Why worry, there should be laughter after the pain . . .

(Source for picture - Country Stars Online.com - http://www.countrystarsonline.com/SOWArchive/2006/MarkKnopfler_EmmylouHarris_GP.htm )
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Why worry, there should be laughter after the pain

There should be sunshine after rain

These things have always been the same

So why worry now . . .
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(Source for lyric - elyrics.net - http://www.elyrics.net/read/d/dire-straits-lyrics/why-worry-lyrics.html )
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Click on the following for the YouTube video and song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJRmkannGQM
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We love and miss you Pam - Jerry and the Kids
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Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris

The Black Dog in the 5th Movie

In the 5th Harry Potter movie, I think a black colored Irish Wolfhound was used when Sirius was a dog.

Need to see the movie again to be sure. The use of a real dog was more satisfying than the previous CGI (Computer Generated Image) used in the previous Harry Potter films.

Click on the following link for info on the Irish Wolfhound. GC



Editor - the black dog in the 5th movie was not an Irish Wolfhound. Correction came across this later, the dog used in Harry Potter is a Scottish Deerhound - http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/07/13/harrypotter/

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

(Source for Harry's picture - Movies on line -http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_11648.html )

(Source for Voldemort's picture - Corner*Store* Comics -
http://www.cornerstorecomics.com/images/af_hpgof1_vold.jpg )


Who will Survive?


Harry or Voldemort ?








Isn't this cool!!!

Book 7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The official release date for the book is JULY 21st 2007!

Trailer for the 7th Movies!

Music from the 7th Movies!

Order of the Phoenix - The Prophecy

(Source for Trelawney's picture - http://www.elbakin.net/fantasy/cinema/img_harry_03/trelawney.jpg )




If you go see Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix, you may not hear the complete "Prophecy" about Harry and Voldemort. So, here it is -



. . . But when Sybill Trelawney spoke, it was not in her usual ethereal, mystic voice, but in the hard, hoarse tones Harry had heard her use once before:



'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…

born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…

and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…

and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…

the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…'

(HP & Order of the Phoenix, ch. 37 - The Lost Prophecy, page 841, U.S. hardback edition)

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(on-line source - The Harry Potter Lexicon - http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/trelawneysez.htm )

Macbeth and Voldemort or Shakespeare and J.K. Rowling

(Source for "The Weird Sisters" picture - My Two Sickles -
http://www.wizardnews.com/blog/harry-potter/hogwarts-rocks-on-the-new-dvd.html )


(A bit bored. Just copied and pasted something I posted a while back in a Harry Potter website. Some minor changes have been made from the original work.)

Some time ago, I was watching a musical group on the TV. Well, this was the group my older son had previously told me was cast to play the "Weird Sisters" for Goblet of Fire.

Then it struck me that the "Weird Sisters" was what the three witches in Macbeth were called. So, I went on-line to check for the "Weird Sisters" being mentioned in Macbeth. Well, I'm glad a reference to "Weird Sisters" was in Act I.

Macbeth – Act I, scene 3

. . . ALL (Three witches dancing in a ring)

The weird sisters, hand in hand,
Posters of the sea and land,
Thus do go about, about:
Thrice to thine and thrice to mine
And thrice again, to make up nine.
Peace! the charm's wound up.

Enter MACBETH and BANQUO . . .

But what does the “Weird Sisters” have to do with Voldemort. Both Macbeth and Voldemort in part live their lives because of a Prophecy. In fact Macbeth has four Prophecies that applied to him. All four of these Prophecies are given to Macbeth by these three “Weird Sisters”.

Macbeth four Prophecies are

. . . . . . 1. Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor.

. . . . . . 2. Macbeth will become King of Scotland.

. . . . . . 3. Macbeth will be defeated

“As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites, . . . Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him.”

(Birnam wood is the forest that is near the King’s castle Dunsinane.)

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. . . . . . 4. Macbeth cannot be killed

“To one of woman born”. (The wording is very important.)
.

. .1. Well, Macbeth did nothing to become Thane of Cawdor. Duncan the King rewarded Macbeth with this new title.

