tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89346162024-03-07T02:31:51.826-06:00Fourth Pew, CenterA view from the fourth pew, center -- thoughts, rants, & assorted musings on everything from the Catholic Church today, politics, the perils of genealogy, to things that really tick me off (oops, sorry, already mentioned politics, didn't I?).Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-22977179472372729942008-08-28T20:46:00.006-05:002008-08-29T05:38:35.471-05:00Once Upon a DreamI've always loved telling about my grandma Nelle. Nelle was a teenager when she read the newspaper stories about the Wright Brothers' first flight.Decades later, I sat with her as we watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. And I've wondered, since, whether I would ever have a story like that.Well, maybe I do.____________________45 years ago, a young white country girl sat in front of a Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-7408320599778035872008-05-24T16:53:00.002-05:002008-12-09T09:50:48.781-06:00Weekend Cat BloggingA new Harry Dresden fan!Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-29189436118569541332008-04-17T07:55:00.002-05:002008-04-17T08:29:23.657-05:00The Children of El Dorado* Picture this: A call comes in to a local shelter, from a cell phone -- she says her name is Sarah, she's 16, she lives at the local FLDS compound, she was forced to marry an older man, who abuses her; she has an 8 month old child, she may be pregnant again, she's scared, she wants help.State law requires that any suspicion of child abuse -- which includes sex between someone under sixteen and aFourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-79314139864219039872008-04-12T11:41:00.003-05:002008-12-09T09:50:48.939-06:00Another new additionJunior here (that's a temporary name only) was born sometime after sunset yesterday. When mom Rose brought him up by the house this morning, he was already all dried off, and steady on his feet.(For those of you interested in these kind of details, papa Skip on the left is a registered quarterhorse, and Rose is a registered Paint.)Me? I just think he's adorable.Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-8631292080673293322008-04-01T19:01:00.004-05:002008-04-02T05:51:33.563-05:00Say Good-Bye to the Texas Two-StepIt's not that often that we not only participate in the end of an era, but know it at the time. And no matter how necessary it may be, no matter why or how the era is ending, it's kind of sad, really.I refer, of course, to the Texas Two-Step. A convoluted primary system that only this state could come up with. Yes, in Texas, you can legally vote twice (or more!) in the Democratic presidential Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-51143478049530672242007-06-15T15:56:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:51:46.392-05:00NBA Champions Again!Yes, I know. Some of you (hi, TBL!) are sitting there muttering "Basketball? She's blogging about basketball?!?!?" Which is perfectly understandable. After all, my usual question about the very existence of the sport is: "Why?"But, yes, even this total non-fan is happy today, after staying up late to watch an entire basketball game, to know that the San Antonio Spurs have brought home their Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-55089371226277278372007-06-02T17:46:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:50:49.110-06:00An Unexpected Guest Hey, TBL, don't you miss country life?;-)Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-86539474620386183212007-05-27T10:28:00.001-05:002008-12-09T09:50:49.391-06:00Weekend Pet Blogging Caption contest, anyone?Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1164308573225266222006-11-23T12:51:00.000-06:002006-11-23T13:02:53.573-06:00Thanksgiving IronyThanksgiving -- supposedly a day meaning just what is says, to give thanks. In reality, though, a day to eat too much; check the ads so we can spend too much tomorrow; and let's not forget football (even if we would like to).But, back to the first of those -- a day to eat too much. We are reminded too rarely, in these days of obesity-obsession, that there are many even in this country who do Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1160832422759354062006-10-14T08:08:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:52:38.308-05:00CountdownIn a little over four weeks we have one of the most important mid-term elections in American history. You cannot sit this one out.________________________________________This country was founded by people who disagreed with the policies and actions of their government. Read their words:We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1158257866361079052006-09-14T12:57:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:53:47.718-05:00Backwards and in high heelsOne of my heroes died yesterday.Most of you non-Texans who knew Ann Richards at all, knew her for her remarks about George H. W. Bush at the 1988 Democratic Convention:"Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."But she was so much more. She grew up during the Depression, fortunate enough to have a father who told her she could be anything she wanted to be. With Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1152062008149515112006-07-04T20:08:00.000-05:002006-07-04T20:14:21.896-05:00July 4th Trivia(come to think of it, not so trivial)Did you know that one of the reasons given, in the Declaration of Independence, for the break with King George, was "for depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury"?["King George" -- coincidence? I think not.]And good night to all you wonderful folks at the NSA.Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1151548224012312912006-06-28T21:26:00.000-05:002006-06-28T21:30:24.023-05:00A (Very) Short Review of Minnesota BaseballLewwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The St. Paul Saints ROCKThe Metrodome looks much bigger on TV than in does in person.And last, but not least:Train.Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1138814902187560322006-02-01T11:26:00.000-06:002008-04-02T05:54:23.265-05:00State of the Union Address - a commentIf I had just 1% of that b.s. to spread around my rosebushes, I'd be a shoo-in for the blue ribbon at the State Fair.Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1136518490958175992006-01-05T21:32:00.000-06:002008-04-02T05:56:17.117-05:00Stupid Evangelical Tricks, Jan. '06He's baaaaack!!__________________________________________________________Robertson says Sharon's stroke is God's punishmentThe Reverend Pat Robertson says Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke could be God's punishment for giving up Israeli territory. The founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network told viewers of "The 700 Club" that Sharon was "dividing God's land," even though the Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1135797098103126402005-12-28T12:53:00.000-06:002005-12-28T13:22:28.980-06:002006 -- Some Modest ProposalsTo be honest, I never keep my New Year's resolutions. But am I going to let that keep me from proposing resolutions for all of us? Not a bit!Vote. Every chance you get.Leave a little more space between your car and the one in front of you.We are surrounded by idiots. Learn to deal with it without raising your blood pressure.Turn off the vacuum cleaner, or the computer, or the TV, or the iPod. SitFourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1134926152065080742005-12-18T11:05:00.000-06:002005-12-18T11:21:38.793-06:00Oh, Happy WhatEVER!And people wonder why I bury myself in fiction and genealogy? Good grief, look at the latest tempest -- all about whether we should be saying "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas!"(Aside: it must be nice to live so obliviously, that you think this is the biggest problem in the world.)Note to the ayatollahs -- and yes, that includes you, Mr. O'Reilly -- the root of the word 'holiday' is, now braceFourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1133462066604686792005-12-01T12:28:00.000-06:002005-12-01T20:59:04.203-06:00Vote for Mama!!!Go to time.com and vote for Mother Nature for Person of the Year, 2005.Two reasons:1) This award is for the "person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill," during the past year. From the tsunami to hurricanes to earthquakes to tornados, Mother Nature certainly qualifies more than any of the other nominees listed.2) Can't you just hear the fundies screaming? "Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1129766053832222262005-10-19T18:37:00.000-05:002005-10-19T22:13:54.346-05:00Unexpected GiftsSometimes the answer to our desires is, "Sure, you betcha."Sometimes the answer is, "You gotta be kidding Me."And sometimes . . . sometimes God chuckles, and says, "Just you wait, girl. Just you wait."I've always been quite the reader. Failing all else, I'll read the cereal box while I eat breakfast. And, like many readers, I used to fancy myself a writer. Heck, I even sold two stories. OK, so Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1126966270886821302005-09-17T09:03:00.000-05:002005-09-17T16:59:10.013-05:00Ghoulies and ghosties, etc.I've been asked many times, over the years, how I can read & watch "that horror stuff." Vampires and monsters and ghosts and clowns in the sewers and . . . Doesn't it scare me? Doesn't it give me nightmares?Nope. Not really.Consider, if you will:Hurricane Katrina was an excellent dress rehearsal for Homeland Security; a dress rehearsal for their response to the next terrorist attack on the U. Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1125626275810986112005-09-01T20:49:00.000-05:002005-10-08T11:57:55.286-05:00Mommy DearestWe think we're so smart. We think we're so powerful. We think we're so important.And then, every once in a while, Mother Nature decides we need a reminder. Sometimes, she just taps us on the shoulder and clears her throat.But sometimes, it's a big ol' whop upside the head that leaves us seeing stars and looking for our teeth.Yes, there were a lot of people who could have and should have left the Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1124802213411674492005-08-23T07:55:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:56:38.097-05:00S.E.T., August '05, Part 2(CNN) -- Conservative Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson has called for the United States to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez . . . O.K., Pat, I know it's VERY difficult, but I want you to THINK -- think very far back in your ministerial education, back when you actually believed in something other than your own arrogance:Once upon a time, there was this guy in Palestine, who went Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1124571639185244832005-08-20T15:56:00.000-05:002005-08-20T16:00:39.186-05:00Remember When . . .Remember when everyone thought that gas hitting $1.00/gallon would mean the End of Civilization As We Know It?Remember when the Republicans thought a President should be impeached for lying to the public?Remember when a woman who lost a son in battle was a Gold Star Mother, immune from attacks on her character?Remember when those who thought fighting a war was the right thing to do, went down toFourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1123343797341092962005-08-06T10:55:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:56:38.097-05:00Stupid Evangelical Tricks, August '05 EditionI think this story speaks for itself, and needs no comment from me.Group to protest homosexuality at military funeralThursday, August 4, 2005By Jon SeidelSpecial to the Daily SouthtownA Baptist group from Kansas has announced it plans to picket Friday at the funeral of Spc. Adam Harting.Portage, Ind., police learned about the group's intentions by fax Wednesday."We're doing everything here to Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1123161180512660222005-08-04T07:55:00.000-05:002005-08-04T08:13:00.520-05:00FourteenFourteen Marines killed in Iraq today.That was all it said, the link on cnn.com yesterday. You know, in the little section at the bottom of other stories. It wasn't even at the top of its section; it was second, after a link to a story about the shuttle spacewalk.Fourteen Marines killed in Iraq today.Fourteen Marine reserves. All from the same Ohio unit. A unit that had already lost five just onFourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com3