An intellectual giant has passed.
William F. Buckley was a lone conservative voice in America, it seemed, for many years. Yet, when he wrote or spoke, he rang the school bell and brought many to class. As such, he was the center of gravity in a movement that fundamentally changed the trajectory of America and therefore the world. The seminal thinking of this man and the intellect and charm by which he wrote, demonstrated that despite the tendency of those left of center to characterize the right as heartless and intellectually vacuous, conservative thinkers and therefore conservative thought was an intellectual force to be reckoned with and possessed broad appeal and had respectable men at the helm.
Buckley was the founder of the conservative magazine, National Review. Of this magazine, Buckley declared that it "stands athwart history, yelling Stop, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it." For generations it has had the audacity to question the premises, arguments, and practical results of Left thought.
His prolific authorship is matched only by a wit and wisdom that was able to sustain such voluminous production. Few in history have the capability to so consistently write something worth reading. Few can evoke envy and admiration from his opponents to the degree that Buckley was able to do so. Once a second rate writer attempted to challenge the mighty pen and wit of Buckley by critically telling Buckley that he lacked excellent and sophisticated syntax. Buckley, thus, penned this terse reply, “If you had my syntax, you would be rich.”
His talent for oratory and debate is equally gigantic. His debate against Noam Chomsky on Vietnam demonstrated his ability to drop atomic arguments against his opponents all the while conveying the idea that it was the nicest thing they had heard in a week. Subtlety and grace. Such was his legend.
He was a humble man. His testimony as a person is that those around him, intimidated by his legend, were nonetheless disarmed by his elegance and genuine friendship. Those who knew him only faintly left his presence feeling as though they made his day, and not the other way around. He had the unique ability to draw out greatness from within people who had no idea that such greatness existed within them.
His wife was a testament to his ability to choose those who would be closest to him with care and wisdom. She was a true lady, a woman whose very presence compelled men everywhere to stand upon her entrances as if to say, “We are in the presence of a lady.” He has left to join her.
Conservatism has lost a giant, one upon whose shoulders countless myriads stand. It is a sadder world with him gone, but a world that is better for him having been among us.
Good bye, Mr. Buckley.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Updates and more...
Wow, I think I have posted more in the last month than most of last year... (Don't get to used to it! LOL)
I guess I am going a little camera crazy because I have some more photos to post. Hope you all like them. I will have a more detailed post sometime next week. We are attending my cousins wedding this weekend, so I am sure there will be more pics to post as well.
Enjoy!
Also make sure to check out my other blog, to see some of the animals from the zoo!
At the Zoo with friends
Tim and his best friend
At the zoo
Running at the park
At the park
I guess I am going a little camera crazy because I have some more photos to post. Hope you all like them. I will have a more detailed post sometime next week. We are attending my cousins wedding this weekend, so I am sure there will be more pics to post as well.
Enjoy!
Also make sure to check out my other blog, to see some of the animals from the zoo!
At the Zoo with friends
Tim and his best friend
At the zoo
Running at the park
At the park
Monday, February 11, 2008
Alexa
Well once again I am late with things...
Yesterday was my beautiful daughter's 3 year birthday! I cannot believe how much she has changed this last year! Here is the link to a photo montage. I hope you enjoy it!
Yesterday was my beautiful daughter's 3 year birthday! I cannot believe how much she has changed this last year! Here is the link to a photo montage. I hope you enjoy it!
Monday, February 04, 2008
Mr. Porter, Age Four
If you were to ask my son how old he is today he would, with great enthusiasm, declare, "I am four years old, just like my best friend, Jacob!!!" The additional exclamation marks only underscores the zeal by which he announces to the world his age.
Four years. Four. I try to get my mind around the life of this little man who has been such a source of joy and happiness for Shannon and me and try to remember that there was a time when he was only a wish and a prayer. He is my son. Years ago, around this time of the year, a fertility specialist pretty much dashed our hopes of ever having children. "It is possible," he stated with obvious false hopes but with the expected caveat that he is no prognosticator of the divine, "that you could conceive. But, you should not get your hopes up."
Tonight we celebrated the fourth year of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, once again reminding us that it is He that commands the morning. It is He that says, "Thus far and no farther" to the seas. And it is He that told the aging Abraham that he would be a father of many nations.
Tonight we celebrated Timothy's birthday. We played, we went out to dinner, we laughed, and we watched Superman (his favorite cartoon). And dad enjoyed every minute of it.
