Cabbages Cuticles Curiosities Canons and Causes

Leaf Mulched No-Till Potato Garden Patch

2011-10-12T07:14:00.000-07:00

I planted potatos in a small patch in my garden this year. I laid down a bed of composted leaves and just laid the starts on the leaves and then dumped leaves on top of them. As the plants grew I dumped more leaves on top until I ran out of leaves. Here is the result.

I am really happy with the results of this experiment. I got alot of potatoes from a really small area. Biggest one was about 7" long. I noticed that the mice seemed to really like the yellow potatoes best. I got more than they did this year.

Hopefully Ill be able to gather enough leaves and such this fall to really do some more of this next season.

Little Green Prickly Pointy Ball Thingies in my garden?

2011-10-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

What are these?

Old Man & Mrs Henry, Boots and Bicycle

2011-09-25T22:55:00.000-07:00

I work at Walmart. I do other things too, but I work at Walmart. I see lots of people at Walmart. I meet lots of people. I see some pretty rotten things at Walmart and I see some beautiful things at Walmart.

The other day I saw something beautiful, something that brought back a memory from long ago.

When I was ten years old a friend gave me his newspaper delivery route. It wasn't a lot of money or a lot of time, but it was...well...it was. Anyway, I grew up in a trailer park and my folks didn't really have a lot of money. We had plenty of food and we had clothes on our backs, but we didn't have too many extras.

So as winter came on that year I didn't have any winter boots to speak of, just my old bo-bo sneakers. We got some early snow that year and Mrs Henry stopped me when I was delivering her paper and ask me when I was start putting my boots on. I just told her the truth, I didn't have any boots.
Well, the next day Old Mr Henry, (you know who he is, everybody had one in the neighborhood) caught me again when I brought his paper and he said to me, "Take this note to your folks and come back over here when you finish passing those papers." Oh man I knew I was in trouble. Old Man Henry sending a note to my folks. Funny thing is...I actually took the note to my folks. Times was different then I guess.
You know that note was to my folks asking them if they'd mind if he took my to the shoe store for a new pair boots. And so the story goes...
Well, the other day at Walmart I experienced something pretty cool. I was working in electronics and a young man probably about 13 years old came over asked for help with a bike. So we got the bike down and after I rang up the sale he gave me his money which was about $20 short, he did what most of us would do and kinda stammered and got a little embarrassed and ask if he could call his Dad. I handed him my cell and he called, but Dad didn't answer...about that time this other lady who'd been standing there, I thought she was his Momma or something came to the register and said she would cover the shortage. Well, the kid stood there kind of amazed and as we finished up the sale the boys Dad called back so I handed my phone over again and overheard the boy tell his Dad that "some lady" had already taken care of it. He didn't know her and she didn't know him, but both of them got a blessing from a stranger that day and so did I.
I hope that blessing is a memory that boy keeps forever.

I really am just a madman in a blue box.

2011-09-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

The title of this post is a quote from the Doctor Who episode titled, "The God Complex". It's a beautiful episode in which the Doctor finds himself having to deal with his own vanity in order to save himself and his friends from certain death.
I grew up in the 70s and 80s watching Doctor Who on PBS. Tom Baker was my Doctor and his adventures with Sarah Jane and Harry are far grander in my memory than they are now when I rewatch them. I have fond memories of those days and certainly I longed for as did so many others, a ridiculously long scarf with which to pretend to be the great Time Lord.
I have found the new Doctor Who adventures to be far more interesting because they delve into the pschology of this madman in a blue box. They seek to expose the underlying, hidden character nuances of the Last of the Time Lords.
I found that in The God Complex the good Doctor comes to realize just how much he really is like race of humans he so adores, in that he too feels the same need of self-affirmation that we do. He comes to see his need to be adored and his own willingness to take great risks to be a hero so that others will adore him...and he realizes that all of it is indeed vanity....
Thank you to the BBC for giving us a program that makes us think.

The Artistry of an Old House in Wellsboro Pa.

2011-06-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

This wonderful old home in the mountains of Pennsylvania bares the signs and wear of being well over a hundred years old, but it also expresses the attention to detail and artistry of an age long gone.
Stained Glass and Etched Smoked Glass windows, Ornate brass door handles and plates, massive garden landscapes, mosaic tiles and lion head door knockers...just too interesting. I did not get to go inside, but Im told the woodwork is exquisite.

