Welcome to Pat's Place

Thanks for stopping by Pat's Place. I hope you enjoy my blog.

As a writer, I will be blogging about many things that interest me. My posts will be about what I am writing and other things I'm doing. Enjoy!


Saturday, November 22, 2008

African American Presidents

I found this interesting post on Geneanet Genealogy Blog, posted by Jean-Yves Baxter.
Five presidents have black ancestors. Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge.
Jefferson was the son of 1/2 Indian mother and a mulatto father. Jackson's father was black, his mother was Irish. His brother was sold as a slave. Lincoln was reportedly the illegitimate son of an African man. His mother came from an Ethiopian tribe. Harding never denied his ancestry having black ancestors on both sides. Coolidge was proud of his heritage saying his mother had mixed Indian blood.
Although the author of this blog gave references to proof his/her point, much of this is up for debate. I just reviewed a book about Jefferson and nothing was said about his mixed ancestry. Not much was written about his life before he began college.

Interesting that these men ran for president as white while Barak Obama ran as black even though he is 1/2 white.

On another note: I talked with a financial advisor yesterday and he commented this ecomony crisis is much worse than '29. I guess I knew that but to hear someone in the know say what I was thinking is scary.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Contentment

In our times of financial strain and uncertainity, our pastor gave us this bit of advice from Phillipians 4:11-13 "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him (God) who gives me strength."

The secret of contentment is to know that God is in control. He knows what is best for us and the world. Whatever the state of the world economy or our checkbook, we can be content in knowing God gives strength where needed.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Winter On My Mind

Brr. A cold rainy day - perfect to retire to my office and commune with my computer. Perhaps together we will come up with an earthshaking story that will bring a little moo la into the holiday coffers.

I sent two book reviews to Bookloons.com. They should be posted to the site in a couple of days, should you be interested. Conspiracy of Silence is fiction and Mr. Jefferson's Women is non-fiction. I also sent in my entry to the Country Woman's Great Cupcake Caper finish the story contest. The prize money is good but doubtful, I'll see any of it. I seldom enter contests but hey if there isn't an entry fee - why not?

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Veteran's Day

A heartfelt thank you to all those Veterans out there who have kept our country safe for so many years. And special thanks to my own veteran. He knows who he is.

I read a lot. I seldom pick a book that I do not finish. Oddly, the last two in my 'stack' I have not been able to get through. Faye Kellerman's "Mercedes Coffin", I could not finish. It just went so slow and the detectives seemed to go over and over the same thing again and again. It reminded me of a committee meeting I attended today. We just went over things again and again until there was no interest in discussing it further.

I made it to about chapter 4 of "The Mephisto Club" by Tess Gerritsen before I gave up knowing any more would give me bad dreams. I did finish Kathy Reich's "Devil Bones," although it is so very technical, I skipped a lot.

I have read "Conspiracy of Silence" by Martha Powers for Bookloons.com. I will be posting a review there soon. I will let you know when I send it in. Currently, I'm reading "Mr. Jefferson's Women" also for Bookloons. Believe me, after reading much of Jefferson's philosophy about women and blacks, he would have a cat should he have seen the recent Democrat and Republican tickets for president and vice president.

By the way, Sarah Palin says she didn't order $150,000 worth of clothes for herself and her family on the RNC dime and I believe her. I enjoyed her interview on Fox News Channel last night.

And there you have my blog for November 11. Good night and Good luck.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Thank you God!!!

My son returned safely home last Saturday night after more than a year's tour in Iraq. We are thanking God and praising Him for answered prayer. God Bless America and may He keep safe those men and women still in harm's way.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Just Because You Told Me To

Well, I did it. I set up this blog just because you told me to. You know who you are. I hope you're satisfied. You said you couldn't wait to see what I wrote on my blog. Well, here it is and now you have to read it.