His Hand shall be against every man.

We do not entirely know what is transpiring in Egypt. One can guess, but the scripture gives us the following:
Genesis 15:17 "And it came to pass, when the sun went down, that there was a flame, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and lamps of fire that passed between those divided pieces. On the same day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying. "I will give this land to your seed, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates--the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, and Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Euaites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."

The angel of the Lord said to her: (Hagar) Gen: 16:11-12.
"Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
For the Lord has taken notice of your humiliation.
He shall be a rustic man,
And his hand shall be against every man,
And every man's hand against him.
He shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

Regarding Abraham and Sarah's son, Isaac; Gen: 17:19-22
"Then God said, "No. Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him and will increase and multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve nations, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year."

The True Israel: son of Abraham and David
Matt: chapter 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

Taken from the book of: "The Orthodox Study Bible." Regarding Matt:Chapter 1:1. "Jesus means "O Lord, save," referring the Jesus' role as Savior . Christ means "the Anointed One,: the Messiah, the One who is filled with the Spirit. Though the Son alone became man, God the father and the Holy Spirit work in the Savior to save us."

"Jesus became a man as a Jew, of the lineage of Abraham, the father of all Jews, with whom God established the covenant of circumcision; and of David, Israel's greatest king, the prototype of the royal Messiah. Jesus fulfills the promise and the righteousness of the Jews, bringing those who are faithful and righteous to Himself, God incarnate. The book of genealogy (vv. 1-17) reveals the history of God's choice of His servants and the preparation of humanity for His coming."

(Rev)5:9 "And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals;
For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

Relocalization

Re-localization is the solution given by the prophets of doom, to correct the way we are living, living in the way we should have been living all along. This will take courage to stop, take stock, and revert back to where we came from. What it will mean is change....change we may not be able to accept, as we have too much.

The present direction is leading us into economic crisis, shortages in resources such as energy and clean water. We are creating machines, having artificial brains, which are becoming more intelligent than us humans, which could cause species dominance. These hostile robots could decide that we are inferior, and may terminate us.

The advent of military weaponry and quest for bigger and better, according the prophets of doom, have devised the option of nuclear threat from terrorists, with a square mile annihilation, killing the better of a million people. These prophets of doom say we are either to secure or apathetic today, to realize the danger we are in, and they say it is just a matter of time.

Our answer is simple. It is time to look backward. Time to stop transporting food items from all over the country and world and start the locally grown food items that are required for our area. That will mean that we will need to depend on each other and the talents that we collectively have, take care of each other, become self sufficient and self reliant. Maybe we will have to think for ourselves and not just of ourselves, to survive. We will need to be community once again, talking to our neighbors. We will need to share and lend, and be ultra-clean and conservative with our resources, becoming the human beings we were intended, and used to be.

These were the thoughts of a young school girl of seventeen, while taking a course called "problems of Democracy." She was criticized and almost thrown out of class, when she suggested that we were going the wrong way. Accordingly, the prophets of doom are saying the same thing, telling us action must be swift or it will be too late to turn back.

Consumption is a big problem, having saturated markets, we make and take more than we need and give. You'd better learn now, before the big crash--you cannot eat your money. We have got to stop long enough to ask ourselves, how are other's in control of your life. We allow others to tell us what we should wear, make medical decisions for us, and in fact run every detail of our awakening day. Just yesterday, the eye doctor asked me if I had a flu shot. I said no I was not interested, that I believed in preventative care. Further, with every victory over illness your body learns to defend itself, growing stronger. He said without a flu shot, you will die. I wonder if he actually heard what he was saying. Is he brainwashed or sold on pharmaceuticals, every thing is a pill in a bottle. Since when does science and insurance or drug companies determine your demise? I told him that I place my trust in the Lord. He didn't have an answer for that. God is my maker, fashioner and sustainer, nothing else.

That's just what the problem is today. What would your solution be if asked by the prophets of doom? If it is to place your trust in what man has created, mistreated, misdirected, misused, and misunderstood, then your going to have a very big awakening. Your headed in the wrong direction. Set the standard, release the stranglehold. It is up to you to lead the way back into a simple lifestyle--do it now!

If you place your trust in the Living God, then it does not really matter what the gravest threat may be today, because He has your back and that you can trust in.

The gravest threat that we have today, is not what the prophets of doom predicted but, is the inability to listen to anything other than what we want, and not what God wants for us.

The Visitation Icon

The almanac predicted that today would be extremely cold, followed by a storm. Looks like they were right on. We were undecided whether or not we would venture to Washington D.C. as we had previously done, to join in The March for Life. Thankfully, we are praying at home, the cold is too extreme for me. Yet, today I find myself looking at the "The Visitation Icon."

