The BLOGging Bug

And now for a word from our sponsors...

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This BLOG has a few very important sponsors. One of which is God, so here's a Word from Him:

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

**********Song of Solomon 2:13

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Sponsor #2 is Red Dragon/Zane Smith (the alias master) here are some words from him/her.

I am Vulucion raptunus. the weather is volcanic, boiling hot and smokey here in Pompeii. the business at the hotel that I own has been rather Dead lately, but I'm sure that there will be another archaeologist to poke and prod my dead bones. so please stay at Pompeii International.

Sponsor #3 is a well known Sous Chef (well known around here, anyway...)

Brain Power

Do you wants foods that help you think? You should try tuna! It has omega-three fatty acids that really help your brain to function.

Carmen Sandiego says: I eat tuna all the time, and look at the plots I think up!

Doctor Who says: I like to keep a good supply of tuna. I need all the help I can get to think of ways to beat the bad guys.

Silar says: I definitely recommend brain foods like tuna. Keep your minds healthy. After all, I"m going to be eating them!

So eat tuna, and help your mind grow!

Um, okay...

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Sponsors #2-3 are actually members of my family who are trying out BLOGging for fun in a safe environment. I told them they could write whatever they wanted, but they apparently took the sponsor thing seriously. heehee. Such fun we have.

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And tomorrow after church, LOST is on. I heart that show so much. We were really sad to see Battlestar Galactica (reimagined) go. And "you will know the answers"? Oh, really? So, was Starbuck really Aurora? Maybe it's like my daughter said and they typed it wrong. It was supposed to say "WILL you know the answers". Mmmhmm. But, it was a good ending for a great show. (and lest you think I let my kids watch Gaius Baltar with his harem, I sent them out of the room for the "racy" parts. That's the one thing I didn't like about the show: the smutty stuff was unnecessary and didn't add to it one bit). I do wish they could have kept it going, though as I'm sure I will wish about LOST after its final season.

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Ok, enough about TV. Now it's time to go and play a game before bed. Redemption sounds good. Well, everybody have a great day.

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ALSO, any helpful tips would be appreciated about how to add a site meter (though, I'm thinkin' that could be a little depressing) and how Lori adds ALL those pics all through her posts- I can only add them at the top. Well, I'm still new at the world of BLOGging. I am SOOOOO glad about changing schools. Please everybody pray with me that it goes off without a hitch. Thanks bunches!!!!

xoxox

The Skunk was not Lynched, Well, not Exactly...

Well, the answer you've all been waiting for is finally here.

The skunk was not lynched...well, not exactly.

You see, my neighbor had a skunk problem that was similar to the one my cousin had. Once you catch the varmit, how to dispose of him? $300+ is not a good option for most people. So, my neighbor used his truck to drag the cage away from the house at high speed and at the end of a long rope. He then shot said skunk as animal control wanted no parts of it. He made a lasso/noose and threw it over the skunk's head and tried to throw it toward the bed of his pickup truck. It then caught of a protruding piece of metal. Well, since the skunk smelled pretty bad at this point, he just let it hang as he hauled it away to an undisclosed location for disposal (I'm sure the local buzzards thanked him for the easy meal). So, that's the solution to the lynched skunk mystery. My neighbor thought it was pretty funny that I'd even noticed and especially enjoyed all of our theories. ;-)

An unnamed person was told "everybody has blonde moments" by the local volunteer fire department. And that is all I am going to say about it.

I have some GREAT news! It seems that I can indeed switch schools mid degree without penalty. I am really happy about it as it is a BIG answer to prayer. So, God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be ending my lefty college days by the 26th of April. I'm trading up for a more local school that is more along my lines. Thanks, God!!!

The kids are becomming real Iron Chefs. Pretty cool. Son is more like Bobby Flay and daughter's like a mix of Cat Cora and Morimoto.

Texting and Facebook are the for-real time thieves. Good grief! I'm going back to my once every 6 weeks status with both things. Though, I'll probably still text my Texas daughter often.

Laodicea does not let people withdraw their memberships easily. Nope.

Well, after a semi-cryptic post, I'll bid y'all adeiu. God's blessings to y'all and may He heal our land.

ttfn

The Last Few Days

So, What have we been doing the last few days?

We took about an hour and a half to watch the most beautiful moon rise over the ridge.

We got our land plowed and spent time just chatting with neighbors.

We took most of yesterday afternoon up till around 10PM gathering and burning brush and watching how pretty the flames can be. How the darker the night, the more that even dying light shines brightly.

