Frustration, thy name is computer!!!

For those of you that may have e-mailed me lately and wonder why I'm not replying...well,the saga of my ongoing, seemingly endless computer problems continues. It's all too complicated to explain, but the bottom line is that at least for the next day or two (HOPEFULLY not any longer than that!) I am unable to retrieve e-mail sent to my gnews@radio91.com or qnews@101qfl.com addresses. Grrrr!!!

As I said, hopefully it will be resolved shortly. A girl can dream, anyway.

I got a great e-mail from my friend Randy and never got to reply to it because of the computer problems, so Randy, if you're reading this, I was delighted to hear from you, and I'll reply as soon as I can. And Randy, thanks for pointing out my spelling error on John Kerry's name...no "e" before the "y" in Kerry! Why did I not catch that?!

Also, I saw an e-mail from Aunt Sandra about favorite songs, and I was only able to glance at it. Again, I'll respond to that as soon as possible. Thanks for being patient, everyone.

Book Notes

Finished a couple of really excellent Christian fiction books recently that I need to let you know about. Both were wonderful reads.

The first was "A Nest of Sparrows," by Deborah Raney. It's about a bachelor who's all set to marry a divorced woman with three children. He's fallen in love with her kids too, and they're happily planning a life together when the woman suddenly dies. Complications arise when their abusive dad shows up out of nowhere and wants his kids back.

The second, "The Salt Garden," by Cindy Martinusen, is unique and captivating. It interwines the stories of three women--one young, one old, one from the past--whose lives intersect in a small northern California beach community. This was the first time I had read anything by Martinusen, and I can guarantee you it won't be the last.

Now I've just started "The Way of Women" by Lauraine Snelling, and I'm finding it instantly absorbing. The story begins just before the eruption of Mount Saint Helens, and already I'm intrigued by the various characters and plot lines to which I've been introduced.

As I read these books, I can't help but marvel at the excellent quality of Christian fiction these days. I truly don't think it can be topped by anything out there on the secular market. In fact, Christian writers must make their stories absorbing, intriguing and believable without graphic sex scenes and offensive language, so they have to be more creative and original.

I admire all three of the writers I've mentioned here, although I'm relatively or completely new to their writings. I'm struck not only by their skillful use of words to create images, paint scenes and make characters real, but also by their talent in coming up with an original storyline that carries the reader along and makes her care about the ultimate conclusion.

All my life, I've dreamed of writing such books...but I'm stymied by my own doubts. Do I have what it takes to do what these women did so well? That's the question.

Meantime...I really, really like this quote on Cindy's website:

"Live a while within these books. Learn of them, whatever seems worth the learning, but above all, love them. For this love you shall be requited a thousand and a thousand times over, no matter what turn your life may take. This love, I am sure of it, will weave itself through the tapestry of your evolving being as one of the most important threads of your experiences, your disappointments, and your joys."--Rilke in Letters to a Young Poet



Meanwhile, in Atlanta...

The Christian Booksellers Association holds its annual convention in Atlanta this week. This according to the Associated Press:

"With retailers like Wal-Mart offering deep discounts on Christian books that Christian stores can't match, the eleven-thousand attendees at the...convention...are looking for new ways to keep and attract customers.

"Some Christian bookstores are now open on Sunday afternoons so customers can shop after church.

"Others are expanding their stocks of church supplies like communion plates, tithe envelopes and coloring books for Sunday School classes."

One thing that the CBA is touting this year: Rick Warren's "The Purpose-Driven Life" and Jordan Rubin's "The Maker's Diet" are two Christian books that have successfully crossed over to the mainstream market to the point where they have made the New York Times Best Sellers list.

More on music and movies...

Just after I gave Barbra Streisand kudos for her appeal as an entertainer despite my disdain for her politics...she shows up in the news today. Seems Streisand sang at a big Hollywood elite fundraiser for John Kerry yesterday. She sang a version of "People" that contained a line about Donald Rumsfeld being "the spookiest person in the world." Hello??? Has she looked at Kerry lately???

