Showing posts with label musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label musings. Show all posts
Monday, May 25, 2009
Changing of the Guard
Hmmm, when I was there, I don't remember anyone giving orders. I thought I remembered complete silence. I also thought the soldiers did more maneuvers with their backs to each other. And, I would have sworn the guards were Marines. Anyone have an answer/reply to this? Update on Tuesday: Do I have two different changing of the guards confused????
Prepare to be furious and/or weep.
Several years ago, I had the privilege of watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (in Arlington, VA). The temperature was at least 103 degrees with probably 100 percent humidity. (A thunderstorm was forming.) I was standing at the back of the scant crowd, trying to get my small child into some shade. (The rest of my family was up in the front of the crowd.) A young man (probably a little younger than I was at the time), holding a toddler, was sharing the meager shade.
I was watching, absolutely in awe of the precision of the soldiers. I was in awe of the hours and hours the soldiers had to spend practicing. I was in awe that these soldiers volunteered and considered it an honor to do what I would consider an incredibly boring job. I was in awe that the soldiers would stand out in the heat and sun, pelting rain and lightning, or wind, ice, and snow. I was thinking of the parents who lost their sons and never received their remains or knew for sure what happened to them. I was thinking how quiet our children were being considering how uncomfortable they must have been. (It was almost as if these two little ones knew not to make the slightest whine or squeak.) I was hoping that a day never came when we might have to send our children off to fight a war.
When the changing of the guard was over and the crowd started to disperse, the man said, "What a waste of time." I was absolutely speechless. I couldn't think of one single thing to say to him. All I could do was stand and stare at him.
I have often wondered what would have happened to that man if anyone besides me had heard him say that. I have often wondered what became of that man. (All these years I have been completely disgusted with him and yet pitied him. I have even prayed for him.) I have often wondered what became of that little boy; he'd be 17 or 18 now - just about the right age to join the service. Did the little boy grow up hating the military and/or the US? Or, could he possibly have grown up proud to be an American?
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tagged.
Motherhen at The Chicken Coop tagged me. P, you'll be sorry some day. jk, jk! This is going to be kind of a bust, cuz I'm boring. Really. Also, I am borrowing some of P's responses. They're too good not to pass on.
The Rules:
Mention the person that tagged you.
Complete the lists of 8’s.
Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends.
Go tell them you tagged them.
8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. Seeing my son and grandchildren and other family members
2. Meeting family that I haven't yet met
3. Being debt free
4. Going camping again
5. Getting a house (or fixing ours) with at least two bedrooms and at least one full bath on the main floor
6. The end of the BO administration
7. When Roe vs Wade is overturned
8. Scientists finding a cure or at least better treatments for cancer
Bonus: Hearing my daughter sing again.
8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Changed the bed
2. Laundry
3. Visited and drank tea with K (who did not have on her new shoes)
4. Balanced the check books and paid bills
5. Cooked and served frozen pizza for dinner
6. Let the dogs in and out a hundred times (more or less)
7. Called my mother on the phone
8. Read blogs and my email
8 Things I wish I could do:
1. See my son and grandchildren more often
2. Play the guitar and sing on pitch while playing
3. Knit and crochet and embroider (I'm all thumbs.)
4. Alter sewing patterns so they fit perfectly
5. Sew really, really well
6. Do a better job of choosing colors, fabric, and patterns that "go together"
5. Think faster and comprehend more and retain more of what I read (My brain has slowed way down.)
6. Go some place warm in the winter
7. Move my husband's business out of the house
8. Keep my house clean
8 Shows I Watch:
We don't have TV, so I don't watch any shows.
8 Bloggers: I really don't know 8 bloggers well enough to do this. Adrienne would be one, but P already tagged her. Amber, you willing? The Songster? Miriam (I think Ashley tagged you)? Bart? Janssen? Merrick? Shay? If I tagged you and you don’t care to play, that’s ok! Have fun.
The Rules:
Mention the person that tagged you.
Complete the lists of 8’s.
Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends.
Go tell them you tagged them.
8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. Seeing my son and grandchildren and other family members
2. Meeting family that I haven't yet met
3. Being debt free
4. Going camping again
5. Getting a house (or fixing ours) with at least two bedrooms and at least one full bath on the main floor
6. The end of the BO administration
7. When Roe vs Wade is overturned
8. Scientists finding a cure or at least better treatments for cancer
Bonus: Hearing my daughter sing again.
8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Changed the bed
2. Laundry
3. Visited and drank tea with K (who did not have on her new shoes)
4. Balanced the check books and paid bills
5. Cooked and served frozen pizza for dinner
6. Let the dogs in and out a hundred times (more or less)
7. Called my mother on the phone
8. Read blogs and my email
8 Things I wish I could do:
1. See my son and grandchildren more often
2. Play the guitar and sing on pitch while playing
3. Knit and crochet and embroider (I'm all thumbs.)
4. Alter sewing patterns so they fit perfectly
5. Sew really, really well
6. Do a better job of choosing colors, fabric, and patterns that "go together"
5. Think faster and comprehend more and retain more of what I read (My brain has slowed way down.)
6. Go some place warm in the winter
7. Move my husband's business out of the house
8. Keep my house clean
8 Shows I Watch:
We don't have TV, so I don't watch any shows.
8 Bloggers: I really don't know 8 bloggers well enough to do this. Adrienne would be one, but P already tagged her. Amber, you willing? The Songster? Miriam (I think Ashley tagged you)? Bart? Janssen? Merrick? Shay? If I tagged you and you don’t care to play, that’s ok! Have fun.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Well Used Pattern
(Updated 3:30 4/29/2009 - I cancelled my photobucket account, because photobucket kept locking up the computer.)
I recently had to empty my "sewing room" to make way for other things. In the process, I found this pattern - Simplicity 8409 - copyrighted 1969. It cost 85 cents, and was purchased (probably in 1969) at Hudson's Department Store either in downtown* Detroit or at Eastland** (Shopping) Center in Eastpointe?, MI.
*If I remember correctly, Hudson's Downtown was the second largest department store in the US. Macy's in New York City was the largest. ** Eastland was fairly new and again, if I remember correctly, at that time the largest shopping mall in the US and one of the largest in the world. These places were absolutely fantastic. (Please correct me if I'm wrong about the sizes.)
I cannot tell you how many skirts and culottes were made from this pattern. Most of my high school wardrobe revolved around these pieces. (I didn't make the pants or jacket because they weren't "cool" enough.)
Specifically, I remember making a skirt in winter white wide wale (how was that for an alliteration!) corduroy that I wore with a dark brown fringed sash (like a belt). (Unfortunately, I don't remember what type of top I wore with it.) I made the culottes in coppery brown wide wale corduroy that was worn with a knit top made with (the same) brown, turquoise, and beige striped fabric. Two other pairs of culottes were made in dark green Kettle cloth and a summery yellow fabric. I know I made other skirts and culottes from this pattern, but am coming up blank about details right now.
The skirt took only a yard of 45" wide fabric, and the culottes took 1-1/4 yard of 45" wide fabric. Because I was (am) so short I really didn't need to buy that much. These were very simple, quick, and inexpensive to make - the fabric, a zipper, and some thread was all that was needed.
Sadly, the culotte and skirt pattern pieces are now missing. As I sort through things, I hope they magically reappear.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Pantry History
UPDATED 6:10 PM
In Blogland, there seems to be quite a bit of interest in stocking up - on food and other items. There is a renewed interest in gardening. People seem to want to make food and cleaning products from scratch. Some people want to save money. Some are worried about the economy. Some want to have a supply for emergencies such as natural disasters. Some do it as part of their religion. Some are trying to get away from commercially processed foods with all of the additives and preservatives. Some are worried about the environment. Some are doing this for a combination of these reasons.
***
A while back, I mentioned to P at The Chicken Coop http://motherhen68.wordpress.com/ that I would post how and what I stock in my pantry. Here is the history of why I keep a stocked pantry.
I learned the hard way that I needed to start a pantry. A few months after my husband and I were married, my husband took a job in Oregon where his work site was about 20 miles from anywhere. We lived in a tiny town that was 50 miles from any town large enough to support a real grocery store. And, sometimes in the winter the highways in all directions would be closed. This "town" that we lived in had a bar, a "drug" store (kind of a junky store without a pharmacist), a gas station (that sold only gas and oil), a grocery store, a tiny library (I think I read almost every book in it), two or three churches (one served several denominations), a school, a post office, and a fast food "cafe".
The local grocery store's selection was poor at best; sometimes there was no fresh food or even toilet paper, sugar, or flour. Add to this, the owner opened and closed the store on his whim. The prices were extremely high, and we were extremely poor.
My husband often worked 10 days on and 4 days off, but the schedule was subject to change without notice. Sometimes he would have only one day off in twenty. My husband had to use our only car to get to and from work, and he would often just show up from work with a dinner guest without letting me know ahead of time. Remember, this was pre-cell phone days. (One time I had to serve a guest tough stringy tasteless "roast" and canned corn with water to drink. There was barely enough to go around, and there wasn't anything else in the house. We didn't even have enough money buy a soda pop much less go out to eat. Talk about embarrassing! I can't remember what we did for breakfast the next morning.)
I had to learn a whole new way of thinking, budgeting, and shopping. The pantry was born. And, yes, I made mistakes - like forgetting to take the checkbook (on Sunday when the banks were closed and before ATM's) and/or the grocery list with me when we went shopping.
We lived there for two years. For the next 11 years we lived roughly 150 miles from any town that had more than 15,000 people.
This move took us to rural Idaho. The area we moved to had a relatively (for the northern US) mild climate. However, we would often go hours and hours without electricity and sometimes several days without being able to go anywhere due to road closures. Luckily, almost everyone, including us, had fruit trees, and we planted large gardens. What one person didn't grow, another did. Produce was traded, given, or "gotten". I relearned (Grandma had taught me when I was younger) to can, freeze, and dry fruits and vegetables. I even bought raw milk and made butter and ice cream.