This Icon shows Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, who is pregnant with him, embracing the Virgin Mary who is pregnant with Jesus. John recognizing Jesus, leapt with joy, at hearing the voice of Mary.

Elizabeth said to Mary "Blessed art thou among women & blessed is the fruit of thy womb." (Luke 1:41-42).

Gospel passages witness to the life in the womb. "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you... Jer 1:5 Is 44:2 Psalm 139: 13-16.

We are all creations of the Lord, who gives to us life, and creates life through us. A life that will be with us for all eternity. There is no greater gift to be given. We just need to place our trust in the Living God. Life is God's decision.

God bless you today in your witness for life, it is a human right.

Sarai, princess

This story is about Abraham. A movie that I watched off and on, as I took a quick nap, in between. A few lines which captured my interest, is what I want to share. Maybe drama brings out the story for me in a way reading never could. It showed how the characters "felt" in the story.

Canaan, not Egypt, was the land of promise. A famine, found Abram close to entering Egypt, but he knew his wife would be taken away and he would be killed, so it was decided that he would say she was his sister. Abram knew she was very beautiful, and the Pharaoh treated him well, for her sake, giving him sheep, oxen, donkeys, servants, mules and camels, hoping to make her his wife.

Sarai became confused as he tried to sway her heart away from her husband, knowing she was not his sister, and when the Pharaoh offered to give her anything, she asked to be released back to her brother (husband) and her people.

The next scene is touchy, as Sarai with tears streaming down her face confessed to Hagar, her Egyptian slave, that she asked for her freedom. Hagar replied to her that no one had ever escaped, and although she confessed that she was treated well, Sarai thought she was doomed to live a life of unhappiness, even though the Pharaoh patiently waited for her to want him.

The truth always comes out, and as God intervened by instilling a plague on Pharaoh and his house, because of Sarai, Abram's lie was exposed. They are exiled with Sarai, Hagar, all the goods. The strife continued as Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, while Lot dwelt on the plain of Jordan.

God had a perfect plan that included Hagar, who was the mother of Ishmael, son of Abram, who bore him when Abram was 86. God then gave to Abram the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession, calling him Abraham, in a covenant for all generations. Sarai is given the name of Sarah, queen, and at ninety years of age bore Isaac. Abraham was 100 years of age.

The story is full of emotion, Abram lost his heart when his wife was painfully taken from him. Abraham wept at the thought of having to offer his son as a sacrifice, as instructed by the Lord, in the land of Mariah, when Isaac was a mere lad. Seeing Ishmael sent away with Hagar the maidservant, knowing the promise that a great nation will be made out of him, as he also was of the seed of Abraham. This was done to secure the inheritance of Abraham and Sarah's son Isaac, ending the rift that was apparent between the two women.

Foreshadowing of the Eucharistic feast appeared as the priest of God Most High, Melchizedek blessed Abram, as they shared in the bread and wine that he brought. Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's wife, lost her life because of disobedience to the Lord, turning to look back. And Abraham's willingness to make an offering of his son, in his test of faith, prefigured the Resurrection of Christ and the future Resurrection from the dead, in which Abraham believed.

The movie expressed the suffering of those in relationship. The heart torn Abram, and Sarai. Sarai not having her own child, and having to endure the other woman. The servant's snickering and advances toward her husband, in a decision that was hers, initially. The struggle between two sons who would both inherit a great nation, the promise of the Jews and the Gentiles. The movie suggested that Isaac and Ishmael were present at the burial of their father and that they held hands over him.

In the end, as two brother's have, we embrace the faith of Abraham, multiplied exceedingly, which holds for our world, hope and great promise, which began through the promise of the "father of many nations."

Going Green Challenge

This week we lost power. Luckily it was for a little over one hour. Since I have been listening to a radio show, "Going Green" I have been focusing on how we can be more efficient with our energy sources. As I threw on additional clothing, a second layer that day, I was thinking about survival.

Electricity rules the day here in our home, as it is responsible for everything that we utilize, heat, cooking, cleaning and entertainment. As we sat in candle lit rooms, I couldn't help but realize how dependent we are on one source. Except for candles, and battery-lit flashlights, we had a cell-phone, which needed electrical charging, running water, which is a plus, some canned items, and a hand held can opener.

Having become dependent on electricity, we are at a loss to provide what we are accustomed to enjoying, the computer, television and as a result, felt helpless and useless. The days of being that still are behind us in our society. Reading a book or word-find, was all that I possibly could do in the near dark.

Going green is a good idea, but for me that means, changing to a more efficient light-source, using less electricity when I can, and keeping the home temperature at a sensible level. Cooking up larger batches, reheating in smaller portions, or not cooking at all, is living green. Our Anderson windows keep the air securely out, and lined drapes capture any spillage. Doors have rolled draft-dodgers against them. Furniture is arranged on inside walls and rugs and cushions retain heat everywhere. We get hot-water from our running furnace, which saves money in the months when we heat our home.

