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Winter Breaks

  • Posted on February 28, 2010

(Click on any image to view it enlarged.)
Way DownBreakingDownerFenced In

Yay!… I’m glad to have an internet connection again! It could be gone again anytime though, so I better not get too excited.

Snowy FunSnowy WoodsDepressed PlantMow Snow

I was wondering when winter was going to come before it could begin to go. What’s been missing was some heavy-duty snow.

CloudsTips of TopsMixed UpStormy

It finally arrived during this past week… breaking electrical, telephone, and cable connections along with it.

North-WestSnappedCool DripsSnowballs

When life hands me snow, I feel like taking pictures to make it last longer! They’re good to look at in the summer.

TippingTree BirdBirdsHeavy Snow

Some shots can look like a glacier receding while others (to me) resemble a bad hair day. Hey… no ticks yet!

Pre-springSnow Spider

I never heard the sirens roar so many times around the clock as I did in this past week or hear trees snapping so often!

Guess what? More snow is on its way!

Appreciating Strict DTD

  • Posted on February 22, 2010

Strict Document Type Declaration suits my way of thinking. I’ve been told I look for problems before they exist and that I should wait until I have them first [before thinking more thoroughly about what I'm doing]. ( ← The bracketed words are how I rephrase their message to me.)

Imagine if the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) thought the same way like most people do. Most people don’t know, and don’t care to know, what kind of mess it would lead to if the W3C didn’t start depreciating certain attributes in the markups of code. How code is marked up directly affects each element of every page headed for a site online. Those who only browse the internet are only concerned with what they see, but what they will see over the long term is affected by what they don’t see.

Most people also aren’t interested in thinking about what effects inconsistencies between browsers can cause. They just use them and only care about being able to see what they want to look at. That’s fine and not much different from not caring about knowing all the details behind what makes an automobile able to get you from one place to another, or knowing everything about how your body functions to keep you alive. Mechanics are for car care. Doctors of for body care. The illionaires of the W3C¹ (World Wide Web Consortium) are for web care.

If you observe what types of people comprise the membership of the W3C, you’ll notice a common denominator. They’re highly intelligent, strongly motivated to work hard all the time, and are not quitters. If this were not true, they wouldn’t be part of the elite group of members who get to set the standards for how the world wide web operates.

To get ahead and stay successful usually requires self-discipline. It takes self-discipline to learn how to write code that will pass the standards of validation set by the W3C for Strict DOCTYPEs.

When the W3C phases out support for style sheets as they mature, those who remain complacent with their Transitional DOCTYPEs are going to reap the consequences (assuming, of course, the work they did wasn’t for someone else to have to live with).

Immediate gratification is immature thinking. Maturity is full development. Everything in life is meant to develop fully. To stay stagnant at a level of growth before reaching maturity prevents the fruits of labor from forming. We have stages in life meant for transition and learning. It’s a grace period for our mistakes.

For example, if we eat too much, we notice we gain weight. If we don’t learn from our mistakes and correct our ways, we end up becoming progressively more overweight. If we spend faster than we earn, we accumulate debt. Houses quickly constructed aren’t likely to last like the ones built slower with meticulous care.

Transitional DOCTYPEs are the grace period for web publishing. They’re training wheels for riding the big boy’s bike, but someday those training wheels won’t be able to adequately support the weight demanded by the latest versions of browsing software.

I hope that others who may be discouraged by the pain involved in going from the use of Transitional to Strict DOCTYPEs get encouraged by reminding themselves why standards came to be the way they are. It’s for everyone’s benefit in the long run. The upkeep of sites will be a lot easier; much like a structurally sound house requires less maintenance work.

Strenuous physical exercise usually doesn’t bring pleasurable results until afterward. Intellectual workouts aren’t any different. The more that are successfully tackled, the more gratifying they become. Figuring out ways to make your CSS files accomplish the most they can for you is like having dedicated and faithful servants to do your chores without them requiring anything in return. All that is requested is to be clearly told what to do, how to do it, and what the priorities are.

I am far from having mastered everything there is to know about Strict DTD, but to even begin wanting to get acquainted with it requires appreciation first. After all, how many people want to get to know someone who doesn’t seem worth knowing?

¹I say illionaires since those with their caliber of wealth will only get progressively richer as the rest of us get poorer. The billionaires of today were yesterday’s millionaires and will be the future’s trillionaires.

Two Hues for You

  • Posted on February 17, 2010

Click on the unedited images to see them enlarged:
Fiery SunsetCool Morning
Westward, sunset vs morning; warm colors contrasting cool.

You think colors/time of day can affect moods maybe?

