A WILD EYE

It's a good thing that the Doubletree B&B has not had any overnight guests since August...'cuz they wouldn't like our green fog.

In the last five weeks, Mike has caused SIX of these olfactory offenders to assume room temperature.

Why?  Skunks carry rabies, they leave lingering aromas even when they've left the area, and they dig up landscaping.  That last reason was good enough for me.  They scratch around and upend plants as they search for grubs and insects.  That's irritating when you've just planted pansies that were not free.

The elimination process is unpleasant but also can be entertaining.  About 10:30, Mike exits the front door in his wedgewood blue pajamas, rubber boots, gun, and big honking spotlight.  He circles the house in the dark and begins to make a sneak on the bird feeder off the back deck.  That's where these skunks seemed to congregate for snacks.

Trust me, we never had the intent to bait a skunk.   Who knew they liked sunflower seeds?  Besides, how can we give up feeding our beautiful birds?

But back to Mike...he flanks the house, floods the area with light, and the gun blazes.  Then the hard work starts.  He runs FAST to get the square-edged shovel for the shovel-ready job and scoops up the carcass.  Then before the critter's muscles relax, he streaks out to the back corner of the lot where there is a proper repository.

Although on this particular night Mike was not in his pj's, try to imagine running in the rubber boots and holding Stinky out ahead of you.

Mike never was sprayed because just as they saw the light, it was over.  But they always got the final revenge.  I could be in the house when I heard the POW...and then the green fog came under the doorframe.  Eeewww.


Way out back, we have a dirt pile that has doubles as a cemetery.  When Mike went to bury the second skunk, he noticed something had partially dug up the first one.  My question was "Mike, we don't have bears around the house.  What could possibly be interested in a dead skunk?"  Think about that.  Who would want the gift that keeps giving?

We already had game cameras out on the bird feeder, so then we put them out in the far corner to see what came to the cemetery.  It's kinda fun to have eyes in the night.

Mike said a dog could have been curious...but here's the evidence that Mr. Curious is a raccoon.

The raccoon may use his little hands to take down the bird feeder and be a pest...but he isn't as obnoxious as the skunk.  So the raccoon is not on the "in-danger(d)"  list.

However, it IS a little creepy to find that there was a coon convention out on your patio and you never knew it.

Take note Mike has set a trap (on right) for the critter but obviously has the wrong bait.

Look how bodacious the deer are to come this close to the house at night.

Possum.

No one is falling for the bait in the trap.  I would; it's peanut butter.













We do not have the identity of this night prowler.  He looks like either a fox or a strange cat.  We are thinking it's a fox.

However, three feathers from a bird...plus the grain from inside his goozle...were at the top of the patio stairs yesterday.  So it might be a cat.

It's a jungle out there.

 Out close to the cemetery, the ringtail and deer co-exist.

These are daylight eyes, but our deer herd is pretty in the daylight.  The larger doe on the left has a splotchy coat because she is molting.  The smallest fawn was born in July and still has her spots.

This fellow with the wet fur was out in the afternoon after a nice rain.  

Groundhogs and armadillos are two other things we have out back.  Across the street from us, Dan has recently killed four armadillos because they have destroyed his flowerbeds.

Dan and Mike are like little boys.  I hear the pop and in seconds, an email comes "what'd ya get?"  They are competitive and blink flashlights across the dark street at one another.  It's them agin' the critters.

Look what motion set off the camera here.  I'd personally say the most exciting wildlife is the groundskeeper.  

Mike does his best thinking on that mower...and on a deer stand.  In both instances, he likes doing something and nothing at the same time.  Margin.  Can't do without it.

If anyone would like to book the upstairs bedroom at an exotic game preserve, just give us a call.

HAM'S BOYS

Most people have a sense that our world is careening down the living narrative of Luke, chapter 21.  But we find comfort to read the Bible and remember that none of the "breaking events" that alarm us...are a surprise to God.

