Wisconsin Trip

B and I just got home from Wisconsin. We went up to the Menominee Indian Reservation for a family reunion. This reunion was the first of it's kind as the participants were descendants of Alexander Robinson (1772 to 1872). Alexander was married to a Menominee woman named Sasos and I am a descendant of that union. Other family descendants included those descending from the union of Alexander to Catherine after Sasos'es death. It can get rather confusing but thru the efforts of a few, we all came together to honor grandfather Robinson and meet family that until recently, many of us never knew we had. The story of Alexander Robinson is a interesting one. I've been told a family member is publishing a book on grandfather Robinson. When it is complete, I will happily forward the information to anyone interested.

It was my idea to go to Wisconsin for the reunion on our motorcycle. I remember telling B that it would be a perfect time to go up as the weather should be good at this time of year. Not too cold and not too hot. What is they say about the best laid plans? Well, for the most part the weather did indeed cooperate with us. However the last two days on the Motorcycle found us trying to make it home in 100° plus heat and very high humidity. NOT FUN. For anyone who has not experienced traveling by motorcycle in really hot weather....let me tell you.....don't. It's miserable.

I got to see lots of my relation on the reservation. All my Aunts and some of my Uncles. Cousins and other people I've met over the years when I was visiting. I really enjoy my time with the Aunts. For one thing they are a ton of fun to be around and are GREAT cooks. For another, it is always interesting to find out new family information or hear new funny stories. I wish I could see them more often.

Traveling to another part of the US is interesting to me as I notice the difference in how things grow and the differences in business, farms and residential areas. I noticed the blooming time for flowers in Wisconsin is a good month behind ours. So many beautiful Pines and Spruces. Lots prettier than the ones in Kansas. I also noticed how many farms and country residences were so neat in appearance. Hardly ever did I see a place junked up like I did in Colorado last fall. And the farms, they were huge. Lots of outbuildings and I notice most had working silos. The silos in this area have not been used in years. It is rare to see one with even the top still on it while it's not uncommon to see a tree growing out of silo top. Weird.

On the way to the Reservation we drove to Lake Michigan where I remembered gathering smooth stones and lake glass when I was young. B had never seen Lake Michigan so it was something new for him. I waded on the shore but didn't find any lake glass this time.

It was a good vacation for us. I'm anxious to go back again. Maybe late next summer.

One thing about being on a motorcycle for hours at a time. Theres not much to do except look at the scenery and think. I did a lot of both.

I have almost nothing new to show anyone. For several months I have created almost nothing. I sleep a lot, and have gained too much weight. Why? A very deep depression has been my bedfellow for months now. A lot of the reason has to do with the realization of just how easy it was for my ever dwindling family members to believe the worst about me. It has hurt me deeper than anything has for a very long time. There hasn't been a day in the last 7 months I haven't struggled just to make it through the day. Something else I thought about were my ever present loathing of the Jehovah Witnesses. I've come to realize the problems I have with some of my family cannot be completely blamed on the JW's. The relationship I don't have with my mother and 2 of my 3 sisters is really about their choices. The JW elders can give them council but they cannot make them write me letters and declare me dead to them. Only they can do that. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: Any religion that tells you who you should and should not talk to is a CULT not a religion.

Relationships are based on choices. Do we want to make the time it takes to have a relationship? Do we want to give people the benefit of the doubt or is it easier to just write them off?

Lightening

Lightening update. Am I even spelling that right? Oh well, I'm willing to bet everyone knows what I'm talking about. We've gotten almost everything fixed or replaced now. The hot water heater still needs looked at and the gutter still needs fixed but I think the only left on the buy list is the air cleaner. We heard from the adjuster yesterday and he's turning in all the bills to date. While I am thankful that we have insurance, it still leaves us with the $1,000 deductible to come up with.

