Books-Civil War vs Health Care Control

When I retired 2 1/2 years ago I was given a passel of books. Those of you who know me, know that I am a voracious reader. I have read almost all of those books and all other books by those authors, at least in that series.

I started again this past week "Lincoln," an historical novel by Gore Vidal. As I began reading, I began to notice the similarities between then and now.

I don't have at my fingertips all the statistics, but the root cause of the Civil War was not slavery, but states' rights. The Southern states wanted the right to determine whether or not to retain slavery as a way of life. Today's issue is federally mandated health "care."

Last I heard, 13 states' attorneys general have suits ready, if not already filed, questioning the legality of the bill under the Constitution. Many states have declared that they will not enforce this law. At what point did the Federal Government acquire the right to mandate that a citizen purchase a product or service provided by a private corporation that the citizen may not need and/or want and/or be able to afford? Do we work for them? Or do they work for us?

There has been talk among individuals of secession. There has been talk among individuals of war if this product is forced upon us the citizens of these United States. I don't know how many, if any, of the people saying these things are serious. It doesn't really matter. This issue has become one that needs further consideration rather than the standard assurance by the government that they know what they are doing and that they can do what they have never done before: run a business profitably. Or at least not at a loss.

Does anyone really know what is in this bill? The bill that the president talks about seems to be different than the one that Congress has now passed. Our "representatives" in Washington need to at least read the whole bill and consider the long term ramifications before they vote. Oops! Too late!

Quote from Lincoln

	"Any people anywhere being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government." Rep. Abraham Lincoln. Is it coming to that?

Jefferson Bass

We went tonight to see/hear Jefferson Bass, represented by his real life authors, Dr Bill Bass of UT's Body Farm and John Jefferson. They were accompanied by Art Bohannon, the nationally renowned finger-print expert, who appears in all their books.

They spoke for about half an hour about their new book, The Body Thief, which is based on the real-life problem of crematoriums that harvest body parts before cremating the rest of the remains, and about how the Body Farm came to be.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in the series and highly recommend them to anyone who likes murder mysteries and/or forensic anthropology.

They have videos of the Body Farm itself at their website: www.jeffersonbass.com

Another Saturday Night at the V

Another Saturday Night at the V

This week at the V was just another tag-team message. When Pastor Mark got up to share his
message for the week, the Holy Spirit told him no, not that message today. So he opened the
floor and several people got up to share what was on their minds. As always, it turned into
a really coherent message.

Ally - Do I come here to fill up my tank? Or am I here for Him? If filling my own tak is the
primary reason I'm here, it won't last me all week. If I'm here for me, it's just not enough.
If I'm here for Him, I'll want to continue worshipping.

Jeff - When we were kids and there was a dirt pile, we would always go play King of the Hill.
We'd get all dirty and run home where Mom would clean us up. We weren't ashamed. We had no doubts that we might not be acceptable. We don't wonder if she will still love us. We just
go home and get clean.

MarkO - Be children before Him. "We love you, Daddy!"
[My comment - Jesus called the Father Abba, the Aramaic form of the most familiar address of
a father - Daddy!]

Pastor Mark had a tape in the car that he had planned to play and it fit in right here:
"We got the Best Daddy in the Whole World."
"Don't try to be the next Who's Who, Only try to be the best you. He loves me like I am."

Pastor Mark - There are three ways to love the Lord and they all have their place.
1- Out of duty
When you're feeling down and really don't want to. We all have those days.
Should be the exception not the rule.
2- Out of Fear
Hellfire and brimstone. Can get people reconciled, but, again, not the best way
Should be the exception not the rule.
3- Out of Love
The best way. [I Cor 13] Out of affection. If we do this we will endure the hard
times, and there will be hard times.

Robin - This love is not obedience per se as much as trust. As we learn to trust we have
no more doubts that God will support, strengthen and protect us.

?? - Applied to a marriage, this is the same love. It becomes trust. My wife will
support me and trust me to care for her as she learns that I will do so. If someone attacks
your kids, what is your reaction? Will our Heavenly Father do less?

Robin - Esther: Prepared herself for 12 months to be beautiful before her King.

Jeff - Peace, as it is used in all places in the bible, always refers to coming into unison
with God.

