I took the kids to an Earth Day festival Saturday at the Ogden Nature Center. It was really fun, the kids spent a great day outdoors, we all got some sun (!) and I learned a few things.
I've been wanting to start a vegetable garden again, and have been trying to find space and come up with an economical, low-time spent, big -pay off kind of plan. I think I found it!!
One of the exhibitors at the Earth Day festival was a Square Foot Gardener. As he explained how it works, it seems too simple. I bought the book, joined the Yahoo! group, visited the original Square Foot Gardening siteand have processed the info. I just need Terry to make the structure(s) for me and away I'm going to go! :)
I also learned about vermicompost. It's basically taking your veg and fruit scraps, mixing them with some shredded newspaper and feeding red wiggler worms. It enhances the soil greatly, and will make Mel's Mix for the Square Foot Gardening recipe. I'm excited about trying this--first I'd like to find some local Red Wiggler worms, so that I don't have to pay shipping. 1 lb of worms online goes for anywhere between 15-$30, some with shipping, some without. . you know how that goes!
Anyhow, here's to my next project!!
Did I mention that my curtain fabric is still on the roll in my sewing room? And I haven't bought curtain rods yet?? DOH!!!!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Women. . . in the Bible
Since God created Man first, and then decided it was not good for man to be alone, is Woman just an afterthought? Is our whole female purpose to just be a companion for man? Of course, in Genesis 1:27, it says "God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them . . ."
But Genesis 2:18-21 says, "Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner." It then goes on to say that God created animals, but none of them would fit the bill for Man. Isn't that a bit insulting? The footnotes in my Bible say, regarding 2:18-21, "To be fully human one needs to be in relation to others who correspond to oneself. Helper, not in a relationship of subordination but of mutuality and interdependence. Creation from the man's rib shows an affinity between man and woman such as is not possible between humans and animals."
Also, isn't it odd that God said it is not good for Man to be alone, only for Paul to write in 1 Corinthians 7,
"1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.. . . . 8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. "
How can he say that, based on Genesis? Paul seems to say that the only reason to get married is to prevent immorality. Due to our lack of control . . . . ???? That's rather insulting. And if woman was created FOR man, in a sense, FOR marriage, how can Paul contradict that?
Of course, I do believe that all people were created with gifts and worth. I struggle with these Biblical pictures of woman being created FOR man, as subservient. . . .
Perhaps Paul is trying to give women worth on their own? If it's better for us NOT to marry, then does that mean that Paul sees a greater purpose in women than just to be attached to man?
Must think about this.
But Genesis 2:18-21 says, "Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner." It then goes on to say that God created animals, but none of them would fit the bill for Man. Isn't that a bit insulting? The footnotes in my Bible say, regarding 2:18-21, "To be fully human one needs to be in relation to others who correspond to oneself. Helper, not in a relationship of subordination but of mutuality and interdependence. Creation from the man's rib shows an affinity between man and woman such as is not possible between humans and animals."
Also, isn't it odd that God said it is not good for Man to be alone, only for Paul to write in 1 Corinthians 7,
"1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.. . . . 8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. "
How can he say that, based on Genesis? Paul seems to say that the only reason to get married is to prevent immorality. Due to our lack of control . . . . ???? That's rather insulting. And if woman was created FOR man, in a sense, FOR marriage, how can Paul contradict that?
Of course, I do believe that all people were created with gifts and worth. I struggle with these Biblical pictures of woman being created FOR man, as subservient. . . .
Perhaps Paul is trying to give women worth on their own? If it's better for us NOT to marry, then does that mean that Paul sees a greater purpose in women than just to be attached to man?
Must think about this.
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Pill
I'm disgusted with the way the medical community sometimes behaves. I've been pretty clear that I think ACOG is over concerned with the bottom line and not women's health. And drug companies, too, have my contempt.
Many Christians believe that life begins at conception. It's interesting that manufacturers of the birth control pill (bcp) have gone to great lengths to hide the fact that the pill functions in THREE ways: 1) inhibiting ovulation, 2) creating thick cervical fluid so that sperm is inhibited from reaching an egg and 3)affecting the endometrium so that an egg that IS fertilized (conceived) cannot implant. The first 2 ways are considered contraceptive; the third is considered abortive.
