Friday, March 16, 2012
Little House on the Prairie meets the Horsecollar
Okay, so I'm in a bitchy mood today. But Really. Mrs. C. normally doesn't go this far off kilter -- but what in hell was she thinking? As far as I know she is not a Mennonite on rumspringa, and her budget for fabric should extend a little further than JCPenny. I didn't even know JC Penny carried fabric, but apparently they do. And Moochie. Ah, well. The one time the gown is quite acceptable ... what is with that horsecollar of a blue mess around her neck? Is that a disguised millstone? Moochie, honey. Less is more. Try a nice double strand of pearls next time. And the hemlines. Oh. Dear. It's a wonder that neither of them walked up the inside of their dresses.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Sunset
I live just south of Heathrow Terminal 4 - and I have to say the sky is always interesting here. It was crappy rain all day, but right at the end of the day just at sunset for a few fleeting moments, everything turned red.
The mound off in the distance Quentin and I used to call our own little Grand Canyon, because depending on the time of day and the conditions, the color of the mound could be anything from white/gray/brown/orange, and very occasionally, like this evening, red. I don't remember seeing it this red before. If you blow the picture up, to the right of the mound between the poplar trees you can see the spire of the church we were married in, St. George's, Hanworth. I took the closeup below of it last January on our wedding day. The church dates back to about 1293, though most of what you see here is more modern. See here for a bit of history.
Being on the far west end of London, and so near the airport, I'm grateful for the green bits around. The main par of the town I live in, Feltham, is just over the mound and to the left. Feltham isn't much of a town, but I have to say it's nicely situated as somewhere to be if you want to jump on one of the M-ways. So it's about an hour and 15 minutes or so to Oxford, about an hour to Henley, a half hour to my in-laws in Fleet (lovely little town that is) and about 15 minutes to Richmond and about 40 minutes to the Brompton Oratory, which is by the V&A museum and close to Harrods. The train runs just behind the mound, though it's hard to see unless you happen to look right at it as its passing for Staines, Windsor, and other parts west, or come to think if it east for that matter. Seems I always see it westbound.
Anyway, I'll be doing a few bits of 'travelogue' to catch up on all that I didn't do from when I first came over. Haven't been gallivanting much at all this last year and some months, mainly due to looking after Q most of the time, and then wanting to save some moola. At any rate, the town is kind of 'damn all when you get here' BUT it is pretty close to anywhere I'd want to get, which is what counts! Only drawback is Our Lady of the Rosary out at Blackfen isn't very practical to get to, being on the other side of London, and because there really aren't any good freeways THROUGH the place, you have to go all the hell the way around on the M-25 -- which makes it about 60 minutes by car -- for what [here comes the bitch and moan] SHOULD BE a crummy 20 minute drive, Blackfen only being about 20 miles as the crow flies. But no........it's gotta be 120 mile round trip by car, or an hour some each way by bus->train to Waterloo where you switch Trains->then catch bus to OLR. So with wait times, and bus time tacked on closer to two hours each way.
The mound off in the distance Quentin and I used to call our own little Grand Canyon, because depending on the time of day and the conditions, the color of the mound could be anything from white/gray/brown/orange, and very occasionally, like this evening, red. I don't remember seeing it this red before. If you blow the picture up, to the right of the mound between the poplar trees you can see the spire of the church we were married in, St. George's, Hanworth. I took the closeup below of it last January on our wedding day. The church dates back to about 1293, though most of what you see here is more modern. See here for a bit of history.
Being on the far west end of London, and so near the airport, I'm grateful for the green bits around. The main par of the town I live in, Feltham, is just over the mound and to the left. Feltham isn't much of a town, but I have to say it's nicely situated as somewhere to be if you want to jump on one of the M-ways. So it's about an hour and 15 minutes or so to Oxford, about an hour to Henley, a half hour to my in-laws in Fleet (lovely little town that is) and about 15 minutes to Richmond and about 40 minutes to the Brompton Oratory, which is by the V&A museum and close to Harrods. The train runs just behind the mound, though it's hard to see unless you happen to look right at it as its passing for Staines, Windsor, and other parts west, or come to think if it east for that matter. Seems I always see it westbound.
Anyway, I'll be doing a few bits of 'travelogue' to catch up on all that I didn't do from when I first came over. Haven't been gallivanting much at all this last year and some months, mainly due to looking after Q most of the time, and then wanting to save some moola. At any rate, the town is kind of 'damn all when you get here' BUT it is pretty close to anywhere I'd want to get, which is what counts! Only drawback is Our Lady of the Rosary out at Blackfen isn't very practical to get to, being on the other side of London, and because there really aren't any good freeways THROUGH the place, you have to go all the hell the way around on the M-25 -- which makes it about 60 minutes by car -- for what [here comes the bitch and moan] SHOULD BE a crummy 20 minute drive, Blackfen only being about 20 miles as the crow flies. But no........it's gotta be 120 mile round trip by car, or an hour some each way by bus->train to Waterloo where you switch Trains->then catch bus to OLR. So with wait times, and bus time tacked on closer to two hours each way.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Wish there was some Sun in the Sky
Dreary end Feb. beginning of March weather. It's not particularly cold, but it's the gray, or grey or whatever. Mentally in better shape this morning than I've been all week. Have been fighting a nasty sore throat and flem, but it's getting better, and compared to this type of cold, I know it could have been much worse. Must have gotten it from one of those evil supermarket checkout clerks - because that's about the only people I've interacted with in the last few weeks. The first cold I've had since I came over to England.
