Thursday Thirteen - #37

I have not posted a Thursday Thirteen in months. So, here are some of the things that have gone in my life since then.

1. My oldest grandson is in his second semester of his Freshman year of college.
2. I bought myself a new digital camera - Canon s3 IS. I have truly enjoyed it. I am able to sit in the bleachers and make pictures at the games.
   
3. Christmas was spent at home this year with our children and grandchildren coming over. We had dinner and opened gifts. Then they all went home - the older grandchildren wanted to see their boyfriend and girlfriend.
4. We had a quiet time on New Year's Eve. My daughter's two younger boys were here for a week. Papa shot fireworks with them in the cold air. I stayed in the house. The next day, we all target practiced. I actually hit those little targets every time! So be careful when you come to rob my house. :)
5. My husband has only got to work one day this year on his truck. Pray for his work! It has really slowed down. We are hoping it will pick up as the weather warms up.
6. My husband had the flu this year. He was in bad shape for about two weeks. But, we think he will be fine now.
7. I spent last Wednesday in the doctor's office with my 14 year old grandson. Had to pick him up at school and bring him to town to the Dr. He had the stomach virus and was out of school for the entire week.
8. I was at my Mother's weekend before last for 3 days. Friday is the day I get my hair done at the beautician's, buy my Mother's groceries and go eat with her. Her septic tank went out. We spent Saturday getting it cleaned out. It still didn't work. We found out we could have had Roto-Rooter first and it would have been fine. We had that done on Sunday and the guy they sent out was not a real professional.
   
9. I have been reading a 3 book series from John Aubrey Anderson called The Black or White Chronicles. I am almost through the third book. I highly recommend these books if you like fiction mixed with Christianity.
10. I went to the first soccer games I've been able to attend last night. Two of my daughter's children are on the Varsity teams at school - boys and girls. They played at the same school. The girls beat 2-0, the first time to beat this school. The boys lost 5-2, and they usually beat them. My granddaughter is a captain of her team. The grandson had been sick the week before and didn't get to practice so we thought he would not play. But, he got to play half of both halves. He was excited and almost made a goal, but let an older player (a friend) jump in and make the play. He wishes now he had made the goal.
    
11. I am back to birdwatching again. We have had lots of beautiful birds including a yellow-bellied sapsucker. The Blue Jay, Cardinal, Doves, and mocking birds have been in our back yard feeding already.
    
12. I've been meaning to buy pansies to plant at my Mother's and also here at my home. But, i have yet to buy them. Guess I've gotten a little lazy!
13. I woke up this morning not feeling too good. I had a headache and stopped up head. I slept most of the morning and didn't get on the computer until this afternoon. Hopefully, I'm not taking the flu!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Proud to be an American

Copyright Graphics by Irene
The last few days we have heard the commentary on a statement made by Michelle Obama. In a campaign statement, she said, "for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country." I have no idea where she's been all her life to just now find a place where she can be proud to be an American. The freedom we have in this country should make each of us be proud to be an American! No other country has the freedoms we do.

Just a few of the words from Lee Greenwood's song "I'm Proud to be an American" should make everyone stop and think what it means to be an American.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Michelle Malkin writes a good piece on the subject entitled "Michelle Obama's America and mine".


Another thought provoking post is over at Third World County entitled "Change is good?".


I cannot picture myself being born and growing up in a different country than America. We have opportunities here that people in other countries would love to have. No wonder you find so many migrating/immigrating to America to live out the dreams they have. Sure, there are hardships here, problems, high costs, etc., but tell me a place on this planet that doesn't have problems? Outside of heaven, you will not find a place that is totally peaceful and not hit by the plague of problems. But, here in America, we have a chance to make a difference. The question is, 'what are we going to do about it?' WE are America and we can make a difference, if we make the right choices. Heaven help us if we 'make a change just to make a change to make a point'.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: American, Proud, Change

New Blogging Award

Thanks to Cathy at Melodies and Hymnsongs for the following award:

Judge for yourself

Valentine's Day has just passed for the year and we won't have to deal with it for another year. But, some don't like dealing with it period. In fact, when googling for a specific topic, I came across the blog Life in the Fast Lane. The first post that came up was 'Anti-Valentine's Day - Love Really Stinks'.

