Banners

Here are my very first attempts a banner/signature making. Feel free to critique and/or use, but please give credit where credit it is due! Thanks! If you click on them, you should be able to view them in slightly larger form.

This phantom one is the very very first one I ever did, so not very high quality or fancy. But I rather like it....
This is my second one. I made it on Adobe Illustrator and it is supposed to be blue... but when I upload Illustrator things, I find that the process discolors them. ARGH!!!! It's a Sarah Palin quote from her acceptance speech.

*grins* OK, this one needs a little explaining. It says "I'm a Fish Hat Fangirl!" Now by now you have all heard of the Shadow of the Bear movie, right? Well some of us girls on the FT forum have fallen head over heels in love... not with Fish!... but with his hat! So, I made one of what I am sure will be many sigs proudly proclaiming the fact that I am *cough* a fan of Fish's hat.

This one features my favorite romantic quote from the fantastic movie "Ever After".

*laughs* And this one... *giggles* featurs one of my absolutely favorite lines from "The Lord of the Rings in 60 seconds". "Ooh, that's bad. The Dark Lord Sauron probably has his evil henchmen out looking for it right now!" *knocknock* "Who is it?" "Evil Henchmen!" "Yes, what can I do for you?" "Sauron Lord of Darkness has lost his ring of evil... do you have it?" "Noooo..."

=)

Ah, and the last one... I- AM THAT IS!!!!! Martin and Matthias who is hiding behind Martin who is Matthias... and it's kinda complicated. Read the book! Which reminds me... Doomwyte is coming out in October!!!!!!!!!!! YAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Aaannndd... that's all the ones I have made so far. When I make more, you will be seeing them, because so far this is the only way I know of of getting them onto the forum...
TTFN!
ta ta for now!

Becoming Like the Angels

Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI

Faith gives joy. When God is not there, the world becomes desolate, and everything is completely unsatisfactory. It's easy to see today how a world empty of God is also increasingly consuming itself, how it has become a wholly joyless world. The great joy comes from the fact that there is this great love, and that is the essential message of faith. You are unswervingly loved. This also explains why Christianity spread first predominantly among the weak and suffering. To that extent it can be said that the basic element of Christianity is joy... It is joy in the proper sense. A joy that exists together with a difficult life and also makes this life liveable . . . Faith also makes man light. To believe means that we become like angels. We can fly, because we no longer weigh so heavy in our own estimation. To become a believer means to become light, to escape our own gravity, which drags us down, and thus to enter the weightlessness of faith . . . Catholics are not promised an "exterior" happiness but rather a deep interior security through communion with the Lord. That he is an ultimate light of happiness in one's life is in fact a part of all this . . . We are as alienated from God's voice that we simply do not recognize it immediately as his. But I would still say that everyone who is in some sense attentive can experience and sense for himself that now he is speaking to me. And it is a chance for me to get to know him. Precisely in catastrophic situations he can suddenly break in, if I am awake and if someone helps me decipher the message.

St. Michael! Pray for us!
St. Gabriel! Pray for us!
St. Raphael! Pray for us!

Mississippi Squirrel Revival

That's what I love about country music... you can sing about the most ridiculous things, and it ends up being a great song. In the car yesterday, we heard this song... and is it funny! So if you need a laugh, press play and listen! (And don't forget to turn on your volume ;)

Well, when I was a kid I'd take a trip every summer down the Mississippi

To visit my granny in her antebellum world

I'd run barefooted all day long climbin' trees free as a song

And one day I happened to catch myself a squirrel

Well, I stuffed him down in an old shoe box, punched a couple of holes in the top

And when Sunday came I snuck him into Church

I was sittin' way back in the very last pew showin' him to my good buddy Hugh

When that squirrel got loose and went totally berserk

Well, what happened next is hard to tell

Some thought it was heaven others thought it was hell

But the fact that something was among us was plain to see

As the choir sang "I Surrender All" the squirrel ran up Harv Newlan's coveralls

Harv leaped to his feet and said, "Somethin's got a hold on me", Yeow!



Chorus:

The day the squirrel went berserk

In the First Self-Righteous Church

In the sleepy little town of Pascagoula

It was a fight for survival that broke out in revival

They were jumpin' pews and shoutin' Hallelujah!



