1st Corinthians 3:6-9 from the New International Version: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building."

Good morning and welcome. Today is Tuesday, July 29, 2025. It is trash day here. We have two regular trash containers and one recycle container out on the curb. We just had regular pickup this past Friday which begs the question: How in the world can so few people have so much trash in such a short time? The government reports that typically each individual creates 4.9 pounds of trash per day. To me, it's a wee bit of a mystery but I've not figured out how we can have so much to dispose of, but, I've decided to put it in the missing socks category. The socks go into the washer and they typically make it to the dryer. However, upon their fetching from the dryer something happens and it ends up being several without mates. I hear the Twilight Zone music playing in the background as everyone ponders what could have happened. Not really, but, life is filled with quirky kinds of unexplainable things. I have no idea why these things came to mind but as you can see, it just happens. I was recently asked by one of my readers how I come up with SO MUCH stuff. My answer, everyone is probably good at something. As it turns out I excel at coming up with stuff. I did not say all of what I come up with serves a useful purpose, but, when I am sharing truths from God's Word, well, that always has a purpose, forever and ever, Amen. How do I know that to be true? The B-I-B-L-E tells me so: Isaiah 55:11 from the New American Standard Bible, "So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it." I do receive comments from time to time that affirm how this purpose is accomplished. This one from a foreign reader: "Awesome testimony and very encouraging. Thanks Al", back in 2013. The bottom line: Some meaningless chatter, some occasionally funny material, and perhaps a few educational tidbits thrown in, BUT, I typically always include something inspired from above, therefore, I am confident in knowing He will work through that part of my daily propagating of stuff.

 

How many people can you name by name who have made a major impact on your life? I recently watched Dr. Dennis Swanberg, Christian Humorist, sharing a sermon about shade tree planting. I've heard it several times over the years but it rings true. I encourage you to look it up on YouTube. He is a well educated theologian, a former pastor for many years, and, a great jokester and does a great job doing impressions. He uses all of these in presenting his sermon about how people plant shade trees they never get to sit under and they do it on behalf of those who will get to sit under them. His text is from Jeremiah Chapter 32. It got me to thinking about all those who have influenced my life often through the sacrifice of their time and effort that I might become who I am today. I don't want to share that list today because it is incomplete but I am working on it. Why? I thank God for any and all who helped me along the way. Some I did not recognize at the time. If you are one of them: I thank God for you and I thank you. I will have much more on this later. I used that word much just to cover my bases since I am known for being good at coming up with SO MUCH stuff. May I leave you with this one. I didn't get to where I am all by myself. I didn't. It was only by the grace of God and how people from my earliest days to even my current days have made a difference in my life. There are no lone rangers in the Christian community. We depend on God and we depend on each other. More, much more, on this later. But for now, may we all join together in thanking God for the life He has given to each of us and may we do our best to live it out in a way that influences others for good and brings honor and glory to God in the process. Thanks again for tuning in and may God add His blessings. Amen. 

“The currency of blogging is authenticity and trust.” ~ Jason Calacanis, Highly Rated Blogger

Good morning blog readers and welcome to the world referred to as the blogosphere. That is an accepted way to represent the connectivity employed as stated in this rendering from Wikipedia,"The blogosphere is made up of all blogs and their interconnections. The term implies that blogs exist together as a connected community." Now you know. At any rate we are currently dealing with today, Monday, July 28, 2025 and many of you out there see it as a back to work day. I am well aware of that feeling, like maybe 60 plus years of knowing how that feels. Supposedly, there are over 600 million blogs milling around on the information highway. That's a lot to choose from. Right? I came back to my blogging activity this past January and one of the reasons I did so was because I thought it might be a good way to keep some semblance of functioning in brain activity inside my noggin. I often think of myself as mostly an aggregator who collects and shares experiences, insights, observations, and, opinions with those who take the time to read my blog. To be honest, I've been blogging my entire life. That's right. I've written about my life often and if I looked long enough I can probably prove it with some hard copy printouts stored away in a closet somewhere. My writing style? Yikes. I've tried a variety of grammar checking programs over the years and most of them quit after they check my work the first time. That's a joke, but, I do not deny the obvious. My writing could be better. At the same time, the writing you see on the page reflects the real me. Too wordy. Somewhat discombobulated. (I don't know why, but, I do love that word.) And, mostly always on my way to somewhere even if I am typically mostly in my own home. How does that work? Imagination. Try it. I know for me it has allowed me to travel the world, visit the past, and, dream about the future. I say all of that knowing the basis of truth is God's revelation as provided in what we call The Bible. For me, understanding the truth and living by it is a work in progress. Yep. That would be me: A Work In Progress. I will soon be 79 years young and since I am sitting here sharing a lot of mostly inane and nonsensical information, God has allowed me to continue breathing, therefore, I yield to the truth that He is not finished with me yet. Yet! (I just read where too many bloggers tend to use exclamation points profusely tagging items that have little or no interest.) I think my Yet! is important since it does define where I am in God's economy and the good news that He has more for me to accomplish before I become absent from this body. Amen.

