Katdish.net

image courtesy of photobucket.com

I wasn’t really on the tweetdeck much this week, so you would think I wouldn’t have many tweets to sort through. Sheah, right… (And yes, they’re in backwards order, as always.)

The best of me (or not) on the twitter this week:

@SBeeCreations Snort! And dang it! (in reply to SBeeCreations @katdish sounds like you may need to do an extra load of whites)

If driving up slowly behind my 12 YO son & honking the horn is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.

@dlrayburn @Brian_Russell Yesh! That’s the word. Yeah, I can’t do that.(in reply to @dlrayburn @katdish Telekinesis?)

Oh, not mind control. What is that think where you move things with your mind? Besides my innate stubbornness I mean.

Despite repeated attempts at mind control, the sheets have NOT put themselves back on the bed. Bummer.

@Brian_Russell Come to think of it, the stuff in my brain? Not sure the world is ready for that

@Brian_Russell So what I need to do, is to transfer what’s in my brain on to paper, then figure out how to get that on a computer.

@Brian_Russell No, because I don’t see one I want. This is why I create. Because the stuff in my brain is not readily available anywhere. (in reply to Brian_Russell @katdish Well, yeah… you need help deciding?)

@unmarketing I’m pretty smart for a girl. (in reply to unmarketing @katdish glad you noticed that 🙂

@unmarketing Wait…did you write a blog post about not writing blog posts?

@CassandraFrear @billycoffey wrote a post about Sponge Bob boxers. I’m still deleting viagra spam comments. (in reply to CassandraFrear I’m getting spam for Valium. What did I tweet?)

@myapronstrings You’re so good. I really should get you to design my blog. But after you’re done, you would hate me.

@TheBonnieGray The secret is less Facebook. I try not to go there much, unless I having a burning desire to play Farmville, which I never do (in reply to TheBonnieGray When Twitter, Blogging or Facebooking Stresses http://bit.ly/cgc0qW Make This UR ONE Ambition)

It is now, BTW.

So, after over a year on twitter, I noticed that my actual name is not on my account. Duh…

RT @pamelajclements: Great meeting with @billycoffey to plan launch of Snow Day. What a GREAT read. I LOVE the part about the Tonka Truck.

@Brian_Russell @PeterPollock is my go-to geek, I just can’t decide what I want. (in reply to Brian_Russell @katdish Heck, I’m sure some people on the internet would LOVE to help you design a website! 🙂

@PeterPollock Can I just draw a picture of a layout I want and you miracle it up for me?

So apparently, wordpress themes with pictures of couches are a big deal. I don’t see the appeal of that.

@nkehr I’m sorry….who are you? Snort! Just kidding. Thanks so much! (in reply to nkehr Talented but not stuck up! – – > See here right here #FF @katdish – – go…go on!)

@br8kthru Yes. I was trying to behave myself… (in reply to br8kthru @billycoffey that’s a TWSS set-up if I’ve ever seen one… 🙂

RT @billycoffey: In the end, all we can do is hang on tight and smile when it’s over ~ http://bit.ly/bTRpb7

“If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in a library?” – Lily Tomlin

@Peacegardenmama Thank you. And I’d just like to say in advance, Sorry/you’re welcome. (in reply to Peacegardenmama @billycoffey I just followed @katdish. See the influence you have? 🙂

@billycoffey Aw, thanks. You too. (in reply to billycoffey If you’re following me, you should be following @katdish. Because she’s awesome. #FF)

@monicasharman What is a @tweetmeme button? And @llbarkat is not the boss of me. (in reply to monicasharman @katdish You should think about getting a @tweetmeme button. @llbarkat said so (which is reason enough).

@NargesNirumvala Low Carb Monster completes me. (in reply to NargesNirumvala @katdish Hi Katdish, that stuff doesn’t look healthy. 😉

Switching from coffee to low carb monster and….it’s GO time! http://twitpic.com/1e1zc5

@Becks_Beer Agony Uncle Beck? So, you’re giving advice based on your years of life experience? What are you, 25?

@amysorrells Are you following my friend @herbiegookins? She lives in Johnny Cougarville too.

