The Mind

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to 
shut it again on something solid." 
           
             -G. K. Chesterton-

Memorial Day

So I never really think about all those holidays like Labor Day and Presidents Day etc.

But just this past month or so some things really began to hit me.

Memorial Day is tomorrow

and I don't think I have ever celebrated it 

Ever.

But then I started thinking about what Memorial Day is all about.

"A bunch of dead people or whatever" was my attitude in the past. Memorial Day simply meant stores had sales and something about the army in the news.

But America is free. Other counties in the world are free; and why are they free?

Because of all those men and women who have given their lives to keep the world that way.

I sit here safe and am able to worship God in freedom.

Because people gave their lives for that freedom.

And I just take it for granted. 

What if no one had fought Hitler? 

I thank God that someone did.

I have freedom because so many people over the centuries have fought and died for that freedom. 

Freedom should not be taken lightly. So many people have very little or no freedom.

And yet I have it and take it for granted and don't thank those who helped me to keep it. 

Memorial Day remembers and honors those who died

for freedom.

The Silver Chair

I just finished reading this book. I read it before, maybe 5 years ago or so but I must say

I have never liked it all that much. Maybe it was because they spend part of the book underground

(I dislike caves) or that none of the Pevensies were in it.

But as I read it this time I noticed so many things about

the characters and setting that I had forgotten or overlooked. 

C. S. Lewis knew how to create real characters who one loves and feels deeply for. 

All the characters are human. They aren't super heros. 

They are normal people who argue and fail. But they also have courage and kindness.

Throughout their travels they meet dangers but they keep on; they don't give up.

My favorite character is Puddleglum the Marsh-wiggle.

He is a pessimistic fellow but he has such courage. And though he is not jolly he does add a bit of  humor with all his gloomy views.

As Jill says at the end 

"Puddleglum! You're a regular old humbug. You sound as doleful as a funeral and I believe you're perfectly happy. And you talk as if you were afraid of everything, when you're really as brave as- as a lion."

 This book has a slightly different feel to it then the other preceding books 

however I can't quite put my finger on what it is. 

In a way it is sad.

The Silver Chair starts the end of Narnia.

There is only one book, The Last Battle left.

Caspian and the other characters from previous adventuress are old and dying or dead. 

None of the Pevensies will return to Narnia till the end of time.

Never again will there be an adventure that the children will return home from.

But I guess everything must end.

Except. . . 

there is always Aslan.

He continues forever. 

And so does His beautiful country.  

The Sun is on it's way!

• Here comes the sun blog party at Cupcake Dictionary. 
  
  
• What would your dream summer vacation be? Traveling the south of Europe.
• After a rainstorm, what you think of when you see the sun peeking out from the clouds? Usually how beautiful the world is.
• If you were stranded on a desert island with the sun streaming down on you and had ONE palm tree for shade, you can only have three things with you; what would they be? Water, food, sunscreen
• Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or neopolitan? Nepolitan 
• If you saw your celebrity crush walking down the beach with a surfboard, what would you do? I'd probably stare like an idiot and then pull out my camera and ask for a picture with him.
• If you went back in time for a day, what era would you go back to, and why? I'd want to go back to the 50s and buy a bunch of puffy dresses and look around my home town and see what has changed.
• What's your favorite thing about waking up on a summer morning? The blue sky and birds and the fact that it is summer. 
• Your soundtrack or theme song(s) for the summer: Umm I don't really have one but maybe The Reel by Secret Garden cause it makes you want to get up and dance a jig :D
• Say you went to California to visit family. What's the first thing you would buy? A ice cream cone.
• Manicure, pedicure, or facial? Manicure
• What's your favorite color combination? Blue, brown and cream
• If you were at the beach and you wanted to write a message in the sand, what would you write? God is awesome! And I was here on His beach. 
• You're stuck in Paris with $10,000. What do you do? "Stuck" in Paris with $10,000?? Wish that was true :D SHOP for amazing beautiful dresses and shoes!!
• What's your most favorite type of summer weather? I like sunny about 78-80 degrees with only a few clouds and slight breeze. 
• Blowing bubbles while taking a bubble bath? Is this a yes no question cause I have never done that and somehow it seems a little strange :)
• Cupcakes or dictionaries? I can only choose one? I love dictionaries but they don't taste good. . . humm I'll have to say dictionaries.

Dictionary Day

So I love words and this word is one of my favorites :)

********

****

*

Desultory- Adjective 

1. Jumping or passing from one thing or topic to another without order

or rational connection. 2. Disconnected or occurring haphazardly: Random. 

Michael Meets Mozart

This is such a beautiful piece!

Jon Schmidt is very talented at arranging and composing.

Though I do not agree with his religion I still love his music and and how he is such a 

wonderful performer and always seem to be having a 

blast while he is playing :)

Well enjoy Micheal Meets Mozart

by

Jon Schmidt

Preformed 

by

Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson 

Monday

So today I took my driving test.

