tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46840778857395389242024-02-20T02:44:46.537-06:00Mossy MusingsBlogging about the books I read, and the Rotts I feed.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-85939762550742337882013-07-28T11:12:00.000-05:002013-07-28T11:12:41.865-05:00<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/13hZ9c4" href="http://bit.ly/13hZ9c4" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright" data-mce-src="http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/cvr9780743550956_9780743550956_lg.jpg" height="350" src="http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/cvr9780743550956_9780743550956_lg.jpg" width="350" /></a><a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/13hZ9c4" href="http://bit.ly/13hZ9c4" target="_blank">Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West</a> by <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/19KqY2s" href="http://bit.ly/19KqY2s" target="_blank">Stephen E. Ambrose</a><br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/two-stars-or-not-two-stars-that-is-the-rating-question/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/two-stars-or-not-two-stars-that-is-the-rating-question/" target="_blank" title="Two Stars or Not Two Stars? That is the Rating Question">4 out of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Read in July 2013<br />
<br />
Large,
thick books do not scare me. If you've delved into my blog here at
all, you'll quickly learn that I read constantly and I read epic fantasy
for fun. The longer, the better. The more characters and plot lines,
even better. With one exception, or wait, two exceptions. I tried but
didn't like <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/169I4X4" href="http://bit.ly/169I4X4" target="_blank">G.R.R. Martin</a>'s Game of Thrones series and <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/11mVGMj" href="http://bit.ly/11mVGMj" target="_blank">Steven Erikson</a>'s <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/book-review-gardens-of-the-moon-by-erikson-3-5-stars/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/book-review-gardens-of-the-moon-by-erikson-3-5-stars/" target="_blank" title="Book Review: Gardens of the Moon by Erikson (3.5 stars)">Malazan Book of the Fallen</a>. Not my cup of tea.<br />
<br />
So when July rolled around and saddled me with the 521 page <em>Undaunted Courage</em> by Ambrose, I barely batted an eye. I even took a stab at actually reading the print edition our <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/WPjtT8" href="http://bit.ly/WPjtT8" target="_blank">Stranger Than Fiction</a> discussion leader handed out to us last month when we turned in our <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/book-review-unbroken-by-hillenbrand-4-stars/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/book-review-unbroken-by-hillenbrand-4-stars/" target="_blank" title="Book Review: Unbroken by Hillenbrand (4 Stars)"><em>Unbroken</em></a>
copies. I think I made it a couple of hundred pages before I decided
listening to the audiobook would be faster (and less painful on the eyes
grammatically). I checked out the audiobook on CD from the <a href="http://bit.ly/mSBeAL" target="_blank">Kansas City Public Library</a>. One thick 521 page paperback translates roughly to
twenty-one hours and twenty-seven minutes (21 hr 27 mins) of narration.
While technically, I could have completed listening to this audiobook
in less than one day, practically and physically, I can only handle
about two to three hours a day of listening, with long breaks between to
give my poor eardrums a rest. The disadvantages to listening include
the absence of 1) maps, 2) illustrations and photographs, 3) footnotes,
4) end notes and 5) the bibliography. The greatest advantage to
listening to the audiobook was not having to learn how to properly
pronounce the names of less commonly known objects, tools and places.
Luckily, I had the best of both worlds at my fingertips.<br />
<br />
I learned
an incredible amount about Lewis, Clark, Thomas Jefferson, the
Louisiana Purchase and the Corps of Discovery Expedition to find a water
route to the Pacific Ocean via the Missouri River. Since I grew up
within twenty miles of that river, I also grew up with the names "Lewis
& Clark" plastered on various road signs and parks. While I had
some idea of the adventures of those early trailblazing frontiersmen,
Ambrose provided me with an incredible wealth of detail and anecdotal
gems to keep me forging ahead. One of my favorite moments involved a
nearly indestructible grizzly bear and four members of the Expedition.<br />
<br />
I
finished listening to the audiobook edition with just 26 hours to
spare. After a full day of work in the same building, I arrived just a
few minutes past seven o'clock to a nearly full meeting room. A couple
of the usual suspects were missing, but I thought nothing of it since
it's summer time and many normal people take vacations. I arrived in
the middle of a conversation involving the August 2013 edition of Car
& Driver, specifically the review of the <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/1aNb4oy" href="http://bit.ly/1aNb4oy" target="_blank">2013 supercharged Land Rover Range Rover</a>, which was tested in the Bitterroot Valley in Montana and specifically mentioned the Lewis & Clark expedition.<br />
<br />
Our discussion leader soon roped us back into discussing <em>Undaunted Courage</em>
by relating a hand-written note he received from one disgruntled
Stranger Than Fiction reader. That person only made it to page 28,
where they couldn't stomach the 'run on sentences' and 'sixteen
adjectives for the same word' or the fact that it appeared the author
was being 'paid by the word' to write. 'Life was too short and there
are too many good books to waste time with such poor writing.' I made
the comment that long sentences were the norm for early 19th century
writing, but apparently Ambrose was being accused of this egregious
error. Our leader did confirm that he found a sentence written by
Ambrose that surpassed one and a half pages.<br />
<br />
We moved on from that dead-end when one of the readers mentioned that they watched all four hours of the <a data-mce-href="http://to.pbs.org/1aNb9c0" href="http://to.pbs.org/1aNb9c0" target="_blank">Ken Burns' documentary of Lewis & Clark</a>, which our local PBS station, <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/13axoH5" href="http://bit.ly/13axoH5" target="_blank">KCPT</a>, conveniently re-aired in mid-July.<br />
<br />
At
least one reader struggled with this book, commenting it felt too much
like being in a history class. She half-expected to see questions at
the end of each chapter.<br />
<br />
Our leader began posing questions to
spark discussion, one of the first being on our definition of
"discovery." Only to the Western World (aka Europeans) could any of
these plants, animals, rivers, mountains, etc. be considered
"discoveries." To the Native Americans, none of it was new or unknown.
He also asked or mentioned a scenario wherein Native Americans hopped
on a boat and visited Europe, is it still considered a "discovery"
because all of that would be new to them?<br />
<br />
We also discussed
Sacagawea and the plight of Native American women. Are they just
footnotes in history? Were most of them little better off than slaves,
doing the majority of hard labor for their communities?<br />
<br />
And
speaking of slaves, how about poor old York? He had a good sense of
humor, but was mistreated and not freed upon his return.<br />
<br />
With respect to <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/16b4Qhl" href="http://bit.ly/16b4Qhl" target="_blank">Manifest Destiny</a>,
the Corp of Discovery Expedition was just the first phase (and the
origin of the phrase). There was a religious aspect - God deemed
Europeans should have the North American Continent from short to shore.
Our leader asked us if this was similar to <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/16mm9ty" href="http://bit.ly/16mm9ty" target="_blank">eminent domain</a> today? Or was it just theft?<br />
<br />
We
discussed Jefferson, and by extension, Lewis' policy towards the Native
Americans. Their vision of an American Trade empire and the
integration of the Native Americans proved an impossible mountain to
scale. The 'civilizing' of the Indian Nations by forcing them to become
peaceful among themselves and then ultimately wholly dependent upon
America was either naiveté or hubris or both. With the exception of the
Mandans and the Nez Perce, the Expeditions' interactions with the
Indian Nations were strained at best and left a legacy of lies and
distrust that resulted in even worse relations for generations to come.<br />
<br />
Does man ever progress without harm?<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/15TipzN" href="http://bit.ly/15TipzN" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft" data-mce-src="http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/cvr9780743203173_9780743203173_lg.jpg" height="210" src="http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/cvr9780743203173_9780743203173_lg.jpg" width="139" /></a>At this point, our leader recommended another book by Ambrose entitled <em>Nothing Like It In The World</em> about the transcontinental railroad.<br />
<br />
On a lighter note, one of the readers related that her favorite story from <em>Undaunted Courage</em> involved the collapsible boat. Recently, some archeologists believe they have found it near Great Falls, Montana.<br />
<br />
I
related that my favorite story involved the grizzly bear that refused
to die and jumped after two of the Expedition's men from a twenty-foot
high bluff into the Missouri after being shot eight times.<br />
<br />
We
returned to the more depressing tale of Lewis' death. Our leader asked
us if we believed it was murder? We all agreed it was not murder,
unless you consider suicide self-murder. Some contributing factors
could have included the amount of mercury consumed by Lewis (and the
rest of the Expedition). One of the readers noted that archeologists
today have no trouble tracing the Lewis and Clark expedition because of
the incredible amounts of mercury still present at their campsites.
