Saturday, September 20, 2008
No-Wax Floors
No-wax floors are a lie perpetrated by flooring manufacturers. I have not been able to get the kitchen floor clean in the new house. We mop, and the next day it's filthy. Finally I decided to give it a few coats of floor wax. Y'know, the good old-fashioned kind that's supposed to go on tile. And suddenly it is so much easier to sweep the floor!
Blog Awards
Recently (spoken by a woman who is aging rapidly and thus time is flying past!) two friends included me in their lists of blog awards. At the time that Paula gave me the "I Love You This Much" award and when Jane gave me the "Brillante Weblog Premio" award, I was overwhelmed with stuff to do, couldn't think about hunting up people upon whom to bestow the award next, and couldn't remember how to cut-n-paste the pictures of the awards onto my blog. So my apologies to you for not keeping up with the program. Well, I decided that today was the day to say THANK YOU to them, and that I am most honored, and that you guys already pegged many of the people upon whom I would pass on the honor,
... and even though I tried, I still can't figure out how to put those pictures on my blog. All I get is this funny little flat rectangle that has a link to the pictures. So I gave up trying to print the award. Oh well, I NEVER claimed to be technologically savvy.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Psalm 31:3
For You are my rock and my fortress;
therefore, for Your name's sake,
lead me and guide me.
Think about that. Do rocks move? Isn't a fortress known for its stability? So what is this thing about THEREFORE lead me and guide me? Rocks and fortresses are not known for their ability to guide, but to sit in one place.
Our recent Bible stories are from Numbers. Yesterday's story was the instructions to follow where the pillar of fire/cloud went. Today's story told how the children of Israel finally left Sinai after their year camping there, to head out to the Promised Land. (We see in Numbers 10:11 how God let them hang around until the end of the belated Passover celebration for the guys who couldn't celebrate it with the rest of the nation due to their uncleanness.) So with all these stories about the Israelites' sojourn, combined with this weird line from Psalm 31, we have to look at 1 Corinthians 10: For they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. Jesus was with them in the wilderness. Likewise, He is with us, a rock to lead and guide us (however odd that imagery may be if'n we don't know our Old Testament stories).
Pastor had a different point this morning, however. He was comparing the Israelites' sojourn with ours. Jesus talked about taking up our cross and following him. We follow where He leads. (And notice that when the Israelites headed out, the standard, or ensign, of the tribe of Judah --the tribe of the Messiah-- was what went first. Led on their way by this triumphant sign, the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. Lift high the cross....)
therefore, for Your name's sake,
lead me and guide me.
Think about that. Do rocks move? Isn't a fortress known for its stability? So what is this thing about THEREFORE lead me and guide me? Rocks and fortresses are not known for their ability to guide, but to sit in one place.
Our recent Bible stories are from Numbers. Yesterday's story was the instructions to follow where the pillar of fire/cloud went. Today's story told how the children of Israel finally left Sinai after their year camping there, to head out to the Promised Land. (We see in Numbers 10:11 how God let them hang around until the end of the belated Passover celebration for the guys who couldn't celebrate it with the rest of the nation due to their uncleanness.) So with all these stories about the Israelites' sojourn, combined with this weird line from Psalm 31, we have to look at 1 Corinthians 10: For they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. Jesus was with them in the wilderness. Likewise, He is with us, a rock to lead and guide us (however odd that imagery may be if'n we don't know our Old Testament stories).
Pastor had a different point this morning, however. He was comparing the Israelites' sojourn with ours. Jesus talked about taking up our cross and following him. We follow where He leads. (And notice that when the Israelites headed out, the standard, or ensign, of the tribe of Judah --the tribe of the Messiah-- was what went first. Led on their way by this triumphant sign, the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. Lift high the cross....)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Oh, I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Okay...
Well, at least, I'm okay now.
Tomorrow morning I will wake up with every muscle in my body screaming, "You are too OLD for this! Old. OLD. Old. Middle-aged women on the downhill slope ought not be ought there playing lumberjack all day long!"
Andrew and I were the primary wielders of the chainsaw:
For some reason, I could not get the machine to start for me; it was hard to yank the starter-cord. But Andrew could make the machine work. He also figured out how to put the chain back when I knocked it off, and taught me how to fix the chain too. Impressive, eh?
Here is the poor naked plum tree. It looks pretty pitiful, and even worse in this photo than it looks in real life. You can see what it used to look like when it was full and lush. But the tree was so big that the plums couldn't be reached for harvest. And the tree was too lush, putting more energy into leaves than into fruit. So after years of neglect, it needed some serious pruning. I hope it lives through the trauma. If not, we plant some dwarf fruit trees in its place.
Off to the left, you can see part of the small stack of firewood that was salvaged from the brush pile.
And below we see the pile awaiting the nice man from the township who will be coming through with his chipper/mulcher machine in about five weeks. We have here the two hugely overgrown shrubs from the north end of the house, the top of the cherry tree that was pruned, the top of the plum tree, and the oddly-shaped red pine that Andrew took down a couple of weeks ago. Philip and Maggie did a whole lot of the branch-dragging and yard-raking to clean up the cutting messes the other two of us made.