 

I would guess my blogs could be used to play a game of how can you say what he said using 50% less words. To me I see my blogging as me being a ventriloquist with a dummy on my lap. The dummy is me. Okay. Perhaps that is not the best analogy but it speaks reality to me. This year. I mean, think about it. It seems like only yesterday where both me and the wife of my youth intended on ringing in 2025 but we slept through it. And, from that point on the fast forward button has been engaged. Old people are not always keeping up with their time like they did when they were a part of the public working world. Our measurement of time mostly focuses on Church services and related activities, family visits, and a real biggie, medical appointments. That's how you fall asleep watching the new year come in and wake up seeing how August is suddenly in view. Many have commented how slow time moves when you are young. Is it any wonder they tell old people to wear their seat belts because the older you get it is the faster time moves. Israel's King Solomon had this to say about time, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 from the English Standard Version: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ..." The Psalmist, 90th Division, Verse 12, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." The half brother of our Lord Jesus, James, Chapter 4, Verses 13-15 "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"  There are many others but the bottom line is our time here as believers has a purpose and we should strive to fulfill that purpose and in so doing we should desire to bring honor and glory to God. Oh might, another sermon directed towards the writer. So true folks, so true. Maybe some of the slop over will speak to you. See you next time, Lord willing, and may He add His blessings as we all continue our sojourn here. Amen.

"This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long..." ~ Fanny Crosby, (1820-1915) Blind, American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. She was a prolific hymnist, writing more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, with more than 100 million copies printed. She is also known for her teaching and her rescue mission work.

It will be here before you know it!

Good Friday morning, this one self identifies as July 25, 2025. My proofreader was out running errands yesterday morning, therefore, I missed one or two items that did not reflect the thoughts I was attempting to convey. First, in the title I quoted from a notable and accomplished woman but she was not a stundwoman, she was actually a stuntwoman. My discussion of changes from 1956 to 2025 included how that we as a nation accomplished de-segregation of our schools, not segregation as it is stated in my blog. The context was likely caught but I will change these so that someday if someone happens upon one of my old blogs they will know exactly what I meant. What's that you say? They will have much more than those two to say grace over. No doubt, but, I do what I can do and as someone not very famous at all was wont to say, often I might add, in the final analysis it is what it is. Meanwhile, I include for your consideration a flashback blog I wrote nine years ago. Have a great rest of Friday, a wonderful Saturday, and a meaningful Lord's Day Sunday. May God bless each one is my prayer. Amen.

 

~ Welcome to our little one-act play for today, being presented on this Thursday, July 28, 2016. I heard growing up how that some people didn't have enough sense to know when to come in out of the rain. I actually can identify with that statement. It has been nothing but hot here in these parts over the past several weeks. We've had a very occasional spotty shower here and there, but, for the most part, everything is in meltdown. The other day I needed several drawings printed out so I called up to the main office and asked them to print them for me. It was ten pages. While I was there fetching the printouts, the bottom fell out. It began to pour. I stood on the porch for a few minutes and then went back in and found a Wal-mart plastic bag. I folded up my drawings, put them into the plastic bag, and took off walking back to my office. It was raining hard. I was getting wet. I not only didn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain, I actually was very much enjoying it. I ended up being wet but not soaked completely. Here's what I discovered. The A/C works much better after you've been out in the rain. In spite of some strange looks on the part of some of our workers, I actually felt very refreshed. Even though I love that dancing in the rain scene by Gene Kelly in the great 1952 movie, "Singing in the Rain," I didn't do any of that, I just slowly walked through the happy, happy liquid falling from the sky.

