See, there you go, Beth, calling western attire "cowboy costumes". To us, that is a very silly thing to call western attire! Would like to see you say that directly to a Rodeo Committee. "Bloom where you are planted" just isn't going to happen. As you've stated to me before, you are completely "open minded" to many things, whereas we are not. We like living around friendly people and that's just not where we live or the city we live in. May be due to the Pandemic, but that's the way it is and we don't like it.
Please read Cody. This isn't about you, but about me when I joined this forum. I was on a fitness forum that had a senior women's thread. I had beat cancer the previous year. I had overcome a horrible medication that caused weight gain during my early 60s. I got into senior modeling because of my hard-earned fitness. I was proud of what I had overcome and accomplished. I received numerous compliments on my fitness photos including one wearing a bikini. I was offered free clothes from an online clothing store in exchange for modeling their clothes and sending photos. Most of the women on that forum liked my comedy. When I joined here, I made posts that received some unexpected judgemental responses. I reacted poorly, creating unnecessary drama. I soon found out that only a few here cared about senior female fitness and some found photos of certain modeling poses offensive. Not many appreciated my style of comedy. I took a good look at myself and how I could be myself, yet make some changes that while not liked by all, would be acceptable to most. My journey here on SOC is still a work in progress. When I feel that my behavior is unacceptable to a majority, I exercise a self-banning until I assess the situation and what changes might be necessary on my part. I don't expect anyone to change for my benefit. All I can do is change myself. I asked myself this question, "Is it possible I invited what I see as a negative response? What could I have said differently, yet get my point across?" One thing I found helpful is taking time to get to know others and understand them. I don't expect anyone to understand me until I understand myself better during these advanced years. As I said, I am still a work in progress.
Wait a minute. You have a great niece you were close enough to for her to be in your wedding, and you subsequently severed ties with her just because you later found out she was gay?????? And you equate that to not wanting to be around smokers????? I'll not violate the Terms of Service here, but I hope she realizes she's better off for it. You probably don't even realize she was helping you two out by being in that wedding. Wow. That's disgusting.
Sadly, This is exactly how some people interpret what they are supposed to do as a Christian, and it is a lot more people than just Cody who look at things this way. Somehow they have missed the whole main idea of what God/Jesus are trying to tell people, even though the second commandment is for us to love other people the same way we love ourselves. Many years ago , after I was divorced from my first husband; he had gone though David Wilkerson’s Teen Challenge program (which is for drug users of any age), and was trying hard to live a clean, spiritual life without drugs. We were working on getting back together again, and he had moved back in with me. My neighbor, who was a person I had known all my life, and loved like a sister, came over to my house with her husband, and she said that because I was living with a man that I was not married to, the Bible said that they were to warn me, and then never darken my doorstep again. I was dumbfounded ! In my heart, I still felt married, and so working towards putting the marriage back together made sense to me; but it did not make sense to her, because she took words from the Bible and interpreted that they meant something entirely different than I thought God was trying to tell people. If I had been out going to bars and bringing home strange men, then I would have understood where she was coming from (although still not agreed with her actions); but it was my belief that God was for putting marriages back together.
The whole thing infuriates me. I now understand why so many refer to themselves as "followers of Jesus" rather than as "Christians," much less "Catholics," "Baptists," "Methodists," etc. Maybe these people are loving others as they "love" themselves.
I guess I met you after you perfected yourself because I liked your appearance, sense of humor and knowlege. We are all a work in progress.
Well, when it comes to the GLTBQ+, I'll say this as well: Don't know if I mentioned this or not, but if I already have, someone here will let me know (LOL): Years ago, I worked, for a few weeks, for a very young lesbian couple at their equestrian center. Rent free for a room connected to a porch area. I kept their stalls cleaned. Anyway, before them, I had never associated/known anybody in that community. Heck, back then, I didn't even know there was a Gay Rodeo Association. Both young ladies were very nice, but I, or anyone, could tell they were a lesbian couple. One very, very pretty, while the other, not nearly so much. At least that was my prospective. But, still, very nice to me. At the last company I worked for, 2003 thru most of 2007, there was a lesbian girl that got transferred into the Department I worked in. Again, very nice to me, but she felt that our Director/Manager didn't want her in the Department and she told me, she felt like it was because she was a lesbian. Anyway, we were talking one day about age. I still remember what she told me, "I'll be 42 next year, but, if I don't change my personality and friends, I'll next see that birthday." I was a little shocked, but she was being honest with me. Ok, now, back then, 15 years ago, the GLTBQ+ community wasn't pushed, and I do mean "pushed" onto America like it is today. The community doesn't want to accept, like the tattoo community, that not everyone in America approves of them. If they didn't push so much, perhaps they'd be more accepted, but who knows.
