Happy Fourth of July
Today we celebrate the 4th of July. It is a special day for our family because my youngest brother was born on the 3rd of July so we make a big day of it and celebrate his birthday along with the birthday of the United States of America but never with firecracker.
This day also bears much sadness because I have a little cousin who died on this day due to his playing with firecrackers. He had a belt of firecrackers wrapped around his waist and when he lit one they all went off. He ran and ran and would not stop with his parents trying to get him to stop so they could wrap him in a blanket to put out the fire. Actually, the smoke that got into his lungs is the cause of his death. He was only 5 years old at the time.
Because of this death we as children were not allowed to have firecrackers and we would rehear about this horrible death. When my brothers married and had children they decided they had given up firecrackers far too long and they would get some and put on a little home fire show for the family. Kids were allowed only sparklers and only one sparkler at a time. We had water, fire extinguisher, and sand available incase something went wrong.
The party usually started in early afternoon, with a picnic supper at about 6 o’clock and then fire works when the sun went down. The grill was on and we had wieners, hamburgers and spare ribs. Lots of potato salad, watermelon, and vegetables and of course ice cream and pop. It was a meal that the kids enjoyed.
Oh yes, denim shorts, red and/or white t-shirts were fashionable. Of course you wore a flag pin if you owned one. Flags were often the only decoration on the table unless you consider the tablecloth made of newspaper. Bug spray and fly swatters were handy accessories.
My father always checked to see if the corn was knee high before the party started, it gave the men folk something to talk about. If it was knee high he had hope of a good crop other wise not so good. Now-a-days corn can be shoulder high on the 4th. I wonder what dad would think of that if he were living today.
As I grow older I usually add going to Mass before doing any celebrating. It seems appropriate to pray for those who serve in the military and keep our country safe. I like the songs that they sing. “America or America the Beautiful or God Bless America” Remember those Old time Golden Song Books we had in school.
It is a good day to get a history lesson or two off the TV. I usually learn something. I now watch the fire works from my window sitting in my big chair. I have a perfect view of the whole thing. I usually have a friend or two join me and we much on popcorn.
My hope and prayer is that all of you enjoy the 4th in what ever way is appropriate for you.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Primaries
Primaries for the year 2008
I was in awe at the number of times the candidates came to the state of South Dakota. It is the first time that the primaries meant so much to our citizens. Usually every thing is decided by the time for our state gets to go to vote. Personally, I think this whole thing of election could be simplified. The candidates could go around to all the states starting in the east and going west. They could have a rally or two in each state. Televised these rallies. Have a few debates in the bigger cities and they too could be televised. Have each state poll their people so that those who have no hope of being nominated could and would drop out. Each candidate finances his or her campaign by people sending money to the candidates. This money could be used for travel and for TV time. No Lobby money involved. Contributions limited to a given amount. I would think a hundred and fifty days would be enough time. Then vote all on the same day. I would suggest that the voting be done on the last Tuesday of June. The winners of that would begin the campaign all over this time going west to east. Then the last Tuesday in October, vote for the president and vice president. I would allow absentee voting for a period of two weeks ahead of time in each case. Do away with the big Convention because it really does take a lot of money to do this type of things and favors get asked at that time. Each Television station would be expected to cooperate and do this service with a small stipend from the government. All the Television Stations could name their times at the beginning of the week that they are assigned to the campaign. No advertisement during these times. I would suggest that these times be given our randomly. Thus the same station is not on prime time. I would encourage stations to allow more time while the candidates are in the state campaigning. This would eliminate delegates and super delegate. Every man and women has two votes, one to name the nominees of their party in June and one to elect the president and vice president in October.