Now, being a happily married woman, I have to disagree with this post. Oh, I understand that some single people, and even perhaps those that don't want to buy their spouse something for the occasion, have problems with Valentine's Day. But, you can dislike VDay, but please don't try to tell me love stinks. Love is definitely not about Valentine's Day, no matter what anyone says or what your heart tells you. If love depended on VDay, then most of us would definitely be in trouble! It is nice to get something special, but it is not a prerequisite for whether I love my husband or not. My husband-to-be (then) sent me a box of candy from Texas where he was stationed in the Air Force back in 1964, the year we were married. And, I can probably count on my fingers how many times since I have gotten even a card from him on VDay. And, the love has not stopped. He is not one for cards, holidays, etc. And, over the years, I have come to accept that being his nature. I'm not ready to declare that 'love stinks' just because he is not at his best romantically on VDay.

Whatever the day of the year, I choose to be happy. It does not take Valentine's Day, a secular holiday, to accomplish the task. Whether it is someone you date, about to be married, or married to now, they should be the determining factor in the love relationship - not some holiday man has set aside. Heaven forbid that someone would want a divorce based on their spouse not recognizing Valentine's Day and bringing them a gift. Be happy that your spouse returned home to you! Be happy they are well and not sick. Be happy that they chose you over all the others they could have chosen. And, if you are single, thank the Lord that He has given you another year in which to show love. In showing love for others shows that you are considerate of the feeling of others and in return, the love will come back to you.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Valentine's Day, Love, Holiday

The wonders of nature

I have been sitting here gazing out my den window at the woodpecker in this picture. Actually, this is a picture I took through the window with my digital camera a week or so ago. I took another one today and he look much fatter. He apparently comes to the same identical spot on this tree. He sat there for about 15 minutes, left for a few minutes, came back, and is still gracing that same spot!

My back yard has been full of doves, house wrens, cardinals (both male and female), black capped chickadees, bob whites, and a chipmunk. The bob whites have been scarce around our parts until this year. We have also been inundated with squirrels. They are pretty, but vicious when it comes to feeding the birds! Doesn't matter that you put feed out for both; they eat it all. And, they also destroy our feeders. We have successfully kept them out of two feeders by putting a wire underneath them on the pole that the squirrels can't get around. But the other feeders are close enough for them to jump from our small building to the feeders, or even shinny up the pole!

We also have the pleasure of seeing wild turkeys on our farm. We have seen as many as 16 together. But, the last time we saw them wondering across the pasture, it was only one single turkey or perhaps two. We think that they have either been shot or eaten by the coyotes. We really enjoy seeing them eating their way across the fields until they once again make it to the edge of the woods. Their stay is short lived, if you make any sudden moves. I have turned into our driveway, seen the turkeys and decided to stay put until they get out of our yard.

Deer is also very common around this part of the country. I have photographed them from the window in my bedroom. A deer has such keen hearing that one little movement can make them take off. My husband used to put out corn to draw them to our yard. We once had a large buck in our back yard. He had many antlers, but we couldn't get close enough to see how many or gauge his age. When he left, he was like a streak of lightning leaving our yard. Often, we see deer tracks in our pasture and even up around our house. Only a few months ago, we came in one Sunday afternoon to a scene we hate to see. A young deer had jumped in front of a young man in a curve. He had jumped our neighbor's fence coming across the road to our pasture and never made it. He finally died. And, a day or so later, another larger deer was hit by a car and knocked into our pasture. This is very common on the roads in this vicinity since we are in the country and the highways are heavily traveled with people going to the Interstate or to one of the surrounding towns.

Speaking of our 'resident' woodpecker, I just now looked and he is still pecking away at the same spot. Most woodpeckers I have seen on our trees work their way either up or around the tree in a short while. But something must be very good for this one to stay in that one spot! This has been the only woodpecker to come around this year. But, I look forward to seeing the others that usually come around. Check out all the woodpeckers at Woodpeckers of the World.

