Common Sense

I saw this on the social media everybody loves, but which is LIBERAL AND BIASED AGAINST ANYONE WHO DOESN'T AGREE WITH THEIR NARRATIVE.  I didn't write it -- but I agree with it.  And, I don't know why it would harm anyone - especially THEIR COMMUNITY STANDARDS.  And, let me tell you, friends, their standards are evil, twisted, demented, and demonic.  I'm moving to MeWe.

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Please leave the politics out of this and read it with an open mind using common sense.

COPIED FROM A FRIEND: 

"I have done my best to respect the diverse opinions regarding COVID-19 over these past few months, but I have these nagging questions about it... A friend posted this and it brilliantly sums up my train of thought:

Anyone out there who can tell me what our end game is with the covid 19? 

What is the magic formula that is going to allow us to sound the all clear? 

Is it zero cases?

The only way that will happen is if we just stop testing and stop reporting. 

Is it a vaccine? 

It took 25 years for a chicken pox vaccine to be developed. 

The smallpox inoculation was discovered in 1796 the last known natural case was in 1977. 

We have a flu vaccine that is only 40 to 60% effective and less than half of the US population choose to get one, and roughly 20,000 Americans will die of the flu or flu complications. 

Oh, you'll mandate it, like other vaccines are mandated in order to attend school, travel to some foreign countries, etc. 

We already have a growing number of anti vaxxers refusing proven, tested, well known vaccines that have been administered for decades but aren’t necessarily safe! 

Do you really think people will flock to get a fast tracked, quickly tested vaccine, whose long term side effects and overall efficacy are anyone's best guess? 

How long are we going to cancel and postpone and reconsider? 

You aren't doing in person school until second quarter? 

What if October's numbers are the same as August's? 

You moved football to spring? 

What if next March is worse than this one was? 

When do we decide quality of life outweighs the risks? 

I understand Covid can be deadly or very dangerous for SOME people, but so are strawberries and so is shellfish. 

We take risks multiple times a day without a second thought. 

We know driving a car can be dangerous, we don't leave it in the garage. 

We know the dangers of smoking, drinking and eating fried foods, we do it anyway. 

We speed, we don't buckle our seat-belts, we take more than directed.

Quite a few people don't think twice about unprotected sex, they just hop right to it.

Is hugging Grandma really more dangerous than rush hour on the freeway? 

Is going out with friends after work more risky than 4 day old gas station sushi? 

Or operating a chainsaw? 

When and how did we so quickly lose our free will? 

Is there a waiver somewhere I can sign that says, "I understand the risks, but I choose a life with Hugs and Smiles, and the State Fair and Concerts and Homecoming." 

I understand that there is a minuscule possibility I could die, but I will most likely end up feeling like crap for a few days. 

I understand I could possibly pass it to someone else, if I'm not careful, but I can pass any virus onto someone else. 

I'm struggling to see where or how this ends.

We either get busy living or we get busy dying. 

When God decides it's your time, you don't get any mulligans, so I guess I would rather spend my time enjoying it and living in the moment and not worrying about what ifs and maybes, and I bet I'm not the only one."

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Best Independence Day EVER!

Independence Day, 2020 will always live in my memory as the best of my life.  On July 3, we watched President Trump give the most wonderful presidential speech I've ever heard.  His love and devotion to our beloved country brought tears to my eyes. He fanned the flames of my patriotism and they are burning brighter than ever.  His words inspired me to do everything I can to protect and preserve our history, our monuments, our flag, our Constitution, and the ideals upon which our country was founded.  Here's a video link to that great patriotic speech - President Trump at Mount Rushmore.

 

I think this speech should be seen by every American, and especially by children.  President Trump shares the amazing history of the four presidents whose faces are carved into the mountain.  I learned a great deal from his history lesson.  Here is a link to the transcript of President Trump's speech.  I encourage you to print it and share it far and wide.

 

This inspiring, patriotic speech was especially meaningful when you remember that Independence Day, 2020 was shrouded in anarchistic violence in the previous weeks.  Statues and monuments had been burned, defaced, and some completely destroyed.  Churches were even set on fire.  I was so proud of President Trump when he left the White House and walked to St. Johns Church (which was set on fire), stood in front of it, and held up God's Holy Word.  It's shameful to see the vulgar curse words spray-painted on the building across from the church.  Click on the link to see another example of the horrible damage: George Washington statue defaced.

