31 December –
This is most likely the last post – not the military variety – and, hopefully, not the last post in the life of this site – but very likely the last post of 2009.
We are about to launch into a very busy day –
To the Dear Few Folks who visit The Study, we wish a most blessed, joyous, prosperous New Year…
Confusion to the enemy…God bless the Good Guys…
Take very good care –
Let us hear from you.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND THE NEW YEAR
Most Christians in America probably don’t know much about what is happening in the Episcopal Church (TEC). It is very small in comparison with the Roman Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, or the new, “non-denominational” neighborhood churches, whose campuses dwarf small towns; and TEC is in decline, losing 32% of its membership between 1960 and 2002. After making a small recovery, its numbers are heading down again....
The modern Episcopalian has a lot to think about - so much, in fact, that it is difficult even to decide what to think about: besides personal devotions, there are the matters of parish, diocesan, and national church affairs, secular and religious.
The temptation is strong to ignore that which is disturbing and to concentrate on the familiar, the more personal matters relating to one's local parish, especially if that parish is conveniently removed from the most controversial issues.
The article 'linked to' below raises a serious concern for Episcopalians.
'Out of sight, out of mind" is a truism. It speaks the truth.
'What you don't know wont hurt you" is another old saying. It does not speak the truth.
http://www.victorhanson.com/articles/bernthal041708PF.html
SOMETHING GOOD MAY COME OF THIS
The terrorist penetrated the layers of security and nearly destroyed a passenger aircraft landing at Detroit.
No one was killed.
There apparently were injuries to some people, especially heroic persons who subdued the barbarian, but no one was killed and the most seriously injured was the barbarian.
Thank God.
And there is something else that can be said:
The event was bad enough, but it could have been infinitely worse – and it has exposed the state of readiness of our ‘layers of security’, one year into the b.o. Presidency.
Without attempting a laundry list of specifics, b.o.’s actions since the Detroit event have been patently frivolous and wanting; his homeland security director is obviously imcompetent; although denied by b.o.’s Administration, the barbarians obviously are engaged in a war against the United States and we understand that the barbarian underwear bomber is to be tried as a criminal, not as an enemy combatant, a status which will afford him the luxuries of an American civilian court.
The silver lining in all of this is that b.o.’s incompetence has been displayed in graphic detail and no one was killed.
The most seriously injured was the barbarian.
We were blessed, lucky, fortunate, whatever you choose to call it – no thanks to b.o.
Such will not always be the case.
The libs used to criticize President Bush for taking too many vacations.
The war against the barbarians is heating up.
b.o. is on vacation.
The difference is that unlike the known determination of the Previous Administration to combat/kill/interdict terrorists, b.o.'s commitment to the War on Terror is as questionable as his commitment to close Gitmo.
Why is it good to expose the failings of b.o.??
It is good because the 2010 and 2012 elections are looming in the not too distant future – and we suggest that the security and welfare of the United States is not being well served by the current Presidential Administration and leadership and membership of the United States Congress.
The myopic voters who fell for the b.o. line last election and elected him and his national dems need to see what deviltry they have wrought – and vote them and him out of office.
For it is deviltry – and we can only hope to survive his/their leadership with as few casualties as possible.
No one was killed.
There apparently were injuries to some people, especially heroic persons who subdued the barbarian, but no one was killed and the most seriously injured was the barbarian.
Thank God.
And there is something else that can be said:
The event was bad enough, but it could have been infinitely worse – and it has exposed the state of readiness of our ‘layers of security’, one year into the b.o. Presidency.
Without attempting a laundry list of specifics, b.o.’s actions since the Detroit event have been patently frivolous and wanting; his homeland security director is obviously imcompetent; although denied by b.o.’s Administration, the barbarians obviously are engaged in a war against the United States and we understand that the barbarian underwear bomber is to be tried as a criminal, not as an enemy combatant, a status which will afford him the luxuries of an American civilian court.
The silver lining in all of this is that b.o.’s incompetence has been displayed in graphic detail and no one was killed.
The most seriously injured was the barbarian.
We were blessed, lucky, fortunate, whatever you choose to call it – no thanks to b.o.
Such will not always be the case.
The libs used to criticize President Bush for taking too many vacations.
The war against the barbarians is heating up.
b.o. is on vacation.
