Notes On Christmas

A friend posted a message on a popular Internet socializing site, saying they hate Christmas.  Another said they are suffering from "stress, stress, stress".  It's so sad. Christmas is such a joyful time. It's the day we celebrate the birth of our savior, The Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.  Nothing more. It's not about giving gifts. The gift has already been given. And it's especially NOT about greed. We can't be given any more than Jesus gave. His life for ours. 

I sent a reading of "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" to my family this morning. That is my only nod to the secular version of Christmas.  I'm not sorry I did. It's a reminder of simpler, more innocent times.  But still, to me, Christmas is a religious holiday.

I got to the point where I hated Christmas too. The giving of presents. Making sure that every one was just right, and perfect for the receiver. (You know that I inherited perfectionism from my dad.)  It just got to be too much.  I have nine grandkids. Every one of their parents make more than I do. Truth be told, I can't afford to buy a bunch of stuff that will be tossed in the trash in less than a month.  I don't like to NOT give them gifts, I really can't. 

Because of this, Kathryn and I "Adopt" a needy child. We anonymously give that one child clothing, and a present or two.  My kids and grandkids have presents galore, and then some. Now, of course, my grandchildren, who are the most perfect in the world, are not spoiled... Heavens! Perish the thought. But they DO have the things they need. Food, clothing, shelter, and parents who love them. Friends and family, there are children who don't have the things they need, never mind the things they want. For this reason, both Kathryn and I believe that it is our Christian duty to lend them a helping hand.  A warm coat, a new shirt and pair of pants, new underwear, and shoes will mean a lot more than the little toy that goes along with the other packages. And keep them warmer too.

So here's the bottom line. If you're stressed about Christmas, do what I have done. Stop doing Xmas, and start doing CHRISTmas. I promise you, that 60 years down the road, gathering your kids on the couch and reading "Avisit From Saint Nicholas" will mean a lot more than all the "Little-Girl-Dolls-That-Bubble-And-Coo-Little-Pop-Guns-And-Kiddie-Cars-Too".

Give this a thought. Like Elvis. Santa has left the building. If you do, I promise, your heart will be lighter, and your pocketbook heavier. Plus, when you get used to the idea, because addiction to Christmas and all it's secular trappings is as hard to break as any habit, your stress level will be a LOT less.

Happy Birthday Jesus, and Merry CHRISTmas everybody.

Agape
Lee

The Windswept Prairie

The wind has been howling, which is not unusual for eastern Montana.  It has been snowing, but the wind has been blowing it all away. I was worried about Kathryn being blown off the icy road on her way to work in Miles City.  She drives a real little car.  She called when she got into town. I was much relieved.   I worry.  I think that must be how it is when you love someone. I nearly got blown off into the ditch a couple of times in my big ol' Chevy pickup on my way in a couple of hours later.  Gives one a greater appreciation of the phrase "wind swept prairie."

It could be worse. I got an e-mail from my friends Don and Marit Denham. They are missionaries to Kosova.  You may knbow it as  Kosovo, but  the correct pronunciation, according to the locals, is Kosova.  Anyway... They were in the US for a few weeks, and got held up in Albania on the way back. They are snowed in.

See their website liftkosova.org  They are lovely people, who are ministering in a largely Moslem country. They are doing good, and making headway. They are feeding people, and doing good for The Lord.   Pray for them. I do.

When the wind blows, it blows a lot of the snow away. It is so cold that the snow doesn't adhere to itself very well, so we have lots of powder. Pretty good for skiing, but it's pretty hard to ski on this more or less flat country. I guess I could do some cross country skiing, but there's not much cross country on five acres.

The wind has swept much of the snow cover off the parking lot, and blew it east.  I like to think of it as a gift to my sister Judy, niece Debbie, my ham buddy Paul, and other friends in Missouri. -evil grin-

I got the new Startrek movie on DVD yesterday. Thanks, William.  Went to play it, and can't seem to make the DVD player work.  Must be a bad connection somewhere.  Arrgh!

Oh, well. Such is life on Fringe Benefit Farm.

Agape
Lee

Nasty Weather

12-21-09
Somewhere in the vicinity of 8:00 am

Cuppa coffee, slice of Debbie's fruit cake, and a keyboard. Life is good on Fringe Benefit Farm.

