Goodbye Terri

For those of you who do not know it yet, Terri died this morning. Thank you for praying for this family and this poor poor woman. My heart is grieved over what she had to endure because she was a burden to her husband and to society. What does this say about our culture? Where are we headed in this nation when it is OK to kill a healthy living breathing woman because she was disabled? Please pray for her family; that they would know Jesus, know His comfort, and know that their fight was not in vain. And pray for the nation, that God will change the hearts and minds of the people towards Himself before it is too late for our land.

Goodbye, Terri, you were amazingly strong and brave. Would that the leaders of this nation and your husband made of the same stock. May God go with you.

Kate

Killed by Euphemisms

Peace and a quiet heart...

Does it not appeal to you to run through the field this tree is in and gape at the grand blue sky above it? Imagine Julie Andrews at the top of the Austrian mountain twirling in circles and you have the picture I see. Or to lie in the soft green grass and stare up at the fluffy white clouds? What shapes can you see, children? What shapes do you see in the great wide sky? There is beauty in the world so tangible that sometimes it is painful.

The light of the sun reflecting off the soft hazel eyes of my daughter as she smiles up at me delightedly. The sweetness of a tiny person enchanted with an earthworm enough to hold it tenderly and kiss it. The trust a daughter has in me to share her life; the overwhelming sense of thankfulness that such a relationship as this exists for me. The quiet smile and knowing look in the another child's eyes as we exchange glances through the crowd on Sunday. The happiness in my son as he rushes up to me, hugs me tightly, and kisses me for no reason. The love of a husband who will always be my own; the man in whom I trust completely and love with my life's breath. Such are the blessings of God to me.

For such things I am truly thankful. May I never be too busy to enjoy and be thankful for what is before me.

Kate

Because we need the beauty

Thanks to a budding photographer in a friend's daughter, I have these lovely pictures to share with you. I hope the loading time is not too long!

May they cheer you today.

Warmly embracing spring,
Kate

~*~

~*~

Starvation Day 7

Minister to Jeb Bush:
Disobey court order
D. James Kennedy says governor
must 'disregard' judge to save Terri

With all legal remedies apparently exhausted, a prominent evangelical Christian leader is urging Jeb Bush to disobey a judge's order barring the Florida governor from intervening to save the life of Terri Schiavo.

In a statement shortly after Judge George Greer's decision today, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., minister D. James Kennedy pointed to Bush "as the only legal authority who can save the life of Terri Schiavo. "

Kennedy, president of Coral Ridge Ministries, said Bush "must act and he must act immediately on her behalf."

"He must disregard the order of Judge Greer," Kennedy said. "He has both the authority and the duty to do so under the state constitution."

This afternoon, Greer rejected Bush's request to grant the governor protective custody. Yesterday, he barred the Department of Children & Families from taking custody.

This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request from Terri Schiavo's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, for an emergency order allowing Schiavo's feeding tube to be reinserted.

As WorldNetDaily reported, Bush appeared to be clearing the way for unilateral action when he appeared at a news conference yesterday afternoon to confirm the DCF, under his authority, has the legal right to remove Terri Schiavo, by force if necessary, from the hospice where she has lived the past five years.

Bush said new information had come to light warranting intervention, including a review of Terri Schiavo's condition by neurologist Dr. William Cheshire, who claims she may have been misdiagnosed. Cheshire believes Schiavo to be in a "minimally conscious state," not a "persistent vegetative state" as Greer has determined.

"It is imperative that she be stablized so the DCF team can fulfill their statute to review the facts surrounding the case," Bush said.

Kennedy said Bush should be commended for his efforts over the past two years -- which include the state legislature's passage of "Terri's Law" -- but he noted those efforts "thus far has proven fruitless." The law later was declared unconstitutional.

"Neither the state legislature nor the courts, state or federal, have been willing to act on behalf of this helpless woman who is now within hours of death," Kennedy said.

