THOUGHTS AT THREE A.M.

TO CABLE OR NOT TO CABLE, THAT IS THE QUESTION

The cable guys have lost their minds. With sky-rocketing rates, and the incident of questionable programing on the rise, they now have in the works a new $250 million promotion for a voluntary industry controlled rating system. Oh, please! I had my cable voluntarily jerked out of my house some time ago, when I saw how raw it was all getting, and I think that should be the wave of the future. I know, I know, by now they've gotten you convinced that you cannot live without cable.The pictures are so clear, and you can get all these channels.Oh, really? Did you ever dial up a digital movie you wanted to see real bad, and try to tape it? How many incidents of little squares all over the screen did you get? How many times did you have a blank screen for several minutes? What about when the whole thing goes down for hours at a time,and all you can do is wait? But, you still had to pay your bill for that time, didn't you?

Of course, if you like the indecent situation comedies, and the violent blood and gore, and the filthy language, then go ahead and pay for the privilege of being inundated with mind-numbing crap.If you have children, they probably don't think anything of such obscenities on a daily basis.They hear it at home all the time, and it is just the normal way of speaking and behaving.

But, for the rest of us, wouldn't it be a good move to find alternative entertainment? Go invest in a library card,and visit your local branch once a week, or every two weeks.You will find good movies, on DVD or VHS, good books,and even encounter people reading, right there on the premises. Isn't that an amazing concept?

OUI?

WHAT IT IS THAT ROLLS DOWNHILL

I just read an article, that updated what is happening with that young reservist who was involved in the iraqi prison scandal.This is on the day after we were informed that most of the officers in charge at ABU GHRAIB were exonerated from all blame. What a farce! So, once again, the "grunts" are left holding the bag,and who do we hear the most about? The chick, of course. That is just wrong! Her counsel, also a man, surprise,surprise, has recommended that she plead guilty to most of the charges, and the officer she was pictured with, in an intimate position, will be brought in to testify against her, and he will recieve immunity. So, beyond what the military ordinarily tells you that rolls downhill, we now understand that if you are a woman in the military, it is punishment,not that other stuff, that will land on you.Linndie (scapegoat) English is due to enter her plea this next week. It is said she will get about 10 years in a federal prision for holding a leash,while her picture was being taken.Oh! And that big smile? It is a proper response, to keep from gagging!

Pray for Linndie!

OUI?

WORDS THAT MAKE ME CRINGE

I suppose I am the only one who has this problem with certain words or/and phrases, but I keep thinking there must be others of my ilk.

When you are watching television, or listening to the radio, does it ever bother you when you hear a word  that drives you up the wall? That literally make you cringe? It happens to me all the time. One, is one of the seven deadly sins, "Pride". This is one that all I can say when I hear it is, pride, with an edge of sarcasm.To my chagrin, every time I hear it, I recall that before I  got saved, I had a terrible temper. My husband at the time, and I were having an argument, while I was brushing my hair. I cannot for the life of me  dredge up exactly what the subject of conversation was about, or precisely what it was he said to me that set me off, but the next thing I knew, I was off, beating him mercilessly with that hairbrush. However. The last thing I remember hearing was, "You have no pride!" Bruised and bowed,he apologized, and we made up. I didn't leave him broken and bleeding, but he was careful not to say that to me again.Even though he swears he never said those words.It maddens me still to recall it, because I have always worked hard on my personal grooming, and he knew it.

Then, there is the favorite catch phrase of  talk shows, "self-esteem." Number one, the one thing that any person who would go on television does NOT lack is self-esteem.They must, contrarily, think VERY highly of themselves to go on national television, and pour out their sad story.Their spouse may have robbed them of confidence,and beaten them down emotionally, but that is not lack of  you-know-what. To lack  that, one must be humble. I have seen these same individuals, once they have sobbed their way through the story, then get up and berate whoever it was that did this to them, in the worst language one can muster on network television."Blabble,bleep! blabble,bleep,bleeep, bleep!" So much for lack of you -know-what!