 

All of this was done in response to the death of a black man in Minneapolis.  He was killed by a policeman.  It is tragic what happened to that man and I pray it never happens again.  But the conclusions some people have come to are equally tragic. Policemen have been killed in revenge.  Calls are now being made to defund the police.  Parts of cities are being taken over and held hostage by anarchistic terrorists.  It's all wrong and it's not going to solve the "problem". 

 

What is the problem, anyway?  The problem is that our country has turned its back on God and His Holy Word.  We have left behind the Judeo-Christian principles upon which this country was founded.  My prayer is for a revival of those ideals.  God shed His grace on us because of that obedience to His Word.

 

I thank God for a president (who is under constant threat of harm and death) that has the courage and boldness to do what he did.  Think about it -- he had the courage to spontaneously walk out, in public, in the heat of this shameful period in our history, and stand in front of a church while holding a Bible.  What a statement.  That statement is clear:  GOD WINS!!!

 

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On July 4, we met with our mishpocha at synagogue for our weekly Shabbat service. In addition to our normal music and worship, liturgy, and Torah study,  Rabbi asked the question, "What do you remember as the best Independence Day in your life?"  It was interesting to listen to the different memories shared by the congregation. 

 

My turn came, and I said, "I think the best was when Rabbi Jem and I got married.  He put out flags, flags, and more flags!  Big ones, little ones -- all over our yard."  Like this:

 

 

Every year, the number of flags increases.  I joke that when Jem gets a little bit of money, he buys flags.  He puts them out for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.  Plus, we have a tall flag pole that flies the American Flag all year long.  We want everyone who passes by to know we love our country and our flag.   

 

Speaking of love of the flag, one day a neighbor was walking by with her five-year old on his bike.  Jem was in the yard working with his flags.  The little boy stopped and said, "Mom.  Can I salute that flag?"  Both Jem and his Mom assured him he could.  That patriotic little boy put his hand on his heart and said the pledge of allegiance.  They joined in with him.  It warmed our heart to see a mother who is teaching her child to love his country.  Jem was so impressed that he gave him his own flag to put in his yard.

 

So, while our first Independence Day together was a good one, I think Independence Day, 2020 has become my favorite July 4 holiday memory.

 

I'd love to hear about your best Independence Day memory or your love for the USA!

 

I sometimes share my posts with these friends: 

 
  GRAND Social      Modest Mom Monday Link-up      The Art of Homemaking Mondays

 Hearth and Soul Link Party
   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTY     Share Your Cup Wednesday  Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up     
    Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday 
Sunday Thoughts Link-Up
 OVER THE MOON LINKY PARTY!

Party In Your PJs

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Golden Cottage & Garden Musings

Greetings Gail-Friends!

This will be a quick post to catch up on the happenings at Golden Cottage and Garden.  We've been busy 'round here - mostly in the garden.

But first -- I saw this photo (up top) on the highway median and snapped a quick pic.  Sorry it's so blurry.  It says, "Every thing will be OK."  God bless whoever put it there.  It's a message for us all.  God is still on His throne.  He holds the world in His hands.  Our job is to trust His plan.  This, too, shall pass, Gail-Friends. And if we are called according to His purpose, it will all work together for our good.  Here's a pretty bouquet just for you, Gail-Friends.

I love carnations and these variegated ones caught my eye at the local grocery store.  I just add some faux baby's breath and voila!  Instant cheer!

Here in paradise, things are pretty much back to normal.  We go about our normal business, go out to eat, go shopping, and to our doctor appointments.  We're catching up on all of the ones that were cancelled due to the "dampanic."

Speaking of doctor appointments, I had cataract surgery this past Monday on my left eye.  I've been blind in that eye all of my life.  The only letter I could ever see is the giant "E" and that was very blurry.  The day after surgery, I went for my post-op visit and they checked my vision.  Gail-Friends, I shouted, "YAHOO!"  Why?  Because I could read two other lines on the chart! This is the first time in my life! 

Before the surgery, my vision was 20/400.  That day it was 20/250.  And it could improve further after the swelling goes down!  I just thanked God over and over -- and I'm still praising Him.  The doctor was very encouraged because he said my left eye was very hard to work with due to a big, nasty scar which made it difficult to measure accurately.  I told him many people were praying for him.  He did a great job (with God's guiding hand and the angel's protection).  Halleluyah!

At the eye doctor's office, I thought this fish was funny and had to take his picture. 

