I am absolutely insulted by James Earl Carter (insult intended) for accusing me of racism!! I LOVE black people! I would have LOVED to have Condoleeza Rice or Clarence Thomas or Thomas Soule or J.C. Watts be my president! Barack Hussein Obama isn’t wrong because he’s BLACK! He’s wrong because he’s WRONG! Shame on you, James Earl Carter!

And why do you keep reminding me that he’s black, anyway?!  I’m out here living my life each day as colorblind as I possibly can be, and there you are in your cloistered conference room accusing me of something that you know nothing about!   Shame on you!

I don’t judge people by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, as a great man once admonished.  Why are you so focused on reminding me of Barack’s skin color?  Are you covering for some embarassment from YOUR past?  I know that you hate the name “James Earl…” because of it’s association with “James Earl Ray,” the executioner of Martin Luther King, Jr.  That’s understandable.  But accusing the rest of the world of racism isn’t the way to deal with your own past!  Reparations are a bad thing, whatever form they may take.  Shame on you, James Earl Carter!

Okay, so here’s a message for Washington…”We’re Mad As Hell And We’re Not Going To Take It Anymore!” Rochesterians, along with citizens all across this country gathered to protest the radical, socialistic moves of Washington over the past 100 days! The media wants to cast this as a referendum on President Obama, and by fiat, trying to paint this as a radical, right-wing, white protest against a black president. The simple fact is…these protesters are protesting issues MUCH bigger than one man! They are protesting WASHINGTON! They are protesting Runaway LIBERALISM! They are protesting unfettered SOCIALISM and the FASCISM of one Executive branch which is running rough-shod over the whole of Congress with a radical agenda, representative of less than half of the country!

They are truly protesting the lack of REPRESENTATION, reminiscent of the early Americans, so encumbered under and alienated by the mandates of King George that they assembled in Boston to overturn the shipment of tea in the harbor to send the message…”WE DON’T WANT YOUR STINKING STUFF!” “YOU CAN’T TAX WHAT WE CAN’T SELL!” It was the ultimate, “Return To Sender.”
President Obama, in his first 100 days of office has managed to pass his entire domestic agenda under the false guise of a manufactured and overly-amplified “Financial Crisis.”

And the problem is rampant throughout the halls of Congress. It’s not just about Barack Obama! The roots of the problem stretch wildly through the offices of Christopher Dodd, Barney Frank, Charles Schumer, Harry Reid, Arlen Spector and hundreds of others who have sold their souls to the moguls who put them into office in the first place. Washington has been bought-and-paid-for by special interests who demand their way or the highway! Washington has not been listening to the masses for a long time! But the masses have been comfortable, and they have abdicated the business of governing to the elected officials – who have, in turn, thanked the masses for their election, and turned to walk through the doors of D.C., never again to return to the streets from whence they came.

But now that the masses are un-comfortable, they are re-learning their civics. They are becoming more politically aware. They are reading the Constitution of the United States. They are carrying little pocket versions of the founding documents. They are reading biographies purchasing DVDs about the Founding Fathers. They are assembling in home study groups to share their ideas and their new-found interest in the early days of this great republic.  In short, they are becoming a bubbling, teeming cauldron of early American patriotism, so much so that other grass-roots groups, the likes of the Rainbow Coalition and ACORN will pale in comparison, size, scope and influence.

It’s the classic scene from Disney’s, “A Bug’s Life,” where the lead grasshopper oversteps his bounds and ridicules the pathetic little ant who tries to stand up against the oppression of his “protector.” The ant, in his last, fainting breath, however, manages to rally the ant colony into the realization that their hardy strength and enormous number far outweighs and outmatches the few grasshoppers who have constrained them for generations. When the grasshoppers realize that the ants are wise to their own abilities and powers, they flee faster than the wind, never to be heard from again! Their reign of terror – ended.

Look out, Washington! The ants are getting wise!