In the four years that he has been in our lives, I have seen Timothy learn to talk, walk, jump, run, play, read, and write. I have seen him count to ten, twenty, one hundred. I have heard him count to diez, and I have heard him count to zehn. I have heard him sing in Spanish and English.
In the short life he has had, I have seen him walk halfway to Niagra Falls before needing Dad to pick him up and carry him and Teddy.
Tim takes his life very seriously, especially that part about having fun and being a kid. He is a kid with all his might.
When Dad comes home from work, Tim becomes Superman and I become the nebulous and ethereal "Bad People." When Tim kisses his sister goodnight, he says, "Good night, Wonder Woman." And Alexa whispers back, "Good night, Superman." The next morning, I am Green Lantern and he is Batman. Sometimes, I am "a giant octopus" and he is any of about a dozen super heroes.
But, at the end of the day, Tim is just a little boy who has all the imagination, dreams, and aspirations that a little boy should have.
And he is our son. Our boy.
And we have the Lord to thank for him.
Four years. Four. I try to get my mind around the life of this little man who has been such a source of joy and happiness for Shannon and me and try to remember that there was a time when he was only a wish and a prayer. He is my son. Years ago, around this time of the year, a fertility specialist pretty much dashed our hopes of ever having children. "It is possible," he stated with obvious false hopes but with the expected caveat that he is no prognosticator of the divine, "that you could conceive. But, you should not get your hopes up."
Tonight we celebrated the fourth year of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, once again reminding us that it is He that commands the morning. It is He that says, "Thus far and no farther" to the seas. And it is He that told the aging Abraham that he would be a father of many nations.
Tonight we celebrated Timothy's birthday. We played, we went out to dinner, we laughed, and we watched Superman (his favorite cartoon). And dad enjoyed every minute of it.
In the four years that he has been in our lives, I have seen Timothy learn to talk, walk, jump, run, play, read, and write. I have seen him count to ten, twenty, one hundred. I have heard him count to diez, and I have heard him count to zehn. I have heard him sing in Spanish and English.
In the short life he has had, I have seen him walk halfway to Niagra Falls before needing Dad to pick him up and carry him and Teddy.
Tim takes his life very seriously, especially that part about having fun and being a kid. He is a kid with all his might.
When Dad comes home from work, Tim becomes Superman and I become the nebulous and ethereal "Bad People." When Tim kisses his sister goodnight, he says, "Good night, Wonder Woman." And Alexa whispers back, "Good night, Superman." The next morning, I am Green Lantern and he is Batman. Sometimes, I am "a giant octopus" and he is any of about a dozen super heroes.
But, at the end of the day, Tim is just a little boy who has all the imagination, dreams, and aspirations that a little boy should have.
And he is our son. Our boy.
And we have the Lord to thank for him.
Happy birthday!
Well today Timothy is 4 years old.
The last 4 years have been wonderful-crazy-insane-happy-sad-frustrated (some times all at once) but we would not trade a minute of it.
Tim is growing up. He is capable of so much now. It's amazing to see how much he has blossomed.
Here is a video montage of Tim over the last year. Hope you all enjoy it.
Happy Birthday my son!
The last 4 years have been wonderful-crazy-insane-happy-sad-frustrated (some times all at once) but we would not trade a minute of it.
Tim is growing up. He is capable of so much now. It's amazing to see how much he has blossomed.
Here is a video montage of Tim over the last year. Hope you all enjoy it.
Happy Birthday my son!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Update (finally)
Ok so it's the end of Jan, and the Christmas thank you notes are still sitting on my desk waiting to go in the mail. It's only January and I am already behind. Oh well, such is life in a house with two tod... er, excuse me, PRESCHOOLERS. With birthdays right around the corner I guess I better get used to the fact the my kids are officially out of the toddler phase.
Anyway, I just wanted to post some pictures from Christmas, and some that were taken this month. (Shesh, I cannot believe it's already the end of Jan...) I will try and get a more commentated blog up by next week. Although some of you, I know, would prefer just the photos... Deal with it!... (LOL Just kidding) Anyway, here are some of the photos from our family Christmas. 
We had Christmas at our house this year... and since our house is not very big, it was a little tight ... but fun all the same. 
Of course opening presents was the main event...
and then of course the kids just had to play with the biggest ones... LOL.
It seems like we have had a lot of rain in the desert of late. Jan is turning out to be a very wet month here. The kids are loving it and have taken every opportunity to got out with their umbrellas and go puddle jumping.
Not that the umbrellas help much but they have fun anyway.