Another phrase that makes me cringe is one that I hear, misused all the time, and by people that should know better. Even other writers are guilty of this one, and that really sets me off. It is,"I could care less." when it is obvious to all that what the person THINKS they are saying is how little they care.But they are not! What they are saying is, "I care so much, I could care less." What they THINK they are saying is" I care so LITTLE, I couldn't care less!" ARGGG! Do you get the distinction? I certainly hope so.I can't help it. It upsets me when supposedly intelligent people misspeak themselves on a daily basis, and then have the nerve to be upset when you correct the imperfections in their speech. Now, I am not perfect, by a long shot, nor am I invulnerable. I make mistakes like anyone else. But, when I do, and someone points it out to me, I don't get all huffy, and swear that what I said was correct when it was not. I love the English language, and I am enchanted when I come across those who speak clearly and distinctly, and use words as an artist uses their paints.It seduces me.But on the other hand, I cannot abide a sloppy attitude.This complacency where they flip the hand about in the air and say, well,hell, you know what I mean. Yes, I am afraid I do! Is my response. Do you?

Less specifically, and far more general,are the dreadful cussing"buzzwords" of the day. Some are more offensive, such as name calling.We have all heard them, and I detest them all, and those that use them in everyday language.There is just no excuse for the constant use of these denigrating epithets. I for one, will not allow anyone, no matter how dear to me, or how important they think they are, to get by with such language in my presence, without calling them on it, and most certainly, not in my house. Through the years, my children have brought friends and acquaintances to my house, and invariably warned them in advance what I do not allow.With out exception, these individuals will swear to watch their language, and without exception, each and every one will try my patience,once they feel comfortable, and think I have taken a liking to them.Once again, I try to be gracious, and treat my guests with the utmost respect, until they give me a reason not to.I offer them a seat, a cold drink,listen to their rambling tales, and even try to indulge them in allowing them to regale me with their jokes,and listen to whatever suggestions they might have on writing.But one thing I won't ever allow them to do is presume too much on too little acquaintance.The first foul word that proceeds out of their mouths is corrected. Usually,they cover that mouth, and say they are sorry.I forgive them. The next time it happens, I am sorry too, because it is the last chance they will  ever have to make such a blunder.If they are properly contrite, I will give them yet another chance,but usually, that is a mistake. Some people, men especially, never learn, and cannot seem to control themselves.Now, don't get me wrong, I love men, but they do seem to have a sub-culture that depends very heavily upon speaking, um, in a macho,or frank, way. I am sorry to say that I have the same problem, in response. I feel control slipping away once my patience is tried too far, and I find myself ordering them out of my house, in the  nicest way possible. I have to admit, however, that in my younger days, even that was not taken as seriously as it should have been, and some brave, more aggressive individuals thought to placate me with compliments and groveling, and realized, too late, just how serious I was when I said, it is time for you to leave! I gave you an opportunity to behave well, and you didn't take it, so I want you out!

By this time, of course, my child who brought them in would say, she's serious, don't push it, it is time to go,now! Unfortunately, some few didn't move fast enough, and found themselves being bodily ejected from my domicile,and one or two even had a chair thrown after them, and all because they couldn't stop running off at the mouth, even while they were being told to shut up and leave! I will never understand some people. Why don't they get it? My house, I make up the rules.You can't abide by my rules, get out.It is simple, straight forward, and clear.Why would anybody want to stay and argue over such a thing? It used to be, that everyone understood what to say and not to say, in polite society.Now, with all bets off in movies, and current types of music, this language is creeping in everywhere, until even so called gentlemen use vulgar, filthy, obscene words to express that which could just as easily be conveyed in more acceptable terms. I have even read some blogs which used such miserable terminology, and I cringe, and hastily make my retreat. (sigh)You may well ask,why does this sort of thing disturb me so? It is very simple. Out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks.Or, to put it more siccinctly, garbage in, garbage out. Frankly, I don't care to be around anyone whose stream of consciousness is foul, and filled with manure.

Why should it be so? Aren't there enough decent words available in the English language for you to make yourself understood, without using crude,low, base, gutter terms? See, I know the truth of it is, most bloggers are smart. They see what gets attention,and so they go with the lowest common verbage, for shock value. Like a couple of very witty, highly intelligent comics I could mention,one of which touts a certain internet sevice, whom I will  not name, but whose initials are D.M.(the man, not the service) They are very funny, and I admire them for their brains, but I am saddened by them too. I consider that kind of behavior prostituting their talent. Oh, and by the way. One last gripe. I've heard parents tell their children to behave? Everyone behaves. The question is, do they behave well, or badly?

