Starving Bees After Hurricane. A Halloween Story. Day of Atonement. Update.

For “Scripture Sunday”:

URGENT: Over a Billion Bees Starving After Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael decimated flowers and other bee food sources for miles along the Florida panhandle. Over a billion bees will starve to death if we don't act now. Join the #BillionBeeChallenge by making a donation today. 

The strongest storm to ever hit the Florida panhandle has left an ecological disaster in its wake. In addition to the homes and business the hurricane destroyed, Michael's 150 mile per hour winds ripped trees, bushes, and flowers from the ground. What's left is a true emergency for the state's bee population. With no natural food sources, a temporary replacement source is necessary to keep an estimated 50,000 colonies from starving and collapsing. Losing these bees would be a tragedy, and would permanently wreak havoc on our country's citrus supply.

GreaterGood.org is working with the Florida State Beekeepers Association and the Florida State Department of Agriculture to send in an emergency supply of sugar syrup to keep bee colonies sustained while bee forage material regrows, a process that is estimated to take at least a month. There are 5 tankers ready to be filled and dispatched, and the government is not providing funding for this mission. We need your help urgently.

You can help. Every dollar helps, and a gift of $15 will keep over a million bees (25 colonies) fed for a day. Your gift will go directly to providing food for bees before they starve — donate today.

100% of your Gift That Gives More™ donation will go as a charitable gift to GreaterGood.org. GreaterGood stores pay the credit card transaction fee, so every cent of your donation goes to charity.  

Choose Your Donation

$4 – Feed 1 Bee Colony for a Week $15 – Feed 25 Bee Colonies for a Day $45 – Feed 25 Bee Colonies for 3 Days – $100 Feeds 25 Bee Colonies for a Week

From: https://store.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/products/89217-urgent-save-millions-of-bees-after-hurricane-michael?

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A Halloween Story

Following is an imaginary dialogue on the reasons responsible people might wonder whether they should participate in the customs, and don the costumes, of Halloween.

000 PhotoDisc, Inc

Where did the strange customs of Halloween originate? How did such symbols as witches, ghosts, devils and monsters become associated with a supposedly religious holiday?

It’s Oct. 31. Daylight begins to surrender to dusky darkness. A biting wind blusters at windows. The doorbell rings in the home of a widowed grandmother. She swings open the door to two young children costumed as cheerful cartoon characters, each carrying a large paper shopping bag.

“Trick or treat!” they call out in unison with sweet voices through happy smiles as they extend their bags in eager anticipation. Their weary mother, standing several steps away, shivers against the wind and chill of the approaching darkness.

The neighborhood grandmother has nothing to contribute to the already-bulging bags, but she offers the trio some hot chocolate and a comfortable place to rest from the cold for a few minutes. They are puzzled by her lack of Halloween treats, but they gladly accept her offer to come inside and warm up. Neighborhood Grandmother: “Oh, you look so cold! This hot chocolate should warm you right up. I have to compliment you [she says to the children’s mother] on how responsible you seem about the children’s safety. It’s a good idea to accompany them. You can never know what dangers lurk even in this neighborhood.”

Mother of the children: “Oh, yes, I would never let them go out alone. The children don’t necessarily appreciate Mom’s watchful eye, but there are too many dangers to ignore. Children are harder for drivers to spot at this time of night, and there is also the worry of tampered candy and fruit. Even without those fears, it’s always a challenge to keep them from eating so many sweets that they get sick the next day.”

Grandmother: “Why, may I ask, did you choose those cartoon-character costumes instead of ghosts, goblins and such?”

Mother: “We don’t like the emphasis on death and violence, so we purposefully avoid those types of costumes. And we don’t want the children to remember this holiday as one in which acts of vandalism are considered fun. I have unpleasant childhood memories of children throwing rocks at cars and windows of houses, setting fires and deliberately terrorizing senior citizens.”

Grandmother: “It sounds like you’ve obviously given some thought to this.”

Mother: “Well, we go out of our way to make this a fun holiday for our children. Our goal is to fill their memories with good experiences. We are parents with high standards.

“May I ask you a question? You’re such a kind neighbor, always greeting my children cheerfully as they walk by your house on their way to and from school. I don’t know if you realize it, but you have a reputation as the neighborhood grandma.

“But you obviously haven’t decorated your home for Halloween, and you don’t have candy or treats for the children who come trick-or-treating. That seems out of character for you. Is there a reason?”

Grandmother: “I guess I must seem a bit different by not getting into the spirit of things on Halloween. I’d be happy to explain why. “My thinking is actually quite similar to yours. Like you, I’m troubled by the vandalism and violence associated with Halloween. More than once I have seen some of those acts aimed at senior citizens. Then there is the awful emphasis on death and dying and disembodied spirits.”

Mother: “Oh, I know. Some of the costumes I see, along with the horror movies aired on television this time of year, are downright repulsive. I don’t know why Halloween seems to give people an excuse to set aside their normal values and to revel in things they really don’t care for at other times. That’s why our family stays clear of the horror costumes and any association with death. We make Halloween a fun time.”

Grandmother: “I am all for making life fun for the children. But, even so, some years ago I made a decision to withdraw from Halloween activities. My personal conviction is that I could not dress up—pardon the pun—the traditions of something so truly wicked in its origins to make it into a children’s holiday.

“I thought long and hard about it, and it just doesn’t make sense. People who want to teach their children values like honesty, respect for others, kindness and generosity, and who want to instill in their children a positive outlook on life, take those same children and have them disguise themselves as the dead or as evil monsters or beings so they can go from house to house to ask for treats.

“I know that ‘trick-or-treat’ has a real catchy sound to it, but it doesn’t come from pleasant roots. It’s based on the idea that a mean trick will be played on you if you don’t give treats to any stranger who approaches you. Is it too harsh to say that taking treats with threats makes me think of a kind of extortion?

“I’m not trying to criticize you or hurt your feelings. You’re obviously a responsible mother. But this is a personal choice. I cannot in good conscience participate in something that runs so completely contrary to what I really would like to see for our children.”

Mother: “There’s no need to apologize. We’ve discussed these same things. Those are the very reasons we avoid the horrible costumes. But we chose to continue with the holiday because of its religious roots. You are so well informed that you must know the religious background of Halloween. Since it is closely allied with religion, we felt we could, as you put it, dress up this holiday in a way that would be in line with the values we want to instill in our children.” Grandmother: “Yes, I’m aware that Halloween comes from ‘All Saints’ Eve’ and that the word itself is an abbreviation of ‘hallowed evening.’ That fact also caused me to hang onto the holiday longer than I would have otherwise. I suspect that long ago religious people attempted to dress up an ugly, uncivilized and unchristian holiday, perhaps for the same reasons that we have been discussing—to try to make it acceptable.

“That rationale hasn’t been enough to convince me that Halloween was healthy for my family and community for two reasons. First, I learned that the word saint is used in the Bible simply to mean a believer, or member of the Church. There is no biblical example of celebrating one saint or believer above another and certainly no precedent for a holiday in honor of any supposed saint.

“The second reason—and I’ve really looked into this because I believe God and sincerely want His guidance—is that I’ve researched the history of people who honored God who were challenged with similar questions. When they came in contact with different cultures, they were confronted with unholy customs and holidays.

