Friday's Favorite Family Foto

Me--1964

Mama and I were enjoying some sun one day in 1964, when she took this picture of me in our backyard. We were living in a house on my paternal grandfather's farm. There were several houses on his property and the one we lived in was known as, "the house at the end of the lane." This farmhouse was at the end of the gravel road that led from a main road and cut through the farm. Below the house flowed the Red River and there was also an old slave graveyard. Fun was had with that graveyard every now and then. I was 1 1/2 years old in this picture. I am probably trying to figure out where I am going to sit in the water because there are so many toys in this little wading pool. Mama loved to have us amongst toys. When I was older, people would tell me that they remembered visiting when I was a baby and mama would have me in the middle of the playpen, surrounded by toys. There were so many toys that the only way they could tell I was in the playpen, was if I moved. I guess it was the same situation with the wading pool. Oh yeah, and it looks like my hair is in those pincurls. Tight pincurls.

Y'all wade on over and visit my hostess, Deborah, to check out more Family Fotos.

Somethin's Wrong With This Picture

The Truth by Michael D'Antuono

The painting above is titled "The Truth." This painting was to be unveiled today in New York City's Union Square in accordance with Obama's 100th day in office. The artist, Michael D'Antuono, canceled the unveiling yesterday after receiving thousands of angry e-mails protesting the painting. People were angry because of its religious nature. Well, who'd of thunk it.

Mr. D'Antuono says his painting is of a mock voting booth and what he envisioned voters may have thought as they entered to vote for president. In the artist's mind, supporters of Obama would have seen him as their "savior" while right wingers wanted to "crucify" him. D'Antuono said that he did not mean to show disrespect for religion. Uh huh.

Think about the painting's title for a second. I think it is a fitting title. I believe that Obama sees himself as our messiah and the world's messiah. I believe that people voted for him because they feel the same way. I also believe that most of those supporters do not understand a lot of the things he is doing right now. All they know is that they helped make history and that a man of color is now in the White House. Who cares what he does, he's cool. This is unfortunately, "The Truth."

New Math

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Swine Update

I was just informed that our schools will be closed down tomorrow through May 11th. No extracurricular activities, so Ranger Baseball may be over with for the year. That means no playoffs. I know some disappointed boys. I am not sure yet where Swine Flu has been found to explain why the schools are closing. Oh yeah, government officials want us to now call it H1N1 just so we don't offend any hogs.

Suuu-eeeey! Pig-Pig-Pig!

The Swine Flu has become big news again after 30 years of silence. It has been all over the news the past couple of days and some cases have been discovered in Schertz, TX., a suburb of San Antonio. A high school there reported 3 cases of the Swine Flu, thus shutting down the school for one week. Yesterday it was decided that entire school district would be shutdown. Schertz is about 40 miles from where I live, so I really did not think much of it. I don't ever go to that part of San Antonio anyway. Then last night we had a phone call from our district's Central Office that had me thinking maybe this thing could be spreading into my area. A school 20 miles from here and in our county, will be shutting down for a week. Apparently an instructor in the GED building connected to Memorial High School, has come down with the Swine Flu. Also, the Northside School District of San Antonio(which is very close to where I live) is reporting 44 cases of students with flu-like symptoms but there is no confirmation yet that it is Swine Flu.

I remember back in the mid-1970's when an outbreak of Swine Flu, resulting in one death, had the nation in an uproar. Not much came of that except a lot of drama and panic. I am hoping that is what is going on here, but we may not know for several more months. Until then, buy stock in surgical masks and Tamiflu.
President Gerald Ford gets his Swine Flu shot--1976

This Week In Ranger Baseball

The Rangers have continued their winning ways, so there hasn't been anything new to write about. This was their last home game and they will start the playoffs next week. This last home game was also Parent's Night. There was a photographer there to take pictures of parents with the players and if our picture turns out, I'll post it later. The Rangers warm up.

Brett throwing to Colin.

Taking infield.

Standing for the anthem.

After the game, I took a few pictures of Brett with his teammates.

Brett with his buddy Matt

Brett and Senior Stephen Fox

Brett with Senior Justin Beck. Justin is going to play college ball. He broke the school's homerun record.




