Woodstock Rock and Apple Bottom Jeans Hip Hop

This song seems oddly appropriate today:


There was some hoopla last week about it being the anniversary of Woodstock and all. So I am reminded, and I am appreciating artists like the ones above. I also submit The Band, Sly and The Family Stone and whomever (!) from that day and age when music was wonderful, magical and REAL in contrast to some of the current popular music. I am considering all of this because I (finally?) heard a song this week called "Low" by Flo Rida and T- Pain, and let me just say, Pooh-pooh!

Why did I finally hear it, and how did I even come across it, living in my insulated Christian world? Because one of my 4 year old charges this week, looked at me with sweet seriousness over the lunch table, and asked, "Ms. 'EB', do you like the song Sweet Home Alabama?" "Sure, honey," I said. "Doesn't everybody?" I thought to myself, though that song was not exactly a favorite since it's tired from over-play on the radio.

Actually, I can't think of that song without recalling a warning from my my long-haired, heavy metal loving high school boyfriend of eons (not ages) ago. He said that was the only classic rock song you could crank up and not get your *bahookie* (he used another word) kicked in the small Central Florida town where we attended high school. It was a very country town back then, and he with his shaggy long hair and me with my punkability (G. K. coined it back then) we were not well received by a majority of our classmates. So it seemed at the time. But I'm digressing...

Anyway, back to "Low" and the kid from my class. This sweet-faced little cherub-rascal went on to recite some of the opening lines to the song the "Sweet Home Alabama" and then he quickly asked me a follow up question. He asked me if like the "Apple Bottom Jeans" song? And he sang some of it. "Apple Bottom Jeans*, boots with the fur*, the whole club was lookin' at her..." Having never heard it, I googled. All I can say is, "Rap stinks."

Actually that isn't true. There is some good, creative rap out there. "Low" is a catchy song, but the lyrics go from PG to R to X and it BOTHERS me. There is nothing left to the imagination anymore. That is the problem I see with most Hip-hop music in general. Sure there are dirty and gritty songs in all genres of popular music, but in my opinion, modern (not old-school) rap and hip-hop are dirty almost ALL the time. Forget double entendres, or even vague and thinly veiled mature or graphic content. We live in a p*rn saturated world, and we've come a long way since the Beatles wanted to hold your hand and even those old devils the Rolling Stones wanted to spend the night together. Sigh. Rant over, stepping off the soapbox.




* a brand name
*Uggs, perhaps?

Crazy Love, Itchy Eyes, etc.

Well, I'm home with pink eye today. I suppose working with the little ones makes me susceptible to these things, despite frequent hand washing. We also have a mound of shell dust and dirt near the school, that is due to some city construction project. Some of my coworkers and I suspect that is the root of many discomforts and infections. Anyway, I have some time to noodle around here.

I have been reading a fantastic book by a pastor named Francis Chan called Crazy Love. I highly recommend it. Chapter 4 is slaying me. Here are some quotes from it:

"I encourage you to take a searching, honest look at your life. Not who you want to be one of these days, but who you are now and how you are living today."

This speaks to me because I am a procrastinator. By God's grace and help I have gotten better, but believe me, I am so far from being there yet. I struggle with a complacency of thinking and living like I'll get around to things tomorrow or later. I have a tendency to do that rather than seizing every opportunity to live my life to the fullest today. And that includes everything from being a Christian witness, to doing some recreational things that are good for me and that I enjoy.

I have a tendency, at times, to view myself through the lens of who I want to be, rather than who I actually am, and the way I actually act and live. To be sure, there are other times I struggle with being too hard on myself and having unrealistic goals, expectations and boundaries for myself, but that's not what I'm getting at here. I really wouldn't want to stand before the Lord right now, and it's not because I am some flagrant sinner. It's because I can fall into my own kind of Pharisee-ism, and neglect the most important thing of all: having a grateful, passionate heart of love for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And all that such a L-O-V-E should motivate me to do. What a lazy lover I have become. Now that I think about it, being a Pharisee could arguably be the most dire sin of all, so full of pride and thinking one is alright when one is not. I also think it's rather pathetic and amusing that when I consider my own little spiritual inventory, I want to fall on God's Mercy and be judged on my potential and who I want to become, rather than what I actually am at this minute typing these words. And of course, I view others as they actually are, and not by their God-given potential - but that's a whole 'nuther issue, as they say. 'Scuce me while I work on this big, old plank in my eye....

"Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don't really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one."

The emphasis is mine. My life, since knowing Jesus, has so vastly improved. I found what I was searching for my whole life, yet, as in most relationships, I find myself in a slump. You know, the doldrums. It should not be that way and I should not linger in that state! I recall the Apostle Paul's words, "How shall we escape [punishment] if we neglect so great a salvation..." Jesus loves us, so much ya'll! What a price He paid to win us, and He freely offers us everything in His Kingdom! How can I neglect that? Well, I don't know, but sometimes it sure seems like I do. And I don't want to.

"Lukewarm people think of life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today's to-do list, this week's schedule, and next month's vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come. Regarding this C.S. Lewis writes, "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were precisely the ones that thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this." "

Well that just convicted the snot out of me. I know that's neither eloquent nor elegant, but it's the truth about me.

