It seems there is some controversy about where a transgender child should go. A fifth grade child, Nicole, was identified as male on her birth certificate but has preferred being a girl had been allowed to use the girls restroom until the grandfather of a fifth grade boy complained.
Why would a boy object to a female using the girls restroom? I can think of several reasons: 1. He is curious as to what a transgender person looks like 2. He wants some privacy to taunt the child and is upset because Nicole gets to use a restroom he can't go into 3. He's attracted to Nicole but likes the boy part but can use her girl parts as a cover. 4. The family are a bunch of jerks you see a way of making some money.
In any case the child did not choose to be a transgender person and I certainly would not to want to be one. The child should be given the respect and privacy as any other child. It is said that between 1.5 and 2% of all births are to a transgender child although most suffer from only mild conditions. About .03% , or 3 people out of 10,000 are born a true transgender so while rare it does happen more often than we might think it does.
One would have thought that it would have been a girl to complain about someone who could be a boy in their restroom. I'm not sure how the other students knew that Nicole was neither a true boy nor a true girl. I never questioned what parts another student (pupil, I suppose is the correct word) had went I grew up. Stupid me thought if a person dressed like a girl, looked like a girl, and used the girls restroom it was probably a girl.
It seems to me that people get involved in to many things that are none of their business.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
New Ramp: but I had to pay for this one.
When I first got my shed 4 years ago I need a ramp so I looked around the neighborhood and found some straight lumber. Most of it came from the trash pile where a house was being repaired. I found a bunch of 2 x 6 of various lengths and pieced them together than then topped them off with 4 or 5 pieces of subflooring to make my ramp. It really turned out to be a good sturdy ramp that served my needs just fine until this year.
I have always mowed my grass with a 21" self-propelled mower so my ramp, 36" wide, was quite adequate. This year I purchased a rider which has a 42" mower deck. (plus it has a chute ) It was quite tricky to drive a 42" mower up a 36" ramp. One has to come up the ramp at such an angle that three wheels are on the ramp at all times plus the chute clears the entrance as well.
I purchased a 4 x 8 piece of subflooring plus two 2x6x12 . I cut 2 feet off each end of the 2 x6 x 12 and nailed the ten foot lengths to the support bracket under the entrance making the width of all the 2x6 54" wide. Then I nailed the subflooring onto the 2 x 6's leaving two inches on one side and 4' on the other side closet to the door opening. I took the old piece of subflooring and cut it to fit over the remaining space, an area of about 2 x 4.5'. The total cost of my new ramp was only $40.00. I hated to spent the money but one just isn't going to fine a piece of 4 x 8 subflooring and 2 2x6x12 pieces of treated lumber just lying around.
Oh the two feet I cut off the end/ I know I could have purchased 2 x6 x10 pieces of lumber but then I would not have had support braces for under the ramp. I know it isn't the best looking ramp in the world but it is sturdy and wide enough to do the job and that's what really matters afterall.
I have always mowed my grass with a 21" self-propelled mower so my ramp, 36" wide, was quite adequate. This year I purchased a rider which has a 42" mower deck. (plus it has a chute ) It was quite tricky to drive a 42" mower up a 36" ramp. One has to come up the ramp at such an angle that three wheels are on the ramp at all times plus the chute clears the entrance as well.
I purchased a 4 x 8 piece of subflooring plus two 2x6x12 . I cut 2 feet off each end of the 2 x6 x 12 and nailed the ten foot lengths to the support bracket under the entrance making the width of all the 2x6 54" wide. Then I nailed the subflooring onto the 2 x 6's leaving two inches on one side and 4' on the other side closet to the door opening. I took the old piece of subflooring and cut it to fit over the remaining space, an area of about 2 x 4.5'. The total cost of my new ramp was only $40.00. I hated to spent the money but one just isn't going to fine a piece of 4 x 8 subflooring and 2 2x6x12 pieces of treated lumber just lying around.
Oh the two feet I cut off the end/ I know I could have purchased 2 x6 x10 pieces of lumber but then I would not have had support braces for under the ramp. I know it isn't the best looking ramp in the world but it is sturdy and wide enough to do the job and that's what really matters afterall.
Monday, June 10, 2013
I didn't want everything to be a water garden
I have two fish ponds or water gardens, however one wants to view them but with all this rain it seems everything now is a water garden. The tomato plants have yellow leaves and the plants are scrawny, the potato plants are turning yellow and dying and my seeds have been moved around by the constant rain. I just sowed clover in my garden to cut down on weeds and to try to get nitrogen back into the soil but the rain is going to wash the seeds so the clover will come up heavy in some places and not at all in others. That's not what I need or want.
With the droughts we have faced in years past I just am not prepared for this much rain. I have to admit my water plants look fabulous especially my new bog gardens. I planted some of my water Iris in dry soil a few years back because water Iris bloom after regular Iris do. I had my doubts if they would survive but I planted them deeper than I would have regular Iris. This year they are so thick and a dark green in color and had beautiful blooms. The blooms are all but gone now but my lilies are taking over now.
That's one thing I enjoy about my yard is I have something in bloom almost year round. Early on its the fruit trees, bugle weed, phlox, and jonicals. Then I have my Iris and purple ice (the purple ice will bloom through fall) and now the tiger lilies, day lilies, Easter lilies, and Cana lilies. My mums are beginning to head up now into large, perfectly round mounds of large green leaves.
Soon my cone flowers and daises will take over and my buttery fly bushes, roses, and my wildflower and sunflower gardens will be in full bloom as well as my pickerel in my water garden.
In the fall my mums will bloom and my fruit trees and grape vines will begin to give up their harvest. Hopefully in 2015 my cherry trees will begin to bloom as they will be in their fifth year then.
Things get better every year as the plants grow larger and begin to multiply. I'm seriously considering doing my yard in clover instead on grass in the future. Needs less care and don't need to be mowed as often. We'll see.
With the droughts we have faced in years past I just am not prepared for this much rain. I have to admit my water plants look fabulous especially my new bog gardens. I planted some of my water Iris in dry soil a few years back because water Iris bloom after regular Iris do. I had my doubts if they would survive but I planted them deeper than I would have regular Iris. This year they are so thick and a dark green in color and had beautiful blooms. The blooms are all but gone now but my lilies are taking over now.
That's one thing I enjoy about my yard is I have something in bloom almost year round. Early on its the fruit trees, bugle weed, phlox, and jonicals. Then I have my Iris and purple ice (the purple ice will bloom through fall) and now the tiger lilies, day lilies, Easter lilies, and Cana lilies. My mums are beginning to head up now into large, perfectly round mounds of large green leaves.
Soon my cone flowers and daises will take over and my buttery fly bushes, roses, and my wildflower and sunflower gardens will be in full bloom as well as my pickerel in my water garden.
In the fall my mums will bloom and my fruit trees and grape vines will begin to give up their harvest. Hopefully in 2015 my cherry trees will begin to bloom as they will be in their fifth year then.
Things get better every year as the plants grow larger and begin to multiply. I'm seriously considering doing my yard in clover instead on grass in the future. Needs less care and don't need to be mowed as often. We'll see.
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Easily offended part 3
It is hard to believe one woman can keep a saga going this long. Her son, the man that claims he was offended when the remark was made that it would be better to understand and live the teachings of Christ than to merely memorize scripture is now supposedly going to be a missionary. That is fine, well and good. I'm proud of him. Nothing was ever said to the woman so why is she so bent out of shape. If anything she should have instructed her son how to handle controversies in a biblical manner. Getting mad and start gossiping is not a proper way to handle things in a secular setting much less a church. That's what people do I guess but it is wrong.
Well the anger of this women is going just a little too far. I make DVD's for the shut-ins of the church. I purchased the camera on my dime and give of my time to make and distribute these DVD's. For the first year I purchased the materials as well. One of the ladies I made the DVD's for passed away on March 1, 2013 and the angry lady asked me if I could make copies of all the DVD's since no one knew what happened to the set the deceased lady had. I believe there were 35 or so DVS's and that did take awhile to make new ones: somewhere around 10 to 15 minutes each. That adds up to 8 or nine hours plus the cost of the DVD's.
The Sunday after I gave the angry lady the back DVD's she had me a stack of 24 DVD's in Jewel cases. She said she purchased a stack of 100 DVD's. I had the church treasurer write her a check for the full amount and asked the lady to bring me the remainder of the DVD's as we don't charge for the service, which she did.
Now it seems that she is calling people and telling them she wants her blank DVD's back and considers me a thief for keeping them. She is calling me a thief when the last time she was a church she was nearly out of gas and the pastor and his wife and my wife scrapped up thirty dollars to get this lady some gas and even followed her to the service station to make sure she could get there. She never repaid the pastor, his wife or my wife.
I don't want her to repay my wife and I don't believe the pastor is worried about the money he and his wife gave to her. What I would like is all the people who read this blog and are Christians to include this woman and her son in your prayers. I won't mind if you included me in your prayers either.
Well the anger of this women is going just a little too far. I make DVD's for the shut-ins of the church. I purchased the camera on my dime and give of my time to make and distribute these DVD's. For the first year I purchased the materials as well. One of the ladies I made the DVD's for passed away on March 1, 2013 and the angry lady asked me if I could make copies of all the DVD's since no one knew what happened to the set the deceased lady had. I believe there were 35 or so DVS's and that did take awhile to make new ones: somewhere around 10 to 15 minutes each. That adds up to 8 or nine hours plus the cost of the DVD's.
The Sunday after I gave the angry lady the back DVD's she had me a stack of 24 DVD's in Jewel cases. She said she purchased a stack of 100 DVD's. I had the church treasurer write her a check for the full amount and asked the lady to bring me the remainder of the DVD's as we don't charge for the service, which she did.
Now it seems that she is calling people and telling them she wants her blank DVD's back and considers me a thief for keeping them. She is calling me a thief when the last time she was a church she was nearly out of gas and the pastor and his wife and my wife scrapped up thirty dollars to get this lady some gas and even followed her to the service station to make sure she could get there. She never repaid the pastor, his wife or my wife.
I don't want her to repay my wife and I don't believe the pastor is worried about the money he and his wife gave to her. What I would like is all the people who read this blog and are Christians to include this woman and her son in your prayers. I won't mind if you included me in your prayers either.
Why anyone cares is beyond me
Yahoo homepage headline "
Beyonce Bares Midriff, Attends Kanye West's Birthday Party in New York City
Beyonce bares her midriff at Kanye West's birthday party in New York City on Saturday, June 8
Us Weekly"
Loved ones go missing, people are fighting for their lives, surgeons perform living saving operations and people walk the aisle at their local church and theirs lives are transformed through salvation and no one seems to care but let a movie star or famous performer show a little belly button and that is front page news.
Tell me again what makes this country the greatest NATION ON EARTH?
Saturday, June 08, 2013
Every ones favorite subject
The weather. Maybe not yours but seldom does a day goes by when someone doesn't mention the weather. In my life it's my wife. I don't get out much myself. I normally don't talk much about the weather even just as an ice breaker or conversation started but with such a wet winter and now such a wet spring even I am blogging about the weather. In the last seven days there has been 8 inches on water in my rain gauge, 4 from the last two days alone.
During a brief break in the rain, sometime last week a neighbor asked me why the bottom leaves on her tomato plants were turning yellow. She seemed somewhat surprised when I told her we've had too much rain. I'm not sure she believed me but too much rain (or water) can prevent a plant from sucking up needed nutrients from the soil. Water is good and necessary but even plants need something a little more substantial.
When a plant drinks too much water and takes in to few nutrients it subjects the plant to various diseases. There just isn't much we can do about the amount of rain the plants have received. I wish I could have stored more of the rain water. I do have two fish ponds, one around 1500 gallons and the other around 300 but my fish prefer that I leave the water where it is. My two rain barrels help some but together they represent around a hundred or so gallons. Not really that much in the grand scheme of things.
If I could afford to I would dig myself a runoff pond a capture 10000 gallons or so of water then I could have a luscious lawn and a thriving garden but if I dug a pond that deep I wouldn't have room for the garden or the lawn.
I can live with the cooler weather and the rain. I just hope that isn't our allotment for the summer.
During a brief break in the rain, sometime last week a neighbor asked me why the bottom leaves on her tomato plants were turning yellow. She seemed somewhat surprised when I told her we've had too much rain. I'm not sure she believed me but too much rain (or water) can prevent a plant from sucking up needed nutrients from the soil. Water is good and necessary but even plants need something a little more substantial.
When a plant drinks too much water and takes in to few nutrients it subjects the plant to various diseases. There just isn't much we can do about the amount of rain the plants have received. I wish I could have stored more of the rain water. I do have two fish ponds, one around 1500 gallons and the other around 300 but my fish prefer that I leave the water where it is. My two rain barrels help some but together they represent around a hundred or so gallons. Not really that much in the grand scheme of things.
If I could afford to I would dig myself a runoff pond a capture 10000 gallons or so of water then I could have a luscious lawn and a thriving garden but if I dug a pond that deep I wouldn't have room for the garden or the lawn.
I can live with the cooler weather and the rain. I just hope that isn't our allotment for the summer.
Racial combined families
Traditional called racially mixed I prefer to call them racially combined families. Mixed conjures up visions of two substances that don't normally go together that one has to put together by force, like oil and water. Once things settle down the two substances will begin to separate unless force keeps them together. Combining on the other hand brings up more pleasant images like mixing chocolate and peanut butter to create a different taste,
I have observed that the children of combined race families seem to be more attractive than those of same race families. I may be wrong but it just seems that way to me. To be honest, I doubt there are many true bloodlines left anymore so it should not be that big of a deal anymore. To me, it seems the sooner races are eliminated the better off we will be as people. Just think, no more whites to feel superior and no more blacks to feel proud, just a nation full of beautiful Americans.
