Aiming for Freedom

In honor of Veterans Day this November 11th, readers were asked which of the following rights do you hold most dear? There were six possible choices pulled from the Bill of Rights. You know those first 10 amendments from the Constitution of the United States? Yeah, those. Of the 20 votes cast No cruel or unusual punishment, Right to a fair and speedy trial, Right to Due Process, and No unlawful search and seizure received no votes. It was the First and the Second Amendments which received all the votes. And as well they should have.

The First Amendment which guarantees citizens the right to free speech, assembly, religion, and free press won with 14 votes (70%) and the Second Amendment which guarantees citizens the right to bare arms received 6 votes (30%). The results are not surprising. In fact, it illustrates the genius behind the framing of the Constitution. Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of religious freedom, the right to assemble, and freedom of the press. Aim with words first. They're free. But when talk is cheap, that's where Smith & Wesson comes in. The bullet will cost a little extra.

New poll is up: Which decade sported the worst hairstyles of the 20th century?

Trick-or-Treat . . . NOW!

So what is your biggest trick-or-treating pet peeve? Well out of 14 votes cast, the one that was voted the most irritating was Unappreaciative or Demanding with 5 votes. The second biggest pet peeve was No Costumes with 3 votes, follwed by Too Old for Trick-or-Treating with 2. With one vote each were Not Saying Trick-or-Treat, Inappropriate Costumes, Pet Peeve Not Listed, and Don't Have Trick-or-Treaters.

In my humble opinion, I believe that trick-or-treating as my older kids know it will be a thing of the past. I think it will fade away during Abby's childhood. Many churches are now hosting "trunk-or-treat" events where members line up the parking lot and kids can trick-or-treat from the cars and have a party on site. More schools in our area are having Halloween Carnivals. The local fire station has a haunted house. And fewer and fewer houses pass out candy it seems.

Alyssa stayed home on Halloween and passed out candy while James and I took Justina and Abby out. She said that she had very fewer people come by and that the majority of the ones who did were rude and obnoxious. There aren't many kids left in our neighborhood. For me, my pet peeve is that the kids that do come to our neighborhood are from the far north end of town. Perhaps next year, we will become one of the many houses in our neighborhood that will stop passing out candy. So I guess now our cars will get egged and our pumpkins smashed.

It seems that people thrive on being rude these days. Etiquette has been deemed as antiquated. Just think of all the litigation alone that could be avoided if we all practiced a little thing called common courtesy. The truth of the matter is good manners will never go out of style.

New Poll is Up . . .

I posted a new poll in honor of Veterans Day. It ends Sunday, November 16th at 11:59 p.m. What constitutional right so you hold the most dear? Vote today!

Until the next time, take care and God bless. :)

For the Love of Country

Yesterday, November 11th was Veterans Day. And even though, I am a day late in posting this, I believe that for every American citizen, everyday should be Veterans Day.

Every Monday, American children can still start a new week at a school of their parents' choosing. Every work day, Americans can still go to work and achieve a host of dreams. Every weekend, Americans can still attend any church they wish or not wish and practice any religion or not. Every election cycle, Americans can still go to the polls and vote for the candidate or position of their chosing without fear or risk of injury or death. On any given day, at any given hour, Americans can still turn on a television or radio, surf the internet, or open any printed publication and enjoy the content.

On any given day, a homemaker from the Central Coast of California, can open up Blogger and write her thoughts for all the world to read. On any given day, Americans are still afforded these opportunities by a veteran. For every American, everyday is Veterans Day.

To all the veterans, especially to the ones in my life, my husband James, my father, my father-in-law Ray Moses, my brother-in-law Dennis Moses, my sister-in-law Angie Moses, our many friends who have served and continue to serve, no language is adequate enough to express my gratitude.

Justina, Justina, How Does Your Garden Grow

Justina shows off her section of the 4-H garden (10/17/08)

This year Justina decided to do the Horticulture Project in 4-H. The project leader actually is a salesman for Kellogg Gardening Products and an experienced gardener himself, which is very fortunate for Justina because she most certainly will not learn how to grow plants from her mother. You see my father was a farmer and my mother was an ornamental horticulture major. However, the dominant green thumb gene was not passed on to me. Instead, I inherited the recessive black thumb of plant death gene.

