What Planet Am I On?

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T11:12:00.000-05:00

May you know Him as..
The God who sings over you and with you in Joy
The God who rejoices over you and with you.
The God whose mountains and hills break forth before you into singing;
and all the trees of His fields clap their hands
The God who walks beside you, delighting with you as He directs your every step.

May you know Him as.. The God who compassionately comforts you as a Father in all your troubles
The God who strengthens your inner man by His Spirit that is always with you.
The God who is your strength, your refuge and a very evident and present help.
The God who is your shield and protection when you are under attack.
The ever present God who is eternally your peace.

For unto us a child is born,
Unto us a son is given:
And the government shall be upon his shoulder:
And his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6

And that child grew up..
To become....
our Saviour.
Our Redeemer
Our Portion
Our Strong Tower
Our Friend.

©2005 Katherine Walden

The Spirit of Christmas

2011-12-25T07:48:00.000-05:00

Today we held our 2nd annual Christmas party for the homeless community in our area. This 2nd year brought in twice as many donations as last year. It was honestly overwhelming as we laid out the goodie bags, toys and toiletry bags to see just how many there were.

But this isn't about us or the many other volunteers who shared their time, talents and gifts for this special Christmas party.

This isn't even about the smiles and hugs our most honored guests shared with us.

No; this is about one woman in particular. She doesn't live in the homeless camp; she's one of the fortunate ones with a roof over her head. She doesn't have much else, though. She's an alcholic and always comes in with liquor breath.

After the meal was served, she went around to all the volunteers with a garbage bag in her hand. Then one by one, she handed out handmade yarn crafts she had made. There were adorable Christmas stocking and whimsical pot holders. She would hand one to a volunteer and joyfully exclaim "Merry Christmas!"

It's funny the things that pop in your head. As she handed me her gift, the song "Little Drummer Boy" rang in my ears.

Everyone has something to give.

After handing out all of the gifts she had to give, she darted out the door with one last wave and one more exclamation.

"Merry Christmas! God bless you all!"

And I have been given yet another memory to cherish the rest of my life.

Best Jeep Ad Ever

2011-12-24T07:46:00.001-05:00

If I were the marketing director at Jeep, I would use this video in a new ad campaign.

Back story; two thugs broke into a home to rob it. A 17-yr old girl was home & called police while hiding in her bedroom closet. The thugs took off and a 40-minute police chase began.

There were 2 people (and 2 dogs) in that jeep. The driver (and passenger) of the Jeep suffered bumps and bruises. The driver is probably in a lot of pain this Christmas, but not only is he alive; he walked out of the hospital using his own two legs.

In a phone interview, he said his memory of the crash is foggy. "The light turned green. I went across. Next thing I know, I'm unconscious," Persing said. "I am glad one to be alive and even more glad to be walking ... It's amazing that I'm able to talk to you today."

Persing is a civil engineer, and he credited the sturdy construction of his Jeep with sparing his life.

I hope Persing gets a nice check from Chrysler.

Jabulani Africa

2011-12-19T18:48:00.001-05:00

What makes this so significant is that The Episcopal Church of Sudan has chosen not to just walk away from The Episcopal Church here in the States; but in doing so, turns away TEC's money as well.

The Gospel, in other words, is not for sale in Sudan.

Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS) officials have withdrawn an invitation for a visit by the head of the U.S.-based Episcopal Church (TEC) because of TEC’s liberal stances on sexual issues. It is a stinging rebuke of the official American branch of the global Anglican Communion. Equally striking, the Sudanese have recognized the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), the Episcopal Church’s conservative American rival.

With about 4.5 million members, the growing church in Sudan outnumbers the declining U.S. based denomination, which has fewer than 2 million. Overwhelmingly poor and besieged for years by war and persecution, mostly from the Islamist regime in Khartoum, ECS is strongly theologically conservative, like most African churches. Many Anglican churches in Africa and elsewhere in the Global South have distanced themselves from TEC even as they remain in the global Anglican Communion of about 80 million believers.

The statement of recognition is a significant move for the Sudanese bishops, who, unlike other Anglican provinces in Africa, had been reluctant to distance themselves from TEC, even as they openly criticized TEC moves...

