My favorite recipes

I have decided to add my favorite recipes to my blog...today I'm making bread.. my simple recipe is at the column on the right side of this page.. take a look

AACCKKKK!!!!

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you will have $49.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $0.00 today. But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received a $214.00. Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle. It is called the 401-Keg. A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means that, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon! Makes you proud to be an American!

Rosh Hashanah

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means the "head of the year." It is also called the Feast of the Trumpets. The blowing of a ram's horn, a shofar, proclaims Rosh Hashanah, and summons Jews to religious services. Sundown Sept. 29 marks the beginning of the year 5769 and the month of Tishri.
Jews used the ram's horn as a trumpet in Biblical times to announce the new moon, holidays, and war. Today, a variety of horns are used, including curved antelope horns.
While it does have its festive side, Rosh Hashanah is not one big party, as the New Year's celebrations on Dec. 31 tend to be. Rosh Hashanah is a time for personal introspection and prayer. A time of putting your spiritual life in order.

Happy Rosh Hashanah to all my Jewish friends..

God is in Control..

I realize that it sounds like I'm complaining a lot.. but my joy in the Lord is not wavering.. I rely on the fact that God IS in control of all things, and that no matter what happens, He will be caring for me and providing for me and my family too.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46:1-7

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
Psalm 47:7-8

May I point you to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, World News Daily, or the Drudge Report..

$700,000,000,000 ? Just how much is that anyway? The number is staggering, that's for sure.
Since the DRGs (government regulation of insurance companies) appeared some years ago, and then the theft of Social Security funds that we all have saved over our working lifetime.. Medicare problems.. and a number of other government run institutions, it appears to me that our government should stick to the Constitution of this great country. Their track record shows that the congress has already made a shambles of our economy. I don't want them given $700 billion with no strings attached. Someone should require that anyone running for congress should have a degree in Economics or at least have taken some courses. I also believe they should have absolute proof that they love this country, and be prosecuted and removed if they turn on it as some members of congress have done in the past few years. There is such a thing as treason.
One can stand on their head and say Christianity had nothing to do with the forming of our nation, but they would still be wrong. We need to recognize that our founders never forgot God, but were thankful in writing for all of us to read 200+ years later.. and then follow their lead.
We ALL need to be on our knees pleading for mercy and praying that God would provide us with honorable Christian men to lead our nation.

OR.. perhaps our forefathers had the right idea- in order to vote, one had to be a male land owner.
Of course, my opinion is just that.. MY opinion, and I do appreciate women's suffrage. But then again, I think the landowner is a more stable voter. He has more to lose, and therefore will pay attention.

I listen to the news.. Democracy vs Thuggery? Be aware.. be very aware

Trust me.......

Anyone remember this? Charlie Brown, trusting that Lucy would hold the football in place.. and then at the last moment moving it so that CB would fall flat.. yeah... I think the American public feels a lot like that with the $700billion bailout. Our 'do nothing' congress seems to beckon to the public.. Trust me.. yeah.. trust me this time.. Nah.. not on a bet!

Today is only a little better than yesterday. Allergies are rampant here. It comes from the dry leaves and molds on them. I'm up and moving better though.. and started looking through my family cookbook.. and decided we'd have apple pie today.. so I made one for Wendell which is sugar free.. and one for the rest of us. ... then I decided that was so easy... I'll bake a cherry pie! And so I did.

Tonite there is no menu... so I'm planning on making a BIG pot of chicken and barley soup with veggies. If there is any left, I may freeze or can it.

the measure of a country

Governor Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president, was scheduled to speak September 22, 2008 at a rally in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza to protest the appearance here of President Ahmadinejad of Iran. Her appearance was canceled by rally organizers who sought a nonpolitical event. You can read her speech here. While I appreciated what she said for the most part, one line jumped out at me as I read it..
"It is said that the measure of a country is the treatment of its most vulnerable citizens."
Though she was pointing out the oppressive and barbaric treatment of women in Iran, that was not MY first thought about who are the most vulnerable citizens of any country. The unborn and the elderly and the disabled.. that would be my thought. It sent a chill up my spine to think how my own country treats these groups of individuals.