January was certianly a busy time and we still have another day to go... we spent many days at the park, taking in the beautiful 60 + degree temps, and even managed a trip to the zoo (my camera batteries died or there would be a pic here... LOL). We have also added a new little one to our extended family. Our kids now have a beautiful new cousin
Here she is a whole 12 days old. What a CUTIE PIE!!! We are also seriously working on homeschooling the kids, so that has taken up some time, as well. So, we have started off the new year with a bang!
Hope your first month of 2008 was a good one.
I am sure I will be posting more in Feb, as we have lots of events and things already planned... including a birthday party for the kids, and my cousins wedding. So make sure to check back soon! If you want to see more photos make sure to check my other blog too! Thanks!
~Ciao
Anyway, I just wanted to post some pictures from Christmas, and some that were taken this month. (Shesh, I cannot believe it's already the end of Jan...
Of course opening presents was the main event...
and then of course the kids just had to play with the biggest ones... LOL.It seems like we have had a lot of rain in the desert of late. Jan is turning out to be a very wet month here. The kids are loving it and have taken every opportunity to got out with their umbrellas and go puddle jumping.
Not that the umbrellas help much but they have fun anyway.
January was certianly a busy time and we still have another day to go... we spent many days at the park, taking in the beautiful 60 + degree temps, and even managed a trip to the zoo (my camera batteries died or there would be a pic here... LOL). We have also added a new little one to our extended family. Our kids now have a beautiful new cousin
Here she is a whole 12 days old. What a CUTIE PIE!!! We are also seriously working on homeschooling the kids, so that has taken up some time, as well. So, we have started off the new year with a bang!Hope your first month of 2008 was a good one.
I am sure I will be posting more in Feb, as we have lots of events and things already planned... including a birthday party for the kids, and my cousins wedding. So make sure to check back soon! If you want to see more photos make sure to check my other blog too! Thanks!
~Ciao
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Photos galore
UPDATED: Ok I have added some new photos including some recent ones. There were so many to choose from. I am also adding new photos to my "other" blog. So make sure to check it out too. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Ok I know there are lot of photos here. This is kinda like a mini photo album of the last year in a nut shell. I will add pictures from December as I take them. Hope you enjoy the photos.
Dec 2007 BREAKOUT! I thought this was too funny!
Dec 2007 More proof that we do get wet weather here in the desert. It was crazy foggy this particular morning.
November 2007 We celebrated Christmas early with my folks since we will be spending Christmas at home.
November 2007 We celebrated Christmas early with my folks since we will be spending Christmas at home.
November 2007 (Cousin)
November 2007 Snapping fresh green beans for Thanksgiving
November 2007 (Phoenix Zoo Stingray Bay)
November 2007 (Phoenix Zoo Stingray bay)
October 2007 (Halloween)
October 2007
October 2007 (This is what is inside a Mexican Jumping bean FYI)
October 2007 They are looking at Mexican jumping beans
October 2007
End of September 2007
September 2007 (Cicada Shell)
September 2007
August 2007
August 2007
End of July 2007 Proof that AZ does get SOME rain... LOL
July 2007
June 2007 Mike performed a wedding for my cousin in Tombstone, Az
June 2007
May 2007
May 2007 (Wild Life World Zoo)
End of April 2007
April 2007 Easter
Mar 2007 We went to visit some friends.
March 2007 Tim's good friend came to visit.
Feb 2007 The kids celebrated their birthday with some friends from church
Jan 2007 (Phoenix zoo)
Jan 2007 Tim and Lex started the year having a good time.
Ok I know there are lot of photos here. This is kinda like a mini photo album of the last year in a nut shell. I will add pictures from December as I take them. Hope you enjoy the photos.
Dec 2007 BREAKOUT! I thought this was too funny!
Dec 2007 More proof that we do get wet weather here in the desert. It was crazy foggy this particular morning.
November 2007 We celebrated Christmas early with my folks since we will be spending Christmas at home.
November 2007 We celebrated Christmas early with my folks since we will be spending Christmas at home.
November 2007 (Cousin)
November 2007 Snapping fresh green beans for Thanksgiving
November 2007 (Phoenix Zoo Stingray Bay)
November 2007 (Phoenix Zoo Stingray bay)
October 2007 (Halloween)
October 2007
October 2007 (This is what is inside a Mexican Jumping bean FYI)
October 2007 They are looking at Mexican jumping beans
October 2007
End of September 2007
September 2007 (Cicada Shell)
September 2007
August 2007
August 2007
End of July 2007 Proof that AZ does get SOME rain... LOL
July 2007
June 2007 Mike performed a wedding for my cousin in Tombstone, Az
June 2007
May 2007
May 2007 (Wild Life World Zoo)
End of April 2007
April 2007 Easter
Mar 2007 We went to visit some friends.
