Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) - "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

 

Hello and welcome once again. It is Tuesday, August 11,  2020, and, I come to you, not from that place where elephants go to pile up their bones, but, rather, it is the place where keystrokes go to bid a fond farewell to us all. I was looking at the front page of my reprinted 24-page newspaper of the July 24, 1934 edition of the Chicago Herald-Examiner and I found some interesting tidbits. I noticed an inquiry from state legislators into potential corruption and kickback schemes had to be postponed. The meeting place where they were interviewing folks was just too hot. Literally. (Just so you know, I looked it up and found this data point: "Chicago's official all‑time high temperature of 105 (University of Chicago) was set July 24, 1934.") It was to be rescheduled on a cooler day. I'm not sure but perhaps this is one of the forerunners of the famous saying attributed to President Harry S. Truman, "If you don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen." Scholars debate whether it originated with him and they even have different wordings. But the point is, in July of 1934 it was too hot to continue the investigation in Illinois. There was a special dinner held in honor of the fighters of the Great Chicago Fire. This fire occurred in October of 1871, therefore, there were only three surviving firefighters to honor, aged 88, 89, and 93. The reporter referred to these gentlemen as old smoke-eaters. I thought that was interesting. Another front-page newsflash read this way: "Children Admit Drowning Boy, 7 DULUTH, Minn., July 23 --(AP) Four small children had confessed to today that they pushed Richard White, 7-year-old colored boy, into the ship canal here last Thursday and let him drown. It is unlikely any of the children will be prosecuted, as under Minnesota statues a child under 7 years of age is held unable to commit a crime."  I refer us all to the verse in the title of today's blog because the more things change it is the more they stay the same.

Life during the Great Depression.

Inside the paper, an organization called the League for Decency was reported to be enlisting up to 500,000 women across the country to protest against movies that contribute to juvenile crime and delinquency. It didn't give any examples of what types of scenes they were concerned about, but, my guess is the movies back in those days were very likely tame compared to today's offerings. There was also a pretty bold headline about the Cubs winning their game 8 to 3 over the Brooklyn Dodgers. Even back then, the Cubs winning was a pretty big deal. I saw an ad for a used 1933 Oldsmobile Sedan in like-new condition with an asking price of $565.00. Another ad offered cars for as low as $5 down with low weekly payments. General Motors closed at 28-1/4 down 1-5/8. There were plenty of obituaries for that particular date. When this paper was published the country was coming out of the nearly 5 years defined as the Great Depression. While we might smile at those automobile prices, for many in society, it didn't really matter since they had no funds to buy almost anything. The crash occurred in 1929. My mom was born in 1924. She, even as a youngster, had vivid memories of living with great scarcity. As a result, mom lived out the rest of her days being extremely frugal. Times were tough back in 1934 but it appears to me the newspaper was trying to provide a sense of normalcy in the way they chose and wrote their stories. Don't get me wrong, they knew how to sensationalize as well. The entire back page is covered in photos of John Dillinger's bullet-ridden body. He had been killed the day before and seeing America's Public Enemy Number 1 brought to justice was big news. The flavor in the rest of the paper was straight reporting with a cool and calm approach. So unlike our news media today with their biased harassing blame game designed to achieve their chosen political objectives.

This most recent one has many of his ardent supporters scratching their heads.

I know. Using a reprinted newspaper from 1934 and trying to compare to our times is likely a reach, as in apples and oranges, but, since it is my own reach and it's in my own blog, well, there you have it. I'll surely not be submitting it to the authorities for their approval. That sounds a little big brotherish to me but I do try to include everyone when I am reaching. While I am not paying undue attention to the upcoming presidential race, I have detected a pattern of reporting regarding the fellow who most likely will become the Democrat candidate. Here is the pattern, "He didn't mean it like that." "He doesn't believe what he said the way he said it." "He misspoke." "People are too quick to try and use his words against him." And, it goes on and on. Interestingly enough, these are the same news sources who thought any gaffe by Vice President Dan Quayle made him unsuitable to hold any office in our land. And, I hasten to add, Quayle's gaffes were mostly just silly and had nowhere near the serious impact of what Joe Biden has said in the past, is saying today, and, will no doubt continue to say going forward. I am just a layperson, but, does it surprise you his handlers are doing everything possible to keep him hidden and to keep him off the debate stage? These same people dogged President Reagan's steps because of their suspicions regarding his potential age-related mental lapses. Hello? They would have us all to believe there's nothing to see here. Just move on down to the ballot box and we'll make sure you are told what we want you to know. Okay. A wee bit of bitterness might have crept into my closing thoughts there, but, I think you understand, whether you agree with me or not, at least, where I am coming from. Take care and I will do my best to see you again. Real soon. Amen. .....More later.