Today, icicles are hanging from the gutters, as seen from the inside of our home. It is not possible to get to the back as drifted snow has hardened and is quite deep. It has taken all I have just to keep the drive-way, and stairs to the front door cleared. Yesterday, I made my way to the deck, which is on the side of the house, and finally was able to free up the door, which has been blocked for days by the first storm, leaving more than 2 plus feet of snow piled against the pane. I was only able to shovel half the deck, after the driveway, walk and stairway in the front. Hopefully, we'll get to it today, before the next storm which coming in a few days following the "deep freeze". Looks like the car in my neighbors carport, will be there for a long, long time. His tiles blew off the roof and are buried beneath the snow in my backyard. Oh the joys of winter.

The trash pickup was yesterday, and the large recycle container was plowed-in by town trucks. I knew they wouldn't empty it, so off I went to recover it from it's deep containment of snow. We frankly have run out of room with snow accumulations everywhere. Our regular trash barrel of approximately 30 gallons, containing a plastic tied bag, had been blown across the drive, and cover off, was lying on its side on the ground. That was better than a few weeks ago, when the trash fell over in the road, and I spent hours retrieving the spilled and blown contents from neighbors yards--during a blizzard.

When we talk green, it is not the same for all. It largely depends on where you live. I do not think that many are as frugal as I am. I have always been a stickler on wastefulness, everywhere--to the extent that it will almost drive me absolutely crazy. I have reused, recycled, and cut down or out altogether most everything that I can possibly think of in an effort to be more green, (recycling the recycled).

Today, they were talking about solar panels. I laughed as I couldn't even get my solar lights to work here. New England is a tough place to implement many of the ideas initiated in warmer states. We have wind, but not enough to amount to much. My roof has panels, the electrical type, as we have had ice dams in the past, due to small amounts of sun, if any at all, in the front of our home. Thick ice hangs down the side of everyone's home, three feet or longer. It is freezing and will get much colder. I'm just hoping that the electrical lines will stay up, as well as our roof.

It's hard to be green when it is so white. The green that I want to see about now is the green that comes in the springtime.

Scorpio

People that know me say that I love a challenge. No question, when I just become comfortable with the responsibilities that I have, something else comes along that allows me to grow just a little bit more.

Some people are givers and some takers. Which are you? I have spent a lifetime doing for other's which in turn, has brought me much joy and happiness. Being involved it is said by many, keeps you young and hopeful.

Sometimes, you can learn to swim a little at a time, like my grandson, Nate, who has been taking swimming lessons and improving each week. Mostly, due to the fact that he is comfortable with his swim instructors who have been fantastic with him. Music is something that you can learn gradually, as well as many other skilled activities. Generally you improve, unlike the Pat's who were off in their game yesterday, and as a team, will not be able to participate in the Super bowl, as in previous years. There is always tomorrow! It has to be hard to live with the disappointment, I'm sure. They failed us and each other. So sad!

My case has usually been, for some odd reason, I get something thrown at me and its sink or swim. The challenge has got to be part of my birth sign. I hope it's the same, as I haven't changed one bit and it's always been a perfect fit. Other's have said their astrological sign has changed, I find that hard to believe.

So what gives those born under Scorpio the drive to meet with life's challenges, courage, pride or determination? Maybe all three.

Whatever it is in the character of our sign, we are going to achieve because we have to, and we will not stop until our goal is met. Why would I want to be anything else? Why would you?

I think our astrological sign plays a big role in our characteristics, and as far as I know they don't change.

Sweet January

Facing me is a new challenge, the new year. How's it been so far? Sometimes you need to look to your past to know how such a cold, bleak month has been such a great friend to you.

Beside all the obstacles January throws at you, it has its own merit. Unlike November, when the days grow increasingly dark, January offers brightness. Someone pointed out to me just the other day, that he notices how much lighter the day becomes, as each day passes. That implies a hopefulness, a foreshadowing of spring.

Yesterday, I ventured out for lunch with my best friend and husband, John. We actually went to a restaurant where we had been to many years prior, in Sturbridge. This time of the year usually it is quieter and they had a wonderful fire going in the fireplace across the room. We had window seats and enjoyed the home-cooked meal, Southern style. I like biscuits with anything, and they also had great corn muffins. If you enjoy soup, then, another reason to like January and other winter months when we practically live on spicy broths. I remarked that the sun was blinding, as snow remained everywhere in huge piles.

