Once I've moved all the posts, I will take this blog down.
To receive all my new writings - please click over and join me at The New and improved Mommy Detective site.
http://www.themommydetective.com/
Friday, March 23, 2012
I am moving!
Once I've moved all the posts, I will take this blog down.
To receive all my new writings - please click over and join me at The New and improved Mommy Detective site.
http://www.themommydetective.com/
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Abbott and Costello on Unemployment
Have you ever heard something and it just didn't ring true? You may want to be encouraging and positive, but something just doesn't feel right. It's confusing when I watch the news and they talk about businesses laying people off or going out of business and yet, the unemployment rate is supposed to be going down.
I loved Abbott and Costello. I've spent many hours laughing at their approach to logical issues. I don't know if this is a routine that they did in their career - but it's a great way to look at what "may" be happening within the ranks of Obama's team.
It's a sad commentary but their style will leave you chuckling.
COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.
ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 9%.
COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?
ABBOTT: No, that's about 20%.
COSTELLO: You just said 9%.
ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed.
COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work.
ABBOTT: No, that's about 20%.
COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 20% unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, that's 9%...
COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9% or 20%?
ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 20% are out of work.
COSTELLO: IF you are out of work you are unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.
COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!
ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.
COSTELLO: What point?
ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.
COSTELLO: To who?
ABBOTT: The unemployed.
COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.
ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work.. Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And, if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.
COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles, that would count as less unemployment?
ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!
COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?
ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how you get to 9%. Otherwise, it would be 20%. You don't want to read about 20% unemployment do ya?
COSTELLO: That would be frightening.
ABBOTT: Absolutely.
COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means they're two ways to bring down the unemployment number?
ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?
ABBOTT: Correct.
COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?
ABBOTT: Bingo.
COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.
ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like a democrat.
COSTELLO: I don't even know what I just said!
And now you know why Obama's unemployment figures are improving!
I think Washington structured taxes according to this Abbott and Costello clip!
God loves you,
Debbie
I loved Abbott and Costello. I've spent many hours laughing at their approach to logical issues. I don't know if this is a routine that they did in their career - but it's a great way to look at what "may" be happening within the ranks of Obama's team.
It's a sad commentary but their style will leave you chuckling.
COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.
ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 9%.
COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?
ABBOTT: No, that's about 20%.
COSTELLO: You just said 9%.
ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed.
COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work.
ABBOTT: No, that's about 20%.
COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 20% unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, that's 9%...
COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9% or 20%?
ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 20% are out of work.
COSTELLO: IF you are out of work you are unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.
COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!
ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.
COSTELLO: What point?
ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.
COSTELLO: To who?
ABBOTT: The unemployed.
COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.
ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work.. Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And, if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.
COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles, that would count as less unemployment?
ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!
COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?
ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how you get to 9%. Otherwise, it would be 20%. You don't want to read about 20% unemployment do ya?
COSTELLO: That would be frightening.
ABBOTT: Absolutely.
COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means they're two ways to bring down the unemployment number?
ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?
ABBOTT: Correct.
COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?
ABBOTT: Bingo.
COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.
ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like a democrat.
COSTELLO: I don't even know what I just said!
And now you know why Obama's unemployment figures are improving!
I think Washington structured taxes according to this Abbott and Costello clip!
God loves you,
Debbie
Monday, February 6, 2012
Happy Birthday Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan was a great president. I feel privileged that I lived during his presidency. Happy Birthday to a great man!
I hope you will teach your children about this great man and that you will dig around for the truth about his life and his beliefs. The left is trying to discredit the fact that through his beliefs, this country excelled. The more we abandon his beliefs, the more we slip into socialism. The following includes many quotes from President Reagan. If you look in the left sidebar, you'll find more.
The following is brought to you by American Minute
A graduate of Eureka College, IL, 1932, he announced for radio stations in Iowa. He married Jane Wyman and had children Maureen and Michael. He was a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II, then became an actor, appearing in over 50 films. He was President of the Screen Actors Guild, switched from Democrat to Republican, and became Governor of California.
His second marriage, to Nancy Davis, 1952, had children Patti and Ron.