She began her project with her first meeting on October 5th at the Growing Grounds Farms in Orcutt. The Growing Grounds is operated by the Transitional Mental Health Association. The farm produces a wide variety of plants that are available for sale to the public. They had a 6-x-9-foot section of land that they allowed the 4-H club to use. There are six kids in the project, and each one has a 3-x-3-foot section, divided by a row of kale which they planted. There is also a trellis that runs lengthwise through the middle of the plot. In each section, they planted a few sweet peas, strawberries, lettuces, parsley, Icelandic poppies, alyssums, carrots, Swiss chard, and nasturtiums. (Justina did not plant the chard or alyssums.) About once or twice a week, Justina goes and waters. It has been really neat to see the progress.

One of the Icelandic poppy plants from the 4-H garden (10/17/08)

Justina's kale after two weeks (10/17/08)

Also at the first meeting began with the kids planting cyclamen in pots. Justina's pot is shaped like a cute pig. And even though this shade plant get about 90 minutes of full sun around sunset, it is still going strong. The plant gets a little wilty when it needs some water. Normally, it only needs water once a week. But on windy days, which is more the norm here this time of year, it may need it two or three times. But the neat thing about the cyclamen is watching them perk up about ten minutes after watering. It's like magic!

Justina's cyclamen that she had planted an hour earlier (10/5/08)

Today, James took her to her second meeting. She harvested about six heads of lettuce. So now we have some Romaine and red and green leaf varieties in our fridge. I had to return a Tupperware container to someone and Justina took two heads along to give to them. She planted some red and white onions and an aloe vera plant. And in a pot she planted some narcissus, and in a quart-size Mason jar filled with water, she set an amaryllis apple blossom bulb over the mouth of it.

Lettuce be thankful for Justina's bounty of lettuce (11/9/08)

A red leaf variety of lettuce that Justina grew (11/9/08)

Amaryllis apple blossom bulb over the top of the jar.

She planted some other bulbs in the terra cotta pot. (11/9/08)

Justina is having a blast. And I love her little sense of responsibility. The project leader's daughter and she are good friends. And he does such a great job at keeping the kids engaged and on task. And her mom and dad are learning a thing or too. Maybe my black thumb gene might mutate into a grayish-green. Stranger things have been known to happen.

Justina watering her 4-H garden. (10/17/08)

In Other News . . .

James and I went out to breakfast with some friends this morning. And it rained. Not a lot, but still. Abby has officially outgrown the majority of her 2T clothes. And I had been on the hunt for a winter jacket for her for a while now. It would seem that the jacket-vest is the in thing. Sleeves are apparently so last year. The Pismo Beach Outlet stores were having a huge sale weekend. By huge, I am talking 50 to 70% off. So I headed up there to the Carters and Osh Kosh stores. And I managed to finally find a jacket - with sleeves - at Osh Kosh for 50% off. And it had removeable sleeves. So little Abba Zabba can still stay fashionable by gosh, if the weather permits.

Until the next time. take care and God bless. :)

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

James was going through some boxes in the garage today and found a little something from my childhood. It is an Easter bunny that I received many years ago. I was at least 5 or 6 years old. You used to be able to wind it up and it would play Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin' down the bunny trail while its tail would go around in a circle. But the spring broke years ago and it no longer plays. It's still as cute as ever though.

In Other News . . .

Nothing new happened today. Justina and I cleaned guinea pig cages. James cleaned out the garage and ran some things to the thrift store. (Excellent job honey!) I bought a couple bags of apples the other day and plan to dehydrate them. As I said, nothing new happened today.

Until the next time, take care and God bless. :)

Something to Think About

I really do not have much to blog about tonight. Yes, I suppose I could join countless others and blog about how I feel about the recent election. But I am not as crafty a wordsmith to deliver any brilliant or witty commentary. The morning after the election, I wrote the following on my Facebook wall, "Cathleen woke up to find that America had shaved her head and drunk the Kool-Aid." That's the height of my eloquence regarding the whole affair.

For those who feel defeated about the election, and even for those who feel elated about the election, I would like to share the words of St. Pius X, whose papal reign began at the beginning of the twentieth century.

In our time more than ever before,

the greatest asset of the evil-disposed

is the cowardice and weakness of good men,

and all the vigour of Satan's reign

is due to the easy-going weakness of Catholics.

In the beginning of the twenty-first century, these words are as timely today as they were then. The Constitution guarantees us freedoms for which many had died. Learn it, understand it, and do not take it for granted ever. Whether your candidate won or lost, stay involved in the political process. And inform yourselves with a whole of information. To do anything less is to just sit back and watch it all slip away. And I can't express my thoughts any better than that.

I Like Candy!

Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me . . . . MilkyWay to eat! Yes, Milky Way won the Halloween Candy Poll from last week with 4 out of 19 votes (21%). In a six-way tie for second place were Candy Corn, Snickers, Kit Kat, Tootsie Rolls, SweeTarts, and My Fave Isn't Listed, each with 2 votes a piece. Smarties, Lollipops, and Nerds came in third with one vote each. Thanks to all who voted. For those whose favorites were not listed, leave a comment on this post and let others know which on is your favorite. As for me, candy corn rocks!

In Other News . . .

I would like to wish my sister Jill and her husband, Brian, a very happy second wedding anniversary. And thank you to Keone from Orcutt and Chris from Bakersfield for sticking pins in Le Frappr Map. As for Anonymous from Grover Beach, your pin has been deleted. Sorry, no anonymous pins. Show thyself!

The new poll is up. Tell a friend and send them over to read, vote, and Frap.

Until the next time, take care and God bless. :)

What America Needs Is Penny for President!

America faces more challenges than she ever has in her history. People are concerned about national security, the economy, health care, and so much more. America needs hope. America needs leadership. America needs Penny for President.

So where does Penny stand on the issues?

Security . . .

"I believe that patrolling the perimeter is vital to our security. With my border collie-American heritage, I can make this a reality."






Crime . . .

"Redundant question! See security."









Health Care . . .

"No one should ever be subjected to such degradation! Not even cats!"












Bipartinsanship . . .


"I believe flexibility is in order for both political parties. I am extremely flexible. I can bite my own tail!"






The Economy . . .



"I believe in trickle-down economics. A lesser tax burden on the humans would lead to more disposible income to spend on pet treats and toys thus stimulating economic growth."

The Plight of Joe the Plumber . . .

"I readily admit that I do not know anything about the plight of this Joe the Plumber. But allow me to tell you about my human, Joan the Accountant . . . "

Security, Flexibility, and Tummy Rubs for All

This November 4th, Walk the Vote, and Vote for Penny for President!

PENNY POWER!

I am Penny and I approve this message.

Paid for by Penny for President 2008, in partnership with Dogpark Moms for Penny, Pound Puppies International, and Penny's Human Auntie Cathleen.

Happy All Saints Day (A Simpleton's Explanation of the Saints)

November 1st marks the Feast Day of All Saints in the Catholic Church's calendar. All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation for all Catholics. In some dioceses, when the feast day falls on a Saturday or Monday, they move the obligation to the nearest Sunday. (Check your local parishes.) The point of the feast day is to honor all the saints, known and unknown, whose lives have served as examples of constantly striving to imitate Christ in mind, body, and soul.

Many people often question the hype surrounding the saints, sort of the Catholic Church's own papparazzi storm. Some are confused by what makes these individuals worthy of such honor or distinction. Many accuse Catholics of worshipping the saints, taking away from that glory which belongs solely to God. The reality is that Catholics do not worship saints. We do honor them. They have led their lives in exemplary service to God. And therefore, their lives serve as a source of inspiration for an ideal to aspire to. Their lives are also a source to learn from their insights and experiences. In fact, in the Book of Romans 1 (1:5-6 more specifically, yet the whole chapter applies), all Christians are called to be saints: Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Okay, so what exactly did they do that made their lives so exemplary? The answer to that question is not simple. One should read some of the life stories to learn more what they exactly did. The examples include living their lives in constant prayer and service all the way to dying for Christ. But it is very important to understand that the Church does not just canonize anybody. The cause for canonization is a long and exhaustive investigative process, with some cases open for several decades.

As for the worshipping misconception, this is often linked to the use of artwork, medals, etc. that display the saint's image, and the use of prayers that invoke a saint's name. Throughout the world, people use artwork, jewelry, statues, all sorts of objects really, to remind them of some great person in history, sports figures, favorite musicians, etc. If I were to have an autographed jersey of Joe Montana hanging in a frame on my wall, it would be an example of the 49ers being my favorite football team, Joe Montana being my favorite player, or maybe both. But I am not submitting myself to that image and living my life based on whether they have a good year.

The use of Saint Prayers is for intercession by the saintly soul to God on our behalf. We are not praying to adore and worship that saint. It would be no different than me asking for Bill Walsh to say a prayer that the 49ers have a great season or asking my next door neighbor to say a few prayers for my family to help during a difficult time. Saintly intercession leads us to God, not away from it. It is another beacon of light we carry as we struggle to make our way to Heaven. The saints have run the good race. So we are somewhat certain that they are in heaven. They are praying for us to get there as well. And for a far-from-perfect average joe like me, it's good to know "the network" is there to help me along my way.