Letter from 2012 in Obama’s America

Focus on the Family has gotten a bit of grief from the Left regarding their Letter from 2012 in Obama’s America. Some have called it hate mongering. Others call it fear mongering. Whatever you think, it does make interesting reading.

If you're not familiar with the 16-page document, it is a fictional letter written in 2012 explaining the changes that took place in the USA after Senator Obama's election to the presidency. In this what-if scenario we have an insight into what could happen should Senator Obama be elected on Tuesday.

Now, it is a what if scenario. A big part of the letter relies on President Obama making three Supreme Court appointments in the first year. That is unlikely, but I suppose it could happen. It is also based on the Democrats getting a super majority not only in the Senate and Congress but in most state houses as well. This, I think, is more likely. Should Senator Obama carry the day on November 4th, I think a super majority of Democrats will ride in on his coattails. We would probably also see key propositions on stem cell research, euthanasia, and gay marriage in states like Michigan, California, and Washington pass.

I do believe that my life personally will change drastically should an Obama presidency, an overwhelming Democratic majority, and liberal Supreme Court appointments become a reality. First, Rob is self employed and so our tax burden is heavy (we pay double the Social Security tax). I believe that in this what if situation, our tax burden will become even heavier. But then that doesn't really matter as Rob would probably lose his clients. You see, his life's work has been educational choice and reform In recent years, his work has been with charter schools. I guarantee you, the dissolution of alternative schools will take place in such a scenario. Competition with public schools will not be tolerated. On a personal level, Rob will be overtaxed at best -- out of work at worst. Either way, we could lose our house and definitely our standard of living.

Then there is homeschooling. Here in Michigan, Democrats have been pushing for more regulations of homeschooling. Fortunately, so far, HSLDA has kept them at bay. I doubt they'll be able to keep it up under an Obama administration. I don't think it's all that crazy to envision homeschoolers going underground as we did back in the 1970's.

We will also be effected health wise. I have children with serious medical issues who have benefited from the so-called greedy pharmaceutical companies. As long as pharmaceutical companies can earn a profit from R&D (research and development) they will continue to develop new, life saving and life changing medications. My asthmatic son's life changed for the better when Advair came out. We went from six to seven ER visits a year to none. My son with hypopituatarian dwarfism would be destined for a life as a dwarf with the corresponding health issues if not for the discovery of artificial growth hormone. I say God bless the greedy pharmaceutical companies. But in our what if scenario, socialized medicine is in our future. Ask yourself how many new medical discoveries are coming out of Canada and other countries where medical care is taken on by the government.

As pro-life activists, our work will really begin. Senator Obama has declared that his very first act as president will be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). This far-reaching act will undo all of our hard work of the past.

These are only a few ways my family life will change should Senator Obama become President Obama.

Focus on the Family's Letter from 2012 in Obama’s America does make for an interesting read. Check it out for yourself and make your decision on how on or off the mark it is.

Novena for Election: Day Five

A Prayer for our Nation as we Prepare to Elect our Leaders

O God, we acknowledge you today as Lord,
Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments.

We thank you for the privilege
Of being able to organize ourselves politically
And of knowing that political loyalty
Does not have to mean disloyalty to you.

We thank you for your law,
Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged
And recognized as higher than any human law.

We thank you for the opportunity that this election year puts before us,
To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote,
But to influence countless others to vote,
And to vote correctly.

Lord, we pray that your people may be awakened.
Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation,
Their response to you requires that they be politically active.

Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world
But rather a community of faith renewing the world.

Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer
Are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth;
That the same eyes that read your Word
Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot,
And that they do not cease to be Christians
When they enter the voting booth.

Awaken your people to a commitment to justice
To the sanctity of marriage and the family,
To the dignity of each individual human life,
And to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin,
And not one moment later.

Lord, we rejoice today
That we are citizens of your kingdom.

May that make us all the more committed
To being faithful citizens on earth.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Catholic Governors

Regarding our governor's support of Proposition 2 which will allow embryonic stem cell research and other attrocities our new bishop issued a statement:

10/27/08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael D. Diebold, Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Lansing

The Most Reverend Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, today issued the following statement in response to recent comments of Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm:

In a Sunday address in Grand Rapids, Governor Jennifer Granholm incredibly said of Proposal 2 "As a Catholic, I can say to be pro-cure is to be pro-life." Of course, Catholics and all other responsible citizens will continue to seek cures for disease and injury. But to imply that Proposal 2 is a valid expression of Catholic principles is shocking. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Proposal 2, which goes before Michigan voters in a week, would give an unrestricted license to those who perform destructive experiments on human embryos. While the Catholic Church strongly supports legitimate forms of stem cell research and all other proper forms of scientific inquiry, the Church also teaches that is it is always immoral to destroy a human embryo. For that reason, the Catholic Bishops of Michigan have taken a strong position in opposition to this well-funded assault on human life.