I know that is unlikely to happen because some people just have to hate but we can call them combined families instead of mixed even if all it does is change the picture in our minds.
I have observed that the children of combined race families seem to be more attractive than those of same race families. I may be wrong but it just seems that way to me. To be honest, I doubt there are many true bloodlines left anymore so it should not be that big of a deal anymore. To me, it seems the sooner races are eliminated the better off we will be as people. Just think, no more whites to feel superior and no more blacks to feel proud, just a nation full of beautiful Americans.
I know that is unlikely to happen because some people just have to hate but we can call them combined families instead of mixed even if all it does is change the picture in our minds.
Friday, June 07, 2013
neighbors kid in jail again
His parents seem to be nice people. The kids are lazy no-good bums. When they are home they stay on the front porch and drink beer. When I first moved here they still lived at home and their baby mommas would drop the babies off when it was their turn to watch the kids. Sometimes I had to listen to these child/women beat on the front doors for up to an hour while they were trying to get the men to answer the door.
I suppose the occasions when they do show up in the neighborhood it is most likely when they aren't in jail and have a temporary housing problem. But when the men are here there are constant visitors. One night the skinny woman with no teeth that lives up the street drove her Kia Soul done here to see him and the taller boy turned the music full blast. I walked over and asked the younger, smaller one to turn it down and he was polite, said "yes Sir" and turned the music to a normal volume. The tall one came out "What's the problem?" I told him his music was too loud. He replied "What's an acceptable volume for you?"
"As long as I can't hear it," was my reply.
"That's impossible," he retorted. "You might as well call the police now."
"Okay, I will."
They did leave the volume down and the woman stayed another ten minutes and left.
It seems that a woman went to the police and complained that the man had borrowed her car in exchange for $100.00 worth of crack and now he wouldn't give her car back. Stupid woman gave the police permission to search the vehicle. Dogs are drug sniffing dogs and would not have alerted on the meat she had stolen from Wal-Mart. I guess she needed a fix so bad she couldn't take the stuff home and put in a refrigerator first.
She was arrested for larceny and procession of stolen goods and he was arrested on an outstanding warrant of failure to appear. With him in jail I know it will be quiet in the neighborhood for awhile.
I suppose the occasions when they do show up in the neighborhood it is most likely when they aren't in jail and have a temporary housing problem. But when the men are here there are constant visitors. One night the skinny woman with no teeth that lives up the street drove her Kia Soul done here to see him and the taller boy turned the music full blast. I walked over and asked the younger, smaller one to turn it down and he was polite, said "yes Sir" and turned the music to a normal volume. The tall one came out "What's the problem?" I told him his music was too loud. He replied "What's an acceptable volume for you?"
"As long as I can't hear it," was my reply.
"That's impossible," he retorted. "You might as well call the police now."
"Okay, I will."
They did leave the volume down and the woman stayed another ten minutes and left.
It seems that a woman went to the police and complained that the man had borrowed her car in exchange for $100.00 worth of crack and now he wouldn't give her car back. Stupid woman gave the police permission to search the vehicle. Dogs are drug sniffing dogs and would not have alerted on the meat she had stolen from Wal-Mart. I guess she needed a fix so bad she couldn't take the stuff home and put in a refrigerator first.
She was arrested for larceny and procession of stolen goods and he was arrested on an outstanding warrant of failure to appear. With him in jail I know it will be quiet in the neighborhood for awhile.
TGIF, if I worked.
It really doesn't matter as much what day of the week it is when one is retired as I don't have to schedule all my activities around what I have to do Sundays for church and Tuesday morning to get the trash out are about the only things I have to work around and the Tuesday thing is really flexible. Normally I mow the grass at home on Thursdays and at church on Fridays but because of the rain I mowed at the church yesterday morning. My yard can wait. But with all the rain there isn't much I can do. It's too wet to even go fishing. If I had a job I would have something to do. I could go shopping but there isn't much I need or really want.
The wife and I ate at the new Hwy 55 in Randleman. In Greensboro they are called Andy's. I'm not sure why they mix their name like they do but it is what it is. I really like the ones I have eaten at previously and the Randleman location is no exception. There is a little blonde that works there that is so small she looks like a small ten year old and is cuter than anyone has a right to be. Her smile was just about as big as she was.
Next time I go I might try something besides a burger. The frozen custard isn't as good as ice cream but better than soft serve.
I was hoping my brother in law could have joined us for lunch but he was leaving Friday to head back home to Oklahoma so there just wasn't time to work it into the activities he had already planned. I would have delayed my plans until after tornado season if it was me. Kind of makes one glad that what we get around here is just mostly rain, and normally not even enough of that. Sometimes we just have to look at another's situation to realize the things we want to complain about would be a blessing to them. So I'll just be thankful that its some day of the week and glad its Friday for you.
The wife and I ate at the new Hwy 55 in Randleman. In Greensboro they are called Andy's. I'm not sure why they mix their name like they do but it is what it is. I really like the ones I have eaten at previously and the Randleman location is no exception. There is a little blonde that works there that is so small she looks like a small ten year old and is cuter than anyone has a right to be. Her smile was just about as big as she was.
Next time I go I might try something besides a burger. The frozen custard isn't as good as ice cream but better than soft serve.
I was hoping my brother in law could have joined us for lunch but he was leaving Friday to head back home to Oklahoma so there just wasn't time to work it into the activities he had already planned. I would have delayed my plans until after tornado season if it was me. Kind of makes one glad that what we get around here is just mostly rain, and normally not even enough of that. Sometimes we just have to look at another's situation to realize the things we want to complain about would be a blessing to them. So I'll just be thankful that its some day of the week and glad its Friday for you.
Monday, June 03, 2013
Let the sun shine in
I didn't much care for the second grade. We had to learn cursive and I learned to spell "bureau". The second grade is where I learned that I didn't do well in front of others. I don't think I cared for my teacher much or my mom says I didn't. But I do remember one happy moment from that year when I was 7. I've always remembered the chorus but never could remember any of the other words. Thank goodness for the internet. So here are the words to "Let the Sun Shine in" .
Mommy told me something
A little kid should know
It's all about the devil
And I learned to hate him so
She said he causes trouble when you let him in your room
He'll never ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom
Chorus:
So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Smilers never lose
And Frowners never win
So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in
When you are unhappy
The devil wears a grin
But oh he starts to run in
When the light comes prowling in
I know he'll be unhappy
Cause I'll never wear a frown
Maybe if we keep on smiling
He'll get tired of hanging 'round
If I forget to say my prayers
The devil jumps with glee
But he feels so awful awful
When he sees me on my knees
So if you feel of trouble
And you never seem to move
Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in
(Chorus)
Suuuuun Shiiiiiine iiiiiin
Suuuuun Shiiiiiine iiiiiin
Mommy told me someting
A little kid should know
It's all about the devil
And i learned to hate him so
If I forget to say my prayers
The devil jumps with glee
But he feels so awful awful
When he sees me on my knees
So if you feel of trouble
And you never seem to move
Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in
(Chorus)
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Should prostitution be decriminalized?
46% of people responding to a survey believe prostitution is a victimless crime and should not be illegal. I am not among that number but not for the reasons one mat think. My views have nothing to do with my religion or my religious views. I believe a person has a right to their own lifestyle choices. I have made mine and think I should be allowed to live my life my way and you can make yours and I'll not criticize you for your choices. If a person decides they want to earn money by charging money to have sex with whomever wants to pay them then I am fine with that, but with the following exceptions:
1. If the prostitution is working in the employ of another or has a lover, boyfriend, husband, or another person in her life that is sustained by a prostitutes income.
2. The prostitute is addicted to or uses any addictive or illegal substance
3. Is mentally ill.
4. Is a convicted felon.
In other words, if a person is working as a prostitute entirely free from outside influence whether that influence is a person, a substance, or an mental condition and is not now or every has been involved in felonious criminal activity then that person should be free to charge for her services.
I do believe that girls and/or women that are involved in forced prostitution should be treated as victims and not criminals and those that are mentally ill or addicted to drugs or alcohol should receive treatment for their addictions and proper support to give them the opportunity to change their lives. If, however, they fail to take advantage of those opportunities, then they should have to go through the judicial system like any other criminal.
1. If the prostitution is working in the employ of another or has a lover, boyfriend, husband, or another person in her life that is sustained by a prostitutes income.
2. The prostitute is addicted to or uses any addictive or illegal substance
3. Is mentally ill.
4. Is a convicted felon.
In other words, if a person is working as a prostitute entirely free from outside influence whether that influence is a person, a substance, or an mental condition and is not now or every has been involved in felonious criminal activity then that person should be free to charge for her services.
I do believe that girls and/or women that are involved in forced prostitution should be treated as victims and not criminals and those that are mentally ill or addicted to drugs or alcohol should receive treatment for their addictions and proper support to give them the opportunity to change their lives. If, however, they fail to take advantage of those opportunities, then they should have to go through the judicial system like any other criminal.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
names of sport teams
It is, or was, common practice to name teams after symbols of strength or courage like Eagles and hawks or after things to be feared like devils, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Another source of names is animals like cougars, lion, bears, and tigers. Fierce fighting men like cowboys, Vikings, Indians, redskins, and Spartans come to mind.
No one is suggesting that the fighting Irish is offensive to people of Irish descent and as a North Carolinian I am not in the least offended by the University of North Carolina calling themselves the tar heels. That was a name earned by North Carolina soldiers who were willing to stand and fight, like their heels were stuck in tar, rather than turn and run.
Somehow people have got on this kick that any thing to do with native Americans has to be offensive. The college I graduated from was know as the Braves when I attended but now they are the sissies (no wait, that might be offensive to gays. Maybe it was the girlies. No, that is offensive to women. You know, I think they just call themselves "team". They even leave off the name of the school because the school is named after a whole tribe of Indians, oh excuse me, Native Americans. Certainly don't want to offend anyone from India.
If we can't name a sports team after a group of people based on their brave character then we should also drop animal names. After all they can't speak for themselves and they may only attack humans in the wild because they were offended and have no way to express their embarrassment.
I don't think we should use names even if the animals are small and creepy like the crawdads or grasshoppers. And what about peoples occupation? After all maybe the steel workers of Pittsburg don't like being referred to as Steelers or the workers in Wisconsin may be upset being referred to as Packers. I'm sure they are capably of doing other things. Would they be less capable if they were called the Green Bay Office workers or the Pittsburgh secretaries.
We might have to be careful even if we name them after inanimate objects. After all the Chicago neckties might offend some that prefer bowties or Texas ties. Oh wait, can you call them Texas ties?
We can't even name them after plants. The roses might be offended if you call them the Colorado Orchids. Can't just call them flowers because the Detroit dandelions might be offended because they aren't included.
Since congress wants the Washington football franchise to change the name from Redskins and the Washington baseball teams once used the name Senators, maybe calling the football team the "stupid Politian's" has some merit. Or is that offensive too.
No one is suggesting that the fighting Irish is offensive to people of Irish descent and as a North Carolinian I am not in the least offended by the University of North Carolina calling themselves the tar heels. That was a name earned by North Carolina soldiers who were willing to stand and fight, like their heels were stuck in tar, rather than turn and run.
Somehow people have got on this kick that any thing to do with native Americans has to be offensive. The college I graduated from was know as the Braves when I attended but now they are the sissies (no wait, that might be offensive to gays. Maybe it was the girlies. No, that is offensive to women. You know, I think they just call themselves "team". They even leave off the name of the school because the school is named after a whole tribe of Indians, oh excuse me, Native Americans. Certainly don't want to offend anyone from India.
If we can't name a sports team after a group of people based on their brave character then we should also drop animal names. After all they can't speak for themselves and they may only attack humans in the wild because they were offended and have no way to express their embarrassment.
I don't think we should use names even if the animals are small and creepy like the crawdads or grasshoppers. And what about peoples occupation? After all maybe the steel workers of Pittsburg don't like being referred to as Steelers or the workers in Wisconsin may be upset being referred to as Packers. I'm sure they are capably of doing other things. Would they be less capable if they were called the Green Bay Office workers or the Pittsburgh secretaries.
We might have to be careful even if we name them after inanimate objects. After all the Chicago neckties might offend some that prefer bowties or Texas ties. Oh wait, can you call them Texas ties?
We can't even name them after plants. The roses might be offended if you call them the Colorado Orchids. Can't just call them flowers because the Detroit dandelions might be offended because they aren't included.
Since congress wants the Washington football franchise to change the name from Redskins and the Washington baseball teams once used the name Senators, maybe calling the football team the "stupid Politian's" has some merit. Or is that offensive too.
Vatican Corrects Pope
Wow. The head of the largest Christian Organization in the world said he though atheists could still go to heaven if they do good. The Pope must not read his Bible much. But when he was corrected the Vatican stated that they think atheists would go to hell. They think?
First let me say that Catholics and I disagree on many issues but as long as when can agree on Calvary then we can be brothers. God does not send anyone to hell. I have heard many people say "Well a good God wouldn't send that person to hell." They are absolutely correct. Hell was created for Satan and his angels. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son so that whosoever believeth in him should not die but have ever lasting life. The bible also makes it clear that we can never be good enough to earn our way into heaven.
Romans 5:12 tells us that by one mans sin entered into the world and death came by that sin to all people for everyone has sinned. But God loved us enough to make an avenue of escape and by accepting what Jesus accomplished on the cross and following him, Jesus will accept our guilt onto him and pay our penalty. Our penalty is eternal separation from God, or the second death.
The scriptures urge us to accept this day whom you will serve. You cannot serve two masters and if you reject Christ you will be forever with your master Satan. You don't have to be a bad person by human standards or even an atheist. God doesn't sent you to hell. That is your personal choice.