Other contributing factors includes Lewis' alcoholism, use of opiates,
lead poisoning (from being shot), he could have been bipolar and/or
recurrence of malaria.<br />
<br />
Suggested field trips included the <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/19mMgWH" href="http://bit.ly/19mMgWH" target="_blank">Lewis & Clark museum in Nebraska City</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/16mp0Tq" href="http://bit.ly/16mp0Tq" target="_blank">Ft. Osage</a> in Missouri.<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/19ovlmr" href="http://bit.ly/19ovlmr" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright" data-mce-src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/Bill_Bryson_A_Walk_In_The_Woods.jpg" height="186" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/Bill_Bryson_A_Walk_In_The_Woods.jpg" width="120" /></a>After
some more tangential and heated discussions on right and wrong, good
and evil, our leader brought us back down to Earth and distributed next
month's book of a much lighter fair: <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/19ovlmr" href="http://bit.ly/19ovlmr" target="_blank"><em>A Walk in the Woods</em></a> by <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/1cbB7aJ" href="http://bit.ly/1cbB7aJ" target="_blank">Billy Bryson </a><br />
<br />
Looks like next month I may get to encounter bears ... again.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-53430767909935383452012-05-02T10:25:00.002-05:002012-05-02T10:26:16.939-05:00Neglecting My BlogMy apologies. I've been neglecting my Blogger blog in favor of <a href="http://bit.ly/mNrZGZ">my WordPress one</a>. I have to admit that I much prefer the interface, options and features provided at WP compared to what I have here at Blogger. Still no excuse to completely abandon it. I will make an effort to check in here at least weekly.<br />
<br />
I am way behind on my book reviews, but I have done a couple of movie reviews that I may import here as well. <br />
<br />
Again, I apologize for appearing to abandon my Blogger blog.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-58006830715547805002012-05-02T10:21:00.000-05:002012-05-02T10:21:04.026-05:00Rembering Roxy Posts<br />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
In Memory of <a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/roxy/" title="Roxy">Roxy</a></h1>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Roxy (c. 2008)" height="265" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/199_11148396491_593211491_454339_6121_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Roxy (c. 2008)" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxy (c. 2008)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
2004-2012</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/remembering-roxy-circling-the-wagons/" title="Remembering Roxy: Circling the Wagons">Circling the Wagons</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/remebering-roxy-bear-pig/" title="Remebering Roxy: Bear-Pig">Bear-Pig</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/remembering-roxy-first-trip-to-the-dog-park/" title="Remembering Roxy: First Trip to the Dog Park">First Trip to Dog Park</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/remembering-roxy-dog-toy-extreme-destruction/" title="Remembering Roxy: Dog Toy Extreme Destruction">Dog Toy Extreme Destruction</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/remembering-roxy-ditz-weiler/" target="_blank" title="Remembering Roxy: Ditz-Weiler">Ditz-Weiler</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/remembering-roxy-mutililated-mouse-trap/" target="_blank" title="Remembering Roxy: Mutililated Mouse Trap">Mutilated Mouse Trap</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/remembering-roxy-snack-dispensers/" target="_blank" title="Remembering Roxy: Snack Dispensers">Snack Dispensers</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-20957487837271373812012-03-23T12:13:00.000-05:002012-03-23T12:15:22.985-05:00Remembering Roxy: Bear-Pig<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/derekteasingroxyaug2005.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Derek Teasing Roxy (Aug 2005)" class=" wp-image-3104 " height="240" src="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/derekteasingroxyaug2005.jpg" title="DerekTeasingRoxyAug2005" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek Teasing Roxy (Aug 2005)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I can thank my son, Derek, for coming up with the nickname 'Bear-Pig' for <a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/remembering-roxy-circling-the-wagons/" target="_blank" title="Remembering Roxy: Circling the Wagons">Roxy</a>. Back in 2005, Rachelle was a sophomore in high school and Derek attended a local community college but still lived at home. By then he had moved into the basement (don't all young adult males thrive in those environs?) and only came up for air when he needed food or to leave for work or school. I often referred to him as 'Derek the Destroyer who lurks in the Mossy Catacombs (or Dungeon).' At that time, Roxy didn't have a playmate or companion dog to annoy (we would rescue Apollo the following year).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/derekandroxystandoffaug2005.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Derek and Roxy in a Stand Off (Aug 2005)" class=" wp-image-3107 " height="240" src="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/derekandroxystandoffaug2005.jpg" title="Derek and Roxy in a Stand Off (Aug 2005)" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek and Roxy in a Stand Off (Aug 2005)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Derek loved to tease and harass Roxy. She would wait for him at the top of the stairs when she heard him rising up from the basement. He would lean forward on the stairs from the lower landing so he was eye level with her and start making strange noises at her or woofing at her. Roxy replied with her own strange sounds, which reminded Derek of the sounds a bear makes. He would get her so worked up she would start to lunge at him. Then he would egg her on more by chasing her into the great room and wrestling with her. Roxy didn't stand a chance by then, since Derek is an expert in nearly all forms of grappling - wrestling, judo and jujitsu.<br />
<br />
That explains the first part of the nickname 'Bear-Pig.' The second half has more to do with Roxy's typical Rottweiler appetite and the fact that when she sniffed around the house for anything remotely resembling a snack, she sort of looked like a wild pig. At least she didn't 'oink oink' while she was rooting around for treats.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-21722415006210327032012-03-18T10:30:00.001-05:002012-03-18T10:33:02.627-05:00Book Review: The Terror by Simmons<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/ypWFIk"><img alt="The Terror" class="alignleft" height="400" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165368437l/3974.jpg" title="The Terror" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/ypWFIk"><i>The Terror</i></a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2687.Dan_Simmons">Dan Simmons</a><br />
<br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/267551000">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I read <i>The Terror</i> as part of a group read at the <a href="http://bit.ly/xbg5WF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Club at GoodReads</a> during the month of February. I participated in the discussion, as did many others. To review those threads, <a href="http://bit.ly/xbg5WF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">please follow this link</a>.<br />
<br />
I started reading this the evening of February 13th, with snowfall predicted to commence after midnight. I sat shivering at the kitchen table while I read the first few chapters, even though the furnace kept my house a toasty 78 degrees Fahrenheit. I even dug out a blanket to put on the bed before I went to sleep (still shivering). Brrrr..... Great writing by Dan Simmons, atmospherically speaking.<br />
<br />
And I restrained my insatiable desire to research the quest for the Northwest Passage and specifically the final voyage of the HMS <i>Terror</i> until after I finished reading the novel. Simmons kept me riveted until the last few chapters, when he decided to take an extreme detour into arctic supernatural spirituality that left me, well, cold.<br />
<br />
Still, a great read by an outstanding author. I recommend lots of warm tea or cocoa and abstinence from long pork.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/899665-jon">View all my reviews</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-53487663032001983552012-03-18T10:24:00.004-05:002012-03-18T10:24:50.033-05:00Book Review: Archangel by Shinn<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/97961.Archangel" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Archangel (Samaria, #1)" class="alignnone" height="475" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309282627l/97961.jpg" title="Archangel (Samaria, #1)" width="286" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/97961.Archangel">Archangel</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/28544.Sharon_Shinn">Sharon Shinn</a><br />
<br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/267551615">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/yfQxYv" target="_blank">Beyond Reality February 2012 Science Fiction Selection</a><br />
<br />
The protagonist, Rachel, grabbed me immediately. Not only was she a superb vocalist, she reminded me in so many ways of my own daughter, also named Rachelle, and who is also a superb vocalist (mezzo soprano, though, instead of Rachel's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coloratura_soprano" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">coloratura soprano</a>). As soon as I finished the book, I sent a recommendation off to my Rachelle, hoping she'd read it and enjoy it as much as I did.<br />