My souvenir of the day is, well,... uh,... "freckles." After taking such large branches off the plum tree, I got out the aerosol can of pruning sealant. But for one spot, I had put the ladder in the exact wrong place. A downwind spot from where I was spraying. I now have speckled feet, speckled face, speckled neck, and speckled shirt. But my upper arms are a crack-up; I look like a heavily peppered piece o' roast. I done been tarred. (No feathers, though.) After bathing, I still am heavily speckled, but I must be somewhat cleaner since the bottom of the tub looked like it, too, had been well seasoned with ground black pepper!
Tomorrow morning I will wake up with every muscle in my body screaming, "You are too OLD for this! Old. OLD. Old. Middle-aged women on the downhill slope ought not be ought there playing lumberjack all day long!"
Andrew and I were the primary wielders of the chainsaw:
For some reason, I could not get the machine to start for me; it was hard to yank the starter-cord. But Andrew could make the machine work. He also figured out how to put the chain back when I knocked it off, and taught me how to fix the chain too. Impressive, eh?Here is the poor naked plum tree. It looks pretty pitiful, and even worse in this photo than it looks in real life. You can see what it used to look like when it was full and lush. But the tree was so big that the plums couldn't be reached for harvest. And the tree was too lush, putting more energy into leaves than into fruit. So after years of neglect, it needed some serious pruning. I hope it lives through the trauma. If not, we plant some dwarf fruit trees in its place.
Off to the left, you can see part of the small stack of firewood that was salvaged from the brush pile.And below we see the pile awaiting the nice man from the township who will be coming through with his chipper/mulcher machine in about five weeks. We have here the two hugely overgrown shrubs from the north end of the house, the top of the cherry tree that was pruned, the top of the plum tree, and the oddly-shaped red pine that Andrew took down a couple of weeks ago. Philip and Maggie did a whole lot of the branch-dragging and yard-raking to clean up the cutting messes the other two of us made.
My souvenir of the day is, well,... uh,... "freckles." After taking such large branches off the plum tree, I got out the aerosol can of pruning sealant. But for one spot, I had put the ladder in the exact wrong place. A downwind spot from where I was spraying. I now have speckled feet, speckled face, speckled neck, and speckled shirt. But my upper arms are a crack-up; I look like a heavily peppered piece o' roast. I done been tarred. (No feathers, though.) After bathing, I still am heavily speckled, but I must be somewhat cleaner since the bottom of the tub looked like it, too, had been well seasoned with ground black pepper!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Cloudy Days
Shakespeare.
Henry IV, part 1.
Act 1, scene 2, lines 205-210.
Prince Hal is giving examples of how we have greater appreciation for blessings when we have to forego them temporarily and then can enjoy their reinstatement. And thus Shakespeare unknowingly commented on Seasonal Affective Disorder:
The sun doth permit the base contagious clouds
to smother up his beauty from the world,
that, when he please again to be himself,
being wanted, he may be more wondered at,
by breaking through the foul and ugly mists
of vapors that did seem to strangle him.
Although, honestly, I personally think it might be okay if I enjoyed the sun while taking it for granted, and not having to rejoice in its return because, after all, it'd been there all along.... Now, really, what would be so bad about that?
Henry IV, part 1.
Act 1, scene 2, lines 205-210.
Prince Hal is giving examples of how we have greater appreciation for blessings when we have to forego them temporarily and then can enjoy their reinstatement. And thus Shakespeare unknowingly commented on Seasonal Affective Disorder:
The sun doth permit the base contagious clouds
to smother up his beauty from the world,
that, when he please again to be himself,
being wanted, he may be more wondered at,
by breaking through the foul and ugly mists
of vapors that did seem to strangle him.
Although, honestly, I personally think it might be okay if I enjoyed the sun while taking it for granted, and not having to rejoice in its return because, after all, it'd been there all along.... Now, really, what would be so bad about that?
Boys' News
Philip had an oops with the razor Monday. The attachment on the end of the beard-trimmer was not the one he thought it was. Once you cut a hole in your beard, the rest of it kinda sorta has to go. So he is currently naked-chinned. He also had a job interview for something that sounds really good; he'll hear about the hiring decision within a week.
Paul took his math CLEP and passed with an impressive 58! (On a test-scale of 20 to 80, fifty is enough to get college credit.) Much rejoicing commenced when we found that message on the answering machine. He has now met his college math requirements and earned 3 more credits. I luv luv luv the math book we use for Algebra 2. Hooray for Paul's hard work in math this summer!
Paul took his math CLEP and passed with an impressive 58! (On a test-scale of 20 to 80, fifty is enough to get college credit.) Much rejoicing commenced when we found that message on the answering machine. He has now met his college math requirements and earned 3 more credits. I luv luv luv the math book we use for Algebra 2. Hooray for Paul's hard work in math this summer!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Long Day
Gone 12 hours. Twelve good hours. But still tiring.
Gary took a day off to go with us to see Henry IV. We were happy to hear that Henry V will be playing next summer.
David was surprised by how much Maggie had grown since last summer.
Some interesting things came up in the talk-back about how APT doesn't like to play the plays to tell you what to think about the conclusion. David was saying how it's so easy to force a viewpoint on the audience, and that most companies choose to go that route. But APT likes to leave things more open-ended, so that you get something out of the play that is unique to you and your perspective. Maybe that's why I like their renditions of Shakespeare so much more than other companies' versions; and maybe that's why their plays seem so "Lutheran" to me.
