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"The heavens declare the glory of God..." Psalm 19:1
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Another Wednesday
In about an hour I will be walking up to the library. I had a phone call that I have an item being held. I don't know what it is since the link to the online catalog hasn't been working for several days. Bummer. I do most of my library browsing from home. Oh, well. Some of the books I want to put on hold today are:
The Prince of Stars by James MacDonald and Debra Doyle. It was recommended by a user over at Romantic Science Fiction & Romance
To Trade the Stars by Julie Czerneda. It's the third installment of The Trade Pact Universe series.
Destiny's Way by Walter Jon Williams. The 14th entry in Star Wars The New Jedi Order
Triss by Brian Jacques. A new Redwall novel (for my 11 year old nephew who is currently reading the entire series, again!).
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Progressive lenses
I had my annual eye exam Monday. It's just part of life that my eyes are aging and need stronger lenses. Since I was going to get new ones anyway, I asked for a tri-focal lense so that I could have that intermediate distance and not be uncomfortable when working on the computer. I decided to go for progressive lenses in which the demarcation between far, mid, and close distances are invisible.
I got the lenses yesterday. They are strange. I have to move my head around alot to get the lense to focus, plus the edges of everything I'm reading are blurry until I turn my head a little and look directly at what I am viewing. Strange. Perhaps I'll get used to it. If not, there is a 60 day trial period. If I can't adjust the lenses can be changed for conventional ones.
Saturday Scruples
1. You're a medical researcher competing for funding. You have many leads for an AIDS cure but can't pursue them all. Do you give some to other researchers? Of course, why should sick people suffer because I am selfish. That isn't right.
2. You oppose a new law requiring registration of all guns. Do you register your gun? No, I don't register my gun. The second amendment gives me the right to keep and bear arms without infringement. Do I have to register to practice my free speech right?
3.Technology will enable you to extend your life by 50 years. You must clone a second body for organ replacements. Do you do it? No. Human life is sacred. I think a "cloned" human is as much alive--as much "created in God's image," as a human produced via sexual intercourse. To disrespect a life by creating it only for organ replacement is wrong.
Friday, October 25, 2002
Friday Five
1. What is your favorite scary movie? I don't watch scary movies. They are . . . well . . . too scary.
2. What is your favorite Halloween treat? I'm not a big fan of candy. Or caramel apples, though I do like caramel. I'd say my favorite treat is caramel squares.
3. Do you dress up for Halloween? If so, describe your best Halloween costume. We don't celebrate Halloween. Several years ago I read some literature on the origin of some of the traditions of Halloween. Almost all of those traditions originated in the Pagan worship of various gods. I don't see how celebrating Halloween has any place in Christian celebrations.
4. Do you enjoy going to haunted houses or other spooky events? No, even when I was small and we did the Halloween thing, I was always too afraid of haunts to enjoy any time spent in such activities as a haunted house.
5. Will you dress up for Halloween this year? No, I haven't dressed up for Halloween since I was about 11 years old. That was the year my mom was pregnant with my youngest brother, so I went to a Halloween party dressed up as a pregnant lady. I don't why my mom let me do that. It was pretty silly! I never did dress up as a princess.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
What's your earliest memory?
This question was from Monday's Memories, but I thought since I didn't have a lot of other stuff to write about, this would do.
My earlist memory is from when I was about three years old. We lived on a farm. There was a big barn with some kind of orchard near it. In the orchard was this tree. I don't know what it was, it was probably some sort of big bush. Anyway, the branches grew up and then curved down to touch the ground all around. Inside the branches it was like a cozy room. I felt so safe in it.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Current Status
Current clothes: My oldest sweat pants, lounging gown, purple sweater (because let's face it, we may be having an Indian summer around here, but it gets cold(!) when the sun goes down.
Current mood: Good, because I got a lot of my online updating accomplished last night and this morning.
Current music: America's 25 Best Messianic Songs from Hosanna Music
Current hair: My hair style hasn't changed in the last 15 years, I don't expect it changed during the past two weeks: pulled back in a barrette and braided.
Current annoyance: Children fussing at each other. Teenagers!!!!!!!!
Current thing: Getting my APA journals done before deadlines rear their ugly heads.
Current desktop picture: Oh, I can't think of the title of the thing, but it is an artist's rendition of a presumed planetary system around a star some light years from our own solar system.
Current song stuck in head: "Amos Moses" by Jerry Reed. I don't know why, but it seems as if that sheriff has been gettin' lost in the Louisianna bayou over and over and over again.
