Not a Scary Choice

Today President Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito for the United States Supreme Court, citing his lengthy prior judicial service, "more...than any Supreme Court nominee in more than 70 years."

His record:
1990 to present
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
1987 to 1990
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey
1985 to 1987
Deputy Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General
1981 to 1985
Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General

For those of us on the right, a very good choice, comforting, in fact. Those on the left are frightened. Boo! (That's as much a tribute to Halloween as I can muster.)

Have a beautiful day!

le

Such a Strong Word

I hate my life. That may seem to be a strange way to begin a post, but it’s true. I hate that I am still a sinner, a redeemed, gifted with Salvation, born again Christian who struggles every day with sin in my life. It’s the sin part of my life that I hate, not the child of God part. God has Blessed me beyond my comprehension, given me the wonderful gift of eternal life, and I squander days still sinning. It makes no sense. It would be wonderful beyond words if, at the moment of Salvation, God would instantly move us up into Heaven in our glorified bodies, free from even the memory of sin. But that’s not His plan, and the Gospel message wouldn’t be spread without messengers, ground troops, so to speak, remaining here to reach out to the lost.

John 12:25-26
25“He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

People will cling to Life, take their place in the Rat Race, strive to succeed and do what? Build a better life for themselves, make the Life they have last as long as it can. But it all ends up covered with dirt.
I saw a profile of Wayne Newton awhile back, and was struck by how he measured success by the accumulation of things, stuff-the “trappings of success”. Trappings is right-he’s trapped into believing that because he owns a million dollar ______ (fill in the blank) that his life has worth, that he is more valuable because of what he has. It brought to mind the rich young man who asked Jesus what he must do to be saved. And Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor. Why would Jesus tell him that? He wanted the young man to see that the wealth he had, the life he had, was holding him back from the Life he could have in Him.
Jesus wanted the young man to hate his life so that, when offered the best gift of all, Salvation, he would readily receive it with Joy.
I’m not picking on Wayne, by the way-there are numerous examples of those settling for the shoddy temporal riches of this world who miss the only valuable ‘pearl of great price’ which is available to them.
I am grateful to God for bringing me into His family, allowing me to become His child. I pity the Wayne Newtons of this world who settle for so very little when offered Everything. This morning I heard a friend mention in prayer that, “Without obedience there is no Joy.” and I knew exactly what he meant. When I sin, when I strive to do things my way, when I rebel against what I know God wants me to do, what He wants to fulfill in my life, I am miserable-there is no Joy. But when I submit to Him, meekly asking forgiveness for having disappointed Him (and myself) again, He doesn’t punish me, but instead comforts me with His Holy Spirit, from which comes Joy. It certainly does ‘pass all understanding’-but I am grateful to my Father in Heaven who sees ‘worth’ in me, who wants, for some unfathomable reason, me to be included in His family.

Harriet Miers Nominated -- WITHDRAWN

Harriet Miers? What? Maybe it's strategery? (Originally posted Oct 3)

Update: IF this link works, it might be reassuring.

Update 2: Is it possible that a lot of the noise being offered now against the candidate is bias because she is an evangelical Christian?

Update 3: Okay. That's over. Now what? I personally think she would have been a constructionist. Now we have to start all over. In the meantime, I hope O'Connor doesn't have any important cases come before her. I think we have had enough constitutional "expansion."

"Because cases coming before the SCOTUS in the near future include some crucial decisions --including an abortion rights blockbuster that will be argued in late November-- it is very important to get a nominee for whom hearings can be scheduled immediately."Hugh Hewitt

I am in agreement with Hugh Hewitt that conservatives have by their unfair treatment of Ms. Miers, set themselves up for calls of hypocrisy for the future nomination, when they appear willing to accept the absence of or presence of paper trail of a certain type for the next candidate, or whatever the sticking point, which they were unwilling to do with Ms. Miers.

le

It's an Anthem, not a lovesong!

Am I alone in being repulsed by the trashing The Star Spangled Banner receives on a nearly daily basis at sporting and other events across the nation? I am referring to the a'capella crooning of the anthem by various vocalists, some of obvious talent, virtually all with no apparent understanding that a national anthem is not a love song.