School. My lovely college assignments (hiss) and some really great classes with the kids. Bible class has been especially great and with that I have noticed almost an increase in available time. Funny how when we have puny Bible class, the day flies by with nothing much by way of substance. But, when we have really great Bible classes, the day takes on almost a magical quality. Time seems drawn out so we can enjoy things like the moon and stars coming out, playing together, and still get everything done that needs doing. Pretty cool.

So, ethnic identity? My Aunt seems to identify largely with the Italian American South Philly group. She's the only one I know in the family who seems to have delved into that. I identify myself as Southern American. A vastly misunderstood and diverse group. But as far as where my people came from? Shoot, I'm completely in the dark about it. In talking with a couple of relatives lately, it seems like I had all the facts WRONG about our cultural past. I think we're just American Mutts. There seems to be so much emphasis on this topic lately and not just in college- like since the Clinton administration.

I grew up thinking my Grandpa Carl was German, but he was Austrian British, and his name wasn't actually Carl at all. Not that it tells me anything more than that. I still know squat about his background. I found out that my great gramma Lucy wasn't really sent over here to Pennsylvania by her poor family to escape the pogroms in Poland before WWII, but that she came over here to Massachussets(!) to be a nanny. My religious Dutch ancestors didn't really marry the Native Americans to help them escape persecution, but they were actually river traders, nonreligious, and married the Native Americans because they thought they were prettier than the Dutch women. At least they settled in NC. Though how the other part of the family ended up in South Jersey where my gramma Betty was born, I still can't figure out.

My Great Gramma & Grampa were Mert and Bert. Heehee. They ran a boarding house- I think it was in NJ. She was the Dutch/Native American and he was German. Though, that info might be faulty as well. It seems that Great-Grampa Frank was not just an old alcoholic coal miner from Lithuania, but had a genius IQ and could speak 5 different languages. No wonder he drank. I'd probably drink too if I had to work in those dark, dingy old mines. How did he end up that way??? I may never know. Grr. Ok, so as far as I can figure I'll put it like this:

MOM= her mother was of Northern Italy/Sicily decent; her dad was Austrian/British

pretty basic as far as it goes, right? Well, that's all I've got except her mom's dad may have been of Celtic descent with his red hair and blue eyes. A friend from the Ukraine said a lot of the Northern Italians show those Celtic roots.

Dad: he's got to be split

Gramma Betty: mom:Dutch/ Native American (though my Aunt says there is some Jewish adoption somewhere in the family tree) dad: German

Grampa Stan: mom: Polish (her dad was a burgermeister or something, not rich but a position of prominence in his village); dad: Lithuanian, though a friend from Europe says his name is Polish.

And that's all I know. It might not even be accurate as far as it goes. For some reason I'm stuck in itallics. It's not for dramatic effect; the computer is just being weird and won't let me change it. Fixed? Whew.

So, do any of you know any more? Since I think my audience comprises my mom, one of my aunts, and one of my cousins (;-) maybe one of you can tell me. In the big scheme of things I'm sure it doesn't really matter. I'm just really curious.

Anything else going on? Well, we're just trying to take each day and really live it. Enjoy the fleeting moments of this life with as much peace, happiness, and love as possible. We even enjoyed the sleet last night. You may think we're just easily amused country folks. I choose to see it that we have a childlike wonder for all the really beautiful things that God still blesses this world with. And having lost that before, I am cherishing it for as long as the good Lord allows me to keep it this time.

I hope everyone has a really lovely weekend!!

ttfn

Oh, the image above was taken from my Aunt Judi's BLOG. It's miscelaneous relatives I know nothing about. I'm pretty sure that the two people on the far left (upper and lower row)are my maternal grandparents Carl and Rose Drexler. ;-) And on second look, I think the lady fourth from the left on the bottom row is my great grandmother- I don't know her first name and her last name I can't pronounce, let alone spell. Sbraglia?? She does not look Italian to me, but Jewish. Though the family says there is no Jewish blood on that side of the family at all. Hopefully I'll get introduced to them all in heaven and get to know them there. Now that would be really great! ;-D

Ramblings and Meanderings

This is my crazy, computer saavy brother. I still can't figure out how to upload pics from my cell phone, but he can do all this photomanipulation stuff. He's hillarious. And my uncles remind me of him a lot- we've only hung out with my mom's brothers a few times in our lives, but their sense of humour seems to be just like my youngest brother's. Not to mention he looks a bunch like my mom's youngest brother- a South Jersey feller who is really fun to be around.

