Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Friday, December 25, 2015
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
So This Was Christmas . . . in 2014
I took no photos. Not a single one.
We put up the small artificial tree, not the big one, right after Thanksgiving.
I made 9 pounds of fudge, not 15.
James made the sugar cookies from Pillsbury dough this year, and he made the cookies the size of plates.
On Christmas Eve, we had 15 people visit, starting at 1:15 and lasting until 8:15 p.m. Visitors included my aunt, my friend Diane (who gave me one of my favorite presents this year), my brother and his family, my father and his new family, and my mother-in-law. I served up lots of huge cookies, fudge, potato chips, meat balls, corn dogs, cheese ball, and a veggie tray.
Christmas Day, I rose from the bed at 5:40 a.m. and we had Christmas within 45 minutes or so. My husband gave me jewelry, clothes, and a food laminator (vacuum sealer).
We went to my mother-in-law's house and saw my nephews and sister-in-law. We were back home by noon. It was the first time in 31 years that we'd had Christmas at my mother-in-law's house in the morning instead of the afternoon.
I've already removed the wreaths from the doors, replaced my Santa flag with a snowman one, and taken away some decorations.
This year needs to hurry on out of here.
I am ready for spring.
We put up the small artificial tree, not the big one, right after Thanksgiving.
I made 9 pounds of fudge, not 15.
James made the sugar cookies from Pillsbury dough this year, and he made the cookies the size of plates.
On Christmas Eve, we had 15 people visit, starting at 1:15 and lasting until 8:15 p.m. Visitors included my aunt, my friend Diane (who gave me one of my favorite presents this year), my brother and his family, my father and his new family, and my mother-in-law. I served up lots of huge cookies, fudge, potato chips, meat balls, corn dogs, cheese ball, and a veggie tray.
Christmas Day, I rose from the bed at 5:40 a.m. and we had Christmas within 45 minutes or so. My husband gave me jewelry, clothes, and a food laminator (vacuum sealer).
We went to my mother-in-law's house and saw my nephews and sister-in-law. We were back home by noon. It was the first time in 31 years that we'd had Christmas at my mother-in-law's house in the morning instead of the afternoon.
I've already removed the wreaths from the doors, replaced my Santa flag with a snowman one, and taken away some decorations.
This year needs to hurry on out of here.
I am ready for spring.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Christmas Eve, 2014
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!
A big shout-out and a thank-you to my blog readers, who keep me on my toes and help me keep up with my writing and photography. I am very grateful to you for spending time with me.
I hope that Santa is good to all of you tomorrow, and that as things wind down, you find a moment to reflect on your year and determine to change the things that were not to your liking.
Best wishes to you, one and all!
Happy Holidays from Blue Country Magic aka CountryDew aka Anita
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
My Christmas Letter
We send out about 60 cards this time year, wishing folks a joyous holiday and Happy New Year. I write personal notes in some cards, particularly to those folks whom I haven't seen in some time, or am not friends with on Facebook.
I enjoy remembering these people with kindness and love, sometimes with a story or a prayer when I think of them. However, we do not send out a holiday letter. My husband hates them and shudders at the mere mention of one. He doesn't read the ones we receive, though I do. I don't mind them. I like knowing how folks are doing and what they are up too, even if half the time I don't know who or what they're talking about.
Most folks know I am a writer of sorts, so I occasionally am asked why I don't send out something with my cards. The above would be the reason - I don't override my husband's protests (except on really important matters). The other is, I don't think we're that interesting. But if I had written a letter to stick in the cards (which have all gone out in the mail), it would have read something like this:
The year's nearly over, time's running out quick
It's been 18 months now since Anita's been sick.
It's been a rough time for this Firebaugh clan.
The summer went sour when James injured his hand.
He fought the hay baler like a knight on a steed,
but had to cry, "uncle" when the thing made him bleed.
His angel was watching, the doc saved his arm
by September he was back working the farm.
For six months, physical therapy filled up their time.
