CatHouse Chat

Well. Mom will be pleased...

But I'm thinking that this widget doesn't really scan the whole site... I would've expected about a 2% (if the average is about 9% as they claim) for me...

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Online Dating

I mean, I know I let loose with a "damn" or a "hell" occasionally... ;-)

Merrie Monarch Festival enters its 40th year

Well, one good thing to come out of Aloha's closing is that it reminded me of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. This year, the Festival begins today, and runs through April 5th. The best hula in all the world will be showcased at the Festival - wahine and kane (women's and men's divisions - pronounced "vah-hee-nay" and "kah-nay") and two different styles: kahiko (traditional style "kah-hee-koh") and auana (modern"ow-ah-nah").

To get a glimpse of some of this beautiful style of dancing, start here on YouTube... But there's something about the kane kahiko...

UPDATE: You will note that it's very similar to a Tahitian haka - which isn't odd, since the Hawaiians came in to Hawaii from that general area, and certainly brought those traditions along with them. However, it is my undertanding (and I could be VERY wrong), that hula tells a story, but the haka is more of a formal threat display, or a war chant... Again, I could be wrong ;-)

Aloha Airlines bankrupt?!

Wow. For some weird reason, I always thought it would be Hawaiian Airlines that would fold first... Of course, that's an impression from about 15 years ago, when we still lived in the Islands.

But Aloha's last day flying will be tomorrow.

That is very sad.

American Citizen Dr. Wafa Sultan In Hiding

Read the information HERE at Brigitte Gabriel's Act! For America.

Right here in America, Dr. Sultan and her family have had to go into hiding!

Blogger Threatened

Image:
Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech"

Kevin of The Amboy Times was threatened yesterday — all because he is keeping a running list entitled "The List of Things That Offend Muslims." The following is the threat which Kevin received:

...You know how much I hate to wish that something really bad happen to anyone (though at times I have expressed my desire to have someone I truly hate suffer in death thanks to a speeding bullet train). But I think I have no excuse to pray that the author of this idiotic post have anything good for him or her.

This guy is a real muppet. I couldn't care to dig up his background or where he came from for that matter. Anyone who stirs shit like that deserved to be shot really. This is simply a case of asking for it. Don't even mention terrorists, this chap could be in real trouble even if he bumped into his Muslim neighbour, if he has any....

The Armchair Critic is the web site which published the threat, HERE, where you can read the entire posting.

Part of Kevin's comment about the threat:

This kind of proves the basic thesis of the list, that Westerners have to tip toe around Muslims and hope they don't kill us for holding our own views. The faiths we practice and the traditions that we hold dear are meaningless targets for jihad. The writer, whose blog banner features a revolver with spattered blood, doesn't seem to realize that murder for the sake of his religion is what draws criticism to Islam.

Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch learned of the threat and had this to say about it:

"Earth Hour"? Pfft!

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Nope, I don't believe that I'm gonna join the tree huggers on this one. Jim Hoeft points to Doug's suggestion at Below the Beltway -

I think I’ll have to make sure every light in the house is turned on.

I'm standing in solidarity with my Virginia blog-brothers... In fact, here's a video that fits the situation beautifully, I think *snicker*

UPDATE: Apparently, there's some difficulty with the video... If THIS doesn't work, just search Google videos, and I'm sure you'll get a hit... ;-) [/update]

Technorati Tags: global warming,environmentalism,environment,Trace Atkins,tree huggers

When Leftards "peaceful demonstrators" attack - the video

Yep. He did. He whacked Skye, just for videotaping an exchange of insults. Sky was not participating, she was only taping, and this cretin lashes out at her! Melanie Morgan has posted that the... male person... who attacked Skye has been identified as

The (alleged) Peace Slapper has been identified as John Meicht , a college professor who taught a course at Widener University last spring.

And here's the video of the, erm, "distinguished professor's" attack:

Class act, dude. Really... stylish. So tolerant, enlightened, loving and peaceful.

Not.

Well, what did you expect?!

When you act like dhimmis, you get treated like dhimmis:

The top U.N. rights body on Thursday passed a resolution proposed by Islamic countries saying it is deeply concerned about the defamation of religions and urging governments to prohibit it.

The European Union said the text was one-sided because it primarily focused on Islam.

The U.N. Human Rights Council, which is dominated by Arab and other Muslim countries, adopted the resolution on a 21-10 vote over the opposition of Europe and Canada. [emph. mine] (source)

In other words, "Free speech? What's that?"

Europe, if you don't take a STRONG stand NOW, and insist that the Muslims afford you every respect and courtesy they desire for themselves, you're going to either convert to Islam, start paying the dhimmi tax and learning what the Jews felt like in Nazi Germany... Or you'll be dead.

Does Europe really want to open the door - however slightly - to Sharia law for EVERYONE?

And as for America... To my country I would say "See what is hapening in Europe? That's going to happen here, if we don't stand strong upon the foundation of freedom given to us by God and our Founders."

"Oh, wait, Kat - you just mentioned 'God.' Doesn't that make you the same as those who want to enforce Sharia law?"

No. You note that, although BECAUSE [thanks to my bog-brother Jim Bowden] our Founders and original citizens were mostly Christian, they gave us a framework which today allows us to say pretty much anything we want, without fear of our heads being whacked off by the religious police - just to start.

(FURTHER EDIT; I note that the God of Creation, the God who humbled Himself and lived amng us and Who DIED for us is big enough and strong enough to take slurs, accusations, denigration, and blasphemy... He is SO big, SO powerful, and SO perfect, that He permits us our "free speech" to try to bring Him down...

"allah" however, is so small, so weak, so insignificant [not a problem when "allah" is simply a non-god-demon of false religion], that "allah" must insist that no one may investigate his claims or his commands or his spokesmen.

"allah" is no god - he is a demon and weak, controlling, petty-ante nobody of a demon who just wants to enslave and demean humanity and control them so they live in hate versus compassion, love, justice and holiness. He maintains his power through fear and deception.

