Farmer’s pen and plow

The First Snow Flake

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:20:00 +0000

The First Snow Flake

(A Christmas Story)

It was Christmas Eve, 1959 and my wife and our two children were driving to my parent’s farm. I have not been back for several years as my job kept me very busy. I worked for a large news paper in Boston and had moved up the ladder from a reporter to a news editor. But this year we were all going to be together for Christmas.

We were driving west now in my home state of New York, heading into the farm country of the western part of the state. As the big cities moved behind us we saw more open land with farms dotted here and there. The look of the farms started to give me a twinge of homesickness. I thought of the farm I grew up on and smiled to myself. They were good years growing up and I had such wonderful memories to dream on. As I thought of the farm and my folks, my mind started to go back to my younger years, back fifteen years ago to be exact. It was a Christmas that will live in my mind forever but the events started three months earlier. It was during the time of war and we had gotten word in September that Jim was missing in action and presumed dead.

_______

“Papa, there is a green car coming up the lane.”

“I see it Andy, go inside now,” said Papa.

I went inside and told mama and Maureen about the green car coming up the lane. They both turned a ghostly white and ran to the door. Mama was rubbing her hands together and grabbed Maureen’s arm, they stood there waiting.

I turned to the sound of the car door shutting and saw two army officers walking towards papa. Maureen shook off mama’s hand and went quickly out to the army officers and papa. Mama went on out to them and I turned to see my brother Danny moving through the kitchen and hobbling on crutches as he went through the screen door to the porch where the rest were. I naturally followed Danny out on the porch. Danny was wounded in the Pacific fighting on one of the many islands there. He was a Marine and his right leg had been torn up by a hand grenade. He came close to losing the leg, but they were able to save it, though he would have a bad limp the rest of his life. I was ten years old when all of this was happening and it was a lot to take in.

The first officer spoke up, “Maureen Miller?”

Maureen’s knees started to buckle and papa held her up as she said, “I am Maureen Miller.”

“Mrs. Miller I regret to inform you that your husband is missing in action. His plane was shot down over Germany and no one saw a chute open as the plane crashed into the ground. I am sorry Mrs. Miller he is presumed dead.”

Maureen started to collapse to the wood floor of the porch. Papa picked her up as the two army officers handed papa an envelope, then saluted and went quickly to their car. Danny moved along side of mama and put his arm around her. Papa managed to get Maureen into the kitchen and into a chair. I followed Danny as he tried to help mama but his bad leg was hindering him. I moved beside mama and took her hand; she looked down at me and softly began to cry.

“It’s all right mama, I will help you,” I said.

We all were in the kitchen sitting at the table. As I looked around at each one there, I saw papa’s face; it was as if it was set in stone. He showed no emotion but he was trying to help Maureen and mama as best as he could. Danny just sat there staring at the wall, saying nothing.

Papa looked over at me and said, “Andy, you go and start the chores.”

“Yes papa,” I said, as I got up and left the room as quick as I could. I felt terrible sitting there, my chest hurt and I felt scared because mama and Maureen were now crying so very hard. And I did not know what to do; I could not believe my brother Jim was dead.

I walked into the barn and sat down on a wooden bench and started to cry. The tears would not stop and I just curled up on the bench and cried my eyes out. I cried so long that I drifted off into a fitful sleep. That is where papa found me when he came to do the milking.

“Andy, Andy, wake up.”

I opened my eyes and sat up beside papa. He put his arm around me and we leaned back against the rock wall of the barn.

“You will have to help your mama and Maureen in the days ahead. It will take time for them to pull themselves together. They have suffered a great loss today and we must help them all that we can.”

“Yes papa.”

Papa looked down at me and said, “You must remember to say a prayer for them when you say your prayers before bedtime.”

“Yes papa, I will, I surly will, I will pray tonight, ok?”

Papa said, “Good, now let’s get the cows into the barn and get the milking done.”

“Yes papa,” and I was off heading for the pasture to bring the cows in. I didn’t have time to play in the creek or catch frogs and explore. This day was serious and papa asked me to do a man’s job.

_______

My wife was saying something to me and I turned and said, “What was that?”

“Is there a place to stop, for the children need to use a bathroom,” she replied?

“Yes, there is a small gas station in the little town ahead, at least there use to be. My mind is taking me back to that Christmas, I am sorry,” I said.

“I understand, don’t apologize it’s ok,” she said.

The gas station was still there so we filled up with gas and used their bathroom, then headed on down the highway. We were about twenty-five miles from the farm. Then a memory came back to me and it was at the gas station we had just left, I remembered the door. It happened almost two months after we got the news about my brother Jim.

_______

“Come on Andy, and bring the hammer with you,” papa said.

“Yes papa, what are we going to do,” I asked?

“I have been hired to put a new door on this bathroom,” papa said.

I helped papa with the door, in a few hours we were done and packing up for the long ride home.

Papa asked me, “Would you like to have a bottle of Coke-A-Cola?”

“Yes,” I said with great excitement.

We started the long drive home, papa and I each with a drink. I took my time drinking mine; it was not every day a boy got a Coke-A-Cola and didn’t have to share it with someone. I finished my drink and was enjoying what was left of the fall colors as they sped by, but soon I fell asleep. The old pickup rattled down the road bringing us closer to the farm and it just sang me into slumber land.

“Andy, we’re home.” said papa as he shook me awake.

I opened my eyes to the smile of papa as he opened his door and got out. I managed to get my door open as well. I was still half asleep as I walked into the house.

“About time you two were getting home,” said mama.

I sat down at the kitchen table and watched mama bring me a glass of milk and a sugar cookie. Papa went to his wood shop to take care of his tools; they were his pride and joy. I turned back to the milk and cookie and thought how mama was not crying as much as she had been. She tried to keep herself busy about the house and farm. There is a special bond with a mother and her first born; I wished I could make things better for her. She sat down with me as I ate the cookie and drank the milk.

“You had a busy day helping papa,” she said.

“Yes mama,” I replied.

“Mama,” I asked?

“Yes Andy.”

“Mama, when is it going to start snowing?”

“Oh, it could start anytime I guess,” she answered.

“I can’t wait for the snow to come mama.”

“It will come soon enough I reckon,” she said.

“Do you think it will snow before Thanksgiving Day,” I asked?

“It might, it will come when the good Lord sends it. Now, did I ever tell you about the first snow flake and how special it is,” she said?

“No mama, tell me now, please,” I said back to her.

“Well it was my granddad who told me about the special power of the first snow flake of the season. He said when baby Jesus was born at Bethlehem in the manger the angels of God announced to the Sheppard’s in the fields with their flocks of sheep that a Savior, the Christ is born. And he said that the Arch Angel Gabriel was watching from heaven and he was rejoicing that the Messiah was born. But he also knew that the Messiah would have to die on the cross to complete the mission and save mankind. Granddad said when Gabriel thought about the agony the Messiah would go through he began to weep and one tear got by his hands and fell from heaven to the earth. When it hit the cold air of Bethlehem, it became a snow flake. It gently fell and floated, fell and floated until a small breeze blew it into the stable where baby Jesus lay in the manger. Granddad said the flake landed on the swaddling clothes and melted on the heart of baby Jesus. So God, to honor the worship of His Son by Gabriel, made the first snow flake of the season a special snow flake. Any one that can see it and catch it before it hits the ground can make a plea for a wish to come true. And to show you believe it will come true you take the drop of water from the melted snow flake and put it on your heart and your wish is good as gold.”

“Oh mama is that true,” I asked.

“Well, that is what my granddad told me when I was your age.”

“Have you ever caught the first snow flake,” I asked her?

“No Andy, I never have, but you might if you try real hard.”

“I will mama, I will try with all of my might,” I promised her.

I finished my milk and cookie, and then I put my coat and hat on so I could help papa with the chores. Mama made sure my coat was zipped up and she gave me a big hug and said, “Run along now and you be back for supper.”

“Yes mama,” I said, as I went out the door.

Wow, the first snow flake of the season, now I knew what I was going to do to help the family for Christmas. I thought as I walked to the barn about how I should plan for getting the snow flake. Papa always listened to the radio each evening. He would hear about the war and the local news, but he would hear about the weather for the next day. But he listened to the radio after my bed time. Mama would tell me the weather, no, Danny was the one, he sat with papa every night and listened to the news and weather. Yes I would ask Danny every morning about the weather. I had to catch that first snow flake.

After chores were done we were all sitting at the supper table finishing our meal together. I was still very excited about the chance of catching the snow flake. But I watched as the talk shifted back and forth, there was little talk of the war in front of Maureen, although she did not cry as much as she did in the beginning, she would get very quiet and seem to drift off into another world. She was getting better, so was mama and Danny. He seemed more like his old self every day. Danny did not use the crutches any more; he used a cane when he was walking a long distance. But he did have a very bad limp and the doctors said he would have that the rest of his life.

As for the loss of my brother Jim, papa said that time cures all hurts. I guess papa is right, it has been two months and things are getting better. I noticed when ever Jim’s name would come up though papa would have that same look on his face as he had when the army officers give us the word on Jim. His face was like a stone, hard. But I know we all missed Jim and still grieved for him. He was so much fun to have around he would bring laughter to everyone. He was always playing jokes on the family. He would sneak up behind you and grab you causing all kinds of yells and screams. Jim would laugh and laugh till the tears ran down his face. He would sneak up behind mama and grab her real quick, and then there would be a scream and sometimes the sound of a dish breaking on the floor and the sound of Jim running for cover, laughing so hard he staggered back and forth. Jim was always smiling and always ready to help when help was needed. He was the first born and he and papa worked side by side on the farm. All Jim ever wanted to be was a farmer. He met Maureen in high school and they were a pair from that time on. They got married a few months before Jim enlisted in the army; he was twenty-two when he joined up. Danny was twenty when he enlisted in the Marine Corp and shipped out to the pacific.

Mama looked over at me and said, “Get done what ever playing you want to do. I will run you some bath water and you will do a good job washing, we have church tomorrow, now be off with you. I played and got all washed and was in bed before the radio was turned on. I thought about what I was going to do and worked on my plans carefully. I thought ahead as to how I would say my wish. I didn’t want to mess this up, it was way to important and I didn’t want to catch the first snow flake and not have any idea what I would say. Then I drifted off to sleep.

_______

“Are we there yet daddy,” asked my little girl.

“No, but we are getting close now,” I replied.

We had spent one night in a motel and we now were about one hour from the farm. We would get there just at dark and a good time for arriving. Mama and papa have not seen my children since they were little babies. My son was six and my daughter was four and they had no memories of their grandparents. There was no trouble between us, it was just my job and time slipping away so quickly. Mama and papa stayed close to the farm and travelling all the way to Boston was out of the question. I made a promise to myself that I would make every effort to be with my parents on Christmas every year. My wife, bless her heart, agreed.

“Daddy?”

“Yes son.”

“Daddy, do they have Thanksgiving Day at the farm?”

“Yes they do,” I said as I smiled broadly at my wife.

“Did they have Thanksgiving Day when you were a boy?”

“Yes Jimmy, they sure did,” I replied with emotion.

_______

“Good morning mama, did it snow yet,” I asked?

“Every morning you ask me that, no not yet,” mama answered.

I ran into the living room looking for Danny. He was sitting in a chair reading a day old news paper. He looks up at me running into the room and looks straight into my eyes and says, “No snow today,” then goes back to reading his paper. This has been going on since mama told me about the first snow flake. I turned back towards the kitchen and saw Danny shaking his head and mumbling something under his breath. He looks up again and says, “Do you know what day this is?”

“Yes, it’s Thursday,” I replied.

“No, it’s Thanksgiving Day,” he said.

“Thanksgiving Day, wow, you know what this means,” I asked?

“No, what does it mean,” asked Danny?

“It means Christmas is only one month away,” I said as I tore out of the room on the hunt for papa.

No one understood the urgency that was in my heart, a month till Christmas. I found papa in the barn finishing the feeding.

“Happy Thanksgiving papa,” I said.

“Well happy Thanksgiving to you Andy,” papa replied.

“Is the turkey ready,” I asked?

“Yes, do you want to help me take it in to mama,” papa asked.

I helped papa with the turkey. He had dressed it early this morning and had hung it up in the milk house to cool down. We carried it into the house and mama took it and put in into the sink and finished preparing it for the oven. We ate our Thanksgiving meal at supper time. Papa would always do the milking a little early and we all would sit down at the table by six o’clock and papa would give thanks to the Lord and we would eat our fill, laugh and truly enjoy the time together. I hoped this year would go well with Jim being gone.

I lay in bed thinking of the good day we had had together. Thanksgiving Day is a special time for our family. After the meal and just before we had pumpkin pie, we would go around the table and each of us would share what we were thankful for. It got to Maureen’s turn and she said she was thankful for this family and the love and support each one showed her. There were a few tears shed but they were good tears and we thanked God for what He has given to our family. For the first time in many nights I drifted off to sleep without thinking of snowflakes.

_______

“We are getting close now; this is Millsburg my home town. The farm is a few miles further,” I offered.

“Daddy is this where you went to school?”

“Yes honey, this is where daddy went to school,” I answered my daughter.

My wife looked at me and said, “Are you alright, you are not getting too tired are you?”

“No dear, the memories keep flooding my mind and I am getting excited about seeing the family and the farm,” I said to her.

“Daddy is that the school you went to?”

“Yes Jimmy, that’s the one. That’s where I went to school,” I told him.

