More Traditions

Hello, all! I'm super sleepy, but wanted to drop by and talk for a few minutes anyway. My husband has a tradition of new stockings for the kids each year- for us, too if we can. This year, my daughter and I got Tinkerbell, Husband got an elf, and my son got Tigger. So cute. If I ever find all the ones in storage, they'll have stockings enough for all their kids ;-)

My folks sent me up some wonderful Christmas CDs whch we have been enjoying immensely. THANKS!!!

Um, I know. No stuff over the holidays, but I keep hearing about our new "exalted leader"'s penchant for the Red Star- and that the college kids that meet to worship him or whatever it is they do, are wearing that in place of the US Flag on their lapels. Um, wasn't the Red Star the symbol the USSR and China used for their troops? You can get them on eBay. To me, it's just a little creepy and I'm having visions of Delores Umbridge in the Office. Just had to get that off my mind. If anyone knows the truth of it, I'd be more than happy to hear it.

Ok, like my Aunt, I've been enjoying the Christmas movies on TV this year. They're so un-PC. Refreshing and delightful! I'd love to see "Happy Hanukkah, Charlie Brown!" as much as the next girl, but the ones that have been on have been happy and fun. And we're still trying really, really hard with our "suspend cynicism and sarcasm" for the month of December. It's not easy, I tell you. I hadn't realized just how snarky we'd become. (blush)

As we've been clearing out our storage room (it leaks), we've found some great things we thought were lost. And I found my Joker action figure- from back when the Joker was just a merry prankster and not a twisted freak. So, while I'm studying and the kids are playing, we play that Joker's studying and he interjects various pranks based on the text I'm studying. Sounds a lot less fun than it really is; plus it gives me interaction with the kids instead of just studying endlessly with my brain twitching. "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells..." heehee

Ok, I reckon it's time for me to get started on bedtime stuff. Stories we've read so far include:
The Diggingest Dog by Al Perkins
Grizzwold by Syd Hoff
Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Arch Books The Beggar's Wish (about Bartimaeus- I LOVE Arch Books!)
The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room (which did NOT go over well)
The Coal Truck by Miss Francis (from an early 50s show)
Petunia's Christmas by Duvoisin
I Wish I had Duck Feet by Theo LeSieg
The King, the Mice, and the Cheese by Nancy and Gurney
and tonight's is Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman

Most of these came with me from my childhood and between the kids and my brothers, I reckon I've read them enough that I can comfortably read them upside-down (pictures showing to the audience) and still keep the rhyming cadence as my mom read them. It's been great! And the Scrooge McDuck cartoon was cuter than I remembered- heehee- and Pooh's Christmas movie brought back memories of my own babies and how they used to say the names of the characters. Ah, bittersweet Christmas- how it reminds us that time is fleeting and that memories fade.

Good tidings of comfort and joy to you all!

ttfn

Long Time

Hello, Everyone! :-)

I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted. I get a headache if I'm on my computer too long. Recovering still from a blooming head injury. Yes, I took a tumble down a long set of concrete stairs and landed on my head. Good thing I'm a Baptist or I'd've been hurt bad. (Baptists are known for being hard-headed for any of you that don't know any personally ;) )

Anyway, I just want to wish everybody a very merry Christmas! I hope to post more between now and then, but I'm having to ease back into it. My typing skills are still horrible and train of thought is still whispy and smoke-like. But, glory to God (and THANKS so much, too!!) I am seeing improvements from how it was.

Kids are great, husband's great. Christmas crafts and Spirit are abounding. A tradition we have at Christmas is to read one or two young children's books (from when the kids were little) each day. It is great. Also, we read a part of Dickens' Cricket on the Hearth each year. Maybe this year we'll finish it. That poor blind girl! And how funny that the grouchy old guy just completely doesn't get it at all. He was one heck of a writer.

My record player is on the fritz, so our usual tradition of listening to 50s Christmas records from the A&P has been thwarted. But, never fear. I found some CDs, so we can still have Christmas music. The songs from the British Isles are especially beautiful, and Bing Crosby sounds just as good on CD as on record. I don't have any Andy Williams this year, though. :-( That's a tradition like the 50s records that I brought with me from my Mama. Ah, well. Maybe I can get some from eBay. I have to say, I wish I had one of the old low-tech wind up kind of record players. And a bunch of extra needles. I love those old gadgets that didn't use electricity or computer chips. Like that old Fisher Price movie viewer. The kids thought that was the neatest thing. Sure, they love the tech, but they were really impressed that you could watch a movie by turning a crank. And that it was still good after years in a box.

Another tradition we have is we follow the 12 days of Christmas by opening a present from on the tree each of the days with a special one on Twelfth Night (Orthodox Christmas). We also celebrate Hannaka, even if we can't spell it. The Maccabee Story is awesome so long as you leave off the very end of it. We usually end with the 8 days of light. "FREEDOM!!!"

Well, that's about all for me for now. Have a WONDERFUL holiday season whichever of the holidays you celebrate. Thank you, Jesus!

JRS

Happy Veteran's Day!

My husband pointed out to me that I should have perhaps waited a day to thank the rescue personnel. I really do think I just get too enthusiastic sometimes...

I appreciate our Veterans and think that they should be remembered more than a couple of times a year. Me and the kids used to volunteer at the VA Hospital about 2 hours away. Veterans Day, Christmas, and Valentines Day are BIG days at the VA. So many people show up with gifts and food- it's really great. Even performers come for Veterans Day. But, the rest of the year, the vets might as well not exist. The volunteers try to make them feel special every day, true. But, many of the vets expressed to me that they felt like the recognition on the one day was more for the people doing it than for them.

