Let me see, I'm running late because the dog ate our COVID procedures. Joking only!

Happy Friday everyone here on this October 30, 2020. I bring you greetings from COVID isolation day four, I think, and, it is good to visit with everyone again. The wife says it is hard on her to be treating our Jimmy like a prisoner. She thinks that way because we take him his food and leave it at his door. Of course, these days require us to be careful. The technician I talked to who gave me my test result which was negative made some recommendations on her own. She said if we were in the same household as someone who has tested positive, and we are, that in her opinion we should operate as if we all tested positive. She also said that it often takes several days before an exposed person might test positive. We await the results from the wife's test. We should get them today. Oh well, we are getting input from different sources, and, I quickly add how thankful we are for so many who care. We are doing fine, thus far, and our approach is to take reasonable precautions and to depend on the Lord. Thanks for all the prayers offered up on our behalf. Amen. 

Speaking of thankfulness, here's one I wrote some time ago: 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

The Basis for True Thankfulness!

I bid you greetings on a very foggy morning with very low visibility around our area. However, we can with clarity anticipate this as Thanksgiving week and I am thankful for the opportunity to use this means of communication to express my thankfulness on this Monday, November 23, 2009. Our local family is planning a huge get together for Thursday and I am an easy mark when it comes to being sentimental about this time of year. There's so many memories that flood my soul, and yes, many of them are so very precious to me. This week I want to occupy this space with some of my thoughts on the subject of having a thankful heart. Today I want to start with the basis of true thankfulness and that relates to me knowing God and Him knowing me. Sounds simple enough but to know God as Father and for Him to know me as His very own child brings forth praise and thanksgiving because there is no privilege or prize greater than this. Therefore, I am thankful that I recognize God as being Who He has revealed Himself to be, I have responded to Him by accepting the payment made for my sins by His Son, My Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and I live and breathe with His abiding presence as He through His Holy Spirit lives within me.

I love the story about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving Day celebration here in our country as well as the next fellow, and I will get to many other blessings as this week progresses, but for today I want to bask in the privilege of being a child of God. The Good News is that all who respond to God's provision through His Son can be saved, can be made whole, and can be thankful for God's grace, mercy, and His great love. Some of my favorite verses that come to mind when I think about what it means to know God and be known by Him are found in Jeremiah. In the 9th Chapter we read these words: 23) Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24) But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

The Prophet puts forth the foundation for true thankfulness and I join Jeremiah in reminding us all that to know and recognize God in a personal way transcends all that we might experience in this life. Therefore, I start this week where we all will be thinking about so many thoughts and ideas about thanksgiving with an encouragement that we envelop them all with God Himself as the basis of our thankful hearts. The writer of Hebrews said those who would please God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Read Chapter 11.) May we all focus in on our diligence this week in our seeking to honor Him with hearts overflowing with praise, worship, adoration, and thankfulness. When our thankfulness reflects the reality of Him in our lives then the rest of the details will find their rightful place. May God help each of us to honor Him by observing Him in His rightful first place in all things including our thankfulness! Amen. .....More later.

“Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn't mean to take.” ― Angela N. Blount

What a difference a day makes. Right? You just never know what might happen next. It is Thursday, October 29, 2020, and we continue the journey.  Tuesday evening we carried our middle son Jimmy to the ER due to some issues he was dealing with. We thought it could be related to some medication changes recently made by his mental health team. In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the wife was informed that Jimmy had tested positive for COVID-19 and will be admitted to the hospital for further observation. Hello! That means we have been exposed. We contacted our medical provider and they arranged for us to have the test. I got the idea that since I continue to be asymptomatic, the doctor thought maybe the test for me would be more of a confidence boost if it is negative. Duh! If it turns out positive, I suppose that would be something totally different. Right? Once the test for Jimmy came back positive, the wife had to leave the ER where they were awaiting a bed for him in the hospital. You just never know what a day might bring. I do appreciate prayers on behalf of our Jimmy. And, I would tell you this about that. This was the first time for me to have a virtual visit, (they will not let you come in for a visit if you have been exposed). Guess what? Doctors are late for the virtual visit just like they are for the in-person visit. Who would have guessed?

Later in the day, I dutifully showed up and got my old pickup truck in line for the COVID test at the time I was told to be there, 2:45 P.M. It was one of those drive-through tent deals but they were not doing any testing when I got there. It was raining and the windchill was brisk. One security guy was making sure the cars were lined up. They did begin to show some activity a little after 3 p.m. and finally, a lady doing the set-up processing came over and verified the information I had written on a sheet of paper and put on the dash. She gave me a thumbs up and I then awaited my turn to be motioned to the drive-through tent. When it came to my turn I drove up and the technician asked me to roll down my window, pull my mask down, and lean back on the headrest of the seat. She said the swab on the stick needed 15 seconds to collect the sample and it would be somewhat unpleasant. She then proceeded to stick the long swab up my nostril far enough to assure that it was uncomfortable. She twirled it around and around and then removed it. Now I wait for up to 48 hours for the results. 