To My Valentine

  • Posted on February 14, 2010

What happens when you’re married to someone who doesn’t like money spent on cards for special days? Well, if you’re like me and you don’t care what the rest of the world thinks about your poor skill at writing poems, you slap one together and throw it online to surprise your mate! Here you go dear… this one’s for you by your Looney-Tunes love’n wife! —

My sweet Bugs, an odd couple we are!
So close… but yet seemingly far.

Will you bring me flowers, pink and red?
love me still, though we’re long wed?

Your fuzzy chest… so grey and cute,
stole my heart and kept as loot.

It didn’t happen overnight.
There were times you gave me fright.

Friction between us blistered our pride.
There was nowhere to run or go hide.

Love is not a feeling nor something to spoil.
It’s a lifelong commitment to be loyal.
Bugs Bunny Valentine
It’s made towards only one —
whether or not there’s any fun.

I won’t recall my better days.
The past’s a trap anyways.

We’re together in what’s ‘now,’
God knows I’ll find out how,

…to be my best for you yet still,
before life’s over, that I will!

What can I give you, my sweet Bugs?
Lots of kisses and long warm hugs!

You’ve been my Valentine for years already,
that’s what helps make my life steady.

It’s not predictability that gets boring,
nor is it hearing your loud snoring.

The culprit of boredom is the wanting.
Instead of giving, my selfishness gets haunting.

Valentine’s Day is for lovers.
Let’s always stay under our same covers!

How Odd

  • Posted on February 6, 2010

Oswald Chambers states in his book The Moral Foundations of Life in the chapter Natural Growth in Supernatural Grace, “If you live much by yourself you become an oddity, you never see the quirks in yourself.”

Most people want to be unique, but don’t want to be perceived as odd. By definition, there are no degrees of uniqueness. Either someone is the only one of his kind or he is not. On one level, everyone is unique, but superficially most people are not.

Since most people have a social life, their quirks in behavior are not peculiar. They can’t be if they’re going to have a social life. Being sociable requires staying within the boundaries of what’s considered usual behavior and not scaring people by behaving and/or thinking in ways unexpected. Insecure people find comfort in predictability, so when a person comes along who is enigmatic (as in the sense not clear to understand), he acquires the label of being odd. Once that happens, anyone who associates himself with the odd individual risks becoming an outcast from his own kind.

There exists a poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is in regard to being superficially unique. It’s hypocritical to diagnose superficially unique persons as a minority to be biased against. That’s being prejudiced and proud. These are the days the majority insist on tolerance of all individuals, but yet those making the most noise in that populace are unable to see their own quirks because of being enmeshed into their own agendas.

Know About Knowledge

  • Posted on February 4, 2010

Growing up spiritually constantly reveals mistakes made from ignorance. Revelations affect one’s existing knowledge. If there is no spiritual maturing process going on, acquired knowledge is mainly used for regurgitation and/or is kept covert for gaining power. It doesn’t change the being of an individual. He may think he possesses an education, but in reality it’s him who is being possessed (controlled) by it.

When there is a spiritual maturing process happening, the one whom it’s happening to cannot remain unchanged. Knowledge begins to have a metamorphic effect if the person will take hold of it for thinking how to use it for God’s will being done through him. One’s conscience is limited by the knowledge he has of the bible. The less knowledge a saved person has of the bible, the more other knowledge dangerously puffs up his pride.

In the minds of false Christians, knowledge of the bible can be a weapon of attack used on non-believers. They act like god and think it’s their job to change others to be like them.

A true Christian minds his own business and knows that the things to ‘fix’ are not external.¹ Good works (e.g., feeding the hungry) and bad works (e.g., lying) are not always dependable indicators of whether or not someone is saved, because what is seen can be temporary and/or manipulated.

When God tells us we can know others by their fruit, He is referring a person’s overall disposition. We all have different moods that change like the weather, but each of us have characters that remain generally consistent. We live with our own unique and delicate ecosystem. Some are barren like a dry desert where life isn’t as easy to spot. Others are like a lush rain forest that’s noisy with life.

Anybody can work on looking like a good person to others. That’s something controllable. If it wasn’t so, we wouldn’t have social services, therapy groups, psychologists, etc. What we can’t control is what’s inside the heart. We’re all born in sin. That’s why there is such a high failure rate to permanently rehabilitate criminals, addicts, etc. Just because one addiction may end (e.g., alcohol) does not mean it couldn’t have been replaced by another dependency (e.g., AA).

Only when the dependency becomes solely upon God is there a successful change to the being of an individual.

An example how education has become a god is when people refuse to accept others the way they are and think that others should be like them. Non-Christians complain about Christians proselytizing, but yet they can’t see how they’re doing the same thing by acting like the world would be a better place without Christians. Neurotypicals want to change Aspies, but yet they can’t see how much of their traits annoy Aspies.

The definition of worship is to serve. If education wasn’t worshipped, people would stop being servants to it. Knowledge per se isn’t bad. It becomes corrupt in the minds of those whose hearts are proud.

