MEMORIAL DAY HODGEPODGE!

     Our friend Joyce who publishes the blog "From This Side of the Pond" has come up with some real doozy questions for this week's Hodgepodge. Join in on the fun and answer the questions for yourself. Let us peek behind that curtain and get a glimpse at who you really are.

1. What question do you often ask yourself?

     When I read the paper about the girls who were kidnapped and held for ten years in a small basement I ask myself "How can a person become so depraved that kidnapping three girls and holding them as his personal harem for ten years seems like a good idea?"

     I have asked the same question when I read about other horrific acts perpetrated upon some innocent person by another depraved individual. God help us!

2. Do you grow roses? What's your favorite color of rose?  Ever been given a dozen roses?  Where was the prettiest rose or rose garden you remember seeing?

     Of all this week's questions, this is the easiest to answer. I do not grow roses. I do not have a favorite rose color. I have never received a dozen roses, nor do I want to. If I saw an aesthetically pleasing rose garden I do not remember. Flowers are not something that's on my radar screen.

3. Do you read the freshness dates on grocery store products?  Will you use eggs past their 'use by' date?  Take medication that's expired? Buy a dented can?

     I always check the freshness date of dairy products, specifically milk and cream. I never knew that eggs had a "use by" date, so I may have used eggs past that date. I would not take prescription medication past their use by date. I may take aspirin or some other over-the-counter medication past their expiration date. I don't buy dented cans if I can help it.

4. Should athletes be role models?

     For me the question is not "Should" they be role models. The fact of the matter is, whether they acknowledge it or not, athletes are role models, especially at the professional level. Therefore, the question becomes what kind of role model are they? Do they exemplify and model playing by the rules and good sportsmanship? When they are off the field, or court, or ice, or whatever...do they conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, displaying courtesy and respect to those with whom they interact? 

      Athletes are role models and it is entirely up to them whether they are "good" or "poor" role models.

5. Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first explorers to reach the top of Mt. Everest on this date (May 29) back in 1953. What's something you hope to achieve in your lifetime?

     The short answer to this question is "I don't know." I wanted to be a good father and from most accounts I seem to have been one, and continue to be. I want to be a great husband to my beloved SWMBO. I think I'm pretty good now, but she so deserves, and I strive to be, a GREAT husband. I want to be a great Christian. Not the self-righteous, holier than though, look down your nose, Bible thumping stereotype of Christian but rather the kind of Christian that God created me to be. The kind of Christian God intends a Christian to be.

6. What would you do if you had twenty acres of land and the money to develop it any way you choose?

     Wow! Another great question! One idea would be I'd probably develop only three acres. I would have an energy self-sufficient, "off-the-grid" log cabin with "on-the-grid" back-up. The other seventeen acres would be kept as natural as possible. I would selectively harvest wood to heat my house from the wooded seventeen acres.

     Another idea would be to subdivide the lot and construct houses for SWMBO and my children and grandchildren. I'd keep as much of the lot natural for recreation and other purposes. I think it would be great to live next to our children and grandchildren and to provide them a safe refuge from the world.

7. If I invite you to a party with a 7 PM start time, what time will I actually see you there?

     If I was invited to a party that started at 7:00 P.M., I would arrive sometime between 7:15 and 7:30 P.M.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

     There seems to be some confusion about "Memorial Day." Many of my fellow citizens seem to think that this day is set aside to honor ALL who have served in the U.S. military. The fact of the matter is that Memorial Day is a holiday established to honor the memory of those who served in the U.S. military AND gave their life in the defense of our great Republic. The following is what I posted as my "STATUS" on Facebook yesterday:

    " In every generation since the founding of this Nation, special men and women have stepped up to give their full measure of devotion, they gave their lives to preserve the God given blessings of liberty for the rest of us. Today we honor their memory! Today we honor their families! Today we say a prayer of thanksgiving to the God who endowed us with that liberty and blessed us with the lives and examples of these very fine Americans! Thank you, Lord! May God continue to bless America!"

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE!

     Our friend Joyce has done it again. She has come up with a number of excellent questions. You're welcome to take a look behind the curtain and see a bit of who we really are. 


1. May is National Blood Pressure Month...what sends yours soaring, either literally or figuratively? What calms you down? When did you last have your bp checked?
     What gets my blood pressure up is watching my beloved Boston Bruins (Professional Hockey) play so poorly that they fall behind by two goals late in the third period of game #7 of a seven game series. What sends it soaring further is when they come back against all odds to tie the game and then go on to win the game in sudden death overtime.
     As far as my becoming calm, my beloved SWMBO has a calming influence on me and is able to get me to relax. 
    The last time I had my blood pressure checked was last month during a routine exam.

2. You just found $1-what do you spend it on? How about 10$ 100?
     If I found just a dollar I'd put it in my wallet until later. If I found $10, I'd take myself out to breakfast. If I found $100, I would take SWMBO and me out to a nice restaurant for a nice meal and maybe to a movie.

3. Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food has been proposed, but not enacted in the US. How much attention do you give food labels before you buy? Are you in favor of labeling if it means an increase in food prices? Is this an issue you've been following and feel strongly about, or is this the first you've heard of the controversy?
     I prefer unadulterated or hybrid foods whenever I can get them. Being a diabetic I have to be careful what I eat. SWMBO and I are eating low carb and so reading food labels has become routine for the both of us. I don't think we humans are smart enough to safely change, or engineer if you prefer, foods from their original design. I think foods as designed by their original Designer are best for us.
     I really don't have a strong opinion on the GE issue.

4. May 15th marks the birthdate of Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. At this point in time, are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain.
     I am in need of courage. I am also in need of brains to be able to wisely apply the courage. My random thought below should serve to further clarify this answer for you.

5. "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?
     SWMBO and I travelled the world courtesy of Uncle Sam while I was in the U.S. Air Force. We quickly learned that anywhere that we were together was "home." SWMBO always made it so that I always wanted to return to her wherever we lived. So, Frank was right, as long as SWMBO's there, there is no place like home!

6.  Steak...yes please or no thank you? What cut do you prefer and how do you like yours cooked? Sauce or no sauce? Besides your own kitchen, where's a place you like to go to get a great steak? 
     I love a good steak with a fresh garden salad. My favorite is a nice thick 16 ounce Prime Rib cooked medium well. My next choice would be a New York Strip Steak, also cooked medium well, with onions. My third choice is a nice Porterhouse Steak. I like it cooked, yep, you guessed it, medium well.
     I like two places, either the Outback or Longhorns for my steak fix! I have never had a bad meal at either place.

7. When was the last time you were in a genuine hurry?
     I don't remember the last time that I was in a particular hurry. I generally don't get rushed! That's one of the perks of being retired, I guess!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

     About eleven months ago, SWMBO was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Multiple Myeloma affects the plasma in the white cells of the blood which will make it difficult for her to fight off all kinds of infections. Yesterday, SWMBO began a regimen of chemo therapy to combat the disease. 

     Her doctor tells us that this illness is treatable but not curable. He says that with treatment SWMBO will live a full normal life span. He also assures us that the Chemo regimen is not like the images that are conjured up when one hears the words "Chemo Therapy." Apparently they use milder drugs than those used to combat tumor based cancers.

     Thankfully, SWMBO is not in any pain. She is not showing any symptoms and her internal organs have not been compromised to this point. Our outlook is positive and promising!

     We let our Church family know about SWMBO's illness last Sunday. Our church family have surrounded us with prayer, love and support. Being people of faith ourselves, SWMBO and I recognize that no matter how this journey may end...WE WIN!

     So, SWMBO and I covet your prayers if you, like us, are people of faith. Thank you!

     If you want to monitor our progress, there is a Caring Bridge page. The URL is...

                       http:www.caringbridge.org/visit/lynnmillette1

...The password to the site is "Pebbles" with the "P" upper case.

MOTHER'S DAY REDUX !

     Yesterday was Mother's Day. I made my beloved SWMBO cry! I gave her a Mother's Day greeting card extolling her virtues as a mother and she cried. Not the reaction that I was going for. I told her that I didn't mean to make her cry, I was trying to make her happy. She told me through her tears that she was happy! I have an entirely different understanding of "happy."
     I also cooked some hamburgers on the barbecue grill on the rear deck at her request. I sliced some tomato and onion to go with her burgers. I also performed some chores to lighten her load such as cleaning the kitchen after lunch, mixing the beasts meals and packaging them in plastic containers and putting them into the freezer. SWMBO was pleased!

     Yesterday, I also posted a tribute to three very special women. The first was the woman who gave me life, Germaine Rivet Millette. Mom gave me life and on occasion, with full justification, threaten to take it back. I was the youngest of her kids and probably presented the most challenges.
     Mom was taken away from this earth way too soon. She contracted cancer and suffered a slow and painful passing. I was only eleven years old at the time. I often wonder how my life would be different had she lived. She was a terrific Mom!

     The next special woman, Dorothy (Dot) Adams Millette, came into my life several years after Mom passed. Dad fell in love and married this wonderful lady. Although she was my stepmother, I called her Mom. I came to love and respect her tremendously. She was a registered nurse by trade and really loved dad. They shared many happy years together. 
     My second Mom had three kids of her own who are older than I am. She had two girls and a boy. Dot was a wonderful Mother and grandmother to all her grand kids, eight in all.

     The third woman is, of course, my beloved SWMBO. She is the most wonderful person I know. She is kind, loving and caring. She is my best friend, a wonderful Mom to our two kids and an outstanding Granny to our four grand kids.
     SWMBO is my very best friend. She is my greatest cheerleader and fan. I am most privileged to be able to share a life with her. In other words...I'm a fan, her greatest fan!

     I hope you paid tribute to the Mom's in your life yesterday! These women who bear our children, make a home for us, and put up with the mountains of crap that we throw their way, deserve as a minimum our respect. However, they deserve so much more than the minimum! Thank God for women such as these! 

HUMP DAY, AKA WEDNESDAY, HODGEPODGE! ! !

     Another Wednesday, another Hodgepodge! Please, join in on the fun! You won't be sorry that you did!

1. When the children of today grow up, what do you think they'll say about this period in time? What do you most hope they remember?
    Well, when they are grown and after the great electro-magnetic pulse from a huge solar flare will have hit the earth and knocked out everything electronic and electric, they will say "I remember when we had enough electricity to power a gazillion personal gadgets. Oh, by the way, throw another log on the fire...your mother's getting cold!"

2. National Teacher's Day is celebrated in the US of A on the first Tuesday in May, this year May 7th...share how a particular teacher positively impacted you.
     I had two teachers who made a positive impact. I had a Latin II teacher who instilled in me a love of language, Roman culture and history. We read Julius Caesar's commentary on the gallic war...great stuff. 
     The other, was my American History teacher in my Junior year in High School. He emphasised critical thinking and looking beyond the pages to try to discern what motivated people to act as they did and what really happened and how it affected us as a nation! I have loved American History ever since.

3. What's a dish your mama made, that if set in front of you today would whisk you right back to childhood?                                                                      
     Chinese Pie always makes me nostalgic for those halcyon days of my youth! Mom made a great Chinese Pie!

4. Mother May I was a game we played when I was growing up...no pieces, parts, or plugs required. What games from childhood do you remember loving that were also pieces, parts, and plug-free?
     Hide-and-Seek! We would run through back yards, jump over picket fences, climb tree's and hide atop roofs. It was great fun, especially after dark!

5. Besides your own mother, tell us about a woman who influenced you as a child?
     My maternal grandmother, my beloved memere! She was a devout Catholic, help mold my character and spoiled me to the consternation of my older brother and sister. She was a good, saintly, woman. She was a wonderful woman!

6. Mamma Mia! What's the best play or musical you've ever seen?
     SWMBO, our kids and I went to see the Phantom of the Opera. We fell in love with the music. We also saw the Les Mis movie recently and were equally moved.

7. What are three smells that make you feel nostalgic?
     (1) The smell of onions cooking, whether with a pot roast or hamburg being saute'd; (2) The smell of fresh popcorn and melted butter; (3) The smells associated with a carnival, Cotton Candy, Candy and Caramel Apples, Hamburgs and Hot Dogs cooking on a grill. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     I don't understand how people can come to the point where the idea of kidnapping three girls and holding them against their will for ten years gets to point where it sound like a good idea. I have been following the revelations about the three girls in Cleveland, OH, who were kidnapped and kept in a boarded up house a few miles from where they were kidnapped. 
     I shudder to think of the evils that they were subjected to over the years and how they are going to come to terms with what happened and resume some semblance of a normal life. How do you give back the time or the person-hood that they had robbed from them? 
     I pray God's blessings upon these young ladies and their families as they begin their new lives together.
     I further hope that the peices of human flotsam that perpetrated these acts gets everything that they have coming to them!

IS NOTHING TABOO, PART II

     Abortion is wrong! In case anyone has any doubt as to what I believe, the foregoing three words ought to clearly convey what my belief is in regards to the taking of the life of the unborn. I believe that human life begins at conception...period!

     Having said that, however, you may recall that in Part I of this topic I stated that there were compelling arguments to be made on this issue, particularly in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. I don't necessarily agree with those arguments, but I do find them compelling.

     When it comes to late term and partial birth abortions those same arguments in the case of rape or incest lose their compelling nature and, in my humble view, no longer are valid and no longer justify the killing of the unborn. 
     There might possibly be some compelling value to the argument, I suppose, in some cases where the life of the mother is in real jeopardy. However, I believe that these cases are rare and therefore do not serve to justify the current practices. Again, just because the argument is compelling does not mean that I necessarily agree with them.
     I say again that late tern and Partial birth abortion is wrong. In support thereof I respectfully submit...

    Exhibit #1 is Kermit Gosnell

     I will not dignify this contemptible human being by calling him "doctor." This man is reportedly responsible for the killing of hundreds, Yes I mean to say HUNDREDS, of babies AFTER they had been born alive! For over three decades this man has become wealthy by slaughtering human babies at all stages of fetal development. Not to mention the many women who were seriously injured by this butcher. Where is the outrage?

     In contrast, Michael Vick, the professional football player convicted for running a dog fighting operation, was excoriated ad nauseum by the "Main Stream Media" for weeks, if not months. Vick was soundly condemned for the barbarity of his so-called money making hobby. 
     After Mr. Vick served his prison time, was released and rehabilitated himself, word got out that he was thinking of getting a dog for a pet. Again there was a tremendous hue and cry in the media and in the blogosphere and on social media expressing outrage that Vick would have the temerity to get a dog.

     Where is the outrage about the Gosnell case? Is it worse to kill dogs in a barbaric way than it is to kill human babies in a barbaric way? Judging by the silence in the "Main Stream Media" it would appear so.

     Fox News did an hour long special on the Gosnell case. It was more terrifying than any horror movie that's ever been released. Only, this horror movie is real! I commend this news special to you if you want to learn what Gosnell is accused of doing and the evidence that proves it.

     Exhibit #2 is Lila Rose, "Live Action"

     If you think that the Gosnell case is an anomaly, you would be wrong, Lila Rose is a pro life activist who has gone undercover and recorded what is really going on in Planned Parenthood offices around the country and most recently an expose on the "Late term Abortion Industry."
     Miss Rose has shown that Gosnell is by no means unique when it comes to killing babies. Her film is called "INHUMAN" and depicts what is actually going on in America's "Late Term Abortion Industry." Did you even know that there is a Late Term Abortion Industry? I did not!

     Pro abortion supporters often assert that abortion should be freely available, safe and rare. Well, abortion is NOT RARE! NOT SAFE! Judging from the Gosnell case and Miss Roses expose, late term abortion IS NOT RARE! NOT SAFE!

     Where is the outrage? IS NOTHING TABOO, ANYMORE? 

IS NOTHING TABOO?

     Is there nothing that is Taboo anymore? Is there nothing that we as a society won't condemn as clearly wrong? 

     Recently a federal judge ordered that the "Plan B" pill be available over the counter without a prescription for girls 15 years old and older. Now if this judge's order stands, a girl will be able to go into any drug store and buy and ingest this abortifacient drug without parental notification or consent.

    Personally, I have some problems with the judges order. First, the age whereby a female can legally consent to engage in sexual intercourse is no less than 16 years old in any state in these United States. If a girl is having sex at 15 years old and the partner is older than 17 years old a felony crime has been committed...it's called "Statutory Rape."
     Secondly, if a 15 year old girl is the victim of incest and becomes impregnated, the perpetrator can cover up his crime by administering Plan B.
     Thirdly, parents are once again being cut out of the loop. A school cannot give a child an aspirin without parental consent. Now, a drug store can give a child a powerful drug without parental consent. Does that make sense to anyone?
     Fourth, there is no requirement that a child must see a medical professional. Does it make sense to give this serious drug to a child without a prescription if everyone else has to show a driver's license to by decongestant pills or alcoholic beverages or cigarettes? 

     No 15 year old child, male or female, should be engaging in intimate sexual contact. If a 15 year old is engaging in intercourse they are probably a victim of incest, or statutory rape, or as a minimum, child abuse! THIS IS SO WRONG!!!

     Another issue that has me amped up somewhat is the issue of abortion. I am pro life...period! Now I know I'm sticking my head in the lion's mouth, so to speak. Having said that, I acknowledge that there are compelling arguments on both sides of this issue with one glaring exception.

     Pro Abortion and Pro Choice people argue that abortion should be available in cases of rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother. Like I said, there are compelling arguments to be made to support that position. 

    However, there are no such compelling arguments to justify the practice of "Partial Birth" abortion. Partial Birth abortion is infanticide, pure and simple. When a child is delivered out of the mother and is viable, there is no compelling reason that justifies terminating that child's life...period.

     Thomas Jefferson asserted in the Declaration of Independence that certain truths were "self evident." One of those truths asserted by Mr. Jefferson is that we are ALL endowed by our Creator, that is, God, with inalienable rights and that among these rights is life!
     We have been endowed by God with the right to life. That means that it is wrong for anyone to deprive a person of their God-given right to life. This means that that partially born child has an inalienable right, endowed to him by God, to life!

     Finally, there is a doctor on trial in Philadelphia for murdering babies. This butcher is responsible for the deaths of countless babies and not just a few women.  This man is beyond contempt!

     So I ask you again, is there nothing that is taboo? I assure you that there is!

HAPPY MAYDAY HODGEPODGE, COMRADES!

     Thank you Comrade Joyce for another series of Hodgepodge questions. As usual they are thoughtful and fun. If you haven't participated in the Hodgepodge you are depriving yourself of a wonderful experience.

1.  This week's Hodgepodge is Volume 123.  What's something you've done recently that was as easy as 1-2-3?
     Sunday afternoon I helped SWMBO paint the arbor in the back yard. Pick up a spray paint can, remove the cap, aim and spray...Easy as 1-2-3.

2.  The Wednesday Hodgepodge also happens to fall on the first day of May...what is something you may do this month? 
     I may plant a garden. SWMBO has been dropping subtle hints like saying "I want to have a garden this year!" and stuff like that. I do listen...sometimes!

3. The Englishman Horace Walpole is credited as saying, "The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think"  How do you see it?
      I think Mr. Walpole is a bit of a cynic. Some of the most memorable feelings are experienced during moments of great joy, not tragedy, such as the birth of a child or a grandchild, weddings, and the love of your soul mate. 
     However, Walpole may have a point about the world being a comedy to those who think. As a police officer I had a front row seat to the comedy that is life in America!

4.  May is National Hamburger Month...how often do you eat a burger? What are your must-haves when it comes to burgers?  I assume you vegetarians won't be celebrating so tell us what you'd like instead? 
     I love a good burger. We have a local restaurant called Cactus Jack's. It serves southwestern style cuisine and, have the best, juiciest and biggest burgers. My burger must haves are cheese, onions, tomatoes, bacon and ketchup with the burger cooked medium well.

5. Pansies, petunias, geraniums, impatiens...of the four mentioned, which is your favorite in a patio pot? Will there be pots on your patio this spring? (Or whenever spring comes to your part of the globe?) Who does the gardening at your house?
     I don't do flowers! SWMBO loves sunflowers and carnations. SWMBO does most of the gardening at our not so palatial estate! I'm just the muscle in this operation.

6. When did you last (literally or figuratively) shout "Mayday, Mayday!"
    I like to play a computer flight simulator game where I can fly various types of aircraft out of the local airport. Sometimes, when I lose control, just before I crash I shout "Mayday! Mayday!" The nice thing about it is I can just hit "RESET" and get a brand new, fully fueled airplane and begin anew.

7.  Say farewell to your April in ten words or less.
    Farewell sweet April, Adieu until we meet again next year!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

     "Life's not fair!" How many times have you heard someone say that after some tragedy befalls them? How many times have you said it when some difficult circumstance exploded into your life?
     Was life fair when an eight year old boy was killed in a bomb explosion? Was life fair when several people lost limbs in that same explosion? Was life fair when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans? Was life fair when Super Storm Sandy hit the coast of New Jersey?
     I once attended a training course where as part of the curriculum we were required to give a five minute speech on any topic. One of my classmates chose the topic "Is Life Fair?" This person, a father, spoke about his severely handicapped son. His son was born blind, deaf and unable to move. His son required constant around-the-clock care. He asked us if we thought that life was fair? 
     Everyone in that class answered that question with a resounding "NO!" Imagine our surprise when the speaker disagreed and said that life was in fact fair! He asserted that life was fair in that it was unfair...TO ALL!