"Jed Clampett: I declare, Granny, the huntin' in these Beverly Hills is gettin' sorrier every day. Me and Duke went as far back in the brush as you could go. The only thing we flushed out was a couple of real estate agents." ~ The Beverly Hillbillies TV Show

Good morning folks and welcome. It is Tuesday, June 11, 2019, and, if I am writing this and I think I am, it sounds like me, I believe the clothes I'm wearing are mine, and if you are reading this, well, we have another day before us. We have awakened to a new day and I do hope you are doing well. As I sit here the thought came to me that I might be dealing with a dry hole situation. There are days when there just seems to be no there, there. I did see a recent photo the other day of a fellow who helped me get started as a young computer worker. (That's his photo on the left.)  I've never believed myself to be self-made. There were many people who contributed to my training, my advancement, and in supporting me along the way. Back in the early 1970s, this guy was one of my first managers. He and I were close. He helped me to get to the next level, several times. I can remember one incident when I had written a scathing review of a major project that had not done well. I had been the project manager. I was really hard on myself. I had him look at it. He said there's no way you are going forward with that. He told me to rewrite it and report it from the positives that were accomplished. That was a good piece of advice. I was a supervisor and then he and I were managers of different groups and on the same reporting level. His wife and my wife became best friends. Time moved on. I continued to grow and develop and the day came when he became one of five managers reporting to me. I never forgot all that he did for me, but, our relationship did change. We were no longer as close as we once were. Things happen. He took medical retirement back in the early 1990s and we lost touch after that. I am very thankful that he looks like he is doing quite well. And, seeing his photo gave me another opportunity to thank God for him and so many others who have helped me in my life.

I know the encouragement for today says you have to make a way for yourself. I did always believe in doing my best, working as hard as I knew how, and applying myself to the work. Over the years, I've been blessed to have been the right-hand person to a lot of different people. I never minded being in that position. I had some folks close to me when I was managing a large organization, but, I can't say I had one right hand go to guy. Maybe that was a flaw of mine. I did have several who might have come close to that status but I just wasn't inclined to operate that way. I suppose I should be glad that others did because being in those situations did much to prepare me for my next opportunity. I would also be very remiss in not saying that God deserves any and all credit for anything I've been able to accomplish. Anything good, that is. The other stuff I can take credit for. I know there were times when people said I was in the right place at the right time. Or, I was this influential person's fair-haired boy. I know that God gave me the abilities I have, the opportunities I've been blessed with, and the favor I found with those who helped me succeed. In spite of myself. And, I mean that. God deserves the honor, the glory, period. Amen.

If someone asked me, looking back, what I would do differently, I would have to inquire as to how much time they have. Most of it has to do with my priorities, my service to God, my wife, my boys, and my extended family. But, we cannot go back and replace the facts with our would've and could've notions. What I can do, what you can do, what we all can do, is to take this day and this time to appreciate the things God has allowed us to learn, and, to do our best to leave a legacy that will have eternal implications as opposed to war stories about how it was in the good old days. Some people like to say that God is the God of the second chance. I'm afraid that's not nearly enough chances for me, but, I am so very thankful that He is there to help us get back on track. Time and time again. Why? Short answer: We belong to Him and He loves us. Even when we are not very lovable. That's about all I have for dry hole Tuesday, but, come back around tomorrow and maybe something will bubble up. Maybe it will happen like it did for Jed Clampitt, "Come and listen to my story about a man named Jed, A poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed, And then one day he was shootin at some food, And up through the ground come a bubblin crude." We will have to wait and see. Amen. ....More later.

“Whoever said you can't buy Happiness forgot little puppies.” ― Gene Hill

Okay. I'm back. Are you back? It is Monday, June 10, 2019, and I am reporting for blog duty. The move 'The Secret of Pets 2' opened last Friday. We went to see the second showing. The first one was sold out. We bought the old people tickets and for the two of us, it was only $11. That was a nice surprise. We then ordered the special. Large popcorn and large soft drink. The total including tax, title, and other fees, right at $17. That too was somewhat of a surprise but not so nice. We had seen the first movie on the big screen, therefore, we took this one in too. We were in one of those theaters where you can recline. The movie was cute in places. The beginning drug just a wee bit and it wasn't long before I got the elbow and a voice came wafting over the rolling tide, "I don't know if you know it but you are snoring." I said thanks because she was right. I didn't know that I was snoring. They had a little guy behind us who would repeat the punch lines. That was sweet. Lots of kids and lots of moving around because with kids, well, they will have to go. It's a part of their DNA. Typically, right at the crucial scene time. We actually had a good time. Harrison Ford voiced the chief guard dog on the farm whose name is Rooster and his character was a good one. I thought the graphics were really good. The movie was good. The chairs worked well. The wife was happy. That's always a good thing.