<br />
The religious references intrigued me (and sometimes made me laugh - did anyone else think that the name of Semorrah was a mashed-up condensation of Sodom and Gemorrah?) and the musical elements fascinated me. I play piano, attempt to sing (not as well trained as my daughter, so I gave it up as a lost cause at this point in my life) and I know basic music theory. My husband has years of training (jazz trumpet and guitar), composes music and has perfect relative pitch; all of which he passed on to our daughter.<br />
<br />
On the question of whether this novel is science fiction or fantasy, I leaned towards the former early on. Once introduced to the oracle Josiah in <i>Archangel</i>, I began to believe I was reading a science fiction story (perhaps along the lines of Pern?). But the rest of the novel revealed little beyond that scene with the Oracle. Another clue could also be derived from the 'smallness' of their 'planet' in area and scope.<br />
<br />
I interpreted the singing as magical. The story is mostly a romance, which I normally avoid like the plague, but in this case it worked well.<br />
<br />
I have not decided yet if I will continue this series. I'll have to research my friends' reviews of it and see if it gets better or if this installment is as good as it gets.<br />
<br />
All in all, I really enjoyed <i>Archangel</i>, even if it seemed to be a romance masquerading as a fantasy with hints of science fiction sprinkled throughout.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/899665-jon">View all my reviews</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-46015637818138848322012-03-16T09:31:00.003-05:002012-03-16T09:31:42.186-05:00Remembering Roxy: Circling the Wagons<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/rottsandherringtoymay2007.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-3041 " height="266" src="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/rottsandherringtoymay2007.jpg" title="RottsAndHerRingToyMay2007" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxy with one of her indestructible ring toys (May 2007)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have many great memories of Roxy to share. I hope most of them make you smile. Some of them may even make you laugh out loud. All of them will be bittersweet for me, but still precious. So, I plan to share them with you on a weekly basis, probably on Fridays, as I will have the hardest time getting through a weekend <a href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/roxy/" target="_blank" title="Roxy">without Roxy</a> to cheer me up.<br />
<br />
I dreaded walking up the fronts steps these last five days. Apollo met me at the door, but his tail didn't thump-thump-thump against the dividing rail between the entryway and the dining area. He wagged his tail at the sight of me, but he wasn't crowded out of the way by Roxy. She usually stood front and center, eagerly gripping her ring toy in her mouth, dancing back and forth in front of Apollo. I usually had to order them both to back up so I could squeeze through the screen door.<br />
<br />
I would carefully thread the needle of swirling Rottweilers and unburden myself of my purse and laptop case in the great room. Once my hands were free, I could pet each of them, although Roxy would continually circle around me in an effort to head Apollo off from getting too much attention.<br />
<br />
If I decided to sit down, Roxy would either approach me and plop herself down on my feet, facing away from me, or continue circling the great room with her ring toy. We affectionately called this parading around 'circling the wagons.' Sometimes Apollo would stealthily attempt to snatch the toy from her jaws and then the fun really began.<br />
<br />
Roxy, being the nearly full blooded Rottweiler, could easily keep Apollo, the half-breed, from her toy. Her jaw strength and stubbornness exceeded his. But Apollo never played fair and used stealth and guile to trick Roxy into dropping it. Sometimes, he would even go so far as to lay on the ring toy, which drove Roxy into a fit of apoplexy. Eventually she would start circling him faster and faster and even go so far as to bark repeatedly at him. Unless Terry or I told Apollo to get up, he would ignore Roxy's tantrum.<br />
<br />
Roxy's ring toys sit idle in the great room. I've tried a couple of times this week, as has Terry, to get Apollo to play catch and fetch, but Apollo only made half-hearted attempts. Apollo would much prefer to play tug-of-war with Roxy. He still doesn't understand why she's gone. If only I spoke better dog, then I might be able to tell him what happened. Perhaps it's a blessing for him that I can't.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-23194887182105893082012-03-13T15:31:00.000-05:002012-03-13T15:32:09.517-05:00Roxy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/gp/mossjon/11GK7v" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Walking Roxy by mossjon, on Flickr"><img alt="Walking Roxy" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6821983594_a2e11f87c6_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very last photo I took of Roxy (Fri 9 Mar 2012)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Terry and I are devastated. We lost Roxy Sunday evening, unexpectedly. I decided to stay home Monday and try to deal with this loss. So far, I haven't slept much and I miss her terribly.
So if you don't see much from me here for a few days, don't panic. I'm just mourning the loss of my favorite ditzy Rottweiler.<br />
<br />
May she rest in peace until we meet again.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-30521733402652445612012-01-18T08:15:00.000-06:002012-01-18T08:15:02.375-06:00SOPA/PIPA Blackouts<a href="http://bit.ly/xDK7L1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT61dp9VP2_407rwIyflPaREYYauVaHRJ4awnMS7WuRgN9GkieM" width="200" /></a>Several websites have gone dark (or partially dark) today in <a href="http://bit.ly/wJ0OAw" target="_blank">protest of the SOPA/PIPA legislation</a> before the U.S. Congress.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/" target="_blank">Google</a> is participating.<br />
<br />
As well as <a href="http://bit.ly/odnIDK" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> with a link to<a href="http://bit.ly/yxcsl9" target="_blank"> their articles about SOPA/PIPA</a>.<br />
<br />
The most visited blog on the Internet - <a href="http://bit.ly/xNIFwX" target="_blank">Whatever by John Scalzi</a> - went dark as well.<br />
<br />
I've signed the petition and e-mailed my representatives. Have you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-57393087607025503102012-01-16T07:49:00.001-06:002012-01-16T07:49:52.456-06:00Knowing Jesus #2 - Jesus is CreatorFor the second week in a row, I joined WFC's Online Campus to hear Pastor Dan talk about Knowing Jesus. I had actually planned to venture out to the Speedway Campus to attend worship in person. It's a blessing to be able to attend church regardless of what roadblocks detour my path. <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRfOx1LtYpo/TxQq5zvYRDI/AAAAAAAAAHE/tcxHtOq4eBo/s1600/KnowJesusGraphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="73" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRfOx1LtYpo/TxQq5zvYRDI/AAAAAAAAAHE/tcxHtOq4eBo/s320/KnowJesusGraphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">JESUS IS CREATOR<br />
Knowing Jesus - 2</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">January 15, 2011<br />
Dan Southerland, Lead Teaching Pastor</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We are studying through the book of
John, asking:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<br />
<b>• who is Jesus?<br />
• what does Jesus <u>say</u>?<br />
• what does Jesus <u>do</u>?</b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Big idea for this series:
Knowing <u>about</u> Jesus is not the same as <u>knowing</u> Jesus. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<i><br /></i></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -- </i>Hebrews 13:8</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
<br />
<b>As we see who Jesus is and what He says and does in the <u>Bible</u> we know
who Jesus is what He says and does <u>today</u>.</b><br />
<br />
<b>1. Jesus is <u>Creator</u>.</b><br />
<i></i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. Through him all things were made; without him <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">nothing</b> was made that has been made. --John 1:1,3 </i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1</span></i></blockquote>
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
Then God said, “Let <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">us</b> make mankind
in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">our</b> image, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">our</b> likeness." So God created
mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female
he created them. Genesis 1:26-27</span></i></blockquote>
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and
we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God
made everything and through whom we have been given life. 1 Corinthians 8:6
(NLT)</span></i></blockquote>
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you
created all things, and by your will they were created and have their
being. Revelation 4:11</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b>Creation was a <u>team</u> <u>effort</u>. The God who <u>exists</u>
in community also <u>created</u> in community and then <u>placed</u> <u>us</u>
in community.</b></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Summary
statement: God <b>screams</b> community.