Anyway...it looks like I'm not the only person who loves music and movies. My cousin Judy tells me: "...I concur with everything you said!
I love Over the Rainbow and wholeheartedly agree that it would have to rank numero uno. It's probably one of the first songs I ever sang around the
house. I love old movies -- especially the comedies with Cary Grant and
Katherine Hepburn. I wish I had my own DVD collection of all those movies.
I never seem to catch them at the right time when they are on cable."

It's amazing how, although Judy and I have never gotten to spend a lot of time together, our tastes and opinions are often so simpatico. I guess blood will tell.

My friend Aaron posted these comments: "While I'm tempted to list every song from 'The Music Man,' I'll stick with 'Ya Got Trouble,' which could only be sung by Robert Preston (Prof. Harold Hill), because that song reminds me of my fundamentalist upbringing.

"'I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,' previously recorded by Dr. Ralph Stanley and the late Norman Blake, launched the Old Time Music revival when Dan Tyminski recorded it for 'O Brother, Where Art Thou.' The soundtrack was better than the movie.



"And no list would be complete without mentioning Nino Rota's unforgettable composition, 'The Godfather (Theme).'"

Joy chimed in: "Ditto Aaron on the soundtrack being better than the movie 'O Brother, Where Art Thou.' I like 'Big Rock Candy Mountain' on that one, just for fun.

"I'm not sure where else it's used, but I love the medley version of 'Over the Rainbow' that is used when the credits roll for 'Finding Forrester.' I believe it combines 'Over the Rainbow' with 'What a Wonderful World.'"

"On the list, I like 'Moon River' and 'The Way You Look Tonight.'"

I totally agree with your choices, Joy. And how could I have forgotten "O Brother Where Art Thou"? The soundtrack is AWESOME. But although Joy and Aaron didn't sound too crazy about the movie...and I certainly can't recommend it without reservations...it does have some truly hilarious moments on it. "Do NOT seek the tray-sure!" :D

I could talk about music nonstop!

And speaking of movies...USA Today has a list today of the Top Ten movie villains of all time. See if you agree with their choices.

I love music and old movies...

...so, yes, I was watching AFI's list of the top 100 movie songs last night.

I can't dispute the choice for number one movie song..."Over the Rainbow," from the Wizard of Oz. Judy Garland's young voice is at its loveliest, and the song is wistful and sweet, and an enduring classic.

In fact, I was struck with just how many terrific Judy Garland songs there were on the list. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"..."The Trolley Song"..."C'mon, Get Happy"..."The Man that Got Away"...Judy was an incredible talent. Too bad her life was so troubled, and that she died relatively young.

Some of my other favorites:

~"White Christmas" from "Holiday Inn" (one of my all-time favorite movies!)
~"Don't Rain on My Parade" from "Funny Girl" (I can't stand Barbra Streisand's politics, but as an entertainer, she almost always grabs me)
~"It Had to Be You" from "When Harry Met Sally" (I have that soundtrack, and LOVE it...it launched my affection for Harry Connick Jr.)
~"Come What May" from "Moulin Rouge"
~"My Heart will Go On" from Titanic--yes, it's a bit melodramatic and overwrought, but it will endure...

You can check out the entire list here.

What's your favorite movie song?

A cool summer...

I know summer officially began yesterday, but I start calling it summer as soon as school's out. And the deal is, it's been an extraodinarily cool season, temperature-wise, so far. For the past few days, we haven't had to turn our AC on, and the sleeping weather has been simply wonderful.

Today is a beautiful day in northern Illinois, with temps only expected to get up around 73. I can't wait to get out in it!

I took my daughter to a tanning place yesterday to get her fourth spray of Mystic Tan. Yep, they spray the tan right on you. It takes just minutes, is totally UV-free, and gives her a lovely glow...actually, I've been considering doing it myself.

Usually by now, we've hit the pool at least a few times...but quite honestly, it's only been hot enough for swimming a handful of days so far.

Still, I love summer...love the long days...love having Justin home...just love it. Despite the fact that the heat can get uncomfortable at times, it remains my favorite season.

Happy Father's Day!

I love this Norman Rockwell picture. That young dad is bleary-eyed, but he's pulling that 2 o'clock feeding duty!

I've already written a tribute to my own father. Now I'd like to talk about my husband, and what a terrific father he is to our children.