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So, I'm listening to Radio Rivendell after a fun game with husband and kids, checked the BLOGs, and here I am. The trees have budded out even more since yesterday. It was another beautiful day- Tshirt weather with a nice breeze, blue skies, and fluffy clouds. So, I sat outside and did my studying after we'd done with homeschool for the day and the kids shot eachother with Nerf guns. The kitten kept trying to steal the darts while she wasn't harassing the dogs. It was nice, peaceful fun.

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I got to talk with my Mama today. :-) She's really the bestest mom in all the world. I wish I could protect her from all the bad stuff that's out there, but God does a pretty good job of that. She's really amazing in all she's been through- she's kept the faith, kept her love for Christ, and her love for others. Hmm, a memory of Mom? She doesn't like it when I post old stuff about her.

I remember Mother's Day when I was a teen. I reckon it was '87 or somewhere thereabouts. Mom was working at Walmart by this time. Anyway, she loved violets and purple, I had a job and bought her this pretty purple sweater and had picked her a bunch of violets. She put the sweater on and looked so beautiful in it, I had her go into the yard so I could take her picture. I need to figure out how to scan stuff in properly so I can post it. She's like a painting in that picture. The maples were behind her and she was sitting in the fresh, green grass holding those violets. The sunlight was soft and made a halo around her. That's probably how I'll always see Mama in my mind. Geesh, I'm getting all choked up here! Ack! Lump in throat... sniffle... Anyway, I reckon she'll look just like that in heaven- it was as if all the inner beauty that is her shone out for a moment that I am so glad I captured on film.

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Another Mama memory. Mama helped tutor at the grade school in Mayberry. This is how she was- she had a way of being able to bring out the best in people because she saw the best in people- kind of like Miss Mellie on Gone With the Wind. So, she'd take these thuggish kids from abusive families and she'd help them achieve. She'd show them that they did have potential and that it was worth trying to reach it. I'm not sure why she quit doing that- mentoring/tutoring... she was really good at it. She never acted like she was better than anybody, never looked down on anybody- except for this one old sicko that kept stalking me and my friends on his moped- him, she threatened to run over with the big, old Dodge truck. And he believed her- she used her quiet voice.

**note on thuggish kids- I went to school with them- they were thuggish. Leather jackets, cussed like sailors, but Mama brought out the heart of gold in them. So remember: Thugs are people, too.

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All of our guy friends were madly in love with Mama. They all kept praying she'd get a divorce so they'd have a chance with her. Too funny. And she never knew it. She was (and is) such a humble person she doesn't realize what a purely beautiful treasure she is.

She never hardly talks about when she was growing up, which I think is kind of a jip, but it's understandable. I don't like talking about the long ago past either. But one thing she did say was that she really loved the parades they used to have in Runnemede where she grew up. That and the family get-togethers where her Italian kinfolks would come to her house and all sit around the table for hours munching and laughing.

I remember her Dad clacking change in his pocket or a piece of hard candy in his teeth just to get a rise out of Gramma. "Caaarl!" she'd finally say, after a few minutes of taking deep breaths and trying to be patient. And then he'd chuckle and try to look all innocent. My Dad sings goofy songs in an endless loop until my Mama gets exasperated. (both are talents my son and I inherited much to my daughter's and husband's annoyance).

Never could get a straight answer about that skunk. And the neighbor I was standing with when it went by acted like it never happened... strange. Very strange. Though, it could be she's just forgetful- that happens to folks. But, I think I finally weirded out the neighbors past the point where I'm acceptable company. Or they think I'm stuck-up since I hermited out this winter. I dunno, but it'll be okay. Now if I could just get my cat to stop chasing their little dog...

Well, I reckon that's about enough of the meandering and rambling. I need to get my field plowed. I somehow think it's going to be really important to have a good garden this year and get as much canned as possible. If the prices at the grocery store are any indication- still going up and up and up- it might just be the thing that gets us through the next winter.

Toward the end of Leviticus, God tells about what steps He'll take to bring a nation back to Him. It ain't purty. And we're like on step 4.5 of the process- the next one is just about on us and the one after that, I don't even want to think about. Though, meds made from aborted babies that people take would count in that category, too- it doesn't have to be straight up cannabalism. Though, I'd reckon it'd probably be both, sadly enough. (RAFO=read and find out)

Well, that was cheerful! Ok, a better note to end on:

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

How about that? All is not lost. Not yet. Woohoo! Step by step, moment by moment- live in His love, surrendered to Him and see what He does. Glad tidings. God bless y'all!!

Tree Frogs!