Feeling better enough to take a stab at PHP and other LAMP elements I need to add to my repertoire. Still no visa. Which makes it so frustrating because I can't even apply for jobs I see online. I'm beginning to think I might even have to start an on-line business and base it in the USA. Any stream of income would help, multiples would be great, but right now I'm working on the first one. I wish I personally KNEW someone who managed to make a living doing stuff entirely on-line. No get rich quick stuff. Just a steady modest income would do.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Exactly 2 years ago yesterday...
...my Quentin assisted at Mass at Blackfriars in Oxford. He was MC on the Far Right. Fr. Lawrence Lew was the subdeacon. We'd not yet 'net met' but scarcely more than two months later we were secretly engaged. The occasion below was the annual Requiem Mass for Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. You can read what my husband had posted about it here.
The Duke died Feb. 23, 1447. As Q put it:
These may not be a ideal pictures of Q - most people have hundreds of photos of their loved ones. By comparison I have relatively few. So every one is precious.
Not long after this event, he also wrote an item called, 'Dying in Dignity'. regards his 1st wife's death of cancer. A rather poignant bit is what he said about the pain and suffering - which he himself was to suffer less than two years later.
Quentin wrote:
The Duke died Feb. 23, 1447. As Q put it:
"Now why, you may ask, should one have a Requiem for someone who has been dead for well over 550 years?
Well, largely because however long or short a time someone has been dead, until we know they’re in Heaven, we must assume that they are still in Purgatory, and need our prayers – and the only people of whom we know they’re in Heaven are the Saints, of whose presence in Heaven God has given us proof."I hope everyone keeps that in mind and prays for Quentin when they think of him.
These may not be a ideal pictures of Q - most people have hundreds of photos of their loved ones. By comparison I have relatively few. So every one is precious.
Not long after this event, he also wrote an item called, 'Dying in Dignity'. regards his 1st wife's death of cancer. A rather poignant bit is what he said about the pain and suffering - which he himself was to suffer less than two years later.
Quentin wrote:
"My wife would have scorned to ask for an ‘easy way out’; and she would certainly never have thought of it as ‘dignified’ to seek an early death, despite the weeks of mental anguish, not to mention the physical pain involved. Indeed, when someone asked if she was afraid of dying she said ‘Of course; but it’s like Easter,isn't it – you can’t have Easter Day without Good Friday, and I can’t have the Resurrection without the Passion.’Alright, in the event (and when she was barely conscious) she was given pain relief at the end; but ultimately she died in the knowledge – and the confidence – that (to quote the hymn)
‘Long years ago, when earth lay dark and still;
Rose a loud cry, upon a lonely hill;
When, in the frailty of our human clay
Christ, our redeemer, passed the self-same way.’
She accepted that to die was only to go where Jesus had gone before her; and that there was nothing about it to be afraid of, except the fear itself : and the legacy she left behind of patient trust in God touched many people. Would they have been as impressed if she’d said ‘Oh well, if I have to die, I might as well do it now – give me the injection’? I very much doubt it."Quentin was very brave, accepted his cancer, and not once did he voice 'why me?' Quentin was conscious to the last and was blessed to have last rites within 15 minutes before he died, as well as having myself in attendance and his parents had just made it to our home immediately after the priest had left. I believe it safe to say he had the grace of a happy death, though he must have suffered much. Please keep him in your prayers.
"Safe" Statutory Rape Paid for with Federal Tax Dollars
How 'nice.' In California, the age of legal consent for sex is 18, and some other states also have that age. In the vast majority of states, the legal age is 16. Only a handful of states put the age at 14-15, in every state 12-13 would constitute statutory rape.
See full story here.
From the article:
"Teenagers in several counties can get condoms in the mail for free under a program launched this week and supported by state public health officials. The Condom Access Project allows youth between the ages of 12 and 19 to order a package of 10 condoms, lube and health brochures online at TeenSource.org, a website run by the nonprofit California Family Health Council. The package will be mailed to them in a nondescript yellow envelope."
and further down:
"The condom program is supported by the California Department of Public Health's STD Control Branch and will be paid for with federal funds. [In addition to Kern country] It is also available in Alameda, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties and parts of San Francisco. Teens will be limited to one package of condoms per month.
"It'd be best if teens didn't have sex, but if they're going to do it anyway, they need to protect themselves," said Denis Smith, director of disease control for the Kern County Department of Public Health, which is not involved with the project. "As a public health department, we have an obligation to provide education and tools."I suppose, by that logic, now we can expect 12-13 year olds to be able to discretely get free hypodermic needles because if kids are going to shoot up, we want them to be 'safe' -- and of course Uncle Sucker should continue to pick up the tab.
