Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Letter from the Pontifical Academy for Life
Letter from the Pontifical Academy for Life on the question of using vaccinations derived from aborted fetal tissue. It has been translated from Italian by the Academy.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Ethical Vaccines
There has been a great deal of unrest with regards to vaccines in recent years. As a nurse, I'm supposed to push people to get their children vaccinated...and I cannot deny that vaccines have probably done some good since their inception during the last century. However, as a Catholic and a nurse who is concerned with the holistic good of others I cannot in good conscience remain silent on this issue.
Unknown to most of the public is the fact that the cell lines from aborted fetuses are used to grow or become the substance of vaccines. Basically, this means that tissues taken from aborted fetuses are used as the cells to grow vaccines in/on. They can be grown on other substances (chicken embroys for example) so there is no conceivable reason to use those of aborted fetuses. Using the fetal cell lines is faster because new eggs must be gotten each time and cultivated, whereas the fetal cell line, called PER C6, is always handy.
The link below contains a list of the vaccines that contain aborted fetal cell lines and gives moral alternatives. Some vaccines, like the They also have the sources of their information listed, and individuals can call or go online to see the ingredients of their vaccines because these things are public. MDCK is a moral line ingredient name. You can request any of these from your physician. Any vaccines not listed do not contain the immoral lines.
Unknown to most of the public is the fact that the cell lines from aborted fetuses are used to grow or become the substance of vaccines. Basically, this means that tissues taken from aborted fetuses are used as the cells to grow vaccines in/on. They can be grown on other substances (chicken embroys for example) so there is no conceivable reason to use those of aborted fetuses. Using the fetal cell lines is faster because new eggs must be gotten each time and cultivated, whereas the fetal cell line, called PER C6, is always handy.
The link below contains a list of the vaccines that contain aborted fetal cell lines and gives moral alternatives. Some vaccines, like the They also have the sources of their information listed, and individuals can call or go online to see the ingredients of their vaccines because these things are public. MDCK is a moral line ingredient name. You can request any of these from your physician. Any vaccines not listed do not contain the immoral lines.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Reflection on Tolerance
Today we have arrived in a state of total ambiguity, or at least so it would seem. Virtues are no longer practiced in public, nor are they acceptable. Chastity is looked upon with scorn and disdain, fertility which was once a blessing is now a curse and must be "controlled;" Children, once a blessing, are now a "right" so that if you are unable to conceive in the natural there are means by which a child may be manufactured, as opposed to being the fruit of a loving act between father and mother; Justice and mercy seem to be a dicotomy, and therefore cannot really exist in todays world of logic and constistency, thus we adopt the attitude of "fairness" because of course this is the purified form of justice; Love is acceptable at all times and in all places, in any form and for any person, so that any atrocity can be committed as long as it is done for love; kindness is permitted so long as it does not inconvenience the giver in any way; patience has gone by the wayside, for you can even skip the few seconds of silence in between songs; self-sacrifice, meekness and humility are silly and stupid. Faithlessness in marriage is forgivable under nearly every circumstance, and divorce always acceptable. Temperance is good, but if you want to do everything to excess no one will say boo. Peace is simply the lack of virtue. Liberality has become a virtue instead of a trait. What is the only virtue left us?
Frankly, it isn't a virtue at all. It is tolerance. Virtue has become obsolete, for everything is relative to location, time, person, situation, etc. As Chesterton pointed out, "Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions," Some even believe that cold blooded murder, the worst of crimes, is acceptable if the victim is a "bad" person, though what constitutes bad these days I have no idea. It may be acceptable if they are suffering, or no longer productive (fulfilling their place in society), or perhaps unwanted, "for it is better they not live at all than to live a life as an unwanted person." Life, we must conclude from this, is no longer worth living if conditions are not optimal. Thus we join Margaret Sanger in her crusade against "retarded" life, blacks; Hitler and his band which supported only the perfect race, a race of demi-gods made of genetically perfect individuals; Peter Singer in his view that parents have sway over the life or death of their offspring until age 12.
