My favorite and one shared with the local Knitting Guild is:
A woman is knitting as she drives (which is totally unsafe, and I don't advocate it). Pretty soon, her speed has crept all the way up to 95 mph--and she passes a parked police car. The car gives chase. Officer Bob turns on his siren, but the woman, oblivious, doesn't notice him. Finally, he pulls up alongside her car and yells, "Pull over! PULL OVER!"
She looks at him, looks at her knitting, and yells--
"NO! It's a CARDIGAN!"
See the link for additional laughs: http://www.anacleta.com/knittinghumor.html
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Government Benevolence
What is the current form of the United States? Socialist, Oligarchy, Democracy, Republic? Just as Rome began as a Republic (ruled by law); so did these United States of America.
As Rome grew, people desired more influence on the government. Law wasn't as flexible to adapt to the desired behavior. In the early to mid-1800's the young USA began a transformation, with the rule of the common man and the spoils system. Quite incongruous concepts but nonetheless existing side-by-side. Andrew Jackson invoked this "democracy" and since that time, this country became more and more "democratic" -- rule by the majority.
In the US and Rome this deteriorated into rule by the minority. Rome was governed by a triumverate influenced by the Senate and in the early 1960's the US Supreme Court decided that if one person wants to do something and the law forbids it, then the law should be changed. The Constitution became a "living and breathing" document resulting in the rule by an oligarchy (rule by a select few).
In 2009 the US lacks only a crisis to send it forward to the next step experienced by Rome, rule by the "benevolent" dictator for life. In my lifetime CHANGE includes the desires of the majority no longer matter; special interests have the ear of the government; the finance arena, delivery service, manufacturing and agricultural sectors are indebted and controlled by the federals; the deficit of the annual budget has gone from 300 billion per year (before the enactment of TARP) to 1.7 trillion per year; all in less than one year. Will the crisis that sends us into anarchy and a subsequent totalitarian dictatorship result from run away inflation? Devalued money? Inability to produce crops to feed our people?
If we aren't on the verge of financial collapse now, we well could be very soon especially should our leaders shove the pill of government controlled health care down the collective throat. Government health care necessitates a regulatory agency with paper processing non-doctor bureaucrats making decisions on type of diagnosis, authorized form of treatments, prescriptions on allowed formulary lists, resulting in extended delays in performance of "appropriate" tests, medications, aspirin, etc. Clerks will have the authority currently held by physicians; that government right to privacy act (bureaucratic paperwork we've endured at every doctor visit) will only mean your spouse won't know your conditions; however, everyone who has access to a government computer (secured or stolen) will know. Privacy rights will be a thing of the past. We will be servants of a state that watches over our health, our money, our food, our cars ... or are we already?
How did we come this far? On whose watch did we lose our beloved Republic? We think ourselves infinitely wise; yet, we have repeated history and failed to observe the trodding of our downward steps.
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
As Rome grew, people desired more influence on the government. Law wasn't as flexible to adapt to the desired behavior. In the early to mid-1800's the young USA began a transformation, with the rule of the common man and the spoils system. Quite incongruous concepts but nonetheless existing side-by-side. Andrew Jackson invoked this "democracy" and since that time, this country became more and more "democratic" -- rule by the majority.
In the US and Rome this deteriorated into rule by the minority. Rome was governed by a triumverate influenced by the Senate and in the early 1960's the US Supreme Court decided that if one person wants to do something and the law forbids it, then the law should be changed. The Constitution became a "living and breathing" document resulting in the rule by an oligarchy (rule by a select few).
In 2009 the US lacks only a crisis to send it forward to the next step experienced by Rome, rule by the "benevolent" dictator for life. In my lifetime CHANGE includes the desires of the majority no longer matter; special interests have the ear of the government; the finance arena, delivery service, manufacturing and agricultural sectors are indebted and controlled by the federals; the deficit of the annual budget has gone from 300 billion per year (before the enactment of TARP) to 1.7 trillion per year; all in less than one year. Will the crisis that sends us into anarchy and a subsequent totalitarian dictatorship result from run away inflation? Devalued money? Inability to produce crops to feed our people?
If we aren't on the verge of financial collapse now, we well could be very soon especially should our leaders shove the pill of government controlled health care down the collective throat. Government health care necessitates a regulatory agency with paper processing non-doctor bureaucrats making decisions on type of diagnosis, authorized form of treatments, prescriptions on allowed formulary lists, resulting in extended delays in performance of "appropriate" tests, medications, aspirin, etc. Clerks will have the authority currently held by physicians; that government right to privacy act (bureaucratic paperwork we've endured at every doctor visit) will only mean your spouse won't know your conditions; however, everyone who has access to a government computer (secured or stolen) will know. Privacy rights will be a thing of the past. We will be servants of a state that watches over our health, our money, our food, our cars ... or are we already?
How did we come this far? On whose watch did we lose our beloved Republic? We think ourselves infinitely wise; yet, we have repeated history and failed to observe the trodding of our downward steps.