Some of this time was before microwave ovens. (My first microwave oven cost almost $400! It still works.) I didn't own a dryer. We heated the house and our water with a wood burning stove. We cut and chopped our own wood. I had a toddler. Then I had another and home schooled my son. And, several of of those 11 years, I worked full time outside the home being gone for 12 to 14 hours a day sometimes for several weeks at a time. (Wears me out just thinking about it. And, I thank God for my neighbors and my grandparents who were healthy enough and willing to help take care of my son while I worked.) Sorry, I regress.
For almost twenty years now, I have lived in a town with two largish grocery stores and several convenience stores. There is an on-going battle with the shoppers and the store owners, because groceries are incredibly expensive. The store owners used to say that it is because the delivery charges were so high, but all the small towns around us with farther delivery distances were less expensive than the stores in this town. Now, the store owners say the prices are high because of delivery costs and they have lost business to Costco and WalMart. The stores in the outlying towns still charge less on most items than the stores in this town.
So, I keep my pantry. I stock up when there are really good sales. Now that there is a Costco and WalMart (about 80 miles away) I go every few weeks to restock and add to the pantry. (I did have to learn to ignore all the fun stuff.)
***
I really don't know whether it is less expensive grow and preserve your own fruits and vegetables. It can be quite expensive to get started. If you have to consider your time, it probably isn't worth doing your own. If you don't like gardening, then it probably isn't worth it. If you have to pay for water to irrigate it might be cheaper to buy your produce.
What I do know is that I like knowing that what I preserve is fresh and clean when I start. I like that I know what is in the food I preserve. I do know that most home preserved food tastes better than commercially processed food.
***
I still haven't answered P, but I need to stop for today. Hopefully, tomorrow...
In Blogland, there seems to be quite a bit of interest in stocking up - on food and other items. There is a renewed interest in gardening. People seem to want to make food and cleaning products from scratch. Some people want to save money. Some are worried about the economy. Some want to have a supply for emergencies such as natural disasters. Some do it as part of their religion. Some are trying to get away from commercially processed foods with all of the additives and preservatives. Some are worried about the environment. Some are doing this for a combination of these reasons.
***
A while back, I mentioned to P at The Chicken Coop http://motherhen68.wordpress.com/ that I would post how and what I stock in my pantry. Here is the history of why I keep a stocked pantry.
I learned the hard way that I needed to start a pantry. A few months after my husband and I were married, my husband took a job in Oregon where his work site was about 20 miles from anywhere. We lived in a tiny town that was 50 miles from any town large enough to support a real grocery store. And, sometimes in the winter the highways in all directions would be closed. This "town" that we lived in had a bar, a "drug" store (kind of a junky store without a pharmacist), a gas station (that sold only gas and oil), a grocery store, a tiny library (I think I read almost every book in it), two or three churches (one served several denominations), a school, a post office, and a fast food "cafe".
The local grocery store's selection was poor at best; sometimes there was no fresh food or even toilet paper, sugar, or flour. Add to this, the owner opened and closed the store on his whim. The prices were extremely high, and we were extremely poor.
My husband often worked 10 days on and 4 days off, but the schedule was subject to change without notice. Sometimes he would have only one day off in twenty. My husband had to use our only car to get to and from work, and he would often just show up from work with a dinner guest without letting me know ahead of time. Remember, this was pre-cell phone days. (One time I had to serve a guest tough stringy tasteless "roast" and canned corn with water to drink. There was barely enough to go around, and there wasn't anything else in the house. We didn't even have enough money buy a soda pop much less go out to eat. Talk about embarrassing! I can't remember what we did for breakfast the next morning.)
I had to learn a whole new way of thinking, budgeting, and shopping. The pantry was born. And, yes, I made mistakes - like forgetting to take the checkbook (on Sunday when the banks were closed and before ATM's) and/or the grocery list with me when we went shopping.
We lived there for two years. For the next 11 years we lived roughly 150 miles from any town that had more than 15,000 people.
This move took us to rural Idaho. The area we moved to had a relatively (for the northern US) mild climate. However, we would often go hours and hours without electricity and sometimes several days without being able to go anywhere due to road closures. Luckily, almost everyone, including us, had fruit trees, and we planted large gardens. What one person didn't grow, another did. Produce was traded, given, or "gotten". I relearned (Grandma had taught me when I was younger) to can, freeze, and dry fruits and vegetables. I even bought raw milk and made butter and ice cream.
Some of this time was before microwave ovens. (My first microwave oven cost almost $400! It still works.) I didn't own a dryer. We heated the house and our water with a wood burning stove. We cut and chopped our own wood. I had a toddler. Then I had another and home schooled my son. And, several of of those 11 years, I worked full time outside the home being gone for 12 to 14 hours a day sometimes for several weeks at a time. (Wears me out just thinking about it. And, I thank God for my neighbors and my grandparents who were healthy enough and willing to help take care of my son while I worked.) Sorry, I regress.
For almost twenty years now, I have lived in a town with two largish grocery stores and several convenience stores. There is an on-going battle with the shoppers and the store owners, because groceries are incredibly expensive. The store owners used to say that it is because the delivery charges were so high, but all the small towns around us with farther delivery distances were less expensive than the stores in this town. Now, the store owners say the prices are high because of delivery costs and they have lost business to Costco and WalMart. The stores in the outlying towns still charge less on most items than the stores in this town.
So, I keep my pantry. I stock up when there are really good sales. Now that there is a Costco and WalMart (about 80 miles away) I go every few weeks to restock and add to the pantry. (I did have to learn to ignore all the fun stuff.)
***
I really don't know whether it is less expensive grow and preserve your own fruits and vegetables. It can be quite expensive to get started. If you have to consider your time, it probably isn't worth doing your own. If you don't like gardening, then it probably isn't worth it. If you have to pay for water to irrigate it might be cheaper to buy your produce.
What I do know is that I like knowing that what I preserve is fresh and clean when I start. I like that I know what is in the food I preserve. I do know that most home preserved food tastes better than commercially processed food.
***
I still haven't answered P, but I need to stop for today. Hopefully, tomorrow...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Odds and Ends (Again)
Thank you to all who have commented here and by email. What great and fun tools blogs and email are!
(Oh, I had a troll make an ugly comment about my brother-in-law, so I implemented the comment moderator. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
For some of the clothes stores various people mentioned, we will have to take a trip to Boise, Spokane, Seattle, Atlanta, Las Vegas, or ???. (At least one store doesn't sell on-line.) Wanting or needing to shop is a good excuse to go on a trip, right?
It is snowing Great Big Flakes and sticking.
The snowdrops are in bloom. In the 20 or 21 springs that I have lived in this town, May is the earliest I've ever seen them bloom (before now). (I've lived here three different times, so I get confused about the number of seasons, but not about when flowers bloom.) It's too early to remove the mulch - hence the debris around the flowers.
(Oh, I had a troll make an ugly comment about my brother-in-law, so I implemented the comment moderator. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
For some of the clothes stores various people mentioned, we will have to take a trip to Boise, Spokane, Seattle, Atlanta, Las Vegas, or ???. (At least one store doesn't sell on-line.) Wanting or needing to shop is a good excuse to go on a trip, right?
It is snowing Great Big Flakes and sticking.
The snowdrops are in bloom. In the 20 or 21 springs that I have lived in this town, May is the earliest I've ever seen them bloom (before now). (I've lived here three different times, so I get confused about the number of seasons, but not about when flowers bloom.) It's too early to remove the mulch - hence the debris around the flowers.
I love spring flowers. They look so delicate but are so hardy.
The lilacs usually bloom in mid-to-late May and almost always get snowed on.
Along Lapwai Creek, the stems of willows and dogwood? are changing colors. The trees look like they are getting read to bud. The elevation is much lower near Lapwai so their spring comes much earlier.
I almost hope it freezes (here) again so that there isn't any mud for a while. I hate mud. The dirt here is black, not dark brown, but black clay. It is slick and gooey when wet and hard as a brick when dry. It is almost impossible to wash out - very similar to Georgia's red clay - except much more fertile.
My dad just emailed me several old family photos that I had never seen before. Also, there were pictures of headstones and lists of family members with birth and death dates, birth and death places, and women's married names! I'm officially in hog heaven!
Dad also sent pictures of some family members (that are my age) that I haven't seen or seen pictures of since we were in our late teens/early twenties. Their daughter just got married and is younger than my oldest child, but why do THEY look so OLD? HAHA
Small world:
*Note to a Certain Young Woman in Texas: I just found out that one of my "old" college roommates lives in Austin. I lost touch with her years ago, but (re)met her mother at a church meeting the other night. She (the mother) and her husband moved here a couple of years ago.
*Aunt of Certain Young Woman used to live in a town close to here and drove over here to go to church. Wonder if our paths ever crossed? Probably. This is a small town.
My friend has two grandsons who are completely out of control. My friend is so upset. I hope things get better soon.
Note to young people - (most) parents never stop worrying/caring about their children, and the grandchildren and even greatgrands. Note to my children: You will always be my children no matter how old you get - so you'd better behave! lol
This is what my kitten did. She would streak through the house and hit the top of my desk sending everything flying. I had already picked up quite a bit before I thought to take a picture.
Kitten when we first got her. I set the cup there so we could remember how tiny she was. I took a picture tonight, but it didn't turn out. Can't get her to be still long enough!
Since it's time to put the dogs out (10:45 pm) one last time, I'll quit jabbering.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Something We Had Better Be Thinking About
American Values
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary Bauer
http://www.ouramericanvalues.org/
Obama’s Abortion Blitz
Barack Obama has been in office less than one month. In that time, he has launched a pro-abortion blitz against the values of millions of Americans. He has ordered tax dollars to pay for abortions worldwide. He has made it clear that his judges will be pro-abortion. Now Fox News is reporting that he will issue an executive order within days forcing taxpayers to subsidize life-destroying embryonic stem cell research.
The aggressiveness of Obama’s anti-life agenda is ironic given that new research suggests as many as 25% to 30% of people who identify as pro-life voted for Obama. This is particularly true of younger evangelical voters, who voted in larger numbers for Obama than they did for Al Gore or John Kerry in past elections.
Many are writing to me and asking what we can do. The American people overwhelmingly oppose abortion-on-demand and taxpayer funding of abortion. A recent Gallup poll found that Obama’s decision to allow taxpayer funding of abortions worldwide was the most unpopular decision he had made so far, with just 35% of those polled supporting the decision.