The difference is that unlike the known determination of the Previous Administration to combat/kill/interdict terrorists, b.o.'s commitment to the War on Terror is as questionable as his commitment to close Gitmo.
Why is it good to expose the failings of b.o.??
It is good because the 2010 and 2012 elections are looming in the not too distant future – and we suggest that the security and welfare of the United States is not being well served by the current Presidential Administration and leadership and membership of the United States Congress.
The myopic voters who fell for the b.o. line last election and elected him and his national dems need to see what deviltry they have wrought – and vote them and him out of office.
For it is deviltry – and we can only hope to survive his/their leadership with as few casualties as possible.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
THE PLUM PUDDING
We took a Plum Pudding down to my cousin’s this day – two days after Christmas.
He is a World War 2 veteran, B-17 pilot, and he has loved the dark little creations from our cultural past for as long as he has lived.
The recipe is authentic British 19th Century – no plums – very, very firm until you bring them back to life, out of storage.
We make six every two years.
It takes half a day to make ‘em – three hours to revive ‘em on the day of serving.
Today we restored and served the last of six, the runt of the litter – it was two years old.
This spring we will make six more.
Our family recipe calls for serving it with a whipped cream condiment – not the kind from a can.
The pudding is steamed for at least three hours in a covered wok to prepare it for the flaming.
At the end of Christmas Dinner, the festive party crackers are ‘crackered’ and opened – paper hats put on and goodies and pithy sayings shared – and then it is time…
The pudding is removed from the bowl – placed on a serving platter, not too big, not too small – and then garnished with several ounces of fine cognac – amazing how the cheaper varieties produce an inferior flame and taste.
A match, wooden, of course, is touched to the small pool of cognac surrounding the pudding, the lights having been further dimmed, and the shimmering blue flame is the delight of the moment.
This has been a tradition in our family for my entire life, one looked forward to.
We omit the copper penny custom of our Victorian and Edwardian forebears, but all else is the same.
The dark color, the unique, succulent taste….
And we are concerned.
Aunts and Uncles and Parents and Grandparents have passed away, and no one, absolutely no young people in our family has any interest in our pudding tradition.
We are not talking fruit cake here –
Now we have nothing against the fruit cake – but we are here talking plum pudding!
The modern American has no idea what a plum pudding is – and when they taste it, it does not appeal.
But is should appeal - it is not fast food; it is not like anything else available these days - and it tastes good, albeit different.
So, this Christmas, for the first time, we decided not to share the ‘runt’ with the family on Christmas Day.
Instead of taking a leftover part to our Cousins – they are too ill to come up to our house - we revived the pudding and took the non-leftover pudd to them – intact – uncut – and it was terrific.
The four of us did our duty with the little gem.
We congratulated ourselves on our good fortune of being able to share the dinner and the pudding as we have done for over fifty years.
And we discussed the ending of another tradition.
The world is probably not a better world when men and women wear hats; when a gentleman removes his hat when addressing a lady; when he opens a door for her; when he lets her go first; when she enjoys his doing of these things, and other things; when certain things are just not said in the presence of ‘the opposite sex’; when one wears Wellington boots when walking through wet grasses; when one likes to walk his English bulldog while ‘wearing a blackthorn walking stick; and on and on, but perhaps such a world is more colorful, more courteous; more fun.
Just imagine the interest one generates at the meat counter and in the checkout lane when he requests a pound or two of beef suet to help in the preparation of food, not for birds, but for Christmas Dinner for his family.
I confess that I love it, all the more because I do not do such things to amaze anyone – but rather to enjoy a very wonderful treats and customs from my very own past.
He is a World War 2 veteran, B-17 pilot, and he has loved the dark little creations from our cultural past for as long as he has lived.
The recipe is authentic British 19th Century – no plums – very, very firm until you bring them back to life, out of storage.
We make six every two years.
It takes half a day to make ‘em – three hours to revive ‘em on the day of serving.
Today we restored and served the last of six, the runt of the litter – it was two years old.
This spring we will make six more.
Our family recipe calls for serving it with a whipped cream condiment – not the kind from a can.
The pudding is steamed for at least three hours in a covered wok to prepare it for the flaming.
