iBeth

Every second, somewhere in the world . . .

Emma realized something.  "Mommy, did you know," she said, "every second, somewhere in the world, someone is farting."  She paused.  "Or using a whoopee cushion."

Wafergate continues

This scandal has had the weirdest chain of consequences.  I would never have predicted calls for increased security at the GOP convention, or the firing of a 1800Flowers employee.  (I feel sorry for her, too.)

I'm feeling sorry for this kid

I feel sorry for this student. 

Yes, I think if he participates in a communion service, he should follow the rules.  Yes, I think his demand for an apology for being "physically assaulted" was brash.  But he has returned the wafer.  Perhaps I am unduly influenced by my hope that, had he planned to protest, he would have learned basic facts about the first amendment--but based on the news reports, I do not believe that he planned all along to be disruptive. 

Now, as the story has been picked up by CNN and of course countless blogs, the local diocese has weighed in:

"We don't know 100% what Mr. Cooks motivation was," said Susan Fani a spokesperson with the local Catholic diocese.  "However, if anything were to qualify as a hate crime, to us this seems like this might be it."

We just expect the University to take this seriously," she added "To send a message to not just Mr. Cook but the whole community that this kind of really complete sacrilege will not be tolerated."

A hate crime? Really complete sacrilege?  Seriously?  Not just regular sacrilege?  I'm not surprised when your average blog commenter threatens violence, or even when the Catholic League's Bill Donohue calls for the student's expulsion, but I expected that an official spokesperson would reserve the extreme language for actual crimes with actual victims who actually suffer.

This student's act--as offensive as it apparently is--would not be the worst indignity that God has endured.  Surely He can prevail against a baggie.

My family has good taste

My family  has very good taste.  Most of the time.  But tonight, well . . .

I came across this yummy recipe for blueberry cornmeal pudding.  I'm trying to use up my cornmeal (part of a summertime pantry clean-out project), and I had a cup of slightly tart fresh blueberries in the fridge, so this recipe seemed perfect.  I made some (only 7 minutes in the micro) and it was absolutely yummy. 

My husband ate it without comment, except to say that his dad might like it "because he likes that pudding stuff."  My daughters refused to try it.  And then girls amused daddy by making farting noises while I ate my dessert.

Well, at least I know what's good.