This coming weekend the team will be traveling to play up near Austin. It's just a warmup game for the playoffs. More TWIRB notes to come.

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

Britnee and Brett---1992

This photo of Britnee and Brett was taken in Sarasota, Florida in the summer of 1992. Phillip was the manager for the Baltimore Orioles' Rookie Ball Gulf Coast League. We were renting a nice condo on a golf course. I believe we were the youngest people living in that neighborhood. Britnee was 3 1/2 years old and Brett 8 months. Brett is a surviving twin and had a rough time of it with kidney problems. Britnee was his little nurse. You can see a bandage on Brett's right arm so we must have gone to the doctor that day. The doctor would let Britnee help by allowing her to hold the little vile of blood that he took from Brett. She wanted to be a Neo-Natal Nurse Practitioner for years. Funny thing is, after all those times helping out with Brett, she decided she could not stand the sight of blood. She wants to be a lawyer now.

I just think they look so sweet and happy in this picture. Big sister taking care of little brother and he loves her for it.

Visit my Family Foto hostess, Deborah, for more happy photos.

Theey're Back!

When you look at this picture, what do you see? You may answer, "A beautiful little bird." Well, it's not. It is a Barn Swallow, the bird from Hades. Sea Gulls have nothing on this bird.

For seven Springs now, these birds have tormented me. They make mud nests (this is not a pic from my house) that are more like concrete. So......


......I get my handy water pistol out......




..... slowly crack open my back door and take aim and fire at that little concrete nest building, messing all over my backporch, bird. He will circle around and try to dive back in, but like Annie Oakley, my aim is true.




I thought I might get some backup from this fella.....




...but the birds from Hades drop bombs on him too. That's about all he's good for but he does make a good Halloween decoration.

Of course I have the ultimate weapon in getting rid of these heathens, but you see what my special assistant is doing.....

I don't want my assistant to kill the birds. I wish he would just sit on the backporch table, look scary and wave his paws in the air. Is that too much to ask for?

So, I will just stand watch with my little water pistol, no matter how long it takes, because in the end, I will win the battle again.

Oh, Happy Earth Day.

A Giveaway!

Wendy, at The Shabby Nest, is celebrating her 200th blog by giving away a really cute pillow. Click on the button above, checkout her blog, and post a comment to win. You have until 11:59 Thursday night. Good Luck!

New Math

Wearing The Crown That Counts

Last night I watched the Miss USA pageant. I have watched this pageant for years. In 1980, a girl named Shawn Weatherly from my hometown of Sumter, SC , won Miss USA and went on to win Miss Universe. I know some of these pageants are silly, but it's a competition and I like competition. Last night Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was asked a question about same-sex marriage by judge Perez Hilton. You could tell he did not like her answer (below) at all. In the end it was between Ms. Prejean and Miss North Carolina. I was rooting for North Carolina and she did win. Then the thought came to me that maybe Miss California's answer about same-sex marriage, decided her fate. I saw this morning on FOX news that maybe others (including Perez Hilton on his website) are thinking the same. I applaude Carrie Prejean for sticking to her beliefs. By the way, she is a devout Christian. She could have lied just to win a beauty pageant crown, but instead she was thinking more about the heavenly crown she will receive. Hosts Billy Bush, center, and Nadine Velazquez, right, listen as Miss California Carrie Prejean, left answers a question from judge Perez Hilton, unseen, about legalizing same-sex marriage during the Miss USA Pageant, Sunday April 19, 2009 in Las Vegas. "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," Prejean said. "And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." (AP Photo/Eric Jamison) (AP Photo, Eric Jamison)

Say It Ain't So, BO!

Well, at least he didn't bow this time.

"Hugo, was'sup my dawg?"

Advantage Chavez. I am sure Venezuelans that are living here in the U.S. were appalled by this gesture. I know a few and they can't stand Chavez because he is an evil man. I am sure Israel is not liking this too much either since Chavez is in cahoots with Iran. I really don't understand the mindset of Mr. Obama.

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

Delight, Peyton, Britnee and Corinne

This picture was taken in the late '90's in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Phillip was working for the Cincinnati Reds and managing their AA team, The Lookouts, at the old Engel Stadium. A photographer caught Britnee (in the red checkered shirt)and the pitching coach's family, munching down on some cotton candy. I am to the right of Britnee, wearing a white shirt talking to the people behind me.

