Press One for English

When does ones’ patience run out? As the guy in a comment said on LaShawn Barber's blog, “why should I have to press “1” for English?”

We live in one of the most affluent countries on the planet. We have a diverse population. We are a country of immigrants, and the families who have generated from those immigrants. But, the influx of illegal immigrants is becoming a problem. They don’t seem to want to learn English, which makes it a problem here. Instead of requiring them to learn our language, the government is giving into them by requiring our people on public jobs to learn their language or giving jobs to Spanish-speaking people (whether they meet the requirements or not) so they can take care of the needs of these illegals.

We call our bank or other establishments, only to be met with ‘Press One for English’. Every grocery store now has put in a section catering only to the Spanish-speaking illegals. The food boxes are saturated with Spanish and English terms. Most every thing you buy comes with a manual for instructions in both English and Spanish. You call a company for help on a certain item only to be met with someone who has little or no understanding of the English language.

One thing puzzles me. When other immigrants come legally from other countries, we don’t publish manuals in their language – they learn English, if they don’t already know it. We don’t have a special number to push on our phones to make it easier for people with other language barriers to make it easier for them. We don’t load down our cereal boxes and other food boxes/cans with French or a number of other languages, of which there are many of those immigrants in this country? Why? They have come to America to adapt to our culture. They make it a rule to want to become full-pledged Americans, learn the language and fit in. They don’t want us to adapt to them, or do things the way they were done in their country. Quite the contrary; they came in order to change! Why aren’t the Hispanics doing the same?

The answer: the government! Our government is now pushing for amnesty for all the illegal Hispanics in our country – those who came via the ‘back door’…….across the border without papers.

• Will Congress grant Amnesty without calling it that?
• Will Congress turn it's back on you when it comes to Amnesty?
  

It is very unfair to those legal immigrants living in America! I’ve heard many of them speak out against this. They have spent years and lots of paper work to become citizens. And, now our government is making it easy to stay in this country illegally and then is going to reward them with the ability to become citizens without going through legal channels like the others have done. I don’t care what the ‘experts’ say; give them an inch and they will take a mile – or more! You don’t reward the criminals; you punish them. If you or I went to Mexico, you can rest assured you would be shipped back home in a reasonable time, or you would be jailed! And, in any other country, you would not be given the leeway that the Hispanics here illegally have in our country.

Sure, we are a country of immigrants. But, it took hard work for most of them to become citizens. We have rules and regulations, but everyone isn’t following them. Again, ‘what is good for the goose is good for the gander’, or is it? Seems one gets away with anything, while the other might be deported or put in jail for similar acts. If a person wants to come to America for the right reasons, then he or she would want to go through the right channels. But, these people are seeing the ‘good life’ across the border and want to take it for their own, disregarding how long it might have taken others to get where they are in life.

There are poor people (citizens, I might add) who do not get the free help and free care these illegals are getting from our government. I read yesterday where a woman has given birth to her third child in a hospital out west, because they don’t turn away the pregnant illegal woman. This gives the illegal a sure way of getting what they want for nothing. They aren’t going to give up a chance for freebies! Why would they? There’s no need to give up money or have insurance, if you can find a hospital that does every thing for free for you. But, I am sure it would not be that way, if you and I, as American citizens, were to go there!

If the government continues on the way it is going, giving into the illegals’ demands, you may find yourself one day listening to an entirely different message. You may hear, “For English, press one.” How does that sound to you? Does it bother you as much as the American flag being flown upside down with an upright Mexican flag? Check out the picture over on LaShawn Barber's blog
and see what you think about what is going on in our country by the people are government is trying to appease. Do you want to live in their culture? If not, we need to wake up and wake up fast!

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Pursuing Holiness
Pirate's Cove

Technorati Tags: English, Illegals, Hispanics, Mexican, Immigrants, Government, American, Amnesty

One Man makes a difference

Bert Brady, a 69 year old Army Veteran, spends most mornings going to the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport to welcome home troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He is one of about 50 members of a program called 'Welcome Home a Hero' run by the USO, in conjunction with the airport.

Brady makes about 300 trips a year to the airport. He says he did it once and it was so fulfilling, he decided to do it again. That started in December 2005 and he's still going. He says he thinks it's important to welcome the soldiers home. The Vietnam soldiers didn't get a welcome home, and he feels that is an embarrassment to our country. Brady says he is often joined by both Vietnam and Korean veterans that didn't get a welcome home, either.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Chaotic Synaptic Activity

Technorati Tags: Veterans, Airport, Army, Korean, Vietnam , Bert Brady

Preaching The Cross - Book Review

Preaching The Cross
Authors: Mark Dever, J. Ligon Duncan III, H. Albert Mohler JR., C. J. Mahaney
Publisher: Crossway Books
Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers
Wheaton, Illinois
ISBN 13 978-1-58134-828-5


We should expect our pastors/ministers to preach the Word without deviating from the Truth God has set forth within his written Word. Within Preaching The Cross, you will find the message that God’s Word created His people, according to Genesis 1. And, ministers, who are ‘God’s employees’, are called to deliver God’s Word without adding or subtracting from it.