The wife gets her test this morning. She talked with our son's nurse last evening late and once they get him hydrated, he may be able to come home to continue his recovery and quarantine. We didn't know we would be doing the things we ended up doing after all of this showed up. However, I am here to say how thankful we are to God that at this time the wife and I remain asymptomatic.  We did have a number of other things on our calendar that will have to be set aside until the smoke clears, fourteen days out. The doctors on the video visit both reminded us that our best approach is to just stay at home. That sounds pretty simple, but, as we thought about this, that, and the other, it will require some doing if we are to do just that. Oh well, we now know a little more about COVID than we did before this all came down. It's interesting how Google becomes the go-to source to find out other folks' experiences along with recommendations, protocols, and other important details. Meanwhile, I again say I am thankful because as I finish today's edition, Mr. Bentley is curled up at my feet and while we don't know what this day will bring, we do know the One who does. Amen. .....More later.

Eugene Nathaniel Butler, “Sometimes we must look outside our own backyards to realize how big the world is and how blessed we are.”

Good morning and welcome to Wednesday, October 28, 2020, where we are dealing with some misting rain and a wee bit of cooler weather in the low 50's. Mr. Bentley doesn't really care for the wet. He sure was glad when the roofing company loaded up their stuff and left our premises. The photo above was taken right after they left. One lady on the Shih Tzu Facebook Page said Mr. Bentley has the look of an older stoic man. Stoic. I'm not sure that's accurate since the modern usage of that word has to do with one who endures painful situations patiently. As far as the roofers go, he can hear them still at it in and around our subdivision as others also are dealing with the hail damage we experienced. He hears that beating and banging, stops, looks up at me, and gives me that look of disdain. One of the things that amaze us about Mr. Bentley is the way he loves. He loves the wife in a special way. He loves our middle son Jimmy in a different way, and, then he loves me, but, it too is customized to fit his notions of each of us as individuals. We didn't know a pup would operate that way. He is teaching us things all the time. And, I will say, unequivocally, once again, him coming to live at our place has been a blessing. At times, an exasperated blessing but a blessing none-the-less.

Songs that are well written and they stand the test of time are still relevant because of the word pictures they paint. I've heard Bill Gaither say one of the greatest word picture songs of all time is the one written by Hank Williams Sr., "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". He said they use that song when they teach would-be songwriters. The song was written in 1949, recorded by Hank that same year as the "B" side of "My Bucket's Got a Hole In It." One of its enduring features is how one can imagine what is being portrayed whether they have ever actually seen it. We recently heard it performed by a newly formed quartet of country and bluegrass artists accompanied by some outstanding studio musicians. It still works today:

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hank Williams

[Verse 1]

Hear that lonesome whippoorwill

He sounds too blue to fly

The midnight train is whining low

I'm so lonesome I could cry

[Verse 2]

I've never seen a night so long

When time goes crawling by

The moon just went behind the clouds

To hide its face and cry

[Verse 3]

Did you ever see a robin weep

When leaves begin to die?

Like me, he's lost the will to live

I'm so lonesome I could cry

[Verse 4]

The silence of a falling star

Lights up a purple sky

And as I wonder where you are

I'm so lonesome I could cry

You can catch the new recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO7pr7gI_Gs

Mr. Bentley and I are listening to it as we finish up today's edition. I also listened to the original recording by Hank Sr. It's also out on YouTube. I think that will do it for today. I do hope you will have a good day. One way to get one of those cranked up is to spend a little time dwelling on the goodness and grace of God along with how that manifests itself as blessings in life. Take care now, you hear? And, may God be with us all. Amen. ....More later. 

Pondering the subject of life. That would be a deep subject for my shallow mind.

Good morning and welcome to Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Life. It can and typically does present us all with many perplexing and challenging circumstances. I heard someone mentioning how there are many parents who lament that some of their children grow up and go away from their upbringing, especially in the area of faithfulness to God. This person went on to say we need to think about God's created first family. Adam and Eve. They were created in a perfect environment and they had the Perfect Father. How did that turn out? We should know. Right? We deal with the results of their rebellion reflected in our own fallen lives each and every day. That person's point was how folks have to make their own decisions even after parents have done their best to point them in the right direction. But, we move on. Another week and guess what? Another hurricane is churning its way out in the Gulf of Mexico. Zeta is headed, based on current projections, towards the eastern Louisiana coast, Mississippi, and Alabama. We have many friends and close relatives who live in Louisiana and they are all, once again, on edge as this storm makes its way towards land. Is it any wonder the people over there are singing, 'Why is everybody picking on me?'

Life is not just a board game. Here are a few notable insights as found in these quotations:  ~ "Life is a question and how we live it is our answer." Gary Keller ~ "Keep looking up… that’s the secret of life." Snoopy ~ "Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well." Jack London ~ "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get." Forrest Gump ~ "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'". Erma Bombeck ~ "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." Friedrich Nietzsche ~ "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these." George Washington Carver ~ "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." Jackie Robinson ~ And, the final word always comes from the Creator Himself: Book of James, Chapter 4: "13 Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." ~

Okay. I know I am running a little late. I could go into a detailed explanation as to why, but, when it is all said it done, life doesn't always unfold on our schedule. I am thankful there are some unchanging and unshakable truths to help keep us grounded. We don't have to look very far at all to see others who have a lot more on their plates than we do. I wrote about little June-Bug and how she is dealing with brain cancer treatments. That's one example. When I read the journaled notes from her mom I am reminded of our time spent with my baby sister Kayla as she went through her treatments. Our hearts and prayers go out to them as they are still trying to assimilate this great challenge. The Good News? The graphic above says it all. He does know. He does care. And, more importantly, He can do something about it. Amen. .....More later. 

Please pray for little June-Bug as she deals with her brain cancer treatments.