March 2007 Tim's good friend came to visit.
Feb 2007 The kids celebrated their birthday with some friends from church
Jan 2007 (Phoenix zoo)
Jan 2007 Tim and Lex started the year having a good time.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Halloween and pumpkin pics
Ok so I know it has been awhile since I posted, and I have been promising pics to certain people (Sorry it took so long), so here you go... the cutest Purple Butterfly princess, and Fireman you have ever seen!
Not that I am biased or anything... heh. We actually had a nice quiet Halloween.... We went to the library the day before, and saw a puppet show and got some candy, and all that. Halloween fell on a Wednesday this year, and since we are normally in our Wednesday night prayer service at our church, we felt we needed to continue to be there. So, the kids still got to dress up and get candy... just a the day before. We also stopped by my in laws (Tues. night), where their uncle was more than happy to oblige them with tricks and treats. So over all it was a good couple of days.
Even before all that though we were getting in the fall spirit.
We went to a pumpkin patch with some good friends and picked pumpkins and then decorated them. The kids had a blast. What a difference a year makes though. Last year, the kids wanted nothing to do with the rides at the pumpkin patch... this year they were all like "Mom we want to go BY OURSELVES" 
I was like shesh, are we already to the point where I am THAT uncool. :(
However, the kids being oblivious to my disappointment at being so uncool, had a blast picking out pumpkins, riding the rides, and petting the animals at the petting zoo. Lex cracks me up. All she wanted to do was pick the smallest baby pumpkin. Now, anyone who has been around her can just imagine her saying in her most girlie voice... "Mommy, I wanna pick the smmaaaalllleeesssttt pumpkin... a baby one." I about lost it I was laughing so hard when she said that.
Tim on the other hand is realizing that bigger is usually better. "Mom, I wanna pick a pumpkin thiiiiissss big!" (he stretches out his arms wide) It was great!
Well, so far our Autumn is off to a great start. We have had lots of beautiful weather, so we have been out doors a lot.
I am hoping the trend continues, and that Winter will bring lots more opportunities for us to be out and about. It helps that we live in the desert... hahaha to all those who live in the snow! LOL just kidding. This is the time of year we love to call family and friends in NY and tease them.
Anyway, I guess that's all for now... Thanks for stopping by, and drop a me a line every now and then and let me know how you all are ok.
Thanks, and enjoy the pics!
Not that I am biased or anything... heh. We actually had a nice quiet Halloween.... We went to the library the day before, and saw a puppet show and got some candy, and all that. Halloween fell on a Wednesday this year, and since we are normally in our Wednesday night prayer service at our church, we felt we needed to continue to be there. So, the kids still got to dress up and get candy... just a the day before. We also stopped by my in laws (Tues. night), where their uncle was more than happy to oblige them with tricks and treats. So over all it was a good couple of days.Even before all that though we were getting in the fall spirit.
We went to a pumpkin patch with some good friends and picked pumpkins and then decorated them. The kids had a blast. What a difference a year makes though. Last year, the kids wanted nothing to do with the rides at the pumpkin patch... this year they were all like "Mom we want to go BY OURSELVES" 
I was like shesh, are we already to the point where I am THAT uncool. :(However, the kids being oblivious to my disappointment at being so uncool, had a blast picking out pumpkins, riding the rides, and petting the animals at the petting zoo. Lex cracks me up. All she wanted to do was pick the smallest baby pumpkin. Now, anyone who has been around her can just imagine her saying in her most girlie voice... "Mommy, I wanna pick the smmaaaalllleeesssttt pumpkin... a baby one." I about lost it I was laughing so hard when she said that.
Tim on the other hand is realizing that bigger is usually better. "Mom, I wanna pick a pumpkin thiiiiissss big!" (he stretches out his arms wide) It was great!Well, so far our Autumn is off to a great start. We have had lots of beautiful weather, so we have been out doors a lot.
I am hoping the trend continues, and that Winter will bring lots more opportunities for us to be out and about. It helps that we live in the desert... hahaha to all those who live in the snow! LOL just kidding. This is the time of year we love to call family and friends in NY and tease them.Anyway, I guess that's all for now... Thanks for stopping by, and drop a me a line every now and then and let me know how you all are ok.
Thanks, and enjoy the pics!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)