Kennedy points out the Florida constitution states in Article I, Section 2, that "[a]ll natural persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law, and have inalienable rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life ... ." According to the Constitution, "no person shall be deprived of any right [including the right to enjoy life] because of ... physical disability."

As governor, Jeb Bush has the "supreme executive power," and the constitutional duty, stated in Article IV, Section 1, to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed," Kennedy said.

The governor, who is sworn to uphold the constitution, is obligated to safeguard this constitutional guarantee of the "inalienable right ... to enjoy and defend life," regardless of physical disability, he argued.

"The governor may not disregard that obligation even if a member of the judiciary has ordered otherwise," Kennedy said. "He is not bound by a court order that is at odds with a constitutional guarantee."

Kennedy cited Thomas Jefferson, who said, "[T]o consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions [is] a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy."

Abraham Lincoln, Kennedy pointed out, disregarded the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Dred Scott when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

"Governor Bush has tried patiently to work with the courts and the legislature but to no avail," Kennedy said. "Now, at the very last moment, he has a constitutional duty to protect Terri Schiavo’s 'inalienable right ... to enjoy and defend life.'"

After all the "praying, petitioning, and lobbying," it comes down to this, Kennedy said: "Jeb Bush must choose between the clear mandate of Florida's constitution and a judiciary which, in this case, has acted in defiance of that state supreme law."

(The rest of the article found here.)

All I can do from here for Terri Schiavo

is pray and write letters. I am doing both. Please consider what you can do and do it.

To:
President George W. Bush
(email address: president@whitehouse.gov)
Vice President Richard Cheney
(email address: vice.president@whitehouse.gov)
Governor John Ellis "Jeb" Bush
(email address: jeb.bush@myflorida.com)

I ask only one thing and that is: please save this disabled woman’s life. I am sure you have heard all there is to hear on this so there is nothing I can say that will further enlighten you regarding the facts. What I can say is that she is a person, a woman in need of assistance, a human life worth saving. We treat our criminals and our animals better than she has been treated and I ask, actually I beg of you, please write an Executive Order, take her into custody; do whatever it takes to save this precious woman’s life. This is not about politics, or liberal/conservative, but about her humanity. I ask from my heart that you do something. She is worth it.

She is real, she is human, she is worth it.

because I liked it...

The Sweetest Gift

*

Quietly while you were asleep

the moon and I were talking

I asked that she'd always keep

you protected

She promised you her light

that you so gracefully carry

You bring your light and shine

like morning

And then the wind pulls the

clouds across the moon

Your light fills the darkest room

And I can see the miracle that

keeps us from falling

She promised

all the sweetest gifts

that only the heavens

could bestow

You bring your light and shine

like morning

And as you so gracefully give

her light as long as you live

I will always remember

this moment.

*

Sade
*

IMPORTANT - TERRI SCHIAVIO - PLEASE READ

As of this writing, Terri's feeding tube has been removed. I know that most of you reading this are just as horrified as I am. This woman is not a vegetable and needs our help - see her website at the bottom of this post for proof if you are in the doubting camp. Please read below and do what you can. Her life is hanging in the balance. May God preserve her.
Kate

Important Action Items

March 17, 2005 – The Senate is now considering HR 1332, an act titled the Incapacitated Persons Legal Protection Act. This act could save the life of Terri and many disabled people. Please tell your senator and others you want their support.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
span>
From March 7, 2005- As you may already know, Terri’s case has reached a critical point. Judge George W. Greer has ordered that her nutrition and hydration be removed on March 18, 2005. This will begin a long and painful death process for Terri if his order is carried out.
There are still some things that can spare Terri, and disabled people like her, from this type of forced death. Some of them require your help.