I wasn't sure what they meant at first, but it was explained, and seemed pretty evident after- the folks showing up, many of them were doing it to make themselves feel good. Or they were campaigning. Or trying to win a bid. Or a scholarship. As soon as the program was over, so many of them were "outta there!" like scalded cats.

At first, I thought the vets were just being fussy, but I watched how they were talked down to- you know, like some people do with children- speaking very slowly with false cheerfulness & with their eyes belying the fact that they were disgusted and thought the vets were really less than they were.

Though, the ones who truly cared, the vets really thought highly of. The little old ladies who came every week with toiletry baskets or coffee. The folks that went room to room to just talk with the vets or bring magazines.

We thought about relocating closer to the VA so we could volunteer more, but expenses are much higher there. I hated not being able to keep it up. We did it for nearly a year. And yes, it was in the patient library. The kids learned the organization really well and could direct the vets to the books they were looking for. The vets really loved the kids. There was a mutual respect there.

You know, as the holidays draw closer, we are reminded of people we'd forgotten through the year. We try to make up for it with cards or gifts. All the times we put off calling or writing, or even texting come to mind. But, why are we here? For personal gratification? That's the reason we usually put off visiting or letting somebody know we care- we don't have time because we do not TAKE time. See, time will waste and time will flow by like the James River and we are left with nothing to show for it but being the best at quoting scores, news, or reruns. To take time, we must step into the river and embrace the chill. We must for a moment give up our personal preferences for something lasting and substancial.

I hear the "but I don't have money" thing as often. And I'm a bad one for it myself. But, it costs no money to call for most people on nights and weekends. It costs no additional money to send an email. It costs what, 35 cents? to mail a letter. How much would it brighten your day to recieve something besides bills and catalogues in the mail?

Let us try to remember our veterans throughout the year. A kind word goes a long way with them. "Welcome Home" and "Thank You" are ones that the vets I know have really appreciated. And they are surprised by them. Isn't it nice to give someone a pleasant surprise?

You don't need me to tell you what these brave men and women have to go through. Most have joined the service to help keep our country free for all the rest of us. And I won't even go into what the media has done to them over the last 4 or 5 decades. But again, I will say "Thank you and Welcome Home" and thank you and thank you again.

God Bless America and God Bless our Troops!

Writing Days

I love this picture. It has this quality that makes you relate to it somehow... I'm weird, I know.

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Well, amazing, but I took some time off from school just to write. And I have a pretty decent little story going, praise God. 5 minutes talking to a Muse and voila! (all you writers out there will know exactly what I mean.)

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Today is Veteran's Day. Please take the time to tell one of them "thank you". It really means a lot to them and it's the least we can do. I kindof wish they had "Rescue Personnel Day", but I guess we can tell those folks thanks any time. They deserve a day of their own, in my opinion. But, since they don't I'll take this opportunity to say....

THANKS!!! To all you wonderful Veterans and Rescue Personnel! You are GREAT!!!

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Um... well, since my husband was exhausted today, I was able to write for hours. My wrists are not happy about it, and I'm having difficulty not being in the head of a cat- yes, a cat is one of my characters. Something new for me, but my old hag- oops, I mean creative writing teacher- said, "write what you know". I didn't get it at the time, but I do now. I mean, really. How much does one know when one is in 11th grade. All the stories would have been about evil teachers, bullies, and part-time jobs- oh, wait, didn't 90210 kind of fit in there? I never did watch that show, but the commercials were awfully lame. (ooh, that's none of it so very nice, but that's how it seemed to me back when I was a young person. Sorry, Mrs. Ma'am, but you made me read the Catcher in the Rye and I still cannot thank you for that.)

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Kid A wrote and read most of the day, too. And Kid B wrote, did art, and read. We have Sunday and Monday for our weekend. We do school on Saturday, see. But, all the stuff they did today on their own will count, too. I try to be fair, no matter what time or day it is. They both did good work today. I was very proud of them. And they're at the age where they understand about letting Mommy write without a messload of interruptions. Plus, they usually like the stories, so it's extra incentive.

**

Oh, the last two mornings, the mountains in front of my house have looked like molten gold. The sun shining across the ridges acted like beautiful stage lighting, the hollows all a deep blue and the last leaves glowing crimson against the backdrop of the crisp blue sky. The bare trees looked almost black and seemed to be reaching toward the light, and the wind was softly, softly blowing. Making the leaves on the ground dance and the ones still on the trees sigh.

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I took pictures of it with my cell phone and as soon as my husband shows me how, I'll put them up on here. Something I have to do with this kit that came with the phone...

Anyway, pray for me. I have a special request that is a REAL challenge for me. Actually, I have a few challenges I need prayer for... ;-) as anyone who knows me well will say "Amen, sister!"

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Family and Other Features will return soon. Really!

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Well, happy day to you all. May God bless each one of you in exactly the ways you need and in some ways that are just sweet of Him. He's wonderful! :-)

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ttfn

Rose

"Who put the Rifle on the Potato Salad?!"

"Who put the rifle on the potato salad?!" That's the kind of question we hear when family comes to call. ;-) See, it was my husband's birthday. His family came up with food, cake, and presents. When the deviled eggs came in squished, one of my daughters had to explain to her aunt that a box was on top of them out in the car. The aunt then exclaimed that the eggs were on the potato salad. Who put the rifle on the potato salad? What were they thinking? Heeheehee. That's life around here- just a little kooky. I wouldn't have it any other way.

