It's hard to believe it is all ready September 2010. Our new President will soon reach his half way point and "We The People" must seriously consider the state of our Union.
Whether you want to believe it or not, the bailout that our illustrious President has hefted upon us is costing us - the taxpayers - is more than all, excuse me, ALL American wars.
I am including just one of the links I found when I googled the topic.
http://www.aim.org/on-target-blog/bailout-cost-exceeds-all-american-wars/
Just imagine if you will, what this will mean for the generations to come. Fiscally speaking, of course. Forget about health care, medicare, medicaid - or any other kind of "service" that will soon be tampered with.
Just the taxes for the bailout will be lodged on the shoulders of our following generations.
It has to be paid back somehow.
Have the companies paid it back, or are they rewarding their higher-ups with monster bonus' still?
Even those in Congress do not seem to mind that "We The People" will be paying that back - they will have their cushy salaries and health care for the rest of their lives.
Why don't we stand up and make that change? Why can't we make that change? Who do they work for us or for themselves?
Shouldn't we have to right to decide how long they get their government pay - even after they leave their Congressional job and work somewhere else!
Can any of us do that?
It's time for us to stand up - "We The People" - and change this.
Facing trillions of dollars in debt due to the bailout in less two - TWO years - is unacceptable.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
President Barack Obama
I did not vote for President Barack Obama.
Nor would I have voted for him if he had been the only candidate available. Fortunately, we Americans did have choices.
My rant in this post is about the emails I have been receiving about Obama. I do not have a problem with emails that are researched and the information is correct, however, the emails I am referring to seem to have an agenda in promoting ignorance.
The majority of these emails could easily have been checked simply by going to snopes.com. That would have been easy to do, and many of those emails would never have hit my 'door'.
The latest insulting email, ": FW: NEVER FORGIVE A TRAITOR AND NEVER FORGET WHAT SHE DID" in reference to Jane Fonda and her visit to Viet Nam. Evidently someone has now included Obama in this and is stating he is going to honor Jane Fonda. All someone had to do was to visit, http://www.snopes.com/military/fonda.asp, to discover the truth before sending a multiple of emails before sending it to me.
As a Christian, the subject, "Never Forgive a Traitor ..." caught my eye before I even opened the message.
Never forgive?
This is the message I sent back to ALL the addys involved in this offensive email:
"... The subject ... "Never forgive a traitor and never forget what she did ..." hmmm ... Never forgive?
I cannot help but wonder if that is the way Jesus would want us to handle anything.
She did something that was profoundly wrong at a time our country was in great turmoil due to the division at home because of the Viet Nam War.
But, never forgive?
God says He will forgive in the way that we forgive ... check out the Lord's Prayer.
I believe at one time she confessed Jesus to be her Lord and Savior ... regardless ... God knows her heart a whole lot better than we do. Jesus died for Jane Fonda ... just as He died for me ... and each of you.
I would never want to be a part of something that espouses this kind of hate ... whether it was correct or not.
Thanks, but no thanks."
At some point Christians ... regardless of their 'religion' ... have to take responsibility for faith and pray instead of sending emails that espouse hate and frankly, are just factually wrong.
I do not believe Obama is right for this country, but he is the president we have ... and if we want to change things, we the people have the power to change things. We can change things through elections, through prayer, through demonstrating, through being informed.
Knowledge is power, and we need all the knowledge necessary to fight against what we perceive as a wrong against our great country. We better get started. Ignorance will only keep us down ... and those who use emails to promote ignorance are only working against us.
Nor would I have voted for him if he had been the only candidate available. Fortunately, we Americans did have choices.
My rant in this post is about the emails I have been receiving about Obama. I do not have a problem with emails that are researched and the information is correct, however, the emails I am referring to seem to have an agenda in promoting ignorance.
The majority of these emails could easily have been checked simply by going to snopes.com. That would have been easy to do, and many of those emails would never have hit my 'door'.
The latest insulting email, ": FW: NEVER FORGIVE A TRAITOR AND NEVER FORGET WHAT SHE DID" in reference to Jane Fonda and her visit to Viet Nam. Evidently someone has now included Obama in this and is stating he is going to honor Jane Fonda. All someone had to do was to visit, http://www.snopes.com/military/fonda.asp, to discover the truth before sending a multiple of emails before sending it to me.
