"Savvy older travelers know it's never too late to have a happy childhood." ~ copied

Hello out there to those who access my writing on the great WWW—the World Wide Web. Today is Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and I am happy to greet you, coming to you live and in person from here at the ole blogger ranch. That is, I was alive and breathing air here on the planet when I typed today’s edition.

 

We had a great trip last week, bringing our version of Santa and Mrs. Claus to the photo studio in Delight, Arkansas. That’s the area where Glen Campbell, the late, accomplished country music artist, was reared and the place he called home. He was born just outside Delight and was laid to rest in the Campbell Family Cemetery.

 

This was our sixth year working with our professional photographer, Jill. We enjoyed working with her and with her son and daughter, who helped schedule and coordinate the families coming in for Christmas portraits. Plenty of Campbell kin live in that area, so we likely took photos with some of them. As the photo above shows, Jill had a wonderful backdrop for the occasion.

 

For older folks like us, the trip was a wee bit taxing, but aside from a few muscle aches and pains, we came through just fine. We took photos with many wonderful kids—and I quickly add, kids of all ages.

 

We had only one who showed up determined not to do anything his folks wanted him to do. He was maybe two or three, but he was quite certain about what he would and would not do. Sometimes you can catch a shot or two while they are trying to get away. We tried. We tried everything the photo expert knew to do, everything we knew to do, and everything Mom and Dad knew to do. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t have helped, either. That youngster had his mind made up!

 

All in all, it was a good day in the studio, and we thank everyone involved for their help and support. Amen.

 

It seems that since I turned 80, the warranties on the body parts needed to keep me functioning have begun to expire. The wife of my youth, now 79, seems to be dealing with some of the same issues—perhaps out of sympathy. It’s like we were doing really well until we weren’t doing so well. Duh.

 

We are so unbelievably blessed to have wonderful medical services at our disposal. Sometimes our schedule of doctor visits looks like a crossword puzzle—unfortunately, with no prize. One older fellow told another, “My wife watches so many medical shows, I can only see her during visiting hours.”

 

Confession time. I often consult Google’s artificial intelligence application when trying to make sense of symptoms. It’s interactive, so it often asks questions for clarification. I know. It’s a robot. But the one I use, which goes by the name of Gemini, typically seems pretty bright.

 

When you see a doctor in person, they tend to shrug when you mention something from Gemini. They might just ask you to let Gemini write your prescriptions and schedule your follow-up tests. Believe me, that, my friend, is likely a coming attraction.

 

I wrote yesterday about the disconnect we older folks feel from the younger generation responsible for running things today. Say they are 30 years old. I was 50 when they were born. Experts tell us the main differences stem from how their outlook has been shaped by profound changes in technology and their own life experiences. We typically emphasize stability, while they see life as a process of constant change.

 

I don’t know if that gap can be bridged, but I do know we can love them the way Jesus did. That may be the only common ground we will ever find. Yep. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Amen.

Second Verse from the song, 'Work for the Night is Coming' written by Mrs. Harry Coghill, 1854: "Work, for the night is coming: Work through the sunny noon; Fill brightest hours with labor: Rest comes sure and soon. Give every flying minute Something to keep in store; Work, for the night is coming, When man works no more."

Howdeeeee! I’m so glad to be here. If you recognize that opening, well, you are ancient to the young’uns who get their news from TikTok. Ha! Who would have thought a Chinese-engineered software application would influence our youngest and most impressionable minds? But that’s how we roll today, on this beautiful Monday, November 9, 2026. We got back yesterday afternoon from our trip to Arkansas. We had a wonderful session with our dear friends there, making memories for the upcoming Christmas season. I will write more about our trip later. 

 

How in the world are you doing, my friend? Regarding the midterm election, I talked in my blog last week about how God often allows us to reap the crop we planted. I was speaking about our nation, the one said to be “under God.” And, of course, I include myself when I say “our nation.”

 

We older folks—remember, I am now walking and talking in that 3% category—can become complacent, thinking we will be out of here before things really get bad. I may have entertained that idea myself. Yet, when I seriously consider the consequences our descendants may endure, it breaks my heart. No wonder the song “Come, Jesus Come” touches so many hearts.

 

The Old Testament account of the life and times of Hezekiah, king of Judah, is worth our time. He was a man of God who did much to help keep his people serving the true God. When his life hung in the balance, God saw his tears and extended his life. HOWEVER, in his later years, he made choices that carried grave consequences for future generations.

 

The prophet Isaiah was sent to tell the king what would happen in the years ahead. It was a prophetic word of great calamity for his offspring and his people. After hearing all of this, Hezekiah responded in 2 Kings 20:19: “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”

 

It’s not going to happen until after I’m gone? That has always been a frightening response to me. Good? I’d say, not good at all.

