Before I tell about my hangover, one correction. The last blog talks about my last day at chemo. That didn't happen. First, in my anxiousness to get it over I miscounted the number of treatments I'd had. Then the doctor decided I should have 2 more, which even after chemo last week still means 2 more I think. Oh well! Anything for a long remission!!
Hangover - Yes, I have a hangover today! Not from alcohol but from the glorious weekend! Sunshine and warm weather mixed with the sights and sounds of people outside having fun, doing yard work or just hanging out was a blessing after what seems like a long winter. I am totally amazed at how quickly the trees got leaves. It's like you could hear it happening. All of this combined to lift me above the normal chemo side-effects. My spirit overcame the urging of my body to slow down. It was great!
This is a great time of year! The migrant birds are returning. Warblers, White-crowned Sparrows, Fox Sparrows and soon swallows. A trip to Potter Marsh on Saturday gave me a glimpse of 2 Arctic Terns on a rest break before heading further North.
Today it is back to work but the weekend weather continues and memories are still fresh. I hope the hangover continues through the week!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
The End and the Beginning
This is a week with an end and a beginning of a different sort. The end of chemo and the beginning of remission. There is a sense of relief and of anticipation and nervousness. Relief that the side-effects of treatment will gradually disappear. Anticipation and nervousness over how long remission will last. There is no cure for my cancer. Only remission, relapse and remission until it wins. But I have been living for 3 years with prostate cancer on the same terms and I find that life goes on. I try to live each day to the fullest and put the anxiety aside. It only raises it's head when I approach the Doctor appointment to see how the PSA is doing. I suspect it will be the same with the lymphoma/leukemia. It's a waiting game to which I'm becoming accustomed. Worry is useless. Yesterday is gone, today is here now, tomorrow may never come!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Humility
Humility - something I'm terribly short of. We all want to blow our own horns when we are sucessful. We all want praise and to be acknowledged. I've always wanted to do something so after I am long gone, people could read about it in Wikipedia or some book. I would be memorialized for all time. I'd never be forgotten but remembered for doing something good.
Are most successful people humble? Are humble people successful? The media pours attention on the former but rarely on the later. There are many people that lead a successful life by raising a family, or going to work each day, or by being cloistered in a monastery. Is success only defined by being in the media or known in your community?
God put us on the earth and gave us time, talent, and treasure to use to his glory. When we use them we should give him praise for the results. That is humility. The first step to wisdom is fear of the Lord. Fear can mean many things but should mean we acknowledge His presence daily, hourly, by the minute and second and that we practice humility by thanking him for our successes, failures and for the gifts he has given us. We need to ask for his continued help to use the gifts as he intended and to make them grow by sharing with others. And we need to ask for help to recognize our failures as opportunity.
Humility is a virtue that is sorely missing in our society where abortion, for example, is justified by the concept that a woman has the right to control what happens to her body INCLUDING the actions that place that same body in a compromising situation. Gee I got caught; I'm pregnant. Now to get rid of the consequences so I can go on being responsible for my body my way.
How does abortion give glory to God who gave you the beautiful gift of reproduction??
Today I pray that God would give me one of the gifts I most need - humility.
Remember to begin all prayer by thanking God for the gifts he has given you!
Are most successful people humble? Are humble people successful? The media pours attention on the former but rarely on the later. There are many people that lead a successful life by raising a family, or going to work each day, or by being cloistered in a monastery. Is success only defined by being in the media or known in your community?
God put us on the earth and gave us time, talent, and treasure to use to his glory. When we use them we should give him praise for the results. That is humility. The first step to wisdom is fear of the Lord. Fear can mean many things but should mean we acknowledge His presence daily, hourly, by the minute and second and that we practice humility by thanking him for our successes, failures and for the gifts he has given us. We need to ask for his continued help to use the gifts as he intended and to make them grow by sharing with others. And we need to ask for help to recognize our failures as opportunity.
