I hope you are all well, and ready to enjoy the weekend. For me the weekend is a welcomed change of pace.
This week I've decided to do something different for Information Friday. There is a lot of information out there, and a lot of it is incorrect. WE, the citizens of the United States do not know our Constitution or our Bill of Rights, or the Amendments very well. I know I don't know them like I should. I want to give some clarification on the deportation issue.
A big issue this week is the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil. He came to the US on a student visa and while here he has gotten a green card as he married an American citizen.
Green cards give legal right to live in the US, and many of the same rights as citizens, but not all.
Green card holders are expressly instructed that there are even areas of free speech that they do not have that citizens do have. Also, by promoting a terror group and aligning with them can get you kicked out of the country.
Many people seem to think a Green Card is like being a citizen because it gives the holder legality to be in the country. It is NOT the same as citizenship.
Marco Rubio explains here.
Another issue is understanding Trump. Trump uses hyperbolic messaging sometimes in order to get attention on an issue, but also to get certain people to move on the issue.
For example - many people, even Trump supporters, were upset by his comments on the US rebuilding Gaza, and he even put out that video that should it all cleaned up and it showed a golden statue of him. People were really upset by this.
I said from the beginning Trump does not want the US involved there, so lets see what he's up, too. It became quickly apparent is what he wanted was a few Arab states to hate the idea of the US showing the Arab (wealthy) world up by fixing one of their areas. Really soon after the video Jordan and Egypt both said, "We'll take care of rebuilding Gaza!" So, Trump got what he wanted. A rebuilt area for the people of Gaza to live in decent conditions, and it's being done by other muslim nations!
If people would stop reacting to Trump right away, and sit back for a minute and watch, you'd see he's up to something. One thing it always is used for is to draw attention to an issue.
For example Canada. Did you know that the US gives Canada foreign aid every year to the tune of 200 Billion dollars? Trudeau told Trump that Canada couldn't exists without that money. That's why Trump said they should become our 51st state! They'd have lower taxes!
What he's wanting there I believe is a more shared economy, access to their rare earth minerals, and these thing benefit both Americans and Canadians. But seriously if your nation can't exist without our money then are you really a nation?
What do you notice about this picture. The blue is all Russia. If we had, Greenland, and a big partnership or Canada as a territory, we be more evenly matched with the Russians.
Ah Friends, spring is on the way! We are having lovely weather.
I have lemon and orange oil diffusing in the living room. My fun bird tea pot holds water for the diffuser, and for giving the plant a drink.
Have you ever noticed that sometimes you see something in a photo that you don't notice in real life? For me it was the stickers on the screen frame. Of course, this is the first time we've opened the window since it was installed, but I happy to say that the stickers are no longer there!
Mom and I went to a favorite garden center today, and I bought two hellebores! I've been wanting to get some for my garden. They bloom January through April. I just realized I didn't take any photos and Tim just left with my van! The plants are still in the trunk area. I also bought a sweet English Ivy for my kitchen window! The plants really like that space!
I am feeling so much better, not coughing much. I stayed home from church yesterday, and slept in, and I could tell I was better. Today, I've hardly coughed at all! Praise!
I'm planning Chicken Alfredo with rice for dinner. I will get the chicken and sauce separate from the rice so that I can eat according to my eating plan. I'll put my chicken and sauce over green beans. Yum.
I think I'm going to take the girls to the park near the dam tomorrow to see if we can see eagles, and maybe spot eagles on nests. They should be flying around a lot looking for food for their eaglets!
We have two more weeks of co-op, then we're through for this year. However we have a few months of school work to do here at my house. We do three days a week here, and two at their house. They've made good progress this year, and I'm grateful to see it.
The weather is turning milder, and next week is going to be warm! I can't wait to get busy in the garden again.
This video is "graphic novel style" and interesting.
This video is 10 minutes long but explains the history of the Russia/Ukraine war.
This one is only 4 minutes long, but RFK jr shares the background on this war.
Here's the Treasury Secretary talking about the improvement to the economy already.
Sorry this is late, but hey, it's not Saturday! Tim and I ran errands this morning, including getting groceries, so we didn't get home until after noon.
I've had a cough this week, which is annoying. Pray that it'll clear up and that I'll get my energy back. I'm back doing the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan, and have been off sugar for over a week. I'm trying to be more active, but the cough is hindering activity.
We FaceTimed our newly 3 year old granddaughter in TN yesterday for her birthday, and it was a joy to see her face light up when she saw us! We sent her magnetic dolls/clothes and shoes, and a unicorn stamper! She like them!
Tomorrow is her Mama's birthday, our daughter Emma, and Sunday is Emma's husband's birthday! Lots of celebrating!
The weather is cool her but sunny and so tonight for dinner I am surprising everyone with BLT's for dinner! Yum!
This photo of my bridal veil spirea was taken in our old kitchen!
I have been pondering hospitality, and sharing time with others, and the need in my heart for connection.
Last week I picked up my friend, Jennifer, and we drove to a coffee place. We drove through, got our coffee and chai, and a treat and then parked somewhere to have a long, private chat. We both needed that connection. That keep up with friendship and sharing deep things.
While we were together she gave me a book she bought for me called "Tea Time Discipleship" by Sally Clarkson. Sally and I are kindred spirits even though we don't know each other in real life.
This book is sparking a renewed desire to gather with a friend, an acquaintance, and younger woman and share a cup of tea, a treat, and some friendship as I believe this is a need many women have. Especially after the nest is empty.
Sometimes I think in order to have tea, I should invite a lot of people, but this is reminding me about the value of one on one time, or just a small group.
Also the hostess doesn't have to provide all the treats, you can ask guests to bring along something to share.
My tea things have not seen much action in several years. They are waiting to be used again. God willing, I will make this a priority this year.
My youngest and I took a quick pick in the hallway tonight! He's a lot taller than me, so it is hard for us to get a good photo, though maybe next time he should take the photo! Lol!
Vice President Vance said this week that they would negotiate with Russia and Ukraine in private. That is one reason why Trump and Vance were tough on Zelenskyy today. He turned it to a negotiation in front of the press.
Do you remember a week or so ago, Zelenskyy said that they'd only gotten $75 Million of the Billions of dollars we'd given Ukraine?
I found this interesting.
Maybe this is where a lot of the money has gone? For Ukrainian elites?
Also, JD Vance asked Zelenskyy today if he'd ever said Thank You for the billions of dollars and the armaments the United States had given to Ukraine.
This statement came out not long after Zelenskyy was told to leave the White House.
He apparently through a lot of pushing from Bret Baier while being interviewed gave a half hearted apology.
I think he thought he could treat this administration like he did Biden's. Not happening.
Trump had his first Cabinet meeting this week!
Here is a video from Victor Davis Hanson which is good explaining about how Trump is trying to put an end to this war!
