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Our Daily Thread 10-31-13

Good Morning!

And Happy Reformation Day! 🙂

On this day in 1517 Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Palace Church. The event marked the start of the Protestant Reformation in Germany.

In 1864 Nevada became the 36th state to join the U.S.

In 1926 Magician Harry Houdini died of gangrene and peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix. His appendix had been damaged twelve days earlier when he had been punched in the stomach by a student unexpectedly. During a lecture Houdini had commented on the strength of his stomach muscles and their ability to withstand hard blows.

In 1941 Mount Rushmore was declared complete after 14 years of work.

In 1941 the U.S. Navy destroyer Reuben James was torpedoed by a German submarine near Iceland. The U.S. had not yet entered World War II.  More than 100 men were killed.

In 1952 the U.S. detonated its first hydrogen bomb.

And in 1959 Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine from Fort Worth, TX, announced that he would never return to the U.S. We all know how that worked out. 😦

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Quote of the Day

“Who cares about the clouds when we’re together? Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.”

Dale Evans

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Slim pickins for birthdays today. So hey, let’s go with that.

This one is just because I like it.

And we do have Larry Mullen Jr. with a birthday though.

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QoDs?

Will you be participating in Trick-or-Treat? Or Trunk-or-Treat?

Will you give out candy, or lock the doors, turn out the lights, and pretend you’re not home? 😯

And if you don’t mind telling us, why?

54 thoughts on “Our Daily Thread 10-31-13”

  1. Well, I’m home, the lights are on, but no trick or treaters here. I do have my special stash of candy though. I always thought that this was a good excuse to get to know our neighbors in our rural neighborhood. One year we went to grampas house with a bag of props. Put the kids in the back room and told them to see how many creative costumes they could come up with. They would devise a costume and then run outside and around the house and ring the bell. The three of them had a great time. One time one of them was a Christmas tree, wrapped in a green sheet.

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  3. Good morning!

    We live in a neighborhood with few children so for years I have been in the habit of turning out the lights for any who might venture our way. They would not be people we know. Now I do have one neighbor with children so my routine might change. But today is a work day and most likely we will be at the office when anyone would stop by. Another big reason I stopped participating was because I might give out one or two pieces of candy Halloween night and then I would end up eating the left over candy. I did not need that.

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  4. Anon=JaniceG

    I do feel badly about not participating in Halloween since it was a fun time for my son and his friends. We always gathered to hit the streets over by the elementary school where everyone was out and about and it was a safe place for trick or treating. We have speed bumps on our street because it is a cut through so our street is not as safe for children to be on although after rush hour traffic is light.

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  7. Somebody in this house overslept this morning. 😉
    Chas has noticed that he needs more sleep as he gets older.
    I went to bed at 9:45 last night. Didn’t go to sleep immediately, but very soon. I woke up at 5:30 this morning, said,”It’s too early”. Next thing it was 6:58. And I rolled out. Elvera was already up.

    Rex Allen was one of the first, if not THE first, of the “singing cowboys”. Roy Rogers played in a Gene Autry movie before he set out on his own.
    Roy always genuinely appreciated his audiences. “If not for you, I would be Leonard Sly” (Or sligh, Elvera’s Bro-in-law was a Sligh) in Chicago.”

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  8. We have never had a trick or treater come by our house in Hendersonville. We live on a long street with no sidewalks, Mostly retirees, no children around. It can be scary at night because very few of us leave outside lights on.

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  9. In fact. We gave away all our fall outside decorations since we moved here, except for a single fall wreath we hang on the door. It stays there until we put the Christmas Wreath up just after Thanksgiving. For the get-to-gether of Elvera’s family.

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  10. Another QoD. This from Billy Graham, as quoted in this month’s Newsmax magazine.

    “Hope and change has become a cliché in our nation, and it’s daunting to think that any American could hope to change from what God has blessed.”

    I think I told you this before, but I was teaching adult men in Virginia. Once Sunday, it was Reformation Sunday. (Baptist don’t recognize Reformation Sunday.) I discussed Luther nailing the 95 Thesis to the door of the Wittenberg Chapel. Some questioned that he would NAIL it to the door. (NO! dumbkoff, he used Scotch Tape.) When I was in Williamsburg once, I noticed the door of the chapel of Wm. & Mary College. It was over two inches thick at the edges and over an inch thick throughout. That is the way they posted notices in those days.

    At Southwestern Seminary, I had a semester long course on Martin Luther and the Reformation. I may post something if I get the opportunity.

