I had hacked away at two of the bushes a month ago, but today was perfect weather for stump removal. Bob hacked away at them with clippers, saw, ax, and pick. It took a couple of hours, but we have made room for the nadina to spread along the back fence. Bob took down a branch of the crepe myrtle, too, as it was rubbing against the house. When we stuck the little twigs in the ground years and years ago, it looked well spaced from the house, but that twig grew into five huge trees all clumped together.
About 2pm, we finally finished. As Bob chopped the branches and bagged the last bunch, I fixed lunch. I mixed leftover frozen rice with a can of soup, and cut up another avacado to add to Amber's hot salsa, and we made it stretch into another meal. It all tasted like spanish rice, but with fresh avacado and fresh salsa. Now we are all showered and cleaned up. Nice to get the "off" off.
Bob used to just hack the unwanted bushes level with the ground, and they still came up as tall as trees. Now that the root balls are gone, that should be the last of those three. We visited with our neighbor that lives behind us. She lives alone now. She and her husband were our age when we moved into this house 28 years ago, and we rarely see her out. But, she likes to get ahead of her dandylions. A Korean war bride, Fumiko showed us a framed poem someone had done with her husband, Bill in it. Bill was an old Navy guy, who worked for years as jailer. When he got altheimers years ago, Fumiko slowly started getting rid of the yard of junk. Now it is free of even trees and bushes. I think she was relieved to see us clean up our bushes a bit. The bushes make an almost solid hedge against the back fence. Her son used to live with her for five years to help with Bill. He still comes once a week and drives her to church.
The backyard is so nice and green. The rye seed went down and took hold between the other grasses, and it has never looked so pretty. And it has gotten a good hold, so our demolition stump removal did not harm it at all, either. The rye is discouraging stickers and dandylions from growing, too. Should make spring mowing easier. Bob mowed yesterday, but mostly to pick up leaves. It has taken us years to get the hang of it---yardwork. And there are still places out front needing weeding, and the windows need washed, but enough for today.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Selfish
I just love cranberry-orange-pecan relish made in the blender and sugar added to taste. I remembered to blender the whole cutie oranges in orange juice for added goodness. And I have the whole bowl to myself, as Bob does not like it. Won't need my cranberry capsules today. whew. This stuff is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks---and it is a race to eat the whole batch before it molds. We would not want any to go to waste, would we? Seems like James likes it, but I did not take any to Fort Sill this year. Maybe I should take him a jar on MOnday, if there is any left. I made this super soupy, though with too much orange juice. You can practically drink it. Yum.
1 bag whole fresh cranberries, washed, and soft ones thrown away.
1 cup brown sugar (or white)
4 cutie oranges, cut into fourths, and any stem removed, but peel left on.
Blenderize in the blender in batches with orange juice. Then add 1-2 cups pecans. pieces or whole. good quality ones. check for shells or debris. Refrigerate leftovers. Will keep a couple of days. Bob suggested I freeze for smoothies. freezing in the ice cube tray may be good.
1 bag whole fresh cranberries, washed, and soft ones thrown away.
1 cup brown sugar (or white)
4 cutie oranges, cut into fourths, and any stem removed, but peel left on.
Blenderize in the blender in batches with orange juice. Then add 1-2 cups pecans. pieces or whole. good quality ones. check for shells or debris. Refrigerate leftovers. Will keep a couple of days. Bob suggested I freeze for smoothies. freezing in the ice cube tray may be good.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving 2009
By 8am, we had picked up our youngest son at his apartment and were on the road to Fort Sill. Beautiful drive, and clear skies. A breakfast stop in Decatur, and we arrived at James and Amber's house by 11am. All they requested was yams, but we brought along James' tv, and box of "cool" stuff because now they had plenty of room.
Amber had delicious homemade salsa waiting. Fresh avacadoes made it so good. And delicious hardboiled eggs...kept us filled until the turkey was done. They tried cooking it in a rotisserie machine, but the turkey was too big and kept scorching on the side, and stopped a few times, so we slipped it into the oven, and it was a beautiful color and so moist. Mashed potatoes, corn, biscuits---and delicious pumpkin pie! I like doing Thanksgiving like this!
I am so glad Ben got to see their new place, and all the boxes from the move a couple of weeks ago were gone! wow. I am so glad they are enjoying their new place. We got to see the washer and dryer James installed with just a little help from good old Dad over the phone last Saturday. And we marveled at the rooms. There is a cover in the walls half way down below most light fixtures. I wonder if they used to be gas lights. Electricity was added after the houses were built. And they have a nifty fire extinguisher above the gas stove.
Back on the road before sunset with a huge jar of salsa in our cooler, we made it home by 8pm. And we will go back on Monday for James' promotion.
It was interesting to me to see whatall is open on Thanksgiving Day. Most McDonalds were open for breakfast, but closed this evening. We saw a few Whataburgers open, and a Waffle House next to a Whataburger. Thankfully, gas stations were open, and Walmarts. But, only one open Braums on our route. Not that we were hungry. But, I wondered how folks without families were faring. Did Walmarts stay open last Thanksgiving?? I think they stayed open this year to avoid the crush. One man was killed last year when the unruly crowd pushed a door down over him. Walmart spent lots of money this year on crowd management, according to radio reports.
Every Thanksgiving is different for us. That is our tradition. We have enjoyed Thanksgiving with the grandparents, Thanksgiving with my brothers, (once in Grapevine, and a few times in Irving) and sister in Mississippi, Thanksgiving here, and now we add a Thanksgiving in Fort Sill, letting the next generation cook and carve the turkey! Fun! Fun!
Amber should bottle this salsa to ward off colds! After a snack of salsa and crackers, my lips are on fire and my nose is running.
I gotta remember to tell James and Amber that Ben said James married well.
Amber had delicious homemade salsa waiting. Fresh avacadoes made it so good. And delicious hardboiled eggs...kept us filled until the turkey was done. They tried cooking it in a rotisserie machine, but the turkey was too big and kept scorching on the side, and stopped a few times, so we slipped it into the oven, and it was a beautiful color and so moist. Mashed potatoes, corn, biscuits---and delicious pumpkin pie! I like doing Thanksgiving like this!
I am so glad Ben got to see their new place, and all the boxes from the move a couple of weeks ago were gone! wow. I am so glad they are enjoying their new place. We got to see the washer and dryer James installed with just a little help from good old Dad over the phone last Saturday. And we marveled at the rooms. There is a cover in the walls half way down below most light fixtures. I wonder if they used to be gas lights. Electricity was added after the houses were built. And they have a nifty fire extinguisher above the gas stove.
Back on the road before sunset with a huge jar of salsa in our cooler, we made it home by 8pm. And we will go back on Monday for James' promotion.
It was interesting to me to see whatall is open on Thanksgiving Day. Most McDonalds were open for breakfast, but closed this evening. We saw a few Whataburgers open, and a Waffle House next to a Whataburger. Thankfully, gas stations were open, and Walmarts. But, only one open Braums on our route. Not that we were hungry. But, I wondered how folks without families were faring. Did Walmarts stay open last Thanksgiving?? I think they stayed open this year to avoid the crush. One man was killed last year when the unruly crowd pushed a door down over him. Walmart spent lots of money this year on crowd management, according to radio reports.
Every Thanksgiving is different for us. That is our tradition. We have enjoyed Thanksgiving with the grandparents, Thanksgiving with my brothers, (once in Grapevine, and a few times in Irving) and sister in Mississippi, Thanksgiving here, and now we add a Thanksgiving in Fort Sill, letting the next generation cook and carve the turkey! Fun! Fun!
Amber should bottle this salsa to ward off colds! After a snack of salsa and crackers, my lips are on fire and my nose is running.
I gotta remember to tell James and Amber that Ben said James married well.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Re-arranging chairs on the Titanic
I am trying to utilize our space better. We will be taking more of James' stuff to him tomorrow, but I want to make the guest room inviting, and the other spare room neat and tidy. We have not turned on our furnace yet, and it is 68 degrees in here, but I am sweating. Dusting, and re-arranging, and covering ugliness...but I have come to a stopping place. And can't get up and down on the stepstool any more today. I still have a few trips to the little house to store good boxes, and a trip to the grocery store to do, and I think I will open the windows to cool off.
It is another beautiful day here in Texas. Azure blue skies, small breeze, green rye grass in the yard, and the trees are amost done dropping leaves. Raking leaves is a Thanksgiving thing here.
I learned today what a belly band is. Something new for pregnant ladies?? My friend in Ohio mentioned it, and I had to ask, and then look it up on google. It helps ladies use their pants for a few months by extending the button, and giving a t-shirt like cover under their regular shirts. I wonder if the trend started in Europe? Looks like a tube top. And what a fun way to dress up your outfits. When I was pregnant, the big man shop was my friend.
It is another beautiful day here in Texas. Azure blue skies, small breeze, green rye grass in the yard, and the trees are amost done dropping leaves. Raking leaves is a Thanksgiving thing here.
I learned today what a belly band is. Something new for pregnant ladies?? My friend in Ohio mentioned it, and I had to ask, and then look it up on google. It helps ladies use their pants for a few months by extending the button, and giving a t-shirt like cover under their regular shirts. I wonder if the trend started in Europe? Looks like a tube top. And what a fun way to dress up your outfits. When I was pregnant, the big man shop was my friend.
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Star Shall Come Forth from Jacob
Numbers 22
The historical account of a Seer, a man with the reputation of having his predictions come true. The king of Moab sent word to Balaam to come curse the a people who had come out of Egypt... "for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." The messengers came with divination money, and repeated the king of Moab's request. Balaam told the messengers to stay the night while he consulted the Lord.
God came to Balaam and asked, who are these men with you? And when Balaam answered and told of the king's request, God told Balaam: DO NOT go with them; you shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.
Balaam tells the messengers to go back, "for the Lord has refused to let me go with you." The messengers went back and simply told the king named Balak, that Balaam refused to come, so king Balak was not used to hearing no for an answer. He sends even more numerous and distinguished messengers with promises of riches and honor. And Balaam again repeats: "though Balak were to give me houses of silver and gold, I could not do anything either great or small, contrary to the command of the Lord my God...but, stay the night, and let me find out what else the Lord will speak to me.
God does indeed give Balaam instructions---"rise up and go with them, but only the word which I speak to you shall you do."
The next verse, 22, tells us that God was angry because Balaam was going, and the Angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against Balaam---but only Balaam's donkey can see the angel. Three times the angel blocks the way, and the donkey veers off and Balaam strikes her.
Numbers 22:28 says: And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, 'what have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?'
Balaam talks to the donkey: Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.
Balaam's donkey replied: Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?
And Balaam admitted, "no"
Numbers 22:31 says: Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand,..and the angel asked Balaam: why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.
Balaam admits he has sinned, and is willing to go back home. But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam: Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I shall tell you.
king Balak does not believe Balaam even though Balaam warns him over and over again---that he can only speak what God tells him to say. king Balak tries setting up seven altars and seven bulls and seven rams, but Balam shouts:
"From Aram Blak has b rought me, Moab's king from the mountains of the East, 'come curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!" How shall I curse, whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce, whom the Lord has not denounced? As I see him from the top of the rocks, and I look at him from the hills: Behold, a people who dwells apart, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number the fourth part of ISrael? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!"
Two more times king Balak tries to get Balaam to curse Israel, but each time, we learn more and more about their glorious future.
a people who dwells apart
a people who shall not be reckoned among the nations
as numerous as the dust
Let me die the death of the upright,
and let my end by like his! (is this talking about Jesus?)
God has declared Israel a blessed nation. set apart. Trusted with His Word. His commands. Told to live righteous lives.
Let's look at the second try. Remember, these are God's words coming out Balaam's mouth:
Arise, O Balak, and hear
Give ear to me, O son of Zippor!
