Discovery Launch Moved to Wednesday

So! The shuttle Discovery's launch has been slid once again, this time to 3:52pm EDT, Wednesday, November 3. As you may recall from my earlier post today, the launch had originally been scheduled for the first of November. That got moved because of some leaks in Discovery. The second move has occurred because of election day, as it would be really crazy for residents to vote and watch the launch. Or something like that.

Again: Current launch date/time for Discovery is 3:52pm EDT, Wednesday, November 3. As usual, you will be able to watch the launch on NASA TV. I will try to keep you all updated of any changes in launch dates and times! :)

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What in the World is Space Month??

Guess what?? November is Space Month!! :D During the past few months I've been reading a lot about space, and America's manned space program in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. During November we celebrate the 41st anniversary of the Apollo 12 mission in 1969. Apollo 12 was the second Apollo mission to land on the Moon. Then I found out that there was going to be a Space Shuttle mission (STS-133) during November...and on and on and on!

So. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that I'm really excited about space and that in November I will focus my blog posts on space. There's a real space mission happening in November, several anniversaries, and I'll be posting several space book reviews as well. I'll even be starting a monthly column entitled "Armchair Astronaut" in which every month I'll post about a space book I've read recently.  Look for the premier of "Armchair Astronaut" on Thursday, November 4. I'll be posting videos and even a weekly poll. Come to my blog every week and vote! I promise the poll questions will be easy if you read my posts. :)

As I said I'll be posting book reviews of space books I've read. Each week I'll post a segment in my space book review series, "A Subject I Almost MISSed". Look for it every Monday in November! I'll also be posting links to different NASA articles, including the link to NASA TV where you can watch the launch of shuttle Discovery Tuesday.

Discovery will be launching Tuesday at 4:17pm, Eastern Daylight Time. Note this new launch time is different from the original launch date of November 1, which is a Monday. There has been a leak in Discovery so NASA is delaying the launch by a day or so. Watch the launch if you can!! It'll be really awesome. If not, I will try to post a video of the launch, or a previous one, on this blog so you can see what it looked like. :)

Anyway, I'm really excited about Space Month! Please check my ever-changing blog often in November for space stories, videos, facts and more. :)

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The Blue Sentinel

Every week I have certain chores I do each day. While chores such as cleaning the cat box or taking out the compost are staple chores every day, other chores will vary depending what day it is. For example, I might sweep or vacuum our basement, or clean the bathrooms, or vacuum the upper portion of the house. Every day I will have different, specific chores.

My special chore on Sunday happens to be taking our big blue trashcan out to the road, so when the trash truck comes our way on Monday our trash will be disposed of. Our family likes to tease and call the trashcan "The Blue Sentinel", as it stands guard by our driveway!

Sometimes I remember to take our "Blue Sentinel" out to the road. Sometimes I don't! (Actually, I have a reminder on my cell phone to "take out the trash", but since I don't usually turn ON my phone on Sundays the reminder doesn't help a lot. :P)

I was thinking about this trashcan business the other day. I thought it interesting that while the trash truck comes by our way every Monday, it's up to us to roll the can out. It's a fact of life that we make trash. And every time we do, we put it out in our trashcan. But here we run into a little dilemma: while great, our "Blue Sentinel" is only so big. It only holds about a week's worth of trash. So it's very important to roll on out the Sentinel and have the trash truck pick up our trash.

I have been thinking about this idea some more. I thought it interesting how this little trashcan scenario really applies in our spiritual lives. We all sin. Sin is like trash, and we all need to give our sin to God. He's like the Trashman, ready to pick up our trash at a moment's notice.