Well, Harv hit the aisles dancin' and screamin'

Some thought he had religion others thought he had a demon

And Harv thought he had a weed eater loose in his Fruit-Of-The-Looms

He fell to his knees to plead and beg and the squirrel ran out of his britches leg

Unobserved to the other side of the room

All the way down to the amen pew where sat Sister Bertha better-than-you

Who'd been watchin' all the commotion with sadistic glee

But you should've seen the look in her eyes

When that squirrel jumped her garters and crossed her thighs

She jumped to her feet and said "Lord have mercy on me"

As the squirrel made laps inside her dress

She began to cry and then to confess to sins that would make a sailor blush with shame

She told of gossip and church dissension but the thing that got the most attention

Was when she talked about her love life and then she started naming names




Chorus



Well seven deacons and the pastor got saved,

Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised and fifty volunteered

For missions in the Congo on the spot

Even without an invitation there were at least five hundred rededications

And we all got baptized whether we needed it or not

Now you've heard the bible story I guess

How he parted the waters for Moses to pass

Oh the miracles God has wrought in this old world

But the one I'll remember 'til my dyin' day

Is how he put that Church back on the narrow way

With a half crazed Mississippi squirrel



Chorus

Ballads and Blues

I was playing out of my George Winston Piano book yesterday, and I was reminded "My friends have no idea who this guy is!" Horror of horrors! Not know who George Winston is? Never to have heard his music? Scandalous! Luckily for them, they read my blog occasionally. And for any others of you out there who don't know who he is, consider yourself introduced. And if you have heard of him, please let me know!

George Winston is, to put it simply, a pianist. To elaborate a little bit, he is a very good pianist. (Actually, I think he plays the guitar and harmonica as well, but mainly piano.)

I have grown up listening to his CDs December and every year at Christmas, and until recently, have just taken it for granted. But in the last few years - with my growth in devotion to my piano - has come a deeper appreciation of his music. My dad owns several other CDs, and I have taken to listening them from time to time... as well as using them for music in my photo slide shows. =)

His music is a combination of blues, a little bit of jazz, some classical here and there, as well as what people would term "new age music". A lot of different kinds, really. It is very relaxing and peacful to listen to, mostly laid back, with a nice upbeat one here and there. If you would like to listen to some samples, you need not look further then the bottom of my blog, in St. Cecilia's Music Box! I re-did the whole music thing, and it is now 3/4 George Winston, and 1/4 Enya. The best Winston songs are Tacobell Canyon.. I mean... Variations on the Kanon by Pachelbel, Thanksgiving (because I can play that one), Joy and The Snowman.

If you are a pianist and would like to get the sheet music, I highly recomend it. Since you need to span two octivtes in order play with complete ease, it is not too simple. I'd say, about upper Intermediate and Advanced Level. Winston does not preform with sheet music, so these are the transcripts of how he played it on the days he recorded it. Now, my hand can not span two octives... ( one note over an octive) but with a little jumping I can do pretty well. And it so satisfying to be able to play something and have it sound like the CD! Another neat feature to the Sheet Music book is a brief description by Mr. Winston of each song, his thoughts on it and other little notes.

Andd..... I lost my train of thought. How was I going to wrap this up? Oh yes!

I haven't been to one of his concerts - exactly - but I am sure I would enjoy it! Here is a list of tour dates, so if he will be near you, I'd recomend going to hear him play! I say that I haven't exactly been to one, because my mom and dad went to go hear him play when my mom was pregnant with me. So, I was there, I just don't, er, remember anything! My mom likes to say that was where I developed my love of the piano, and indeed, I do seem to have a talent for it and have never been the least interested in playing anything else. And George Winston is my favorite pianist. Maybe!

So if you are looking for something new to listen to and relax... and even if you aren't... try out Goerge Winston!

Courage in Blue

"War is a test of character. It makes bad men worse, and good men better."
~ Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

A Good Laugh

My mom posted this absolutely hysterical joke yesterday on her blog. My sisters and I were quite literally crying with laughter. See what happens when you have poor communication!

Basic Baptist Bathroom

A very proper lady began planning a week’s camping vacation for her and her Baptist Church group. She wrote to a campground for reservations. She wanted to make sure that the campground was fully equipped and modern, but couldn’t herself to write the word “toilet” in her letter, so she decided on the old fashioned term “Bathroom Commode”.

