I wanted to write a witty post about my childhood crush on Michael Jackson. Strangely enough, I find I don’t really have it in me right now.
I hadn’t been a real fan for years, but I was totally in love with MJ when I was a lot younger. He was my first celebrity crush and I am saddened by his sudden death. I was surprised to find myself crying this morning while Ben played on the radio. My aunt admitted to tearing up this morning while watching MJ footage on television. One of my closest friends said she doesn’t even have the words to describe how sad she is. I guess we discovered that deep down, we’re still fans at heart. The music industry suffered a great loss on yesterday, and apparently, so did we.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Digital Television Switch
I don’t have cable. Actually, I can’t have cable. I live in the country and we can’t get cable on our side of the road. Seriously. But, we can get Direct TV or any other satellite television. All of that aside, I just refuse to pay to watch television.
This digital switch is making me crazy and I’m trying so hard not to cave. I have converter boxes and before the switch, I watched digital TV from time to time and it worked perfectly. Now, some days I’m watching puzzle faced people. Some channels come in perfectly in the morning and then are scrambled at night. Some channels get signals at certain times of the day and not at others. I’m not too bothered by it right now because all I watch in the morning is the CBS local news to get the weather. Since it’s summer, my favorite shows are reruns and I don’t really care about seeing them. Besides, I have every episode of those shows on DVD. I record and watch them during the regular season.
I really do have a serious resolve on this issue and I am determined not to give in, but come fall, I may have a problem. See, if Law & Order: SVU or Private Practice don’t come in clearly I will not be a happy camper. I can miss anything else on television; even the news because I can read it on the internet; but I seriously do not function well if I miss SVU or Private Practice. They (the evil demi-gods of digital television) better get this thing straight before the new season of either of my shows starts! If not, I may have to take down from my convictions and pay for stupid Direct TV; but I’m willing to make that sacrifice for my two most beloved television shows.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…I’ve heard it all before; Private Practice is a trashy night-time soap opera and SVU is sick and twisted. I like those shows. Besides, I am a fan of Amy Brenneman, Audra McDonald, Taye Diggs, Tamara Tunie, Mariska Hargitay and Dann Florek (I think it’s cool that his first name is spelled with two “N”s). I usually pride myself on spelling, but a couple of those names may be wrong. Anyway…you get the point. I’m sure there’s something inherently wrong with me watching those shows [insert sigh and eye roll], but they’re kinda my vice. I figure if I’m going to have a vice; and with my personality it’s almost certain that I will; SVU and Private Practice aren’t the worst ones out there.
This digital switch is making me crazy and I’m trying so hard not to cave. I have converter boxes and before the switch, I watched digital TV from time to time and it worked perfectly. Now, some days I’m watching puzzle faced people. Some channels come in perfectly in the morning and then are scrambled at night. Some channels get signals at certain times of the day and not at others. I’m not too bothered by it right now because all I watch in the morning is the CBS local news to get the weather. Since it’s summer, my favorite shows are reruns and I don’t really care about seeing them. Besides, I have every episode of those shows on DVD. I record and watch them during the regular season.
I really do have a serious resolve on this issue and I am determined not to give in, but come fall, I may have a problem. See, if Law & Order: SVU or Private Practice don’t come in clearly I will not be a happy camper. I can miss anything else on television; even the news because I can read it on the internet; but I seriously do not function well if I miss SVU or Private Practice. They (the evil demi-gods of digital television) better get this thing straight before the new season of either of my shows starts! If not, I may have to take down from my convictions and pay for stupid Direct TV; but I’m willing to make that sacrifice for my two most beloved television shows.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…I’ve heard it all before; Private Practice is a trashy night-time soap opera and SVU is sick and twisted. I like those shows. Besides, I am a fan of Amy Brenneman, Audra McDonald, Taye Diggs, Tamara Tunie, Mariska Hargitay and Dann Florek (I think it’s cool that his first name is spelled with two “N”s). I usually pride myself on spelling, but a couple of those names may be wrong. Anyway…you get the point. I’m sure there’s something inherently wrong with me watching those shows [insert sigh and eye roll], but they’re kinda my vice. I figure if I’m going to have a vice; and with my personality it’s almost certain that I will; SVU and Private Practice aren’t the worst ones out there.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
My Incredible Grandmother
I went to hang out with my grandmother last night. I don’t say visit because I don’t visit her. Her house is my second home and I’m in and out of there just as freely as I am my own house; with keys and all. Anyway, I’d called to make sure she was going to be home. She was very happy to let me know she had left over chicken she’d made for my Father, Stepmother, Aunt and Uncle on Sunday night. She likes to cook, but only for people. She hates to cook just for herself because she doesn’t like leftovers.