"Growing old sucks," Anita's been heard to opine.
She uses a cane now, thanks to a bad foot
And while she's still writing, she's not touched her book.
They both have gray hair, (what hair James may have)
and each morning starts out with some smelly joint salve.
Such creaking and groaning, these two when they rise
they sound like Rice Crispies, that childhood surprise.
Though the year's been a hard one, they put on bright smiles
and send you good wishes from across the miles.
Happy Holidays, whatever you do,
may your upcoming year be the best one for you.
Or maybe I could have written something like this:
Dear Friends and Loved Ones,
What a year we've had! James, as most of you know, caught his hand and arm in a hay baler on July 5. I will never forget that awful day, the way he drove himself home on the utility vehicle and then told me he'd just "cut himself" and needed stitches at the Daleville urgent care. The look on the poor doctor's face when we removed the old sheet James had wrapped around his arm would have been laughable had I not at that moment realized the extent of the injury. Needless to say, the doctor called an ambulance.
After two surgeries and five days in the hospital, James came home. I have to give a big shout-out and thank you to my brother, who was very helpful throughout this ordeal. He even changed the hot water heater elements for us, which unfortunately went out on the day James came home (and he was so longing for a shower, poor man!). Also many of you (you know who you are!) stepped forward to lend a hand, either helping with farm chores or bringing us a meal. I'm grateful.
James was housebound most of the summer - and that is not a good thing for a plow boy, I must say. He was diligent with his physical therapy, though, and was soon back at work. I am happy to report that he has recovered most of the function of his hand. He grinned from ear to ear just this past week when he was able to work the throttle and brake on his motorcycle. Oh happy day!
As for me, in January I went to UVA for my abdominal pain, but no one had any advice except to find a pain specialist. I had a CT Scan in the spring, which showed nothing, and a visit with a local surgeon produced no tangible results, either. An endoscopy in September indicated that my multiple bleeding ulcers (diagnosed in October 2013) were better. Though not quite healed, they certainly were no longer the concern they were the previous fall. That was my personal best news all year (James' recovery, of course, took the cake.)
I began physical therapy in April, and have been going consistently since August (there was a break there when James was hurt, of course). The PT has helped a little, but unfortunately, I developed a weird issue with my right foot. (Of course it's a weird issue, it's me!) My gait changed, and my foot turned outward. One theory is the adhesions in my abdomen (that's what the diagnosis on the pain is, scar tissue build-up) pulled my pelvis out of alignment, causing me to walk incorrectly on my foot and ankle and damage a tendon. I see a specialist on December 31 about that. Way to start the New Year, eh?
I also went to UNC in August for additional diagnosis on the belly pain. UNC has a Women's Hospital and I had no idea they had such a huge facility there. They couldn't help, either, though.
The cows are good - James likes the new paddocks and water troughs he installed the summer of 2013. That is working well for him. He continues to stay busy with not only the farm but also his septic tank installation work and his work at the fire department. He would like to retire from the fire department soon, but like most folks have found, health insurance is an issue.
I enjoy watching the deer out the window. Sometimes they come right up and look in the house. They are curious animals. I have also been doing a lot of reading. Current events make me sad.
The rest of the family is well. As far as I know, both of our immediate families are doing okay. We're very proud of nephews and our niece. They are growing up to be fine young people.
Hope your year has been blessed and wonderful, and that 2015 is a joyous one for you.
The Firebaughs
Anyway, that's why we don't send out letters in our Christmas cards.
I enjoy remembering these people with kindness and love, sometimes with a story or a prayer when I think of them. However, we do not send out a holiday letter. My husband hates them and shudders at the mere mention of one. He doesn't read the ones we receive, though I do. I don't mind them. I like knowing how folks are doing and what they are up too, even if half the time I don't know who or what they're talking about.