Good morning and welcome to the countdown to Halloween. Not really. I just thought that was a good opening since we do have that date coming up this week. It is Monday, October 26, 2020, and I do offer up a very warm welcome to all those who stop by today. Nothing gets to us quicker than a child fighting a life-threatening illness. The little girl in the photo is June or June-Bug as she is called. The photo is of her and her brother. She has brain cancer. It is very serious. She will be coming off her intense radiation treatments in the next two weeks. After that, she starts her chemo. She is the granddaughter of some folks we used to serve with as part of our Church many years ago. In fact, we watched June's dad play around as a lad. June-Bug has been inspirational throughout her challenging treatment regimen. She has a lot of prayer warriors lifting her up each day. The t-shirts are a part of letting her know how much folks care. The radiation has been tough at times and she, as any of us can imagine, has become weary along the way. Please join us in whispering June-Bug's name as she needs God's provision and help in the coming days. And, for her family, her parents, Robby and Shana, and for her grandparents, Robert and Bambi. 

I've had quite a lot to say throughout this political madness time we are living in. There are times when something just slaps you in the face like a cup of ice water. The woman running to become the next vice president of our nation has been lampooning President Trump for the separation of families as part of the processing of those attempting to enter our country illegally. She says this is a violation of their inherent right as a human being. Yet, she, her running mate, and as the policy of the party they represent, believe in and support the most radical abortion platform ever written. She sees separation at the border as a violation of a child's human rights but has no problem in allowing a baby to die even after it is born alive as part of their abortion protocol. This policy should even cause the pro-choice crowd to pause and consider the meaning of this heinously contradictive position. And, just so you know, many of the most severe policies involved in our immigration system were initiated and implemented during the Obama administration. Okay. I had that on my mind and that's why I shared it. Nothing more than that.

I'll not have a tantrum here, but, I do ask a simple question, where are the low 50's and high 40's promised to start our days this week? I even watched the entirety of the Polar Express movie along with some videos of special trains clearing snow off the tracks. I woke up early this morning, grabbed a long-sleeve shirt out of the closet, and when Mr. Bentley and I went outside I had the big reveal, "Hey, what's going on here?" Mr. weather-guy, you said it would be a 'real' cold front, but, 68 balmy degrees, (a 20-degree miss), will not, and, I am unanimous in this sentiment, will not get the job done! I was even telling people about this coming cool down. I know. There was this unexpected inverted Bermuda triangle effect that created havoc in all the models, or, some such nonsensical explanation. Y'all do know that I am not really that ticked off. Right? Missing the forecast is not something that really bothers me that much, ....that much, .....that much, ..... that much! Just a wee tiny bit. That's all. Y'all stay warm out there today and may God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later. 

"A photograph keeps a moment from running away." ~ copied, unattributed

Another Friday to celebrate. This one showed up as a fortune cookie with this little inscription inside: Rise and shine and give God the Glory. Not a bad way to start October 23, 2020. Right? This has been a strange year for our nation with the COVID that continues to plague us, along with what might be the most contentious presidential election in my lifetime, and, I quickly add, it has been a year of sadness for those who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic. Because of this, we have only a few Santa and Mrs. Claus appearances on our schedule and they are being planned with consideration of protecting us and the children. Different? Indeed! One good thing about having done this for so many years is how many photographic memories we have collected during this 11-year run. One of my most treasured captures is that of mom and dad with us at our appearance at a restaurant in Jasper, Texas, back in 2013. My mom was my biggest fan and she loved the fact I was 'the real Santa'. My guess is she might just be letting everyone know that as she enjoys her heavenly home. 

I know with all that's happening, it might be hard to get into the Christmas spirit. Remembering to remember the Real Reason for the Season, the coming into our world of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, will help. I have been posting this little story for years. It reflects my first time ever to don the gay apparel, that being the Santa uniform. Enjoy!

                                                       

I've had quite a few jobs in my lifetime. They have ranged from being physically labor-intensive up to executive management. However, none were quite as interesting as the Christmas season of 1973. During that season I worked in the evenings and on weekends as a department store Santa. Yes, that is the Christmas stamp from 1973, and yes, it did cost 8 cents! I was actually hired by a temporary agency that supplied Santas to a variety of stores. They conducted one mass training session where we were told about the outfits and how to do the makeup, and then we were encouraged to read the poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, by Clement C. Moore, to give us the idea behind the kind of Santa they wanted. I was assigned to a Sears store located in one of the area malls.

The store had set up a Santa Shop area next to their furniture department, and it was decorated with a large chair for Santa, all types of props, and it had a Polaroid camera to make instant photos for those wishing to buy a picture of their child with Santa. There were several of us who played Santa and a number of young ladies who dressed up as elves. These ladies worked the camera and operated the register. The Santa uniform, while uncomfortable and sweaty, was very nice and the beard very realistic. It was quite an ordeal to rush in from my regular job and undergo the transformation from an office worker to the Jolly Old Saint, and I did have to use a pillow for my tummy back in those days. There have been a few times over the years when I wouldn’t have needed one because I could have supplied my own, but that’s another story. Just so you know, I would not have to use one today!

Typically, I would work from 6 p.m. to store closing on the weeknights I was scheduled, and on Saturdays, I could work as many as 12 hours. This job might look like loads of fun but I will tell you from actual experience, it can be very, very difficult. The children, of course, were wonderful. And, you can put up with those that cry, and those who spit up on you, or the occasional accident that soils your suit. But, when you are dealing with THE PARENTS, and especially, THE MOMS, there’s little to no hope for any kind of enjoyment.