A Christian minister should not be evaluated according to how they speak but how he delivers the Word

• Instruments pointing to Christ
• Has cross in the center of his message
• Delivery of message is the center of his call to the ministry
  

Throughout Preaching The Cross, it is shown that a minister should preach the Word, and not look for praise from the world. We all have a double citizenship – one in this world, which is not rewarding, and that of the coming King – the eternal citizenship for which every Christian longs.

Mahaney goes on to admonish a pastor/minister to watch his life and his doctrine. One should always be reading and studying the Word. But, one should always be practicing the Word. Obedience to the Word is what really counts. The practice of truth is found in

• Faith
• Love
• Humility
• Forgiveness
• Hope
  

Mahaney goes on to say one can never let up on obedience to the Word. Doesn’t matter how close you may feel to God, Satan never lets up on his pursuit against God and the Word. He will continue to attack you until death.

”The preacher’s commission,” writes J. I. Packet, “is to declare the whole counsel of God; but the cross is the center of that counsel, and the Puritans knew that the traveler through the Bible landscape misses his way as soon as he loses sight of the hill called Calvary.”

There are also contributions by John MacArthur, John Piper, and R.C. Sproul. John MacArthur says he has continued to preach the Word after 40 years of ministry. He said his goal has been to be faithful for the glory of God and that should be the goal of every minister for God.

This is a great book for any pastor, but also good information for a lay person. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I am a member of Active Christian Media as a reviewer. I have been given this book free for the purpose of reviewing.

Technorati Tags: Review, Active Christian Media, Preaching The Cross

Cindy's world fell apart

We have been listening to Cindy Sheehan for a long time as she came out against President Bush and the Republican party for their part in the Iraqi war. She wanted the war to be stopped now (then) and to bring our soldiers home immediately. She felt her son, Casey, had died in vain, fighting a war that shouldn't have been.

Well, on Memorial Day, she decided to hang up her hat (the one she wore during her protests of the war and camping out at Crawford, TX) and go home. Seems she came against the Democratic party and found the accusations she used against the president and republicans didn't work when she turned on those who had supported her.

It is sad that she still sees her son's death being for nothing. Not one life has been lost in Iraq that didn't stand for something. After all, these men have gone to the service with full knowledge of perhaps having to go to war during their time in uniform. Casey was one of those that even re-enlisted during time of war. I believe the young man knew what he was doing. I've heard so many stories from so many brave men who said they were glad to be there helping bring a better life to the people in Iraq. We know that it's not Iraq they are fighting, but the insurgents.

The most devastating conclusion that I reached this morning, however, was that Casey did indeed die for nothing. His precious lifeblood drained out in a country far away from his family who loves him, killed by his own country which is beholden to and run by a war machine that even controls what we think. I have tried every since he died to make his sacrifice meaningful. Casey died for a country which cares more about who will be the next American Idol than how many people will be killed in the next few months while Democrats and Republicans play politics with human lives. It is so painful to me to know that I bought into this system for so many years and Casey paid the price for that allegiance. I failed my boy and that hurts the most.

Cindy is going home. Her son is resting in a cemetery, one of the 'remembered' on this Memorial Day. But, I do not believe she failed her son. He apparently was raised to make up his own mind, what we all try to achieve in raising our children - the ability to think for themselves. She should be proud of that fact. He was a man who decided to join the military and, even after he knew he may go to war, he chose to re-enlist. I can't believe he was coerced into rejoining. This is something you have to make up your own mind to do. My husband was in the Vietnam war, and, when his re-enlistment came up, and he had made another stripe, he decided against going back because he knew, being in Air Rescue, Vietnam would be his destination. I don't think anyone could have persuaded him to re-enlist against his will.

Our hearts go out to the parents, spouses, and siblings who have lost a relative in time of war. It's not an easy thing to lose someone under any circumstances. But, war is not something we are accustomed to in our country. It's hard to accept that these fine young men and women have gone across the waters of their own volition (they knew the chances of going were great when they joined). It is even harder to see them leave; I know. I was there, and we didn't have a clue to where our husbands/fathers/sons were going when they left the base! But, we held them up in prayer, sent them mail and countless packages to ease their lives while away. Not all returned. One of our neighbors lost their only son at a very young age. But, they have never been bitter at the military or government because their son made the free choice to join. It was different with my husband - he was drafted; yet he never balked when called to duty, no matter where they sent him. This is the mark of a mature man, and Cindy should be proud of her son for this one thing - he never shirked his duty to his vows to the service of his country.