Humility is a virtue that is sorely missing in our society where abortion, for example, is justified by the concept that a woman has the right to control what happens to her body INCLUDING the actions that place that same body in a compromising situation. Gee I got caught; I'm pregnant. Now to get rid of the consequences so I can go on being responsible for my body my way.
How does abortion give glory to God who gave you the beautiful gift of reproduction??
Today I pray that God would give me one of the gifts I most need - humility.
Remember to begin all prayer by thanking God for the gifts he has given you!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Whole Wheat Radio
One of the best things I've discovered on the internet is WWR. That's Whole Wheat Radio. WWR originates in Talkeetna, AK and has been around for years but it's current incarnation is very cool. It is an off-shoot of the Wikipedia collaborative wiki model and use the same software they do although modified to WWR's needs. WWR allows listeners to determine what music will be played by selecting songs out of the library. I can't explain it as well as if you just go and look around and see for yourself.
What I like about WWR is the 57,000 songs of independent artists. You won't find Travis Twit or whatever his name is. You won't find Celine, Britany, Faith or any of the artists played on commercial radio. What you will find is Antje Duvekot, Meg Hutchinson, Emily Kurn, Cold Country, Jeffrey Foucault, Last Train Home and many many others. It is folk, americana, country, bluegrass, newgrass, jazz, and blues.
I love my WWR and can't go very long without it. Neither will you once you give it a try.
One of the great things about WWR is that it introduced me to new artists, some of whom have come to Anchorage to play. Had it not been for WWR I wouldn't have noticed them. Because of WWR I've seen and heard many talented artists in person. They play at various venues like the PAC, City Park, Wendy Williams, Humpies, Snow Goose, Tap Root Cafe and others. They are ALWAYS worth the time and many are locals who could use our support.
WWR also has house concerts where the artists play live from Talkeetna and we get to listen for free (donations gladly accepted).
I think you should give Whole Wheat Radio a try. Once you do you won't go back to white bread.
What I like about WWR is the 57,000 songs of independent artists. You won't find Travis Twit or whatever his name is. You won't find Celine, Britany, Faith or any of the artists played on commercial radio. What you will find is Antje Duvekot, Meg Hutchinson, Emily Kurn, Cold Country, Jeffrey Foucault, Last Train Home and many many others. It is folk, americana, country, bluegrass, newgrass, jazz, and blues.
I love my WWR and can't go very long without it. Neither will you once you give it a try.
One of the great things about WWR is that it introduced me to new artists, some of whom have come to Anchorage to play. Had it not been for WWR I wouldn't have noticed them. Because of WWR I've seen and heard many talented artists in person. They play at various venues like the PAC, City Park, Wendy Williams, Humpies, Snow Goose, Tap Root Cafe and others. They are ALWAYS worth the time and many are locals who could use our support.
WWR also has house concerts where the artists play live from Talkeetna and we get to listen for free (donations gladly accepted).
I think you should give Whole Wheat Radio a try. Once you do you won't go back to white bread.
Monday, March 16, 2009
60 Years
My dad used to tell the story of my birth 60 years tomorrow at every birthday gathering. Then when I left home he wrote me a note about it that I still have.
Mom woke him to say it was time. They got dressed and out to the car, turned it around heading for the hospital and... a flat tire. Was a cold March in South Dakota and dad had to change that tire. Worried that I'd come before he finished he hurried in the dark. No reason to hurry as it turns out. I wasn't born until that evening! Fooled him!
I have a lot of stories from dad. Wish i had taken the time over the years to collect more. He led an interesting life. Orphaned at 9 he was passed between sisters and aunts. He went to college and taught in a rural South Dakota school. He fought through the pacific in WWII with his national guard artillery battalion as an enlisted man and later an officer. He was mustard gassed, shot at by a zero or two and grew up quickly. He was always very independent and stoic. The last born, he saw all his brothers and sisters die before him. He lost his wife as well. But he was always religious, thoughtful, generous and loving. His last wish was to die in his own bed and he did.
I miss him today and wish I could hear him tell the story one more time!