I want to mention a word about the music. The Jackson Five came out with a Christmas album in 1970 with many standards recorded in their memorable style. The songs were: 1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town 3. The Christmas Song 4. Up On The House Top 5. Frosty The Snowman 6. The Little Drummer Boy 7. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 8. Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year 9. Give Love On Christmas Day 10. Someday At Christmas 11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. But there was only one huge problem: This was the only cassette our Santa Workshop had to play. I challenge anyone to listen to this music evening after evening and for 12 hours on Saturday without going postal! I guess the only thing worse I can think of is if it had been Alvin and the Chipmunks!

People showed up in droves and they were paying $2.50 for a special card with an instant photo of their child with Santa. Okay, we were not a portrait studio. It was a Polaroid camera! Hello? This was something that was obviously lost on many of the mommies who brought their children. They wanted the picture to be perfect which led to retakes, and log jams, and anger on the part of those waiting in line, and stress, and confusion, and chaos. There were times when I thought some of the moms were going to come to blows as they argued about their photos or their position in line. Believe it or not, some showed up to have twenty-five pictures made so they could send them out as Christmas cards. Now I ask you, who would think you might be able to keep a squirming kid posed for even one photo? It’s called insanity!

There were times whenever it got so completely out of hand I had no choice but to announce a timeout for Santa to go and feed his reindeer. (That’s what the sign said when I was on break.) If the children cried which many did, it was Santa’s fault. If the picture was bad, it was Santa’s fault. If the line was too long, it was Santa’s fault, and the list could go on and on and on. The last week before Christmas the store was open until 11 p.m. each night and I often pulled the entire Saturday shift by myself. Yes, we needed the extra money and we even have a photo of our boys taken with me, after we explained how I was only a helper because the real Santa was busy getting all the toys ready for them.

Despite these challenges, there were some moments that still stand out in my mind nearly 35 years later. I think about the little guy who wobbled up to me, trembling, as he brought all his old pacifiers in a bag to show Santa that he was kicking the habit. I remember the sad young ladies who came to take a photo for their boyfriend or husband stationed overseas. Then, there was that look in the eyes of children with disabilities as they had their moment with Santa. One night an entire high school Christmas party crew showed up for photos. Having a football player and his date sit on your lap was not exactly what I had in mind when I signed up for this work. And, THE CHILDREN. Santa is about children. Their innocence and their exuberant joy helped make an otherwise miserable experience one that still causes a warm glow in my heart, and brings a smile to my face. Here’s a final word straight from the old dude himself: "He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!" Have a great day and may God add His blessings to it. Amen.    ……More later."

“Politics is such a filthy four-letter word that it requires twice as many letters.” ― Anthony P. Mauro, Sr.

Good morning and welcome. Today is Thursday, October 22, 2020, and, I see more and more folks taking a breather from social media. Many of these signing off for a while state as their reason the political climate we are experiencing these days. The tension is obvious but the response to folks when they express an opinion can be off the charts. Vitriol and yes, old fashioned hate seems to come out of the woodwork if others disagree with a stand or an opinion. The other day when the Senate finished their committee open hearings on the nomination of Judge Amy Cohen Barrett, Senator Diane Feinstein, a very liberal voice, paid a public compliment to Senator Lindsey Graham, conservative committee chair, for how he had conducted the proceedings. She even gave him a brief hug. A mere show of respect for a colleague started an out-of-control avalanche of hate where people began threatening her and for that one act, they wanted her to resign her office. Immediately. The liberal left wanted no part of even a whisper of respect and civility being shown towards those they consider to be their mortal enemies. I am aware it works both ways but my point is how the rhetoric and the venom surrounding our political environment have become not only harsh but perhaps even dangerous. This is why some have chosen to just turn it off and await the outcome.

 

Sometimes we need to take a short break from all the nonsense. Here is a list posted on The Sunday Morning Gospel Show Facebook page. I can identify with many of these. What say you?

My mother taught me LOGIC... "If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me."

My mother taught me MEDICINE... "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way."

My mother taught me TO THINK AHEAD... "If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job!"

My mother taught me ESP... "Put your sweater on; don't you think that I know when you're cold?"

My mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE... "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you...Don't talk back to me!"

My mother taught me HUMOR... "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT... "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.

My mother taught me about GENETICS... "You are just like your father!"

My mother taught me about my ROOTS... "Do you think you were born in a barn?"

My mother taught me about the WISDOM of AGE... "When you get to be my age, you will understand."

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION... "Just wait until your father gets home."

My mother taught me about RECEIVING... "You are going to get it when we get home."

And my all-time favorite thing--JUSTICE... "One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU... then you'll see what it's like."

As far as the election goes, I'll vote but trust God with the outcome. Here is an editorial opinion piece that struck a chord with me.

Citizen-Times Opinion - published October 4, 2020

~ Donald Trump isn't very likable. Here's why I'm still voting for him. 

