The Truth Be Known

In an exercise of honesty, Aussie asked his mom if they should look like they really felt about the first day back at school. She told him, "Of course not! You are to act how you feel now that you are home and can get on the computer." Well that definitely made a better picture.  

Would love to think that the triplets felt the same way about school as I felt, but that  would be a little unusual, especially for the boys.

I must say, however, that going back to school on August 9th is much too early. There is still 1/3 of summer left.  And in Tennessee, the weather is still HOT. I understand that they will have more vacation days off during the year. I suppose Christmas Vacation and Spring break will be longer.

Hope this schedule doesn't make for even more review days. I used to absolutely hate all the review when we started back to school in the fall. Why go over things we already knew?...but I've been told that many if not most of the children do forget and have to relearn much of what was taught the year before.

While teaching first grade that was not a problem. I pretty much started with a clean slate and taught reading and math...not like today when they supposedly learn more in kindergarten.  That brings up a question.  If they start learning earlier, what happens? Why do they graduate knowing less? Doesn't make sense  to me.  Or at least it wouldn't if I didn't know all the time they spend learning absolutely worthless and sometimes false things. And of course it must be trying at times when there is no discipline method acceptable that actually works. And there is not much help from home. Many do not even get a good night's sleep. It is also difficult for a teacher to compete with TV and computers.

Now all that is really off the subject for these grandchildren of mine, for they are homeschooled. They spend only one day a week in a classroom with teachers other than their mother. I applaud that. It is not easy, but in my opinion, it is the very best route to learning today, unless one can afford an outstanding private school.

Otterbox Otter

Sometimes we get news that puts us in a funk...at least that happens to me. Our nation is falling apart and no one seems willing or powerful enough to pick up the pieces and put us back together again.

Three young boys were arrested for murdering an innocent visitor to this country from Australia.  They did it 'for the fun of it'. Has no one ever told them that is wrong? Has anyone ever told them there are consequences for bad behavior? Has anyone ever talked to them? Does anyone love them enough to know what they are doing? Have they been plugged into the anti American, anti God trash music from the time they were born. Where are their fathers?  Do they care? The more I think about this and other senseless behavior in this world today, I feel increasingly sick to my stomach. I wish I could fix it. I find myself feeling sorry for these unlovable boys, but even more so for the family who lost a son they dearly loved.

I'm so out of sorts today that I've forgotten to tell you about Caleb at his dad's company picnic. Ollie the Otterbox Otter was there to entertain the children. It surely did amuse Caleb.

Blue Moon

I'm not sure why the picture came out looking gold. It looked whiter to my eyes. But it pleases me that it fits the song..."But when I looked the moon had turned to gold."

Good and Bad

It is good to have a much better view of the lake, but there were some not so good days during the 

demolition of the old house. This layout shows the worst part of the whole operation...THE DUST!

These pictures give you a good idea of the overwhelming amount of dust we dealt with those two days.

The air was almost constantly filled with the thick stuff.  I hope our lungs don't still show the affect of those days.  We had loads of dust everywhere until it finally rained hard and washed it all away.

There is still evidence laying around the property...bits and pieces of building material and other junk.

I want to take the opportunity to post a very interesting piece tonight written by Maureen Scott.

Maureen Scott is an ardent American patriot who was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and retired to Richmond, VA, in 2000. Free from the nine-to-five grind of writing for employers and clients, she began writing political commentary to please herself and express her convictions, as do I. Our Pledge of Allegiance, a military band playing the National Anthem, and the wisdom of our Founding Fathers, inspire her passion and views. Her life is guided by a firm belief that truth is the most important virtue, and that God knows what He is doing with her. She is my guest writer today, for I could have never said it better. Please take the time to read and listen to this good American woman. I believe you will be glad you did. I give you Maureen Scott. 

 

 

The Architect of Destruction

By Maureen Scott

Barack Obama appears to be a tormented man filled with resentment, anger, and disdain for anyone of an opinion or view other than his. He acts in the most hateful, spiteful, malevolent, vindictive ways in order to manipulate and maintain power and control over others. Perhaps, because, as a child, he grew up harboring an abiding bitterness toward the U.S. that was instilled in him by his family and mentors…it seems to have never left him.

It is not the color of his skin that is a problem in America .

Rather it is the blackness that fills his soul and the hollowness in his heart where there should be abiding pride and love for this country.

Think: Have we ever heard Obama speak lovingly of the U.S. or its people, with deep appreciation and genuine respect for our history, our customs, our sufferings and our blessings? Has he ever revealed that, like most patriotic Americans, he gets "goose bumps" when a band plays "The Star Spangled Banner," or sheds a tear when he hears a beautiful rendition of " America the Beautiful?" Does his heart burst with pride when millions of American flags wave on a National holiday - or someone plays "taps" on a trumpet? Has he ever shared the admiration of the military, as we as lovers of those who keep us free, feel when soldiers march by? It is doubtful because Obama did not grow up sharing our experiences or our values. He did not sit at the knee of a Grandfather or Uncle who showed us his medals and told us about the bravery of his fellow troops as they tramped through foreign lands to keep us free. He didn't have grandparents who told stories of suffering and then coming to America, penniless, and the opportunities they had for building a business and life for their children.