 

God, please help me do my best to help those coming up after me to know You. Amen.

 

 

That response from Hezekiah bothered me when I first read it. That was long before I knew it had been a source of concern for many theologians over the years. Bothered. Me.

 

The real question is how much it bothered me and whether it prompted any response on my part. I know all too well how the tears flow when God speaks through His Word or through His messenger. Yet, often, I get up, wipe the tears away, and go right back to doing the very thing that bothered me in the first place. That’s my testimony, way too often. What about yours?

 

When we no longer see ourselves as needing a wake-up call to do something for the Lord, well, I think we might just become like Hezekiah. He may have even shed some tears over his nation’s future, but his thinking seemed to be, “At least I’ll get to live out my days in peace.”

 

I’ll not be passing the plate today, but this came to mind again, so I felt inclined to share it.

 

“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” I typed that practice sentence an untold number of times while taking a typing class more than 65 years ago. Let me update it: Now is the time for all of us who know the Lord to get up and do something that will count for time and eternity. Amen.

“Santa teaches us that the greatest gifts are not wrapped in paper, but in love.” — Anonymous

Good day, and welcome from the ole blogger ranch, where it’s a lovely 52 degrees outside. It’s Thursday, November 5, 2026, and Lil Miss Biscuit is keeping me company while I click and clack away at the keyboard.

 

There’ll be no blog tomorrow. If the Lord allows, Mrs. Claus and I will be heading to Arkansas for our first Christmas photo engagement of the fall. Oh, what fun it will be to ride! We’re looking forward to seeing all those wonderful children and their families. I get excited just thinking about the questions those little tykes will ask.

 

“Santa, what’s your favorite cookie?”

Sugar cookies, of course! Ho, ho, ho!

 

“Santa, does Mrs. Claus ever get to ride in the sleigh with you?”

 You betcha!

 

“We don’t have a chimney. Is that going to be a problem?”

 Nothing to worry about there. Ho, ho, ho!

 

“Is peppermint your favorite smell?”

I sure do love peppermint, but I have a few other favorites, too.

 

I do my best to keep my answers simple. Then there are the questions that break your heart.

 

“Santa, can you help Mommy and Daddy get back together again? I miss my daddy so much.”

 

“Santa, can you help Grandma get well? She’s been sick for a long time.”

 

And every now and then, a youngster comes along who’s given some serious thought to the engineering side of things.

 

“Santa, how does the speed of light affect your overnight travels?”

Good question, Sonny. Next, please. Ha! I mean, ho, ho, ho!

We always look forward to working with the wonderful folks in Delight, Arkansas. The photographer there does a wonderful job of capturing memories for children of all ages. She’s a pro behind the camera, a wonderful mom and grandmother, and the wife of our good friend, Pastor Bryan Sellers. He can preach up a storm, and he dearly loves spending time in a deer stand. An avid deer hunter is mighty welcome in Delight.

 

The photo shows her Christmas backdrop. And before anybody asks, she didn’t pick that wide chair because Santa’s so wide. You know the kind I mean, like those extra-wide chairs in the waiting room. This one has room for yours truly and children of all ages. Mrs. Claus gets in on some of the photos, too.

 

What about crying kids? Believe me, there’ll likely be a few, and we love them, too. We do. We really do. This is our 17th season, and once again, we’ll do our very best to bring joy to children of all ages. All ages.

 

I’m reminded of an older woman we met at a gathering where a local charity was giving out Christmas presents and food. She was watching folks have their pictures taken with Santa, so I invited her over. She looked stunned, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She sat on my knee and told us this was a first for her. She’d never dreamed she’d get to have her picture taken with Santa.

 

Well, she did. Hugs all around.

 

Okay, class, here’s my question once again. Ready? Do we live in a great country or what? We do. We really do. I thank God for His blessings. Amen.

Speaking of our Lord and Savior, from Colossians 2:15, from the Amplified translation: "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross."

It's me again, and it's Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Hello there, and welcome.

 

I didn't watch the election results last night, but I woke up to the big news this morning. The Democrats won big. The Republicans lost big. In January, the President will have to work with a Congress controlled by the Democrats. That's not what I wanted, but it may well be what we deserve. This is how it works when policies fail to meet people's expectations.

 

No matter what, God is still in ultimate control, and we will do our best to fulfill our patriotic duty while putting Him first in our lives. We did not lose His promises in the election results. I know. We will be criticized for saying things like, “He still reigns,” since nonbelievers see it as a cop-out. That's okay. He reigned before, He reigns now, and He will reign forever and ever. Amen.

