"I am about to -- or I am going to -- die; either expression is used." ~ Last words of Dominique Bouhours, French grammarian

You start your day in your way and I start my day in my way. Sounds like a deal to me. What say you? It is Thursday, December 19, 2013. No. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary to recognize our 49th anniversary but we made an agreement to do so later. Just too much going on, if you know what I mean. By now everyone who reads my daily postings are aware that I am an obituary reader. That's one of the things I do to start my day and I've been doing it for as many years as I can remember. In doing so I am impressed with the contributions made by so many of my fellow travelers along life's way. At the same time, I will tell you that I grieve over those who leave at such a young age. There's really no way to make sense out of these early departures, as we see them. Here's a little poem from one I read this week in the write up of a 27 year old Louisiana boy. The author is unknown:

~ I Am Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I am following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call,

I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that peace at the close of the day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Ah, these things I, too, will miss. Be not burdened with time of sorrow,

I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved one touched.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now; He set me free. ~

I know there's plenty of folks who consider this to be just too morbid to even think about. To me, it's about life and the reality of the coming time when each and everyone of us will have to say our final goodbye. It also helps to remind me of the brevity and uncertainty of this life. A friend recently posted on Facebook the two most common expressions made by dying people as reported by Hospice workers. The first was: I wish I hadn't worked so hard, and the second was: I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. While those reflect a sobering commentary on how we can over emphasize some areas in life while missing out on the most important ones, I would like to think you can do your best, with God's help, to honor them all. God. Hard work. Family. Friends. Service. But, that's just my take on it, subject to be updated of course when it comes time for me to leave my final comments. Or something like that.

This doesn't exactly put you in the Christmas spirit? Don't know why. Think about it. That's the subject of the ever popular Dicken's 'A Christmas Carol'. The story of Scrooge and his life nearly wasted but redeemed after contemplating the evil of his ways. Or, the always and forever wonderful, 'It's a Wonderful Life', with Jimmy Stewart. It's about a fellow who learned what life would have been like had he not been born and how that his good returned to him as his family, friends, and neighbors came to his rescue in the end. What's the common thread? Contemplation: It matters what you do in life and how you treat others. It matters. That's a Biblical concept as well, the Golden Rule: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12) Christmas is about giving from the heart and doing so will help to prepare us all for the holidays. That's about it for today. Take a moment to enjoy a smoking hot cup of Community and Lord willing I will catch up with you again tomorrow. May God bless. Amen.   ...More later.

Special thanks to God for those who are a part of this very special day!

Today we celebrate the convergence of three special events. It is Wednesday, December 18, 2013. We want to express our special appreciation and birthday greetings to Mitzi, wife of our youngest son Rodney, and mother to three very special kiddos, our grandchildren, Kyleigh, Lexie, and Brady. She is a very special lady and we thank God for her. Her middle name could easily be Busy because she is always on the go with work, home, and special activities for the kids. May God bless you, Mitzi, on this, your special day. Love, Mom and Dad. We also recognize our middle son Jimmy's firstborn and our very first grandson, Jimmy Jr, who was also born on the 18th. He has been bringing joy into our lives ever since he was born and it has been our blessed privilege to watch him grow and develop into the young man he has become. We pray God's best into his life on this, his special day. Happy 17th Jimmy Jr., from your MiMi and Poppy.

Then we have this one to contemplate. The 18th is also the 49th anniversary of Marilyn and I standing in her parent's living room in the parsonage of New Hope Baptist Church, Anacoco, Louisiana, before her brother, a brand new preacher boy, Bro. Milton, and both of us shakily responding with, "I do." That below freezing Friday evening was obviously a historical moment for us and I can do nothing but be thankful to God for her and the forty nine years we have had as a couple. People used to say, "But you both look so young." They might still say that about her but they quit having those thoughts about me some time ago. The white beard? Yeah. That could well be the reason. I'll go with that one. Who would have ever thought I would be in the business of enjoying it being so white? Ho..Ho..Ho! As I contemplate this long stretch that God has allowed to us, I am well aware that it has not always been an easy road to travel, but we have persevered, grown in our love and devotion, and we can be thankful for the blessings along the way. I have a wonderful wife and I do my best to tell the Lord everyday how thankful I am for her. Thanks Sweetheart. Happy Anniversary and you know what I think about it....Baby you're the greatest!

I end today's visit with a little poem. It's unattributed but I think very appropriate as I consider the impact this lady has had on my life.

Blessing that is You

This morning when you awaken
from your peaceful sleep
please know, all day long
that someone loves you
and that someone is me;

You’re always in my thoughts
and in my heart and prayers too
and everyday I thank God
for the blessing that is you.