UPDATE: 2/17/08 My friend and I have come to the conclusion this is perhaps a yellow-bellied sapsucker rather than the woodpecker I originally thought it was. It did have a red section under the neck. After comparing it with a picture in the National Audubon Society book of birds, it is almost certainly the sapsucker. It was here again this morning with another woodpecker during our rain.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Nature, Woodpeckers, Deer, Birds, Wild Turkey

Give me a little time

In this hectic world, time is what we definitely need. I realize that we often feel lazy because we are merely blogging. But, during the times we are not blogging, perhaps we are racing to get things done. I know that is what went on in my life during this past week.

It all started a week ago this past Friday. That is the day I go to my beautician, buy my elderly Mother's groceries and go see her and do whatever I need to do that day. Well, seems her septic tank (or so we thought) took that time to act up. Flushed the commode and the water all backed up into her tub and sinks. You could hear the strainers in the kitchen even popping! It was Friday afternoon and too late to get someone out. So my husband and I spent Saturday at my Mother's getting the septic tank cleaned out only to find the line from the house to the septic tank was full of roots and soap build up and would not let the water through. So, we spend Sunday there again with the Roto-Rooter man.

Have you ever had Roto-Rooter come out to your house? Ever seen their commercials where they work so fast and so efficient? Don't hold your breath! We were told the man would be there at 11AM only to have the company person call and say he was out on a job and it would be late afternoon before he could get to us. My husband reminded them that this was for an elderly woman and they had promised us a time of 11AM. Well, in 10 mins the woman called back, saying they were sending someone out right then. Well, we should have known it would be the less-qualified person! My brother came up to watch the process and we all stood around shaking our heads, wondering what maneuver would come next. The poor fellow removed the end of the auger in order not to have to remove the section of pipe under the house that would give him access to the larger entry. Well, that got him into trouble; he could not get it out - hung up in roots! He was caught in a lie when he finally had to dig up the septic tank lid and go through there back to the house with another auger. My husband said this guy probably thought we were all 'born yesterday'. He was young and nice, but not qualified to do the job that needed to be done, so we spent hours on something that should have taken a few minutes. But, it is finished now, everything works, and my Mother is happy,that is, expect it costing her a chunk of money! She was afraid she was going to have to pay for the hours he spent trying to fix his mistake.

Next comes the flu and stomach virus episodes. Just as my husband and my daughter were getting over the flu, my daughter's middle son came down with a stomach virus. He missed 2 day out of school, tried to go the third day, but got sick. I ended up going an hour away to get him at school and take him to the doctor. Ended up he definitely had a stomach virus and had to spend the next two days out of school. Hopefully, by Monday, he will be able to get back in the swing of things at school. Seems every school around has been affected this past month or so with epidemics!

So, I am ready for some time - time to be lazy, time to do what I love to do - be lazy. Hey, I've done my time - raised my kids, made it to retirement age, and now I've decided it is time I do what I want when I want. I have nobody to answer to but myself. My husband don't count because he does what he wants. We just let each other do whatever we feel like doing, eat when we want to, work when we want to and play when we get ready. He still works with his big truck, when he gets called out on a job which has been very scarce the past 6 months and he is ready to get back to work. And, I'm ready for him to get out and get busy - he has taken over my big television when he is not on his computer or outside working. (grin).

Technorati Tags: Time

A Chance to help the needy

I found this neat way to help feed the needy when I was over at Neil's Notes reading. Click on the icon at the side and go to Free Rice. Then click on the correct definition of a word. And, with each correct answer, they will donate 20 grains of rice through the United Nations to help feed the hunger in the world.

Technorati Tags: Free Rice, Hunger

Choose an Internet Provider - DSL, Cable, Satellite or Dial-Up

If you are interested in finding a cheaper ISP provider, why not visit Get ISP.Info . You can compare prices on Internet services including DSL, dialup, cable or satellite. There is a company to satisfy your need.

A dial-up service is probably your best choice to get the cheapest service. Many of the dial-up services such as NetZero, Earthlink or Juno are nationwide providers.

For service faster than dial-up, shop their DSL service providers. Among those recommended you will find Bell South Fast Access starting at $24.95 a month.