Prior to elections I always check to see who the Pro Life candidates are, and then the Pro Death.
I have always felt that if one can be so barbaric as to murder a child before he/she is born, then that person has no regard for humanity or life. And then, how will they treat the disabled and elderly too? Are they just as worthless as the new life that is forming? Why would one want to murder the person who could be the one who might just have the cure for cancer or other horrible diseases? AIDS? God will judge in the end, but as long as I have a voice in government, I will always be aware of how the candidate views the innocent and vote accordingly.
The criteria is simple, and if they pass my test, they have my vote, as I feel they can have a less dynamic campaign, but how they treat others tells me how they handle other situations in the world.

AAACHOOOO!! RAGWEED...the scourge of the neighborhood.. along with goldenrod and the maple trees which surround us. Oh, boy.. John was having a hard time with allergies yesterday. Today I am also sneezing, coughing, and stuffed up and drippy despite all the medicines I take/inhale for them. The good news is that the pollen count is low and will be even lower tomorrow. There are some things for which we can be thankful.
It's to be a typical fall day today.

Today is laundry day for us. We'll be heading out to the laundromat in a few hours and then stopping to get some broccoli for supper tonite. I'm making us a ham dinner and then will be making broccoli cheese soup for tomorrow's lunch- a big favorite at our house.

Not much else happening here.. it's a quiet peaceful day here in WPA.
Have a great day bloggers!

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Romans 8:6-8

Here it is Thursday.. and my special day in the office. How I love my job and my patients too. The good doctor informs me the feeling is mutual.. so say my patients when they have their quarterly visits. I am blessed.
I'll ask that you pray again for us today.. no untoward events and for my skills to be the best yet. Tuesday was wonderful- patients infused safely and I believe I had to 'stick' one patient twice.

Pray for our nation.. for the economy to settle and prosperity to resume. I believe the fact that this is an election year compounds the problems. It seems like our whole world, not just our congress and leaders, is living in some twilight zone of insanity where good is evil and evil is good. This strange New World Order seems to have dropped on us like a concrete piano. Martial law looks like it could be on the horizon.
Pray for a stable Presidential election and for a leader who can bring us through this disastrous time. Pray for revival in our nation with all eyes on the Lord, our trust in Him being foremost.

I'm reading a book(let) called Heaven by Randy Alcorn. It's a QA about what Heaven is like from excerpts of scripture. I'd love to read the book. It's given me a new look and real encouragement to look beyond the miseries of the day to a glorious future.

It's to be in the low 70s today.. typical fall day. Our days recently have been so beautiful. Wendell and I have both been enjoying sitting outside and just appreciating blue skies and the warmth of the sun. I see rain coming this weekend.. we need it.

How did he know?

"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of
his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who,
or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to
violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee
to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by
it." ---Thomas Jefferson

Have you tried the Obama Test yet? I did and I ranked as an embarrassment to him.. 17

Wendell and I attended the funeral service for his cousin Danie this week. I was impressed that Putzy and all the children spoke. One particular line I liked that apparently was oft quoted by Danie was "Share the Lord with everyone you meet..... use words if needed".

Signs of the Times

Isaiah 32:5-8
5. The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. 6. For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail 7. The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. 8. But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

Isaiah 5:20
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"

