Stormy Weeks

I like how Ben Franklin is just kinda lounging down there at the front. This is a great painting.



http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=32240 A nice bit of conservative snarkiness from Ann Coulter. I mean that in a good way. I love her dry humour and her gift for sarcasm. She does it the right way- like many in my mother's family- don't undervalue good sarcasm, my friends. ;-)
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=32258 and here's a really decent article about Israel.




My mom 'threatened' my son with broccoli and he promptly told her it wouldn't work, he was in The Club. That gives him rights and protection, evidently. I almost feel bad for planting the stuff in the garden, now. Maybe that's why my garden tools broke and now I'm having to use a stick and a stone for everything. (It's not so bad, really- but I misplaced the stone that fit my hand properly...) Hoeing is impossible, though- so it's all tedious digging out clumps of grass with a curved rock- sigh. But, Mama told me that many of the Israelites that returned to their homeland after WWII did much the same- and they were town people trying to learn as they went, too. That really did make me feel better.





I HATE earwigs. ICK. They're so bad on this side of the county- probably because of the many rivers and creeks. But- eeew. I still love it here.





Since it decided to storm all week, we've been sort of remodeling. Repainting the kitchen, rearranging the furniture, getting rid of clutter, etc. It's been nice. And yes, I have painted all of my walls here with a 1 1/2" brush. It is the only thing I can use that doesn't hurt my hand like crazy. But, it works well. And less spray over than a roller. I'm not sure if a roller would hurt my hand or not- I don't presently have one. But we use what we have on hand and the small brush does just fine. Oh, and the house downstairs anyway is not lath and plaster like I thought. Apparently there was an old form of drywall in the early 50s. It's kind of a let down, really. But, it's still kind of interesting.





We visited a friend's house for a bit tonight. I'm really happy for this person for finding such a great place. And I really hope that God blesses our friend very much.



http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html

Just in case your link thing doesn't work, the text is at the end of today's BLOG. It's just the original ones, 1-10. But the link has a "next amendment" feature to follow up on the rest of them.

Something interesting, according to a couple of people I talked with, the subject of the founding and the founders' intents is on many people's minds lately. Oh, and in a previous post I mentioned the Fincastle Resolutions. Here's an article for any who are interested:
http://richmondthenandnow.com/Newspaper-Articles/Fincastle.html
I also think it is unfortunate that Lead Mines Road (an historical name) was changed to Lead Mine Road because of a dumb mistake in printing the signs. Sigh. I've seen the place from a short distance where this document was signed and discussed. It's still a beautiful area.
There's a book on the History of Grayson County that includes some really good stuff about the War for Independence. Unfortunately, I'll have to ask my library for the info on it, but I'll put a link when I do. For now, here's a site that has some really great books that deal with early history in the USA by state. http://www.twincommonwealth.com/geocat.html#va

Well, I reckon the time has come to get back to painting. I hope everyone has a great weekend!




Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.