Saturday, January 16, 2010
HELP!!!!! I HAVE NO VOICE!
I am a singer....and to a singer the worst possible nightmare one could have....before an upcoming performance is laryngitis. I woke up this morning with a lovely case of this dreaded disease....so I looked it up to see hwat it actually is and found out it is simply an inflammation of the voice box, or larynx, that causes your voice to become raspy or hoarse. The main symptom of laryngitis is hoarseness. Your voice may sound raspy, be deeper than normal, or break now and then. You may lose your voice completely. Other symptoms may include a dry or sore throat, coughing, and trouble swallowing. So here is my plight! I am supposed to sing at the Arbor tomorrow morning at 9:00 and at another church at 11:00. If any of you out there in blogger land have any homemade remedy ideas for me I would love to have them. I am not to proud to try anything once...or no matter how foul tasting...if it MIGHT improve my chances of getting my voice back. So, whatever any of your momma's made you drink, gargle with, rub on your chest....I am up for the challenge.
Friday, January 15, 2010
On Stalking Target
So I admit it, I had been stalking Target all week.
Rumor had it that they’d be marking a bunch of toys 75% off.
The problem was, no one exactly knew when it would happen. Oh, there were rumblings that it might happen on Tuesday. So I went on Tuesday and nope, nothing. I’d march into the toy section with high expectations and be let down when I got to the area and saw the 50% off signs staring back up at me. Yeah, some might say 50% off was a good deal—but not for me—not when I’ve tasted the sweet nectar of 75% off.
Then on the forum I post at a few people thought that the toy sale might start on Wednesday.
So back to Target I went.
And…I was let down again.
“Why won’t you go down?” I fumed at the toys. Not really. I didn’t say that out loud because then I’d not only be the Lady Who Stalks Target but the Lady Who Stalks Target AND Talks To Herself.
Of course I didn’t walk away empty handed. No, they had marked shoes to 75% off so at least I got some sort of consolation prize in the form of ultra adorable red Mary Janes for Natalie.
“Thursday for sure!” a few people assured me on the forum.
So guess who was in front of Target bright and early on Thursday?
You have to understand that I am not a morning person. But I did this because I wanted the deals. I did this because both of my kid’s birthdays are in March and if I found toys for 75% off, it meant I didn’t have to pay full price for toys when it came closer to their birthdays. I know some people recognized me. One worker pointed her finger at me and looked as though she wanted to say, “You’re the nut that’s been here every day this week!” But she didn’t because she probably thought back to the work videos that were made in the 80s that she was forced to watch about Customer Etiquette. The woman in the video with the big 1980s hair probably drawled, “And we don’t ever make the customer feel bad. Even if she’s stalking the store and has been there every day of the week.”
My heart was thumping with excitement. This had to be the day. It had to be! Because, and I hated to admit it, I was a little tired of Target.
I know!
*Le Gasp*
You have to understand that I love Target. It’s one of my favorite stores. When I walk through the door, I want to burst out into song and bellow, “Over there is the dollar spot where I bribe my kid to keep quiet so I can shop in peace, LALALA!” I don’t. Because then I’d be the Lady Who Stalks Target And Not Only Talks To Herself But Sings To Herself Too.
I rushed into the toy section, desperate to beat Old Lady Hog, my competition. She usually fills up two carts with toys. At first I thought, “Aw, shopping for Grandchildren,” but then I heard her on the phone bragging that she was going to make a mint selling all her stuff on eBay. Then I wanted to take stuff from the old bat’s cart. I didn’t though. But Old Lady Hog, she doesn’t like me because I found the last singing Brobee and she was not pleased.
“Where did you find that?” she had demanded.
“The shelf. Duh.” Okay, I didn’t add the ‘duh’ part because even though she’s one of those ebayers, one should still respect their elders.
Ever since then, whenever we’ve spotted each other we give sharp nods of acknowledgement and don’t bother to say a word.
But guess what?
The toys were STILL marked at 50% off.
“Frick!” I shrieked. Great. I was talking to myself. It’s what happens when you’ve been to the same store EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. I found a bunch of Target workers marking down bedding and such and I wanted to say, “Hi there. Hi guys! How about instead of marking down ugly ass pillows, we concentrate on the toy section?” And then I’d make a sweeping motion with my hands towards the toy aisles.
I didn’t do this, don’t worry, it was just one of my aggravated at being at Target and being let down again thoughts.
So I went back home.
I got back on the forum all set to tell some people off. (“WTF do you MEAN that toys are 75% off? Where are you getting your flipping information?”) But then I saw some people were talking about the 75% off sale. Some stores had gone 75% off.
Frick, frick, frick.
Then it came to the afternoon and someone said, “My Target just finished marking down toys to 75% off. They were running behind.”
So I decided to call my Target. A woman answered and I went, “Yes, hello, did the toys go 75% off?”
“Huh? I don’t know,” she said and then there was silence.
“Do you have time to check?” I asked sweetly.
“Huh? I guess,” and then I heard a clunk.
Then I heard a beeping sound and figured she hung up on me. But no, she just transferred me to the toy department.
“Toy department,” a gruff male voice said.
“Hello, did the toys happen to go to 75% off?”
“RON! DID THE TOYS GO 75% off?” he screamed.
Um. Eardrum on the other end of the phone, dude.
“Yeah. They did. Just now,” the guy told me.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
“Okay. Thank you!” I said and hung up.
Then I started racing around like a mad woman. Tom had just woken up since he works the night shift and he watched me from the couch with knitted eyebrows.
“Did a bug fall down your shirt or what?” he asked.
“Target…sale…SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT OFF!” I started yanking on my jeans. Usually around the house I wear my comfy pants. I wasn’t naked or anything.
“Where are you going?” Tom wondered.
Was he deaf?
“TARGET!” I shrieked. “The toys…they’ve finally gone 75% off. I’ve got to go.” I grabbed my keys and ran out the door.
Then when I got to Target I saw a woman loading a bunch of toys into the trunk of her car. What did she buy? Did she take all the toys? WAS THAT THE LAST YO GABBA GABBA SET?
“Hi,” I said cheerfully. “So it’s true? The toys went 75% off?”
She jumped and put a hand to her heart. “Oh! You scared me!” She looked at me suspiciously.
“I’ve just been waiting for this sale forever,” I said.
She shoved a bag into her car. A bag FILLED with a bunch of dolls. Did she take all the dolls? Who could possibly need 6 dolls?