God is not a man, that He should lie. (GOD CANNOT LIE!!!)
Nor a son of man, that He should repent,
Has HE said, and will He not do it? or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Behold, I have received a command to bless, when He has blessed and I cannot revoke it.
He has not observed misfortune in Jacob, nor has He seen trouble in Israel, the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. (Jesus' first and second comings in one sentence)
God brings them out of Egypt, He is for them like the horns of the wild ox. For there is no omen against Jacob, nor is there any divination against Israel; at the proper time it shall be said to Jacob and to Isarael, what God has done. Behold, a people rised like a lioness, and as a lion it lifts itself; it shall not lie down until it devours the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.
(references to Israel as a lion way before King David...and to Jesus at the second coming again)
Chapter 24 of Numbers shows a different, more confident Balaam:
When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his discourse and said:
...Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you."
(verse 17) I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel, ...One from Jacob shall have dominion and shall destroy the remnant from the city."
(this is way before Jerusalem was built and way before it was known as the city)
So, when people wonder--the Old Testament speaks of Jesus, from the Garden of Eden throughout the writings of Moses---these promises, these Words from God Himself, that a Savior King Redeemer Ruler was coming. Christmas is when we celebrate how Jesus came to be our Savior and soon He will return to be our King.
And I just love it, how God uses a man on a donkey to bless His people that He rescued from slavery. When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, He fulfilled another promise, but Israel rejected Him as Savior and King. God extended His gift to us---gentiles---and grafted us into His Family.
For 2,000 years a star was promised. Now 2,000 years on the other side of that star, we know God will keep His promises to Israel, promises to restore, and rule from there. And no matter what our silly politicians do to try to bring about a one world government, Jesus will come back and set everything right and rule the nations.
In Numbers 25, the very next chapter, Israel disobeys God's rules, and 24,000 will die in a plague. And it is not until a brave priest picks up a spear, and preforms capital punishment on the fornicating evil doers that God stops the plague, and gives the priesthood of Israel a promise of peace.
As Christians, we should tremble before the Lord and seek His Will and do what is right in His eyes. That means that we as Christians are responsible for knowing God's Word, and rightly dividing God's decrees, and directions and rules for each age.
Numbers 24:23 God says through Balaam: "...Alas, who can live except God has ordained it?" Let me repeat that---for my sake as well as anyone reading:
WHO CAN LIVE EXCEPT GOD HAS ORDAINED IT?
The weather in Texas today is perfect. Seventy degrees, windows open, green grass, beautiful sunshine. Yet, we know of two families were elderly old saints await their promotion to heaven home. Their bodies are worn out. We wait on God's perfect timing to take them on Home where they will be reunited with loved ones and friends. We know of others who suffer cancer, or are tested by an illness, yet all our lives hang by a thread. It is not my job to be angry at the sinners and wish them dead even though they seem a poor and shameful testimony. Only God can give us wisdom to leave it all in His most capable hands. Pray for the oppressed. Pray for healing, but also pray for a good homegoing. God will provide the brave to run a spear through the fornicators and the evil doers. And then He will give those brave warriors peace. Please, Lord, keep me in shape to do the job of wife, mom, friend. Open my eyes to see those in need and show me how to help, not hurt. Root out my pride, and self-righteousness. Help us as Christians not to be wishy-washy, but to be jealous for You. Help us to stand up against evil, and speak only Your words. Please help us set aside petty superstitions and divinations and looking for omens. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
How often does God use an animal to talk? Eve conversed with the snake in the Garden of Eden, and that did not go well. And here, Balaam talks to his donkey, and finds out she has been protecting him from the unseen. Are there any more talking animals in the Bible?
The historical account of a Seer, a man with the reputation of having his predictions come true. The king of Moab sent word to Balaam to come curse the a people who had come out of Egypt... "for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." The messengers came with divination money, and repeated the king of Moab's request. Balaam told the messengers to stay the night while he consulted the Lord.
God came to Balaam and asked, who are these men with you? And when Balaam answered and told of the king's request, God told Balaam: DO NOT go with them; you shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.
Balaam tells the messengers to go back, "for the Lord has refused to let me go with you." The messengers went back and simply told the king named Balak, that Balaam refused to come, so king Balak was not used to hearing no for an answer. He sends even more numerous and distinguished messengers with promises of riches and honor. And Balaam again repeats: "though Balak were to give me houses of silver and gold, I could not do anything either great or small, contrary to the command of the Lord my God...but, stay the night, and let me find out what else the Lord will speak to me.
God does indeed give Balaam instructions---"rise up and go with them, but only the word which I speak to you shall you do."
The next verse, 22, tells us that God was angry because Balaam was going, and the Angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against Balaam---but only Balaam's donkey can see the angel. Three times the angel blocks the way, and the donkey veers off and Balaam strikes her.
Numbers 22:28 says: And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, 'what have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?'
Balaam talks to the donkey: Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.
Balaam's donkey replied: Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?
And Balaam admitted, "no"
Numbers 22:31 says: Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand,..and the angel asked Balaam: why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.
Balaam admits he has sinned, and is willing to go back home. But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam: Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I shall tell you.
king Balak does not believe Balaam even though Balaam warns him over and over again---that he can only speak what God tells him to say. king Balak tries setting up seven altars and seven bulls and seven rams, but Balam shouts:
"From Aram Blak has b rought me, Moab's king from the mountains of the East, 'come curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!" How shall I curse, whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce, whom the Lord has not denounced? As I see him from the top of the rocks, and I look at him from the hills: Behold, a people who dwells apart, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number the fourth part of ISrael? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!"
Two more times king Balak tries to get Balaam to curse Israel, but each time, we learn more and more about their glorious future.
a people who dwells apart
a people who shall not be reckoned among the nations
as numerous as the dust
Let me die the death of the upright,
and let my end by like his! (is this talking about Jesus?)
God has declared Israel a blessed nation. set apart. Trusted with His Word. His commands. Told to live righteous lives.
Let's look at the second try. Remember, these are God's words coming out Balaam's mouth:
Arise, O Balak, and hear
Give ear to me, O son of Zippor!
God is not a man, that He should lie. (GOD CANNOT LIE!!!)
Nor a son of man, that He should repent,
Has HE said, and will He not do it? or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Behold, I have received a command to bless, when He has blessed and I cannot revoke it.
He has not observed misfortune in Jacob, nor has He seen trouble in Israel, the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. (Jesus' first and second comings in one sentence)
God brings them out of Egypt, He is for them like the horns of the wild ox. For there is no omen against Jacob, nor is there any divination against Israel; at the proper time it shall be said to Jacob and to Isarael, what God has done. Behold, a people rised like a lioness, and as a lion it lifts itself; it shall not lie down until it devours the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.
(references to Israel as a lion way before King David...and to Jesus at the second coming again)
Chapter 24 of Numbers shows a different, more confident Balaam:
When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his discourse and said:
...Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you."
(verse 17) I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel, ...One from Jacob shall have dominion and shall destroy the remnant from the city."
(this is way before Jerusalem was built and way before it was known as the city)
So, when people wonder--the Old Testament speaks of Jesus, from the Garden of Eden throughout the writings of Moses---these promises, these Words from God Himself, that a Savior King Redeemer Ruler was coming. Christmas is when we celebrate how Jesus came to be our Savior and soon He will return to be our King.
And I just love it, how God uses a man on a donkey to bless His people that He rescued from slavery. When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, He fulfilled another promise, but Israel rejected Him as Savior and King. God extended His gift to us---gentiles---and grafted us into His Family.
For 2,000 years a star was promised. Now 2,000 years on the other side of that star, we know God will keep His promises to Israel, promises to restore, and rule from there. And no matter what our silly politicians do to try to bring about a one world government, Jesus will come back and set everything right and rule the nations.
In Numbers 25, the very next chapter, Israel disobeys God's rules, and 24,000 will die in a plague. And it is not until a brave priest picks up a spear, and preforms capital punishment on the fornicating evil doers that God stops the plague, and gives the priesthood of Israel a promise of peace.
As Christians, we should tremble before the Lord and seek His Will and do what is right in His eyes. That means that we as Christians are responsible for knowing God's Word, and rightly dividing God's decrees, and directions and rules for each age.
Numbers 24:23 God says through Balaam: "...Alas, who can live except God has ordained it?" Let me repeat that---for my sake as well as anyone reading:
WHO CAN LIVE EXCEPT GOD HAS ORDAINED IT?
The weather in Texas today is perfect. Seventy degrees, windows open, green grass, beautiful sunshine. Yet, we know of two families were elderly old saints await their promotion to heaven home. Their bodies are worn out. We wait on God's perfect timing to take them on Home where they will be reunited with loved ones and friends. We know of others who suffer cancer, or are tested by an illness, yet all our lives hang by a thread. It is not my job to be angry at the sinners and wish them dead even though they seem a poor and shameful testimony. Only God can give us wisdom to leave it all in His most capable hands. Pray for the oppressed. Pray for healing, but also pray for a good homegoing. God will provide the brave to run a spear through the fornicators and the evil doers. And then He will give those brave warriors peace. Please, Lord, keep me in shape to do the job of wife, mom, friend. Open my eyes to see those in need and show me how to help, not hurt. Root out my pride, and self-righteousness. Help us as Christians not to be wishy-washy, but to be jealous for You. Help us to stand up against evil, and speak only Your words. Please help us set aside petty superstitions and divinations and looking for omens. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
How often does God use an animal to talk? Eve conversed with the snake in the Garden of Eden, and that did not go well. And here, Balaam talks to his donkey, and finds out she has been protecting him from the unseen. Are there any more talking animals in the Bible?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Lunch with my Husband!
Rare day...rare thing. Bob called and said he had a meeting in Keller, or near Keller and the nascar race track up there north of Fort Worth. He'd be on the 11:20am train and how about we meet for lunch at the Chick-fil-A off 820 and Precinct Line Road??!! Indeed.
Good thing I came home from Walmart when I did. I got most of the ingredients for the mincemeat recipe at Walmart, and ran into my friend who is braver than I and said she had rum for rum cakes, and the mincemeat recipe calls for rum or brandy. I wonder if it matters. And I found the SARAH PALIN book at Walmart, too! Yippeee! I'd much rather Walmart get the profit than the liberal snooty stores like Barnes and Navel or Amazon. Wow---little girl pictures of Sarah look like her youngest daughter.
So, Bob and I ate lunch together...a rare thing since he works downtown Dallas. Fun. Fun.
Now to clean the celery and put the rest of the Walmart groceries away.
Good thing I came home from Walmart when I did. I got most of the ingredients for the mincemeat recipe at Walmart, and ran into my friend who is braver than I and said she had rum for rum cakes, and the mincemeat recipe calls for rum or brandy. I wonder if it matters. And I found the SARAH PALIN book at Walmart, too! Yippeee! I'd much rather Walmart get the profit than the liberal snooty stores like Barnes and Navel or Amazon. Wow---little girl pictures of Sarah look like her youngest daughter.
So, Bob and I ate lunch together...a rare thing since he works downtown Dallas. Fun. Fun.
Now to clean the celery and put the rest of the Walmart groceries away.
Meatless, suetless Mincemeat
My father's mother, Nannie was a big mincemeat pie maker. I never developed a taste for it, as the idea of sweet meat was repulsive to me as a child and teenager. But, the history of the mincemeat pie is fascinating as it harkens back to a time before preservatives and refrigeration. Alas, I am afraid the lure of mincemeat may die with my generation, as I have never made it and neither have I ever served it to my sons. But, in poking about for recipes, I have found a recipe where they talk about leaving out the suet---which clogs arteries, and leaving out the meat.