So what is this new virtue, this standard? Tolerance is "to bear with, to not interfere with, to allow, to permit," in the grammatical world. In the medical world it refers to the body's ability to grow numb to the effects of certain drugs so that there must be more drug given to cause the same effect. Tolerance itself is a neutral thing and can become either good or evil by way of the essential matter tolerated. However, in our day one must tolerate everything, good and evil, no matter how atrocious...one is absolutely compelled to do so. In the land of free speech it is now a crime to take an unpopular stance or to speak an unpopular sentiment. Tolerance is the gospel of the people.
As for me, I will tolerate other opinions, the fact that you like scary movies, that Mr. Jones only cuts his lawn every two weeks, that my roommate plays loud music I dislike. Such things are not moral issues. However, under no circumstances should one ever condone sins, silence his own voice or the voices of others in speaking against evil, nor should we ever be silent in the face of policies, legalities, or opinions which are offensive to the right. We must have convictions, that there is truth, and that life is indeed worth living.
Frankly, it isn't a virtue at all. It is tolerance. Virtue has become obsolete, for everything is relative to location, time, person, situation, etc. As Chesterton pointed out, "Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions," Some even believe that cold blooded murder, the worst of crimes, is acceptable if the victim is a "bad" person, though what constitutes bad these days I have no idea. It may be acceptable if they are suffering, or no longer productive (fulfilling their place in society), or perhaps unwanted, "for it is better they not live at all than to live a life as an unwanted person." Life, we must conclude from this, is no longer worth living if conditions are not optimal. Thus we join Margaret Sanger in her crusade against "retarded" life, blacks; Hitler and his band which supported only the perfect race, a race of demi-gods made of genetically perfect individuals; Peter Singer in his view that parents have sway over the life or death of their offspring until age 12.
So what is this new virtue, this standard? Tolerance is "to bear with, to not interfere with, to allow, to permit," in the grammatical world. In the medical world it refers to the body's ability to grow numb to the effects of certain drugs so that there must be more drug given to cause the same effect. Tolerance itself is a neutral thing and can become either good or evil by way of the essential matter tolerated. However, in our day one must tolerate everything, good and evil, no matter how atrocious...one is absolutely compelled to do so. In the land of free speech it is now a crime to take an unpopular stance or to speak an unpopular sentiment. Tolerance is the gospel of the people.
As for me, I will tolerate other opinions, the fact that you like scary movies, that Mr. Jones only cuts his lawn every two weeks, that my roommate plays loud music I dislike. Such things are not moral issues. However, under no circumstances should one ever condone sins, silence his own voice or the voices of others in speaking against evil, nor should we ever be silent in the face of policies, legalities, or opinions which are offensive to the right. We must have convictions, that there is truth, and that life is indeed worth living.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
"All the Pretty Little Horses"
Lullabies are exactly that, a song which is supposed to lull the listener into sleep. They are repetitive, often with simple appealing intervals, and are usually seem about nothing of consequence. However, nearly every lullaby tells a tragic or dramatic story. This one seems to be a negro/southern song. The very last verse is obviously very different than the refrain or the other verse, and is thought to indicated the sorrow of the black slave ladies who nursed their white charges having been compelled to abandon their own families. However, since the song has been handed down by oral tradition, the real meaning of the song may remain a mystery. I recently heard "All the Pretty Little Horses" at a music student recital, and fell in love with it.
Hushaby, don' you cry
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you awake you shall have cake
And all the pretty little horses.
Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Grays
Coach, and a six a little horses.
Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Grays
Coach, and a six a little horses.
So Hushaby...etc.
Way down yonda', down in the medder
There's a poor little lambie.
Bees an' the butterflies peckin' out his eyes
Poor lambie cried fo' his mammy
To listen on youtube
Hushaby, don' you cry
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you awake you shall have cake
And all the pretty little horses.
Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Grays
Coach, and a six a little horses.
Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Grays
Coach, and a six a little horses.
So Hushaby...etc.
Way down yonda', down in the medder
There's a poor little lambie.
Bees an' the butterflies peckin' out his eyes
Poor lambie cried fo' his mammy
To listen on youtube
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Homilies
The Fraternity of Saint Peter, an order of secular priests who say only the Extraordinary form of the Latin Rite Mass, have a website with some of the most excellent homilies and Lenten missions then have done. It's pretty cool, you can find them by category, by date, and others.
