"FAIL explained: F=First, A=Attempt, I=IN, L=Learning." (copied)

Hello and welcome to the part of the country where the major decision each day is whether to run the heating system or the air conditioner. I hear the heating system will be very much needed over the next several days. I used to enjoy playing with a yo-yo, but, now I know how it feels to be one! It is Monday, March 4, 2019, and we are off and running on another week of getting from point A to point B, or perhaps, from a variety of detours and other re-routings as each day unfolds. Last Saturday, they had the annual marathon in our area. We were pretty much locked into our neighborhood on Saturday morning. There are two different ways to get out but both of them had marathon connections. I offered to go and fetch the wife an apple fritter for her breakfast, but, we both decided the turnaround time through the flag people and back was probably not worth the effort. The wife has been ailing some the last few days. She has been resting. My grandfather would have said, "She's all laid up on that couch like a bunch of sleeping dogs." She did go to the doctor last week. They swabbed for flu or strep. Thankfully, those were negative. She most likely has succumbed to the knee-deep pollen out in our yard. Okay. Maybe not that deep, but, it does accumulate on just about everything. And, she stays out there in it for hours at a time. She worries about becoming a couch potato and I'm glad she wants to stay active. She may fear becoming too much like me. You know. Too much seat time at the computer or leaning back time in the recliner.

Last week, I visited by telephone the man I previously had worked for over the past 12 years in the closeout of my public employment. He is someone who contributed to our wellbeing and we will not soon forget our time together. He has been dealing with a potentially serious diagnosis, but, has recently received some great news regarding the prognosis. I had wanted to add our expressions of rejoicing in this God provided intervention. I miss seeing him. He misses seeing me. We had an employer-employee relationship but greater than this, we had a brothers-in-Christ connection. We could talk. That's not something we men do much of. I'm not talking about shooting the breeze on every subject under the sun, I'm referring to things that are personal, spiritual, and challenging in our lives. That helped define our time together. I was glad to hear the business is still doing well. I remember when I left the big Company back in 1993. Some there thought the program might stumble because I had left. I left them a letter telling them that shouldn't be the case since we had built a program together that could withstand almost any challenge. Guess what? After a few hours of scratching their heads, they were off and running without me, and, they never looked back. I knew that's how it would be, because, that's how it should be. Amen.

Last week's vote in the US Senate regarding a law to protect babies who were born alive after a failed abortion attempt put the issue on the front burner for all to see. The bill was filibustered by the Democrats and failed to pass. This bill would have protected the life of a baby that was born having dodged the abortionist's attempts to eliminate him or her. The far left has so much pressure on the Democrats, they had no choice but to oppose this bill. The Washington Post opined how the Republicans were trying to use votes like this to paint the Democratic Party as the party of baby killers and they will use this vote in the upcoming election. Here's my take. The far left does not reflect the majority in our country. Especially, on the issue of abortion. Pleasing the most radical element could very well end up losing votes when everyone goes to the ballot box. We will see. I also saw where the Democrats in the house had a meeting where their leader warned any of them who might stray on any votes that come before them. She told them there would repercussions and that positions of leadership would be decided based on how well people toed the line. At the same meeting, the new upstart committed socialist promoter added that she also will be keeping an eye on everyone and if they do cross the aisle to vote with the Republicans she would be reporting them to those who fund their leftist agenda. (She apparently doesn't like big money unless it is provided in support of socialism.) I don't know about you, but, that kind of pressure seems to harken back to some scenes from totalitarian regimes. And, I am aware the pressure is exerted on all sides to keep everyone in line, however, the tone of this meeting, to me at least, seemed to walk all over a person's right to have convictions and conscience. Just me. Enjoy the rest of your Monday and may God bless each one. Amen. ....More later.