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." ~ Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher, (1844-1900)

Good morning and welcome back to our time together for Monday, August 10, 2020. That title may sound somewhat ominous but it reminded me of a viral video from back in 2012. The video was shot at the cancer ward at Seattle Children's Hospital. All of us have been through stuff in our lives including many of you who have direct contact with the dreaded 'C' word. I know we had all we could handle with the diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent passing of our baby sister, Kayla. I had not watched that video of those kids and staff pantomiming the Kelly Clarkson hit, 'Stronger' in a good long while. Ever since I discovered it, it has been a source of inspiration and encouragement. Sometimes when we are going through stuff we fail to remember our need for inspiration and encouragement. As I thought about these things I was reminded of this video. I called it up on YouTube and watched it. It was instructional and helpful in helping me to gain perspective. I felt like maybe someone somewhere out 'there' today might need what I needed, and, after all, our sharing of help in this life is nothing more than one beggar telling another beggar where they found food. The YouTube video alone has 4.3 million views and I know it is also available on several other platforms.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihGCj5mfCk8

The wife and I attended a memorial service last week. Even though we live in the huge Houston metroplex, there are still outlying areas that reflect downhome folksy living. Such was the theme and thrust of this dear lady's service. We knew this lady through her daughters and their families having spent some 20 years at the same local Church. She lived an exemplary life as a believer, a wife, mom, grandmother, and tireless servant of her Lord. God granted to her 86 years in her sojourn here. Talk about a celebratory feeling! She obviously enjoyed Bluegrass and the music reflected that. The two ministers didn't want to make her more than she was, knowing we all, at our best, are nothing more than sinners saved by grace. However, because of her heart and testimony that was made difficult. Everyone in the Funeral Home chapel wore masks and the place was as full as it could be with every other pew made unavailable. I know it will sound morbid to some, but, I really enjoyed this woman's homegoing service. Another long term beloved friend of ours told me as we stood out in the cemetery, "That's the kind of service I would hope they would have for me." There were lots of tears. However, there was a strong consensus regarding their loved one's status, "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died." (1st Thessalonians 4:13-14, New Living Translation NLT)

Let me see what we've shared thus far, 'if it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger', and some upbeat information about death and dying. (Actually, living well.) Maybe I should lighten up a wee bit before we close today's chapter. While we all know the coronavirus is not a laughing matter to those whose lives have been turned upside down including the nearly 163,000 attributed deaths. At the same time, Americans always find a way to retrain their faces to smile. Here are a few I found to share with you today.  ~ Why do they call it the novel coronavirus? It’s a long story…. ~ What do you call panic-buying of sausage and cheese in Germany? The wurst-kase scenario. ~ Many of the nail salons, hair salons, waxing centers, and tanning places remain closed. It’s about to get ugly out there. ~ I’ll tell you a coronavirus joke now, but you’ll have to wait two weeks to see if you got it. ~ Finland just closed its borders. You know what that means. No one will be crossing the finish line. ~ So many coronavirus jokes out there, it’s a pundemic. ~ Did you hear the joke about the germ? Never mind, I don’t want to spread it around. ~ It's good to know the coronavirus doesn't mess with rats and snakes. That should make you feel safer. ~ I didn't say they were good. Maybe tomorrow. I couldn't even give you a preview because I will not know until I get there. Have a great rest of the day and may our Great God help us all. Amen. .....More later.