So, I got to her house around 5:30 to find my Grandmother (Nana) coming up her basement stairs wearing Reeboks, some blue crop pants and a Rod Stewart t-shirt. That’s right; my 87 (88 at the end of this month) year old, black, Catholic grandmother is a rock n’ roll fan. We hugged and talked for a few minutes and then I heated up my food. She’d already eaten dinner, so she had ice cream and talked to me while I ate. When I was finished, she went outside to finish the gardening and washing of porch furniture she’d been doing earlier in the day before it got too hot out. I asked if she needed my help and she said no. She probably rolled her eyes, but she was in another room, so I couldn’t see to know for sure. She and my Mother both think I’m a “poor excuse for a country girl” because I’m not an outdoor person. I don’t know how to properly rake leaves; I’ve never cut grass…NEVER. I hate bugs and I’m very allergic to mosquitoes. I’m terrified of granddaddy longlegs; I think they’re the spawn of satan for sure. I’m allergic to pollen and I HATE to get dirty. That’s beside the point…but I know she rolled her eyes; Nana’s spunky like that!
After I washed the dishes, I grudgingly went outside and stood on the porch while she watered her flowers. When she was finished with that, she started telling me about these new trash bags she’d purchased and how she hoped they were big enough for her outside trash cans. Did I forget to mention that she bought the trash bags when she drove to Wal-Mart earlier yesterday? Yeah, she still drives. She bought herself a new car when she turned 80 and she keeps it in the garage which is detached and across the yard from her house. She does not like to leave that car out overnight. I offered to put the bag in the outside trash can (I’m not a total outdoor loser), but she again refused.
I did follow her outside again and joined her in sitting on the porch when she said she was finished for the day. We talked about the cherry and black walnut trees in her yard and how the birds and squirrels rob them of their bounty before she ever has a chance to pick anything. We watched a few blue jays and cardinals eat the cherries and laughed over my father’s joke that Nana is prejudiced because she hates for the huge black birds to eat from her bird feeders. So she said she wouldn’t complain about them anymore because she doesn’t want to discriminate. We talked about the varicose veins I’ve recently discovered on my leg. She says they don’t look like varicose veins to her because hers are a lot bigger. I pointed out that mine may be bigger than it seems, but is probably not totally visible because I’m a good bit darker than she is. Her response? “Oh yeah, maybe so”.
When I swatted a few bugs and announced that I’d had enough of the good outdoors, she decided to go in as well. We talked for a few more minutes and I said I’d better get home and get on the treadmill. She said she was going to take a shower and reminded me to let her know when I wanted to cook the turkey I’d left in her freezer. She said she’d take it out and let it thaw in her refrigerator two days before I’m ready for it. I told her it wouldn’t be before the weekend, kissed her, locked her doors and left. On my way to my car I couldn’t stop thinking about how this time last year Nana was recovering from her first heart attack and using a walker to get around. She had a second heart attack in August and underwent quadruple bypass in late September. Other than her heart problem, there were no issues with her health. Granted the heart problem was a big one; but it was correctable and she’s back to her usual “piddling”, as she calls it. I call it incredible!
So, I got to her house around 5:30 to find my Grandmother (Nana) coming up her basement stairs wearing Reeboks, some blue crop pants and a Rod Stewart t-shirt. That’s right; my 87 (88 at the end of this month) year old, black, Catholic grandmother is a rock n’ roll fan. We hugged and talked for a few minutes and then I heated up my food. She’d already eaten dinner, so she had ice cream and talked to me while I ate. When I was finished, she went outside to finish the gardening and washing of porch furniture she’d been doing earlier in the day before it got too hot out. I asked if she needed my help and she said no. She probably rolled her eyes, but she was in another room, so I couldn’t see to know for sure. She and my Mother both think I’m a “poor excuse for a country girl” because I’m not an outdoor person. I don’t know how to properly rake leaves; I’ve never cut grass…NEVER. I hate bugs and I’m very allergic to mosquitoes. I’m terrified of granddaddy longlegs; I think they’re the spawn of satan for sure. I’m allergic to pollen and I HATE to get dirty. That’s beside the point…but I know she rolled her eyes; Nana’s spunky like that!