As a Christian, the subject, "Never Forgive a Traitor ..." caught my eye before I even opened the message.
Never forgive?
This is the message I sent back to ALL the addys involved in this offensive email:
"... The subject ... "Never forgive a traitor and never forget what she did ..." hmmm ... Never forgive?
I cannot help but wonder if that is the way Jesus would want us to handle anything.
She did something that was profoundly wrong at a time our country was in great turmoil due to the division at home because of the Viet Nam War.
But, never forgive?
God says He will forgive in the way that we forgive ... check out the Lord's Prayer.
I believe at one time she confessed Jesus to be her Lord and Savior ... regardless ... God knows her heart a whole lot better than we do. Jesus died for Jane Fonda ... just as He died for me ... and each of you.
I would never want to be a part of something that espouses this kind of hate ... whether it was correct or not.
Thanks, but no thanks."
At some point Christians ... regardless of their 'religion' ... have to take responsibility for faith and pray instead of sending emails that espouse hate and frankly, are just factually wrong.
I do not believe Obama is right for this country, but he is the president we have ... and if we want to change things, we the people have the power to change things. We can change things through elections, through prayer, through demonstrating, through being informed.
Knowledge is power, and we need all the knowledge necessary to fight against what we perceive as a wrong against our great country. We better get started. Ignorance will only keep us down ... and those who use emails to promote ignorance are only working against us.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Andy Rooney and Prayer
Andy Rooney says:
I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught the Theory of Evolution.
Life, liberty, or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.
Yes, and this is the United States of America , a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-- somebody chanting Hare Krishna?
If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.
If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.
If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.
And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit.
When in Rome . . .
But what about the atheists? Another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!
Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts’ strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.
God, help us! And if that last sentence offends you--well, just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority rules!
It's time we tell them: you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but, by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!
God bless us one and all--especially those who denounce Him.
God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all.
God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.
Let's make 2009 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. And pray that our military forces come home from all the wars.
Keep looking up.
I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught the Theory of Evolution.
Life, liberty, or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.
Yes, and this is the United States of America , a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-- somebody chanting Hare Krishna?
If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.
If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.
If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.
And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit.
When in Rome . . .
But what about the atheists? Another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!
Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts’ strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.
God, help us! And if that last sentence offends you--well, just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority rules!
It's time we tell them: you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but, by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!
God bless us one and all--especially those who denounce Him.
God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all.
God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.
Let's make 2009 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. And pray that our military forces come home from all the wars.
Keep looking up.
A Wis. Father has Been Found Guilty in the Prayer Death of His Daugther
Sunday, August 2, 2009
http://www.mail.com/Article.aspx/us/0/APNews/US/20090802/U_US-Prayer-Death?pageid=1
I found this story online, written by Robert Imrie, of the AP, it posted Saturday, August 01, 2009. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
As a committed Christian, a Bible believing Charismatic Christian, one who stands on the Word of God, it troubles me to no end when a life is lost because wisdom is not used. When there is illness and rather than using the tools the Father God has made available (doctors, medicine, hospitals, etc.), a life is lost.
Prayer is a powerful tool. As is wisdom.
This story is about a father - an otherwise loving dad - whose daughter was ill and his choice of action was prayer, based on his faith, rather than wisdom. His daughter died, and he has now been found guilty of second-degree reckless homocide because he refused to take his daughter to get medical care.
She died of complications from diabetes that had not been diagnosed.
I understand prayer during difficult health issues. Four years ago I was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. I believed with all my heart my Father God had all ready healed me.
But, wisdom prevailed. I had a young son at home that still needed to be raised, he still needed his mom.
People across the country were praying for me, for complete healing from the brain cancer. Yet, I underwent the recommended radiation and chemotherapy treatments. The first MRI after the last chemo treatment, showed no evidence of a tumor or cancer.
I give God all the glory for that complete healing. Today, four years later, all subsequent MRIs are just as clean and clear. No cancer, no tumors. God is faithful.
He expects us to use wisdom - He tells us to use wisdom. James 1.5,6: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." NIV Translation.