In the days ahead, I strongly encourage you to re-engage your friends and family members in this debate. Don’t say “I told you so,” but ask them what they think about how aggressively Obama is promoting abortion and the destruction of human life, even using our hard-earned tax money to pay for it.
A Shocking Irony
Late last week a disturbing story broke in New York when Muzzammil Hassan was arrested for murder. According to various reports, Hassan beheaded his wife, Aasiya, after she filed for divorce. Her divorce attorneys stated that her claim was based on “cruel and inhumane treatment” and numerous violent altercations with her husband during their eight-year marriage. A week prior to her death, she had obtained a restraining order against Muzzammil Hassan that forced him out of their house.
But the disturbing irony in this case is that Muzzammil Hassan ran a television station, Bridges TV, devoted to building “bridges of friendship and understanding” by portraying a positive, peaceful view of Islam to American audiences. Hassan once complained that “The level of ignorance regarding Muslims and Islam is very high in the United States.”
Some Muslim groups are trying to portray this incident as just another example of domestic violence, but not everyone is buying it. The president of the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women called the beheading, “a terroristic version of honor killing, murder rooted in cultural notions about women’s subordination to men.” I’m glad at least one feminist is speaking up.
Over a year ago, I wrote in this daily report about how some Islamic clerics actually teach young Muslim men the “proper” way to beat their wives by comparing women to “camels and donkeys.” As shocking as that is, the same ideology compares Christians and Jews to monkeys and pigs, turns its children into bombs, turns airplanes into weapons of mass destruction, vows to “wipe Israel off the map” and refers to the United States as “the great Satan.”
The level of ignorance regarding the threat of Islamofascism is indeed high. Sadly, as we have seen in recent days, from the closing of GITMO to dismissing charges against the mastermind of the USS Cole bombing, it now reaches to the highest levels of public office. I promise to do everything I can to educate our policy makers about the need to defend our values.
* * * * *
If you are interested in receiving Mr. Bauer's daily report by e-mail, please call 703-671-9700, visit SIGN UP FOR GARY BAUER'S "END OF DAY REPORT" or simply send a reply e-mail titled "Subscribe" and include your name and address. To be removed from Gary Bauer's End of Day distribution list, please reply to this message with "Remove" in the subject line.
Please feel free to share this report with family and friends. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to American Values are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. You may donate online by visiting our website or by using the following address in your web browser: https://www.ouramericanvalues.org/contribute.php or you may mail contributions to the following address:
American Values
2800 Shirlington Road
Suite 950
Arlington, VA 22206
Phone: 703-671-9700
Fax: 703-671-1680
EMAIL GARY BAUER gary.bauer@amvalues.org <gary.bauer@amvalues.org>
VISIT AMERICAN VALUES
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary Bauer
http://www.ouramericanvalues.org/
Obama’s Abortion Blitz
Barack Obama has been in office less than one month. In that time, he has launched a pro-abortion blitz against the values of millions of Americans. He has ordered tax dollars to pay for abortions worldwide. He has made it clear that his judges will be pro-abortion. Now Fox News is reporting that he will issue an executive order within days forcing taxpayers to subsidize life-destroying embryonic stem cell research.
The aggressiveness of Obama’s anti-life agenda is ironic given that new research suggests as many as 25% to 30% of people who identify as pro-life voted for Obama. This is particularly true of younger evangelical voters, who voted in larger numbers for Obama than they did for Al Gore or John Kerry in past elections.
Many are writing to me and asking what we can do. The American people overwhelmingly oppose abortion-on-demand and taxpayer funding of abortion. A recent Gallup poll found that Obama’s decision to allow taxpayer funding of abortions worldwide was the most unpopular decision he had made so far, with just 35% of those polled supporting the decision.
In the days ahead, I strongly encourage you to re-engage your friends and family members in this debate. Don’t say “I told you so,” but ask them what they think about how aggressively Obama is promoting abortion and the destruction of human life, even using our hard-earned tax money to pay for it.
A Shocking Irony
Late last week a disturbing story broke in New York when Muzzammil Hassan was arrested for murder. According to various reports, Hassan beheaded his wife, Aasiya, after she filed for divorce. Her divorce attorneys stated that her claim was based on “cruel and inhumane treatment” and numerous violent altercations with her husband during their eight-year marriage. A week prior to her death, she had obtained a restraining order against Muzzammil Hassan that forced him out of their house.
But the disturbing irony in this case is that Muzzammil Hassan ran a television station, Bridges TV, devoted to building “bridges of friendship and understanding” by portraying a positive, peaceful view of Islam to American audiences. Hassan once complained that “The level of ignorance regarding Muslims and Islam is very high in the United States.”
Some Muslim groups are trying to portray this incident as just another example of domestic violence, but not everyone is buying it. The president of the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women called the beheading, “a terroristic version of honor killing, murder rooted in cultural notions about women’s subordination to men.” I’m glad at least one feminist is speaking up.
Over a year ago, I wrote in this daily report about how some Islamic clerics actually teach young Muslim men the “proper” way to beat their wives by comparing women to “camels and donkeys.” As shocking as that is, the same ideology compares Christians and Jews to monkeys and pigs, turns its children into bombs, turns airplanes into weapons of mass destruction, vows to “wipe Israel off the map” and refers to the United States as “the great Satan.”
The level of ignorance regarding the threat of Islamofascism is indeed high. Sadly, as we have seen in recent days, from the closing of GITMO to dismissing charges against the mastermind of the USS Cole bombing, it now reaches to the highest levels of public office. I promise to do everything I can to educate our policy makers about the need to defend our values.
* * * * *
If you are interested in receiving Mr. Bauer's daily report by e-mail, please call 703-671-9700, visit SIGN UP FOR GARY BAUER'S "END OF DAY REPORT" or simply send a reply e-mail titled "Subscribe" and include your name and address. To be removed from Gary Bauer's End of Day distribution list, please reply to this message with "Remove" in the subject line.
Please feel free to share this report with family and friends. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to American Values are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. You may donate online by visiting our website or by using the following address in your web browser: https://www.ouramericanvalues.org/contribute.php or you may mail contributions to the following address:
American Values
2800 Shirlington Road
Suite 950
Arlington, VA 22206
Phone: 703-671-9700
Fax: 703-671-1680
EMAIL GARY BAUER gary.bauer@amvalues.org <gary.bauer@amvalues.org>
VISIT AMERICAN VALUES
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Odd bits of wisdom
Old wives tales, Grandma-and-Grandpa-isms, scoldings, rules, funny sayings, "famous last sayings", cliches, and bits of "wisdom" from my childhood. Some are not fashionable now nor politically correct, so please "don't get bent out of shape". This is not necessarily a statement of my opinions, although we might be a better nation if we still adhered to some of these ideals.
God helps those who help themselves.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The churches should be responsible for helping people, not the government.
Be polite. Be sure to say "please" and "thank you" and "excuse me".
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
Play fair.
If you can't be a good sport, then you won't play at all.
Always be a good sport even if the other person (or team) cheated to win.
You can be anything you want to be - even the President of the United States.
"I'd rather dig ditches than go on welfare."
Don't accept charity. It's better to starve first.
Don't ever be too proud to scrub toilets or dig ditches for a living.
Can you afford it?
Do you really need that?
Being poor is no excuse for being dirty.
Clean up your plate. There are starving children in China.
What's wrong with it? If it was good enough for me, it should be good enough for you.
If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you, too?
Pride is a sin.
Neither a borrower or a lender be.
What will the neighbors think?
You'll embarrass the family.
Don't do something to ruin our family's good name.
What will people think of you?
What goes around comes around.
The neighbors have eyes.
Walls have ears.
Never put in writing what you don't want someone else to read.
You'll get back twice what you give - good and bad.
People who don't take care of their children shouldn't be allowed to have them.
A good method of birth control is to hold an aspirin between your knees.
The country (meaning Canada under English rule) is run by a bunch of inbred idiots. (I warned you that there might be some politically incorrectness.)
If you get in trouble at school you'll get it twice at home.
A penny earned is a penny saved.
Waste not. Want not.
You have no idea how good you have it.
Yes, you have to go to church.
Quit sitting around feeling sorry for yourself.
No whining.
That's like closing the barn door after the horses got out.
That's like fixing the hole in the fence after the fox got all the chickens.
The nut doesn't fall very far from the tree.
You are not going to school/church looking like that.
Men should remove their hats inside or in the presence of a lady.
Be a gentleman.
A man that hits a woman isn't worth the powder it would take to blow him up.
They should have drowned him when he was a pup.
He should be shot.
You are a young lady. Act like it. (Being a lady was a good thing.)
You were taught better than that.
Stand up when a woman or older person enters the room.
Always offer the older person your seat.
Respect your elders.
Always hold the door for an older person.
It's just junk. It's made in Japan.
Get an education so that you can have a better life than we did.
Don't blame your mistakes on someone else.
If you make a mistake, own up to it. Lying just makes it worse.
Do your own school work. Don't let other people copy your school work; they won't learn anything that way.
Enjoy school while you can. You'll be working the rest of your life.
Real life isn't like what you see on TV.
Don't believe everything that your hear and only about half what you see.
Any more? Would love to see other sayings from the 1970's and especially from earlier times.
God helps those who help themselves.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The churches should be responsible for helping people, not the government.
Be polite. Be sure to say "please" and "thank you" and "excuse me".
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
Play fair.
If you can't be a good sport, then you won't play at all.
Always be a good sport even if the other person (or team) cheated to win.
You can be anything you want to be - even the President of the United States.
"I'd rather dig ditches than go on welfare."
Don't accept charity. It's better to starve first.
Don't ever be too proud to scrub toilets or dig ditches for a living.
Can you afford it?
Do you really need that?
Being poor is no excuse for being dirty.
Clean up your plate. There are starving children in China.
What's wrong with it? If it was good enough for me, it should be good enough for you.
If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you, too?
Pride is a sin.
Neither a borrower or a lender be.
What will the neighbors think?
You'll embarrass the family.
