Yum

I've been feeling a bit stuck in a rut with my cooking for the past few weeks. I've been really busy and I spent a couple of weeks not feeling the best. I just seem to have gotten out of the groove.

Tonight I decided to do something about it. I spent some time with The Pioneer Woman. I browsed through issues of Saveur, Bon Appetit, and Cook's. I'm hoping to manage some time to cook tomorrow, but, realistically, I probably won't have much time for several days. But when I do, I'm ready to go.

I have a couple of recipes that I am dying to try now: French Onion Soup, which Pioneer Woman makes look so easy, and chicken breasts stuffed with artichoke hearts, roasted red pepper and fontina. I also saw a chicken tikka masala that looks doable, and--because it's an America's Test Kitchens recipe--should be good. And then there's the Banoffee Pie recipe that I saw tonight. Yum.

You're no Lincoln

If you could use a little historically-related levity, check out the Obamasburg Address.

HT: Spunky

Got this picture from Twitter. Fell in love.

Books and more books

Saw this on Facebook, but decided to do it on my blog instead. I'm not sure where the list came from, but it's books, so I'll go for it.

X means I read it.
S means I started it.
A number means the number I've read in the series.

[X]Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)
[X]The Martian Chronicles (Ray Bradbury)
[X]Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)
[X]Ender's Shadow (Orson Scott Card)
[]House of Leaves (Mark Z. Danielewski)
[3]The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien)
[S]The Hobbit (Tolkien)
[S]The Silmarillion (Tolkien)
[]Dune (Frank Herbert )
[X]Beowulf (unknown)
[]The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (Laurence Sterne)
[2]The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)
[X]Till We Have Faces (CS Lewis)
[X]Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë)
[X]Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
[4]Twilight series (Stephenie Meyer)
[7]Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling)
[]Les Miserables (Victor Hugo)
[x]Let Freedom Ring (Sean Hannity)
[x]Deliver Us from Evil (Sean Hannity)
[]Who's Looking Out For You? (Bill O'Reilly)
[]The Forgotten Man (Amity Shlaes)
[X]Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)
[X]Through the Looking Glass (Lewis Carroll)
[X]Gulliver's Travels (Jonathan Swift)
[x]Moby Dick (Herman Melville)
[x]Great Expectation (Charles Dickens)
[x]The Adventures of Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens)
[x]A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)
[]David Copperfield (Charles Dickens)
[]A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)
[]War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy)
[X]Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain)
[X]Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain)
[X]The Prince and the Pauper (Mark Twain)
[X]Catch 22 (Joseph Heller)
[X]The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
[6]Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
[2]Any Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Conan Doyle)
[]The Lost World (Arthur Conan Doyle)
[X]War of the Worlds (H.G. Wells)
[X]Time Machine (H.G. Wells)
[X]The Invisible Man (H.G. Wells)
[]Journey to the Center of the Earth (Jules Verne)
[]20,000 leagues under the sea (Jules Verne)
[]From the Earth to the Moon (Jules Verne)
[X]Around the World in Eighty Days (Jules Verne)
[X]Jungle Book (Rudyard Kipling)
[X]Treasure Island (R.L. Stevenson)
[]Kidnapped (R.L. Stevenson)
[X]Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (R.L. Stevenson)
[X]Animal Farm (George Orwell)
[]The Princess Bride (S. Morgenstern/William Goldman)
[]The Princess and the Goblin (George Macdonald)
[]At the Back of the North Wind (George Macdonald)
[]the Club of Queer Trades (G.K. Chesterton)
[2]any Father Brown (G.K. Chesterton)
[]Lonesome Dove (Larry McMurtry)
[X]The World of Pooh (A.A. Milne)
[]The Never Ending Story (Ende)
[X]The Grapes of Wrath (SteinBECK) (Steinbeck, and EW.)
[X]The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)
[S]For Whom the Bell Tolls (Ernest Hemingway)
[]The Once and Future King (T.H. White)
[X]The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)
[4]A Wrinkle in Time (L'Engle) [I AM COUNTING THIS AS A SERIES OKAY] [OKAY.]
[X]Watership Down (Richard Adams)
[]The Plague Dogs (Richard Adams)
[X]1984 (George Orwell)
[X]Brave New World ( Aldous Huxley)
[4]Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler)
[]Artemis Fowl (Eoin Colfer)
[X]Betsy-Tacy (Maud Hart Lovelace)
[]Inkheart trilogy (Cornelia Funke)
[X]Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine)
[X]Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Patterson)
[X]To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
[]Great Gilly Hopkins (Katherine Patterson) (Stupid book.)
[]All Creatures Great and Small (James Herriot) [ALSO A SERIES]
[]Brideshead Revisited (Evelyn Waugh)
[X]Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen)
[]The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man (Lloyd Alexander)
[]The Prydain Chronicles (Lloyd Alexander)
[X]Out of the Silent Planet (C.S. Lewis)
[]Dracula (Bram Stoker)
[]Something Wicked This Way Comes (Ray Bradbury)
[all]any Agatha Christie (just count 'em up)
[X]A Little Princess (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
[S]The Brothers Karamazov (Fyodor Dostoevsky)
[X]The House of Mirth ( Edith Wharton)
[X]The Scarlet Pimpernel (Baroness Emmuska Orczy)
[X]Captain Blood ( Rafael Sabatini)
[]Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)
[X]Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoevsky)
[X]Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier)
[X]The Magnificent Ambersons (Booth Tarkington)
[ALL]Peter Wimsey mysteries (Dorothy Sayers)
[10+]Any P.G. Wodehouse
[X]Sarum (Edward Rutherfurd)
[X]Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
[X]The Metamorphoses (Ovid)
[]The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka) (PARTS, IN GERMAN)
[X]Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare)
[ALL] all other Shakespeare (just count 'em)
[]The King of Elfland's Daughter (Lord Dunsany)
[]The Char-Woman's Shadow (Lord Dunsany)
[]Wonder Tales (Lord Dunsany)
[]The Worm Ouroboros (ER Eddison)
[]Mistress of Mistresses (ER Eddison)
[]Lud-in-the-Mist (Hope Mirrlees)
[]Jurgen (James Branch Cabell)
[]Something About Eve: A Comedy of Fig-Leaves (James Branch Cabell)
[]The Silver Stallion (James Branch Cabell)
[]The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian (Robert E. Howard)
[]The Bloody Crown of Conan (Robert E. Howard)
[]The Conquering Sword of Conan (Robert E. Howard)
[]Savage Tales of Solomon Kane (Robert E. Howard)
[]The Well at the World's End (William Gibson)
[X]Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
[X]Robinson Crusoe (Daniel Defoe)
[X]The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck) (SO GROSS)
[X]Peter Pan (James Barrie)
[]The Search for Delicious (Natalie Babbitt)
[X]All Quiet on the Western Front (Remarch)
[]M.A.S.H. (Richard Hooker)
[6]The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
[X]Lord of the Flies (William Golding)
[]2001: A Space Odyssey (Arthur C. Clarke)
[]The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Patricia C. Wrede)
[X]The Pushcart War (Jean Merrill)

Interesting book list. I bet it was made by a homeschooler.

