Horrifically embarrassing and wrong.

I mentioned in my last post that this is a monumental year to live in Kansas. While the weather is abnormally cold, it is not as cold as the Kansas government. 

I knew my life in Kansas would be very different than that in California. The politics is different and religion takes more importance. What I didn't realize is how seriously screwed up their priorities are (yeah, we're going there).

When I first moved here I learned the legislator's stance on sustainability. 

"State Rep. Dennis Hedke (R-Wichita) has introduced legislation that would ban Kansas state and local governments from spending public funds on sustainable development." 

                                    -Huffington Post


When I heard this, I thought, "WHAT?!"

Here I am, WORKING FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT NON-PROFIT, in a state that doesn't even support the work being done. That took a little bit of effort to blow off and realize that even a lack of support doesn't change the importance of the work.

And now, ANOTHER setback.

Yesterday, Kansas House passed a bill that would allow service refusal to same-sex couples on religious grounds.

WHAT!?

"A bill that would give public and private employees the right to refuse service based on their religious beliefs about marriage."

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/02/11/3281557/full-house-vote-expected-on-bill.html?=storylinkFB#storylink=cpy

I encourage you to read this article. I won't force my views on you...but I will be the first to say that this bill is ass-backwards, an embarrassment, and utterly disgusting. 

[Rep. Charles Macheers, R-Shawnee, said on the House floor that his bill prevents discrimination.]

“Discrimination is horrible. It’s hurtful … It has no place in civilized society, and that’s precisely why we’re moving this bill,” he said. “There have been times throughout history where people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs because they were unpopular. This bill provides a shield of protection for that.”

UM? WHAT!?

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/02/11/3281557/full-house-vote-expected-on-bill.html?=storylinkFB#storylink=cpy

While I like to spin this as yet another learning opportunity, I am currently just annoyed that I live in a state with such discriminatory and narrow-minded (I really just want to say 'shitty') views.

That's all I have to say for now. But I am all for taking the time to write a thorough  response letter...which is exactly what I'm doing. Read the bill, let me know what you think.

If you feel as passionate as I do, consider signing this petition. 

My home today.

I snapped these after my toilet paper shopping trip. Excuse the askew nature of these, I fumbled as I snapped.

Frozen pipes.

Let me just tell you, I could not have picked a more monumental year to live in the Kansas. 

If I had a dollar for every time I have heard ["Man, this winter is abnormally bad!"] I could buy Russia (and change their 'gay' laws and hire the Pussy Riot to reinvent the national anthem. Also, go team USA). 

It has been uncontrollably cold here. I don't even remember how to walk straight because I have acquired the skill of the black ice sure-footed stomp. If I questioned my reputation as "that California girl"...it's definitely confirmed now. I get asked, "how are you holding up?" on the daily. This is both considerate and little patronizing...but it's too cold to think about it too much. Even your brain has to keep moving to stay warm.

When I go to the post office and pass by the digital bank sign (the one that tells you the time then the temperature (with about a 7 second delay in between), I celebrate when I see a degree higher than 30.

I have gotten really good about wearing my outfit to bed for the next day so that I don't have to expose my bare skin to the sub-freezing icebox I call my room. This does mean that I have officially sacrificed fashion for warmth. Yesterday, I counted 6 layers on my body--counting my less-than shaven legs. Every bit counts.

On this 6-layer day, winter got a little more real. I learned the reality of frozen pipes. The house and the Silo (work) had frozen pipes. I didn't know the logistics of it all, but I knew it wasn't a good thing. And when I heard that no water means no shower, I HAD to find a solution. A shower after work is how I thaw out. I NEED the shower to work. But our first priority was the Silo. With guests staying in the Bed & Breakfast that night, the Silo home needed the water to work, so the local plumber came to the rescue. Fortunately, he (Jon) also offered to help us fix our pipes at home. 

After finding out that we don't have a basement, just a crawl space, he laughed and said that I'd have to be the one to crawl in and fix the problem. Not REALLY knowing if he was kidding or not, I offered to help. Before I knew it, I had a headlamp on my head and a torch in my hand. I crawled all over the place in search of the frozen brass pipes. Jon was really good about teaching me the different pipe systems, and I started to really enjoy myself! In my head I was this Bond-like character with a limited amount of time to deactivate a bomb, a mere metaphor for heating up some pipes and get the water running again. While not a blue wire vs. red wire situation, I took the job seriously, and ended up learning a lot. 

When we finally crawled out of the hole in the spare room closet (see below) and turned on the faucet to see a beautiful stream of water, I couldn't help but give Jon a high-five. We did it! 

As soon as he left, I stripped off my dirty work clothes and hopped into the warmest and most satisfying shower I have had in a while. 

This was just one more experience to add to the Kansas list, and I'm very thankful for it. So now that I've learned this important and life-building lesson...onward to spring and sunshine! (Please?)