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Birthdays for me and my husband are usually kind of nuts. Tonight I got yet another phone call offering condolences for my Dad passing away. Problem is, he's still very much alive. It's been a little weird. I couldn't find any obituaries on the net for anyone with his name, so I can't imagine how that got started. I made sure I sent him an email telling him what I think about him. Not because of being weirded out by faulty death info, really. Not at all.

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Determined to stay positive this post, the author steers rapidly away from the subject of the media and politics...

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So, back to the birthday. It was really a nice visit. One of my grandbabies was there and he's Ever so cute. He loves his Grandpaw and all of us. He's got a really sweet disposition. My husband had asked for this power saw and they gave him a hacksaw for a joke. Later bringing in the power saw and the aforementioned potato salad offender. He was sooo surprised. He didn't think he'd get any gifts, but he got binoculars, too. He's looking forward to hunting now that he's got proper equipment for it.

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Well, after a fun filled evening, we relaxed by watching mysteries on Hallmark. That, SciFi Friday, and Food Network are what I'll miss most about cancelling cable. But, these days you gotta cut whatcha can. A lot of things can be watched online now, anyway- I just don't think Good Eats or Iron Chef are on that list... Ah, my priorities these days...

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I'd better get to story and Bible time with the kids now. We're trying something a little different so as to have time for all the Christmas crafts, pray for me- I need it. School takes up a lot of time, and so does homeschool- but that's different since it's enjoyable. I'll do another family installment soon. For now, you get this one:

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My Dad

My dad is not dead.

I know I've already told about him on here already, but I guess I failed to mention the fact that he's alive. I am thankful that he has touched so many lives that people were genuinely sorry to see him go, but that was in an alternate reality or something, ok? Here, in this one, you get another chance to let him know while he's still with us that you care. Really, that's what we should do: with all the uncertainties in life - let people know what they mean to you. You might not get another chance.

so, to all my kith and kin- I LOVE Y'ALL! You are great! Every one of us is quirky in our own ways, with unique strengths and weaknesses. And every one of you are just simply wonderful! May God BLESS you!!!!

ttfn

Rose

Family

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And so, the pictures are of Lewes. The dog in the second picture, I have mentioned before. Yes, that's Tinker. The biter of legs, high jumping, fanged dog from you-know-where. Tinker is not biting the kids pictured here, because they were Tinker's boys. Family. Rick and Tim to be exact. Um, the pictures are courtesy of my family over at Facebook. THANKS!! I don't have a single picture from when we were young 'uns. So, for that I'll visit Facebook. I get a headache trying to navigate that blasted site- every time.

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So, I thought I'd tell some about my family in the posts to come, only I have no idea where to start. I reckon I'll start with Dad's side of the family since they're pictured here. To be fair, I should start with my Grandpa, so I'll add one more picture- not from Lewes... One moment please.

Done, ok.

*****

Grampa Stan. He was a quiet man. (hee hee) He could really sing and had quite a deep voice. He used to sing at this place called Bobbits and it was like the singins that we go to over at Ivanhoe. Mostly Gospel and all the local musicians, anyone could get up and sing which was really cool. My first public appearance (heeheehee) was singing For Those Tears I Died with my grampa Stan. They sang a lot of Gaither stuff, too.

Grampa was a serious kinda guy. He really loved his Mama (maybe I should've started with her...). He was short-ish like one of my brothers. He was of Lithuanian/Polish heritage. He was a first generation born-here dude and he was in WWII. I'm pretty sure he met my Gramma at the USO.

Grampa expected kids to be respectful and respectable. He did not drink. He worked 3rd shift a lot. His dad was a coal miner in PA after he and Nana got married- he's the one from Lithuania, she was from Poland.

Ah, Grampa used to read the Reader's Digest Condensed Books and he'd look like he was asleep, but would laugh when you said so. He taught me how to do cryptograms when I was 4. That was really cool. He didn't mind if I climbed up in bed with him and Gramma and read or did a cryptogram. He worked word puzzles and different kinds of things like that, too.

He was a member of the Sportsman's Club. I went swimming there. He loved the river. He'd take me for walks by the river and tell me not to be afraid about the tide washing me away. See, the river near their house was only accessable at low tide. High tide the whole beach was gone and the water was up at the road. To me it looked like a long way down. I'm pretty sure he liked to fish.

Unfortunately, I was pretty young when he passed away, so I don't know too much about him. Plus, he was a pretty closed kinda guy. He was always saying things that I didn't quite get like "don't look a gift horse in the mouth". I hadn't gotten a horse... He died just a short while after his mom did. He got Gramma a place at Lewes just before he died- I think he knew he was on his way out. He loved God a lot and I think he was looking forward to seeing him.

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Well, it's time for me to take an asprin and have early morning art class. For some odd reason the kids are singing "oh, dem golden slippers"... Happy weekend to all!

Update on the baby:

Her name is Sparrow, she's 9 months old and has MRSA and Pneumonia. Her dad has to leave for Iraq again in January. Please keep praying for this baby and her family.

Blessings!

Guy Fawkes' Night or Bonfire Night

Remember, Remember

The 5th if November

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot.

I know of no reason

Why Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

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(image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Happy Guy Fawkes Night, all! Or Bonfire Night if you wish. Great story, btw. I highly recommend doing a search and seeing what you think about ol' Guy and his friends.

