Just. Wow.

Some bloggy reading for a Monday...

http://www.founders.org/blog/2006/05/tribute-to-my-wife-of-26-years.html

A Tale Sadly Told

So the election is over and we are left to mull over its consequences.

I kind of expected the outcome we got but ever the optimist I clung to a tiny ray of hope that my fellow citizens' heads would clear just long enough to cast their ballot. Not so this time. Instead millions of people clambered to the polls and voted for a rock star. Ignoring warnings taken from the very lips of "the one" they chose style over substance. They wanted to make history. To feel important. And now that they've reached their objective, it is each and every one of us who must pay for their heightened self esteem.

I can't help but be reminded of the heavy girl sitting alone at the bar. Most of us have known her at some point. Some of us have been her and now can see her for what she is thanks to God's grace. Some of us are her. She sits and nurses her drink, smiling brightly at any man who glances her way. As the night wears on and her optimism wears thin, the smile is less bright and the line of empty glasses grows. Finally, when she has numbed that part of her that yearns for fineness he sees his chance and moves in. The fella who, for whatever reason, preys on girls like her. He buys one last drink or folds a napkin into a rose and moves in for the kill. With dulled senses and a tiny glimmer of hope ("Maybe he's the One!") she falls for every cheap move. Until the night ends with her standing by as he pays for the room - cash, so the wife doesn't find out. Wife? She wonders, but it is too late. Her body and its need are in control now. Not a physical need for intimacy, but a need to be loved that defines each of us. The next morning she awakens and dresses in her now-soiled clothes. She tries to ignore the emptiness as she walks to her car. The stares and whispers from the desk cannot make her feel any more cheap than she already does, and she vows to never let this happen again. But the next weekend finds her there, sipping a drink as she smiles brightly at the men. Maybe THIS time it'll be different, right?

My fellow Americans are absolutely giddy with this new attention. Whether its because Obama is new, young, attractive, black....it really doesn't matter. He's the romance du jour. I just hope that the tomorrow we all face doesn't start with us trying to clean up a dirtied constitution for use the day after. Having to face the terrible things we allowed to happen the night before.

Things like the "Freedom of Choice Act" which represents a real physical threat to the well-being of babies in wombs up to the very moment of birth. Sometimes even after.

Things like "voluntary" suicide and "right to die" movements who deny their eugenics/T4 way of thinking.

Other little things like bankrupting the industry that provides half the power our country uses (coal).

Oh, and don't forget those other stupid things like trampling the 2nd Amendment (he's a gun grabber!) and debasing the 1st Amendment (which hides under the name of the "Fairness Doctrine").

Before you pooh-pooh what I've said, remember its much like the villainous Hans Gruber in the first "Die Hard" movie. He's got the brown-nosing exec in front of him and is talking to John MacLean. Brown-noser claims to know John, causing his brains to see the light of day as John shouts that he doesn't really know the guy (and he doesn't). Gruber says something to the effect of "Sooner or later I'll get to someone you DO know and love."

Perhaps those who elected the rock star are guilty of wishing to radicalize our great land. Perhaps they just wanted the glamour of making history. Maybe you don't care about abortion or terrorism or free speech, I don't know. Just know that sooner or later, the most leftist politician with the most radical friends ever elected to any office (much less to the presidency) will eventually hit something you DO care about.

And it is then that we will awaken feeling cheap and used. We? Yes, we. You took us all along for this ride. I only pray that there will be enough pieces to pick up along the way.

Do you know that yearning deep inside of you for hope, peace and the finer things of life has nothing to do with a country or a cause? Can you rest in the knowledge that if it all ended today you would still have HOPE? You can't find it on google. Or espn. You won't find it in the constitution or through a rock star president who says pretty things as he uses you. In fact, hope isn't even really a thing or an it. It is a HE. There is but one hope. Not for me but for all the world. His name is Jesus. Do you know Him today? If not, but you'd like to, would you do me the honor of asking about hope? Privately through e-mail or in a comment.

Really. Ask me today. Because if you yearn for hope...eternal hope...He's calling to you. And the time is short.

They Made Fun of Me.

They laughed when I said, "She's got it fgured out. I'm tellin you, she knows how to open that cage door." Out loud, they laughed. Well they're not laughing now. They're snoring. And now. And now there is a hampster roaming freely through the house.

Now, I'm not one of these mothers who "eeks" and makes a dash for the table when there is a rodent about.

Well, most rodents yes but not hampsters. Not Lucy. She is a teddy bear hampster, dark brown and very sweet. But she's got a bit of a wandering leg. Four of them actually. And although I can't find her I know they're all working at top speed even as I type.

And the dog? The RAT TERRIER who is supposed to hone in on these things like a Gabor sister to a rich elderly man??

Asleep in bed. With dad. While I watch for the hampster. All that is going through my mind is Ricky Ricardo...

Lucy! You got some splainin' to do!!

UPDATED:

"Thank You" just isn't enough...

And still more! It's a regular November surprise folks!

And there is still more!!!

Your Biblical Vote....

Sharing an e-mail my precious friend sent Dr. Dobson today...along with a link to the sermon that started it all. PLEASE, PLEASE, dear reader -- listen and share! The time is dwindling...

Hello Mr. Dobson,

I know that John McCain was not the candidate of your
choice. But as a christian believer ... I beg you to listen to this http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=11208124557 ,

So many people follow you. So many believers don't understand, but you do.
Our nation is hurting and there are only a few days left.
Mind you this is not a political propaganda, this is a biblical issue.
As a follower of Christ, this is not a vote or a choice.
Please listen and do something ... you are in a position that can make a difference.

-- A fellow believer

An editorial note from Mrs. Pharris: McCain was not my first choice either. I was a Fred Thompson fan. Still am. But Christians MUST rise up and defeat those who would steal our nation's freedom, our parent's ideals and our children's innocence -- even their very lives.

Pray with me as I commit to spreading the word from now (3:31 Sunday afternoon) until Election Day. I will not be silent. Now is not the time for meekness. I shall take up His mighty Sword of Truth and wave His banners for all the world to see. Join me. Pray. Pray. Pray.