...“[The Episcopal Church] has pushed itself away from God’s Word and from Anglican Communion,” the Sudanese determined. “TEC is not concerned for the unity of the Communion.”

“The Episcopal Church of Sudan is recognizing the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) fully as true faithful Orthodox Church and we will work with them to expand the Kingdom of God in the world,” the statement announced. The bishops wrote that they would also work with those parishes and dioceses in TEC “who are Evangelical Orthodox Churches and faithful to God.”

The full story can be found here.

As for me, I think this sums up how I'm feeling.

Thanks be to God

2011-11-28T20:50:00.000-05:00

All charges and case dismissed against Bishop Mark Lawrence. The Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson Jr., president of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops has issued a statement

Twas the Day After

2011-11-25T14:38:00.000-05:00

While some people were standing in lines and fighting with each other over stuff, I'm enjoying what's left of my Slack Friday.

Yesterday was rough. I knew it would be. It was my job to say the blessing; I managed to make it through without choking up. I waited until the blessing was over to shed my tears. My mother-in-law wandered over to a window, stared outside and sobbed.

I miss the stories he tells at Thanksgiving and I miss the eggnog he serves with a smirk on a face. "Just how much brandy did you put in it, Dad?" "Just enough".

I miss him.

We went to bed earlier than usual and we all slept in. The morning has been spent doing some laundry, watching some TV and playing those stupid games on Facebook. We're well rested.

Tonight it's Crash-a-Rama. There's about 17 of us going tonight. We'll be doing some tailgating before the madness begins and then we'll drag our ringing ears back home in the wee hours of the morning.

Slack Friday beats Black Friday every time. =)

Why It's Really Called "Black Friday"

2011-11-25T14:02:00.000-05:00

Rome, N.Y., man was charged with disorderly conduct after a fight that broke out the moment Black Friday shopping began at midnight

Several shoppers at the electronics department at a Wal-Mart store were pushed to the ground, and several fights broke out, Oneida County sheriff's deputies said. Two shoppers were taken to a hospital for minor injuries

Police said they were investigating a possible shooting in the parking lot of Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa

A 55-year-old shopper was shot and wounded during a robbery near a Wal-Mart in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Tonia Robbins, 55, was shot in the foot after two men demanded her purse shortly after 1 a.m. ET Friday as she stood by the trunk of her car with friends

An explosive device was found at a break room at a Wal-Mart in Cave Creek

Black Friday shopper was shot and critically injured during a robbery outisde a Wal-Mart in San Leandro, Calif., early Friday

An angry woman used pepper spray when Black Friday bargain-hunters tried to cut in line at a crowded Wal-Mart store in Los Angeles late Thursday, leaving 15 people with minor injuries

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said detectives were looking for two suspects after gunfire rang out at Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville early Friday

Litany of Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T07:10:00.000-05:00

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so
freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and
sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women,
revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and
our friends,
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering
and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and
promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;

To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the
Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Come Ye Thankful People, Come

2011-11-24T07:05:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a very blessed Thanksgiving

Seasons Change

2011-11-23T07:13:00.000-05:00

And here it is the day before Thanksgiving.

Earlier this year, my father-in-law passed away. Whenever there is a death in the family, the first year contains a lot of firsts. We've already had the first birthday without him. Now we'll have our first Thanksgiving without him. It weighs heavy on me this week. How do we surround and lift a woman who will have a Thanksgiving without her true love by her side for the first time in 53 years?

I know that for many, Thanksgiving also triggers another season; a season of shopping. But for our family, it triggers a very different season. It's funny; I realized this morning that our pre-teen hasn't mentioned once what she wanted for Christmas. She knows what season it is; and she's been looking forward to it for months.

My sister and I have had the tradition for many years and that tradition has been passed down to the next generation. Tis' the season for baking and crafting. It's funny because when my sister and I started, it was because we didn't have any money for store-bought gifts. By the time we had the money for store-bought gifts; we didn't want to buy any of them. And so it was; a tradition was born and now even my 12 year old has written off the mall completely. A few weeks ago, she decided we were going to make snow globes this year. This should be interesting.