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The way we see it, Guy's story is guts in the face of persecution. Also, all religious persecution is bad. So, we go out in the dark hours of the night and have a little bonfire and do a coffee "cheers" to the folks who stand up against tyrrany. And no, I don't really endorse blowing anything up to make a point; as I said- read his story and draw your own conclusions. We had fun with it. No, we did not make a straw effigy, though we did burn some straw. And this year since we have more than one neighbor, we had to keep things pretty quiet.

"...no, officer, we're just up really early..."

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The election somehow turned into a civil rights thing and I really thought things were totally equal like my whole life. Weird. Though I will say two things:

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1. All the people who voted for McCain are not haters. They either thought he was more qualified, liked his politics more, or really liked Palin.

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2. McCain's concession speech was one of the best political speeches I've heard in a long time and the best concession speech I've ever heard. We all cried. It was like this beautiful reminder of how great this country really is.

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I'm for praying for the salvation of all our leaders. Yep, I said it. And I think that we really should- it's smart; more productive than fussing; and it's scriptural.

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And that's enough of that. School is still draining. I wish I could do college like homeschool. I'd be studying about things that interested me and that were relevant. And Honestly, I get it already about the Vietnam Conflict. Too many weeks on the same subject is only beating a dead horse. I will say, though, that the text is more fair than most.

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Interesting the FCC's new rules that only apply to conservatives. I can see them telling NPR that for every hour of liberal programming they have to have an hour of conservative programming. Or other stations that for every hour of smutty programming, they have to play an hour of good, clean family programming. Every hour of secular music has to be balanced with religious music and all genres get equal air time. Yea. Right. Interesting how so many rules and laws only apply to certain people. Remember, Remember the 5th of November... ;-)

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Um, so God, (yes, God) provided the money for our power bill. Very nice there. And a few dollars for groceries. Praise the Lord!!! :-) And get this- I'm considered "underclass" so according to my textbook, I should be a Democrat, hopeless, have stupid kids, and no books. Yet, I'm a Republican (though my party needs serious HELP), I have more books than I can count, and all of my kids are gifted. Hmm. Oh, and I'm one of the most hopeful people I know. Go figure. Stereotyping bad, ugh. (trollspeak- not a stereotype since trolls are fictional...)

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Well, this sounds kind of negative. But, you spend 5 weeks dredging through the 60s and 70s and see how cheery you sound! ;-)(heehee) Didn't Carter come into office with the Dems controlling both houses? PLEASE do NOT replay the 70s!!!!!~~~~shudder~~~~~~

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I wonder if a Constitution Party would ever be on the horizon? The "fringe" parties don't seem to do so well, but it'd be refreshing for some folks who were Constitutionalists to find their voices. Argh! I am so done with politics. But I guess it's understandable being an election week...

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Well, all- have a happy day.

2 prayer requests:

1. A friend of mine with 2 young kids has to have radiation treatments for the next 6 weeks.

2. A little baby is in the hospital with a bad staph infection- a friend of my husband's sister's child.

THANKS!!!!!!!

God Bless America!!!!

Rose

Meanderings of the Overstudied Mind

This is main street in a town near where we live. The main street where I grew up is one way and has a slower speed limit- but then it is a tourist attraction.

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Ok, I think Solomon was right: much study is a weariness of the flesh. Good gracious- how much negativity can be packed in the pages of required reading?!

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I also need to um, put something I said in perspective. You see, my Aunt Judi had these kids that probably would have qualified for sainthood had they been um, well the third qualification... Anyway, besides Mom who I don't think ever had a worldly bone in her body, the guys and me were going through a worldly phase when we were vacationing in Lewes those summers. By today's standards, we'd have been considered pretty tame- but with such full-of-the-Holy Spirit and unspoiled-by-the-world kids as Aunt Judi had, that's why I said I'd not have the kids hang around with us. I dread to think how long it took her to undo the ickiness I brought with me when I came to visit her home when I was a teen. If I was Catholic, I'd still be doing pennance.

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Ok, so after 6 hours of school tonight- college-I think I'm going a little crazy. I'm singing weird songs that sound like some kick-back from the 1940s and I have all this nervous energy. Problem is, it's 4:30 in the morning. Even homemakers need a vacation. And for the last two weeks ("two weeks...") The Eve of Destruction has ben going round and round in my head. Along with alternate verses that I'm sure Barry never thought of. I'm being as crazy (and loud) as my brother Jake and it's freaking the cats out. Probably the neighbors, too...

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So, last night we star-gazed with one of our dogs. Orion was there- he'd been hiding behind the ridge- and so were a few shooting stars. It was really nice. Coveralls make all these freezing excursions seem like summer- without all the bugs and spiders.

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I haven't put my husband in the spotlight yet because he doesn't like it. He's really cool. And he's a Veteran. I don't think he'd mind me sharing that. God bless our troops and our vets!

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Childhood memories... the boys used to watch Kung Fu movies on Saturdays and I'd read in there with them after chores were done. Then, during the week, the boys would practice what they'd learn. They were great at jumping off rooves (spelling intentional) and flying kicks. I tried the roof-jumping thing, but I never did learn how to land properly. Then we'd often start a fire and roast things in the back yard.