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Monday, August 24, 2009
John Newton
Finished From Disgrace to Amazing Grace: John Newton by Jonathan Aitken. Wow! Well written and enlightening how much he influenced the future with his mentoring impact on three Williams: William Wilberforce (abolition of the slave trade and slavery in England); William Carey (first missionary from England) and William Cowper (hymnologist, poet).
Nancy Bush Workshop - Colorado Springs
On September 26 and 27, 2009, Nancy Bush will be presenting Workshops in Colorado Springs on Estonian Lace and Mittens. If you are interested, a flyer is attached for further information.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Becoming Jane / The Queen
Becoming Jane and The Queen both star James Cromwell of Babe and 24 fame.
Becoming Jane is an attempt at a semi-biographical telling of Jane Austen's life and quite wonderful views of the quaint and quintessential English countryside. The scenery draws me in and pulls at me to return to a long ago time of peace and quiet. Maggie Smith, a marvelous character actress, and Anne Hathaway also star in this film. Wow! I enjoyed this movie.
The Queen is a story about Queen Elizabeth II's handling of the events following the death of Diana, the former Princess of Wales, and how she manages affairs of the Royal Household. The report presents her as non-emotional at the delivery of the news of Diana's death. However, by the end of the reel, the viewer sees Elizabeth's attempts to maintain the dignity of the monarchy including precedent and yet bends to the persistent requests of Tony Blair and the people to make a public statement about the Royal family sentiments, their reluctance to speak and their concern for the welfare of the Nation. More than that, the family returns to Buckingham Palace only to see vile and violent sentiments about her and the others of the Windsor family along with all the flowers left at the Palace Gates for Diana's memory. With great composure the Queen turns to the crowd, sees a little girl with flowers, asks her if She could place the flowers and the little girl responds ... "No, .... they're for you." This drama earned the critics approval and now I understand why!
Recommendations on both of these movies: Yes and Yes. Both of these are ones I would see again.
Becoming Jane is an attempt at a semi-biographical telling of Jane Austen's life and quite wonderful views of the quaint and quintessential English countryside. The scenery draws me in and pulls at me to return to a long ago time of peace and quiet. Maggie Smith, a marvelous character actress, and Anne Hathaway also star in this film. Wow! I enjoyed this movie.
The Queen is a story about Queen Elizabeth II's handling of the events following the death of Diana, the former Princess of Wales, and how she manages affairs of the Royal Household. The report presents her as non-emotional at the delivery of the news of Diana's death. However, by the end of the reel, the viewer sees Elizabeth's attempts to maintain the dignity of the monarchy including precedent and yet bends to the persistent requests of Tony Blair and the people to make a public statement about the Royal family sentiments, their reluctance to speak and their concern for the welfare of the Nation. More than that, the family returns to Buckingham Palace only to see vile and violent sentiments about her and the others of the Windsor family along with all the flowers left at the Palace Gates for Diana's memory. With great composure the Queen turns to the crowd, sees a little girl with flowers, asks her if She could place the flowers and the little girl responds ... "No, .... they're for you." This drama earned the critics approval and now I understand why!
Recommendations on both of these movies: Yes and Yes. Both of these are ones I would see again.
Knit Knot Tree
The Associate Press carried an article in the paper the other day about Yellow Springs, Ohio that has created a "purl" of a tree by knitting fabric around it. The Knit Knot Tree has become a tourist attraction of sorts. Quite the colors have hung around even through the winter and the tree hasn't really felt the frost this year. Check out the AP link.
Pacific Coast League 2008 Season
The 2008 Pacific Coast League Season comes to the plate next week on April 3. This year we are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Joe DiMaggio 61-game hitting streak. What a record! This will be my 8th march through a baseball season, and each year I come to appreciate the depth of the history, strategy and mechanisms of the game. The other day a lady at Office Max informed me baseball was her favorite sport because one, it was a "thinking man's game" and two, the defense controls the ball and the pace of the game.
Maybe someday I will appreciate the pitching strategy but mostly I enjoy watching the batters winning the showdown with the man on the mound.
Maybe someday I will appreciate the pitching strategy but mostly I enjoy watching the batters winning the showdown with the man on the mound.
Pikes Peak Knitting Guild Luncheon
The Pikes Peak Knitting Guild is holding a charter member luncheon April 19, 2008 from 11:30 - 2:30. Amanda Berka, a former president of the Guild and recently with Interweave Press will be our speaker. Guiseppe's depot is the site of the luncheon and the cost is $15. All current, past and want-to-be members of the PPKG are invited.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Weight Loss
Hooray! I've been working out trying to lose weight and today the scales indicated there has been a loss of ten pounds. Yes! Just hoping the pounds don't play a good game of hide and seek.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sheep Sweater
Finally finished the sheep sweater. Alpaca yarn spun by a small company and which I purchased at 2006 Stitches. Loved the blue grey color and learning the carrying of color. There was even two rows when I had to manage three colors at one time. The most memorable part of the process was getting the right fit. The sleeves are long enough for my arms! 
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