Saint Paul reminds us that we must preach the Truth in season and out of season. The Truth will never go unspoken. To be in favor of Proposal 2 is not to be pro-life. A well-formed Catholic conscience would never lead a person to support Proposal 2 "as a Catholic."

Click here if you're looking for a simple explanation of the Catholic Church's position on stem cell research.

Novena for Election: Day Four

A Prayer for our Nation as we Prepare to Elect our Leaders

O God, we acknowledge you today as Lord,
Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments.

We thank you for the privilege
Of being able to organize ourselves politically
And of knowing that political loyalty
Does not have to mean disloyalty to you.

We thank you for your law,
Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged
And recognized as higher than any human law.

We thank you for the opportunity that this election year puts before us,
To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote,
But to influence countless others to vote,
And to vote correctly.

Lord, we pray that your people may be awakened.
Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation,
Their response to you requires that they be politically active.

Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world
But rather a community of faith renewing the world.

Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer
Are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth;
That the same eyes that read your Word
Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot,
And that they do not cease to be Christians
When they enter the voting booth.

Awaken your people to a commitment to justice
To the sanctity of marriage and the family,
To the dignity of each individual human life,
And to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin,
And not one moment later.

Lord, we rejoice today
That we are citizens of your kingdom.

May that make us all the more committed
To being faithful citizens on earth.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fast for Hope

Thank you everyone who committed to pray and fast for the election. It helps to know that we're all doing this together. Now go check out Fast for Hope. There you can sign a pledge to pray and fast for the election Nov. 3 & 4. You can also pledge to offer a Mass, pray the rosary, and more. It's a cool site -- pass it on (look for the SHARE button on the bottom right of the website).

Novena for Election: Day Three

A Prayer for our Nation as we Prepare to Elect our Leaders

O God, we acknowledge you today as Lord,
Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments.

We thank you for the privilege
Of being able to organize ourselves politically
And of knowing that political loyalty
Does not have to mean disloyalty to you.

We thank you for your law,
Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged
And recognized as higher than any human law.

We thank you for the opportunity that this election year puts before us,
To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote,
But to influence countless others to vote,
And to vote correctly.

Lord, we pray that your people may be awakened.
Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation,
Their response to you requires that they be politically active.

Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world
But rather a community of faith renewing the world.

Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer
Are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth;
That the same eyes that read your Word
Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot,
And that they do not cease to be Christians
When they enter the voting booth.

Awaken your people to a commitment to justice
To the sanctity of marriage and the family,
To the dignity of each individual human life,
And to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin,
And not one moment later.

Lord, we rejoice today
That we are citizens of your kingdom.

May that make us all the more committed
To being faithful citizens on earth.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Is it True No One is Pro-Abortion

I heard Jill Stanek speak at a dinner some years ago. Anyone who is prolife and considering a vote for Senator Obama should listen to her story.

In the first video she discusses Barak Obama's voting record in Illinois as it relates to born alive abortion at hospitals in Chicago. The second video is her story as told to Bill OReilly in 2000.

Be forewarned her story is very difficult to hear. But it's an important story to hear.

Novena for Elections, Day Two

A Prayer for our Nation as we Prepare to Elect our Leaders

O God, we acknowledge you today as Lord,
Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments.

We thank you for the privilege
Of being able to organize ourselves politically
And of knowing that political loyalty
Does not have to mean disloyalty to you.

We thank you for your law,
Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged
And recognized as higher than any human law.

We thank you for the opportunity that this election year puts before us,
To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote,
But to influence countless others to vote,
And to vote correctly.

Lord, we pray that your people may be awakened.
Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation,
Their response to you requires that they be politically active.

Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world
But rather a community of faith renewing the world.

Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer
Are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth;
That the same eyes that read your Word
Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot,
And that they do not cease to be Christians
When they enter the voting booth.

Awaken your people to a commitment to justice
To the sanctity of marriage and the family,
To the dignity of each individual human life,
And to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin,
And not one moment later.

Lord, we rejoice today
That we are citizens of your kingdom.

May that make us all the more committed
To being faithful citizens on earth.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fasting for the Election

I think this election not only calls for fervent prayer but for fasting. Will you join me in a fast for the next nine days? If so, leave a comment and let me know. It would be good for us to do this together as it's not an easy thing to do, especially alone.

I've done a complete fast in the past and my body didn't respond well so I can't do that again. Instead, I'll commit to a regular meal at lunchtime and then only 100% juice in between.