Here is how it should be presented followed by how it typically is:

Tempo - With gusto and a little pomp, it is usually performed too slowly, often downright plodding and lethargic.
Time - 3/4 maestoso waltz, apparently unknown and certainly unfelt by most singers. Perhaps they don't know that maestoso means 'majestically', not lovingly.
Tune - Difficult, but not impossible. Stick to the score, there is no need to add notes, cuts, slides, overlong sustains, nor improbable highs.
Lyrics - Difficult, but every syllable can be clearly enunciated. Most seem to get right at least the first line or two and many actually get through the entire first verse, however none know any verse beyond that.
Listenability - Stirring and moving when performed correctly, mostly repellent when not.

It seems to me that these horrific versions of the national anthem have only appeared in the last decade or two. Those who croon it seem to be saying not "This is an important symbol of our nation", but rather "Listen to me, I'm doing cool stuff here, it's all about me." Instead of honoring the flag and the nation it symbolizes, they seem to be narcissistically glorifying themselves. Instead of showing respect, if not admiration, for their country's history, heroes, heritage, and symbols, they seem to be doing the exact opposite.

Here is my suggestion to anyone who wishes to publicly sing the national anthem. It's about the flag of the United States of America, the red, white, and blue symbol of the nation it was written to honor. It isn't about you. Neither you, nor your personality, nor your opinions, nor your personal version, nor your special vocalizations, nor your ideosyncracies, are of any importance in rendering the national anthem. So please! Stop the emotional gushing of something you don't feel anyway. In fact, if you did feel it you would stick to the score which, by the way, sounds like this when played correctly, in this instance by the United States Marine Band.

It's an anthem, not a love song!

Nuda Veritas

Same Rags

Awhile back I mentioned a man I used to work for named Ray, when we both worked for “Uncle Ralph”.
One of Ray’s favorite sayings was: “You have to get glad in the same rags you got sad in.”
I always took that to mean don’t look for something or someone else to make you happy-you may be waiting a long time. When we are going through a bad patch, difficult times, it is better to face the problems and resolve them than worry and wonder and hope things get better. As a Christian, I know that no matter what difficulties arise, God not only has a plan for me to get through them, but is with me so I never face them alone.
Yes, He also allows the troubles to happen-we all face some tribulations; many Christians see persecution and torture today that I may never face. The Bible calls such Christians “Blessed.” I am in no way comparing my problems to theirs, but no matter what the circumstance, great or small, God sees us through.
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, just before He was arrested. They contain a promise which we can claim also: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
We all have times when the imperative, “Rejoice!” seems like a mockery, a stale dry biscuit in our mouths, and Praising God for our difficulties seems like the least sensible thing to do.
But there is the secret, the Oil, the very essence of Holiness: God is our only true help and deliverer. He has promised in His Word to take care of His children, and a heart seeking renewal, a child in need, though he or she may find it the hardest labor possible, must begin their prayer with Praise. When we least feel like it is when we need to Praise God the most. Honor God and trust that He will see you through your troubles. And don’t try to tell Him how that should be accomplished, either.
Simply Praise God, Rejoice, Pray, repeat as necessary.

The Long, Hot Simmer

WARNING: Rated R for violence! Not for the squeemish, nor the faint of heart, nor small children, nor dedicated members of PETA. If you fall into any of these categories STOP READING NOW! All others please read on.

It is said that if a frog is dropped into a pan of boiling water it will instantly jump out to safety. If, however, it is placed in a pan of cool water and the water slowly brought to a boil it will calmly allow itself to be slowly cooked to...well, to death. I cannot attest to the truth of this strange claim nor can I fully understand why anyone would even want to know if it is true or not. Nevertheless, there it is.

For some of us, our entry into the Christian fellowship is like that. My own certainly has been. Immersed in ritual Christianity at an early age I jumped out of the pan at the earliest opportunity. I had attended church services regularly, sung in the choir, been a youth group participant, enjoyed Bible camps and retreats, even taught Sunday School, but my greatest attention had always been elsewhere. There were so many unanswered and unanswerable questions that I always wondered where my Damascus Road was, my epiphany, my eye opening awakening. It never came, it still hasn't nearly fifty years later.

