Deo Gratias!

Praying for our Holy Father!

2010-04-02T08:54:00.000-04:00

Dear Fellow Catholic,

Urgently, we ask you TODAY to join Catholics nationwide in an Easter Prayer Campaign for Pope Benedict. . . and spread the word!

Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is suffering "some of the same unjust accusations, shouts of the mob, and scourging at the pillar as did Jesus"!

Those are the words of Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, who on Palm Sunday urged prayers for Pope Benedict as he is viciously and unfairly attacked by the secular media and sadly even many dissident Catholics.

Pope Benedict is being assaulted with “unrelenting insinuations,” said Archbishop Dolan, “. . .as certain sources seem frenzied to implicate the man who, perhaps more than anyone else, has been the leader in purification, reform and renewal that the Church so needs.”

When he was installed as Pope five years ago, the Holy Father himself asked us to help him, saying:

“Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. Let us pray for one another, that the Lord will carry us and that we will learn to carry one another.”

Pope Benedict has never fled from the wolves, and he remains dedicated to renewing Christ’s Church built on a foundation of strong Catholic identity. It is by his example that The Cardinal Newman Society and so many others are struggling to renew Catholic life in America.

We are assembling an Eastertide spiritual bouquet for the Holy Father and need your prayers for him today!

Please pledge to pray for the Pope during the 50 days of Eastertide by joining our spiritual bouquet.

Last year, thanks to your help, we collected more than 722,000 prayers for U.S. bishops, including 146,944 Rosaries and 28,862 days of fasting, as a token of appreciation for their strong stand for Catholic identity at Notre Dame.

But now, “The father of our family, ‘il papa,’ needs our love, support, and prayers,” as Archbishop Dolan has pleaded.

Catholics nationwide are praying for Pope Benedict, won’t you join us?

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle! And may God bless you and your family.

Yours in Christ,

The Cardinal Newman Society

Student Loans

2010-03-28T11:50:00.003-04:00

So, now the government has control of student loans, too.

Once again, like health care, this is an area that could use reform. A bankruptcy judge once told me that the reason tuition for higher education has skyrocketed is because of the easy availability of loans. If kids can borrow money, universities have carte blanche to spend away, and know that the clientele will still be there.

But, I wonder how long it is before students are forbidden from using their government loans for classes that teach things that go against Secular Progressive Tenets. How long before students who borrow money are required to take Cultural Sensitivity classes, as a condition of receiving a loan? Perhaps the day will come when "separation of church and state" will mean that you cannot borrow money to attend a private university? I don't think these ideas belong to the overly paranoid fringe elements of society.

Obama wants everyone to have a college degree, I heard him say on TV. Already, a bachelor's degree is about as meaningful as a high school degree. Doesn't it devalue it, all the more, when people are suddenly required to attend a Progressive Government financed institution? Ugh!

In case you were in any doubt that there's an agenda here, the above linked article ends:

With his first major piece of education legislation out of the way, Obama will likely move on to K-12 matters later this year as he attempts to rework the unpopular No Child Left Behind law. But before then, members of Congress (and America's students) are going on spring break.

See? Moving on to the younger children. From mandatory pre-school to government-financed university: Obama was well-trained by Bill Ayres and those who want to use schooling as indoctrination.

Oy vey! Anyone heard anything lately on the Texas plan to leave the Union???

All in God's Plans!

2010-03-23T16:14:00.005-04:00

The More Kids, the Lower Moms' Suicide Risk

These latest findings give some support to that theory, researcher Dr. Chun-Yuh Yang, of Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan, told Reuters Health by email.

Looking at 30 years' worth of data on 1.3 million Taiwanese mothers, Yang found that women with two children were 39 percent less likely than those with one child to commit suicide.

That risk was 60 percent lower among women with three or more children, Yang reports in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

. . .

Although the current study included only Taiwanese women, Yang said the findings are likely relevant to other countries as well. Studies done in Norway, Denmark and Finland have found a similar relationship between a woman's number of children and her risk of suicide.

Well, of course! It's all in God's plans. Take that, you stinkin' population control people. Alas, the population control fundamentalists probably think it's better to have depressed people who will take themselves out of the world sooner, thus reducing their carbon footprint. I'm only half joking.

The article rightly points out that it could be more that those with a depressed outlook on life choose not to have kids. That's true. But, it still proves that the tendency towards health and well-being is geared towards bringing children into the world. And it's the sign of a healthy person to hope in the future, no matter what is going on in the present.

"There's a splendor beyond."

2010-03-22T17:17:00.003-04:00

I've been feeling discouraged by the way the health care vote went for the culture of death. I'm feeling quite betrayed by some turncoat politicians. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Indeed, may God have mercy on their souls.

Currently, the book I'm reading aloud to the children is Enemy Brothers. It's a book they love; the older children have read it any number of times. It's a story that takes place in England during World War II, even before the US entered the war. Our chapter today was very, very appropriate to what's going on right now, in our own time. I've copied it out, to share with the world. It's a dialogue between two brothers, Dym and Tony (read the book if you want to know why he's also referred to as 'Max' in the following passage).

“Exactly the same enemies that we’re fighting now, Max: the powers of darkness enslaving the souls of men. The battle is always going on, though the foe takes different shapes at different times.

England

and her allies aren’t just fighting the Axis countries – they’re fighting the veils spirits that have laid hold of

Germany

and

Italy

and

Japan

. It’s a far bigger fight than most people realize. Those powers are responsible for what’s happening today; a hundred years ago they were responsible for what happened in the dark satanic mills, and two thousand years ago they crucified Christ.

“Blake’s song isn’t really a song for England alone,” said Dym. “It’s a song for every land. We’re building the unseen Jerusalem together. But the powers of darkness don’t want to see a time when the earth shall be filled with the gory of God as the waters cover the sea. They think that a smashed and tortured world is a prettier sight, and so they won’t allow Jerusalem to be built in England or anywhere else. That means that every country has got to choose between God and the devil. Yes, and every man, woman and child has got to make the same choice too.”

Tony said slowly, “You think that

England

has chosen God’s side?”

Dym answered, almost in the words he had heard before, “I believe with all my heart that my country is on God’s side in the struggle that is going on now. The awful part of it is, Max, that our hands aren’t as clean as they should be.”

“You didn’t want the war. I used to think you did, but –”

“God knows we didn’t want it. But they say that, in the years before the war, we drifted away from Him and though of nothing but the things we could get out of life. I don’t know how far that’s true – I’m not old enough to judge. But this I do know – it’s written down for all men to read – there have been times in our history when we fought on the side of the powers of darkness, when we did what was cruel, treacherous, mean, lazy, shabby. And now, when we want to be strong to fight for the right, half the world taunts us with the shady places in our past, and our misdeeds rise up like grim specters, mocking us . . .

. . . “The powers of darkness are making yet another attempt – perhaps the biggest they’ve ever made – to cast down and destroy the City of God.”

“They can’t do it, can they?” . . .

. . . “No, they will never do it; you needn’t be afraid. They’ll be defeated in the end.”

“Even if we lose the war? I mean, I even if you lose it?”

“We’re not going to lose it. But, even if we did, this war is only part of the struggle between good and evil. You don’t suppose God would accept defeat? He will win.”

“But why doesn’t He stop the war? He could, couldn’t He? About three good big earthquakes would stop it easily.”

“Perhaps it’s because He has made us men, Max, not dolls that can’t lift a finger of their own accord. But I don’t really know; I’m not in the Operations Room, you see. All I do know is that the world has a Chief who was victorious when the powers of darkness struck at Him with everything they had. He has the plans today. The darkness won’t last forever. There’s a splendor beyond.”

The Obamacare Nuns

2010-03-19T19:03:00.005-04:00

In my local paper yesterday, I was shocked to read about a group of Catholic nuns who made a declaration of support for Obamacare.

Network - A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

These people are nuts. Check out what they have to say about The Dignity of the Human Person:

The dignity of the human person flows from his/her creation in God’s image. This divine image gives sanctity to every human life. Consequently, every human being possesses an inalienable dignity and fundamental value that transcends gender, race, class, ethnicity and nationality.

We can only support human dignity and achieve healthy communities if we protect human rights. Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human dignity, such as adequate food, housing, work, education, transportation, healthcare, and freedom of communication and expression.

YES!!!! That reads "transportation." Where in the Catechism of the Catholic Church does it say that human needs for transportation trump the right to life???????

And when they're rallying around the flag of "freedom of expression," do they care that Obama and the Democrats don't believe in the freedom of expression of Catholic doctors and pharmacists, when they do not want to provide medicine that brings about an unnatural end to life? That is called hypocrisy.

God have mercy on us!

Beyond the Girl Scouts

2010-03-16T15:25:00.004-04:00

I've been following the scandal about the Girl Scouts getting sex ed from Planned Parenthood, at the UN, after competent adults were kicked out of the room. My first reaction was that the Scouts are going to be the Hitler Youth of the Secular Progressives.

Today, I learned from C-Fam that some Girl Scout people are in denial about this. I don't find it at all surprising, alas. I'm glad my husband sent the cookie girl away this year. Not that he did it for moral reasons; I think he just wasn't interested. But, it's probably not a bad idea to decline support in the future.

However, this issue reaches far beyond the Girl Scouts. I wonder if most people are unaware of what Planned Parenthood is doing -- beyond abortion, that is.

Austin Ruse (of C-Fam) provides a link to the pamphlet that Planned Parenthood did or did not give to the Scouts. The pamphlet is not for the faint-hearted. It goes on and on and on and on about how whatever you choose to do is your own decision, no one should pass judgement/tell you you can't/etc. Kind of spooky that they aren't more emphatic about telling potential partners that you're carrying HIV or STDs. I guess "having fun" is more important than keeping another person safe.

And, it's hard to see how casual sex with multiple partners, diseased partners, or violent partners is a good thing for women. They oh-so-helpfully point out that you should tell your health care provider all about your activities, so they can check your mouth, throat and rectum for signs of disease. Ew! Who wants to live a life like that? That is free and liberating? That is fun?

Yes, that pamphlet was a culture shock for me. Usually, when I'm reading about STDs, I'm reading it from Catholic sources which are listing the reasons why one needs to recall that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Or else, I'm reading articles of a more medical nature (even morally-hands-off), where actions and their consequences are spelled out in simple, scientific means. I've not stumbled across many places where this behavior is celebrated as a human right. Okay, I guess it is your right to be stupid -- but why teach to the lowest denominator? Why not want more for our fellow human beings? More, of course, than "do whatever you think is fun, just make sure you get your throat checked out!"

Oddly enough, one thing the pamphlet says is, "Young people living with HIV have the right to support and services that respect their dignity, autonomy, and well-being." Yeah, thanks, Planned Parenthood, for attempting to teach the world about human dignity. Puh-leeze! While we're at it, how about if we teach alcoholics how to drive safely whilst drunk? And we can help alcoholics when they need to change jobs, because their drinking caused them to lose their last one? And, furthermore, we'll invite them to hang out with other alcoholics, because they need to be protected from those nasty, horrible family members and friends who want them to stop drinking.

I will pray for all these people: The people who are living the lies. The people who perpetuate the lies. I pray that they will have a miraculous conversion of heart. Because happiness does not begin and end with the things described in this pamphlet.

You know what? I'm saving this pamphlet. You can bet it will be a part of what I show my teenagers. Because, for me, abstinence education does not mean telling the kids, "Sex. Don't do it." For me, it means enlightening them about the whole story. Raise them on the marvelous things Catholicism has to teach about the human body, about human dignity, and about human sexuality, and the outrageous lies of Planned Parenthood don't stand a chance. Because in a choice between Jason and Crystalina Evert (my favorites for teenage chastity issues) and IPPF's "Happy, Healthy and Hot," there's going to be no competition in my children's minds.

The splendor of truth, indeed!

40 Days for Life

2010-02-19T11:02:00.003-05:00

Life is busy right now, so some of my online activities have been curtailed.

However, in case anyone still checks in here, and anyone who visits is not a part of 40 Days for Life, I am posting the Day 3 update. Do read it all the way to the end. It's very touching and brought a tear to my eye!

As you pray and fast for an end to abortion, please
be aware that your prayers ARE being answered.

Early Wednesday morning -- the first day of this
campaign -- 40 Days for Life vigil participants were
praying for a young woman who arrived for an abortion
appointment in Cleveland. On her way towards the
building, she stopped and talked to one of the
counselors on the sidewalk.

The vigil participants feared the conversation had
not made an impact. Still, they kept praying.

A short time later, the young woman left the facility
in tears. She could not go through with the abortion,
thanks to the conversation with the counselor --
and the prayers.

Michael in Cleveland says a second life was saved
around lunchtime on Wednesday. 40 Days for Life
participants were praying as a woman left the
abortion center ... smiling. The man with her --
the baby's father -- was also smiling.

She walked over to the people praying and said,
"Don't worry. I didn't do it!"

The young couple drove away, happy ... and still
smiling. Said Michael, "Our God is awesome!"

On Day 1 in Huntsville, Alabama, vigil participants
were praying for two young women. One had arrived
for an abortion. The other was doing her best to
try to talk her friend out of aborting her baby.

The two went inside together while the people on
the sidewalk continued to pray ...

... and pray ...

... and pray!

They were inside for two hours, which could have been
seen as a discouraging sign. But finally, the friend
came out. "Did you see how long I was in there?" she
asked ... and then she announced the good news.

"I talked her out of it!" she said.

"Thanks for everything!"

"Everything," of course, included two hours of praying
intently that God would touch this young woman's
heart -- and inspire the friend who desperately wanted
to see the baby live.

Prayer indeed works!

People praying at the Planned Parenthood abortion
center in Providence, Rhode Island learned that as
well. A woman drove up, eager to talk.

"You were out here praying two years ago when I went
in to have an abortion," she said. "I just want you to
know that I came out of the clinic that day. I decided
to have my baby. I love her and I wanted to thank you."

Thank YOU ... and thank our amazing Heavenly Father,
who hears each word of prayer.

Please keep praying!

Post Superbowl

2010-02-10T11:30:00.003-05:00

Well, I'd like to thank Planned Barrenhood and the Women's Media Center for getting their knickers twisted in a knot about the Tebow ad.

Because the ad was as innocuous as could be! Nary a word about abortion or "choice" or reproductive health. In fact, most people would probably have NOT chosen to visit the Focus on the Family website if it weren't for the free advertisement, courtesy of those who were foaming at the mouth. Why not? Because the ad was so low-key! Thus . . . . . .

Thank you, Planned Barrenhood and thank you, Women's Media Center for helping Focus on the Family to get their money's worth of that Superbowl ad. Ha ha! Thanks for helping to throw a spotlight on the story of the Tebow family -- one I wouldn't know, if it weren't for you. It's probably the best work you've done, ever, in the course of your existence.

!!!!!

2010-02-04T13:22:00.002-05:00

Planned Parenthood, Athletes Respond to Tebow Super Bowl Ad

In a statement accompanying the video, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said Tebow's story was "compelling," but added that every woman must be able to make important medical decisions for herself and her family.

!!!!!!!!!

Let's forget for one minute that abortion is the murder of the unborn. Let's forget about how many millions of girls have been slaughtered before they had the chance to BECOME women who can make their own health choices. Let's pretend that this is all really about "choice."

Who is it that does not respect every woman's choice?????? If Planned Barrenhood really did respect every woman's choice, they'd say, "There you go, Mrs. Tebow" and forget the whole thing! Because there would be no issue beyond that. "Choice, choice, all we care about is choice. La la la la la la la CHOICE." Mrs. Tebow made her CHOICE. Be happy. You're meant to be pro-that-sort-of-thing.

"Every woman must be able to make important medical decisions for herself and her family." Uh, I guess unless the woman is carrying a child who might be disabled or unhealthy in some way. In which case, abort away, right? That's the "important medical decision" they really want every woman to make.

