General Discussion, Monday, February 13, 2017

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Stella

castlegermany

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228 Responses to General Discussion, Monday, February 13, 2017

  1. Col.(R) Ken says:
    February 13, 2017 at 12:11 am

    Making sure the lights are working, now where did I put my coffee cup…….

    Liked by 7 people

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  2. kinthenorthwest says:
    February 13, 2017 at 12:21 am

    We kind of hit on this in an earlier topic..
    Thought I’d share this with all the Special people on here

    Part of the Lyrics—
    There never was anyone like me or you
    Being ourselves is the best we can do
    We’re priceless and precious for God tells me so
    Oh, oh, oh we’re special you know
    We’re quite unique, a walking work of art
    And strong or weak we all have our own special place in God’s heart
    We’re different each one from the other it’s true
    God never repeats himself, never makes two
    Be happy with who you are, God made you so
    Oh, oh, oh you’re special you know

    Liked by 7 people

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  3. sandandsea2015 says:
    February 13, 2017 at 6:34 am

    Morning everyone!

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply
  4. amwick says:
    February 13, 2017 at 6:48 am

    Good morning All..
    It is nice to wake up when there is a hint of dawn…

    Liked by 5 people

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    • amwick says:
      February 13, 2017 at 6:49 am

      Fox is playing bit of the Grammy awards.. pretty gross…

      Liked by 4 people

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      • auscitizenmom says:
        February 13, 2017 at 7:25 am

        I have something to say, but I am not going to say it because it is really hateful and racist. I can’t even stand to see the clips of the Grammys. How they call so much of that music, I don’t know.

        Liked by 6 people

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        • michellc says:
          February 13, 2017 at 7:37 am

          I’m not much of a fan of modern music. In my car the radio is always on the oldies channel, I just can’t listen to this stuff today posing as music.

          Liked by 5 people

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        • amwick says:
          February 13, 2017 at 7:55 am

          I was just watching the news, same thing, every morning…It was hateful.

          Liked by 3 people

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        • stella says:
          February 13, 2017 at 9:26 am

          I don’t like that ‘music’ either, and I don’t believe it is because I am old. It really is terrible.

          Liked by 12 people

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          • Menagerie says:
            February 13, 2017 at 11:21 am

            If it reflects the soul, the person who produces it and the person who partake of it, as of course it surely must, it is ugly and frightening. We see its fruits in the riots, deaths, and rage enacted in our country today.

            Liked by 4 people

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          • czarowniczy says:
            February 13, 2017 at 12:56 pm

            Music is marketed and those of us over 50 are a niche market that doesn’t really register in the main market. The music, lyrics, visuals, etc are all planned out carefully for that all-important youth market, they are the ones in the psychological target zone who have the cash and attention to feed to the artist.
            Y’all remember back in the late 80s/early 90s when stations would showcase artists like the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, all 60s and early 70s? How often do you hear them now, except on a few stations targeting our age groups? We ain’t as profitable as we used to be.
            Cheer up, old timers, their times are Acomin’. One day thry’ll wake up and see their ain’t we just the coolest’ music being used to sell cars, laundry soap, denture paste and, when the shock wears off, realize they’ve been passed by for a new marketing target audience.

            Liked by 1 person

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      • John Denney says:
        February 13, 2017 at 1:56 pm

        I was surprised how little politics there was, and again by how virulently anti-Trump a particular performance was.
        Bruno Mars did an excellent rendition of Prince’s, “Let’s Go Crazy”, Pentatonix did their magic with Michael Jackson’s, “ABC”, and Little Big Town took part in a tribute to the BeeGees, singing “How Deep Is Your Love”, as Barry Gibb sat beaming and singing along in the audience.
        I was surprised that there were technical difficulties. You could tell in some songs that the balance of instruments and voice was way out of whack, and then the balance would suddenly change dramatically. Adele apparently had no monitors at the start of her song tribute to George Michael, completely blew the song, uttered a profanity that was silenced (at least that technical part worked!), then apologized profusely and asked to start the song over. She apologized again for that profanity later when accepting one of her four Grammie awards.
        My favorite performance of the night was Lady Gaga, backed by Metallica. Wow! Metalica’s lead singer James Hetfield found his mike was not working, so he just walked over and sang into Lady Gaga’s mike, which I think made the performance even better, seeing a tight shot of the two singing face-to-face. For my wife, their performance was literally jaw-dropping, several times.

        Liked by 1 person

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    • michellc says:
      February 13, 2017 at 7:35 am

      Good morning!
      Still dark here, but all the pre-dawn chores are done.

      Liked by 5 people

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      • Col.(R) Ken says:
        February 13, 2017 at 8:52 am

        I learned my lesson, couple years ago, sell the Beef before winter…….

        Liked by 3 people

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        • michellc says:
          February 13, 2017 at 11:41 am

          I laughed at a guy who got into hogs, he bought into them when the market was really high, the highest in my memory. Market went down like it always does and he sold them all off. I tried to tell him it would go back up and he was making a huge mistake to sell while it was low, but he didn’t listen and lost his shirt and is now whining that the market is creeping back up.

