Of Places Far and In Between: TT 3rd Edition

Thirteen Interesting PlacesWhere I've lived or Visited
1. Hollandia, New Guinea. I was born there and really don't remember it. The amazing photographs of jungles and beaches are proof that I, indeed was there.

2. The Netherlands: Way too cold, too small, too much water, not enough sun but a beautiful fairy tale land, nonetheless. Awesome pancakes (pannenkoek), not to mention the tulips, daffodils and crocusses (sp?).

3. Capetown, South Africa: was there for a day or so on our way to Australia. Don't remember much of that day since I was still recovering from almost drowning coming around the Cape of Good Hope.

4. Nashville, Australia: my first encounter with Aussies was really fun even though I didn't speak a word of English. It took me a couple of days.

5. Ascot, Australia: a very large, haunting and scary house with lots of secret doors we weren't allowed to go through and never did.

6. Albion, Australia: all I remember are the four gigantic mango trees that hid the house and an enormous room in which we played roller derby, yay!

7. Spitfire Avenue!

8. Strathpine, Australia: two story house with the Garden of Eden as our back yard. Food planted and eaten: mangoes, bananas, papaya, passion fruit, guava, tomatoes, beans, chillies (not by me), carrots, and pomegranite apples.

9. Bothell, WA, USA: First time I drove on the wrong side of the street/road. First time I saw snow. First time I got a job and got to keep the money. First time on my own.

10.Mauii: a great vacation.

11. Southern California: A PK's journey is never done.

12. Colorado Springs: to train newbies at Focus on the Family.

13. The Desert of San Jacinto CA: This is the biggest house we've ever owned but I don't think the journey is over.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Homeland Security: Chip E. on the job!

Puppies Everywhere

Awww, come on, we know you want one.

Home

We are exhausted, happy, quite a bit disoriented but finally home. That in itself is cause for confusion. We still don't really feel home anywhere. Nonetheless, we arrived late Wednesday night only to take to the road again Thursday morning for a 3 hour trip into LA. We were dismissed from the set of "Vanished" around midnight and at last, on Friday, we caught up on some glorious, wonderful sleep.

Now, the pleasantness of setting up our homeschool schedule and . . . dealing with TEN puppies. O, what to do, what to do. FREE puppies. . . anyone? Just leave us a yea or nay in the comments. Looking for TEN yea's.

Thirteen Things about Our We-Don't-Wanna-Go-Home Washington trip 1. Wonderful, outrageous, extraordinary visits with WA cousins 2. The grass is greener on the other side of CA 3. The happy forests 4. Chip E. aka Homeland Security 5. Wild blackberries 6. Blackberry Shakes for breakfast 7. The weather, the weather, the weather!! 8. Loud, and we mean, LOUD music 9. Lovely architecture that fits into happy forests 10.Wide open spaces 11.I don't remember seeing any billboards 12.Fresh fruit & veggies from the farm 13.The hope and promise that we'll be back Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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The Sounds That Invaded Snohomish

LOL!!! I tell you the truth, we did tell Opa it was a Rock Festival. He shall be known as brave Warrior Extraodinaire.

The Fields of Snohomish

Oh to experience the sights and smells of the pastures of Snohomish. Gtargirl was not aware what seedlings eat. Mmmm. Nonetheless, it is perfect for festivals such as this and the aroma of funnel cakes and delightful dishes of other nations was quite a treat.

Young warrior, Cameron of the Heights, has no doubt delighted many of his taste buds on his visits to friendly vendors. Deserved, deserved, indeed.

Working the Festival

Layne--Center Stage!!

Layne and Cameron worked hard pre-Freedom Fest--putting up tents, serving water and joy riding tractors all over the property. They've made friends and re-introduced themselves to their second cousins. Who would have thought that working so hard would bring them joy? It has.

I came to take them home and they were very unwilling. Both wanted to stay. Looks like they're working till 9:00pm tonight and lovin' it. I'm so proud.

Gtargirl's interpretation of the above:

The young warriors, after spending another 14 hours on the journey through the magical forests of Washigon, were finally greeted by Lady Cynthia and Lord Byron along with Chip E. who has no title.

Their reward was a cozy loft with feathered comforters and a really big projector screen, I mean a device to watch tales of Anime.

Sleeping in till past the wee morning hours they finally stumbled out of loft into the fresh Snohomish day. And what a day. It is clear, cool with a dash of warmth unlike the heat of the home they left behind.

The young warriors arrived at the Festival of Musicians and were put to work quicker than one could say . . . . . let me know what you come up with and leave it in the comments section. Thanks. They enjoyed the labor tremendously which is a tremendous step forward in the training of young warriors. Also, both warriors were able to drive transportation vehicles with tremendous horse power and were able to tame the Deere.

