Over these last weeks I've been thinking alot about the unemployment rate and how the "bad economy" is the base and cause of 6-10% unemployment rates (depending on where you live it may be quite higher).
So, I decided to "blog" about what I really think and what it means to these United States.
If you read my blog regularly, then you know my mother came to the U.S. at age 16, legally, from Northern Ireland. She came with a sixth grade european education, which means she could read well, write well and do her own taxes. She worked outside the home as a housekeeper for the CEO of Wawa Dairy in Wawa, Pennsylvania just outside Phily. When she and my dad came "home" to Virginia she was able to stay home, but worked every year at Christmas at JJ Newberry 5 and Dime. My daddy had about a third grade education. He could not read really well, but well enough to get by and worked for an oil heat and burner service. Dirty job, but it paid the bills and allowed Mom to stay home with me. Both my grandparents, born in the 1800s were literate. I don't know what grade they went to, but they could both read well and write well. My fathers sister finished high school and went on to work at the State Department in Washington and retired from there. My grandfather kept the books for the farm, so I guess he could do math as well. My brother quit school before graduation. I'm not sure why, as he was 13 years older than I, but he still became a Police Officer and was plenty literate. He retired from the local Sheriff's Department. So, in all ways the generations of my family were solid middle class successful people. Never out of work, never hungry, never on the welfare rolls. I could go on and on, but you get the idea... Even in the worst recessions our family and all those in our neighborhood kept their homes, kept their jobs, or quickly got another and never dreamed of accepting welfare. Even the poorest among us worked for a living doing something and could make enough to live.
Fast forward. I graduated from high school and finished two years of Community College. I am literate and relatively intelligent. Never had a problem getting a job, though I've not worked full time outside the home since 1993. Since then I've worked some part time, but by and large have been a SAM like my own mother was. Of our children only one does not have a college education, but even he went into the army for six years and came out with a great skill and he has a good job with the Federal Government. But, we can see the clouds gathering and it's not a pretty picture.
Until recently, in my generation and my fathers generation and my grandfathers generation if you wanted to work at the same place from age 18 - 65 you could. There was little chance of lay off if you kept your nose clean, showed up on time and did your work. The three generations of which I speak were at the height of the Industrialization of the United States. But, I saw in the late 90s that more and more American Companies were outsourcing their customer service positions out of the country. In the mid-90's General Electric outsourced some of their incandescent lighting manufacturing to Hungary because it was cheaper to ship all the raw materials there, manufacture there and ship them back here for sale. The writing was on the wall then! Jobs were being outsourced for a variety of reasons, (which are a whole 'nother blog in themselves) and the government was supporting this export of jobs from AMERICAN companies.
What we are suffering today is the end result of this. Our oldest daughter worked for 12 years in an industry that is still very profitable in our current economic situation. She even worked at home, so there was no office overhead for the company. She did her work well, she met the goals, had a college education. She was the "perfect candidate" to keep her job... except she lived here. Her job was outsourced to another country even though the corporate headquarters are still here in the U.S. She's not been able to find a job in the professional sector where she was. Instead she is in the retail industry.. working nights and weekends at the local mall trying to keep her home.
A Ford dealership went under in the same place. Two women lost their long standing jobs. Both women in the late 50s. No chance of EVER finding professional, secretarial work in this economy. One is working in a drug store and one is babysitting. During a time in their lives when they should be winding down and not worrying about tomorrow, here they are without hope. The expertise of their long experience has no value in the current workplace. The few jobs are given out to the youngest, college educated women who cost less to "keep".
What about the young man or woman who doesn't go to college? Well, in the last generation he/she could go to work at the ground level and work their way up based on their experience, intelligence and the like. Or they could work the "widget" line until retirement. There was a job for anyone who was willing to work and learn the line. Manufacturing jobs were good jobs for those hard workers willing to work. WERE because those manufacturing jobs aren't here anymore. They are in China, Japan, Germany and Russia. In fact, China wants to be able to claim the #1 position by 2020. At our current rate, this will be no problem. None. It is a fact that the U.S. still holds the top position for manufacturing because of companies like Philip Morris, Kellogg's, oil production companies and the corn industry, but China is quickly taking us over and the rest are not far behind.