These people are such hypocrites!

Thus, they are not pro-choice. They are pro-abortion. Let's just get that out in the open. After all, they call us anti-choice. And, really, that's fine with me. I am anti-homicide/genocide/infanticide. If the choice is between life or homicide, I am anti-choosing-homicide. So, if you think that the more proper moniker for pro-life is anti-choice, it logically follows (especially given your irrational fear of the Tebow family) that you are not pro-choice, but pro-abortion. Come clean.

Should I wait and write this post when I'm not angry? No. Too busy today. Here it is: my wrath in all its glory.

Atheists against Mother Teresa

2010-01-31T16:42:00.003-05:00

When did atheists become such rabid fundamentalists?

Atheists attack Mother Teresa

From reading the article, it's hard for me to understand why they wouldn't have protested an MLK, Jr. stamp. Liberals don't want to acknowledge that religion played an important part in his life, but it did. It seems to me that this is nothing other than anti-Catholicism. Or, it has to do with abortion. (According to MLK's niece, he was anti-abortion, as well!)

"Here's another objection: Mother Teresa used almost every public occasion, including her acceptance speech for the Nobel prize, to promote Roman Catholic dogma, especially its antiabortion ideology," the group said. "Even during her Nobel acceptance, the nun delivered a gratuitous tirade against abortion."

Tirade? Who has ever listened to Mother Teresa and had the word "tirade" pop into his head?

I don't understand atheists. Why fight so much against something you don't even think is real? Do I spend the time and energy to discredit those who believe that the government is covering up UFO landings? No, I just chuckle when I happen to see one of their documentaries and get on with life. Atheists would probably be a happier lot if they could just develop the same type of attitude. Well, okay, atheists would probably be a happier lot if they weren't atheists, ha ha ha!

Women's Groups Are Anti-Choice

2010-01-27T09:48:00.005-05:00

Have you heard this story?

Women's groups urge CBS to drop Tebow Super Bowl ad

A national coalition of women's groups called on CBS on Monday to scrap its plan to broadcast an ad during the Super Bowl featuring college football star Tim Tebow and his mother, which critics say is likely to convey an anti-abortion message.

"An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year -- an event designed to bring Americans together," said Jemhu Greene, president of the New York-based Women's Media Center.

One would think that women's groups would be more interested in trying to rid the advertising world of ads that have women dancing around in bikinis to sell, not bikinis, but internet service providers. Alas, no. They have other concerns:

The protest letter from the Women's Media Center suggested that CBS should have turned down the ad in part because it was conceived by Focus on the Family.

"By offering one of the most coveted advertising spots of the year to an anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization, CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will damage its reputation, alienate viewers, and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers," the letter said.

Oh, please. Has the Women's Media Center forgotten the existence of that pesky little document called the Constitution? That's why families have to suffer through ads that are not age-appropriate during the broadcast of sporting events. Honestly, I'd welcome a little more Focus on the Family and a little less Cialis during baseball and football seasons. One would think this would be a concern shared by fellow women and mothers.

But, no. Because when it comes down to it, the bottom line is always abortion. Cialis goes along with the sex free-for-all that "feminist" groups are so fond of. Having a baby, the natural consequence of sexual relations, is not what "feminist" groups are all about.

Go now. Answer the Fox Sports Pol l that accompanies this article. At last check, 214,435 people have voted and 73% of the people think that CBS should run the ad.

Most Ironic 2010

2010-01-21T16:51:00.002-05:00

The year has just begun, but this news story might win 'most ironic' award of the year.

Planned Parenthood asking for donations to rebuild clinics in Haiti

What's ironic? Glad you asked:

In a letter signed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Regional Director Carmen Barroso, the organization asks for “emergency donations” in order to “provide services for saving lives.”

Save lives = donate to Planned Parenthood? That's a promotional slogan that needs some tweaking, wouldn't you say?

Sleepless in Motherworld

2010-01-21T15:34:00.002-05:00

Janet has a blog label she calls "Murphy's Law for Moms."

Here's mine for the day.

If you get to bed early any given night, specifically so that you'll have a long night's rest, your toddler is certain to choose that night to wake up, climb into bed with you, and thrash about for the last two hours before hubby's alarm clock is set to go off. So much for the full night of sleep. . .

THANK YOU!

2010-01-20T11:26:00.002-05:00

THANK YOU,
citizens of Massachusetts!!!!!!!!

Hey Obama, Pelosi and Reid:

Can you hear me now?????????

You've heard us, but -- more importantly, will you now act on the will of the American people?

I think I ought to e-mail the one senator of mine who thinks Obamacare is a good idea. Unless he's a wishy-washy flip-flopper and he has already come to the conclusion that it's not good, based on yesterday's message to Washington.

Huzzah!

March for Life

2010-01-19T16:16:00.002-05:00

It's almost that time again. And, again, I'm missing it.

Prayers to all of you who are attending the largest gathering in Washington, DC to be ignored by the mainstream media. Thank you for your witness!

Photo taken from the March for Life website.

Star Trek, anyone?

2010-01-15T18:13:00.004-05:00

After 94 years of leading the Democrat-majority Congress, Rep. Nancy Pelosi retires to take the position as manager of a multi-billion hive mind of the Borg collective. "My previous existence as Madam Speaker, combined with cutting-edge plastic surgeries have fully prepared me for this dream job," said the Democrat Representative from San Francisco. "Ever since I was a little girl, all I really wanted in life was to become a biomechanical hive queen in a Borg campaign to assimilate Earth and force humans to appreciate the benefits of enhanced living as mindless drones controlled by collective consciousness."

Pretty funny. Lifted from a favorite website.

The anything-goes internet?

2010-01-15T17:38:00.005-05:00

I've noticed a liberal-slanted bias when doing searches on Yahoo. They've got the feature that brings up commonly searched phrases, to help you out in your search. I've typed in pro-life things and Catholic topics that I know to be fairly big, but they don't pop up. Conversely, I've searched some fairly obscure people/issues that aren't offensive to the liberals, and have been surprised when it pops up as a commonly searched phrase.

I've wondered if it really has to do with the amount of searches, or if there is some sinister liberal censoring going on. And then, I found this today:

Spenser: Google goes jihad

Google, the Internet's ubiquitous search engine, is under fire this week for censoring negative search results about Islam. If you type "Christianity is" into the Google search box, there immediately pop up a series of suggested completions to the sentence, most of them derogatory: "Christianity is bulls--t," "Christianity is not a religion," "Christianity is a lie," "Christianity is false," "Christianity is wrong," "Christianity is fake." No positive suggests come up. Likewise with "Buddhism is," and the sentence is once again completed with numerous negative suggestions: "Buddhism is wrong," "Buddhism is not what you think," and so on. But type in "Islam is," and nothing comes up at all. The negative suggestions inundating the searcher for other religions are nowhere to be seen.

I tried it myself, just to make sure it isn't an internet myth. No, it's real! For fun, I typed in many "xyz is . . ." phrases. Apparently, Google allows you to criticize Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, wicca, and paganism. Just not Islam.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that there should be a ban on criticism of my religion. I'm just complaining of the injustice of creating a "protected class." Kind of like so-called "hate speech." We all know where that road leads.

In fairness to Google, you can type "women deserve better" (Feminists for Life) and it shows up in the suggested completion of the text. Yahoo won't show anything except "military women deserve better covers." Hm.

A Matter of Perspective

2010-01-14T15:44:00.001-05:00

It's funny that 40 degrees can feel so WARM and spring-like, after a spell of below-freezing temperatures.

Toilet Paper in Cuba

2010-01-05T16:49:00.004-05:00

I found this:

Toilet paper shortage hits Cuba

Lots of ways we could look at this. We could point out that this is what happens under communism. We could use it as an example of why our own government needs to pull back from its leftist tendencies.

Alas, can't you see some Hollywood nitwit saying that it is a good thing, since most of us use too much toilet paper anyway? Or, some global climate change scientist will point out that a toilet paper shortage wouldn't happen, if there were simply fewer people in the world, therefore fewer people needing toilet paper?

Mark my words, someone out there believes this!

Christmas Break is Over!

2010-01-04T16:50:00.005-05:00

And I still haven't done my Christmas cards. Well, it's not yet January 6th. Perhaps I'll have to start making our Christmas cards a celebration of the Presentation of the Jesus.

At any rate, Christmas break was delightful! Let me count the reasons, in no particular order:

1) With no offense intended to my lovely children, I thoroughly enjoyed not having to drive to any lessons of any sort.

2) We slept in late, as much as we could.

3) I read, read, read to my heart's content. GK Chesteron. Jane Austen. Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity. Regina Doman.

4) I completed countless numbers of 5-star Sudoku puzzles.

5) I was able to get done a lot of the tasks that needed to be done around the house: painting over fingerprints on walls, de-cluttering my desk paperwork, etc.

6) I wrapped all of my presents in the days leading up to Christmas. No 11:00PM Christmas Eve wrapping party for me.

7) In my quest to enjoy nature in all its seasons, I found reasons to find beauty in the winter landscape. We took a New Year's Day drive through the country and I was struck by how lovely it looked. Even leafless, tall trees have such a lovely silhouette: black against the white skies. I also love the look of snow as it is settled in the rows of corn stubble. Sparrows amaze me, too: they are so small and delicate looking, yet they are the birds I always see out on the coldest of days, scratching around in the dirt. Thank you, God, for majestic trees, pretty snow, and sparrows.

Today, it's back to the usual routine. And that's fine, too. Just like enjoying nature in its seasons, I should be grateful to appreciate life in whatever "season" I'm in.

So, happy January to all!

Airport Security: Actually Improving???

2010-01-04T16:38:00.003-05:00

Wow! I was afraid 80-year-old grandmothers were going to have to be strip-searched before being allowed to board a plane. Perhaps that's not so, according to this article:

American authorities announced that as of Monday, anyone traveling from or through nations regarded as state sponsors of terrorism — as well as "other countries of interest" — will be required to go through enhanced screening techniques before boarding flights.

The Transportation Security Administration said those heightened security measures would include full-body pat-downs, carryon bag searches, full-body scanning and explosive detection technology.

The U.S. State Department lists Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism. The other countries whose passengers will face enhanced screening include Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen.

Well, it is about time. But, not everyone is happy. Later in the article, there's this:

Muslim advocacy groups bristled at the new TSA rules and urged the agency to consider alternatives. “It comes pretty close to across-the-board profiling of Muslim travelers,” said Ibrahim Hooper, communications director for the Council on American-Islamic relations, adding that it would unfairly single out not just foreigners but Muslim Americans traveling to see their families in the selected countries. “It only serves to alienate those whose hearts and minds we’re trying to win.”

Alejandro Beutel, government liaison for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said the ruling would cast such a wide net as to ultimately be ineffective.

“We do see this as profiling, and profiling is very poor policing,” he said.

Wah, wah, wah. We should have known CAIR would be complaining. And just what alternatives do they wish the TSA to consider? There's profiling, and then there's also the matter of being realistic about the perpetrators of all this terrorist activity!!!

I solemnly swear: if any of the following groups: Catholics, people of Irish descent, people who enjoy reading Jane Austen, people who like to listen to Bach, people who are-you-getting-the-picture start a rash of terrorist activity on airplanes, in buses, on federal property, in crowded marketplaces, in theaters, I will willingly submit to security measures that profile me, if only to prove my innocence and prove that I support the crack-down on those crazy Austenites who just can't live in a world where people like to read James Joyce.

A now one for my comrades . . .

2009-12-30T12:40:00.002-05:00

I'm here at the computer, ostensibly to de-clutter my paperwork, write some checks that need to be written, clean away the dust that has settled in the deep recesses of my desk, etc. In reality, I'm spending a little too much time, browsing silly things online!

Here's a funny one, from a site I like to visit when feeling discouraged with the world of politics, economics and other current events:

America's Vonn Wins Downhill - Dems Demand Investigation

Lindsay Vonn's dual victories at Lake Louise over the weekend have drawn sharp criticism from ranking Democrats, followed by demands for an inquiry into the troubling incident.

President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder held a press conference announcing an investigation into Vonn's motives. "America has been arrogant in the past," stated the president. "We need to atone and ask for forgiveness. These victories in the women's downhill events send the wrong message to the world - that America is still arrogant and seeks to win. For this I intend to apologize directly to the IOC."

and

Leaders of the progressive community were quick to condemn Vonn's behavior on the slopes. Former Vice President Al Gore interrupted his vacation on a luxury yacht to release this statement: "Those who ski on snow while the world is melting, not only live in denial; they are committing a crime against science. Our children will watch her ski and think that everything's fine and there will be a winter next year. People like this stop at nothing, not even at using polar bear pelts for throw rugs when nobody's watching."

and

Representative Barney Frank, while on his way to insult his constituency at a town hall meeting, was adamant: "It's sick! What's worse, she's married to a man! What kind of message does this send our children?"

Okay, it seems I've pasted the whole thing in here. But I haven't. Go read it.

Beware of Radical Christians

2009-12-29T18:30:00.002-05:00

Here's a funny clip from the movie "An American Carol." Even before it happened, there's a joke about an "underwear bomber."

Above is the original, as seen on You Tube. I found out about it from here.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T11:41:00.002-05:00

In keeping with tradition on this blog, this year's Christmas poem. A very blessed Christmas, to one and all!

How far is it to Bethlehem?

by Frances Chesterton

How far is it to Bethlehem?

Not very far.

Shall we find the stable room

Lit by a star?

Can we see the little child,

Is he within?

If we lift the wooden latch

May we go in?

May we stroke the creatures there,

Ox, ass, or sheep?

May we peep like them and see

Jesus asleep?

If we touch his tiny hand

Will he awake?

Will he know we've come so far

Just for his sake?

Great kings have precious gifts,

And we have naught,

Little smiles and little tears

Are all we brought.

For all weary children

Mary must weep.

Here, on his bed of straw

Sleep, children, sleep.

God in his mother's arms,

Babes in the byre,

Sleep, as they sleep who find

Their heart's desire.

God Rest Ye Merry, Mr President

2009-12-24T11:35:00.004-05:00

I never thought I would see a presidential administration that would make the Clinton Administration look, well, so presidential.

I wonder, would President Obama ever allow drag queens on a Ramadan display?

Pet Peeve: Insulting Others' Christmas Letters

2009-12-22T12:59:00.005-05:00

Just a public declaration that I LIKE TO READ FRIENDS' CHRISTMAS LETTERS!

Why do so many people make fun of Christmas letters? Friends and family are scattered far and wide. I do care what their kids are up to. I do want to know who is retiring or who is buying a new house. Just because I do not keep up with people on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis doesn't mean I don't care enough to get a yearly run-down of the pertinent highlights of the previous year.

I'll be so bold as to say that I'd rather read a yearly holiday round-up of events than read the daily Twitters of "going to the toilet now" and "just ate too many brownies." Please, save the very personal and mundane for those living in your house. Furthermore, since I don't have the guts to say this to anyone in person, I'll confess here that I'd rather read in a simple yearly letter "I'm dating a great guy called Jim" than your Facebook entry that you're "feeling really grrreat after last night's date!" {shudder}

Right. So, if anyone is on the fence about enclosing a letter in their Christmas cards, I say GO FOR IT.

Our Lady of Guadalupe and Climate Change

2009-12-12T11:08:00.004-05:00

Imagine this scenario: My husband and I are behind on our mortgage payments. We are using almost-maxed-out credit cards, just to buy food to feed the kids. Our roof is leaking because we cannot afford to make repairs. I decide to take a job, stacking shelves at the local supermarket. I take a middle-of-the-night shift, so as to keep disruption to our family life at a minimal. And what do we do with the small amount of money I bring in? Forget warm boots for the kids' feet this winter! We want to be ecologically responsible! We use my pittance to buy CFLs for the lamps and bamboo flooring to practice our yoga.