OPINION Carl Mumpower, Guest Columnist

President Donald Trump is not a very likable person. Though in today’s upside-down world no one seems to like much of anyone, our President has a gifted talent for inflaming, frustrating, and discouraging even the most ardent of supporters. That matters because most Americans vote on the basis of who they like, not on who’s most qualified, effective, or true to their promises. Our current President is a poster child for the phrase, “his own worst enemy.” Hardly a day goes by without a reminder of why. Yesterday it was another of his endless off-the-cuff exaggerations. Today it was a nonsensical bit of narcissistic puffery. Tomorrow it will be another biting personal attack on the latest of a seemingly never-ending list of antagonists. Is it just me, or is it understandably hard to like someone whose social skills seem to have been crafted in middle-school? On the surface of things, not supporting a guy one actively dislikes is easy-peasy. But it’s not. In fact, I have every intention of voting for Trump. Part of the reason is I really don’t trust his opponent. In contrast to Trump’s remarkable willingness to stand for something regardless of the outcome, his opponent stands for absolutely nothing beyond audience-pleasing sound bites. The only reliable measure of any political candidate is their voting record – period. Name about any significant public policy decision of the past forty years and the current Democratic candidate for President demonstrates the consistency of a chameleon stuck on a merry-go-round. Chameleons change colors for their protection – not ours. That’s just one of many reasons I don’t like political chameleons and thus won’t vote for Biden. One may not like Trump’s colors, but there is something epic in the courage and – dare I say it – character found in attempts to act against endless hurdles. Yes, there are lots of things I dislike about Trump’s personality, but there are deeper things about his opposition I dislike even more. 

I don’t like people who think the death of 65 million new lives is a positive solution to a complex social problem; or that the current generation of leftist political chameleons is better able to craft a national governance model than our existing Constitution; or who enable and stir animus between the races; or who believe that the seven deadly sins are a suitable platform for a national political party. I especially don’t like people who believe they can leave out or destroy pieces of American’s traditional success equation and produce the same outcome. What’s that? Liberty + Opportunity + Responsibility = Prosperity, and anyone – like Joe Biden and every other Democrat I know – who tells you it’s not a package deal is an artful dodger. The fact is most of us build our social-emotional model in middle school. Trump’s not an exception, he’s just more open about it. You know, smoking in the boy’s room instead of sneaking out to the bleachers. As President, he’s rightfully under a microscope. Unfortunately, thanks to almost universal liberal media bias, that attention is dedicated to what’s broken in this man and reliably indifferent to what’s good, effective, competent, or special. Don’t believe it? Look at what he’s most recently accomplished in the middle-east and how little you hear about it. The fact that less than seven percent of our journalists identify as Republicans offer testimony on the why. And I’m still going to vote for President Trump in spite of his less than presidential performance in Tuesday’s debate. That’s because his substance remains infinitely more important than somebody else’s pretense at style. This first debate delivered us into the hands of three competing vanity kings. The two that mattered included an insulting artful dodger who failed to answer even one question and a blustering boxer who didn’t know when to hush. I’m going to vote for the boxer because he gets things done, has the courage to stand up to the corruption undermining our Republic, and is willing to call out chicken manure when it's being marketed as chicken salad. As the world’s horizon continues to darken, it’s my sense that a bull in a china shop is going to serve us better than a lizard. ~

May God bless this great nation He gave to us. Amen. .....More later.

Happy 2nd Birthday to Great-grand Bella!

Good morning and welcome to another day here in the neighborhood. It is Wednesday, October 21, 2020, and we are pausing to thank God for our great-granddaughter Bella who becomes a two-year-old today! She is a precious child and we pray God's blessings on her life. Amen. Sending a Happy Birthday along with our love, Great Grands, MiMi, and Poppy.

Bentley's thoughts on the roofing project: "Will this day ever end?"

What to do while the roofers are beating and banging? Mr. Bentley finally settled down but he was very unhappy with all the noise. We pretty much had to stay in the house and watching TV gets old, however, it's always good to call up some old time radio programs on YouTube and play them on the expensive TV. I've always enjoyed the Fibber Magee and Molly program. This real-life husband and wife comedy team were active from 1935 through 1959. It is situation comedy at its best, typically concerning things transpiring at the home but with a myriad of characters stopping by to visit. The show was awarded a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star next to the NBC studio where the program was taped. There are over 700 episodes preserved and they reflect interesting insights into the people and times of folks from our past. Many would consider them dated and silly, but, to each his or her own, because I still enjoy them. Maybe it's because my parents were directly involved in WWII that I enjoy listening especially to their wartime broadcasts.

I've also watched some of the earliest of the TV Dragnet series. And, one I remember from my growing up days, Highway Patrol starring Broderick Crawford. We use to play out that series and I can remember barking orders to the police over the make-believe car radio just like the Crawford character. We were trying to stay occupied while they were beating and banging on our roof. They did not finish in one day. The roof had three layers of tar paper or felt on it. When they removed all of it they discovered the decking was in pretty bad shape. They had allowed for three sheets of plywood for repairs in the bid, but, they ended up needing much more to solidify the structure. Most of what they had to patch or replace was original from 1971. I suppose it had done its job for a good long run. The roofing company will submit a supplemental to the insurance and we will see what they say. My guess is we will end up paying for that which was not included in the original bid, but, maybe we will be surprised. That would be nice. They return this morning to finish the garage. I haven't told Mr. Bentley yet but he will soon be hearing them loud and clear. Have a great rest of the day and may God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney

Hello and welcome. It is Tuesday, October 20, 2020. We should have a really great day here with all the knock, knock, knocking that will be going on. The roofing contractor folks will get started removing the old roof and replacing it with a new roof around 7 a.m. Mr. Bentley already has issues when he hears someone knocking on a television program. He typically gets himself all stirred up and runs to the back door doing his best impression of a big dog barking. I may have to get him some earplugs for the roofing project. They promise they will be done and out of here by early evening. One day turnaround. We will see how it goes. This may be the 4th roof we've installed since moving into this ole house back in the summer of 1984. Or, maybe the 3rd. Not really sure. We do know the hail damaged one being replaced now was installed after Hurricane Ike which hit in September of 2008. I think the insurance guy calculated it to be 11 years old. The Stuart Hamblen classic song, 'This Ole House' says, "Ain't got time to fix the shingles" along with most of the other things in need of repair. The song depicts the ole house as a metaphor for the human body when the soul of the believer goes to "meet the saints". Rosemary Clooney put it at number one in 1954 on both the US and the UK charts. Does anyone believe a song like that could ever be at the top of the popular music charts in the days we are living in? 