TUESDAY TALK

It's morning.. a little after 6am, and I'm up and moving for an hour now. Today is office day..Tuesday.. Pray for my patients for uneventful infusions.. and for my skills to be above par.
As I read the news this morning, I feel so sad to realize that there are so many hateful people in this country who seem to want to try to outdo the next person to see how vile they can be. Evil is present in our nation. All Christians should be on their knees praying for mercy from our Lord.
One has to remember that God IS in control of all things in this world, though Satan is trying his best to destroy everything and everyone.
One thing I have learned since Sarah Palin came on the scene is that she is an incredibly strong person.. as is her family. I wonder how any of us could withstand all the fiery darts of the devils that they have endured, and still keep that smile on her face. She has proven herself to be the stronger person in this election year. No one should fear that she can't handle world leaders. With all the despicable things being printed and spewed at her and the vile things about her family, she never complains or whines. I have yet to hear her say "NO FAIR!".. eh?
I believe she knows the 'enemy', and relies on God for her strength. We all need to be praying for her (and her family's) safety and endurance. The race she runs is obviously much more difficult, and that's an understatement.
I have always thought that women didn't belong in politics, but in this case, I believe God has given us a leader that is outstanding.
Pray for world leaders..that their hearts would be turned to the Lord, that they would hear the Holy Spirit speaking to them..
Pray for our congress, local leaders, and our President for peace among them and the ability to serve the American people for whom they were elected. Pray for their salvation through Christ.
Pray for God to be merciful to our country, though we deserve His wrath.
Pray over the candidates..that God would mold them into honorable leaders, that His will would be done here. And give thanks for those who DO honor God's name fearlessly when it's not the popular thing to do.
Pray that our economy will regain it's strength.. that Capitalism would survive the test as it has been shown to be the way to freedom in our nation. Pray that socialism and communism would be defeated with God's hand upon us.

Aunt MaryJane is in the hospital.. I am asking that you also pray for her.. for peace and for strength and well being physically.

Well.. so it is! It's the first day of autumn 2008. Our leaves aren't pretty though.. just drying and falling all over the place. I have noted the temperatures being cooler at night and in the early morning so that I need a jacket till about noon when the temps are hanging around the 70s.
Well.. fall is nice, but it also means that dreaded winter is on it's way.. cringe....

Are you wearing the full armor of God?

Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the Devil.
For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT

This is perhaps the Bible's most comprehensive teaching about the resources believers have to overcome evil.
Spiritual forces lurk behind many of our conflicts.
Therefore, you should not attack the people manipulated by evil but focus directly on the evil itself.
Rely on truth, faith, the power of your testimony, the wisdom of God's word, and the power of prayer.
When these are mobilized, evil succumbs, God wins, and you win.

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

TOMATOES..CANNING

Last evening JJ brought us about 2 bushels of tomatoes.. oh, so beautiful! Today she came back and the two of us set to canning them.. at least most of them. We finished after about 4 hours of steady work.. 16 quarts of stewed tomatoes and 17 quarts of juice.
While we worked, I decided to make a pot of coffee.. our coffee maker takes nearly 40 annoying minutes to drip.. Oh, for evermore! I have decided we need a new one.

What the candidates have spent

On occasion, Wendell and I sit down and think about what we would do if we had $1million .. We have such a hard time trying to decide and actually realize how much a million dollars is.
My philosophy is that I only want as much as I need at this time. Maybe that's foolish,but it brings to mind the scripture verse 'to whom much is given, much will be required'.
While I'm waiting for JJ to arrive to assist with canning more tomatoes, I decided to find out just how much our Presidential candidates have raised for their campaigns.. and how much they've spent..
Libertarian Bob Barr has raised $625,000 and has spent $571,000
Green candidate Cynthia McKinney has raised $171,000 and has spent $120,000
Independent Ralph Nader has raised $2 million and has spent $2 million
Republican John McCain has raised $174+million and has spent $141+ million
Democrat Barack Obama has raised just short of $400 million and has spent +/- $324 million

I can't even fathom the millions of dollars being spent for campaigns.. I could use a thousand dollars to become totally debt free.. hmmmm....

Danie Hartzell Obit

A Life Remembered . . .

