Red States Grow as Blue States Shrink: Census | Newsmax.com
Many people are leaving the high tax, high crime blue states and moving to the red states, particularly Texas and Florida. Unfortunately, they bring their politics with them, and although they vote for Democrats they don't want to have to pay the bills.
A family member of ours did that in 2018. Sold their million + home in California and had a new one built in Arizona, much nicer, newer, 3 car garage, patio with all the perks, with all the upgrades for about $600,000. They enjoy it very much, yet are close enough they can drive back to California occasionally to see the grandchildren.
If it's one thing the Progressives know about human nature it's that once the government "gives" a benefit, it can't be taken away without a battle. The longer they drag this unfair repayment deal out, the harder it will be to stop it.
Biden extends pause on federal student loan repayments after progressive backlash - TheBlaze
It was one of his first acts, and there are 41 million Americans who have loans to repay. Needs to hang on for the 2022 election.
‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled"This is probably the earliest Christmas carol composed in North America. “‘Twas in the moon of wintertime” is a collaborative work between a 17th-century French Jesuit missionary to the Huron Indians and a 20th-century Canadian newspaper correspondent in Quebec.
That mighty Gitchi Manitou* sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
*That God of all the earth
"Francesco Mancini († 1758), successor of Carlo Maratta († 1713), enjoyed his moment of glory in Rome at a time when the Baroque was expressing its swansong in the form of the Rococo style. Pope Clement XIV († 1774) purchased this Rest during the Flight into Egypt in 1772 to hang in the paintings gallery of the Vatican museums which he had just founded.
This charming work is inspired by a famous episode, “the miracle of the palm tree,” from the Book of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Childhood of the Savior, known also as the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. Drawing on tradition—including the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James dating back to the 2nd century—this apocryphal Gospel appeared in the 5th century, and was then reworked and enriched until the 12th century. It should be noted that the miracle of the palm tree is also mentioned in the Quran, Surah XIX, Mary, v. 23. Here then is the story according to the apocryphal Gospel: On the third day of the flight into Egypt, Mary was suffering from the scorching heat of the sun. Seeing a palm tree in the distance, she asked Joseph to take her there. As the Holy Family rested under the generous shade of this providential tree, Mary expressed the wish to eat of its fruit. Joseph replied that the high-hanging fruit was out of reach and, moreover, before gathering fruit, he must go in search of water, for their gourds had run dangerously dry. With that, the little child Jesus said to the palm tree, “Bow down and feed my mother with your fruit.” And the palm tree bowed down until Joseph was able to gather its fruit and offer it to Mary and Jesus. Then Jesus said to the tree, “Stand up again, and make the spring that bathes your roots rise up and flow forth.” And immediately, a spring of clear fresh water appeared.
To this basic story, later versions and the theological imagination of artists added other wondrous elements. For example, the palm tree didn’t simply offer dates, but fruit suitable to this earthly trinity that wished to eat of it. Thus, Gérard David painted a luscious bunch of grapes with clear Eucharistic symbolism. Here, as in the famous painting by Barocci on the same theme, it is cherries that Joseph has gathered in the wicker basket lying at Mary’s feet. For heart-shaped red cherries symbolize the Passion of Christ, his blood shed for many, and his pierced heart. Taking another artistic liberty with the apocryphal narrative, Saint Joseph is not depicted as an indifferent old man, but as an attractive young husband fully assuming his role as head of the family.
Let us then enter more deeply in contemplation of this work. In the background, we find an obelisk and a temple whose presence suggests that this episode takes place at the gates of Egypt. The characteristic trunk of the palm tree forms a diagonal around which the scene is constructed. While an archangel holds the crown of the immaculate conception above Mary’s head, two angel-musicians play a celestial hymn: this is clearly the Holy Family. In her hand, Mary holds a cup brimming with water from the miraculous spring. On her lap, the infant Jesus takes a cherry from his father’s hand. The unfathomable depth of the gaze he shares with his father attests to their mutual awareness of the symbolism of this gesture: it is no less than his Passion for the glory of God and the salvation of the world that Jesus grasps and will consummate. And there is the hand of Mary reaching out, as though to prevent her child from doing something foolish. But this isn’t a reflex of maternal instinct who wants to protect her child from all harm. It is the image of the consecration of the Mother of God who will accompany her child’s every act… right to the foot of the cross and the entombment.
The Rest during the Flight into Egypt, Francesco Mancini (1679–1758), Pinacoteca, Vatican, Italy. © 2021, Photo Scala, Florence.
https://www.facebook.com/HillTVLive/videos/629277291444622 Hate speech is protected. Democrats believe ridiculing and threatening the life of President Trump is OK, but saying "let's go Brandon" is hate speech that must be outlawed. Rising, November 4. I don't think much came of this. Ridiculing celebrities and politicians has been going on a long time, especially in the 18th century. Tennessee Democrat says 'Let's Go, Brandon' equal to burning the flag | Fox News
Last night we watched the movie, "Sound of Music" the fictional account of the Trapp Family singers starring Julie Andrews. Christopher Plummer who played the father, died this past year, and I looked up the actors who played the children. Two of them have died within the last 6 years. The music is charming and has aged well.
