tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39371204814249505442024-03-14T14:49:52.122-04:00Life SPRPersonal observations about life, specifically, Spritual Life, Personal Life and Retired Life.Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.comBlogger416125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-6588411444037120292018-10-09T13:02:00.000-04:002018-10-09T13:02:45.682-04:00A "THANK YOU, GOD" BLOG!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Good morning everyone. I have been remiss in making time to write more. My life, as I suppose other people's life, is busy. I know that that's not a valid excuse. Well today I have made time.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Recently, my mind has been mulling over the myriad of things that God has done for people. Those of you who believe in God and have experienced His love, know what I mean. Those of you who do not believe in God, have no idea about what I am talking about.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> One thing for which I am particularly grateful for is God's Creation, the universe. I love to stand on a mountain top and survey the surrounding areas. I am astounded at the natural beauty and diversity.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2NVnl35UFzJfJeZ0yEyKgu5NK80F4F6L0oxbSa2z-42PO82Hh6lQhR2hQHjqRfSq16CDjvD7FW55uJd1bKoScsjBUSOL1Or8-BDDinm7CK07R_MZ9BAmG78YWUH5Cx392eQrNbiX2xQ/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2NVnl35UFzJfJeZ0yEyKgu5NK80F4F6L0oxbSa2z-42PO82Hh6lQhR2hQHjqRfSq16CDjvD7FW55uJd1bKoScsjBUSOL1Or8-BDDinm7CK07R_MZ9BAmG78YWUH5Cx392eQrNbiX2xQ/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> I love gazing into a crystal clear, star filled sky. I love viewing the constellations, seeing comets and meteors and sometimes viewing the International Space Station (ISS) passing over head. (To view the ISS you need a good pair of binoculars or telescope.) I also love when the moon is full and illuminates the earth in its soft yellow light.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1wFsLJZhLQrVxnl7U8MLkrHiFwvBWrwOuwjrgadw6QwVh25MEOgrzznFNgDYG2RgQHqsJWA2ZlSovlVKl_9gtdXwGrV63kGPvaKp2UUFuElEamXlnGGclRvH9Pz8Grcjz9kXRNoQ7_I/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="121" data-original-width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1wFsLJZhLQrVxnl7U8MLkrHiFwvBWrwOuwjrgadw6QwVh25MEOgrzznFNgDYG2RgQHqsJWA2ZlSovlVKl_9gtdXwGrV63kGPvaKp2UUFuElEamXlnGGclRvH9Pz8Grcjz9kXRNoQ7_I/s1600/images-3.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> I love being at, and sometimes on, the ocean. The amazing power if the ocean tides and the beauty of the seascapes is healing to the spirit. Also, witnessing the behemoths of the deep, AKA whales, in their natural habitat is a great experience.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMo4UPmBI73ropCyVdFUtp0H7ztHVoP16yhE1aE989qVU0ODV4uSRpqReyllClrf37NW5TAE4YkXfex6CuRK6oEbZf1xK0p8wKqKgqbHXgnFyBABPqMDvBSAWRIk0FqUxinvbMC-bXlQ/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMo4UPmBI73ropCyVdFUtp0H7ztHVoP16yhE1aE989qVU0ODV4uSRpqReyllClrf37NW5TAE4YkXfex6CuRK6oEbZf1xK0p8wKqKgqbHXgnFyBABPqMDvBSAWRIk0FqUxinvbMC-bXlQ/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Another thing that I love, particularly at this time of year, is the changing colors of the foliage. People come from all over the world to view our leaves. There is nothing that compares to the beauty of a New England foliage tour.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynw9m83ZATRdxiIi40727thpcwiLYfj5ontlgDwF1__8QUzmTWEq7Jzit5SkcmVwJfESV6QkzMqV3Vmvjhn4qZLSD9dcHJFQDoUzlapdBcaeAV4VMEUcZPsrlWcx4s93s1PRDK_r2d4s/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="132" data-original-width="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynw9m83ZATRdxiIi40727thpcwiLYfj5ontlgDwF1__8QUzmTWEq7Jzit5SkcmVwJfESV6QkzMqV3Vmvjhn4qZLSD9dcHJFQDoUzlapdBcaeAV4VMEUcZPsrlWcx4s93s1PRDK_r2d4s/s1600/images-4.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Another thing for which my gratitude to God knows no bounds is my relationship with Him. I am a sinner. I am incapable of living a sinless life. God, being perfectly Holy and sinless cannot, and will not, have any fellowship with sin. Therefore, God, in His infinite love and mercy has paid the debt for my sin. He died for my sin in the form of Jesus, the Christ, His Messiah, and has thereby provided a way of reconciliation. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Just think about it. The God who created all that has been created, who is the Supreme Being and is all powerful, desires to have a relationship with me AND has gone to extraordinary lengths to make it happen. If you knew me as well as I know me, you'd me amazed as well. God has adopted me into His family...mind blown! By the way, He also wants a relationship with you too, AND He would love to adopt you into his family as well. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> I am feeling gratitude towards Almighty God for these things and oh, so much more. Do you know Him? I urge you to get to know Him if you don't. If you do know Him, I urge you to get to know Him better. This is a life long process. Think about it as you go through your day. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Until next time!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-88751663892464205012018-09-28T10:20:00.001-04:002018-09-29T12:02:06.877-04:00GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRyvXdu5cdZPZ4OuwhFTfX5xCmIfNmdKGQQ1G-Rdc44lbOxn3tg7EAHmlo1_4tHJMINmaXdJu2_GnxvqsKD2guc5oH3lW-1OoQNjMO8KEmiCg3x0l8rtabhUuhEq8d_w7L0hKZFr1aTE/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRyvXdu5cdZPZ4OuwhFTfX5xCmIfNmdKGQQ1G-Rdc44lbOxn3tg7EAHmlo1_4tHJMINmaXdJu2_GnxvqsKD2guc5oH3lW-1OoQNjMO8KEmiCg3x0l8rtabhUuhEq8d_w7L0hKZFr1aTE/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNGnazIPZ1rw_jWfs6jtaeBJAgNTrYW91uiefl47M06sSVc1pCgKkLXOXJI4ebbNzcIZByD_fN1JrP0F9QqRrnGu71xO-hj3LyYSosEyjHKFMZihWePw7P5NNAwWYV7n0ratJ3rx9n6A/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNGnazIPZ1rw_jWfs6jtaeBJAgNTrYW91uiefl47M06sSVc1pCgKkLXOXJI4ebbNzcIZByD_fN1JrP0F9QqRrnGu71xO-hj3LyYSosEyjHKFMZihWePw7P5NNAwWYV7n0ratJ3rx9n6A/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"> </span>Unless you have been living in a remote cave off the grid you are aware of the controversies that are swirling around the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Before Judge Kavanaugh was nominated, the democrats in the U.S. Senate publicly stated that they would oppose anyone, no matter who they were, who President Trump nominated to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has accused Judge Kavanaugh of attempting to sexually assault her thirty six years ago when they were both in high school.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Judge Kavanaugh emphatically denies that he committed the alleged assault. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Yesterday, both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh testified under oath at length before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both Dr. Ford and Judge </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Kavanaugh provided compelling testimony. So the problem for the Committee and the U.S. Senate at large is to decide where the truth lies. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Here is where I come down on this question. I am convinced that Dr. Ford is the victim of an attempted sexual assault that occurred when she was fifteen years old. I found her testimony to be compelling. However, at the end of the day all we have is her word. There is NO corroborating evidence to support her version of events. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I am NOT saying that Dr. Ford is lying. I am saying that what Dr. Ford said is simply not true. People often say things that they believe to be true but upon further examination prove to be untrue. That does not mean that these people were lying but that they were simply wrong. The people who Dr. Ford said were present during the incident have all stated, under penalty of perjury, that they were not present and have no recollection of the event in question.