Book Review: The Selfless Gene:

Living with God and Darwin
by Charles Foster


The cover of this book suggested an " intelligent and highly readable" look at the differences of Creationism and Natural Selection, and how they may actually be connected.

This is a thought provoking journey into the idea that God and the theory of Evolution can co-exist.

At times it is very straight forward, with the pros and cons of both schools of thought very easy to follow.

At other times, the constant back and forth from one proponent to the other, from one adversarial point to another, can be a bit hard to follow.
Add the big words and long-winded explanations and it is even more so.

I found that I enjoyed this book, as long as I was able to remove myself from any distractions and could give myself to it completely.

It is a difficult read that is only somewhat easier if you have a knowledge of scripture, religous theory and a medical or scientific background.

Staying with the author through chapter 4 proved to be difficult. I often felt that the author was speaking down to the reader, and attempting to force his views of Neo-Darwinists and their counterparts, The Young Earth Creationists upon the unsuspecting, and perhaps in the opinion of the author, unlearned reader.

After traversing through the convoluted back ground for each of these group's theories, and getting into the actual reason for the book- the part where Science and Theology can, and very likely do, work together- it was much easier to see and understand the point of view of the author and the soundness of his ideas.

This is not a book to be taken lightly; however, it may be perfect if you are having trouble getting to sleep.
At least until somewhere around Chapter 5.



This review for Thomas Nelson Publishing BookSneeze Blogger Reviews

Social Networking - a necessary evil... Evil? I Don't Think So!

Social Networking.

Is it a person, place or thing?
Perhaps it's an action?

A noun or a verb, that is the question.

Does one engage in Social Networking, or is one simply a member of a Social Network?
And if you belong to a Social Network, what is the price of joining?

For me, it is both a noun, and a verb.
It is a Thing, and an Action.

Social Networking is more than just connecting with business associates in hopes of procuring your dream job; more than connecting to other people with similar interests, lifestyles, careers and hobbies.

Social Networking is very much an attempt to validate one's self by finding, and communing with, people who are very much like themselves.

What is the price to be paid for being a member of a Social Network?
A kidney, your first-born child, tips on the Next Big Thing?

Nope- the only price is one that most of us willingly, and oft times, enthusiastically, give.

Our own input, sage advice, and past experience in the guise of witty, acerbic and very nearly always, heart-felt comments.

Comments are freely given on blogs, internet community forums, chat rooms. Facebook, Twitter and message boards on Google, Yahoo and AOL are always filled with advice and commentary on any, and all, subject matter.

For me, Social Networking has taken the form of blogging, and the forums that I have found through blogging.

The Secret to Success is Support
BlogFrog
BlogFlow
Mama's Little Nestwork
Google Reader
Circle of Moms
Cafe Mom


These are the places and the people that I look to for enjoyment and relaxation, and yes, even validation of my own life and ideals.

( I actually think The Bloggess and I are twins separated at birth she thinks so much like me!)

I read blogs and forum discussions on sublects that interest me.

Anything from being a mom (how to be a good mom?) to making jewelry and crafts to dealing with the stress of running a home to figuring out what my purpose in life really is (again the being a good mom thing... I think I have an obsession about this topic).

I have made connections with people- and no they are not all women, nor are all the women moms- all over the globe.

I enjoy the differing perspectives and resulting input.

I take comfort in knowing Social Networking is not just an action, it is a Thing.

And that Thing has made my life a little bit richer and, dare I say, productive.

(Just don't tell HeMan Hubby... he thinks it's just a little hobby to take up some of my spare time... did I say spare time? I meant time that I should be spending on housework or writing the Great American Novel or something, right!)

How Southern Are you?

How Southern are you?

Do you call your elders Mrs. Smith or Ms. Betty?
Do you drink Sweet Tea or Iced Tea or Long Island Iced Tea?
Do you say Hey!, Hi! or Hello?
Do you shake, smile or hug in greeting?

Actually, any of the above would be considered Southern... just depends on how Southernly you wanted to be...

Except for the Mrs. Smith part. No one in the south is called Mrs. Anything. Unless it's your school teacher. Then it's Missus Whatever... and the nasty old lady at the end of the block... the one with hundreds of cats...

A sure fire way to tell how Southern you are is your hobbies.

