87 thoughts on “Our Daily Thread 11-17-12”

  2. I don’t know who all saw the post last night but I did receive a package from all of you. I have read the cards and what you wrote several times and smiled. The silver ladle was made by H & T Mfg Co but I can’t read the pattern name. (I even got out the lupe- how many of you have one of those? But all I can make out is an A)
    Perhaps the question of the day is What is the Pattern Name? It has little bead going up the sides of the handle and some sort of Baroque swirl at the top. I can find pieces like it on the internet but no pattern name associated with it. We have a hoity toity shop in town called the Silver Market and if all else fails I can screw up my courage and ask the owner the pattern name but she wasn’t so nice the last time I was in there with Mr. P’s silver. She thought I wanted to know so I could buy more from Replacements. I don’t know the last time I grovelled so much!

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  3. I am reading two books at the same time. I’m reading The Enemy at Home by Dinesh D’Souza during the day. But my 82 year old eyes don’t see small print well by lamplight, so, in the evenings, I read, The End of America by John Price because I can adjust the size of print on my Kindle.
    Both are interesting, but neither is a fun read. I’m only half through each of these. But I thought I might comment on what I’ve read. Strangely, they compliment each other.

    I thought The Enemy at Home would be a treatise on how Muslims are coming to America and bringing their changes with them. As in Robert Spencer’s Stealth Jihad. However, D’Souza points out that under their religious system, Muslims have a right to hate the Western corruption of their world for exporting a culture of pornography, homosexuality, abortion, alcohol, drugs and gender leveling. It is the liberal culture they are against.

    Price, OTOH, says that America is bringing destruction on itself, due to those same practices. His argument is that America is the Daughter of Babylon mentioned several places in the OT. And that America can, and will be destroyed, much as Sodom was, before the coming Muslim invasion of Israel and the Antichrist.

    My assessment, having read ¾ of D’Souza and half of Price, is that both have good arguments, but not (yet) complete. Islam was out to create a Caliphate long before the cultural revolution of the sixties. Two religions of the world are charged with changing the entire world to its belief system. Jesus said, “Go-Preach”. Mohammed said, in effect, “Go-Conquer”. Muslims would quibble with that last statement. But, practically, it’s true.

    Price makes many points, but I am still not convinced that America is the “Daughter of Babylon”. God may indeed judge America for the above listed abominations and others too. And it’s true that America must be neutralized before the invasion of Israel.

    I see dark days ahead, but not necessarily the destruction Price is predicting.
    Rick Joyner, in a book called The Harvest claims to have seen a vision of the future of America and the Church. He sees difficult times, but not the destruction that Price claims. Both Price and Joyner see a time of persecution and sifting of the Church.
    My assessment, so far: We do live in a corrupt world, and its getting worse. However, there is still a witness to the evil, though it’s getting smaller each day. But, as I’ve said many times before,
    There are still ten good men in Sodom.

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  4. Chas, I note that included in the subtitle of Price’s book is the phrase: “Biblical Warnings to Flee America”. I need to read that book. I am curious to see if he has ideas that are different from or better than my plans to escape to Chile, Singapore, Poland or Estonia.

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  5. Here is a question for all of you.
    Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
    or
    Crown Ministries Financial Planning

    The company where I now work is having Dave Ramsey speak at Family Reunion in February. Yesterday at the event I attended it was strongly encouraged that each office offer Dave Ramsey to the agents. I told the Broker this was something I wanted to do. I want to get certified to teach the class.

    Any input from anyone who has taught these courses? I know Michelle has taught Crown.

    As an aside, it is great to work for a company that puts God first, family second, and then your business.

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  6. Ricky, as I said, I’m not convinced that America is “Daughter of Babylon”. You may agree because he is persuasive against the current corruption. It was imposed on us by legislators and judges during and since the sixties. Yet, Israel was blessed when they had good kings, and judged for wicked kings. And, on a recent trip, I was dismayed by the increased spiritual darkness I saw in the Washington area (Northern Va.) since I left in 2001. Maybe, in comparison with Hendersonville, it only seemed worse.
    In any case, I see safety only in the Lord.