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Judge Kavanaugh has provided a virtual mountain of corroborating evidence that he was not involved in the incident. He emphatically stated that he did not do it. He had personal calendars/diary that demonstrated that he was elsewhere during the time that the incident is alleged to have happened.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Furthermore, anyone who has known Judge Kavanaugh, including men and women who have known the Judge for most of his life, have stated that he was a person of the highest integrity and moral character. There have not been any people, men or women, who have worked with or for Judge Kavanaugh, who say anything different. They all affirm Judge Kavanaugh’s character and assert that Judge Kavanaugh is incapable of the alleged conduct. Any examination of the Judge’s life will bear out the assertion of his friends.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I am convinced that Judge Kavanaugh has been shown to be a good and decent man. I am convinced that Judge Kavanaugh is eminently qualified to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. I do not believe that there is any competent evidence to contradict these beliefs. I believe that the conduct of the democrats and the political left in this matter have been reprehensible. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Judge Kavanaugh should be immediately confirmed!</span></div>
Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-45403496736177716842018-09-25T16:52:00.000-04:002018-09-25T16:52:05.348-04:00BELIEF IN TIME OF DOUBT! <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Good morning everyone. I hope that this Tuesday morning finds you all to be well. It has been a while since I posted a blog entry. I hope to remedy that today and going forward.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I think it helpful to remind my readers that when I began this blog it was called “LifeSPW.” The name was derived from my purpose in writing, that is, to share three aspects of my life, namely my Spiritual Life, my Personal Life and my Work Life.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Well, in August of 2011 I retired after a 30 year career in law enforcement. My retirement led me to amend the name of this blog to “LifeSPR.” The focus changed from writing about my Work life to now write about my Retired life. I will still write about Spiritual matters and my Personal life. So here we are!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I am a Christian, that is, I am a disciple of Jesus, the Christ. I believe that the Bible is the Word of God and is therefore without error. Are you a believer too? Have you ever had any doubts about your faith? If your answer is “Yes” you are in some very good company.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5AY4d9ovf2TYwjhWDeoGkK0ZNk8-w-6oPKvANc8n7PMctLpR3Dn-JcYcNGKWAvx2X3mAnvwOUOqOlfrN3wD2F37Cw4_ipcCQJXr6BI4T8Mlrr98HQj0BhIH5l6IFL3m1hg9tKuMITSc/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5AY4d9ovf2TYwjhWDeoGkK0ZNk8-w-6oPKvANc8n7PMctLpR3Dn-JcYcNGKWAvx2X3mAnvwOUOqOlfrN3wD2F37Cw4_ipcCQJXr6BI4T8Mlrr98HQj0BhIH5l6IFL3m1hg9tKuMITSc/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Consider John, the Baptist. He was six months older than his cousin, Jesus. He was called by God to be the forerunner of the Messiah that was prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah hundreds of years earlier.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In the early chapters of the four Gospels we find John baptizing people in the Jordan River. One day he saw Jesus come down to the river where he was baptizing people. He said “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John recognized Jesus to be the Messiah. John witnesses the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, alight upon Jesus and he also hears God, the Father, say from Heaven, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” John testifies that Jesus was the Son of God.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Later on, John, the Baptist, is in jail upon orders of King Herod. John sends two of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He was the one or should they be looking for someone else. The point being John had doubts notwithstanding that he bore witness a short time prior to this time that Jesus is the Messiah, the very Son of God.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFLaIHBksmDX_w7BGOhMu8z00G_JQzNaP2OMNSq_RtfnIDQB9D4J4YQM7feO_N9OhumoQYsDhbQ9g4cBA_-JpkwaX39gWeqAhIhV-YAs_96KVAI3bJLDMQ24DR1Ny3HNWqMqgh9qEaZM/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFLaIHBksmDX_w7BGOhMu8z00G_JQzNaP2OMNSq_RtfnIDQB9D4J4YQM7feO_N9OhumoQYsDhbQ9g4cBA_-JpkwaX39gWeqAhIhV-YAs_96KVAI3bJLDMQ24DR1Ny3HNWqMqgh9qEaZM/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Consider also the Apostle Peter. He followed Jesus and personally witnessed the miracles that Jesus performed. On one occasion Jesus asked His disciples who people say that He was. Some said that He was John the Baptist returned from the dead, the prophet Elijah or the prophet Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Jesus then asked the Apostles who they say He is. Peter spoke up and said “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”<b><i><span style="color: red;"> (Matthew 16:13-16)</span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus told His Apostles that He was going to be arrested and that all of them would scatter. Peter spoke up and said that even though everyone else would fall away he would not. Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed he would deny Him three times. Peter said that he would die with Jesus before ever denying Him. We all know that Peter did in fact deny knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. <b><i><span style="color: red;">(Matthew 26:69-75)</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So you see, two men who saw Jesus, touched Jesus, who bore testimony that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God, came to doubt what they at one time fervently believed. Therefore, it is not unusual for us who are living some two thousand plus years later, who have never seen, physically touched, or witnessed the Son of the living God in person to have doubts from time to time. We do, however, have something upon which we may resolve any doubts…the written accounts of the many witnesses who were there. Think about it….Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-30642554315973345172018-09-05T05:30:00.000-04:002018-09-05T09:17:02.745-04:00A LATE SUMMER HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm04Dn78uAIPhQUDLrdw7zcuJatyZ5fE5M4C85x3CGCU2tqdYra8r688LnC0Tjzl03LxSy4Nk0GHHLWqth4YjmapjQqiQ9aTx8IvhUVyOWC_Nj54cIQCZCDfJy_XioOSr_HK7j8Rw9GMk/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm04Dn78uAIPhQUDLrdw7zcuJatyZ5fE5M4C85x3CGCU2tqdYra8r688LnC0Tjzl03LxSy4Nk0GHHLWqth4YjmapjQqiQ9aTx8IvhUVyOWC_Nj54cIQCZCDfJy_XioOSr_HK7j8Rw9GMk/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Welcome back Wednesday Hodgepodge! Welcome back to our Hodgepodge Mistress, Joyce Daley. Thank you for another wonderful set of writing prompts. So, without further ado, I present the Hodgepodge....</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">1. What has been the highlight of your summer so far? (<i>It's still summer people!</i>)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Each Labor Day the church meets at one of the members house and food gets cooked, salads, desserts and drinks get contributed to the cause, and we have a wonderful time of sharing food, conversation and games. It is usually the highlight of the summer.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">2. What do you wish you'd done more of this summer? Less of?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I wish I had done more writing, specifically on my blog. I could have done with fewer doctor visits. (See Random Thought below)</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">3. Something you're looking forward to on your September calendar?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> My beloved SWMBO expressed the desire to travel to Canada for a few days. I'm thinking that we might visit the maritime Provinces. She's thinking of visiting Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. We'll keep you posted.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">4. Best/favorite book you've read this summer?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I'm still reading it. It's called "The Blood Sugar Solution" by Dr. Mark Hyman. I am trying to get better control of my blood sugar levels.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">5. Share something positive, encouraging, or uplifting here.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>My beloved SWMBO is responding to her cancer treatments. We recently received clearance from her oncologist to travel. She has felt the urge to travel, hence my response to question #3 above.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b><br />