They have a fantastic gift shop where candy is boss. Not that I eat candy, but it reminds me of Valentine's day, which is not too far away. The kids toy section offers many specialty items, long forgotten. What caught my eye was a huge mat and large checkers, which could be set-up and left out on a bar or coffee table, ready to go. Or, as some would say, the ongoing challenge. January is a time for indoor games and activities. Interestingly enough, the news featured a lady in her swimsuit outside getting a tan, just after the last snowfall. She was from Webster, a neighboring town. Wishful thinking, I'd say but never the less, hopeful.

If we were to put on our swimsuit in January, we would possibly see the need for preparing for summer fun by shedding unwanted pounds at the gym or by walking. Many, keeping their goal for fitness and good health, do so in January, with their New Year's Resolution.

Oh January, the new year is upon you to provide for us hope for the future. It is a time when we take stalk of the many acquaintances, old and new, that have helped us on our journey. Soon we will celebrate another birthday, Steve my son, born on the 27th. We just had Nate's birthday celebration last week, also a January baby. His parents put on an amazing party for our first grandson's fifth birthday. All he could say to everyone was "are you coming to my party?" and, "I'm five now."

I can make a list of the people that came into my life in January, including my husband, looking back, and know that January is a great month. It has been good to me. Life is what you make it, and for us New Englanders we know January is just the beginning of the cycle of the "newness of life," filled with light and hope which heralds all good things in the coming months.

Icicles baby

Lots of icicles baby. I've been looking at icicles since I was a child, but never really observed them, as I did today. Some people had massive thick ones and others little itty bitty ones. Since I've known Nate, its the kind of question he would ask. Grandma how come you have such large icicles dripping from the back gutters? Why aren't they the same in the front of the house? Never thought about that before, possibly the suns exposure to the back of the house? If your reading this and know, clue me in. Interesting! Icicles come in all shapes and sizes, and you get what you get. Why? That is probably the best question anyone can ever ask. Why, why why?

The second question I would have is, will icicles result in an ice dam? We had one before, and it followed all those huge frozen ice cubes, which are beautifully designed to a point, dripping water drops down to the ground, as they develop in size. Looking carefully, the frozen snow extends the gutters, as they are full. We have wired gutters, and wired roof panels, which are heated in an effort to prevent the problem we had previously, and so far so good. Last week, while listening to a radio program, I heard someone say that icicles do no harm.

When Nate was at Old Sturbridge Village, he noticed that they didn't have gutters and wondered what was the difference? Looking down, as water was dripping across the entire building, I was able to explain to him that if the gutters were in place and functioning, the water would be channeled across and into a downspout which would be directed to run off the property.

Our neighbor across the street, woke up one morning to "fallen gutters." He doesn't have much confidence in them, saying that he wasn't going to replace them. He didn't for a while. Having the amount of snow we had, can do damage sometimes. I noticed that those who had solar panels, used a snow rake to remove piles of the accumulation to extract the sun's energy. Good luck with that, unless you have a ranch which is low to the ground. No-one in their right mind would venture to extend a ladder to any roof or gutter, unless it were an emergency. We simply must put up with the inconvenience, called winter. Should the snow be heavy, then other problems may occur, like collapsing rooftops. We are at the mercy of mother nature and our only recourse, if damage occurs, is restitution though our insurance policy.

The one thing we should not have to put up with though, is the ill-mannered driver on the road. I think they dream up lanes, where there aren't any. One such character today was tooting at us at the lights, because he could not get by. They expect you to put yourself in danger by taking up the other side of the road. (The area I'm talking about is on Central Street for those who live in our town). It is a single lane and has always been. The options are to go straight, left or right, when the light turns green, when it is your turn. Some, in good weather can get by on the right and turn right, when safe to do so. There are not two lanes, and when there is snow on the side of the road, you may have to wait.

A few days ago, I said, the biggest problems would be is where to put the snow. I was wrong. Road rage is. What is wrong with people? Also concerning, at any intersection, is when the snow has not been removed, and instead of a parking area, where there is snow, people take up space in a moving lane, forcing traffic to one lane instead of two. I'm speaking about a well-known church and intersection where there is a school. It can be extremely dangerous.

Lastly, someone tell me why they pile snow at the end of a street, leaving the driver with no visibility as to who is coming, especially where school buses stop? You know as well as I, drivers are not going to slow down, regardless of road conditions.

This is why most events are scheduled between Mother's Day to Labor Day. My doctor's appointments fall at this time of the year, when I encounter parking problems and the all the idiots on the road. Why do I do that?

Snow in Massachusetts

When forecasters predict an impending storm will hit the state of Massachusetts, the result varies according to your location. I heard the term warm snow, and I had to think about what that meant. Probably that the accumulation result would be heavy, containing a lot of water. Usually, a storm that starts with little itty bitty flakes, result in the most accumulation. Now, where I am that situation has changed to large flakes, hopefully meaning a winding down.