His name was Ronald Reagan, born FEBRUARY 6, 1911, and died June 5, 2004.
At age sixty-nine, he was the oldest person elected U.S. President, and sixty-nine days after his inauguration, he survived an assassination attempt. Ronald Reagan stated at St. John's University in New York, March 28, 1985:
"Government that is big enough to give you everything you want is more likely to simply take everything you've got."
Ronald Reagan remarked to the Heritage Council, Warren, Michigan, October 10, 1984:
"Henry David Thoreau was right: that government is best which governs least."
In his 1964 speech, A Time for Choosing, Ronald Reagan stated:
"I suggest to you there is no left or right, only an up or down. Up to the maximum of individual freedom consistent with law and order, or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism; and regardless of their humanitarian purpose, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have, whether they know it or not, chosen this downward path."
In 1961, Ronald Reagan stated:
"One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people has been by way of medicine. It's very easy to disguise a medical program as a humanitarian project...James Madison in 1788...said: '...There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations.'...
What can we do about this?...We can write to our congressmen and our senators. We can say right now that we want no further encroachment on these individual liberties and freedoms...We do not want socialized medicine...If you don't, this program I promise you will pass...and behind it will come other federal programs that will invade every area of freedom as we have known...until, one day...we will awake to find that we have socialism.
And...you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children, what it once was like in America when men were free."
Ronald Reagan stated in Beijing, China, April 27, 1984:
"I have seen the rise of fascism and communism. Both philosophies glorify the arbitrary power of the state...But both theories fail. Both deny those God-given liberties that are the inalienable right of each person on this planet, indeed, they deny the existence of God."
On March 20, 1981, at the Conservative Political Action Conference Dinner, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC, Ronald Reagan stated:
"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid. That's why the Marxist vision of man without God must eventually be seen as an empty and a false faith - the second oldest in the world - first proclaimed in the Garden of Eden with whispered words...'Ye shall be as gods.' The crisis of the Western world...exists to the degree in which it is indifferent to God."
On May 17, 1982, in a proposed Constitutional Amendment on Prayer in Schools, President Ronald Reagan stated:
"Our liberty springs from and depends upon an abiding faith in God."
President Reagan proclaimed:
"Now, therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in recognition of the contributions and influence of the Bible on our Republic and our people, do hereby proclaim 1983 the 'Year of the Bible' in the United States. I encourage all citizens, each in his or her own way, to reexamine and rediscover its priceless and timeless message."
Ronald Reagan wrote in his article, "Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation," The Human Life Review, 1983:
"Lincoln recognized that we could not survive as a free land when some men could decide that others were not fit to be free and should be slaves...
Likewise, we cannot survive as a free nation when some men decide that others are not fit to live and should be abandoned to abortion."
At the Alfred M. Landon Lecture Series, 1982, Ronald Reagan stated:
"We can't have it both ways. We can't expect God to protect us in a crisis and just leave Him over there on the shelf in our day-to-day living. I wonder if sometimes He isn't waiting for us to wake up, He isn't maybe running out of patience."
At Reunion Arena in Dallas, 1984, Ronald Reagan stated:
"Without God there is no virtue because there is no prompting of the conscience....without God there is a coarsening of the society; without God democracy will not and cannot long endure.... America needs God more than God needs America. If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under."
WOW!
God loves you,
Debbie
I hope you will teach your children about this great man and that you will dig around for the truth about his life and his beliefs. The left is trying to discredit the fact that through his beliefs, this country excelled. The more we abandon his beliefs, the more we slip into socialism. The following includes many quotes from President Reagan. If you look in the left sidebar, you'll find more.
A graduate of Eureka College, IL, 1932, he announced for radio stations in Iowa. He married Jane Wyman and had children Maureen and Michael. He was a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II, then became an actor, appearing in over 50 films. He was President of the Screen Actors Guild, switched from Democrat to Republican, and became Governor of California.
His second marriage, to Nancy Davis, 1952, had children Patti and Ron.
His name was Ronald Reagan, born FEBRUARY 6, 1911, and died June 5, 2004.
