For Tammy who has surgery on her right eye tomorrow.
For Kathy who is scheduled for surgery at the end of the month, especially that she might be relieved of pain between now and then.
For Dennis recovering from surgery. Continued healing for Mother Sandra, Bruce, Dave, Mark, and so many others.
For John returning to the hospital tomorrow to complete the first phase of his clinical trial and transition into the second phase, that he and Raven~ may be well cared for and have grace throughout the various trials of such a process.
For young Declan and his family, let us continue to offer prayer. This seven-month-old boy is fighting cancer and he and his family need our love. You may follow their story here.
For the repose of the soul of Milton Singleton who died last Wednesday. His memorial service will be at San Gabriel this Tuesday at 10 AM. His sister Joyce Smith is a faithful member of San Gabriel and we want to hold all her family in prayer as they mourn this loss.
For Clay and Harold (read the story here). For the heartless bastards who treated them so shamelessly I pray a judicial two-by-four upside the head that will send witnesses reeling and warn others far and near never to do such a thing.
In the category of "things left undone" we have a lavender plant and three Asiatic lilies that did not get planted today.
But I did put 57 plants in the ground in my back yard this afternoon, including all seven roses.
So here is a garden tour, starting with the lilacs blooming up above. All the photos in this post were taken this afternoon after a brief thundershower.
Angel Face rose planted last week.
China Doll rose surrounded with snapdragons, petunias, and one lone tulip.
I forget the name of this climbing rose. It is surrounded by Lemon Zest petunias (a new variety that I really like), marguerites, and sweet William.
I played with brightness and contrast on this one more than the slight adjustments I usually use so you can see features on the blog. These are Methley plums, little tiny bitty ones.
Circus rose surrounded by sweet William.
Marguerites. I think I need to get some more of these. They are so pretty.
This is a close-up of the climbing rose the name of which I cannot remember.
You will notice that though they are small there are lots and lots of peaches. I will have to thin them.
And this is an angled shot looking diagonally from the northeast toward the southwest corner of the yard. You can see most of the roses, of only partially, in this photo.
In a few more weeks it will be time to plant vegetables. They are available but I don't trust our frosts. I'm not even relaxed over my set fruit yet. We shall see.
I am enjoying this immensely and, being a greedy fellow, I will probably purchase and plant more flowers this week. For now I am about to enjoy an adult beverage and go soak in the tub. Thanks for joining the garden tour.
I went down to the nut orchard, to look at the blossoms of the valley, to see whether the vines had budded, whether the pomegranates were in bloom. --Song of Songs 6:11
I took, and loved, folk dancing as an undergraduate. I memorized the songs in languages I did not understand and learned the steps well enough to teach them to others. I still sing some of those songs to myself when I am alone. One that I especially love is "El ginat egoz" (to the nut orchard) and though I have forgotten the steps I can still sing it. Having taken Hebrew in seminary I also know what the words mean, though I had very limited understanding when I memorized the song by rote.
I think of it today because of the phrase "lir'ot haparchah hagefen" (to see whether the vines had budded). As you can see in the photo above, the vines have indeed budded. You may need to click on the photo to enlarge it but we have little baby grapes already! Hard to believe we barely had emerging leaves by Easter Day.
I need to go take more photos as the rain has stopped. I unfortunately had the camera on the wrong setting as I rushed about taking photos of this weekend's handiwork while it started to sprinkle.
Be right back.
UPDATED: Here are two more shots: first of the flame seedless new leaves, then another closeup of the budding grapes on the Thompson seedless.
At deep dawn, the myrrh-bearing women took sweet-smelling spices and came unto the Lord's tomb. And finding that which they had not expected, the stood piously pondering the removal of the stone, and said to one another: Where are the seals of the sepulcher? Where are Pilate's watchmen and the secure sentry? And and Angel, radiant as lightning, proclaimed to the women that whereof they were ignorant, saying to them: Why do ye with lamentation seek Him that liveth and hath given life unto the race of mortals? Christ our God hath risen from the dead, since He is Almighty, granting us all incorruption, life, illumination, and great mercy.
Let us pray for Sunni, Parker, and Joe. From my co-worker Tammy:
Sunni is the daughter of my cousin Monte [and] is married to Joe. Sunni and Joe's baby was not due until May 31st. Sunni went into the hospital April 5th with preclampsia. She had a C-Section on April 10th.