“How did they react? Did they dress up those offensive customs with customs of worship given them by God? I found the clearest possible answer in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 12. It’s found in the last four verses. In essence, God told the people not to attempt to make the unacceptable acceptable. Rather, they were to avoid evil and build their customs on a clean foundation.

“Once I read that, my mind was settled. From then on I determined to provide fun for my children and grandchildren—and the neighborhood children—in positive ways, steering clear of Halloween.”

Mother: “Well, you’ve really piqued my curiosity. Thanks for your kind hospitality and especially for your insight. It’s time for us to be on our way. It looks like I have some reading and thinking to do.”

From: https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/a-halloween-story

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How did Halloween come to be considered a "Christian" celebration?

“Does the Bible say anything about All Hallows' or All Saints' Day?

Originally Halloween was a pagan festival oriented around fire, the dead and the powers of darkness. How did it become accepted in the "Christian" world?

FamVeld/iStock/Thinkstock

Pagan festivals have had a curious way of worming their way into Christianity over the centuries.

Most people know that Halloween takes place on Oct. 31. Far fewer understand the connection between Halloween and the next day on the calendar, the festival of All Hallows’ or All Saints’ Day, celebrated by some churches and denominations Nov. 1.

One author concludes that All Saints’ Day was established to commemorate the saints and martyrs of the Roman Catholic Church and was first introduced in the seventh century (Man, Myth, and Magic, Vol. 1, 1983, p. 109). Oddly enough, history shows that Halloween—this ancient, thoroughly pagan holiday with its trappings of death and demonism—is inseparably tied to All Saints’ Day.  Continued at:

https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/how-did-halloween-come-to-be-considered-a-christian

For more understanding, please read the booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Observe?

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Update:

It could have been a frustrating week without a vehicle, but I didn’t let it get to me.  The van spent nearly a week at the mechanics, they drove it around several times, and couldn’t find anything wrong with it, but the “battery” light was still on.   I had had it tested the Sunday before it broke down at O’Reilly’s and they said my alternator and everything was OK.  So Chris and I picked it up and I stopped at O’Reilly’s again.  Same person checked it, and everything checked out until it got to “Voltage Regulator, and it showed weak. They tried to sell me an alternator as the voltage regulators are inside the alternators now.  I was running on battery only, because it wasn’t charging, so I put a charger on it when I got it home.  I have a bad-looking negative battery cable and had ordered it before, but it never came in.  So I thought I had better start there.  If the cable is bad it won’t charge anyway.  Then found out that cable is part of the main wiring harness, and is no longer available.  

So I bought a work-around cable splicer with about 8” of cable with the terminal end and pigtails on it.  The retired mechanic down my road, the one with the bad back, said that he would install it, but he had a lot of trouble with it and ended up making up a cable and pigtail, but then couldn’t get the van to start. Yesterday, a friend brought a mechanic over here and he found out that it wasn’t grounded right, so the van is starting now as long as the battery is charged up, BUT I still need an alternator!  So I still can’t go very far. 

There was no cooking needed for the Day of Atonement on Friday as it was a fast day, so it was a lot easier getting into Lauri’s car without the big insulated bag of food.  Service started at 11 am as usual, but no potluck afterwards.  The Bible readings were Psa. 51, Lev. 16:1-34, Isa.57:14-58:14. and Heb. 9:1-14.  The Teaching was about Atonement:

noun

1. satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) Theology. the doctrine concerningthe reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.

It is the most solemn of Holy Days when we should be fasting, repenting and asking forgiveness of sins.  The symbol of the “scapegoat” comes from The Day of Atonement.   The Day of Atonement and the Gospel  YouTube: https://youtu.be/VDoQ2TxgNdY 

A Chicken and Brown Rice Salad was made for the Sabbath.  I had made a salad because I hadn’t intended to go to the morning church, but visit some people with my friend and then go to the afternoon church with them.  It is easier to keep a cold dish cool with some dry ice than keeping a hot dish safe while my friend and I had the other visiting to do.  Then found out that they had to work, so I went to the morning church after all.  Hans was going to take me, then Lauri showed up so I went with her.

The Bible readings were Deut. 32:1-52, 2 Sam. 22:1-51, and Rom. 10:14-11:12 and the Teaching was about the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths.   Yes, I know, many have already celebrated this, but it depends which new moon they are using in their calculations.  We are starting it on the 24th. October, this Wednesday.

Where Does Racism Come From? Racist Thoughts and Feelings? Bruce Lee. Update.

For “Scripture Sunday”:

Where Does Racism Come From?

Racism does not come from a system of economics that supports slavery, or from societal structures that support class distinctions. Like all evil, it originates with Satan and embeds itself within the heart of mankind.

Timon Studler/Unsplash

Racism has been and will continue to be a scourge on mankind. To eradicate it, this ingrained and evil way of thinking needs to be cleansed from man’s heart.

Perhaps at no time in modern memory did the evil of racism manifest itself worse than in Nazi Germany’s “Final Solution.” After Hitler and the Nazis came to power in 1933, Aryan racial superiority became German government ideology. Such racist thought culminated in the deaths of some six million Jews.

More recently, “ethnic cleansing” became the term used to describe the racially motivated slaughter of population segments considered inferior. This was the case in Bosnia and Rwanda in the 1990s and in other human tragedies since. Today in America, racism explodes in violent street clashes in cities like Ferguson, Missouri, and Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Bible is clear: The evil of racism comes out of the heart of man.

Racist thought and racially motivated hatred is deeply rooted in mankind’s psyche. As defined by Merriam Webster, racism is “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.”

Where does racism come from? Like all evil that men do, it comes from the heart of man. Christ said, “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew15:19).

Racism does not come from a system of economics that supports slavery, such as in the days of the Roman Empire or in early American history. It does not originate from societal structures that support class distinctions. These things have perpetuated racism, but they are not where racism comes from. The Bible is clear: The evil of racism comes out of the heart of man.

An attitude like racism was even addressed in the New Testament Church. Here, the apostle James warns the believers not to “hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality” (James 2:1). The word “partiality” seems less serious than racism, but it means nearly the same thing. Partiality means showing favoritism, or “respect of persons”—that is, thinking one person is better than another due social class, wealth or race.

If the believers were doing this, James asks them, “Have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:4). God will have no part of such thinking, for Scripture says, “There is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11).

The Bible says, “God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1:27), which includes men and women of all races. Further, it says, God “made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts 1:26).

If we treat a person with contempt for their race, religion, social status or any other reason, we have “become judges with evil thoughts.” Harboring such thoughts in the heart is to hate another person made in the image of God. Scripture says, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).

Such evil in man’s heart—evil like racism—influences all his attempts to justify his supposed superiority on his brother. According to God’s Word, this is a spirit of murder.

Racism has been and will continue to be a scourge on mankind. To eradicate it, this ingrained and evil way of thinking needs to be cleansed from man’s heart. Thanks to God and His mercies, there is such a plan in the works. To anyone who draws near to God in true repentance and cleanses himself from such evil, God will draw near to him and purify his heart (James 4:8).

When God brings His Kingdom to earth, racism and all evil in man’s heart will be eradicated. God will show mankind a better way: “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them” (Hebrews10:16). The heart of man will be cleansed of the evil that comes from it, thus ending the scourge of racism forever.”  From: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/where-does-racism-come-from

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How Do I Overcome Racist Thoughts and Feelings?