<div style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;"> </span>Expanding my response to question #2 I had nothing better to do this summer so I developed a couple of kidney stones. Anyone who has had kidney stones will tell you how much they hurt. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I woke up around 2:30 a.m. one morning, in significant pain. Nothing I tried took the edge off of the pain. So around 2:30 p.m. I told SWMBO what's been happening and that I needed to go to Urgent Care. She then knew I was in some distress because I NEVER go to the doctor unless I am dire straits.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> At Urgent Care the doctor administered a number of tests that revealed that I had a kidney stone lodged in each kidney. The one in my right kidney was not causing any mischief. The one in my left kidney was causing a lot of mischief. I felt like I was being kidney punched by Muhammed Ali (sp?) . I underwent a surgical procedure to remove the stone. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> It has been a few weeks since the surgery and I'm feeling much better. I hope that the remaining stone continues to behave itself. I further hope that I do not develop any more stones.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Have a wonderful week.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9038232238972501015" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-footer" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 10.800000190734863px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 20px -2px 0px; padding: 5px 10px;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>
Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-55887327859864255292018-07-11T05:30:00.000-04:002018-07-11T05:30:03.691-04:00A BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmU_uSMvmAMFkFG9Puemfse4TkINo7EQ2AwysFtngicQywJXqhqconUPUbmHLxjdtPmD-jGNf0I1csVEtVpk55OJQ1OCyXlHvh6gJWCkyTG-LytZ-Rc28nfWY5Cn9vUwENfyGNt2XqRNs/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmU_uSMvmAMFkFG9Puemfse4TkINo7EQ2AwysFtngicQywJXqhqconUPUbmHLxjdtPmD-jGNf0I1csVEtVpk55OJQ1OCyXlHvh6gJWCkyTG-LytZ-Rc28nfWY5Cn9vUwENfyGNt2XqRNs/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Good morning, everyone! Welcome back Joyce and the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Our beloved Nation is a precocious 242 years old. That is fairly young as the age of nations go. A belated Happy Birthday America!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I hope that you all are enjoying your Summer. I hope that you had a pleasant Fourth of July Holiday. My beloved SWMBO and I had a lovely time. We spent part of the day with friends and shared some traditional foods. We capped the day with our usual mid-week Devotional and Bible Study.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">1. What's something in your house you'd like to get rid of but can't?</span></b><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> What a great question! We have a couple of broken recliner chairs, a riding lawn mower with a blown engine, and a wood stove that we don't/can't use anymore. Those are three things that I would like to get rid of but cannot seem to for one reason or another.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">2. When is the last time you experienced a sense of nostalgia? Elaborate.</span></b><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Recently, I took SWMBO on a trip down memory lane. I spoke about my childhood, some of the people who I grew up with, some of the activities that we engaged in, etc. I must say that I had a pretty decent </i><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><i>childhood</i></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">3. You're only allowed three apps on your smart phone or tablet...which three do you keep?</span></b><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I think that I would keep a Bible app, Mail and YouTube. If you ask me tomorrow it is possible I would keep different apps.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(53, 28, 117);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">4. July 11th is National Blueberry Muffin Day. Who knew? Do you like blueberry muffins? If you were going to have a muffin would blueberry be your choice? What's the last thing you baked?</span></b><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Yes, I do like Blueberry muffins. Blueberry bushes are practically everywhere in New Hampshire and Maine. How can you not like Blueberries?</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(53, 28, 117);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">5. What's the biggest way you've changed since you were a child? In what way are you still the same?</span></b><br /> <span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(53, 28, 117);">How have I </i><i>changed</i><i style="caret-color: rgb(53, 28, 117);"> since childhood? Well, I am now 6' 3" tall and weigh over 250 pounds. I now have a full beard and I now need reading glasses. Also, I am keenly aware of the existence of God in my life and the attendant responsibilities of having that knowledge. Last, but by no means least, I am happily married to the greatest woman on the planet...but you knew that!</i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(53, 28, 117);"><b><i> How am I the same? I am endearingly impish and a faithful Red Sox fan.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(53, 28, 117);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I have a couple of random thoughts this morning. First, kudos to the Thai government and their Navy Seals for the </i><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><i>rescue</i></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> of the boys soccer team from the cave. All eleven boys and their coach were safely extracted from the cave after two weeks of being trapped and all are in good condition considering their ordeal. Thank you God for your grace and for the </i></b><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i>safe return of the </i></b></span></span><b style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">team and their rescuers.