If your health won't allow for a fast from food, how about a fast from TV, the internet, or something else?

Let's all commit to pray and fast together.

Novena for the Election: Day One

I believe that the one good thing, perhaps only good thing, about the upcoming election is that it is uniting a lot of us in prayer. I'd like to ask for additional prayers that Proposition 2 here in Michigan goes down in flames.

Please join me in a novena. I will post the following prayer (from Father Frank Pavone) every morning for the next nine days. I've set it up to post at 5 AM each day so you won't miss it.

A Prayer for our Nation as we Prepare to Elect our Leaders

O God, we acknowledge you today as Lord,
Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments.

We thank you for the privilege
Of being able to organize ourselves politically
And of knowing that political loyalty
Does not have to mean disloyalty to you.

We thank you for your law,
Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged
And recognized as higher than any human law.

We thank you for the opportunity that this election year puts before us,
To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote,
But to influence countless others to vote,
And to vote correctly.

Lord, we pray that your people may be awakened.
Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation,
Their response to you requires that they be politically active.

Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world
But rather a community of faith renewing the world.

Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer
Are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth;
That the same eyes that read your Word
Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot,
And that they do not cease to be Christians
When they enter the voting booth.

Awaken your people to a commitment to justice
To the sanctity of marriage and the family,
To the dignity of each individual human life,
And to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin,
And not one moment later.

Lord, we rejoice today
That we are citizens of your kingdom.

May that make us all the more committed
To being faithful citizens on earth.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What's a Mom to Do with a Super Picky Eater

The Thrifty Homeschooler and The Sneaky Chef.

Nominating and Voting in the Blogosphere

Today is the last day to nominate your favorite homeschooling blogs at the Homeschool Blog Awards. I have a lot of great homeschool blogs in my sidebar if you need some ideas.

Also, you have one week left to vote on a patron saint at the Catholic teen blog, No Question Left Behind if you'd like to help the teens choose.

Reasons to Homeschool

One of the neat things about moving to a new home is that you discover things you haven't seen or thought about in years. I recently found an old tattered list, stained and scrawled with many different colors of ink.

When I began homeschooling, I started a list "Why Homeschool?" I don't remember where I got the idea. It may have been a talk by Dr. Mary Kay Clark.

Whenever I discovered a positive reason for homeschooling, I would write it down on this list until it grew to two pages long. During my early years of homeschooling, this list was a lifesaver. On those days when I questioned my sanity in choosing homeschooling I would pull the list out of my desk drawer and review it. It helped to keep me from throwing in the towel during tough times.

Here is the list:

-- To nurture, train, and educate our children
-- To pass on our faith and culture to the next generation
-- To center our lives around family rather than school
-- The role models they follow will be their parents not their age-appropriate peers
-- To hold them close while they're young and then let them fly
-- We can vacation and travel on the off season
-- We can take field trips on the spur of the moment and lots of them
-- Instead of learning to socialize with 20 other 1st grade children they will learn how to socialize with children and adults of all ages
-- One-on-one tutoring far outweighs large-classroom teaching
-- To insure my children learn to read using phonics
-- The Church teaches us that as parents we are the primary teachers of our children
-- Pupils taught individually achieve 30% higher on standardized tests than pupils taught in a standard class of 25 students
-- To encourage a lifelong love of learning
-- Adds to the richness of our culture by promoting diversity in educational choice.
-- I can teach my dyslexic child using proven methods like Orton Gillingham ensuring he learns to read as well as non-dyslexic students
-- Every child is unique and learns in different ways and we can design our curriculum to each child's individual learning style
--We know EXACTLY what our child is taught
-- I am re-educated
-- To protect our children from sexual and drug pressure until they are ready to face it head on
-- There is no pressure to put my ADD child on drugs
-- We can accomplish more in less time
-- To provide a classical education
-- There are no concerns about serious food allergies while our child is in school
-- Our asthmatic child can keep his emergency inhaler close by instead of with a nurse across the building
-- Education still takes place on snow and sick days
-- In this computer age resources for homeschoolers are abundant
-- To foster emotional security
-- No cliques
-- To encourage creativity
-- To develop independent learners
-- I love being with my children!

I also made a list of reasons not to homeschool:

-- Housework falls behind

PSN5: Do I Have to Go?

This is a title for the Youth section.

To read past library recommendations, or to join the email list, visit: Pope Saint Nicholas V.

Check to see if this title is already in your library's catalog. If it is, put a hold on it and check it out. If not, fill out a patron request form right away. This can usually be done online at your library's website.