Audio Sancto
Audio Sancto
You Were Born to Fly by Sara Evens
I heard this song by Sara Evens on the radio this evening, and it is one of those songs that just strikes a chord within you and you know that you have felt that. Wanting so much that which you think will fulfill or which is most possibly your vocation. Kinda silly though, the part about the desire for love being a sin. There is no sin in attempting to fill that whole left in our being by original sin, ever since the fall, whereby we seek love, happiness, and fulfillment to be found in Christ by means of our vocation. It is that search for something deeper which effects our salvation...that we look into ourselves and eventually to God for the truth. Truth is end, the goal, of our lives and our being, the end and the means by which we find our way into paradise and happiness.
You Were Born to Fly
I've been telling my dreams to the scarecrow
About the places that I'd like to see
I say, "friend do you think I'll ever get there?"
Oh, but he just stands there smilin' back at me
So I confessed my sins to the preacher
About the love I've been prayin' to find
Is there a brown-eyed boy in my future, yeah
And he says, "girl, you've got nothin' but time."
But how do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know that you were born,
You were born to fly
My daddy he is grounded like the oak tree
My momma she is steady as the sun
Oh, you know I love my folks
But I keep starin' down the road
Just lookin' for my one chance to run
Hey, cause I will soar away like a blackbird
I will blow in the wind like a seed
I will plant my heart in the garden of my dreams
And I will grow up where I wander wild and free
Oh, How do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know, that you were born?
You were born, yeah, you were born to fly
You Were Born to Fly
I've been telling my dreams to the scarecrow
About the places that I'd like to see
I say, "friend do you think I'll ever get there?"
Oh, but he just stands there smilin' back at me
So I confessed my sins to the preacher
About the love I've been prayin' to find
Is there a brown-eyed boy in my future, yeah
And he says, "girl, you've got nothin' but time."
But how do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know that you were born,
You were born to fly
My daddy he is grounded like the oak tree
My momma she is steady as the sun
Oh, you know I love my folks
But I keep starin' down the road
Just lookin' for my one chance to run
Hey, cause I will soar away like a blackbird
I will blow in the wind like a seed
I will plant my heart in the garden of my dreams
And I will grow up where I wander wild and free
Oh, How do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know, that you were born?
You were born, yeah, you were born to fly
Friday, September 11, 2009
Coffee and Diapers
I recently found this site, made by three young mothers. I have met Sia and esteem her as a gifted artist and a lovely woman. The site is artistic (something I wish I were), funny, gives advice, and anything else that might possibly go with the diaper-coffee theme. Check it out for yourself.
Coffee and Diapers
Coffee and Diapers
"This site is devoted to the discussion of the Holy and Sacred vocation of Motherhood: Imitation of Our Lady of Nazareth and becoming the heart of the home. Diaper by diaper, dish by dish, we are asked to grow in holiness. As responsible Catholics, we also hope to remind our readers about the nature of our calling. Motherhood is such a dignified and important task... something that is forgotten in today's world. May this blog serve to inspire and encourage women everywhere:"
"Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the beauty of a good wife in a well-run house."
Ecclesiasticus 26:16
Ecclesiasticus 26:16
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Reflections on Truth
What is Truth? According to Chesterton.
1) Truth will always be true. It's veracity does not rest on what day it is or what age in which we live. What was true in 1398 B.C. was true in Mexico in 1600, in China in 400 A.D., in Rome in 66A.D., in Jerusalem in 70 A.D., in the United States in 1775, in Ireland in 1916, England in 1940, in Georgia in 1864, in Germany in 1987.
2) Truth is consistent.
3) Truth is whole. Anything less than the whole is a heresy, a lie, a half-truth or perhaps even less. If you are missing a piece of the truth, you cannot be said to know the truth.
4) Truth is good, never evil. Truth always coincides with virtue, as a lack of truth always coincides with vice. Though we all love the truth, it makes us uncomfortable. A lack of truth lives with evil.
Fiction Vs. Truth.
Truth is stranger than fiction because we have made fiction to fit ourselves. Truth is real whereas fiction is realistic. Truth is holy, superior, and high and fiction low, debase, and evil.
Other than the fact that truth makes us uncomfortable is the fact that speaking the truth can get you into a fight. Every person knows that they are to love truth and to hate evil. If this were not the case, people would not spend so much time, effort, wind, and energy to make evil appear true. One should always defend what you love. Therefore, though perhaps unpleasant, a fight for truth is an act of love.