I was in awe at the number of times the candidates came to the state of South Dakota. It is the first time that the primaries meant so much to our citizens. Usually every thing is decided by the time for our state gets to go to vote. Personally, I think this whole thing of election could be simplified. The candidates could go around to all the states starting in the east and going west. They could have a rally or two in each state. Televised these rallies. Have a few debates in the bigger cities and they too could be televised. Have each state poll their people so that those who have no hope of being nominated could and would drop out. Each candidate finances his or her campaign by people sending money to the candidates. This money could be used for travel and for TV time. No Lobby money involved. Contributions limited to a given amount. I would think a hundred and fifty days would be enough time. Then vote all on the same day. I would suggest that the voting be done on the last Tuesday of June. The winners of that would begin the campaign all over this time going west to east. Then the last Tuesday in October, vote for the president and vice president. I would allow absentee voting for a period of two weeks ahead of time in each case. Do away with the big Convention because it really does take a lot of money to do this type of things and favors get asked at that time. Each Television station would be expected to cooperate and do this service with a small stipend from the government. All the Television Stations could name their times at the beginning of the week that they are assigned to the campaign. No advertisement during these times. I would suggest that these times be given our randomly. Thus the same station is not on prime time. I would encourage stations to allow more time while the candidates are in the state campaigning. This would eliminate delegates and super delegate. Every man and women has two votes, one to name the nominees of their party in June and one to elect the president and vice president in October.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Eyes
For 75 years I have taken for granted my eyesight. I could enjoy the beautiful sky almost any day of the year sometimes it was a beautiful blue, other times it was blue with fluffy white clouds and then there were clouds that warn you of bad weather ahead. The sunsets with the beautiful bright yellows, orange, and reds that made the western sky so beautiful made me pause ever so often. The morning sunrise with the beautiful colorful sky coming over top of the buildings in the east gave me reason to rejoice. The beautiful trees especially in the fall, the beautiful flowers from early spring to late fall gave me great joy. I never once thanked God for this wonderful gift that God gave me as my birth present. I took it so for granted. That was true until February 1, 2008 three quarters of a century later, I happened to cover my right eye with my hand and I realized that I could not see much out of my left eye. Actually, I could only see out of the lower part of my eye. The right eye was doing a good job of giving me my sight.
I went to the doctors and they put me thru many tests and the best they could find was a mini stroke. I was so use to seeing, every thing I did involved seeing, I worked at a computer, of course I used my eyes. I enjoyed TV, another eye activity. I liked to sew, which involved use of my eyes, I enjoyed crocheting, which involved my eyesight. I feel deserted by my own body now that I can’t see out of the left eye and the right eye seems tired and closing in on me. This has all taken place within less than the shortest month of the year.
What lesson do I wish to give to you from this experience? First of all do thank God for your eyesight. By all means do not wait until your sight is gone. I know it is hard to smile when you feel so deserted but it is the best image you can give your neighbor is a smile, remember they just might be able to see. I do pray that God will see fit to restore my sight. Doctors, don’t think that will happen but I still believe in miracles.
I went to the doctors and they put me thru many tests and the best they could find was a mini stroke. I was so use to seeing, every thing I did involved seeing, I worked at a computer, of course I used my eyes. I enjoyed TV, another eye activity. I liked to sew, which involved use of my eyes, I enjoyed crocheting, which involved my eyesight. I feel deserted by my own body now that I can’t see out of the left eye and the right eye seems tired and closing in on me. This has all taken place within less than the shortest month of the year.
What lesson do I wish to give to you from this experience? First of all do thank God for your eyesight. By all means do not wait until your sight is gone. I know it is hard to smile when you feel so deserted but it is the best image you can give your neighbor is a smile, remember they just might be able to see. I do pray that God will see fit to restore my sight. Doctors, don’t think that will happen but I still believe in miracles.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Two Campaigns down, forty eight to go
Two campaigns down
I have been taking in the campaign of 2008 via TV and I must say it has provided me with some big surprises. I never would have guessed that Obama and Huckabee would take Iowa and then an even bigger surprise in that Clinton and McCain would take NH. I would like to see John Edwards and Mitt Romney take the next state and then with the three top candidate of each party go at it in some sort of debate.
All six of these candidates have something special to give the nation. Obama, is so youthful and such a good speaker, and to think that the United States is considering this black man to be their president tells the world that our race problems are fading away.
Clinton would be the first women president, that tells me that sexism is fading also. It was not all that long ago that women could not even vote in the United States. Hillary is bright and can give the world a true politician from head to toe along with an x president that is all a politician.