Hardly seems “new” anymore as we’ve already weathered our first winter.  We learned where all the “cold” spots are and the vagaries of hot water boiler heat as opposed to forced-air.  Don’t get me wrong – I loved the hot water radiators, but balancing the house has taken some getting-used-to.   But now the sun is warming, the birds are chirping, the grass is greening and we have already been out in the yard pulling up shrubs, trucking in dirt,

expanding the landscape and relocating perennials from our previous house.  We even planted a new young ornamental pear tree in the front yard!  Can’t wait to see everything take root and blossom this summer!

How cold would it be if there was NO global warming?! I believe that Caribou stop breeding at -20!  Makes me want to leave my car idling in the driveway all night!

Global Warming?

Green Beans - part of the bountiful harvest from our city-dwelling.

So, I wanted to give the kids something to observe this summer as we come and go about our daily activities of swimming, bicycling, playing in the park, running to catch the “Ice-Cream-Man,” etc. I wanted them to observe the phenomenon of gardening – of actual edible produce stemming from the dirt! Nicholas has some memories of the years we lived in the country and the large vegetable garden that I worked out there. But for the past 7 years, since we moved into the city, we haven’t had any kind of vegetable garden at all. Jennifer and I have worked steadily and increasingly at our annual and perennial landscaping around the house from day 1. But I really missed my vegetables, and I wanted the kids to experience the miracle, too. So, one day, early in the spring, I purchased 4 large pots from WalMart and filled them with potting soil. I had the kids help me distribute seeds of carrots, green peppers and green beans. Then, we cut up some of the sprouting potatoes from the kitchen and buried them in one of the pots. These pots sit along our driveway and get about half a day of full sun. Also, along the back of the building that borders our backyard, we planted pumpkins and sunflowers. Everything is coming up perfectly! We have already gleaned green beans and eaten them right off the vine! The kids thought that was COOL! Yesterday, I reached down into the pot of carrots (which I never thinned as they were sprouting) to pull a couple and see how they were progressing. Just as I hoped, we had half-inch long, Q-tip sized orange morsels growing perfectly! We all took bites! They were warm and sweet and the kids were so impressed. So the lesson is, you can plant vegetables ANYWHERE! This reality was impressed upon me when I was pumping gas recently and I observed several zucchini vines on the fuel island which had been planted in 5-gallon pails. Try it! Get a couple of old pots or buckets and fill them with everyday dirt. Plant a few of your favorite veggies. You’ll have fun! Presently, I’m scouting some areas on the outskirts of our property where I may be able to sneak a few rows of sweet corn. (Won’t the neighbors be surprised?!)

Nothing compares to the relentless love between a puppy and his boy! No matter what happens during the day…Colin stepping on Sammy’s paw, tripping over him while they rough-house…Sammy still comes running back to Colin to jump on him and play with him…no memory of the previous pain. Kinda like our relationship with God. Isn’t it great to know that we can still keep running back into the hands of a merciful, loving God?! The question for us is: how badly are we going to bruise and hurt Him? Sammy has a limp right now and we’re not sure how he got it. The vet can’t find anything wrong – maybe just a soft tissue sprain. Something happened, but none of us know. Sammy’s pain doesn’t keep him holding a grudge, but it still hurts. How much “soft-tissue damage” do we cause?

Summer’s on its way!

