tasty

What is your opinion of Candy Corn?  I love it.  I could make myself sick on it.  Of course, that wouldn't take much!

What about Egg Nog?  I like about two cups of it each year.  I like it, but it is best in small doses.

It is interesting how our tastes and preferences vary.  Movies, for example.  One of my very best friends is a lot like me in many ways.  We laugh at the same things.  We both cry.  Yet, we don't seem to like many of the same movies.

There is a wide variety of taste in books, too.  I seldom love the books that I read.  Although I love reading.  Books that are unforgettable for me are those with a deeper meaning.  Usually in some way allegorical or a parable.  I prefer books written in a more literary style.  Beautiful words and beautiful imagery will capture me.  There also has to be characters that I really care about.  I tend to read character driven novels rather than plot driven.  I like books written with a higher vocabulary.  I even like to have to get my dictionary out, as long as it is only once or twice in the course of the book.

What books do you like best?  What's your favorite halloween candy - besides chocolate?  Lets talk about YOU!  

toothy

Here is an interesting article comparing British and US teeth.  You've probably seen something or heard someone making fun of British teeth for being crooked and yellowed.  But over there, they mock Americans for their unnaturally white and straight teeth.

I've always felt I could relate to the UK.  I have crooked teeth.  And they are not white.  I would like to get them straightened, primarily because of the trouble I have in my jaw.  A little whiter would be okay.  But when I see people with really white teeth, I always think it looks freakish.  I am not self-conscious about my smile.  Mel Gibson has very crooked teeth.  It hasn't held him back any.

So, tell me your opinion of teeth.  Do crooked teeth bother you?  

  What about the color?  What dentine enhancing measures do you take?

well, what do you know

I thought I was a dork, but I'm not!!

Your result for The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test...

Pure Nerd

For The Record:



A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.

A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.

A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.



You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd.



The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful.



Congratulations!





Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST

Take The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test at HelloQuizzy

Two new posts on Books and Starbucks!

i'm audrey

This is my second post for today since they are both easy.

Danica had this quiz on her blog and it was kinda fun and interesting.  I think this actually fits me for the most part.  I don't know if I meander when I speak.  Do I?

And I'm not sure how nonjudgemental I am.  I guess for the most part, but I do struggle with it from time to time.

I love Audrey, too!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• * Ask me questions to help me get clear


• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• * Let me know you like what I've done or said


• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting


• * caring for and being concerned about others


• * being able to relax and have a good time


• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• * being confused about what I really want


• * caring too much about what others will think of me


• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm


• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

hands

I wonder why I have such long fingers?  Ok, so that's not a mystery.  I do wonder, though, why they are crooked!

Mom
Dad
Me

every created thing praise Him

Have you ever walked through a park in the early morning?  The birds are singing and the ducks are quacking.  The squirrels chitter and chatter.  I suppose scientists think they can explain what all of those creatures are doing.  But I think that they are praising their creator.  

And now, scientists have recorded the music of the stars!  Please follow this link.  You don't have to read the article, but listen to the recordings.  The first two are individual stars.  The third one is a small cluster of stars.  To me, it sounds very similar to an orchestra tuning up.  And it is but a small cluster!  Imagine what all of the galaxy together sounds like!  Imagine the universe tuning up!  

I love this verse.  EVERY created thing!  Everything?  Well, what is under the earth?  Worms?  Demons? What is in the sea?  Dolphins?  Whales?  What is in the heavens?  Angels?  Stars?

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." Revelation 5:13

Psalm 148

Praise the LORD!
         Praise the LORD from the heavens;
         Praise Him in the heights! 
    2Praise Him, all His angels;
         Praise Him, all His hosts! 
    3Praise Him, sun and moon;
         Praise Him, all stars of light! 
    4Praise Him, highest heavens,
         And the waters that are above the heavens! 
    5Let them praise the name of the LORD,
         For He commanded and they were created. 
    6He has also established them forever and ever;
         He has made a decree which will not pass away. 
    7Praise the LORD from the earth,
         Sea monsters and all deeps; 
    8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
         Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; 
    9 Mountains and all hills;
         Fruit trees and all cedars; 
    10 Beasts and all cattle;
         Creeping things and winged fowl; 
    11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
         Princes and all judges of the earth; 
    12Both young men and virgins;
         Old men and children. 
    13Let them praise the name of the LORD,
         For His name alone is exalted;
         His glory is above earth and heaven. 
    14And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
         Praise for all His godly ones;
         Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
         Praise the LORD!

thursday thirteen

I've done a TT on my favorite restaurants.  One on weird foods I've eaten.  This one will be my favorite foods.  Unfortunately, some of the foods I am about to list are foods that I have a sensitivity to and can't eat.  