Just got the latest report this morning. Sunni now has a strep B infection and is running a temp of 101 and is still really swollen. She also has a blood disease (TTP) and the antibodies are eating the platelets and not letting it build up. They are starting a plasma exchange for 5 days. I don’t understand all the details, but they will be pulling out her plasma and cleaning it and putting back in whole blood. You can look up TTP. This is on top of the HELLP Syndrome. They are still doing dialysis, but don’t know how much longer. She will stay in ICU for at least 7 – 10 more days. I called the blood bank here (Amarillo) to see if we could give blood or platelets, but they are not on the Carter System. If you or anyone you know in the Dallas area can give blood in her name it would be great, but the center has to be on the Carter System. She is at Medical Center in Dallas and it should be given in her name (Sunni Miegel).
Parker is doing ok. They took all his IV’s out last night.
Update: Please pray for my friend Lolly who is recovering from surgery on her hand and also has to take nasty meds for the next few years. (It was lovely to see her and other friends at dinner tonight.)
For the repose of the soul of Bill (a colleague of Doxy's).
For B. and his children and all who care about them.
For DF who will be running a marathon.
For Jane's father and mother who have gone through some health issues of late.
I ask your ongoing prayers for the mission and ministry of Our Saviour, South Valley, and San Gabriel, Corrales.
For those who perished in the earthquake in China, those who mourn them, and those who rebuild their lives.
For the safety of coal miners.
For JohnBear and Raven as John prepares to spend time in hospital again as part of his clinical trial.
For Mark, who continues to give me ideas for sermons. (Спасибо, Марко!)
Amid talk of a recovering economy, let us remember the unemployed.
For Jonathan and the Missus, who have just returned from vacation.
For IARCA (La Iglesia Anglicana de la Región Central de América), that has been meeting in synod.
Remember, Pentecost is the Fiftieth Day of Easter. Not too early to invoke the One given behind locked doors before the great public outburst. --the BB
One week from tomorrow the election for the next Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande will be held.
This was in the back of my mind as I listened to the following Epistle Wednesday evening. It is appointed as the second lesson for the feast of Henry Delany & Edward Demby (April 14).
1 Thessalonians 2.1-12 You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was towards you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
It occurred to me that it would be a wonderful thing if the DRG elected a bishop who might be described in the terms of this passage.
O God, whose incarnate Word, Jesus the Christ, is our Way, our Truth, and our Life: pour forth your gracious Spirit upon the electors of the Diocese of the Rio Grande that their minds and hearts may be attuned to your guiding presence and their wills united in service to the redemption and sanctification of all creation. Of your boundless mercy, grant us a bishop whose courage is grounded in you, who declares Good News, and in whom there is no deceit or impure motives or trickery; who speaks to please you; who does not flatter nor operate from greed. May our bishop be gentle, tenderly caring for your people, sharing his own self with us and holding us dear. Keep our bishop pure, upright, and blameless in conduct toward those who believe and those who do not. May he encourage us all in leading lives worthy of you, O God, and join you in calling us into your reign and your glory. We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
There are appetizers to prepare for a potluck tomorrow and a sermon to preach Sunday morning.
Other than that, I have set myself up for yard work. I can hear that it has just begun to rain outside. I hope the skies get that out of their system before tomorrow morning. I have rosebushes, sweet William, miniature carnations, petunias, snapdragons, and alyssum to plant. If I can accomplish most of that tomorrow the odds are good that there may be some daylilies and other items as well.
The wind was quite brisk when I got home so these photos are of lilacs in motion. I remember the first year when I feared these bushes would not survive. Survive they have, and they are getting larger each year.
Ruth Gledhill of the Times of London speaks out for Christians who don't want to be perceived as fundamentalists, "these people who are hijacking the faith for their own agendas."
Holy Oils of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace photo by Anna Weaver at Hawaii Catholic Herald
This being the second Wednesday of the month, Healing Eucharist was held at San Gabriel in Corrales at 6:30 p.m. I lead the service and preach, so my perceptions are very biased, but I always find it a truly wonderful service. I emerge tired but also strengthened and renewed every month. Except the time I forgot which Wednesday it was and went home and fell asleep at the computer, only to wake up much later.
So many people in our prayers these days. I offered as many names as I could think of and trusted God to remember the rest.
May you all find some aspect of yourself and your life healed this week.
Furthermore, I am not experienced at discerning this...
But I think my peach trees have set fruit.
There are few insects in my neighborhood. Before you think, "How fortunate!" I prithee consider pollination. Not long ago I was in the back yard with a Swiffer duster going back and forth between trees trying to transfer pollen between species of peaches and plums. I don't know if that is what did the trick but I am excited.