Rachel, did you know Tracy is pregnant? She looks smaller than Katie, but is due sooner. Hey, I guess that's what height does for you. :)
We stopped on the way home and ate the special-of-the-month at Olive Garden. I loved the caprese and Mr Birthday-Boy loved the asiago-garlic alfredo.
The southwest corner of Wisconsin is one of the most beautiful places in the world. If only there were a church nearby that I wanted to attend, it would be a dream place to live.
On the drive over to Spring Green, we passed the Radisson that we stayed at last year (compliments of many dear friends) so that we could shower when we were without our septic system. Seeing the building reminded me of all those loved ones who were so encouraging and supportive during that time.
As thought-provoking as the play was, as lovely as the weather was, as great as the day was, it made me and Gary realize how much we miss being together, and how seldom we see each other and spend time together like we did today. That's the difficult part of the fun-times; it always makes us long for more. More time with each other. Or more time with Tammy's family. More time with Erin's family. More time with Kathy and Laura, or Mom and Dad, or the folks in Indiana. But life just keeps getting in the way of our socializing!
On the way back home, we made a quick stop at the Madison Woodmans. Can't hardly drive by a Woodmans without stopping to pick up a few (or many!) items. We also stopped at Target and picked up a 26" bike for Maggie. The one we chose at the local Target was not quiiite well-constructed, and I wanted to visit a store in another town to buy one that was well-built. So we have high hopes that she will now be able to keep up more easily when we ride to town.
Gary took a day off to go with us to see Henry IV. We were happy to hear that Henry V will be playing next summer.
David was surprised by how much Maggie had grown since last summer.Some interesting things came up in the talk-back about how APT doesn't like to play the plays to tell you what to think about the conclusion. David was saying how it's so easy to force a viewpoint on the audience, and that most companies choose to go that route. But APT likes to leave things more open-ended, so that you get something out of the play that is unique to you and your perspective. Maybe that's why I like their renditions of Shakespeare so much more than other companies' versions; and maybe that's why their plays seem so "Lutheran" to me.
Rachel, did you know Tracy is pregnant? She looks smaller than Katie, but is due sooner. Hey, I guess that's what height does for you. :)
We stopped on the way home and ate the special-of-the-month at Olive Garden. I loved the caprese and Mr Birthday-Boy loved the asiago-garlic alfredo.
The southwest corner of Wisconsin is one of the most beautiful places in the world. If only there were a church nearby that I wanted to attend, it would be a dream place to live.
On the drive over to Spring Green, we passed the Radisson that we stayed at last year (compliments of many dear friends) so that we could shower when we were without our septic system. Seeing the building reminded me of all those loved ones who were so encouraging and supportive during that time.
As thought-provoking as the play was, as lovely as the weather was, as great as the day was, it made me and Gary realize how much we miss being together, and how seldom we see each other and spend time together like we did today. That's the difficult part of the fun-times; it always makes us long for more. More time with each other. Or more time with Tammy's family. More time with Erin's family. More time with Kathy and Laura, or Mom and Dad, or the folks in Indiana. But life just keeps getting in the way of our socializing!
On the way back home, we made a quick stop at the Madison Woodmans. Can't hardly drive by a Woodmans without stopping to pick up a few (or many!) items. We also stopped at Target and picked up a 26" bike for Maggie. The one we chose at the local Target was not quiiite well-constructed, and I wanted to visit a store in another town to buy one that was well-built. So we have high hopes that she will now be able to keep up more easily when we ride to town.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mamma Mia
With Rachel working at a theatre, we get occasional $1 passes, and thus have been seeing a lot more movies than at any time before in our married life ... even though finding the time to get to a theatre is even harder than paying for it. Anyway, with rain preventing Gary from working on the deck, and with soon-to-expire $1 passes, last week we went to see the Abba-music movie.
It was a cheery and energetic movie. It had Abba songs that I remember enjoying from long ago. But somehow it just wasn't a happy movie. The plot is basically that the mom and daughter were eeking out a living together without the dad. Mom didn't know which man the dad was. Daughter invited all three possible dads to her wedding so that she could figure out which man was her dad. Somehow, as we made our way through the movie, I thought the point was that it was not okay to be raised without your dad, and that the daughter wanted to know her dad, AND to have something better for her own children. One dad didn't want the girl wasting her life and her talents by settling down with a husband. The mom didn't want that either: the daughter had better things to do.
The movie concluded with all parties resolving that it's just fine if we don't know who her dad is, and all the men will just share the dad-ness. And like in Titanic, another conclusion was that the one dad had never been happy with his wife because he was always pining over the girl of his dreams (the mom in this story). And another conclusion was that one of the dads discovered he was actually gay. AND another revolting conclusion was that the girl finally came to her senses, called off the wedding, and decided to just shack up with her honey while they traveled the world.
Okay, you youngsters who liked this movie for the music... WHY does this plot not make you want to throw rotten tomatoes at the screen? Why can the fun music be strong enough to accept this wretched plot?
I think this proves me to be an old fogey.