My prayers are with the parents as they are charged and convicted with the crime. Their precious daughter is now dead ... walking with Jesus ... they however will have to walk out their crime of neglect and ignorance for the rest of their lives. I pray they find peace and forgiveness.
http://www.mail.com/Article.aspx/us/0/APNews/US/20090802/U_US-Prayer-Death?pageid=1
I found this story online, written by Robert Imrie, of the AP, it posted Saturday, August 01, 2009. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
As a committed Christian, a Bible believing Charismatic Christian, one who stands on the Word of God, it troubles me to no end when a life is lost because wisdom is not used. When there is illness and rather than using the tools the Father God has made available (doctors, medicine, hospitals, etc.), a life is lost.
Prayer is a powerful tool. As is wisdom.
This story is about a father - an otherwise loving dad - whose daughter was ill and his choice of action was prayer, based on his faith, rather than wisdom. His daughter died, and he has now been found guilty of second-degree reckless homocide because he refused to take his daughter to get medical care.
She died of complications from diabetes that had not been diagnosed.
I understand prayer during difficult health issues. Four years ago I was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. I believed with all my heart my Father God had all ready healed me.
But, wisdom prevailed. I had a young son at home that still needed to be raised, he still needed his mom.
People across the country were praying for me, for complete healing from the brain cancer. Yet, I underwent the recommended radiation and chemotherapy treatments. The first MRI after the last chemo treatment, showed no evidence of a tumor or cancer.
I give God all the glory for that complete healing. Today, four years later, all subsequent MRIs are just as clean and clear. No cancer, no tumors. God is faithful.
He expects us to use wisdom - He tells us to use wisdom. James 1.5,6: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." NIV Translation.
My prayers are with the parents as they are charged and convicted with the crime. Their precious daughter is now dead ... walking with Jesus ... they however will have to walk out their crime of neglect and ignorance for the rest of their lives. I pray they find peace and forgiveness.
Keeping Canyon a Wholesome Community
I was perusing through the web option opinion page of this local paper when I came across the letter, “Wanting to Keep Canyon a Wholesome Community”.
At the offset you should know, I too am very interested in keeping Canyon a wholesome place to live. However, the writer of this opine took Movie Gallery to task for something that Hastings also does, but in a much more grievous manner .
In addition to renting traditional pornographic movies, Hastings also makes available an entire series of pornographic anime movies. Remember, the anime was created in Japan and brought here through video games, comics, books (which Hastings also sells that have a pornographic nature). Now, anime has come to some of your young children’s favorite television cartoons.
The anime movies are not aimed at families, they are not inspirational in any form, they are targeted to kids … and of course, those who fall in the same mindset.
You should also know, that Movie Gallery keeps the offensive movies on the top shelves so they cannot be easily accessed, and the covers are blocked so they cannot be seen. At Hastings, I have seen the offensive movies on the same level for the innocent eyes of your little ones to view.
One other thing. When the Illustrated Sports Swimsuit edition came out last year, I spoke with the then manager about the offensive cover and it being so available for children to see. His response to me, (and I am quoting him), “This is business, and we’re not going to change it.” It was at that point I decided to give my movie rental business to Movie Gallery.
Not sure I know what I’m talking about? Then I challenge you to spend some time in Hastings looking at the wall of anime movies available to your kids. Did you think because they were cartoons they were innocent? Guess again. The anime books I am talking about can be found in the video game area towards the back where the t-shirts are. Spend some time.
Hastings also has books available for purchase (and perusing by your children … which I have witnessed) whose only subject is sexual pleasure: karma sutra, variety of positions, and suggestions for self pleasure. All in pictures that leave nothing to the imagination. Have you discussed sexuality with your children yet?
Hastings has no intention of changing their structure because, “… it is business“. Movie Gallery is more sensitive to those who would be offended. That, by the way, includes me -- and I appreciate their willingness to go that extra mile.
So, if you really care about keeping Canyon a wholesome community, and where your discretionary funds go, I suggest you give your business to Movie Gallery.
The New Year is just a week away. What a great time to start a new tradition in your family. Rent your movies at Movie Gallery. Treat Hastings like the business it is. A provider of pornography in “Wholesome Canyon”.
At the offset you should know, I too am very interested in keeping Canyon a wholesome place to live. However, the writer of this opine took Movie Gallery to task for something that Hastings also does, but in a much more grievous manner .