The change of season also means something else. Although we serve the homeless community throughout the year; there is just something extra special when we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with these families. This weekend will be the weekend when I begin sorting and organizing everything for our Christmas Eve celebration. Last year, we served over 200 families on Christmas Day and distributed gifts to around 25 children. In other words, it does take some planning ahead of time!

It's the day before Thanksgiving. There will be some very sad moments and some very joyful moments in the next few days. Today, we rest.

But I Like Thanksgiving

2011-11-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

I know I complain about this every year, but it really irks me. Not to mention that it seems to get worse and worse every year.

The Christmas decorations are on the shelves right next to the 1/2 price halloween stuff. That's when it starts. Then... it just goes downhill from there.

This year, some retailers have made the decision to not only rush through Thanksgiving, but to bypass it completely.

I have never been a "black Friday" person. Actually, gifts haven't been a focus of Christmas for many years. Sure, when our kid was smaller; it was a little different. Now she's old enough to wean her off of gift exchange.

I found it ironic that "black Friday" has been moved up from the day after to the day set aside to be thankful. Go straight to Want; do not pass Thankful and do not collect Peace. Even if I was a "black Friday" person; I can't imagine giving up Thanksgiving for a "good deal".

I like Thanksgiving. Come to think of it, I need Thanksgiving. I need that day to focus on the blessings given. If I lose being thankful for what I have, I will lose the ability to be thankful for things I receive.

Where's the peace in that? Where's the joy? I can't see how we can truly appreciate the peace and joy of Christmas if we don't take the time to stop and be thankful.

Diocese of CFL Elects a Bishop

2011-11-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

I would have posted the results yesterday, but I was wide awake @ 4am, on location @ 7am and didn't get home until 3pm; at which point I took a much needed nap.

There are still procedural items before an actual consecration, but the election process is over and we now have our bishop-elect...

The Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, rector of Calvary-St. George’s Church in New York City, was elected on Nov. 19 as the fourth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, pending the required consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees of the Episcopal Church.

Fr. Brewer was elected on the 4th ballot out of a field of seven nominees. He received 141 votes of 241 cast in the lay order and 110 of 192 cast in the clergy order. An election on that ballot required 125 in the lay order and 95 in the clergy order.

The full announcement can be found here.

I am still suffering from a convention hangover, so I haven't had much brain capacity to process everything quite yet. Also, the lack of sleep plus the all the excitement added to food I probably shouldn't have eaten has triggered my fibro to flare up. I'm not in horrendous pain this morning, but I'm sore and very foggy.

I will probably post more about the convention and the results when my head is a bit clearer and I've had more time to process everything.

Prayers Please

2011-11-17T06:47:00.000-05:00

This coming Saturday

by Cheryl M. Wetzel, November 16, 2011 Dallas, TX

The Diocese of Central Florida (Orlando) will elect a new bishop. The Rt. Rev. John Howe has been the bishop here for 20+ years and will retire at the end of this year. Bishop Howe has been a staunch conservative who refused to leave TEC. He has used every opportunity to rebut the liberal trend within TEC, faithfully continuing to attend House of Bishop’s meetings and speak for the Authority of Scripture and the “faith once delivered for the saints”. This is an important election, with many candidates. The first ballot will determine who the actual three candidates are that will then stand for election. Prayers for this election greatly appreciated as election and then confirmation of a conservative is always in doubt in today’s Church.

I will be serving as a volunteer (which is both exciting and humbling) so I'll be "on location" at 7:15am until after a bishop is elected (however long that takes).

My priest is one of the nominees for bishop. May the LORD's will be done... but my bias thinks Fr Jim will soon be Bishop Sorvillo.

Government Math

2011-11-08T06:41:00.000-05:00

This was on the local news last night. To highlight how absurd this is, our 11 year-old blurted "seriously?" when the reporter reported the math. Even a middle-schooler is better at math than government leaders.

DELAND -- The city plans to replace five of its aging vehicles with electric cars and install charging stations at City Hall.

