This Buck Owens Song reminds me of when I first saw the girl of my dreams, now the wife of my youth: "I was looking back to see If you were looking back to see If I was looking back to see If you were looking back at me"

Okay. I have checked the calendar on this personal computer, and it agrees: Today is Friday, August 28, 2026. Thanks for showing up. I hope you know how encouraging it is to know you're keeping up with what's happening here at the ole blogger ranch. Thanks ever so much for your prayers on behalf of the wife of my youth in her recovery from surgery, and for our son Jimmy also in recovery from some cracked ribs and a fractured vertebra. She sees her primary care doctor today for a follow-up and her surgeon next week. Jimmy has an appointment next week to further examine his spine. Meanwhile, yours truly is pretty much wearing out his welcome as the self-appointed medical administrator. How do I know this? It has something to do with the decibel ratings coming from the patient side of the house, but I will save that for another day. Perhaps when I am out of town and out of range, if you get my drift. I may be 80 years young, but I am still in a learning mode. This happened to me the other day: I was sitting downstairs, and a really great idea came to me, and it involved making something on the computer. There have been times in my life when I would have been very proud of myself for coming up with that kind of idea. Not this time. I stopped. I looked up. I thanked God for His provision. You might think that somewhat lame, but at my age, you gain a better understanding that it all comes from Him and He deserves the praise for it. It does. He really does. Amen.

 

Does anyone know where I should turn in my nurse's uniform? That's a joke. The jacket that comes with it is a size 38-40, just in case you are interested. Still joking.  I'm thinking of adding these bedside skills to my resume. At 80, my resume is already quite lengthy. Think about it. Just listing the years takes a couple of pages. Ha! I know what many of you are thinking. The need for a resume, well, that train left the station a long time ago. And that it did; however, it doesn't mean I'm not adding new items all the time. When you no longer have anything to add, well, I think we all know what that means. Cue the dirge. I'm just joking around to try to make up for my sadness in being an unemployed male nurse. Ha! Okay. That's not only enough, but it was enough some time ago. Lord willing and as He provides, here is what I have in mind for the rest of this week and leading into next week. Ready? I will continue to get ready to finish getting ready for teaching the last two chapters in the Old Testament Book of Ruth. What a great writing preserved for our learning. (Romans 15:4) The wife said I could teach the entire book without even reading it again, but that's just her opinion. Here's the truth: Keep on studying because God shows us something different every time we do. He does. He really does. All of this studying is in preparation for what happens next week. That's right. My broken record keeps on keeping on; that is because I'm talking about Sunday, the first day of next week, and that's when we get to go to the meeting place of our local called-out assembly. Yay and Amen. God shows up in a special way when His people gather together to hear from Him. He does. He really does. Amen.

"Memory only becomes interesting through its struggle with forgetfulness." ~ Adrian Forty, Emeritus Professor of Architectural History at The Bartlett, the Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London.

Still mixed up here at the ole blogger ranch. Yesterday was not Thursday; it was Wednesday; therefore, today is actually Thursday, August 27, 2026. Unlike what I was always told, we don't lose that many brain cells each day; however, as we age, we do have issues connecting to them. As in the wiring, or synapses, as they are designated. Back in my previous work life in a galaxy far, far away, one of the things I was responsible for was connecting folks to the data center mainframes, a similar situation. All sorts of things could happen to interrupt connectivity. In this feeble example, in my situation, that would be aging- my friend- yes, connectivity issues because of aging. All of the information I need, all of the memories I have, including precise backgrounds, telephone numbers, addresses, birthdays, relationships, connections, it is all still intact, but alas, the connections themselves are both tired and frayed. You should not be surprised when you see me at times practicing a new look: the blank stare. Here is a bit of good news. I still can experience what it means to have God's Spirit bear witness with my spirit that I am His child. (My representation of the truth expressed in Romans 8:16)  I may even have better news. Since I am His child and I have been sealed for eternity by His Spirit, nothing can ever change my Father-Child relationship, not even if I lose my ever-loving mind. (2nd Timothy 2:13)  My point? To my older friends and neighbors: Try not to fret over not being able to remember things like you did earlier in life because that is a very natural thing that happens to us. Instead, thank the Lord that He is still with us, period. Give Him all the glory and praise. Amen.

 

 

One way to deal with issues like forgetfulness is to learn to laugh about it, yep, learn to laugh, even at yourself. That's always been a tough one for me, but I am working on it. There's the one about the older guy telling his doctor about how forgetful he is becoming. The doctor's response was to tell him to please pay in advance. ~ My memory is getting really bad. Do I come here often? ~ One older chicken to another: My memory is getting so bad, yesterday I couldn't remember why I crossed the road. ~ Instead of going down Memory Lane, I'm now traveling on Memory Loss Lane. ~ I'll take remembering things for $200, please. ~ And the list goes on and on. I do realize that if memory loss is associated with chronic illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer's, it is no laughing matter. But age-related memory issues are a fact of life. My wife often says I have great recall. To be honest, she doesn't say that nearly as much as she used to. And that's okay. I am amused by how I often pause in the middle of telling something while my personal search engine inside my pea-sized brain looks for the next phrase. Get my point? Oh well, I am beginning to get used to hearing the wife tell me that I've already told that story. I usually say it is worth telling again, but she says it might be, but not right after you've told it. Is this a great country or what? Are we having fun or what? Thanks for tuning in, and may God add His blessings. Amen.