At the end of Christmas Dinner, the festive party crackers are ‘crackered’ and opened – paper hats put on and goodies and pithy sayings shared – and then it is time…
The pudding is removed from the bowl – placed on a serving platter, not too big, not too small – and then garnished with several ounces of fine cognac – amazing how the cheaper varieties produce an inferior flame and taste.
A match, wooden, of course, is touched to the small pool of cognac surrounding the pudding, the lights having been further dimmed, and the shimmering blue flame is the delight of the moment.
This has been a tradition in our family for my entire life, one looked forward to.
We omit the copper penny custom of our Victorian and Edwardian forebears, but all else is the same.
The dark color, the unique, succulent taste….
And we are concerned.
Aunts and Uncles and Parents and Grandparents have passed away, and no one, absolutely no young people in our family has any interest in our pudding tradition.
We are not talking fruit cake here –
Now we have nothing against the fruit cake – but we are here talking plum pudding!
The modern American has no idea what a plum pudding is – and when they taste it, it does not appeal.
But is should appeal - it is not fast food; it is not like anything else available these days - and it tastes good, albeit different.
So, this Christmas, for the first time, we decided not to share the ‘runt’ with the family on Christmas Day.
Instead of taking a leftover part to our Cousins – they are too ill to come up to our house - we revived the pudding and took the non-leftover pudd to them – intact – uncut – and it was terrific.
The four of us did our duty with the little gem.
We congratulated ourselves on our good fortune of being able to share the dinner and the pudding as we have done for over fifty years.
And we discussed the ending of another tradition.
The world is probably not a better world when men and women wear hats; when a gentleman removes his hat when addressing a lady; when he opens a door for her; when he lets her go first; when she enjoys his doing of these things, and other things; when certain things are just not said in the presence of ‘the opposite sex’; when one wears Wellington boots when walking through wet grasses; when one likes to walk his English bulldog while ‘wearing a blackthorn walking stick; and on and on, but perhaps such a world is more colorful, more courteous; more fun.
Just imagine the interest one generates at the meat counter and in the checkout lane when he requests a pound or two of beef suet to help in the preparation of food, not for birds, but for Christmas Dinner for his family.
I confess that I love it, all the more because I do not do such things to amaze anyone – but rather to enjoy a very wonderful treats and customs from my very own past.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
DO YOU THINK?? COULD IT BE?
We read/hear that there is snow in Copenhagen - where the 'green' summit was/is going on.
Ditto for very heavy snow in D.C. - where the U.S. Congress is about to commit an obscenity.
Forgive the thought, but I wonder if a Higher Power is trying to tell us something.
Ditto for very heavy snow in D.C. - where the U.S. Congress is about to commit an obscenity.
Forgive the thought, but I wonder if a Higher Power is trying to tell us something.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
PRE-CHRISTMAS PREPS, ETC.....
It is shortly after noon and the day is cold and sunny.
And most of the Christmas prep is done or at least well underway.
Yesterday was devoted to such matters.
And now we at The Study turn to washing dishes, playing Christmas music on stereo, and reading/thinking/writing about the things we like to write about.
We note that our favorite stores yesterday were well-stocked with merchandise but very low on staffing.
There usually were no more than one or two clerks per department. A queue of three or four shoppers would tie up a register for seemingly interminable lengths of time.
Our traditional dining room in our fav department store (J.L. Hudson’s, aka Macy’s) was almost as in the old days – superbly enjoyable.
Conspicuous by their absences were the Salvation Army bell ringers outside the store – the post holding the pot was there, but no pot and no bell ringer.
Senior and temp clerks were obvious by their expertise or lack thereof. But they all were trying hard – or most of them.
And the coffee was good at the coffee bar – when late afternoon fatigue began to set in.
And then the temp outside dipped below freezing – and we received cell phone calls regarding the treacherousness of the roads – black ice and the like.
And then it was time for us to do what the song lyric proclaims: “…the shoppers rushed home with their treasures.”
I wish I knew how to add music symbols.
One-fourth of the way home we stopped off at a friend’s condo for an hour or so to let the road crews and heavy traffic do their respective duties.
Smart move.
Christmas music played throughout on XM Radio – and it was good.
Seat warmers did their duty and we said thankful prayers upon entering The Study.
And then a very late dinner and an hour or two of the Hallmark Station.
Nice.
