Carol Rutz’s Annexe

Just got the newest CBD catalog…and browse through the latest pulp theology and Christian novels. I came across the blurb for Lori Copeland’s upcoming novel Twice Loved for her Belles of Timber Creek series.

Here is the story plot: Woman has to choose between older but wealthy man or the young and handsome sawmill owner. Basically, it’s a choice between duty (the older person) and love (the younger guy). The way the story is set up, I would not be surprised if Ms Copeland would portray Silas Sterling as aloof, indifferent and frightfully unromantic– and Tucker Gray as this headstrong, passionate romantic man of her dreams. How stereotypical.

I will be impressed if Ms Copeland writes the novel so that Sterling turned out to be the most kindest, loving man despite his age and/or riches…and Gray turned out to be a total loser. Either that, or both men rejected her because they do not care for flighty, indecisive and superficial women. I’m not holding my breath.

I shed no tears for your children. For you, of course, but not for your kids.

Do yourselves a favor. Let them face the consequences, and use that bail money instead for a better purpose, like helping out with the medical bills of the kid they screwed up.

They may be your snowflakes, but they knew what they were doing.

I’d dress like a teenage bubblehead, and go out on a date. If he asked me what the heck I am doing with that get up, I’d reply:

“You did NOT object when SHE dressed up that way, Client 9.”

From the bowels of Fark and the Independent of Ireland, this article from Mr O’Connor.

Mr O’Connor’s idea of responsibility is a myth, and an self-aggrandizing one at that. All of his hard work will merit bupkis in heaven. Obviously, he expects a reward because he is not like the other youth who do play video games and remained at their parents’ home due to one reason or another. Surely, he already got his reward.

Procreation and getting hitched does not mean guaranteed responsibility; anyone can rub two… errr, organs together and produce a sprog. Getting married to the WRONG person is always a BAD idea. Going over in financial debt because of starting out is not swell. I can tell you about one of my sibs, who after her graduation with a BA in social work…got an offer to work for 8 dollars per hour…in Los Angeles, where you are lucky to get a halfway decent apartment for 900 dollars per month.

For a while, she remained with her family, helps pay for the food and rent, and got a more decent job with better pay. She saved up and is now independent. Is what she did irresponsible and a mark of a “fairly developmentally retarded” human being? As a family, we believe in being financially secure, carrying each other’s burdens until one is ready to take upon the task, and to love each other, improving our lives. To hell with Mr O’Connor’s anemic concept of “responsibility”!

Today is Quinquagesima, the Sunday right before the start of Lent. The Epistle reading, 1 Corinthians 13, has something to say regarding one’s motivation:

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The human being has only two true responsibilities: To love God and to love his neighbor as much as himself. Upon this Great Law hangs everything else. And such love is a gift from God, never scrounged up from ourselves. It does not answer the specific preferences of music, the arts, and how a family unit deals with financial challenges.

To Mr O’Connor, I can only offer this lyric from Hank Williams:

Mindin’ other people’s business seems to be high-toned
I got all that I can do just to mind my own
Why don’t you mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
If you mind your own business, you’ll stay busy all the time.

From Fark.com via Family Hack and Secular Homeschooling Magazine, the best homeschooling rant ever. Use it when that annoying neighborhood idiot spreads FUD regarding your educational preference.

11. Please stop questioning my competency and demanding to see my credentials. I didn’t have to complete a course in catering to successfully cook dinner for my family; I don’t need a degree in teaching to educate my children. If spending at least twelve years in the kind of chew-it-up-and-spit-it-out educational facility we call public school left me with so little information in my memory banks that I can’t teach the basics of an elementary education to my nearest and dearest, maybe there’s a reason I’m so reluctant to send my child to school.

I’m glad that you have apologized to Club Libby Lu, the military, and especially to your daughter.

Now that you have done that, you are wondering…how to make up for the fallout that affected your daughter? You had taught her unfortunate lessons in lying and selfishness. It’s one thing to cheat. That’s crummy. But to teach your daughter? Talk about ruining her future! Now…how can one reverse it?

1) Contact the local Veteran of Foreign Wars branch or the American Legion. Ask them about ways to volunteer and to help those who were affected by past wars. Regardless on how we stand on the present war, the people that came back deserve respect and mercy.

2) Get to a good solid church. I’ve heard that Peace Lutheran Church where Pastor Erickson is quite good. There you will find out about the Law and Gospel and sin and redemption. Your daughter needs to hear this message more than ever.

3) Your family: do something together that is fun and simply constructive…without spending much. Imagination is free. Exploit it! There must be a library nearby so you two can read a good book. I recommend the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Aside from that, this is all For What It’s Worth. There is a very slim chance that you will stumble upon this. But nothing ventured is nothing gained.

This week’s Farktography features a great selection of wallpaper of natural settings. Bevets (of “Summon Bevets” fame) has contributed a great scene from Cornell University.

From his website, I stumbled a provocative and informative article link from Greta Christina regarding atheism and anger. (NSFW) She outlined the reasons why she, as an Atheist, is very angry.

Personally, I would not blame her for being angry.

It is also a reminder that anger is a great weapon when used to correct injustices– provided that it is rightfully directed. Otherwise, you’re hurting yourself. Do not take away the right to be angry by platitudes or sheer condescension.

Thanks to the Slacktivist and Pandagon for this heads up.

Consider this draconian and foolhardy rule that Principal Warden Worden have enacted. Only menstruating students were allowed to carry bags. And even then, they are subject to search. Considering that the American perspective on one’s period is negative (see the Carrie movie for reference), why shine a spotlight on something that is deemed private? And also consider those with medical conditions in which you do need to carry medicine and what not. An medical emergency waits for no school nurse to come by and give you your stuff.

I remember the awkwardness of puberty and ensuring that NOTHING leaked or ruin one’s pants. Why make that situation more uncomfortable?

If you really want to tick off the Principal, carry Vinnie’s Tampon Case and fill it with actual tampons and pads…that includes boys and girls. If someone ask you if you are having your period, hold up the case and say: “I’m carrying a tampon case. What do you think?” And if they balk and told you that you are lying, say: “And how would you verify that I’m menstruating?!”

If you cannot afford Vinnie’s case nor are you able to find it, make your own case! The Office Depot has canvas pencil cases that are on sale for 3 bux and it comes with a marker to write on it. Your imagination is a gift and it’s good to use it to stand up for one’s rights.

Now, an endorsement from your Friend of the Predigtamt. I recommend without reservation o.b. with its own little case. It fits in your pocket and is discreet– which means less drama from idiot school administrators. Plus, there are no bulky applicators that cannot be recycled. You can ask for their free sample of three tampons and the cute plastic case.

We carry in our hearts the true country
And that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
And that cannot be broken

–The Dead Heart by Midnight Oil