Most folks know I am a writer of sorts, so I occasionally am asked why I don't send out something with my cards. The above would be the reason - I don't override my husband's protests (except on really important matters). The other is, I don't think we're that interesting. But if I had written a letter to stick in the cards (which have all gone out in the mail), it would have read something like this:
The year's nearly over, time's running out quick
It's been 18 months now since Anita's been sick.
It's been a rough time for this Firebaugh clan.
The summer went sour when James injured his hand.
He fought the hay baler like a knight on a steed,
but had to cry, "uncle" when the thing made him bleed.
His angel was watching, the doc saved his arm
by September he was back working the farm.
For six months, physical therapy filled up their time.
"Growing old sucks," Anita's been heard to opine.
She uses a cane now, thanks to a bad foot
And while she's still writing, she's not touched her book.
They both have gray hair, (what hair James may have)
and each morning starts out with some smelly joint salve.
Such creaking and groaning, these two when they rise
they sound like Rice Crispies, that childhood surprise.
Though the year's been a hard one, they put on bright smiles
and send you good wishes from across the miles.
Happy Holidays, whatever you do,
may your upcoming year be the best one for you.
Or maybe I could have written something like this:
Dear Friends and Loved Ones,
What a year we've had! James, as most of you know, caught his hand and arm in a hay baler on July 5. I will never forget that awful day, the way he drove himself home on the utility vehicle and then told me he'd just "cut himself" and needed stitches at the Daleville urgent care. The look on the poor doctor's face when we removed the old sheet James had wrapped around his arm would have been laughable had I not at that moment realized the extent of the injury. Needless to say, the doctor called an ambulance.
After two surgeries and five days in the hospital, James came home. I have to give a big shout-out and thank you to my brother, who was very helpful throughout this ordeal. He even changed the hot water heater elements for us, which unfortunately went out on the day James came home (and he was so longing for a shower, poor man!). Also many of you (you know who you are!) stepped forward to lend a hand, either helping with farm chores or bringing us a meal. I'm grateful.
James was housebound most of the summer - and that is not a good thing for a plow boy, I must say. He was diligent with his physical therapy, though, and was soon back at work. I am happy to report that he has recovered most of the function of his hand. He grinned from ear to ear just this past week when he was able to work the throttle and brake on his motorcycle. Oh happy day!
As for me, in January I went to UVA for my abdominal pain, but no one had any advice except to find a pain specialist. I had a CT Scan in the spring, which showed nothing, and a visit with a local surgeon produced no tangible results, either. An endoscopy in September indicated that my multiple bleeding ulcers (diagnosed in October 2013) were better. Though not quite healed, they certainly were no longer the concern they were the previous fall. That was my personal best news all year (James' recovery, of course, took the cake.)
I began physical therapy in April, and have been going consistently since August (there was a break there when James was hurt, of course). The PT has helped a little, but unfortunately, I developed a weird issue with my right foot. (Of course it's a weird issue, it's me!) My gait changed, and my foot turned outward. One theory is the adhesions in my abdomen (that's what the diagnosis on the pain is, scar tissue build-up) pulled my pelvis out of alignment, causing me to walk incorrectly on my foot and ankle and damage a tendon. I see a specialist on December 31 about that. Way to start the New Year, eh?
I also went to UNC in August for additional diagnosis on the belly pain. UNC has a Women's Hospital and I had no idea they had such a huge facility there. They couldn't help, either, though.
The cows are good - James likes the new paddocks and water troughs he installed the summer of 2013. That is working well for him. He continues to stay busy with not only the farm but also his septic tank installation work and his work at the fire department. He would like to retire from the fire department soon, but like most folks have found, health insurance is an issue.
I enjoy watching the deer out the window. Sometimes they come right up and look in the house. They are curious animals. I have also been doing a lot of reading. Current events make me sad.
The rest of the family is well. As far as I know, both of our immediate families are doing okay. We're very proud of nephews and our niece. They are growing up to be fine young people.
Hope your year has been blessed and wonderful, and that 2015 is a joyous one for you.
The Firebaughs
Anyway, that's why we don't send out letters in our Christmas cards.