“I had been alone more than I could have been had I gone by myself.” ― Sylvia Plath

I know most of you already know by now that it is Friday. This one has revealed itself as August 7, 2020. The other day some may have chuckled when I said I had never intended on spending this much time with myself. While it is a cute saying, it also has a fair amount of truth embedded in it. Truth is, I'm not always good company. I'm typically up each day around 4:30 a.m., thank you Mr. Bentley, and I go to bed between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. That's a long time to spend with someone who is not very good company. At any rate, as one of our friends used to say often, it is what it is. Fortunately, I have the wife and Mr. Bentley to help me deal with my own boring self. I also have social media and cell phone calls with my sons. I do visit occasionally with our neighbors, just chit-chatting about this, that, and the other. Maybe I am not as alone as I thought I was. I also exchange correspondence with a number of folks via emails and I do my daily blogs. One has to wonder what the future will be like when we all get to the other side of all this 'alone' time. Perhaps by then, I will begin to answer the questions I ask myself. They say talking to oneself is normal but it's when you start replying there might be a problem. As always, we will wait and see. As in, adopting a wait and see attitude. You too? Good. Don't read too much into all of this alone talk. It's mostly just having something to write about and I'm really not that bothered about it, about it, about it!

A flashback from early on in my blogging adventure, some 13 years ago: August 7, 2007, Sixty-plus! Whenever I began this blogging venture some 62 articles ago I used the Sixty-plus moniker as a way of setting some context for the stories that have unfolded. I will soon be sixty-one years old and there are issues that face people as they grow older. The status of one’s health and ability to function and operate is very critical to a person’s sense of independence and mobility. However, one of the things that trouble me is how we in this society have made age along with nearly every other conceivable distinction an isolated unit requiring special interest status. Now most immediately assume I am thinking about all of this because of my age. And, I have already admitted to paying more attention to my retirement statement and other articles and information that would be age-appropriate at this phase in my life. But in all fairness, this is not why I am expressing concern over the segmentation of our society by factors like age. I am supposed to speak again to our Church group called Onward Christian Seniors, OCS, tomorrow evening. It will be a continuation of my first session with them where I spoke about God’s plan for people including when they become what we call “seniors”.

At 60, my view of the senior world was quite different than what I am living today as I near my 74th birthday. I don't have to worry about classifications anymore because I meet every test for determining eligibility to be called elderly. The last year I could find records for was 2010 and at that time there were nearly 22 million who were between 65 and 74 years old or roughly 7% of the total population. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how that percentage number shrinks as folks get older and older. Back then, if you happen to have made it to 90 you would be a member of just 1% of the total population. I guess one way of looking at it is the longer you hang around the more unique the distinction you receive. Along with the rest of everything that comes with advanced aging. I'm not being negative at all. We saw mom and dad live very active and fruitful lives up to their last 6 months of breathing air on the planet. Mom made it to 93 and dad to 87. Well, well, now that I have learned I am breathing somewhat rarified air, I think I will bask in that for a while. Just joking. We live and have our being based on God's provision and I feel comfortable with what He decides. Another blogging week has come and gone. I know for some, the country tune comes to mind, "Thank God and Greyhound it's gone!" (slight modification) Have a great Saturday and Lord Day's Sunday and I will, Lord willing, do my best to come out writing when the bell is rung next Monday morning. Amen. .....More later.

Happy Birthday to our twins, Alesha Camille and Amanda Faith!

I will tell you one thing, there are some things that make you wonder. More on that later. Hello and welcome. It's Thursday, August 6, 2020, and I first pause to wish our twin granddaughters, Amanda Faith and Alesha Camille, a very happy 22nd birthday. Alesha Camille stays busy working at her job at one of the big fabric stores. They have been very busy providing material for those making masks during the challenging times we are living in. Amanda Faith is a newlywed and she continues her work at the big mall as one of the lead people at Victoria's Secret. (If you pass by that store, there doesn't appear to be many secrets at all.) She and husband Manny are getting started on their new life together. These twins are a part of who we are and we thank God for them and pray His blessings upon them as they celebrate their 22nd. Amen. Our love, MiMi, and Poppy!

Well, what do you think about it when you buy goods and services and the provider refuses to accept cash as payment? This happened to my wife this week at the big box store. I've researched what's going on and supposedly, the best I can determine, it has more to do with a coin shortage than anything else. I know some are saying it is because of the potential for COVID contamination, but, based on all I found and read, it appears to be related to so many businesses being shutdown earlier along with the US Mint not producing as many coins because of staff shortages related to the virus. The wife reported there were many customers complaining about it. The staff said there were registers taking cash but when the wife moved to that register they too refused cash. She asked a simple question, "There's a bank right behind you, how is it you can't receive cash?" According to the big box store website, they will take exact change or rounded up to where it's just paper bills, no coins. The wife said the local folks obviously didn't know this or they never offered it as an option. I have seen plenty of folks writing about end-time events and how buying and selling will be controlled by those in power. Having this type of situation at the very least shows how possible it could be. And, by the way, there is no standing law dictating the form of payment a seller is compelled to receive. I didn't know that. Did you?

