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.

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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!!!!)


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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.


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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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)
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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...
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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!
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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.
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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:

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Put God First

and He will

Take care of

the Rest

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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...

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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...

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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!

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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!

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And for my Really Cool Anonymous People section:

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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.

^^^^^

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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