Have you ever had one of those days when you know you are working on a task that ultimately is changing your life? It isn't one of those things that is going to change your life, but is already? Well, that is the sort of day I had yesterday.
Yesterday I sat and looked up apartment complexes and made telephone calls to different places gathering physical information about moving to a different city. At one point I just stopped - it was too surreal - and went outside to look up at the bright blue sky and listen to the birds. By this time next year I may not be here looking up at that sky from my wonderful back yard. Next year by this time I may be looking up at the sky from a different back yard.
I hope all the changes we are making, preparing to make, and gathering information for making will be beneficial to both of us and we can keep our little family of four legged creatures together. Well, quite honestly, if we can't all stay together we aren't going. On that I have made up my mind.
Life, as I know it, is changing.
I am not mourning this change. This is the first change that has begun where I haven't had to mourn the loss of someone special to me. It is something of a shock.
It is almost pleasant in its almost-terrifying way.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Friday, April 28, 2006
Wraslin'!
As most of you out there know, or those of you who care to know (as well as some of you out there who do not care to know but do any way), I am a big wrestling fan, or I should say, wraslin' fan.
For Lent I gave up my beloved wraslin'. It was not something that was really useful or needful in my life, just something I dearly enjoy, so I took a break from it for fifty freaking days! Now, tonight, I am going to get to watch SmackDown and hopefully catch up on what has been happening with my favorites (good guys and bad) and hopefully see something of The Undertaker.*
Out of curiosity I went to WWE.com and had myself a look around and was a little disheartened to find out one of my favorites is having a horrible time fighting a staph infection. We all know those things are hard to get rid of, but you don't expect it to take down someone you've seen take punch after punch, but Hardcore Holly has been fighting a staph infection and sounds pretty sick by the sounds of the interview.
And, of course, how could I not read Foley is Blog which is Mick Foley's blog for WWE.com. I wonder what he would really say if he had his own independent blog? I believe that would be something wonderful to read. I love how he was "side-tracked" in this article to let the readers know something is going on, in the works, but jumping to another topic just so us fans will read some more. Yes, I know this is a writing thing, and I do it myself, I just don't expect Mick Foley to do it, and when he does it is absolutely wonderful, but, then again, I am a wraslin' geek and he is one of my absolute favorites.
Sadly, I do not trust WWE.com to say everything that is happening on the shows of SmackDown and RAW, and it would be absolutely wonderful if Mick Foley or The Undertaker or even Kurt Angle could just write about what happens inside the ring and outside of it just like regular normal folks, but they have their paychecks to earn just like everyone else. Still, it would be something I would enjoy reading, as well as would many others out there. Maybe the boss of WWE will take notice of small voices speaking out in unison for such a thing.
OK, enough jabbering about wraslin' (I'm going to get to watch it tonight, tonight, tonight *does wheelchair dance of joy*). I will try and post more interesting stuff later on, but, for now read and indulge your guilty pleasure of wraslin' if you like. I know I will.
And, just think, they are going to be in Lexington THIS WEEKEND! Maybe they are already here! Squeeeeeeeeee! Maybe I will meet some of them on the street! Squeeeeeeee!
A girl can dream can't she?
Squeeeeeeeeeee!
I say again Squeeeeeeeeee!
* ( I would post a picture of 'Taker here but WWE says they own the trademark and character and it cannot be used without permission. Even I received the email with an almost under-handed threat that if I posted pictures without permission I would be in legal troubles. So, I am being good. No pictures. But I can give you a link to pictures. *happy grin*)
For Lent I gave up my beloved wraslin'. It was not something that was really useful or needful in my life, just something I dearly enjoy, so I took a break from it for fifty freaking days! Now, tonight, I am going to get to watch SmackDown and hopefully catch up on what has been happening with my favorites (good guys and bad) and hopefully see something of The Undertaker.*
Out of curiosity I went to WWE.com and had myself a look around and was a little disheartened to find out one of my favorites is having a horrible time fighting a staph infection. We all know those things are hard to get rid of, but you don't expect it to take down someone you've seen take punch after punch, but Hardcore Holly has been fighting a staph infection and sounds pretty sick by the sounds of the interview.
And, of course, how could I not read Foley is Blog which is Mick Foley's blog for WWE.com. I wonder what he would really say if he had his own independent blog? I believe that would be something wonderful to read. I love how he was "side-tracked" in this article to let the readers know something is going on, in the works, but jumping to another topic just so us fans will read some more. Yes, I know this is a writing thing, and I do it myself, I just don't expect Mick Foley to do it, and when he does it is absolutely wonderful, but, then again, I am a wraslin' geek and he is one of my absolute favorites.
Sadly, I do not trust WWE.com to say everything that is happening on the shows of SmackDown and RAW, and it would be absolutely wonderful if Mick Foley or The Undertaker or even Kurt Angle could just write about what happens inside the ring and outside of it just like regular normal folks, but they have their paychecks to earn just like everyone else. Still, it would be something I would enjoy reading, as well as would many others out there. Maybe the boss of WWE will take notice of small voices speaking out in unison for such a thing.
