (I consider myself a “moderate” in most cases), but when it comes to evil, hatred, abuse (including abuse of power) and war, I stand firm and say ‘NO MORE!’ Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your creativity with this post!
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I thin how someone treats animals and children says a lot about that persons character. I’ve never really trusted anyone that was cruet to animals or considered them a friend. Unfortunately I think people were kinder to one another decades ago.
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IT depends on the issue. On some things, I’m in the middle of the road, or in my case, in the middle of the sidewalk, since I don’t drive, but at other times, I’m on one side or the other.
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Sidewalks can be a good place to be I’ve found crickets, baby birds, and frog on the sidewalk.
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Kind of like you, on some things, I am in the middle of the road, and on others, I am firmly planted on one side. Depends on the ethics I live by in some cases, and whether I have experienced something in others I guess. Interesting tale of your house and the dog. I am in the middle of the road about ghosts and UFO’s too. Waiting to experience it for myself and then be scared to death I imagine.
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I’ve often said that I needed to see something for myself. Then on the day my mother passed a preying mantis ( a sign of change) appeared on my front porch. Yes I now believe in animal signs. Of course the ones I go looking for don’t count.
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Like you, S J, on many issues I’ll be middle of the road because they don’t matter in the long run but there are other issues that now matter to me mainly because they will affect my family in the short and long term, or the environment in which we live.
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My thinking is that environmental issues will effect us our children, and our grandchildren, so those matter to me a lot as well.
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Cute post. Loved connecting your thoughts with the pics. I’m pretty laid back about most things, but some topics do push my hot button. Right now politics is one of them. I’ll be glad when Nov comes around.
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I think politics is a hot button for everyone this year. There are a lot of people who have decided to just wait it out. They aren’t buying houses, cars, or changing jobs until they see how the election goes. Like you I will be glad once the election is over. Glad you enjoyed the post.
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Enjoyed the post. I am a middle-of-the-roader too. I’ve always been one looking for consensus, but consensus seems to be a dirty word nowadays.
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Glad you enjoyed the post. I agree people prefer controversy over compromise these days.
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For the most part I am a life and let live, do unto others type of person. Do I have opinions, yes. Do others need to hear them, probably not. I agree with you and am adamant on the two you mentioned, no cruelty to people or animals.
A wonderful post, beautifully illustrated. Doris
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Glad you liked the photos. Like you I rarely share my opinions on most issues. But if someone asks then I am not shy about sharing.
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I like everyone to get along so am a pretty easy-going person. When I do have a strong opinion on something I will show it but for the most part I will steer clear of controversial subjects like politics and religion because I don’t like heated confrontations. But if I see cruel behavior, as you say especially towards helpless creatures, then I will have to butt in.
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Yes, politics and religion are subjects I avoid. While I agree everyone has a right to their own opinion I don’t need to know your opinion , nor do you need to know mine.
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I don’t think you’re so much middle of the road as someone who knows what’s important to her and doesn’t worry too much if an issue isn’t one of those things. We could all stand to be more that way.
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Many years ago I learned to pick my battles. I think that comes with being a Mom.
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I love your personality, Sandra. You are absolutely right that when it comes to things like where pots and pans and dishes go it really doesn’t matter, and saves a relationship also. It is important to be firm on things that are important. When I married my husband I had a fit when I realized I had to sort the trash. Where I came from, everything that could be incinerated was, and the rest was picked up by the garbage man. Spending time cleaning out cans, etc., did not appeal to me in the least! Happy to say he has totally won me over and I now see how important to the eco system it is. Thank you for reminding me.
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Two thumbs up to Hubby and you. One of the perks of the new house is they pick the recycling up at the curb. No more putting it in the car and driving to the recycling center, yeah. Its something everyone can do with very little effort. After a while it just becomes habit.
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