| Friday, September 03, 2010 |
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| BE CAREFUL OF THE NEXT AT-HOME 'PARTY' YOU GO TO! [Rachel Watkins] |
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9/3/2010 |
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Have you ever been caught in this? You are invited over to a friend's house and upon arrival discover it is actually a sales pitch for the couple's new home business or some shady pyramid scheme.
I am not talking about a legitimate invite to an Usborne Books party or even Amway but something seemingly legitimate that is actually pretty shady or suspect.
Matt and I endured this many years ago when some friends invited us over to dinner. Great! We don't get many of those invitations. We got a sitter and looked forward to an evening with adults. Instead we got an evening of a sales pitch for some telephone company pyramid scheme! Can't remember the company name but since then I've remembered the feeling of being bushwhacked - I didn't like it!
How's this for bushwhacking? Drug companies are sliding into social get-togethers to push a new products such as an IUD??!!
Seriously - in an attempt to push drugs as much as possible drug companies are hiring nurses/doctors to attend events and sell their products under the auspices of being helpful.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38980515/
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| DID YOU CATCH THE STUDY ABOUT LESBIAN PARENTS AND THEIR KIDS? [Rachel Watkins] |
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9/3/2010 |
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There was a study recently about how 'successful' lesbian parents are in raising healthy successful kids. Over at the Register, from the print edition there is a good critique of the value and quality of the study.
I found it interesting to discover that the study was completely composed of parental input. Nothing from the children, they just asked the moms (both of them).
I can understand their hesitancy to talk to the kids. I know for myself I wouldn't be too eager to have anyone talk to my kids about my parenting. I would worry about my kids remembering only my worst days and never recall the great days (which outnumber the bad). I would worry about what 'secrets' they might reveal such as my love for lounging in my pj's until 9-10 in the morning on some days. Such behavior might be interpreted as laziness by some rather than the casualness I intend.
BUT - when interviewing and collecting data for a scientific paper, to be published in a peer-reviewed journal you would hope for a more balance collection.
For despite every effort to honest, I would find it hard pressed to say honestly how good my children are at sports or in getting along with others. My hesitancy would be from wanting to be harsh towards my child but also not wanting to admit my own failings as a parent.
For if I were to admit that my child was overly sensitive or harshly critical of others is that not, at least in a small part, due to my parenting and teaching?
Read the article and the comments below and find a bit of satisfaction as I did. It is not that I want/hope/desire children of these partnerships to be miserable. Rather, I am greatly offended in the implied (and highly publicized) result that these children are some how better than children from a mother/father family.
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/2-mommies-are-better-than-a-mom-and-dad-combo/
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| PRAYERS PLEASE [Rachel Watkins] |
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9/3/2010 |
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I am distracted once again as Matthew is right now as I type also typing - taking an on-line GRE.
Yes, my husband well into his 40's is taking his 'first' standardized test since he was in high school.
He did not need a GRE to be accepted in the Master's program at Johns Hopkins but now as he is prayerfully deciding about pursuing a Ph.d he needs one for grad school admissions.
He's been faithful in practice tests, took a 'test taking' course and done his homework but he will readily admit that he suffers from test anxiety.
Pray, please for his success. Not so much in that he needs to do well for admission but more so that he knows that he really is smart. He is, his work and grades at JHU prove it, but he often doubts himself.
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| Thursday, September 02, 2010 |
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| DISCOVERY CHANNEL HOSTAGE STAND-OFF [Rachel Watkins] |
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9/2/2010 |
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Did you catch the story? A group of Discovery Channel (right here in Maryland) employees were held by James Lee who had declared that people are the problem.
The story line is here and be sure to check out the link to Mr. Lee's TV story pitch:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38968317/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts
Mr. Lee's issues were the promotion of population growth that Discovery Channel (partnered with TLC) did with such shows as the Duggar's and their failure to stop the destruction of the planet.