Some people want to play Christian. They will go to church and live a good life but they still prefer to make the decisions about how they live their life. Jesus taught us that a person who saves his own life shall lose it but a person who loses his life for the gospels sake shall find it. Jesus will make good on that promise even though you may have a hard time believing that.
The scriptures are clear about who will be accepted into heaven and who will not be. We don't have to wonder if we'll make it or not. You cannot be good enough so you can take that notion off the table. Salvation isn't a scale weighing our goodness versus our mistakes. No, our salvation depends on our relationship with Christ. If we reject Christ here then he will reject us in the life to come.
First let me say that Catholics and I disagree on many issues but as long as when can agree on Calvary then we can be brothers. God does not send anyone to hell. I have heard many people say "Well a good God wouldn't send that person to hell." They are absolutely correct. Hell was created for Satan and his angels. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son so that whosoever believeth in him should not die but have ever lasting life. The bible also makes it clear that we can never be good enough to earn our way into heaven.
Romans 5:12 tells us that by one mans sin entered into the world and death came by that sin to all people for everyone has sinned. But God loved us enough to make an avenue of escape and by accepting what Jesus accomplished on the cross and following him, Jesus will accept our guilt onto him and pay our penalty. Our penalty is eternal separation from God, or the second death.
The scriptures urge us to accept this day whom you will serve. You cannot serve two masters and if you reject Christ you will be forever with your master Satan. You don't have to be a bad person by human standards or even an atheist. God doesn't sent you to hell. That is your personal choice.
Some people want to play Christian. They will go to church and live a good life but they still prefer to make the decisions about how they live their life. Jesus taught us that a person who saves his own life shall lose it but a person who loses his life for the gospels sake shall find it. Jesus will make good on that promise even though you may have a hard time believing that.
The scriptures are clear about who will be accepted into heaven and who will not be. We don't have to wonder if we'll make it or not. You cannot be good enough so you can take that notion off the table. Salvation isn't a scale weighing our goodness versus our mistakes. No, our salvation depends on our relationship with Christ. If we reject Christ here then he will reject us in the life to come.
Stumps removed
The city is upset with us for all the brush they have had to haul away from the church. What started as an effort to cut back on a few weeds morphed into an idea to clear enough space to plant some pumpkins then into a more ambitious plan to clean all the weeds from the property. Once half the property was cleared it was obvious it was going to take a lot of work to clear the other half. Besides the brush there were many trees that had been cut down a few years prior and left laying on the ground. It took me 7 months to clear that space and I gave away as much wood as I could and burned several stacks of wood and brush so it wouldn't have to be hauled to the curb. Even so, almost every Thursday for three or four months the city had a truck load to pick up.
With the winter being so wet, we experienced some serious parking problems as the ground stayed wet and soft all winter. We decided to cut down the cedar trees along the roadside. We cut two down then a month or so later we cut down two more and then two weeks after that we cut down the remaining 6, plus we had to cut 5 oaks and a gum tree in order to move or out building. All the limbs and trimmings we left at the curb. Now the city says they have done enough.
We dug the stumps out of the ground yesterday, all ten of them. "No" the city said. So one day in the future we will have to find a way to haul the stumps off. In the mean time I have the wood of six big trees to give away, a lot of raking to do plus some tree roots to gather up so we can park cars there. We will be okay until it rains then the new parking area will be muddy. We will have to save up to purchase gravel and for our tiny church that is going to take awhile.
With the winter being so wet, we experienced some serious parking problems as the ground stayed wet and soft all winter. We decided to cut down the cedar trees along the roadside. We cut two down then a month or so later we cut down two more and then two weeks after that we cut down the remaining 6, plus we had to cut 5 oaks and a gum tree in order to move or out building. All the limbs and trimmings we left at the curb. Now the city says they have done enough.
We dug the stumps out of the ground yesterday, all ten of them. "No" the city said. So one day in the future we will have to find a way to haul the stumps off. In the mean time I have the wood of six big trees to give away, a lot of raking to do plus some tree roots to gather up so we can park cars there. We will be okay until it rains then the new parking area will be muddy. We will have to save up to purchase gravel and for our tiny church that is going to take awhile.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Florida teen rejects plea deal in underage same-sex case
Most of you should be familiar with this case but in case you are not, it is , in a nutshell this: A seventeen year old girl began a sexual affair with a 14 year old girl but affair the girl turned 18, she was arrested and charged with a sex crime. She was offered a deal of, I believe, two years of electronic monitoring and has to register as a sex offender. If convicted she faces at least 5 years in prison.
She thinks she did nothing wrong and she also believes that the few months the affair continued after she turned 18 should be no big deal since it wasn't a crime before she turned 18. Unfortunately her thinking is askew in this matter. The day before you turn 16, you can't drive. The day before you turn 18 you can't be drafted (if there was still a draft). The day before you turn 21 you cannot legally drink.
The law is clear: if you are over eighteen and your lover is more than three years younger than you then you have committed a sex crime. Legally you are an adult having sex with a minor. What if she was 16 and three months and she went to obtain her driving privileges and the state said "Well, you are just a few days over 16 so that doesn't matter so we are not granting you driving privileges. I'm sure too her those days over 16 would be a big deal. They either are or are not so laws are made so everyone would know what is and is not acceptable.
As much as she feels she did nothing wrong she did do something wrong and her feelings do not matter: it is the law that matters. We have laws to protect the innocent. The girl thinks she should be innocent. She isn't but the jury may find her so out of sympathy. I wouldn't bet on it. Of course the jury may decide that the law is stupid and decide to ignore the law, which is also the jury's right. But that isn't likely to happen either. I've never heard of it happening although for many years judges would instruct the jury to first judge the law then judge the accused.
As hard as it is for this young women to accept her punishment, it is better that she accept the plea deal and avoid jail. That's even hard to suggest but it is really best for her.
She thinks she did nothing wrong and she also believes that the few months the affair continued after she turned 18 should be no big deal since it wasn't a crime before she turned 18. Unfortunately her thinking is askew in this matter. The day before you turn 16, you can't drive. The day before you turn 18 you can't be drafted (if there was still a draft). The day before you turn 21 you cannot legally drink.
The law is clear: if you are over eighteen and your lover is more than three years younger than you then you have committed a sex crime. Legally you are an adult having sex with a minor. What if she was 16 and three months and she went to obtain her driving privileges and the state said "Well, you are just a few days over 16 so that doesn't matter so we are not granting you driving privileges. I'm sure too her those days over 16 would be a big deal. They either are or are not so laws are made so everyone would know what is and is not acceptable.
As much as she feels she did nothing wrong she did do something wrong and her feelings do not matter: it is the law that matters. We have laws to protect the innocent. The girl thinks she should be innocent. She isn't but the jury may find her so out of sympathy. I wouldn't bet on it. Of course the jury may decide that the law is stupid and decide to ignore the law, which is also the jury's right. But that isn't likely to happen either. I've never heard of it happening although for many years judges would instruct the jury to first judge the law then judge the accused.
As hard as it is for this young women to accept her punishment, it is better that she accept the plea deal and avoid jail. That's even hard to suggest but it is really best for her.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Update to easily offended
Sunday as come and gone and the mother and son did not attend church today but they did make a trip to a members house. On the Tuesday that I supposedly offended the son we had mowed the yard of an elderly member of the church. I have no idea what he could possible say that would strengthen their position to do me harm no can I understand why they are so angry. Even if I said something out of line .. No, if I said something out of line I would apologize. I didn't but I apologized anyway.
When the mans grandmother was alive I made DVD's of the church services for her and I served as her pall bearer in March of this year after she passed away. Neither the ladies daughter or grandson have ever darkened the doors of the church prior to the funeral.
I know I really should not be writing about this incident but it is so upsetting because I tried to be kind to the women even though she is mentally unstable and I believe her church attendance was a misguided attempt to have the love the church had for her mother to be transferred to her. After one service she became a little upset when she asked if I had captured her testimony with my camera and I said no, I only record the preaching. She never testified after that.
I explained to her and her son the proper, biblical way to handle a complaint but they refuse to talk with me or the pastor. I have given them two apologies and if they are not willing to accept that then I have to assume that their actions in contacting another church member is an act intended to bolster their efforts to find some way to do me harm. It is just so frustrating to live a good life and to try to encourage someone and steer them in the right direction and then to have them turn and then trey to do me harm.
It is therapeutic to write about the incident although I can't make sense of it. I've been down the last several days because of this I know I shouldn't be but I really cared about the man and was hoping to groom him for a position of church leadership one day. I/m always aware that people will disappoint but I never thought that they would have turned so quickly. I suppose all that is left to do is to continue to pray and ask for God's guidance.
When the mans grandmother was alive I made DVD's of the church services for her and I served as her pall bearer in March of this year after she passed away. Neither the ladies daughter or grandson have ever darkened the doors of the church prior to the funeral.
I know I really should not be writing about this incident but it is so upsetting because I tried to be kind to the women even though she is mentally unstable and I believe her church attendance was a misguided attempt to have the love the church had for her mother to be transferred to her. After one service she became a little upset when she asked if I had captured her testimony with my camera and I said no, I only record the preaching. She never testified after that.
I explained to her and her son the proper, biblical way to handle a complaint but they refuse to talk with me or the pastor. I have given them two apologies and if they are not willing to accept that then I have to assume that their actions in contacting another church member is an act intended to bolster their efforts to find some way to do me harm. It is just so frustrating to live a good life and to try to encourage someone and steer them in the right direction and then to have them turn and then trey to do me harm.
It is therapeutic to write about the incident although I can't make sense of it. I've been down the last several days because of this I know I shouldn't be but I really cared about the man and was hoping to groom him for a position of church leadership one day. I/m always aware that people will disappoint but I never thought that they would have turned so quickly. I suppose all that is left to do is to continue to pray and ask for God's guidance.
Retirement and camping in an RV
When I was in the Navy I pulled some tours of Vietnam and during the first of those tours I was stationed at an air base in Da Nang and met a guy named David. We left Vietnam together and both landed in the Philippines where we both married native girls. We have kept in touch during the last forty-three years, visiting each other every couple of years. I worked in pharmacies and grocery stores while David worked for General Motors, as did his wife. They both received buyout packages to retire early, then were called back a few years later, the received a second severance package.
With the first, they purchased an apartment complex and a small camper. David hired his son, Dave, to manage the apartments for him and David and his wife, Chris, went camping. After the second stint of work, David and Chris bought a RV, the kind with the pop out side. and a nice jeep Wrangler to pull behind it. They live most of their life on the road visiting various camp grounds in the south from Ohio to Florida. I haven't been able to visited them but once in the last eight years because they can only stay in one place for two weeks.
At first I was a little envious, with him having good jobs and retiring early and being able to visit various places. It's like being on a permanent vacation. They see different places and meet different people and seem to be really happy. But I'm happy too.
I live just a ten minute drive away from a lake where I can fish. I have built two little fish ponds in my yard plus with all the trees and flower gardens I have planted its like living in a scenic area. I have vegetable gardens to eat fresh produce from, plenty of shade from the trees, flowers gardens that has something blooming in them 10 months out of the year, plenty of friends, and lots of things to see and do close to home. There really is no place he can visit that can offer him more than I already have. I do have something he doesn't. That is a purpose. He is enjoying life and so do I but I spent much of my time in helping others. Sometimes I'll mow the yard of a friend, or visit with someone who isn't feeling well, or show someone how to live a more fulfilling and useful life.
Perhaps my life isn't as fun as David's but I really wouldn't enjoy camping out 10 months a year, having to live in a cramped RV and moving every two weeks. I've had a couple of little tastes of what that would be like a few times in my life. That isn't who I am.
With the first, they purchased an apartment complex and a small camper. David hired his son, Dave, to manage the apartments for him and David and his wife, Chris, went camping. After the second stint of work, David and Chris bought a RV, the kind with the pop out side. and a nice jeep Wrangler to pull behind it. They live most of their life on the road visiting various camp grounds in the south from Ohio to Florida. I haven't been able to visited them but once in the last eight years because they can only stay in one place for two weeks.
At first I was a little envious, with him having good jobs and retiring early and being able to visit various places. It's like being on a permanent vacation. They see different places and meet different people and seem to be really happy. But I'm happy too.
I live just a ten minute drive away from a lake where I can fish. I have built two little fish ponds in my yard plus with all the trees and flower gardens I have planted its like living in a scenic area. I have vegetable gardens to eat fresh produce from, plenty of shade from the trees, flowers gardens that has something blooming in them 10 months out of the year, plenty of friends, and lots of things to see and do close to home. There really is no place he can visit that can offer him more than I already have. I do have something he doesn't. That is a purpose. He is enjoying life and so do I but I spent much of my time in helping others. Sometimes I'll mow the yard of a friend, or visit with someone who isn't feeling well, or show someone how to live a more fulfilling and useful life.
Perhaps my life isn't as fun as David's but I really wouldn't enjoy camping out 10 months a year, having to live in a cramped RV and moving every two weeks. I've had a couple of little tastes of what that would be like a few times in my life. That isn't who I am.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Easily offended
I suppose if it wasn't me it would be someone else eventually. I've been kind and do my best to live according to the scriptures. I don't live right in order to be right I live right because I'm in the correct relationship. If you don't know what I mean you might as well quit reading.
I work hard at the church taking care of the yard and facilities, supporting the pastor, the church as a whole, and individual members, not for any special recognition but because that is a reflection of where my heart is. I suppose it is beyond some people's abilities to see past their own lives to realize that sometimes someone else just may have their best interest at heart.