Current book: The Eyrie Affair. I've just started this one. It's set in the 1980s, but not like we knew them. It's a sort of alternate history thing, with the main character a special ops agent who investigates crimes against the great literary works of history.
Current video in player: A recorded episode of The Guardian from last night. I didn't get to watch it then because I was updating Wellspring.
Current refreshment: Decaffed with sugar and non-dairy creamer.
Current worry: Nada.
Current thought: From one of the books I just finished--"We do the best we are able, my child. We make the best decision we may, dependent upon our experience and training. It is what we owe to kin and to those who reside under our care. . . . we all do our best, we all make errors; and . . . those who love us will forgive us." (Er Thom yos'Galan in I Dare)
FridayWednesday Five
1. How many TVs do you have in your home? We have two televisions; one in the living room, one in my husband's hobby room. That is nice because if there is a show on that my husband wants to watch, but I don't, he just goes to his room to watch it--no fighting over the TV.
2. On average, how much TV do you watch in a week? Good grief, I'm afraid to figure it out. Let's see . . . at least 19 hours. No wonder I don't get anything done!
3. Do you feel that television is bad for young children? I think tv becomes bad for children when parents are not involved in the choices the children are making.
4. What TV shows do you absolutely HAVE to watch, and if you miss them, you're heartbroken? There are no shows that I'm heartbroken if I don't see, but I don't like to miss my favorites--hence the 19 hours cited above.
5. If you had the power to create your own television network, what would your line-up look like? Old movies, music shows like The Grand Ole Opry, some Christian programming. Family oriented shows. No commercials!
Tuesday, October 22, 2002
A new poem
Hey, I have a new poem online at Raven Electrick. It's a cinquain titled "Fear."
Back online
Sorry I have been absent for awhile. I hurt my back last week and though it was not serious, it hurt enough that all I did for several days is lay around and do nothing. Well, not quite nothing. I finished the book I was reading and read two others. I see I do still have it in me, because I read two books in two days.
The books:
I Dare by Steve Miller and Sharon Lee. Clan Korval has an enemy; a xenophopic enemy that wants to rid Korval—and the planet Liad itself—from every drop of terran blood. (Sixth in a series.)
Traitor by Matthew Stover. Will Jacen Solo be brainwashed by his Yuuzhan Vong captors into becoming the greatest high priest The True Way has ever known, and sacrifice his twin sister on the alter of the Yuuzhan Vong gods? (Umpteenth in the New Jedi Order series.)
Skeletons by Kate Wilhelm. When Lee agrees to housesit for her grandfather she isn't expecting to find a 50-year-old family skeleton in the root cellar.
Two for Tuesday
1. Tell us about your first time you ever kissed someone. Now please, you don't have to limit yourself, we wanna hear allllll about it. You know you want to tell everyone. Oh, that was a long time ago. I had been pen-pals with my best friend's cousin who was in the Navy. He came home on leave and we went out. Later that evening he kissed me. I was not impressed (or he wasn't) and we didn't write to one another anymore.
2. This one was sort of a toss up. So we'll leave it to your first job. (I'll leave the scandalous questions for later) We have all had those first jobs that we're not proud of, so it's time for everyone to fess up! I've never had a job of which I was ashamed. I always worked with elderly people, first as a housekeeper, then as a nursing assistant, then as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Monday, October 14, 2002
Monday Memories
Do you recall a picnic, or a barbeque that was particularly memorable? Why... what happened? Please share...
There was that one picnic when I was so drunk I . . . Well, I'd rather not talk about that. Suffice it to say I stopped drinking shortly after that.
Monday Mission
1. What's the most expensive meal you've ever eaten? What was the occasion? Was it worth it? I've never eaten a truly expensive meal when we eat out. Though, one time I took the six of us to a family restaurant. That set me back 100$. That is the most I have spent when taking the family out. Usually it is to fast food joints where I spend about 40$.
2. What do you like to do when nobody is looking? Steak. My husband isn't a steak eater so the only time I get steak is when he is not at home.
3. What's your special purpose? My purpose it to raise my foster children to be the best young men they can be. To help them grow up with a keen intellect and strong moral character.
4. Do you like Autumn? If so, why? If not, tell me about your favorite season. Autumn is okay, at least in the early part of the season when all of the leaves are turning color and the sun still warms up the day. Like today, for example, it is supposed to be about 70 degrees.
5. Ever recommended a movie to someone only to have them hate it? Which movie? Did you feel uncomfortable about that? I took my friend to see Minority Report. I thought it was an excellent movie, she thought it was "okay." She is not a sf fan, and I am totally sf.