1. Florida’s House and Senate are considering a dehydration and starvation protection act that would require stronger evidence of informed consent prior to removing assisted food and fluids from an incapacitated patient. If you are a Floridian, a disability advocate or an elder care advocate, you can let Florida’s lawmakers know that you want them to consider such an act.
Contact Florida’s Lawmakers here.http://www.flsenate.gov/ – Senatehttp://www.myfloridahouse.com/ - House

2. The US Congress will consider a bill titled the Incapacitated Person’s Legal Protection Act on Tuesday, March 8, 2005. This bill, if signed into law, would entitle incapacitated persons to the federal review of their rights (known as habeas corpus) and would help ensure that they have been fairly represented. You can encourage your representative to give favorable consideration of this act. Habeas corpus protections are currently available to the worst convicted criminals; this new law would make it clear that disabled Americans are entitled to at least as much legal protection.

Contact your representative here.http://www.house.gov/writerep/ - US House of Representativeshttp://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ - US Congress

3. Seventeen doctors – neurologists, physicians and pathologists, have signed statements in Terri Schiavo’s guardianship proceedings to support new neurological testing protocols for her. This is important because of recent findings that may support the position that Terri is not in a persistent vegetative state and can be trained to communicate in spite of her limitations. Disability advocates across North America are calling for an immediate moratorium on deprivation deaths for disabled people like Terri until these new protocols can be enacted as an updated avenue of testing. We ask that you contact your state representatives and ask that they consider such a moratorium.

Contact your state house and senate.http://www.house.gov/writerep/ - US House of Representativeshttp://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ - US Congress

4. The Justice Coalition has petitioned the Governor of the State of Florida to invoke statutory protections for Terri Schiavo pending an investigation into abuse, neglect and exploitation against her.

Sign the petition here.http://www.justicecoalition.org/petition2.htm

5. Terri’s family have filed a number of motions and petitions to the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Pinellas and Pasco Counties and continue to process several different appeals in the Florida courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Read the latest here.http://www.terrisfight.org

6. National press and media continue to misreport and misrepresent Terri’s situation. Such reporting does a tremendous disservice to vulnerable people and elderly and disabled persons throughout the United States. You can help by contacting the editors of your local newspapers and letting the truth be known.

Download the talking point list here.http://www.terrisfight.org/documents/talk.pdf

7. Over 200 internet bloggers have joined forces to support Terri Schiavo by publishing articles, commentary and information about her situation and legal case. You can join their ranks, read their updates and pass the information along to your friends.

Check out the blog sites here.http://www.blogsforterri.com

Finally, on behalf of the family and legal team working hard to protect Terri Schiavo and vulnerable citizens like her, we thank you for your time and compassion and we hope that you will contact us with links, suggestions and your personal stories. Your continued support is beyond value.

Contact Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation here.

What a great night!

Our first official family tradition of St. Patrick's Day was a success! It was everything I remembered and the Irish Soda Bread was amazing. That was the first time I had attempted to make it and it was moist and yummy! I forgot to buy the raisins, but it was just as good without them. The children were happy to start another tradition, they enjoyed the meal, and Daddy was happy with the Guinness I bought him. :-) We had Grandma L over too and we all had a very nice time together. Family times are so precious!

So thanks Kim and Diane for their lovely St. Pat's posts, and to the Irish I say, thanks for the saving the civilization, for your good cooking, and the great heritage!

Warmly,
Kate

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

On this day for many years my family would gather at my grandparent's house. My 100% Irish grandmother, white haired with sky blue eyes, would cook the traditional Irish feast of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. My mother would make the Irish Soda Bread and I would internally grumble about the caraway seeds. I loved it, but could not stand the seeds! I would always mash up my potatoes and pour the juice of the corned beef on top so that my whole plate was swimming in it but be sure to make some room on the ledge of the plate for the brown mustard that must be used with the corned beef. It was at these gatherings that I had my first taste of Bailey's Irish coffees and came to appreciate our family's uniqueness. It was my first experience with anything Irish and was the beginning of a lifelong love of Ireland. But more than that, these dinners were to become cherished memories for me of fellowship and laughter and appreciation of one another and what it means to be a family.