Obama Was a New Party Member as Recently as 1996 [PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE]

Below are scans from New Party News Spring 1996.They prove that Barack Obama was a member of the Illinois New Party and was endorsed by them in his 1996 Illinois State Senate race.Front page-scanned from a photocopy.

Note that the text refers to Barack Obama as a New Party member, while Willie Delgado is only "NP endorsed"The New Party clearly drew a distinction. Obama was on on the wrong side of the dividing line.

The New Party was the creation of the quasi-Marxist Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the radical community organisation ACORN. The Communist Party splinter group Committees of Correspondence (CoC) was also involved.The New Party was the creation of the quasi-Marxist Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the radical community organisation ACORN. The Communist Party splinter group Committees of Correspondence (CoC) was also involved.

To read more: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2113182/posts?page=1

Free Republic is the best place on the net for Conservatives.

I am Joe the Plumber

Bailout Beneficiaries, Part I

"As AIG struggles to repair its bad image for blowing $440,000 on a spa junket, The Post has learned that officials spent tens of thousands a day on golf outings after collecting a huge government bailout.

The latest bungle in a growing list of corporate waste at AIG surfaced as the Federal Reserve yesterday boosted its total tab for AIG's rescue to $122.5 billion, adding $37.8 billion to its original $85 billion lifeline three weeks ago.

Following the flap over the $440,000 junket at California's St. Regis resort - revealed by Congress earlier this week - AIG officials quickly cancelled another junket set for next week at the $400-a-night Ritz-Carlton spa in California's Half Moon Bay.

But the third expensive junket has slipped by with little public notice. The golf and spa outing Sept. 28-30 came just two weeks after the Federal Reserve stepped in Sept. 17 to save AIG from imminent bankruptcy from it bad bets.

The outing for 50 AIG representatives - said by several sources to cost as much as $500,000 - was at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Hosting the junket was Keith Burger, the national sales manager of AIG Sun America's wholesale variable annuities unit, and Leslie Hunnicutt, the unit's managing director.

An AIG spokesman called the Mandalay Bay outing a "sales and training event" and disputed claims it cost $500,000, saying it cost only about $50,000.

Meanwhile, high-ranking insiders at AIG pointed to another big waste - the $10 million annual sponsorship of Britain's top soccer club, Manchester United. The total $100 million sponsorship was set up by Martin Sullivan, AIG's CEO who was fired this year for allowing AIG to pile up so many toxic investments.

Sullivan, a British subject, "was just too preoccupied with the soccer crowds and getting knighted," sources said."

Blogger's notes:

1. The story is here.

2. You didn't really think this would be a warm fuzzy story about the Brady Bunch not being forcefully evicted from their home, did you?

Boys.........

A boy is Truth with dirt on its face,

Beauty with a cut on its finger,

Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair,

and the Hope of the future with

A frog in its pocket

-- Alan Beck

From when actors actually had talent...

Paul Newman has died of cancer at the age of 83.

Those piercing blue eyes will be missed.

Today's Quote

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, cone a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."~Robert Heinlein

An open letter to Barrack Obama

Since I can't get his "contact us" e-mail option to work, I'll just post this here. Here is the link for the article mentioned: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/17/politics/p185733D40.DTL&type=politics

Senator Obama:

In the SF Gate you're quoted as saying, ""I need you to go out and talk to your friends and talk to your neighbors. I want you to talk to them whether they are independent or whether they are Republican. I want you to argue with them and get in their face."

I don't appreciate that, sir. Most folks here in Kentucky are more polite than that, but there is always the one who isn't. I certainly hope neither I nor anyone I know runs into "the one" because it is both rude and threatening to do what you have suggested. Surely you don't mean that to be "marching orders", do you, sir? Because should someone get OVERLY aggressive about your campaign with me, I will defend myself and my loved ones.

Perhaps I'm a Democrat. Perhaps I'm a Republican. You don't know. But what you should know now is that your statement was either deliberately inflammatory or suggestively inflammatory. And certainly no way to run a "civilized" campaign.

I wish you the best - that God's will be done in your life and that you have peace within yourself.

Mrs. Pharris

Not exactly an old friend....

My annual bout with bronchitis has made its presence known. I'll be doing well to breathe in the next week or so. Prayers are appreciated as I make my annual pilgrimage into nebulizer treatments and steroid use.

PS: I'm still losing weight, so please pray specifically for the steroids to NOT affect that! Thanks, and God bless you all!

I had a visitor this Summer...

She stayed for a sip of nectar...







We had a lovely visit!

A Music Review

As an exercise in writing, I hope to post some sort of review monthly. I'll begin with this wonderful CD.


I highly recommend this CD. It contains some of the most beautiful, smooth music you will ever hear. I would consider it light jazz, and have enjoyed it since purchasing it on a whim in 1996. Having never really explored the nuances of jazz, this was a wonderful method by which I broadened my musical horizon.

Winston's "Linus & Lucy" will harken you to the days when life came to a standstill when there was a Charlie Brown special on TV. Days of eating early, or even enjoying one of those new TV dinners as you watch Snoopy and the gang. Days of swirling leaves and 'crunchy' air. Football and fall festivals. Days whose memory makes you eyes begin to tear just a little and smile a little more.

Experts agree that music has a profound effect on us - and that it imprints deep into our soul. That's what the music of Vince Guaraldi has done. Whether or not you think you remember anything but the skating song...or "Christmas Time is Here", you'll find yourself humming along to songs you didn't know you knew.

When I want light music in the background, when I need to relax, when I'm scrapbooking (because it's all about the nostalgia) this CD is one of the ones I turn to most often.

I'll be ordering a new copy soon, as a back-up.

Okay. I'm back.

Fall brings lots of things...including a return to blogging! As the youngster and I will be spending a lot of time together in our "schoffice" (schoolroom/office) I will have more opportunity to update.

If you're still around, dear friends, thanks! And if you're a new friend, welcome! Why don't you drop me a little note to say hello.

Wisdom from Tante Corrie...

A Lyrical Sunday...

"Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows"
Petra

Another sleepy Sunday, safe within the walls
Outside a dying world in desperation calls
But no-one hears the cries, or knows what they're about
The doors are locked within, or is it from, without...