Mom woke him to say it was time. They got dressed and out to the car, turned it around heading for the hospital and... a flat tire. Was a cold March in South Dakota and dad had to change that tire. Worried that I'd come before he finished he hurried in the dark. No reason to hurry as it turns out. I wasn't born until that evening! Fooled him!
I have a lot of stories from dad. Wish i had taken the time over the years to collect more. He led an interesting life. Orphaned at 9 he was passed between sisters and aunts. He went to college and taught in a rural South Dakota school. He fought through the pacific in WWII with his national guard artillery battalion as an enlisted man and later an officer. He was mustard gassed, shot at by a zero or two and grew up quickly. He was always very independent and stoic. The last born, he saw all his brothers and sisters die before him. He lost his wife as well. But he was always religious, thoughtful, generous and loving. His last wish was to die in his own bed and he did.
I miss him today and wish I could hear him tell the story one more time!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Can you say...?
That you've read the Bible from cover to cover? If you can I joined you today. If you can't, why not? The Bible is a unique work of writing that should be read by all, if not because you believe, then to dispel long held wrong ideas or prejudices.
Now to start over!
Now to start over!
Microsoft Vista
I never thought the day would come that I'd say I like Vista but it's here. Like anything else new we find fault and cling to what we know best without giving the new the benefit of the doubt. There are a lot of things annoying with Vista such as permissions and the search function but there are a lot of things right with it too such as Mail and Calendar. I really haven't explored very much but am as comfortable getting around in Vista as I was in XP. There is no real reason to give up XP if you don't want to but soon We'll have Windows 7 and then XP will become even more a relic.
It is interesting watching my daughter on her new Vista machine. There really is a steep learning curve, one which I wouldn't want to tackle while working full time and going to class once a week to keep current on a teaching certificate.
So there, I said it. Now what?
It is interesting watching my daughter on her new Vista machine. There really is a steep learning curve, one which I wouldn't want to tackle while working full time and going to class once a week to keep current on a teaching certificate.
So there, I said it. Now what?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Spend, spend, spend
Today in Indiana, President Obama said he sure would like some of the dollars cut out of the Recovery and Reinvestment Bill put back in. He said something like; while we are spending money doesn't it make sense to spend money on problems that have been with us for years. Oh my! Hold on to your wallets!!! I thought this was a RECOVERY plan not a business as usual spending bill!!!
One thing for sure, he's a Democrat!!! Spend, spend spend. When is the new 60% tax bill going to be introduced?
One thing for sure, he's a Democrat!!! Spend, spend spend. When is the new 60% tax bill going to be introduced?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
A Tale of Two Choices
Let's say you are associated with a group having internal and even external problems. You get to choose a new spokesperson.
If given the choice between a young man who is well educated and talks well but has no real experience and one who tells it like it is with no sugar, who would you choose?
I think you have already decided and it appears to me that the shine is coming off the one you selected.
The first person promised to clean out the people who aren't doing their jobs and promised a new look to the group. No more business as usual except when it came to picking his staff and management team. Then expediency took front seat to the law and other consideration. His idea of "duck and cover" just in case it is needed is to constantly remind you how bad the group dynamic is and promises solutions. But the solutions sound more like business as usual. He is letting 2 committees make policy while he stands back and talks about it.
The second person who had a sound plan but was a little to rough around the edges and was associated with old management is quietly doing what he proposed to do in the beginning. He is calm and speaks with confidence. His plan is one that makes sense. His associates are likewise getting down to business.
It will be interesting for you to watch these two people and try to be objective. Whose plan will bring positive results? Maybe because you were so desperate for change that you threw your hat into the ring of the first person who spoke so adimately for change.
And you quietly hope this is fanciful writing!
If given the choice between a young man who is well educated and talks well but has no real experience and one who tells it like it is with no sugar, who would you choose?
I think you have already decided and it appears to me that the shine is coming off the one you selected.