The center of the state's prediction was approximately 24" and I know we got at least that much, my husband measured 28" near his car, earlier today. This storm was a converging storm, one from the south and one from the west. The type of snow that the coast saw was nothing like what we get here. Our location is not far from the Connecticut border.

When we purchased this house, the first consideration should have been the direction that it faces. Our neighbors do not have the same problems that we encounter, as their snow piles up behind their homes, and not at their front door. Several hours ago, we reached a point, mid-storm, where we were unable to open doors to evacuate our homes in the event of an emergency. That means, without a generator, should we lose power, we are completely cut-off from the world, except for our cell phones, which are not always dependable. The only way we would be able to operate is through the use of anything battery-operated, and candles. We would be able to use the crank-type radio should batteries fail, which would enable us to hear what was going on, at the very lest. That is why I suggest that radio is the only viable way when setting up emergency programs, especially for the elderly, who may not have cell phones, and lose their power.

Luckily, we did not get the winds that we did last time, and did not lose power, which also means losing heat. Not being able to vacate your home, due to snow accumulations in front of your door, significantly adds to the stress. It was suggested that we could always jump out of a window, if necessary. I fell when trying to walk in the blizzard of '78, and had a hard time to get back up. You cannot move and you don't know what's underneath, or where stairs are and when it is up to your waiste, it is exhausting to walk. Blizzards produce uneven snow accummulations, another problem for walking.

Snow removal is difficult especially when it is in front of your doors. Making it impossible to open them. You must, or, if it freezes, you'll not be able to use your entrance for some time.

Presently, my back door snow amount measured over 24" from the inside. The snow is not heavy, still we cannot budge the door open. Until we clear the front stairs and driveway, there is no way we will get to it.

If I were an engineer, I wonder if I could come up with a solution. Florida is the only state that isn't experiencing winter weather right now. Maybe that is a plan....for some, but not for me. My neighbors talk about it every year. (Wondering how sliders would work?)Might be time to consider redoing the back entrance.

Once the storm is done, our driveway will be back plowed and the stairs will be cleared. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the beauty and think about the positive aspects of fallen-snow like clean air and the replenishing of reservoirs.

I recall several stories from the "good ol' days" when people used to venture out to take care of their chickens and cows. It was said that they used to tie ropes around each other, to keep them together because of the wind and deep amounts of snow. I used to find those stories a bit humorous and somewhat exaggerated, but not anymore.

My grandmother was said to have fallen on the side of the road, and while her family thought she was in church praying, she was frozen to the bone in a ditch. Apparently, she lived on a hill and slipped. Being only 4' 10" it didn't take much snow to cover her. Lucky for her, she was not run over and was found by her family.

The Cape usually just gets mostly rain, as they experienced today. So in the end, we all get a mixed bag, so to speak. What we're all wondering around here is where are we going to put it? Our town has problems when trying to clear the roads, and we all are obligated to clean sidewalks in front of your home, if you have any. It is going to be messy for a while, alternate street parking, and no parking, and emergency parking bans are in effect.

I can be thankful that my car is tucked away safely in the garage, and I have no plans to go out in the near future. Still, as evening approaches, it would be nice if there were some kids with shovels, going around to make a few extra bucks, like we used to do when we were their age.

Today is your Birthday

Today is your birthday! So Happy Birthday to you.....I asked you yesterday if you liked the gifts that we gave you, and you said you already had......one of the ships, I guess, then I described the other two-- a truck, and flatbed that goes to your new train set that you liked. You didn't seem to know what I was talking about. Of course, you did mention three blue trucks that played a song like the "yellow" one that grampy gave you a long time ago. You liked those, I could tell. But how many can you play with at one time? Toys are literally taking over your house.

It reminds me of the story of the poor little rich boy who had so much to choose from that he didn't know what to play with. So today your five. At five, I see determination to do things for yourself, and this is a good thing. Some kids would cry and want someone else to put their boots on, mittens and zip their coat. But you are insistent on doing your own, which requires a lot of patience from the person watching sometimes, but in the end, bravo for you.

You have the make-up for success, determination. "I can't" is not in your vocabulary, we'll have to work on the I won't, though. What can one give a little boy that has been to Mexico, Disney, Polar Express, and so many other places. That is involved in sports, swim and has ooodles of friends and, your very own baby brother?

Nothing! Just an ear when you need one, and a smile to show our support, but mostly a prayer. The days ahead will be challenging, your first trip on the bus to school, homework and growing. Growing up to be possibly an engineer, or pilot. No matter what you do, you'll always be grandma's big boy, and helper.

See here's a wish for you, Nathan, that you will grow to fit into big shoes, find happiness and joy in little things, and learn that you are special and loved by so many. You are a very big boy of five today! May you get your special wish--and have the happiest birthday, ever!

Negatively Influenced

A recent post that I read, talked about how her expectations for peace this year, were recently challenged by media influence and a news story which provoked sadness, anger, and other negative suggestions.