See here for state by state reference for age of consent.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Regarding Obama Regime Circumventing First Amendment Rights
Virginia hack, Rep. Gerald Connelly (D-Va) has asserted that outrage over the administration's planned enforcement of violating 1st amendment rights is a coordinated attack by Republicans to stack the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee with a panel unfavorable to the administrations attempts to ramrod their deathCare down everyone's throat. I guess it never occurred to Connelly, that religious leaders of all faiths, see an attack on one faith's religious beliefs as an attack on all. Connelly whines that the panel isn't more 'balanced.'
Sure, Connelly, all these people had time for massive coordination. Here are just a few recent stories.
Catholic priest, pro-life activists arrested outside White House protesting Obama mandate
Obama Contradicted: HHS Banned Consideration of ‘Cost Effectiveness’ in Developing Contraception
Contraception ruling: Democrats accuse clergy of complicity with GOP at hearing
White House Criticizes Bishops, Trumpets Support from CHA, Catholic Charities
What Did CHA's Carol Keehan Know and When Did She Know It?
Pope Shares Remarks on American Culture with Bishops; Issues Call to Laity By: Msgr. Charles Pope
USCCB President says Obama offered next to nothing; expresses disappointment with Sr. Keehan
Evangelical Leaders Call for Civil Disobedience Against U.S. Government
Liberal Jews Speak Against HHS Mandate
Top nun who supported Obama mandate thanks pro-choice group in private e-mail
Catholic Health Association collaboration with Obama admin on mandate a ‘scandal’: Catholic leader
Obama's revised HHS mandate won't solve problems, USCCB president says
Fr. Frank Pavone: No compromise - the mandate has to go, period
Time To Admit It: The Church Has Always Been Right On Birth Control
Culture with Local Bishops and Issues a Call to the Laity [Ecumenical]
Bishops Reject Obama's 'Accommodation' - President's political hemorrhaging to continue.
HHS Mandate - Nothing Has Changed (Donald Cardinal Weurl)
Obama Chief of Staff: New Pro-Abortion Mandate Here to Stay
WH: We Are Done Negotiating With Catholics
Did the Leaders of the Catholic Church Make a Deal with the Redistributionist Devil?
Archbishop Chaput: HHS mandate insulting and dangerous
Cardinal-Designate Dolan no longer trusts Obama
American Catholicism’s Pact With the Devil
Notre Dame Faculty to Obama: ‘This Is a Grave Violation of Religious Freedom and Cannot Stand’
White House: No More Compromise on Contraception
Obama's anti-religious implosion
Lew: Obama's latest stance on birth-control mandate final, puts issue to rest
Pat Buchanan: 'Obama is trampling on God's turf' (Video)
W.H. official: Contraceptive rule stands
Obama chief of staff: No more compromise, contraceptive rule is done deal
Bishops Reject White House’s New Plan on Contraception (Obama continues his "War On Religion")
Faith/Pro-Life Leaders to Challenge Mandate by Praying and Risking Arrest in Front of the WH
Catholic Bishops: Don't Revise, Rescind
Obama's contempt for the Constitution
How the Catholic Church Became Cool Overnight
Chuck Colson Reacts to Obama’s “Compromise” on Required Abortion Care for Church Employees
US Bishops: Obama's 'Compromise' Has No Clear Protection...(Needless Government Intrusion)
Protests Continue Over Insurance for Contraception, Abortifacients (Feds Under Increasing Pressure
Bishops to Obama: No dice
Paul VI: “danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities ...”
Michael Moore Goes On Anti-Catholic Twitter Rant, Distorts Contraception Debate
Religious controversy burns Obama again (the rookie Hussein is in WAY over his pay grade)
Another Catholic college vows it will ‘not violate conscience’ on Obama mandate
Lutherans join chorus of voices slamming HHS contraceptive mandate
The Obama HHS 'Compromise' Switches the Tiger for the Lion (Not all Catholics buying Obama's bull)
Hannity on now with Priests, Pastors and Rabbis. Please watch
EDITORIAL: Obama’s free abortion pills
U.S. bishops ‘express concerns’ about Obama mandate ‘accommodation’
What Compromise? This Policy Leaves Religious Liberty in Peril and Planned Parenthood Smiling (Albert Mohler Opinion)
Bishops Renew Call To Legislative Action On Religious Liberty
Southern Baptist leader: Obama gave Christians ‘the dismissive back’ of his hand
Obama's Act of Tyranny
Bishops Were Prepared for Battle Over Birth Control Coverage
'Accounting gimmick' -- Obama compromise still threatens religious liberty, leaders say
Bishops ‘concerned’ over reworded mandate; other Catholic leaders slam as ‘insult to injury’
Obama Bows to Pressure, but His Religious 'Accommodation' Even Worse
Don't Be Deceived! Evil Obama Policy Now Even MORE Evil!
