Different

Another year has past.

Last year we were all together on an island. Just our family. Together. With thoughts and tears, comfort and hope, rememberances and sighs.

This year everyone, a different place; Kentucky, South Carolina, New York City, Hawaii, Canton.

We talk on the phone, remember times. This is a day, an anniversary. It is really just a day like all the rest have been since. But it is the anniversary of the beginning of days.

And again we wonder why.

Again

I stood in front of the television.  And I knew.

Another base.  Another tragedy.

Feelings of tension, fear, hopeful faith, tears, agony, hearts broken, trips taken to Texas, calls to family and friends, plans and preparations that you don't want to make.

And lives changed forever.

Wives and parents.  Siblings, cousins and friends.  Their lives changed forever because you can never go back to the past moments and memories that you want to become permanent in this new reality.

There will always be a hole, a gap which can not be filled.

And it was certainly senseless.

I cried for the families of Fort Hood. 

We experienced that two years ago almost to the day that this tragedy occurred.  We know what is happening on the base to the families that were involved.  If there is one thing that the Army does right it is honoring their dead.  But they can't bring them back which is what we want them to do.

So I pray.

God send them people who know you. Let this be their revelation; "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."

A Step Forward

No, the conservative did not win in the special election. We came close, less than four thousand votes between the two candidates. But for this next year, the 23rd district will be represented by a Democrat.

We are still instructed to pray for Mr. Owen. And I hope that we take that responsibility seriously. Just because Mr. Hoffman did not win  does not negate our responsibility to pray for those in authority over us.

I grew up in a family who was always interested in politics. They were knowledgeable about the issues and passionate about their concerns involving government. They read newspapers and listened to the then limited newscast on the 6:00pm news program. And they had common sense back in the days when they remembered what it was like to go through the great depression. We had lively conversations around the dinner table and I vividly remember sitting at my grandmother's long dinning room table, many times, listening intently to my grandparents, aunts and uncles discuss politics. Sometimes heatedly. Even when our Norwegian relatives came for visits they participated in various discussions on elections and the direction of a particular administration.

I think we have awakened to the fact that we have to be involved in the life of our country. That the responsibility for the direction that our country is up to us, both to pray and to be actively involved. I'm sure there are many people that the Lord is calling into the political sphere. And I don't think we should be afraid to enter in. "Politics is dirty, it's nasty, they play hardball, you can't get anywhere by being nice and doing right." Says who? I love proverb 24:10, If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

I was really intrigued that this man, Mr. Hoffman, who is nothing to look at and is certainly not charismatic engaged the entire nation. We were engaged with him before Sarah Palin and Dick Armey endorsed him. We didn't need the RNC to validate our thoughts about this candidate. His candidacy was already rolling along in the North Country before the big wigs came here to lend their support.

I knew that the opposition was really nervous about Mr. Hoffman's unbelievable success when they started running ruthless smear commercials during the last week of the campaign. The term "radical right" was thrown around in every commercial. What is so radical about fiscal responsibility, not killing unborn babies and believing in traditional marriage between a man and a woman? I'm encouraged that he did not retaliate.

I thought his speech last night was encouraging so I'm including it here for those that continue to read my blog.

" America has changed, and you have helped. Although we did not succeed in winning this election, we have succeeded in making sure political parties and special interests no longer take the people for granted. I believe we have sent a powerful message and laid the groundwork for future conservative campaigns.

I congratulate Bill Owens on a hard won victory. In our tradition of free elections our country continues. And although Bill Owens has won, I believe America is turning the page to a new dawn.

The idea of freedom, sound fiscal management and citizen government have sprung back into our consciousness. Our foundling fathers would have been proud of New York 23. It was here that our principles, those that have been the foundation of our nation, came back to life with a vengeance. And it was here that the people rose up against the political bosses who tried to impose their will. It was here that people reached out to control their own destinies again.