Now if the fruit can survive late freezes, fierce winds, and other misadventures....
I live in hope.
A number of the plants in the yard have grown quite noticeably in the past few days. The flame seedless grapevine has put forth shoots, the Thompson seedless has many more leaves than it did on Saturday, the blaze climbing rose has filled out a lot, the trumpet vines have more new shoots each day. Two of the three lilac shrubs in the front yard have blossomed just since yesterday: one white and one purple.
Pascha is this present holy Feast; mystic and divine, sacred Pascha; the saving Pascha of God: Pascha which conveyeth us unto immortal life. Lo, this Pascha doth take away all sadness and sorrow. Pascha, which doth grant to the disciples joyous grace! Wherefore Thomas cried with rejoicing: Thou art my God and Lord, O Savior, Who hast carried off the spoils from Hades' realms.
--Vespers, Wednesday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion
The women rose up early and came unto the Lord's tomb, and when they beheld there the Angel, they trembled in amazement. The tomb became radiant with life; the marvel filled the women with great awe. Thus, they went to the disciples and they declared the rising of the Mighty One: Christ alone despoiled Hades by His strength; all those in corruption He hath raised, freeing them from fear of blame and reproach through the Cross's might.
--Matins, Tuesday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion
The soldiers standing guard at Thy tomb, O my Savior, became as dead when they saw the lightning-like Angel who preached to the women of Thine arising, O holy Lord. Thee we glorify, Who hast abolished corruption; Thee do we adore, Who from the grave hast arisen, and Who alone art our God.
--Matins, Monday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion
But whenever we elevate the institutional church and its order, power and privilege over the Gospel call to embrace all God's beloved we compromise the high calling we've been given as the Body of Christ on earth. Ignoring pedophilia is a shocking abdication of our vocation as Christians. So is ignoring homophobia. And misogyny. And racism.
Anytime we choose the instititution (the structure of the church) over the incarnation (the members of our human family created in the image of God) we fall short of who God is calling us to be.
And that, my brothers and sisters, isn't just a shame. It's a sin.
Quasimodo geniti infantes, alleluia: rationabiles, sine dolo lac concupiscite, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. --Introit of the Second Sunday of Easter
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. --1 Peter 2:2
Eight days after Thine arising, O Lord, Thou didst appear unto Thy disciples in the place where they were gathered, and Thou didst cry unto them: Peace be unto you. And Thou didst show Thy hands and immaculate side unto the doubting disciple. Wherefore, convinced, he cried unto Thee: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee.
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
I remember the brethren of JN1034 telling me that the power to bind and loose was really given for loosing, not binding. I suppose a parallel might be that we are made to love and be loved but are free to do otherwise. The "otherwise," a vital part of our freedom, is not what we are made for, however.
Because I have seen it in real lives I know that we have the power to set people free, and this is not the exclusive property of clergy.
The weather in the past week has been erratic. Some evenings I have had the ceiling fan on all night, others I have had the heat on. This weekend is clear, sunny, and beautiful.
I stopped to buy more cedar bark last night and ended up buying a couple of rose bushes, even though I had no idea where I would put them. So this morning I planted roses. Here is the garden report for today.
A view of the yard with multiple rose bushes and three peach trees, pansies, violas, daffodils, and tulips. (Click to embiggen.)
The Thompson seedless grapevine is putting forth tender leaves.
This is a burgundy iceberg rose planted with some purple (I would say magenta) dianthus.
Tulips (pretending to be peonies?). I had no idea they would be such lush multiples.
Lilac buds that first by the back door bloom.
Blossoms of the black Tartarian cherry, the last tree to blossom.
The newly planted Angel Face floribunda rose. It smells as a rose should and I love it. This photo makes it look more pink but it is really a lavender pink looking very much like a Sterling rose.
We are at the time of year when I really enjoy my little garden.
Let us pray for the departed, those who mourn, and the people of Poland.
President of Poland Killed in Plane Crash in Russia
By ELLEN BARRY, MICHAL PIOTROWSKI and NICHOLAS KULISH
MOSCOW — A plane carrying the Polish president, Lech Kaczynski, and dozens of the country’s top political and military leaders crashed in a heavy fog in western Russia on Saturday morning, killing everyone aboard. [NYT]
Let us "pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living" [Mother Jones].