So, pffffft! to "allah" - little wannabe that he is!)

For those of my American readers, who think that

they [want] to stop the growing worldwide trend of using religious anti-defamation laws to limit free speech

I would invite them to leave America and go live in an Islamic country - and try to retain the freedoms we take for granted here. Have fun.

Freedom isn't free, folks. It takes vigilance and perseverance, and determination... Which is in decline in Europe, and which is well under way here in America.

I know I've been quiet...

... but I've been BUSY!!!! I'm actually getting taxes done (trying to do it ourselves this year), and we've been doing all sorts of outside the house Spring Cleaning, which includes starting a garden. We got a WHOLE utility trailer full of beautifully aged and composted manure yesterday, and tilled it in to our hard, crusty red clay - and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!

Anyway, today will be more of the same, but I'll try to take pictures and post them so you can enjoy the beginning of the growing seaon, too... Oooo, garden-blogging....

"We're sick and tired of having defeatists and fatalists dictate to us"

Here's what a REAL American - who has served honorably - feels about the war on Terror.

Now look, folks, I think that it's right that America ought to be reluctant to get into a war. We ought to be very hesitant to put our best, brightest and bravest in harm's way in another country! They are our treasure, our future, and we ought not to squander them.

But, once we're in a war, we ought to prosecute that war with the full might and fury this country is capable of. We ought to come down on our enemies like the wrath of God Himself, no holds barred, and get the job done. We ought to finish the job, and then bring our men and women in uniform home in victory, to receive the thanks of a grateful nation, and to give them their due honor.

Mr. Bellavia, who is speaking here, says one thing about which I have a caveat: "America has never lost a war." I agree with that in substance, because out troops have always been able to to the job, and do it well - *IF* the politicians and the American public allow them to do so. Viet Nam was a defeat for our troops - but NOT because of the VC. Our troops were defeated by the men and women, the elected officials and citizens of this country, who would not permit them to do their job.

That is our shame, not theirs. Let's not do that to them again!

(Kittipurrs to Jerry Fuhrman, one of my Virginia blog-brothers. If you don't have From On High bookmarked or on your RSS feeds, you should!)

"Freedom Never Cries"

Got this via the Instapundit... PLEASE watch!

America... Buy your flag BACK from the pawnshop! The 4,000 men and women who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve all the support, love, and thanks we can give. Don't let them die for nothing.

Buy back that flag.

Did you miss me?

Or were you able to drop by BlogTalk Radio and listen to Cao and me discuss the meaning of Easter?

Well, good news! Here's the entire 90 minute show; I come on after the first hour. However, her hour-long interview with Arthur was quite interesting, so you may enjoy listening to it, as well...

Technorati Tags: BlogTalk Radio,Cao,Key to Victory Show,Easter

Straight from the horse's mouth...

I had mentioned earlier that I wasn't certain Bob McDonnell was running for Governor in '09. I mean, I knew he would, I just didn't have primary source confirmation at my fingertips... Well, now I do:

A Message from Bob McDonnell

Friends,

As you may know, earlier today Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling announced that he will seek re-election as Lieutenant Governor next year. I strongly endorse Bill in his re-election effort. As I begin to prepare for my campaign for Governor, I greatly look forward to running with Bill on a Republican ticket that will advance prosperity and opportunity and bring new energy and conservative leadership to Virginia.

Bill Bolling is a talented, principled Lieutenant Governor. He has led on the floor of the Senate, in the halls of the Capitol, and all across Virginia. This past session alone, Bill Bolling discovered the unconstitutional misappropriation of lottery funds in the state budget process. I was pleased to be able to back Bill up on this with an official legal opinion verifying his findings after he brought them to my attention. Bill also fought hard to restore budget funding for abstinence education. Rarely has a Lieutenant Governor taken the lead on two such high profile issues during a legislative session. Virginia is better managed because of Bill's leadership.

Bill and I have spoken at length about his decision to seek reelection. We speak often, discussing everything from how our children are doing to the crucial issues facing our Commonwealth. Bill is someone whose opinion I place in the highest regard. We are friends who share the same values, and the same commitment to solving problems, making government work better, and improving the quality of life for all our citizens.

In the course of our recent conversations Bill and I discussed next year's elections, and the tremendous opportunity in front of us. Virginia Republicans have not held the office of Governor for the last two terms. That is a lifetime in the public policy arena. There are pressing challenges in education, immigration, spending, public safety and other areas that demand innovative Republican leadership to be effectively addressed.

The first key to winning back the office of Governor is returning unity to our party. By Republicans uniting early, and listening to all Virginians, while the Democrats face a lengthy primary contest, we will gain a significant and powerful advantage heading into the general election next November. Bill and I will work hard to ensure this happens.

We are prepared to do something rare in Virginia politics. We will run as a ticket: McDonnell-Bolling. Bill will have a significant and visible role in my campaign. He will not only be my running mate, he will be a trusted advisor and sounding board. We will travel Virginia together, to earn the trust of the citizens in order to return practical, conservative leadership to Richmond.

Over the next year, while continuing to serve you as Attorney General of this great Commonwealth, I will also be speaking more about the upcoming campaign, meeting with all of you, and preparing to meet the opportunities that lie in front of us. And, I will be vocally and vigorously promoting the reelection campaign of my great friend, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. It is time we bring conservative common-sense leadership back to Richmond. That effort starts today.

Bob McDonnell

Your mouth to God's ears, Mr. McDonnell. You and Mr. Bolling both have great personal integrity, and I am proud to give you my support in your quest to "bring conservative common-sense leadership back to Richmond."

Let's ROCK!

Technorati Tags: Bob McDonnell,McDonnell,Bill Bolling,Bolling,Governor,Lieutenant Governor,elections,2009

Virginia State Senator Cuccinelli

Rick Sincere has a GREAT set of videos... Go check them out; from what I see and hear, he sounds like an excellent candidate for the Republican Party to promote for the Attorney General slot!