November 9, 1943 - September 18, 2008
J. Dwayne "Danie" Hartzell, age 64 of Brownsdale Road, Renfrew, Pennsylvania, died Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. at his residence.
Born November 9, 1943 in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late John M. Hartzell and the late Audrey R. Hixon Hartzell.
Mr. Hartzell was a mechanic for Billco Motors in Wexford for 20 years. He was a member of Grace Church of Harmony. Dwayne graduated from Evans City High School and the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. He also attended Houghton, Geneva and Slippery Rock Colleges. Dwayne was a master gardener, beekeeper and farmer. He was a passionate hunter and outdoorsman, with numerous "trophies". Dwayne was a fine example of what a Christian should be. He led his life with principles and values. Dwayne was a loving husband, devoted father, indescribable pap, dependable brother and trusted friend to all.
Mr. Hartzell is survived by his wife, Patricia J. "Putz" Hartzell, whom he married on April 16, 1966, by three daughters and their husbands, Lorrie L. and Fred R. Kison of Renfrew, Wendy W. and Brian K. Douthett of Connoquenessing, Robin R. and Michael J. Spangler of Renfrew, and by a son and his wife, Justin D. and Shannon Hartzell of Wexford. Dwayne is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Tyler, Evan, Noah, Luke, Joshua, and Caleb Kison, Shannon, Emerson, and Maverick Douthett, Emma and Collin Spangler; two brothers and their wives, Daryl E. and Evelyn Hartzell of Renfrew, Larry and Jan Hartzell of Mechanicsburg; one sister, Eileen A. Quinn of Sarver; one brother-in-law, Jerry Arnold of Humboldt, Tennessee and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Hartzell was preceded in death by one sister, Janice K. Arnold and one brother-in-law, James Quinn.
Friends will be received at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, September 21, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at the Grace Church of Harmony, on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Pete Everett of Grace Church officiating. Interment will follow in North Union Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Butler Chapter, 3208B Wilmington Road, New Castle, Pennsylvania 16105 or Grace Church of Harmony, Post Office Box 275, Harmony, Pennsylvania 16037.

Dick Morris Election Map of the week.. check this out! Thanks Jane..

OBAMA/BIDEN ECONOMIC PLAN

Here is the Obama/Biden economic plan... be sure to check out the 'issues' section too..

ECONOMIC PLAN MCCAIN/PALIN

I'm probably behind everyone in really reading the economic plans of the 2 main contestants in the US Presidential race, but this morning I'm reading the actual plans of the team McCain/Palin. These are really changes I can believe in.. now where did I hear that phrase before?
I would invite you to take a look at this easily read plan to see just what they offer.
I'll check out the Obama/Biden plan and report back soon

6:45PM THURSDAY

Finally !!! The power has come back on for our neighborhood. Thank You Allegheny Power and all those men who worked overtime to return us to the present century!
I also thank the Lord who has made me more grateful for technology of today. Wendell and I had pork chops with gravy, steamed potatoes and broccoli with fresh grapes for dessert tonite.. oh, and coffee.. all made on the gas grill about an hour before the power came back. We ate at the picnic table and discussed the fact that neither of us would have made a good pioneer. Such wimps we are!
Sabbath evening was aweome. The tail end of Ike came through with some winds like none of us had ever experienced before. It was truly awesome. We all sat or stood outside watching the trees around us bending and straining.. the first 'SNAP!!!' sent us racing to the rough trail beside the house where a huge tree had fallen.. It landed on the cart that Wendell made for us many years ago.. smashed almost beyond recognition..As we sat there, we would hear many more 'snaps' as other trees fell close to our house. There is a branch of a huge tree that hangs over our roof that had us concerned. I prayed a lot for divine intervention for all of us. I called Wendy to ask for prayer. John got his camera out and took some fantastic night photos of the big ol' full moon with trees in front. More on those later I'm sure.