In addition to renting traditional pornographic movies, Hastings also makes available an entire series of pornographic anime movies. Remember, the anime was created in Japan and brought here through video games, comics, books (which Hastings also sells that have a pornographic nature). Now, anime has come to some of your young children’s favorite television cartoons.
The anime movies are not aimed at families, they are not inspirational in any form, they are targeted to kids … and of course, those who fall in the same mindset.
You should also know, that Movie Gallery keeps the offensive movies on the top shelves so they cannot be easily accessed, and the covers are blocked so they cannot be seen. At Hastings, I have seen the offensive movies on the same level for the innocent eyes of your little ones to view.
One other thing. When the Illustrated Sports Swimsuit edition came out last year, I spoke with the then manager about the offensive cover and it being so available for children to see. His response to me, (and I am quoting him), “This is business, and we’re not going to change it.” It was at that point I decided to give my movie rental business to Movie Gallery.
Not sure I know what I’m talking about? Then I challenge you to spend some time in Hastings looking at the wall of anime movies available to your kids. Did you think because they were cartoons they were innocent? Guess again. The anime books I am talking about can be found in the video game area towards the back where the t-shirts are. Spend some time.
Hastings also has books available for purchase (and perusing by your children … which I have witnessed) whose only subject is sexual pleasure: karma sutra, variety of positions, and suggestions for self pleasure. All in pictures that leave nothing to the imagination. Have you discussed sexuality with your children yet?
Hastings has no intention of changing their structure because, “… it is business“. Movie Gallery is more sensitive to those who would be offended. That, by the way, includes me -- and I appreciate their willingness to go that extra mile.
So, if you really care about keeping Canyon a wholesome community, and where your discretionary funds go, I suggest you give your business to Movie Gallery.
The New Year is just a week away. What a great time to start a new tradition in your family. Rent your movies at Movie Gallery. Treat Hastings like the business it is. A provider of pornography in “Wholesome Canyon”.
Not Just Another Icy Road
Just the thought of driving in the snow fills me with dread, and somewhere around the corner from that is a panic attack. Seriously, I was the kind of winter driver that your insurance agent warned you about.
For many years I lived in Virginia and suffered through many snowy winters. There were also more than one incident when I either missed work completely or was very late because of my fear of driving on roads covered in snow or ice. As a single parent, the responsibility of providing for my child and myself fell on my shoulders alone; thus increasing the pressure on me.
Since living in Texas, the winters have been milder – for the most part – and the snow and ice has not lasted very long. On the few occasions when the roads were impassable … at least in my mind … my children and I stayed home and I reveled in the opportunity to breathe them in.
We have been very blessed.
A few winters ago, however, we were hit by a large amount of snow, and naturally there was ice under the snow. As a college student the pressure to attend was not as great as going to work, yet I did not dare miss any more reviews, tests, exams, or project deadlines than necessary.
This time I was determined that the bad roads were not going to cripple me. On this day, I drove to college and later to my son’s junior high school to pick him up.
It was on the way home from his school that I learned a lesson that has stuck with me for many years. The road home was narrow and just two lanes. There was a hill, with more than one slope, and on either side of the road were deep ditches.
Normally this drive from my son’s school to home was all of ten minutes. This day that drive would take me more than 45 minutes.
There were cars behind me, who were no doubt anxious to get around me, and there were cars coming in the opposite direction. I was driving very slowly and every time a car did manage to pass me, I slowed down to a crawl.
I could not get past the knowledge that one unexpected, unprepared for bump in the ice could send us over the edge and into a ditch; or that a misjudged tap to the brakes – or the accelerator – would send us in a spin getting hit by cars from both directions. As that line of cars in back of us was growing longer, surely the drivers were getting more impatient, and there was a knot in the pit of my stomach. My knuckles were turning white from holding onto the steering wheel so tightly; and I was going to be sick.
All of a sudden, I could “hear” the Lord speaking to me. They were words of comfort, and words of peace. “Keep your eyes on the road, straight ahead of you. Don’t worry about the cars behind you. Don’t worry about the cars coming at you. Don’t think about the ditch. Just drive the car and keep your eyes on the road, straight ahead of you.”
All at once, I realized that we were indeed going to make it home, and all in one piece! The pit in my stomach was gone, and my knuckles were no longer white.
Then, the most curious thing happened as I started to heed the advice I had been given. The Lord began to show me how life is like that – the icy roads, the ditches and unending traffic. How much easier life is when we keep our eyes on Him instead of the obstacles in our path.