(Wow, rather an active day for me re: Virginia politics.... LOL)

"Peaceful" lefty demonstrator attacks!

I've met Skye (back at Gathering of Eagles in D.C., Sept 07) - she's a lovely lady, thoughtful and intelligent... So, when I see that Concrete Bob posted that she was attacked (also here at UCV, which is where I got the initial report)...!

Saturday around 12:10 PM, a member of the Chester County Peace Movement (CCPM) slapped a woman twice ( that would be me) who was videotaping an exchange between the two opposing groups. Police were called and an officer arrived at 12:15 PM and announced to the crowd that he was conducting an investigation.

Bob says

This is just one more example of the rabid left, the so-called "peaceful, non-violent left", showing their true colors when the odds are against them and they know they are losing.

At this point, I am asking that from now on, NO ONE is to be alone in any situation. We have got to watch each other's backs at all times.

Do not allow yourself to be seperated [sic] from the crowd, and do not engage these people, because they are obviously becoming unstable and un-predictable.

What pisses me off is that this scum sucking piece of leftist excrement chose the one person who he thought was the weakest. Well, he picked the wrong one this time. This young Lady is a friend and a Patriot.

Yep. Sure show the true colors of those "so-called 'peaceful, non-violent left' " demonstrators. Seems to me that, if they were serious about being peaceful, someone from their group ought to have stepped up to restrain the guy or help point him out to the police!

UPDATE: Skye mentions the incident on her blog, **AND** gets a mention by Michelle Malkin! Skye's full story was posted by Melanie Morgan, of Move America Forward... Make sure you check out the links, including the pictures!

McDonnell-Bolling '09

Per my last post, it has been confirmed that Lt. Gov. Bolling will run for re-election in '09. Now, I have NOT seen any links stating positively that AG McDonnell WILL run for Governor - I've only heard WRVA announce that this would "leave [his] way open."

I have met both gentlemen, and they were VERY impressive. This would be a WONDERFUL ticket for the Republican Party of Virginia!

UPDATE: Press release from the Lieutenant Governor's office -

BOLLING WILL NOT SEEK GOVERNOR’S OFFICE IN 2009

-Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor will seek re-election to state’s second highest office-

RICHMOND – Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today announced that he will forgo an anticipated campaign for Governor in 2009 and will instead seek re-election as the state’s Lieutenant Governor.

Bolling, who was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2005, was expected to seek the state’s highest office in 2009, but he announced on Monday that various personal and professional commitments would prevent him from running for Governor next year.

“While I deeply appreciate the encouragement I have received from countless people all across our state, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2009,” Bolling said.  “While it would be a great honor to serve as Governor of Virginia someday, I have decided that this is simply not the right time in my personal and professional life for me to embark on a gubernatorial campaign.”

Bolling noted that in Virginia the office of Lieutenant Governor is a part time position, and that in addition to fulfilling his duties as Lieutenant Governor he also holds down a very demanding job in the private sector.  Bolling concluded that fulfilling these obligations would prevent him from dedicating his full time to a campaign for Governor.

“If there is one thing I learned from my campaign for Lieutenant Governor in 2005, it was that a statewide campaign is a very demanding thing and a campaign for Governor is an all consuming thing,” Bolling said.  “Given the all consuming demands of a gubernatorial campaign, I do not believe that anyone should seek that office unless they are able to dedicate their full time and attention to the campaign.”

“Because I’m not independently wealthy and do not currently have a full time government position, I have to work for a living, just like each of you, to pay the mortgage, college tuition, the power bill and all the rest,” Bolling said.  “My first responsibility has to be to my family and I have reluctantly concluded that it would be impossible for me to hold down a very demanding job in the private sector, fulfill my duties as Lieutenant Governor, and run a successful campaign for Governor at the same time.”

“In addition, five years ago I had the privilege of joining a wonderful group of people in starting up a new business operation in Richmond,” Bolling said.  “We have done well, but ours is still a young and growing business.  Until that business has matured and reached its goals, I cannot walk away from the commitments I made five years ago to my business associates.”

Bolling currently serves as a Vice President with Riggs, Couselman, Michaels and Downes, an independent insurance agency with offices in Baltimore, Washington, DC, Richmond, Virginia Beach and Harrisburg, PA.

While he will not seek the state’s highest office in 2009, Bolling did announce that he plans to run for re-election as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor next year. 

“I have enjoyed serving as Lieutenant Governor for the past two and half years.  I believe I have made a positive contribution to the betterment of our state and our party, and I am willing to continue serving in that capacity if it is the will of the people of Virginia,” Bolling said.

Bolling stressed that this was a very difficult decision for him and his family, and while he will not be a candidate for Governor in 2009, he was not ruling out the possibility of running for Governor in a future election year.

“It is difficult to have a goal and be so close to achieving that goal, only to have it deferred to another day,” Bolling said.  “Nonetheless, that is sometimes the cards life deals us and we have to play them to the best of our ability.”

Bolling has served in public office for the past 17 years.  From 1992-1995 he served as a member and Chairman of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, and from 1996-2005 he served as a member of the Virginia State Senate.  He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2005.

“During that time I have done my best to provide the people of Virginia with aggressive and effective leadership in state and local government, and to consistently support the conservative principles and values I believe in,” Bolling said.  “I think that effort has been successful, and if the people of Virginia agree I would be honored to continue serving as their Lieutenant Governor for four more years.”

Works for me - as I said, I've met Mr. Bolling (and his wife - lovely people!), and was impressed by him. I think his reasons for doing this are sound and a result of sober consideration.

Good for him!

Well, well, well... Speculation running rampant (UPDATED)

With about an hour to go before Lt. Gov. Bolling is scheduled to make a "major announcement" (planned for 1:30pm today), WRVA is reporting that it probably won't be that he's running for Governor in 2009...