Go on over and visit my hostess Deborah for more sweet treats.

Extreme Tea

Yesterday morning I heard from Janet Napolitano (Department of Homeland Security) that I am an "Extremist." Well, if that means that I love my country and don't want to see it flushed down the toilet, she's right. If that means I want our Constitution followed by my government, she's right. If that means I want my government to work for and listen to me, she's right. I guess I have always been patriotic. My husband thinks I am becoming a political activist, but I see myself more as a patriot. I don't really care for politics. I remember when I was a little girl, I always loved to watch movies with an American history theme, especially the old WWII movies. When I lived in Tennessee as a six year old, my neighbor was a WWII vet. I thought he had hung the moon because he had fought for our country. I was always over at his house, asking questions about what it was like to be an American soldier. Later in high school, I dated a boy whose father was the Commander of the South Carolina American Legion. Talk about patriotic. I really learned to love my country being around those men. I never tire of hearing the National Anthem. I can't count the times I've heard the Anthem. I've heard it at every ballgame that I've attended and that's A LOT of ballgames. When it's sung correctly, that song can bring tears to your eyes. So yesterday was an amazing day for me along with 19,999 others. The officials at The Alamo calculated that 20,000 "Extremists" gathered here....

The special guests that attended were FOX News' Glenn Beck, rocker and avid hunter Ted Nugent and actress Janine Turner. These special guests did not disappoint. I think the highlight was Ted Nugent's speech and he played the National Anthem on his electric guitar. There were people from all over the country in front of The Alamo trying to get our government to hear them. Obama's press secretary claims that Mr. Obama did not know a thing about the Tea Parties. The national and local media practically ignored it. Yes, even the local media. If there were 20,000 people standing outside of The Alamo, shouting Secession, wouldn't you think that would be newsworthy? I think there will be attempts to make anyone protesting our government to be a nutcase. I saw a hint of that on CNN and other news media. I heard someone say that these Tea Parties should not be compared to the Boston Tea Party because that was in protest of arrogant England taxing us without representation. Mmmm, isn't that what Washington is doing now? Nancy Pelosi says the people sponsoring these Tea Parties are some of the rich who don't want to pay their share of taxes. I will tell you right now, I saw no wealthy people. I saw people from lower to upper middle class. I saw people that are just plain tired. I saw patriots like me.

Look at all those rich folks

Glenn Beck is really on that stage. I saw Glenn up close in the elevator at The Menger. That's a guy I would like to have a sit down conversation with.

Bill on the balcony of The Menger Hotel overlooking The Alamo.

Ted Nugent has left the building

New Math

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He Is Risen!

Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.--Romans 5:20

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

Me, my stepdad Harry, Mama, and my sister Paula- Easter 1975

The picture above was taken in Sumter, S.C. when I was 12 years old. We were living in an apartment until we could move into a house we had just bought. My grandparents and cousins came over for Easter to eat and have an egg hunt. Mama had set picnic tables up outside of the apartment and as usual we had quite the spread. Since we were having our egg hunt after eating, my sister and I set our Easter baskets out on one of the picnic tables. One of the things that the Easter Bunny had put in our baskets was a little fake chick with wire legs. There was a little girl who lived in an apartment near ours who was playing around with us. She walked by our baskets and picked up one of those chicks, looked at it and ATE IT! I guess she thought it was a marshmallow PEEP. That little girl just ate that fake chick like it was nothing. I don't know how she didn't choke. My aunts and uncles still laugh about that story. They can laugh because that little girl was okay.

Go take a peep at more photos by visiting my hostess, Deborah.

M-Braves Repeat?

2009 M-Braves shortstop Brandon Hicks

photo-the clarion ledger

The Mississippi Braves (AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) begin their 2009 season tonight. I want to wish my husband and the team all the best. I hope this season will be as exciting and successful as last year's.