Somehow we must, as a nation, redirect our efforts in job development. Every country must provide jobs to all sectors of its society. Some workers will never be totally literate. Some workers will never obtain a college education. Some workers will be older than 35. With Social Security in the mess it's in, some workers will need to be near 70 before they can even think of retiring if they can retire at all! Somehow we must provide good, honest jobs of integrity for these men and women of America. We must not destroy them, by providing them with the idea of entitlement and being on the welfare rolls! We must raise the self esteem of the individual as a productive member of society. If we don't, we can be sure no other country will and we can be doubly sure that our status as a nation will quickly die if we don't do something!
Happy trails....
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Harvest
There is a special sense of sadness at what the world has done to children and to us. We are so self absorbed to where nothing matters save ourselves and the feelings of others are temporary shrugs as we tramp along our way. We live in a plastic world where everything is throwaway and all are expendable, save a very close few. We live in a world of chosen sedentary life where the video reigns supreme and the walk is but a chore.
There is a special sense of sadness to see a child that never has felt the dirt and or picked what grows in it; has never seen an animal outside a zoo; has never milked a cow or a goat or stepped in the residue.
There is a special sense of joy at watching a little child grow in excitement as they touch a chicken and gather an egg.
There is a special sense of joy at watching a little child entice a little feral cat to come a little closer for some fresh cream; or stand in awe of a llama as it bends to eat some grain or call a goat by name as though they were a friend..
There is a special sense of joy when a child asks to go to the garden and bites into a fresh vine ripened tomato and says, "yes! I love tomatoes". There is a special joy when a child notices peppers growing on the vine and though he doesn't like them wants them to be in his hands and pockets.
Today there was joy at the simplicity of life for a few stark moments. Then.... only then... sadly, it was back to Wii and the harvest of plastic minds.
There is a special
There is a special sense of sadness to see a child that never has felt the dirt and or picked what grows in it; has never seen an animal outside a zoo; has never milked a cow or a goat or stepped in the residue.
There is a special sense of joy at watching a little child grow in excitement as they touch a chicken and gather an egg.
There is a special sense of joy at watching a little child entice a little feral cat to come a little closer for some fresh cream; or stand in awe of a llama as it bends to eat some grain or call a goat by name as though they were a friend..
There is a special sense of joy when a child asks to go to the garden and bites into a fresh vine ripened tomato and says, "yes! I love tomatoes". There is a special joy when a child notices peppers growing on the vine and though he doesn't like them wants them to be in his hands and pockets.
Today there was joy at the simplicity of life for a few stark moments. Then.... only then... sadly, it was back to Wii and the harvest of plastic minds.
There is a special
Friday, May 1, 2009
Thinking
Our church is in a renewal initiative called "Springs of Living Water". It's somewhat based on Richard Foster's "Celebration of Disciplines". This month we are concentrating on Simplicity. Now, simplicity has been a "by word" of sorts among "us" Brethren, but yet we are far from simple living any more. Here are some thoughts on it from my perspective.
Living simply for me engages the senses. The closer I am to the earth, then the simpler things seem to be. I mean, I enjoy home cooked food and food that is grown in a home-based garden or meat that is fed and cared for naturally and freely in my own fields; food that is canned in my own kitchen. What a simple joy it is to know that we and God created the food on our tables. Oh, if we could only provide it all!
Our yard is filled with chickens and guineas. It's not unusual to see this farm-girl waving her apron while running out front to chase the guineas away from Route 11. One of our girls already got slaughtered by a speeding car or truck. Anyway, today our oldest goat, Oreo, escaped her enclosure. Henry separated the girls recently awaiting kidding time. We were afraid that Oreo, in her croney state, would kill new kids, since she didn't get to have any this year. (We decided to retire her.) About 10 a.m. we received a call from our neighbor to let us know that she was happily grazing his yard. When she saw me coming up the fence line she hitched her giddyap and came to me. She is now in a smaller prison yard for a few weeks until all the kids are here and able to run fast enough to escape her.
Anyway, continuing with simplicity. Simplicity is also the smells of the outside. I find the smell of freshly wind dried sheets to be a balm for sleep. While I am not fond of ironing, I still like hanging my clothes out, most of the time.
Simplicity is also a sense of practicality. Around the farm you'll find me in long, full dresses and aprons. They are practical by being cool in the summer and warm in the winter as well as providing a huge area to carry veges or herbs from the garden or berries from the patch or, as mentioned before, chasing wayward flocks.
