Gonna take a couple of days off.

Waiting on jury duty which is like watching grass grow. So far 2 don't shows.

I'm tired and kind of down so i need a couple of days to recharge and go and spend some gift cards.  LOL.

Peace.

Is space walking like jive talking?

I'm watching the NASA channel. The space walk has been going on for 4 hours. Amazing. And since it's in space it's in glowing black and white. I still have no idea how big the ISS is. I can't conceive it. It's like watching Star Trek, where did they build those ships? 
And a quote from Hamlet seems good right about now:

What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how

infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and

admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like

a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals—and yet,

to me, what is this quintessence of dust? 

And a memory for Sharon who lost her life to breast cancer and complications this past week. She was only 35.

May the Angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs greet you at your arrival and lead you into the holy city, Jerusalem.

May the choir of Angels greet you and like Lazarus, who once was a poor man, may you have eternal rest.

John 14:1-3
My brothers and sisters, Jesus says:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

 So we go about our lives.  Day after day. Trying to right the wrong, live the way Christ would lead us. Why is it so hard to get up on Sunday mornings and go to church? For years, nearly 40, I'd faithfully get up and go to church. Now it's a chore. It's like pulling teeth. Once I am there I am glad I am but it's so hard to get there. 

So peace and out for today. Clear skies and light winds to my flying friends. Melting snow and warmer temps to those of you on the frozen tundra. 

 

Eggs. Victorian Ladies. and the American Way.

The incredible edible egg. I like eggs but they are not so wonderful for me. I love em poached, fried, scrambled, hard boiled, soft boiled, and in egg salad. But I buy my eggs. I get the brown ones that are organic and cage free. When I go to the Farmer's Market next week I'll look for some that are colored and try them. Do they have yolks that match the shells?

Recently a blogger that I read once in a while said she received eggs from a member of her husbands congregation in lieu of bringing an offering. How wonderful she said it was to get them for her home. Uh, did they count the value of the egg in their salary estimates? Why didn't she share the eggs with a soup kitchen or homeless shelter? Nope. She kept the entire dozen to herself. She perhaps thought that a dozen eggs wouldn't be much to a kitchen, but they would help making cornbread, regular bread, cakes, cookies and other things. She is one of the self absorbed adoring Victoriana's of the internet. I once pointed out to her the crassness of this, as ladies who leisured had servants as young as 8 downstairs toiling to make upstairs comfortable. This of course is not discussed. Child labor? Unthinkable. Women working? Well who the hell were the ladies maids? People who volunteered to serve? Who sewed the lovely dresses and made the lace to adorn the hats of the ladies who lunched? Not the ladies to be sure.

I'm off to the house of Costco this afternoon. Hopefully before the rain comes down. Then I am here to read to my books from a new publisher (to me). I'm reading about dying. Morbid. No. It's about how we've basically erased the culture of death that was normal for so many years. People weren't unaccustomed to death. They had family at home and they died at home (now hospice is bringing some of that back). Caskets sat in living rooms. Friends and neighbors came to reminisce and offer condolences, bring food and offer support. Now the dying for the most part in America are in sterile hospital rooms surrounded by nurses, doctors and various sundry staff, attached to machines to monitor the least of functions. We ache to prolong the life experience so that we don't lose those that we love, but are we doing what is right? I watched my stepdad come home from the hospital, basically comatose from a swelling of the brain. His brain basically burned out but the controls were still there. It was decided not to continue feeding him - that would have meant inserting a tube. Hospice was there to keep him comfortable. To keep him from pain, but to be home with his family around. We don't know if he heard us, but we included him in conversations and told him we loved him. It was incredibly hard but we managed.

So we're back from Costco and the last of the stuff got into the garage before the rain started. I lit the fire and am going to go out and read when I get this posted. It feels so cold outside. The snow level is supposed to come down to 500 feet. We're at 62 feet. I just want to be warm. Nothing else but warm today. Heck I even have socks on. 

So peace to all.

Da bunny

I hate cancer.

25 Feb. 2011 
Sharon died today at age 36. She passed away peacefully and quietly. God bless you Sharon and hold your family in the palm of his hand. 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A girl that I've known on a message board for many years was dx'ed with breast cancer about a year ago.
Today her husband posted on her facebook page that she has decided to stop all treatment and go home on hospice. She is 35 years old, has a husband and 3 year old son.

