All In a Day's Work

Wednesday arrived. Kat, Andy and Christopher started working on the yard. They took turns with the rider, the push mower and the weedeater.

Kathleen was the last one to get a turn on the rider and she had the pedal to the metal and was really knocking the weeds and grass down!! Christopher and I were trying to get the weedeater going and we looked up and saw Kathleen at the far end of the 10 acre stretch. There she was, the queen of karaoke, belting out songs as she flew around the field!!

Andy has determined that the green stuff coming up is the oats the neighbor had put in earlier this spring. There had been one or two mighty strong east winds come through, so it is pretty likely! We have no idea where all our grass seed went. The normally prevailing west winds probably took it and added to his pasture grass! So...we got each other's crops!

Late this afternoon Kathleen sent Chris and I to get a load of dirt. There was a dark cloud on the horizon, but it look like it was a ways off. We were still in town filling out her list, a little more than an hour later, and a fast moving storm blew through. As we started on the road home the rain hit. Finally we arrived home with our truck filled with MUD!

Obviously, the time for working outside is over. Kat and family went to town to get Chris a pair of shoes and to get some apples. We are going to bake an apple pie tonight!! Life is good. God is good!

Summer Days!!

Christopher, my 10 year old grandson, just finished a week at Cub Scout Camp. The weather was beautiful for them all week--you just couldn't ask for a more perfect outing! The leaders were fantastic and made it a great experience for the scouts. They had so much fun! Their activities included a 3 mile hike, 2 1/2 mile hike, visit to the naturalist, bb guns, archery, leather craft, woodworking, games, skits, flag ceremonies, and more. Friends, fun and sun -- a good combination for camp!!

We got the rider mower fixed, the push mower fixed and Andy got the weedeater working. Now, Kathleen is planning to make us all get out there next Wednesday and get this yard trimmed and looking good.

Sunny, hot weather is in the forecast for next week -- so maybe a sun tan is in the works too!!! I now wish I had gotten that hammock that was half-price at K-Mart about a month ago. But, I can always pull out the cot and use it for sunning on!! Mmmmm summer days!! Don't you just love them!!

Haven't had a scone for awhile and there is nothing to go with my teas. So, when I got home, I decided I would make another batch of scones. Alas, no butter and no margarine. Well, I need something for snacks!! We did have a full tub of shortening, so I tried that. No nuts or fruit either, so I made a raisin scone using shortening. It turned out good. Lacks that sweet buttery taste, but the scale is already scowling at me, so it is just as well. Not that shortening doesn't carry any calories with it!!! The recipe only made about half the amount of scones using the shortening---it just didn't rise much. It also baked faster.

Well, all is good. I thank God for a beautiful week. I also thank him that I can make "budget" scones that are enjoyable with my tea. God is good.

Saturday of sun

To the side is a picture of one of the lily beds. They still have not all gone into bloom. This was taken after the rain and the big puddle of mud is where the seed for the grass WAS put down. I went and checked the grass in the back and I just can't figure out if it is spear grass or the grass seed--that may have blown back there. It is developing the spear-like tassles, so I think it may be that it is all spear grass. We will find out soon enough.

Sunny Days Ahead

Finally, we are going to get a little break from the rain and have a day of sunshine tomorrow.

When we can get to it without going through mud, we will be able to tell if all that green grass out there is actually the grass seed that was put down and blown to the other end of the property, or if it is new spear grass coming up.

And, a few more days and all the lilies should be in bloom! Yea! NOW, to just hold our breathe for a day to see if the "possible hail" that was forecasted is going to come through, pass us by, or maybe not materialize at all. Life is good, whatever the Lord has in store for us!

Montana Registered Voters Needed

This Friday (June 18th) is the deadline for submitting all copies of the Petition for CI-102, The Personhood Amendment, to the Elections Office. Please go to:

http://www.montanaprolifecoalition.org/brochure.htm

Print off the Petition, sign it, get signatures of family and friends, sign the affidavit and have it notarized, and take both to the Elections Office of your county. Even if there is only ONE signature---please submit the Petition...every signature is important!! Please try to get to the Elections Office early, in case some delay arises.

If the needed signatures are gathered, then the Personhood Amendment will go on the Montana ballot in November. The Personhood Amendment will change the Due Process Clause in the Montana Constitution to define a "person" as "to include every human being from the beginning of the human being’s biological development."

The amendment will not change the laws. New and changed laws will be implemented and written by our legislature. KNOW YOUR CANDIDATE.