Looking through rose colored stained glass windows
Never allowing the world to come in
Seeing no evil and feeling no pain
Making the light as it comes from within, so dim...

*instrumental*

Out on the doorstep lay the masses in decay
Ignore them long enough, maybe they'll go away
When you have so much you think, you have so much to lose
You think you have no lack, when you're really destitute

Looking through rose colored stained glass windows - stained glass windows!
Never allowing the world to come in - they won't lemmie come in!
Seeing no evil and feeling no pain - no feel, no pain!
Making the light as it comes from within, so dim - the light's so dim!
- so dim - the light's so dim!

*instrumental*

Looking through rose colored stained glass windows
Never allowing the world to come in
Seeing no evil and feeling no pain
Making the light as it comes from within, so dim, so dim!

Listen to this powerful song:

Listen...oh Beloved. Listen. and HEAR.

Oh God, keep us close to Your heart.

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them (Ephesians 5:11).

Before you watch, pray. In fact, we're commanded to pray without ceasing. Make sure your armor is on.,

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JMEKB2UUmac

Do they have any actual "proof" of healings? I have proof of my son's healing...but only after months of prayer, fasting, prayer and fasting. God healed him in the still of the night or the dawn's first blush -- I don't know which. But his healing is miraculous. And precious. A wonderful, lovely, loving testament to God's faithfulness. Not the byproduct of a carnival hawker's touch in the midst of a drunken frenzy. But in the stillness, in the quiet, God granted earthly healing to my precious boy. In His own good time. In His own beautiful way.

And had He never healed my son this side of Heaven, He would still be there in the stillness to comfort - to lead - to love. Because He is my Father. And I still would give Him all the glory - albeit with a heavier heart - for He alone is worthy to be praised. Not TB, not these "Angels" (fallen, I believe), noone! Only God!

I don't think I have ever been so busy...

The Lord is really blessing my freelance business these days...but wowzers am I busy! My hands had gotten soft since I left the paper, and today they are protesting at having to labor over a smokin' hot keyboard! LOL

I'll update later...after the smoke clears.

Political Me

Yes, I will admit it.

I'm a bit of a political junkie. The only problem is, I can't find a decent fix. As you can see at right, I'm a conservative...but I just can't get excited about John McCain. I suppose he's a good man. I know he's a bona fide war hero, but there are just too many issues on which we differ. With other elections I've had at least a couple of points of agreement to which I could cling. Not so much this time.

In the primary, I voted "Uncommitted". It was all over by the time we had ours, though I'd hoped Fred Thompson or Duncan Hunter would've done better so I could at least throw them a symbolic vote. There wasn't a space to write someone in, or I would've written in Ronald Reagan. Just because I miss him. I disagreed with some of his points - more so with Nancy's - but what a man!

Oh, I'll vote for McCain, alright. Preventative voting, you could call it. But I won't like it.

I'll be back! My desk is a little full at the moment...

What's that they say about Socialization?

My poor, sheltered, homebound son and his parents are absolutely running here, there and everywhere this week! Park Day with the homeschool group, Awana picnic, swimming with friends, field trips, playmates ringing the doorbell at 8 a.m....I could go on and on.

It doesn't pay

to irritate 2 million or so homeschoolers and their families.

HSLDA is pleased to pass along the following apology from Subway
restaurants.

To HSLDA:

We at SUBWAY restaurants place a high value on education,
regardless of the setting, and have initiated a number of programs and
promotions aimed at educating our youth in the areas of health and
fitness.

We sincerely apologize to anyone who feels excluded by our current
essay contest. Our intention was to provide an opportunity for traditional
schools, many of which we know have trouble affording athletic equipment, to win
equipment. Our intent was certainly not to exclude homeschooled children from
the opportunity to win prizes and benefit from better access to fitness
equipment.

To address the inadvertent limitation of our current contest and
provide an opportunity for even more kids to improve their fitness, we will soon
create an additional contest in which homeschooled students will be encouraged
to participate. When the kids win, everyone wins!

I think the apology is probably as sincere as they get these days. We'll be buying a meatball sub and a BMT with everything later this weekend! Thanks Subway!

We Won't Be Taking the Subway Anymore...

And we sent them an e-mail to share our reasoning. If you homeschool, I would invite you to do the same. This article, from Home Education Magazine spotlights Subway’s P.R. gaffe:

"By now, the Subway sandwich shop marketing division must know how bad of a decision it was on the part of whichever wonk who decided to expressly exclude homeschoolers from their latest contest. Email lists may not be utterly aflame over the exclusion, but there is more than one ***-off homeschool mom spreading the word. I’ve been reading their emails.

Subway contest: Every Sandwich Tells A Story

Enter the Every Sandwich Tells a Story Contest for a change to win great prizes for your child’s school!

Here’s what you could win:

1 Grand Prize Winner:

– Athletic equipment for your child’s school ($5,000 value)
– Scholastic Gift Bastket (sic) for your home
– SUBWAY Card ($100 value)
– See your story published on www.subwaykids.com and in Scholastic Parent and Child magazine.

6 Runners-Up:

– Scholastic Gift Basket
– SUBWAY Card ($50 value)

…

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Contest is open only to legal residents of the Untied (sic) States who are currently over the age of 18 and have children who attend elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades PreK-6. No home schools will be accepted.

To be technical about it, according to this, homeschoolers in the “Untied” States are the only ones ineligible. Homeschoolers in the “United” States should be able to enter. But, as we all can recognize, I digress, with my tongue firmly in my cheek.

The presumed rationale for the exclusion is that the grand prize is athletic equipment for a school and that “home schools” aren’t organized schools and that the equipment is intended for a community, not a family.

My own point of view is that the way the contest’s rules were worded is another indication of the increasing acceptance that children are creatures of school. This contest — a story writing contest — includes children who are “PreK.”

Do I really have to point out that three and four year old children generally do not compose “beginning, middle and end” stories?

Also, this indicates the trend that no longer are young children pre-schoolers, but they are pre-Kindergarten. Kindergarten itself used to be not only optional in the United States, but was considered a precursor to formal schooling. In German, the word Kindergarten comes from the words for ’children’ (Kinder) and ’garden’ (Garten). In meaning, Kindergarten is equivalent to “play school.” Note that in German the American use of Kindergarten is not der Kindergarten, but rather die Vorschule — preschool.