 All morning long I had the worst butterflies in my stomach ever.

I was so nervous.

I was pretty sure I was going to fail

but

I didn't!

So now I can drive on my own

without anyone!

So I'm excited :D

Also it is the last week of school and

I handed in my last assignment for my American Sign Language class.

And surprise surprise it's raining

Again.

But I just heard thunder, and I love thunder storms so that makes the rain better :)

But I still want warm days and blue sky.

I am re-reading the Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis

(hopefully you will see a review soon)

and one of my favorite characters ever in that book. 

His name is Puddleglum and he is a pessimist and reminds me a bit of myself in that respect.

Though I am not pessimistic to that extent :D

Anyway

here is a funny yet pessimistic quote from him. 

"Puddleglum's my name. But it doesn't matter if you forget it. I can always tell you again." (Chapter 5)

The End is (not) here!

Well the world didn't end and some people are probably feeling very stupid right now. 

But I have a question.

Why did people listen to this man?

Because he is a talk show host?

Because he "knows" everything about the end times and has all the right numbers?

In my local paper today there was a short interview with a man who drove his whole family from the east out to 

California for the ending.

He said he was skeptical but believed the Bible so he took his family across the country for the "end."

But he said he believed the Bible

so why did he trust this man?

Matthew 24:36 

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

If not even Jesus knows and only the Father how could a man know?

So many times we listen to whatever anyone says about the Bible and take it as true- I am so guilty of this- and don't go look at what the Bible says. 

Now I'm not saying don't ever listen to what anyone has to say about the Bible.

Just make sure that that is what 

the Bible says 

and not just some man.

The Word of God is ALWAYS true.

You can always trust it.

When I should be doing homework...

Well I'm waiting for friends from out of town to get here but

they seem to be taking forever 

so

instead of writing the boring chapter summaries as I should be doing I am going to do a 

blog post.

(I know, terrible! But seriously you should try writing these summaries, BORING!)

Anne of Green Gables

So one of my top movies has to be 

Anne of Green Gables

Based off the book by L. M. Montgomery

the first movie was lovely
and though the second movie is not close to the book I still enjoyed it.

Starring

Megan Follows as
Anne Shirley

She is such an original character. Her love of books and
the way she makes up names for places the instant she
arrives in Avonlea. She almost leaves one breathless with her chatter but
one can't help but love her!

My favorite part! Anne portraying the "Lady of Shalott" whose
boat accidentally sinks and she must be saved by a handsome gentleman
in an awesome hat. But more about him later.

The Beautiful Diana Barry
best friend and kindred spirit of Anne Shirley
played fantastically by
Schulyer Grant

Anne and Diana have such a special relationship.
I love this scene. Sorta bitter sweet with such a gorgeous backdrop.

Surveying a certain person at their first ball.

Gilbert Blythe,
great friend, enemy and sweetheart.
Portrayed with brilliance and emotion by
Jonathan Crombie.
He is the guy with the cool hat as you can see :)

Love this picture
Black and white + awesome hat+ faraway look= amazing

 

Enemies (at first)

So funny. They are great friends in this picture, though it may
not appear so :)

Stern and unrelenting yet loving and so ineffably kind
Marilla Cuthbert
played by the always awe inspiring
Colleen Dewhurst

These two bring the whole movie together. 

And Matthew Cuthbert, brother to Marilla
portrayed by Richard Farnsworth.
He is so so gentle and compassionate.
He is the sweetest most lovable character one will ever come across.

They have such a close relationship. From the moment Matthew
finds Anne at the train station and she talks his head off. 

And last but not least is
Patricia Hamilton as Rachel Lynde.
Gossip, snobby, always in someone else's business.
 And though sometimes one may want to strangle her
she brings humor and laughter with her.

So full of laughter, sadness, friendship and love.
A story that should never end.
Full of a wonderful cast, fantastic costumes and setting and a story of growing up.
If you have not watch Anne go and rent it.
Now!

                    

Proofreading is a Dying Art

I don't usually send on or post chain mail thingys but this one was super funny!

Enjoy.

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says 

No kidding, really? Ya think? 

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

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers 

Now that's taking things a bit far! 

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

Miners Refuse to Work after Death 

No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so's! 

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

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

if that works any better than a fair trial! 

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

War Dims Hope for Peace 

I can see where it might have that effect! 

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

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile 

Ya think?! 

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

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures 

Who would have thought! 

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

Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; PoliceSuspect Homicide 

They may be on to something! 

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

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges 

You mean there's something stronger than duct tape? 

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

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge 

He probably IS the battery charge! 

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

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter 

---

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group 

Weren't they fat enough?!

----------------------------------- 

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks 

Do they taste like chicken?

