We Can Always Be Thankful

I know, I know... It's been a very long time since I have posted my thoughts. Life has been interesting as of late, especially the last two months. My illness has taken it's toll, but I have come to realize once again that I have much to be thankful for. So, although it is the week after Thanksgiving, I will share my list of things I am thankful for this season.

1. Chiquita and Shadow, my cuddly kitties, who share my bed and always keep me entertained.
2. My dear husband, David, who works so hard, yet manages to keep things going at the house and take care of me when I'm feeling bad.
3. The opportunity to have a nice marriage encounter weekend and a Thanksgiving stay in Oklahoma between hospital visits.
4. Better health insurance than anyone I know.
5. A good team of doctors that (usually) actually listens to me and don't believe that they are God.
6. A very supportive family who prays for us, feeds our cats, maintains our car, and many other assorted things.
7. Google and it's subdivisions including blogger, gmail, froogle, google local, and google news... :)
8. Netflix, LOST, and the remaking of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. (It actually is possible to have TV for the intelligent...;)
   
9. A good bloodwork report today. Which should mean...
10. A Very Merry Christmas

Extraordinarily Fascinating News Items

Today a woman in Atlanta who was charged with murdering her baby was sentenced to be sterilized by tubal ligation. What a smart idea! Now if we did that with all the guilty sex offenders in this country, we wouldn't have overcrowding in prisons, nor would we need to worry about them committing that crime again. History shows that kings with harem have no problems with the eunuchs that tend them.

Also this week, a man with hobby of collecting snakes was bitten by one of his more poisonous and rare breeds. Fortunately, he was saved by an antidote from a zoo that was not very local. Apparently, this man is well known in the medical community. Now, unlike a lot of girls, I like snakes, and wouldn't mind owning one. But, unless one is raising certain snakes for the purpose of anti-venom, is there really a reason for careless ownership of any highly poisonous creature? Coming from someone who is also well known in the medical community, I wouldn't recommend it.

Of course Bush's plan for this new term and this year's new budget is on everyone's minds. For the most part, it seems to me that while they don't think so, both Republicans and Democrats want basically the same things. I know that no one is going to be happy with that statement, and I know there are some differences, but really folks.... Can't we all just get along? Please, let's get done what needs to get done, no adding stupid little things in bills that have nothing to do with anything. If we were more focused and less argumentative, perhaps we could really get some things done.

And, finally, as we near Valentine's Day, research has discovered that we truly can die of a broken heart. (especially women) So men, remember your true love not just February 14, but every day. You wouldn't want to be responsible for anything...

The Reasons Behind Charity

It is hardly the beginning of a new year, and yet so many strange things are already happening. Those near the Indian Ocean have experienced a tsunami beyond imagining. Here at home we see the West experiencing disasters of a near similar kind. The West is either being washed away by mud and water, or covered by more snow than they have ever seen.

While all that is going on, here in Tennessee with near record warmth for January, I ponder the imponderable of how terrible it would be to experience that kind of devastation. How would it be to have your loved ones swept away from your grasp, to never be seen again? Or perhaps, not quite as bad, my house . . . And as I watch the pictures on the news of those strong people, both here and abroad, I ponder about what the differences are between them.

You see, I am not the kind to look at our misfortune and forget about others. Yet, somehow it bothers me how I hear about all the aid we are delivering to Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and India; and I don't hear about much aid being given to those in California and Nevada. Should we help where we can? Yes! Should we help because it's the political thing to do? Not really. Should we help when others are suffering at home and we're already in debt? I'm not quite sure about that.

I just hope that when all is said and done, there will not be families overlooked just because they are Californian and not from another country that would look good politically to help. I also hope however, that we as individuals will take it upon ourselves to give and to help where we can . . . to everyone who needs it.

Evolution or Deevolution...

A couple of days ago, NBC ran a news clip noting how the animals all headed for higher ground some time before the tragic hit of the tsunami. The intro was something to the effect of, how did they know when the people did not? This brings up some interesting facts about animals. Animals just seem to know that an earthquake, tornado, or even excess carbon monoxide is present way before we humans figure it out. Many people tuned into their pets extreme restlessness have been saved because they then looked for what was wrong. How is it that people think we have evolved into superior beings? Wouldn't we retain those attributes that would help keep us around longer?

I get so tired of people thinking of evolution as a law of science. When one thinks about it, there's really not that many laws of science. (Think: For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction.) In school I learned that for a scientific theory to become a law, it had to become completely proven with no argument. Evolution is a theory, just as Creation is a theory. Until one is disproved and the other proven to the WHOLE of science, they are still that way.

Now, back to the animals... If one adds the belief of the Bible to science, he could never believe in macroevolution. (I often think it's pretty hard to believe in it even without the Bible included.) And, just looking at a more modern history . . . have we evolved or deevolved? I suppose it depends on how you look at that question. Just something to think about. You be the judge.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. The beautiful decorations; the smells of pine, cookies, and peppermint; and the brisk wind with a magical blanket of snow all lift my spirits. Um... Well, here in the south, you can delete the part about the snow, unfortunately. Somehow, the excitement of the season makes me happy to brave the hustle and bustle (err... crazed and panicked).

But, what I like the most about Christmas, is the spirit of Christmas. It's not about Santa Claus bringing presents, although perhaps it is about the spirit of the real St. Nicholas who unselfishly gave of himself to make sure others were happy. It's not even about Jesus coming for us as a baby. Even though I'm very glad that He did, Jesus wasn't born in December nor was Christmas originally a religious holiday. However, taking time to remember God's gift of Jesus does help us remember what living in this world should be about for Christians every day.

The spirit of Christmas is precisely what those symbols remind us. There are things more important than wealth and position. Not only that, but God has given each one of us so many blessings and so many opportunities to bless others. With the spirit of Christmas, people remember that it's important to get together with family, to spend time in church, and to give to others in need. A very important start to the Christmas season is Thanksgiving, the too often forgotten holiday these days. However, the Christmas spirit need not end with the reviling of the New Year. It should happen all the time.

So, I wish every one a Merry Christmas, even if it isn't white... Take time to enjoy it.