heatherfont's Blog

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
"What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'
He said in reply, 'I will not, '
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, ‘but did not go.
Which of the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first."
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him."

Here's a simple verse:

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12


Some good examples of things that exist but we can't physically see are air (but we see its effect in the breezes and the carrying of pollen to make new plants, flowers, and trees); heartache; love....

Throw in some good examples of your own!
I know there are some poems out there about this somewhere.

I got a call from my oil company this past Thursday. They were offering me a "cap price" for the upcoming heating season.....$5.95 per gallon!

The representative assured me that if the price were to go down, I'd get the lower rate. When I kindly reminded him that I'd been fed that line for the last three years in a row, and the price NEVER went down, he just said, "I know, it is a little shocking." A little?

The other night, I caught a show on one of the cable channels that I, at first glance, thought was kind of silly. A gentleman was placed in a Katrina-reminiscent situation. He spent the half-hour episode coming up with some survival tactics, using only typical household items.

By the end of the show, he had crafted so many things out of duct tape, overturned appliances, and table legs, it was truly fascinating.

I started to wonder if I would be able to use my wits so well in a life-or-death situation. I would like to think that my maternal instinct would carry me through, but I can't say for sure.
I did brush up on what should be in an emergency pack, and made sure I have batteries, candles, and bottled water in the house.

I am a work in progress as far as preparedness goes. Feel free to post tips on what every household should have and know "in case of emergency."

Today, the senate cleared a bill that will cost $300 billion dollars. In effect, it is being coined a "housing aid" bill that is supposed to be a feel-good way to help people get out of the danger of foreclosure. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is going to provide lower-cost loans to homeowners to "help" them.

Why don't these homeowners simply apply to refinance their loans with their banks? ...Well, because they are too risky a prospect for banks, because they are not paying their bills/are not creditworthy enough to qualify.

I am not an insensitive person, but I've been a party to two real estate closings. At those closings, I had to read and sign dozens of documents that laid out the terms of my loans, proceeds, etc.  As an adult, I knew EXACTLY what I was getting into. If these homeowners are too risky a prospect for a bank, why on God's green earth should we, the taxpayers, be insuring new loans for them?     If and when the bulk of the "new" loans default, on whose back does it fall once again? Ahhh, yes, those of us, such as my husband and myself, who make sacrifices and changes in tough times, work hard, and just make it. 

Here's wishing each of you a blessed Christmas, and a wonderful new year!

It's funny how you can share a mutual respect with people you have never met, simply based upon their ability to express their thoughts and opinions with such eloquence. There are so many quality people blogging here, whether or not I agree with your ideologies. Thanks for backing up your views, sharing your thoughts, and giving me some good laughs!

Cheers to you and your loved ones!

Today I was teaching a reading lesson about a man and his dog. A discussion ensued about how dogs communicate with people. As an animal lover, and dog owner, I began to reflect upon just how much pets can add to our lives.


   My dog is currently three years old. I cannot imagine my life without her. And, as nuts as it might sound, we really do have "conversations." I talk to her all the time. She obediently sits and listens, and I swear she is proud to have the job of being the one to listen to me vent my daily woes. She seems to know just when I need a lick on the hand, or a chin on my knee. She also "talks" to me in so many ways. She goes to the cabinet when she wants a snack. She rests her head on my knee when she needs a hand on her back. Each night, when I sit at the couch to read a book, go online, or watch television, I can count on her to be at her assigned post, directly under foot. No words need be exchanged for that, it is her nightly duty, and one for which she also takes pride.

   When she is happy, the edges of her mouth curl up in a true smile, her ears perked up, her tail upright. When I know she is feeling real joy, I feel so connected to her. When we are out on a walk together early in the morning, and we are truly in a rhythm we have fashioned over time, I feel as though only God could have designed such a perfect friendship between two totally different beings. When she is nervous, I rest my hand on her back in a firm way, and I feel her body relax. Her trust in me is whole, her faith in me an example of pure faith, one that does not question or wonder. I am so grateful for the small wonders around me, not the least of which is this wonderful animal I am proud to call my dog and my friend.

While we are all enjoying having the day off on Monday, let's please take a few minutes to thank those brave men and women who have given and continue to give of themselves for the benefit of us all.  I whole-heartedly thank you all, living and long gone, for your service. 

 

I will be sure to continue to teach my children about the heroes among us.

