CLARIFICATION

Ok, I published my post and then re-read it. I thought some people who read it might think the book I'm talking about is Pro-Cultist----nothing could be further from the truth. I't's just that this author really "gets" people----and he really understands different religions, and why people become fanatical and how they can be mislead.

Also I thought it sounded like I was anti-Catholic. No WAY! I am liberal, and Catholic, and I can understand why people might think that we Catholics are "cultish". Everyone thinks their religion is the best and that they are right and the only way to go. Everyone! Which is exactly the point of: "You don't have to be wrong for me to be right."

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE WRONG

FOR ME TO BE RIGHT (Finding Faith Without Fanatacism) by Brad Hirschfield is the name of the book I'm reading right now.

Yes, I'm STILL reading the THE POWER OF NOW----but it's so repetitive. He (Tolle) is taking a whole book to say: Yesterday is gone--kaput--you can't CHANGE it. Stop thinking about it. Tomorrow will never actually come---because there's ALWAYS a tomorrow---it never REALLY arrives. You only have this very moment you are actually living in. So stop thinking----and just be--------and be grateful and fully aware of all the blessings you have right now---this very minute. If you could stop thinking and be AWARE every minute of every day you would be "living in the moment". Most of us can't do that----but this author tries to tell you this will solve all the world's problems and says it a million different ways. I think living in the moment is VERY important also.

However I'm really really loving the Hirschfield book. It's written by a Rabbi who was at one time something of a fanatic himself, and he's incredibly wise and articulate about the problems in todays world. We live in a time where "religion" is killing more people than at any time since the crusades. He clearly understands and explains why this is so. He talks about many different aspects of religion and here is an excerpt about cults:

"The distinction between cults and religions is far less clearcut than most people think. The way we define a cult can't be based on its age. All religions have a starting point; each tradition was once an innovation. When early Jews proclaimed there was ONE God, and early Christians said Jesus was His only begotten son, their contemporaries thought they were lunatic cultists."

Well gee, let's see. Say there's this "cult" as some might call it, where some of the women and some of the men live separately and wear a type of uniform, and give all their money and all their goods away to serve their God. And when they go to church, the "minister" makes these gestures like the sign of a cross, and sometimes he lights incense, and waves it around, and sometime he sprinkles something on the people. "Outsiders" might consider this a "cult" of some sort. I consider it being a Catholic. The thing is-----is to know more, and understand more, and be educated more about all religions. Cause you don't have to wrong for me to be right.

Love it.......

I haven't been this excited about a book in a long time. He's an excellent narrator I highly recommend it to people of all faiths. -(I think you would like this book Joy).

I LOVE SUMMER BECAUSE

fall is next!! When I lived in Michigan summer was always such a treat. We went swimming in Lake Huron (VERY COLD---water temp. in the 60's) when the temp. outside was up to 70. We loved this very short season that started usually in June. By July the temps would be in the 70's and sometimes 80's---but at night it would still be 50's & 60's.

Aug. was the hottest month and we would sometime see high 80's and very rarely 90's. Whenever it was that hot, we would all head for our basements or go to the beach. It was so hot to us (no central air) we had to rest! We always spent a week or two at an inland lake (you can't go more than 3 miles in MI without hitting a body of water) and loved the canoeing, fishing, and swimming. I grew up on Thunder Bay River, and Dean grew up on Lake Huron As adults, we lived across the road from Lake Huron. All the kids took swimming lessons, and several times a week I would load up the wagon with towels and toys, and we would walk to the beach. Sometimes I would be wrapped up in a towel for warmth while the kids swam. That was summer then at that place.

Now, in the South, the temps are so much higher, and I don't deal well with temps over 90. So I stay in the AC and close the curtains and look forward to the fall. Even the fall here can sometimes be higher than our summers in MI were.

So for me, I look forward to reading and movies and the occasional swim with the kids, while waiting...... for glorious FALL!!

LYNN THINKING.......

Hello. Sherri tells me I need to blog. So here goes. I have a big birthday coming up in Sept. and I thought I'd share with all who read this what it's like to get older. Your outside changes (boy does it!) but your inside doesn't. You may be amazed really at how little it changes. Of course you have all that wisdom----but really you remain about 30. You are even startled & puzzled sometimes when you look in the mirror. You think Connor (HGTV) & John Travolta etc... is/are HOT!! I'm not raising children anymore like most of YOU are----but I'm still interested in what every ones concerns are. I think of my grandchildren as my own children. My daughter lets me do this :). I like to do a lot of the same things all of you do. I love reading and the movies. I care about being "green" and doing the right thing. I hate feeling "invisible" as you will all find out some day. Just thinking and thinking........