I’m beginning to suspect it’s because of pride that I was trying so hard to keep up with editing my posts whenever I noticed improvements were in order. A voracious thinker is bound to encounter a lot more changes in perception of theories than someone who doesn’t analyze material to the same level of intensity, especially when under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

A wise man admits being capable of making mistakes, but it’s foolish to be fanatically trying to be flawless to please those who think they’re already flawless.

The fruit of fool who thinks he knows himself is seen by how he looks down upon others as being inferior to himself. No matter how educated or how much knowledge any of us hold, we’re all idiots in the eyes of our creator. Thinking that we can compare ourselves to others only proves how little we know.

I’m not going to jump from the frying pan of analyzing myself into the fire of someone else analyzing me. I hope I’ve been on the heat of God’s flames long enough to finally evaporate sufficiently to end a long-time bad habit.

¹In a “Christianized” country like America where bibles, the internet, radio, television, telephone, and printed media abound as resources for those who seek how to become saved, the Christian’s business is to be ready to give an answer to those who seek the gospel. In the regions of the world where the the gospel has not yet been preached (i.e., heard or known about), Christians are to spread the word. When it comes to a place where either could be the case (as is the world wide web), Christians should both preach the word and be ready to give an answer to those who genuinely seek God. Giving an answer doesn’t mean arguing. It means guiding others to Christ. God draws His elect towards Him. Those who aren’t attracted to what Christians have online don’t have to read it, but they also have no right to deny others from reading it who may want to.

A Christian’s business is to be working on ‘fixing’ his internal sins. Those are the hidden abominations. Examples are: envy, deceit, backbiting, coveting, maliciousness, fornication, pride, gossiping, implacability, breaking promises, being spiteful, unmerciful, etc.

Leisure time for my heart.

  • Posted on February 3, 2010

Extracted from The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers, in his book The Moral Foundations of Life, under the chapter The Soul’s Awakening, were these words that spoke loud and clear to me about my being bothered over not being understood by neurotypical people:

By heeding the reality of God’s grace within us we are never bothered again by the fact that we do not understand ourselves, or that other people do not understand us. If anyone understood me, he would be my god. The only Being Who understands me is the Being Who made me and Who redeems me, and He will never expound me to myself; He will only bring me to the place of reality, viz., into contact with Himself, and the heart is at leisure from itself for ever afterwards.

After having thought about that, I realized how true it is. It explains the craving to be understood and to know oneself. Both things are a trap, especially because of how impossible it is to satisfy either yearning.

When I reflect upon how much torment my heart would endure because of being an Aspie in a NT world, I find Chambers’ advice awesome! I can only imagine how something like this rubs against the grain of today’s Asperger awareness movement.

I’m not saying anything against neurodiversity advocates or those opposing them. What I am saying is that I’m beginning to believe I will quietly exit out of the arena of the Asperger movement. I have no regrets being an Aspie, but the more time I spend of my life focused on Aspergers, the more I feel I’m not living up to my full potential.

I can’t think of anything better to retire from than the work of trying to get others to understand me.

The last time I went to an Asperger group meeting for adults was on December 12th of last year. If I were to continue, it would be almost three years of going. There isn’t anything much left for me to give to the group information wise about Aspergers that I haven’t already said and there isn’t anything much left for me to gain by going.

Group meetings are not like gathering together for leisure activities; such as hanging out at a pub for pizza, going on a picnic or hike, etc. A lot of time in my life was occupied in settings similar to classrooms, bible study groups, support groups, and other special interest groups (e.g., computer clubs, sportsman clubs etc.). Rarely have I been able to simply enjoy time with another person outside of some programmed or planned project that’s restricted to a scheduled time and run by a leader.

I grew up in the era of when people dropped by unexpectedly for a cup of coffee, answered their phones, and made time to do fun things together. I can’t bring them back, but I also don’t have to do things that are not satisfying to me.

Long ago, church was satisfying and I attended many different ones. Today I realized I have a pastor again and he’s bar none the best I’ve ever experienced! Just because Oswald Chambers isn’t alive anymore does not mean he can’t shepherd my soul through his words left behind in print. God did it by leaving us His word in the Bible and He can just as well keep a pastor (or chaplain, which is what Chambers was) blessing congregations after that individual has been taken home to be with the Lord.

It seems fitting that Chambers was a chaplain rather than a pastor. The basic difference between a pastor and a chaplain is that a pastor stays put in one place while a chaplain is “God on the go.” Chaplains serve people where there is no organized church.

Chambers wasn’t famous in his lifetime (1874-1917). Now he’s somewhat famous. I say somewhat because he should be more well-known than what he is by now. I can imagine why his popularity level is relatively low. One can’t read much of Chambers without it having a strong effect on his or her life. Modern Christianity wants God diluted. Chambers gives God’s message in concentrate and concentration is what it demands.

