Just a line or two to thank the readers of this site who take the time to write us via email and or posting.
There are just a few of you, but you are very important to the writing and thinking going on here, whether or not said writing ever makes it from mind to hard drive to web site.
Monday, November 29, 2010
TOUCH HANDS
TG Weekend is over and Sophie and I are alone in The Study.
The eleven guests have gone their various ways and we begin the countdown to Christmas.
The cycles repeat, thank The Lord.
Dear Wife will return this afternoon having overnighted returning a Dear Cousin to her home, a two-hour drive from us.
And now there is time for reflection.
So many things to think about; to wonder about; to deal with.
So many blessings!
The prayer once again comes to mind, as it so often does:
These are the days the Lord hath made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in them.
We sense that the outside world swirls and roils around and even within our Nation. We rejoice in the positives and worry and hope and pray regarding the negatives.
Such is the way of life.
But for now, we have a few moments to reflect on our Thanksgiving Weekend, on our Family, on our Blessings.
The thirteen of us were able, once again, to gather and to reflect, to remember the decades of such gatherings.
The eleven guests have gone their various ways and we begin the countdown to Christmas.
The cycles repeat, thank The Lord.
Dear Wife will return this afternoon having overnighted returning a Dear Cousin to her home, a two-hour drive from us.
And now there is time for reflection.
So many things to think about; to wonder about; to deal with.
So many blessings!
The prayer once again comes to mind, as it so often does:
These are the days the Lord hath made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in them.
We sense that the outside world swirls and roils around and even within our Nation. We rejoice in the positives and worry and hope and pray regarding the negatives.
Such is the way of life.
But for now, we have a few moments to reflect on our Thanksgiving Weekend, on our Family, on our Blessings.
The thirteen of us were able, once again, to gather and to reflect, to remember the decades of such gatherings.
There was fellowship. There was feasting. There was laughter and there were tears.
And we looked with joy and hope upon our most perfect Dear Granddaughters.
We observed the hallowed Thanksgiving traditions: the days of prep; the pre-TG Day arrivals of overnight guests; the Great Day itself; the breakfasts; the shopping and dining out the day after; the Dickens Christmas Carol Theatre the next day; the fires in the fireplace; the birthday and even Christmas gift exchanges with folks who will be far away on Christmas Day; and then the farewells on Sunday when everyone finally went their various ways.
Every moment was precious.
May we remember all of them exactly as they occurred.
Another quote comes to mind, this one from our annual Christmas Letter:
Ah Friends, dear friends, as years go on
And heads get gray
Touch hands, touch hands, with those that stay.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
DEFENSE IS DIFFERENT - FROM NRO
This excellent article asks what is the purpose of our Federal Government .
It forcefully answers the question.
Too good to miss.
http://www.nationalreview.com/blogs/print/253202
It forcefully answers the question.
Too good to miss.
http://www.nationalreview.com/blogs/print/253202
Friday, November 12, 2010
THEY DESERVE IT
Many call it Veterans Day [no apostrophe s].
Some call it Armistice Day.
Overseas it is commonly called Remembrance Day.
In any case, as most everyone knows, 11 November is the anniversary of the day which ended the Great War.
In the United States, the official purpose of the day is to honor all Veterans of the American Armed Forces: past and present; living and dead.
The operative word here is all.
Fox News reported tonite that one Vet is still alive from the War to End All Wars.
One wonders today at the naiveté of folks in those days who could believe such propaganda.
At any rate, the young men of early last century went off to war, whether or not they believed.
They went for all sorts of reasons, as the young soldiers do today, for a variety of reasons.
There is a saying: “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Well, those of us who stay behind can and do a great deal more than just stand and wait, and one of those things should be to remember those who have worn the uniform.
Tom Brokaw has it wrong.
The WW2 Generation was not the Greatest Generation.
Rather, it was one of the Great Generations, one of the many that have gone before and that will come in the future.
Many young American men and women are still doing what many have always done: they are answering the call to defend their country; their way of life; those things they hold dear; even the welfare of people in various foreign parts of the world.
We should take special care to remember such Americans on this day; to remind ourselves that it is not only wealth and oil and oceans that keep us safe.
We should remember that it is the willingness of our “Thin Red Line”, as the British used to say, that stands between the civilized world and the enemies thereof.
If you didn’t do so on 11 November, thank the next Vet you see for his or her service.
He or she deserves it.
Some call it Armistice Day.
Overseas it is commonly called Remembrance Day.
In any case, as most everyone knows, 11 November is the anniversary of the day which ended the Great War.
In the United States, the official purpose of the day is to honor all Veterans of the American Armed Forces: past and present; living and dead.
The operative word here is all.
Fox News reported tonite that one Vet is still alive from the War to End All Wars.
One wonders today at the naiveté of folks in those days who could believe such propaganda.
At any rate, the young men of early last century went off to war, whether or not they believed.
They went for all sorts of reasons, as the young soldiers do today, for a variety of reasons.
There is a saying: “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Well, those of us who stay behind can and do a great deal more than just stand and wait, and one of those things should be to remember those who have worn the uniform.
Tom Brokaw has it wrong.
The WW2 Generation was not the Greatest Generation.
Rather, it was one of the Great Generations, one of the many that have gone before and that will come in the future.
Many young American men and women are still doing what many have always done: they are answering the call to defend their country; their way of life; those things they hold dear; even the welfare of people in various foreign parts of the world.