Audacity of deceit

President Obama seems to have learned well this lesson, perfected by the left over the past eight years: If you lie about history and events enough, the lie becomes the truth as far as most people are concerned.

A lesson learned

Bethany was briefly interviewed by a reporter. You'll have to read about her experience.

I have been interviewed by reporters four times. Every single one of them has taken my words and twisted them to fit her agenda. Even when I was careful to be very, very clear.

Why?

Why would President Obama be trying to take the census away from the Commerce Department?

Here's an idea. Can you say power grab? This argument against it is from a former census director.

This guy is brazen.

Time flies

It does. When I'm working and listening to Issues, Etc., time flies.

I am trying to get my office cleaned out so that I can get my scrapbooking stuff moved up here and organized. So I have spent several hours going through old paperwork: sorting, trashing, putting in the shred pile. I've managed to clear out one huge Rubbermaid box worth of paper and several smaller things. Old tax records that need to stay around are now in the basement.

Normally this feels like drudgery, but Todd Wilken and his guests have been keeping me company. Thanks guys!

Hypocrisy watch

I'm sorry. I will post something upbeat later. But I despise hypocrisy.

I love The Black Sphere.

I really would like an Obama fan to defend this. Have you ever heard one of them honestly address the issues of Fannie/Freddie, Franklin Raines, Chris Dodd, etc. ? I haven't.

Seventeen and counting

I was challenged by a drive-by commenter on a post in which I called President Obama a hypocrite. I stand by that. He is a hypocrite.

Did anyone besides me see his big no-lobbyists-in-this-administration speech? It was all show. He has already exempted 17 lobbyists from the rule. And as this story notes, you won't hear that in the American media. It was left to the Times of India to cover what is really happening in our government.

We can add a second tax cheat to his cabinet when Tom Daschle is confirmed. (Oh, yeah, by the way Daschle is a lobbyist and so is his wife.)

Scrapping haven

I've been making plans to turn my office into a combination scrapbooking room/office. I've been looking at storage options and trying to figure out how I could configure things. Now that we're thinking about moving, it may not happen in this house, but I want a workable srapbooking area in my next house it not here.

So, I've been looking at ideas on line. This page has lots of different rooms. I love this one, although my color choices would be different. I would probably go with a beach-y color scheme. Here are some more.

I have a feeling when It comes down to it and I finally get to set up my scrapping space, I'll probably give Emily a call. She has the organizing gift. I seem to be missing that gene.

Unfathomable ingratitude

For several days, everywhere I went people were talking about the safe landing of US Airways Flight 1549. It was a beautiful piece of piloting. You would expect that everyone on that plane would be feeling grateful to be alive and ready to make the most of each day.

Not exactly. There are actually passengers thinking of suing US Airways. One guy who got a bloody nose says that he doesn't know yet how much emotional damage he has suffered. He says, “I just want to be made whole.” Snort.

If you want to read more go here.

And here's a piece in the Wall Street Journal about the underlying problem.

Oinking stimulus

I cannot believe that our leaders really believe that the proposed spending is going to save the economy. And I truly do not believe most of them do believe it. Unfortunately, I think many are using this perceived crisis to push their agenda and trap us in spending for years to some.

Michelle Malkin is calling this the "Generational Theft Act" and she has links on her blog to both bills, as well as a lot of information about what they contain. Can someone tell me how this helps the economy:

"The House Democrats' bill includes $335 million for sexually transmitted disease education and prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned."

What?! Add to that $400 million for HIV and chlamydia testing. Huh?

Huge new spending on education: $150 billion that would more than double federal expenditures on something they shouldn't even be messing in.

Read more about how this bill will not do what the democrats are saying it will. Here. Here.

And call your congressman and senators.

Update: An info filled piece from Human Events.

More on climate change

The American Thinker has an excellent article on climate change. Marc Sheppard makes the excellent point that the global warming alarmists are losing their grip on the American mind. The growing scientific outcry against their theory, coupled with facts that show a halt--and even a reversal--of the warming trend, have them frantically scrambling to get laws passed while they still can.

Big Hollywood

There's a great new website called Big Hollywood. It is all about Hollywood and the movies, with a healthy dose of politics and cultural commentary thrown in, all from a conservative point of view.
It is an opportunity for the conservatives who live and work in Hollywood to share their views, like this today from Ari David.

It's an awesome site, and another reason I almost never make it to my newspaper anymore.

Week One in the Obamanation

Well, the first week is over and, unfortunately, I am not surprised. Obama is, so far, exactly what I thought he would be.

He's arrogant. He's a hypocrite. And did anyone really believe he meant it about reducing abortions? His veep thinks that paying taxes is patriotic; I guess his Treasury nominee didn't get the memo.

We know that the press is in the tank, so there are things we aren't likely to hear much about. Like the horrible irony that a disproportionate number of African-American babies are victims of the abortions that Obama supports.

Busy week & miscellaneous

This is one of the busiest weeks of the year, every year. The Symposia at the Seminary always brings a lot of friends and a lot of activity. We had dear friends here last night and spent today at a conference at church. Tonight was a trip to Mad Anthony's.

I'll be spending a good chunk of my time at the seminary the next couple of days, and there are things going on in the evenings, so I may not be online much.

The happy news of today was President Bush's commutation of the sentences of Ramos and Compean.

I've found a house that I really like and am hoping to take Colin to see it. Yes, it is walking distance to church. No, our house isn't ready to sell. Yes, I have a lot of work to do.