HT: Hot Air - Cindy quits the anti-war movement

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Third World County
Pirates Cove

Technorati Tags: Cindy Sheehan, War, Memorial Day, War, Iraq, Democrats, Republicans

Parched land

Perhaps we all need to pray for rain.......seriously!

• James 5:17 "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
  
• James 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."

The grass is dying, the flowers look bad, and we are under a 'no burn' restriction for the whole state. My son, who lives only 15 minutes from us, got rain at his house the last of last week. He called to see if we received any rain, which we didn't, and said it poured down there for a good 20 minutes. Oh, that we should be so lucky!

Technorati Tags: Rain, Elias, Pray, Earth

Memorial Day 2007

Today, we honor the memory of all our service men and women who were killed in the line of duty during the wars fought by the US Military.

The Iraqi war is the freshest in our minds, and many women and men have lost their lives in the line of duty. These were very patriotic men and women, with many of them joining the military at a time of war, when there was no draft.

As we each celebrate in our own way, may we always have the thoughts of those fallen men and women in our hearts. They paid the ultimate price for the freedom we enjoy here at home.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Memorial Day, Military, Patriotic, Freedom

Thursday Thirteen #34

Thirteen Thoughts Today

1. Today, my oldest grandson, Josh, graduates from high school. He will be leaving home in a few months for college. He'll be leaving behind Mom, and 3 siblings (2 brothers and a sister - she will graduate next year).
2. Josh is all grown up and it seems like only yesterday we were in the hospital the day she had him, holding that little man in our arms.
   
3. I finished my scrapbook for Josh late last night. Had to have the help of hubby to put it back together. It is so nice, even if I do say so. Hope he enjoys it.
4. My back has almost killed me (I said ALMOST) :) doing this scrapbook. Too much bending over the DR table to match corners, line up things - you name it. It was a chore, but one I enjoyed doing.
5. My husband is working today and, hopefully, he'll get home in time to get ready so we won't have to fly to get there on time. They live an hour from us.
6. My sinus is bothering me and I have been coughing like crazy this morning.
7. I have had to press shirts and pants for this graduation this morning - getting every thing ready for a fast get away. Did I say we are 'living in the fast lane?'
8. I am looking at 4 books I have to review here. I have started one and had one behind it, only to get two more in the mail yesterday. Will I ever finish them on time?
   
9. It is beautiful outside. Just wish I had time to enjoy it and go do some photography.
10. Josh has a big surprise ahead of him tonight. We all went together and bought his laptop and carrying case to take to college. He is 'hoping' he will get his uncle's older laptop he isn't using to take to school. IS he going to be surprised! He has no clue!
11. My daughter called. Her daughter got her cast off her foot today, but they put her in a walking cast for probably 2 weeks. A small part of the bone had not grown together enough to let her stand permanently on that foot. My daughter says it is worse and larger than the cast, plus has a high foot on it, making it impossible to wear flipflops or anything with a small heel. Terrible to put a young girl in that thing! Hopefully, she won't have to wear it too long.
12. I should be up taking my bath, getting my hair done, etc., but I'm addicted to this laptop, so I thought I'd run off a TT for you all to read. I know it's been boring, though. But, hopefully, you will come back for more at a later date. You can read my post This is the day It's about graduation.
    
13. Did I say I have run out of ideas for Thursday Thirteen. Apparently, my brain isn't functioning properly or is in the wrong gear. Maybe I can come up with something later on that will be different. Right now, it's hard to think - wait until after graduation tonight.

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!


Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. Thomma Lyn 2. Susan Helene Gottfried 3. Michelle M Pillow 4. Raven Vampire Nightclub 5. My Twenty Cents Keeps Moving 6. Rebecca

7. byoc 8. Mark Caldwell 9. dew 10. chupieandjsmama 11. Amy Ruttan 12. nancy

13. Twisted Cinderella 14. Tink 15. DK Raymer 16. Hopeful Spirit

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This is the day

When our children are young, we know this day will eventually come. But, too often, to parents, it comes too early. We don't want to realize our children are grown up, going out into the world to experience for themselves what we did many years ago. But, it comes, even though too soon for us. It is graduation.

Yes, once again, it's Graduation Day for many of the high schools around. This is the first year in many years I can say I have someone in the family graduating. It happens to be my daughter's oldest son, Josh. We are very proud of this young man. He is a very well-adjusted person, very sensible and compassionate. He will be leaving home for college this fall, and I know Mom hates to see him go. Just the other night, she said she almost cried when she bought his Graduation card. So, I know tears will flow tonight. They certainly did last Thursday night at Baccalaureate services!