I follow a number of different posters on Twitter. One is a fellow who is in ministry but he likes to poke fun at Church related activities. He operates under the name, Back Row Baptist. You can locate him under that hashtag. Here's one he put up the other day that brought a chuckle from me: "My church accidentally scheduled a bake sale and a Weight Watchers meeting for the same night. There were no survivors." A few more from his page: ~ "Hello, you have reached Moses. I'm out at the moment, but if you leave a message, I'll return your call within roughly 40 years." ~ "I live every day likes it's my last. Which is why I haven't updated the church's website since 2007."  ~ "Happy 3rd birthday to that half empty bottle of french dressing in the side panel of the Church fridge!" ~ "I'm so saved, I won't even play Gin Rummy, in case one of my friends is struggling with alcoholism." ~ "Welcome to our church! Here's the seating chart. You can see all the best seats are reserved, but you can sit in the front row." ~ I realize that some of these are insider jokes, and, they, for the most part, are not roll-on-the-floor funny. Yet, I don't know about you, but, things like this do help to lighten the load a tad along the way. They also have a ring of truth to them and that always helps. On a side note, I enjoy stand up comedy, but, the stuff by those who are popularly acclaimed out on YouTube are so filthy I end up shutting them down almost from the get go. Fortunately, there are some clean ones including those identified by their faith. These include Mark Lowry, Tim Hawkins, Chonda Pierce, Michael Junior, Ken Davis, Taylor Mason, Brad Stine, Rich Praytor, Thor Ramsey, Jeff Allen, Aaron Wilburn, and I would also add the late Jerry Clower to this grouping. All of those on this list are available on YouTube.

I'm doing my best to keep everything lighthearted for today. I'm working at it. Staying away from politics and our chaotic disintegrating world is not easy, but, I'm trying. Here are some random memes I saw on a blog posting. The memes were unattributed as they had come from various sources. ~ "Unless you fell off your treadmill and smacked your face, no one wants to hear about your workout." ~ "Negative people have a problem for every solution." ~ "I'm so thankful I had a childhood before technology took over." ~ "The older I get, The surer I am That I'm not running the show." ~ "Some days the memories just knock the wind out of me." ~ "If I had my life to live over, I would find you sooner so that I could love you longer." ~ (If that were true for the wife and I we would have needed to have met while we were both in diapers.) ~ "Have you ever had a memory that sneaks out of your eye and rolls down your cheek?" ~ Maybe one of those had something to say to you. Several got my attention. I suppose it proves the fact that today's short attention span causes us to live mostly with a bumper sticker mentality. You know. Tweets can only be 140 characters long. No wonder I don't do a lot of tweets. That's not even enough time for me to come up for air. Oh well, hope you and yours will have a blessed day. Until next time, may God provide for us all is my prayer. Amen. .....More later.

"Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life.” ~ Kitty O’Neill Collins, (1946-2018), American Stuntwoman and auto racer, called: 'The fastest woman alive."

Okay. Things are different today than they were in the past. You knew that already? Good. Because it is true. It is Thursday, July 24, 2025 and I saw a photo that popped up as a memory on social media and that's what got me to thinking about my version of 'The Way We Were'. The top photo is of my 5th grade class. I am on the top row and counting left to right, I am number 5, the one with the little black dot. (Our teacher, Mrs. Vera Fitts was one of the best.) The bottom photo is of a typical 5th grade class in 2025. How much has changed during this interval of time? Very much indeed! In 1956, you could spend $710 of  buying power whereas in 2025 you would need just under $8400 to equal the $710. De-segregation of schools was a new work in progress in 1956 whereas it is the law of the land in 2025. The littles in my class focused on learning traditional subjects like math, science, and literature, using methods like lectures and rote memorization. The curriculum could be strict with limited room for deviation or creativity. There was a significant emphasis on learning facts and rote memorization. In 2025 fifth graders emphasize hands-on, experiential learning that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Modern teaching methods like project-based learning and group work are designed to engage students and promote critical thinking skills. Technology? This is where it gets crazy. In our class we used ditto machine copies and something called the blackboard. Today's kids use all types of computing devices to do their lessons, make presentations, and even take tests. Discipline? Very, very strict up to and including corporal punishment in my day while today's disciplinary profile reflects positive reinforcement and constructive methods. I'm gagging a little on that one. Look how well the new system is working? And, let me be clear. I did have first hand knowledge of the corporal punishment system and believe me were they to have asked my mom she would have told them to get with it. Why? Because she followed a very similar plum tree switch approach. I'm not knocking kids today. I have grands and greats that are a part of this advanced learning world. The bottom line is they are kids. We were in 1956 and they are today. They need direction and guidance. At home and at school. I quickly add they need to be taught the Bible and the first place they need to see it being studied and used in everyday life is in their home. That, my friend, would be a good start in helping turn our country around. This will date me, but, I immediately thought of the Kitty Wells classic country song, 'Dust On the Bible'. The chorus had these words: 

 

Dust on the Bible, dust on the holy word
The words of all the prophets and the sayings of our Lord
Of all the other books you'll find, there's none salvation holds
Get that dust off the Bible and redeem your poor soul ~