How about some other developments? There is no limit to how devious folks will attempt to get you to open their email. A relatively new one for me is when they take the name and ID of someone I exchange emails with and use that name to tag the one they want me to open. You can typically tell if you look closely, but, it does require that you do just that, look very closely. I continue to hear and read about those scheming to defraud elderly folks out of their funds. This is typically done by phone. The person calling knows exactly what to say to confuse and panic the older person on the line. They trick them into giving them their account information. All kinds of government agencies and businesses are trying to get the word out about them not doing business that way. Sadly, many older folks may not get that word. I will not say out loud what I think about anyone who would do that kind of thing to folks living on fixed incomes. The Bible says something about folks having a 'seared conscience' or no conscience at all. I know we all have sinned and we do continue to sin because even as believers we still battle our sinful flesh. However, to intentionally take from the elderly is something worthy of the harshest punishment. In my humble opinion. Give me a break. We are talking about our parents, grandparents, and those who are in the sunset of life. I suppose it's good I have taken my blood pressure medicine. Stuff like that makes me need it. What say you? May God help us all is my prayer. Amen. .....More later. 

"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them." ~ Andy Bernard

Miss Anacoco High School and Mr. Hornbeck High School

As always, I am grateful for all of those who tune in each day to pick up what I'm sending, over the hills and through the woods via the worldwide network. You folks inspire me and keep me going. I might need a push now and then and I am in the process of trying to get cranked and going, today, Wednesday, August 5, 2020. The high school I went to was very small. I think we had 27 who graduated with me. Because of being completely smitten by the preacher's daughter very early on (just before starting the 11th grade) and her being from a different little nearby town, well, that meant the availability for matching up in my school was narrowed some. The girls in my school didn't like the fact that I had left the reservation and traveled into unchartered waters. The people at the nearby school didn't like it because I had won the hand of one of their beauties. Here's the funny part. I was well aware of the feelings on both sides and I even understood why, but, my attraction to her completely overwhelmed any other factor, period, end of story. The girls I went to school with are now like us, dealing with all the stuff that happens at our age. They now enjoy the fact the girl from the nearby school and I have made somewhat of a good long run together. Many of them have done well themselves with their choice of mates. Some are widowed. One I saw at our 50th reunion insisted she couldn't remember how many husbands she had been with. The seeds of rivalry have dissipated and now we look back and are thankful for the times we shared together and how blessed we were to live where we lived and to have had the upbringing God provided for us. On the other hand, I'm okay with not having to endure all the stares as I walked through the halls each day. (Check out the red socks. I was a fashion icon and didn't know it. In fact, I most likely didn't even know what that meant, and I am not that clear on it now.)

Some of those attending our 50th class reunion.

Don't ever get the idea that everything was fine and dandy in my version of the good old days. I believe the quote that says nothing perpetuates the good old days more than a distorted recollection. We certainly faced our share of challenges and while I don't dwell on the hurts and heartaches as much as the good times, believe me, they were a part of the fabric. I told the wife the other day how watching some of the Shi Tzu puppies on videos posted by their international owners makes you aware of how much we humans are alike. They speak to their little dogs in their language and their little dogs respond in the same way Mr. Bentley responds to us. I have worked with people who were very much grown and gone before they had ever seen a dead body or attended a memorial service. That was not our experience growing up. I think our family lived large. We loved large. We ate large. We laughed large. And, we hurt large. We suffered loss large. For us, it was all a part of life as we knew it. Maybe the not so good times are a part of what makes the good old days what they mean. There I go again. Self-introspection. Please don't refer me to Dr. Phil because while I know who he is, I can't remember ever watching a complete program of his. My point? I probably don't have one. I know a fellow who grew up during my time. He has gone on to become successful in the field he has pursued. He hates any and every thought about his time spent in our little town. He has said more than once he hopes never to go there again. I find that interesting because I am proud of my time spent there and that's why you get a steady diet of my reminiscences and recollections from my version of the good old days. 

