happy halloweens

As I sit here, jumping up every few minutes to answer to the tiny voices exclaiming, "trick or treat," I can't but help reminisce about past Halloweens and how we spent them as a family.

I remember the frantic hours spent in preparation of two little ones going out to claim their rightful due of candy. Whether it was the make-up or the costume, it was never as easy as just putting on a piece of clothing. We always ordered pizza so I wouldn't have to worry about dinner and because after awhile, it became a tradition.

Many years we we would let the kids travel around to the immediate neighbors but then take them up to our church for the annual Harvest festival. There they were able to play games, see friends, and collect candy. Most years, Don and I would work a booth or food area for a short amount of time. Even when the kids were too old to go trick or treating, we would all go to the festival, work, and join in the fellowship.


There was a couple of years that the kids spent more time trick or treating in the neighborhood than at the church. They were older and we went out with other families or they went with friends.

Even though each year looked slightly different in where the kids got their candy or big differences in what their costume was, the was usually one constant... and that was the weather. Halloween in Denver is almost always cold, if not snowing. If you're going out to trick or treat, coats would cover the costumes that parents worked so hard on. And who wants to put on snow boots, coats, and gloves to walk out in the frigid weather?

Amazingly, this year's Halloween weather is gloriously warm. I believe the temperature today was in the mid 70s. Once the sun went down, it was probably somewhere in the low 60s or high 50s, which believe me, is balmy for anyone who has lived in this area for any amount of time.

I'm sure the swarms of ghosts and goblins, spidermen and princesses, lions and fairies - and their parents - appreciate the warm weather. I appreciated being able to see each and every costume.

Ah, such great memories.... oh.... there goes my doorbell again....

trick or treat?

...

In the spirit of Halloween, my question is:

What is your favorite Halloween candy?

Would you believe that as I'm writing this, late Thursday night, I have yet to buy the candy I'll be passing out. Don't worry... I'll be picking up all that is needed before those little (and big) ghosts and goblins start ringing my doorbell.

One reason I haven't bought anything yet is because I knew if there was candy around the house, I would end up eating some of it. I'm doing my very best to stay away from sweets, so if it's not around, I can't be tempted.

But to answer my own question, my favorite is the bite-size MilkyWay. How about you?

Aloha Friday is hosted each week by Kailani at An Island Life.

go buffs!

I didn't take this picture (how I wish I did). It was forwarded on to me from a friend who was at this game and it was her friend who took the picture. Isn't it beautiful?

Why am I posting it? Besides the fact that it's a great picture? It shows off where my son, Jake, goes to college. His school's football team is part of the Big 12 and this is their stadium. Jake's only made it to one game but told us how much he enjoyed it. He takes pride in his school and their team (even though this season hasn't been the best) and has taken a bigger interest in college football. And since this is his school, I, too, have taken an interest in their team and games and will continue to root them on.

I was going to make this a Wordless Wednesday but there were just too many words =)

fall break...

Just some random stuff...

* As far as my work situation goes, I asked for and was given that third class period off so I now have about 50 minutes to run home (or out) and eat some lunch and get to the first class at the second school on time. (If your confused, I wrote about it here.) I'm very happy it worked out this way and I am getting more used to the actual job and I think I will enjoy it.

* This week is Fall break so I have the whole week off. woo-hoo!

* Danielle was home this last weekend and Jake wasn't. We really haven't had too many times when the family dynamic has been this way. Even though we missed Jake, it was a very enjoyable weekend. Don took Friday and Monday off, too. Yesterday we ate lunch in the outside patio at Tokyo Joe's. It was a beautiful and warm day. Who would have thought we could eat outside on October 27th?

* Can you believe that Halloween is this week? Where has the time gone? Before we know it, we'll be sitting down to a turkey dinner and then singing Christmas carols. We'll be going to California for Christmas so I'm trying to figure out how much decorating I'm going to do around here. I don't want to put everything out, but I can't imagine not having any decorations out. I'll probably put out mostly everything but not put up the tree. I'll just have to start and see how far I go.

* I have spent so much time online this weekend trying to find a house that my sister, brother, and I can rent while in California. There would be 12 of us, and I haven't been able to find something that can accommodate all of us and something we can afford. We really wanted to have someplace for at least a few days so we could spend some quality time together. Now it looks like we'll all be staying with different relatives, which isn't bad. We just won't get to spend that time together as we had planned.