 

 

I was blessed to have been given a set of early 1900's Compton's Illustrated Encyclopedias. Those books were my Google. The better off kids in our class had World Book. Good for them. The wording and style was quite different and when I used my handed down research materials, well, many of the teachers were a little stymied even thinking I must be pretty smart. How funny is that? I read where one young fellow got tired of hearing his grandpa complain saying, "You young people rely too much on technology," so he unplugged his life support. Another grandfather observed to his grandson how his generation needed to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. The kid responded, "But your generation could afford boots." One fellow confessed to his wife, "I am so scared because the next generation is surely doomed." She asked why he felt that way and he responded, "Because we are the ones who will be giving them advice." I close with this quote from an older person: "We made learning so much easier for the younger generation. They now have schools with smart devices, digital textbooks, and online courses. We even reduced the planets down to eight." Okay. That's enough fooling around for one day. I do remind my readers. The skip key for any and all of the contents of my blog is readily available. You will not hurt my feelings, that is, unless you happen to contact me and tell me that's how you get through what I write. Joking only. Hey! It's a busy world out there and we all are busy people. Sometimes I wonder why we are so busy but that's another story for another day. Only God can help us regardless of our age and we need to reflect that truth as we live out the life He has given to each of us as individuals. That would be a good start. For me too! Amen.

"Typos, those little slips of the finger or mind, are a common part of writing and communication. While often seen as a negative, typos can also be a source of humor, a reminder of our shared humanity, and even a catalyst for learning." ~ copied

Having corrected yesterday's blog where I typed in 2023 instead of 2025, that only proves one thing. If I knew what that was I would tell you but life is always giving us mysteries. Oh well, I believe I am correct in tagging this new episode with today's date of Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Thanks to those who were kind enough to point out my wrong date. I actually tried to remember something remarkable about 2023 which may have prompted that misguided keystroke, but, alas, nothing spectacular came to mind, (actually, it was giving me a headache so I ditched the search before any results came up), and that's that. The good news is how it actually didn't add up to a hill of beans as they used to say back home. Communication is vital and history is replete with the reporting of dire consequences tied to a communication failure. Back in 1815 we have the battle of New Orleans which was initiated and carried out unnecessarily. That's right. Why?  It actually occurred on January 8, 1815, well after the treaty that ended the War of 1812 had already been signed. But a delay in communication between the two continents meant that the news of the treaty did not reach the battlefield in time to prevent the conflict. Big deal? I would say so, this battle resulted in significantly more British casualties than American casualties. British losses were over 2,000, with 291 killed, 1,262 wounded, and 484 missing or captured, while American losses were much lower, with 13 killed, 39 wounded, and 19 missing or captured. I have no idea how that connects to my typo but I thought of it and so, there you have it. And, I do love the Johnny Horton classic song about this famous battle so look it up and give it a listen. Delay in knowing the truth in this matter ended up in death. Those who delay in responding to the truth of the Gospel face an even more dire outcome, eternal separation from God! John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."makes it clear and we see it posted here, there, and even on t-shirts and caps. However, seeing it versus receiving the offer are two different things. The communication from God has been made clear, therefore, you, I, and everyone who reads this today should, without delay, decide to receive His offer of salvation. Why? The consequences, my friend, the consequences. No one ever said the stuff I string together each day had to compliment each other. But, I have told you before and I will tell you again, sometimes it truly does turn out to be mostly about this, that, or the other. 

 

The recent news about pursuing allegations of wrong doing in a previous administration chaired by a famous Democrat President, well, it has the self identified conservatives rubbing their hands together with glee. Don't try and diagram that sentence. Oh. That's right. They don't diagram sentences any more. That's good because some of mine could be dangerous. Social media is melting down with all of the forth and back on this latest political development. Those rubbing their hands together are saying go for it and they are busy counting their chickens. The only problem? The hens haven't even laid any real eggs yet. On the other side they are promoting the false flag, wagging the dog, distraction attempt to try and change the subject from matters that might be embarrassing to the current administration. Sure. You can use a score card if you like. Many of those wearing red caps and rubbing their hands commend themselves as God followers. I tend to lean in that direction, therefore, this warning from The Scriptures is for us all:  "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him." - Proverbs 24:17-18 English Standard Version. This is not all I have to say. It almost always isn't, but, it is time for me to practice what George Burns used to say to his wife Gracie at the end of each of their radio and television shows, "Say good night Gracie." This means it is time for me to say, so long for now, see you next time, Lord willing and the Creek Indian nation doesn't rise. (It's speculative but check it out and it very much could be connected to the Battle of New Orleans. If  the Creeks don't rise. just saying.) Have a God blessed rest of this day. Amen.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we eagerly wait for it." Romans Chapter 8, Verses 18-25, from the Legacy Standard Bible