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  7. Kim, You can’t go wrong picking between those two.

    Chas, You are correct that there is safety only in the Lord. After Josiah, there were no more good kings until Jesus. I believe the US will not have any more good presidents.

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  8. Chas- Prior to Scofield, many theologians considered the Roman Catholic Church, to be the “Daughter of Babylon” and the Pope as the Antichrist. I have never thought that an individual was the Antichrist, but a system. To me, the Antichrist is either Communism or Islam. Either one seems to be acting the roel now. Could Western Civilization, with it’s combination of Judeo-Christian beliefs and hedonistic liberties indeed be the “Daughter of Babylon”? Who can say?

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  9. Antichrist is definitely a man. You can’t read Revelation, or II Thessalonians 2, and other scripture any other way.
    As I’ve said before, Christians are looking for Christ’s return, Jews are looking for the Messiah, Islam is looking for the Mahdi.

    According to scripture, there will arise a deceiver who will perform acts that will mislead much of the world.
    As Tolkien says in The Silmarillion, Melkor was incapable of good, but he was capable of deception.
    Matt. 24:24 “False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible. ” NIV

    Antichrist is a man.

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  10. As Tolkien says…

    Chas, you have a point about Antichrist being a man, but using Tolkien as a source? Yes, Tolkien was a Christina influenced writer, but not divinely inspired. Okay, so maybe not Catholicism, but the Pope. Not any one individual Pope, but the office of the Pope, could be considered as Antichrist. I think the earlier theologians thought this because of the doctrine that the Pope was the “Vicar of Christ” and that whatever he said from his high position was infallible. No man is infallible, only the Lord Jesus. I do tend to trust earlier theologians over Scofield.

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  11. Say what you will about that Francis Schaeffer, he has been a big encouragement to me. Reading his books has helped to organize my extremely scattered thoughts. I have given up trying to do my organized exercise in the morning. Instead, I get up at five thirty for a shower and then Bible Study. So by six forty five when the first child is scheduled to get moving, I am prepared. Then the two youngest and I go out to do our chores and I get my exercise by chopping firewood. Much more healthful in my opinion. And more fun. Now, if I can keep on this schedule for a while….

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  12. Antichrist is definitely a man. You can’t read Revelation, or II Thessalonians 2, and other scripture any other way.

    Why not? It’s possible that antichrist is a man, but John, himself, spoke of antichrist as a *type* of person. The term “antichrist” isn’t used in Revelation.

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  13. I used Tolkien as an illustration. He says there is no allegory in his fiction, but I can see plenty there.
    The term “Antichrist” is only used four times, all by John. John (I Jn. 2:18) says “you have heard that antichrist is coming. Even now many antichrist have come.” But Paul says, II Thess. 2, ” that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlesness is revealed.” Paul is talking about a real man here. We, using John’s terminology, call him the antichrist.
    John, in Revelation calls him “the beast”. I believe this is the same person.

    (Spell check wants me to capitalize “antichrist” but it isn’t capitalized in the NIV.)

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  14. John, in Revelation calls him “the beast”. I believe this is the same person.

    Why believe that?

    John’s terminology is generic. Why assume Paul’s term is synonymous with John’s when one use (John’s) is generic and another’s (Paul’s) is specific?

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  15. Rickyweaver, I’m curious as to how you decide on Estonia, Chile, Singapore or Poland.
    For economic freedom I can see Estonia, Chile or Singapore but not Poland. But then if economic freedom was the criteria you need to consider Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Canada. Considering the US is ranked better than Estonia and just below Canada you might want to stay put. Poland is ranked lower than most European countries.

