Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!

It's been an interesting year, hasn't it boys and girls? We still have a few more days left in this year. And............. it might get a whole lot more interesting before the end of the year. Not to mention early next year.

All of you are aware that this is not going to be peaceful, no matter how much we pray for peace on earth. There is not going to be peace. That festive color of red and green? The green will be laid over caskets and the red will be blood running in the streets.

I'm sorry. It sounds a tad bit morbid, doesn't it? We have lost our country. Even if President Trump wins the election, do you really think these people are going to quit and go home? They have been systematically trying to overthrow our government for years. It is blatant in our face now. Our vote means nothing. The courts at all levels, including the Supreme Court, are corrupt. Local governments, state governments and our federal government are corrupt. 

Now it is in our face everyday. They don't care. One small example. You can go to a drive in theater on a Saturday night and watch a movie, but you can't go to that same drive in theater on Sunday morning and participate in the religion of your choice.

If you have not wrapped your head around what is going on yet, then I don't know what to say. Many venues have been talking about what is here now, and they have been talking about it for years, what is coming. Boys and girls, you better not pout, you better not cry. You have been warned for years. 

Does this sound like doom and gloom? Well, yea, it does. Because it is. I live in southeastern Oklahoma, one of the most conservative places on the planet. We are surrounded in every direction by conservative. I thank God everyday for the many gifts that He has given Fern and I. 

I hope you have food, water, protection.  I hope you have a plan. If you truly believe that this thing will pass or get better, then you are not in touch with reality. Sorry.

We haven't had much to say lately. What is there to say? All news sources lie. All of them. For the most part, that includes conservative news sources. 

Today, here, the sun is shining, we have a mild breeze out of the north, the temperature will get up to about 45*. It is just a beautiful day. For that, I am thankful. 

Fern & I hope that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas. Celebrate the holidays however you choose. You can still do that for the most part. There are some places you can't worship or gather, but that's your choice. You're the one that made the choice to be where you are.

Our 1st & 2nd Amendments are under a brutal attack.  

There is just not much left to say. Keep your head down. Please be sober. Pay attention. Avoid crowds. Hopefully, we will all weather this thing, because when it rains on you, it rains on me.

I didn't mention COVID. You're going to have to formulate your own thoughts on that one. People die everyday and they have for a long, long time now. 

Either way, I look forward to what's coming. My flag is still blowing in the breeze. The church down the road still has their cross up. 

I know that hope is a poor strategy, but I hope to live my time on earth as peaceful as possible, and I hope that you do, too.

Merry Christmas all. May God and Peace be with you.

We'll talk more later,  Frank 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

Fern and I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas. 

May the Lord be with you and yours.

If you are out shopping, please be vigilant, pay attention, and avoid crowds if you can. This might be a good year to get people things that they actually need and can use. Kitchen tools are always handy. They may be hard to find right now, but garden tools, shovels, rakes, hand spades. Back in grandma's day, these were standard gifts. If you've got a little extra jingle in your pocket, the means to protect oneself is always an excellent gift.

Yes, I know this is Christmas eve and most people have already bought for their loved ones, but in a couple of days you can take all the things you don't want back to the store and get things you need. Sporting goods stores are good places to shop. I like hardware stores, too. While you're there, get a couple of dust masks and put them on. That guy two aisles over that has the cough that's coming from his belly button may just be sharing the latest version of our government released plague. 

But this is not the day for that, the plague, that is. I was in a store yesterday, grocery store, went to get some apples while Fern was visiting her mother in the nursing home. There were a lot of sick people in there. I don't mean the transgender type, these people were really sick - coughing, hacking.

I hear the gun shops are having brisk sales this time of year. Did you know they make brand name rifles and pistols with pink grips? I guess if your neighbor has a whole closet full of those pink hats, you don't want to clash with your neighbors, now do you? No, you can't shoot that pink flamingo in their front yard, or for that matter, you can't shoot that fake deer in their yard either. Because if you live in a state that has red flag laws, somebody will turn you in for having a bumper sticker on your car that says 'vote for Trump'. Probably your neighbor with the pink hat, though they won't tell you who it is, but they will take your pink gun.

I keep reading about Virginia, no that's not a TV character, that's a state on the east coast. You know, one of those states that the left is trying to take from the right. That government out there just appears to be just a bunch of fools. But then the government just north of there, well not really north, but you know what I mean. The people in our Congress are not supporting what I believe in. I don't know about our national government anymore. Is it a game they're playing? No one seems to be serious. It reminds me of a bunch of kids on a playground. I'm serious. 