1 pound apples, chopped but unpeeled
12 ounces raisins
8 ounces Zante currants
4 ounces candied orange peel
4 ounces candied lemon peel
4 ounces slivered or chopped almonds, pecans
grated zest and juice of one lemon
12 ounces dark brown sugar
2 and 1/2 teas. ground allspice
1/2 teas nutmeg
1/2 teas. cinnamon
1/2 teas. ginger
4 ounces chopped prunes (optional)
7 Tablespoons brandy
combine everything except the brandy in a bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake in oven 225 degrees, stirring occassionally, three hours--or I wonder about using a crock pot. Let cool. Stir in brandy. Pack into jars and refrigerate 3 weeks. Make into pies.
Some recipes mix half the brandy in before cooking. Sounds fun, and the little tarts look good, too---round pieces of pie dough used in a muffin pan instead of huge pies of it.
Any mincemeat affectionatoes out there?? Please do not be offended that I am trying to make mincemeat healthy. At my size and age, I need not the meat nor the fat. Suet is for the birdies, and I think venison would be best smoked. I am fascinated, though, by the way my great-great grandmothers preserved food, and made tasty meals with the monotomy of beans, potatoes, and meat kept frozen in winter, or canned.
1 pound apples, chopped but unpeeled
12 ounces raisins
8 ounces Zante currants
4 ounces candied orange peel
4 ounces candied lemon peel
4 ounces slivered or chopped almonds, pecans
grated zest and juice of one lemon
12 ounces dark brown sugar
2 and 1/2 teas. ground allspice
1/2 teas nutmeg
1/2 teas. cinnamon
1/2 teas. ginger
4 ounces chopped prunes (optional)
7 Tablespoons brandy
combine everything except the brandy in a bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake in oven 225 degrees, stirring occassionally, three hours--or I wonder about using a crock pot. Let cool. Stir in brandy. Pack into jars and refrigerate 3 weeks. Make into pies.
Some recipes mix half the brandy in before cooking. Sounds fun, and the little tarts look good, too---round pieces of pie dough used in a muffin pan instead of huge pies of it.
Any mincemeat affectionatoes out there?? Please do not be offended that I am trying to make mincemeat healthy. At my size and age, I need not the meat nor the fat. Suet is for the birdies, and I think venison would be best smoked. I am fascinated, though, by the way my great-great grandmothers preserved food, and made tasty meals with the monotomy of beans, potatoes, and meat kept frozen in winter, or canned.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Islam murders women
Islam murders women they consider too westernized. They have the arrogance to call it "honor killings" as if there is any honor in murdering your sister or daughter for some convoluted sense of family honor. Bastards.
The little girl pictured on the right is Rifka Barry. She had the courage to become a Christian. So, her family tried to kill her. she escaped to Florida, but the state is returning her to Ohio, and has restricted her internet access and cell phoning.
The whole story is over at Atlas Shrugs blog, by Pamela Geller.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/
The little girl pictured on the right is Rifka Barry. She had the courage to become a Christian. So, her family tried to kill her. she escaped to Florida, but the state is returning her to Ohio, and has restricted her internet access and cell phoning.
The whole story is over at Atlas Shrugs blog, by Pamela Geller.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/
Badmouthing Toyota
Too bad Toyota has not noticed those alluring 10 minute oil change places all over town. Too bad. I know it can be done. I have been to those places. Twenty years ago, I would go by the Toyota dealership and pick up the oil filter, and shoot on over to the 10 minute place and get 'er done.
Toyota has decided we are too stupid to change our own oil or take it somewhere besides the dealership, so the "maintenance required" light comes on the minute you drive over 5,000 miles and it is time for an oil change. And even though they have sent you "coupon" for $35 for that needed oil change---just try getting out of there for less than a hundred. I dare you. At 35,000 they have decided you must do certain things or you void your warranty. And we would not want to do that. No.
I mentioned the tire pressure gauge for the spare tire again. Seems I mention it every time I go. I make sure they write it down, and then I ask again. And for some reason, I rated a car wash this time and they bent the heck out of my front personalized license plate. Thank you, Toyota. NOT. And Freeman Toyota on 820 has decided that keeping the bug and tar remover can in stock is beneath them. That is the second time I have asked for it. Silly me.
An hour to do an oil change. Having to sit in uncomfortible seats in a teeny waiting area and listen to horrid tv game shows for over an hour... puts me in a mood to badmouth Toyota. We were packed in the waiting area like sardeen such that when the lady to my left coughed, I felt the air on my arms move. They should be up front with you when you buy the car that you'd better fork over the 100 percent maintenance coverage package for $750.00 or they will gouge you every five thousand miles. We passed the $750 package at the fifteen thousand mile mark.
And why do you have to declare a coupon ahead of time?? Do they do subpar work because you are using a coupon? It should not matter. The work done to your car should be the same. It should not matter which dealership you use.
Toyota is a dependable car. There is an irritating whine from the front grill shaped like honeycombs. Too bad they screw you at the purchase point. Too bad they are not honest. Make sure you double check the hood. The Durant Toyota dealership left it open. Thankfully, it was heavy enough to stay down at 70 mph and not a windy day.
And make them open the hood when they say they are all done. I must have asked for the sloppiest mechanic today. Oil drips everywhere inside. What a mess. Cap off the battery terminal. And the windshield wiper fluid is not full. Freeman Toyota, you are losing me. Guess they were running low on windex and paper towels. Next time I need to mark the tires, and see if they actually rotate them. A sticker across the hubcap outa do it.
Toyota has decided we are too stupid to change our own oil or take it somewhere besides the dealership, so the "maintenance required" light comes on the minute you drive over 5,000 miles and it is time for an oil change. And even though they have sent you "coupon" for $35 for that needed oil change---just try getting out of there for less than a hundred. I dare you. At 35,000 they have decided you must do certain things or you void your warranty. And we would not want to do that. No.
I mentioned the tire pressure gauge for the spare tire again. Seems I mention it every time I go. I make sure they write it down, and then I ask again. And for some reason, I rated a car wash this time and they bent the heck out of my front personalized license plate. Thank you, Toyota. NOT. And Freeman Toyota on 820 has decided that keeping the bug and tar remover can in stock is beneath them. That is the second time I have asked for it. Silly me.
An hour to do an oil change. Having to sit in uncomfortible seats in a teeny waiting area and listen to horrid tv game shows for over an hour... puts me in a mood to badmouth Toyota. We were packed in the waiting area like sardeen such that when the lady to my left coughed, I felt the air on my arms move. They should be up front with you when you buy the car that you'd better fork over the 100 percent maintenance coverage package for $750.00 or they will gouge you every five thousand miles. We passed the $750 package at the fifteen thousand mile mark.
And why do you have to declare a coupon ahead of time?? Do they do subpar work because you are using a coupon? It should not matter. The work done to your car should be the same. It should not matter which dealership you use.
Toyota is a dependable car. There is an irritating whine from the front grill shaped like honeycombs. Too bad they screw you at the purchase point. Too bad they are not honest. Make sure you double check the hood. The Durant Toyota dealership left it open. Thankfully, it was heavy enough to stay down at 70 mph and not a windy day.
And make them open the hood when they say they are all done. I must have asked for the sloppiest mechanic today. Oil drips everywhere inside. What a mess. Cap off the battery terminal. And the windshield wiper fluid is not full. Freeman Toyota, you are losing me. Guess they were running low on windex and paper towels. Next time I need to mark the tires, and see if they actually rotate them. A sticker across the hubcap outa do it.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
My Love is Like a red, red rose
O, my love is like a red, red rose,
That is newly sprung in June.
O, my love is like the melody,
That is sweetly played in tune.
As fair are you, my lovely lass,
So deep in love am I,
And I will love you still, my Dear,
Till all the seas go dry.
Till all the seas go dry, my Dear,
And the rocks melt with the sun!
O I will love you still, my Dear,
While the sands of life shall run.
And fare you well, my only Love,
And fare you well a while!And I will come again, my Love,
Although it were ten thousand mile!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wV8uVegO4w&feature=related
(there is even a Dr. Who version!)
That is newly sprung in June.
O, my love is like the melody,
That is sweetly played in tune.
As fair are you, my lovely lass,
So deep in love am I,
And I will love you still, my Dear,
Till all the seas go dry.
Till all the seas go dry, my Dear,
And the rocks melt with the sun!
O I will love you still, my Dear,
While the sands of life shall run.
And fare you well, my only Love,
And fare you well a while!And I will come again, my Love,
Although it were ten thousand mile!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wV8uVegO4w&feature=related
(there is even a Dr. Who version!)
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/major-muslim-hasans-imam-anwar-al-awlakis-facebook-page.html
five thousand need to be checked out from both facebook pages of the radical islamics. Time for the Department of Homeland Security to get busy. or...
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/why-there-will-be-more-military-base-shootings/
five thousand need to be checked out from both facebook pages of the radical islamics. Time for the Department of Homeland Security to get busy. or...
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/why-there-will-be-more-military-base-shootings/
Vererans Day 2009
Blackfive was fussing at different blogs for not highlighting Veterans Day. But, our press and even folks at church mix Veterans Day with Memorial Day. I should be glad they pause to remember our soldiers twice a year. And who can separate the dead from the living because of what happened at Fort Hood last week? Not me. The grieving families wailing by the pictures of their fallen loved ones, and the soldiers on crutches giving each that slow salute of respect...
Happy Veterans Day to my Sweetie! When I met and married you over thirty years ago, you wore those starched green uniforms that would stand by themselves like boards against the wall. At our wedding, you wore the fancy "dress blues". And now, two of our sons wear military uniforms to work every day...future veterans forever, too.
It sure was a surprise last night to call Amber and find out our son had come out of the field a day early. Here we thought we'd be cheering her up, and she had already received the best gift ever.
Happy Veterans Day to my Sweetie! When I met and married you over thirty years ago, you wore those starched green uniforms that would stand by themselves like boards against the wall. At our wedding, you wore the fancy "dress blues". And now, two of our sons wear military uniforms to work every day...future veterans forever, too.
It sure was a surprise last night to call Amber and find out our son had come out of the field a day early. Here we thought we'd be cheering her up, and she had already received the best gift ever.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Live Blogging the Memorial Service at Fort Hood
Maybe the mainstream media is covering the Memorial Service for the Fort Hood fallen, but I could not find it. So, I went online, and blinkotv dot com has the live CNN feed.
As this Memorial Service gets started, the body of Sgt. Kueger, an Army nurse, getting ready for her second deployment, is winding its way through the streets of her hometown in Wisconsin.
I am hearing a lot of the phrase "to make sure that this never happens again". This was jihad. This was terrorism. This major contacted other imam terrorists. But, the Army and FBI thought he was just doing research.
Will this be a witch hunt? Or, will they be looking for a scape goat? Who wanted to stick their neck out in this politically correct charged culture? Who saw the guy buying guns and also knew he had a radical islamic worldview? The guy had no friends. His tirades were irritating. He frequented strip joints. He lived in a cheap apartment in a building full of privates in the Army.
Tonight they will execute another terrorist, but I don't hear them calling John Allen Mohammed the DC sniper that. such irony. So, at the next shooting, when a terrorist takes out a dozen at a sporting event, or at a mall, or at concert---will we hold our authorities feet to the fire, and say, hey---you said you'd do everything to make sure this never happens again. Maybe we need to try something different. Like---looking at how these terrorists become radicalized. Islam is the problem. Islam is a failed worldview. Islam is a religion of death. hatred. terrorism.
Do we have any more like this major in the military? How will they go about finding them? In the meantime, arm the NCOs. Especially where crowds congregate. Mess halls, auditoriums, etc.
Lockdown drills have already begun at schools. Do we need one at church? Don't we need a plan?