The first person promised to clean out the people who aren't doing their jobs and promised a new look to the group. No more business as usual except when it came to picking his staff and management team. Then expediency took front seat to the law and other consideration. His idea of "duck and cover" just in case it is needed is to constantly remind you how bad the group dynamic is and promises solutions. But the solutions sound more like business as usual. He is letting 2 committees make policy while he stands back and talks about it.
The second person who had a sound plan but was a little to rough around the edges and was associated with old management is quietly doing what he proposed to do in the beginning. He is calm and speaks with confidence. His plan is one that makes sense. His associates are likewise getting down to business.
It will be interesting for you to watch these two people and try to be objective. Whose plan will bring positive results? Maybe because you were so desperate for change that you threw your hat into the ring of the first person who spoke so adimately for change.
And you quietly hope this is fanciful writing!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
More on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan
The Wall street Journal has an excellent article on the "stimulus".
Employee Free Choice Act
Seems that Free Choice has become a euphemism for limiting choice. The Employee Free Choice Act has a provision that does away with secret balloting in the unionization process. Instead, if a majority signs cards requesting a union, it becomes certified. That means that if you oppose unionization everyone knows you do and it is logical to conclude you will be stigmatized as a result. Worse yet are the tactics the union organizer will use to coerce you into signing a card.
It is interesting to note that the same Democrats who propose doing away with a secret ballot encouraged the Mexican Government to use secret ballots in the same process.
One opponent says of this provision of the act:
It is beyond me how one can possibly claim that a system whereby everyone – your employer, your union organizer, and your co-workers – knows exactly how you vote on the issue of unionization gives an employee 'free choice' ... It seems pretty clear to me that the only way to ensure that a worker is 'free to choose' is to ensure that there's a private ballot, so that no one knows how you voted. I cannot fathom how we were about to sit there today and debate a proposal to take away a worker's democratic right to vote in a secret-ballot election and call it 'Employee Free Choice.
In an era where union representation is decreasing it seems bills like this are intended to help unions at the expense of worker's rights. As the economy seems to be slipping deeper into recession, we don't feel a bill that seems anti-business is the right way to go.
It is interesting to note that the same Democrats who propose doing away with a secret ballot encouraged the Mexican Government to use secret ballots in the same process.
One opponent says of this provision of the act:
It is beyond me how one can possibly claim that a system whereby everyone – your employer, your union organizer, and your co-workers – knows exactly how you vote on the issue of unionization gives an employee 'free choice' ... It seems pretty clear to me that the only way to ensure that a worker is 'free to choose' is to ensure that there's a private ballot, so that no one knows how you voted. I cannot fathom how we were about to sit there today and debate a proposal to take away a worker's democratic right to vote in a secret-ballot election and call it 'Employee Free Choice.
In an era where union representation is decreasing it seems bills like this are intended to help unions at the expense of worker's rights. As the economy seems to be slipping deeper into recession, we don't feel a bill that seems anti-business is the right way to go.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Economic Recovery
I have a problem with the Obama American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. Actually, I have several problems with it.
Someone explain to me how $87 billion for Medicare is going to stimulate the economy.
How is $1 billion for school lunch programs a stimulus to the economy?
Sounds to me like recovery plan is an euphemism for "lets fund our feel good pet projects".
The plan by the numbers is a long range plan that does little to jump start the economy today. This plan is no better than the TARP which spent over $300 billion that no one can account for and that can't be traced to any improvement to the economy.
The plan prohibits pork. Ha! The plan congress is discussing sounds like pork disguised as a recovery plan. In the end they will feel good about passing something but will we be better off as a result?
Obama is right about one thing. It will take years to turn the economy around. Of course it will when money is spent on things that don't do a thing to effect a recovery!
Someone explain to me how $87 billion for Medicare is going to stimulate the economy.
How is $1 billion for school lunch programs a stimulus to the economy?
Sounds to me like recovery plan is an euphemism for "lets fund our feel good pet projects".