Everyone has their own view and opinion, and when something happens it does affect us, one way or the other. She might be just becoming aware of what I've been saying for a long time, and except for movies, or entertainment, I have not watched television, in an effort to not involve myself emotionally in happenings, opinions, or conversations that I have no control over, but are trying to gain contol over the majority of viewers.

We are all sensitive people, and I try to avoid saying things that hopefully, will not effect others negatively. The problem is that it is not always what, or what tone, we said it in, but how the other person perceives what was said. We take things to heart or wrong all the time. The world has become a violent place, we walk on egg shells. But, to be told that when something happens we are all to blame is an exaggeration at best. Stop trying to make us all feel guilty. Everyday, I read things that royally tick me off by people that I like and because it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I shy away from them, or avoid them all together.

I can't take on the affairs of the world just because media has the ability to report it, continuously. Negatively upsetting or in sighting large numbers of people seems to be the way of the press lately. I'm sick of hearing fighting words like--left, right, and all the other abusive triggers and the political bashing that goes on every waking day. It is time to stop the blame-game, which is rehashed on all channels.

I call it noise pollution, or head pollution and visuals which can steel all of our peace. I have decided like other's, to pull the plug, change the channel and parent control myself. If the anger is building out there maybe someone needs to ask why? It's simple, just refuse to listen to it. Disengage yourself and look for serenity anywhere that you can find it. Stop allowing other's to steel your peace.

Veneration

This is a word that we see rarely, it gives to one the title of the highest degree of honor, reverence and respect. It shows a high regard for someone. Tomorrow, we will hear that the veneration of the Trinity was revealed, in our Sunday Troparion.

As Jesus presented Himself for Baptism to John, not because He required it, but because He had a greater purpose. The voice of the Father bore witness to Him calling Him His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words.

Appearing to enlighten the world, Glory to You Christ our God. (God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, loving, revealing, and sanctifying).

Jesus sanctified the waters, and the world with His physical presence. We need Him more than ever, yet the churches remain empty, and mankind is too busy.

No matter how much we mess things up, He is here with us. He has revealed this to us over and over in His Word.

Come, venerate Him and cast your cares upon the water, and be healed.

It's a Mystery

Today we call it a mystery. Creepy and well, read it for yourself then you'll understand why this topic made front page in our local newspaper and papers all over the world. Go Here.

I was raised by a fisherman and we spent many days near ponds, lakes and streams fishing for mainly trout, yet I cannot remember ever seeing fish with their eyes missing. Eerie, is how one explains the happenings all over the world recently to fish and birds.

In an article entitled "What killed the birds?" written by Kevin Flanders, news staff writer of the Southbridge News, on Friday, January 7, we read that about 450 birds of similar varieties were found dead in Louisiana over the holiday weekend. More than 3,000 red-winged blackbirds just simply fell out of the sky? We are then led to believe that perhaps, PERHAPS, they might have ingested contaminated water. Then, God help us all, every one of us man and beast. Or, perhaps since it is happening all over the world, there could be another explanation. Two million dead fish in Chesapeake Bay on Tuesday, Brazil and New Zealand, Sweden and Japan, Arkansas, and the possible answer to this, according to Dennis Kraft, Chairman of the Swedish Ornithological Society, "the mass death is that the birds, which sleep in flocks, were disturbed during the night by the firecrackers, became confused, and flew into objects and each other." Birds may have become confused, and flew into each other, but take another look at the numbers. Some of the fish had no eyes. Could Nostradamus have provided the answer years prior?

Writing of Nostradamus: "A great stench will come from Lausanne, but they will not know its origin, they will put out all people from distant places, fire seen in the sky, a foreign nation defeated." Lausanne was what the area of Arkansas and Louisiana was called before part of the US, as purchased. Named by: French explorer, Rene Robert Cavelier in the 1600's in honor of King Louis XIV of France. (This information was obtained from Roz Zurko, Yahoo! Contributor Network, Entitled: "Dead Birds and Nostradamus Predictions as Birds Fall from the Sky in Three States.")

Possibly, " fire seen in the sky" may refer to the fireworks that experts are "claiming" spooked the birds, causing the calamity of birds. Or could it possibly be a shift in the earths magnetic field, which was said to have closed the Tampa Airport, requiring the adjustment of taxiway signs on their main runway, recently. Fifteen global incidents have occurred which were added to the list, to include: Italy, and South Carolina.

According to the Nostradamus 2012 History Channel Documentary--End of World Predictions, "Solar activity will shift the earths poles," "The reversal of the magnetic poles, predicts havoc and blackouts."