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b>2. Jesus is Re-Creator.</b><br />
<i></i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>
For we are God’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">masterpiece</b>. He has
created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us
long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)</i></span></blockquote>
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed
away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJ)</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In Greek grammar, the <u>present</u>
<u>imperative</u> is a verb tense/form that means <u>do</u> this and <u>keep</u>
<u>on</u> <u>doing</u> it.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We don’t have that in English. So sometimes what is said in the Gospel
doesn’t come through with quite the mood it ought to. Example:
Ask and you shall receive is really:
Ask (and keep on asking) and you will receive (and keep on
receiving). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(and stays in Christ)</b>, he is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(and will continue to be)</b> a new
creation; old things have passed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(and
will continue to pass)</b> away; all things have become <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(and will continue to become)</b> new. (emphasis added by Pastor Dan). <br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As I keep <u>following</u> Jesus, He
keeps on <u>making</u> me new. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus wants to keep on <u>re-creating</u>
me as I stay in Him. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Two pieces of great news:<br />
• God is not <u>finished</u> with me yet. <br />
• What I am today is not the <u>final</u> <u>version</u> of
me. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
<i>More on the Creator, creation, re-creation: John 17:24, Romans 1:20,
Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:18-20, Romans 8:29, Colossians
3:10</i></span></blockquote>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If not a
member, Pastor Dan asks you to step up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If you
are already a member, Pastor Dan asks that you join a group. </span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Next
week: John 1:4 … The Light of the
World. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-74769830976085086522012-01-11T11:52:00.001-06:002012-01-11T11:53:33.886-06:00Winter 2012 Adult Reading Program - Destination: Anywhere<a href="http://bit.ly/zMUFsh"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.kclibrary.org/sites/default/files/event-WinterReading2012.png" /></a><br />
<br />
The <a href="http://bit.ly/A6XDYa" target="_blank">Kansas City Public Library</a> launched the "<a href="http://bit.ly/zMUFsh" target="_blank">Destination: Anywhere</a>" 2012 Adult Winter Reading Program on Monday, January 9, 2012. I plan to participate, although I may not read many (or any) of the suggested books. For the first time since I started following their adult reading programs, I saw non-fiction titles listed in their suggestions. I often need extra motivation to read non-fiction books, as I much prefer to escape to a place that you can't find on any real map. I am most at home on other worlds, in other dimension or in completely imaginary places.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7244.The_Poisonwood_Bible" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PQphc%2Bk5L.jpg" width="128" /></a>Of the fiction titles suggested, I now have motivation to read <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/348914.Wuthering_Heights" target="_blank"><i>Wuthering Heights</i></a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4191.Emily_Bront_" target="_blank">Emily Bronte</a> (something I probably should have read decades ago). I am also intrigued by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7244.The_Poisonwood_Bible" target="_blank"><i>The Poisonwood Bible</i></a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3541.Barbara_Kingsolver" target="_blank">Barbara Kingslover</a>, which also has a book discussion scheduled for Saturday, February 18th 2:00 p.m. at the Trails West Branch.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/397483.The_Devil_in_the_White_City" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174424025l/397483.jpg" width="131" /></a>
Of the non-fiction titles suggested, I might try <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1848.Wild_Swans" target="_blank"><i>Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China</i></a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1237.Jung_Chang" target="_blank">Jung Chang</a>. Then I could try either <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1898.Into_Thin_Air" target="_blank"><i>Into Thin Air</i></a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1235.Jon_Krakauer" target="_blank">Jon Krakauer</a> or <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/397483.The_Devil_in_the_White_City" target="_blank"><i>The Devil in the White City</i></a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5869.Erik_Larson" target="_blank">Erik Larson</a> (the latter has a book discussion scheduled for Saturday, January 28th 11:00 a.m. at the Central Library which I could easily attend).<br />
<br />
Whether or not I attend any of the events or read any of the books, I look forward to adding to my collection of adult reading program coffee mugs. If you don't live in the Kansas City metropolitan area, an alternative way to participate would be through <a href="http://bit.ly/y4V23B" target="_blank">the library's GoodReads group</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-14747938533428929582012-01-08T11:30:00.002-06:002012-01-08T11:30:49.435-06:00Notes on New Sermon Series at WFC: Know JesusI popped into <a href="http://bit.ly/reyYoz">WFC</a>'s <a href="http://bit.ly/oBOXji">Online Campus</a> this morning after seeing a Tweet from Pastor Jason Morris and just happened to logon just five minutes before worship began. I had some initial problems with the video feed (a simple browser refresh fixed that) and wasn't overly impressed or inspired by this morning's <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/stQVz">worship song set</a> (but I'm partial to Speedway's worship band and not the main campus' one). <br />
<br />
Pastor Dan introduced the new sermon series "Know <strike>About</strike> Jesus" by stating that he plans to focus on the Gospel of John exclusively for the entire year (and joked that his sermon today would cover only the first verse of John). I listened attentively to his sermon, took notes as directed (see below) and pondered questions I've pondered before. <br />
<br />
I have a big personal concern with our (and by "our" I mean Christians) focus on Heaven as the reward for our good behavior (dare I say our 'good works'?) Often, I feel like it's a golden carrot dangled in front of me and I'm waiting for the whip to fall. Does Jesus (and God) really want me so selfishly focused on my own salvation? Shouldn't I be willing to risk Hell (as Jesus himself did) if it means saving just one other person, no matter how unworthy or sinful or ungrateful? I struggle with this internally and often. Do you? Or am I just over-analyzing (again)? I guess it's time for more prayer on that. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, enjoy the notes I took this morning while Dan Southerland preached about knowing Jesus and knowing God (and they're one and the same):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.churchonline.org/westside-family/OnlineNotes_header_knowJesus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="73" src="http://media.churchonline.org/westside-family/OnlineNotes_header_knowJesus.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">JESUS IS GOD</span></b><br /><b>Knowing Jesus - 1</b><br />January 8, 2011<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/o8crIw">Pastor Dan Southerland</a><br /><br />Studying through the book of John, asking:<br /><br />• who is Jesus?<br />• what does Jesus say?<br />• what does Jesus do?<br /><br />Pet peeve: Jesus is not past tense ... he is alive ... present tense. What he said then, he would say now. <br /><br />Big idea for this series: Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus. <br /><br /><b>1. Jesus is <u>God</u>. </b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God ... John 1:18a</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Jesus is not just a good man</li>
<li>Jesus is not just a great teacher</li>
<li>Jesus is not just a prophet</li>
</ul>
<b>The Bible declares <u>repeatedly and clearly</u> that Jesus is God. </b><br /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
John 14:6, John 20:31, Acts 10:36, Acts 20:21, Romans 6:11, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:39, Romans 15:17, Romans 16:27, 1 Corinthians 1:3,1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:11, Philippians 4:7, Colossians 1:1, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 4:1, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, 1 John 4:15</blockquote>
How does anyone read this book and claim Jesus isn't God? <br /><br />Handiwork ... Greek word for poem ... we are a real piece of work ... God's. <br /><br />Everything is built on the foundation that Jesus is God. <br /><br /><b>2. If you know Jesus, you know God. </b><br /><br />God with skin on (according to Dan's daughter). <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. </blockquote>
Jesus came so that we can know God.<br /><br />If you know the Son, you know the Father.<br /><br /><b>3. If you don't know Jesus, you can only know about God.</b><br /><br />You can learn about God in any religion. There is good in all religion. All religions will lead you closer to good (Pastor Dan believes that). It can't take you all the way there. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
I can see it now - at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here ... Depart from me. I never knew you.' Matthew 7:22-24 (Mes, NIV)</blockquote>
<b>There are many people who know a lot about God but do not really know God at all.</b><br /><br /><b>Do you know Jesus? He is God! And He is worth knowing!</b><br /><br /><i><b>Invitational (altar call) prayer</b></i><br /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jesus, I don't want to just know about you. I don't want to just have information in my head. I want to know you. So right now, Jesus, I am putting my life in your hands. Thank you for loving me. I am going to go after you. I want to follow you. I want to know you and love you back. Thanks for beginning this new journey with me today Jesus. I look forward to knowing you more and more. In Christ we prayer, Amen. </blockquote>
<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-28452961948068025932011-12-21T13:11:00.001-06:002011-12-21T13:11:03.110-06:00Book Review: Ready Player One by Cline<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9969571-ready-player-one" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Ready Player One" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320550569m/9969571.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9969571-ready-player-one">Ready Player One</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/31712.Ernest_Cline">Ernest Cline</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/201033853">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I must say <i>Ready Player One</i> easily and quickly became one of my funnest and most memorable reads of 2011. Wade Watts lives in the not too distant dystopian future (mostly in America, but implied world wide aftermath of the post-fossil fuel era). He (and the majority of what's left of humanity) escapes the ravages of poverty and orphanhood through the virtual OASIS reality. When the founder and creator of OASIS dies, he leaves his vast fortune (multi-billions) to whoever can find the egg he hid somewhere in the infinitely vast OASIS universe. Since Halliday obsessed on 80s culture, music, movies and early video games, he expected everyone else to join him. He succeeded posthumously by enshrining the clues to the egg in obscure 80s lore. <br />
<br />
Ah, the early geeky memories that flashed before my eyes. <br />
<br />
I played Zork and Adventure both. Neither of the two computers I grew up with were listed in the book: a home built Digital Group computer running a very early version of DOS and a Xerox 820 running C/PM. My favorite game (also not mentioned in the book), even more so than Adventure, was one called Nemesis by Supersoft. It's Rogue-like (which I prefer to an all-text based interactive story-type game like Adventure). I yearned to play it again, especially while reading the Second Gate section of <i>Ready Player One</i>, so I found a copy via a Google search. Now to find a C/PM emulator that will run on Windows (or Linus) so I can really revisit the 'good ole days.' <br />
<br />
Wargames and Ladyhawke are both two of my favorite movies from the 80s era and the play a significant role in the egg hunt. On the music font, Rush (one of my favorite bands, after Styx and Kansas) provided key elements to the final third of the quest. I almost dug around in my basement for my old dusty Rush albums, but left them to rest in peace. Besides, my husband's band covers older Rush songs so I get a Rush-fix at least once a week. <br />
<br />
I am very glad Cline didn't spend much time on the fashions of the day and I ignored most of the other music references (as I was a metal head and refused to listen to pop music). I played nearly all the arcade games mentioned EXCEPT for Tempest. <br />
<br />
I wanted more real world information, to learn about the fall of civilization and the consequences of ignoring the ever worsening and appalling conditions rising to destroy what's left of humanity. Some readers have likened Wade Watts to a 'Mary Sue' type character, which is hard to refute since the tale is told in first-person from his point of view. Characterization, aside from Wade, could have been fleshed out more. If a sequel is in the works, I look forward to a deeper look into this world and these characters. <br />
<br />
I highly recommend this novel to anyone with a smidgen of geekiness who also happens to be born in the mid-60s or very early 70s (i.e. were you a teenager during the 80s?).