But, we would never deny our children the right to grow up and experience life on their own. Being a Mother, it is sometimes difficult to let go of the apron strings, so to speak. But, just as our parents did in the past, we must let them start life a new on their own and trust that they will take with them the lessons they have learned from their upbringing. If we did our best, then we can almost rest assured those children will not let us down. And, if they make mistakes in life, remember, they are living their lives, not ours. We can only be there for them in time of need, hold their hand, and daily pray for them.

To all the graduating high school seniors, may you find your path in life, and may it be rewarding. And, may I leave you with this thought: Acknowledge God and let Him direct that path. (Proverbs 3:6)

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber

Pirates Cove
Red_State_Blue

Absent - Just not gone

As you can tell, I have been absent from my blog for a week. I have not meant to be away so long, but I've been drawn in so many directions, I could not get my mind in tune in order to write something.

We have been almost 'soccered to death' lately (is that a word?). I've been to games in Memphis, and then to the State Cup games this past weekend for our daughter's youngest son. That was the end for this year. All the rest have finished their games, too. The gas bills have been astronomical! Had they not come to an end, we might have been staying home some.

But, I've also been busy doing things for my oldest grandson's graduation on Thursday night. We've been shopping for gifts (we are all combining money to get a nice gift for college), and I'm also doing a scrapbook for him. Hopefully, I will have it done by then. If you've never done a scrapbook, prepare to spend money! I thought yesterday, when my back was killing me from bending over the table,that perhaps it would have been easier to have put all that money in his checking account for college expenses! I kid you not. But, I think it will be something he will be proud of later in life when he's telling his kids about his school days.

With this post, hopefully, I'm making a comeback, but don't hold me to it, considering how much I have to do in the next two days. And, also, my laptop is doing some weird things right now. I ran a virus scan, another clean up job, and also defragged, and it's still doing funny things! I can't stand for my email program or my browser to slowly shift, when I try to scroll. It makes me dizzy! Maybe I will get it fixed some time. Right now, I need to get back to my scrapbooking - along with the backache -it's coming for sure.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Absent, Blog, Soccer, Laptop, Virus

Thursday Thirteen #33

Thirteen things in my refrigerator

1. Broccoli – I love it in tossed salad, or steamed
2. Cauliflower – same as broccoli – it’s good
3. Tomatoes – Salad is not complete without tomatoes. And, we love tomato sandwiches. My husband takes a pear tomato in his lunch every day.
4. Radishes – one more vegetable we put in our salads
5. Ham – my husband loves ham sandwiches made out of the very thin ham.
6. Milk – we drink lots of milk daily!
7. Sweet tea – we make it by the gallon because we drink lots of it!
8. Mayonnaise – used on our sandwiches, in potato salad
9. Lemon juice – I love lemon juice in my tea
10. Apples – my husband eats an apple almost daily – “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”.
11. Flour, Meal – I keep these things in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and bugless!
12. Leftovers – If a little tidbit is left after a meal, we put it in the refrigerator. Well, we might throw it out later, but right then, we ‘mean’ to eat it.
13. Pickles – we use sliced pickles, dill pickle relish, sweet pickle relish, kosher dills, Sweet Gherkins – you name it, we eat them.
    

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!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants


Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. ravaj 2. Crystal 3. The Old Man\'s Old Lady 4. Tink 5. Gina 6. Bloggin\' Outloud 7. Thomma Lyn 8. mitchypoo

9. Susan Helene Gottfried 10. Joy T. 11. Shannon 12. The Gatekeeper 13. The Random Yak 14. Jerry 15. Janet 16. Ctina

17. L-Squared 18. Barbara H. 19. Amy Ruttan 20. Gabriella Hewitt 21. Jen 22. Cindy Swanson 23. Peter

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Rev. Jerry Falwell gone to be with the Lord

Rev. Jerry Falwell was found unconscious in his office at Liberty University this morning at 10:45.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell was earlier today hospitalized in "gravely serious" condition after being found unconscious Tuesday in his office at Liberty University, a school executive said.

Ron Godwin, the university's executive vice president, said Falwell, 73, was found unresponsive around 10:45 a.m. and taken to Lynchburg General Hospital. Godwin said he was not sure what caused the collapse, but he said Falwell "has a history of heart challenges."

According to his private physician, on television, he was found unresponsive and did not gain consciousness. He died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia. He was pronounced dead around 12:40 EST or so.

UPDATE:
Check out the moving tribute to Rev. Falwell by Angela, at A Life in Pages. She knew him personally, and attended his university.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Pursuing Holiness

Technorati Tags: Rev. Jerry Falwell, Liberty University, Death, Cardiac Arrhythmia

Soldiers banned from access to YouTube, MySpace

The ability to view videos or talk with family has been yanked from soldiers who do not have access to their own computers and rely on the government computers to do so.