OK, enough jabbering about wraslin' (I'm going to get to watch it tonight, tonight, tonight *does wheelchair dance of joy*). I will try and post more interesting stuff later on, but, for now read and indulge your guilty pleasure of wraslin' if you like. I know I will.
And, just think, they are going to be in Lexington THIS WEEKEND! Maybe they are already here! Squeeeeeeeeee! Maybe I will meet some of them on the street! Squeeeeeeee!
A girl can dream can't she?
Squeeeeeeeeeee!
I say again Squeeeeeeeeee!
* ( I would post a picture of 'Taker here but WWE says they own the trademark and character and it cannot be used without permission. Even I received the email with an almost under-handed threat that if I posted pictures without permission I would be in legal troubles. So, I am being good. No pictures. But I can give you a link to pictures. *happy grin*)
Thursday, April 27, 2006
In Order to Adventure You Need a Really Good Hat
Today I adventured on a wonderful new world. It is so new I haven't even touched foot on it yet, I am still in the orbiting Earth craft and getting my briefing with the rest of the team!
Yes, I know I am the writer, the creator of this adventure, but sometimes it is wonderful to just give yourself up to the story and let it amuse you even while you are creating it. So, today that is exactly what I did. I let the story amuse me, which helped spark some questions that led to some answers that will begin the next phase of the story itself. Sometimes you just need to be an observer more than a participant in this writing business, at least it helps me.
So, there I am, outside at my little card table with my pith helmet on and my pen busy scratching away on the lined white pages of a moleskin journal as I wrote about Mac and what was happening, and thinking of things that could possibly happen in the back of my mind. My shadow was playing on the ground beside me and the dogs were laying in the shade just as blissful as me, who was happy in the sunlight.
The pith helmet keeps my head cool but breathes (it is a very good thing) and keeps the hot sun off of my head so I don't get heat stroke or heat exhaustion. As I was taking a break in the story, I raised my head to see a blond headed boy walking down the alley and looking at me quite curiously. What did I look like to him?
I smiled at him and he turned pink as he realized I had seen him, and his pace quickened until he was out of sight. The lad could have been no more than twelve. I can just imagine what he saw: a plump little woman with glasses sitting in a wheelchair almost huddled over a book of some sort she was writing in, upon her head a helmet like he had seen in King Kong or old black and white Tarzan movies. Was she daft? Was she full blown insane? True, those hats did look like they would keep the sun off of you, but, weren't they really just supposed to be for adventures of some sort? I couldn't agree more laddie, and today I began one of the most fun adventures I have had in a while! Yes, I am sure there is going to be trouble afoot before long, but I have my handy-dandy pen, dictionary and thesaurus, my trusty canines at my side and my powered wheeled chair to see me through! And to top it off, I have the perfect hat - I have the adventure hat to do it all in!
Life, today, was GOOD.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Tidbits and Fiction
There are a few things to report today:
1) We will have an additional new piece of fiction next week - someone submitted a very nice piece of fiction and now they are polishing it for its very first appearance anywhere! It is quite good, I can't wait for you to read it!
2) Michael Yon has an oddly beautiful piece up at his site. I encourage everyone to go and read it.
3) Writer's Digest.com has some interesting tips for writers. The writing prompt has me thinking I just may well go ahead and see what this brings forth.
OK, that's it for me for the moment. Enjoy.
*******
The Child's Voice
By H.A. Handy
Copyright (c) 2006 by H.A. Handy
Ritchie jumped to his feet suddenly. His tongue lolled from his mouth and he made short, excited barks. Ritchie started spinning in tight circles at Billy’s legs. This reaction usually came from Frank’s arrival.
Frank was the mailman, but, unlike most other postal carriers, Frank was loved and adore by most people’s pets, especially the dogs, because he brought a treat with him whenever he delivered the mail. There were also a couple of other differences with Frank – one, he rarely ever got out of his car; and two, he was a master of driving from the middle of the front seat of his car. This meant his left foot handled the brake and accelerator. This was because Frank was busy putting mail into the rural mailboxes he delivered to. By the time Frank made it up to Bill’s, though, he was driving normally – directly behind the wheel.
Ritchie’s barks became even more excited and he bounced on his front feet. He could barely wait for the old brown Chevy four door sedan to come to a halt before he was bouncing at Frank’s door expectantly. Not many people knew how Frank got along with his customers’ dogs, but Billy did, and didn’t mind. Ritchie would normally refuse anything handed out of any vehicle, even if it was a steak, unless it came from Frank and his old sedan. Frank was a good guy.
“Hey, Bill.”
“Hey, Frank.” Billy ambled out to the postman’s car as Frank began collecting Bill’s mail from the seat beside him, as well as Ritchie’s dog biscuit.
Billy’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the thick, bright orange envelopes amid the bills and junk mail Frank’s gnarled hand. Billy’s pace quickened a little also.
She had finished another book already?
“Sure must be nice related to a famous writer,” Frank said as Billy took the mail from him. Billy couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know, I remember her when she was a little girl. I never thought she was going to live, much less make it out of the county, or this,” Frank said, smacking the edge of the envelope lightly. “Do you get to see her much?”
“Not much,” Billy said with a shake of his head. “About once a year, I guess. She comes in for Aunt Susan’s birthday.”