6. I've had hay fever all day! Sniffles, sneezing, I tell ya, it's awful! Do you have any allergies? Anything that just gets you down for the count? Nope, no allergies, but I don't eat pineapple or asparagus.
7. Do you like mixed drinks? What is your favorite? As long as we're here how about you order me something too? Just "suprise me!" See the answer to Monday Memories above.
BONUS: Why do we scream at each other? You always hurt the one you love.
Sunday, October 13, 2002
The Pastor's Perspective
"So the real question isn't 'What do you want to be when you grow up?,' it's 'What do you want to be when you die?'"~Mike Kozowski
Read the entire message.
Saturday, October 12, 2002
Saturday Scruples again
(These are actually the ones for today.)
1. You don't care for an elderly aunt, But she's very wealthy and constantly revising her will. Are you more attentive? No. We should love each other because we are family and wealth or lack thereof should play no part.
2. Church inspires you. Your 12-year-old son prefers to watch basketball on the tube. Do you insist your child attend church with you? Yes, not only am I responisble for my child's physical and emotional upbringing, I am responsible for his spiritual up bringing as well. Attending church is not optional.
3. Your brother is engaged to marry someone who you think is bad news. He's in love. Do you try to reason with him? I would tell him once that I thought his girlfriend is bad news. If he doesn't listen, at least I know I have tried--and who knows, I could be wrong.
Saturday Scruples
(These are actually for October 5, but you know how I am.)
1. Friends have arranged a blind date for you. You spot your date from afar and are turned off by his/her appearance. Do you go through with it? Yes, it is an obligation. If you can't be trusted to keep your obligations when it comes to small things, how can people trust you when it comes to important things?
2. An elderly friend is repeating a story he recently told you. Do you pretend you're hearing it for the first time? Of course. It's not only elderly people who repeat things as if it is the first time. Of course, it's not only elderly people who repeat things as if it is the first time.
3. A friend has become a "know-it-all." It's annoying. Do you confront him/her? The operative word here is "friend." If it isn't destructive to the person or people around him, let him be annoying. If it is becoming more than annoying, then speak to him about it, in a kind, constructive way, of course. I don't think "confront" is the most constructive state of mind.
Friday, October 11, 2002
The Goodwill again
Friday is usually a good day to stop by the Goodwill and browse--especially in the jewelry department. That is what I did today, and boy did I score: 3 sterling silver charms for my bracelets (a unicorn, Tinkerbell, a fish), a sterling silver heart and amethyst pendant, a sterling silver pin (it's an old one about 3 inches wide and less that 1/2 inch tall with swirls and rectangular decorations), a choker style necklace (a blue inner heart surrounded by inset white crystals), and a pair of really cool earings that I couldn't even begin to describe.
I also found an additon for my paperweight collection. It is glass, about 4 inches in diamater with a snowflake pattern pressed into the bottom so that it looks like etched glass. It's beautiful.
In additon to all of this, it is my birthday week so I got my present today. I've had it on layaway for the past couple of months. It is a Black Hills silver and gold bracelet. Pretty.
Friday Five (I'm on time for a change!)
1. If you could only choose 1 cd to ever listen to again, what would it be? Without doubt, The Bluegrass Cardnials: The Shining Path. This is the finest example of bluegrass gospel I have ever heard. I never get tired of it. There is not a bad cut on the album.
2. If you could only choose 2 movies to watch ever again, what would they be? The Wizard of Oz has always been a favorite. Star Wars: A New Hope.
3. If you could only choose 3 books to read ever again, what would they be? The Bible, The Top 500 Poems, Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible.
4. If you could only choose 4 things to eat or drink ever again, what would they be? Potato Chips, Spaghetti, Mom's mac and cheese, chocolate & hazelnut latte
5. If you could only choose 5 people to ever be/talk/associate/whatever with ever again, who would they be? My husband Jim, My mother, my best friend Pauline, my sister Dina, my four nephews (I know that's cheating but they are my foster kids, I can't leave them out).
Thursday, October 10, 2002
How many books do you read a year?
That was a topic in my newspaper's daily "Voice of the People" polls. The answers ranged from "Probably one. I'm not a reader, or I just don't take the time." to "Probably six to 10 books in a year. I have school, so I read English books, for book reports and the occsional free time book."
I am always a bit surprised when I run into folks whe read so few books. Reading is one of the pure pleasures in life.
Currently I read two books a month. That is 24 in the course of a year. (See, I can still do math.). I say 24 to my chagrin. I used to easily read three times that many books in a year. What has happened. Is it the middle-aged creeping crud? Or simply a matter of poor time management.