          A lot of people have lost their shirts on cattle as well, many around here when it got up to over $3/lb thought it was a good idea to become cattle ranchers. Then prices went down and they couldn’t make their payments. A few I warned against buying while so high and tried to tell them it wouldn’t last forever, but nobody ever listens and then can’t believe prices dropped so much.

          Liked by 3 people

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          • stella says:
            February 13, 2017 at 11:45 am

            Just like the stock market (in other words, common sense): Buy low and sell high.

            Liked by 5 people

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          • Col.(R) Ken says:
            February 13, 2017 at 6:40 pm

            If I did my quarterly taxes correctly, last quarter of 2016, I made $1100 net off cattle. That’s also not including my time……….it’s just something that I always wanted to do, and I’m doing this for a few more years. Then I will become a “Gentleman” farmer like Czar.

            Liked by 2 people

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            • michellc says:
              February 13, 2017 at 8:04 pm

              You probably have to feed yours more than we do in this area. Like this year we still had green grass into December.

              With the warmer weather it’s starting to green up again.
              Usually 3 to 4 months is all we have to hay them and we do grain as well in the winter.

              Like

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            • czarowniczy says:
              February 13, 2017 at 10:51 pm

              Don’t know about your characterization, though I’ll admit to being a farmer. Forget the income, we don’t do it for the money, unless you’re a big production rancher/farmer or a niche farm/ranch you ain’t gonna get rich. On the other hand, there’s an indescribable feling at the end of the day when you’re sitting on your patio with a drink and look over what you did.

              Like

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    • kinthenorthwest says:
      February 13, 2017 at 10:38 am

      Morning amwick…
      Fog is covering up our sun again…But I know the Lord’s sun is out there & thankful for another new day.

      Liked by 4 people

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  5. nyetneetot says:
    February 13, 2017 at 7:28 am

    Mornin’ stella! (Smiter of those that ought to be smote) 😎 🍸 (Long Island Iced Tea)
    Mornin’ WeeWeed! (Master Mixologist Extrodinare) 😎 🍸 (Old Fashioned)
    Mornin’ Menagerie! 😎 |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| (Jack Daniels – Single Barrel )
    Mornin’ Ad rem! (Queen Felis catus) 🐱 🍸 (Flaming Lamborghini)
    Mornin’ Sharon! 😎 🍸 🍸 (earthquake)
    Mornin’ ytz4mee! 😎 🍸 (cosmopolitan)
    Mornin’ waltzingmtilda! 🙂 🍸 (white wine and perrier)
    Mornin’ partyzantski! 🙂 |_| (Tom Collins)
    Mornin’ texan59! 🙂 |_| (Black & Tan)
    Mornin’ ZurichMike! 🙂 🍸 (fuzzy navel)
    Mornin’ Col.(R) Ken! (hand salute) 🙂 |_| (Boilermaker)
    Mornin’ Czarina! 🙂 🍸 (Lynchburg Lemonade)
    Mornin’ czarowniczy! 🙂 |_| (Wild Turkey Rare Breed)
    Mornin’ letjusticeprevail2014! 🙂 |_| (Irish Car Bomb)
    Mornin’ Patriot1783-ctdar! (aka “ctdar”) 🙂 🍸 (grasshopper)
    Mornin’ tessa50! 🙂 🍸 (flaming volcano)
    Mornin’ waltzingmtilda! 🙂 🍸 (sidecar)
    Mornin’ varsityward! 🙂 |_| (Godfather)
    Mornin’ MaryfromMarin! 😀 |_| |_| (Mortlach)
    Mornin’ Wooly Phlox! (aka “taqiyyologist”) 🙂 |_| (Roy Rogers)
    Mornin’ Howie! (aka “doodahdaze”) 🙂 |_| (Classic Daiquiri)
    Mornin’ TwoLaine! 🙂 |_| (Gin & Tonic)
    Mornin’ Sha! 🙂 🍸 (Lemon Drop)
    Mornin’ BigMamaTEA! 🙂 🍸 (Harvey Wallbanger)
    Mornin’ cetera5! (aka “Cetera”) 🙂 |_| (Blackberry wine)
    Mornin’ The Tundra PA! 🙂 🍸 (Baileys Irish Cream on the rocks)
    Mornin’ lovely! 🙂 |_| (Backdraft)
    Mornin’ michellc! 🙂 🍸 (Salty dog)
    Mornin’ auscitizenmom! 🙂 🍸 (Kiss on the Lips)
    Mornin’ Margaret-Ann! 🙂 🍸 (White Russian)
    Mornin’ Auntie Lib! 🙂 🍸 (Tom and Jerry)
    Mornin’ holly100! 🙂 🍸 (Jack & Coke)
    Mornin’ Pam! 🙂 (Not even water)
    Mornin’ Ms.Tee! 🙂 🍸 (Mojito)
    Mornin’ koolkosherkitchen! 🙂 🍸 🍸 (Cuba Libre)
    Mornin’ ImpeachEmAll 🙂 |_| (Flaming Dr. Pepper)
    Mornin’ Monroe! 🙂 |_| (Stinger)
    Mornin’ Les! 🙂 |_| (Rusty Nail)
    Mornin’ shiloh1973! 🙂 |_| (Jack Daniels)
    Mornin’ TexasRanger! 🙂 |_| (Whiskey Smash)
    Mornin’ Ziiggii! 🙂 |_| (B52)
    Mornin’ oldiadguy! 🙂 |_| (Rum & Coke)
    Mornin’ smiley! (“stuck in spambucket”) 🙂 🍸 (Spanish coffee)
    Mornin’ derk! (“Stellars”) 🙂 🍸 (Kamikaze)
    Mornin’ Jacqueline Taylor Robson 🙂 🍸 (Shirley Temple)
    Mornin’ facebkwallflower! 🙂 |_| (Night Train Express)
    Mornin’ Ms. Cindy! (aka “Ms Cynlynn” aka “ms cynlynn”) 🙂 🍸 (1970 ducru beaucaillou)
    Mornin’ sandandsea2015! 🙂 🍸 (1961 Château Montrose)
    Mornin’ amwick! 🙂 🍸 (Blue motorcycle)
    Mornin’ hocuspocus13! 🙂 🍸 (1970 Chateau Latour)
    Mornin’ Sloth1963! 🙂 🍸 (1971 Moulin Touchais)
    Mornin’ MTeresa! (Ex-lurker) 🙂 |_| (Albanian Raki Moskat)
    Mornin’ Rhea Salacia Volans! 🙂 |_| (Hot Buttered Rum)
    Mornin’ joshua! 🙂 |_| (Mudslide)
    Mornin’ John Denney 🙂 |_| (RumChata)
    Mornin’ litenmaus 🙂 |_| (Stolichnaya elit, no ice)
    Mornin’ kinthenorthwest 🙂 🍸 (A Lonely Island Lost in the Middle of a Foggy Sea)
    Mornin’ TwoLaine 🙂 |_| (Smoking Bishop)
    Mornin’ patternpuzzler 🙂 🍸 (Old Lady)
    Mornin’ Senatssekretär FREISTAAT DANZIG 🙂 |_| (Red Russian)
    Mornin’ whiners and complainers! 😛 (No drink for you!)
    Mornin’ to people posting that I missed. 😳
    Mornin’ to all you lurkers! 😕

