Again with the snarkiness…

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But this time it wasn’t mine.  Well, okay, it reminded me a lot of mine, but this time it wasn’t me, I swear.  This was an article from Wednesday’s Iowa Falls Times-Citizen, or rather, it was a letter to the editor of that newspaper.  Here is what Jory Rapp of Alden had to say:

It saddens me, as well as angers me, to think that it has become so “politically incorrect” to say, “Merry Christmas.”  We are so afraid of offending someone for one reason or another that stores won’t put Merry Christmas in their ads, school concerts are called “winter concerts,” and such ridiculous rot as that.  It seems like it’s wrong to offend everyone else; everyone, that is, except for the Christians.

If memory serves me right, wasn’t our country founded on Christian beliefs, values, and morals?  We trusted in God to establish, guide, and bless our country, yet now we spit in His face and are outraged at having Him be part of our country and its government.  Then we have the audacity to moan at the shape our country is in and ask why God allows certain things to happen.  If we would look to the Bible and the history of the Israelites, we would see what happens when people turn their backs on God, when they choose to worship other gods and idols.  We are headed down that path and if we continue to kick God out of everything, one day we will be standing in the midst of a disaster asking, “Where are you, God?” and His answer will be, “You didn’t want me around, so I left.”

This Christmas season, I will remind my children that we celebrate because God chose to send His Son to this earth as a baby to one day be the Savior of all mankind and that we are to share that gift with others.  I wish everyone a very blessed and “Merry Christmas.”

 I thought this was very well written and I pretty well agree with it.  If Ben Stein can stick up for “Merry Christmas” even though as a Jew, he doesn’t celebrate it, why can’t the rest of us?  “Season’s Greetings” has got to be about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.  The holiday is Christmas.  If you have a problem with that, go back to wherever you came from.  Or celebrate Festivus.

And now, on to snarkier matters…

It appears that the Idiot Brigade is back in full force.  I swear I got stuck behind every idiot driver in Grundy County Wednesday.  I was nearly hit by someone who decided to switch lanes without making sure there was no oncoming traffic and then again by someone who decided to take his half out of the middle while I was trying to pass him.  If he’d come any further into the left lane, he could have knocked me right off the road.  And then yesterday I was nearly run over by some idiot at a stop sign who was watching around the corner instead of right in front of him, where I happened to be walking.  Jerks.  What is it about winter that brings out the idiot in people?

On a more positive note, thank God it’s Friday!  I am so looking forward to the weekend.  No getting up for work and struggling to make it through the day, no idiots to deal with on the road because I fully intend to stay home and be exceedingly lazy, nothing but chick flicks and romance novels.  Oh, and Christmas present wrapping.  And Christmas card writing.  And maybe a little bit of 4-H paperwork.  Woo!  I love weekends!

Merry Christmas, y’all, and happy Friday!

(c) 2008.  All rights reserved.

Perhaps a little more snarkiness…

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…After all, I was seriously upset last night.  I suppose it’s a stupid thing to be that upset over, but I think the reason it bothers me so much is that music has always been such a huge part of my life that it really irritated me to see a performance where it looked like nobody really cared.  They were shooting for mediocrity and barely achieved even that.  I was always taught to strive for excellence.  Those kids (the fourth graders in particular) had a serious problem with projection; we sat about as far away from the singers as you could possibly get and could hardly hear them most of the time.  At one point we couldn’t even understand what they were singing because they weren’t enunciating at all.  I remember quite vividly a lesson I received once on enunciation during kids’ choir practice at church.  Let me tell you, I enunciated perfectly after that.

It also really bothers me that in so many public places, we are encouraged not to say anything even resembling a remembrance of what Christmas is really all about.  Christmas is first and foremost about celebrating the birth of Christ and his life and works.  Secondly, it is about spending time with family and friends and thanking God for the blessings you have had and continue to receive.  It is not about shopping and buying and spending and receiving.  As a kid, I remember not really caring so much about the family part and the religion part.  But now that my mom and both my grandparents are gone, I really cherish the times that I can spend with my family all together.  Those times are few and far between.  And the older I get, the more I can appreciate what God has done for me in my life and the more I find myself…apparently forgetting to take my hot water out of the microwave so I can have some hot chocolate.  Excuse me.

Okay.  Yesterday I heated up some water twice in order to make a cup of hot chocolate and I forgot about it both times.  I think I remembered it as I was leaving work for the night.  Today I’ve only done it once so far.  Let’s see if I can remember to take it out of the microwave while it’s still hot this time.