Movie vs. Reality: The Real Story of the Von Trapp Family | National Archives
'The Sound of Music's von Trapp kids: Where is the cast now? (nypost.com)
The November 2021 Magnificat magazine featured an essay written by the real Maria who died in 1987.
"I was alone in the hospital in Vienna, my family hundreds of miles away. As I lay there with eyes closed, waiting for death, I heard the doctor say to the nurse that it wouldn't make any sense to try to contact the family. It was definitely too late for them to reach me. Although the doctor talked in a whisper, I could hear him very clearly. All my senses seemed to merge and concentrate into the one sense of hearing. I noticed that while I was opening my eyes wide, I could see nothing, although it was 10 in the morning. Sight was gone. I heard the rustle of the sheets as the nurse removed them from the foot of my bed, and I heard her hand gliding over my feet and her voice when she said, "Her feet are already cold," but I couldn't feel it. touch was gone.
"Am I dying?" I wanted to ask, but I couldn't move, couldn't speak. And then hearing also stopped, and there was a silence more intense than any silence I can remember. The body might have been helpless, but the soul was wide awake and in full possession of its faculties. Undisturbed by the outside, memory was keener than ever before. And in this anguish of a last agony the soul passed once more through its past life, seeing everything so much more clearly. Although nothing is to be seen, the soul senses very sharply the presence of an evil power which wants to influence it to give up: the sins are too many and too horrible to allow any hope. But it also senses another spiritual power present. It may be the guardian angel soothing the soul, reminding it, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: reminding the soul of the bottomless mercy and love of the heavenly Father whom it is to meet very soon now.
And then? Well, I did not die. But for the rest of my life I shall be grateful for those most precious moments. Afterwards I found out that this seems to be a general occurrence and not just my private experience. They say the sense die slowly, one by one. Therefore, we should take great care what is said and done in the presence of the dying. While they are fighting their last decisive battle, it would mean such a help if they could hear us talk to them about the mercy of God, about having trust and confidence. One day we shall have to take that same step too. This might be the best preparation. And when everything is over and one of our beloved has died, we should remember the words of the Revelation of John: I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord henceforth." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them." (Rv14:13)."
Maria von Trapp (from Let Me Tell You about My Savior, New Leaf Press, 2000)
Update: When I posted a link to this on Facebook, the "fact checkers" placed a warning label on it!
Our son used to call me in the middle of the week and paraphrase what the sermon was about at his church, Gender Road Christian Church. the previous Sunday. Had a great memory. Not me. The sermon is gone by the time I leave coffee time (which this week included donut holes). Aaron Thompson is a fine preacher, probably the best on our staff, and I know it was good--from Isaiah 55--but by the time I chat with a few friends it's gone.
I always enjoy seeing the young couple with 7 kids. They are all beautiful and well-behaved, and even with that new baby that was baptized 2 weeks ago, mom is as slim and trim as a teen-ager. I particularly watch the fourth one--we prayed for him for weeks and weeks after he was born because he was a preemie.
Yesterday I attended at our Mill Run location the second funeral in a week--Tim Robison. I didn't know him, only his wife, but by the end of the service I really wondered why God called him home (b. 1960). He had such a fine record of service for God--even as a young man. We definitely need more men like that, and his wife and two young adult sons also needed him. We will always miss our brother-in-law Bob, whose service we attended on Monday in Indianapolis. He was 88 and it was wonderful to see his family who had been with him his last weeks.
The final candle in the wreath arrangement at UALC was lit today as we sang Oh come Oh come Emanuel. I couldn't help but recall that terrible Christmas of 1976. I think that was the year. At that time each Sunday during advent had a different family come forward and light the candle, and it was our turn at the early service. At the later service, another family had the honor. The next day, the mother of that family shot and killed her husband, 2 of her children and the dog, with a third child escaping the tragedy and running to a neighbor. Then she turned the gun on herself. It was so awful the congregation was reeling for weeks. And now I can't remember their names. 45 years ago.
Bishop Robert Barron explains the complex chaos of today, the ideologies behind the riots and violence, based on philosophies of two 19th century and two 20th century philosophers.
1. Marx
2. Nietzsche
3. Sarte
4. Foucault
Atheism. This is critical to all of them. Oppressed and oppressor. Class struggle. Control of language. Culture of self-invention. Being and non-being. Existentialism. Death of God. Power.
Ideas have consequences. https://youtu.be/8KQcm0Mi5To
I loved her comedy--squeaky clean and clever. This was her last performance in July 2021. She died August 21, 2021. https://youtu.be/XbnUHYxtYgI Jeanne tells the story about her friend Norma Rose.
Jeanne Robertson, Humorist, Dies Unexpectedly After 'Severe Illness' (popculture.com)
(2) Facebook During the pandemic she did a back porch show.