Friday, October 31, 2014
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Monday, May 26, 2014
Memorial Day 2014
Memorial Day is when we honor those who died in battle. It has in some cases turned into a day celebrating all who have served and/or are still serving in the Armed Forces. Since 911, some services include emergency services workers because so many firefighters died trying to save those in the New York towers.
The day has its origins in the Civil War, with the first official Decoration Day, as the day used to be called, occurring on May 30, 1968. On that day, the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers were covered with flowers at Arlington National Cemetery.
However, many southern states had already begun honoring their war dead prior before then, and a number of towns and cities lay claim to being the first to do so. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY, as the official birthplace of the holiday, citing an ongoing celebration that began in 1866.
Most northern states recognized the day after the 1868 declaration, but the southern states did not do so until after World War I, when the holiday changed from honoring those who fought in the Civil War to honoring all Americans who died while serving their country.
The day did not become an officially recognized federal holiday until 1971. You can read about this history at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
To my knowledge, I have no immediate family members who died in service, though a number have served. My grandfather fought in World War II and my father served in Korea, as did his two brothers. I have two other uncles who have been life-long military. I have thanked many a soldier for his or her service, and I have secretly paid for ice cream for one or two on occasion.
I am, however, deeply opposed to war. I have no problem remembering those who have fought and died for this country, and if people chose to go into the military that is their prerogative. I respect them for that choice, just as I hope they respect me for my stance that opposes their dying. I would rather have them alive, and if that makes me naïve, then I am naïve.
Killing and fighting solves nothing. We are all one, a part of this planet, and brothers and sisters of the world. We should not be destroying one another over land, oil, or other spoils. Bloodshed demeans all of us.
What would happen, I have often wondered, if those who fight simply . . . stopped. It can happen. In 1914, at Christmas, soldiers stopped fighting. They climbed from their trenches and enemies greeted one another with "Merry Christmas." They exchanged gifts of whatever they had on hand. They sang carols and played soccer. This is a true story and a perfect example of what could be, if we only had the will to make it so.
May all those who died fighting for their causes rest in peace. May the rest of us work toward a better world, so that no one else must die for those causes or any other. That is my hope for today, and for all of the tomorrows to come.
Death Be Not Proud
By John Donne
DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
Welcome 2014
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R!!!!
Happy New Year to all of my readers and blogging friends! I hope that this new year brings to you much joy and happiness. May it be a time of peace, tranquility, and good fortune for all. Welcome 2014 and all the promises a new year holds.
May all of our days be blessed.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Merry Christmas!
Dear Readers,
Thank you for spending time with me throughout the year. I appreciate each and every one of you and the time you take to visit with me.
I hope you have a blessed and joyous holiday time. May all your dreams come true.
Best wishes,
Anita
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
My Husband Gives Me A Present
My husband presented me with this very large lighted Santa Mouse over the weekend. He found it at Lowe's.
I have a little collection of Santa Mouse ornaments. This big guy quickly found a place on the fireplace hearth.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thanksgiving Thirteen
I am thankful for:
1. My husband. He's my hero and a fine man.
4. Time. I am grateful that I have lived for a half-century.
5. Flowers. Where would the world be without nature's brilliant beauty?
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6. Today's feast! (Not really).
7. My mentors. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to go to Hollins and met some wonderful and supportive folks.
8. The wildlife around my home. I am blessed to live in a place where I don't even have to get up from my seat to see cool things.
10. My husband's family. I've been a part of their lives for 30 years now.
12. Brilliant skies.
13. Good books and writing. I can't imagine a world without words.
1. My husband. He's my hero and a fine man.
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| My most excellent spouse. |
2. My family of origin.
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| My niece a few years ago. |
3. My friends. I love all of my friends, old and new, and hold them dear.
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| My oldest pal, who would kill me if she saw this photo up here. |
5. Flowers. Where would the world be without nature's brilliant beauty?
6. Today's feast! (Not really).
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| These birds roam free on the farm. We don't shoot turkeys around here. |
7. My mentors. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to go to Hollins and met some wonderful and supportive folks.