“Overcoming racist thoughts and feelings requires a change of mind and seeing all people as God sees them—as made in His image, with the same glorious future potential of eternal life.

Yatharth Roy Vibhakar/Unsplash

Overcoming racist thoughts and feelings requires a change of mind and seeing all people as God sees them—as made in His image, with the same glorious future potential to be in His eternal family.

Racism is one of the most hotly debated and discussed topics of the past several years, with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, consistent news coverage and analysis, college classes focused entirely on the topic and large-scale societal discussions of repatriation, restitution and equity.

While there have been a lot of discussion revolving around this topic, a definition of what constitutes racism has proven difficult to nail down. In its simplest form, when a person looks at individuals of another race or culture as inferior to themselves in some way based purely on the color of their skin and not the content of their character, then by definition that person has exhibited racist thoughts and feelings.

Overcoming racist thoughts and feelings requires a change of mind and seeing all people as God sees them—as made in His image, with the same glorious future potential to be in His eternal family.

The apostle Paul makes the point that when it comes to spiritual inheritance, gender, social class and race make no difference. God sees all of his creation as potential children in His family. If a person is baptized in Christ and receives God’s Holy Spirit through the process we see outlined in scripture, and if that individual yields themselves to God’s Holy Spirit, allowing it to lead them, then they are heirs of the promise, the very children of God (Galatians 3:28, Romans 8:14).

It doesn’t matter if they are black or white. It doesn’t matter if they are poor or well-off, it doesn’t matter if they are male or female. The presence of God’s Holy Spirit within them unifies them as one body in Christ Jesus (Romans 12).

As a result of this—when we pass judgment on someone else because of the color of their skin, we exhibit partiality, which is sin (James 2:9). We must repent of that sin and bring ourselves in line with God’s own viewpoint on the topic of race outlined in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Repentance comes from the Greek word, metanoeó,  meaning “to change one’s mind.” As Christians we are all striving to change our minds and put on the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We must pray to God and ask for repentance from a great number of things, but if we are specifically struggling with racist thoughts and feelings, praying to God earnestly to change our mind and help us to see the potential in all of mankind is essential.

Our great God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35). He shows no partiality, calling people of every race and land (Acts 17:26-27). We must repent and believe in the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15) and work to bring every thought into captivity (2 Corinthians 10:5) as we mature to the full measure of the stature of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13).”  From: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/how-do-i-overcome-racist-thoughts-and-feelings

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Never Growing Faint

An Amazing Fact: “Bruce Lee, a martial artist and film star who lived from 1940 to 1973, was said to be one of the strongest and fastest men alive at the time. Among his amazing feats was his ability to strike an object from three feet away in only .05 of a second. He could reportedly do push-ups using only his thumbs.

Bruce Lee was not a very big man, but he was very powerful. Not only were his physical achievements unparalleled, but his charisma made him very attractive as well. He was a very influential actor too, popularizing the martial arts movie genre for the Western audience. He was thoroughly dedicated to his physical and artistic work.

On July 20, 1973, however, Lee died. He was reportedly not feeling well earlier in the day, and the official cause of death was labeled a cerebral edema caused by a reaction to a medication he had taken for a headache. In the end, his strength and power could not stop excess fluid from building up in his brain.

God, on the other hand, has limitless power and strength. The Bible says that He never grows faint or weary. His strength never subsides, and He never gets tired or needs to rest. He holds the same power today as He did when He created the Earth and all that is in it. He will never die or decay. He will reign throughout eternity with unfathomable power.

Though God is the only one with inherent immortality, He imparts that immortality to us as a free gift. From our position of sin and mortality, we can only imagine bodies that do not grow weary and strength that never fades. But the Bible promises that, when we trust in the Lord and wait on Him, we will “run and not be weary” and will “walk and not faint.” Because of Christ’s sacrifice for us, we can look forward to life without end with strength and power that rivals and exceeds even the most amazing feats demonstrated by Bruce Lee during his life. 

KEY BIBLE TEXTS
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23”

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Update.

Another week where not much has been going on, mostly because of the really cold weather and my back still isn’t any better.  Zack, Jay and I did work in the mini-house one morning when it wasn’t too cold, but we still had to run the heat in there.  We took the fancy light out of my bathroom and re-installed one of the original ones in there, then Zack painted the metal part of the fancy one bright gold to match the fixtures in the mini-house.  The glass is the same color as the vanity top, a shell-color, so that is why I wanted it in there.  When it was dry Jay installed it. 

One night it went down to 20, and fortunately I didn’t have any broken pipes.  The icy snow stayed on the roofs for two days, and the melting ice made lots of pine needles fall to decorate the pathways, so we raked them up, as they can be slippery.  We had several hours of the power going out for a few seconds every 10 minutes.  Just as I was going to hit send, off it went again!  I am grateful that it came back on, though, because for so many homes, it didn’t.

My lovely lilac-point Siamese foster cat hasn’t had any more seizures, so I am hoping that she can go to a loving home after all.  It is still a mystery if she was allergic to her vaccinations or something like a fall.  She is so loving, sweet and plays so gently. 

Another week of no meat, and I don’t miss it at all. “The fat you eat, is the fat that you wear”, and I have got to disrobe some more fat, even though I am gradually losing it!  I have several crockpots, different sizes, and each day I usually put one on.  You can just chuck sweet potatoes, potatoes, rice, quinoa, beans, oatmeal, buckwheat, or most food in there and it will be cooked by the time you are ready to eat, or save for another meal.  Just wash the veggies, don’t dry, and plop them in there.  I have done tomatoes and apples in the same pot and they turned out great, just add whatever seasonings you desire.  So there is always plenty of cooked food, cereal and fruit in my fridge, and I can eat as many starches as I want, (with in reason), but NO FAT, and especially no animal fat.

My doctor ordered an xray of my back.  The following day I want to the chiropractor again, and he told me that my spine would never get better, it is worn out.  All those years of having to move stuff and do stuff on my own has made the edges of my vertebrae rough, stress fractures and “Acquired Spondylolisthesis”.

What Is Spondylolisthesis?  The word spondylolisthesis derives from two parts - spondylo which means spine, and listhesis which means slippage. So, a spondylolisthesis is a forward slip of one vertebra (i.e., one of the 33 bones of the spinal column) relative to another. Spondylolisthesis usually occurs towards the base of your spine in the lumbar area.

So that is why the chiropractors were having trouble getting my back put back in.  Well, I knew it was out and I could feel that it was more of a front to back, than a side to side, misalignment.  My doctor prescribed two meds, one was steroids which would only give temporary relief, so I didn’t even pick it up, and the other was a muscle relaxer, not Motrin. I took half a dose of that, but I woke up in the night hardly able to get my breath my mouth was so dry, I was itching, and I felt terrible all the next day, so no more of that chemical for me!  Why do doctors prescribe stuff that has so many side effects?

As I wasn’t feeling so well after that medicine, I didn’t cook anything for the church potluck.  I had two containers of Ground Beef Stew and Veggies in my freezer, so I defrosted them and put them in my “carrying-crockpot” (the one with the locking lid) and that was about all I could carry to the car, my back felt so bad. 