The City Commission voted Monday night to buy five Chevrolet Volts for about $40,000 apiece from Starling Chevrolet in DeLand. The electric cars will replace four utility meter-reader trucks and a community-development passenger van.

The cars, which carry a combined price tag of about $200,000, are expected to save the city roughly $125,000 in fuel over 10 years.

No Bullying & No Hugging

2011-11-04T06:50:00.000-04:00

This certainly isn't the first time this subject has come up, but I do believe it's the first time I've heard it actually implented.

This is such a strange planet.

From here

A 14-year-old Florida student who hugged his friend was suspended as a result of his middle school's zero-tolerance no-hugging policy.

Nick Martinez said he gave a quick hug to his best friend, a female student, between classes.

The public display of affection was spotted by the principal of Palm Bay's Southwest Middle School, 74 miles southeast of Orlando. While the principal said he believed the hug was innocent, he brought the two students to the school's dean, who penalized them with in-school suspensions.

According to the Southwest Middle School's student handbook, students can receive a one-day out-of-school suspension for kissing, while students caught hugging or hand-holding are penalized with a dean's detention or suspension.

"A lot of friends are hugging. I just happened to be the one caught doing it," Nick said. "Honestly, I didn't know because I didn't think hugging was a bad thing. I didn't know you could get suspended for it."

That's Disturbing

2011-10-23T14:30:00.000-04:00

Due to "high fructose corn syrup" being linked to serious health concern, the corn peeps have now changed the name to "corn sugar". Granted, they've done it without permission; the FDA has not approved the name change.

I'm one of those people who suffer adverse reaction to high fructose corn syrup/corn sugar. It also deeply concerns me that the corn peeps have the audacity to change the name in an attempt to fool people into buying it.

But I digress....

My husband and I are looking to tear out and replace the carpet in the bedrooms. So today I was looking at some possibilities. And then I made a face as I was reading this paragraph;

Mohawk leads innovation in sustainable flooring with SmartStrand® carpet with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer. In a partnership with DuPont, this carpet exclusively offers fiber made with Bio-PDO™ (the key Sorona® ingredient), which is produced from corn sugar.

Oh. My. God.

I know they want us all to take in a little more fiber, but seriously?

So the next time you pick up that tasty looking pre-packaged pastry, or that yummy looking juice, soda, etc... just do yourself a favor and read the ingredients. Does this product contain carpet? Am I in the mood to eat some carpet today? It is stain-resistant after all. And durable. Just think how clean and sturdy your stomach will be.

Myers-Briggs Prayers

2011-10-21T11:53:00.000-04:00

Because it's Friday. (click image to enlarge)

A Love Story

2011-10-19T12:15:00.000-04:00

I couldn't possibly add any comment that could make this love story any sweeter.

Couple Married 72 Years Dies Holding Hands
An Iowa couple who was married for 72 years died one hour apart last week in the hospital as they held hands.

Family said the story of Gordon and Norma Yeager is a real-life love story.

On the day she graduated from high school, Norma Stock said yes to Gordon Yeager's marriage proposal. The couple got married on May 26, 1939 in State Center.

"They're very old-fashioned. They believed in marriage til death do you part," said son Dennis Yeager.

The way the kids tell it, dad was the life of the party while mom kept everything together.

"Anybody come over -- she was the hostess with the mostess. She just seriously -- the more she did -- the more she smiled," said Dennis Yeager. "Dad would be the center of attention, like, 'Weee look at me,' and mom was like 'get him away from me!' You know we even got a picture like that."

Norma didn't really want the distance, and family said she hardly left Gordon's side for 72 years.

Dennis Yeager said the couple left home last Wednesday to go into town, but they didn't make it.

At the intersection of Highway 30 and Jessup Avenue just west of Marshalltown, state troopers said Gordon pulled in front of an oncoming car.

"I rushed from Des Moines where I was working and saw them in the hospital," said Dennis Yeager.

In the intensive care unit of Marshalltown's hospital, nurses knew not to separate Gordon and Norma.

"They brought them in the same room in intensive care and put them together -- and they were holding hands in ICU. They were not really responsive," said Dennis Yeager.

