We've been having a heat wave here in Tennessee. {yeah, like we're the only ones}. I think the Polar icecaps melted today. I fried my eggs on the sidewalk this morning. They were good, but I burned the biscuits! I left them out in the sun too long. It was so hot even the cats went skinny dipping. And I waited all winter for THIS???

Gosh, it's hard to believe it's already nearing the end of July. Is time flying by for everyone else or is it just me? I remember when I was a kid. The Summers seemed to go on forever.

I loved summer when I was growing up. Here in our quiet little Southern town there was just so many things for a child to do. Fun things like building a tree house, swimming in the river, fishing, camping out under the stars. I remember lying on my back in the cool grass late in the evening and just looking at the stars. They seemed so near that I could almost reach up and pick one. However, when I would extend my arm skyward, the distance always became so apparent I was amazed. I guess we don't really understand how very far away some things really are until we reach for them.

There was always something good to eat, and the fact that it was growing wild made it even more desirable. Like wild strawberries. My sister and I used to pick them all day. They were so small it would take forever to get one quart, but the taste was well worth it. I haven't seen a wild strawberry in years. Four lane highways and huge houses have taken over the land where they used to grow. I often wonder if progress is really worth it.

My grandchildren are forever saying they're bored. The word 'bored' wasn't in my vocabulary when I was growing up. And we didn't even have half of the things kids have now. We had to use our imagination and make our own fun. Are we depriving our young people by giving them too much?

Gracious! Where did all that come from? I must have dozed off for a minute and somebody else started writing and waxing nostalgic. This was intended to be a humorous column about the heat wave.

Then again...maybe there's just not a lot of humor in  sweat! 

Hi Y'all,

I'm back. I would like to thank Topaz for being such a loyal friend and bringing me such beautiful gifts in my absence. Topaz, you are a gem and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My book is finally completed and will be available soon. I am excited about that. I have spent the past month working with my editor, proofing and rewriting. Now I am ready to goof off a little. All this work makes me get menopausal...or is that postal?...horomonal? Whatever.

Here's wishing everyone at the stream a wonderful and fun-filled weekend.

LadyL

One detail that is not mentioned, in Washington, DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc... This is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo .Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy .."One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection ! and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over the nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)



William Tyler Page wrote the "American Creed" and I believe these last few lines of this piece are a fitting tribute to this great nation. "I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to repect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies."

It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because! you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone failed to send it on.





Hartson Sager Dowd

Self hypnosis, in one form or another has been practiced for a very long time. My mama did it whenever we asked to do something that she disapproved of. After the first unwavering "NO", her eyes would glaze over and she would not listen to one single argument from us that might change her mind. While it is a serious therapeutic technique, self hypnosis is also a very useful tool in child rearing. It can be very irritating to the husband or wife when used as a form of communication in marriage. But if practiced regularly, it can help you avoid a lot of arguments.

Originally, self hypnosis was thought of as sleep, then as an "altered state of consciousness", usually brought about by watching too many episodes of Law & Order. Only after using instruments to monitor brain activity did researchers learn that there was negligible difference between someone in a trance or hypnosis, and Donald Rumsfeld.

People's experiences with self hypnosis vary widely depending on their own thought patterns, but some commonalities have been noted.

For instance, most people experience a reduced awareness of events going on around them including ringing telephones, nagging bosses and screaming children. Although people are not unconscious when under self hypnosis, many experience extreme relaxation and seem to have reduced awareness of their own body including their voice and conversation, and the foot wedged securely in their mouth.

Nearly everyone can learn effective techniques for self hypnosis. Whether your goal is feigned ignorance at a stupid question, spousal dismissal or to avoid death from a boring conversation, self hypnosis can be a very useful treatment option for many different family situations and social problems.

Let's peruse the reasons why self hypnosis can be such an appealing form of treatment:

• 1. It is non-invasive which means it doesn't require surgery such as a lobotomy or frontal lobe mutilation, nor an ice pick through the eye.
• 2. It doesn't require the use of drugs or alcohol, loud cursing, or impolite comments such as "SHUT UP... Before I Rip Your Head off !"
• 3. Self hypnosis is also relatively inexpensive when compared to other forms of treatment, such as divorce and/or job displacement.

Self hypnosis is the oldest form of medication for the mind and body. It helps you avoid coming to blows with others, it helps you alter your thoughts of mass destruction, and teaches you to use your mind to control your mouth. To be effective, you must get into a meditative state, like Tennessee or Texas. However, this does not mean you have to be in a vegetative state like Idaho, so to speak. Although this is helpful, self hypnosis can be effective even when you're angry, stressed out, bored half to death or in New Jersey.

Self hypnosis is a very powerful tool you can use to deal with your stressful day, but it is not a magic cure and is usually only effective if your spouse, the kids, the dog, your boss, and the neighbors all go away and leave you alone for at least five minutes.

The first step in achieving your goals with self hypnosis is to research the process. As you begin to learn about self hypnosis, you will discover which method works best for you. Doing this in a crowded room can sometimes prove to be difficult and will take lots of practice. Try it at your next board meeting.

For more information on self induced trances and self hypnosis visit: www.duuhhhh.com .

© Leeuna Foster, 2006.