This was not a new concept for me. I had read it more than once in the Bible, but I had not experienced it in such a crystal clear way.
“If I kept my eyes on the road, and did not worry about the conditions around we, we would make it. Likewise, if I kept my eyes on the Lord and did not worry about the problems around me, I would make it through the obstacles.”
Needless to say, I was very glad to get home, but I was also very glad to have risked driving that afternoon to have been given that lesson in trust. That lesson is still with me today and I know all I have to do is remember that icy road and God’s message will renew itself to me.
For many years I lived in Virginia and suffered through many snowy winters. There were also more than one incident when I either missed work completely or was very late because of my fear of driving on roads covered in snow or ice. As a single parent, the responsibility of providing for my child and myself fell on my shoulders alone; thus increasing the pressure on me.
Since living in Texas, the winters have been milder – for the most part – and the snow and ice has not lasted very long. On the few occasions when the roads were impassable … at least in my mind … my children and I stayed home and I reveled in the opportunity to breathe them in.
We have been very blessed.
A few winters ago, however, we were hit by a large amount of snow, and naturally there was ice under the snow. As a college student the pressure to attend was not as great as going to work, yet I did not dare miss any more reviews, tests, exams, or project deadlines than necessary.
This time I was determined that the bad roads were not going to cripple me. On this day, I drove to college and later to my son’s junior high school to pick him up.
It was on the way home from his school that I learned a lesson that has stuck with me for many years. The road home was narrow and just two lanes. There was a hill, with more than one slope, and on either side of the road were deep ditches.
Normally this drive from my son’s school to home was all of ten minutes. This day that drive would take me more than 45 minutes.
There were cars behind me, who were no doubt anxious to get around me, and there were cars coming in the opposite direction. I was driving very slowly and every time a car did manage to pass me, I slowed down to a crawl.
I could not get past the knowledge that one unexpected, unprepared for bump in the ice could send us over the edge and into a ditch; or that a misjudged tap to the brakes – or the accelerator – would send us in a spin getting hit by cars from both directions. As that line of cars in back of us was growing longer, surely the drivers were getting more impatient, and there was a knot in the pit of my stomach. My knuckles were turning white from holding onto the steering wheel so tightly; and I was going to be sick.
All of a sudden, I could “hear” the Lord speaking to me. They were words of comfort, and words of peace. “Keep your eyes on the road, straight ahead of you. Don’t worry about the cars behind you. Don’t worry about the cars coming at you. Don’t think about the ditch. Just drive the car and keep your eyes on the road, straight ahead of you.”
All at once, I realized that we were indeed going to make it home, and all in one piece! The pit in my stomach was gone, and my knuckles were no longer white.
Then, the most curious thing happened as I started to heed the advice I had been given. The Lord began to show me how life is like that – the icy roads, the ditches and unending traffic. How much easier life is when we keep our eyes on Him instead of the obstacles in our path.
This was not a new concept for me. I had read it more than once in the Bible, but I had not experienced it in such a crystal clear way.
“If I kept my eyes on the road, and did not worry about the conditions around we, we would make it. Likewise, if I kept my eyes on the Lord and did not worry about the problems around me, I would make it through the obstacles.”
Needless to say, I was very glad to get home, but I was also very glad to have risked driving that afternoon to have been given that lesson in trust. That lesson is still with me today and I know all I have to do is remember that icy road and God’s message will renew itself to me.
Time Gets Away
Life - as it is guaranteed to do - has been very busy, and I have been focusing my efforts on other issues.
It is difficult to come back after so much time has passed. Yet, I cannot and will not just let this blog expire. Thus, I am back, with a determination to stay on board and not look back. Going forward with the new year, and the possibilities it holds.
I am not one who writes or even considers "New Year Resolutions". However, there may be some areas I should put under the fire and be more resolute about. As an online student in a grad program, extra time is rather at a premium. But this venue is important to me ... and I have things to say that cannot be said anywhere else.
So, here I am, finding the time to return to my first love - my passion - writing. This is a new year, and new beginnings. I think everyone needs an opportunity for that once in awhile.
It is difficult to come back after so much time has passed. Yet, I cannot and will not just let this blog expire. Thus, I am back, with a determination to stay on board and not look back. Going forward with the new year, and the possibilities it holds.
