"...let us neither express nor cherish any hard feelings toward any citizen who by his vote has differed with us. Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling." ~Abraham Lincoln, 1860

Good morning and welcome to our visit today, this one landing on your electronic doorstep on this Monday, June 22, 2026. I get it. The current President who occupies the Oval Office and is the head of our elected government, he is a polarizing figure. At the same time, as we prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation, the above recent polling result is very sad. Or, it is to me. I wasn't proud to see the sad manifestation of what happened to President Biden in decline during his most recent time in office. However, I never even thought of it in terms of whether I was proud to be an American. I am blessed to be an American. Every day of my life, I am blessed to wake up in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Yes, during the Biden administration, I see what happened as a form of elder abuse on the part of those who manipulated our highest office to establish unbelievably far leftist ideology that impacted our daily lives. That was sad to me, but, never would I give up my heart of loving the land that has been as President Reagan so elegantly said, "The city on the hill." President Trump has done his fair share in provoking much of the hostility he appears to enjoy. And, I for one, think he is on dangerous grounds regarding some of his god-like pronouncements he has made regarding Israel. At the same time folks, we are Americans, regardless of the platform we support. We are Americans. I think we all should be very unashamed to sing along with Lee Greenwood, in his testimonial song, 'God Bless the USA". When I saw that poll graphic my heart sank because just 20 years ago the same poll showed the numbers for Republicans and Democrats to be in the 90's in being proud to be an American. I know. God will have the final say and I trust Him to take care of it all in His own good time. Amen.

Well, I continue to see the mileposts as I near my next rest stop at Exit 80. (August birth date.) I mentioned last Friday how I was excited to be consulting the orthopedic specialist that afternoon. I did everything I knew how to make that happen. I got myself ready. I even brushed my teeth. Again. I made my way to the clinic. I arrived at the exact time recommended for me to show up. (Remember, showing up is very important.) There I was at the check-in center only to discover how I was a week early for my appointment. As Riley used to say, first on radio and then on TV, "What a revolting development this is!" Don't recognize that catchphrase, well, look it up because it does apply to my misadventure. Here's part of how the wheels really do begin to fall off the truck. I then attempted to act like it wasn't that much of a problem. The fellow at the desk was ever so kind. He first tried to see if they could work me in. No way. My doctor was already overbooked and running late. Then he attempted to see if I could get some lab work done while I was there. No way. I have some tests pending but they were not schedule-ready at that time. Finally, he gave me that third grade teacher look that said maybe I should come back next Friday, and try again. Oh well, that's not the first time I've done my own version of stupid pet tricks and it most likely will not be the last. Now, I have the countdown to my next physical therapy session next Thursday morning and I will again be doing it without any shots in my hips and just so you know, I am already experiencing pre-pain as a down payment. Ha! You what? You will continue praying for me because it's obvious I need it? Good call. Keep it up, for me, for yourself, for others, and for our great United States of America. Amen.