1. Potatoes.  I love them mashed, fried, baked, scalloped, au gratined, hashbrowned, souped, you name it... just not raw.

2. Tomatoes.  A really good, tasty tomato.  Very hard to find anymore. Can't eat them anyway.

3. Watermelon.  Not cantaloup, not honeydew.  In fact watermelon is the only melon I like.  And I  like it a lot!  I will only eat it during the summer when it is in season.

4. Chocolate.  But weirdly, I don't like chocolate cake.  I would rather have another flavor of cake.  Can't eat chocolate now, though.

5. Bread.  I love it.  I love all kinds.  But I can't have yeast, so therefore, I can't have bread.

6. Pizza.  I love it will all the toppings.  Or with just pineapple and pepperoni.  Or with spinach and onions and mushrooms and a white sauce.  I had a pear and gorgonzola pizza that was very yummy.  But since I can't have tomatoes, or yeast, I can't have pizza.

7. Ice cream.  Chocolate would be my favorite flavor, but really, I like just about any flavor.  I am picky about where I get it, though.  Which brands.  Not all ice cream is good to me.

8. Pie.  I could eat pie all the time.  Every day.  All day.  But I don't.  I have it only a couple of times a year.  I like almost any fruit pie except blueberry.  I'm not a big fan of cream pies.  I do like key lime, though.  And lemon meringue.  But, I guess those are fruits, aren't they?

9. Honey.  On bread, on biscuits, on cornbread, in tea, on my fingers, in a spoon...

10. Stuffing or Dressing or Filling, you know the crumbled up bread stuff that goes with poultry.  I like bread stuffing.  Not rice or some weird thing like that.  Stove Top is fine.  But since I can't have yeast....  

11. Fish.  I have loved fish as long as I can remember.  I remember getting it at the buffet when I was quite young.  I have never tried a fish I don't like. I prefer the fish that tastes like fish, too.  

12. Cheese.  Cheese on bread, cheese on potatoes, cheese on chips, cheese on crackers, cheese on veggies, cheese by the chunk....

13. Pasta.  I like macaroni.  I sing about Penne Regatta  and Linguini.  I like all kinds of toppings on all kinds of pasta.

I voted today.  Now I don't have to think or talk about politics for another four years!!  

what? who? where?

Last night I started a fire in the microwave.  I just wanted to soften the butter a bit.  But I had it on a napkin and it was in one of those foil wrappers.  zap, zap, zap and the napkin went up in flames.

Last night I let the dog out to potty and forgot her.  We usually let her right back in but I got distracted, apparently.  Some time later my daughter started looking for her and couldn't find her.  Then I remembered letting her out.  She was calmly sitting by the door waiting.  

Last night I went to bed and left the garage door open.  I wondered why it was so cold in the house.  I didn't lock the door between the house and the garage because my hubby was working late and not home yet.

If you see a gray, slightly wrinkled, slightly used thing... you know that thing.  I can't think of the name.....  well, anyway, return it please, ASAP.  The wind whistling through my ears is driving the dog nuts.

Lisa Samson on politics

I want to share with you something that Lisa Samson wrote on her facebook page.  

I'll admit that I used to have problems understanding how a person could be a Christian and vote a certain way.  But as I become more aware of the diversity in the Kingdom of God, I have less problems with it.  

My hubby and I were talking today about how Jesus was not political at all.  He did  not try to change things through the political system.  And I'm not really sure that's working for us, either.  Perhaps if we want to change things, it needs to be done through how we live and love instead.  

God's Will Be Done

Today at 9:58am

A lot of my primary colored friends, both red and blue,

 are openly endorsing a presidential candidate. It's their right . . .

 and . . . I can't blame them. I'm the gal that seeks

 to be in a state of reconciliation with my 

brothers and sisters in Christ, so I normally 

try to concentrate on what we agree upon.

