Life, with Jimmy Buffett. Happy New Year!

I've been watching Jimmy Buffett videos on YouTube. One of them, introduced by Buffett, is dated 1973 and he explains that it is his first music video.

My history with him goes back about that long. One early song, "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" came out in 1977. The line, "if we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane" was the first time I pinned up a musician thing on my teeny-bopper corkboard. I wrote that out on a white lined index card, and put a tack through it. I see it there still, hanging crooked from the lower left of the cork board, giving me wisdom every time I looked at it.

From then, I held to heart many great Buffett lyrics. He made his first album in 1970 and he is still producing them 38 years later. We grew up together, you see. Having been a liveaboard sailor, like Buffett, I know what 'Boat Drinks' are. Having having shivered in Maine for 30 years I lived these lyrics: "Lately, newspaper mentioned cheap air fare, I gotta to fly to saint somewhere, I'm close to bodily harm."

Now that I'm 48, I know what he means when he sings,

"One day I'll soon be a grandpa. All the pretty girls will call me "sir," Now, where they're asking me how things are Soon they'll ask me how things were."

Ah, well, "I just had to go back to the island, And watch the sun go down, Listen to the sea roll in."

Hope your New Year has some ocean sunsets in them!

Looks Like Harmonic Tremors at Yellowstone Super Volcano

The unusual and concerning quake reports out of Yellowstone has everyone looking at seismographs until their eyes bug out. The unusually long and pointed earthquake swarm occurring since Dec. 26th has transformed into harmonic tremors, which the red circle depicts.



"It has been reported and noted by the USGS that an earthquake swarm has been occurring under Lake Yellowstone since December 26th. The attached webcorder display shows that after the tremor swarm activity died down this evening a new pattern of potential classic harmonic tremors has started and continues at the time of this posting. Harmonic tremors could mean lava is now moving under the Yellowstone super volcano."

"The USGS has made no updates since these tremors began."
Yellowstone webcorders can be accessed @ http://www.seis.utah.edu/helicorder/heli/yellowstone/index.html

"There have been more earthquakes than usual centered under the ancient Yellowstone Supervolcano's Caldera and the small quakes are enough that that has scientists concerned about a huge eruption from Yellowstone. Researchers are stumped as to why the earthquakes are stronger than usual."

"A report from Gene Byrd notes, "The park has thousands of earthquakes each year but these have researchers concerned and the report notes that they have long predicted that the Yellowstone supervolcano will eventually erupt again."

There is always a lot of seismic activity in and around the Yellowstone caldera. What is different this time are the length of the swarm, the absence of the tremors relating to a known fault, the fact that it is under the lakebed, the rising ground where the alleged magma bulge is, and they are extremely shallow. The BBC produced a series called "End Day", showing in movie form a la Ground Hog day, the same man awakening to the last day on earth, each time the earth ends differently. The six most likely scenarios are the backdrop, and one of these likeliest are the Yellowstone Supervolcano eruption. The clip intersperses scientific information in between the storylines. It's 9 min. I don't think Yellowstone Supervolcano is going to erupt yet, but what do I know. It has caught the interest and attention of scientists worldwide, though.

What could go wrong?

Scientists plan to ignite tiny man made star

"While it has seemed an impossible goal for nearly 100 years, scientists now believe that they are on brink of cracking one of the biggest problems in physics by harnessing the power of nuclear fusion, the reaction that burns at the heart of the sun"

"In the spring, a team will begin attempts to ignite a tiny man-made star inside a laboratory and trigger a thermonuclear reaction. "We are creating the conditions that exist inside the sun," said Ed Moses, director of the facility."

Hey, what could go wrong?

The scientists at the Large Hadron Collider were excited too. They were going to make the biggest collisions ever undertaken in laboratory conditions that would will smash atoms into the smallest pieces ever observed, yielding precious clues as to what everything is made of and how the universe got here. Detractors of the experiment were not as excited, they said the possibility of things going awry would not remain in the lab, 600 feet below the Alps at the Swiss/French border. No, anything going wrong with trying to recreate the Big Bang would mean another Big Bang, and a black hole. Scientists said, well, true, but THAT possibility is so infinitesimal! Where's your sense of que sera sera? Party poopers.

When the big moment came, the LHC overheated instantly and they rapidly shut it down. Scientists scratched their heads, they thought they had had the cooling thing under control.

Attempting to duplicate the workings of God never work out for man. Scientific exploration is great, it advances our understanding of the world God made. It also aids us in making things more comfortable here on earth. Nuclear fusion is a great, also, and I can get just as excited about it as the next science geek.