Now that's very interesting... The times I've met the Lt. Gov. at various functions, his speeches have frequently given his enthusiastic (and joking) endorsement to Bob McDonnell "for Lieutenant Governor," strongly implying that Mr. Bolling would run for Governor.

If this speculation pans out, it would be very interesting to find out the reasons behind this move - although I've got a couple politically savvy friends who have a few suggestions...

(Kittipurrs to my VA blog family of the Jeffersoniad, particularly to Jim Hoeft...)

UPDATE: Riley is on it, too... And Jason...

UPDATE 2: Confirmed.... And Jim Hoeft got a tip that it's going to be a McDonnell-Bolling ticket on '09... Riley is reporting Jim's tip as confirmed, and speculating whether the Republicans will present Sen. Cuccinelli for the AG spot...

Technorati Tags: Bill Bolling,Bolling,Lieutenant Governor,2009,McDonnell,Bob McDonnell,governor,elections

GloBull Vormening strikes!

Oh, dear, whatever shall we DO?! The Munchkin will be bummed: she's already out of school for Easter Break... Normal max/min. is between 64F and 37F... *Snerk*

UPDATE: Oh, yes, and that's taken thru my screen, hence the grid pattern. It didn't stick, but the car did get a little accumulation...

What? It was cold! I wanted to stay inside my warm and cozy house!

UPDATE 2: (Lotta updates for today's posts...) Just so you know, when I was over feeding my neighbor's horses at about 6pm, we got a nice sleety rain, too. It made feeding rather miserable, and I was glad to get home and snuggle by the fire with a warm dinner! I tell ya, it's GloBull Vormening at it's worst!

The Key to Victory: Easter 2008

After Cao is done talking with Arthur and his rowdy gang, she and I will be on BlogTalk Radio discussing the meaning of Easter.

Arthur goes on in 30 minutes - 4pm Eastern (I never WILL get those times right, I'm sure!), and I'll be joining Cao at 5pm (eastern)...

So, please listen in if you can - I hope and pray that it will be a blessing!

"He is risen!"

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.  And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

And as they went to tell His disciples,behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:1-10, NKJV)

"Arise, My Love"

“ O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55)

The grave cannot and could not hold the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords - the Creator and Source of all life!

After all, "You Can't Keep a THE Good Man Down!"

(Thank you, Newsong, for these wonderful songs!)

Why is the CatHouse draped in mourning, when it's "Good Friday"?!

Because, although it is Christ sacrifice of Himself on the Cross which won our salvation and redemption, He paid a terrible, horrific price. Look at the quote from Isaiah which is currently in my header:

Surely He has borne our griefs
      And carried our sorrows;
      Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
      Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
      He was bruised for our iniquities;
      The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
      And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
      We have turned, every one, to his own way;
      And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He was beaten, whipped, mocked, insulted, and bloodied beyond belief. He suffered His Father turning away from Him, unable to look upon the sin which the sinless Son had laid upon Him.

So whenever you think that you can do what you want, "so long as nobody gets hurt," I want to remind you of the Cross - and that Somebody DID get hurt because of our sin.

With God, though, there is always the possibility of a "BUT NOW" -

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Friday is here...

BUT SUNDAY'S COMING!

Good Friday

Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!”

Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”

The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”

Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.

Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”

Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.  Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”

But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!”

Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”

The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” 

Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

      JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’”

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:

“ They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”

Therefore the soldiers did these things.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

--- John 19:5-42, NKJV

But remember...

SUNDAY'S COMING!

Tune in to the Key to Victory this Sunday!

I will be joining my dear friend, Cao, this Sunday at BlogTalk Radio. Her show begins at 3 p.m. [shoot me now: FIVE p.m.! She's on central time! Arrgh!] eastern, and I'll be coming on at about 3:30 [FIVE THIRTY!!] to discuss the meaning of Easter.

So, if you have time, please tune in and join the celebration of our Risen Lord and Savior!

(UPDATE - Oh, and this post will remain at the top through Sunday, so scroll down for the new stuff!)

(UPDATE 2 - which means that, with my time corrections, I should also be able to listen to Radio CIA's Easter special! Maybe... Unless I'm messing up THAT time, too... [headdesk])

The Last Supper

Today Christians everywhere remember the Lord's last supper with His disciples here on earth. They were celebrating Passover in the upper room, and it is here that Christ instituted the sacrament of Communion (Matthew 26:17-30, NKJV):

7 Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

18 And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’”

19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”

23 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”
He said to him, “You have said it.”

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

The body and the blood of Jesus Christ - very God of very God, truly God and truly Man - broken for our sins, and shed for their remission.

All I can do is sing that old hymn, "Hallelujah, What a Savior!"

1. “Man of Sorrows!” what a name
   For the Son of God, who came
   Ruined sinners to reclaim.
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
2. Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
   In my place condemned He stood;
   Sealed my pardon with His blood.
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
3. Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
   Spotless Lamb of God was He;
   “Full atonement!” can it be?
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
4. Lifted up was He to die;
   “It is finished!” was His cry;
   Now in Heav’n exalted high.
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
5. When He comes, our glorious King,
   All His ransomed home to bring,
   Then anew His song we’ll sing:
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!

R.I.P. - Arthur C. Clarke

Link: Arthur C. Clarke, Premier Science Fiction Writer, Dies at 90 - New York Times.

Arthur C. Clarke, a writer whose seamless blend of scientific expertise and poetic imagination helped usher in the space age, died early Wednesday in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he had lived since 1956. He was 90.

Mr. ("Dr."?) Clarke wrote a lot of good, foundational sci-fi. Not, generally, to my personal taste (I liked Heinlein far better - much more fun, with the smart stuff wrapped more attractively), but definitely a giant in the genre.

John Cheney, anti-uranium troll...