It makes no difference to me if you move or not. Where you move is none of my business, but since I have lived and worked all over the west my entire almost 72 years, I am just trying to help so you can be aware of an area before you visit or move. I know it may come as a shock to you, but urban Wyoming is friendly to communities that choose other than the lifestyle that the bible promotes. Rural Wyoming is different, but you won't find apartments there, just high-priced houses, acreages, and ranches. Although Wyoming just voted out Liz Chaney, it wasn't because her sister is a lesbian or her father supports rights for homosexuals. It was because of her betrayal of the republican party that supports President Trump that was ousted by fraud. It is interesting that most of Wyoming's homosexual people are Republicans. From what I hear you will find more gay Republicans in Wyoming than in any other state. You might find this article interesting. https://www.movoto.com/guide/wy/the-7-best-towns-in-wyoming-for-lgbt-families/
But that's like you & me being judged by what some fringe supremacist group does solely because superficially we are "one of them," except that these other groups have the support and the megaphone of the media to keep them in our faces. But none of that has anything to do with the regular folks, like your great niece. 99% of everyone is just living our lives. I won't let self-appointed activists & leaders (or television) influence how I interact with any specific individual. I still think you would benefit from having a conversation with a pastor regarding your duties and your behaviour (and God's will) as a Christian in this regard. Look at all the gyrations you are dragging your family through as you uproot your lives, and it could all be for nothing. It is likely not God's will for you. You have a duty to your family to make sure you are making significant life decisions on the right standards.
Well, we will definitely move! There are those that are afraid to move at our age, but we aren't. We MUST find a more friendly place to live. The seniors here and the young generation just don't seem to get along. And, we've never/ever lived in such an unfriendly apt. complex. People here would rather "flip you off" when some says "good morning" to them, than say "good morning" back. We are just going to keep looking, looking and do more looking and researching until we find the right place. Cody, Wy seems to have the cheapest rents we've seen, but who knows. And, like I said in my last reply, if the GLBTQ+ community wouldn't keep pushing and pushing themselves onto us........ There are many people, even on this forum, that detest Pride Month and how much it's advertised/pushed onto us, like Beth.
John, will tell you this again..........we don't need to talk to a Pastor. If we don't believe in certain things, that's just a fact. There are those that judge drug users, alcoholics, smokers and on and on. Should all of them seek a Pastor to talk to. We don't have to believe in everything! Should a person see a Pastor if they choose not to be associated with smokers? In fact, all of our family approves of us moving again. Surprised? We aren't, because they all know how unhappy we are where we are living. And, on top of that, none of our family has ever lived where we currently do, so they have no idea, other than what we've told them, as to why we want to move. And, wife and I think about ourselves much, much more than thinking about the family. Remember, when I met my wife, she had in her mind about moving far away from family and going to Laughlin, NV. She hadn't mentioned a word of this to any of her family, but had told me.
Update to our "moving": Just got back from 5 days in Wyoming. Spent first night in Douglas, but the next day the wind was blowing tremendously. We knew Cheyenne could/does get windy, but Douglas was REALLY windy the morning we headed for Sheridan. I drove for about an hour in total darkness, getting to Douglas, that we generally don't do at all. Got to Sheridan, and after 3 days there, decided Sheridan most definitely wasn't our "cup of tea". We did eat at a great restaurant there, called Wyoming Rib & Chop. The most delicious fillet steak I think I've ever had. Ate three times at this restaurant. I got some looks for wearing my black felt hat there, but my wife really got some looks for wearing hers into the restaurant. Surprisingly, most men there wear baseball caps and women don't wear anything (hat). That is, except when the rodeo is in town. The VA Hospital and Sheridan Hospital looked nice, but that was it. Did drive to Tongue River Reservoir, which is right inside the Montana border. First time my wife has been anywhere in Montana! The County Highway was nice to drive on, but unfortunately, a very rough dirt road led to the boat ramp of the Reservoir. Our rented Mazda CX5 (mid-size SUV) sure got a workout! This past Monday AM, left Sheridan and headed for Laramie. After spending a night, and AM, in Laramie, it wasn't our "cup of tea" either. But, they had the same steak restaurant, Wyoming Rib & Chop, that we ate dinner at. We had the same thing (fillet/me, shrimp/wife) that we did in Sheridan. After leaving Laramie, stopped at Curt Gowdy State Park to see the head of Lincoln. Our next, online only (for now) search/research will be for a move to Arizona, but not Phoenix or Albuquerque OR Nevada (perhaps Prescott or Carson City). Now, one last highlight of our trip, the Retired Full-Bird Army Colonel we met at Sheridan hotel breakfast that was a Chaplin. Must have talked to him for two hours. Very, very interesting!
Well, it looks like, but not totally 100%, that we will be leaving Old Man Winter again and forever. We are now looking at, and researching, somewhere south of Las Vegas. The main reason why we are thinking, and only currently "thinking", about a move there is because South Point Hotel & Casino have a beautiful Equestrian Center where many equestrian events are held all through the year. Let alone, the National Finals Rodeo is at the Thomas & Mack Center each December. And, we'd have very little distance to go to play penny slots for hours and the breakfast buffets at South Point, MGM and Cosmopolitan are terrific as are their Prime Rib Buffet. There is a 600,000 sq. foot Amazon Logistics & Distribution Center being built, by the I-25 in-between Loveland and Ft. Collins. There are two rather large buildings being built just south of this construction. The population of the entire area is going to explode with young folks (21 thru 35). The I-25 freeway is being widened as well. So, we will see what happens. Would we miss Old Man Winter, yes and no. We both love looking outside and seeing the snow fall, but this may be the last winter for that.
Things were going good ,until yesterday. The Rep from the moving company was either fired or quit weeks go. Naturally, they wanted to look over the quote he gave us. Suddenly the Murphy bed and boat are a problem, but have assured us a third party will take care of that- no extra charge to us. Um, still waiting on confirmation from them on our move of 12-12. Was told would have today. Five o'clock and a Friday, no answer back. Then there have been phone and computer issues .Plus Avast security I was using on laptop... Well I have uninstalled and will look for a better one. I am so ready to just et this over with