_______

“Andy are you up, it’s time to get ready for school,” mama yelled at me from the bottom of the stairs.

“Yes mama I’m up,” I said as I was putting my clothes on.

I raced down stairs and looked outside at the sky. It was barely light enough to see but I had to check. I went back to the table and asked mama, “Any snow yet mama?”

“No, no snow yet,” she said.

“The weather man said there is a slight chance this afternoon,” Danny said as he came into the kitchen from helping papa with the chores. He no longer used a cane to get around, he was doing much better but he still limped.

Danny set down at the table with a cup of coffee and looked at me and said, “They said if we don’t get snow today we may not get any till after Christmas.”

“After Christmas, mama can I stay home from school today, I can help papa in the barn,” I asked her?

“Andy, no you can’t, there is only four days of school left till Christmas vacation. Now you get ready to go down to the bus,” said mama.

“Please mama, I can help around here,” I pleaded.

“No you go to school young man,” said mama sternly.

I got my lunch bucket and put my coat, hat, boots and mittens on and headed down the lane to the highway where the bus would pick me up. I watched the sky closely as I walked the lane. I have been asking God to help me catch the first snow flake when I say my bedtime prayers. Now I asked him to hold the snow back till I can get home from school. Please God I need to catch that snow flake.

All Day in school I kept one eye on the sky. Every time I saw some motion I was afraid it was snowing. The day dragged on and on, I ate lunch and had recess and was back in the class room for studies. By the time I finally got on the bus to go home my eyes were very tired and so was I. I almost wore myself out fretting about the snow coming while I was inside and unable to get outside. But it didn’t snow; I still had a chance to catch that first flake.

The days went by sometimes they seemed to crawl, other times they seemed to fly by. School was finally out and Christmas vacation started. I jumped out of bed each morning to clear skies and no snow. Mama didn’t ask me about my desire to catch the first snow flake much anymore. I believe she worried just a little about how determined I was to do this thing. She really didn’t know the half of it; I was totally determined to do this.

It was now December 23 and we still had no snow. Papa said he couldn’t remember it taking so long to snow. We had finished dinner and papa asked if I wanted to go with him and Danny to cut a Christmas tree. Mama made sure I was dressed warm and we all headed to the hill back of the farm. Papa drove the tractor and Danny and I rode the trailer. We reached the grove of pine trees and papa shut the tractor off and we three began to look the trees over to find the best one. They all looked good to me but papa was very fussy about his Christmas tree. We spent an hour looking all over the hill of pines.

“This is the one,” said papa.

“That’s a beauty,” I said.

“Danny said, “You really know how to find good trees in all of this.”

Papa let me do the sawing, even though it took me a long time to get the job done.

“Make sure you cut it straight, anything you do, do your best,” papa told me.

“Yes papa,” I said.

I slowed down trying to make sure my cut run true. I wanted to please papa.

“Always take pride in the work you do and do the best job you can,” offered papa.

“But the bible says pride is a bad thing papa,” I asked?

“Your right Andy, it does. But this is not the kind of pride mentioned in the bible. The kind of pride the bible says is bad, is the kind that you can see on a man and it hurts all those around the prideful man. The kind of pride I am talking about no one can see, and it hurts no one,” papa explained.

I made my cut with the saw and it turned out fairly well. Papa said it was a good job. We loaded it up and started for home. Danny started to sing the song Oh Christmas Tree as we went down the farm road home. Danny had a beautiful voice and papa and I loved to hear him sing. We reached home and got the tree inside. Papa got the tree stand out and set the tree in it and filled the stand with water.

“There, we are ready for tomorrow and the trimming of the tree,’ said papa.

“The tree is perfect,” offered Maureen.

We finished the day with chores and supper and had a good family time just looking at the tree and talking. I loved the smell of the pine tree. It made the house smell so good; even with all the baking being done for Christmas the pine tree still smelled above the other smells. It has become a scent that belongs with Christmas. It was past my bed time so I went up without anyone telling me to. I got into bed and then jumped back out; I forgot to say my bed time prayers. I asked God to bless mama and papa, I asked him to bless Danny and Maureen. I asked Him to make Christmas really good this year and as usual I asked Him for the first snow flake of the season, amen.

_______

“There s the old Dunbar place, we are two miles from the lane going to the farm,” I offered.

“It seems so long since we have been here,” My wife said.

I looked at my wife and thought how lucky, no, how blessed I was to have her. We met at an evening service at church; she had come to Millsburg with a close friend. The friend was visiting her cousin that lived in town. I walked up to her and said, “My name is Andy Miller,” and held out my hand. She took it and said, “My name is June Collins and I am so glad to meet you. As they say, the rest is history. She and the kids are my life and I have come to understand my parents much better.

“Daddy, will Santa Clause be able to find us on the farm,” my daughter asked?

“Yes sweetheart, you will see Christmas morning,” I reassured her.

_______

I opened my eyes and looked out the bedroom window, not snowing. I threw on my clothes and raced down the stairs to the kitchen. Everyone was sitting around the table and I jumped into my chair.

Papa looks at me and smiles and said, “I thought you were going to sleep the whole day away.”

“Not on Christmas Eve papa, this is a big day,” I replied to him.

“Mama?”

“No snow yet,” she said smiling.

“No,” said Danny shaking his head.

Papa looked at Danny and said, “What is all of this about?”

So Danny told him about our morning routine.

Papa looked at me and said, “It will snow soon, I would get your sled dusted off and oiled so it will be ready to take to the hills.”

Papa and Danny left to take care of some feeding that needed to be done. I had forgotten about sled riding with my attention focused on the first snow flake. I made my mind up I could do both, because sled riding was as much fun as drinking hot chocolate. My day was filling up fast. I looked at Maureen sitting at the table; she smiled and said, “It will snow Andy.”

I was about to say something to her while I was looking out the window. Movement high in the sky, I looked closer, and then burst out of the kitchen door making a bang with the door that scared Maureen and mama. I tripped on the steps of the porch and went sprawling out across the yard, realizing I only had my socks on. I jumped up and ran towards the barn then stopped and ran back towards the house. I was running back and forth while mama and Maureen were standing at the kitchen door. They must think I am crazy or something. But I was focused on a special, all alone, white, drifting snow flake. I kept myself under it and knew this was my only chance to catch it. Slowly it came towards my hands, closer, closer, almost here and a small breeze blew it towards the barn. I leaped towards the barn with both hands stretched out as far as I could, yelling, “Please no.” I hit the ground on my stomach naturally closing my eyes, then I slowly opened them and looked into the cups of my hands and there it was, a fluffy white snow flake, the first snow flake of the season, “Gotcha!” I never moved a muscle; I said my wish, word for word as I had planned it. Then I smiled and felt the most, the warmest feeling inside that I have ever felt, “Thank you.”

“Andy are you alright,” yelled mama.

“Yes mama, I’m fine,” I answered her.

“Well, get into the house, you don’t have a coat on and you are in your stocking feet,” mama ordered.

I ran back into the house keeping my hands cupped and went in. Mama looked at me when I came in and was going to say something, but I lifted my hand up so she could see the melted snow flake. Her eyes started to fill with tears and she turned suddenly and went to the sink to finish what she was doing. She looked back at me once, smiling with tears running down her face then went back to her work. I sat down in my chair; Maureen had sat back down in hers across from me finishing her coffee. I opened my hand slowly and looked at the small drop of water.

“What’s that, is it a drop of water,” Maureen asked?

“No, it’s not a drop of water, its Gabriel’s tear, I explained.

Mama stood still and Maureen said, “Gabriel’s tear? What are you going to do with it?”

“Watch,” I said, and I took my hand and put it quickly to my heart and held it there.

“What did you do that for, putting your hand on your heart,” asked Maureen?

“Isn’t that where you keep the important stuff,” I replied.

Mama dropped a dish to the floor.

I dressed and went outside to the machine shed. I was looking for my sled. It was where papa put it last Spring. I got it down and wiped it free of dust and started rubbing the runners with a stone to get the rust off. I then took it to the shop and found Danny working on a handle of a manure fork. He looked up as I came in and went back to the job at hand.

“I need some oil for my sled,” I said.

He just pointed to a shelf and kept working. I got the oil down and rubbed the runners and put some on the steering bar.

“There, she’s ready for some snow,” I said loud enough so Danny could hear.

“That’s nice Andy, now go play I want to get this done before dinner,” Danny said.

I went outside and stood there for a moment thinking about the snow flake. Suddenly without realizing it there was snow falling all around me. It took a few seconds for it to sink in. Then I let a war hoop out of me that brought Danny out of the shop on a dead run. Papa threw the door open on the milk house and mama and Maureen came running to the porch. It’s snowing I screamed. Everyone had run out looking at me and they didn’t notice the snow at first. I stood there with my head back and my mouth open and my arms held straight out from my sides, catching snowflakes and laughing at the same time. I had startled everybody but they too were enjoying the snow. The flakes were huge and fell so thick you couldn’t see the barn from the shop. I let out another yell and started running around the yard.

“Come on mama it’s snowing,” I said.

Everyone stepped out into the snow and I think for a second they all felt like kids again. The snow fell hard and began to pile up.

Papa came over to the shop and said, “This is going to add up fast.”

We stood there watching it snow when mama yelled for dinner. We marched through the snow leaving tracks behind us. We sat down to a wonderful dinner and talked and laughed.

After dinner I went back outside and played in the snow. I made a snow man and then I made a wall for a fort and I was standing there thinking how I could make an igloo, when all at once a snow ball hits me in the back, I turned around and saw Danny laughing and he said, “A pretty good throw, huh.”

“That was nothing,” I said as I grabbed a hand full of snow and quickly made a snow ball and hit him as he turned to go back into the shop. Then the war was on, I ducked in behind my fort wall and prepared for battle. The snow balls were flying back and forth with comments “Missed me, gotcha with that one.” Then I looked up and papa was walking to the house carrying a basket of eggs. He looks at Danny then at me and says, “Don’t even think about it.” Danny began to smile and he had that twinkle in his eye that I haven’t seen for a long time. Papa was just past the line of fire between Danny and me, when Danny let loose with a snow ball at papa, I joined in and papa started to run for the house weaving back and forth till he made it to the porch and he never lost an egg. He turns around to us and gives the “V” sign for victory and then ducks into the kitchen as the snow balls hit the door behind him. Danny fell into the snow he was laughing so hard and I caught the giggles too and folded up into the snow behind me. I blurted out, “Did you see papa run,” and we laughed again. It was a good time and I was glad to see Danny having some fun and laughing again.

Mama sticks her head out of the door and yells, “You two trouble makers like a cup of hot chocolate? If so get in here while it’s hot.”

We sat at the table still laughing and having a grand time, even papa.

“Papa, when are we going to trim the tree,” I asked?

“After supper, just like we always do,” papa replied.

“Can I go in and look at the tree for a second,” I asked papa?

“Yes, for a second, then we have to get the milking done so we can enjoy mama and Maureen’s cooking, so hurry along,” papa said.

I went into the living room and sat down on the floor in front of the tree. Papa sure new his trees; this was a perfect tree. I tried to imagine what the tree would look like with all the lights and decorations on it. We would have fun tonight trimming the tree; I would try to make it fun.

“Time to go to the barn you two,” yelled papa.

I got up and seen that Danny was standing behind me looking at the tree.

“She’s a beut, huh Danny,” I said?

“Danny looks long at the tree, and then he says soberly, “There was a time in the Pacific that I thought I would never see a Christmas tree again.”

I grabbed his hand and said, “It’s ok now, you’re ok now, let’s go help papa.”

We turned and headed for the barn and the milking that needed done.

We finished our chores and waded through the snow back to the kitchen. It was dark but the light in the kitchen window felt warm and inviting. Papa thought there must be ten inches of fallen snow already. We stepped into the warmth of the kitchen and the wonderful smells of the hot food. We hung up our coats and hats, took off our boots and washed up for supper. After everyone was sat down, papa gave thanks for the food and for the love that was in this family. He thanked God that He was in control and He loved us all, amen. We ate like kings and queens. We had roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked corn, and baked beans. There would be pie waiting for our desert. We ate and we laughed, then we ate some more. It was a grand time and I said to God under my breath, “thank you.”

After the huge supper mama and Maureen cleaned the table and did the dishes. We men went to the attic to get the decoration and bring them down the small ladder that went into the attic from the hall way. Papa and I went up into the attic while Danny stayed at the bottom of the ladder to set the boxes on the floor. Papa directed me to the boxes after he found the light switch. I slid the boxes, one at a time to papa. He then handed them down to Danny. We got all four boxes down and we came down to Danny and hauled them down to the living room. Mama and Maureen were finishing up in the kitchen as we set the boxes by the tree.

Mama came into the living room carrying a tray of cookies and eggnog and one big mug of hot chocolate. I didn’t care for eggnog, hot chocolate was my drink. Papa opened each box and mama would carefully unpack everything. Papa and Danny got the lights out and tested them before they put them on the tree. It use to be papa and Jim who put the lights on the tree, but no one said anything. Danny started to sing Jingle Bells and we all joined in as we trimmed the tree. When we finished we sat in the chairs and the couch and was delighted with the tree. We sang carols and talked well past my bed time. Mama put the empty boxes in the closet and made the room look neat as a pin. Then the dogs started barking.

“Now what’s going on,” papa said as he went to the door and opened it to see what was there.

“Did you see anything papa, “I asked.