The following is the BALLOT LANGUAGE (found at http://sos.mt.gov/elections/archives/2010s/2010/initiatives/CI-102.asp):BALLOT LANGUAGE

CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE 102
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION.

The due process section of the Montana Constitution provides that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. CI-102 amends the due process section of the Montana Constitution to define “person” as used in that section to include every human being regardless of age, health, function, physical or mental dependency, or method of reproduction, from the beginning of the biological development of that human being. It directs the legislature to implement this definition of person by appropriate legislation.

[ ] FOR amending the Montana Constitution’s due process section to define “person” to include every human being from the beginning of the human being’s biological development.

[ ] AGAINST amending the Montana Constitution’s due process section to define “person” to include every human being from the beginning of the human being’s biological development.

The complete text reads:

COMPLETE TEXT
SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF MONTANA AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II OF THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION DEFINING "PERSON" FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 17 OF THAT ARTICLE; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.

Section 1. Article II section 17 of The Constitution of the State of Montana is amended to read:

Section 17. Due process of law. (1) No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

(2) As used in this section, the word "person" applies to all human beings, irrespective of age, health, function, physical or mental dependency or method of reproduction, from the beginning of the biological development of that human being.

(3) The legislature shall implement this section by appropriate legislation.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Saving clause. This amendment does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, or proceedings that were begun before the effective date of this amendment.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Severability. If a part of this amendment is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in effect. If a part of this amendment is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid application.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. This amendment is effective upon approval by the electorate.

What is this World Coming to??

Today I heard comments from those who were asked to sign the Personhood Amendment, such as:

1. Church and government should be kept separate.
2. I don't believe in abortion but I don't want to make it illegal.
3. I am pro-choice.
4. I would sign, but what about the babies if the mother's life is in danger or victims of rape.
5. I don't sign petitions.
6. I believe it is a mother's choice.

The following is the website for Montana's Vital Statistics:

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/statisticalinformation/vitalstats/2006report/06vitalstats.pdf

Tables A-1 thru A-4 (beginning page 159) gives the statistics of reported abortions in Montana. In just the year 2006 (last year of statistics) 2,119 babies were murdered.

What kind of world do we have where people justify the killing of a child? How can someone walk out of church and believe abortion is "ok" with God? We don't live in a perfect world, and no baby is going to be born into one. But, like you and I, they also have the right to live, the right to protection of law.

The Amendment, if passed in November, would only give the unborn due process of law. The laws, following the passage of the amendment, would be written by our legislature. Planned Parenthood already has one of its workers running for representative. We cannot walk around blind to what is happening to the pre-born.

Time is almost up for the gathering of signatures on the Petition. If you have not signed, please go to:

http://www.montanaprolifecoalition.org/brochure.htm

Then, print off a petition and affidavit. Sign, get signatures of friends and family...or just yours!! Every signature counts. Sign the affidavit and get it notarized and take to the elections office.

I read a Bible verse yesterday: 1 Corinthians 4:2, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."

We have been given life and blessings from God. We in turn must teach the Truth of God's teachings to our children. And, not just teach, but to stand as a witness to the Truth.

The Last Scone

Today, I did ONE more variation of this recipe. And, just so Anita doesn't get her feathers all ruffled, I went to Kathleen's cookbook to see what was there and kinda went from there. The recipes are pretty simple, so variations are easy. This is not the "perfect" scone, but it does have a nice texture, and it is a cross between biscuit and dessert. So...maybe it isn't a scone...I don't know enough to figure that out and I am definitely out of the scone making business for awhile. I've been living on them and need a break.

TASTY SCONE

1/2 c Butter ---cut the following ingredients into the butter:
2 c white Flour
1 c 5 grain Flour
1/2 c Cornmeal
1 T Baking Power
1/4 c Sugar
Dash Salt

In a separate bowl, mix the eggs and milk
2 Eggs
1 c Milk

Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and mix, or knead, until moist. Then, fold, or knead, in the following:
3 oz Blueberries
1 c Walnuts

Dust the counter with flour to roll out your dough on. Roll out the dough until 1/2" thick, sprinkle with sugar, and then cut into squares. Put on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake. They will expand, so don't place too close together.

Bake at 400 degrees for 14-15 mins.

HINTS: As with pie doughs, after the wet ingredients are added, handle the dough as little as possible. The more you handle it, the tougher, or chewier it will become.

When cutting the butter, if it was in the fridge, you might warm it by putting it in the microwave, and using the defrost setting, to warm it a little. (Maybe 15-20 seconds) Do not cut the flour and butter into the smallest or finest of particles, or your scone will come out compacted in texture.