“Oh. I just happened to be shopping today and the toys were on sale.” She shrugged like it was no big deal. She hadn’t been to Target every day waiting like I had. She had just wandered in and grabbed what she wanted.
Sometimes life isn’t fair.
“So…I’m going to go now,” the girl said.
“Right. Yes. Goodbye,” I said and hurried to Target. I grabbed a cart and hurried into the toy section...
....and yes, everything was finally 75% off.
As I was putting toys into my cart, another woman wandered beside me.
“Isn’t this fun?” I gushed as I stuck a creepy Yo Gabba Gabba toy into my cart.
She frowned. “Fun?”
“You know. Because of the deals?” I swept my arm over the aisle of amazing deals. Couldn't she see? Where else can you find a play kitchen for only twenty bucks?
She scratched her chin. “I guess?” She picked up a baby toy and stared at it. Hmmm. I guess deals don’t thrill her.
I finished ten minutes later. I didn’t buy too much, I’m proud to say. I picked up Wendys for Tom on the way home and when I walked through the door I handed over the bag.
“What’s this?” Tom said, confused.
“A burger. For you!”
Tom craned his neck around me so he could focus on the car. “What did you get? Did you get me this burger so I wouldn’t ask you how much you spent?”
Actually....no, I didn’t even think about that. But after Tom said it I thought it sounded like a pretty good idea.
“How much did you spend?” Tom tried again.
“I got this giant dinosaur that was originally $129 for $32!”
“How much did you spend?”
“And the Yo Gabba Gabba toys for Natalie’s birthday!”
“How much did you SPEND?”
“Old Lady Hog wasn’t even there. She probably didn’t think the sale started today,” I continued lightly.
Tom sighed. “I know what you’re doing.”
He did? Because I didn’t really know what I was doing. I figured if I kept talking then Tom would give up asking me the question. That’s what they do on Gilmore Girls. Luke wants to know an answer from Lorelei so she just talks about other things or just says something completely bizarre.
“Go on, eat your burger or it’ll get cold,” I urged.
Tom stared into the bag. “Fine. But this isn’t over. I’ll find out how much you spent. I can just look on the account, you know.”
“The electric chair was invented by a dentist. Did you know that? I’m not surprised, dentists are evil, evil people.”
Tom gaped at me for a few seconds. “I’m just going to go eat now.”
“Enjoy!” I said cheerfully.
This is what I got:
Guitar was $7, Yo Gabba Gabba thing was $8, and the Trio set was $10.
Snow White was $5, Yo Gabba Gabba was $5, and the airplane was $8.
This was only $5!
Both kids will have fun with this.
And seriously, the thing was only $32 marked down from $129!
When Tom saw me carrying the dinosaur box in he went, "What in the world is that?"
"An awesome remote control dinosaur!"
I thought Tom would lecture me or something on how we didn't need an ultra cool giant dinosaur--I even braced myself for it--but no, instead he went, "Can we open and play with it now?"
Rumor had it that they’d be marking a bunch of toys 75% off.
The problem was, no one exactly knew when it would happen. Oh, there were rumblings that it might happen on Tuesday. So I went on Tuesday and nope, nothing. I’d march into the toy section with high expectations and be let down when I got to the area and saw the 50% off signs staring back up at me. Yeah, some might say 50% off was a good deal—but not for me—not when I’ve tasted the sweet nectar of 75% off.
Then on the forum I post at a few people thought that the toy sale might start on Wednesday.
So back to Target I went.
And…I was let down again.
“Why won’t you go down?” I fumed at the toys. Not really. I didn’t say that out loud because then I’d not only be the Lady Who Stalks Target but the Lady Who Stalks Target AND Talks To Herself.
Of course I didn’t walk away empty handed. No, they had marked shoes to 75% off so at least I got some sort of consolation prize in the form of ultra adorable red Mary Janes for Natalie.
“Thursday for sure!” a few people assured me on the forum.
So guess who was in front of Target bright and early on Thursday?
You have to understand that I am not a morning person. But I did this because I wanted the deals. I did this because both of my kid’s birthdays are in March and if I found toys for 75% off, it meant I didn’t have to pay full price for toys when it came closer to their birthdays. I know some people recognized me. One worker pointed her finger at me and looked as though she wanted to say, “You’re the nut that’s been here every day this week!” But she didn’t because she probably thought back to the work videos that were made in the 80s that she was forced to watch about Customer Etiquette. The woman in the video with the big 1980s hair probably drawled, “And we don’t ever make the customer feel bad. Even if she’s stalking the store and has been there every day of the week.”
My heart was thumping with excitement. This had to be the day. It had to be! Because, and I hated to admit it, I was a little tired of Target.
I know!
*Le Gasp*
You have to understand that I love Target. It’s one of my favorite stores. When I walk through the door, I want to burst out into song and bellow, “Over there is the dollar spot where I bribe my kid to keep quiet so I can shop in peace, LALALA!” I don’t. Because then I’d be the Lady Who Stalks Target And Not Only Talks To Herself But Sings To Herself Too.
I rushed into the toy section, desperate to beat Old Lady Hog, my competition. She usually fills up two carts with toys. At first I thought, “Aw, shopping for Grandchildren,” but then I heard her on the phone bragging that she was going to make a mint selling all her stuff on eBay. Then I wanted to take stuff from the old bat’s cart. I didn’t though. But Old Lady Hog, she doesn’t like me because I found the last singing Brobee and she was not pleased.
“Where did you find that?” she had demanded.
“The shelf. Duh.” Okay, I didn’t add the ‘duh’ part because even though she’s one of those ebayers, one should still respect their elders.
Ever since then, whenever we’ve spotted each other we give sharp nods of acknowledgement and don’t bother to say a word.
But guess what?
The toys were STILL marked at 50% off.
“Frick!” I shrieked. Great. I was talking to myself. It’s what happens when you’ve been to the same store EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. I found a bunch of Target workers marking down bedding and such and I wanted to say, “Hi there. Hi guys! How about instead of marking down ugly ass pillows, we concentrate on the toy section?” And then I’d make a sweeping motion with my hands towards the toy aisles.
I didn’t do this, don’t worry, it was just one of my aggravated at being at Target and being let down again thoughts.
So I went back home.
I got back on the forum all set to tell some people off. (“WTF do you MEAN that toys are 75% off? Where are you getting your flipping information?”) But then I saw some people were talking about the 75% off sale. Some stores had gone 75% off.
Frick, frick, frick.
Then it came to the afternoon and someone said, “My Target just finished marking down toys to 75% off. They were running behind.”
So I decided to call my Target. A woman answered and I went, “Yes, hello, did the toys go 75% off?”
