Oh, America, How Do I Love Thee?


The Upside Down World ~ The Blog

It’s good to remember that one of the hallmarks of American character, going right back to the very beginning, has been that we tend to be uncooperative when we see fit. We enjoy a strong rule of law, but that’s never been one of the markers of our identity as Americans. Throwing tea into the harbor, running underground railroads and putting up speakeasies is more our style. So, in that grand tradition, and because you deserve a laugh, allow me to share with you the response
- Jan 16, 2017
- 2 min
Is This the End Times Delusion?
I’m pretty sure Christian enthusiasm for Trump, where it exists, is the end times delusion the fundies have been trying to warn us was coming. For those of you who aren’t in the know, it’s a common teaching in some Christians circles that in the end times, there will be a delusion sent by God which causes people to call good evil and evil good. The term delusion comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 which says “For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they

- Jan 14, 2017
- 2 min
Several Times a Year, This Comes to Mind
Several years ago I came across a story about an amazing little book called Be Bold With Bananas which is described by a high-end art book seller on Abe Books as “an imaginative cook book issued in the 1970s by the South African Banana Board” and an “unusual and eccentric photo book”. It made quite the impression on me and is something I find myself remembering several times a year at least. And now it will come to your mind several times a year at least too, because what ha

- Dec 21, 2016
- 1 min
On A Much Lighter Note, I Have Discovered the Real Reason People Voted for Trump
This was a friend in North Carolina’s view during her morning commute yesterday: She says, “I have to hand it to him – he has practically not missed a single cliché on his rolling political/societal commentary billboard. The only thing I can think is an NRA sticker and a picture of an aborted fetus. “I need tons of tile for some remodeling projects I have coming up. Thousands of dollars worth of tile. Guess where I won’t be buying it? I always wonder about people who feel th
- Dec 20, 2016
- 2 min
Don’t Worry; I Have Found Our Escape Plan
So, all this stuff about Donald Trump and the danger of our situation is scary as hell. But don’t worry – I was reading through conspiracy theories on the internet a while back, and it turns out that rescue is on it’s way. The aliens have it worked out. Among the many things I learned in my foray into the world of ancient alien conspiracies are the following (and no I didn’t make any of this up – these are real things that people believe): Jesus is currently incarnate and wor
- Jan 8, 2015
- 3 min
I Probably Shouldn’t Say This . . .
OK, I just want to say at the outset that what I am about to say is not in anyway meant to insult Jesus. I would swear it to you, but Jesus says not to swear on anything. But you should know that that’s how much I mean it when I say that I’m not insulting Jesus. So don’t go taking this all the wrong way . . . But . . . Did you know that pretty much everything Jesus said could totally come out the mouth of the sort of drunken, bitter man who yells at people at the bar?* Before

- Jan 1, 2015
- 4 min
The New Year’s Resolution That Will Actually Make Your Life Better
The other day I read an article which advised that the key to keeping this year’s resolutions was to set up specific targets. Like “I will exercise 3 times a week and lose 25 lbs by April 1.” Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Seriously. That’s what it said. Like the two are related. Let me tell you how this really works. I’m not thin. But I do have standards: my belly must not poke out past my boobs. Having and nursing 5 kids has given me some wiggle room to work with, but a

- Sep 10, 2014
- 3 min
Laughing At Inappropriate Things
Now, this may come as a shock to some of my long time readers, but sometimes I make jokes that people thing are inappropriate. Like maybe I throw out an animal sex joke in the middle of a discussion of scripture. Which I don’t think anyone should be offended at; animal sex jokes and scripture go waaaaaay back. But you know, there’s just no pleasing some people. The thing is that this isn’t a problem that’s confined to my writing. I frequently laugh at things other people don’
- Jun 12, 2014
- 4 min
Parenting Genius
Honest to goodness, there’s nothing that makes me happier than some good parenting. Those times when you or someone else says something to a kid that is honest and real and makes the world a little more manageable for them to navigate. The things that they’ll repeat to themselves when they need some wisdom or encouragement or a kick in the pants later. If the world worked the way it should, the news would include highlights of parenting genius that anonymous parents spouted o
- Jun 10, 2014
- 1 min
I Think They’re Preparing Us To Be Astronauts. It’s Just a Theory.
This is probably the only cat video I will ever share on The Upside Down World. So you know it has to be good. Enjoy! Pass It On! Tweet Email More Print Share on Tumblr WhatsApp #funny #humor #pets #catvideo #life #cats

