12 Days of Christmas
From: Robert J. Skinner (Story Research Expert for Inspirationlist.com)
The 12 Days of Christmas
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
Today I found out, thanks to the Internet.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self
Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Austyn came to visit yesterday for a couple of hours..
How great it is when the grandkids come by, even for a few minutes.. and the kiddos too. Austyn stopped by and had lunch with us while his Mom took Holiday Lunch to Phil's work in Cushing, OK. He was wound up like an 8 day clock! Had a great visit and he played and played. Goodness, it would be awesome to have that much energy again!!
Got to get ready for the big day tomorrow... Ann's Birthday!! YES, for a few days, she is older than I am, and I think that's cool, however, it sure does not mean what it used to mean!! haha...
Her brother Mike and David and Terry Shaklee are coming down for a while tomorrow night too.. looks like a big time for all. I hear there's going to be Ann's homemade Chili.. and lot's more goodies.. and all the kiddos and grandkids too... how sweet it is to get together again... bet Kaitlyn has grown a foot....
Heard through the grapevine that Heather and Paul are going to try to put new tin on their "goat" barn today, and that we might get to watch Andrew, but I also heard the wind is to blow between 20 and 40 miles an hour till about 2pm today.. so .. hope they can!
Poor OSU... I don't think they had their mental game face on at all. If I were athletic director, I think I would be having a loonngg talk with Coach Miles today! The boys have the talent, and then some. Sometimes, it falls on the shoulders of the leaders to "get the troops ready". Just an opinion!! Everyone is praising the defense of Ohio, hummmm, not hard to do when the offense isn't mentally on the field!!
Oh well, we still have some opportunities in the Big 12 to shine, just have to see how the coaches get their boys ready, huh?
Wow, 70 today and only 61 for low last night. Guess we have moved to south Texas??? But just wait, this is Oklahoma, and it can change on a dime!
Let's keep the folks who lost loved ones, etc overseas in our prayers, I heard it's up to 114000 today.
and let's remember and keep our soldiers in our thoughts in prayers too. Without them and the ones before them, we would not be writing this in a free country, nor would you be able to read it!!
All for now... enjoy the day!! If you have a thought or commment, send it to me, of just click on the comments button at the end of this post and leave a note please??
Got to get ready for the big day tomorrow... Ann's Birthday!! YES, for a few days, she is older than I am, and I think that's cool, however, it sure does not mean what it used to mean!! haha...
Her brother Mike and David and Terry Shaklee are coming down for a while tomorrow night too.. looks like a big time for all. I hear there's going to be Ann's homemade Chili.. and lot's more goodies.. and all the kiddos and grandkids too... how sweet it is to get together again... bet Kaitlyn has grown a foot....
Heard through the grapevine that Heather and Paul are going to try to put new tin on their "goat" barn today, and that we might get to watch Andrew, but I also heard the wind is to blow between 20 and 40 miles an hour till about 2pm today.. so .. hope they can!
Poor OSU... I don't think they had their mental game face on at all. If I were athletic director, I think I would be having a loonngg talk with Coach Miles today! The boys have the talent, and then some. Sometimes, it falls on the shoulders of the leaders to "get the troops ready". Just an opinion!! Everyone is praising the defense of Ohio, hummmm, not hard to do when the offense isn't mentally on the field!!
Oh well, we still have some opportunities in the Big 12 to shine, just have to see how the coaches get their boys ready, huh?
Wow, 70 today and only 61 for low last night. Guess we have moved to south Texas??? But just wait, this is Oklahoma, and it can change on a dime!
Let's keep the folks who lost loved ones, etc overseas in our prayers, I heard it's up to 114000 today.
and let's remember and keep our soldiers in our thoughts in prayers too. Without them and the ones before them, we would not be writing this in a free country, nor would you be able to read it!!
All for now... enjoy the day!! If you have a thought or commment, send it to me, of just click on the comments button at the end of this post and leave a note please??
How it was........