If you travel a lot, you may be interested in Wireless Internet. With your laptop, you will be able to connect to the Internet through wi-fi hotspots at such places as coffee shops, the airport, and book stores. But you can also find a wireless provider that is fairly cheap to give you access anywhere you may go. Among those recommended are Boingo Wireless and Fon WiFi.

A lost cost ISP isn’t always the best. GetISP.Info provides you with great choices among some of the best Internet providers. You will be able to decide which connection is best for you and your needs. There are also links provided for discount deals with some of the ISP providers.

You will find articles on this site to show you how to cancel your connection to an ISP, how to speed up your computer, or even how to secure your wireless connection. Check out the Guide to Choosing an Internet Provider. There is also a free Motorola modem special online offer

Technorati Tags: ISP, GetISP.Info, Internet Provider, Wireless, Dial-Up

Wedgewood Grey - Book Review

Wedgewood Grey
The Black or White Chronicles – Book Two
Author: John Aubrey Anderson
Publisher: Warner Faith, NY
ISBN: 10-D-446-57950-5


Wedgewood Grey begins with yet another tragedy at the lake at Cat Bridge. And, in the aftermath, Mose Washington, Missy Parker’s close friend is forced to leave. But, he isn’t leaving by himself. Before she died, one of the victims made him promise that he would look after her son like his on. He is driven from his lifelong home because of the fear of a black man being killed because of the death of white men. Thus, he began a long journey and became a fugitive from justice.

Then comes the FBI to investigate. A man named Jeff Wagner is one of those FBI investigators. He isn’t a Christian and knows absolutely nothing about demons. And, it takes lots of selling on the part of the people to make him understand what is really going on. And, until a near-death experience with those same demons, he has no interest in knowing God or believing there are such things as demons. But, the exchange of a silver dollar from the hand of another former unbeliever to his will soon make a difference.

The FBI is out to find Mose and the little boy. They have gone north from Mississippi and assumed new lives. They have contacts that keep them in touch with those they hold dear. But, unbeknown to them, they are being hunted by Jeff Wagner and others, not to be put on trial, but to be kept safe from harm. As the story unfolds, the little boy, Bill Mann, and his ‘Poppa’ Mose Mann (Washington) grow close, but Bill hasn’t become a Christian. He believes in God but cannot understand why God would let his Mother die. Jeff Wagner passes that silver dollar down to Bill after he graduates and says, “That will be a reminder that I’d give a dollar to hear you say you are going to be worth it”. (page 365)

The author, John Aubrey Anderson, grew up in Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State. He recently retired from 28 years as a pilot for an airline. You can learn more about John at his web site.

Technorati Tags: Book Review, Wedgewood Grey, John Aubrey Anderson, Author, Mississippi

Another school shooting

What is going on with our nation's young? Every where you look, there seems to be one more shooting in school. Today, a student was shot by a fellow student during gym class at a Memphis, Tennessee school.

It is the second shooting reported in a Memphis high school this month. On Feb. 4, a 16-year-old student was shot in the leg in side a classroom during an argument with another student over music. The student suffered non-critical injuries and the suspected shooter was charged.

If I had a child in school today, I think I'd be wanting the school officials to install metal detectors in every door way. Then, have guards checking out the cars of every student. There just seems a need for some kids to have a gun, which is definitely not a good thing for school environment and the hot tempers of some kids. There comes a time when one has to give up some freedoms, and this seems to be one of those times! It may not be the choice of some parents. But, I would rather have a live child than a dead one! And, if metal detectors could help, why not install them?

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: School, Shooting, Memphis, Tennessee, Metal Detector

Hillary's Proposed Health Care for Everyone

Do you really want to wait for months for surgery? Do you actually want government to take over your health care? If you do, then vote for Hillary Clinton for President. You might just get what you are after. Watch the video.

A Short Course in Brain Surgery



Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Health Care, Hillary Clinton, Canada, America

Daily Nugget

Let the son shine in




True liberty is living life the way we should and not as we might want to live it.

• "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Technorati Tags: Liberty, Christ, Life