Away from this country as a young child, Obama didn't delight in being part of America and its greatness. He wasn't singing our patriotic songs in kindergarten, or standing on the roadside for a holiday parade and eating a hot dog, or lighting sparklers around a campfire on July 4th as fireworks exploded over head, or placing flags on the grave sites of fallen and beloved American heroes.

Rather he was separated from all of these experiences and doesn't really understand us and what it means to be an American. He is void of the basic emotions that most feel regarding this country and insensitive to the instinctive pride we have in our national heritage. His opinions were formed by those who either envied us or wanted him to devalue the United States and the traditions and patriotism that unites us.

He has never given a speech that is filled with calm, reassuring, complimentary, heartfelt statements about all the people in the U.S. Or one that inspires us to be better and grateful and proud that in a short time our country became a leader, and a protector of many. Quite the contrary, his speeches always degenerate into mocking, ridiculing tirades as he faults our achievements as well as any critics or opposition for the sake of a laugh, or to bolster his ego. He uses his Office to threaten and create fear while demeaning and degrading any American who opposes his policies and actions. A secure leader, who has noble self-esteem and not false confidence, refrains from showing such dread of critics and displaying a cocky, haughty attitude.

Mostly, his time seems to be spent causing dissension, unrest, and anxiety among the people of America, rather than uniting us (even though he was presented to us as the "Great Uniter"). He creates chaos for the sake of keeping people separated, envious, aggrieved and ready to argue. Under his leadership Americans have been kept on edge, rather than in a state of comfort and security. He incites people to be aggressive toward, and disrespectful of, those of differing opinions. And through such behavior, Obama has lowered the standards for self-control and mature restraint to the level of street-fighting gangs, when he should be raising the bar for people to strive toward becoming more considerate, tolerant, self-disciplined, self-sustaining, and self-assured.

Not a day goes by that he is not attempting to defy our laws, remove our rights, over-ride established procedures, install controversial appointees, enact divisive mandates, and assert a dictatorial form of power.

· Never has there been a leader of this great land who used such tactics to harm and hurt the people and this country.

· Never have we had a President who spoke with a caustic, evil tongue against the citizenry rather than present himself as a soothing, calming and trustworthy force.

· Never, in this country, have we experienced how much stress one man can cause a nation of people - on a daily basis!


Obama has promoted the degeneration of peace, civility, and quality of cooperation between us. He thrives on tearing us down, rather than building us up. He is the Architect of the decline of America , and the epitome of a Demagogue.

© Maureen Scott

 Although I despise the things he has done to this country, I am told by our heavenly father that I must love the man. I really don't find that hard, because I truly feel sorry for him. It must be wretched to have been raised as he was. He really didn't stand much of a chance.

Nap Time

Ron has a new napping partner. Maggie enjoys an afternoon sleep, and as usual, she likes company.

Even when I don't feel the need for a nap, it is comforting to me to know  that Ron has managed the time to catch up on some sleep. The two of them look so peaceful here.

I'm not the type to rest much... need my 7 hours at night, but rarely do more. It seems a handicap in some ways.  Feel and ever present need to be doing something constantly, or I go 'buggy'. Can't really explain it well, but it seems something like wanting to jump out of my skin. There is a sign in my 'office' that simply says...RELAX.  Problem is, I don't see much need to do that and if and when I do, I don't really know how.   Oh yes, I can think something repetitive...but why do that? I'd rather just DO SOMETHING. There is always LOTS to be done wherever I find myself.

But then again, one does need to sit quietly  sometimes and contemplate our glorious God, the creator.

He said, "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Both Good and Bad Multiply

A few years I found this large flower at the end of season and brought it home. It has continued to multiply year after year. It now provides the area near the  lake with large bright flowers for much of the summer season.

It's so good to see good things multiply, but those things that are a detriment to society seem to be multiplying at a dizzying speed....things like irresponsibility...selfishness, etc.

This email has been making the rounds. It is attributed to a certain young doctor. I don't know if he said it or not, but I know it to be a good example of what we are dealing with at this time here in the states.

"During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I  had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive  shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate  and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who  chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ring  tone. While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her  payer status was listed as "Medicaid"! During my examination of  her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of  cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.

And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I  contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of  a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result  of a "crisis of culture", a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable  to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to  take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a  culture based on the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want  to because someone else will always take care of me."

Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility  and dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care  difficulties will disappear.

 The letter is rightly attributed:  Snopes.com: Dr. Starner Jones

Happy Eleven

Obituary

 

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.  No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

 

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

- Why the early bird gets the worm; 

- Life isn't always fair; and

- Maybe it was my fault..

 

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).  His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. 

 

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. 

 

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. 

 

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. 

 

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

 

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. 

 

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. 

You may have seen this before. It was easy to find on the internet.  It just seems to me that we should all go over all these points...soon.