We have become so used to these shootings, and yet, this memorial service should be available so that people can see the cost of not connecting the dots. Instead, most folks will see a brief mention of the service on the news, maybe. And more of whatall the president said than what happened.
I see John Cornyn in the crowd. Oh, John McCain. If he was president, we would not have to meet here today. The major was mad at Obama---he thought Obama was not keeping his promises. Irony there. And we would not have the stupid health care bill shoved down our throats either.
Wow---open to the public. Wide open gates. Cool. Obama should be nervous. Bet his detail preferred military only. But, that speaks of the openness and safety of our military posts, bases, and installations.
12:56pm---the families of the victims are filing in now to their saved seats. And the troops in the huge crowd---all those in uniform rise up in respect. There is Governor Perry. A warm, sunny day in Texas.
Switching over to the C-span coverage now. No more commentary.
The boots and rifle and helmet and picture of each soldier...all lined up in rows.
Lots of children with their families enter from the VIP section behind the huge flag. Sad moms and sisters. A sea of black berets. A three story high flag hanging from the top of the building as a back drop. A live Army band. America. America. Children scream. Babies cry when the music pauses.
Every president has the responsibility of speaking at tragedies. Teleprompters at the ready for this one.
Silence. More family members file out. Be Still My Soul...one verse. Silence. More family file out. The president is obviously meeting with each group before they can start the ceremony. The president has no concept of starting anything on time. Hope there is not a flyover. Everyone is still standing.
Suppose to start at 1pm. It is now 1:15pm. Hymns---the band plays Fairest Lord Jesus. I see a bagpiper at the wall beside the band. Silence. Babies cry. Blue sky. Puffy cotton ball clouds. People in the crowd fan themselves. I bet it is eighty degrees. Everyone sits. Those black berets have to be hot. No moderator? "ma-ma" a child says. It is night in Iraq and Afghanistan. I wonder if the troops are watching? I wonder what they think? And the families---will they hear anything or remember any of this?
1:30pm Silence between songs. Why no continuous music? Why the breaks? I am thankful the crowd has chairs. Uniformed soldiers on crutches---the families and walking wounded are coming down the steps under the flag. wow. The crowd rises in respect. Some wear slings. wow. Amazing to see them here. I spotted a Marine. Today is the Marine Corps Birthday. Wheel chair empty is carried down the steps as the wheel chair's uniformed soldier hops. A wounded uniformed soldier gets back in her wheelchair. Another in his. More family and uniformed policemen and firemen--the first responders come down the steps. Another soldier with an arm sling surrounded by his family. I guess they have all been shaking obama's hands. Maybe he bowed to them like he did the Saudi prince.
More injured soldiers on crutches hop down the steps, then one got into a wheelchair.
1:40pm Silence again. Just the murmur of the crowd. Bagpipes. Lots of them. Necks straining. The bagpipes sound like they are warming up. Loud cheering. Strange entrance for the Obamas. Are they Scottish? The National Anthem. Hand salutes. Hands over hearts. Flag at half-staff. Remain standing. And the Home of the Brave...
Army Third Corps Chaplain prays wearing a black sash on top of his uniform. Calling the victims by their first names.
General Cone: ...distinguished visitors...family and friends...we gather to mourn the loss...from eleven different states. Three women, ten men... (about Fort Hood) 545 lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. soldiers take care of each other. acts of bravery. remembering their training, lives were saved. First aid. forever linked...Nov. 5th...doing their duty. Live, work, serve as a team... First responders at the crime scene. remember. May our service be a tribute to them. (clapping)
Chief of Staff of the Army, General Casey: ...Admiral and Mrs. Mike Mullen... it is a tradition to go to the book of Isaiah---whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Send me. the voice, spirit of service...men and women who believed in the ideals this country stands for...newlyweds, sixty-somethings, it was a kick in the gut. a century of service. nineteen children, spouses, the calm leadership of the command, these have been uplifting if not heroic... I will always place the mission first...I will never quit, I will never leave a comrade behind. In every generation, when faced with difficult challenges... as we grieve, grieve with us, not for us. They freely answered the call to serve... Here am I, send me.
The President of the United States gets a little rock star shout from the gleeful parts of the crowd.
To the Fort Hood community, to ...Secretary Gates, ...we come together filled with sorrow... This is a time of war...they were killed here...in the heart of this great state... your loved ones endure through the life of this nation...their life's work is our security and the freedom we take for granted...their legacy...
Chief Cahill...even after having had a heart attack, back at work...
(named, with a brief story of each, and who survives them)
Specialist Jason Hunt, recently married, three children, re-enlisted on his 21st birthday...
Nurse Amy Kreuger---ready to take on osama herself.
musician, nurses, these men and women came from all parts of the country...some had known combat...their lives speak to the strength, dignity, decency... (stories of the wounded and the rescuers) It may be hard to understand...no faith justifies...the killer will be met with justice in this world and the next...these are trying times... (words about Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, 911) answering an extraordinary call...responsibility...division...come together...remind us of who we are as Americans. ... the courage of those who defend it... A nation of laws...guarantees the right to worship as one choses...we are a nation...all ...are created equal...we defend that truth.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day...reflect on the sacrifices made ...of a more perfect union... honor the many generations that have served...this generation has more than proved...it is before our very eyes, this very generation have volunteered... (three ds---distant, difficult, d ) to protect our people. Giving others half a world away
no surrender to be signed...but the measure of these men and women is no less great. no borders...
Here at Fort Hood we pay tribute to thirteen ...when the fighting has finished...this generation believed...in perserverance...they paid the price...the values that live in all free peoples...
(end of Obama's speech---wow---who wrote that one!!!)
soloist: Amazing Grace. Hartley, it says on her tab on her uniform.
2:13pm ending prayer time? no. Isaiah 40 reading. ".....run, and not be wearing. walk and not faint." Oh, dear. he is going to preach. Col. Michael Lembke, Army Third Corps Chaplain. (c-span cuts out)
Blinkotv.com has it. I don't know what Chaplain Lembke's religion is, but I am guessing methodist, maybe presbyterian. The black sash may mean episcopian.
Roll call. Every other one does not answer...
"hear, sergeant major.." and silence. Is he calling the names of the wounded???
I would have left out the honor guard twenty-one gun salute. (three volleys, seven guns each)
Taps.
Final honors to be rendered by family members. President and the first lady pausing in front of the pictures of each one. Leaving his coin. Commander in Chief coin. The first lady is wearing a black dress and white pearls. Hair in a bun. President and first lady exit up the steps alone.
Gerson (on CNN)---who wrote speeches for President Bush gives obama a thumbs up, and good thing for him to have mentioned them each by name. And accountability now and in eternity.
The slow salutes of honor. These families still have individual funerals to go through. But, the families are not alone. A uniformed soldier goes with them now. stays with them. Even when they break down by the picture of their loved one. The more formal looking green suit-cut uniform, (class A's?) I see a few of those with their cords and metals. Even a few on crutches come by to slow salute.
As this Memorial Service gets started, the body of Sgt. Kueger, an Army nurse, getting ready for her second deployment, is winding its way through the streets of her hometown in Wisconsin.
I am hearing a lot of the phrase "to make sure that this never happens again". This was jihad. This was terrorism. This major contacted other imam terrorists. But, the Army and FBI thought he was just doing research.
Will this be a witch hunt? Or, will they be looking for a scape goat? Who wanted to stick their neck out in this politically correct charged culture? Who saw the guy buying guns and also knew he had a radical islamic worldview? The guy had no friends. His tirades were irritating. He frequented strip joints. He lived in a cheap apartment in a building full of privates in the Army.
Tonight they will execute another terrorist, but I don't hear them calling John Allen Mohammed the DC sniper that. such irony. So, at the next shooting, when a terrorist takes out a dozen at a sporting event, or at a mall, or at concert---will we hold our authorities feet to the fire, and say, hey---you said you'd do everything to make sure this never happens again. Maybe we need to try something different. Like---looking at how these terrorists become radicalized. Islam is the problem. Islam is a failed worldview. Islam is a religion of death. hatred. terrorism.
Do we have any more like this major in the military? How will they go about finding them? In the meantime, arm the NCOs. Especially where crowds congregate. Mess halls, auditoriums, etc.
Lockdown drills have already begun at schools. Do we need one at church? Don't we need a plan?
We have become so used to these shootings, and yet, this memorial service should be available so that people can see the cost of not connecting the dots. Instead, most folks will see a brief mention of the service on the news, maybe. And more of whatall the president said than what happened.
I see John Cornyn in the crowd. Oh, John McCain. If he was president, we would not have to meet here today. The major was mad at Obama---he thought Obama was not keeping his promises. Irony there. And we would not have the stupid health care bill shoved down our throats either.
Wow---open to the public. Wide open gates. Cool. Obama should be nervous. Bet his detail preferred military only. But, that speaks of the openness and safety of our military posts, bases, and installations.
12:56pm---the families of the victims are filing in now to their saved seats. And the troops in the huge crowd---all those in uniform rise up in respect. There is Governor Perry. A warm, sunny day in Texas.
Switching over to the C-span coverage now. No more commentary.
The boots and rifle and helmet and picture of each soldier...all lined up in rows.
Lots of children with their families enter from the VIP section behind the huge flag. Sad moms and sisters. A sea of black berets. A three story high flag hanging from the top of the building as a back drop. A live Army band. America. America. Children scream. Babies cry when the music pauses.
Every president has the responsibility of speaking at tragedies. Teleprompters at the ready for this one.
Silence. More family members file out. Be Still My Soul...one verse. Silence. More family file out. The president is obviously meeting with each group before they can start the ceremony. The president has no concept of starting anything on time. Hope there is not a flyover. Everyone is still standing.
Suppose to start at 1pm. It is now 1:15pm. Hymns---the band plays Fairest Lord Jesus. I see a bagpiper at the wall beside the band. Silence. Babies cry. Blue sky. Puffy cotton ball clouds. People in the crowd fan themselves. I bet it is eighty degrees. Everyone sits. Those black berets have to be hot. No moderator? "ma-ma" a child says. It is night in Iraq and Afghanistan. I wonder if the troops are watching? I wonder what they think? And the families---will they hear anything or remember any of this?
1:30pm Silence between songs. Why no continuous music? Why the breaks? I am thankful the crowd has chairs. Uniformed soldiers on crutches---the families and walking wounded are coming down the steps under the flag. wow. The crowd rises in respect. Some wear slings. wow. Amazing to see them here. I spotted a Marine. Today is the Marine Corps Birthday. Wheel chair empty is carried down the steps as the wheel chair's uniformed soldier hops. A wounded uniformed soldier gets back in her wheelchair. Another in his. More family and uniformed policemen and firemen--the first responders come down the steps. Another soldier with an arm sling surrounded by his family. I guess they have all been shaking obama's hands. Maybe he bowed to them like he did the Saudi prince.
More injured soldiers on crutches hop down the steps, then one got into a wheelchair.
1:40pm Silence again. Just the murmur of the crowd. Bagpipes. Lots of them. Necks straining. The bagpipes sound like they are warming up. Loud cheering. Strange entrance for the Obamas. Are they Scottish? The National Anthem. Hand salutes. Hands over hearts. Flag at half-staff. Remain standing. And the Home of the Brave...
Army Third Corps Chaplain prays wearing a black sash on top of his uniform. Calling the victims by their first names.
General Cone: ...distinguished visitors...family and friends...we gather to mourn the loss...from eleven different states. Three women, ten men... (about Fort Hood) 545 lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. soldiers take care of each other. acts of bravery. remembering their training, lives were saved. First aid. forever linked...Nov. 5th...doing their duty. Live, work, serve as a team... First responders at the crime scene. remember. May our service be a tribute to them. (clapping)
Chief of Staff of the Army, General Casey: ...Admiral and Mrs. Mike Mullen... it is a tradition to go to the book of Isaiah---whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Send me. the voice, spirit of service...men and women who believed in the ideals this country stands for...newlyweds, sixty-somethings, it was a kick in the gut. a century of service. nineteen children, spouses, the calm leadership of the command, these have been uplifting if not heroic... I will always place the mission first...I will never quit, I will never leave a comrade behind. In every generation, when faced with difficult challenges... as we grieve, grieve with us, not for us. They freely answered the call to serve... Here am I, send me.
