"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." —Thomas Jefferson

Made it to another day. This one, the one we are currently dealing with, self identifies as Wednesday, February 4, 2026. I do bid each one a hearty hello and a prayer that God will guide us all. Amen. I would vote for President Trump again given the alternatives from the woke progressive socialist party opposite. At the same time I do get a wee bit weary over all the put downs and other negative stuff that seems to pour out of his mouth. Yep. I would still vote for him again. I am against seeing our nation continue its drift towards socialism defined as an economic and political system based on public or collective ownership of the means of production, aiming for a more egalitarian distribution of wealth and resources. It prioritizes cooperation over competition, often involving government management of key industries to ensure that society's needs are met, rather than focusing on private profit. While that may sound good to some it reflects the destruction of what makes America, America, including the loss of things like liberty, individualism, and democracy, often characterized by a shared American spirit, purpose, and cultural traits. I would vote for any candidate that stands for the values we hold near and dear to our heart. While those in the party opposite fawn over the newly elected mayor of New York City who is very close to being an out and out communist, I will continue to stand for liberty, fully knowing we have many flaws and blemishes that are always in need of repair. Yes. I will vote for the candidate that reflects what I believe has made this nation, under God, the great nation she is. You can decide for yourself. I don't begrudge those who choose to support their vision on the left, but, I did vote for and I would vote again for President Donald J. Trump. I may not like his bully persona and his brash condemnations, but, he does still represent a glimmer of what I believe the American Dream represents. That's my take. What say you?

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 from the Amplified Bible: "When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person". 

 

I do know there are dangers in expressing one's opinion on political matters. Social media has a history of seeing those with opinions being castigated and often rejected due to their expressed thoughts. I find it interesting that those who make up the celebrity world who claim to support the freedom of expression from any and all quarters, well, they turn out to be lock step promoters of their conclusion and all others are not only to be excluded but they are to be run out of town, so to speak. So much for freedom of thought and expression. And, on the right, well, for some it operates pretty much the same way. You can be on our team as long as you toe the line on any and every idea we embrace. Sorry. I don't buy either of those extremes. America is about freedom. Yes. Freedom to disagree. Freedom to complain. Freedom to make my case for what I believe. Here again, I voted for President Trump and I would vote for him again, and again. Why? I cannot even conceive of seeing our nation go against what was fought and won in the American Revolution. I end today's blog by saying this: God has blessed our nation. He continues to bless our nation. But, there may soon come a day when He withholds His blessings because of His righteous judgment on our disobedience and rebellion against Him. I pray that we, as a nation, will turn to Him, today. Amen.

History of the idiom 'going to the dogs': The saying go to the dogs has been around for a very long time. It seems to have started in the sixteenth century from the idea that useless or spoiled things, like food, should be thrown to the dogs rather than be eaten by people. Rotten or ruined things are suited only to go to the dogs; a person who ruins or destroys his life, therefore, goes to the dogs as well.

Today is Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and, I thought it might be good to allow my associate editor to say a few words today.  

Hello. This is Lil Miss Biscuit coming to you live and in person from the lap of the blogger in chief here at the ole blogger ranch. All I can tell you is how I do my best to watch over and reign him in, but, as you can see, he does have a mind of his own. I also want everyone to know that while I came along after their beloved Sir Bentley, they have loved me the same way they loved him. I hear them talk about how I was chosen from the litter and the people who birthed me gave some bogus information about my pedigree, however, the folks here made the decision whether I was purebred or mutt, they loved me anyway. You might not know this about these folks. They watch a lot of Korean, Japanese, French, and other foreign dramas. They can read the subtitles but all I hear is the gibberish from these different languages. I'm just glad they still remember what the word treat means. You do know what I mean? Right? I do play games with them. When I run out of food or water I rattle my metal bowl and it does make a racket. I do love to see them jump into action to refill my bowls. Many people say I am lucky to have them as my caretakers. Ha! I play fetch with them. I lick on them to show my affection. I sleep on their laps. I cuddle. Now. Tell me who is lucky. I report. You decide. Thanks for keeping up with us and yep, I was worried too when the blogger in chief was ailing. I knew something was wrong. It hurt my heart. It did. It really did. But, I've done my part in nursing him back to health or a facsimile thereof. If you happen to bump into them, you might mention how much I like those really expensive treats. The ones our 87 year old neighbor gives me. I think they have duck and sweet potatoes in them and they are so-o-o-o good! Until next time, y'all take care.