Title: Do I Have to Go?: 101 Questions About the Mass, the Eucharist, and Your Spiritual Life
Author: Matthew Pinto and Christopher Stefanick
Publisher: Ascension Press
Date Published: January 2008
ISBN-10: 1934217336
ISBN-13: 978-1934217337
Price: $12.99 Softcover
From the publisher:

From playing video games to sleeping-in, teens can think of countless things they would rather do than go to Mass on Sunday morning. That is, unless they knew what they were missing. "Do I Have to Go?" explains the meaning and the mystery of Mass in such a way that teens will be asking, "Why wouldn't I go?"

With wit, clarity, and common sense, Matthew Pinto and Chris Stefanick answer the tough questions teens have about the Mass-from the rituals contained in the liturgy, to the doctrines of the Eucharist and the priesthood. When teens understand that the Mass is literally the meeting place between heaven and earth, they will have a newfound sense of awe and a deeper understanding of their role as a Catholic in a post-modern world. In “Do I Have to Go?” you will learn:

* Why the Mass is an essential part of the Christian life
* The mystery of the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Jesus’s Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity
* How the redemptive work of Jesus Christ is communicated to and through the Church and the sacraments
* The meaning of all the gestures and symbols of the the Mass
* How the Mass has developed from its roots in the Old Testament, through its institution by Christ
* The importance of the liturgical seasons for the spiritual life
* And much, much more…

Fluffy Delicious Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

Sparky loves my pancakes. There are few tricks I use to make them light and fluffy (not an easy task with GF flour). Actually, I use the same tricks I use for regular pancakes. The following recipe is converted from a recipe in The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion (the bible of all-purpose flour baking). You could just buy GF pancake mix but it's pricey and not that much easier.

Simple but Perfect GF Pancakes Recipe
2 lg. eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract (don't use imitation as it may not be GF)
3 Tblsp. melted butter
1 1/2 c. GF flour (I premix 1 part rice to 1 part tapioca or potato)
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbsp. sugar

Beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla on high speed for 3 minutes. The mixture will be really light and fluffy. Stir in the butter.

Sift the dry ingredients together to evenly distribute and also lighten up the mixture. Gently and quickly stir into the wet mixture. Just 10 seconds should do it. Yes, I know there will still be lumps but, as Alton Brown would say, "Just step away from the batter" because the next step is going to take care of those lumps.

(NOTE: You may have to add more milk if the batter is too thick.)

If you keep stirring and mixing until all the lumps are gone then you're going to end up with stiff, tough pancakes. Instead, let the batter sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes. You could even make it the night before and let it sit in the fridge. I like to make the batter before Mass and then finish up when we get home.

Allowing the batter to sit will dissolves all of those lumps, thicken up the batter, and make it all yummy & fluffy. While the batter rests, you could make some blueberry syrup (I'll include that recipe at the end).

Spray your griddle with Pam and preheat. The griddle is ready if a drop of water skitters across the surface. If you're lucky enough to have an electric skillet set the temperature to between 325 and 350.

Give your batter a final stir and drop on the griddle -- about a 1/4 cup. I use an ice cream scoop. The GF pancakes don't seem to bubble on top like regular pancakes so just keep checking them. Turn over once and cook on the other side until it's brown. Serve immediately.

Since Sparky is the only one eating the GF version, I have lots of pancakes leftover to put in baggies for later use. I put them in the fridge or freezer to reheat in the toaster oven or on a hot griddle another day.

NOTE: For regular pancakes, reduce the milk to 1 1/4 c. milk and use all-purpose flour.

Blueberry Syrup Recipe
1 1/2 c. frozen blueberries
2 Tblsp. lemon juice
1/4 sugar
1 1/2 c. corn syrup (I substitute 1/2 of the corn syrup for honey)
1/4 c. cornstarch
1.4 c. cold water

Put the berries, juice, sugar, and syrup in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. While you're waiting put the cornstarch into a cup with the cold water. Stir to dissolve. I use a sippy cup -- put the cornstarch and water into the cup, put on the lid, and give it a good shake. Add the cornstarch mixture to the simmering blueberry mixture all at once. Stir continuously until syrup comes back to a simmer and becomes clear. Serve warm right off the stove.

The Irish and Teen Blogs

One of the cool things about the Internet and blogging is that you get a glimpse into the world outside of the United States. Now and then you stumble onto a Catholic blogger from England or Australia or elsewhere. You see that they are dealing with the same joys and same struggles with their faith and with the Church. It adds, I think, new meaning to the Body of Christ.

Sometimes you even stumble upon blogs from God's country, the homeland of my ancestors, Ireland. Thanks to Sitemeter, I discovered an Irish blogger who discovered No Question Left Behind and had a few kinds words for the teen authors:

I was wandering around the web earlier and by following a link from a favourite site to another site to another and so on, I found these great guys (and gals). They answer in plain and simple English common but occasionally difficult questions about the Faith, mostly from teenagers. This site is brilliant and deserves a big prize! What they want however is not a prize but a heavenly patron, so go over here and help them pick one. (SUBTLE HINT: St Augustine is not only very cool but also spent some time answering random questions from members of his community.)