“Huh? I don’t know,” she said and then there was silence.
“Do you have time to check?” I asked sweetly.
“Huh? I guess,” and then I heard a clunk.
Then I heard a beeping sound and figured she hung up on me. But no, she just transferred me to the toy department.
“Toy department,” a gruff male voice said.
“Hello, did the toys happen to go to 75% off?”
“RON! DID THE TOYS GO 75% off?” he screamed.
Um. Eardrum on the other end of the phone, dude.
“Yeah. They did. Just now,” the guy told me.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
“Okay. Thank you!” I said and hung up.
Then I started racing around like a mad woman. Tom had just woken up since he works the night shift and he watched me from the couch with knitted eyebrows.
“Did a bug fall down your shirt or what?” he asked.
“Target…sale…SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT OFF!” I started yanking on my jeans. Usually around the house I wear my comfy pants. I wasn’t naked or anything.
“Where are you going?” Tom wondered.
Was he deaf?
“TARGET!” I shrieked. “The toys…they’ve finally gone 75% off. I’ve got to go.” I grabbed my keys and ran out the door.
Then when I got to Target I saw a woman loading a bunch of toys into the trunk of her car. What did she buy? Did she take all the toys? WAS THAT THE LAST YO GABBA GABBA SET?
“Hi,” I said cheerfully. “So it’s true? The toys went 75% off?”
She jumped and put a hand to her heart. “Oh! You scared me!” She looked at me suspiciously.
“I’ve just been waiting for this sale forever,” I said.
She shoved a bag into her car. A bag FILLED with a bunch of dolls. Did she take all the dolls? Who could possibly need 6 dolls?
“Oh. I just happened to be shopping today and the toys were on sale.” She shrugged like it was no big deal. She hadn’t been to Target every day waiting like I had. She had just wandered in and grabbed what she wanted.
Sometimes life isn’t fair.
“So…I’m going to go now,” the girl said.
“Right. Yes. Goodbye,” I said and hurried to Target. I grabbed a cart and hurried into the toy section...
....and yes, everything was finally 75% off.
As I was putting toys into my cart, another woman wandered beside me.
“Isn’t this fun?” I gushed as I stuck a creepy Yo Gabba Gabba toy into my cart.
She frowned. “Fun?”
“You know. Because of the deals?” I swept my arm over the aisle of amazing deals. Couldn't she see? Where else can you find a play kitchen for only twenty bucks?
She scratched her chin. “I guess?” She picked up a baby toy and stared at it. Hmmm. I guess deals don’t thrill her.
I finished ten minutes later. I didn’t buy too much, I’m proud to say. I picked up Wendys for Tom on the way home and when I walked through the door I handed over the bag.
“What’s this?” Tom said, confused.
“A burger. For you!”
Tom craned his neck around me so he could focus on the car. “What did you get? Did you get me this burger so I wouldn’t ask you how much you spent?”
Actually....no, I didn’t even think about that. But after Tom said it I thought it sounded like a pretty good idea.
“How much did you spend?” Tom tried again.
“I got this giant dinosaur that was originally $129 for $32!”
“How much did you spend?”
“And the Yo Gabba Gabba toys for Natalie’s birthday!”
“How much did you SPEND?”
“Old Lady Hog wasn’t even there. She probably didn’t think the sale started today,” I continued lightly.
Tom sighed. “I know what you’re doing.”
He did? Because I didn’t really know what I was doing. I figured if I kept talking then Tom would give up asking me the question. That’s what they do on Gilmore Girls. Luke wants to know an answer from Lorelei so she just talks about other things or just says something completely bizarre.
“Go on, eat your burger or it’ll get cold,” I urged.
Tom stared into the bag. “Fine. But this isn’t over. I’ll find out how much you spent. I can just look on the account, you know.”
“The electric chair was invented by a dentist. Did you know that? I’m not surprised, dentists are evil, evil people.”
Tom gaped at me for a few seconds. “I’m just going to go eat now.”
“Enjoy!” I said cheerfully.
This is what I got:
Guitar was $7, Yo Gabba Gabba thing was $8, and the Trio set was $10.
Snow White was $5, Yo Gabba Gabba was $5, and the airplane was $8.
This was only $5!
Both kids will have fun with this.
And seriously, the thing was only $32 marked down from $129!
When Tom saw me carrying the dinosaur box in he went, "What in the world is that?"
"An awesome remote control dinosaur!"
I thought Tom would lecture me or something on how we didn't need an ultra cool giant dinosaur--I even braced myself for it--but no, instead he went, "Can we open and play with it now?"
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Inside Natalie's Closet..
It's no secret that I love to buy clothes for my kids.
So I've decided to start a post called Inside Natalie's Closet.
Sometimes Tommy will be guest star. It's harder to get him to take pictures because he either does this:
Or he'll ask me to take a picture of his butt. (No.)
So without further ado, here is one of Natalie's outfits. This one is from Gap's Boho line.
We've had some warm weather these past few days. And by warm weather, I mean in the 40s.
I know! The hat is huge. It reminds me of a mushroom or something. But I really like hats that match outfits.
She's all, "WTF are you doing now?" I usually jump up and down or sing to get her to laugh. My neighbors all think I'm nuts.
"Now what? I'm wearing the oversized hat. What more do you want from me?"
The Yo Gabba Gabba songs usually make her laugh.
"Bye Blog people!"
And now..
Guest starring Tommy!
Sporting a matching sweater and hat (told you I love the hats!) from Gymboree. The blue t-shirt shouldn't be there but he refused to take it off.
"Take a picture of me screaming, Mommy!"
"Now I'm being a model, Mommy!"
"After this do you want to take a picture of my butt, Mommy?"
"No."
So I've decided to start a post called Inside Natalie's Closet.
Sometimes Tommy will be guest star. It's harder to get him to take pictures because he either does this:
Or he'll ask me to take a picture of his butt. (No.)
So without further ado, here is one of Natalie's outfits. This one is from Gap's Boho line.
We've had some warm weather these past few days. And by warm weather, I mean in the 40s.
I know! The hat is huge. It reminds me of a mushroom or something. But I really like hats that match outfits.
She's all, "WTF are you doing now?" I usually jump up and down or sing to get her to laugh. My neighbors all think I'm nuts.
"Now what? I'm wearing the oversized hat. What more do you want from me?"
The Yo Gabba Gabba songs usually make her laugh.
"Bye Blog people!"
And now..
Guest starring Tommy!