If you're interested in my reading challenge progress, I'm keeping track of my reading on my book blog.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Lentil Soup

Tonight's dinner, thanks to a fellow homeschool mom who posted it earlier this week on Facebook:

Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

2 medium sweet potatoes, about 12 oz each, peeled & cut into 1/2" chunks
2 large stalks celery, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 T curry powder
1 T grated, peeled, fresh ginger
2 t ground cumin
1 t ground coriander
1 t ground white pepper
1/8 t ground red pepper
1 (16 oz) pkg brown lentils
2 (14.5) oz vegetable or non-fat chicken broth
6 c water
1# ground sausage (optional)
nonfat plain yogurt and lime wedges (optional)


In stock pot or non-reactive dutch oven wiped or sprayed with olive oil, over medium heat until hot, add sweet potatoes, celery, and onion. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, curry powder, ginger, cumin, coriander, and ground peppers. Stirring, cook one minute. While vegetables are cooking, rinse lentils with cold water and discard any stones or shriveled lentils. To vegetables in stock pot, add lentils, broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer 25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Serve with yogurt and lime wedge. Yield: approx. 14 (1 1/3 c servings) ~ 1 gm fat per 1 1/3 c

Note: I didn't use sausage. I also didn't use non-fat broth or yogurt.

Blogroll flux

My blogroll is going to be shifting and changing over the next week or so. I need to add some new friends who don't fit old categories. I need to make some updates. If I accidentally lose you for a day or two, don't worry. You'll be back.

So much to say

It's hard to know where to start. Maybe here with a Treasury Secretary designee who has a problem with paying the taxes he owes. Of course, not paying $34,000 in taxes is a "minor infraction" according to Obama aides. I'm sure that the IRS would look at it like that if it was you or me.

Is anyone paying more attention to these guys yet? Or these facts? I can almost guarantee that she won't. Although, as the Daily Tech article states, "Cold is more damaging than heat, " the left has hung it's hopes on global warming, and they aren't letting go. It's about power,not truth.

And then there's this. Why exactly Has Hillary been nominated to be Secretary of State?

On the positive side, I had a really yummy sushi lunch today with a friend from college who I had not seen since the spring of 1985. Thanks, Facebook!

How do you read so many books?

Soon after I posted my first reading challenge post, I got this question from a friend. Since then it has been repeated many times. So I started thinking about it and came up with an answer. Or several answers.

Reading is my default activity. If I'm not actively doing something else I'm reading. I read while I'm waiting, whether it's for a train, an appointment, or on hold with an insurance company. I read on the treadmill or recumbent bike. I read while I dry my hair. I read while I cook--although that is more likely to be a magazine--and I have been known to read while I vacuum.

I read while I eat, unless we're all sitting down for supper together. I read while I "watch" TV or a movie unless it's really, really good. (House, Lost, 24, or The Office.) I read before I fall asleep, sometimes for far longer than I should.

I also read fairly quickly. I found out when I was about 12 that there were people who paid to take classes to read like I do. Unless I'm doing genealogical research I read in "chunks" not words. When I look at a page I see sentences or phrases as wholes.

Like many other things, I think that reading improves with practice. Exposure to a wide vocabulary and range of writing styles makes reading easier. Working through a difficult book exercises the muscles of literacy that make the next one go faster. This is why I read my kids a large variety of books when they were small. I wanted them--from the beginning--to hear many different ways words could be put together: the rhythms of Seuss, the vocabulary of Beatrix Potter, the stories of a host of authors too numerous to mention, but many of which enriched my own childhood.

And if you still wonder how I read so much, come and see my house. I would far rather read, scrapbook, write, cook, search for dead relatives...than clean my house.

Oh, by the way, here are a couple more people who read a lot of books.

Easy recipe, lazy blog post

I've spent the last couple of days dealing with a son who has had a tough time with having his wisdom teeth out. I also had food to make for a baby shower, so I've been a bit lax in my blogging.

I've had a couple of requests for this recipe, so I figured that I would just post it here.


Marinated Parmesan

1/3 lb. Parmesan
1/3 lb. Asiago
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 t. dried oregano
1t. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
3/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

Chop the cheese into chunks and place in food processor. Pulse until they are the size of peas.

Put cheeses in a medium-size bowl and add all of the ingredients except the vinegar. Stir to blend.
Cover and let stand at room temp for four hours or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Bring to room temp before serving.

When ready to serve add balsamic vinegar and stir with a fork so that it blends with the oil. Serve with slices of baguette.

I suggest a glass of wine.

Book review

I have a book about homeschooling to recommend. This kind of surprises me.

First, it is unusual for me to read a homeschooling book. Most of them make me crazy. And after thirteen years of this lifestyle, I certainly don't want to read that I'm doing it wrong! Secondly, many of them are useful to new homeschoolers or a subset of homeschoolers, but no one else would really want to read them. Homeschooling: A Family's Journey is a good book for long-timers, newbies, wannabes, and folks who would just like to understand homeschoolers a little bit better.

After I got this book home from the library I was trying to figure out what made me pick it up and look at it. It does say "HOMESCHOOLING" in red letters on the front, so I guess it isn't entirely surprising that I looked at it. But I think that what really got my attention was the picture of the family on the front. It was what we like to call a "pile picture." The family is kind of piled in, leaning on each other. They like each other. They aren't stuffy. They look like a family we could be friends with.

But the thing that made me bring it home was this sentence inside the front cover: "Today's homeschoolers succeed not because they do "school" things better than schools do--but because they do better things than school." Yes. In a nutshell. (This is part of the reason calls for accountability to the school-ish powers that be drive us crazy.)

So I decided to read it last night. Not with the highest of expectations, because it has been years since I read a book about homeschooling that really did anything for me. But I found myself engaged. I stayed awake late reading. I finished it this morning. I marked pages as I read because I kept finding nuggets that resonated. This book is about family and what education is.

Several of the pages I marked are going to turn into blog posts of their own. The book I read is from the library, but I'm going to buy my own so that I can mark it up and--eventually--loan it out. It is that good.

Back into the swing

For me, as, I dare say, for most people, the worst part about a vacation is coming home.

It's not just the obvious, I-was-laying-on-a-sunny-beach-and-now-I'm-back-in-the-gray-coldness, although that certainly is a factor. There is also the fact that I have to get back to all of the normal things. It's not the cooking and straightening that are an issue; I did a fair amount of both on vacation. Same with laundry.

It's the dentist appointments.
And answering the phone.
And doing my volunteer stuff.
And getting back on top of what's going on in the world.
And worrying about whether my kids are learning anything.
And paying the bills.
And on and on.
You know. All of the STUFF.