At age sixty-nine, he was the oldest person elected U.S. President, and sixty-nine days after his inauguration, he survived an assassination attempt. Ronald Reagan stated at St. John's University in New York, March 28, 1985:
"Government that is big enough to give you everything you want is more likely to simply take everything you've got."
Ronald Reagan remarked to the Heritage Council, Warren, Michigan, October 10, 1984:
"Henry David Thoreau was right: that government is best which governs least."
In his 1964 speech, A Time for Choosing, Ronald Reagan stated:
"I suggest to you there is no left or right, only an up or down. Up to the maximum of individual freedom consistent with law and order, or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism; and regardless of their humanitarian purpose, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have, whether they know it or not, chosen this downward path."
In 1961, Ronald Reagan stated:
"One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people has been by way of medicine. It's very easy to disguise a medical program as a humanitarian project...James Madison in 1788...said: '...There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations.'...
What can we do about this?...We can write to our congressmen and our senators. We can say right now that we want no further encroachment on these individual liberties and freedoms...We do not want socialized medicine...If you don't, this program I promise you will pass...and behind it will come other federal programs that will invade every area of freedom as we have known...until, one day...we will awake to find that we have socialism.
And...you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children, what it once was like in America when men were free."
Ronald Reagan stated in Beijing, China, April 27, 1984:
"I have seen the rise of fascism and communism. Both philosophies glorify the arbitrary power of the state...But both theories fail. Both deny those God-given liberties that are the inalienable right of each person on this planet, indeed, they deny the existence of God."
On March 20, 1981, at the Conservative Political Action Conference Dinner, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC, Ronald Reagan stated:
"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid. That's why the Marxist vision of man without God must eventually be seen as an empty and a false faith - the second oldest in the world - first proclaimed in the Garden of Eden with whispered words...'Ye shall be as gods.' The crisis of the Western world...exists to the degree in which it is indifferent to God."
On May 17, 1982, in a proposed Constitutional Amendment on Prayer in Schools, President Ronald Reagan stated:
"Our liberty springs from and depends upon an abiding faith in God."
President Reagan proclaimed:
"Now, therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in recognition of the contributions and influence of the Bible on our Republic and our people, do hereby proclaim 1983 the 'Year of the Bible' in the United States. I encourage all citizens, each in his or her own way, to reexamine and rediscover its priceless and timeless message."
Ronald Reagan wrote in his article, "Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation," The Human Life Review, 1983:
"Lincoln recognized that we could not survive as a free land when some men could decide that others were not fit to be free and should be slaves...
Likewise, we cannot survive as a free nation when some men decide that others are not fit to live and should be abandoned to abortion."
At the Alfred M. Landon Lecture Series, 1982, Ronald Reagan stated:
"We can't have it both ways. We can't expect God to protect us in a crisis and just leave Him over there on the shelf in our day-to-day living. I wonder if sometimes He isn't waiting for us to wake up, He isn't maybe running out of patience."
At Reunion Arena in Dallas, 1984, Ronald Reagan stated:
"Without God there is no virtue because there is no prompting of the conscience....without God there is a coarsening of the society; without God democracy will not and cannot long endure.... America needs God more than God needs America. If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under."
WOW!
God loves you,
Debbie
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Mr. Obama's State of the Union
Before I comment on the State of the Union Address, let me pass along a story someone sent. I've thought about this story for a long time. While I teach and live by the old version, I agree with the point the new version is trying to make.
The ANT and The GRASSHOPPER two versions:
Two Different Versions ... Two Different Morals
OLD VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE OLD STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
( Both Ron and I remember our school teachers telling this story and insisting everyone be like the ants. My teacher used this story to point out to several students that if they didn't get their act together they would be like the grasshopper and never be successful.)
MODERN VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.. CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green...'
Occupy the Anthill stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the SEIU group singing, We shall overcome. Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright has the group kneel down to pray for the grasshopper's sake, while he damns the ants. President Obama condemns the ant and blames President Bush 43, President Bush 41, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the Pope for the grasshopper's plight.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar and given to the grasshopper.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't maintain it. The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the ramshackled, once prosperous and peaceful, neighborhood.
The entire Nation collapses bringing the rest of the free world with it.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2012.