Sporting a matching sweater and hat (told you I love the hats!) from Gymboree. The blue t-shirt shouldn't be there but he refused to take it off.
"Take a picture of me screaming, Mommy!"
"Now I'm being a model, Mommy!"
"After this do you want to take a picture of my butt, Mommy?"
"No."
The Wait is On!
I had to speak at Waverly a few weeks back...Frank had to work at Madix and I filled the pulpit for him. I wracked my brains trying to come up with a topic to talk about. Sometimes they come easy...other times I struggle...this was a struggling time. I wanted to talk about something profound....life changing....but you know sometimes...the profoundness is directed at you....and the life that is changed is your own. This was the case of what happened to me. I was reminded that
Christmas is often associated with waiting. I can remember one Christmas when I was growing up that I really wanted a Barbie doll and clothes. All my friends had them and I wanted some just like in the 5 & dime store. I dropped hints everywhere. I wrote letters to Santa and cut out pictures in magazines and put them on my mom’s pillow. I even tried extra hard to be nice to everyone….especially my brother during the countdown to Christmas ¬ which wasn’t easy to do! When Christmas morning finally came, I jumped out of bed and ran to the tree. I looked for a box with my name on it. I looked everywhere but couldn’t find it...and there it was in the back of the tree….. Do you know what I got that year? I’ll never forget it. My mom, who loves to sew, made Barbie clothes….tons of them….and inside the box was a Barbie doll. She was gorgeous….but….the clothes were homemade. There was no cool boxes to open….and no cool Barbie shoes and purses…but there was a beautiful black velvet/lined in red satin cape…a skating outfit, a formal, an everyday dress, and several other lovely pieces…but they were not like everyone elses. My mom and aunt Mae Belle had spent countless nights after my brother and I went to sleep making these tiny treasures…and I had a most ungrateful feeling about Santa and these outfits. Later…the outfits became items of desire when my friends and I gathered to play Barbie…because I had one of a kind outfits…while they had outfits just like everyone elses….only then did I realize how special my gift was. I have had many years of late realization of the specialness of a gift given to me. For that…I am ashamed. What were you waiting for this Christmas? Were you longing for anything? What were you expecting to receive? Were you looking forward to anything special this Christmas? In the Book of Luke, we come across two characters who make their appearance in the final acts of the Christmas drama. One is a man named Simeon; the other is a woman named Anna. They don’t appear in any nativity scenes or in many Christmas cards, but they are significant players in the first Christmas pageant. Both of these individuals were waiting for something -- actually, they were waiting for someone. Luke uses a Greek word of anticipation that identifies them as waiting with expectation for the coming of the Messiah, or Savior. It literally means that they were “alert to His appearance, and ready to welcome Him.” We see this word in Luke 2:25 in reference to Simeon where we read that “He was waiting...” and in 2:38 to describe a woman named Anna who was, “...looking forward to...” Simeon – What was he waiting for? He was waiting For Comfort. We’re introduced to Simeon in Luke 2:25. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon Him.” Simeon was righteous before people, and he was devout in His relationship with God. Things weren’t going real well for the nation of Israel. They hadn’t heard from God for many years and were under Roman rule. They had lost their political independence and were living in fear of the capable, crafty, and cruel King Herod, and many were wondering if the Messiah would ever come. Verse 26 shows us that Simeon had good reason for his hope and anticipation: “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Simeon’s expectation focused on the comfort that Christ would bring. Among Jews of Simeon’s day one of the popular titles of Messiah was Comforter. Like some of the Christmas songs we sing, they were longing for the Messiah to come and bring His comfort to them. It strikes me that the desire to be comforted is a universal human need. We all struggle with loneliness, emptiness, insecurity, even desperation. In fact, the Christmas season is one of the major crisis times of the year for depression and suicide. I should know…because once again at Christmas I was dealing with sadness and loss. The Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the temple courts at just the right time on just the right day that Joseph and Mary were bringing their infant to the Temple. When Simeon looked at the baby Jesus, now about 6 weeks old, he knew that God’s promise had been kept. Here was Immanuel, “God With Us,” to make everything right, to provide significance by His presence, and to eliminate rejection, fear, and loneliness. Verse 28 of Luke 2 says that Simeon reached down and took Jesus out of Mary’s arms and began to praise God. Let me pause here to make a comment. Parents, how would you feel if some old man came up to you, took your infant in his arms and started singing out loud? I’m sure this was a bit unsettling for Joseph and Mary. But Simeon didn’t look all that dangerous. As he broke out into praise, he acknowledged that God had not only fulfilled the individual promise to him, but also the promises of the prophets to send the Anointed One to comfort both Jews and Gentiles. Anna – What was she waiting for? She was waiting for Forgiveness
The other Christmas Character waiting with anticipation was Anna. After her husband had died, she had dedicated herself to fasting and praying in the temple. In fact, the Bible says that she never left the temple ¬ but worshipped day and night. She could have filled all 360 slots of the Bible Reading Marathon herself because she was always at church! She was a Prayer Warrior! She was looking forward to the same person as Simeon was, but with a different orientation. Instead of looking for comfort, Anna was looking for forgiveness. Take a look at verse 38: “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” The word redemption is related to the idea of captivity. The Old Testament Passover and the release of Israel from Egyptian slavery stood in Anna’s day as the ultimate redemption and the symbol of God’s power to release captives. Ultimately, Passover pointed ahead to that day when God would provide deliverance from the slavery of sin. When Anna saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption. Here, at last, was the One who would save His people from their sins. What a wonderful gift we have…..Jesus Provides What We Need
Friends, when Jesus came, He provided the very things that Simeon and Anna were waiting for -- God’s comfort and His forgiveness. Let me ask you a question. What are you waiting for this Christmas? Whatever it is, Jesus can give it to you. Can any of you identify with Simeon? Some of you are really hurting right now. You feel lonely, empty, afraid, and maxed out. Do you need some comfort? Some consoling? Do you need a fresh sense of God’s presence? If so, you can find what you’re looking for in Jesus. He came to console us right where we are. Or, do you identify more with Anna? Are you plagued with guilt this Christmas because of something you’ve done or the way you’ve been living? Do you feel like you’re trapped in a pattern of sin that you can’t break out of? If you need forgiveness, Jesus can give it to you tonight. I can think of no better time than Christmas to do just that. Ok…so what can be done to remedy this? Well there are three action steps from this passage that will help you experience God’s comfort and forgiveness this Christmas.#1: Become a marveler. When Joseph and Mary tried to process everything that was happening, verse 33 says that they marveled at what was said about Jesus. According to the dictionary, to become a marveler is to be filled with wonder, astonishment, and surprise. Were you a marveler at Christmas? Or, were you too caught up in the busyness and stress of the season? Did you run around because of the Holidays, or were you taking the time to make Christmas a “holy” day? Had Christmas become too predictable, too familiar? Had you heard the Christmas story so much that it no longer astonished you? Actually, this is a dangerous time of the year for us. Our annual celebration of Christmas can immunize us to its reality. We hear just enough of the story each year to inoculate us against the real thing, so that we never really catch true Christmas fever. Action Step #2 is to become a mover. Take a look at verse 27: “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.” Now drop down to verse 38: “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God...”