I have since moved away from the area, my grandfather has passed away, and I don't think my grandmother would have the strength to make the meal anymore for a family that has grown to our size. While I miss what once was, I can make those meals a special time to our family. I can start those traditions here so that in 20 years our children will have those beautiful memories. I am blessed to be a part of my family and I am grateful to God that they love me so much. On this day of the Irish,

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

The rains fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

~*~

Saint Patrick, the man, Maewyn Succat

Who Was the Real St. Patrick?

There are many legends and traditions associated with St. Patrick's Day. Who was the real St. Patrick? St. Patrick was not actually Irish. he was born around 373 A.D. in the British Isles near the modern city of Dumbarton in Scotland. His real name was Maewyn Succat. He took the name of Patrick, or Patricius, meaning "well-born" in Latin, after he became a priest.

During Patrick's boyhood, the Roman empire was near collapse and too weak to defend its holdings in distant lands. Britain became easy prey for raiders, including those who crossed the Irish sea from the land known as Hibernia or Ireland. When Patrick was sixteen, he was seized by raiders and carried off to Ireland.

Most of what is known about St. Patrick comes from his own Confession, written in his old age. In his Confession he wrote about his capture:

As a youth, nay, almost as a boy not able to speak, I was taken captive ... I was like a stone lying in the deep mire; and He that is mighty came and in His mercy lifted me up, and raised me aloft ... And therefore I ought to cry out aloud and so also render something to the Lord for His great benefits here and in eternity -- benefits which the mind of men is unable to appraise.

After Patrick was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave by an Irish chieftain named Niall, he was sold to another chieftain in northern Ireland. Much of Patrick's time was spent alone on the slopes of Slemish Mountain, tending his master's flocks of sheep. During the long, lonely hours in the fields and hills of Ireland, Patrick found comfort in praying. In his Confession he wrote:

... every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed -- the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was moved so that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers and almost as many in the night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountains; ... and I felt no harm, and there was no sloth in me -- as now I see, because the spirit within me was fervent.

Six years passed slowly by. Then in a dream, Patrick heard a voice saying, "Thy ship is ready for thee." This was God's way, he felt, of telling him to run away. That night he fled. Assured God was leading him, Patrick plunged through the bogs and scaled the mountains which separated him from the sea. He escaped Ireland by ship, but God would call him back years later. Patrick had escaped his boyhood enslavement in Ireland only to hear the call of God as a man to return. He was being called on, he felt, to convert the Irish to Christianity. In his Confession Patrick wrote:

I saw a man named Victoricus, coming from Ireland with countless letters. He gave me one of them and I read the opening words which were: The voice of the Irish ... I thought at the same moment I heard their voice: 'We beg you, young man, come and walk among us once more.' And I was quite broken in heart, and could read no further, and so I woke up. Thanks be to God, after many years the Lord gave to them according to their cry.

... they call me most unmistakably with words which I heard but could not understand, except that ... He spoke thus: 'He that has laid down His life for thee, it is He that speaketh in thee;' and so I awoke full of joy.

When Patrick began his mission about 430 A.D., Ireland was gripped by paganism, idolatry prevailed and the Irish knew nothing of Jesus. Patrick decided to go first to the pagan chieftain or king who had enslaved him as a boy. Rather than be put to shame by a former slave, the king set fire to his house and threw himself into the flames.

Patrick then set out for Tara, the seat of the high king of Ireland. When Patrick arrived, Tara was filled with many local kings and druids who were attending the pagan feast of Beltine which coincided with Easter that year. Patrick encamped in the full view of the castle to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.

On the eve of the festival it was the custom, upon penalty of death, that the high king should light the first bonfire before any others in the land. Patrick, however, had kindled a great fire which gleamed through the darkness. Patrick was summoned before the king. The confrontation which followed is as amazing as Elijah's victory over the prophets of Baal.

Patrick stood and called, May God arise and His enemies be scattered. Darkness fell on the camp. Confused guards began to attack one another. The ground shook and the next day, Easter, a broken king knelt before God's servant. This confrontation between Patrick's God and demonic forces marked the beginning of a thirty-year mission to Ireland.