Genesis 10 has an interesting "table of nations" which lists 70 nations that came  from Noah and his sons after the flood. The list does not say it includes everyone; some nations may have been far flung.  But it might be helpful to read about the nations of Egypt and Libya since they have dominated the spotlight this week.

Consider what the Lord said about Egypt in Psalm 105:23.  Egypt is referred to as the "land of Ham".  Then there are verses that refer to "Put (Phut)", which is modern-day Libya.  Let's think about the land of Ham (Egypt)...and the verses that say Libya is a land of warriors.  That gives us some unique insight as we compare ancient people with today's headlines.

When Noah's ark landed on Mt. Ararat in modern-day Turkey, Noah and his three sons migrated south to rebuild their families.

This map is from Josephus, a first century historian.  It shows the places where they settled.  Noah's firstborn, Shem, is in green...his second son, Japeth, is in red...and the youngest, Ham, is in blue.

There is only one RACE (the human race), but Noah's sons are a picture of our differing skin tones.  Whatever the reason for the differing facial characteristics, the overriding truth is that we were all created by the same God with the same purpose...to glorify Him.

Noah's sons were:

SHEM
Shem's descendants were the Semitic ("dusky") people.  Here are his five sons and the land they claimed.  There was Arphaxad (from whom came Abraham...and ultimately, Jesus) who lived in Ur and Canaan, Elam (Arabia), Asshur (Assyria), Lud (Lydian Kingdom), and Aram (Aramaic, Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Syria).

JAPETH
Japeth ("fair") had seven descendants which became 14 nations...Javan (Greece, Romans, French, Italians, Spanish, Portuguese), Magog (Scythians, Slav, Russians, Bulgarians, Bohemians, Poles, Slovaks, Croatians), Madai (Indians, Medes, Persians, Afghans, Kurds), Tubal (people south of the Black Sea), Tiras (Thracians, Teutons, Germans, Scandinavians, Anglo-Saxon, Jutes), Meshech (Russians), and Gomer (Celtic).

HAM
Here is the misused/confusing Bible character of Ham.  In fact, just last Sunday I was asked by a ten-year-old in SS to explain the Hamitic curse in Genesis.  You know the curse.  It's the one that some use to justify slavery.  Let's begin by saying that Ham ("dark") was Noah's youngest son who settled in Africa and the southern end of the Arabian peninsula.  The Lord provided genetic adaptations for Ham to equip him to survive Africa's excessive heat.  Ham's sons were Cush (which according to Genesis 10:6 is Ethiopia), Mitsrayim (Egypt), Put (Libya), and Canaan (which included many "ites" such as Hivites, Jebusites, Arvadites, Girgashites, Amorites, Arkites, Sinites, Hittites, Sidonites, Perizzites, and Zemarites).

Ham is called "the father of Canaan" in Genesis 9:18.  Perhaps that is literal AND symbolic in meaning.  If you read through the story of Ham coming into the tent where his father Noah was drunk and uncovered...there is no explanation given for why Ham's SON would be cursed.  So we are called to trust God's goodness.  He alone could see Ham's heart and He alone knew all the details that the Bible did not include.  I can rest on the implications of the Hebrew word "uncovered" to assume that something else besides modesty or respect was in play.  Then when I put that assumption with the fact that Canaanites no longer EXIST as a nation, it seems more reasonable.  Their religion was full of murder and cruelty and sexual perversion, so Ham was the father to some darkness, but it didn't include slavery.

What other Biblical observations are about Egypt and Libya?

1.  Today Ham's sons are cousins in Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia.

2.  Japheth was said ultimately to dwell in the tents of Shem.  That meant Japheth would take part in Shem's spiritual privileges.

3.  Egypt has been a huge blessing for God's people.  I'm thinking of the time when Joseph took Mary and the baby and fled to Egypt for safety.  Another time, God fed Israel in Egypt and kept the nation alive during the famine of Joseph's time.