There is a young man who has started coming to the church, along with his mother. When I say young man I'm talking younger than me. I suppose the man is in his thirties. Anyway he has been memorizing scriptures and that is a good thing. I told him that I didn't know that many because I surround myself with reference guides and can easily find the scriptures I need. Truly I wish I could quote more but there are just so many. Psalms 119 tells us to hide his word in our heart. I don't think it is as important to be able to quote chapter and verse as it is to understand and practice the precepts of the bible.
In the last couple of years I have met three men who could quote large sections of scripture. One was a backstabber, one was a user, and the other just an uneducated fool who has no idea what the scripture he just quoted actually means. His goal in life it seems is to go from church to church finding fault. it's either the music, or the décor, or the song choice, or the dress code, or, well, you get the picture. He will find fault with something. Another of the three was what we call a Pharisee because to him Christianity is a set of rules and not a relationship. Even so, the rules are for others and not for him because he will say one thing but live entirely different. You call him a hypocrite but he is beyond being hypocritical.
The third guy just has an over inflated image of himself and his abilities. Neither man lives like a Christian should. I'm not questioning their salvation and I'm not criticizing them. I just stating the facts to prove my point. My point is that being able to quote scriptures without understanding them or without applying them to your life is a fallacy.
Well, it seems that my point of view was offensive to the younger man and because he was offended his mother became irate and now they won't speak to the preacher, return my phone call, or even answer the door when I went by to speak to them.
Their actions prove my point that although he can quote big blocks of scripture he has become easily offended and has withdrew himself from fellowship with me and the church. That isn't the way Christ has instructed us to live. That's my point.
I work hard at the church taking care of the yard and facilities, supporting the pastor, the church as a whole, and individual members, not for any special recognition but because that is a reflection of where my heart is. I suppose it is beyond some people's abilities to see past their own lives to realize that sometimes someone else just may have their best interest at heart.
There is a young man who has started coming to the church, along with his mother. When I say young man I'm talking younger than me. I suppose the man is in his thirties. Anyway he has been memorizing scriptures and that is a good thing. I told him that I didn't know that many because I surround myself with reference guides and can easily find the scriptures I need. Truly I wish I could quote more but there are just so many. Psalms 119 tells us to hide his word in our heart. I don't think it is as important to be able to quote chapter and verse as it is to understand and practice the precepts of the bible.
In the last couple of years I have met three men who could quote large sections of scripture. One was a backstabber, one was a user, and the other just an uneducated fool who has no idea what the scripture he just quoted actually means. His goal in life it seems is to go from church to church finding fault. it's either the music, or the décor, or the song choice, or the dress code, or, well, you get the picture. He will find fault with something. Another of the three was what we call a Pharisee because to him Christianity is a set of rules and not a relationship. Even so, the rules are for others and not for him because he will say one thing but live entirely different. You call him a hypocrite but he is beyond being hypocritical.
The third guy just has an over inflated image of himself and his abilities. Neither man lives like a Christian should. I'm not questioning their salvation and I'm not criticizing them. I just stating the facts to prove my point. My point is that being able to quote scriptures without understanding them or without applying them to your life is a fallacy.
Well, it seems that my point of view was offensive to the younger man and because he was offended his mother became irate and now they won't speak to the preacher, return my phone call, or even answer the door when I went by to speak to them.
Their actions prove my point that although he can quote big blocks of scripture he has become easily offended and has withdrew himself from fellowship with me and the church. That isn't the way Christ has instructed us to live. That's my point.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
I have a dilemma
I hate it when people do stupid things and I am the only one that notices and I have to make the decision of how to handle the situation. Do I ignore it or discuss it with higher authority?
Jodi Arias
Jodi Arias is a convicted murderer. It wasn't just a normal everyday kind of murder even though it was the killing of her boyfriend. The man was naked, taking a shower when he was shot, stabbed, and strangled; shot and stabbed many times. It was vicious and brutal. She claimed self-defense.
She is a liar and not a good one at that. I suppose since she is attractive with a large set of boobs that somehow makes her newsworthy but I really don't think she should be treated as a celebrity. She put on a slide show of family and friends and told the court of her many talents and bragged about how smart she is and what wonderful things she could accomplish if not given the death penalty. Many intelligent people have been guilty of murder: even serial murder. They peeked our interest as to the why of their crimes. This woman is trying to gather sympathy and she is playing people, especially the media people, like a fine violin. It's that very flaw in her personality that let her to believe she could kill and get away with it. The murder she committed was a mistake. She meant to do it. She wants us to now believe that he was a good person and she has no idea what happened to her that caused her to do what she did. It was a fluke, a mistake, totally out of character because she is such a talented and intelligent person who is loved by others and has so much to offer.
She is cold and heartless caring only for what benefits her and she would kill again if she deemed it in her best interest. She acts like she should be given an office and a studio and treated as someone special, a staff member perhaps, while she is locked away. She just hasn't come to grips with the fact that she has been found guilty of murder and she is to be locked away like the rest of the undesirables. Just because she is pretty and sexy and intelligent and talented doesn't mean she isn't just as dangerous as any street thug. She is, perhaps more dangerous because people just don't see anything to fear in her. She may be a pretty snake but she is a snake, nonetheless. A deadly snake.
She is a liar and not a good one at that. I suppose since she is attractive with a large set of boobs that somehow makes her newsworthy but I really don't think she should be treated as a celebrity. She put on a slide show of family and friends and told the court of her many talents and bragged about how smart she is and what wonderful things she could accomplish if not given the death penalty. Many intelligent people have been guilty of murder: even serial murder. They peeked our interest as to the why of their crimes. This woman is trying to gather sympathy and she is playing people, especially the media people, like a fine violin. It's that very flaw in her personality that let her to believe she could kill and get away with it. The murder she committed was a mistake. She meant to do it. She wants us to now believe that he was a good person and she has no idea what happened to her that caused her to do what she did. It was a fluke, a mistake, totally out of character because she is such a talented and intelligent person who is loved by others and has so much to offer.
She is cold and heartless caring only for what benefits her and she would kill again if she deemed it in her best interest. She acts like she should be given an office and a studio and treated as someone special, a staff member perhaps, while she is locked away. She just hasn't come to grips with the fact that she has been found guilty of murder and she is to be locked away like the rest of the undesirables. Just because she is pretty and sexy and intelligent and talented doesn't mean she isn't just as dangerous as any street thug. She is, perhaps more dangerous because people just don't see anything to fear in her. She may be a pretty snake but she is a snake, nonetheless. A deadly snake.
weight loss myths
I was just looking at an article that promises you will lose 8 pounds in two weeks by substituting one food for another, like switching up egg and cheese with veggies on an omelet or eating a bagel instead of an English muffin. I eat two eggs and 1/2 cup of cheerios or plain oatmeal for breakfast now. I once ate just the cup of Cheerios but wanted to change from high fiber to high protein diet. I drink nothing but coffee and water; lots and lots of water. For supper I have a bowl of light chicken noodle soup (160 calories) and an apple. I guess lunch is my downfall as I actually eat a meal but I try to keep it light and healthy.
So far I have lost nothing. Before I retired I had lost fifty pounds eating more than I do now. It's not the work as I work harder and am more physical that when I was employed and it isn't the exercise as I walked five miles every morning in an hour and ten minutes. It's like I say "I'm going to lose weight" and my body says "no, you're not". So far my stubborn boding is winning the weight loss wars.
I'm sure many of the tips and tricks you read will work for most people but we aren't all the same and what works for you may not work for me. What once worked for me no longer does so I know that to be true. If I knew the secret that would work for everyone then I certainly wouldn't be giving that secret away for free. Well, I probably would. I guess that's why I'm not rich as I don't believe in making money from the misery of others.
So far I have lost nothing. Before I retired I had lost fifty pounds eating more than I do now. It's not the work as I work harder and am more physical that when I was employed and it isn't the exercise as I walked five miles every morning in an hour and ten minutes. It's like I say "I'm going to lose weight" and my body says "no, you're not". So far my stubborn boding is winning the weight loss wars.
I'm sure many of the tips and tricks you read will work for most people but we aren't all the same and what works for you may not work for me. What once worked for me no longer does so I know that to be true. If I knew the secret that would work for everyone then I certainly wouldn't be giving that secret away for free. Well, I probably would. I guess that's why I'm not rich as I don't believe in making money from the misery of others.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Hospital error
My mother-in-law was discharged from the R------- hospital today and my sister-in-law has medical power of attorney so my sister-in-law was sent the discharge papers for her mom. Attached to the discharge form were the discharge forms of several other patients which contain sensitive information. of course.
I'm not naming the hospital but not to protect them but to protect me. Most likely my sister-in-law will return the papers to the hospital and I'll end up in an indefensible position because I'll not have proof of incompetence. Let us just say it be better that my sister-in-law was the one the papers went to than maybe someone else.
I'm not naming the hospital but not to protect them but to protect me. Most likely my sister-in-law will return the papers to the hospital and I'll end up in an indefensible position because I'll not have proof of incompetence. Let us just say it be better that my sister-in-law was the one the papers went to than maybe someone else.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Belhaven
I was just looking over my latest copy of "Our State" when I came across an article on Belhaven. I really like the articles on the small towns, in this case 1659 residents, because the writer is able to capture the character of the place much better than one can do justice to larger places, say like Hickory. Fortunately, North Carolina is full of small towns and they seem to have a personality unique to themselves.
Belhaven is the home of "Little Eva" born there. becoming famous for the song "Do the Locomotion" and moved back there to live and now to rest forever. Another resident won a super bowl ring with the Green Bay Packers. The mention of their lives struck a cord with me. In bigger towns where many people go on to fame and fortune few people pay much attention, even in their former neighborhoods but in small towns like Belhaven they stand out and are remembered because the chances of someone from such a small place becoming famous is rare and for one of them to return there to live out their days is rarer still.
It's remarkable that one person can do something so well that they become famous for doing what they did but in most cases the fame comes from the entertainment industry (sports and music are both entertainment) I suppose the other way to being immortalized is to become a famous politician like a governor or a President. People seldom become famous for just being good people, although I can think of a few. (Okay, just one.)
Yesterday a lady stopped by my church while I was there doing lawn work and some repair work. Some trees had recently been cut and she expressed her sadness as her father was the person who had planted the trees. She was disappointed when I allowed her to look at the inside of the church. A plaque inscribed with the names of the members was no longer there and the old wooden pews had been replaced. It was different than when she attended church there as a young child and the memories were not honored.
I wish I had the plaque and a more complete history of the church, when it was started and who were all the former pastors. I have heard the names of a few of the former preachers but I don't know their history. The church was vacant for awhile before pastor Catrell took over and he closed it down before Rev. Garrett revived the church. U suppose our most famous member was Dora Tickle because she sat under many of the former pastors but she passed away Feb. 27th of this year.
No, she isn't famous like the football player or the famous singer, and her reputation will probably fade with the passing of those that knew her, but people of her character are rare, especially in little churches like One Way Baptist.
Belhaven is the home of "Little Eva" born there. becoming famous for the song "Do the Locomotion" and moved back there to live and now to rest forever. Another resident won a super bowl ring with the Green Bay Packers. The mention of their lives struck a cord with me. In bigger towns where many people go on to fame and fortune few people pay much attention, even in their former neighborhoods but in small towns like Belhaven they stand out and are remembered because the chances of someone from such a small place becoming famous is rare and for one of them to return there to live out their days is rarer still.
It's remarkable that one person can do something so well that they become famous for doing what they did but in most cases the fame comes from the entertainment industry (sports and music are both entertainment) I suppose the other way to being immortalized is to become a famous politician like a governor or a President. People seldom become famous for just being good people, although I can think of a few. (Okay, just one.)
Yesterday a lady stopped by my church while I was there doing lawn work and some repair work. Some trees had recently been cut and she expressed her sadness as her father was the person who had planted the trees. She was disappointed when I allowed her to look at the inside of the church. A plaque inscribed with the names of the members was no longer there and the old wooden pews had been replaced. It was different than when she attended church there as a young child and the memories were not honored.
I wish I had the plaque and a more complete history of the church, when it was started and who were all the former pastors. I have heard the names of a few of the former preachers but I don't know their history. The church was vacant for awhile before pastor Catrell took over and he closed it down before Rev. Garrett revived the church. U suppose our most famous member was Dora Tickle because she sat under many of the former pastors but she passed away Feb. 27th of this year.
No, she isn't famous like the football player or the famous singer, and her reputation will probably fade with the passing of those that knew her, but people of her character are rare, especially in little churches like One Way Baptist.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Queen of Southgate
I received an e-mail from someone who actually read my book, Queen of Southgate. He said he really enjoyed the book. It's not the stuff that best sellers are made of. In fact, the subject is something most people would like to ignore, especially the people of Greensboro. It's good to know some people out that appreciated all the effort in went into making that book.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Special thanks
A very special thanks goes out to Richard Mercer. for the help he gave One Way Baptist Church in clearing its lot after all the work that has been there. Last month Mr. Mercer helped carry off some old wood that had been laying around the lot for years. Twice in the last several weeks he has come out to drag brush and rake stems from the property after huge trees were cut.
What makes his help so appreciated is the fact that Mr. Mercer is not a member or the church nor has he ever attended a service. Hic contributions are rare. We thank you.
What makes his help so appreciated is the fact that Mr. Mercer is not a member or the church nor has he ever attended a service. Hic contributions are rare. We thank you.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Cutting trees
A few members of Wayside Baptist in Thomasville came up a couple of Saturdays to help us cut some cedar trees and move our outbuilding. With the wet winter we had parking even for our tiny church was problematic. On several occasions we had to have vehicles towed out of the mud and on one occasion a tow truck had to be towed. There was a row of cedar trees next to the road from one end of the church property to the other . One couldn't park there as the cedars left dropping on vehicles and the lack of room made it hard to turn around. Now that the cedars are gone and the shed is moved, it has opened things up to effectively double our parking. Once we get the stumps removed parking will be much more convenient. It sure would be nice if we could get some help with gravel or paving.