    Also just in case someday; mornin’ to Elvis Chupacabra, F.D.R. in Hell and sundance! :mrgreen:

    Breakfast!

    NEW and IMPROVED breakfast with extra bacon for ZurichMike!

    Pastries for coffee!

    Liked by 8 people

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  6. Rhea Salacia Volans says:
    February 13, 2017 at 9:09 am

    Mary, I saw on yesterday’s thread the news about Oroville Dam. sundance posted about it next door and it looks like this will be bad. Please keep us apprised of the situation on the ground as much as you can (IIRC, though I’ve slept since then, you and Derk are both out of harm’s way, correct? Are we missing anyone else who has not checked in?)

    Liked by 5 people

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  7. amwick says:
    February 13, 2017 at 9:09 am

    So, it is tempting to sit here and watch my laundry on its “soak” cycle,,, but, I can tell I need a change of scenery…I hope no one is getting that blizzard up north… Be safe figments..

    Liked by 4 people

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  8. stella says:
    February 13, 2017 at 9:39 am

    Latest news on the Oroville Dam situation. Sounds like things are more or less stable. They will be getting more rain later this week, which will probably have a negative effect.

    http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/13/514955209/signs-of-hope-at-oroville-dam-after-water-overflowed-emergency-spillway

    http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lake-Oroville-discharging-water-over-dam-s-10926950.php

    Liked by 6 people

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    • Col.(R) Ken says:
      February 13, 2017 at 10:49 am

      Hey Hildabeast…….. you could always take a tour………

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Menagerie says:
      February 13, 2017 at 11:52 am

      I guess I am going alone out on a limb here. First, I couldn’t care less whether they go or not, and doubt the President does either. But had I been given an invitation to the White House from Obama I would never have gone. So, I respect their right to say no.

      I know that we should separate our politics and look at the occasion, the honor, if put in such a position. But I would not have gone and shook the hand of Barack Obama, not to make a statement though. Just because I don’t think I could have been civil and dignified, I despise the man that much.

      I honestly don’t know. If part of a team, then I might have gone because I don’t want to tarnish the image of my team, group, whoever. If I am a part of something bigger than me, then I should respect that, and act with respect.

      So, hell, I dunno what I would do. I’m going to have to think about this. That’s a good thing though.

      Liked by 6 people

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      • stella says:
        February 13, 2017 at 12:02 pm

        Good thoughts. I think that being part of a team means something. I would probably go, but make a separate statement later saying that I recognize the honor bestowed by my government, even though I don’t support the policies of the current President.

        Liked by 4 people

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      • auscitizenmom says:
        February 13, 2017 at 1:43 pm

        Yes, I think it matters if you are part of a team. I agree with what you said Menagerie.