Despite the election results, I am optimistic for our future, because now I know that I am not alone in wanting to repair our great nation. Throughout this campaign I have been inspired by the outpouring of support and the intensity of that support.

I've met many different people in this campaign, from many walks of life and many professions; each with a different personal story to share. Yet we are all united in the belief that by participating in democracy, we could inspire change.

I urge that no one feel defeated, for this was only one of many elections. We came close, we put our agenda in front of the nation and the nation took notice. The worse thing we could do now, is not continue forward. Next year there are other elections and other candidates who have drawn inspiration from our efforts.

I would like to thank all of you who placed your faith in me, who worked tirelessly and shared your enthusiasm with those around you. You are patriots, you have stood up for your country and I'm honored to stand among you."

Doug Hoffman

The 23rd District

This little known area of the Empire State will have the eyes of the nation fixed on it tomorrow.

John McHugh, our former congressman, was tapped for the Secretary of the Army by President Obama. And that caused a vacancy in the Congress and the reason for this special election in the 23rd district.

It seems that perhaps our notion of the way we do government maybe changing and it may be starting in the most obscure area of the country, here in upstate New York. We seem to be saying we do not want so much government involvement in our lives. And we are certainly not happy with the spending our government is currently involved in and the deficits that it has run up.

Doug Hoffman is not much to look at and he doesn't speak with ease. He is not a natural politician; not polished, not smooth, not charismatic. He's a businessman, a CPA, who owns his own company. He knows fiscal responsibility. He came from humble beginnings. He was raised by a single parent in Saranac Lake. He has been in the military. He believes that marriage is between a man and a woman and is against abortion. He is simple and straightforward. And he has engaged the people of the north country. In just three short weeks this obscure man has become known all over the nation and by all the poll analyasis he is in the lead.

I'm glad to see that more and more people are getting interested in politics. It's important. We are instructed to pray for our leaders so that they would have wisdom and we could lead quiet and peacable lives.

I'm praying that God would have his way in these elections, and that people would come out and vote which is our civic responsibility.

We'll see. We'll see. This time tomorrow night we should know.

Worship

On Sunday, I went to a beautiful worship service in Kansas City, with my neice.

And I saw a dear friend dance with her team as she worshiped the Lord with her gift, beauty and grace.

It's Fall

It's fall. And we are scurrying around here putting everything in it's place. Preparation for our severe winters here is important.

The screens are out and the storms are mostly in. The huge ladder needs to be deployed in order to reach the last six windows.

The wood has been ordered and a place for stacking near the side door is prepared.

The summer clothes are removed to distant dressers and closets; sweaters, vests, boots and jackets have taken their places.

The gardens are slowly being put to bed for the long winter. But we are still waiting for special garlic bulbs to arrive so they can get a start in the garden over the winter. The herbs are still going strong for another month or so in the potting shed.

And the summer outdoor furniture, both at home and at camp, is being stored in barns and under tarps. The boats have been winterized and washed. The kayaks and canoe decommissioned for another season. The tubes have been deflated and the water skiis and wakeboard safely stowed inside. The camp is having it's water drained tomorrow. But the raking of the leaves will have to wait for another week or two. It seems late this year, but the trees are holding onto their fall foliage and I think we may be raking in the snow.

The colors are magnificent and startling.

And the Fall and Thanksgiving decorations have come out to remind us; God is good and His mercy endures forever.

The Unveiling.....

It's finished and in service.

I now have one very cute house color coordinated potting shed.



Behind the pear tree, and on the right side of the shed, will be white day lilies, white iris and white daffodils this spring and summer. The bulbs are already safely in the ground.



We have a couple of long shelves that need to go up on this side of the building; For my future seedling..... in about five months.



I already started to propagate some boxwood. If all goes as planned, I'll nurture my stock for a few years and then pass them around to interested boxwood fans.



Too bad winter is already setting in up here in the north country. I've had to have a tiny bit of heat on and off the last week.