Her friend Patrick Henry whom she mentions in the above routine. https://youtu.be/poDyt882iRA
Her son Beaver at funeral https://youtu.be/zzzTFdb_FaI
My husband is well known locally and in his family for his dislike of corn. What good midwestern boy could hate corn (includes corn on the cob, escalloped corn, fresh cut corn), but he does. Little known except by me, is he also gags at the thought of eating anything "butterscotch," which would include caramel or toffee or pecan pie. So I was surprised when looking through one of my recipe book treasures, "Favorite Recipes from the One Dozen Mums" (1974, index cards attached with plastic binder) that his own mother had submitted "Butterscotch Pie" as one of her contributions to what was probably a fund raiser for her club:
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. milk
2 T. flour
yolks of 2 eggs
2 T. butter
Cook in double boiler until thick. Put into crust previously baked & spread slightly sweetened beaten whites over the top. Place in oven to brown very little.
That's it. Pretty simple with no details. I enjoyed some of her specialties like Goulash or spaghetti with garlic rolls, but don't recall ever eating home made pie at her home.
December 7th, 2021
A Constitutional Cure for Covid-19
When my devotions include a Psalm, I frequently turn to "Meditations in the book of Psalms," by Erling C. Olsen (1939). It was compiled from his weekly radio addresses which had a huge audience, and 107 was broadcast during 1936, the depths of the Great Depression. That's what I enjoy about his thoughtful analysis--he is using writings 2500 years old with appropriate comments, then applying personal spiritual meaning good for any era, but often comments on the news of the day he was living. His comments about the political and economic situation of 1936 sounds as fresh as last night's news.
"We here in the east, and along the Atlantic seaboard, have no idea of the devastation that has been raging in the wheat belt, except from newspaper accounts and a few pictures that have found their way into the press. I do not wish to appear as a calamity howler, for I know only too well that God is good and His mercy endureth forever [Ps. 107:1], and that He waits patiently for men to repent before He expresses Himself in judgment. However, I must confess that I would not be surprised if God withholds His blessing from the earth in order to bring us back to an acknowledgment of His goodness and mercy. When I think of the wickedness of men in high places, I say WICKEDNESS, in what has been called the "philosophy of scarcity,"** when by government edict men have plowed under their fields of cotton and wheat and other foodstuffs, and men have literally slain livestock, it is not surprising that God withholds His refreshing rains. I do not desire to be intruding a politically partisan comment here; I am not interested in politics from that viewpoint and I do not believe it is the business of a preacher to meddle in politics; but I cannot avoid speaking the evident truth that this nation, from its President down, cannot smile away the responsibility of such godless, wicked doings." He goes on to call for repentance as a nation and beg God to restore the land.
My mind slipped off the page to our own sick, godless administration--demanding lockdowns and mandates that send grocery store clerks, waitresses, nurses and truck drivers to work while millionaires and politicians frolick and party unmasked, that calls tattoo parlors and bars essential, but closes churches, that demands more and more of what isn't working now for political gain, not health of the nation. I closed the volume; Biden could be the feckless FDR who in the drought of 1934-1936 ordered farmers to destroy their crops and kill their livestock.
** It would be difficult to find a fair and unbiased history of that era--FDR is still considered the savior by the Democrats who led us out of the Depression and a devil many by Republicans who launched government programs that have enslaved millions and never ended after the crisis was over. But in a philosophy of scarcity one sees the pie as fixed and others must give up some of their share. This is the opposite of expanding wealth so everyone benefits. It's now probably called redistribution, reparations, sharing the wealth, or even the Green New Steal (my term).
Came across a note I'd written to a friend in December 2000. We had been in a small group together through our church and had attended her wedding. She and her husband had moved on later and we'd lost touch for awhile. (Now it's been 20 years and I have no idea where she is.) Sounds like today's case before the Supreme Court. This is the only part I'll share:
"This week I wrote the year-end checks to cover our tithe--we figured we were about $2500 short because we never know until the end of the year what our income is. So I made contributions to a Library in honor of Mom and Dad, Billy Graham, Lakeside, Cat Welfare (enclosed a photo of Lotza Spotza), Lutheran Bible Translators in support of the Toenjes family, Bible Literature International, and Pregnancy Decision Health Centers (anti-abortion). Keeping children alive and translating the Bible into new languages are the two most important of the group, as far as I'm concerned. Technically, Cat Welfare isn't a church tithe, but I think taking care of stray animals and not killing them is something Jesus would do, just as he wouldn't kill babies who arrive at inconvenient times.
I believe abortion is the defining issue of our time as was slavery 150 years ago. Each era has its problems it needs to solve. The difference is 150 years ago Christians (particularly women) were in the forefront trying to reverse a terrible crime against humanity, now women are the great perpetrators. The church just falls in line and tries to pretend it will go away if no one speaks out. The ethical standards of Christians seem to be no different than the rest of society."
My note to IAC investor comment: "I don’t know if I have any IAC investments, but now that I’ve examined your information, I do see you own something I hate—Daily Beast. It’s evil, Leftist, and angry. Now you’ve acquired Meredith. What a stretch. An icon in the history of American journal publishing dating the devil. Sigh."
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