And the stuff isn't bad in itself. Most of the time I even enjoy the majority of it. But after a week of tuning it all out, it is jarring to turn it all back on.

I'll be back to my normal, unrelaxed self in a couple of days. And in another four years or so I'll get another vacation.

New Year's resolutions

I was really happy to go back to last January and see that I had made no new Year's Resolutions.
Really, really happy.

Why? Because I could be relatively certain that I hadn't accomplished them. Not much has changed since last year.

2008 Reading Challenge revisited

My first reading challenge went pretty well. I didn't quite finish all of the categories, but I read more books than it required since some didn't fit.

I'm looking forward to doing this year's reading challenges, and have set up an additional blog to handle the ongoing updates to my reading lists.

If you've missed me...

It's because I am on vacation with my family.




And this is a funny group. It could certainly be a movie. There are 32 of us. It's amazing.

Merry Christmas!

"Of the Father's Love Begotten"
by Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cento
Translated by John. M. Neale, 1818-1866
and Henry W. Baker, 1821-1977

1. Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

2. Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.

3. O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.

4. This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.

5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #98
Text: 1 Tim. 3:16
Author: Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cento
Translated by: John. M. Neale, 1854 and Henry W. Baker, 1861
Titled: "Corde natus ex Parentis"
Tune: "Divinum mysterium", Plain-song tune, 12th century

Rush is right

I love it when people are able to admit it when someone from the opposite side of the political spectrum is right about something.

(If you have a Digg account, go digg!)

Quite a few of my friends have done this one, and since I'm busy with the buying and wrapping of presents and baking of cookies, I up for the lazy blogger thing.

The idea is to bold the ones I've done. So here goes.

1. Started your own blog (um, yeah)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (I played flute in elementary and junior high school)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (No, but I have on Lake Michigan)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (!st & worst, Bruno's in Lafayette, Indiana)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (I still can't believe we didn't take a gondola ride!)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (My family has been in this area for seven generations)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (trying)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (in Florence!)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (snorkeling)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (but I've been parasailing!)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (if fish counts)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day (Harry Potter!)

Okay. enough about me. Any of you who decide to do this, be sure to leave a link.

Ice storm

Just a few pictures from the big ice storm. We were without power off and on. Then the phone went out last night. We lost a couple of trees. But it is gorgeous!

Man of the Year

I'm not surprised Barack Obama was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. It would have been far more surprising if he hadn't been.

I am surprised that they used the Soviet propaganda poster style picture for the cover. Or maybe not. He seems to be engaging in plenty of newspeak.

Hold a grudge? Me?!

Sitting across the table from the hubby at Mad Anthony's the other night, I saw a face on the TV screen that caused an immediate visceral reaction. Anger bubbled up from the depths of my being. I scowled. I may have even muttered a bad name.

The hubby saw who I was looking at and started laughing.

Who caused this reaction? Keith Olbermann? Bill Clinton? Hugo Chavez? Joel Osteen? No, no one you might expect. It was Gene Keady, former Purdue basketball coach.

When Colin was back at Purdue working on his master's degree, I supported the four of us by working as a waitress. I worked at a Damon's, where, in our Clubhouse, we had four large screen TV's. It was a fun place to work. The food was great. I was a good server and got good sections and made really, really good tips. I also had people who would request seats in my section. Unfortunately, one of those was Keady. (For the record, I don't think he cared who waited on him, but I usually had one of the two sections that had the best tables in the Clubhouse, and that's where he sat.)

The first time he sat in my section I was excited. He was with his wife and another couple. They ate and drank for hours. His wife smoked and I kept their glasses filled and their ashtrays emptied. The manager was comping their food, because, after all, he was Gene Keady. Usually a comped table meant an especially nice tip. Unless it was Keady. Then, as I discovered, it meant no tip.

So, they came in often. He would take up the best table, usually for the whole night. He and his wife were demanding. One time he left $5. When he sat in my section I usually lost about $25-30 that I usually made on that table on a weeknight.

Seems like it was just yesterday, not almost 20 years ago. Yep, I think I'm holding a grudge.

Here's the big question

Who will bail out Uncle Sam?

More on Indiana Planned Parenthood

Hoosier Access has a great update on the flouting of law by Planned Parenthood in Indiana, and the growing response to it.

I encourage everyone to use the link at Hoosier Access to contact the FSSA Secretary and ask them to suspend state payments to Planned parenthood.

Happy anniversary to my good friend Bill

One of the best friends that most of us have is celebrating an anniversary today. We take Bill for granted. But we would sure miss him if he were gone.

So for your reading pleasure, here's Bill in his own words:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Book review: Garner on Language and Writing

Once again, I hit the jackpot with my Early Reviewer book from LibraryThing. For November I received Garner on Language and Writing by Bryan A. Garner.

I love well-written books on using the written word, and this is a good one. Although the main focus is on legal writing, the book is accessible and useful even for those of us who aren't legal scholars. And for those of us who enjoy reading about the law, it is doubly enjoyable. Garner encourages clarity and precision in writing, which is always good advice, whatever your field.

The large and well organized final chapter, "Recommended Sources on Language and Writing," has added many books to my wanted list, and makes this book even more of a must-have for those who are interested in good writing in general and legal writing in particular.

Smart Girl Politics

I've found another interesting place to connect. Smart Girl Politics is like Wittenberg Trail for conservative women.

Global warming, you say?

I just realized this morning that not everyone is on Facebook, and that's the only place that I posted the last couple of good pieces that I found dealing with global warming, or should I say, the lack thereof.

I really liked this line from this one: "But even though global warming is over, politicians are still trying to enact solutions to a non-existent problem. "

And then here's the one about the scientists dissenting against global warming orthodoxy.

Some blog stuff

I'm trying to decide what to do with my blog.

It has never been very focused, but it is becoming less and less focused over time. It's certainly a fair reflection of it's owner! What I'm thinking that I may do is go back to blogging on my homeschooling blog, with a set posting schedule there, because I like to post about homeschooling, but not every day.

I may start a new blog for my book reviews and tracking my reading challenges.

That would leave this blog for everyday stuff and politics, with reference to books and homeschooling thrown in. I already do this with my genealogy blog.

So I'm thinking about it.

Conservative tweetings

I've mentioned that I had joined Twitter, but up to this point wasn't seeing much point in it. But tonight I found a point: Top Conservatives on Twitter. This fast-growing group is exactly the kind of grass-roots activity we need. They have started on Twitter, but the work they have in mind is the real, in-the-trenches activity that makes things happen.

