Lion or Lamb? Revisited

Back on March 1 I wondered whether March would go out like a lion because it came in like a lamb. Well, today was a very timid lamb. After a fairly vigorous thunderstorm yesterday, and a forecast for rain for the rest of the week, I figured March would definitely go out like a lion. After waking up to clear skies I figure that unless the weather changed, There would not be an appearance of the lion this year. I don't know if the saying only works if March comes in like a lion or if it goes both ways.

Hating the "Religious Right"

Spring Yard Work

On Monday my Dad and I started pruning the bushes on the east property line. We also cut down all the old growth from the decorative grasses in the front yard. After we cut everything down we went to the back yard and shredded most of the clippings. Yesterday we finished shredding the clippings and all of the grass. Then today Dad tilled the garden and I helped plant radishes, onions and potatoes. There was a thunderstorm coming while we worked and about 15 minutes after we finished it started raining and will we ate lunch it hailed some. It was only about pea sized so, thank God, it didn't do any damage. The forecast is calling for a chance of rain for the next two days. Monday and Tuesday were both in the 70s and today was in the upper 50s.

Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation

Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation

Scroll down to the video section and watch a couple, then decide if she deserves to die.

A Drama Unfolds

Regardless of who you believe, Terri Schiavo's parents or her husband,
why do we treat convicted murderers better than we are treating Terri?

March 23, 2005

Dear Concerned Citizen,
by Wesley J. Smith

Imagine if you will, that convicted cop killer Mumia Abu Jamal had a bad lawyer during his murder trial. Assume further that when the new lawyer took over the case, she found credible evidence not originally presented on Jamal’s behalf, evidence which could cast reasonable doubt upon the guilty verdict.

What the?!?

I just looked out the kitchen window and saw a quarter to half an inch of snow on the ground! I couldn't really tell if it was still snowing or not, but I think it is because I saw movement in a puddle on the driveway and water dripping from the roof. The sky also had its glow that it takes on every time it snows.

How Logical Are You?

You Are Pretty Logical

(You got 63% of the questions right) You're a bit of a wizard when it comes to logic While you don't have perfect logic, you logic is pretty darn good Keep at it - you've got a lot of natural talent in this area!

How Logical Are You?

How Normal Are You?

You Are 35% Normal (Occasionally Normal)

You sure do march to your own beat... But you're so weird, people wonder if it's a beat at all You think on a totally different wavelength And it's often a chore to get people to understand you

How Normal Are You?

My nieces are always telling me I'm weird. I guess they are right!

What Kind of Friend Are You?

You Are A Fun Friend

You're the one who keeps your group laughing And you've always got an idea for something fun to do The party's not complete without you And you wouldn't miss it for the world

What Kind of Friend Are You?

Another Terri Post

Now that Terri Schiavo's case has been sent to a federal judge, my fear is that he will delay his ruling until after Terri is dead and the point is moot. That would certainly eliminate many of the more vexing questions in this case. Some of the politicians are all saying that it's better to err on the side of life, that's why they got involved in this case in the first place.

if Terri were a dog and the owner was found to have starved that dog to death they would face and fine and possibly some jail time. Just watch an episode of Animal Cops on Animal Planet to prove that point.

I am still waiting for someone to explain how a feeding tube is an artificial means for life. Does that mean that anyone unable to feed themselves should be allowed to starve to death? Does that include infants? They are not able to communicate their wishes to another person, should they be allowed to starve? What about a quadriplegic? They can't feed themselves and like Christopher Reeve are on ventilators. They wouldn't even have to starve, just turn off the ventilator, they'll die faster and with less pain and suffering. What about a severely retarded person? If they can't feed themselves should they be starved? What about someone like Stephen Hawking? He can't even speak any more. Should he be starved?

I'm just praying that this Judge makes the decision to investigate the allegations that have been made in this case. Give Terri a chance to get therapy and see if she improves, if she does praise God, if not let die at her own pace feed her until she succumbs to an infection or pneumonia or whatever. She deserves at least as much as any animal in this country! They have laws to protect them, where are the laws to protect her?

Protect Terri Shindler-Sciavo

Protect Terri Shindler-Sciavo

A little clarity goes a long way.

A Job Update

I called my temp agency this morning like I have done for the last eight weeks and this time I was asked if I wanted to come in and retake the two data entry assessments. I said yes I will come in today. So I went in this afternoon and took the tests and improved both scores. The alpha test I improved by one thousand keystrokes and the numeric score was improved by two thousand keystrokes. On the alpha test I had five errors and the numeric I only had three errors. I was surprised because I don't really like to type that much. After I finished my tests and we were reviewing my results I was told about a temp to hire position with Met Life. I told the temp agency that I wanted to think about whether I wanted to take it only because I had two other jobs for which I was applying. One of them at a costume shop I really don't want if they were to offer. The other is at Earl May, a garden supply store. I am going to call the temp agency tomorrow and tell them I will take it because, as much as I would like to work at Earl May, I doubt I will get a job offer. I talked to the store manager and he said that most of the positions he is looking for now need horticultural experience. I told him I have retail experience but none in horticulture. I worked in retail for a total of eight years with two different companies, three if you count the three weeks I work seasonal night stock at Toys R Us.