But assuming that we can duplicate His works, exceed them even...now that's another story. We have tried this before. They said, "Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."..."And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." (Genesis 11:4,6)

Getting too big for their bootstraps, thinking they could enter heaven the man-made way, God took care of the situation. Whether this fusion experiment works out or not, whether it goes awry or produces its intended outcome...remains to be seen. One thing is for sure. God is in control.

Origins of the "Barack the Magic Negro" flap

In March 2007, ultra-liberal Op-Ed writer David Ehrenstein posted a piece in the Ultra-liberal LA Times entitled

"Barack The Magic Negro"
'The Illinois senator lends himself to white America's idealized, less-than-real black man.'

In the Opinion piece, the writer said things like the following:

But it's clear that Obama also is running for an equally important unelected office, in the province of the popular imagination — the "Magic Negro."

and

But the same can't be said of most white Americans, whose desire for a noble, healing Negro hasn't faded. That's where Obama comes in: as Poitier's "real" fake son.

The writer used cinema and cultural examples to make his case that America is comfortable with Obama because he is not blackly threatening nor poses as the stereotypically cinematic hulk of a highly sexualized black man. In other words,Obama's 'not authentic.' Hence his political victory.

We heard nary a peep. Did you? I didn't. [crickets] Not until the GOP put the SAME sentiments and opinions and themes to music. And narrated the song by Al Sharpton impersonator. Then the liberal derangement syndrome kicked into high gear.

Song:

Barack the Magic Negro lives in D.C.
The L.A. Times, they called him that
‘Cause he’s not authentic like me.
Yeah, the guy from the L.A. paper.
Said he makes guilty whites feel good
They’ll vote for him, and not for me
‘Cause he’s not from the hood.

Look at the Op-Ed, and read the full lyrics. You will see they are the same. Except the song is actually a spoof of the Op-ed and is highly effective. I find the Op-ed piece more insulting than I do the song. In any case, the song says nothing different than the Op-Ed. But there ya go. Liberal derangement.

The song is here

We're in a Depression now

Remember, a bare few weeks ago Bush was insisting we were not even in a recession. Now there is an explosion of articles questioning or declaring that we are not only in a Depression but that it will likely be worse than the first one. Also, the end times prophecies tell us that the times will be hard, and I'm talking HARD.

Worse than the Great Depression
Second Great Depression in Detroit
Was 2008 the beginning of another Great Depression?
The Subprime Crisis and the Great Depression – How Similar Are They?

So, it's time to alter usual behavior. Cut back. I suggest strongly that it is time to think about putting in a garden. I have been researching garden items for my area and herbs too. As soon as I catch up with my landlord I'll ask him if I can put one in. If not I'll do it at a friends' house who lives very close, who has already offered.

I am using the God-given sunshine here in this warm-weather state to dry my clothes. It's 70 degrees here today and the first sun we have had n a week and a half, not that I am complaining about the rain! No way. We're in a drought. But taking advantage of what is available and free is number one in a Depression. As Depression Cooking with Clara said in one of her early videos, "anything to save anything" She as talking about, when your food has reached a boil or to a certain point, turn off the stove and let it finish cooking in its own heat. Saves gas/electricity. Anything to save anything, remember! Caption: Laundry getting dry on a sunny day. notice the hay bales, lol.

I have stopped all unnecessary spending, and I have stopped all unnecessary driving.

I found this great list of 61 things to do with baking soda. I happened upon it because I like to keep my tub clean but don't like to use poisons. Not only for the environment but because my two kittens insist on playing in the tub and in drinking from the drain. I do not want them drinking poison. Baking soda and vinegar are great, natural cleaners and do many other things around a house. Finding inexpensive, readily available alternatives for poisonous cleaning agents is a good idea in any economy.

Uses for vinegar
61 uses for baking soda

So that is a beginning. Has your behavior changed to reflect the reality of the new economy? It has for many folks around here. An article in our local paper: "Economy has many Madison Countians reluctantly asking for government aid." How about you? What are you doing to save?

Ever had a really good nap?

I mean a REALLY good one?

I didn't sleep well last night. I woke up at 3:15 after having gone to bed at midnight and from then on I slept fitfully. I also had weird dreams. I hate those.

I felt sleepy this afternoon and I thought I would try a nap on a rainy, cold Saturday. My cats clambered up onto my four post bed with me and I drew up the covers.

It didn't take long to crash into dreamland, and I slept hard. I mean hard, and I slept well. I popped awake half an hour later, completely refreshed and bounced out of bed renewed. I love a great nap.

My cats, however, are still the champions of the good nap.

America's new daddy more of a talker than a spanker

Do you need your government to be your father? Gag me.

Daddy O brings parenting into politics

Just call him Daddy O.