RT @SBeeCreations: @katdish Taiwan version of AI. Boy sounds like Whitney Houston. It’s amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB2Tl0xOqbI

@amysorrells What grows in Texas? Around here mostly fire ant mounds and crawfish holes.

@JodyHedlund Exactly. God is sooo good! (in reply to JodyHedlund @katdish @rachelheldevans Seriously. I thank God in advance for the big movie deal I’m sure he’s planned for me. 😉

@rachelheldevans That’s so true! I often thank God in advance for the awesome parking spot He’s going to miracle me at the mall. (in reply to rachelheldevans A friend’s FB status: “I can’t believe God gave us a house!” One response: “It’s because you are one of God’s favorites!” (???)

@chrissulli Hey, you’re being productive at failing. That counts, right? (in reply to chrissulli @katdish Pretty well, just trying to be productive and failing)

@chrissulli Currently, I’m doing laundry and defaming a childrens book. How goes it with you?

@muchl8r Hey now…I’m liking this avatar! And you’re right. You’re way meaner than Jon Acuff, which is cool. ( in reply to muchl8r One of my co-workers just compared me to Jon Acuff as he’s listening to “Stuff Christians Like” -I’m meaner, but it still made my day :D)

So…I will be posting 3 peeps videos tomorrow. I know. You’re welcome.

@amysorrells Oh, well. I’m all about casting out Devils…Go DAWGS! But don’t expect me to miss Jack Bauer… (in reply to amysorrells @katdish Ha! You crack me up. Wait . . . that’s what you’re supposed to say . . . Anyway, root 4 the DAWGS to cast some DEVILS outta here!

@amysorrells Butler and Duke? Is that a dog fight or is the hired help fighting again?

Why yes, as a matter of fact, I AM easily amused…

Yankees were the clear cut winner. http://twitpic.com/1dg3j9

I decided to settle the Yankees vs Red Sox battle in the only fair way. http://twitpic.com/1dg3d8

Wondering how to work in a Peeps battle into the topic of “Gentleness” for the blog carnival…

@duane_scott Texan? Nah, I’m bad. I’m nationwide. (in reply to duane_scott @katdish Goodmorning Texan!)

Oh, and we’re on the 5th hole.

I’m not a golfer. How many Mulligans are acceptable when playing 9 holes? So far I’ve counted 7 from the guy my son is playing with.

@lorencklein Don’t drink and golf! (in reply to lorencklein @katdish I pulled a Dukes of Hazzard stunt with a golf cart once. I snapped the springs on the rear axle and cracked the axle itself. Fun!)

Getting ready to take my son to play 9 holes of golf, mostly because I really like driving the golf cart…

RT @Matt_SLife: I probably need to work on my indecisiveness… Maybe. I don’t know… Nevermind.

Biting one’s tongue is an acquired taste.

@CassandraFrear I’m a mystery wrapped inside an enigma. Or something like that… (in reply to CassandraFrear @katdish Later, I worried that it could seem snarky. But I didn’t mean it that way. I’m hooked, reading your writing! You fascinate me.)

RT @XIANITY: TECHNOLOGY: Responding to criticism, Apple® renames the iPad® to the more appropriate iDol®

Sorry/you’re welcome! Have a great weekend!

image courtesy of photobucket.com

I’m guest posting elsewhere today:

The inspiration for this guest post is the process my sad, little ADD brain went through when Bridget first asked me to write a guest post. Also the second and third time she asked me…

To read the rest of my rambling diatribe, follow me over One Word at a Time, the blog of my lovely and talented friend, Bridget Chumbley.

image courtesy of photobucket.com

One week a month, I pick up my daughter and three other neighborhood kids from the elementary school. It’s a pretty sweet deal. I don’t think I would enjoy sitting in that line every afternoon, five days a week, but once a month isn’t so bad.

I’ll typically bring a book to read and I always bring my notebook. You never know when you’ll find something to write about. Such was the case yesterday. The vehicle in front of me in line was a minivan with its back window emblazoned with several window clings. According to the back window, this family had a cheerleader, a football player, a soccer player, a gymnast, a basketball player, a softball player, a baseball player, a choir member and a member of the junior high school band. And while it’s entirely possible this family had nine children, I don’t think that’s the case, unless they were in the habit of naming more than one child by the same name.