I've seen the political divide do more amputation 

in the body of Christ than anything else. 

Now is it true amputation? No. But in the minds 

of believers, they have, for all practical purposes, 

cut off brothers and sisters. I'm not willing to go there. 

Jesus' last wish before his ascension was that 

we be one. Does that mean we have to agree 

on everything? No. But it does say to me, 

at the very least, I can't tell you you're not in Christ

 or even go so far as saying what one fellow 

believer said if you don't vote for his candidate, 

"As a result, many Christians are no different 

than non-Christians in their worldviews 

and their actions." NO different? Really?

This type of rhetoric is something I abhor. 

It is cowardly because it immediately says 

if you disagree, you are not Christlike, and there's 

no reason, other than disobedience to God's word, 

you could possibly feel that way so you're not 

worth talking with. (The "you're a dumb-dumb" 

if you don't agree with me is another popular 

device but a bit off topic. Just had to get that out there.) 

Either way, I find no place for these sorts of line 

in good debate, but especially between Christians.

Because if we declare that those who do not vote 

with us are not good Christians, they have plenty 

on their side to support that you're not either. 

Abortion, gay marriage are the crying card 

of the believers on the right side of the spectrum - 

poverty, war, the death penalty, on the left. 

If you're Catholic like I am, you're really in a twist here, 

because not only do you decry abortion, 

but both Pope Benedict XVI and 

John Paul II (man do I miss him!) declared the 

invasion of Iraq unjust. Both candidates 

favor embryonic stem cell research. 

What's a person to do? 

Recently I started a group on facebook called 

"No Matter Who Wins" a call for prayer for 

whoever is the next President of the United States 

and, health permitting, fasting the day before 

and/or of election day. (Can I get an amen 

that day can't come soon enough?) I know the wide

 variety of my friends on facebook, and to see 

who believes prayer matters, and how diametrically 

opposed they are to one another politically 

makes me chuckle warmly, because these days, 

there's really only one place all Christians can join

 together, one posture--on our knees--

where we are the same. 

So I do not ask you to vote for one person or 

the other, (in good conscience I cannot vote for either), 

because by Nov. 5th, we'll all know, if we believe this 

from Romans 13 that "there is no authority except 

that which God has established," who God put into power. 

Does that mean everything that person does is God's 

will from then on out? I don't think so. But it can and 

does give us comfort that God is still in the kingmaking 

business and we can do what we can, but in the end, 

the choice is his.

So, instead of telling everyone who God wants, 

maybe it would be a better choice to say what you 

can only truthfully say, "This is who I want." 

Because God may have reasons you cannot 

know when putting someone in office. It may be 

judgment, it may be for peace in a way you 

can't now predict. (Hey, nobody expected the 

Messiah to be a wandering prophet from Nazareth!) 

And then rest in the fact that God's will most 

definitely will be done, and while his choice may 

not have been yours, comfort yourself that you just 

tried to do the best you could with the knowledge 

you were given.

In all of this, let's keep praying, and not only praying, 

but seeking each day to follow in the footsteps of 

our Master, to take his teaching and his example 

seriously, to love better, live holier, give lavishly, 

and learn how to be His Body in a way that will be 

the true healing of our nation. 


Feel free to pass this on. You don't even have to give me 

credit! (I like to share.)

pictures

To put a picture on your header click customize in your toolbar.  Then in the header area there should be a link that says edit.  Just click that and it will take you to a place where you can add a picture.  I'm not sure if all of the templates allow pictures, so if you can't add one, you may need to switch templates.

Then you just find a picture on your computer to upload and there you go.  Sometimes you have to click shrink to fit for it to work right.  

tidbit

I like the Barrymores.  John, Lionel, and Drew.  I never saw Ethel act, I might have liked her, too.

thursday thirteen

Here are a few of my favorite things.  Thirteen, actually.

I remember this suitcase from forever.  I don't have any specific memories of it, but when we found it in storage, it was familiar and full of nostalgia.  It has my sister's name in it.  But it's mine now.

Peace and Forget Me Not were both given to me by ladies I taught Bible Study.  I bought my own Happiness.

