"The strength of a community is built on the respect it shows to its elders." — Anonymous

Hello and welcome to Tuesday, February 10, 2026. It's another day here in the neighborhood where I am slinging keystrokes here, there, and everywhere onto the electronic page. The photo comes courtesy of the Artificial Intelligence, AI, utility ChartGPT. The images are real photos of yours truly. I posted the images and asked the utility to show me looking at me in the mirror. That's how it came about. There is no doubt great potential for this milestone development and that potential can be for good or as has been warned by many, it can be used for evil like we've not seen before. In the world of services like medical practice, it well could be of great assistance. At the same time, things like criminal activities, fraud, intrusion into the personal lives of individuals, and, even more sinister operations, well, that potential is there too. Right now people are enjoying the use of the tool in playful ways, manipulating photos, making cartoon images and memes, and the like. Meanwhile, the gurus that know a lot about the power of this engine of ingenuity forecast great caution as we pursue its use. One of the masters of the development of this utility had this to say, “AI will be the best or worst thing ever for humanity.” ~ Elon Musk  Another expert, “Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” ~ Christian Lous Lange  I also read where some preachers are already using AI to prepare their sermons and I spoke to a college student who said the teaching staff warned them not to use AI in their school work and, to know they had programs that could identify if they were using that technology. Maybe they are using AI to detect if AI is being used. I suppose it is something yet to be unpacked and I like this quote from the Great One himself, "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been." ~ Wayne Gretzky. I'm not sure it offers much in this discussion, but, I like it anyway. What say you? 

 

I tend to be a wee bit obsessed with what it means to be an older person. I admit it. I do find what others before me have found and that has to do with how little revelance we as older folks have in this modern world. I will not apologize for what may sound self serving but here are some inspired words from the Lord God of heaven regarding those who are called the elderly,  "Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:32 NLT) ~ "Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father… Treat older women as you would your mother" (1 Timothy 5:1-2 NLT) ~ "In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble’" (1 Peter 5:5 NIV) ~ "Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old." (Job 12:12 NLT). I am thankful I was given the opportunity to show respect for my parents and grandparents. I'm thankful I have no regrets. However, in our world today we hear about incidents where children of aging parents have gone out of their way to take advantage of their parents. WRONG! I can't even imagine how one would be able to sleep at night. But, I know, folks like me are accused of wanting to rain of everybody's parade. I hope it rains hard. Just me. Just a wee bit of a rant, but, come on people, get a grip and show the respect that older people deserve. I think I need a cup of Community and a time out, then, I will be better. May God help us all is my prayer. Amen. 

Proverbs 21:1 New Living Translation ~ "The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases."

Good morning and welcome to today's edition, subtitled: This, That, and the Other. Today is Monday, February 9, 2026, and, I do hope you are off to a good start. Let me say again how thankful I am for some of the positive changes taking place in our nation since this last presidential election. My recent story about President Trump was for the most part well received. I did receive a number of comments. Some indicated their belief that Trump was directly appointed by God to return our nation to our roots. I do believe God is involved, see today's title, and I do believe He can use those in office to work His will and His way. After all, it is God who said the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar was His servant, raised up to bring judgment on His rebellious people. (Jeremiah 27:6 and 43:10) Therefore, I believe there has been a new found freedom for believers to openly express a testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. And, our current administration has had a positive influence on this changed attitude. The Charlie Kirk assassination has also made a huge impact on Christians being willing to stand up and be counted for the Lord. God can use Donald J. Trump in the same way He used King Nebuchadnezzar. While some seem to want to make him some kind of a Christian Icon, I cannot forget the interview where he spoke specifically about his religious leanings. Frank I. Luntz, the interviewer, asked this very pointed question, "Have you ever asked God for forgiveness?" Trump's answer, "I am not sure I have, I just go and try to do a better job from there. I don't think so. I think, if I do something wrong, I think I just try to make it right. I don't bring God into that picture. I don't." That doesn't change my reason for voting for him but it does put into perspective his view of his relationship with the Lord. I'm glad he has decided to align himself with those who do profess Christ and I don't really question why he has done it whether it is for the votes or because he wants to return our nation to her roots. I will not go into detail but I will tell you that some of the people he has chosen as his spiritual advisers are truly suspect in terms of their fidelity to the word of God. I say all of that to say this, as a follow-up, I am thankful that many believing folks are coming out of the closet, so to speak, many on national broadcasts. Any and all testimonies of changed lives because of Jesus are welcomed. And, I say Amen and Amen.

