do you dare to care?

[MoseyWalker]

what do you care about?

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. I care the most about

children. I like kids. They are like flower buds. I like flowers, too. But kids are funnier. They don't smell quite as good, but as a long-time teacher, I can tell you that the smell of a happy classroom is a good one.

Kids are the only true eccentrics left.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Far above any list I might have

is the safety and welfare and good health of my wife of 32 years. Second place is so far behind I can't see it.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

3. Gosh, now I feel stupid

I do love my family first and foremost, especially my husband of 34 years and those two grandkids!

But my alturistic "love" is kids in general.

But I've been blessed with a good man for four decades. He's a keeper.

[BOSSHOG]

4. We are both blessed Grannie

especially with the weather.

[Greyhound]

5. Many things, but right now, this minute, I care about the

death of my country. I have cried and screamed, begged and plead, boycotted and protested for 25 years while they tortured and raped her to death.

The rampant ignorance, short sighted greed, and heartless shunning of our people by their own brothers and sisters breaks my heart, while simultaneously enraging me. :grr: :cry: :mad: :banghead:

[patrice]

6. Freedom.

Real freedom, not pretend freedom.

[LWolf]

7. I care.

I care about my planet, having an almost 5-decade love affair with rocks, trees, shrubs, grass, wildflowers, insects, water, air, big sky, fresh breeze, and living critters of all kinds.

I care about silence, there seeming to be a distinct lack of it in my environment.

I care about beauty, and find it everywhere.

I care about thinking: creative, critical, inquiring, investigating, synthesizing thought.

I care about ideas of all kinds.

I care about learning.

I care about abstract human potentials like empathy, integrity, respect, responsibility, curiosity, enthusiasm.

I care about laughter, joy, love, and peace.

I care about my dog, cats, horses, chickens, and sheep. My dog is lying quietly by my side as I type, relaxed yet very aware of me and ready to protect and assist me whenever I rise from the desk. A cat is sitting on the dresser, watching me, ready to follow me when I head outside. When I do, the outdoor critters will call greetings and ask for attention as soon as they hear the door open, despite their abundance of pasture, shade, water, and everything else that makes them happy.

I care about my human family and freinds, too. Including my larger human family outside my "inner circle" and across the planet.

I care about music, art, dance, craftspersonship, and all of the best that people create with passion and personal investment.

I care about open space.

I care about my students, and whether or not they carry laughter, joy, curiosity, empathy, and thought with them throughout their lives.

I care about myself, and whether or not I am spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually healthy and prosperous. I care that there are so many people in the world who are not.