There is some discussion about having a bbq chicken dinner to raise funds and we may raise a hundred dollars or so after expenses but that is a far cry from what is needed. If we had better parking I believe our little church would grow faster. It's hard for a small group of people to accomplish great things monetarily. As far as the spiritual side of things I believe we have accomplished as much or more than many or our largest churches. I've seen the spirit move, transforming lives and accomplishing great things there.
Hauling the brush to the curb for the city to remove is back breaking work and I'm sure the workers from the city aren't really happy with all the brush we have piled up this year but we are nearing the end of this phase. Most of the other trees are small. We may give the city a break until after pumpkin harvest but we'll just have to wait and see how that goes.
There is some discussion about having a bbq chicken dinner to raise funds and we may raise a hundred dollars or so after expenses but that is a far cry from what is needed. If we had better parking I believe our little church would grow faster. It's hard for a small group of people to accomplish great things monetarily. As far as the spiritual side of things I believe we have accomplished as much or more than many or our largest churches. I've seen the spirit move, transforming lives and accomplishing great things there.
Hauling the brush to the curb for the city to remove is back breaking work and I'm sure the workers from the city aren't really happy with all the brush we have piled up this year but we are nearing the end of this phase. Most of the other trees are small. We may give the city a break until after pumpkin harvest but we'll just have to wait and see how that goes.
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Spreading lies
I am a Christian and have no qualms about admitting so and as a Christian I do my best to live a life that follows the examples that Jesus set for us. Christ taught his followers how to solve differences. It really doesn't matter if you are the one at fault or the other person is at fault. If you have something against your brother or your brother has something against you go to him and tell him he is forgiven. Then you can come back and God will listen to your prayer.
If there is a problem in the church go to the person that is doing wrong and speak with them about it. If the situation isn't corrected then take several others with you and if that doesn't work take the matter before the entire church.
When a person makes a slip-up do not talk about them but just love them and encourage them. If someone is making serious errors in judgment on a continual bases then you should follow the second set of steps.
What you don't want to do is to tell others especially others that are not of your church or have a need to know). If the perceived wrong is strictly personal and nota biblical error, just let it go. Why try to hurt other people.
An example of what I'm talking about is this: a pastor was scheduled for surgery and asked a young man who was just starting out to come and help him while he recovered. The young man came and was accompanied by his fiancée and her mother. The pastor did well enough that he was able to conduct the Sunday morning services but did let the young man preach the evening services. After a couple of months the young man asked the pastor about becoming the associate pastor. The pastor said no as the church was small and he didn't need as associate.
For the next couple of months things went on as they had but changed one day when the younger preacher was asked to take over a small church whose pastor had died. Now it seems, the young preacher now mother-in-law is telling people that the pastor did her son-in-law wrong.
I don't know what the perceived offense was but I do know that what she is doing is not the biblical way of handling things. For the life of me I just don't understand how someone who raised her children in church who claims to be a Christian and who sings at fellowship meetings and sits under many different preacher can be a gossip and backbiter and have no clue as to how a Christian is supposed to handle such matters.
Personally I' like to slap her but as a Christian I'll just have to love her and pray for her.
If there is a problem in the church go to the person that is doing wrong and speak with them about it. If the situation isn't corrected then take several others with you and if that doesn't work take the matter before the entire church.
When a person makes a slip-up do not talk about them but just love them and encourage them. If someone is making serious errors in judgment on a continual bases then you should follow the second set of steps.
What you don't want to do is to tell others especially others that are not of your church or have a need to know). If the perceived wrong is strictly personal and nota biblical error, just let it go. Why try to hurt other people.
An example of what I'm talking about is this: a pastor was scheduled for surgery and asked a young man who was just starting out to come and help him while he recovered. The young man came and was accompanied by his fiancée and her mother. The pastor did well enough that he was able to conduct the Sunday morning services but did let the young man preach the evening services. After a couple of months the young man asked the pastor about becoming the associate pastor. The pastor said no as the church was small and he didn't need as associate.
For the next couple of months things went on as they had but changed one day when the younger preacher was asked to take over a small church whose pastor had died. Now it seems, the young preacher now mother-in-law is telling people that the pastor did her son-in-law wrong.
I don't know what the perceived offense was but I do know that what she is doing is not the biblical way of handling things. For the life of me I just don't understand how someone who raised her children in church who claims to be a Christian and who sings at fellowship meetings and sits under many different preacher can be a gossip and backbiter and have no clue as to how a Christian is supposed to handle such matters.
Personally I' like to slap her but as a Christian I'll just have to love her and pray for her.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Mother falls out of a party bus
It seems the news is full of tragedies for bachelorettes this morning. It one story 5 women going to a bachelorette party died when a limo caught fire and they were trapped inside. In this story a young mother was on a party bus celebrating at a bachelorette party. She fell out of the emergency door.
In case you aren't aware of what a party bus is, it is really a school bus that someone drives around while other people have a good time. It is a way for lots of people to get from one place to another and still party without having to drive. The idea seems great but those parties do come with risks, especially from how people act when they are having a good time. Sometimes they do foolish things like stick their head out of the window. Sometimes there is a telephone pole or sign post on the side of the road.
In this case the lady was at the back of the bus. Now we all know from riding a school bus in our youth or a city bus or even an airplane one of the rules is that you must be seated while the vehicle is in motion. Even if the emergency door was faulty if the woman had been seated she would not have fallen out.
One of three things happened: Someone opened the door and pushed her out, she opened the door on purpose and jumped, or she was standing near the door and was jostled up against the door by a friend, a bump or her own actions and fell out the door.
A relative has already starting saying stuff that is setting up the bases of a lawsuit. He said "Why wasn't the emergency door secured?" I know he's looking for someone or something to blame other than the victim but he is way out of line with that statement. Emergency doors have to remain open: it is the law and it is that way for a really good reason.
In the Colorado theater shooting some families sued the theater for not providing enough security. People, we have to start thinking for ourselves. Inspect the situation and if the theater doesn't have enough security don't go. if you want to ride a bus and they follow the law and have an emergency door that is working properly and you want it secured, then don't get on the bus. What if there was an accident and you could not crawl to the front of the bus. I would bet you would want an unsecured emergency door then.
Sometimes we get away with doing stupid stuff. Ever run a stop sign and was glad no one was in the intersection but you? Every let your car drift over the center line. No tractor-trailer on the other side, thank goodness. But sometimes we do stupid things and there is a severe price to pay. More than likely that is what happened here.
My condolences to the family and I am deeply sad for the young child who lost her mother.
In case you aren't aware of what a party bus is, it is really a school bus that someone drives around while other people have a good time. It is a way for lots of people to get from one place to another and still party without having to drive. The idea seems great but those parties do come with risks, especially from how people act when they are having a good time. Sometimes they do foolish things like stick their head out of the window. Sometimes there is a telephone pole or sign post on the side of the road.
In this case the lady was at the back of the bus. Now we all know from riding a school bus in our youth or a city bus or even an airplane one of the rules is that you must be seated while the vehicle is in motion. Even if the emergency door was faulty if the woman had been seated she would not have fallen out.
One of three things happened: Someone opened the door and pushed her out, she opened the door on purpose and jumped, or she was standing near the door and was jostled up against the door by a friend, a bump or her own actions and fell out the door.
A relative has already starting saying stuff that is setting up the bases of a lawsuit. He said "Why wasn't the emergency door secured?" I know he's looking for someone or something to blame other than the victim but he is way out of line with that statement. Emergency doors have to remain open: it is the law and it is that way for a really good reason.
In the Colorado theater shooting some families sued the theater for not providing enough security. People, we have to start thinking for ourselves. Inspect the situation and if the theater doesn't have enough security don't go. if you want to ride a bus and they follow the law and have an emergency door that is working properly and you want it secured, then don't get on the bus. What if there was an accident and you could not crawl to the front of the bus. I would bet you would want an unsecured emergency door then.
Sometimes we get away with doing stupid stuff. Ever run a stop sign and was glad no one was in the intersection but you? Every let your car drift over the center line. No tractor-trailer on the other side, thank goodness. But sometimes we do stupid things and there is a severe price to pay. More than likely that is what happened here.
My condolences to the family and I am deeply sad for the young child who lost her mother.
Monday, May 06, 2013
lottery winnings
My old military buddy and I were discussing lottery winnings and he thinks it is a ripoff that the lottery wants to give the winnings out over thirty years. I totally disagree. Now we are not talking about winning a few hundred over even a few thousand and many a little more than a million or two. We're talking about big winnings, the kind that don't just change the direction of your life but changes
everything about your life. let's say 90 million on up to the skies the limit.
If it's ninety million spread over 30 years that's three million a year. In one lump sum you are talking maybe 54 million give or take a million or two either way. Chances are if ones the 54 he will never be worth the ninety million dollars. In fact about the only way he will every accumulate that much is to save the 54 and only withdraw it when it reaches 90 million and that will happen ins , say, 30 years.
Taking the three million leaves almost $5,000.00 a day for thirty years. In vest wisely and it could last the rest of your life and the lives of your children. But even if you are stupid and blow the $3,000,000.00 its okay. Next year you will receive another three million. Screw that up too and there is no real reason to worry. The year after that you will receive another three million. However, it's a different story if you take the lump sum.
For one thing, you never knew you had so many relatives that had great ideas for a successful business but only need a little help getting started. Buying a nice house, one worthy of a millionaire, and of course, a couple of fancy cars and a great vacation. It just wouldn't do if you didn't so something nice for your parents, your siblings and a couple of your closest friends.
Really? You are really going to work Monday? Now I really didn't think so. You have your own idea for a great business.
The trouble with the whole scenario is it cost a lot more to heat and cool and upkeep that big house than you every dreamed that it would and it is too big for you and your spouse to keep up. You had no idea that landscapers and housekeepers costs so much. Running a business was much tougher than you every dreamed it would be and all those friends with bright ideas can attest to the fact that turning a good idea into a profitable business takes more than money. At least it takes more than they have and more than you are willing to let go of.
Yea, all those millions were great for a few years but the money is going fast and the friends went faster. The cars are depreciating and don't look so hot now. They just look broken down and that dream home turned out to be a money pit. All those fancy clothes don't fit now that you have gained so much weight from eating out so often.
It's hard to believe but people still think you are rich and are making your life miserable by begging for money to see them through a rough period or to get their great idea off the ground. You really wish you had your old life back but you can't. You haven't worked in years.
everything about your life. let's say 90 million on up to the skies the limit.
If it's ninety million spread over 30 years that's three million a year. In one lump sum you are talking maybe 54 million give or take a million or two either way. Chances are if ones the 54 he will never be worth the ninety million dollars. In fact about the only way he will every accumulate that much is to save the 54 and only withdraw it when it reaches 90 million and that will happen ins , say, 30 years.
Taking the three million leaves almost $5,000.00 a day for thirty years. In vest wisely and it could last the rest of your life and the lives of your children. But even if you are stupid and blow the $3,000,000.00 its okay. Next year you will receive another three million. Screw that up too and there is no real reason to worry. The year after that you will receive another three million. However, it's a different story if you take the lump sum.
For one thing, you never knew you had so many relatives that had great ideas for a successful business but only need a little help getting started. Buying a nice house, one worthy of a millionaire, and of course, a couple of fancy cars and a great vacation. It just wouldn't do if you didn't so something nice for your parents, your siblings and a couple of your closest friends.
Really? You are really going to work Monday? Now I really didn't think so. You have your own idea for a great business.
The trouble with the whole scenario is it cost a lot more to heat and cool and upkeep that big house than you every dreamed that it would and it is too big for you and your spouse to keep up. You had no idea that landscapers and housekeepers costs so much. Running a business was much tougher than you every dreamed it would be and all those friends with bright ideas can attest to the fact that turning a good idea into a profitable business takes more than money. At least it takes more than they have and more than you are willing to let go of.
Yea, all those millions were great for a few years but the money is going fast and the friends went faster. The cars are depreciating and don't look so hot now. They just look broken down and that dream home turned out to be a money pit. All those fancy clothes don't fit now that you have gained so much weight from eating out so often.
It's hard to believe but people still think you are rich and are making your life miserable by begging for money to see them through a rough period or to get their great idea off the ground. You really wish you had your old life back but you can't. You haven't worked in years.
Retirement advise
I have read the same advise in two different articles about how to maximize your retirement money. According to some experts, it is best to live from your 401(k) or other retirement money and exhaust it before filing for social security thereby increasing your monthly take when you do file. While that is true I think there are some problems with that advise, at least for married people.
Really, the ideal is for the younger spouse (usually the wife who earned less than the husband) to delay taking Social Security until after her husband passes away so that she will have adequate benefits to live on. This plan could possible be the best way for the couple to maximize their income during retirement. It would take some calculating to determine that.
According to the Social Security office, it does not matter if you take payments at 62 or 72, if you just live to the normal age of people born in your birth year, you would receive the exact same total benefit amount, so the benefit of delaying the taking of social security will only be advantageous to one if they live longer than expected. If one takes the money earlier and really doesn't need it then there is no reason one cannot invest the money.
The way I see things, If the husband has x number of dollars in a retirement account and is drawing social security, then it is probable best if the wife, upon retirement, drawn social security and leave her retirement savings alone, contrary to the experts advise. If her and her husband are about the same age and had similar incomes, and they live to their life expectancy or die before that age, and she took her social security, then her retirement savings would have been intact for her heirs but if she had taken the "experts advise" then all of the retirement money would have been spent and the only beneficiary would have been the government.