John Edwards knows what it is like to be poor and appreciates the fact that he rose up by his and his parent’s bootstraps. He certainly could do a lot to fight the lobbyist running and ruining our government.
Huckabee has a gift of talk; I do believe he could talk us out of war if he became our president. He too knows a little bit of poverty and rose up by his own bootstraps. He offers to America a conscience and that is good.
McCain offers the wisdom that comes with age. He says what he believes to be true. He has no time or money for poles. He knows what war is about, he has been there and done that.
Mitt Romney has known money most of his life. He has learned from his father, who also was a politician. He has the presidential look and that looks is very promising especially when you see a row of handsome young men stand behind him, namely his sons.
We the people must choose who is best for our time. We'll study hard and pray hard so that we will pick the right man or women.
I have been taking in the campaign of 2008 via TV and I must say it has provided me with some big surprises. I never would have guessed that Obama and Huckabee would take Iowa and then an even bigger surprise in that Clinton and McCain would take NH. I would like to see John Edwards and Mitt Romney take the next state and then with the three top candidate of each party go at it in some sort of debate.
All six of these candidates have something special to give the nation. Obama, is so youthful and such a good speaker, and to think that the United States is considering this black man to be their president tells the world that our race problems are fading away.
Clinton would be the first women president, that tells me that sexism is fading also. It was not all that long ago that women could not even vote in the United States. Hillary is bright and can give the world a true politician from head to toe along with an x president that is all a politician.
John Edwards knows what it is like to be poor and appreciates the fact that he rose up by his and his parent’s bootstraps. He certainly could do a lot to fight the lobbyist running and ruining our government.
Huckabee has a gift of talk; I do believe he could talk us out of war if he became our president. He too knows a little bit of poverty and rose up by his own bootstraps. He offers to America a conscience and that is good.
McCain offers the wisdom that comes with age. He says what he believes to be true. He has no time or money for poles. He knows what war is about, he has been there and done that.
Mitt Romney has known money most of his life. He has learned from his father, who also was a politician. He has the presidential look and that looks is very promising especially when you see a row of handsome young men stand behind him, namely his sons.
We the people must choose who is best for our time. We'll study hard and pray hard so that we will pick the right man or women.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
A Red Dress Day
Why A Red Dress Day
When I was growing up we were poor and we were often given things to wear. My sister and I were very much the same size, she being dark haired looked best in red and I being blond looked best in blue, so I seldom got anything red. However, I did inherit one red outfit during high school. My sister and I took Home Economics. We had to sew something in a wool fabric. My sister worked on a red wool and I had a steel blue wool. My sister took many more stitches out then she put in. She was so tired of the red suit when she finished she only wore it once and that was to be graded. Finally, she gave it to me. I wore it and liked it. The only other red things that I had were a scarf or blouse now and then. That came about when I was cheerleading advisor when I taught school in a school with one of its colors being red. Actually, I didn’t feel all that comfortable in red, I always felt irritated so I just stuck to my blues most of the time. Well, in later years I was tested for allergies and sure enough, yellow was off the chart, green and orange not too good for me either and red also gave me a little problem. So now, I know why I stick to tan, brown, blue and black .
I have a jumper pattern that I like very much and I have made, you guessed it a tan jumper, brown jumper, blue jumper and black jumper from the same pattern with a slight variation over the years. When shopping a couple years ago for another tan piece of material to go with a nice brown jacket, the tan was out of stock. I saw this red, which I just couldn’t live without and bought it on a whim. It laid on the sewing machine for over a year. Finally, I had a reason to sew it. My cousin said a group of ladies were going to wear red on Fridays until all the young men and women were home from the war. I thought perfect, so I sewed my piece of red fabric into a nice jumper. Yes, you guessed it, my favorite jumper pattern. Now every Friday, I wear the red jumper. It never fails that I get some sort of comment such as, “Why the red dress today?” It gives me an opportunity to say I’m wearing red on Fridays in protest of the war. Not a single Friday has gone by that I haven’t gotten some sort of comment. I only wish President Bush could see me wearing a red jumper in a non-violent protest to his war. So gals join me, pull out your red dresses and guys, I bet you have a red shirt some place in the closet, join me in protest.