Doing Yard Work at an Old House in Town

2011-06-10T05:33:00.000-07:00

Sweet old house in Wellsboro on which we have been doing yard work. There was an old rickety wood fence and a wrought iron fence around the front which really obscured the curb appeal. It is a work in progress as some of the pictures will show.

Second load of debris. We hauled a load of brush to the township building to be recycled and some came home to feed the goats. This load is going to find its way into reuse one way or another.

I just really liked these stairs. Wish I would have gotten some pics before we started cleaning up this area.

Another curbside shot. There were several small trees and bushes that we pulled out with the truck. That was kind of fun. Should have taken a video. Grr.

Some of the downed fencing.

There are huge bushes like this all over the property that I get to trim way back. More pics later.

Property has lots of old overgrown gardens. Must have been quite a looker in its day.

More pics soon.

No-Till Gardening video

2011-06-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

Heres the video that didnt show up well in the previous post.

No-Till Gardening 2011

2011-06-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

No-Tilling or Mulch Garden click link for video.
Alright, Im back. Short on time and late on planting. Trying no till gardening this year. Laid the onions out on the soil and covered them with leaves and hay. Theyre growing well. Hoping to get a good crop of large tomatoes this year. I finally got my potatoes put in on top of a thick layer of hay which we pulled from the goat house. Then I covered them with bags of leaves that I gathered a couple years ago during the fall clean-ups in town.
Using the hay bales with the hope that the chickens will be able to feast on worms and bugs living along the edges. Havent got the fence up yet, but working on it.
Last years pig pen is layered with great soil, but underneath it is very soft from the dozens of bags of leaves we dumped in there. Hoping the worms will compost it for me over the summer.
Lots to do this year.

Groundhog Day

2011-02-02T08:16:00.001-08:00

Always a great thing to get this day in the past. Either way it means that Spring is coming. Today Ole Phil gave the good news of an early Spring, so jopefully we can put away this dreary cold, wet, dark winter very soon.

first harvest

2011-01-31T21:56:00.000-08:00

Just thought Id pop by to mention that we harvested our first pig yesterday. It was kind of small, but wasnt getting any bigger. It was quite different than doing a deer. A little more difficult. I was hoping to get some leaf lard from around the kidneys, but there wasnt any. Actually there was very little fat at all which really surprised me. The skin didnt peel away as easily as a deer.
I kind of feel like I couldnt gotten more if I'd have had it done by a professional, but there doesnt seem to be one close by.
Oh well, it was nice to get the first one done. Now to find the time to care of the big one.
Theres a bunch of roosters that need harvested as well.
cya

Spring is coming

2011-01-26T22:13:00.000-08:00

I can feel it. Hidden beneath the snow the grass is just waiting. I was thinking about gardening today. Saw the marigold deadheads just waiting to get started. Eyeing my front "sun room" for how to oragnize the seedling starts. It wont be long now.

Wow. Its winter. Howd that happen.

2011-01-24T21:01:00.001-08:00

Well, its winter time now. The gardens are doing their thing and resting. Ive got a couple pigs in one of them, but not for much longer. We'll be harvesting them soon. Im kinda not thinking much about the garden right now, though I should be. Last year was disappointing considering how the moles tore through so much.
I do need to redo the strawberry patch and Ill probably plant some more blueberry bushes. We planted some asparagus in the fall. Im hoping that comes through for us.
Plenty of snow on the groung and more to come. Icy temperatures this year. Cant remember ever being this cold. I guess itll help control some of the pests so thats good.

Sluggard

2010-05-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy the last couple months. Ive had more work than usual and I've been changing how I do some other things...so as I looked at what is to be my garden this year I felt very much like a sluggard. Don't get me wrong, I've been doing things to get it ready for planting, it's just that I dont have much planted. The weather has been so warm. Beautiful weather for growing. However, today I get to embrace the sluggard in me. The weather turned cold. Last night was 29 degrees. Much too cold for most veggies. I feel pretty good that I didnt get those things planted. I must remember that June 1 is the day to plant.