It's not awfully cold this morning, at least by Montana standards. +20f.  What is nasty, is the freezing rain, and fog. It turns the paved roads into vehicle skating rinks. I'm sure this is not a good day to be a Highway patrolman, but a very good day to be a tow truck operator. (hurray! for Mater!)  Kathryn has to go to work this morning, and I worry about her having to drive on the ice. I asked her to take the county road, which is unpaved. she doesn't like to, because it's so rough. They did grade it Friday, so it's pretty good right now. I don't have to be in to Miles City until 11:30 am, so the road may be a little less slimy.

I really don't mind the cold weather. One dresses for it, and once you acclimate to it, it's actually pleasant.  I walked out to the mailbox the other day, and was very comfortable. When I got back, I wondered why my mustache had i rime of ice. The thermometer outside the kitchen window read -10f.  Yeah. I guess you can say I've acclimated. 

We've had fog for the past few days. Something to do with the warm air, and cold ground, or the other way around, or... well, we've had fog.  Some of the locals were complaining about how thick it was.  I guess they've never been in Fresno County in the winter. Goodness! you can see more than a quarter of a mile here.  Out there, if you can see a quarter of a rod, you're in good shape!

8:25am. Snow has started to fall. Good. We need it. That's what makes the grass grow. (and the gumbo mud deep when it melts, haha.)

I am looking forward to spring though. We plan to get a few chickens. I have to build a good coop, and chicken run. I want to feed Kathryn fresh eggs, not feed Coyotes fresh chicken.

I have not seen, or heard any Coyotes since we've moved here, but I know they are around. Our small farming community is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of prairie. Most of it is grazing land, although they do grow enormous quantities of wheat in the region. Where there is open land, there are little critters, and Coyotes to eat 'em.  They just have to learn though, that Chicken critters are a Bozo no-no.

All together, life is good on Fringe Benefit Farm.

Agape
Lee

A Letter From Jesus

I am sitting in my robe early on a Saturday morning, reading my mail, drinking a cup of coffee, and eating a piece of my sister-in-law, Debbie Kellogg's best-in-the-world fruit cake. Thanks, Sister.

Someone sent this to me, and I would like to share it with you. I get a lot of things via e-mail, most of which bring a smile, and a click of the delete button. I do read them though.  This one touched me.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas.....
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset because   some folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.

 

However, I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn.   If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
 
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.   If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
 
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
 
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
 
3. Instead of writing to the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
 
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
 
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
 
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless?  Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
 
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday.. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
 
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
 
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
 
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do.. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember ..... I LOVE YOU.....JESUS

Thanks, Jesus. Love you too.

Agape
Lee

 

Fire!

We had a fire in the neighborhood last night.  Our neighbors Floyd and Val's place caught fire. Our volunteer fire company jumped on it, and had it out in a very short time. They had only a little smoke damage, and were able to sleep there last night. I don't know if they did, but they could have.  The fire was in the attic, near the fireplace flue. Don't know what caused it, but we saved the house. 

The fire was out at about five pm or so, then Kathryn and I went to the company's annual dinner, at 7:00. I was welcomed back very cordially by many of the members.  It's good to have that sense of belonging.
 
I had just rejoined the agency, the Custer County Rural Volunteer Fire Company. I had not been a member for about a year and a half.  Am glad I'm back, and able to be of service. Firefighting is pretty much in my blood. I spent seven years with CDF, and it has never left me. Papa was a fireman for the US Forest Service, then the California Division of Forestry. My brother-In-Law, Ron, My Brother Buck, My uncle Sam, my daughter Virginia, and several other relatives were firefighters, most retiring after many years of service.   Pray for our firefighters. Theirs is hard, dangerous, and extremely stressful work. They need all the help they can get.

Agape
Lee

Thoughts on December 7th.

Just an an errant child must sometimes be punished for wrongdoings, and to teach them that there is a penalty for misdeeds, we then forgive them when they have learned their lesson. So it goes with errant nations which would deny life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to others. We forgive them, just as Jesus taught us to forgive.

But we will never forget those who brought this peace about.

God bless those who served, and those who now serve.  You are not forgotten.

Snow! and Stuff

It's snowing. Big fat flakes. We sure do need it. All the plowed fields have been silently looking at the sky as if to say, "thirsty, thirsty."