The President of the United States gets a little rock star shout from the gleeful parts of the crowd.
To the Fort Hood community, to ...Secretary Gates, ...we come together filled with sorrow... This is a time of war...they were killed here...in the heart of this great state... your loved ones endure through the life of this nation...their life's work is our security and the freedom we take for granted...their legacy...
Chief Cahill...even after having had a heart attack, back at work...
(named, with a brief story of each, and who survives them)
Specialist Jason Hunt, recently married, three children, re-enlisted on his 21st birthday...
Nurse Amy Kreuger---ready to take on osama herself.
musician, nurses, these men and women came from all parts of the country...some had known combat...their lives speak to the strength, dignity, decency... (stories of the wounded and the rescuers) It may be hard to understand...no faith justifies...the killer will be met with justice in this world and the next...these are trying times... (words about Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, 911) answering an extraordinary call...responsibility...division...come together...remind us of who we are as Americans. ... the courage of those who defend it... A nation of laws...guarantees the right to worship as one choses...we are a nation...all ...are created equal...we defend that truth.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day...reflect on the sacrifices made ...of a more perfect union... honor the many generations that have served...this generation has more than proved...it is before our very eyes, this very generation have volunteered... (three ds---distant, difficult, d ) to protect our people. Giving others half a world away
no surrender to be signed...but the measure of these men and women is no less great. no borders...
Here at Fort Hood we pay tribute to thirteen ...when the fighting has finished...this generation believed...in perserverance...they paid the price...the values that live in all free peoples...
(end of Obama's speech---wow---who wrote that one!!!)
soloist: Amazing Grace. Hartley, it says on her tab on her uniform.
2:13pm ending prayer time? no. Isaiah 40 reading. ".....run, and not be wearing. walk and not faint." Oh, dear. he is going to preach. Col. Michael Lembke, Army Third Corps Chaplain. (c-span cuts out)
Blinkotv.com has it. I don't know what Chaplain Lembke's religion is, but I am guessing methodist, maybe presbyterian. The black sash may mean episcopian.
Roll call. Every other one does not answer...
"hear, sergeant major.." and silence. Is he calling the names of the wounded???
I would have left out the honor guard twenty-one gun salute. (three volleys, seven guns each)
Taps.
Final honors to be rendered by family members. President and the first lady pausing in front of the pictures of each one. Leaving his coin. Commander in Chief coin. The first lady is wearing a black dress and white pearls. Hair in a bun. President and first lady exit up the steps alone.
Gerson (on CNN)---who wrote speeches for President Bush gives obama a thumbs up, and good thing for him to have mentioned them each by name. And accountability now and in eternity.
The slow salutes of honor. These families still have individual funerals to go through. But, the families are not alone. A uniformed soldier goes with them now. stays with them. Even when they break down by the picture of their loved one. The more formal looking green suit-cut uniform, (class A's?) I see a few of those with their cords and metals. Even a few on crutches come by to slow salute.
Local Soldier Injured
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/local+soldier+shot+in+fort+hood+attack
Just back from his second tour.
Planning on going to Officers Candidate School.
Soon to be married.
Shot four times, including one in the head.
Please pray for our local hero. And please pray that our military man up and not be afraid to find these radical muslims who put their sick religion of islam above their country. The problem is islam.
the only reason there are supposidly "moderate" muslims is because they refuse to read their own koran, and/or they pick and choose what they want to believe from their own koran. or maybe they have never read it.
Listen to the radical imams---they are not "crazy". They take their koran literally. They think they are obeying allah.
As Christians, I take our Bible literally. Our Bible teaches capital punishment. Consequences. Our Bible teaches that life is precious and THOU SHALL NOT MURDER. What part of THOU SHALL NOT MURDER do you not understand?? Our Bible teaches that soldiers should do their job as unto the Lord. Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar means pay your taxes. Take care of the widow, orphan, hungry. Be good stewards. Show respect and pray for the authorities God put in place over you---mayor, governor, president. Don't beat your wife. Don't make your children bitter. And know that Jesus Christ came just like He promised, died for all the sins of the whole world, and is coming back to set everything right. Our Bible teaches that God loves the world so much that He sent His Own Son that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life. Our Bible teaches that our God invented and respects free will. And God set in motion the Divine Institutions of free will, marriage, family and nation to preserve and protect the human race. Our Bible teaches that sin is harmful to you. Don't do it. And sin has consequences.
Now, what does the Koran teach? What did hasan believe? What did he act on?
Our country was founded on Biblical principles. Not sharia law. Not the koran.
Just back from his second tour.
Planning on going to Officers Candidate School.
Soon to be married.
Shot four times, including one in the head.
Please pray for our local hero. And please pray that our military man up and not be afraid to find these radical muslims who put their sick religion of islam above their country. The problem is islam.
the only reason there are supposidly "moderate" muslims is because they refuse to read their own koran, and/or they pick and choose what they want to believe from their own koran. or maybe they have never read it.
Listen to the radical imams---they are not "crazy". They take their koran literally. They think they are obeying allah.
As Christians, I take our Bible literally. Our Bible teaches capital punishment. Consequences. Our Bible teaches that life is precious and THOU SHALL NOT MURDER. What part of THOU SHALL NOT MURDER do you not understand?? Our Bible teaches that soldiers should do their job as unto the Lord. Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar means pay your taxes. Take care of the widow, orphan, hungry. Be good stewards. Show respect and pray for the authorities God put in place over you---mayor, governor, president. Don't beat your wife. Don't make your children bitter. And know that Jesus Christ came just like He promised, died for all the sins of the whole world, and is coming back to set everything right. Our Bible teaches that God loves the world so much that He sent His Own Son that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life. Our Bible teaches that our God invented and respects free will. And God set in motion the Divine Institutions of free will, marriage, family and nation to preserve and protect the human race. Our Bible teaches that sin is harmful to you. Don't do it. And sin has consequences.
Now, what does the Koran teach? What did hasan believe? What did he act on?
Our country was founded on Biblical principles. Not sharia law. Not the koran.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Why do terrorists like strip clubs before they go?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,573052,00.html
Why this common denominator? Why do the terrorists all like naked ladies before they start murdering? Suppose they will find porn on his computer?
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/3423 good commenters, too.
Why this common denominator? Why do the terrorists all like naked ladies before they start murdering? Suppose they will find porn on his computer?
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/3423 good commenters, too.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Why?
http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/11/selfselection_t_1.html
books have been written on the profile of a serial killer who acts in this horrid manner. Worth a read.
But, what came to mind---the same twisted mind looking for porn, goes deeper and deeper looking for more. And the obama's addictions to reverend wright---sucked in their propaganda to re-enforce what he desired to do.
Before the internet, these guys would have to get their radicalization directly from a mosque, which might have been easier to shut down or monitor. But, individuals that self-select, are searching on their own, and find websites to help them go deeper, and yet it all appears perfectly logical to them.
We want to know why. We want to know so that we can protect our own. But, as my husband Bob says, the seeds of the problem go back to the founding of islam. It is all right there in the Koran.
Screaming, "allah akbar" (God is great) means he thinks he was part of something great, superior, bigger. But, in reality, he was a social retard, unable to win a wife, and even if he got one, he would be abusive to make sure she conformed. As a society, islam is a total failure.
Two weeks ago, this guy would have been labeled, "moderate" and he voiced a problem of himself as a muslim killing other muslims. He saw no borders. In his mind, islam was above nation, oaths, job.
Many are born muslim because their parents were muslims or they live in a muslim country. They may never read the koran. They may only know islam from what they are told second or third hand. They may not even attend mosque or pray. Then there are the "moderates" who do attend and learn, but either are uncomfortable facing the radical parts, or they want to distance themselves. But, when moderates who are smart, articulate, search and follow their beliefs to their logical conclusion, they believe that they must kill all infidels. unbelievers.
So, what are our choices? Ban all muslims from the military? Keep infiltrating muslim websites to keep an eye on the radicals? Infiltrate the mosques? Put pressure on the mosques and muslims to police themselves?
As the article I linked to talks about, it is dangerous to declare them "crazy" because they they just get an insanity plea and are let go back into society. Or they recruit others like minded in jail---which is happening at an alarming rate.
As a nation, we need to define the problem as SPIRITUAL. We need to face the fact that our country was founded on Christian principles that go against radical islam. We need to lovingly, calmly explain the gospel to these people, but if the red flags appear---if a radical person spouts dangerous ideology, then I hope and pray his superiors have the COURAGE to drum him out and protect our own.
As a nation, in some sad "diversity" or "inclusive" political correctness push, we have labeled all religions as "bad" and divorced ourselves from the source. Islam believes in absolutes. So does Christianity. Islam is slavery. Christianity is freedom in Christ to love others. But love does not tolerate abuse. Love does not lay down and let radical serial killers shoot them in the back. Christianity embraces the Ten Commandments: one of which is THOU SHALT NOT MURDER. Christianity includes policemen and military who fight for freedom from tyranny and from islamic radicals seeking to kill us. Christianity is not weakness. Christianity is not milk toast. Christianity respects human life. . . the unborn, widows, orphans are special and cherished and protected under Christianity.
And many in our Christian nation call themselves Christians and are desperately seeking to work themselves into heaven, rejecting Jesus Christ as their Savior to their own peril. Many think they are Christians just because they were born into a Christian family or because they do good things. Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ---the One promised in the Old Testament, the One who came and fulfilled all the promises, and the One who died for all our sins, and offers us the gift of salvation when we believe in Him. That is eternal salvation. Our daily salvation includes learning, obeying, praying, singing praises to Jesus Christ our Savior. Being ready to protect the weak, the sick, the helpless, and encourage the discouraged. And Jesus gives us the power and motivation to do those things. His burden is light.
I wonder if hasan had any Christians try to come alongside him and encourage him that there was a better Way? Did anyone love him enough to warn him that his path was going to lead to some very difficult choices that if/when he acted on his radical beliefs would bring down a world of hurt? Did anyone point out the logical conclusion of islam? Or, were they too replused, too afraid to stick their neck out? Too afraid to warn him? And then, too afraid to voice their concerns?
And when these characters search the internet, can they find us? Can they find a better Way? Can they meet Jesus on our websites and know that Jesus wants them to be happy, and free of guilt and fear? Can they see that we are the ones with the answer? That we have peace and true freedom that does not harm others? Can they see that we serve a Risen Savior? Jesus loves us and has a plan for us. And Jesus is coming back to set everything right. And in the future, when Jesus comes back, there will still be nations. families. tribes. God set it all up that way to protect us from ourselves. Respect, borders, rules, principles, laws---these are so that we can live in peace and harmony. Sin is the problem, and Jesus solved that problem, too. But, that involves trusting Him, and not just for eternity, but daily we trust Jesus to help us overcome temptations, and not sin against one another but do our jobs as unto Him. Because we will give an account on how we lived and what we did with all He gave us--talents, time, money, love, opportunities.
I am repelled by the burka clad. I see the burka as oppressive and abusive to women. offensive. When I see a burka or muslim all scarfed up, I see someone in slavery believing a lie abused by the men in her life. Oh to have the courage to tell them that, lovingly. Oh, to trust Jesus what to say to these shrouded ladies.
books have been written on the profile of a serial killer who acts in this horrid manner. Worth a read.