Most leaders’ playbooks take at least a page or two from “The Art of War,” but President-elect Obama’s rhetoric seems to be torn from very different kind of text: the modern parenting manual... “The most respectful — and effective — approach to parenting consists of working WITH children rather than doing things TO them,” he says. ‘Working with’ parents talk less and listen more. They regularly try to imagine how the world looks from the child's point of view. They bring kids into the process of decision-making whenever possible.

It would be easy to bash Obama’s enlightened-father philosophy as an insulting new extension of the nanny state, but the truth is that the exercise of power in any form shares a lot in common with the parent-child relationship...But progressive parenting experts argue that the “love and reason” approach to leadership is not only more respectful — it might also turn out to be more effective.
----------------------------

First, politics is NOT a parent-child relationship. Unless if you insist on using the parent-child metaphor, possibly that the CITIZENS are the parent and the people we elect to serve us are the CHILD. But Progressive liberals do not believe that, unfortunately, they believe the opposite. That is what this article is putting forth. But philosophical governance differences aside, let's talk war.

Over the past three days - amidst Christmas week in the Holy Land - radical Islamic terrorists in Gaza have fired more than 100 rockets, missiles and mortars at Israeli Jews living in the southern border towns of Sderot, Ashdod and Ashkelon. Since December 19th, nearly 200 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza.

More than 6,000 rockets, missiles and mortars have rained down on some half a million Israelis living near the Gaza border over the last several years. Endless "talks" have done nothing to curb the killing. But Obama's approach is as a Daddy who will love and reason with them. Let's see how that goes.

Ever have one of those days?

This woman did. Both truck and van taking a right turn onto Sunrise Ave...the Truck clipped the van and caught it under its bed, blowing out the back window and crushing the two rear tires, among other damage, likely the suspension to name one.

Open...but for how much longer?

As a sign of the times, inevitably, my favorite internet cafe/funky restaurant/hangout is closed. Cup of Karma Cafe closed for the holidays but put a note on the door that while they are shut for the holidays, they will be thinking about whether to reopen in January. Citing "these tough economic times" they will be in "deep reassessment" which, as anyone in business knows, usually means closing for good but they aren't able to say it out loud yet.

If they indeed decide to close, I will be sad for them but proud also: they provided a great service to the town and cooked great food and offered high quality environment...they should be proud too and I hope they are.

O Little Town of Comer

What a nice day! Merry Christmas everyone. It is sunny and warm here and I am glad of that for those who have to travel today.

I watched a neat old movie last night on Turner Movie Classics called "The Cheaters." It is a rarely seen and non-DVD 1945 movie that takes place on Christmas Eve. A small movie from a small Production company, made in 1945 it depicts a self-absorbed wealthy, but on the brink of bankruptcy, family taking in a "lost man" and also scheming to cheat the rightful owner of an inheritance of 5 million dollars the family decided should be theirs instead. It all ends up in good fun, as the 'lost man' teaches the family the simple truths of family, love, and selflessness.

This morning I slept late but made up for my lack of productivity by cleaning furiously. Changing the sheets, tonight's repose will be dreamy on soft and clean sheets and pillowcases. I enjoyed learning that baking soda and a damp cloth will polish and shine up chrome. So I set to work on my Lagostina Teapot and the old sink in the kitchen, dim with 35 years' use. Baking soda works so well! Baking soda rocks. I just bought 12 pounds of it by the way. And I found a file on the internet titled "61 used for baking soda" so watch out! I have only been using two uses for baking soda...so I've got 59 more to go!!

This morning's Christmas breakfast was creamy coffee with a couple of strawberry pancakes, and internet time. Then I sketched out the way I want my two collages under production to go, and made some green tea for lunch. Next up is "King of Kings" and, well, and afternoon of TCM Jesus classics. Can't get enough Jesus, that is for sure. If you call me a 'Jesus freak' I would not only say 'right!' but "Thanks!"

I have been reminiscing about all my life's Christmases. I have had all wonderful ones, from one end of the earth to another, on land and on sea. I have been so very blessed materially and spiritually. My good friends this week feted, celebrated, and touted me; my church family loved, hugged, and kissed me like to death! My sister sent me some great photos of the new puppy and the kids. I've received e-mails from my friends who live far away. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit drew me to Jesus and I am saved. I just hope I have been a blessing to all of them the way they have been for me. Thank you everyone!

Merry Christmas! Remember to love everyone and above all, love the One whose Truth will ring forever!

Luke 2:8-10

"In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

An e-card for my pals

Huge Environmental Disaster in Tennessee

There was a huge and terrible environmental disaster in Tennessee on Monday, Dec 22. The location is only 200 miles as the crow files from here yet we have heard nothing about this!

The Tennessee Valley Authority, better known as TVA, has a coal-burning power plant located near Harriman, Tennessee, along Interstate 40 between Knoxville and Nashville. The stuff that is left over after TVA burns their coal is called coal ash.