- Jun 10, 2014
- 1 min
Heaven and Hell
Pass It On! Tweet Email More Print Share on Tumblr WhatsApp #humor #memes #religiousmemes

- Apr 4, 2014
- 1 min
Grace Explained
A little Friday funny for you. 🙂 Pass It On! Tweet Email More Print Share on Tumblr WhatsApp #grace #christianity #humor #christianspirituality #religiousmemes #spirituality #memes #religion
- Mar 26, 2014
- 5 min
God and Laughing
God loves laughter. Humor makes us laugh because it triggers delighted surprise to hear that things we fear – being alone, being unloved, being ridiculed – aren’t as awful as it seems. And when it is awful, it isn’t as serious as we thought it was. When God gave us a sense of humor, He was telling us not to be so afraid. ~R. Trotter, The Upside Down World I have a real soft spot for humor. It is one of the great joys of life. I’d give up sex, wealth, tasty food and reading b

- Mar 22, 2014
- 5 min
When Complaining Is Ministry
I’m one of those people who you should only bring your ideas, plans and dreams to if you’re looking for a solid critique of them. Otherwise I’ll probably give you a seemingly unenthusiastic word of support. Not that I won’t support you, just that I’ll be using all of my self-control biting my tongue because I know you need my support and not my advice. It’s hard to show how enthusiastic you are while biting your tongue. Strangely enough, this is a trait my husband doesn’t alw

- Dec 4, 2013
- 4 min
Why Parents Should Meditate
Meditation is good for us. The bible tells us to meditate dozens and dozens of times. Modern science has shown that meditation changes the way our brains work and provides a host of physical and mental health benefits. Everyone should learn to meditate. While meditation is good for everyone, it is essential for parents. In fact, I think it is safe to say that if I didn’t meditate, I would be unable to parent my 5 children without the assistance of weed or booze to smooth thin

- Feb 5, 2013
- 4 min
John the Baptist Says to Stop Being an Arse
Some of you will recall that I was raised Catholic. So each week at mass I would listen to a reading from the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Gospels. And at the end of each the person reading would intone, “The Word of the Lord” and we’d respond together in monotone: “Thanks be to God.” Because we were so excited. Now, I understand the intent of this little ritual and I truly do offer thanks to God for his Word. But now that I’ve actually read the bible myself, I ki

- Nov 20, 2012
- 4 min
Thanksgiving Family Survival Guide
An oldie but a goody! BTW, I have something you’re going to love in the works for y’all. If you enjoy the advice I share here, you’re going to love The Upside Down World’s Guide to Enjoying the Hard Life. It’s a collection of enlightening essays for thinking better, being better and growing where you’re planted. I’ll be taking pre-orders for delivery well before Christmas starting after Thanksgiving. At only $5 it’s the perfect stocking stuffer. (The price will go up to $6 a

- Sep 28, 2012
- 4 min
PMS, Reinterpreted
Do women tend to have higher natural emotional intelligence (EQ) than men? Most people think so although research hasn’t settled the argument yet. But if women do have higher EQ, I think I know the reason: PMS. (Men, you need to hear this, so don’t check out on me now!) There’s this weird thing which happens with PMS. Every month you have a day or two where you are completely convinced that your life is awful, with no redeeming qualities, hardly worth living. You will find yo

- Sep 5, 2012
- 5 min
God : Me :: Me : The drama troupe I gave birth to
I can’t begin to imagine where they got it from – probably their father’s side – but I have some rather dramatic children. We still laugh about the time we told 5 year old Noah to put a book away and he contorted his face into a picture of agony, lifted the book above his head and bellowed, “noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!” like a super-hero villain whose plans had been thwarted again. Just last week, my 4 year old was telling me all about how he wasn’t going to do what I sai

- Aug 29, 2012
- 1 min
We’re in the Last Days
Forget the re-settlement of Israel or all the weird astronomical alignments happening this December, if you want real proof that we’re in the last days, look no further than the spread of Prince Harry’s nudie shots around the globe. Can you imagine telling people in colonial India or America that the day would come that people everywhere would see the Prince of England in the buff? They’d have thought you were crazy. Yet here we are. 😉 “There is nothing concealed that will