And I wonder about us as parents wanting our children to be involved in so many activities; about filling their after school hours with practices and their Saturday mornings with games and other competitions. I think it’s good for our kids to learn new things and to be part of a team. But I think sometimes in our desire for our kids not miss out on any experience, we rob them of the experience of simply being kids, of having nothing in particular to do. When I was a kid, some of my best adventures began with nothing in particular to do.

Kids need structure, there’s no doubt. But they also need unstructure. They need time to discover themselves uninterrupted and unhurried. That goes for us big kids, too.

image courtesy of photobucket.com

I won’t say much about today’s guest blogger except to say I came across his writing recently and was impressed that someone so young could so effectively communicate through the written word. I’ll give you a link to his new website at the end of this post, but in the meantime, please read about Duane Scott’s conversation with an older gentleman he met on the jobsite this week:

Recently, our company has been working at a church. Today, the general contractor called and said he would appreciate if we could put a few vent chutes in so they could start putting sheetrock on the ceiling. Having sent all the other crews to different jobs, the only remaining option was for me to do it.

As I began working, I fought back disgruntled thoughts about the inconvenience while fast becoming bored with the repetitive job. That was, until I noticed a peculiar man.

He wore blue Dickie coveralls and on his feet were black dress shoes, looking oddly out of place in the dusty environment. Construction workers bustled around him, hanging sheetrock and noisily moving their scaffolding. It seemed the old man hardly noticed the commotion, but continued to silently sweep the sheetrock dust to the corners.

We all worked along side each other for a few hours, and never did I hear the old man say a word. Curious, I wondered why he was on the job and decided he must be the father to the general manager.

When 4:00 rolled around, the cords were wrapped up, drills and saws were put in their places, and one by one the workers went home for the day. When they bid the old man goodbye, he only responded by the nod of his head.

I continued to staple vent chutes in the trusses and the old man continued to sweep silently. When I was almost finished, I asked him, “Do you work for the general manager?”

“No,” he replied, leaning against his broom. A grin appeared on his wrinkled face, exposing a few missing teeth. With enthusiasm, he said, “I’m a priest at this church.”

With renewed interest, I noticed the black robes he was wearing under the coveralls. I didn’t know what to say, so all I managed was, “Interesting.”

He smiled and said, “That, it is.”

Switching the subject, I said, “Looks like I’ll be back in the morning. I didn’t bring enough vent chutes to finish the job. I’ll be here early enough so I can get ahead of the other contractors. That way, they won’t have to wait on me.”

“That’s okay,” he grinned, “You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t make a mistake or two.”

I laughed. Then jokingly I said, “By being a priest, I doubt you have that problem.”

“Look here buddy,” he chuckled, scolding and pointing a finger in my direction, “I’m still just as human as you are.”

I smiled, feeling a bit uncomfortable until he continued to talk. “I still make plenty of mistakes, and I still get into plenty of trouble.”

“A man your age surely doesn’t get into as much trouble as I do,” I said.

“Maybe not. But you should be glad you get into trouble.”

I raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at him. Stifling a laugh, I said, “That’s an interesting theory. What makes you say getting into trouble is a good thing?”

“It’s all the trouble we get into in life that makes us realize how much we need God. Nobody could ever get into heaven if they never got into trouble.”

“So you are saying…” I asked, a bit confused, “that I should want to get into trouble?”

“Oh my,” he said, embarrassed, “That does sound like a… excuse my language… a hair-brained idea. What kind of priest am I?” He laughed, “That’s not really what I meant.” Eyeing me from head to toe, he continued, “You’re young. I have a feeling trouble will find you.”

I chuckled at the absurdity of the moment. It isn’t every day a priest looks me over and says I’m bound for trouble. More importantly, it isn’t every day a priest tells me getting into trouble is a good thing.

“It’s like this,” he continued, “God sits up there in His office, and everything you face in life comes across His desk for approval. And He will never put His signature on a trial or temptation that is too big for you to handle. Everything you face is only meant to bring you closer to Him.”