Truth is muddy, which encourages doubt and a lack of faith. Doubt is reactionary and prejudicial. Tolerance is preferred nowadays to truth. Those who denounce intolerance have no theory to denounce it. The idea is that it doesn't matter what you believe now so long as you don't hurt anybody else. The logic of that statement is debatable. However, on the flip side is that everyone is concerned with what everyone else believes. People are never so hypocritical and intolerant as when they are being impartial. Tolerance refuses to fight, to act for the truth, and if it is not true, it must needs be a lie.
1) Truth will always be true. It's veracity does not rest on what day it is or what age in which we live. What was true in 1398 B.C. was true in Mexico in 1600, in China in 400 A.D., in Rome in 66A.D., in Jerusalem in 70 A.D., in the United States in 1775, in Ireland in 1916, England in 1940, in Georgia in 1864, in Germany in 1987.
2) Truth is consistent.
3) Truth is whole. Anything less than the whole is a heresy, a lie, a half-truth or perhaps even less. If you are missing a piece of the truth, you cannot be said to know the truth.
4) Truth is good, never evil. Truth always coincides with virtue, as a lack of truth always coincides with vice. Though we all love the truth, it makes us uncomfortable. A lack of truth lives with evil.
Fiction Vs. Truth.
Truth is stranger than fiction because we have made fiction to fit ourselves. Truth is real whereas fiction is realistic. Truth is holy, superior, and high and fiction low, debase, and evil.
Other than the fact that truth makes us uncomfortable is the fact that speaking the truth can get you into a fight. Every person knows that they are to love truth and to hate evil. If this were not the case, people would not spend so much time, effort, wind, and energy to make evil appear true. One should always defend what you love. Therefore, though perhaps unpleasant, a fight for truth is an act of love.
Truth is muddy, which encourages doubt and a lack of faith. Doubt is reactionary and prejudicial. Tolerance is preferred nowadays to truth. Those who denounce intolerance have no theory to denounce it. The idea is that it doesn't matter what you believe now so long as you don't hurt anybody else. The logic of that statement is debatable. However, on the flip side is that everyone is concerned with what everyone else believes. People are never so hypocritical and intolerant as when they are being impartial. Tolerance refuses to fight, to act for the truth, and if it is not true, it must needs be a lie.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
An Old Fashioned Girl and Work
Everybody loves an old fashioned girl, that is unless she's a prude. She is generally regarded with honor if the term is applied brightly. I flatter myself that I could be considered an old fashioned girl myself. Why? Well, if I cannot talk with a person face-to-face I would rather write letters than email or even phone someone. My favorite mode of travel is by train, or maybe by car, something that is slow enough to take in all of the country between stops. Therefore, planes are not agreeable to this "old fashioned" world view. Furthermore, there are usually too many people in airports. Washing dishes is much more fun that a dishwasher, which doesn't save much time in the long run. You can hang out with your family, discuss things, and get it all done in record time. Then there is no accidental forgetting to run it and having no spoon at breakfast...in which case you have to wash the thing all the same. Raking leaves provides much more exercise and joy than blowing 'em around. Besides, one doesn't use any gasoline or electricity.
All the benefits are not on the side of being conservative. For example, sweeping is great for your arms but horrid for your back, and it took me an entire hour to sweep the grass out of the gutter in front of the yard. Most folks just use a blower and have done with it, or one of those lawn vacuums. Nevertheless, those blowers do joggle one's joints and contribute to premature deafness. Also, while I was sweeping up, I was able to talk with my Daddy while he worked on the car. Time savers which pollute the nice quiet world with noise often interrupt our ability to converse, to talk with each other, and to just spend quality time. It was pretty nice, spending time with Daddy, cause with 6 younger siblings at home and a talkative mother, I hardly ever get to talk with Daddy.
I would encourage everyone out there to take some time and do it the old way. Otherwise, use your time saved by modern conveniences to spend with family and friends as opposed to getting more modern conveniences.