        Liked by 3 people

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      • lovely says:
        February 13, 2017 at 1:50 pm

        Good thoughts but I really just posted the picture because Hillary was in it and it cracked me up. Like the pictures of people in attendance for Hillary’s inauguration 🙂 .

        I wouldn’t have gone if I was part of a team and we were going to the White House to meet Obama. He maliciously carries the blood of too many innocent Americans on his hands and I know he hates me just because I am a person with convictions other than his own.

        Plus what if they were serving one of Michelle’e school lunches?

        Liked by 3 people

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      • auscitizenmom says:
        February 13, 2017 at 6:53 pm

        Evidently this has happened many times in the past, for different reasons and nothing was really said about it. Like everything else with Pres. Trump, it becomes a big deal.

        Liked by 2 people

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      • sandandsea2015 says:
        February 13, 2017 at 6:57 pm

        On Mornings with Maria this morning, Trump’s dear friend Robert Kraft and owner of the Patriots stated that there are always players that don’t attend the Whitehouse visits after they won the Super Bowl and that he doesn’t understand why a big deal is being made out of it. Of course we all know why, but I appreciated his thoughts anyway.

        This is a very short clip, you can probably check FBN online for the full interview.

        Liked by 4 people

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    • czarowniczy says:
      February 13, 2017 at 2:57 pm

      You have people who actually DO something for a living, people who risk their lives and don’t get paid ****. Here you have some sports dandies who make more money a year playing in 16 games than a cop, fireman or soldier could make in 10 lifetimes and they are experts why?
      Before I take my political advice from a football player I’ll buy my gourmet wine and cheese at a gas station.

      Liked by 7 people

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  10. stella says:
    February 13, 2017 at 10:00 am

    Oroville Dam: Feds and state officials ignored warnings 12 years ago

    Oroville Dam: Feds and state officials ignored warnings 12 years ago

    Three environmental groups — the Friends of the River, the Sierra Club and the South Yuba Citizens League — filed a motion with the federal government on Oct. 17, 2005, as part of Oroville Dam’s relicensing process, urging federal officials to require that the dam’s emergency spillway be armored with concrete, rather than remain as an earthen hillside.

    The groups filed the motion with FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. They said that the dam, built and owned by the state of California, and finished in 1968, did not meet modern safety standards because in the event of extreme rain and flooding, fast-rising water would overwhelm the main concrete spillway, then flow down the emergency spillway, and that could cause heavy erosion that would create flooding for communities downstream, but also could cause a failure, known as “loss of crest control.”

    Liked by 6 people

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    • stella says:
      February 13, 2017 at 10:33 am

      Water always wins.

      Liked by 8 people

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      • Menagerie says:
        February 13, 2017 at 11:28 am

        As always, it’s gonna cost them a lot more after the catastrophe than it would have to fix it. Of course, the state, I guess, would have had to pony up money they’d rather spend on immigrants or welfare versus now likely we federal taxpayers will foot the bill.

        Liked by 5 people

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    • kinthenorthwest says:
      February 13, 2017 at 10:34 am

      Was saying that upstairs but not with the back up.
      Thank you Stella.

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply
    • Rhea Salacia Volans says:
      February 13, 2017 at 10:57 am

      How does this not surprise me? Don’t tell me, let me guess: the money that should have been used went to some dumb pet project of the government, rather then to dam repair.

      California is a comedy of errors, and it would almost be a funny one except that 1) people die from stupidity like this, and 2) the dumb state, when they finally go bankrupt, will want the rest of the US to bail them out.

      Sorry Mary and Derk. I don’t want to bail CA out.

      Liked by 3 people

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    • czarowniczy says:
      February 13, 2017 at 1:19 pm

      I have the same situation here. There’s a 30-acre lake just west of me that feeds into my lake, both of which were built without State approval or to State standards. I’ve built up mine but the one to my west is a ticking time bomb. It has no outlet other than a dirt emergency overflow and that’s eroding.
      USDA folks figure that if it goes it will go in stages as oposed to all at once but in any event it has to go through my lake to go anywhere. From what I see there’s only one family living along that lake now and it doesn’t look like they could afford to do the huge repairs it will require to make the dam safe.
      I was in Utah for the Teton Dam fiasco, we responded with heavy equipment, so these dirt dam screwups are no stranger and seem to follow me. We know what it feels like to stand in our spillway on a 10-degree slope while shin-deep water rushes by us, don’t want to think about what a huge lake breaking free would do. Seen it, just prefer not to think about it.

      Liked by 4 people

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    • Howie says:
      February 14, 2017 at 6:59 am

      The same birdbrains are dropping a few rocks on it from copters. The spillway is wide open and getting eaten by erosion. Looks bad with the coming weather. How long will the spillway last is the question?

      Liked by 1 person

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  11. stella says:
    February 13, 2017 at 10:15 am

    This has to be illegal. I would call it sedition espionage.

