In Response to Dave's Comment on 'Those Traps'

December 22: chachki

Trinket, useless sentimental stuff filling up your book cases and counter space, miscellaneous items collected and set out to enhance your decor, stuff you should probably box up or sell in a garage sale, things kids take when their parents pass away because it reminds them of good times past.

Grandma's collection of mini spoons from around the country, mini statues (Lladro), little bowls of stuff for people to look at, figurines, doilies etc.

comment on this definition Urban Dictionary Word for the Day

Some more trappings that we pass by every day... "Times are too few that we say : I have loved you." Those are the good traps, I think.. no?

Those Traps

Sunday Night at the Rock and Roll Church,
by Pat Darnell

We have settled on a church. Brazos Fellowship has three services in the mornings and one at 6 PM. Last Sunday we attended the evening service. There is a rock and roll band on stage every time. Reminds me of... well it's all new to me. My tweens love it. (HERE)

Our pastor is good about bringing "visual aids" to the pulpit. Pastor William, "Will" for short, this time he brought out a cart. In the cart hidden from us was a "varmint trap."

He explained that he had asked Academy for a "Bear Trap," but they only carry Varmint Traps. Then he told us today's topic is about how traps are set for us on a daily basis. Then he sat down and forced open the jaws of the trap with his feet, set the firing mechanism and placed a chunk of ham on the trick arm. So he set it up on top of the cart, sprung and primed, and awesome.

Pastor Will described a host of problems that lead many to falling into traps. The common thread to all those situations had the element of temptation.

The story is his to tell, so I need not tell the whole thing here. And you guessed it: his sermon led to his pushing on the pressure plate with a long stick, and its exploding the ham shank in all directions, pieces landing like Gallagher's smashed melons.

My point today in telling this is that as Pastor Will went about telling the various angles of the scriptures and how traps are set by the temptations, including fight or flee adrenaline reactions of us the prey, he waved his hands too close to the primed trap, for my comfort.

Finally, I had to look down and away. I could not take the vision of him getting too close, or accidentally setting off the elements. Even my blood pressure started rising. I worked into a sweat just sitting and waiting the inevitable, unable to watch.

I am a worry wort, born and bred, no lie it was discomfiting. Please join me in watching out for temptations' traps: I think it is important to look for the traps, and to actually ask Jesus right away to move them away from my hands and feet, and all extremities of my wife and kids, and puppy; in context of last Sunday evening... in a building on the Parkway, in a little town in the middle of America. A ham shank and a bear trap... lesson learned -- is funny, huh?

Hired Guns

T'is easier to put a camel through the eye of a needle...

December 12: come to jesus

Originally an emotional experience that is life changing, it has evolved to mean a serious argument, one that better result in a change of action or else.

My husband and I are going to have a "come to jesus" over this remodeling job.
or
I'm going to have a "come to jesus" with that kid about his drinking and partying

*[file under humor ain't]*

Was Naming your child Dweezil...

... Maybe just a little ahead of its Time? by Pat Darnell

Of course it is. Frank Zappa is a Mother of Invention who took things into his own hands often. He developed from his childhood in a very delightful way. I like to think of him as a happy child, with asthma, and a great outlook on life. Is the Name of the Year 2008 "Dweezil" this year? (by Brian D. Holland. July 27, 2007; Dweezil Zappa Interview)



NO.

American culture ..dominated by politics in past year, and according to Laura Wattenberg, baby-naming business was no exception.

The 2008 Name Of The Year Dec 7th 2008 | By Laura Wattenberg
Wattenberg, author of the book The Baby Name Wizard and founder of the website of the same name, tells ParentDish that this year's Name of the Year might come as a bit of a surprise. When she invited readers of he Baby Wizard blog to contribute nominations for 2008 Name of the Year, many votes were political.

So what was the big winner?

Joe.

Joe the lumberjack, Joe Six-pack, Amtrak Joe Biden, and, of course, Joe The Plumber. Joe made a huge come-back this year. (Wattenburg, Laura; 12.07.2008, Retrieved HERE)

In honor of all us Step-dads, I would like to think this year's one is Joe the Carpenter, the step-dad of Jesus.

Tony Rice Church Street Blues

Hello Sunday Morning [SOURCE]

Excerpt from CHRISTINA's God, History and You: You're Only Halfway Home, General

As we approach the end of President Bush's second term in office, I thought it might be interesting to examine our first President's second term in office. Surprisingly, there are similarities.

"The man who, in 1775, upon entering Philadelphia to attend the Second Continental Congress, was met with 500 horsemen. a marching band and companies of foot soldiers - the man who, in a 'poem' written by a Rhode Island representative was called "Virginia's hero" - the man who was twice elected unanimously to the Presidency (not to mention his prior unanimous election as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental army) - became the man who, during his second term as President, was attacked from both foreign and domestic camps and by a critical press for his stand concerning a foreign war, the man who was embroiled in Congressional and public discord over difficult treaty negotiations with England, the man whose own cabinet members turned against him in sabotage and treason.