At about 8:30pm, the power went out. We figured it would come back within 24 hours, but never did we dream it would be 4 days. We carefully didn't open the big freezer, nor the refrigerator freezer. When the power came on tonite, I finally opened the freezer doors to discover the bags of ice were still in cubes, and everything had sort of a crust of frost on it.. WOW! that is incredible and amazing grace. The stuff in the very bottom of the big freezer looks dubious, but it's bread and can easily be replaced.
Monday morning we had taken a walk through the woods to assess damages. We had escaped any damage to the house/trailer, though there was a tree pretty close to the trailer, and one that landed right below our house.
All week we've been living the life of pioneers.. and connecting via cell phone with Paul's family and Jane. Charlie brought us apples, potatoes, and water. Wendell and I went out Tuesday after I got home from work.. and filled 4 1/2 gallons of spring water figuring that there would be a rush on water in stores. This was verified this morning as I listened to my patients telling their stories of searching for fresh drinking water while the power was out.
We made instant coffee several times a day using the burner on the side of the grill. That coffee tasted so delicious where we would normally not care for it.
Several times a day when we felt like we'd never survive, we'd remind ourselves that we had a house that came through unscathed, we were all safe and fine.. and this was just an inconvenience.. and then our thoughts would turn to those folks in Galveston and Houston and parts between who lost everything and had no home to return to. It's amazing how that puts things in perspective. Our winds were not even close to what they had to live through.. and then we had no rain with this windstorm..not a drop. We were blessed.
We were glad that our generator was at Paul's home.. and he was able to use it. He has 5 kids.. we were fine. Jane had no electricity, but had hot and cold water. It was a blessing that she lives 5 minutes from Paul and family that they could run over there and get water, showers, etc.

So what does one do when there is no light in the house? Well, I found a portable radio that took 4 AA batteries, and have had it going almost non stop listening to local news and weather, and of course talk radio. Evenings brought us to using candles for light.. and by candlelight, I've finished Gayle's afghan.. and started yet another one. Wendell spent his hours reading outside and then going to bed early. I missed my computer and connecting with friends and family.
I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be back again.

Wednesday

I'm at JJ and Keith's house... for shower and to get some drinking water. Our power has been out since Sabbath evening when Hurricane Ike blew through. Power company says maybe tomorrow or even up to Saturday.
We are okay.. Paul and Amy are okay also, they have no power
Janie is in good shape.. no power, but she has hot and cold running water.
Charlie is okay too..
I'm on my way back home now
Will update when we get electric back

This is the Sabbath.. Wendell and I plan to be in church this morning despite the severe temperatures we should have. 89 degrees with the humidity at 85%.. Uncomfortable. There is also some sort of advisory that says "WINDY".. I wonder if that is the tail of Ike?
But that will not have any bearing on our trip down to church. We are both up and moving.

The generous outpouring of rain we had this week made Lake Blair, full to capacity, overflow the banks flooding down into the front yard. HOORAY for this little bit of flooding that brought back the green in our grass. We had noted last week that everyone's lawns locally was looking identical to the fields where straw was harvested. Ours was not the worst, but the ones that were, are now looking like they might recover.
Years ago when we installed the trailer for my mother, we bought plugs of Zoysia grass. It's amazing stuff. I think that's why we didn't look as bad as our neighbors who have the more immaculate looking lawns otherwise. Zoysia grass is pretty much drought resistant, traffic resistant, and the more you leave it alone, the better it looks. It grows lush.. but short, and weeds don't seem to get a foothold. When we felt it took hold well, we took plugs and planted it here in our front yard. Wish we'd planted a lot more of it. Recently, someone told me that if you are seeding your lawn, you should always mix a handful of white clover in your seed.. interesting. We tend to naturally have an abundance of white clover ... and of course, our annual crop of dandelions puts our neighbors to shame.. hehehe..

Time to hit the shower.. A good day to all.. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy!