I wonder how many firework exhibits I have seen throughout the many years? Too many to recall...Not one bird dropped from the sky. If it were contamination, other animals and life species would also be affected. We are seeking answers to this mystery. What did kill the birds and fish? And, we can't help but wonder what this year will bring.

One Big Happy Family

No not really blood relatives, but we have a Community Meal here at St. Michael, where people of all type come together to enjoy eating and being together, just like family. It was a great way to start the New Year, by exchanging New Years greetings, as they came in hungry from the cold, enticed by the aroma of the evenings meal.

Community is supposed to be like that. The creator and preparer, Fr. Peter, has grown this event to several times a month, tonight marking the first Thursday in January and I believe, the next one is on the 20th. People are looking forward to coming, and as usual, it is a pleasure to serve them. Tonight there were around thirteen volunteers, helping with various dinning room and kitchen operations.

One of the aspects of the program, which naturally follow a good meal and friendship, is sharing. People share stories, and personal concerns. It's funny, we're actually missing people now who didn't attend for one reason or another, and you find yourself wondering if they are okay.

Eager to be the winner of a gift certificate, to a local grocery store, they usually do not just eat and run, but linger a little bit longer, making the evening just a little sweeter.

Dinner was minestrone soup, bread, meatloaf, vegetables, and potatoes. Served with a smile and greetings, extended to one and all. Dessert is relished with a cup of coffee, especially good on a cold winter's night.

The best way to brighten the day is a healthy, home-cooked meal with friends who think your pretty special. All you need do is come on by and you'll be made welcome here at Romanian Hall, Southbridge, and become one of our family.

It's Going to be Alright...

As a parent we tell our kids what our parents taught us, "It's okay, honey it's going to be alright." Then, comes the diversion, or distraction, in an effort to make it all go away. And, we are good at putting things out of our mind, until they hit us square in the face. Even then, we are reluctant to believe what is before us.

Today, reading the news, I can say that I believe, "It's Not going to be alright." I wonder what it will take for people to open their eyes and see. See what? How do we explain that birds, millions of them are not supposed to fall dead from the sky, or fish float up from the waters to the surface, stiffened. It seems like yesterday that it was dead bees.

Prepared little stories accompany the whys of it all, like fireworks, or temperature changes, which might work for a particular area, but world-wide? Could it be that the time for excuses have run out? In short, we don't see what we choose not to see.

So why do we comfort each other with the words, "It'll be alright?" or distract ourselves with other trivial matters in order to put off the truth? Because we can't deal with it.

It always is alright, isn't it? Oh, you might say that it doesn't concern us. Perhaps it hasn't hit home yet. There's nothing we can do about it. Really? Maybe, just maybe, with all our insensitivity, and quest for materialism we are too late, anyway. We need more than a change of attitude, we need action, quick action.

A toxic planet means no food, clean water and life itself.

In the Good Ol' Days

What if they are right about Global Warming? Or, for that matter the Coming Ice Age. It isn't a question of who is right or wrong. Becoming aware of your environment and how much you waste is important to our future, regardless. The bottom line is that no matter how you look at it, it is going to cost you, one way or another.

I'm wondering about a lot of things. Exercise is essential to us all. Does going green imply that we should choose wisely, pulling the plugs that run electrical operations, and foot pedaling the old-fashioned way. How about walking? It is still free. Creating energy from our weight-loss endeavor, naturally, would be a two-way win that would surely motivate us in a positive way---perhaps, a solution.

During WWII, the coast of Maine blackened itself from lights, to keep the enemy from not easily finding the coast. Residents pulled shades and kept their establishments and homes dim. We have a new enemy now, and ENERGY Conservation is imperative.

I thought of ways to save, besides changing to more efficient light bulbs. Years prior, oil lamps and candles were used, as all by-products were consumed and that is where recycling is helpful. All that was great as it was all they had, yet safety demanded top efficiency. Did you ever consider using electricity only as needed? Do we really need to light every room or just the ones we are utilizing. Going to bed one hour earlier adds up to much when it catches on to family lifestyles coast to coast. Some leave lights on during the night, outdoors in particular. Would it be feasible to have lights that turn-on with approaching movement, instead? Solar lighting is not always useful in the winter months of the North East. How about using flashlights? I remember my grandmother always carried one to use, as necessary. The best person to make that determination is you. Everyone may not live under the same circumstances and it should be considered out of one's particular need.

Cooking less and eating foods that are in it's natural form is a winning situation for all. Or, cooking in larger batches, and putting up leftovers can save money and energy in the end. We have gadgets for all types of activity work, and pleasure. Some of them could be replaced manually. Why do we need electrically operated skylights and shades, for an example, a manual operation could replace this effort. I don't recall seeing any vehicles with the roll-down window capability, lately. Everything requires power. A handheld can opener is just as effective as an electric one. Are automatic doors really a requirement or a waste of energy? How about our activities, toys and large televisions?