Obama’s Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test ("It doesn't change a thing")
Compromise or Accommodation, it’s still unacceptable. (updated from Catholic Vote)
Pres. Obama’s “Plan B” compromise, Sr. Keehan, and the Magisterium of Nuns
Land Says Obama Mandate Most Anti-Catholic Government Action in 150 Years
Motive, Means and Opportunity: Obama’s Assault on Catholics
(Exempt Catholics) Joe Biden, Bill Daley warned of contraceptive backlash
(Tim) Thomas makes second political statement (Stands With Catholics)
Southern Baptist leader: If Obama mandate isn’t changed, Christians will go to jail
Over 150 congressional leaders demand repeal of HHS mandate
Boehner vows to overturn Obama’s birth control coverage rule
Boehner: Congress to overturn birth control policy if Obama does not reverse course
O'Brien says Archdiocese of Baltimore won't offer birth control coverage
Archbishop of San Francisco says Obama ruling strikes at religious freedom
How Obama Lost the Catholic Vote
‘I am going to stick with fellow Catholics’ in Pres. Obama’s war on Catholics. Wherein Fr. Z rants.
Unholy War
Six Things Everyone Should Know about the HHS Mandate
Santorum: Obama Hostile to Christians
Understanding Oppostion to the HHS Mandate (Part 1): Why the Church Won’t Pay for Contraception
The Bishops Chickens Coming Home to Roost.
65 Orthodox Church bishops call on Obama to ‘rescind’ the ‘unjust’ contraception mandate
Doug Kmiec Writes Obama: 'Friendship Will Not Permit Me to Disregard Duty to Faith and Country'
Catholic Outcry Over Obama Administration's Birth Control Decision Could Factor In Presidential Race
Standing with the Bishops [Catholic Caucus]
Updated: *167* Bishops (More Than 90% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
Outrage!… Military Tells Chaplains What They Can and Can’t Say About HHS/ObamaAssault on Religion
Updated: *153* Bishops (Over 80% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
An Affront Catholics Agree On [Liberal and Conservative Catholics Against Obama Mandate]
Army Silenced Chaplains Last Sunday
Catholic Military Archdiocese & Chaplains interfered with last Sunday by Pres. Obama’s Admin
The Anti-Catholic President v. the Catholic Bishops
Sen. Rubio introduces bill to reverse Obama birth control mandate
Churches balk at birth control rule - Catholics won’t comply, Bishop Kevin Rhoades says
Protestants and Jews declare to White House: We stand with Catholics
Checking the Air Outside [Bp. Zubik's follow up to Obama's “To Hell with You”]
Mohler [Southern Baptist] Says Insurance Mandate Not Just 'Catholic' Issue
An Open Letter to President Barack Obama Concerning Recent Tyranny (With Pictures!)
Lincoln bishop: prepare for 'suffering' under HHS mandate
Bishop David Zubik confronts Obama
Obama’s ‘war on the church’
Pope hits out at 'radical secularism'
‘We Will Not Comply’: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
We Will Not Comply: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
Bruskewitz: Fight Insurance Ruling [Sebelius a "bitter, fallen away Catholic"]
Letter from Archbishop John G. Vlazny on the matter of freedom of conscience and decisions by HHS
Bishop Olmsted's Letter to Catholics [Catholic Caucus]
Liberty for the Amish & Quakers but not Catholics. . .
Phoenix bishop (Olmstead): defy feds on birth control
A letter from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr concerning HHS edict
Speak honestly: abortion is ‘the killing of tiny human beings in the womb’ – Denver bishop
Bishop [Daniel Jenky] Blasts Secularist Intolerance, Calls For ‘Assertive Action’ to Defend Church
(Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik comments:) HHS delays rule on contraceptive coverage
Dolan: Natural law, not religious preference, dictates all life sacred
Religious leaders blast HHS over contraception mandate
Mandated Contraception, Sterilization: Caesar Demands Church Violate Conscience
OBAMA’S CONTEMPT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (mandates coverage of sterilization, contraception)
Implications of Obama Admin move to force Cath hospitals to provide contraception and sterilizations
Catholic doctors’ group launches petition against contraception mandate
Contraception mandate tramples religious freedom, US bishops say
Sure, Connelly, all these people had time for massive coordination. Here are just a few recent stories.
Catholic priest, pro-life activists arrested outside White House protesting Obama mandate
Obama Contradicted: HHS Banned Consideration of ‘Cost Effectiveness’ in Developing Contraception
Contraception ruling: Democrats accuse clergy of complicity with GOP at hearing
White House Criticizes Bishops, Trumpets Support from CHA, Catholic Charities
What Did CHA's Carol Keehan Know and When Did She Know It?
Pope Shares Remarks on American Culture with Bishops; Issues Call to Laity By: Msgr. Charles Pope
USCCB President says Obama offered next to nothing; expresses disappointment with Sr. Keehan
Evangelical Leaders Call for Civil Disobedience Against U.S. Government
Liberal Jews Speak Against HHS Mandate
Top nun who supported Obama mandate thanks pro-choice group in private e-mail
Catholic Health Association collaboration with Obama admin on mandate a ‘scandal’: Catholic leader
Obama's revised HHS mandate won't solve problems, USCCB president says
Fr. Frank Pavone: No compromise - the mandate has to go, period
Time To Admit It: The Church Has Always Been Right On Birth Control
Culture with Local Bishops and Issues a Call to the Laity [Ecumenical]
Bishops Reject Obama's 'Accommodation' - President's political hemorrhaging to continue.
HHS Mandate - Nothing Has Changed (Donald Cardinal Weurl)
Obama Chief of Staff: New Pro-Abortion Mandate Here to Stay
WH: We Are Done Negotiating With Catholics
Did the Leaders of the Catholic Church Make a Deal with the Redistributionist Devil?