Both Simeon and Anna were movers. When the Holy Spirit prompted them to move, they didn’t sit still. I wonder what would have happened if they had not responded? Actually, every one of the Christmas characters responded to the Spirit’s leading ¬ with the exception of Herod: Mary was ready to move when she said to the angel, “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 2:38) Joseph demonstrated that he was a mover when he woke up from his dream and “...did what the angel of the Lord had commanded and took Mary home as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24) The Shepherds were movers as well when they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened...” (Luke 2:15) And, as we have learned over the years, the wise men saw the star and moved out of their comfort zone to find the King of Christmas. When God prompts you to do something, then you need to do it. It might mean salvation for some of you. It might mean full surrender for others of you. Or, maybe the Spirit wants you to be more involved in serving people. Do you sense Him asking you to do something special this Christmas season? Are you a mover? Are you willing to move? Don’t procrastinate when God prompts you to do something -- you may miss out on a miracle this Christmas.
I’m struck by what Simeon told Mary in verse 34. It must have taken her breath away. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will spoken against…”That’s not really a joyful Christmas greeting, is it? Simeon is not saying, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” Rather, he pauses, clears his throat and tells her that Christmas will never be merry and the New Year will never be happy until people get moving and surrender their lives to Christ. Here’s the truth. Christmas splits people into 2 camps. Since Jesus has entered the world, He has divided the human race. Jesus will cause the falling and rising of many. Because of who Jesus is and what He came to do, He forces people to make a decision about Him. The Bible uses powerful imagery ¬ Jesus is either a rock that you build your life upon (that’s the sense of rising) or he’s the rock that you stumble over (that’s the meaning of falling). On the cusp of the last Christmas of the millennium, Jesus is calling each of us to a moral decision ¬ based upon our willingness to move and respond, we will either rise or fall. You can’t stay neutral about Jesus. You are either for Him or against Him. You’re moving closer to Him, or further away. You either have the Son or you don’t. Action number three is to become a Messenger. Interestingly, as we work at becoming marvelers, we can’t help but become movers. That leads us to the final action step from this passage -- become a messenger. Notice verse 38 again: “...she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Do you have family and friends who’ve been caught up in preparations for Christmas? Look at it this way -- maybe their anticipation and longings really represent an inner search for comfort and forgiveness -- those things that only the Messiah can provide. God wants each one of us to become messengers of the Christmas story.
As you and I become marvelers, the wonder of Christmas will astonish us. Then, as we become movers, our needs for comfort and forgiveness will be met. And, as we take our role as messengers seriously, we’ll be in position to introduce others to the Christ of Christmas -- so that they in turn can find what they have been waiting for.
In a nutshell, Christmas is a marvelous, moving, message! How can we not find what we’ve been looking for? And, how can we keep quiet about it? Once you have the Son, you have everything. "Many years ago, there was a very wealthy man who shared a passion for art collecting with his son. They had priceless works by Picasso and Van Gogh adorning the walls of their family estate.As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His son had died.Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season had vanished with the death of his son. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hands who said, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.”The soldier mentioned that he was an artist and then gave the old man the package. The paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man hung the portrait over the fireplace, pushing aside millions of dollars worth of art. His task completed, the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces of art for which museums around the world clamored. The following spring, the old man died. The art world waited with anticipation for the upcoming auction. According to the will of the old man, all the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift.The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled that day.The auction began with a painting that was not on anyone’s museum list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” No one spoke. Finally someone said, “Who cares about that painting. It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s move on to the good stuff.”The auctioneer responded, “No, we have to sell this one first. Now, who will take the son?” Finally, a neighbor of the old man offered $10 dollars. “That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.”
The auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice…gone.” The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can bid on the real treasures!”
The auctioneer looked at the room filled with people and announced that the auction was over. Everyone was stunned. Someone spoke up and said, “What do you mean, it’s over? We didn’t come here for a painting of someone’s son. There are millions of dollars worth of art here! What’s going on?” The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the Father, whoever takes the son…gets it all.”
Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? The message is the same this Christmas. Because of the Father’s love…whoever takes the Son gets it all." Wow! I don't know about you, but that really put Christmas in perspective for me. I began thinking about the real gift I would be unwrapping on Christmas Day....It was His birthday...His party...and yet...I was the one getting the gift. All I had to do....was reach out and take it!