“Still?” Billy nodded solemnly. “That girl sure did love her mother. There’s not many like that family any more around here. Everybody is always wrapped up in themselves, and don’t seem to care that much for their mommy and daddy.”
Billy had to agree there, and did so. Susan and Parker Williams had been Aunt Susan and Uncle Parker since Billy could remember. They had lived at the mouth of Stinnett just down the mountain since before Dan was born, Billy’s oldest sibling. The Williams children and the Pollards had grown up side by side, best friends and close enough kin to be fourth cousins. Technically that didn’t really make them all that related, but sometimes family didn’t come from close direct blood relations.
“Well, see you t’morra, Bill.” Frank shifted into reverse, his hand raised for a brief moment in farewell outside the car, then he was off down the mountain. Ritchie barked a couple of times in farewell, the dog biscuit partially dangling from his black muzzle.
“Yup, you’re worthless, but I like him, too,” Bill said to the dog, who wagged his tail happily. “Come on boy, let’s go see what we have!” Billy put the mail on top of the case of Miller and carried it all inside the house, Ritchie, along with dog biscuit, followed.
.......to be continued
1) We will have an additional new piece of fiction next week - someone submitted a very nice piece of fiction and now they are polishing it for its very first appearance anywhere! It is quite good, I can't wait for you to read it!
2) Michael Yon has an oddly beautiful piece up at his site. I encourage everyone to go and read it.
3) Writer's Digest.com has some interesting tips for writers. The writing prompt has me thinking I just may well go ahead and see what this brings forth.
OK, that's it for me for the moment. Enjoy.
*******
The Child's Voice
By H.A. Handy
Copyright (c) 2006 by H.A. Handy
Ritchie jumped to his feet suddenly. His tongue lolled from his mouth and he made short, excited barks. Ritchie started spinning in tight circles at Billy’s legs. This reaction usually came from Frank’s arrival.
Frank was the mailman, but, unlike most other postal carriers, Frank was loved and adore by most people’s pets, especially the dogs, because he brought a treat with him whenever he delivered the mail. There were also a couple of other differences with Frank – one, he rarely ever got out of his car; and two, he was a master of driving from the middle of the front seat of his car. This meant his left foot handled the brake and accelerator. This was because Frank was busy putting mail into the rural mailboxes he delivered to. By the time Frank made it up to Bill’s, though, he was driving normally – directly behind the wheel.
Ritchie’s barks became even more excited and he bounced on his front feet. He could barely wait for the old brown Chevy four door sedan to come to a halt before he was bouncing at Frank’s door expectantly. Not many people knew how Frank got along with his customers’ dogs, but Billy did, and didn’t mind. Ritchie would normally refuse anything handed out of any vehicle, even if it was a steak, unless it came from Frank and his old sedan. Frank was a good guy.
“Hey, Bill.”
“Hey, Frank.” Billy ambled out to the postman’s car as Frank began collecting Bill’s mail from the seat beside him, as well as Ritchie’s dog biscuit.
Billy’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the thick, bright orange envelopes amid the bills and junk mail Frank’s gnarled hand. Billy’s pace quickened a little also.
She had finished another book already?
“Sure must be nice related to a famous writer,” Frank said as Billy took the mail from him. Billy couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know, I remember her when she was a little girl. I never thought she was going to live, much less make it out of the county, or this,” Frank said, smacking the edge of the envelope lightly. “Do you get to see her much?”
“Not much,” Billy said with a shake of his head. “About once a year, I guess. She comes in for Aunt Susan’s birthday.”
“Still?” Billy nodded solemnly. “That girl sure did love her mother. There’s not many like that family any more around here. Everybody is always wrapped up in themselves, and don’t seem to care that much for their mommy and daddy.”
Billy had to agree there, and did so. Susan and Parker Williams had been Aunt Susan and Uncle Parker since Billy could remember. They had lived at the mouth of Stinnett just down the mountain since before Dan was born, Billy’s oldest sibling. The Williams children and the Pollards had grown up side by side, best friends and close enough kin to be fourth cousins. Technically that didn’t really make them all that related, but sometimes family didn’t come from close direct blood relations.
“Well, see you t’morra, Bill.” Frank shifted into reverse, his hand raised for a brief moment in farewell outside the car, then he was off down the mountain. Ritchie barked a couple of times in farewell, the dog biscuit partially dangling from his black muzzle.
“Yup, you’re worthless, but I like him, too,” Bill said to the dog, who wagged his tail happily. “Come on boy, let’s go see what we have!” Billy put the mail on top of the case of Miller and carried it all inside the house, Ritchie, along with dog biscuit, followed.
.......to be continued
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Home, Home, Home Again I Am
Home. We arrived home a little past eleven o'clock last night and had enough time to pet loving, adoring, and much relieved doggies and kitty before we deposited ourselves into bed. My head and heart just didn't have the energy to look back at the wonderful weekend, and today.... Today has been one of those "adjusting" days.