When I was growing up we were poor and we were often given things to wear. My sister and I were very much the same size, she being dark haired looked best in red and I being blond looked best in blue, so I seldom got anything red. However, I did inherit one red outfit during high school. My sister and I took Home Economics. We had to sew something in a wool fabric. My sister worked on a red wool and I had a steel blue wool. My sister took many more stitches out then she put in. She was so tired of the red suit when she finished she only wore it once and that was to be graded. Finally, she gave it to me. I wore it and liked it. The only other red things that I had were a scarf or blouse now and then. That came about when I was cheerleading advisor when I taught school in a school with one of its colors being red. Actually, I didn’t feel all that comfortable in red, I always felt irritated so I just stuck to my blues most of the time. Well, in later years I was tested for allergies and sure enough, yellow was off the chart, green and orange not too good for me either and red also gave me a little problem. So now, I know why I stick to tan, brown, blue and black .
I have a jumper pattern that I like very much and I have made, you guessed it a tan jumper, brown jumper, blue jumper and black jumper from the same pattern with a slight variation over the years. When shopping a couple years ago for another tan piece of material to go with a nice brown jacket, the tan was out of stock. I saw this red, which I just couldn’t live without and bought it on a whim. It laid on the sewing machine for over a year. Finally, I had a reason to sew it. My cousin said a group of ladies were going to wear red on Fridays until all the young men and women were home from the war. I thought perfect, so I sewed my piece of red fabric into a nice jumper. Yes, you guessed it, my favorite jumper pattern. Now every Friday, I wear the red jumper. It never fails that I get some sort of comment such as, “Why the red dress today?” It gives me an opportunity to say I’m wearing red on Fridays in protest of the war. Not a single Friday has gone by that I haven’t gotten some sort of comment. I only wish President Bush could see me wearing a red jumper in a non-violent protest to his war. So gals join me, pull out your red dresses and guys, I bet you have a red shirt some place in the closet, join me in protest.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Fruit Flies
Fruit Flies
I have lots of fruit flies because I love fruit. The flies seem to be the unwanted guests. I have found a way to control them.
Take a clear colored plastic water container that this new generation seems to be filling the landfill with these days. Cut the top off and place a couple grapes, a banana pealing, and a pit or two into the container. Then make a funnel like out of stiff paper with a small hole at the bottom and wide opening at the top. Place the funnel in the container so that it is at least an inch away from the collection of fruit. Then seal the top off so that they can go into the wide opening but cannot get out the under side of the funnel. For some reason, the flies can go down through the little hole but they are not smart enough to come out through that same hole.
I also use a vase instead of plastic water container. My vase has a long neck and I can make a neater looking fly trap.
It is so much fun to watch the flies. I some times get a dozen in one day. Actually, it is as much fun watching them fly around as to watch goldfish swim. I usually take my fly trap out doors and let them go free. It sure helps get rid of them from my room. I am a great fruit eater because I need to eat something before taking some of my many pills before I retire.
Have fun catching flies!
I have lots of fruit flies because I love fruit. The flies seem to be the unwanted guests. I have found a way to control them.
Take a clear colored plastic water container that this new generation seems to be filling the landfill with these days. Cut the top off and place a couple grapes, a banana pealing, and a pit or two into the container. Then make a funnel like out of stiff paper with a small hole at the bottom and wide opening at the top. Place the funnel in the container so that it is at least an inch away from the collection of fruit. Then seal the top off so that they can go into the wide opening but cannot get out the under side of the funnel. For some reason, the flies can go down through the little hole but they are not smart enough to come out through that same hole.
I also use a vase instead of plastic water container. My vase has a long neck and I can make a neater looking fly trap.
It is so much fun to watch the flies. I some times get a dozen in one day. Actually, it is as much fun watching them fly around as to watch goldfish swim. I usually take my fly trap out doors and let them go free. It sure helps get rid of them from my room. I am a great fruit eater because I need to eat something before taking some of my many pills before I retire.