:-) I am sooooo happy to be hearing the tree frogs again (spring peepers to some of you). They have such a cheery little song. So, in one week we had 6" of snow (like a sugar snow) and then beautiful spring-time weather. What a blessing!! I'm done with winter, ready for the flowers to bloom. Buds are on the trees and the birds are hopping all over the yard, hikers are flocking to the trails again, and more of the elderly are able to make it to the evening church services. It's just a happy time of year. I didn't realize how much of a hermit I become in the winter months. I enjoy winter, but for some reason it's a time I just hole up with my family.
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Oh, something else really pretty about the snow this week- we had the opportunity to drive over to Rocky Gap right around sunrise. Well, the mountains were lavender with the snow which was gorgeous. But then the sunrise light hit the peaks and turned them a glowy pink. Just beautiful!! Both colours working together like that- folks would think you doctored the picture- you just had to see it. Amazing snow effects we saw this year- sunset when the ground is covered with snow and the sky is heavy with snowclouds makes a light-saberesque nimbus around everything that moves- glowy red and electric blue on the different sides. And no, I wasn't hallucinating- we all saw it. You go, God!!
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And now for the second installment of Really Cool Anonymous People
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This week's person is amazing!!! I've known this person and called him or her a friend for most of my life, but he or she never ceases to amaze me. He or she has experienced and achieved so much, yet is not snooty about it and makes me very happy for him or her that he or she is so full of love. This person is one of the most tallented people I know and one of the best answers to prayer I've ever seen. Today's person is a real inspiration to me and reminds me that we all have a place in this world- a unique place that only we can fill. I am not jealous of this person, though this person is smarter, has more talent, achievements, children, education, and money than I do. Nope. I am proud of this person and so thankful that God allowed me to know and love someone so special.
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And church was really good tonight. ;-) A challenge was issued: just pick one person you know that is lost and pray for that person- really pray for them- this week and see what God can do. Well, DUDE. Just one???? How the heck can I pick just ONE person to pray special stuff on? Isn't that unfair to all the other people who need prayer? I had trouble narrowing it down to twenty! But, I think the point was that if we can't pray for just one person, no wonder our country is in this shape. No wonder so many people are suffering in the blackest darkness. We're not praying like we should.
Too many distractions, yet we expect God just to fix everything when we won't even make this small effort. Almost like how people view the government. They don't want any interferance in their lives, yet they want the government to take care of everything for them from education to health care and all that's in between. Hmmm...
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Speaking of distractions. Battlestar Galactica just keeps getting better. WHY they have to cancel it? It's so with all the good shows. Let's just hope that George Lucas and his marketing skills keep the Clone Wars going. I personally would like to see an alternate path open up- Anakin doesn't have to go bad- it can all change- it is science fiction after all. And that way Padame could have and raise her kids and Luke wouldn't have to be played by Mark Hamill- it's a win-win idea. REALLY. Also, I really liked the Tinkerbell movie. It was just sweet. :-) And LOST is really good this year (another one that's ending soon) Monk is ending, too. Wonder which reality shows will be trying to fill the gap? Sigh. As good as Americans are at good fiction for TV, you'd think there'd be more of it and less of the swallop. Oh, well. Neilsen ratings...grr... 24 and the Sarah Conner Chronicles are good, too though Fox only has the last 3 epis online. Ok, enough of distractions.
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School is ICKY right now. But, I have to say I thank God for getting me through it so far. AND how amazing of Him to help me not have the anxiety attacks until one week before the Ides of March instead of from January through April's Callends like it usually is. Thanks, God!! (LONG story. Bad time of year for me. Horrible things.) But, all the kids stuff is helping.
Homeschool is super great right now. I'm thanking God for that, too. I need an engaging Math program, though. Dry Math is well, dry. And I don't have time with college going on to rework all the curriculum to make it more enjoyable. If anyone has any ideas about a math program (especially Algebra) that is interesting, fun, and explains things properly- I'm all open for suggestions.
We're all doing the ancient classics now. So we're back to playing Homeric Epics in the back yard. Oodles of fun, but I'm going to have to invest in some Nerf swords. Nerf guns make for decent projectile weapons, but the staves we use for spears- well, Nerf would really be better. Both kids are amazing with their creative writing. Daughter is branching out from Fantasy to SciFi and son is really good at writing mysteries. Which I think is great. Both genres need good quality writers who don't throw in the obligatory smut and cussing. We have this saying- if you don't like it, write it better. So that's what they're doing. This life is precious.
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Well, have a great week, all! I'll try to post more often, but I've gotten so I really despise computers. Well, I'm off to play a little with the kids and then to sleep, perchance to dream...

jrs