This Week In Ranger Baseball

This week in Ranger baseball, found The Rangers once again playing those magical Unicorns from New Braunfels. If you recall, those Unicorns came to play on Ranger field, sprinkling their magic dust and defeating The Rangers 13-0. It wasn't quite that way this time. The Rangers outscored The Unicorns, 11-2. I guess the magic wore off that dust.

The Rangers continued their winning ways against Johnson High School out of San Antonio by 10-run ruling them 11-1. The Rangers also got their team pictures this week, so I thought I would share. These pictures are brought to you by Sam Roberts Photography.

Brett

The SVHS Rangers

Brett is sitting, second from the left

The Rangers will play another game tomorrow night in San Antonio against the MacArthur Brahmas. More to come....

Christian In America

Can this be true? Christianity is declining here in America? Newsweek is at it again. A couple of months ago they were saying that we are all Socialists. This month, during the Holy Week, they are claiming that Christians are fading away in our country. Maybe they are just trying to sell magazines or maybe there is something to this thought. Supposedly agnostics are on the rise and there are some people claiming no affiliation to a religion. They believe in a god, but they have no affiliation with a church. Then you have to look at how our country has been in such decline. God is not receiving our glory, man is. We have many searching for answers, but they are looking in the wrong place. All they have to do is look up for their answer.

Maybe Newsweek should have done a story with the title, "Do Today's Christians Really Understand God?" or "Are Today's Pastors Preaching God's True Message?" Yes, there probably is a bit of decline in Christianity, proof being the crazy things we see happening around us. God is wanting us to turn back to Him and give only Him the glory. God is a jealous God and will punish those that turn Him away. I believe that Christian pastors today do not stress this enough in their sermons. I see a trend in a change in Christianity itself. We have seen these "mega churches" that teach the "feel good" philosophy. Joel Osteen is an example. He has the largest church in the country. Is this because he preaches on the true word or because he makes people feel good? I read his book a couple of years ago and had to shake my head while reading it. He believes if you have a positive attitude and pray to have something, you will get it. Osteen did make mention towards the end of the book that there may be times that God does not answer prayer, but it was such a small mention that it was drowned out by the "feel good" message. You don't pray to "get" something. You pray for God to help you to do His will. You pray to God to give you protection from evil. You pray to God to help you each day to be the Christian he wants you to be. You thank Him for His Son, Jesus Christ, because we are in no way perfect. I am a positive person because I have Christ and I attend church to glorify God, that is what makes me feel good. The amazing feeling should come from knowing that you are loved so much by God.

Think about when was the last time your pastor spoke to you about Hell. God is not just a "feel good" God. God can also be a very, very angry God. Yes Virginia, there is a Hell. There are many today that don't really believe in a Hell. They believe that you will get to heaven by your good works or that God will not punish because he is a God of love. I believe the new age type of Christian churches are teaching this, thus leading many down the wrong path. I believe there is fear to preach about God's punishment in order to keep people coming back to church. In the Bible God tells us that in the Last Days there will be many false teachers of His word. I really did not get that. I thought that maybe more people would turn to cults or turn to someone like those healing "Holy Rollers" on latenight TV. Now that I think about it, the false teachers could be in our own churches.

So yeah, maybe Newsweek has something here. The thing is, Christians could be the main reason for our own demise by not preaching straight from God's word or turning around the Bible's words to suit what people want to believe. God doesn't want this. God can and will punish the church too. As we celebrate this Easter season, remember that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." That my friend, is the only way for eternal life and if you don't believe, there is a Hell and seperation from God. As Christians we are responsible to get this message out, whether it is preached by our pastors on Sunday morning or not. No, I don't think we are seeing an end to Christianity. I think we are seeing another fight that Christians must take on to make sure the true word of God is known, even in our own churches.

America-Here's Your Sign

Frat boys-Obama, Silvio Berlusconi (Italian PM), and Dmitry Medvedev (Russian Pres.)