But I want my 20-something Christian friends to be old-fogeyish that way too.
It was a cheery and energetic movie. It had Abba songs that I remember enjoying from long ago. But somehow it just wasn't a happy movie. The plot is basically that the mom and daughter were eeking out a living together without the dad. Mom didn't know which man the dad was. Daughter invited all three possible dads to her wedding so that she could figure out which man was her dad. Somehow, as we made our way through the movie, I thought the point was that it was not okay to be raised without your dad, and that the daughter wanted to know her dad, AND to have something better for her own children. One dad didn't want the girl wasting her life and her talents by settling down with a husband. The mom didn't want that either: the daughter had better things to do.
The movie concluded with all parties resolving that it's just fine if we don't know who her dad is, and all the men will just share the dad-ness. And like in Titanic, another conclusion was that the one dad had never been happy with his wife because he was always pining over the girl of his dreams (the mom in this story). And another conclusion was that one of the dads discovered he was actually gay. AND another revolting conclusion was that the girl finally came to her senses, called off the wedding, and decided to just shack up with her honey while they traveled the world.
Okay, you youngsters who liked this movie for the music... WHY does this plot not make you want to throw rotten tomatoes at the screen? Why can the fun music be strong enough to accept this wretched plot?
I think this proves me to be an old fogey.
But I want my 20-something Christian friends to be old-fogeyish that way too.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Yom Kippur
It's late this year. Still weeks away. Usually it's in the second half of September. I'm thinking about this because our Bible story for Friday was Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement.
Pastor preached in chapel on Friday how the priests pointed to the coming of Jesus, and how the priestly garments pointed to Jesus, and how the mercy seat showed the Old Testament believers something about Jesus, and how the tabernacle foreshadowed Jesus, and how the altar and the sacrifices all pointed to Jesus. All those things find their fulfillment in the cross of Christ. None of them was the real thing, the ultimate thing, in itself. And that's why atonement had to be made, not only for the people and their sins, but also for the altar and the Holy Place.
And that's why I find it lusciously interesting that the Feast of the Holy Cross (September 14) is celebrated right about the same time of year as Yom Kippur was.
Pastor preached in chapel on Friday how the priests pointed to the coming of Jesus, and how the priestly garments pointed to Jesus, and how the mercy seat showed the Old Testament believers something about Jesus, and how the tabernacle foreshadowed Jesus, and how the altar and the sacrifices all pointed to Jesus. All those things find their fulfillment in the cross of Christ. None of them was the real thing, the ultimate thing, in itself. And that's why atonement had to be made, not only for the people and their sins, but also for the altar and the Holy Place.
And that's why I find it lusciously interesting that the Feast of the Holy Cross (September 14) is celebrated right about the same time of year as Yom Kippur was.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
And Even More Ludicrous
The Obama campaign is deeply distressed over the mean, vicious, dirty, low-down, scummy lies that the McCain campaign is spreading. Whatever will they do about these ads with the outright lies?
What lies?
I followed hot-links. I hunted online. I googled. Couldn't find the "lies." Finally I found something. The mean terrible lie that the McCain campaign is spreading is that Obama's comment about "putting lipstick on a pig" was a jab at Palin. Well, silly! That comment had absolutely nothing to do with Palin. It wasn't a sexist comment. It wasn't a slur toward her.
ROFLOL!!!!!!
What lies?
I followed hot-links. I hunted online. I googled. Couldn't find the "lies." Finally I found something. The mean terrible lie that the McCain campaign is spreading is that Obama's comment about "putting lipstick on a pig" was a jab at Palin. Well, silly! That comment had absolutely nothing to do with Palin. It wasn't a sexist comment. It wasn't a slur toward her.
ROFLOL!!!!!!
This is less disjointed than it will first appear.
Claire (all of a whoppin' age 5 at the time) told her mommy a couple of months ago that, one day, she just pretended she was outgoing instead of shy, and then she was able to talk to some people she didn't know very well and be nicely friendly.
Due to some pain, I have barely jogged at all in the last 5-6 weeks. One morning I just had to get out and get some exercise and be forced into some really deep breathing. About a half-mile around the corner was a big tent in a neighbor's yard, and lots of flags, and decorated tables, and porta-potties, and a cool blow-up Moonwalk toy. The sign said, "Welcome Home, Sean!" It was obviously for a soldier returned home, and the celebration would be commencing later in the day.
In looking for employment, frequently my son and son-in-law have not made it to the top of the list. Veterans and minorities take priority over guys like my fellas. Sometimes that bothered me.
But that day, as I jogged beyond Sean's home, I thought about what he'd done. (Just to be clear, I don't know him. I don't know his parents. I don't know where he fought. But he was a soldier.) I thought about Rueben over there too, almost ready to come home after his long stint of duty, and then recalled yet again. I thought about Melody's sons. And there's Alex and Lynn and JJ's brother and so many others.
Our country was attacked on our own soil seven years ago. It hasn't happened since. We don't live in a war zone. That lovely Saturday I was out jogging in shorts. I wasn't wearing a burkha. I wasn't being shot at. I wasn't even passing by armed soldiers who kept the enemy at bay. I knew there would be food for lunch; enemy soldiers weren't raiding my pantry and my garden. I knew my church building was still standing, whole and undefiled, with the pastor free to preach the next day.