Terri Schiavo's Feeding Tube Removed

Once again it seems the pro-death crowd seems to have won another battle in the fight over Terri Schiavo life.

Michael Schiavo has always insisted that his wife told him she did not want to be kept alive artificially.

The thing I have never understood is, where are the human rights activists? They would be making all kinds of noise if Terri were a prisoner somewhere or a terrorist held in Cuba or Iraq. They are more concerned about people who would have no problem seeing us dead than an innocent young woman.

This whole situation makes me angry. If the pro-death people win this fight it is only one step away from full blown euthansiia. Instead of letting her slowly die they'll say "why not just end it quick?" save everyone the trouble. Just what Jack Kevorkian always wanted.

What’s your Irish Name?

Your Irish Name Is...

Sinead Kirwan

What's your Irish Name?

An Anniversary of Sorts

Seven months ago today I returned home from 5 days in the hospital in Iowa City after my hysterectomy. I am pretty much back to normal except for some occasional pain in my abdomen. The hot flashes have reduced in intensity and number, which is very good because I was all done with hot flashes before surgery.

A Sure Sign of Spring

I was outside with our dogs this afternoon and noticed that the crocus are blooming! We have yellow and purple ones. I saw the yellow ones today. YAY!!!

Building Issues

I found out on Sunday that one of the things we need to start building our addition is a new site plan. We had one but then we changed the plan to lower the building price and now we need to have the new plan approved by the county. Apparently the person whose job it is to approve these plans is on vacation and his replacement is not so the job. So right now we are waiting for the county to get the approval issued. They say patience is a virtue, we are going to be very virtuous people!

Goundbreaking 3/6/2005 

Church board. 

A closer view of the board members. 

Another close look at the board. 

The grill for the Groundbreaking bbq. 

Mike MacKenzie manning the grill. 

Long View of the USS Riverside 

What English Speaking Country Do You Belong In?

You Belong in the USA

Sweet! People either love you or hate you And you really don't care what anyone thinks Big and bold, you do things your way

What English Speaking Country Do You Belong In?

Are You Right or Left Brained?

You Are 60% Left Brained, 40% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

What Mood Are You In?

You Are In a Fantastic Mood

You're confident, focused, and on top of your game. People are attracted to your energy right now. This is the time to go for it - you're likely to get what you want!

What Mood Are You In?

Are You An Extrovert or An Introvert?

You Are 20% Extrovert, 80% Introvert

You are quite reserved You aren't afraid of social situations... But you very much prefer to go it alone And why not? You're your own best friend!

Are You An Extrovert or An Introvert?

Groundbreaking

This morning my church held the groundbreaking for our addition for out building. We have been saving and planning for this for about a year and a half. I don't know when the actual building will start. It probably won't be very long. I took a couple of pictures that I will post later.

The weather today was beautiful. The temperature was in the 60s and 70s and sunny. It was a little windy but nice. Tonight we are having our first thunderstorm of the year. I love a good thunderstorm!

What Star Trek Species?

You scored as Vulcan. Congratulations. You must be very smart to be a Vulcan. Vulcan 95% Human 53% Romulan 33% Klingon 30% Cardassian 3% Jem'Hadar 0% Borg 0% What are you for Startrek species? created with QuizFarm.com

D.M. loses round one in license site battle

A transportation bill that includes the plan to shut the Park Fair Mall station easily wins House approval.

By TIM HIGGINS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
March 3, 2005

Des Moines lost the first major battle in its effort to keep its lone driver's license station within its borders Wednesday when the Iowa House approved money to build a new suburban location.

The $9 million project faced opposition from Des Moines-area lawmakers who tried to sink the plan or force the Iowa Department of Transportation to open a second Polk County location for Des Moines residents.

But all of their efforts failed and the House voted 93-7 in favor of legislation that would pay for the new station in Ankeny as part of a larger transportation spending bill. The bill now goes to the Senate.

"It's a big defeat for the city of Des Moines," said Rep. Janet Petersen, a Des Moines Democrat. "Why in the world would we take a vital service out of the population (center)? . . . It makes no sense."

The DOT wants to close the license station at Park Fair Mall and move the operation to seven acres just south of the Ankeny airport, which it has already purchased.

The agency needs the Legislature's approval for money to build the new facility, which will house the state's entire Motor Vehicle Division as well as offices where Polk County residents and truck drivers can apply for driver's licenses.


Which genius thought up this plan? "I know, we'll take the driver's license station out of the biggest city in the state and move it 15 miles out of town, it'll be great!" Not only is Des Moines the biggest city in the state it is also the county seat. Why, for crying out loud, would they think moving an office every driver has to visit on a fairly regular basis is a good idea? Someone is probably making a buck on the deal somewhere.

Lion or Lamb?

As the old saying goes if March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb and vice versa. Today was definitely a "lamb" day. It was a little on the cool side but it was sunny, so in my book that qualifies as a nice day.