The Defense Department will begin blocking access "worldwide" to YouTube, MySpace and 11 other popular Web sites on its computers and networks, according to a memo sent Friday by Gen. B.B. Bell, the U.S. Forces Korea commander.

Soldiers were already barred from sharing certain information with others that would jeopardize their mission or safety. The Army uploads videos to YouTube and now the soliders without personal computers will be unable to view these videos. According to Noah Shachtman, who runs a blog for Wired Magazine, these restrictions also prevent the soldiers from sending out positive messages from the field.

"This is as much an information war as it is bombs and bullets," he said. "And they are muzzling their best voices."

HT: Cao's Blog

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Dumb Ox Daily News

Technorati Tags: Soldiers, Defense Department, Army, Web, Government

A Designer Original

Some people would do anything for a Designer Original dress or suit. They cost more than my money could buy. I never even entertain the thought of having a designer original. Those expensive outfits look good on the models, but believe me, I do not have the body of a model!

But, God, the Designer Original, created each of us as a unique individual. There are differences even in twins. Each of us has identifying marks that no other person in the world has. We all have a unique set of fingerprints that can be picked out among millions with today’s techniques.

My fingers were designed to be the long, slender fingers of a pianist. I play but do not consider myself anything beyond ‘loving to play’. Along with those long fingers, God made me tall, with long arms and long legs. I may have similar features of other women, but my body is mine and mine alone.

We look at people and judge them on their looks. But, with God, there are no good or bad looks. He made all of us in his image and his likeness. We look in the mirror and see flaws; He sees perfection, for we are his creation. We each have a uniqueness that God has given to us.

We need to realize that God made each of us for His pleasure. We may not measure up to what we would like to be, but we measure up to what God meant for us to be, if we serve Him. It is our duty to take this ‘designer original’ and use it for His glory, spreading the gospel wherever we go.

Technorati Tags: Designer, Original, God, Unique, Creation

Helmet saves bicyclist' life

Ryan Lipscomb, 26, a graduate student at UW-Madison, was riding his bicycle in the bike path on the street. He saw the truck coming, hit his brakes hard, and it threw him to the street. The truck ran over his head - a hit and run. Thank the Lord for the Giro helmet he was wearing! He came out only with a concussion.

The full story can be read at The Capital Times.

HT: Don Surber

Technorati Tags: Bicycle, Helmet, Giro, Hit and Run

Eight Random Facts

I was tagged with this Meme today by Baba's Blog. Here are the rules:

• Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
• Write a post about your own 8 random things.
• Post these rules.
  
• At the end of your blog, tag 8 people and post their names.Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them they're tagged.

1. I was born on a very cold morning at home. The Doctor could not make it up the icy hill to our house.
2. I fell in a neighbor's pond while trying to run up an apple tree that had a bent trunk. Missed one step and fell, hitting my head on the concrete and cutting my temple by the eye. I still have the scar,although almost invisible.I was about 5 years old.
3. I love to sit up late at night, computing.
   
4. I love genealogy and have been researching our families for many years.
5. I met my husband 3 years before I started dating him.
6. I love to read books and I review for a company. It's very rewarding.
7. I have 5 grandchildren, one of whom will be going to college this fall.
8. The piano is great for releasing pressure and stress from your life.

I don't know 8 people to tag who might do this Meme. So, if you are reading and want to do this, help yourself. Be sure to leave me a comment, and I'll come read your 8 random fact.

Technorati Tags: Meme, Random, Facts

Are we safe any place?

I was on my way home from the grocery store and post office, listening to one of my favorite radio talk shows this morning. An announcement was made of a bank robbery in Bessemer, AL, this morning at 9AM, in which 2 people were killed and 2 others wounded. The robber was headed out the door with a gun to the head of a woman hostage, when he tripped. An off-duty deputy was driving by and saw the incident. The robber was shot and captured.

Over the weekend, Key West Inn in Fairhope, AL, was robbed. A lone black man, wearing only shorts and having a T-shirt wrapped around his head to hide his identity, came through the hotel lobby and demanded the money from the clerk and he did not resist, but handed him over all the money. Then, the man left on foot, and it is not known whether a car was waiting for him or not.

This morning, police were studying surveillance video from the lobby for clues, Sawyer said. Fairhope Police have described the suspect as 6 feet tall, 180-200 pounds and in his 20s or 30s.

