Sunday, November 30, 2008

It's Snowing!

The first snow always creates a little excitement, even among the middle aged.

I'm concerned about a few political issues.

I would very much like to fix Social Security, and then keep the SS tax collected to be used solely for SS, and nothing else.

I would like for Israel to keep all the land it currently holds. (Many, a large percentage, of the Palestinians living in the area moved there After 1948)

Iran must be dealt with from a position of strength. It's a lovely idea to be kinder and gentler, but one Must understand the traditions of the society you're working with. I've been educated by an expert in the tradition of negotiation techniques used by Persians. I've also had some good friends who were Persians, and they agreed that a position of strength in negotiations is important.

Anyone who harrasses people for their political views or beliefs, especially when it gets to jostling, terrorizing (making afraid) or interrupting religious service, should be prosecuted for hate crimes. There is no special group of people in the US who have exemption from the law. Remember the blacks jailed in the "60's(well, long history of THAT in the US) for even a peaceful protest? The jail time included beatings and rape, which is deplorable, but they surely weren't treated with the kid gloves now being used by the perpetrators of hate crimes, for example, in CA, after prop 8 passed.

Anyone who beats up people coming out of a bar should be prosecuted too. I met a woman here in the Midwest who had lived in CA. She would go bashing with her SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS. Once she grabbed a hat off a guy they were beating, discovered it was a member of the class, and got immediately converted. She never beat up anybody again. I was disgusted with the initial behavior. That Sunday school class should also have been prosecuted.

I was taught in genetics class that once sperm meets egg, it's a new individual. Yes, through the ages women in difficult positions have committed suicide when they discovered they were pregnant. We have to spend our taxes, not on abortions, but on counseling and care.

I've heard that the preponderance of abortions are by white women. Do you know the vast number of couples in America who ask to adopt a white baby? The unhappy biological mother could be treated like a surrogate mother.

I looked for a photo of terrorism of either side of the prop 8 controversy. It seems that no one calls the newsmen when breaking the law.

Well, there. I don't exactly feel better, but it's good to express my heartfelt position.

God's blessings on you.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Sale and Reflections on the News




Since I seem to be keeping track of my international sales here, I'm happy to say I'll soon be mailing a package to England. It will contain three of my Dancing Shapes Series. This is a great pleasure to me because I enjoyed embroidering them so much.

Well, so, Mumbai. Well. There's another city I won't be visiting in the foreseeable future. Terrorism is working. I'm scared to go a lot of places.

I've always been wary of New York, but now with the crushing death at the Walmart on Long Island, I'm going to be (even more) wary of Walmart.

Seriously, one hears of stampedes in other countries among a couple of religious groups I won't name. So now Christians will be known as fanatic shoppers?

Christmas isn't about presents, and certainly not about bargains.

Be safe.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving





I have so much to thank God for, but I just happened to think of an unusual one this am.

When I taught in Japan, as I walked from the train station to my teaching assignment, I would hear the washing water draining into the ditches beside the road, and listen to a bird or two, either in cages, or in the rare tree. I would often think, "How nice it would be to have nothing to do but housework, and to be able to enjoy the birds as I did it.

Well, since the dryer went out and I decided to use our money elsewhere, I've been hanging out laundry. As I did so this morning, the birds in nearby trees were quite vocal. Such enjoyment I had. Then I realized that my heart's desire (including Mr. P) had been given to me.

So many more blessings too, especially salvation through my Savior, Jesus Anointed.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Kindness

I've mentioned before that we live close to the local uni.

On party nights it can be noisy.

That's outweighed, however, by the occasional conversation with a passing student. They're so young and healthy and full of life. It's catching.



A year ago October I was having my first bad bout of painful spurs on a knee and was using a cane to walk down the front steps to the van to bring in groceries. A twenty year old blonde walked into the yard and said,"Shall I carry that in for you?" Then, she seemed embaressed and added, "I do it for my mother." (At least she didn't say "grandmother.") And she carried groceries into the house to the tune of my cheerleading. What a sweetheart.

Then last week, I'd been to the feed store for rabbit food and pine shavings. I should explain, and I do hate to admit it, we've had influenza for FOUR WEEKS! I can hardly believe it myself, but Sister says the virus going around her city is lasting three to four weeks too. Mr. P is game, but he's older by a couple of decades, looks gray, and I've kept him in bed while I do the necessary chores.