Is this the big show we're seeing out there or is this the diversion trying to cover up what's really happening? 

We're being told that the economy is going great guns. Do you see it? I sure don't. There are trucking companies shutting down, steel mills laying people off. Yes, I know the fast food places are hiring, but people need real jobs. This repo thing has nothing to do with cars and houses, you know. If our economy is so good, why is the federal reserve pumping billions of dollars on a regular basis into big banks and industry?

And where's the wall?

When we thought the Japanese were going to attack mainland Alaska, our government in conjunction with the Canadian government, built a highway. Yes is was crude by today's standards, actually most of it is still crude by today's standards. There were numerous bridges across big rivers that most folks have never heard of, never will hear of and will never see. But they did it, they built that road in some of the most inhospitable land on the planet, most of it during the winter. It took right around six months.

Where is that wall? Give me break. Somebody is lying to us. We all know that the "free" press doesn't lie. You know our government doesn't lie. The economy is teetering on collapse. Look up there a paragraph or two and find all the information you can on the Federal Reserve and repo. Do the math. Our fiasco in Washington? Who knows what is going on.

This thing in Virginia, it's the next big show in town. Pay very close attention. While you're paying attention, watch this Brexit thing also. And pay attention to the immigration problems in Europe, too. The European Union is in dismal financial shape and their immigration problem is past the point of no return. Are you ready for another Irish invasion? I don't see another Crusade coming. Looks to me like they're going to just build one large dome across most of Europe.

Going around to the other side of the world. How are things looking in China? I'm going to take a break here for just a second and let's do a quick tour of rioting in countries all around the world. It's going to be easier just to say we're not rioting here in the United States and Canada. Yet, that is, it's going to be a hot summer. You are aware our southern border is lined with a well organized, highly lethal and well trained military. Except it's not a government military, it's called drug cartels. Yes, there is rioting going on in countries all around the planet, including China. China is rapidly developing a sophisticated military. Why?

Ever read history about how China was able to enter the world financial markets? Most of us don't. If we read history at all, we refer to it as Western history, you know, England, France, Italy, those types of places. Read about Mao. When it comes to mass executions he made Hitler look like an amateur. We know about Hitler, or we think we do. But look at this old boy Mao Zedong. While you're at it check out Chiang Kai-shek. I know people will say there was a famine or something like that, you read it and do the research. I wonder if there is any possibility that our government would do this to the American people? 

Well, it's Christmas eve and here in our part of the country the weather is beautiful. Today will be sunny, light winds with 65* to 70*F. For you folks living in the frozen north? Better you than me, I've been there and done that. The only way I'll do that again is if they put me in a boxcar and ship me up there. We've done that in this country, too. Read about what good old Andrew Jackson did to the Indian population, then tell yourself you're sure glad you live in America where we don't do that kind of thing like the Chinese, the Germans, the Russians and the Italians. The list goes on and on. Ask some of the Indian folks what they think about relocation and Andrew Jackson. Remember, Andrew Jackson is President Trump's favorite past president. Don't think it can't happen here? It has happened here before. Ask the Japanese people in California.

Here at Frank and Fern, we have a saying. Don't get on the truck and sometimes it says don't get on the bus. Just a modern day version of a boxcar or a trail of tears. 

A little side note here. All the groups mentioned above had their weapons taken away. There are lots of places where this same thing that's going on in Virginia has happened before. We've got red flag laws creeping across the nation, Gestapo type tactics. The economy is teetering on collapse. This is not a game. This is not cutesy. Get your ass off the couch, turn off the TV and prepare for war. Don't get on the bus. 

Don't forget to tell your loved ones Merry Christmas. Shake their hands, pat them on the head, give them a hug and TEACH them. It is going to be a hot summer.

Let's finish up here, boys and girls.

Pray for peace. 

Prepare for war.

We'll talk more later,  Frank

For Unto You A Child Is Born

Luke 2: 1-20 KJ 

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

We pray that you and yours have a blessed Christmas. 
May God and Peace be with you.