Christmas is often associated with waiting. I can remember one Christmas when I was growing up that I really wanted a Barbie doll and clothes. All my friends had them and I wanted some just like in the 5 & dime store. I dropped hints everywhere. I wrote letters to Santa and cut out pictures in magazines and put them on my mom’s pillow. I even tried extra hard to be nice to everyone….especially my brother during the countdown to Christmas ¬ which wasn’t easy to do! When Christmas morning finally came, I jumped out of bed and ran to the tree. I looked for a box with my name on it. I looked everywhere but couldn’t find it...and there it was in the back of the tree….. Do you know what I got that year? I’ll never forget it. My mom, who loves to sew, made Barbie clothes….tons of them….and inside the box was a Barbie doll. She was gorgeous….but….the clothes were homemade. There was no cool boxes to open….and no cool Barbie shoes and purses…but there was a beautiful black velvet/lined in red satin cape…a skating outfit, a formal, an everyday dress, and several other lovely pieces…but they were not like everyone elses. My mom and aunt Mae Belle had spent countless nights after my brother and I went to sleep making these tiny treasures…and I had a most ungrateful feeling about Santa and these outfits. Later…the outfits became items of desire when my friends and I gathered to play Barbie…because I had one of a kind outfits…while they had outfits just like everyone elses….only then did I realize how special my gift was. I have had many years of late realization of the specialness of a gift given to me. For that…I am ashamed. What were you waiting for this Christmas? Were you longing for anything? What were you expecting to receive? Were you looking forward to anything special this Christmas? In the Book of Luke, we come across two characters who make their appearance in the final acts of the Christmas drama. One is a man named Simeon; the other is a woman named Anna. They don’t appear in any nativity scenes or in many Christmas cards, but they are significant players in the first Christmas pageant. Both of these individuals were waiting for something -- actually, they were waiting for someone. Luke uses a Greek word of anticipation that identifies them as waiting with expectation for the coming of the Messiah, or Savior. It literally means that they were “alert to His appearance, and ready to welcome Him.” We see this word in Luke 2:25 in reference to Simeon where we read that “He was waiting...” and in 2:38 to describe a woman named Anna who was, “...looking forward to...” Simeon – What was he waiting for? He was waiting For Comfort. We’re introduced to Simeon in Luke 2:25. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon Him.” Simeon was righteous before people, and he was devout in His relationship with God. Things weren’t going real well for the nation of Israel. They hadn’t heard from God for many years and were under Roman rule. They had lost their political independence and were living in fear of the capable, crafty, and cruel King Herod, and many were wondering if the Messiah would ever come. Verse 26 shows us that Simeon had good reason for his hope and anticipation: “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Simeon’s expectation focused on the comfort that Christ would bring. Among Jews of Simeon’s day one of the popular titles of Messiah was Comforter. Like some of the Christmas songs we sing, they were longing for the Messiah to come and bring His comfort to them. It strikes me that the desire to be comforted is a universal human need. We all struggle with loneliness, emptiness, insecurity, even desperation. In fact, the Christmas season is one of the major crisis times of the year for depression and suicide. I should know…because once again at Christmas I was dealing with sadness and loss. The Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the temple courts at just the right time on just the right day that Joseph and Mary were bringing their infant to the Temple. When Simeon looked at the baby Jesus, now about 6 weeks old, he knew that God’s promise had been kept. Here was Immanuel, “God With Us,” to make everything right, to provide significance by His presence, and to eliminate rejection, fear, and loneliness. Verse 28 of Luke 2 says that Simeon reached down and took Jesus out of Mary’s arms and began to praise God. Let me pause here to make a comment. Parents, how would you feel if some old man came up to you, took your infant in his arms and started singing out loud? I’m sure this was a bit unsettling for Joseph and Mary. But Simeon didn’t look all that dangerous. As he broke out into praise, he acknowledged that God had not only fulfilled the individual promise to him, but also the promises of the prophets to send the Anointed One to comfort both Jews and Gentiles. Anna – What was she waiting for? She was waiting for Forgiveness
The other Christmas Character waiting with anticipation was Anna. After her husband had died, she had dedicated herself to fasting and praying in the temple. In fact, the Bible says that she never left the temple ¬ but worshipped day and night. She could have filled all 360 slots of the Bible Reading Marathon herself because she was always at church! She was a Prayer Warrior! She was looking forward to the same person as Simeon was, but with a different orientation. Instead of looking for comfort, Anna was looking for forgiveness. Take a look at verse 38: “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” The word redemption is related to the idea of captivity. The Old Testament Passover and the release of Israel from Egyptian slavery stood in Anna’s day as the ultimate redemption and the symbol of God’s power to release captives. Ultimately, Passover pointed ahead to that day when God would provide deliverance from the slavery of sin. When Anna saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption. Here, at last, was the One who would save His people from their sins. What a wonderful gift we have…..Jesus Provides What We Need
Friends, when Jesus came, He provided the very things that Simeon and Anna were waiting for -- God’s comfort and His forgiveness. Let me ask you a question. What are you waiting for this Christmas? Whatever it is, Jesus can give it to you. Can any of you identify with Simeon? Some of you are really hurting right now. You feel lonely, empty, afraid, and maxed out. Do you need some comfort? Some consoling? Do you need a fresh sense of God’s presence? If so, you can find what you’re looking for in Jesus. He came to console us right where we are. Or, do you identify more with Anna? Are you plagued with guilt this Christmas because of something you’ve done or the way you’ve been living? Do you feel like you’re trapped in a pattern of sin that you can’t break out of? If you need forgiveness, Jesus can give it to you tonight. I can think of no better time than Christmas to do just that. Ok…so what can be done to remedy this? Well there are three action steps from this passage that will help you experience God’s comfort and forgiveness this Christmas.#1: Become a marveler. When Joseph and Mary tried to process everything that was happening, verse 33 says that they marveled at what was said about Jesus. According to the dictionary, to become a marveler is to be filled with wonder, astonishment, and surprise. Were you a marveler at Christmas? Or, were you too caught up in the busyness and stress of the season? Did you run around because of the Holidays, or were you taking the time to make Christmas a “holy” day? Had Christmas become too predictable, too familiar? Had you heard the Christmas story so much that it no longer astonished you? Actually, this is a dangerous time of the year for us. Our annual celebration of Christmas can immunize us to its reality. We hear just enough of the story each year to inoculate us against the real thing, so that we never really catch true Christmas fever. Action Step #2 is to become a mover. Take a look at verse 27: “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.” Now drop down to verse 38: “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God...”
Both Simeon and Anna were movers. When the Holy Spirit prompted them to move, they didn’t sit still. I wonder what would have happened if they had not responded? Actually, every one of the Christmas characters responded to the Spirit’s leading ¬ with the exception of Herod: Mary was ready to move when she said to the angel, “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 2:38) Joseph demonstrated that he was a mover when he woke up from his dream and “...did what the angel of the Lord had commanded and took Mary home as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24) The Shepherds were movers as well when they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened...” (Luke 2:15) And, as we have learned over the years, the wise men saw the star and moved out of their comfort zone to find the King of Christmas. When God prompts you to do something, then you need to do it. It might mean salvation for some of you. It might mean full surrender for others of you. Or, maybe the Spirit wants you to be more involved in serving people. Do you sense Him asking you to do something special this Christmas season? Are you a mover? Are you willing to move? Don’t procrastinate when God prompts you to do something -- you may miss out on a miracle this Christmas.