OUI?

THREE BEAUTIFUL THINGS

A CUP OF YOGURT,A RUFFLED TULIP, AN INSIGHTFUL SON.

1.I don't know what hit me, but when I got up from my nap, I had the most unhappy tummy.Dinner was soon prepared, but I begged off. Yet, I still had to eat, because my bloodsugar was low, and I had pills to take that can't be taken on an empty stomache.So, I opted for the last third of a cup of yogurt, peach, I think it was. That, along with part of a peach snapple filled the bill, and smoothed everything right out.

2.As my friend Cheryl, who comes to help me clean was leaving the other day,yon son saw she had left her coffee cup in the microwave, so he grabbed it,and hurried out the door with it, to take it to her before she could pull her van out of the driveway.As he was walking out, she came up the walk, and I saw them through the open kitchen door, meet in the middle of the walk, and then turn, looking across the yard.He disappeared in that direction,and then came back, they looked at what he had gone to get,and then  they both turned back the way they had come. When he came in,he bore before him the most winning deep purple ruffled tulip I have ever seen in my entire life.It now sits proudly in the middle of my kitchen table, in a cut glass bud vase all alone, and I must say,for a single flower, it is a fabulous centerpiece!

3.Tonight yon son brought some groceries, and in view of my earlier stomach problem, he bought one whole bag full of yogurt cups, all flavors.Once again, a blessing in disguise.

OUI?

PEERING THROUGH FROM THE OTHER SIDE?

I am curious. Just how does a worldly writer take on a  job of putting together a script, covering a spiritual theme? Do they just hope that if they throw some scripture into it, that the audience won't notice that they haven't a clue what they are doing? When I watch these presentations, I try to be charitable, thinking perhaps they will, some time down the line, correct the imperfections,and still, in the back of my mind, I am saying, but they wrote that for that charecter to say, how can they make them take it back? Time and time again, you will hear writers, (really good ones) say, I kept feeling that one day they would catch me, being a fraud, but they never did...or words to that effect.Now, it is beginning to amaze even me that the audience, or the critics, don't get the fact that this is not happening, when the writer is being allowed, or even perhaps, encouraged to skew the truth into something outside the

word of God.

Or, they see it, and as long as it is entertaining, they just don't care. What bothers me about all this is the idea that the audience, who have an interest in spiritual things, and sees that the whole world is changing, and not for the better, and has an idea that the end might be just around the next bend, will look at these programs, and take for truth that which is being presented.

In reality, the end times are upon us, and will go along as God has laid it down, and nothing anyone does, or does not do will change that. But, there is hope. I read the back of the book.

We Win.

Oui?

REVELATIONS WEEK 3

Well, tonight was the showing of revelations for the third installment of that mini-series, and I am sorry to say, I dropped the ball. I was at Bible study,and it ran a little long,and I just missed it.It just wasn't that high on my priority list. Bible study was more important. The subject was highly of moment to me because I am always coming in contact with young people who need direction, and for the most part, are not getting it anywhere else. I have been experiencing some opposition of late, and had been wondering why. Tonight's bible study was being led by a preacher who councils youngsters in the most dangerous situations imaginable.Those that have been abused, and/or raised in homes where they practiced witchcraft, otherwise known as worshiping Satan. This man stated emphatically, and I believe him, that when you begin to make inroads in depopulating the powers of darkness, you are going to have opposition.He has had visitations from an evil figure, that told him he was going to kill him.When he woke up from this dream or vision, he was sitting on the side of his bed, and he began to pray, and suddenly, he felt Jesus hand in his. He was reassured that the Lord wasn't going to let go of him,and that calmed all his fears and anxiety. So, you can see, I had every reason to listen intently to what this man had to say.It was infinitely more important than some fictionalized made for t.v. movie, which sheds no light on the actual book of Revelations, and brings one no closer to the Lord.

In reading this over, I see that I come off as being a little stuffy, or supercilious,but believe me, I don't mean it that way. In fact, I feel I have been chastened by the Lord for continueing to follow something, namely the show on NBC, that I knew to be error. Knowing this, I still had planned to watch this week's episode. I really feel sheepish about it, and yet, at the same time, I am very happy, too. Because the Lord chastizes those he loves.