This dresser has always been in my life.  It was my mom and dad's and somewhere along the line they gave it to me.  It has a matching mirror and a full size headboard.  I love the color of the wood and the bowed front.  I probably should have dusted it before I took the picture. 

I don't love this picture because it is so expertly executed, but because of the memory of painting it.  My mom, her sister, and I went to a lady's house and took an oil painting class.  We all painted the same thing and they all looked just about the same.  But it was a very fun time.  My aunt is gone now, so it is extra special.

This belonged to my mom's grumpy aunt.  I like it because it is worn and old, yet so ornate.

My mom gave me this buffet.  I have a vague memory of when she got it and antiqued it.

The bottom case is just the case for my husband's coronet.  But the middle one is a cool old typewriter that an old Colonel gave me when I was heading for college.  He didn't even know me, but my mom worked for him.  I never actually used it.  I payed my room-mate to type all my papers.

The Brownie is just cool and the attache belonged to my grandpa.

This is a table my dad gave me.  I used it for my desk until I got a real one.  Now it sits in my little foyer.

This was my aunt's table.  We sat around this table for Thanksgiving for many years.  After she died my cousin had it, but a few years ago she passed it on to me.  Now we gather around it for Thanksgiving again every year.  There are a few people missing, but we've also added a few here and there.  You can see the spots on it from heat and water.  I think they are just a part of the history.  Perhaps the dish that left that mark was placed by my grandmother?

My other grandmother had a mantle clock and I have wanted to find one just like it, since we can't locate the original.  This one isn't just like it, but my daddy got it for me because he knew I wanted one.  It plays the same chimes as my grandma's.  It also has an interesting personality.  It seldom chimes the actual number of times that it should.  

My husband's coronet.  I like it because I like things that show their wear.  Things that are used well and have been through stuff yet still function.

My sister made these guys for me.  So cheery.  Always smiling, no matter what.

My friend Melanie gave this to me.  It was brown and I painted it.  She still has some pieces like it as far as I know.  So when I look at it I think of her.

I'm sorry I didn't dust for you all.  I feel embarrassed as I look at these pictures.  But somehow, I feel like it would have been phony of me to do that.  It all would look better with a bit of shine added.  But this is genuine.  I try to live the same way.  

celebration

Wow!  I haven't posted since Sunday!  Sorry, man.

Sunday night our church celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles.  It is an annual event for this church. 

The Feast of the Tabernacles is the last in a row of feasts.  The first feast is a time of repentance, the second is atonement and the third is celebration.  It coincides with the harvest and is a celebration of the bountiful blessings from God.  The tabernacles, or booths represent being in the presence of God.  And the celebration is a precursor for the Wedding Supper of the Lamb mentioned in Revelation.

That's why this church celebrates it.  We are practicing for our wedding day!  After having some dinner together, they blew some shofars.  Wow.  Nothing moves my spirit like that sound.  That is the sound we will hear when the groom comes for His bride!  Then the troupe danced a couple of dances before inviting the rest of us to join in.  I have always thought that style of dancing looked like so much fun!  So I joined right in.  Holding hands, skipping in circles, clapping and tripping over one another!  It was great fun!  I had a blast!  

You know, when a woman is engaged, she can't wait for her wedding day.  Yet I know so many Christians who just aren't quite ready for Jesus to come get them yet.  If a bride felt that way about her groom, I would be suspicious of her feelings for him.  When I was younger, I was very much hoping that He wouldn't come soon.  I wanted to have a boyfriend, get married, grow up.  I thought there were too many wonderful things here to experience yet.  I also felt some trepidation over the whole thing.  The fear of the unknown.  But now, I just think about "tabernacling" with God permanently.  Being in His presence -- and I can't wait!  I am eagerly expecting His return and when things around the world get shaky and uncertain, I get excited!  Maybe it will be soon!!  Even so, Lord Jesus, come.  The Spirit and the Bride say "come."

solid ground

Does the current global financial crisis have you feeling a little shaky?  Does it seem that the ground beneath your feet is shifting?  Do you feel unstable?  Anxious?  Are you afraid of going under?