Don't do something to ruin our family's good name.
What will people think of you?
What goes around comes around.
The neighbors have eyes.
Walls have ears.
Never put in writing what you don't want someone else to read.
You'll get back twice what you give - good and bad.
People who don't take care of their children shouldn't be allowed to have them.
A good method of birth control is to hold an aspirin between your knees.
The country (meaning Canada under English rule) is run by a bunch of inbred idiots. (I warned you that there might be some politically incorrectness.)
If you get in trouble at school you'll get it twice at home.
A penny earned is a penny saved.
Waste not. Want not.
You have no idea how good you have it.
Yes, you have to go to church.
Quit sitting around feeling sorry for yourself.
No whining.
That's like closing the barn door after the horses got out.
That's like fixing the hole in the fence after the fox got all the chickens.
The nut doesn't fall very far from the tree.
You are not going to school/church looking like that.
Men should remove their hats inside or in the presence of a lady.
Be a gentleman.
A man that hits a woman isn't worth the powder it would take to blow him up.
They should have drowned him when he was a pup.
He should be shot.
You are a young lady. Act like it. (Being a lady was a good thing.)
You were taught better than that.
Stand up when a woman or older person enters the room.
Always offer the older person your seat.
Respect your elders.
Always hold the door for an older person.
It's just junk. It's made in Japan.
Get an education so that you can have a better life than we did.
Don't blame your mistakes on someone else.
If you make a mistake, own up to it. Lying just makes it worse.
Do your own school work. Don't let other people copy your school work; they won't learn anything that way.
Enjoy school while you can. You'll be working the rest of your life.
Real life isn't like what you see on TV.
Don't believe everything that your hear and only about half what you see.
Any more? Would love to see other sayings from the 1970's and especially from earlier times.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tagged
Amber from Smile Forever "challenged" me to tell 25 random things about myself. Hmmm. I'm going to borrow some of her comments but make them mine. (Thanks, Amber.)
1. I'm short. I have shrunk from 5'2" to about 5'1/2". I really hate it when I'm standing amongst tall(er) people, and they talk over my head like they don't even see me. (This actually happens quite often even when I'm with people I know.) Makes me want to act really childish and stomp on their feet and/or kick their shins.
2. I've never been snowboarding or skiing. I used to love to sled, tube, and toboggan, though.
3. I like the old version of The Music Man with Shirley Jones and Robert Preston so much better than the new Disney version. I like the newer version of Sabrina better than the one with Humphrey Bogart. I love Roman Holiday. I hated the book First Wives Club but loved the movie. Same with the Devil Wears Prada. I love sing-along CD's and movies so Mama Mia! is wonderful. Themes? Musicals and chick flicks.
4. I think it is a sin to pay more than a dollar for a cup of tea or coffee or a soda (pop).
5. I can no longer play the piano in front of people. I get so nervous that I actually shake.
6. I can no longer sing solo and have always had trouble doing it. (I could sing duets, though - ???) My throat just closes up tight. My voice tends to crack now anyway, so who'd want to listen to me? :)
7. I'm terrified of heights. (As beautiful as these places were, I disliked visiting Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon for that reason.) I can go up, but going back down is a major problem.
8. I like to drive - except on really slick roads or when other drivers insist on driving on the wrong side of road (local joke that really isn't very funny). My "car" is an old 6 passenger 1 ton Ford pickup. My husband's car is a Subaru Forester. He occasionally lets me drive the Subaru.
9. I hate running or jogging. It has always hurt my ankles, knees, and hips.
10. Even though I hated running, at 2 different schools I broke sprinting records (for boys and girls) - once in 6th grade and once in 7th grade. Even in college PE, for short distances (100 yards or less) I was a speed demon. This probably came about from chasing and catching my extremely pesky brother and his friends. They never did learn not to make a redhead mad. ;)
11. I hated to (and still hate to) participate in team sports like softball, volley ball, basketball, and even tennis. I liked to bowl and swim and ride my bike. I wasn't too shabby on a skate board (the first ones that came out in the 60's), either.
12. I was terrified of water until the summer I was nine. Thanks to a wonderful neighbor lady who took a whole car load of us kids to the Y every day, I learned to love swimming and diving. I made the swim team in high school, but my parents wouldn't allow me to participate except as part of PE. I resented that for years, even though in my head I understood their reasons. (The high dive was a challenge, though!)
13. I can't dance. I just can't quite ever get my feet to listen to the rhythm. :D
14. Close friends call me by first and middle name - running it together, but they always get the middle name wrong. My middle name is Sue not Lou. My mom and one grandma often called me Susie. My other grandma usually called me Kathy (my cousin's name) which really confused the issue.
15. I dislike messing with my hair. I am a wash, comb, and go type person.
16. I have to go with the natural (washed out) look. My skin reacts almost immediately to foundation, blush, powders, lotions, most shampoos and conditioners. Even sun screen is a problem. I can only wear a couple brands of mascara and eyebrow darkener. Most lipsticks crack my lips and/or turns bright red. Perfume blisters my skin (and sometimes bothers my sinuses).
17. My hair is still its natural color with only some white hairs in it.
18. My hair won't hold a curl from a curling iron, but a perm lasts until it is cut off.
19. I look best in cool colors (summer and winter palettes) - just the opposite of most redheads. I can actually wear some shades of red, and if I may say so, bright pink is a really good color for me.
20. I used to chew my finger nails. I still do if I get extremely nervous.
21. I'd rather play in the sand, look for pretty rocks, or wade in the water than fish. I actually have a hard time staying out of the water.
22. I sometimes walk by a mirror and almost scare myself. I think, "Who the heck is that?" My looks have really changed over the years. I don't look like my mother or grandmothers so I can't say, "Why is Mom (or Grandma) looking back at me?".
23. I don't hunt and only occasionally go fishing.
24. I think having a television on when trying to visit with someone is rude.
25. I love exploring - taking off on side roads, following unmarked trails, wandering around old grave yards and old homesteads. I always wonder what is "just around the corner" or "just over the other side of that ridge" or "who were these people and what kind of life did they have".
And the bonus:
26. I have a "disease" common to avid genealogists (and historians). I get so wrapped up in researching that I forget that there is a present modern time.
So now I tag Carmen at The Songster, Laura at One Woman's Thoughts, and Adrienne at Adrienne's Catholic Corner - but only if you want to.
1. I'm short. I have shrunk from 5'2" to about 5'1/2". I really hate it when I'm standing amongst tall(er) people, and they talk over my head like they don't even see me. (This actually happens quite often even when I'm with people I know.) Makes me want to act really childish and stomp on their feet and/or kick their shins.
2. I've never been snowboarding or skiing. I used to love to sled, tube, and toboggan, though.
3. I like the old version of The Music Man with Shirley Jones and Robert Preston so much better than the new Disney version. I like the newer version of Sabrina better than the one with Humphrey Bogart. I love Roman Holiday. I hated the book First Wives Club but loved the movie. Same with the Devil Wears Prada. I love sing-along CD's and movies so Mama Mia! is wonderful. Themes? Musicals and chick flicks.
4. I think it is a sin to pay more than a dollar for a cup of tea or coffee or a soda (pop).
5. I can no longer play the piano in front of people. I get so nervous that I actually shake.
6. I can no longer sing solo and have always had trouble doing it. (I could sing duets, though - ???) My throat just closes up tight. My voice tends to crack now anyway, so who'd want to listen to me? :)
7. I'm terrified of heights. (As beautiful as these places were, I disliked visiting Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon for that reason.) I can go up, but going back down is a major problem.
8. I like to drive - except on really slick roads or when other drivers insist on driving on the wrong side of road (local joke that really isn't very funny). My "car" is an old 6 passenger 1 ton Ford pickup. My husband's car is a Subaru Forester. He occasionally lets me drive the Subaru.
9. I hate running or jogging. It has always hurt my ankles, knees, and hips.
10. Even though I hated running, at 2 different schools I broke sprinting records (for boys and girls) - once in 6th grade and once in 7th grade. Even in college PE, for short distances (100 yards or less) I was a speed demon. This probably came about from chasing and catching my extremely pesky brother and his friends. They never did learn not to make a redhead mad. ;)
11. I hated to (and still hate to) participate in team sports like softball, volley ball, basketball, and even tennis. I liked to bowl and swim and ride my bike. I wasn't too shabby on a skate board (the first ones that came out in the 60's), either.
12. I was terrified of water until the summer I was nine. Thanks to a wonderful neighbor lady who took a whole car load of us kids to the Y every day, I learned to love swimming and diving. I made the swim team in high school, but my parents wouldn't allow me to participate except as part of PE. I resented that for years, even though in my head I understood their reasons. (The high dive was a challenge, though!)
13. I can't dance. I just can't quite ever get my feet to listen to the rhythm. :D
14. Close friends call me by first and middle name - running it together, but they always get the middle name wrong. My middle name is Sue not Lou. My mom and one grandma often called me Susie. My other grandma usually called me Kathy (my cousin's name) which really confused the issue.
15. I dislike messing with my hair. I am a wash, comb, and go type person.
16. I have to go with the natural (washed out) look. My skin reacts almost immediately to foundation, blush, powders, lotions, most shampoos and conditioners. Even sun screen is a problem. I can only wear a couple brands of mascara and eyebrow darkener. Most lipsticks crack my lips and/or turns bright red. Perfume blisters my skin (and sometimes bothers my sinuses).
17. My hair is still its natural color with only some white hairs in it.
18. My hair won't hold a curl from a curling iron, but a perm lasts until it is cut off.
19. I look best in cool colors (summer and winter palettes) - just the opposite of most redheads. I can actually wear some shades of red, and if I may say so, bright pink is a really good color for me.
20. I used to chew my finger nails. I still do if I get extremely nervous.
21. I'd rather play in the sand, look for pretty rocks, or wade in the water than fish. I actually have a hard time staying out of the water.
22. I sometimes walk by a mirror and almost scare myself. I think, "Who the heck is that?" My looks have really changed over the years. I don't look like my mother or grandmothers so I can't say, "Why is Mom (or Grandma) looking back at me?".