Yes, Gtargirl is proud especially when said warriors were not eager to stop work and head for comfy loft. Till we meet again.

The Road Through the Happy Forest

Greetings from the mountains of Yreka. Let it be known that from this day forth this place shall be called, Califorigon. It is a glorious morning indeed. Gtargirl left the desert land of San Jacinto with the heart and strength of a Warrior (life sounds so much more exciting this way). Along this journey, besides her sword and shield, she took with her two young warriors-in-training, who slapped each other silly all through the forest, played games on instruments unknown to Gtargirl and listend to loud music (which Gtargirl handled with dignity).

The roads and by-ways, mostly called the I-5, along this happy trail were in need of repair and other travellers were quite impatient with the apparent non-speed of Gtargirl's small, but cozy vehicle of transportation lovingly named, Mickey. That, however, is a tale to be told in other chronicles.

Young warriors, Layne and Cameron, were very polite and never once asked for their daily rations of food. Indeed, it was Gtargirl, that made the offer most of the time and quenched their thirst and desire for hunger in places with golden arches.

We rested in areas with the appropiate facilities for warriors to...well...you might guess for yourselves.

So the journey ended for the day 14 hours later in the mountainous, and I might add magical land of Yreka. Pronuctiation still a mystery. There was a fair across the by-way but the young rascally warriors opted for a refreshing dip in the local pond at the distinguised lodging of Motel 6. A very old and grumpy guest, of the said accomodations, whooped and hollered at Layne to get off his darn contraption all good warriors own, the entripid skateboard. Gtargirl apoligizes if entripid is not a word but these things do pop in her head now and again.

Sleep came upon us fast so without further adieu we bid thee all a farewell. Greetings go to General Joshua and Lady Magdalena as well as young Lady Natasha. Princess Sarah is also given a shout out, I mean farewell, as well as Grandfather Opa and dear Grandmother Oma.

Our journey continues through the winding forest into the land of Washington where the fair Lady Cynthia and Lord Byron awaits us. We do surely hope. Till we meet again, over and out, I sincerely mean, farewell.

The Happy Forest

The boys and I drove up the mountain to Idylwild. We met up with Patricia for a 2 mile hike. We took a wrong turn at the end of the forest trail and turned a 2 mile hike into a four mile excursion. I'm supa tired. Idylwild is beautiful though.

Tomorrow we leave for Seattle WA, a day early I know, but we wanted to beat the Monday traffic. This way we'll be able to help with Freedom Fest. The boys are looking forward to meeting MxPx.

Oh Yeah, It's the Bad Girl Book Review

Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them

Prostitutes, adulteresses, vengeful murderers and a few expert seductresses are all a part of Liz Curtis Higgs' non-fiction book, Bad Girls of the Bible. What can we learn from these women? Did their wicked deeds and smoldering desires deserve empathy? After all how was a girl to survive in Biblical times? These are the pressing questions Mrs. Higgs asks.

Women of ill repute have covered many a page of the Bible, some never changed their evil ways but some most decidedly did. Liz Curtis Higgs, author of such books as Help, I’m Laughing and I Can’t Get Up and “One Size Fits All” and Other Fables, brings these timeless chronicles of our Biblical bad girls to life. More to the point, she makes their struggles, their desires and their accomplishments a part of our own stories. Mrs. Curtis’ own past is revealed in the opening chapter.

Ten particular bad girls, from the-devil-made-me-do-it Eve, to Jezebel with a murderous appetite for power, were chosen by this award winning author and speaker. Her accounts of the crimes committed by these somewhat scorned and shady ladies are sometimes comical but always handled with true wisdom, which Lizzie (it’s what’s she calls herself throughout the book) has plenty of.

Each chapter is dedicated to one disreputable sister, so to speak, introduced through a fictional account (a modern-day explanation) of a life that mirrors those of our chosen bad girls—a very clever way to make the distant Biblical characters come alive for every reader.

At first I though the introductory fictional stories of each chapter were too predictable. However, I came to the conclusion that my knowledge of the Bible, small as that might be, could interfere with the enjoyment of a good read. Once I humbled myself, it became a fun exercise in trying to guess who Mrs. Curtis was referring to. I did get a few wrong.

Then, at the end of each chapter Mrs. Curtis, no doubt prompted by her radio host experience, challenges each reader with a few questions. These thought provoking questions would make for extremely interesting conversation and not to mention a “come clean” session with our girlfriends—also appropriate for Bible studies in our small church groups. They doubtlessly reveal Lizzie’s insight, wit and knowledge of life and spiritual matters.

Women with a not-so-good past (which is probably most of us) would benefit from this book. Bad Girls will make you laugh and cry and give one a sense of belonging to a close-knit family of bad girls who found out that their past didn’t matter.