Obviously, in the United States, now both Kindergarten and what used to be called preschool are now ’school.’

For older ’school aged’ children, legislation tries to tie driving licenses to school attendance, sports for teens is all but wedded to schools, and daytime curfews during the ’school year’ are in effect when school is in session. (I’ve never figured out why there aren’t daytime curfews on weekends or during the summer.) In our collective mind, children who are ’school aged’ belong to a school. That’s just the way it is. Schools = children’s place of duty. Period. The Subway contest seems to reflect some of that line of thinking, which isn’t to malign Subway, but merely to reflect on our national mind-set.

The fallout

It’s too late to fix the wrongheaded concept that parents educating their children without the intercession of an institution are doing so as a school. That water is not only under the bridge, but it has gone out to sea, evaporated, and rained down multiple times.

Regardless of state laws that pigeonhole homeschooling under their respective private school laws, and regardless of whether parents officially/actively/or purposely ‘homeschool,’ all parents are their children’s primary educators even if what is ‘taught’ isn’t the least bit ‘educational.’ This is just family life. Lessons are learned, if only through example, regardless of their worth. Still, families in which children are expressly educated are not ’schools,’ so there is some logic to the exclusion by Subway.

Despite the logic, it was psychologically stupid to apply that logic so abruptly: No home schools will be accepted. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot. Those ‘million homeschoolers’ we always hear about equal how many potential customers?? Either the Subway marketing department is tone deaf, or somebody in the head shed doesn’t like homeschoolers.

Non-homeschoolers often complain that homeschoolers don’t live in the ‘real world,’ but the statement that ”no home schools will be accepted” indicates significant corporate ignorance about that ‘real world’ where real homeschooling families shop with real money.

J.C. Penney learned that in 2001.

Michelle Malkin, August 10, 2001: Publik skool biggotz
Until this week, Texas-based retailer J.C. Penney thought the “HOME SKOOLED” T-shirt was cool enough to peddle on its racks in the kiddie section. Only after a heated e-mail and phone campaign by home schooling parents did the department store chain send a notice to J.C. Penney stores nationwide Wednesday advising them to remove the T-shirts. “It wasn’t our intent to sell an item that is offensive,” a company spokesman told the Associated Press.


The fix

One of the more obvious work-arounds that the developers of the Subway contest could have included for homeschooling parents who entered on their children’s behalf, was for the equipment to be donated to a local park, or to a school of the winner’s choice. Problem solved – good will all around. Too bad that it didn’t play out that way.

I look forward to seeing how the Subway wonks handle their self-inflicted wound."

My Tightwad Testimony

I knew that I wanted the Complete Tightwad Gazette. So, I went to Barnes & Noble where I immediately began berating myself for wanting to spend money on a book about saving money! And anyway, the clerk said there was a copy in-store, but we couldn't find it. So I prayed. Right there in B&N. "Lord, if this is something I would use and from which my family would benefit, please make it available and ON SALE."

Within one minute the clerk returned with a smiling lady. She held the book out and chuckled, "I've carried this all over the store, but really had not come in here specifically for it. I'd decided to just buy it because I had it in hand. I really don't need it -- here." And she handed it over.

Well, that had been a two part prayer! I thought as she handed it over, "I hope it's only around $20 or I'll make a complete fool of myself by not buying it after all this trouble."

Do I need to tell you that I wept openly when I saw the $5.98 price on the sale sticker?

Pray for the Chapman Family

From The Tennessean:

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said.

Police did not give the driver’s name.The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said. No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.

I'm Drinking from my Saucer

Have you ever heard of this sweet song? I'm living the lyrics right now. God is blessing me so very richly with much needed friendships. I prayed for friends - real friends, Titus 2 friends - and He is answering that prayer with "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over..."

Yep, that's right! I prayed for you to enter my life. Y'all know who you are. And if you don't, I'm not conveying my heart properly. But I think you know, don't you?!

Here are all the lyrics to this song that is going through my head so often these days:

"I've never made a fortune and it's prob'ly too late now

But I don't worry about that muchI'm happy anyhow

And as I go along life's journeyI'm reaping better than I sow

I'm drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed

Haven't got a lot of riches and sometimes the going's tough

But I've got loving ones around meand that makes me rich enough

I thank God for His blessings and the mercies He's bestowed

I'm drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed

O, Remember times when things went wrong

My faith wore somewhat thin

But all at once the dark clouds broke and sun peeped through again

So Lord, help me not to gripeabout the tough rows that I've hoed

I'm drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed

If God gives me strength and courage

When the way grows steep and rough

I'll not ask for other blessings

I'm already blessed enough

And may I never be too busyto help others bear their loads

Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed!"

-Lyrics by Jimmy Dean

Speaking of Prince Caspian...

so.
worth.
the.
money.

Is there ANYTHING p.b. cookies won't fix?

Especially ones this yummy and simple to make? Here's the recipe for the world's easiest Peanut Butter Cookies:

Combine 1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk and 3/4 cup peanut butter.

Stir in 2 cups Bisquick and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mixture will be very stiff...so will your arm after combining well. Roll into 1-1.5" balls. Roll ball in sugar and place on baking sheet. Mark with crosshatch pattern using a fork and bake at 375 for 7 minutes.

Be careful! Bottoms (of cookies) will caramelize quickly. Bottoms (of eaters) will expand exponentially!

And yes, I just happen to have a pic OF THE COOKIES of course:

I haven't had time to "really" craft,

but this remake of the ugly pullcord on my pull-down attic steps was a welcome change. I'd been wanting to do it for a while.

I replaced the cord with wire on which I'd woven beads I found on clearance at that Wal store. The picture is terrible, but certainly gives the general idea of what I did. There is no way these pics could do the beads justice...or convey to you the fact that my wall and ceiling aren't nearly as dirty as they seem! But here goes...

Want more fantastic ideas? Head on over to W8tng4Him

He grows.

And grows. Yesterday, the tiny gift of God turned nine. Had he been three or four I wouldn't be so in awe. But nine! Halfway to 18.

