MY MOMMY
I wanted to tell you all that my mother died around 2:30 p.m. today.
She was my best friend on earth, a lovely woman and the best mother anyone could have had. I was lucky to have her for 45 of her 87 years. She was much loved and much respected. She will also be much missed, but there's no reason to grieve for her, she's not in pain anymore.

"YEA, THOUGH I WALK ..."
My mother is 87 and suffers from Congestive Heart Failure. Although she had the first bout with it about 14 years ago, she did reasonably well.
All that has changed. In December, right before going to a family Christmas gathering, we realized that she couldn't wear shoes because of the swelling in her feet. Family doctor thought it was because she sat so much because her arthritis and deteriorated knee made it difficult and painful to walk. Well, it wasn't.
We've been dealing with various water pills (diuretics) for the past several months. In the last week or so Mom has been complaining of a sore tongue, has no appetite, she's gasping for breath after walking only a few steps. I did "research" on the Internet and thought she was allergic to the latest diuretic. After explaining the plight to the cardiac nurse she got us in today to see one of the cardiologists. His answer? Unfortunately, this is the natural progression of CHF. He changed her diuretic I think just to appease me. Told me that oxygen might be needed but that would have to be assessed by the family doctor -- it's a supreme effort to get her to the doctor so I was especially "happy" to hear that.
He was a nice enough man but it seemed what I was hearing is that there's little or nothing to do and "She's 87, what do you expect?" No, he didn't say that, I "heard" that. It's what I hear from family members, too.
I want to fight but at the same time I want to savor what time we have left and help her.
I wanted to punch this cardiologist, but instead I cried all the way back to work when I was finally by myself.

WHAT NEXT?! SHOOTING AT EAST TOWNE MALL
Now comes word that there was a shooting, perhaps a shoot-out between police and a suspect at East Towne Mall. Yes, I know its called Knoxville Center now, but for me, it'll always be East Towne Mall, the place where I loved spending free time when I had such stuff.

PRAY FOR AMERICA
I was just listening to the Rev. Charles Stanley out of Atlanta speaking on how we all need to pray for America. He listed 20 issues in our country that show it's time to pray. Not just pray, but "call out to God." I think it would be great if a lot of people heard this message.
I'm not sure when this will air on TV -- today or Sunday -- but it's seen on lots of channels, including PAX and TBN. The TBN showing is at 8 p.m. every Sunday night, Eastern Time. You can go to the In Touch Web site to find out where it's airing on your television.

If you can listen or watch it on the Internet I'm including the link. Please send these links on to others if you don't mind. I wouldn't be bothering you all if I didn't think it was a wonderful message. He doesn't preach Democrat or Republican, just the word of God.

SARAH PALIN
No matter your political persuasion, you gotta admit Sarah Palin is interesting and is causing people to talk. Here's a funny about the VP candidate from one of my favorite ladies, Dolly Parton.

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Real by Neta Jackson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was great. Another fine book by Neta Jackson. Imagine my surprise to find out in the study guide that lots of people -- like me -- feel so much like Jody! I'm not alone. We're all wanting to change and draw closer to God, learning to do more to actually turn more of our worries and concerns over to him rather than just give lip service.

I love these three books so much that I used part of my birthday gift certificate to order the next two. And, my plan to give the books I've read to the church has slightly changed. I'll either give them my used ones or buy the church library it's own set! LOL


View all my reviews.

NEWS OF NOTE

World Vision Warns of Southern Africa Food Crisis

The Christian Post reports that the international community must focus on more than one need at a time in Southern Africa. "As we mark World AIDS Day, the international community must focus its attention on the looming food crisis in southern Africa, whilst also addressing its long-term causes -- including the AIDS pandemic currently devastating countries such as Malawi and Zambia," said World Vision policy adviser Stephen Doughty. On wednesday the relief organization began an emergency appeal to assist the 12 to 14 million hungry who face compounded problems thanks to the AIDS pandemic, especially in Malawi and Zimbabwe. World Vision Emergency Officer Nick Wasunna in Zimbabwe said, "I saw queues of people at food distribution centers," he said, in a report on the agency's website. "After talking to them you discover they are all affected in some way by HIV." Many children must stay home to care for sick parents.

FIREPROOF
Fireproof (see below) came in No. 4 at the box office over the weekend! That's pretty great for a film that was at limited theaters and is not your usual box office-type movie. I haven't gone to see if yet.

It also sounds like it's definitely a couples movie.

Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!

OK, no lions and no bears but TIGERS! There's two of them and they're cubs!

One of the advantages of my job is that I get to sometimes (but not often enough) do stories on subjects I really enjoy. I LOVE getting to go the Little Ponderosa Zoo anytime I can.