"Before he finally left office, authors Michael and Jana Novak tell us in their book Washington's God, the formerly beloved father of our country was actually accused of behaving as a monarch.

"(Note: Along these lines, by the way, in May of 1782 [about 7 months after the final major victory at the Battle of Yorktown] it was actually proposed to Washington, by one of his colonels, that he become king of the United States! Washington was horrified. Yet, before all was said and done, he was accused of that very thing which he found so abhorrent.)

"Maybe it's just me, but some of this sounds familiar.. (CHRISTINA, Sep 24, 2008; Excerpts Retrieved HERE.)"

God Has The Answer To The Question

by Dave Darnell

As I try to share my limited views, as related to my belief that God has given me a chance to make peace with all those I've wronged and offended, it becomes more evident that without a faith, strong and undeterred by gainsaying, nothing will pass.

Jesus is the path to that chance. His blood, outside the gate, joined Him to us. His blood, on the Tree, joined him to the Heavens, sanctified us and paved a road for us to see God's face in His Heaven with Jesus' perfect White Light.

The events taking place in our country and around the world are disturbing but not new. The newness of it is in the setting not in the action. Never before has this type of unsettling financial and social turmoil been played out instantaneously for everyone to see and hear. In addition, the sheer magnitude of our numbers is greater than anyone, except the dedicated demographers, is capable of fathoming.

So with constant and immediate media attention and huge masses of humanity at the whim of said media any chances for negotiation and introspective dialog to happen, decrease in mere moments. Then, whenever a meaningful announcement is available, it, once again becomes rapid-fire fodder for the news media, in all of its quick, beat Reuters to the keyboard efficiency.

The last time this happened was in the 80's. Failed banks, foreclosures, high gas prices, higher interest rates, credit tightening, hand wringing, failed war policies, anxious politicians, hung out to dry populace, proliferation of bars.

Then people became inventive and used talent and reason, some God gifts, to solve problems.
I'll leave these verses with you to read, I like them for today:
Leviticus 19:8-19

Spirit by Grace; Faith in Joy; Love in Harmony

"By faith--by believing God-- we know that the world

and the stars--in fact all things--were made at God's

command; and that they were made from things

that can't be seen." Heb. 11:3


"Continue to love each other,
Don't forget to be kind to strangers,
Honor your marriage,
Stay away from the love of money,
Remember your leaders who have
taught you the Word of God,

Jesus Christ is the same Yesterday,
today and forever,
Your Spiritual strength comes as a gift
from God."

For God has said," I will never, never fail you
nor forsake you. " Heb.13:1,4,5,7,8

As we all strive and reach for our various visions of salvation and deliverance,
sometimes it is forgotten, with the worldly hectiocity surrounding us,
that one of our choices, with God's grace, is to do nothing.

God Bless Us

Y H W H

"May the God of steadfastness and encouragement

grant you to live in such harmony with one another,

in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may,

with one voice glorify the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ. " Romans 15:5

Happy Sunday; We all find it in our own uniqueness

Rory Gallagher 1972 has it going on in this sleep invading spiritual. Special thanks to Pribek.net [SOURCE]



Rory Gallagher (2 March 1948–14 June 1995) was an Irish blues/rock guitarist, born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster. However, he grew up in Cork City in the south of Ireland. He is best known for his solo work on several albums, and for his tenure in Taste during the late 60s. Rory Gallagher's albums sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide.

"The man who got me back into the blues." Eric Clapton

The most common symptoms of obstructive sleep aponea (OSA) in adults are: loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness

Braaaaaaaains! (or, How Did You Survive Sleep Deprivation?)

Posted by John J. O'Sullivan Aug 19, 2008 at 11:02 AM in baby, Dads, death, parent hack, sleep

Let's face it: Uninterrupted sleep is a luxury that most new parents don't get. At least, that's what I always heard. I never thought much of it while my wife was pregnant. I always assumed this truth statement and moved on with life, not comprehending what was to come.

After all, I survived college! For example, when I was the managing editor of my college's student newspaper, there were production nights that lasted 30+ hours. Sure, I was delirious and there not a few times when I started losing it and/or hallucinating. During one famous "episode" brought on by sleepless hysteria and stress, I took a black magic marker and labeled everything in my office. Including the walls. Seriously.

But, the one thing that always followed said production night-mare was a long coma-like stretch of sweet, sweet, delicious sleep. After I woke up (occasionally at 5-6 p.m.), all was well with the world. Suffice it to say, that ain't an option anymore. Not only is it hard for me to sleep past 8 a.m. nowadays, I do have a few more responsibilities. That, and I think my job security at America's Leading Magazine for Parents would be in severe jeopardy.

Don't get me wrong. I love my daughter. She is the CUTEST BABY EVAR. I love when she coos and smiles and does cute things with the little hanging toys on her bouncer. I even love calming her down when she's being a bit cranky. But...not having a large chunk of uninterrupted sleep is killing my wife and I. By three o'clock in the afternoon...I'm done for. I long for one of those gourmet sleep sessions that's available up the road a bit.