Having just come out of the grocery store, this sort of made me a little nervous. We never know what is just around the corner, just waiting to happen. But, we can't sit around worrying, and waiting for something to happen. We need to put our trust in the Lord and go about our daily routines. It is sad that we live in a world now where people have no respect for others. These kind of people are out to make their own way through crime and it doesn't matter if people get in the way. As one man said, looks like all banks are going to have to have an armed security guard at every door. But, he concluded with, "I pray it doesn't come to one on every corner holding a gun, as I've seen in countries I have visited." I pray that it never comes to that here in the United States, either.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Safe, Crime, Bank, Robbery, Hotel

A Mother's love

I don't believe there is anything we wouldn't do for our children. That's how a parent reacts when they love their child. It must be heart wrenching to find out your child has a disease for which there is no cure - maybe a way to keep them alive for awhile.

This was the case of one woman whose child had a wheezing noise the noticed at the very onset of her tiny life. The doctors didn't think it was anything, but she was persistent. And, her fears were true - her child had a disease - being Cystic Fibrosis. The Mother went out and read everything she could read about the disease.

As she cradled her baby in her arms, she read everything she could about CF. It is an hereditary disease that causes a child's lungs, intestines and pancreas to become clogged with thick mucus. It is fatal. She'd be lucky if her daughter survived into her 20's.

Can't you just feel the anguish and hopelessness this Mother felt when she learned about the disease that would probably kill her child. And, on top of that, her second child was born with CF as well. How likely was this to happen a second time? Both parents are CF carriers, but usually there is only a 25% chance that a second child will develop this disease. We have friends whose first child was born with it but never made it home. They had two more children who were both born without the disease and are grown, healthy and married. But, I know it had to be of concern for them when they decided to have another child.

This is from Tom Purcell's column:

Hers is the story of a mother's love - a mother's powerful determination to breathe life into thousands of children.

Her name is Angela Kinney and she could use a little help. She'll be participating in the Great Strides walk in Pittsburgh on May 20th (an event that is held throughout May in cities across America). To contribute to her efforts go to www.cff.org/great_strides/angiekinney or contact her directly at angiekinney@comcast.net.

You might want to wish her a Happy Mother's Day while you're at it. She's certainly earned it.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Church and State

Technorati Tags: Mother, Love, Cystic Fibrosis, Child, Disease

Thursday ABC Meme

I've been a little sparse on blogging lately, and I saw this over at Random Yak's - he stole it, so I'm stealing from him!

The ABCs Meme:

A- Attached or Single? Married for over 2/3 of my life and still loving it.

B- Best Friend: None other than my hubby!

C- Cake or Pie: Either - just has to be the right cake or pie. I prefer lemon or lime pie!

D- Drink of Choice: Sweet Tea - or coffee, not that I drink too much anymore.

E- Essential Item: Patience, Patience, Patience!

F- Favorite Color: Green, but I wear more black than anything.

G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Neither; that's not my kind of candy.

H- Hometown: Now or when I was young? Born in Trafford and now living in Harmony.

I- Indulgence: Maybe?

J- January or February: January - that's right after Christmas!

K- Kids: Sure, early in life, grown and gone - families of their own - that's how we get grandchildren.

L- Life is incomplete without: Jesus, family, and love.

M- Marriage Date: July 6 - many years ago.

N- Number of Siblings: 3 of us - I'm between two brothers.

O- Oranges or Apples? Do I have to make a choice? Okay, I'll take oranges to eat fresh, and apples in a pie.

P- Phobia/Fears: I hate heights!

Q- Favorite Quote: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt 6:21

R- Reasons to smile: I know Jesus; do you? And, to know something nobody else knows.

S- Season: Salt or pepper in my food - or Fall of the year because of the beautiful colors.

T- Tag Three: If I must, Cindy Swanson, Barb at A Chelsea Morning, and Susan at Sister's Weblog.

U- Unknown fact about me: If I told you, then it would not be an unknown fact. :)

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? Give me meat!!!

W- Worst Habit: Laziness

X- X-rays or Ultrasounds? What is it for?

Y- Your Favorite Foods: Steak and Potatoes - told you I loved meat!

Z- Zodiac: Who cares?

Feel free to play along, tagged or not.

Note: I went back to link to Yak, and his post has been swallowed by cyberspace!

Update: Go visit Yak - he was having difficulties!

Linked at Conservative Cat

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Thursday Thirteen #32

Thoughts from my weekend in Memphis, TN and Oxford, MS, with my daughter, her daughter and youngest son. It would have been a girly trip - we just had a guy along.