I am not one who writes or even considers "New Year Resolutions". However, there may be some areas I should put under the fire and be more resolute about. As an online student in a grad program, extra time is rather at a premium. But this venue is important to me ... and I have things to say that cannot be said anywhere else.
So, here I am, finding the time to return to my first love - my passion - writing. This is a new year, and new beginnings. I think everyone needs an opportunity for that once in awhile.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Human Life vs. Animal Life
My youngest son impressed upon me this evening to watch some PETA videos with him. They were some tragically sad videos. Pregnant female horses being strapped for their urine, rabbits, monkeys, dogs, cats, ... so many poor animals ... even chickens who belonged to KFC and were too fat to walk. It was too sad.
Yet, they were animals.
I don't mean in any way to make it sound like the torture the animals went through ... are still going through ... is acceptable. It is not. Testing on animals should be stopped now.
Anyone - any laboratory - and research facility - any type of animal testing should stop immediately.
I don't understand the use of animals for research for human development or human research.
However, as a passionate believer in pro-life, with no exceptions, I also do not support any animal organization or environmental organization as long as abortion is legal.
You want to save the whales? Go for it. Not with my dime. My money, my energy, and my talents will go towards the pro-life effort. In my opinion there is never a reason for an abortion - not incest, not rape - the statistics prove there are far too few pregnancies as a result of incest or rape.
The bottom line is we have been given dominion over the animals. The animals are not on the same level as human life. Please do not forget that babies are more important than animals.
Yet, they were animals.
I don't mean in any way to make it sound like the torture the animals went through ... are still going through ... is acceptable. It is not. Testing on animals should be stopped now.
Anyone - any laboratory - and research facility - any type of animal testing should stop immediately.
I don't understand the use of animals for research for human development or human research.
However, as a passionate believer in pro-life, with no exceptions, I also do not support any animal organization or environmental organization as long as abortion is legal.
You want to save the whales? Go for it. Not with my dime. My money, my energy, and my talents will go towards the pro-life effort. In my opinion there is never a reason for an abortion - not incest, not rape - the statistics prove there are far too few pregnancies as a result of incest or rape.
The bottom line is we have been given dominion over the animals. The animals are not on the same level as human life. Please do not forget that babies are more important than animals.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Not a Stroke -- Just Epilepsy
A few years ago ... let's say March of 2001 ... I experienced my first inkling of what would become Absence Epilepsy. Of course I didn't know it was epilepsy. I thought I was having a stroke.
So of course I did the smart thing and drove myself to my doctor's office. Wouldn't you?
Eventually I wound up in the emergency room of a wonderful hospital. Being very bored I had to have something to do.
What you have to remember is I had had a seizure. A massive seizure -- all of my communication skills were gone, and my words, when I tried, I just stumbled. Finally, I was able to convey to the ER nurses I needed a phone and a phone book, which they were quick to provide.
Easily I was able to find people to call - though I don't remember whether I knew them or not. Speaking on the phone was not easy for me, and the people who answered their phones, had to wonder who was calling them.
I do remember calling people time and again. And, the phone I used was on the nurses' counter, so they couldn't really take it away from me, and they couldn't sedate me without a doctor's orders.
I had to have been a real pain for them, but they were always gracious and kind to me. Finally, the ER doctor came, sedated me and whisked me off to an MRI. While the ER nurses had a break from me, the neuro nurses had no idea what was coming.
Here it is eight years later -- and I never had a stroke, just epilepsy, a brain tumor, and brain cancer ... inoperable at that. After radiation and chemo I am so blessed to know and be able to praise the Living God ... I have no brain tumor, no brain cancer.
The aphasia that goes along with the seizures of abs-once epilepsy can be frustrating, and exhausting. Nothing like the other types of epilepsy, and for that I am thankful.
So of course I did the smart thing and drove myself to my doctor's office. Wouldn't you?
Eventually I wound up in the emergency room of a wonderful hospital. Being very bored I had to have something to do.
What you have to remember is I had had a seizure. A massive seizure -- all of my communication skills were gone, and my words, when I tried, I just stumbled. Finally, I was able to convey to the ER nurses I needed a phone and a phone book, which they were quick to provide.