When we watched the State of the Union, Ron and I were definitely not impressed. Ron thought it was more of the same and frankly boring. I had only one thought. "Mr. Obama is very quick to spend my money and with his nose in the air he loves to tell me what he thinks is right for my life. Unlike the American way his entire speech was not about inspiration, being a better American or working harder together. His speech smacked of "I don't care if you like my policy or not. I want it so I'm going to ram it down your throat." Oh yes, I will be very careful how I vote.
God loves you,
Debbie
The ANT and The GRASSHOPPER two versions:
Two Different Versions ... Two Different Morals
OLD VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE OLD STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
( Both Ron and I remember our school teachers telling this story and insisting everyone be like the ants. My teacher used this story to point out to several students that if they didn't get their act together they would be like the grasshopper and never be successful.)
MODERN VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.. CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green...'
Occupy the Anthill stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the SEIU group singing, We shall overcome. Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright has the group kneel down to pray for the grasshopper's sake, while he damns the ants. President Obama condemns the ant and blames President Bush 43, President Bush 41, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the Pope for the grasshopper's plight.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar and given to the grasshopper.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't maintain it. The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the ramshackled, once prosperous and peaceful, neighborhood.
The entire Nation collapses bringing the rest of the free world with it.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2012.
When we watched the State of the Union, Ron and I were definitely not impressed. Ron thought it was more of the same and frankly boring. I had only one thought. "Mr. Obama is very quick to spend my money and with his nose in the air he loves to tell me what he thinks is right for my life. Unlike the American way his entire speech was not about inspiration, being a better American or working harder together. His speech smacked of "I don't care if you like my policy or not. I want it so I'm going to ram it down your throat." Oh yes, I will be very careful how I vote.
God loves you,
Debbie
Monday, January 16, 2012
Debating attacks - Watching the Fox news Debate
I am filled with panic about my life and my country. Ron and I are working on a marketing plan for several ideas. We are pushing the limit with our finances. We are fasting and praying for our children and their needs. We are also fretting about the needs of our parents and what the days ahead will be for them. We are concerned about our friends and disappointed with greedy churches. We feel pressured on every side and thoroughly disappointed with the state of our country.
If you want my vote, give me a candidate that promises a country with honor and citizens committed to making their lives better. You want my vote? Support less government and more God in our lives. You want my vote, don't promise more money - promise more values and families defined by honor and decent living.
In three months I will be a grandmother. I want that child to have hope. I want that child to believe in America. I want that child to have the advantages I had when I was growing up. I want that child to be safe from predators and safe from evil. I want that child to feel like the future is bright with promise and dreams are attainable.
Can anyone make that happen? Of course they can. America was all of that until we became the country of greed, me first, give me what I want and I don't care what happens to you. Don't get me wrong - I'm not talking about abdicating responsibility to evil unions and dictating governments. I'm talking about men and women who are willing to personally sacrifice to make this country better.
The problem is I know that government and elected officials can't do any of that. Making America great depends on good people stepping up to the plate and doing all they can to "build" a better America. You and I (coupled with Biblical principles) are the only ones that can change America. Yes, we need a president that supports those ideas....but he can't get the job done until each individual citizen decides they will do any and everything possible to create a better society. (That includes your pocketbook)
Sigh*** It's a big task. Are you up to the challenge?
God loves you,
Debbie
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Don't forget the important gifts of Christmas
Merry Christmas!
I am looking forward to the important gifts of Christmas. The ones that last a lifetime. The gifts that keep on giving all year long. They are wrapped with paper that outshines all others. The gifts I'm talking about are the personal smiles, sweet memories and beautiful moments that we share with loved ones and friends. Those little snippets of time that keep invading our thoughts all year long. The moments that leave a lump in our throat but sweep all the cobwebs from our aching hearts. When the tiniest sweet moment is through we take a deep breath and drink in a freshness that seems to clear away all the sadness of this evil world.
Take time this Christmas to hug all your friends and family. Hold them tight. Whisper that you love them. Listen to their stories, share a laugh and be thankful for those who have blessed your life so much. My Dad just posted this wonderful story on his blog. I hope you enjoy this little present of goodness.