Oh, I didn't fall into a life of drugs, alcohol, sexual depravity, crime, or even one of emotional upset and despair. I did many of the normal everyday things most people do. I married, raised a family, got an education and a good job, had good friends, but there always seemed to be something missing. I looked everywhere, music, art, philosophy, eastern religions, obscure metaphysics, science, history, literature. I found some interesting, some intriguing, some mysterious, some even exciting, but one by one they were all curiously unsatisfying. Then one day, for no particular reason, I picked up the Bible as I had done many times before. Leafing its pages haphazardly I stopped on Romans, chapter nine and began reading. Verses 20 and 21 fairly jumped off the page at me.

Rom 9:20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"
Rom 9:21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

I leaned back into my chair as I realized that I had all the while been silently blaming God for my shortcomings, my weaknesses, my failures. I had always believed, but had never fully trusted. I had always read Scripture, but had never really had faith in it. Suddenly it dawned on me that I hadn't leapt clear all those years ago, but had only jumped from one pot to another with water of a more pleasing temperature. The heat had been slowly rising ever since.

Joh 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

This frog had somehow received mercy, had died and had been 'born again', not with tongues of fire, but with a long, slow simmer. The world looks different now, not in a material way, but in a 'God's plan' way. I don't claim to understand His plan, but I know I'm a small part of it and that's good enough for me. So if you're trying, seeking, but just don't feel the fire and can't seem to fully understand, be patient and come on in. The water's much better here...except for the frog who, sadly, didn't make it.

Praise God!

Nuda Veritas

Quizilla Fun

Here is a funny internet quiz. I couldn't resist. I think Napoleon Dynamite is so funny. And I am sweaty! I found this at Everything is Adding Up to Here and Now.


You are LaFawnduh. Why are you so sweaty?


Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

le

Winners and Potential Winners

I just finished watching the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels, winning the American League
Championship and moving them on to the World Series. It was exciting, it was historical on many levels, and it was a case of the best team winning. I will cheer for them to beat whichever team survives the National League playoffs.
Cheers for the Sox will be heard from Chicago to Manager Ozzie Guillen’s home country of Venezuela.
Part of what I love about baseball, besides seeing the action on the field, is to see the fans cheering their teams, crying for their teams, emotionally involved in the game. They take pride in their team doing well,
suffer (Hello Cubs fans!) when their team doesn’t, look forward in anticipation to the next game, or next year. (Hello fellow Atlanta Braves fans!)
Winners in life win the prize. Christians, those who have accepted Christ, have won the greatest prize possible-a redeemed relationship with our Creator. One that lasts through Eternity. Cool.
What’s funny, and how Christianity differs from baseball: Ozzie Guillen isn’t interested in asking the LA Angels to join his team. The Chicago White Sox see the Angels as foes to be vanquished, impediments to their winning the prize. Christians love for people to hear the Gospel and accept Jesus Christ. We are winners who want everyone to join our club, become winners with us. Why? Because we know how wonderful the prize is, and that it is within the reach of every heart. When someone accepts Christ, as happened for two young men in our church a few weeks ago, we rejoice, are happy for them, cheering them on from the stands, so to speak. They are winners. They are part of our team. They will join us in welcoming the next ones who decide to trust Jesus Christ with their lives. Praise God and Play Ball!

Caution -- Beware of Slips

Have you ever experienced that heart-dropping moment when you know that the words that have just passed by your lips are hurtful and hateful, and should never have been spoken? That kind of Hitchcock cinematic instance where you appear to be standing perfectly still, but the background moves farther and farther away?

“No, no, no! Why did I say that?”

I have been guilty so many times, especially with my spouse. I love my dearest friend, but he is the one person in the world upon whom I allow my vile and hateful feelings to bubble up and overflow out of my wretched and unruly mouth. Why are we that way?

Tonight I let my tongue loose. Oh, only for a sentence. But why did I let my old man out?

“It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within in me. In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin. So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh what a terrible predicament I’m in. Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free.” Romans 7.21 – 25 LB

James had a few words to say about the tongue. You can read all of them yourself in the third chapter of that book. “…out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”

Though written nearly 2,000 years ago, these words, inspired by the One I love more than anyone, are as true as ever. Today we call someone our friend. Tomorrow we make a wounding statement that drives another wedge of mistrust and hurt between us.

Lord, I am sorry for offending you. Please help me to spare the people I love from that injury. I need Your strength. Now I must apologize to my husband.

le

Katrina Conspiracy Theories

Spike Lee will be making a documentary on Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. In an interview with Reuters he had this to say:

"I wouldn't put anything past the U.S. government when it comes to people of colour. There is too much history ... going back to when the U.S. army gave smallpox-infested blankets to Native Americans."

