The Christmas Crab

Although I don't believe in astrology, I was born under the sign of the crab, Cancer. I must admit I do have a lot of the characteristics of a moon child - some good, some not so good. I'm just thankful I do not resemble a crab physically. It would be most difficult to purchase eyeglasses, I think. And shoes? I don't think even Zappo's could help out in that department.

All of this to say, I'm a bit of a hermit, and love staying close to the hearth. I've been rather crabby recently(sorry, couldn't help it), probably a bit of the holiday blues. I find that I'm just not interesting right now and am having a hard time returning visits. Now, you all know who you are, namely: Levon, Sandee, Sandy B, Linda, Barbara and (please forgive me, because I just know I'm leaving someone very special out)........Which also leads me to the fact that I can't remember stuff. Yeah, I'd rather use that other word that starts with an "s" but I won't. I had a long chat with my cousin today (also my very best friend in the world!), and we spent a large amount of time discussing things like: "You know, that movie with what's-her-name; you know, the one who played with - darn, what's-his-name, in, shoot! What was the name of the movie he starred in with..." And on it goes! As my friend Bee says, "Got to take more fish oil pills."

So, I plan on taking some time off without any guilt as usual, and come back in a few days, with I hope, a renewed sense of humor and less sense of self - new perspective, if you will.
Love to you all. And yes, a bigger, badder me will return. Well, bigger probably.

Happy Holidays!

Okay, that's just not me. I choke trying to say "Happy Holidays." I know a lot of folks feel like they're left out. There are Jewish folks (to whom I do wish "Happy Hanukka"), there are Muslim folks, Pagan folks, agnostics and atheists. I respect their right to abstain from wishing me a Merry Christmas, but by gum, I'm a Christian (and even though I know all of the history of the holiday and realize we do not know the date, etc., etc.,) we have set this day aside to acknowledge the birth of the Christ. It is a time of wonderment and joy. I always listen to Handel's Messiah and relive the days when I was part of a large choir, which sang a goodly portion of this glorious body of work, and sing along in my now froggy voice. It is a time of going to midnight services and the reading of the scriptures. It is the foundation of my faith, and so, I wish all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

An Update...

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and concern for Jill, our daughter-in-law. She's made it through and is now on the other side of recovery! She was moved to a rehabilitation center for physical therapy and is expected to go home Christmas Eve! What a blessing for Steve and their daughter, Kelsie. We give thanks to God for His blessings.
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Now, I want to thank all of you for hanging in with me as I deserve the "Worst Blogger of the Year" award. I know we all have periods in which there's just not the time or the words, so we let it go for a while. That's whats happened to me, I guess. I have the time but not the words.
I guess that has to go at the top of my list of resolutions.

Furry Girls

Katie and Zoe - back from the groomers. It's after midnigh,t and they're driving me nuts. It's cold outside and rainy. They just came in for the last time tonight so they're all fired up and want to play. I don't.

I appreciate all of the concern you have shown our family in regards to our daughter-in-law's condition. She is making slow, steady progress, with this week bringing her closer to recovery than she's been before. She still has some neurological difficulties but the doctors seem to think that the brain lesions will heal on their own.

Please forgive me for being a "non-blogster" these past few weeks. There are so many of you that I enjoy visiting and I'm being a horrible dud. Just know it's nothing personal, I just don't have a lot to say that doesn't seem depressing and gloomy. I really don't want to spread that around the blogs!

I'll try to pop in and out as the season progresses. Have fun as you endure shopping lines, baking cookies, and decorating - all the things that make the season so bright!

Harry Reid is a Little Buffoon!

I try to shy away from politics because I know it offends some of my friends. But this issue is so outrageous I just can't help myself.

This was posted in The Wall Street Journal:

By JOHN FUND

Majority Leader Harry Reid tarred opponents of his health care bill yesterday as the equivalent of those who opposed equal rights for women and civil rights for blacks.

In a remarkable statement on the Senate floor, Mr. Reid lambasted Republicans for wanting to "slow down" on health care. "You think you've heard these same excuses before? You're right," he said. "In this country there were those who dug in their heels and said, 'Slow down, it's too early. Let's wait. Things aren't bad enough' -- about slavery. When women wanted to vote, [they said] 'Slow down, there will be a better day to do that -- the day isn't quite right. . . .'"

He wrapped up his remarks as follows: "When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today."

Senator Reid's comments were quickly condemned. "Hyperbole. It is over the top. It reminds me of earlier people talking about Nazis," said Juan Williams of NPR and Fox News, author of "Eyes on the Prize," a definitive history of the civil rights movement.

Historians also faulted Mr. Reid's curious reference to the Senate civil rights debates of the 1960s. After all, it was Southern Democrats who mounted an 83-day filibuster of the 1964 Civil Rights Bill. The final vote to cut off debate saw 29 Senators in opposition, 80% of them Democrats. Among those voting to block the civil rights bill was West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, who personally filibustered the bill for 14 hours. The next year he also opposed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Mr. Byrd still sits in the Senate, and indeed preceded Mr. Reid as his party's majority leader until he stepped down from that role in 1989.

The final reason Mr. Reid's comments were so inapt and offensive is that the battles for women's suffrage and civil rights he referred to were about expanding freedom. That's not what the 2,074-page health care bill being debated in the Senate today does, with its 118 new regulatory boards and commissions. Mr. Reid may reach his needed 60 votes to pass his bill this month, but he is pursuing it using the most tawdry and deplorable of tactics.

Who does Reid think he's kidding? It's nothing new that he's a dirty little rat who doesn't like to play fair, but this is so over the top I cannot believe it.

Grace Beyond Measure

We have a Christmas miracle! After going to the edge, Jill has returned and is "home." She recognizes people, and although she still requires the breathing tube, she is aware. She has a way yet to go, but it appears that she's going to be all right in the long run!

There were some lesions in the brain that have evidently been absorbed - that was causing the neuro difficulties. She will have some things to overcome, but it looks SO much better!!!

Our family thanks all of you who "stormed Heaven with your prayers." We appreciate you from the bottom of our hearts.

Prayers for Jill

Our daughter-in-law, Jill, remains in a coma. She became ill two and a half weeks ago, was placed on life support and taken off the equipment just a few days ago. Now the doctors have determined that she is bleeding in the brain and it's now touch and go. Jill is the wife of Wally's son, Steve, and they have a teen-aged daughter. Please remember Jill and her family in your prayers. We sure will appreciate it.

Coram Deo, Gracie