 

Okay. There you have my version of what it means to go to the dogs. Only in this case it's the opposite of the traditional meaning. Turning it over to Lil Miss Biscuit reminds me of the blessing she has been and continues to be in my life. The Bible tells us that every good gift comes from God, therefore, I thank God for all He provides, including this little heat source and heartbeat laying on my lap. May God add His blessings. Amen.

Matthew 28: 19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ English Standard Version

Good morning and welcome to today's edition. It is a brand new month and today finds us at Monday, February 2, 2025. I read where the groundhog has spoken and there will be six more weeks of winter. David in the Bible said he was glad when they said let us go to the House of the Lord, (Psalm 122). I say this about that: Me too!!! We did get to show up for our Life Group yesterday and it gave me the opportunity to thank our folks for their concern and prayers during the health scare, if that is what it was, I experienced recently. While in our study we received a text saying our great grand Gabriella was being baptized at her local assembly about 30 minutes away. So, we jumped up, left the class in progress and drove over to witness this life milestone event. We walked into the meeting room and there she was, in the water already. She was bearing witness on the outside of what had already taken place on the inside, her having put her faith and trust in Jesus. Believer's baptism is how we define it. Having been saved she then, in obedience to the Lord's command, gave testimony in demonstrating the death, burial, and resurrection as depicted in baptism, and, in doing so, she gave evidence of her new life in Christ. She is eight years old and we pray for her and for all of our children, grandchildren, and great grands, that each one will come to the knowledge of the truth, respond to the Gospel, and be saved. Why? Because there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun, therefore, we want all of our family to go to heaven. That's our heart's desire. We were blessed to be at her baptism. The pastor there brought a tremendous sermon on what it means to fulfill the life God has given to us by reaching out to others and seeing them come to know Christ. We then had lunch with our son Chris, her Paw Paw, and the family. It was a great day and I am looking forward to more of the same as we seek to influence our offspring with the most important truth in this life, and, that being how God loved them and sent His Son to save them. Amen.

 

I read that some people actually eat groundhogs as wild game along with woodchucks. You know, how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood? That's my recollection of that little ditty and it may not be correct. At any rate, others recommend not eating groundhogs because they might carry disease or parasites. We grew up eating wild game in rural Louisiana. It was mostly squirrels and deer and maybe a wild hog or two. We didn't think much about it. Granny Mac would prepare it and we would sit down to the table and it eat what was put before us. She could cook. We would go out and kill a few squirrels, clean them, and, she would go to work. She knew how to take the gaminess out of the meat she cooked. She would smother fry the squirrels and make a gravy and serve them with mashed potatoes and homemade bread. Talk about good! Fast forward to the past forty plus years and I can tell you I haven't killed any wild game and the only game I've eaten has been a little sausage given to me, made up of pork and deer meat, and, that would have been very little. When we moved to the Houston area, our diet changed too. My point? Punxsutawney Phil, the prediction groundhog, might want to be aware that if he makes a bad guess, well, he might just end up in the frying pan. And, the neighborhood we live in is overrun with squirrels. They seem to be everywhere. People actually wreck their vehicles avoiding them on the roadways. They do. They really do. Sadly, me too! Y'all take care and have a wonderful day. With God's blessings. Amen. 

"Music always sounds better on Friday." ~ Lou Brutus, American radio personality, program director, voice-over talent, musician, and photographer.

Welcome, one and all, near and far, as we embrace the day the Lord has given to us, this one happens to be Friday, January 30, 2026. I have written much on the subject of the TGIF concept built into the psyche of most workers in America. For me, Friday was for the most part, nothing more than the day before Saturday because most of my time in the workplace did not reflect the highly vaunted 5 day work week. But, to each his or her own, and, while I don't completely get the huge sigh of relief that comes with Friday, I am well aware how embedded it is. Therefore, to get along I want to share this as a way of looking at the life God has provided to each of us. Thank God for every day He gives because He does have a plan and purpose for those who are His own. His plan for you and me is a 24x7 walk and it extends to each and every day we draw breath here on the planet. Lecture? Absolutely not. I'm just setting the standard high because while I can easily miss the mark at anytime and on any day, it does help to be reminded that God is not bound by the clock on the wall and He is always there to get us back on the track that honors Him and is best for each of us as individuals. I hear you. Some out there likely know just how badly I've missed living out God's plan. You are 100% accurate in your recollection. However, I'm now in the mode of handing down what I have learned and what I continue to learn. Therefore, it pays to live within the plan and purpose of the One who knows you best and loves you the most. He proved that by sending His one and only Son to die for us. Okay. That's my Friday expose with the admonition to do better than I did, it will be worth it. Too late for me to wallow in the what if, but, I can encourage others to do what Micah, the Prophet of God advised, "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God, (Micah 6:8)