Saying goodbye to the elderly man, I marveled at the wisdom hidden behind his youthful eyes and mischievous grin. I admired his charismatic approach to life, and continued to think about the pearls of wisdom he had bestowed upon my young mind.

Some people curse their bad luck. Others become depressed by their misfortunes. Instead, maybe we should take the advice of the elderly man in the blue coveralls.

If trouble never found us, nor trials ever came, we would never need His grace… and it is only through His grace, that we are saved.

Yes, I like his theory.

-Duane Scott

***

To read more from Duane Scott, visit him at at his website and follow him on the twitter at @duane_scott.

If you’ve found your way over to my blog via the One Word Blog Carnival – Gentleness, welcome! It’s probably a stretch to say this particular post fits into that category. Just consider this post a cleansing of the palette if you will. A chance for a bit of silliness in your hectic day. Sorry/you’re welcome…

Last week I posted an Easter candy review that included a Peeps epic battle scene at its conclusion. Not surprisingly (for this blog, anyway), I received comments from disgruntled bunnies demanding a rematch against the chick peeps. Here is the result:

(Sorry, BunBun. Those little suckers were just top heavy!)

Yesterday, I posted links to Billy Coffey and Bryan Allain’s blogs where they argued their cases why you should root for either the Yankees or the Red Sox, respectively. And while I know the following video will not sway a devoted fan either way, in this particular battle, well, see for yourself…

But enough with all of this discourse and dissension! What the world needs now, is Love. Sweet Love. We need to put aside our differences and become the Great American melting pot we once were!

Now, if you’ll excuse me…I have a microwave that needs a good cleaning.

image courtesy of photobucket.com

In honor of Major League Baseball’s Opening Day, rather than Billy’s usual Monday post here, devout Red Sox fan Bryan Allain and devout Yankees fan Billy Coffey have agreed to plead their case for their beloved teams on each other’s blogs today. I’ll give you a brief snippet of each, then you may follow the links and let them know where your allegiance lies.

Will you side with Billy Coffey…

I’m trying to write this with the non-baseball fan in mind, if there is such a thing. I suspect there is. While baseball is still considered our national pastime, there’s no denying the allure of sports like football and basketball, those bastions of instant gratification. Baseball is different. It is cerebral and methodical and all those other brainy words that end in “-al”. It’s God’s game. There’s no doubting this.

The rules are many and somewhat complicated, so I won’t get into them here. What I will do, however, is touch upon the one thing you need to do in order to be considered a true baseball fan.

You have to pick a side.

Yankees or Red Sox…Read the rest of Billy’s story here

or Bryan Allain?

Billy Coffey is a Yankees fan and I am a Red Sox fan. We might agree on a lot of the important things in life, but when it comes to baseball, make no mistake about it, he is my enemy.

If you’re reading this post and you too are a fan of the Red Sox or Yankees, I know you can’t be swayed. I’ve got a better shot at changing your gender than changing your mind about which team to root for. But for those of you who don’t have an allegiance either way, let me offer up a few points to help you make an informed decision. Read the rest of Bryan’s story here

***

What’s that? Where does my allegiance lie? I’ll give you two guesses, and the first one doesn’t count…

image courtesy of photobucket.com

A very happy and blessed Easter to you.

Because of Calvary,

Katdish

I was debating whether or not to do a twitter post this week. Note to self, when debating whether or not to do a twitter post, settle the debate before 10 pm, otherwise, you’ll be up way past your bedtime…

And now the best of me (or not) on the twitter:

@pagan43 Peptoflingo? Nice… (in reply to pagan43 @katdish http://twitpic.com/1cpwa6 – ” IT ” finished all 3 bowlsful and still has room to eat those leaves ? Peptoflingo.)

@TchrEric It better not be anyone from Georgia! (in reply to TchrEric @katdish Maybe someone will buy it for you for Christmas, you know, anonymously,because they love you, -could be anyone, everyone loves Kat!)

@TchrEric Yeah…like that’s gonna happen. (in reply to TchrEric @katdish Send the pic of it when it is in your house/yard! 🙂

In a word, Magestic! http://twitpic.com/1cpwa6

New at Target: Zombie Girlz! http://twitpic.com/1couhx

@br8kthru Hey now! That’s catchy! (in reply to br8kthru @katdish or how about “Crap You Don’t Need (But it’s only $1)”

I’m going to open a store called “There’s a reason it’s only 99 cents”

@billycoffey Freaking Yay!