So, I ask you gals and guys: How did you survive these first few months, and what advice can you offer a sleep-deprived dad who feels as if he should be an extra for Night of the Living Dead?

_____________________________________________
Sorry Old Friend:
Your sleeping days are over. Father of six and the last one is 12 now... it only gets worse. The advice I can give you is simply "overstating the obvious."

Without sleep, you are angrier because you have not completed the several cycles needed to be refreshed. So you will experience the zombiosis's effects as your body goes through the cycles anyway when you are "awake."

Have you ever waken a buddy in of the middle of the night, and he starts yelling, without inhibition, obscenities at you? He doesn't mean it, and may not even know who you are... that is what the little cherub in the crib is doing to you and wifey every two hours. It has nothing to do with global warming, your relationship with your wife, or your boss. It is the baby's way of telling you the obvious: "I'm hungry, I'm wet,,,"

Thus, it is imperative you both keep watch as a support system, and not try to pull all nighters for outside the family causes for a while. You have to be there for each other as well as for the baby.

Recent studies have proven the perfect amount of uninterrupted sleep for adults is 8.2 hours. Ask your family MD's, they will know as they were deprived of sleep when they were interns. In 8.2 hours the adult goes through the necessary cycles to resurrect the body the next morning.

Do like the Swedes and spend six months home together, so the wee one can learn all the habits you have. She already knows her mother's habits since she was a submariner for those nine months. You may notice your baby gets busy when Mommy gets busy... no?

Asceticism, Aerobic Exercise, .. outdoor family activity for half a year: essentials if you want long term relief.

Why am I so sure? I long suffered from sleep deprivation. I have been diagnosed and told that if I don't do something about it I might be very dead in the next ten years. I have no regrets for trying all the crazy double shift schemes, but I made many boo-boos along the way.

I am still here, and want friends and acquaintanceships to be happy, happy, happy in enjoying their baby's infancy. The only real advice for Dad is "to do less in occupation, and play house as much as possible with your precious little family."

Bless you all, with warmest regards,
Pat Darnell, your fezbook friend..

Mystery Topic Challenge Number 15

Dave and Pat Say: We're out fishing and we still are entering the contest!! Because we are winners!

MTC #15 Topic by Stella!

Ohhh, this is truly a good one, folks. Here it is:

It’s five years from now. You’ve taken action, and you’ve succeeded! Someone is describing what you did; how you persevered. They are congratulating you on the outcome. Cameras are flashing, taking your picture to record the magic moment.

So tell me: what is it that you’ve done? How did you do it?

If you want your readers to join this meme, just copy the topic and post it on your blog. Be sure to link back HERE.

Now, git writing!

Posted by MooPig_Wisdom at 8/19/2008 0

Whats It? by Bob Parker

Whats It?
by Bob Parker

Krogar and Klaus, and the House Mouse Mystery
Hunkered down, very un-calm,
Side by side, just before dawn,
Cat by Cat, confide, but stir little

“Where’s that.. WHAT’S IT?”
Growl tooth’ed jaws with spittle

Whiskers a’ twitch, ‘n tails a’ switch,
Two cats, grouse, protest, and grit

“How shall we get at that.. WHAT’S IT?”

Upon the fireplace screen, out come claws,
Topsy-turvy cats crash into brick walls
Topple andirons, ashes, and kindling--
Crazed cats, Krogar and Klaus, go a’ spindling
Leap from hearth askew and a’ yaw,

“There, ..No there!!!!!” confused Cats babble.

Agile kitties flip, twist then scrabble,
In the dark hall, brave kitties fall,
Land gracefully upon padded paws.

That's the fastest house mouse either ever saw.

WHAT’S IT jumps from mantle
circles the whole room,
Finds a dark shadow just behind a broom
Waits there while cats’ re-group

"WHAT'S IT?" Krogar stopping to groom--
he leaps on the table, and knocks off the fruit;
Banana, pear, apple, orange meteors fall

So, WHAT’S IT under couch crawls
the chase, Cats resume, into guest bedroom
In a flash the guest bed is disheveled
when zoom, as two cats assault is made --

WHAT’S IT flies up to safety of a dark lampshade

WHAT’S IT hangs upside down, unabash’ed,
Pausing to see kitties’ looks of bad luck that day
Licking their paws, their last trick is played

“WHAT’S IT can fly,” Krogar to Klaus, says in dismay
And with the dawn, the light inter-plays.

Up to the shadowy attic, in a graceful jet,
Flies WHAT’S IT easier
without even a silent shiver
Through the eaves, spies the Cats now so upset,
...can’t even digest their liver

Today, though, there are no regrets:
Krogar and Klaus tell their neighboring pets,
“You may visit our house, with behavior best;
“Pleeze, Do not disturb our house mouse guest:

“He is a “‘WHAT’S IT’,

"The most unusual, honored, flying house guest”
edited by Pat Darnell

A poem written for me and first daughter Panther Paws circa 1983; by Robert “Bob” Parker, of Halifax, Massachusetts, Unfortunately, he has passed away. He lived his retirement years on Monpossett Pond in a little converted boathouse, that he shared with several animals, pets and otherwise. Bob would wake up early before his wife, stoke the wood burning stove, in the morning before dawn, and type on his Corona manual, and this is one he chronicled pre-dawn. PD

Is anyone willing to become a Martyr for Atheism?

