Some Ants Toot- and thanks to my Editor

Wow. How have I gone over a year without watching the promise-to-make-you-giggle-age-old-tried-and-true-tested-strong-bad-emails?!
I know, I know, the 'immature', 'pointless', and 'dated graphics', with sometimes 'rude' behaviors may not bring a smile to everyone's face. But, wow.  This episode really makes my day.

"Some ants toot. Tee Hee."  It's really pretty priceless.  My husband pretty much serves as my white-out-editor like SB.  I really shouldn't write anything without his skills or my sentences/ paragraphs turn 'pauline' and go on, and on, and on.  Luckily, my hubby also has the ability to make sense of my nonsense in other ways too, like recognizing my many mispellings misspellings.  Thanks toots!

Speaking of Ants... they are crawling everywhere in this country home.  While writing this I've seen at least 3 crawl across the desk... either that, or one little guy is doing laps. Nope, there is more than one, I just spotted two at once.

What's your favorite SB email?

Treasure Island

Last month we finished up our second fiction book Treasure Island.  It went much faster than Robin Hood!  In all it was fairly enjoyable.  I suppose what impresses me more is the influence the book had on starting pirate trends-- such as the one-eyed pirate, the one-legged pirate, the parrot on the shoulder, and even the character of Long John Silver.

Cook & Pirate

Turned Chain-Food Store

Before reading the book, I had no idea that Long John Silver character was a 'bad guy'.  For some reason the fact that he was a pirate never clued me in to the murky moral substance of the man. It's interesting how we've turned something so clearly abhorrent (stealing, looting, deception, drunkenness, etc.) into a cute children's dress up play game. 

And of course, while I laughingly sang the "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" song with the rest of Veggie Tales fans, I wasn't (and am still not) concerned that the silliness of the song was sanctioning piracy.  Interestingly, the song turned to children's movie... but I haven't seen it, so will leave the critique for the movie critics!

I suppose the concept of pirates is one of a longing for adventure and treasure on the great open seas.  Something most of us know very little to nothing about and so it's appealing.  What I do appreciate about the real book Treasure Island is that it does not celebrate this occupation.  Long John is certainly no hero, but really a man to be pitied.  While his personality was likable, it was clear that his moral character was despicable, and that two-facedness about him made him even more so.

This is a good 'coming of age' book which could offer quite a bit of dialogue about loyalty, obedience, and courage.  It is most likely suited for the 8-13 year old who is beginning to understand the complexities of life.

Interestingly, the next book Master D and I picked up to read through during his 'play times' is The Magicians Nephew, the first of C.S. Lewis Chronicles Series mentions Treasure Island within its first few pages.  The Magician's Nephew, which was written last, is actually the prequel to The Lion & the Witch & The Wardrobe.  I am excited to savor Lewis's children's novels as I did not read them as a child.  Although, I have said he is my favorite author, I have mainly read his non fiction work.

What is your favorite Lewis book?

Mood Rings and Mood Dials

Master D just got a baby book that has baby faces on each page of different moods.  He loves it.  See five different photos of a sad baby, an angry baby, a silly baby, a happy baby, a sleepy baby and so on.  Amazing that even infants can read faces and understand the mood of another-- even mirroring it.

Moods are incredibly mysterious.  I am always trying to attempt to explain them... he/she/I/you am grumpy/happy/annoyed because of...
But sometimes there is no real explanation... even then I want to say, "they woke up on the wrong side of the bed."  Isn't it strange how you can wake up in a good or bad mood?  I'm sure these matters can be explained chemically in the brain, but even then, do we know why our chemicals do what they do?  It is certainly hard to parse out the difference of a physical/emotional/spiritual mood.

My 'down' state of the last few months was a real battle, it was the ditch that I had to 'climb out of' each day.  Being joyful took a real effort as my anxieties seemed to crowd out peace.  It was illusive despite my attempts to grab it or find it through exercise, Bible reading, knowledge, etc.  I'm sure my hubby would have appreciated a 'mood ring' on my hand that would make him aware of my delicate state... perhaps a 'mood dial' would be better.  We are currently reading a sci-fi book where people can dial in the mood they desire on their machine in order to feel what they desire.  Sometimes, I wish it was as simple as that.

There is something so incredibly human about having moods.  I like to attribute moods to our pets Gill (snake) and Jericho (cat).  And while, I might be somewhat accurate with Jericho-- I think he really has about 6 moods-- feisty, playful, cuddly, sleepy and bored.  On our playful 'face your feelings' chart taped to the refrigerator there are over 88 moods-- and I'm sure the list isn't exhaustive.  That's an insane amount of nuances to this little thing we call 'mood'.  And we love to share our moods with others!  Isn't that the whole point of bookface updates?  I want the world to know MY mood!

And understandably so.  To recognize and reflect another's mood can be healing-- it is the mark of empathy.  To mourn when another mourns and rejoice when another rejoices. (Romans 12:5)  In this sci-fi book the very ability to empathize properly is the litmus test whether it is a person or android.   I guess the question is ... how human are you?