Patrick traveled the roads and forded the rivers of Ireland for 30 years to see men and women "reborn in God' and come to know the Christ he loved so much. Patrick wrote in his Confession:

We ought to fish well and diligently, as our Lord exhorts. Hence, we spread our nets so that a great multitude and throng might be caught for God.

By the time of his death, Patrick had baptized tens of thousands and established hundreds of churches throughout Ireland. Danger and hardship remained his constant companions. Twice he was imprisoned, but he was not discouraged. He wrote in his Confession:

Daily I expect murder, fraud, or captivity, but I fear none of these things because of the promises of heaven. I have cast myself into the hands of God Almighty who rules everywhere.
Within a century this once pagan land became predominately Christian, possessing such a vigorous faith that Ireland in turn sent missionaries to Scotland, England, Germany and Belgium. As an old man, Patrick looked back in awe:

Those who never had knowledge of God but worshipped idols ... have now become ... sons of God.

The old saint died in his beloved Ireland on March 17th, 460 A.D. The land that once enslaved him, had now been set free.

Note: One of the most popular legends attributed to Patrick is that he used the shamrock as a visual aid to teach the principle of the Trinity. This story cannot be verified. However, from his writings it is evident the doctrine of the Trinity was central in his teaching.
(Story taken from here.)

A little Irish Romance...

The traditional wedding ring of the Irish since the 17th Century, the Royal Claddagh ring is today worn by people all over the world as a universal symbol of love, loyalty, friendship and fidelity, and of their Irish heritage.

For love, we wear the heart. In friendship, we wear the hands. And, in loyalty and lasting fidelity: we wear the Royal Claddagh crown.

Worn on the right hand, with crown and heart facing out, the ring tells that the wearer's heart is yet to be won. While under love's spell it is worn with heart and crown facing inwards. Wearing the ring on the left hand, with the crown and heart facing inwards, signifies that your love has been requited.

An original symbol of the "Fisher Kings" of the Galway town of Claddagh, Ireland, was first fashioned into the traditional ring back in the 17th Century during the reign of Mary II. Legend has it that an Irish young man, Richard Joyce, bound for the West Indian slave plantations was kidnapped himself in rough seas by a band of Mediterranean pirates and sold to a Moorish goldsmith who over the many long years of his exile helped him perfect the skills of a master craftsman. When in 1689 King William III negotiated the return of the slaves, Joyce returned to Galway - despite, it said, the Moor's offer of the daughter's hand in marriage and a princely dowry of half of all his wealth.

Back in Ireland a young women had never stopped faithful waiting for her true love to return. Upon which time when he presented her with the now famous Royal Claddagh gold ring - a symbol of their enduring love. Two hands to represent their friendship, the crown to signify their loyalty and lasting fidelity, and the sign of the heart to symbolise their eternal love for each other. They soon married, never to be separated again.

The traditional wedding ring of the Irish since the 17th Century, the Claddagh ring is worn by people all over the world as a universal symbol of love, loyalty, friendship and fidelity. Traditionally handed down from mother to daughter the Royal Claddagh ring has also become a symbol of our ties with the past and generations gone by. As Irish people we remember the many many of our people who had to leave Ireland with nothing but their lives during the Great Famine of the 19th Century - many leaving from here in Cork harbour to make the long voyage across the Atlantic to America. The gold Royal Claddagh ring was to become for many the only enduring link with their home country and practically their only savings and family inheritance.

This delightful story is taken from Royal Claddagh. They sell this lovely Irish design in all sorts of settings; not just rings. I just love a good Irish romance in the morning!

It's almost St. Pat's! Do you have your corned beef yet?

Kate

Irish Eyes are Smiling

Since it is March, and so close to St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I would share an ancient Irish treasure with you. As a homeschooler, it almost goes without saying that books are dear friends. I say almost because I *have* come across a few that don’t tend to think that way. However, for those of us who would find a trip to oh, say, the British Library, an almost spiritual experience, this might just be for you.