Last Saturday I went to this rural zoo for the dedication of its tiger facility to Owen K. Richardson, who is a very sweet man who worked as the county's property assessor for many years before retiring. In addition to seeing Owen, who I hadn't seen since he retired, I got a chance to see Gebel and Gunther, who I consider "my baby," since I met him about a month ago when he was six weeks old.

I think he recognized me! Or either he was trying to tell me to "spring him" from the cage via mental telepathy.

I think I'll include links to my stories about the Little Ponderosa Zoo in a future post. Got to get ready for "real life" now. Oh, the adorably cute photo at left is by pal Scott Fraker.

Real life has been getting in the way of my bloggin, sorry! I'm home from work and I'm off to read a few chapters in "Yada Yada" book No. 3 -- thank you, Neta Jackson -- and a hot tub. No, not a "hot tub," but a hot tub. G'night.

PLEASE PRAY ...

For the victims of a senseless shooting in a church nearby. Will we soon have to put security guards and metal detectors in our churches? If you don't know what I'm talking about you can read more about it at The Oak Ridger or The News Sentinel in Knoxville.

There is no excuse for such violence.

Another Lake City, TN soldier killed overseas

Local media is reporting the death of soldier Jason Hovater, who was serving in Afghanistan, over the weekend. He was reportedly originally from Lake City, TN, my hometown. I didn't know Jason and I don't know his family but my heart goes out to them and I hope you'll join me in praying for his family, including his parents and young bride.

Here's some links to the breaking news stories on Jason Hovater:

The Knoxville News-Sentinel
WATE-TV
WBIR-TV
VOLUNTEER TV.

A little more than one year ago, David "Tiger" Connell, also of Lake City, was killed in Iraq. If you want to read about him, links to several stories are posted below.

Paying tribute to our war heroes

Slain soldier to be remembered at Lake City Veterans Day ceremony

Connell laid to rest at Arlington

Fallen soldier honored

Obituary for James David Connell Jr.

Soldier's funeral to be held Friday

Soldier dies in Iraq

LOVE HER! LOVE THIS! YOU GO 'GIRL'!

Sacred literature: And the winner is ...

The Barna Group has released the results of a recent study, which some might be surprised at, others are not. Read part of the release below.

"As the United States becomes a more pluralistic nation, it would be expected that a broader base of books would be accepted by increasing numbers of adults as "sacred literature" or "holy books." A new survey by The Barna Group discovered that about two-dozen such books were listed by a national sample of 1003 adults. However, only four books were listed by at least 1% of the public, and just one book was deemed to be sacred or holy by at least 5% of the public.

The only book listed by at least 5% was the Bible, which was named as a holy book by 84% of the public. READ MORE

CASTING CROWNS
It's a little dated, but here's an interview with Mark Hall of Casting Crowns. They're my favorite contemporary Christian group. Their songs are catchy and very meaningful.

MORE NEWS OF NOTE

Survey: Traditional Values Still Ideal

A new Barna Group study finds that faith, integrity, purpose, and family still top the list when Americans rank what's important in life, reports the Christian Post. More than 75 percent of all American adults said their ideal life includes having good physical health (listed by 85 percent), living with a high degree of integrity (85 percent), having one marriage partner for life (80 percent), having a clear purpose for living (77 percent), having a close relationship with God (75 percent), and having close, personal friendships (74 percent), according to the survey released Monday. "Stability rules," George Barna, who has overseen this research since 1991, noted. "Out of nineteen factors, only two have seen even a ten-point shift in nearly two decades. That's rather remarkable consistency."
***
Study: Americans Know Fewer Evangelicals than Homosexuals

According to a recent study, Americans are more likely to know a gay or lesbian person than an evangelical, the Christian Post reports. Conducted by Ellison Research, the study found that only 24 percent of Americans who say they are not evangelical know an evangelical very well, compared to 53 percent who say they know a homosexual person very well. These numbers are more startling when contrasted with demographics statistics: Ron Sellers, president of Ellison Research, noted that homosexuals are estimated to comprise less than 10 percent of the population, while 17 percent of Americans describe themselves as evangelical. "Is this because homosexuals are more open than evangelicals about who they are? Because Americans are more open to knowing a homosexual than an evangelical? Because evangelicals themselves are less likely to reach into the broader community to form relationships?" Sellers asked. "These questions are certainly open to debate."

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!


"YANKEE DOODLE DANDY" is one of my favorite 4th of July movies. Click and enjoy this clip.
***
And please pray for our nation.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land._ 2 Chronicles 7:14
The Holy BIBLE, NIV

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Age makes the hair go blonde."
- Bette Midler speaking on "The View" Friday. I totally agree. But I still consider myself a BRUNETTE!

DO YOU BELIEVE?
I believe.