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| One of my creative writing professors (left) and yours truly. |
9. My home. I may not have the biggest house on the block, but it is full of love.
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| My house. |
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| My two handsome nephews. |
11. Great art. I think we are all enhanced by the things we create as human beings.
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| Local artwork. |
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| A rainbow kisses the earth. |
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| A local author's book. |
And I am thankful for you, dear reader. Thank you for visiting my blog, reading my thoughts, and looking at my photos. I hope it gives you some small joy.
Thursday Thirteen is
played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a
while and this is my 321st time to do a list of 13 on a
Thursday.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Holiday Baking
I frequently like to try new things during the holidays. This year I went crazy and tried several new things.
Chocolate bark with pretzels. I also made some with dried cranberries and marshmallow. Fairly easy. I will make the kind with pretzels again, I think.
I decided I wanted to make candy. First I had to purchase molds.
It's a little harder than it looks. After melting the chocolate, filling the molds takes a bit of technique. It took me a few tries to keep from being messy.
Dark chocolate chip cookies. This was the first batch of chocolate chip I ever fixed that didn't turn all that well: I left out a 1/2 cup of butter by mistake.
Fudge. Not a new thing, this is my signature holiday treat. But I am not making as much of this as I once did. I used to make nearly 20 pounds of fudge every year; now I'm down to less than 10.
The candy from the molds. The white or white-colored tasted the best.
Sugar cookies. I burned the first dozen and had a difficult time with the rolling and cutting out. It is a lot easier to just get the Pillsbury dough and make round cookies.
I also made snickerdoodles and butterscotch cookies. During the course of the cooking, I burned up my mixer (a hand mixer) and my husband on Saturday went to Lowe's and bought me a nice KitchenAid mixer. I was surprised. He said it was part of my Christmas. I had no idea that a good mixer could make such a difference in the cooking process, but it certainly does.
I hope that everyone had a good holiday. We woke this morning to snow/sleet/ice. It is still dark as I write this so no photos yet. We'll see what it looks like when the sun comes up.
Chocolate bark with pretzels. I also made some with dried cranberries and marshmallow. Fairly easy. I will make the kind with pretzels again, I think.
I decided I wanted to make candy. First I had to purchase molds.
It's a little harder than it looks. After melting the chocolate, filling the molds takes a bit of technique. It took me a few tries to keep from being messy.
Dark chocolate chip cookies. This was the first batch of chocolate chip I ever fixed that didn't turn all that well: I left out a 1/2 cup of butter by mistake.
Fudge. Not a new thing, this is my signature holiday treat. But I am not making as much of this as I once did. I used to make nearly 20 pounds of fudge every year; now I'm down to less than 10.
The candy from the molds. The white or white-colored tasted the best.
Sugar cookies. I burned the first dozen and had a difficult time with the rolling and cutting out. It is a lot easier to just get the Pillsbury dough and make round cookies.
I also made snickerdoodles and butterscotch cookies. During the course of the cooking, I burned up my mixer (a hand mixer) and my husband on Saturday went to Lowe's and bought me a nice KitchenAid mixer. I was surprised. He said it was part of my Christmas. I had no idea that a good mixer could make such a difference in the cooking process, but it certainly does.
I hope that everyone had a good holiday. We woke this morning to snow/sleet/ice. It is still dark as I write this so no photos yet. We'll see what it looks like when the sun comes up.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Adios, 2011
Well, it's almost another year. I am excited about 2012. I have a college graduation to look forward to in May. I will have another degree and that will be a nice feather in my cap.
I am hopeful that the economy will turn around, too. I am crossing my fingers that I will be able to find a new career doing something I enjoy. The masters degree will help, perhaps.
Also, I plan to continue my weight loss, so I am really looking forward to buying a new wardrobe, complete with accessories, before the end of the year. That will be fun.