    As well Poland along with Singapore rank low on personal freedom including the press and expression. Also, the Catholic church enjoys some state support including teaching catechism in the public education system.

    Here’s an interesting site where you can set which “freedoms” you consider important and they rank the countries based on your preferences.
    http://www.freeexistence.org/freedom.shtml

    Using my preferences, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Netherlands and Chile were my top five.

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  17. HRW, Thanks for the reference. That is a neat site. My top 5 countries (in order using the site) were Chile, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Singapore and the Bahamas. In real life, I give bonus points to places where the church is strong and/or growing. I also subtract points for English-speaking countries which are more likely to be influenced by the toxic American popular culture. I also have a bias against Western Europe and in favor of Eastern Europe for religious reasons.

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  20. OK I give up. I read about all these parents that have such a great relationship with their children. Their children actually want to be around them. Mine? She isn’t happy unless she has a house full of company, is over at a friend’s house, is going somewhere. I cannot, even with my new job, afford her social life of eating our, going to the ball game, going to the movies, going out for ice cream, going shopping. I don’t know who she thinks she belongs to, but she has just about worn me out. I am ready to sit down in a corner and give up. She is mad because I won’t let her go to the movie tonight, so she has called her father and when all of her company goes home in a little while he is coming to get her. Me? I am looking forward to a little peace. Why can’t she understand that I have to be at a job at a certain time every morning and not drag her feet and head into the bathroom at 7:30 when I need to be headed out of the house. Why doesn’t she understand that I work until 5 instead of starting with a barage of text messages and phone calls at 4 pm wanting to know how soon I will be home?

    I have protected her from really knowing what my life was like at 15. I was cooking dinner every night, trying to keep the accounts balanced and hiding my mother from any and all. She cannot imagine what it is like to come home from school and fix your mother the drink that will put her to bed, get her out of your hair so you can get your homework done and fix dinner!!!!

    This isn’t what I signed up for when they handed her to me in the hospital. Yep, I am just flat worn out.

    Rant over.

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  22. Actually, Kim, a lot of folks don’t have all that great a relationship with their children. It is pretty normal. But it can be exhausting. A lot of folks say they could not possibly homeschool their children and it is because they do not like being around their children and/or their children do not like being around them. I am glad you have George around to help out with her.

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  24. I don’t see anything from Ree or from Stars. Perhaps they are getting ready for Thanksgiving. If so, quite proper of them.

    Yesterday, several people said to me I should believe . . . . Well, I guess because I should believe and because they do. As usual, the eloquence and good sense of everyone here is impressive and stunning. (Sarcasm.)

    I read Chapter 2 of Heretics by Chesterton. One of the more interesting and amusing parts of reading this book (which on the whole is not nearly as interesting and amusing to me as Mr. Chesterton may have considered it, and perhaps his fans here at WV do) is famiarizing myself with obscure atheists and “freethinkers” from a couple hundred years ago. In this chapter, he talks about G. W. Foote. He also talks about people I once was familiar with, such as Ibsen and Maupassant.

    As far as I can make sense of Chesterton’s rather ornate style, he is talking about about virtue and self-control, and complaining that some secular writers speak against vice by pointing out that vice may bring about suffering.

    “I remember that Mr. Foote dismissed very contemptuously any attempts to deal with the problem of strong drink by religious offices or intercessions and said that a picture of a drunkard’s liver would be more efficacious in the matter of temperance than any prayer or praise. . . .”

    “Now, it is this great gap in modern ethics, the absence of vivid pictures of purity and spiritual triumph, which lies at the back of the real objection felt by so many sane men to the realistic literature of the nineteenth century.”

    I think Chesterton’s complaint is that secularists do not make virtue appealing; they only try to make vice disgusting and repulsive. This is a real problem. (Unfortunately, there is no real solution.) We can avoid things that are bad for us (such as alcohol) because they cause harm in the long run. We can be virtuous because . . . well, in the long run, unless being virtuous makes us feel good, there is no particular payoff for virtue. [Whatever “virtue” means. Perhaps it means praying to God incessantly?]