You couldn't find a dad anywhere who was more excited than Doug on the days our three children were born. He was higher than a kite.

He never had to pull two o'clock feeding duty, because I nursed our babies...but he often got up to change a wet baby's diaper and bring him/her to our bed for feeding in the middle of the night. And I can't count the number of times he's gotten up to clean up vomit or help with a sick child so I could get some sleep.

He was never too macho to kiss and hug our babies, and our children have never had cause to doubt their father's love for them. And he doesn't just demonstrate it...he verbalizes it, never missing a chance to tell them he loves them.

I wish I could scan one of my favorite pics of Doug as a very young father. You can see his head (covered with hair, even!) and almost-two-year-old Jonathan's, sticking up out of the bathwater. Dad and Jonny having a bath. It's so cute. Jon even used it in a power-point presentation of childhood photos at his wedding.

Despite the fact that he's always had a busy schedule, Doug was frequently available to watch the kids whenever I needed some time off or just to go to the grocery store alone! And I never had to worry when they were under his care. Doug's something of a worry-wart, and you could count on the fact that they would be well-supervised under his watch.

He's provided a godly example, been faithful to the Lord and to their mother. Our kids know that God and His Word are the guiding force in their father's life. They've never seen their dad come home drunk or beat up on their mom. And despite a few well-placed spankings, they've never suffered abuse at the hands of their dad.

He's always been actively involved in their sporting events, never missing a baseball, basketball or soccer game if he could possibly help it, and always cheering them on.

Our daughter, the baby of the family, has always had Dad wrapped around her little finger. They kid each other constantly and give each other a hard time in good fun, but it's obvious they're crazy about each other. Elizabeth will never have to search for that father-love from any other man. She is secure in the love her dad has for her.

He's a proud father, willing to brag on his children and their accomplishments at the drop of a hat. And he has sacrificed financially to help them obtain a topnotch education.



Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better father for my children. Believe me, I don't take such a gift lightly...I truly than God for it. Thanks, Doug, for being a wonderful husband and father. I love you. Happy Father's Day!

Do good dads go to church?

An interesting article in today's USA Today cites research indicating that the best dads are religious, especially evangelical Protestant. Why? They're more actively involved in their children's lives, and more affectionate, among other things.

Well, the main examples I have to go by are my husband and my own father...who would both fit into the evangelical Protestant category as defined in the article (although some Baptists would quibble about being an actual "Protestant.")

My husband is a warm, loving and attentive dad, and always has been. Even now, when he speaks to his grown sons on the phone long-distance, he always tells them he loves them. He has always been actively involved in his children's lives.

I've sung my dad's praises here before. Although he pastored churches or was a missionary most of my growing-up years, he never failed to demonstrate his love to his children.

Do-it-yourself thank-you notes???

Granted, writing thank-you notes is a tedious and time-consuming task. But I've always viewed it as something a well-mannered and gracious person just DOES.

Today's "Ask Annie" column (the one that replaces Ann Landers in daily papers) included a letter from a woman who attended a bridal shower recently, to which she was asked to bring stamps. Come to find out, the stamps were for the bride to send thank-you notes...and guests were also asked to address the envelope they would be getting.

I'm sorry, but I agree with "Annie" that (despite the fact that this is apparently a trend), it makes the bride look both cheap and lazy.

You get the gifts? You write the note, address the envelope and pay for the postage. Maybe there are some unusual circumstances where this trend would be warranted (the bride and groom are especially poverty-stricken---or are about to head off to the wilds of Africa to do mission work and simply won't have time to address envelopes???), but in most cases, I just think this is kind of a tacky trend.

What's next? Handing out a generic "thank you" to everyone at the shower?

Lingering thoughts of President Reagan...

Kevin Young once again impresses me with his beautiful writing, as he compares his feelings toward the late president to his own aging grandfather.

And did I tell you Kevin graduated from Cedarville? :D

A captivating modern-day parable...

Just finished an amazing new book! Read my review of Angela Hunt's "The Awakening."

By the way, I've reviewed several books on the reading page of my website. Please do check them out when you get a moment.

Admittedly, I'm a fiction freak, so that's primarily what I review. And I generally don't even bother to write a review unless I really, really like a book. So basically, what you'll find is a list of some of the very best books I've read recently.