“No, not a thing,” papa said as he come back inside and sat down.

The dogs quit barking and we settled down to enjoy what was left of our evening around the Christmas tree. There was small talk and laughter and a good Christmas spirit. While everyone was talking and laughing suddenly Maureen got still as death. She put her hand on her heart and looked down at the floor. Her face was white and her eye brows were pulled together and her forehead was wrinkled up.

“Good grief child, are you all right,” asked mama as she went to her side.

Maureen didn’t say a word; she slowly got up and started for the kitchen. Her breath was coming in short, shallow bursts. We all got up and followed her into the kitchen. I was getting scared; I had never seen anything like this before. Danny come up to her and said, “Sis, are you ok, let me help you to a chair.”

She just waved him back and stopped in front of the kitchen door that goes out to the porch. She stood there for several minutes, then very slowly she reached for the door knob and turned it till the door started to come open. At the same time we could hear footsteps on the porch. Danny came quickly to her side as she flung the door wide open. There was a man standing in the dark of the porch covered from head to toe with snow. Maureen just leaped into the arms of the man and screamed so loud it made our ears ring. The man pushes his way into the kitchen and the light, now it was mama’s turn to scream and she did, for standing in front of us was Jim. Danny went to mama’s side to support her for she was starting to go down. He held her up as Jim with Maureen in his arm came over to mama and kissed her and put his other arm around her. Jim put his hand on Danny’s cheek and the tears were flowing now. I had stayed back not wanting to get in the way. Then we heard the crying, papa was setting at the table with his head in his arms and he was shaking and crying. Jim stepped away from everyone and knelt by papa’s side putting his hand on papa’s shoulder.

“It’s alright now papa, I’m home,” Jim said to papa.

Papa turned in the chair and put his arms around Jim and kissed him on the cheek and both men cried in each other’s arms.

I remember asking papa one time, “Do grown men cry?” Papa said if they do there is nothing wrong with it. He said, “Jesus was a strong man, but yet he cried over a city and over a man.”

I thought about it later, no one knew how much pain papa had been in since hearing of Jim’s death and how he took that pain and loved his family. I guess seeing Jim there it just came out all at once.

Jim and papa settled down and Jim sees me standing in the corner of the kitchen. He stands up and said, “Andy.” I walked over to him and said, “It’s about time you were getting home.” He grabbed me in those big arms and I was feeling my big brother again.

“About time huh, you knew I was coming,” he said?

“Yep, I did,” I said back to him with a big grin on my face.

Everyone laughed and mama started to make some hot chocolate for everyone. We all sat at the table and Jim told us what had happened.

“My plane was all shot up and the engine quit. My chute was torn up from shrapnel flying around in the cockpit. I didn’t have a scratch on me. I rode the plane in trying to keep enough speed to glide it to the ground. Just before it hit the ground I slid the canopy back and before it stopped sliding I jumped out of the plane and ran for the woods. The plane exploded and burst into flames. I was in Germany, but the way the plane burned no one thought I had survived. I hid in the woods for a couple of days slowly moving towards France. Once I got over the border I was picked up by French partisans. They got me to the US lines and eventually back to England. Everything there was in a mess because of the German offensive in the Ardennes. And the city of Bastogne was surrounded with American paratroopers inside the city. So I took it on myself to get home after they told me I had leave coming. I flew to the states and made my way here. I walked all the way from Millsburg because the roads were snowed in, and here I am.

We talked and cried and laughed around the table just like old times. Jim had heard about Danny’s wound before he went down. But he didn’t know how bad it was.

Then mama looked at Maureen and said,”You knew he was out there didn’t you.”

“I can’t explain it but my heart knew I guess,” Maureen said.

Mama said, “Love is more powerful than all the weapons of war.”

Papa said, “Andy, you better get to bed now, we are coming shortly.”

“Yes papa,” I said as I gave my big brother a hug and said, “Merry Christmas Jim.”

“Merry Christmas Andy,” Jim said as I headed towards the stairs.

It was a good thing it was so late, because after my prayers and my thanks to God for Jim’s return and the first snow flake, I hopped into bed and barely had the covers pulled up and I was asleep. That night I dreamed of snowflakes that swirled around Jim; my big brother.

The sun was up and I was still in bed. It had been a long night and late to bed meant late to get up for me. I thought about last night and it seemed like a dream. Was Jim really home? I got up and dressed, then went out into the hall. I stopped outside the door where Maureen and Jim’s room was. Slowly I opened the door and sure enough Jim was looking at me from under the covers. He threw a pillow at me and started to laugh his special laugh.

“Merry Christmas Jim, Merry Christmas Maureen,” who now was peeping out from under the quilt.

I turned and ran down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“Merry Christmas mama, Merry Christmas papa, Merry Christmas Danny,” I said with spirit.

They each returned my greeting and mama brought me a glass of milk as I sat down at the table. Soon Jim and Maureen came down the stairs and joined us at the table. Mama had breakfast ready to serve. We all sat down and papa said the blessing, “We thank you our Heavenly Father for the return of Jim to his family, we thank you for the protection you gave him and Danny when they were at war. And we pray for those who are still at war that you would protect them and bring this war to a speedy end. We thank you for this day and what it means to us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We thank you for the food and the love of this family. And we ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

Papa prayed a good prayer; it was one we all wanted to hear. The food was passed around and mama and Maureen fussed over Jim all through breakfast. With the joy of Jim being home we never thought to go to the tree to see if there was anything under it, we had our Christmas present at the table with us.

“Maureen all smiles said, “Andy you’re not asking if it snowed yet?”

“No, don’t have to now,” I answered her.

“Because it snowed yesterday,” she said?

“No, because I caught the first snow flake of the season,” I replied.

“The first snow flake, what’s that all about,” asked Danny?

“Tell them mama,” I said with a mouth full of pancakes and maple syrup.

So mama told them what her Granddad had told her and what she had told me about the first snow flake that fell at Bethlehem; how it was from the tear of Gabriel. Everyone stopped eating, except me, and looked at mama and then their eyes rested on me.

Maureen said, “That’s what you were doing when you placed that drop of water on your heart?”

“Yep,” I said not looking up, and putting more pancakes into my mouth, boy how I loved mama’s pancakes.

Maureen said, “When you caught the snow flake, what did you wish for?”

“That Jesus would make Jim alive,” mama can I have another pancake please?

Mama was fighting back tears as she put another pancake on my plate.

Brother Jim looked at me for the longest time and then he said, “You believed that Jesus would make me alive and bring me home?”

“Uh-huh,” Could I have the butter and maple syrup please.

Papa said, “You never doubted, not even for a second?”

“Nope, didn’t you say Jesus can do anything,” I said thru a mouth full of pancakes and syrup.

Papa was quiet for a time and then he said, “Yes I did, indeed, yes He can.”

_______

“Alright kids we’re here now,” I said as we drove up the lane and stopped in the yard by the kitchen door. The door flew open and out comes Jim and Maureen with their three boys, then mama and papa and finally Danny and Sara with their twin boys. Jim opened the door for June to get out and gave her one of his bear hugs and then I got out with Jimmy and Susan. Then there were hugs and kisses all around as we made our way into the kitchen. When I got inside the doorway I stopped and looked, everything seemed just the same as when I was growing up here. Mama had the table set and managed to sit everyone at the table. I don’t think I ever saw it so long before. When everyone was settled and all the hellos were done we sat down at the table. Papa asked the blessing and gave thanks for our family then we ate a wonderful meal as a family should. When we finished, the ladies cleared the table and did the dishes. I was pleased to see June get right in there with the rest of them and help, she fit in well. I got up and went out for our suit cases and Jim helped me take them up stairs.

“You’re in your old room,” Jim said.

“Jim it does my heart good to see you,” I said.

He gave me a big hug again and we went down stairs. Mama with the help of her daughter’s in-law brought into the living room hot chocolate for everyone and we all sat down, kids on the floor and watched papa and mama get the boxes of decoration out. The tree as usual was perfect and our time together trimming the tree was perfect too. It was a happy time but now it was time to put the kids to bed. We got everybody up stairs and in bed. I came down to the kitchen and said good night to mama and papa. We hugged again and they went to bed. I sat down at the table with my two brothers and we talked.

“How is the mill doing,” I asked Danny.

“Fine, business is booming. We live in a house just outside of town now. But mama wanted us to be here for Christmas,” Danny said.

We talked about everything and caught up with each other’s lives. Jim was happy here on the farm and one day we knew he would take it over when papa was gone. And that was fine with Danny and me. Jim’s heart was here on the farm, just like papa.

Danny asked me, “You like living in Boston?”

“I thought I did, till I came back to the farm, now I’m not so sure,” I said.

“You remember Jake Clark,” asked Jim?

“Yes, he gave me my first job at his paper,” I answered.

Danny said, “I talked with him the other day and he said he was tired of the winter and cold and snow, he was heading for Florida to stay. Then he asked if you were still working for that news paper in Boston. He said if you ever show your face around here again to stop in and he would make you a deal on his news paper you could not refuse.”

Jim said, “If it were me, I’d take it.”

“You would huh, doesn’t sound too bad, just how certain is it,” I said.

It’s set in stone, the price is ridiculously cheap and the bank will give you the money without question,” Danny said.

“You got it all worked out the two of you,” I said.

“Well actually the four of us, mama and papa are in on it too,” offered Jim.

We talked some more and then got up and took care of what was needed under the tree and said goodnight and went to bed.

I went into my old bed room and June was still awake. The kids were sound asleep. I sat down on the edge of the bed and undressed and put my pajamas on and sat there thinking and finally said to June, “You like it here at the farm?”

“Yes I do, I love your family, each and everyone,” she said.

“How would you like to move here permanently,” I said as I was staring at the wall.

“Would you like to move back,” she said?

“Honey, I asked you first,” I said.

“I know, but I want to know if you want to,” she said.

“Yes, being back here feels right and its more than a bit of homesickness,” I said.

“Good, that is what I have been waiting to hear. I have been praying for months that God would open a door and lead us back here to live,” she offered.

I was surprised but pleased to hear that, “So it looks like you got your wish.”

“There was never any doubt,” she confessed.

I looked over at her and smiled then said, “Hey, you been catching snowflakes?”

Hope’s Heart the Journey to Free

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:39:00 +0000

I count the days, they have given much,

The earth has spun for countless years.

I miss her smile and her loving touch,

She left me early though I kept her with

my tears.

Oh my youth before the pain lighthearted am I,

Then the storm and its rain hovered over me.

Oh my mind it is time, time for one more try,

Once again to float on high, again to fly to Free.

Time, oh time you were once my friend,

But now you have seeped through my being.

There is no time’s companion, just the end,

I wish for the journey, again, I could be dreaming.

Oh cloud where, oh cloud come, please,

Take me once more on high.

To dance and roam thru the starry seas,

To hear the echo of my joyful cry.

I close my eyes and it starts to come,

The memory of when the cloud came to me.

And once took me on the journey from,

My bedroom to the far away land of Free.

He was at my window, hovering there,

Beckoning for me to come and see.

Opening the window I saw his smiling stare,

As he says, “Come with me to the land of Free.”

Going over the sill and on his back,

We shot off into the sky.

Rising high up in the night so black,

The cloud and I did amazingly fly.

Then says he, “Come and see,

You will always be, dreaming of Free.”

I was then a lad of ten, when it began,

Soaring high the cloud and I did fly.

Oh says he, “What must this be,

Come see,”

With a rush and a whispered hush,

We burst into the starry sea.

We slowed our pace so I could taste,

The nectar and sweetness of outer space.

Then a voice crystal clear touched my ear,

Then says he, “Have no fear, do come near.”

“Ursa Major am I, and glad you came by,

Bend over the lip and take a dip,

From my cup refresh and sup,

Before you continue to fly.”

The cloud he waited by the rim,

While I swim he talked to him.

Climbing out on high with a joyful cry,

Away we did fly and I was dry.

There was a squeak and I took a peek,

“I am small, not very tall,” says he,

It was a little fellow floating up on high.

It was Ursa Minor with an audible sigh.

Oh sighs he, “Slow down and see,

Because I am meek my shine is weak.

But within my sight there is a light,

Holding tight while guiding men thru the night.”

I looked as we passed and gave a wave,

I liked the way he did behave.

We speed-ed up the cloud and I did fly,

Looking back I yelled very loud, “Goodbye.”

Looking ahead away we sped,

Another voice I could hear.

Coming here to my ear,

Sounding clear and very near.

“Orion am I, just come on by.”

“Oh,” says I, in a jubilant cry,

“Hello, how lovely to fly,”

Orion danced, just him and I.

The cloud says he, “we must be off to Free,”

So I climbed on board and away we soared.

Then says I, “To where do we fly,

And of this journey can you tell me why?”

Oh says he, “There is something to see,

Soon there we will be and you will see Free.”

As we traveled thru the sea,

I laughed as joy came full into me.

Suddenly it becomes day from some shinning array,

A shinning city meant to be,

By the radiantly flowing glass sea.

As we drew near without any fear,

The emerald city sparkled crystal clear.

Towards the now visible city lay in shinning array,

We swooped down, with speed we made no sound.

As we slowed I could see, someone looking back at me,

It was a she, glowing, loving, but who could it be.

The cloud just smiled,

“Don’t you fret, and the time is not ready for you yet.”

I wanted to play, I longed to stay,

“Let’s not go,” says I, The cloud began to cry.

Alas says he, “Lovingly, we must flee,

This must not be.”