I didn't think so!!

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I wants you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.'

The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am God. I'm still waiting.'

It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence.

The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, 'What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?'

The Marine calmly replied, 'God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So, He sent me....'



Atheist Professor who talks to God.
Grade? _______


Winner! Irony Award Q4.08

Who Walked the Water?

by Dave Darnell

"that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each others faith, both yours and mine." Rom 1:12

A restful sleep may be out of reach,
I once was fitful in the dark.
Or not to be calm in repose.

I watched a sailor grab at the elusive shut-eye, rough seas, no relief. His eyes did close.

As we reached the fishing grounds,
Others, on wobbly legs worked.
That fisherman became energy.

Fellows looked on him with envy, he slept as we bucked. I went close to thread bait with him.

Our team fought the sea, he joined it. We must take our rest as it is provided by God. He loves our need.

Providence and grace are blips on our screen. How blessed are the seafarers, the shepherds?

Our psyches yearn for solitude.
Is it attainable? Our matrix demands attention. Stressfully.

Beat it back, or engulf the stress.
God listens. We have choice. We have a blip to home in on, Beloved.

When Jesus ascended he gave us Two Valuable Commands:

by Pat Darnell
Sometimes attending Business school, a professor will go ahead and move outside the box. That is, she will say something not usually said in class. One time Professor X PhD/ Mrs, said: "Always Value Added first."

We were discussing Vision, Mission, Value Added statements of businesses. Most businesses do have those kinds of headers, that are descriptions of core competency. It is usually an overstatement of the obvious, but still very necessary for the company employees, agents and all the customers.

That said; Professor X PhD/ Mrs., was determined we all get this message... "1 -- 2 -- 3: Value Added Statement, Vision Statement, then Mission Statement." Most of us had in our minds that Vision is first. [VA--What it is; V--Why we got Here; M--This is our action]


After her HR course is long over, and I look around with new eyes, and this new professorial mandate, most all headers are visionary statements. It leads to this conclusion: the last is first, and if it isn't it should be, as il' Professore says.

It turns out one morning I'm reading a critical article in HR Magazine while waiting for the dentist. One editor explains that in a lunch meeting with his Mentor one day, this subject of Value Added came up.

The HRM Editor like all others had put it last in the triumvirate of boiler plate core competency statements. His Mentor had things to say about his Value Added statement that is two paragraphs long, also a no-no.

Mentor: "HRM Ed, you have it wrong."

HRM Ed: "Haaarummmph, what?"

Mentor: "You have misused the substance of your great company and made it weak."

HRM Ed: "Bu... bu... but,"

Mentor: "Value added is like this triple meat cheese bacon DQ Burger sitting here sizzling on the plate in front of us filling this whole area with aroma."

"Soon after I have a bite," biting, "now you have removed something of its value... the juiciness, the flavor, that is the vision part."

"Don't interrupt me; now I sip this blizzard, and have this salty fry... that is the mission of value added. And I get a hankering to come here once a month and indulge."

HRM Ed: "Uh... well... imagery, urgency, uh expectancy??"

Mentor: "You're confused. Understandably; look at it from the customer eye. This is ambiance, nostalgia, pre-meal humor, locale and color, ones little getaway, Ted Kennedy in a Speedo on his yacht. Yes?"

HRM Ed: Unable to eat, or respond: "Errr..."

[I hate it when he does this, like my dentist when he has my mouth all numb and held open while I gag on suction tubes, asks me: 'So, have you been flossing? Have you been going to Church? Did you now Jesus Loves You?']

So I nod, and stare like the sacrificial lamb.

Mentor: "Like the 99 cent store we passed on the way here: 'Everything 99 cents,' right out on the front sign. Value Added -- nothing is over 99 cents. You go in with 49 dollars and exit with about 41 things, tax is added of course. But if you have a tax number you can get all 49 things... no?"

HRM Ed: "Okay, I'm catching up now... so I have to put our Value added up front, or get a new job. I get it."

Mentor: "That's right; but that's not all. I want you to write on this napkin your Value Added Statement. I'd say about twelve words is all you need. If you cannot, then you might want to rethink your existence."

HRM Ed: "Twelve words? on this napkin..."

Mentor: "Yes, before we leave; before I finish my Blizzard."

Another Prayer by [Guess]... Thanks to Dr J!!

J has left a new comment on your post "Prayer of....":

Do you know this one?

"Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

Lord, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. "

What Measures a Church?

St. Oswald's, Paddlesworth is located next to the Cat and Custard Pot, at one of the highest points on the North Downs.

PHOTO: St. Oswald's Paddlesworth "The highest church in Kent."

Church services at St. Oswalds are every 2nd Sunday in the month, 11.00 a.m. Holy Communion, every 3rd Sunday in the month, 6.30 p.m. Evensong plus every 5th Sunday there is evensong at 6.30 p.m.