RT @billycoffey: RT @DueFriday Galleys of SNOW DAY by @billycoffey and THE CHURCH AWAKENING by Charles Swindoll just showed up on my desk!

Okay people. Gotta go face my arch nemesis – the grocery store.

RT @noveldoctor: Ben and Jerry’s to introduce new writer-themed sorbet: Literary Agent Orange – “It tastes like rejection!”

And by “adult fiction novels” I realize I was being redundant. Sorry, my bad.

@PeterPollock And FYI, my daughter has read your MS about 5 times. She loves it.

I’ve read two of the best adult fiction novels I’ve ever read this year, & neither one is published yet.

@PeterPollock Let me rephrase that… (in reply to PeterPollock @katdish I don’t get it… ‘cos you read my book LAST year, not this year ?)

I’ve read 2 of the best books I’ve ever read this year, & neither one is published yet.

@M1ke6 – If you’re only going to talk to me via DM, I’m not giving you the potato salad recipe.

@jamieworley Aw, Jamie…It’s a good thing we’re not neighbors. Snort! (in reply to jamieworley Gullible people like me should not be allowed out of the house or online on April Fools Day.)

Ooo! My mom is bringing her famous potato salad on Sunday! Nom, nom!

Esp. if followed by “anymore” RT @curtharding: You know it’s a bad day when your lawyer tells the press that you’re not a Nazi

@noveldoctor Yeah, but I wonder what the resale value is. ( in reply to noveldoctor @katdish Then here’s some good news: You don’t have to report empty longing and unredeemable angst to the IRS!)

@Goannatree I have celebrity ducks and bunnies commenting on my blog. It’s all very sordid.

@noveldoctor Hey, wait a minute…by that description, I think I already am one. (in reply to noveldoctor @katdish I pay my favorite muse with empty longing and unredeemable angst. She loves it. You should probably ask for cash, though.)

@VariantVal I do a pretty good Stevie Nicks impersonation. Saw her twirl right off the stage once. I was like, “Where’d she go?”

@noveldoctor I should branch out and be a rent-a-muse. (in reply to noveldoctor @katdish I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow? My personal muse is missing, but I can always rent one for a day.)

Oh, Sweet Fancy Moses! Due to ever increasing threatening comments on my blog by @bunbuntherabbit et al, I will post a rematch on Tues.

@melissa_rae Yah! August is commonly known as “Dishmas” around here. More specifically, “katdishmas”.

RT @noveldoctor: Vampire novels: out. Umpire novels: in. “Harry Wendelstedt and the Foul Tip of Death” a sure bestseller

Integrity is not found in the limelight, it is where it is tested.

RT @noveldoctor: “Ubiquitous” named Word of the Year by everybody, everywhere.

@weightwhat I’m holding out for the “Monkey butt in my pocket” shirt (in reply to weightwhat I’m making a new shirt. Go ahead, be thrilled.)

@HeatheroftheEO @VariantVal I must confess, I only sampled a tiny piece of the Cadbury egg, then I threw up in my mouth a little.

@mandythompson You just described every one of my family reunions. But there was typically alcohol involved. (in reply to mandythompson Does anyone know anything about a video where everybody’s laughing… But they don’t know why??)

“The wages of sin are death, but after taxes, It’s really just more of a tired feeling.” – Paula Poundstone

Epic Laziness: Stomach growling, but too lazy to fix anything to eat.

@duane_scott Being me is a pretty sweet gig. I highly recommend it. (in reply to duane_scott NO FAIR! Working on blueprints holds no amusement. RT @katdish: Peeps + microwave = I am SO easily amused!)

Peeps + microwave = I am SO easily amused! 8:36 AM Mar 31st via TweetDeck

Dear New Followers: If the word “motenize” appears anywhere in your profile, I wouldn’t hold my breath for a courtesy refollow.