I downloaded the current weather forecast from NOAA. Thought I'd share it with you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

834 AM MST SAT DEC 5 2009

Rest Of Today...Increasing clouds. Slight chance of snow late in the morning...then chance of snow in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 20s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Lowest wind chill readings 5 below to 5 above zero late in the morning.

Tonight...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Colder. Lows around 1 below. North winds 10 to 20 mph. Wind chill readings 10 below to 20 below zero.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of light snow. Cold. Highs around 9. North winds 5 to 15 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 15 below to 25 below zero in the morning.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light snow. Lows around 9 below. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Monday...Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light snow. Highs around 6. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of light snow. Lows around 11 below.

Tuesday...Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of light snow. Highs around 4.

Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light snow. Lows around 7 below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kathryn is on her way to Billings to do some shopping. I worry about her driving in weather like this. She doesn't see well, and, you know me, I worry.

she has to go the 120 or so miles to Billings, because there are almost no stores left in Miles City. We got a Wal-Mart.

There were hundreds of geese landing in the fields near here last night. Maybe as many as a thousand. I'm not sure whether they were migrating, or just the locals settling in for the night. Probably the former. Anyway, it was spectacular. The sky was darkened with them. Like the blackbirds used to be in the San Joaquin Valley before the farmers poisoned them off. I'm not blaming the farmers, they have a crop to get in, and the birds cause millions of dollars in damages. So, something has to give.

The score now stands at Farmers 1 - Blackbirds 0.

And we laughed at Rachel Carson.

It is still gamebird season here, but I didn't even bring our the shotgun. I'm not too fond of goose, so what's the use of shooting something that one is not going to eat? I am a hunter. I think it is in the primal nature of nearly every male Homo Sapien. BUT, I eat what I kill. I often go hunting with a camera. The chase, the trying to outwit prey... Primal. I also don't believe in catch-and-release fishing. I love to go fishing, but I also believe in only catching my limit, and eating my catch. I do not believe in maiming God's creatures for sport. After all, "sport" shooting is what caused the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon.

See, I told you I sometimes rant.

Meanwhile...

My printer died. It has never worked too well, so I had to buy a new one. They are both scanner-copier-printer combinations. Now I will be able to send Mama pictures of our new place.

I tried to include a photo, but haven't figured out how to do that...yet...

Meanwhile, I don't have to go anywhere, so I am going to enjoy the quiet.

Agape
Lee

Picture A Winter Morning

It's dark this morning. The thermometer outside the kitchen window shows 12f above zero, and there is a heavy overcast. The clouds are high enough that I can see the buttes, but it lets very little light through. The colors are very dark on the fields. The newly worked ground is rich and dark like French roast coffee. The big round bales of alfalfa hay are nearly invisible except for their deep black shadows against the green fields. The lights from the neighboring farms are weakly shining through the mist which nearly obliterates the trees in the lowland near the river. A skim of snow shows the tire tracks in the parking area. I have a cup of fresh coffee, a warm house, and the love of my family covering me like a soft warm blanket.

God is so good

Agape
Lee

Looks Like Winter is on it's Way

It's starting to snow. Temp is only 22 above, so it's still relatively warm for Montana. It's sticking a little, so that's good. That means it will stay and soak in when it warms up a little. We need the moisture for the grass, and I need some to get the sand and gravel in the drive to settle. I hope it's more than a skim, but any moisture we get here is a blessing.

As long as it doesn't stick to the pavement, we're OK. When it does that, it melts a little with the heat from the pavement, and the traffic, and turns to the dreaded black ice. I promise those of you who live in warm climates, you don't mess with black ice. It's a killer. Even the locals drive slow on that stuff.

Kathryn is downstairs working on a vest shipment, and I'm upstairs with Penny asleep on my lap, blogging away. I did get a cabinet put up in her bathroom, and got some sand swept off the apron to the parking area, so it hasn't been an entirely wasted morning. I have to go in to the radio station today, so I guess I'd better get myself together.

Such is life on the farm.

Agape
Lee

Morning

I watched the sun paint the sky with God's amazing palette this morning. There is no possible way I can describe the colors. They change by the second. I watched the light paint the buttes to the north and west mauve, lavender, pink, amber, and then as the full light hit them, an golden orange that turns into the amazing natural coloration of the early morning light on grass and stone.