23. I don't hunt and only occasionally go fishing.
24. I think having a television on when trying to visit with someone is rude.
25. I love exploring - taking off on side roads, following unmarked trails, wandering around old grave yards and old homesteads. I always wonder what is "just around the corner" or "just over the other side of that ridge" or "who were these people and what kind of life did they have".
And the bonus:
26. I have a "disease" common to avid genealogists (and historians). I get so wrapped up in researching that I forget that there is a present modern time.
So now I tag Carmen at The Songster, Laura at One Woman's Thoughts, and Adrienne at Adrienne's Catholic Corner - but only if you want to.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
What it looked like last Saturday
Lovely weather we've been having!
Driving conditions on the Palouse - that black is solid ice (black ice - icy roads that look dry). Saw several cars that had slid off the road. Thank God none of the accidents looked at all serious. Also, thank heavens for a Subaru, good tires, and a good driver (my husband).
Also our yard. The spruce on the right was only about 15 feet tall when we moved into our house. Now, it is almost as big as the one in the picture above.
The highway looks level, but this is actually a fairly steep grade through a canyon. This was taken from my cell phone earlier this month. I was trying to get a picture of the storm on the mountain straight ahead of us.
Driving conditions on the Palouse - that black is solid ice (black ice - icy roads that look dry). Saw several cars that had slid off the road. Thank God none of the accidents looked at all serious. Also, thank heavens for a Subaru, good tires, and a good driver (my husband).
Our house. That is frost on the trees and bushes. Yes, the house needs painting. And, yes, the big spruce needs to be cut down but that would be so sad!
Also our yard. The spruce on the right was only about 15 feet tall when we moved into our house. Now, it is almost as big as the one in the picture above.
Frosty tree on the Palouse. (This was taken on my cell phone from a moving car.)
The Palouse is a rolling prairie in western Idaho and eastern Washington. It used to be (and maybe still is) the second largest wheat producing area in the United States. Just don't let these pictures fool you into thinking that Idaho is flat.
Here is a picture of the highway that we have to travel to get to a shopping center:
The highway looks level, but this is actually a fairly steep grade through a canyon. This was taken from my cell phone earlier this month. I was trying to get a picture of the storm on the mountain straight ahead of us.
Since Saturday, we have had more snow, wind, and below zero weather. Today, it is trying to thaw and a tiny bit of blue sky is showing. YAY
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Random Things About Me
This is an adaptation of an email I received.
1. What is your occupation right now? bookkeeper for husband's business/slacker
2. What color are your socks right now? sorry, not wearing any
3. What are you listening to right now? the air coming through the heater vents
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Chex mix
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my daughter
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? YES!
8. How old are you today? 54
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Preferrably none
10. What is your favorite drink? Hmmm! Tea, Pepsi, tea, mocha, tea
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Tried Sun-in once. It turned my hair green. Was always afraid to try anything else after that.
12. Favorite food? Buttered popcorn! Its those little comfort foods that make life sweet! AMEN!
13. What is the last movie you watched? Back to the Future III
14. Favorite day of the year? Christmas or Thanksgiving
15.. How do you vent anger? Depends -- maybe crying, yelling, or yelling some more, being sarcastic, just go off by myself and think about it
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Books, Barbie and Ken, doll house and furniture, rocking horse, bike or trike, roller skates and other dolls, toy kitchen items. Any miniture item that looked like its full-sized counterpart..
17. What is your favorite season? summer and fall
18. Cherries or Blueberries? cherries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you? I love hearing from my friends! So you can contact me at off key mama at g mail dot com. Hopefully, you know how to put it together so it will work. :)
20. Who is least likely to respond? I have no idea!
21. Who do you live with? Husband, 4 dogs, 2 cats, and an old goldfish
22. When was the last time you cried? yesterday
23. What is on the floor of your closet? carpet, dirt, pet hair, boxes with unknown contents
24. What did you do last night? Read and sleep
25. What are you most afraid of? Loved ones being hurt
26. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?cheese
27. What is your favorite kind of dog? I like bigger ones best. But, I do have a special place in my heart for Boston Bull Terriers.
28. Favorite day of the week? Friday
29. How many states have you lived in? 4 - one three different times
30. How many states have you been in (not counting landing at airports)? 37 plus at least 2 more if you do add in airports
31. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
32. What is your favorite flower? Iris - preferrably yellow (not bronze or gold) But, I like all flowers, so if you send me some I won't complain about what kind they are. :)
1. What is your occupation right now? bookkeeper for husband's business/slacker
2. What color are your socks right now? sorry, not wearing any
3. What are you listening to right now? the air coming through the heater vents
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Chex mix
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my daughter
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? YES!
8. How old are you today? 54
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Preferrably none
10. What is your favorite drink? Hmmm! Tea, Pepsi, tea, mocha, tea
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Tried Sun-in once. It turned my hair green. Was always afraid to try anything else after that.
12. Favorite food? Buttered popcorn! Its those little comfort foods that make life sweet! AMEN!
13. What is the last movie you watched? Back to the Future III
14. Favorite day of the year? Christmas or Thanksgiving
15.. How do you vent anger? Depends -- maybe crying, yelling, or yelling some more, being sarcastic, just go off by myself and think about it
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Books, Barbie and Ken, doll house and furniture, rocking horse, bike or trike, roller skates and other dolls, toy kitchen items. Any miniture item that looked like its full-sized counterpart..
17. What is your favorite season? summer and fall
18. Cherries or Blueberries? cherries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you? I love hearing from my friends! So you can contact me at off key mama at g mail dot com. Hopefully, you know how to put it together so it will work. :)
20. Who is least likely to respond? I have no idea!
21. Who do you live with? Husband, 4 dogs, 2 cats, and an old goldfish
22. When was the last time you cried? yesterday
23. What is on the floor of your closet? carpet, dirt, pet hair, boxes with unknown contents
24. What did you do last night? Read and sleep
25. What are you most afraid of? Loved ones being hurt
26. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?cheese
27. What is your favorite kind of dog? I like bigger ones best. But, I do have a special place in my heart for Boston Bull Terriers.
28. Favorite day of the week? Friday
29. How many states have you lived in? 4 - one three different times
30. How many states have you been in (not counting landing at airports)? 37 plus at least 2 more if you do add in airports
31. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
32. What is your favorite flower? Iris - preferrably yellow (not bronze or gold) But, I like all flowers, so if you send me some I won't complain about what kind they are. :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Poorest excuse of a library
I think I'm going to cry.
I just had the most disappointing trip to the library. The book selection is terrible! "They" have wiped out almost all of the paperbacks (mysteries, sci fi, fantasy, westerns, romance) and at least half of the young adult section.
I looked for some of my favorite authors in the hardback section. I've read them all. I guess we're supposed to order our books from another library now, and wait for them to come in. If that is the case, why bother with a library at all?
I just had the most disappointing trip to the library. The book selection is terrible! "They" have wiped out almost all of the paperbacks (mysteries, sci fi, fantasy, westerns, romance) and at least half of the young adult section.
I looked for some of my favorite authors in the hardback section. I've read them all. I guess we're supposed to order our books from another library now, and wait for them to come in. If that is the case, why bother with a library at all?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Vandaleers and University Chorus
December 9, 2008
Join the [University of Idaho] Lionel Hampton School of Music’s Chorus and Vandaleer Concert Choir for a night of great music. Place ..., time ..., admission cost students and seniors citizens (55 and over) $3, adults $5. It seems that some of the best and least expensive entertainment is the least advertised.
Take last night's performances by the the University of Idaho's Vandaleers and University Chorus. The music wasn't just great and the performance wasn't just great; it was spellbinding.
The combined choirs performed Mozart's Kronungsmesse (Coronation Mass) in C, KV 317. The performance was so powerful and beautiful that I found myself alternately holding my breath and getting goose bumps. I can't remember when a half hour sped by so fast.
There were nine more pieces, each beautiful in their own right. Noel by Todd Smith (arr. by Brad Holmes) was a African Christmas carol. There were drummers, and the singers moved to the music and used clapping and other hand movements. It was very impressive, and judging by the applause, everyone loved it. The Vandaleers performed Hodie Christus Natus Est, O Magnum Mysterium, El Rorro, Arise, Shine for Thy Light Has Come. The Chorus sang the nonsense song Sweater Weather by Kenneth Jennings; this had everyone chuckling. (This is quite cute with pretty music.) Then the combined choirs sang Put Memory Away (by Bob Chilcott) with a beautiful string accompianment arranged by Adam Smith, a UI student. Then, the audience got to be involved. We all sang Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and O Come, All Ye Faithful. It sounded pretty awesome.
And, I should also mention that the accompianists and soloists - orchestra members, drummers, pianist, organist, and guitarist - all performed beautifully.
Where we sat in the auditorium, we had to wait until most of the people left before we could get out. The comments we heard were all positive; everyone seemed really excited and up-beat.
Join the [University of Idaho] Lionel Hampton School of Music’s Chorus and Vandaleer Concert Choir for a night of great music. Place ..., time ..., admission cost students and seniors citizens (55 and over) $3, adults $5. It seems that some of the best and least expensive entertainment is the least advertised.
Take last night's performances by the the University of Idaho's Vandaleers and University Chorus. The music wasn't just great and the performance wasn't just great; it was spellbinding.
The combined choirs performed Mozart's Kronungsmesse (Coronation Mass) in C, KV 317. The performance was so powerful and beautiful that I found myself alternately holding my breath and getting goose bumps. I can't remember when a half hour sped by so fast.
There were nine more pieces, each beautiful in their own right. Noel by Todd Smith (arr. by Brad Holmes) was a African Christmas carol. There were drummers, and the singers moved to the music and used clapping and other hand movements. It was very impressive, and judging by the applause, everyone loved it. The Vandaleers performed Hodie Christus Natus Est, O Magnum Mysterium, El Rorro, Arise, Shine for Thy Light Has Come. The Chorus sang the nonsense song Sweater Weather by Kenneth Jennings; this had everyone chuckling. (This is quite cute with pretty music.) Then the combined choirs sang Put Memory Away (by Bob Chilcott) with a beautiful string accompianment arranged by Adam Smith, a UI student. Then, the audience got to be involved. We all sang Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and O Come, All Ye Faithful. It sounded pretty awesome.