So if you are on Twitter, check out #tcot. Join up. And tell them I sent you!

Oh, and be sure to follow me: Indiana_Jane. If you aren't on Twitter yet, sign up, and then do all of the things I mentioned above.

Reading challenge: 100+

I love this challenge. It's simple. Read at least 100 books in 2009.

Here are the rules:

1) You can join anytime as long as you don’t start reading your books prior to 2009.

2) This challenge is for 2009 only. The last day to have all your books read is December 31, 2009.

3) You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

I'll be listing my books here. As I read books I will gray them out and put the date completed. I can hardly wait to get started!

1. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
2. Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
3. The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper (have you read this EC?)
4. Albion's Seed by David Hackett Fisher
5. A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffery Archer
6.

Reading challenge: Suspense and Thriller

When I saw that there was a Suspense and Thriller Challenge, I knew that I had to join. These are the kind of books that always show up and divert my attention from other books I plan to read. These are my favorites for a quick, can't-put-down read.

Rules of this challenge:

* Read TWELVE (12) different sub-genres of thrillers in 2009.

* You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time. Also, you may change as you go.

* Your books can crossover into other challenges.

The sub-genres are listed at the challenge site.

I'll be listing my books here.

1. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

2009 Reading Challenges: World Citizen

I've decided that I want to put a little more effort into my reading challenges this year so I'm searching out some different ones that are out there. I've picked a few that I'm going to do. The first is The World Citizen Challenge.

I am picking this one for several reasons. First, it is non-fiction, which I have only really started reading for pleasure during the past couple of years, but enjoy immensely. Second, it encompasses things like history, economics, culture, and politics from an international perspective. Those are things that I would be reading about, but it will help give me some focus. Third, it's only seven books and can fit in nicely with the others that I am doing.

I'll be listing my books here and will link to it in my sidebar.

1. The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper (need to figure out category)
2.

Books, books, books

I've updated my reading challenge list again, but I forgot to add the books I read for about a month, so I have to try to remember what they were.

I've enjoyed having a kind of guide for my reading this year, even though I haven't completely followed it. (and the books that I haven't gotten to show up my mental laziness.) Is anyone taking a challenge or constructing a guide for your reading for this year? I'm trying to decide what I'm going to do, but I'm definitely going to do one. I'd love suggestions.

Blog roundup

Several of the blogs that I read have really good posts today, so just in case you haven't seen them I thought I'd share a few. Sort of a mini blog carnival!

Cheryl has a post about Obama's agenda pertaining to health care. I love this line: "I think a lot of people are going to wake up in a few years with a massive Obama hangover...."

Scott has this interesting bit of info and analysis.

Rebekah shares a childhood misunderstanding that is really a profound truth.

Evan writes about the disturbing changes to the Oxford University Press junior dictionary.

Finally, Spunky has an interesting post about what homeschool success is. I think this may generate its own blog post in the next couple of days.

Two question quiz

Saw this on a couple of friends' blogs and thought it looked like fun. Wow, is it on the money! So much so that I almost didn't put it up.

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

You Are a Doris!

You are a Doris --

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.


• * Share fun times with me.


• * Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.


• * Let me know that I am important and special to you.


• * Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

• * Reassure me that I am interesting to you.


• * Reassure me often that you love me.


• * Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

• * being able to relate easily to people and to make friends


• * knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better


• * being generous, caring, and warm


• * being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings


• * being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

• * not being able to say no


• * having low self-esteem


• * feeling drained from overdoing for others


• * not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish


• * criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should


• * being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tune in to them


• * working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

• * are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism


• * try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding


• * are outwardly compliant


• * are popular or try to be popular with other children


• * act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention


• * are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

• * are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)


• * are often playful with their children


• * wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"


• * can become fiercely protective

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

Unschooling and being a Christian

I original wrote this in February 2006, but it was brought to mind by a conversation on another blog, and I realized that it wasn't on this blog. So I'm posting it here.

Just before my unplanned hiatus I received an email from a homeschool mom who wanted to know how I could square being an unschooler with being a Christian. This isn't the first time I've heard someone question whether the two are compatible, but it is the first time I've tried to come up with an answer.

So what does it mean to be a Christian parent? The simplest way for me to answer is to turn to the Table of Duties in my copy of Luther's Small Catechism. There I find these words:

Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6, 4.

I fulfill my vocation as a Christian mother in many ways, including but not limited to having our children baptised, regularly attending services, and doing catechesis together. Part of our vocation as parents--whether or not we are Christians--is to see to the education of our children. We have chosen to homeschool, and, in the course of our homeschool journey, to unschool.

I think that some people equate unschooling with having no discipline. They assume that unschooled children are allowed to do as they please in all areas of life. There very likely are unschooling families where this is true. However, I have a number of unschoolers among my acquaintances who--like us--require quite a bit from our kids and are unquestionably in charge.

Our unschooling does color the way we live our lives. My children have a great deal of autonomy in choosing what they will read and how they will spend their time. We don't have set times for "English" or "social studies." They don't do assignments and worksheets. They spend lots of time doing exactly what they want to do and learning all the while.

But there are things that they have to do. They have to bathe and brush teeth daily. They have to do their share of the work around the house without me nagging. This includes dishes, laundry, bedrooms, their bathroom, and cat care.

They have to attend church services. (As yet, no one has complained about this.) If they make commitments--to a team, choir, job, etc.--they have to fulfill them.

If I ever see that unschooling is not working for one of my kids, we will do something else. Because I *am* ultimately in charge. Unschooling was my decision not theirs. But after over ten years, it is still working.

So, yes, the short answer is I do think it is compatible with being a Christian.

Cookie bakin' fool

I've been kind of knocked out this week by a cold and sinus infection, so--of course--I got really behind. I had a lot of cleaning that I wanted to do this week, and I wanted to get organized for Christmas. But most of all I needed to bake.

The Bach Collegium does it's Messiah Sing-along tomorrow, and I'm providing the "holiday cookies." So I got a couple of batches done yesterday, but I've been baking all day and I'll likely be baking all night. Later I'll post a picture of the chaos that is my kitchen.

