It was a Bad Axe

I was looking at a map of the Midwest (for a different reason) and happened to see the town of Bad Axe, MI on the map. We used to camp near Bad Axe back in the day, and it was always funny to us (as children) driving through Bad Axe. I had to look at Wikipedia to confirm what I thought I remembered being told back then – that the town has that name because some of the original settlers found a bad axe at the site when they originally surveyed it.

One of the places we camped near there was Port Crescent (there is a strange thing in Michigan where tiny towns along Lake Huron’s shore are called “Port Something” even when they have no port) – which is at the tip of the thumb, where there is a state park. The coldest I’ve ever been was camping there in the dunes on the shore of the lake one winter campout. It snowed so much overnight and was so cold, that the park ranger came out on horseback the next morning to make sure none of us had frozen to death.

I think I would much rather camp in a luxury hotel these days – if we ever get to do that again!

It’s very sad to see how badly the COVID numbers are going up again all over the country – so many of the other countries in the world figured out how to beat this, and our country should have been in the lead on that. Instead we are leading in all the wrong ways. DiaryMistress has been sewing masks for all our friends and families – it has turned into a good way to use a lot of old fabric pieces, for sure.

I do not understand the people in our country who are refusing to wear a mask and think it is some kind of infringement on their personal rights. First, wearing a mask is one of the easiest things somebody could ask someone to do – it doesn’t cause pain, or suffering, or anything beyond mild inconvenience. And you are being asked to do it to PROTECT OTHER PEOPLE. The whole thing is just unbelievable to me, that there are people in our country who would choose to put other people in danger, for the sake of not being mildly inconvenienced.

I try not to be political in this diary – but I don’t consider this a question of politics (it shouldn’t be, but has been made so by certain people), I consider it a question of personal responsibility and caring about our fellow man. And of course, nobody needs to wear a mask when they are outside and alone – but if you choose to be in a large gathering of people, or in a store with other humans, you should wear a mask for everyone’s sake! There’s a reason that other countries have gotten on top of this virus and we haven’t, and it’s a very simple one.

Anyway, end rant – I hope everyone is staying healthy and happy!

 

 

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July 13, 2020

It seems simple to me, too. I don’t understand what “rights” they feel are being infringed upon. The right not to spread disease?

The government passes laws for the health and safety of its citizens many times: seatbelt laws, no smoking in public buildings, laws against drinking and driving. People may grumble about them but they don’t go batshit crazy about it like they have over wearing a mask.

My feeling is, if you don’t want to wear a mask, fine. That’s your choice. But if you won’t wear one, Stay the hell home!! Your “right” to not wear one ends when it interferes with my “right” to be safe.

July 16, 2020

@gypsywynd exactly! If you feel like it infringes your rights, then stay away from other people 🙂

July 13, 2020

Here in B.C. where I live we have a plan for every stage of the reopening and careful thought goes into when each stage is open.  I guess this is why we are only at stage three.  And we have more then one plan for each place that opens and we have the government both Federal and provincial inspecting how and what we are doing.  And we even have a plan for the schools to be open and if people don’t want to go they can continue doing their studies on line and there is no threat of funding being taken away.  I figure the reason why The United States don’t have control of this virus is because Trump refuses to listen to the experts and to the WHO who know more then the top doctors in both countries. Even the Who is saying this will get worse here and the numbers will be continuing to rise till everyone is sick and I am sure that resources will run out and not be replaced.  How can testing run out?  I think there should be no gathering of more then 10 people because after that being 6 feet apart is impossible to do and all travel to other states should be banned till the numbers are at zero.

It sounds like to me that you are doing what was told to you to do and I commend you.  Just be safe and take care my friend.

July 16, 2020

@jaythesmartone all true, and yet so many other countries have gotten it under control, and the ways they have done it are all available to us – we just have chosen to ignore them!

July 13, 2020

I don’t understand those who are so against wearing a mask either. Is it comfortable? Not exactly. But it is such a simple thing to do to help protect everyone. I’ve always believed that most people are inherently good. I’m sad to admit that it’s becoming more difficult to believe that right now. Hope you and DiaryMistress are doing well.

July 16, 2020

@stargazing thanks – we were talking about that recently too, one of the things that has really surprised me about these times is that the percentage of people who are NOT inherently good turns out to be much higher than I thought it was 🙁

July 13, 2020

I don’t understand the problems with masks either. What is really bewildering are the amount of people in my own life who are promoting conspiracy theories, or who are willing to say they don’t care about protecting other people.

July 16, 2020

@catholicchristian the conspiracy theories just get more and more crazy as time goes by – I think this is a real problem created by our constantly online world, everyone has too much access to too much information, and it’s hard to discern what is truthful and what isn’t!

July 13, 2020

I could not understand why the Canadian Federal experts initially discouraged the use of masks.  It seemed apparent to me that masks afforded at least some protection.  However much later these experts reversed their opinions and promoted the use of masks.  Consequently the experts lost all credibility.  Not surprising that people became confused.

I do not accept that these experts didn’t know that masks could reduce risk.  They knew but initially gave the public false information.

July 16, 2020

@trunorth yes so true, we had that here as well – experts who swung back and forth between whether masks helped or whether they didn’t. Meanwhile, the countries where mask use is just natural and accepted, the virus is on it’s way out.

July 13, 2020

It is so strange that the mask wearing has turned into political stance. If it wasnt an election year I wonder if it would be as big of a deal…? Idk.. like you said though I dont see how its political at all, it’s common courtesy & simple…shouldnt be a big deal at all.

July 16, 2020

@cherrywine_1 it is so weird – it was a very strange thing for people to take a political stand on, there are so many more real issues that we should be debating about!

July 14, 2020

I am so with you on masks. I cannot fathom why it’s seems to be such an insult to some people to be asked to protect others.