I do believe she would have been fine with the lower social security amount as the retirement savings would have grown significantly (in all likelihood) in a good retirement investment account or at least held its own in a more conservative account. I know the experts claim she doesn't need her retirement account as her husbands should take care of that but what if he got sick and they spent his on trying to save his life or the family was faced with another catastrophe that claimed a large portion of his retirement account?
Maybe it's just me but I believe it is best to keep ones retirement account and live from a slightly lower social security benefit.
Really, the ideal is for the younger spouse (usually the wife who earned less than the husband) to delay taking Social Security until after her husband passes away so that she will have adequate benefits to live on. This plan could possible be the best way for the couple to maximize their income during retirement. It would take some calculating to determine that.
According to the Social Security office, it does not matter if you take payments at 62 or 72, if you just live to the normal age of people born in your birth year, you would receive the exact same total benefit amount, so the benefit of delaying the taking of social security will only be advantageous to one if they live longer than expected. If one takes the money earlier and really doesn't need it then there is no reason one cannot invest the money.
The way I see things, If the husband has x number of dollars in a retirement account and is drawing social security, then it is probable best if the wife, upon retirement, drawn social security and leave her retirement savings alone, contrary to the experts advise. If her and her husband are about the same age and had similar incomes, and they live to their life expectancy or die before that age, and she took her social security, then her retirement savings would have been intact for her heirs but if she had taken the "experts advise" then all of the retirement money would have been spent and the only beneficiary would have been the government.
I do believe she would have been fine with the lower social security amount as the retirement savings would have grown significantly (in all likelihood) in a good retirement investment account or at least held its own in a more conservative account. I know the experts claim she doesn't need her retirement account as her husbands should take care of that but what if he got sick and they spent his on trying to save his life or the family was faced with another catastrophe that claimed a large portion of his retirement account?
Maybe it's just me but I believe it is best to keep ones retirement account and live from a slightly lower social security benefit.
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Stuff I won't eat
I'm not talking about vegetables as I like most and the ones I don't a little ketchup masks the taste of some and holding my nose and swallowing quickly takes care of the rest. Just because it's meat don't think I'm going to give it a try. I'm a southern born meat and potatoes man so you can keep your strong flavored fish, lamb and most shellfish. If it's not steak, chicken or pork I'm not going to eat it and just because it came from a cow, chicken, or pig doesn't mean I will wither.
Once, after having nothing to eat for three days I refused to consume some K-rations. I just wasn't that hungry yet. I'm not eating fish eggs, even at $100.00 an ounce, any kind of animal product that has not been cooked, especially if it is still alive, a product called tofu, chickpeas, or humus. The mere thought makes me queasy.
Once, after having nothing to eat for three days I refused to consume some K-rations. I just wasn't that hungry yet. I'm not eating fish eggs, even at $100.00 an ounce, any kind of animal product that has not been cooked, especially if it is still alive, a product called tofu, chickpeas, or humus. The mere thought makes me queasy.
Slit decision
Quoted from a Yahoo article decision
"Former Strikeforce lightweight titleholder and current UFC lightweight contender Gilbert Melendez lost a razor-close slit decision to reigning UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 7 on April 20, but gained confidence if the two ever rematch."
MMA Weekly
Maybe it was a split decision. Half of me thinks the word is wrong and the other half thinks maybe it isn't.
Obama says Mexico ready
"President Barack Obama on Friday cast Mexico as a nation ready to take
"its rightful place in the world" and move past the drug battles and violence..."
I about fell out of my chair laughing. ROFLOL
I about fell out of my chair laughing. ROFLOL
Monday, April 29, 2013
Stock Market Fluctuations
The stock market had a nice gain today and pushed the stock market to its highest level since 2000 which is the year that Bush was elected. It's been a hard, bumpy, and scary ride but to be honest when the year 2000 was here I was $32,000 in debt and homeless. Since then I have paid off my debt and now own my home, have some investment property in the mountains, a nice retirement account, and a good life, especially since I'm retired and doing what I love to do.
Sometimes I do get worried when I see the market take a big dump, especially when a slump lasts several days. It brings back bad memories and since I'm retired I no longer have the money to buy more stocks at the deflated price so a falling market won't recover as quickly for me as the last downturn did.
I hope I made myself clear but in case anyone doesn't understand I'll illustrate. Let's say I have 1,000 shares worth $10.00 a share and I buy 10 shares a week. If the stock falls $5.00 a share in value I can then purchase 20 shares a week. Let's say that after 6 months the market recovers and shares are now work $10.00 each, I would make a nice profit as I would have accumulated 520 shares instead of 260. If prices had remained constant my stock would have been worth $12600 but because I was able to purchase additional shares at the lower price my stock is now valued at $15600. Now that I'm retired my stock would still be only worth the original $10,000.
That is why I'm happy since the market increase has helped me a lot. I had to withdraw $8000.00 to reduce my debt so I could have enough income to cover my outgo. But instead of being worth $8000.00 les my stock is only worth $2,000.00 less, meaning I've made $6,000 in interest and market increases.
I just hope in continues.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Dr. J's Housecalls
Several years ago I stumbled across a blog entitled Dr. J's Housecalls and was surprised that I had discovered a Doctor that would come to me. However, the blog was not about making house calls or medicine or even the medical community except how an incident involving the blog author and the local Asheboro hospital affected the good doctor and her dreams. The doctor was highly motivated, intelligent, articulate and interesting. Some of her assertions seemed, at first reading, to be somewhat far fetched but I did some research and I finally came to accept that Dr. J had a valid argument and that she was done wrong and done harm by the actions of some hospital administrators.
I cannot state her case nearly as accurately or passionately as she has been able too. Sometimes life just seems to kick us when we least expect it too and no one we trust or system we believe in seems able or willing to help us back up but instrumental in kicking us again and again when we are down. I know from experience how cruel and unjust the system can be and it seemed the harder I tried to set the truth free the harder the system worked to preserve the wrong and deny the truth. I believe it was my knowledge of how our systems really works and through my struggles within the system to get the truth out that allowed me to become an avid supporter of Dr. J.
I have to admit that since my retirement from the work force I have been far too busy to keep up with my writing and my on-line reading as well. I also have to admit my support for Dr. J became less important to her as her support and influence grew. For sure she had her distractors but all people do, and the more one becomes known the more haters there will be.
Since my wife's accident in October the stresses of life and the obligations and duties increased and I found less and less time to "catch up" on the life and times of Dr. J. Tonight I decided to check in on her and see how she was doing and discovered that 4/25/2013 was the last of her blogs, except for an occasional update.
I was happy to learn that she is active in her church, still, and perhaps a little more active than what she was when I first encountered her. We have never met although we probably have come close a time or two. I did work briefly since I retired and through that job I would have had the opportunity to meet Dr. J. But things changed for me when I discovered I was a type 1 diabetic. I had to give up my job in order to care for myself so another opportunity passed me by.
I can fully understand Dr. J's passion and her desire to pursue her goals as far as she has. I am cut out of the same cloth that she is and I passionately sought for the truth to come out. Unlike Dr. J, I did win a big court battle. Even though the victory was sweet and my advisory was exposed the victory wasn't total and I knew that I could never recover my losses but I had won back my dignity and honor, and that was the best I would ever do. I just stepped away from the situation, accepted my situation for what it was and got on with my life putting my vendetta behind me.
I have found a new passion and a more positive one. I too have become active in my church and I have to brag on God when I think about what He has done in that little place. In Dr. J's last blog it seemed like she really wants to put the situation behind her and move on with her life yet at the same time she has been so involved that it seems almost like she is afraid to totally let go. I know, it seems funny to use the word afraid and Dr. J in reference to each other but sometimes even the most tenacious of us can sometimes be afraid, especially when it comes to letting go of something that has been such a big, important part of ones life.
Where Dr. J will go from here now that she isn't going to use her blog as an outlet any more we can only speculate and I won't have a way to check in on her now that "Housecalls" will cease but I pray that she will use her energy and passion and tenaciousness for something positive in her life.
.Regardless of where life takes her from here I am going to miss her blog and although we only knew each other in cyberspace I will always remain an admirer of hers and a supporter. I wish her the best of everything.
I cannot state her case nearly as accurately or passionately as she has been able too. Sometimes life just seems to kick us when we least expect it too and no one we trust or system we believe in seems able or willing to help us back up but instrumental in kicking us again and again when we are down. I know from experience how cruel and unjust the system can be and it seemed the harder I tried to set the truth free the harder the system worked to preserve the wrong and deny the truth. I believe it was my knowledge of how our systems really works and through my struggles within the system to get the truth out that allowed me to become an avid supporter of Dr. J.
I have to admit that since my retirement from the work force I have been far too busy to keep up with my writing and my on-line reading as well. I also have to admit my support for Dr. J became less important to her as her support and influence grew. For sure she had her distractors but all people do, and the more one becomes known the more haters there will be.
Since my wife's accident in October the stresses of life and the obligations and duties increased and I found less and less time to "catch up" on the life and times of Dr. J. Tonight I decided to check in on her and see how she was doing and discovered that 4/25/2013 was the last of her blogs, except for an occasional update.
I was happy to learn that she is active in her church, still, and perhaps a little more active than what she was when I first encountered her. We have never met although we probably have come close a time or two. I did work briefly since I retired and through that job I would have had the opportunity to meet Dr. J. But things changed for me when I discovered I was a type 1 diabetic. I had to give up my job in order to care for myself so another opportunity passed me by.
I can fully understand Dr. J's passion and her desire to pursue her goals as far as she has. I am cut out of the same cloth that she is and I passionately sought for the truth to come out. Unlike Dr. J, I did win a big court battle. Even though the victory was sweet and my advisory was exposed the victory wasn't total and I knew that I could never recover my losses but I had won back my dignity and honor, and that was the best I would ever do. I just stepped away from the situation, accepted my situation for what it was and got on with my life putting my vendetta behind me.
I have found a new passion and a more positive one. I too have become active in my church and I have to brag on God when I think about what He has done in that little place. In Dr. J's last blog it seemed like she really wants to put the situation behind her and move on with her life yet at the same time she has been so involved that it seems almost like she is afraid to totally let go. I know, it seems funny to use the word afraid and Dr. J in reference to each other but sometimes even the most tenacious of us can sometimes be afraid, especially when it comes to letting go of something that has been such a big, important part of ones life.
Where Dr. J will go from here now that she isn't going to use her blog as an outlet any more we can only speculate and I won't have a way to check in on her now that "Housecalls" will cease but I pray that she will use her energy and passion and tenaciousness for something positive in her life.
.Regardless of where life takes her from here I am going to miss her blog and although we only knew each other in cyberspace I will always remain an admirer of hers and a supporter. I wish her the best of everything.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Congress, Fearing 'Brain Drain,' Seeks to Opt Out of Participating in Obamacare's Exchanges
Another one bites the dust. Social Security and other federal plans the average American has to live with have long exempted congress people from having to participate and now it seems Obamacare will be added to the list. How come its good enough for you and the people you love but not for the people who you elected to fairly represent you. Exactly who are they representing?
Bible study a success
A young man from the church asked me to help him study the bible. He wanted to learn two things, one of which was to rightly divide the word and the second was how to prepare a sermon. Actually, he is a young man to people my age but he is in his mid thirties and has a learning disability. Actually he only made it through the ninth grade and is rather dull but still he is a good person and I was more than willing to help. After all, I discovered early in life the one of the best ways to learn is to teach.
I really didn't know the extent of his abilities or lack thereof until after we got started and I realized that learning was going to be difficult for him. It took some doing but I finally got him to understand that rightly dividing the word is just another way of understanding exactly what the scripture says, not only in terms of the meaning of individual words, sentences and phrases but in relationship to the paragraph chapter book and all the scriptures taken together as well as the intent of the bible as a whole.
Where some people get confused is they think it is the language that makes learning difficult but it isn't. Sometimes one needs to refer back to the original language to understand the intent of what a word really means, sometimes we need to understand the culture and customs of the writer or the people to whom the scripture was written to or about. There are some scriptures that one cannot take to mean what they seem to mean. Two come to mind quickly. One says "Does not nature teach that it is a shame for a man to have long hair?" and the other is "A bishop must be the husband of one wife."
At first reading it seems clear that the bible is teaching us that it is shameful for a man to have long hair. What you don't see in that sentence is there is no guidelines to determine when hair has reached the length of being too long. Also what some overlook is the fact that the sentence is a question and not a statement. The answer can be no as well as yes. If one reads on one discovers the final sentence on the matter states that "the church has no such custom."
The conclusion of the discussion is that while it may be better for a man to wear his hair (or dress or whatever) in what is the style or custom that is more commonly accepted as normal the important thing is the mans soul.
As for the second scripture, the literally interpretation of which has done plenty of harm. Some have gone so far as to deny a man access to the pulpit if he was not married and most have denied a man the right to be a minister if they have been married before. It seems contrary to logic to think God wanted a man to dedicate his life to preaching only to deny him that privilege if his wife died. Paul said it was better for a man not to marry so the Catholics do not allow their priest to marry, a decision that seems to stand in direct opposition to what Paul says here. Did Paul get confused?
Other people think that if a man was married and lost his wife (for any reason) and remarried that he cannot be a minister because he now has two wives. Yet even Jesus said that if a man put away his wife for adultery then he was free. That means no longer married. If he isn't married he has no wife. If a mans wife dies, whether by illness or accident, he no longer has a wife and is now free.
Some will claim that once a man marries it is for all eternity and even if she is no longer alive the marriage is still valid in the spiritual world but I would like to point out to those people that the scriptures say that in heaven there is no marriages.