It seems that this is what the world's leaders are doing right now, as all the Henny Pennies gather to discuss how the sky is falling because of too many people breathing out too much carbon dioxide, too many people eating too many cows passing methane into our precious planet, the stupid Catholic Church needing to be taxed because they won't do anything about population control. [Okay, no world leader has suggested that, I think; I read it in a com-box at The Times (London) website.] World leaders are pledging money to "go green" on an international scale, but I have to wonder who it is that is getting the money. Who is getting rich off of this snake oil scheme? Granted, I've been paying attention to this climate change convention with only half a brain -- but my head does reel from all the millions of dollars that are being put forth to combat global warming. The richer nations of the world are called upon to help our not-as-materially-wealthy brethren by . . . . what? . . . . helping them go green? "Let them eat cake!" is what comes to mind in this debacle. Better expressed is what I read in the "Liturgy of the Hours Supplement" this morning, for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It's from a message of Pope Paul VI to the people of Mexico, in 1970 (any points of emphasis my own):

Christians can do no less than to show solidarity in seeking a solution to the situation of those to whom the bread of culture has not yet come nor the opportunity of honorable and justly remunerated work. They cannot remain indifferent while new generations find no path for the realization of their legitimate aspirations, and while part of humanity continues to be placed at the margins of the advantages of civilization and progress. For this reason, on this celebrated feast, we urge you from our heart to give your Christian life a clear social sense -- as the Council has asked -- that you may always be in the front line in all efforts to attain progress, and in all the initiatives for improving the situation of those who suffer want. See in each person a brother or a sister -- a brother or sister in Christ -- in such a way that the love of God and the love of the neighbor become united in the same love, alive and operative, which is the only thing that can redeem the miseries of the world, renewing it in its most profound root, the human heart. The person who has much should be conscious of his or her obligation to serve and contribute with generosity to the good of all. The person who has little or who has nothing should, with the help of a just society, make every effort at self-improvement and of going beyond self, and even cooperating in the progress of those who suffer the same situation. And, all of you, feel the obligation to unite fraternally so as to help forge this new world for which the human race longs. This is what the Virgin of Guadalupe asks of you today, this fidelity to the Gospel, of which she knew how to be the most eminent example.

When I read that, it strikes me that the last thing I want to say to God, when I stand naked before Him at the end of my life, is "my brother was starving, so I helped him reduce his carbon footprint." It's sad that the majority of our fellow brothers and sisters do not even comprehend the New World for which the human race longs. The new world is not meant to be a world without people, because they are just a drain on resources. It's insane that we've so many tangible problems in front of us today, and the world's leaders are focusing on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's almost like a family of alcoholics in denial: they know something is wrong, but won't be honest about the problem; so they start repainting the outside of the house as a way to present the picture of a healthy family to the world, as this is so much easier to tackle than the true problem.

But I am not falling into despair about this. Yes, I'm frustrated that elected leaders seem clueless about the real problems in the world. Yes, I'm frustrated that the international community feels that the most important thing to talk about is climate change and that it won't deal honestly with terrorism, AIDS, poverty and the like. However, rather than despair, I think it's a good opportunity to truly focus on the tiny, tiny part of God's kingdom that is in front of me. And it's a fitting tribute to our Heavenly Mother. She didn't make a name for herself by defending her Son and arguing with the Pharisees. Everything we know of her from the Bible, she's saying "yes" to what God puts in front of her and "pondering in her heart" those things that are beyond her immediate scope. I think it is the most realistic way most of us have to bring about the Kingdom of God -- follow by our Blessed Mother's example.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Update:
Someone else agrees with me:

Not everyone agreed with the protesters. A young economist from Copenhagen watched as the crowd march by.

“In a hundred years people will say, why did we do so much for the climate, when you could have done so much for the people starving," he said.

Harry Reid: Clueless

2009-12-07T16:28:00.004-05:00

I will try to be as charitable as possible and limit myself to calling Harry Reid an idiot.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took his GOP-blasting rhetoric to a new level Monday, comparing Republicans who oppose health care reform to lawmakers who clung to the institution of slavery more than a century ago. Source.

Right, Harry. Does he remember what the Three-Fifths Compromise was? It was the way our nation had of dancing around the inconvenient truth that slaves really were people. Kind of like today, when too many in our nation won't deal with the inconvenient truth that unborn babies are really people.

That, my Mr. Reid, is the problem a lot of people have with your health care reform: its refusal to grant all Americans, born and unborn, the status of peoplehood.

So, tell me, Mr. Reid, who it is that is most acting like those who didn't want to let slavery go away?

Also from the article, quoting Reid:

"When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today."

Hm. What about whenever any pro-life politician is on the verge of guaranteeing equal rights to everyone regardless of which side of the umbilical cord they're on? Do you and your cronies, Mr. Reid, leap at the chance to undo the wrongs that have been done since Roe v. Wade came into existence?

It's maddening!!!!

DO Believe the hype!!!

2009-11-13T14:27:00.005-05:00

My new favorite household tool. And I'm not making any money by singing its praises. No corporate sponsorships of this humble blog.

The Swiffer WetJet. Where has this been all my life?

Better than a mop. And I'm not just quoting a commercial.

We sweep every day, but washing the floor was the most neglected chore in this household. Why? With many children under foot, homeschooled children who don't disappear for a number of hours during the day, it's hard to find a time when mopping the floor is convenient. Maybe I buy the wrong mops, but it takes forever and a year for my mopped floors to dry. WetJet solved that. You squirt the water out, push it around with the WetJet, and it's dry moments later.

Swiffer used to make (do they still make?) wet floor cloths. But I hated the way the smelled. I'm very picky when it comes to scented items, in that I don't like most scented cleaners, candles, air fresheners, etc. While WetJet does have a scent I wish were a little toned down, it's better than the old stuff. I can live with it for the convenience of having floors that clean so well and dry in so short a time.

For anyone out there who is wondering why I can be so excited and so wordy about a simple floor cleaning instrument, you'll have to trust me that I don't impress easily. I've ignored the WetJet commercials for a long time because I don't believe most of what they say in any commercials! But, I've now experienced it first hand: the WetJet is much better than the mop. And this neat-freak who hated her neglected, dusty floors is thrilled to be able to clean up the dirt so easily, the many times a day it needs it around here. Hurrah!

Ft. Hood and the Future

2009-11-09T17:00:00.003-05:00

You'll have a hard time convincing me that the attack at Ft. Hood was not jihad. This 'man-made disaster' was terrorism, plain and simple. It's upsetting to me, that the government and the media will sweep this fact under the rug. History will repeat itself, if it is not dealt with honestly.

But, I don't want to worry about all this. I could drive myself mad, worrying. Thankfully, my prayer for peace was answered this morning, when I found this quote:

"You are quite wrong to think of sorrows that the future may bring; it is, as it were, intermeddling with Divine Providence. We who run in the way of Love must never torment ourselves about anything. If I did not suffer minute by minute, it would be impossible for me to be patient; but I see only the present moment, I forget the past and I take good care not to anticipate the future. If we grow disheartened, if sometimes we despair, it is because we have been dwelling on the past or the future."

That's from St. Therese's "Story of a Soul."

This doesn't mean I bury my head in the sand, with regards to current events. No. Rather, I take comfort when recognizing that I can only do so much to change the world around me. I have no control over what happens to the fate of the world. So, as my blog is in my corner of the world, I hereby proclaim to all that I want to "run in the way of Love" and I don't want to torment myself about people who hate, the clueless media who doesn't get it, and clueless government officials. Because I also remember what St. Padre Pio said, "Pray, hope and don't worry."

Health Care Reform - Act NOW!

2009-11-05T13:28:00.003-05:00

Just a reminder, in case you haven't yet contacted your elected officials about pending legislation in health care reform. Speak up now. Even if our tax dollars end up funding abortion and doctors end up being penalized for refusing abortions, you will know that you were not silent!

Here's how:

1) Our bishops have provided links, so you can send an already-written-for-you e-mail to Congress.

2) Find the contact information for your senator and ask him/her to support an amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against federally funded abortion AND in favor of conscience protection for all health care professionals.

3) Get the contact information for your representative and ask him/her to support the Stupak Amendment that addressed essential pro-lief concerns regarding abortion funding and conscience rights.

Go to it!

More on the financial front . . .

2009-11-05T13:21:00.003-05:00

. . . comes from something I just found online.

Ex-New York City Police Chief Bernard Kerik Pleads Guilty to Lying to White House

Kerik, who was police commissioner when New York was attacked on 9/11, won glowing reviews for his leadership. He eventually was nominated for the Homeland Security post in 2004 but withdrew as corruption allegations mounted.

. . . .

Before he began formally entering his pleas, Kerik told Judge Stephen Robinson that, in addition to the White House lies, he would admit to counts that included cheating the IRS, helping to prepare false tax returns and making other false statements to the federal government.

You see, this happened because he was nominated for the post in 2004. 2004. Presidential appointees were held to standards during that year, it seems. Not so much anymore. It's almost funny, given how many Obama appointees have neglected their taxes.

Banking in our Brave New World

2009-11-02T15:33:00.004-05:00

Because of advice from Clark Howard I heard on the radio, I began the habit of using my credit cards twice a year, once around my birthday and once around Christmas. He said that this is a good way to boost one's credit score. You use the cards twice a year and pay them right off. My score is fairly decent, but I was hoping we could re-finance the house with a different lender because I do NOT like our current lender, so I wanted the score to be even higher.

Well, apparently, this counts for nothing now that Obama has changed the way banks must do business. I received this letter in the mail on Saturday from Chase:

"In reviewing your account, we noticed that your account has been inactive for an extended period of time. We believe that this may indicate that the account no longer meets your financial needs. With this in mind, the account has been closed."

Huh? It has not been inactive for an extended period of time. The stupid account hasn't carried a balance in an extended amount of time. It's not that the account isn't meeting my financial needs. It is! It was there in case a natural disaster struck and we needed to live in a hotel for a long time because our city caught on fire -- or some such emergency. It was there to help keep a good credit rating. Nope. It's more that my account doesn't meet Chase bank's needs!

I can't really blame them, as I suppose the reason they got into the credit card business was to make money off of accounts that carry a balance. But, what if you don't want to carry a balance? One establishes a credit rating by having various accounts and keeping them in good order. Apparently, this isn't how it works anymore. Why? Go type "obama credit cards" into any search engine, you'll see why it's changed.

Oh, I know. I'm not going to present my credit score to God at the end of my life. Well, I don't think -- except that if one has been immoral with money, God will hold you accountable at the End. But, generally speaking, a credit rating is a silly man made thing that doesn't mean anything Eternal. Still, it's helpful to have a good credit rating when buying cars or refinancing with a lender who doesn't annoy you. At least it used to be that way. Maybe the new system will be different. If we aren't meant to pay our way anymore, own our own homes, drive cars, live as family units, all because the almighty federal government is going to wrap us in cotton blankets, put a pacifier in our mouth, and take care of everything, then I guess we don't need a good credit rating anymore.

Am I sounding overly truculent?

I haven't yet destroyed the card, as the bank instructed me to do. I just don't feel like giving in so easily. I feel that something must be done, in addition to complaining here. Alas, I don't think there's anywhere to find a pair of sympathetic ears! And, alas, I don't think I have a choice in the whole affair.

Not as the world gives peace . . .

2009-10-09T15:11:00.006-04:00

. . . do I give it to you.
John 14:27

I turned on the news this morning, to find out about how the moon thing went. They weren't talking about the moon. They were talking about President Obama winning a Nobel Peace Prize! I thought the world had turned upside-down overnight. Let's forget for a moment that his rabidly pro-abortion agenda should disqualify him for any honor with the word "peace" in it. For the life of me, I cannot figure out what the man has done to earn this distinction. Did he broker an end to war and strife anywhere in the world? Has he performed some huge humanitarian act that didn't make it into the news headlines? In my mind, "Nobel" no longer holds any weight; it's a joke.

We headed out to morning Mass and I was still feeling quite mad. As I prayed before Mass started, I asked God to help me understand the backwards ways of the world. So many people I've personally met who contribute to world peace, yet will never get an ounce of recognition. And this guy gets it? I couldn't help but wonder if George Soros is behind this somehow, making big donations to someone so that his guy can get a prize.

And then something happened during my prayer. God turned it around and made me look at myself. Awards, honors, and prizes can be good things. But we don't perform good works to please people of the world. The prime motivation for any act must be for the love of God. This is such an obvious statement, I know. But it must be admitted that, too often, I do good works for my own glory.

I am very inspired by St. Therese's Little Way, and I try so much to live up to her path to heaven. Small, secret acts of mortification, given up to God. Life presents us with little opportunities from one end of the day to the other. This philosophy is very much a part of who I want to be. It resonates with me so much that I'm certain this is how God is calling me to heaven.

Nevertheless, I've got to admit that, all too often, I do wish for a pat on the back. I want someone to recognize that I've shut my mouth when I could have argued. I want someone to notice that I've picked up a mess they left behind. And, when no one notices, I allow myself to feel superior to them because I was able to hold my tongue when they weren't. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I have to learn to perform my good acts because I want to offer them to Jesus. That's all! I see how this gets better, the longer I live life; but I've got a long, long, long way to go before I'm going to be anywhere close to where St. Therese was when she was quite a bit younger than I am now!

This is what God led me to understand this morning. It's fine to feel frustrated when the ways of the world are rewarded and the higher road goes unnoticed. I'm only human. But if the good deeds go unnoticed by the world, they are not unnoticed by the Father who sees all. He is the final arbiter of justice. Not only that, I need to take a look at myself to make sure that my actions will be acceptable in the Final Judgement, not the judgement of the world.

So, getting back to John 14. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

Guess what? I earned a peace prize today. I was given the peace of Jesus, as I understand it. To me, His peace is the inner tranquility to put one's trust in God, regardless of what is going on in the world. And that's what happened to me. It's what will carry me through, each time I hear a story about the latest Peace Prize winner. I thank Him mightily for this consolation. It might seem trivial to those who already have this message in their hearts, but it means the world to me, who didn't! God is good. Deo gratias!

Note to Hollywood: You are CLUELESS!

2009-10-08T09:15:00.002-04:00

Hollywood: Your moral compass needs a serious readjustment. I don’t know why we throw so much money your way. I don’t know why anyone listens to your political views, your climate change views, or your views about what foods we should eat. Really.

Imagine two scenarios, just to illustrate how blind and biased they are.

Scenario #1:

Roman Polanski has died. Suddenly, people he has abused come out of the woodwork. Even though he’s no longer alive to face his accusers or defend himself, the victims form a “survivors’ network” and rally legal help to sue Polanski’s movie studios for large sums of money. After all, they knew the abuse was going on, but didn’t deal with it and simply shuffled Polanski amongst various studios, rather than deal with the problem. The studios have to shell out big money, many go bankrupt. They can no longer afford mega-million contracts with all the over-hyped tabloid stars. Brangelina have to sell one of their houses. Would Hollywood be okay with this? What do you think?

Scenario #2:

Roman Polanski isn’t a Hollywood movie maker. He’s really a Halliburton executive who once worked for Enron. After confessing to the drugging and raping of a 13-year-old, he uses all his Halliburton capitalist pig money to flee to France, where he lives out his days. A prestigious business college wants to offer him an honorary degree and have him as a keynote speaker at their graduation ceremony. Alas, he cannot attend because he will be arrested if he returns to this country. Other Captains of Industry plead for leniency. After all, it wasn’t easy living in France all those years, and he suffered for it! Imagine the taxes he had to pay, living in a socialist country; if he’d been in the US, he’d have had a lot more money than he has had, living in a villa in the south of France! Would Hollywood be okay with this?

No, the truth is that child rape would not be excused if the guilty party happened to be a priest or a wealthy businessman. But, because it's one of them, all should be forgotten. Ancient history. Water under the bridge. Their selective outrage is maddening!!!