The story behind the song goes like this. In 1949, Hamblen was supposedly out on a hunting expedition when he and his fellow hunter, actor John Wayne, came across a hut in the mountains. Inside was the body of a man, and the man's dog was still there, guarding the building. This inspired Hamblen to write "This Ole House". It typically is presented with a robust bass lead that fits the song so well. Just in case you haven't thought of it in a while, here are the lyrics:

This Ole House

This ole house once knew his children

This ole house once knew his wife

This ole house was home and comfort

As they fought the storms of life

This old house once rang with laughter

This old house heard many shouts

Now he trembles in the darkness

When the lightnin' walks about

(Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer)

(Ain't a-gonna need this house no more)

Ain't got time to fix the shingles

Ain't got time to fix the floor

Ain't got time to oil the hinges

Nor to mend the windowpane

Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer

He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

This ole house is a-gettin' shaky

This ole house is a-gettin' old

This ole house lets in the rain

This ole house lets in the cold

On his knees are a-gettin' chilly

But he feel no fear nor pain

'Cause he see an angel peekin'

Through a broken windowpane

(Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer)

(Ain't a-gonna need this house no more)

Ain't got time to fix the shingles

Ain't got time to fix the floor

Ain't got time to oil the hinges

Nor to mend the windowpane

Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer

He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

This ole house is afraid of thunder

This ole house is afraid of storms

This ole house just groans and trembles

When the night wind flings its arms

This ole house is gettin' feeble

This old house is needin' paint

Just like him it's tuckered out

But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

(Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer)

(Ain't a-gonna need this house no more)

Ain't got time to fix the shingles

Ain't got time to fix the floor

Ain't got time to oil the hinges

Nor to mend the windowpane

Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer

He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

Probably one of the most vivid depictions of the body degrading over time is found in the writing of Solomon, Ecclesiastes Chapter 12 as rendered in The Living Bible version:

~ 1) Don’t let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator. Honor him in your youth before the evil years come—when you’ll no longer enjoy living. 2) It will be too late then to try to remember him when the sun and light and moon and stars are dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among your clouds. 3) For there will come a time when your limbs will tremble with age, your strong legs will become weak, and your teeth will be too few to do their work, and there will be blindness too. 4) Then let your lips be tightly closed while eating when your teeth are gone! And you will waken at dawn with the first note of the birds; but you yourself will be deaf and tuneless, with quavering voice. 5) You will be afraid of heights and of falling—a white-haired, withered old man, dragging himself along: without sexual desire, standing at death’s door, and nearing his everlasting home as the mourners go along the streets.

6) Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young—before the silver cord of life snaps and the gold bowl is broken; before the pitcher is broken at the fountain and the wheel is broken at the cistern; 7) then the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8) All is futile, says the Preacher; utterly futile.

9) But then, because the Preacher was wise, he went on teaching the people all he knew; and he collected proverbs and classified them. 10) For the Preacher was not only a wise man but a good teacher; he not only taught what he knew to the people, but taught them in an interesting manner. 11) The wise man’s words are like goads that spur to action. They nail down important truths. Students are wise who master what their teachers tell them.

12) But, my son, be warned: there is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting!

13) Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man. 14) For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad. ~

Many of us can identify with the ole house we are living in. May God bless each one is my prayer. Amen. More later.

“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear." ~ President Harry S. Truman

Good morning and welcome back. Today we have another Monday to deal with.  This one is tagged as October 19, 2020. If it is a back-to-work Monday for you, then pause and thank God because the latest numbers indicate over 12 million here in our country are unemployed. I am running a wee bit late this morning. I had other stuff going on and I am continuing to fight a late-summer cold. Speaking of the weather, wasn't that a wonderful little wet cold front last Friday? It rained here until nearly noon. I saw the local CBS affiliate, Channel 11's top weather guy, David Paul, tweeted out this little ditty: "The cold front came in wetter and stronger than was forecasted." Wow! That may have been close to an admission. Rare indeed! We needed the rain, although it didn't really make our place that wet. The news media were not that interested in fact-checking the charges made against President Trump regarding collusion with Russia. However, they are falling all over themselves with regard to the leaking of information pertaining to Vice President Biden's son, Hunter. Facebook and Twitter actually refused to publish the information even though it was published by the New York Post. They claim all kinds of reasons, but, in the end, it is clear they handled one story one way and are now handling another story in a different way. Since the New York Times was pushing the now known to be discredited Trump charges, and, that story fit the narrative of the left, well, that's how things go in today's America where freedom of speech is in the eye of the beholder and in this situation, it is in the eyes of those sworn to take President Trump down. I believe the FBI is actually looking into the Hunter Biden information to see if maybe it was planted. How deja vu all over again, except in this case they want to get to the bottom of it when before they participated in the fabricating of information. I had better stop while I am ahead or this blog will not be allowed to be published. 