Miners Found Dead: Four Missing Miners Found Dead At Upper Big Branch Coal Mine MONTCOAL, W.Va. — Searchers found four bodies deep in a West Virginia coal mine shattered by an explosion, raising the death toll to 29 and ending an excruciating week for families holding onto faint hopes that their missing miners had somehow survived. [Huffington Post]
It appears that the W.Va. mine disaster could have been averted AS RESCUERS continue to try to find the four remaining miners trapped after the Upper Big Branch coal mine exploded on Monday, we're finding out plenty about Massey Energy chief executive Don L. Blankenship and the operations of that doomed facility. None of it is good. What's been revealed is a distressing effort to render ineffective the mining regulations that were strengthened in 2006 to bring a measure of safety to a very dangerous job. [Washington Post editorial this morning]
We continue to remember Klady:
So far so good. Dr. said the fractures are "stable" so I should not need surgery. Will get new xrays in a week to check on it and then decide whether to proceed with a hard cast or consult with a surgeon if things change or I want a 2d op. Mobility poor - just a few steps with crutches exhaust me - will be cooped up at home for a long time. Royal PITA, but nothing worse. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
For the people of Thailand:
BANGKOK, April 10 (Reuters) - Four civilians and four soldiers were killed in clashes between the army and red shirt protesters, the Bangkok deputy governor said on Saturday without giving details.
For David and Glen and all who seek employment but do not have it.
For the people of Kyrgyzstan:
Kyrgyzstan is observing a period of mourning for the 79 people believed to have been killed by government forces Wednesday. The clash appears to have driven from power President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. [Voice of America]
For the people of Sudan:
KHARTOUM, Sudan - Sudan's first multiparty elections in more than two decades will go ahead despite the withdrawal of several opposition parties alleging campaign irregularities, the election commission said Saturday. [AP]
For Margaret and all who struggle for grace [see here]. For deliverance of all held in bondage (or perceiving themselves as in bondage) to law.
Pray for a reordering of our values:
The Preposterous Reality: 25 Hedge Fund Managers Are Worth 680,000 Teachers (Who Teach 13 Million Students) "It’s going to take a lot of political will — over a long period of time — to reorder our most basic economic values." In 2009, the worst economic year for working people since the Great Depression, the top 25 hedge fund managers walked off with an average of $1 billion each. With the money those 25 people “earned,” we could have hired 658,000 entry level teachers. (They make about $38,000 a year, including benefits.) Those educators could have brought along over 13 million young people, assuming a class size of 20. That’s some value. [Les Leopold at Alternet, h/t to Ellie]
For the Church that it may be the Church, in thanksgiving for the witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and for Mark who had insomnia this morning.
Today is the 65th anniversary of the martyrdom of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I had insomnia early in the morning, so I passed the time reading Bonhoeffer's “Widerstand und Ergebung: Briefe und Aufzeichnungen aus der Haft.” (Bonhoeffer's prison writings). My focus for meditation today has been this brief, simple, but profound quote from Summer 1944:
Die Kirche ist nur Kirche, wenn sie für andere da ist.
The Church is only Church if it is there for others. [Mark at amictus sindone]
Unsere Kirche, die in diesen Jahren nur um ihre Selbsterhaltung gekämpft hat, als wäre sie ein Selbstzweck, ist unfähig, Träger des versöhnenden und erlösenden Wortes für die Menschen und für die Welt zu sein.
Our church, which has been fighting in these years only for its self preservation, as though that were an end in itself, is incapable of taking the word of reconciliation and redemption to humankind and to the world.
For the people of A Community of the Servant Savior Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas.
We are the only More Light Presbyterian Church in this presbytery. More Light Presbyterians are a group working for the full inclusion and membership of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people. We march in the Houston Pride Parade every year. We also have a huge organic garden that donates produce to a local food pantry. For the last twenty years or so, we have provided families living with AIDS a "Christmas Basket" which contains two weeks of food for a family of four. This last December we fed seventy two families. We are a small church that feels like a big family. ... Last night about 11 pm an arsonist burned my church building down. We lost everything: two buildings, all our furniture, books, hymnals, a new piano, a wall of crosses from around the world and so many other things. Our building is gone but our church is strong. [Kevin Murphy at Daily Kos]
O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men [sic]; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; especially those for whom our prayers are desired; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. [The Book of Common Prayer]
Where in the Inferno would Dante place Massey Energy chairman and CEO Don L. Blankenship? With the indifferent or the avaricious? Those violent against their neighbor? Falsifiers? Traitors?
According to federal records, MSHA cited the Upper Big Branch mine for more than 1,300 safety violations from 2005 through Monday. Fifty citations came in the last month alone. [source]
Given the track record of safety violations in mines for which he is responsible, I suspect Dante would not be kind.