 

I started this blogging adventure back in the summer of 2007. My approach was captured in a quote from the famous baseball player, coach, and, oddly enough shade tree philosopher, Yogi Berra, "You can observe a lot by watching." His funny quotes became well known to the extent they were tagged, 'Yogisms'. I have tried to make my blogs observational, from my point of view, but, he was right, you can observe a lot by watching. I was fortunate to see him play. Only once. The Yankees played against the Kansas City Athletics. He was no longer catching but they put him in the outfield. It was 1961 and my uncle provided me access to a trip to Kansas City to see a professional baseball game. I, along with hundreds of other little league kids rode a chartered train from Shreveport to Kansas City. I had never been to a professional baseball game. I also saw Roger Maris hit his 51st home run, the year he broke Babe Ruth's record. And, to top it off, I got to see, live and in person, the former President of the United States, Harry S. Truman at his library in Independence, Missouri. There you were thinking I was just a country bumpkin from that wee little village in rural Louisiana, well, you would be right but I did myself quite a bit of observing as I watched from the train making its way through the hills and valleys on my way to a milestone adventure. I wrote about it in more than one of my blogs. I think they are searchable, but, I can't always find what I am looking for, so, I can't be certain. Y'all enjoy your day and remember to give God the glory. Amen.

"If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it". ~ Ronald Reagan

Well hello there and welcome to today's visit. I hope you and yours are well on this Friday, February 6, 2026. The photo was taken using the desktop camera and that would be yours truly with my little sidekick, the famous, one and only, Lil Miss Biscuit. I zoomed in to cover up the messy office I work in. I'm still waiting on the cleaners to come in. I think they were here, maybe in 2022. Probably on strike or something. You know. Good help is hard to find these days. Here's what my Artificial Intelligence friend has to say about a messy office: "A messy office often signals a, overloaded, or creative mind, but is frequently perceived by others as a sign of low conscientiousness, disorganization, or laziness. While sometimes indicating a person is deeply focused on high-priority projects, it can also lead to increased stress, decreased productivity, and negative professional impressions." The wife of my youth would likely cast her vote for the lazy component, however, I tend to think perhaps the creative mind is a better fit. And, if I could find proof of it in all the papers I have laying here and there, I would share that proof with you. You do know that I'm just kidding. Not about my messy office. That's the truth. I am concerned about it. I actually talk about it quite often, especially how much it needs to be straightened up, however, thus far, it remains a future work endeavor. Typically, I will enlist some assistance as we prepare to prepare to do our tax return. Another project to look forward to. Ugh. We will get very serious about it, I think maybe in early April. We always pay in, so why get in a hurry? Right, Vern? I can identify with this quote from the late great radio and TV host, Arthur Godfrey, "I’m proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money." 

I really can't complain about the taxes I pay. I feel privileged to live in the country God placed me in. I feel blessed, and, yes, I do enjoy the freedoms we have in this land of the free and home of the brave. At the same time, it is part of the psyche of the tax paying public to joke about and make noise about paying taxes. I am not a fan of the state exercising ownership over my home and property after it was paid off many years ago. The people we elect here in the state of Texas all promise to do something about property taxes, however, not much is done. This is where the state gets the money to operate and while there are other methods of collecting, special interests, and, all kinds of political shenanigans always keep any permanent solutions from being enacted. I know. That's a particularly sore spot with me. Maybe it's just an old people deal. Back when taxes were a part of the mortgage payout, well, it didn't bother me as much. Now, as a card carrying senior citizen I get to see how it works, up close and personal. But, there are other fish to fry as they say, and, I'm sure my ongoing issue with property taxation is one that will continue well after I attain that desired status, "absent from the body, present with the Lord." (2nd Corinthians 5:8) And, yes, I am well aware of the Apostle Paul's inspired admonition regarding government taxation: Romans 13:6-7 NIV ~ "This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." I stand corrected. As always, God has the final say. Amen? Yes. Amen.

"Have an eye to God in every word you sing." – John Wesley

Good morning. I am going to steer away from political stuff today. The wife did say she thought yesterday's blog was a wee bit strong. It was not my intention to offend anyone because we all need to seek God's help in coming to our individual opinion about matters that impact our lives and the lives of our families. We cannot escape the fact that our governmental authorities do impact our lives. Oh well, as is so often said, "It is what it is." How in the world are you doing on this fine day, Thursday, February 5, 2026? It's a good day to pause, look up, and give God thanks for how He provides. He does deserve it whether we give it to Him or not. Many years ago I was in choir practice and a young lady raised her hand. She asked the music leader to give his insight into the meaning of the song we were working on. She said while it had a catchy tune, she didn't find it to be biblical or praiseworthy. Yikes! She was talking about the lyrics or words. The director responded with a bunch of explanations based on metaphors and possibilities, but, he did admit the song was very unclear in terms of communicating biblical truth. That was an act of bravery on the part of that young lady but it did point out how important it is that our worship be very much grounded in biblical truth. Period. This is why I particularly like Bible passages set to music. I prefer them. I do. I really do. I'm not saying a testimonial song is wrong, but, if we want to get as close to true worship as we can, then I believe the Bible to be the runaway best source. If any of the lyrics fall short of reflecting truth supported by God's revelation of Himself, in the Book He has given to us, I think it should be considered suspect. At the same time, I mark myself as an old fuddy-duddy when it comes to matters like this. I hear the voices. But, Brother Al, if we don't sing modern songs with modern lyrics we will not reach the next generation. Really? I guess that means if we present the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, God is in someway limited. Sorry. I'm not buying that. Not one iota. God always works when His truth is proclaimed. In teaching, preaching, singing, or in personal devotion. He does. He really does. That's the way I see it. Now you know.