Archbishop Chaput: HHS mandate insulting and dangerous
Cardinal-Designate Dolan no longer trusts Obama
American Catholicism’s Pact With the Devil
Notre Dame Faculty to Obama: ‘This Is a Grave Violation of Religious Freedom and Cannot Stand’
White House: No More Compromise on Contraception
Obama's anti-religious implosion
Lew: Obama's latest stance on birth-control mandate final, puts issue to rest
Pat Buchanan: 'Obama is trampling on God's turf' (Video)
W.H. official: Contraceptive rule stands
Obama chief of staff: No more compromise, contraceptive rule is done deal
Bishops Reject White House’s New Plan on Contraception (Obama continues his "War On Religion")
Faith/Pro-Life Leaders to Challenge Mandate by Praying and Risking Arrest in Front of the WH
Catholic Bishops: Don't Revise, Rescind
Obama's contempt for the Constitution
How the Catholic Church Became Cool Overnight
Chuck Colson Reacts to Obama’s “Compromise” on Required Abortion Care for Church Employees
US Bishops: Obama's 'Compromise' Has No Clear Protection...(Needless Government Intrusion)
Protests Continue Over Insurance for Contraception, Abortifacients (Feds Under Increasing Pressure
Bishops to Obama: No dice
Paul VI: “danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities ...”
Michael Moore Goes On Anti-Catholic Twitter Rant, Distorts Contraception Debate
Religious controversy burns Obama again (the rookie Hussein is in WAY over his pay grade)
Another Catholic college vows it will ‘not violate conscience’ on Obama mandate
Lutherans join chorus of voices slamming HHS contraceptive mandate
The Obama HHS 'Compromise' Switches the Tiger for the Lion (Not all Catholics buying Obama's bull)
Hannity on now with Priests, Pastors and Rabbis. Please watch
EDITORIAL: Obama’s free abortion pills
U.S. bishops ‘express concerns’ about Obama mandate ‘accommodation’
What Compromise? This Policy Leaves Religious Liberty in Peril and Planned Parenthood Smiling (Albert Mohler Opinion)
Bishops Renew Call To Legislative Action On Religious Liberty
Southern Baptist leader: Obama gave Christians ‘the dismissive back’ of his hand
Obama's Act of Tyranny
Bishops Were Prepared for Battle Over Birth Control Coverage
'Accounting gimmick' -- Obama compromise still threatens religious liberty, leaders say
Bishops ‘concerned’ over reworded mandate; other Catholic leaders slam as ‘insult to injury’
Obama Bows to Pressure, but His Religious 'Accommodation' Even Worse
Don't Be Deceived! Evil Obama Policy Now Even MORE Evil!
Obama’s Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test ("It doesn't change a thing")
Compromise or Accommodation, it’s still unacceptable. (updated from Catholic Vote)
Pres. Obama’s “Plan B” compromise, Sr. Keehan, and the Magisterium of Nuns
Land Says Obama Mandate Most Anti-Catholic Government Action in 150 Years
Motive, Means and Opportunity: Obama’s Assault on Catholics
(Exempt Catholics) Joe Biden, Bill Daley warned of contraceptive backlash
(Tim) Thomas makes second political statement (Stands With Catholics)
Southern Baptist leader: If Obama mandate isn’t changed, Christians will go to jail
Over 150 congressional leaders demand repeal of HHS mandate
Boehner vows to overturn Obama’s birth control coverage rule
Boehner: Congress to overturn birth control policy if Obama does not reverse course
O'Brien says Archdiocese of Baltimore won't offer birth control coverage
Archbishop of San Francisco says Obama ruling strikes at religious freedom
How Obama Lost the Catholic Vote
‘I am going to stick with fellow Catholics’ in Pres. Obama’s war on Catholics. Wherein Fr. Z rants.
Unholy War
Six Things Everyone Should Know about the HHS Mandate
Santorum: Obama Hostile to Christians
Understanding Oppostion to the HHS Mandate (Part 1): Why the Church Won’t Pay for Contraception
The Bishops Chickens Coming Home to Roost.
65 Orthodox Church bishops call on Obama to ‘rescind’ the ‘unjust’ contraception mandate
Doug Kmiec Writes Obama: 'Friendship Will Not Permit Me to Disregard Duty to Faith and Country'
Catholic Outcry Over Obama Administration's Birth Control Decision Could Factor In Presidential Race
Standing with the Bishops [Catholic Caucus]
Updated: *167* Bishops (More Than 90% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
Outrage!… Military Tells Chaplains What They Can and Can’t Say About HHS/ObamaAssault on Religion
Updated: *153* Bishops (Over 80% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
An Affront Catholics Agree On [Liberal and Conservative Catholics Against Obama Mandate]
Army Silenced Chaplains Last Sunday
Catholic Military Archdiocese & Chaplains interfered with last Sunday by Pres. Obama’s Admin
The Anti-Catholic President v. the Catholic Bishops
Sen. Rubio introduces bill to reverse Obama birth control mandate
Churches balk at birth control rule - Catholics won’t comply, Bishop Kevin Rhoades says
Protestants and Jews declare to White House: We stand with Catholics
Checking the Air Outside [Bp. Zubik's follow up to Obama's “To Hell with You”]
Mohler [Southern Baptist] Says Insurance Mandate Not Just 'Catholic' Issue
An Open Letter to President Barack Obama Concerning Recent Tyranny (With Pictures!)