Ain't God good?

Agape
Lee

The Cat Door

I finally got the cat door installed. Not bad, it only took about four hours. It wasn't too hard, just follow directions, measure twice, cut once. (Swear, re measure, cut. Swear, re measure, cut. Swear, re measure, cut.) At least it's done. Looks pretty good. I say pretty good, because my dad left me with the genetic imprint of perfectionism. I guess in some respects I am very much like him. Sometimes that's a real problem, others, it's a good thing. I have gotten a grip on my temper through 12 step methods, and a daily dose of medicine. I wonder how Papa would have been, had he been afforded the same opportunities.

Hmm... Kinda got off track... Back to the story. due to a couple of very small errors in cutting and measuring, I will need to fill two places with caulk. they are both about 1/16th of an inch cracks, but in my "Papaism", that's way too much. I had planned to caulk the edges anyway, but now it will just take a little more. Meh.

3:30 in the afternoon. The sky has gotten quite overcast, and the temperature is about 42 degrees. The weather forecast says to expect moisture in the form of light snow tonight. Ya never know... You know how those media types lie. (smirk)

Agape
Lee

Fiesta de la Dia de accion de gracias (Thanksgiving Day feast)

We had our friends Jim and Jeannie, or is it Jeannie and Jim? Oh, well, enough PC for this blog... I cooked the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Turkey, dressing, potatoes & turkey gravy, Yams, lightbread rolls, green salad, choice of dressing (but everybody chose blue cheese) asparagus, something that I dreamed up,which is a frozen fruit medley that you can get, which includes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and maybe something else good. Let it thaw almost completely then place in a bowl with heavy whipping cream. (not whipped) The cream becomes semi-solid, and it is delicious. Also the two pumpkin, and one apple pie, and coffee.

Nobody was able to eat pie. Haha! (evil grin) Pumpkin pie is wonderful for breakfast!

We visited, and visited, and visited. Moistly indoors, but from time to time we would adjourn to the deck where the three of them would feed their nicotine addiction, and I would just sit upwind, and visit.

Afterward, the three of them jumped in and cleaned the kitchen, while I sat back and said things like, "oh, you don't have to do that, No, really, I'll take care of that later, and gee, that's really nice of you, but you really don't have to." and other platitudes, while secretly being happy that they were, and I wasn't.

A couple of good things happened. While looking in the pile of boxes for my cook books, which I found, I found our misplaced digital camera. Yayyy! Now, if I can just find the cord, I'll download the pictures. I wanted to have it when we went to California for Mama's birthday, but it was still hiding in plain sight. Hmm, that reminds me, I have to get the photos developed from my big camera that I took with us. Hopefully the shots of me and two of my grand children whom I seldom see, turn out.

I have to install the cat door today. It will be good for the kitties to be able to come and go as they please. Hopefully the neighbor's cat, which hangs around doesn't know how to use one, and that skunks never learn.

RE: The title of todays blog: Fiesta de la Dia de accion de gracias. Yo soy asseundo a apprender la lingua Espanol. Es muy dificil por un viejo poblano.

Ya gotta look that up and translate it by yourself.

It's a beautiful day on the farm.

Agape
Lee

Another Day

The sun is shining in Kinsey, MT this morning. We had a little rain yesterday afternoon. It will help get the gravel on the driveway packed down. The soil here is gumbo, and when it gets wet, it turns into a sticky quagmire. - Quagmire; I think that may even be the proper word for it. - We had a mixture of sand and gravel laid down on the driveway, all around the house, and the parking area. After it gets wet, it works into the gumbo, and forms a nice hard surface. Much better on the shoes when one gets out of the car. And, even allows the car to get all the way to the house. :)

Was happy to get the rain though. It will help the weeds, I mean, native Montana grasses and wildflowers grow.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I have to get started cooking for the feast. We have a couple of dear friends coming over. We have been guests in their home on several holidays, so now that we have a little more room, it's our turn to host la fiesta. Guess I'd better check on the progress of Agatha Heterodyne, Girl Genius, and get to it.

Agape
Lee

More on Trying To Get Things Changed

As I was posting my tirade, my friend sent the following.