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  11. Good evening, Jo. Good morning, all. I’ve been up since 4:30 b/c a big storm blew through. Becca came down at 5:00, frightened by the loud thunder and the way the lightening was lighting up her room. Thankfully, she’s asleep in my bed now. She doesn’t do well without adequate sleep–a nap may be in order this afternoon–depending on how long she sleeps this morning. It really was quite a storm! I’m hoping it clears up before this evening or a lot of children will be very disappointed…

    Which brings me to Aj’s QoD: Hubby will take Becca around the neighborhood trick or treating, while I stay home and hand out candy. My dad thought we shouldn’t celebrate Halloween; I just thought he was weird. My mom disagreed with him and somehow won the argument, so I did get to trick or treat as a youngster, but was forbidden from wearing scary/gory costumes. I always wanted to be a princess anyway! I realize Halloween is a pagan holiday, and dislike how some folks decorate their houses, but I think most kids just enjoy dressing up and getting candy. I agree with Jo that it’s a great way to meet one’s neighbors.

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  12. Not really a pagan holiday, but a superstition. November 1 is “All Saint’s Day” in the Catholic Church. Medieval people believed that the evil spirits came out on the “Holy eve” before they had to retreat into the netherworld because of the saints.
    i.e. On he Hallowed Eve, this was their day.

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  13. I think it’s fun to hand out candy on Halloween, but we get off work so late that by the time I get home it’s all in full swing (yes, we do get lots of kids on our block). So I’ve done both, handed out candy and turned the front lights off to “hide.” 🙂 I feel like tonight may be a hiding night for me, even though I may be home early since I have jury duty. Don’t want to go buy candy at this point, particularly.

    Question for cat owners — Annie has a sore near the base of her tail, is there something topical I can use on that? It doesn’t look bad at this stage but I really want to avoid another vet bill if I can! I wiped it with a towel & water this morning, which she resisted — it’s a little smelly and oozy and she’s licking it.

    Interesting ongoing (now quite long) thread on fb posted the other day by a Christian friend who supports obamacare (and Obama) — she keeps saying the costs should go way down for us here in California. But so far, I wrote, the so-called Affordable Health Care act isn’t making things either more “affordable” or providing much choice/freedom in choosing doctors. It’s like the worst of everything. 😦 Others seem to be having the same experience. She keeps saying that “shouldn’t” be the case …

    I really hope they’ll throw the brakes on all of this and start over again — maybe this time with a bipartisan effort. Meanwhile, I have about a week to decide whether to change plans to get some moderately cheaper monthly premiums, with the sacrifice being that I’d have to give up my longtime GP. Not a great choice.

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  15. Trunk and Treat. I have no idea what I’m dressing as or what I’m doing with the car. Several times we’ve just filled it and dressed ourselves in UCLA paraphernalia. It’s that kind of year, so maybe once again.

    I’ve bought some extra candy to set out without us, since I don’t know this neighborhood and hate to look unneighborly. We’re having a party in two weeks to meet the neighbors, so maybe that will help.

    TV show was lots of fun; I managed the drive without too many problems. I talked with my daughter’s godmother on the phone for 2 of the 2.5 hour drive out, which made it go very quickly.

    My houseguest isn’t up yet, but I’m waiting for her!

    I don’t like Halloween, though the costumes usually make me laugh. When kids say, “trick or treat,” I always say, “I’ll take the trick.”

    That usually confounds them and stops the conversation, but the parents laugh.

    Happy Reformation Day from this Lutheran!

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  16. I loved Halloween as a kid, though I hate that it has turned into a holiday for adults to decorate their yards in gruesome ways. I always thought of it as a holiday for children, and still do. I mean, how much more kid-friendly can you get: you get to dress up, be out after dark, and get free candy. Besides, my dad liked Halloween and he’d be in a good mood. When kids came to the door and said, “Trick or treat,” he’d respond kind of like Michelle: “OK, show me your trick.” Their mouths would drop open and he’d laugh and give them the candy.

    We liked going to our house, knocking on the front door (which wasn’t the door we usually used) and pretending to think our parents wouldn’t recognize us.

    In Chicago trick-or-treating was done really early. Even if I got off work a little early, I’d see little ones out as I drove home (4:00-4:30 or so) and by the time I got home no one would still be doing it. In Nashville, they waited till late. By 8:00, I’d start thinking, “Well, maybe no one is coming this year” and then about 8:30 I’d finally start getting children, and over the next 45 minutes I’d get 12-20 in groups of two to four. I’d put a stool up in front of the door (the point that Misten was to stop behind) and open the door to children after I made Misten sit. The kids who knew her would say, “Hi, Misten!” and the others would say, “That’s a pretty dog!” The next night, as it drew dark Misten would start pacing and looking at the door, wondering when the children were going to come back to see her!