. .2. But to become King of Scotland, Macbeth killed Duncan. Duncan’s sons fled and everyone was convinced that Duncan’s sons were responsible for Duncan’s death. The argument was why would Duncan’s sons have fled if they were innocent.

Just as Peter Pettigrew was thought innocent and was awarded the Order of Merlin. (It is only later we knew that Peter framed Sirius in the murders of James and Lily.) So, Macbeth was thought innocent though bloodstained from killing the two men that were guarding Duncan.

Macbeth claimed to have found Duncan murdered and in a rage Macbeth slew Duncan’s two guards. When Duncan’s sons fled, everyone was convinced that Duncan’s sons certainly had hired the two guards to murder their father. Macbeth was too loyal to have killed Duncan. Just as Pettigrew was too meek to have anything to do with the murders of James and Lily.

. .3. In regards to the third Prophecy - How do trees walk? Well, the soldiers attacking Dunsinane were ordered to cut some trees down and then tied the branches to their bodies. So when they attacked, it appeared as if Birnam woods was walking to high Dunsinane.

;-) But before I write about the final Prophecy, I need to mention a Fifth Prophecy.

The Fifth Prophecy was given to Banquo (Macbeth’s friend). The “Weird Sisters” predicted that his descendants will become future Kings of Scotland. After becoming first Thane and then King, Macbeth was convinced that this Fifth Prophecy for Banquo would come true.

So, Macbeth decided he could intervene with Destiny/Fate. Two men, traitors to Duncan, are hired by Macbeth to kill both Banquo and his son.

But, Destiny/Fate cannot be tampered with and Banquo’s son escaped. Sounds familiar, didn’t Voldemort tamper with Destiny/Fate and also failed to kill Harry allowing him to also escape. In Voldemort’s Prophecy, Harry was the “One born in the seventh month.”

. . 4. Finally to a closing scene from Macbeth. This is the fulfillment of the Final Prophecy of Macbeth. Again, Macbeth will not dead “To one of woman born”.

Macbeth – Act V, scene 8

. . . Enter MACDUFF

MACDUFF
Turn, hell-hound, turn!

MACBETH
Of all men else I have avoided thee:
But get thee back; my soul is too much charged
With blood of thine already.

MACDUFF
I have no words:
My voice is in my sword: thou bloodier villain
Than terms can give thee out!

(They fight)

MACBETH
Thou losest labour:
As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air
With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed:
Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests;
I bear a charmed life, which must not yield,
To one of woman born.

MACDUFF
Despair thy charm;
And let the angel whom thou still hast served
Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb
Untimely ripp'd.

For those unfamiliar with Middle English – “ . . . Macduff was from his mother's womb Untimely ripp'd” in Modern English translates to – “Macduff was removed from his (dead) mother’s womb by C-section.”

So, technically Macduff was never born by a woman. We can assume either Macduff’s mother was dead and Macduff ripped or cut-out from her womb or if Macduff was delivered by C-section then it really wasn’t a vaginal birth. Also doesn't Voldemort believe he has a "charmed life". *Cough*Horcruxes*Cough*

“I believe JKR is leading us to a similar moment. When the Prophecy is fulfilled and we also finally understand the Prophecy.” ;-) GC

(For original post - http://wc6.worldcrossing.com/webx?14@@.1ddebebc/324 )

PS My older sister took the family to see Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix on July 11th.

PPS I really liked the 5th Harry Potter film.

PPPS If you haven't guessed, I'm a bit of a Pottermaniac. ;-) GC

Mass and Graveside Service

These were the three writing used at Pam's Funeral Mass on Monday.

First, a reading from the old Testament.

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NIV)

The LORD Calls Samuel

. . .The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

. . .One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel.
. . . . . .Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
. . . . . .But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

. . .Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
. . . . . ."My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

. . .Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

. . .The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
. . . . . .Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

. . .The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
. . . . .Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

(Source - BibleGateway.com - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%203:1-10;&version=31; )

Second, a reading from the Epistles.

1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)

Love

. . .If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

. . .Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

. . .Loves never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

. . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

(Source for 1 Corinthians 13 - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013&version=31 )

Third, a reading from the Gospels.