When I was young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember well the polished old case fastened to the wall. The black receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother used to talk to it.
Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person - her name was “Information Please” and there was nothing she did not know. “Information Please” could supply anybody’s number and the correct time.
My first personal experience with this genie-in-the-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer.
The pain was terrible, but there didn’t seem to be any reason in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy. I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway.
The telephone!
Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. “Information Please,” I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.
A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.
“Information.”
“I hurt my finger.” I wailed into the phone. The tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.
“Isn’t your mother home?” came the question.
“Nobody’s home but me.” I blubbered.
“Are you bleeding?”
“No,” I replied. “I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts.”
“Can you open your icebox?” she asked. I said I could.
“Then chip off a little piece of ice and hold it to your finger,” said the voice.
After that, I called “Information Please” for everything. I asked her for help with my geography and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before would eat fruits and nuts.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary died. I called “Information Please” and told her the sad story. She listened, then said the usual things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was un-consoled. I asked her, “Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?”
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, “Paul, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in.” Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone. “Information Please.”
“Information,” said the now familiar voice.
“How do you spell fix?” I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest.
When I was 9 years old, we moved across the country to Boston.
I missed my friend very much. “Information Please” belonged in that old wooden box back home, and I somehow never thought of trying the tall, shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall.
As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me. Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about half an hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, “Information, Please”.
Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well, “Information.” I hadn’t planned this but I heard myself saying, “Could you please tell me how to spell fix?”
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, “I guess your finger must have healed by now.”
I laughed. “So it’s really still you,’ I said. “I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time.”
“I wonder”, she said, “if you know how much your calls meant to me.” “I never had any children, and I used to look forward to your calls.”
I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
“Please do, she said. “Just ask for Sally.”
Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered “Information.” I asked for Sally.
“Are you a friend?” She said.
“Yes, a very old friend,” I answered.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, she said. Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago.”
Before I could hang up she said, “Wait a minute. Did you say your name was Paul?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you.” The note said, “Tell him I still say there are other worlds to sing in. He’ll know what I mean.”
I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Merry Christmas - God loves you,
Debbie
I am looking forward to the important gifts of Christmas. The ones that last a lifetime. The gifts that keep on giving all year long. They are wrapped with paper that outshines all others. The gifts I'm talking about are the personal smiles, sweet memories and beautiful moments that we share with loved ones and friends. Those little snippets of time that keep invading our thoughts all year long. The moments that leave a lump in our throat but sweep all the cobwebs from our aching hearts. When the tiniest sweet moment is through we take a deep breath and drink in a freshness that seems to clear away all the sadness of this evil world.
Take time this Christmas to hug all your friends and family. Hold them tight. Whisper that you love them. Listen to their stories, share a laugh and be thankful for those who have blessed your life so much. My Dad just posted this wonderful story on his blog. I hope you enjoy this little present of goodness.
Operator please
June 23, 1998
When I was young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember well the polished old case fastened to the wall. The black receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother used to talk to it.
Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person - her name was “Information Please” and there was nothing she did not know. “Information Please” could supply anybody’s number and the correct time.
My first personal experience with this genie-in-the-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer.
The pain was terrible, but there didn’t seem to be any reason in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy. I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway.
The telephone!
Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. “Information Please,” I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.
A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.
“Information.”
“I hurt my finger.” I wailed into the phone. The tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.
“Isn’t your mother home?” came the question.
“Nobody’s home but me.” I blubbered.
“Are you bleeding?”
“No,” I replied. “I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts.”
“Can you open your icebox?” she asked. I said I could.
“Then chip off a little piece of ice and hold it to your finger,” said the voice.
After that, I called “Information Please” for everything. I asked her for help with my geography and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before would eat fruits and nuts.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary died. I called “Information Please” and told her the sad story. She listened, then said the usual things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was un-consoled. I asked her, “Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?”
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, “Paul, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in.” Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone. “Information Please.”
“Information,” said the now familiar voice.
“How do you spell fix?” I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest.
When I was 9 years old, we moved across the country to Boston.
I missed my friend very much. “Information Please” belonged in that old wooden box back home, and I somehow never thought of trying the tall, shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall.