I had the privilege of viewing Trinity College’s ancient manuscript, the Book of Kells. Click on the thumbnail pictures below for a larger clearer version. Once you have the larger clearer version you can click on the small box on the right bottom that pops off and on and enlarge it even more.

* * * *

* * *

I have an special affinity for hand-written manuscripts, but especially so for ones with a great story. It is understood that Irish Columban monks living on the remote Scottish island Iona, created this manuscript around the year 750. Iona was the center of St. Columba’s influence, and was where his church was located. The Book of Kells contains the four gospels, a section of Hebrew names, and the Eusebian canons, and it is also known as the “Book of Columba.” In 878 “The Annals of Ulster record that following another Viking attack, the shrine of Colm Cille and 'other relics' are taken to Ireland.” How can it get worse than to be plundered by Vikings? (It can!) In 1066 "The Book is stolen for its cover of gold, inset with precious stones. Months later it is found buried under sods of earth in a bog, without its cover." After this point it was evidently kept fairly together, but the final restoration and binding did not happen until 1953!

A description of the Kells that follows describes the amazing details and unbelievable talent the artists had in making it:

Almost equally characteristic are the zoomorphic interlacements, coloured representations of fanciful beings, or of men, animals, birds, horses, dogs, and grotesque, gargoyle-like human figures, twisted and hooked together in intricate detail. Other frequently occurring designs are a system of geometrical weaving of ribbons plaited and knotted together, and a simpler ornamentation by means of red dotted lines. The versatility and inventive genius of the illustrator surpasses all belief. Lines diverge and converge in endless succession, and the most intricate figures, in lavish abundance and with astounding variety of ornament, are combined and woven into one harmonious design. In spite of the extent of the work and its thousands of exquisite initials and terminals, there is not a single pattern or combination that can be said to be a copy of another. (Found here.)

I find this last fact simply amazing. Those Irish really knew what they were doing and I am so glad they were removed from underneath that bog!

I hope you enjoy.
Kate

A Birthday Poem for Gena

I have a friend who’s fine and true,

Who stands by me when life gets blue.

She is the kind who does not wait,

When she sees me in some sort of straight.

*

I know she has a great big heart,

She listens well and is very smart.

But what I think comes most to mind,

It’s loyalty and that’s hard to find.

*
She’s there for you when things are bleak,

When life unravels, she is not weak.

She helps you to keep looking high,

To our great Sovereign in the sky.

*
This is the day of her great birth,

That fills us all with joy and mirth.

For friends like this come few and rarely,

And I will treasure her verily verily!

*
Happy Birthday, Dear Friend,

Kate

10 Things You Now Know About Me ...

Inspired by Karin's post, Ten Things I've Done That You Probably Haven't, I did some thinking and here are the results!

1. While on a TWO day trip to Paris I overslept and missed the Louvre.

2. On our first date, my husband and I hiked in the Redwood trees and picked up trash.

3. My first car was a tan colored Plymouth Champ, and I drove it over rocks and anywhere I could. It was amazing.

4. When in Ireland I hung upside down and kissed the Blarney Stone.

5. I had an underwater birth for my fourth baby.

6. I was proposed to on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Half Moon Bay on a clear and gorgeous January day.

7. I went through the Hampton Court Maze in England, successfully!

8. I climbed to the top of a crumbling 1200's Anglo-Norman castle wall that is across from the ruins of Clonmacnois monastic community. (Castle up close.)

9. I was locked in a pitch black prison cell on Alcatraz Island.

10. I stood exactly at Longitude Zero, otherwise known as the Prime Meridian where the world's time starts.

And there you have it!
Kate
:-)

Scottish Highland

If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.
So let it be.

—Scottish Blessing

Farewell and a Welcome

It has been a month since we lost our Ambulance kitty. He was a mild-mannered, sweet and patient cat. We miss his quirks and his funny expression and his ability to be flexible with the love (sometimes too much) our children showed him. He was a free thinker who liked to roam and that may have been his undoing. We miss his white goatee on his almost all-black body, we miss his white feet, we miss his knowing eyes, and we miss his presence on our front porch. It was he who enabled me to see the sweetness and beauty of having a cat in our lives. Ambulance, you were loved, and you will be missed.