But simplicity is also about being thoughtful of others. We could, if we wanted, live alot "bigger" than we do. We could drive newer cars, eat better brands, buy bigger and better stuff. But, if we did that, then we couldn't help those less fortunate than we are as much as we do. Somehow, simplicity seems right when there are those hungry, sick, naked or homeless in other places. I should help them and I couldn't do that if I lived large.
Yet, there are ways we don't live simply, as well. I am a coffee snob. I don't care for pre-ground coffee, even though, currently we are drinking it. I will use every opportunity to buy beans when I find them easily. I also still buy too much stuff. I love thrift stores and books and it's a weakness, I admit. I expect I could save hundreds of dollars a year if I quit buying clothes at thrift stores and books online and elsewhere. I also have a new hobby and it's pretty costly. We won't talk about that at the moment, but take my word for it, it isn't cheap. I also am a freak about Tupperware. I love their storage possibilities and buy too much of it. These are areas I want to work on ~ to eliminate further temptations. I am currently dieting, so am dropping clothing sizes every few months. My goal is to get rid of two pieces for every piece of clothing I buy. So far it's a failed goal, but at least I'm thinking in that direction. I've developed some new cleaning habits and techniques that are working well for me at present. That is helpful all around, as I'm tending to de-clutter a little more often. So, I'm working on doing better at simplicity and wastefulness. I still have a long way to go, but the spirit is willing.
So, in a nutshell, we are trying live more simply. There is a far road ahead, but we are, in our estimation, further along than most. But, time will tell.
Living simply for me engages the senses. The closer I am to the earth, then the simpler things seem to be. I mean, I enjoy home cooked food and food that is grown in a home-based garden or meat that is fed and cared for naturally and freely in my own fields; food that is canned in my own kitchen. What a simple joy it is to know that we and God created the food on our tables. Oh, if we could only provide it all!
Our yard is filled with chickens and guineas. It's not unusual to see this farm-girl waving her apron while running out front to chase the guineas away from Route 11. One of our girls already got slaughtered by a speeding car or truck. Anyway, today our oldest goat, Oreo, escaped her enclosure. Henry separated the girls recently awaiting kidding time. We were afraid that Oreo, in her croney state, would kill new kids, since she didn't get to have any this year. (We decided to retire her.) About 10 a.m. we received a call from our neighbor to let us know that she was happily grazing his yard. When she saw me coming up the fence line she hitched her giddyap and came to me. She is now in a smaller prison yard for a few weeks until all the kids are here and able to run fast enough to escape her.
Anyway, continuing with simplicity. Simplicity is also the smells of the outside. I find the smell of freshly wind dried sheets to be a balm for sleep. While I am not fond of ironing, I still like hanging my clothes out, most of the time.
Simplicity is also a sense of practicality. Around the farm you'll find me in long, full dresses and aprons. They are practical by being cool in the summer and warm in the winter as well as providing a huge area to carry veges or herbs from the garden or berries from the patch or, as mentioned before, chasing wayward flocks.
But simplicity is also about being thoughtful of others. We could, if we wanted, live alot "bigger" than we do. We could drive newer cars, eat better brands, buy bigger and better stuff. But, if we did that, then we couldn't help those less fortunate than we are as much as we do. Somehow, simplicity seems right when there are those hungry, sick, naked or homeless in other places. I should help them and I couldn't do that if I lived large.
Yet, there are ways we don't live simply, as well. I am a coffee snob. I don't care for pre-ground coffee, even though, currently we are drinking it. I will use every opportunity to buy beans when I find them easily. I also still buy too much stuff. I love thrift stores and books and it's a weakness, I admit. I expect I could save hundreds of dollars a year if I quit buying clothes at thrift stores and books online and elsewhere. I also have a new hobby and it's pretty costly. We won't talk about that at the moment, but take my word for it, it isn't cheap. I also am a freak about Tupperware. I love their storage possibilities and buy too much of it. These are areas I want to work on ~ to eliminate further temptations. I am currently dieting, so am dropping clothing sizes every few months. My goal is to get rid of two pieces for every piece of clothing I buy. So far it's a failed goal, but at least I'm thinking in that direction. I've developed some new cleaning habits and techniques that are working well for me at present. That is helpful all around, as I'm tending to de-clutter a little more often. So, I'm working on doing better at simplicity and wastefulness. I still have a long way to go, but the spirit is willing.