Sadly, I have no flowers planted as of yet. It has rained, and rained and rained here. Almost nothing planted in the garden as well, for the same reason. When it finally does dry up a little I guess I'll take a day off work and plant as much as I can. I'm back to working at the greenhouse part time which is handy for picking my stuff up (almost too handy - know what I mean)? So far the rain has kept me from buying anything except three trees. I wouldn't have purchased them but I was afraid someone else would and there were only 7 of that kind left. The kind I purchased are Robinia (Purple Robe). We already have one and just love it. It has flowers in the spring that look just like purple wisteria. So far they seem to be just about totally pest/problem free as well. I would also like to try a pink flowering dogwood but have some serious reservations as to if I can find a place in the yard it would like.

Am trying to get back to going to the Rec for exercise. I had fallen off the wagon for health reasons but am trying to get back in the groove. Wish me luck!
Fortunately, I have two ladies I see at the Rec that are just too much fun. Just the thought that I'm going to spend some time with them helps to get me moving.

B and I are going to Wisconsin for our summer vacation this year. There is to be a reunion on the Indian reservation where my mother grew up and we have decided to attend. There will be tons of family I don't know there as well as family I do know. We are taking the Trike so will plan a couple of extra travel days. I haven't been to the reservation during the summer months for several years. My last two trips were both during the winter months. This trip will be in June so I don't expect it to be overly hot between here and there - which will be nice for motorcycle riding. I think I'll try to drive some this time as it's gets pretty boring just riding all the time.

And so ends this episode of my oh so exciting life. I'll try and have some pics next time.

Lightening

Lucky us. Our house got hit by lightening on Sunday night. The list of damage is too long and depressing to type in. I'm including only one picture which is of the bent gutter and the hole where a can light used to be. I hadn't realized lightening did such weird stuff but the extent and randomness of our damage has opened my eyes somewhat.

The other picture is of a necklace I just finished for one of the nieces. It holds a tube of chap stick. I hope she likes it.

For those of you that do not know, I have a flickr site. It's a site where you can download pictures. So far I have almost 200 of them on my page - hesshatcreek. It has turned into a fun site as I get feedback from other people who have interests similar to mine. Another site I like is etsy.com. It's a site where all sorts of artists hock their wares or talents. It's a fun site as well.

A couple of other web sites I like are: http://soniacreations.canalblog.com and www.polymerclaydaily.com. Eventually, I would like to find a way to have links to these site from this blog or my web site. I haven't taken the time to research this yet. Just not enough hours in the day - know what I mean.

Got my latest issue of Bead and Button today so I'm off to drool over all the new things I can learn how to do.

Till next time.

I need a week off!

OMG, I am so behind in everything it is just unreal. I need a week off just to re-organize, finish some things up and clean my house. But,,,,,,let's get real..... it ain't gonna happen. I can't take a week off right now and if I did, seriously, just how much house cleaning would I REALLY get done? But it's a nice fantasy.

I only have just a little bit of time this morning to post this. I'm off to Kelley's soon to finish up some work in one of the hallways. One of these days I'll take some pics of all the work I've done there and post them on here. But, not today. Working for Kelley is a lot of fun. She's so young and funny. I really enjoy the time I spend with her and her family.

Pictures today include some new earrings I made, some bunny jewelry I made and then gave to Kelley and her girls and 2 bracelets and a pine needle gourd I made for a reunion in Wisc.

The reunion in June is on the Menominee reservation in Wisconsin. Its the first Robinson decendent reunion. Another reunion this year is the Coopman reunion in Iowa in May but I won't make that one. I'll contribute some things to it as well but haven't picked anything out yet. My sister and niece were in charge of the quilt this year and I'd like to see it when finished as I think it'll be pretty. Lots of butterflys.

B's birthday was last month. On the 14th actually. He turned 53. A niece has a birthday on the same day - she turned 13. For reasons I won't vent about on here I didn't share in her celebration. I did think about her and hope she had a good day. Anyways, B got a GPS from the girls and I which he liked a lot. As he gets older, I find it harder to buy things he really likes. Anyone else have this problem? His kids and Emma were home for the day which was nice. They all got to do a little fishing. Glad the weather cooperated for them.