1. We left early Saturday morning for a 4 hour trip to Memphis, TN, in the rain. Of course, that's 4 hours straight driving, not stopping to eat, etc.
2. The trip was to take my grandson to a traveling soccer team's 2 day tournament.
3. There were hundreds of boys and girls at the tournament. My grandson's team was the 12 year olds, although most, including my grandson are not 12. But, they play like older boys!
4. Our team tied the first game, won the 2nd one 3-2, and lost the 3rd one 2-0. The 3rd game was terrible, considering the other team played, according to one of their parents, 'however they think the referee will call the game'. They found out quickly he was going to let anything go, so they played mean - trying to hurt our players. In fact, one young man on the other team was a big boy, and he kept trying to take out our players illegally, and you'd think he would have been carded, but he only got one foul called on him.
5. We found the Soccer Complex with no problem, just as we entered Memphis. But, it wasn't that easy to read the Google Map we were provided in order to find our motel. We went around the 'moon' to find it and finally had to call the coach to lead us out of the wilderness. But, we all had a big laugh over it - laughed so hard we cried! Had we stayed a few days longer, we'd have had Memphis roads down pat!
   
6. After losing the 3rd game on Sunday morning, we left my grandson with his coach and son to go swimming, and we headed out of Memphis toward Oxford, MS.
   
7. We stopped to eat lunch at the nearest Pizza Hut and it was delicious! The only thing - I got gone and realized I had not left a tip, which made us feel bad. But, we were in a hurry - not wanting to get home at midnight. My daughter had to go to work the next day.
8. We made it to Oxford, MS without any mishaps, although we had no map to get there.
9. My granddaughter had to make pictures of her at designated places having to do with the author William Faulkner. The town was one we felt very comfortable in. It was our first trip there, and we'd all love to go back. Nice people gave us directions.
10. My granddaughter had her picture made first at the home of William Faulkner which was sort of 'in the woods', although in town. We had to walk a long way from a dirt path to get to the house. I don't know if that is the way he lived or they have kept it private. Maybe they didn't expect as many visitors on the small single-lane road and turn around.
11. The biggest trial for my granddaughter was walking up the steps of the Square Books store to have her picture made in the corner of the upstairs room where Faulkner's books were in the Fiction section. You have to know she has a cast on her left foot and is on crutches - cannot put any pressure on her foot. She was amazing!
12. We visited the City Hall where she posed with the statue of Faulkner, and had her picture made in the corner old phone booth, where she almost got locked in. And, then we went off to the Cemetery where she posed at his tomb. There were visitors there, too.
13. And, last but not least, we all took a trip through Ole'Miss. She had to have her picture made in front of a big building in the center of the circle inside the college. It is called the Lyceum building.
    

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!

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Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. Tink 2. Joan 3. Trina 4. Wolfbernz 5. Sue 6. DKRaymer 7. Wacky Mommy 8. pussreboots

9. karen (miscmum) 10. Meg - badhomeschoolmom 11. Damozel 12. she 13. Naeva - Mom of 2 14. tinker 15. chupieandjsmama 16. Michelle M Pillow

17. Sparky Duck 18. Di 19. Jenny-up the hill 20. Nancy Bond 21. myrna 22. myrna 23. theFrog

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Words from the Gipper

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

You will find many more great words from our former President Ronald Reagan at the site - Ronald Reagan - Words from the Gipper.




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The Bible offends some

Jeff Monestime, 23, a luggage attendant at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport, was fired for playing a Bible verse on his cell phone. He said it was a prank,but a homosexual couple sitting in the airport didn't think so. They considered it a 'death threat'.

Monestime said he used his cell phone to play a recording that said, "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, they should be put to death." The announcement came from Leviticus 20:13.

Technorati Tags: Bible, Offense, Homosexual, Leviticus

The Last Two Days

I have been on a mission with my daughter, her daughter and one of her sons. The son had a soccer tournament in Memphis, TN. He plays for a premier soccer team. This was the first out-of-state tournament I had ever been to, and it was fun! Hot, but fun! They played their hearts out for two days. And, it was exciting to see those boys play.

Anyway, my daughter asked me a week or so ago if I'd go with them. And, so I said yes, and glad I did. We had a ball! We knew the trip was going to be sort of long, since it's a 5 hr drive from her house (4 hrs from mine) there and back. But, we not only had to go to Memphis, but come back through Oxford, MS, where her daughter, a junior in HS, had to make some pictures for a class in school. The pictures had to do with William Faulkner, an author. So, we learned a little history, toured the town, and made pictures.

Oxford is a very nice little town, old, but one that is very inviting. In visiting, we found that the people we talked with were very nice and helpful. We had a map to show us the way, sort of, to find the things of which my granddaughter needed to make pictures. But, we found ourselves going around in circles part of the time - very frustrating, but very laughable! Tiredness was coming on, which made us silly, too.

We visited Square Books on the corner of Courthouse Square. My granddaughter had to have her picture made within the store. The Faulkner Fiction book section happened to be on second floor, which meant she had to climb stairs in order to get there - with crutches. Her Mother insisted she didn't have to go up, but she insisted she wanted to and could make it. And, she did, and we were happy she got to go up! We decided the teacher owed her an extra 10 points because she actually climbed those steps, crutches and all.