This morning, the morning after the night before, we are regaled with the news of the day:
Iranian missile development and nuclear research; alarming fears about b.o.’s/reid’s/pelosi’s health care horrors; good news about the failure of Copenhagen to achieve anything; alarming predictions of national deficit and ramifications thereof; moving (not closing) Gitmo – lunacy – and on and on….but you get the idea.
There is good news out there – thank The Lord….but my goodness – our national leaders are proving themselves to be very, very human indeed.
And most of the Christmas prep is done or at least well underway.
Yesterday was devoted to such matters.
And now we at The Study turn to washing dishes, playing Christmas music on stereo, and reading/thinking/writing about the things we like to write about.
We note that our favorite stores yesterday were well-stocked with merchandise but very low on staffing.
There usually were no more than one or two clerks per department. A queue of three or four shoppers would tie up a register for seemingly interminable lengths of time.
Our traditional dining room in our fav department store (J.L. Hudson’s, aka Macy’s) was almost as in the old days – superbly enjoyable.
Conspicuous by their absences were the Salvation Army bell ringers outside the store – the post holding the pot was there, but no pot and no bell ringer.
Senior and temp clerks were obvious by their expertise or lack thereof. But they all were trying hard – or most of them.
And the coffee was good at the coffee bar – when late afternoon fatigue began to set in.
And then the temp outside dipped below freezing – and we received cell phone calls regarding the treacherousness of the roads – black ice and the like.
And then it was time for us to do what the song lyric proclaims: “…the shoppers rushed home with their treasures.”
I wish I knew how to add music symbols.
One-fourth of the way home we stopped off at a friend’s condo for an hour or so to let the road crews and heavy traffic do their respective duties.
Smart move.
Christmas music played throughout on XM Radio – and it was good.
Seat warmers did their duty and we said thankful prayers upon entering The Study.
And then a very late dinner and an hour or two of the Hallmark Station.
Nice.
This morning, the morning after the night before, we are regaled with the news of the day:
Iranian missile development and nuclear research; alarming fears about b.o.’s/reid’s/pelosi’s health care horrors; good news about the failure of Copenhagen to achieve anything; alarming predictions of national deficit and ramifications thereof; moving (not closing) Gitmo – lunacy – and on and on….but you get the idea.
There is good news out there – thank The Lord….but my goodness – our national leaders are proving themselves to be very, very human indeed.
b.o....nATIONAL dEMOCRATS...AND THE DEBT
We don't usually read Newsweek at The Study.
But this article on the threats of the current administration's economic/social/etc. 'reforms' is important - worth reading.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/224694/output/print
If only the folks who voted for b.o. would think about what they did then and what b.o. and co. is doing now...
It really is a no-brainer.
But this article on the threats of the current administration's economic/social/etc. 'reforms' is important - worth reading.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/224694/output/print
If only the folks who voted for b.o. would think about what they did then and what b.o. and co. is doing now...
It really is a no-brainer.
Monday, December 14, 2009
SUCH A TIME THIS IS
The Christmas letter is being inserted into the Christmas cards as I write these words.
Tomorrow is reserved for near finalizing of all Christmas shopping. A whole day is devoted.
God help us.
We are off to a wonderland of offerings and are hoping for total success.
We have attended Christmas programs and parties and there are more in the offing.
We are fortunate, blessed - or encumbered, depending upon how you look at it.
The woodpeckers have eaten up the suet and other feathered little ones have finished off the thistle – so their emporium will be one of the stops.
All the split wood has been burned – so more work is needed there.
Food has been laid in…the larder bulges – but there is always room for more.
And the spirit locker is adequately provisioned, especially in that it is closed until Thursday.
Dear wife has resurrected a violin from retirement and is preparing to rehearse tunes learned long ago – as well as ones she has just discovered. Who knows what may come of that.
Choir rehearsals are in full swing – and friends from all directions are hosting gatherings of varying degrees of complexity. We are too.
We note that newspapers are once again full of ponderings on the ultimate fate of religious life in the West – assuming, of course, that there still is life in such life.
I am kidding.
There is life!!!!!!!!
The flame does flicker here and there, however.
With the revelation that Iran has been working on a nuclear trigger for a weapon for years, we at The Study are waiting to see when the open hand of b.o. will be transformed into the more realistic fist of President Bush.