Once written down she still was not comfortable. Finally she decided on the abbreviation “BC” and wrote, does your campground have its own “BC?” When the campground owner received the letter, he couldn’t figure out what she meant by “BC”. He showed it to several of the campers, one of whom suggested the lady was obviously referring to a Baptist Church since there was a letterhead on the paper which referred to a Baptist Church. So he sent this reply.

Dear Madam:

The B.C. is located nine miles from the campground in a beautiful grove of trees. I admit it is quite a distance if you are in the habit of going regularly. No doubt you will be pleased to know that it will seat 350 people at one time, and it is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday of each week. Some folks like to take their lunch and make a day of it. The acoustics are very good, so everyone can hear even the quietest passages. It may interest you to know that my daughter met her husband there. We are also having a fundraiser to purchase new seats, as the old ones have holes in them. Unfortunately my wife is ill and has not been able to attend regularly. It’s been a good six months since she last went.

It pains her very much not to be able to go more often. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, especially in cold weather. Perhaps I could accompany you the first time you go, sit with you, and introduce you to all the other folks who will be there. I look forward to your visit.

We offer a very friendly campground.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRODO AND BILBO!!!!!

Many, many thanks to the Society of Avid Young Readers, who reminded me of this most important event!

Bilbo and Frodo Bagginses Birthday!!!!

And now, for what is probably the most famous birthday speech in history!
(this is just what Bilbo said, not the whole commentary in between. If you want that, read the book.)

My dear people,
My dear Bagginses and Boffins, and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burowses, and Hornblowers, and Blogers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots! [Proudfeet! ;) ]
Proudfoots. Also my good Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthda: I am eleventy-one today! I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am. [Yes! =) ]
I shall not keep you for long. I have called you all together for a Purpose. Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live omong such excellent and admirable hobbits. I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!
Secondly, to celebrate my birthday. I should say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo! He comes of age and into his inheritence today. Together we score one hundred and fourty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use the expression. ["No cheers. This was ridiculous." I love those two sentances!]
It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the anniversary of my arrival by barrel at Esgaroth on the Long Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays did not seem so important. The banquet was very splendind, however, though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could only say "thag you very buch". I now repeat it more correctly" Thank you very much for coming to my little party".
Thirdly and finally, I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. I regret to announce that - though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you - this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!

The Tolkien Reading Quest

As Lady Merilwen, I thought I'd take a moment to let y'all know about The Tolkien Reading Quest, a quest and a blog set up by Aladwen. She proposes what may be for some a daunting task... none less then a challenge to read through Tolkien's works on Middle-Earth. ALL of them! In her words,

No less have I required of myself to be able to say that I have a "comprehensive Tolkien education!" I've always been a Lord of the Rings buff, but have put off reading most of JRRT.'s posthumous works (other than The Silmarillion) because I wanted to re-read The Trilogy first. So, I decided to have a blog marathon and read as much as I can in order to gain the coveted title of "Tolkien Scholar!"

So who of you brave of heart out there would like to join in? Ride your nobel steeds over to her blog to see the schedule of events and if you are willing, pledge to join the challenge! We start today with The Hobbit.

Let us set off into the wondrous realms of Middle-Earth!

Yes Sir!

Continuing in the Civil War/military strain, I thought I'd share with you something my siblings and I came up with last year, at the start of our (er, my) Civil War mania. A former acquaintance of ours had a relative or someone they knew in the army, so I asked them for a list of military ranks. She gave me them, and at the advent of our Civil War enthusiasm, my siblings and I instituted "The Army of the Plains" - a family army, as well as assigning ranks by using the sheet she gave us. I don't think this is a complete list, but it works for us!

How it works, is that for each year of your life, up until you are 10, you get promoted as an enlisted soldier. At age 13, you become an officer. From then on you get "promoted" based mostly on events in your life. Here is the list!

1 yr = Private
2 year = Private 1st Class
3 years = Specialist/Corporal
4 = Sergeant
5 = Staff Sergeant
6 = Sergeant 1st Class
7 = 1st Sergeant
8 = Sergeant Major
9 = Command Sergeant Major
10 = Sergeant Major of the Army

Officers
13 years = 2nd Lieutenant
Confirmation or Graduation from Grade School (which ever comes first) = 1st Lieutenant
16 years = Captain
18 years = Major
21/engaged = Lieutenant Colonel
Engaged/21 = Colonel*
Married = Brigadier General
1 yr anniversary = Major General
5 yr anniversary = Lieutenant General
25 yr anniversary = General
50 yr anniversary = General of the Army

Now you may be thinking, what if you enter the priesthood? Got that worked out too!