On the day of B's birthday, wouldn't ya just know it but some Jehovah's Witness's showed up. I wasn't home at the time but him and the girls told me about it later. Not a surprise to find out that the adults sat in the car and sent two young boys to the door. Well, as much as I hate the Jehovah's Witnesses, B hates them 10x's more. But, he kept his temper because they were just boys and told them to go back to the car and tell their parents not to stop here again. I asked him why he didn't march down to that car and read them *&%$* parents the riot act and he said it was cuz he didn't think of it at the time. Damn cult.........

Back to something more cheerful. I'm back to working at the greenhouse part time. I've cut back my hours this year to only working one night a week. However, I've taken on a couple of landscaping jobs so there's goes the time I gained by cutting back on greenhouse hours. Luckily, one is just a plan to work on. The other may involve some physical labor but am not sure when it might start. I got a new laptop so I can put the landscape stuff on it and take it with me when I go out. Very nice. Speaking of the laptop..... with our tax refund, B got a new trailer for the Trike and I got the laptop. Which just about took all of the refund. I'm still looking for some cycle boots but have had no luck whatsoever in finding any. I'll keep looking.

Suppose to get our waterfall installed this spring. Have talked to someone about putting it in for us as I've come to realize B and I will never get it in. Have had the parts for almost 5 years now.....it's time it got done. We have also decided we will try to find someone to build the West deck for us this summer. It's a job we could do ourselves but just don't want to. That's what savings accounts are for - right?

Till next time,

My recent posts have included information on the Jehovah's Witnesses. I have a HUGE problem with this organization and honestly and with my whole heart believe it is not a religion but a CULT. I will continue to post periodically about the Jehovah's Witnesses but have decided to give it a rest for immediate future. Just thinking about those people depresses me immensely and this feeling is something I don't enjoy. So, I've decided to go onto other things for a bit.

The kittens at our house are now almost 7 weeks old. I took them to the vet and had them and their mother (Piper) all fixed on Monday. Piper's first Mommy will be taking Piper back as well as one of the kittens at the end of this month. I have found a terrific home for the female kitten in the litter but still have 3 more males to find homes for. I had all of the kittens spoken for at one time and then just about everyone backed out on me. They are all staying in my bathroom for the time being but I tell you, I'm ready for them to move out! 1 mother and 5 kittens poop way too much for such a confined area!

I will be going to KC for a class being taught by Sarah Shriver the weekend of the 28th. I'll be delivering Piper and her baby to their home then. If you have a couple of minutes I hope you will google Sarah and check out her work, she's awesome. I'm very excited to be taking a class from her. As well as getting to see my polymer buddies :o)!

Recently, I've been working (on weekends) at a new house in a nearby town. Kelley is a real joy to work for and has been so much fun to be around. She cracks me up though because she is always telling me how selfish she is yet at the same time she's sending me home with a new tea, homemade cookies, or sachet for my undie drawer. She and her husband have the cutest and nicest(almost) 8 year old identical twins. The whole family is just great. So far I've wallpapered in the master bedroom and am currently painting in the living room. I'll try and post some pictures one of these days. Since I have kittens without new homes, I'm trying to talk Kelley into letting me give each of the girls a kitten for their Birthday next month. Wish me luck!

Not much else to tell. Hopefully, I'll have some new pictures to post next time. See ya.

Part 3

I have to say I truly never thought I'd see a cross in connection with the Jehovah's Witnesses. I clearly remember the elders teaching us that Jesus did NOT die on a cross but a stake. So what's this cross doing on the cover of the Watchtower? Then....... when I look at the logo for the Masonic Organization what do I see but an exteremly similar cross logo. I had read some connecting references between the Masonics and Jehovahs Witnesses (JW's) but didn't ever think I'd see anything as plain (and telling) as the two pictures attached to this post. Amazing.

In 1928, Brother Rutherford discontinued the Cross and Crown logo stating it was Babylonish. I'm not sure what that means but it doesn't really matter.