Sometimes we may wonder if God would really want to get into this trash-taking business. After all, it is pretty stinky! But the awesome truth is that God does want to take our sin-trash away. He wants to take away our sin and make us pure again. He says in Psalms 103:12 that

"as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

What do we have to do to start receiving this awesome, free, sin-trash removing service? Just a little prayer. A prayer to God saying that you're sorry for your sins, and that you would like a new start. That you want Him to take away your stinky, sin-trash from your life. And what is God's answer? It's found in Isaiah 1:18:

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

But unlike our "Blue Sentinel", our sins do not have to accumulate. Not even for a week! Right after we sin we can ask God to forgive us for the sin, the trash we've made, and to please take it away ASAP. And He will! And then we can be happy and pure again, not worrying about the past sins and mistakes we've made.

God's Trash Removal Service (GTRS) is the best trash service I've ever found. Have you put out your "Blue Sentinel" today?

It's Sooner than you Think!

It's sooner than you think! The Space Shuttle Discovery will be launched November 1 at 4:40pm EDT on its final space mission. Watch the launch live on NASATV! http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html Be sure to select "Public Channel" with Live Mission Coverage when you watch. It's gonna be AWESOME!!

Learn more about Discovery's last mission (STS-133) here! Or check out http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/index.html

~A very space-addicted Tennessee Photobug ;)

France's War Success Secrets

While the British did win in the end of the French and Indian Wars, why were the French so successful at winning at the start?

First of all, there was a little factor called “Indians”. Both the British and the French had different Native American tribes as their allies, however, the French had much more. Why? In a word, the French were nicer to the Indians then the British were. For example, while the French used the land, they did not destroy it. They made friends with the Indians, and let the Indians use the land too. And the French left the forest and other lands pretty much the same as when they came. Since the French were trappers, they did not cut down trees or disturb the animal’s habitat. Naturally the Indians liked the lands staying the same. Perhaps most importantly, the French considered the Indians partners.

Britain, on the other hand, had an attitude about the Indians that was 180 degrees different than the attitude of France. When British settlers came to settle America, they chopped down the forests, planted grain fields, and in general totally destroyed the land. They did not befriend the Indians at all, and once a British colonist came to a spot of land, an Indian would never use that land again. While the French had used the land, they had never “owned” the land. The British, on the other hand, felt like they owned the land forever. Naturally the Indians had a very hard time understanding this concept. It goes without saying that the Indians were not at all friends with the British, on the contrary, these “savages” were considered enemies by England.

So when the French and Indian Wars came along, the Indians had about 150 years of pent-up rage against the English. It was an easy choice for most of the Indian tribes to ally with the French, who treated them much better.

In addition, the French and Indians were a lot better adapted to fighting a forest war. They knew how to hide behind trees, how to ambush. The stubborn English, on the other hand, were way to used to fighting on Europe’s wide open fields. In Europe, each army would line up in rows. Evidently the English didn’t realize that that method wouldn’t work in North American forests. Dressed in bright red coats, the French and Indians had a heyday shooting down these bright, lined-up targets. In terms of military planning and experience, the French and their Indian allies were a lot smarter on how to fight in a forest.

While Britain did eventually win the control of eastern North America in the end, the French had several advantages in the start of the wars between them and England. First of all, France had treated the Indians better and so many tribes allied themselves with the French. Since England had seriously mistreated the Indians, the Indians were more then willing to fight the English. And finally, the French and Indians were smarter and more adaptable when it came to fighting in the forest.

Something Beautiful

Here's another short story I found in Young Disciple magazine (http://www.youngdisciple.com/). It's on page 5 of Volume 19, Number 25. Again, the source says "Selected". The title is "Something Beautiful".

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The violin manufacturer held out the instrument tenderly to the concert violinist. What would he think of the special-ordered instrument--the craftsman's masterpiece? As the musician swept his bow across the strinsg, his eyes darkened. Anger distorting his face, the musician flung the instrument against the wall. "It's worthless!" he shouted as the violin splintered into pieces.

Alone again in his shop, the craftsman stared at the shattered remains of his days of careful, painstaking effort. Not only had the violinist destroyed his violin; he had jeopardized his reputation and his livelihood. Stooping to the floor, the man gathered the pieces. To his amazement, they still fit together. With fresh inspiration, he went to work. He would fashion this broken instrument into a masterpiece surpassing anything he had ever created.