Seminarian = Colonel*
Deacon = Brigadier General
Priest = Major General
Bishop = Lieutenant General
Cardinal = General
Pope = General of the Army

*which ever comes first.

So currently, in the Grand Army of the Plains (My families army) I am a Captain. I suppose I should add that then to my "list of names" in my profile, eh? Hmmm, but should I attach something else to it, or should I just be "Captain"? I could be Captain Rose. Captain Rosemary Lee? Mary is not a part of my name, nor am I in anyway related to the Lee's (except via Adam and Eve), but it popped into my head, and I rather like it. Or I could be my Lee family counterpart. *grins* That's another thing we came up with.

Now if you have been around me when I enter "Civil War Buff" mode, you should know that I have an admiration (some call it an obsession) for General Lee. (I'll stop now before I get carried away... because I can feel a Civil War Buff mode coming on, and if I get started, I'll never stop!) So anyhow, my family has 7 kids, and the Lee family has 7 kids, so we matched eachother up and that is who we "are" in the Lee family. We've also done that with the VonTrapp family too. Any famous family with 7 kids, may become subject to our assignments.
So in the Lee Family, I "am" the eldest son, Custis. Captain Custis Rose. Captain Rose Custis?

I know! I shall turn it into a poll, and then you can all vote!

I was in awe with this video... and got an award!

Second topic first:
My very dearest and wonderful daughter Grace gave me this wonderful award today.
The SuperCommenter Award, which I am not sure I deserve, and of course, she gave me more compliments that still have me blushing. *shakes head and giggles* Grace darling, just you wait until you see what I have planned for your birthday and then your face will be burned off! (I hope.) (Yes, that isn't a threat. =)
So I am now supposed to bestow this award upon seven people.
Ahem. As Lady Rose of the Rose of Bethlehem, Lady of the Sacra Cor, I bestow this award upon:

Elenatintil
My Fairy Godmother
Vicki:
Hannah
Delaney
Autumn Rose
Kaila
My Mom
Ella
and Paul, who doesn't really deserve it, but I'll give it to him anyhow.

Can you re-award people? Just in case:

To Grace: The sweetest daughter ever!

AND ALSO TO:

MJ. As far as I know, she hasn't a blog, but she is one of the nicest and most frequent commentor's on here!

Yeah, yeah I know... more then seven. But who cares? I hope you all enjoy it!

And now for the 1st thing 2nd!

I got this video in an e-mail... and it is soooooooooo cool to watch! Those people must have practiced really hard!

Guess What!!!!!

No, I did not forget to mention this in my last post.

MY GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER WAS IN THE CIVIL WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*runs around screaming her head off with an excitement only a true Civil War Buff would understand* YAAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EULAAAAAALLLLLLLIAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, think I got it out of my system. But any how HE WAS HE WAS HE WAS HE WAS!!!!!!!! And he DIED too!!!! Isn't that GREAT???????? He wasn't shot in battle - typhoid fever actually - but one can't be too picky about how their ancestors die.

*completely stunned and disbelieving looks from blog readers*

What? So I am excited that my great-tho-the4th-power grandfather died in uniform, is that so odd? *grins* Don't worry, I am terribly sorry for his family. Er, my family! But not so much, because obviously he left children behind. (Which sounds awful, but if he hadn't, where might I be?)

How did I just find out today? (When I told my mom, she shook her head and said something to the effect of "You knew if you looked hard enough you would find connections. Now you can die happy.") Well for a project, I needed just thre great-granparents, and asked my great-aunt -who did extensive geneology for her side of the family - for the names on my grandma's side of the family. God works in mysterious and splediferous ways, because instead of giving me just the names I needed, the dear sent me a copy of everything! Thus fufilling a dear wish and dream of having an ancestor in the Civil War.