Paddlesworth services can be particularly noted when they are celebrating harvest festival or Christmas, as the church is always beautifully decorated.

In the cemetery around the church, the gravestones are a strong reminder of the farming communities in the area with family names such as the Claysons, Vincents and Goddens adourning the majority of the headstones.

Should you wish to view Paddlesworth church you can obtain the key from the Cat and Custard pot during opening hours. The key was originally kept on the board pictured ...and although the board can still be seen, the key itself has been moved to more secure lodgings.

The Cat and Custard Pot is situated in the Hamlet of Paddlesworth, near Hawkinge, nestled in the picturesque countryside of the North Downs. It is within 15 minutes drive from the seaside town of Folkestone and was the main public house used by pilots and other personnel who were stationed at the nearby Hawkinge Battle of Britain airfield. The pub itself contains a varied collection of aviation memorabilia and photographs that represent the history of the area during the last 100 years.
(Retrieved HERE for this review...)

The Nativity tells me this

Jesus wants us to be

Exceptional and giving like Kings

Protectors of the faith like shepherds

Humble like stepfathers

Fervent like John the Baptist

Interesting Things Going on...

WWJD (Hair Band Edition)

by Jack Pribek

Posted on 01 Aug 2008 in Category: Hunh?, Music, Spiritual

So, reality show star and Poison Guitarist, C.C. Deville, has found Jesus. Will this epiphany affect his rockin’? From Blabbermouth.

As previously reported, Pete Wilson, the pastor at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee recently got a call from C.C. DeVille asking for advice and inviting him to POISON’s July 8 concert at the Sommet Center in Nashville. According to Pete, “C.C. has just become a Christian and was wondering if I would be willing to bring him some messages he could listen to on the road, as well as just encourage him, and answer a few questions.”…

…”After the concert we had a creative team meeting with him where we suggested a few different ways he could interweave the story of what God is doing in his life through his music.”

Hunh? Creative team meeting? Interweave?

Possible suggestions….

“Unskinny Praise”

“Look What God Dragged In”

“Talk Jesus To Me”

[Retrieved HERE Today by MooPig for review, without anyone's consent, of course]

Prayer of....

Lord make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light

Where there is sadness, joy.
__________________________
Todays Quiz: Who is credited with this famous prayer?

This was given to me on March 6, 1995 by my Aunt Fran Hynds, PhD. It is written on a bookmark made in USA, 1973, by Antioch Bookplate Co.

pd/mpw

Examples Of Body Language

NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR	INTERPRETATION
Brisk, erect walk	Confidence
Standing with hands on hips	Readiness, aggression
Sitting with legs crossed, foot kicking slightly	Boredom
Sitting, legs apart	Open, relaxed
Arms crossed on chest	Defensiveness
Walking with hands in pockets, shoulders hunched	Dejection
Hand to cheek	Evaluation, thinking
Touching, slightly rubbing nose	Rejection, doubt, lying
Rubbing the eye	Doubt, disbelief
Hands clasped behind back	Anger, frustration, apprehension
Locked ankles	Apprehension
Head resting in hand, eyes downcast	Boredom
Rubbing hands	Anticipation
Sitting with hands clasped behind head, legs crossed	Confidence, superiority
Open palm	Sincerity, openness, innocence
Pinching bridge of nose, eyes closed	Negative evaluation
Tapping or drumming fingers	Impatience
Steepling fingers	Authoritative
Patting/fondling hair	Lack of self-confidence; insecurity
Tilted head	Interest
Stroking chin	Trying to make a decision
Looking down, face turned away	Disbelief
Biting nails	Insecurity, nervousness
Pulling or tugging at ear	Indecision

Covered Dish Sunday Afternoon Picnic

From growl and gut

Of animal rut

Comes old milk

This cheese

From cluck and clatter

Of chicken’s patter

These eggs ‘n batters

In threes

Fried and boiled

In olive oil

From germ of wheat

On table neat

Pureed in wind-chaffed

Prairies take

Sandwich baked

So jump thee

Jump children

To table spread

Make haste

Away from puppy’s

Outstretched paws

Who’ll steal away fast

"...In the kitchen sink, looking like two freshly scrubbed cherubs, Sunday roasting [and] frying chickens..." dpd

Put patters of butter paste

On angel’s wings

And sing, sing, sing

This little byte of mine; I'm going to let it Shine ...!!

"KB GB MB Whats Bigger?
"Can you put them in order, along with anything I am missing, "from smallest to biggest please? I didn't think so..."
The Yottabyte is the biggest you can get...YB

Yes I can... in ascending order KB MB GB on the list:

kB (kilobyte) 10001 = 103 KB ~10241 = 210 KiB (kibibyte)

210 KiB= MB (megabyte) 10002 = 106 MB 10242 = 220 MiB (mebibyte)

220 MiB= GB (gigabyte) 10003 = 109 GB 10243 = 230 GiB (gibibyte)

230 GiB= TB (terabyte) 10004 = 1012 TB 10244 = 240 TiB (tebibyte)

240 PB (petabyte) 10005 = 1015 PB 10245 = 250 PiB (pebibyte)

250 PiB= EB (exabyte) 10006 = 1018 EB 10246 = 260 EiB (exbibyte)

260 EiB= ZB (zettabyte) 10007 = 1021 ZB 10247 = 270 ZiB (zebibyte)

270 ZiB= YB (yottabyte) 10008 = 1024 YB 10248 = 280 YiB (yobibyte)

"Huh?"