Coal ash contains mercury and dangerous heavy metals like lead and arsenic - materials found naturally in coal are concentrated in the ash.

TVA has a huge mountain of this coal waste material stored in a gigantic pile next to their Harriman (Kingston) power plant, alongside a tributary of the Tennessee River.

On Monday morning Dec. 22 around 1:00 am, the earthen retaining wall around this mountain of coal ash failed and approximately 500 million gallons of nasty black coal ash flowed into tributaries of the Tennessee River - the water supply for Chattanooga TN and millions of people living downstream in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.

This Tennessee TVA spill is over 40 times bigger than the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, if local news accounts are correct. This is a huge environmental disaster of epic proportions.

Here is better aerial footage, but you have to watch a commercial first. Go here, then scroll down to the "Most Popular" section and find the button that says "aerial footage." The big hunks and chunks in the river are mounds of coal ash. The local media are downplaying the spill, but the Nashville Tennessean has a decent article.

A quiet morning

Here it is Christmas 2008. In these parts of Northeast Georgia, the day is cold and gray so far. It is not as cold as it has been, though. The last few days have been well below freezing, into the twenties, and that is cold for here.

I look at the news and I am so grateful I moved here in 2006. It is a never ending delight no escape the snow, to enjoy green grass so much of the year. Never to scrape the ice from my car or shovel snow in the driveway. Wearing a light jacket, if that, and putting on only one layer of clothes for work. Today the forecasted temps are due to rise into the upper fifties.

Speaking of work, I am off until January 6. School vacation is a good long time this year due to the way the holidays fall. I am using the time to get chores done, to visit with some older friends, and to relax and read, make collages and get caught up on Christmas movies.

I just polished off an egg-white/bagel sandwich and fruit salad. (grapes and orange segments). I am sipping weak coffee with a good dose of Cremora, and it is steaming quietly and comfortingly by my laptop. WGBH Boston All Classical Music is streaming Brahms piano and it is so beautiful...

Reading the news at Christmas is always an exercise in futility, simply not much is happening. Which is a good thing. However, I found my new favorite phrase of the day in Forbes, in an article entitled "Good-bye, Gentry," highlighting the growing liberal opposition to the notion of Caroline Kennedy's potential nomination for Hillary Clinton's seat:

The proposed investiture of Caroline Kennedy as the replacement senator for Hillary Clinton has inspired a surprising degree of opposition--at least from other claimants to the throne, such as the Cuomos, and from those obstreperous parvenus, the Clintons.

Isn't that just wonderful? "obstreperous parvenus." Oh my, some people sure can turn a phrase!

As I went around doing my errands yesterday in Danielsville I saw this fat hawk. He was perched on a lone wire strung across the edge of a field across from a daycare. A man piking up his daughter and I watched the hawk for a few moments, and the man said the hawk likes to watch for field mice and pick out his dinner. At first I thought it was an owl because it was so big, but upon getting out of the car and seeing the spotted wings and the lack of "ears" I was momentarily disappointed. But the hawk is a great bird too and I enjoyed seeing its stillness and intensity as he looked for his supper.



Till next time, stay safe, sane, and have a Merry Christmas!

Georga 4th most growing state

Georgia is cool

"Texas gained more people than any other state between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008 (484,000), followed by California (379,000), North Carolina (181,000), Georgia (162,000) and Arizona (147,000)," the Bureau says in a press release. "The only two states to lose population were Michigan and Rhode Island. Michigan’s population declined 0.5% (46,000), while Rhode Island’s fell 0.2% (2,000)."

uh-oh

Pakistan military on 'red alert'
Pakistan media is reporting that the country's military is on high alert over a possible strike by India.

India's on red alert too. And BOTH are in separate War Councils with their chiefs of staff, lasting over four hours.

India and Pakistan are nuclear countries, and both refused to be part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Wars and rumors of wars...

Angels among us

A news story about angels:

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A "miracle" at one local hospital has a lot of people talking. This picture was taken in the hallway leading into Presbyterian's Pediatric Cancer center.

A little girl there was taken off life support, her mother in her room praying. At the same time, a nurse noticed a man standing in the hallway. When she pushed the security button to let him in, no one was there.

According to a nurse, this happened several times -- seeing him behind the doors, then he would vanish. Someone thought he had wings, so they took the picture from the security camera. The girl is home tonight, recovering. Her birthday is Christmas Day.

Link to Video. It is only 1:30.

In the photo above, doesn't he appear to have wings? I wonder what he looked like as a person.

Hebrews 1:14- Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

I believe it was an angel. Do you think angels are sent by God come to earth and help people?

food, timely advice from 1918 war booklet

My friends run a local online newspaper, MaineHomeTownNews. They just put up this awesome 1918 booklet about food. See scanned clip on left.