I won't tell you his name (internet security and all that. The stalkers are just waiting for his name so they can find me and track me down. *grins* And yes, I AM making fun of it! *giggles and horrified readers who can't believe she joke about such a serious matter*)
I won't tell you his name, but he was in the 29th Wisconsin Infantry, Company D, and he died of typoid fever Feb 1st, 1863. Alas! He made it not to Vicksburg. BUT HE WAS IN THE CIVIL WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*lets out one more whoop of joy before leaving*
YEHAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

146 Years Ago - The "Bloodiest Day in History"

Events at Antietam (Sharpsburg)

Sept. 17:

6 am: Hooker's Federal Corps begins the attack but his left bogs down under artillery fire from Nicodemus Hill.

7 am: Hood's Confederates counterattack and stop I Corps' advance at the Miller cornfield.

7:30-9 am: Mansfield's XII Corps attacks to the Dunker Church but fresh Confederate reinforcements drive them back.

10 am: Sedgwick's division of Sumner's II Corps attacks into the West Woods but is flanked and repulsed with heavy losses.

1 pm: Richardson's and French's division of Sumner's II Corps capture Bloody lane and breach Lee's center.

10 am-1 pm: Burnside's IX Corps seize the bridge across the Antietam after repeated attempts to cross.

1 pm: Rodman's division of IX Corps wades through Snavely's Ford and flanks Toombs' Confederates above the bridge.

3 pm: Burnside launches a general assault pushing Longstreet's Confederates back to the outskirts of Sharpsburg.

4 pm: A.P. Hill's Confederate division arrives from Harper's Ferry just in time to cripple Burnside's advance with a counterattack against the Federal left flank.

From Civil War Home


----------------------------------------

HEADQUARTERS,
Army of Northern Virginia.,
Near Frederick Town, 8th September, 1862.

TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND:

It is right that you should know the purpose that has brought the army under my command within the limits of your State, so far as that purpose concerns yourselves.
The people of the Confederate States have long watched with the deepest sympathy the wrongs and outrages that have been inflicted upon the citizens of a Commonwealth allied to the States of the South by the strongest social, political, and commercial ties.
They have seen with profound indignation their sister-State deprived of every right and reduced to the condition of a conquered province.
Under the pretense of supporting the Constitution, but in violation of its most valuable provisions, your citizens have been arrested and imprisoned upon no charge and contrary to all forms of law; the faithful and manly protest against this outrage made by the venerable and illustrious Marylander to whom in better days no citizen appealed for right in vain was treated with scorn and contempt; the government of your chief city has been usurped by armed strangers; your legislature has been dissolved by the unlawful arrest of its members; freedom of the press and of speech has been suppressed; words have been declared offences by an arbitrary decree of the Federal executive, and citizens ordered to be tried by a military commission for what they may dare to speak.
Believing that the people of Maryland possessed a spirit too lofty to submit to such a government, the people of the South have long wished to aid you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable you again to enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen and restore independence and sovereignty to your State.
In obedience to this wish our army has come among you, and is prepared to assist you with the power of its arms in regaining the rights of which you have been despoiled.
This, citizens of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you are concerned. No constraint upon your free will is intended ; no intimidation will be allowed. Within the limits of this army at least, Marylanders shall once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech. We know no enemies among you, and will protect all, of every opinion. It is for you to decide your destiny freely and without constraint.
This army will respect your choice, whatever it may be; and, while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you to your natural position among them, they will only welcome you when you come of your own free will.

R. E. LEE,
General commanding

Found on Civil War Home.com

----------------------------------------

The Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862

The date September 17, 1862 will forever be known as the bloodiest day of the Civil War. More than twice as many Americans lost their lives in the Battle of Antietam as fell in combat during the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Spanish-American War combined.

When it was all over, the North had 2,108 men killed, 9,549 wounded, and 753 missing. The South reported 2,700 killed, 9,024 wounded and 2,000 missing.

This tragic confrontation occurred near Antietam Creek outside Sharpsburg, Maryland. The Union army had every reason to predict a successful outcome, for they had determined the tactics of the battle well in advance. In addition, their troops numbered 75,000 to Lee’s 25,000 Confederate soldiers. Unfortunately, General George McClellan did not fully coordinate his attacks. Consequently, Lee took advantage of the Union army’s weaknesses by shifting his men to different positions - thus plugging gaps in his line in the nick of time. He received further reinforcement later in the day when Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill arrived to reinforce Lee’s right flank.