All the benefits are not on the side of being conservative. For example, sweeping is great for your arms but horrid for your back, and it took me an entire hour to sweep the grass out of the gutter in front of the yard. Most folks just use a blower and have done with it, or one of those lawn vacuums. Nevertheless, those blowers do joggle one's joints and contribute to premature deafness. Also, while I was sweeping up, I was able to talk with my Daddy while he worked on the car. Time savers which pollute the nice quiet world with noise often interrupt our ability to converse, to talk with each other, and to just spend quality time. It was pretty nice, spending time with Daddy, cause with 6 younger siblings at home and a talkative mother, I hardly ever get to talk with Daddy.
I would encourage everyone out there to take some time and do it the old way. Otherwise, use your time saved by modern conveniences to spend with family and friends as opposed to getting more modern conveniences.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Universal Prayer
I recently found this prayer and fell in love with it. Not only does it touch on every issue that I've felt the need to pray about but does it well. It also works to simply pray a couple paragraphs only, focusing on that specific part. It makes a great thanksgiving after Mass too. Anyhow, I felt that this is the sort of prayer that every Christian should pray because it is somehow appropriate in every stage of the spiritual life.
The Universal Prayer (Pope Clement XI)
Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.
I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
and call on you as my loving protector.
Guide me by your wisdom,
correct me with your justice,
comfort me with your mercy,
protect me with your power.
I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you;
my words: to have you for their theme;
my actions: to reflect my love for you;
my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.
I want to do what you ask of me:
in the way you ask,
for as long as you ask,
because you ask it.
Lord, enlighten my understanding,
strengthen my will,
purify my heart,
and make me holy.
Help me to repent of my past sins
and to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses
and to grow stronger as a Christian.
Let me love you, my lOrd and my God,
and see myself as I really am:
a pilgrim in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch,
those in authority over me or those under my authority,
my friends and my enemies.
Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,
greed by generosity,
apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself and reach out toward others.
Make me prudent in planning,
courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering,
and unassuming in prosperity.
Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,
temperate in food and drink,
diligent in my work,
and firm in my good intentions.
Let me conscience be clear,
my conduct without fault,
my speech blameless,
my life well-ordered.
Put my on guard against my human weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me,
keep your law,
and come at last to your salvation.
Teach me to realize that this world is passing,
that my true future is the happiness of heaven,
that life on earth is short,
and the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death
with a proper fear of judgment
but a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death to the endless joy of heaven.
Grant this thorugh Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Universal Prayer (Pope Clement XI)
Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.
I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
and call on you as my loving protector.
Guide me by your wisdom,
correct me with your justice,
comfort me with your mercy,
protect me with your power.
I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you;
my words: to have you for their theme;
my actions: to reflect my love for you;
my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.
I want to do what you ask of me:
in the way you ask,
for as long as you ask,
because you ask it.
Lord, enlighten my understanding,
strengthen my will,
purify my heart,
and make me holy.
Help me to repent of my past sins
and to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses
and to grow stronger as a Christian.
Let me love you, my lOrd and my God,
and see myself as I really am:
a pilgrim in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch,
those in authority over me or those under my authority,
my friends and my enemies.
Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,
greed by generosity,
apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself and reach out toward others.
Make me prudent in planning,
courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering,
and unassuming in prosperity.
Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,
temperate in food and drink,
diligent in my work,
and firm in my good intentions.
Let me conscience be clear,
my conduct without fault,
my speech blameless,
my life well-ordered.
Put my on guard against my human weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me,
keep your law,
and come at last to your salvation.
Teach me to realize that this world is passing,
that my true future is the happiness of heaven,
that life on earth is short,
and the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death
with a proper fear of judgment
but a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death to the endless joy of heaven.
Grant this thorugh Christ our Lord. Amen.
Little Update
I am finally back online after an extended absence, and most probably about to begin another. I do not have a computer, nor stable internet access as our dialup goes out for three days every time it rains. Highly inconvenient as there is an aweful lot of rain coming down these days.
This past weekend my sisters and I sang for a High Solemn Mass at our friends' wedding. Jiza and Mark had a traditional Latin Mass/Filipino wedding, which was not only a lovely experience but an extremely beautiful Mass. It was also nice to be part of a choir that knew what they were doing and had really practiced everything. Even though each individual messed up a lot, it would seem that the other voices covered up the mishap and nobody knew otherwise. Great experience. In addition to the actual liturgy, which was of course the best ever as the pinacle of beauty and creation, the church itself was lovely. Despite the fact that it is your typical ugly Naval Base construction job, the internal decorations, statues, and pictures were enough to make the place seem like heaven on earth. I am certain that if the faithful had a mind to, they could make any ugly delapidated building look fitting for a king.
