Tuesday, March 31, 2009

On The Lighter Side

They say laughter is the best medicine. While I'm not yet ready to laugh yet, I thought I share something a little lighter after yesterday.

Quotes from Catholic school essays... Can you imagine yourself to be the nun sitting at her desk grading these papers while trying to keep a straight face!

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN BY CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED OR CORRECTED. INCORRECT SPELLING HAS BEEN LEFT IN.

1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.

3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.

4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.

5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.

6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.

7... MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.

8. THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTER WARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.

11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA.. THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.

12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.

14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.

15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.

16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.


17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.

18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.

19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE..

20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE.

21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.

22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.

23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.

24. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.

25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE . THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.

Monday, March 30, 2009

In Memory of Lee McKinley Davenport


My sweet Lee! My heart is broken my dear friend. Though we never met in person, we enjoyed many telephone conversations. You were my "adopted" son. You gave so much love to all. I will miss you always. I love you. Mama Joan
Lord, please take Lee into your loving arms and grant him peace.


Be at peace ---

Do not fear the changes of life~
rather look to them with full hope as they arise.
God, whose very own you are,
will deliver from out of them.

He has kept you hitherto,
and he will lead you safely through all things;
and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms.


Do not be afraid of what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and everyday.


He will either shield you from suffering,
or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.


Be at peace --
and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.



--St. Francis deSales

Sunday, March 29, 2009

You Know It's Spring When...


... the Burpee Seed Catalog arrives!!! For those who live in colder climates KNOW that Spring will be coming when the Burpee's Catalog arrives in the mail. When I lived in Minnesota, we PRAYED for the catalog's arrival especially after frigid winters and too much snow. And we also knew that summer would not be far behind.

While the weather is blissfully mild in Colorado compared to Minnesota, I did have to smile the other day when the catalog arrived on the day of our blizzard.

I haven't done any serious veggie gardening since my Minnesota days of yore. I think I will try to plant a small garden this year and see what happens. Wish me luck!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Springtime in the Rockies, Part II


Yesterday's blizzard is today's history. My end of the world only received about 3 inches of snow. Other parts of the country received over a foot of snow. My part of the county is referred to as "the banana belt."

Like most spring storms, this one was in for the punch and then out and flat. By noon today the sun was shining. We had 2 one-foot drifts in front of the garage and our front door when we woke up this morning. They are history also. Most of the snow melted this afternoon. Our roads are dry and clear. The weekend's forecast is for more sun and warm weather. "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change!" So true in Colorado Springs!!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Springtime in the Rockies


I'm sure you have all heard the saying "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change!" No truer words were ever uttered in Colorado especially in Colorado Springs. This morning I woke up to a beautiful sunny day with temps in the mid 40's. By 12:30 the snow started to fly and now we're having a blizzard. Mind you 4 days ago, we broke the record high temp recorded for that day!!


How much snow will we receive by tomorrow at noon when the storm is supposed to over? Well that's anybody's guess!! Between the Palmer Divide, Pikes Peak and Rockies there's no telling where we will end up.


In my county, the range is anywhere from 4-18 inches. I live in the southern part of the county. Except for the blizzard winds, we only have snow on the grassy areas. Travel 5 miles north or east and all hell is breaking loose.


Meanwhile, we have a nice fire going in the fireplace. We're warm. Our furbabies are warm and we have plenty to eat and drink. So we are just riding out this storm. Oh, and by Sunday, we will be in the low 50's. I love Springtime in the Rockies!!!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Judge: Anglican parish must vacate Grace church by April 3

Judge: Anglican parish must vacate Grace church by April 3

March 25, 2009 - 11:21 AM
MARK BARNA

A judge ruled today that the Anglican parish that's been meeting at Grace Church, 631 N. Tejon St., must vacate the building by April 3 at 5 p.m., setting the stage for the exiled Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal parish to hold its first service in the gothic church on Palm Sunday.
Judge Larry Schwartz also ordered the Anglican parish priest, Donald Armstrong, to vacate the rectory, where he lives on Electra Drive in the Skyline Way area, within 45 days from today. This revised the original order issued on Tuesday, which stated that Armstrong would have to vacate by April 1.

Schwartz asked the attorneys of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and the Anglican parish to agree on the appointment of a receiver, who would oversee and manage the transition of property between the parishes. If the attorneys do not agree on a receiver by 9 a.m. Thursday, Schwartz will appoint one. Concerns have been raised by the diocese that staff of the Anglican parish were walking out of Grace Church carrying boxes, and it was unknown if this was personal property or church property.