While the fiercely contested battle was inconclusive, the Northern army still outnumbered Lee’s rebels. Yet despite the massive superiority of McClellan’s army, he shocked the Union when he refused to resume the fight the following day and risk further losses. Although success beckoned him, he shied away from it. McClellan’s mismanagement of his army aroused nationwide controversy during the war…and remains the subject of heated arguments among historians to this day.

From www.mortkunstler.com

Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Additional note: Today in 1787, the American Constitution was signed.

9/11

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Angels Among Us

You know, one of my favorite things about listening to the country music station, is that you never know what little jewel might turn up next. I haven't heard this song in several years, but I just heard it yesterday and fell in love. It is just a beautiful song. I was actually reading Waking Rose at the time, but had to stop, otherwise I know I would have been bawling! (Hope it makes up for the horrible science post.)

Enjoy.

Hebrews 13:2"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby, some have entertained angels unawares."

Angels Among Us
by Alabama
I was walking home from school on a cold winter's day
Took a shortcut through the woods and I lost my way
It was getting late and I was scared and alone
Then a kind old man took my hand and led me home
Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there
But I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

They wear so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with thier mercy
In our time of need

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

To guide us with a light of love.

Science!!!!

OK, I decided to bore you ALL TO DEATH (MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!) and do a blog post consisting ONLY OF SCIENCE VOCABULARY TERMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *dramatic dying scream from blog readers* And another evil laugh, just because they are fun to do: MWAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Really though, I needed to study the 27 terms and definitions so I have them memorized for my test on Friday, but I also wanted to do a blog post, so now I combine both!

At least I'll have fun.

Metabolism: The sum of all processes in an organism which convert energy and matter from outside sources and use that energy and matter to sustain the organism's life functions.

Anabolism: the sum total of all processes in an organism which use energy and simple chemical building blocks to produce large chemicals and structures necessary for survival.

Catabolism: The sum total of all processes in an organism which break down chemicals to produce energy and simple building blocks.

Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use the energy of sunlight and simple chemicals to produce their own food.

Herbivores: Organisms that eat only plants.

Carnivores: Organisms that eat only organisms other than plants.

Omnivores: Organisms that eat plants and other organisms.

Producers: Organisms that produce their own food. (Well our garden failed... but not quite! So we are almost producers.)

Consumers: Organisms that eat producers and/or other consumers.

Decomposers: Organisms that break down the dead remains of other organisms. (My brother smashes dead crickets...)

Autotrophs: Organisms that make their own food. (So... does that mean I am an autotroph? I made my self lunch today!)

Heterotrophs: Organisms that depend on other organisms for their food. (Like my 3 yr old brother... can't quite make himself a sandwich yet.)

Receptors: Special structures that allow living organisms to sense the conditions of their internal or external enviroment.

Asexual reproduction: reproduction accomplished by a single organism.

Sexual reproduction: reproduction that requires two organisms.

Inheritance: The process by which physical and biological characteristics are transmitted from the parent (or parents) to the offspring. (This goes for money too.)

Mutation: An abrubt and marked change in the DNA of an organism compared to that of its parents. (So if you have drastically different jeans then your mom, you are a mutant!)

Hypothesis: An educated guess that attempts to explain an observation or answer a question.

Theory: A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data.

Scientific Law: A theory that has been tested by and is consistant with generations of data.

Microorganisms: Living creatures that are too small to see with the naked eye.

Abiogenesis: The idea that long ago, very simple life forms spontaneously appeared through chemical reactions. (Spontaneous Generation: same song, 2nd verse. They acutally used to think that mice would form from a sweaty shirt and grains of wheat!)

Prokaryotic cell: a cell that has no distinct membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic cell: a cell that has distinct membrane-bound organelles.

Species: a unit of one or more populations of individuals that can reproduce under normal circumstances, produce fertile offspring and are reproductivlly isolated from other such units.

Binomial nomenclature: Nameing an organisim with it's genus and species name. (Don't you just love saying that? Binomial nomenclature. So distinguished.)

Taxonomy: The science of classifying organisms. (At first I thought this was some form of taxidermy, until I read the definition.)

Andddd... that's it! See, it wasn't so bad. But to make it up to you, if you were bored out of your mind, I shall scamper off and find this beautiful song I heard again yesterday.

Lepanto '08

The other day, I came across the Lepanto 2008 Novena on Mamselle Duroc's blog. It as a Novena, starting September 7th, for the upcoming presidential election.