The same body that arrived weighing only 2 pounds 3 ounces is now 65 pounds strong. The head that was no larger than a baseball is now to my shoulders, and thumb-sized feet now comfortably slide into my shoes for a quick trip to the mailbox.

He grows. *sigh*

A lovely hymn...........

THE MOTHER’S GOODBYE

“So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today.” Proverbs 22:19

Sit down by the side of your mother, my boy,You have only a moment, I know;But you’ll stay till I give you my parting advice,’Tis all that I have to bestow.You leave us to seek for employment, my boy,By the world you have yet to be tried;But in all the temptations and struggles you meet,May your heart in the Savior confide.

Refrain

Hold fast to the right,Hold fast to the right,Wherever your footsteps may roam;O forsake not the way of salvation, my boy,That you learned from your mother at home.
You’ll find in your satchel a Bible, my boy,’Tis the book of all others the best;It will teach you to live, it will help you to die,And lead to the gates of the blest.I gave you to God, in your cradle, my boy,I have taught you the best that I knew;And as long as His mercy permits me to live,I shall never cease praying for you.

Refrain

Your father is coming to bid you goodbye,O how lonely and sad we shall be;But when far from the scenes of your childhood and youth,You’ll think of your father and me.I want you to feel every word I have said,For it came from the depths of my love;And, my boy, if we never behold you on earth,Will you promise to meet us above?

Refrain

Wow! Talk about Quiverfull!

The Duggars (aka: two of my heroes) are expecting baby number 18!

What a joy and a blessing!

Congratulations Duggar Family!

Domestic Spaz says,

"I need to do something like this in some sort of an Asian motif."

How about -- instead of keeping the bow horizontal -- we fold it and use it on the vertical? Looks more Asian-y to me. Then very kimono-sash-like tails combine with a cherry blossom type print to complete the look.

Hmmmm, we may be onto something here, DS!

What about..................(warning: super quick photoshop sketch without coffee sketch ahead)

The Shame of Procrastination

What doesn't work for me? I've just gotten around to doing my first "Works for Me Wednesday" post and the rules are changed? Arrrrrrrrrrrgh! That just goes to show that what doesn't work for me is PROCRASTINATION and my silly, silly highly distractable brain. My life if riddled with it. I think that somehow I got the idea that when I came home full-time those cute little forest animals would give me a hand and keep me on track. Worked for Snow White, right? Okay, well, I must move on with it before I get distracted. Again.

I record "Sewing with Nancy" and several other craft shows- which I watch when the progeny is at his granny's. So I was sitting there watching her be oh-so-industrious when my eyes travelled to the vacant window. An empty decorative rod hung there above stark white mini blinds. The rod used to be occupied by a drape whose color I could just not make myself like. When we finally got a new sofa this year, the color really didn't work. So I took it down, and because I had a picture in my head of how I wanted this particular window to look, I just never got around to doing anything else with it.

You guessed it: until yesterday. I got up off my derriere and put together this treatment below. It looks just like the one in my head. Cost: free! Made from a drape I already had put back and some beautiful ribbon. Luxurious ribbon. Ribbon so soft it feels like water in your hand. Free ribbon. At Christmas 2 years ago my darling hubby got me some wonderful PJs. They came folded and neatly tied with beautiful ribbon. I couldn't bear to throw that ribbon away, so I kept it in my stash - knowing someday we would be reunited. Yesterday was that day!

First, I made a loop of said ribbon and made a bow and extra "tail" as shown here:

Then to attach the tail and bow to the loop:

Which turn out like this

Then to gather the other materials needed, loop the drape through our new ribbon hangers and place on the rod.

Viola! It's simple almost to the point of being stark - but I just love it.

Exhaustion...

my enemy, my constant companion in the days following marathon design sessions. I actually ended up with the challenge of doing not one but two papers this month.

In addition, I had keepsake bookmarks to make for a lovely lady who was hosting a tea. They turned out quite well. (I'll share a tutorial later.) I didn't mind doing them at all, but it meant an all-nighter doing those - the day before beginning my 5-day design odyssey. Thus exhaustion has become like a pesky little dog nipping at my heels as I drag myself through much of my daily routine.

So, not much today - but I have big plans for the week so stay tuned!

Lovely Words Make Lovely Lips

Of course, incomparable to our scriptural depictions of the lovely Godly woman, I found this today at Holy Experience. If you have never read her breathtakingly lovely and well-written blog, I encourage you to do so today! Grab a cuppa first, you'll be there a while just drinking it in!

A Poem by Sam Levenson, oft-recited by Audrey Hepburn :

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows.The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

~Sam Levenson

Educationally Speaking...

A "conversation" I'm having on a frugality forum, of all places:

Me: That hits on a pet peeve of mine. We homeschool -- but are forced to pay school taxes! Teachers at public and private schools may deduct up to ~$500 on their taxes for supplies bought with personal money. But homeschoolers (and here is the kicker - who are legally considered private schools in my state) are SPECIFICALLY banned from doing so. We must register as a "private" school, but cannot enjoy the tax break therein.

Someone else: Yes, but we (public school teachers) are buying supplies for 30 (in elementary schools) or 130 (in middle and high school) students that aren't our own children. You are buying school supplies for your own children. You wouldn't get a tax deduction for anything else you'd buy for your own kids. You choose to teach them at home, then you've chosen to make their education your own, along with everything that entails.

Me again: (Rant ON)
I can see your point, but I can't say I consider it a good one. I'm not talking about buying paper and crayons. I spend $400 to $800 a year on curricula - in addition to all the goodies that go along with it. Not to mention the fact that 1) you choose to teach and 2) they're not your children!

Your comment is a perfect picture of the entitlement mindset that has invaded our lives. If my child attended your school, I wouldn't expect you to provide my child's paper or pencils. You shouldn't have to buy them for anyone. That just didn't happen when I was a kid. Oh I'm sure occasionally a teacher would slip a pencil or notebook to a very poor child in the class. You've just told me it is my responsibility (and I agree) to provide my child's supplies. Then it is also the responsibility of your students' parents.