New subject: We just back from Mississippi. Dean is feeling very tired, and has been resting for over a week now. He has had a cold for about a month, and is now on anti-biotics. This is the result of his CLL. He is getting better, and is finally playing golf again. We had a fun time in the Gulf and saw NARNIA-PRINCE CASPIAN & the new INDIANA JONES movie. We really enjoyed both. Also got to go to a couple of casinos, and did some shopping with my SIL Debbie.

The kids have basketball camp this week and theater camp----so maybe Sherri and I will head out to Hobby Lobby!!! YES! Ok enough for now----no more thinking.

MAH JONG!

Today I got to play Mah Jong with Sherri, and friends, Joy & Ceil. I LOVE this game. Sometimes it's a little hectic with all the little kiddo's running around---but it's worth it to play the game. You have to THINK in this game, and I love the feel and sound of the tiles clicking, and the companionship. It's just great!! You use about 150 tiles, and it's fun learning all the suits, and all the different hands you can make with the tiles. Yep, I love it.



Just getting over a cold & Dean's coming down with one. With is weaker immune system, we will see how it goes. We are supposed to go to game night up here on the Ridge w/our friends. Poker for him and Mexican Train for me. I love that game too (but not as much Mah Jong).



Next week, if Dean's well enough we will be taking the 2 computer desks, 3 bookcases, and small untility table---all with slide out panels, drawers, and adjustable shelves to Gulfport to my brother's house. Dean and son James made these units. They did a great job!



Does anybody else think this weather is unusually cool for this time of year?? Personally I love it. But isn't it weird?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

to all you mother's out there!! Esp. Sherri, Lyanne, Joy, Ann & Trish.... I hope you had a great one.

I did. I didn't do anything (work) at all today. Dean cleaned the kitchen, and cooked supper. Sherri got me stamping stuff and a book THE LAST LECTURE-----loved it!!! John sent me candles and cards, and Jamie took me to a movie "MADE OF HONOR", & bought steaks and cooked them for us (really fantastic!!!) and all 3 kids called me again today on Mother's Day. Really perfect.

Being a mom is all I ever wanted to be. I never really wanted a career. I did love being a secretary, but my kids always came first and have ALWAYS came first above everything and everybody. I thank God for my children. And my grandchildren, and all you wonderful mom's out there doing such a great job!!

THE REST OF THE STORY.......

I have noticed on by daughter's blog (comments) that some of her friends have "suggested" that she tell her brother to move out. I thought I'd point out that it was a "family-decision" that he live there while his wife goes through basic & tech school. This does put a huge burden on Sherri, and I for one feel guilty about it. I have suggested they move here after schools out even though I only have one extra bedroom. Sherri said NO, and has a whole wing as you know, with separate bathroom, bedroom and big schoolroom where they are all now staying. So I try and take as many kids (hers and his) whenever I can. Yesterday I had six. I expect they will ALL be here a lot this summer as we have 3 pools up here on the Ridge, and they all love it!

The reason this decision was made after we ALL discussed it----was because: 1) Dean just started a new furniture-making business BLACK BEAR CABIN FURNITURE & needed help. We can't pay James, other than gas, as we are living on one S.S. check. So James could be working and making money otherwise. 2) Dean has NEVER spent any extended amount of time with James (our youngest) since he left home at age 18 and we have only occasionally lived near him for short amounts of time. 3) Since Dean has been diagnosed with the CLL type of leukemia, we know that his lifespan can be cut short at any time. 4) Both James & Dean felt the need to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend these months together working on projects with Dean's new business, and getting to know each other as adults.

We knew it would be hardest on Sherri with the extra kids. And of course extra people staying in her house. Thank God for that extra wing. I wish we could help financially, but we can't. James is now getting a paycheck from the military and contributes food and money to the family. We all try to help Sherri as much as we can. And as she pointed out, there have been some unexpected blessings for each person in different ways. The kids are darling and we all love each and every one. James has been a blessing to each of us in different ways (he & Sherri are best-buds) & does little things around the house, and does a lot of "running around" for her. For Dean it has been just the best blessing in the world. I think he and James will treasure this time together for the rest of their lives.

After this, James will be in "military life" living at bases---who knows where? He may never have this time with his sister, mom, and dad ever again. We feel very blessed by having him here, and will be sad when he leaves. (I dread this for Dean).

So now you know the rest of the story.