Lee says that his documentary will use “factual journalism, not creative narrative,” but describes himself as a “provocateur,” and is looking for an “angle” -- maybe political “hanky panky.” I am sure he will be including Louis Farrakhan and the Reverend Jesse Jackson among his interviewees. Just the facts, sir.

I can’t express how excited I am for his documentary to come out (imagine I am intoning in the voice of Ben Stein).

But I think what he really ought to do is talk with this guy. Now he has a provocative angle .

le

Meeting With A King

Just across the street from our house was the largest park in the city. In winter we'd build snow forts, have snowball fights, play on the ice on the small lake in the center of the park. In summer we'd play ball, hide 'n seek, tag, catch, and whatever other games we could drum up. Every summer weekend would find the road that circled the park just inside its perimeter jam-packed with people washing or waxing their cars. Every available open space would be filled with people picnicking, playing games, or just enjoying the shade of a warm summer day.

There was a small amusement center in the park which housed three wagon-wheel snack concessions, a permanent hamburger/hot dog stand, a ferris wheel, a tilt-a-whirl, and a merry-go-round. It too would be crowded with people enjoying themselves and their children. Across the street from that was a bandstand with covered seating for some three hundred people and standing room for another hundred. Five nights a week there was some kind of entertainment at the bandstand from June through August. I only remember Monday night movies, usually westerns, Tuesday night dance class recitals, Saturday night country music shows, and a Sunday night band concert. It was all free and fun, except of course the dance class recitals, but we went anyway because it was better than sitting at home or 'just goofing off'.

Walking through the park by myself one Sunday afternoon I came across a man sitting under a large shade tree. He was dressed in brown, wrinkled pants, a brown suit jacket, and black shoes with no socks. He was pulling cherries from a bag beside him and popping them into his mouth. He raised his hand and gestured for me to sit down which I did. He offered his bag of cherries and I reached in, pulled out one and ate it. It was large, colored a deep, dark red, perfectly juicy and sweet. The two of us sat there in the shade eating cherries and talking. He told me had been working in the cherry orchards of Bountiful, about 15 miles north of where I lived, and had left there that morning since the work was 'pretty much done'. He had stopped in 'my' park to rest before heading for the railroad yards to 'hop a freight' for Colorado.

We sat there talking and watching the people for a long time. He told me about the time he rode 300 miles in a cattle car...full of cattle. He had been in the car when it was pulled up to a loading dock and some 40 longhorn steers lumbered aboard. He spent the entire journey fending off their horns and heavy bodies. He never rode a cattle car again. He'd spent several trips 'riding the rods'. "What's that?" I asked. "The wheel carriages have long, curved steel rods connecting them to the bottom of the car," he explained, "and they fit a man's body pretty well. It's a bit noisy and you don't do it in winter, but it's a good ride and easier to spot railroad 'bulls' from."

He explained that outside of every major railroad center in America there were camps, called jungles, where hobos would stay until they were ready to move on. Once a year most of the 'real' hobos gathered in Iowa for their national convention where they traded stories, information, and elected a king and a queen, yes there were gal hobos too. The winners were usually the ones who had visited the most 'jungles' to campaign for the honor. He had been king once before and was campaigning to be re-elected this year. I was utterly captivated and incredibly impressed.

After some time had passed a fellow walked by sporting one of those just new polaroid cameras, the kind where you snap the shutter and exactly 60 seconds later, voila! a photograph. Amazing stuff back then. He asked if he could take our picture. The king of the hobos looked at me and asked, "OK with you?" "Sure", I said. 'CLICK' went the camera followed by some whirring noises...and we waited.

A minute later the camera made a buzzing sound as it slowly ejected the developed picture. The guy showed it to us and offered to sell it for a dollar. Well, a ten-year-old and a guy who picks fruit for a living and rides the rails aren't about to pop for pictures at a buck apiece so the price was dropped to fifty cents. That offer was rejected as well so the photographer tossed the picture on the grass and walked away shaking his head. My friend picked up the photo, looked at it, took a pen from his pocket and wrote something on the back of the picture and gave it to me. He said, "Now you have proof that you've met the king of the hobos". Then he got up, said it was time for him to leave, and walked away. Of course, I wanted to go with him. He turned around, pointed his finger at me and said, "some of us have to go, some of us have to stay. Right now, your job is to stay".