    ‘The Washington Post’ Trolls for Stolen Documents

    Well, you might say one is journalism and the other is espionage. But, especially latterly, is there any material difference? Journalists like to hold up the sainted I.F. Stone as an example of a fearless independent reporter, but in fact he turned out to be a Soviet agent. They also like to point to the Pentagon Papers case as an example of untrammeled First Amendment rights, which in fact it was. But it only protected journalists from prior restraint from the government — and not from any criminal consequences of their actions.

    Liked by 6 people

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  12. Menagerie says:
    February 13, 2017 at 11:39 am

    Here is an excerpt from an article I just read. I doubt the article would be of interest to most here, it’s deep in the Catholic woods, so to speak. However, this part about saving the seed seems a concept we may well heed.

    I tell you this so you know that Marco is not oblivious at all to the travails of the post-Christian world. But, he told me, we must follow the example of St. Benedict, and figure out ways to serve Christ in the ruins of our civilization, and go forward with hope. The times call for Christians to be radical, said Marco, and that is something we have to accept. This is one of those times in history, he said, where we have to “save the seed” for the future, and we must be aware of the signs of the times. As we determine how to respond to the challenges of being Christian in this post-Christian civilization, we don’t need courage, he said, as much as we need imagination.

    “Don’t worry if you haven’t got it all figured out now,” he said. “Don’t worry if you aren’t a thoroughbred horse. If there aren’t any thoroughbreds, well, use a donkey. I’m an old donkey doing the best he can with what he has. But remember, Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.”

    Liked by 3 people

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  13. stella says:
    February 13, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    Update on Gosnell, the book, from Ann McElhinney:

    I wanted to let you know that our book, Gosnell – The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer is now available on Audible as an audiobook, I am the narrator.

    I didn’t imagine it would be difficult to record the audiobook, but it was. Many times I had to stop and it wasn’t because I made a mistake.

    Based on a recommendation from a friend we hired an audio producer to record the book. Like most of industry people in LA, she was a liberal. But she cried many times during the recording and thanked me for writing this story, which she had never heard of before.

    Here is what she said after we finished:
    “I had an extraordinary experience with this book. It affected me deeply, and opened my thought to explore this issue in ways I hadn’t considered. McElhinney’s approach to the subject was thoughtful and academic, and it was clear that she took great pains to avoid any specific political bias in the telling of this story. I came away with new insight into the subject.”

    She also told the Gosnell story to liberal friends and had played parts of the audio for them and they were all stunned and needed to re-think their position on abortion in the US.

    That just confirmed what we already knew about the Gosnell book – those who read it will never be the same again. It has the power to move hearts and change minds.

    Not everyone has the time to sit down with the book, so we made the audio version hoping people might be able to listen to it during the work commute or on their walk.

    Liked by 6 people

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    • michellc says:
      February 13, 2017 at 10:05 pm

      Sharing pictures of the baby on FB, I made some of them public so some family members I have on my restricted list and some friends and in-laws of my daughter could see them. A particular family member that I am not friends with commented about how precious she is. She is one who supports abortion and supported Hillary. I told her that she’s so precious she and her idol Hillary would have been fine with murdering her a few hours before she was born. So to not be commenting on my posts.

      Stupid FB had changed my blocked list again, she’s now back on it.

      Liked by 2 people

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    • michellc says:
      February 13, 2017 at 11:53 pm

      Maybe I shouldn’t put it so bluntly, but it just makes me mad when someone supports abortion and then says something about a newborn baby. It was a baby at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks and even at 36 weeks when some of these people think it’s still fine to kill them. She was precious and loved then just as she is now.

      Liked by 3 people

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  14. stella says:
    February 13, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    We are having very mild and lovely weather here in Michigan, for February that is. Still, I can commiserate with those in the northeast who are experiencing more seasonal weather. Ran across this, and thought you might appreciate it:

    Liked by 7 people

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  15. shiloh1973 says:
    February 13, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    I’m not sure anyone will care about this, but I am going to put it out there. I am going to be 62 in May and just filed for Social Security last week. I was contacted by Social Security today that they had questions about my filing. I suspected the worst, but was very surprised.. My husband passed away at 53, so I did not think that his income would be more than mine after working non stop since he died. I was wrong. I will actually get $330.00 a month by claiming his. I also found out a little know fact that as a widow, I could have actually started receiving benefits at the age of 60 because of his death.
    I will also start receiving that amount in March (due to his death date) instead of waiting until June and my eligibility date. This is not published on their web site.
    I just want people to know about this option. I spent the last two years unemployed and it would have been nice to have some sort of income. It has been rough for me, but doable. Some folks are not so lucky.

    Liked by 7 people

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    • stella says:
      February 13, 2017 at 6:11 pm

      My aunt was married, had 3 children, divorced, and later remarried. Because she was married more than 10 years to her first husband, she was able to claim his social security. I don’t know if she had to wait until after his second wife died, but that might be the case. I was shocked.

      Liked by 3 people

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      • shiloh1973 says:
        February 13, 2017 at 6:42 pm

        It seems that 10 years married is the cut off. In one way I am upset I did not know about the 60 yres old rule, but am more than happy about getting more money. Mt husband died before he could apply for benefits. I am glad his work was not for nothing.