I completely edited his comment on my Holy Week post, but here's what he wrote:

Questions for the Multi-National and Local Corporations that want to mine Uranium in Pittsylvania County: Why should the CITIZENS of the state of VIRGINIA be required to tell a MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATION exactly how to mine from our pristine lands the most dangerous commodity ever discovered by mankind? In all other cases of this kind, the developer or industrial corporation tells the State what they intend to do and how they intend to do it, and then asks the state to study it and approve or deny the process. VIRGINIA URANIUM wants to reverse this process!! It wants the state to spend its time studying the process and then tell VUI how to do it!!! Wow, what MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATION would not want this process? It's a dream come true for VUI!! Rather, I believe this is the job and definite requirement of the Multi-Nationals and all of Coles’ many local/state/multi-national companies! Do Your Own Job, Walter Coles.............. It's not our Job............It's Yours!!

Johnny-baby, just a couple of pointers...

• read the rules
• keep on topic
• rein in the rhetoric

Really, baby, this sort of idiocy just makes me dig in my heels and want to display the more mulish side of my personality.

And as for the

Why should the CITIZENS of the state of VIRGINIA be required to tell a MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATION exactly how to mine from our pristine lands the most dangerous commodity ever discovered by mankind?

Hey, little troll, haven't you ever understood civic responsibility? That's why varockstar and I - among others - want the study to proceed: we, as CITIZENS, want all the up-to-date scientific information so that we can make informed decisions and vote accordingly!

In other words, IF the science - the best and most up-to-date science - says, "This is a bad thing" - THEN we-the-citizens can tell a "multi-national" [rolls eyes] corporation to piss off. But if the best and most up-to-date science says, "This can be done safely" - THEN, we-the-citizens tell this company, which is over 70% local-family owned [oooooo, yeah, THAT'S "MULTI-NATIONAL!!! ... Idiot!], just what we want them to do so that we're assured of safe operation and profits/benefits for the county....

Try again, little troll - and on a post dealing with the uranium issue AND with intelligent arguments, and perhaps I won't ban you from spewing stupidity here in my House...

Special "Holy Week" study (UPDATE and BUMP)

Tonight and Thursday night at 7pm Eastern, I invite you to join me on Radio CIA for my show, Sacred Hideaway. I'm taking a quick break from the study in Philippians to meditate on the sacrifice of Christ, and I hope and pray you will find it helpful.

Sacred Hideaway "airs" every Monday and Thursday at 7pm Eastern, and is a Bible study/meditation combined with the best contemporary Christian music I have on my iTunes. I pray that you will join me each week (same show both days) to learn more about God and study His Word.

Click on Radio CIA, then "Listen Now" and choose the player you like best... Hope to "see" you there!

UPDATE: Well, this is odd... "Otto," the automated DJ over at Radio CIA, isn't playing my show [pout]. Wonder what's wrong... (7:28 pm ET)

UPDATE2: Due to my woeful lack of knowledge about how "Otto" works, Sacred Hideaway will not air until Friday (time to follow) this week - with possibly (POSSIBLY!!!) a Thursday show as well. My "boss" at R'CIA is traveling, and I didn't get the show uploaded to the server in time for him to schedule it... BAD Kat!

The Gospel triumphs, yet again!

The power of God works its way through our lives, visibly and invisibly, no matter what we believe. God can work  - He DOES work! - even in the lives of atheists and agnostics to accomplish His purposes.

He can even use a little old lady who is strong in faith to further His Kingdom, and to save a soul...

I would ask my readers to pray for this man that Mrs. Jacoby met. Pray that God's Word reached down into his soul and brought forth new life. Pray that God would work His will in this man so that he becomes a strong witness to the glorious, transforming power of the God Who Saves.

And then turn right around and praise God for a little old lady who stood firm in her faith, and wielded the Sword of the Spirit like a true warrior!

(Kittipurrs to the Evangelical Outpost - and if you're NOT reading his weekly "33 Things," you're missing out!)

GAWD, I love our Marines!!!

I have NO IDEA whether this is true or not (OK well, so it's FALSE, darnit - but it's hilarious nonetheless!) Thanks to my friend Tony for forwarding it to me...

Top this for a speeding ticket!

Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, just north of the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar.One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching the crest of a hill.

The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300  miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and then turned off.

Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked on to a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location.

Back at the CHIPs Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to  the USMC Base Commander The reply came back in true USMC style:

Thank you for your letter. We can now complete the file on this incident.You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked on to, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming  signal back to it, which is why it shut down.

Furthermore, an Air-to-Ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked on to your equipment location.

Fortunately, the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched to destroy the hostile radar position.

The pilot also suggests you cover your mouths when cussing at them, since the video systems on these jets are very high tech. Sergeant Johnson, the officer holding the radar gun, should get his dentist to check his left rear molar. It appears the filling is loose.

Also, the snap is broken on his holster.

Thank you for your concern.

Semper Fi.

And even if it IS false, I could SO see the Marines sending that sort of letter... ;-)

No peeking!

Hey! No peeking!

DEMON COWS!!!!

We went on a family walk last night... Perhaps I should have brought a cross and some holy water?

They kept coming...

Closer and closer...!

AIIIGH!!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

And I'm going to imitate OpFor (here and here) and remind you that the first beer you hoist should be accompanied by a toast to our incredible, brave, and honorable men and women in uniform - God bless them!

For more information on St. Patrick, see here and here.

Looking to the necessity of the Cross

All the way back in Genesis, after Adam and Eve had sinned, God promised that One would come who would redeem them and pay for their sin in full. And before they were driven from the Garden, God sacrificed an animal and replaced Adam and Eve's fig leaves with clothes made of skin.

"Without shedding of blood, there is no remission [of sin]."

Sacrifices were made to God by Abel; by Noah; by Job; by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) all the way to the Giving of the Law on Sinai, when God instituted the formal system of sacrifices through His words to Moses. The Israelites built the Tabernacle, with the Altar and the Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Covenant, and the constant shedding of blood to cover the sins of Israel began to flow.