The original story at their site, "1918 war booklet offers timely advice" offers timeless advice good for today's family as well. There are more photos and great food advice at the original story. Do visit the link!

I published "Depression Cooking with Clara" a while back, too, a charming three-part series of cooking vignettes by a 90-year old woman named Clara who shares memories of the Great Depression while fixing a typical Depression meal.

Here are some Depression tips from Grandma. And also a while back I posted an entry on Victory Gardens. Save, be frugal, don't waste. And have a good day!

SCOTUS to hear Obama case Jan. 9

Berg's writ. It's not over. Obama is not a natural-born citizen. He is constitutionally illegible to serve. Not that he would serve, anyway. More like "rule."

Merry Christmas, you chitlin!

The reason for the season is Jesus.
And eating. Down south, the local grocery store's flyer this week:


Chitterlings, sometimes spelled chitlins in vernacular, are the intestines and rectum of a pig that have been prepared as food. They are a type of offal.

Offal don't begin to say it.

Things you will not hear me say at Christmas dinner: "Please pass the chitlins."

'But they're pre-cleaned!'

Where's Andrew Zimmern when you need him?!"

My alma mater high school band chosen to march in inaugural!

1300 applications for 70 spots, and the East Greenwich High School Avengers marching band was picked! Way to go Avengers musicians! EGHS was a great High School. I got a very good education there and I have valued it ever since I graduated in 1978, oh my goodness, 30 years ago!

East Greenwich High band to march at Obama inauguration

The East Greenwich High School Avengers band has been invited to be in President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural parade. The inaugural committee extended an offer to the schools' band to march in the 56th Inaugural Parade, according to a news release. School marching bands from around the country and representatives of the armed forces will appear in the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue following Obama's swearing-in on the Capitol steps on Jan. 20."I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," Obama said in the statement. "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service. Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade." Some 1,382 organizations applied to participate. Those wishing to be in the parade submitted an application to the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, which then helped the Presidential Inaugural Committee to review applications.

A group of military musicians helped assess the presentation skills of marching bands, musical acts and drill teams. Parade participants are responsible for paying for their own lodging and transportation to and from Washington, D.C. The Committee has been working closely with area governments and civic organizations to facilitate access to affordable accommodations and would like to encourage citizens from across the country to reach out and help the East Greenwich High School Avenger Band raise the necessary resources to participate in this historic event.

Absolutely eye-popping Hubble photos!

Hubble: The most amazing space photographs in the universe
The Sombrero Galaxy - 28 million light years from Earth - was voted best picture taken by the Hubble telescope. The dimensions of the galaxy, officially called M104, are as spectacular as its appearance. It has 800 billion suns and is 50,000 light years across

click on the link to see many more!!!

Gee. Obama lied. Now this, I can believe in!

As to the matter of Obama and Blagojevich, and the statement Obama issued: "I have had no contact with the governor or his office, so I was unaware of what was happening” this, of course, is a lie.

His associations just seem to get darker, from incendiary and unpatriotic Rev. Wright, to terrorist Bill Ayers and Co., to criminal Tony Rezko, now to psychotic crime spree Governor Blagojevich. The NY Times said today, "Beyond the irony of its outcome, Mr. Obama’s unusual decision to inject himself into a statewide issue during the height of his presidential campaign was a reminder that despite his historic ascendancy to the White House, he has never quite escaped the murky and insular world of Illinois politics." Murky indeed.

Slate asks "Why is Chicago so corrupt?" Yes, even the most innocent farmgirl or the hermit living in a cave knows that Chicago is filthy and always has been. 7 of the last 12 governors have been arrested while in office. Politics is a dirty business, and Chicago politics takes it to a new level. Is it even remotely possible that Obama rose so quickly and stayed clean on the way? No. As they say, if a glove falls into the mud, the mud doesn't get glovey.

Even the AP finally looks into the "Questionable associations of Obama"

Back to the Obama statement

Gateway Pundit:
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Oopsy... Obama Met With Blagojevich in Chicago On Nov. 5 To Discuss Senate Seat

CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN---

"Obviously like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US attorney's office today... I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening."
Barack Obama, After the Arrest of his close friend Governor Blagojevich, December 9, 2008

Of course, David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago on November 23, 2008 and said Obama's "talked to the governor" about his replacement.

And, Connect Tristates also reported that Obama was meeting Governor Blagojevich on Wednesday November 5, 2008 to discuss his senate seat:

Now that Barack Obama will be moving to the White House, his seat in the U.S. Senate representing Illinois will have to be filled. That's one of Obama's first priorities today.

He's meeting with Governor Rod Blagojevich this afternoon in Chicago to discuss it.