Clipping of the Day
From the Evening Herald (Syracuse, N.Y.), 31 December 1899, page 4:
The wonders of the century are shown in the telegraph and telephone, steam and electrical appliances, the printing press, the photograph and a thousand and one new inventions and devices, many of which annihilate time and bridge over space. At the recent centennial of the death of Washington the progress in a hundred years was illuminated. When Washington died at Mount Vernon, although the city was but fifty miles away, it was not until the third day after on the strength of a business letter statement received at Baltimore, the fact was announced in the newspapers. A rumor of it was received in Philadelphia on the fourth day, but the news was not definite until the fifth day. Two days later, New York heard of it, but it was not till twelve days had elapsed that Boston knew it. When Vice President Hobart died the facts were telegraphed around the world in half an hour, and when Bismarck and Gladstone closed their careers it was speedily announced in all the lands. Every day now the important events in the Philippines and in South Africa are told in the newspapers of the day of their occurrence. When the presidential conventions shall be held next summer their results will be at once wired throughout the earth.
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From the Evening Herald (Syracuse, N.Y.), 31 December 1899, page 4:
The wonders of the century are shown in the telegraph and telephone, steam and electrical appliances, the printing press, the photograph and a thousand and one new inventions and devices, many of which annihilate time and bridge over space. At the recent centennial of the death of Washington the progress in a hundred years was illuminated. When Washington died at Mount Vernon, although the city was but fifty miles away, it was not until the third day after on the strength of a business letter statement received at Baltimore, the fact was announced in the newspapers. A rumor of it was received in Philadelphia on the fourth day, but the news was not definite until the fifth day. Two days later, New York heard of it, but it was not till twelve days had elapsed that Boston knew it. When Vice President Hobart died the facts were telegraphed around the world in half an hour, and when Bismarck and Gladstone closed their careers it was speedily announced in all the lands. Every day now the important events in the Philippines and in South Africa are told in the newspapers of the day of their occurrence. When the presidential conventions shall be held next summer their results will be at once wired throughout the earth.
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Abe Lincoln says....
"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
--Abraham Lincoln
--Abraham Lincoln
A quote from artist Vincent Van Gogh.....
The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others
-Vincent Van Gogh
-Vincent Van Gogh
From Clinton and Joanna Wilson... This is Priceless!!
WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT?
(taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)
Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of her own. They like other people's.
A grandfather is a man grandmother.
Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.
When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also Why we shouldn't step on "cracks."
They don't say, "Hurry up."
Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.
They wear glasses and funny underwear.
They can take their teeth and gums out.
Grandparents don't have to be smart.
They have to answer questions like "why isn't God married?" and "How come dogs chase cats?".
When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.
Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because they are the only grown ups who like to spend time with us.
They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we've acted bad.
A 6 YEAR OLD WAS ASKED WHERE HIS GRANDMA LIVED. ''OH,'' HE SAID, ''SHE LIVES AT THE AIRPORT, AND WHEN WE WANT HER WE JUST GO GET HER. THEN WHEN WE'RE DONE HAVING HER VISIT, WE TAKE HER BACK TO THE AIRPORT.''
(taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)
Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of her own. They like other people's.
A grandfather is a man grandmother.
Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.
When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also Why we shouldn't step on "cracks."
They don't say, "Hurry up."
Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.
They wear glasses and funny underwear.
They can take their teeth and gums out.
Grandparents don't have to be smart.
They have to answer questions like "why isn't God married?" and "How come dogs chase cats?".
When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.
Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because they are the only grown ups who like to spend time with us.
They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we've acted bad.
A 6 YEAR OLD WAS ASKED WHERE HIS GRANDMA LIVED. ''OH,'' HE SAID, ''SHE LIVES AT THE AIRPORT, AND WHEN WE WANT HER WE JUST GO GET HER. THEN WHEN WE'RE DONE HAVING HER VISIT, WE TAKE HER BACK TO THE AIRPORT.''
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
1906 Law Lifted..... limits on tribe lifted... a bit of history....
PAWHUSKA (AP) — Clark Batson’s mother gave him his Osage blood, but it is President Bush who has made him feel more Osage than ever.