Last Thursday evening we hosted one of our Thursday Gathering services where a group meets to sing, pray, fellowship, eat, and hear a portion of God's Word presented. We had a good time. We missed some of our regulars but still had 10 of us who showed up. Somewhere within the process of getting the outside ready and the inside buffed up, the wife of my youth, well, she sustained a back injury. It really showed up big time on Friday morning. She knew she couldn't do much and that's one of the reasons we went to the movie. She was worse on Saturday, and, she wasn't able to attend services at our local fellowship on Sunday. She has to be really bad off not to be in her place at the appointed time. My turn to teach on Sunday was devoted to how folks should live their lives God's way and especially how that should be reflected in Church life. This included a portion where the Apostle Paul dealt with gender roles and responsibilities within the local assembly (Church). (1st Timothy Chapter 2) The class chuckled about my wife not being there when I was teaching this particular subject. In today's world, the Bible teachings on this subject are both controversial and challenged. However, the Creator has the right to do as He pleases and while man and woman were created equal before God, He did give very specific different roles that each should pursue and manifest. Interestingly enough, the Apostle Paul quotes from the creation account to prove up his call for differing roles and responsibilities. That takes us all the way back to Genesis. Back to God's original intent. That's always a good place to go.

Even though Mr. Bentley or as he is now at times called, Sir Bentley Barksalot, Esq., wears a shaggy coat, he still loves the outdoors. On Saturday afternoon, it was 95 in the shade but he still wanted to sit and watch the cars, the kids, and others as they go by our house. Our home is located on the block before the subdivision swimming pool so we do have quite a bit of traffic this time of year. We may have stayed 45 minutes before I had used up all the available air in that part of our yard, but, he would have stayed even longer. I get the idea that he thinks he is in the reviewing stand and they are marching by to honor his presence. That is likely is own secret life playing out as we play along with him. I hear the lady of the house talking more and more about some recommendations she has heard for obedience school. I know what you are thinking. But, what about Bentley? It wasn't really that funny. I currently think he is doing well enough with the home school curriculum he's getting. It's the system where you make it up as you go. Who would have ever thought? I know I didn't. But, as you can see, him being here is a reality, a 24x7 reality. Have a great rest of the day and may God bless us all is my prayer. Amen. ....More later.

“As you ramble on through life, Brother, Whatever be your goal, Keep your eye upon the doughnut, And not upon the hole.” ― Margaret Atwood

Good morning and welcome to Friday, June 7, 2019. That vintage photo popped up on Facebook and it helped explain perhaps why donuts are more fattening these days. It also reminded me of how my grandfather used to tell the great grands they should not eat the hole because it could give them a stomach ache. They would eat all around the hole to avoid this malady. The statistics from 2018 indicate there are some 25,000 donut shops in our country and they produced a total of 10 billion donuts that year. This averages out to two or three donuts per month for every man, woman, boy, and girl in our nation. We have a Shipleys near us, therefore, we do occasionally do our part to contribute to the national consumption.

Here's my flashback for today. This paragraph was included in my blog from June 7, 2007: "Our youngest loves to tell about the time my wife had me on a diet and he came around the corner outside the house and found me eating a marsh mellow moon pie. He says I put the entire thing in my mouth and then tried to act like I had not been doing anything at all, but the way he tells it, I started choking with crumbs flying everywhere including out my nose. I, of course, don’t remember this incident that well, but I do know he loves to tell this story and everyone loves to hear it! Part of this is no doubt because people think I am so serious and straight-laced. They like to be reminded that I’m just as human as the next person. That’s one of the things that make remembering the good times special. Life is tough. No one can deny that. Go back and read my earlier blogs about the things that have happened in my family and you will get a good dose of just how tough it can be. However, God is good and one of the things He gives is our memory of times that make us chuckle. Maybe if we spent more time dwelling on them, the other stuff would not dominate our thoughts. Something to think about."