Now that I have everyone all riled up, I am going to take some allergy medication and I might even think about thinking about going back to bed. I saw one blurb from one of the biggest newspapers and it talked about how the good news is the lead that Biden continues to have over President Trump, and the bad news is how it is almost a certainty that Amy Coney Barrett will be confirmed to the Supreme Court. My thought is this: If people of faith who love our country will get out and vote their convictions, the so-called sizeable lead will be swallowed up by a resounding electoral college win for the President. Maybe the large liberal population centers will again deny him a popular vote majority, but, the voice of the people will be heard and that is why our presidential election process works the way it does. Okay, y'all get out there and have a wonderful day and I will see if there's anything worth sharing, come tomorrow, that is, Lord willing, of course. Amen. .....More later.

Flashback from 13 years ago. Time, it does get away from us all.

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007

First Boomer Files For Social Security!

I read this week about the lady who was born in early January 1946, identified as the very first baby boomer, and she has now officially applied for her social security benefits to begin at age 62. Wow! That means I am now officially in line. If the estimate is close, it means I’m one of the early boomers with only 79,999, 999 in line after this lady. Eighty million folks. They estimate this massive group will add to the social security rolls to the tune of 10,000 people per day! It reminds me of a joke told by Bob Hope one time. He said that with the Chinese producing a billion people they bound to have been doing something other than playing ping pong. Obviously, the post-WWII baby boom means that we as a nation will now be entering into unchartered waters.

I could be a smart aleck about it and send notice to each of the 3.3 workers that support one social security recipient and tell them they to need to work harder and longer hours as we boomers come on the scene. The stats indicate back in 1950 there were 16 workers supporting each recipient. The times they are a-changing. I think the current estimate is that with the additional strain on the system, it should be solvent until 2043, and then it will go belly up. That concerns me because I will turn 97 that year. Man, there’s always a catch!

I know it has become fashionable for the younger generations to joke about how social security will be nothing more than a footnote in the history book by the time they reach retirement age. This has been a concern kicked around for a long time but while liars do often figure, actual figures typically do not, although it might be wise to consider the source in this instance, that being the United States Government. We can only hope they do their usual miserable job of forecasting!
Thinking about really crazy misses in forecasting, here are a few notable ones from fairly recent history:

“Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.”

Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”

Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

“I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won’t last out the year.”

The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957

“But what … is it good for?”

Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.

“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”

Ken Olson, founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977

“This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.”

Western Union internal memo, 1876.

“The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C,’ the idea must be feasible.”

A Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith’s paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp.

“I’m just glad it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling on his face and not Gary Cooper.”

Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in “Gone With The Wind.”

“We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.”

Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.

“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.”

Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895.

“So we went to Atari and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do you think about funding us? Or we’ll give it to you. We just want to do it. Pay our salary, we’ll come work for you.’ And they said, ‘No.’ So then we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they said, ‘Hey, we don’t need you. You haven’t got through college yet.’”

Apple Computer Inc. founder Steve Jobs on attempts to get Atari and H-P interested in his and Steve Wozniak’s personal computer.

“Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You’re crazy.”

Drillers who Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil in 1859.

“This fellow Charles Lindbergh will never make it. He’s doomed.”

Harry Guggenheim, a millionaire aviation enthusiast.

“Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value.”

Marechal Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre.

“The abdomen, the chest, and the brain will forever be shut from the intrusion of the wise and humane surgeon.”

Sir John Eric Ericksen, a British surgeon, appointed Surgeon-Extraordinary to Queen Victoria, 1873

I guess at this point and time it’s better to hope the predictions concerning the demise of the social security trust fund, (it’s not a real trust fund, it’s like the famous Al Gore lockbox), will end up like some of these famous miscalculations. But there is that thing called the inevitable and it usually has the last laugh. But for me and those who have our trust in God, our hope is in the Lord our God and He will provide for His own. That’s really the only way we can be assured of anything, period, end of story.  Amen.    …More later.

“Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff.” ― Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

Hello and welcome. Today is Thursday, October 15, 2020. The wife and I are supposed to get our flu shots today. We typically have to make an appointment, but, when I called in the lady said we could go directly to the pharmacy at the clinic and they would give them to us there. They are making it as convenient as possible this year. Sounded good, so, yesterday, we drove over to the clinic and found out the pharmacy was out of flu shot vaccine. They said the 'clinic' itself may have some but we would need to make an appointment for that. I took the bait and asked, "Why, then, did the lady tell us to drive over here and get our shots at the pharmacy?" The pharmacy tech smiled and said the lady would have no idea they were out. They recommended we go to the front check-in desk and see if we could get an appointment. My wife said no big deal but I will admit the whole thing was somewhat irritating to me. We had driven to get the shot and we had followed the instructions we were given. We were there. Customer service protocol would suggest they might have found a way to accommodate our situation, but, alas, we got ourselves signed up for today, she at 2:30 p.m. and me at 2:45 p.m. After all, we are retired and it gives something to do. Right? (Note to self. Memorize and put into practice the title quote on today's edition.)

