So, just how many of you have ever been too drunk to fish?

Venting is good. But we'll volunteer all kinds of advice. I say be her friend fo rnow, because that's what she needs more than anyhting, is supportive friends. If it develops into something more, then great. At the same time, though, be objective. I think Peccy said don't be the rebound. Rebound relationships seldom work out the way either party wants them to, and neither do "rescue relationships." That's where you rescue her from her present situation and one of you eventually realizes that things aren't all flowers adn sunshine anyway. Just be patient with her and with your self and the situation.

I think that a lot of people have given up true commitment. Both men and women. In an instant gratification society, commitment means too much work with very distant and iffy returns.

Not likely. I have had dreams at night ever since I was 11-12 of living approximately where I'm living now. The prairies of the upper midwest is where I belong, adn I don't intend to move away from it. I might be willing to move to another part of the upper midwest, say eastern Montana or South Dakota, but no further. I'd just as soon find someone who wants to live up here.

Yeah, I may forgive them, but to forget the whole incident is to set myself up for more disappointment.

This is a huge recipe, and it turns out really good hot or cold.

In a 4-5 qt pan, pour 3 quarts water and an appropriate measure of broth mix (this varies between cubes, powder, or bulk. Use whatever will season 3 qts.) Mix until dissolved, and add 1 cup wild rice and 2 cups brown rice. (At this point, check the cooking directions on both. Some cook for an hour, some for 45 minutes. Varies by brand. If one says an hour and the other 45 minutes, you may want to add the longer-cooking one first, then the other 15 minutes later.) About 10-15 minutes from the end of cooking time, add either frozen mixed veggies, or fresh diced veggies, whichever you prefer, and stir into the rice. Let cook for the rest of the time for the rice, then remove from heat and allow to set for 10-15 minutes. This allows any excess water to soak into the rice withtout scorching. Rice Pilaf made this way is great for a picnic or pitch-in dinner, and it goes well with chicken or pork. It is just as good cold as it is hot, and it keeps well kept in single-serving containers in the freezer, if you are single or wanting it for lunch at work.

It kind of seems like we're (mostly) here to meet someone. But that doesn't mean that we want to meet everyone here randomly when we're out and about.

Wow, that's a tough question. I guess that we do the best we can without making matters worse.

From what I've seen and studied on my own, the religions who get to have their time in the sun eventually end up tumbling from within at the same time as another religion is growing to eventually take its place. It happened to the various forms of panthiesm that we now refer to as Paganism whenthey got into too much in-fighting about how to worship the old Gods and Goddesses, and I can see it happening again as the various forms of Christianity fight about how to worship Yahweh, and Muslim/Islam is gaining an increased following throughout the world.
But this still doesn't answer the question of whether there is actually a higher power. For myself, I believe that there is, and the we as humans see the higher power differently individually, and I can relate to diety best in feminine form. My parents relate to diety best in masculine form, as defined by their and the Southern Baptist Convention's interpretation of the Bible, and the Muslims define it as Allah. That doesn't make any of us wrong, just different. We should still respect each other's views, even if we don't agree with them.

No, it's not. ND is awesome. Where else can you go for miles and miles out on the open prairie and not see another person. I've lived other places, and I wouldn't leave the upper midwest for more than a visit to family elsewhere again.

Freedom is nice. And I can spoil everyone else's kids and send them home.

I hope so. There's a country music song about not letting "the chain of love end with you." I don't remember who sings it.

I love random acts of kindness. Giving and receiving. Unconditionally, with no regard for if you will ever be thanked or noticed for it. I used to pay someone else's toll for them at the toll booths around Chicago.when I was driving truck.

I've never heard the Johnson referred to as a "unit". I'll have to remember that.

It's sometimes hard to accept that the modern notion of progress(which, BTW, stems from the antiqueted notion of "manifest destiny") often causes unneccessary destruction of parts of Mother Nature's beautiful planet on which she allows us to live for now. However, to de-program the human race of the negative attitudes that have been shoved at us as humans for hundreds, if not a couple thousand, years wil take time. I just hope that we who want to protect and conserve the Earth can educate and influence enough people in enough time that we don't end up destroying the planet before or children and grand children have the chance to see and live on it. Both the Amish, and some traditional Native descendants anre among those working toward this goal.

If you think "Our Father in heaven" is angry,

WAIT TIL MOTHER FINDS OUT!!!

Silkie, you have your priorities absolutely right. It sound like your kid comes first, and dating cames somewhere after that. It's too bad that more people, with and without kids, can't understand that.

Did you learn anything???

I guess that it's possible, but at some point one or both become play-toys instead of genuine love-interests. We've been programmed over the past 1000 yrs or so to think of relationships as being 1+1, not (1+[1)+1]. But if someone has f*#^buddies, that doesn't fall under the same category, I don't think.

Lex, you're not so far in the boondocks as you think that you are. How many miles are you from Indy or Chicago?