Unless you were under a rock, or just plain didn't care, the G-20 Summit was held last week in London and of course Mr. Obama attended. I did not watch much of the speeches nor the press conferences. From what I hear, European men were in awe and the women, oh those women, they wanted to have their way with "The Chosen One." American media compared Europe's love for Obama to their hate for Bush. The British media even forgave the improper actions of the Obamas towards the Queen. Stuart Varney, a financial commentator for FOX news and a European, had an answer that made sense. Mr. Varney said that Bush wore his Christianity on his sleeve and Obama does not. The Europeans see Obama as on one of them, pagan and Socialist. There was one speech Mr. Obama gave that I did watch a bit of, but wish that I hadn't. I watched a President of the United States grovel and apologize in front of the entire world. He apologized for our "arrogance." Well, he ought to know the definition of that word. He apologized that we in America do not appreciate the leading role European nations have in the world. What?! I ask you Mr. Obama, who has saved the tails of those European nations TWICE in the last century? I agree that we would like cooperation from other countries in the War On Terror. Oops, can't call it that anymore. Well, whatever it's called, Obama could have asked for support without the groveling. I hope he enjoyed the adoration over there in good old Europe because his words didn't help his standing here in the U.S. A.

I posted the picture above because I am not so sure about all of this chuminess. I am sure Vladimir Putin is sitting back in Russia, downing a vodka, with a big grin on his face. That grin ain't from the vodka. I really wondered what went on in those meetings. What did "The Chosen One" agree to? It has been discussed that he has made a deal for a European body to make decisions on world finance. That means American corporations and banks would be under control of a European body. That means they would also decide on salaries. Socialism folks. One world monetary system folks. So that picture above America, is your sign.

I continue to pray that the hearts and minds of our "leadership" in Washington will change. Then again this is all part of God's plan. I feel we are about to see things never before seen. I am just finding it amazing to watch it all unfold.

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

There once was a man who had a boy. The man loved his boy very much and he wanted the boy to grow up knowing he was loved. He wanted the boy to be the best he could be in whatever he did. The man taught him this lesson from the beginning. No matter what your path you take in life, you put God first and then family. No matter what your path, you do things the right way. My father-in-law, James, holding Phillip-1961

A few years went by, and the boy signed up for Little League and the man decided to coach. The boy had found something he loved and the man taught him to be the best the boy could be. The man taught the boy lessons in baseball and used baseball to teach the life lessons he had wanted the boy to learn. The boy became a good little ballplayer, but the best thing of all is that he was learning how to become a man.

Phillip's dad in the sun glasses and Phillip is at the right end, middle row, in front of the other coach.

The boy went on to play high school and college ball, and the man watched his son become successful in his endeavours. The boy realized his dream and was signed by the Atlanta Braves. The boy did his best and the man was proud. Then the boy found that his real calling was not playing baseball, but teaching baseball. He learned that his path was to pass his knowledge and love of the game to others and the man was proud. The boy did his job right and with honor. He put God first and then family. He was successful and well respected. The boy won a championship and a ring. The boy loved the man very much and he wanted the man to know that he loved and appreciated him, so the boy gave the man his championship ring. The man was touched by this gesture.

The man has influenced more than the boy. Through the boy, so many have learned that no matter the path, you do it the right way.

There once was a man who did his best. He was successful and he is loved.

TWIRB And Mission Accomplished

This week in Ranger baseball found The Rangers playing their rivals from San Antonio, The Reagan Rattlers. In their first meeting, The Rangers were victorious, but this game turned out differently. It was close until The Rattlers brokeout and won the game in 11 innings, 10-4. Yes, it was a 4 1/2 hour, 11 inning ballgame. We got home around midnight. I had to get up the next morning to begin my mission and I was tired. The mission was to feed supper to 20 high school baseball players. Once a week, a pair of baseball parents cook for these boys. The supper is held at the home of the Baseball Booster Club Parents, so we cook and cart the food over to their house. My friend Brenda and I got to work. I am a little more tired today and my fingers are really sore from pulling pork, but I would say that our mission was definitely accomplished.

The Pulled Pork

The Dessert- Symphony Brownies

The Spread

The Mission

Josh is trying to get a smile out of Brett

After all of the food was inhaled, the boys played a wiffleball game and that was so much fun to watch. These young men became 8 years old again. I wish they could play with that kind of carefree attitude in the high school games. They played until dark and gave us a few laughs.

Another mission was also accomplished. My son accomplished something for me. He will be graduating in another year and I really enjoyed watching him with his friends playing ball in the backyard. I won't be able to do that much longer, so I treasured every minute.