“I’m a real Indian,” the 28-year-old announced to friends Dec. 3, the day the president signed legislation lifting 98 years of federal limits on who can
be an Osage citizen. The tribe may now welcome thousands of people who, like Batson, are of Osage descent but were denied Osage citizenship under a 1906 federal law. There’s a major hurdle, though:After nearly a century under the old law, the Osages must first decide who the Osages are. “Before today,” says Jodie Revard Satepauhoodle, one of eight tribal council members, “Congress decided.” That Osages are just now receiving
rights held by every other federally recognized American Indian tribe is a reflection of a unique history — and the tribe’s legendary wealth. In allotting the tribe’s land in northern Oklahoma, Congress granted 2,229 Osages a share in a commonly held mineral estate. Only Osages who held
these “headrights” could vote in tribal elections. When the waves of golden prairie yielded a vast oil field in the early 1900s, the headright owners became some of the richest people in the world. Osages rode in chauffeur-driven limousines, lived in mansions and studied at exclusive schools. A string of murders in the 1920s was tied to attempts by non-Indians to claim headright shares. But the oil field has become marginal. Inheritance has fractured the headright shares. When Osages need scholarship money to attend college or seek employment through minority job programs,
those without headrights can’t meet the required proof of tribal membership. The tribe’s government represents only about 4,300 of the estimated
20,000 people of Osage descent, says Principal Chief Jim Gray. The old federal law created a class system that he likens to a time when only landowners could vote in U.S. elections. “Never underestimate the social impact of inclusion on a society,” Gray says. “I think this process will give
people a sense of self respect and self confidence.” Tribal leaders in the past had little incentive to push for change with an electorate of headright owners. A court ruling that was eventually overturned opened up membership between 1993 and 1997, giving many Osages voting rights for the first time. In 2002, new tribal leadership swept to victory on promises to push Congress for a change. Mark Freeman Jr. said it was the reason he decided to run for tribal council at age 82. He didn’t have a vote until age 73, when his mother died and he inherited a headright share. “The pride in that didn’t make up for the loss of my mama,” he says, echoing a sentiment shared by other Osages whose voting rights came only when a
parent died. Some Osages believe membership,should be based on the tribal rolls of 1906. Others have suggested only Osages who know the names of their original clan and band be included. Others have suggested membership based upon blood quantum, even DNA testing, Satepauhoodle says.
No matter what, she says, “Osages will decide who’s Osage. You don’t need a constitution or a roll.” The new law, sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and unopposed in Congress, leaves the issue of headrights untouched. For Batson, membership could mean the ability to legally use peyote in the Native American Church where he worships and to receive protected eagle feathers for use in traditional dances. He’s eager to have a voice in a tribe whose economic development he believes could be helped by participation from younger Osages. “In other tribes, their youth are involved. They’re helping build things up,” he says. “We couldn’t if we wanted to.” A celebration is planned Feb. 4 on the tribe’s campus in Pawhuska to start
the process of reinventing the Osage. Gray would like to see a referendum on tribal membership by the end of next year and eventually a constitutional convention. He is hopeful the tribe will avoid the divisiveness that came with the court decision in the mid-1990s but acknowledges
the process will be “slow, painful and complicated.” “It is democracy in action,” he says. Gray points to another precedent — the homecoming each June when Osages gather on the reservation for three weekends of dancing known as ELon-schka.There, no federal entity has ever decided who sits around the drum. “That’s why I hold out hope,” he says. “If we can do that, we can handle this.”
“I’m a real Indian,” the 28-year-old announced to friends Dec. 3, the day the president signed legislation lifting 98 years of federal limits on who can
be an Osage citizen. The tribe may now welcome thousands of people who, like Batson, are of Osage descent but were denied Osage citizenship under a 1906 federal law. There’s a major hurdle, though:After nearly a century under the old law, the Osages must first decide who the Osages are. “Before today,” says Jodie Revard Satepauhoodle, one of eight tribal council members, “Congress decided.” That Osages are just now receiving
rights held by every other federally recognized American Indian tribe is a reflection of a unique history — and the tribe’s legendary wealth. In allotting the tribe’s land in northern Oklahoma, Congress granted 2,229 Osages a share in a commonly held mineral estate. Only Osages who held
these “headrights” could vote in tribal elections. When the waves of golden prairie yielded a vast oil field in the early 1900s, the headright owners became some of the richest people in the world. Osages rode in chauffeur-driven limousines, lived in mansions and studied at exclusive schools. A string of murders in the 1920s was tied to attempts by non-Indians to claim headright shares. But the oil field has become marginal. Inheritance has fractured the headright shares. When Osages need scholarship money to attend college or seek employment through minority job programs,
those without headrights can’t meet the required proof of tribal membership. The tribe’s government represents only about 4,300 of the estimated
20,000 people of Osage descent, says Principal Chief Jim Gray. The old federal law created a class system that he likens to a time when only landowners could vote in U.S. elections. “Never underestimate the social impact of inclusion on a society,” Gray says. “I think this process will give
people a sense of self respect and self confidence.” Tribal leaders in the past had little incentive to push for change with an electorate of headright owners. A court ruling that was eventually overturned opened up membership between 1993 and 1997, giving many Osages voting rights for the first time. In 2002, new tribal leadership swept to victory on promises to push Congress for a change. Mark Freeman Jr. said it was the reason he decided to run for tribal council at age 82. He didn’t have a vote until age 73, when his mother died and he inherited a headright share. “The pride in that didn’t make up for the loss of my mama,” he says, echoing a sentiment shared by other Osages whose voting rights came only when a
parent died. Some Osages believe membership,should be based on the tribal rolls of 1906. Others have suggested only Osages who know the names of their original clan and band be included. Others have suggested membership based upon blood quantum, even DNA testing, Satepauhoodle says.