When, oh when will reality intrude upon b.o.’s myopia?
Or is he really just a Chicago pol?
Perhaps he is incapable.
And the fakery and lies of global warming are becoming more and more apparent with the revelation of the emails – and the current temp data – and the foolishness of warming proponents.
And God save us from the UN – the tool of the third world.
To think it WAS the creation of the VICTORS IN WORLD WAR TWO!!!!!!!!
And God save us from the current US Congress – or rather, God help the Good Guys/Gals in the Congress to save us from the bad guys.
nancy and harry are really on a trip.
And they are trying to take us all with them.
Carbon and the EPA threats and health care debates - WHEW!!!!!!!
And we could make a list. Could we ever!!
But again, it is late and there have been adult beverages and the Christmas lights are on and carols are playing and for the moment, thank the Good Lord, joy is abroad in the land (The Study).
You never know about an hour from now.
Things happen.
Tomorrow is reserved for near finalizing of all Christmas shopping. A whole day is devoted.
God help us.
We are off to a wonderland of offerings and are hoping for total success.
We have attended Christmas programs and parties and there are more in the offing.
We are fortunate, blessed - or encumbered, depending upon how you look at it.
The woodpeckers have eaten up the suet and other feathered little ones have finished off the thistle – so their emporium will be one of the stops.
All the split wood has been burned – so more work is needed there.
Food has been laid in…the larder bulges – but there is always room for more.
And the spirit locker is adequately provisioned, especially in that it is closed until Thursday.
Dear wife has resurrected a violin from retirement and is preparing to rehearse tunes learned long ago – as well as ones she has just discovered. Who knows what may come of that.
Choir rehearsals are in full swing – and friends from all directions are hosting gatherings of varying degrees of complexity. We are too.
We note that newspapers are once again full of ponderings on the ultimate fate of religious life in the West – assuming, of course, that there still is life in such life.
I am kidding.
There is life!!!!!!!!
The flame does flicker here and there, however.
With the revelation that Iran has been working on a nuclear trigger for a weapon for years, we at The Study are waiting to see when the open hand of b.o. will be transformed into the more realistic fist of President Bush.
When, oh when will reality intrude upon b.o.’s myopia?
Or is he really just a Chicago pol?
Perhaps he is incapable.
And the fakery and lies of global warming are becoming more and more apparent with the revelation of the emails – and the current temp data – and the foolishness of warming proponents.
And God save us from the UN – the tool of the third world.
To think it WAS the creation of the VICTORS IN WORLD WAR TWO!!!!!!!!
And God save us from the current US Congress – or rather, God help the Good Guys/Gals in the Congress to save us from the bad guys.
nancy and harry are really on a trip.
And they are trying to take us all with them.
Carbon and the EPA threats and health care debates - WHEW!!!!!!!
And we could make a list. Could we ever!!
But again, it is late and there have been adult beverages and the Christmas lights are on and carols are playing and for the moment, thank the Good Lord, joy is abroad in the land (The Study).
You never know about an hour from now.
Things happen.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
GOOD JOB, b.o.
b.o. went to Norway and gave a good speech.
He stunned his audience, there and here in the United States, for he made sense.
He declared that the US has a noble history in world affairs; that the US is responsible for the continued freedom of many peoples throughout the world; that US blood and treasure has been spent for many good causes at home and abroad.
And he escalated a war and explained why others should be a part of that escalation.
He catered to the Left and to the Right and to the Independents and to the Middle.
He defied the prejudices of Old Europe.
He did a good job.
Except for the nod to the Left, he gave a Bush speech.
Good job, b.o.
He stunned his audience, there and here in the United States, for he made sense.
He declared that the US has a noble history in world affairs; that the US is responsible for the continued freedom of many peoples throughout the world; that US blood and treasure has been spent for many good causes at home and abroad.
And he escalated a war and explained why others should be a part of that escalation.
He catered to the Left and to the Right and to the Independents and to the Middle.
He defied the prejudices of Old Europe.
He did a good job.
Except for the nod to the Left, he gave a Bush speech.
Good job, b.o.
THANK YOU, MICHIGAN
The Michigan Legislature has debated and discussed and anguished and argued and finally decided that good health is more important than the right of smokers to inflict their habit on all those folks around them, smokers and nonsmokers.
What a difficult, traumatic, difficult decision!!!!