The whole point of the qualification of "must be the husband of one wife" is to inform us that before a man becomes a minister he needs to be a stable person, If he divorced his wife because he desired another or couldn't make the marriage work because of his own shortcomings maybe he just isn't the right type of person to be a spiritually leader. I just cannot accept the fact that God makes mistakes when men are truly called.
The second part of our bible study centered on building a sermon. The process is simple. First one selects the text (the bible verse of group of verses that serve as the foundation or platform for the message). Then one has to decide on the object of the message. There are many lessons one can learn from just a small group of verses. After one decides on the text and the point of the message, one then must develop the points in a logical manner so that the points can be delivered in an interesting and convincing manner. The end of the message is a call to action in response to the message.
My student had a great deal of difficulty in even deciding what one should learn from a scripture of group of verses. He was amazed that I seemed to be able to do it without mush effort but he was really disappointed to learn that it was a skill that not everyone would be good at.
I asked him to hold up a finger. "Now compare that finger to your head. Can you smell with that finger?" "No" he replied. "Can you stick it around the corner and see what is on the other side?" "No."
"Can you hold up your finger and hear what others are saying?" Again the answer was no.
"Well then clearly the finger isn't as important as the head. In fact in comparison to the head the finger seems rather useless so maybe it isn't needed. Call I just cut it off?"
The answer was no. An emphatic no.
"Pick up that coffee cup" I instructed him. He did.
"Now I noticed that you didn't use your head but you did use your hand. So that finger does have a purpose and is able to do things which even the head can't do. Do not ever think that just because I can do things that you cannot do that you are unimportant. There are things that you can do that I cannot. There are certain people you can reach that I cannot reach. You are just as important and vital as anyone else because you can do things that others aren't able to..
I really didn't know the extent of his abilities or lack thereof until after we got started and I realized that learning was going to be difficult for him. It took some doing but I finally got him to understand that rightly dividing the word is just another way of understanding exactly what the scripture says, not only in terms of the meaning of individual words, sentences and phrases but in relationship to the paragraph chapter book and all the scriptures taken together as well as the intent of the bible as a whole.
Where some people get confused is they think it is the language that makes learning difficult but it isn't. Sometimes one needs to refer back to the original language to understand the intent of what a word really means, sometimes we need to understand the culture and customs of the writer or the people to whom the scripture was written to or about. There are some scriptures that one cannot take to mean what they seem to mean. Two come to mind quickly. One says "Does not nature teach that it is a shame for a man to have long hair?" and the other is "A bishop must be the husband of one wife."
At first reading it seems clear that the bible is teaching us that it is shameful for a man to have long hair. What you don't see in that sentence is there is no guidelines to determine when hair has reached the length of being too long. Also what some overlook is the fact that the sentence is a question and not a statement. The answer can be no as well as yes. If one reads on one discovers the final sentence on the matter states that "the church has no such custom."
The conclusion of the discussion is that while it may be better for a man to wear his hair (or dress or whatever) in what is the style or custom that is more commonly accepted as normal the important thing is the mans soul.
As for the second scripture, the literally interpretation of which has done plenty of harm. Some have gone so far as to deny a man access to the pulpit if he was not married and most have denied a man the right to be a minister if they have been married before. It seems contrary to logic to think God wanted a man to dedicate his life to preaching only to deny him that privilege if his wife died. Paul said it was better for a man not to marry so the Catholics do not allow their priest to marry, a decision that seems to stand in direct opposition to what Paul says here. Did Paul get confused?
Other people think that if a man was married and lost his wife (for any reason) and remarried that he cannot be a minister because he now has two wives. Yet even Jesus said that if a man put away his wife for adultery then he was free. That means no longer married. If he isn't married he has no wife. If a mans wife dies, whether by illness or accident, he no longer has a wife and is now free.
Some will claim that once a man marries it is for all eternity and even if she is no longer alive the marriage is still valid in the spiritual world but I would like to point out to those people that the scriptures say that in heaven there is no marriages.
The whole point of the qualification of "must be the husband of one wife" is to inform us that before a man becomes a minister he needs to be a stable person, If he divorced his wife because he desired another or couldn't make the marriage work because of his own shortcomings maybe he just isn't the right type of person to be a spiritually leader. I just cannot accept the fact that God makes mistakes when men are truly called.
The second part of our bible study centered on building a sermon. The process is simple. First one selects the text (the bible verse of group of verses that serve as the foundation or platform for the message). Then one has to decide on the object of the message. There are many lessons one can learn from just a small group of verses. After one decides on the text and the point of the message, one then must develop the points in a logical manner so that the points can be delivered in an interesting and convincing manner. The end of the message is a call to action in response to the message.
My student had a great deal of difficulty in even deciding what one should learn from a scripture of group of verses. He was amazed that I seemed to be able to do it without mush effort but he was really disappointed to learn that it was a skill that not everyone would be good at.
I asked him to hold up a finger. "Now compare that finger to your head. Can you smell with that finger?" "No" he replied. "Can you stick it around the corner and see what is on the other side?" "No."
"Can you hold up your finger and hear what others are saying?" Again the answer was no.
"Well then clearly the finger isn't as important as the head. In fact in comparison to the head the finger seems rather useless so maybe it isn't needed. Call I just cut it off?"
The answer was no. An emphatic no.
"Pick up that coffee cup" I instructed him. He did.
"Now I noticed that you didn't use your head but you did use your hand. So that finger does have a purpose and is able to do things which even the head can't do. Do not ever think that just because I can do things that you cannot do that you are unimportant. There are things that you can do that I cannot. There are certain people you can reach that I cannot reach. You are just as important and vital as anyone else because you can do things that others aren't able to..
Sunday, April 21, 2013
God still cares
Little One Way Baptist was the site of some wonderful things today, Sunday April 21, 2013. Several came to the alter and another called the preacher after everyone had gone home. At first he said he wasn't coming back because he was in conflict over whether to surrender to God or not but after the nine o'clock prayer, the preacher called him and he said he wanted to surrender his life to Christ.
I have a preacher friend that is an evangelist and heads a local fellowship. He doesn't attend our church but does come occasionally whenever our pastor is sick to fill in for him. We were having something special tonight that no one in the church knew about but me, the pastor and his wife. I really want my preacher friend to be there. I didn't ask God to bring him there but one night in prayer I did think how good it would be if he did come to the service.
He was there.
Only God could have brought him to our church at the appointed time. Some may claim it was just a coincidence and maybe it was but so many times in my life things have happened that some would claim are just coincidences but they can't just keep happening at random. It has to be a gracious and loving God that answers prayers time and time again. It is good to know that God still cares. Actually, He always has and always will. It is us that have turned our backs on God.
I know it isn't isn't to let go and trust God especially since we can not see him, feel him, and he seems so distant and separate from us. Sometimes it feels as if He isn't real but I know He is, that he is good and that he loves me. I know he loves you too.
I have a preacher friend that is an evangelist and heads a local fellowship. He doesn't attend our church but does come occasionally whenever our pastor is sick to fill in for him. We were having something special tonight that no one in the church knew about but me, the pastor and his wife. I really want my preacher friend to be there. I didn't ask God to bring him there but one night in prayer I did think how good it would be if he did come to the service.
He was there.
Only God could have brought him to our church at the appointed time. Some may claim it was just a coincidence and maybe it was but so many times in my life things have happened that some would claim are just coincidences but they can't just keep happening at random. It has to be a gracious and loving God that answers prayers time and time again. It is good to know that God still cares. Actually, He always has and always will. It is us that have turned our backs on God.
I know it isn't isn't to let go and trust God especially since we can not see him, feel him, and he seems so distant and separate from us. Sometimes it feels as if He isn't real but I know He is, that he is good and that he loves me. I know he loves you too.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Apple blossoms and peaches
I have a Georgia white which is now 4 years old, 2 eastern yellows that are 3 years old and an unknown variety that is just beginning its 2nd year of growth. The unknown peach tree was started from seeds I procured from a friend of the owner of an Arkansas peach orchard. The tree is over 8 feet tall and is twice as large as the older peach trees. I understand the peaches are supposed to be phenomenal so i can hardly wait until they are large enough and ripe enough to eat. The first year they had two little peaches but they fell off during a late spring cold spell we had last year. The peaches from the other trees didn't get large enough to eat. I'm hoping for something good this year.
I have other peach trees I started from seed. Peaches grow fast and I have had several that bore plenty of peaches their first year if planted in good soil. Starting them from seed is easier if you plant the kernel only. Just let the seed dry out, cut the edges off with pruning shears and then crack open.
I started all my apple trees from seed too and most are four years old. I've had trouble with cedar rust but I've learned how to deal with that problem so this year all the trees are beautiful. I even have two that have blooms. But the only apple trees that made it are Fuji and they are non pollinators so I have to have a crap apple tree or the right kind of apple tree that is a pollinator.
My crap apple tree just isn't old enough to pollinate my apple trees and may not be for several more years so today I set out in search of a Granny Smith. I checked with several retail outlets and a couple of nurseries with no luck. I did find one at Southern States and although they are more expensive than many other places I purchased the tree from them. It is in bloom too. I doubt that I will have apples this year but next fall I'm looking forward to the first fruits from my apple trees. At least the blooms have a sweet fragrance.
I have three cherry trees. The middle one had blooms on it last year and now another has lots of blooms. I don't know if I'll get cherries but the trees are doing fine.
My grape vines are really budding out and the started vines are still green; most of them are anyway. I did buy three Catawba Reds just in case the ones I tried to start from cuttings don't make it.
I finally have my garden planted. I have potatoes, onions (sweet and Valhalla) beets, radishes, kale, green beans (3 rows), cucumbers, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, and Anaheim peppers, and tomatoes. I also planted moon flowers (a 24 ft run) on the opposite side of the grape trellis and two sunflower gardens.
The only bad thing today was the stock market. I lost another $135.00. I hope this isn't the start of another long slide into recession.
I have other peach trees I started from seed. Peaches grow fast and I have had several that bore plenty of peaches their first year if planted in good soil. Starting them from seed is easier if you plant the kernel only. Just let the seed dry out, cut the edges off with pruning shears and then crack open.
I started all my apple trees from seed too and most are four years old. I've had trouble with cedar rust but I've learned how to deal with that problem so this year all the trees are beautiful. I even have two that have blooms. But the only apple trees that made it are Fuji and they are non pollinators so I have to have a crap apple tree or the right kind of apple tree that is a pollinator.
My crap apple tree just isn't old enough to pollinate my apple trees and may not be for several more years so today I set out in search of a Granny Smith. I checked with several retail outlets and a couple of nurseries with no luck. I did find one at Southern States and although they are more expensive than many other places I purchased the tree from them. It is in bloom too. I doubt that I will have apples this year but next fall I'm looking forward to the first fruits from my apple trees. At least the blooms have a sweet fragrance.
I have three cherry trees. The middle one had blooms on it last year and now another has lots of blooms. I don't know if I'll get cherries but the trees are doing fine.
My grape vines are really budding out and the started vines are still green; most of them are anyway. I did buy three Catawba Reds just in case the ones I tried to start from cuttings don't make it.
I finally have my garden planted. I have potatoes, onions (sweet and Valhalla) beets, radishes, kale, green beans (3 rows), cucumbers, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, and Anaheim peppers, and tomatoes. I also planted moon flowers (a 24 ft run) on the opposite side of the grape trellis and two sunflower gardens.
The only bad thing today was the stock market. I lost another $135.00. I hope this isn't the start of another long slide into recession.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Stock Market Slide
The past three days have not been kind to my money with the value of my stocks declining over $700.00. To you rich folks that isn't much but to poor people like me that is a lot. But, I'm sure those with much more money lost much more than I did so I guess its all realative.
I really haven't had time to worry about the stock market as I have been so busy around the yard mowing and planting and moving stuff around and helping other folks and the church. That sounds like a lot and it is especially for an old guy like myself.
Most likey in the next several months those of you who might be curious as to what I really look like may get the opportunity to find out. But more about that later. If you really want to know check me out on face book or better yet see me at One Way Baptist Church. I'll be doing something thes Sunday evening that I haven't done in forty years. Come see. Service starts at 6:45.
I know it is a little church but great things have happened there and we are beginning to grow. God is really working in that little church.
I really haven't had time to worry about the stock market as I have been so busy around the yard mowing and planting and moving stuff around and helping other folks and the church. That sounds like a lot and it is especially for an old guy like myself.
Most likey in the next several months those of you who might be curious as to what I really look like may get the opportunity to find out. But more about that later. If you really want to know check me out on face book or better yet see me at One Way Baptist Church. I'll be doing something thes Sunday evening that I haven't done in forty years. Come see. Service starts at 6:45.
I know it is a little church but great things have happened there and we are beginning to grow. God is really working in that little church.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Jackie Robinson was not first
Jackie Robinson was not the first black to play in the major leagues but he is a hero none the less. Men of color had played on professional teams before but one of the owners effectively banned blacks from pro ball for many years. It wasn't until the Dodgers defied him that the color barrier was broken.
What makes Jackie Robinson a hero is not the fact that he was the first black man to break the ban on people of color but how he did it. In order to get his shot, Jackie Robinson agreed to play for seven years without uttering a word in his own defense. It was extremely difficult and it did take its toll on his health, but with that commitment to silence he not only proved he was a great baseball player but he proved he was a man of great character as well and isn't that what we really want in our sports heros?
What is a shame though is that after all this time it seems when a non-black makes a mistake it is only a character flaw but when a black man makes a mistake it is a racial characteristic. We really should be better than that now but we aren't.
