Can anyone tell me why it's trendy to hate Sarah Palin?  And what is the difference, really, between her and Obama, who seems to practically "walk on water"?

And what are the "trendy issues" this election?  The environment.  Economy.  Energy.  What happened to "acid rain"?  Abortion?  Does our country have to have all their election issues start with the same letter every four years so that they can keep them straight?  And really, does ANYBODY really believe election promises?  IF so, I have a bridge I want to sell, cheap.

Have we already resolved all the "a" issues so that we can move on the the "e's"?

I was an environmentalist before it was trendy.  Twenty years ago, I recycled on the corner of Woodward and 8 Mile in Detroit, my kids were weaned from cloth diapers, and I cooked "whole foods".  We only had one car, and it was used only for important trips - no joy riding.  And it wasn't an SUV.  We lived in a two-bedroom house in the inner-city because it's what we could afford and it had only one (gasp!) bathroom for five people.  Unthinkable.  My concern is that these are just trends, and that our nation is losing its ability to be truly concerned enough about issues to make a difference.

And though I am a Salvationist, I am also troubled that our young people are making even TSA trendy.  And Jesus.  Ugh.  Will they still be as passionate in 20 years, or will this need to be trendy take them into uncharted waters, away from true faith?  Last year, I watched one of our young people make a bunch of 4th graders stand at attention while he sang all seven (count 'em) verses of Boundless Salvation.  For Pete's sake...  Then the next day, called in "sick" to work because he was tired after being up all night hanging out with others of the same ilk, memorizing Booth quotes.  Where's the witness in that?

So, I'm done.  But hey, America, let's get real before we are the laughingstock of the whole world.  We're already very nearly there.

Helping Gary to light the fireplace - they were a big help.

It wore them all out - time to cuddle,

Gettin ready to "ramp" with Zeb - thankfully he didn't break anything.  Sorry no pictures - I was hiding under the couch.

Steve's "cageless" chickens.  Totally organic - the eggs taste weird.  I missed the chemicals.

We spent Labor Day weekend in Alma, visiting friends from that appointment.  It was a lovely weekend, but I don't know if I will ever get used to somebody else in MY house, and MY church.

Today we donned our bicycle shorts, loaded our tandem and rode the Lakeshore to Navy Pier and all around the Pier.  It was so beautiful that my heart was happy just being there.

Tomorrow - back to work after three weeks off.  Unbelieveably, we missed it!