Anyway, there are a few little musings from a gal with a couple of itchy eyes, who is keeping her fingers occupied elsewhere so as not to spread my germs.

Everyone began school this week, except Big Daddy, who is pursuing scholarship information and hopes to begin some classes himself soon. In the meantime, he is embracing his role as full-time pastoral minister and stay-at-home-Dad with good results. I am getting used to my class of seven four year old kiddos. I think we are having a little honeymoon, as this was a good first week. Adam began his Junior year of HS. Flora began 5th grade with tears and fears, which miraculously subsided when she saw her good friend was in her class. Calvin went to Kindergarten with gusto. When I told him I missed him during the day, and he said, "I didn't even think about you today, Mommy!" Hahaha, he was having so much fun in his new learning environment, he didn't give me a second thought I know, and it makes me happy for him! It's so much harder on your heart when your child is clingy and fearful of school (or whatever). I tend to worry about them on and off all day long, when in all probability, they are like the little ones at our pre-school: they get over their crying or shyness within five minutes and are playing happily.



I have nothing more to say, for now. Or rather not enough time to sit down and get some thoughts together and make a real post. Until I can, I will leave you ponder this photo I came across over at the "What Not To Crochet" blog.

Summer playlist

Well, August is nearly over and once Labor Day comes summer will officially be over. This has just been something I have been working on for fun. If you have any other suggestions post them!

More Lobster

Photo & recipes courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services


Apparently Florida lobster prices are dipping low. That's bad news for fisherman, but good news for consumers. Help the fishermen! Try some! I am ready for some more of this delicious treat soon (I hope!). Big Daddy grilled our lobsters plain. We just dipped them in a little melted butter while we ate them. It was so good, even served plain like that. The following recipies a few more basic flavors I think will make it even better.

Steamed:
Ingredients
2 1-pound whole uncooked Florida lobsters, fresh or frozen
3 tablespoons salt
clarified butter

Preparation

Thaw lobsters if frozen. In a 6-quart saucepan, bring 3 quarts of water and salt to a boil. Place lobsters in boiling water; cover and return to boiling point. Reduce heat; simmer 12-15 minutes. Larger lobsters will take a little more cooking time. Drain; rinse with cold water for 1-2 minutes. Split and clean lobsters. Serve with clarified butter.

Yield
2 servings

Nutritional Value Per Serving
Calories 210, Calories From Fat 30, Total Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 0g, Cholesterol 285mg, Total Carbohydrate 2g, Protein 43g

Grilled:
Ingredients
Amount Ingredient
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large Florida shallots, peeled and quartered
4 large Florida garlic cloves, peeled and halved
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt
black pepper, freshly ground
4 whole Florida spiny lobster, split in half lengthwise

Preparation
Combine first 6 ingredients in processor and blend until almost smooth. Spread 1 heaping teaspoon seasoned butter over each lobster tail. In a small saucepan melt remaining seasoned butter; keep warm. Grill lobster tails, shell side down, 6 minutes. Turn over and grill until meat is just opaque in center, about 2 minutes. Serve with melted butter.

Yield
4 servings

Nutritional Value Per Serving
Calories 210, Calories From Fat 30, Total Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fatty Acid 0, Cholesterol 285mg, Total Carbohydrates 3g, Protein 43g, Omega 3 Fatty Acid 0.45g

Vid Links I Like

I know that I have posted about liking the Neil Young song "Harvest Moon" before. Sometimes when I hear that song it just takes me to a place where I ache with love for my dear husband, and think about all the love we have built, shared and grown over these years. I was hankering for that song tonight, and came across this version by Jazz artist Cassandra Wilson. I hope you enjoy:




While I was thinking about these kind of sweet and tender feelings between lovers, I thought about the Lord. What if I longed for the Lord like I longed for my husband? What if I couldn't wait for that special time alone with Him? I know I should. And in fact, I do often crave and look forward to that time alone with the Lord. There are days when I can't wait to pray and to meditate and reflect quietly on His Word. But I believe through this little instance in my life, He was calling me gently and reminding me to do so even more. I know the Bible describes the Lord as the lover of our soul (Is. 38:17). The entire Book of Song of Songs/Solomon is devoted to the aspect of God's character and revelation of Him, yet there are times when I forget. I forget that He is the Groom and all believers are his "Bride." That boggles my mind sometimes. I needed to be reminded that God thinks of me (and all believers) that way!


The following clip is about 15 minutes long, and when you, dear reader, have the time, watch it an tell me what you think. It blessed me down to my Birks!

Lobster Mini Season Notes

I recently had fresh lobster for dinner for the first time ever. It was pretty good. I enjoyed it all the more because it was caught by my oldest son. We have something down here called Lobster Mini Season which is a short 2-day season to whet your appetite for the regular season, which begins soon. I am not overly fond of lobster, but I did enjoy our fresh meal. I really like it when we can eat food that we have caught or grown ourselves.

Same oldest son also got his learner's driving permit, and a raise at his summer job. I am proud of him, and he certainly is flexing his independence muscles. I was concerned about him going diving during the lobster season, it's crazy with boaters, many of them not very cautious, but he was with capable Conch friends.