Schwartz encouraged both sides to work together to get through this transition. "If we act like adults, this can all be resolved," he said.The orders were made during a motion hearing this morning at the Fourth Judicial Court. The 4 ½ week trial to determine legal ownership of the majestic gothic church downtown concluded March 11. During the trial, the Anglican parish, which has occupied the property since March 2007, argued that since 1973 it's been its own corporation holding legal title to the church property. The diocese argued that the Anglican parish was part of the Episcopal Church until its secession two years ago. According to ecclesiastical law and Colorado legal precedent, an Episcopal parish never holds title of its property, and if it leaves the national body, it must vacate church property.On Tuesday, Schwartz ruled that the church property belonged to the Colorado Episcopal diocese, not the Anglican parish.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

DIOCESE OF COLORADO WINS!!!!



Praise God from whom all blessings flow...


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO: Grace Church Loses Property Suit
Press Release

March 24, 2009


Today the Honorable Larry Schwartz of the El Paso County District Court issued a judgment that determined the Episcopal Church and Diocese of Colorado to be the owners of the 17-million dollar historic landmark property located at 631 N. Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs.


Ownership claims of the majestic gothic-style church had been in dispute since its congregation decided to leave the Episcopal Church in March of 2007 and affiliate with the theologically conservative Virginia-based Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA).


In a 28 page ruling, Judge Schwartz wrote, "The Diocese over most of its 135 year existence demonstrates a unity of purpose on the part of the parish and general church.... [T]he trust created through past generations of members of Grace Church and St. Stephen's prohibits the departing parish members from taking the property with them."This ruling resolves the complicated issues surrounding the case. In a 5-week long trial that concluded in mid-March attorneys for the Episcopal Church and its Diocese of Colorado argued that the local parish is a subsidiary organization of the Diocese and holds its property in trust for the national denomination.


Therefore, the attorneys argued, when a congregation decides to leave the denomination its real and personal property remains with the Episcopal Church and Diocese.Grace Church & St. Stephen's counter-argued that under Colorado neutral principles of law, most trusts are created by the owner who has title to the property that is placed in trust. In the local congregation's case Grace Church was incorporated as a separate non-profit corporation under Colorado law and not as a subsidiary organization of the Episcopal Church and Diocese.


No property trust was ever explicitly created in clear and unambiguous terms.Even so, the Court found that there was sufficient evidence to determine the existence of an implied trust arrangement with the Diocese and Episcopal denomination. Thousands of pages of exhibits and five weeks of trial argument including expert testimony by property and trust lawyers, church historians and canonists made for a very complicated and difficult case to decide.


"For two years we have been praying for justice in this case, and the Court has now ruled. Judge Schwartz is a fair and honorable man and we appreciate his own sacrifice and considered effort in hearing our case. Our congregation will take some time to review his ruling with our attorneys before we make a formal response. There is much yet to be settled even with this significant ruling now issued," said Father Donald Armstrong, rector of Grace Church & St. Stephen's."


As to the future of our congregation, it's the people and not the building that is at the heart of our life in Christ," Armstrong said. "This decision is one major step out of the ambiguity in which we have lived these past two years and will allow us to more readily refocus on gospel work and service. At the very least this is an occasion for renewal and recommitment to the essential things of gospel work. Our Plan B is well-developed, exciting, and will be announced shortly."


In April of 2007 Grace Church & St. Stephen's filed a complaint in El Paso County District Court to determine ownership of the N. Tejon Street campus. The congregation took legal action after the Diocese attempted to freeze bank accounts and trust funds of the parish. Previous to these measures Colorado Bishop Robert O'Neill and the Diocese had made efforts to remove the vestry (the parish's governing board), dismiss the Rev. Donald Armstrong as rector, and take possession of the church's real property.


Subsequent actions by the Diocese against Grace Church & St. Stephen's have been to initiate civil lawsuits against 18 separate parishioners, most of whom are volunteers. That lawsuit is still pending and expected to go to trial in August.


Grace Church & St. Stephen's legal effort to hold on to its historic house of worship is a national high-profile property dispute and one of at least 55 other cases involving former Episcopal congregations. In related disputes with the Episcopal Church 12 theologically conservative bishops and 104 priests have been defrocked by the denomination.


Last December a court decision in Virginia ruled in favor of a dozen formerly Episcopal congregations to keep their properties. Alternatively, in January the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Episcopal Church in property disputes involving three separating congregations. Other major property battles with the Episcopal Church are ongoing and include disputes involving entire dioceses that have left the Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Forth Worth, Texas, the San Joaquin Valley, California, and Quincy, Illinois.


Although manifested as property disputes in civil courts across the country, the underlying issue is theological. The Episcopal Church has chosen to walk apart from the historical faith and practice of the Anglican Communion upheld in the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. Episcopal Church membership has been declining for decades. Recent estimates suggest that Episcopal Church is losing up to 1,000 members per week.