But, what came to mind---the same twisted mind looking for porn, goes deeper and deeper looking for more. And the obama's addictions to reverend wright---sucked in their propaganda to re-enforce what he desired to do.
Before the internet, these guys would have to get their radicalization directly from a mosque, which might have been easier to shut down or monitor. But, individuals that self-select, are searching on their own, and find websites to help them go deeper, and yet it all appears perfectly logical to them.
We want to know why. We want to know so that we can protect our own. But, as my husband Bob says, the seeds of the problem go back to the founding of islam. It is all right there in the Koran.
Screaming, "allah akbar" (God is great) means he thinks he was part of something great, superior, bigger. But, in reality, he was a social retard, unable to win a wife, and even if he got one, he would be abusive to make sure she conformed. As a society, islam is a total failure.
Two weeks ago, this guy would have been labeled, "moderate" and he voiced a problem of himself as a muslim killing other muslims. He saw no borders. In his mind, islam was above nation, oaths, job.
Many are born muslim because their parents were muslims or they live in a muslim country. They may never read the koran. They may only know islam from what they are told second or third hand. They may not even attend mosque or pray. Then there are the "moderates" who do attend and learn, but either are uncomfortable facing the radical parts, or they want to distance themselves. But, when moderates who are smart, articulate, search and follow their beliefs to their logical conclusion, they believe that they must kill all infidels. unbelievers.
So, what are our choices? Ban all muslims from the military? Keep infiltrating muslim websites to keep an eye on the radicals? Infiltrate the mosques? Put pressure on the mosques and muslims to police themselves?
As the article I linked to talks about, it is dangerous to declare them "crazy" because they they just get an insanity plea and are let go back into society. Or they recruit others like minded in jail---which is happening at an alarming rate.
As a nation, we need to define the problem as SPIRITUAL. We need to face the fact that our country was founded on Christian principles that go against radical islam. We need to lovingly, calmly explain the gospel to these people, but if the red flags appear---if a radical person spouts dangerous ideology, then I hope and pray his superiors have the COURAGE to drum him out and protect our own.
As a nation, in some sad "diversity" or "inclusive" political correctness push, we have labeled all religions as "bad" and divorced ourselves from the source. Islam believes in absolutes. So does Christianity. Islam is slavery. Christianity is freedom in Christ to love others. But love does not tolerate abuse. Love does not lay down and let radical serial killers shoot them in the back. Christianity embraces the Ten Commandments: one of which is THOU SHALT NOT MURDER. Christianity includes policemen and military who fight for freedom from tyranny and from islamic radicals seeking to kill us. Christianity is not weakness. Christianity is not milk toast. Christianity respects human life. . . the unborn, widows, orphans are special and cherished and protected under Christianity.
And many in our Christian nation call themselves Christians and are desperately seeking to work themselves into heaven, rejecting Jesus Christ as their Savior to their own peril. Many think they are Christians just because they were born into a Christian family or because they do good things. Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ---the One promised in the Old Testament, the One who came and fulfilled all the promises, and the One who died for all our sins, and offers us the gift of salvation when we believe in Him. That is eternal salvation. Our daily salvation includes learning, obeying, praying, singing praises to Jesus Christ our Savior. Being ready to protect the weak, the sick, the helpless, and encourage the discouraged. And Jesus gives us the power and motivation to do those things. His burden is light.
I wonder if hasan had any Christians try to come alongside him and encourage him that there was a better Way? Did anyone love him enough to warn him that his path was going to lead to some very difficult choices that if/when he acted on his radical beliefs would bring down a world of hurt? Did anyone point out the logical conclusion of islam? Or, were they too replused, too afraid to stick their neck out? Too afraid to warn him? And then, too afraid to voice their concerns?
And when these characters search the internet, can they find us? Can they find a better Way? Can they meet Jesus on our websites and know that Jesus wants them to be happy, and free of guilt and fear? Can they see that we are the ones with the answer? That we have peace and true freedom that does not harm others? Can they see that we serve a Risen Savior? Jesus loves us and has a plan for us. And Jesus is coming back to set everything right. And in the future, when Jesus comes back, there will still be nations. families. tribes. God set it all up that way to protect us from ourselves. Respect, borders, rules, principles, laws---these are so that we can live in peace and harmony. Sin is the problem, and Jesus solved that problem, too. But, that involves trusting Him, and not just for eternity, but daily we trust Jesus to help us overcome temptations, and not sin against one another but do our jobs as unto Him. Because we will give an account on how we lived and what we did with all He gave us--talents, time, money, love, opportunities.
I am repelled by the burka clad. I see the burka as oppressive and abusive to women. offensive. When I see a burka or muslim all scarfed up, I see someone in slavery believing a lie abused by the men in her life. Oh to have the courage to tell them that, lovingly. Oh, to trust Jesus what to say to these shrouded ladies.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Questions
When being attacked by a guy with a gun who is shooting at a whole crowd of people, how come everyone is told to get down and play dead? Why do you never hear of different ones throwing whatever is at hand at the shooter? Books, chairs, cell phones, backpacks... Why are we so nice?
Why do you hardly ever read about folks tripping the guy, or rushing him?
And why didn't this guy's superior notice something strange about him and his writings, and his loyalties?
Why do you hardly ever read about folks tripping the guy, or rushing him?
And why didn't this guy's superior notice something strange about him and his writings, and his loyalties?
The Mom and the Veteran
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6907235.ece
The Mom who took down the muslim major.
Shout it from the rooftops. She was a woman, blonde, a mom, policewoman, trained in how to rush a shooter and all WITHOUT a burka.
And SpouseBuzz says she is a military spouse, too!!
http://www.floppingaces.net/2009/11/12/the-other-hero-at-ft-hood/
Thank You, Sgt. Todd
The Mom who took down the muslim major.
Shout it from the rooftops. She was a woman, blonde, a mom, policewoman, trained in how to rush a shooter and all WITHOUT a burka.
And SpouseBuzz says she is a military spouse, too!!
http://www.floppingaces.net/2009/11/12/the-other-hero-at-ft-hood/
Thank You, Sgt. Todd
Friday, November 6, 2009
The Fallen
http://www.mudvillegazette.com/032862.html
The Fallen and their stories. Heros all.
Michael Pearson, 21, Illinois training to deactivate bombs
Russell Seager, 51
Francheska Velez, 21, and pregnant, coming home from a tour.
Aaron T. Nemelka, 19 Utah
Amy Krueger, 29 nurse from Wisconsin
Newlywed Hunt from Oklahoma
Mike Cahill
John Gaffaney, 56 from California
K. Xiong, 23, from Wisconsin, waiting for a physical. left a wife and three children and 10 siblings. brother in Afghanistan.
http://www.airmanmom.blogspot.com/ Airman mom has pictures.
http://assets.kdhnews.com/multimedia/pdf/mos.pdf Killeen newspaper tells wonderful stories from the families of the fallen.
The Fallen and their stories. Heros all.
Michael Pearson, 21, Illinois training to deactivate bombs
Russell Seager, 51
Francheska Velez, 21, and pregnant, coming home from a tour.
Aaron T. Nemelka, 19 Utah
Amy Krueger, 29 nurse from Wisconsin
Newlywed Hunt from Oklahoma
Mike Cahill
John Gaffaney, 56 from California
K. Xiong, 23, from Wisconsin, waiting for a physical. left a wife and three children and 10 siblings. brother in Afghanistan.
http://www.airmanmom.blogspot.com/ Airman mom has pictures.
http://assets.kdhnews.com/multimedia/pdf/mos.pdf Killeen newspaper tells wonderful stories from the families of the fallen.
Political Correctness is Killing us
Yesterday, at Fort Hood, Texas, political correctness allowed a "devout" muslim to murder 13 soldiers. Political correctness kept this guy from being discharged. Let's say someone voiced their concerns last week---they would have been accused of being racist or an islamaphobe. Who wants to stick their neck out? Who wants to risk their career? Maybe someone who has read Vince Flynn novels.
The facts will come out. So far we know---
this "major" had never been deployed. And even in a deployment, he would not have gone out on patrol.
this guy hated women. refused to be photographed with them. had trouble getting a wife. applied to the Palestinian services for a wife at his mosque.
Have you seen the cnn video of the guy in FULL muslim dress at his local store? The shopkeeper said he came in almost every morning from 6-7am. Got his coffee. Read the paper. Talked about how he was having trouble with the thought of a deployment because as a muslim he did not want to have to shoot other muslims. It did not stop him from shooting Americans. As a shrink, he would not have gone out on missions, anyway. His arabic was not that good.
the guy was born in the USA. he attended school on the Army's dime. He owed the Army so many years because the Army---we---paid for his schooling.
the guy was repromanded for pushing his religion. every person he ever "counceled" will now come forward with his weirdness.
It is a sad, sad day for the victims at Fort Hood. It is a sad, sad day for anyone who lost a loved one.
But, political correctness allowed this animal to rise as far as he did in the Army.
the guy yelled "allah ackbar" while shooting.
do the math. 13 dead, and 30 injured---that is over fifty rounds. premeditated. think about it. he planned it.
And no, our troops who live on post do not walk around fully armed. Good grief. Our posts and military bases are very safe.
If he had been deployed, he might have snapped over there.
Do we have the courage to come forward if/when someone does not seem right? Do we have the courage to open our eyes and see the radical side and insanity that is islam?
this guy has now made it harder for muslims to be soldiers. And sadly, it does not take much to set muslims off. They are highly sensitive to our women being in uniform. And what is sad, is that this guy was born here, and was raised here to hate America---just like obama.
I was born and raised here. I was taught to love my country. I was raised to learn history, and respect for human life.
this guy did not know the difference between suicide bombers and a hero that will save his buddies by falling on a grenade. he wrote about it. And if a guy can't see the difference between animals that take life, and a savior that tries to save life by giving His... what hope does he have?
It is time to set aside political correctness because it is getting innocent, brave people killed.
My husband, Bob put it better than me---and he links to the video.
http://lostfart.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-shouldnt-ask-but.html
found on Blackfive, and seen on a number of blogs:
NPR "All Things Considered" reports that Hasan talked at a professional meeting about beheading infidels. A fellow doctor reports:
"He gave a Grand Rounds presentation. . . You take turns giving a lecture on, you know, the correct treatment of schizophrenia, the right drugs to prescribe for personality disorder, you know, that sort of thing. But instead of giving an academic paper, he gave a lecture on the Koran, and they said it didn’t seem to be just an informational lecture, but it seemed to be his own beliefs. That’s what a lot of people thought."
"He talked about how if you’re a nonbeliever the Koran says you should have your head cut off, you should have oil poured down your throat, you should be set on fire. And I said well couldn’t this just be his educating you? And the psychiatrist said yes, but one of the Muslims in the audience, another psychiatrist, raised his hand and was quite disturbed and he said you know, a lot of us don’t believe these things you’re saying, and that there was no place where Hasan couched it as this is what the Koran teaches but you know I don’t believe it. And people actually talked in the hallway afterwards about ‘is he one of these people that’s going to freak out and shoot people someday?’"
http://frontpagemag.com/2009/11/06/jihad-at-fort-hood-by-robert-spencer/
The facts will come out. So far we know---
this "major" had never been deployed. And even in a deployment, he would not have gone out on patrol.
this guy hated women. refused to be photographed with them. had trouble getting a wife. applied to the Palestinian services for a wife at his mosque.
Have you seen the cnn video of the guy in FULL muslim dress at his local store? The shopkeeper said he came in almost every morning from 6-7am. Got his coffee. Read the paper. Talked about how he was having trouble with the thought of a deployment because as a muslim he did not want to have to shoot other muslims. It did not stop him from shooting Americans. As a shrink, he would not have gone out on missions, anyway. His arabic was not that good.
the guy was born in the USA. he attended school on the Army's dime. He owed the Army so many years because the Army---we---paid for his schooling.
the guy was repromanded for pushing his religion. every person he ever "counceled" will now come forward with his weirdness.