 

If you have any questions, let me know. If you have any complaints, consider keeping them to yourself or feel free to take it up with my editor. She stays close by to watch over my blog inputting process. Not always. She tends to nap a lot, just like she's doing in that photo. But, she typically is good company and she does not often interfere with the flow of thought I pursue. I know she enjoys the blogging process. How? Right now she is as out and limp as a rumpled up dish towel. She must have found her happy place. C. J. Frick, writer about dogs, has a popular book entitled, 'Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are'. My guess is that would be a tall order for me. Not a bad goal but no doubt it would behoove us all to be the person God wants us to be and the one He is willing to help us to be. Until next time, I bid you farewell and Godspeed from myself and Lil Miss Biscuit. May God add His blessings. Amen.

Still working on developing my skill in producing gobbledygook, but, with sincerity.

Yeah. Thursday, January 29, 2026, and, guess what? We have another one of those brief freezing episodes being predicted for this upcoming weekend. Some of us older ones even remember when we would get winter from October through at least February. Of course, that was before Al Gore showed up and now we suffer a few days of low temps and think we've been sentenced to deep freeze purgatory. I told someone how us boys used to wake up on a single digit morning over in central Louisiana, when we lived with Granny and Paw Paw Mac, it was an unheated room and our feet would literally stick, (freeze), to the linoleum rug. In fact, that rug, I lie not, taught us some interesting exclamatory lingo, whenever we would, in the cold, catch our toe under one of the rough edges. Yikes! I have often said it was a Mayberry like existence, but, that doesn't mean it was happy happy every minute of every day. I hope everyone who reads my blogs know a lot of what I write about is 'tongue in cheek'. Let me tell you, even at my worst during this most recent health situation, I knew in my heart of hearts how so many are so much worse off, even little ones. At the same time I will be the first to admit that I do attempt to wring some out of my own experiences, hopefully, doing so in a way that my readers can laugh with me. And, cry with me if that is called for. Somewhere in all of the sharing I do hope to provide some encouragement to lean on the Lord, seek Him and His help, stay faithful, and, support one another. We are, like it is often said, in this thing called life, together. 

 

I suppose most in my reading audience are aware how the primary election to choose party candidates will be here in Texas in early March. How do we know it's a coming attraction? Social media is already in meltdown. Our mail box has applied for additional brace supports just to handle the daily influx of slick mailers. We do intend to vote, but, for the most part we will do our best to vote for those who best reflect the values we hold dear. That actually requires getting past the social media stuff and the mailers. There are, typically, a number of research entities one can check to look at a potential candidate resumes and backgrounds. How they have voted in the past. What they now stand for. Oh yeah, there's my texts. They are blowing up my texts. It seems they all want to promote themselves based on the person who has endorsed them. That doesn't always work with me. After all, I have often used that famous ditty from the past, "a pox on all your houses." (I'll let you look up the original from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (Act 3, Scene 1), but, I will tell you it has come to mean this: In modern discourse to express disgust with all parties in a political or social conflict." I can live with disgust. What say you? Y'all take care now, you hear? And, may God add His blessings. Amen.