We really did have a lot of fun adventuring when we were young. We all 3 had great imaginations, so we didn't need much to entertain ourselves. My eyesight was too bad to do some of the adventurous things they did- like exploring some of the "rich people's" houses. I was kind of klutzy (eyesight again) and would have gotten us caught. So, I'd hang out in their back yards looking at the flower gardens or fish ponds while the boys explored. Of course, once Mom found out that was the end of that- kind of... ;-)

Sometimes we'd go up to Main Street- which shut down promptly at 5- and climb up on the rooves of the shops. Such fun. We'd pretend all sorts of things- from super heroes to super burglars. But on none of our forays did we steal anything. Mom had taught us better than that.

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Mom was this really amazing example. She was never judgy and she was always lending hope and encouragement to the downtrodden. I really admire that. I loved the few years she was able to be a homemaker. The peace and stability she gave us was wonderful. And even when she was working, she always tried to be there for us and any of our friends who needed a caring mom. She always saw the best in people. A rare trait it seems, but a very good one.

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Well, today continued the Walnut Harvest. I think it must be easier to get them out of their hulls by running over them with the truck, so tomorrow I'll try that. We have a mess of them gathered with more in the upper yard to get still.

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We had a couple of the neighbor kids try to sneak up on us tonight for some reason. I reckon they must think we're vampires or something. After we went up to two of them, then others came with them to the house. They were all nervous- almost like it was a dare or something...

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Perhaps because we have a dog with the disposition of a ceberus; we seem to never go outside until the sun is setting; and we're often armed. I learned that all of the neighbors thought my husband was the only parent of three teens- possibly because I play so much with my kids... And him- they were worried that he was a "Still in Saigon" kind of guy. Not real sure if that is shining a light or being a blessing... But...We're nice to our neighbors when we see them and we visit the elderly on our road often. Hmm. Oh, and my daughter playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (a traditional vampire tune in the movies) very late at night has probably not helped our image. I've been outside when she was playing and it really carries. Heehee. Too funny.

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Well, good morrow to all.

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Rose

Election Woes

"The Prayer at Valley Forge painted by Henry Brueckner, engraved by John C. McRae. George Washington is shown praying under trees with his military camp in the background. " Images and text courtesy of The History Place, Web address below.

www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/wash-pix/gallery.htm

I have always thought that George Washington looked a lot like my Grandfather Carl. Why couldn't we have someone like General Washington on the ballot? My, my. can you imagine the debates? Oh, we'd have to have Thomas Jefferson as the VP candidate... heehee- I bet the press would love him. Alas, we do not live in the Walgreens World.

Now, while it is currently my protected right to say who I would like to see in office, I'm not gonna. I think either way it goes, there will be violence. And I would not be surprised if there was a carefully orchestrated (by the candidate himself) assasination attempt before the election. If not, look for one if he wins. It's the perfect excuse to declare marshal law and take away what few rights we do have left. Mmmhmm. Halloween is the perfect 'holiday' to be having just before this election.

What do the kids say about the coming election? Well, let's let 'em speak for themselves. For their protection, I'll be calling them Kid A and Kid B and there is no particular order here. The nation is at a crossroads.

What do you think about the election?

Kid A: Let the Lord's will be done.

Kid B: Well, this could go two ways. If canidate a is elected, our country may spiral into communist terror, where 'hate speech' and government control are the main things of the day. If canidate b is elected, our country might just hold together for a few more years. Either way, war, fear, another depression, and the general way of the world, will continue to worry us. I think we all need to pray that God's perfect will will be done. Only He can fix the problems of our broken world. All we can do is pray, and stand fast.

Now let's ask the same question of the interplanetary members of our household.

Google A: Purple lips? Honestly, how did he get those? Canidate A puts me to sleep.

Google B: vote freedom 08, or you can vote Willie Wonka 08 :).

Google C: (singing) oh, no you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction (harmonica tweets)

(See previous posts for info on the Googles.)

I wonder how many people will Write-in Joe the Plumber...

Seriously, as a student of history, this whole political atmosphere gives me the heebie-jeebies.

And is this for real??? Is there seriously a dress code for the polling locations??? Voters cannot vote unless they are wearing state-approved clothing? Ok, I looked it up. Not that I'd wear a political shirt to the polls anyway, but this seems like a First Ammendment violation. In Virginia it was passed because of intimidation of voters by thugs standing outside with their candidate apparel, also why people endorsing a candidate are not allowed too close to the polling place here. I'm not sure about the rest of the country. It just seems a little nuts to me. Say I wear a "Doctor Who for President" shirt- I reckon I'll be told to go home and change- even though it's not logical intimidation seeing as he's not a US National...

Here are links to a couple of stories about the issue:

http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Oct04/0,4670,WhatVotersWear,00.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/04/politics/main4501531.shtml

On to other things...

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The Black Walnut Harvest is going pretty well. It's a tricky process for a townie like me. After the nuts fall, you have to wait until their hulls turn black- which means the hull-worms have done their job. Well, if they're in the yard, you may be waiting 'till next spring for this to happen; so we are relocating them to the gravel driveway. Getting them up is a hands-and-knees process.

Well, you take the blackened ones and roll over them with your hiking boot. That gets them out of the hull. But, wear gloves, because they are still damp and will stain your hands. Then you put them on a sheet or tarp to dry in the sun, packing them up nights so the dew doesn't get 'em. Mold is a concern, you see? After they are dry and have no traces of hull-worms, you bake them or shell them (anvil and hammer are recommended, they'll break chintzy modern nutcrackers) and freeze them. They can be enjoyed either way. Some folks recommend drying them out near a woodstove and using newspaper. This guy has pictures of the special nutcracker used for black walnuts:

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/BlackWalnut.html

We're still in the gathering phase. I'll let you know how they turn out.