Longer school year?

2009-09-29T17:03:00.006-04:00

I try to avoid being overly negative about the public school systems of the nation. I don't homeschool because I hate the schools. I homeschool because I truly enjoy teaching my children and I enjoy the time we spend together.

But I'm going to have to express my dismay at the way things are done after reading articles like this:

Extended School Year Would Have Dire Economic Effects, Critics Say

Obama says kids in the U.S. spend too little time in the classroom, putting them at a disadvantage when competing with students in other countries. The president has suggested that making school days longer and extending the school year will increase learning, raise test scores and close the achievement gap.

Sorry, Mr. President. But, no. The problem with schools today is not the length of the school day or the school year. You could take every child in America and stick them in a school-style gulag and they still would not perform as well as those children we keep hearing about in other countries. Whoever they are and whatever they are doing that is better.

America was built and became great when most learning did not happen in the formal setting we know today. The more politicians on both sides of the aisle push for standardized curricula, standardized testing, heftier qualifications for teachers, the more the schools fail! If anyone wants statistics, you'll find them aplenty in any of John Taylor Gatto's books. I've only enjoyed his books from the library; I'm going to have to own them, so that I'll have the stats at my fingertips. All this doesn't make sense anyway, given that homeschoolers do so remarkably well on standardized tests. In a sense, we accomplish EDUCATION all year long. But we don't do SCHOOLING all year.

No. It must be something else.

The problem, Mr. President, is the breakdown of the family. And no one explains this as well as GK Chesterton. Yes, I think Chesterton might do a better job than even Pope JPII at detailing the breakdown of the family, simply because he doesn't have to be tactful about it. Before the widespread of social programs courtesy of FDR, JFK, LBJ or BHO, Chesterton wrote about liberal programs that try to replace the family with governmental entities. He also writes endlessly about the capitalistic notions of getting mother and father in the workplace while the kids are raised by daycare "professionals". Things are not going to get better in America until the sanctity of the family is restored. And as family is now being sliced, diced and re-defined, I don't know what that means for the future.

No. Longer hours in school will accomplish nothing other than making family members more alien to each other. Extended School Year Would Have Dire Economic Effects? Maybe. Certainly, an extended school year will have dire societal effects!

New Resolution: Better Appreciation of God's Gifts

2009-09-21T17:15:00.005-04:00

You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Daniel 3: 59-73

My new resolution is to enjoy the gifts of each season.

Winter has never been my favorite. Four years of living in a moderate climate spoiled me to the point that I actively disliked winter, once returning to a four-season climate. But, this passage from Daniel has been at the edge of my mind quite a bit lately. Winds, cold, chill, frost, ice and snow. All a part of God's creation. Certainly, they have their own, unique charms, if only one is willing to appreciate them. In fact, the more I delve into gardening, the more I can appreciate the role that winter plays in what happens to the garden the next spring. Still, regardless of what it does for the garden, I'm determined to appreciate that God has gifts hidden in wintry days, too. I think the kids and I will play in the snow more this winter.

But, I don't want to rush things. Autumn is about to begin. Over the weekend, I went for a walk while my 5-year-old rode her bike ahead of me on the bike trail. It was a lovely day, if a bit humid. As she passed underneath some of the trees that are already shedding leaves, it was so pretty to see the leaves gracefully falling to the ground around her. I had no camera, but I'll remember the moment for a long time. A peaceful moment in an otherwise busy world.

Bless the God of gods, all you who fear the Lord; praise him and give him thanks, because his mercy endures forever.

-Daniel 3: 90

Musings on the denial of appetite

2009-09-10T16:37:00.004-04:00

"If you purify your soul of attachment to and desire for things, you will understand them spiritually. If you deny your appetite for them, you will enjoy their truth, understanding what is certain in them."

St. John of the Cross

I've been meaning to blog about various aspects of Natural Family Planning for a number of months. This idea came about after reading a blog in which users of NFP were being raked over the coals for supposedly considering NFP to be like an 8th sacrament. And how we use NFP like birth control, so it is really no different. And how we're closed to life if we don't have 24 children unless the wife will literally die getting pregnant or giving birth another time.

My NFP formation was solidly from the Kippleys. I found CCL because of Sheila's marvelous blending of secular attachment parenting with Catholic principles. Do read more if you haven't already. And while the theology was a bit beyond me in those early days of my return to the Church, I get it now and I appreciate it.

Having said all that, I was appalled to read all the insulting things that were being written about NFP users. One of these days, I'll make my arguments about the various things that were said on that blog. Not because anyone who posted to that blog cares what I have to say. Rather, because I just want these thoughts to be floating out there in the wide world.

What I have to write about today applies directly to the St. John of the Cross quote and how it fits an aspect of the anti-NFP argument. I wish I'd had it when that argument was going on. At this blog, there was one guy who was so proud of his non-use of NFP because he could "make love to my wife any time I want, and happily accept the children that came as a result." Well, okay. That's fine. In a way. But, isn't a free-for-all of even good things not necessarily a good thing? There's nothing inherently bad about eating meat, yet the Church asks us to abstain from this during various times of the year. Hasn't the Church made sure that Catholics aren't getting too much of a good thing, when discouraging scrupulosity amongst those who might spend all day attending Mass or might perform severe penances?

In fact, I'll go so far as to say that while this man might accuse me of using NFP like birth control, I'd say that he's treating sex with the same attitude as those who consider it to be nothing more than casual recreation: "How I want it, when I want it, consequences be damned." While I don't deny that NFP could be used selfishly, I find it silly to say that NFP users are de facto using it with a birth control mentality. After all, God is the one who designed us with cycles of both fertility and infertility. Since marital relations during the fertile time do not guarantee conception, I think it would be just as easy for God to have made women fertile all the time and simply decide when or when not to create a new soul. But God doesn't do it that way.

Thus, this online NFP argument was the first thing that popped into my mind when I read St. John's quote. Deny your appetite every so often, so that you will understand your desires spiritually. That could apply to so many different things! Yes, it means actual, physical things: as in, deny your appetite for shopping, clothing, chocolate, etc. But it also applies to the marital act, to the physical feelings one feels towards the beloved spouse. Think about that when you read the sentence: If you deny your appetite for them, you will enjoy their truth, understanding what is certain in them.

At the risk of being way too personal in a way too public arena, I will say that NFP has done that for my marriage. I feel that I enjoy the truth of so many of God's gifts in ways I wouldn't have, if I'd not practiced self-denial. And even if you are willing to accept whatever consequences God sends as a result of your actions, I think there is ample evidence to suggest that God heartily approves of a proper attitude of denial.

I'll finish with a quote from a book in which this St John quote is written about:

"The benefit of detachment is better seeing. We become centered in God's truth as Creator instead of losing ourselves in the created. Centered in Him, we sense His presence in all things. The created leads us to Him instead of snatching us from Him."

Indeed. What better way to make God a part of one's marriage?

Obama's Notable Quotables

2009-09-03T08:11:00.004-04:00

So, President Obama is going to be addressing American schoolchildren next week. This is probably the most amusing place to read about the endeavor. And before any lurking liberals wonder why anyone would find this annoying, just consider how you would feel if President Bush had decided to address our nation's youngsters during school hours, talking about no children being left behind. Thank you.

I heard on the news that one of the things the Department of Education (oh, thank you, Arne Duncan) is asking teachers to do is to compile a list of Obama's Notable Quotables for discussion. I kid you not. Read the website. Oh, boy. One more excuse for the touchy-feelies to make our children open up and talk about their feelings in the school setting.

So, in that spirit, I'm compiling my own set of Obama Notable Quotables. No, these aren't things that are going to be mentioned in the address to our nation's young. But I'll do what I have to do, to combat the propaganda machine! Here are my top three, what are yours?

1) "I think professionally the biggest mistake that I made was when I first arrived in the Senate. There was a debate about Terri Schiavo, and a lot of us, including me, left the Senate with a bill that allowed Congress to intrude where it shouldn't have.” Just one link of many where you'll find that story.

2) "I am going to teach [my daughters] first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby," found here, among other places.

3) "Maybe you're better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller." From a source not known to be conservative.

Write those on a posterboard. Or post-it notes. Feel free to "format [your posters] in quadrants, puzzle pieces, or trails marked as steps." (I promise, that's in the plans!) And talk about how those statements might, just might, color one's health care agenda.

OK, but is THIS a fishy rumor?

2009-08-25T13:37:00.003-04:00

Planned Grandparenthood!

You've got to love it!

How much is your old family member worth? Turn them in to the nearest Planned Grandparenthood Center and find out! Receive cash prizes and free healthcare entitlements!

As part of a new incentive tied to Obama's upcoming healthcare reform, the network of Planned Grandparenthood Centers are to begin running ads, themed "Double Cash for Your Old Coot." The push offers a cash incentive or zero-percent financing on top of free government plans for all families whose trade-in old-timers qualify for the government's program known as "Cash for Clunkers," up to a maximum of four grandparents over 70 years of age.

Latest opinion polls show that seniors steal billions of dollars out the federal budget each year just by staying alive. This new bold initiative is calculated to save us all money by gently recycling high-maintenance old coots, thus taking them off the list of potential beneficiaries of the impeccable government health coverage.

The People's Cube is so funny. I will definitely be borrowing their "Planned Grandparenthood" phrase in the coming days, months, years.

Fishy rumors? Not on this blog!

2009-08-25T13:33:00.003-04:00

I cannot decide which poster I like the best. I think this one makes me laugh the loudest:

See all of them!

End of Life with the VA

2009-08-25T11:29:00.004-04:00

What is that I was just saying about not trusting any health care plan that the Obama Administration might put forth?

As the pro-Obama Care supporters say that everyone should have the benefits as the VA gives to veterans, perhaps we ought to take a look at exactly how the VA treats people:

The 52-page document includes a checklist asking “What makes my life worth living?” The reader is asked to rate scenarios on the checklist by quality of life.

Statements on the checklist ask the reader to consider his view of a life of severe pain, a life in which he can no longer contribute to his family’s well being, a life in which he cannot control bodily functions, and a life in which he cannot walk or leave the house.

Other statements have the reader consider whether being a “severe” emotional or financial burden on one’s family is a life worth living.

Categories for the statements on the checklist are “difficult, but acceptable,” “worth living, but just barely,” “not worth living,” and “can’t answer now.”

Beneath the checklist, the booklet asks the reader to consider whether a combination of “just barely” livable factors would make his life “not worth living.”

It also asks: “If you checked ‘not worth living,’ does this mean that you would rather die than be kept alive?”

All I can say is that people go to extreme measures to keep cats and dogs alive when they are in pain or cannot control bodily functions. But Grandma isn't afforded the same dignity.

Ah, there's that word: dignity. The culture of death has taken the meaning away from how it is presented in Pope John Paul the Great's writings. The culture of death would have you say that dignity is all about leaving the party while you're still having fun. Thus, rather than approaching end-of-life issues as a matter of "how can I care for my dying/infirm husband/wife/sister/mother/son?" it becomes a matter of placing the onus on the infirm/dying to say they'd rather die than become a burden on their loves ones. Compassion gets turned upside down by the culture of death, doesn't it?

Remember the VA pamphlet, the next time you see or hear Obama stumping for his health care plan. He'll mock the opponents who claim that his plan is all about killing off the elderly and infirm. According to the Catholic News Agency, the VA removed this pamphlet from its website yesterday. Remember, just because the Ministry of Truth whisks the offending printed word down the memory hole, doesn't mean it never existed.

Contraception Pamphlet

2009-08-24T15:52:00.003-04:00

Ha! Just what I've been saying for YEARS.

Many teens see contraception as a quick fix, but most do not read the fine print or hear about the high stakes involved.

Click on the link. The article is full of statistics, some of which come from the Guttmacher Institute. Hardly an organization that pushes family values or even good, common-sense health choices!

I'm all for educating teens about their choices. I just think that they need to be fully aware of what their choices are. My children learn all about birth control, at age-appropriate points in their development. Abstinence education doesn't gloss over artificial birth control, rather it tells the truth about all the various options open to us. It's all about "reading the fine print."

1) Birth control does not prevent pregnancy or abortions. Doubting Thomas, see the Guttmacher reference in the article.

2) The more effective a chemical is at preventing a pregnancy, the harsher it is on the body. If the earth is such a fragile ecosystem that it is bad to have too many cows passing gas, certainly, the human body should not be subjected to chemical contraception!

3) Perhaps most importantly, if you can get pregnant even while "protecting yourself," you can get a sexually transmitted disease! Certain people don't want their daughter punished with a baby. I don't want my children suffering from an STD for the rest of their lives!!!!

I've said this all before, haven't I? It's always worth having another say, just to prove my point!

What are the real objections to home educating?

2009-08-19T11:31:00.003-04:00

This article is a few weeks old:

The growth of home-schooling: Kitchen-classroom conservatives

The article is subtitled, "Barack Obama could hasten the spread of educating children at home." It gives an overview of why many families choose to homeschool their children. And many people make the choice based on their moral values. Especially moral values which clash with contemporary society.

I find this whole discussion to be getting tiresome. Will kids be better off in school or out of school? Are homeschoolers sheltering their children in inappropriate ways? Is it important for kids to experience the Real World, in order to be good citizens?

Almost a decade ago, a schoolteacher told me that she doesn't doubt that homeschooled children get a better education; her concern (and she was doling out the advice as one who was hoping to 'convert' me to public schooling) was all about socialization. She just couldn't see how homeschoolers would function in society without learning how to do it in school. How I wish I could meet this woman again and show her that things seem to be working out quite well on that point. Not only for my own family, but for the entire homeschooling community in general! The majority of social degenerates continues to be products of the American schooling community.

At any rate, as more and more of the arguments against homeschooling are put to an end by the very fact that homeschoolers are doing quite well, thank you, the true objection to homeschooling will come out. And I think I found it. Buried in the middle of this same article:

Opponents of home-schooling—and some of them are vehement—argue that it is socially divisive. Also, since it is regulated lightly or not at all, it is hard to tell whether children being taught at home are receiving an adequate education. “Unregulated home-schooling opens up the possibility that children will never learn about…alternative ways of life,” writes Rob Reich of Stanford University.

AHA! There it is. Lightly regulated or unregulated schooling is NOT about whether or not the kids are learning the 3Rs. Much as both sides of the issue can get quite worked up about it, I don't think it is even about whether kids are learning evolution or creation. Nope. It's about whether or not they are learning "alternative ways of life."

That's the battle we face, fellow homeschoolers. They can make us report our curriculum, require standardized testing, send social workers to the doors to make sure that we're getting out of the house. Maybe the local school superintendent does care about this. But, on the whole, I fear that the opposition is more about mind control. Or have I been reading too much John Taylor Gatto? Help! I never thought I'd become a libertarian!

Liturgical Norms

2009-08-17T17:15:00.004-04:00

It's been a number of years since I've been in a parish that has offered false inculturation. But, I still enjoyed this article:

Cardinal Cautions Against False Inculturation, Liturgical Dance

Cardinal Arinze is fantastic and I've long been an admirer. I love this quote:

Cardinal Arinze exhorted the continent’s bishops to follow the Church’s norms for liturgical inculturation, so that “the local Church will be spared questionable or downright mistaken innovations and idiosyncracies of some enthusiastic cleric whose fertile imaginations invents something on Saturday night and whose uninformed zeal forces this innovation on the innocent congregation on Sunday morning.”

Too funny!

David Axelrod, Take Two

2009-08-17T16:01:00.003-04:00

This is too funny and I cannot pass up the opportunity to post something about this. I came online to quickly look up something entirely unrelated and found that there's a bit of a stir caused by Axelrod and his e-mails!

