where there's a will, there's a way!

The Nevada State VA has decided that since the cemetary in which Sgt. Patrick Stewart is buried is not a national VA cemetary, the pentacle is allowed! Way To Go, Nevada!

This is what I like to see in the papers and hear on the news. This is what America is all about -- democracy, freedom of expression, freedom to believe whatever you feel is right for you. End war, end violence, end oppression of people everywhere. Sometimes I wonder why we can't all just get along; but then I am snapped back into reality by the fact that the world will most likely never be a perfect place, because humans in their nature are imperfect. I hope, however, that this silly war in Iraq over oil and terrorism is DONE WITH. And that the future generations will learn from such horrors and NOT repeat history.

And that brings up something else, too, something that I feel I just have to rant about -- the Pope and his crazy comments on the Islamic religion!!! Is he trying to start Armageddon??? I swear, with all this back and forth and talk of jihad, etc., they're pushing us closer and closer to it every day. But no worries, before Armageddon can begin, according to the Bible, several things must occur -- one of them being the appearance of the Anti-Christ, whom everyone will believe is the true Christ. Nobody like that has shown up yet, so we're all safe for now.

As if we have time to worry about trivial stuff like the end of the world. I prefer to live in the here, in the now. For example, this morning I am typing at you from the lovely Sweet Corn Capital of the World, Hoopeston, Illinois. We (Rod, Deb, and I) rolled in around 10pm local time, got all our night time stuff out, made our beds here at WitchSchool, and now Rod is on the computer in the office and Deb is sleeping away. Tomorrow morning at around 10 we're on the road again, headed for Madison, Wisconsin. Rev. Pete Hertzberg, one of our Distance Shrinekeepers, has invited us out for Madison Pagan Pride Day. Before that we're going to meet everyone from Northern Lakes Formal Distance Shrine; I can't wait to get to know them!

Earlier today I spoke with my paternal grandmother, told her about this weekend's trip. She inquired what we were going to Madison for, and I told her so. She didn't seem all that enthusiastic; but she wasn't a raging lunatic to "save" her beloved granddaughter, either. I told her I was also a member of the Clergy, and she gave a noncommittal, "Ahh, okay." So much the better for me.

At least she's not like my dad, who is still not willing to admit that his only child, his little girl, is all grown up. I'm not going to apologize for who I am, but I am sorry for the way he is deciding to ignore that part of me, or treat it as a funny hat that I wear. Face it, Daddy. Your little girl is all grown up. Your punkin-pie IS a Pagan, IS a Wiccan, IS a Witch, IS a proud member of the Correllian Clergy. I AM Reverend Elizabeth Hamilton, Maiden Priestess of Heritage Nativist Temple, and I will be ashamed for no one. I will hide from no one. This is my life. This is my path. I can't change that anymore than I can change the wind's direction.

And for anyone else who has any problems with who and what I am, I have an old saying that fits perfectly: If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

By the way, readers, whomever you may be... I love comments. I love questions, and controversy, as long as it remains FRIENDLY.

An' it harm none, do as thou wilt.