</i></b></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> Second, the left side of the aisle in this country have lost their collective minds. They have been protesting President Trump's </i></b><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i>nominee to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court, which is to say that they were protesting.....NOBODY, that is, until last night when President Trump announced that he was nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the D.C. Federal Court of Appeals. </i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> The left has recycled the same old diatribes that they have been using against every Republican court nominee since the Reagan Administration, namely, that the nominee will curtail abortion rights, LGBT Rights, access to Medical Care rights, and every other perceived rights, whether they actually exist or not. So far none of the aforementioned curtailments have occurred. One can </i><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><i>plausibly</i></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> conclude that the left is consistently wrong and/or hysterical! Therefore, let the Kabuki Theater, that Supreme Court confirmations have become, begin! </i></b></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4259868552662804703" itemprop="description articleBody" style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-68462971240804426082018-06-27T05:30:00.000-04:002018-06-27T05:30:00.307-04:00IT'S GONNA BE A HEAT WAVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzu1jw6SCSn8f4qBh-uZ1JC3iN3dfL4vhZSJ_p7E-gRD5IqM_M3_xzraOsKPno9ruh7Y2LvyV8iHStXcLucWSIFYDPUkYdB_7G_YN6H_xJm4IU4UJR3wS6kDmJ2pMa4Vs8B8NhF3OssQ/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzu1jw6SCSn8f4qBh-uZ1JC3iN3dfL4vhZSJ_p7E-gRD5IqM_M3_xzraOsKPno9ruh7Y2LvyV8iHStXcLucWSIFYDPUkYdB_7G_YN6H_xJm4IU4UJR3wS6kDmJ2pMa4Vs8B8NhF3OssQ/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Good morning fellow Hodgepodgers and non-Hodgepodgers alike. I cannot believe how quickly a week passes by but, boy, do they quickly pass by! </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> The latter part of this week is suppose to be a scorcher up here in the Granite State. Temperatures are forecast to be in the high 90's with an increase in humidity. My beloved SWMBO will be happy AND comfortable while the rest of us will be like the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz...M E L T I N G!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i style="color: blue;"> Thanks go out to Joyce Daley at "</i><span style="color: #351c75;">From This Side of the Pond</span><span style="color: blue;">" <i>for our weekly hodgepodge of questions. And now, without further ado...the Hodgepodge!</i></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">1. Security or freedom? Can you have both? Explain.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Yes! I believe that you can have both, security and freedom. Our country was partially founded on that principle. Our founding fathers believed that both could exist simultaneously. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> The U.S. Constitution was enacted to preserve the blessings of liberty for all Americans. The fourth amendment of the Bill of Rights specifically states that all Americans have the right to be secure in their possessions, papers, houses and effects from unreasonable search and seizure. It requires that a warrant issued by a judge based upon a showing of probable cause before any search can be lawfully conducted.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i> Benjamin Franklin rightly observed that any people who surrenders their liberty for security will have neither. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">2. If you could visit any historical American site what would it be? Why?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I choose Washington D.C. I choose our nation's capital because it is just chock full of American History. I love the plethora of historical buildings and monuments. I believe that you can spend months in that city and not run out of places to visit. Many places would require several visits. Yep! That is my choice!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">3. </span><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">Free as a bird, free reign, be free of, free enterprise, free trip, walk away scot free, free for all</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">...which 'free' phrase can best be applied to your life in recent days or weeks? Explain.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I will go with "...be free of! " My beloved SWMBO and I recently refinanced our mortgage and were able to use some of our equity to off load some significant debt that we were forced to accrue due to having to do major repairs to some of our house systems, etc.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">4. Something in your frig that's red? Something in your house that's white? Something in your view that's blue?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Where does Joyce get these questions? Well, here goes...there are RED bell peppers in our refrigerator vegetable drawer. We have a sheer WHITE curtain in our living room's picture window. I have a BLUE cell phone case on the table beside my easy chair where I am typing this answer. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">5. July 27th is National New Jersey Day. Have you ever visited The Garden State? If so where did you go? Are there diners where you live? Have you tried Taylor Pork Roll? Do you like to play Monopoly? Salt water taffy-yay or nay? How do you feel about shopping at the mall? Springsteen, Sinatra, or Bon Jovi-you have to pick one.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;" /><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I briefly visited the Garden State in 1974. I was transferred to the United Kingdom for a new duty assignment for the U.S. Air Force. I flew out of McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County, New Jersey. </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I have never tried Taylor Pork Roll. Yes on Monopoly and yay on the salt water taffy question.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> We do have several diners in our area. One of the most popular diners is called the Red Arrow Diner. It is always crowded and is open 24 hours a day Friday-Sunday.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I don't mind shopping at the mall if it is not too crowded. Musically, I'll go with Bon Jovi. However, I am a little surprised and disappointed that you neglected to also list the "Jersey Boys," A.K.A. The Four Seasons.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">Raise your hand if you know why these add-on questions are appropriate on National NJ Day.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Picture me with my hand raised.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Now for a brief trip down memory lane. When I was in High School I had a crush on a certain female classmate. Unfortunately for me, she was already engaged to be married. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> She had a friend, however, to whom I came to be seriously attracted. This girl had high standards. I knew that because she could not stand me. She did eventually fall prey to my charm and did come to fall in love with me and after three marriage proposals from yours truly, she finally said yes.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Forty six years and two children later we are more in love, more devoted to each other, than those two crazy kids back in High School. You know her as my beloved SWMBO. We celebrate our 46th Wedding Anniversay this Sunday, July 1st.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> A Godly marriage is one of God's greatest blessings. I have been lavishly blessed. Happy Anniversary, my immortal beloved!</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Have a great week and a safe 4th of July Holiday everyone!</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-12117256963181795602018-06-20T05:30:00.000-04:002018-06-20T05:30:08.122-04:00SUMMER IS HERE HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZsAOsaqGFhO51O14MIMmxMmlc4tF4HlXkl0ePc6DqSjrblJdPjm3GAjufnfDumrI3yNM5PzJAx2d3JA5O2pnXs9tD6AP8XcGlQNHplIOpmrisV6kDm2CUqJdJ4v9ypnlByEnkCJRbQk/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZsAOsaqGFhO51O14MIMmxMmlc4tF4HlXkl0ePc6DqSjrblJdPjm3GAjufnfDumrI3yNM5PzJAx2d3JA5O2pnXs9tD6AP8XcGlQNHplIOpmrisV6kDm2CUqJdJ4v9ypnlByEnkCJRbQk/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;"> "</span><span style="color: red;">When in the course of human events</span><span style="color: blue;">...." These words begin what I consider to be one of the greatest documents ever written, the Declaration of Independence. As we approach the 242nd birthday of our great Nation I have been thinking about our beginning and subsequent history. Despite our flaws, and there are many, we continue to be a noble people and a force for good upon the face of the earth.</span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i> Another force for good upon the face of the earth is the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce Daley, our Hodgepodge Mistress, for these weekly respites from the drudgeries of life. Enjoy!</i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>1. Summer is upon us this week in the Northern hemisphere. Tell us three things on your summer bucket list.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One thing on the list is the Laconia Motorcycle Rally, the oldest motorcycle rally in the country. It ran through father's day. My mission when I go is to purchase a rally pin, purchase an Italian sausage with onions and peppers, and a soft serve ice cream. This year...mission accomplished.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Another thing on our bucket list is a trip to the beach with the Littles. We must find some Fried Dough. SWMBO & I love Fried Dough with powdered sugar.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>2. Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> One of my favorite things to do as a youngster</i></b></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>, usually with my friends,</i></b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i> was to play, fish and swim at the river which was located about 100 yards from my front door.</i></b><br />