I’m struck by what Simeon told Mary in verse 34. It must have taken her breath away. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will spoken against…”That’s not really a joyful Christmas greeting, is it? Simeon is not saying, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” Rather, he pauses, clears his throat and tells her that Christmas will never be merry and the New Year will never be happy until people get moving and surrender their lives to Christ. Here’s the truth. Christmas splits people into 2 camps. Since Jesus has entered the world, He has divided the human race. Jesus will cause the falling and rising of many. Because of who Jesus is and what He came to do, He forces people to make a decision about Him. The Bible uses powerful imagery ¬ Jesus is either a rock that you build your life upon (that’s the sense of rising) or he’s the rock that you stumble over (that’s the meaning of falling). On the cusp of the last Christmas of the millennium, Jesus is calling each of us to a moral decision ¬ based upon our willingness to move and respond, we will either rise or fall. You can’t stay neutral about Jesus. You are either for Him or against Him. You’re moving closer to Him, or further away. You either have the Son or you don’t. Action number three is to become a Messenger. Interestingly, as we work at becoming marvelers, we can’t help but become movers. That leads us to the final action step from this passage -- become a messenger. Notice verse 38 again: “...she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Do you have family and friends who’ve been caught up in preparations for Christmas? Look at it this way -- maybe their anticipation and longings really represent an inner search for comfort and forgiveness -- those things that only the Messiah can provide. God wants each one of us to become messengers of the Christmas story.
As you and I become marvelers, the wonder of Christmas will astonish us. Then, as we become movers, our needs for comfort and forgiveness will be met. And, as we take our role as messengers seriously, we’ll be in position to introduce others to the Christ of Christmas -- so that they in turn can find what they have been waiting for.
In a nutshell, Christmas is a marvelous, moving, message! How can we not find what we’ve been looking for? And, how can we keep quiet about it? Once you have the Son, you have everything. "Many years ago, there was a very wealthy man who shared a passion for art collecting with his son. They had priceless works by Picasso and Van Gogh adorning the walls of their family estate.As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His son had died.Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season had vanished with the death of his son. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hands who said, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.”The soldier mentioned that he was an artist and then gave the old man the package. The paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man hung the portrait over the fireplace, pushing aside millions of dollars worth of art. His task completed, the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces of art for which museums around the world clamored. The following spring, the old man died. The art world waited with anticipation for the upcoming auction. According to the will of the old man, all the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift.The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled that day.The auction began with a painting that was not on anyone’s museum list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” No one spoke. Finally someone said, “Who cares about that painting. It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s move on to the good stuff.”The auctioneer responded, “No, we have to sell this one first. Now, who will take the son?” Finally, a neighbor of the old man offered $10 dollars. “That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.”
The auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice…gone.” The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can bid on the real treasures!”
The auctioneer looked at the room filled with people and announced that the auction was over. Everyone was stunned. Someone spoke up and said, “What do you mean, it’s over? We didn’t come here for a painting of someone’s son. There are millions of dollars worth of art here! What’s going on?” The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the Father, whoever takes the son…gets it all.”
Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? The message is the same this Christmas. Because of the Father’s love…whoever takes the Son gets it all." Wow! I don't know about you, but that really put Christmas in perspective for me. I began thinking about the real gift I would be unwrapping on Christmas Day....It was His birthday...His party...and yet...I was the one getting the gift. All I had to do....was reach out and take it!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Slaves - Marriage in Virginia and Maryland
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Born in New Jersey, Quaker John Woolman (1720-1772) was a tailor & shopkeeper. In 1756, the year he began his journal, he gave up most of his business to become an itinerant preacher devoted to abolishing military taxation, conscription, & slavery. This selection from Woolman’s journal, published in 1774, after his death, records a trip in May 1757, through Maryland & Virginia
Many of the white people in those provinces take little or no care of negro marriages; and when negroes marry after their own way, some make so little account of those marriages that with views of outward interest they often part men from their wives by selling them far asunder, which is common when estates are sold by executors at vendue.
Many whose labor is heavy being followed at their business in the field by a man with a whip, hired for that purpose, have in common little else allowed but one peck of Indian corn and some salt, for one week, with a few potatoes; the potatoes they commonly raise by their labor on the first day of the week. The correction ensuing on their disobedience to overseers, or slothfulness in business, is often very severe, and sometimes desperate.
Men and women have many times scarcely clothes sufficient to hide their nakedness, and boys and girls ten and twelve years old are often quite naked amongst their master’s children. Some of our Society, and some of the society called Newlights, use some endeavors to instruct those they have in reading; but in common this is not only neglected, but disapproved.
These are the people by whose labor the other inhabitants are in a great measure supported, and many of them in the luxuries of life. These are the people who have made no agreement to serve us, and who have not forfeited their liberty that we know of. These are the souls for whom Christ died, and for our conduct towards them we must answer before Him who is no respecter of persons.
Source: John Woolman. The Journal of John Woolman (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1909)
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Born in New Jersey, Quaker John Woolman (1720-1772) was a tailor & shopkeeper. In 1756, the year he began his journal, he gave up most of his business to become an itinerant preacher devoted to abolishing military taxation, conscription, & slavery. This selection from Woolman’s journal, published in 1774, after his death, records a trip in May 1757, through Maryland & Virginia
Many of the white people in those provinces take little or no care of negro marriages; and when negroes marry after their own way, some make so little account of those marriages that with views of outward interest they often part men from their wives by selling them far asunder, which is common when estates are sold by executors at vendue.
Many whose labor is heavy being followed at their business in the field by a man with a whip, hired for that purpose, have in common little else allowed but one peck of Indian corn and some salt, for one week, with a few potatoes; the potatoes they commonly raise by their labor on the first day of the week. The correction ensuing on their disobedience to overseers, or slothfulness in business, is often very severe, and sometimes desperate.
Men and women have many times scarcely clothes sufficient to hide their nakedness, and boys and girls ten and twelve years old are often quite naked amongst their master’s children. Some of our Society, and some of the society called Newlights, use some endeavors to instruct those they have in reading; but in common this is not only neglected, but disapproved.
These are the people by whose labor the other inhabitants are in a great measure supported, and many of them in the luxuries of life. These are the people who have made no agreement to serve us, and who have not forfeited their liberty that we know of. These are the souls for whom Christ died, and for our conduct towards them we must answer before Him who is no respecter of persons.
Source: John Woolman. The Journal of John Woolman (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1909)
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Sexual Politics-Mohawk-Style 1754
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The British colonial government convened a conference in Albany, New York, in the summer of 1754. French troops had occupied the Ohio valley; while the Indians in New York had declared the Covenant chain alliance broken.
Hendrick, a Mohawk leader among the Iroquois Confederation, wanted to renew the alliance between the Iroquois & the colonists. But in his speech at the meeting, he called the British weak. Soon the Seven Year's War would involve the French, the British colonists, & the Native Americans in a war that would also be called The French & Indian War.