So, in a nutshell, we are trying live more simply. There is a far road ahead, but we are, in our estimation, further along than most. But, time will tell.
'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain:
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
Monday, April 13, 2009
This 'n That
I'm trying to do better with keeping up with the blog. (Truly, Beth, I am trying.) It's been an interesting spring. Colder than normal, in my opinion. The husband says we're in a drought, but it's scheduled to rain for the next three days. We'll see this summer, I guess. He's usually right about the weather.
We left for Indiana on the District Disaster bus on Sunday morning, March 29th. There were 14 of us. A decidedly diverse group. By the following Saturday, April 4 we were ready to come home after a very fulfilling week. The house where we stayed was very nice. Us girls were able to sleep on bottom bunks. No one had to climb up :) However, our bathroom had to be shared with one man, which was a problem of sorts. But, it was manageable. Our work team consisted of husband, Michael, Ginger, Diane, Pam, Mary Sue and myself. We worked with a couple who had had 4' of water in their front enclosed porch and back laundry room. Looking at the layout, it won't be the last time, as their house sits lower than the street. We layed laminate flooring in the living room and gutted the laundry room as well as working some on the porch. We scrubbed the siding to get the mold off and worked on getting the fungus off the overhangs. I learned to love the cleaner (Simple Green) we were using and bought some as soon as I got home. The couple had some medical issues ~ the wife with an abscessed tooth and the husb. having just gotten out of the hospital with gut problems. They did ask us to pray for them and that encircling of the couple was a highlight. Another highlight was the coordinators. Couldn't help but love them, as they were kind and helpful. The last day was a little edgy, but it was only for a short time. The non-Brethren help was marvelous! Poppa Doty and Mr. Sprinkle were highlights of our trip. On Saturday it was an honor to "award" Mr. Sprinkle with a Brethren Disaster Relief hat. He cried and it was hard not to do the same. I told him since that Methodist Church didn't have a baptismal I could only make him an honorary Brethren :) That seemed to tickle him.
So we headed home. Of course the next week was Holy Week and that included a wonderful Love Feast on Maundy Thursday. What a joy and delight. Brother Stan Shifflett made us a stunning foot tub. He made two, one of which will go to the Disaster Relief Auction. The Lord has blessed him with so much talent. What great love!!!
This week the hubby is busy trying to get the last bit of stuff on the Haiti bus and get it shipped out of here. It's almost filled to the brim. What fun! We want to surround it in prayer to arrive safely and be "cheap" to get out of customs.
Spring is truly here. The potatoes are in the ground waiting to grow and we're waiting for the new "kids" to arrive probably the first week of May. The girls are already starting to show sights of "motherhood" and I can't wait to see the little ones. That's always a highlight of spring.
I'll be sure and post pictures. Until then... Happy Spring everyone!!!
We left for Indiana on the District Disaster bus on Sunday morning, March 29th. There were 14 of us. A decidedly diverse group. By the following Saturday, April 4 we were ready to come home after a very fulfilling week. The house where we stayed was very nice. Us girls were able to sleep on bottom bunks. No one had to climb up :) However, our bathroom had to be shared with one man, which was a problem of sorts. But, it was manageable. Our work team consisted of husband, Michael, Ginger, Diane, Pam, Mary Sue and myself. We worked with a couple who had had 4' of water in their front enclosed porch and back laundry room. Looking at the layout, it won't be the last time, as their house sits lower than the street. We layed laminate flooring in the living room and gutted the laundry room as well as working some on the porch. We scrubbed the siding to get the mold off and worked on getting the fungus off the overhangs. I learned to love the cleaner (Simple Green) we were using and bought some as soon as I got home. The couple had some medical issues ~ the wife with an abscessed tooth and the husb. having just gotten out of the hospital with gut problems. They did ask us to pray for them and that encircling of the couple was a highlight. Another highlight was the coordinators. Couldn't help but love them, as they were kind and helpful. The last day was a little edgy, but it was only for a short time. The non-Brethren help was marvelous! Poppa Doty and Mr. Sprinkle were highlights of our trip. On Saturday it was an honor to "award" Mr. Sprinkle with a Brethren Disaster Relief hat. He cried and it was hard not to do the same. I told him since that Methodist Church didn't have a baptismal I could only make him an honorary Brethren :) That seemed to tickle him.