Soldiers give us that freedom.
They sacrifice their comfortable bedrooms, their time with family, their good home-cooked meals, the joys of their local communities. They sacrifice those things to give us the freedom to go to a movie, or hold down a job, or teach our children the catechism, or go jogging on a pretty Saturday morning.
If it weren't for the soldiers who protect us, it's very likely that many of our jobs would become non-existent. Maybe it's not so bad after all to allow that the ones who protected our homes and our jobs and our farms and our businesses --and our lives-- be the ones who are first-hired at those farms and businesses.
For those of you with kids, remember how great it was/is when a stranger came up to you in a restaurant and complimented you on your children's behavior? That message sticks with you for a long time. Even decades. That compliment is a quiet little voice in the back of your mind, encouraging you to go on and continue doing the right thing, disciplining those children, when you'd rather be lazy. And it reminds you how wonderfully the rest of the world sees this child of yours whom you know to be not quiiiite perfect.
I figured Sean or his parents should hear the "thank you" to him that was rattling around in my mind.
I remembered Claire's wise discovery. Just pretend you're not shy. So I stopped and spoke briefly with the family while they were prepping for all the company that would descend upon them later to celebrate Sean's homecoming.
When they're surrounded by the media telling them their son's sacrifice was worthless, I hope they remember my "thank you" just like Gary and I remember the stranger at the truck stop who purchased stuff animals for our wee kids and who thanked us for the job we were doing raising this brood. I hope there were lots of other people who have said thank-you to Sean and his family.
And thank you to Rueben and Annetta and Ralph.
And thank you to Matthew and Ethan and Jay and Melody and John.
And thank you to Liesl for giving up Lynn for those months.
And thank you the Hammonds.
And thank you to all those others, too many to list.
This You-Tube video has been flying all over the blogosphere. You've probably seen it. But if not, check out this soldier's message.
And why is it that Lee Greenwood always makes me cry?...
Due to some pain, I have barely jogged at all in the last 5-6 weeks. One morning I just had to get out and get some exercise and be forced into some really deep breathing. About a half-mile around the corner was a big tent in a neighbor's yard, and lots of flags, and decorated tables, and porta-potties, and a cool blow-up Moonwalk toy. The sign said, "Welcome Home, Sean!" It was obviously for a soldier returned home, and the celebration would be commencing later in the day.
In looking for employment, frequently my son and son-in-law have not made it to the top of the list. Veterans and minorities take priority over guys like my fellas. Sometimes that bothered me.
But that day, as I jogged beyond Sean's home, I thought about what he'd done. (Just to be clear, I don't know him. I don't know his parents. I don't know where he fought. But he was a soldier.) I thought about Rueben over there too, almost ready to come home after his long stint of duty, and then recalled yet again. I thought about Melody's sons. And there's Alex and Lynn and JJ's brother and so many others.
Our country was attacked on our own soil seven years ago. It hasn't happened since. We don't live in a war zone. That lovely Saturday I was out jogging in shorts. I wasn't wearing a burkha. I wasn't being shot at. I wasn't even passing by armed soldiers who kept the enemy at bay. I knew there would be food for lunch; enemy soldiers weren't raiding my pantry and my garden. I knew my church building was still standing, whole and undefiled, with the pastor free to preach the next day.
Soldiers give us that freedom.
They sacrifice their comfortable bedrooms, their time with family, their good home-cooked meals, the joys of their local communities. They sacrifice those things to give us the freedom to go to a movie, or hold down a job, or teach our children the catechism, or go jogging on a pretty Saturday morning.
If it weren't for the soldiers who protect us, it's very likely that many of our jobs would become non-existent. Maybe it's not so bad after all to allow that the ones who protected our homes and our jobs and our farms and our businesses --and our lives-- be the ones who are first-hired at those farms and businesses.
For those of you with kids, remember how great it was/is when a stranger came up to you in a restaurant and complimented you on your children's behavior? That message sticks with you for a long time. Even decades. That compliment is a quiet little voice in the back of your mind, encouraging you to go on and continue doing the right thing, disciplining those children, when you'd rather be lazy. And it reminds you how wonderfully the rest of the world sees this child of yours whom you know to be not quiiiite perfect.
I figured Sean or his parents should hear the "thank you" to him that was rattling around in my mind.
I remembered Claire's wise discovery. Just pretend you're not shy. So I stopped and spoke briefly with the family while they were prepping for all the company that would descend upon them later to celebrate Sean's homecoming.
When they're surrounded by the media telling them their son's sacrifice was worthless, I hope they remember my "thank you" just like Gary and I remember the stranger at the truck stop who purchased stuff animals for our wee kids and who thanked us for the job we were doing raising this brood. I hope there were lots of other people who have said thank-you to Sean and his family.
And thank you to Rueben and Annetta and Ralph.
And thank you to Matthew and Ethan and Jay and Melody and John.
And thank you to Liesl for giving up Lynn for those months.
And thank you the Hammonds.
And thank you to all those others, too many to list.
This You-Tube video has been flying all over the blogosphere. You've probably seen it. But if not, check out this soldier's message.