A new home for the SchloMan

*

If you ever had the joy of hearing Mike Schlote, or "The SchloMan" as he's affectionately referred to, on the air here on 101qfl, you know what a wonderful experience it was.

It was my privilege to work on the air with Mike for several years. I loved his boundless energy, his terrific sense of humor, his unique ability to connect with the listener, and most of all, his passion for the Lord.

I was so sad when Mike left QFL a little less than a year ago, but he was positive that the Lord was calling him away. Today I received an e-mail from Mike, informing me that he will soon begin a job as morning man at WMCU-Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm Beach, Florida.

I'm delighted for Mike and his precious family, and thrilled for their new beginning. I know Mike won't miss the cold northern winters, but it'll be interesting to see how such an avid Green Bay Packers fan and confirmed Wisconsin cheesehead will fare in Dolphin country!

Seriously, much love and best wishes to the Schlote family as they follow God's leading into a whole new arena. I have no doubt you'll be greatly used of God.

I also want to wish God's richest blessings on my co-worker for many years, Greg Saunders, who is also seeking God's will in a new area of ministry. Greg is a dear person and I pray the Lord's best for him and his family.

While I'm walking down memory lane, here's another pic...this one, below, is of (L to R) engineer Jon Burkholder, me, the SchloMan, and Greg Saunders. This was taken on the night of the Dove Awards in Nashville in April of 2003. That's the famed Ryman Auditorium you see behind us.



Radio stuff...

Rodney asked me what kind of new radio stuff I'm learning to do, saying he's a radio guy himself.

Well, for the first time in my career yesterday, I played DJ (I've always been a news/sidekick type.) But I did it the high-tech way. It's called "voice tracking," and it simply involves taping the intro's and outro's to songs on a computer, to be inserted between the songs later...thus making it sound like there's a real, live DJ in the studio when there really isn't.

Soon, all of the daytime air shifts on 101QFL will be manned by real, live people. But until then, I'm helping Chris Carmichael out by doing this voice tracking thingie. It's actually fairly simple stuff, but it's a whole new ball game for me.


Comments???

Thanks to the few of you who responded to my plea for comments. It's good to know the comments feature is working, anyway!

*photo by Kevin Harvey of Photography by Harvey

Random thoughts on a Monday morning...

Just when I thought life had settled into a fairly predictable routine, here comes a curve ball! Here at 101qfl, some rather abrupt changes have shaken up my routine. I am now going to be learning to do some radio-type things that I've never done before. Although I'm sad about the departure of a good friend, I'm realizing that being pushed out of my comfort zone a bit may be a good thing for me. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? I guess I'll find out!

The weekend was nice...actually restful for once! I did accomplish a couple of household tasks that I had been putting off...nothing major, but involving a bit of work...and I got to savor the satisfaction of completing such a task. There are more to be done, definitely.

My husband and I watched the Ronald Reagan funeral ceremonies Friday night until the last "amen" was said. We marveled at the timing of the California ceremony...the sun setting beautifully in the west as the last good-byes were said to a beloved president.

As far as the California service went, I was especially impressed with the words spoken by Michael Reagan. It seemed to me that this adopted child of Ronald Reagan had a better handle on his spiritual beliefs, and probably more closely mirrors the political beliefs of his father, than do the children who are his own flesh and blood.

From Michael Reagan's website: "Today as I joined my family at the first of the memorial services, I felt grief at his passing. But, as I stood over the casket this morning I was comforted in knowing that with all of the gifts that my father had given to the nation that the greatest gift he had given to me was knowing that at one o’clock Saturday afternoon when my father closed his eyes for the last time he went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A finer gift cannot be given to a son."

Very moving.

Can you comment? Will you comment?

I've noticed that no one has commented on my blog in quite some time. I don't know if it's that nothing has struck you as comment-worthy, or if my comment feature isn't working correctly.

If you're reading this, will you please comment just so I'll know it's working? (I don't care what you say, as long as it isn't hateful or obscene.) I would appreciate it a lot!

Have a great Monday, everyone! :)

Is Shadowmancer a "tangled tale"?