Happy Story

Michael Schuckert
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 9:16 AM
Mommy duck and ducklings

Something really amazing happened in Downtown Spokane this week and I had to share the story with you.
Joel Armstrong, is a loan officer at Sterling Bank. He works downtown in a second story office building, overlooking busy Riverside Avenue
Several weeks ago he watched a mother duck choose the cement awning outside his window as the uncanny place to build a nest above the sidewalk.
The mallard laid ten eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air.
She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks and Monday afternoon all of her ten ducklings hatched.

Joel worried all night how the momma duck was going to get those babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment
to take to water, which typically happens in the first 48 hours of a duck hatching.

Tuesday morning, Joel came to work and watched the mother duck encourage her babies to the edge of the perch
with the intent to show them how to jump off!
The mother flew down below and started quacking to her babies above.
In his disbelief Joel watched as the first fuzzy newborn toddled to the edge and astonishingly leapt into thin air, crashing onto the cement below.

My brother couldn't watch how this might play out.
He dashed out of his office and ran down the stairs the sidewalk where the first obedient duckling was stuporing near its mother from the near fatal fall.
Joel looked up. The second duckling was getting ready to jump! He quickly dodged under the awning while the mother duck quacked at him and the babies above.
As the second one took the plunge, Joel jumped forward and caught it with his bare hands before it hit the cement.
Safe and sound, he set it by the momma and the other stunned sibling, still recovering from its painful leap.

One by one the babies continued to jump to join their anxious family below.
Each time Joel hid under the awning just to reach out in the nick of time as the duckling made its free fall.
The downtown sidewalk came to a standstill.
Time after time, Joel was able to catch the remaining 9 and set them by their approving mother.
At this point Joel realized the duck family had only made part of its dangerous journey.
They had 2 full blocks to walk across traffic, crosswalks, curbs, and pedestrians to get to the closest open water, the Spokane River .

The onlooking office secretaries then joined in, and hurriedly brought an empty copy paper box to collect the babies.

They carefully corralled them, with the mother's approval, and loaded them up into the white cardboard container.
Joel held the box low enough for the mom to see her brood.
He then slowly navigated through the downtown streets toward the Spokane River, as the mother waddled behind and kept her babies in sight.

As they reached the river, the mother took over and passed him, jumping into the river and quacking loudly.
At the water's edge, the Sterling Bank office staff then tipped the box and helped shepherd the babies toward the water and to their mother after their adventurous ride.

All ten darling ducklings safely made it into the water and paddled up snugly to momma duck.
Joel said the mom swam in circles, looking back toward the beaming bank workers, and proudly quacking as if to say, 'See, we did it! Thanks for all the help!'

Thankfully, one of the secretaries had a digital camera and was able to capture most of it (except the actually mid-air catching) in a series of photographs.

Jesus is the Punctuation

When you give your heart to Jesus, there is no turning back, for Him. I have heard it all, so I think. Truth is I haven't heard much of anything. When I hear soft encouraging words over my own usury of banal self-loathing, I still am extremely shocked.

Every day I live through could be like shooting without aim, climbing without stairs, sitting without comfort... and in my particular situation, sleeping without rest. I know you understand because you also are living through this moment with or without Jesus.

It seems like sometimes I get all off into myself, like I have some great influence by the shear gravity of my stature. It is like a blank time though. You see, I may have been in my personal time with Jesus just a few days ago. Then I sort of got sidetracked. Then I remembered at last to pray before I try to sleep because one of the kids is ill.

But there is someone who knows more about that moment just a moment ago. Jesus lives every moment to bring gifts of glory to God our Father Almighty, and we are the gifts. Young or old and anything in between, Jesus does not leave the scene we are in. He is in everything that happens and that will happen. I give my heart to Jesus, and He is my eternal faithful and steadfast messenger of good news to God the Father.

Jesus is the quotation marks around the last few days. When I am without aim, I am without punctuation; I am without my good self talk with Jesus. He is such a great friend, He always picks up exactly where I need Him to pick up. He does the right thing in honor of our friendship.

Who'd a' thought
there'd be resistance
to the Son of God,
Son of Man

Dreaming Lazarus
a' lay a'sleep
only sleeping
four levels deep
quiet keeping

Outside his people
lost many days
yet weeping
saying it is too late

Jesus you are too late
Lazarus is in an awful state
none can go in
he is taken

Jesus walked --
and He called out loud --
sleeping Lazarus rose --
Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord
sang out the crowd

I Believe

" He that keepeth his mouth,
keepeth his life,
But he that openeth wide his lips
shall have destruction". Prov 13:2

The nature of atheism is to deny the existence of God. Carried on it denies faith. This is the basic conflict. Is there God the creator or did everything we know, see and feel just happen?