One of my relatives just purchased, and wisely may I add, a generator for his home. Did you know that he and his family could not even get water without electricity, and in a storm, they would be completely out of everything except for the gas-log heating system in his fireplace, which could warm a room, if it doesn't require an electric spark to initiate it. Thinking back to my grandfather's day. They had terrible storms, but had a well which did not rely on electricity. Heat that came from either coal or wood driven pot-bellied stoves, concentrated heat for the living room or kitchen area. There were no bathrooms, and food was stored in root cellars, and grandma canned foods grown in her garden. Bread was homemade as well as all preserves and wine. The chicken coop provided for their morning eggs. There was little danger of salmonella poisoning from fresh eggs, and my dad used to make eggnog often. Grandma used to make homemade bread each Saturday for the week. Their work, sustained their lifestyle. They worked at home raising their kids and cooking, cleaning and caring for their family amongst a community that did the same. An environment of family, friends and neighbors all working and conserving together, caring for each other and sharing what they had. They were not like the people we have in our society today--demanding, wasteful and apathetic loners. The signs are there. We must be resilient and unfailing. We needed to act on this yesterday.

We have advanced and are in danger, especially when the weather causes outages leaving us in a cold dark home, with little or no food. The once running trolleys, which transported residents, having been replaced by expensive cars. Cars we are forced to own, unless we can walk to our out-of-town jobs. People were lucky to have one car, that they drove on the weekend to church and had "Sunday drives out for a pic-nic in the country." Some people today own as many as four cars for a much smaller family unit....They say we have come a long way. They say we are smarter with all our technology. But, where have we come to? Where does it lead us? Are we sustainable? How about our planet? Where do we go from here?

1-1-11

All one's must mean something besides being the first day and the New Year 2011. We spent it combining the old with the new. The Old Sturbridge Village is close to where we live and offers something of interest for everyone. It is quite different in the winter yet, is picturesque and serene, depending on the number of visitors, you can almost have the place to yourself.

My five-year-old grandson came along to see the animals. The natural dirt roadway and paths were heaping with mud and droppings from the horse drawn carriage. Their was no electricity then, nor indoor facilities. They lived "green" in New England. This is incredible. We don't have to go far to learn what we must do. The question is, can we? Would we?I don't know if I could stand the mud being dragged into the home. It is a life of hardship. Some had carriages that they were pushing around, and I felt sorry for them. The good news was that at least, it was a beautiful day to walk around. At least at five, Nate could walk and thankfully we didn't have to carry him.

We saw a man taking photos of the covered bridge from a distance, a rare sight-- as there are few covered bridges left. I saw one in New Hampshire once. He took an interest in the way handcrafted fences were joined through a hole, having been slivered by an axe to a point noticing that some were placed in v shapes. The only building he cared to go in was the school, because we told them that they heated with a wood stove, like his dad used to in the cellar. He looked at what was a primitive version of possibly a very small pot belly stove with the chimney of tin running straight up and across the ceiling to vent outside. He was interested in what people miss entirely, the water run off drainage systems of trenches and huge stones, primitive culverts. Everyone wants to go to Freeman farm to see the animals. We saw dark pigs, chickens, hens, a real hay loft, cows, bulls and sheep. Apple or cherry trees lined the edge of the road supplying the family with fruit, and within the yard piles of mulch awaits the spring. Plants were trimmed back, the old-fashioned way with a sickle. The duck pond was frozen over and they didn't have ducks and geese today, but then he spotted it, the grist and lumber mills. I was satisfied to know that is where wheat was ground into flour and lumber cut for all their building need. He was interested in the engineering aspect of it, the water flow into a waterfall, and huge wheel that operated the gear that eventually caused the saw to go up and down cutting the wood, or moving the large crushing and grinding stones. All of it was at a standstill, due to the icing which I would not have seen built up on the sides of the operation, but through his observation. We dodged the tracks of the droppings, leading us to walk on the covered bridge, he looking through the cracks at the water underneath and was awed by the view of the Quinebaug on the right, which offered boat rides in good weather.

One of my favorite houses is the wealthiest on the block of course, hoping to be able to go in and look around. But no, he had no interest this time, only in the garden with the huge rounded white trellis that grew grapes in the summer time. It had benches which looked out onto the water, (Quinnebaug), and had a bird's eye view of the beautiful covered bridge.

There were two other buildings that we got to go into, the general and gift stores, looking for a toy, like a boat. Several times, while walking he stopped to view planes in the sky as he does everywhere he goes, this time, though we felt as if we were in the twilight zone. No they would not have any planes, either! He left disappointed.

I thought about how much life has to offer him at his young age in comparison to the youth in those days. I wondered how much the world would change as he grows and what will it have to offer when he becomes my age. I left thankful.