But, the last thing of the day we did there in Oxford was visit the Ole' Miss campus. And, we wished we had more time, because we didn't get to really 'visit'. We only to to ride around the circle and make the designated picture there. We could not find a parking place anywhere close, so we had to park in a non-parking spot. My granddaughter is on crutches, having broken her foot 2 weeks ago in a soccer game, so she wasn't able to walk a long way. The campus is a beautiful spot at the end of University, which goes right through town. Town is so accessible to students, even in walking distance. I was so surprised, but happy to see that. I told my daughter, that, if I had my life to live over, I would not mind going to Ole' Miss myself.

If you have never visited Oxford, MS, it might be worth your while to do so. It's a nice old town, lots of places to visit, and just a charming place to be. Our time was just too short. Perhaps we can go there when we have more time and sight see some more!

Linked at Conservative Cat
Church and State

Technorati Tags: Memphis, Tennessee, Oxford, Mississippi, William Faulkner, Author

Christian Carnival CLXX (170)

Christian Carnival is back up, in Dory's absence. This edition is over at Brain Cramps for God.

Do go over and support the effort of these people to keep the Christian Carnival up and running. And, also, there are many great entries this week.

Technorati Tags: Christian Carnival, Brain Cramps for God

Laughter is the best medicine

I know the saying is 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. But, today, laughter has been the medicine that heals wounds, while reading the Thursday Thirteen characters I have had the pleasure of reading! I often wonder why I do this meme, but now I know! It is definitely fun and humorous!

Today, I came across 'A Spot of T' - a new blog for me. I thought I was going to laugh myself silly! She mentioned she had been stopped for speeding. But, instead of her license, she handed the policeman her credit card. Then, her phone rang, and she screamed into it she couldn't talk right then, she was going to jail!

Colleen, at Loose Leaf Notes, wrote about 'letting it all hang out'. She hangs her wash out because she likes the way it looks. She has a photo up of her wash in this Thursday Thirteen, entitled 'bullfight'.

But, there are times when we don't laugh. Then, An Ordinary Mom just indulges in chocolate. Sounds like a great idea to me!

Technorati Tags: Laughter, Medicine, Chocolate, Blog, Thursday Thirteen

I love Spring and flowers

Gerbera daisies I have on my patio table.

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Thursday Thirteen #31

Thirteen Places I have visited

1. The Great Passion Play at Eureka Springs, AR
2. Steamboat Natchez Riverboat in New Orleans, LA.
   
3. Branson, MO Visited many of the shows, and also Silver Dollar City.
4. Visited College of the Ozarks where students earn their education by working at the college
5. The Parthenon - Nashville, TN
6. Williamsburg, VA
   
7. Stone Mountain Theme Park, Atlanta, GA
   
8. Hank Williams, Sr – Burial spot in Montgomery, AL
   
9. Ryman Auditorium – old home of the Grand Ole’ Opera in Nashville, TN
10. Tennesse Aquarium and Imax Theatre - Chattanooga, TN
11. Lookout Mountain, TN – home of Ruby Falls, Rock City, and Incline Railway
    
12. U S Capitol, Washington, DC
    
13. Alligator Alley, in the Everglades, Florida
    

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!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants


Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. Xilly 2. Healthy Nadine 3. Tink 4. Barbara H. 5. colleen 6. MsBatman

7. Susan Helene Gottfried 8. she 9. Joy T. 10. Heather 11. Jane 12. L-Squared

13. pussreboots 14. Cindy Swanson 15. Kuanyin 16. beth

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Woman, 95, to be oldest college graduate

When Nola Ochs' husband died in 1972, she began to take classes at the community college. She continued to take classes over the years. Then, in 2006, lacking only 30 hours to get a general studies degree, she moved from her farm to an apartment 100 miles away at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. She will get her degree this month.

Ochs beat out the record of Mozelle Richardson, who received her journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2004. Besides being the oldest graduate on record, the other exciting thing for her is the fact that her 21 year old granddaughter will be graduating with her. They have both enjoyed each other's company. Ochs said she has been accepted by the other students and she fits right in.

Todd Leahy, history department chairman, wondered at first if Ochs could keep up with the other students. After her second week, all doubts were gone. Now he wants to record oral histories with her after she graduates.

"I can tell them about it, but to have Nola in class adds a dynamic that can't be topped," Leahy said. "It's a firsthand perspective you seldom get."

Tom Nelson, chief operating officer of the American Association of Retired Persons, said Ochs' achievement should inspire all of us to reach our own goals and dreams.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Stuck on Stupid

Technorati Tags: College, Graduate, Nola Ochs, History