Of course, public schools could afford to do more for indigent students if they weren't so busy playing put a condom on a banana, but that's another rant altogether. The NEA could do much more good if they would stick to education instead of hosting partial-birth abortionist George Tiller at their meeting...and lauding him for his "pioneering" work. I saw video of that and it absolutely turned my stomach. I suppose the NEA wants to lower class size by any means necessary. If the NEA spent as much time ensuring quality education as they spend lobbying for more money for it, they wouldn't need the money so much.

I know that there are good teachers out there who don't put up with all the foolishness we see in today's schools. I'm sure you're one of them. But I pay taxes for the upkeep of schools and for books. Do you think I'd be allowed a vote at a PTA (or whatever they call it now) meeting? Don't think so. Do I get to check out a/v material and equipment? Nope. I don't want their curricula so that's not an issue. So, to recap, I am compelled by law to give them money; I am not allowed to use their supplies and I'm to simply endure their scorn because I homeschool.

The schools around here are constantly whining and begging for more money. Yet they have state of the art whiteboards that print copies or some such nonsense. New computers every other year or so. It's all power point and slick production. Fun gadgets? Yes. Necessary to education? Nope. Spending is out of control, yet parents are expected to foot the ever increasing bill.

Yes, I chose to homeschool my child. I chose to do without so that I can be home and teach him. I chose to start my own design firm and make money by working much of the night before teaching much of the day. Am I bitter about that? Nope. Not at all.

But if anyone would like to buy a small hershey bar for $6

to fund DS's music lessons I'd be more than happy to

take their money

accept their generous offer.

What do YOU say?

I'm still just heartsick

I still cannot even discuss the Texas FLDS situation rationally.

It's amazing. Like watching a terrible train wreck in slow motion.

I'm no fan of polygamy, and I am an adult survivor of sexual abuse by a non-family member. I do not in any way condone the belief system in place. And I'm nothing more than a fellow sinner...yet saved by Grace.

That said, the state of Texas is punishing the wrong people! They've separated the mothers from the children all the while accusing the MEN of being molesters. Why didn't they just remove the men? Arrest them, try them and PUNISH THEM if they're guilty! Why didn't they take them? Because they COULDN'T. CPS knew they would never get away with violating those mens' rights so they went to the weakest - the children. And they're controlling the women with the children.

Classic scenario of a predator.

Take a deep breath......

Polygamy is wrong.

Sexual abuse is wrong and an abomination. I speak as both a survivor and a relative of one.

What is happening in Texas is wrong. What is happening has me so torn in knots that I am unable to even express myself properly. So I am linking to
The Common Room . The Headmistriss over there has done a remarkable job putting my groanings to the Lord into words.

These poor children are in desperate need of our prayers.

Can you tell its been a trying day?

I'm praying for patience...

And I want it RIGHT NOW!!!

Freddie the Fraker Farm Fowl says:

Lindanuts is our winner!

Yay! Hooray! Woo-Hoo!

Linda, e-mail your real name (unless of course that is your real name. I knew a fella by the real name of Chuck Nutt once. Poor guy.) and address so I can get your Humor Break out to you!

Speaking of Taxes...

I found this article that summarizes what so many of us are feeling these days. I found it here and include it below for your "enjoyment" as it were.

On a happier note, the winner of the book will be announced in just a few hours! After I've had coffee, lol.

Disclaimer: I'm all for immigration. LEGAL immigration.

April 15 Looms: Time for Another Tea Party in Boston?
By John Lillpop Thursday, April 10, 2008


Satire
A Letter to the IRS…

April 9, 2008
IRS
Washington, D.C.
CC: President Bush,
All Democrats, and RINOs

Dear Ladies, Gentlemen and the Undecided:

NOT enclosed herewith are fully-executed documents concerning my 2007 income and taxes, including 50 assorted pieces of meaningless paper normally generated only for the purpose of providing work for civil service types lacking sufficient intelligence and drive to secure gainful employment in the real world.

In calculating my tax obligations, I subtracted my “fair share” of money spent by the U.S. government where my interests as an American citizen were not represented, or were actually subverted.

As any pre-1960 textbook will tell you, “taxation without representation” is not cool.

But, back to my return.

Deductions were made for the following failings by the federal government:

-Borders not secured;

-Existing immigration laws not enforced;

-Homeland security measures not fully implemented;

-Taxpayer dollars used to provide public services to illegal aliens;

-Illegal aliens allowed to evade income taxes;

-Ballots and other public documents printed in foreign languages;

-Salaries and benefits paid to president Bush and the U.S. Congress while “working” on immigration reform.

Taking into account my fair share of services not received, the U.S. government owes me about $15,000,000 for 2007.

Because I am politically conservative, I do not wish to add to the national debt just to rectify the wrong done me by the U.S. government.

Accordingly, I hereby recommend that IRS and ICE team up in a joint effort to collect taxes, current and past, from the largest block of tax evaders known to human kind: 38 million illegal aliens now squatting tax-free in America.

At the risk of being presumptuous, let me offer another suggestion: The greatest opportunity to confront these tax evaders would be at large public gatherings.

May 5 is rumored to be a “holiday” in the illegal alien community, to be celebrated with massive rallies and marches in cities all across America.

What a perfect opportunity for IRS and ICE to help retire the national debt, and reverse illegal immigration all at once by confronting millions of illegals clogging American streets on Cinco de Mayo Day!

How will you know the offending criminals? They will be the wackos flying Mexican flags with “Sí se puede!” or some other idiotic Spanish gibberish tattooed on their foreheads.

By the way, please note that I am filing early---law and order still means something in my house, if not in the White House or the U.S. Congress!

Sincerely,

John W. Lillpop
Overtaxed and Underloved

Disclaimer: I'm all for immigration. LEGAL immigration.

Last evening I watched as a woman - most very likely illegal - get into a shouting match with the clerk at the convenience store. She was trying to buy alcohol and cigarettes using her sister's ID. But it was okay, she said, the stuff was for her sister. (That smacking sound you hear is me smacking my forehead in frustration.)