It is a sad, sad day for the victims at Fort Hood. It is a sad, sad day for anyone who lost a loved one.
But, political correctness allowed this animal to rise as far as he did in the Army.
the guy yelled "allah ackbar" while shooting.
do the math. 13 dead, and 30 injured---that is over fifty rounds. premeditated. think about it. he planned it.
And no, our troops who live on post do not walk around fully armed. Good grief. Our posts and military bases are very safe.
If he had been deployed, he might have snapped over there.
Do we have the courage to come forward if/when someone does not seem right? Do we have the courage to open our eyes and see the radical side and insanity that is islam?
this guy has now made it harder for muslims to be soldiers. And sadly, it does not take much to set muslims off. They are highly sensitive to our women being in uniform. And what is sad, is that this guy was born here, and was raised here to hate America---just like obama.
I was born and raised here. I was taught to love my country. I was raised to learn history, and respect for human life.
this guy did not know the difference between suicide bombers and a hero that will save his buddies by falling on a grenade. he wrote about it. And if a guy can't see the difference between animals that take life, and a savior that tries to save life by giving His... what hope does he have?
It is time to set aside political correctness because it is getting innocent, brave people killed.
My husband, Bob put it better than me---and he links to the video.
http://lostfart.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-shouldnt-ask-but.html
found on Blackfive, and seen on a number of blogs:
NPR "All Things Considered" reports that Hasan talked at a professional meeting about beheading infidels. A fellow doctor reports:
"He gave a Grand Rounds presentation. . . You take turns giving a lecture on, you know, the correct treatment of schizophrenia, the right drugs to prescribe for personality disorder, you know, that sort of thing. But instead of giving an academic paper, he gave a lecture on the Koran, and they said it didn’t seem to be just an informational lecture, but it seemed to be his own beliefs. That’s what a lot of people thought."
"He talked about how if you’re a nonbeliever the Koran says you should have your head cut off, you should have oil poured down your throat, you should be set on fire. And I said well couldn’t this just be his educating you? And the psychiatrist said yes, but one of the Muslims in the audience, another psychiatrist, raised his hand and was quite disturbed and he said you know, a lot of us don’t believe these things you’re saying, and that there was no place where Hasan couched it as this is what the Koran teaches but you know I don’t believe it. And people actually talked in the hallway afterwards about ‘is he one of these people that’s going to freak out and shoot people someday?’"
http://frontpagemag.com/2009/11/06/jihad-at-fort-hood-by-robert-spencer/
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Underneath the Frig...
Whoa. I guess it has been a while since I scrubbed the floor under the frig. It needed it.
Dust bunnies. cat food. Enough to feed the roaches.
And what is with bread these days?? It does not mold.
Bob and I have trouble eating a whole loaf, even every two weeks---and I check it for mold, but whoa---what kind of perservatives is in this stuff now? Whoa. I guess we will all be nicely preserved old geezers.
I must say I am surprised C-span is covering the "Kill the Bill" rally on the Capital Steps. wow. Here at noon, even Mark Levine spoke.
Dust bunnies. cat food. Enough to feed the roaches.
And what is with bread these days?? It does not mold.
Bob and I have trouble eating a whole loaf, even every two weeks---and I check it for mold, but whoa---what kind of perservatives is in this stuff now? Whoa. I guess we will all be nicely preserved old geezers.
I must say I am surprised C-span is covering the "Kill the Bill" rally on the Capital Steps. wow. Here at noon, even Mark Levine spoke.
Bad Cat
The table was set with our best china. The frying pan was set on warm so that it was at the ready and the food would not stick. The colorful dessert of yogurt and blueberries rested by each plate.
All was ready. I watched the clock. As soon as Bob pulled into the drive in just a few minutes, I would turn the burner up and finish supper. Not that we are in a hurry, but I was hungry. My lunch of peanut butter and jelly long gone. And we do have church on Wednesday nights, so getting dishes done before Bible Study is a challenge.
With all the windows open, I knew I could hear Bob as he pulled into the drive, so I sat down at this computer for a minute. To rest. Check email. Twitter. Facebook. I don't remember exactly what distracted me. But, I heard Bob's car pull into the drive and turned to the kitchen to finish supper, and there sat the cat between our china dishes on the counter! Wondering if she was attracted to or if she sampled the yogurt blueberries...I yelled and batted her down and she jumped into her dish on the floor scattering her food everywhere. And Bob walked into the house. And found a wife with murder in her heart. Mumbling under her breath.
Then, while we were eating our supper, the cat jumped up on the counter by the sink and started licking the butter knife. She has very bad, bad habits. I would prefer she was an outside only cat. But, that would mean keeping her food in the garage and the garage door propped so she could come and go, and this would also feed the neighbors pride of cats and the strays.
One cat. Cat for sale. She is going cheap. only seven guineas. That or there abouts. (musical: Oliver)
She has a very thick luxurious fur for winter. She's make a great muff. or purse.
She does not purr, nor is her voice very pleasant. When Bob walked into the house last night, he picked up the scattered catfood, and rewarded the little criminal with a treat of "greenies," her favorite. She begs for greenies. She recognizes the greenies sack from the back of the house and three closed doors. All you have to do is shake the greenies sack, and she comes running.
Good news. A cat has been diagnosed with swine flu. Five dogs in the metroplex, too. Just now, on the radio, they actually interviewed a vet who said, and I am not making this up: don't allow your cat to come in contact with your child who has swine flu. Oh, yeah. When I have a sick child at home, the cat is just so high on my list of priorities. Good grief.
Ten year old cat. Does not play well with others. Tolerates the small kitty next door. Hisses at everything else. Prefers Bob. Sits on his armchair when he is on his laptop. Hates our singing.
..."if I could say she wasn't very greedy...I couldn't for I'd be telling you a tail. One cat. Cat for sale. She's going cheap. Have you ever seen such? a cat. for. sale."
All was ready. I watched the clock. As soon as Bob pulled into the drive in just a few minutes, I would turn the burner up and finish supper. Not that we are in a hurry, but I was hungry. My lunch of peanut butter and jelly long gone. And we do have church on Wednesday nights, so getting dishes done before Bible Study is a challenge.
With all the windows open, I knew I could hear Bob as he pulled into the drive, so I sat down at this computer for a minute. To rest. Check email. Twitter. Facebook. I don't remember exactly what distracted me. But, I heard Bob's car pull into the drive and turned to the kitchen to finish supper, and there sat the cat between our china dishes on the counter! Wondering if she was attracted to or if she sampled the yogurt blueberries...I yelled and batted her down and she jumped into her dish on the floor scattering her food everywhere. And Bob walked into the house. And found a wife with murder in her heart. Mumbling under her breath.
Then, while we were eating our supper, the cat jumped up on the counter by the sink and started licking the butter knife. She has very bad, bad habits. I would prefer she was an outside only cat. But, that would mean keeping her food in the garage and the garage door propped so she could come and go, and this would also feed the neighbors pride of cats and the strays.
One cat. Cat for sale. She is going cheap. only seven guineas. That or there abouts. (musical: Oliver)
She has a very thick luxurious fur for winter. She's make a great muff. or purse.
She does not purr, nor is her voice very pleasant. When Bob walked into the house last night, he picked up the scattered catfood, and rewarded the little criminal with a treat of "greenies," her favorite. She begs for greenies. She recognizes the greenies sack from the back of the house and three closed doors. All you have to do is shake the greenies sack, and she comes running.
Good news. A cat has been diagnosed with swine flu. Five dogs in the metroplex, too. Just now, on the radio, they actually interviewed a vet who said, and I am not making this up: don't allow your cat to come in contact with your child who has swine flu. Oh, yeah. When I have a sick child at home, the cat is just so high on my list of priorities. Good grief.
Ten year old cat. Does not play well with others. Tolerates the small kitty next door. Hisses at everything else. Prefers Bob. Sits on his armchair when he is on his laptop. Hates our singing.
..."if I could say she wasn't very greedy...I couldn't for I'd be telling you a tail. One cat. Cat for sale. She's going cheap. Have you ever seen such? a cat. for. sale."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Election Day
Okay. I am confused. Who owns blue? And red?
Better question to ask---which candidate represents conservative values? Morals !
Bob and I went over the ballot last night. It took hours. Because, here in Texas, our legislature only meets every other year. And they somehow decided these eleven amendments were so important that they need to be voted on by three precent of the population in on "off" year election.
The wording on the amendments are enough to make your eyes cross. I was all for voting AGAINST all of them just because our legislators are idiots and worded them so poorly. And a few look like we are voting on the changes to the constitution to help a small group here or there. Please.
Bob is more compassionate as he knows Texas history and the plague it suffered during reconstruction after the civil war.
But, if I happen to run into a real, live legislator---I may give them a piece of my mind. Seriously? These eleven amendments are so earth shattering that you decided to spend millions of dollars?? They could not wait until the next election? Seriously? Two of the amendments don't even have opposition. Well, aren't we all just getting along down there in Austin. Snark.
The State of Texas website has a section to help you discern the amendments. Good luck. Hard to read. Harder still to understand. No explanation from the ones who put it forward. Some are merely reactions to a what if...
Okay. I will trot over to our polling place. I think they will be surprised at the turnout. I think they will be amazed that we are fed up with their stupid spending. My "mood" is angry. Do I think the Arlington schools are doing a good job and deserve to have MORE money thrown at them? Seriously?
And on the website---under libertarian, there is an astounding video of our legislators voting for each other. Time to smack that down. Ethics?? Hello. Caught on video punching the voting buttons on all the desks within their reach. Den of vipers.
http://www.lptexas.org/ Scroll down, and take a look. It is a You Tube video. They are breaking the rules right in front of us!
Better question to ask---which candidate represents conservative values? Morals !
Bob and I went over the ballot last night. It took hours. Because, here in Texas, our legislature only meets every other year. And they somehow decided these eleven amendments were so important that they need to be voted on by three precent of the population in on "off" year election.
The wording on the amendments are enough to make your eyes cross. I was all for voting AGAINST all of them just because our legislators are idiots and worded them so poorly. And a few look like we are voting on the changes to the constitution to help a small group here or there. Please.
Bob is more compassionate as he knows Texas history and the plague it suffered during reconstruction after the civil war.
But, if I happen to run into a real, live legislator---I may give them a piece of my mind. Seriously? These eleven amendments are so earth shattering that you decided to spend millions of dollars?? They could not wait until the next election? Seriously? Two of the amendments don't even have opposition. Well, aren't we all just getting along down there in Austin. Snark.
The State of Texas website has a section to help you discern the amendments. Good luck. Hard to read. Harder still to understand. No explanation from the ones who put it forward. Some are merely reactions to a what if...
Okay. I will trot over to our polling place. I think they will be surprised at the turnout. I think they will be amazed that we are fed up with their stupid spending. My "mood" is angry. Do I think the Arlington schools are doing a good job and deserve to have MORE money thrown at them? Seriously?
And on the website---under libertarian, there is an astounding video of our legislators voting for each other. Time to smack that down. Ethics?? Hello. Caught on video punching the voting buttons on all the desks within their reach. Den of vipers.
http://www.lptexas.org/ Scroll down, and take a look. It is a You Tube video. They are breaking the rules right in front of us!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
A Twelve Hour Tour...
We left the house at 7am for Lawton. I remember changing the clock in the minivan at 7:10am.. as we were headed by the post office. We had a rendevous with James and Amber at their church. The 11 o'clock service. Bob remembered where the church was. It is a relatively new building with fancy cinderblock and brick work off Lee Blvd.