You know, one of those days where you let yourself almost slide back into sort of thinking about some semblance of a normal routine but aren't really hurried or serious about the matter until you have to be. So, today I have eaten (more than I should have) watched television (a lot), and watched my dear hubby get his gaming fix on by playing a game he purchased during Lent but never played until today. It is called New Legends and it looks really good. Mako does one of the voices in the game which totally is a seal of approval for my dear hubby. It is for me too actually.
I did want to write something about Easton Mall in Columbus, Ohio, and I will, it is just that today is still one of relaxing and I haven't relaxed like this in ages. Hubby is relaxing, too. We hardly ever really relax together, so, tomorrow will be more along the lines of more normal things, including "The Child's Voice" and possibly something else. We will see as tomorrow arises.
You know, one of those days where you let yourself almost slide back into sort of thinking about some semblance of a normal routine but aren't really hurried or serious about the matter until you have to be. So, today I have eaten (more than I should have) watched television (a lot), and watched my dear hubby get his gaming fix on by playing a game he purchased during Lent but never played until today. It is called New Legends and it looks really good. Mako does one of the voices in the game which totally is a seal of approval for my dear hubby. It is for me too actually.
I did want to write something about Easton Mall in Columbus, Ohio, and I will, it is just that today is still one of relaxing and I haven't relaxed like this in ages. Hubby is relaxing, too. We hardly ever really relax together, so, tomorrow will be more along the lines of more normal things, including "The Child's Voice" and possibly something else. We will see as tomorrow arises.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Wherein We Relax Before Traveling
As of this moment B and I are still in Columbus, Ohio with Cheyenne. Driving from Columbus, Ohio to Lexington, Kentucky is quite a drive, and since we have been busy and on the move pretty much since we arrived, B wanted to just play a few video games, watch a movie or two, and just relax before he did the packing and then did the driving back home.
Right now B is playing God of War and I am playing on Cheyenne's laptop and preparing to view a lot of email. Yeah, we're really boring people right now, but wait until I tell you about Easton Mall! However, that is for tomorrow.
Right now B is playing God of War and I am playing on Cheyenne's laptop and preparing to view a lot of email. Yeah, we're really boring people right now, but wait until I tell you about Easton Mall! However, that is for tomorrow.
Friday, April 21, 2006
And now a word from our sponsor
Hello all. Cheyenne here, to say that the Editor is on the move.
She's not moving, mind you. She and her husband are currently winging...er, wheeling their way north to spend the weekend up here with me. It's Easter for the Orthodox faith – and it's also the weekend I'm going to become a full member of the faith as well. As the ones who first introduced me to Orthodoxy, it seems only fair for the Editor and B. to be here. Should be an interesting weekend, all told.
Any good thoughts or prayers you can spare for their trip, either coming up or heading back (which will be Sunday or Monday, we aren't sure which) would be appreciated, of course.
As for me – I've got one or two small things to pick up before they get here, so I must away. Have a good weekend, all.
She's not moving, mind you. She and her husband are currently winging...er, wheeling their way north to spend the weekend up here with me. It's Easter for the Orthodox faith – and it's also the weekend I'm going to become a full member of the faith as well. As the ones who first introduced me to Orthodoxy, it seems only fair for the Editor and B. to be here. Should be an interesting weekend, all told.
Any good thoughts or prayers you can spare for their trip, either coming up or heading back (which will be Sunday or Monday, we aren't sure which) would be appreciated, of course.
As for me – I've got one or two small things to pick up before they get here, so I must away. Have a good weekend, all.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Something A Little Different
No one submitted anything and I have been working like mad on so many non-writing projects I feel almost sad. Hopefully the Life That Is Not Writing will soon be taking a slight break so I can get all of the many writing projects currently done.
Normally I would post the next section of "The Child's Voice" here, but instead I am posting some links:
A quiz. And a quite useful one at that.
Writer's Digest, just because.
Michael Yon - this website and writing are beyond wonderful, yet somewhat sad. If you don't want to read the truth about what is happening over in Iraq and surrounding areas, don't read it; but, if you DO want to know what is going on - then read it.
OK. That's it for today. "The Child's Voice" will return next week and hopefully some more fiction not written by myself!
Normally I would post the next section of "The Child's Voice" here, but instead I am posting some links:
A quiz. And a quite useful one at that.
Writer's Digest, just because.
Michael Yon - this website and writing are beyond wonderful, yet somewhat sad. If you don't want to read the truth about what is happening over in Iraq and surrounding areas, don't read it; but, if you DO want to know what is going on - then read it.
OK. That's it for today. "The Child's Voice" will return next week and hopefully some more fiction not written by myself!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
A Book, Some Answers, and Up-Coming (Tomorrow)
A book
OK, for all of those out there who sent me emails asking questions about the history of the Orthodox Church I highly recommend, The Orthodox Church by Bishop Kalistos Ware. It is one of the easier books to read with a wonderful bibliography to guide you to other fascinating books about the Orthodox Church. Of course, in order to find out fully, you need to actually go to an Orthodox Church and experience it for yourself and gain guidance from the parish priest: he knows what he is doing and has far more information than I could EVER give, being just a lowly laywoman that I am (there is much room for improvement and a healthy expanse waiting to be filled with knowledge of the faith).