John 20:1-18 (NIV)

The Empty Tomb

. . .Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

. . .So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

. . .Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

. . .They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

. . ."They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

. . ."Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
. . . . . .Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

. . .Jesus said to her, "Mary."
. . . . . .She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

. . .Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "

. . .Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.

(Source - BibleGateway.com - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020:1-18;&version=31; )

My sister-in-law sang "Amazing Grace". Click on the following link to hear the hymn - http://youtube.com/watch?v=PHpye0M34JQ

And one of Pam's favorites hymns was sung "On Eagle's Wings". Click on the following link to hear the hymn - http://youtube.com/watch?v=4rRea9qnjK4&mode=related&search=

PS Special thanks to Father Jose, who did the Mass & Graveside services. And additional thanks to Father Jose for allowing me to pick the three readings. Love - Jerry, the Kids, & Opal (woof).

Psalm 23

There were two readings after Pam's Rosary on Sunday. For those who couldn't make it or stay, here are the scriptures read yesterday evening - first reading.

Psalm 23 (NIV)

A psalm of David.

. . .The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

. . .He makes me lie down in green pastures,
. . . . . .he leads me beside quiet waters,

. . .he restores my soul.
. . . . . .He guides me in paths of righteousness
. . . . . .for his name's sake.

. . .Even though I walk
. . . . . .through the valley of the shadow of death,
. . . . . .I will fear no evil,
. . . . . .for you are with me;
. . . . . .your rod and your staff,
. . . . . .they comfort me.

. . .You prepare a table before me
. . . . . .in the presence of my enemies.
. . . . . .You anoint my head with oil;
. . . . . .my cup overflows.

. . .Surely goodness and love will follow me
. . . . . .all the days of my life,
. . . . . .and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
. . . . . .forever

(Source for scripture - BibleGateway.c0m - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=23&version=31 )

PS This was Mr. Smith's (Pam's Father's favorite Biblical reading.)

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

There were two readings after Pam's Rosary on Sunday. For those who couldn't make it or stay, here are the scriptures read yesterday evening - second reading.

John 11:38-44 (NIV)

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

. . .Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said.
. . . "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."

. . .Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

. . .So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

. . .When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

. . .Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

(Source of scripture - BibleGateway.com - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011:38-44;&version=31 )

PS All our deepest and heartfelt thanks to relatives, neighbors, and friends of the family that attended yesterday's viewing and Rosary. Some attendees traveled great distances from Hawaii, Alaska, San Fransico, & Arizona to be with us.

Thank you - Gerald, Sean, Brianna, Ryan, & Opal (woof) (the Costales'es) & also Linda & Leslie (Pam's Sisters); Janess (the Smiths) & Seth Coulsell (Pamela's niece & nephew).

Also, thanks for all of the beautiful flower arrangements. Love ;-) GC

Wayfaring Stranger

Wayfaring Stranger

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world of woe
But there’s no pain, no toil, no danger
In that bright land to which I go

I’m going there
To see my mother
She’ll meet me there as I come home
I’m just going over Jordan
I’m only going back to home

I know dark clouds
Will gather ‘round me
I know my way
Is rough and steep
But beautiful fields lie before me
Where God’s redeemed
Their vigils keep

I’m going there
To meet my loved ones
Gone on before me, one by one
I’m just going over Jordan
I’m only going back to home

I’m finally free of earthy trials
My final rest in an old graveyard
I’ll drop my cross of self-denial
And I’ll go singing back to home

I’m going there
To my Creator, dwell
with Him and never mourn
I’m finally going over Jordan
I’m finally home, no need to roam

Lyrics revised by - GC
(Based on Natalie Merchant's lyrics for "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" - http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nataliemerchant/poorwayfaringstranger.html )



Click on the following for "Wayfaring Stranger" - Emmylou Harris - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7kZrssy7KQ )

Many Thanks for your Help and Support

h - Thanks for thinking of your Aunt Pam and us. It is the love and support of good relatives and friends that has helped us through part of this terrible time. Special thanks to my sister-in-laws and in particular my favorite redhead sister-in-law (& by the way my only redhead sister-in-law); Uncle Manny & Aunt Holly; my friend from high school Bernie & his wife Margarita (Bernie is the definition of a Good Friend - someone there through thick and thin times); and many others who have called, send cards, etc.