Thank you so very much Éamonn.

(And how cool is it that they say cool in Ireland too?)

Physical Education for Homeschooled Teenagers

Ever wonder how homeschooled teenagers get their exercise? Here's how our friend Catherine gets her daily PE:

Steve the Balloon

At the end of our house warming party there was a bonfire with marshmallows and the whole bit. There were also balloons. 144 balloons to be exact. The kids discovered that if they blew up the balloons and held them over the fire, they would fly up in the air. (I logged it as "science" on the school transcript.) You wouldn't believe how long such a thing will entertain children and teenagers. It went on all night. I woke up the next morning, looked out my window, and saw a dozen or so balloons up in my trees. And about ten times that many dead on the ground around the fire pit. I wish my camera had been working (it got broke . . . again). It was quite the colorful sight in my backyard.

Here is the story of one balloon in particular -- Steve.


Thank you Jimmy, YouTube extraordinaire, for providing this video.

Catholic and Loving It

For a blog that says speaks its mind, quite frankly, all the way from the UK, go visit Catholic and Loving It. Today they blog on No Question Left Behind.

PSN5: Take It to the Queen

I am very excited about the release of this book as I loved its predecessor, The Weight of a Mass.

Check to see if this title is already in your library's catalog. If it is, put a hold on it and check it out. If not, fill out a patron request form right away. This can usually be done online at your library's website.

Title: Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope
Author: Josephine Nobisso
Publisher: Gingerbread House
Date Published: December 2008 (Currently available)
ISBN-10: 0940112191
ISBN-13: 978-0940112193
Price: $17.95 Hardcover, $9.95 Softcover
Review: Love2Learn.net

Product Description

With exquisite artwork and evocative text, this original fable explores the events of Jesus' life, and demonstrates the role of the Virgin Mary as the benevolent agent of God's people. Reduced to desolation by a king and prince who feel they have been wronged, the residents of a once-favored village must seek help from the queen, a native of their devastated town. Religious subjects are presented clearly in an allegorical style that proves entertaining, and also serves to provide children with examples of virtue and good behavior.

About the Author

Josephine Nobisso is the author of several books, including The Numbers Dance, Show; Don't Tell!, and The Weight of a Mass. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including Bank Street College's Best Book of the Year and a Catholic Press Association Award. She lives in Westhampton Beach, New York. Katalin Szegedi is the illustrator of The Weight of a Mass and was named Illustrator of the Year by Hungary's International Board on Books for Young People.

To read past library recommendations, or to join the email list, visit: Pope Saint Nicholas V.

Prayers for the Strombergs Needed

Please pray for Joan Stromberg's son John and all the Strombergs. John's tumor is back and radiation for the next six weeks is in order.

You are close to our hearts here Joan.

Nominating Your Favorite Blogs

The 2008 Homeschool Blog Awards are now taking nominations. Go and nominate your favorite homeschooling blogs! You have until October 24th but don't procrastinate too long.

In order to reach the voting part of the awards, a blog must be nominated at least 3 times so don't rely someone else to nominate your favorite blog.

The rules are all laid out at the website.

Thanks!

Celiac Disease and Communion

Receiving the Eucharist wasn't a big deal for Sparky when it came time to make his First Holy Communion. He simply took the cup and received Jesus' Precious Blood. No big deal.

Then we moved. At our new parish, a small, historic, country church, things work a little differently from our old parish.

When I went to communion one Sunday, I saw a piece of the Host floating in the cup. As I'm sure you've seen, the priest breaks a piece of the Host and puts it into his chalice. At our old parish and parishes we've visited, the priest always consumed the Blood and Body from that chalice. At the new parish, the pastor takes that chalice, along with another, out to the congregation.

This is a problem for the celiac sufferer as the wine is contaminated with gluten from the bread and it should not be consumed. From week to week we never knew which aisle the contaminated cup would be taken. We'd sit on the right side of the church and the contaminated cup would end up on that side. The next week we would try the left side and sure enough the cup in question would end up on that side.

Finally, I approached the pastor before Mass and explained the situation to him. I asked if the contaminated cup could always be taken to the same side each week. His answer was simple. "No." He told me to just have Sparky watch which side the safe cup ended up and then cut into that line if need be.

This sounds easier than it is. You see, Sparky also has Asperger syndrome which a high-functioning form of autism. Cutting into another line was a little stressful to him. Add to that the fact that our church is very small and bursting at the seams. It is difficult at best to find your way back to a pew on the other side without climbing over people and causing a bit of a disruption.