Now for the Beth-Sarim fiaco. Beth-Sarim means the House of the Princes in Hebrew. It is a house built in San Diego, California for the purpose of acquiring that property and building the house for the faithful men of old (Abraham and etc..) who will soon be resurrected by the Lord.

When, in 1925, Abraham and the rest of the biblical patriarchs (sometimes referred to as the Hebrews 11) didn't show up, some of Rutherford's followers left the fold. Others believed the Hebrews 11 crew would be here shortly. For this reason, Rutherford decides Abraham and Company are going to need a home. He gave instructions to build them a house. But, not just a simple house - a mansion. The house is built in 1930 and is held in trust for the Hebrews 11. The actual title to the house has several interesting points regarding naming the dead prophets who will reside there and said tilte would be held in the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The trust also states that Joseph F. Rutherford shall have the right and privledge of residing on said premises until the same be taken possession of by David (one of the Prophets listed in the deed) or the other men dedicated to Jehovah.

After Rutherford's death the Beth-Sarim house was sold. In 1975 the Watchtower Society publishes a book stating the Beth-Sarim house was built for Brother Rutherford's use. Rutherford had said it was built for the Hebrews 11 use. Obviously someone is telling a untruth here. Does it matter if it's Rutherford or the Watchtower Society? Not to me.

1929 - Concerned about the many false prophets in the world, the Watchtower provides the following instructions: "While they claim to speak in the name of the Lord, their predictions neither come true not tend to magnify Jehovah's name. According to the divine rule they prove to be false, and the Lord promises that in due time he will deal with them as he does with all hypocrites. Matt. 24:51."

Hypocrites huh? It has always been my opinion that Hypocrite is the JW's middle name. How unfortunate the Watchtower has just predicted the end of it's own kind. This is just too funny! Also, who are they talking about? False Prophets and predictions - the only people I see making predictions are the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Honesty

Below is a comment I received on this blog. Initially I deleted it as my feeling that anyone posting under 'Anonymous' has no right to leave comments in my blog. But, then I had second thoughts...............this is actually a good opportunity to prove a point about the Jehovah's Witnesses. Thanks Anonymous! I have a few things to say regarding this post following Anonymous's comments.



Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Part 2":

Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Holy Bible to be the ONLY final authoritative word of God.

Yes, until they learned better, Jehovah's Witnesses celebrated Christmas and had the cross on their literature. They also did not understand the importance of political neutrality. When it became apparent that these practices were part of false religion, they rejected such.

Have you actually read anything printed by Jehovah's Witnesses since 1928? You might want to do so that you can be more accurate about teachings that have become clarified throughout the years.

This is a bit like reading a science book from 1928. Or a book about computers from 1928. Or a medical textbook from 1928. If the AMA existed in 1928 (I don't know if it did or not) it would likely be touting practices that would be considered a bit silly today due to increased understanding of how the human body works. It would be dishonest to quote such and apply it to the organization of today. Much clarity has come since then, and more is to come. By the way, the place to get ACCURATE information about Jehovah's Witnesses is found at www.watchtower.org. You won't find the truth about Jehovah's Witnesses at those other places. That is, if you are interested in honesty.


I'm not sure what made this joker think I was going to end my history lesson with 1928. It won't end there I assure you.

I absolutly love this guys last comment about honesty. He sends me this ANONYMOUS and then makes a comment about Honesty. Any JW I've ever met has no concept of the word. If I understand the comments above, it would be an error for me to hold the current organization responsible for the comments and actions taken so long ago. HOWEVER, this is the same organization that feels fully justified in holding ME accountable for comments and actions taken more than 30 years ago.

Another comment about Honesty. When the JW's are baptizing people do they tell them of the consiquences of that baptism? No they do not. Does anyone think baptizing young people (under the age of 18) knowing what their life could be like if they don't stay in the organization is Honest?

Again. This is not a religion - it is a CULT.

More later.