Bad Girls is a collection of stories about women who found grace, mercy and forgiveness and embraced a life filled with unimaginable blessings. Of course, it is also a collection of hard lessons learned when women refuse that same grace, mercy and forgiveness which is extended to one and all.

In conclusion, Bad Girls of the Bible: And What We Can Learn From Them is a must read for bad and “good” girl alike. If you’ve ever wanted a second, third or even a fourth chance at life? Pick up this book. If you want to learn how to laugh at yourself once in a while or feel that you are worth something, put this book on the top of your list.

For me, though I don’t usually enjoy non-fiction or how-to books, recommending this one was a no-brainer. Make no mistake about it, this is a how-to book: how to love, forgive, be forgiven and how to live a gracious life. But don’t worry you will never feel you’ve been preached at. It’s not an easy book to put down as Liz Curtis Higgs takes an honest look at bad character and asks us to look deep inside of ourselves.

Another Review of Bad Girls

Aaah, yes, my loyal readers. Ahum. I love all six of ya, or is that seven . . . Here's a review of Bad Girls by author/speaker/singer Debbie Wong . . .

Bad Girls of the Bible instantly caught my attention when I saw the title. I quickly realized that the content was as catchy as the title. The concept of the book is this: we can relate more to the women in the Bible who didn't do it right and we can learn from their mistakes.

To allow us to identify even further with these "bad girls", Liz fictionalizes the stories of these women from the Bible in a contemporary setting. After drawing out the heart of each woman, Liz teaches the realities of the story from a Biblical, scholarly perspective. I learned about the setting, customs and history for each Bible story.

A short summary at the end brings out key points to help us from falling into the same trap these "bad girls" did. Lastly, questions follow each chapter for an even deeper study and allowing you to use this book for your next Bible Study with friends. Liz's witty style, flair for contemporary fiction and knowledge of the Bible will bring these "bad girls" to life and will change yours.

- Debbie Wong

Debbie has an awesome ministry so please come check her out at Heart's Desire Ministries.

My First TT

Thirteen Things about Me, Debby, since this is my first TT

1. I'm a single mom of 2 teenagers

2. My daughter is the first in our family to make it to a four-year university

3. I love Jesus

4. I have a need for very loud, hard rock 'n roll

5. I'm a Dodger and Angel Fan

6. O, I also have a need for speed therefore NASCAR is a must!

7. I'm a writer

8. I'm a PK, but I don't go to Dad's church (Nothing personal) I'm a little too rowdy

9. My pastor is younger than me by 8 years

10. I homeschool my 13-year-old son

11. We live on $200 a week and making it

12. I've lived in New Guinea, Holland, Australia and the good 'ole USA (presently)

13. I'm going on vacation next Monday with no money!


Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

The Kingdom of Earth

What a waste this life would be if we lived only to gather material possessions. I believe it's safe to say that even those who don't profess to be Christians would agree. Yet, we do it and some of us on a very large scale.

Most of my married life was spent seeking riches and chasing fame. We attained neither. Life was filled with moments of failure, envy and (I'm ashamed to say) anger toward God. These feelings came crawling back as I watched Kid Rock show off his you-know-who movie-star bride. This couple may never have to worry about finances (or so it seems) while most of us are one paycheck away from homeless or, at least, hungry.

Then I caught a glimpse of him singing (Yeah I know I shouldn't have). I cried out loud, "He can't even sing!" Watch out...green monster rising.

Finally, I heard this familiar voice--a still small voice.

"Stop listening to all this sillyness."

I did and immediately a sense of peace engulfed me.

Same still-small voice speaking (it gets creepy-cool sometimes) and reminds me of a scripture, at least the first half of it.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God . . .

The rest of it wasn't for me to own yet. Sanity returns.

Kid Rock's smiling face was still on the screen however, and I thought, this is all he has. The Kingdom of Earth belongs to the likes of him. What am I living for? I am but a stranger here, a sojourner. Though it might feel like it sometimes, Earth is not our home. Ironically it is us the Bible calls aliens. But if we have nothing here, it is enough to know that we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Bye-Law

My friend, Sandee, gave me a few pictures from her England travels to share with family, friends, and world. I stumbled upon this one. After a morning of picking up doggie treats in the garden, this photograph just made me chuckle (I hope that's a word).

So, just in case you can't read it, the sign says . . .

Any Person
who permits a
dog to foul
the footpath
is liable to
prosecution
under the
council's
bye-law

This Month's Writing Contests

I will try to post many more writing contests, especially those who are free to enter and still give a prize. If you enter any of these, please leave a comment.

PitWit Magazine
Category: Fiction
Entry Fee: Free
Prize: $25 for first place
Contest closes: August 15, 2006
Writers may submit multiple entries and author retains copyright.