And why is it that Lee Greenwood always makes me cry?...
Friday, September 12, 2008
Next Obama Shocker
The ad came out on Friday. McCain "admits he still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an e-mail,..." The AP story about the ad says, "McCain has said he relies on his wife and staff to work the computer for him and that he doesn't use e-mail." And the reason he can't use the internet or send an email is because of the damage to his body, the injuries to his joints, the trauma he sustained when he was a P.O.W.
So, in essence, Obama is mocking McCain for having been repeatedly beaten up by the enemy when he was captured during the war. McCain could've spared himself the beatings, but his honor prevented him from putting himself first and hurting his fellow-soldiers. And now McCain is being mocked for his injuries???
This is just absolutely stunning. I mean, would Obama mock a soldier returned from Iraq for having lost his leg in battle? Would Obama mock a fire-fighter for burn-scars that he wears for having rescued a child from a burning building?
Because this is the exact same thing.
I keep thinking that I can't be shocked any more by the next low-down dirty trick. I keep thinking that they've gone as low as they can go. And yet, they keep coming up with new ones.
So, in essence, Obama is mocking McCain for having been repeatedly beaten up by the enemy when he was captured during the war. McCain could've spared himself the beatings, but his honor prevented him from putting himself first and hurting his fellow-soldiers. And now McCain is being mocked for his injuries???
This is just absolutely stunning. I mean, would Obama mock a soldier returned from Iraq for having lost his leg in battle? Would Obama mock a fire-fighter for burn-scars that he wears for having rescued a child from a burning building?
Because this is the exact same thing.
I keep thinking that I can't be shocked any more by the next low-down dirty trick. I keep thinking that they've gone as low as they can go. And yet, they keep coming up with new ones.
Gnosticism
Being in 1 John 4 for Bible class right now, gnosticism came up. (For those who don't like to follow links, gnosticism is a belief in gnosis, that is, knowing, and finds no value in the material world. Think of scientology as a modern example.)
What are God's first words in the Bible? "Let there be..." and there was, and God called it good.
So not only do the gnostics reject Christ's incarnation. But they start at the very beginning, taking issue with the primeval word: "and it was good."
What are God's first words in the Bible? "Let there be..." and there was, and God called it good.
So not only do the gnostics reject Christ's incarnation. But they start at the very beginning, taking issue with the primeval word: "and it was good."
Definition of Pietism
Somebody asked about pietism in Bible class the other day. Pastor explained it in many and various ways -- all of them very good. But I am a bear of very little brain; I think in soundbites. I need something less lofty to think on, something tight and succinct to puzzle over (even though I myself am never succinct!). And here's what I figured out once-upon-a-time.
Communism is a belief that we all should share everything in common.
Environmentalism is a belief in the importance of the environment. And not just that it is important (as I believe it is) but that the environment is the most important thing we must guard and protect and promote.
Consumerism is a lifestyle that puts consuming consumer-goods near the top of one's priorities. We gotta keep buying buying buying or else ... uhhh... or else the economy will fall apart, or else we will "lose" because we have fewer toys than the next guy, or whatever.
Ism is a belief in something, a trust in something.
Piety is a good thing. It is good to pray and to attend church and to meditate on the psalms and to do good works for the neighbor. Those are habits that flow out of the heart and life of a pious and devout person.
Pietism is a belief or trust in piety.
Piety is good. But when the person begins to promote piety even more than he promotes the forgiveness of sins bought by Jesus' atonement, then the piety has morphed into pietism. When the Christian's eyes are focused on his own piety (or worse yet, his neighbor's piety) rather than focusing on Christ's blood-bought redemption of sinners, pietism has trumped the Gospel.
And that is not a safe place to be.
(Problem is, when someone speaks against pietism, many Christians "hear" him speaking against piety. That's not only sad, but also sometimes hits us where we don't want to even begin to see subtle pietism in our own hearts. Here too, the call to repentance is necessary, and God's gift of the Holy Absolution is the only way to make faith right and to increase true piety.)
Communism is a belief that we all should share everything in common.
Environmentalism is a belief in the importance of the environment. And not just that it is important (as I believe it is) but that the environment is the most important thing we must guard and protect and promote.
Consumerism is a lifestyle that puts consuming consumer-goods near the top of one's priorities. We gotta keep buying buying buying or else ... uhhh... or else the economy will fall apart, or else we will "lose" because we have fewer toys than the next guy, or whatever.
Ism is a belief in something, a trust in something.
Piety is a good thing. It is good to pray and to attend church and to meditate on the psalms and to do good works for the neighbor. Those are habits that flow out of the heart and life of a pious and devout person.
Pietism is a belief or trust in piety.
Piety is good. But when the person begins to promote piety even more than he promotes the forgiveness of sins bought by Jesus' atonement, then the piety has morphed into pietism. When the Christian's eyes are focused on his own piety (or worse yet, his neighbor's piety) rather than focusing on Christ's blood-bought redemption of sinners, pietism has trumped the Gospel.
And that is not a safe place to be.