Lincoln bishop: prepare for 'suffering' under HHS mandate
Bishop David Zubik confronts Obama
Obama’s ‘war on the church’
Pope hits out at 'radical secularism'
‘We Will Not Comply’: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
We Will Not Comply: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
Bruskewitz: Fight Insurance Ruling [Sebelius a "bitter, fallen away Catholic"]
Letter from Archbishop John G. Vlazny on the matter of freedom of conscience and decisions by HHS
Bishop Olmsted's Letter to Catholics [Catholic Caucus]
Liberty for the Amish & Quakers but not Catholics. . .
Phoenix bishop (Olmstead): defy feds on birth control
A letter from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr concerning HHS edict
Speak honestly: abortion is ‘the killing of tiny human beings in the womb’ – Denver bishop
Bishop [Daniel Jenky] Blasts Secularist Intolerance, Calls For ‘Assertive Action’ to Defend Church
(Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik comments:) HHS delays rule on contraceptive coverage
Dolan: Natural law, not religious preference, dictates all life sacred
Religious leaders blast HHS over contraception mandate
Mandated Contraception, Sterilization: Caesar Demands Church Violate Conscience
OBAMA’S CONTEMPT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (mandates coverage of sterilization, contraception)
Implications of Obama Admin move to force Cath hospitals to provide contraception and sterilizations
Catholic doctors’ group launches petition against contraception mandate
Contraception mandate tramples religious freedom, US bishops say
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Britain Frees Abu Terrorist
Theresa May is so pleased.....
Meanwhile, she is still holding my f'ing visa hostage. The one regarding which the judge said 'URGENT' back in early October. Because he knew my life would be AND IS ****ing hell without it. So MUCH fun not to be able to even apply for a job, much less get one, or get a bank account so I can put funds in, or get car insurance, because I don't have a UK license in my name...just little annoying crap like that. The panic attacks are fun too.
Meanwhile, she is still holding my f'ing visa hostage. The one regarding which the judge said 'URGENT' back in early October. Because he knew my life would be AND IS ****ing hell without it. So MUCH fun not to be able to even apply for a job, much less get one, or get a bank account so I can put funds in, or get car insurance, because I don't have a UK license in my name...just little annoying crap like that. The panic attacks are fun too.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Have you Found Jesus?
Took me a while too, and sometimes I still feel like I lost Him. But then He finds me.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Happy 1st Anniversary, darling Q ...
...or it would have been.
Went to Mass this morning, but I just couldn't stop the tears. Fr. Chris was so kind afterwards. Lit a candle for you, and pray others keep you in their prayers too. Had a lovely lunch Sunday with your parents and Nelam and her boyfriend, Ben. I see so much of you in your parents and them in you.
I pray someday we will be together again.
Went to Mass this morning, but I just couldn't stop the tears. Fr. Chris was so kind afterwards. Lit a candle for you, and pray others keep you in their prayers too. Had a lovely lunch Sunday with your parents and Nelam and her boyfriend, Ben. I see so much of you in your parents and them in you.
I pray someday we will be together again.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas, Darling
A very quiet Christmas for me. More so than usual. I've been coping with re-cooperating from a severe tussle with anemia. Thanks to some friends here, they helped pinpoint WHAT it was, and have been on proper iron tablets for the last almost two weeks. Right after Q's funeral on Nov 2, I knew I'd be physically and emotionally drained for two weeks. And I was. Then when I was mentally ready to start to get up and going on with life in general, I was knocked for a loop. I couldn't stand for more than a minute or two without literally feeling dizzy, faint, heart pounding. What the heck was wrong? Eventually, friends figured it out specifically. I'm on the mend now, but I've scarcely been out of the apartment for the last 7 or so weeks. Had friends do shopping twice, and two days ago went to store for a quick 15 minute shop and just about managed, though very tired when I got back.
So....how's Christmas been? Not quite up to going to Mass yet -- certainly not on a Sunday. Other than Q's funeral, last time I was up to going to mass was the Sunday immediately following his death, and I spent half of that Mass in tears. This morning -- still not up to an hour Mass. But perhaps tomorrow. Fr. Christopher, the Catholic Parish Priest in Feltham has been kind to come to see me with Communion these last few weeks. Still on going issues with 'the visa thing.' At least I'm not paranoid -- the Home Office IS specifically giving Americans a hard time -- this I found out from Q's former business partner, (also an immigration lawyer) who read an account from the Press Association Wire services that the Home office IS 'retaliating' against American by deliberate foot dragging. This after a judge ruled immediately when my case was heard before him in my favor (all he can do is send on to the home office.) Well the government DIDN'T appeal his decision in my favor...but that was nearly 3 months ago. Apparently 'give the woman her damn visa and stop being assholes about it' means to the Home Office 'we can take our sweet time at the home office to give her maximum discomfort in securing employment, getting widow's benefits, getting a driver's license, even opening a bank account. -- Never MIND the woman saved the UK government thousands of pounds, because without her Q would have been stuck in a hospice to die somewhere uncared for and we'd have had to send someone around to clean him, and feed and water him, if we could be bothered. Nah, let's continue to treat HER like dirt.' The AGONY all this gave Q. It was the one time he broke into tears, the hassles the government was giving us.