Whatever the reason, it is unacceptable because I love to read! I think I am going to increase my books to at least three a month.
How many books do you read in a year. Leave me a note!
Wednesday, October 09, 2002
Status
Betty over at Maximum Verbosity does a "current status" list about once a week. I don't have any other list at hand so I thought I would give this one a go.
Current clothes: Turquioise tee shirt and pink pants. I'm also wearing the necklace I found Monday at a second-hand store. It is a sterling silver owl. It is about 1 1/2 inch long and about 1/2 inch wide. It has the bluest eyes!
Current mood: Frustrated because I have so much to catch up on with my online journals and it seems I more often than not find other things to do like writing or watching tv because there are certain shows on each week that I don't like to miss. Like Enterprise and Twilight Zone--both on tonight.
Current music: My stepson was over today recording some CD music onto cassette. The songs were hits from the 70s. It's scary, but I knew most of the words to most of the songs. I'm not really that old, am I?
Current hair: About mid-back in length. I have it pulled back in a barrett and then braided.
Current annoyance: There are not enought hours in the day to do all I want.
Current thing: Not doing any of my housework.
Current desktop picture: It is an abstract painting of the universe coming into existence.
Current song stuck in head: "You're So Vain" because it was the song stuck in Betty's head when I read her post. Thanks!
Current book: Probability Space by Nancy Kress. It is the third book in a series that began with Probability Moon, followed by Pobability Sun. The story is about humanities war with the Fallers and an Artifact they found on a planet named World that could just help humans win the war or destroy the Universe in trying. This author is a master at writing hard science fiction
Current video in player: A recorded episode of Ebert and Roeper at the Movies. I recorded it Sunday night, but guess what? I haven't had time to watch it yet.
Current refreshment: Just finished a bottle of Crystal Light Lemonade.
Current worry: Wondering if I'll get this blog updated before the kids get home from school and I have to give them my undivided attention.
Current thought: Life is short. It's not as if you have a choice in the matter, but if you leave a poem it's enough.Salvation
At night
the darkness comes,
but Jesus intevenes
and dispells every shadow with
His light.
JAG
No doubt, we are big fans of CBS's "Jag." This season one of the story threads involves Bud, the Navy JAG who lost his leg in a land mine accident in Afghanistan. The story is following how Bud deals with and overcomes his loss. In the scenes that actually show the leg, it looks so real we were wondering if the actor had actually lost his leg, but no he hasn't. It is all special effects. It's incredible that fx can look so real. Apparently, the actor wears some sort of special stocking over his leg and when the film is edited that portion of the film is erased.
Tuesday, October 01, 2002
This or That Tuesday
1. Front or rear wheel drive? Front wheel drive. No question, no contest.
2. Car or truck or van? At the moment a mini van. We bought it a few years ago when we became foster parents to my four nephews. We went from a two passenger family to a six passenger family. I still miss my VW Jetta.
3. Fancy or utilitarian? Utilitrian, though I promise when the children are grown and we are again a two passenger family I'll get a VW again. I haven't decided on a Bug or a Jetta.
4. Power or manual windows/locks? Manual, but that's only because it is what came with the van.
5. Small econobox or giant luxo cruiser? If I had a choice, Luxery. Who wouldn't want it?
6. Factory or aftermarket radio?Factory
7. Lease or buy? We own it. Paid cash. Wiped out our savings account.
8. Perform own maintenance or farm it out? My husband does the small stuff.
9. Hi-test brand name or cheap-o fuel? Hi-test. The van runs best on it.
10. Run-it-till-the-wheels-fall-off or a new one every two years? It scared me a bit when we bought the van because it was the first car I had ever owned that didn't have at least 100,000 miles on it when we bought it.
Two for Tuesday
. When you're tired, do you embrace sleep -- either by napping or calling it a night -- or do you fight it and stay awake? Oh, no. I like to sleep. I have taken a nap nearly everyday since I was eighteen, and I look forward to calling it a night. It's pleasant just to dift off thinking of pleasant things. I rarely have trouble going to sleep.
2. Do you have any funny sleeping rituals or habits? No, I am as boring as an old fencepost.
Where Does the Time Go?
Here it is October 1st already! I've read that "they" have done studies that show a person's perception of time passing does change with age. You remember when you were a kid how summers seemed to go on forever, and now that you are an old fogey time seems to whistle on by like a fast moving passenger train? It's because I perception of time changes as we age. Youth perceives time's passage at a much slower rate than an older person's.
Oh, well, the good news is that October is my birthday months. I do love opals (hint, hint).
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