YOU KNOW YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH WINTER WHEN:

 

Thanks to Sue.

NEW ROADS IN THE SNOW

 

Our farmhouse is on the right in the picture of New Roads in the snow last Wednesday. The town is located northwest of Baton Rouge. When hurricanes threaten, we evacuate to the farm, which is no longer much of a farm. A nearby farmer makes hay in the field, and we harvest pecans from the many pecan trees on the property.

 

The Randall Oak is on the property next to us. Wiki says:

Pointe Coupee was home to Julien de Lallande Poydras, a merchant, planter, poet, statesman, banker and philanthropist who helped establish the state's first public schools in Pointe Coupee in the early 1800s. He likewise endowed a trust fund to provide impoverished brides with dowries in Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge Parishes. Visitors will find his grave on the grounds of the old Poydras School on Main Street in New Roads, now a museum and cultural center established by the Pointe Coupee Historical Society.

James Ryder Randall, an English professor who has written the poem "Maryland, My Maryland" in April 1861, at nearby Poydras College on False River. The poem was later put to music. The site is still known as Randall Oak, though the school was destroyed by fire in 1881. The poem is now Maryland's official state song.

 

I don't know which house is pictured above, but the snowfall is visible.

 

Above is the road that runs in front of our property. A neighbor of ours in New Roads sent the pictures.

The snow is pretty, but I'm glad I wasn't there. Our neighbor, who lives in the house on the right in the picture at the top, works for the highway department, and he hardly slept for two days. He supervises the road crews who clear the snow off the roads and bridges.

I NEED HELP!

Blogger changed my layout without asking. I'm now using the new posting and editing form, and I don't know how to load pictures in the new format. However, the bold, italic, and links are easier to use.

I've discarded Firefox altogether, because it would not let me open pop-up comments at any of the blogs and took an eternity to load.

I tried Google Chrome, but I could not get the toolbar to load, nor could I get the back and forward buttons to work, so I uninstalled the program.

I am now using Internet Explorer and not much liking it, I can open comments, but I get a safety warning pop-up asking if I really want to open the comment box.

I need help.

UPDATE: I'm back in Google Chrome and making my way. We'll see. Firefox was totally broken for usefulness for me.

For the new editing format in Blogger, I guess you upload the pictures directly from wherever you store your pictures.

STORY OF THE DAY - WORDS OF COMFORT

There are days I drop words of comfort
on myself like falling rain & remember it
is enough to be taken care of by myself.


From StoryPeople

THE ENGLISH ARE FEELING THE PINCH

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588 when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards" They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide". The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability. It's not only the French who are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout loudly and excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose".

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels .

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Americans meanwhile and as usual are carrying out pre-emptive strikes on all of their allies 'just in case'.

Canada doesn't have any alert levels.

And in the southern hemisphere...

New Zealand has also raised its security levels - from "baaa" to "BAAAA". Due to continuing defence cutbacks (the air force being a squadron of spotty teenagers flying paper airplanes and the navy some toy boats in the Prime Minister's bath), New Zealand only has one more level of escalation, which is "I hope Australia will come and rescue us".

Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be al'right, mate". Three more escalation levels remain: "Crikey!", "I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend" and "The barbie is cancelled". So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.

Don't blame me. Blame Doorman-Priest. Equal opportunity insults?

"...LITTLE CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR TEC OR ACoC...."

Mark Harris at Preludium posted a communication from the Rev. Brian Lewis, member of General Synod from the Diocese of Clemsford and member of the Executive Committee of Inclusive Church, UK, which I suggest that you read. The Rev. Lewis gives an eye-witness report on what really happened at General Synod regarding the original motion by Private Member Lorna Ashworth concerning ACNA's desire to be in communion with the Church of England which reads as follows:

That this Synod express the desire that the Church of England be in communion with the Anglican Church in North America.

The Rev. Lewis's opening words in his report:

“We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language” (Oscar Wilde, The Canterville Ghost 1887).

I was alarmed but (bearing in mind Oscar's witticism) should not have been surprised to hear that some in TEC and ACoC might misunderstand the full significance of the Church of England's General Synod's decision to reject the call to "express a desire to be in Communion with ACNA".

But let us be clear it did just that, not once, but twice or perhaps even three times.

The Rev. Lewis' final words:

I would just reiterate, I see little cause for concern for TEC or ACoC in the outcome of this particular debate, and to be frank it is beyond disingenuous or bizarre for anybody connected with ACNA to pretend this is in anyway an affirmation of ACNA.

Do read the Rev. Lewis' words in between his opening and final words which enlighten and clarify the event at General Synod even for those of us who think we already understand what took place.

"Americans not part of Church of Uganda"

From Thinking Anglicans:

A further release from the Church of Uganda has been received.

See here for the most recent statement. Also here for an earlier statement.

Now this:

For Immediate Release
12th February 2010

Anglican Churches in America Not Part of Church of Uganda’s Position on Anti-Homosexuality Bill

The Church of Uganda does not have oversight of any Anglican churches in the United States. (My emphasis) Member churches of the Anglican Church in North America that have been in partnership with the Church of Uganda in the past were not in any way involved in the Church of Uganda’s position on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. They were not consulted, nor was their support enlisted. The Ugandan context is different from the American context and it is likely that our American friends will have a different position from that of the Church of Uganda.