For my witchy people (and I am somewhat ashamed of some of you out there):
Now, to those out there who cursed, hexed, be-littled me for the thing written on the so-called "Gospel of Judas": This is my blog, not yours. I do not intentionally go out there and offend anyone or group of people, but, please people, get a grip! What is the one greatest rule the "witching" world has? Isn't it, "Do as thou wilt, harm none, but if you do it will come back on you three times three" or something like that? So, just think about what you said you did and why you said you did it. It makes no sense logically.
Tomorrow
I haven't received any submissions for far for tomorrow, so, this means we will be continuing with "The Child's Voice". Why don't you all submit something? Maybe, just maybe, you might get your own name on the Internet.
Guidelines
I do not pay.
I do not buy any rights to the piece. It is fully and rightfully yours.
Fiction - Up to 5000 words, but if it is good, well, we can serialize or go a little longer.
Non-fiction - the same for fiction.
Poetry - just send it to me and see what happens. I am a HUGE fan of poetry and am always looking for good poetry to read myself, as well as to share here on The News.
If your piece has been previously published, make sure and let me know so that I can list it and where it was published (I also need to know it is clear and I won't be impinging unknowingly on any other publisher/editor's toes, i.e. rights).
So, submit something! You won't ever know until you actually get out there and send something off!
OK, for all of those out there who sent me emails asking questions about the history of the Orthodox Church I highly recommend, The Orthodox Church by Bishop Kalistos Ware. It is one of the easier books to read with a wonderful bibliography to guide you to other fascinating books about the Orthodox Church. Of course, in order to find out fully, you need to actually go to an Orthodox Church and experience it for yourself and gain guidance from the parish priest: he knows what he is doing and has far more information than I could EVER give, being just a lowly laywoman that I am (there is much room for improvement and a healthy expanse waiting to be filled with knowledge of the faith).
For my witchy people (and I am somewhat ashamed of some of you out there):
Now, to those out there who cursed, hexed, be-littled me for the thing written on the so-called "Gospel of Judas": This is my blog, not yours. I do not intentionally go out there and offend anyone or group of people, but, please people, get a grip! What is the one greatest rule the "witching" world has? Isn't it, "Do as thou wilt, harm none, but if you do it will come back on you three times three" or something like that? So, just think about what you said you did and why you said you did it. It makes no sense logically.
Tomorrow
I haven't received any submissions for far for tomorrow, so, this means we will be continuing with "The Child's Voice". Why don't you all submit something? Maybe, just maybe, you might get your own name on the Internet.
Guidelines
I do not pay.
I do not buy any rights to the piece. It is fully and rightfully yours.
Fiction - Up to 5000 words, but if it is good, well, we can serialize or go a little longer.
Non-fiction - the same for fiction.
Poetry - just send it to me and see what happens. I am a HUGE fan of poetry and am always looking for good poetry to read myself, as well as to share here on The News.
If your piece has been previously published, make sure and let me know so that I can list it and where it was published (I also need to know it is clear and I won't be impinging unknowingly on any other publisher/editor's toes, i.e. rights).
So, submit something! You won't ever know until you actually get out there and send something off!
Monday, April 17, 2006
ORDERLINESS Personified
I WISH I had a digital camera so I could show you all how very nice and organized the computer area is! Alas, I do not. Tried to take a picture of it with my camera-phone, but it just doesn't show how everything looks so very nice and orderly. Teaching hubby to put things back where they belong is proving to be an almost daunting task, but I am not giving up, not just yet. (He cleans but doesn't try to keep it clean. Silly fellow.)
Saturday, April 15, 2006
The *Gospel* of Judas?
According to information in the archives of the Orthodox Church and via our priest, the Orthodox Church has known about this document for many hundreds of years.
So, this "Gospel of Judas" has been a fake for many hundreds of years. It isn't something new that has just been recently discovered. The Church has known about it for a long time.
It does seem quite odd that around holy times for Christians there is an unashamed effort to make us question our faith and devotion, and if the Christian is not steadfast and certain about what they believe is true and right, they will question their faith at every report they receive and believe fiction for truth and truth for fiction.
In being a Christian you cannot be a weak minded or weak spirited person, nor can you be so narrow minded that you do the very thing Christ speaks out against - judging our brothers (other people) when we do not know everything about them. The task, and it is a difficult one, is to gather all of the necessary information and proceed forward with faith and guidance of the Bible and the priest and our traditions to see us through to the proper course of action.
This so-called "gospel" is fiction. And, if you really look at it, you can see just how warped-sided it truly is. One of the allegations is that Christ told Judas to betray Him. If this was true then why did Judas commit suicide by hanging himself before seeing the reason as to why Christ had him do such a thing? And who did Judas tell before he committed suicide? He would have to tell someone who could write. There weren't that many people back then that could perform that most important task. And, how long did it take Judas to do this? He killed himself before the sun rose upon Christ's Crucifixion! It just doesn't make sense.
It seems the original document was written as early as AD 140-180. Discovered in 1970, this ancient papyrus document may be the same "Gospel of Judas" referred to by Irenaeus.
In the 180's AD, Irenaeus wrote extensively on ancient heretical groups. One of these groups, known as the Cainites, thought they were descendants of "Esau, Korah, [and] the Sodomites." Irenaeus wrote that "They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas."