I watched him as he walked away and wondered if he would soon be on his way to Colorado sitting in a boxcar. It sounded terribly exciting and I wanted badly to go, but deep down knew I couldn't. As I slowly walked home I looked at the back of the photo and read "Two friends enjoying cherries in the park, Allan and the King of the Hobos". I put it in the back pocket of my jeans and went home. I never saw him again and I never found out if he truly was the king of the hobos.

That was over 50 years ago and luckily I remember it as though it were yesterday. Luckily because when I put those pants in the hamper to be washed I forgot about the photograph in the back pocket. It was lost forever in the ensuing wash. But I was sure I had met the king of the hobos.

I wrote this some time ago as a fond memory of my rather twisted childhood. A brief moment in time that lingers in the mind decades later. Was he the king of the hobos? I didn't know then, I don't know now, but I believe he was because however indirectly, I learned a life lesson that day. Live and make the best of your life, not somebody else's.

Some years ago I met another King. It wasn't in a park, there was no man with a Polaroid camera to take a picture and I was left no note by which to remember the meeting. Well, actually I was. The note was written on my heart; "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength," and with all your mind, and "your neighbor as yourself." Since that day I have tried to live by those words, sometimes succeeding, often failing. Since that day my life has been blessed again and again. I have been especially blessed in the knowledge that when this King returns He'll let me jump that freight with Him.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
'Twas grace that brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Than when we'd first begun.

John Newton (1779) (verse 5 by R. Winchell, (1829))

Addendum: I decided to do some investigating and found the following at http://www.hobo.com/
The events described above took place in midsummer 1950 or 1951. According to this website the kings during those years were Cannonball Eddie (1950) and Hobo Ben Benson (1951) both of whom had been king once prior. There is, however, no confusion about the other King.

Nuda Veritas

Random Thoughts Tuesday

Randomly thoughting today, I am thankful that God has graced me with another beautiful day. As every good gift comes from above, I know Who to thank. What a non-Christian sometimes can’t get his or her head around is that we thank God for bad days, too. “In all things, give thanks.” isn’t just a nice idea-it’s scriptural. So is rejoicing that God is with us, working in our lives: Philippians 4:4-9---
“4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Sometimes, my spirit isn’t gentle-I can get downright un-gentle, and I have probably been a bad witness for Christ because of it. But God has Grace to cover my flaws, and bring me forward to where I do have a gentle spirit. It always begins with praise for God. We praise and pray, and find delight in that God takes care of His children. What Mother or Father hasn’t told a scared child, “Don’t worry-everything will be all right?” The admonition to God’s people throughout the Bible is: “Don’t worry about anything-God loves you and is taking care of you.”

These verses in Philippians also give us another key to living at peace with God and ourselves-dwell on the good instead of the bad. Sound psychology that even non-Christians can take to heart. We do not delude ourselves that the world is full of happy sunshine-but God blesses us in many ways, and we should be thankful, dwelling on those good things that He has done, rather than on how terrible the world is.

I chose this picture for Random Thoughts Tuesday because it always makes me laugh, to see the me that used to be. And I didn’t want le to think she was the only one who looked great in high school.

What to do?

This is absolutely silly. I meant to be on my way, going to work, and here I am.

Christians, we do Christian very well, some of us have years of practice. the most Christian thing we can do is pray, the second most Christian thing we do is study His Word. The third most Christian thing we can do these days is look up, for our redemption is drawing near. By that I mean Christ will be returning soon, the author of our redemption.
Why am I writing this? I don't know, but I felt that I should. We Christians must pray, study His Word and look up. God speaks to us in prayer and in His Word. Be like one of the wise virgins. Be ready with oil in your lamp.

Okay, I'm Pathetic

I saw this at Free Thoughts and thought it would be fun in a pathetically melancholy sort of way. A list of the top 100 songs from the year you graduated high school. I can't follow the instructions at the site, because I can't figure out how to underline or strikethrough. So I put pooh! in front of the ones I hated (I actually think two of the songs are the two worst songs EVER in all of mankind. Guess which two?); I bolded the ones I liked; and I bolded and italicized my favorites. Also, I cannot be held responsible for the misspellings. I cut and pasted the list.