The bad freeze broke a water pipe at the church, so the pastor’s wife called to ask me to bring any jugs of water that I might have, as they had to turn the water off.  I have lots of water in one, two and five gallon jugs, but I just couldn’t go unlock the greenhouse and carry them all the way to the car.  I felt so bad not being able to do my part, but they had pulled up some water in big pots for kitchen use, and turned it on once in a while to flush the toilets, so we managed.  

The Bible readings were Exo. 6:2-9:35 (Let my people go),  Eze. 28:25-29:21 and Eph. 2:1-10 and the Teaching was about ‘You Can’t Do Anything Your Way”!  We think we can, but if you don’t stick to the rules, you become unstuck.  Just think how great it would be if people only obeyed a couple of the commandments, like “Do not lie”, and “Do not steal”?

What a change in the weather, it was a 70 degree day.

Mother's Day. The Empty Nest. Baby Bat's Foster Moms. Iraq Pushes Against ISIS. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Anna Jarvis and Mother's Day.

Anna Jarvis was the driving force behind the first Mother's Day observances in 1908.

An Amazing Fact:   "Anna Jarvis deeply loved her mother. Following her mother’s death in 1905, Anna campaigned for years to have a national day dedicated to appreciating mothers. She thought it should be a time for sons and daughters to visit their mothers or write letters expressing their love. Finally, in 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed it into national observance, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

Strangely, years after she struggled to establish Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis then fought to abolish it. Jarvis had soured because of the way she felt commercial interests had eclipsed the real meaning of the day. She wanted Mother’s Day “to be a day of sentiment, not profit.” Beginning around 1920, she urged people to stop buying flowers and other gifts for their mothers. She referred to the florists, greeting card manufacturers, and candy makers as “charlatans, bandits, pirates, racketeers, kidnappers and termites that would undermine with their greed one of the finest, noblest and truest movements and celebrations.” Jarvis became crushed and bitter, believing that greed had destroyed Mother’s Day, the holiday she helped create.

Near the end of her life Jarvis was seen going door to door in Philadelphia, trying to collect signatures on a petition to rescind Mother’s Day. In 1948, Anna Jarvis died poor, blind, and childless. Ironically, Jarvis would never know that during the closing days of her life it was the florist companies that anonymously paid for her care.

The Bible also warns about the danger of something sacred becoming over commercialized. “So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it a “den of thieves.”’” (Mark 11:15–17).

Obviously, we should honor our mothers, and perhaps Anna has a point about turning special days into commercialized celebrations without genuine and heartfelt expressions. May our worship of God never turn into “pretty sentiments.”
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! - John 19:26

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Turning the Hearts...The Empty Nest

"As my wife and I sat for brunch on Mother's Day several years ago, tears welled up in her eyes.

It was the first time neither of our daughters was present for Mother's Day. We had just moved to Texas, but our daughters remained in California. We now were left to reconnect in our roles as husband and wife and not primarily as dad and mom.

With graduation from high school, your son or daughter may plan to go to college or move away from home to take a job in another city. Your children may get married and start new families. Perhaps they were the youngest and now your home (nest) is “empty.” A new set of challenges now begins.

When we were actively parenting our children, we often referred to each other as “Dad” or “Mom.” We put our marital relationship somewhat on the back burner. We didn't neglect it, but merely subjugated it to what seemed to be the more important task of rearing our children. If that back burner is never turned on, however, couples may drift into being neglectful of their roles as spouses.

After the nest is empty, it is imperative that husbands and wives find ways to reconnect. Pray about your new situation. Ask God to help you both rekindle the love flames that you had for each other before children entered the picture. Plan fun things to do together. Go dancing, go for walks or take up bowling. Get together with friends for card games. Go out for dinner or coffee occasionally, and just talk and spend time together.

There is a scripture that begs us to remember how we loved each other at the beginning of our marriage. It goes like this: “Rejoice with the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18). There are a few other scriptures that use this phrase as well. To me, this is cautioning us to remember how much we wanted to be with our spouses in the beginning of our relationships—how nothing was too much to do for that loved one.

So, while we see our homes emptying of our children because of college, jobs or marriage, remember to strengthen your relationship with your spouse by remembering the early years of your marriage and reigniting the togetherness, fun and love that you once had!"

From: http://www.ucg.org/united-news/turning-the-heartsthe-empty-nest

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Foster Mothers: Baby Bat Burritos

"These baby bats are new arrivals to the Australian Bat Clinic after an extreme heat event separated them from their mothers."

http://youtu.be/Uuvaos1WHTk

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Iraq pushes back against ISIS, regains some ground

"Recently the Iraqi army recaptured the town of Tikrit, which had been controlled by the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) since last year. The pushing back and forth between extremists and opposing forces in the Middle East is ongoing.

“‘The liberation of Tikrit was carried out by the efforts of the Iraqi army and police, public mobilization units, tribal forces and the people of Tikrit city,’ Mr. Abadi [i.e., Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi] said on state television. ‘It was carried out under air cover and concentrated bombardment by the Iraqi air force, army air force and the international coalition against the terrorists of ISIS’” (Matt Bradley and Julian Barnes, “Iraq Recaptures Tikrit From Islamic State,”The Wall Street Journal, March 31, 2015) .

At the point where the Iraqi army started to stall, the United States began air strikes to aid in the operation. The Americans want the Iraqis to continue to partner with them instead of Iran and the Shiite militias it’s backing, as the latter could well lead to Iraq eventually coming under Iranian dominion.

As for the Islamic State, Tikrit was a major loss, but ISIS is able to regroup in various areas—and more terrorists in other places continue to declare loyalty to what they see as the restored Islamic caliphate.

Of course, the Middle East will continue to be a hotbed of military and religious strife. And the ongoing struggle will, despite breaks in hostility at times, lead in the end to the return of Jesus Christ. Finally, an ultimately just and wise Ruler will bring peace to the most contentious area of the world. (Source: The Wall Street Journal. )" From: http://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/current-events-trends-iraq-pushes-back-against-isis-regains-some-ground

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Choose Life! Your Most Important Decision. The Bottom Line.

"Some life choices are made after careful thought. Others are spur-of-the-moment, but can have lasting impact. What about your most important life choice?

The bottom line is, when we follow God’s way instead of choosing our own, we will be in a position to make meaningful choices that impact our whole lives."     From: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/christian-living/choose-life/

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Update:

A sudden high gust of wind blew the cheap canopy carport the other way this time and bent the poles again, so we are going to rebuild it with lumber.  It was difficult, but I drove the Dodge van out from under it without scratching it.  This time we will build it 1-1/2 ft. taller so that my motorhome can be kept under it.  The expensive canopy carport hasn't budged an inch, but it is protected between the two houses.

Jay and I went shopping on Wednesday, and one item I bought was a bluish-white Tiffany-style light for over my dining table.  I put one of those great big designer white bulbs in it, and now we have light!  The pretty chandelier I did have there, all the bulbs shone upwards and you couldn't really see anything on the table.  I packed it up and took it to be consigned, too.

Some weeks ago I had bought an unusual white ceiling fan and light kit with bluish-white globes.  I bought it for the guest house, but we installed it in my living room which is next to the dining area.  It looks a lot better, matches the Tiffany light, and it will be easier to clean than the one I had.

Friday, another trip to the dermatologist, hopefully to find out what I am allergic to.  He saw me for three minutes and didn't do anything except recommend that I see an allergist and shook my hand with a handshake like a limp rag. Those handshakes are gross, and don't instill confidence.  I found out that he has a very big practice, he would have to have, with 23 girls working in that one office.  Three minutes would be about all he could spare for anyone, gotta keep the people movin' to pay those bills!