Each year, a lamb - a perfect lamb, without any blemish or flaw - was offered on the Altar, and its blood was sprinkled over the Mercy Seat on the Ark. The blood of an innocent, cast over the Ark was an image of payment for sins, a placation of God's wrath against sin, a plea for and confidence in His mercy and grace and loving kindness. The sins of Israel and the sins of humanity were and are legion, yet that ritual pointed to the perfect Blood which was to come, and which would pay the debt in full for those who would come to the Father by way of the Son.

What you might not know is that a goat was also offered up - but in a different way. The High Priest laid his hands on the head of the goat, signifying the transfer of the sins of the people onto the animal, and then it was released outside the boundaries of the camp or city and driven away. The goat symbolically carried the sins of Israel away from the people (Leviticus 16:21-22), as an illustration of how they - and we - are to put sin far away from us so that we may be God's holy people.

Year after year after year after year, the blood flowed - but it was never a true and effective offering:

Mmmmm...! Home made really *IS* better!

I offer only this wonderful picture to illustrate my delight and display the joy of my happy taste buds:

Those frozen berries will melt and their juices will combine with the honey and... MMMMMMMMM!!!!

Palm Sunday - the Presentation of the King

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

“ Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘ Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

      “ Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
      Hosanna in the highest!”

And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11, NKJV)

The Lord God Himself came to meet His people face to face, and they welcomed Him - but as a conqueror. They did not see that their rightful King had come to give Himself for their sins, so that they might be cleansed and restored to true righteousness.

They saw and welcomed the King, but refused to accept the sacrificial Lamb, the Sin-Bearer - and thus rejected the Hope of Israel.

Yet God was not dissuaded, neither was He surprised. So Christ set His face and continued to the Cross to accept and bear the full force of His Father's wrath against sin on our behalf. He set Himself to bear the lies, the mockery, the scourging, the beatings, the injustice, the rejection, and the crucifixion - so He could bear our shame and punishment and set us free.

The magnitude of that sort of love, the depths of the wrath we deserve, and the heights of the mercy He has offered to us lead me to bow in worship, gratitude and praise to God my Savior. One day, because of His grace I will be in Heaven and join in the chorus:

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:

      “ You are worthy to take the scroll,
      And to open its seals;
      For You were slain,
      And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
      Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
      And have made us kings and priests to our God;
      And we shall reign on the earth.”

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:

      “ Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
      To receive power and riches and wisdom,
      And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

      “ Blessing and honor and glory and power
        Be to Him who sits on the throne,
        And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

WORTHY IS THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN

This is Holy Week, dear readers. Remember what our Savior went through to redeem us and ransom us from sin and hell and the Judgement, and let us all rededicate ourselves to love Him more dearly, follow Him more closely, and obey Him more readily.

Oh, she is ***SO*** my daughter!

Crashing with her nose in a book... Definitely my genes!

Oh, and note all the snuggly-stuff-with-which-to-make-a-nest... I use pillows, she's got her stuffed animals, but it's the same philosophy ;-)

*snicker*

She is SO gonna kill me in the morning!

The yogurt came out well, too...

Did I forget to tell y'all that I also made some home-made yogurt today, too? There are directions aplenty, and the Beloved Husband whipped up a quick, down 'n' dirty incubator which didn't cost us an (additional) cent and did a beautiful job.

I used a Greek yogurt with active cultures (gotta have those live critters to make this work) that was available at WalMart, and made up an eight cup batch (most recipes I saw were for a quart - 4 cups - but doubled easily). It came out creamy and tart after about 7 hours. As I understand it, the longer it incubates, the tangier it gets; perhaps I'll want a shorter time in the next batch.

However, I can see this with some honey and berries, or maybe I'll take half of it and make some yogurt cheese...

Hey - no fat, no preservatives! I can use my own yogurt as a starter for three or four batches until I need to get a bit more from the store, but you only need about 2 tablespoons per batch (1 batch = 1 quart). This took 4TB out of a pint tub, so you can see that I'll be able to use just this tub for several batches, especially since you can FREEZE it to use later (!!!).

Next thing you know, I'll be weaving my own fabric for quilts, wearing beads, brewing sassafras tea, and making hemp headbands... ;-)

The Tiara Media takes Lynchburg by storm!

The lovely Beth, of Yeah, Right, Whatever, came into Lynchburg today and I had the opportunity to drive on up hang out and have dinner with her.

She graciously brought me my own tiara (all the ladies of the Cotillion simply must have their own tiaras!), since all the fabric fondling of the past couple of weeks have addled my brains so much that I'd forgotten to acquire one! She presented it to me the moment I walked in the hotel room, and we wore them all night - and got FOUR inquiries as to what it was all about. The waitress at the restaurant got the concept immediately, but the other three comments were all from guys, who were a little bemused *snicker*

We chatted about kids, politics, God - didn't get to taxes, but we were, after all, at dinner ;-) It was a wonderful evening, and I may have the opportunity to get back up to Lynchburg this week and visit with her again. She is a lovely, articulate lady, who is even more gracious and lovely in person than she is online.

It was a great evening, and I was wonderfully blessed to be able to FINALLY meet one of my Cotillion sisters!

(crossposted to the Cotillion)

Look on the bright side, and don't take things too personally...

Well, again I've been falling behind on my Bible-blogging, although I suppose I may have had a small excuse for this week's absence. Anyway, last week on Radio CIA, I spoke about Philippians 1:12-26, and here's the substance of what I said...

I now need to turn my mind to finishing and polishing the next session, and I hope to have that up by tomorrow afternoon.

Lo! Cottage cheese!

Even without the cream, it's good! Rather like a crumbly mozzarella... Very mild, and a little chewy.

I like it!

Homemade cottage cheese?