Bentley did find a corny joke. "I know someone who has a dog that keeps eating garlic. His bark is worse than his bite." I suppose all this staying put has pretty much evaporated much in the way of new things to write about. The wife and I were talking about that slipping and sliding around on the icy roadway where we were saved by that auto control function on our car. We had bought the car about 5 years earlier and I asked her if she thought maybe that was the reason we bought it, so it could help us in our time of need. I may have been aware of it as a feature but after the near-crash incident, I looked it up and found out how it worked. For us, it and its provision was a God thing. As in, "Jesus take the wheel." My belief is whether you know how it works or whether it was destined to be there, we can always be on the right track by thanking God. The Scripture says, "in all things give thanks." (1st Thessalonians 5:18) That's one I've wrestled with at different times in my life. I believe the fact that God is with us even in our darkest hour is reason enough for the giving of thanks.... in all things. I'm sure there are better and more profound expositions of that text, but, today I gave you my shoe leather throwdown been there done that explanation. Have yourself a great rest of the day and may God add His blessings. Amen. ....More later.

“Growing old is humbling and it takes effort to accomplish this stage of life with dignity.” ~ copied

Good morning and welcome to Tuesday, August 4, 2020. There's not much to report here at the ole blogger ranch today. I thought about saying we are slow waltzing through our slow days, but, that would imply I know how to waltz. Even though most of the Church girls who were prohibited from even thinking about thinking about dancing somehow learned how, I was reduced to learning only to do the twist. I can say with certainty I am not slow twisting through our slow days. Too much friction and Uncle Arthur, (formal name: Arthritis) would be hollering if I tried. I told my doctor I am beginning to experience some tingling irritation in my toes and I wondered if it might be diabetic neuropathy. He said, "I suspect it is." Well, okay then. I told him it wasn't really that painful but it was noticeable and somewhat uncomfortable. He nodded his head. Well, okay then. I suppose now that we all know, we move on. Maybe next time I'll go barefooted and he will pay more attention. I say that jokingly because we have been blessed to have good doctors taking care of both the wife and me. We have the same primary care because we had the same primary care before who became a medical missionary to Africa and he recommended the one we currently have. The fellow who left was younger. The one we have now is older. They have a similar bedside manner, straightforward, direct, and to the point. In other words, "You have been a diagnosed Diabetic 2 patient now for 20 years, you'll soon be 74 years young, and you have some early signs of neuropathy, sounds about right." And, we continue the journey and are thankful for how well we are doing and see it as a provision from God. Amen. 

We have around 52 older folks on our enrollment for our Sunday School class. Recent polling of the class indicates that 30% of those asked feel like they are ready to recommence in-person Sunday School studies. That would be around 15 folks. (Maybe a few less because some on the roll are not able to come due to long-term health issues.) We, as a local congregation, have targeted September 13 as the day to return to in-person Sunday School. Those who say they are ready indicated events on the ground would most likely need to be assessed before they could be certain. I predicted this because when it comes to older folks, well, I am one. Just so you know, the wife and I are ready to return, but with the same stipulation. Our pastor mentioned this past Sunday the results from the respected Christian polling organization Barna Group showing 41% of those who identified themselves as faithful attendees in March have not attended any service since then and had not watched the streaming services from their local assembly. In other words, since the pandemic, they have set Church aside. I suppose one would have to know what folks consider to be 'faithful'. Faithful to attend? Or, faithful to God? Here is a brief excerpt from a note I sent out to our Bible study class, "Marilyn and I, thus far, are well. We miss seeing our family and yes, we miss our Church/class family as well. While everyone jokes about watching the services in their pajamas, it is clear that God's design is for us to be together to build each other up and to jointly pursue the calling He has given to us. With all that is happening, it is easy to become discouraged but we have the Lord and we have each other. I so look forward to the day when the all-clear is sounded and we can again assemble ourselves together." That word to them was as much a word to myself. And, to us all. Amen. 