(Problem is, when someone speaks against pietism, many Christians "hear" him speaking against piety. That's not only sad, but also sometimes hits us where we don't want to even begin to see subtle pietism in our own hearts. Here too, the call to repentance is necessary, and God's gift of the Holy Absolution is the only way to make faith right and to increase true piety.)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Some Little Lessons
My friend Ed was asking about cantaloupes a couple of weeks ago. He's got a lot. Mine appeared to be doing well. Seems to be a great year for cantaloupe. But in the conversation, I happened to mention my small miniature plot of so-called garden. When I said that I had planted both cantaloupe and cucumbers in this tiny patch, Ed's eyebrows went up. He went on to tell me how he'd done the same thing one year, and the flowers of both vines cross-pollinated each other. Once he said it, it made perfect sense: the vines are similar, the seeds are nearly identical, and the flowers look very much alike to me. So a little more time passed. We harvested more cucumbers. We are watching the melons grow and ripen. But the other day I found these:
I guess we did cross-pollinate a few. Fat fat things, they are. And funky tasting. Not terrible, but nothing I want to use in anyplace where I'd normally put either cukes nor melons.
Somebody has been wanting to try beer-butt chicken for a long time. I seldom buy whole chickens, though. This week, leg quarters of Smart Chicken were unavailable, so I bought a whole bird. Here's our opportunity to try that recipe.
I almost think she looks like she's kneeling in prayer, albeit minus her little head... Anyway, the chicken was very good. But not good enough to warrant the mess of the beer can nor the costly amount of butter used in the recipe. Next time I'd just as soon crock-pot the birdie.
Men who build Belegarth swords must know how to sew. Andrew got a lesson today in deciding how much fabric, what order to piece it together in, and how to run the handy-dandy sewing machine. (Maybe we should've looked online before we started to wing it!) His weapons turned out lovely!
I guess we did cross-pollinate a few. Fat fat things, they are. And funky tasting. Not terrible, but nothing I want to use in anyplace where I'd normally put either cukes nor melons.Somebody has been wanting to try beer-butt chicken for a long time. I seldom buy whole chickens, though. This week, leg quarters of Smart Chicken were unavailable, so I bought a whole bird. Here's our opportunity to try that recipe.
I almost think she looks like she's kneeling in prayer, albeit minus her little head... Anyway, the chicken was very good. But not good enough to warrant the mess of the beer can nor the costly amount of butter used in the recipe. Next time I'd just as soon crock-pot the birdie.Men who build Belegarth swords must know how to sew. Andrew got a lesson today in deciding how much fabric, what order to piece it together in, and how to run the handy-dandy sewing machine. (Maybe we should've looked online before we started to wing it!) His weapons turned out lovely!
Sensenbrenner's Opponent
Knowing I would be out of town on primary day, I had requested an absentee ballot. When the ballot arrived, the only contested election on the whole page (for any party) was the primary for congressman. In Wisconsin we don't have to declare an allegiance to a political party; we are free to vote in any primary, but only one party per election day. I dutifully looked up information on the two candidates. I immediately became suspicious when I saw a picture of the challenger; hair like that on a politician or on a pastor makes me nervous. (I know you agree, Mrs SK!) But I realized that I was stereotyping and that this attitude was completely unfair of me. I owed the candidate a fair look at his position, even if he does have executive-hair.
Then I found out he was running a "co-campaign" with someone from the other party. That sent up red flags. Not that I'm necessarily for or against either party. But what is a CO-CAMPAIGN? It sounded to me like a stunt, pure and simple.
Then I came out of church on Sunday to find a flyer from this fellow on my car's windshield. The same thing apparently happened at all LCMS churches in the congressional district. This flyer told me how we need more LCMS politicians. It told me that I should vote for this man because he is LCMS and works at the LCMS college my daughter and son-in-law attended. Like, those are credentials??? Does this man understand the doctrine of the two kingdoms? I figure anybody who tries to manipulate people this way is someone to be wary of in the future, even if he should espouse good positions on many policies.
But,
#1, this guy claimed to be "100% pro-life" and nevertheless said he supports embryonic stem cell research. I'd rather vote for a guy who was 90% pro-life and honest about it than one who claims to be 100% pro-life but is only 95% pro-life. #2, this guy had as part of his platform the problem of high gas prices, and his solution was to immediately stop imports of all foreign oil. Anybody who is that clueless about economic conditions of supply & demand really ought not be in public office. (C'mon, CUT a huge amount of the oil supply, and that's gonna be the solution to high gasoline prices? Somebody buy this fellow a copy of Penny Candy!)
There for a few moments I was worried that the pastor and/or elders had okayed this campaign literature endorsing a particular candidate. I was much relieved to find out that my church was on the right track after all, and that it was the candidate (or his campaign staff) who just assumed it would be acceptable to campaign in the church's parking lot without getting permission first.
Then I found out he was running a "co-campaign" with someone from the other party. That sent up red flags. Not that I'm necessarily for or against either party. But what is a CO-CAMPAIGN? It sounded to me like a stunt, pure and simple.
Then I came out of church on Sunday to find a flyer from this fellow on my car's windshield. The same thing apparently happened at all LCMS churches in the congressional district. This flyer told me how we need more LCMS politicians. It told me that I should vote for this man because he is LCMS and works at the LCMS college my daughter and son-in-law attended. Like, those are credentials??? Does this man understand the doctrine of the two kingdoms? I figure anybody who tries to manipulate people this way is someone to be wary of in the future, even if he should espouse good positions on many policies.
