March 29, 2014

Actually a mandated Biblical abortion uses an abortifacient administered by a priest

God actually mandates abortion when the fetus is a product of adultery (Numbers 5). A jealous and suspicious husband should bring his wife to the local priest, who forces the woman to drink a poisonous "water of bitterness" to bring on God's "curse". If she experiences "bitter pain," if her "belly swells" and her "thigh rots," she fails the test and becomes an outcast. Virtually all Biblical scholars agree that this voodoo ritual and its cloaked euphemisms refer to an induced (not to mention unsafe) abortion. The word "thigh" in the Old Testament usually means genitals, but in this case, it refers to the uterus and its contents. One alternate Bible translation reads, "She will have barrenness and a miscarrying womb." (New International Version)

And a very interesting discussion making the argument that the Bible is pro-choice. Lots of ammunition here
if you are motivated to take on the anti-choice crowd. But we all know you can't confuse them with the facts.

http://www.prochoiceactionnetwork-canada.org/articles/bible.shtml

March 27, 2014

You asked for it!

Both my sons have turned out great!

One is 27 and works for a software firm that develops apps for smart phones.
He is self-taught. Didn't go to college. He owns two cars--loves to
drive autocross--and his own townhouse. Without his help, his dad
and I would be at a total loss dealing with home computer issues!

The youngest son--who will be 24 next month-- is legally blind from a juvenile genetic form of macular degeneration.
He sees with his peripheral vision. In 2012 he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with
a double major in German and Comparative Lit. from UNC-Chapel Hill. He is currently
in Berlin on a Fulbright Scholarship and has been accepted (with a darn good financial aid package) to the Yale School
of Drama to begin a three year MFA program in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism next fall.

Yes, I am a proud mama!

March 18, 2014

More graffiti

from our trip to Europe last fall. Both sides of the channel of the Danube flowing through Vienna were covered with the art/graffiti. I spent one Sunday morning--trying to beat the rain-- taking photos when hubby (a psychoanalyst) went off to see Freud's house and it made me wish I'd been down there when the light was better. Encountering the political street art is what motivated me to suggest it as a theme for one of our contests.

These shots are all in Vienna (except the last one in Prague). I thought it was really interesting that the area seemed to be a place dedicated to allowing the art. The first one I noticed from the balcony where we were staying across the river. Two days later I went down to walk along the channel and look at the graffiti.



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And, of course, my entry in the 'based on a song' February contest!






And the John Lennon Wall in Prague


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March 10, 2014

Birthday moon and pink washed clouds

I turned 63 today.



And a little later the clouds were pink from the sunset

February 26, 2014

Thanks for my Special Topical Award

I just couldn't resist entering the sunflower. Love the song...and lo and behold, I had
the photo from the morning I spent taking shots of all the graffiti on the walls lining
the channel of the Danube that runs through Vienna.

February 13, 2014

Cold beer

Driver gave up trying to control his truck heading downhill on Franklin Street (Chapel Hill, NC) yesterday in the storm.
Abandoned it-- blocking the right lane--just outside the entrance to our neighborhood. We had about 5 inches of snow
and at least an inch of ice. Expecting some more wintry mix later today.

January 25, 2014

Don't want to let go of the January contest--sunrise this morning from my deck

in Chapel Hill

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January 18, 2014

Want to know why Obama is hated so much in the South? See 12 Years a Slave

This is the story:

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty at the hands of a malevolent slave owner, as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon's chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.


The story is based on a book written by Solomon Northup, published in 1853. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841.

This is NOT Gone With the Wind.

It is probably the most intense, riveting, and compelling movie I've seen in a very long time.

I'm a Yankee living in the south. Chapel Hill is bastion of liberalism, yet the movie is not playing here.
It can be seen in Durham, also liberal, but only on two screens and only at late (8:45 and 9:45) showings.
Hubby and I drove 30 minutes, passing many theaters, in order to see it this afternoon. It was well attended.

I came out of the theater saying to hubby, this is what is behind the hatred of President Obama: the southern white
attitude that blacks are lesser beings, should be treated as property, has never gone away. The Bible is part of this
belief system and always was used as a defense for the inhumane treatment of other human beings as slaves. Use
of guns--and their availability--was also necessary to enforce this system. And capitalism? Operating at its finest,
without regard to morality or dignity or consideration of the treatment of human capital.

The movie is definitely worth searching out.

January 9, 2014

Too funny! Came here to post another pretty sunrise today at my house

and what did I find but the January contest--Sunrise, Sunset!

Well, not going to use the sunrise from this morning--so here it is:

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January 7, 2014

Carolina blue sky and moon

Took this about 2:15 pm this afternoon. I don't often notice we have a daytime moon rising. It's fun to see the sunlight
on the tree branches and bright blue sky.

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