Hat Tip bill-tb

Here's more on that meeting with Obama from the governor's website on November 5, 2008, where the two discussed Obama's senate seat:

From the governor's press release:

Governor Blagojevich Congratulates President-elect Obama and Discusses U.S. Senate Seat To fill President-Elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat, Governor will use deliberate process to select suitable replacement

Later in the day on November 5, 20008, Blagojevich held a news conference to talk about Barack Obama's replacement in the US Senate:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich discusses his plans for filling President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Obviously, it does not look like Barack Obama is being honest about his contact with Blagojevich.

HotAir has more thoughts on the reported November 5th meeting.

UPDATE: STACLU found another article from November 8th that said they met
UPDATE: It looks like the November 5 story at KHAQ in advance of the Obama-Blago meeting is no longer available at KHAQ's site. It's a good thing that I posted screen grabs of the article.
-----------------
Thanks, Gateway Pundit!

The rapture happened and I was left behind! Now what?!

The Rapture of the church is coming. I don’t know when, no one does, except God. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36. However, Jesus gave signs to watch for, and commanded us to watch, (Matthew 24, 25, Mark 13) It is generally understood among those who watch that this is the final generation.

What do you do when it happens and you are left behind?

Todd Strandberg of Raptureready.com wrote “Oops! I guess I Wasn’t Ready” and much of this essay is from his good work. Please take the time to read it in full:
[http://www.raptureready.com/rap49.html]

So what IS the Rapture?

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words"(1 Thes 4:16-18).

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

What will it be like immediately afterwards?

Imagine the utter shock of a world who at one moment are rubbing elbows with people like your bus driver, cab driver, airplane pilot, wife, co-worker, and the next second they are gone. Poof! Vanish. The economy supported by those millions will collapse. The plane crashes. The bus plunges. The train derails. The boiling dinner on the stove burns up, taking the house with it. The doctors operating on you, gone.

In the moments and days after the most shocking experience the world will ever see, churches will fill up. For those who have heard the Word, for those who are unequally yoked with believer spouses, for those who may have been wondering or dabbling: these will know what happened and they will seek Jesus.

But do not delay seeking Him! For He said that He will send a strong delusion. Immediately after the rapture, the antichrist will ascend, rising to power and the people will fall prey to his delusion of power and peace and prosperity. Paul said that people will still love unholy living, and they will soon sink back into their iniquitous ways. Strandberg writes:

“The people who failed to fully dedicate their lives to Christ will be totally ensnared by the demonic delusion that will sweep over the world.”

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness"
(2 Thes 2:10-12).

Also, people will be deluded into complacency because many Christian pastors and favorite famous people will be left behind, too. Jesus said the way is broad and the gate is narrow and few find the way, so even those who outwardly professed were not spirit-filled and will be left behind. Matthew 7:13 This will surprise people. These are the ones who are all outward appearance but never had the Holy Spirit inside them and their heart was evil. “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?” They will be as strangers to Jesus, who will reply: “I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.”—Matt. 7:22, 23

So DO NOT WAIT! It is best of all not to be left behind. Accept Jesus now. But if you are still here after the Rapture, say the saving prayer. Sincerely! Do you believe you are a sinner? Do you believe those sins will forever separate you from a Holy God who cannot be near sin? If so then you need help. Jesus is that help. If you pray to Him, admitting your sins and asking Him to forgive them, then ask Him to become the guiding Lord of your life, and you are saved. Follow up with a public declaration that He is now your Savior and Lord of your life and get baptized (the first act of obedience).

These are the facts:
The Rapture will happen soon!
Jesus is Savior & Lord!
He Loves You!

FMI on the Rapture and Jesus and His saving Grace, and what is to come, go to
Raptureready.com
Rapturelalert.com
Gracethrufaith.com
Watchmanbiblestudy.com

I am praying for you!

Comer Christmas parade!!

I tried to pick the ones that matched the community sentiment. So it turned out to be kids, animals, tractors, and most important, Jesus.

Festivus for the rest of us

The Washington State capitol building has a nativity scene in it. Some atheist minority wanted to put up a sign next to the nativity to state their beliefs that religion is myth, mind control and stupid. Here is an article:

Atheist placard joins tree, Nativity scene on display
"The atheists’ sign was installed Monday by Washington members of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national group based in Madison, Wis. With a nod to the winter solstice in late December, the placard reads, in part, “There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

The foundation’s co-president, Dan Barker, said it was important for atheists to offer their viewpoint alongside the overtly religious Nativity scene and Christmas-style holiday tree. “Our members want equal time,” Barker said. “Not to muscle, not to coerce, but just to have a place at the table.”