This last day of December will be a quiet one for my husband and I, and that's a good thing. Yay for calm endings!
I hope 2012 brings us all many good things in life. Many blessings to you, dear reader, as the year ends and a new one begins!
I am hopeful that the economy will turn around, too. I am crossing my fingers that I will be able to find a new career doing something I enjoy. The masters degree will help, perhaps.
Also, I plan to continue my weight loss, so I am really looking forward to buying a new wardrobe, complete with accessories, before the end of the year. That will be fun.
This last day of December will be a quiet one for my husband and I, and that's a good thing. Yay for calm endings!
I hope 2012 brings us all many good things in life. Many blessings to you, dear reader, as the year ends and a new one begins!
Bring it on, 2012!
Monday, December 26, 2011
10 Shots of Christmas
Christmas is a two-day celebration for us. First, we have folks over to our house on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, we go to my mother-in-law's house for presents and a dinner. I received a new Nikon P500 camera for Christmas, and I took these photos with that.
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| This was the merry table! |
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| My cousin Matthew, his wife Gina, and their daughter Madison. |
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| Madison liked the Christmas tree. |
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| My brother Loren at the table. Something happened to my Canon camera and it started saving pictures in tiny little format. Maybe I hit a button. |
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| My nephew Trey needs a hair cut! |
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| My husband, James, and two nephews, Emory and Chris. |
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| My mother-in-law, Eunice, kicked her shoes off. |
On Christmas Day, we go to my mother-in-law's house for presents and a dinner. I received a new Nikon P500 camera for Christmas, and I took these photos with that.
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| My nephews and my brother-in-law examine each other's presents. |
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| My sister-in-law, Jennifer, and my mother-in-law watch the men. |
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| The helicopter from the loving aunt (that'd be me) was the hit present of the evening. |
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas!
May you find much peace and happiness on this day and all others.
Luke 2:8
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
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;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Thank you for reading Blue Country Magic! I'm very grateful to all of you for taking time out of your day to share with me.
Luke 2:8
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
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;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
***
Thank you for reading Blue Country Magic! I'm very grateful to all of you for taking time out of your day to share with me.
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Nobody's Stopping You
This is a rant. Read at your own risk.
***************************
It's the holiday season, and every day on my Facebook wall, someone posts that they are going to say "Merry Christmas" no matter what.
Well, I don't know who's stopping you if you are a United States citizen. I am unaware of a single instance of someone in the United States being killed or maimed because they walked up to somebody and said Merry Christmas.
Now, they might be told, "I'm Jewish, and I don't celebrate, but Happy Hanukkah" or "I'm Muslim, and I don't celebrate," or "I'm atheist, and I don't celebrate," but they aren't going to jail for wishing someone a Merry Christmas. Not in this country. At least, not yet, and I don't really look for that to change.
You have a good chance of being jailed for holding a sign saying, "I'm in the 99 percent," though.
Nor is it wrong to say "Happy Holidays," which, by the way, is simply the modern way of saying "Happy Holy Days." If you take offense at that and you're Christian, then you're just ignorant.
As far as I'm concerned, if you're one of those Christian people in the United States who are feeling "persecuted" over your religion, you're making a big something out of absolutely nothing.
Because it is Christmas everywhere, and it has been since Halloween.
If you want to feel persecuted over your religion, then I urge you to visit another country, or change your religion, and then see how it feels to live here.
Because in other countries that are not predominantly Christian, people lose their lives over their religion.
Yeah, they die.
They don't get to post on Facebook that they're indignant because they heard some rumor that somebody doesn't like their religion. They don't get to post false rumors about the President of the United States and what he does or doesn't do about the holiday.
Because any of that would get them killed.
If you want to see something interesting, go to this website and take a look at it. This details real Christian persecution.
Guess what. Saying "Happy Holidays" is not on the first page. At the moment I write this, the front page talks about a church bombing in Nepal, a prayer meeting interrupted by Hindus in India, Christians being murdered and churches being burned in Nigeria, etc. etc.