The Constitution makes it illegal to deny either belief to any citizen of the U.S. The ACLU provides a defense of both.

Insanity, which one can plea to be suffering from so as to free one from prosecution for ones actions, has been characterized as repeating actions expecting different results. It is a mental loop of hopelessness and despair which spills over to physical action. Usually something bad happens from the action. Then the court decides if the person was sane or insane when they performed the action and punishment is dealt accordingly.

No matter what man says, Jesus said "How be it, this kind go not out but by prayer and fasting." Matt 17 : 21

Insanity. How close we walk to the edge and look in the abyss. What keeps us from losing out balance and falling? Medication? Will power? Luck? To admit insanity is to admit existence of Satan. God admits his existence. Jesus was tempted by him in the hills. "It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." "Get thee hence Satan" Matt 4 : 7 & 10.

Marines are warriors trained by repetition and mental toughness. Combine this training with belief in God and the Holy Spirit, bound with the redemption of Christ and a man or woman becomes special, not only in the eyes of God but in our grounded world's eyes.

Belief in God is such a heavy load to bear. The love of God moves mountains. It is an "incredible lightness" which makes us able to bear that load. You should pray, first in your 'belief.' Then ask for forgiveness and 'say thanks.' Then forgive others. Finally ask to be delivered from Satan's wiles. For Satan can darken your vision with madness and despair. So instead of caving in and becoming the rage mongers we are depicted as, rise to the grace we have received and be special; "As every man (and woman) has received the gift, EVEN SO minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the Manifold grace of God" 1 Peter 4 : 10

Amen.

Top Ten Countdown "Why Evangelsim Fails"

Jesus left us with a sacred charge. He commanded us to: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Mat 28:19, 20a)

That being the case, who can blame us if in our zeal, some of our evangelistic attempts fail to fulfil their original intention? The most important thing is that people are trying to share God's love, right?

Well, if you are a Christian, you have a responsibility to share your faith. In order to save you from some of the "sharing pitfalls", let me offer you the September 2001 Edition of the Heavenly Top Ten, which is:

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 10. With the obvious popularity of Christian Bumper Stickers, who could have predicted the demise of the ill-fated Christian forehead sticker?
• 
  
• 9. The organization "Abductions for Jesus", while well-meant, has been considered a little too extreme by most!
• 
  
• 8. While handing out free bibles was a great idea, dropping them from a helicopter in the mall parking lot, created some problems!
• 
  
• 7. No matter how many times they tweaked their program, "Tupperware For Christ" just wasn't a fresh enough idea!
• 
  
• 6. Who would have thought that the church offering of a free community car wash could have ended so badly? Then again, who could be expected to remember that "the late" Pastor Bill liked to store his used paint thinner in car-wax containers?
• 
  
• 5. Offering bungee jumping from the church steeple certainly attracted a younger target audience. Unfortunately, no one seemed to remember who was responsible for making sure that the bungee cord wasn't too long!
• 
  
• 4. The enthusiastic youth group of Hornblast Meadows Christian Church decided it was time to revisit the age old idea of going door to door. Unfortunately the idea of trying it with cars, in rush hour traffic, just ran out of gas!
• 
  
• 3. Jittery Hills Baptist Church thought it was a great idea to offer free coffee and donuts to everyone who visited. Unfortunately, all the police cruisers in the church parking lot sent the wrong message to the community!
• 
  
• 2. The evangelism committee of Faux Pas Valley Community Church still stands behind the idea of a community BBQ. Next time though, they won't BBQ a pig in this mostly Jewish neighborhood!
• 
  
• 1. And the number one failed evangelism idea is: Leaving the lost for your minister to save!

Beware the leaven of man...

I say this little phrase often, so I wanted to look it up again and make sure I am still on track. Sometimes I am comparing my enormous physical size to that of leavened bread. Other times I am slicing the bread and saying this body of Christ is many different portions, and the best part is unleavened.

It means sacrifice to stay trim in the Word of God requires being satisfied with unleavened bread. ..Preferably with a little garlic sprinkled on melted butter and dipped in pizza sauce.

Please be smiling when I say things like that!!

Behold what paragons of religion were the Pharisees!

They were noted for their steadfastness. The name Pharisee in its Semitic form means "separated one, separatist." Pharisees were known also as the Hasidim, meaning "loved of God" or "loyal to God." Of all the Jewish sects (including also Sadducees, Herodians, Zealots, Essenes, et.al.), this was acknowledged as the most separated and steadfast to God, the "strictest sect" of the Jewish religion (Acts 26:5).

They were noted for their knowledge. The Jewish historian Josephus acknowledged them as "the most accurate exegetes of the law." They were associated with the scribes, "teachers of the law" (e.g. Luke 5:17). Christ said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do" (Matthew 23:2f).

They were noted for their exactness. They would even "pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin" (Matthew 23:23), stringently ascertaining that their tithing extended even to the leaves grown in their herb gardens.