Dropped off some more boxes at the consignment shop, and I just got my first check. It is a lot easier, but some stuff will still have to be sold in a yard sale.

Ray finally got back after a week, and I was glad that he was taking over the care of his cats.  My three foster cats, and a 55 lb dog keep me busy, especially as they are all on different diets.  I will be glad when the dog goes to her new home, she is very good, but so big.  I am not used to dogs that shed either, and I have to vacuum after her every day.

I had bought a lot of zucchini on sale, so I grated them, mixed that with some carrots, garlic, basil and dressing to make a big salad for the church potluck.  Also, I had opened a can of beef chili, when I realized that it had tomato in it, so I added some beans and cut-up beef franks, and took it in a crock pot to the potluck. (I am avoiding all nightshade veggies, and tomato and white potatoes are nightshades.)

The Bible readings were Lev.21:1-25:23, Eze. 44:1-31, Matt.5:17-48.  The Teaching was about "Abiding With The Lord".  Then someone messed with the thermostat and it got too cold in there, so I went to the dining hall kitchen to help the pastor's wife, and listened to the Teaching over the speaker.

The potluck was enjoyed by everyone, and there weren't many left-overs.  They get packaged up and given to the members or frozen for another day.

European Army? Avoid Pork. Alcohol Epidemic. Spiders. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Is a European Army on the Horizon?

"The European Commission president recently suggested that the EU should have its own army. How might this affect Europe’s influence on the world?

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

In a recent interview with Die Welt am Sonntag, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that Europe is neither respected nor taken seriously on the world stage. He believes that a European army would help show the world, especially Russia, that the European Union is a force to be reckoned with and would have the capability to defend European values militarily.

Mr. Juncker believes that a European army would not necessarily replace NATO forces (which already represent 22 countries of the European Union), but would rather strengthen Europe. He said, “A European army would show the world that there will never again be war between its member states.”  

National or collective army?

Who would control a collective army?

More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/is-a-european-army-on-the-horizon/

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Why You Should Avoid Pork

"If you’re at all familiar with the Bible you’ll probably remember that in it God specifically instructed His people not to eat pork and shellfish. Many people are surprised to find this out, but in the Old Testament God warned us that the pig was an unclean animal–a scavenger and not to be eaten (Check out Leviticus 11).

No matter how you think about it, pigs are a rather dirty animal. They are considered the scavengers of the farm (created to eliminate any waste on the farm), often eating anything they can find. This includes not only bugs, insects, and whatever leftover scraps they find laying around, but also their own feces, as well as the dead carcasses of sick animals, including their own young.

This in itself can explain why the meat of the pig can be so dirty or at the very least not so appetizing to consume. And while being ‘grossed out’ may or may not be a valid reason not to eat something it’s vital to understand a bit more about pork before reaching your own conclusion.

Pork 101: Know the Facts:

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more than 100 viruses come to the United States each year from China through pigs. There are some obvious concerns about this. Aside from not needing more viruses to fight off, some of these viruses can prove to be downright dangerous to humans.

The CDC recommends thorough cooking of pork as well as freezing the pork meat prior to cooking to kill off any worms. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel good about eating anything that I first have to kill off its worms to eat.

Of course, you’re probably familiar with H1N1, better known as ‘the swine flu.” This too is a virus that has made the leap from pig to human.

But H1N1 is not the only disease to fear from the pig. There are other sicknesses you can get from eating the meat of the pig.

Pork meat is loaded with toxins, more so than most other meats like beef and chicken."  Complete article at: http://draxe.com/why-you-should-avoid-pork/

This is how they live before they are eaten:  http://www.themeatrix.com/

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Alcohol Epidemic

An Amazing Fact: "An alcohol-related problem affects one in every four U.S. homes.

The uncontrollable desire for alcohol consumes about 14 million Americans. About 47 percent of industrial injuries and 40 percent of industrial fatalities are linked to alcohol consumption. Drinking also can increase violent behavior and accounts for 49 percent of murders, 52 percent of rapes, 21 percent of suicides, and 60 percent of child abuse cases. Of course, of all fatal accidents on the roads, over 50 percent involve alcohol.
Staggeringly, more than 50 percent of the people who are in prisons, hospitals, and mental institutions are there because of crime, illness, and birth defects related to alcohol. A wise Christian should have nothing to do with this drug.

There are basically four elements that indicate a person is struggling with alcohol. First, there is a strong craving to drink. Next, there is a loss of control to stop drinking once a person has begun. Then there is a physical dependence on alcohol, causing withdrawal symptoms that can be relieved by another drink. Finally, there is the issue of tolerance—the need to drink increasing amounts of alcohol to get a “high.”

Proverbs accurately describes the harmful effects of drinking alcohol. It warns that alcohol “bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper” (Proverbs 23:31, 32). Like all the destructive temptations of Satan, drinking liquor is portrayed as cool and smart and something that the beautiful do. But it is foolish and ugly. It not only destroys our capacity to think and act wisely, it harms those around us.

It’s not just the book of Proverbs that warns us regarding the evil consequences of alcohol: “Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). And, “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them!” (Isaiah 5:11). Biblical wisdom teaches us to firmly avoid alcohol. If you or a loved one has been in the grips of drinking, admit the problem and get help. God wants you to be free from the serpent’s bite.
Additional reading: Proverbs 23:17–35
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. - Proverbs 23:29-30

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There’s Nothing to be Afraid of When It Comes to Spiders. Here Are 8 Reasons Why

3. They Steer Us Clear of Famine

" No, seriously. You wouldn’t believe how crucial spiders are to organic farms. Okay, maybe you would, because here’s the truth: THEY EAT BUGS. LOTS OF BUGS. They eat insects and other pests who have been proven to be quite detrimental to crops. In this article by the Washington Post, it’s put quite simply: “If they don’t eat, we don’t eat.” Believe it!"  More at: http://blog.therainforestsite.com/reasons-to-love-spiders/

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Update:

Jay and I spent two mornings removing two toilets and repairing rotten floors in a neighbor's trailer.  Usual thing, they had a water leak and didn't do anything about it so it rotted out both bathroom floors.  I hate procrastination, especially where water is concerned.  It can do so much damage.

We took the third row bucket seats out of the Dodge van, and put them in the guest house attic.  Then we all gave the van a good vacuum and ran the carpet and upholstery shampooer over everything.  Especially the carpet on the passenger side where it had been leaking. We didn't wash it on the outside because it was too cold out, and and the leak needed to be fixed.

Not much else going on except rain and more rain, no one wanted to get out in that muddy mess.  But I did get the Dodge serviced in between the heavy rain drops, but had to shop-vac up the water that came in on the passenger side, when I got home.

On Monday, I took the van to Able Glass in Conroe.  They were very honest, they could have charged me to R & R the windshield, but that was not the problem.  He removed the wipers and that vent in front of the windshield.  Under there are two tubes for rainwater to drain to the ground, and they were stopped up with old leaves, pine needles and just nasty old sludge.  The van hadn't been kept under cover since Sam bought it, but it is now!  An old sage I knew said "Don't get a car unless you have a garage to keep it".  My garage is a workshop and full of tools, but I have 3 carports.

