Ireland to decide entire fate of EU?

Yup, it's true.  European commissioners got sucker-punched with their so-called "constitution" and have learned the hard way to push it through legislation rather than votes.

Unfortunately, one nation has a legal obligation to vote on the Lisbon Treaty.... Ireland.

When will they ever learn?  I just can't stop laughing...

My act of stupidity for the year...

Lawnmowers are dangerous... I have this speech to a 'T' which I deliver to my children.  If only I took my own advice!

Last evening I was mowing as dusk was settling in.  Since we had rain recently, the grass was super thick.  My lawnmower was churning on something so I turned it off and reached under to grab a clump of grass.

Oy vey!  Cuss cuss cuss cuss....  My fingers are on fire!

Fortunately, no missing phalanges, no cuts, no broken bones - but my lord it hurts.  Right index and middle finger were struck by the (still turning, although comparatively slowly) blade.

Dumb dumb dumb....

Noonan Nails It

I haven't enjoyed Peggy Noonan's work in a couple of years. Every once in a while, she publishes a zinger.

"Sex and the Sissy" definitely qualifies!

It is prissy. Mrs. Clinton's supporters are now complaining about the Hillary nutcrackers sold at every airport shop. Boo hoo. If Golda Meir, a woman of not only proclaimed but actual toughness, heard about Golda nutcrackers, she would have bought them by the case and given them away as party favors.

Noonan invoked one of my heroes.

I vividly recall watching a Golda Meir biopic on tv as a child. Living on a kibbutz has been attractive to me ever since :)

As for Hillary, God bless 'er. She's a mess!

Egg Chicken Chicken Egg

Ran across this while doing a little pre-doctor-visit research.

Lots of folks, my Mom and Nana included, would say, "You didn't know that?"

What we know intellectually and how we become accustomed to living can be so far apart at time as to cause despair.

I've had trouble sleeping at night since I was little.

After a traumatic event as a teenager, I could not sleep.

Add to this my beloved career in passenger service, when I was scheduled for late-night shifts.

Even after I left that career, I had become so accustomed to not being able to sleep til 2 or 3 am that it seemed "normal."

I met a lot of "normal" people along the way, too.

Didn't help (or hurt) that I married a man who's company name was "Nocturnal Networks." LOL

Long story short, I am trying very hard to live with enough sleep.

It feels weird, even selfish, because I had become accustomed to doing housework after the kids fell asleep.

In light of this "well, no kidding!" article, I have hope this might be a piece of the restorative puzzle.

G'nite!

The Wood Song

"The Wood Song"

The thin horizon of a plan is almost clear
my friends and I have had a hard time
bruising our brains
hard up against change
all the old dogs and the magician

now I see we're in the boat in two by twos
only the heart that we have
for a tool we could use
and the very close quarters
are hard to get used to
love weighs the hull down with its weight

but the wood is tired
and the wood is old
and we'll make it fine
if the weather holds

but if the weather holds
we'll have missed the point
that's were i need to go

no way construction of this tricky plan
was built by other than a greater hand
with a love that passes
all our understanding
watching closely over the journey
yeah

but what it takes to cross the great divide
seems more than all the courage i can muster up inside
but we get to have some answers
when we reach the other side
the prize is always worth the rocky ride

but the wood is tired
and the wood is old
and we'll make it fine
if the weather holds

but if the weather holds
then we'll have missed the point
that's where i need to go

sometimes i ask to sneak a closer look
skip to the final chapter of the book
and maybe steer us clear
from some of the pain that it took
to get us where we are this far

but the question drowns in its futility
and even i have got to laugh at me
cause no one gets to miss
the storm of what will be
just holding on for the ride

the wood is tired
the wood is old
and we'll make it fine
if the weather holds

but if the weather holds
then we'll have missed the point
that's where i need to go

Overwhelmed with love

Very rarely, my beloved must travel. It is times like that when I realize how very blessed we are.

Despite everything, we are together, all the time, which is what cursorily my illness requires, but more importantly, what my heart desires.

Blessed, I say again. Thank God for great graces.

We've asked big, with nothing but hope to keep us going many, many times.

No one should fear asking for the graces they need in life.

If nothing else, we are proof that, "With God, all things are possible!"

Keep us in your prayers, please :)

Rare Delicacies

What happens when you let your 5 year old watch "Stump The Chef"




Stump the Chef is a show where a chef is giving only 3, usually incompatible, ingredients.
The chef must then prepare a gourmet-looking meal.

Chef Joey's creation this fine afternoon:

Lemon butter, kiwi, broccoli tortillas



PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A TOP-SECRET RECIPE FROM PRODIGY GOURMET, JOEY
Use at your own risk of, er, copyright infringement :)

Squeeze 1/2 lemon into melted butter
Spread a thin layer of lemon butter onto a corn tortilla
Peel, thinly slice then cut kiwi into small squares
Place kiwi atop lemon buttered corn tortilla
Add one little tree of broccoli for garnish
Ask Mama to place assembled delicacy onto gas burner, set at medium heat.

Serve on a geometrically patterned plate to all who love trying new food.

Bon Appetît!