After I washed the dishes, I grudgingly went outside and stood on the porch while she watered her flowers. When she was finished with that, she started telling me about these new trash bags she’d purchased and how she hoped they were big enough for her outside trash cans. Did I forget to mention that she bought the trash bags when she drove to Wal-Mart earlier yesterday? Yeah, she still drives. She bought herself a new car when she turned 80 and she keeps it in the garage which is detached and across the yard from her house. She does not like to leave that car out overnight. I offered to put the bag in the outside trash can (I’m not a total outdoor loser), but she again refused.
I did follow her outside again and joined her in sitting on the porch when she said she was finished for the day. We talked about the cherry and black walnut trees in her yard and how the birds and squirrels rob them of their bounty before she ever has a chance to pick anything. We watched a few blue jays and cardinals eat the cherries and laughed over my father’s joke that Nana is prejudiced because she hates for the huge black birds to eat from her bird feeders. So she said she wouldn’t complain about them anymore because she doesn’t want to discriminate. We talked about the varicose veins I’ve recently discovered on my leg. She says they don’t look like varicose veins to her because hers are a lot bigger. I pointed out that mine may be bigger than it seems, but is probably not totally visible because I’m a good bit darker than she is. Her response? “Oh yeah, maybe so”.
When I swatted a few bugs and announced that I’d had enough of the good outdoors, she decided to go in as well. We talked for a few more minutes and I said I’d better get home and get on the treadmill. She said she was going to take a shower and reminded me to let her know when I wanted to cook the turkey I’d left in her freezer. She said she’d take it out and let it thaw in her refrigerator two days before I’m ready for it. I told her it wouldn’t be before the weekend, kissed her, locked her doors and left. On my way to my car I couldn’t stop thinking about how this time last year Nana was recovering from her first heart attack and using a walker to get around. She had a second heart attack in August and underwent quadruple bypass in late September. Other than her heart problem, there were no issues with her health. Granted the heart problem was a big one; but it was correctable and she’s back to her usual “piddling”, as she calls it. I call it incredible!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Book of Ezekiel
Toward the end of May, The Lord led me to begin an in-depth, comprehensive, pretty much exhaustive study of the Book of Ezekiel. I’ve been at it for two weeks and haven’t finished studying Chapter 1….that’s what I mean by in-depth! I’ll be posting a brief (or maybe not so brief) review upon completion of each chapter.
So far, God has allowed me to see so many profound things in this study. I am grateful to Him for sending me in this direction and making clear to me things I have not before seen. Thus far, I see many similarities between Israel then and us now. Particularly in our spiritual state…WOW! I have a whole new appreciation and understanding for the necessity of truly having Reverence for God. It’s something I’ve said many times, but now my eyes have been opened to what that really means and how Reverence for God affects every single aspect of our lives. He’s also allowed me to see how detrimental lack of that Reverence is.
I’ll stop because I could go on forever about what I’ve discovered, in this, the beginning of the study. I am excited and challenged to go deeper. Already, there have been significant changes in my mindset and for that I thank The Father and am humbled that He would choose to direct me down this path to Truth.
So far, God has allowed me to see so many profound things in this study. I am grateful to Him for sending me in this direction and making clear to me things I have not before seen. Thus far, I see many similarities between Israel then and us now. Particularly in our spiritual state…WOW! I have a whole new appreciation and understanding for the necessity of truly having Reverence for God. It’s something I’ve said many times, but now my eyes have been opened to what that really means and how Reverence for God affects every single aspect of our lives. He’s also allowed me to see how detrimental lack of that Reverence is.
I’ll stop because I could go on forever about what I’ve discovered, in this, the beginning of the study. I am excited and challenged to go deeper. Already, there have been significant changes in my mindset and for that I thank The Father and am humbled that He would choose to direct me down this path to Truth.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Murder of Dr. Tiller
An abortion doctor was killed in a church service yesterday morning. The story is all over the internet, so there’s no need to post a link (I’d probably do it incorrectly anyway). I’ve read some pretty disparaging things concerning this incident. There are those who think that the doctor had it coming because he killed babies. My question to those with that mindset is this: If he deserved it, then the person who killed him deserves to be killed and if that man deserves to be killed; so would the person who kills him. With that line of thinking, the killing will go on and on forever. I am opposed to abortion. Even being opposed I have to accept the reality that abortion is legal; gunning a man down in a church is not. And regardless of your feelings about abortion, there is no rational way to justify what happened yesterday.
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