While the four new tires were being installed, I went to the thrift shop near by.  I bought a nice black and white jacket, and a turquoise blouse. 

At the Dodge dealer, I had the remote made so that I can remotely lock and unlock the van. This remote makes either of the two side doors slide open, and the back hatch open and close, too.  Gee, I wanted a vehicle with buttons, and I got 'em all! 

I didn't have time to get the front end alignment checked, so I'll do that another day.  When I do have to go anywhere, I am still driving my old faithful, the blue Aerostar with the white roof, and no buttons at all.

On Friday, a visit to a doctor, a dermatologist.  He wasn't much help, he took one look at me and said "You've got hives', as if I didn't already know that!!  But he did prescribe some Famotidine, which is like Pepcid, but is good for hives, too.  Who knew??  I just hope that I am not allergic to that also.

After that, a quick stop at the same thrift shop.  I get bargains every time I go in there, this time a study Bible, a blue shirt and a two-tone blue rain jacket. The consignment shop where I get rid of extra clothes and things, was closed, so those items are still in my blue van.  When I got home I made big crockpot of organic potato, carrot, celery and onion soup for the potluck.

At church, the readings were Exo. 35:1-38:20, 1 Kings 7:30-50, and 2 Cor.9:1-15. The teaching was about "Scriptural Persuasion."  We need to know that the Bible is true and to have faith in the Lord.  Just like Abraham's faith when he was asked by God to offer his beloved son, Isaac up on the altar.  (Heb.11 tells of all the ancients who had faith.)

I was going to make a dessert for the potluck, but we had so many pies, fresh fruit and desserts the week before, that I didn't.  This week no one brought any dessert so we had different kinds cookies and donuts that are kept there in the freezer for emergencies.  Didn't bother me, I don't eat white flour and sugar anyway, especially not donuts.

As the weather has finally dried up we have been working in the yard today.

Violet-crowned Hummingbird. Butterfly Decline. Milkweeds And Monarchs. Moths Need Love, Too. Beekeeping 'Doomed'. Don’t Forget Native Bees. Birds of Lake Wobegon. "I Have a Dream." Mahalia Jackson. Charles and Diana Divorce. Roof’s On!

 

For “Winged Wednesday”:

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

“The only North American hummingbird without a colorful gorget, the Violet-crowned Hummingbird is still a handsome and sought-after species, easily distinguished from all other North American hummingbirds by its pure white underparts, iridescent bluish-violet crown, and red bill with black tip.

In the United States, this hummingbird is partially migratory, withdrawing into Mexico each winter.

Although the Violet-crowned Hummingbird is not considered threatened across it’s range in Mexico, it’s U.S. population is vulnerable to human disturbance and habitat loss due to overgrazing and drought.

One of the few places in the United States where this hummingbird can regularly be seen is Paton's Birder Haven in southwestern Arizona, established in 1974 by Wally and Marion Paton at their home. Now that the couple has passed on, the property is for sale by the family and faces an uncertain future. ABC is working with Tucson Audubon and Victor Emanuel Nature Tours to purchase the property and maintain it for visiting birders.”  

Find out more and make a contribution to help save Paton's Birder Haven!    Photo: Greg Homel, Natural Elements Productions; Range Map by NatureServe

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Butterfly decline signals trouble in environment

The male Schaus swallowtail butterfly is an endangered species. (Dr. Thomas C. Emmel/ University of Florida )

 

 

 

“Butterflies are the essence of cool in the insect world, a favorite muse for poets and songwriters, who hold them up as symbols of love, beauty, transformation and good fortune.

But providing good fortune apparently goes only one way. As humans rip apart woods and meadows for housing developments and insecticide-soaked lawns, butterflies across the country are disappearing. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced that two brown, moth-like butterfly subspecies are probably extinct in South Florida, which some entomologists say is ground zero for the number of butterfly species on the verge of annihilation.

The same issues plaguing butterflies are also causing populations of frogs, salamanders and toads to plummet, along with bees and other insects. A recent U.S. Geological Survey study estimated that seven species of amphibians will drop by 50 percent if the current rate of decline, fueled by pesticide use and loss of habitat, continues.”  More at: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-06-30/national/40292550_1_pollinators-butterflies-zestos-skipper

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Milkweeds, Monarchs and More: The Milkweed Community

Monarch butterfly, adult female. It nectars on a variety of flowers

 

 

 

 

 

Monarch caterpillar, it feeds only on milkweeds

“Monarch butterflies capture our hearts with their beauty and intrepid globe trotting. We have learned that the caterpillars need milkweeds to grow into the magnificent winged creatures. As a consequence, many gardeners gladly grow these plants in their yards and welcome the arrival of the travelers. They eagerly follow the appearance of the tiny caterpillars, their growth and final metamorphosis.”  

More at: http://pollinatingbee.blogspot.com/2013/07/milkweeds-monarchs-and-more-milkweed.html

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7 Moths that Make Butterflies Look Boring

“I still like butterflies, but let’s be honest, moths need some love. They just aren’t as popular as butterflies, and they certainly should be! Both belong to the large order of insects, Lepidoptera, which refers to the tiny scales covering most moth and butterfly wings. I used to freak out when I touched a moth or butterfly wing because there was a powdery residue. Turns out, that’s the scales rubbing off their wings. Although they can usually still fly, their fragile wings are easily damaged and it’s best to handle with extreme care or not at all.

Moth species dominate the Lepidoptera order almost 10 to 1, with over 11,000 species in the U.S. alone! I chose a few moths to highlight that give butterflies some stiff competition.

Atlas Moth

(National Wildlife Photo Contest Entry by Andrea Mosley)

This species is the largest moth in the world (measured by wing surface area). Female Atlas moths can reach a total wing surface area of over 62 square inches and wingspan of over 12 inches! Imagine those giant flappers headed toward you.

Cecropia Moth

(Photo by Flickr: Paul Huber)

Female Cecropia moths, like many other species, produce pheromones to attract mates. Following this scent can be dangerous for male Cecropia moths, however. Bolas spiders are able to mimic these pheromones and eat whichever male moths show up!”  More at: http://blog.nwf.org/2013/07/7-moths-that-make-butterflies-look-boring/

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Beekeeping Industry 'Doomed' -- Might We See Destruction of Food Supply Before the End of This Decade?

“Bees have been dying off around the world for a decade now from a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. A third of the U.S. food supply depends on the honeybees

This year, the US experienced the highest losses of honeybee populations so far, with most of the nation’s beekeepers losing anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of their bee population

Many of the 6,000 almond orchard owners in California could not find enough bees to pollinate their almond trees, at any price, this year

The collapse of bee colonies is probably multifactorial, but a major factor is the toxicity of systemic pesticides called nicotinoids, which kills insects by attacking their nervous systems

In May, beekeepers and environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the agency over its failure to protect bees from toxic pesticides.”  More at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/08/bees-dying-off.aspx

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In the Buzz About Bees, Don’t Forget the Natives

“Beyond their honey-making prowess, domestic honeybees are worth tens of billions of dollars to U.S farmers and beekeepers, who truck colonies back and forth across the country to pollinate commercial crops such as almonds, soybeans and watermelon.

A wild bee pollinates a pumpkin flower in an Ephraim, Utah, garden. Photo by Paul Gardner.