Writing fictitious gospels was the "in" thing in the second to fourth centuries AD. Numerous second to fourth century gospels and documents were discovered in 1945, including "The Gospel of Thomas." These documents, not including the Gospel of Judas, has been translated in a book called, The Nag Hammadi Library.
Anyone who has actually ever read the Nag Hammadi documents knows that they are usually so absurdly bazaar that they have virtually no claim to historical reliability-unless, of course, you think that women must become men in order to be saved, or that being female is a "defect," an "illness," or "madness" or that Jesus never suffered in any way and, in fact, was laughing at everyone while on the cross. Or perhaps you believe that the androgynous god "Death" begot seven androgynous female offspring named "Wrath, Pain, Lust, Sighing, Curse, Bitterness, Quarrelsomeness." Hmmmm, I wonder why no early church leaders considered these Nag Hammadi documents as part of their New Testament?
Still, the media is having a great time with this, partly out of their lack of knowledge and partly, no doubt, for ratings.
Feel free to forward this to anyone who may be interested.
Dennis Ingolflsand
So, this "Gospel of Judas" has been a fake for many hundreds of years. It isn't something new that has just been recently discovered. The Church has known about it for a long time.
It does seem quite odd that around holy times for Christians there is an unashamed effort to make us question our faith and devotion, and if the Christian is not steadfast and certain about what they believe is true and right, they will question their faith at every report they receive and believe fiction for truth and truth for fiction.
In being a Christian you cannot be a weak minded or weak spirited person, nor can you be so narrow minded that you do the very thing Christ speaks out against - judging our brothers (other people) when we do not know everything about them. The task, and it is a difficult one, is to gather all of the necessary information and proceed forward with faith and guidance of the Bible and the priest and our traditions to see us through to the proper course of action.
This so-called "gospel" is fiction. And, if you really look at it, you can see just how warped-sided it truly is. One of the allegations is that Christ told Judas to betray Him. If this was true then why did Judas commit suicide by hanging himself before seeing the reason as to why Christ had him do such a thing? And who did Judas tell before he committed suicide? He would have to tell someone who could write. There weren't that many people back then that could perform that most important task. And, how long did it take Judas to do this? He killed himself before the sun rose upon Christ's Crucifixion! It just doesn't make sense.
Friday, April 14, 2006
"We might as well give up, they're coming at us with flashlights!"
My husband and I received this little hand-out-almost-magazine in our mailbox the other day. It is from a local Protestant Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Normally we just read these things, chuckle a bit here and there, and then toss it away. This time there was something SO funny I just had to share this with you all. I hope you find it as humorous as we did.
I think surely these boys are city boys! ROFL!
Two boys from the city were on a camping trip. The mosquitoes were so fierce the boys had to hide under their blankets to keep from being bitten. Then one of them saw some lightning bugs, and said, "We might as well give up, they're coming at us with flashlights!"
I think surely these boys are city boys! ROFL!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Death and Taxes
April 15th is fast approaching.
Yeah.
I am doing the 1040EZ form this year for the first time in many years. You know what this means? I am nervous and I am going to have to deal with numbers all day today, pretty much. Yes, I have delayed it as long as possible, but mostly to let B get out of the house so I can have the radio on and if I get frazzled I can scream and now have him worried and running to see what is wrong with me.
*sigh*
Taxes.
Could we just agree we didn't need to fill out these papers, IRS? I'm sure we could come to some sort of agreement.... No? So these papers have to be filled out and sent it? OK. I may get money back? OK, incentive. It is the ONLY incentive of course, but it is there.
Sometimes I've wondered if taxes could be the death of someone. There is a lot of stress around tax time here in the US.
Yeah.
I am doing the 1040EZ form this year for the first time in many years. You know what this means? I am nervous and I am going to have to deal with numbers all day today, pretty much. Yes, I have delayed it as long as possible, but mostly to let B get out of the house so I can have the radio on and if I get frazzled I can scream and now have him worried and running to see what is wrong with me.
*sigh*
Taxes.
Could we just agree we didn't need to fill out these papers, IRS? I'm sure we could come to some sort of agreement.... No? So these papers have to be filled out and sent it? OK. I may get money back? OK, incentive. It is the ONLY incentive of course, but it is there.
Sometimes I've wondered if taxes could be the death of someone. There is a lot of stress around tax time here in the US.
Fiction, The Child's Voice
No one submitted anything, so, here is Billy's continuing story....
The Child's Voice
By H.A. Handy
Copyright (c) 2006 by H.A. Handy
Ward gave him a genuine smile before casting his eyes back out over the landscape again. It was several long seconds before Ward answered with, “Mexicans.”
“Mexicans? In Leslie County?” Billy sputtered and nearly choked on his beer.
“They’re going to work in the pot field for me this summer. First I need to get them squared away at the shack with food and water.”
“You speak Spanish, Ward?” Billy’s smile was filled with good natured ribbing. Wardy chuckled softly.
“No, but Jemma does.”