Many of those fifty citations were for poor ventilation of dust and methane, failure to maintain proper escape ways, and the accumulation of combustible materials. The Charleston Gazette reports that last year, more than ten percent of the enforcement actions taken by MSHA at the Upper Big Branch mine were for unwarrantable failure to follow safety rules, compared to about two percent at mines nationwide.
The CEO of Massey Energy, Don Blankenship, has denied any wrongdoing and said that any suspicion the mine was improperly operated was unfounded. [ibid.]
Blankenship hates unions and only 1.8 % of Massey's workers are unionized. If you have union workers they can report unsafe conditions and refuse unsafe work, which would cut into Blankenship's relentless drive to keep the bottom line where he wants it.
Maybe this was a big red flag that something terrible would one day happen?
Why should anyone comply with regulations when there is no serious consequence for non-compliance?
The agency has the power to seek federal court orders or injunctions against mines showing a pattern of violation and posing a hazard to the health and safety of miners. The agency has never used that authority, officials said. [WaPo cited in Linkins' article]
Ah, the mining companies had figured out how to stymie the regulators... and the feds did not tighten the rules. (Well, if you're a free market fundamentalist you assume regulation is bad and unregulated production and commerce work things out. This raging liberal does not have that much faith in human goodness, believe me.) The Obama Administration knew the rules were being gamed and, besides appointing more judges to adjudicate appeals, has seemingly done nothing to tighten the rules.
You all know where the lobbying money is going to come from. Yep, the coal industry. And, thanks to SCOTUS, corporations are entitled to lobby all they want.
Know any regulators who can stand against that? Of congresscritters?
I apologize for the tardiness of this one, though y'all might have thought I was April Foolin' had I posted it on the date proper. Last Thursday was the sixtieth wedding anniversary of my sister Shirley and her husband Jack. Happy Anniversary, Big Sister and Bro!
Grant, O God, in your compassion, that Jack and Shirley, having taken each other in marriage, may grow in forgiveness, loyalty, and love; and come at last to the eternal joys which you have promised through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Let us pray for coal miners everywhere and especially those killed and those waiting to be rescued in West Virginia. Let us pray for the decency and responsibility to enforce safety regulations with vigor and firmness and hold responsible those whose habitual negligence and disdain for human life make such disasters inevitable.
For those injured or endangered by mud and flooding in Rio, most especially those in the slums.
For K. that her kidney stone may successfully be broken up and she released from pain. For B. that he may be healed of infection and recover from side effects of medication. For M. that he might find comfort and healing. For D. that he may have successful treatment and be freed from anxiety.
Update: For D. and N. as D. strikes out on her own and for those who must adjust to this.
For Matt that he may continue in safety and thrive in a new environment, that he may find wisdom to guide him and compassion to surround him, that he and his family may move toward healing.
For the people of Thailand and Kyrgyzstan that civil unrest (see also here) may end in peace with justice.
For victims of abuse in any context, for their vindication and healing. We'll pray for the healing of abusers after this is taken care of.
For healing of the earth.
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, the women ran unto the tomb to see Thee, the Christ, Who hadst suffered for us. And on drawing nigh, they found an Angel sitting upon the stone, which had rolled away in fear; and he cried out unto them and said: The Lord is risen! Tell the disciples that He that saveth our souls is risen from the dead.
--Matins, Thursday of Renewal Week, Pentecostarion
Thou didst crush the brazen gates and shatter the bars, O Christ God, and Thou didst raise the fallen human race; for this cause do we cry out with one accord: Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
--Vespers of Tuesday of Renewal Week, the Pentecostarion
Because the Torah repeatedly calls us to care for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the alien. Because the prophets and the psalms and the wisdom literature all hold this out as a criterion of our faith. Because Jesus leads us in reaching out to outcasts and caring for the least in society. Because the epistles and the Apocalypse speak of it as well. In other words, the entire Bible calls us to pursue social justice.
And, because y'all know I won't resist, Glenn Beck is an ass. And a false prophet.
The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the blogger and do not represent the positions of any group or organization with which he may be affiliated. As one who spent decades stuffing down his opinions and emotions, I am inclined to cut loose here, which I believe is healthy, honest, and part of the process of sanctification in the long run. Politics and spirituality mingle freely here, along with theatre reviews, photography, and passionate talk about food, literature, and the human journey. If anything written here offends you, please find other blogs to read. I am here to share, not to do battle.