Anyway, I think I’m a little calmer now.  I am just so sick to the teeth of all this stupid political correctness garbage.  Kids don’t say the Pledge of Allegiance in school anymore because “it might infringe on someone’s right not to believe in God.”  You can’t have the Ten Commandments in courthouses anymore.  Oh, and by the way, no Christmas carols in the annual Christmas concert because someone might be offended.  Really, how much farther are we going to let them take this?  If you don’t want to hear Christmas music, don’t go to the concert.  If you don’t want to say the Pledge of Allegiance because you don’t believe in it, don’t say it!  If you don’t like the way we do things in our country, go somewhere else.  Otherwise, shut your yaps and do like the rest of us.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the separation of Church and State, but I think in some cases we’ve taken it a bit too far and much farther than the Founding Fathers intended, Christmas concerts and prayer in school being prime examples.  I’m not saying I want to live in a religious state, but seriously, people, use some common sense.  By not allowing such expressions of faith as singing Silent Night in a school Christmas concert, we are effectively offending ourselves.  I’m offended that kids are not allowed to sing a religious Christmas song at the Christmas concert because it might offend someone else.  The community in which I live is predominantly, if not entirely, Christian, and I think it’s stupid that we are not allowed to sing Christian Christmas songs during the Christmas concert.

Okay, so maybe I wasn’t done being snarky.  I’m sure I probably just talked in circles around my main point of wow, we’re all being stupid here, folks, but oh well.  I guess I’d just like to know why what was okay for us to sing as kids in our Christmas concerts is suddenly not okay to sing now.  For crying out loud, they could have at least sung something like Silver Bells or Jingle Bell Rock or Let it Snow!  Let it Snow!  Let it Snow!  While these are all nice songs in their own way, they’re no Angels We Have Heard On High or O Holy Night, but they’re at least Christmas classics.  Where were they in the program?

Okay, okay, I promise I’ll get off my high horse now.  I’ve been looking at my archives list and I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for over a year!  I know, that’s not much for some people.  I have one friend who’s been at it regularly for the last five years.  But for me to actually keep something like this going this long is pretty cool, especially given that I haven’t been doing a whole lot of actual writing lately.  I so need a free time machine.

And in case you were wondering, yes, I remembered to retrieve my hot water from the microwave so that I can have some hot chocolate.  Yummy!

(c) 2008.  All rights reserved.

A depressing evening

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Warning: Much snarkiness and ranting ahead.  You’ve been warned.

I’ve been feeling rather snarky since about an hour ago.  The elementary Christmas concert was tonight and we went.  What a disappointment!  If we had sung like that, Mrs. Eckhoff would have had our heads.  And the music!  One song was called Christmas in America and the first lines talked about how “I like shopping at my favorite mall and wrapping presents” and…talk about appalling!  Christmas has become so commercialized that it’s just sickening.  The song briefly mentioned Silent Night, a Christmas classic, but was anyone actually singing it?  NO!

I spent 2/3 of the concert giving my inner critic free reign over those hapless elementary kids.  It’s not their fault they had crappy music to sing; they probably don’t even realize the significance of what they were singing.  But the teachers should know better!  And then when they had a song that featured kids on recorders, they gave the kids the harmony while the melody was barely audible coming from the BOOM BOX ON THE FLOOR.  In my day, someone played the piano and it was a hell of a lot better.  The funniest part is that it’s the same teacher!  Mrs. Eckhoff, you must be feeling the burn-out to have allowed a performance like that.

Okay, I think I’m finished giving voice to my snarky inner critic.  Except that it’s truly alarming to see what’s being done to music programs in our schools.  With declining enrollment (the entire fourth grade had only 15 kids) and budget problems across the board, I’m sure they think this is adequate, but that’s the problem.  It’s not even adequate and to say that this is what passes for adequate is just depressing.  I loved being in music in school (yes, I’m a band geek to the core) and I can’t believe that this is what our school music program has devolved to.  And we used to actually use the auditorium instead of having it IN THE GYM.  It was one thing when we were in high school and you couldn’t fit everyone on the stage in the auditorium, but they would have had more than enough room to fit these kids up there and there would have been more than enough seats to fit the audience.

*shakes head*

*sigh*

If you’ll excuse me, I feel compelled to write a scathing letter to the editor of the newspaper.  I probably won’t actually do it, but I am pretty disappointed in our school right now.  There are no words for how disappointed I am.

(c) 2008.  All rights reserved.

Nano

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So today marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month and I have no ideas.  Zero.  Zip.  Zilch.  GRRRRRR!

