My Daughter Says Everyone Needs a Teddy Bear

While in the hospital a couple weeks ago my daughter brought me Buzz Bear who served admirably as pillow and ear warmer. (His eyes were so fur-covered, that at this camera angle, they just don't show up!)


Today she reminded me that everyone needs a Teddy Bear and sent me this photo to prove it.



It is quite obvious that the photo clinches her argument. You simply have to click on this photo to get a better view! (Big, big giggle here)

See this Model of the Temple that was Destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD

A retired English farmer has spent 30 years creating a model of Herod's temple in Jerusalem. It is quite amazing and you can see the news article and more photos at this news site.

My Sourdough Starter! It's Still ALIVE!!

I was rather incapacitated for quite some time this past month. That meant that my sourdough starter that I had safely stored in the fridge was a bit neglected. Normally, if storing it in the fridge, I like to feed it once a week. Simply add 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 cup water. Stir. Set back in the fridge.

So when it sat unattended for about TWO weeks I was apprehensive about the viability of the yeast and was pleased when, after removing the lid, I smelled the aroma of its natural alcohol caused by the yeast fermentation. (Please notice that when the starter has been in the fridge for awhile, it comes out looking rather bad! A brownish liquid will cover the top and you will need to stir all together again. Notice the aroma at this stage...it will smell fermenty or like alcohol. Smell it each time and you will recognize this 'good' smell versus a 'gone bad' smell.) After stirring back to a smooth consistency, I fed it as usual, and Voila! It's still Alive!

So I left it on the counter for a couple more days, feeding it morning and evening, adding to its volume. You can see the bubbles caused by the fermentation. (Click on the photo for a closer view.)

Then I took a cup of the starter, added about a cup of flour and a dab of water, and started a sponge for a loaf of bread. (The rest of the starter remained in its bowl for later use.) The sponge rises for several hours after which I really get lazy. A TRUE sourdough afficianado would at this point stir in BY HAND additional white flour, perhaps a dab of sugar, salt and perhaps even a dab of yeast, knead only lightly, and let rise to a sourdough loaf.

But I am a lazy cook and so I placed my sponge in the bread machine, added an assortment of ingredients (white flour,whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, powdered milk, teaspoon of yeast) and let the machine do the kneading. However, I NEVER bake in the machine for I hate the super-crusty result. After the machine did the kneading I let the dough rise once, punched down, and placed in a loaf pan to rise again.

I usually bake about 23 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Then I place a thermometer in the loaf to watch it bake to an internal temp of 190-200 degrees. Then it is DONE! Yum, Again!

To catch up on my ventures with sourdough you can simply click here to read previous posts and to read the post where I obtained my original sourdough starter. If you live within driving distance, I'll be happy to share you a sample of the starter and some written instructions. My friend Melva will be a recipient....just as soon as I get myself into gear! Her girls will love this project! And her family loves homemade bread!

Don't forget! In regard to bread, today's Scripture is John 6:33-35. You can place your cursor over the scripture to read the pop-up.

We Should Be Teaching the LAW!

Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with the thinking ability of people such as the 24-year-old female teacher who was arrested at a West Virginia motel for kidnapping a 15-year-old boy (8th grader) with whom she had been having a relationship. This scenario is becoming common-place and you would think that watching teacher after teacher go to prison for similar relationships would cause any teacher to recognize this is a serious No-No!

I wonder what is wrong with the thinking of a young father whose 4-month-old daughter died of injuries inflicted at his hands. I'm talking broken ribs. Again...there are enough of these cases in the news that one would think people would get the message! You hurt a baby and you go to prison!

It would seem to me that there should be mandatory classes in college for prospective teachers that explicitly lay out the criminality and ramifications of adult teachers having an inappropriate relationship with a teen. Classes that emphasize potential long imprisonment! Case histories, if you please!

And there should be mandatory classes in high school that teach the fragility of infants, the appropriate ways to hold and care for them, and the civil penalties (again....long prison terms) for those who inflict bodily harm to babies and small children.

And while we're at it, how about classes that explicitly lay out the penalty for inappropriate sexual contact with children/underage teens. Classes to include a clear look at LAWS on the books.

I am astounded.

Go Read this 'Modest Proposal'

I read a variety of blogs. Some blogs are single-subject, such as those by quilters or frugal homemakers. I enjoy them. Other blogs are a bit like mine...jumping from topic to topic, mentioning daily events and sharing thoughts and insights. I also like to read the thoughts of other Christians who may or may not have different perspectives on their faith.

But yesterday's post by Jennifer in Florida struck me hard! Her post is satire, but knowing it was satire did not make it an easy read. Nevertheless it is well-written and intensely thought-provoking. I hope you will take the time to read it here. She discusses the Caylee Anthony case from a totally different perspective and asks the reader to think deep and seriously about the death of a little girl. Sounds depressing...don't be put off...go read it. (Jennifer lives in the same town as the Anthony family.)

Whether or Not We Love God, Our Culture is Fascinated With Angels

Even as a small child, age 10, reading the Bible for the first time, I saw angels as presented by the Bible and not as presented by our culture.

The Bible always presents the holy angels as having "the appearance of a man" and usually bringing a message. In one instance the angels escort Lot and his family to safety before the destruction of their hometown. In another instance an army of angels fights a battle on behalf of God's people. There is not a single verse that alludes to angels having some soft frilly, feminine, or baby-with-wings appearance. Consequently, I find it extremely disquieting to walk into a Christian bookstore to see the "angel trinkets" for sale on their shelves.

So I was comforted this past week when my Beloved and I read the chapter in Calvin's Institutes concerning the Doctrine of Angels and Demons. Our friend Scott reviews this chapter and you can read his comments here. Calvin wrote some centuries ago, so you will have to read carefully to delve into the meaning of his sentence structures. Nevertheless, you will delight in his Biblical insight.

There are far too many persons, who in lieu of trusting our Lord and Savior, instead trust a coin in their pocket that has an angel imprint upon it. Somehow rubbing the coin between their fingers will bring them "blessing".

Or perhaps they wear a small "cupid angel" on their lapel, as if this little image (which is a non-Biblical interpretation of the word cupid) will protect them from evil. How sad that they have not learned to pray directly to our Lord who always intercedes with the Father on our behalf. It is as if they are willing to acknowledge "angels" but unwilling to acknowledge "Lord, Savior, Creator God".

How to Lose 10 Pounds in 30 Days Without Even Trying

Oooh!, you say! You want to lose weight? And do it in a short 30 days?

Well, I bet you don't want to lose it as I did.

How about this method?
Gall bladder surgery on an outpatient basis.
Followed by major surgery and an 8-day stay in the hospital, most of which is spent foodless.
Followed by a surprise trip back to the hospital for another 5-day stay, again on IVs and foodless.
Followed by a short, minor surgery on an outpatient basis.

Yep. Weight loss. Stepped on the scales today and I've lost 10 pounds in the past 30 days.

Did I say it was Easy? Ooooooh, Nooooo, this was not easy. And no matter how I respect their skill, I hope to never have to speak to a surgeon again.

Not that I'm averse to surgeons. They were needful in my situation. The past 30 days have been two steps forward, one step backward, preparing for events ahead that will hopefully keep me "on the mend".

I am extremely grateful that we live in a time when the medical establishment can do things for us that were totally unavailable to our grandparents. And I'm grateful for wisdom that God gives to those who work to bring us back to health.