The point of the blog back on that particular day was to remind us all to remember the good things about our past and not to be so focused on the not so good things. I've actually heard about folks who carry stuff around their entire lives only to find out they had misremembered something because it wasn't even what they thought it was. I am not saying we should sweep under the rug the troubles and trials we've had in our lives. Balance. In our family, we had a lot of bad stuff that happened. We had so many tragedies that involved losing loved ones that one well-intentioned fellow told me once that if we didn't all straighten up we would all be dead. Or, at least, I think he was well-intentioned. I hope so. My point? Despite the bad, we had some really wonderful experiences growing up. Even as I am writing this I can think of many times when we all nearly rolled around on the floor because something was so funny. As for me personally, I do wish I would have done many things differently than I did in my past. Life mostly doesn't give us do-overs. However, it does give us new starts and opportunities to build new and better memories. And, best of all, we who have put our trust in God's provision through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, past, present, and future. And, we will spend eternity with Him forever and ever. Amen. .....More later.

“Strengthened by their courage, heartened by their valor, and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.” President Ronald Reagan, excerpt from his speech commemorating the 40th Anniversary in 1984.

Good morning and welcome to today's edition. Better known in some quarters as a veritable cornucopia of discombobulated thoughts and ideas. If nothing else, it should qualify for style points for variety. Welcome to Thursday, June 6, 2019. I did watch several of the clips from the D-Day observance from England yesterday commemorating the 75th year since that milestone WWII invasion. (There will be even more today as world leaders meet at Normandy, France.) The speeches and the ceremony itself was impressive. I was particularly moved by a song from that era, "We'll Meet Again". It was written in 1939 by British songwriters Ross Parker and Hughie Charles. It became one of the defining songs from the WWII era. Benny Goodman recorded it in the states with Peggy Lee singing the lyrics in 1942. At the performance at this year's commemoration, it was wonderfully rendered by singer Sheridan Smith with a huge combined military orchestra. They had footage from WWII rolling on the huge screen during the song. What a tribute! Knowing my dad and two uncles plus other relatives were a part of that war made it personal to me. Out of respect for those who fought and especially those who died, here are the lyrics to that great wartime tune:

We'll Meet Again

We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
'Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell them I won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song

We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
'Til the blue skies
Drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell them it won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singin' this song
We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

Songwriters: Hughie Charles / Ross Parker

I did check and, yes, I did listen to the Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee version. It is available on YouTube.

And, just so you know, I do love the big band songs from this era. Maybe that's why the wife tells people she thinks I was born in the wrong time continuum. Again, my dad loved this type of music as well. We played his records a lot after his passing in 1954. That's right. Records. On the old 78 RPM record player. I understand that records over the past number of years are making a come back of sorts. Maybe the digital stuff is so pure with every little flaw removed, it lacks genuineness. Just a thought. Don't quote me on that one, but, feel free to quote President Reagan. He was, in my opinion, the best president in our country during my lifetime. Thus far. His love for America and his heart for her potential is what made him tick. Thank God for those who still believe. Amen. ....More later.

Romans 1:16, As rendered by the New Heart English Bible: "For I am not ashamed of the Good News, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek."

Well, well, it is a good day for our conversation. This one falls on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. I saw a montage of the mainstream reporting the day before President Trump's visit to the United Kingdom and London in particular. The theme was how much he was hated and how the citizenry would rise up against him and his policies. It was so over the top, only those who waste a second of their time watching "The View" could grasp anything out of what was being portrayed. Then we have the actual visit. The protests were much smaller even though people were paid and bused into London. The state dinner was regal. The news conference was memorable. President Trump did very well, but, what the mainstream misses entirely is he could have done somewhat poorly and still looked like a winner given their unbelievable portrayal of what would happen. They actually help him because he typically always looks good compared to their predictions. I think many within the rank and file in the UK would agree they are not fans of our current President, however, they can recognize his office and the influence and impact his office has on Great Britain today and more importantly, in the future. The mainstream took up the Obama mantra by painting the picture of an embarrassed country and apologizing to the world for our President and who we are. All I can tell you is the apology tour didn't work that well for President Obama and one would think the mainstream would know that. The bottom line and this is my opinion. It may sound harsh but it's how I see it. Those who are radically against President Trump allow their hatred for him to dictate their actions giving the impression they hate him more than they love our country. My thoughts only.