That will do for today. Enjoy. And, may God add His blessings to our day. Amen.  ...More later.

"One of the things I had a hard time getting used to when I came to California in '78 was Santa Claus in shorts." ~ Dennis Franz

Mrs. Claus doing her thing!

Hello and welcome to this Tuesday, December 17, 2013. I pretty well have a fix on what little girls and boys want for Christmas, at least out in our general vicinity. Little girls want the American Girl doll named Saige. I asked one young lady why that particular doll was so much in demand this season. She promptly informed me that while I should know, it just so happens that she will be discontinued after Christmas. Santa learns a lot of things. For the boys, even though games like Minecraft are big, it's the remote controlled helicopter that is asked for the most. I see many ceiling fan collisions coming to a home near you. It always amuses me that parents are still unaware of what their kids want for Christmas and they lean in and often ask me to repeat what the child said. Did I ever tell you that children don't always speak clearly? When I can't come up with the right answer, the parent typically glares. Sorry. I could have recommended speech therapy but that would not have been very nice. I suppose I could have told the mom that her little Johnny asked for the American Girl doll Saige. That would have given her something to think about. It's a joke. Lighten up. I'm trying to conjure up some jolly this morning.

Well, well, well! The PolitiFact organization has chosen their lie of the year for 2013. This group is the one that supposedly evaluates what politicians claim and then they rate them True, Mostly True, Half True, False, and the infamous Pants on Fire. They claim not to be ideologically driven, saying they handle all politicians the same regardless of their party or policy persuasion. Nearly everyone takes exception to their ratings if they don't agree with them. I could hardly contain my surprise when I found out they had chosen President Obama's 'You can keep it if you like it' promise as the lie of the year. Wow! My reading of their ratings over time tells me they tend to always give the current administration and its leader the benefit of the doubt. Therefore, this big lie had to be a whopper for them to choose it. I suppose finding out that the Obama team knew all along it was a misrepresentation of the facts may have influenced their choice. I think it's time for me to say I told you so but I'll save it for another day.

Okay. We all need a daily diversion. Right? I typically check out a few cartoons each day that are available on the web. I do love the Dinette Set drawn and written by Julie Larson. It's been around since 1990 and I love her ironic take on middle-class perceptions (and misperceptions) of common, everyday issues as seen through the eyes of a recurring cast of characters. While they are not always laugh out loud funny, they do typically invoke at least a chuckle or two. Several sites carry this one and others too so you might just Google it up and check it out. I do appreciate the need for some humor injected into our daily dealings and I kinda get tired of me, myself, and I being the reason for the joke of the day. But, alas, we find it wherever we can folks, wherever we can. Thanks for tuning in and may God go with us all as we continue our journey here. Amen.   ....More later.

"A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen." ~ Edward de Bono

Today is Monday, December 16, 2013. This is the day that the oldest in our family was born in 1942, my brother Jimmy. He went to his reward in March of 1962. We are human and there will always be questions about stuff that we just can't seem to understand. But in the end, we are fortunate because we have our faith in God and that provides us with peace as we continue our journey. Sure, I have wondered about how things might have been different if Jimmy had not passed off the scene when he did. The same for my dad. (1954) The same for my sister Kayla. (1979) Yet, those thoughts have little to add to the task at hand and that is to get on with the life God has provided, and in so doing, to be thankful for all of those He has allowed us to know and love. I could add my grandfather to that list and many others as well. Yet, his favorite song always helps to define how we can go on: "Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand But I know who holds tomorrow And I know who holds my hand." Amen.

We had ourselves a busy Saturday and Sunday with three different events for the Santa Enterprise. On Saturday, we did a kid's breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at a country club, we then made an appearance at a Christmas luncheon provided by a ministry team from our local fellowship given to honor the folks we minister to in a mostly elder and special needs apartment complex. I also did a three hour solo stint at one of the major food chains on Sunday afternoon. I had said I might do fewer this year but it's not working out that way. Demand is up and I must be a glutton for punishment I suppose. Maybe this is part of my workout routine. Yeah. That's the ticket. When in uniform I become a walking-talking and mostly sitting portable sauna. It's really not that bad and most of the time it is so very rewarding. A lady asked the other night about how we respond when children ask for things we can only pray about. Very carefully. Yes, children do ask. One little girl recently asked us to help her granddad who was in the hospital and not doing well. My wife told her that we would remember him. I have etched in my memory a number of times when a child has said all they want for Christmas is for their dad or mom to come home so they can be a family again. Folks, I don't have to remind us that it's not all jingle bells and warm and happy glows. That Babe in the manger came that we might have hope and the world so desperately needs to know Him. Amen.