        Liked by 5 people

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    • stella says:
      February 13, 2017 at 6:12 pm

      P.S.: Congratulations!

      Liked by 4 people

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    • Sharon says:
      February 13, 2017 at 6:47 pm

      It’s kind of intimidating dealing with SS, I think – I’m glad your filing was checked and that you got the good news you did.

      I got “good news” in a different way three years ago when my husband died.

      The day I went to the SS office 25 miles away to file death certificate, etc. was so hard. That office was JAMMED with people under 35 (with all their kids). Obviously not there to collect SS after 90 years combined paying in…..

      I had reviewed the information on the site and our recent tax forms, etc. and had come up with a figure that I believed would be my monthly payment. When I talked with the woman at the window she kept insisting it would be about $300 less per month. I left there in tears, already aware of how tight my long range budget would be. I felt completely helpless, so just hunkered down to see what would happen.

      When my first regular check arrived at the time I expected it to, it was exactly the amount I had expected that it would be. The woman at the window was wrong.

      Again, I’m so glad for you. Even those who have comparatively greater income and greater resources know by this point in life how quickly things can shift under our feet because of unexpected things.

      I am provided for and am so very grateful.

      Liked by 5 people

      Reply
    • Col.(R) Ken says:
      February 13, 2017 at 7:03 pm

      Was your husband a veteran? If he was you might want to check with the VA for any benefits.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • shiloh1973 says:
        February 13, 2017 at 7:24 pm

        sorry Ken, but the VA has been nothing but a thorn in my side since he died. We were both Veterans, and I was told because I am a woman, I can’t even be a member of the VFW. I have contacted the VA several times and gotten no response. I can be a member of the VFW auxiliary. What a figgin crock. The VA has a real problem when it comes to female veterans.

        Liked by 3 people

        Reply
        • stella says:
          February 13, 2017 at 7:28 pm

          Well, that sucks.

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
        • Col.(R) Ken says:
          February 13, 2017 at 10:07 pm

          If you are a Veteran with overseas service in a war zone, you can be a VFW member. Yes I do concur with the VA and female veterans. As for benefits, seek out your county veterans representative, in your county courthouse. Most of these Vet reps in your local county courthouse are good people. Seek them out. On your behalf I will personally VFW Headquarters in Kansas City to square your membership issue. You can email me through Stella……..

          Liked by 3 people

          Reply
  16. Rhea Salacia Volans says:
    February 13, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    Beyonce seems to believe she is some kind of goddess. I think they have a term for that – I think it’s called narcissism.

    Anyway, here’s Matt Walsh’s take on her Grammy performance and the bi-polar pro-choicers. Maybe the Left really is the party of the mentally ill:

    http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/matt-walsh-apparently-unborn-babies-are-only-human-when-they-belong-to-beyonce/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • stella says:
      February 13, 2017 at 6:42 pm

      I’m going to nit-pick (can’t help it). I agree with everything he says in this column, but it is “inherent”, not “inherit” (It’s got nothing to do with their inherit value, but with Beyonce’s value …)

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      • Menagerie says:
        February 13, 2017 at 7:44 pm

        I know, time to let it go, but I used to really enjoy Matt Walsh until he went nuts over Trump. He made me so mad I don’t think I can ever enjoy his writing again. I fully support his right to be for another candidate and to publicly support another candidate, but he was a rip roaring little bitch over Trump.

        Liked by 3 people

        Reply
  17. Sharon says:
    February 13, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    Today I did two more 20-minute raking/picking up sessions in the front yard – last fall’s work that I was unable to do. It’s good for building my strength back up and feels so good to be out there. I still find it ‘interesting’ how very long it takes to regain strength. I have learned from conversations with oncologists that it can take years and some people never regain strength. Sometimes I worry about what will happen to me if I can’t care for the house and then – I decide not to worry about what will happen. I have been provided for…. all acknowledgement to my Heavenly Father, and since He doesn’t change, I will stay with that perspective.

    I discovered/learned something in August when I was the absolute weakest and sickest for six weeks – I’m not a very good sick person. Experiencing utter physical helplessness was terrifying to me. I’ve certainly BEEN helpless before n my life but always managed to evade it by making a list and doing some problem-solving for a couple of weeks. This was not quite as easy to manage. I EXPERIENCED helplessness week after week, not knowing when (or if) it would end. The situation caused me to see the limits of my conscious trust, ability to REST in the care of God for my day. Those days were both painful and productive.

    I have intended to and would like to try to write about some of those lessons on MBOB-The Blog — but I don’t think I can yet. I’m reminded about what C. S. Lewis said when he was writing about pain, “I would write another chapter on pain if I could just get my tooth to stop hurting.”

    Beyond grateful for the strength I feel – and that I have days of noticing that I feel GOOD.

    Got a hearing test with ENT, etc. set for March 7 to evaluate significant hearing loss. Learned after the fact from one of the three oncologists that that is not unusual with the heavy treatment I had for 6 months. I can hear fine on the phone and face-to-face, but in group settings (or like in public/church settings) I hear the sounds but can’t understand the words….so looking forward to getting sme help for that.