When at last the final varnish had been applied, the craftsman placed the violin in a sturdy, beautifu case and sent it by personal messenger to the concert violinist. This time, as the musician drew his bow across the strings, a smile brightened his face. Eagerly he played piece after piece, as if entranced. At last he looked at the messenger. "This is a perfect violin," he pronounced. "What is the price?"

"The master bids me tell you nothing at all, sir." The messenger bowed. "This is the same instrument you smashed to pieces. It was crafted from the fragments."

Do you sometimes feel that your life is shattered and worthless? If so, don't give up in despair. God can take the pieces of your life, and put them together again. The touch of the Holy Spirit can make something beautiful of your broken fragments!

Color to just FALL for: The Cherohala Skyway

Guess what our family did today?!? We drove part of the Cherohala Skyway!!! :D The Cherohala

Skyway is a National Scenic Byway that goes through Cherokee and Natahala National Forests, thus the name Cherohala. The Skyway is situated just below the Smokies, and in my opinion, just as beautiful. Starting in Tellico Plains Tennessee, the Skyway twists and turns in Cherokee National Forest. After crossing the Tennessee-North Carolina border, it runs through Natahala National Forest, ending in Robbinsville, North Carolina. See their website, www.cherohala.org

We had been hoping to go to the Smokies this year for Fall Break, but I had read on the Smokies Facebook page that really the whole park is a traffic jam...through the autumn season. So, we decided to go to Cherohala instead. And we were not disappointed! There was virtually no traffic, so we were able to have a true getaway!

Cherohala is really quite spectacular this time of year--especially on the Tennessee side, where the fall color is just gorgeous. Once you get into the higher, North Carolina elevations, you notice that the leaves have started falling off the trees. But for the most part, there was just Kodiak moments and postcard opportunities everywhere! The Skyway 

climbed from about 950' above sea level to 5,390'. It was quite windy and cold up top! :P However, along the way there were several nice overlooks in which you could pull over.

"An Apple a Day..."

Well, what do you know? Applefest time has come around again! For those of you who don't know, Applefest is a yearly celebration put on by the president of the university Dad works at for all the employees and their families. Naturally, it is grand fun and always keenly looked forward to. This year was no exception.

If the phrase, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away" is true, I believe that our family won't need a doctor for quite some time! :D

At Applefest, you can just about eat anything apple related, except for plain apples! :P There's apple juice, apple fritters, cotton candy (and yes I know that's not apple-related! :P) and even some veggie hot dogs. (Not to mention the VERY yummy apple pie!!!!!)

"...And A Peacock in a Paper Tree!" And Other Such Happenings

Not like it really needs to be said, but for the past couple weeks I have been VERY busy. And that means no posting on this blog! :P So, let me catch you up...

Let's start with the first full week of October. The major happening of the week was that we had to put my service dog, Lauren, to sleep on Oct. 8. She was almost 13 years old. It has been quite the adjustment for our family after having Lauren in the house for 11 years. As you may remember Lauren has been really going downhill this year. Back in January we had to change her food so that she would still be able to use the restroom outside. We finally got that to a semi-stable level, even though we couldn't take her places due to her health. We boarded her at the vet's office when we vacationed this year. And then August 20 came. Lauren really had some issues then. (See my August 24 article for details.)

So. After August Lauren became stable again, just not as healthy as she had been. She still loved petting, could walk around, and CERTAINLY could beg for her favorite treat, bananas!! :P (Insert: If you want to learn more what Lauren did for me, read my November 26, 2008 article.)

Meet Mattie!

So today our family got a new car!! :D :D New to us anyway. Our previous car, a Ford Thunderbird, began having problems...and even the shop couldn't figure out what the problem was!! So to make a long story short, we traded in our Thunderbird (affectionately called "Thelma") and bought a silver 2010 Malibu which we plan to call "Mattie". So Thelma Thunderbird has been replaced by Mattie Malibu! ;) We hope to have many happy, reliable vacations in Mattie in the months and years to come. Here's some pictures I've taken...enjoy! :D

~Photobug

^^I really like this shot! :D

What color are YOU?