"The three displays, all privately sponsored, were granted permits from state groundskeepers to be placed in the Capitol’s grand marble hallways."

The atheist placard caused an outcry, and the Governor's office was deluged with e-mails and calls. Then the sign was stolen. Mayhem!

Then, appeals were made from different groups, all stating that THEY want THEIR religious feelings made public through symbols, and placards, and displays in the Capitol Rotunda.

Including...and here's the first punchline...the Festivus folks. LOL!

For those who do not know, Festivus is a fake holiday made famous in the Seinfeld Show. George Costanza's father made the holiday up in a fit of pique and soon, due to the popularity of the show itself, the holiday soon made its way into real life.

Now here comes the second punchline: in 'discussing' the situation on Fox News, Bill O'Reilly was made aware by the reporter that some Festivus folk wanted to put up a 5-foot pole and have contests for feats of strength near the nativity. O'Reilly said that the Festivus people and all the others with an 'ous' at the end of their holiday should get a life. He thought it was a REAL holiday! ROFL

Comer is cool!

Our big weekend is upon us, the Comer Christmas parade, Christmas events and happenings! This weekend there are several things to enjoy, and I hope you all do get out and enjoy them. They are lovingly presented and also the local merchants are counting on foot traffic.

Thanks to local artist and entrepreneur Tina McCullough we have BlueBell Gallery's annual reception with the marvelous Marion Montgomery and his lovely daughter Maribel. There will be Music, Food, Fun! If you can, bring any non-perishable food item for their ongoing collection for the Northeast Georgia Food Bank. Above, Fall '07 Bluebell Reception

Saturday: At 10 am there will be the Madison County Reindeer Run. After the Fun Run will be the Comer Fire Department chicken barbecue. The last day of the Comer Farmer's Market for the 2008 season will be held at the spot next to Saving Grace. Go see if there is some Booger Hill Bee Company Honey and other goodies.




Also from the food and drink department, we have Mara Hallberg’s Fresh Hot Sasama Green Tea and Hot Chocolate served around noon in front of Blue Bell.

Comer Baptist will host a live nativity from 10-2 on their grounds just across from Carmine's and in the thick of it all. Seeing the nativity live is a great way for the truth of the Gospel to enter your heart.

The music will begin at 1 p.m. at the grandstand with Tommy Hall. Also, our County's kids will be singing all around – on the corner of North and Main, the Comer Chorus and Madison County High School Chorus will perform. Come on out and support our children!

The Fabulous Comer Christmas Parade will begin at 2pm – get your spots early. Comer Elementary School will have its annual Christmas Festival Saturday from 3–5 p.m. There will be games for all ages, a cakewalk, bingo and pictures with Santa Claus.

On Sunday evening, the churches will host the lighting of the town Christmas tree at 7:30 p.m. There will be refreshments and chorus singing. At dusk, Comer lights up with more children singing, hot chocolate flowing and glorious fellowship as the tree is lit.

Glass demos and Wine and Cheese Reception - glass demos after the parade and the Reception 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5, Bendzunas Glass, 89 W. South Ave., Comer; www.bendzunasglass.com.

Get out and enjoy the opportunities to visit, have fun, and support your local kids, crafters, and merchants tomorrow!

Kitten attractors: leather and plants

My kittens have been getting where I don't want them to go. Luke loves the plant atop my highest bookcase, which I had to bring in when it turned cold. I've tried several blockades but he blew through them all. Yesterday afternoon I get home and another blockade is on the floor; a huge basket and an oversized box of Corn Flakes. Apparently they were no match for his kitten curiosity. All the lower leaves on this plant are now eaten. It could pass easily for a Charlie Brown Christmas tree!

Bert has gotten a taste for leather. I saw him sticking his head in the cubby where I throw my leather backpack a few times. I thought he was going after a spider or a bug. No, turns out the straps all have kitty teeth bites up and down. So THAT'S what he does at night! And last night I forgot to put my Bass shoes in the closet and today I went to put them on and the leather laces are an inch apiece: the remainder chewed up in a little pile next to the shoes. LOL

I love my kitties!

A true song

Fundy alert

"The man with no visible past"

Barack Obama...

Pravda reports on Obama's alleged ineligibility for the office of President, calling the President-elect: "the man with no visible past."

"Barry Sotero, AKA Barack Obama, along with the Democratic National Committee and the Federal Election Commission have successfully ignored a Federal Lawsuit asking him to produce a valid Birth Certificate," the articles states. "When the time to respond to that lawsuit expired, under Federal Court Rules, they all admitted that he was not a citizen of The United States of America and deemed to have committed fraud. A normal man would have been found to have admitted he was not a U.S. citizen."