What makes Jackie Robinson a hero is not the fact that he was the first black man to break the ban on people of color but how he did it. In order to get his shot, Jackie Robinson agreed to play for seven years without uttering a word in his own defense. It was extremely difficult and it did take its toll on his health, but with that commitment to silence he not only proved he was a great baseball player but he proved he was a man of great character as well and isn't that what we really want in our sports heros?
What is a shame though is that after all this time it seems when a non-black makes a mistake it is only a character flaw but when a black man makes a mistake it is a racial characteristic. We really should be better than that now but we aren't.
Monday, April 15, 2013
One Way Baptist Completed project
I started in the fall of 2011 with a set of loppers and a maddox and a small hand saw. The land was overgrown with vines as thick as a mans waist and sixty feet long, briar's, fallen trees, bushes that were springing up like grass, and a general assortment of other vines and weeds. There were broken bricks, car tires, auto parts and old outhouse parts scattered throughout the lot. I had no money and the church had no money to have the property cleared but it needed to be done. Most men would have done nothing. It was too big a task for a man, an old one at that, to take on with no equipment and no help. There was none to do the job and each year the vines and briar's and poke weed bushes crept closer to the church.
But I intended to fight the weeds and plant a pumpkin garden there. I worked from September until the end of February of 2012 and had half the property cleared and I did have a pumpkin garden.
Starting again in late September, early October I talked the second half. It was a much tougher job and the land was littered with fallen tree trucks and limbs, left whole to rot where they lay, intertwined with vegetation, many hidden beneath the ground level due to excessive growth of low laying vines.
I did manage to scrap up the money to purchase a small chain saw but the old wood destroyed the chain saw blades quickly. In just a few hours a blade was so dull it was almost impossible to sharpen. I went through 5 blades in the course of clearing the land.
I am proud to announce as of today, the land is clear of all fallen logs and excessive growth. There are so vines that still need to be removed and thousands of small pieces of wood, sampling stumps, and weed stems that need to be cut and removed or raked off the ground before I can plant pumpkins but the land is so close to being usable I declare victory.
There is a lesson for all to be learned from my labors. No matter how daunting the task and how ill equipped you seem to be to tackle it, with determination, time, and perseverance and some help and encouragement from God, you too can claim victory.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Is this animal cruely or just a pet keepers right?
I never paid much attention to my neighbor until he built himself an outbuilding. It is well built howbeit by trial and error. I think the guy works construction but he is probably a wall board hanger. Anyway I had lots of laughs at watching the comedy of errors he and his friends made building the shed. What should have been a three week job has now stretched out to almost a year and he still isn't finished. It's an eyesore, with exposed wood, tar paper flapping in the breeze, and dirt piled around it's foundation.
I watched the guy cut down trees and stacke the wood only to move it 4 months later and then burn the brush, once setting his neighbors shed on fire.
The shed is large enough to have required a builders permit but he didn't have one. The shed is also build on the property line whiuch again isn't legal. It is also illegal to burn within city limits but even if burning was legal, it would have been much easier to care the stuff to the curb and let the city pick it up.
Even so, it isn't this neighbor that is my biggest concern. It is the neighbor one house down from him, the one who keeps a dog tied in the back yard, far away from the house. It is a dog that never is allowed loose, never receives human contact, and never has been fixed. The dog is now pregnant again. The first liter was pit bull mix. All but two of the puppies from the first liter were given to other people. Those two were given to the man with the shed.
Sadly, those two puppys, about nine months old now, have been kept on the small back porch with a makeshift lean-to made of plywood and flapping tar paper, and are ignored almost as much as the mother dog is.
It just seems cruel to me to keep a dog tied up 24/7/365 and never allow it freedom or given it human interaction or to keep twp puppies pinned on a back porch months on in and not allowed to exercise and not ever given attention.
I wish that I could do something or knew someone that cared enough to do something but it must be that society is perfectly okay with the man treating his animals this way.
Please don't suggest that I notify animal awareness, city hall, or local law enforcement. They don't seem to care about his dog anymore than he does.
I watched the guy cut down trees and stacke the wood only to move it 4 months later and then burn the brush, once setting his neighbors shed on fire.
The shed is large enough to have required a builders permit but he didn't have one. The shed is also build on the property line whiuch again isn't legal. It is also illegal to burn within city limits but even if burning was legal, it would have been much easier to care the stuff to the curb and let the city pick it up.
Even so, it isn't this neighbor that is my biggest concern. It is the neighbor one house down from him, the one who keeps a dog tied in the back yard, far away from the house. It is a dog that never is allowed loose, never receives human contact, and never has been fixed. The dog is now pregnant again. The first liter was pit bull mix. All but two of the puppies from the first liter were given to other people. Those two were given to the man with the shed.
Sadly, those two puppys, about nine months old now, have been kept on the small back porch with a makeshift lean-to made of plywood and flapping tar paper, and are ignored almost as much as the mother dog is.
It just seems cruel to me to keep a dog tied up 24/7/365 and never allow it freedom or given it human interaction or to keep twp puppies pinned on a back porch months on in and not allowed to exercise and not ever given attention.
I wish that I could do something or knew someone that cared enough to do something but it must be that society is perfectly okay with the man treating his animals this way.
Please don't suggest that I notify animal awareness, city hall, or local law enforcement. They don't seem to care about his dog anymore than he does.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
headlind writing in the 21st centuary
- Killed moving rabbit" reads a headline on Yahoo's homepage this morning April 10, 2013. I figured the man must have been a preety good shot to kill a moving rabbit which is what the headline leads on to believe. I was curious as to what he used to kill the rabbit with. If he used a slingshot then hitting the rabbit was just awesome. However, if he ran over it with his car, then it was lucky but a bit too messy to make use of the rabbit. Shooting it with a bow and arrow would have been a good trick but using a shotgun at close range would have been worse that running over it with his car. Using a pistol or rifle might have been a little too dangerous if there were homes in the area.
- So out of curiousity I read the article. It turns out the rabbit wasn't moving nor did the man kill it. The story was nothing like the headline. What actually happened was a rabbit was in the road and a man stopped to move it. While being a good person, I suppose, someone else hit the man with their car killing the good samaritan. I was thinking how disappointed I was over such a misleading headline. Now if the headline has said "Man killed while moving rabbit" it would have been true to the story and I would have known before reading the article what it was about.
- What is really sad to say is this kind of stupidity is common today and speaks volumes about the poor state of education in America today.
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Easter Sunday: a touching of an old man
Easter Sunday
It isn’t always easy to touch an old man’s heart, even one dedicated to serving others. As recorded in the book of Acts, chapter six the apostles were faced with a dilemma. There were matters that needed their attention but to address those problems would require them to take time away from their calling. To solve the problem they appointed men of honest report to take care of the business. These men were called deacons.
I am a deacon, the only one in my church as we are small and really need none but the church was set up with deacons to serve and so it is why our church has one. I would suppose that deacons serve the church differently in different congregations but in our church my service is to the pastor. My duties cannot be spelled out specifically as a deacon is not an office. I view my duties as serving the pastor as "doing whatever the pastor needs me to do." Fortunately my pastor seldom asks me to do anything. Occasionally he may need me to fill in when a sick person needs a visit and he is unable to go or when a problem arises in the neighborhood and he can not take care of it as he lives far from the church. Most of what I do is done because I want to do it.
I do repair work, mow the grass, make the videos for the shut-ins, and teach the Sunday School lesson. Teaching is what I do best and I love to make the scriptures relevant to our everyday lives. I love my lord and savor and I want people to feel the passion I have for serving him. I live what I teach but to be honest, I am only human and make mistakes as does any other person. I make mistakes in my marriage too but that does not mean I love my wife any less nor does it mean that she loves me any less either. Sometimes she loves me more because I made a mistake because she recognizes the effort and passion that went into my efforts. Jesus is good to forgive me when I fall short.
We all fall short of God’s expectations for us. We aren’t always as faithful as we should be, sometimes we misapply scriptures or forget to realize that just because God took some desires away from us we can’t go around criticizing others that aren’t Christians because they still have those desires. It is our job to catch the fish and God’s job to clean them up.
I treat people with respect but it does take awhile to begin to trust someone to live up to their word. Many times I’ve been told "I’ll be there Sunday" but have never seen that person darken the doors of the church. People do what they want to do and not always what they should do. It isn’t often I’m disappointed by people but seldom am I touched by them either. When I do something nice and unexpected for someone it is more likely that I will be greeted with skepticism rather than thankfulness. It takes a lot for others to recognize that one is sincere
with no hidden agenda.
Being small like we are it has been a long time since we have had children in the church, especially children old enough to understand what is going on. On Easter Sunday we had three such children and for Sunday School too. It was near the end of the lesson when one of the two girls raised her hand and announced "I saved a little kitten"in response to a statement I had made. I told her I wanted to talk to her about her cat so as soon as Sunday School was over I made my way back to where her family was sitting and let tell me about her cat. We talked awhile and then she showed me a pocket notebook she was writing in. I was shocked when I read what she wrote.
She had taken notes of my Sunday School lesson and she had recorded accurately the most important points I had attempted to make. I was impressed.
The pastor preached his sermon and as we were to the point of dismissing the congregation the little girl walked to the front and handed the pastor a little piece of paper and said "I have a question." The pastor was pleased and said "Wow, a question for our question box." Then he handed the slip of paper to me and said, "You are good at handling these."
I opened the paper half expecting a simple child’s question and half expecting to not be able to understand what she was asking." I was totally shocked when I read her question. She asked "If I write to God in my journal will God write to me?" I was not expecting such a sincere and mature question from one so small. I was totally touched by her question and her desire to know God.
I walked down the aisle and stopped in front of her and handled her my bible. "God has written you a love letter."
It isn’t always easy to touch an old man’s heart, even one dedicated to serving others. As recorded in the book of Acts, chapter six the apostles were faced with a dilemma. There were matters that needed their attention but to address those problems would require them to take time away from their calling. To solve the problem they appointed men of honest report to take care of the business. These men were called deacons.
I am a deacon, the only one in my church as we are small and really need none but the church was set up with deacons to serve and so it is why our church has one. I would suppose that deacons serve the church differently in different congregations but in our church my service is to the pastor. My duties cannot be spelled out specifically as a deacon is not an office. I view my duties as serving the pastor as "doing whatever the pastor needs me to do." Fortunately my pastor seldom asks me to do anything. Occasionally he may need me to fill in when a sick person needs a visit and he is unable to go or when a problem arises in the neighborhood and he can not take care of it as he lives far from the church. Most of what I do is done because I want to do it.
I do repair work, mow the grass, make the videos for the shut-ins, and teach the Sunday School lesson. Teaching is what I do best and I love to make the scriptures relevant to our everyday lives. I love my lord and savor and I want people to feel the passion I have for serving him. I live what I teach but to be honest, I am only human and make mistakes as does any other person. I make mistakes in my marriage too but that does not mean I love my wife any less nor does it mean that she loves me any less either. Sometimes she loves me more because I made a mistake because she recognizes the effort and passion that went into my efforts. Jesus is good to forgive me when I fall short.
We all fall short of God’s expectations for us. We aren’t always as faithful as we should be, sometimes we misapply scriptures or forget to realize that just because God took some desires away from us we can’t go around criticizing others that aren’t Christians because they still have those desires. It is our job to catch the fish and God’s job to clean them up.
I treat people with respect but it does take awhile to begin to trust someone to live up to their word. Many times I’ve been told "I’ll be there Sunday" but have never seen that person darken the doors of the church. People do what they want to do and not always what they should do. It isn’t often I’m disappointed by people but seldom am I touched by them either. When I do something nice and unexpected for someone it is more likely that I will be greeted with skepticism rather than thankfulness. It takes a lot for others to recognize that one is sincere
with no hidden agenda.
Being small like we are it has been a long time since we have had children in the church, especially children old enough to understand what is going on. On Easter Sunday we had three such children and for Sunday School too. It was near the end of the lesson when one of the two girls raised her hand and announced "I saved a little kitten"in response to a statement I had made. I told her I wanted to talk to her about her cat so as soon as Sunday School was over I made my way back to where her family was sitting and let tell me about her cat. We talked awhile and then she showed me a pocket notebook she was writing in. I was shocked when I read what she wrote.
She had taken notes of my Sunday School lesson and she had recorded accurately the most important points I had attempted to make. I was impressed.
The pastor preached his sermon and as we were to the point of dismissing the congregation the little girl walked to the front and handed the pastor a little piece of paper and said "I have a question." The pastor was pleased and said "Wow, a question for our question box." Then he handed the slip of paper to me and said, "You are good at handling these."
I opened the paper half expecting a simple child’s question and half expecting to not be able to understand what she was asking." I was totally shocked when I read her question. She asked "If I write to God in my journal will God write to me?" I was not expecting such a sincere and mature question from one so small. I was totally touched by her question and her desire to know God.
I walked down the aisle and stopped in front of her and handled her my bible. "God has written you a love letter."
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Were you pranked on April Fools Day?
Were you pranked on April 1, April Fools Day? I was. My wife is a weather buff and is always filling me in on the newest forcast so I was none the wiser when she told me first thing in the morning "Better enjoy today. It will be turning cooler tomorrow and maybe even snowing by Friday." Considering in snowed last week, her comment was believable. And she never jokes around so I swallowed her story hook, line, and sinker.
At first I wasn't happy about being pranked but I decided to enjoy it anyway and just had a good laugh. My laughing set the tone for the day and we had a good time. She snapped pictures all day as I worked cleaning up and redoing my water garden and koi pond.
At first I wasn't happy about being pranked but I decided to enjoy it anyway and just had a good laugh. My laughing set the tone for the day and we had a good time. She snapped pictures all day as I worked cleaning up and redoing my water garden and koi pond.
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