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/899665-jon">View all my reviews</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-18301070536766829812011-12-21T10:46:00.003-06:002011-12-21T10:46:59.802-06:00Novella Review: The Machine Stops by Forster<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4711854-the-machine-stops" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Machine Stops " border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266900303m/4711854.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4711854-the-machine-stops">The Machine Stops</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2103.E_M_Forster">E.M. Forster</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/249381277">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
<b>3.5 stars</b><br />
<br />
I found this gem yesterday via Feedbooks public domain short stories listings. I raised my eyebrows when I saw E.M. Forster wrote a science fiction novella (in 1909). I love reading dystopian fiction, provided I space it between less depressing offerings. Forster surprised me with not one dystopian future, but two. His ideas mixed to form a somewhat steampunkish voluntary Matrix benevolent Terminator mashup.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/899665-jon">View all my reviews</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-6833850277441516452011-12-07T08:58:00.001-06:002011-12-07T09:16:42.748-06:00Seventy Infamous Days<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.al.com/live/photo/9102405-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://media.al.com/live/photo/9102405-large.jpg" height="253" src="http://media.al.com/live/photo/9102405-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The USS Arizona burns after the <br />
attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year, and today specifically, marks the 70th anniversary of <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/sch1xE" href="http://bit.ly/sch1xE" target="_blank">the attack on Pearl Harbor</a>.
For as long as I have been alive, each December 7th brought me the
voice of then President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaiming this day to be
"a date which will live in infamy." And so it has. Even one of my
favorite films immortalizes for future generations: <a data-mce-href="http://imdb.to/tYB5ha" href="http://imdb.to/tYB5ha" target="_blank">Tora! Tora! Tora!</a> (which I consider to be fairly historically accurate). The more dramatic and entertaining <a data-mce-href="http://imdb.to/sGLTUM" href="http://imdb.to/sGLTUM" target="_blank">Pearl Harbor released in 2001</a>
gets the blood surging, but does not satisfy me need to 'real life'
accuracy. Contrived romantic entanglements pale before the gritty
details and courage our soldiers exhibited under fire.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, while waiting for my bagel to toast at the lobby coffee shop, I picked up a free copy of the winter edition of '<a data-mce-href="http://odb.org/" href="http://odb.org/" target="_blank">Our Daily Bread</a>.'
Even though I follow them on Twitter, I often miss their daily tweets
because they occur so early in the morning or get lost in the other
Twitter clutter. Normally, I wouldn't have bothered beyond reading the
entry for yesterday and returning it to the stack for someone else to
benefit form its wisdom. But after the <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/prayer-request/" href="http://mossjon314159.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayer-request.html" title="Prayer Request">discouraging news</a>
I received Monday about my husband's health, I am seeking support and
encouragement at every turn. Now, I have a daily reminder on my desk to
connect me to hope and to encourage me to live in faith with God's
Will.<br />
<br />
Here's an excerpt from today's article entitled '<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/v1oCqd" href="http://bit.ly/v1oCqd" target="_blank">This Do In Remembrance</a>':<br />
<blockquote>
When
a US Navy vessel arrives or departs from the military bases in Pearl
Harbor, the crew of that ship lines up in dress uniform. They stand at
attention at arm’s length on the outer edges of the deck, in salute to
the soldiers, sailors, and civilians who died on December 7, 1941. It is
a stirring sight, and participants often list it among the most
memorable moments of their military career. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Even for spectators on
shore, the salute triggers an incredible emotional connection, but
especially between the servants of today and the servants of yesterday.
It grants nobility to the work of today’s sailor, while giving dignity
to the sacrifice of those from the past.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn8.wn.com/pd/3a/28/c352e2a09b2055e186cdfc9d8178_grande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://cdn8.wn.com/pd/3a/28/c352e2a09b2055e186cdfc9d8178_grande.jpg" height="262" src="http://cdn8.wn.com/pd/3a/28/c352e2a09b2055e186cdfc9d8178_grande.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
And I'll close with an excerpt from <a data-mce-href="http://1.usa.gov/u1Lj2Y" href="http://1.usa.gov/u1Lj2Y" target="_blank">President Barrack Obama's Proclamation for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (2011)</a> issued yesterday:<br />
<blockquote>
On
a serene Sunday morning 70 years ago, the skies above Pearl Harbor were
darkened by the bombs of Japanese forces in a surprise attack that
tested the resilience of our Armed Forces and the will of our Nation. As
explosions sounded and battleships burned, brave service members fought
back fiercely with everything they could find. Unbeknownst to these
selfless individuals, the sacrifices endured on that infamous day would
galvanize America and come to symbolize the mettle of a generation. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
In
the wake of the bombing of our harbor and the crippling of our Pacific
Fleet, there were those who declared the United States had been reduced
to a third-class power. But rather than break the spirit of our Nation,
the attack brought Americans together and fortified our resolve.
Patriots across our country answered the call to defend our way of life
at home and abroad. They crossed oceans and stormed beaches, freeing
millions from the grip of tyranny and proving that our military is the
greatest force for liberty and security the world has ever known. On the
home front, dedicated civilians supported the war effort by repairing
wrecked battleships, working in factories, and joining civilian defense
organizations to help with salvage programs and plant Victory gardens.
At this time of great strife, we reminded the world there is no
challenge we cannot meet; there is no challenge we cannot overcome. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
On
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the more than 3,500
Americans killed or wounded during that deadly attack and pay tribute to
the heroes whose courage ensured our Nation would recover from this
vicious blow. Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and
their valor fortified all who served during World War II. As a Nation,
we look to December 7, 1941, to draw strength from the example set by
these patriots and to honor all who have sacrificed for our freedoms.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pearlharborpictures.net/Pearl-Harbor-Memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://pearlharborpictures.net/Pearl-Harbor-Memorial.jpg" height="300" src="http://pearlharborpictures.net/Pearl-Harbor-Memorial.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-90866888430313874492011-12-06T08:24:00.001-06:002011-12-06T08:26:09.028-06:00Prayer Request<a href="http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Preying-or-praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignright" data-mce-src="http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Preying-or-praying.jpg" height="200" src="http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Preying-or-praying.jpg" width="120" /></a>Yesterday,
my husband received discouraging news from his doctor. The sort of
news, when piled on top of all his other health issues, that makes you
instantly angry, scared and depressed. We know more than we knew last
week, but we know less than we need to know to deal rationally with the
situation. Now a specialist is needed and more tests, all of which will
not occur fast enough to suit either of us, especially with the delays
in scheduling that the normally joyful holiday season will inflict on
us. Just when you need it most, patience and peace flee before the storm
of doubt and uncertainty.<br />
<br />
So, I'm sending out an appeal to family and friends to prayer for healing and comfort for my husband.<br />
<h2>
Healing Prayer</h2>
Dear Lord of Mercy and Father of Comfort,<br />
<br />
You
are the One I turn to for help in moments of weakness and times of
need. I ask you to be with my husband during this illness. <a data-mce-href="http://vref.me/nlt/ps107.20" href="http://vref.me/nlt/ps107.20" target="_blank">Psalm 107:20</a>
says that you send out your Word and heal. So then, please send your
healing Word to my husband. In the name of Jesus, the Great Physician,
drive out all infirmity and sickness from his body.<br />
<br />
Oh Lord, I ask
that you turn this weakness into strength, this suffering into
compassion, this sorrow into joy, and this pain into comfort for
others. May my husband trust in your goodness and hope in your
faithfulness, even in the midst of this suffering. Let him be filled
with patience and joy in your presence as he waits for your healing
touch.<br />
<br />
Please restore my husband to full health, dearest Father.
Remove all fear and doubt from his heart by the power of your Holy
Spirit. And may you, Lord, be glorified through his life. As you heal
and renew my husband, Lord, may he bless and praise you.<br />
<br />
All of this I pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<blockquote>
15
And the prayer that is said with faith will make the sick person well;
the Lord will heal that person. And if the person has sinned, the sins
will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things
happen.<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
<a data-mce-href="http://vref.me/ncv/jas5.15-16" href="http://vref.me/ncv/jas5.15-16" target="_blank">James 5:15-16 (New Century Version)</a></div>
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-15912749938310113012011-12-04T12:34:00.001-06:002011-12-04T12:35:29.627-06:00Book Review: My Luck Life In and Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke<a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9580315-my-lucky-life-in-and-out-of-show-business" data-mce-style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9580315-my-lucky-life-in-and-out-of-show-business" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business" border="0" data-mce-src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320409453l/9580315.jpg" data-mce-style="border: 1px solid black;" height="215" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320409453l/9580315.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" width="142" /></a><a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9580315-my-lucky-life-in-and-out-of-show-business" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9580315-my-lucky-life-in-and-out-of-show-business">My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business</a> by <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/866876.Dick_Van_Dyke" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/866876.Dick_Van_Dyke">Dick Van Dyke</a><br />
<br />
My rating: <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/237283268" href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/237283268">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I
barely read any non-fiction (outside of the technical writing found in
information technology reference guides) in any given year. When I do
branch out away from fiction, I prefer to read a biography,
autobiography or memoir, or a history book, usually on a particular
brief period.<br />
<br />
I breezed through <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/rrLBok" href="http://bit.ly/rrLBok">Dick Van Dyke</a>'s
autobiography quickly, probably because it felt like he sat in my
living regaling me with tales from his past in his engaging and witty
manner. His charm and good will bubbled out of the pages. Even the
troubles and tragedies he confessed only evoked my compassion or caring
in my assessment of him.<br />
<br />
A couple of excerpts that really struck a chord for me:<br />
<blockquote>
I
was all about living a kind, righteous, moral, forgiving, and loving
life seven-days a week, not just the one day when you went to church.