So we headed home. Of course the next week was Holy Week and that included a wonderful Love Feast on Maundy Thursday. What a joy and delight. Brother Stan Shifflett made us a stunning foot tub. He made two, one of which will go to the Disaster Relief Auction. The Lord has blessed him with so much talent. What great love!!!
This week the hubby is busy trying to get the last bit of stuff on the Haiti bus and get it shipped out of here. It's almost filled to the brim. What fun! We want to surround it in prayer to arrive safely and be "cheap" to get out of customs.
Spring is truly here. The potatoes are in the ground waiting to grow and we're waiting for the new "kids" to arrive probably the first week of May. The girls are already starting to show sights of "motherhood" and I can't wait to see the little ones. That's always a highlight of spring.
I'll be sure and post pictures. Until then... Happy Spring everyone!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
It's about time :)
I was reminded today that it's been months since my last blog. How true and I send my apologies across the sea. It's been a good year thus far. Though the economy is in the perverbial toilet that's not what real life is about. The fact that the Missouri State Police would see me as a domestic terrorist because I supported Ron Paul is not what life's about either.
Life is about... well, living and loving.
These last months have been a bit of a blur. In early February we headed to LaJeune Haiti again. It was a wonderful trip, as expected. The children all look so much healthier than last year and were so glad to see us! We had a VBS for about 175 children and it was a great success. We had a small medical clinic giving out tylenol, allergy meds, lotions, eye drops, reading glasses and worm medicine. It was hard to come home. The weather was in the 70's just perfect for daily work and dipped into the 60's at night which made for restful sleep. Could we ask for more? I'm especially grateful to MAF for flying us into Pignon rather than the 8 hour horror ride through the mountains.
I'm having a blast with the Sunday School class I'm teaching. It's the "young adult" age group from 18-35 or so and it so refreshing to find some young people really willing to see what the Bible has to say to us in the 21st century. We're all finding it more relevant than we expected.
In two weeks we'll be leaving for a Disaster Response trip to Indiana for a week. I'm not sure what all we'll be doing, but the group that's going is fun, so that is a good sign. From there it's Easter and Love Feast time (my favorite holiday of the year) and then into my birthday month... ugh... we can skip that. And then to San Diego for Annual Conference the end of June. The year will be half over by then. My how time flies when we are having fun.
Yesterday I had the semi-annual slicing and dicing from the dermatologist. I always look forward to that doctor visit, not because of the knife and needle, but because of the doctor! Dr. Jane Lynch is one of the best doctors I've had. She's to the point and has a good sense of humor. While she sewed me up yesterday we talked about a trip to Haiti the end of the year. I can't wait for her to go. She'll be such an asset. As for the slice and dice.... well, the biopsy will be back in two weeks. I'm used to this by now.
Weight Watchers. Janet is too fat. Everyone that reads this, knows that, so I finally decided it is past time to do something about it. Thus far I'm down 8 pounds and my goal is far, far away, but I am determined this time and want to make a life change so I can do more stuff with the grandchildren and play soccer more aptly with my Haitian children.
Since I tend to be a bit political, I want to simply say, I'm disgusted with the economy. People are being laid off not because of the down turn in $$, but because they are greedy and thoughtless! Our daughter last her job if 10 1/2 years and I have no doubt a little Philipino girl is now doing it from her own country. A woman in our church lost her job because it could be done in another office. An acquaintance lost his job of many years the week after he finished training an "assistant". Trash truck drivers are being laid off or hours cut. Are we really producing less trash? There should be laws against such foolish chess with peoples lives. If I were queen.... well... big business would not be happy ~ And now our commander in chief wants the vets to pay for their treatment when they come back from Iraq? You have GOT to kidding me. When AIG gets bonuses... If you want riots, they might be a coming...
Rain. We've had some lovely rains the last few days. We had, no decent snows this winter, though it was cold as the arctic. Too cold to snow, I guess. I thankful for the rain even though I much prefer sunshine (much to Dr. Lynch's dismay). I don't mind the March and April showers, as it makes for good hay in the summer.