********

I had no idea my Aunt Judi (of Runnemede Remembered fame) used to vacation in Lewes, too. I wonder why we didn't go that week? After all, the other side of the family was there for a long time and Dad could take his vacation whenever. I wish we'd all met up. Though in all honesty, we probably would've been a bad influence on her family. They were a long-term really good influence on me, but we were a worldly bunch back then that I wouldn't have wanted my kids hanging around!

Sometimes I ponder what course our lives would have taken had but one or two decisions been made differently. I'm sure everyone thinks of things like that sometimes, but with the nation truly at a crossroads I reckon it's on my mind more. How many of us will think "if only I'd..." in the months to come? Best to stay close to God and hold on tight!

Well, it's story time again- for the kids, not the BLOG. I've got to get now. Still aiming to go outside and stargaze for a few minutes. I can't seem to find Orion since we moved. Have a good weekend everyone! And please remember to pray for our country and Israel and the British Isles and... ;-)

ttfn

Rose

Brrrr!

Brrrrr! Tonight is cold! This picture is from 2004 which had to be the worst year EVER. But, it passed and was not without it's nice moments.


This night we were at my cousin's house in PA just
before my Gramma's second funeral. Yes, she had two funerals. One down South and one up North. My family and Aunt Susan attended both.


Gramma was a real character, so it was only fitting that she should go out in style.


(looking uo toward heaven: HI, GRAMMA!!!!)


****


Well, Sunday, we did indeed make it to the AM service. We live in an old mining town and took a field trip up to another old mining town. We went deep into the beautiful mountains. From up that high, you could see the fog tracing the paths of the rivers and branches- it was AMAZING.


And I must say, it was the best church service I've been to since 2006. The Book of Jude was the text & if you've not read it in awhile, I highly recommend it- a lot of good stuff in that little book.


Afterwards, we ate hotdogs and frozen custard- a rare treat, the custard. And yes, I had sprinkles!


*****


There's something about the old mining towns. A sense of the real, if you know what I mean. People are who and what they are and are accepting and unashamed. If they don't like you, you will know it- unlike places which are superficial, the mining towns may be closed to outsiders, but if you are welcomed in- you are truly welcome. Hardworking folks, who have never had anything easy or handed to them- and would be appalled at the idea of not working for what they have- I love them! And when they worship, it is for real. We all had a great experience with the folks and I can't wait 'till I can go back again.


*****
The top pic with the 3 dudes... these are my cousins after the funeral. My Gramma was buried on New Year's Eve and at the beach (big grin). Some of us went to the place where my cousins used to have a cottage and the family used to all get together summers. I reckon I was about 12 or 14 when my family quit going. I wish we'd kept that, you know? It was really a great time. I'll tell a little about it.
****
Dad would get his vacation and hook up a boat if he had one to a pick-up truck or a van. He'd chuck mattresses in the back of the truck and my brothers and myself would ride back there. Dad had a habit of getting distracted talking to Mama and would kindof be all over the road. This happened whatever vehicle we were in and my brothers and me would usually have to hit the glass to ask to pull over so we could sick up. Dad liked to take HWY 52, which was crooked- but whichever way he took, we'd be green long before we got to Delaware.
****
Sometimes we'd stay at a hotel and sometimes with Gramma. Aunts Judi and Susan I think spent a month or the whole summer, but we joined for a week. Days we'd head over to Aunt Susan's cottage which was GREAT. It had a screened in porch with one of those spring-loaded doors- the screen was that thick metal mesh you can't find nowadays and it gave a very satisfying -THWACK- when you'd let it close.
***
Unfortunately, there was a danger lurking at Aunt Susan's. You had to have a member of her family there with you or her vicious dog would attack. No big deal unless everyone was busy and you had to go potty. The dog would growl as soon as he heard the screen door creak open. He'd chase you all the way to the bathroom, biting at your ankles all the way and showing how long his fangs were. Did I mention the dog was an itty, bitty fox terrier? I thought for the longest time that the word Terror came from the same roots as Terrier. Ah, yes. Tinker. The dog from you-know-where.
******
The dunes were high and the walk down to the beach seemed so long with the hot sand underfoot, but soon you were at the bay. And we could take the dinghy out or swim- just beware of jellyfish and horseshoe crabs. The grown-ups were always talking, sitting in itchy chairs. I'd wait for the sandbar to show up and go out to chase around hermit crabs. It was a whole different world out there on the little, sinking "island". Mama would "walk forever" with me sometimes, but usually Dad wanted her close- the old romantic!
******
See, I was a betwixt and between. All my cousins were of an age and in 3s. The older 3, then me, then the middle 3, then the youngest 3. So, I spent a lot of time just walking the shore and swimming alone or riding my bike. I'd try to sit with the grown-ups, but... and then my Uncle Richard would notice that the kids were ignoring me and so were the adults and he'd invite me out on one of his boats. He was so good to me that way. He taught me all about rigging and the boom, how to lean with the Catamaran (sp?) and how to tack if the wind wasn't cooperating. He was full of interesting information about the water and boats and the creatures of the sea and the weather. He could tell a storm was coming long before clouds were visible. And best of all, he always, always just accepted me for how I was. He never tried to play head games with me or see how smart (or dumb) I was- he was just there- the perfect uncle. (waves toward heaven again)
*****
Nights we'd build a bonfire and roast sandy marshamllows and watch the stars. Now, one of these nights Mama would save for me to "walk forever" picking up smooth stones and watching the lights of the Cape May Ferry. We'd have sweatshirts and jeans on, but we'd be barefoot (my favourite way to be) and we'd sometimes flip a coin to see which way to go. It was so much fun. And the lights and stars were so pretty and peaceful. We'd skirt other people's bonfires and keep going 'till we got tired and then we'd turn around and come back. I was blind as a bat, so the lights were especially glowy and beautiful- a magical time for me.
****
And one night- usually the last- we'd go to the pier at Rehoboth Beach. The waves at Rehoboth were bigger, but that's another story. The pier was great! The Haunted House with it's jerky cars was a must, as was the Ferris Wheel. I usually rode both with my middle brother. We'd get a big, soft pretzel to share with Mama, and each of us got a slice of the foldy kind of pizza- totally different from pizza down South. Very flour-y tasting crust and if you weren't careful, the cheese would be in your lap. And I'd spend my money on a box of salt-water taffy. I loved that stuff- & still do!
Later, we'd step down to the beach to look at the waves and walk a little ways- this Mama did with me and the boys & possibly some cousins, while my Dad was socializing with the adults. We'd watch the teens throwing back and forth the glowy things and dip our toes in the water. It was usually very windy, so we didn't stay by the water too long. We'd stand back and just look at the waves and the stars and the lights on the other side of the bay. Lovely. :-)
Then it was back to where we were staying for one last night before the sweaty, carsick ride home. But, between bouts of sicking up, my brothers and I usually had a great laughing time.