I would go with Sparky and of course Super Boy would have to follow. Now we were really causing a disruption. ("Hey, what's the new lady doing?!") So, back to the pastor we went.

We talked it out this weekend and we've decided to go with the new low-gluten host approved by the Catholic Church. I'd prefer not to do this as it still has a trace of gluten. But the doctor insists it is safe and when Gregory tried one recently he didn't get a stomach ache.

There is of course the concern of contamination. The priest cannot touch the low-gluten host as he has touched the regular hosts and Sparky's host would then be contaminated. So, every week, Rob and I will take a low-gluten host from our freezer (we'll order them and stock them ourselves to save our parish the hassle) and put it in a pyx. We'll then take the pyx to church and place it on the altar before Mass. The pastor will open it before the consecration. At communion he'll close the pyx and put it in the palm of his hand below the ciborium. When Sparky comes up to communion, the priest will then give Sparky the pyx and Sparky will take out the consecrated host himself.

It's all so complicated but I'm glad we found a solution. Sparky is actually excited and happy about it. I'll let you know how it works out in reality after a week or two.

Converting Bread and Pastry Recipes to Gluten Free

I'd love to be able to say that all you have to do in converting your favorite cookie or banana bread recipe is to exchange GF (gluten free) flours for the wheat flour. However, it's not quite that simple.

The gluten in wheat is what gives your bread that light, fluffy texture. GF yeast breads are very heavy and dense. First off, you need to be very careful about making GF yeast bread in your bread machine. You can easily break it in just a few uses if you don't buy just the right machine. The dough is just way too thick.

In fact, I've given up on making GF yeast bread. I just buy the bread at the store. Many of the everyday grocery stores are carrying gluten-free products now. The problem is that they're very expensive and so I keep my purchases to a minimum and buy only very few premade items. (With the economy slipping away under us I think I'll give baking our own GF yeast breads another try.) A bag of GF pretzels will run you around $8!

The good news is that other breads and treats can be made gluten free and still turn out way yummy! The sweet breads are great and don't taste any different.

First you need to find a good recipe. You can check out some gluten free cookbooks from the library or search the Internet for GF recipes. Or you can convert your own recipes.

First, I keep a jar with GF flour on my counter that is a mix of 2/3 rice flour and 1/3 tampioca flour. When converting recipes, I substitute one cup of the wheat flour with one cup of the GF flour.

I'll also add one teaspoon of xanthan gum or guar gum (both found at the health food store -- just buy the cheapest) for every cup of flour. You could also use arrowroot powder. These things act as a binding agent. However, if you don't happen to have any on hand and you are really craving some GF banana bread, you can skip it. It'll still come out good.

Sometimes I'll add an extra egg or baking powder to the recipe to give it some extra umpf (is that even a word?).

Making drop cookies isn't something I've mastered. The GF recipes tend to flatten out. You could roll up the cookies, put them into the freezer, and then bake them. Or, just do what I do, make cookie bars. They come out great and it's easier than drop cookies. Just spread your dough on a pizza pan or rectangular pan, bake, and slice.

I gave up on making GF cakes a long time ago, but that is another area I'd like to revisit. I recently had the most delicious cake and the chef told me that trick is to sift the flour seven times. Seven times is a lot! But it would be worth to provide my son with a cake on his birthday.

Here's a free GF cookbook at Google Books: You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free.

Coming up soon will be converting other recipes and naturally GF recipes.

Oh, one more thing, here is a list of alternative flours that are gluten free:

Rice (white, brown, or sweet)
Corn
Bean
Amaranth
Nuts (almond or hazelnut)
Potato
Soy
Sorghum
Tapioca
Coconut

Stay away from:

Spelt
Oat
Graham
Rye

Checking the Ingredient Labels for Gluten

One of the first things I did when I began the gluten-free journey with my son was to print off a list of ingredients to look for when buying prepared foods. For example, I learned quickly that most of the common breakfast cereals have gluten, even the rice cereals. (Though, thankfully, Rice Chex just very recently went gluten free.) The culprit? Barley malt. Which is made from barley which has gluten in it.

I trained my eye to look for things like modified food starch and brewers yeast. I learned that somethings sound bad but are really okay like buckwheat and whey. It was a lot in the beginning but over time it became second nature.

The most important thing to happen was that our eating habits improved a great deal. Most prepared foods are contaminated with gluten. For example, I had been using a great deal of cream soups in my recipes but cream soup is thickened with wheat.

Going gluten free meant eating more natural and fresh foods and that's a good thing. Of course, grains took a beating but I managed a few grains. Rice and corn are safe substitutes for wheat.