The plan by the numbers is a long range plan that does little to jump start the economy today. This plan is no better than the TARP which spent over $300 billion that no one can account for and that can't be traced to any improvement to the economy.
The plan prohibits pork. Ha! The plan congress is discussing sounds like pork disguised as a recovery plan. In the end they will feel good about passing something but will we be better off as a result?
Obama is right about one thing. It will take years to turn the economy around. Of course it will when money is spent on things that don't do a thing to effect a recovery!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Ramblings
After all the platitudes about a new day in D.C. the reality is it is business as usual. Take the appointment of Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary. Congress is more fixated on fixing the economy than a high standard for political appointees. Tax evasion is tax evasion even after one allegedly just discovers the problem and pays the taxes and penalty. And I don't hear President Mr. Clean commenting at all!!! Guess it's OK for Tim but the rest of us loose jobs and go to jail.
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I learned today that a friend of mine, a 14 year employee of Microsoft, has been terminated with 4,999 others. I guess you can't cure a bad product by throwing $300 million at advertising. Too bad 5,000 people have to suffer because Microsoft rushed a turkey to market! With no new products in the pipeline except the fix to Vista, Windows 7, there will likely be more pain in Redmond!
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House Concert at Whole Wheat Radio tonight with Tim Easton and Leeroy Stagger. 7 P.M.
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I learned today that a friend of mine, a 14 year employee of Microsoft, has been terminated with 4,999 others. I guess you can't cure a bad product by throwing $300 million at advertising. Too bad 5,000 people have to suffer because Microsoft rushed a turkey to market! With no new products in the pipeline except the fix to Vista, Windows 7, there will likely be more pain in Redmond!
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House Concert at Whole Wheat Radio tonight with Tim Easton and Leeroy Stagger. 7 P.M.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Mandolin or Die Trying.
A major regret is that I have never learned to play a musical instrument. When I was around 7 or so my parents bought me an accordion and lessons. I never practiced and so never went very far. Have tried piano and harmonica and the wife's 38 year old Yamaha guitar. I am better at harmonica but that's a stretch!
I met a friend at the Anchorage Folk Festival doing extensive manipulating of a mandolin. To say he is good is an understatement. I told him my regret was never learning to play anything; his response, "It is never too late". I guess since my fingers still work at 60, I should try and so I now have a new mandolin partly funded by my Christmas gift from my son and his family.
I've managed to get it tuned and have downloaded two-finger chords. So I'm determined to learn how to play if it kills me; and it just might. I am also sticking with harmonica.
Wish me luck!
I met a friend at the Anchorage Folk Festival doing extensive manipulating of a mandolin. To say he is good is an understatement. I told him my regret was never learning to play anything; his response, "It is never too late". I guess since my fingers still work at 60, I should try and so I now have a new mandolin partly funded by my Christmas gift from my son and his family.
I've managed to get it tuned and have downloaded two-finger chords. So I'm determined to learn how to play if it kills me; and it just might. I am also sticking with harmonica.
Wish me luck!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Chemotherapy
I've watched many a movie that contained someone being executed in prison; some by lethal injection. It freaks me out! I'm not against capital punishment necessarily but I've heard some horror stories and they are as bad as any Friday the 13th movie. Take for example the case of Angel Nieves Diaz. It took 34 minutes for him to die. Oh my God!!
When I was finally told by my doctor the time had come for chemotherapy I was resigned and decided to start it quickly to get it over with. And then later I started thinking about lethal injections. What is chemo after all than a controlled dose of lethal drugs. Cytoxan and Vincristine attack both good and cancerous cells in the body. I had an appointment where the drugs and their effects and side-effects were described. I was then shown the infusion room. It's a large room with around 15 lounge type chairs and IV pump by each with a pole from which to hang the drugs. There were several people there receiving treatment. Some looked "normal" while several were very pale and had no hair. Wow! I would be here soon and hooked up and the drip would start and the good and bad cancer cells both would begin to die and part of me would die and hopefully it would destroy all the cancerous B-Cells and I could be just a normal person again and not a chemo patient.