Southern Women volunteer and do charity work. They work in the church nursery and the local soup kitchen. They organize fundraisers for the school and help sell Girl Scout cookies... even if they don't have a Girl Scout in the family.

But the number one tell-tale sign that you really are Southern???

All Southern women wear ugly hats and grow things in the dirt...

At least that's what they said in Steel Magnolias

He Said She Said ... What?

The BusyFamily recently took a road trip South to visit other BusyFamily branches.

In preparation for the trip BusyMom took the vehicle in for a check-up.
Oil Changed
Washer fluid refilled
Brakes checked
A/C .... whoa! A/C???

Yep, the A/C is broken.

I told HeMan Hubby it was, back in March, when we apparently did not speak the same dialect.

He SAID he understood.
He SAID the part was a recall issue and was being ordered...
back in MARCH!

So The BusyFamily packs up and heads out...
South on 95 on a SUNNY, HOT Friday in July...
(read:the surface of the sun would have been more comfortable!)

Through that wonderous land called NORTHERN VIRGINIA and into the land of Smoked Hams and Giant Sombreros and beaches begging for sand castles and children to appear.

Yes, we sat on 95S, with no air conditioning, with all windows open, wet hand towels across our laps, necks and foreheads as we crawled along at negative miles an hour, through Virginia, North amd South Carolina!

Somewhere along the way... I think it was about 10 minutes after we started LOADING THE VAN!

HeMan Hubby turned on the A/C.

What are you doing? I asked

Getting the A/C going so it will be cooled down when the kids get in. HeMan Hubby replied.

Why? The A/C doesn't work. It's broken. You said the part is on back order for the recall so IT'S NOT FIXED YET! I answered oh so very calmly.

Oh, you mean it doesn't get cold at all? He asked incredulously.

Ummm, No. That's what I meant when I said the Air Conditioning doesn't work!

And thus began The BusyFamily Vacation of 2010...

Friday Foto Feature

SIGHTS OF SUMMER...

Hook, Line and Available Credit, Please...

You have someone looking for you!
Someone signed your class guestbook.
Find out who's looking for you.
BusyMom It's time for your REUNION!

Ummm... is this a bulletin being put out by CCAS- Concerned Citizens Against Stalkers- or a local chapter of CCFRU- Credit Card Fraud R Us?

No, these are actual email subject lines from Classmates and Yearbook.com.
What they fail to mention is that you can only access the info and SEE if there really is someone looking for you-- in a good, so glad you're still alive and kicking, remember when kind of way-- IF you pay the monthly, yearly, until the end of the universe fees.

Then, for only 4.99 a month, or 39.99 a year or 100 million for the rest of your life...
you too can find out that the creepy, scary dude who sat next to you in US history junior year, the one with the gun in the ROTC uniform, the one who went a little crazy and stole a tank... yeah, that guy- he's been looking for you and wants to know how things are hanging...

Ummm, and it's not even MY reunion, it's HeMan Hubby's. Someone really should make sure that info is accurate before they go putting it all over the internets...

HaHa I made a joke... seriously, I did.

Just wait, you'll the get email about it from Classmates or reunion or yearbook or creepyscarydudefindyouroldfriends.com confirming that "an old friend" told a joke...Click here to find out who!

Really.
I bet you will!
Right after you sign on the dotted line and deliver your first born kid (the people kind, not a baby goat)then, and only then will you know the true meaning of being so popular EVERYONE can't wait to see you again... I mean it's only been 20-something years and who knows how long you have to live, right?

Where have all the bloggers gone??? On vacation, of course!

Hello
My name is BusyMom.

Sorry I am not available to blog for you right now, but if you leave your name and blogging topics of interest, I will be sure to blog about it as soon as possible.

Until then, please have a safe and pleasant day....

Don't you wish you had thought to put this on your blog when you are AWOL or busy or... whatever?

Too bad, So sad, I thought of it first...

So- I am back from vacating, er, vacation... sort of.

I have been MIA for the last 10 days or so... and after a shift tonight I am on an enforced vacation for another week.

Hmmm... to work on my tan... or my housecleaning?.. decisions decisions.

I'll let you know what I decide when I get back... til then...

Please leave a message at the beep...

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!