*******
Well, I reckon that's all for tonight. Stay warm, everyone!
Rose

School, school, school

At least I can say it's not as bad as all that- just time consuming. Really, really time consuming.
*****
I still need to get up all the black walnuts & put them where they can dry out... The hullworms have done their work on the ones that fell in the driveway, but the ones in the yard are still green. I reckon I need to move them to the driveway, too.
******
Avon Website is back up- I'm an ERep again.
http://www.youravon.com/rosesnow
Anyone wanting to drop by, it's free shipping directly to you on orders of $15 or more right now. :-D Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...
****
I got to see one of my Aunts today- she's a peach- super smart and just a lovely person inside and out. Queen Susan, that's her. It was a nice visit with her and Mama. I love days like today.
The one complaint I have is that I wasted time. Of all the things I could have done, I watched Psycho. Ick. Hitchcock was all about pushing the limits of the Code at that time, wasn't he?
But, the rest of the day was super great.
The sky was October Blue and the leaves were all colourful, the views of the mountains were Christmas card clear- beautiful!
*****
Well, I'm off to read Bible with the kids and take a nap. We are hoping to make it to a morning service- which third-shift living doesn't usually allow for us. We'll try it this way & I'll let ya know how it goes.
******
Remember folks, October is Pastor Appreciation Month. So, if you haven't appreciated a pastor yet, time's running out! ;-)
Oh, and only a few more days 'till the election- Go out and Vote Informed. :)
~~Rose

Put God First- He'll Take Care of the Rest

Today was a good day.

I was reminded last night as I was so overwhelmed with my to-do list that there is a simple formula that has never failed me in all the years since I met Jesus for real:

***************************************

Put God First

and He will

Take care of

the Rest

***********************************

So, after waking up to my very cool ringtone (Dvorak's New World Symphony- thanks, Verizon!), I decided to try this whole thing again.

And, yes- it still works. We had a very loving, productive day, homeschool and college went great, and I also got a couple of Avon orders- thanks, God!!- and listened to that same Symphony all the way through while we ran errands. Lovely! Pretty blue sky, beautiful mountains, changing leaves, and green, green grass. Sigh...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, is it just me or was anyone else having trouble concentrating during the debate last night? Politics. Hmm. Balanced on the edge of a knife, this country is (as dear Yoda would say). Ok, enough about that. Less than a month will see it. My son asked me if we'd ever had a dead even tie. Now, that would be interesting...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll get the hang of this BLOG yet. Honest! My Aunt Judi has the most wonderful backgrounds for hers, but I can't find anything like that yet. At least it's less confusing than Facebook.

Speaking of Aunt Judi... she gave us these WONDERFUL science books. Oh, yea. LOVE THEM! And the kids just pick them up and read them for fun. I love homeschool. So much better than "other school". I like the quest for knowledge, the love of wisdom, and the actual enjoyment of learning. What a blessing!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The picture above is one of my daughter's favorite pieces of art. I'm not sure of the artist, but it's Mozart and his wife just before he died. He was composing Requiem. Beautiful!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And for my Really Cool Anonymous People section:

***************************************************

Tonight's guest is Brother So 'n So!

Brother So 'n So is a really, really cool person. He is a teacher and preacher. He has been through an amazing amount of grief and strife, yet still shines the light and love of Jesus in a gentle and loving way. If you have a question about scripture, Brother So 'n So is the person to ask. He is really quite a lot like my Grampa Carl. He has some pretty impressive ancestors, too. He also has an appreciation for redbud trees, bagpipes, and real history. How cool is that???

^^^

So, let's say a "Thank You, Lord!" for letting us know this blessed Christian. And may we all pray that God would bless him and his loved ones and encourage their spirits- by way of saying thanks for being a faithful servant of God through such hard times.

^^^

Thank you!!!