The job search goes on, and I'm looking at as many options as I possibly can. Deborah is heading back to school with her roomate later this week. And our family embarks once more on a changing time.
There are a ton of posts I've been meaning to make, but I do not have frequent computer access and thus they never get typed. So, for all intensive purposes, my mind appears as blank as this blog. But you just can't tell all that goes on. How's that for being cryptic?
This past weekend my sisters and I sang for a High Solemn Mass at our friends' wedding. Jiza and Mark had a traditional Latin Mass/Filipino wedding, which was not only a lovely experience but an extremely beautiful Mass. It was also nice to be part of a choir that knew what they were doing and had really practiced everything. Even though each individual messed up a lot, it would seem that the other voices covered up the mishap and nobody knew otherwise. Great experience. In addition to the actual liturgy, which was of course the best ever as the pinacle of beauty and creation, the church itself was lovely. Despite the fact that it is your typical ugly Naval Base construction job, the internal decorations, statues, and pictures were enough to make the place seem like heaven on earth. I am certain that if the faithful had a mind to, they could make any ugly delapidated building look fitting for a king.
The job search goes on, and I'm looking at as many options as I possibly can. Deborah is heading back to school with her roomate later this week. And our family embarks once more on a changing time.
There are a ton of posts I've been meaning to make, but I do not have frequent computer access and thus they never get typed. So, for all intensive purposes, my mind appears as blank as this blog. But you just can't tell all that goes on. How's that for being cryptic?
Sunday, August 02, 2009
This Summer
The summer is almost over, and things have been a little difficult of late. My job search has thus not produced anything, but I have a place to live and food so it isn't a big deal. After one has been living independently but finds it necessary to move back home, there are bound to be certain irritations and frustrations, especially since one's freedom is essentially neutered. Well, maybe not quite, but very nearly so.
One of the most difficult situations for me personally has been having to share a room with my three little sisters...it's about 20x20 feet, so a modest size, but we are a all a bit slobbish. I've often been annoyed with clutter, with clothing everywhere, not being able to just relax and read if I want to, having to share my clothes (which was probably inevitable in the first place regardless of room situation), share my space...my, my, my, mine. Today, though, we watched "The Diary of Anne Frank," and I remembered all I had read about that time period: Bright Candles, The Borrowed House, The Hiding Place, Number the Stars, I Am David, Father Elijah, The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican, and all the others. Who am I to complain about having to share a small messy space with three sisters? Many of those people, most Jewish, shared similarly confined spaces with others in order that they might live one day longer. How much space does a person need anyway.
In the end, we don't need more than a 1.5x6 foot box in death. How much more do we need in life? An entire room? An apartment? A mansion.
My guess is that most of us can get by with much less room than we think.
One of the most difficult situations for me personally has been having to share a room with my three little sisters...it's about 20x20 feet, so a modest size, but we are a all a bit slobbish. I've often been annoyed with clutter, with clothing everywhere, not being able to just relax and read if I want to, having to share my clothes (which was probably inevitable in the first place regardless of room situation), share my space...my, my, my, mine. Today, though, we watched "The Diary of Anne Frank," and I remembered all I had read about that time period: Bright Candles, The Borrowed House, The Hiding Place, Number the Stars, I Am David, Father Elijah, The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican, and all the others. Who am I to complain about having to share a small messy space with three sisters? Many of those people, most Jewish, shared similarly confined spaces with others in order that they might live one day longer. How much space does a person need anyway.
In the end, we don't need more than a 1.5x6 foot box in death. How much more do we need in life? An entire room? An apartment? A mansion.
My guess is that most of us can get by with much less room than we think.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
By an Unknown Confederate Soldier
I didn't find this one on my own, but from a friend.
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do great things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for...but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do great things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for...but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Name that Patriotic Song/Speach/Document
Alright folks, see if you can! And all those Patriots out there may add their own if they so desire! I would have put more, but these are the only ones I could remember off the top of my head...so feel free to correct me if my memory was not quite up to par!
1.
"As the storm clouds gather far across the sea, let us swear allegiance to a land that's free. Let us all be grateful for a land so fair as we lift our voices in a solemn prayer."