Some of my thoughts:

Is this situation to big for God? Can I do it better? Is it just too routine to bother Him?
He does care for me, so why shouldn't I do it His way? Why should I not check in with
everything that I do? And that means everything, not just the "big decisions." you know the
ones that I take to Him because I can't do it myself. The ones that we tend to ask about so we
can get His affirmation that we have already made the right decision.


***

On the way home I heard a song on WIVK (the Frog) that moved me. I've already
screwed it up so bad that will you please turn the wine back into water.



T GRAHAM BROWN TURN THE WINE BACK INTO WATER LYRICS



You've heard a multitude of prayers on my behalf
I pray one more is not too much to ask
I've tried to fight this battle by myself
But its a war that I cant win without your help

Tonight I'm as low
As any man can go
I'm down and I can't fall much farther
And once upon a time you turned the water into wine
Now on my knees I'm turning to ya Father
Can you help me turn the wine back into water

So many times I've hurt the ones I love
I've pushed them to the edge of giving up
They've stood by me but how much can they stand
If I don't put this bottle in your hand

Tonight I'm as low
As any man can go
I'm down and I can't fall much farther
And once upon a time you turned the water into wine
Now on my knees I'm turning to ya father
Could you help me turn the wine back into water

I shook my fists at heaven
For all the hell that I've been through
Now I'm begging for forgiveness
And a miracle from you

Cause tonight I'm as low
As any man can go
I'm down and I can't fall much farther
And once upon a time you turned the water into wine
Now on my knees I'm turning to ya father
Could you help me turn the wine back into water

Could you help me turn this wine back into water

yeah yeah
Lyrics > T. Graham Brown Lyrics > T. Graham Brown Wine Into Water Lyrics

http://www.justsomelyrics.com/615011/T-Graham-Brown-Turn-The-Wine-Back-Into-Water-Lyrics

Census

I am considering the census this morning. How much info am I required to give?

I have been greatly insulted by Census Bureau advertising this year. Why to the Feds need to know how many people are here so we can increase the number of stop lights or the number of buses? Have they ever been involved in this process before? Have they ever needed to know how many teachers we need to have next year? Haven't these things always been handled locally? Is this just a case of the Feds sticking their noses into local issues?

I recommend this (http://www.newswithviews.com) article -- Michael LeMieux -- Census and the Constitution. You should check this out at, http://www.newswithviews.com/LeMieux/michael118.htm

Flats/Sprouts

I have a bunch of seeds planted in my newspaper pots and in flats. A lot of them have already sprouted.






Unfortunately, with all the cold and rain/snow over the past couple of months, the beds aren't ready yet! :-( I have the first bed turned over, but nowhere near ready for sprouts yet.



Now I need to go get a load of compost to work into the bed when it gets to that stage.

Spring is Here!

I stepped out the door this morning and saw this! The first crocuses of the season.

IT MUST BE SPRING!

The Second Amendment

New High-Tunnel

Feb 22 Update
Well we got the tunnel set up Sunday afternoon and Sunday night we had a pretty good storm blow through. the tunnel didn't stand up too well.

I guess next year I'll use something stronger in the way of support poles, maybe PVC,





****************************************************



Well, we finally got the plastic draped over the scavenged tent poles and have a high-tunnel that's about 6 ' high. I used 6m plastic, thanks to recommendations here. I d'ruther it was about 3' wider and about 4' longer, but it's doable for this year. Assuming, of course, that it stands up to the rain and wind. We might get some rain tonight, so we can see how it does there. Don't know when we'll get wind.

I think next year I'll try to frame it with PVC. For those who have done it, do you secure the plastic to the frame somehow? If so, how? I have it anchored with rocks at the moment.

Trappist Monastery Fudge

Last weekend Mother and Dottie (my mother-in-law and sister-in-law) went to a Trappist monastery for a personal retreat. They are Catholic; Mother is a Sister of the Franciscan Order.

[Aside: Mother is a Sister. Therefore, Mother Mary is Sister Mary. ???? ]

Dears that they are, they brought me home some "Gethsemani Trappist Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Fudge! 8-) That stuff never lasts around my house.