    Here we are out in the country and no one comes by.

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  17. We try to have the best/most candy around! But that’s because we live so far out and there aren’t many houses for the 2 kids to go to. We may not get any kids this year because (and we’re not sure yet) the 2 kids may have lost their father on Tuesday. Their grandfather shot and killed him as he and 2 other men came to get some of their mother’s property. So sad.

    If we lived in town, we would have coffee for the parents walking their kids around, but out here, they just sit in the warm car and don’t come to the door.

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  18. Good Morning, Y’all!
    I usually open for business long enough to take care of the little ones in the neighborhood and then shut down before all the beggar teenagers from the next street over show up…I get fairly annoyed with older kids trick or treating.

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  20. Good Morning. We don’t get trick or treaters out here or else I would be handing out candy. I love watching the cutie pies showing off their costumes…all smiles and excitement. Trick or Treating was so much fun when we were children…running through the neighbor’s front lawns, kicking up the fallen leaves…getting popcorn balls, apples and Baby Ruth candy bars!…not to mention the root beer barrels we fought over…. great memories 🙂

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  22. Ruben James was a sailor who served with Steven Decatur. During a heated battle with the Barbary pirates, the Turkish captain was in a saber battle with Steven Decatur. Decatur had fell down and the Turkish Captain raised his blade to sever Steven Decatur’s head. Ruben James jumped and covered the body of Steven Decatur saving the young Naval Officer’s life. James lost his life in the process. This gave Decatur time to draw his pistol and kill the Turkish Captain. The same Turkish Captain had killed Steven Decatur’s brother in a previous battle. The Turkish Captain had feigned surrender. Later on, Decatur had given this toast:

    “To my Country. In her intercourse with nations, may she never be wrong, but whether right or wrong, my country”

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  24. Thanks for that info, drivesguy, since I should be aware of that history given where I live. 🙂

    Yes, Cheryl, quite sad. It is hard to imagine.

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  25. Whitney never told us of the outcome or prognosis.

    I think I told you that middle GD, Mary, is pregnant. Little Graham is due in January.
    The sonagram shows fluid on the brain. Doctors differ on the prognosis. One says it may not be serious.
    We are praying for Graham.
    He will be loved.

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  27. Chas- Halloween was a pagan holiday in ancient times. The Roman Catholics Christianized it, along with the pagan Winter (Saturnalia) and Spring (Ishtar) celebrations. Now-a-days they have lost their original meanings. I don’t celebrate Halloween, but have no qualms with those who think it is okay to let the children dress up and fill a bag with sugary treats. That said, I have read that witch covens make this night their biggest night of the year.

    In our house we never had trick-or-treat because today is my oldest daughter’s birthday. We always had friends or family over for cake and ice cream and just out a sign on the door “Sorry, no treats”. Our neighbors understood. Now that she is grown up and has children of her own, we get a small bag of candy and give it to the few who show up. Anything leftover I take to school and give put as rewards.

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  28. Chas, I don’t remember the details, but I remember years ago having a friend receive such news, and it turned out not to be very serious.

    Either way . . . my sister said several times that people often say, “I don’t care what sex the baby is, as long as it’s healthy” and she said she couldn’t even say that much. If God chose to give her a baby that wasn’t healthy, that was His choice and they would still love the baby. I think she even said once that with up to 90% of babies with Down syndrome being aborted, it’s better for a baby with problems to be born to a married couple who will love it. Babies with health problems often bring an end to a marriage, too, so it is better for such a child to be born to a family in which every member will love it. (I do know a seriously handicapped baby who might have saved her parents’ marriage, though, in her two-and-a-half years of life. They were at odds until she was born, and they grew together in their common love for her.)

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  29. I am still alive! I have joked about being stuck in moving purgatory–although I just closed the door on the old house and the landlord and I are doing a walk through at 4 pm today.
    I have bruises up and down my arms from hauling boxes. I told Mr. P I was going to take pictures of them and put in a safe deposit box in case I ever needed them in the future (I was being tongue in cheak). He told me good luck proving that!
    I have a new dishwasher that I don’t know how to use.
    Life is good.

    I am off to have Mr. P fitted for tails. We have been invited to a Mardi Gras Ball this coming Saturday night. This kicks off the official “season” that will last from now until sometime in February when Mardi Gras Day happens.

    Obscure things you need to know. You are only supposed to wear velvet from Thanksgiving through Valentines Day. I have a gorgeous black velvet ball gown but will be wearing another black dress with a halter top.
    Can’t wait to see what the hubs looks like in tails.