They were noted for their soul-winning. Christ acknowledged that "you travel land and sea to win one proselyte" (Matthew 23:15).

They were noted for their works. Their charitable deeds, prayers, fastings, and all other religious duties were highly lauded by their countrymen (Matthew 6:1ff).

They were noted for their righteousness. When Saul of Tarsus exemplified them, he was "concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (Philippians 3:5f). They had well earned the honor of being distinguished as the most righteous people in their religion.

"BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES"
Matthew 16:6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER August 11, 2001Jesus Christ nevertheless warns us to "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" (Matthew 16:6). The "leaven" of the Pharisees was their "doctrine" (v.12). Jesus Christ here used "leaven" as an emblem of an impurity which permeates and makes unacceptable all with which it comes in contact (as in Exodus 12:15, 19). (Retrieved here today for critical review: http://www.grace-for-today.com/1959.htm )

Happy Fourth Of July

Lady Liberty Fireworks(click on Picture for link)

http://www.fireworkspop.com/liberty.htm

All about the Grateful Dead... and then some

Well I have to admit that I know nothing about The Dead. I’ve been saving myself in case it’s all too much. But I love the Allman Brothers in all of their wonderful glory. The highlight for me was finding the glorious Derek and The Dominoes Layla boxed set with the Allmans jams on it. I get a lump in my throat every time I play it.

So what’s a good place for a young lad such as mesself to start with The Grateful Dead without my losing interest. I need a quick fire fix of hippyesque extended jamming with some knock out guitar fireworks to get me started. Anybody? (AXE Victim)

_______________________________REFER to:

Friday Night Cage Match/Fondue Party/Evolving Conversation/Dancing About Architecture Vol.15

Posted on 27 Jun 2008 at 06:18 pm Under: Desert Island, Entertainment, Guitar, Hunh?, Icon?, Music, Pop Culture, Ramble

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Hippyesque extended jamming doesn’t come in quick fixes, axe. It comes in huge chunks. The cheap way to proceed is The GD Archive on Archive.org.

I’m told that, for live Dead stuff, the album to get is Europe ‘72. Also, Live Dead. My complete Dead collection is American Beauty, Reckoning and Hundred Year Hall. I used to have Workingman’s Dead and might get it again.

I like the American Beauty Dead a lot more than the deep improvisational Dead, but that’s me. (Sans Direction)

_______________________________

Axe, I am being too aggressive this week… trying the impossible, which is to get the last word on these guys… I apologize to you.

I would say this in a psychological preamble — the Dead — I suggest one think of a group of children who have just learned how to dress themselves. They are only a group of scruffy young rascals, barely past playing mumbly peg… Then they have to learn how to go on stage even when they don’t want to. Their politics springs from rugged individualism.

Then they have to learn about girls and female needs to caboodle. But debts grow and your drummer’s dad runs off with all the money. Then become unready, unskilled fathers, the children they create are part of the back stage rabble, which I think might be the first ever Day Care for single parents fighting custody cases. So you must bear down, and work harder, make more tours.

As tension increases, some wealthy roadie on sabbatical shows you that to get the families and Band all moving to the next poorly rigged sound stage somewhere in Louisiana, that here is a cocktail of pharmaceuticals that one can use to be mellow. And here is another package that makes you a better than average lover… and here is the best cocktail to delay your stage fright, or reluctance.

For us hippie dippy types in attendance, we learned to rely on a new phenom — the contact high; it is a guarantee of going to Dead concerts.

Then when the band feels the rewards of a job well done, and look a little contented, disaster comes in threes. “Show me a contented man and I will show you a catastrophe in the making,” some one once said.

–As band member, your small cult following turns into millions who each feels entitled to a piece of you.

–Many of those are soldiers who are actually living your name, who end up memorialized as the Dead.

–Others who opted to not go to Vietnam begin copying the folklore of your work, adapt your ethics to their own path, and killing each other, and themselves over rhymes that you have made.

Pandemic of remorseful homeless Dead Heads walk around San Francisco humming your songs; by 1977 the whole thing has imploded. And China is still red, as is Vietnam, and Russia still thinks it can make more refrigerators than the USA. Gerald Ford falls down regularly as acting President, because Nixon is not a Crook.

If you are a fan who somehow wheedles through the drug misuse and standard packages of STD’s, and you have a rich old man, you finally get your accounting degree. You become a partner, and owner, and have a couple of above-average kids, with a spouse twelve years younger than you. You are a good husband because lord knows you sowed your wild oats long before settling down.

Funny thing is there is no plan in existence for any of this to have happened as it did. Every plan that was presented during ‘64 to ‘77 has failed. Presidents, Civil Rights Leaders, Ministers murdered, others disgraced, and the rest running for their lives after being elected… grief trickling all the way down to the lowest denominator the young Dead offspring growing up in the wake of this disaster of an era.

So the music is of course rich and fantastic. The songs written are real, and complex as well as efficient. Only the strongest survived, and well that’s my story for you Axe. It wasn’t a bloodless civil war, by any stretch. (Pat Darnell and Friends)