Have fun catching flies!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
St.Therese Of Lisieux
St.Therese of Lisieux
St. Therese of the Child Jesus or the Little Flower are names that have been given to this saint. St. Therese was born about 1873. She was a very frail child. Her mother was having health problems. Therese was the youngest of 9 children, 2 boys and 2 girls died in infancy leaving five girls. Therese had to be nursed by another mother because her own mother was sickly and could not nurse her. Therese became strong as she grew older and soon was able to be home with her mother. Therese stayed close underfoot to her mom until she was 4 years old. Therese also had a close bond to her father. He called her his little queen. They often went fishing together. Their home was a loving home of upper middle class French style. When her mother died, Therese chose her older Sister Pauline to be her mother.
Therese had a hard time in school, for some reason her classmates teased her and picked on her to the point that she could not go to school any longer. She begged her father to let her be home schooled by her sister Pauline. Her father finally gave in and let her stay home. She disliked mathematics. However, there was great rejoicing when she finally graduated.
Her older sisters Pauline entered Carmel, her sister Marie became Therese’s Mother and it wasn’t long and Marie entered the same convent as Pauline. Her third Sister Leona joined the Visitation Sisters. With her older sister gone it left Therese and Celine home alone with their dad.
Therese became very sick and the family feared she would die. Finally after a long spell of unconsciousness she recovered almost as rapidly as she became sick. Her father prayed to Our Lady and Therese said she saw Our Lady, who smiled at her, come toward her. Therese sat up and said to her dad, “I’m hungry.” From that day forward she became stronger and stronger not only in her physical health but her spiritual and emotional well being.
Therese was determined to enter Carmel at the age of 15. She first went to the superior and she said no you are too young. Then she went to the Bishop and he too said she was too young. Then on a holiday to Rome she went to see the Pope and she requested that she be allowed to enter the convent at the age of 15 in honor of the Jubilee. The Pope said do whatever the superiors tell you. She was heart broken, but not long after the Bishop wrote to her and told her she could enter Carmel at this early age, however she had to wait for a few more months before she could enter.
Shortly after she entered the convent her father became very frail. Celine remained faithful to her dad till he died. Celine entered the same convent as her 3 other sisters. Celine was allowed to take her camera with her to the convent. She had worked as a publisher and took excellent pictures. Thus Carmel has some very nice pictures not only of the nuns but of the convent itself.
Sister Therese had hard times in the convent too. Her novice mistress was rather hard on her. Sister Therese would smile at her and continue on with what ever she was doing. Therese was in charge of some dusting and garden work. She loved the roses. She didn’t care for cobwebs.
Sister Therese took sick and she started to cough up blood. She was confined to her bed. She was asked by her superiors to write her autobiography. The Doctors told Sister Pauline that Therese was going to die due to the fact that she had a bad case of TB. They called it consumption in those days. She died at the age of 24 in 1897. She became a saint in 1997. She became a Doctor of the church. There are only 33 doctors of the church. To be a doctor of the church your teachings have to be accepted by the church and by the laity. When Sister Pauline was in charge at the convent all of Therese’s writings were corrected by Pauline and locked up. Some years later when Celine was in charge of the convent Celine let the public see Therese’s work. The convent also sent the remains of Therese around the world. People came by the thousands to touch the glass case containing her remains. The people were attracted to her simple loving relationship with God and God’s son Jesus and His mother Mary. St. Therese did not believe in a harsh God. She did not support violence. She did not believe that you had to do great things to get to heaven. She believed in doing the little things as best you can with out much fuss and that would take you on the path to heaven. Her vocation was Love!
St. Therese is a saint for our times. Jansenism, which taught that God was harsh. The church supported wars, death penalty, and violence all of which hurt the church and it was St. Therese who said that God is a God of Love. Pope John II agreed fully with St. Therese and he wanted her to become a saint so the people would have a model and treat each other with love and gentleness.