White House Makes Security Changes to Web Site Following Complaints Over E-Mails

White House Passes Blame on Unsolicited Health Care E-Mails

Obama's 'Thought Police' Invading Your Inbox

So, I'm not the only one fed up with David Axelrod.

I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't feel that the Axelrod e-mails were an incident that is isolated around the health care issue. I started getting e-mails from all sorts of White House staffers, not long after writing to Obama about the Conscience Protection problem. I didn't think it was anything insidious. I figured it was one more time where my elected officials didn't really read the e-mail I wrote, but stuck my e-mail on a list of people who are interested in getting White House updates (even if I am not a fan of anyone currently in the W.H.).

A few friends similarly found themselves getting unsolicited e-mails from White House staffers, after having written about pro-life issues. I never tried to unsubscribe, only because it is good to know what kind of propaganda they're putting out! I wonder if they'll remove me from the list, now that there's been a scandal created.

It will be interesting to find out how they explain the e-mails sent to those who never sent an e-mail to the White House. If they want to be convincing, I think they ought to fire Robert Gibbs and get a more polished public speaker. Our family gerbil could hold a press conference with more grace and poise!

Fed Up with David Axelrod!

2009-08-13T19:10:00.004-04:00

All right. Two e-mails about Obama Care from David Axelrod in one week. They are really trying to stem the tide of opposition. They call it "something worth forwarding." I don't care. I'm not forwarding it. Anyone who wants to read their spin will have to search it on their own.

I don't think there is any way that the Obama Administration can spin this so that I will believe they are not attempting social engineering with this plan. Only two points do I have to make right now:

1) I blogged almost two months ago about what Mr. President had to say about how Grandma should take a pain killer, rather than seek medical attention for what ails her. This is straight from the horse's mouth, folks! Don't tell me that you don't think euthanasia is the right and proper thing to do.

2) Obama's stance on abortion cannot be more clear. He doesn't want anyone punished with a baby. It's a matter of women's reproductive rights. When life starts is "above his pay grade." We have known this all along. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE! What was that Pelosi had to say about birth control being doled out to the poor, so we don't have too many of the dirty, unwashed in our country?? (My hyperbole, I can't find the original quotes.)

So, I will not believe that any health care plan he cooks up will be so different from the usual liberal talking points on these issues. I'm tired of White House e-mails, but I imagine I'll remain on the list, just to keep an ear to the ground!

It's not that I think health care is perfect as it is. But Obama Care is not the way to fix it!

Honest Scrap, finally!!!

2009-08-12T17:25:00.001-04:00

I am waaaaaaay behind in doing this.

Here are the rules of this award:

1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.

That would be Lola. Her blog is an enjoyable one to visit because she shares her opinions with such a delightful sense of humor.

2) Share "ten honest things" about myself.

1. I am an organization freak. But, motherhood has tempered this. I have learned to relax over the years and remind myself that I can have an alphabetized spice drawer when I’m an empty-nester.

2. Italian food is my favorite. Mexican food is also my favorite. The spicier the better.

3. I dislike talking on the telephone.

4. Women are meant to love shopping. I hate it. Going to the mall gives me a headache. If I absolutely must go (because I like Williams-Sonoma), I get in and get out as quickly as possible.

5. I like eating outdoors. I’m always willing to pack up a meal and make it a picnic. Our next major home remodeling project is (hopefully) a screened-in porch, so we can eat without competition from bees and mosquitoes.

6. I enjoy sweet wines.

7. I am a voracious reader. But of all the things I read, my favorites are things written by Jane Austen and GK Chesterton.

8. I am bad about e-mailing. It piles up so quickly, I just never have the energy to face the mountain of correspondence that needs attending to, so I stay away from the computer, which causes an ever bigger pile of messages. It’s a vicious cycle!

9. I have an irrational fear of fast food drive-through windows. I just don’t trust that such a means of communication will adequately transmit the information I have to convey to the person at the other end of the speakers. Maybe this is somehow connected to my dislike of the telephone. I know I’m not an auditory learner. I think I need the face-to-face communication!

10. I like to garden and my most ardent gardening desire is to transform my backyard into an urban oasis. I live a newer development, where all the neighbors stare at each other, for lack of greenery. This just won’t do! I need shrubbery and trees and flowers; much more than I already have. I have lovely neighbors, but we don’t need to be staring at each other every time we’re outside. The British have it best of anywhere I’ve seen in the world. I don’t think there exists a backyard (or garden, as they call it) that doesn’t have a tall, private fence around it. Unless you’re out in the country, and even then, everyone seems to surround their outdoor living space with bushy, flowering shrubs.

3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.

4) Tell those 7 people that they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving it.

All right. I’m skipping this part. This summer, I’ve neglected every blog I typically read so much so that I don’t have the guts to pop in with a project for anyone to complete.

If any of you are left – and haven’t given up on my blog – consider yourself invited to do an HONEST SCRAP!!!

My Summertime Accomplishment

2009-08-07T14:45:00.004-04:00

I've had a long list of things to get done this summer. One of the most amazing things I've done wasn't on my checklist.

Early in July, I accidentally banged my finger into a chair. It hurt quite a bit. For a number of days. But, then it started to feel better. So, I didn't go to the doctor. About two weeks after the accident, it started hurting again, almost as bad as at the beginning. I couldn't get a same-day or a next-day appointment, but they told me to go to the ER, if it was that bad. Alas, it was too painful to put off seeing a doctor for another week, but it wasn't painful enough to go to the ER. I hate wasting time in the ER for things like that!

While doing a self-examination, I was trying to bend the finger in ways that didn't hurt. I sort of pulled on it and . . . . CRACK! It seemed to adjust back into place. Almost immediately, I could bend it more easily. And almost immediately, it started to feel better. It felt better and better each day until it didn't hurt anymore.

I guess I dislocated the finger. And it appears I pulled it back into place again. I'm rather proud of myself.

Obama's Health Care

2009-08-07T14:30:00.003-04:00

It's been a busy summer and I haven't spent a lot of time at the computer.

BUT, spending a lot of time, shuttling children around to assorted summer activities, I have been listening to the radio. So, I'm not behind on current events.

I've been enjoying the public outrage against Obama Care. I know there are many reasons why people object to the US going the socialist route of health care. My main problem with it is the anti-life forces that are at work here! Kill off the elderly. Kill off the infirm. Kill off the disabled. Stop "superfluous" babies from being born. I don't know why those objections would make me a Nazi, as those policies seem to be in line with Nazi policies. But, Nancy Pelosi won't clarify that for humble little me!

If Pelosi wants to bring Nazism into the equation, interested parties should take a look at this:

Was Pelosi So Wrong About Swastikas?

President Obama does not have his finger on the pulse of the average American person. Oops. That statement probably goes in my Permanent Record. But it is true. And it goes for most of our elected officials. The fact that they are so stunned by the response they are receiving, the fact that they are running away from town hall meetings with their constituents, the fact that they are thinking people who object to Obama Care are right-wing fanatical nutters, all goes to show that they don't go to Washington to serve the people who elected them. They go to Washington to forward their personal agendas. Well, I hope this serves as a wake-up call; that people will be silent no longer about the things that really matter.

Just in case, though, I'm rather wishing that God would drop a large sum of money into my lap, so that I can buy a farm in a remote location. I need to form a "human refuge," where the elderly can come to die on God's time, where women can come to have babies when the one-child policy is adopted here, where the disabled can come to avoid the concentration camps built to catch the people who avoided Peter Singer's infanticide strategies. That's my fantasy!

Obama: He IS the Great Uniter!

2009-07-20T09:48:00.001-04:00

Here's another funny one for today:

I Was Wrong About Barack Obama

Cute E-mail Forward

2009-07-20T09:38:00.003-04:00

Because I do not like to forward mass e-mails to all my friends, I'm posting this funny one here. And, no, I'm not condoning smoking whilst pregnant. Just read the whole thing to appreciate it!

To Those of Us Born
1928 - 1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE
1930's, 40's, 50's,
60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered
With bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, We had baseball caps, not helmets,

on our heads.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.

Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. WHY?

Because we were always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on..

No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were OKAY.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps
And then ride them down the hill,
Only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem

We did not have Play stations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's,
No surround-sound or CD's,
No cell phones,
No personal computers,
No Internet and no chat rooms.

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping pong paddles, or just a bare hand and no one would call child services to report abuse.

We ate worms and mud pies
Made from dirt, and
The worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.
Those who didn't had to learn
To deal with disappointment.

Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best
Risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.

"That which we call a rose. . .

2009-07-16T11:57:00.004-04:00

. . . By any other name would smell as sweet."

Whatever.

I'll always say Marshall Field's, Comiskey Park and the Sears Tower.

Farewell Sears Tower: Tallest Building in U.S. Renamed

Liberal Truths

2009-07-10T16:19:00.003-04:00

All these years, I've been assuming that liberals are embarrassed by Margaret Sanger's eugenics agenda. They keep it hushed up because it's such an evil scandal. I've assumed that they really do want the best for minorities and they are simply (mistakenly) convinced that children are a financial burden that minorities shouldn't have to shoulder.

I guess I was wrong! Take a look at what I just found. It's a quote by Justice Ginsberg:

Yes, the ruling about that surprised me. [Harris v. McRae — in 1980 the court upheld the Hyde Amendment, which forbids the use of Medicaid for abortions.] Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of. So that Roe was going to be then set up for Medicaid funding for abortion. Which some people felt would risk coercing women into having abortions when they didn’t really want them. But when the court decided McRae, the case came out the other way. And then I realized that my perception of it had been altogether wrong.

"Populations that we don't want to have too many of." Gee, isn't that lovely??

Even when I was a liberal, I didn't approve of affirmative action. I always believed that we should judge a person individually. You receive neither benefits nor discrimination based on your gender, race, etc. Flash forward to my change of heart to conservatism -- I believe that abortion is wrong because a person is a soul created by God, from the very moment that person comes into being. Regardless of what color or gender that person will be. So, my former liberal self and my current conservative self would at least agree on the uniqueness of each person.

Thus, for anyone who has that stinkin' bumper sticker (one that really gets my goat) about "better to be a bleeding heart liberal than to have no heart at all," I say this: you really don't have a heart. You don't like big families because you cannot see each individual person; you just see a group of people who are compromising their carbon footprint. You fail to understand how a person whose life might not be on the right track just might turn everything around when she becomes a parent; she loves that little baby, even if you just look at it as another minority on the dole. You won't get it that a child conceived in a less-than-ideal situation can be loved just as much as the designer, much-money-to-the-fertility-clinic in-vitro babies. You won't give every baby a chance to be a wanted baby!

And I fear now that some of you might agree with the founding mother of Planned Parenthood that we'd all be better off without African or Asian babies.

Pet Peeves: Weather on TV

2009-06-29T16:47:00.003-04:00

Maybe this says something unflattering about the way my brain works. But, in my defense, I often multi-task while watching television, so perhaps it's just not easy for me to both read and listen to the TV at the same time.

Here goes:

I think that the weather portion of the new broadcast is too long. AND, I think that the Weather Channel gives way too much information.

I want to know three things, when I watch the news for the weather:

1) Out of curiosity, what was the high (or low, depending upon the season) for the day?

2) What is it going to be like tomorrow?

3) Can I have a very simple overview of the weather for the coming week? Even though this tends to be mere speculation, I'm willing to take a chance on the prediction.

I never seem to be able to meet these goals, when I watch the news. I've been known to turn to my husband, once the weather segment is over, and ask, "Just what is it going to be like tomorrow?"

They go on and on about fronts and pressures and things that are happening in states 1000 miles away that might not even end up impacting our weather here! ARGH!!! The dew point might be an exciting thing to people who love meteorology. But for me, it's just another number that ends up confusing me about what the temperature is actually going to be tomorrow!!!! My mind starts to wander, or I begin to read whatever I'm reading as I wait for them to get to the point, and then I miss it altogether.

Hm. Is this why my children tune me out sometimes? When I'm taking 5 minutes to say what could be said in 45 seconds? Well. That's something to think about! LOL!

President Obama & Euthanasia - Latest Updates

2009-06-25T16:08:00.007-04:00

I searched all over the internet for this information. I don't know why more people aren't talking about this, but perhaps it just hasn't yet shown on the radar of pro-life groups. Or, perhaps no one except the liberal extremists even paid attention to Obama's health care infomercial.

Watch this clip! Here's my transcript of what President Obama said, with most of the "uhs" taken out:

". . . make sure that at least some of the waste that exists in the system that's not making anybody's mom better . . . that is, loading up on additional tests . . . that the evidence shows is not necessarily going to improve care . . . at least we can let doctors know -- and your mom know -- that, you know what, maybe this isn't going to help. Maybe you're better off, uh, not having the surgery, but taking, uh, the pain killer."

Obama wants to euthanize the elderly and the severely ill. Why? Apparently, it makes good cost-cutting business sense.

How long before they're refusing to provide medical care for more than the couple's first child? How long before medical care is refused to babies (or adults) with Down Syndrome? You see, with nationally-subsidized health care, it's no longer about providing medical care for those who cannot afford it. It becomes all about social engineering. And if you don't believe me, google what's already started in places like the UK. You suddenly have a duty, as a citizen of the country providing your "benefits," to bow out of this world when you become to expensive, or to kill off the children or elderly parents who are going to cost too much money.

Forgive them, Father, they know NOT what they are doing!!!!

It makes me wonder, too, in this morally relativistic world of ours, how long it is before taxpayers are footing the bill for unnecessary surgeries such as sterilization. Why should we, I ask? It's not a necessary procedure; in fact, it's BREAKING something that is working just as nature intended. And what about sex change operations? They're paying for those in San Francisco. I'm sure it's not good for the health care budget for Grandma to have her arteries cleaned out, but it's a matter of civil liberties for Carl to become the Carla he knows he should have been all along, and to have the taxpayers foot the bill for every last estrogen injection.

It's maddening. I wonder how much of this is all about the selfish Baby Boomer way of life: too selfish to have children, cloaked under the humanitarian lines of "doing good for this overpopulated earth." And now, they don't want to have to take care of their elderly parents, either. Of course, of course, all for humanitarian reasons. And, who knows, since image is everything, they don't want to leave this world with a less-than-perfect looking body, so being "put down" like an injured horse is better than having to suffer the indignities that sometimes accompany old age.

At the end of this news clip, the journalists comment that Obama never answered the question about how he'd care for a family member of his own. That's not surprising! I remember Communist Soviet Union. I know Communist China. The Party Leaders do not have to live according the same rules and laws that are imposed upon the proletariat. That stupid dog of the Obamas would probably be given life-extending cancer treatments before my own mother would.

I'm trying to avoid giving in to despair. But this is just so disheartening!

The next time I hear an Obama "Catholic" upbraid any politician for his stance on the death penalty, whilst praising Obama's desire for universal health care, I might scream and pull every hair out of my head!!!!!

Obama stacking the jury again?

2009-06-23T19:23:00.003-04:00

Another piece of evidence that proves "Catholic" Obama supporters threw away our basic moral values, along with their common sense:

Obama Plan To Disband Bioethics Council Draws Criticism

Prof. George speculated that Obama will proceed to appoint a liberal Council, confirming his real motives. “They’re not interested in a Council that reaches its own conclusions, just one that supports Obama,” he asserted.

“I think the new Council will likely function as a rubber stamp to support Obama’s agenda."

Any liberal Catholics foolish enough to mention the word "dialogue" once again?

President Teleprompter cannot dialogue perhaps because he isn't as intelligent as liberals like to say. President Bush's intelligence was called into question by every liberal media outlet in the world, but President Bush wasn't afraid of those who disagreed with him. It's a pity the current administration can't say the same thing!

Another odd religious double standard . . .

