Friday, July 4, 2008

Independence Day 2008

I woke up today thinking how blessed we are here in the U.S. to have separation of church and state. As I read about how our brothers and sisters in the Church of England are reacting to the FOCA declarations and fall-out, I appreciate how complicated it must be to have an official state religion when big changes are brewing and threatening. If I get my act together, I'll post up some links that I have found interesting. Or maybe I'll just post a couple of recipes that are suitable for a pot-luck offering at a picnic; some of you must be procrastinators, or have just been invited to an impromptu gathering of friends and neighbors.

Sure, this is a bit lame, but but I'm not a real blogger and need a little prep time to keep everyone amused and thinking. Or at least a little more coffee.

But it doesn't take much to get any of us into conversation, so I'm counting on all of you for the morning. Feel free to just say hello, post a story about a memorable July 4th, or thank any veterans or active duty folks for all they have done to allow us to be cranky Episcopalians. If you aren't in the U.S. or the U.K., feel free to go off topic. Hint, hint - we like recipes...

11 comments:

Lynn said...

Since no one likes to be first (except at the buffet line), I'll take this opportunity to say thank you to a few of my favorite people who have served our country: Grandpa S., Uncle Don, Ed, Dan, Jim, Al, John and most of all, my Dad.

That's quite an assortment and includes service in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and both of the Gulf conflicts.

David G. said...

Lynn , you know I talk too damned much anyway...online....(and also verbally...God Bless Those Around Me!!)

Yet I bitch about my ultra loud mouthed step-sister, who just happens to be developmentally disabled, ...I have an effect on her that my Step-mother saw early on....

As she spends Heather's check on QVC.

Anyway, Heather and I get along and because I treat her as a normal person, and actually her Idea's have enhanced my business ...(which I wasn't surprised by, her ideas, they sound quacky normally, but after you think about them for a while, well...They are ingenious) .. She's Autistic,..and we get along just fine.

Cany said...

Well, no recipes this day, but I AM BBQing for a huge community event (role reversal... the guys get to clean up, hehehe:)... so some thoughts for the day:

I am very grateful to our forefathers circumstances which preserved the distinction between church/state we have today... blurry as that often gets.

I am especially grateful for the Declaration of Independence.

Today is one of those days that emphasizes our Declaration... and if you would like to read it again, go here:

http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm

my two little foster doggies left this morning on a transport... both are 10, now groomed and healthy, one got her dental (yucky mouth!), the other will get hers at her breed rescue. Yeah for them and thank you God for their safe arrival.

Have a great 4th, everyone! Off to shuck corn:)

Oh, BTW... this is, um, interesting :
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=115940

the catch quote, "Archbishop Peter Akinola, Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), said yesterday that refusal by Jordanian officials to allow him entry into Amman a fortnight ago was satanic and was aimed at scuttling a major Anglican conference."

Where I see Divine intervention, apparently he sees Satan? Oh well. I like it better in the light:)

Lynn said...

Remember the late Flip Wilson as Geraldine..."the devil made me do it." Geraldine was obviously in Jordan.

Lynn said...

Before I make a getaway from the computer for a while, as promised - here's an easy picnic recipe:

Our family "secret" for cole slaw is Durkee "Famous Sauce," aka Durkee's. Make a dressing of about 1/3 Durkee's and 2/3 Hellman's (Best Food) or Duke mayonnaise and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. We combine this sparingly with a mixture of green cabbage, purple cabbage, and carrot grated on the large blade of a grater. The Dole's slaw mix works just fine, just make sure you don't buy a brand that is very finely grated. Actually, I just fudged that a bit, my mother only uses green cabbage most of the time. I like a bit more color and a variety of textures.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with Durkee's, it's a slightly sweet, mustard-y sauce with a great history (read about it, and see a pic of the jar at
http://www.spiceadvice.com/brands/durkee/durkee-homeuse/spices-famous-sauce.php
. It's not available everywhere, but you can almost always find it in the southern half of the country.

Feel free to post your own cole slaw recipe. There are so many different versions, and everyone has a favorite. This is just mine.

C.W.S. said...

I've got my concession to the holiday up at my blog (homepage link).

Probably wouldn't be blogging at all if not for Jake and the gang - I'm no theologian, but wanted to make a small contribution to online liberal spirituality.

Padre Mickey said...

Here’s a song in tribute to Jake's Place. You're name appears, Lynn!

Padre Mickey said...

Your YOUR!!! not "You're" Sheesh! Sorry!

James said...

Thanks for the link to the Akinola blurb. Did you notice (for me) the best line in the article:

"No matter the humiliation I suffered, I took it as a body lotion, rubbed it all over my body, so that I can shine for Christ,"Akinola said in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

I wonder, was that before or after he burned to a crisp at the realizaion he was not lord and master of the world? What a work, the man is.

Unknown said...

James I did notice, and whether this is a cultural anomaly or not, it is one of the weirder statements I have heard Akinola make... which is why Jensen should have been there to dash in and interpret.

It seems the man has a clear focus on himself, which bothers me a lot. I can understand difference in theology, and accept it, but when one orders a white horse to deliver the message, I get worried.

I don't know if you read my blog post on how I flunked the Thirty Nine Articles test
(and cannot abide the 1662 PBook), but I sure did flunk that test... I have to wonder if most of us in TEC--wholly unaware of the problems and, in general, the fight--would flunk. I think we would.

Which, I suppose, leaves me in fine company:)

James on your upcoming medicals, please let us know when you go in so we can put you on our prayer lists! I will hold you in prayer.

Unknown said...

not at all sure why it came out as canyon53ss, but it did... just the same ol cany.