Apparently they get the bourbon donated from a local distillery. I guess it doesn't really

Seed train is a'comin'
there's dancin' today!

The seed train arrived today and I'm all excited. Besides the beginning of planting for the spring garden I have some new seeds to play with. I don't have a lot of unallocated garden space, so all I grabbed from gthe train is a packet of cinnamon basil and some cumin. I guess that's another little bit of the flower garden that's going to be herbs. I still need to prune what's there and clean up from fall, but I'm ready to dig.

I also have my tunnel framed and need to get the plastic cover over it before the snow arrives tomorrow. Hoping I can get some help from the nephews tomorrow.

I also was led to the Knoxville Permaculture Guild by my sister in Bellingham, WA, this week. And, of all things, they have a seed exchange today, so that's where I'll be this afternoon. Maybe I'll get to meet some more local gardeners.

I got the application for the farmers market this week. One of the things it asks for is two references from people who "know my operation." Nobody here in Knoxville knows who I am in the field except Michelle, my contact for the seed trains. Maybe I'll meet someone today who can fill that other slot. (I hope.)

I told Kayla this mornbing that I have about three full days worth of work to do by this morning. I guess I'll be busy for the rest of the summer.

Update: I met some interesting people today. I was impressed that so many of the people at the seed exchange were young, mostly college kids was my impression. I didn't pick up any new seeds, but I left quite a few. Some people were excited about some of my seeds. Time to get planting, then to get ready for the next exchange, whenever it may be.

Spring is coming

Spring is coming ... soon ... I hope. I'm ready.

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF EAST TENNESSEE UNTIL 4 OCLOCK THURSDAY MORNING. WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT WITH GUSTS POSSIBLY UP TO 55 MPH AT TIMES.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS WITH SNOW EXPECTED TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. FORECASTERS EXPECT ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 10 INCHES WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

BRR!!!

Building a Tunnel for the Garden

I am in the process of building a tunnel for the gardens. For support I reclaimed some old flexible fibreglas tent poles. I am in the process of tying the ends of each pole together with fishing line. Mother taught me how to tie fishing line yesterday. (I know it's simple, but if you don't know the tricks or the knots ...) I now have one pole tied and it'll be about 8' tall and 13.5' across the base. If I space them about 4' apart, they'll cover two 5x20' beds at a time with room underneath to work the soil ... if it ever dries out and warms up! But it's too cold outside at the moment to do more than one pole at a time. So in between I'll put together some newspaper pots to start seeds next week. (Is it that time already???)

And I still have lots of beds to prepare before planting out.

Seed Train/Left-Handed Scissors

what is a sseed train? There are several hundred members on the gardening forum I participate in. A seed packet may have anywhere from 50 to about 1000 seeds. I use anywhere from 4 to about 75 seeds of any one kind. A seed train is a package of excess seeds that gets mailed around the country to wiiling participants. When it gets here, I'll add some of my excess seeds and take whatever I may want. We have a medicinal/herb train due here in Knoxville sometime in the next week or so.

I found in Windows Office a template for a seed packet. So I printed some out and grabbed a pair of scissors to cut them down to size. Unfortunately I must have grabbed a pair that belonged to my late wife - left-handed ones! :( I never realized how difficult it could be to try to cut along a line while looking over to the wrong side of the scissors. David, you want a pair of scissors?

New Website

Well, I finally broke down and will be setting up my new website for gardening/farming. I don't know yet when I will actually get it up an running, but I guess it will be my big time-consumer until I do. I'll be posting info about the gardens, produce, the farmers market and whatever I come up with that's related. I may also move this blog over there when I get it all together.

Now to find a good logo ...

Healing

Powerful meeting at the V last night! After having had four services this week that seemed to have an emphasis on healing. But this time it was about being practical. Many questions and things to think about.

Pastor Jon back in Beaverton said something on the line of, "If I give my life to Jesus Christ, it'll ruin my life. That's right. Because it will not be my life any more, it'll be his. It won't be my life, it'll be a much, much better one."