There is something there that seems so fair,

Looking back at the halos glow, love did flow.

Then says I, “Why do I cry,

Why is she apart, why is there aching in my heart?”

Then says he, “You have seen Free,

It is time to go home you and me.”

Then says I, “Tell me why,”

Silence, as the cloud and I homeward fly.

I open my old eyes as I lay in my bed,

My old weak heart still feels the joy of Free.

Then reality comes with its ugly head,

My life’s partner gone, alone, it’s just me.

How can I continue while counting the seconds toil?

How can I lay still on this cold dark bed?

No more can I absorb a lonely life’s recoil,

While waiting for someone to say, “He’s dead.”

My heart misses a beat, I falter,

Movement by the window catches my eye.

It’s the cloud by my windows alter,

Whispering, “It’s OK, let us fly, you and I."

As I rise from my body prone,

As I seek to look through this lifeless shroud.

Dare I finally dream I am going home?

Dare I dream of a journey and a cloud?

The cloud just turned with a quiet calm,

Soothing like a healing balm.

Mounted again on high,

The cloud and I, away we fly.

Old cloud my old friend, what is just around the bend.

From the start says he, It was time for you to see,

Hope’s heart and your destiny.

Hope’s heart and the journeys end.

As we fly within the starry sea,

I ponder what is to become of me.

Suddenly in my ear, I can hear,

“Hello my old friend, this is not the end.”

“Ursa Major am I, I once dipped my cup,

Now you are all grown up,

And well you fly as you pass by.

How good of you to slow and say hi.”

“Oh cloud”, says I, “Where do we fly,

And what passes by from on high”.

Look says he, “There is a friend,

You face life’s beginning not its end.”

Ursa Miner gives a wave that is so small,

But he looks as if he has grown so tall.

“Hello says he, you must be,

On your way to the land of Free.”

“Yes”, says I, “That is why we fly,

And is why we pass you by.”

“Good”, says he, “A joyful journey to Free,

Nice of you to slow and say hi to me.”

As we fly around the sea,

The hunter looms in front of me.

The cloud slows and Orion knows,

“It is good you to see”, says he.

We passed our friends and heard their say,

Then we came to the city of shinning array.

We landed on the very spot,

The one I have always sought.

I put my foot down upon the ground,

And slowly turned to look around.

There was someone looking back at me,

It was that she, glowing, loving here at Free.

Her face no trace as I thought about my life,

And how much in love I was with my wife.

The tears came and I began to cry,

The cloud hovered over me and gave a sigh.

Then says he, “It is your destiny,

This you see is your journey to Free.

You saw her then and love began,

It grew thru life as your wife.

And will grow thru eternity,

You have come home to the land of Free.

With that the she turns full around to me,

Her face I finally see, realizing my destiny.

For that she is She,

The one that is dearest to me.

That old cloud turned gray and started to swell,

His eyes filled with water and raindrops fell.

His heart beat with glee, he smiled deep at me,

“Welcome my old friend”, said he,

Welcome home to the land of Free.”

I turned to her outstretched hands reaching for me,

Again our hearts were joined, this time forever.

We will be one now and always for all eternity,

A love that grows as one that nothing can sever.

Hope’s heart is birthed in youth,

And grows with the passing of time.

Love comes with the lives of truth,

And may your journey to Free be kind.

By T. A. Cline

Trusting God!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:53:00 +0000

It has been hot and humid today to finish the month of August. It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the first day of September, where has the summer gone. Fall is right around the corner, then winter.

I saw something today that was totally out of place. I was driving by the woods next to our farm and I saw a two week old fawn standing there. The reason it was out of place is because it is three months late being born. The chances of it surviving the winter are very slim indeed. But the fawn doesn't know that he is in trouble; he will trust his mother and take it a day at a time.

How often we find ourselves in situations that seem there is no way out. Like the fawn we can't do anything about it. But, like the fawn we can trust, either a friend or family member. If no one can help we can turn to the one who is always ready to help and trust Him. It is the one we should have turned to right from the beginning. Trusting God usually is last on our list, when it should have been the first.

As for the fawn, who knows, he may well survive the winter and become a great buck one day.

May God bless,

The Old Farmer

Celtic Woman, "Thank You".

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:34:00 +0000

In my youth I dreamed of becoming a great writer, lighting the fires of emotion with beautiful poems and inspiring stories. But life takes a toll and you wake up one morning and realize life is fleeting and the years have passed by. But the dreams of youth are never far away if you are blessed with a heart that stays young, and mine is. I am still reaching for my dreams.

I have put together the few poems that I have written over the years and added a great many more. They are now in my book, "The Old Corner Post", recently updated. I have also started writing a book that I have longed dreamed of doing. There are times when writing is very hard the words and thoughts refuse to come, "writers block". That is when I need inspiration and it comes in the form of music delivered by the group, Celtic Woman. These ladies have a way of lifting you and giving hope along with inspiration. I first heard them about a year ago and I am so glad that I did. I wrote a poem trying in a humble way to say thank you. They are the greatest, thank you again beautiful ladies.

Irish Choir and Bow

They sing and I delight,
My heart jumps with their voices, melody lingers.
They sing and I write,
As moon beams collect on the tips of my fingers.

They sing and I dream,
My mind swirls with a perfect cadence tome.
They sing and I beam,
As creativity rises high then settles softly home.

They sing and I admire,
Their beauty as it caresses each wondrous note.
They sing and I aspire,
To give the world the greatest story ever wrote.

They sing and I cry,
As I bring great emotion to the written word.
They sing and I try,
To echo their goodness in stories never heard.

They sing and I hear,
The vibrating strings of one of sweetness.
They sing and I cheer,
The musical bow of beauty’s completeness.

They sing and I live,
Because they offer hope to lift and inspire.
They sing and I give,
Thank you beautiful ladies the perfect Irish choir.

By Theodore A. Cline (With a grateful heart.)

Family

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:16:00 +0000

Family is a biblical unit that is self propagating, whose strength is in its ability to love, forgive and forget, and is the building block for a powerful country, and an ambassador for a powerful God.

Susan Boyle, The Swan!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:09:00 +0000

The world found in Susan Boyle a place to bring their emotions and let them flow with their desire to see something good, pure, and joyful. Their hunger for good news has caused them to rally and rejoice together. She represents hope and steadfast patience in faith. She came at the right time and in the right fashion.

But it is more than that for many of us. We are the “Ugly Ducklings” that dreamed of becoming a beautiful swan. But life, like the song she sang, has emptied that dream and though it is not forgotten, it has become mute. Many of us never had the chance to see our dreams realized. So we shoved them beneath the strife of living and dare not let them surface. We have gone through life normal, happy, and doing what is needed. But, know it or not, we are very sensitive of our dreams and the knowledge that we still in a small part are “Ugly Ducklings”.

So when we see Susan Boyle come before the judges and audience, and was ridiculed and laughed at, we become her. We are “Ugly Ducklings” again. We become one with her because we each have our own “Ugly Duckling” traits and we rally for self-preservation. She is one of us.

Then she sings and every captive, “Ugly Duck”, trapped feeling explodes. And for one beautiful brief moment we all become swans through her. And the tears come, out of control, but they are so good and they flow with pure honest rejoicing. Suddenly all our troubles are gone, all our worries have vanished and we have peace as we sit on the pinnacle of pure gratification.

Our faith is restored and we know that God still loves us and will still orchestrate the right medicine for us at the right time. He shows His strength through our weaknesses. Susan Boyle is God’s elixir for hope and joy.

We do not know what the future holds for us, but for one beautiful moment we soared free on the pure wings of a swan.

The Old Farmer

The Three Pillars of America! (part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:33:00 +0000

In this part I will talk about the second pillar, Country. Country is not real estate, dirt, earth or land. A land without people is an empty land. And land with a certain type of people in it, is still an empty land. Country is the right kind of people dominating the landscape and holding a certain philosophy. I will give my definition of what I think Country is.

Country: Is the self-sacrificing lives that are bound together by a common faith and constitution, and have a strong desire for liberty and freedom, and is handed down to future generations by Blood, Sweat and Tears, and is resistant to tyrannical brutes from within and without.

When our forefathers came to this land they were divided in nationalities, ethnic roots, and loyalties. But as they drew closer to 1776 they were to be drawn together in ways that must of surprised them greatly. The one thing that they had in common was their Christian faith. For the great majority was of the Christian persuasion.

In the early seventeen hundreds, it was the preachers that preached from God's word that all men were created equal. That God was not a respecter of persons. That all, rich or poor, free on bonded, powerful or weak, all had to come to God in the same manner.

An example of this from the evangelist, George Whitfield. He preached in Philadelphia to thirty thousand people this sermon.
"Father Abraham, whom do you have there in Heaven?
Any Baptist? No answer.
Any Presbyterians? No answer.
Any Methodists? No Answer.
Any Congregationalist? Still no answer. He would go through all the denominations.
Finally he would say, Father Abraham, whom do you have there in Heaven?
He would answer his own query.
We do not know those names here, all we have here are those whose robes have been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, that's who we have here."

Historians have said that the War for Independence was a child of the pulpit.

People started to be drawn together by a common need and belief, but it still was not yet Country.

As the war started and progressed, men of all strips stood side by side against a powerful foe, the British. They, our forefathers, would rally time and time again to try to drive the British back to England, but with little success. All seemed to be lost and there was little hope. Then came Valley Forge.

The revisionists and politically correct, like to tell us that the fear of being shot for desertion is what kept the solders in Valley Forge. I am sure that there was some that tried to leave, but not the masses that they say were. If the solders desired to leave, it would not have been that hard, but they did not. You have to look at what took place during that winter and what happened afterward. This is how I see it after studying the facts.

It was not fear that held them together, it was the hand of God. Let me explain how I came to that conclusion.

In the freezing winter of 1777, General George Washington was burdened with the lack of supplies for his troops camped at Valley Forge, and the overwhelming superiority of the British forces. Soldiers died at the rate of twelve per day, with many not even having blankets or shoes. The Commander in Chief himself, records the desperate state in a letter he wrote from Valley Forge to John Banister:

No history, now extant, can furnish an instance of an Army's suffering such uncommon hardships as ours has done and bearing them with the same patience and fortitude.

To see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lay on, without shoes, by which their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet, and almost as often without provisions as with; marching through frost and snow, and at Christmas taking up their winter quarters within a day's march of the enemy, without a house or hutt to cover them till they could be built and submitting without a murmur, is a mark of patience and obedience which in my opinion can scarce be paralleled.

On February 16, a civilian named John Joseph Stoudt would write in his diary:

For some days there has been little less than a famine in the camp . . . Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been excited ere this by their suffering, to a general mutiny and dispersion. Indeed, the distress of the army for want of provisions is perhaps beyond anything you can conceive . . . .

With all this suffering one would think that all is lost, not so according to a soldier that gave this comment to a local paper.

"Our attention is now drawn to one point: the enemy grows weaker every day, and we are growing stronger. Our work is almost done, and with the blessing of heaven, and the valor of our worthy General, we shall soon drive these plunders out of our country!"

In 1777 while the American army lay at Valley Forge, a good old Quaker by the name of Potts had occasion to pass through a thick woods near headquarters. As he traversed the dark brown forest, he heard, at a distance before him, a voice which as he advanced became more fervid and interested.

Approaching with slowness and circumspection, whom should he behold in a dark bower, apparently formed for the purpose, but the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United Colonies on his knees in the act of devotion to the Ruler of the Universe!
At the moment when Friend Potts, concealed by the trees, came up, Washington was interceding for his beloved country. With tones of gratitude that labored for adequate expression he adored that exuberant goodness which, from the depth of obscurity, had exalted him to the head of a great nation, and that nation fighting at fearful odds for all the world holds dear....

Soon as the General had finished his devotions and had retired, Friend Potts returned to his house, and threw himself into a chair by the side of his wife. "Heigh! Isaac!" said she with tenderness, "thee seems agitated; what's the matter?"
"Indeed, my dear" quoth he, "if I appear agitated 'tis no more than what I am. I have seen this day what I shall never forget. Till now I have thought that a Christian and a soldier were characters incompatible; but if George Washington be not a man of God, I am mistaken, and still more shall I be disappointed if God does not through him perform some great thing for this country."

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor of the Lutheran church near Valley Forge and one of the founders of the Lutheran Church in America, noted concerning General Washington:

I heard a fine example today, namely, that His Excellency General Washington rode around among his army yesterday and admonished each and every one to fear God, to put away the wickedness that has set in and become so general, and to practice the Christian virtues. From all appearances, this gentleman does not belong to the so-called world of society, for he respects God's Word, believes in the atonement through Christ, and bears himself in humility and gentleness. Therefore, the Lord God has also singularly, yea, marvelously, preserved him from harm in the midst of countless perils, ambuscades, fatigues, etc., and has hitherto graciously held him in His hand as a chosen vessel.

There are two things to point out here, the powerful faith in God of George Washington and the growing strength and unity of the soldiers. They were being tempered into hardened steel, They were being purified and refined by the refiner of the Universe. He was molding them into an army. He would produce here an army that would be the foundation for victory, not just for this war, but for all wars to come to America. At Valley Forge, God was performing a miracle that would show the world that the God of the Universe dwells with men.

The colonial army limped into Valley Forge bloodied, beaten and with out hope. They left Valley Forge with confidence, ability and as a band of brothers, they were the Army of The United States of America, and the British would never drive them from the field of battle again.