**************************************** 

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half 

Chainsaw Massacre all over again!

****************************** 

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors 

Boy, are they tall! 

*******************************

And the winner is....

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead 

Did I read that right?

Shadows and Silhouettes

These are photos I am entering for the Shadows and Silhouettes Photography contest 

hosted by God's Daughter and From Under My Little Umbrella blogs.

Ribbon Roads

Let me say first that I love Keith and Kristyn Getty's music.

Their music is beautiful and wonderfully preformed

and Kristyn has a lovely voice.

This song is entitled Ribbon Roads and 

the tune and the words are so

hauntingly beautiful.

A Herculean Wind.

The other night we had a colossal wind storm which lasted the 

entire night and blew down trees all over the place.

The lovely park across the street received a lot of damage.

On of my favorite trees. My brother's and I played in it
when we were little and called it "Raccoon Fort" though
 I can't remember why.

So sad :(

The top blew off this pine and crushed part of another
tree.

The top of the pine.

Abraham Lincoln

    "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool then to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

Pretty in Purple Blog Party!

• So this is from the blog My Mismatched Life
• Favorite thing about summer? No school and a 2 week vacation to my family's cabin in North ID!
• Twilight fan? Nope. I have not actually read the books but from reviews and other things I have read they do not sound like books I would want to read as a Christian.
• Favorite quote? Only 1?? "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still." Corrie ten Boom
• Best thing that has ever happened to you? When I trusted Jesus as my all in all.
• Think of every place in the world possible... which of those places would you go to? All of Europe, Egypt, Machu Picchu. 
• Favorite food? Chocolate, cookies, cheesy casseroles and those are like the tip of the iceberg. 
• What type of music do you like? Celtic, Classical, Hymns, some pop or country but it really depends on the words and the singer.
• Flipflops, bare feet, heels, or flats? Flipflops 
• Skirts or jeans? Jeans
• Fresh or saltwater? Freshwater!
• Skittles or M&Ms? I adore Skittles
• are you a morning person or more of a night person? Morning person
• So, your best friend is talking to a new girl in school... the new girl asks who you are... what do you think your best friend says? ummm" this is my friend Miriam"
• Gotta tic? ya know, biting your nails, scrunching your nose, etc? Biting my nails and I'm sure I have many others.
• Pen or pencil? Pencil
• Paper or plastic? If we are talking grocery bags then I would say plastic.

If I were a Millionaire. . .

I would buy some amazing
lovely clothes.

This is a simple pretty dress. Though I would make it a
few inches longer for modesty.

Adorable shoes! 

Love this one!
One of the most exquisit dresses I have ever seen.
I might skip the giant flower, however :)

Beautiful headband. Simple yet elegant. 

These shoes are a little weird but for some reason I
am attracted to the feathers :D

The green is such a lovely color and the toe
is very elegant.

~All clothes are from B H L D N~

A List of Things

Okay so I guess for my first post I'll do a list of things about me.

First and foremost I believe the Bible.
Jesus came to earth to die for all us sinners who hated and despised Him but He came anyway. All one must do is believe that Jesus is Lord and that through Him is the only way that anyone can get to heaven. NOT by any "good" works we can do.  

I love the color blue. My room is blue. Most of my clothes are blue. 

I LOVE to read. Fiction, biographies, Poetry but NOT text books :)

I live in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains.

I have four brothers and no sisters.

The strangest thing I have eaten (that I remember) is alligator. It was good!

I have been to 10 states: Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Florida, Washington, Oregon, and Kentucky

I love all the seasons except slush season which is Feb. and March

I am going to get my drivers license in less then a month!!

I have swum in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

I love to canoe lakes with friends.

I hate seafood -except tuna:) 

I am terrified of heights and spiders.

I love watching old movies, action movies, cute clean romance movies, and old tv shows like I Love Lucy and Hogan's Heros.

Oh and I

LOVE

the TV show Leverage. Eliot is awesome and so is Hardison :D

I have never been out of the US

I dislike chickens. They are stupid annoying, stinky birds. However, the are delectable for eating.

I love to bake cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls, pies etc. etc.

The most quoted people/moves at my house are
Gollum, yeah kinda sad. . .
The Princess Bride
P. G. Wodehouse- if you have never read his books you are missing out on one of the greatest writers EVER!
He is amazing! He is hilarious! And master of simile!
So GO find a book by him.
My favorite are his Jeeves and Wooster stories.
They are masterful!

I have worked as a janitor for the past 8 months.

I love sunshine and rain.

I am almost done with my third trimester of American Sign Language!
I love it.
I go around signing to my family who just look at me and shrug as they don't understand a word I am saying. But I do it anyway :)

I love going to giant zoos with hundreds of giant exotic animals.

Adore dogs, well not little tinny yip yip dogs.

I have played the piano for almost 10 years.

I am running out of ideas so. . .