 

When I worked in the corporate world and for a number of years I had the privilege of being an entry level executive, many of the folks in that world functioned based on what I will call workplace games. If I played games I didn't know that I did. Some in that world thought I was an excellent game player. In other words, if you let your yes be yes and your no be no, someone will think there's something more to it. I will confess how this, from my vantage point, was quite humorous. Me, not playing any games but being thought of as a master at playing games. Ha! It reminds me of that Peter Sellers movie, 'Being There', where he played a simple minded gardener whose only education had come from watching TV. He was thrust into the world of high level geopolitical players and his one liners where interpreted as being profound. They thought him to be a genius when he was barely able to function. That's how I viewed the way I was viewed. I was actually given a book about workplace political game playing and the Sr. Executive who gave it to me said, "I am giving this to you, not because you need it, because you could have written it." Don't you find that hilarious? You might not but I would betcha my Paw Paw Mac who gave me many of my common sense sayings, he would laugh out loud. Maybe. He didn't do that very often. Okay. My point? Do right. Keep doing right. Even if your effort is misunderstood, keep doing right. Maybe you will be awarded a master game player trophy. Maybe not. Honor God, let Him take care of the results. Amen.

"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." —Thomas Jefferson

Made it to another day. This one, the one we are currently dealing with, self identifies as Wednesday, February 4, 2026. I do bid each one a hearty hello and a prayer that God will guide us all. Amen. I would vote for President Trump again given the alternatives from the woke progressive socialist party opposite. At the same time I do get a wee bit weary over all the put downs and other negative stuff that seems to pour out of his mouth. Yep. I would still vote for him again. I am against seeing our nation continue its drift towards socialism defined as an economic and political system based on public or collective ownership of the means of production, aiming for a more egalitarian distribution of wealth and resources. It prioritizes cooperation over competition, often involving government management of key industries to ensure that society's needs are met, rather than focusing on private profit. While that may sound good to some it reflects the destruction of what makes America, America, including the loss of things like liberty, individualism, and democracy, often characterized by a shared American spirit, purpose, and cultural traits. I would vote for any candidate that stands for the values we hold near and dear to our heart. While those in the party opposite fawn over the newly elected mayor of New York City who is very close to being an out and out communist, I will continue to stand for liberty, fully knowing we have many flaws and blemishes that are always in need of repair. Yes. I will vote for the candidate that reflects what I believe has made this nation, under God, the great nation she is. You can decide for yourself. I don't begrudge those who choose to support their vision on the left, but, I did vote for and I would vote again for President Donald J. Trump. I may not like his bully persona and his brash condemnations, but, he does still represent a glimmer of what I believe the American Dream represents. That's my take. What say you?

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 from the Amplified Bible: "When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person". 

 

I do know there are dangers in expressing one's opinion on political matters. Social media has a history of seeing those with opinions being castigated and often rejected due to their expressed thoughts. I find it interesting that those who make up the celebrity world who claim to support the freedom of expression from any and all quarters, well, they turn out to be lock step promoters of their conclusion and all others are not only to be excluded but they are to be run out of town, so to speak. So much for freedom of thought and expression. And, on the right, well, for some it operates pretty much the same way. You can be on our team as long as you toe the line on any and every idea we embrace. Sorry. I don't buy either of those extremes. America is about freedom. Yes. Freedom to disagree. Freedom to complain. Freedom to make my case for what I believe. Here again, I voted for President Trump and I would vote for him again, and again. Why? I cannot even conceive of seeing our nation go against what was fought and won in the American Revolution. I end today's blog by saying this: God has blessed our nation. He continues to bless our nation. But, there may soon come a day when He withholds His blessings because of His righteous judgment on our disobedience and rebellion against Him. I pray that we, as a nation, will turn to Him, today. Amen.

History of the idiom 'going to the dogs': The saying go to the dogs has been around for a very long time. It seems to have started in the sixteenth century from the idea that useless or spoiled things, like food, should be thrown to the dogs rather than be eaten by people. Rotten or ruined things are suited only to go to the dogs; a person who ruins or destroys his life, therefore, goes to the dogs as well.