Yet with all the attention being paid to honeybees, I wonder if we’re overlooking an even more important story: the critical role wild, native bees play pollinating plants both in natural and agricultural systems. And unlike domestic honeybees, these natives do it for free.

A bumblebee visits a coneflower in a Dayton, Ohio, backyard. Photo by Josh Mayes.

Bees are by far the most important pollinators in natural ecosystems, Vaughan told me. The insects also are essential to producing more than a third of all foods and beverages humans consume. “In the United States alone, native bees contribute at least $3 billion a year to the farm economy,” Vaughan said. “We grossly overlook the critical role these animals play.””  More at: http://blog.nwf.org/2013/05/in-the-buzz-about-bees-dont-forget-the-natives/

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BirdNote: The Birds of Lake Wobegon

Upcoming Shows:

 

Golden Eagle SUNDAY Birds as Omens - From The Iliad by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

Carolina Wren MONDAY Hurricanes and Birds by Dennis Paulson  LISTEN NOW ►

Hawaiian Petrel TUESDAY Hawaiian Petrels Atop Haleakala by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

King Penguin WEDNESDAY Happy Birthday, Roger Tory Peterson by Ellen Blackstone  LISTEN NOW ►

Orchard Oriole THURSDAY The Birds of Lake Wobegon by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

FRIDAY Children Study Birds At Maxwelton Outdoor School Featuring coordinator Lori O'Brien  LISTEN NOW ►

Williamson's Sapsucker SATURDAY Woodpeckers Love Ants by Bob Sundstrom   LISTEN NOW ►

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On This Day:

King speaks to March on Washington, Aug 28, 1963:

“On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the African American civil rights movement reaches its high-water mark when Martin Luther King, Jr., speaks to about 250,000 people attending the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The demonstrators--black and white, poor and rich--came together in the nation's capital to demand voting rights and equal opportunity for African Americans and to appeal for an end to racial segregation and discrimination.

He told the hushed crowd, "Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettoes of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair."

Continuing, he began the refrain that made the speech one of the best known in U.S. history, second only to Lincoln's 1863 Gettysburg Address: "I have a dream," he boomed over the crowd stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, "that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'

In the year after the March on Washington, the civil rights movement achieved two of its greatest successes: the ratification of the 24th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished the poll tax and thus a barrier to poor African American voters in the South; and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited racial discrimination in employment and education and outlawed racial segregation in public facilities. In October 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr., was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On April 4, 1968, he was shot to death while standing on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee--he was 39 years old. The gunman was escaped convict James Earl Ray.”

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Mahalia Jackson, the Queen of Gospel, puts her stamp on the March on Washington, Aug 28, 1963:

“If the legendary gospel vocalist Mahalia Jackson had been somewhere other than the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on this day in 1963, her place in history would still have been assured purely on the basis of her musical legacy. But it is almost impossible to imagine Mahalia Jackson having been anywhere other than center stage at the historic March on Washington on August 28, 1963, where she not only performed as the lead-in to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his "I Have a Dream" speech, but she also played a direct role in turning that speech into one of the most memorable and meaningful in American history.

The story that has been told since that day has Mahalia Jackson intervening at a critical junction when she decided King's speech needed a course-correction. Recalling a theme she had heard him use in earlier speeches, Jackson said out loud to Martin Luther King, Jr., from behind the podium on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, "Tell them about the dream, Martin." And at that moment, as can be seen in films of the speech, Dr. King leaves his prepared notes behind to improvise the entire next section of his speech—the historic section that famously begins "And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream...."”

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Charles and Diana divorce, Aug 28, 1996:

“After four years of separation, Charles, Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, and his wife, Princess Diana, formally divorce.   In the year following the divorce, the popular princess seemed well on her way to achieving her dream of becoming "a queen in people's hearts," but on August 31, 1997, she was killed with her companion Dodi Fayed in a car accident in Paris.

Prince Charles married his longtime mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles, on April 9, 2005.”

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Yesterday:

Misty and I went to get Jay, and had our walk down there.

Jay and I had to make a change in the normal order that the roof panels were put on the screen porch roof.  The clear and opaque panels had to be right over the patio door going into the living room, to let the light in.  And the overlaps needed to be lined up exactly over the roof rafters, so that they wouldn’t show.  The only way to do that precisely was to install them first and then work in each direction.  So that’s what we did.  For the first time since Spring, the screen porch has a permanent roof over it today.

Great Green Macaw. You Can't Spell L-I-F-E Without Bee(s). Not "Bee-Friendly" Plants. Woodpeckers, Kookaburras, Ravens ... Benny Goodman. Hawaii.

For “Winged Wednesday:

Great Green Macaw

“The Great Green Macaw—second-largest macaw in the world after the Hyacinth Macaw—created quite a stir in Ecuador recently. A sighting of 36 birds flying over the lush forest of the Canandé Reserve marked the first time such a large flock was spotted here. The flock included more Great Green Macaws than were previously thought to exist in the country.

Canandé Reserve—established in 2000 by the Jocotoco Foundation and supported by ABC, World Land Trust-US, and other partners—was established in part to protect this macaw. Park guards have continued to track the birds to try to learn more about their seasonal movements. Ironically, it is suspected that timber harvesting adjacent to the reserve is causing these macaws to seek new habitat and thus, signals that more conservation action is needed.

Like its other parrot relatives, the Great Green Macaw is highly sociable. Sightings of groups of a dozen or more birds should be common, yet this majestic bird has become rare throughout its range due to poaching for the pet trade and feathers. Other threats include habitat destruction from logging, conversion of land for agriculture and cattle pasture, and hunting.”

Help ABC conserve this and other birds and their habitats!

Photo: Great Green Macaws, Wikipedia.org; Range Map by ABC

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And our winged friends, the Bees:

TIME Magazine Envisions a World Without Honeybees

TIME Magazine's cover this week depicts a single bee, its wings flapping in frenzied motion on a stark black background. It forebodingly reads, "A WORLD WITHOUT BEES: THE PRICE WE'LL PAY IF WE DON'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S KILLING THE HONEYBEE".

The article by Bryan Walsh addresses a disastrous phenomenon that could tumble the basis of our food system: the widespread collapse of honeybee colonies nationwide known as "colony collapse disorder." Honeybees across the nation have been dying at rates unseen in history. To say that the bees are dropping like flies, well, it's an affront to the necessity of bees in our food systems and economy. It's hard to talk about colony collapse disorder and not sound Doomsday-ish. And that's because, as Walsh reveals, one-third of the food on our tables is there because of honeybees, which pollinate a wide array of the foods we love and need, and their survival is required to fuel our both our bodies and our economy. Forget about berries, fruits, many vegetables if we fail to address this honeybee crisis.

He reports on the lethal effects on bees of a class of pesticides called neonicotinoids, or "neonics" for short.

Neonics are highly toxic to bees. Science shows that these pesticides could be the reason for the widespread die-off, and if these pesticides aren't killing the bees directly, they are likely causing them to lose their way back to the beehive, so they get lost and starve.”  More at: http://earthjustice.org/blog/2013-august/time-magazine-envisions-a-world-without-honeybees

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You Can't Spell L-I-F-E Without Bee(s)

“As the narrator of the documentary, Vanishing of the Bees, Page and Maher spoke quietly and seriously about the fact that our bees are dying in mass quantities, and at an alarming rate. They're pesky stinging bugs, so why should we care? Well, here's why. We cannot live without bees.