But Egypt also was a cruel taskmaster in the time of Moses...and God showed His superiority over each of Egypt's gods with the ten plagues.  With that demonstration, many Egyptians believed and as the Exodus took place, Scripture says a "mixed multitude" left with the Israelites.  Those were the believing Egyptians.  Today the believing Egyptians (Coptic Christians) are having a hard time of persecution in their homeland.

4.  And Libya?  What does the Bible say about that country?  In Nahum 3:9 it says that Ham's son Put is a helper to Egypt, so Egypt and Libya are aligned cousins.  In Jeremiah 46:9 it says that Libyans support Egypt.  Ezekiel mentions them three times (27:10, supporters of the Phoenicians...30:5, supporting Egypt...38:5, supporters of Gog, which was symbolic of evil darkness to the north/powers hostile to God).

Ham's sons may be on the wrong side of goodness, but does that mean God has cast them out?  No.  Libyans are just like each person God creates.  Everyone has an equal chance to pick their future.

You may ask...but what about the repressive religious system in place there?  God has "hind's feet".  We read articles of people in these countries where the gospel is not welcome, and they are having dreams that the Bible prophesied would happen in the last days.  They see/hear Jesus talking to them.  So how could oppressors declare a dream-free zone?  And there are many brave souls who venture to these countries, carrying the truth in the face of pure evil.

God is good.  He wants us to join him, so people all over the globe have been alerted through His general revelation of Himself in creation (so all are without excuse).  All people see His control over nature as the seasons change and the sun comes up.  All people have been given a piece of His character (His holiness) in their conscience.  People will be called to live up to the light they have been given.

And beyond the general revelation of God, then there is the ultimate revelation found in Scripture.  When it is read and man repents, God promises to turn the heart of stone to a heart of flesh.

We can pray that the Lord would have mercy on His own in Egypt and Libya and set many free with His truth.

WAS IT THE VIDEO?

Was it the video?  Maybe.  We've seen those folks go nutty before...over a cartoon.

What else is in the news that might suggest otherwise?

We keep hearing that video narrative repeated while the facts that trickle in tell another story.  Intelligence says the assassination of the four State Department officials was a coordinated assault.  It happened on the 9/11 anniversary for maximum message...it was a force of 400 strong who knew exactly where the safe house was...strange reports came back about what happened to the ambassador before he ended up at the hospital...and their meticulously precise strikes with overpowering weapons were professional.  All those details declare that they were not just youth from the streets being utilized by a puppetmaster or a protest that grew into aggression.

Then there were the Libyan guards who had guns with no bullets.  That would explain why they melted away when the shooting began.  Why?  It was a directive from the State Department apparently.  Maybe they were afraid Libyans would shoot them like Afghans are doing.  But it does explain why the Cairo embassy held while the Libyan one didn't.

Marines.  God bless 'em.  We've sent in 50 and that sure doesn't sound like many.  My question is what yours probably is...why weren't there Marines in any kind of security perimeter?  Especially on 9/11?  Why weren't they summoned when the trouble started?

And the chanting.  Have you heard the crowds saying "we are THOUSANDS of Osamas, Obama!"  They personally taunt President Obama.  Maybe they are responding to the 21 times Osama was spiked at the convention.  Or maybe they're mad because of the drone strike that killed AlQaida's #2 guy in Yemen a couple of weeks ago.  Who knows.

The bottom line?  Can we please stop talking about the video?  That was just a useful strawdog within reach for them. THIS IS BIGGER.

And can we stop attacking Romney?  He's not the enemy.  He's giving us an alternate view of foreign policy that he thinks works better.  We will need to know that information in 51 days.

Benghazi was the volley for a worldwide revolt which clearly is NOT impressed with our apologies.  The last thing they are...is appeased.  BHO expected them to fawn when they realized he was their friend.  LINK   That hasn't happened.  Bullies never are effectively dealt with in a conciliatory approach.