 

Those who think otherwise will discover this truth, as given to us in God's Word and rendered in the English Standard Version (ESV):

 

• Philippians 2:10–11: “So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

• Romans 14:11 (quoting Isaiah 45:23): “For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’”

• Isaiah 45:23: “By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’”

Maybe you and I also need to be reminded of God's sovereign control over His created world. That includes all kings, kingdoms, and rulers, as shown in these examples:

 

Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon

• The title: God explicitly calls Nebuchadnezzar “my servant” in Jeremiah 25:9 and Jeremiah 27:6.

• The purpose: Nebuchadnezzar was an idolater who did not know the God of Israel. Yet God used him and his army to bring discipline and judgment upon Judah and the surrounding nations for their persistent disobedience and idolatry.

Cyrus the Great of Persia

• The title: In Isaiah 45:1, God calls Cyrus His “anointed” (Mashiach) and refers to him as His “shepherd” in Isaiah 44:28.

• The purpose: Long before Cyrus was born, Isaiah prophesied that God would use this Persian king to conquer Babylon, free the Jewish exiles, and support the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

   

Go ask the Pharaoh who held God's people captive what he thinks about our Great God. Here's what we read about this king in Romans 9:17: “I made you leader for this reason: I used you to show My power. I used you to make My name known over all the world.”

 

As we will no doubt face many godless policies coming from the new Congress, it is only right for you and me to remember who God is, who we are in Christ, and how even those in power remain subject to His ultimate authority and control.

 

Let's do this: Pray, be faithful, and serve God diligently. Amen.

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." ~ John Quincy Adams

Hello, and welcome to Election Day here in the land of the free and the home of the brave. It’s Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and they tell us the U.S. Senate race here in Texas is the most expensive Senate race in history. Oh well, everything is bigger in Texas. Right?

 

My personal cell phone has practically been knocked onto its side by all the political texts it has been receiving. Regardless of the outcome, most people will breathe a sigh of relief when all the mudslinging ads stop.

 

Sadly, many who proclaim themselves churchgoers have decided to sit this one out. I am very unhappy in a number of areas in how our national government has conducted its business over the past 18 months. However, I am not ready to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. Folks who are angry with our current president are actually willing to allow the most radical candidates to take office. Allow. That’s right.

 

As a conservative, my take goes like this: If people don’t vote, their nonvote is a vote for the radical left. Sorry. It’s my blog, and until it is shut down, I will call it like I see it. There’s no number on the pump where I purchase gasoline that will ever cause me to vote for people who trash every value we hold dear.

 

Regardless of what happens, we, as born-again believers, have God on our side. No election will change our standing with Him, and He will have the last say in any and all affairs that pertain to His own.

 

 Therefore, we trust in God. Period.

 

It does, however, hurt to know that so many like-minded believers have decided to shirk their responsibility to vote. Other citizens may have to hold their noses, but they still cast their ballots, choosing as best they can the lesser of the evils before them. Count me as one who could use a clothespin on my nose.

 

May God work His will among us all. Amen.

 

That’s why my blog is called “The View From Here.”

 

The weather will also have an impact on voting today. We are supposed to have a cold front come through later this morning, accompanied by a lot of rain. There are a number of studies that correlate weather with voter turnout. Nice weather produces a larger turnout. Duh!

 

We waited until today because our polling location is only a block away from our house. If it’s raining when we go vote, we know how to use umbrellas and rain gear.

 

Here’s what God’s Word says regarding governing authorities, from Romans 13:1–7 in the New King James Version (NKJV):

 

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

 

I taught this passage several years ago. When I pointed out that Rome was the government in power in Paul’s day, a fellow stood up and angrily left the room. I later learned that he was strongly opposed to the people then holding office in Washington, D.C. I will just leave it at that.

 

God doesn’t tell us to support evil, but He does give us the perspective we are to have regarding governing authorities. Got it? Good.

 

May God bless each one, and may He also bless this country we are so very privileged to live in. Amen.

Romans 8:31: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” as rendered in the 1611 Edition of the King James Version of the Bible.

Welcome to all those tuning in for today’s one-way dialogue on Monday, November 2, 2026. I want to thank everyone who has been praying for the wife of my youth as she continues to recover from her thoracic surgery this past August. It has been tough sledding for her, especially since she is so accustomed to being on the go.

 

We are looking forward to our first Santa appearance of the season this coming Saturday in Arkansas. We hope the change of scenery will be refreshing. This will be our 17th year of making appearances as Santa and Mrs. Claus.