Dealing with doubts

For me, the most difficult part of homeschooling has always been dealing with my own doubts. I can deal easily with the doubts of others, although those are rarer the longer we do this and the more outward success we have. Unfortunately--or perhaps, fortunately--my own doubts are not so easily silenced. So I start running through the questions that plague many of us:

Have we done enough? Have we done it the right way? Would (insert name here) have been better off in school? At least for high school? What are we doing????

Then I settle myself down and look at some facts. Fact one: All of my children can read complex material with good comprehension and they love to read. Fact two: All of my children know how to find information that they need. Fact three: All of my children are culturally literate. They understand and recognize allusions from history and literature of the past, but are also conversant with the present. Fact four: All of my children are learning the practical skills needed to live as adults. They can cook, sew on a button, balance a checkbook, check the oil and change a tire, grow food, unclog a toilet, do laundry, or paint the house.

Could we have followed a more structured path? Certainly. Could we have pushed more advanced academic subjects? Sure. Could I have instilled more of a desire for success in the eyes of the world? Without a doubt. But we haven't done those things. Do I wish we had? Sometimes, but not because I am unhappy with our results. Instead, it is because I sometimes get these worries about how things SHOULD be, generally because of something someone says.

I also know that even if I had done all of things, I would be having doubts. So we'll continue on, adjusting as we go, doing what seems to make sense for each of the kids. It won't be perfect. It might not even be the best. And I'll always second-guessing. But it's working for us.

Advent already?!

Wow. It seems like it was just summer.

But somehow today was the beginning of Advent. How did that happen? Time has flown over the past few months, even more quickly than usual. And yes, this is something I tend to complain about, so I will try to keep Pastor's admonition in mind.

This week is going to be one of the fast ones.

I have tens of dozens of cookies to bake for the Bach Collegium's Messiah Singalong. This is a really fun event, and a great chance to sing Handel's Messiah with a big group of people. Plus, there will be really yummy cookies afterward! (I promise!)

We have dentist appointments and a number of errands and tasks that need to be completed.

So about Wednesday, when I am moving frantically through the week, I'll try to remember to be thankful that time is going fast.

One more thing tonight

Once I start looking at Sitemeter, I tend to look at it off and on for a couple of days. Then I forget that it exists for weeks at a time. So I checked it out tonight. One of the visits to my blog came from a google search for "random things."

That is just so appropriate.

Thanksgiving

Bethany and I are at my mom's tonight, preparing for the family dinner tomorrow. We've done some chopping and slicing, getting ready to put together the stuffing tomorrow. We've snapped the green beans. We've checked a couple of times to be sure that we're all set to cook tomorrow.

We had some delicious Pizza King Pizza, followed by a yummy brownie.

And now we're sitting around watching the news. My mom is trying to distract me from my blogging, because I should be paying attention to her. My husband and the boys will be down after church tomorrow. And during the course the afternoon we will have another twenty people arrive.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Seven weird random things

Cheryl tagged me to tell you seven weird, random things about me. Random is usually something I'm good at, so I'll give this a try.

1. I have the same recurring dream as Cheryl. (That is weird!)

2. I attended four colleges and had six different majors. I graduated with almost 150 credit hours.

3. All of my children have dark hair and brown eyes. All seven of my nieces and nephews (not step) have blond hair and light eyes.

4. I love to dust and iron. When I was a kid I'd beg for things to iron. (I'd also beg for math problems to do,so you know something was wrong.)

5. None of my children were born in the same town. (And they were born in three states.)

6. Eating oranges makes me feel sick, except when I was pregnant. Then they helped my morning sickness.

7. I was a lesson junkie when I was a kid. I had lessons in tap, ballet, tumbling, piano, guitar, flute, voice, tennis, swimming, ceramics, bowling, breadmaking, trampoline, roller skating, and horseback riding. There may be more that I'm forgetting.

I'll tag a few people, avoiding those already tagged. But if I don't tag you and you want to play, do it! Bethany, Mossback Meadow, Jan, Shawn, and Jonathan.

Cowboy Soup

I get so many requests for this recipe that I decided that I needed to put it in a place on my computer where I can always find it. This recipe is awesome doubled, tripled, even quadrupled or quintupled for a group. It is flexible, because you can add any combination of beans, and it's still good. And if you need to stretch it, an additional can of beans does the job. It can simmer all day, and it's even better left over. (Sometimes I'll throw in a couple of extra cans the next day to stretch it even farther.)

Cowboy Soup.

Brown 1# ground beef
with 1 small onion, chopped.

Add (liquid and all)
1# can of pinto beans
1# can of black beans
1# can of kidney beans
1# can of navy beans (or great northerns)
1# can of tomatoes
4-oz can of green chilies (optional)
1 can of corn or 10-16 oz of frozen corn.

When heated, add seasonings.

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dry dressing mix
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
2 cups water,
and add to soup.
Simmer for 15-20 minutes or more.

My friend Susan, who is far more hardworking and frugal than I came up with this formula to make up for the packets:
1 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt (or more)
1 tsp dillweed
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
a few cloves minced garlic (or 1 tsp dried garlic powder).
Simmer 15-20 minutes or more.
Shortly before serving, remove from heat and add
1 cup buttermilk.

We top it with shredded cheddar, colby, jack, cojack, etc., sour cream, and fritos.

Yum!

It's kind of funny

I don't look at my Sitemeter often. I'm usually in too much of a hurry to care who is reading my blog, but once in a while I check it.

Very few of my visitors come from searches, but those that do are almost all about food. Just today I had two people searching for Schultz Salty Stix, and one searching for Mr. Salty. One was searching for Cinnamon Clusters Cereal.

So, has anyone found a replacement for Planters Cheez Balls? They were discontinued, but I have heard a rumor that Blockbuster is carrying them. I'll have to go check it out!

Done for now

We finished today with the government class that I taught this fall. I enjoyed it, for the most part. I liked the subject matter and the kids were great. The only real problem was that I am lazy, and putting a class together takes work.

The enjoyment--and the benefit to my boys--outweighs the inconvenience to me sufficiently that I'll be doing at least one other class in the spring.

I'm feeling pretty free until Christmas. I have lots of cookies to make, and I am hoping to make a few gifts, but there are no major commitments until after the first of the year.

Messed up

Is anyone besides me still thrown off by the time change? I've never had trouble getting back on track before, but I think that the fact that the time change was followed by election day--which is a huge disruption in my sleep patterns--followed by two bouts with bugs, has really gotten me off track.

