Confessions of a Christmas Caroler

Today, I did it. 48 hours early. I was driving along I-95 to my folks' house and began the radio scan for something decent to listen/sing along with. Wouldn't you know they already have Christmas music playing. I had to. I just had to! I actually was tempted on Monday and listened to 2 songs before the guilt was overwhelming and I had to turn it off. "Mindy, don't rush the seasons!" Well, I rushed Christmas music 48 hours and I am not apologetic. I enjoyed it. Don't worry though. I still haven't had my Peppermint Mocha yet. There are still things that are sacred for Christmas only!

French Onion Soup cheese

So, last weekend I made a big pot of my mom's fabulous French Onion Soup. I ended up experimenting with cheeses to go on top. I ran out of Provolone (which is my choice) and used a Mozzerella/Parmesean mix for my last bowl. I decided I prefer the Provolone but wondered what other people prefer on their French Onion Soup. Is there a cheese choice I have not mentioned? Do tell...

I may be crazy...

A few weeks ago, my running partner and I were remembering how great cold weather running is. This morning I woke up for our Saturday morning long run and found the temperature to be 29 degrees. When we arrived, we were laughing that we weren't exactly ready for this drop in temperature! It took a good mile or 2 before my fingers were warm and for some reason my wrists were cold. Isn't that odd? Well, we managed to make our goal for the morning but my nose ran the entire time. Sometimes I wonder if we are crazy for running in the cold but then when it is over and I feel so great, I know that I'm not crazy just ambitious. The sacrifices we make for fitness...

Competition at the "Track"

My during the week running spot is a park called Mt. Trashmore. It is all that it sounds like it would be - a previous dump, but I digress...
I'm always entertained by the dudes that are running around there. You see, there are two kinds: the old guys and the young guys.
I have this unspoken rule about running with the old guys. I purposely don't pass them because I like to think that my mere presence on their heels pushes them to run faster and harder. I feel like it is my civic duty to challenge them. And trust me, everytime I do it, I can tell they are pushing themselves harder than usual to beat this girl. I love it!
Now, the young guys are a different story. I am not morally opposed to passing a young guy. Typically if I do, he picks up the speed so much that I end up passing him again after about a half a mile because he is worn out by his sprint. Today was interesting episode. I heard a young chap on my heels and this dude knew he had a spectator. So, I watched him pass me and begin hurdling park benches and fences. I was impressed because he looked so graceful doing it. So, I tried to keep up with him for awhile just to see what else he could do to entertain me. Then, it happened. The brother didn't quite make it over the park bench and did a little tuck and roll. He actually performed that one gracefully, too! I think the embarrassing episode gave him a second wind because he was gone after that! Oh well, the first mile was fun...

MBD's Response

I have had numerous concerned citizens inquire about my well-being post election. I considered holding a press conference to give my formal statement but decided posting to my blog would be sufficient.

I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions in the last 4 days. I knew I would need to “gird my loins” as Biden advised when I found myself dry heaving around 6pm on Tuesday. I began to prepare for the worst. Fortunately, I was in good company with new found GOP friends at a party when the news came. On the ride home, I began to think about everything and how I felt. I spoke to “Bright Eye,” Karin, first and we discussed the usual woes. Then I began a text war with Joel and he saw the bad side. Once I went to sleep, I knew that I would be in a better position come morning to logically formulate ideas and opinions.

I woke up the next day and my first thought was something that struck me in 2000. John Page wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson and today the words are engraved across the street from the White House. He took a verse from Ecclesiastes and wrote: “We know the Race is not for the swift nor the Battle to the strong. Don’t you think there is an Angel riding in the Whirlwind to direct this storm?” I have to believe that God is sovereign and knows what He is doing. He has appointed this man.

Then I had a second thought. There are times when advising others that certain things are not successful or promising and it falls on deaf ears. For example, parents tell their children not to touch the stove because it is hot. It isn’t until the child actually experiences the heat that he/she understands the parent’s caution. The same is true today. Citizens are curious about bigger government. What if you can really just let the government take care of you? How bad could that be? That curiosity supports my idea of the era of mediocrity. At what expense to us? I’m not sure. We will see it more prevalent than ever but that doesn’t mean it will stay. Remember, just like the muscles in your body, you must be broken before you are made stronger. Sure, January 2009 - January 2012 will be challenging, but anyone can endure challenges for a season.

It would be very easy to take you down the road of concerns and complaints. I have them. If you know me at all, you already know that is true. But it is a new day with new opportunities.

I have had several people ask me, “What do we do now?” This is the time that you put your action where your mouth has been. This begins by praying for our leadership and their decisions. This is also achieved by making a difference in your local community. As conservatives, we believe that it is not the job of the government to take care of people. Their role is to govern. We need to step up to the plate and make sure we are doing it. If your church doesn’t have an outreach program in your community, you either need to move churches or make sure one is started. Tutor tomorrow’s leaders and love on them. Volunteer feeding those less fortunate and give them a reason to get up in the morning. You see without an intrinsic reason for change, government is just giving away fish. There is no hope or salvation with a government check. But when God’s people get out there and offer meaning to life and eternal salvation, we have taught others how and why to fish. Which is a better plan? To give time and money directly to your local needs? Or to be forced to send money to DC so that it can pass through hundreds of hands before ever seeing the light of day in your world. I challenge you to show your community that you don’t need the government to force you to be compassionate.

There is a great concern about the financial well-being of those of us in the middle class. There is good reason for that concern. But let me remind you, if you build God’s house, He will build yours. No matter how much is taken away from you through taxes, know that you are living under God’s economy and you will not go without.

There are a number of promising items that can bring progress to this nation. Nonetheless, I vow to fight tooth and nail against socialism. I will do my part to keep watch on such violations and my Congress representatives will be hearing from me often. My motivation to stand athwart history yelling STOP has only increased. This is our moment and this is our call.

And may I remind you, we got Reagan after Carter…