The right to smoke has long been protected as a fundamental right of free men and women of these United States.
Say what???????????
A fundamental freedom that wars have been fought for, that men and women have died for.
Come to think of it, smoking is an alleged right that has caused the death of countless people, in one way or another.
You really would think you were discussing part of the Bill of Rights.
Finally, Michigan Legislature – you have stressed and strained and brought forth a no-brainer –
Thank you.
What a difficult, traumatic, difficult decision!!!!
The right to smoke has long been protected as a fundamental right of free men and women of these United States.
Say what???????????
A fundamental freedom that wars have been fought for, that men and women have died for.
Come to think of it, smoking is an alleged right that has caused the death of countless people, in one way or another.
You really would think you were discussing part of the Bill of Rights.
Finally, Michigan Legislature – you have stressed and strained and brought forth a no-brainer –
Thank you.
GENE BARRY, R.I.P.
Gene Barry died last Wednesday.
His portrayal of Bat Masterson (He wore a cane and derby hat, they called him Bat, Bat Masterson) on the TV of the 1950’s was part of our memory of that most interesting decade.
Those were the days of the TV Wyatt Earp (Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die; Matt Dillon (Gunsmoke, Dodge City); Johnny Yuma (The Rebel); Paladin (Knight Without Armor); Rawhide (Head 'em up, Move 'em out); and no doubt other shows that others could remember.
We remember them all – can whistle the theme songs of all of them – and recall play acting a number of the roles ourselves – in our own fantasy land.
We know nothing of the man himself, but we wish him well – Godspeed – he made possible many an enjoyable half hour for a lot of viewers.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
WINTER - 2009
Winter has arrived.
Wind, snow, single digit temps, and the birds and squirrels are ‘eating up a storm’.
Dear Daughter spent the night at The Study last night. Their power went out.
Dear Son-in-law went home near midnight when their power came back on.
Daughter stayed.
He had to be home very early in the morning to take care of some things.
He was missed, but having Daughter overnight was just like old times.
We had breakfast together – Old Dad fixed it and scraped her car – not room in garage – and ‘launched’ her off to work – almost like she was going to school, as she used to do – all those years ago.
Nice!
And then we refilled all the feeders and cut and split wood and cranked up the wood stove.
And then we completed the Decorations.
The Study is now presentable.
The cold kept us in tonight – time to catch up on all sorts of things.
Dear Wife writes out the Christmas cards – I do the Christmas Letter. Hard to believe it is time for another letter.
Dear Wife folds ‘em.
I mail ‘em.
Division of labor.
Gramma used to say many hands make light work.
She knew what she was talkin’ about.
We miss Gramma.
She did good work.
Tomorrow our Study Group at Church completes another study session and we go out to lunch.
And after the New Year, God willing, another session begins.
The cycles go on.
Thank the Good Lord.
This is a busy time; and it is a good time of year. When things get hectic, I/we try to remember the Elizabethan prayer –
This is the day the Lord hath made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
It doesn't always help, but sometimes....
Good stuff.
Or the Cavalier prayer in the Civil War:
Lord, I will be busy this day and may forget thee.
Please do not forget me.
Again, sometimes it helps a lot.
And one gets to connect - with those who have gone before - just a little bit.
Again, nice!
Wind, snow, single digit temps, and the birds and squirrels are ‘eating up a storm’.
Dear Daughter spent the night at The Study last night. Their power went out.
Dear Son-in-law went home near midnight when their power came back on.
Daughter stayed.
He had to be home very early in the morning to take care of some things.
He was missed, but having Daughter overnight was just like old times.
We had breakfast together – Old Dad fixed it and scraped her car – not room in garage – and ‘launched’ her off to work – almost like she was going to school, as she used to do – all those years ago.
Nice!
And then we refilled all the feeders and cut and split wood and cranked up the wood stove.
And then we completed the Decorations.
The Study is now presentable.
The cold kept us in tonight – time to catch up on all sorts of things.
Dear Wife writes out the Christmas cards – I do the Christmas Letter. Hard to believe it is time for another letter.
Dear Wife folds ‘em.
I mail ‘em.
Division of labor.
Gramma used to say many hands make light work.
She knew what she was talkin’ about.
We miss Gramma.
She did good work.
