Over this past weekend Kevin and I had the opportunity to visit my Mom and Dad in Western Maryland. I had an absolutely terrific time and was so, so very happy to get to see them since I hadn't been able to see them since Fall of 2010. One of our long time family friends was visiting also so that was great to see her too. Both days Kevin and I went hiking with her. It was both fun and exhilarating. Needless to say neither Kevin or I had hiked that far in some time. Here are some pictures from our hike at New Germany State Park in MD. The first day we ended up walking around 3 miles. Boy were we hot and a wee bit tired by the end.
This is a pic of the beginning of the trail
Here is a picture of a stream along our route
The second day we hiked to Cascade Falls with my Dad, our friend, and her kiddos. This was a little bit of an adventure since the hiking trail wasn't marked as clearly as it could have been due to the winter weather wear and tear on the signage. We followed a trail or what we thought was a trail. Then we ended up back on the road. After following the road for a little bit we then found a sign that said Cascade Falls this way, this led us to yet another trail but since the trail wasn't marked very well we ended up running into some rather large size rocks so I began thinking to myself this cannot possibly be the correct way. Needless to say we had walked a little bit too far and missed the turnoff. Thankfully we weren't that far off the beaten path. Here are some pictures from our second hike to Cascade Falls in MD.
The stairs were blocked off for safety concerns but since we were determined to take advantage of the waterfall all of us were very careful in our descent to the bottom.
We had a great time!! I look forward to hiking again soon.
While working in the great outdoors sometimes I get to listen to the radio and one day this past week I heard that Redwood Heights Elementary School in Oakland, California had decided to teach kids about gender diversity. Gender diversity? What?!? There are two genders - male and female. This is truly appalling!! God did not create us in his image to have us distort his vision of us. Kids have enough confusion and chaos in their lives as it is and they do not need any more confusion brought into their lives with this gender diversity crap being forced down their throats. This is not about acceptance. If people truly were promoting acceptance then they wouldn't be trying to get the person to change their gender. Accepting the person means nurturing who they are and being supportive of that person during their struggles and not trying to get that person to turn themself into some type of shapeshifting animalia just because they may be unhappy for some reason or another.
Why is it that some people want to have certain parts of their body chopped off or body parts added to their bodies in order to be accepted by both themselves and others? Let's see here... Dogs and cats both get neutered and spaded in order to keep down both the cat and dog populations. Now, humans want to purposely chop off their penis or add a penis to change their appearances because they are depressed and having psycological issues. These gay propagandists want people to change their shape, the shape of their body and for what reason? How exactly is changing the shape of your body from your natural body to a different, unatural body going to solve a person's psychological issues? Having your penis chopped off is mutilating one's self. In addition, having a penis added to your body is not normal and having to take hormonal drugs just to keep you the "new me" is absurd. Altering your body, the one that God has given you, goes against the natural order. Just because a girl may play with cars or a boy may play with barbies doesn't mean that they are gay. Kids are very creative and like to explore the surroundings around them and this doesn't mean that they are unhappy with the body that they were born with. As a child I remember experimenting with various types of toys, in fact I was a tomboy in many respects while growing up but just because I didn't act that girly didn't mean that I wanted to end being a girl, change genders, or that I was gay. Why are humans being reduced to shapeshifting animalia?
On Monday and Tuesday, students of every grade were taught what the school called age-appropriate lessons about gender differences. Some lessons included all-girl geckos, a transgender clownfish, and boy snakes who act "girly" reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
"That's a lot of variation in nature," Gender Spectrum trainer, Joel Baum, told the students. "Evolution comes up with some pretty funny ways for animals to reproduce."
Principal Sara Stone said the lesson on gender differences was part of a larger effort to control bullying in the school, something parents supported last year.
However, after the lessons began, several parents felt discussion in the classroom was too much.
The Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative organization, said teaching children that there may be more than two genders, "does not represent the values of the majority of families in Oakland,"
The $1,500 cost of training was funded by a grant from the California Teachers Association.
Gender variance is when a person’s preferences and self-expression fall outside commonly understood gender norms. Gender variance is a normal part of human expression, documented across cultures and recorded history. Non-binary gender diversity exists throughout the world, documented by countless historians and anthropologists. Examples of individuals living comfortably outside of typical male/female identities are found in every region of the globe. The calabai, and calalai of Indonesia, two-spirit Native Americans, and the hijra of India all represent more complex understandings of gender than the simplistic model seen in the west.
Further, what might be considered gender variant in one period of history may become gender normative in another. One need only examine trends related to men wearing earrings or women sporting tattoos to quickly see the malleability of social expectations about gender. Even the seemingly intractable “pink is for girls, blue is for boys” notions are relatively new. While there is some debate about the reasons why they reversed, what is well documented is that until the 1950s, pink was seen as a more decided and stronger color, and thus more suitable for a boy, while blue, viewed more delicate and dainty, was commonly worn by girls.