So I went out to bring in a sack of feed. We get the store to resack it in 25 lb bags so we can handle it more easily. But the shavings had been propped on top and as soon as I opened the door, it fell out. I don't know how much they weigh, but a bunch, and I usually take out a garbage bag and make several trips with it full of shavings, to the shaving barrel in the basement.

Being fluified, I just stood there and looked at it. I'm sure I looked pathetic, because a twenty year old brunette who was passing walked into the yard and said,"here let me help." I thanked her and intended to take one side of the package, but she just hoisted it up and carried it up for me. She got thoroughly blessed.



I'm incredibly embaressed not to be able to do my own work, and to look like I need help, but I guess these two lovely ladies got to do their good deeds for the day and I really appreciate it.

Sometimes I despair of the future, during loud multiple house parties in the street, or when the drivers with phones on their ears do really unsafe driving, but then there are days when I'm sure kindness is indicative of a great future!

May you find kindness when you need it.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Connections

Interesting video:http://multimedia.mcb.harvard.edu/anim_innerlife.html

Today at the grocery checkout, I talked to my university French teacher. I reminded him that in the early '70's he'd told my class that when he was a French soldier in Viet Nam in the early '50's, American military was there too. Today I told him we'd hardly believed him. But then I married Mr. P, who was in the American military, in street clothes, in Viet Nam in the early '50's.

My teacher is a dapper little Frenchman who said "I shall give you a kiss," suavely moved into my space, and enchanted my cheek.

Interestingly, my Health students at Osaka Women's College, about 1990, told me some stories about the American military in Okinawa that I could hardly credit.It concerned a '60's protest outside the fence, and the school girls who tried to climb over the fence. They were repelled by foam from a firetruck. My students told me the protesters were sprayed with garbage and I said I was sure it had only been the usual crash foam.

My students kept saying it was just a protest and couldn't see that coming over the fence in to the base made it something else.

As it happens, it was Mr. P himself who, with the base commander sitting in the firetruck with him, foamed the protesters. It was indeed the crash foam used all the time. However. it was an old type that did indeed smell like garbage.

When Mr. P was there, no one got through the fence. After he shipped out, the next guys were too slow and Japanese men went into the base school and beat up kindergartners! The base commander turned loose a thousand marines just back from Nam, who became enraged at the site of little American kids being hurt. They obeyed orders though, and no one died.

While I was in Japan, I heard about the kindergartners having been attacked, and was outraged that it hadn't made a splash in American news at the time.(1970?)

Just to be fair, all the Japanese I met loved their children, so I can't imagine the ones I knew beating up American kids.

Please God, bless the children and keep them safe. May they truly know YOU.



Back to Osaka Women's College . I taught there during Gulf I. There was a huge tv screen in a wide hall where we'd stop to watch a little CNN. I stood in Osaka and watched a scud missile going toward Jerusalem. The teacher next to me said."Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
I said "eh?" because I didn't yet know that verse from Psalms.

Now I pray everyday for the peace of Jerusalem and prosperity in her houses.

May you too be peaceful and prosperous.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The P and P Etsy Shops Are Open

but not shipping for a few days. Sorry for the inconvenience. We'll be back to full service in a few days.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

El Shaddai (again,still...)

I was on Yahoo!Answers again for awhile. I labor under the delusion I can teach someone something.

Of course, I've learned a thing or two there, so maybe I can teach there too.

Tonight's gasp was that so few, perhaps not anyone else, knew that the God of the Bible has many Names.

If you want to read about them, with Biblical references, try http://www.gracenotes.info/topics/namesofgod.html

My favorite for years now has been El Shaddai, which means strengthener and satisfier of His people.

May you be spiritually satisfied.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Congratulations, President Obama!

* Daniel 2:21 — “It is He [the God of heaven]…who removes kings and establishes kings.”

* Job 42:2 — “I know that You [the God of Israel] can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”

Congratulations, Mr. President

The election has not yet been decided, though we may have a pretty good idea who's winning.

In either case, I will support him.

* Daniel 2:21 — “It is He [the God of heaven]…who removes kings and establishes kings.”

* Job 42:2 — “I know that You [the God of Israel] can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”


Some members of CAST (Christian Artists Street Team) and others on Etsy have decided to honor the new President with a Free Shipping in the USA sale through Friday.You'll find them here
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5892260


Our homemades and supplies shops will give free shipping in the USA and only $3 shipping to Canada (just'cause they're good friends). Sorry, not free for pandpvintage.


Happy Election!