Hundreds of formerly Episcopal congregations in the United States have since aligned with other international Anglican Provinces in Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and the Southern Cone of South America. Last December in Wheaton, Illinois most of these congregations were represented in the formation of a new Anglican Church of North America. Within a few months it is expected that roughly 700 congregations will be included in the new Anglican Church body, including Grace Church & St. Stephen's and nearly thirty other congregations in Colorado.


The Episcopal Church is one of 38 provincial churches in the 74 million member worldwide Anglican Communion whose historical roots date back to the colonizing days of the British Empire. In the aftermath of the American Revolution the Episcopal Church was organized as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion. More recently, international controversy has surrounded the Episcopal Church as it has been drifting away from traditional Christian beliefs and teaching held by the Communion. Its future relationship to the Anglican Communion is now tenuous at best since 22 of the 38 Anglican Provinces have declared that they are in a broken or impaired relationship with the Episcopal Church for its departure from traditional Christian belief and practice.


Anglican worship has been established in Colorado Springs from the founding of the City in the 1872. City founder, General William Jackson Palmer attended Grace Church's first worship service in 1872 and donated its initial property. Until joining CANA in March of 2007, Grace Church & St. Stephen's was the largest Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Colorado and rivaled the Cathedral of St. John's in Denver in weekly, attendance, membership, and influence."This is a new beginning for Grace Church & St. Stephen's in its partnership with CANA," said the Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns, missionary bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). "Grace Church has a glorious heritage and an exciting future ahead of it.


Although this decision is disappointing, the congregation and its leadership in Don Armstrong are strong in their commitment to gospel work and the renewal of Anglicanism in Colorado Springs and beyond. I fully expect that its members will quickly recover from the sad loss of their historic place of worship. Knowing the people of Grace Church and their buoyant optimism, I anticipate that the parish's best days are yet ahead."


END

Friday, March 20, 2009



Happy TGIF to all! Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

25 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER



25 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER


1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE . "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."


2. My mother taught me RELIGION . "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."


3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL ; "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"


4. My mother taught me LOGIC . " Because I said so, that's why."


5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC . "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."


6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT . "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."


7. My mother taught me IRONY "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."


8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS . "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."


9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM . "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"


10. My mother taught me about STAMINA . "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."


11. My mother taught me about WEATHER . "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."


12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY . "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"


13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE . "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."


14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION . "Stop acting like your father!"


15. My mother taught me about ENVY . "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."


16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION . "Just wait until we get home."


17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING . "You are going to get it when you get home!"


18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE . "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."


19. My mother taught me ESP . "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"


20. My mother taught me HUMOR . "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."


21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT . "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."


22. My mother taught me GENETICS. "You're just like your father."


23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS . "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"


24. My mother taught me WISDOM . "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."


25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Useful Information??


Now here is some information you can't live without....

At five minutes and six seconds after 4 AM on the 8th of July this year, the time and date will be 04:05:06 07/08/09. Now that is some useful info isn't it?? I emailed this gravely important information to all my nearest and dearest friends and relations last night. This morning my dear friend, Evelyn wrote and asked if I came up with the info on my own. Sorry Evelyn! I nicked the info from an Internet site. Believe me, my brain doesn't work in this fashion!!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day



Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of my Irish friends and those who wish they were! Don't drink too much green beer today. I always make corned beef and cabbage on St. Pat's Day. I just love the stuff! Chuck, however, dislikes corned beef and cabbage almost as much as he hates casseroles. So this year I'm giving him a break. BUT next year is a different story!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Visual Arts Festival



Our parish's annual Visual Arts Festival is tomorrow. Chuck and I will head over to church this afternoon to set up our displays. My display will feature embroidery and candle wicking projects that I have completed. Chuck is entering the show for the first time with his model ships that he makes. His models are really awesome and I suspect he will receive many compliments.

Now being the good Piskies that we are, there is a dessert/wine reception this evening. It's always a lot of fun. I'm bringing some homemade chocolate cream and banana cream puffs. Can't wait to sample some of the goodies and enjoy a good glass of vino!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Bye, Bye Bernie!



Bernie is off to the slammer after pleading guilty today. With a 150 year sentence hanging over his head, Bernie won't see the light of day outside of a cell in a long time, if ever. I do not condone Bernie's actions. But I do have a question or two for the investors. With the exception of those folks who were in a pension fund and don't normally follow what's happening with their investments, what's the excuse for the individual investors? When their rate of returns, at least on paper, were higher then anybody else in town, didn't they wonder why? Bernie either had to be the greatest brain in the investing game or a fraud. "If it seems to good to be true," it usually is for a good reason!! These investors were supposed to be intelligent folks. You don't become wealthy by being stupid. So do the investors share some of the blame for their greed? I don't know. But it sure seems fishy to me.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Surgery was a Success...