There is no public battle over Christmas here. It's all a gimmick to make you indignant so you'll go out and buy another decoration or a bigger toy for Johnny. Nobody is telling you not to celebrate your holiday, to worship your god, or do whatever you want. By all means, go and do that in whatever way you think is best.
However, some people are telling you that Christianity doesn't belong in government sanctioned areas, and it doesn't. Think about how the Christians in other countries feel, the ones who are watching their loved ones die. Do you suppose they are worried about a Christmas tree on the front lawn?
I think not.
Besides, the Christmas tree belongs to the pagans anyway. Maybe the Christians should give them back their trees.
Christmas has become nothing more than crass commercialism, and all of the uproar is to keep people shopping.
I grew up in a fairly non-religious household. If you want even an inkling of persecution, try being in the fourth grade and left to yourself in the library while other children go to Bible study every Friday. Yes, that happened in the 1970s when I was growing up.
I attended those classes for the first six weeks. We were given booklets to study and fill out with church attendance. My church attendance was blank, because my family did not attend church. You see, my mother was Baptist and my father was Catholic, and when they married in 1962, they were tossed out of their consecutive religious establishments for not following the rules.
Anyway, the Bible teacher, checking the booklets after six weeks, held mine up for everyone to see. "She doesn't go to church!" she cried out to the entire class. "What a sinner."
I cried for days.
After that, my parents told the teacher I was to leave the room during Bible study and go sit in the library. And that is what I did, year after year. I was joined by a couple of other outcast kids. The other kids made fun of us. Every week, once a week, for three years.
That's a type of persecution. It's not like losing your life, but it left scars.
And those scars didn't come from the state. They came from the Christians.
Happy Holidays.
P.S. Before you call me a sinner and all of that crap, (a) I celebrate Christmas, (b) I've been baptised, (c) I'll put my morality up against anyone else's, and (d) I'm as entitled to my opinion as you are. You want to post about your imagined persecution, I have the right to complain about your imagination.
And if you leave a bad comment, I'll delete it.
Friday, December 02, 2011
O Christmas Tree
On Sunday, we put our tree up in the living room.
This is rather unusual for us. Usually I do not put the tree up before December 10, but we had a little time after Thanksgiving and it seemed appropriate to move ahead and get this done.
For one thing, I have a huge final exam to prepare for and take, so time might be a little tight later in the month.
As you can see, I already have one package beneath the tree.
Now I need to wrap the things I have already purchased, address my cards, and get them in the mail.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Happy Easter - Random Easter Thinking
I was raised without religion so when I was growing up this holiday was all about bunnies and chocolate. I don't recall attending an Easter Service until I was adult.
At my grandmother's house, we would fill plastic eggs with candy and hide them around her yard and then go seek them out. We took turns hiding them from one another and occasionally an adult would oblige us and hide them for us so we could all go hunting at the same time. The kids around would have been myself, my brother and my two uncles, who ranged in age from a year younger than I to four years older, with various cousins dropping in from time to time.
I remember getting up and seeing big Easter baskets a la Santa Claus on Easter morning. Some years they came with little garden tools or plastic lawnmowers but always lots of candy.
Our eggs came from chickens on the farm and they were mostly brown so we didn't dye them. Brown eggs simply don't dye that well. I remember my mother purchased white eggs a few times simply so we could dye them. I don't recall being all that excited about the process of watching them turn colors. I do remember being warned about being sure we found them all because otherwise they would stink if we left them lying about.
Because we raised chickens, I never wanted to receive a little chick on Easter.
Easter is a time of promise and renewal. A time of new beginnings. Outside my window I see green fields now where only a few weeks ago there was nothing but brown grass. In the far field the mustard has sprung up, leaving a yellow streak among the green. Daffodils dance in the wind. The trees have hints of green and the mountains are no longer dull. The leaves aren't out yet but their buds tint the landscape. The redbuds are opening, dogwoods are venturing forth and the birds are singing lustily from the trees.