It's appalling that the manufacturers are HIDING this information!! It's extremely difficult to find any research regarding this, and most women are completely unaware. Many doctors pussyfoot around the topic, claiming that the pill's PRIMARY functions are #1 and #2, as listed above. They claim that the abortive effect is very rare. If that were true, ectopic pregnancies would be dramatically less for users of the Pill. In fact, it's dramatically higher (70-1300% higher, according to several different studies). They claim that because SOMETIMES the Pill completely fails, and a baby is conceived and implanted and brought to full term, that must mean that the third, abortive effect, is non existent. That is completely convoluted logic!
Additionally, some medical experts claim that when a woman gives birth, use of the Pill becomes evident, because the hormones build up in a visible ring (like determining age on a tree. . . ) on her cervix. This has been associated with heart defects in babies, and harder contractions during labor, and causing dilation to go much slower than would be normal. Apparently it fades over time one the woman stops taking extra hormones.
My point is that for those women who believe life begins at conception and who are anti-abortion, why not be honest with them? This is a huge ethical, moral and religious matter for many people. So tell the truth! Don't hide it!!!! For those who do not care about this issue, they will use the bcp anyhow. I'm just disgusted with this conspiracy of silence in the medical community, where research is considered "proprietary" and people cannot find out what the truth is. It sickens me that profit motivates this. Perhaps if research and development companies were NOT for profit, our world would be a better place.
Many Christians believe that life begins at conception. It's interesting that manufacturers of the birth control pill (bcp) have gone to great lengths to hide the fact that the pill functions in THREE ways: 1) inhibiting ovulation, 2) creating thick cervical fluid so that sperm is inhibited from reaching an egg and 3)affecting the endometrium so that an egg that IS fertilized (conceived) cannot implant. The first 2 ways are considered contraceptive; the third is considered abortive.
It's appalling that the manufacturers are HIDING this information!! It's extremely difficult to find any research regarding this, and most women are completely unaware. Many doctors pussyfoot around the topic, claiming that the pill's PRIMARY functions are #1 and #2, as listed above. They claim that the abortive effect is very rare. If that were true, ectopic pregnancies would be dramatically less for users of the Pill. In fact, it's dramatically higher (70-1300% higher, according to several different studies). They claim that because SOMETIMES the Pill completely fails, and a baby is conceived and implanted and brought to full term, that must mean that the third, abortive effect, is non existent. That is completely convoluted logic!
Additionally, some medical experts claim that when a woman gives birth, use of the Pill becomes evident, because the hormones build up in a visible ring (like determining age on a tree. . . ) on her cervix. This has been associated with heart defects in babies, and harder contractions during labor, and causing dilation to go much slower than would be normal. Apparently it fades over time one the woman stops taking extra hormones.
My point is that for those women who believe life begins at conception and who are anti-abortion, why not be honest with them? This is a huge ethical, moral and religious matter for many people. So tell the truth! Don't hide it!!!! For those who do not care about this issue, they will use the bcp anyhow. I'm just disgusted with this conspiracy of silence in the medical community, where research is considered "proprietary" and people cannot find out what the truth is. It sickens me that profit motivates this. Perhaps if research and development companies were NOT for profit, our world would be a better place.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Spring
It's supposed to warm up to 76 degrees on Monday!!! YAY!!!!! Shorts and Tshirts, here we come!!!! Welcome to springtime in Utah! Perhaps the snow really is done!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Dear Eve,
When we got you, you were supposed to be half golden retriever, half german shepherd. My favorite dog, and Terry's favorite dog, respectively. You have no golden retriever in you at all. That leaves me screwed to begin with. I have worked with you, trained you, and taught you how to behave. Here are some notes on how this is going:
The garbage is not an all you can eat buffet. If you consider it as such, you must eat every scrap, not leave it strewn around the kitchen for me to clean up.