An excerpt from "The Light and the Glory" shines a clear light on what these soldiers meant to America and General George Washington: "From this time forth, Washington never needed to worry about another year-end enlistment lag; men were now signing up for three-year tours. But regardless of the contracted length of their tour, the veterans of Valley Forge were in for the duration, and would not think of leaving until the job was done. And when hardest assignments came-the frontal attacks, the bayonet charges, the flanker details-the Valley Forge men were the ones invariably chosen."

All the pieces that make up our second pillar of America, Country, were falling into place, the final piece would soon come.

Our Constitution, I believe, is what fulfills our destiny as Americans and gives us what we call Country. It is the last piece, but it almost became a dream shattered. If it had not been for Divine intervention, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today. Benjamin Franklin rose during the trouble at the convention with the following words, they being so wonderful and timely, they only could of come from God Himself.

On Thursday, June 28, 1787, Benjamin Franklin delivered a speech to the Constitutional Convention, which was embroiled in a debate over how each state was to be represented in the new government. The hostile feelings, created by the smaller states being pitted against the larger states, was so bitter that some delegates actually left the Convention.

Benjamin Franklin, being the President (Governor) of Pennsylvania, hosted the rest of the 55 delegates attending the Convention. Being the senior member of the convention at 81 years of age, he commanded the respect of all present, and, as recorded in James Madison's detailed records, rose to speak in this moment of crisis:

Mr. President: The small progress we have made after 4 or 5 weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other - our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ayes, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which, having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution, now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances. In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection. - Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest. I therefore beg leave to move - that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.
The response of the convention to Dr. Benjamin Franklin's speech was reported by General Jonathan Dayton, the delegate from New Jersey and later Speaker of the House of Representatives, to William Steele:

The Doctor sat down; and never did I behold a countenance at once so dignified and delighted as was that of Washington at the close of the address; nor were the members of the convention generally less affected. The words of the venerable Franklin fell upon our ears with a weight and authority, even greater that we may suppose an oracle to have had in a Roman senate!
Following Franklin's historical address, Roger Sherman of Connecticut seconded his motion. Edmund Jennings Randolph of Virginia moved:

That a sermon be preached at the request of the convention on the 4th of July, the anniversary of Independence; & thenceforward prayers be used in ye Convention every morning. [Dr. Franklin seconded this motion.]
The clergy of the city responded to this request and effected a profound change in the convention, as noted by General Jonathan Dayton when they reconvened, July 2, 1787:

We assembled again; and...every unfriendly feeling had been expelled, and a spirit of conciliation had been cultivated.

Once again the definition of Country:

Country: Is the self-sacrificing lives that are bound together by a common faith and constitution, and have a strong desire for liberty and freedom, and is handed down to future generations by Blood, Sweat and Tears, and is resistant to tyrannical brutes from within and without.

Now fast forward to today. The onslaught and fierce attack by those who would see "Country" become a bye-word or at least weakened so that globalism can take it's place. It is not by chance or coincidence that are Founding Fathers are being trashed. For they hold the key to our liberty and freedom. If they are made out to be a bunch derelict, secularist buffoons, who would want to listen to them. But listen we must. And take heed to their words and faith, for they have been here before. And have given directions by actions on how to right ourselves. Country and sovereignty runs a parallel course. The future of the world may well hinge on our ability to remain sovereign.

Our constitution is being ignored and misused. There are those who believe that we should be Progressive and Socialistic. And to trash the out of date documents that interfere with their agenda. Our Founding Fathers believed in the depravity of man that he could not be trusted with absolute power. Our Constitution separates the powers of government because man's wickedness coupled with his desire for power and wealth can be the undoing of "Country" if we just sit idly by.

God Bless America.

The Old Farmer

The Three Pillars of America! (part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:46:00 +0000

Many times we have heard the phrase, "God, Country, and Family".

I would suggest that these three are the pillars on which America rests. They are essential for the continuation of our blessed country. Take any one of them away and the whole thing comes tumbling down.

And, I might add, the security of the world may well be at stake also. Like it or not, America has always stood in the gap when there was a need no matter if it was half way around the globe. There are Americans buried all over the world, giving their last measure for the freedom of those who would be enslaved by a two by twice tyrant or dictator. America has always answered the call.

Looking at these three pillars, I would like to take them one at a time, starting with the first,

GOD

Say the word God, and in a not so distant past. It would evoke the feelings of power, might, awe, reverence, respect, watch care, love, obedience, worship, faith, and a good healthy dose of fear, amongst other things. How about today? You would get a luke warm response at best. In fact there was a sign on the side of a bus in London England that said, "There is good news and bad news. The bad news is that God is dead, the good news is that we did not need Him anyway".

Our nation was built on the concept that, He, God, was the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. And that He took an active part in the affairs of men. Benjamin Franklin once said, "if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?" This was said in a speech given to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Benjamin Franklin's speech not only saved the convention, but saved the Constitution and the future of America. Also in that speech he said, "In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection. - Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?"

Because of Franklin's speech congress is opened with prayer even to this day.

The importance of God's assistance was not debatable but necessary for the existence of America, according to what Franklin believed by experience.

God was very important in the lives of our founding fathers. I will share a few of my favorite quotes, events, and court decisions.

Patrick Henry said:

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

James Madison said:

"We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

"It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage, and such only, as he believes to be acceptable to Him. This duty is precedent both in order of time, and degree of obligation, to the claims of civil society.
Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe."

As the Declaration of Independence was being signed, 1776, Samuel Adams declared:

"We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."

On February 26, 1776, General Washington issued the orders:

"All officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers are positively forbid playing at cards and other games of chance. At this time of public distress men may find enough to do in the service of their God and their country, without abandoning themselves to vice and immorality."

There is one more instance that happened on September 7, 1774 that I want to share now. Pay close attention to the words of Sam Adams(the initiator of the first Tea Party). You will see that he was not a respecter of parties or denominations but sought Patriots.

On September 7, 1774, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, describing the effects of the prayer which opened the first session of the Continental Congress:

When the Congress met, Mr. Cushing made a motion that it should be opened with Prayer. It was opposed by Mr. Jay of New York, and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina because we were so divided in religious sentiments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians, and some Congregationalists, that we could not join in the same act of worship.

Mr. Samuel Adams arose and said that he was no bigot, and could hear a Prayer from any gentleman of Piety and virtue, who was at the same time a friend to his Country. He was a stranger in Philadelphia, but had heard that Mr.Duche' deserved that character and therefore he moved that Mr. Duche', an Episcopal clergyman might be desired to read Prayers to Congress tomorrow morning.

The motion was seconded, and passed in the affirmative. Mr. Randolph, our president, vailed on Mr. Duche', and received for answer, that if his health would permit, he certainly would.

Accordingly, next morning [Reverend Mr. Duche'] appeared with his clerk and in his pontificals, and read several prayers in the established form, and read the collect for the seventh day of September, which was the thirty-fifth Psalm. You must remember, this was the next morning after we heard the horrible rumor of the cannonade of Boston.

I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seemed as if heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning. After this, Mr. Duche', unexpectedly to every body, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess, I never heard a better prayer, or one so well pronounced.

Episcopalian as he is, Dr. Cooper himself [Adams' pastor] never prayed with such fervor, such ardor, such the province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston. It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here. I must beg you to read that Psalm.

The First Prayer in Congress, offered extemporaneously by Rev. Mr. Duche' in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, on September 7, 1774:

O Lord, our Heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth, and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires, and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor, and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee; to Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give; take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing
care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause; and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, O! let the voice of Thine own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war, from their unnerved hands in the day of battle!

Be Thou present O God of Wisdom and direct the counsel of this Honorable Assembly; enable them to settle all things on the best and surest foundations; that the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that Order, Harmony and Peace may be effectually restored, and the Truth and Justice, Religion and Piety, prevail and flourish among the people.

Preserve the health of their bodies, and the vigor of their minds, shower down on them, and the millions they here represent, such temporal Blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world, and crown them with everlasting Glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Saviour, Amen.

The Library of Congress, from the collected reports of the various patriots, recorded on a historical placard the effect of that first prayer upon Congress:

Washington was kneeling there, and Henry, Randolph, Rutledge, Lee, and Jay, and by their side there stood, bowed in reverence, the Puritan Patriots of New England, who at that moment had reason to believe that an armed soldiery was wasting their humble households. It was believed that Boston had been bombarded and destroyed.

They prayed fervently "for America, for Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially for the town of Boston," and who can realize the emotion with which they turned imploringly to Heaven for Divine interposition and - "It was enough" says Mr. Adams, "to melt a heart of stone. I saw the tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave, Pacific Quakers of Philadelphia."

You ever wonder what made our founding fathers tick?

It was GOD!

And our God given rights.

The Declaration of Independence states, what was the common belief at that time, that mans rights come from God not the King or any man. This is important because if our rights come from God then, only God can take them away, not man.

From Columbus to the Pilgrims, to the Puritans, to the Huguenots and others, there was a deep abiding faith and trust in God Almighty.

This Supreme Court case is further evidence of the importance of God in America.

United States Supreme Court (February 29, 1892), in the case of Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, 143 US 457-458, 465-471, 36 L ed 226, Justice David Josiah Brewer rendered the high Court's decision:

No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation.

The commission to Christopher Columbus...[recited] that "it is hoped that by God's assistance some of the continents and islands in the ocean will be discovered...."

The first colonial grant made to Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584...and the grant authorizing him to enact statutes for the government of the proposed colony provided that they "be not against the true Christian faith...."

The first charter of Virginia, granted by King James I in 1606...commenced the grant in these words: "...in propagating of Christian Religion to such People as yet live in Darkness...."

Language of similar import may be found in the subsequent charters of that colony...in 1609 and 1611; and the same is true of the various charters granted to the other colonies. In language more or less emphatic is the establishment of the Christian religion declared to be one of the purposes of the grant. The celebrated compact made by the Pilgrims in the Mayflower, 1620, recites: "Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith...a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia...."

The fundamental orders of Connecticut, under which a provisional government was instituted in 1638-1639, commence with this declaration: "...And well knowing where a people are gathered together the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union...there should be an orderly and decent government established according to God...to maintain and preserve the liberty and purity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus which we now profess...of the said gospel is now practiced amongst us."

In the charter of privileges granted by William Penn to the province of Pennsylvania, in 1701, it is recited: "...no people can be truly happy, though under the greatest enjoyment of civil liberties, if abridged of...their religious profession and worship...."

Coming nearer to the present time, the Declaration of Independence recognizes the presence of the Divine in human affairs in these words:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights....appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions....And for the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

...We find everywhere a clear recognition of the same truth...because of a general recognition of this truth [that we are a Christian nation], the question has seldom been presented to the courts....

There is no dissonance in these declarations. There is a universal language pervading them all, having one meaning; they affirm and reaffirm that this is a religious nation. These are not individual sayings, declarations of private persons: they are organic utterances; they speak the voice of the entire people.

While because of a general recognition of this truth the question has seldom been presented to the courts, yet we find that in Updegraph v. The Commonwealth, it was decided that, Christianity, general Christianity, is, and always has been, a part of the common law....not Christianity with an established church...but Christianity with liberty of conscience to all men.

And in The People v. Ruggles, Chancellor Kent, the great commentator on American law, speaking as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New York, said:

"The people of this State, in common with the people of this country, profess the general doctrines of Christianity, as the rule of their faith and practice....We are a Christian people, and the morality of the country is deeply engrafted upon Christianity, and not upon the doctrines or worship of those impostors [other religions]."

And in the famous case of Vidal v. Girard's Executors, this Court...observed:

"It is also said, and truly, that the Christian religion is a part of the common law...."

If we pass beyond these matters to a view of American life as expressed by its laws, its business, its customs and its society, we find everywhere a clear recognition of the same truth. Among other matters note the following: The form of oath universally prevailing, concluding with an appeal to the Almighty; the custom of opening sessions of all deliberative bodies and most conventions with prayer; the prefatory words of all wills, "In the name of God, amen"; the laws respecting the observance of the Sabbath, with the general cessation of all secular business, and the closing of courts, legislatures, and other similar public assemblies on that day; the churches and church organizations which abound in every city, town and hamlet; the multitude of charitable organizations existing everywhere under Christian auspices; the gigantic missionary associations, with general support, and aiming to establish Christian missions in every quarter of the globe.

These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation....we find everywhere a clear recognition of the same truth.

The happiness of a people and the good order and preservation of civil government essentially depend upon piety, religion and morality.

Religion, morality, and knowledge [are] necessary to good government, the preservation of liberty, and the happiness of mankind.

A commentary on the 1892 case Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, summarized: Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian.

Our history is one of trusting God and having Him in His proper place. But there are people and groups that are trying to have a godless society, and the onslaught to purge God and the Christian faith from all aspects of America has been relentless. It has been successful in some areas like the schools. This will be a good place to start by examining the before and after of God and godless schools.

I am sixty-one years old and I can still remember my school years. They have left a pleasing memory of rich, full days. The joy of friends and even the amusement of foes. I was a very active individual and spent a great deal of time in the principal's office. It got easier because of the repeated trips. Discipline was handed out, but so was understanding and their interest in me as an individual.

In today's School system, I would be put on Ritalin or some other drug for control. I would have needed counseling or a psychiatrist and found out that I was molested, beaten, abused, and came from another planet, I just didn't remember any of it. But if I kept taking the drugs and seeing the shrink, I might be able to go out in public some day.