That little tidbit was a current event topic and I wanted everyone to know that I am still paying some attention, from time to time. If we are not careful we get the idea that all that's happening is negative, bad, and depressing. Not true, folks. Here are some actual recent real headlines that reflect some good news. ~ Hundreds Of Farmers Stay Silent During Auction So Family Can Buy Back Their Family Farm ~ Single Mom's NASA Internship Gets Funded By Strangers ~ An Entire School Learned Sign Language To Welcome A Deaf Kindergartener ~ Student Can't Get A Kidney Transplant Without A Home, So His Teacher Is Adopting Him ~ Hero Motorcyclist Helps Father Get Unconscious Daughter To The Hospital Through Heavy Traffic ~ When This Mailman Retired, The Entire Neighborhood Threw Him A Party He'll Never Forget ~ Two Boys Put Pokemon Hunting On Hold To Help Struggling Elderly Man ~ Man Graduates With Nursing Degree From Same University Where He Worked As A Janitor ~ Woman In Jamaica Returns ATM Cash And Gets Rewarded $1.2 Million For Her Honesty ~ Commencement Speaker Announces He Will Pay Off Class Of 2019's Student Debt ~ Police Officers Build New Wheelchair Ramp For Elderly Couple ~ A Chef Has Been Delivering Free Soup To A Stranger With MS For Over A Year ~ Those can be Googled and found since they are all current in May and June. Here's an even better news story. Last Sunday, a 94-year-old fellow wobbled his way down to my pew. He had a Church bulletin in his hand. He wanted to show me the name of one of our newest members. He had led her to the Lord. She had come to clean and cook for him. He said when they come it is like the Roman guards chained to the Apostle Paul because he will share his faith with them. One day as they were reading a Bible text together he saw tears in this lady's eyes. He asked her if she knew the Lord and was certain that she will go to heaven when she dies. She responded and he led her in a prayer of salvation. He formerly pastored for 65 years. The Gospel is the Good News from God and it is still powerful. And, our testimony is not limited by our age or our limitations! Amen and Amen!

Back when I first started doing my blogs, I tended to be somewhat long-winded with many of them having lots of paragraphs and lots of images. While I cannot claim that I have become more succinct, I did make the change to mostly limit my writing to three paragraphs each day. Not always, but, that is my typical blog. Some days the paragraphs are longer than the norm, (like the one above), however, it ends up being what bubbles up for me each day. I do have direct access to some of my readers and I know how they handle my blogs. My wife, for instance, will typically skip any and all things related to politics. Why? She prefers not to read about it. Her choice. Your choice. My choice. I'm not offended in the least by her doing this. Now receiving a note from her with these encouraging comments, "Blah, Blah, Blah", well, I could probably do without them. Just joking. I do hope you have a wonderful rest of the day and let's rejoice in the Good News that God has given through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. .....More later.

“When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it.” ― Mark Twain

Good morning and welcome. It is Tuesday, June 4, 2019, and I do hope you are doing well today. I have seen many appeals from different individuals asking that we return to a time when we can have different points of view without resorting to hate mongering and recriminations. I've worked with, attended Church with, and had good relationships with many people who see things very differently than I do. I don't have to agree with their way of seeing things in order to love them and to support their right to make decisions as provided to each of us in our form of government. I well remember an older lady we served in Church with for many years. She would let everyone know her grandparents were Democrats and her parents were Democrats and that she would always be one too. I think I might be an independent that typically votes Republican because of the choices available. I see many of the critics of President Trump who are attempting to brand all Christians with his known past behavior. I don't know of any Christians who condone the things that are obviously wrong in his life. Most of those who voted for him were faced with a choice between him and his commitment to focus on the needs of our nation versus a slate of candidates openly dedicated to changing the very values and principles our nation was founded upon. I know that sounds nuanced to many, but, it's the truth as I know it and thus far, I'm still sticking with it. And, one more time, I don't hate you if you disagree with me.

I have been studying some to prepare for my annual physical coming up later this month. Those who subscribe to the theory that things get better with age need to clarify that concept with me. I can remember when I used to, without any thought at all, get up out of a chair. I now find myself helping to get myself up out of a chair. What's up with that? I am running late on my physical. This has caused some consternation to the program we are a part of that tries to keep us on track. Our records indicate you are behind on this test, that test, and the other test. As a diabetic, they remind me of the importance of staying up to date with all of the checks and balances designed to help me manage my disease. I get that. And, I actually agree with them. Unfortunately, the primary care doctor had to cancel my regularly scheduled physical and now we are in the rescheduled and waiting process. In other words, it's not my fault. The studying is to prepare myself to discuss all the things we need to cover when we meet. You know. Like helping myself up versus getting up. Stuff like that. I do like my doctor. Maybe not as much as my previous one who is now serving our Lord as a medical missionary in Africa. My new doctor is very personable and businesslike. I mostly try to sort things into categories. The things that are experienced because of hanging around for threescore and two years and counting versus those that might need further review. Most likely, when asked, I probably will not use the "I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I am in." That one typically doesn't seem to work so well.