And, I should also mention that the accompianists and soloists - orchestra members, drummers, pianist, organist, and guitarist - all performed beautifully.
Where we sat in the auditorium, we had to wait until most of the people left before we could get out. The comments we heard were all positive; everyone seemed really excited and up-beat.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Having children changes everything
This is how it really is. I can only speak from my experiences such as they are, but having a baby changes your life and your lifestyle - no "ifs, ands, or buts" about it. I can remember saying that having a baby wouldn't change my life. I can remember several older women saying, "just wait!". How right they were.
It isn't just about having a baby. Almost any woman can have a baby. It's the responsibility that goes with it. For the most part, having a baby is a wonderful thing. It is a being to love and put our whole hearts and souls into.
There are the little changes:
*Like not getting enough sleep.
*Like having to cancel a shopping trip or lunch because the baby is sick.
*There will be times when you crave visiting with an adult that doesn't want to talk about babies at all.
*There will be the times when you are all dressed to go out and the baby poops all over or throws up on you and makes you late for church or ..
*There will be days the dishes don't get done until midnight or not at all.
*There will be days that the baby will soil every single piece of his (or her) and your clothing. (Washing items in the sink and hanging them up to dry works well, especially if you turn a fan on them.)
*There will be snowy cold days when you don't feel like taking the effort the bundle up the baby so you can go to the grocery store or the library.
*There will be the times the toddler colors the beige couch with green felt tip or stuffs a toy down the toilet.
*There will be broken knick-knacks, scraped knees, and headlice epidemics.
*There will be days that the children bicker at each other all day.
These are little things that are soon forgotten or laughed about later.
And, there will be days that are pure joy.
Then are are some of the bigger things to consider. How will either you or your spouse react if:
*You have a really fun and/or expensive trip planned and one of the kids gets sick?
*One or all of the children get car sick even just going to the grocery store?
*The baby sitter doesn't show up and you (or your spouse) miss an important meeting?
*You (or your spouse) miss several days of work because the kids are sick - one after the other? Don't forget, you and your spouse will probably catch whatever it is, too. (Not all employers are sympathetic!)
*You decide to be a stay at home mom (or dad) and now have only one income?
*The salary earning spouse (or both of you) travels quite a bit and/or works really long hours?
Other things to consider:
*Can you afford even occasional child care?
*If you both work, do you want someone else - probably a stranger - raising your children?
*Can you afford two cars?
*Can you afford a bigger place to live?
*Can you afford a safe place to live?
The real biggy: If you are a two religion (or one and none) family, what will the children be raised as? Oh, believe me, that is extremely important to have ironed out way ahead of time - preferably in writing, signed, and witnessed!
Then there are the profound things that happen all because of children. (Some might call it fate...)
***
The first reality of how having a baby changed what we would do with our life was when I was about 4 months pregnant with our first child. My husband decided he wanted to quit his job and go to grad school. BUT, he had a full time job that came with insurance that paid 100% of everything including having the new baby. There would be no insurance if he quit. Also, it was 1977; pregnant women did not get hired for jobs. We already had two students loans, a house, and a car we were paying off. What would we have lived on? (I'm glad we had insurance; I had to have a C-section. By the next year, there was no reason to go to grad school. There weren't any jobs available in his profession.)
For the love of your children:
***
Just a few years ago, I found out that when I was 14 my mom turned down an excellent job offer. At the time the offer was made it was for a job that was usually only given to men. Why didn't she take the job? Mom said because she didn't want to raise us by herself in Washington DC. (By not going to Washington DC, my mom met and married a very nice man who was essentially our dad for the next 39-1/2 years.)
***
When I had just barely turned 17, I was "sent" from Michigan back to Idaho to live with my grandparents. My mom wasn't ready for me to leave home. I wasn't particularly ready to leave home. It was a safety issue; the neighborhood that I had to walk through to get to and from school had rapidly deteriorated. (There weren't any school buses and the city bus took a route through an even worse section of the city.)
***
By the next year, my mom and step-dad moved because my younger brothers would have had to walk to a dangerous neighborhood to go to school.
***
Even though it meant an hour commute (one way) over a mountain pass for my husband, we moved to put our son in a better school.
***
I have more examples, but think about what sacrifices or choices your parents made in raising you and/or your siblings. Of course, having children changed their lives and lifestyles.
Is having children worth the effort? Of course.
It isn't just about having a baby. Almost any woman can have a baby. It's the responsibility that goes with it. For the most part, having a baby is a wonderful thing. It is a being to love and put our whole hearts and souls into.
There are the little changes:
*Like not getting enough sleep.
*Like having to cancel a shopping trip or lunch because the baby is sick.
*There will be times when you crave visiting with an adult that doesn't want to talk about babies at all.
*There will be the times when you are all dressed to go out and the baby poops all over or throws up on you and makes you late for church or ..
*There will be days the dishes don't get done until midnight or not at all.
*There will be days that the baby will soil every single piece of his (or her) and your clothing. (Washing items in the sink and hanging them up to dry works well, especially if you turn a fan on them.)
*There will be snowy cold days when you don't feel like taking the effort the bundle up the baby so you can go to the grocery store or the library.
*There will be the times the toddler colors the beige couch with green felt tip or stuffs a toy down the toilet.
*There will be broken knick-knacks, scraped knees, and headlice epidemics.
*There will be days that the children bicker at each other all day.
These are little things that are soon forgotten or laughed about later.
And, there will be days that are pure joy.
Then are are some of the bigger things to consider. How will either you or your spouse react if:
*You have a really fun and/or expensive trip planned and one of the kids gets sick?
*One or all of the children get car sick even just going to the grocery store?
*The baby sitter doesn't show up and you (or your spouse) miss an important meeting?
*You (or your spouse) miss several days of work because the kids are sick - one after the other? Don't forget, you and your spouse will probably catch whatever it is, too. (Not all employers are sympathetic!)
*You decide to be a stay at home mom (or dad) and now have only one income?
*The salary earning spouse (or both of you) travels quite a bit and/or works really long hours?
Other things to consider:
*Can you afford even occasional child care?
*If you both work, do you want someone else - probably a stranger - raising your children?
*Can you afford two cars?
*Can you afford a bigger place to live?
*Can you afford a safe place to live?
The real biggy: If you are a two religion (or one and none) family, what will the children be raised as? Oh, believe me, that is extremely important to have ironed out way ahead of time - preferably in writing, signed, and witnessed!
Then there are the profound things that happen all because of children. (Some might call it fate...)
***
The first reality of how having a baby changed what we would do with our life was when I was about 4 months pregnant with our first child. My husband decided he wanted to quit his job and go to grad school. BUT, he had a full time job that came with insurance that paid 100% of everything including having the new baby. There would be no insurance if he quit. Also, it was 1977; pregnant women did not get hired for jobs. We already had two students loans, a house, and a car we were paying off. What would we have lived on? (I'm glad we had insurance; I had to have a C-section. By the next year, there was no reason to go to grad school. There weren't any jobs available in his profession.)
For the love of your children:
***
Just a few years ago, I found out that when I was 14 my mom turned down an excellent job offer. At the time the offer was made it was for a job that was usually only given to men. Why didn't she take the job? Mom said because she didn't want to raise us by herself in Washington DC. (By not going to Washington DC, my mom met and married a very nice man who was essentially our dad for the next 39-1/2 years.)
***
When I had just barely turned 17, I was "sent" from Michigan back to Idaho to live with my grandparents. My mom wasn't ready for me to leave home. I wasn't particularly ready to leave home. It was a safety issue; the neighborhood that I had to walk through to get to and from school had rapidly deteriorated. (There weren't any school buses and the city bus took a route through an even worse section of the city.)
***
By the next year, my mom and step-dad moved because my younger brothers would have had to walk to a dangerous neighborhood to go to school.
***
Even though it meant an hour commute (one way) over a mountain pass for my husband, we moved to put our son in a better school.
***
I have more examples, but think about what sacrifices or choices your parents made in raising you and/or your siblings. Of course, having children changed their lives and lifestyles.
Is having children worth the effort? Of course.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Genealogy
Genealogy is one of my grand passions. I picked up this obsession to learn about my ancestors and their lives from both of my grandmothers - long before this current interest of finding one's family. It also helps that I'm just plain nosey.
My maternal grandmother always talked about her family, and I was extremely lucky that this grandmother lived (and stayed fairly alert) until I was 53 years old. She was always helpful and extremely interested in what I had found no matter which family line I was working on.
My paternal grandmother lived with us from the time I was 5 or 6 until I was in the ninth grade, and yet, I knew very little about her. She seldom talked about her family. (I now realize she seldom actually talked to us. It was always "just a relative", "someone from church" or "a friend" is coming to visit.) Her lack of sharing made me extremely curious to find out about her family. Unfortunately, she passed away when I was a senior in high school.
The grandfathers also played a part in wanting to know more about their families. (Don't want to leave them out!) My maternal grandfather was from Missouri. He talked about his home and his family as if they were very dear to him. My paternal grandfather passed away when I was four, and since no one talked about his family, I had to find out about them.
Until I started looking for my ancestors, history was just a series of events that happened - mostly dry and boring. I could take it or leave it. But, as I was doing research, I suddenly realized real people - people I was related to -were involved with historical events. (DUH!) Suddenly history was interesting and important.
My maternal grandmother always talked about her family, and I was extremely lucky that this grandmother lived (and stayed fairly alert) until I was 53 years old. She was always helpful and extremely interested in what I had found no matter which family line I was working on.
My paternal grandmother lived with us from the time I was 5 or 6 until I was in the ninth grade, and yet, I knew very little about her. She seldom talked about her family. (I now realize she seldom actually talked to us. It was always "just a relative", "someone from church" or "a friend" is coming to visit.) Her lack of sharing made me extremely curious to find out about her family. Unfortunately, she passed away when I was a senior in high school.
The grandfathers also played a part in wanting to know more about their families. (Don't want to leave them out!) My maternal grandfather was from Missouri. He talked about his home and his family as if they were very dear to him. My paternal grandfather passed away when I was four, and since no one talked about his family, I had to find out about them.