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></b>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>3. Rootop or backyard? Why?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> You will find me in the backyard. I love the smell of grass. I love the trees ans looking up at the sky. Also, it is hard to grill on the roof...just sayin'.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>4. Do you read food labels? Place importance on them? Make an effort to find out/care about where your food comes from?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I do read food labels sometimes. I place a reasonable amount of importance on them. I do care where my food comes from. I am not as dilligent as I perhaps should be. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>5. A song you'll have on repeat this summer?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The catalogs of Boston, Kansas and the Eagles.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>6. Insert your own random thought here.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><i>I will not bore you with a lot of commentary, but I have a few opinions to express. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><i> (1) </i></b></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>My beloved Red Sox continue to play good ball. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> (2) The Department of Justice Inspector General's Report on the investigation into the Hillary Clinton emails is in. The IG did as good a job as possible given his limitations of authority. More about this in a future blog post.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> (3) The hearings with the DOJ IG went as expected. Both sides of the aisle interpreted the report in accordance with their own notions of what actually happened.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i> (4) I hope that all you Dads out there had a great Father's Day...I surely did. I was well spoiled by my beloved SWMBO.</i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i> Have a great week!</i></b></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-40929538100096552772018-06-13T05:30:00.000-04:002018-06-13T05:30:16.973-04:00IS HE REALLY THAT BAD? HODGEPODGE!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNOQIPjPvAR9h8k54TCqjHRbvf-crA_GpueQWucRYSSY2MZodbue5h5RIo760hXMp-8XYncVDYQf_FcF4s3q2PV6yZO7ElhVzpny8am8uTE4_lboCRFpY_NF_trSuec9MHDKFKgSSG3w/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNOQIPjPvAR9h8k54TCqjHRbvf-crA_GpueQWucRYSSY2MZodbue5h5RIo760hXMp-8XYncVDYQf_FcF4s3q2PV6yZO7ElhVzpny8am8uTE4_lboCRFpY_NF_trSuec9MHDKFKgSSG3w/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Good morning to all my fellow Wednesday Hodgepodge peeps! Here we are with another Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce Daley for another set of penetrating questions.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Have your heard about the volcano that wreaking havoc in various places around the world? I cannot imagine how awful being in the vicinity of a volcanic eruption can be. My prayers and best wishes go out to our fellow citizens in Hawaii and those affected by the volcano in Central America.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">1. What happens to the mail at your house?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> We generally trash the junk mail, which is most of it. The rest goes into a tray that sits on a chest freezer in our kitchen. We then go through the tray as the spirit moves us.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">2. Something you always splurge on? Any guilt associated with the splurge?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Dunkin Donuts has a watermelon coolatta which is my splurge. I do not feel guilty at all. Why should I, I'm an adult male over the age of majority and as far as I know it is perfectly legal to indulge in that beverage. Carpe Diem, baby!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">3. There are many, but what are two important questions you think every bride and groom should ask/answer before they plan their walk down the aisle?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The questions that I would advise engaged couples to resolve are (1) Do you want children? How many? How are you going to raise them(Child care, Education, Morally?)? Religion or no religion, which religion? (2) What is you current financial status? How are you going to mange your finances? Jointly? Separately ? Conservatively? Aggressively? </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> There are other questions, of course, but I'll go with these two.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">4. What's the best advice your father ever gave you?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Make sure that you serve your country. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, took part in the D-Day Invasion and served in the National Guard in the late 1950's to early 1960's. He encouraged my siblings and I to likewise serve in the military for at least two, four or six years. My brother and I chose to serve in the Air Force. We are both honorably discharged veterans. I am sure that dad was proud of his two boys.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">5. Your favorite movie where a father features heavily in the storyline?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Some of my favorite "Father" movies are, in no particular order: "Trouble with the Curve" with Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams; "The Judge" with Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Jr; "The Godfather" with Marlon Brando; "Legends of the Fall" Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins; and "It's a Wonderful Life" the Frank Capra Christmas classic.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;"> </span>Remember a few months ago when our president was engaged in a war of words with the leader of North Korea. The talking heads criticized the president saying that he was going to get us into a nuclear war with North Korea. They urged our president to engage in diplomacy.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Now that our president has in fact engaged in diplomacy with the leader of North Korea, those same people are complaining that the president has engaged the leader of North Korea in Diplomacy. They say that he is a brutal dictator who cannot be trusted to keep his word.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Our president, despite his flaws, is not as bad as his critics would have us believe. Could it be that his critics are petrified that this president will succeed where his predecessors have failed so miserably? </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Have a great week!</i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-17934232109454604342018-06-06T05:30:00.000-04:002018-06-06T05:30:11.979-04:00LATE NIGHT & BASEBALL!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlclpTT0whdKjJosCmvRe7xOvyIn1k2IrPZ96WcAtnTu6QHarn47YbgpiVhqoNDEJYkU1L17ims3w4Je7R2na-izdaguW11Ouc6D5TjMQoPST60MaL14LT68Oc8vnz3YHNzIjzM2gXb0/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlclpTT0whdKjJosCmvRe7xOvyIn1k2IrPZ96WcAtnTu6QHarn47YbgpiVhqoNDEJYkU1L17ims3w4Je7R2na-izdaguW11Ouc6D5TjMQoPST60MaL14LT68Oc8vnz3YHNzIjzM2gXb0/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> A very pleasant Wednesday to all of you. I hope that this 74th anniversary of the Allied Forces storming the beaches of Normandy finds you to be well. </span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Can you believe that it has been just about three quarters of a century since the events of D-Day? I recommend that you watch Darryl F. Zanucks epic movie "The Longest Day." This movie tells the story of the invasion from the perspective of the Allies and the Nazis. </span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> W</span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ell, enough history for today. We have a Wednesday Hodgepodge to get to. Thank you Joyce Daley for another challenging set of questions. I urge you budding writers out there to join in on the fun. Go to "From This Side of the Pond" to learn how you can participate. And now...the Hodgepodge! </span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> </span></span></span>
<b><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">1.Describe your 30's in one sentence. If you're not yet 30 tell us one thing you hope to accomplish once you hit that particular decade.</span></b><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> My 30's was a great time of my life. SWMBO and I were still young. Our kids were young, but old enough to do things with that all of us could enjoy. The 30's had its hard times but I remember it as a mostly joyful time.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><b>2. Is it harder for you to exercise or eat healthy?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Yes! It is hard for me to exercise and eat healthy.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">3. June 7th is National VCR Day. Huh? Anyway this reminded me of something I saw on Facebook listing household items we no longer have and the VCR was on it. I couldn't put my hands on </span><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">that</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"> list, but found another list </span><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/04/unnecessary-household-items-disappeared-gone_n_7176750.html" style="color: #6e698f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-decoration: none;">here</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"> of 21 items we all had ten years ago, but which are now obsolete-</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;" /><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">bookshelves (WHAT!!???), drip coffee makers, alarm clocks, file cabinets, desktop computers, printers, printed phone books, answering machines, fax machines, paper shredders, a Rolodex, CD racks, CD burners, china cabinets, home phones, entertainment consoles, DVD players, calculators, takeout menus, incandescent light bulbs, and cable TV</i><br style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">Your thoughts? How many on the list do you still have? Still use?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> What do you mean, no longer have. SWMBO and I still have, AND use...bookshelves, alarm clocks, file cabinets, desktop computers, printers, answering machines, paper shredders, CD racks, china cabinets, a home phone, DVD Players, calculators, takeout menus, incandescent light bulbs, and cable tv. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Does that mean that we're Luddites?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">4. What's something you see disappearing in the</span><i style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"> next </i><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">ten years?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My mind! The only thing is, however, I do not think that it will take ten years for that to occur.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><b>5. How did you celebrate your birthday this past year? Is that typical?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SWMBO gave me a nice greeting card with an additional personal message that she composed. We then went out to eat and one of our favorite restaurant. It is what we typically do.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><b>6. Insert your own random thought here.</b></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>I am a baseball fan. My favorite team is of course the Boston Red Sox and whoever is playing the Yankees. </span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This month SWMBO and I were able to take in a game of our local Double A baseball team, the NH Fisher Cats, a farm team of the Toronto Blue Jays. (They beat the Red Sox Double A team, The Portland, Maine, Sea Dogs...in case you were wondering who won.)</span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> On Monday, I returned home from a church business meeting at around 8:45 p.m. I noticed that a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks was being televised on ESPN beginning at 10:00 p.m. I decided to watch and score the game. I do so enjoy scoring a baseball game. The game ended after 1:00 a.m. The Giants won, in case you were wondering.</span></span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> On Tuesday morning I was very, very, very tired. I seem to have forgotten that I'm getting too old for this stuff. But I do love baseball! Enjoy your week.</span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-26144063624068469432018-05-23T05:30:00.000-04:002018-05-23T11:47:57.835-04:00GETTING CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER HODGEPODGE!<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2876726335222263814" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdTjxth7Lk_iBChVXofwgaVRIDBoxjxfAWZp4Fb0KvsE1Xwe8PBzgIaX615qa2OvnRNOOhY03CYbUiM9YxTr8FyjIsDXZ06I1Vj1r20aEZBroKV3_ebM8Gz0rcaIlBpd-e4Zb-cOxHs4/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdTjxth7Lk_iBChVXofwgaVRIDBoxjxfAWZp4Fb0KvsE1Xwe8PBzgIaX615qa2OvnRNOOhY03CYbUiM9YxTr8FyjIsDXZ06I1Vj1r20aEZBroKV3_ebM8Gz0rcaIlBpd-e4Zb-cOxHs4/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2876726335222263814" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2876726335222263814" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>A pleasant good morning to one and all. I hope all of you are well today. I'm doing okay also. My beloved Red Sox continues to play some pretty good baseball. Our mortgage refinancing is officially completed. All the T's are crossed and all the I's are dotted. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Today being Wednesday, we have another Wednesday Hodgepodge to navigate. Thank you, Joyce Daley, for continuing to challenge us every week with your questions. Please consider joining us and participating in the Hodgepodge. Click on over to "From this Side of the Pond" and follow the simple directions. Here we go....</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2876726335222263814" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<div style="font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="color: red;">1. The last place you visited/patronized where you felt like you were given 'the royal treatment'</span></b><b><span style="color: red;">?</span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a tough one. Most places SWMBO and I go give us good service but going above and beyond the call of duty and treating us like royalty, I cannot remember any such time.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="color: red;">2. The last task you completed that was a 'royal pain'?</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This one is easy. We refinanced our mortgage.</span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="color: red;">3. How have your strengths helped you succeed? How have your faults hindered you?