2009-06-23T09:21:00.004-04:00

On June 19, 1995, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed a federal court ruling overturning legislation which declared Good Friday a school holiday in Illinois. The Illinois legislature in 1989 had rescinded a law declaring Good Friday a state holiday, but had retained it as a school holiday, closing all schools for the day and giving teachers paid leave. Federal judge Ann Claire Williams last year had ruled in favor of a legal challenge of this statute brought by Andrea Metzl, a public school teacher.

I remember when this happened. I recall reading in the Chicago Tribune that Andrea Metzl (not a Christian) felt "uncomfortable" answering her students' questions about why they were having a school holiday on Good Friday. Good Friday was abolished, although I think that it's now absorbed by the week of spring break for some Illinois schools. Boo-hoo, Ms Metzl. If you feel too uncomfortable answering questions beyond your personal scope of interest, perhaps you are in the wrong profession!

The above quote appears in an online article from some "freedom from religion" people in Wisconsin. The article opens, "A Wisconsin statute mandating that four hours "shall uniformly be observed for the purpose of worship" on Good Friday will be challenged in a lawsuit the Freedom From Religion Foundation plans to file soon." One would have to wonder how it is that Wisconsin would still have such a statute, even in 1995. It seems more likely that the Cheesehead State would mandate four hours every Friday that "shall uniformly be observed for the purpose of the worship of the State." Everyone gathers together and plans the newest way to suppress the family and insert the government ever more into the daily lives of its citizens.

Well, the Illinois Abolition of Good Friday is the first thing that popped into my mind when I read the following:

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the news that the
Education Committee of the New York City Council has approved two new Muslim
holidays, Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha, to be added to the school calendar:

On January 14, I testified before this very same committee requesting
equal rights for Catholics: Jewish and Islamic religious symbols are displayed
in the schools every December, but Christian symbols are banned. With the
exception of Councilman Tony Avella, and a few others, the Education Committee
showed no interest in appeasing Catholics. But its members are apparently
capable of demonstrating great sensitivity to Muslims. Speaker Christine Quinn,
who was raised Catholic—and who has shown no interest in the push for parity
that the Catholic League wants—is now urging all City Councilmen to vote for
this new round of Muslim rights.

What’s at work is the politics of multiculturalism: tolerance for some,
intolerance for others. But this fight isn’t over yet.

While that statement is still fresh in your mind, read the judicial quote that is at the same freedom from religion website:

In the 2-1 decision upholding Williams in June, Chief Judge Posner, joined by Judge Cummings, wrote:
"Good Friday commemorates the execution of the Christian Messiah. It is a
day of solemn religious observance, and nothing else, for believing Christians,
and no one else. Unitarians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists--there is
nothing in Good Friday for them. . .

"The state has accorded special recognition to Christianity beyond
anything that has been shown to be necessary to accommodate the religious needs
of the Christian majority. . . . The state law closing all public schools on
Good Friday makes the burden of religious observance lighter on Christians than
on the votaries of other religions. The Christian does not have to absent
himself from school on a school day, and so perhaps have to incur the
inconvenience of a make-up exam on a later day, as the observant Jew might have
to do . . . . The First Amendment does not allow a state to make it easier for
adherents of one faith to practice their religion than for adherents of another
faith to practice their religion . . ."

Posner ended his decision with a resounding conclusion: "government shall
not join, whether at Christmas or on Good Friday, in the commemoration of
Christianity's most solemn, most awesome, and most potent symbol: the
Crucifixion."

Isn't it peculiar, how openly hostile liberal opinion is against Christianity? "Unitarians, Jews, Catholics, Buddhists, atheists--there is nothing in Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha for them. . . " Nope, haven't seen any judges writing that, yet.

We're not asking for special treatment, just equal treatment.

Homeschooling and, Ultimately, Freedom Under Attack

2009-06-18T11:18:00.003-04:00

Do you think it won't eventually happen here?

Germany has been persecuting homeschoolers. HSLDA has been keeping us informed about the events unfolding there. It's illegal to homeschool there, and it has been since Hitler declared it so. Yes, Hitler. What does that say?

And now, things are getting bad for British homeschoolers. A new report has come out, seeking to overhaul the way home education works in the UK. Before now, homeschoolers have never been obligated to send their children to school. They can choose their own curriculum, never submit test results or work portfolios, etc. If your children have been in school, then you need to work with the Local Education Authority, in order to prove that you're meeting educational needs. If memory serves, this relationship works well if you have an LEA who is open to individualised instruction, but not so well if you have anyone biased against religion, unschooling, or anything out of the mainstream.

Now, some want this all to change. I've read the run-down of the salient points at various websites, but the best summary I found was from Antonia, whose blog is password protected so that I cannot provide a link, but I want to give her credit nonetheless! Here's what she wrote:

- now all home educated children have to be registered with the local authority

- this registration has to be renewed each year, for each child- the home must be inspected by the local authority at the time of registration

- at the start of every academic year the parents "must provide a clear statement of their educational approach, intent and desired/planned outcomes for the child over the following twelve months."

- this needs to be APPROVED by the local authority before the parents can teach it- during the year the family house will be visited by someone from the local authority to assess the child's learning and to inspect whether parents have delivered their aims & objectives.

- the local authority must ANALYSE the parents's REASONS for homeschooling!

- the local authority has the legal right to enter a home educating family's HOME (but not non-home educating families's homes!) and they have the right to speak with the children ALONE!

The document also states that homeschooled children must have the right to take public exams if they wish (which is a good thing, because at the moment it can be difficult/expensive for them to), and they should be able to take part in after-school activities or clubs at local schools if they wish.

Me, again.

It seems as if they took a look at the most restrictive rules of each state here in the US and put them together into one package. But, I've never before seen that the parents' motivations for homeschooling must be approved by the local authority!!! Just who do they think they are? I wonder how a parent might win any argument they come up with!

HSLDA writes about this, too, showing the connection with that obnoxious UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. (Loved by liberals in this country!) HSLDA quotes from the British report:

1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to:
a. The development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential;
b. The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
c. The development of respect for the child’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own;
d. The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin;
e. The development of respect for the natural environment.

My first thought is that THIS is why British Catholics were persecuted during the reign of Elizabeth I. Oh, no, no. It wasn't about their Catholic faith. It's because they were plotting against the crown! I have something to say about each of these points:

a. That kind of nonsense is being brought up in various places around the US. Suddenly, schools are going to measure the content of character of students. Let's travel back in time and see if the Dragon Lady who was my 6th Grade teacher helped me to develop to my fullest potential!
b. The UN is going to tell us about human rights and fundamental freedoms? The only "enshrined principles" I'm interested in are those that come from On High. NOT the United Nations! You tell me how the UN can improve upon the laws already set down by the Founding Fathers of this nation -- I dare you!
c. Well, this opens a can worms, doesn't it? Children whose parents cultural identity and values are CATHOLIC would say that a person of homosexual proclivities has a right to a home, a job, a place to shop for clothes and food, just don't shove your secular agendas down our throats as a way to force an implied approval of your activities. Some children have parents who come from countries where homosexuals are buried up to the waist in the ground and then stoned to death. However, which children will NOT be respected for their cultural identity and values???
d. Hand-in-hand with point "c." Catholicism already does this. We don't need a Secular Catechism to teach us how to get along only with those who tout the Secular Code of Values. After all, Code #1 is that "tolerance" only applies to those who bow to the almighty secular god; no room for anyone else. Of course, if any alarm should be raised about how some British children are being taught about tolerance as it ought to be taught, go type "British Muslims" into the search at Jihad Watch and you'll see how this nonsense is only a witch hunt against Christians and, possibly, unschoolers.
e. Respect for the natural environment? HUH?!?!? Well, I can find plenty of quotes about the stewardship of the earth in both Bible and Church Teachings. Funny, though, that's probably not what they have in mind. It's probably more the same old, same old about how the earth would be better off without humans and we shouldn't be having babies and even though global warming has happened for as long as the planet has been here, we're suddenly going to attribute it to human activity and and and . . .

How long before this kind of a fight begins here? This is going to be a different world for my grandchildren and I don't mean that as a good thing. I've considered advising today's children who hope to homeschool their own children to get a degree in education, just in case. But, I don't think that's going to be good enough for the fascists who are interested in taking over (starting with the libs who are currently in power now: Obama, Pelosi, Reid, etc.). They won't be happy just having certified teachers teaching children; that's not what this is about. It's because they really want each child indoctrinated in their own brainwashing, state-run schools! Read John Taylor Gatto if you want more concrete proof of the "Education" Agenda!

There are a few people I wish would WAKE UP about this. First of all, I wish the people who don't think much about things would wake up. The lukewarm, indeed, are the most offensive lot, aren't they? Next, I wish "Catholic" liberals would wake up and realize that this kind of agenda is not in their best interest. Finally, I wish thinking liberals would wake up, too: those who really aren't offended by people who are different from themselves. More the kind of liberal I was before I realized that the liberals were the more intolerant group and that the conservatives were much more interested in dialogue and "live and let live" than the liberals I was hanging around! Because this doesn't serve their best interest, either!

Kids & Religion

2009-06-12T11:53:00.004-04:00

The three cutest & funniest things my kids have said about religious things.

1) Three years ago, one daughter finally noticed the altar server ringing the bells at Consecration. She was surprised. "I always thought the sound came from heaven, right when Jesus came into the Host."

2) One week ago, the four-year-old asked how the monstrance was able to ring, during the blessing at Benediction. Those bells cause some confusion in our family, it appears.

3) During this past Easter season, when we prayed the "Regina Coeli," the four-year-old didn't understand the line about "For He whom you merited to bear," and instead recited, "For he whom you married was bare."

I think the third one is my favorite.

Looking for a news link . . .

2009-06-11T17:44:00.004-04:00

Just wondering . . .

Holocaust denier charged in DC museum shooting

From the article: The attack was the third unsettling shooting that appeared to have political underpinnings.

I haven't been online much, so I don't know. Has President Obama made a statement, condemning this act? After Tiller's murder, I kind of thought that the President was now starting to make statements whenever a random act of violence occurs, especially those with "political underpinnings."

If he has, I'll apologize and retract my cynical comments.

Children at Church

2009-06-08T12:45:00.004-04:00

There will be no surprises where Catholic Wife and Mother stands on the issue of bringing children to Mass.

Why Young Children Belong at Mass

On my first trip to Mass as a new mother, an elderly couple sneered at each other (but loudly enough so that I could hear), "She's too young to be here!" It made me hyper-paranoid about every noise that my poor baby made for the next few months! Well, I forgive them for it, but they were wrong. Had they been focusing on pre-Mass prayer to God, they wouldn't have noticed my little one! I probably remember the incident more than the countless old ladies who have come up to praise me for bringing in the children when they're young, only because it was the first time I'd brought a baby into church.

Children belong at church! I've found that daily Mass is very good training for Sunday Mass. I bit the bullet and started taking all the kids to daily Mass, once a week. Yes! Mass without the help of Daddy! But it's improved behavior for weekday and weekend Mass.

In fact, when I decided to add another morning Mass, just for myself, two of my younger ones started asking to go along with me. How could I say no? As many of the comments about this article state, Mass is not about me, it's about God. I wanted the "alone time" with God, but my conscience told me that God would prefer that I bring along the child who is voluntarily asking to be awakened early in order to attend another weekday Mass with me. From amongst the spiritual shortfalls that I will have to account for, when I one day stand naked before God, not taking a child who wanted to go to Mass, even if it meant giving up some one-one-one time with God is probably a worse sin than any one-on-one God time I've neglected by leisurely pursuits in front of a computer or TV screen!

Having said that, it's time to get off the computer!

Another take on the Presidential visit . . .

2009-06-04T16:06:00.003-04:00

. . . . because you shouldn't take life too seriously.

Al-Qaeda Kidnaps Obama's Teleprompter

Many quotes from the Obama Administration, but perhaps the best is this:

Leon Panetta, CIA Director: I'd like to address the terrorists, wherever they are hiding: If you did this because you were annoyed by our president saying "uh" too often in his speeches, then stealing the teleprompter is not going to help. Just think about it.

Thanks, People's Cube!

Obama in the Middle East

2009-06-04T15:38:00.003-04:00

Robert Spencer breaks down Obama's attempt at Islamic appeasement.

Platitudes and naivete: Obama's Cairo speech

Of particular interest to Catholics, Spencer points out the various myths about Islam in history. As in, who is it that really kept civilization alive? As in, how were Christians and Jews treated in Spain when it was occupied by Muslims?

And, reading what the President had to say about the rights of women, I have to wonder if he's ever heard of sharia? Alas, I fear that "women's rights" means one thing to all liberals: access to quick and free abortion. And, as it's not (yet) quick and free in the US, I'm gonna take a wild guess that it's what he's referring to when he said, "Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world."

Living by the Sword? Or not!

2009-06-01T12:40:00.005-04:00

I'm avoiding any news about the death of Dr. Tiller, the abortionist. I don't even want to visit the blogs of people who will have words of wisdom, because I do not want to read the comments of the those who just don't get it.

I know that Satan is laughing with delight over this. I'm frustrated that the President of the US has felt the need to comment on this particular murder, amongst any of his fellow Americans who perished violently this past weekend. And I'm positive that the pro-abortion camp will never quite grasp that the man who took the life of the abortionist is a part of the culture of death. In fact, his is the loudest "pro-choice" action of the weekend, as he chose to take the life of another human being.

While praying over all these thoughts running through my head, I picked up a book and "just happened" upon the following quotations:

“There is a vocation which consists in suffering with Christ and thus in his redemptive work. If we are united to the Lord, we are members of his Mystical Body. Christ continues to live and suffer in his members, and suffering endured in union with him becomes his, made efficacious and united in his great redemptive work. The essence of the religious life, especially the Carmelite life, is to intercede for sinners and cooperate in the redemption of the world by voluntary and joyous suffering.”

That is from St. Edith Stein, written shortly before entering the convent.

“Let us prepare ourselves. Union with Jesus promises suffering. It was because of Mary’s most intimate union with Jesus that the greatest suffering struck her. We follow Mary who shows us the way to understanding, and to share in the sacrifice of Jesus; and then to resurrection and ascension; we have deserved it. God has let us deserve it. Our place is reserved! We will not let it slip from our grasp. We will say to Mary, ‘Keep my place for me. I am coming!’”

Bl. Titus Brandsma’s words, from a retreat given just before the outbreak of WWII, found amongst his papers after his Dachau death.

Let the persecution of the Department of Homeland Security begin. Keep fighting for the culture of life, in whatever way God is calling you to do it, small or large: fasting from dessert, praying an extra rosary, praying in front of clinics, taking in your elderly mother when she cannot live independently, remaining open to having another baby, donating from amongst your excess household goods so that Goodwill can help disabled adults in your community -- whatever it is that you are called to do. Nothing is insignificant. We are going to suffer in the battle for Life. But it's all right: suffering endured in union with him becomes his, made efficacious and united in his great redemptive work.

Global Warming & Cardinal Pell

2009-05-27T14:02:00.004-04:00

One other thing I heard when I was watching TV while I was sick: global warming -- ooooops! -- climate change is real and the only people who are in denial are those living in flyover country, where they're being brainwashed by Hannity and Limbaugh, since they don't get NPR on the radio. (Uh, yes we do. We just don't want to listen to it!)

But, Cardinal Pell, far from "flyover country" writes that, "[e]vidence shows the wheels are falling from the climate catastrophe bandwagon."

Huzzah!

Read it: Global Warming Pauses

PBS v. Religion

2009-05-27T13:50:00.003-04:00

Have you heard that the People's Broadcasting System is considering getting rid of religious programming? Yeah, they'll still run documentaries about religious topics (something I avoid like the plague, given the liberally-biased nature of such documentaries). But, no more Mass for Shut-ins. I know elderly people without cable TV, so EWTN isn't an option for everyone.

Here is where you can tell PBS what you think of their plans. I found that link at a Mormon blog.