I had, on behalf of the family, to venture out to the big box store to pick up supplies the other day. I parked in my regular area. We are, after all, creatures of habit. One problem. The entrance on that end was closed. Period. I was already out, therefore, I walked to the other end to enter the store. I was very impressed with the way the majority of folks were doing their best to observe the COVID protocols. I did notice something while I was there. It was hard to miss. The shelves are beginning to begin to be less than fully stocked. This most likely has to do with many suppliers who have been hard-pressed to keep up production with missing employees who have been impacted by the virus. It wasn't the same as early on in the pandemic, but, it had some hints of it heading in that direction. Of course, that was my man-on-the-street observation, so don't take my word as being authoritative. It was, to me, a little like deja vu all over again. No. I did not buy in case lots or anything like that. I had not been there in some time, therefore, I was just a little surprised at what I found. I don't look forward to a return to the early time slot for old people, but, we wake up every day and we do what we have to do, with God's help and His provision. That's how we roll. Amen. .....More later. 

"I poured Red Bull into my CPAP machine ... Got a full night’s sleep in 45 minutes." ~ copied

Good morning and welcome. It's Monday, August 3, 2020, and, it's always good to pull off the CPAP aviator contraption so we can face another day. Based on my all over the page results, one day good, the next it's like I didn't even have it on, I most likely need some remedial training. My doctor asked me the other day if the sleep clinic folks had followed up with me yet. They haven't. I know 'the beard' is no doubt problematic but I'm not inclined to remove it, at least, not for now. One reason I haven't called the experts has to do with the good results I get from time to time. I've tried to think about what I did differently when I get a good result but that usually works only until the next time I try to cinch up and go again. I do know I am not alone. One of the message boards on Facebook dedicated to CPAP users has war stories every day of folks trying to figure it all out. I've been asked how was I able to get used to wearing the thing. When I started, I felt like it would never happen, but, like so many other things in life, it becomes bearable and then it just becomes a part of your nightly routine. There are some on the message board who report almost perfect numbers every single day. (Maybe they didn't need one to begin with.) It reminds me of some of those girls I went through school with. They always turned in everything on time, volunteered for extra work, and were first to answer any and all questions. Now they are old like me and they are reporting excellent results each night from their CPAP machines. 

Icy roads answered the question: Is it cold enough yet?

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about cold weather. I was up early Saturday morning and I found one of those winter scenery programs with music and I put it up on the big screen TV. I always get this way in the heat of summer. Somewhere deep down inside there is a small voice saying I wouldn't last anytime at all in those frozen tundra scenes. That doesn't keep me from dreaming. I also put up one about the special trains that clear snow on the tracks in Switzerland. While I may not be as able to handle the cold as I did when I was the undisputed teen freezeout champion, I still prefer the cooler weather. Or, maybe I prefer the thought of the cooler weather. The trip the wife and I made a few years ago out to Santa Fe, New Mexico during an ice storm did remind me that cold weather can be treacherous. (Photos above.) Just outside of Amarillo we lost control of our vehicle momentarily but our car took over and saved us. We had never had that auto control function to activate but we thanked God for it because it kept us from hitting several other vehicles. How do we know that for sure? Because there were plenty of cars and trucks all around us slamming into each other. That trip did not change my preference for cold weather but it certainly improved my grip on the steering wheel. I didn't straighten my hands out for two weeks after we got back. That's a weak attempt to be funny. 

I have written a lot about cooler weather. I think it is tied to some of my favorite memories. The wood-burning fireplace, (not the getting of the wood), hunting with my grandfather, being able to breathe the crisp and invigorating air, and, the comfort food we ate during that time of year. Our pastor said this past Sunday he had his own view about a particular theological subject. (Perseverance of the saints.) He said he didn't claim his view was 100% because there are so many views, however, he said if someone had a different view they could preach about it when it came their time to stand behind the pulpit. In some ways, I fear that's how it goes with my blogs. I do end up writing about the things that come to my mind. You can write about your thoughts. Now they can use drones to film the wonderful winter landscapes and I can sit and dream about how wonderful I would feel to be in those locations. That is likely not close to reality since many of those may not even be accessible. I typically don't think about those kinds of considerations because if I happen to be there I'm hoping there will be an automatic control function to save me from myself. Maybe you are feeling just a wee bit cooler this morning. I'm working on it myself. Enjoy and may God bless each one. Amen. .....More later.