I’ve been looking forward to this since February, but I don’t know if I will make it or not.  So much to write, so little time, you know.

I suppose if I’m gonna try, though, I ought to get into prime writing condition.  Boy band music – check.  Caffeine supply – check.  Warm water for soaking tired arms in – check.  Looks like I’m good to go!  Wait.  Ideas – not so much.  Hmmm…

Maybe if I stop procrastinating, I’ll come up with something.  Or maybe I won’t and I’ll try forcing a story and one will come out and it will be terrible…

Only one way to find out!

(c) 2008.  All rights reserved.

Missing

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And the bad news keeps on coming.  One of my classmates was killed Friday night.  I still can’t believe it.  I really didn’t know him all that well and the first time I’d seen him since freshman year of college was last summer at our class reunion, but it’s still such a shock.  Okay, so that’s only four or five years (depending on the semester), but that’s still a long time.  Anyway…It’s hard to imagine a more terrible way to die than being run off the road and watching a loved one die before your eyes.  I don’t know who was shot first, but whoever went second…I don’t think I could handle that.  I guess I just can’t understand what on Earth would possess someone to take two good people’s lives like that.

So I spent the better part of the weekend trying not to think about it.  I didn’t hear about it till Saturday afternoon because apparently I’m too good to watch the news (sarcasm, folks).  That’s the great thing about being from a small town: no matter how far away you move, the rumor mill will track you down and reel your butt back in.  I heard the news from a friend who had heard it from another of our classmates who saw it on the news and then called her dad for more details.  Then of course I called another friend/classmate and she called two more…The group I linked to above had 40 members yesterday, 88 this morning, and 164 the last time I checked.  Bryce was a good guy and I can’t imagine what his family is going through.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and I can only hope that he is now at peace, in a place where such violence doesn’t exist.  Rest in peace, Bryce.  I’ll see you at that great big class reunion in the sky someday.

And now, a letter.

Dear Bryce,

I just wanted to let you know that the time we walked back to the dorm actually meant a lot to me.  I don’t remember what we said, just that the conversation was a bit stilted, but I suppose that’s just because we didn’t know each other well.  Still, it made me feel better just to talk to someone from home in a place where I didn’t know many people.  I don’t think we talked at the reunion last summer, but I remember you and Travis breaking up the fight and I’m sure that whichever girl you helped (because I don’t remember which one it was anymore) appreciated your assistance.

I always felt like a midget standing next to you because good Lord were you tall!  You were a big guy with a big heart (from what I hear) and I’m sure you’re a fine addition to the heavenly population.  It’s a shame your visit to this world lasted so short a time.

Yours truly,

Kay

Okay, time to think about something a little less depressing.  I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot today, and I still can’t believe that it’s really true.

Hmm…Something pleasant…Only 56 minutes left till magic time!  Woo!  I wanna go home now…

(c) 2008.  All rights reserved.

Are the shades of Pemberly to be thus polluted?

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I can hear Judi Dench in my head now.  No one could have played Lady Catherine better.  Judi Dench is absolutely marvelous when she’s being imperious!

I’ve been in rather a Jane Austen kind of mood lately.  If I didn’t have class tonight, I think I would sit down and pop in P&P.  The shorter of the two versions, naturally.  And if I had the mental capacity for it, I’d sit down with the book.  Perhaps I’ll do that this weekend…

In other news, the trees have been absolutely beautiful lately.  I love fall.  There’s this one turn between Grundy and Eldora where you drive through a thicket of trees and the trees are like a patchwork quilt of color.  When you actually come into Eldora you cross over the Iowa River and the trees along the banks are the same way; it’s a patchwork quilt of color.  Lots of browns and golds and reds and oranges, with a little green mixed in to liven things up.  Gorgeous.  Gorgeous, I say, gorgeous!

In other news, it frosted last night.  Hmm, guess I used that opening already.  Oh, well.  Too tired to be terribly clever or original today.  I’ve been up late the last couple of nights.  I really need to get to bed early tonight.  I wonder if Mrs. Hayek is back yet…

I wonder if the fishies realize the futility of swimming near the edge of the tank in hopes of escape…I wonder if the flurries the lousy weatherman was predicting yesterday will arrive…I wonder if I will really eat the better part of the new package of Oreos all by myself…I wonder what would happen if I did…I wonder what will happen next…I wonder…

I wonder if I’ve bored anyone to tears yet?