I know this is a day late, but please consider signing up, or even if you don't officially sign up, offer your daily rosary for the intention, quoted here:

The Intention of the Rosary will be:

In Honor of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the USA, and for the intercession of the Poor Souls in Purgatory, especially the unborn babies who have been victims of abortion, so God may grant us a holy, wise, pro-life, pro-family president in this upcoming election--a president that will guide our country according to God's laws.

The goal is to have the rosary prayed perpetually until the elections in November.
Please join in prayer for our nation!

A Story of a Photograph

Once upon a time, in the far off land of Gettysburg, PA, a young maiden was exploring the National Cemetery for interesting photo opportunities. Camera in hand, she glanced up and saw the Stars and Stripes fluttering in the breeze above her. Zooming in on the flag, she snapped the shutter and walked on.

When she returned home, this photo claimed the triumphant ending position in a slide show of photographs from the battle field, to the music of "God Bless the USA". Later on in the year, while looking through her photo album for County Fair entries, she happened to see that photo and decided to enter it under the title of "Old Glory".

The young maiden submitted it to the scrutiny of the photography judges, but alas! It did not even place. Consoled by having won many other blue ribbons, as well as the People's Choice Award for a different photograph, she packed up at the end of the week.

A year later, she was again looking through her photo album for County Fair entries. Once again, she turned the page to find the flag waving at her. "What the heck?" she mused to herself. "Might as well try again!"

She did re-enter it, this time under the title of "Stars and Stripes Forever". She did not much concern herself about whether or not it would place, but was pleasantly surprised when it claimed the blue ribbon in the Patriotic category.

Now, having learned last year about the ability to vote for the People's choice photograph, her family raced to the building on Friday, determining to vote for the maiden's mother's photo in the adult category, and one of the maid's blue ribbons for the Junior division. Now before you, dear reader, begin to think that they swung the vote, do not get ahead of your selves! Their favorite photo was entitled "Remnants of the Past", and so all voted accordingly. One sibling, however, contrarily wished to vote for "Stars and Stripes Forever" and did so, even when fair maiden a bit crossly informed her that she didn't want that one to win, so vote for the other one!

Sunday came 'round the bend, and soon it was time to pick up the projects and see who the winning photo's were. The band came through the entry and saw, to their surprise... "Stars and Stripes Forever!" hanging on the wall with a People's Choice Award next to it! (The mother's photo did not win.) I will confess to you, that the first thought and words out of said maiden's mouth were "Oh, I didn't want that one to win!" She did then, however, recollected and mentally reprimanded herself, sending up a quick prayer of thanksgiving.

So here then... is the 2008 People's Choice Award!

There are two morels to this story:

#1: If at first you don't succeed, try try again! (Or as one book comically put it: If at first you don't fricassee, fry fry a hen!")
#2: If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!

More Scenes from the Fair

This my good people, is a real size, real life farm tractor tire! The exact same size as those that you see out in the fields! I kid you not!
It is just the person who is larger than life!

Here is the real perspective /\
Aren't those things huge? They are even taller than moi, and I am what, 5'5"? So at least 5'7"

Zero Gravity. Creepy.

Buddy was soooo cute! He was holding the baby doll, stroking it's head, and before he gave it back, he gave it a little kiss! Isn't that just the sweetest thing?

BILLY CURRINGTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *fangirl scream* Though I don't know if I could legitimately do that, since I only know one song of his... which we heard last night! We were all very excited about that. Now I know several other songs of his as well, from listening in.
I was 500 feet away!!!!!! On the other side of the fence... since we didn't have tickets, but hey, I at least we got to hear him in person!
So now, we are all secretly hoping that Josh Turner will come next year. That would be soooo awesome! We all love his songs, so getting tickets for that would be a have to! *bounces* Ooh, I hope he does! That would be great!

So... here is "The Turnip Song" (MCKA more commonily known as: "Good Directions")

Photos from the Sandwich Fair

/\ Next years blue ribbon winner?

Winning Photos from the Fair!

My mom's blue ribbon winner!

My ribbon winners

Is it out yet? with a white.

Curiosity... with a red, I think.

Remnants of the Past with a blue

Stars and Stripes Forever with a blue

A New Springtime with a blue.
(Again, with that one I don't really remember. I am sure one of my siblings will correct me if I am wrong!)