Until I started looking for my ancestors, history was just a series of events that happened - mostly dry and boring. I could take it or leave it. But, as I was doing research, I suddenly realized real people - people I was related to -were involved with historical events. (DUH!) Suddenly history was interesting and important.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Well...
This is interesting. I took the quiz and answered the best I could. In 1966, I was finishing up the 6th grade and starting the 7th. I had heard of marijuana from the news; good old health class taught me about the other illegal drugs.
You Belong in 1966 |
 You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule - oh, and drugs too. |
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My Grandmothers, Random Thoughts & (Indirectly) Why Vote
I was lucky. I had two grandmothers that were passionate about life, their rights, and beliefs. Each belonged to a very different church, but both would have been considered good, religious women. Both were vocal about current affairs; both liked to discuss politics in general. Both were adamant about voting. (Neither here nor there, both were pretty much self-educated and enjoyed learning, neither drank alcohol, both of their mothers died in 1926, both happened to be Republican.)
My paternal grandmother was older and "old", less demonstrative, quieter, more stern, and rather old fashioned about how women should act. However, she was insistant on being involved and having women (in general) involved in the community. She belonged to several civic organizations and was very active in a couple of them.
She was one of the youngest of 26 (count them!) children. Grandma didn't say too much about her younger years. She'd just say, "You don't have any idea how lucky you are." or "You sure are spoiled." From other family members, I learned of her childhood; it wasn't particularly good, happy, or otherwise.
This grandma didn't talk to us directly very much, but did take us with her to many functions. (She was of the "a child should be seen but not heard" school.) We were influenced by what we heard her say to others and by what she did with her life.
My maternal grandmother was almost 14 years younger than my other grandmother, so her outlook was different. She was a teen in the "Roaring" wicked 1920's, although she lived on a ranch a long way from civilization during part of that time. This grandma was a little more lenient, more open-minded, more demonstrative. She worked and had worked outside the home; had lived and worked for a while on an Indian reservation; had run a business; and had moved all over the country - where ever there was work for either her or her husband (Grandpa).
She was concerned with social issues such as domestic abuse, disease control, women and minority's rights, and (horrors!) birth control. (One would think that she should have been a Democrat. The difference is that she believed that individuals and churches should be responsible for taking care of these problems not the government.)
This grandma would listen to what we had to say. She would correct us or discuss with us, but we were never treated like we were silly or stupid. This grandma talked to us like we were adults. She told of her family, her experiences, about things that bothered her, what made her happy.
This grandma was one of the oldest of seven living children and had been expected to bring in money to help support the family. She grew up rather poor, but she had a fairly happy and loving childhood. Grandma taught us with her words and actions.
I was in high school, went to college, worked, got married, and had a child all in the 1970's. But, the feminism idea wasn't really new to me. I'd basically heard my female relatives "vent" (usually they were fairly quiet about it - there would be almost hidden tears and "I don't like it, but that's life. I wish I could change it, but I can't" attitude) against the inequities all my life. There are too many instances to write about here.) Although I didn't agree with the most radical aspects of Feminism, I was glad that in the 1970's somebody was finally doing something about trying to change attitudes of society and some of the laws that still forbid women certain rights.
My paternal grandmother was older and "old", less demonstrative, quieter, more stern, and rather old fashioned about how women should act. However, she was insistant on being involved and having women (in general) involved in the community. She belonged to several civic organizations and was very active in a couple of them.
She was one of the youngest of 26 (count them!) children. Grandma didn't say too much about her younger years. She'd just say, "You don't have any idea how lucky you are." or "You sure are spoiled." From other family members, I learned of her childhood; it wasn't particularly good, happy, or otherwise.
This grandma didn't talk to us directly very much, but did take us with her to many functions. (She was of the "a child should be seen but not heard" school.) We were influenced by what we heard her say to others and by what she did with her life.
My maternal grandmother was almost 14 years younger than my other grandmother, so her outlook was different. She was a teen in the "Roaring" wicked 1920's, although she lived on a ranch a long way from civilization during part of that time. This grandma was a little more lenient, more open-minded, more demonstrative. She worked and had worked outside the home; had lived and worked for a while on an Indian reservation; had run a business; and had moved all over the country - where ever there was work for either her or her husband (Grandpa).
She was concerned with social issues such as domestic abuse, disease control, women and minority's rights, and (horrors!) birth control. (One would think that she should have been a Democrat. The difference is that she believed that individuals and churches should be responsible for taking care of these problems not the government.)
This grandma would listen to what we had to say. She would correct us or discuss with us, but we were never treated like we were silly or stupid. This grandma talked to us like we were adults. She told of her family, her experiences, about things that bothered her, what made her happy.
This grandma was one of the oldest of seven living children and had been expected to bring in money to help support the family. She grew up rather poor, but she had a fairly happy and loving childhood. Grandma taught us with her words and actions.
I was in high school, went to college, worked, got married, and had a child all in the 1970's. But, the feminism idea wasn't really new to me. I'd basically heard my female relatives "vent" (usually they were fairly quiet about it - there would be almost hidden tears and "I don't like it, but that's life. I wish I could change it, but I can't" attitude) against the inequities all my life. There are too many instances to write about here.) Although I didn't agree with the most radical aspects of Feminism, I was glad that in the 1970's somebody was finally doing something about trying to change attitudes of society and some of the laws that still forbid women certain rights.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Intro
You may or may not know (and probably don't care - lol) that I have been sewing on and off for over 45 years. I may have been 5 or 6 (or even younger) the first time one of my grandmothers handed me a piece of fabric and a threaded needle.
Both grandmas tried to teach me hand stitchery - garment stitches, embroidery, crewel, knitting, and crocheting. I wasn't much interested (make that bored to tears). Then, when I was about 8 years old, Mom made me start 4-H. I loved 4-H. With it came sewing lessons and a whole new world opened up - using the sewing machine!
I made night gowns, pj's, bathrobes, dresses, blouses, pants, skirts, jackets (not "officially" tailored ones) not just for myself but also for my mom. Later, I also made shirts for the men and almost all of my maternal grandmother's clothes.
I wound up being a home economics major because of a 4-H scholarship. I was able to take classes to learn about textiles; flattering fabrics, styles, and colors; clothing construction (yes, I did learn new techniques!); fitting; and pattern and clothing alteration. (Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish college so never got to take pattern making.)
Then, as with a lot of things, I started to let sewing go by the wayside. Could this possibly have been because I had a husband and toddler and was working outside the home? Was it because my husband didn't like the mess sewing caused? Was it because I was constantly having to set up, take down, and move everything? Had I just gotten tired of sewing? Then, I had another baby who turned into a very demanding toddler/young child. And, I sometimes still worked full-time outside the home. Somehow, I'd still manage to occasionally make something or even sew in spurts and make several things.
A few years went by. I had hardly made anything, and when I did, I wasn't satified with the results. Frustration gave me a new reason not to sew. Then, oops, suddenly my daughter is a young singer. She needs concert black clothing. Where do you find concert black clothing? In Idaho, where do you find concert black clothing? Where do you find petite-sized concert black clothing? Out came the sewing machine.
Guess what? For the most part, it is incredibly less expensive to buy fabric and sew formal gowns than it is buy them ready made. Depending on your area, you can even hire someone to make a gown cheaper than purchasing a ready-made one.
When I'm in "town", I check to see if fabric, thread, zippers, and patterns are on sale. I always try to keep 3 or 4 lengths of various black and other dressy fabrics on hand. It saves a rush trip to the city for supplies. Once we had a limited time to come up with a black dress and our only fabric store was out of all "dressy" black fabric! I remember panicking, but I can't remember what we wound up doing.
Hopefully, my daughter is now full grown and won't change in size for a while. With her black pant's outfit, a black gown or two, and maybe a couple of long black skirts, she'll be set.
Both grandmas tried to teach me hand stitchery - garment stitches, embroidery, crewel, knitting, and crocheting. I wasn't much interested (make that bored to tears). Then, when I was about 8 years old, Mom made me start 4-H. I loved 4-H. With it came sewing lessons and a whole new world opened up - using the sewing machine!
I made night gowns, pj's, bathrobes, dresses, blouses, pants, skirts, jackets (not "officially" tailored ones) not just for myself but also for my mom. Later, I also made shirts for the men and almost all of my maternal grandmother's clothes.
I wound up being a home economics major because of a 4-H scholarship. I was able to take classes to learn about textiles; flattering fabrics, styles, and colors; clothing construction (yes, I did learn new techniques!); fitting; and pattern and clothing alteration. (Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish college so never got to take pattern making.)
Then, as with a lot of things, I started to let sewing go by the wayside. Could this possibly have been because I had a husband and toddler and was working outside the home? Was it because my husband didn't like the mess sewing caused? Was it because I was constantly having to set up, take down, and move everything? Had I just gotten tired of sewing? Then, I had another baby who turned into a very demanding toddler/young child. And, I sometimes still worked full-time outside the home. Somehow, I'd still manage to occasionally make something or even sew in spurts and make several things.
A few years went by. I had hardly made anything, and when I did, I wasn't satified with the results. Frustration gave me a new reason not to sew. Then, oops, suddenly my daughter is a young singer. She needs concert black clothing. Where do you find concert black clothing? In Idaho, where do you find concert black clothing? Where do you find petite-sized concert black clothing? Out came the sewing machine.
Guess what? For the most part, it is incredibly less expensive to buy fabric and sew formal gowns than it is buy them ready made. Depending on your area, you can even hire someone to make a gown cheaper than purchasing a ready-made one.
When I'm in "town", I check to see if fabric, thread, zippers, and patterns are on sale. I always try to keep 3 or 4 lengths of various black and other dressy fabrics on hand. It saves a rush trip to the city for supplies. Once we had a limited time to come up with a black dress and our only fabric store was out of all "dressy" black fabric! I remember panicking, but I can't remember what we wound up doing.
Hopefully, my daughter is now full grown and won't change in size for a while. With her black pant's outfit, a black gown or two, and maybe a couple of long black skirts, she'll be set.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Disturbed
I'm becoming alarmed about what might be a "new" trend of thinking. Maybe it has been around for a while, and I'm just learning about it. Maybe I just stumbled upon a small pocket (can't think of the word I want to use) who believes "this".