Heresies Heresies Here and There

2010-02-27T18:48:00.000-08:00

Many times I have heard christians talk about how they follow the bible only. That Jesus is the only one that they follow. That they don't follow a man...as if this is somehow not only the right thing, the correct doctrine, but somehow makes them better than those other believers who don't follow what they consider to be "correct doctrine".
Often considering themselves not only better than other believers, but to then say that the other believers are not really believers because they don't hold to the same private interpretations. I am weary of this and so tonight I'm gonna just write about what I think is the truth...according to the scriptures...and if you dont agree with me...its okay...I believe in soul liberty...unlike Diotrephes.

Are believers not supposed to "follow a man"? Are they to be under the authority of Christ alone as their Head?
The answer according to the scriptures. It is never taught one single place in the bible that believers, whether they be Old Testament or New, are not supposed to follow other men. Yes there are scriptures which can be personally interpreted to mean that, but they can also be interpreted otherwise.

1) Eve was to follow Adam.
2) Men were supposed to follow Noah.
3) They were supposed to follow Moses.
4) Joshua was another leader they were to obey.
5) David
6) Solomon
7) The Prophets

Here in the Old Testament were leaders...there were others who were to be obeyed as well.
God has always used men as leaders of His people...this truth has not changed.

Yes, we are supposed to follow Christ. Yes, He is the Authority. Yes, the Bible is His words and we should do our best to obey them as He leads...BUT...

1)2 Thess 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

I would suggest further study of the rest of the chapter. Its rather obvious, that these men considered themselves to be in a position of authority...based upon their behavior.

2) Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Well, if the most obstinate, hard-headed believer ought to be able to understand this verse clearly.

3) 3 John tells the story of two men, both believers...one of them, Diotrephes is behaving poorly...John calls his actions "evil"...the other man, Demetrius has a "good report of all men"...John then tells the believers..."follow not that which is evil, but that which is good"...he effectively split the church.

The point here is that the believers were supposed to follow...a man...a good man.

4) 1 Tim 3:5 shows clearly that A) there are bishops (baptists call them "pastors") and B) these men are leaders who are supposed to be able to "take care" of the church of God. They should do this not as Diotrephes, but as Demetrius.

5) 1Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Well...that's interesting isnt it? Elders ruling? Double honor? I know a lot of pastors who'd be happy with just a little honor.

6) Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Obey and submit...rather strong words, huh?

7) Heb 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

What does "have the rule over you" mean?

8)1Co 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

I guess Paul is a liar.

9)Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Hmmm...I think Paul is confused...believers are supposed to "do" what he says...

10)1Thess 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

You want to walk to please God? listen to Paul.

11) 2Tim 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Want understanding? Consider Paul's words.

12) 2Tim 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

You want to fully know? Understand the preaching? Follow Paul.

Further study.
(1Co 11:1) Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
(Php 3:17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
(1Th 1:6) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
(1Th 2:14) For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

So...does the bible really say that you're not supposed to follow a man?

Books by men are good. The bible says that we have been given teachers as a gift, but...

(2Tim 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Don't lie to yourself anymore.

Janet Reno, Mister Rogers, the Bible & the Fool

2010-02-21T13:59:00.000-08:00

Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. 1 Thess. 5:21.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Proverbs 20:26.

I am a fool. Have you ever been lied to and found out later that you'd believed a lie?

Years ago I got an email stating that Janet Reno had said on 60 Minutes that, "all people who believed many of the things which I believe were all part of a dangerous cult." I believed it. And I repeated it till one day someone told me it wasnt true. There was no proof that it had ever been said. I went home and began searching for the truth and sure enough it was not true. I felt like such a fool. I'd heard preachers talk about it from the pulpits and I had believed it.

Then along came Y2K and I believed a lot it. I thought something was probaby going to happen...but it didn't.

I began to realize that most of purveyors of gloom and doom and often anger and division were doing it solely for one reason...that's how they made their money.

I've become quite cynical now of a lot of what I hear and see. I've become good at checking the facts...but I still blow it. I still play the part of the fool.