While doing my walk on the treadmill today, I watched Alton Brown on Good Eats - and he had a quick easy recipe for homemade cottage cheese! I've got all the ingredients, and just finished my store bought cottage cheese today, so I thought, "Why not?!"

Hm, and we're going into town today after school so the Munchkin can get a birthday gift for her best friend - I may as well stop by WalMart to make sure I have the ingredients for Alton's Chewy Chocolate Chip cookies...

The CatHouse is cooking again!!! (Love having the DSL up and working properly again!)

UPDATE: Whoa! Yeah, it looks pretty gross, but Alton did say that it would...

But, he DID also say that this would be the best cottage cheese I'd ever had... I'm going to have to remember to buy some heavy cream at WalMart...

Life's kind of a pain when the DSL goes out...

The customer service folks - the telephone people and the maintenance people - were great over the past several days. Apparently, a dump truck ran over/bumped/crashed into (whatever) some switchbox or something, and the Fairpoint Communications people worked 'round the clock to get things back up and running.

Now, so far I like their people, but I'm not sure yet about the company itself. Fairpoint bought out out local teeny-bopper providers, PMT Net, about a year ago, I think. Now, PMT Net wasn't any great force of nature; they were a small company, and out upload/download speeds weren't usually what was promised. The Beloved Husband and I are hoping that Fairpoint will be able to really get the service up to proper standards - AND lower the price! We're paying an ungodly amount for broad band each month, but I suppose that's part of the trade off to living out in the boonies. *sigh*

Of course, so long as Fairpoint is the only game in town, I doubt we'll be seeing better prices any time soon...

But, on the upside, I got a LOT of quilting done! I added the binding to David's quilt:

After I managed to pry the Darling Munchkin off this black 'n' red Christmas top, I loaded it onto my machine and quilted it:

And then I made a quilt for my Daddy's 90th birthday in May. I used flannels from a Judie Rothermel kit I'd bought five or six years ago, and - since there was plenty of fabric - I modified it and made it bigger. So, Daddy's going to get a lap quilt (about 56" x 64" or so) to help keep him nice and cozy warm:

For Daddy's quilt (and yeah, I still call him "Daddy" even though I'm 44 - because he *IS* my Daddy, and he's the BEST Daddy I could possibly have had!), I just did a quick and utilitarian meander, since anything more elaborate would have gotten lost in the fabrics. I've already got the binding on the front, so all I need to do is sew it to the back, just like on David's quilt. However, all this sewing and quilting has KILLED my arms (the left one in particular - it's all buzzy-numb [pout]), so I'll need to take it a little at a time.

Hm... Suddenly I'm wondering if I should have posted pics of this, 'cause MOM reads my blog, and she's been agitating for a new bed quilt for a little bit, LOL. Mom, I promise - you'll get your own lap quilt for your birthday, all right? ;-) So, no poaching Daddy's!

*giggle*

Testing a new plugin

Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are:

• Romans 8:28 (actually, all of Romans 8)
• Isaiah 41:13
• Ephesians 2:8-10
• Psalm 19:1

I hope the new "plug-in" will automatically add the links for these verses to Biblegateway; it would save me a LOT of time and effort! LOL

Will it work...?

UPDATE: Hm, no, apparently not... Drat!

Lord, what fools...

You know, my family used to own a house in Vermont, and we'd go up on weekends and several weeks during the summer. It was a great place; lots of room to ramble, a pond full of frogs and tadpoles and salamanders, a river for swimming and tubing... All in all, a great state.

The people were also wonderful; salt of the earth types, with few words but ready smiles, and willing to give an honest day's work for the pay.

Now we have this idiocy: Vt. towns put Bush, Cheney on arrest list.

Voters in two southern Vermont towns passed articles Tuesday calling for the indictment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney for violating the Constitution.

More symbolic than substantive, the items sought to have police arrest Bush and Cheney if they ever visit Brattleboro or nearby Marlboro or to extradite them for prosecution elsewhere — if they're not impeached first.

In Brattleboro, the vote was 2,012 for and 1,795 against. In Marlboro, it was 43 to 25, with three abstentions.

"I hope the one thing that people take from this is 'Hey, it can be done,"' said Kurt Daims, 54, who organized the petition drive that led to the Brattleboro vote.

 

Kurt, whatever you've had stuffed in your skull to hold the bones apart has leaked out your ears.

It is a terrible shame that one of the original 13 states [UPDATE - OMG, I am mortified - I was close, but Vermont was actually the FOURTEENTH state - thanks for the correction, Iso... Dang, I'm really, totally, COMPLETELY embarrassed!] has been so corrupted with moonbattery - oh, but wait, I forget that Massachusetts and New York are at least as bad...

Yeah, our Founders are probably looking down on us in horrified disgust...

(BUMPED and UPDATED): Explosion at Times Square!

FOXNews.com - Explosion Hits Military Recruiting Station.

An explosive device damaged a military recruiting station at approximately 3:45 a.m. in Times Square early Thursday, and police blocked off the area to investigate.

The explosive device caused minor damage, and no one was injured, police said. The explosion shattered a glass entryway.   

Thank God it went off at a time when it was unlikely to hurt anyone - but it's going to be very interesting to find out who did this...

UPDATE: The Confederate Yankee has new information and analysis:

From the choice of target, lack of shrapnel, and low amount of explosives used, I think it only logical to conclude that the blast was political in nature, a violent though purposefully less-lethal bomb, if you can ever call an improvised explosive device "less lethal." For these reasons, I doubt it was the act of Islamic extremists.

This was an act of domestic terrorism.

I do not, however, feel comfortable blaming any specific anti-war group for this act, or even pinning this as an anti-war act at this point in time.

Yeah, "Domestic Diva," here...

Not only have I been cooking up a storm (dinner, anyone? LOL), I've also been quilting:

This one is for my dear friend, David, over at Third World County... It's very late: I promised he'd get it at least a month ago! [hanging head in shame...] But as you see, the quilting *IS* almost done... The label and binding ought to go quickly, once I take the quilt off the machine (famous last words!).