At any rate: no presents to send -- Lloyd's caught up with Q's death and FROZE the account, so I can't get squat out of it -- and I'm not well enough just yet to march down there without keeling over. But I anticipated this as 'what can go wrong, will' -- so I have a few other people holding a sum of money out for me (rather than put it in the bank) so at least bills can be paid -- although in a pain in the ass round about way. Worst, was they froze it just before I was going to do some on line shopping for Q's parents Christmas presents. So, unfortunately that has to wait until next few weeks. As for 'Christmas stuff around the house' -- I did manage to go through 3 packs of double stuffed Oreos, and there's a nice little Christmas basket I picked up at the store -- filled with pine tree greenery and decorated cones and red bows and things. Cheerful. And I managed to score some good ethnic food -- had an entire pack of 12 perogies last night (sauerkraut and mushrooms) and will have the same in a bit -- well, half a pack anyway. I'll have the rest with some halupkis tomorrow.
In a while, I'll call a few relatives. Q's parents first, then a few back home, and I'll save Fr. Shipley for last today. It's only about 9 in the AM there in San Diego now. I'd really wanted to send him some Steele's Fudge which he so loves, but maybe for the New Year. This evening I'll watch a few cherished movies: Meet Me in St. Louis (I always cry myself silly at Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and snowman scene -- THAT's 'tradition' for me, and it's the only movie that makes me cry) - also Holiday Inn, and A Christmas Story.. Q and I watched those together last year.
Well, what's there to be thankful for this Christmas for me? I'm celebrating Christ coming into the world to save us. It's because of Him coming and His eventual sacrifice on earth that my Qbunny and I can hopefully live in God's presence and love forever. And I guess when you come down to it, that's all the presents you really need. The picture above is my Qbunny at Henley not too many years ago, when he was still the picture of health. There's another picture to post, taken this year at Henley, with the two of us, which I have to crop and dink with as I don't have a good photo editor software on this machine yet - so that will have to wait.
Please pray that my Qbunny is now in heaven, and did 99 percent of his purgatory on earth. I pray I may someday be worthy to join him. I hope he's having eternal 'jolly boating weather.'
So....how's Christmas been? Not quite up to going to Mass yet -- certainly not on a Sunday. Other than Q's funeral, last time I was up to going to mass was the Sunday immediately following his death, and I spent half of that Mass in tears. This morning -- still not up to an hour Mass. But perhaps tomorrow. Fr. Christopher, the Catholic Parish Priest in Feltham has been kind to come to see me with Communion these last few weeks. Still on going issues with 'the visa thing.' At least I'm not paranoid -- the Home Office IS specifically giving Americans a hard time -- this I found out from Q's former business partner, (also an immigration lawyer) who read an account from the Press Association Wire services that the Home office IS 'retaliating' against American by deliberate foot dragging. This after a judge ruled immediately when my case was heard before him in my favor (all he can do is send on to the home office.) Well the government DIDN'T appeal his decision in my favor...but that was nearly 3 months ago. Apparently 'give the woman her damn visa and stop being assholes about it' means to the Home Office 'we can take our sweet time at the home office to give her maximum discomfort in securing employment, getting widow's benefits, getting a driver's license, even opening a bank account. -- Never MIND the woman saved the UK government thousands of pounds, because without her Q would have been stuck in a hospice to die somewhere uncared for and we'd have had to send someone around to clean him, and feed and water him, if we could be bothered. Nah, let's continue to treat HER like dirt.' The AGONY all this gave Q. It was the one time he broke into tears, the hassles the government was giving us.
At any rate: no presents to send -- Lloyd's caught up with Q's death and FROZE the account, so I can't get squat out of it -- and I'm not well enough just yet to march down there without keeling over. But I anticipated this as 'what can go wrong, will' -- so I have a few other people holding a sum of money out for me (rather than put it in the bank) so at least bills can be paid -- although in a pain in the ass round about way. Worst, was they froze it just before I was going to do some on line shopping for Q's parents Christmas presents. So, unfortunately that has to wait until next few weeks. As for 'Christmas stuff around the house' -- I did manage to go through 3 packs of double stuffed Oreos, and there's a nice little Christmas basket I picked up at the store -- filled with pine tree greenery and decorated cones and red bows and things. Cheerful. And I managed to score some good ethnic food -- had an entire pack of 12 perogies last night (sauerkraut and mushrooms) and will have the same in a bit -- well, half a pack anyway. I'll have the rest with some halupkis tomorrow.
In a while, I'll call a few relatives. Q's parents first, then a few back home, and I'll save Fr. Shipley for last today. It's only about 9 in the AM there in San Diego now. I'd really wanted to send him some Steele's Fudge which he so loves, but maybe for the New Year. This evening I'll watch a few cherished movies: Meet Me in St. Louis (I always cry myself silly at Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and snowman scene -- THAT's 'tradition' for me, and it's the only movie that makes me cry) - also Holiday Inn, and A Christmas Story.. Q and I watched those together last year.