Jemma Davis. Now there was a looker for you. She was younger than Wardy by a good fifteen years – all of about twenty-two Billy would say. She had a body that could stop the river from rolling and a face so beautiful she could stop traffic. How she had hooked up with Ward or why had been a big mystery. Neither she nor Ward were talking, but Billy suspected Ward may have had some information on her. Other than that, Billy couldn’t see how Ward had lucked up.
“Don’t be thinking things about Jemma, Bill,” Ward said, cutting into Billy’s thoughts.
“OK,” Bill said with a slight smile as he took another sip of his beer.
“You have a lot of vices, Bill. They’re going to get you in trouble one day. Somebody might come looking for you.”
Billy laughed a short, barking sound. His breath made clouds in the cool air.
“I’ve never hurt anybody, Ward. You provide me with girls...willing girls at that...and enough pot to keep me happy with a little extra money. I stay on the straight and narrow more or less.”
“You aren’t any more on the straight and narrow than I am!” They both laughed. The sound and discussion suddenly made Billy’s stomach feel uneasy. It could also be feeling that way, he decided, because he hadn’t had anything to eat in a while. “See you around, Bill,” Ward said, rising slowly, almost stiffly from the porch.
“See you, Ward.”
Billy watched Ward get back in his jeep, then back out and turn, headed back down the mountain. Something was wrong. Ward had never talked about vices before and him getting in trouble one day. What did Ward know, or suspect? Then again, maybe he was just over-thinking it all and letting his paranoia get the better of him. He did that sometimes.
....to be continued
The Child's Voice
By H.A. Handy
Copyright (c) 2006 by H.A. Handy
Ward gave him a genuine smile before casting his eyes back out over the landscape again. It was several long seconds before Ward answered with, “Mexicans.”
“Mexicans? In Leslie County?” Billy sputtered and nearly choked on his beer.
“They’re going to work in the pot field for me this summer. First I need to get them squared away at the shack with food and water.”
“You speak Spanish, Ward?” Billy’s smile was filled with good natured ribbing. Wardy chuckled softly.
“No, but Jemma does.”
Jemma Davis. Now there was a looker for you. She was younger than Wardy by a good fifteen years – all of about twenty-two Billy would say. She had a body that could stop the river from rolling and a face so beautiful she could stop traffic. How she had hooked up with Ward or why had been a big mystery. Neither she nor Ward were talking, but Billy suspected Ward may have had some information on her. Other than that, Billy couldn’t see how Ward had lucked up.
“Don’t be thinking things about Jemma, Bill,” Ward said, cutting into Billy’s thoughts.
“OK,” Bill said with a slight smile as he took another sip of his beer.
“You have a lot of vices, Bill. They’re going to get you in trouble one day. Somebody might come looking for you.”
Billy laughed a short, barking sound. His breath made clouds in the cool air.
“I’ve never hurt anybody, Ward. You provide me with girls...willing girls at that...and enough pot to keep me happy with a little extra money. I stay on the straight and narrow more or less.”
“You aren’t any more on the straight and narrow than I am!” They both laughed. The sound and discussion suddenly made Billy’s stomach feel uneasy. It could also be feeling that way, he decided, because he hadn’t had anything to eat in a while. “See you around, Bill,” Ward said, rising slowly, almost stiffly from the porch.
“See you, Ward.”
Billy watched Ward get back in his jeep, then back out and turn, headed back down the mountain. Something was wrong. Ward had never talked about vices before and him getting in trouble one day. What did Ward know, or suspect? Then again, maybe he was just over-thinking it all and letting his paranoia get the better of him. He did that sometimes.
....to be continued
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Although I normally do not participate in memes. This one just simply made me laugh, so I am passing it all along to you.
http://alg.livejournal.com/
http://alg.livejournal.com/
Monday, April 10, 2006
Not All Old Things Are New Again, but We're Close!
Cheyenne was joshing with me recently and said that changing The Kentucky Mountain Girl News was heading into the frame of, "Old things are new again." I laughed at the time, but after seeing such a response of the oldest readers to The News, I have relaxed and returned to the original look and the format of what The News should probably never wandered away from in the first place.
So, here is the break down of things that are happening:
1) I am just going to Blog.
That's right. I am just going to blog things of interest to me and everything else will just be as it is.
2) The News is open for submissions.
Wednesdays are still open for fiction and poetry from you all out there. Some of my own fiction will be published here, but it will appear after yours on the Wednesday posts.
3) There aren't going to be any links this time.
If there is something of interest on the 'Net I find out there, I will post a link for you all to go trekking to if you so desire. Having the links in the sidebar or in the header just seemed to make things feel cluttered. So, we are cleaning up and looking better and ya'll will be directed to really interesting posts throughout the day or night or entry as it all seems to fit together.
That's it. Back to basics. It sounds odd to say this (write this), but it feels good and right. I think The News, and I, have needed this for a long time, we just didn't know how to get back to the place we needed to be. So, thank you for the emails you sent me and for the encouragement. I really did need them. Also, thank you to B and Cheyenne for their unfailing support in this endeavor and in all of my other adventures. It may be just because Spring is finally getting ready to fully spring, but looking at how The News looks, and feeling so satisfied with it all, I must admit I am more enthusiastic about just about everything than I have been in quite a while.