A few weeks ago, I blogged about "Shadowmancer," a book that's being touted as "Harry Potter's Christian cousin." Since then, I received a complimentary copy of the book and started trying to read it.

First off, I'm just a few chapters in, but I'm finding it hard staying interested. So far, it just hasn't been compelling enough. I realize that fantasy isn't my favorite fictional genre, but I did read the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and I count C. S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" among my favorite books.

Maybe I was hoping for more of a Narnia feel to "Shadowmancer," but it's just not there. I guess there really is only one C.S. Lewis.

Now, some Christians are concerned that this book is being hailed as the Christian answer to Harry Potter despite the fact that its theological basis is muddy at best and seriously flawed at worst.

The author, G.P. Taylor, has taken pains to make sure everyone knows it's NOT a Christian book.

Marcia Montenegro is "a former professional astrologer for 8 years and teacher of astrology; a former practitioner for many years of Eastern-type meditation and beliefs, and who engaged in various occult practices such as having a spirit guide and doing astral travel." Montenegro is now a Christian, and she runs a website that provides information about New Age and occult issues from a Christian perspective. She has written a very comprehensive and enlightening article on her site, entitled "Shadomancer: A Tangled Tale."

Says Montenegro: "In interviews, Taylor has expressed his fear that the church is alienating young people and downplaying the power of God, something he tried to fix in his book. This is a valid concern. However grand his intentions, in trying to make the book attractive to several religions, Taylor ends up with a God that does not belong anywhere, and an obscure Jesus figure that is not clearly the revealed Jesus of God’s word or of history. In trying to depict a God who appeals to so many, we end up with a generic God and only mystical, subjective ways to know him -- a dismissal of God’s clear revelation of his truth through the Bible and through Christ."

Very interesting article and site.

Farewell to Ronald Reagan

One of my favorite wordsmiths, Peggy Noonan, bids farewell to a beloved president beautifully in her column. Says Noonan: "He was dying for years and the day came and somehow it came as a blow. Not a loss but a blow. How could this be?"

I agree. President Reagan, thanks to Alzheimer's, was essentially dead to the public scene for the past several years, but his death Saturday somehow both surprised and saddened me.

I watched today as Nancy Reagan laid her head briefly on her husband's flag-draped coffin, and tears filled my eyes as her daughter Patti--at one time angry and estranged from her parents--put her arm around her mother and comforted her tenderly. As the mother of a daughter, my heart was gladdened that the rift between the two women is so obviously healed.

That was already clear a few months ago, when Patti Davis vigorously defended her father when HBO wanted to run a TV movie depicting him as a half-crazed bigot. Davis said the depiction couldn't have been further from the truth.

One of my most vivid Ronald Reagan memories occurred just as I was beginning my career here at WQFL (101QFL.) I had been working here for one week, just learning the ropes from then-news director Wes Bleed, who now works for Chicago's WGN Radio.

Monday, March 30, 1981, was to be my first day on the air. However, that was the day that President Reagan was shot, and we stayed with the ABC network all day, so I never went on the air that day. It certainly made for a memorable first day on the job. I will never forget my profound relief when I realized the president was going to make it.

From everything I've read about Ronald Reagan, he was a man trusted in Christ as His Saviour, and I believe he's in heaven today. I like how Jeri Massi puts it in her blog:

"Ronald Reagan truly suffered the loss of all things: all that he knew, all the memory of what he had done, all the intimacy of knowing and loving his own closest loved ones. And now in Christ he truly has gained the wealth and the bounty and the bright light of heaven. I'm happy for him. He's free; he's restored to his right mind, and he sees his Saviour face to face and will never sin again. Thank God he's free at last from chains that no human medicine or skill could unlock."


I too am happy for Ronald Reagan...but I am sad for America today. Not just for the loss of a great man, but because of the ugliness I see around me that makes me want to give up hope. I see traditional marriage and family being destroyed and unborn babies being annihilated by judicial mandate. I see pornography and heinous child abuse being allowed to run rampant. I see evangelical Christians being belittled and mocked. I see so many things that make my heart hurt for this great country.

But all these things tend to more strongly impress upon me the need for us as Christians to be salt and light to those around us...to let Christ's love shine more strongly through us, dispelling the great darkness around us.