Pinks and blues being sent out to Sharon.

PUI--- medicine makes it in vino veritas

Somewhere over the last 2 days I have managed to pull a muscle or two on the left side of my ribcage. I thought it might be pleurisy (an inflammation of the pleural tissue that surrounds the lung) but I have no other symptoms, i.e. fever, cough, feeling miserable. So I am stuck with a majorly sore left side. Not only does it hurt like a mofo, it makes driving inconvenient. All those muscles that you use to turn the wheel, yeah, those---are all connected. So with the pain already in the right shoulder, now I have the left ribcage to deal with. Crap. Crap. Crap. 

We have rain! Hooray. I love it as long as I don't have to drive in it, put gas in my car in it, or get out and walk in it. All of which I had to do this morning. I was not a happy camper. Today's post (if you can't tell already) is not a happy camper post. 

I am awaiting some books from a book club that I think I joined. I hope it doesn't take forever for the books to get here. They are non fiction and religious. Yep, something to delve into before I finally make that leap to grad school. I am going to check out other schools besides the one I applied to and see what I can make of them. Better to keep the options open. 

Well I've wallowed enough. Time to go light the fireplace, throw some big ole logs on and enjoy catching up with all the stuff I've DVR'ed. 

Peace. 

Ack Ack Ack Ack Ack Ack

(not the anti aircraft artillery that was shot from Axis locations against American aircraft).


I just read about a Valentine's Tea given by a blogger who drives me up the wall. She took pictures and honest to goodness it looked like someone hit the 99¢ Store and used it to decorate. She's violently against women working, yet I bet when she went to the market she was waited upon by a woman who has to work to help support her family because she's not a godly Stay At Home Wife. Personally I don't enjoy staying at home. I wish I could be in a classroom learning. I tried teaching, it didn't work for me. But I love learning. 

 

No big plans for Valentines Day. I think I'll read some liturgical history and see where it leads me. I am still waiting for my 5 books to get here. Then I have to start packing. I keep saying that don't I? 

I am having an awful lot of trouble with my shoulder. It hurts so bad. At night I am taking a muscle relaxer and a pain pill to get to sleep. It's bad enough I have to sleep on my left side because it's too painful to sleep on the right. And last night I had the strangest dreams.  German shepherd dog chasing and playing with horses in a field. I have no freaking idea. Odd. I am not a horse person. They are too big for me. 

The errand husband is watching Star Trek NG. It's one that brings back Denise Crosby- yesterday's enterprise. I don't think I'll watch much of it.

Well life goes on. Oh yeah, the social butterfly is going to go to Chicago in March. Flying WN back and forth. Good price and no baggage fees. 

So it's time to get things going. 
Peace and I leave you with this thought from the Book of Micah:


“And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and towalk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

A small product endorsement

For those of us who grew up in the late 60's and 70's music was probably a big thing in our lives. At least it was in mine. I always harbored a secret desire to run away and sing back up for some rock group, live vicariously through movies like Woodstock and The Rose. I loved the music I grew up with and find what's passing for music these days sadly lacking.

I tried to add this widget to my blog but I think it's not showing, so anyway I'm giving a shout out to Rockabye Babies, Lullaby Renditions. I have them by The Beatles, Zeppelin, Queen, Eagles, Johnny Cash and The Rolling Stones. The guitars and drums are replaced by vibraphones, mellotones and laid back instruments. I put them on my Ipod and turn it on at night before I go to sleep. Before you know it, you're asleep. My daughter uses them at he preschool she works at to help put the babies to sleep. She loves the Bob Marley one. They have groups of my liking as well as quite modern ones. (God that makes me sound like an old bag doesn't it?) They have 36 different CD's and there are a couple of other companies that are doing the same thing.

Yesterday the social butterfly and I were driving to Costco and we saw a gaggle of helicopters up in the sky. They were hovering over the Airport Courthouse where Ms Lindsay Lohan was going to appear. Honestly isn't there more important news going on in this city than a washed up actress who got popped for stealing a necklace? They didn't do that when Winona Ryder shoplifted. Of course in a city where Charlie Sheen can order 30K worth of cocaine and get all messed up and not get arrested for it, who knows? But if it were you or me you'd be sure we'd be in the big house sweating out whether or not we'd survive the next shower. Things are different for the rich and semi famous aren't they?



