Welcome!

My mother describes me as a realist.  I'm never quite sure if she means it as a compliment or if she's trying to tell me (in her very sweet way) that I'm a bossy bitch.  I'm choosing to believe that it's the first option even though I'm very aware that at times the later option is an apt description.  

The dictionary says a realist is a person who tends to view or represent things as they really are.  I very much try to "call 'em like I see 'em". After this brutal election season I have decided to create this blog as an outlet for my views (and to save my husband's sanity from my rants).  

If you are reading this, welcome. Most of what I intend to write about here has to do with the current news.  I will probably espouse heavily about politics.  However, there will be the occasional foray into my other passions:  Kansas State sports (I'm watching the basketball game as I type this), Kansas City Royals baseball, a love of books and libraries, and the periodic comments about my crazy animal laden (2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 grandcats and 1 granddog) world.

In regards to politics, I tend to think that I have a mostly moderate or possibly one tick to the left of moderate view.  Hence the title of the blog.  I would guess that I have voted for an equal number of both democrats and republicans over the years.  At times my views may seem very liberal and other times they will fall on the conservative end of the spectrum.  You the reader are forewarned.  I have lived my entire life in the fly-over section of the country, in both rural and urban areas. Mine is an ordinary life filled with a happy marriage, great kids, good friends, and a job that while not glamorous is filled with people I enjoy.  None of this qualifies me as an expert on anything.  While you may not always agree with my opinions, I'm writing from the point of view of an ordinary citizen who is just trying to muddle my way through life and make sense of the crazy world around me.  Comments and opinions are welcome as long as they are constructive and respectful. Thanks for reading!