Around here, the clerk told me later, to accommodate her would have gotten him a $5000 fine and the loss of his job. It started out quietly enough with him informing her of that. But she argued and argued until finally he told her to leave the store and not come back. She kept screaming that she would "call you boss man! It he store, and he fire you!" Of course, we all knew better. She finally left - but not until after hurling the absolute worst of gutter language at him. At top volume. I was glad the kiddo was waiting for me, locked in the van. (Yes, he's old enough to do that, lol.)

As the clerk and I talked, it occurred to me that she just couldn't understand his not backing down on breaking the law. After all she had (so very likely) broken the law to even come to this country, so there was a total lack of fear for retribution. Like a child who is allowed to get away with stealing cookies and change from mom's purse then moves on to shoplifting, she was shocked when someone actually had the gall to call her on it.

I don't like this road our country is on. I want my country back. I would love to trust the public schools. I'd love to work fewer than 5 months just to pay taxes. I'd love for my taxes to NOT go to Planned Parenthood and other organizations that don't in any way represent me.

Sometimes these attitudes don't feel very Christian. As though because we're Christians we should just allow folks to do whatever and try to convert them when we can. But I recently learned that that kind of attitude actually allows others to sin. Enables them if you will. And there's a certain scripture about a millstone that says if we enable or lead folks to sin, we'd be better off dead. Of course, hateful attitudes and violence aren't the answer either. So a happy medium must be found.

Oh by the way, we're Cherokee. And Irish. I carry a portable soapbox with me at all times! LOL Thanks for hanging in there.

From one jar of clay to another...

A Giveaway!

Alright all you lurkers, it's time to de-cloak and join in some fun. I'm going to be giving this book away! It features stories, quips and quotes from Barbara Johnson, Max Lucado, Marilyn Meberg, Chonda Pierce, Dennis Swanberg, Charles Swindoll and more!



On April 15 - that's right, Tax Day - I or my handsome assistant will draw a winner's name at random. How do you enter? Why, you leave a comment of course! Anyone who "delurks" to comment on any posting between now and the morning of the 15th will be entered to win.

A word on Modesty...

Mrs. Wilt and Monica have both been discussing modesty, and I feel compelled to chime in. I'll be posting a couple of recent personal experiences soon, but until then feel free to chime in!

You aren't the only one these days cringing when you see the new fashions. The way some of the teenage girls dress today is downright embarrassing. I think back to my days of dressing like Cyndi Lauper (I know, I know) and am embarrassed - but it's mostly because of the 'fashion'. I remember cutting a perfectly good sweatshirt and wearing leg warmers too, LOL. The girls of today will be ten times as embarrassed when their child points out not only the outdated styles but that mama's ****s are showing!

My dearest friend and mentor as a teen was P. She was married with 2 kiddos. Many times I've spent the night at their house, and when I did I'd bring sweats or a nice long robe to cover up. One day P thanked me for my modesty in front of her hubby. It seems the other girls in the youth group weren't so considerate and had come to breakfast wearing only a tshirt and panties or skimpy little gowns. I was horrified. Not only did they flaunt themselves, they showed disrespect toward their hosts.

We know that modesty is important to the Lord because of Titus 2 and other scriptures. And if it is important enough for Him to address it, you'd better be sure to pay attention!

I started to say that I think even Christian girls forget how important modesty is. But it occurred to me that it really isn't taught (by the majority) these days. A renewed focus on modesty such as your article and that of Mrs. Wilt's is just what the doctor, er, the Great Physician that is, ordered!

PS: Be sure to scroll down and read about my giveaway! You may comment on any post to be entered.

You bet your sweet booties I'll wear it! LOL

I just bought this absolutely adorable I-so-didn't-need-it sunbonnet here. The FrakerFarm shop at Etsy. I don't know this lady, but I do know that I'd probably like her.

Is tomorrow too early to start watching for the package in the mail?

I sense a project coming on!

Just call me Wheezy

And no, it's not because I finally got a piece of the pie. (Don't know what I'm talking about? Look
here.

For a couple of years now, I've been taking Singulair for my asthma. It has helped in the control department, but I've had leg cramps that just keep getting worse and worse. As I'm sitting here, my left calf is protesting life in general. All I can think of is my mother's famous chant of, "I sure hope it's not a blood clot!" Me too.

Doc placed me on Advair this last trip (with Singulair) and it seems to be really curbing the attacks. I'm thinking that perhaps it is time for Singulair to go bye-bye. I'm very tired of these cramps and would like a little relief.

***End of health-related whine/rant.***

Tired of PayPal's Fees?

Think PayPal.
Without their blue million fees.

How it works:
MoneyExchange is an easy, secure, and reliable way
to send and receive money online between accountholders for FREE.
FREE to register for an account
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FREE to send money
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Account issued by First Bank & Trust, Brookings, SD, Member FDIC

and part of the Fishback Financial Corporation.

Looks Good! Right now they're even depositing $25 into new members' RM accounts. Mine was deposited yesterday. And, should you promote them on your blog/site (like above) you will receive a $10 referral fee. I'm going to give them a try. I've been dissatisfied with PayPal's monopoly for some time now.

Menu Plan Monday

I always menu plan, yet I actually remember to post to this meme once in a blue moon. So enjoy that beautiful blue moon!

Today:
Breakfast - Cereal
Lunch - Amish Pie
Supper - Salad and Pasta

Tuesday:
Breakfast - Grape Juice, country ham, eggs and biscuits.
Lunch - Build your own tacos, refried beans and spanish rice
Supper - Soup and sammies.

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Pancakes & Bacon
Lunch - Pinto beans, rice, cornbread & grilled pork chops
Supper - Loaded baked potatoes

Thursday:
Breakfast - Fried potatoes, sausage, eggs & biscuits
Lunch - Salmon patties, pinto beans, mashed potatoes
Supper - Homemade pizza with carrot sticks

Friday:
Breakfast - Oatmeal, toast
Lunch - Corn, green beans & meatloaf with rolls
Supper - Leftover meatloaf, mashed potatoes and leftover green beans

Saturday:
Breakfast - Muffins & fruit
Lunch - Meatball Subs, slaw and chips
Supper - Chicken Rotel with peas

Sunday:
Breakfast - Sweet Rolls
Lunch - Crockpot Chili and Hoagies
Supper - Grilled hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans & chips

Now, if your eyes are popping out at the huge lunches and skimpy suppers remember - hubby works 2nd shift. Therefore, lunch is our main meal of the day. And I'm much better off for it - both weightwise and indigestion wise. When we eat our main meal at supper I almost always have a reflux induced asthma attack.