... And if there's not a higher power, no one's going to be worse for
the wear for his or her effort. Was there one way? No, not as far as I
could tell -- other than to feel loved, to love back, ... as simple as
making sure you spend time helping make life a little better for other
people.</blockquote>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
(from the Family Values chapter)</div>
<blockquote>
A
few years ago, I told Esquire magazine that the Buddhists boiled it
down to the essentials. They said you need three things in life:
something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. The
message does not get any clearer. I heard walt Disney, Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr., and Carl Reiner all say the same thing in their own way. Hope
is life's essential nutrient, and love is what gives life meaning. I
think you need somebody to love and take care of, and someone who loves
you back. In that sense, I think the New Testament got it right. So did
the Beatles. Without love, nothing has any meaning.</blockquote>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
(from the Curtain Calls chapter)</div>
<br />
When
I finished the book, I wanted to give him a big hug, but of course, I'm
too far away to do that. So I'll send him a little love for all the
laughs and love he's shared unconditionally with me, with all of us
really, for some many decades. As long as I've been alive, there's
always been a Dick Van Dyke to make me smile.<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/899665-jon" href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/899665-jon">View all my reviews</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-49169365399423983502011-12-02T08:48:00.001-06:002011-12-02T08:49:59.441-06:00To Occupy Christmas or Not?<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption alignleft" data-mce-style="width: 385px;" id="" style="width: 385px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"></dd></dl>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mossjon/6441445515/" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mossjon/6441445515/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo0990.jpg by mossjon, on Flickr"><img alt="" data-mce-src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6441445515_a3dec9cdcf.jpg" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6441445515_a3dec9cdcf.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallmark Lobby Christmas Tree <br />(with the Mayor's Christmas Tree in the background)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/saving-the-world-one-van-at-a-time/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/saving-the-world-one-van-at-a-time/" target="_blank" title="Saving the World One Van at a Time">drive a vanpool</a>
from Lansing to downtown, midtown and the Plaza areas of Kansas City,
Missouri every weekday. My final stop, before heading to my own work
place, is Crown Center, the 'home' of <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/th15vE" href="http://bit.ly/th15vE" target="_blank">Hallmark Cards</a>.
As you can see from the slightly blurry cellphone photo I took this
morning, the decorations at the world headquarters for Hallmark simply
exude the Spirit of Christmas. I need this extra immersion for
Christmas cheer to confront <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/return-of-the-unholidays/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/return-of-the-unholidays/" target="_blank" title="Return of the unHolidays">the gauntlet of bland and vaguely wintery decorations my building lobby</a>
sports. I left the house without my red and green ball Christmas tree
ornaments, so I can't 'occupy' the decorations today. And I have my
uncle to thank for that 'Occupy Christmas' idea, thanks to a comment he
posted to my post yesterday about the prevalence of unholiday
decorations littering the lobby.<br />
<br />
For the entire drive in this
morning, I kept thinking of picket sign slogans I could hand paint for
such an occupation, such as: "<strong>Jesus is the Reason for the Season</strong>" or "<strong>Put Christ Back in Christmas</strong>" or "<strong>The Cross (X) Marks the Spot</strong>" and so on. Rather than being the 99% we could be (and are) <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/gods-gift/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/gods-gift/" target="_blank" title="God’s Gift">100% loved by Him</a>. I know I'll be saying "<strong><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">Merry</span> <span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;">Christmas</span></strong>" rather than "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" for the next thirty or so days (until <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/three-wise-men-and-a-star/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/three-wise-men-and-a-star/" target="_blank" title="Three Wise Men and a Star">Epiphany</a> anyways).<br />
<br />
I'm
also curious about the decorations in the lobby of your workplace
buildings. Snap a photo with your cell phone and comment with the link
to participate in this unofficial and informal survey of corporate
expressions of Christmas (or unHoliday) cheer.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-46635130906832442112011-12-01T21:12:00.001-06:002011-12-01T21:18:52.572-06:00The Return of the unHolidays<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mossjon/6437250425/" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mossjon/6437250425/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo0989.jpg by mossjon, on Flickr"><img alt="" data-mce-src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6437250425_19bcbbf13c.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6437250425_19bcbbf13c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unHoliday Decorations II</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="mceTemp">
I
returned to work today after a long Thanksgiving break. As I
approached the elevators, I became concerned that a new form of fungus
had usurped our sedate lobby ferns. Then I remembered. The building
must have hired the same interior designer from last year's decorations (see below).
I am tempted to scrounge through my Christmas decorations at home and
bring in the largest brightest red and green balls to hang clandestinely
among the bleak colorless concoction displayed above. </div>
<div class="mceTemp">
</div>
<div class="mceTemp">
I'm getting depressed just looking at this picture. Ugh. </div>
<div class="mceTemp">
<br /></div>
<div class="mceTemp">
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/150577_459696046491_593211491_5555024_6593813_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/150577_459696046491_593211491_5555024_6593813_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unHoliday Decorations (2010 edition)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Is it just me, or does this creations seem to celebrate
autumn, rather than a traditional holiday occurring within a few days
of the winter solstice?<br />
<br />
Happy unHolidays?!?!</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-6364627240321252262011-11-30T09:38:00.001-06:002011-11-30T10:17:24.700-06:00With a Grateful HeartToday, I reach the end of my '<a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/thirty-days-of-thankfulness/" href="http://mossjon314159.blogspot.com/2011/11/thirty-days-of-thankfulness.html" title="Thirty Days of Thankfulness">Thirty Days of Thankfulness</a>'
series, but by no means have I reached the end of my blessings. I
barely scratched the surface of all the people, places and things I'm
grateful for. Each morning when I wake up, I'm thankful for my life, my
family, my friends, ... the list is never ending.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://stickyjesus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignright" data-mce-src="http://stickyjesus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Heart.jpg" height="200" src="http://stickyjesus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Heart.jpg" width="200" /></a>I
had grand ideas to post an appeal for world peace in this final entry,
beseeching each of us to 'Just Love' each other. And I don't mean the
people who are easy to love, like your family, your spouse, your kids,
your friends. I mean the people who make you boiling mad, who make you
foam at the mouth, the stranger (or country or ethnicity or religion or
political party ... you fill in the blank) that you verbally abuse or
berate via status updates. It's not enough to wait for them to change
or extend the olive branch. It must start with us. It must start with
you and it must start with me first.<br />
<br />
As much as I detest admitting
it, the Beatles (and John Lennon in particular) got something right
with 'All You Need is Love.' Jesus, though, is a hard act to follow:<br />
<blockquote>
He
said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer
and muscle and intelligence - and that you love your neighbor as well
as you do yourself."<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
<a data-mce-href="http://vref.me/msg/lu10.27" href="http://vref.me/msg/lu10.27" target="_blank">Luke 10:27 (The Message)</a></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
</div>
To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
<a data-mce-href="http://vref.me/msg/lu6.27" href="http://vref.me/msg/lu6.27" target="_blank">Luke 6:27 (The Message)</a></div>
</blockquote>
I
never said it would be easy (and neither did He). I can do my small
bit to bring about peace and hope in my small corner of the world.<br />
<br />
And
as we approach the season where we celebrate the Greatest Gift ever
given to such unworthy recipients, I would like to share two final
quotes. The first I consider my 'life verse' and refer to it frequently
when I need a reminder of where to keep my thoughts and the second is
an excerpt from the lyrics of a contemporary Christian hymn that often
plays as a soundtrack of thanksgiving for my mindscape.<br />
<blockquote>
Summing
it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and
meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling,
gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things
to praise, not things to curse.<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
<a data-mce-href="http://vref.me/msg/php4.8" href="http://vref.me/msg/php4.8" target="_blank">Philippians 4:8 (The Message)</a></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Give thanks with a grateful heart<br />
Give thanks unto the Holy One<br />
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son<br />
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"<br />
Let the poor say, "I am rich<br />
Because of what the Lord has done for us"<br />
Give thanks.<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: right;" style="text-align: right;">
Give Thanks by Don Moen</div>
</blockquote>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">
And
I wish to thank all of you who stayed with me through this month of
blogging. I assure you I will now return to my regularly scheduled
programming, meaning the occasional book or movie review with an
occasional odd tidbit tossed in for some added vim and vigor. I
sincerely appreciate that you took the time from your busy lives to