I must admit that I knew very little about St. Therese before the retreat. I knew that she left roses around but that is about all. I apprechiate what I learned and hopefully I will be able to live by her simple prayerful way.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus or the Little Flower are names that have been given to this saint. St. Therese was born about 1873. She was a very frail child. Her mother was having health problems. Therese was the youngest of 9 children, 2 boys and 2 girls died in infancy leaving five girls. Therese had to be nursed by another mother because her own mother was sickly and could not nurse her. Therese became strong as she grew older and soon was able to be home with her mother. Therese stayed close underfoot to her mom until she was 4 years old. Therese also had a close bond to her father. He called her his little queen. They often went fishing together. Their home was a loving home of upper middle class French style. When her mother died, Therese chose her older Sister Pauline to be her mother.
Therese had a hard time in school, for some reason her classmates teased her and picked on her to the point that she could not go to school any longer. She begged her father to let her be home schooled by her sister Pauline. Her father finally gave in and let her stay home. She disliked mathematics. However, there was great rejoicing when she finally graduated.
Her older sisters Pauline entered Carmel, her sister Marie became Therese’s Mother and it wasn’t long and Marie entered the same convent as Pauline. Her third Sister Leona joined the Visitation Sisters. With her older sister gone it left Therese and Celine home alone with their dad.
Therese became very sick and the family feared she would die. Finally after a long spell of unconsciousness she recovered almost as rapidly as she became sick. Her father prayed to Our Lady and Therese said she saw Our Lady, who smiled at her, come toward her. Therese sat up and said to her dad, “I’m hungry.” From that day forward she became stronger and stronger not only in her physical health but her spiritual and emotional well being.
Therese was determined to enter Carmel at the age of 15. She first went to the superior and she said no you are too young. Then she went to the Bishop and he too said she was too young. Then on a holiday to Rome she went to see the Pope and she requested that she be allowed to enter the convent at the age of 15 in honor of the Jubilee. The Pope said do whatever the superiors tell you. She was heart broken, but not long after the Bishop wrote to her and told her she could enter Carmel at this early age, however she had to wait for a few more months before she could enter.
Shortly after she entered the convent her father became very frail. Celine remained faithful to her dad till he died. Celine entered the same convent as her 3 other sisters. Celine was allowed to take her camera with her to the convent. She had worked as a publisher and took excellent pictures. Thus Carmel has some very nice pictures not only of the nuns but of the convent itself.
Sister Therese had hard times in the convent too. Her novice mistress was rather hard on her. Sister Therese would smile at her and continue on with what ever she was doing. Therese was in charge of some dusting and garden work. She loved the roses. She didn’t care for cobwebs.
Sister Therese took sick and she started to cough up blood. She was confined to her bed. She was asked by her superiors to write her autobiography. The Doctors told Sister Pauline that Therese was going to die due to the fact that she had a bad case of TB. They called it consumption in those days. She died at the age of 24 in 1897. She became a saint in 1997. She became a Doctor of the church. There are only 33 doctors of the church. To be a doctor of the church your teachings have to be accepted by the church and by the laity. When Sister Pauline was in charge at the convent all of Therese’s writings were corrected by Pauline and locked up. Some years later when Celine was in charge of the convent Celine let the public see Therese’s work. The convent also sent the remains of Therese around the world. People came by the thousands to touch the glass case containing her remains. The people were attracted to her simple loving relationship with God and God’s son Jesus and His mother Mary. St. Therese did not believe in a harsh God. She did not support violence. She did not believe that you had to do great things to get to heaven. She believed in doing the little things as best you can with out much fuss and that would take you on the path to heaven. Her vocation was Love!
St. Therese is a saint for our times. Jansenism, which taught that God was harsh. The church supported wars, death penalty, and violence all of which hurt the church and it was St. Therese who said that God is a God of Love. Pope John II agreed fully with St. Therese and he wanted her to become a saint so the people would have a model and treat each other with love and gentleness.
I must admit that I knew very little about St. Therese before the retreat. I knew that she left roses around but that is about all. I apprechiate what I learned and hopefully I will be able to live by her simple prayerful way.
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