Oui?

THE LYRICS TO "DIRTY LAUNDRY"

Lisa marie's Lyrics are pretty much the same as the original song, however, I noticed there is intrest in this rendition, so without further delay, here are the words to "dirty laundry"

I make my livin' on the evenin' news,just give me somethin', somethin I can use,people love it when you lose, they love dirty laundry.

well I could have been an actor, but I wound up here,

I just have to look good, I don't have to be clear,

come and whisper in my ear, give us dirty laundry,

kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down,

kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em all around,

the bubble headed bleached blonde comes on at five,

she can tell you about the  plane crash with a gleam in her eye, it intresting when people die, we love dirty laundry,

the kid that had the operation, is the head dead yet? you know the boys in the newsroom, they got a runnin bet, get the widow on the set, we need dirty laundry,

kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down,kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down, kick when they stand, kick 'em all around,

dirty little secrets, dirty little lies, we got our dirty little fingers in everybody's pie, we love to cut you down to size, we love dirty laundry,

we can do the innuendo, we can dance and sing,

when it's said and done we haven't told you a thing,

we all know that crap is king, give us dirty laundry,

Kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down,

kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down,

repeat...

SPEAKING OUT FOR THE BLIND

It used to be, in years gone by, that all you had to do to be heard was to take your little soapbox, down to a busy corner in town, get up on it, and start talking. That was freedom of speech, in it's purest form.Well, it is a sunny day,and in spite of the fact that I am speaking on the internet,I am climbing up on my soapbox. I see and hear all over the news right now that the powers that be are all up in arms over the social security thing, and I guess there is reason to be concerned. However.  There is another problem you don't hear too much about, and sad to say, it has never been debated, never to my knowledge been addressed.Once again, the disabled fall through the cracks.I am talking about the blind, and the lack of the governments sensitivity to the problems they face every day, when it comes to money. When a visually impared person climbs into a cab,they must depend on the kindness of that driver to be honest with them when it comes time for them to pay the fare. In stores, or on the bus, or at the bank, there are others around to keep that clerk or teller or driver honest.But most blind customers are alone, just themselves and the driver,and I have heard stories that would curl your hair as to how often the cabbie takes advantage of the situation. The passenger cannot see the fare box, so he or she must depend on the driver to tell them what the fare is, unless they are a seasoned rider.Often, a bill is passed forward,and the rider says, what is that, or Is that enough? Even when the charge is honest,and the payment is proper, there is no guarantee that the change given back is correct,or that the customer, when disembarking, won't drop some money while trying to put their change away.

In some cases, the blind person has a system,all different denominations of bills folded a certain way, by a helpful bank teller, or a family member, or friend. And it is true that even a sighted person will sometimes loose money as they leave the cab.It is a common occurance, and one that the cabbie sometimes does  not catch until much later, making it almost impossible for the driver to return the money dropped to the right person.But, there is something the treasury department could do, to make it easier for the visually impared to avoid being cheated.BRAILLE.If the money was imprinted with braille denominations, the sightless would have no problem knowing what they were giving to anyone, and no problem detecting what change they were being given back. It is a simple,and obvious solution, and one that should have been instituted years ago.So, what about it, America? What are we waiting for? Write or call your congressman today, and let's get this into law as soon as possible.Don't make the blind go another year with this inequality when it comes to their money. It is not fair. No one should have to  live from day to day with this kind of uncertainty, when the resolution is so easily obtained.They are changing our money around anyway, so adding a few little bumps at the corners shouldn't be that big of a deal, should it?

Oh, by the way, Just in case your curious as to where this idea came from? It was suggested by a group of cab drivers, concerned for the welfare of the people they haul every day. Nobody knows better than they that there are unscrupulous cabbies out there, and they want the blind protected.And so do I.

oui?

20 WHAT IF's...?

What if...those Sheep those scientists now have growing human organs, including brain cells, DID start talking? Hm? what then, I wonder? would the aclu then start pandering for sheeps rights?

What if...pope benedict 16 th was a nazi? Just how would that jive with him being pope now, and would he confess to it?