It's peace through strength.  Do not send Eric Holder over to arrest these people.  Americans should read these two links and weep.   LINK    LINK

PHONEY BALONEY

One of our grandchildren was so proud when they had a perfect attendance record in first grade.  The parents were encouraging the character building traits of faithfulness and diligence.

Today the "George S. Patton of the airwaves" talked about another attendance record.  This LINK talks of a Government Accountability Institute report out which reveals the president's attendance report at his Presidential Daily Brief.

The PDB details for our leader the day's critical intelligence threats.  Meetings are important (rather than just reading the report) because  "the meeting is an opportunity to ask questions of the briefers, probe assumptions and request additional information. For those preparing the brief, meeting with the president on a daily basis gives them vital, direct feedback from the commander-in-chief about what is on his mind, how they can be more responsive to his needs, and what information he may have to feed back into the intelligence process. This process cannot be replicated on paper."

Would you like to guess about our president's attendance record?

From when he took office until mid-June this year, President Obama went 536 times...43% of the time.  During the last months (2011 through the first half of this year), his attendance dropped to just over 38%.

Contrast that to his predecessor, who almost never missed the PDB.  True, the threat level was high because of the 9/11 attack, but who would think today's volatility would decrease the need for his attention to such a meeting?  It is curious that today on the anniversary of 3,000 deaths, we should need to change the initials of the PDB to HDB (Hireling Daily Brief).  This president subcontracts his work.

What the president says should not be confused with what he does.  He said to UPS workers in 2011 "you should know that keeping the economy growing and making sure jobs are available is the first thing I think about when I wake up every morning." Uh huh.  Here's the Government Accountability Institute's analysis:

*throughout the first 1,257 days of his presidency, 

Mr. Obama spent 412 hours in economic meetings/briefings of any kind

*so far in 2012 the president has spent just 24 total hours 

in economic meetings of any kind

*assuming a six day/10-hour workweek, the president has spent 

less than 4% of his total time in economic meetings or briefings of any kind

*there were 773 (72%), excluding Sundays, in which he had no economic meetings

*the president has spent an average of 138 minutes a week in economic meetings

"The study, which was based upon the president’s official schedule, practically bent over backwards to include anything even remotely akin to an economic meeting. For example, “Obama meets with Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum” was tallied as an economic meeting. Also included was, “Obama meets with Cabinet secretaries,” which may or may not have dealt with economic issues, counted as well."  LINK

Well, you may be asking...then what does he spend big chunks of time on...besides campaigning?

Does a golf ball come to mind?  No one would deny a president's need for respite.  That's huge.  But after the 100th round of golf, the president SAID that it was the only place he could be outside for six hours.  Six times 100 is 600 hours.  Compare that number to 412 hours in economic meetings (of any kind).

A hands-on executive with a plan for jobs or the deficit?  A leader with control of the rudder of our ship of state?  Phoney baloney.

WHEW. THEY'RE OVER.

Americans love political theatre and the conventions provide a wonderful chance to chant "USA!  USA!".

We need patriotic fervor, and so Charlotte and Tampa have provided that chance to declare our love of country.

In Charlotte, Bill Clinton worked his magic (we Arkies are familiar with that) and urged patience.  He said that with all his heart he believed that things will turn if we just keep on keeping on with his party.

In Tampa, Republicans were defined by success stories of immigrants who have risen from nothing to live the American dream (Governors Nicki Haley and Susana Martinez, Senator Marco Rubio and Mayor/Congresswoman Candidate Mia Love).  Oh, and the "make my day" made us laugh a lot.

So there it is.  Each side has passion and we're a country hugely in trouble with a $16 trillion debt.  One side wants to keep spending, based on their belief that people are entitled and spending cures the problem.  On the other side are the mean guys trying to inject reason into fiscal solvency.