The clinic we visited has a new way to check temperatures. When we walked through the door they had each of us stand in front of a monitor, the size of a computer tablet, mounted on a stand. It obviously had some type of camera because I could see myself on the screen. It was able to take our temp and we were admitted to the next step where they question you about symptoms. I don't know about you, but, a device that can read your body temperature via some type of image capture from about 2 feet away, well, that's pretty impressive. It reminded me of the old commercial, "Look Ma, no hands!" (I actually couldn't find the source for that one but it is stuck in my head.)  Just think. They can come up with smart devices like that but they can't figure out how to let the information hotline know when they are out of vaccine at the pharmacy. You do know I am joking about that. Well, to be honest, after the incident at the pharmacy, the thought did cross my mind. 

If I had inquired into the matter further I'm sure eventually I would have heard, "Sorry, but the Covid situation has created a lot of difficulties for us." I have mentioned before about how Covid has become the go-to excuse for just about any and everything. Don't take my word for it. Google it as an excuse and you will see millions of hits where this has become a major facet of today's world. We can no longer provide that service due to Covid. We are unable to respond promptly due to Covid. We are still struggling to recover from the setback we experienced from Covid. There are known cases where companies rushed to reduce staff as a business decision knowing they could connect it to Covid. The former chief of staff for President Obama, Rahm Emanuel, famously quoted others when he said, "You never let a serious crisis go to waste." The doing of just that did not originate with him. The blame game has been around a long time. In fact, Adam chose to blame his wife, Eve, for his failure to obey the Lord. In my more than 50 years of public work, I've seen this excuse mechanism used time and time again. Many times, these are contrived and they don't amount to more than "the dog ate my homework". Here's one I will try out on you. Some days my blog is not what I would like for it to be, I suppose the Covid thing has hampered my ability to do better. Sorry. I couldn't resist. Have yourself a most wonderful rest of the day and may God bless each one. Amen. ....More later.

Arthur Godfrey: "I'm proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money."

Mr. Bentley, "Find a nice quiet spot and just try to chill out."

Good morning and welcome. It's Wednesday, October 14, 2020, and, I don't know about you but for the first time in my adult life I am doing my best to untune into the political cannibal show in progress. Don't get me wrong, I still try to check the headlines but no eyes glued to the set this go-round. I already know exactly how I will vote, therefore, that part is not up for any changes. The entire process being pursued seems to insult me on a level I've not really experienced before. Maybe that's why more and more folks see our country as the loser in all of this. I often remind myself how God is more than well aware of, as it is called, the facts on the ground. He knows about the Coronavirus, He knows about those suffering, He knows about this election, and, He knows His own. Therefore, He is at work in all of these challenges and circumstances to bring about good for those who love Him and are His called-out ones according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)  Amen.

I had an interesting phone interlude with the IRS on Tuesday. I couldn't interlude with them on Monday because it was Columbus Day. (A day the liberal politicals want to abolish but they don't show up for work on it because it's a holiday!) It seems there was an issue in establishing my identification on my 2019 return. They sent a letter. I first checked out the letter to make sure it was legitimate. (It was, according to the IRS website. I didn't have a way of checking to see if the IRS website was legitimate, but, that's a different story for a different day.) If you receive this particular letter you are to call a number dedicated to those who receive this letter. I called at 7:30 a.m. The estimated wait time was between 5 and 21 minutes to talk to a representative. I am not the best at waiting but I drank coffee, paced the floor, and even carried the phone with me on an excursion outdoors with Mr. Bentley. The lady finally came on the line and gave me her control ID number. I dutifully wrote it down. I had to give her the control numbers off the letter they sent. She then went through a verification process to validate my identity. It included information from the 2019 return and the 2018 return. Once she got everything she needed she said she would need to be off the line for up to 5 minutes while she worked on my file. (I have a file. Who knew?) When she came back she said it had been updated and released for processing, but, it would take a minimum of 8 weeks for it to clear. I told her I realized based on the letter that she was not able to answer any questions regarding the reason for this validation, but, I asked her anyway: "I mailed that return in July along with a check to pay what I owed. The check was processed within the first week, but, in October I find out the return has been flagged, doesn't that sound odd? She didn't hesitate, "No sir, that's not odd at all." I then lavished thanks on her and I could tell it took her aback. She had been very professional and courteous and IRS employee or not, she deserved the words I used. She acted very oddly herself as she encouraged me to have a great day and that was the end of that. While she couldn't tell me why this had happened, during my 20 plus minutes of waiting, I figured it out. Last year was my first full year of not having a full-time day job. That seriously changed our income profile and we paid considerably less in taxes. That my friend will flag your return any day of the week and seven times on a Sunday.

Anything to keep old people engaged. After dealing with the insurance company and checking out potential contractors, we have the roofing company starting next Tuesday. We are trying to fit in our flu shots. We are working to finalize a visit over to SanAntonio to see our newest great-granddaughter, Ava Ramona. We would like to see her before she starts walking. Joking only. We did meet our eldest Chris and his wife Sherrie over in their home area for dinner to celebrate his 55th birthday. We had that scheduled before but it got postponed due to the death of our sister-in-law. There are some things I do well. I'm not sure I could name them, but, I'm pretty sure there are some. There are plenty of others I am not as good at. Period. My stepdad for nearly forty years was one of the most organized people I have ever met. If he was working on anything he made a file for it. Anything and everything. His eldest son, my brother Victor, is just like his dad. Right now with all the stuff I'm dealing with, I could use some of that. I do have a filing cabinet. I do have folders. I do have an office. Oh yeah. That's the place that has a 'round to it' motto attached. It's a joke. You can laugh. I will too. But, later, after I get the taste of the IRS out of my mouth. Have a great rest of the day and may God bless each one. Amen. ....More later.