How often do you see nothing but the highest rating given by all reviewers?

Spring Seeds

  • Posted on February 2, 2010

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’d know by now that the titles for my posts can be misleading. In this case, the kind of garden I’m going to till this spring (pun intended) is for the roots of my soul. Gardening is getting back to the basics and I’m composting my soil with these nutritious books:

Simple Life

Oswald Chambers

The Simple Life: Devotional Thoughts from Amish Country is by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Her book offers sixty intriguing and encouraging lessons. Each reading features a brief story of the Amish, providing a “behind the scenes” insight into their culture; a spiritual lesson, accompanied by scripture, drawn from the story; and a “bonus” of an Amish witticism or recipe. I’m looking forward to enjoying the peace and quiet of Amish country that’s reflected within the pages of this book.

The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers is packaged with a companion searchable CD-ROM using the Logos software. A program like that is very helpful for readers reading a 1,492 page book that’s a must for Chambers aficionados. Transcribed by his wife Biddy, and drawn from his numerous sermons, lectures, and speeches, this monumental book includes more than forty titles from the popular, thought-provoking chaplain, including never- before published notes on Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.

If that’s not enough to cultivate my spirit, I can tap into the Amish America blog for more refreshments! It contains plain insights and observations from Pennsylvania to Oregon and is loaded with wonderful photographs!

The bedrock of my garden is always God’s word. The creator of our universe is the light for the core of my being. When spring beckons me to be outdoors more, I want to hike along with some good food packed for thought as I enjoy the nature God so perfectly made.

I just realized it’s Groundhog Day! My thoughts must be deep within the ground or something today?!?!

Excellent Toothpaste!

  • Posted on February 1, 2010

I’ve been using Vicco toothpaste for some time now and I’m absolutely in love with this stuff! I must be or else my last order for this would have been less than nineteen 200 gram tubes (i.e., 8.378 pounds) for my household (of 3)!

Ayurvedic Toothpaste

Read more about it at Vicco’s website. I stumbled upon while shopping in a Hannaford Supermarket.

I was determined to find toothpaste without fluoride, glycerin, or silica in it. Vicco was the first one I found. Immediately after the first time I brushed with it, my teeth felt more clean than even how they’ve felt after getting them cleaned in a dentist office!

Weston A. Price, DDS changed my way of thinking about what government schools taught me what good health is, especially his book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. Because of Price, I no longer will buy anything but raw milk.

Ramiel Nagel’s book pushed me beyond what Price started by convincing me to stop using the toothpastes dentists recommend.

Cure Tooth Decay

Here are just a few reasons why I didn’t want to use anymore toothpaste containing fluoride, glycerin, or silica:

Fluoride is a severe biological poison. Being intensely negative, it unlatches positive hydrogen bonds in enzymes and proteins. Toothpaste typically comes with this warning: “Warning. Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.” Fluoride decreases IQ levels. Most states add at least 1 ppm of sodium fluoride or fluorosilic acid (radioactive toxic waste that contains fluoride) to the water supply, even though it has been proven that at least 113 medical side effects from cancer to headaches are caused by fluoride in the water.

Toothpaste contains viscous, sticky glycerin, the main ingredient in toothpaste, which coats the teeth and prevents re-enamelization from nutrients in the diet. Glycerin takes over 20 rinses to be removed and leaves your teeth coated. To get convinced, start with a clean sink and smear some of your toothpaste on the sink. Rinse it off and see how the water beads up because of the sticky glycerin. You will have to keep rinsing and rinsing to remove it. Your teeth are similar to a porcelain sink, and your teeth are being coated every time you use toothpaste. Coated teeth cannot re-enamelize from nutrients in the diet.

Most toothpaste has silica, which is sand. It can harm gums and abrade tooth enamel.

My gums used to hurt a lot when I’d brush my teeth. I was using special toothpaste for sensitive teeth and highly expensive mouth wash for sensitive gums. The combination of the two didn’t stop the pain in my gums.

As soon as I started using only Vicco toothpaste¹ and quit using the nasty mouthwash, my gums never hurt again! What does that tell you? It tells me the American Dental Association wants people to remain ignorant so that they can make more money. What angers me even more is that dentists would deny how poisonous amalgam fillings are.

If you’re interested, you can read more about what I’ve said on this subject in my posts Dentist Shopping by an Aspie and Raw Milk, Heart Disease, and More.

¹I started brushing with Vicco approximately one year ago. When a tube of Vicco was empty, I resorted to using a crappy tube of paste left around. After my last bout with pain while brushing over a month ago, I decided those other tubes could go right into the garbage where they belong for all I care!

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