Ahhhh.....autumn! That time of year when the entire forest changes from its solid color of green to a multitude of bright red, yellow, orange and pink hues. I must say that autumn is my favorite season. (Or at least till spring comes around!!)

Recently I was thinking about trees, leaves, and fall in general. I thought it interesting that in summer all the leaves are the same color, green. Until fall comes. Then they reveal their true colors-if they are red, yellow, or orange.

As I've been thinking about this the thought came to my mind--people are a lot like leaves. We may all look the same, but when our values are put to the test, then our true colors show. When we are in easy times, do we spend time with God, read the Bible, pray, to have a resourse to draw on in the difficult times?

Jesus talked about this principle in Matthew 7:16-17, 19:

"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit....every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

I challenge you today. Think hard. What are your colors? Are you a faithful Christain? Or the fair-weathered kind? When difficult times come--a medical operation, financial crises, etc.--will we have good colors? Will we rely on God, or rely on ourselves? I encourage and challenge each one of you today to spend time with God, and to be faithful to God when the color-showing season comes.

Where's YOUR spotlight??

Recently I was doing school...a favorite activity of mine! ;) To relax and recharge my brain every once in a while I'd look up out my window. (See above picture.) Just focusing on the trees waving and wind gently blowing revived me and gave me more power to accomplish my schoolwork.

As I was looking out the window, I noticed something. I could focus my eyes on the beautiful tree outside, a positive thing. Or I could focus on the screen between me and the outside, a negative thing. (See below picture.) What should I focus on? I decided to focus my "spotlight" on the positive, which in this case was the tree.

I thought this thought quite profound. It reminded me of an important life lesson, that we choose what to focus on. Sure, there may be plenty of evil, sad, and worry-causing things in our world. But should we focus on these types of things all the time?

Sputnik vs. Flopnik

53 years ago today an artificial satellite was launched into orbit. It shook the world. And it started the Space Race. The name was Sputnik.

Sputnik was a satellite sent up by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. As I said in my introduction, it shook the world. Nobody else had done this feat before, and the Americans were wondering why we hadn't done it first. (In fact we actually could have, as German rocket maker Wernher Von Braun had the

resources and know-how. Washington just limited what Von Braun could do.) Of course the Russians used Sputnik to their advantage, and the propaganda was crazy. A few months later in response to Sputnik the U.S. sent up our first satellite, Explorer 1. Sadly, the rocket failed and for the time there was a lot of laughing. One reporter titled used the word "Flopnik" to describe Explorer 1's un-flight.

Unfortunately for America Sputnik was just the first of severe blows from Russia, and not till over 11 years later did Russia take a back-seat to America in "firsts" in space. (Which happened to be on Apollo 8.)

While I have read some about Sputnik before, I do not know much. (yet!) There is a book at our library on Sputnik, and I am going to read it ASAP! Then I can post a more informed article. :) Anyway, if you would like to learn more about Sputnik or Explorer, the below Wikipedia links is a great spot to start! :D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik_1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_1

~Photobug

Filthy Water, Clean Water

In addition to my janitorial job at our church, this school year I have also taken up a janitorial-type job at the university cafeteria.

It is really quite fun. I get to wash tables, straighten chairs, and vacuum about half of the dining hall (which is quite big; about 12 table rows down and 3 across.) Everyone at the cafe is really nice to me. My partner Mark, who helps me, is really really nice too.

One of the first things I do when I start work at the cafe is fill a bucket with some water, sanitizer, and soap, which helps the tables get clean better. When I fill my bucket I have nice, bright, shiny, see-through, clean water. Then I grab a rag, and head on into the dining hall.

The funny thing is, by the time I am done washing all of my tables, I would not want to use that water for anything.