We drove through the McDonalds in Decatur, and made it to Wichita Falls for a gas and bathroom break. Then to James and Amber's apartment by 10:15am! It was fun taking them to their church. Then off to Mount Scott after church. I had been wanting to see the lookout after following a soldier who is in Iraq's blog. He used to ride his bike up there when training at Fort Sill. It is beautiful! And a perfect day. Windy up top, but not that we needed our jackets. A huge beavy of motorcycle enthusiasts where all lined up atop, smoking something super sweet. Coated in black leather, and kerchiefs on their heads, it looked like a Harley convention. You can see the phalanx of windmills stretching to the horizon. And the beautiful lakes and little recreational vehicle parks. James and Amber showed us the Holy City, and the Prairie Dog town being studied by the colleges on their cameras. They look like skittish squirrels.
Back to James and Amber's apartment for delicious pot roast in the crock pot. Potatoes, onions, carrots, and corn on the cob along with bread and muffins filled us to the brim. We would need no supper. It was so good to see them, and hear about their adventures.
Bob and I drove home by Duncan, Oklahoma. The roads are smoother, and the fields so green and beautiful from all the wonderful recent rains. My favorite was the purple grass. It grows in Oklahoma and Texas along the roadways. We saw lots of yellow trees. More reds and maroons around Mount Scott.
The trip home via Duncan and highway 81 seems longer because you stay in Oklahoma longer. The Wichita Falls route has more gas stations and eating establishments. But the Duncan route is prettier. And dumps you out at Bowie, Texas where there is a Walmart to stretch your legs. The clerk we chose was slower than molasses, hung over from too much Halloweening, I suspect. And our ice cream melted. But, I did get Bob to pick out a new wallet as his old one was falling apart. And of course, the new wallet set the door alarms ringing as we were leaving because Miss Molasses did not swipe it over her security thingy. Wish we had bought two. At $14.00 we would not have to do this again for a few years. I wanted to get Bob some more work pants, but picking out a wallet was too much. I found marroon yarn! cotton! Yippeee! Our Walmarts don't stock such variety. And my friend in Ennis had requested maroon dishrags as it is their high school's colors. I warned her that they will turn a load of white laundry pink, but she still said everyone was requesting them. Okay. I bought all Walmart in Bowie had. And navy! None of our Walmarts stock such exotic colors. I even drooled over a big spool, but those cones take forever to use up, and by then you are super tired of that varigated yarn. The cone spools fit on knitting machines, I have read.
Home via Braum's for more milk, then we called James and Amber to let them know we made it home safe as they requested, and we are eating popcorn before bed. With the time change, the sun went down about 6:30pm, and a bright moon appeared under Bob's nose. I tried to take a picture of the moon-booger near the Red River.
Talk about a Sunday drive.
We drove through the McDonalds in Decatur, and made it to Wichita Falls for a gas and bathroom break. Then to James and Amber's apartment by 10:15am! It was fun taking them to their church. Then off to Mount Scott after church. I had been wanting to see the lookout after following a soldier who is in Iraq's blog. He used to ride his bike up there when training at Fort Sill. It is beautiful! And a perfect day. Windy up top, but not that we needed our jackets. A huge beavy of motorcycle enthusiasts where all lined up atop, smoking something super sweet. Coated in black leather, and kerchiefs on their heads, it looked like a Harley convention. You can see the phalanx of windmills stretching to the horizon. And the beautiful lakes and little recreational vehicle parks. James and Amber showed us the Holy City, and the Prairie Dog town being studied by the colleges on their cameras. They look like skittish squirrels.
Back to James and Amber's apartment for delicious pot roast in the crock pot. Potatoes, onions, carrots, and corn on the cob along with bread and muffins filled us to the brim. We would need no supper. It was so good to see them, and hear about their adventures.
Bob and I drove home by Duncan, Oklahoma. The roads are smoother, and the fields so green and beautiful from all the wonderful recent rains. My favorite was the purple grass. It grows in Oklahoma and Texas along the roadways. We saw lots of yellow trees. More reds and maroons around Mount Scott.
The trip home via Duncan and highway 81 seems longer because you stay in Oklahoma longer. The Wichita Falls route has more gas stations and eating establishments. But the Duncan route is prettier. And dumps you out at Bowie, Texas where there is a Walmart to stretch your legs. The clerk we chose was slower than molasses, hung over from too much Halloweening, I suspect. And our ice cream melted. But, I did get Bob to pick out a new wallet as his old one was falling apart. And of course, the new wallet set the door alarms ringing as we were leaving because Miss Molasses did not swipe it over her security thingy. Wish we had bought two. At $14.00 we would not have to do this again for a few years. I wanted to get Bob some more work pants, but picking out a wallet was too much. I found marroon yarn! cotton! Yippeee! Our Walmarts don't stock such variety. And my friend in Ennis had requested maroon dishrags as it is their high school's colors. I warned her that they will turn a load of white laundry pink, but she still said everyone was requesting them. Okay. I bought all Walmart in Bowie had. And navy! None of our Walmarts stock such exotic colors. I even drooled over a big spool, but those cones take forever to use up, and by then you are super tired of that varigated yarn. The cone spools fit on knitting machines, I have read.
Home via Braum's for more milk, then we called James and Amber to let them know we made it home safe as they requested, and we are eating popcorn before bed. With the time change, the sun went down about 6:30pm, and a bright moon appeared under Bob's nose. I tried to take a picture of the moon-booger near the Red River.
Talk about a Sunday drive.
Worship
What did worship look like, feel like, sound like, for women in the Bible? Today is Sunday. Worship will look like going to church and singing and praying and listening to the Word of God taught. But, as I've been taught recently, worship is something we as humans do 24/7. We are always worshipping something at any given time.
And if we are looking for good "praise" songs--why not look at the Psalms, the very songs God liked so much, He recorded in the Bible forever.
After receiving Gabriel's good news, given just to her, Mary started with a humble heart: "Behold, the bondservant of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word." Mary had received good news. Startling news. Guess what, Mary--you are the one prophesied--the virgin found with child. A prophecy no one understood. And any girl found with child usually received the death sentence. The news was given by Gabriel just to her with the news of another miracle---Elizabeth, her relative, is six months along---with a son in her old age. Called barren...no more. "For nothing will be impossible with God," Gabriel also declared.
It was all Mary was told---it was enough. Or, maybe the angel said more, but this is what God recorded forever. Mary acts on this information, and travels by foot over one hundred miles to visit Elizabeth. And when they meet: Lots of worship happens! God the Holy Spirit comes upon both of them and they say some mighty amazing things for an old woman, and a new mom:
Luke chapter one, verse 39 picks up the story:
"Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the BABY leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, 'Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my LORD should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."
Elizabeth is loud, and excited, and knows supernaturally because God is inside her, and her baby, and her son while only six months along, is a BABY. (not a fetus, not just tissue) He is a boy. He has been given a name. He has a special job to do as herald to the King, the Messiah and Savior who was promised, and who everyone has been waiting for. Elizabeth commends Mary for BELIEVING: trusting that what Gabriel told her was from the Lord. Elizabeth does not know yet that an angel delivered God's word, but she knows those words are from God. God's Word. And now recorded in God's Word forever.
Elizabeth worships. Elizabeth shouts. Elizabeth comforts Mary and comfirms and will be a hostess to Mary for about three months.
Mary's worship will include quotes from the Old Testament. And her worship will reveal that she has been listening when the Word of God has been taught at home, at synagogue, and when they would travel to Jerusalem a couple of times a year. She had heard the stories, and the promises, and knew her God---His character, His ways, His actions. And she took comfort from God's revealing Himself in words and in deeds. She had confidence and trust, that the same God who promised things to her ancestor, Abraham, would take care of her. This is what Mary said, and it is recorded in God's Word forever:
"My soul exalts the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generations after generations toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent away the rich empty handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever."
Mary did not know exactly how everything was going to work out, and she would be there at the cross when her Son is crucified, and no one understood why it was necessary at the time, that her Son, the Lord Jesus Christ had to be the Lamb of God for the sins of the entire world. But, Mary was there at the resurrection. She would know extreme sorrow, pain, and then joy---when her Son and her Savior came back from the dead three days later, just as He said He would. And now sits at the right hand of God.
Elizabeth and Zacharias' worship would include raising a son named John. John would preach to his generation...maybe next time we will look at what the Bible says his worship looked like.
I think we sometimes mix our traditions of worship with what we think worship should look like. Instead, lets look at what worship looks like in the Bible---in the the lives and examples we are given. Instead of making stuff up, instead of depending on our feelings and fleeting emotions, lets look to the source for what God would have us do.
And for examples of praise---God seems to have really liked David's songs---the Psalms recorded forever in the Bible. What are their patterns? What do they say about the heart of worship?
And if we are looking for good "praise" songs--why not look at the Psalms, the very songs God liked so much, He recorded in the Bible forever.
After receiving Gabriel's good news, given just to her, Mary started with a humble heart: "Behold, the bondservant of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word." Mary had received good news. Startling news. Guess what, Mary--you are the one prophesied--the virgin found with child. A prophecy no one understood. And any girl found with child usually received the death sentence. The news was given by Gabriel just to her with the news of another miracle---Elizabeth, her relative, is six months along---with a son in her old age. Called barren...no more. "For nothing will be impossible with God," Gabriel also declared.
It was all Mary was told---it was enough. Or, maybe the angel said more, but this is what God recorded forever. Mary acts on this information, and travels by foot over one hundred miles to visit Elizabeth. And when they meet: Lots of worship happens! God the Holy Spirit comes upon both of them and they say some mighty amazing things for an old woman, and a new mom:
Luke chapter one, verse 39 picks up the story:
"Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the BABY leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, 'Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my LORD should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."
Elizabeth is loud, and excited, and knows supernaturally because God is inside her, and her baby, and her son while only six months along, is a BABY. (not a fetus, not just tissue) He is a boy. He has been given a name. He has a special job to do as herald to the King, the Messiah and Savior who was promised, and who everyone has been waiting for. Elizabeth commends Mary for BELIEVING: trusting that what Gabriel told her was from the Lord. Elizabeth does not know yet that an angel delivered God's word, but she knows those words are from God. God's Word. And now recorded in God's Word forever.
Elizabeth worships. Elizabeth shouts. Elizabeth comforts Mary and comfirms and will be a hostess to Mary for about three months.
Mary's worship will include quotes from the Old Testament. And her worship will reveal that she has been listening when the Word of God has been taught at home, at synagogue, and when they would travel to Jerusalem a couple of times a year. She had heard the stories, and the promises, and knew her God---His character, His ways, His actions. And she took comfort from God's revealing Himself in words and in deeds. She had confidence and trust, that the same God who promised things to her ancestor, Abraham, would take care of her. This is what Mary said, and it is recorded in God's Word forever:
"My soul exalts the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generations after generations toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent away the rich empty handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever."
Mary did not know exactly how everything was going to work out, and she would be there at the cross when her Son is crucified, and no one understood why it was necessary at the time, that her Son, the Lord Jesus Christ had to be the Lamb of God for the sins of the entire world. But, Mary was there at the resurrection. She would know extreme sorrow, pain, and then joy---when her Son and her Savior came back from the dead three days later, just as He said He would. And now sits at the right hand of God.
Elizabeth and Zacharias' worship would include raising a son named John. John would preach to his generation...maybe next time we will look at what the Bible says his worship looked like.
I think we sometimes mix our traditions of worship with what we think worship should look like. Instead, lets look at what worship looks like in the Bible---in the the lives and examples we are given. Instead of making stuff up, instead of depending on our feelings and fleeting emotions, lets look to the source for what God would have us do.
And for examples of praise---God seems to have really liked David's songs---the Psalms recorded forever in the Bible. What are their patterns? What do they say about the heart of worship?
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