Goats. I cannot this blog without mentioned my goats. We lost our poor Sarah in January and I was devastated! We still don't know what happened, but she will be sorely missed. She was a good milker and easy going. Esther, Ellie and Heidi are all poking out there and should be kidding in May. Old crone Oreo is still with us. She's getting thinner but gets around much better now that we did not breed her this year. Amos is just Amos. Our Llama Archie is doing his job and is as happy as can be. The guineas are adorable, though they are shunning on of their own and she is not happy. Henry tries to feed her extra, but those others just will not leave her be. I doubt she'll live through the summer because of the others. Not unlike human behavior against one another. I caught them in the highway a couple weeks ago. I shooed them back to the barn, but the rascals head to the road when they think I'm not looking. One of the red hens is doing the same. Hopefully they will not venture out and get hit by the traffic that frequents this major road.
Friday I will be heading to Fredericksburg to pick up the grands. Justin and Becca will celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary tomorrow. So they will be heading to a CAPS event and I'll bring the boys home here for the weekend. But, not before Luke's football game at 7:30 a.m. (Those schedulers are insane.) I look forward to seeing him play, just not at 7:30 a.m. !
So, times are busy, life is good and God is still on the Throne! Hallelujah!
Until next time... have courage
Life is about... well, living and loving.
These last months have been a bit of a blur. In early February we headed to LaJeune Haiti again. It was a wonderful trip, as expected. The children all look so much healthier than last year and were so glad to see us! We had a VBS for about 175 children and it was a great success. We had a small medical clinic giving out tylenol, allergy meds, lotions, eye drops, reading glasses and worm medicine. It was hard to come home. The weather was in the 70's just perfect for daily work and dipped into the 60's at night which made for restful sleep. Could we ask for more? I'm especially grateful to MAF for flying us into Pignon rather than the 8 hour horror ride through the mountains.
I'm having a blast with the Sunday School class I'm teaching. It's the "young adult" age group from 18-35 or so and it so refreshing to find some young people really willing to see what the Bible has to say to us in the 21st century. We're all finding it more relevant than we expected.
In two weeks we'll be leaving for a Disaster Response trip to Indiana for a week. I'm not sure what all we'll be doing, but the group that's going is fun, so that is a good sign. From there it's Easter and Love Feast time (my favorite holiday of the year) and then into my birthday month... ugh... we can skip that. And then to San Diego for Annual Conference the end of June. The year will be half over by then. My how time flies when we are having fun.
Yesterday I had the semi-annual slicing and dicing from the dermatologist. I always look forward to that doctor visit, not because of the knife and needle, but because of the doctor! Dr. Jane Lynch is one of the best doctors I've had. She's to the point and has a good sense of humor. While she sewed me up yesterday we talked about a trip to Haiti the end of the year. I can't wait for her to go. She'll be such an asset. As for the slice and dice.... well, the biopsy will be back in two weeks. I'm used to this by now.
Weight Watchers. Janet is too fat. Everyone that reads this, knows that, so I finally decided it is past time to do something about it. Thus far I'm down 8 pounds and my goal is far, far away, but I am determined this time and want to make a life change so I can do more stuff with the grandchildren and play soccer more aptly with my Haitian children.
Since I tend to be a bit political, I want to simply say, I'm disgusted with the economy. People are being laid off not because of the down turn in $$, but because they are greedy and thoughtless! Our daughter last her job if 10 1/2 years and I have no doubt a little Philipino girl is now doing it from her own country. A woman in our church lost her job because it could be done in another office. An acquaintance lost his job of many years the week after he finished training an "assistant". Trash truck drivers are being laid off or hours cut. Are we really producing less trash? There should be laws against such foolish chess with peoples lives. If I were queen.... well... big business would not be happy ~ And now our commander in chief wants the vets to pay for their treatment when they come back from Iraq? You have GOT to kidding me. When AIG gets bonuses... If you want riots, they might be a coming...
Rain. We've had some lovely rains the last few days. We had, no decent snows this winter, though it was cold as the arctic. Too cold to snow, I guess. I thankful for the rain even though I much prefer sunshine (much to Dr. Lynch's dismay). I don't mind the March and April showers, as it makes for good hay in the summer.