SpecFicWorld
Catagory: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Entry Fee: $7
Prize: $125 First, $100 second, $75 third
Contest closes: Sept 10, 2006
There are 13 entries to date

Noah 2006

In the year 2006, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me.

Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard--but no Ark.

"Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.

Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the futur e costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!

When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me.

They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Immigration and Natur alization are checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.

The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.

To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "The government beat me to it."

Submitted by Cousin Cindy D.

A Library of Friends

These are my mentors, my friends and my encouragers. Their writing is blessed indeed. And when I get to the point of giving up on my own writing, they won't let me. So this is my chance to show them off a little on this blog. So please, browse through my library of friends and, by all means, indulge . . .


Sandee is working on book two.
Marilyn leads our group with wisdom, plenty of knowledge and unconditional love.
Mary, I would say, is the honorary member of our group. We miss her most of the time. Her worship adds another dimension to our group.
Sharon NE is our inspiration. She makes us laugh and she sure gets things done.
Jane is editor extraordinaire. Fine tuning our work is what she does well.

Here's to the rest of the group who will soon join them in the "book published" world, I have no doubt.

Go Sharon, Brenda, Ruth & Debby. Yay!

Our Writers' Group Has No Name But Here's The . . .

August 4, 2006 Critique Group Minutes:

There were two unexpected surprises today at Writer's Critique Group.

Marilyn and Yvonne! Marilyn wants everyone to know, "WE SOLD THE HOUSE!" It has been a long process and she is actually relieved, happy and ready for life's next adventure. (a cruise with her daughters!) Yvonne arrived fashionably late, sporting a smart new haircut and a cup of rice powder. We praise God for the good report on her health.

We got down to business with Sandee’s "Daddy" book and spent some time discussing baseball and spent even more time deciding what to do if a ball goes through the window. Then Sandee's cell phone rang and she had to leave for the front yard. It seemed the Inland Empire Newspaper, The Sun, wanted to interview her about her book..and the reporter was quite amused that Sandee was standing in Jane's front yard at her writer's meeting. The woman who interviewed her said she would include that in the article.

Debby shared a story about how God did a work in her daughter's heart. God really does help us with our kids! Jane shared about God leading her to rest for a time from big editing projects. (Of course she then received two tantalizing offers recently, and obediently turned them down!) Ruth, who showed up in a denim mini skirt, has recently returned from Sharon Elliott's spiritually refreshing Milk and Honey retreat.

Sharon P. brought another draft of her teen movie review. The group read through it and immediately became cross-eyed. Sharon went home for a re-write.

Visiting the ladies room was very exciting this month. Jane has a newly remodeled bathroom!

Ruth closed out the session by turning our attention to a beautiful little song. She performed hand motions for "Take my Life" and we were all reminded that our lives belong to the Lord.

We missed all of you who could not come!

Sharon P.

Crickets: Steamed, fried or roasted?

It's just a terrible shame I don't get to see the end of VBS (Vacation Bible School) tomorrow. My part was pretty easy, running sound upstairs away from 200 rowdy, I mean, lovable kids.

The kids were commisioned at the beginning of the week to raise $1000 for an orphanage in India. They had a chance to see (through slide presentations and speakers from India, Africa, Ireland, Eastern Asia and Mexico) how extremely "lucky" they were to live here in the US.

At last count, this Thursday morning, the children raised over $800. So what's up with the crickets? If the youngsters can bring in $1000 by Friday, four of the pastors will eat a bug--a cricket to be precise. I talked to two of them and we might be cleaning the sanctuary tomorrow.

The big bummer is that I won't be there to see this most monstrous event since I have my writers' group to attend to. I'll have to find out if my friend steamed, fried or roasted the little critters. Whatever she did, she's making chocolate soup to cover them. Maybe they'll send pictures.

The Milk and Honey Life Retreat Comment

The following is a comment from freelance writer, Ruth Rodriguez, on the Milk and Honey Life Retreat which she attended with her daughter. I welcome any other thoughts and stories of the retreat in Boulders, AZ.


Hi, Ladies! Here's my comentary on the M&HL Retreat.

"I think there should be some white faces at the
back of this bus," I said, as my daughter and I (the
white faces,) stepped to the back of the van and sat
with 2 black Christian sisters on each side of us.

We were all laughing. The only label that meant anything
at this first Milk and Honey Life Retreat, was
"Christian." That was SOOOO cool!
The equal-opportunity sharing, encouragement and
prayer we enjoyed was mutual and awesome. The caliber
of staff, speakers and workshop leaders was about 450
magnum. Food, accomodations and service deserve their
5-star rating.

We left spiritually and physically renewed, after
a week-end of totally tranquil surroundings with
Southwestern architecture & landscapes, including a
variety of adorable critters.

We were blessed beyond expectation! Many Thanks.

Ruth




Wouldn't you like to pamper yourself? Visit the M&HLR website for more info.