Mr. Lee suggested programs that would highlight not only his "Race to Save the Planet" but a series based on the polemic sold as a novel "My Ishmael" written by Daniel Quinn.
I've blogged about that book in the past. Surprisingly, it seems to be required reading in some schools. Its basic plot revolves around the wisdom a talking gorilla can give us ignorant humans on everything from, yes, population to the environment as a whole.
I am not sure if this incident will bring back the overpopulation debate but comments for each of the stories covering the standoff are clear that a good number of people want us to begin to encourage - if not legally force - a population program.
China is spot-on with one couple/one child policy according to these folks. Over-population, despite the falling birth numbers around the world including here, is a reality for these folks. Sustainability which is necessary for a healthy world is not necessary for these folks.
If you find yourself with some of these folks in your family, or if you want to respond to a story you read on-line remember this key phrase: "Keep your politics off my uterus!"
They throw that one at us all the time in regard to our fight against abortion. Well, if we can't get involved in what is happening in their uterus, they can't get involved in ours.
If we are not allowed to try to save lives through our pro-life efforts they are not allowed to...
Read the complete entry...
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| DR. GREG WOULD PROBABLY AGREE [Rachel Watkins] |
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9/2/2010 |
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Psychotic drugs are not a good idea for children -
This story is sad because it reveals so much - poor parenting skills, lack of support and doctors who are eager to medicate.
And the first thing listed is the real problem - poor parenting skills. The mother struggled with knowing how to parent well and it does seem anyone stood up to help her get the support and help needed.
From the article:
“Kyle at the time was very aggressive and easily agitated, so you try to find medication that can make him more easily controlled, because you can’t reason with an 18-month-old,” Dr. deGravelle said in a telephone interview. But Kyle was not autistic — according to several later evaluations, including one that Dr. deGravelle arranged with a neurologist. Kyle did not have the autistic child’s core deficit of social interaction, Dr. Gleason said. Instead, he craved more positive attention from his mother."
Note the last line - craved positive attention from his mother!!
Attachment parenting (in any form) builds on this very real need for children of very age to be have positive attention, care and positive contact.
Being a young mother, without any support is a real crisis in our country. There are few good programs available for these moms and they are not encouraged to take part in them.
If you ever see such a mom - reach out. You have a chance to perform a real work of charity - instruct the ignorant.
But, let's also not judge them harshly. They are often reaching out for help and advice but just getting inaccurate (and sometimes harmful) advice.
The whole story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38967973/ns/health-the_new_york_times/
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| Wednesday, September 01, 2010 |
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| HOW'S THIS FOR WEIRD - ACCIDENTAL INVENTIONS [Rachel Watkins] |
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9/1/2010 |
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Go over this list and see just how many of these 'accidental' inventions impact on your life - such as velcro, teflon and yes - playdoh!!
http://www.newsweek.com/photo/2010/08/31/famous-accidental-discoveries.html
Of course, we all wish we had the next big thing but few, if any of us will. Rather, we will just enjoy and be grateful we have the color mauve?! Yes, apparently mauve was invented (or at least the ability to dye fabrics more easily).
And post-it notes. I love these for a million reasons including this neat video by the guys who give us the Diet Coke and Mentos car -
Gather the kids around the computer and enjoy!
http://www.eepybird.com/featured-video/the-extreme-sticky-note-experiments/
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| WEIRD WEDNESDAY [Rachel Watkins] |
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9/1/2010 |
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Going with a theme here - I just had to post this oddly compelling story because it just wouldn't leave my head.....
Have you heard about the feet washing up on the coast line of BC Canada's islands?? It has been happening for years.
Seriously - just google 'feet washing up' and you'll get hits from as far back as 2008!
Here is quite liberal Rachel Maddow's take (love her name, hate her politics):
http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/another-mysterious-foot-washes-up-on-beach/6wc2ijn?from=
Who knows what is occurring here but the bottom line is that is it NOT GOOD!