2 Peter 1:3 ~ English Standard Version ESV ~ "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ...."

Welcome to where I find myself doing my best to get my days straightened out. I completely lost last Friday in the stuff we were working through here at the ole blogger ranch. Then it happened again yesterday. Today is Thursday, August 26, 2026, and I am thankful that the wife of my youth is making progress each day after fairly serious esophageal surgery. And our son Jimmy, who suffered a fractured vertebra after a severe seizure, is doing better too. I know the wife is better because she and I have begun trading testy remarks again. In doing so, she makes me laugh. Yes. Out loud. LOL. My being the chief medical nursing provider is enough to make anyone laugh. I am becoming very familiar with the blender since all of her food intake has to be liquefied. I even read the instructions before I started using the machine. That may not be a first, but it was important to get it right. I heard one of our associate pastors praying for her on the speaker phone. He prayed not only for her and our son Jimmy, but he also mentioned her caregiver, me. I appreciate that, while at the same time we both signed up for whatever happens in our lives on that frigid cold Louisiana night back in December of 1964. Everyone should know how grateful I am to God for allowing me the wherewithal and strength to serve those I love. I'm reminded of the response slogan often heard from our friends at Chick-fil-A. My pleasure. I feel that way as I go about this, that, and the other. Tomorrow may be a different story, so stay tuned. Who knows what may be on the front burner then. Again. I thank God. I do. I really do. 

 

With all that's been going on here, I don't know much at all about the current news cycle. If something really big is happening, text me. Ha. Isn't it interesting that when you have other things to occupy your time, you no longer worry about those kinds of 24-hour cycles made up mostly of blather forth and back designed to capture one's time, and they are good at doing just that. Okay. Yesterday. A not-so-funny thing happened on my way to having a somewhat normal day. Our son Jimmy had a couple of medical appointments, but on his way, he had a blowout on his front right tire. He called me and said he needed help because of his back. No doubt. I got there and found the car leaning on a fairly steep incline, but I did get it jacked up, got the bad tire off, and was ready to mount the spare when bam!, the jack gave way, and the car fell flat on the ground. After trying to figure out what we might do, we settled on calling a wrecker. Not to tow the car but to lift it up so we could put the spare on. It was super hot, my friend, super hot. It took the wrecker nearly an hour to get there, and because of that steep incline, the driver tried a half dozen or more positions to get his wheel lift mechanism under the car. Finally, we decided to try to carjack to lift it enough to help. The driver was a young man but burly and strong. He and I got down on the ground, and his big hands dug out under the car enough to get the jack under it. While down there, I learned he was from a nearby town, was married with three children, and we talked about Church. His parents go to a local assembly across the freeway from where we live. After lots of using the body tools- our hands, God gave us to dig with- we got it jacked a few inches. He was then able to lift it with the wrecker. He changed the tire. We shook hands, and I wished him Godspeed as he left for his next call. I've never experienced any oxen in any ditches, but I do know a little about a car being in one. Ha! Granny Mac was right, my friend. If it's not one thing, it's something else. Thank God for His provisions. Yes. Thank God. Amen.

Hebrews 10:25 ~ Amplified Bible ~ ".... not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching."

Thank God. It's Monday. TGIM. Wait a minute; it should be thank God for every minute of every hour for every day, period. Amen. I bid you a hearty hello and welcome to our visit today on August 24, 2026. I didn't say we are thankful for every situation we find ourselves in; however, we are thankful to Him in every situation because, as believers, He will never leave us nor will He ever forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6-8, and Joshua 1:5) The wife of my youth and I want to express our sincere appreciation for the many prayers going up on behalf of her recovery from surgery and also for Jimmy's current situation, where he is dealing with a fractured vertebra brought on by the severe seizure he recently had. Granny Mac used to say, "Well, if it's not one thing, it's something else." That, my friend, is how life unfolds. It is. It really is. Need more? When it rains, it pours. We're dealing with more things than you can shake a stick at. Even more? Why is everybody picking on me? No matter how you say it, we are not promised a tip-toe through the tulips in our sojourn here on the planet. We are not. We really are not. Here's what I say about our current difficulties: How thankful I am for God's enabling that permits me to deal with these challenges. He is good. He is really good. He is. He really is. In the coming days, I might say something different. The good news? Nothing about Him changes, but with me, it seems like at times you just have to check which way the wind is blowing. Even when I am wobbly, He isn't. That's good to know, folks. It is. It really is. Amen.