Recently I spoke with a group of men and I repeated something which I had been told...it seems silly now. I was told that Mister Rogers of Children's TV fame was actually a former Marine and the reason he always wore long sleeves was because he had tattoos all over his arms and he felt that as a role-model he should cover the tattoos.
On my way home that night I realized that I hadnt checked this story for accuracy and I started getting a bad feeling...As soon as I got home I began researching and soon enough discovered that I am just a talebearing fool. I called the next day to apologize to those to whom I had repeated the story.

Today, I was exposed to more stories. Stories about politics which thing I have truly come to detest. Today, I checked my facts first...Thank you Janet Reno, Mister Rogers and the Bible for helping this Fool to remember to Prove All Things.

Cabbages, Potatos, Cauliflower and Pigs?

2010-02-18T00:58:00.000-08:00

Well, its 4am. Couldnt sleep. Thinking about spring, thinking about the garden. I want to try planting potatoes on top the soil this year and covering them with newspaper and last autumns leaves and things, maybe grass clippings too. I think my soil may have remnants of last years blight so Im guessing that I'll need to pick a different plot to start new.
Thinking about getting a couple little piggies and putting then in one of last years garden spots. I think it might be fun.

Doing a lot of thinking right now. After all it is 4am....

Cuticles, Kindness and Mrs Hiedenreich

2010-02-16T21:08:00.000-08:00

Well...where to begin. Cuticles, Kindness and Mrs Heidenreich. Cuticles are the skin at the edge of ones fingernails just where they emerge from under your skin. I was told by a girl I dated a long time ago, (it's been 23 years since then) that I had really nice fingernails...for a guy that is. She then explained to me that it was rare to see guys whose cuticles were so well manicured.
Well, of all the things to be vain about I had never really considered my fingernails and in fact I had never really taken notice of my fingernails, but for some reason this girl had noticed and the entire time we dated she made a point of showing my hands to her girlfriends..."Oh so this is the guy with the cute nails" is not really what a twenty-one year old young man wants to hear from the ladies.
Anyway, the first time she mentioned this to me I explained to her that when I was in fourth grade in 1976 my teacher was a woman name Mrs Heidenreich...the name still brings chills. Mrs Heidenreich was old-old-school. A classic German woman, Authoritative and strict. Each morning she walked the aisles between our desks with her old pointer stick in hand. She never used that pointer for anything but pointing, but we all knew what she could do with it and we respected that greatly. As she walked the aisles we were required to have our hands on our desks palms down and she would inspect our fingernails to make sure they were clean. She had shown us all at the beginning of the school year how to push our cuticles back properly so that dirt would have no hiding place...and to this day I inspect my nails and cuticles as if a hundred year old Heidenreich might walk by with her pointer.
That was Mrs H's (dont tell her I called her that) last year as a teacher, she retired that year and we moved from the elementary to the middle school. But she has impacted me ever since.
I consider her actions then to have been a real and genuine kindness. She taught us respect for authority and she taught us to form some good habits, which in time brought complements and respect from others.
We were all told that she was mean, but truthfully...she wasn't mean. She never said a mean word to any of us, but she also got the best from us, because we respected her...even though we didnt much like her. But she was a good teacher. And behind it all was a heart of kindness played out in action rather than feelings and words.

Impact of a street rat

2009-12-30T17:34:00.000-08:00

"You are a worthless street rat. You were born a street rat. You will die a street rat. And only your fleas will mourn you." ~Prince Achmed~ From Disney's Aladdin...

Arent those sweet words?...just kidding. You know it seems that sometimes some of the rich and powerful and those sycophants who desire to sponge off them will feel no compulsion, no desire at all to lean down and help someone who is not rich and powerful...just for the sake of helping another human being. And in so doing the rich and powerful miss their opportunity to be truly rich and truly powerful.

These are biting words intended to drive the psyche of their intended target into the ground. Sometimes these words come not from the rich and powerful, but from the minds of those who feel themselves to be "less" than the rich and powerful. Their imagination creates a barrier that inhibits them from seeing the truth...

The truth is that Aladdin made an impact in the lives of many people before he found the Lamp. He made an impact. He was already rich and powerful and just couldnt "see" it because of the barriers his mind had created for him...probably because he was always looking out his bedroom window at someone else's magnificent palace.

I often struggle with thoughts of "what have I done?" What do I leave behind when I step off this world? Have I made an impact? I think on the magnificent...and I miss the truth. I miss the reality.