What if everyone who said, "I'll be damned,...were?

what if JESUS CHRIST came back this week, and raptured the church out of here, and the great tribulation period started on next Monday? Would you be here, or would you be gone?

what if niether cats nor dogs ruled, but caged birds did? Think about it. We feed them, protect them, bathe them, and cater to them, kind of a cushy life, if you ask me...and most of them talk pretty well too...enough to make their feelings known.

What if the current fattening up of Americans is a blessing from God, and we are about to exerience a famine on a global scale? Take THAT dieters! The only ones to live through it would be the undesireables that could life off their own fat! HAH! Well after all, isn't that what fat is for?

What if cancer has nothing to do with anything ingested, but is a side effect of worry, anger,and hatred?

What if every parent watched their children so closely that none of them ever again wandered off, or got taken?

What if Conan O'brien really is going to go to hell when he dies?

What if this current push to have all cats and dogs spayed and neutered,ends up wiping both out of existance forever? Or, what if it is spearheaded by breeders, who will eventually be the only way you can get a dog or cat? $ ca-ching$

What if the trend towards birth control and abortion ends up wiping us out existance? The schools are closing and consolidating because we don't have enough children to fill them...enrollments are on a downward spiral, teachers are leaving because the schools are loosing funding...and more children are being killed every day. Where will it all end?

What if Mothers with children DIDN'T live with their boyfriends? Would that stop the live-in lovers from beating the kids to death? Would it stop this horrible trend of boyfriends killing the mother and the children?

What if no one ever got into bed with anyone they wouldn't mind having kids with...or, what if that was the goal in the first place? Wouldn't that change our society?

What if the scientists studied the statistics, and concluded that the sexual revolution was a flop? Would that end casual sex?

What if the only food that was good for you, was the stuff that tastes good?

What if everyone in this country woke up as the person they would like to be tomorrow? How many personalities would Britaney Spears have? Would there be any normal people left? Would we be left with a country of just celebrities, and no workers? Would there be anybody at the fast food window?

What if  you had to be completely honest with everyone for 24 hours? Would you have any friends left? How about a Job?

What if you woke up tomorrow, and you were your own child? Would you run away from home?

What if you were suddenly paid according to how hard you work? Would you be very, very rich, or dirt poor?What if the first were last, and the last were first? It could happen, someday...

What if, you needed help, and the only ones who would give it to you, were people you walked on in the past?

What if tonight, God called you home? Would you be ready to go to heaven, or to hell?

OUI?

THREE BEAUTIFUL THINGS

A CATNAP, PLANTS , AND MOLLY TALKS!

1.Church today was so grand, that by the time it was over, I was all worn out.Eyes at half-mast, I shut everything down,and fell into bed. I slept so deeply, I know I had dreams, but I don't recall any of them.But, I woke refreshed, and didn't miss a thing. Very beautiful.

2.About a month ago, some friends brought me an armfull of potted plants that had been neglected to the point that they looked dead. A dumb-cane, laying over on it's side, and weepy,a large pot full of Philadendrum,brown and crispy, and an elegant glass container with marbles in it, dry as a bone, out of which straggled some unrecognizable green stalk of something,with one leaf on it.  These need you to save them, mom! Is what I was told.I just looked at them, shook my head, and watered everybody,cleaned them up as well as I could, and did a few other restorative things.Frankly,I didn't hold out much hope for the recovery of any of them. Well, we unched them along, propping up the dumb-cane, monitoring the response to light, watering every day, and keeping the cat from drinking the water out of the elegant glass thing, and I am happy to announce that all have survived,and in fact, are thriving!

3.I heard a Yewol from my bedroom, and hurried to the doorway, only to see Molly, in her accustomed place,at the foot of my nice warm waterbed. I asked her what was wrong. She looked me squarely in the face, lifted a hind leg, and gently scratched at her ear, and then shook her head, and went on to tell me a most pathetic story.She went on and on about it as she followed me out of the bedroom,and fell sideways in front of me as I tried to go back to my desk.Her ear itched, that much was clear,so when she got up on the chair next to mine, I gently took ahold of the base of her little black ear,and pinched it together several times,with the tenderest touch I possess.Under my ministrations, those golden eyes fell shut,and she thanked me,softly, and went to sleep right there,purring.