Now I am not making light of people that have legitimate problems and their need for help.

Back to my school days. We started every morning by turning to face the American Flag (every class room had one) and say the Pledge of Allegiance. Then we would say the Lord's Prayer, followed by reading from our bible. The bible was handed out by groups like the Gideons. They were pocket sized New Testaments with Psalms and Proverbs. Everybody got one, they were free. If someone was Jewish or what ever, they simply declined and that was the end of that. No law suits or court rulings. People respected each others beliefs. You see God was allowed to be there.

The biggest worries going to school were, if you had your homework done, was there going to be a test, did the girl you liked get your note, was it your turn to recite in class, that someone squealed on you for putting a frog in the girls locker room, and could you stay out of the principal's office for one day. Pretty heavy stuff to carry with you going in the front doors.

I have given this a light feel about it, because it was a great time to be alive. But now lets look at today's school and student.

Since the rulings by the court in 1962 and 1963 which removed prayer and bible reading from the schools everything has changed. This is the first time in 342 years of the court system in America that a court found an activity of a student to violate a constitution.

Your school day starts by going through a metal detector and past drug sniffing dogs. Then you try very quietly to get to you classroom with out incurring the wrath of a knife wheeling, gun packing druggie that got by all the security. Once in your class room, you sit down amongst the din of shouting and cursing. The teacher gets ready to teach you all about globalism, secularism, humanism, and not to worry about how to spell them. You must always keep a wary eye open for teachers that may single you out for sexual activity during or after class. You do your math problems on your calculator or computer, depending how much money the government gives the school.

We do not have to spend much time talking about the things happening in the schools to know that something is horribly wrong. This is just the schools I have used as an example of what happens when a Nation turns its back on God. The Supreme Court of the United Sates of America ordered God out of the schools, and He left. We are in danger of His withdrawal from our once great Nation.

I tried to show in this piece that our founding fathers were fearful of offending and alienating Almighty God. They new, as should we, that our survival as a Nation rests with Him. We can not go it alone, and deep within our hearts we know that this is true. There is that spark, that spirit that desires to be close to a loving God. Its our choice, because God will never invade our individual sovereignty. God will not, God can not make us love him. We must choose to willingly and of our own free will.

Our Heavenly Father deserves our best, not our worst.

He covered our worst with His Best.

God Bless America.

The Old Farmer

"MARK TO MARKET" Why our economy is shot!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:47:00 +0000

We are sinking fast, we need a life boat, but it has been repossessed.

How in the world did we get into such a mess anyway? First, there is a must read article from the New York Times, dated September 30, 1999. Here is that article.

September 30, 1999

Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending

By STEVEN A. HOLMES

In a move that could help increase home ownership rates among minorities and low-income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corporation is easing the credit requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other lenders.

The action, which will begin as a pilot program involving 24 banks in 15 markets -- including the New York metropolitan region -- will encourage those banks to extend home mortgages to individuals whose credit is generally not good enough to qualify for conventional loans. Fannie Mae officials say they hope to make it a nationwide program by next spring.

Fannie Mae, the nation's biggest underwriter of home mortgages, has been under increasing pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans among low and moderate income people and felt pressure from stock holders to maintain its phenomenal growth in profits.

In addition, banks, thrift institutions and mortgage companies have been pressing Fannie Mae to help them make more loans to so-called subprime borrowers. These borrowers whose incomes, credit ratings and savings are not good enough to qualify for conventional loans, can only get loans from finance companies that charge much higher interest rates -- anywhere from three to four percentage points higher than conventional loans.

''Fannie Mae has expanded home ownership for millions of families in the 1990's by reducing down payment requirements,'' said Franklin D. Raines, Fannie Mae's chairman and chief executive officer. ''Yet there remain too many borrowers whose credit is just a notch below what our underwriting has required who have been relegated to paying significantly higher mortgage rates in the so-called subprime market.''

Demographic information on these borrowers is sketchy. But at least one study indicates that 18 percent of the loans in the subprime market went to black borrowers, compared to 5 per cent of loans in the conventional loan market.

In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's.

''From the perspective of many people, including me, this is another thrift industry growing up around us,'' said Peter Wallison a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. ''If they fail, the government will have to step up and bail them out the way it stepped up and bailed out the thrift industry.''

Under Fannie Mae's pilot program, consumers who qualify can secure a mortgage with an interest rate one percentage point above that of a conventional, 30-year fixed rate mortgage of less than $240,000 -- a rate that currently averages about 7.76 per cent. If the borrower makes his or her monthly payments on time for two years, the one percentage point premium is dropped.

Fannie Mae, the nation's biggest underwriter of home mortgages, does not lend money directly to consumers. Instead, it purchases loans that banks make on what is called the secondary market. By expanding the type of loans that it will buy, Fannie Mae is hoping to spur banks to make more loans to people with less-than-stellar credit ratings.

Fannie Mae officials stress that the new mortgages will be extended to all potential borrowers who can qualify for a mortgage. But they add that the move is intended in part to increase the number of minority and low income home owners who tend to have worse credit ratings than non-Hispanic whites.

Home ownership has, in fact, exploded among minorities during the economic boom of the 1990's. The number of mortgages extended to Hispanic applicants jumped by 87.2 per cent from 1993 to 1998, according to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. During that same period the number of African Americans who got mortgages to buy a home increased by 71.9 per cent and the number of Asian Americans by 46.3 per cent.

In contrast, the number of non-Hispanic whites who received loans for homes increased by 31.2 per cent.

Despite these gains, home ownership rates for minorities continue to lag behind non-Hispanic whites, in part because blacks and Hispanics in particular tend to have on average worse credit ratings.

In July, the Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed that by the year 2001, 50 percent of Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's portfolio be made up of loans to low and moderate-income borrowers. Last year, 44 percent of the loans Fannie Mae purchased were from these groups.

The change in policy also comes at the same time that HUD is investigating allegations of racial discrimination in the automated underwriting systems used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to determine the credit-worthiness of credit applicants.

This action laid the mine field that would later, with the right kind of manipulation, erupt in the face of America and eventually in the face of the whole world. I believe that actions and words were used by key politicians to trigger the economical melt down. People are either responsible for their words or they are not.

The lifting of restrictions on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac caused an explosion in home ownership by minorities and low income individuals. President Bush even made mention that more minorities owned their own homes than any time in history. After 9/11, the economy slowly but steadily started back. By the 2006 election the economy was rolling along, the numbers looked fair to good and we were doing fine. Unemployment was down and people were working.

Before 2006 there were a few politicians that were saying the economy was bad. But after the 2006 election and the Democrats took control of the House and the Senate, we started to get a steady diet of, "the economy is bad", even with good numbers. Why? I believe the answer is in the fact that an economy does well or poorly based on the confidence of the consumer. If you believe in the economy and trust it, you spend as your need demands. When people buy thing, factories have to make replacement merchandise, money is spread around and loans are paid on time every time and all is well. But, if you believe that the economy is in bad shape, you don't spend, factories don't make merchandise, money dries up and loans are not paid. Then you have layoffs, loan default and foreclosures. If you get a steady feeding of, "the economy is bad", the seeds are planted in the back of your mind waiting to be watered by some bad news. Remember this, if bad news comes and you have confidence in the economy, you recover from it a lot quicker than if you don't have confidence in it.

On the week of July 12, 2008, the bomb hit. Fannie and Freddie were close to collapse. I still believe if we could of maintained our confidence in the economy we would of gotten through it some how. We will never know now because of a certain Senator from New York. Senator Schumer, the senior Senator from that great state, went before the cameras and made a statement about Fannie and Freddie. He also named a very big bank by the name of Indy Mac that was in trouble. The next day there was a run on that bank and it failed.

If you want to cause a financial panic just mention a bank has had a run on it and has failed. And it was all over the media about Indy Mac. That seed in the back of the mind just got totally soaked and would grow into plant called, "no confidence" and it would grow quickly.

The 2008 election was won by the democrats. And on the 9th of November 2008, Rahm Emanual said, "you never want a serious crisis to go to waste." Along these same lines, on March 6, 2009, President Obama said, "never waste a good crisis."

There is no doubt that there is a financial crisis in this country. The banks are where the big problem seems to be. They are not lending money and are suffering from defaults. Now there is on the books at this time the government rule for how the banks do their accounting. That rule is call, "Mark to Market." I have heard it explained several times and I will make an effort to share how it came across to me.

If a bank has assets of ten cows, (I'm a farmer) and these cows are worth $1,000 a head. The banks assets are then $10,000. Now if the market value goes down to $800 per head then the bank has to adjust their assets on the books to $8,000. And they are then required by the government to make up the difference with cash so that they are back up to the $10,000 mark. The more the value of cattle drops the more the bank has to make up. They then get to the place where they have to sell some of their assets. The more cows that are sold the cheaper they become and the more money that is required to maintain the banks asset level. The more money the banks have to have the less they have to loan to businesses and home buyers. If they get to the point that their assets are none existent, they fail and government has to bail them out. Also the stock market takes a dim view of this kind of accounting during a financial crisis.

I have heard many economists say that President Obama could by executive order do away with Mark to market accounting, and start the climb out of the crisis. But he does not do it, why?

If the Democrats and Obama had won this past election with a good economy in place and they would of tried to put a bill through congress consisting of earmarks, pork and every pet project they could come up with in it. The people would not hold still for such foolish spending. But if you have a crisis on your hands you must move quickly to fix it. So we get these bailout/stimulus bills. They just so happen to have all the earmarks, pork and every pet project they could come up with attached to them.

And the people did nothing.

How much of this mess has been done deliberately?

The Old Farmer

Deficit, When Greed Is King!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:38:00 +0000

Hey, is any body getting scared out there, boy I sure am. We have a totally out of control government on our hands. They are plunging us into debt faster than an honest man turns corrupt in the US congress. Folks, we have a problem. And the time has passed when we could do nothing.

The arrogance of our politicians demands that we get up and make a stand for America. Most of us feel like we just got kicked in the stomach every time they spend money they don't have. We know that it is wrong and will only worsen the problem. The politicians have created this whole mess from the get go. And we are counting on them to get us out of it. Don't hold your breath till you see good days ahead, ain't gonna happen. Not unless we force them to do the right thing. And for starters, quite spending money that our decedents will have to repay for who knows how many generation down the road.

If this agenda of the political elite and the political elite themselves are left unchecked, where will they stop? "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely".

They will take our,
Liberty,
Independence,
Money,
Power,
Guns,
Sovereignty,
Freedom,
Children,
And our lives, if they deem it is good for their version of the country and the world. And if this is not stopped and soon, it is coming. It is just a matter of time. The more they get away with, the bolder they become. arrogance and pride knows no bounds.

I may sound like an alarmist. But I love my country and would like nothing better than to see it prosper, and it can. With leaders like the ones that founded this great land. They had a solid belief in God and His word. They were honest, virtuous, principled and had a high moral calling to do the right thing. When they signed the Declaration of Independence, they signed an oath, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

The question we need to ask ourselves is, if our politicians swore that same oath, WOULD YOU BELIEVE THEM?

Keep the faith,

The Old Farmer

Pinch Me, I Am Dreaming I Live In Russia!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:17:00 +0000

What happened? Did some one leave the door unlocked to the National Socialist and Communist, two bricks shy a full load, mental asylum? Have they all escaped and found a city of refuge, Washington DC? Is there so many of them that their desire to sabotage the United States of America is totally unbridled and unchecked? Is this insanity infectious and spreading or is it about to come to a halt?

There seems to be a pulse beating in America and the beating is growing stronger. The shock is starting to wear off and people are asking what in the hell happened? I have seen it in my own family, they are angry and want answers for all this foolishness.

The democrats have seized control of our government and are hell bent on ramming through every liberal wish and fantasy that has passed by their dazed craniums. How they got control is in it's self questionable and a closer look is in order. But we need to try and save as much of our country as we can. At the present pace we do not have a lot of time. The spending barrage that is being shot from coast to coast is draining the life blood from this once great nation. The shrapnel from this barrage is flying everywhere. We have to wait for the smoke to clear to see who is left standing and working.

In America there is deep innate spirit that lies just below the surface. A gentleman from World War Two referred to it as a sleeping giant. His fear was, at Pearl Harbor, they had awakened it. God have mercy on anyone or group that awakens this slumbering giant.

The politicians have know idea just exactly what they are playing with. We in America have a strong inbred desire to remain free and able to care for ourselves and our families. This is being threatened by out of control politicians who seem to have a thirst for absolute power and total control. This can not remain unchecked.

It is time to come awake and start talking to our neighbors, friends and family. We all need to educate ourselves and be politically savvy so we can head of the next "idiot outburst". We need to let our politicians know that we are not happy. Even if it is like talking to a wall. When enough speak they hear. Maybe a few recalls might be in order. We need to pick up the reins and get back in the drivers seat so they know we are in control and they are our servants, not the other way around.

God bless America

The Old Farmer

Money For Acorn In Stimulus Bill!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Have you looked deeply into this stimulus package coming out of Washington. In it you will find a list of money for things that have no barring on our economy. And some spending is totally outrageous.I came across this column today(January 31). It is about this group called ACORN. The writer is Joseph Farah of Worldnetdaily.com.

JOSEPH FARAH
BETWEEN THE LINES

ACORN to get big payoff – from you
Posted: January 31, 2009
1:00 am Eastern

© 2009

You know about ACORN – the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now – the shakedown artists currently under investigation for violations of election laws in at least 12 states.