Getting it off my chest

I decided to go outside and sit on the porch.. it's muggy tonite.. cool, not hot or cold.. and there is a distant rumbling that sounds like a major storm on it's way. .. or is it? As I sat there listening, it started to sound farther away.. or was it? Then the light show started.. the neighbors were setting off fireworks. Several aimed directly at the neighbors across the road. Then they changed the trajectory and aimed more vertically and I watched the colored sparks fall what looked like right over Charlie's house. YIKE.. Thankfully, we've had rain for the past few days and the sparks didn't ignite anything. I wonder to myself, why don't they aim their fireworks back toward the back of their property where there are no houses.. ? .. just woods.. oh.. maybe not.
These neighbors are not earning brownie points from me.. oh,no. It was perhaps 3 weeks ago on a Friday evening when what seemed like a whole team of race cars arrived. It thrilled them to rev their engines so loud that we couldn't carry on a conversation inside or outside. Then the wild sound of the cars came roaring out of their driveway never slowing to make a 90 degree angle out onto the highway in front of our house. We have a straight stretch that they thought was made for a drag strip.. and they did. It horrified me watching them accelerate all the way to the next 90 degree angle and hear the tires squealing.. I thought it was all over when the 2nd one did the same.. but a 3rd also did exactly the same thing..each one trying to outdo the other with noise and speed.
We have a lot of little children on our road. I've seen them out on the road playing by themselves.. no parents in sight. I have commented that these kids are going to get hit one day.. they ride bikes on the road too without anyone observing them other than me likely. We have always had a quiet neighborhood.. everyone was aware of the children living around here and the small amount of traffic made it pretty safe. You just take your time and don't race or you may come upon a surprise. These neighbors beside us are new and haven't got an ounce of sense.
What next?

Hurricane Ike

I slept very little last night...went to bed finally at 2am and slept in till 11am this morning. I was online much of the time reading the "twitter" posts from Houston and Galveston.. first hand reports from the people who were experiencing the hurricane. It must have been very frightening.. some posted their feelings and others posted pictures..
Lots of folks boarded up and just waiting for the eye wall to hit.. WOW!
The pictures were awesome .. the devastation.. Galveston underwater..
I'm still keeping track of the aftermath even this afternoon via TrackingIke
I spent some time praying for these folks.. they have weathered a monster of a storm.. and still have a sense of humor.

It's wonderful! For the last several days, we have had gentle rain (for the most part).. and one day with a thunder-buster. It's so needed and thank the Lord.. He has given us the moisture we needed.
I was looking at the pictures of the seawalls in Galveston this morning.. and remembering how I wondered about those huge seawalls- the real need for them when the ocean was wayyyy out there.. now I see the necessity. I remember massively huge piers that went out on the ocean.. they had shops on them.. I wonder if they exist yet? I thought that was a frightful place to conduct business. I suppose those who lived there thought it relaxing..
Those were the days when I was fearful of bridges and high places.. not sure I'd make a point of walking out on one of those piers again, though I did walk out on one in Monterey Bay a few years back.
I'm loving listening to Sarah Palin's interview with Charlie Gibson.. amazing woman.

Remembering..

I have finally completed 2 more afghans.. The children told me the colors they wanted, and I tried to comply as best I could. The blue one above is David's. Esther had her's earlier this year, but it didn't quite cover her toes...so I added to it~ a total of about 6-7". I think it will fit her better now.

Yoplait Yogurt lids~pink

Our friend Tim is helping a friend collect pink Yoplait yogurt lids to help raise funds for cancer research. For every lid, they donate 10 cents to the Susan Komen Research fund. The offer runs through the end of the year.
If you're able to help, please save yours and bring them to church for Tim to collect, or let me know and I'll collect them.
Also, if you would let others know about this, it would be appreciated.

My friend Elsie sent this to me.. I thought it worth sharing:

This is moving

How quickly we forget.. if we ever knew...

Why women should vote.

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.



The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.





And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.' They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.



They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.
For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.


When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/prisoners.pdf

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because- -why, exactly?
We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.'
It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.
All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote.
Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege.
Sometimes it was inconvenient.
My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too.
When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself.
'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote?
All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.
' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her all over again.'
HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather.
I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.
It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized.
And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse.
Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.
The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'
We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.
Read more:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/tactics.html
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/brftime3.html

1 Timothy 2:1-3 says: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior."

2 Chronicles 7:14: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

HEALTHQUARTERS MINISTRIES

It was my cousin Nicki's wish that at her death, in lieu of flowers, that others would make a donation in her name to an organization known as HealthQuarters, a cancer camp. Her desire was that enough would be given that another person would be able to attend. I know I listed this once before, but here it is again for those who may wish to donate:

HealthQuarters Ministries

3620 West Colorado Ave.

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

home canned tomatoes

This afternoon JJ and I canned tomatoes. 15 qt and 12 pt. Charlie picked his crop and we split the jars between us. The tomato crop this year has not been good. Charlie said he planted enough to feed our entire family and give each 2 bushels to boot. But with the lack of water.. drought.. the tomatoes are small, odd shaped, and not very many. They rotted on the vines with no water.
Charlie said he priced potatoes today at our local grocery.. $10/10#. He says after we get a good rain he'll dig the ones in the garden, but right now, the soil is like rock.. again from lack of water.
We did have gray clouds today, but not a drop of water.
I suppose we'd better can the excess crop.. if there is one.

I just read an interesting article regarding libs and conservatives.. Conservatives tend to have the larger families.. as demonstrated at the RNC with Gov Palin's 5 children and Sen McCain's 7.
The DNC .. BHO has 2 and Biden has 3.. The problem for them is Planned Parenthood.
It is a proven fact that most children follow the political affiliation of their parents.
If the libs keep up their abortion rate, the future for them is dim... perhaps that's why they dont' seem to have genuine smiles? They are systematically wiping themselves out.

Good morning! For 2 glorious mornings I have slept in.. yesterday until 10am and this morning till 8am. HOORAY! My weariness seems to be on the wane, so perhaps some things that need done here will actually get done.
Yesterday's major accomplishment was making supper. It was good.. but I needed to get other things done too.. but just too tired and wheezy.

Near 90 degrees yesterday, it's not going to make 80 today. Good weather for doing any chores around here or even outside..
Hoping for rain- 30% chance today. Doubtful..

Have a good day ..

this and that yet again..

We had a super day in the office today.. 11 patients .. one jag per patient and all was well. Happy happy day ! As per usual, my body is shot down after today, and I'll be heading to bed early. Tomorrow will be much better.
One of the reps bought lunch today.. I had Balsamic Chicken Salad with Strawberries. It was good.. but I had it for supper, not lunch. Too busy to eat today. I took a 15 minute walk outside today instead of lunch.. Darlene watched my patients. I was pleasantly surprised to come back inside without coughing or wheezing! AMEN! Tuesday I did the same thing and when I got back inside I was wheezing badly and didn't have my emergency inhaler with me.. I had set it out at home, and then left without it. I've noticed that the day after my shots I don't wheeze as badly as other days. It might be my imagination. Anyone else have any experience with this?

30% chance of rain Friday.. I'm going to have to add this to my ever growing prayer list.
Pray for those in office and especially those running for national office. They all need God's hand resting on them.

Good morning all.. getting ready to go to the office for a very busy day today. Please remember to pray for us all.. patients as well as for me as I infuse them.

No sign of rain yet.. sunny and 88 today.

Time to get dressed.. later 'gator!

Qualifications for office of President of US

Age and Citizenship requirements - US Constitution, Article II, Section 1
No person except a natural born citizen or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.

amusing..?

Just thinking here.. if Sarah Palin is such a bad choice, why is the left wing going crazy against her? Perhaps she is the best choice after all.. I figure if the left wing didn't pose her as a challenge, they'd be silent and let the conservatives lose..
I don't think so.

GO SARAH!

Basic Etiquette

It bothers me a lot that certain elements of our nation don't seem to know that there is etiquette involved concerning the flag of the United States of America, that there is a Pledge of Allegience, an official code for the flag, and a code to be followed when the National Anthem is played/sung. I learned all these things in elementary school and then it was always reinforced in high school. What is happening in today's schools?

National Anthem

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, 'I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.', should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States. The flag of the United States for the purpose of this chapter shall be defined according to sections 1 and 2 of title 4 and Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant thereto.

§174. Time and occasions for display

(a) Display on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in open; night display
It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

(b) Manner of hoisting
The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

(c) Inclement weather
The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.

(d) Particular days of display
The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year's Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Lincoln's Birthday, February 12; Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother's Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.