And I take hope and optimism from the words of Ronald Reagan:

"Let us resolve tonight that young Americans will always ... find there a city of hope in a country that is free.... And let us resolve they will say of our day and our generation, we did keep the faith with our God, that we did act worthy of ourselves, that we did protect and pass on lovingly that shining city on a hill." — Election Eve speech, Nov. 3, 1980

I still want to believe in that shining city on a hill.

What 80's toy are you?

I'm "My Little Pony."


You're My Little Pony!! Sweet and innocent and
happy, you make people want to spew burrito
chunks. Even a Care Bear could kick your a**.


What childhood toy from the 80s are you?
brought to you by Quizilla


Spew burrito chunks, huh? Ooh-kay....:)


Thank Goodness it's Friday!

As always, I am so totally looking forward to the weekend!

I did have an enjoyable time on 101QFL this morning. Co-hosting with Greg and me this morning was Brody Swanson, the children's pastor at First Evangelical Free Church of Rockford. Brody is no relation to me, but he is a graduate of Cedarville University, the alma mater of both my sons...and we did some great reminiscing about Cedarville and the surrounding area. Brody is a very engaging young man!

I give weird nicknames!

It's a compulsion. I can't seem to let people who are close to me just have their given name...I have to give them a nickname, and often it gets completely out of control.

For example, take my daughter Elizabeth. It started with me calling her "Lizzy Boo." Then, for some reason, it progressed to "Lizzy Boo, the Tiny Roo." Not content with that, I had to shorten it to just "Roo"...which then morphed into "Roony Toon." From there it became "Roony Toons Adventures" (yes, I know it's weird!!!), then "Roony Toons Adventures in Odyssey," then just "Odyssey." Oh, the Odyssey of a nickname! Nowadays, I will often say something like, "Roo, will you answer the phone?" or something to that effect, so I guess it's calming down. Although for a while I was calling her "Roo Paul," and she just put her foot down on that one. You have to draw the line somewhere!

My husband Doug was first "Dougie-Wuggie" while we were dating (please don't get nauseous...I know it's syrupy!) Then I shortened it to Wugs or Wuggles. Sometimes I even call him "Wuggles the Clown." He totally answers to Wugs, though, because I've called him that for years.

Sometimes, the nicknames stick. When were were very young children, I started calling my sister Lisa "Lido." I have no idea why...but now that's what I call her, more often than not. We both attended the same Bible college, and as others would hear me calling her "Lido," they picked up on it too. Soon, complete strangers were calling her "Lido"--which she wasn't crazy about. "Lido" was a pet name that should have been reserved for close friends and family!

Then there was my good friend and former co-worker, Joel Griffith. (Joel is now a staff writer at Slavic Gospel Association.) I found myself calling him "Joel," with the emphasis on the second syllable. That reminded me of a girl I went to high school with, whose name was Joelle Palermo. So I started calling him "Joelle Palermo," and that got shortened to "Palermo." Soon, just about everyone who worked at the radio station at the time was calling him "Palermo," and I even still call him that to this day...and he answers to it!

Now, my co-worker Charmel is often called "Charmie"---thanks, of course, to me. It's caught on to the point that people even call her that on the air sometimes. (Actually, it started as "Charmie-Pooh." Yep. Really.

Even the dog is not exempt. Our German Shepherd's name is Stormy, but for some reason I morphed that into "Stormcloud Trooper," and now, more often than not, I will just call her "Trooper." Smart dog that she is, she answers to either one!

Interestingly enough, given I'm the great bestower of nicknames, I don't really have one myself. Unless you count the fact that my real name is Cynthia and I'm almost never called that. Although, my dad used to occasionally called me "Cindoza," and my brother-in-law Steve called me "Cindinka." Come to think of it, my brother David has called me that too, and even "Dinkers" for short.

This weird nick-naming thing must be genetic. Apparently, Grandpa Garrett was a great giver of nicknames. And my sister Lido and I found out something really strange recently. One of the nicknames I had given Elizabeth at times was "Creekie May." (Don't ask...I have no idea why.) Come to find out, completely ignorant of that strange nickname, my sister sometimes called HER daughter "Creekie La Luna"!!!