Lee

Read Article V of the Constitution. The States can amend the Constitution without any input from the Federal Government. I believe, given the unfunded mandates found within the various bills proposed by these idiots the legislatures of the States will be open to the idea, if for no other reason than to hold it over their heads & give them pause!

Lee, I think this is the tool our founders gave us to handle a "runaway government" & I think now is the time to use it. I prefer it to the 2nd Amendment solution, as I agree with you these are not people of principle & they will do anything to hold on to the power they are in the process of STEALING!

I shall write my state legislators today & bid you to do the same.


So I was wrong. I promptly admit it. Now if we can just get all of our political party controlled state legislators to do it, we'll be in like a porch climber.

The sun is out, but we may get a little snow later. At least that's something that the political parties can't control. nyah, nyah, nyah.

Agape
Lee

Trying to get things changed

My friend Phil Stacy , who is a passionate patriot sent the following to me.

Proposed Amendment 28 to the US Constitution!**

**"Congress shall make no law that applies to any citizen of the United States that does not apply equally to all US Senators and Representatives, and Congress shall make no law that applies to any US Senator or Representative that does not apply equally to all citizens of the United
States . All existing laws and regulations that do not meet these criteria shall be declared null and void!"***

Only problem is, that congress are the ones who make and enact constitutional amendments. At the same time, they have denied we the people the right to the initiative and referendum process that most states have. And if you think those folks are going to give us that power over them, you have another think coming.

There are two ways to make them listen. #1. the ballot box, and #2. armed revolution.

The media, who is pretty well controlled by the political parties selects who will win elections. Witness: Obama.

#2. won't work, because the United States Government WILL NOT allow that to happen. They will go so far as to use "The Bomb" on those who revolt. Outside of that, it's an awfully good idea.

I often worry about the direction our great nation is taking. If you want to know the truth, I feel pretty powerless. I can see changes coming to us that are very detrimental to our freedoms.

I am very against socialism. In and of itself, it's not a bad idea. Unfortunately, greedy power hungry people soon control it, and soon become dictatorial. As a free, independent American, I can't live with that.

Capitalism is a good thing, but without regulation, it is controlled by greedy, power hungry people, who, when allowed, become dictatorial. I can't live with that either.

I think my friend has an awfully good idea. The US Constitution should apply equally to all the people. Those in power, and those who are not.

I don't believe that political parties should be allowed to run the country. In essence, they are merely a group of people who band together to get someone elected who shares their point of view. In fact, political parties have become so strong that they control the government. Somehow I can't quite see that as a very good idea.

Do I have any solutions? How about one person, one vote. No electorial college. Direct elections only. make all the media, radio, TV, newspapers, etc be fair in their coverage of those running for office.

Answer to that? Fat Chance.

Oh, well, it's a nice day on the farm.

Agape
Lee

Nice

I am sitting in my office/computer room/hamshack with a sleeping kitten on my lap. I have been updating my ham radio, and writing to a friend on facebook chat. Getting ready to start the dishwasher and head off to bed. Kathryn came in from her trip, and was tired, so she has been in bed for about an hour. It is very peaceful tonight.

Notes From The Farm

We moved to a little farm. Not much of a place, more of a house with a big yard to mow. A little over 5 acres of pretty much undisturbed Montana Prairie. Hope to get a calf in the spring to eat the weeds, then in the fall, we will eat the calf. No apologies. I am an omnivorous carnivore. All I have to do is put up some fence to keep it out of the garden plot. Kathryn, my wife is pretty insistent on keeping the livestock, including deer, out of the flower bed. She had a beautiful garden at our old place in town, and in the spring, will transplant the roses, strawberries, and whatever else will grow, out here.

I am trying to find enough time to do the things necessary to put the place in order, but time is in short supply. I work part time at a radio station, making commercials, and minister two days a week. Both jobs are in in town, which is 20 miles away. (16 if you take the gravel road. More about the gravel roads later) 'Course sometimes have to make two trips to get things accomplished. It's really not bad, I commuted a lot farther than that when I lived in southern California. I also freelance at making radio commercials from a studio I have here in our home, so I certainly have very little time to be bored.

All together, it's pretty nice.

"Oh, life on the farm is kinda laid back
but nothin' that a country boy like me can't hack
It's early to rise, and early in the sack
Thank god I'm a Country Boy."

- John Denver -

This is the introductory message. More to follow

Lee