Today is Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and, I thought it might be good to allow my associate editor to say a few words today.  

Hello. This is Lil Miss Biscuit coming to you live and in person from the lap of the blogger in chief here at the ole blogger ranch. All I can tell you is how I do my best to watch over and reign him in, but, as you can see, he does have a mind of his own. I also want everyone to know that while I came along after their beloved Sir Bentley, they have loved me the same way they loved him. I hear them talk about how I was chosen from the litter and the people who birthed me gave some bogus information about my pedigree, however, the folks here made the decision whether I was purebred or mutt, they loved me anyway. You might not know this about these folks. They watch a lot of Korean, Japanese, French, and other foreign dramas. They can read the subtitles but all I hear is the gibberish from these different languages. I'm just glad they still remember what the word treat means. You do know what I mean? Right? I do play games with them. When I run out of food or water I rattle my metal bowl and it does make a racket. I do love to see them jump into action to refill my bowls. Many people say I am lucky to have them as my caretakers. Ha! I play fetch with them. I lick on them to show my affection. I sleep on their laps. I cuddle. Now. Tell me who is lucky. I report. You decide. Thanks for keeping up with us and yep, I was worried too when the blogger in chief was ailing. I knew something was wrong. It hurt my heart. It did. It really did. But, I've done my part in nursing him back to health or a facsimile thereof. If you happen to bump into them, you might mention how much I like those really expensive treats. The ones our 87 year old neighbor gives me. I think they have duck and sweet potatoes in them and they are so-o-o-o good! Until next time, y'all take care.

 

Okay. There you have my version of what it means to go to the dogs. Only in this case it's the opposite of the traditional meaning. Turning it over to Lil Miss Biscuit reminds me of the blessing she has been and continues to be in my life. The Bible tells us that every good gift comes from God, therefore, I thank God for all He provides, including this little heat source and heartbeat laying on my lap. May God add His blessings. Amen.

Matthew 28: 19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ English Standard Version

Good morning and welcome to today's edition. It is a brand new month and today finds us at Monday, February 2, 2025. I read where the groundhog has spoken and there will be six more weeks of winter. David in the Bible said he was glad when they said let us go to the House of the Lord, (Psalm 122). I say this about that: Me too!!! We did get to show up for our Life Group yesterday and it gave me the opportunity to thank our folks for their concern and prayers during the health scare, if that is what it was, I experienced recently. While in our study we received a text saying our great grand Gabriella was being baptized at her local assembly about 30 minutes away. So, we jumped up, left the class in progress and drove over to witness this life milestone event. We walked into the meeting room and there she was, in the water already. She was bearing witness on the outside of what had already taken place on the inside, her having put her faith and trust in Jesus. Believer's baptism is how we define it. Having been saved she then, in obedience to the Lord's command, gave testimony in demonstrating the death, burial, and resurrection as depicted in baptism, and, in doing so, she gave evidence of her new life in Christ. She is eight years old and we pray for her and for all of our children, grandchildren, and great grands, that each one will come to the knowledge of the truth, respond to the Gospel, and be saved. Why? Because there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun, therefore, we want all of our family to go to heaven. That's our heart's desire. We were blessed to be at her baptism. The pastor there brought a tremendous sermon on what it means to fulfill the life God has given to us by reaching out to others and seeing them come to know Christ. We then had lunch with our son Chris, her Paw Paw, and the family. It was a great day and I am looking forward to more of the same as we seek to influence our offspring with the most important truth in this life, and, that being how God loved them and sent His Son to save them. Amen.

 

I read that some people actually eat groundhogs as wild game along with woodchucks. You know, how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood? That's my recollection of that little ditty and it may not be correct. At any rate, others recommend not eating groundhogs because they might carry disease or parasites. We grew up eating wild game in rural Louisiana. It was mostly squirrels and deer and maybe a wild hog or two. We didn't think much about it. Granny Mac would prepare it and we would sit down to the table and it eat what was put before us. She could cook. We would go out and kill a few squirrels, clean them, and, she would go to work. She knew how to take the gaminess out of the meat she cooked. She would smother fry the squirrels and make a gravy and serve them with mashed potatoes and homemade bread. Talk about good! Fast forward to the past forty plus years and I can tell you I haven't killed any wild game and the only game I've eaten has been a little sausage given to me, made up of pork and deer meat, and, that would have been very little. When we moved to the Houston area, our diet changed too. My point? Punxsutawney Phil, the prediction groundhog, might want to be aware that if he makes a bad guess, well, he might just end up in the frying pan. And, the neighborhood we live in is overrun with squirrels. They seem to be everywhere. People actually wreck their vehicles avoiding them on the roadways. They do. They really do. Sadly, me too! Y'all take care and have a wonderful day. With God's blessings. Amen.