When our country goes into a bankruptcy (like the California cities Stockton and San Bernadino and others)...all will be lost.  Then we may be warm-hearted, but we'll be prisoners who are at the mercy of people known for true coldness.  We may see things (like union contracts and Ms. Fluke's birth control) in a different light then.  Certainly they will not seem so essential for the public purse.

Here's the problem with coaching people to hate.  Yes, I realize Bill Clinton said he doesn't hate anyone and I would agree that he is a lover, not a hater.  But his party repeatedly characterizes the opposition as AWFUL; they pit rich/poor, black/white, Main Street/Wall Street, and purport a war against women.  The toxic blend that comes from anger and envy becomes a lady like THIS .  She can't tell you why she hates Governor Romney, she just does.

You might be thinking there are fringe folks at both conventions and of course you'd be right.  But it did seem easy to find them in Charlotte.  Jon Stewart did a good job of illustrating that HERE.

As both parties move to November, I've heard it said that there is really only one issue facing us all... FREEDOM!

ECONOMIC FREEDOM.  It will take economic good sense to be able to continue functioning as a nation, the same nation which was designed to bless the world.  Generosity can only come when money comes.  Surely Charlotte doesn't really believe what they are saying about banning PROFITS.  Wish the delegates could see all the good in Arkansas that WalMart money has done.  If we need jobs, we must be a friend to business!

FREEDOM IN GOVERNANCE.  "Checks and balances" worked until czars and mandates.  The executive branch overreach is unconstitutional and courts are repeatedly finding it illegal.  Click HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE.  The repeated words from the court in these articles are "government went too far" as the rights of citizens were infringed.

Hey (as Uncle Si would say).  In America, we may feel passionate about issues and have a soapbox to convey those beliefs; hopefully that happens in a respectful way.  But after the ballots are counted, that lady from Puerto Rico may still have to live by a neighbor that could vote Republican.  What will she do with her feelings then?  Hate has a way of growing and intensifying.

Still there are strong reasons to be concerned about the 2012 election.  Many feel brooding storm clouds:

Voting THREE TIMES about putting God/Jerusalem in or out at Charlotte does not bode well.  Nor does taking the public money to spend for things that rake our conscience.  Fact checkers tell us both sides have enlarged truth.  I'm pretty sure that makes His list, too.

This election is not like other elections.  We need to be on our faces before God, begging Him for forgiveness and for insight into right leadership.

And would you also consider praying for the little lady in the big hat from Puerto Rico?  I can't imagine that she really meant what she was saying, but she DID mean that her feelings are pushing her around.  And there's an all-powerful God who can help her with that...

QUANDRY

Citizenship comes with an obligation to vote after due diligence and thoughtful consideration.  Sometimes research is complicated if the media outlets cheerlead for only one side.  Don't we need ALL the facts if we are to be wise?

Both candidates for the November, 2012 presidential election are pleasing to the eyegate.   Both are family men.  And both would have us follow them.  Perhaps a broader look at each man would be helpful.

BIRD'S EYE VIEW
Did anyone get to pick their parents or place of birth?  Our choices begin when we decide what to do with what we've been given.

The Republican was born to wealth and privilege.  Then he chose to give up his inheritance and use his own worklife to earn his family's provision.  His personal behavior choices are spanking clean (no caffeine or drink or drugs or divorce or affairs) and he is faithful to his church.  All of his life he has chosen to give away much of his energy/expertise, and he also gives millions of his dollars (over 16%) to his church and charities.

The Democrat was born into hard circumstance which causes us to laud his ability to overcome.  He had no worklife to demonstrate his business acumen, but his ability to "speechify" (as Abraham Lincoln would have said) has carried him far.  His personal choices included drugs, drinking, smoking, and a life of searching...after being bounced around by the adults in his life.  His early associates were genuine radicals and men who have gone to jail.  He described his own church life at Rev. Wright's church as not consistent.  That also would define his church life since being in the White House.  Last week he walked across the street to St. John's Episcopal Church; before that there was a Christmas/Easter visit.  His giving was about 1% (2000-2004), 4.7% in 2005, and 6.1% in 2006.  When the president won the Nobel prize of $1.4 million in 2009, he gave those proceeds to charity.