peruse my musings. I pray each and every one of you has a wonderful
life and spreads good cheer to all you meet.</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a data-mce-href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Muppet_christmas_carol.jpg/220px-Muppet_christmas_carol.jpg" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Muppet_christmas_carol.jpg/220px-Muppet_christmas_carol.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft" data-mce-src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Muppet_christmas_carol.jpg/220px-Muppet_christmas_carol.jpg" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Muppet_christmas_carol.jpg/220px-Muppet_christmas_carol.jpg" width="132" /></a>Oh, one final suggestion. I thought I'd share our family tradition (since the mid 90s) of re-watching the <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/vi0jNE" href="http://bit.ly/vi0jNE" target="_blank">Muppet Christmas Carol</a> each year around Christmas time. How can you go wrong with <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/u5cN6U" href="http://bit.ly/u5cN6U" target="_blank">Dicken</a>'s classic Christmas story, <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/u569bA" href="http://bit.ly/u569bA" target="_blank"><i>A Christmas Carol</i></a>,
and Muppets? The music isn't half bad (I even bought the songbook) and
the narrators are always good for a few laughs. Once Derek, Royna and
Rachelle arrive (two before and one after Christmas), we'll sit down one
evening and re-live the 'good old days' with Scrooge and Bob Cratchit.<br />
<br />
So I'll close with the lyrics to my favorite Muppet Christmas Carol song, written by Paul Williams, called '<i><b>A Thankful Heart</b></i>':<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
With a thankful heart, with an endless joy<br />
With a growing family, every girl and boy<br />
Will be nephew and niece to me (Nephew and niece to me)<br />
Will bring love, hope and peace to me (Love, hope and peace to me)<br />
Yes and every night will end, and every day will start<br />
With a grateful prayer and a thankful heart</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With an open smile and with open doors<br />
I will bid you welcome, what is mine is yours<br />
With a glass raised to toast your health (With a glass raised to toast your health)<br />
And a promise to share the wealth (Promise to share the wealth)<br />
I will sail a friendly course, file a friendly chart<br />
On A sea of love and a thankful heart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Life is like a journey, who knows when it ends?<br />
Yes and if you need to know the measure of a man<br />
You simply count his friends<br />
Stop and look around you, the glory that you see<br />
Is born again each day, don't let is slip away<br />
How precious life can be</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With a thankful heart that is wide awake<br />
I do make this promise, every breath I take<br />
Will be used now to sing your praise (Used now to sing your praise)<br />
And to beg you to share my days (Beg you to share my days)<br />
With a loving guarantee that even if we part<br />
I will hold you close in a thankful heart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will hold you close in a thankful heart</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-50487359235983539432011-11-29T17:35:00.001-06:002011-11-29T17:37:31.434-06:00Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/tPV1V8" href="http://bit.ly/tPV1V8" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright" data-mce-src="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop-img/1293657964093.jpg" height="225" src="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop-img/1293657964093.jpg" width="225" /></a>I realized a couple of weeks ago, when we received <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/so-long-samsung-welcome-whirlpool/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/so-long-samsung-welcome-whirlpool/" title="So Long Samsung; Welcome Whirlpool!">our new refrigerator</a>,
that I had been neglecting my sourdough starter when I removed the
crock from the shelf. I remembered to feed the starter this morning so
that I could bake a loaf of bread this afternoon while a roast cooked
in the crockpot. Since I'm up to my elbows in flour, I thought it
fitting to focus my next-to-the-last entry in my '<a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/thirty-days-of-thankfulness/" href="http://mossjon314159.blogspot.com/2011/11/thirty-days-of-thankfulness.html" title="Thirty Days of Thankfulness">Thirty Days of Thankfulness</a>' blog posting series on making and baking home-made bread.<br />
<br />
I
much prefer to bake my own bread. Yes, I occasionally breakdown and
purchase a loaf at the grocery store, but for the most part, I prefer to
control all the ingredients and I just adore the smell of fresh baked
bread. Nothing says 'Welcome Home' like bread baking in the oven. My
preferred flour, graciously available via my local Dillons grocery
store, comes from the <a data-mce-href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/" href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/" target="_blank">King Arthur Flour company</a>.
I live in Kansas, the wheat state, where the prized hard red winter
wheat is grown specifically for King Arthur Flour, which based in
Vermont since 1790 (KAF is 221 years old, 71 years older than Kansas,
which is celebrating it's <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/happy-150th-kansas/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/happy-150th-kansas/" target="_blank" title="Happy 150th Kansas!">150th birthday this year</a>).
In addition to having my flour shipped back from Vermont (albeit it
conveniently by my local grocery store), I do special order yeast (by
the pound), toppings and other handy gadgets a couple of times a year.
In fact, I recently took advantage of a free shipping sale to re-stock
my pantry. That's the kind of spam e-mail I like to receive (and why I
specifically opted in for their newsletter and e-mail notifications of
specials). I even ordered my sourdough starter (plus the crock shown
above) from KAF, because it's a descendant of a New England sourdough
that has been bubbling away there for over two hundred and fifty years!<br />
<br />
Once the sourdough starter bubbled up (three to four hours after feeding), I decided to take the 'easy route' today and make a <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/uLcNfm" href="http://bit.ly/uLcNfm" target="_blank">Rustic Sourdough</a>
loaf in my bread machine. The link above includes both a traditional
recipe and a bread machine version. I will include the latter in this
blog posting:<br />
<h2>
<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/vyY4jq" href="http://bit.ly/vyY4jq"><img alt="" data-mce-src="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop-img/1297872312854.jpg" height="225" src="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop-img/1297872312854.jpg" width="225" /></a></h2>
<h2>
<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/uLcNfm" href="http://bit.ly/uLcNfm" target="_blank">Rustic Sourdough</a></h2>
1 cup "fed" sourdough starter<br />
1 cup lukewarm water<br />
1 tablespoon sugar<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons salt<br />
3 cups King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour<br />
2 teaspoons instant yeast<br />
<br />
Place
the ingredients in the bread pan in the order suggested by the
manufacturer. Select the basic white cycle and desired crust and allow
the bread machine to do the rest.<br />
<br />
If you prefer to shape and bake
the loaf in your oven, then select the dough cycle. Remove the doug and
gently shape it into an oval loaf, placing it on a lightly greased or
parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise until very puffy, about
1 hour. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F.
Spray the loaves with lukewarm water. Make two fairly deep horizontal
slashes in each; a serrated bread knife, wielded firmly, works well
here.<br />
<br />
Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, until it's a very deep golden brown. Remove it form the oven, and cool on a rack.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">
Besides
sourdough, I enjoy making Italian supermarket-style bread, Honey Whole
Wheat variations and White Bread (made special for my dad). For more of
my recipes, which are frequently variations on recipes posted at the <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/ucO4A9" href="http://bit.ly/ucO4A9" target="_blank">King Arthur Flour web site</a>, please visit <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/sLpVRJ" href="http://bit.ly/sLpVRJ" target="_blank">My Bread Baking Epiphanies web page</a>.</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/ucO4A9" href="http://bit.ly/ucO4A9"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/images/kafheader.png" src="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/images/kafheader.png" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-66095299649274857922011-11-29T13:38:00.001-06:002011-11-29T13:42:23.002-06:00Belated ThanksI'm three days behind in posting for my 'Thirty Days of Thankfulness' series. I'm going to include links to those three entries hosted at my WordPress blog to save time and consternation (since Blogger frustrates me to no end). <br />
<br />
Day 26: <a href="http://bit.ly/u3Ytbo">Living on the Edge ... of the Terminator</a> (Sunrises/Sunsets) <br />
<br />
Day 27: <a href="http://bit.ly/sprpg7">Expectant Waiting</a> (Advent)<br />
<br />
Day 28: <a href="http://bit.ly/vjh99f">The I's Have It</a> (Interstates)<br />
<br />
The next two posts will return to the regular formatting you know and love. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-70804360322223609692011-11-26T09:53:00.001-06:002011-11-26T09:56:52.055-06:00Black Friday Underground<a data-mce-href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mossjon/6405258611/" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mossjon/6405258611/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="IMGP1993 by mossjon, on Flickr"><img alt="" class="alignright" data-mce-src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6405258611_1cb7ee4b6b.jpg" height="200" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6405258611_1cb7ee4b6b.jpg" width="300" /></a>I
spent Black Friday attempting to avoid shopping. Our one foray out in
the late morning gleaned no deals we couldn't walk away from. Derek and
Royna found a couple of items for her Ipad 2 and wandered around a mall
for an hour while Terry and I snoozed in the Bonneville. After all
that excitement, Terry and I headed back to Denton to help Rachelle
transport her new Yamaha keyboard to the <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/vHECv5" href="http://bit.ly/vHECv5" target="_blank">Abbey Underground</a> for that evening's performance of <i><b>"All in the Family: Putting the 'FUN' in Dysfunctional"</b></i> by the <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/t2x2n7" href="http://bit.ly/t2x2n7" target="_blank">North Texas Opera on Tap</a> performers.<br />
<br />