I celebrate Easter and God's glory in the wonders of nature and the joyfulness of life. The sky is my cathedral, the trees my columns, the landscape my stained-glass windows, the damp earthy my pew. The Word of God is whispered on the wind if one only stops to listen and the Words are written all around us if we only open our eyes and look.
Life and Love.
Life and Love.
Life and Love.
Amen.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas 2009
Christmas has come and gone, leaving me with happy memories of another year.
Christmas Eve morning early, I met with my friend B., and we had a pleasant visit at Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea. She gave me a bag of goodies which I will enjoy.
Late morning found me setting up a table of goodies in anticipation of visitors. I fixed ham biscuits, a cheese ball with crackers, spinach dip, fudge, chips & dip and cookies for my guests.
After lunch my aunt Carolyn and her son Matthew and his wife Gina and their daughter Madison, who is 3 years old, came for their annual Christmas Eve visit to the country. I forgot the camera during their visit so I have no pictures, but we had a lovely time.
Later my brother and his family came over.
This is my niece, Zoe. She is 8 and was quite excited by the holiday, as children are.
My brother Loren on the left and his son Trey on the right, relaxing on my couch as we had a pleasant visit. I didn't take any pictures of my sister-in-law as she asked me not to, but Dina was there too.
The next morning, Santa Claus came and filled the stockings. He brought me some DVDs, software and books.
In the afternoon we went to the in-laws house for Christmas. This is my mother-in-law's tree. Lovely, isn't it?
My mother-in-law, Eunice, doing what she does during the holidays - feed everyone! We had a feast of fried shrimp, sausage balls, cheese balls and crackers, veggie plates, and ham biscuits.
My sister-in-law Jennifer and her dad, Jimmy, enjoy conversation in front of the refrigerator. Jen had broken a back tooth and wasn't feeling well; I hope she finds a dentist soon.
My husband watched the nephews open their presents.
My brother-in-law Gary is a big fan of my fudge; I caught him taking possession of the tin of candy I gave the family.
My nephews, Chris on the left and Emory on the right, opening up their gifts.
That's me saying so long to this holiday; now it's time to open up my arms to 2010! A new year and a new decade. What will the coming months hold?!?
Christmas Eve morning early, I met with my friend B., and we had a pleasant visit at Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea. She gave me a bag of goodies which I will enjoy.
Late morning found me setting up a table of goodies in anticipation of visitors. I fixed ham biscuits, a cheese ball with crackers, spinach dip, fudge, chips & dip and cookies for my guests.
After lunch my aunt Carolyn and her son Matthew and his wife Gina and their daughter Madison, who is 3 years old, came for their annual Christmas Eve visit to the country. I forgot the camera during their visit so I have no pictures, but we had a lovely time.
Later my brother and his family came over.
This is my niece, Zoe. She is 8 and was quite excited by the holiday, as children are.
My brother Loren on the left and his son Trey on the right, relaxing on my couch as we had a pleasant visit. I didn't take any pictures of my sister-in-law as she asked me not to, but Dina was there too.
The next morning, Santa Claus came and filled the stockings. He brought me some DVDs, software and books.
In the afternoon we went to the in-laws house for Christmas. This is my mother-in-law's tree. Lovely, isn't it?
My mother-in-law, Eunice, doing what she does during the holidays - feed everyone! We had a feast of fried shrimp, sausage balls, cheese balls and crackers, veggie plates, and ham biscuits.
My sister-in-law Jennifer and her dad, Jimmy, enjoy conversation in front of the refrigerator. Jen had broken a back tooth and wasn't feeling well; I hope she finds a dentist soon.
My husband watched the nephews open their presents.
My brother-in-law Gary is a big fan of my fudge; I caught him taking possession of the tin of candy I gave the family.
My nephews, Chris on the left and Emory on the right, opening up their gifts.
That's me saying so long to this holiday; now it's time to open up my arms to 2010! A new year and a new decade. What will the coming months hold?!?
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