* I cannot wait until next Tuesday when the election will be over. It has gone on way too long. I think we can all say that we are suffering from campaign weariness. I, for one, will be so happy to have it over with.

this old house [part three]

Mansel Avenue, Torrance

I lived here from when Don and I were married, in 1981, until we moved to Colorado, in 1990.
We lived by ourselves here until Danielle was born, in 1988.
It was (and still is) owned by Don's parents (now just his mom) and rented to us. They lived about 9 blocks away.
The house was only 800 square feet, 3 bedrooms, and one bathroom - but we loved it and felt blessed to be given the opportunity to live there.
The previous renter's daughter and her friends came in after they moved out and destroyed the inside of the house. We spent weeks cleaning it up and making it liveable.
We never parked a car in the garage. Instead, Don did wood working in this area, and a ping pong table was always set up for a casual or competitive game.
We did not own a washer or dryer so each week we did our laundry down the street at a laundramat. We didn't mind doing it this way until Danielle was born. Before she was born, we made it enjoyable by eating dinner across the street at the hamburger joint while clothes were washing. But after she was born, one of us stayed home with her while the other went and did the laundry, which obviously wasn't as fun.
For most of the years we lived here we had a dog named Kirby. He was our first golden retriever (our dog now is our third).
Whenever we went on vacation, we would return to a flea infested house. We would come home and have to set off flea bombs for a few hours before we could go back in. [Have I ever said how happy I am that there are no fleas in Colorado? I am!]
We hosted many parties for our friends. The biggest one was our annual New Year's Eve party.
I had a beautiful old (nearly antique) piano which I used to love to play when no one was around. I'd come home on my lunch hours and play. It was a great stress reliever.
After Danielle was born, I worked from home doing desktop publishing contract work.
When we moved out of the house and away from family and friends, I was seven months pregnant with Jake. We set off to our new life in a place we knew nothing about (except it snowed). For the record, it was the best decision we ever made.

this old house [part two]

Sara Drive, Torrance

I lived here during my 7th, 8th, and 9th grade years.
It was here that I first had my very own bedroom.
My best friend from church lived in a house with the exact same floor plan. We had the same bedroom in our respective homes.
We moved to this side of town because it was a nicer neighborhood and closer to our church.
Shortly after moving in, kids chemically burned a profane word into our lawn because they thought we kicked out the previous renters.
The previous renters was a family whose daughter was one of the "popular" girls. The other popular kids made it obvious that I was not welcome in their school.
Our pets (and I didn't have many growing up) were a dog named Patches and a rabbit named Thumper.
I took piano lessons and sang in the church's youth choir.
My parents started letting me stay up later than my sister and brother. I remember feeling very grown up while watching the eery show, Night Gallery. Other favorites from that time; The Carol Burnett Show, The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, and Gilligan's Island.
I started my short lived babysitting career while living here. My favorite family was the one that lived across the street. They allowed me to play their albums and in doing so, I was introduced to and fell in loved with the Beatles.
I remember playing hide and seek late into the night with all the neighborhood kids. My favorite place to hide was that shelf under the window in the front of the house (left side of picture, actually the garage). The hedge was higher back then and one could lay down and be virtually invisible. No one ever discovered my secret hiding place.
We lived next to a sump and I loved exploring for and collecting frogs. There were a lot in the area.
We also lived right next to the high school. Actually, closer to the huge school's practice field. I would walk home from middle school or church through this field instead of going the long way via the street. One night I was walking home just after dark and was approached by a man who attempted to grab me. I screamed, he turned one way and ran and I turned the other way and ran all the way home. I never walked through the field again once it got dark.
This is where I lived when my parents decided to divorce.

this old house [part one]

171st Street, Torrance

I lived here when I was in 6th grade and for only one year.
It was a nice enough house back then but not as nice as it looks here. It looks like the owners have remodeled a bit.
My sister and I shared a bedroom. It was in the front of the house, which is covered by a palm tree in this picture.
I was awoken one morning by an earthquake. The great quake of '71 - 7.1 on the richter scale. I remember my bed bouncing it's way across the hardwood floors.
One neighbor was a mexican family who owned a local mexican restaurant. I played with their kids. They had an above ground pool that I loved swimming in and they made the best homemade tortillas, which started my love for flour tortillas.
The other neighbors were weird and the girl my age punched me in the stomach one day at school (for no good reason except to prove she was tough), knocking the air out of me. Never had that happen before and for a few seconds (which seemed like eternity), I thought I was going to die.
Up until that year, I always had to wear dresses to school. That year, we were allowed to wear pants on Fridays. I loved Fridays. Times were a changing and the next year we were allowed to wear pants whenever we wanted.
I always had bangs but for some reason it was decided that I shouldn't have bangs any longer and was made to wear a hideous headband each day at school. I usually took it off before I got to school and put it back on during my walk home (sorry mom).
I often climbed onto the roof of my garage. Sometimes I'd just sit and ponder. Other times I'd sing at the top of my lungs as if I were in some kind of musical.
I would ride my bike all the time and to all kinds of places. I was given boundaries but often went outside those boundaries (sorry dad). One of my favorite places was a liquor store where I would buy candy. My favorites; giant sweet tarts, wacky wafers, and starbursts. Starburst was a brand new candy at that time.
I felt very old and mature when I was allowed to go the mall one day (also a new thing to our area) for a full afternoon with my friends and no adults.
We attended a church on the other side of town because we knew the minister of the church. But it was kinda weird because none of the kids in my class/youth group were from my school.

comfort zones

I seem to be running into the same theme lately, and that would be; stepping out of one's comfort zone. This is actually something I think of often since I feel like God constantly gives me opportunities to step out of my comfort zone as He wants to stretch me and my self-given capacities.

Such opportunities have not alway been obvious to me. It had been real easy to walk right on by and not given the situation a second thought. But once I changed my mind set and started listening to God's prompting, those opportunities became so obvious that there was no way I could ignore them.

This doesn't mean that I always jump in with both feet. I'm real good at rationalizing why I can't do something or why I shouldn't get involved. But I'm getting better and to be honest, the more I venture out of that rather small area of comfort, the bigger my zone gets and it becomes easier and more rewarding.

Rewards? That actually has become one of the clear reasons God has shown me for stepping out and doing something that I wouldn't normally have thought to do. And the biggest reward, for me, is that of blessing someone in a real and tangible way. Most of the time, I end up being the one that is blessed.

In my prayer group today, we discussed this subject in great length. We were challenged by the following questions.

::> How often do I sacrifice my own agenda? or How Much do I inconvenience myself for another?
::> What do I do to bless someone else without looking for credit?
::> How often do I pick right over easy?
::> How can I determine to change my habits?

If you feel inclined, challenge yourself to answer and reflect on these and then find a way to make that first step out of your comfort zone. Be a blessing and be blessed.

sunday evening thoughts

A few have asked how my first day(s) at work went and I wanted to be able to write about my new job, but haven't wanted to think about it - thus, I haven't. But here I am on a Sunday night thinking about my week ahead and know I have to face reality... I have a job.... and a job I'm not enjoying.

I know there's always an adjustment period when you start something new. And I also realize that I've been out of the work force for quite some time. So I'm thinking that part of my feelings come from these two points and I can accept that, thinking that after a certain amount of time, I will be adjusted and use to the job.

But there are a few other aspects that have me questioning whether I can, or want to, continue. One is the scheduling. I won't bore you with all the details but will just say that they've made a nearly impossible schedule with me having to be in a classroom of a second school before the end of the previous class at a different school. That, and they want me to work five hours straight without any kind of break, not even time to eat something. The only time I have time to eat is the 10 minutes it takes me to get from the first school to the second. I physically cannot go five hours (during lunchtime) without eating.

The other things have to do with the logistics of the tutor groups that I'm facilitating and the classroom environments. Again, I won't go into all the details. It doesn't really matter to anyone but me. And I don't want this to sound like all I'm doing is complaining. I'm usually a pretty positive person. I decided to write this out as a record of what was happening in my life and with this job. After all, that's one reason why I blog.

On another note, I saw the movie The Secret Life of Bees last Friday and loved it. The book, by the same name, by Sue Monk Kidd is one of my all time favorite books. I was anxious to see this movie but also a little worried that it wouldn't measure up to the book - movies rarely do. But it was well done and was identical to the book. Here's another movie that I would recommend, but I recommend the book even more.

blow out your candles

I had the blessing of celebrating my birthday this last weekend and I received some very nice gifts from Don and the rest of my family (thanks to all of you in California, too).

So my question today is:

If your birthday was coming up, what would you ask for from your husband or family?

Visit Kailani at An Island Life for links to all of Aloha Friday's participants.

take your tissues

I'm on my way to my second day at work. I definitely will write how my first days were but I wanted to wait until I had two under my belt. Hopefully, I will have a better perspective.

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I wanted to say something about a movie that Don and I saw last Monday night. It was Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron. Many people haven't heard of this little independently made movie. It's not a big name, big production, studio-made movie. But it is a great movie for the lone fact that the story is one that any married couple can relate to and learn from. And for that reason, I would recommend that you see this with your spouse.

It's about a Fire Chief (played by Kirk Cameron) and his his wife who have come to a place in their marriage where divorce seems eminent. Kirk Cameron's character is given a tool to use in finding out what he really wants out of his marriage and work towards reconciliation as his wife has already decided what she wants.

As I've written before, I see a lot of movies. I love a good story. For me, the test of a good movie is whether it not it made me "feel" something and to what level did I "feel" it. If a movie can make me cry, it's a good movie. If it makes me laugh with healthy humor, it's good movie. If it makes me empathize with the characters, it's a good movie. And if I can learn something from a movie, it's even better.

Fireproof was a good movie. I used the tissues I was told to take. What I viewed and took to heart will stay with me for a very long time. It will help me in my relationship with Don and thus make our marriage stronger. How many movies can you say can do that?

Fireproof has done much better in the theaters than that industry thought it would. In my area, it's been playing for a few weeks now. But I think it's run will come to an end here shortly - maybe by Friday or next week. If this movie is no longer playing (or never did) in your area, RENT IT!! It's worth your time and money.

c'mon! it's only october 15th

Here's what I found in the store today....


In fact, this....


was across the aisle from this....


and across the aisle from this....


was this....


Wordless Wednesday HQ

no hoodie today

I sit here on a Tuesday morning with a bit of anxiety and mourning. In about two hours, I will officially be a working gal as I walk into the school where I'll be spending my Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

I'm mourning my freedom - my lazy and carefree days. I know that must sound self indulgent, but that's been my life since I last had a job, which was part time about four years ago.

I'm anxious about working in the educational system. I won't be a teacher but for a couple times a week, I'll be responsible for a group of students and a small aspect of their learning. I feel like my brain is mush and I'm going to look like a dummy - an old dummy =)

So, as I sit here, I want to come up with 10 things to be thankful for as I start working. Let's see if I can come up with 10. If I don't come up with 10, feel free to add your own.

1. It will give me something to do - something to fill my time.

2. I am only working two days a week, which will still give me three days to fill with any errands I might have, or getting together with friends, or sipping coffee while reading blogs.

3. I will bring home a little money and that's always good. If I want to buy something, I can use my own money and not feel guilty for wanting it, or buying it. Some of my money will also go towards our kid's college tuition, which makes me feel good.

4. I get to work with students. I miss hanging out with the kids.

5. I will be forced to use my brain so maybe the mush will start to solidify a little. Okay, maybe my brain isn't mush, but having to use my brain again will be a good thing. I'm looking forward to learning.

6. I have a good reason to put on some nice clothes instead of just a pair of jeans and a hoodie. I like clothes so I'm looking forward to dressing up a bit.

7. I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the educational system. I have seen problems as my own kids went through the system and I worked with students and their families. I'm one that feels like you need to be part of the solution, not the problem. This will give me a chance to see up close and personal some of what happens in a school on a daily basis.

hmmmm....

8. I will have the opportunity to meet new people - adults and students. I'm a social person and enjoys getting to know people and hear their story(s).

9. I have all of the above benefits while not having to work evenings, weekends, or holidays. This allows me to still spend this time with Don and my family. I wanted to work in a bookstore (and still think that would be cool) but realized I'd have to work in retail through the holidays. That wasn't all that appealing to me.

10.

hmmm.... ummm...... well.....

I can't really think of number 10. I know there is something obvious that I'm just not thinking of. So here's your chance to come up with something I can be thankful for as I start this new job, which is really a new phase of my life.

***UPDATE***

I thought of #10 while in the shower. (whew, aren't you glad you don't have to)

10. I was originally going to start each work day at 8:15. I was NOT looking forward to that (although, I'm sure I would have got used to it.) My hours were then changed to start at 10:00 and go a little longer in the afternoon. This is definitely something to be thankful for since I am not a morning person. I actually had time this morning to type out this post. I'm sure I will use these extra hours each Tuesday and Thursday more wisely than I have in the past.

Ten Things Tuesday is hosted by Jill @ XBox Wife

i don't feel 49

What a nice weekend I had.

Both Danielle and Jake came home to help Don and I celebrate our birthdays.

We enjoyed the company of each other while eating at home and eating out, playing cards, watching football (college and pro), having Jake's band jam in our basement, going to church, opening presents, and the capper of the weekend.... a concert.

We enjoyed hearing Jars of Clay, Robert Randolf and the Family Band, Switchfoot, and Third Day at a fairly new venue here in town. We had great seats to watch a great show and had a great time. And as I type this (at midnight), my ears are still ringing.

Dani, Jake, and his girlfriend, Hollee, made us a cake Saturday afternoon. It was fun watching them do everything from start to finish. It was delicious. And their presents to us were so thoughtful.

But the best present was having them both home and the fun we had together. Thank you Dani and Jake.

i'm listening

Yesterday I wrote that I had discovered podcasts and enjoying several different ones as I take my walks. Here I want to share two of my favorites.

This American Life (www.thisamericanlife.org)
from Chicago Public Radio
Each week this podcast showcases 1-4 (usually 2-3) separate stories, all with a common theme.

I thoroughly enjoy these stories. They're human interest stories told in first person, and I find them fascinating. I'm a believer that the more I know about others and the rest of the world, the more I learn about myself, God's place in my life, and how I might minister to others. These stories gives me a glimpse into other people's live.

I should mention that I have come across a couple of episodes that I didn't care for and some have some mild language issues.

My favorite episodes: Going Big, Settling the Score, Life After Death


Speaking of Faith (www.speakingoffaith.org)
from American Public Media
Speaking of Faith is public radio's conversation about belief, meaning, ethics and ideas. Each week, Krista Tippett asks writers, thinkers and theologians to discuss how religion shapes our lives.

This podcast has more of an informational tone than a storytelling one as is This American Life. But I find it just as fascinating, if not more. I have learned so much through these podcasts and they have given me reason to reflect on what I believe and why. They stimulate my thoughts and actions.

Speaking of Faith also has a great website where they offer episode synopsis', blogs, discussion guides, full interviews, and other resources. I can spend hours on this one website.

My favorite episodes: The Origin and Impact of Pentecostalism, The Spirituality of Parenting, Rick and Kay Warren at Saddleback, The Faith Life of the Party - The Right, The Faith Life of the Party - The Left

Those last two podcasts, The Faith Life of the Party - Left and Right were so good and very enlightening. I recommend that everyone listen to this as we enter into such an important election.

You can listen to or download these podcasts through itunes or directly through their websites. If you have any questions on how to do that, feel free to email me. I have listened to some other podcasts, mostly sermons by different pastors/ministers. If I find one, or more, that I feel as strongly about as the two I've mentioned here, I will post about them, too.

If you listen to podcasts and have a favorite, I'd love to hear about it. And if you start listening to the ones I've mentioned here, let me know what you think.

headphones on

I've made a discovery that I'm just lovin'. Maybe you've heard of it. It's called a podcast. If you don't know what a podcast is, Wikipedia defines it as:

A podcast is a series of audio or video digital-media files which is distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computers. Though the same content may also be made available by direct download or streaming, a podcast is distinguished from other digital-media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added.

Don used to listen to several, all having to do with youth ministry. So when he gave me a new little Ipod shuffle and I wanted to get back into walking, I sat down at my computer and started my research on what other podcasts were out there. There are a lot.

I've been taking hour long walks during the past few weeks and that hour flies by because I've got my headphones on and am listening to some amazing stuff. I actually look forward to taking a walk and I have the podcasts I listen to to thank for that.

What if you don't have an Ipod, you ask? [I heard someone ask that] You can actually listen to podcasts directly through your computer. If a person or organization creates a podcast, they almost always put it on Itunes. You can download Itunes onto your computer even if you don't have an Ipod or plan to purchase anything. Itunes and all podcasts are free. Once you have Itunes downloaded to your computer, which is a fast and easy process, you can pick your podcast through the Itunes store (it's located in the store, but it is free) and listen to it right there on your computer.

Of course, if you have an Ipod or MP3 player, you can then download the podcast to it and enjoy listening away from your computer - like taking long walks. And there are so many podcasts to choose from. There's something out there for everybody. Tomorrow I will share my two favorites and why I love them so much.

fall colors

Wordless Wednesday HQ

handwriting the bible

Here's something interesting I came across.

The publishing house of Zondervan launched a campaign last week creating a unique edition of the NIV (New International Version) Bible, which will include its 31,173 verses, each handwritten by a different person.

A big blue RV with the logo "BibleAcrossAmerica.com" splashed on its side and "Inspiration at every turn" on its back took off on a five-month journey bringing "writing stations" to 90 stops in 44 states at churches, landmarks and popular settings such as NASCAR races.

Here's how it will work: (source)

Two young married couples will be living in the RV, driving it cross-country and setting up each stop. They'll give out 500 index cards a day, each with a verse from the NIV printed on the front, to 500 people to copy twice onto special paper.

Someone standing in line might draw their favorite verse, or the longest (Esther 8:9, with 72 words) or the shortest (John 11:35, "Jesus wept.")

A photo facsimile of all the verses will be compiled and published in time for Christmas 2009; the index will list each participant's name and the number of the verse he or she copied.

They have asked President Bush and Vice President Cheney to write out a verse, as well as Presidential hopefuls Obama and McCain. Billy Graham has also been invited. You can get more information on this campaign along with a map and timeline of destinations at www.bibleacrossamerica.com. They also post frequent updates through Twitter.

I think it would be cool to contribute to such an effort but I'm not sure I'd enjoy reading from such a Bible. That's just my initial thought. What do you think?

sicko

Last night Don and I watched a video a friend gave us. It was Sicko by Michael Moore. I had heard about this movie but was not prepared for what I saw.

I had heard of Michael Moore and knew he made controversial movies. To be honest, I didn't think I wanted to see this movie because of Mr. Moore's reputation. But I'm glad I did.

This movie is a documentary on our health care system here in the United States. I think it was well done and I didn't find any part of it boring. On the contrary, I found it all very interesting.... and sad.... and sickening.... and unbelievable... and maddening... and amazing... and definitely worth watching.

And that is why I highly recommend it. Not only does it shed light on our health care system and the insurance industry, but it gives us a glimpse into how other countries run their equivalents. Very enlightening, and I wish every citizen of the good 'ole US of A would watch it. We need change but first we need to know exactly what is happening and how it is affecting all of us.

Let me know if you've seen this movie, or after you see it. I'd love to hear your impressions.

do we need more wooden arrows?

I don't understand.

And I'm trying not to let my ignorance skew my emotions, but I'm also mad. I know this whole financial "rescue" (they're not using the word bailout anymore; something about negative connotations - duh!) is needed, but it makes me mad that the big, greedy guys get to be bailed out (I can still use the word), while the average citizen is expected to own up to their responsibility and trudge on through hard times. No one come along and bails us out!

What I don't understand and makes me more mad is the "extras" they added to this current rescue plan. I heard about it on a couple of the morning shows and went online to find out what the "extras" were and why they were there. Here's what I found that the senators added to the bill: (source)

* Manufacturers of kids’ wooden arrows - $6 million.
* Puerto Rican and Virgin Islands rum producers - $192 million.
* Wool research!
* Auto-racing tracks - $128 million.
* Corporations operating in American Samoa - $33 million.
* Small- to medium-budget film and television productions - $10 million.

Why? I guess, because they can. Lobbyist doing their jobs and in my opinion, Senators, at least a few of them, who are not. It should be all about restoring our economy with as little money as possible. After all, who will be paying for this in the long run? I believe that would be you an me, the average citizen.

As I look at this list, I would think all of these entities, with the exception of maybe kids' wooden arrows (but do we need these?), can either raise their own funds or have access to funds just by what they do. How much money pours into the racing industry? Don't rum producers make a bundle of money from sales? Why is the federal government concerned about small to medium budget films?

Call me ignorant, but I just don't understand.