    Chesterton gets fairly testy about the word “progress”; justifiably so, although he has no better solution than anyone else.

    As Chesterton says, “It is as if a man were asked, ‘What is the use of a hammer?’ and answered, ‘To make hammers”; and when asked ‘And of those hammers, what is the use’ and answered, ‘To make hammers again.'”

    Which is a fairly deft way of describing the existential dilemma. There is no point to life. We live; we keep ourselves busy in various ways (as evidenced by almost every post in Wandering Views today), and eventually we die.

    [Suppose there were some drug such as alcohol or marijuana that kept us alive and happy and physically healthy for say 40 years, and after the end of that time we died perfectly happily and painlessly. What would be wrong with that solution to the problem of life’s suffering and meaninglessness? Wasn’t that sort of the theme a hoky series of movie called The Matrix nibbled around?]

    The answer to Chesterton I am guessing is that we worship an imaginary being called God and that in the end (if we are fortunate) we meet God and he provides us with an answer that makes sense in an imaginary place called Heaven. I am no fan of Marx, but wasn’t he the one who said, “Religion is the opiate of the masses”?

    http://atheism.about.com/od/weeklyquotes/a/marx01.htm

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  27. Stephen,

    I’m here long enough to read, but not long enough to respond. I generally don’t have as much opportunity to respond to longer posts on weekends, although I occasionally do.

    And if you find reading Heretics less than stimulating, don’t blame me. I didn’t even suggest you read that one. But you ask what his solution is. I believe that’s what his critics asked as well which, I believe, was why he wrote Orthodoxy.

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  28. Happy Thanksgiving, Ree. My wife and I were married on Thanksgiving 47 years ago. I keep thinking that my wedding anniversary will be on a Thursday . . . well, my wife puts up with me anyway. Heretics is interesting enough, as long as I take a chapter at a time, every couple of days. As you know, Christianity fascinates me. I suspect as I fall into dementia, they will find me with a Bible in my hands, mumbling nonsense. If a Christian becomes my caretaker, she will say, “Isn’t that sweet? He was converted just as he fell into Alzheimer’s. God will love that.”

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  29. I meant to ask this morning but got distracted. What happened to Victoria? She was one of my favorite people on worldmagblog. Also, I feel sentimental as she was banned at the same time I was. I feel that we are sort of joined together at the heel or something.

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  30. The goal is to survive these girls. She’ll be delightful in a couple years. I’ve been there and lived to tell the story, thanks be to God.

    Literally.

    Maybe someone else in your life can tell her about your childhood. I felt similarly–I never would have dared behave the way my daughter did. My family of origin had so many other problems, I had to be the perfect child.

    Jesus saved me–and them–from a lot of heartache.

    Sending her to her father sounds like a splendid idea to me!

    Delightful end to the game. We don’t have cable, so I had to follow the score on the computer. 🙂

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  32. Thanks, Stephen. This is one of those years when my birthday falls on Thanksgiving, but if your anniversary isn’t on Thursday this year, then I guess you didn’t get married on my birthday.

    And you may very well be converted as you fall into dementia. And in response to something you’ve asked in the past, if that conversion is genuinely of the Holy Spirit and not something else, and God graciously converts you even as your mental capacities are failing, then yes, it still does “count”. A converted sinner is a converted sinner, regardless of his IQ.

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  35. I had to smile—I feel for anyone new trying to follow some of this thread with some commenters having new screen names but some of us still referring to old ones. 🙂 If it weren’t for my password manager, I’m not sure I could have gotten my gravatar account open again, it’s bee n so long.

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  39. Ree @ 9:55 — I think Random is referring to Sails.