The incessant barking at the crazy lady who walks around the neighborhood is driving me bonkers. Soon I'll be the next crazy lady.
The dining room table is for people. Not four legged animals.
You must leave our little dog alone. She doesn't like you. Stop trying to entice her to play. And stop throwing the tennis ball at me. I'm busy.
Diapers are not food. That's disgusting. Now I have more sewing to do, to repair the freaking holes you put in the linings.
If you ever chew up a knitted soaker again, I will give you to the pound.
Sincerely,
Your Owner
The garbage is not an all you can eat buffet. If you consider it as such, you must eat every scrap, not leave it strewn around the kitchen for me to clean up.
The incessant barking at the crazy lady who walks around the neighborhood is driving me bonkers. Soon I'll be the next crazy lady.
The dining room table is for people. Not four legged animals.
You must leave our little dog alone. She doesn't like you. Stop trying to entice her to play. And stop throwing the tennis ball at me. I'm busy.
Diapers are not food. That's disgusting. Now I have more sewing to do, to repair the freaking holes you put in the linings.
If you ever chew up a knitted soaker again, I will give you to the pound.
Sincerely,
Your Owner
Friday, April 4, 2008
Our Waldorf Doll
I started her before Christmas, and have finally finished! Grace is so thrilled with this doll. She named her "Melody Emily", and she helped tie on Melody's hair.
This doll is made of all natural fibers, including cotton skin, natural fiber hair like mohair, wool, cotton and silk, and she is stuffed with wool filling, making her warm up as she is held. I ordered the kit from Dancing Rain Dolls, and the mother who owns this business is incredibly sweet to work with. I feel like I got a great deal in the kit, and am considering making a doll for AJ. Eventually. ;)
Some more pics. Note Grace's dress and Melody's match, and also note that Grace insisted on the purple sweater under her dress. She's definitely 4.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Heaven
I'm reading a book our pastor loaned us, Heaven by Randy Alcorn. It's given me a new perspective on life, and death. Alcorn's website is also quite good: Eternal Perspective Ministries.
I've always pictured Heaven as a place to rest, to sing, and to worship. I imagined me in a throne room, worshipping God. For eternity. Fun at first, but boring eventually.
Alcorn asserts that Heaven is a New Earth--our earth, perfected. Relationships with others--sinless. No cattiness, no anger, no passive aggression, just pure joy in being with other believers. Colors more vibrant than we can imagine. Mountains taller than we have ever encountered; oceans more beautiful than anything we have seen here. No death. (yes, it sounds like we'll be vegetarians!!!) Something even better than sex. Being complete in Christ, and discovering answers to all of the questions which have plagued us. No desire to sin, instead experiencing pure perfection through the redemption of Jesus Christ. No sorrow, no longing for those who have passed before us. He claims that heaven will be intellectually stimulating, that everyone will have a fulfilling purpose. The Chinese man who longed to teach in a university but settled for being a locksmith--in Heaven, perhaps he will be that professor. Women who longed for motherhood, will have children to mother. Children who longed for a loving mother--will have her. We will be complete, joyful and HOME.
I've always pictured Heaven as a place to rest, to sing, and to worship. I imagined me in a throne room, worshipping God. For eternity. Fun at first, but boring eventually.
Alcorn asserts that Heaven is a New Earth--our earth, perfected. Relationships with others--sinless. No cattiness, no anger, no passive aggression, just pure joy in being with other believers. Colors more vibrant than we can imagine. Mountains taller than we have ever encountered; oceans more beautiful than anything we have seen here. No death. (yes, it sounds like we'll be vegetarians!!!) Something even better than sex. Being complete in Christ, and discovering answers to all of the questions which have plagued us. No desire to sin, instead experiencing pure perfection through the redemption of Jesus Christ. No sorrow, no longing for those who have passed before us. He claims that heaven will be intellectually stimulating, that everyone will have a fulfilling purpose. The Chinese man who longed to teach in a university but settled for being a locksmith--in Heaven, perhaps he will be that professor. Women who longed for motherhood, will have children to mother. Children who longed for a loving mother--will have her. We will be complete, joyful and HOME.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)