This is countdown week for me, since, Lord willing, this coming Friday will be my last day at work as I plan to be off the week of Christmas. I am looking forward to that! We've had a really cooler than usual December thus far and I have really enjoyed most of it. Being out in the cold cold rain isn't necessarily my first choice but it does make coming inside feel better. Or, if not better, warmer. One thing you can be sure of is that when you get wet, the cold tends to impact you just a tad bit more severely. But, all in all, I put my vote in for more of the same. I like it when it is cold at Christmas time. Others don't. That's okay. I do. We all know, however, that around these parts you can be scraping off the ice from your windshield on Christmas Eve morning, and wearing a short sleeve shirt and sunglasses on Christmas Day. Been there and done that! Have a great rest of the day Monday and remember to be thankful for the many blessings God has granted to us all. Amen.       .....More later.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made." ~ Groucho Marx

I didn't know they were allowed to have a Friday the 13th in the same month with Christmas. Did you? But, that's what we are serving up today on this December 13, 2013. This is the second Friday the 13th for this year but it landing in December is the only time it will do so between 2005 and 2015. No. I am not auditioning for a replacement role for the Farmer's Almanac. But I do have some curiosity and it does kick in from time to time. And, be sure you know that I am not into Friday the 13th superstitions and I have never seen even one of the movies by that name. I must have missed the desire-to-be-scared gene because I've never been a fan of anything remotely called a horror flick. On the other hand, I am aware that some folks love those gory stories and even think me enjoying Duck Dynasty is a little scary. Different strokes I suppose. I did have a little boy the other evening who asked Santa for a duck call for Christmas. I said, as in Duck Dynasty. He grinned from ear to ear and said that was exactly what he was talking about. There's still hope for America folks! It's a joke. Don't write me.

I've got to give a shout out to the fellow who did the hearing impaired signing for the dignitaries who spoke at the Nelson Mandela memorial service in South Africa. He actually didn't do any real signing because he didn't know how. He was a fake. What's amazing is how this fellow got the job because it has been reported that he has done this before at major political functions. Talk about nerve. He essentially used his own made up hand gestures to sign President Obama's speech. I wonder which one made the most sense, he or the President? That's also a joke. Now I've heard about imposters and party crashers and impersonators, but, this fellow must be overflowing with bravado. How did he get security credentials to be within a few feet of the world's most powerful leaders? How did he get his job? That's right. It's a government job. Now we know. That's another little joke because I know many very bright people who work for the government and yours truly did also, many, many years ago, not that I'm in the bright category. I just thought this little tidbit too amusing not to share it.

We have come to the end of another work week and I have done my part in inflicting wear and tear on my computer connected keyboard. Let the record show that I have retired several in my many years of beating and banging on them. I will admit that I am particular about my keyboard. Most keyboards today are for people who do not know how to touch type. Finding one that resembles an old fashioned Underwood Typewriter, well, forget about it. Who would have ever thought I would be calling a typewriter old fashioned since that's all I used for the first number of my years in the workforce? But, alas, they are just that, my friend, along with so many other things. That's not to say there's not any out there. They can be found and secured at a premium. Supposedly, there are still authors who need the typewriter as a part of their method of generating prose. I typically use whatever is before me but I do jack it up, tilt it, and make it as close to what suits me as possible. That's how I can kill so many keystrokes so fast. Okay. Now that I have finished that stimulating little foray into meaningless meandering, it's time to say so long for now until we meet again. Have a great Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday, and I'll try to have something cranked out come Monday next. May God bless. Amen.   ...More later.

"Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results." - George. S. Patton

Hello and welcome once again to Thursday's attempt to bite off more than I can chew, a feat I have proven that I am up to many times in the past. It is December 12, 2013 and I can tell you those shopping days until..... are slip sliding away my friend, faster than I've seen them do so in recent memory. Okay, there's some pretty funny twitter tweets out there flying around and I thought I would share a few that made me chuckle. One lady said that clean sheet day involves her brushing the Pringles' crumbs over to his side of the bed. I can really identify with this fellow who said that obviously his first language is 'typo'. When asked about his exercise regimen, this guy had his answer ready: My top 5: - jumping to conclusions - flying off the handle - carrying things too far - dodging responsibilities - and, pushing my luck. One tweeter had this as a way of getting out of annoying conversations at a dinner party, "Sorry if I seem to be a little quiet this evening but it's my first outing since the psychiatrist declared me unfit to stand trial." That would probably make me back off. What say you?