 Gratefully God does not chastise our change and torrent of emotions, He is the great sympathizer.  The one who will "comfort those who mourn" (Matthew 5:4) understanding our weakness (Hebrews 4:15).  Somehow this ability to feel is incredibly marked from our Maker. 

Robin Hood Manhood

First of all, I have some disclaimers.
1. I am not a man.  2.  I am not Robin Hood  3. I likely have no idea what it would really like to be either.

With that said, I have a few gripes about this famous hero.  I'm a mere 25 pages from completing the 250 Robin Hood rendition by Howard Pyle.  It's been a long go of it, since I have been reading it out loud to my "charge" for the past 6 months!  It began as an attempt to regain sanity from reading some mindless children books.  I figured a small baby doesn't really care what you are saying, they're just needing to hear words.  However, if Master D's first few words are "Thee & Thou" and if later in childhood he calls his little guy friends who claim their territories in their backyards "yeoman", than it is my fault.

I grew up enjoying the cartoon rendition of Robin Hood.  It never really hurt my sensibilities that he 'stole from the rich to give to the poor', but as I reflect upon the writing of the 'real' book, it seems a little pompous of Robin Hood to feel he has the ability to redistribute the wealth.  In fact, I don't recall 'giving it to those in need' being a main theme of what he does with the money.  Rather, it often supports his large band of men, who have decided to forsake honest labor and live as renegades and rabble-rousers in the woods.

Now perhaps it is unfair to ask our 'superheroes' to live to the same social norms that we are called to.  But, what I don't like is that each chance he gets, he allures the best and brightest and gathers him to his posse to join a life of merriment, adventure, and hunting.  It reminds me a bit of Peter Pan's lost boys who never want to grow up.  They're something wrong with that, in fact our society is filled with adults who have no intention to 'grow up'.

The definition to 'manhood' includes other nouns like masculinity, spirit, strength, resolution, courage, determination, bravery, fortitude, mettle, firmness, hardihood, etc.  While at times Robin Hood displays an amazing amount of spirit, resolution and determination, it is often against the law (albeit an often corrupt law) and his 'bravery' must be called upon because of his very resolve to find trouble.  However, there are a few occasions where he uses his strength and courage for the welfare of others, which is to be commended.  I suppose when it comes down to it, I'm saddened that these 'heros' are off fighting battles (often that they pick) and have abandoned society and family life.

I think there's a great deal of resolution, bravery and maturity that it takes to live an ordinary life.  One where a man must sacrifice daily and look not only to the needs and interests of himself.  So, three cheers to my husband.  Thank you honey, for not running off into the woods and playing with bows and arrows, but being willing to give up some game in order to have our shared adventure of life!

There seem to be a lot of people addressing this need for 'manhood' in our culture, here are a few resources I've heard:  

 Stepping Up by Dennis Rainey the host of Family Life Today

  

Men's Fraternity by Robert M. Lewis

 

And how could I forget Wild at Heart by John Eldridge

Any thoughts or suggestions on manhood resources?
Any good adventurous books that we'd actually want our 'Little Men' to emulate?

 

A Wicked Linneage, Even Child Prodigy Derails in Midlife Crisis

(A sad & scary story not to be read at bedtime.)

Once upon a time there was a vile king (we'll call J-ram) who had a father (J-phat) that had served God and the people when he was king. But J-ram didn't care about anyone but himself and many people in his kingdom revolted.  He was so bad that God made him die of an awful and painful disease.  Because he had been so wicked no one was sad he was dead. He died 'to no one's regret'.  

J-ram's son (whom we'll call Ah-ziah, like a bad sneeze) was just as bad as his dad.  He killed all of his older brothers so that he could be king.  Jehu was a righteous man who was sick of all the evil Ah-ziah had done, so he took out the rest of J-ram's grandkids and Ah-ziah to make sure the evil stopped. 

But the crazy queen mother (wife of J-ram, who we'll call Atha-liar) was so upset that her wicked son Ah-ziah (the king) was killed she murdered all the rest of the royal family so that she could reign.  Secretly a princess (J-the-best) hid one of the royal family, baby Joash, so he wouldn't die. Joash was hidden in the temple for six years while Atha-liar, the wicked queen ruled the land.

When Joash was seven years old a priest (we'll call Je-da) gathered together all the other priests and organized a revolt.  The priests were to protect the young Joash and have them stand guard so that they could put the crown on him and anoint him as king.  When Atha-liar heard everyone yell "Long live the king!"  She knew she was busted and her evil reign over.  She was punished in the same manner she had gained the throne.

Joash reigned for 40 years!  He made a covenant with God and the people to do what was right.  He even repaired the house of God so that it was no longer in shambles and Je-da, the priest gave him good counsel.  Sadly, after a long life Je-da died.  He was such a help that even though he was a priest he was buried with the kings. (Unlike the previous kings J-ram & Ah-ziah who the people buried elsewhere. They didn't deserve the honor.)