As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me. Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about half an hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, “Information, Please”.
Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well, “Information.” I hadn’t planned this but I heard myself saying, “Could you please tell me how to spell fix?”
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, “I guess your finger must have healed by now.”
I laughed. “So it’s really still you,’ I said. “I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time.”
“I wonder”, she said, “if you know how much your calls meant to me.” “I never had any children, and I used to look forward to your calls.”
I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
“Please do, she said. “Just ask for Sally.”
Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered “Information.” I asked for Sally.
“Are you a friend?” She said.
“Yes, a very old friend,” I answered.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, she said. Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago.”
Before I could hang up she said, “Wait a minute. Did you say your name was Paul?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you.” The note said, “Tell him I still say there are other worlds to sing in. He’ll know what I mean.”
I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Merry Christmas - God loves you,
Debbie
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
America's youth and the death of intelligent thought.
It's often hard to explain to others how I look at the world. My new book, The Mommy Detective attempts to help others see what I see when I look at problems. It shows my thoughts when it comes to my world view, parenting, faith and a host of other issues. Basically, I feel that the only way to a good life is to know the truth. If you base it on what you've heard or what someone has told you to believe - you can be fooled. You may think you have a good life but around the corner a train wreck is on it's way.
I don't want to be surprised negatively with a horrible ending to a particular train of thought. For example if I believe that God doesn't exist because some atheist professor told me that in a classroom, what happens if he's wrong? What happens if I get to the moment of death and find out that my Christian neighbor is right. With no time to change, I will suffer the consequences of another person's research.
If I plan to build a part of my life on any philosophy, I am going to constantly question my beliefs to be sure I'm right. The most dangerous position to be in is one where you can never test your theories or where you look at life through selfish eyes. I've know wonderful Christians who loved God but still viewed the world through very small selfish eyes. For that reason I tell people constantly - show me something that is better than the way I live and I'll change. But...first you have to prove to me it's better. Since I know my platform extremely well and I've tested most every view - they back off quickly.
We are headed for some very difficult times. People are voting and spouting a lot of ridiculous theories and refusing to investigate their validity. That will lead us to a slavery based society. We may not be in physical chains - but we will be mentally chained. We must train our children to think logically and to thoroughly test every area of every philosophy they choose to live by. Without that kind of scrutiny we will bite the apple once again and our society will slip into desperate chaos.
Guess who rises to the top during a chaotic situation - evil - always evil. People usually don't turn to good people during a crisis because the good person will require some form of hard work.
Angel Hunt posted the following video on her blog. I am grateful she did. I hope you will watch the entire video and ask yourself - "Do my philosophies have the kind of holes in it that the interviewer revealed? "
God loves you,
Debbie
I don't want to be surprised negatively with a horrible ending to a particular train of thought. For example if I believe that God doesn't exist because some atheist professor told me that in a classroom, what happens if he's wrong? What happens if I get to the moment of death and find out that my Christian neighbor is right. With no time to change, I will suffer the consequences of another person's research.
If I plan to build a part of my life on any philosophy, I am going to constantly question my beliefs to be sure I'm right. The most dangerous position to be in is one where you can never test your theories or where you look at life through selfish eyes. I've know wonderful Christians who loved God but still viewed the world through very small selfish eyes. For that reason I tell people constantly - show me something that is better than the way I live and I'll change. But...first you have to prove to me it's better. Since I know my platform extremely well and I've tested most every view - they back off quickly.
We are headed for some very difficult times. People are voting and spouting a lot of ridiculous theories and refusing to investigate their validity. That will lead us to a slavery based society. We may not be in physical chains - but we will be mentally chained. We must train our children to think logically and to thoroughly test every area of every philosophy they choose to live by. Without that kind of scrutiny we will bite the apple once again and our society will slip into desperate chaos.
Guess who rises to the top during a chaotic situation - evil - always evil. People usually don't turn to good people during a crisis because the good person will require some form of hard work.
Angel Hunt posted the following video on her blog. I am grateful she did. I hope you will watch the entire video and ask yourself - "Do my philosophies have the kind of holes in it that the interviewer revealed? "
God loves you,
Debbie
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