But,
#1, this guy claimed to be "100% pro-life" and nevertheless said he supports embryonic stem cell research. I'd rather vote for a guy who was 90% pro-life and honest about it than one who claims to be 100% pro-life but is only 95% pro-life. #2, this guy had as part of his platform the problem of high gas prices, and his solution was to immediately stop imports of all foreign oil. Anybody who is that clueless about economic conditions of supply & demand really ought not be in public office. (C'mon, CUT a huge amount of the oil supply, and that's gonna be the solution to high gasoline prices? Somebody buy this fellow a copy of Penny Candy!)
There for a few moments I was worried that the pastor and/or elders had okayed this campaign literature endorsing a particular candidate. I was much relieved to find out that my church was on the right track after all, and that it was the candidate (or his campaign staff) who just assumed it would be acceptable to campaign in the church's parking lot without getting permission first.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Glory of the Lord
Today's Bible story was from Leviticus 9, the consecration of the priests. God told Moses to tell Aaron what to do, what to sacrifice, what to do with the blood, etc. "This is the thing which the Lord commanded you to do, and the glory of the Lord will appear to you." Pastor pointed out that the glory was seen in the sacrifices for atonement. Likewise, in John 13, Jesus says, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him" which is all about the immiment crucifixion.
Pastor also pointed out something else interesting from the story. Aaron was to put the blood of the sacrifice on the horns of the altar. What do we calls the "horns" of the altar? The corners. What is on the horns (or corners) of our altars? Those who have sewn altar linens or who work on altar guild know that there are little crosses embroidered on the fair linen, at the corners of the altar and in the center ...
the blood on the horns of our altar.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lots of socializing been going on in recent days. Laura has pictures of some of today's good times. It's going to take me some catch-up time (laundry, meals, errands, cleaning, etc) before I get to posting my pictures.
Pastor also pointed out something else interesting from the story. Aaron was to put the blood of the sacrifice on the horns of the altar. What do we calls the "horns" of the altar? The corners. What is on the horns (or corners) of our altars? Those who have sewn altar linens or who work on altar guild know that there are little crosses embroidered on the fair linen, at the corners of the altar and in the center ...
the blood on the horns of our altar.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lots of socializing been going on in recent days. Laura has pictures of some of today's good times. It's going to take me some catch-up time (laundry, meals, errands, cleaning, etc) before I get to posting my pictures.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Palin in Cedarburg
I wanted to go, but we didn't. The weather had been rainy, and it was cool, and Maggie tends to get sick easily, and Nathan is still recuperating from pneumonia. But look what happened! Good for them! Especially in light of the new level of scummy lies about Palin. (C'mon, really? She banned books? Back when her eldest was only 7? What kind of power did she have to ban books? But hey, if they're right, and she not only had the power, but can also see into the future, that might be handy in public office, and surely we ought to elect her!)
Friday, September 05, 2008
Voice Strain
I went to two services on Sunday. We went to a Labor Day party with friends on Monday -- lots of chatting. Started reading aloud another book to the kids -- one of those things we should be doing more of for school, doncha know. Choir on Wednesday night after church. Katie and Nathan arrived yesterday. They're here for three days, and I'm having altogether too much fun visiting with them. I'm planning to take a couple of kids to go visit my folks next week, which is going to mean another lovely time of chatting with loved ones. Wednesday is supposed to be a beach day with the homeschoolers, and I am looking forward to chatting with Erin and others. Wednesday night is choir again. Then I've got two weeks before the heavy-duty talk-TALK-talk of the weekend we girls go to Ft Wayne for a shower.
I can't believe what's going on with my voice. I've been trying to go easy on my voice since that year-long bout of laryngitis about 7 years ago. I fool myself into believing that I'm doing okay, that I'm coping, that I'm managing, that my voice isn't as bad as it was, that I've recuperated. Then along comes a week like this, and I see the weakness. I'm wondering if I'm even going to be able to stay in choir. I'm wondering how I'm going to delve into the teaching [new subjects] that I'm longing to start with Andrew and with Maggie. I keep telling myself that I'm using my voice a lot and that this is unusual, on top of its being allergy season.
Having my voice failing is so different from the aging that I encounter in my vision or in my strength or in the length of time it takes to heal from an injury or an illness. A failing voice handicaps me in so many areas that touch right at the heart of who I am and what I do.
I can't believe what's going on with my voice. I've been trying to go easy on my voice since that year-long bout of laryngitis about 7 years ago. I fool myself into believing that I'm doing okay, that I'm coping, that I'm managing, that my voice isn't as bad as it was, that I've recuperated. Then along comes a week like this, and I see the weakness. I'm wondering if I'm even going to be able to stay in choir. I'm wondering how I'm going to delve into the teaching [new subjects] that I'm longing to start with Andrew and with Maggie. I keep telling myself that I'm using my voice a lot and that this is unusual, on top of its being allergy season.
Having my voice failing is so different from the aging that I encounter in my vision or in my strength or in the length of time it takes to heal from an injury or an illness. A failing voice handicaps me in so many areas that touch right at the heart of who I am and what I do.
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