“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Good afternoon and welcome. I have good news. I did not forget to say "May I?", therefore, I bring you greetings on this Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The blog was supposed to be finished this morning, however, I live in the here and now, therefore, stuff happens. Sometimes a lot of stuff. I am glad to report how I am still slowly getting out of the convalescent mode. This has more to do with finishing up on some drug therapies than actual feel good feel bad vibes. I do have a primary care followup on Friday afternoon. Next week the cardiologist will have her say. That's how we roll as we understand more and more the meaning of the 75.8 year average lifespan of a male in America. It's like this: I was doing mighty fine until I wasn't doing mighty fine. Just goes to show you, it can happen in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. (Last time I checked that twinkling is somewhere around 1/1100th of a second. FYI) Now I am cautiously headed back to the feeling mighty fine status, but, the experience of having it go south in a heartbeat is not lost on me. Or, I don't think it is. I do believe that God is at work even in our most difficult of times. I know He had a reason to get my attention with this latest medical event, however, I don't have all the details of what it means worked out yet. I think we all know life is both fragile and precarious in this sin cursed world we live in, yet, we also know that God is Sovereign and He has the first and last say over all things. One thing is clear: During this episode I thought a lot about unfinished business. Things I need to get done. Things involving my wife and family. I clearly remember having those types of issues on my mind. We've had some friends who spent loads of time preparing so that nothing would be left to be done, however, when they breathed their last, well, it turned out things still had to be done and loved ones were impacted as a result. When you have government involved and there's a penny for them somewhere, well, I know government is God ordained, but, could they just give a break or two to those grieving over the loss of their loved one? Sorry. I'm still cogitating over how one can pay off their house for years but it still be under the ownership of the state. Come on people! (I know taxation without representation was a rally cry for the US revolution, however, I'm beginning to wonder about taxation with representation and exactly what that means to each of us. Just thinking.)

 

Okay. Enough of that. For now. Hey. Yes. You. Thanks. My blog readers have been most wonderful in praying for and supporting me during the past few days. I want to share something about me. I would just as soon be the one praying for someone dealing with difficulties as me, myself, and I being the one in need of prayers. Sorry. I didn't say He was finished yet with all of my wiring but I do know He is still working on it. I'm pretty sure stripping me of my self sufficiency may be a feature of my most recent medical flare up and if so, I will do my best to gain His intention from it all. I guess Paw Paw Mac's, "Son, you've got the same clothes to get glad in.", doesn't always fit every situation, but, I am working on that too, getting glad again. Y'all too? Okay? Until next time, may God help each of us. Each of us. Amen.

“Dad, it’s been 72 years, but the pain of losing you never fades. Your memory lives on in every heartbeat.”

Good morning and welcome. Today is Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and, we have some wonderful bright sunshine today. I say Amen for that! It's mind blowing to contemplate how our lives changed some 72 years ago this month when dad left this life for his reward. Yeah. I was a young fellow back in January of 1954. Maybe it became more clear to me because dad actually succumbed to a cardiac event brought on by untreated pneumonia. Perhaps that's one reason I didn't resist with the wife said "It's time to go!" I did think some about my dad as I lay in that hospital bed. His went untreated until his heart was actually drowning in the fluids from pneumonia. I cannot say mine went untreated as they played find a new vein over and over again. I looked for dad's Eisenhower short jacket but I couldn't lay my hands on it right away. I believe it was a 34. Let's face it. Guys were smaller back then. You can check it out for yourself. Good nutrition aside, they were, on average, shorter and less heavier. Dad's birthday is in April. He was born alongside his twin brother Walter in 1923, although dad's grave marker says 1921 since that's the date he used to get into the Army during WWII. I always understood how mom and dad mostly scrimped and saved to take care the six of us kids. That didn't leave much for luxury items like doctor visits. Sorry. That's just the way it was. Add to that, his notorious stubbornness, which, some say got handed down in tact to yours truly. At any rate, I can't clearly remember his voice but if I heard his recently, I think he said, "Listen, you are not me. Go get it checked out. You are blessed and you can afford it." Thanks dad, and, oh yeah, thanks for your part in bringing me into this world. 

 

My stepfather for 40 years.

From what I have pieced together, dad loved going to Church services. He loved singing. He actually even helped lead the singing a few times. Dad loved babies, (obviously, given the six of us). He loved rocking babies. Dad loved to doodle. Dad kept his notes in his noggin. Dad was a hard worker. Dad was loved and respected by so many in the family, those he worked with, and friends. Okay. I can read those items and write my own resume. Who says the DNA doesn't download traits? Later, God gave me a stepfather and we enjoyed a close relationship for 40 years. I still remember my dad. I still remember my stepdad. And, I still remember that I am one blessed man to have had them both as a part of my sojourn here. Count your many blessings folks. Name them one by one. It just might surprise you what the Lord has done. Amen.