"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves in all cases to which they think themselves competent, or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of the press." (emphasis mine)
-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to John Cartwright, 1824)
Reference: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Lipscomb and Bergh, eds., 16:45.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Quote of the day
"Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges, and Governors, shall all become wolves."
-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to Edward Carrington, 16 January 1787)
-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to Edward Carrington, 16 January 1787)
"The God of Wind, The God of Earth, The God of Whatnot"
That is a funny quote from my friend Irmgard, as she told me the details of a fictional book she's been reading.
I have had the distinct pleasure of visiting with this older woman for the past two days. She is really amazing. As a young teenage girl she fled East Prussia (now Germany) when the Russians invaded. The stories she has to tell of her survival are truly incredible, and they are made even more awesome by her gift of telling them. Her great memory and creativity make the stories come to life. It is my deep regret that I thought of recording these stories after the fact. History is fascinating to me, and to hear first hand accounts told so well, has been a real treat. God bless you, Irmgard.
I have had the distinct pleasure of visiting with this older woman for the past two days. She is really amazing. As a young teenage girl she fled East Prussia (now Germany) when the Russians invaded. The stories she has to tell of her survival are truly incredible, and they are made even more awesome by her gift of telling them. Her great memory and creativity make the stories come to life. It is my deep regret that I thought of recording these stories after the fact. History is fascinating to me, and to hear first hand accounts told so well, has been a real treat. God bless you, Irmgard.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Like Pulling Teeth
Really, just like it.
Yesterday was spent getting Girlie to the oral surgeon. Her little person teeth just didn't want to go. She hadn't lost a tooth in four years. I guess that was a big clue for the dentist. (It sure seemed to fly right over my radar as anything to worry about.) The other was the X-rays that showed very long roots and adult teeth waiting way up high to descend. The only teeth that had any roots dissolved were the two for which there are no adult replacements. Ironic.
It's as though the teeth were staging some sort of passive resistance protest. "We won't do what we are supposed to do! You can't make us!"
Alas, as should be the fate of all protesters against the good and reasonable, they were drugged and removed.
Yesterday was spent getting Girlie to the oral surgeon. Her little person teeth just didn't want to go. She hadn't lost a tooth in four years. I guess that was a big clue for the dentist. (It sure seemed to fly right over my radar as anything to worry about.) The other was the X-rays that showed very long roots and adult teeth waiting way up high to descend. The only teeth that had any roots dissolved were the two for which there are no adult replacements. Ironic.
It's as though the teeth were staging some sort of passive resistance protest. "We won't do what we are supposed to do! You can't make us!"
Alas, as should be the fate of all protesters against the good and reasonable, they were drugged and removed.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Too Believable
Scrappleface's jest on a study of the relationship of math scores and self-esteem is far too believable. He needs to make up something they wouldn't actually say at the NEA. Here's a taste:
Read the whole thing for a chuckle (or a heavy sigh).
“It just doesn’t add up,” said an unnamed NEA spokesman. “We’ve spent three decades of the last 20 years teaching kids that their self-esteem and happiness are unrelated to their academic competence. The overwhelming minority of them now feel really happy about math.”
Read the whole thing for a chuckle (or a heavy sigh).
Re-Calibrated
After much complaining about the electric bill, and questioning just why it is we live here, I was reminded. Yesterday we went to church. I need to be re-calibrated every week as to what exactly matters in this life and what does not. It matters that we are in fellowship with other believers. It matters that my eyes are focused on the One who truly satisfies, and not the things of this world. And it matters that I stop and look at just how good my life is.
Further, the reason we live here is that our little church is really a special place. The people there have truly become our family. And though I may be able to live a thoroughly more comfortable life somewhere else, I can't bear the thought of living it without these special brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yes, it can be very challenging to live here in Hawaii. But as an old friend once said, when I foolishly called her to complain about my life's challenges, "Effing Waa!"
Further, the reason we live here is that our little church is really a special place. The people there have truly become our family. And though I may be able to live a thoroughly more comfortable life somewhere else, I can't bear the thought of living it without these special brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yes, it can be very challenging to live here in Hawaii. But as an old friend once said, when I foolishly called her to complain about my life's challenges, "Effing Waa!"
Friday, October 20, 2006
COL Rant
The Cost Of Living in Hawaii is insane. I know this. I have lived here long enough to have the shock factor become dulled. HOWEVER, there are some shockers that are so psychotic they pierce my calloused sensibilities.