No matter what, she says, “Osages will decide who’s Osage. You don’t need a constitution or a roll.” The new law, sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and unopposed in Congress, leaves the issue of headrights untouched. For Batson, membership could mean the ability to legally use peyote in the Native American Church where he worships and to receive protected eagle feathers for use in traditional dances. He’s eager to have a voice in a tribe whose economic development he believes could be helped by participation from younger Osages. “In other tribes, their youth are involved. They’re helping build things up,” he says. “We couldn’t if we wanted to.” A celebration is planned Feb. 4 on the tribe’s campus in Pawhuska to start
the process of reinventing the Osage. Gray would like to see a referendum on tribal membership by the end of next year and eventually a constitutional convention. He is hopeful the tribe will avoid the divisiveness that came with the court decision in the mid-1990s but acknowledges
the process will be “slow, painful and complicated.” “It is democracy in action,” he says. Gray points to another precedent — the homecoming each June when Osages gather on the reservation for three weekends of dancing known as ELon-schka.There, no federal entity has ever decided who sits around the drum. “That’s why I hold out hope,” he says. “If we can do that, we can handle this.”
This is a rare old photo find for us! It has in it near the left post in center of photo, grandfather Shaklee, Peter Worthington Shaklee and his wife, Artlissa and then in the middle with white beard about two rows back is George shaklee and his wife Delia, brother of Peter Worthington Shaklee. George was born in 1863 and Peter in 1851.
Posted by PCCPA
What one does.....
"What you do when you don't have to, determines what you will be when you can no longer help it."
--Rudyard Kipling, 1868-1936
--Rudyard Kipling, 1868-1936
a man's character shows through....
Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at.
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Son Phil sends this note along to all...
Asian Quake Felt in Oklahoma
Shock waves from the deadly earthquake that killed thousands in Indonesia were felt in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey says shock waves were recorded in Tulsa County starting at 7:13 Saturday night.
The 9-point-oh magnitude quake in Indonesia hit 15 minutes earlier.
Jim Lawson with the Geological Survey says the shock waves may have caused water in ponds and lakes to slosh slowly. He also says some tall buildings in the state may have swayed slightly.
The number of dead in the quake is now approaching 40-thousand. The 9.0 magnitude quake is the strongest since a 9-point-2 quake on March 28th, 1964, in Prince William Sound in Alaska.
It's the fourth strongest since recordings of magnitude began in 1899, tying a 1952 quake in Russia.
Here is a link to the Oklahoma Geological Survey Earthquake division... check it out, it's cool...
Shock waves from the deadly earthquake that killed thousands in Indonesia were felt in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey says shock waves were recorded in Tulsa County starting at 7:13 Saturday night.
The 9-point-oh magnitude quake in Indonesia hit 15 minutes earlier.
Jim Lawson with the Geological Survey says the shock waves may have caused water in ponds and lakes to slosh slowly. He also says some tall buildings in the state may have swayed slightly.
The number of dead in the quake is now approaching 40-thousand. The 9.0 magnitude quake is the strongest since a 9-point-2 quake on March 28th, 1964, in Prince William Sound in Alaska.
It's the fourth strongest since recordings of magnitude began in 1899, tying a 1952 quake in Russia.