I can’t believe how many songs I don’t recognize. And no Chi-Lites on the list, Doug! But I grew up in North Dakota where they probably censored the music on the radio stations. Try to think of me gently, as that older really cool kid, not just older. I have included a picture of myself in 1974. You know that people who include pictures of themselves on blogs from years and years ago probably don't look anything like that anymore. I attest to the truth of that.

Leave me your list and comments.

le

1974 TOP 100 TUNES
1. pooh! The Way We Were, Barbra Streisand
2. pooh! Seasons In The Sun, Terry Jacks
3. Love's Theme, Love Unlimited Orchestra
4. Come And Get Your Love, Redbone
5. Dancing Machine, Jackson 5
6. The Loco-Motion, Grand Funk Railroad
7. TSOP, MFSB
8. pooh! The Streak, Ray Stevens
9. Bennie And The Jets, Elton John
10. One Hell Of A Woman, Mac Davis
11. Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do), Aretha Franklin
12. Jungle Boogie, Kool and The Gang
13. Midnight At The Oasis, Maria Muldaur
14. You Make Me Feel Brand New, Stylistics
15. Show And Tell, Al Wilson
16. Spiders And Snakes, Jim Stafford
17. Rock On, David Essex
18. pooh! Sunshine On My Shoulder, John Denver
19. Sideshow, Blue Magic
20. Hooked On A Feeling, Blue Swede
21. Billy Don't Be A Hero, Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
22. Band On The Run, Paul McCartney and Wings
23. The Most Beautiful Girl, Charlie Rich
24. Time In A Bottle, Jim Croce
25. Annie's Song, John Denver
26. Let Me Be There, Olivia Newton-John
27. pooh! Sundown, Gordon Lightfoot
28. pooh! (You're) Having My Baby, Paul Anka
29. Rock Me Gently, Andy Kim
30. Boogie Down, Eddie Kendricks
31. You're Sixteen, Ringo Starr
32. If You Love Me (Let Me Know), Olivia Newton-John
33. Dark Lady, Cher
34. Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me, Gladys Knight and The Pips
35. Feel Like Makin' Love, Roberta Flack
36. Just Dont Want To Be Lonely, Main Ingredient
37. Nothing From Nothing, Billy Preston
38. Rock Your Baby, George McCrae
39. pooh! Top Of The World, Carpenters
40. The Joker, Steve Miller Band
41. I've Got To Use My Imagination, Gladys Knight and The Pips
42. The Show Must Go On, Three Dog Night
43. Rock The Boat, Hues Corporation
44. Smokin' In The Boys Room, Brownsville Station
45. Living For The City, Stevie Wonder
46. The Night Chicago Died, Paper Lace
47. Then Came You, Dionne Warwick and The Spinners
48. The Entertainer, Marvin Hamlisch
49. pooh! Waterloo, Abba
50. The Air That I Breathe, Hollies
51. Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Steely Dan
52. Mockingbird, Carly Simon
53. Help Me, Joni Mitchell
54. You Won't See Me, Anne Murray
55. Never, Never Gonna Give You Up, Barry White
56. Tell Me Something Good, Rufus
57. pooh! You And Me Against The World, Helen Reddy
58. Rock And Roll Heaven, Righteous Brothers
59. Hollywood Swinging, Kool and The Gang
60. Be Thankful For What You Got, William Devaughn
61. Hang On In There Baby, Johnny Bristol
62. Eres Tu (Touch The Wind), Mocedades
63. Taking Care Of Business, Bachman-Turner Overdrive
64. Radar Love, Golden Earring
65. Please Come To Boston, Dave Loggins
66. Keep On Smilin', Wet Willie
67. Lookin' For Love, Bobby Womack
68. Put Your Hands Together, O'Jays
69. On And On, Gladys Knight and The Pips
70. Oh Very Young, Cat Stevens
71. pooh! Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress), Helen Reddy
72. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John
73. I've Been Searchin' So Long, Chicago
74. Oh My My, Ringo Starr
75. For The Love Of Money, O'Jays
76. I Shot The Sherrif, Eric Clapton
77. Jet, Paul McCartney and Wings
78. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Elton John
79. Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield
80. Love Song, Anne Murray
81. I'm Leaving It All Up To You, Donny and Marie Osmond
82. Hello, It's Me, Todd Rundgren
83. I Love, Tom T. Hall
84. Clap For The Wolfman, The Guess Who
85. I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song, Jim Croce
85. The Lord's Prayer, Sister Janet Mead
87. Trying To Hold On To My Woman, Lamont Dozier
88. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, Stevie Wonder
89. A Very Special Love Song, Charlie Rich
90. My Girl Bill, Jim Stafford
91. My Mistake Was To Love You, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye
91. Helen Wheels, Paul McCartney and Wings
93. Wildwood Weed, Jim Stafford
94. Beach Baby, First Class
95. Me And Baby Brother, War
96. Rockin' Roll Baby, Stylistics
97. pooh! I Honestly Love You, Olivia Newton-John
98. Call On Me, Chicago
99. Wild Thing, Fancy
100. Mighty Love, Pt. 1, Spinners