There are those right now whose lives have been forever changed because of me. Some changed for the worse, Some for the better. Could I do more for others if I were "rich and powerful"? I dont know and I likely will never know. But I do know a few things.
The biblical Joseph surely never saw as he rotted in Pharoah's dungeon that one day he would be second only to Pharoah in all the Land of Egypt. I also know that it is likely that Rechab never dreamed possible that his words would pass down through the generations and in time his children's loyalty to a promise given many years earlier would become the standard by which the great prophet Jeremiah would stand before the people of Israel and preach.

I know something today. I know that a testimony before men stands as a pillar of truth. I know that people. A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
If I do not see the light of another dawn I know that many will see a testimony in my family in the years that follow...and my family will get to decide if I will be honoured as was Rechab.

Impact...I believe as did Aladdin...I'm not a street rat...and I dont have fleas.

My magic lamp...why I've had one for years. Sometimes I just forget to rub it...Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path...

Dear Mom...Its Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom,

I love you.

It's Christmas Eve. Your favorite night in all the year. I miss you so. I miss your excitement about it all. I'm not enthusiastic about Christmas this year. The spirit just hasnt grabbed me. I know you're probably disappointed with me. It would be different if I could share it with you I'm sure. Being broke all the time doesnt help much. I like watching everyone open presents and well there wont be much of that this year...at least not here.
I'm home alone tonight. Managed to finagle a little time to myself. The children are off to Milano's for singing and yummies. Jean is going to the church for more singing and yummies. So here I am with the cat and the dog, neither of whom are very interested in me tonight.

I've been thinking alot of some bible verses for awhile now...There about Christmas. They are in Luke chapter 2.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

I guess that to some folks these words dont really mean much, to some they mean more than life itself. To me, they are another point of light and truth...On this night whether it was really sometime in October as some folks say or maybe some other time...but on this night some 2000 odd years ago...the Saviour of the World was born in the flesh to become a man...to live and love, to mourn and celebrate with men this thing, this vapor...this moment in time we call Life. And it was so.

According to the words of the Living God as found in the King James Bible we are told to Fear Not on this day. We are told that the birth of this child was intended to bring great joy...rejoicing if you will...perhaps even celebration. Through it Mom, I noticed that the angels and the heavenly host were praising God worshiping Him and once the shepherds had seen the babe and turned away from the manger...they too were praising and glorifying God for the birth of their Saviour...

Today Mom there are people, believing people who turn away from this celebration of the birth of Christ because they consider it to be "the way of the heathen". I too once struggled with the doctrine which I now know is biblically false...but even more importantly I have my memories of what they would call "the way of the heathen", good memories of Christmas now long past and one just last year for which I am now and always will be grateful.

Those who say December 25th is a pagan holiday...fine...but I sure would like to see the day they actually set aside to celebrate the birth of their Saviour as is the scriptural, biblical of rejoicing and being exceeding glad...

This I know Mom, there is no joy for them and I mourn for them because they wont mourn for themselves.

I love you Mom,
bye,
Davey

Baubles

2009-12-13T09:11:00.001-08:00

The eyes of man are never satisfied...now its a wood pellet stove and pellet maker...is there anything I cant lay my eyes on and not want...its a good thing I'm broke...cuz if I wasnt I would be now!

contentment

2009-12-09T23:53:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Isaiah 55:1-2 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Why can't I just have faith that God is always right? Why am I discouraged for that which I dont have when I have been promised so much? Why is it such a struggle just to be content?

