Hoping my 'sore eyes' will feel better soon!

We wake up this morning thanking God for the good shower last night and hoping the weather people have a better than usual hit and miss accuracy in predicting what might happen today. It is Thursday, June 7, 2012, and we are supposed to, that's right, supposed to, have the potential for rain carried over from yesterday into today, tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, and maybe even into next Monday. Now that would be a sight for sore eyes! That sight for sore eyes was first used in print by Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels) in 1738. He meant it in the exact same way that we use it today. It was reflective of a welcome seeing of something that would be positive and pleasant. I will tell you that some rain, little or much, for four days straight, now that would be a positive development around these parts and my sore eyes would be beaming. I know. The younger crowd says it's okay for the rain on Wednesday, Thursday, and even some on Friday, but forget about it on the weekend. It's a matter of perspective. They see it as a threat to their plans. Us older guys see it as the windows of heaven opening up with showers of blessings coming down. Now back to where I started. The prediction business here in our area is not one known for its accuracy, therefore, I am reserving an area of my mindset for being disappointed and believe me, I know all too well how to sing that tune. And, when it is all said and done, I very much know and affirm, that it is in God's hands. Amen.

There's something special about daydreaming about exotic places. I've thought of Canada in this way for years. Areas of wilderness with very few people around. Nice and chilly, year round. Think about it. Calendar settings. Idyllic. Here's a recent news article of a scene from British Columbia. A 55 year old man has beautiful scenery surrounding his place. He also has a hot tub outside. The other day he was enjoying a relaxing time in the tub. The hot tub backed up to the forest. Suddenly he was startled by a huge swat up side his head from the back. He stood up, turned around, and came face to face with a huge black bear. The man screamed at the bear and ran into the house and called the police. They responded and ended up putting the bear down. That means they euthanized it. That means they killed the bear. Talk about a scary moment! I'm not sure how long it will be before that fellow returns to his hot tub but you can be sure he will never see it as he did before. And, if and when he does get back into those swirling waters, I just bet he will never sit with his back to the forest again. The article went on to mention how that some 14 people have been killed by bears in Canada since 2000. It also included some accounts of harrowing escapes. I'll try to keep that in mind as I daydream about sitting outside a remote cabin somewhere deep in the pristine Canadian hills.

Nothing like a dose of good old fashioned reality to mess up a daydream. Speaking of reality, have you noticed some of the recent anti smoking ads that feature folks who are extremely ill and messed up? One fellow is missing limbs. Another is eat up with some kind of lung and breathing disorder. They look like those who might be trying out for a horror movie. There's also a program on television where these convicts take young at-risk kids and attempt to intimidate them by showing them the harsh reality of prison. Scarey stuff that has the goal of scaring them enough that they will walk the straight and narrow. The other day I read the death notice of a couple from Louisiana in their 40's who were both killed while on a vacation trip to Atlanta, Georgia where they were hit by a teenaged drunk driver. Here in our land we have this thing about our independent notion that says what we do as individuals has nothing to do with others. That is rarely true folks. The smoker may think they are only hurting themselves, but we all know that with families that is hardly the case. These kids that go astray leave behind a trail of heartbreak and pain. The young man who killed that couple need only read their obituaries to see the long list of those impacted by his actions, not to mention his family. Those are a few of the most serious impacts, but let's face it, the accompanying financial costs that we all end up helping to pay are also staggering. I am well aware of that independent nature that tends to gloat over the 'me, myself, and I' theory of life. We all have it because it came to us as a part of our inherited parental heritage handed down by the first couple, Adam and Eve. That's right. That fallen nature tends to choose self over facts or reality. And, it's not limited to those I mentioned. It covers every area and every decision involved in our living, from our home to our workplaces and everywhere else we go. Any hope? The only one I know anything about is God's help and that comes from giving ourselves over to Him based on His provision of a Savior, His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. With Him the battle is on. It rages every moment of the day. Without Him, self wins, self rules, and eventually, self ruins. That's why we need Him. Amen.      .....More later.

It's always good to remember and thank God for those who gave their all that we might be free.

Good morning. It is Wednesday, June 6, 2012, and I am off and running. Probably more off than running but doing a little bit of both on this brand new day. Today marks the 68th anniversary of the allied invasion of Normandy, France in 1944. The 'D', by the way, refers to day and is a military designation for an action planned for a specific day. It was not a designation for Doomsday or Deliverance, as some have reported. This was a turning point invasion. Within five days over 300,000 American and Allied troops were landed. Many casualties, including deaths and serious injuries, were encountered, on both sides. (Source UK Museum: Over 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing during the Battle of Normandy.) Like Pearl Harbor, this pivotal event is one that is revered among those who stood together for freedom against the tyranny of Nazi Germany. Some 850 or more WWII veterans pass off the scene each day. Let us all pause to remember their sacrifice on this day of remembrance. Many of these proud warriors still carry emotional scars from what happened on the beaches that day long ago. We see them as our heroes. They see the faces of their buddies who were gunned down. May God bless these brave troops, at Normandy, and throughout that war, those wars that preceeded it, and those that have raged since. I heard the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff say in a recent speech that some 2,500,000 of our finest have given their lives on the battlefield since the founding of our Republic. We remember. Their sacrifice was not in vain. We thank God and we pray for His protection over this great nation. Amen.

Cell phones. Smart phones. I-Phones. Tablet phones. They have become ubiquitous in our society. Very few people, at least here in our country, do without one. Sometimes you find yourself in a place where several folks are engaged in conversations simultaneously. It sounds like a symphony tuning up for a performance. A cacophony of sound, if you will. Last Saturday I was at the oil change place. A young lady, maybe in her early twenties, sat down beside me and she took out her phone and made a call. She talked pretty loud and ignored everyone like maybe she had an invisible cone of silence over her head. She didn't have a cone of silence. There were many areas she could have moved to where she could have talked privately. She didn't choose to do that. She started out by telling her dad where she was. She had chosen the blended option, standard and synthetic, for $55, because that seemed to be a reasonable compromise between the standard $35, versus the $75 synthetic. She began to explain why she couldn't be home on the dates he had wanted her to come. She was signed up for some workshops based on her selection by the principal of her new school. She had to go. They were very pleased with her work. She answered a question about 'him'. He was at a car show. He could not, if his life depended upon it, make a compromise on the use of his own time. She wasn't sure how much longer she could put up with that. Then it was back to the $55. She knew that was quite a lot of money but she believed it to be a wise choice for her car. There was a television show going in the waiting room. It had a cooking show on. I like cooking shows but the little live performance sitting next to me seemed more interesting, and, after all, she was intent on sharing it all with everyone there.

I know. I could have gotten up and moved. Why didn't I? I was trapped, in a way. I had no remote so I couldn't fiddle with their television channels. I didn't bring any reading materials with me. The place was crawling with people and I did try to close my eyes and nap a little. No nap with all that yapping going on beside me. I wonder what she would have done had I asked her to let me talk to her father. The questions he was asking sounded all reasonable to me. He likely was on the hook for the car and still helping her out financially, therefore, it was only right for him to get the straight scoop on what exactly was going on. We dads have to stick together, don't you agree? As for the 'him' fellow, I was ready to chime in that she should cut him loose right away. But, I suppose that would not be any of my business except for the fact that she was broadcasting it right into my ear. I notice people reading and sending text messages during services at our local fellowship. Passing notes during service was a cardinal sin where I grew up. Of course many have their Bible on their smart phone, therefore, they might just be keeping up with the sermon. Right? Maybe. I don't think you do a lot of keying into the little smart device when you are reading your Bible. But that's just my observation. Know what I mean? I know some of you do. Have a great day. Don't forget to remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms and for those who wear the uniform of our nation and are in harm's way even as we go about our daily affairs. Amen.   ....More later.

Have you ever noticed that if it isn't one thing, it's something else?

Okay. Enough already. It is Tuesday, June 5, 2012, and I am already worked up about a new study that just came out. You have to wonder who pays some of these research scientists. They now have established conclusively that old people have a distinct odor compared to younger folks. As if we didn't have enough to worry about. That old people smell turned out to be recognized when people were given pads that had been placed under the arm pits of a variety of age groups. Here's an interesting tidbit. Most people when they discuss this old people specific odor do so with a negative connotation. However, when given whiffs from different age groups those involved in the testing chose younger smells as being much more offensive. Why the difference? The researchers believe it has to do with the preconceived negative thoughts about aging. As for why there is a difference in odors, while they can't be certain it is believed that aging produces changes in how skin gland secretions interact with bacteria on the skin. Let me try to summarize this. Old people have a distinct odor. Young people think it really stinks, not because it really stinks, but rather, because getting old really stinks, to them. Young people smell worse but they don't notice that. And, for us who are headed for the old and smelly category, well, while aging might stink to the younger folks, they will one day look forward to participating fully in it, and, for most, for as long as they can. Let's hope we will not soon have to endure a new ration of commercials devoted to products that specifically target the 'old people smell'.

I did have my eye exam follow-up last Friday. I love it when the medical folks talk technical. Don't you? I have a diagnosis regarding a very small lesion in my right eye. It is called non-proliferated diabetic retinopathy. This means that I have a couple of blood vessels that appear to be damaged but without any associated issues, at this time. That's where the non-proliferated comes in. If it begins to proliferate that could mean trouble. Serious trouble. But, thanks be to the Lord God in heaven, it has not changed any since the last visit when this microscopic but huge surprise was first spotted. The reason they want to monitor this closely is because of where it is located. Simply put, if it were to begin leaking blood that would be bad. How bad? Very. But, again, it is stable and everything else looks okay at this time. My new appointment is set for December, unless, of course, the proverbial anything changes happens to occur. I did have about 15 minutes of sheer melt down exasperation to get the examination started. Let me remind you that I came to do a follow-up on a diabetic induced issue that could seriously impact my vision. Here's how it started: The technician announced that she needed to check my eyes. She asked me to read the eye chart. I couldn't. She kept telling me to blink. (Last time I was there they almost ran me off because I couldn't stop from blinking.) I couldn't read the chart. Everything was too fuzzy. After several minutes of her moving my head up and down, forth and back, putting my chin in and out of that little cup thingy, and her doing a little huffing on her on, she finally grabbed my glasses and left the room to go and read them on their machine. Well, what do you know? At the prior visit they had written down my prescriptions backwards on the chart and she was trying to get me to read the chart on my right eye with the lens correction for my left eye, and the chart for the left eye with the right eye correction. Ha ha, funny? Not on your life! I almost couldn't read it even after she straightened it out because by that time I could hear Ray Charles singing in the background. I know what you are thinking. No way you would want to be me. I can almost understand why.

My regular ophthalmologist is on maternity leave. She was born in India. The lady ophthalmologist filling in for my doctor on Friday was very nice. Her parents came here from China. I did check her out on the internet before my appointment. She was magna or summa cum laude at every school of higher learning that she attended including Harvard Medical School. My doctor is supposed to be back in October so I should see her in December. That's good because next time I go I might need to get my passport updated. Just kidding. I happen to think that these ladies, both in their early thirties, both with outstanding academic credentials, are exactly what this melting pot of a country is all about. At least I didn't tell her the joke about how that I thought for years that magna cum laude was a Negro spiritual until I found out different. You don't think it's funny either? The other thing I thought about was telling the technician she might start off her day by taking a marks-a-lot and drawing a big R on her right hand and a big L on her left hand. But, since she was not the one who made the mistake from my prior visit, she may not have thought it to be funny, and since she had not at that moment stopped moving my head around, I decided, given the potential outcomes, to just take a deep breath and enjoy the thought of what she might have done had I told her. But I didn't. And, we move on to the next challenge. I do hope you will have a great day and that our Great God will add His blessings to it. Amen.    ...More later.

What every person in this old world really needs.

Hello and welcome back. It's Monday, June 4, 2012, and I do hope you had a wonderful Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday. Last Friday morning I was in the mood for some Christmas music. Thanks to the internet there are dozens of stations that play nothing but Christmas music. I listened to some being streamed from Belgium. On other days I have to get me some Celtic Christian to help frame my day. Or, you can always listen to the Scriptures being read. I still check in with a talk radio program in Brisbane, Australia from time to time. Why? It's a small world after all. You've heard that one before? But, it really is and when you hear people there calling in and complaining about the cost of petrol, the cost of groceries, and the lack of employment opportunities, and how messed up the government is, well, it lets us know that we do have commonality. We are all essentially in the same race. It's called the human race. If you listen to some of the commercial stations from London one thing sticks out. They do have mega traffic issues there and they are constantly breaking in with problems of all sorts. That happens here. That happens in LA, New York City, or Hong Kong. The now more than 7 billion folks that breathe air on our planet get up every day and do their best to make it, one more day. What's their greatest need? It's the same one that we have. They need to know that in a world messed up with all the problems that can be imagined, the God who loves them has provided a Savior who can change them for time and eternity. Amen.

My wife and I have been hanging out together since 1962. She was gone last week for three days on a visit over to Louisiana. I missed her. That's right. I still miss her when she is not at home. I'm glad she got to go because every time she can be with her two brothers and sister, it's a good time.When she returned we were talking about just how long all of us have been making this journey together. Before we were married we attended her family Christmas in her older brother Cleon's home. Cleon impressed me even way back then. He was accepting. He was genuine. And, he is still that way today. When we were first married for some reason her brother Milton and I were on a fishing trip together. I remember we lay there on the bank of Lake Vernon and talked most of the night away. The subject? The Bible. He was a young preacher and even at that time I thought I knew a whole lot more than I really did about God's Word. (I've since learned just how little I do know!) Marilyn and her sister Dorothy have always been especially close. We used to tease them about being twins born 18 months apart. Not one iota of difference in that scenario today. Dorothy's husband Charles and I always had our jobs in common. He was in computers and so was I. When Charles' dad passed away he left a computer engineering job in Dallas and moved his family back to his home place. He had some rough days finding solid employment but he persevered and built a very successful career as a computer professional working at Fort Polk. We've all shared many laughs together, and yes, as a family, we have had our moments of tears. Quite a group. Quite a journey. And, what a blessing! Amen.

It's that time of year when school ends and the summer recess begins. We cannot but thank God for all the hard work and the corresponding accomplishments achieved by our progeny. Our grandchildren are a talented lot and wrapped up in the abilities they have been given is an amazing amount of potential. So many of them have achieved academic distinctions, some have succeeded in athletics, and others excelled in their musical talents. Yes. Like most families, ours is about as diverse as you can imagine. Differences that are rooted in their personal make-up. Differences that will lead them into the future. I'm not going to try and name all the accolades each of them have achieved but I will express my thankfulness to God for them all, and yes, I too swell up with that sense of pride that we all feel when we see our kids do well. God has a plan for each of them and it includes them doing the best with the opportunities afforded to them. They all are constantly on my heart and mind and each day I call each of them by name before the Lord. That's what their Poppy does and my prayer is for God's protection and direction as they make their way forward. Now it is on to the summer where they will be getting in some R & R. Great job kiddos. We love you all. MiMi and Poppy.             ....More later.

Praying and hoping for change.

Made it to Friday and I welcome you to the first episode of today, June 1, 2012. I think at times how that one day in the future that one of my great great grandchildren doing research may happen upon this bundle of blogs that I have accumulated. Sadly, given the drift in our societal mores, they could likely think the views I have espoused in these nearly 1300 daily visits are not just politically incorrect, but more likely they will think I must have lived in prehistoric times. That's the way it will be unless something changes. Those who promote this popular brand of no fault living where anything and everything is okay gladly report how the younger generation will soon make obsolete those of us who stand for traditional Bible based values. They can hardly wait. You know me. I have a verse for them. "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18, New King James Version, NKJV) The context of this verse teaches that when there is no vision of God's Word applied to day by day living, ruin follows. History documents this to be true in nation after nation that chose to set aside both the inherent morals of conscience, as well as the explicit teachings the Creator has given to His creation. Unless something changes. It can. I pray that it will. For the sake of those who will follow this 'obsolete' generation.

I am not down and out but I am concerned. Sometimes it seems like those who are hell bent to usher in changes that spit in the face of God are rubbing their hands as they anticipate that day when folks like me will be a thing of the past. I'm not talking about myself as if I have any notoriety, but rather it is the remnant of those willing to just say no to those things that God says are evil. Those like myself are not portraying ourselves as being perfect or faultless because we know the truth. We are fallen and even as children of God made that way because of being saved by the blood of our Savior, we are prone to wander and to wobble in our walk before our God. Yet, we were handed down faith that engenders fidelity to God and His word from those who preceded us, even as they were given the truth from their predecessors. This is God's plan. My fear is that the hand off may not be received going forward, at least not in any broad sense of the word. While many proclaim a world without religion (God) will be a world of freedom and liberation, I believe it will be a world dominated by lust and depravity. Just so you know, I don't desire that kind of world for my offspring. Under the guise of toleration we are hastening a day of reckoning with Almighty God. It's not just my right to stand up for these truths, it is my duty, and believe me, I know how unpopular it is to do so. I'm not immune to those, even close to me, that are unhappy with my comments, but in the end, I must do what I can to influence those God has given into my sphere of contact. May God help is my prayer. Amen. 

Our Madi girl!

This is not an abstract preoccupation. I have some wonderful reasons that I think about when this stuff is on my mind. My grand kids of course. My great grand Madelyn Joy. But especially her children and their children. Just about the time we get warmed up to our little Madi then we miss seeing her for several weeks and we have to start over again. It's worth the effort. She was at the birthday bash at Chuck E. Cheese's and she had a ball. She particularly liked the icing on the birthday cake. I inquired to her MiMi about the advisability of her eating just the icing since the same MiMi was feeding it to her from more than one piece of cake. I was informed that Madi enjoyed it and after all she would not be going home with us. Oh my. Wind her up as tight as you can and see how fast she can run? I suppose that is a prerogative of the grand parent and maybe even more so for the Great Grand MiMi. Yes, I am concerned about generations that are yet to make their way here in our land. I know it is in God's hands and I know that He can take care of it a whole lot better than I, however, it does make me want to do all I can while I still have time. Now that I have that out of my system, it's time to say goodnight Gracie. May God bless each one. See next Monday, Lord willing. Amen.         .....More later.

Remember that program? Old folks do the darndest things!

Thursday. Already? Really? Good. Welcome to the last day of May, 2012, where I will be your host in providing this guided tour of today's episode. The other evening I watched the 100th birthday celebration honoring Branson, Missouri. (I think it was a rerun made earlier this year.) It was a two hour program hosted on RFDTV. That's right folks. (RFD: Rural Free Delivery, in case you may not have known it from the Mayberry RFD days.) The large audience at that taping were pretty much dominated by white or no hair and I'm pretty sure that's also the audience they were looking for out in TV land. I watched it because the entertainment is good. Lots of 'pickin and grinnin'. Outstanding guitar work. Great cowboy music and generally what we older folks call good clean fun. That little town of 10,000 residents play host to over 7 million visitors per year.(That's approximately the same number that visit Hawaii each year.) Branson has a typical mid western history characterized by challenge, adversity, and even some calamities thrown in for good measure, but, it has persevered and today it is one of the premier destinations for folks to visit. One of the performers, Jim Stafford, did his comedy routine and then some great guitar work. I remember him from back in the 70's. He has really aged. He is now 68. That's two years older than me, but he looked much older on that show. Do you ever do that? Look at someone else close to your age and think, well, at least I don't look that old? Or do I? Yes, eye of the beholder and all of that, and then some. No doubt. But we get our little lifts where we can, or maybe that's what it was, his didn't work out so well. Just kidding. Someone the other day posted on Facebook that they would be visiting Branson this summer and asked for suggestions. One of their kids responded with great embarrassment that his parents had reached that stage of life. Going to Branson? How sad. What a shame. And, to tell everyone. See what us older guys have to put up with?

This past Tuesday evening I watched a 90 minute special on HDNET hosted by Dan Rather in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that occurred on December 7, 1941. I typically do not watch much of anything associated with Dan Rather but I was drawn in to hearing once again the voices of that fading group of American military personnel who were eyewitnesses on that fateful day. Sure, I had to listen to some sermonizing by Rather here and there but I would recommend this program to anyone who has an interest in the history of our nation. Of the slightly more than 77,000 military stationed in Hawaii on the day of the attack, it is estimated that only 2700 remain. To hear those who remain speak about that day and to see those tears flow again means something. They still feel the weight of the loss of their fellow comrades. Those elderly veterans who live on the island are treated with special respect and admiration as they provide living commentary to many of the visitors who come to the memorial that sits on top of the USS Arizona. Underneath that suspended platform lies the tomb where 900 of our heroes remain. This documentary of sorts was professionally done. The art work and graphics were superb. The interviews were haunting. But, there is also the resolve that came in the aftermath of this great tragedy. That's why Pearl Harbor is special. We suffered a humiliating defeat on that one day but it was not the end of America's story, and for that, and for the memory of those who lost their lives on behalf of liberty, we thank God. I would highly recommend that anyone who has access to this program to watch it and be moved again by this momentous event in our history.

I have not become a TV critic. Critic? Perhaps. But certainly not limited to TV. Maybe I should be called a 'critic at large'. Most of us are, in one way or another, just in different areas of specialization. One of the things I notice is how quickly we can jump from being critical of a situation or outcome but then make the leap to some horribly harsh condemnatory comments about the motivations of those involved. Wow! We end up being unhappy with a result but at the same time we think everyone involved is an idiot and that they actually got up contemplating how they could ruin our day. Sounds preposterous, doesn't it? Here's a scenario: "I drove all the way to this store and they don't have the brand I am looking for. They probably do have it but they are too lazy to put it out or they are holding it back for themselves. They are a bunch of idiots anyway. Maybe I will never come to this store again. How do you like that? " We live in some stressful times folks but we all need to be reminded that typically most folks do not get up each day with us in their crosshairs. And, we all know how quickly we change when we are the perpetrator and our boo boo causes someone else some inconvenience. But this zero to 100 mentality is a growing problem and I just think for those of us who know the Lord, we need to think seriously about our testimony when faced with all of life's dots that don't connect. We need to be mindful that having the mind of Christ in our interactions with others is His will for our day by day living. I could use His help because of that vast conspiracy out there somewhere trying to ruin my day. Know what I mean? Pray for me. Thanks. I'll do the same for you. Amen.   ....More later.

"God bless America, Land that I love."

Welcome to Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Yesterday was primary election day here in Texas. That's where we the people determine who will represent the major parties in the general election coming up in November. I voted because of it being my duty. It was not because I had some overwhelming excitement about the election or those running. Sorry. I hate to become firmly identified in the apathetic category. But I did vote so I suppose that means something. This election came the day after Memorial Day. Perhaps that was motivation enough even though the candidates generally do not impress me and certainly we've all had our belly full of the endless attack ads and robo-calls. In one night alone we had phone calls from former Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin, Governor Rick Perry, and former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee. I expect any day to see the answering machine laying on its side with a final message: Enough is enough! That's not to say the stakes are not high. In the area where we live it's mostly what they call red meat conservative. Therefore, those running do their best to out red meat the other. Charges and counter charges with the Somebody Done Somebody Wrong song playing in the background. I will participate in the process. I will pray for those who are in authority over us. And, I will do so because God has given us this great country and we are blessed to be a citizen. That does imply duties and responsibilities. But, that doesn't mean I want to hear any of those commercials again. Pulezze!

I did watch on CSPAN the Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery and the special commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War held at the Vietnam War Memorial. Both of these were impressive tributes. I was also impressed with our President and felt that American spirit swell up in my heart as these festivities drew the nation's attention to those who have fallen on behalf of us all. ("Red and yellow, black, brown, and white, they are all precious in His sight!") Sure, I picked up on some of the political stuff the President was including in his speeches. I could have done without that but let's face it, that's natural regardless of what party is being represented. It is an election year after all. When it comes to love of country and patriotism I recognize that the blood that has fallen is not typed Republican or Democrat but it carries that proud distinction of American blood. I did not vote for President Obama when he ran in 2008. While I do not know who I will vote for this year, I am even more decided that it will not be for the President. There's just too much division in our worldview, and our sense of societal issues. That doesn't lessen my respect for him one bit. He is our President. He is the Commander in Chief and until he is replaced he deserves our prayers as we have been instructed in God's Holy Word. (Romans Chapter 13; 1st Timothy Chapter 2:1-3) Amen.

What do you do after you have watched the annual Indianapolis 500? That was 500 miles and I thought it was a pretty good race and it was a really good set up. For what? What else, of course? The 600 mile NASCAR race from Charlotte Motor Speedway. I was able to see them both and that answers the question: How did you spend the majority of your Sunday? Not entirely. I actually was up early and at the Church early. Presented my lesson. Heard a wonderful sermon from a missionary we sponsor. Then almost in-between races we attended a birthday celebration at Chuck E. Cheese's. We spent over two hours there. Kids really love that place. We spent over two hours there. The kids really had fun. We spent over two hours there. Everyone were really nice. We spent over two hours there. When you need more tokens you just insert your card into a machine and they come rolling out. How convenient. We spent over two hours there. For all you who are avid fans of the Chuckster, please know that I am just joking. We did have a good time. But I have to be truthful. I was looking for a corner somewhere so that I could take a nap. By the time we got back home the NASCAR race was started but it was early on, and as my youngest son likes to remind me on most Sundays, "Dad, I bet they are still turning left." And, that is exactly what they were doing. My point: Is this a great country or what? I'll say Amen to that! What say you? May God bless until we meet again.       .....More later.