Gordon died at 3:38 p.m. holding hands with his wife as the family they built surrounded them.

"It was really strange, they were holding hands, and dad stopped breathing but I couldn't figure out what was going on because the heart monitor was still going," said Dennis Yeager. "But we were like, he isn't breathing. How does he still have a heart beat? The nurse checked and said that's because they were holding hands and it's going through them. Her heart was beating through him and picking it up."

"They were still getting her heartbeat through him," said Donna Sheets.

At 4:48 p.m., exactly one hour after Gordon died, Norma passed too.

"Neither one of them would've wanted to be without each other. I couldn't figure out how it was going to work," said Donna Sheets. "We were very blessed, honestly, that they went this way."

At their funeral on Tuesday, Norma and Gordon held hands in their casket. Family said they will be cremated and their ashes mixed together.

Snickers

2011-10-17T19:00:00.000-04:00

Countdown

2011-10-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

Well it's October 15th. The election of our next bishop is now just around the bend; November 19th to be exact.

I have listed the nominees before, but I again ask for prayer for them. As the tension between the "two sides" continues to escalate, much is riding on this election.

To "meet" the candidates, click here

To read some of the questions posed and answered, click here

Be with us and guide us, Holy Spirit, as we seek your will for the future of our Diocese. Help us to discern the needs and hopes of your people in Central Florida, so that our search for a Bishop may proceed with clear vision and joyful obedience. We pray this through the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Someone Takes Notice

2011-10-15T09:07:00.001-04:00

Much of what has been taking place in the TEC/AC circus has gone completely unnoticed by the mainstream media.

Until now.

Mollie Hemingway of the Wall Street Journal "breaks" the story

The Least of These

2011-10-09T10:33:00.000-04:00

You may not know this, but among the homeless, there is a community structure. There are typically a few "homeless camps" (aka "tent cities") in any one area. These camps are generally separated; some are designated for families, some are designated for wanderers and some are created by those who don't "belong" in other established camps.

In each camp, there is also a structure. Women and children are the highest priority within these camps. Certain men are given charge to protect the camp. Others are given charge to obtain resources. The list goes on. Very few people outside the established community are permitted to know where the camp is; it's kept hidden and protected from the outside world. My husband is one of those few trusted "outsiders" who is given access to this secret world of those separated from mainstream society. Because of this, we have some insight into the homeless community that many others never see. That is both a blessing... and a curse.

It is a blessing because we get to connect to the homeless in a very personal and intimate way. When there is a need in the community, those in charge of the camp let us know and we can help. We can respond in a very specific way as opposed to a mere general donation of goods. We know when there is a new family with children; what size clothing the children wear and whether or not baby food is in need.

It is a curse because on severe weather days, we know who has the resources (tarps, blankets, etc) and we know who does not. The outsiders. The outcasts of the homeless community. It's their faces I see when I lay my head down to rest. There is nothing we can do to change the situation. They are outcasts because they tend to have psychological problems which make them dangerous to the others. They tend to be very unpredictable in their behavior. They will never be acceptable into one of the established camps. They are simply on their own.

These are also the ones we can keep an eye out for as we drive around town. A few days ago, we were heading to Subway to pick up some sandwiches for dinner when we spotted one of them sitting on a bench. My husband dropped myself and my daughter off at the door and then turned around to go check in with him.

Much to our surprise, he told us that he had been banned from the service center. The service center provides daily meals and supplies to the homeless community. I don't know what he did to obtain the 6-month suspension from the center; he says he didn't do anything, but what else would he say? We know him well enough to know that when he doesn't have access to his meds, he can be very violent so I suspect he must have acted out after given a warning. I understand that the staff at the center must keep the center a safe place- particularly for the women and children. So although the news deeply saddened me; I have to accept that the decision was made with just cause.

But I am still left pondering this man's fate. Sure, my husband gave him a box of clothes and some money, but it seems so small. Is he eating? Has he found a new place to stay out of the rain? And since we haven't seen him in the "normal" places for several days now; is he okay?

All I can do is wait. My husband has gone looking for him a few times with no luck. We simply don't know where he is right now.