I've had some bad days recently. Just felt like I was at the bottom of the well and looking up. Hopefully getting back on the meds will make a difference. I take 7 pills every morning and 4 at night. 4 are Rx. Like my mom says getting old ain't for sissies.



So peace to all of you. Fair skies and following seas. No turbulence in the blues.

What a klutz

As I sit here pondering on this subject, my 8 lb dog is barking like mad at the closed door. Ever since dogs moved in next door he's been acting odd. I think he was used to being the king of this end of the block. I thank God that he doesn't howl at the sirens like they do. What happened to my mild mannered little schnook?

So Sunday I was getting ready to cook my brats and baked beans for the party we were going to and I was in the kitchen. I was wearing some flat shoes that have an odd bottom and I must have moved my foot wrong. I went down like a sack of potatos, reached my hand out for support and landed on my daughters box of cupcakes. I annihilated them. Literally smashed the 4 that were in the box. Frosting spread all over it. I got up and cursed a blue streak and didn't initially feel very bad. Now 3 days later I am in misery. My mid back feels like it's in a cramp, and my shoulders hurt too. It's time to take a muscle relaxant I guess. Then I won't cook. That's ok. I'll take my chances. 

We went to a Super Bowl party and took my mom along. She had a good time and my friend's husband was amazed at all the knowledge she had about the game. We of course were thrilled that the Packers won. It was a crazy game but it was well played. 

I have a bottle of pomegranate margaritas that I'd like to try tonight. But I think if I mix that with muscle relaxants, I might go on a PUI rampage on some websites. Get me banned for life. LOL.

Nothing else exciting happening around here. I've got to start packing book boxes. Then I'll hit the garage and then the rest of the house. I have to have 4K minimum stashed by April 1. I hate the thought of moving. 

Oh I love this airplane. It was the first plane I ever flew on. 44 years ago. Time flies when you're having fun. I flew it from AUW to ORD via GRB. 

So have a good one and stay out of trouble. Don't be like me and go commenting on some old broads blog where she extols the joys of being a SAHW and sitting in poorly made Victorian knockoffs and drinking tea in a tent made of bedsheets. Education is for the birds and boys. And college is not for any good Christian lady. :::: slinking off to the living room to watch Stargate Sg-1 now :::::

Liturgy for the Ordinary Radical.....that's me.

I ordered a book yesterday from Amazon (I get free shipping) and it came tonight. It's called

Common Prayer, A Liturgy For Ordinary Rebels
by Shane Claiborne, et al


I have always gone to a liturgical church. It's part of my life and when I visited other churches, I felt lost and alone. My husband went to a Covenant Church when he was in Amway because his sponsors told him that it was good for the business. It was a huge church, 7 services over 2 days. But it was cold. They had the obligatory "praise" band, piano, and an organ that sometimes was played. But I didn't get the Love of God there. I got the feel good prosperity gospel, I didn't get what I needed. So I didn't join. When a lady said "Why don't you go to church with your husband?" I answered, I have been a member of the same church for over 30 years, and up to 2 months ago, so was he. I didn't see the need to uproot my children from what they knew just to make him look good. (and Amway is still a cult in my mind).
Anyway this book could be used for a church, it can be used alone, and it is interesting.

I joined a book club that is from a religious publisher who is also interested in social justice. Something sadly lacking in this country. I ordered 5 books and will pay for the deal. I will see what I like and if I want to continue. But I am interested in someday getting a masters degree focusing on the use of the liturgy and how it has developed from the ancient church thru today. 2000 years worth of prayer, praise and learning. The only thing I am dreading is that I have to pack all these books. I have to go and get some packing boxes and start with the bookshelves. How empty they will look. These are the days I wish I had an Ipad with Kindle.

So tonight I leave you with this:

May the Peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors. 


Peace and good night.
da bunny

I stole this from another blog.....

This is kinda the way I feel. Like pulling my ears up tight to my head and closing down. But it will be better tomorrow even if it's windy and cold. 

I was trapped at home today. Kid took my car to do some work at my moms and didn't come home till after 5pm. I wanted to go to the market but I guess I'll go tomorrow. Argh.

Time to put on something warm, crawl into the flannel sheets and read for a while.

Peace. 

Out.