Although I'd like this to be a private battle, I've told my friends who have told others. My wife has told friends and others as well so suddenly this isn't a private fight. Why would I prefer no one knew? I don't want to be known as John, the cancer patient or John, who is having chemotherapy. I'm not dying and so chemo isn't the same for me as it is for those who are fighting for their life. Granted without chemo I will die sooner rather than later but I don't feel people should worry about me. Worry about those who will certainly die and soon without chemo.
The first day of chemo, I had the strong desire to run! I sat in my chair and looked at the bags of stuff they were going to drip into me and felt a panic. But it didn't last long and the nurse I've gone through this with for the last 5 years was there and I knew she'd take good care of me. But I did quip to her that I was going to pass on chemo; she just laughed and kept on preping me. The first drug, Rituxan, was rough. It is supposed to fly in under the radar of the immune system and attach to CD20 receptors and KILL cancerous B-Cells. They start it slowly and then increase the flow. At about the second level I had an allergic reaction. After more benadryl and some other steroid, and an hour, it was started again. I had another reaction some time later and so more drugs. I was pretty whacked from Benadryl and the steroid. Then we started again. Finally, I got the job done but it had taken from 9-4. The next day I had the two other drugs in 2 hours with no problems.
All in all this first round went well. I was never nauseated and had no side-effects. Hopefully, the remaining 3-5 treatments will be the same however, I expect they won't. At some point I'll probably start losing hair. That will be a crisis of it's own I'm sure but I am trying to keep a positive attitude.
My friends have all been great by giving me encouraging words and promising prayers. I wouldn't wish this on anyone but there are positive effects of this and I am stronger because of them.
I will continue to contribute to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Prostate Cancer Foundation and encourage others to do likewise. We must find a cure, if not for me then for my children and grandchildren. I pray they will never suffer from this thing-cancer. Keep all cancer patients in your prayers. Some need them more than others. We all need prayer for some reason. There is an Irish proverb: May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most.
When I was finally told by my doctor the time had come for chemotherapy I was resigned and decided to start it quickly to get it over with. And then later I started thinking about lethal injections. What is chemo after all than a controlled dose of lethal drugs. Cytoxan and Vincristine attack both good and cancerous cells in the body. I had an appointment where the drugs and their effects and side-effects were described. I was then shown the infusion room. It's a large room with around 15 lounge type chairs and IV pump by each with a pole from which to hang the drugs. There were several people there receiving treatment. Some looked "normal" while several were very pale and had no hair. Wow! I would be here soon and hooked up and the drip would start and the good and bad cancer cells both would begin to die and part of me would die and hopefully it would destroy all the cancerous B-Cells and I could be just a normal person again and not a chemo patient.
Although I'd like this to be a private battle, I've told my friends who have told others. My wife has told friends and others as well so suddenly this isn't a private fight. Why would I prefer no one knew? I don't want to be known as John, the cancer patient or John, who is having chemotherapy. I'm not dying and so chemo isn't the same for me as it is for those who are fighting for their life. Granted without chemo I will die sooner rather than later but I don't feel people should worry about me. Worry about those who will certainly die and soon without chemo.
The first day of chemo, I had the strong desire to run! I sat in my chair and looked at the bags of stuff they were going to drip into me and felt a panic. But it didn't last long and the nurse I've gone through this with for the last 5 years was there and I knew she'd take good care of me. But I did quip to her that I was going to pass on chemo; she just laughed and kept on preping me. The first drug, Rituxan, was rough. It is supposed to fly in under the radar of the immune system and attach to CD20 receptors and KILL cancerous B-Cells. They start it slowly and then increase the flow. At about the second level I had an allergic reaction. After more benadryl and some other steroid, and an hour, it was started again. I had another reaction some time later and so more drugs. I was pretty whacked from Benadryl and the steroid. Then we started again. Finally, I got the job done but it had taken from 9-4. The next day I had the two other drugs in 2 hours with no problems.