This racketeering operation probably played a significant role in getting Barack Obama elected, not to mention Democratic members of the House and Senate, in 2008.

ACORN's shock troops have been linked to or already convicted of perjury, forgery, identity theft and election fraud.

With a track record like that, you might think the organization would be forced to disband, or that its tax-exempt status would be revoked, or that its entire leadership would be prosecuted.

But you would be wrong.

In fact, under Democratic rule in Washington, there are plans to redistribute up to $5.2 billion of taxpayer money – that's your money – to ACORN.

And why not? The Democrats who control the federal purse strings got a lot of bang for the buck out of ACORN. Now they hope to use the ACORN nuts to maintain permanent power – doing what they do best: registering dead people, registering illegal aliens, registering pets and other animate and inanimate objects to vote, for Democrats, of course.

By the way, this payoff is part of the latest $836 billion "stimulus package." But this isn't about stimulating the economy. This is about stimulating voter fraud, stimulating crime, stimulating perjury and stimulating identity theft.

As I have tried to point out frequently, this outrage is not really that much different from the ways government misuses your money on a regular basis. These so-called "stimulus packages" are always used to reward the friends of those in power at the expense of the rest of us.

Nevertheless, this is one of those stories that needs to be distributed to everyone you know – whether they are Obama partisans or not. Every person of goodwill and fairness needs to see it, read it, digest it.

As Rush Limbaugh put it: "I'll tell you what's going on here: We, ladies and gentlemen, we're funding Obama and the Democrats' army on the street. We are funding the forces of the Democrat Party's re-election."

Most of the money available to ACORN and groups like it would come from a Neighborhood Stabilization Program. But there's more stashed in other spending line items, too – community development block grants and programs to develop or refurbish low-income housing.

Here's what Matthew Vadum of the Capitol Research Center, which tracks government spending of this kind, had to say about the so-called Neighborhood Stabilization Program: "Although ACORN operatives usually get their hands on such funds only after they have first passed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or state and local governments, the new spending bill largely eliminates these dawdling middle men, making it easier to get Uncle Sam's largesse directly into the hands of the same people who run ACORN's various vote fraud and extortion rackets. And the legislative package provides these funds without the usual prohibition on using government money for lobbying or political activities."

Isn't that convenient?

Doesn't that make you feel good about your country?

It gets worse.

Let me tell you a little more about ACORN.

In 1995, ACORN sued the state of California seeking an exemption from the law that requires that it pay its own employees a minimum wage. ACORN, which argued that keeping its employees in poverty helps to boost their zeal to help the poor, lost.

The group, described by one critic as a "hydra" for its many interconnected boards, foundations, groups and organizations, essentially has created its own economy, with the tens of millions of dollars that are donated by foundations or paid by the government being directed to whatever cause or course of action ACORN officials deem worthy.

The money has been used to advance ACORN'S manifesto, which states: "Enough is enough. We will wait no longer for the crumbs at America's door. We will not be meek, but mighty. We will not starve on past promises, but feast on future dreams."

ACORN once had 500 activists storm the Washington Hilton and forcing then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich to cancel a speech.

ACORN pressured Congress and financial institutions for a social basis for mortgages, rather than determine loans by a borrower's ability to repay. Critics say this is a large part of the reason for the Wall Street meltdown in the past few months.

As stated, ACORN sued the state of California seeking an exemption from a requirement to pay its employees minimum wage.

What?

You don't think that's a track record that warrants a multi-billion dollar payoff?

Then do something about it.

Make some noise.

March in the streets.

By the way, this payoff is part of the latest $836 billion "stimulus package." But this isn't about stimulating the economy. This is about stimulating voter fraud, stimulating crime, stimulating perjury and stimulating identity theft.

As I have tried to point out frequently, this outrage is not really that much different from the ways government misuses your money on a regular basis. These so-called "stimulus packages" are always used to reward the friends of those in power at the expense of the rest of us.

Nevertheless, this is one of those stories that needs to be distributed to everyone you know – whether they are Obama partisans or not. Every person of goodwill and fairness needs to see it, read it, digest it.

As Rush Limbaugh put it: "I'll tell you what's going on here: We, ladies and gentlemen, we're funding Obama and the Democrats' army on the street. We are funding the forces of the Democrat Party's re-election."

Most of the money available to ACORN and groups like it would come from a Neighborhood Stabilization Program. But there's more stashed in other spending line items, too – community development block grants and programs to develop or refurbish low-income housing.

Here's what Matthew Vadum of the Capitol Research Center, which tracks government spending of this kind, had to say about the so-called Neighborhood Stabilization Program: "Although ACORN operatives usually get their hands on such funds only after they have first passed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or state and local governments, the new spending bill largely eliminates these dawdling middle men, making it easier to get Uncle Sam's largesse directly into the hands of the same people who run ACORN's various vote fraud and extortion rackets. And the legislative package provides these funds without the usual prohibition on using government money for lobbying or political activities."

Isn't that convenient?

Doesn't that make you feel good about your country?

It gets worse.

Let me tell you a little more about ACORN.

In 1995, ACORN sued the state of California seeking an exemption from the law that requires that it pay its own employees a minimum wage. ACORN, which argued that keeping its employees in poverty helps to boost their zeal to help the poor, lost.

The group, described by one critic as a "hydra" for its many interconnected boards, foundations, groups and organizations, essentially has created its own economy, with the tens of millions of dollars that are donated by foundations or paid by the government being directed to whatever cause or course of action ACORN officials deem worthy.

The money has been used to advance ACORN'S manifesto, which states: "Enough is enough. We will wait no longer for the crumbs at America's door. We will not be meek, but mighty. We will not starve on past promises, but feast on future dreams."

ACORN once had 500 activists storm the Washington Hilton and forcing then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich to cancel a speech.

ACORN pressured Congress and financial institutions for a social basis for mortgages, rather than determine loans by a borrower's ability to repay. Critics say this is a large part of the reason for the Wall Street meltdown in the past few months.

As stated, ACORN sued the state of California seeking an exemption from a requirement to pay its employees minimum wage.

What?

You don't think that's a track record that warrants a multi-billion dollar payoff?

Then do something about it.

Make some noise.

March in the streets.

Fight fire with fire.

Hate Is Wrong And Unhealthy!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:22:00 +0000

Hello,
Well folks it is getting close to election day. And it will all be over then or will it. I seen a column today that says if Obama loses there will be blood in the streets and a civil war. You got to love these Hollywood types. The mainstream media is still tumbling down the mountain of "double standards for all because we know best". And "Acorn" is still trying with all their might to be asked to leave the country and take up residence in a socialist country of their choice.

Hate America seems to be the in thing these days, but where does it come from? I believe it comes from a handful of people that are in a position of influence. They have the power over people that they are instructing or have the power of the written word to push their agenda.

Lets look at some of the friends and associates of Barack Obama the Democratic nominee for president. To mention a few, Frank Marshall Davis (communist sex pervert ), Tony Rezko (Syrian con man ), Rashid Khalidi (Palestinian spokes person ), Bill Ayers (domestic terrorist ), Bernardine Dohrn (domestic terrorist ), and Jeremiah Wright (liberation theology preacher). What do all of these have in common? The answer hit me today as I was watching the news, they all hate America, and have made statements saying as much. With people being in jobs of influence like these it is no wonder we have such a hate thy brother attitude across party lines as we do today. It does not matter which party is spewing hate, IT IS WRONG. It is a shame we have come to this point in the history of our country. God Help us.

November 3th is being designated as a day of fasting and prayer. Maybe we can salvage some sense of unity out of this mess. When we talk division we get division. When we talk unity we get unity.

God help us all.

The Old Farmer

We Are Destroyed For Lack of Knowledge.

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:30:00 +0000

Hello,
We are less than a week away from voting for president. What normally would be an exciting time has turned into a fearful time. For the first time there are a huge percentage of Americans going to the polls totally uneducated about the candidates, especially one in particular. Because of the mainstream media has spoon feed just what they wanted the people to have.

When you vote you need to be aware of who you are voting for. Once you cast your vote it can not be taken back. It is sad that a lot of people do not understand who this Obama fellow really is. It is a shame and a travesty that the general population lacks the knowledge of his background and his associations. If the media had done it's job and given out all the information it had and you felt this is your man. Great, you have made your choice the American way and you can hold your head up proud. But to vote with only a fraction of the knowledge is sad and wrong and very dangerous.

There is a bible verse that comes to mind here,
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hosea 4:6.

Don't settle for a lack of knowledge or be afraid of the truth.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32.

We need a good measure of healing in this country now. And we will need a very large measure after the election. For I fear there will be a great divide in this great land of ours. Abraham Lincoln said, "A house divided can not stand". That was pertinent in his time, it is also pertinent in our time.

We have always had a common mooring to set us straight and back on course together. The Constitution and when that needed help, the Declaration of Independence. These documents remind us who we are and the price that was paid so we can go in freedom and vote. But again, we must vote with knowledge and understanding exactly who the candidates are.

Friend, we are in this ship together and we need each other. These are hazardous times and they are filled with danger from a very uncertain world. It lurks from without and from within. Lets not allow the danger to strike from within. Lets become bonded together with strength and determination to leave our posterity with a loving and caring land in which to grow up in.

May God bless America.

The Old Farmer

No Riots Please!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:50:00 +0000

Hello,
There is a report that there will be increased police on duty election day and night for anticipated riots and trouble. Have we now become a third world country or a South American dictatorship. There was a time when Americans could disagree in patriotic unison. A time when America come first always. Now we are facing riots and who knows what all.

It is a fact that Obama told his supporters to go and get in the face of those who do not support him. It is a fact that Obama's picture was taken on a campaign stop with Kenya's strong man Odinga. It is a fact that Obama contributed money to Odinga campaign. It is also a fact that when Odinga lost the election by 200,000 votes he claimed voter fraud and sent the young people out to get in the faces of those who did not support Odinga. The end result was riots and the death of 1,000 people plus 100's of christian churches burned to the ground, one full of women and children. Odinga was awarded the Prime Ministers position for the efforts of his young followers.

We are being over run with voter fraud by many groups, especially the group Acorn. Acorn has made it no secret that they support Obama and will do anything to get him elected. How in the world can we know if this election, when its over, is legitimate and exercised with fairness and honesty?

This is the danger when people start thinking that a mortal man is border line divine. When they say he is the messiah and can do no wrong. His gift of oratory sways and swoons the populace into a mesmerized state that they can not shake off. They are trying to see the country through a fog of isolated political blindness called I am Obama.

If people could back away for a minute and look at this election with clear eyes and make a wise choice we would be the better for it. No matter who you decide on, it is each Americans right to freely make his choice. We may not agree with the results but we are still Americans and we must treat each other with respect. No riots please.

It is my right to have my say, it is my right to vote for whom ever I chose and it is my right to vote with conviction. And it is my right to vote with out fear of reprisals. Many, many people died to preserve this basic right and it should not be taken lightly.

Vote for who ever you decide to, but people should not be attacked just because they support someone else.

If you are of the number that is ready to cause trouble and riot in the streets if your man is not elected. May I make a modest suggestion, move to Kenya and embrace Odinga.

Those who preach tolerance seem to be in the need of a large dose of this word tolerance themselves.

May God bless America.

The Old Farmer

The Liberal Press Thinks They Know Best!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Hello,
Well folks, this election has turned into a nightmare. I don't care who your horse is in this race it is nothing short of pure arrogance by the mainstream media. I can't get over the bias and just plain traitorous conduct of the press.

We are suppose to make an intelligent choice when we go to the polls this November fourth. But I ask how in the world can we? How can we know who is the right man for the job if the press keeps covering up important information.

There are those who can only get their news from the big three. They do not have cable or internet or the time to search out the truth. So they rely on the MSM. Boy, are they getting a bunch of garbage handed to them. It's a shame and a disgrace that that ranks up there with Judas, Booth, and B. Arnold.

We must hold the MSM accountable in this charade and nightmare they have brought upon us.

This world is to scary to put the wrong person in the White House. One wrong decision and we could wake up dead and that makes for a bad day.

Pray hard America.

The Old Farmer

Character Is Everything!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:59:00 +0000

Hello,

Well now the final debate is over and while the smoke is clearing lets look at a few facts and problems I see in this election. As we Americans get ready to vote for our next president we must make sure as to what we are doing. Put the candidate’s policies that they would enact when in office aside, because most of them will be at the mercy of congress anyway. I truly believe that character is the utmost important issue that should determine who sets in the oval office. With that in mind I would like to look at the character of Barack Obama Senator.

Firstly, Obama’s ties with Acorn which seems to be the first shot out of the cannon. He was a lawyer for them and he also trained some of their staff. All well and good but Acorn is in the middle of investigations for voter fraud now and has been in the past. They also are notorious for intimidation of banks and financial institutions to acquire mortgages for minorities and low income individuals. This has aided in this financial melt down we are experiencing now. Acorn’s style and the way they operate is, go out and get in their face tactics. And confrontation used to achieve a specific goal.

Secondly, Obama’s ties to Kenya and Raila Odinga the Prime Minister. The investigation by WorldNetDaily senior staff reporter Jerome Corsi is enlightening and informative to say the least. To read the reports on this situation go to http://www.worldnetdaily.com. Some of these reports from WorldNet daily link Obama to this election in Kenya. They took place a year or two ago. And he was in contact with Odinga on several occasions. He went to Kenya on a fact finding trip and was photographed at a campaign stop with Odinga in 2006. It is reported that Obama helped Odinga with campaign strategy. When Odinga lost the election his people started tearing the country apart until Odinga was made Prime Minister. Their operation method was, go out and get in their face tactics. And confrontation used to achieve a specific goal.