 

I just remembered. It is actually my 18th year, since I was a very young Santa at one of the Sears locations back in the early 1970s. I put in many evening and weekend hours back then. During orientation, we would-be Santas were instructed to do our best to reflect the Santa portrayed in “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” That classic holiday poem was first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore.

 

I do hope I’ve come a long way since back then. However, I’ve learned a very important lesson: Children of all ages are much the same when it comes to connecting with Santa Claus. Call it an illusion or a fantasy—whatever you like. Kids love Santa, and Santa loves them back. He does. He really does. That makes for a very interesting and rewarding time for Mrs. Claus and me. Yay and Ho-Ho-Ho!

 

 

Yesterday, I was privileged to teach from the writings of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the local, called-out assembly—the church—meeting in Rome, Italy. The portion I taught is what we know as Chapter 11. While I believe everything in this text, inspired by God through the Holy Spirit, I will be the first in line to admit that I mostly apprehend it by faith. Understanding it all is way above my pay grade.

 

I grasp the Greatness and the Goodness of God as I see how He acted to provide for sinners just like me. After all is said and done, it is His created world, and He has done as He pleased, always in keeping with His perfect attributes. I will say this: Those who think God has abandoned His chosen people, the Jews, will need to rip many passages out of God’s Word to support that conclusion.

 

Chapters 9, 10, and 11 are amazing in their presentation of God’s Master Plan for the world He created, for time and eternity. Once again, I bow before our Great God as I embrace by faith the truths He has chosen to share with us.

 

Is it any wonder that the Apostle Peter himself said the wisdom given to and expressed by the Apostle Paul includes things that are hard to understand? (2 Peter 3:15–16) Peter also warned that some people twist those writings. That, my friend, is going on 24/7. We should heed that warning and listen to and follow only those who are committed to handling God’s Word with great care.

 

Okay. That’s a lot to say grace over, but it’s the truth, and I say Amen to it. What say you?

Colossians 3:12 NIV ~ "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

I had two interesting observations made about me this week. Neither came from me.

 

The first came from a lady in the grocery store who gave me her opinion on something I knew absolutely nothing about. She was older and looked somewhat disheveled. She said, “I want you to know I am aware of how you are showing up in the same place I am. Now you know that I know. That’s all I have to say.” She appeared to be a wee bit off, so I chose not to respond. I just shrugged my shoulders and fetched the milk I had come for. That was a first for me.

 

Next, I was on the phone with the folks at the animal clinic where we take Lil Miss Biscuit. I wanted to know why they kept sending notices saying I was behind on her checkups and treatment regimen. I had just taken her in for her annual checkup in July. It seems they are offering an optional extensive blood test, and that’s what the notices were about. Her next annual checkup isn’t due until next July.

 

While I had the lady on the phone, I asked about the process for approving Biscuit’s special, all-inclusive, once-a-month pill. I use a pet pharmacy in Miami, Florida, and they always seem to have trouble getting the prescription approved. She said she would put a note in the file. I also mentioned that the new pill costs considerably more than the one we used before. The previous pill, recommended by the clinic, was supposedly the best on the market. Now that the clinic has changed brands, the new one is the best on the market.

 

She said there was a note in the file.

 

When I got off the phone, my son observed that I sounded like a grumpy old man.

 

I was only stating the facts.

 

That’s my story on this Friday, October 30, 2026, and I am sticking to it.

I am. I really am.

 

I, of course, not only denied the allegation, but I also denied the alligator. After all, I was only stating the facts as I knew them. I certainly didn’t intend for my tone to come across that way.

 

It reminds me of when I used to tell my grandfather about a mishap. I would say it wasn’t my intention for things to turn out that way. He would look me straight in the eyes and ask, “What, then, was your intention?”

 

That little episode with the animal clinic tells me I have not arrived. I am a work in progress, and I have a long way to go in reflecting my Savior in every conversation. You do understand, right, Vern?

 

The photo above shows me checking out “the suit” before showing up for official photos. I am a wee bit smaller than I was last year, thank God, but that does create some issues with how the suit fits. I’ve mentioned before that most Santas tend to be rather large. That means my suit, the smallest I could find, fits a fellow much larger than I am, but we figure out ways to make it work.

 

We didn’t notice the pinkish hue on some of the white parts of our uniforms when we picked them up from the specialty dry cleaners. Given the animal clinic conversation, though, I think I’ll wait until another day before calling them. Perhaps I’ll make that call from my upstairs office. With the door shut. Ha.

 

Have a great end to the workweek as we prepare to begin a new week on Sunday by gathering with other believers to hear from God as His Word is shared. Let’s hope the sermon won’t be on how our words come across to others.

 

Yikes and Amen.