I have learned what a 'selfie' is. It's a self taken photo typically to be uploaded for viewing on Facebook or one of the other social networking sites. Among a vast majority of the young computer, gaming, social networking, texting age groups, it is the rage. Even our President got himself into one. However, it is not going over well in many places in the world. Why? He allowed himself to be a party to a 'selfie' while attending the memorial service for Nelson Mandella. Lacking in respect and in poor taste is what many European commentators have said. Many have also commented that Mrs. Obama appeared not to be amused in the least. Their thought is that she most likely considered it to be beneath the dignity of the office. Perhaps for all those teens who forever and ever post shots of themselves on Facebook, this was great because it showed him connecting with them. I've had a fair amount of 'selfies' taken by those who want to get themselves seen with Santa, but, I'm not the President on an official mission to represent our nation at a memorial service for an international icon. The others in the photo were Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the photo taker, and British Prime Minister David Cameron. Mr. Cameron is already getting heaps of criticism in his own country. The Danes seem thus far to think it more humorous than anything else. I report. You decide.

This has not been a good year for the only true democracy and our staunch ally in the Middle East, Israel. The United Nations this week voted overwhelmingly to make 2014 the year of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Palestinians want to evict Israel from the lands given to them by Jehovah God through the Abrahamic Covenant. In addition to this, the United States has pretty much ignored Israel and their concerns in our rush to make nice with the Iranians. Those who study prophecy from the Bible tell us it speaks of a time when the entire world will turn against God's chosen people.The steady knock wears the rock. I am one of those who believe that while we may not understand each and every detail regarding the unfolding of God's final plan here on earth, we can know that Israel is at the heart of its implementation. We can also be sure that every prediction and every promise will be carried out according to God's will and in His timing. We need to be seeing all of these things happening around us through the lens of truth as given to us in God's Holy Word. I'll give myself an Amen on that one. May God bless America and may God bless His chosen people, the nation of Israel. Amen.    ....More later.

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." ~ Francis of Assisi

Yes, I have seen those t-shirts. The ones that ask what day is Christmas on this year. Come on, what day is it? The one with the camel. I would say what will they think up next but at this point and time that doesn't even seem to matter. At any rate, it's that day again, Wednesday, and I do bid you welcome here on this December 11, 2013. I suppose for those of us who are pretty much occupied seven days a week, the hump day concept doesn't get us as fired up as others. But, I am very much familiar with the sentiment and I'm sure you are as well. The administration has done a really good job in getting the healthcare roll out off the radar screen. They essentially changed the subject. It helps if most of the news media cooperates, and the major ones did. Think Lemmings. Those who know the details tell us that the big surprise will not come until after Christmas. That's right. Next year promises to be a year where, based on changes coming to the employer provided plans, you can forget about even thinking about keeping your doctor, that is, unless you want to pay for him or her directly out of your own pocket. That's an option provided to the public in an interview this past weekend by the so-called architect of Obamacare, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel. I would guess that by the time this all hits they hope to have some other distractions to redirect our angst. There's surely enough to go around.

What are the odds of this happening? Last weekend they did the annual run of the Santas up in Philadelphia. One of the participants was making his way along one of the routes, dressed in his Santa suit, when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver. Strange. We do live in a world where we never know what might happen next. And, people do some mighty strange things. I read where some folks here in Texas built a 2500 square foot ginger bread house. Yes. It did set the Guinness record. The good news for this caper is how they used it to raise funds for donations to a local trauma center. You just never know. In 1895 there were just two automobiles in the entire state of Ohio. You guessed it. They crashed into each other. The good news for us is how that regardless of the seemingly odd, strange, random, and so called coincidences in life, we have a Sovereign God who is working through us that which is the good pleasure of His will. (Ephesians Chapter 1)

You pick up a recollected memory where you can. During this cold snap they have broken out some of the big round gas fired space heaters for the shop. Those things glow red and are irresistible. That was the heat we used when I was growing up. Space heaters. On a frosty morning it seemed like you couldn't get close enough hovering over those red hot flames. I remember in high school that's how we heated the agriculture classroom. I know. They call it shop or industrial arts now. But back then it was ag. We boys would back up to those heaters and get as close as we could. Then, an unsuspecting prankster would slip around and come up behind you and pull the front of your pants leg and it would literally burn the hair on the inside of your leg. Oh what fun! You may have been jumping but it wasn't for joy. But still a good memory. Y'all take care now, you hear? And, may God bless us all. Amen.   ...More later.