Thirdly, the twenty years spent in the pews listening to his Pastor Jeremiah Wright. This man has an adverse attitude towards America and makes no bones about it. His style and substance would encourage people to use, go out and get in their face tactics. And confrontation used to achieve a specific goal.

Fourthly, Obama himself told his supporters to go out and get in their face. He uses confrontation to achieve a specific goal.

Fifthly, on July the second of this year Obama made a speech in which he said, “if elected he would start a Civilian Security Force with the same power as the military.” The text of the statement has been removed from the total text of the speech, I wonder why? When one thinks of Civilian Security Force it does not bring up warm and fuzzy thoughts. It brings up thoughts of Gestapo, KGB and thugs. Who very easily could exercise, go out and get in their face tactics. And confrontation used to achieve a specific goal.

There seems to be a common denominator in all of this. And it raises some thoughts about Senator Obama which are these. If these items have merit do they give us a glimpse into the mind and ideology of Obama? Do they give some insight of what his presidency would be like? Is there reason to be concerned about his winning the election? And most importantly, should we be concerned if he loses the election? Is there reason to think that what happened in Kenya will stay in Kenya? Or will we be treated to another Al Gore syndrome.

I have a lot of questions about Obama and his beliefs. There seems to be a haze hanging over him in which the mainstream media refuses to clear away so that we can see the man for who he is. If Obama loses this election the mainstream media will probably lead the political revolt. And we will be treated to some of the worst reporting to come down the pike ever and who knows what else.

I believe that character is most important and it should be made transparent for all to see no matter what party you are representing.

Pray hard America and my God bless us.

The Old Farmer

Awaken America And Smell The Anger.

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:54:00 +0000

Hello,
There seems to be a growing anger in the heart of America. People are saying that they are getting "mad", or "mad as hell". I even heard one lady say she is "pissed". Now I normally don't use language like that in my blog but it seems to be the words being used by an upset populace.

I have heard America referred to as "the great silent majority", also as a "sleeping giant". Americans are generally a God fearing, patriotic, peace loving and compassionate people. Until they are pushed over the edge, and that seems to be getting closer these days. We, as a people pretty mush mind are own affairs and try to make ends meet to keep our families going. There is nothing more formidable than a "pissed" America. Especially when the trouble comes from within.

Things are so screwed up in our country today that one has a hard time just finding a place to start. But one place is this socialist movement that has caused so much of our problems in our freedoms and especially the world of finance. All of those who embrace this ideology are pushing the "sleeping giant" closer to the edge just to obtain power and wealth. And they have no idea as to what they are flirting with.

There was another time when the people were "pissed" and "mad as hell". They weren't called Americans then, they were called "Colonist". But when they became Americans, those they were "pissed at" and "mad as hell at" found the weather here to uncomfortable and hot footed it back to England. And those that were kissing up to them for power and wealth applied the first "exit strategy" that was agreed upon by unanimous consent. The end result is, when Americans finally get "pissed" and "mad as hell", something naturally happens, just ask England and the traitorous Tories.

We must fully awaken and make a stand for truth and freedom. We must never give in to those that have their best interest at heart. We must not allow those who are trying to subvert the very truth to succeed. We must stay angered until we win the day and America is again set back on the pinnacle of Her prestigious position.

The Old Farmer

The gods of tolerance!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:17:00 +0000

Hello,
There was a study done on the morality of Americans. And it was a sad day indeed. It seems to say that the younger the individual the less moral they are. It is no wonder when you come to realize that they have had less training in what is absolute truth. The further we get from the time when you could read your bible in school the further we get from morality.

The side effects of immorality can become terminal to our lives. They can dominate the very consciousness of all of us. When we look into scripture from the bible it describes horrible times from the past when there was no morality. And death went hand in hand with what little life that was left. It was easier to give in to the lusts of the time than rather to take a stand for what is right.

If we take that stand today and proclaim what is right and what is good there would be a howl of intolerance applied to us proclaimers. We would be ostracized and shunned by the outcry of the immortal tolerant. But even the gods of tolerance can not stand long when they embrace immorality with it's cold passion and loveless kiss. The gods of tolerance weaken and become mortal again and slowly succumb to righteousness and the benefits of morality. They can grow morally strong and reclaim the pristine sparkle of genuine goodness. We must proclaim the truth and stand our ground till they come around to rightness and our posterity will ever thank us for our insight, strength and will to do the right thing.

The Old Farmer

We Can Right The Ship November Fourth!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:42:00 +0000

Hello,
The house has nixed the bailout bill and the world hasn't ended yet, give it time. Sometimes I think some super hard times might be the what the doctor ordered for reviving this great land of ours. We can not appreciate the good times until we have experienced the hard times. It is tough trying to figure out what the morrow will bring.

One thing I know for sure, that is it is impossible for the bulk of our elected officials to act in a bi-partisan way. When it comes to power and might they will not give an inch. While the ship is sinking they are battling to see who is going to be captain and control the last square inch of the ship before it goes under the water. I give you Nancy Pelosi and her harpies tongue with it's mindless chatter. She is responsible for most of the problems that occurred this day. When she finally shuts her mouth, up pops Barney Frank, need I say more.

This is another good reason to throw the bums out of office and put decent folks in their place. There is power in the ballot box, and it can send a message that can not be mistaken. We must set an example in leadership and show these children how adults act. If you are as upset as I am, keep the head of steam boiling till this election is over and we will send these children on a permanent recess.

The Old Farmer

Do I Dare Say What I Think?

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:52:00 +0000

Hello,
I am always thankful that I have the privilege to live in America. And to be free with the ability to chose my own path and make decisions for me and my family. Our freedom is a very fragile thing and we need to be on guard all the time for something or someone that would erode it away.

Barack Hussein Obama seems to be doing just that. I have read a report where certain officials and law enforcement agents who support Barack Hussein Obama, from Missouri are operating a "Truth Squad" that is looking for campaign ads that appeared to be false or misleading, Gov. Matt Blunt today likened the intimidation to "police state tactics."

The Obama campaign also sent "threatening" letters to several news agencies in Pennsylvania and Ohio demanding they stop airing ads exposing Obama's gun stance, according to the National Rifle Association.

In a speech given on July 2nd, Barack Hussein Obama said that when he becomes president he would start a, "Civilian Security Force", with the same power has the military. You can find the video of the speech and hear it for yourself, but the text has been removed from the transcript of the speech. It seems that to many people became alarmed by such statements.

These items seem to tell us that our freedoms could rest in the hands of someone who does not know or care about them. If he is willing to abuse our freedom of speech just to get elected, what might happen is he is elected and has the power remove them permanently? There is something very frightening about all this. It is like I am having a very bad dream, but this time I might wake up to a "POLICE STATE".

The Old Farmer

A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:24:00 +0000

Hello,
Well, this is another fine mess we find ourselves in, thank you very much. We have a major, I mean major financial problem just waiting to drag all of our financial institutions down the old pop chute. But where did this all start?

Back in the nighties under the Clinton administration they decided that all minorities should be able to own a home. They also thought that those in low income bracket should also have a shot at home ownership. This is a good thought and one worthy of looking into. But, when you lower the standards to get a mortgage you are inviting a disaster.

Now this is exactly what they did. And there was all kind of sweetheart deals for politicians and high muckity mucks.

There were people trying to sound the alarm about this very dangerous practise, but no one was listening. It would seem that the Demarcates were courting more minorities to add to their voting block for the 2000 election, Gore was suppose to be a shoe in.

In 2005 a bill was sponsored by Senator McCain and others to regulate Fanny and Freddy. But the Demarcates would not let the bill out of committee. At that time if they would have moved on this issue they could have stopped this melt down before it occurred. But there was to much money being handed out in special mortgages and as always, there is campaign money to be had.

As this thing hit wall street and the banking companies, there seems to be a total disaster ready to happen. So the bail out, which at first was going to be business as usual. Which would mean that the top executives would walk away with millions. Thank the people for their instant unanimous scream of not this time. As I write they are still trying to hammer out a bail out bill.

For all of you liberal and socialist thinking people. Take a good look at what can happen when you experiment with socialism. Because that is exactly what happened back during the Clinton administration. A socialist experiment that almost cost this nation more that it could stand. They could of plunged this country into a severe depression with all the trimmings. Such as poverty of the likes that has not been seen for centuries. Also lives, people die when all hell is unleashed.

I say this up front, I have had a belly full of people like this Reid, Dodd, Pelosi, and the rest of those who lie to further their candidate and them selves. There is no excuse for it. They need to be driven from Washington DC by the ballot box, and soon.

The Democrats are trying to make Obama look like a great leader, and McCain look like a dunce. But it is the other way around and the good people of this great land know who was there to do a job and who was there for show because of his lack of experience.

The Old Farmer

Don"t Vote Blindly!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:31:00 +0000

Hello,
Today, as I was thinking through some of the remarks and reporting going on in this election cycle. It occurred to me that the mainstream media (MSM) has gotten even bolder with their one sided reporting.

It has come to the point that one campaign can say and do virtually anything and it hardly raises an eyebrow. Where as the other campaign speaks and the MSM freaks.

One campaign has a flowered road to lazily swagger down. While the other must dodge mines and minds to stay upright and get their message out to the people.

One campaign is given pass on policy and personal beliefs. While the other is so scrutinized that one would think they are the worst dregs of humane society. Even when there is nothing there the MSM will gleefully make up something to take the breath away from the common folk.

This report card is disgraceful and shameful. It also is alarming to think that they, the MSM seems to get a free pass with no accountability.

The thought that came to me today is this, because of the MSM and all it's cohorts along with Hollywood and it's minions, has produced something that is very frightening. They have produced a mass of people that will go to the voting booth BLIND. They will cast their vote virtually blinded for the lack of the truth. They have been spoon fed just what the MSM wishes to serve up for their consumption.

You might say that is ridiculous, and I might say it is not. Here is the reason it is not. If you have 50% of all information on a specific candidate and proceed to the polls with that information in tow and cast your ballot. You have voted blindly. When you trust the MSM for your information you get the selected material. You have the stated 50% while the MSM says you have 100%. You go to the polls with your assumed 100% when in fact you only have 50%, and you vote. You have just voted blindly, no other way to say it.

When the MSM becomes your seeing eye dog it is the one that leads you through the political landscape. It also can bite you and you will never know who or what bit you. Don't forget you are blind because of the MSM.

If you want your vote to count then use it wisely. Seek the truth and check out the reporting for errors. If you find any media that is deliberately feeding you false information, flag it. Don't use it again until it has proven itself credible. We need to know the truth, for it is the truth that keeps us free.

With your vote comes a huge responsibility. It is to be cherished and nurtured with respect and cared for deeply. That vote you have came to you at a very high price. Many, many Americans laid down their lives so we could cast our votes in freedom and with all the knowledge we can muster in a free country. Use your vote wisely!

The Old Farmer

God Keeps His Promises, On Time, Every Time!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:51:00 +0000

Hello,
It has been another one of those great Sundays with family and friends. Our family traditionally has been church goers. We gather in the Lords house for worship and fellowship. The history of our country is one of worship by families. We as a nation are the better for it. I believe it is one of the reasons we are as strong as we are. But the times are changing a little. There seems to be a falling away from our traditions and responsibilities.

How do we regain the solid footing that we once had? Does Gods word give us a recipe for restoration? Well it does and it will work every time it is applied. The recipe is,

2Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We as Christians are called to be different, not because we are better but because People should be able to see Christ in us and through us. We are ambassadors of our Lord and should conduct ourselves accordingly.

If we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Then and only then will God hear, forgive and heal.

Christian, it is our move, are you ready to see God keep His promise.

The Old Farmer

Isolate The Enemy, Not Each Other!

noreply@blogger.com (The Old Farmer) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 02:23:00 +0000

Hello,
As I ponder the state of our country. It occurs to me that we have slipped deep into isolationism. Not isolationism as one would think but isolation from one another. We live close to our neighbors and we no nothing about them. We have forgotten what it means to be a friend and a companion in times of need and in times of joy. We are split right down the middle with philosophy and political desires that seem to stagger and upend the common good. Instead of someone leading us out of this state, we are being dragged deeper into it with all the politics and campaigning. To pit one against the other for political gain is one of the lowest and meanest things that can be done. And to pit one race against another is pure evil. Any intent to gain by the suffering of others is a subhuman characteristic. If the shoe fits, wear it.

We live in a very dangerous world. There are people and groups of people who would do anything to destroy us. Contrary to liberal opinion we do not deserve this attitude toward us. If people from America would remember we are all Americans and keep their mouths shut when they go outside of our country we would not have such a bad reputation that we do not deserve. Some people seem to think when they wag their tongues that people are impressed by their slander of our country. Instead it just inflames and fans the already flames in existence. Patriotism should be part of our lives each and every day. But it should be the dominate factor when we go abroad. You got a grip keep it at home. Airing dirty laundry in places other than home is inviting bloodshed of our fellow citizens. Their are those just looking for a reason to attack us. Some don't need a reason, just an opportunity. We are in this together and we need to remember that when we stand together we have a chance of survival.

Let us walk together and live together and have a future together.

The Old Farmer