Where are your feet planted?  As the old hymn says, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."  If you feel your feet giving way, perhaps somewhere along the line your foundation has shifted.  Maybe subtly your security has changed from Christ alone, to the things of this world?  I realize that these are uncertain times and I am certainly not condemning anyone.  You may stand firm in your faith and still feel anxious.  I am just encouraging you to search your heart on the matter.  Go to the Father and talk to Him about it.

Today in church as we were singing a song about freedom, it occurred to me that this may be what all of this is about.  Maybe God is breaking some chains.  Maybe He is setting us free from some bondage.

Remember the kings in the Old Testament?  An evil king would come along and set up high places, alters, and asherah poles.  And he would put phallic symbols and male prostitutes in the Temple of God.  Then a godly king would come on the scene. He would destroy the asharah poles, tear down the high places and cleanse the Temple.  

It occurred to me, that perhaps that is what is happening now.  First, let me say that money is not evil and it is not sinful to be wealthy.  But, "The love of money is the root of all evil."  And " you cannot serve God and money."

I think, generally speaking, our world worships money.  I think, specifically speaking, I love money more than I want to.  I think God's people may have divided loyalties and that is called being double minded.  David prayed for God to give him and undivided heart.  That is my prayer, too.  And if I have been serving money, or loving it in a sinful way, I want God to purge that from me.

If he is cleansing us, if He is tearing down the high places, then we should be rejoicing!  He is doing a mighty thing!  We should not tremble or fear.  We should plant our feet firmly on The Rock and watch and see that the Lord is good!

Psalm 46: 1-3

     God is our refuge and strength,
         A very present help in trouble. 
    Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
         And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 
    Though its waters roar and foam,
         Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. 

where i'm from

Lauri had this on her blog and I loved it.  You can look at her post to see where to get the form to do your own poem and read other poems by other people.  They are all cool.  I will probably work on mine some more, but this is what I have so far.

Where I'm From

I am from cigarette scented pickups.  From black and white TV and

Pyrex bowls – yellow for the popcorn and red for the Jell-o.

I am from the squeaky, the dusty, and paneled. 

From three bedrooms, green carpet, and doors that open

by themselves. 

From room to roam and dirt and trees. 

 

I am from swinging in a tire,

playing Wonder Woman

and Barbies.

Reading in the sun, drawing and

listening to John Denver.

Cowboys and Indians and

hide-and-seek in the dark.

From piano lessons,

libraries,

and Christian school.

 

I am from cherry trees, grapes vines and rhubarb. 

From pony hair, cat hair and chicken feed. 

Gardens and worms and wild asparagas.

I am from reunions, Rosehips, and

big feet. 

From Vera and Delmas and Beryl.  Two girls and four girls and one boy. 

The end of the line.

 

I am from the teasing and the stoic.  I am from praying and bickering

and loving. 

From I’ll give you something to cry about and

if your friends wanted to jump off a cliff… 

I am from Jesus saves and lots of rules. 

From Sunday morning,

 Sunday night,

Wednesday night. 

From loving the least of these and everlasting life.

 

I’m from Pueblo and the Arkansas Valley,

 from the dust bowl and a soddy. 

From ranches, farms, and railroads. 

From Macaroni and cheese and Chicken and dumplings,

bread without salt and canned apples.

Frozen Kool-aid, Banquet chicken and Cheerios.

From the illegitimate son of a sailor, The War of 1812,

and an orphan raised by natives. 

A bronc - bustin', homesteading grandma.  

A migrant worker grandpa.  A WWI vet who just missed hitting the frontlines

 and survived the epidemic.

 

I am from heart attacks, brain cancer, and aneurisms.

From strokes and ninety-five years.

I am from old scrapbooks, grandma’s stored-away boxes,

from funeral receipts, birth bills and marriage licenses stuffed

in a bag.  And

memories that need to be mined before it’s too late.

 

If we are truly people of faith, we must be willing to fail more often. If we fail infrequently, it means we are not acting boldly enough or lovingly enough, enough of the time. It means we are hiding behind walls of past successes and shrinking from present-day risks which will determine what is possible. Unless we fail on a regular basis, God will have insufficient raw material with which to work. It is from our haphazard efforts that the Holy One can sculpt works of art. So be unafraid. Dare to fail more often! 
— Hope Douglas J. Harle-Mould

some warm fuzzies - at least in my opinion

thursday thirteen

Thirteen of my favorite smells.  Michelle had a post talking about the smell of dirt and so smells are what I'm posting for my thirteen.

