Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving - a time for thanks for all the gifts we have in this life. It is a time to fellowship, break bread together and to share the good, as well as the not so good from the year before and plan on celebrating with one another throughout the year. But is this what is happening in your family? I've heard from many people that this is a time for strife. Where do we go? How do we split things up? Who will be hurt and who will not be? Ach! This is not the way Thanksgiving should be.

As a grandmother and mother in law, I have had to learn to just accept what I am given with no regrets. So someone gives a preferred time and then it doesn't work out. That's the way it goes. Nothing I say or do can change it, so I can't let it make me feel anything. It is. I am grateful for those who can come and spend the time with us and will think fondly of those who cannot. I will remember to keep the words of Jesus in my head - I will think of the Prodigal Son and always have my arms open for my children, with no evaluation or comment on what they have or haven't done. I think that's the best holiday gift I can give....

I am thankful that I have a wonderful view of the valley and mountains. I realize our life is just like that - ups and downs. When you are down, know that the up is not far away. God bless our country and God bless you this happy Thanksgiving season.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

The little girl was mesmerized. She could not take her eyes off the stage. If they were aliens, she would have gone with them. As I sat and watched her, I wondered how such a privileged child will make it in the world of boring public school. I mean, seriously. When you've been to your first rock concert at the tender age of 23 months along with your parents and grandparents, sitting and reading and listening to a monotone teacher might not be easy for you to endure. And I am worried. I am worried that she will get turned off and not love school. Like me. I hated school. I did not like the competition. I did not like being quiet and I certainly did not like having to follow rules, rules, rules, all day long. And so now I am retired and for the first time in my life, I can do what I want and when.I hope my granddaughter will have the majority of her life, doing what she loves and doing it when she wants to do it. . . .

But, on to the show. The characters are simple androgenous (for the most part) beings that sing and dance and repeat, repeat, repeat. If anything, most of the messages are good ones - don't be afraid. Hug someone! Love the world. Maybe I could add a few for their repertoire - stop crying! Sleep all night! Love everyone everyday! Stop whining! Yeah, tell those writers at Yo Gabba Gabba this grandma has lots to tell them. Yep, lots! They do a good job keeping the children's interests and they have a corner on the souvenir market as well.

Anne Rice News

Ok, I must admit it. I loved reading Anne Rice's vampire novels way before she decided to become a Christian. And then unChristian herself. (Is that like unfriending on FB?) I loved Lestat and was mesmerized by the stories of those who roam the world at night. Frightened a bit, but very enchanted. Like in a good way.

But the other day my son revealed that Anne was back to being a non-believer. I think the way he put it was that Anne decided not to be a Christian because she saw so many mean ones. Well, yeah. I have seen them, too. And I had the same feeling - if these are the people called to God, why in the world would I want to spend eternity with them??????

Now, some Christians might like that. You know, the ones who have a certain maximum of those who will make it to the floating kingdom in the sky. They don't want more to join them. Then there are those who believe that unless you formally acknowledge Jesus Christ as your savior, you will also be condemned to hell. Who wants to be with those narrow minded tweets?

So, those of us who believe that God wants all of his children to be rewarded - except for those dastardly evil hate mongers who spread negativity throughout the world - except for those, what is the answer?

Not to get too deep into theology, I must admit that I love being a Catholic, for the prevailing theme there is justice for all who believe - but those who believe in what they have been taught - there is a difference. For instance, if you are a Buddhist living in rural Japan and have been a good, law-abiding, kind individual, when you die,you will be rewarded for you have had Baptism of DESIRE! You have desired the truth and you shall be rewarded for that.

According to Catholicism, there are three baptisms: desire, water, and blood. We know about the water one. But the blood one is for those who give their lives for goodness. And goodness is God. What more do we need?