Well, guess what? The bees are disappearing. In massive numbers. All around the world. And if you think I'm being alarmist and that, "Oh, they'll figure out some way to pollinate the plants..." No, they've tried. For a lot of what we eat, only bees work. And they're not working. They're gone. It's called Colony Collapse Disorder, when the hive's inhabitants suddenly disappear, and all that's left are a few queens and some immature workers.

A quote by Einstein to illustrate the importance of this bee issue: "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."

But I think we're the ones suffering from Colony Collapse Disorder. Because although nobody really knows for sure what's killing the bees, it's not al-Qaeda, and it's not God doing some of his Old Testament shtick, and it's not Winnie the Pooh. It's us. It could be from pesticides, or genetically modified food, or global warming, or the high-fructose corn syrup we started to feed them. Recently it was discovered that bees won't fly near cell phones -- the electromagnetic signals they emit might screw up the bees navigation system, knocking them out of the sky. So thanks guy in line at Starbucks, you just killed us. It's nature's way of saying, "Can you hear me now?"

Last week I asked: If it solved global warming, would you give up the TV remote and go back to carting your fat ass over to the television set every time you wanted to change the channel. If that was the case in America, I think Americans would watch one channel forever. If it comes down to the cell phone vs. the bee, will we choose to literally blather ourselves to death?”  More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/the-birds-the-bees-and-ea_b_46410.html

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Gardeners Beware: Bee-Toxic Pesticides Found in "Bee-Friendly" Plants Sold at Garden Centers Nationwide

“A new, first-of-its-kind pilot study by Friends of the Earth-US and Pesticide Research Institute has found 54 percent of common garden plants purchased at top retailers including Lowes and Home Depot contained neonicotinoid pesticides, which studies show can harm or kill bees and other pollinators, with no warning to consumers.  The UK’s largest garden retailers, including Homebase, B&Q and Wickes, have already stopped selling neonics.”  More at: http://www.foe.org/beeaction

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BirdNote: Woodpeckers, Kookaburras, Ravens ...

 

Upcoming Shows

Northern Flicker SUNDAY Woodpeckers As Keystone Species by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

Bobolink MONDAY Grassland Meander by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

Mallard TUESDAY Male Mallards Disappear by Frances Wood  LISTEN NOW ►

Laughing Kookaburra WEDNESDAY Laughing Kookaburra by Bob Sundstrom   LISTEN NOW ►

Northern Cardinal (Female/Male) THURSDAY Northern Cardinal - Meet the Cardinal by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

European Blackcap FRIDAY Evolution Of European Blackcaps featuring Mike Webster, Ph.D. Director, Macaulay Library  LISTEN NOW ►

Common Raven SATURDAY How Raven Made the Tide by Frances Wood  LISTEN

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On This Day:

The Swing Era begins with Benny Goodman's triumphant Palomar Ballroom performance, Aug 21, 1935:

“While the roots of swing music clearly lie in earlier forms of jazz—and particularly in African-American jazz performance styles—swing as we know it may just have been born at a specific time and in a specific place, with an electric performance by one particular Big Band for one particularly enthusiastic audience. The time and place was August 21, 1935, at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles, California, where Benny Goodman and his band emphatically opened the Swing Era with an exuberant performance witnessed by thousands of young fans in the live audience and millions more tuning in to a live radio broadcast.

The ninth of 12 children in a large Jewish family in Chicago, Goodman had been sent by his father at the age of 10 in 1919 to the local synagogue for clarinet lessons in the hopes that a music career might provide him a way out of poverty

By his early teens, Goodman had proven his father correct by becoming a working professional, and by 24, he was successful enough to land his band a regular gig on a weekly radio program broadcast out of New York City called Let's Dance. It was there that Goodman began performing "hot" arrangements by African-American bandleader Fletcher Henderson—arrangements that departed from the more romantic style of the day by employing loose, upbeat, syncopated rhythms that had been common in African-American jazz ensembles for years. Goodman's band would often appear well past midnight, New York time, on Let's Dance. And while this limited their exposure on the East Coast, Goodman would soon discover a huge new fan base when he took his group west to California.

Already familiar with Benny Goodman's exciting new style from his Friday night radio appearances, a huge crowd of young people turned out for his Palomar Ballroom debut on this day in 1935. It was a promising start to an engagement Goodman hoped would salvage a summer tour otherwise judged a failure. But Goodman stuck to relatively staid, stock  arrangements during the first part of that night's show, and he began to lose the young crowd.

Before their return from the first intermission, the band's drummer, Gene Krupa, is said to have urged Goodman, "If we're gonna die, Benny, let's die playing our own thing." It was at that point that Benny Goodman famously pulled out Henderson's arrangements along with all the stops on his talented orchestra, to the crowd's immense delight.”

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Hawaii becomes 50th state, Aug 21, 1959:

“The modern United States receives its crowning star when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a proclamation admitting Hawaii into the Union as the 50th state. The president also issued an order for an American flag featuring 50 stars arranged in staggered rows: five six-star rows and four five-star rows. The new flag became official July 4, 1960.

In 1893, a group of American expatriates and sugar planters supported by a division of U.S. Marines deposed Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii. One year later, the Republic of Hawaii was established as a U.S. protectorate with Hawaiian-born Sanford B. Dole as president. Many in Congress opposed the formal annexation of Hawaii, and it was not until 1898, following the use of the naval base at Pearl Harbor during the Spanish-American War, that Hawaii's strategic importance became evident and formal annexation was approved. Two years later, Hawaii was organized into a formal U.S. territory. During World War II, Hawaii became firmly ensconced in the American national identity following the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

In March 1959, the U.S. government approved statehood for Hawaii, and in June the Hawaiian people voted by a wide majority to accept admittance into the United States. Two months later, Hawaii officially became the 50th state.” 

From me:  Hawaii was the first state to ban plastic bags.

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Yesterday:

Ray had to take Shay to the doctor, and I didn’t hear from Jay, so I took off to the metal carport dealer in the next town.  They have an Eagle carport dealer here in Willis, but when I spoke to them on the phone they didn’t seem as knowledgeable, or as interested in selling me one.  The one in Conroe is run by a sweet lady who has a recently disabled husband, and they having a hard time, so I wanted to give her my business.  And I wanted to take another look at the 34’ Avion travel trailer they have for sale.

After she made a call to the factory to check on some things, I placed my order and paid the down payment.  My carport will have to be custom made, as it has to be narrower, and I am adding an extra 4’ to the legs.  I do want to be able to keep the sun off my house, and also get my little motorhome in there, if needed.

I toured the Avion, this time looking in all the top and bottom cabinets, and around the toilet and tub, and didn’t find any weak spots.  It is a lovely trailer, I just don’t really care for the floor plan.  It has a rear bathroom, so it doesn’t have a real bedroom, unless you count sleeping in the hallway from the bathroom to the living room.  That’s alright for a trip, but not for fulltime living.  Also, the stove is on the left, the sink next to it, and the counter to the right of that.  I prefer to have some counter space between the sink and the stove.

About 30 miles from here is a 38’ trailer with front kitchen which is on two walls so it has plenty of countertop, dinette and couch in the slide across from a patio door, and rear bedroom.  Hopefully, I can go see it today.