What makes this annoying is that PBS won't count Fundamentalist Secularism as a religion. If they did, they couldn't run any of the news talkshows they run!

Garden-grown tomatoes

2009-05-27T10:49:00.004-04:00

I've got baby tomatoes in the garden!!!!!

Rather than wait until summer is half over to enjoy some garden-fresh tomatoes, this spring, I purchased two mature tomato plants from the local nursery.

And now I have three, tiny, green tomatoes, growing on the vine. Already! In May!

It's an exciting day in the life of this gardener!

From California. . . .

2009-05-26T16:15:00.001-04:00

Wow!

The courts in California actually did the right thing?

I never saw that coming!

Abstinence v. Condoms

2009-05-26T16:05:00.003-04:00

I like this quote. It sums up what would take me four paragraphs to say:

"It never ceases to amaze me how people who deny the Virgin Birth can continually insist that abstinence doesn't work, but condoms do.

"This in spite of the fact that when abstinence "fails" it's because it wasn't used, but condoms often fail even when they are used."

Emphasis mine. I'll never understand why condoms are held in such high esteem. Even in the days when I thought contraception was all right, I knew condoms weren't all that great. It was always recommended that one use more than one barrier method or use chemical contraception. Nowadays, when I might be suffering the effects of long-term use, I'm very grateful that I never thought chemical contraception seemed the wisest of choices, either! Ah, well. It's always good when I find what I consider to be a voice of reason in this insane "condoms will save civilization as we know it" brigade. Thanks, Paul.

Short testimony of a former abortion OB

2009-05-26T15:52:00.003-04:00

This is a powerful testament!

While I wish everyone who is pro-abortion would hear this, I wish I could send it to some pro-Obama Catholics I know. One of them keeps telling a family member of mine that he "doesn't want to see the US go back to back-alley abortions." Thus, it's fine for him to vote for liberal Dem pols who support abortion. Bad argument, my friend, as it's now fairly well-known (at least amongst the truly well-read and not just the sound-bite 'intelligentsia') that all those "death by back alley" statistics were fabricated!

Every day of my life, I pray for the conversion of doctors who perform abortions. If a NARAL founder converted, then prayer certainly does work!

h.t.: Thank you, Antonia . . . . with the private blog, so I don't provide a link!

Can Openers

2009-05-23T19:43:00.002-04:00

Can openers. Another pet peeve of mine.

I cannot find a good can opener. I've used everything from the $2.99 grocery-store variety to the fancy ones sold by Tupperware/Pampered Chef. Not one of them works well on every style of can. Not one of them lasts long enough to make me want to buy another version of it when it gets rusty/stops opening/quits. If the expensive ones worked, I wouldn't mind paying the money. They might last slightly longer than the $7.99 variety, but not enough to make it worth the investment.

Grrrr!

Tales from the Modern World

2009-05-23T19:19:00.005-04:00

When I've got the flu, I watch more television than is good for the sanity. Recently, I learned new things about this world we live in.

1) There are commercials advertising wood flooring that has been ethically harvested. Apparently, this is a source of pride for the manufacturer and it's something that makes someone want to buy their wood flooring. It's an odd world when ethically harvested wood is more important to society than medical ethics.

2) A certain Scientologist couple is coming to grips with the loss of their son because they take comfort in Scientology's teaching about reincarnation. I'm not sure if I have that "dogma" exactly right, because I was so incensed at the idea that Scientology is treated with more respect than mainline Christian denominations. I'm not saying I would make fun of them. But why is it neither "quaint" nor "simplistic" to cling to that kind of "religion?"

3) There's a commercial for the ASPCA that runs quite a bit during the day. You see photos of sad looking and injured animals, as a voice-over tells you how many animals are abused every ten seconds. It makes me wonder why it's all right to be "in your face" about the realities of animal abuse, but showing the truth of abortion doesn't happen. As an example, whoever broadcast the Superbowl wouldn't allow the pro-life commercial about how an unwanted, unexpected pregnancy can produce a future president of the US. And, speaking of animals . . .

4) I haven't seen these commercials, but my husband tells me that there's a new show, Whale Wars, that features the lengths people will go to in order to prevent whale hunting. "These featured crew members help comprise the 40 international crew who spent the winter putting their lives on the line for whales." How about those on the frontline of the culture wars? Any major cable network signing up to show how the world is changed by volunteering during the 40 Days for Life campaign? Maybe it isn't glamorous enough for them, but sometimes there is violence. My mother did see someone get attacked by a pro-abort when she was doing her 40 Days. It's not that I don't appreciate whales as one of God's creatures. It's just that I see the war on the womb as more dangerous and criminal that whale hunting.

That's the short version of things. I'm doing better, even if my cough won't go away. At least I'm not confined to the couch any longer. I've had about as much as I can take of television culture for the moment!

Obama's Latest

2009-05-23T19:13:00.003-04:00

No one says a meeting with the Pope is not going to happen. But, so far:

Vatican Off Obama’s Itinerary

So, he'll talk with Ahmadinejad, but not Pope Benedict XVI. This is a very weird man.

I think Mr. President needs to re-read the bit in the Bible about "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He can ignore the Church. He can enact policies to drive the Church underground. But he won't make it go away!

My fellow Catholics, he can snub us all he likes. The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church!

The Future of Schooling

2009-05-13T10:09:00.004-04:00

I recently finished reading Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto. If you're not familiar with Gatto, he spent a career in the school system, only to realize that the methods he'd been using weren't serving students very well (to put it mildly). It's a good read for those who, like myself, believe that there's a world of difference between schooling and education. I resent quite a big chunk of my schooling experience and have long desired (since I was in second grade, if you can believe it) to bring to others the joy of education, versus schooling. I guess I've found my niche, in teaching my kids at home, eh?

So, this kind of news is disheartening:

Is Congress Moving Toward Nationalized Standards?

Some say that there's no movement towards federal control:

Some, like Ken James, who is the commissioner of education for the Arkansas Department of Education, stressed that any plan should not be mandatory, or require the federal government to establish its own national standards: “First and foremost, this is a voluntary, state-led effort to establish a common core of standards across the states. Let me be clear, this is not an effort to establish federal standards,” said Mr. James.

Others believe that it's a great thing:

One witness, David Levin, who is the co-founder of KIPP Schools, made an ambiguous comment at the end of his testimony that left HSLDA wondering if he wanted Congress to regulate all education: “Before the Civil War, when talking about our country people would say, ‘The United States are….’ After, it became ‘The United States is….’ It is time that we do the same in education and adopt one set of common standards.”

Other witnesses called for “common national standards that are rigorous and relevant,” and urged Congress to take action.

Uh-oh. We all know what it means when any organization starts trying to force "relevance" on us!

Congressman Mark Souder (IN) also shared his concerns about calls for Congress to create national standards. He asked some of the witnesses, “By the way, how do homeschoolers fit into this? How do Christian schools fit into this? How do colleges fit into this?” His question was never answered.

Mr. Souder soundly called any plans for centralized top-down education “a straitjacket which will be politically manipulated,” which will be exploited by special interests, and which will not advance education, but rather “advance whatever the political agenda is of those who are in power.”

Precisely! Weapons of Mass Instruction outlines the history of schooling in the US. The captains of industry wanted a dumbed-down population to serve their mass production factory needs. As the pendulum swings to the other side, it's now the government who wants a dumbed-down population to serve their needs.

One cannot help but think of Hudge and Gudge. (Chesterton has an answer for everything!) In education as well, Hudge and Gudge are just in it to screw over Jones. Let all of us Joneses do what we can to secure the primacy of the family!

About the Church in China

2009-05-08T18:37:00.003-04:00

This is from an interview with a priest who has spent time in Taiwan and mainland China:

After learning Chinese well enough, I got in touch with some communities of the persecuted—or "underground"—Church and was able to visit them. I even had a chance to visit some Christians who live north of the Great Wall.

After getting to know them, I can say that I’ve never seen a stronger faith than that among the persecuted Catholics in China. It’s a faith purified by the Cross, by suffering. They’ve taught me so much. For example, when we celebrated early morning Eucharist in someone’s home, the piety of those people was so moving. For them, the Mass is truly a treasure.

A bishop who has been in prison and is now under house arrest told me: "For the Church to go forward in China, I have three concerns: that we never be afraid, that we are faithful, and that our priests are well formed. Everything else will take care of itself."

"A faith purified by the Cross, by suffering." The enemies of the Church can do what they like to us. And they will. And some of the sheep will scatter, as they always do. But "the gates of hell shall not prevail against" the Church!

Here's the whole interview.

Catholic Rhode Island

2009-05-08T18:22:00.002-04:00

No offense to any Catholic friends in New England, but this headline made me laugh:

Gay marriage effort stalls in heavily Catholic RI

Rhode Island, that hotbed of Catholics, staunchly loyal to the Magisterium? I've missed that bit of news. Or, maybe they're looking for a scapegoat to blame the stalled effort, and the Church is the most obvious party?

This bit of the article jumped out at me:

"I do not hear voices raised, voices stating absolutely that this just cannot do," said Cassandra Ormiston, 62, a lesbian who could not get divorced in Rhode Island after she and her partner married in Massachusetts. "It is not enough to be patient."

Anyone else see the irony here? I thought the whole reason we were meant to accept gay "marriage" is because "every gay couple I know has been in a loving, monogamous, long-term relationship -- which is more than I can say for my own parents!" So I've been told, at least. But, this activist is angry that she cannot divorce the person she "married" in another state. What a world!

Huzzah!

2009-05-07T10:35:00.003-04:00

Congolese Bishops: Condoms Breed Selfishness, Affirm Pope's Support in Fight Against AIDS

From the statement:

Only freedom that does not give in before the fleeting passion of desire, the blindness of one's own selfishness, and the tyranny of the convenience of the moment, can contribute to making man more noble and more responsible in his acts, in the prospect of a better future.

and

This is how we understand the Pope's insistence on respect for life, the preservation of our African identity which is seriously threatened by a vigorous and aggressive globalization, the fight against corruption and the unjust exploitation of man by other men, and an appeal to African governments regarding their responsibilities in regards to their people and other nations.

Amen!

For every liberal who whined about Bush waging war in Iraq out of American Imperialistic aspirations, I present this is one of the many issues in which you are spreading your imperialistic tendencies. The Imperialism of Secular Humanism!

It's all about choice, right?

2009-05-07T10:14:00.003-04:00

When I was growing up, the Chicago Tribune was the conservative paper in town. Maybe it still is, and this just represents how far to the left the media has gone!

Terminally ill patients who want to utilize a new law to end their agony often find that physicians, citing moral objections, refuse to take part.

Clips from the article:

He told his doctor and family that he wanted to take advantage of Washington state's new law allowing physicians to prescribe a fatal dose of barbiturates to terminal patients. His five children agreed, but his doctor balked, citing moral reservations.

. . .

But outside the larger population centers around Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia, many physicians are unwilling. That leaves residents east of the Cascades who choose to utilize the statute with the same problem women seeking abortions in conservative rural communities have faced: It's legal, but health providers' moral qualms mean it's essentially unavailable.

. . .

But Wallace's physician could not bring himself to assist, the family said. Dr. Idar Rommen, a family practitioner in Snohomish County -- another largely rural Washington area where most hospitals have refused to participate in the new law -- understands why."To me, personally, giving a patient a suicide pill is like abdicating my role," Rommen said. "I'm here to heal and to make better. And the other just doesn't seem like that's what I went into medicine to do."

All those backwards, conservative hicks in rural areas. It's just so unfair that you have to live in a big city to procure an abortion or get someone to help you kill yourself. And the answer? Force them! Force them all! No due process! No conscientious objections! You provide for your patient whatever they request, or you don't become a doctor!

Perhaps that is what is most pernicious about the liberal lies regarding "choice." Pro-life, pro-family, pro-natural law, pro-objective-Truth people are told that they're being small-minded by refusing to allow others to have their abortions, kill off their elderly or infirm family members, or agree to the definition of "marriage" as any relationship between two or more members of the Animal Kingdom. All these policies are crammed down our throats by the judiciary in the name of tolerance. And we're told over and over that these policies are just a few of the many along the spectrum of "choice." YET, in the end, there's no choice left for anyone who doesn't go along with this agenda! Why doesn't anyone see this? Or, perhaps, many rational people do see it, it's just that none of the rational people have a voice in the MSM! Viva the alternative media! :-)

Another step closer to the liberal inquisition . . . .

2009-05-03T10:06:00.004-04:00

U.S. House Expands "Hate Crimes" Laws

House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio said that all violent crimes should be prosecuted vigorously, but argued the legislation “places a higher value on some lives compared to others. That is unconstitutional, and that is wrong. Republicans believe that all life was created equally, and all life should be defended equally.

All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.

He said he was particularly concerned about the implications the legislation would have on religious groups expressing their beliefs.

“Simply put, this bill is not only a threat to the constitutional principle of equal justice under the law, but to religious freedom of speech as well,” he added.

So, if this is about gay "marriage," I have one question: What would Darwin say about homosexuality??? No liberal has answered this question, whenever I've asked it in any comboxes.

Did I miss something?

2009-05-03T09:55:00.002-04:00

In an article about the death of Jack Kemp:

Through his political life, Kemp's positions spanned the social spectrum: He opposed abortion and supported school prayer, yet appealed to liberals with his outreach toward minorities and compassion for the poor.

Because, you know, those who oppose abortion and support school prayer usually dislike minorities and certainly lack compassion for the poor.

My Composting Saga

2009-04-30T16:49:00.005-04:00

Last spring, I started a compost pile underneath the deck off the back of our house. I tossed in veg and fruit scraps, coffee grinds, tea bags, egg shells. Whenever I had freshly cut flowers that had died, I put them there. We've not been in our house but for a few years, so I don't have a very mature garden, but if ever I was able to trim back my small shrubs, I'd put the branches there. Fruit and veg that were past their prime got tossed there, too. In the fall, I spread newspapers over the mess and then covered it all with the dirt that came from the pots of the flowers and herbs I'd been growing all summer long.

As the days shortened and the weather cooled, my husband and I noticed signs of mice around the pile. Mice! I'd always read that the way to avoid attracting rodents to the pile was to keep meat out it. So much for that. Not long after the signs of mice, I began to hear owls coming very close to the house. I wondered if they were attracted by the mice. And once the snow started, I could tell that the neighborhood stray cat was spending quite a bit of time around the back of our house. And then, no more signs of mice. I don't know if the predators got to them or if they were simply scared away.

It's supposed to take three years for a compost pile to be ready for use in the garden. I don't have three years, because I want to expand our deck. So, in digging new garden areas this year, my plan was to take whatever had broken down and bury it deep beneath the newly prepared ground. I pushed aside some of the grasses I'd thrown on top of the pile just a few weeks ago and . . . .

What a wonderful surprise was awaiting me!!!!!

Almost everything was broken down into this beautiful, richly-colored black compost! It was gorgeous! I'd post a photo, but it's already buried under the ground. (And more's the pity, it's definitely a scrapbooking moment: my first compost!) The only identifiable materials were a bit of egg shell, two small tomatoes that had been caught by the frost last fall, and a squash that went bad before I had a chance to cook it. Everything else was a black, crumbly compost! And now it will serve us nicely by enriching the soil where we will grow herbs this summer.

This probably isn't a surprise to veteran gardeners. But it's quite amazing to this neophyte. I'm already saving veg & fruit scraps for this year's pile!

Alternate Ending

2009-04-27T20:27:00.005-04:00

A funny thought occurred to me while I was making dinner tonight.

As liberals see it, everything that happened during the Bush Administration was the fault of George W., from the 9/11 attacks to Hurricane Katrina to the fact that I had to have an impacted wisdom tooth removed in 2003.

Wouldn't they be very suspicious, if a pandemic of swine flu hit, just as George W. was trying to push through a "you will be convinced that we need my Administration to take care of all your health needs" plan? If Halliburton manufactured Tamiflu, you can bet the conspiracy theorists would be crawling out of the woodwork.