1. Dirt.  I do indeed love the smell of dirt.

2. a horse's neck.  

3. a stable

4. Creosote, in a mild form, like railroad ties lying in the sun.

5. the Colorado brush warmed by the sun.

6. wet sand

7. shale heated by the sun

8. rotting apples - from a distance

9. wood smoke

10. Colorado rain, especially in the mountains

11. Snow

12. cinnamon

13. lilacs

socialism? or what?

A commenter suggested that I may becoming more Christian Socialist in my outlook.  Well... no.  I don't think so.  I am not for socialism at all.  

But I have been thinking about systems of government and I do think that in an ideal and perfect world, Socialism makes the most sense.  Everyone shares equally in the work and equally in the goods.  Those who cannot work are cared for equally by everyone.  The church even incorporated this methodology in the early days.  But it didn't last.  The problem is that we don't live in an ideal and perfect world.  Men are involved and men are sinful, broken and ultimately self-centered.  We have multiple examples of just how completely socialism fails.  I'll admit that a lot of that failure may have to do with the godlessness of the Communist ideology, but that's the world we are stuck in.  A godless, man centered world.

So, in light of our situation -- imperfect, broken, sin-filled -- I am against all forms of socialism.

On the other hand, I'm not real thrilled with Free Enterprise Capitalism, either.  You know those nasty reality shows where they put a bunch of strangers together and the one who can be the most deceptive, conniving, back-stabbing, and selfish gets rewarded with a million bucks?  That's kinda how I see Capitalism.  Oh, I know there are many wealthy people who have gotten there by ingenuity, hard work, perseverance, etc, etc, and they give generously to make the world a better place.  But for each person like that, there are many more who did absolutely nothing to gain their wealth, or they got there by deception, manipulation, theft, and stomping down everyone who got in their way.  Not to mention the fact that Free Enterprise encourages and rewards greed.

 Free Enterprise has a great premise; anyone can make something of himself, those who work hardest get the most rewards, etc.  But again, because of this sin-tainted, broken world, it just doesn't work right.

I think a Kingdom would be the perfect system.  One that is ruled by a generous, loving, just, merciful, patient, and perfect King.  One who would give anything for the well-being of His subjects.  I live in that Kingdom.  And while it may be a bit ethereal for now, one day it will be a real, tactile, honest to goodness Kingdom here on earth.  I can't wait!

But back to the Christian Socialism thing and why I am not impressed with $500,000 club memberships.  One reason I'm not impressed is because I think one of the main purposes is to impress people.  I think a lot of people base their value and worth on the size of their house and the make of their car.  I think that's sad, but then we all have issues with how we determine our value.  But that's another post.  And another one.

Another reason why the big houses bother me is because they are empty most of the time.  I don't see the purpose for them other than showing off.

And, yes, I do look at them and think, wow, several hundred third world people could live there.  Not American's of course, we need our space.  And when I drove by some construction workers building a big gateway thingy for a big new neighborhood, I looked at all the bricks and the hard work and thought, "they could build two Nice houses in Haiti with that stuff."  Does that make me a socialist?  

I do believe that Christians who have money to give should give.  I think if we were really doing our part, then we wouldn't need socialism in the government.  If we were feeding the hungry and helping the sick, the government wouldn't have to.  Does that make me a Christian Socialist?  Rather than calling it Socialism, I prefer to just call it Christianity.  If we were all living out our faith the way the Bible says we should, then I think the world would be a much different place.  I'm not their yet either.  I think a lot about these things, but I haven't quite come to the place of doing them.  But my eyes are open and I'm asking God where He wants me to make a difference.  

home on the (putting?) range

This place is right behind my house.  I'm sharing this so you can see how beautiful it is here.  The actual course is on the far side.  If you look at the map on the site, we live on the south side, toward the west end of the course.  Our house is just over the line where the map ends (that sounds like a movie or something...).  The fence borders our yard.  Yesterday I took a long walk on the public access trail that runs through.  Gorgeous.  

I am so grateful for being able to live here.  