Case in point: Electricity.
We have lots of gadgets and doo-hickeys at our house--let's just say it is fun here. Many of these goodies are powerd by electricity. It's kind of interesting to be reminded about that when, say, there is an earthquake, and the electricity is out for a day. It is an entirely different kind of interesting, though, when you open up the elctric bill, only to discover that it is THREE TIMES ITS NORMAL COST. Apparently, the folks at HECo have a magic math formula they use to charge for electriciy. You see, once you use more than X amount of electricity (a predetermined average of what they believe a houseshold should use) you get charged an extra amount per kilowatt hour. I'm going to call it the EF* factor.
Well, I almost feel better. I have to go unplug everything and turn out the lights.
*:Electric Faloha--not a dance or a cocktail.
Case in point: Electricity.
We have lots of gadgets and doo-hickeys at our house--let's just say it is fun here. Many of these goodies are powerd by electricity. It's kind of interesting to be reminded about that when, say, there is an earthquake, and the electricity is out for a day. It is an entirely different kind of interesting, though, when you open up the elctric bill, only to discover that it is THREE TIMES ITS NORMAL COST. Apparently, the folks at HECo have a magic math formula they use to charge for electriciy. You see, once you use more than X amount of electricity (a predetermined average of what they believe a houseshold should use) you get charged an extra amount per kilowatt hour. I'm going to call it the EF* factor.
Well, I almost feel better. I have to go unplug everything and turn out the lights.
*:Electric Faloha--not a dance or a cocktail.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Been At Play
Posts have been sparse due to some difficulties with Blogger photo uploads and a fun few days in Kona. Luckily for us, we returned the day before the quake.
We had R&R,good food, and laughed and had a great time. Just what the family needed.
We drove to a lookout that now has a big crack down its road. Very glad we weren't standing at the edge where this photo was taken when the earthquake hit. I think we would have tumbled down the cliffside. Here are before and after shots. The lone coco palm in both photos is the same tree. We parked right where the crack begins in the photo.
Can you guess where the last picture was taken? It's not "back home" in Wyoming. It is at the ranch where we rode horses in North Kohala, on the Big Island. I love this photo.
I really miss wide open spaces...
We had R&R,good food, and laughed and had a great time. Just what the family needed.
We drove to a lookout that now has a big crack down its road. Very glad we weren't standing at the edge where this photo was taken when the earthquake hit. I think we would have tumbled down the cliffside. Here are before and after shots. The lone coco palm in both photos is the same tree. We parked right where the crack begins in the photo.
Can you guess where the last picture was taken? It's not "back home" in Wyoming. It is at the ranch where we rode horses in North Kohala, on the Big Island. I love this photo.
I really miss wide open spaces...
Sunday, October 08, 2006
John Piper
The Palmtree Pundit has some great encouragement for us all--no matter what you do.
That John Piper has some amazing insights, I'll tell you. Make it a habit to check him out
Have a great Sunday, and a great week. The whole -athon gang is heading for a week of respite from the day to day. Be well, and God bless.
That John Piper has some amazing insights, I'll tell you. Make it a habit to check him out
Have a great Sunday, and a great week. The whole -athon gang is heading for a week of respite from the day to day. Be well, and God bless.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Quote of the Day
"It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."
-- John Adams (letter to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776)
Reference: Our Sacred Honor, Bennett (64)
What would our country look like if we still had leaders like this man today? (Big sigh.)
Monday, October 02, 2006
No Matter Where You Go...
...there you are. And sin is there with you.
In July a friend and I went to Lancaster, PA for teacher training. While there, we visited Amish country, and had our own lesson that sin is within man, not "out there in the big, bad world." How very sad for that community. PalmtreePundit has some good points on her post about this tragedy
In July a friend and I went to Lancaster, PA for teacher training. While there, we visited Amish country, and had our own lesson that sin is within man, not "out there in the big, bad world." How very sad for that community. PalmtreePundit has some good points on her post about this tragedy
Quote of the Day
"No people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffusd and Virtue is preservd. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders."
-- Samuel Adams (letter to James Warren, 4 November 1775)
Reference: Our Sacred Honor, Bennett (261)
How very true that statement is! It is one of the plethora of reasons I am such a fan of classical education.
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