I used fresh blueberries the first time and the scone turned out very moist. The second time I used dried blue berries and added 1/4 c milk, as the dough was dry. The next time I will try a little less "added milk" for the dried berries...perhaps 1/8 cup, as the dough was a little gooey when rolling out. But the taste was great.

The other recipe called for 3/4 c cream instead of 1 c milk. So someday, if I ever try making another scone...I might try that.

So that is the end of the scones. No perfect one found, but it was a delicious experiment! Happy baking....may you find the perfect one!

Protecting the Unborn Babies

Time is running out to sign the PETITION TO PLACE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 102 ON THE MONTANA ELECTION BALLOT. Close to 50,000 signatures on petitions are needed to put this amendment on the ballot. If you have not signed yet, please take the time to sign. The last day that it can be turned into the Elections Office is June 18th.

This amendment protects all persons at whatever stage of LIFE they are in, from conception-- to somersaulting five month pre-borns--to toddlers taking first steps--to teenagers--to great-grandparents…their lives deserve respect and protection.

This Amendment will change the MONTANA CONSTITUTION, if it is voted in BY THE MONTANA VOTERS this fall. The changes in the LAWS will come through the Montana Legislature. As Election Day approaches, please find out where your candidates stand on abortion and the law.

You can download the petition yourself at:

http://www.personhoodmontana.com/

Sign and collect the signatures of family and friends and then follow the instructions on the website for turning it in.

You may also go onto the Prolife Coalition website and click on “churches” and find one that you are familiar with and sign the petition there, or find out who is in charge of the petitions. The website is:

http://www.montanaprolifecoalition.org/

Also, tomorrow at the polls, after you have voted, volunteers will be available with petitions for signing.

The Personhood Amendment would change the Montana Constitution, as follows:

THE PERSONHOOD AMENDMENT

The Montana Constitution, Article II, Section 17 presently reads: “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”

CI-102 “The Personhood Amendment” would change Article II, Section 17 to read (underlined and ‘NEW SECTION’ are the changes):

Section 17. Due process of law. (1) No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law (2) As used in this section, the word "person" applies to all human beings, irrespective of age, health, function, physical or mental dependency or method of reproduction, from the beginning of the biological development of that human being. (3) The legislature shall implement this section by appropriate legislation.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Saving clause. This amendment does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, or proceedings that were begun before the effective date of this amendment.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Severability. If a part of this amendment is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in effect. If a part of this amendment is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid application.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. This amendment is effective upon approval by the electorate

------MONTANA ABORTION STATISTICS-----

The following is part of the report of the MONTANA VITAL STATISTICS, page 57, found at

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/statisticalinformation/vitalstats/2008report/2008combinedreport.pdf

There were 2,125 induced abortions performed in Montana in 2008. Of these, 1,916 were performed on Montana residents. Induced abortions have been reported to the Department since July 1, 1974, when the Montana Abortion Control Act was implemented. States no longer report induced abortions to NCHS and few states exchange resident abortion statistics. For these reasons, national abortion rates are estimates based on incomplete reporting and Montana’s complete resident abortion statistics are unknown. The statistics provided in this report are for those abortions occurring in Montana, and any references to Montana residents must be viewed asincomplete.

The statistic tables of the MONTANA VITAL STATISTICS are on page 118, found at:

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/statisticalinformation/vitalstats/2008report/2008combinedreport.pdf

Of the 2,125 abortions reported in Montana in 2008 (latest data available), 1,371 of these mothers-to-have-been had previous abortions.

The ages of these babies are 16, 14 and 8 weeks from conception:

How That Wind Dost Blow!!!

The rain is gone (temporarily) but gusty winds have blown in! Spent the morning in town and was hoping to unload the chips this afternoon, but it might be a good idea to wait a bit and see if the wind dies down a little.

Yesterday, as I was driving along IN TOWN, I noticed a movement along the bottom of the passenger side of the windshield. I looked over and there was a MOUSE staring straight at me and coming across the wipers. Had to double check to make sure it was on the OUTSIDE and then I turned on the windshield wipers. It flew over to my side and then the wipers swung back and it flew back and off the side and onto the road. Now I am checking out every little noise I hear in the cab!!! It probably came from the load of chips that I picked up at the City Recycle....so, I am a little reluctant to scoop the rest of the chips out with my hands!!! Later this afternoon I will move the pickup to the side of the house and drag the trailer over and then see if a transfer can be made from one to the other.

Since it is a bit on the cool side and it is so windy out, I think I will again try to make a new scone. That ought to heat the house up, as I am sure I will get a lot of hot air out of Texas!