(e) Display on or near administration building of public institutions
The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.

(f) Display in or near polling places
The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.

(g) Display in or near schoolhouses
The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.

The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

(a) The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.

(b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

(c) No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations.

(d) The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

(e) The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

(f) When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's right.

(g) When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.

(h) When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.

(i) When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.

(j) When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.

(k) When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.

(l) The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.

(m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President; ten days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress.

As used in this subsection -
(1) the term 'half-staff' means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
(2) the term 'executive or military department' means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5; and
(3) the term 'Member of Congress' means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
(n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
(o) When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union of the flag to the observer's left upon entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to the east and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east.

§176. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.

(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.

(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.

(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.

(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

§177. Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.
............................
The national motto of the United States is declared to be 'In God we trust.'

The flower commonly known as the rose is designated and adopted as the national floral emblem of the United States of America, and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to declare such fact by proclamation.

.........................
http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

Today is office day. I think it'll be busy.. not sure, since I dont' do the scheduling any more. But I do know I am expected to be there for the day, and intend to do just that. Pray for us.. for no 'events' and for my accuracy.

Today is the traditional Labor Day. Yesterday was a 'picnic' day, today we go back to work. Tomorrow will be allergy shot day and laundry. I need to get that done for sure.

Today is to be 88 degrees and sunny with a 10% chance of rain. Sigh...

Thoughts on today

Wow.. I feel so sad and sorry for the protesters at the RNC. The civil disruption and damage is appalling. I note that in the pictures on the internet, they dress themselves as if they were Trick or Treating. My take on this is that they are cowardly since they can't face the public with their true faces. I guess they were waiting for the treat and none appeared. It also reminded me that the followers of the Prince of Darkness were there in the streets doing as much damage as they could, and trying to make a point. The problem is that the point they are making is that they have no responsibility and their tantrums are destroying public property as well as private in the process unable to use the democratic process to get their point across.
These poor sad souls are in need of prayer and I've been praying that direction. We all should be praying for the safety and welfare of all involved, and that the Holy Spirit would rest in their hearts.
I've also noted the wrath of the opposition being spewed out by liberal thinking persons. The horrific rumors being pulled from the pits of Hell make me realize I could never support the Democrats. If I had ever thought of voting for them, (which I haven't), I certainly wouldn't do so now. The liberal bloggers and our media have reached new all time lows with their vile innuendos ~ I assume their fear of Mrs. Palin. It's pretty pathetic.

Signs of fall..

Trees are already showing the signs of lack of water.
We have huge pine trees that are dying..the needles are brown..
They need a drink.
We may get some of Gustav and possibly Hannah next week, but
it may be too late for the pines.
You can see in this picture that the leaves on the trees are changing..
It seems so early for fall, but it is September 1st

I Love Picnics!

The food table before the burgers and dogs were done..

Amy and Annabelle

Annabelle loves her own cup of ice.. David had a burger
And we had delicious home grown watermelon..
Thanks, Charlie!!

Paul gets instruction from the master chef..John

Games.. and ice cream cones too!!!
I love picnics..
Too bad this will be one of the final ones this year

It occurs to me that this 'Labor Day' sign doesn't really belong here today.. I believe traditionally it is the first Tuesday in September.. However, it makes a long weekend and that is fine with me.

We hope to have a picnic this afternoon.. one of the last for the summer. My, we did have quite a few this year, and the picnic table has been used nearly constantly for one thing or another. Thanks, Bill. The way our family is growing, we may need another.

So what is everyone's opinion of Sarah Palin? I was stunned when John McCain announced her as his VP.. but thrilled too as I'd heard her name mentioned and heard of her accomplishments in Alaska. Fine choice... we will win in November.

I was trying to transfer some $$ from our one account to another this morning and have now frozen the accounts. Oh, bother. They say to call the bank, but it's a holiday..duh? This happened to me just once before..again on a holiday. I shouldn't try this again.. it's annoying.

Gotta get some work done here..it's LABOR day , ya know?