Fall Up

This is one of my photographs that needs a bit of explaining. I like it. Rather than taking the usual Autumn photos of leaves on the ground, or of trees that have turned gold, I took my camera under the trees and pointed up. In this we see the leaves from their underside, the less colorful side, but we also have the shadows of leaves above leaves, sort of mixing together the ghosts of leaves with those still alive. Alive for the moment, as they soon will be all on the ground, casting no shadows.
It’s been said that someone is fully human, not through strengths, as few are strong, but weakness, as at times all of us are weak. I’ve been faced with this in the past few days; I was weak, exhausted from working so much. Eventually the spirit that wanted to continue had to give in to the body which had had enough.
And so I’ve rested. If one were to look at my life from beneath, see the less colorful side, view me in my weakness rather than when I am strong, they would have a better idea of the real me, and not just the person I want the world to think I am. The real me is weak, a sinner, saved by the Grace of God. Every day is a Gift from God, and if it were my turn to fall to the ground today, casting no more shadows, I am grateful, thankful for every preceding day. And looking forward to being done with days, living eternally with my God.

Random Thoughts Tuesday-schlepping-into-Wednesday

Alphabetic Migration

It is fairly commonly known that various regions of the United States, and indeed the world, sport distinct dialects varying in sound, metre, and cadence from region to region. Some, if not all, of these dialects seem to omit letters in the spoken word which otherwise appear in the written form of the same word. Still others seem to add sounds in the spoken word which do not appear in the written form. The question, then, is "what happens to the missing letters and from where are the additional ones obtained?" This apparent alphabetic migration could well prove a subject in need of study.

For example, in the northeastern United States it is not uncommon to hear the absence of the letter 'R'. One does not hear 'PARK THE CAR', one hears 'PAK THE CA'. The question then is, what happened to the missing R's. Turns out they show up in northern Texas and parts of Oklahoma where children are not told to 'WASH' their hands before supper, but to 'WARSH' them. Furthermore, vowels appear to migrate almost at will. In Utah for example, 'HEART' is frequently heard as 'HORT' an 'O' having been substituted for the more common 'EA'. Perhaps the 'O' came from the southern part of the US where 'YOU' is often heard as 'YALL', the 'A' substituting for 'OU'. The destination of the 'E' from 'HEART' and the 'U' from 'YOU', as well as the source of the 'LL' in 'YALL' is still a puzzle and therefore, a matter worthy of further study.

There are even international possibilities here. By way of illustration, 'U' gets short shrift in Arabic which seems to omit it altogether, even after q, 'QATAR' and 'QORAN' for example. In addition, Hungary and the Czech Republic along with much of eastern Europe also exhibit an alarming shortage of vowels, many words of six or more letters utilizing only one. One need only look to Finland however, to see that not only do Finns have an oversupply of vowels, but probably enough to supply the entire European continent. Many Finnish words, particularly names, use double vowels in a rather selfish fashion. TEEMU and JAARI are but two glaring examples of such intemperate overuse of vowels.

Additional vowels could also be had from Japan and Hawaii whose words seem uncommonly balanced in their use of consonants and vowels, SAYONARA or ALOHA for example. That seems patently unfair. Given a roughly four to one ratio of consonants to vowels in most alphabets, to maintain a one to one ratio in one's language would appear to exceed the bounds of necessity. It is easy to see the potential for a considerable grant from the United Nations since that body claims to desire and work to obtain fairness for all people.

Filed under Curiosities by
Nuda Veritas