So, here is the break down of things that are happening:
1) I am just going to Blog.
That's right. I am just going to blog things of interest to me and everything else will just be as it is.
2) The News is open for submissions.
Wednesdays are still open for fiction and poetry from you all out there. Some of my own fiction will be published here, but it will appear after yours on the Wednesday posts.
3) There aren't going to be any links this time.
If there is something of interest on the 'Net I find out there, I will post a link for you all to go trekking to if you so desire. Having the links in the sidebar or in the header just seemed to make things feel cluttered. So, we are cleaning up and looking better and ya'll will be directed to really interesting posts throughout the day or night or entry as it all seems to fit together.
That's it. Back to basics. It sounds odd to say this (write this), but it feels good and right. I think The News, and I, have needed this for a long time, we just didn't know how to get back to the place we needed to be. So, thank you for the emails you sent me and for the encouragement. I really did need them. Also, thank you to B and Cheyenne for their unfailing support in this endeavor and in all of my other adventures. It may be just because Spring is finally getting ready to fully spring, but looking at how The News looks, and feeling so satisfied with it all, I must admit I am more enthusiastic about just about everything than I have been in quite a while.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Seriously.....
Kolbar and I did absolutely nothing today as far as going to the movies or going out. He went to service this morning and came back home where we ate and watched television and then napped some more. When we got up we discussed going out, but Kolbar didn't want to. At first I was quite upset by it all, but then we just kept watching TV and kept relaxing and it just seemed the right sort of thing to do. We were productive, however, in that I managed to get some more dishes clean while Kolbar worked on the back room. If we have just a little more time to work on the house between now and Pascha we will have a very favorable house for MaryG to be able to sleep and let the dogs out for us. (I hope she doesn't mind four legged bed fellows, because she will definately have them.)I am feeling better about the entire job thing, just not pleased. I am determined to get a job and I know I will find one, a good one. All of the crap happens. Kolbar said I was beginning to get a serious taste of what he goes through every time he applies for a job. It is sad that after all of these advances, there is still such prejudice against people who are different from the norm, whether that be by the color of one's skin, sexual orientation, or physical disability.
The old fire of fighting against the discrimination is not there in me now. In some ways I believe this is a good thing: I am a more settled, more adult person and don't have all of the rebellion in me. Instead, there is an intelligence and a willingness to work through it all and persevere until I reach my goal. Yes, there will be battles along the way and like a tired soldier I do not want to have to fight them, but there is no way of obtaining the objective except to battle and to win and move forward. Sometimes these sort of battles and soldiers are the deadliest kind to face - they have seen far too much for something to make them back down. They are seasoned and sick of fighting, but they will fight until the day they get to go home. At least, this is the way I feel. Perhaps I have the soldier wrong, but from day one I have been trained to be a solider and I have accepted I am going to die a soldier. It is just that my war never leaves me, and is never going to. It is always with me. It will forever be with me, and some how I am learning how to have a good life despite it.
I have also been doing some serious thinking and going through a flood of emails I received today from old readers. Those who have been there from the beginning. They want the old format back, the one from the very beginning. In all honesty - that was when I was happiest in blogging. So, the format is going to change, as well as the look. I think it is time for a different look for the new season.
OK.
We progress.
The old fire of fighting against the discrimination is not there in me now. In some ways I believe this is a good thing: I am a more settled, more adult person and don't have all of the rebellion in me. Instead, there is an intelligence and a willingness to work through it all and persevere until I reach my goal. Yes, there will be battles along the way and like a tired soldier I do not want to have to fight them, but there is no way of obtaining the objective except to battle and to win and move forward. Sometimes these sort of battles and soldiers are the deadliest kind to face - they have seen far too much for something to make them back down. They are seasoned and sick of fighting, but they will fight until the day they get to go home. At least, this is the way I feel. Perhaps I have the soldier wrong, but from day one I have been trained to be a solider and I have accepted I am going to die a soldier. It is just that my war never leaves me, and is never going to. It is always with me. It will forever be with me, and some how I am learning how to have a good life despite it.
I have also been doing some serious thinking and going through a flood of emails I received today from old readers. Those who have been there from the beginning. They want the old format back, the one from the very beginning. In all honesty - that was when I was happiest in blogging. So, the format is going to change, as well as the look. I think it is time for a different look for the new season.
OK.
We progress.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Bouncing Back Like the Basketball of Luck
The family emergency appears to be over for the time being. I really hope it is over for good. My husband appears to be right as rain now and I am plugging away at doing the job interviews and filling out applications and such.
"The Child's Voice" is progressing and the next installment will be up tomorrow. Once "The Child's Voice" is over we will begin putting out some poetry, or perhaps another story.
Don't forget - Wednesdays are open to other people's fiction and poetry. I can give a bi-line, which is always good. If you want guidelines, just email me and I'll get them to you ASAP.
"The Child's Voice" is progressing and the next installment will be up tomorrow. Once "The Child's Voice" is over we will begin putting out some poetry, or perhaps another story.
Don't forget - Wednesdays are open to other people's fiction and poetry. I can give a bi-line, which is always good. If you want guidelines, just email me and I'll get them to you ASAP.
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