 

 

So, this time last year we had gubernatorial debates that highlighted REMOVING the Mass. Pike tolls. Fast-forward to this year, and we learn that in January, the tolls on the Mass Pike are increasing, as are the tolls for the tunnels.

When are these politicians going to learn to stop biting the hand that feeds? Most of the people paying these tolls are those of us that are actually working, paying taxes, and feeding the pig that is the system. Why not try to increase revenue by actually going after the deadbeats, cheaters, scammers, and freeloaders? My husband and I are both working. At the end of the week, we are giving over 45% of our earnings to taxes. That's not including SALES tax, or excise tax, my friends.

Imagine what our forefathers would have thought about this.

Here's a very-relevant quote:

Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac
"It would be a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their income."

One tenth?? Would that not be heaven for us now??

 

Hi Fellow FALL lovers!  I just wanted to report that I took a drive up Route 128 north to Gloucester yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to see that several trees along the route are already beginning to change to beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red! I don't remember ever seeing this so early, but since I love the fall so much, I was grateful for the view and the opportunity to just appreciate the beauty of nature.

 

  Here's something that I'd like to gather some opinions on. My sister works part-time evenings as a cashier in a grocery store. Several times per night, she has patrons come in and pay for their orders with the EBT cards, better known as welfare benefits. With these little blue cards, people receiving benefits pay using both foodstamp and welfare funds. Often times, they are able to take cash back, just like with an ATM machine.

So far, no problem, right? Well, what would you think if I told you that many people are purchasing lobsters, shrimp, $11/lb. steaks, canned soda like Pepsi and Coke, individually wrapped chips, cookies, and various junkfood? What do you think of people getting cash back from their welfare benefits, and then immediately inserting that cash into the lottery's scratch ticket machines? I find this highly disturbing. I understand the need for helping people when they are down and out. But, if you are receiving state benefits, should there not be limitations as to what types of foods you can purchase? What about this cash that is supposed to be providing basic needs being spent on scratch tickets?

 

 

 

If you are a blues fan, and you like down-home style jams, check out the B Street Blues. They have their schedule online at their website:

http://www.bstreetblues.com

You can catch them next at:

Saturday, May 12, 2007
8:15pm - 12:00 midnight
Blues Night at
Copperfields/The Down Under
Featuring:
Boston Blues Express
Ottomatic Slim
The Scissormen
B Street Blues
98 Brookline Ave
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 247-8605
Final Lineup and More Info coming soon!

 They are a little quirky, always fun, and super talented. Check it out!

 

 

     Could this be any worse for Governor Patrick's PR? First, we had the Cadillac. Now, we learn that tens of thousands of dollars have been spent on new furnishings and drapes for his office? I am sure the office was not left bare when he got there. These were brand new items...a necessity?

 
Even if our state were in a surplus situation, these actions would be questionable at best. How do high-end furniture and drapes help you lead a state? I am very disappointed; not so much at the actions themselves (however unethical), but at the governor's admittance that it is not right only after being called out on it. Now he is supposedly going to pay the difference on the car payments, and pay back the state for the new furnishings.  Since he is the one who decided to make the purchases, it is obvious that he is only paying it back because he got caught.  All the while, the governor is suggesting that cities and towns impose new taxes to make ends meet. Sheesh.

 

    I think people need to really think before they send their children to school sick. I know we all have to do what we can to support our families, but this should never include sending your children to school to spread whatever they have to everyone else. What do you think schools should be able to do about this?
 

I got this one on e-mail, and thought I'd pass it on...

***Red Fridays.

There are a number of citizens, including myself, who have
not been in support of our country going into Iraq.
However now that we are in Iraq for the foreseeable future,
there is a real need for us to voice our complete support for our
soldiers who are in harm's way - both in Iraq and Afganistan.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing
Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support
our troops used to be called the "silent majority."
We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for
God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends,
simply want to recognize that the vast majority of
America supports our troops. Our idea of showing
solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and
respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and
every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a
deafening message that ... every red-blooded American
who supports our men and women afar, will wear
something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV --
let's make the United States on every Friday
a sea of red much like a homecoming football game
in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with
acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will
not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it
will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is
on their side more than ever, certainly more than the
media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked,

"What can we do to make things better for you?" is ..

"We need your support and your prayers."

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity,
by example, and wear something RED every Friday.***