I'm not meaning to be cruel to those who have died from swine flu. I'm just theorizing about how this story would have gone, had it happened one year ago!

The Proper Context of Animal Rights

2009-04-27T12:50:00.004-04:00

Here is a good article to read, if you (like me!) are raising a child passionate about animals and nature.

Animal Protection or Animal Rights?

The Church was the original producer of animal activists -- just look at Saint Francis of Assisi. St. Basil of Caesarea wrote a beautiful prayer at the end of the fourth century, asking God to hear the cries of the suffering animals around the world. He says we've abused them and continue to abuse them, and things are getting worse. This is historic Christian teaching. If it seems different now, that's simply the result of the excesses of secular activists who have forced us into a defensive posture. When these activists blur the distinction between animals and humans, the only thing the Church can do is react against that error. We acknowledge they have a noble aim in protecting animals, but they are going about it the wrong way. They don't see that they are creating a much bigger problem than the one they're trying to solve.

They are mortgaging the future of humanity for the future of animals.

I wish there was more of this out there for Catholic youngsters!!! My son's main source of animal information is the politically-correct, anti-human reproduction, "zero footprint" stuff that is at the local library. And the only other alternative seems to be Protestant Christian materials that are sometimes less-than-scientific. Even if there are exceptions, they're just that -- rare exceptions!

So, viva Catholic Teaching! If my son's way to heaven is work with the natural world, I'm going to do my best to give him a good Catholic background to work from!

Miss California

2009-04-22T18:15:00.003-04:00

Whoever would have thought that I'd have an opinion about a beauty contest?

Runner-up Miss USA lost crown for 'gay marriage' response

Ah, the tolerant left.

Hurrah, Miss Prejean! That took courage.

Well, the pageant has obviously jumped on the gay activist bandwagon.

That makes me wonder how long it will be before we have a Miss USA who wasn't born a miss at all! I mean, if you feel like a woman inside, what's wrong with entering pageants so you can traipse about in an evening gown?

Abortion-First Mentality

2009-04-22T17:55:00.004-04:00

First, there's this:

Planned Parenthood Accused of "Institutionalized Indifference" to Statutory Rape

"This is the sixth clinic we have recorded that manipulates the law and covers up sexual abuse. Planned Parenthood's abortion-first mentality makes it operate as an advocate for terrible crimes against children.

“What more do authorities need to see before holding this organization accountable for its institutionalized indifference to statutory rape and sexual abuse of children?”

Which doesn't surprise anyone, especially those who hold the abortion-first mentality. Maybe it surprises the Obama Catholics whose heads are buried in the sand so deeply you can just see their toes wiggling above ground.

So, how do we solve the problem of abortion providers getting into trouble for ignoring the abuse of minors?

FDA To Allow Plan B Birth Control For 17-Year-Olds

Here's the most Orwellian sentence in the article:

Supporters of broader access argued that Plan B is safe and effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy and could help reduce the number of abortions.

So, I guess if implantation hasn't yet occurred, it isn't an abortion. That must go back to the issue already discussed on this blog about how a pregnancy isn't a pregnancy until implantation. Newspeak for pregnancy = implantation. For now. Stay tuned. I'm sure the definition will become even more restrictive!

Mark my words, it won't be long before anyone of any age will be able to procure this pill. As for the old argument about how a child needs parental permission for an Advil or an ear piercing, well, Obama Youth won't even have to do that anymore.

Making Buddies with Chavez

2009-04-22T17:46:00.003-04:00

Chiming in late on this topic.

Sales Of Leftist Book Jump On Chavez Gift To Obama

A book that inspired a generation of Latin American leftists is ringing up big sales after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave it to U.S. President Barack Obama in an effort to ease diplomatic tensions.

"Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent," a manifesto decrying centuries of imperialism in the region, was No. 2 on Amazon.com's bestseller list on Sunday after Chavez presented it to Obama at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.

. . . .

Asked at a news conference what he thought of the gift, Obama said, "I thought it was a nice gesture to give me that book. I'm a reader."

Frankly, I didn't think that this was a nice gesture. I don't think that Obama comes across as having succeeded in creating some great friendship with that wonderful but misunderstood Chavez. (ahem!) Chavez's passive-aggressive act seems more like Cool Captain of the Football Team asking the Bullied Geek Girl of the School to homecoming on a dare. Bullied Girl might be pleased and smile her acceptance, but we know that all the football team and the cheerleaders are laughing behind her back. Mr. Teleprompter just doesn't get it! He may aspire to be one of them, but I think they're all laughing behind his back!

All Hail Obama!

2009-04-22T17:10:00.006-04:00

Because liberals aren't happy until we're living in their totalitarian state:

Don't count out 'mandatory' service yet

The proposal also speculates on a "public service academy, a four-year institution that offers a federally funded undergraduate education with a focus on training future public sector leaders."

Like the provisions in the earlier bill, it also includes children down to primary school, requiring a review of "the means to develop awareness of national service and volunteer opportunities at a young age by creating, expanding and promoting service options for primary and secondary school students and by raising awareness of existing incentives."

Did you imagine teaching your children that volunteerism means mowing the lawn for your elderly neighbor? Did you hope your child would become an altar server? Did your teenager's Confirmation service hours include things like Eucharistic Adoration, praying in front of abortion clinics, or weeding the garden at your church? That's not the image of the proper Obama Youth! This could be the future for our children or grandchildren:

It's like 1984's Youth League! It's also quite like something that is not from the pages of fiction.

Do carefully read the quote from First Lady Michelle. Image from here.

Interesting Nature Observations

2009-04-17T20:36:00.005-04:00

While I sometimes wish I lived in a place with warm weather all the time, I am usually happy with our four seasons. Today was a gorgeous day. I even got sunburnt! Not that that's a good thing, but it means that I was having an enjoyable day out-of-doors.

We like the Journey North website, where you can follow the migration of birds, butterflies, even whales (if you live in a place where such creatures can be seen). We've used this website for homeschooling science. But it's fun for children & families, even if not used as part of a formal science lesson.

Today, I got an e-mail from Journey North about ice-out. The e-mail announced:

News Flash: Ice-out at Lake Minnetonka

The official date and time was Monday, April 13 at 12:45 am! On Lake Minnetonka, the ice is defined as "out" when it is possible to make way by small boat from any one shore to any other shore through any passage on the lake. Ice-out dates have been determined using this method since 1968.

Wow! People even participate in contests, trying to guess when the ice-out will occur in various places. It's an interesting read, all the way back to 1887, the ice-out has happened as early as March 18 and as late as May 2.

While I'm happy for those living around Lake Minnetonka, I'm quite glad to have enjoyed my 70 degree weather!!!

Fr. Corapi & Divine Mercy

2009-04-17T20:26:00.003-04:00

All right, Department of Homeland Security. THIS is the kind of war we're waging!!!

At a time when Christianity in general and the Catholic Church in particular are under violent attack from a perversely secularized government and social climate, we must not be timid and defensive. Recalling the words spoken by General Norm Cota on the beaches of Normandy to the American forces being shredded by enemy machine gun fire and artillery, the General asked what unit this was. Someone responded, “Fifth Ranger Battalion, Sir.” The General roared, “Well, Rangers, lead the way!”

Christians, you are pinned down on the beaches of life in an immoral world. Catholics, lead the way! The day may seem dark and perilous and you may be fearful of “dying” at the hands of the enemy on the beaches of social immorality. As the General said, “We are dying on the beaches. Let’s go inland and die there!” Charge the enemy gun positions, don’t retreat. Surrender is not an option. Catholics, lead the way! If God is for you, who can be against you! Immerse yourself in the mercy of Jesus, take a deep breath, and charge the enemy. Make a frontal assault on the very gates of hell. We’re outnumbered, but we already know the ultimate outcome of the war—We win through, with, and in the mercy of Jesus Christ.

Divine Mercy Sunday approaches. Let's pray our hearts out!!!

P.S.: Link to Father Corapi.

Big Brother IS watching!

2009-04-15T10:09:00.005-04:00

If this blog suddenly ceases to exist, perchance I've been carted off by the Department of Homeland Security. And Big Brother has shut me down.

Homeland Security Report equates 'abortion opponents' with white supremacists

The report describes "Rightwing extremism" broadly as “those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”

I have to wonder where they categorize the leftwing extremists who spout hatred based on particular religious groups. (Anyone remember the backlash after Proposition 8 in California?)

And does my membership in the American Chesterton Society send red flags to some Obama Administration bureaucrat, as I do favor local authority over federal authority?

You've got to wonder about the "single issue" designation, as fellow Catholics have already accused "my kind" of being "single-issue voters" or "anti-abortion zealots."

Could it be that my encouraging, even begging, fellow bloggers to sign the petitions for Conscience Protection constitutes a dangerous focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters, and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, even if I have not yet turned to attack planning? You know, I've always been suspicious of those elderly ladies, praying their rosaries outside the local clinic of death. I think they're recruiting the mothers with young children into some sort of mysterious, violent cult.

Heaven help us! It would be laughable, if only this were something posted on The People's Cube.

Well, my fellow zealots. Blessed are we . . . surely our reward in heaven will be great.

h.t. to Mom, who doesn't blog.

POST SCRIPT, a few hours later: The more I think about this, the more insane it seems. What about that married couple of unrepentant terrorists, living in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago? Buddies of Mr. President, remember? People like that are training tomorrow's teachers in how our nation should be educating children and yet those who oppose abortion are somehow going to turn into the next Timothy McVeigh??? Someone didn't get the memo on what pro-life actually means!

Good News #2

2009-04-14T16:24:00.002-04:00

I just read in the National Catholic Register that Illinois has its own FOCA to worry about. But, when I came online to read more about it, I found this:

Illinois FOCA fizzles

Pro-Life Forces Defeat ‘Illinois FOCA’

Good news, indeed!

Good News #1

2009-04-14T16:16:00.003-04:00

HAPPY EASTER!

I do believe that all the prayer and fasting that has been going on is meeting with success somewhere.

Our family attended the Easter Vigil and I was shocked to count TWENTY people come forward to be baptized. Some were children, but most were adults. Then, there were SIXTEEN people who became full-fledged members of the Church. Deo Gratias!

We have a good, solid Catholic parish with great, solid priests. But we usually only have about a dozen people who come into the Church at Easter. I've never seen such a crowd! My mother shared with me that her parish, which hasn't had any new Catholics in years, had three new members this Easter. And she also told me that my aunt's parish had about as many newcomers as my parish had.

I firmly believe that the results of our prayers and fasting must be showing up somewhere, even if it isn't the immediate conversion of Obama, Biden, Sebelius, et. al. Keep praying, keep fasting!!!

Welcome to all the newest members of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church!

He risen! He is truly risen!

Divine Mercy Novena

2009-04-10T19:42:00.001-04:00

It starts today!

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Novena

Newspeak, already!

2009-04-10T19:14:00.005-04:00

I didn't know I'd have examples of Newspeak so soon!

When Child #2 finally became aware of the term "same-sex marriage," she was rightly puzzled. I had to tell her what it meant. One of the first things she did was to go to the dictionary. Good girl. And she found the correct answer.

I guess we'd better hold on to our old dictionaries.

Webster's dictionary redefines 'marriage'

You've guessed it; it now includes same-sex relationships.

I read an article in Gilbert Magazine that tells the story of how Oxford Press has re-written its children's dictionary so that it now reflects the world in which today's children live. I cannot provide a link, as the magazine only has sample articles online. But, here's how the author begins a children's story in his column:

The elf and goblin made their way through a holly-covered entrance between the ash and willow trees. The magpie and canary brought marzipan and cauliflower, and there was liquorice, too. Nearby, in the abbey, the bishop christened a sinner that Pentecost, and the saints rejoiced. And at the castle, where monarchs ruled the land, the coronation of a duchess and duke was celebrated in the empire.

The author goes on to explain:

"Were you a child in England, around or past the age of seven, and were you ignorant of one of the nouns in my opening lines, you would no longer be able to turn for help to the children's dictionary from Oxford Press, for my sentences are constructed entirely with words that have been removed from the most recently published edition."

We're being dumbed-down. No wonder there's so much bureaucratic resistance to homeschooling! Aren't the intellectuals always the first to go in an oppressive government? Note who the true intellectuals are in the culture wars. Hint: it isn't the liberal intelligentsia!

Perhaps one of the saddest things is how willingly and blindly society lets this happen. Yes, yes, give us our inane television programs. Don't require subjects of substance in the schools, when we can be learning about self-esteem. Let's cast aside the rules of English grammar and write in "text-speak." KWIM?

Can I stress this enough?

2009-04-07T18:05:00.003-04:00

The deadline is getting closer every moment!

Freedom2Care

Here's another website that offers multiple opportunities to express your alarm at the possibility of healthcare professionals being forced to participate in medical procedures that are contrary to the basic right of conscience. Good heavens, I used to write letters for prisoners of conscience, scattered all over the communist parts of the world, back in my Amnesty International days. And here we are, on the brink of having prisoners of conscience in the United States!

Freedom2Care has a petition you can sign. It has links to the White House, your Senators, your Representative. It tells you how to write to the newspapers. It's got it all.

Please, please. If you haven't yet voiced your opinion somewhere, do it now!

Conscience Protection

2009-04-04T18:59:00.003-04:00

It's not yet too late!

But, hurry, because the deadline expires on April 9th!

Sign a pre-written form letter:

Grassroots Action Center

Or, draft your own letter, per the HHS website:

consciencecomment@hhs.gov

newcategory; rally for Oldspeak

2009-04-01T18:34:00.004-04:00

Ever since this post, I've come across all sorts of disturbing news stories about how our language is being dumbed-down, re-defined, or simply changed to suit the purposes of the powers that be.

Therefore, I'm starting a new category on this blog.

Newspeak

Time to dust off your Orwell, people!!!

The Caliber of the Obama Administration

2009-04-01T18:01:00.004-04:00

It's Lent, so I haven't been paying much attention to the news. In catching up with headlines at EWTN, I found this gem:

Secretary Clinton Leaves Flowers for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Asks "Who painted it?"

Msgr. Monroy took Mrs. Clinton to the famous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had been previously lowered from its usual altar for the occasion.

After observing it for a while, Mrs. Clinton asked “who painted it?” to which Msgr. Monroy responded “God!”

Wait! There's more!

Leaving the basilica half an hour later, Mrs. Clinton told some of the Mexicans gathered outside to greet her, “you have a marvelous virgin!”

Very odd coincidence

2009-03-27T14:35:00.003-04:00

This is very weird.

Some of you may have seen the major news story of the private plane that crashed into a Montana cemetery, killing 7 children and 7 adults.

But what the news sources fail to mention is that the Catholic Holy Cross Cemetery owned by Resurrection Cemetery Association in Butte - contains a memorial for local residents to pray the rosary, at the 'Tomb of the Unborn'. This memorial, located a short distance west of the church, was erected as a dedication to all babies who have died because of abortion.

What else is the mainstream news not telling you? The family who died in the crash near the location of the abortion victim's memorial, is the family of Irving 'Bud' Feldkamp, owner of the largest for-profit abortion chain in the nation.

That's chilling.

Don't get me wrong. No glee and no gloating here! I'm not one of those who said, "We deserved it, God is punishing us," after 9/11. But, this is just too ironic. How many memorials to the unborn exist that it's common to have an accident in one?

I find it odd, that it hasn't been mentioned in the press. After all, if they had been family members of a large restaurant chain, I think it would be noted, just in the sense of it being a well-known family in the business world. Could it be that the secular press is feeling that this is too creepy to think about?

Well, I pray for the repose of their souls. Surely, they know the truth of the situation, now! May they can pray for the conversion of the family members they've left behind.

Here's the whole article.