Tomorrow our Study Group at Church completes another study session and we go out to lunch.
And after the New Year, God willing, another session begins.
The cycles go on.
Thank the Good Lord.
This is a busy time; and it is a good time of year. When things get hectic, I/we try to remember the Elizabethan prayer –
This is the day the Lord hath made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
It doesn't always help, but sometimes....
Good stuff.
Or the Cavalier prayer in the Civil War:
Lord, I will be busy this day and may forget thee.
Please do not forget me.
Again, sometimes it helps a lot.
And one gets to connect - with those who have gone before - just a little bit.
Again, nice!
Monday, December 7, 2009
FOUR LEADERS: COMPARE AND CONTRAST
I used to ask my students to research various historical figures and to reach arguable conclusions regarding those figures.
F.D.R., Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, and b.o. would have been just right for such an exercise.
Check out the following editorial and give it a try.
What fun such a unit would have been in class, or at lunch with fellow teachers.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/07/leadership-in-war//print/
F.D.R., Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, and b.o. would have been just right for such an exercise.
Check out the following editorial and give it a try.
What fun such a unit would have been in class, or at lunch with fellow teachers.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/07/leadership-in-war//print/
‘…A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY….’
7 December 1941
68 years is a long time in the context of individual human lives.
As Dear Gramma used to say, “A lot of water has passed under the dam.”
But in a larger context, in the world order of things, it is not really such a long time.
The folks who visit this journal doubtless know something, perhaps a lot, about the story of ‘Pearl’ and the events which followed the attack.
So, what is it that one can say about this very important anniversary that might have some relevance in our present day?
In 1950, Winston Churchill recalled his thoughts shortly after the attack:
Silly people, and there were many, not only in enemy countries, might discount the force of the United States. Some said they were soft, others that they would never be united. They would fool around at a distance. They would never come to grips. They would never stand bloodletting. Their democracry and system of recurrent elections would paralyse their war effort. They would be just a vague blur on the horizon to friend or foe. Now we should see the weakness of this numerous but remote, wealthy, and talkative people. But I had studied the American Civil War, fought out to the last deseperate inch.
Half American himself and a student of American affairs, he knew whereof he spoke.
Many folks today do not have the benefit of his knowledge, of his wisdom.
Churchill saw the wolves at the door.
Churchill knew what it would take to handle them and what it would cost.
I fear that many of us today know little or nothing of either – of the threats or of the costs.
Perhaps that is why it is good to remember the events and the meaning of Pearl Harbor all these years later –
The world is not a safe place.
It is not secure and serene and a great international playground.
The generation of WW2 came to know those truths.
But that generation had forgotten those sobering facts too, until 7 December 1941, just as we believe our generations have forgotten them.
Think on Pearl and remember what we have forgotten again.
68 years is a long time in the context of individual human lives.
As Dear Gramma used to say, “A lot of water has passed under the dam.”
But in a larger context, in the world order of things, it is not really such a long time.
The folks who visit this journal doubtless know something, perhaps a lot, about the story of ‘Pearl’ and the events which followed the attack.
So, what is it that one can say about this very important anniversary that might have some relevance in our present day?
In 1950, Winston Churchill recalled his thoughts shortly after the attack:
Silly people, and there were many, not only in enemy countries, might discount the force of the United States. Some said they were soft, others that they would never be united. They would fool around at a distance. They would never come to grips. They would never stand bloodletting. Their democracry and system of recurrent elections would paralyse their war effort. They would be just a vague blur on the horizon to friend or foe. Now we should see the weakness of this numerous but remote, wealthy, and talkative people. But I had studied the American Civil War, fought out to the last deseperate inch.
Half American himself and a student of American affairs, he knew whereof he spoke.
Many folks today do not have the benefit of his knowledge, of his wisdom.
Churchill saw the wolves at the door.
Churchill knew what it would take to handle them and what it would cost.
I fear that many of us today know little or nothing of either – of the threats or of the costs.
Perhaps that is why it is good to remember the events and the meaning of Pearl Harbor all these years later –
The world is not a safe place.
It is not secure and serene and a great international playground.
The generation of WW2 came to know those truths.
But that generation had forgotten those sobering facts too, until 7 December 1941, just as we believe our generations have forgotten them.
Think on Pearl and remember what we have forgotten again.
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