Tomorrow I'll write about converting bread and pastry recipes to gluten-free flours.

Meanwhile, here is a gluten free blog to check out.

Maintaining a Gluten Free Kitchen

I'll never forget my first grocery shopping trip after learning of Sparky's celiac disease. It was completely overwhelming. I stood in the aisle at a total loss not knowing what I could buy. Everything I picked up was poison to my son. So, I stuck to the basics: fresh meat, vegetables and fruit.

Then I headed to the health food store, thinking they could help. The clerk insisted that she knew just what I needed. She loaded me up with spelt flour. NOTE: Spelt flour is NOT safe for celiacs. I had to find some real help!

Unfortunately, the pediatric internist who diagnosed Sparky wasn't very knowledgeable with the everyday living your life gluten free details. Fortunately, he suggested joining a local celiac support group.

I highly recommend looking for local support. Though we are no longer a part of that group, it was a great blessing in those early days of living gluten free. To find a group near you go to the Celiac Sprue Association and choose your state and click Submit.

I had also found support online. The email group I participate in was wonderful but has since moved to a new forum and I have no idea where. I'm sure that if you Google or go to Yahoo Groups you could find online support.

The first thing I did when I learned what had gluten in it and what was safe, was to make my kitchen completely gluten free. My friends benefited as I gave them my bulk flour, cream soups, morning cereals, etc. The whole family went gluten free for the next couple of years.

My friends would tell stories of how my children would melt with joy when offered sandwiches at their homes. I decided it was time to start re-introducing gluten. I needed those two years to get comfortable with keeping my son 's diet safe and now I was ready to put him into a more realistic real world environment.

I trained the children to be conscientious to contaminates. For example, when making a peanut and jelly sandwich, they spoon the jelly onto the bread and then spread with a knife. If they were to put the knife back into the jar then all the jelly would be contaminated and Sparky couldn't eat it. Usually though I have two jars. One is marked GF with a Sharpie and no one but Sparky can use that jar. We are also careful not to do things like put crackers on a platter with cheese and meats. The crackers go in a separate bowl.

I have to run and finish dinner now (complete with GF banana bread) but tomorrow I'll write about specifics on what to look for at the grocery store when maintaining a GF diet.

Diagnosing Celiac

How do you know if you have celiac disease? It is such an underdiagnosed disease in this country, you should educate yourself about it as your doctor may not be educated himself.

In Sparky's case, he has a variety of medical issues in addition to celiac disease. This could have made his diagnosis much more difficult but thankfully we had a good pediatric internist who suggested a blood test for celiac even though Sparky did not have all of the classic symptoms.

Celiac has several signs. In small children, failure to thrive is a biggie. Sparky wasn't even in the five percentile for height and weight. (Later Sparky was also diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency.)

Another symptom is chronic diarhea. This occurs in most celiacs. In our son's case, he was one of the small percentage who do not have this symptom as he also has a thyroid issue that causes the opposite problem.

Cramping and abdominal pain is something else to look out for. Sparky was terribly irritable and gassy as a baby. Unknowingly, I would give him Saltine crackers to relieve his stomach aches not knowing that the wheat in the crackers made the problem worse.

Oftentimes adults with celiac are misdiagnosed with irritable bowell syndrome (IBS) or even Crohn's disease. It wouldn't hurt to have a blood test to check for celiac disease if you have been diagnosed with IBS.

The blood test for celiac is very easy. The technician will look for antibodies that fight gluten. When I was tested for celiac my count was around 60. Sparky's count was around 600.

The important thing to remember if you are scheduled for a blood test is to load up on wheat products in the week or two leading up to the test. If you are avoiding gluten then you won't have the antibodies and your test could come back negative even if you do have the disease.

If your test does come back positive, the next step is a biopsy. The doctor will want to check the damage done to your small intestine.

Fortunately, for children recovery from intestinal damage comes very quickly. A strict gluten free diet will see results in just weeks. In Sparky's case, he began to put on weight and even a little height almost immediately. For adults, recovery can take much longer, up to one or two years. It will depend largely on how long the adult went undiagnosed.

Next, I'll write about living gluten-free.

2008 Homeschool Blog Awards

It's time to start thinking about your favorite blogs. The Homeschool Blog Awards for 2008 are about to start. Nominations will start next week: Monday, Oct. 13. I'm happy to see there is a Thrifty Homeschooler category and hope that THE Thrifty Homeschooler gets nominated. Although I've been lax in posting there. I guess I should get to work if I want a nomination!

I'd also like to see No Question Left Behind nominated for Best Group Teen Blog but I'm not sure that it would qualify. A good number of the team members are homeschooled but the blog is written with all teens in mind.

