For those we lost, We will not forget 09/11/2001 “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
— The Continental Congress, July 4, 1776

“The task of statesmanship has always been the re-definition of these rights in terms of a changing and growing social order.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt (Commonwealth Club Address, 1932)

“Roosevelt was wrong! The principles laid down in the Declaration of Independence are the principles of individual liberty. Our unalienable rights, given to us by God are given to us as individuals. Our rights do not come from society or the government, and they cannot be redefined by politicians. The nature of these rights carries with it the implication of individual responsibility, without which we surrender them.”
— Perri Nelson, November 6, 2008

Jack o lanterns

Published Wed, Oct 31 2007 6:55 PM
Technorati Tags: Family, Cool Stuff

Naturally with today being Halloween, the little disguised bandits are out seeking to extort free candy from the neighborhood. Not wanting to disappoint, we had to put out some decorations.

OK, it's actually a lot of fun carving these things. You caught me. It's fun to go find the pumpkins, make your selection and bring them home. Betty, Lucas and I went out on Sunday to make our selections.

Lucas in the pumpkin patch Our selections at home

Last night, while I was working late, the pumpkins were cut open and their guts removed. This morning, the carving began. This evening the finished product graced our front porch for the enjoyment of the ghosts and ghouls that came to demand their tribute lest they take out their wrath upon our household.

The arrangement Avast ye' 'lubbers - carved by Perri

Gargoyle - Carved by Lucas Alien - Carved by Zach

The previous three pumpkins were carved using designs from the kits we buy every year. I didn't have a lot of time, so I did mine free-hand. Lucas did the most challenging one he's ever done this year, and it came out really nice. Next year he's going to do the hardest pattern we've got. I wasn't there when Zach did his, but he's always liked "aliens", so the one he chose is a natural for him.

Finally, I wanted to do something that wouldn't be in any of the pattern kits this year. I went out to the Bella Lugosi website and saw a great background image. I grabbed it off of the site, enlarged it and turned it into a pattern. I had to make some minor changes to it to make it possible to cut, but I think it came out pretty nice. That's the last one in the set.

Bela Lugosi - Carved by Perri

We had a lot of fun doing these, like we do every year. I hope you enjoy them even half as much as we did. Oh, and the other two pumpkins? They're gonna be pie!

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