    Bingo. Thanks, 6 arrows. More proof of my dementia.

    and God graciously converts you even as your mental capacities are failing, then yes, it still does “count”

    Humans are animals. Other animals are very intelligent, such as primates, whales, dolphins, elephants, crows, octopi, coyotes, etc. They lack abstract thinking and generalization. (I know someone who thinks whales are on a similar level; he know I think he is deluding himself.) Even so, it makes just as much sense for “God” to gather pods of whales and murders of crows, etc. and gather them into his Heavenly family.

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  43. 🙂 Hi Cameron.
    🙂 This is the last day our church meets in the gym. They were renovating and we had to move to the gym for two months.
    This belongs on R&R, I know, but I don’t have time to go there.
    Everyone have a nice Sunday.

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  44. BTW. You might see that USC beat Woffard 24-7. The score is deceptive. It wasn’t that easy. The Terriers gave the Gamecocks a fit. The difference was they fumbled five times and lost three of them.

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  45. At least some USC somewhere is winning. Peter L, yes I was thinking of you when the Trojans fell to the Wildcats.

    Crazy day with Kansas and Oregon losing. Sheesh, doesn’t anyone want to be national champions this year? I mean besides the Irish.

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  51. Kim,

    You and I should have a drink together and discus the joys of raising a 14 year old girl alone. I can completely relate to every thing you said. Yet, every now and then she surprises me and makes it all worth while.

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  52. Ricky

    I’m quite sure you’re not a Catholic or Orthodox so why give Eastern Europe bonus points for religion. Most states actively discriminate against non Catholics/Orthodox. A southern baptist would not find a hospitable home in rural Poland.

    I’m not a big fan of Mark Steyn but he serves a useful role of being crazy enough on one side to keep the crazies on the other side contained.

    The freedom of expression rating is based on Freedom House which appears to be a non-partisan US organization.

    I’m a bit of an Anglophile so I questioned throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Yes English speaking countries are more susceptible to Honey Boo-boo and other signs of the decline of western civilization but they also are the home to English common law. In contrast to civil law, common law is far less bureaucratic and promotes free enterprise as the right wing group Heritage Foundation places 5 English speaking countries in the top 6 economic freedom rankings.

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  53. GO IRISH,

    🙂

    The only thing standing in the way to the National Championship Game is USC.

    So no biggie.

    🙂

    And Alabama and the undeafeated season should await.

    Low Tide’s my prediction.

    😯

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  55. The Pope cannot be the antichrist. Seriously. Half the world would never follow a Christian of ANY type.

    The antichrist needs to be Muslim. And, it fits PERFECTLY with their end-times scenario. They are looking for the Mahdi. He is their version of the messiah. But, he fits OUR version of the antichrist.

    In their version, Jesus Christ will ALSO return and be the Mahdi’s “right-hand man” (i.e. the false prophet). This “Jesus” will tell the world that Christians have had it wrong about him. He is NOT divine. Mohammed is the one to follow. And, this “Jesus” will LEAD the persecution of the remaining Christians and Jews. In addition, he will perform many signs and wonders.

    So, can’t you just see it? A great Muslim smooth-talker comes along. He’s joined by “JESUS” who directs all people to him, and who performs all sorts of signs and wonders. They bring “peace” at first, but then go on a campaign to wipe out the remaining infidels … led by “Jesus.”

    It is easy to see in this case why more than half the world will follow him. The Muslims? Well, of course. And, many, many Christians will be deceived because of
    the false “Jesus.”

    And, this is spelled out clearly in Muslim end-time prophecies (yes, they have them too!)

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  56. Chas, I’m not sure that Price convinced me either, although he has many good points. But, should the Muslim nations attack Israel and the U.S. refuse to help and Israel receive miraculous, last-minute help in their defense? Well, I think I’ll be taking an extended trip somewhere outside of the U.S. if I can in any way afford it!

    But, I too wondered about Sodom and Gomorrah and the 10 righteous persons thing. The U.S. has more than 10 (although, I’m sure that we all carry some blood guilt over abortion and because the Church as a whole has been very “wimpy.”)