...however the patient is not a happy camper. Chuck had a very rough night, was uncomfortable and in pain. We saw the surgeon this morning. The surgical results are great. Unfortunately, Chuck's cataract was quite difficult to remove. The surgery took longer then expected and the surgeon had to use a different lens implant. Chuck was able to nap this afternoon. Prayers going up for a better night's sleep.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Successful Surgery!



Chuck's cataract surgery was a success! The cataract was harder for the doctor to remove then anticipated and he had to give Chuck a different lens implant. The surgery took about 1/2 hour longer. But Chuck is fine, has no pain and is now taking a nap. Thank you for your prayers. We go back to see the doctor in the morning. Hopefully his left eye cataract surgery will be ASAP!!

Monday, March 9, 2009

March is such fun!



I just love March weather in Colorado! You NEVER know what to expect from one day to the next. Today it was Springtime in the Rockies... sunny and warm. Tomorrow... windy and cold and snow in the higher elevations. Then we're supposed to return to Spring. Oy vey!


I do have a prayer request for tomorrow. Chuck is having cataract surgery on his right eye tomorrow morning. His left eye will be fixed next month. Please send up prayer for Chuck, his surgeon and the entire medical team who will be caring for him. Thanks!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME



Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour tonight if you are plagued by Dayling Savings Time! I remember when DST went from about May to September. Then the "powers that be" started extending the hours. Now we go from March to November. I ask you? WHY not just leave the clocks alone???? Push it forward and leave it there. It's just about year round now.


I have a friend who grew up on his family farm. He said DST didn't make a darn bit of difference to them. They simply worked from sun up to sun down regardless of what the clock said. In fact he noted, the cows hated DST. Cows obviously don't wear watches. They just know what time they are supposed to be milked. Waiting an extra hour did not make for contented cows! So they would have to gradual change the cows to the new hours. It was crazy.


Just as crazy as changing our clocks now. I know folks enjoy the extra light in the evening. But what about getting up in the dark and having to send children to school in the dark? Years ago when DST was started earlier, parents around the country raised hell about having their children at bus stops in the dark for safety reasons. Don't we care about the kids' safety today?


Then there are those who tout that it lowers energy costs. OK... I'm not a rocket scientist, but aren't you just exchanging the evening usage to morning usage? How does this lower the usage? I hope someone can enlighten me because obviously, I don't "get it!"

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Parish Attendance?



Last night was our first soup supper and Evensong service for Lent. The attendance was quite good with several folks who haven't attended in past years.


On another site, a person asked if attendance was up in our local parishes due to the economy. Most responded that their numbers were indeed rising. It was noted that rising church attendance is not unusual in hard or difficult times. I haven't noticed a difference on Sundays yet. However, last night was definitely up! It will be interesting to see if the attendance continues to increase.


Anyone seeing any trends in their parishes?

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Spring Cleaning Bug



The Spring Cleaning Bug hit today! Two days of 70+ weather and sunshine got me going. Our house is small. The main floor has the kitchen, dinette area and living room.


The dinette area which realtors here call a "dining room," isn't! For some strange reason, dining rooms are really tiny in Colorado homes. At least those homes built after the 1960's unless you have a custom home. Our "dining room" can only seat 6 people with relative comfort. So last year, I repurposed the space! While Chuck was out of town at his mother's, the dining room became my reading nook. Loveseat, coffee table, lamps, plants, etc. You get the idea. My very OWN space to read, sew, etc. I just love it.


That meant moving the dining room table into the living room area. The arrangement works much better especially when the table is extended. The rest of the living room had book cases, TV, coffee table, end tables & lamps. Today I flipped the furniture around. Now there is a defined TV viewing area with loveseat, coffee table, lamp, end table, etc. On the other side of the room is our round dining table with 4 chairs.


By changing the furniture, I now have two nook areas in the house... mine & Chuck's. He loves it. It's really cozy and so comfortable. We each have our own spaces with visitng rights to each other's space! That should do it with the spring cleaning bug for awhile!


Monday, March 2, 2009

Worse household task?



Is there ANY household task worse then cleaning toilets and bathrooms?? I think not. If you can top the toilet detail, I'd love to know what it is. I'd rather clean the cats' litter boxes. I swear they are cleaner then bathrooms!!

I would probably rate cleaning refrigerators as #2 on the cleaning tasks list followed by vacuuming, especially steps! What's on your list??