Now you know why friends have always said they will pray for my doctor. You do know they were joking. Right? We do live in a mixed up world. I heard about the young woman who eats only organic hoping to live to be 100 while she rarely, if ever, visits her 100-year-old grandmother. I also know that my recollection is not too swift these days and there are times when I can very much identify with this issue: "I am having amnesia, dementia, and deja vu, all at the same time. I think I've forgotten this same thing before . . ." I'll close with this older fellow's testimony. It will give me something to shoot for. ~ "I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But, thank God, I still have my drivers license." ~ Lest someone misunderstand, I am thankful for the time God has granted to me. I pray that I will use it as He would have me to. Amen. .....More later.

"Please stop teaching my children that everyone gets a trophy just for participating. What is this, the Nobel Prize? Not everybody gets a trophy." ~ Glenn Beck

Here we go again. Spin the wheel and where it stops no one knows. It is Monday, June 3, 2019, and we are off and running in a brand new month. The photo of Mr. Bentley and I sitting outside got quite a bit of attention on Facebook. My tongue-in-cheek caption mentioned I was training our 13.5-pound guard dog. I actually think some people may have thought I was serious, therefore, I tried to clarify by saying he barks a lot but is more likely to lick than bite. That caused a dear friend of ours to send me this little ditty which I thought was certainly worth sharing: "Sir Bentley Barksalot, Esq." I thought that was pretty clever. Mr. Bentley does like to sit outside. Even in the heat. Even when there's not enough air to go around. He actually likes to sit under my chair, root around in the grass, and munch on whatever he is able to pull up. I'm trying to make him either stay in my lap or sit in the chair next to me. The wife isn't too much into him eating the greenery but I just figure he occasionally likes a little salad. I thought we had pretty much put the puzzle chewing problems behind us but the wife moved one of the rugs and found one of her now mutilated missing pieces underneath. Yikes. He needs to either eat them or learn how to hide them better. You do know I am kidding. Can anyone see my wife? Is she smiling? I sure hope so.

Our granddaughter did get herself graduated from high school last Friday. Unfortunately, we were not able to be there. Well, we were able to be there, but, we did not make it. We were very excited about being there. We had planned our day accordingly. We had one major disconnect. Around 11:45 a.m. we received a text from our youngest, her dad: "Where are you? It starts at 12 noon and Lexie will be called first." We couldn't believe it. We had fixed firmly in our minds that it was Friday evening. We were actually outside in the yard when we received the message. We were crestfallen. The wife cried. We were so very sorry. I sent notes to everyone confessing our complete misunderstanding since we thought it was Friday evening at 6 p.m. Lexie was very understanding. She said she loved us. Her mom said it was a failure in communication. That was very kind as well. We had our plans made. We talked about it all week. We were going over earlier to try and miss the traffic. We certainly missed the traffic and everything else as well. At the end of it all, I tried to put it into some perspective. It wasn't meant to be and perhaps there was a reason we were not able to make it. It reminded me of something I used to drill into my people back in the day, "It's not only doing the right things but it is doing the right things ....right!"

I have been seeing all the photos on Facebook of kids being congratulated for their accomplishments. Pretty impressive stuff. High School and College? Nope. I'm talking about every kind of presentation imaginable beginning with toddlers, preschoolers, and up. Kids covered up with certificates, flowers, ribbons and medals of all kinds, and rewards for their great accomplishments. Churches too. I hope this is healthy. I don't think we did any of this type of stuff when I was a kid growing up. Add to the end of school and other class types of recognition, the huge range of sports activities too and it is like an avalanche of adulation. Tiny tots all getting their participation trophies. I'm sure there's no harm in kids wearing a cap and gown for kindergarten graduation, but, it is as if there is almost a competition to have it in every area of participation one can come up with. Yep. We know it is for the parents and grandparents. I actually thought about this after hearing someone on the radio talking about why our children grow up with such unrealistic expectations. He mentioned these types of seemingly harmless awards that become the norm. A lifetime of this kind of adulation and the real world can become very scary to those who have been led to believe they are beyond something special. I don't know if this is a part of the problem or not, but, I mentioned it because it does seem to be very much on the increase, and, at least, some people think it could be detrimental over the long haul. Just throwing it out as a topic. Enjoy the rest of your day and may God bless each one. Amen. ....More later.