In spite of the storms that moved through central Florida, we were missed and we’re fine.
Happenings
About two months have elapsed since I last wrote of our life happenings. So, after a review of my calendar, here’s a summary:
My kid brother, Tim, who lives in Oakland, CA, came for a visit. He stayed for a few days…we had a great time catching up…his daughter, Anne, is now a freshman at Stanford University…and touring The Villages. Tim was facinated with all the historical plaques around the town squares relaying the fictitious history of the area.
Said goodbye to our good friends Matt and Rachel Anthony. They left for Seattle, WA, to plant a church. Just when we were beginning to get really close . . . God speed.
Attended the annual Belvedere Babes Christmas party. The Belvedere Babes are women who live in our village, Belvedere. They gather for lunch once a month and have a Christmas dinner to which the husbands are invited. This year we went to Vic’s Embers in Leesburg. Nice digs.
Changed the batteries in our six smoke detectors and one CO detector.
Had dinner at a neighbors. They are Thai and fixed the most scrumptious Thai food. Yumm.
Had a Christmas party at our house. This is a tradition and a gift to our neighbors. This year we hung sheets on ropes all around the garage and decorated the tops with lights, making a nice cozy room. Charlene fixed cheese, crackers, and veggies to start. Black bean soup and potato soup and turkey and ham wraps for the main course. And lemon squares for dessert. Of course there was plenty of homebrew, wine, and soft drinks to go around. Great success.
Then we made another trip to Indy for Christmas to enjoy the company of our offspring. Stacey’s beau Todd cooked marvelous meals while we were there. The weather was even good enough for Dave and I to get in a round of golf.
Arranged for our screened porch to be enclosed with acrylic windows. They started work yesterday.
Mrs. Major’s mother died so we went to San Jose, CA, for the funeral and to support the rest of the family. The ceremony was simple but very nice. Helen had been in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in the second world war, so she had a military honor guard to play taps and fold the flag. One of her granddaughters read an original poem and I spoke.
Played many rounds of golf.
Mrs. Major participated weekly (except when we were gone) in Operation Shoebox, an organization that sends “care” packages to our military folks in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Participated in weekly worship at Village View Community Church and as youth coaches in the youth group. I’m also in the youth band which leads worship at youth group.
Got a bridge in my mouth. Got my teeth cleaned. Got some lab work done in anticipation of my annual physical next week.
Ordered Mrs. Major’s anniversary present: a one hour massage.
That’s about it. Soon I’ll resume my news/dah oh?/culture/beer/etc. posts.
Not Dead
I’m not really dead. I just thought I’d see if I could go a whole month without posting. Seriously, I hope to get serious about this in the next few days.
Muslim Women Cattle?
In American Thinker‘s article on Islamic aparthied, the author lists some of the practical results of the Quran Tabari regarding women:
Here are some rules that keep women in their Muhammad stipulated place.
- If a Muslim woman is murdered, her beneficiary is entitled to one-half dyyeh-blood money, or compensation-as that of a murdered Muslim male.
- A woman’s testimony in the court of law is worth one-half that of a man.
- A woman must provide four witnesses to substantiate her claim of being raped.
- A man can divorce his wife by simply saying to her, “I divorce you,” three times.
- A divorced woman is entitled to a miserly compensation and automatically forfeits her rights to her children.
- Women are barred from the lucrative and powerful cast of clergy.
- Husbands are entitled to punish their wives corporally.
- Men are allowed to have four wives at any one time and as many concubines as they desire and can afford.
- Saudi Arabia, the custodian of “true Islam” imposes a raft of restrictions on women such as: women are not allowed to drive; they are not permitted to leave the country without accompaniment or explicit permission of their male kin; they are barred from most government jobs and much much more.
- Among other Muslims, such as the Taliban and the Pashtoon of Afghanistan-Pakistan region, women are barred from education and not even allowed to leave the house unless accompanied by a male kin.
- Since education, particularly professional education is often denied to women in many Islamic societies. There is scarcity of women physicians and male doctors are often forbidden to treat women patients.
Such is the plight of women under Islam.
Another Treat
Another Combover
I thought I give you another treat. Here’s another combover. Notice his technique of combing all the hair from the right side over and around the head to the left so nobody notices he’s bald. Of course now he looks like a shaggy dog.