@redclaydiaries yes. I’m jotting some down now. (in reply to redclaydiaries @katdish @marni71 What? Another event w @prodigaljohn & @loswhit? I bet they’d pay u to NOT ask inappropriate questions like last time)

@marni71 That might entail me having to take notes. Not so sure about that. (in reply to marni71 @katdish My association paid to send me. Maybe your church could send you??)

Irony http://twitpic.com/1bzzwn

@marni71 I’m just hoping to see @loswhit &@prodigaljohn sit uncomfortably close to one another again like at Off the Blogs.

The housewares dept at Ross: where good taste goes to die. http://twitpic.com/1bzwc0

@marni71 I won’t rush the stage for an autograph, but I can’t promise I won’t rush the stage. (in reply to marni71 @prodigaljohn Just registered to attend Echo. I’ve invited @katdish to join me. I won’t rush the stage for an autograph. Promise!)

@marni71 No offense to them, but I’d drive up there just to see you, Marns. (in reply to marni71 @katdish July 28-30. Jon, Donald Miller and Carlos Whittaker are speaking. I’m ready to pee myself…)

RT @billycoffey: When it comes to people, I prefer blatant arrogance to false humility.//YESH!

@marni71 when is it? I’m up for a road trip! (in reply to marni71 @katdish KATHY!! @prodigaljohn is speaking at the Echo Conf. in Dallas. Come with meeeeeee….pleeeeeaaaasssee! We’ll have so much fun.)

RT @weightwhat: Did you guys hear about Ricky Martin? Can you believe he’s 38?

I’m like a Coffey/Coffee magnet or something.

Don’t know how you found me, but thanks for the follow @CoffeyAnderson

So, check this out! Another very talented Coffey: @CoffeyAnderson http://bit.ly/bbqAev

@miller_schloss Yay Us! (in reply to miller_schloss @bryanallain Yeah, well, I got to share a sentence with @dewde, @katdish, and @helenatrandom.) Referring to a mention in Jon Acuff’s book Stuff Christians Like.

Watching Life on Discovery Channel. If I were a fish, I think I would be a Sarcastic Fringe Head fish.

Religion: I obey, therefore I am accepted by God/Gospel: I am accepted by God through the work of Jesus Christ—therefore I obey.~Keller

@monicasharman Ah yes. The bling of choice for all the white upper middle class mall gangstas in my hood. (in reply to monicasharman @katdish The first thing I noticed was the C3PO near the bottom left.)

Ba-Ling!!!! http://twitpic.com/1bd39s

Okay! Who loves this book? Because I wanna know how many I’ll offend when I write a new version. http://twitpic.com/1bc391

How cool is Billy Gibbons? Answer? Very cool. http://twitpic.com/1bbxck

My daughter went for fancy. http://twitpic.com/1bbonk

Okay! Ready for flip flops! http://twitpic.com/1bbkmh

@WriteOnRideOn You know, @billycoffey loves Jesus more than he does the #Yankees, but it’s pretty close… (in reply to WriteOnRideOn @katdish Okay…THAT made me actually bust out LOL. Still Laughing. Out Loud.)

@WriteOnRideOn Okay…What if I tape it and watch it Monday? Is that okay? (in reply to WriteOnRideOn I realize few if any will publicly agree w/me about @MLB #scheduleFAIL Opening Day on EASTER Sunday. It’s what I believe. Strongly believe.)

@WriteOnRideOn Not that I’ll be watching (ahem), but who’s playing? ( in reply to WriteOnRideOn Speaking of getting fired up~WHAT the heck is up w/ @MLB choosing EASTER Sunday for opening day?!! #MAJORLEAGUEFAIL)

As always, sorry/you’re welcome!

A very blessed and Happy Easter to you all!

image courtesy of photobucket.com

Why is Good Friday called Good Friday?

Okay, yes–It is good because, as professed believers, our debts were paid in full by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

But I’m talking about the actual day. Is it contradictory for us to say that the day Jesus was beaten, berated, spat upon and nailed to a cross was a good day? And let’s not forget his betrayal at the hands of Judas, his denial by Peter, his loyal followers turning bloodthirsty, religious leaders with their false charges and political leaders refusing to take a stand on either side of the issue of His guilt or innocence. On this day, Jesus stood betrayed and abandoned, even by those who were closest to him. It seems just about everyone around him played a role in fate. Is it any wonder, being fully God and yet fully human, he would ask that “this cup be taken” from him? How could this day possibly be good?