DEAR MOM

2009-12-06T01:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom,
Well, it's Christmastime. Almost anyways. It's been a really rough year this year...well...since you went Home anyway...Ive been pretty lacsidaisical about everything. Nothing really seems to matter much to me...I cant sleep at night anymore, too many thoughts going through my mind...too much coffee too maybe.
I've always been weak on death. Never understanding it. Never getting it. Hardly greiving for those who are gone...but I guess I understand the greiving a bit now. But selfish as I am it seems the greiving is for me...what I have lost.
I suppose you already know this, but I'll tell you anyway...you cant tell me I'm wrong now can you? Then again you couldn't tell me that when you were here. Anyway, I want you know that I really feel cheated by this whole thing. Easter was such a joy for you...and all the holidays and children's birthday. I gleaned a lot of second-hand joy from vicariouosly watching you celebrate life through those moments.
Then you went and died just before Easter. We had to make our own peanut butter eggs Mom...it wasnt pretty. Then Jean's birthday and Mine...Then Amber graduated from high-school...and we remembered how excited you were that you were going to see it happen, but you died...and I feel cheated. Amber's and Becca's birthday are past now...and we had our first Thanksgiving without you...and I wept. Now it's almost Christmas and I am lost without you. My 43rd Christmas and my first without you.
I know you see better than I now. I know you get to celebrate while I mourn.
Just so you know...I'm not angry with you, nor am I angry with the Lord. I am a little angry though, but just because I miss you so. I'm kind of mad with our health care system that I think let you die because we had no money. I really believe that if you had been wealthy they could have and would have done alot more to keep you alive. It was evident, easy to see that most of the people in that hospital were there for their paychecks and nothing more.
But you were 80 years old...that's hard to grasp too. My Mom was 80. hmmm. And you'd never really taken very good care of yourself so I mean...everyone has to die, but that seemed so silly that you would get a cold...and die.
Uncle Buzz told me that it was up to me to be the Strength of the family...the binding cord that holds us together as you were, but I'm afraid Mom that I don't have that strength at all.
Aunt Joyce asked the question that I guess we all were wondering..."What are we going to do without you?" What are we going to do without the Cord that held a family in place through the Great Depression, World War II. The Cold War...the Sixties, the hand that drug us all through the 70's and help us jump past Reaganomics through the 90s...without the one whose strength endured and upheld as Dad slipped from our fingers and left you standing weak and frail...and just as stubborn to persevere as ever, maybe even more...
How do I long for those nights this past year when you would stay up and tell me about life when you were a child. How you met Dan your first husband and how you lived through his death. I wish I could have recorded those conversations so that I might have them now to keep me company through these sleepless nights.

Well, gotta go for now Mom,
I love you and I'm sure I'll write again soon,
You favorite son...just kidding Danny! LOL. We all know who the favorite is...Mom had no favorites. She loved us all no matter what happened.
God bless Mom,
Davy

The Land of Middleswarth BBQ Potato Chips

2009-10-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

I was recently reminded when viewing a friends Facebook page about the importance of Pennsylvania...Middleswarth Chips... Now 20 some years ago I lived in New Hampshire and worked for GTE Sylvania. In this factory were a lot of other people from PA. Every time we would come back to PA for a visit, my friend Terry would take orders for Middlewarth chips and when we returned to NH we would be loaded down the dozens of bags and barrels (they dont have the barrels anymore) of MC.

There is just something about MC that makes them special, better than any other chip...anywhere.

That special "thing" will cause PA natives mouth to water when they are far from home and something brings MC to their mind...They will act funny, their vioces will crack and their eyes will wonder off into distant memories.

I think of one such memory though I suppose it was more of a nightmare...one night when I was about 18 I was out with some friends and we got some barrels of MC...for some reason someone began throwing chips and the next thing I knew my mom's car was covered with Middleswarth chips...Shivers....the absolute horror of all the chips on the floor and the seats, the dashboard...everywhere...

Next Year Now

2009-10-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

These are leaves...lots of leaves...I picked up most of the bagged ones along the curbsides in town, the truckload and about 10 other bags came from a clean up job we did.

I got these leaves because even after 4 years of working my garden soil it still has a lot of clay attributes to it...Nothing like when we started...its much better now, but still holds a lot of water, gets kind of hard and doesnt have the dark color I like so much.

So we'll be working alot of these leaves into the ground hopefully before snows sets in for good and we'll let some cook over the winter and till them into the ground in the spring.

I also collect branches and brush from yard jobs and such through the summer and I burn those in the garden as I'm told this is very good for breaking up the soil. I have 2 giant cottonwood trees in the yard which are constantly dropping branches and twigs all year round.

There's always something to do to get ready for next year.

Where is God?

2009-10-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 6:16-19 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

Remarks from CBS Sunday Morning - Ben Stein

I Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! ! The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events.... Terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.
The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr.. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing yet?
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein