Four Score and Seven Years Ago....

Today is the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address.On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg
Address, which is one of the most famous and shortest political
speeches of all time.

Did you have to memorize it in school?  Can you still recite it?
Go ahead!  Try it!  See how much of it you remember.

Tomorrow is THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT

The American Cancer Society is marking the 36th Great American Smokeout on November 17 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet more than 46 million Americans still smoke.

 However, more than half of these smokers have attempted to quit for at least one day in the past year.

Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. The American Cancer Society can tell you about the steps you can take to quit smoking and provide the resources and support that can increase your chances of quitting successfully. To learn about the available tools, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

Sadie Hawkin's Day

Sadie Hawkins Day, an American folk event, made its debut in Al Capp's Li'l Abner strip November 15, 1937. Sadie Hawkins was "the homeliest gal in the hills" who grew tired of waiting for the fellows to come a courtin'. Her father, Hekzebiah Hawkins, a prominent resident of Dogpatch, was even more worried about Sadie living at home for the rest of his life, so he decreed the first annual Sadie Hawkins Day, a foot race in which the unmarried gals pursued the town's bachelors, with matrimony the consequence. By the late 1930's the event had swept the nation and had a life of its own. Life magazine reported over 200 colleges holding Sadie Hawkins Day events in 1939, only two years after its inception. It became a woman empowering rite at high schools and college campuses, long before the modern feminist movement gained prominence. The basis of Sadie Hawkins Day is that women and girls take the initiative in inviting the man or boy of their choice out on a date, typically to a dance attended by other bachelors and their aggressive dates. When Al Capp created the event, it was not his intention to have the event occur annually on a specific date because it inhibited his freewheeling plotting. However, due to its enormous popularity and the numerous fan letters Capp received, the event became an annual event in the strip during the month of November, lasting four decades.

SPF-ing Each and Every Day

SPF !


When I was first diagnosed with malignant melanoma thirteen years ago, my sister Lisa began using SPF as her signature on her notes, cards and e-mails.  She was not referring to Sun Protection Factor for sunscreen as you might think....  She was telling me to Stay Properly Focused.  She was reminding me that everything in this life is the Lord's and focusing on Him no matter what is the way to face challenges big and small.

Through the years, that little reminder has been shared between us more times than I can count.  Sometimes I even remind myself to SPF.  Staying Properly Focused isn't always easy.  But, just like everything else, daily practice brings positive results.  It becomes easier to do so on a more regular basis.  Then, there are days that defy that logic and I find myself needing that small inner voice to whisper SPF over, and over, and over again.

Today was just that kind of day.  I don't know how many times I told myself to SPF but I know it was more than just a few!  There were challenges at work... There were family concerns far away... There were joys and there were heartaches.  But through it all, thanks to my sister, I was able to SPF!
Even on days when she and I don't have the opportunity to speak to one another her gift keeps on giving me just the right amount of encouragement to move forward no matter what life throws my way.

I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't practice the act of SPF! 

When there's only one day off...

So... what's a gal to do when there's only one day off and so many things she wants to do ???
Well, I suppose that depends on what day of the week that day off is.  Today, Sunday, was my day off sandwiched in between several work days before and after. 

My intentions were to get up early, go to Sunday School and church and then see how my day unfolded.  But, I slept right through the alarm.  So much for going to Sunday School!  But I did make it to church.  Afterwards, as has become my habit, I took myself and my Kindle to lunch.  The Kindle makes a great lunch or dinner date !

I managed to squeeze a few errands and chores into the mix and then head back to church for the 6 p.m. service.  I love the smaller gathering in the chapel, the "old" hymns I grew up singing and the intimate nature of the evening service. 

And now, it's time to get uniforms ready for the next few work days.  I keep telling myself that I'm going to take one of my days off to just lounge and read or write.  But, there always seem to be so many things that I want to do -- things that make being a lounge lizard impossible.  I guess that's why my muse and I make the most of every day -- all those things I want to do and only so many hours in between work shifts!

Out of this world Delicious! Cranberry Swirl Pumpkin Bars

If you're looking for a really really yummy treat that is chock full of the flavors of fall, this recipe is for you!  I tried it the other day and I am hooked!   These are incredible.  If you want an even more tart, cranberry influence, you can toss in some dried cranberries as well.  The bars are reportedly equally yummy without the cream cheese frosting but.... I am not convinced!  The cream cheese frosting is truly the "icing on the cake" -- adding just the right amount of sweetness to the bars.

Cranberry Swirl Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
2/3 cup whole berry cranberry sauce

Cream Cheese Frosting
3-oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp milk
1-2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and melted butter until well combined. Beat in egg, all of the spices and the vanilla extract. Stir in pumpkin puree, then stir in the flour mixture. When all of the flour has been incorporated, fold in the chopped pecans.
Spread batter into prepared pan. Dollop cranberry sauce on top and swirl through gently with a butter knife.
Bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean.
Cool bars completely before frosting.

To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese at medium speed. Beat in vanilla and milk, then gradually add in in the confectioners’ sugar until frosting reaches a thick, but spreadable consistency.
Spread in a thin layer over cooled bars (there may be frosting leftover; if so, store in the fridge in a ziploc bag for another batch).
Makes 24 bars

ENJOY!

Second History Lesson in Two Days - Veteran's Day

 "...it is well for us to pause, to acknowledge our debt to those who paid so large a share of freedom's price. As we stand here in grateful remembrance of the veterans' contributions we renew our conviction of individual responsibility to live in ways that support the eternal truths upon which our Nation is founded, and from which flows all its strength and all its greatness."                             ~  Dwight D. Eisenhower

Click here to view Veteran's Day 2011 Tribute



Veteran's Day 101

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War I ended. This day became known as "Armistice Day." In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Similarly, unknown soldiers had been buried in England at Westminster Abbey and at France at the Arc de Triomphe. All of these memorials took place on November 11th to commemorate the end of the "war to end all wars."

In 1926, Congress resolved to officially call November 11th Armistice Day. Then in 1938, the day was named a national holiday. Soon afterwords war broke out in Europe and World War II began.





Soon after the end of World War II, a veteran of that war named Raymond Weeks organized "National Veterans Day" with a parade and festivities to honor all veterans. He chose to hold this on Armistice Day. Thus began annual observances of a day to honor all veterans not just the end of World War I. In 1954, Congress officially passed and President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veteran's Day.



 Due to his part in the creation of this national holiday, Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Ronald Regan in November 1982.