Here is a link to the Oklahoma Geological Survey Earthquake division... check it out, it's cool...
This is Great Grandma Moffat with Kaitlyn's new quilt that she made for her. Mom was rather proud of it, and we are all proud of Mom. Not an easy thing to do at any age, but at 85, it is quite a feat. And it is excellent! She did goooood... according to Kaitlyn's parents... and the rest of us too.....
Monday, December 27, 2004
Thought for the day...
One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody, everything, every night before you go to bed.
-Bernard M. Baruch
-Bernard M. Baruch
Sunday, December 26, 2004
What a wonderful Christmas 2004 was had by this family!!
I knew the day was going to be awesome due to the fabulous sunrise that God provided on the anniversary of the birth of his Son. I was not to be denied!!
Ann's brother Mike came down for the Farm at Timberlake, and stayed with us a few days. That was great! Then Christmas morning at our home... was fantastic! The kiddos and family's started arriving about 8:30 with the arrival of Jonathan, Randi and Kaitlyn Moffat from Roff. Then Phillip, Tammy, and Austyn arrived... and then a bit later, Paul, Heather and Andrew arrived and the sharing of Christmas began. It was awesome watching the kiddos open their gifts. They are a hoot! The joy that comes over one's face can not be duplicated anywhere by anyone. The expression of the moment, one of inner honesty, is a site to see. After sharing, we headed to Great Grandma Moffat's to celebrate there. We started by singing happy birthday to Jesus, and then enjoying one of the great traditions of our family, eating a feast at Christmas, and it was just that. Wonderful food, made by caring ladies in the kitchens of their families and shared with us... wow.. Then more sharing, a quick time to take family photos, thanks to Mike being with us... and then home to wish we had not ate so much...haha...
Anyway.. a wonderful wonderful Christmas was had by all!!
Now to try to get off these extra pounds added from setting in a chair for 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, trying to get the kids Christmas done.. haha yeah, it's not the hand to mouth thingy that gets ya, it's the setting.. haha.. I wish..
Have a great day, enjoy the time with your families, as this is the time of our lives, the time that builds memories we can enjoy as we get older....
Enjoy the day!! And each other!!
Ann's brother Mike came down for the Farm at Timberlake, and stayed with us a few days. That was great! Then Christmas morning at our home... was fantastic! The kiddos and family's started arriving about 8:30 with the arrival of Jonathan, Randi and Kaitlyn Moffat from Roff. Then Phillip, Tammy, and Austyn arrived... and then a bit later, Paul, Heather and Andrew arrived and the sharing of Christmas began. It was awesome watching the kiddos open their gifts. They are a hoot! The joy that comes over one's face can not be duplicated anywhere by anyone. The expression of the moment, one of inner honesty, is a site to see. After sharing, we headed to Great Grandma Moffat's to celebrate there. We started by singing happy birthday to Jesus, and then enjoying one of the great traditions of our family, eating a feast at Christmas, and it was just that. Wonderful food, made by caring ladies in the kitchens of their families and shared with us... wow.. Then more sharing, a quick time to take family photos, thanks to Mike being with us... and then home to wish we had not ate so much...haha...
Anyway.. a wonderful wonderful Christmas was had by all!!
Now to try to get off these extra pounds added from setting in a chair for 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, trying to get the kids Christmas done.. haha yeah, it's not the hand to mouth thingy that gets ya, it's the setting.. haha.. I wish..
Have a great day, enjoy the time with your families, as this is the time of our lives, the time that builds memories we can enjoy as we get older....
Enjoy the day!! And each other!!
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Hope it's your best ever, and that are your wishes have come true. This was our gathering last Christmas. Just wanted to share it with everyone in the family.
M e r r y C h r i s t m a s, to one and all!!
Merry Christmas from the Jonathan Moffat's.....
Click Here..... to see our Merry Christmas wish from Jonathan, Randi, and Kaitlyn Moffat ... We received this in the email this am. How great to see pics of the kiddos... wonderful feelings happening... haha... What a great day this is, celebrating the birth of Christ, and honoring that day by being with our whole family. WOW!
Merry Christmas to everyone, near and far!
Enjoy the day!
Merry Christmas to everyone, near and far!
Enjoy the day!
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