Rumor is that the club is $500,000 per membership, plus yearly fees.  That's sickening.  The club doesn't impress me. It's not the course that impresses me.  What impresses me is the beautiful creation around it.  The beauty of the prairie and wildflowers.  I can ignore the golf course and the ridiculous houses being built over there.  They only impress me with their ostentation.  But I am glad the owners allow us ordinary folk the use of their trail.

If any of my local friends would like to walk with me, let me know!

be afraid...

You have probably already heard the story.  It made headlines around the world and was on the morning shows, etc.  I am not a watcher of news programs, so I didn't know anything about it until I was perusing a Reader's Digest at the salon the other day.  A woman let her nine-year-old son ride the New York subway -- ALONE.  You can read the story from the mom's perspective here.

Her site is very interesting.  And I agree with her in many ways.  She speaks to something in me... something that wants my kids to experience that kind of freedom.

It goes against everything I've been taught, though.  My dad worked for a time with the criminally insane.  He's worked with abusers and murderers and abductors.  So, he wanted us to be safe.  Yet, even so, I remember walking or riding my bike to the store down the street.  My friend and I would walk to the nursing home near her house.  My biggest thrills came when I was able to venture out beyond the normal boundaries.  It is empowering and courage building for a kid to be able to go out alone and live to tell about it.

We want our kids to be safe, though.  But our parents and grandparents did, too.  And is keeping them safe supposed to be our entire purpose?  What about teaching them how to fend for themselves a bit.  What about molding them into people who are self-sufficient enough to survive life?  I wonder if some of this mentality is why there are so many young adults still living at home?  

The truth is, it's always been a dangerous world.  When there weren't child molesters around every corner, there was polio.  Kids have always been susceptible to getting hit by cars, falling out of trees or off their ponies.  On the one hand we complain (ok, I complain) that my kids are couch potatoes, but then, that's the safest place for them to be, right?  

What am I teaching them by that?  This world is horrifying? Terrible?  That's not a very nice thing to do.  And you know what?  I don't know that it's really all that bad.  I think we just hear about every single incident that happens and it makes it seem like a lot worse.  Terrible things happen.  We all could tell of at least one case right off the top of our heads.  But isn't it better to really live and take a few risks than to spend your entire life avoiding danger of any kind and also missing out on life?

I am so completely talking to myself with this post.  This woman's article introduced a new concept to me.  And I don't even know if she's a Christian.  Shouldn't those of us with faith in a Huge, Loving God be the ones out there fighting off this culture of fear that has descended on us?  

And where is the line between fear and prudence?  It seems people fall far on one side or the other -- being over protective or being negligent.  Where is the balance?

I know not everyone struggles with these things.  But as I mentioned, a lot of the people who don't overprotect their kids also don't really care about seat belts and helmets and keeping guns locked up.

This is a frustrating topic for me.  I want to talk about the fact that even bull riders seem to have fallen into this mindset, but that's for another post.

I would love to hear your thoughts about this.  What do you let your kids do?  What do you definitely prohibit them from doing?  I mean in terms of safety here.  Is this even an issue for you?  What do you think of the woman letting her kid ride the subway?

six boring things

Another meme.  I've done this one before, but there are plenty of random weird and boring things about me, I suppose.  I got tagged for this by my friend Mel at Monday through Sunday.

Here are the rules: 
1. link to the person that tagged you. 
2. mention the rules. 
3. tell six boring, unspectacular details about yourself. 
3. tag six other blogger's by linking to them. 
4. go to each person's blog and leave them a comment that lets them know they have been tagged. 

here are six boring, unspectacular details about me. 

1. I wear a size 11 narrow shoe.  I guess I should say that I SHOULD wear that size, but I frequently cram my feet into shoe sizes that I can actually find.

2. October is my favorite month.

3. I like old black and white movies.

4. I can draw, kinda.  And paint, sometimes.

5. I love lemon stuff: pies, cookies, cakes, tarts, bars, sorbet, slushies, drinks, ices, whatever.

6. I am pretty bad at grammar, really.  I think I used to know it though.  Can't spell much anymore, either.

Now I am supposed to tag 6 people, but I'm not going to.  If you want something to post and want to do this meme, feel free.  Just let us know!