    Menagerie, Jon (and my neighbor Don) tell me that some people who do not have real severe hearing loss actually use Cabela’s product Hunting Ears and find that it helps for what they need – have you heard anything like that at Bass Pro? My neighbor actually uses that…..a whole lot cheaper than hearing aids which Medicare will not pay for. They will pay for diagnostic workups but not the equipment. Anyone else heard about using the Hunting Ears that way?

    Thanks for listening………………

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    • stella says:
      February 13, 2017 at 7:12 pm

      I live alone like you do, and my greatest fear is being helpless; that and dying without anyone knowing. I am so sorry that you had to go through what you did, but happy that you are now recovering, and able to get out in the yard a bit.

      It will be good to read what you have to say about it all at MBOB.

      Liked by 5 people

      Reply
      • Sharon says:
        February 13, 2017 at 8:13 pm

        Yeah – I really want to write about it in a useful way – again, primarily for my family and for other readers as well….

        Liked by 5 people

        Reply
      • kinthenorthwest says:
        February 13, 2017 at 8:32 pm

        I too live alone..
        When I had my shoulder manipulation surgery my pulse kept going to 42, so I was scared to let them give me anything for pain.
        At the same time they were talking about releasing me, they were talking about it starting to snow. I really wanted to get home before I couldn’t go. They took me home and a block from home it really started coming down. An hour later I looked out and it was about 4 to 6 inches deep..
        The snow wasn’t the worse part. I was really scared about my pulse, so I didn’t take any thing for pain, not even Tylenol. Knew that pain meds can lower ones pulse even farther.
        Yea I finally got some sleep that night, by taking a percogesic for bedtime, and when I woke up in pain…
        I do believe the good Lord was watching over me all the way, especially when I looked out at the snow prior to bed time. ..

        Liked by 5 people

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    • auscitizenmom says:
      February 13, 2017 at 7:22 pm

      I haven’t been through anything near what you have, but I can say I am experiencing some of those feelings of fear of helplessness. My best friend of 56 years became very ill several years ago. It was very clear that she wouldn’t survive even though we didn’t know for a year what was wrong with her. Then, she passed away, suffering greatly.

      In that time, I gained another 20 lbs and became less and less active, probably because of depression. Then, I hurt my knee, then my hip, and THEN I fell and hurt everything and it became clear that if I didn’t heal I was going to have trouble getting up and down the stairs in my apt. that I really love. Scary thought. So many friends have moved away and several have died. It’s difficult having no back up.

      Liked by 5 people

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      • stella says:
        February 13, 2017 at 7:31 pm

        Looks like there are a lot of us who don’t have much local support. I have always loved living by myself, but it gets more scary as I get older and not as strong and able as I was not that long ago.

        Liked by 4 people

        Reply
        • auscitizenmom says:
          February 13, 2017 at 7:48 pm

          Yes, I like living by myself. And, I have been blessed with good health. I have some allergies, etc., but I don’t tend to catch diseases. And, I am not good at asking for help.

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
          • kinthenorthwest says:
            February 13, 2017 at 8:41 pm

            I enjoy it to auscit…
            Except for the shoulder, been doing really good. Can sort of afford to hire help for maintenance and stuff. .Do like the freedom of doing what i want when I want and/or can afford it.

            Liked by 2 people

            Reply
        • kinthenorthwest says:
          February 13, 2017 at 8:39 pm

          The people at the church are really good. However my church is about 30 mins away. When it snows the road there or to here from there is worse.
          Seems one has to do a lot of fending for themselves.
          My youngest keeps telling me to sell & move closer to her. If she lived any place but California I might…
          But not moving back to California..(Well, can’t say never for the Lord is in charge).

          Liked by 2 people

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          • stella says:
            February 13, 2017 at 8:52 pm

            My son-in-law told me as soon as they were married that if I ever needed a home, I could live with them. I wouldn’t want to do that, but it is good to know that I could. He’s a very sweet man, and always good to his mother too.

            Liked by 2 people

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            • kinthenorthwest says:
              February 13, 2017 at 9:00 pm

              We do have some good kids don’t we..
              I just don’t want them to try if I am full blown dementia or Alzheimers. Always told to not place me in a home that you can smell from the parking lot.

              Like

              Reply
              • stella says:
                February 13, 2017 at 9:46 pm

                My brother just went into a group home, because his dementia is progressed so far that he requires a great deal of assistance. He is married, and his wife could no longer care for him, but she visits him every day, and his residence is only about 10 minutes away. It has been difficult for them both.

                Liked by 2 people

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                • kinthenorthwest says:
                  February 13, 2017 at 9:54 pm

                  Worked at a San so I know that care that is required.
                  Watching the spouses & kids visit sometimes was probably the worse part.

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply
                  • stella says:
                    February 13, 2017 at 10:07 pm

                    Just four years ago when I visited them in Washington, he was vigorous – working out at the gym and taking early morning spinning classes. They are now in southern California, near their son, and not far from their daughter, which is good. He’s 85, quite a few years older than I am.