I usually wake up at 7:00 with no alarm clock. If I want to get up earlier or be sure I'll wake up I set it, but my wake up time has been very consistent for a long time. Since the time change it is 8:00 unless I set the alarm. (And this is really bizarre, because the time change went the other way.) I've been tired and draggy no matter how long I sleep. I've heard people complain about the time change time being hard for them and I've kind of pooh-poohed it, but I think I'm feeling it this time.

Or maybe I'm just staying up too late.

FOMS strikes again

I have long recognized that I suffer from a tremendous case of FOMS*. It has led me to join groups, to go to events that I don't have time for, and stay on email lists that have lost any relevance to my life.

It led me to Facebook, LibraryThing, The Wittenberg Trail, Classmates, and Good Reads. And now, because the curiosity was too great, I've joined Twitter. Twitter led to Twittermoms. This feels like a moose-a-muffin situation.

But hey, if you Twitter, I'm there.

*Fear of missing something

Book review: The Jumping-Off Place

I love LibraryThing. I especially love the Early Reviewer program because I get free books. The books I've gotten have ranged from this-is-a-waste-of-time to absolutely wonderful. My most recent book is toward the latter end of the spectrum.

I began to read The Jumping-Off Place by book light in a camp bunk with barely a glance at the cover. There was a lovely old-fashioned quality to the writing and the characters that surprised me until I looked more closely the next day and realized that the book was written in 1929.

This is a wonderful story, set in one of the last bits of the frontier after the turn of the twentieth century. Four orphans, having just lost their beloved uncle, travel to South Dakota to "prove up" his claim. They face hardships--drought, blizzard, wind, and an adversarial neighbor--with maturity, hard work, generosity, and an unquenchable spirit. In the process they fell in love with the prairie and the community and it with them.

This is an excellent book for all ages. It would make a very nice family read aloud, particularly because there is some lovely prose. The original illustrations have been retained and enhance the historical feel of the book. The South Dakota State Historical Society has added an afterword with historical background and author information and a word list, adding to the educational value of the book.

This 1930 Newbery Honor Book was a joy, and I am very glad that the SDSHS Press has decided to return it to print.

Is it over?

Alan Keyes has filed a lawsuit. Philip Berg's Writ of Certiorari, filed in the U.S. Supreme Court is awaiting a response from Obama and the DNC, which is due by Dec. 1. If you can't read the entire thing, at least read Berg's Writ through the Table of Contents.

Aside from the specific questions about Obama's citizenship, there are the larger questions: Who insures that candidates are eligible to run for president? Who has the right to challenge their qualifications and where? How much does our constitution matter?

Interesting stuff.

HT: Die Schreiben von Schreiber

Order

My theme for the past month, and for the foreseeable future is "bringing order out of chaos." And chaos isn't too strong a word.

I have managed to function for the past couple of years by only doing what is urgent at any time, and letting everything else slide. I was trying to do too many things without the time, space, or tools to do them properly. I would scramble to clean the downstairs for company, and a chaotic mess would be shifted upstairs, but I was always in too much of a hurry to put those things in their proper places later.

I've written about ironing my dish towels. It's a small thing, but it is bringing order, and I like it. Today is a closet-cleaning day. I'm getting rid of outdated records, straightening the linen closet, and getting rid of things that no longer serve a purpose. As I decide to keep something I am making sure that it has a place of its own.

My scrapbooking weekend helped to bring more order, but it also pointed out how much I've lost track of things. I discovered when I started working on my books that I thought I had pictures from 2007, but they were from 2006. I couldn't figure out where the late 2007/early 2008 photos were. I finally figured out that they had been saved to my old computer and never uploaded to Snapfish. I have always printed my photos in order, but I'm really messed up now!

This isn't a big problem, but it's a symptom of the disorganization that I've been living with. When my life is chaotic things slip through the cracks. I'm fortunate that most of them have been small!

Scraps of time

It seems like I'm always trying to grab on to the extra little pieces of time to do the things I want to do, but twice a year I set aside a whole weekend just to have fun. So I'm leaving tomorrow morning with two friends to go scrapbook for almost three days.

I love the order that scrapbooking brings to my photos and my memories. I love the creative outlet. I've looked at digital scrapbooking options, but I love the feeling of the components and playing with the paper, moving things around to fit them on the page and tell the story. I love to write about the people and the places and the memories they bring.

So I'll drink coffee, eat snacky food, talk, laugh, cry, and have a really good time. And I'll come home feeling like I've taken a few more steps out of chaos.

Shopping!

After all of the serious political posts, I decided it was time for a frivolous post.

I went shopping yesterday. I was on a mission. I have really trimmed down my wardrobe and I only shop now with a plan. If it doesn't fit the plan I don't buy it. Yesterday I was looking for a jacket to wear with my habitual black base of black top and black pants, skirt, or jeans. I have a couple, but they are dressier that what I was hoping to find and they are also several years old. I also was looking for a new print skirt to mix in with my black or white tops.

I decided not to mess around, and headed straight to Chico's. This is the jacket I found. The color is great on me and it is going to work wonderfully with the rest of my clothes. I also found a beautiful soft flared skirt in black and grey that will fit in really well with the rest of my wardrobe. (There's no picture of it on the website.)

I also found a brown jacket that fits the plan and was on clearance for 24.99. Since my birthday was a couple of days ago and I had good coupons, I decided to go for it.

I love successful shopping!

My kind of award

Really, what better blog award could an unschooler get? Thanks, Meg. I always learn something from your blog, too.

This award didn't come with specific instructions for passing it along, and there are so many of you that I learn things from, so I will just name a few. I know some of you aren't the award passing out type, and that's okay. And I'll leave some really good ones for those of you who are to name.

Cyberstones, and not just because he's my pastor. Thinking-out-loud. Rebellious Pastor's Wife. Concordian Sisters of Perpetual Parturition. Bi-Coloured Python Rock Snake. Father Hollywood.

Wow. Leaks already.

Surprised?

A change for the better

It's almost hard for me to use the word change right now, but we have to remember that some changes are good.

Juan Williams, who is also author of the book Enough, has a piece in the Wall Street Journal today that I would consider a hopeful look at how Obama's election may change racial politics in the United States.

Part of his article is a reminder of how far we've really come in less than fifty years, and part of it is focused on where things can go from here. As in his book, Williams takes a matter of fact look at matters of race in America that recognizes the evil that is part of the past, but holds individuals and families responsible for their own futures.

Gotta love...