All in all this first round went well. I was never nauseated and had no side-effects. Hopefully, the remaining 3-5 treatments will be the same however, I expect they won't. At some point I'll probably start losing hair. That will be a crisis of it's own I'm sure but I am trying to keep a positive attitude.
My friends have all been great by giving me encouraging words and promising prayers. I wouldn't wish this on anyone but there are positive effects of this and I am stronger because of them.
I will continue to contribute to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Prostate Cancer Foundation and encourage others to do likewise. We must find a cure, if not for me then for my children and grandchildren. I pray they will never suffer from this thing-cancer. Keep all cancer patients in your prayers. Some need them more than others. We all need prayer for some reason. There is an Irish proverb: May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Freedom of Choice Act
I was shocked today to read a summary of the Freedom of Choice Act (H.R. 1964, S. 1173). This is an act that completely eliminates any State or Federal laws that impede abortions. Introduced by liberal democrats, my shock is not that it allows a woman the freedom to decide for herself about abortion, my shock is caused by the intended consequences of doctors, nurses or hospitals exercising their consciences not to offer or perform abortions. These folks would be subject to law suits for NOT performing abortions if the health of a mother is allegedly at risk and hospitals would not be allowed to offer ANY medical services if they don't do abortions.
The law if passed by both houses would provide "Freedom of Choice" for pregnant women but not for doctors, nurses, hospitals or other practitioners.
It would strike down the law on partial birth abortion.
It would allow a female of any age to receive an abortion and parents wouldn't be allowed to interfere with the decision of a minor child.
It would force insurance companies to cover abortions.
It would prohibit any future law from being passed that curbs the freedom of choice!
(I doubt this would hold but who knows.)
I respect anyone's right to decide for themselves how they will think, not think, behave, act, not act, live or die. I may not agree and may vigorously express my opinion which I have an equal right to. That said, I can't see how any level headed person would think that absolutely no restrictions on abortion is a good thing or that punishing people and institutions for following their consciences is right and the American way. Provide rights to one group and take away the rights of another. Unequal protection? Where is that in the Constitution?
My personal beliefs aside, I would encourage all readers to become familiar with the Freedom of Choice Act and then take whatever action they think necessary. For myself, I am writing to the Alaska Delegation and asking them to vigorously work to defeat this legislation.
The law if passed by both houses would provide "Freedom of Choice" for pregnant women but not for doctors, nurses, hospitals or other practitioners.
It would strike down the law on partial birth abortion.
It would allow a female of any age to receive an abortion and parents wouldn't be allowed to interfere with the decision of a minor child.
It would force insurance companies to cover abortions.
It would prohibit any future law from being passed that curbs the freedom of choice!
(I doubt this would hold but who knows.)
I respect anyone's right to decide for themselves how they will think, not think, behave, act, not act, live or die. I may not agree and may vigorously express my opinion which I have an equal right to. That said, I can't see how any level headed person would think that absolutely no restrictions on abortion is a good thing or that punishing people and institutions for following their consciences is right and the American way. Provide rights to one group and take away the rights of another. Unequal protection? Where is that in the Constitution?
My personal beliefs aside, I would encourage all readers to become familiar with the Freedom of Choice Act and then take whatever action they think necessary. For myself, I am writing to the Alaska Delegation and asking them to vigorously work to defeat this legislation.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
What to Write Next
Head hit the pillow and all the ideas for discussion here came flooding to consciousness. Two in particular were most forceful.
One was caused by the recent discovery of the ships manifest of the Barque Geestemunde which sailed from Bremen, Germany on May 3, 1862 arriving in Baltimore, Maryland on June 14, 1862. Aboard that ship were my great grandfather, Martin Skoblik, his wife, Eva Mazna Skoblik and their chidren, Catherine 9 months old and son, Franz, 3 years old. Also aboard were Eva's brother, Jacob, wife Maria, and son Matthias; and Martin's brother, Matthias and his wife, Marie, son Matthias and daughter, Marie.