Frank and Fern

Making a Baby Doll for Christmas

I couldn't find a gift I cared to buy for a little girl in our family. After I thought about it for awhile, I remembered I have a pattern for a very simple doll. So, I made one. I only remember making one other stuffed doll-like moose couple, representing Frank and I, of course. Silly, huh? With my limited experience, this doll turned out to be a little more of a project than I envisioned, but it turned out fairly well. The nice thing about it is a two year old doesn't do much of a critique on a home made item. The adults around her might, but she didn't. She just took it to her miniature recliner with her sippy cup and they both watched cartoons together.

I found this pattern at lds.org, here. It has recommendations for fabric and such, but I have always liked to try to make things from what I have on hand. I had some old fabric that has a more open weave pattern than regular cotton, it's almost like a tight weave burlap, and I thought it would work well. It is a little darker brown than I would have chosen if I were shopping, but these scraps have been around for probably 20 years. It's good to get some use from them.

The hardest part of this project was turning the doll right side out after stitching up most of the body. The pattern chooses to leave the opening on the inside of one of the legs which makes sense if you're thinking about limiting visibility of the slip stitched final closure after it is stuffed. But I found it difficult to turn and difficult to stuff the head and arms from this location. For working purposes, it would be much easier to leave the opening on the side of the body instead.

Do you know how many pairs of old, clean panty hose you can get in a small doll like this? I probably used at least 15 pair, which is good, since I have been saving them for quite a while. There aren't many women that wear panty hose any more, but I do. I'm very old fashioned in that I must wear panty hose and a slip with a dress, or I'm just not dressed. And don't look at the feet very close, because one of them turned out bigger than the other, rather noticeably. But when you're playing with a doll and you're two years old, it won't matter, right?

The clothes for this doll are very simple. I decided that every little girl needs some ruffles, so I brought out the bag that has Frank's grandmother's Eastern Star dresses. She gave these to me before she passed away, and I have used bits and pieces in several projects. This gave me a gauzy covering for the little shirt, and a couple of layers, along with another piece of lacy fabric for a ruffledy skirt. It took a bit to get them adjusted correctly, but I liked the way they turned out.

The next challenge was the face and hair. I found it interesting to make the eyelids and nose out of the same body fabric. The recommendation was to make the eye pieces out of felt, but I didn't have any, so I got out my bag of embroidery thread and took a stab at it. It looked pretty funny until I got all of the detail finished, and it turned out better than I imagined. Not great, but okay. The hair was another story. They have several examples of pig tails and baby loops, but I wanted some curly blondish hair to sort of match that of the little girl who was receiving this doll. I got out a big tapestry needle and did a combination of loops and straight cut off pieces of yarn tied in place until I had a nice messy mixture that almost looks like hair if you use your imagination.

It was fun making this doll. All together it probably took me about four to five hours. I sent a picture of it to a friend when I finished, and her comment was that we will need to know how to make toys for the children after the collapse comes, because they won't have all of the electronic gizmos and contraptions they have now. People used to make their children the toys they had, or they didn't have any. I guess this is one of the reasons I made this little girl a doll. Good old, imaginative play, without batteries or electricity appears to becoming a thing of the past, much to the detriment of society, in my humble opinion. Imagination requires children to think instead of react. It involves a whole different set of thought processes.

Through much of my teaching career I would bring my special education students out to our farm on a field trip. We would be gone the whole day, playing at a park, having sack lunches, then

visiting the farm to see baby goats or lambs, baby chickens and the garden. They always had a great time. It was the only day of the whole year I would give them a soda and a snack bag that had crackers and candy. Otherwise, I never provided any sugary snacks for them. I allowed the kids to bring something to play with at the park as long as it would fit in their backpack. But one of the main rules about toys is that it could not be electronic or have batteries. No cell phones, no game boy things (I know their called something else now, but I don't know what it is.), only plain, old fashioned toys. Otherwise they could run and play, all day long and use their imagination. It was great. By the end of the day, they were tired and happy. 

I'm glad I made this little girl a doll for Christmas. It reminded me of yet another important skill we will need, to provide loving support for children when the world turns upside down. 

Until next time - Fern
 

For Unto You A Child Is Born

Luke 2: 1-20 KJ 

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

We pray that you and yours have a blessed Christmas. 
May God and Peace be with you.

Frank and Fern

For Unto You A Child Is Born

Luke 2: 1-20 KJ 

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

We pray that you and yours have a blessed Christmas. 
May God and Peace be with you.

Frank and Fern