MIND CHANGE

Both men have changed their minds about women's issues such as marriage and abortion.

The Republican has always been solidly for marriage between a man and woman, but his pro-life views grew stronger as he became more of a proponent for life.

The Democrat won an election with a traditional stance on marriage, but of late has changed his mind.  His view and vote on abortion while an Illinois State Senator...was to NOT protect the life of a baby born after a botched abortion.  That view could be characterized as tough to defend, and his strong views have continued into the White House.  On his first day at work, he broadened the scope of abortions.  On August 1st this year, his HHS mandate put our public kitty toward funding abortion procedures, which delivers culpability to everyone's door.

FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD
We presume both men have been faithful to their wives, but how do they do with other promises?

The Republican candidate promised to use Bain Capital to help failing companies, come alongside the scandal-ridden/budget-burdened Olympics, and lead in the state of Massachusetts.  He kept those promises.  He reduced Massachusetts' debt without increasing taxes, he improved education and balanced the budget, and the state ended up with a surplus.  Governor Romney reduced joblessness in Massachusetts.  The state was 50th in 50 states for job growth his first year in office...then it rose to 28th by Romney's last year in office.

The Democrat promised MANY things in 2008 that have not happened (see five pages of examples).  One promise that would have been nice to keep was his promise to cut the deficit in half during his first term.  Excuses are thick and sticky like peanut butter on this candidate. When his party had a majority for his first two years,  he could have had any legislation, but did nothing to fix what the voters said were their two main concerns, the economy and joblessness.  Our law REQUIRES a budget, but when this president finally produced one, the vote in favor was 0.   Curiously, now as our country is being swallowed by debt and spending increases...a recent poll said people still blame President Bush.  Huh?  The current president spent more than all other presidents combined, yet spending is not his fault.


VISIONARY
A president needs to lead.  Which man knows the way forward?  Who can be decisive and not just vote "present"?

The Democrat's idea was to spend until the economy was stimulated.  Over a year ago he declared the recession to be over,  but joblessness tells a different story.  His idea for the future is to stimulate again.  That seems like electrifying heart paddles for a two-day-old corpse.

The Republican has been tested and proven in his ability to fix problems.  Why is this not an obvious choice?  What is the criticism against the Republican?

It is said his wife didn't work a day in her life, he put a dog crate up on the car roof, and when he was in high school he pushed a guy down.  And he's mean.  He doesn't care about people.  He's fake.  He only likes rich people and wants to make them richer.

Color me flabbergasted that people find those things plausible.  Why would this gentleman give tons of money to charity if he doesn't have a heart for others?  Why give away his initial inheritance if he's a money grubber?  Why would he even bother to run for office if he didn't care about people?  Running for office is a major aggravation.  As my friend Marilyn would say "hey...I don't need that aggravation!"  We are blessed that there are still good men who will put up with rancorous accusations and run for office.

AT DAY'S END
If you want a Sunday golfer, I know your man.  If you want a smooth promiser, I know your man.  If you want someone who vacations and runs for office during his workday, I know your man.

But if you are ready to give the other guy a turn at bat, let's see what the Republican can do.

LIFE IN THE FOOD LANE

  I'm learning to take cereal from a spoon.

          Say...that's not bad!  

And people seem so pleased about it... 

                                            Yum.  That was great, too.  I like squash.

                                       Wait.  What was THAT?  Green beans?  I don't think so.
                                                     Note to self about green food...

                         ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  COLD PRUNES?  THAT'S AWFUL!

                                                  Carrots?  My compliments to the chef.
                                              I'm thinking orange is my favorite food group.

                "For words are tested by the ear, 

as food is tasted by the mouth."  Job 34:3