So, I have some advice for those prosletyzing Christians who are turning people off with their vain and preposterous attitudes - stop judging and walk the life of Christ. Stop talking. Do. Then ask God for forgiveness so that you don't judge others. And here I find myself in a quandry. Am I judging these Christians myself? Anne, are we just as guilty as they are? What do you think?

Here are Anne's own words:
Important Information On Anne's Decision to Quit Christianity in the Name of Christ

Anne's Statements Regarding Christianity as Posted:

For those who care, and I understand if you don't: Today I quit being a Christian. I'm out. I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being "Christian" or to being part of Christianity. It's simply impossible for me to "belong" to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten ...years, I've tried. I've failed. I'm an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.
07/28/10

As I said below, I quit being a Christian. I'm out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of ...Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.
07/28/10

My faith in Christ is central to my life. My conversion from a pessimistic atheist lost in a world I didn't understand, to an optimistic believer in a universe created and sustained by a loving God is crucial to me. But following Christ does not mean following His followers. Christ is infinitely more important than Christianity and always will be, no matter what Christianity is, has been, or might become.
07/29/10

I quit Christianity in the name of Christ on this page so that I could tell my readers I was not complicit in the things that organized religion does. I never dreamed others would be so interested, or that they would feel the need to talk about their own religious struggles. But they do. And the public conversation on... this is huge, and I think important.
08/08/10

Loneliness

As I sit here after almost 8 hours of working on the computer, checking 3 emails regularly, sending out mass requests for people to sign up for classes I set up at work, and writing regularly on FB - I wonder why we do it. My son is watching videos and my husband doing the 24/7 football thing. And we are all lonely. What are we accomplishing? They are fine. They are happy. And I sit here listening to Pandora and crying. Tears washing down my face. And I wonder why. And I start to think of my mama. And how I miss her. And how I wish she were here. She was probably the one person in my life I could tell anything to and she loved me anyway. Humanity. Where are we headed and why? I wish I knew....Miss my family so....

This is one of my favorite memories of my dad - he retired from the military when I was 12 and after that life became too difficult and frustrating for him - this is a picture when he was in his prime - he loved his country and he loved my mom and us. What more could one ask for?

Anyone can be a father, it takes someone special to be a dad!

My dad passed away 35 years ago, but today I am still thinking of the wonderful things he taught me and I wanted to share them with you today on Father's Day:

1. Education does not make you smart, but you'd better get one anyway.
2. If you need a shirt, I will give you the one off my back.
3. You shouldn't say bad words around ladies, except your wife and daughters - then, oh well....
4. If you say another damn swear word, I will beat your ass.
5. Even though I don't say I love you, you can see and feel it through my eyes.
6. One job may not be enough - 2 is good, and then there are those who need to work even more.
7. If you don't have money, there is always someone ready to lend you some.
8. Payday is celebration day. But a cowboy hat. Then pay the bills.
9. Sometimes it's just better to wile away the time in the garage - alone.
10. When in doubt, ask your mother.

Daddy, I love you!

I love you, Aunt Miyuki!

Her name is Miyuki Shiraza Bojescul. She came into our family when I was seven years old. I thought she was exquisitely beautiful and I loved being around her. And she loved me! Oh, how she loved me! She thought I was prettier than Miss America. My mom, my sister, and Aunt Miyuki and I would all sit around and watch the MA pageant annually. She would pincurl our hair and we would all watch and root for our choice. At the end, inevitably Aunt Miyuki would say, "Oh, Biyota more beautiful." I seriously doubt that I was, but in my dear aunt's eyes, I was wonderful. Even when I had kids, she said they were the best children ever. She was always so supportive. I am glad she died in her sleep, or so I've been told. I'm glad she is at peace now. Chemo can't be all that fun. Now she can watch the MAP with Mama and maybe even have a glass of wine....Love you so much, my beautiful auntie. You taught me about self-control, acceptance, love, and so much more. Expecially about love.....I shall miss you - no more phone calls to see how you are doing and hearing that lovely melodic voice of yours. I am sad for me, but glad for you! Take care, honey....