I often call my sister Bev "Buv" because of the way a friend of hers used to pronounce it. And don't even get me started on all the strange nicknames I gave my brother when he was a kid. The one that has stuck through all the years is "Dave-o," which is useful to help distinguish him from my sister's husband, who is also a David.

As I re-read this before posting, I am once again reminded that I am REALLY weird. (sigh.)

A trend toward more modest fashions?

We can always hope! But seriously, the pendulum had to swing the other way, or we would end up with teen-age girls walking around totally naked. Even Christina Aguilera seems to have modified her sleazy look somewhat...the last magazine pic I saw of her, she was actually wearing a fairly modest dress.

Anyway, check out this link for a CNN story about some teen-aged girls pushing for more modest apparel.

Finally! an update on Evie Tornquist

If you were an Evie fan back in her heyday...basically, the mid to late '70's...you've probably wondered whatever happened to the pretty, petite blonde with the golden voice. In fact, it always amazes me that many hits on my website are from people looking for info on Evie (I mention her in my article on Christmas music.)

Well, CCM Magazine actually has an article about Evie in its June issue (although I wasn't able to find it on the magazine's website...you'll have to get a physical copy of the mag to read the story.)

Just thinking about Evie brings back memories of my days at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. I don't think there was a red-blooded guy on campus who didn't have a crush on the little Norwegian songbird. And I just about wore out the 8-track of her "Mirror" album...come on, there were some really good songs on that album! We're talking "Lord Send that Morning," "If Heaven was Never Promised to Me," "Jesus Was There All the Time," and more.

According to the CCM article, Evie left the Christian music scene in 1981, while she was still quite popular. She told CCM in 1996, "Interestingly, people think I got out of it because I started having kids. But toward the end of that time, '79 or '80, I felt somewhat uncomfortable with what was happening. I felt as though my hands were tied in terms of ministry. I wanted more freedom to pursue ministry; but when people pay to hear you sing, you have a responsibility to do what they paid you to do." Evie does say she looks back on that time with pleasant memories, calling them "wonderful experiences."

Evie is 48 now, and lives in Florida with her husband Pelle Karlsson and their children, Kris and Jenny. Says CCM: "The Karlssons have continued their musical ministry as a family over the years, largely out of the limelight."

Evie did appear with Mark Lowry at a concert here a couple of years ago, sponsored by Radio 91. Although I didn't make it to the concert, I saw pics that were taken there, and Evie looked as lovely as ever...and I understand she's still in fine voice.


Too much exercise?

Some interesting viewpoints this morning on 101QFL from a guy who bills himself "Professor Do-Less."

He's actually Brian Todd, an MIT-educated scientist with some ideas that may be controversial to some. "Professor Do-Less" thinks we need only around fifteen minutes of exercise at a time. He says people who run for hours a month don't lose weight and in fact may gain it because of increased hunger and cravings.

Todd also thinks we eat way too many carbs (duh!) and should stop avoiding protein...in fact, he leans toward the Atkins diet, although he doesn't think we need to drop carbs altogether. Start with cutting your carb intake in half, he says.

What we really need, according to Todd, is oils containing parent Omega-3 and parent Omega-6. NOT fish oil (although EATING fish is good)...he says the fish oil just has omega derivatives in it and can actually be harmful. Todd gets his oils from sunflower oil tablets or primrose oil tablets, and advocates eating plenty of sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Todd doesn't think we need a lot of fiber and he thinks anything made from soy is horrible.

Our engineer, JB, thinks the guy is full of it..especially in his disdain for fiber. But after the interview, I got a call from a lady who said primrose oil has changed her life--helped with migraines and alleviating menstrual and menopausal symptoms.

My take on it? Well, I like the less-is-more idea when it comes to exercise (I'm lazy!) And he did sell it all well enough for me to decide I'm going to buy some primrose oil capsules and start snacking on sunflower seeds more often.

I've known all along I eat too many carbs, and I'm REALLY going to try to cut down on those.

Oh, if you want to know more about this guy and his plan, you can go to Body By Science. As with all health and diet info, take it with a grain of salt. (I guess just a grain of salt won't hurt you. :))