In an column written for The Seattle Post in April, 1991, Anthony B. Robinson writes:

Why is Good Friday called “Good?” Perhaps because on that day, and in this story, God stands with the forsaken, the victims, the abandoned and the despised. More than that, God is one of them, is one of us. In our hearts, our deepest fear may be just this, that we shall be forsaken, abandoned, despised and rejected. And sometimes these fears lead us to do terrible things.

Surely at times in life many, if not all of us, will know just such an experience. Whether because we stand alone for an unpopular truth or have been forsaken by a family member or friend in whom we trusted, or because we find ourselves on a sick bed able only to look up at the world from our backs or wheelchairs. In this story, God takes the side of the outcast. He is put to death “outside the gates of the city,” a symbol of his very forsakenness. But, of course, if God is among the forsaken and rejected, then they, then we, are never wholly abandoned, never truly forsaken. Which may be reason enough for calling this Friday “good.”

In the end, “Good Friday” is like so many of the great spiritual truths. It is a paradox. A contradiction that just happens to be true. Like “You shall find yourself by losing yourself.” Or “Less is more.” Or “The only way to have enough is to learn to give it away.” These things, these paradoxes are never things we can wholly grasp. But sometimes they take hold of us. And when they do, nothing is the same ever again.

Indeed.

image courtesy of photobucket.com

Greetings! Welcome to the highly anticipated(?) Easter candy review post! First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for their feedback on Twitter. It was most helpful. I wish I could review everything, but hopefully this will be fairly representative. Special thanks to @HeatheroftheEO for the heads up on the Robin Eggs lipstick technique, and to @pagan43 for the microwave/peeps instructions. And now, on with the review.

First up. The Cadbury Creme Egg.

I know there are those among you that find these things delightful. My question to you is Why?

I don’t know what that crap in the middle is, but I’m pretty sure if you looked up the words “vile” and “putricity” in the dictionary, there would be a picture of a Cadbury Creme Egg. It is the McDonald’s McRib sandwich (aka the “McKnuckle”) of the candy world. In both cases, every few years I feel compelled to try them again to see if my senses were wrong. Each time I reconfirm my initial reaction to their disgustingness. Verdict – FAIL

A much better choice would be the Reese’s peanut butter egg. What’s not to love? It’s chocolate. It’s peanut butter. It is delicious delightfulness in the shape of an egg. Verdict – PASS

The hollow chocolate Easter Bunny is a perennial favorite.

My recommendation is to buy a small one, but that’s probably due to the fact that my stomach was still recovering from the Cadbury Creme Egg at the time of the sampling. Still, I believe less is more when it comes to chocolate rodents. Verdict – PASS

Robin Eggs are basically Whoppers wrapped in a hard candy shell. They’re pretty good, but after about five, I’m ready to move on.


But HOLD THE PHONES! As I mentioned earlier, Heather clued me into another use for Robin Eggs – an emergency substitute for lipstick. And I’m all up in multi-purposing. Verdict – WIN-WIN

I’ve never been a big fan of Peeps. They’re basically marshmallows rolled in sugar. Meh…

That is, until I learned of Peep jousting at praise team practice Tuesday night.

Oh, sure–we spend most of our time either praising Jesus, praying, or washing each other’s feet, but occasionally we get a little sidetracked…Anyway, I knew I had to try this at home. I purchased one package each of pink bunny peeps and the traditional yellow chick peeps. I attempted to ascertain if either had the advantage in a jousting match in the microwave. To assure accurate results, I have several rounds of chick vs bunny. (HLAC = integrity) The chick had a clear height advantage, and was victorious each time. I took pictures, but they didn’t turn out so well. I can only share with you the final result of the joust:

For those of you who have never witnessed Peeps jousting, I would highly recommend it. I have taken the liberty of creating a video. You’re welcome:

Verdict: PEEPS: EPIC WIN!

Also? Jolly Rancher jelly beans: there is no substitute.

This concludes my Easter candy review. No, really. I was happy to do it. I’m a giver…