                    Liked by 1 person

                  • kinthenorthwest says:
                    February 13, 2017 at 10:16 pm

                    I pray I go in my sleep, having had a good day of ???

                    Liked by 2 people

        • Joe says:
          February 13, 2017 at 9:39 pm

          For a year or so I have been reading your comments just for the fun of it and thought I had anything to contribute that you all haven’t already said, so didn’t say anything. Your recent comments about being old and alone hit home, been doing that for last 13 year or so after my wife died of cancer. It took me about 8 to 10 years to realize what I did not remember and slowly it comes back of a very difficult time and in that time I think I was lost in life, lived alone by a river with a steep bank and often thought if something happened to me it would be week for anyone to find me, that bothered me somewhat. Yet it did not stop me, so I drink and smoke to wash away the feeling. It helps sometimes; just want you to know you are not alone. Not a very religious guy but, GOD and I have an ongoing conversation, seem he won’t let me forget my purpose, which is to write it down, which I do, I just have a fear of someone might read it. Them what? I think I have said too much. Bye for now. If it is OK, I will keep watch.

          Liked by 6 people

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      • Sharon says:
        February 13, 2017 at 8:09 pm

        I’m more convinced than ever that – it is not the specific cause of our fears and helplessness that give them significance.

        There is good reason that our hearts stretch toward one another – in general – when we know that someone is about at the end of their resources or their wits.

        We recognize that we can’t fix stuff, but the companionship and recognition of common sufferings actually does break the loneliness of the thing.

        Liked by 6 people

        Reply
    • Menagerie says:
      February 13, 2017 at 7:50 pm

      Sharon, there are several products on our website that sound like what you describe. This is the most expensive, by far. The next one listed is 199, this one is 600. Please, let me know if I can help you in any way.

      http://t.basspro.com/Walkers-Game-Ear-Micro-Elite-Hearing-Enhancement-Aid/product/10202930/

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • michellc says:
      February 14, 2017 at 12:04 am

      I’ve always feared becoming helpless and having to depend on others. I joke with my kids that if/when that day comes to just pretend like I’m a lame horse and shoot me and put me out of my misery.

      I’m sorry for all you have gone through.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Sharon says:
        February 14, 2017 at 1:06 am

        Well….I was totally shocked and the revelation of how poorly I responded when I was truly helpless – wow. Lessons learned. I had never experienced such a thing – I suspect I have more compassion in certain areas of things than I did.

        Don’t be sorry! Seriously – it wasn’t fun and I wouldn’t sign up for it voluntarily, but it’s ok. It’s just ok.

        Life is what it is –

        One thing this did was force me to allow my neighbors to care for me (and I have four trusted relationships now because of that) and I leaerned to know four ladies from my church, because I couldn’t drive for 8 weeks, and they helped with taking me to chemo. That was so hard….but again, the results aren’t all bad. Not at all.

        Liked by 3 people

        Reply
        • michellc says:
          February 14, 2017 at 8:16 am

          Cancer is such a horrible thing. I watched it take my sister’s life and how it took away her ability to walk and talk.

          I’m sorry for anyone who ever has to battle cancer.

          Like

          Reply
        • auscitizenmom says:
          February 14, 2017 at 8:43 am

          My father was very independent right up to the last. He developed lung cancer and then a few months later, my mom died. He stayed really strong and independent until the cancer was really bad. There was nothing they could do at that point and he had to rely on me. He taught me how to accept help graciously and how it could be a gift to the one doing the caretaking. I just have to remember that.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
    • lovely says:
      February 14, 2017 at 7:44 am

      Thank you Sharon for sharing your beautiful soul and words with us. You are an inspiration.

      Like

      Reply
  18. kinthenorthwest says:
    February 13, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    Can you all believe this
    Obama just keep up using millions upon millions of American dollars on his lavish life style.
    White House: Trump Is Paying For Japanese PM’s Trip To Mar-a-Lago
    Ryan Pickrell

    Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/09/trump-is-personally-paying-for-japanese-pms-trip-to-mar-a-lago/#ixzz4YcRu2YgC
    http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/09/trump-is-personally-paying-for-japanese-pms-trip-to-mar-a-lago/

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  19. auscitizenmom says:
    February 13, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    lilbirdee12’s prayer:

    Our Heavenly Father, Your children come to you tonight to ask for healing and peace throughout our country so that we may return to being One Nation Under God. Guide us to be leaders in Your Kingdom, spreading Your Love and Salvation to all. Forgive us our sins and deliver us from evil.

    Lord, we ask for a blanket of protection over all our troops and law enforcement who serve to defend and protect us. Bless our representatives with the strength and wisdom they need to achieve the path You have chosen for us.

    Please place Your Guardian Angels of Protection around Donald Trump and Mike Pence and their families as they seek to lead America back to You.

    Grant us patience, Lord, as the evil ones try to anger us and cause us to fall.
    Spread blessings over Israel and Netanyahu.

    We humbly ask that You please comfort those who are grieving and in pain.
    Thank you Father, for Your Love and the gift of Life.

    In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

    Liked by 6 people

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