And so, as I continue to watch the rains fall (over 24hrs now), I see his face.

Rainy Day

2011-10-08T18:41:00.000-04:00

So it hasn't stopped raining now for 14 hours. The latest weather update says to expect another 24-36 hours. So I've spent a lot of time today watching TV and wandering online. Neither is very uplifting.

Perhaps my saddest moment of the day was reading the latest Q&A's on our Diocesan Bishop Nomination site. We elect a new bishop next month. The Q&A section was set up so anyone could pose a question and the nominees could respond. The first week or so, I really enjoyed reading the questions and all of the responses from the nominees.

Today was different.

I hadn't been on the site for about a week so I guess I was just a little caught off-guard. My dear husband seeing how upset I was did his best to calm my anxieties. It's tough though; y'know?

For the most part, the Diocese of Central Florida has been protected and shielded from the TEC circus folk. I never have to worry about going to a service and hearing about "them" or politics or social justice. I always get to go to a service, listen to amazing worship, hear the Word of God, experience an annointed sermon (that has a habit of making me do some serious inward analysis for days), share the love of Christ with my brothers & sisters and then go home refreshed and renewed.

So when I began reading the questions posed to our bishop nominees, my heart sank. Question after question; thread after thread... the ugliness of the TEC circus reared its head. See, to "them", the only way to be a true Christian and a member of the national church is to support same-sex marriage. There are no other qualifications to their definition of Episcopal Christian. None.

I read the responses from our orthodox nominees and couldn't help but feel they were on the defense. The defense. Never you mind that these are some of the most godly people I have ever known; they said they wouldn't allow same-sex marriage in our diocese... therefore, they are unqualified to lead it.

And there it is. I had worried that once our current bishop retired, we would no longer be immune from the ugliness that has spread through the national church. The division, the hatred & the insatiable need to for the "other" to lose.

There is no escape, is there? What we see happening in the Diocese of South Carolina will come knocking on our doors eventually. The amazing community I have come to know and dearly love may be eradicated.
I will miss it when it's gone, but like so many others have done over the centuries; I will press on. After all, if my fellow brothers and sisters are being executed for our LORD, finding a different church building to worship Him in doesn't seem so dire after all.

And with that, my husband just annouced that "End of Days" is on. Guess I'll go watch some more TV.

Astroturf

2011-10-08T11:31:00.000-04:00

So how bizarre is that whole "Occupy Wall Street" thing?

I admit; I am quite amused.

Some in the media and White House are trying to convince the general public that there is little difference between the "Wall Street" movement and the "Tea Party" movement. Really?

So I guess that makes the "Occupy Wall Street" people racists and terrorists, right?

No? Okay, well then let's look for some other similiarities.

Tea Party movement- increase free market, lower government spending, limit congressional terms
Occupy Wall Street movement- eliminate free market, increase government spending, empower politicians

Hmmm. Okay; let's try again.

Tea Party movement- dismantle corrupt special interest groups
Occupy Wall Street movement- piggy-back on corrupt special interest groups

Damnit. One last attempt.

Tea Party movement- civil, non-violent protests; follow the laws in place and clean-up afterwards
Occupy Wall Street movement- make a bunch of noise, break laws, get arrested and leave behind a big mess for someone else to clean up.

Le sigh. I give up.

Seriously though, how hilarious is it that the "Occupy Wall Street" group is protesting against greed and corruption by joining forces with groups notorious for greed and corruption?

Where Was I?

2011-10-08T10:43:00.001-04:00

It's not like I haven't had anything to say; I've just been too tired and stretched to spend time on the blogosphere.

After a brutal fight with a rather stubborn fibromyalgia flare, I am feeling much better these days. However, work has been demanding and stressful.

Today (and tomorrow) are rainy, gloomy days which leaves little to do. So I guess it's a good time to peruse and post and comment.

I also added a new section to this site called "Stranger Than Fiction". It's over there on the right beneath "Issues & Topics". See it? There you will find some of the posts written over the years that highlight why I call this site "What Planet Am I On?" I do find that in many cases; reality truly is stranger than fiction.