A Quote...

"I leave this rule for others
when I'm dead,
Be always sure you're right-
then go ahead."
~Davy Crockett, valiant defender of the Alamo.

9/11/01

In the craziness of Hurricane Ike plowing through, it's easy to forget the events of seven years ago. I was only eight when it happened, but I remember distinctly the events of the day. We were on vacation at the Lake when Dad called my mom and grandparents to tell them to turn on the tv. When I woke up (hours later, I was still a late sleeper back then) the tv was on, and nothing normal was happening. They kept showing the collapse. Every once in a while there would be a different vantage point, but it was the same thing. The Two Towers were destroyed. As an eight year old, I can't remember what went through my mind. I can't remember how I felt.

But, I know how I feel now. I feel PROUD to be an American. I deeply appreciate the sacrifice of firefighters in New York as well as anyone else who helped. I am deeply sorry for the families who lost loved ones.

So, in the business of preparing for a natural disaster, we should still remember. Remember the lives lost. Remember the sorrow. But we should also remember that God used that time. Because of the attack, we were alerted to Islamist extreme groups that may have killed MANY more people.

I will never forget what happened. And it is my prayer that we keep praying. Keep praying for our troops and our leaders that they would be wise in matters regarding our security.

In regards Ike---we are not evacuating. Our house is built on high ground. Worse case scenario is that we get either a tornado or flying debris. But, if our pets go, so do we. As my neighbors said: "We will suffer the same fate as our horses."

Please be in prayer for us, as well as everyone in the area of the Gulf Coast.

The Book Thief

First, to get this out of the way, this is a serious book with a serious ending. So serious I decided I was going to read Three Men in a Boat next to make up for the seriousness. It took me a little bit to get into this book. I had to read a little, ignore it for a couple weeks, then get it out for vacation before I got into it. Once I did, I was immersed. Markus Zusak tells the story from the point of view of Death. I know it sounds scary, but think of the Meet Joe Black version of Death. He's not a man with a scathe or a pitchfork.

The title character is Liesel Meminger, a girl living in WWII Germany placed into foster care because of her mother's poverty. She is called the book thief because although she couldn't read, she compulsively stole a book while on the way to her foster parents the Hubermans. She is treated well by her new family and gains a best friend in the form of Rudy Steiner.

The rest of the story, I don't want to reveal, but I will say that the ending is sad, but realistic. Historical novels don't usually impress me all that much, but this one did.

One thing of interest: because of this book, I know the insulting term of calling someone a pig in German in both the male and female forms. I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing....

Another thing I kept thinking was that if the author intended to show that there were many innocent German people, he succeeded. But, what people need to know is this: that there are innocent people being oppressed in China, North Korea, and any of those other Communist or Socialist countries. When the liberal media and brainwashed citizens called for no war in Vietnam, they sentenced those people to lives of misery and death. The reason many WWII-oppressed European countries are free today is that we went in and sacrificed our lives to free them. Why? Because our country was built from a desire for freedom. But, freedom can only be maintained with armed citizens. (some of y'all can guess where I'm going) Hitler's way of enslaving the people was FIRST BY GUN CONTROL! Unarmed citizens have no way of stopping a tyrannical government.

Well....now I realize I turned a book review into a political rant, and I shall now step down off of my soapbox. Thank you for listening.

To close: don't read this book if you're looking for fluff. But if you're looking for a good story with great characters but a realistically sad ending, this is your book.

♥ Texas! ♥

We went to San Antonio this past weekend, and one of the things we did was the Alamo. That is one of the best things a Texan can do. The Battle of the Alamo is such an epoch of Texas Independence, after hearing it, one can't help but feel pround of our great Republic/State. There was a t-shirt I saw at one of the stores there that said "It's hard to be humble when one is a Texan." I agree...like Mom says, "Every state should be required to take Texas history."



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To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World:
Fellow citizens & compatriots;
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. VICTORY OR DEATH.

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. comdt 2495

P.S. The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.