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| THE KIDS ARE "NOT" ALL RIGHT [Rachel Watkins] |
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8/31/2010 |
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I blogged about the recent movie about the sperm donor, lesbian mother, questioning kids movie recently.
Here's the real story of this issue:
"Confessions of a Sperm Donor: Hundreds of Kids
Films 'The Switch' and 'The Kids Are Alright' Paint Pretty Picture of an Ugly Fertility Industry"
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=11431918
Get ready to say 'eew' and then, 'I'll be praying for you' as no one wins in this immoral industry. But, will anyone ever say the Church is right about its teachings in this area - not likely.
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| HERE'S TO JK ROWLING - A PHILANTHROPIST W/ REAL MONEY TO SHARE [Rachel Watkins] |
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8/31/2010 |
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Despite your feelings about her imaginary creation, Harry Potter, the author has just made this mom feel really good.
She just donated $15.4 million to MS Research. My $20 pales in comparison but that matters not. She's putting her money where her heart is as her mother died of complications of her MS when she was a mere 45 years old.
I have passed 45 years and my MS remains mild but I am always encouraged by support given to this disease which affects more women than men and can have devastating results on the woman and her family.
Good for her! Harry has done rather well by her and it is nice to see her passing it along to others.
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| ANOTHER 'CHARITY' YOU CAN GET BEHIND [Rachel Watkins] |
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8/31/2010 |
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I've written before about my desire to be the next Bill Gates or, really, Tom Monaghan. I want to be a philanthropist who gives away millions of dollars to great charities. But in that I do not have millions - not even close - I've left to do a little bit. The widow's mite as it were.
So, I do, a little bit. In my mind, the $20 or so I send can do a great deal of good. My mite might buy the next book of stamps, tip the balance in getting the electric bill paid or even just pay for a pizza on a late night of work for the Kingdom. I don't care, I just send it.
I have found a new charity to put on my list - from the Catholic News Service.
"Corey Huber and his wife, Katherine, operate the Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations, a public charity based in northern Virginia that helps aspiring religious faced with deferring their dreams in the face of debt."
Way cool! Too cool! I absolutely love this idea.
My own children did not have any debt but they all had classmates who did. Helping these brave, young souls follow the call of Christ is encouraging to me and I hope my mite will give encouragement to them.
Here's the whole story:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003473.htm
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| ANOTHER REASON TO LOVE FR. RUTLER - NEW LITURGY ON THE WAY [Rachel Watkins] |
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8/30/2010 |
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He's got a great piece over at First Things:
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/08/the-liturgical-expertsrsquo-long-tassels
Did you know a new translation of the Mass is headed our way? Fr. Rutler's article is clear about how he feels about its arrival (it's good) and how he feels about liturgists (not as good).
BUT - what was most telling to me was the comments which went on and on about Latin vs. Novus Ordo. It seemed to me that these statements also demonstrated what Fr. Rutler was criticizing.
WE - the people - make valid attempts to do our best by God but in that we are sinners and flawed we will never get it right - never. All we can do is try. But to keep harping on about what is wrong serves no purpose but make people like me crazy.
I have no feelings whatsoever about the two forms available - I come only, as Fr. Rutler refers to as well, "to see Jesus".
I am hoping the changes being presented will allow more clarity and consistency in that desire, and less chance for creativity on the altar as Jimmy Akin's points out in another article:
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/okay-liturgical-rant-time
I am not usually a fan of rants; especially as this one outs my old diocese (Rochester) in one comment. But, I am also sensitive as my brother is priest and I am sure there are times when someone is picking on him for something or another and they have no right, only his big brothers and sisters can do that!
However, the point is clear - there are times, sadly, when we endure a Mass rather than enjoy it. And granted, there will be folks who will quibble at my use of 'enjoy' but come on, we're only human.
Heaven is the only place we will see clearly - without sins to cloud our judgement - what the Eucharist was intended to be. Until that time, I will follow Rome and hope my priests do the same. (So far so good here in my current diocese and parish.)
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