This was my favorite barn. It's the Snelson barn on Hwy 530 between Trafton and Ryan Falls. Unfortunately it fell this last month due to the snow. Rather sad to see it in a heap. I took a picture of the "after" but must have done something wrong and deleted it off my camera before I saved it after uploading. Oh well, I can get another one later.
I was whining this morning about all the snow we still have (22") after three days of heavy rain. The ice under made driving in my little town a bid dicey. But, we didn't flood. I feel so bad for those people who's houses were flooded. I just can't imagine the pain of that. Material things are meant to mean nothing, but I'm not sure there are very many people who have reached that state of mind. We put so much emphasis on what we have.

It's tough when things become a big financial burden. In the economy of today, it's difficult enough without having this thrown into the mix.

I'm gonna rant a little right now. The company I work for has decided once again to change insurance companies. Seems to be an annual event. But this year, it's horrible. Each person has to fill out a questionaire. It is looked at and they decide whether or not you will even receive coverage. One lady they told her she could quit after the first page. Oh, she can get insurance, at the rate of $1400.00 a month and a $3000.00 deductable. Who can afford 1400.00 a month just for themselves for insurance. Not the average worker. One person was denyed cause she had glacoma, another because of childhood onset diabetes which has resulted in the amputation of both her legs below the knee. I haven't done mine yet. I don't have anything seriously wrong, but they may deny me cause of weight. The old company would pay for people to quit smoking, up to $500.00 but they wouldn't pay up to that amount for weight loss.

So in the meantime, what's a person to do. You can come into this country and the next day have health care through the state. I in no way think people should not be allowed to immigrate to America, I just think everyone should be treated equally. Now we know for sure that's not going to happen. Never has, never will.
As long as insurance companies run the heathcare system we are screwed! National health might be a better answer. At least everyone can get healthcare. It has it's drawbacks for sure, but people don't lose their houses because they can't pay for healthcare. People who are really sick, get treated.

I am so tired of all the political crap. I don't think anyone is really out there to help the American People.
I don't see anything getting better, just worse. Common sense and decency are laughed at. Children being ripped from parents or grandparents because someone thinks they aren't good enough. Children being placed back in abusive homes cause the parents have the right to the child and the child dies. It's a tough situation.
Taxes rise, the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. The man in the middle might as well hang it up.

There are Christians who absolutely believe you can't be a "real" Christian if you are a Democrat. Democrats tend to be for social programs. Isn't that what Christianity is about? Republicans tend not to be for social program. Isn't that opposite of Christ's thinking? Rebublicans are pro-life and pro-death penalty. Democrats tend to be pro-choice and anti-death penalty. NOTHING makes sense.

In reality it's a dog eat dog world out there. Do we each need to be the pit bull. Aggressive and even violent in order to just survive. NO!

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understnding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethen, wahtsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virture, if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you" Phillipians4:5-9

I must admit it's not easy and not promised for us to be easy. We must keep our eyes on the prize, trust in God for all things, and let the worries of the world be carried by Him. We will survive!

Whew!!!