This record stirred many emotions. Mostly came the satisfaction of knowing the how and when. I've been a genealogy researcher for years and finding something new is always exciting. But I was also taken by the enormity of the adventure! For us today travel is very easy, despite the TSA. We have moved 9 times since we were married. Each time was pretty easy. Movers came, packed and left. Then movers came, unpacked and left. But imagine travel in 1862 in Europe. These families left what is now Luznice, Czech Republic and traveled to Bremen with everything they could carry doubtless leaving many belongings behind not to mention family; all to partake in what we call the "American Dream". They braved the month long passage of the Atlantic packed with 259 other brave souls into the steerage compartment of the Barque where they slept, cooked and ate. God knows what the weather was like!
After arriving in Baltimore, they traveled West to Chicago where they lived for a time. There young Catherine died and was buried. The Martin and Mattias Skoblik families eventually settled in Renville and LeSueur County, Minnesota.
I marvel at the courage of our ancestors to leave everything they knew behind to travel to a country of which they knew little. They had dreams inspired by others who had made the trip and then wrote home about the land of milk and honey. Imagine the hardships they endured to realize their dreams! It was these people and those like them who made our country what it is today. Yet today in this country, many are against immigration. Where would we be if that had been the attitude of the Mayflower passengers? What do we have to loose from letting people come here to realize their dreams and their potential?
Great grandfather Martin was a generous man. He was successful in his new country and helped countless people make their dream of coming here come true. It is said that at his funeral there were so many buggies on the road to the cemetery that you couldn't see the last in the distance.
Thank you grandfather!
(What about the other idea? Maybe tomorrow!)
One was caused by the recent discovery of the ships manifest of the Barque Geestemunde which sailed from Bremen, Germany on May 3, 1862 arriving in Baltimore, Maryland on June 14, 1862. Aboard that ship were my great grandfather, Martin Skoblik, his wife, Eva Mazna Skoblik and their chidren, Catherine 9 months old and son, Franz, 3 years old. Also aboard were Eva's brother, Jacob, wife Maria, and son Matthias; and Martin's brother, Matthias and his wife, Marie, son Matthias and daughter, Marie.
This record stirred many emotions. Mostly came the satisfaction of knowing the how and when. I've been a genealogy researcher for years and finding something new is always exciting. But I was also taken by the enormity of the adventure! For us today travel is very easy, despite the TSA. We have moved 9 times since we were married. Each time was pretty easy. Movers came, packed and left. Then movers came, unpacked and left. But imagine travel in 1862 in Europe. These families left what is now Luznice, Czech Republic and traveled to Bremen with everything they could carry doubtless leaving many belongings behind not to mention family; all to partake in what we call the "American Dream". They braved the month long passage of the Atlantic packed with 259 other brave souls into the steerage compartment of the Barque where they slept, cooked and ate. God knows what the weather was like!
After arriving in Baltimore, they traveled West to Chicago where they lived for a time. There young Catherine died and was buried. The Martin and Mattias Skoblik families eventually settled in Renville and LeSueur County, Minnesota.
I marvel at the courage of our ancestors to leave everything they knew behind to travel to a country of which they knew little. They had dreams inspired by others who had made the trip and then wrote home about the land of milk and honey. Imagine the hardships they endured to realize their dreams! It was these people and those like them who made our country what it is today. Yet today in this country, many are against immigration. Where would we be if that had been the attitude of the Mayflower passengers? What do we have to loose from letting people come here to realize their dreams and their potential?
Great grandfather Martin was a generous man. He was successful in his new country and helped countless people make their dream of coming here come true. It is said that at his funeral there were so many buggies on the road to the cemetery that you couldn't see the last in the distance.
Thank you grandfather!
(What about the other idea? Maybe tomorrow!)
Friday, January 16, 2009
To Blog or not to Blog
I've avoided the temptation for this long but maybe I should try this as a way to fulfill the deep desire to write that I've had for years. Writing bares the soul and a blog can open one too much. Better to say nothing and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and confirm it!
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