We rarely wear masks -- mostly at the doctors offices, because they require it.  I've had more than one health professional say they DO NOT wear masks outside their place of work.  People are living in fear and are being scammed on this point.  I believe this will all be over once the election happens.  .I believe it's a way to control people and keep them in fear.  I've read plenty of articles and seen many videos.  Masks are for sick people.  Not for healthy people.  Our country has been through many flu seasons and this one is no different.  What's different is the way they are doing to manipulate people.  Good hygiene and good old common sense are the most important things.

On Memorial Day, we visited a local veterans memorial cemetery.  It was pouring rain, but we thought it important to remember and honor those who loved and gave their lives for our beloved country.  This cemetery had been long neglected and was grown over with weeds.  A local DAV group, along with a Boy Scout, spearheaded an effort to revitalize it.  They did a wonderful job and now it's very beautiful.

Flags were raised for each branch of the military, and Jem was honored to hoist the flag for the Navy.  I held the umbrella for him 'cause, like I said, it was really raining.  The ceremony was short, but very moving.  God bless all who died in service to preserve freedom.

As always, Jem put out lots of flags for Memorial Day and Flag Day.

Have you heard of Bright Line Eating?  Well, it's a healthy way of eating and I've been learning about it.  Basically, you don't eat sugar or flour and you eat lots of healthy protein, veggies and fruit.  Giving up bread is the hardest part for me. (I''ve already given up sugar.)  Jem and I went to Panara recently and this painting pretty much depicts how I feel about giving up bread. (LOL) We laughed about it, but I am serious about getting healthy.  I'll keep you posted on my progress in the weeks ahead.  I'm already feeling better and sleeping better, too.

On the subject of sleep, it's not uncommon for women my age to have sleeping problems.  I can go to sleep, but staying asleep is my problem because my brain keeps thinking and thinking like the Energizer Bunny. But praise to Hashem, I've found the key for me. I visited a local herbalist and found the answer!  I use two 500 mg capsules of passion flower and 500 mg of magnesium about thirty minutes before bed..  This has been working very well and is an answer to prayer.  I've been getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night.  Halleluyah! 

We were taking a ride in the country last week and Jem spotted something on the side of the road.  He thought it was a coiled up snake ready to strike.  We turned around, and saw that it was a leather-back snapping turtle with his head raised up high.  He took off into the grass when we stopped to take a picture. 

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On Fathers Day, we took a ride up to Oak Hill for a seafood dinner at Goodriches Restaurant.  Jem wore his Trump hat and got some good comments.  We love our president and lots of others do, too!  The weather was gorgeous, warm and breezy.  We sat on the deck and enjoyed watching the birds and the boats pass by. 

I love this man!  He's a mensch and a mentor.  He never had children of his own, but has been a father and a bright and shining example to many children, teens, and other men.  I admire and honor him above all men I've ever known.

Wouldn't you love to take a ride on this beauty?

Our gardener (Rabbi Jem aka Mr. Green Jeans) has been building a pathway from the back door to the pond.  It's so nice not to have to walk in a clean path instead of the dirt.  He's been working every morning before noon on this project.  By noon, the sun has moved to the backyard and it's too hot to bear.  Isn't it gorgeous? 

My peace lilies are blooming profusely.  Twenty-five at last count!

And we had our first night-blooming cereus.  I always love, love, love seeing those beauties.

We planted veggies, and they are bearing well - except for the squash.  The rains came and they all died. I've been cutting lettuce every other day, and we get about fifty of the little golden tomatoes daily.  They are so good and sweet.  The beefsteak tomatoes and the peppers have not matured yet, but they're coming! We had our first mess of green beans yesterday and ate them for supper.  I forgot to take a photo.  The spinach didn't come up at all.  Gardening in this hot central Florida weather is challenging, Gail-Friends!

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Well, Gail-Friends, that's all for now.  We're looking forward to the 4th of July.  We live in a wonderful country.  God has surely shed His grace on us.  We were born for such a time as this -- to pray and put feet to our prayers.  Let's stand up for our country, our president, our flag, and our anthem.  If we don't, we will lose it.  Seek God's face to see what He'd have you do to preserve our life and liberty.

I sometimes share my posts with these friends:

  GRAND Social      Modest Mom Monday Link-up      The Art of Homemaking Mondays

 Hearth and Soul Link Party
   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTY     Share Your Cup Wednesday  Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up     
    Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday 
Sunday Thoughts Link-Up
 OVER THE MOON LINKY PARTY!

Party In Your PJs