More from the Mercury article:
On Monday morning, children in Cynthia Bagby’s kindergarten class discussed whether there were, in fact, “girl colors” and “boy colors.” Some giggled when Joel Baum, the trainer from Gender Spectrum, read “My Princess Boy,” a nonfiction children’s book by Cheryl Kilodavis about her son who liked to wear dresses and a tiara.
This assault on the innocence of our youth is truly sad and extremely disturbing. No person should be promoting gender confusion, especially not on our vulnerable children.
Here is a first person video of the tornado. I couldn't even imagine going through something like this.
The people in this video huddled in the back of the store until the glass got sucked out , then they ran into the walk in storage fridge.
Here is a video of the trail of destruction after the monster tornado in Joplin.
Here is another video of the destruction left after the MASSIVE tornado
According to Reuters at least 116 lives were lost due to the tornado. And to make matters worse Joplin has a thunderstorm on the way which will slow down the recovery. It is the deadliest tornado since 1947. Could you imagine waking up to find out that half of your town disappeared? This is so shocking!! This is so sad. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives, their loved ones who are mourning their loss, and the survivors of the monster tornado.
From USA Today here is a list of ways that you can help the victims of the tornado:
First up, the Red Cross encourages people to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website to let loved ones know they are safe by visiting http://www.redcross.org/ or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). From a smartphone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwelland click on the "List Yourself as Safe and Well" or "Search for Friends and Family" link.
- The Community Foundation of Kansas City has created two funds to pool donations, which you can make donations to online - the Joplin Missouri Disaster Relief Fund and the Reading Kansas Disaster Relief Fund. Community Foundation staff will perform the due diligence to ensure that grants from both funds are awarded to organizations addressing the immediate needs of the victims of the tornadoes, such as providing food, shelter and medical care/supplies. If you would like to donate with your credit card, please call 816-842-7444.
- Convoy of Hope's disaster response team has been in contact with emergency management officials to determine how best they can assist with responding to the disaster. The first truckload of essential supplies such as water, snacks and ready-to-eat meals was transported this morning to the Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. More supplies will be following as Convoy of Hope works with local emergency officials to determine what locations and products will best serve the response. Those wanting to help can make a secure online donation at www.convoyofhope.org or can make a $10 text donation by texting the word, CONVOY to 50555. Standard message and date rates apply.
- The Salvation Army is providing emergency relief services to survivors and first responders of the Joplin tornado. The Army has mobilized four feeding units in impacted areas of the city and are offering food and beverages. The organization is also providing relief services in other impacted cities that were hit by tornadoes over the weekend, including: Minneapolis; Reading, Kan.; and Grove and Ketchum, Okla. There are four ways to help:
Text the word "Joplin" to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
By mail: Send your check to: Joplin Tornado Relief The Salvation Army 3637 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64111
- Red Cross emergency response vehicles are already responding in Missouri, helping to transport supplies to the shelter. Those who want to help people affected by disasters can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS; people can also text the word "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
- World Vision's disaster response director arrived in Joplin today. The organization raised its tornado response appeal to $5 million to meet additional needs in Missouri and Minnesota. To support these relief efforts, text TORNADO to 20222.
- From Feeding America, here is a link to a list of food agencies that are helping the hungry in this tornado-striken region.
For additional information and resources to help those effected by the Joplin tornado, visit Facebook.
First off I have to let you know that my links aren't going to be done til' Tuesday, partially because I wasn't feeling well for a few days due to my having an infection in my system (sorta womanly related). I know that endometriosis can compromise your immune system so that may have played a part in my getting an infection.
As I looked trough the news on the internet the news was soooo sad that I couldn't help but laugh at all the craziness in the news. I shook my head in disbelief at some of the news. First, we have a newborn baby who survived after being thrown down a trash chute. The surviving part is great! A miracle! But WTH? The mother threw her baby son down the trash chute, as if her child was considered garbage. The decline in morality and ethics in our country ticks me off so bad. Some people are just not meant to be mothers. Thank goodness a maintenance supervisor found the baby. Then we have a crazy woman who threatened Dairy Queen employees with a grenade. O.K. she was homeless and the grenade was not real but the employees thought that it was real. That must have been scary. She was obviously at least a little cuckoo and needs help. Or she could have done this stunt for food and shelter? I wonder what each of us would resort to if we were homeless?
Then in Lithuania we have a priest who was set on fire by a man during Mass. What is this world coming to? Trying to burn a priest while he was celebrating Mass. That is outrageous!! And there's more.... There was a woman in Louisville, KY who drew a sword while she was in the middle of an argument at Pizza Hut.