And, of course, I've got a couple of loads of laundry to fold and put away (where does it all come from?! There are only THREE of us!), and vacuuming...

(And I ought to note that the "Domestic Diva" appellation is courtesy of my dear friend Lisa, who insists I need  a bumper sticker with that on it... *giggle*)

UPDATE: Oh, look! the "finished" (no label and binding yet) product!

Cooking beef-mushroom-barley soup today... (Now UPDATED with pics and recipe!)

Of course, with the amounts I have, it will probably end up being either a stew or a MASSIVELY large batch of soup... I think I'm going to need my other stockpot....

Oh, yes, of COURSE I'll post pictures and a recipe - just let me get the soup to a simmer! ;-)

So... Anyone want to come over for dinner? I also have some home-made bread to go along with it!

UPDATE (below the fold): (and, yeah, it's turned out to be a MASSIVE BATCH of soup - make sure you have two good-sized pots or a HUGE stockpot - and maybe some good friends to whom you owe a favor, LOL)

Patrick Swayze has cancer

And pancreatic cancer, at that! The Boston Herald has a slightly optimistic piece, Swayze’s cancer doc denies actor has only weeks to live, and FoxNews' entertainment commenter Roger Friedman says

What could be in it for the Enquirer to “expose” Swayze’s medical secrets — if they are even marginally true? He’s just one of the nicest guys in the world. He’s never had one scandal, and has always been married to the same woman. He’s one of the few big stars in Hollywood who’s remained humble and friendly.

 

The
Enquirer is like a mad man who enters a crowded room with a loaded gun
and just starts shooting. By tomorrow when their issue hits the stands,
Swayze will certainly have been affected in many negative ways. If he
is ill, and hasn’t been able to tell all his family and friends,
imagine them finding out that way. I wonder if the Enquirer editors
would like this to happen to them. Shameful.

However, Fox had another story up about this yesterday, which says:

Caught in its advanced stages, pancreatic cancer,
which strikes about 30,000 people a year, has a less-than 5 percent
survival rate for five years. If caught early and treated aggressively
with surgery and chemotherapy — and, if the cancer has not spread to
lymph nodes — the five-year survival rate can go as high as 17 to 25
percent, said Dr. Avram Cooperman, surgical director for the Pancreas
and Biliary Center at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan.

I like Patrick Swayze - Dirty Dancing and Ghost are two wonderful movies. My prayers will be with him and his family; I hope God decides to provide a miracle for them.

Oh, fer the luvapete...

Bernanke urges banks to help homeowners:

Federal Reserve chairman Ben S. Bernanke said more should be done to reduce unnecessary foreclosures.

Oh, really? Hmm... I've got an idea! How about lending to qualified buyers who can actually pay, and in amounts appropriate to their earned income?

'Cause, you know, if you just start forgiving loans like that, you're going to tempt all of the reliable, responsible homeowners with REAL mortgages - like me - to jump on the bandwagon, too...

Geeze, people, whatever happened to living within your means?! I mean, the CatHouse has had some financial issues ourselves, but we prefer to dig ourselves out without Big Government Mommy wiping our noses, thankyouverymuch. It's FAR more satisfying ("Hey, look, Mom! I'm an adult now!")

[headdesk]

SB525 - the Uranium study bill - tables in the House of Delegates

Yeah, I know, I'm a couple of days late on this; mea culpa - I had guests!

But SB525 was tabled by the House Committee on Rules on Monday, which I find disappointing. It was apparently done by a voice vote, so we don't know which of the committee members voted for and against - that's also disappointing; if something comes up for vote, it ought to be on the record.

Jim Bacon has a post up (wish he'd made it clear where his quote came from - at least, I think he opens with a quote...) and comments:

...it makes sense for Virginia Uranium to do its own research, prepare a mining plan that it believes can extract uranium safely, and present it for consideration. A General Assembly study then could narrow its focus to the specific set of issues raised by the choice of mining methods. [...]

If Virginia Uranium wants to be taken seriously, it needs to put skin in the game by paying geologists and engineers to figure out which mining method would best suit the conditions of Pittsylvania County.

Well, yeah, I can see Jim's point on this, and it's an aspect I hadn't considered. I suppose I got too caught up with the people who were so vehement (and irrational, IMO) in their opposition to ANY sort of study. Of course, another blog-brother of mine, Jerry Fuhrman, considers the issue to be one of willful ignorance:

...we'll not know exactly which delegates were frightened by the notion that the people of Virginia might be exposed to additional knowledge - beyond the impartial and completely balanced study that came out in Jane Fonda's exhaustive work delivered in The Chinda Syndrome - on the subject.

varockstar at Uranium Mining in Virginia is extremely irritated and says

If we don't seize this opportunity to study what may be our economic salvation, then we will be dooming our entire region. This could be the boost we need, folks. This can be a great and wonderful blessing to our area, but we will never know unless we study it.

I feel as if sometimes I am preaching to the choir. The opposition no more wants to hear our side of the story than the man in the moon. They would rather put on their silly hats and parade their outdated half-truths around Richmond. The sad part is, our legislators bought it, and that is truly frightening. I hope those hats are paid for, and I hope you all carpooled to Richmond, because times are only going to get tougher.

Yeah, I hear you! How many times have I heard SCCC folks and their supporters say, "Chatham doesn't want to be a mining town!"? I think I'm going to start replying "I'm sure Chatham would prefer to be a mining town than a ghost town!" After all, a good part of SouthSide has been slowly but steadily losing population, hasn't it?

So, back to the bill: I don't know that "tabled in committee" is in fact the kiss of death for SB525, but maybe Virginia Uranium will now have a clearer vision on what they need to do to get a new, more viable bill drafted.

Good luck, guys...