July 16, 2020

@driedapricots me as well – I’m astounded by people who take this as an insult to their personal liberty, that we are trying to help others with something so simple.

July 14, 2020

Good to see you again!! Americans are a bit too proud and a bit too selfish and it is costing dearly. I read that the Obit portion of Houston’s newspaper was 43 pages long… that says it all.

July 16, 2020

@snarkle proud and selfish is exactly right 🙂

July 14, 2020

There’s been a lot of moaning over here because it’s just been announced that we’ll have to wear a mask from a week on Friday.  It absolutely baffles me, but then I’ve been wearing a face covering for a while now

July 16, 2020

@williamthebloody yes, baffling – Walmart here has announced they will require them in all stores, and I’m sure there will be actual physical fights over that – which is astounding to me.

July 18, 2020

My kids have learned to do karate while wearing a mask. Surely all these people can put one on to run into the store? I don’t get it either.

July 24, 2020

@queenofegypt right? Seriously.

August 4, 2020

Ive tried over the years not to be political on Facebook either here or on Facebook.  Im an independent and make up my own mind 9n each issue.  Ive been unable to hold my tongue in the face of the ignorance we’ve been facing.  When we need everyone on board to defeat this virus, our own leadership encourages people to believe. It’s a hoax and to ignore the medical warnings.  He basically causes an unrest in his followers about wearing masks,avoiding crowds and all other common señse solutions.

August 19, 2020

@dlk082244 yes, it’s amazing to me that anyone in a leadership position would try to portray something where thousands and thousands have died as a hoax, simply for political gain. Very sad.

September 7, 2020

We’re all in it together. Some are just going to take longer to figure it out than others. Kindness is hard work.

September 27, 2020

AMEN!  We all know why it has become political.  We have a fool in the Whitehouse whose only goal seems to be getting us in separate camps.  A lot of people don’t understand that he is the one who wants control, and he gets it by making all of us pawns in his games.  When we discovered how long he had known how deadly the virus was, didn’t that give people a clue that he was just playing a game with this.  He must feel very powerful now to have created such a mess.  I hope most of our country will show him what they think of his games!.  I saw an analogy the other day that said I don’t want to turn the lights on my car….it infringes on my right to drive in the dark.  It may injure me or someone else, but the most important thing is my rights!

October 1, 2020

I remember that task force briefing when Dr Fauci said masks are not needed.  Big mistake on his part.

October 15, 2020

I know this is not on topic, but is it possible to block diaries? I saw this one on the main page:

https://www.opendiary.com/m/author/escortserviceinmunirka/

And would like to block it so I don’t have to see it again.

November 9, 2020

I agree entirely.  People can be so ignorant.  It happens someone suggest that is just a way to control you.  Don’t you think ” how does this control me?”.  I would, but they evidently just start chanting like magpies!!  I don’t get it.  I’m so relieved.  Now I’m worried about what sort of mayhem he’ll try to çause before ,Jan 20.

 

November 20, 2020

I was trying to send a person who is writing spam on the diary and for some reason I can’t send it to the support people. It keeps saying error and to go back And try again.

The name of the diary is

kiasuvsantaana 
16 mins ago
Is there a glitch with sending it to the support people? This also happened yesterday.

December 3, 2020

Just now on the front page I skimmed the beginning of an entry by someone saying they were leaving to ease the financial burden of the subscription.  (Im at work, don’t have time to read full entries.) These are tough times for so many and I hate to think of people having to leave just when we need this community most. It seems a waste to lose friends over such a small amount of money. I was wondering if there were any way you could help concerned members help others here – perhaps setting up an adopt-a-ODer program where other members could pay a month or more for members who might otherwise leave.  It’s just an idea with a ton of details unaddressed, but I thought you might consider it.

July 7, 2021

@cobalt This is a great idea!

December 14, 2020

I have been getting this every time I want to log in.
The information you’re about to submit is not secure
Because the site is using a connection that’s not completely secure, your information will be visible to others.

I would tell the support people but for some reason I can’t get to their page because it says error go back and try again.  I was wondering if you could tell them I am having these issues.  Unless you can fix these?

December 17, 2020

I would like to thank you for fixing the login issue I had. the other issue I have now is when I try to leave a note for the support people I get

Error: Please try again by clicking the back button on your browser.

and when I go back i get the same thing.

I was wondering if you or your support people have deleted any notes from me or mammaqueenie518 in the last day or so?

December 22, 2020

It’s nice to see that sane people have been commenting. I work as a flight attendant and it baffles me how badly passengers don’t wanna wear masks. I have to wear it 14 hours a day and they complain about wearing it for an hour and a half flight. It is absolutely annoying to have to be the mask police. That’s pretty much my job now. On another note, was wondering if it’s possible to know who has hearted your diary entry?

January 12, 2021

Thank you again, Bruce, for all you’ve done over many years to create and continue to make this site available!

February 15, 2021

Just stopping in to wish you a fabulous 2021!

April 25, 2021

I was feeling badly about not being here for a while, but I had already read your most current entry.  Looks like we might put a stop to this virus.  We are starting to do things again.  Arizona had a really aggressive vaccination program.  Hope you are well……twik

September 6, 2021

Again and again, thank you for OD, Bruce.  I’ve just been in touch with two friends I met here through my diary writings in 1999.  We are lifelong friends. 😌

September 26, 2022

Dear DiaryMaster,

Have we been hacked by China propaganda-ists ? A lot of entries on Chinese-USA politics recently.

December 25, 2022

Merry Christmas, Bruce, and thank you again!

December 30, 2022

You haven’t written in so long! I hope everything’s good! I’m wondering when certain things are going to come back to open diary like being able to customize colors and backgrounds?