 

I can tell you one thing. David writing in the Old Testament was right. He was. He really was. When he said, as recorded in Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'" (as rendered in the New Living Translation, NLT) Yesterday, I was able to experience exactly David's sentiment when I attended services at our local called-out assembly or church, if you prefer. I left the ailing wife of my youth with my ailing middle son to see after her, but I literally had, as they say, my socks blessed off by meeting with brothers and sisters in Christ who love one another and care. Our life group was a blessing because that's where we can get personal with one another. I was able to shake hands, hug necks, and share some laughs before the lesson began. I gave an update on my wife and our son to the class and told a couple of jokes. I told them I was yet to use Paw Paw Mac's admonition, "It will feel much better when it quits hurting," and his other, "You have the same clothes to get glad in." I also told some of the guys one I read; it goes like this: The wife is really, really angry. When this happens, you should get a towel or blanket and tie it around her neck and then pronounce her to be 'Super Angry'. One of two things will happen: She will laugh, or you will die. After hearing a lesson from the Book of Ruth, I went to the choir practice room where we went over the special song to be sung. We then had a wonderful time of worship, and the lyrics of the songs chosen touched my heart deeply. Next, we heard our pastor expound the Word of God from 2nd Thessalonians. Our pastor preaches through The Scriptures, verse by verse. That, by the way, is how The Scriptures were written and delivered, inspired by Holy Spirit God. I felt refreshed. I felt loved from above and from those there in the meeting place. I hurried to my vehicle and made my way back home, knowing how glad I was to have been at the meeting place of our local called-out assembly.  You should try it. You should. You really should. As I am click-clacking on the keyboard, Lil Miss Biscuit is lying behind me in my typing chair, and our touching each other has my back all warmed up. That's what happens when you fellowship with other believers and hear from God; it warms your heart, and you can do the same for them. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ~ English Standard Version, ESV ~ "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

How does it feel to be the age that I have now achieved? That, my friend, is a good question for this Thursday, August 21, 2026. First, I've never been this age, so I can't comment much on my new status. Secondly, I actually think I feel in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in. That said, there's a lot to read on artificial intelligence websites about the changes that take place for someone in their 80s. I am on twelve different prescribed medications along with a few other over-the-counter supplements, and I tell people that's what keeps me going. Not really. I do know this about it all. I am blessed by Almighty God for every breath I breathe on the planet. This means, in our way of understanding Scripture, that He is not finished with me yet. I am not able to walk much anymore because of my hip situation, but I do okay on the new stationary bike. I feel blessed to study God's Word and still teach a Bible class. I feel blessed to still be able to sing in the choir. I feel blessed to still be able to formulate words onto the electronic page for the blogs I write five days per week. I feel blessed to maintain contact with our boys and their families. I feel blessed to try to do my best to love the wife of my youth in the same way Christ loved His Church and gave Himself up for her. I feel blessed to enjoy our pup, Lil Miss Biscuit. I also feel blessed for the bond that remains with my last sibling, JoAnn. I feel blessed by God, and I thank Him for the resources He has provided, allowing us to support several ministries over the years. I repeat, I actually think I am in good shape for the shape I'm in because of God's blessings. He deserves all the honor and praise. He does. He really does. Amen.

 

I am currently heads down in my nursing mode, seeing after the recovery and support of my wife after her surgical procedure to take care of a hiatal hernia and related issues. Since our health plan farmed out the surgery to a specialist from a different health plan, we again had to navigate into and out of downtown Houston. The city of Houston ranks 8th nationally and 18th internationally in traffic congestion. Those who commute in and out of the city lose, on average, 70 hours per year in stalled traffic. On average. Listen. I think I may have beaten that record the last few times our trips required us to be in the city. I know. I did it for 50-plus years and didn't even think about it. It was what it was. I remind us all. I wasn't 80 years old back then. I did read up on the doctor who did her surgery. He pretty much is in the Who's Who category as a thoracic surgical specialist. He is one of those who typically has an entourage following him wherever he goes. Ha! I told that to our primary care, and he said he now knew what he had been missing since becoming a doctor: his very own entourage. I heard the late, great man of God, pastor and teacher, Dr. Adrian Rogers talk about choosing doctors. He said if he had a heart problem and had to choose between an atheist recognized expert versus a Christian but mediocre surgeon, he would choose the atheist every time. We are thankful she did well in her surgery. She still has some pain, and we are working through the liquid diet for the first week to be followed with a soft diet next week. We are thankful to be in a plan that provides access to the very best, even if it is not one of their own. If I can take a break from my nursing duties, I will get back to y'all with an update tomorrow. Until then, thanks for praying for us. Amen.

We are home from the hospital. The wife is recovering. The surgery was more complicated than originally predicted. Her chief nurse, me, myself and I, is making sure she follows doctor's orders. This requires getting up early and staying late. Ha! All in all, all is well. Thank God. Amen.

 

Doing much better this morning. Great people supporting her here at Baylor St. Lukes. We give God the thanks and praise for His provisions, great and small.