Well, what's there to be thankful for this Christmas for me? I'm celebrating Christ coming into the world to save us. It's because of Him coming and His eventual sacrifice on earth that my Qbunny and I can hopefully live in God's presence and love forever. And I guess when you come down to it, that's all the presents you really need. The picture above is my Qbunny at Henley not too many years ago, when he was still the picture of health. There's another picture to post, taken this year at Henley, with the two of us, which I have to crop and dink with as I don't have a good photo editor software on this machine yet - so that will have to wait.
Please pray that my Qbunny is now in heaven, and did 99 percent of his purgatory on earth. I pray I may someday be worthy to join him. I hope he's having eternal 'jolly boating weather.'
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
It's been a long time since I posted. It's been a rough year for me, some of you already know this, some don't: I've been in England for a year and a month now. A fellow blogger, 'Dominic Mary' of Libera-Me-Domine blog and I had fallen in love, and had become engaged. We didn't tell many people, because though we were engaged, we'd not met in real life, and we didn't want to look foolish if it turned out we were not right for each other -- but we'd talked for hours via Skype every day. Last October, I came over for a 12 week visit. Basically, we confirmed we were, in fact, 'right' for each other. I was due to come back to San Diego, where we'd hoped to be married this last year in summer. Well, we DID get married, on Jan 31st, but not the way we'd planned it.
A few days before I was due to leave for home, Quentin was diagnosed with a stage 4 terminal brain cancer. He'd had an 'episode' of seizure like symptoms over the summer, but allegedly, 'they saw nothing.' [We'd NEVER gotten to see those scans, after repeated requests. But believe me, I am going to pursue this under the law and they will have to cough them up, and if there IS something there, I will sue them for every last bedpan, because his treatment was delayed by 6 months when nothing was done, and it might still have been operable.] The tumor was so large, it was inoperable. Multiforme glioblastoma. How long did Q have? Weeks, months? 50% die within the year with what he had, only 2-3% make it for 2-3 years, if they are very lucky. If I left the country then, odds were I wouldn't get back in. There was no way I was leaving him with no one to care for him. Q had no siblings, no children, and octogenarian parents. Q had an annulment in progress, but we had to take advantage of a special quirk in English law and get married in the C of E, via special license, and later try and go for a ratiocination in the Catholic church. To say this made my visa status here complicated is an overwhelming understatement. It's STILL being sorted out, with the home office finally ruling in our favor, finally figuring out: 'no one decides to get a stage 4 cancer to try and get around the immigration rules...they deserve this on human rights.' Literally the last day for the home office to appeal the ruling in our favor was the day Q died, Oct 21st. I should get my stamp 'shortly' though the judge had marked it 'urgent.'
There doesn't seem like there's much for me to celebrate this year. But there is. I had Q for exactly a year and a day. Never once did Q complain of having the cancer. He'd get frustrated because he had a harder and harder time communicating. Nominative aphasia, they called it. I think I got to be with a saint in the making, and I thank God for that gift.
So if you have a loved ones, and family around you this year, give them a special hug, and realize when you least expect it something may happen to them. Hug them like you were getting to hug them for the last time, because for all anyone knows, it may well be your last Thanksgiving together, and be thankful they are with you and have graced your life.
A few days before I was due to leave for home, Quentin was diagnosed with a stage 4 terminal brain cancer. He'd had an 'episode' of seizure like symptoms over the summer, but allegedly, 'they saw nothing.' [We'd NEVER gotten to see those scans, after repeated requests. But believe me, I am going to pursue this under the law and they will have to cough them up, and if there IS something there, I will sue them for every last bedpan, because his treatment was delayed by 6 months when nothing was done, and it might still have been operable.] The tumor was so large, it was inoperable. Multiforme glioblastoma. How long did Q have? Weeks, months? 50% die within the year with what he had, only 2-3% make it for 2-3 years, if they are very lucky. If I left the country then, odds were I wouldn't get back in. There was no way I was leaving him with no one to care for him. Q had no siblings, no children, and octogenarian parents. Q had an annulment in progress, but we had to take advantage of a special quirk in English law and get married in the C of E, via special license, and later try and go for a ratiocination in the Catholic church. To say this made my visa status here complicated is an overwhelming understatement. It's STILL being sorted out, with the home office finally ruling in our favor, finally figuring out: 'no one decides to get a stage 4 cancer to try and get around the immigration rules...they deserve this on human rights.' Literally the last day for the home office to appeal the ruling in our favor was the day Q died, Oct 21st. I should get my stamp 'shortly' though the judge had marked it 'urgent.'
There doesn't seem like there's much for me to celebrate this year. But there is. I had Q for exactly a year and a day. Never once did Q complain of having the cancer. He'd get frustrated because he had a harder and harder time communicating. Nominative aphasia, they called it. I think I got to be with a saint in the making, and I thank God for that gift.
So if you have a loved ones, and family around you this year, give them a special hug, and realize when you least expect it something may happen to them. Hug them like you were getting to hug them for the last time, because for all anyone knows, it may well be your last Thanksgiving together, and be thankful they are with you and have graced your life.
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