The lengths that some have gone to help us is remarkable and sometimes unexpected. My weekend job, a group home, has provided me with three days of Bereavement pay – thank you Sharon in Personnel. Both Sean & Ryan have been extremely helpful pitching in and picking up extra household chores and helping each other.

We are all proud of both Sean & Ryan. Both these young men have had their share of difficulties, but have remained good sons & good citizens. (This is not mere lip service to Sean & Ryan. Some of the Group Home boys that I’ve worked with are neither Good sons nor Good citizens. I know what evil some unloved, some abandoned, confused, and lost boys are capable of. Many of these boys are lost to Gangs, Drugs, and Violence.)

Why this has happened, well none of us can truly fathom it. We must rely on our faith. Your Aunt Pam is at rest and is in the company of our dear departed loved ones that have gone in faith before her. Your Aunt Pam was a woman of faith. Baptized and blessed throughout her life. We have been blessed to have had Pam as loving sister, daughter, friend, wife, mother, and neighbor.

Pam - We all love and miss you. Jerry and the Kids. (& Opal (woof) ;-) GC

Happy - 4th of July

John Adams wrote that the Fourth of July
"...ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns,
bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."

The Declaration of Independence itself has become one of the most admired and copied political documents of all time. It was written by Thomas Jefferson and revised by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Jefferson.

The Declaration of Independence is a justification of the American Revolution, citing grievances against King George III. It is also a landmark philosophical statement, drawing on the writings of philosophers John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. It affirms that since all people are creatures of God, or nature, they have certain natural rights, or liberties, that cannot be violated.

The Declaration and the American Revolution have since inspired freedom-seekers the around the world.

(Source - Fact Monster - http://www.factmonster.com/spot/independenceday1.html )

Stars and Stripes Forever

Mary Fahl – Going Home

Mary Fahl - Going Home


(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FFQ0rCm1Mc)

Check out the following - Chris Daughtry

Check out my other blog - http://americagetinvolved.blogspot.com/ for a bit of American History and more. ;-) GC

Pam, we all love you and miss you.

God certainly works in mysterious ways. I just found this on the internet and it is just too perfect. Pam, we all love you and miss you. Love Jerry and the Kids. .
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DON'T GRIEVE FOR ME NOW FOR I'M FREE.

I'M FOLLOWING THE PATH "GOD" HAS LAID YOU SEE.

I TOOK HIS HAND WHEN I HEARD HIM CALL; I TURNED MY BACK AND LEFT IT ALL.

I COULD NOT STAY ANOTHER DAY. TO LAUGH, TO LOVE TO WORK OR PLAY.

TASKS LEFT UNDONE MUST STAY THAT WAY. I FOUND THE PEACE AT THE CLOSE OF DAY.

IF MY PARTING HAS LEFT A VOID, THEN FILL IT WITH REMEMBERED JOYS.

A FRIENDSHIP SHARED, A LAUGH, A KISS. OH YES, THESE THINGS I TOO WILL MISS.

BE NOT BURDENED WITH TIMES OF SORROW.

I WISH YOU THE SUNSHINE OF TOMORROW.

MY LIFE'S BEEN FULL, I SAVORED MUCH. GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD TIMES, A LOVED ONE'S TOUCH.

PERHAPS MY TIME SEEMED ALL TOO BRIEF.

DON'T LENGTHEN IT NOW WITH UNDUE GRIEF.

LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS AND PEACE TO THEE.

"GOD" WANTED ME NOW. HE SET ME FREE

(Source - Legacy.com - http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=3126713&PageNo=3 )

Pam loved Linda Rondstadt (I had to edit this, the original link wasn't working.)

Prisoner in Disguise - Linda Rondstadt



Rest in Peace. Pamela Lynn Costales – June 18, 1960 to July 1, 2007