2.
"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me. As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free while God is marching on!"
3.
"Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun.
We have been to every climb and place where we could take a gun.
If the army and the navy ever look on heaven's scene,
they will find the streets are guarded by the United States Marines."
4.
"We the people of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity do ordain and establish this constitution for the United states of America."
5.
"There was Captain Washington upon a slappin' stallion a givin' orders to his men, I guess there was a million."
6.
"O thus be it ever when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation. Blessed with victory and peace may the heaven rescued land praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
And then conquer we must when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: in God is Our trust!
And the flag of the free, forever may it wave, or the land of the free and the home of the brave."
7.
I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy, a Yankee-doodle do or die!
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the fourth of July!
I've got a Yankee doodle sweatheart, she's my Yankee doodle joy.
Yankee doodle went to London just to ride the ponies,
I am my Yankee doodle Boy!
8.
Four-score and seven years ago, our Fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
9.
"Treason is a charge invented by the winners as an excuse for hanging the loosers"
(sorry, I couldn't resist)
10.
He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither.
11.
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
12.
RESOLVED, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be totally dissolved.
13.
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, & to assume among the powers of the earth the equal & independant station to which the laws of nature & of nature’s god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the change.
1.
"As the storm clouds gather far across the sea, let us swear allegiance to a land that's free. Let us all be grateful for a land so fair as we lift our voices in a solemn prayer."
2.
"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me. As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free while God is marching on!"
3.
"Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun.
We have been to every climb and place where we could take a gun.
If the army and the navy ever look on heaven's scene,
they will find the streets are guarded by the United States Marines."
4.
"We the people of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity do ordain and establish this constitution for the United states of America."
5.
"There was Captain Washington upon a slappin' stallion a givin' orders to his men, I guess there was a million."
6.
"O thus be it ever when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation. Blessed with victory and peace may the heaven rescued land praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
And then conquer we must when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: in God is Our trust!
And the flag of the free, forever may it wave, or the land of the free and the home of the brave."
7.
I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy, a Yankee-doodle do or die!
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the fourth of July!
I've got a Yankee doodle sweatheart, she's my Yankee doodle joy.
Yankee doodle went to London just to ride the ponies,
I am my Yankee doodle Boy!
8.
Four-score and seven years ago, our Fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
9.
"Treason is a charge invented by the winners as an excuse for hanging the loosers"
(sorry, I couldn't resist)
10.
He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither.
11.
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
12.
RESOLVED, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be totally dissolved.
13.
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, & to assume among the powers of the earth the equal & independant station to which the laws of nature & of nature’s god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the change.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Favorite Pictures
One day towards the culmination of my final semester, I found myself without much to do and a camera in my hand. Actually, there was probably plenty to do, but I couldn't think of anything better at the time. You know when you are always saying to yourself "if I had time, I would do x, y, and z" or "goodness, will I ever find the time to finish that?" and then one day, you find yourself with nothing but time on your hands and you can't remember a thing that you wanted to do? Well, this was one of those times. I finally got a chance to play with the camera, and several things lying on my counter top crying to be preserved for posterity. I always like looking at artistically pleasing photographs, and taking them is even more enjoyable.
Bananas and Bread and Peppers:
some very happy things...especially for poverty stricken students who happened to find them on sale at Aldis and needed a spike in nutritional well being. They also looked amazing in color. Lotsa vitamin C, Beta carotene, water, and endorphines (released by happy things).
Great-granny's copper teapot and the cast iron skillet my mother gave me were staples to make it through the the extreme cold of the Ohio winter weather.
"Green besprings Ohio Valley..." well, at least part of it...the buds were just coming in and I have no idea why the grass was so very green that early.
Bananas and Bread and Peppers:
some very happy things...especially for poverty stricken students who happened to find them on sale at Aldis and needed a spike in nutritional well being. They also looked amazing in color. Lotsa vitamin C, Beta carotene, water, and endorphines (released by happy things).
Great-granny's copper teapot and the cast iron skillet my mother gave me were staples to make it through the the extreme cold of the Ohio winter weather.
"Green besprings Ohio Valley..." well, at least part of it...the buds were just coming in and I have no idea why the grass was so very green that early.
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