"This" is pushing feminity or being feminine. "This" doesn't sound so bad or frightening on the surface. After all, I am a grown woman who has been married for over thirty years. I have children and grandchildren. I believe in families. I know how to love, nuture, laugh, and cry. I know how to cook, bake bread, preserve, garden, sew, and clean. I can read the Bible, read poetry, do embroidery, play the piano, and even sing (plug your ears!). (Unfortunately, I never learned to dance.) Some would consider me kind and caring. I try to be respectful to others. I think I know how to pray. I know how to behave in our church. (I even know how to make candles, milk a cow, gather and candle eggs, pluck a fowl, and could probably spin wool, weave fabric, and make baskets if I had to.) These are considered feminine traits.
However! What I have been reading suggests that a wife should always be subservient to her husband. These groups or people are spewing that women should not involve themselves in politics. The husband should be the one to tell his wife how to think. The husband should fight all his wife's battles. The wife should never say an unkind word or raise her voice or argue. The husband should take care of all the finances. And, the women should always wear feminine, flattering dresses and do only "feminine" things. Old writings? NO! Only from one religious group? NO, several.
Still doesn't sound so bad? What would happen if your husband passed away? Would you know how to take care of yourself? If not, who would take care of you? Do you want to give up the right to think for yourself? Do you want to give up the right to vote? Do you want to give up the right to be a doctor, lawyer, or business woman? Do you want to stand there and let your husband and/or others "trample" you? Do you want to give up the right to wear jeans :)???
One place I read went on to say that the 1970's feminism movement was the cause of man's irresponsibily toward society and the reason that men now treat women so poorly. Maybe, some, but it even went on to say that men of the older generations were responsible bread-winners and were kind, considerate, and gentle to their wives and families. It didn't say generally, either.
HUH? What about all the men who deserted their families - way before 1970's feminism? What about the men who raped women and got away with it - way before 1970's feminism? What about husbands that beat their wives and/or children - way before 1970's feminism? What about the men who considered it their right to have multiple affairs - way before 1970's feminism? What about the men who never did a day's work - way before feminism. There might have been some surface social curtesies. By digging into your own family history, reading history, or listening to older people talk about their lives shows that men were really no better before the 1970's.
For the most part, women have always been strong. They have kept "civilization" going while raising their children, whether by working to keep a household together, by working on their farm, by working in a factory, or by scrubbing toilets. They have fought for their family's safety. They have always done what needed to be done.
Feminism may have gone overboard, but:
I excerise my right to vote for whom I please. This is relatively new right for women in the U.S. Please take advantage of this!
I reserve the right to wear jeans.
I reserve the right argue with my husband if I think he is wrong.
I reserve the right to yell and/or swear and/or even drink alcohol if I wish.
I reserved the right to say how many children I wanted. (There are your husband's wishes to consider and also religious issues, but I personally don't believe in knowingly (key word "knowingly") endangering your life and/or the child's life to have a child. To me, this is the same as playing Russian roulette or trying to commit suicide or infantcide. (Hey, I wanted to be alive to take care of my children myself.) There are those that say birth control is evil or a form of murder. Who are we to say that God didn't intend to have birth control discovered? (This should be thoroughly discussed with your husband-to-be.)
I pay the bills (but try to keep my husband informed).
I reserve the right to read whatever I want to read.
I reserve the right to go back to college and study whatever I want.
I reserve the right to work outside the home if I wish.
I reserve the right to not clean, cook, pamper, or pander to my husband's every wish.
If I am doing the same job as a man, I expect equal pay.
If my husband should beat me, I would expect him to be arrested and jailed.
I reserve the right of being a wife to ask my husband for help if I need it.
I expect help from my husband even when I don't ask.
I reserve the right to get a divorce if life with my husband should become unbearable.
I like the fact that if I wanted, I could buy and own land without a co-signer or without my husband's approval.
I like the fact that I can go buy my own car without my husband's approval.
I like that I can actually own something. Period. Used to be that if the husband died, the only thing the woman owned was what he willed her or her silver - if she was lucky enough to have any.
And, just so you know, I absolutely love and respect my husband even if he does drive me a little nuts sometimes!
I don't know about the rest of you, but I am certainly glad women are no longer mere chattels.
"This" is pushing feminity or being feminine. "This" doesn't sound so bad or frightening on the surface. After all, I am a grown woman who has been married for over thirty years. I have children and grandchildren. I believe in families. I know how to love, nuture, laugh, and cry. I know how to cook, bake bread, preserve, garden, sew, and clean. I can read the Bible, read poetry, do embroidery, play the piano, and even sing (plug your ears!). (Unfortunately, I never learned to dance.) Some would consider me kind and caring. I try to be respectful to others. I think I know how to pray. I know how to behave in our church. (I even know how to make candles, milk a cow, gather and candle eggs, pluck a fowl, and could probably spin wool, weave fabric, and make baskets if I had to.) These are considered feminine traits.
However! What I have been reading suggests that a wife should always be subservient to her husband. These groups or people are spewing that women should not involve themselves in politics. The husband should be the one to tell his wife how to think. The husband should fight all his wife's battles. The wife should never say an unkind word or raise her voice or argue. The husband should take care of all the finances. And, the women should always wear feminine, flattering dresses and do only "feminine" things. Old writings? NO! Only from one religious group? NO, several.
Still doesn't sound so bad? What would happen if your husband passed away? Would you know how to take care of yourself? If not, who would take care of you? Do you want to give up the right to think for yourself? Do you want to give up the right to vote? Do you want to give up the right to be a doctor, lawyer, or business woman? Do you want to stand there and let your husband and/or others "trample" you? Do you want to give up the right to wear jeans :)???
One place I read went on to say that the 1970's feminism movement was the cause of man's irresponsibily toward society and the reason that men now treat women so poorly. Maybe, some, but it even went on to say that men of the older generations were responsible bread-winners and were kind, considerate, and gentle to their wives and families. It didn't say generally, either.
HUH? What about all the men who deserted their families - way before 1970's feminism? What about the men who raped women and got away with it - way before 1970's feminism? What about husbands that beat their wives and/or children - way before 1970's feminism? What about the men who considered it their right to have multiple affairs - way before 1970's feminism? What about the men who never did a day's work - way before feminism. There might have been some surface social curtesies. By digging into your own family history, reading history, or listening to older people talk about their lives shows that men were really no better before the 1970's.
For the most part, women have always been strong. They have kept "civilization" going while raising their children, whether by working to keep a household together, by working on their farm, by working in a factory, or by scrubbing toilets. They have fought for their family's safety. They have always done what needed to be done.
Feminism may have gone overboard, but:
I excerise my right to vote for whom I please. This is relatively new right for women in the U.S. Please take advantage of this!
I reserve the right to wear jeans.
I reserve the right argue with my husband if I think he is wrong.
I reserve the right to yell and/or swear and/or even drink alcohol if I wish.
I reserved the right to say how many children I wanted. (There are your husband's wishes to consider and also religious issues, but I personally don't believe in knowingly (key word "knowingly") endangering your life and/or the child's life to have a child. To me, this is the same as playing Russian roulette or trying to commit suicide or infantcide. (Hey, I wanted to be alive to take care of my children myself.) There are those that say birth control is evil or a form of murder. Who are we to say that God didn't intend to have birth control discovered? (This should be thoroughly discussed with your husband-to-be.)
I pay the bills (but try to keep my husband informed).
I reserve the right to read whatever I want to read.
I reserve the right to go back to college and study whatever I want.
I reserve the right to work outside the home if I wish.
I reserve the right to not clean, cook, pamper, or pander to my husband's every wish.
If I am doing the same job as a man, I expect equal pay.
If my husband should beat me, I would expect him to be arrested and jailed.
I reserve the right of being a wife to ask my husband for help if I need it.
I expect help from my husband even when I don't ask.
I reserve the right to get a divorce if life with my husband should become unbearable.
I like the fact that if I wanted, I could buy and own land without a co-signer or without my husband's approval.
I like the fact that I can go buy my own car without my husband's approval.
I like that I can actually own something. Period. Used to be that if the husband died, the only thing the woman owned was what he willed her or her silver - if she was lucky enough to have any.
And, just so you know, I absolutely love and respect my husband even if he does drive me a little nuts sometimes!
I don't know about the rest of you, but I am certainly glad women are no longer mere chattels.
Friday, October 17, 2008
(In)Sanity
In a blog I follow, the writer asked what we wanted today. I said sanity. I suppose what I really meant was serenity or peacefulness or just plain old quiet.
At the time I said that, the mail person came to the door so the dogs were barking. Then the kitten (Hissy Fit or Hissy for short) decided to torment the old cat, Rosie. (Old cat was named after Roseanne Barr because she was so ornery when she was a kitten.) There was running and jumping and hissing and spitting and growling all over the house. Papers were flying; books were falling off shelves.
When Rosie got tired of the chase, Hissy decided it was time to attack Chewie's (our Border Collie) big beautiful bushy tail. (How was that for an alliteration?) Not to be left out, the old dog had to get into the fun, which caused the other two dogs to want to join in. Since the last two mentioned are banned from the living room, they had to fuss and whine and dance at the gate.
This routine (minus the mail person) goes on several times a day, every day.
Am I complaining? Naw. Who wants a silent normal household? LOL
At the time I said that, the mail person came to the door so the dogs were barking. Then the kitten (Hissy Fit or Hissy for short) decided to torment the old cat, Rosie. (Old cat was named after Roseanne Barr because she was so ornery when she was a kitten.) There was running and jumping and hissing and spitting and growling all over the house. Papers were flying; books were falling off shelves.
When Rosie got tired of the chase, Hissy decided it was time to attack Chewie's (our Border Collie) big beautiful bushy tail. (How was that for an alliteration?) Not to be left out, the old dog had to get into the fun, which caused the other two dogs to want to join in. Since the last two mentioned are banned from the living room, they had to fuss and whine and dance at the gate.
This routine (minus the mail person) goes on several times a day, every day.
Am I complaining? Naw. Who wants a silent normal household? LOL
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