If he goes back on first shift, I suppose I'll have to actually take my Prevacid, LOL.

I sought out information about "Seeker Churches"

I'm constantly amazed at how to "do" church right these days, there must be a jazzy kids' club complete with microphones, rockin' music and nightclub-esque decor.

How there must be screens everywhere with song lyrics superimposed over streams or beaches so people can be more comfortable just looking up at the screen instead of fumbling for and using a hymnal. (Never mind that the music is never on these - so if you don't know the tune you're left to mouth the words 2 seconds after everyone else. Never mind that the kid that runs the Power Point got distracted by a text message on his cell phone and forgot to forward through the lyrics 3 verses ago. I could go on and on - do you sense a soap box here? ;-) )

Golf scrambles and talent shows and raucous applause after each performance, er, song. How if you don't raise your hands and sway at just the right time, there must be something wrong in your spiritual life. (No, I'm just fat and don't feel like subjecting people to that. If the Lord tells me to sway, I'll sway.)

As more and more churches turn to the "Seeker" style, I find myself becoming more and more uncomfortable with it. It seems to me that the church is being set up as a sort of spiritual wal-mart. That those who are seeking will come for the egg hunt and leave with Jesus in their heart. And don't get me wrong, that does happen. But I am having trouble justifying it with our imperative to "Go ye therefore..." - and when I can't justify actions with scripture, the actions lose.

I found these on youtube and liked what Mark Driscoll had to say. What say you? (Edited to add: I've looked around the net a lot this past hour at what makes Driscoll tick. I've come to the conclusion that while I agree with a lot of his theology, I probably wouldn't care much for his methodology. Like I said, though, I do agree with him on this:

It's deadline time!

Some of you know I'm a graphic designer. One of my clients is a monthly sports publication. Monday is deadline. That means (a) I will be only limitedly available and (b) I will be, well....

Except for the whole the guy in the cartoon is a guy thing.

This cartoon was found on the web. I was unable to find original atribution for it. If it belongs to you and you don't want me to use it, let me know and I will remove it. I just didn't have time (or this much talent!) to do one from scratch.

You say tomato, I say tom-ah-to...

What a fun time we had! Mrs. L and I chattered like a couple of jays. The chatter was replaced with squeals of delight when we saw the prizes below. And no - that's so not all of it!

I steeled myself to be strong before going by relaxing in a tub of hot water with coffee and my sadly worn copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazette. (Here is the link to their web site, but most of the info there now is old: http://www.tightwad.com/ ).

I was good, but my frugal self could only stand so much. At least I kept it to vegetables and herbs. Only one ornamental. Okay, two. But they're the same kind and going in the same pot so it counts as one, right?! Right?! We saw so many wonderful, lovely plants. Like these:

See the chamomile? And asparagus fern? Oh, and the English Lavender to plant beneath my clothesline so my sheets will drape gently across it and lull us to sleep with its perfume? And the Big German tomatoes for BLTs? And the hot peppers that my son so loves to harvest?

And this absolutely adorable "Micro Tom" Cherry tomato plant. The tomatoes will be 1". And YES, it is FULL of blooms!

What? can't see the blooms? Of course you can. Look a little closer.

Of course, I couldn't leave out my own babies...planted lovingly by hand a couple of weeks ago. Introducing (drum roll) my baby brussles sprouts!

Brussels Sprouts...um...sprouting! ;-)

And last, a scene from my kitchen. And no, I don't have a problem. Lots of people are addicted to herbs. And gardening. And tea pots. I can quit any time. For a while.

Pots, Herbs and Kindred Spirits

I'm as excited as a kid on the first day of camp! Giddy as a schoolgirl! Happy as a lark! Okay, so you get it. I'm so excited I'm smiling despite only having had 1/2 cup of coffee.

Today, my new friend and I will head over to the Mennonite Gardens about a 30 minute drive from here. I've never been, as I didn't know the best places...or times...or..............okay, so I didn't have anyone with whom I could go. I do now!



Mrs. L's children attend the same gymnastics center as my son. We started talking and I found out she's Christian. Then I found out they homeschool. Then we got to talking about gardening, homesteading and chickens. We talked and talked and talked...and she and I are definitely kindred spirits! So Mrs. L and I are venturing forth.



I'll share the herby goodness of it all later.

Spring Cleaning in Progress...

When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along

written by Harry Woods part of "The Jolson Story",

and recorded by Al Jolson has also been recorded by Mandy Patinkin

When the red, red robin comes bob, bob bobbin' along, along,

There'll be no more sobbing when he starts throbbing His own sweet song.

Wake up, wake up, you sleepy head,

Get up, get up, get out of bed,

Cheer up, cheer up the sun is red,

Live, love, laugh and be happy.

What if I've been blue,

Now I'm walking through fields of flowers,

Rain may glisten, but I still listen for hours and hours.

I'm just a kid again, doing what I did again, singing a song,

When the red, red robin comes bob, bob bobbin' along.

Yes, I've been gone.

I'm sorry. I've been battling a deep dark blue-funk. Depression. Not the most severe of cases, but enough that I just wanted to sleep. I won't go into the reasons, but the night sky was absolutely impenetrable. It was bad enough that my husband brought me flowers. For no reason. (I really did frighten him!)

About 2 weeks ago the stars began to wink reassuringly at me. Hinting that Mr. Moon was just behind a cloud. Then out he popped and my world was a little brighter. Here lately, the moon has reclined his sleepy head and I can see a hint of the sun just over the horizon. It was there all along. HE was there all along. I just needed that earthly healer - time. The sun is coming up, and here I stand to face another day.

My question for you today is this: "Have you ever wanted to leave your church? Did you? If not, why?" Mind you, I'm not talking about leaving the faith...just the particular group with which you have affiliated. I'm muddling through some things in my brain and would really love to hear about your experiences. Then we'll discuss.

A message to Iowa, meant for us all...