    Still, we are warned repeatedly in the Bible that — when we begin to see it all happen — we are to flee. So, I have told God that I am open to His leading and I trust that He will lead me and many others to the right choices if things start playing out in my lifetime.

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  57. And, interestingly, in all the end-time prophecies, HOW are the people who refuse to follow the antichrist and his system killed?

    They are beheaded.

    This is a barbaric and old-fashioned practice. Name me the only religion that still practices it and even prescribes it in their holy book as the proper way to kill the infidel?

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  58. I am helping my husband, BIL, and SIL clean out my MIL’s house (mother-in-law, etc. for those not in the know on the letters). She passed away this week from lung cancer.

    So far, we are all doing wonderfully. We are working together, choosing some items to keep without rancor, and not stepping on anyone’s toes.

    Would you all please pray that this continues? My SIL and BIL are not believers. And, this kind of thing can put stress on even the best of relationships. So, I just pray that we can continue to work out all issues well, and that — we can use this opportunity to be a light and a witness to them.

    I already missed an opportunity yesterday. 😦 My BIL mentioned that he had read through the Bible twice, but that he just didn’t “get it.” And, I didn’t say anything. 😦 It is SO hard with family.

    Pray that I can be less of a wimp, but do so in a “winsome” way.

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  59. Death has a way of making one really think.

    My MIL was verging on being a “hoarder.” She was an extremely NEAT one, but she was slowly filling every corner of her home with items. She had, for example, 10 containers of dishwasher detergent, and medicine in her cupboard from 1973! She did have good taste, however, and — unlike many hoarders — she has some nice items. Of course, she also has every single magazine she ever bought (neatly stored in boxes!), and a copy of every single email she ever received printed out. (We’re going to hire a shredder company for the boxes, and boxes, and boxes of receipts, papers, bills, and emails.)

    She had enough stored food that she might have survived the apocalypse! (Although, much of it was WAY expired.) As my husband says, her one house has enough stuff for FOUR families. 😉

    So, as I was cleaning yesterday, and throwing so many of her “treasures” into either the trash, or the sell, or the give-away pile, it reminded me yet again that “you can’t take it with you.”

    She spent years (since she moved here in the 1990s) re-collecting stuff (she left tons of stuff in her old home for the new owners when she moved here, as it was just too much to pack). And, she would have highly resisted getting rid of any of it. It would have torn her to pieces.

    But, here we are keeping very little of it. All those treasures … into the trash or to be sold or to be given away.

    Makes you think a little … doesn’t it?

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  60. HRW, Southern Baptists are not nearly as provincial as you might think. I could be very happy in a country dominated by Catholics or the Orthodox, even if they are government subsidized.

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  61. I’ve cleaned out houses four or five different times when relatives died and came away not wanting to set foot in any type of store for months. All I bought was food, I couldn’t bear to go into a department store.

    Which is another reminder to continually go through our own possessions. Do I really want people to know I own one of these? 🙂

    I have to say, the most satisfying thing I ever threw into a dumpster was a scale–but then someone wanted it!

    Too bad. Gone!

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  62. Praying for your interactions with in laws Tammy…Paul and I both buried a parent this year and things can become a tad bit emotional…praying the Lord gives to you His well placed words to minister….
    In other news…..church today=good…very good indeed…we are blessed

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  64. My ex was somewhat of a hoarder. I kept it under control while I was with her. In the first year of our separation it got really bad and now she’s slowly gaining ground (I should say floor space). Its a sign of mental illness.

    Now I live in a somewhat spartan townhouse. I had a date with a woman who invited me to her place, I took a look around and left as soon as it was polite. That happened twice — very nice well mannered ladies but anything that resembles hoarding I run.

    Life is much better if you keep it it simple.