I had planned that my twenty-fifth installment in my '<a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/thirty-days-of-thankfulness/" href="http://mossjon314159.blogspot.com/2011/11/thirty-days-of-thankfulness.html" title="Thirty Days of Thankfulness">Thirty Days of Thankfulness</a>'
would be about family vacations, but instead I feel very thankful for
live music. The Abbey Underground venue provided a fantastic atmosphere
to enjoy the company of friends and family, relax with your favorite
beverage and appreciate the talents of local vocal performers, including
my daughter (an under-graduate at UNT), graduate students, doctoral
candidates, UNT faculty and Dallas Opera regulars. The selections
consisted of arias, duets and ensembles from several operas, including
Mozart's <i>Cosi Fan Tutte</i> (Rachelle sang a Dorabella aria) and the <i>Marriage of Figaro</i>; <i>Hansel and Gretel</i> by Humperdinck; Handel's <i>Serse</i> (or <i>Xerxes</i>); Verdi's <i>MacBeth </i>and <i>La Traviata</i>; Puccini's <i>Gianni Schicchi</i>.<br />
<br />
My
husband noted the nice stage size and excellent sound system available
for live performances. Compared to some of the places his band,
WolfGuard, has performed, the Abbey Underground facilities shined. And
even though we were in the basement, everything was well lit and clean
and the patrons refrained from smoking (at the courteous request of the
vocal performers) so we were spared the usual night club haze and
miasma. The only thing that keeps me from attending more local live
music venues is whether or not the club hosting the concert allows
smoking. I refuse to subject my lungs to the second hand smoke.<br />
<br />
Another
aspect of live performance in a small venue that I love is the
opportunity to meet performers and experience the energy often generated
in the feedback from the audience to the performance. It's live, it's
impromptu at times, and it's definitely not <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/v82Pav" href="http://bit.ly/v82Pav" target="_blank">Memorex</a>,
even though I did capture a couple of the numbers with my video
camera. I'll get those uploaded to YouTube later this weekend (the
camera is in Denton and I'm currently at my son's apartment in the
Colony).<br />
<br />
Opera on Tap finished off a great week and and put paid
to Black Friday, bringing great opera performances to the masses
congregating underground in Denton.<br />
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" data-mce-style="width: 510px;" id="" style="width: 510px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mossjon/6405258199/" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mossjon/6405258199/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMGP1998 by mossjon, on Flickr"><img alt="IMGP1998" data-mce-src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6405258199_5f1155e0d3.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6405258199_5f1155e0d3.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Texas Opera on Tap (Abbey Underground, Black Friday Show, Nov 2011)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><br data-mce-bogus="1" /></dt>
</dl>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-26962643482145653562011-11-24T18:57:00.001-06:002011-11-24T19:00:06.653-06:00Giving Thanks<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/imgp1984.jpg" href="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/imgp1984.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2007" data-mce-src="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/imgp1984.jpg?w=300" height="211" src="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/imgp1984.jpg?w=300" title="North Texas Thanksgiving II" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Texas Thanksgiving II</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And so I've reached the penultimate day in my '<a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/thirty-days-of-thankfulness/" href="http://mossjon314159.blogspot.com/2011/11/thirty-days-of-thankfulness.html" title="Thirty Days of Thankfulness">Thirty Days of Thankfulness</a>'
series. No, it's not the final day, since this marks the twenty-fourth
posting with six more to go, but it is the traditional holiday date to
give thanks for all my countless blessings.<br />
<br />
I'm extremely thankful
that I didn't actually have to roast a turkey. Thanks to a friend of
my daughter's, we had an exquisitely smoked turkey as well as a
marvelous spiral cut ham to go with our many traditional side dishes.
We did somehow manage to leave the cranberry sauce in Denton but no one
is pointing fingers as to who rushed who out of the apartment. He did
make an excellent gravy.<br />
<br />
We've just cracked into the pies. The
sticky buns batch I made this morning disappeared within a few minutes
of coming out of the oven, so the pies are all that's left to fill in
whatever gaps might be left in our stomachs.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/imgp1987.jpg" href="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/imgp1987.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2008 " data-mce-src="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/imgp1987.jpg?w=300" height="199" src="http://mossjon314159.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/imgp1987.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachelle and Terry seated at Derek's Transformer-like Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We
had some lively dinner discussion topics around my son's interesting
dining room table. Their apartment's kitchen is a vast improvement over
the one they had at the other apartment. The chairs are very
comfortable and we enjoyed the food and the debates with equal relish.
Some of us have drifted off into a food coma, others watched a movie, or
played video games or, in my case, snuck off to write this quick blog
post to recap the highlight of my November for the last three years.
The long drive to North Texas from Northeastern Kansas is well worth the
backaches and road hypnosis to spend a few precious days with my kids.
No matter how connected we may think we are thanks to the Internet, or
technology, or cell phones, or tex messages, it just can't beat the
up-close and personal reach-out-and-hug-your-loved one kind of
experience.<br />
<br />
This may be our final North Texas Thanksgiving
gathering with both kids attending. It will all depend on Rachelle's
graduate school auditions and selection process. Next year, I may have
to decide between a Colorado or Chicago Thanksgiving with Rachelle or
returning to North Texas to visit Derek and Royna.<br />
But I won't
dwell on a situation that doesn't yet exist and may not be an issue as I
just remembered that we will be in Texas next November no matter what
for the inaugural Formula One race to be held at the <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/s7VsRI" href="http://bit.ly/s7VsRI" target="_blank">Circuit of the Americas</a> scheduled to occur just four days after my husband's birthday.<br />
<br />
Today,
I'm just thankful to be here with my kids, their significant others and
my husband, all together under one roof. If only <a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/rottweiler-rising/" href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/rottweiler-rising/" target="_blank" title="Rottweiler Rising">Roxy and Apollo</a> could be here as well, then my life would be complete.<br />
<div class="mceTemp">
<h2>
<i><b>Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and friends. </b></i></h2>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684077885739538924.post-21490854984643086522011-11-24T08:54:00.001-06:002011-11-24T09:02:28.154-06:00Sticky Buns<br />
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I am thankful to have made it safe and sound through two states to visit my children. So, for my twenty-third installment of '<a data-mce-href="http://mossjon314159.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/thirty-days-of-thankfulness/" href="http://mossjon314159.blogspot.com/2011/11/thirty-days-of-thankfulness.html" style="color: #0066cc; line-height: 1.5;" title="Thirty Days of Thankfulness">Thirty Days of Thankfulness</a>,' I wish to share their (and mine) perennial favorite: <a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/uSMgjq" href="http://bit.ly/uSMgjq" style="color: #0066cc; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Sticky Buns</a> (follow the link for the recipe and detailed instructions with photos).<br />
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Nearly the first thing I did upon arriving at my daughter's apartment was to inventory her pantry and then head to the largest Kroger grocery store in the state of Texas. As expected, since it was early evening on the day before Thanksgiving, the aisles were jam packed, especially the baking aisle. We survived with most of our limbs intact and only forgetting one item, which we had forgotten to place on our grocery list.<br />
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Once back at the apartment, I installed my old bread machine and began mixing up a batch of the sticky buns, using the dough setting on the bread machine. Since it was close to eight o'clock, I knew I would be up way past my bedtime. While my husband and daughter's boyfriend headed over to a friend's house who had graciously agreed to smoke a turkey for us, Rach3elle and I streamed a couple of old Star Trek: Voyager episodes from the sixth season, ones I didn't remember but were quite interesting none-the-less.<br />
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We decided to go ahead and bake the first batch of sticky buns last night, using my daughter's large 9x13 inch glass baking dish. I wasn't completely satisfied with the way the dough mixed and rose, so I wanted to be able to test taste it in case I needed to re-do a batch early in the morning. Another strange new experience for me: cooking with gas. My daughter's kitchen apartment includes a Hotpoint gas range. I have only ever cooked using electric ovens. Interesting.<br />
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The sticky buns came out of the over around 11:30 but when we flipped them over onto a large cookie sheet, several rolls around the edges stuck to the sides and came unraveled. Prime targets for a taste test. The results were superb but I would need to make another batch in the morning to fine-tune the recipe. While I had purchased what I thought was non-fat dry milk at the grocery store, it was actually labelled 'instant' (I really should where my reading glasses while shopping), so I put an eighth to a quarter cup of half-and-half in the liquid portion of the recipe. This morning, I decided to forgo any dairy aspect of the recipe and the dough does look like it is rising better.<br />
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I sometimes make this recipe up for friends and family, but I don't bake it for them. I send them a batch in a disposable aluminum foil pan with instructions on refrigeration, rising and baking so that they can enjoy this treat fresh out of the oven, sticky, gooey and hot, just like it's meant to be enjoyed.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!</h1>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00577207213001828243noreply@blogger.com0