Having written about the kids in the family, I guess it’s the adults’ turn now:
Dad, Billy Barlow, is opinionated and cantankerous. He’s also one of the hardest-working men I’ve ever known. When I was growing up, he worked all day during the week climbing poles for the phone company and worked nights and weekends farming. He has long since retired from the phone company, and age has slowed and weakened him some physically. However, he still heads out in his pickup truck with his black lab by his side each morning to check the cattle. His bickering partner is:
Mom, Carolyn Barlow, is one of the smartest people I know, despite the fact that I think she’s been brainwashed by osmosis by the FOX News my dad constantly keeps blaring on the TV. A retired social worker, she keeps busy babysitting our kids and attending church, garden club, 4-H and other assorted community meetings. She’s a great cook, and my favorite thing on Earth to eat is her strawberry delight. Since she worked while we were growing up, my sisters and I also spent a lot of time during summers and after school with our second mom and grandmother:
Grandma, Mildred Baber, is at 88 the matriarch of our family. After a divorce from my hard-working yet abusive alcoholic grandfather, she basically raised my mom and uncle on her own in a time when being a single working mother was uncommon. She took early retirement in her early 40s to watch me, and she continued to take care of the kids in our family as long as she could. She too has slowed with age, but her sarcastic wit still shines through her quiet demeanor at times.
Next up: my sisters…this should be fun;)
Mel's Musings (aka bersain1) 
Fox news. I have a neighbor that almost attacked me when I told him that Obama spent 50% more on veterans that Bush did. He jumped at me, shouting, “What about Benghazi?” There was spit flying from his mouth. I could see in his eyes that I had went from being his friend to being his enemy in an instant. All because he listens to Fox 24-7 hearing half the truth. Oh well.
It truly is propaganda. A co-worker and my dad have both made comments to me that I don’t really know what’s going on bc I only listen to the “leftist” news that is mainstream media. I hear the same news they do wo the rabid conspiracy theories. I just don’t understand how seemingly intelligent people buy into that stuff, but I guess they think the same about me…
Both sides tell only half-truths. People tend to listen to those who reinforce what they think they know. Critical thinking will soon be a thing of the past. I’m an equal opportunity hater: I hate pundits, idealists, and politicians from both sides equally. In the end, it’s all about the almighty dollar getting into their pockets and out of ours.
I thought you would get a kick out of this.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-english-assignment/article692939/
Ha! Funny and cute story.