For today's edition, being number 3,721, I bring you greetings for what I know to be a string of recollections, repeats, and rusty reflections on this Tuesday, July 22, 2025. I was looking over the list of historical events that happened on this day and I saw where in 1918 some 504 sheep were killed by lightning out in one of the national parks in Utah. And, that's why they used to call it an act of God. I'm not sure that's allowed in today's politically correct environment. It may be referred to as an act of nature or maybe for some, Mother Nature. For those who read their Bibles, well, it's settled truth, The Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verses 1-4: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." Also the Apostle Paul's inspired testimony in his letter to the Colossians, Chapter 1, Verses 15-20, speaking of Jesus the Christ: "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, And in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven." No my friend, not Mother Nature, but rather as the old hymn put it, "This is my Father's world." Do I understand all the details stated in this Bible verses? Not on your life, however, I can accept and embrace them as being the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. How? Only by faith. And, my faith is always a work in progress that stands daily in need of God's direction and guidance. Amen.

 

I mentioned the hymn, 'This is my Father's World'. It was a poem written by Presbyterian Minister, Maltbie Babcock, ( 1859-1901). The poem was set to music using a tune written by Franklin Sheppard and was published after Babcock's death. How he came to write the lyrics is interesting and it can be found in the Wikipedia article about this song. It was in all our hymnals and song books that I was exposed to growing up. Our fallen nature sometimes rebels against accepting the premise of creation itself being in the hands of The Creator, our Sovereign God. Yet, this truth is emphasized from Genesis to the Book of the Revelation. It is. There were a large number of stanzas in his poem, but, here are the most often used lyrics found in most hymn books:

 

This is My Father's World

 

This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
 

This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker's praise.
 

This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
 

This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

 

Okay. That's enough to any of us to say grace over. Don't you agree? May God be with you is my prayer as we continue our sojourn here on the planet. Amen. 

"What’s the secret to having a smoking hot body as a senior? Cremation." ~ Don't write me. It's a joke from the online Readers Digest. Settle down out there.

Welcome back to this location where keystrokes end up producing WYSIWYG, (What you see is what you get.), output. It is Monday, July 21, 2025, and I am thankful, and I mean that seriously, to be up and about on this God provided day. Amen? Yes! Amen! The save the date for Santa photos above is from a dear lady in Arkansas. She and her family are special to us. We feel privileged to go and be a part of her Christmas photo sessions. God willing, of course. There are different ways that indicate one has categorically advanced to an older age. Saturday, our granddaughter and her family dropped by. They have two little ones including their newest, a 6 month old. She is about as precious as they come and I do love to love on her. The Dog, Lil Miss Biscuit is not as excited about me being so attentive to anybody other their herself. But, I spent several hours rocking, singing, and playing back to her the same sounds she was making. That's right. It is not necessarily a sign of mental issues but someone who happens upon the scene, well, they are entitled to interpret it anyway they see it because our little great grand, she was well pleased. At any rate, she is also a chunk, she inherited the eating gene from my side of the family. One time I got up out of the chair and I hear this melodious voice echoing across the room. Be careful dear, I'm not sure you should be walking around with that baby. Hello? You talking to me? It hit me. The baby's mom, our granddaughter, used to love for me to run, literally run, down the stairs carrying her. Fast forward from that display of athletic prowess to, "I'm not sure you should be walking around with that baby." I thought it was slightly funny. Very slight indeed!

 

Ready for Church, July 20, 2025.

I don't really mind her reminding me to be careful. I don't. I have said it very often and I am unanimous in my opinion, I need all the help I can get. And, let me be truthful here, there are times we take advice better than other times. I'm reminded when I would give my mom some friendly advice that pertained to her health. She didn't always appreciate the caring behind my advice and she would respond, "WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH DR. ABBOTT!" We do need to think before we speak. I'm reminded of the verse from the Proverbs, Chapter 25, Verse 11: "Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances." Solomon also collected this one, Chapter 27, Verse 14: "He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, It will be counted as a curse to him." For good measure and subject to each one's viewpoint I throw this one in also: Chapter 21, Verse 19: "It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman." That was intended to be a joke. Someone tell me if the wife of my youth is smiling. I'm just messing around with that one. Y'all. Yep, that includes you too. Get out there and have a wonderful God-blessed day and I will try to do the same. Amen.