You'll find most of my favorite homeschool blogs in the sidebar (though I do need to update the blogroll). I'll make sure to visit them this week as I'd like to make a few nominations come Monday. If a blog helps me in being a better homeschooler I'd sure like to see them recognized formally.

The Mom Song to William Tell

I laughed so hard I cried.

Celiac and the Eucharist

I've been wanting to post more about celiac disease today but life has been beckoning. We're finally having our house warming party tomorrow. Rob wanted to wait until we had everything done -- painting, repairs, boxes put away -- but then it would be our retirement party. I'm sure our friends won't mind a few unpainted walls or unopened boxes.

Anyway, I've been cleaning and baking all day and can't think deeply enough to write a coherent post. So, for today, I'll provide a couple of links.

Chrysd asked in the comments about Sparky and Communion. And I plan on posting about that next week as we have a bit of an issue with our new parish and plan on talking to our pastor again this Sunday. Please pray that it ends well.

In the meantime, you can read about Sparky's First Communion in spite of his inability to take Jesus in the form of bread. You can also read Christian's take at No Question Left Behind
(from four years ago).

I should be recovered from the party by Monday and ready to blog again.

Shoots Like a Girl, Part 2

My girls often beg me to tell this story, so I'm going to tell it here . . .

This story takes place almost 30 years ago when I was a young, very young, college student. I was on a camping trip with a bunch of my fellow students on the Huzzah River in Missouri. The guys heard there was a shooting range close by and decided to go check it out. The girls on the other hand wanted to stay in camp and curl their hair with their butane curling irons and put on makeup. Being a tomboy, I went with the guys.

The shooting range turned out to be pretty simple. Just a couple of mounds with a big burm to shoot into. The fascination of the day turned out not to be the range but the day's visitor. An older gentleman (in those days older meant 30 or, egads, 40), was there with a whole arsenal of firearms. The guys were mesmerized as the gentleman showed them various rifles and handguns.

Being the high day of Dirty Harry and Clint Eastwood, they were especially ga-ga over the .44 Magnum. One bold boy asked if he could give it try. So the gentleman handed the Magnum to him, gave some instructions, and let him shoot.

Lets keep in mind here that a .44 Magnum is a mighty powerful gun. You might even say it has excessive recoil. All the macho college guys wanted to hold it like Harry -- with one hand. Not smart. Each guy stepped up to the mound and took a couple of turns. Each guy missed. Missed by a mile. They couldn't control the power of the gun. They couldn't keep it steady.

Then I, all 95 pounds of me, walked up and meekly asked, "May I try?"

The laughter was deafening. Those guys were having way too much fun at my expense. "Ah, a girl thinks she can shoot a Magnum!" "The gun is bigger than her!" "Yeah, I bet she shoots like a girl!" They were rolling in the grass holding their bellies, they were laughing so hard.

The gentleman, that kind gentleman, said softly but sternly, "Some of the best shooters in the world are women." With that he gently passed the gun to me and whispered some instructions in my ear.

I should say here that I have always been comfortable with guns. My dad is a hunter. I was his fishing buddy but he let me handle his rifle now and then too. I wasn't intimidated at all.

So, I listened to the gentleman carefully, stepped up to the mound, and took a shot. Wow! The power of the Magnum really made me take a step back. The gun flew up and I totally missed. The guys were laughing even harder.

I ignored them and vowed that I'd show them. I steadied myself and stepped up for my second shot. This time, I knew exactly what to expect and I was prepared.

I hit that target dead center. Dead center.

Now the silence from the guys was deafening. They hardly said a word the rest of the trip.

Why yes, I do shoot like a girl!

Celiac Awareness Month

October is Celiac Awareness Month. Break out the drinks and pizza to celebrate. Just make sure it's gluten free!

If you are not aware of celiac disease, as are most people, it is an auto immune disease that attacks the intestines when gluten is digested. Gluten is found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye.

Our ten-year old, Sparky, was diagnosed with celiac when he was just 19-months old. However, onset can happen anytime in life. In fact, I know a woman who was diagnosed at 70.

Unfortunately, celiac disease is terribly under-diagnosed in this country. Recent studies show that only 5% of people with celiac disease are properly diagnosed. And those who are diagnosed often suffer for years before finding relief. It's a terrible shame as celiac is 100% treatable with diet changes.

Over the month of October, I'll write more about celiac and how we live with it at our house. Stay tuned.

Shoot Like a Girl

How do you know a shotgunner? Why just check out that bruise on her cheek. It's almost always there throughout shooting season.

How do you know a champion shotgunner. Why just check out all those medals hanging around her neck.