- END -

From ACNA's website:

Distressed churches and entire dioceses began to disaffiliate from the established provinces in North America and seek episcopal oversight and spiritual care from Anglican Provinces and leaders in other parts of the world, including the primates and churches of Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South America and Uganda. (My emphasis) Beginning in 2000 with the Church of Rwanda, these leaders have responded by accepting orthodox Anglican parishes and dioceses in North America into their care.

Which is it? Has the relationship between ACNA and the Church of Uganda changed? No episcopal oversight? Nowhere in ACNA's account of Our Genesis is a statement from ACNA saying that the group has withdrawn from episcopal oversight by the above mentioned African and South American provinces. If you read the full version of the Genesis statement, you'll see what a conglomeration of groups came together to form ACNA.

NEW EXPRESSIONS

It's that time of year again. These are the winners of New York Magazine contest in which contestants take a well-known expression in a foreign language, change a single letter, and provide a definition for the new expression.


* HARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS

Can you drive a French motorcycle?

* EX POST FUCTO

Lost in the mail

* VENI, VIPI, VICI

I came, I'm a very important person, I conquered

* COGITO EGGO SUM

I think; therefore I waffle

* RIGOR MORRIS

The cat is dead

* RESPONDEZ S'IL VOUS PLAID

Honk if you're Scottish

* QUE SERA SERF

Life is feudal

* LE ROI EST MORT. JIVE LE ROI

The king is dead. No kidding.

* PRO BOZO PUBLICO

Support your local clown

* MONAGE A TROIS

I am three years old

* FELIX NAVIDAD

Our cat has a boat

* HASTE CUISINE

Fast French food

* VENI, VIDI, VICE

I came, I saw, I partied

* QUIP PRO QUO

Fast retort

* ALOHA OY

Love; greetings; farewell; from such a pain you would never know

* VISA LA FRANCE

Don't leave your chateau without it

* AMICUS PURIAE

Platonic friend

* L'ETAT, C'EST MOO

I'm bossy around here

* COGITO, ERGO SPUD

I think, therefore I yam

(OK, more than one letter)

* VENI, VIDI, VELCRO

I came, I saw, I stuck around

(OK, another exception)

* ICH BIT EIN BERLINER

He deserved it.

* ZITGEIST

The Clearasil doesn't quite cover it up.

* E PLURIBUS ANUM

Out of any group, there's always one asshole.


Thanks to Ann. Each time I read the list, I laugh till I cry.

STORY OF THE DAY - PARTIAL ENLIGHTENMENT

The problem with knowing everything's
going exactly as it needs to is that when
you're not having that much fun it
doesn't even do any good to complain.


Oh, I love this story!

From StoryPeople.

"METHODISM OFFERS TO DIE, TO RISE AGAIN"

From Ruth Gledhill:

No-one ever expects much from presentations with titles such as 'An Address by the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference'.

So it rather surprised us all when we suddenly realised that David Gamble, President of the Methodist Conference, told us that the Methodist Church was prepared to sacrifice its very existence and return to the Anglican fold, for the sake of the greater good of the Gospel.

From the website of the Methodist Church in England on the address to General Synod by President Revd David Gamble and Vice-President Dr Richard Vautrey of the Methodist Conference:

The President and the Vice-President of the Methodist Conference addressed the Church of England’s General Synod this morning, expressing the Methodist Church’s commitment to a covenant relationship with the Church of England and answering questions from synod members in a discussion following their address.

Revd David Gamble and Dr Richard Vautrey said that the Covenant relationship was a “serious, deeply committed relationship” and “not an irrelevant extra”. They said that responses to the challenges of the Covenant should be driven by a desire for mission.

Revd David Gamble said: “Within God’s overwhelming gracious covenant relationship with us and with our churches, we are in a covenant with each other. For better for worse, for richer for poorer, but always for the gospel.”

Dr Richard Vautrey talked about the work that the two Churches do together, referring to the Churches’ joint action on climate change and support for the Citizens for Sanctuary campaign.

“We can and do work together on issues of social justice, on issues that we both know God calls on us to challenge our society and our world,” said Dr Vautrey. “There is more that we could and should be doing together. David and I have just come back from a visit to Israel/Palestine. There can be few other places in the world where the cries for justice and peace strike deeper in to the heart. We know that Archbishop Rowan is shortly to visit Israel, and perhaps on his return we should explore ways that we could jointly work to help Methodists and Anglicans to respond to the increasingly desperate cries for help coming from the Holy Land.”

Revd David Gamble posed the question of how the two Churches could respond to the challenges of the 21st century; a society of different faiths, cultures and histories.

“Methodists approach the Covenant with the Church of England in the spirituality of the Covenant prayer,” said Revd David Gamble. “So when we say to God ‘let me have all things let me have nothing’, we say it by extension to our partners in the Church of England as well. We are prepared to go out of existence not because we are declining or failing in mission, but for the sake of mission. In other words we are prepared to be changed and even to cease having a separate existence as a Church if that will serve the needs of the Kingdom.”

Oh my! This sort of self-sacrificial offering takes my breath away. What a fine example of following Jesus' teaching on the grain of wheat. As numbers continue to decline in the mainline denominations, the churches may be forced into ceasing to have separate existences, but it's lovely to see the Methodists take the initiative to offer to die as a denomination for the sake of the mission of the church.

I have no idea how this offer will resonate with the clergy and laity of either church or whether the offer will bear fruit, nevertheless, I commend the Methodists for taking the first step.