While Pravda acknowledges that Obama is praised for his way with words, it warns, "Every con man walking free or in jail is an articulate speaker. Who would give their trust to a man who could not use the right words to convince his targets to trust him? Articulate speaking is no way to judge or rate the integrity of a person."

The writer said every con man sells a "dream," pushes a "greed button," stresses "urgency" – and it claims Americans fell for a con man.

"Obama sold the dream of hope and change so desperately wanted by the American voters. He pushed the greed button by promising to take from the rich to give to the poor. And he stressed urgency by himself and his wife telling voters to vote early."

Pravda explains that Obama's "certificate of birth" is not a birth certificate, but a certification of live birth that any foreigner can acquire by applying for one in the state's vital records department, regardless of where the baby was born.

More than 145,000 others signed an online petition calling for release of Barack Obama's birth certificate and verifying beyond any shadow of a doubt his constitutional eligibility for office.

The article said Obama can easily put the issue to rest by producing the document, rather than spending thousands of dollars on attorneys to defy federal and state lawsuits.

"Barack Obama may just win his place in history as the greatest con man of all time," it said. "A hundred million people believed him and spent 600 million dollars to get him 'elected' to the highest office in America, without ever knowing if he is or is not eligible to even run as an American citizen. It is either amazing that he will pull it off or it is amazing that so many millions of people believed him."

Pravda makes some good points. The Pravda link has links to the other suits at the SCOTUS level and lower courts, too. Supremes meeting Friday, Dec 5 in conference about this issue.

By their fruits ye shall know them

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:16

Robert Longman wrote: "The most famous Bible passage about the 'fruit of the Spirit' is in Galatians 5:22, where the apostle Paul gives us a list of fruit. The list is meant as a contrast to the list of the 'deeds of the flesh' found in 5:19-20. The fruit list is clearly not intended as an exhaustive description of the fruit, but was given to highlight the fruit that Paul wants the Galatian church to keep in mind. He lists the following fruit: love; joy; peace; patience; kindness; goodness; faithfulness; gentleness; self-control."

I made the collage because the phrase "by their fruits ye shall know them" came to mind. I knew I had a day book of fruits so I found the grapes, and started with that. In the end, I was sorry I did not paint the background, the white looks garish to me now, despite the gold cord along either side as a frame. The heart valentine represents the Love of Jesus. The angels on either side are pointing to the fruits by the people, and of course in the center is the Lamb, Jesus. At the bottom are the people, each generating their own fruits, either those fruits from the flesh or satan, or those spiritual fruits for Jesus. A godly person should exhibit those characteristics, always. If they do, ye shall know it.

One minute long and extremely informative

Currently, there are 16 cases in 12 states (with 2 before the Supreme Court) contending that Barack Obama is constitutionally ineligible to be sworn in as President of the United States. This video outlines the challenges to his presidency and sheds light on his international upbringing.

December 5, SCOTUS decides if it goes further...

Well I voted. But I don't feel great about it

The Senate race runoff between Saxby Chambliss and some Democrat or other is today. Because more than two candidates ran for the GA Senate seat and none earned over 50%, there had to be a runoff between the top two vote-getters. That meant that Chambliss, (R-Incumbent) and Jim Martin (D) are squaring off. But the stakes are high: staving off Chambliss and earning a seat in the Senate makes the tally for a filibuster-free, party-hearty Democrat Senate nearly complete. They are two votes shy of the 60 needed to thwart Republican filibusters (Minn. race is still unsettled...recount contunes apace).

So this is it! However, Chambliss voted for the bailout and that angered me. So did his pathetic letter explaining why ... but a Democrat super-majority in the Senate...shudder! So I voted Chambliss back in. But I don't feel great about it.

Let them eat cake, says Obama's gesture

"A spokesman for top Italian designer Giovanni Bosco has confirmed that President-Elect Barack Obama is looking to purchase a $30,000 Harmony ring made of rhodium and encrusted with diamonds as a thank you gift to his wife Michelle. We expect the future First Lady to receive the ring in time for her husband's January inauguration ceremony. The gift is a thank you for her support throughout the last two years of campaigning."

"One of the world's rarest and most precious metals, only about 25 tons of rhodium are mined each year, setting the price at over $7,660 per ounce -- or about ten times the cost of gold."

The DailyMail asked: "Are our elected politicians mature enough to face a recession?" Does it not seem in bad taste to buy a piece of bling for his wife in a gesture so over the top in a hard recession? And contrary to his own words uttered just a few DAYS ago?

"Obama vows line-by-line budget review"
President-elect Barack Obama vowed today to get rid of federal programs that no longer make sense and run others in a more frugal way to make Washington work in tough economic times.

Obama said that to make the needed investments to create jobs, "we also have to shed the spending we don't need."

Rhodium and diamonds apparently don't qualify as unnecessary spending...