He Had A Dream, So Should We All...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Today I, like many Americans, am remembering back to a time when I, as a little white girl, knew nothing of injustice, racism and hate. I would soon learn that these things existed. I remember seeing them on our Television. I remember my Papa sitting us down to talk about what we saw. I remember papa showing us by example that all people deserved our respect no matter their color or ethnicity. 

I also learned that there was a man who led thousands maybe millions to have a dream. I know he led me to believe there was place where all of mankind were equal. 

Yesterday in Bible study we discussed injustice and what a Christian should do. To many times we sit quietly by and say or do nothing. We know in our souls actions, words, and treatment of others is wrong, yet we do nothing. My Papa told me that day so long ago, that when we do nothing to stop what is wrong. We are worse creatures then those who do the wrong. I was again reminded today that we have not yet reached the place Where Dr. King was looking toward. We have come a long way toward the Dream, but we are not there yet. I want to recommit today as I remember Dr. King and his message. To always stand for the Right, to never tolerate injustice to any man, woman, or child. 

I would like to Honor Dr. King with reading and repeating these precious words of that speech he made so long ago. You can read the speech in it's entirety here.    

He had a Dream, So should we all. 

"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today my friends -- so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day, this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning "My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my father's died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!"

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi -- from every mountainside.

Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring -- when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children -- black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics -- will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

The Passing Of A Ky. Friend...

This is our friend Earl aka: Whiskers.. He sure was something. A Ky. friend of several years. One of those characters you don't soon forget. He was all rough and gruff on the outside.

Whiskers was like many from small southern towns. He lived in the same area his whole life. He married a girl there, bought a home and lived there, raised his family there, and died there. Peacefully, at home. All in the same house. No moving around.

He worked as many in the area, in coalmines. He had a quick wit. He was blunt. You never wondered what Whiskers was thinking. He told you.

Today I feel his loss. I spoke to a mutual friend about that old Whiskers.. That sassy, fun loving, full of stories,  sharp old truck driving, mustang racing, Nascar fan.. His boots always shined. A wide stride. A man who walked and lived with a purpose. Gruff and Tuff..

I'm gonna miss you dear friend.. Sleep peacefully.. tell Brenda we all said hey..

Here Comes Winter...

After a December that was the 7th warmest on record in Flint and the 5th warmest in recorded history in the Tri-Cities coupled with a January that so far seemed on track for the same thing, payback is almost here. Payback in the form of our first significant snowfall since late November. Check out the full story here.

I loved this December. it was wonderful. I didn't have to stay home even one time because of the weather or nasty roads. January has seen a few 50 degree days. One report said that temps this warm in January haven't been seen since the 1940's.  Wow, that means that I have never, in all my 50+ years, seen a January this warm. I've seen this one, and I LIKE IT.... 

I knew that these sunny warm days couldn't last forever. Even now I feel colder. The news is already warning of icy, messy roads for the morning. I have to go out. There is a funeral dinner tomorrow. I dread having to get up early so I can salt the sidewalk and scrape the ice off the windshield. I am thankful that we should only see a couple of inches of snow. Hopefully the road crews will be out early and the main roads will be decent. 

Our road is always the worst. The salt trucks may come down this way in a couple of days. We just have to hope we can make it up to the main road. 

I have all my stuff ready. It's part of living in Michigan. I have my heavy coats, scarves, gloves, boots, and assorted hats ready the middle of October. They have been sitting and patiently waiting. I guess tomorrow Winter comes, and it looks like she will stay for a while.. 

. 

I"m Beginning To Wonder About Some Things....

YES, I'm a little Husky.. well, maybe a lot Husky, OK, I'm Fat.

I admit it. Yes, I know it. Yes, my friends and family lovingly try to help me improve my eating, and encourage exercise. I love them for that. 

I do NOT however like that my local grocery store thought I was fat. 

How's that you say.. Well, you know those lovely little machines that spit out coupons along with your receipt? Well I got a lovely little coupon when I checked out Yesterday. I didn't look at it then. 

Later that afternoon I grabbed my receipts and that catalina coupon out of my purse. I saw save $7. 

I thought " woo hoo I've hit the jackpot".. 

Uh, NO.. the coupon was for $7 off diet pills. I immediately started to wonder about a few things. 

Is there a scale hidden under the floor in front of the cashier? 

