The Sisters of Life . . . and the obama contraception mandate . . .

This statement from the Sisters of Life points out vividly what the obama mandate re. contraception would mean to religious orders. How can a government that is supposed to be a democracy force a religion and religious to abandon their vows in order to be 'legal'? For those who think this current mandate is okay, remember, you and your lifestyle could be next.

This new rule pays no heed to our right to live according to our vows. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act each of us will be required by law to obtain health insurance, or face fines. Since this HHS mandate will require every insurer to include abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and artificial contraception, we will not be able to obtain any coverage that is free from those “services,” and we will be forced to pay for them directly. Since we are neither employers, nor employees, of any religious institution, we cannot even take advantage of the “religious exemption” contained in the new regulations or the “compromise.”

As a result, this mandate would coerce each and every individual Sister of Life to betray her religious vows. We will be forced to pay for “services” that attack human life and deny the truth and beauty of human sexuality. This would directly contradict our special religious vow to “to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life,” and go against everything we believe in and have devoted our lives to. To us, it would be comparable to a law requiring a spouse to violate their marriage vows — an unthinkable intrusion upon a sacred promise.

This mandate is an offensive and dangerous infringement upon the natural and Constitutional rights of American citizens. The only just solution to this infringement of rights is to rescind the HHS rule. We call upon members of Congress and the Executive Branch to reverse this decision as soon as possible, and we invite our fellow citizens to join with us in prayer and fasting that our Nation may be protected from this great threat against liberty.

More of our California Winter Wonderland . . .

The wind is cold so the snow in our foothills and nearby mountains stayed put overnight! These are all views from our neighborhood. The last two pictures were taken from our street. Some friend reported some snow flurries, yesterday, but nothing 'stuck' any lower than four or five thousand feet. Having lived in the mountains for a decade, views of the snow from a dry street are more appreciated than being in the midst of it with a snow shovel in hand!

All too true . . . amusing and sad . . .

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
-- Bertrand Russell

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
-- Alvin Toffler

"People seem to enjoy things more when they know a lot of other people have been left out of the pleasure."
-- Russell Baker

"Football is a mistake. It combines the two worst elements of American life. Violence and committee meetings."
-- George F. Will

Really, really cold yesterday . . .

We had a good deal of cold rain for our weather condition, yesterday. I didn't realize how cold it was until my husband pointed out the dusting of snow on the nearby foothills. Quite a contract to see white-topped mountains with palm trees - typical, erratic California winter weather!

From yardage to quilt . . .

I had one of those days when the cutting and sewing went smoothly and I reached the beginning of the completion of a quilt. I'm always amazed at any quilt as you take pieces of fabric, sew them together, and you end up with a warm bed covering or just something to cuddle under while you read a book. I tried a new pattern for this one and am already thinking about ways to use it for future quilts.

I was poised to actually get some of the squares sewn together and basted for handsewing but my husband came home early, unexpectedl. I was more than happy to have husband's homecoming instead of more sewing time. He isn't always here for the evening meal so this was a much better treat than extra time at the sewing machine.