Mark opened the meeting with a story that happened to him. Someone came to his door and said "I just want to DIE!" That's right, die to self and live for Him. The old man, the old nature , is dead and the new man is to live for God. And that was the theme of the whole evening. DIE!! Die to self. Trust God. He knows more about what I want and what is best than I do. (Unlike Microsoft and Congress! :) ) He will do what is best for me AND what is best for His body, the church.

What are we going to do when this movement really begins to grow? How could we handle an addition of 3,000 people to the church in one day, like in Acts 2? Practically speaking, what are we going to do? These people all have their own lives and their own problems. How can we help them to overcome and become productive children of God?

To live you must die. Life comes from death. For a plant to grow, a seed must die. In order to live for Christ, I must die to my self.

***

We had several people healed of various injuries in the four meetings last week, culminating in the regular Saturday night service. It was Saturday Night ... LIVE!!!

I continue to pray for you-all.

gerry

Back Pain

I had forgotten how painful my back can be. Time for a big pain pill.

About 20 years ago, when David was little, I pulled a muscle in my lower back. Well, maybe it's in the buttock muscle. Every year or so It reminds me that it can hurt! I wear a brace around my waist, mostly to remind me to be careful, not that I'm not aware of it at this stage of the game. It'll go away in a week or so, but I need to be extra careful till then.

1/18
MarkO and ,, prayed for me Friday night; MarkO and Jeff on Saturday. On Saturday Yve and MarkO, who don't know each other but both of whom I trust, asked me if I had seen my chiropractor. Oops! First thing Monday. Sunday Casey told be to put ice on my back at night and heat in the morning. Again, oops! I had been using my queen sized heating pad all night. I tried the icepack last night and felt good this morning.

Went to the chiropractor this morning. He did some tests and found out a few things that were obvious to me when they were done. I kinda wish I'd known to do this myself, it's so obvious. Back tomorrow for follow-up.

On Gun Control ... or lack thereof :)

picture thanks to kefirmaven, on IDigMyGarden.com Forums

Picture thanks to John Best, England(?) on IDigMyGarden.com Forums

AN ACTUAL CRAIG'S LIST PERSONALS AD
To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last.
Date: 2009-05-27, 1 :43 a.m. E.S.T.
I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings... I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.
First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket.. The even ing was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason.. My girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head ... isn't it?!
I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again].
After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful!
I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]
I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb ... after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.
Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what 's going on with that? Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target.
The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.).
;In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky.Have a good day!
Thoughtfully yours,
Alex
P.S. Remember this motto ... An armed society makes for a more civil society!

(Thanks to Father George Dyer, Houston, TX

Book recommendation - Fortschen

I'm reading "One Second After" by William R Fortschen. It is the story of what might happen in small town Appalachia after an EMP attack which destroys all the infrastructure. It sounds really reasonable and logical and is very well written. I would recommend it to anyone concerned about terrorist attacks.

But be aware that I became quite lachrymose toward the end. :)

Weather, Garden

It's cold! BRRR!! I guess I'm just not used to the cold weather I greew up with in Northern Virginia. Forecast is for windchills around zero tonight. I can't work in the yard or prep the new garden beds in this weather. :( So much to do and so little cooperation from the weatherman.

I ordered the rest of my seeds last night for the coming year. I need to organize what I have and get ready for the seed trains when they come thru. I'm following a plan for one more year, my third. Then we decide what we want for ourselves and what will sell at the market. But that's next year. Meanwhile we'll just read the books and see what develops.

I was working in the North Garden when the weather turned last week. My handy-dandy garden fork is now stuck in the ground. Frozen solid. I can't get it out. At least the weather should moderate by midweek. Actually calling for a low up at freezing next Thrusday! :) And I have seven beds to prep for spring by mid-March. Will I have time?

Epiphany Party

We had a meeting this afternoon that I thought was quite unusual, but I like the idea. Two members of our congregation prayed over the past few months for words that would apply to individuals over the next year or so. They prayed that the right person would blindly pick the word that God wants for them to think on this year. The handed around the tin with single words on slips of paper and each of us picked a word.

Several people talked about the words they picked last year. It is amazing how their words applied specifically to their lives, almost a summary of the most important things that happened in their lives during the year.

My word this year is "truth." I don't know just what this means yet. I will see what the Bible says about truth and pray about whatever God is trying to say to me.