Are they keeping track of all the "high calorie" food I buy in their store? 

Are the Camera's recording my appearance from month to month and seeing a weight change ?

Did one of the store employees see me eating that peanut butter cup in aisle 3 ???  

I had to laugh...  Thankfully I have a pretty good sense of Humor. 

I think if the catalina machine spits out a diet product coupon I need to accept it.. 

I also feel the need to pass it on to one of you who read this.. 

Just let me know who would like that coupon. 

I'll be sure to send it right our to you.  

LOL  

I Think I may just change stores for a while too.. 

Oh The Excitement Of A New Calendar...

Happy 2012 

I am so ready to start a new year. I bet you are too. 

I was just telling our ladies prayer group yesterday how I love my new Calendar. It's so nice and new and pristine. So full of promise for the New Year.. 

I spent the day filling in my calendars. (I have 3) I add all the birthdays, meetings, and events I know about already. It's such an exciting time. I can already see that this year is full of exciting things.. 

We will be celebrating the birth of our first Great Grandchild in March. 

Hubby will be 65 in March.. LOL  Medicare here he comes. 

Our only granddaughter will be 18 in May. 

I have a niece getting married in August, and a grandson turning 18 in December. 

So many great events to look forward to already. 

I see the pretty empty squares on my calender and I'm excited. 

I know adventures await me. Vacations, visits, outings, dinners, and celebrations. 

parties, meetings, garden planting and harvesting. 

The calenders themselves tell me of special days for remembering loved ones, waving my Flag, and the best fishing days. 

The New Year has begun.  

I see it in my calender, all fresh and white and new. 

I can't wait... 

When The Song Of the Angels Is Stilled....

When the song of the angels is stilled, 

When the star in the sky is gone, 

when the Kings and princes are home, 

when the shepherds are back with their flock, 

The work of Christmas begins: 

To find the lost,

to heal the broken, 

to feed the hungry, 

to release the prisoner, 

to rebuild the Nations, 

to bring peace. 

To make music in the heart. 

Howard Thurman, American author, 

civil rights leader, and theologian

(1899-1981)

Our Family Christmas Adventure...

The week before Christmas started off great. I was ready, I was prepared. Well, I thought I was. 

I had forgotten that when I think all is well with everything; Something happens that I was NOT expecting. 

This time it was my Truck not starting. The old girl usually gives out on us every Winter, but normally it waits till the first or second week in January. This time it thought we needed a Christmas surprise. 

Thankfully our Neighbor and Friend Ron,  got us right in and found the problem. Our Distributor cap is on the back wall of the truck. When it's rainy and damp it lets moisture into the cap and corrodes it. It was replaced and sealed to help stop this from happening. I also found out I need a new water pump. Thankfully I could wait until Dec. 28th to get it put in. So that takes care of my plans for Wed. this week. 

Christmas Eve Husband and I spent at home. I think we had a touch of some kind of stomach bug. We both felt puny all day. I hated missing the Hubby's family Christmas.. Missed My family's too. We'll catch them next time. 

Christmas Day was full of adventure too. Dinner a couple of hours late.. sickness, getting rides to and from in sync, But finally we were ready for the fun. We all ate in shifts since we showed up in shifts. so that was kind of fun cause we all got to sit at the table. Then it was gift opening time. WE loved it.. So many thoughtful and sweet gifts. We all had a blast.. 

The Day after Christmas was spent perusing the local Wal-mart, K-mart, Target, and Meijers. Looking for deals on Christmas stuff and gifts for next year. I got myself a new dish drainer and a new can opener. woot woot.. I also found another Chef's mat. I got one for a gift and loved it. I had put it on my list of things to look for cause I wanted another one for in front of the stove. Low and behold I found one.. there was only one left so I grabbed it. I also got a few gifts for next year. 

The weather here was so great.. almost 50 and Sunny. (unheard of in Michigan this time of year) We took down the outside decorations. I"m leaving the inside decorations in place for a while yet. I love looking at them and it's always so dreary and dull when all the bright sparklies are put away. 

Today I'm watching it snow and cleaning up the kitchen. There will be a pot of bean soup on the stove soon. I  can't wait to use that Ham bone from Christmas dinner. There will also be a big pan of Cornbread to go with. 

I love Christmas even when it's full of adventure..