Embroidery software - Making progress . . .

 No matter how easy it looks when something is demonstrated to you, it is an entirely different matter once you are home alone with a new sewing machine. I've been doing a lot of 'ordinary' sewing to get the feel of all the bells and whistles involved. Today, I decided to take one of the more complicated designs with numerous thread color changes and see how it went . . . and it went together pretty well. The design is about ten inches high. There was an overall coverage of red thread with another floral design imposed on top of that. I switched around the colors a bit and feel pleased with my first major effort.

Death to those who disagree? We live in a warped world . . .

I was shocked to read this article.
http://godfatherpolitics.com/9396/liberals-come-out-in-support-of-black-cop-killer/

Although I could understand people supporting the ex-policeman in his efforts to clear his name and get reinstated in the police force, I'm at a loss how people can be in favor of his methods. So far, he has brutally killed three people and wounded another seriously. Why? The first deaths were a young lady and her fiance. He stalked them and shot them. Why? The young lady was the daughter of an attorney who represented him in his trial four years ago. He didn't win the case and he blamed the attorney and hurt him in the most evil way by killing his daughter.

Two policemen stop for a red light and the ex-policeman opens fire and kills one and wounds the other. In the space of a week, he has changed lives forever. Instead of the wedding, the attorney and his family are planning a funeral for the young couple. The family of the deceased policeman is wondering how they will go on without their son, father, and husband. The family of the wounded police officer worry about how the gun shot wounds will effect the rest of his life.

Yet, people are actually defending this shooter's actions? Why? He could have gotten on any liberal talk show and proclaimed his case. He could have taken a different career route and become a person in his own right and successful instead of letting hate eat him up and now have him being hunted down. He may be at large right now but he isn't free.

What a self-serving world we have evolved into where a cold-blooded killer gets accolades for killing people to get his way. It is bullies grown up from the playground and being able to steal more than someone's lunch money. What this man has stolen cannot be bought back by any amount of money. Even if he reconciles with God before he dies, he will owe reparation in eternity for his current sins and the backlash that will effect these families forever.

What happened to the value and respect for life? Why do people seem to think that killing another is justified? Perhaps, our abortion mind set has helped us along this road.

Historically . . . Not much changes . . .

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero, 55 B.C.
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So, evidently we've learned nothing in the past 2,067 years.

Sunny California?

 Yes, the California sunshine is in evidence but the scenery reveals that it wasn't a warm and balmy night. The snow level is down to 2,500 which means our roofs are frosted and I took extra care in driving because innocent puddles were lethally frozen. I lived up in those pictured mountains for ten years and learned early on what 'black ice' was and have it ingrained in my mind to slow down when there is a frost down here in the flat lands. These pictures were taken from the church parking lot. We are literally about 10-15 minutes from the base of the  mountain and the snow came down to the foot of the mountains last night. It is very cold, right now, but the sun will soon melt down a good bit of the current dusting of snow.

Unexpected Free Time . . .

 Changes in scheduling, yesterday, provided me with a few hours of sewing time. My current plan is to finally finish off an assortment of baby quilts I've had on hand while practicing on my new sewing machine. Finished the top, left hand quilt yesterday and show the backing. Finished off a teddy bear's day quilt and pieced and embroidering a regimented 'crazy' quilt.

Specialized Freedoms in the United States . . .

Years ago, I could not even imagine there being need or conversation on this subject because, according to our country, we have freedom of religion. Since the onset of the current presidential office holder, this freedom has been defined to take that away from Catholics and others who plead a moral stance on refusing to support or pay for abortion or contraception. The pending obamacare full coverage has greatly jeopardized this freedom in complete defiance of the right to not wanting our money to go towards this. Thank goodness, we have bishops in our country who are willing to fight this travesty of justice. It still makes me sad and dismayed to find out the president for all Americans is refusing to respect all Americans. It is even more unreal that not every bishop and priest is standing publically firm on this debate and pronouncing from the pulpit, loud and clear, that Catholics will not pay for the destruction of life. A friend once said that priests can only preach in line with the Readings. Lame excuse as Jesus is our Light and Life and any reading in the Bible can be drawn upon to defend that.

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/bishops-reject-obama-contraception/2013/02/07/id/489444?s=al&promo_code=125DF-1

Finally . . . some quilting time!

 It was a good week getting back into doing some sewing after the last of the holiday things were over and done with for the year. I like the fact that my sewing machine can embroider Disney characters now. I took advantage of the option to make a baby boy's quilt with them. I'm trying to get several quilts done for the Pro-Life Center.