~*~

We opened our home today to a new addition! We made the big plunge and brought ourselves home a kitty. He is almost five months old and still little enough to be a playful kitten. He is an absolutely adorable almost entirely black short haired Pippen. :-) He is in the midst of exploring our home and I am having a difficult time keeping the children from him. I am already attached to him and he is a playful purring snuggler that will be dearly loved here. It is wonderful to have him. I am thankful the the creatures God places in our lives - it only adds to the beauty of living.

Warmly,
Kate

Back in time...

If I were a rich man... oh wait, that is from a different movie than I'm going to blog on - I am going to blog on Timeline. Not too far in the past I was asked to place my self in a time period and I chose the Middle Ages. This movie does a pretty good job of portraying the MA, but not nearly as well as Cadfael.

I think that Cadfael so *well* represents the MA that I may have to retract that statement! It was not a very *clean* time now was it. I bring up these movies because, of course, I recently watched them and they are set in the MA! I would certainly like to visit this time, but not to stay. Timeline is based upon a Michael Crichton novel of the same name. This, I will now have to read. I think my list of must-reads is growing. Without giving away too much should you decide to watch it, Timeline is about 21st century archeologists that travel back to 1357 France. It is most certainly a B movie, but it is fast moving, exciting and well, just plain fun. :) I have seen it twice - something I rarely do unless a movie stays with me. I just love almost any period piece and this is that without the gorgeous hair and clothing. :-)

Cadfael novels I have previously blogged on, but the movies are in a genre all their own. If you have never seen them and have only devoted yourself to the books and already have a picture of Cadfael in your mind, you may not like them as much as I. However, it will not be for lack of acting. The great Derek Jacobi plays the monk and does a very good job at it I have to say. The time period is done well and all the rose colored glasses I so frequently put on when it comes to the Middle Ages are removed when I watch this series. How could people have lived in such a strange way? How could they have believed in such strange things as the power of bones? Lack of knowledge and lack of Scripture. What an amazing thing it must have been to those early reformation believers to actually get their hands on the real Bible - for the few that could afford it. What a magnificent difference the printing press made!

We are in the midst of our Renaissance/Reformation study and there was *so* much change and upheaval during this time! If I could have been a fly on the wall of the German Reformation - ahh - what an event to watch unfold. SO much change in such a short time with so drastic a result! Wow - see what watching Middle Ages movies can do for a person? HA!

~*~

Life this week has been something somewhere in between a comedy and a tragedy - not really so very dramatic as all that, but certainly a BUSY and slightly overwhelming week. Mom is coming this weekend and we plan on a lake walk. Time to get the house in shape, finish the never-ending mounds of laundry and make sure we do not have Fifth Disease. I think our Best Boy had this, but it is possible he didn't. He sure fit the bill though. I am just happy it is one of the lesser rashes! Childhood adventures!

I do have a confession to make and it might shock those of you who truly know me. I tried the real deal this week, I actually ate Authentic Clotted Cream, straight from the pasteurised English cow, and did. not. like. it. I think that is a first, folks. Take a ticket and favorite this blog right now. That is probably the first and only time you will hear me say I didn't like a form of clotted cream. I think that should have been a sign to me that this week was not going to be all that great. This cream tasted like goat cream - is there such a thing?! - and there is not a single thing you could do to get me to eat goat anything, let alone its cream. I was so happy to get it too! Well, I think I was fooled in England. I think I was fed the Cheap Immitation/Easy to Make Not Cooked and Unfancy Clotted Cream, and in my naivety, loved it! I think what I really like it actually just shredded butter mixed with whipped cream - and when you really think about it - who *wouldn't* like that?! Pass the scones I need something to put butter on...

Cheers!
Kate