Kids don’t want to go to bed

Cause the sun’s still up

Colin and I have had some wonderful days together! Jennifer and the other 3 children have been practicing feverishly for a local production of Peter Pan. Their practice schedules have demanded every evening for the past 2 weeks, and most of this entire past weekend. During this time, Colin and I have had lots of opportunities to “hang-out.” We’ve been to the park, been bike riding, walked the puppy a lot, drive past the airport to watch the planes land, eaten at all the fun joints like Tully’s, Applebees, Dunkin Donuts, etc. But this afternoon, after we dropped the family off for practice, we just drove around, and we talked about what to go see. After we swang by the airport to view a touch-and-go, the thought occurred to me that we haven’t seen “Trishie” in a while. Great Aunt Trish is in the nursing home and is doing her best attempt at rehab. I realized that Colin hadn’t seen her since Christmas and that he has never been in a nursing home. I nearly drove home, knowing that nursing homes can be scary places for young people. But I decided that maybe HE should make that decision instead of me. So we drove to the Village Green where Trishie is staying. When we first walked in, Colin was startled by the gaggle of elderly ladies in wheelchairs, squealing at the sight of a new youngling on their premises. But we just waved, said “hello” and walked toward Trishie’s room. Trish was so delighted to see us that she, too, squealed. Colin ran up and gave her a hug and immediately started sharing his Burger King french fries. (he must REALLY love her!) Colin explored all of the drawers and closets while Trishie and I talked. We had a fine visit, and Colin remarked on the way out, “can we come back again sometime, dad?”

All of this taught me a lesson: that I should not pre-decide which experiences my children will or will not like! Let them experience them and decide on their own. I have forever been told stories of when I was a child, my parents would take me on church visitations to nursing homes, and they would evidently stand me up on the end of the bed of various and sundry patients and belt out the song, “Jesus Is All The World To Me.” So, I was obviously not harmed by these experiences, nor should I expect that my children will somehow be scarred. We had a great evening together, and we decided on the way home that we needed a donut!

Cherish the time that you have with your elderly loved ones! Get their stories! They have so much locked up inside their minds. Try this out for a way to get started… http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/scrapbookingfamilyhistory

There are some great “prompts” to get you started asking questions of your loved ones and jotting down their replies while we still have them with us! All of those quirky things that they say at Christmas Dinner will someday be silenced and we’ll wish that we could remember them.

Here’s the same view 2 weeks later! Almost all of the massive snow piles are gone and the crocuses are starting to show! 57 degrees today, and everyone was outside. The park across the street was full of activity. It’s as though the whole street came to life. Folks that we haven’t seen all winter long – holed up in their houses – seem to pour out of their homes. People walking dogs were stopping, talking, catching up and enjoying the cool sunshine!

I especially love the smell of the kids’ hair after we’ve spent a day in the sunshine. I tell them that “I can smell the sunshine on you!” They think that’s funny.

Spring is a time of renewal: homes, landscapes, relationships, energies…whatever it is, it seems like spring is a magical time of newness. We are hoping to purchase the home that we’ve been renting for the past 7 years. 2008 may be filled with lots of changes in our household: not relocation, but redecorating, some remodeling and lots of budget management.

What are some of the changes that you see for yourself this spring?

Okay, so we got slammed with another round of snow last night. ENOUGH, ALREADY!

Now, mind you, I’m not one to complain in the winter. You’ll never hear me complain about snowfall in December, January or February. But once Easter comes, I’m ready to be done with the shoveling. Once the crocuses and hyacinths start to peek up, I don’t want to see them covered with another blanket of muddy snow!

And while we didn’t really get a large amount of snow (maybe 4 inches), it fell very heavy and thick, forming a wet, thick layer on all of the wires and branches, creating a winter wonderland – IN THE SPRING! <sheesh>

All of this makes me wonder, how often do you get thrown for a loop? How do you respond? Do you roll out of bed, shake your head, pull on your trousers and start shoveling, or do you stand in the kitchen with your cup of coffee, looking at the “mess,” curse the snow, curse the day and bemoan your bad luck? Or, like me, a little of both?

But, much to my surprise, there was a special, unexpected blessing waiting for me outside my back door. As I approached the bird feeders to knock the snow off, the chickadees in the tree went crazy with chirping, reminding me 1. that my efforts were being appreciated, 2. that the birds are coming back, and 3. that actual spring-like warm temperatures are right around the corner! Do you ever approach the new morning EXPECTING to be blessed? Or do you challenge God, DARING Him to bless you?

Expect A Blessing !

(It sure beats the alternative)