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  35. We bought candy ‘just in case’. We haven’t had any trick or treaters for a few years. We do have new neighbors with five children, however, I am not sure they will come. Our community has a big party so most children will be there and then go to a few friends’, relatives’ or neighbors’ homes. We used to do that, too.

    We stopped celebrating with my youngest. The holiday seemed to have gotten so dark. We always did something special with her, however. She still felt she missed out and takes her little ones to celebrations and to trick or treat.

    I don’t feel strongly either way about it, as long as you understand the occult is real and teach your children the truth. God knows that for most of us it is harmless fun.

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  37. Cheryl and Linda,

    It always makes me sad when I read about Downs children and the way society has treated them. They are treated as a burden to be discarded, rather than the blessing they are, like all children. Healthy or ill, children are a blessing from God.

    My friend Chris is in his 20’s with Down’s too. The illnesses, restrictions, dr. visits, and hospital stays are rough on the family, but everyone knows he’s worth the effort. And what joy he brings his family, friends, co-workers and pretty much everyone he comes across, even when he’s ill. I’ve never known anybody like him, and I’ve learned a few things from him.

    And despite his illnesses he’s also the most decorated athlete I know. He has like a gazillion bronze, silver, and gold medals from all levels of Special Olympics in his room. He’s even given some back because he has too many and wants somebody else to have ’em. He rocks. And it would be a loss to some many people if this world didn’t include him.

    To think that so many bright lights in this dark world are snuffed out because it’s hard, or inconvenient, or burdensome, hurts my heart. People have bought a lie, and they rob themselves and the world of blessings and lessons that could be learned. I think it’s shameful.

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  38. Peter,

    I had to put aside my bias (well, as best I could anyway….) and I did post a story on the news thread. What is it, like 8 WS titles now? They only need 20 more to pass the Yankees… 😆

    But seriously, 95 years since they won one at home? 🙄 Weak. I can see why their fans are excited, who wouldn’t be after that long a drought.

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  39. AJ, our pastor’s son is really a delight. I think I’ve mentioned before that when we had a litter of Siamese kittens we gave him one. He named her Princess Rose and calls her “his daughter.” I love seeing the joy he gets out of having her.

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  41. Janice: Glad you posted this. I needed to read it today.

    Aj: I agree with you 100%. Many in our society have come to see all children as a burden, instead of the blessings that they are. My life is so much richer because of my children. They are truly the biggest blessings I’ve ever received, after the gift of my salvation. And, as a former social worker, I can tell you it breaks my heart the way some people treat the children they do have. I wouldn’t treat a lizard the way some treat their children.

    Well, it’s time to straighten the house and get everything ready for trick or treater’s!!!

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  45. From Drudge:

    bama administration official confirms to CNN that Israel attacked missiles and equipment it felt might be transferred to Hezbollah; Al-Arabiya reports Israel destroyed SA-8 missiles in Damascus and Latakia.

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  47. I’m free from jury duty for another year — we never even got called into a courtroom and got a 2-1/2 hour lunch (I came home, it’s a fairly quick drive over a couple bridges in the harbor).

    Got to check out the fancy new courthouse, though, beautiful building — gleaming with wifi and nice work stations all set up in the jury room. I did a bit of work, answered emails, made a photo assignment, did some work on my election story which I’ll have to turn in at the end of the day tomorrow. All in all, quite boring. But I’m glad I don’t have to go back tomorrow.

    Now I’m trying to find the cat so I can scoot her up to the vet for some antibiotics which someone assured me she needs if her abscess is stinky (and it is). I guess that means it’s infected.

    She better show up soon, though, the vet closes in less than 3 hours and it’s a bit of a drive. Guess I should call them and say we’re coming — if she doesn’t come home I suppose I can get her up there early tomorrow morning.

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  50. When I was growing up, we kids shouted, “Hallowe’en apples” instead of “Trick or Treat” Do they do that anywhere else or is that just something that happened in Calgary?
    We did get 1 trick or treater – a 2 year old named Ryder. So cute.

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  51. When I was in High School, we had this cat who liked to sit in this cedar bush between our house and the neighbor’s. He would swat at people as they walked by. One Halloween, he got out and sat in his favorite bush. As the kids walked by in their costumes, he swatted at them. The neighbor next door couldn’t figure out why the kids were running past her house screaming to high heaven.

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  52. We have lots of kids screaming on our street tonight — I bought no candy so I’m a scrooge this year. But it sounds like there are quite a few throngs of them. Now I feel guilty.

    One costumed (pirate) trick-or-treater came to the dog park with his parents tonight just before it was getting dark.

    Never heard of saying, Halloween apples.

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