It is that time of year again. The day when we set aside the old and embrace the new. For some reason, the changing of the date signifies to human hearts the sign of new beginnings, a renewed belief that what seemed impossible yesterday may be attainable tomorrow. Unfortunately, like so many others, I always find myself abandoning these resolutions all to quickly as the year goes by. In fact, this occurs so often, that I have discovered that I almost expect it to happen. Just a few days ago, a friend told me that she no longer makes New Year’s resolutions because she always feels guilty for abandoning them later. She sees it as setting herself up for failure.
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A Favorite Christmas Poem!
25 DecThis is one of my absolutely favorite Christmas poems; I hope it renews your heart the way it does mine! Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas!
25 DecI wish each and everyone a wonderfully blessed, much remembered and beloved Christmas. One where family and friends can gather together. Or, if family and friends are not able to come nearby, then one where strangers gift each other that familial feeling Christmas brings forth.
To every person, no matter how far, may we all remember the message those holy speakers came to share on a night just like this. For those who had nothing, it was news of hope. For those with hope, it was news of fulfilled faith. And for those who upheld the faith, it was a message of marvelous love.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:7-14).
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
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Brrrr…. -58 degrees!!
21 DecBrrrr…. -58 degrees in Russia!!
Wow, according to this article Russia is seeing weather approaching -58 degree Fahrenheit. I thought seeing my first ever blizzard was pretty amazing (which actually, it was–I kept thinking of the “Little House on the Prairie” books 😛 ), but that is nothing compared to what these people are going through.
I cannot imagine actually being alive in weather that cold. It is the coldest winter in 70 years? Makes global warming seem a little far-fetched with record cold like this. How can the world be getting warmer, if we are experiencing temperatures like this?
On the other hand, I bet their snowmen will last forever! Makes going out and building one that much more worthwhile. But that raises the question of who actually wants to go outside in -58 degree temps to build a snowman. . . oh alright me! Cold weather always excites me! 🙂
I think this dude shares my love of cold, how awesome is that trick?!?
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Eagle Steals Baby!
19 Dec
Holy cow! I’ve heard of eagles taking puppies and small pets for food, but this bird tries to take a baby! It picks it up far enough to be above the mom’s head, and is flying off with the infant!! Wow! Talk about a story to tell your kids!
Addendum–>Haha! They say now, it’s a joke, but still very funny and well done. I actually have seen eagles pick up huge things before. If you want to see them, visit Clarksville, MO on eagle days Jan. 26-27, 2013. I once counted 47 eagles on a single day, and I was only there a couple hours. They come down looking for food as the Mississippi River ices over. I’ll try to post pics this year. You can find more information here. The little town is cute too; it has some shopping and darling restaurants. Great visit!!
What Restores Your Faith In Us?
17 DecThe World Will End on December 21, 2012.
Or so the gossip reads now. Who knows if it will actually come to pass; it may or it may not. But with all this talk about end of the world catastrophes and chaos, it has me thinking about daily heroes.
The movies always suggest that the end of the world catastrophes (see “2012,” “The Day After Tomorrow”) will result in great heroic deeds of love and that the innate human “fighting spirit” will rise up. I would like to think that people will rally around one another, that families will be strong, that we will continue to hold onto that which makes us human–our concept of civilization and what it means to be civilized. But is this really what would happen?
Paper, Essay, and Speech Writing 101 (aka the Outline)
17 DecSigh. . . , English Major’s are strange. We talk about the weirdest things just for fun. For example, whether Galadriel from J.R.R. Tolkien was actually a representation of Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria (and yes, that argument took FOREVER!).
Still, English professors are even stranger. They actually enjoy!?! writing five billion papers on whether or not Shakespeare was a prophet of his time. Have you heard your English professor say the dreaded “I don’t ever give out a 100 on a paper, because no paper can possibly be perfect. All writers need to be aware that they have room for improvement!” Somehow, they seem to forget that we are not all English majors! Some are engineers, mathematicians, scientists, and computer-code writers who are only taking the class because it is required for all majors in the university. Furthermore, this requirement comes despite the fact that they will never again care that Edgar Poe’s middle name is spelled “Allan” not “Allen” (so, um, apparently half the class misspelled his middle name in our final exam. Prof. was furious, but we found it hilarious 🙂 )
They tried to pull the whole “You’ll never get a perfect score” on me, but I was an official English major and I was prepared. Imagine my glee the day one such professor had to watch me walk away with an actual 100. Yes! Victory! Success! Take that evil English professors everywhere! Actually, though, this little trick got me through all of my writing classes with almost straight As. Surprisingly, the same trick applies to writing an answer to an essay exam, writing a speech, or writing a presentation.
Fight on, Sandy Hook Elementary!
14 DecI just heard about the Connecticut school shootings. This devastation is so absolute and horrific. The worst crime in the world is to harm a child. The whole thing is so paralyzing terrible. May God’s arms be wrapped around you all in this time of grief. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with you. 😦 And as for those who now are lost to us forever, may your days in heaven be filled to overflowing with good play, fun days, and happy laughter. You came, you loved, and you stole our hearts forever. God bless.
A Good Play
By Robert Louis Stevenson
We built a ship upon the stairs All made of the back-bedroom chairs, And filled it full of soft pillows To go a-sailing on the billows. We took a saw and several nails, And water in the nursery pails; And Tom said, “Let us also take An apple and a slice of cake;”– Which was enough for Tom and me To go a-sailing on, till tea. We sailed along for days and days, And had the very best of plays; But Tom fell out and hurt his knee, So there was no one left but me.Finals are Over!
14 DecWoot! Final exams are finally complete. I’ve gone without sleep and without sanity for the last two weeks, but it is over at last. Hope all you other students did great on you exams, and that you are finishing up the semester with style! At last I can start writing again!
“She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city” ~ Roman Payne
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