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  65. HRW, I would rather have a government that subsidizes Catholicism than one that subsidizes sloth and green energy while also promoting perversion.

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  67. HRW, You are wise to avoid hoarders. It is a trait that definitely gets worse with age. Technology should help. I am replacing my entire library with a Nook and an iPad.

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  68. rickyweaver —- so we both agree gov’t subsidies are okay its only a question of what we find acceptable. I agree about sloth although I don’t think you and I will agree what creates sloth — except bank bailouts which create more than sloth it creates a “moral hazard”

    As for green energy I see that as a long term investment. An investment which other countries have made and which seem to have paid off for them. As opposed to Catholicism which I don’t view as very productive or as a long term investment although I’m sure some will argue it makes a contribution to society.

    random …. I was amused to find you here.

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  69. Baby Girl’s stepfather gave her a choice this morning. “Your mother wants you to get up and get dressed and go to church with us. It is your choice. You can stay home and lose your cell phone next week or you can go to church with us”. She chose to go to church. Amazing that I can say that and she argues. He can say it and she hops to.

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  70. I am aware of a farmer who would have given the edge of his farm to a power company (for a power line) for $150,000. Thanks to green energy subsidies, the farmer got $3,500,000. These subsidies are an investment in nothing. The government would do better to just pour China’s money out of airplanes flying over the country.

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  71. Now thats a badly managed gov’t program. In comparison, the Danish gov’t helped spur the wind power industry that now defines Danish energy production.

    http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/how-wind-energy-is-transforming-denmark-into-a-modern-marvel-a-849227.html

    I would like to think if the Danes can do it, so can America (or Canada). Part of the problem in the US (and to a certain extent Canada) is the lack of respect for the gov’t and thus the tendency to hand programs off to the private sector who are only there for a quick buck and not long term investment. After all the US gov’t put a man on the moon so I’m sure its capable of a green energy policy.

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  74. The private sector is discovering oil and natural gas all over the country despite the government’s best efforts to stop it. The worst pollution I have seen in my lifetime is those government funded windmills spoiling our West Texas vistas. In 20 years when they all break down (that is their useful life) I hope we load up the wreckage and dump it all in Al Gore’s backyard.

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  77. kbells et al …. thanks for the welcome. I was tempted to comment earlier but didn’t really have the time. But my ex has rediscovered her role as a mother so I have free time. Although I really should be reading Salman Rushdie’s autobiography right now.

    Chas — its not that they have different roles (their roles depend on the personalities of the parents) but they can be a fresh face, back each other up, and provide encouragement. Nothings worse than attempting to debate with a 14 year old girl after you come home from work and no-one can help you.

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  78. rural residents here make the same comment regarding windmills. Most seem to have accepted the solar panels -…. in fact aging farmers buy then with a gov’t grant and call them their pension plan. Personally I think we should put the windmills off shore like the Dutch and Danes. Texas can put them in the Gulf and Ontario in the Great Lakes.

    Gas exploration has its own environmental problems especially gas fracking. Besides ruining your country vistas, it ruins the water supply.

    Of course, the tar sands in Alberta probably top windmills and gas fracking

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  83. AJ, It is a great feature. I saw this version of our national anthem which has the words to all the verses. Verse 3 (@2:20) seems to have been written for times like these.

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  84. Cranberry stuff is made. Tomorrow or Tuesday night I will make the cornbread. Thursday morning I will make the dressing. The store had turkey drumsticks on sale so I will boil those down and put the meat in the dressing.

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  85. Cameron, welcome!

    I used to be “Cheryl D.” but I got married a year ago (at 44) and changed my monikor, and Kim just got married a month ago (or something like that). I followed your blog for a while but haven’t visited it recently, if it’s still up.

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  87. Hi, Cameron! I wondered if it was the Cameron from the old days. I think we’re going to have to put out a score card for the “old” people who are here with new names. The people new to our bunch would probably appreciate any kind of scorecard to figure us out!

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