We should take special care to remember such Americans on this day; to remind ourselves that it is not only wealth and oil and oceans that keep us safe.
We should remember that it is the willingness of our “Thin Red Line”, as the British used to say, that stands between the civilized world and the enemies thereof.
If you didn’t do so on 11 November, thank the next Vet you see for his or her service.
He or she deserves it.
THE DOUBLE STANDARD
Decision Points, George W. Bush, is in stores today.
A very reticent former President speaks out.
We miss Mr. Bush here at The Study.
We are not surprised at the vitriol which is greeting this release.
We are saddened by it.
Similar hatred is engendered by the mere mention of such as Sarah P.
Liberals are such pieces of work.
Overheard this morning on Morning with Joe on msnbc:
Joe wondered aloud in debate at the inconsistency of the left ranting and raving about alleged Bush-era torture while remaining mute with regard to b.o.’s increasing use of predator drones which inevitably result in severe collateral damage.
How is it that the killing of the innocent is ok under the watch of b.o., wondered Joe, but the non-lethal water boarding of a few human monsters by President Bush is grounds for impeachment?
Well said, Joe of Morning with Joe.
Beware the wrath of your bosses.
A very reticent former President speaks out.
We miss Mr. Bush here at The Study.
We are not surprised at the vitriol which is greeting this release.
We are saddened by it.
Similar hatred is engendered by the mere mention of such as Sarah P.
Liberals are such pieces of work.
Overheard this morning on Morning with Joe on msnbc:
Joe wondered aloud in debate at the inconsistency of the left ranting and raving about alleged Bush-era torture while remaining mute with regard to b.o.’s increasing use of predator drones which inevitably result in severe collateral damage.
How is it that the killing of the innocent is ok under the watch of b.o., wondered Joe, but the non-lethal water boarding of a few human monsters by President Bush is grounds for impeachment?
Well said, Joe of Morning with Joe.
Beware the wrath of your bosses.
HE COULDN'T AND CANNOT WAIT
Gene Robinson couldn’t wait to become a bishop in The Episcopal Church of the United States.
He achieved his goal early.
Now he has announced an early retirement.
Early in. Early out.
Never mind the cost to the Communion.
None of us are perfect.
But my goodness.
He achieved his goal early.
Now he has announced an early retirement.
Early in. Early out.
Never mind the cost to the Communion.
None of us are perfect.
But my goodness.
Friday, November 5, 2010
WONDERING
Anomaly of the newly-enacted Michigan smoking law:
Pipes, cigars, and cigarettes may be legally sold in the state in appropriate venues.
No tobacco smoking is allowed in facilities which serve the public. These include restaurants, offices, stores, etc.
Cigars may be smoked in ‘cigar bars’, but cigarettes and pipes MAY NOT be smoked in such places.
Cigarettes and pipes may NOT BE SMOKED in tobacconist shops, WHERE THEY ARE SOLD!!!
I asked the proprietor of a shop I visit if he knew the reason.
He did not.
I really do wonder.
Pipes, cigars, and cigarettes may be legally sold in the state in appropriate venues.
No tobacco smoking is allowed in facilities which serve the public. These include restaurants, offices, stores, etc.
Cigars may be smoked in ‘cigar bars’, but cigarettes and pipes MAY NOT be smoked in such places.
Cigarettes and pipes may NOT BE SMOKED in tobacconist shops, WHERE THEY ARE SOLD!!!
I asked the proprietor of a shop I visit if he knew the reason.
He did not.
I really do wonder.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
EITHER WAY
We have to express delight at the results of the most recent election, as reported so far.
The rebuff to b.o. is clear. It cannot be denied.
The House is sufficiently Republican to prevent absolute dem control of legislation, and Republican chairmen will take their places of leadership in all committees.
And nancy is out of a job.
We look forward to careful crafting of legislation; to as many congressional investigations as is appropriate; and to the beginnings of national politics as it is supposed to be carried out.
It remains to be seen if b.o. can adapt to the new situation.
If he is smart, flexible, not doctrinaire, able to compromise, he may pull off a successful move toward the center.
He would remain in office, but his leftward lurches would be things of the past.
If not, well, then he will turn out to be a one-termer.
And he will join the ranks of the disgraced.
Either way, it is a likely win for the good guys, God willin’.
The rebuff to b.o. is clear. It cannot be denied.
The House is sufficiently Republican to prevent absolute dem control of legislation, and Republican chairmen will take their places of leadership in all committees.
And nancy is out of a job.
We look forward to careful crafting of legislation; to as many congressional investigations as is appropriate; and to the beginnings of national politics as it is supposed to be carried out.
It remains to be seen if b.o. can adapt to the new situation.
If he is smart, flexible, not doctrinaire, able to compromise, he may pull off a successful move toward the center.
He would remain in office, but his leftward lurches would be things of the past.
If not, well, then he will turn out to be a one-termer.
And he will join the ranks of the disgraced.
Either way, it is a likely win for the good guys, God willin’.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
THE END OF THE BEGINNING
2 November.
We anticipate a busy day, an even busier evening and night.
A chance to vote…
A chance to express revulsion at what was done to our country two years ago.
As Churchill said during the Big One, “This is not the beginning of the end. But it is the end of the beginning.”
We anticipate a busy day, an even busier evening and night.
A chance to vote…
A chance to express revulsion at what was done to our country two years ago.
As Churchill said during the Big One, “This is not the beginning of the end. But it is the end of the beginning.”
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