I wonder if anyone really cares that I am a Jane Austen-obsessed chocoholic.  I saw a Facebook flair the other day that fits me perfectly.  It said: I need books like I need chocolate.  Desperately!  So true.  So, so true.  And so deliciously perfect!

(c) 2008.  All rights reserved.

In Memoriam

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The funeral for my grandpa was held this morning.  I was asked to say something at the funeral and the following is what I came up with:

I was asked to speak today because fourteen years and one day ago I gave a similar speech.  I don’t remember what I said; I really don’t even remember giving the speech.  I’m sure I didn’t have anything prepared, that I just winged it when the minister asked if anyone wanted to say anything.  I had fourteen years to spend with my grandpa that I didn’t get to spend with my mom.  You would think, then, that it should be easier to find something to say.  It’s not.

Grandpa was loved and admired by a great many people.  One of the things I always admired about him was his ability to talk to people.  Grandpa could walk up to a complete stranger, someone he had never seen before and would likely never see again, and converse with them as if they’d known each other for twenty years.  I think my mom possessed that ability as well; I don’t seem to have inherited that trait and maybe that’s why I admired Grandpa so for it.

Family was very important to Grandpa.  It seemed like every time we got together, Grandpa’s camera made at least one appearance.  But it wasn’t just Grandpa’s camera; oh no, it would be Grandpa’s camera followed in quick succession by those of Mommy and Aunt Melissa and if it was a really special occasion, by those of Andrea and Lois as well.  I have a complete photographic record of my childhood from birth to age sixteen thanks to Grandpa.  He and Grandma were there for every school function, always with camera in tow, and once the film was developed, Grandma and I went through all the pictures – and it always took forever! – and identified everyone for posterity.

Grandpa was a man of deep faith.  He was a long-time member of the Gideons and I remember getting up early on Saturday mornings to go to prayer breakfast at Cristo’s with Grandpa and Grandma; that was always a treat.  But as James 2:26 tells us, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”  Grandpa was not only a man of faith but a man who lived up to James 2:18: “Show me thy faith without thy works and I will show thee my faith by my works.”  Grandpa volunteered for Hospice after my mom passed away, helping countless people deal with the loss of a loved one.  He helped area farmers with planting and harvesting their crops.  Grandpa was never too busy to lend a helping hand or a sympathetic ear.  He counseled me on more than one occasion to turn my problems over to God and He would provide the solution.  One of Grandpa’s favorite verses was from Psalm 46.  Verse 1 states, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Grandpa also hung onto John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'”  At a time when I had lost my faith, Grandpa encouraged me to seek God and I know that Grandpa has found Him now.

Grandpa was one of the best of men.  He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a true friend.  His life is one worth celebrating and emulating.  I ran across a poem the other day that reminded me of Grandpa.  We, too, will one day pass away as Grandpa has.  Let us all hope that the following can one day be said of us:

Although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard-working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.

(c) 2008.  All rights reserved.

Gray days

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I was asked to speak at my grandpa’s funeral tomorrow.  When I was ten, I spoke at my mom’s funeral and apparently it was a very emotional experience.  I don’t remember speaking, but I’ve been told that I did a wonderful job.  This was given me as the reason my family wanted me to speak tomorrow, but I’m having a hard time coming up with something to say.  You would think that having an extra fourteen years with someone would make it a little easier to find something to say, but you’d be wrong.

Tom already misses him.  He was upset when I told him that Opa went to live in heaven and that someday we’ll see him again, but not for a long time.  Through his tears he managed to squeak out, “Tommy wants Opa,” and all I could say was, “So does Mommy, honey.”  It just doesn’t seem right.

Grandpa was one of those guys that everyone liked.  He was easy to talk to, had a great sense of humor, loved his family.  I miss him so much.  The visitation is tonight; I don’t know how I’m going to be able to go through with it.  I’m tense just sitting here thinking about it and tomorrow will only be worse.

I keep thinking back to my mom.  She passed away September 28, 1994.  Grandpa passed away September 27, 2008.  Mommy’s funeral was September 30, 1994.  Grandpa’s will be October 1, 2008.  The closeness in their dates of death fascinates me for some weird and unexplainable reason.  And yes, I mean the month and day, not the year.  It seems like this is all I can think of lately.  I mean, thinking about Grandpa a lot is reasonable, I’m sure, but my mom?  Drawing comparisons between their deaths is taking things a little far, I think.  And I can’t seem to stop.

I can’t wait to go home tonight and curl up on the couch with the hunnybunny.  I’m gonna need a big hug after tonight.  Hugs rock.

(c) 2008.  All rights reserved.