Easily I was able to find people to call - though I don't remember whether I knew them or not. Speaking on the phone was not easy for me, and the people who answered their phones, had to wonder who was calling them.
I do remember calling people time and again. And, the phone I used was on the nurses' counter, so they couldn't really take it away from me, and they couldn't sedate me without a doctor's orders.
I had to have been a real pain for them, but they were always gracious and kind to me. Finally, the ER doctor came, sedated me and whisked me off to an MRI. While the ER nurses had a break from me, the neuro nurses had no idea what was coming.
Here it is eight years later -- and I never had a stroke, just epilepsy, a brain tumor, and brain cancer ... inoperable at that. After radiation and chemo I am so blessed to know and be able to praise the Living God ... I have no brain tumor, no brain cancer.
The aphasia that goes along with the seizures of abs-once epilepsy can be frustrating, and exhausting. Nothing like the other types of epilepsy, and for that I am thankful.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Time Just Flies ... Whenever
My life has been full of so many obstacles lately. Grad school, family, my elderly dog, work, writing, health issues ... so many things. Then, I kept loosing my password to my blog!
Who knew it would be so hard to find ... and keep.
In the midst of all of that I've been trying to work on my web site, and that has not been very successful. All I wanted to do was bring it up to speed, change the picture on it, and do some up-dating. But no, it has not been very cooperative. So, for the time being, my web site will sit as it is, and I will do something else.
My elderly puppy - sounds like an oxymoron -- is fast approaching eleven years old. I've had him since he was six weeks young, and he is truly a part of my family. The fact that he has become a stubborn, hard to please male, makes it difficult to deal with sometimes.
For the last two years he requires hand feeding. Literally. It is not a simple effort of just putting his food in a bowl and hope he eats when he gets hungry. Oh no. He must eat off a fork, and it must be a specific type of fork. A plastic white fork. Not any other color, not metal, not a spoon, Just a plastic white one.
For some time now he would eat canned dog food. Now, he will no longer eat that. I cannot begin to tell you how many cans of full canned dog food I have thrown away because he will not eat it. He turns his head, walks away, or simply will not eat for days on end.
Worry about him and the stress on his health has been foremost of my mind. I'm just not ready to let him go. After all, he drinks water, gets around well, goes outside, and seems happy most of the time.
So, now I am buying people food for him. Hamburger meat, frozen vegetables, and brown rice. It goes in the slow cooker and for the time being he is eating.
So, who do you think runs the house? Me? My teen aged son? Naw. My canine friend. Maxxe has to eat ... and while everyone else shivers because the house is so cold, the fans and cooler runs - even in the dead of winter - Maxxe must be cool because of all of his fur.
It's his house - his budget - his living room. What's a mom to do?
Who knew it would be so hard to find ... and keep.
In the midst of all of that I've been trying to work on my web site, and that has not been very successful. All I wanted to do was bring it up to speed, change the picture on it, and do some up-dating. But no, it has not been very cooperative. So, for the time being, my web site will sit as it is, and I will do something else.
My elderly puppy - sounds like an oxymoron -- is fast approaching eleven years old. I've had him since he was six weeks young, and he is truly a part of my family. The fact that he has become a stubborn, hard to please male, makes it difficult to deal with sometimes.
For the last two years he requires hand feeding. Literally. It is not a simple effort of just putting his food in a bowl and hope he eats when he gets hungry. Oh no. He must eat off a fork, and it must be a specific type of fork. A plastic white fork. Not any other color, not metal, not a spoon, Just a plastic white one.
For some time now he would eat canned dog food. Now, he will no longer eat that. I cannot begin to tell you how many cans of full canned dog food I have thrown away because he will not eat it. He turns his head, walks away, or simply will not eat for days on end.
Worry about him and the stress on his health has been foremost of my mind. I'm just not ready to let him go. After all, he drinks water, gets around well, goes outside, and seems happy most of the time.
So, now I am buying people food for him. Hamburger meat, frozen vegetables, and brown rice. It goes in the slow cooker and for the time being he is eating.
So, who do you think runs the house? Me? My teen aged son? Naw. My canine friend. Maxxe has to eat ... and while everyone else shivers because the house is so cold, the fans and cooler runs - even in the dead of winter - Maxxe must be cool because of all of his fur.
It's his house - his budget - his living room. What's a mom to do?
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