Sarah Palin is doing an interview with a national network, making pigs in a blanket, in a suit and heels, with a crockpot on the counter next to her. She's funny, at ease, and smart.

Yeah, I like her.

Glenn Beck. He had his interview debut on the O'Reilly Factor tonight. His analysis of why the Republicans did so poorly in the election: "They stink on ice."

Oh yeah.

Added note: The Wall Street Journal has a good piece today by William McGurn calling on McCain to stand up for his former running mate.

Ready to rule?

Wow. I took a pass on mentioning Obama's Nancy Reagan gaffe. But this one? Wow. The co-chair of Obama's transition campaign said this on Meet the Press:

"it's important that president elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one.

Memo to the president-elect: You are not going to be king, Pope, or Grand Poobah.

And be sure you check out www.change.gov. This is the website of the "Office of the President-elect." The title is descriptive of the content, which seems to be altering with each passing minute.

One way for Obama to realize his peaceful transition to power seems likely to be the muzzling of his critics.

Wow. Here we go.

Another teen!

Some birthdays are harder for a mother to believe than others. This is one of the hard ones. My baby is 13! Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Why I'm not all that upset

I don't think McCain would have been a good president. There. I said it.

Would he have been preferable to Obama in some areas? Maybe. The main reason I supported him was the issue of life and the possible appointment of Supreme Court justices, but I never really had any confidence that he would have been less of a compromiser in that area than he has always been.

He has never been a conservative. He has trampled on the First Amendment. And I'm glad he won't be president.

Does that mean I'm happy with Obama? Of course not. I still think he's a socialist. There's already talking about appointing a global warming czar. (YAY! More government!) But I am going to wait and see what he does. Some of his supporters are going to be disappointed. I won't, because I'm not expecting anything good.

Pastor Petersen has a good post about our new president-elect.

I do think that having a black president is a good thing for our society. I know some of my friends don't see this. Maybe the "goodness" of this is more apparent to those of us who have grown up in integrated areas and have many individual black people about whom we care. It shouldn't matter, but the reality is that skin color has mattered very much in our history. I pray for his safety and that his administration helps to heal wounds.

And I hope he is a good president. Over the past eight years we have heard liberals and members of the media hoping that George Bush would fail. We have heard them gloating about everything that has gone wrong. Let's not be like them. Let's not hope he screws up so "we" can take control in four years. Peace and prosperity are best for America no matter who the president is.

Bush is a class act

I just watched President Bush's speech congratulating Senator Obama on his victory. He was gracious and I'm sure will help to smooth the transition.

I would bet that Obama's team won't move into their offices and have to deal with vandalized computer keyboards, obscene voice messages, a chaos of switched phone and fax lines, and other juvenile acts of pique and disrespect. George W. Bush will leave the White House with dignity.

Along that thought line, there was a piece in the Wall Street Journal titled today, The Treatment of Bush Has Been a Disgrace. I have been disappointed with President Bush, and frustrated by the inability of his administration to communicate effectively with the American people. But I have been far more frustrated with and disappointed in the American people who willingly and uncritically bought into the "Bush lied" lies and the media's inarguably biased reporting.

I think history will see him differently, juat as it does Harry Truman.

I like this perspective

Evan posted Jonah Goldberg's thoughts on the election to his blog. They are well worth a read.

Time to pray for our president-elect.

Time to chill

As of 6:00 last night I had to put aside my very strong political opinions and put on my non-partisan Election Inspector hat. It always amazes me how easily I am able to do this. It amazes me that I can go have a great day in a polling place that voted 90% for Obama. It surprises me that I can happily instruct person after person, in answer to their questions, exactly how they vote straight Democrat.

But I love it. I love the people at my precincts. I love being a part of the process.

Now I'm home, having my post election gyro and a pumpkin ale. Yes, I am watching the election returns. But I refuse to be stressed. I've been humming--and slowly memorizing--one hymn for two weeks now. I've emailed it to my mom and a couple of non-Lutheran friends. You Lutherans may be able to predict what's coming, but here it is anyway.

"Praise the Almighty, My Soul, Adore Him"
by Johann D. Herrnschmidt, 1675-1723
Translated by Alfred Brauer, 1866-1949

1. Praise the Almighty, my soul, adore Him!
Yea, I will laud Him until death.
With songs and anthems I'll come before Him
As long as He doth give me breath.
From Him my life and all things came;
Bless, O my soul, His holy name.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

2. Trust not in princes, they are but mortal;
Earth-born they are and soon decay.
Naught are their counsels at life's last portal,
When the dark grave doth claim its prey.
Since, then, no man can help afford,
Trust ye in Christ, our God and Lord.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

3. Blessed, yea, blessed is he forever
Whose help is in the Lord most high,
Whom from the saving faith naught can sever
And who in hope to Christ draws nigh.
To all who trust in Him, our Lord,
Counsel and aid He doth afford.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

4. God the Almighty, the great Creator,
Ruler of sky and land and sea,
All things ordained, and sooner or later
They come to pass unfailingly.
His rule is over rich and poor,
His promise ever standeth sure.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

5. Penitent sinners, for mercy crying,
Pardon and peace from Him obtain;
Ever the wants of the poor supplying,
Their faithful God He doth remain.
He helps His children in distress,
The widows and the fatherless.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

6. Praise, O mankind, now the name so holy
Of Him who doth such wondrous things!
All that hath being, to praise Him solely,
With happy heart its "Amen" sings!
Children of God, with angel host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #26
Text: Ps. 146
Author: Johann D. Herrnschmidt, 1714
Translated by: Alfred Brauer, 1925, alt.
Titled: "Lobe den Herren, o meine Seele"
Tune: "Lobe den Herren, o meine"
1st Published in: _Seelenharfe_
Town: Onolzbach, 1665

A few final thoughts

Of course, we all knew I couldn't let this week pass without one last political post.

First my friend Jenny shares this. Sorry Obama fans, this is scary stuff. Combine this with Obama's long-standing antipathy to individual gun rights and it's no surprise that sales of guns and ammo are up.

Then we have the usual libs threatening to leave the country if McCain wins. Please. Go already.
Then there are those who predict violence if Obama loses. These are the folks who consider themselves so reasonable.

Obama surrounds himself with such thoughtful people.

Enough. I'm getting all agitated again.

I've done my part

I've voted.

I waited in line for 2 1/2 hours to vote. I had to vote today since I will be working at a precinct other than my own on election day. Next election I'll go back to an absentee ballot.