In England a doctor talked to his patient about Jesus and suggested that his patient might find solace in Christianity. The doctor has been threatened with a warning by his professional body for discussing Jesus with a patient. I don't know what the guidelines are in the U.K. but his being reprimanded is absurd since the doctor carried out a thorough and lengthy consultation. My doctor and I talk about Jesus and prayer so I don't find this as crossing the line. Plus, they talked over other avenues of help as well. More on the story here.
The Other McCain takes note of Mitch Daniels not running for President. I am thankful that Mitch isn't running. Plus, he mentions that the momentum is with Herman Cain even though the pundits don't think he has a chance of winning the nomination. Prove those eliticraps wrong Mr. Cain. Then Stacy has the latest gossip on the host squabbles within Fox News which has pinned Hannity vs. Beck and O' Reilly. Some men just have to resort to acting like teenage boys. Teenage rivalry? Come on boys... We don't need conflict amongst conservatives when we need to focus on one thing, and one thing only - making sure that Obama is NOT reelected to a second-term. That would be really bad, a huge mistake.
Today, I was remembered watching the old T.V. show called Batman so I decided to post all the women who have played Catwoman over the years in their Catwoman costumes.
Here are the first two parts of the episode of Batman called That Darn Catwoman.
You can find the rest of the parts of the episode here.
Did Comrade Obama just fall off planet EscrewIsrale Kookdom? Did Obama's alter ego reveal his anti-semitic or anti-Israel sympathies? His suggestion that Israel ought to return to it's 1967 borders or for him to suggest that that is where the discussion ought to start is as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said "indefensible." This is outrageous!! Obama ticks me off to no end. The man may have been born in America but the man sure as heck doesn't understand American values one iota.
His ties to both Communists and Muslims also shows that he has a skewed view of America. Some people wonder why conservatives question Obama's loyalties to both America and our allies. It is because Obama usually gives preferential treatment to other countries who are disloyal to America and how he and hos cronies have been trying to "transform" America into a secular humanistic, Communist, Muslim sympathizing fiefdom. Both he and progressives have slowly been eating away at America's foundation, have been poisoning young minds, distorting history, and even have been eliminating very important parts of American history from the people. Obama & Co are promoting a friggin perverse America, one that is not aligned with our Founding principles.
He and others within his administration are power hungry to control our lives as evidenced by all the freedom-hating crap he has either signed into law (ex. Obamacare), by executive order or when he had the EPA do his dirty work since congress didn't pass into law his climate change bill he bypassed normal, reasonable channels just to get his way, like he is a wanna be dictator. This most recent incident where he gave a big slap in the face to Israel is just one example of why we question whether Obama's knows what it means to be an American and whether he is supportive of our allies or not. It is obvious that Obama's alter ego has chosen to box Israel in a corner demanding that they give up the ability to defend itself, has abandoned Israelis at a time when Israel could use our support but no instead Netanyahu is given the "special" treatment and gets stabbed in the back by Obama. Both Obama's father and stepfather were Muslims and in the early part of his life he was raised in a culture which primarily consisted of Muslims so in this latest "I don't give a crap about Israel speech" is evidence of his Muslim sympathies IMO. Obama is clearly not a real American but in fact an imposter from EscrewIsrale Kookdom.
Peter Roff says that Obama "has sold Israel down the river without even so much as a basket made of reeds." Obama's speech will only embolden Israel's enemies. Maybe Obama wants to escalate the violence in the Middle East and have it turn into a full blown war? I don't know... his speech was so nonsensical one can only grasp at straws for reasons why he said what he said.
Roff points out that "Israel is surrounded by enemies, especially Iran--whose president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly threatened its security in his speeches. Obama’s speech on the Middle East will only serve to encourage Ahmadinejad and his ilk; perhaps even provoking them to act rather than just talk."
Since the 80s I’ve been saying, ‘They pass nationalized health care, it’s over.’
Last night comes a yet more obvious demonstration of our president’s willingness to betray Israel; to give her no choice but to surrender, or fight; and to precipitously bump the world toward war.
Once again, the same dread I’ve experienced just before the election; the first few months of his presidency, where he’s attacking Americans . . . . . and again and again and again.
Wouldn’t matter where he was born. He’s not an American.
Please do visit Bob's site to see the rest of his post.
WOW! Gene Simmons is on fire! I didn't realize that Simmons was born in Israel until I saw this on HotAir - (whose real name BTW isChaim Witz born in Haifa, Israel). He really lambasts Obama. This is great!
SIMMONS: "For a president to be sitting in Washington D.C and saying go back to your '67 borders in Israel. How 'bout you live there and try to defend an indefensible border-9 miles wide....President Obama...he has no f-ing idea what the world is like because he doesn't have to live there."