Now, you would think Joash would continue to honor God and the people.  He had served them and had been blessed by doing what was right.  But Joash liked the approval of others more than God, and when some bad princes came and told him to serve other gods, he listened.  Perhaps he was insecure and wanting friends, "the little king who had grown up too fast" and who had missed out on his "teenage rebellion stage", but  unfortunately his midlife crisis would effect more than just him.  God cared about Joash and the people he led.  God sent Je-da's son, Zechariah (Zeek for short) to tell Joahs to "Knock it off!"  But Joash put mud in his ears and stuck his tongue out (okay, not really).  He actually did much worse than that.  Joash didn't want to hear that he had messed up, so he killed Zeek.  Zeek, the very son of the man (Je-da the priest) who had protected, cared, and counseled him.

Well, as you can imagine, God was not very happy with Joash.  God allowed a smaller army to over take Joash's army.  Joash was wounded in battle and survived, but his servants killed him anyway because they thought what he did to Zeek was wrong.  And again, no one wanted to bury him with the kings because he had been B-A-D.  

And that my friends is an excerpt from the Chronicler.  Real stories, told real fast, with real lessons to be learned.  

One:  Listen to God, He actually wants your Best, 

Two:  Listen to people who also follow God, they're not selfish morons, 

Three:  Don't listen to people who want to take God's glory and give it to another,  

Four: The worship of things other than God (idols) brings about death and destruction.

Bible Characters: (2 Chronicles 21-24)

KINGS 

J-phat (Good King)  Jehosaphat

J-ram (Awful King)  Jehoram

Ah-ziah (Wicked King) Ahaziah

Atha-liar (Evil Queen) Althaliah

Joash (Good Guy turned B-A-D) as himself

The good 'guys'

Jehu (warrior) as himself 

J-the-best (Princess) Jehoshabeath

Jehoiada (Priest) Je-da

Zeek (Prophet)  Zechariah

Imaginary Holidays

Well, its continuing to look a lot like winter to me which must mean that good ol' groundhog knows what he's talking about. ;)  Luckily, he doesn't control the actual spring equinox.  I'm grateful the sun is shining a little bit longer each day.  I no longer have to drive in utter darkness to and from work!  And yes, despite the ice skating rink outside, I only had one day of work off this week.  But don't worry, if you're the only crazy person on the road it's a lot safer. :)

Good thing I correctly interpreted that there would be some "new" things in our future.  I should start writing for the new astrological sign that's got everyone in a horiscope tizzy. Because I've been banking that all along I took initiative, courage and determination due to my sign(Aries), but I actually am compassionate and charitable nature (Pisces).  Guess they forgot to mention, I speed when driving, shop sales only, and don't like that people think I'm 'blond' (I prefer golden brown).  And if I did write up a scope, I'd make sure tell them that February is going to be a shorter month than next year, but don't worry in time it will return to normal. 


Do you ever think that people came up with Groundhogs Day and Valentines Day just because they got really bored in the winter?  Why not confuse/ depress everyone with a strange rodent that predicts the weather and then shoot them with an arrow and tell them to fall in love, or at least eat some candy hearts, bad chocolate, or make a craft.  And for those who truly pride themselves on being patriotic there's President's day to celebrate only a few days later! Yippee.


Next thing you know March will have a holiday where a lion devours a lamb and sees how long the mud season will last. (Depending on whether he eats the chops or mutton first or whether he sautees it with rosemary.) I'm going to call that holiday Lamb Chop after the late great PBS show. You know the "It's lamb chops play along where kids come to play along and fun things are all we ever do."
Although, it might be sad to have such a grotesque way of determining how long the mud season will last... perhaps I'll exchange the live animals for puppets so no one gets hurt.  That would be more in the Shari Lewis spirit.

What made up winter holidays do you want to create?

Failed Figgy

We tried really hard to go Christmas caroling this past season.  I had it all planned out, even some sweet ideas for the after/warming party.
 
Hot Chocolate check
Peppermint Candy Canes check
Wood for Bonfire in Back Yard check
Printed Carol Books check
Small Group on Board check
Place to go Caroling. BUZZARD

Ya, so apparently the not so neighborly apartments nearby said a big fat 'NO" to our good cheer and door knocking.  They did offer us to arrange to sing in their lobby; however, I really don't think we had practiced for that kind of 'show time'. ;)  And I didn't think that random door ringing and singing would bode well in our 'hood, especially with mini people (children all under the age 4) and thermometers reading less than 15 degrees.

Fortunately, another member of our small group knew of a elderly? rehabilitation center that welcomed guests.  So, hoo-ra, we're up and running again.  Plans are made, caroling book printed, and BUZZARD I got off work super late.  So late, that by the time I picked up my hubby (yes, we are a one car family) and drove there, they would be packing up their vocal chords.

Drat, we were really up to singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and getting loads of figgy pudding.  Maybe next year?  I kept my sing-a-long book and made my husband sing a carol with me every night at dinner to get my fix in. Cuz, "I won't go until I get some" and a "Happy New Year!"