^^^

a note about the Really Cool Anonymous People section. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. These are real people that need real prayers. No deceased people will be mentioned in this section because their names do not need to be protected anymore. There may be a section later for these people as they deserve an honourable mention also.

^^^^^

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, it's time for the bedtime literature and Bible class. We're reading about Corrie Ten Boom, the Great Depression, and Grimm's Fairy Tales (probably why the word "Grim" is Grim). In Bible it's the 2nd installment of the day, so it's the Idiot's Guide to the Bible and Proverbs. A happy way to end the day!

Blessings!!!!

Rose

Another Day in the Life

Well, the catering went great! I'm glad it's done, though. Now back to life and all that goes with it. I think for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we'll be doing a pot-luck... that's what I'm suggesting... and open it up to the folks of the community for free- well advertised, etc. with music and prizes, gifts at Christmas for the kids. Pray it works out.

Today was pretty great so far. We went to a mini-farm and fed chickens & goats. There are many, many types of chickens! These were smart and friendly- the lady who keeps them has really tamed them. The kids had a good time.

The picture was from when the kids and me were "playing" Homer's Iliad. You see Hector walking toward the camp after a greuling battle with one of the Ajax boys. "Homer" took the picture ;-). Ajax is in the background somewhere- recovering from his injuries- or running away (heehee). Our sword & spear fights get pretty intense. It's a great way to incorporate PE into Literature and Drama. Ah, Unit Studies...

So, people are pretty worried about the economy, the elections, and the state of the nation. Get praying, is what I say. If we put 1/100th of the time into praying about it as we do fussing about it, we'd see a major and positive change in our country. But, that's all for my soap-box. We all know...

A word about my folks. My dad is super smart and is pastor. He'd do well in politics, I think- he just has that charisma and real problem-solving skills. There would be no "change" without a definition attached- he'd analyze the problem and find the best solution for it- no reason to blindly follow here, and I've no doubt he'd get very real results that everyone could see.

And my mom is one of the sweetest people alive on the planet. She's like the embodiment of Christ's love. She actually LIVES the Golden Rule. She's super smart and beautiful inside and out and has a great sense of humor.

I think I have some of the very best parents a girl could ask for. They've both taught me a lot.

Good night, all!

Rose

A Beautiful Day

Hi, again! Ah, the lovely autumn. Warm days and crisp nights... what's not to love?

I got most of my baking and cooking done last night- worked until 8 this morning, but with good results. The kids are tired of catering and are looking forward to Sunday when it'll all be done and they'll have Mama back. ;-) I am, too. Maybe after they're grown, but for now...

The Clone Wars cartoon is pretty cool. Scifi Friday, a lovely routine.

Oh, we also like Dickens and Homer. I didn't put them on my book list. And I agree with my Aunt, Jane Austen is pretty good, too.

"Willoughby... grrowl, grrumble, grrummble", as we say around here. And of course, who could forget the Bard? Shakespeare is ultimate and soooo much FUN without English teachers lousing up his plays.

Busy day scheduled for tomorrow. Mama's supposed to come up for a short visit (YAY!) and then we're over to the hall to set up at 4. I just hope I have enough food. 16 quarts of chili and the cobbler weighs close to 15lbs...

The rechargable batteries for my digital camera won't recharge anymore, so the picture above is an older one. But, days like that one are what I live for. Peaceful, uncomplicated, no rushing around- just enjoying family, our critters, and the great outdoors. We like to sing hymns when we walk- it gets us looked at funny sometimes, but it is very enjoyable. And it just seems like the thing to do. Out in the peaceful countryside, it's easy to see some of what God had in mind when He created this planet.

Well, I reckon I'd best get back to the last bits of cooking. Have a lovely weekend, all!

Rose

Catering?? What was I thinking?

Oh, yes. As if I did not have enough to do, I volunteered- that's right- volunteered to cater a harvest party. The amount of guests was supposed to be around 35, but then I heard it was advertized on the local cable channel. The musicians I'm "helping out" say they're not sure how many will be there now, "better plan for a bunch". No problem, but I live in a little country house with a little country kitchen and cupcakes have taken over my dining room. My fridge is the usual size and my freezer is full of grapes that are waiting to be made into jelly. But that's typical for me, I guess. If it wasn't like "Dinner Impossible", I probably wouldn't be doing it.

The picture is of Google, by the way. He is part of the family along with Mike and Greeney, their wives and kids. No, I'm not completely crazy, these guys take on a life of their own. %)

Some background? Hmm. I grew up in "Mayberry". I'm a homeschool mom, college student, homemaker, and Avon Lady. I go to an awesome church (yes, I said 'awesome') and hang out with little old ladies a lot. I personally think they're the best- tied with little kids for most interesting company besides my family. And how I love, love, love my family!

Oh, I'm on Facebook- about once every 6 weeks. It's confusing and I'm not crazy about it- AT ALL- but, it's the only place I know I can get ahold of my kinfolks. I don't see how they have time, but they're on there nearly every day. I hope I can make more time to blog. My Aunt Judi brought it out in me- just as she did with the homeschooling thing. It turned out so well, I reckoned I'd try blogging, too. We'll see how it goes.

Oh, for the curious... the musicians want:

chili, shephers'd pie,bbq weenies, pigs in blankets, hotwings, chips w/dip & dalsa, veggie platter, crackers & cheese platter, 300 cupcakes, strawberry cobbler, and 300 big cookies. I think I got it all...

Well, TTFN! I'm off to bake some more!

Rose