Goats. I cannot this blog without mentioned my goats. We lost our poor Sarah in January and I was devastated! We still don't know what happened, but she will be sorely missed. She was a good milker and easy going. Esther, Ellie and Heidi are all poking out there and should be kidding in May. Old crone Oreo is still with us. She's getting thinner but gets around much better now that we did not breed her this year. Amos is just Amos. Our Llama Archie is doing his job and is as happy as can be. The guineas are adorable, though they are shunning on of their own and she is not happy. Henry tries to feed her extra, but those others just will not leave her be. I doubt she'll live through the summer because of the others. Not unlike human behavior against one another. I caught them in the highway a couple weeks ago. I shooed them back to the barn, but the rascals head to the road when they think I'm not looking. One of the red hens is doing the same. Hopefully they will not venture out and get hit by the traffic that frequents this major road.
Friday I will be heading to Fredericksburg to pick up the grands. Justin and Becca will celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary tomorrow. So they will be heading to a CAPS event and I'll bring the boys home here for the weekend. But, not before Luke's football game at 7:30 a.m. (Those schedulers are insane.) I look forward to seeing him play, just not at 7:30 a.m. !
So, times are busy, life is good and God is still on the Throne! Hallelujah!
Until next time... have courage
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Blessed New Year!
Good bye 2008 ~ For many it was a sorry year, but for us, it was, basically a very good year. We went to Haiti last winter and it was the trip of my life, thus far and I look forward to going back next month. That started the year and we ended with the birth of our fourth grandson, Levi, who was born December 18th. So everything in between often paled in comparison. Our church denomination celebrated its 300th Anniversary in 2008 and it was a good Annual Conference in Richmond. The year ended for me in the basement of the home of a Sister in Christ while a group of us played dominoes. We pretty much laughed out the old year in to the new. It was a good way to end the year. Thanks to my youngest, I have discovered and come to love the writings of Patrick Taylor. Good Irishman he is. Thanks to keeping old addresses I was also able to find and reconnect with my closest cousin ever, who is hoping to come back to Canada from Ireland this year. Hurrah! Once she arrives there's a trip to Canada in the wind.
So what of 2009? Well, I started by cleaning out areas of clutter in the dining room, filling up a whole trashbag. Not a bad start. I decanted some herbal meds today and we have plenty to eat for supper. Better than 90% of the rest of the world. I have a journal to begin for this year and I'm really praying to be diligent enough to keep it. New year resolutions are rarely kept, but a few of mine for this year are: to be more positive in thought; to be more polite and kind and to study my Bible more faithfully. Not a bad start. Of course, you can add in all the lose weight and get fit and all those things that I "plan" to do, but know from past years it takes some planning and effort. We'll see. We already begin the year with a good lot of "busy-ness". Every weekend in January is taken and the first weekend of February I'll be in Haiti. I do have a few weeks off from there, but then we're headed to Indiana for a Disaster Trip in April ~ San Diego looms in June, and, if Beth immigrates, I'll be headed to Canada sometime. I have a feeling the year will go quickly. Ah, so I'll be closer to heaven than last year, so.
I thought I ought to do a bloggy for the new year and I guess this is it. May all my dear readers be blessed this year and while the economics of our nation appear to be in greater peril than in 2008, we must remember that money can't buy it all. Let us all learn more of working together for the common good of all. God bless us every one.
So what of 2009? Well, I started by cleaning out areas of clutter in the dining room, filling up a whole trashbag. Not a bad start. I decanted some herbal meds today and we have plenty to eat for supper. Better than 90% of the rest of the world. I have a journal to begin for this year and I'm really praying to be diligent enough to keep it. New year resolutions are rarely kept, but a few of mine for this year are: to be more positive in thought; to be more polite and kind and to study my Bible more faithfully. Not a bad start. Of course, you can add in all the lose weight and get fit and all those things that I "plan" to do, but know from past years it takes some planning and effort. We'll see. We already begin the year with a good lot of "busy-ness". Every weekend in January is taken and the first weekend of February I'll be in Haiti. I do have a few weeks off from there, but then we're headed to Indiana for a Disaster Trip in April ~ San Diego looms in June, and, if Beth immigrates, I'll be headed to Canada sometime. I have a feeling the year will go quickly. Ah, so I'll be closer to heaven than last year, so.
I thought I ought to do a bloggy for the new year and I guess this is it. May all my dear readers be blessed this year and while the economics of our nation appear to be in greater peril than in 2008, we must remember that money can't buy it all. Let us all learn more of working together for the common good of all. God bless us every one.
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