Mohawk Hendrick:
Then Hendrick, brother to the said Abraham, and a Sachem of the same castle, rose up and spake in behalf of the Six Nations as follows:
"Brethren, This is the ancient place of treaty where the fire of friendship always used to burn, and it is now three years since we have been called to any public treaty here; ‘tis true, there are commissioners here, but they have never invited us to smoke with them (by which they mean, the commissioners had never invited them to any conference), but the Indians of Canada came frequently and smoked with them, which is for the sake of their beaver, but we hate them (meaning the French Indians)
We have not as yet confirmed the peace with them: ’tis your fault, brethren, we are not strengthened by conquest, for we should have gone and taken Crown Point, but you hindered us: We had concluded to go and take it; but we were told it was too late, and that the ice would not bear us. Instead of this you burnt your own fort at Saraghtogee and run away from it; which was shame and a scandal to you. Look about your country, and see you have no fortifications about you, no not even to this city. 'Tis but one step from Canada hither, and the French may easily come and turn you out of doors.
"Brethren, You desired us to speak from the bottom of our hearts, and we shall do it. Look about you, and see all these houses full of beaver, and money is all gone to Canada; likewise your powder, lead, and guns, which the French make use of at the Ohio.
“Brethren, You were desirous we should open our minds and our hearts to you; look at the French, they are men; they are fortifying every where; but we are ashamed to say it; you are like women, bare and open, without any fortifications.”
Source: Jeptha Root Simms, History of Schoharie County, and the Border Wars of New York. Albany: Munsell & Tanner, 1845.
.
The British colonial government convened a conference in Albany, New York, in the summer of 1754. French troops had occupied the Ohio valley; while the Indians in New York had declared the Covenant chain alliance broken.
Hendrick, a Mohawk leader among the Iroquois Confederation, wanted to renew the alliance between the Iroquois & the colonists. But in his speech at the meeting, he called the British weak. Soon the Seven Year's War would involve the French, the British colonists, & the Native Americans in a war that would also be called The French & Indian War.
Mohawk Hendrick:
Then Hendrick, brother to the said Abraham, and a Sachem of the same castle, rose up and spake in behalf of the Six Nations as follows:
"Brethren, This is the ancient place of treaty where the fire of friendship always used to burn, and it is now three years since we have been called to any public treaty here; ‘tis true, there are commissioners here, but they have never invited us to smoke with them (by which they mean, the commissioners had never invited them to any conference), but the Indians of Canada came frequently and smoked with them, which is for the sake of their beaver, but we hate them (meaning the French Indians)
We have not as yet confirmed the peace with them: ’tis your fault, brethren, we are not strengthened by conquest, for we should have gone and taken Crown Point, but you hindered us: We had concluded to go and take it; but we were told it was too late, and that the ice would not bear us. Instead of this you burnt your own fort at Saraghtogee and run away from it; which was shame and a scandal to you. Look about your country, and see you have no fortifications about you, no not even to this city. 'Tis but one step from Canada hither, and the French may easily come and turn you out of doors.
"Brethren, You desired us to speak from the bottom of our hearts, and we shall do it. Look about you, and see all these houses full of beaver, and money is all gone to Canada; likewise your powder, lead, and guns, which the French make use of at the Ohio.
“Brethren, You were desirous we should open our minds and our hearts to you; look at the French, they are men; they are fortifying every where; but we are ashamed to say it; you are like women, bare and open, without any fortifications.”
Source: Jeptha Root Simms, History of Schoharie County, and the Border Wars of New York. Albany: Munsell & Tanner, 1845.
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Adventures with Steak-Umms
So I bought the bread so Tom could make his Steak-Umm sandwiches.
"I can't quite remember how to make them," Tom said, scratching his head.
Then why did he buy Steak-Umms in the first place?
*Le Sigh*
Thankfully Jennifer gave me the link for this site:
It had a video on how to make a Steak Umm sandwich.
Then I asked Tom if he planned on cutting up vegetables.
"What for?" he asked.
"Um. Our sandwich?" I didn't want a plain Steak-Umm sandwich with cheese. No thanks.
"I wasn't planning on it," Tom admitted.
"Could you saute some onions?"
Tom knitted his eyebrows. "Saute?"
I half expected him to go, "Thems fancy words! What's a saute?"
"I'll saute," I said quickly.
Tom got the box of Steak-Umms out.
"They remind me of tongues," I said as Tom stuck two on a saucepan.
"Giant cow tongues," I continued. "Is that how they're supposed to look? They look gross."
"They are not gross," Tom argued. "They are delicious."
"But they're rectangular!"
"Give the Steak Umms a chance!"
(That's Tom's usual expression. It's why people always ask me if he's mad. No. He's not mad. That's just the way he looks.)
"They smell weird," I said.
"They smell delicious," Tom answered.
This is Tom's boring sandwich:
"Ketchup?" I said as Tom squeezed some on. "Ew. I'm putting mayo on mine."
This is my awesome sandwich:
Mayo, mustard, Steak-Umm with swiss cheese, onions and tomatoes.
It was pretty good. It's probably not something I'd want often though.
Anyhow. That's my adventure with Steak Umms.
I never knew steak could look and smell like that.
"I can't quite remember how to make them," Tom said, scratching his head.
Then why did he buy Steak-Umms in the first place?
*Le Sigh*
Thankfully Jennifer gave me the link for this site:
It had a video on how to make a Steak Umm sandwich.
Then I asked Tom if he planned on cutting up vegetables.
"What for?" he asked.
"Um. Our sandwich?" I didn't want a plain Steak-Umm sandwich with cheese. No thanks.
"I wasn't planning on it," Tom admitted.
"Could you saute some onions?"
Tom knitted his eyebrows. "Saute?"
I half expected him to go, "Thems fancy words! What's a saute?"
"I'll saute," I said quickly.
Tom got the box of Steak-Umms out.
"They remind me of tongues," I said as Tom stuck two on a saucepan.
"Giant cow tongues," I continued. "Is that how they're supposed to look? They look gross."
"They are not gross," Tom argued. "They are delicious."
"But they're rectangular!"
"Give the Steak Umms a chance!"
(That's Tom's usual expression. It's why people always ask me if he's mad. No. He's not mad. That's just the way he looks.)
"They smell weird," I said.
"They smell delicious," Tom answered.
This is Tom's boring sandwich:
"Ketchup?" I said as Tom squeezed some on. "Ew. I'm putting mayo on mine."
This is my awesome sandwich:
Mayo, mustard, Steak-Umm with swiss cheese, onions and tomatoes.
It was pretty good. It's probably not something I'd want often though.
Anyhow. That's my adventure with Steak Umms.
I never knew steak could look and smell like that.
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