</span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> This is another difficult question. My perseverance, some would call it stubbornness, has enabled me to push through obstacles and accomplish many of my goals. On the fault side of the ledger, my procrastination has resulted in my missing some opportunities and prevented me from attaining some goals. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="color: red;">4. If you found a remote that could rewind, fast forward, stop and start time, what would you do with it?</span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Would I to possess such a device I would have to take some time to consider the exact question that is being posed here. However, to answer the question, I think that I would rewind to certain times in my life and change a couple of bad decisions that I made. Then I would fast forward to see what difference my altered choices made in my life</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="color: red;">5. Any special plans for the Memorial Day weekend? Will you in some way honor or recognize the meaning of this day (<i>remembering people who died in service to their country</i>)? Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery? Does your town do anything special to mark the day?</span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> SWMBO and I have no special plans for Memorial Day, but that is subject to change without notice. We may pick up some groceries and grill some animal flesh. I will certainly spend time in prayer for our departed heroes and their families for their sacrifice to our Nation. I will thank God that during our darkest times men and women stepped up and unselfishly gave their last full measure of devotion.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I have been to Arlington National <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Cemetery as well as the Vietnam War Memorial and the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It was a moving experience each time I went.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></div>
<div style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2876726335222263814" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the early 1970's some Republican operatives were caught trying to bug the Democratic National Committee at their offices in the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> After the election, President-elect Trump said that he was being surveilled and electronically monitored (bugged). Most people in the "Fake News" media laughed at him. They called him paranoid and many other things. As it turns out he was correct.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Now we are learning that FISA Warrants have been sought and granted on the basis of unsubstantiated information in violation of law and Department of Justice protocols.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The sad fact appears to be that the more we learn about the conduct of the FBI, the Special Prosecutor and his staff, and the Department of Justice, the more outrageous this whole thing becomes. Compared to the Watergate affair, this whole ordeal is much, much worse by orders of magnitude. The Rule of Law in our beloved country is under assault. May God help us and protect us!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2876726335222263814" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2876726335222263814" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 646px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-footer" style="background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 20px -2px 0px; padding: 5px 10px;">
</div>
Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-26644499212384175002018-05-16T05:30:00.000-04:002018-05-16T05:30:01.024-04:00IT CAME TO A CLOSE, FINALLY, HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6dtSv_DTmSbWSrnrW3WcGbZTNi4PymTEL8x7eA76BD21ZY3DN7ep_R7nbw2LMwk-qj2mPe79je8Gd97vEXLs8VOcB_q-EKzME7tZIAcWrzOLas5hfYk5BaQ_XEOyYo29MN3tubj_S9w/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6dtSv_DTmSbWSrnrW3WcGbZTNi4PymTEL8x7eA76BD21ZY3DN7ep_R7nbw2LMwk-qj2mPe79je8Gd97vEXLs8VOcB_q-EKzME7tZIAcWrzOLas5hfYk5BaQ_XEOyYo29MN3tubj_S9w/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> Greetings from the Granite State on this magnificent Wednesday. I hope that all is well in your world. Things are beginning to turn around in my world. We just completed a major undertaking which will be further explained in my Random Thought below.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> Since it is Wednesday and since Joyce has gone to the trouble to come up with another set of probing questions, we might as well answer them. Please join in on the fun. You will not be disappointed. And now...(Inner drums roll here)...the Hodgepodge.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">1. What would you say is your biggest day to day challenge?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> The biggest challenge for me day to day is getting out of bed early in the morning. There are two reasons why. One is that I am not an early riser. My circadian rhythm makes me sharpest at late afternoon through late evening. The second reason is my knees make me walk like the tin man from the Wizard of Oz before they used the oil can on him. Eventually they kind of self lubricate and I can walk fairly pain free. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">2. May 16th is National Biographers Day. What's a biography you really enjoyed reading? Is this a genre you read regularly?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i>One biography that I really enjoyed was "Bonhoeffer" by Eric Metaxas. It is the life of one of Christianity's greatest apologist, </i></b><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i>Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a Lutheran minister who lived during the rise of Nazi Germany. He opposed the Third Reich which cost him his life just weeks before the Nazis surrendered to the allies. It is a great read and I highly recommend it to you.</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>3. How important is keeping a clean house? Do you need to de-clutter your life?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> Keeping a clean house is more important to my beloved SWMBO than it is to me. To be honest, I do need to de-clutter my life...beginning with my office. Actually I need to continue in my office. I did begin to de-clutter a couple of months ago and I found a desk in there which is now usable again. I seem to recall that there is a second desk in my office. I need to find that one too...but I'm in no hurry.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>4. You're the 8th dwarf. What's your name?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> My dwarf name would be "Joker." I do have a nice sense of humor.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>5. What's surprised you the most about your life or life in general?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> I have been surprised by a number of things. One of them is I never thought that I would have a devout relationship with God. Growing up I thought that I would have been playing for the </i></b><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i>other team. However, by His grace I have come to know Him and love Him. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i> Another thing that surprises me is that I have a love filled marriage that poets write love poems about and that songwriters write love songs about. I did not know it then but I know it now that I hit the lottery when SWMBO said yes and married me. We will be celebrating 46 years of wedded bliss this July.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>6. Insert your own random thought here.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> SWMBO and I have been blessed to be able to have bought two houses in our lifetime. We bought the house that SWMBO and I now share way back in May of 2000.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> We recently decided to refinance our mortgage so that we could access some of the equity and offload some debt and change from a variable interest rate to a fixed interest rate mortgage. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> Going </i><i>through</i><i style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> the mortgage process is a long and tedious process. There is mounds of repetitive paperwork. When you think that you have everything to complete the process there always seems to be one more thing to get or do. It's always just one more thing.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i> Well, I am happy to report that SWMBO and I closed on the refinance loan this afternoon. I think, I hope, that this is probably the last time we will have to go through this. Hallelujah!</i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-31076189355448421652018-05-09T07:52:00.000-04:002018-05-09T07:52:18.677-04:00GOOD VERSUS EVIL HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUWn71_2QGylOiOW84miZLD43E_IzaKtTqKQbvV_F2e85J8IfH9WZhiOV6m3adk3k_Sx-sN4T1Fjo8VWaYIbcuhrzQ21zYcSzy2cED9ONLnUNQP0qF-xd3HOEAN-9fcTm12U80EBx-wQ/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUWn71_2QGylOiOW84miZLD43E_IzaKtTqKQbvV_F2e85J8IfH9WZhiOV6m3adk3k_Sx-sN4T1Fjo8VWaYIbcuhrzQ21zYcSzy2cED9ONLnUNQP0qF-xd3HOEAN-9fcTm12U80EBx-wQ/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> A pleasant good morning, world! I hope all is well in your little piece of the planet today. The forces of good and virtue (Red Sox) are making a foray into the home environs of the Evil Empire (Yankees) for three games beginning tonight, well last night, since you're reading this on Wednesday. GO SOX!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> As I type this it is a beautiful day in the Granite State. The sky is cobalt blue and the temps are just right, that is, not too cold and not too warm. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> If you are reading this, then it must be Wednesday and you already know there is a new Hodgepodge. I hope that you enjoy your day and I hope that you enjoy the Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce, for another edition.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">1. What are your ingredients for a perfect Saturday?</span></b></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> A perfect Saturday consists of: (1) Sleep in late; (2) Go out for breakfast or brunch; (3) Read the newspaper; (4) Watch and score a Red Sox game; (5) Go to a nearby lake with SWMBO and the Littles to fish a little, walk around a little and have a picnic lunch. </i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">2. What skill do you wish more people took the time to learn?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> The one skill I would like for people to learn is how to communicate effectively! Learn to read and comprehend what they read. Learn to write coherent sentences that are grammatically correct. Learn to speak in whole and coherent sentences.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Should the forgoing be too unrealistic then LEARN TO DRIVE, PEOPLE! That is all!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">3. What's something you ate as a child you can't stand now as an adult?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> That is easy...Liver & Onions. You cannot force me at gunpoint to eat Liver & Onions today! They pretty much had to force me to eat it at gunpoint when I was a child.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">4. Something parenting has taught you? If you're not a parent tell us one important lesson you learned from your own parents.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Patience and perseverance are two things being a parent has taught me. I am not saying that I learned, only that I was taught.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">5. Share a favorite quote or saying about mothers or motherhood.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "noto serif" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 19px;">"Mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible."</span><em style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: 'Noto Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 19px;">—Marion C. Garretty</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "noto serif" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 19px;">. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Full disclosure, I searched the internet and found this quote but that doesn't make it less true.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I am troubled by the rising tide of assaults on our right of free speech. Our colleges and universities were at one time places where there was unfettered expression of ideas, no matter how inane, obnoxious or offensive they may be.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> However, today colleges and universities have safe spaces, trigger warnings, speech codes, violent and destructive protests against certain types of speech.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> What happened? When did we as a nation go from "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it" to "You can't say that because it is offensive, racist, sexist, xenophobic, etc." </i></b></span></span><b style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>We must return to the former and soundly reject the latter. </i></b><br />
<b style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i> Remember Patrick Henry and the clarion call of his rousing speech in support of the secesstion from Great Britain "I know not what course others may take but as for me GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!" </i></b><br />
<b style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i> Where do you stand on this issue?</i></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-18342426757654148552018-05-02T05:30:00.000-04:002018-05-02T05:30:13.947-04:00MAY DAY PARADE HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pvXD8hWLlNHhDWsy2V5AWe3oJekEzCcQW00N5qrBgOwtQrvTMu0EY0jKT-evn6ZnHoyBc0BtHVRWpUmE09GpfBZSJOC7FUxLLUUlfKbhUu2J69Kr405HPcmyE2u6ariE_0pvcEa6RiY/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pvXD8hWLlNHhDWsy2V5AWe3oJekEzCcQW00N5qrBgOwtQrvTMu0EY0jKT-evn6ZnHoyBc0BtHVRWpUmE09GpfBZSJOC7FUxLLUUlfKbhUu2J69Kr405HPcmyE2u6ariE_0pvcEa6RiY/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Good morning world! Yesterday having been "May Day" I remember that during the late 20th century the communist nations would have a parade with all their military might on display, showing all the world the great achievements of communism and putting the world on notice that they are not to be trifled with.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Another May Day is in the history books for another year. That brings me to today, Wednesday, May 2nd, the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce Daley for another bunch of questions. So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen...the Hodgepodge!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Is there a flower you associate with a particular memory? Explain.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">I am a flower person by marriage. Otherwise, I have no interest. My beloved SWMBO loves carnations so, I guess, I do too. I do not have any memories associated with flowers.</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>2. Last time you helped someone? Tell us how</b>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The last time I helped someone was a couple of Sundays ago. Our preacher had to go out of town and needed someone to teach his Bible class and fillthe pulpit. I covered both things for him so he could take care of his personal business without worrying about things here.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>3. It's National Salsa Month (the food, not the dance) so tell us, do you like salsa? Hot, medium, or mild? Homemade, store bought, or from your favorite restaurant only?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I do like salsa. My preference is for medium hot salsa. I prefer store bought salsa and my favorite brand is Newman's Own.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>4. When I was twelve years old...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> ...I think that I was in the sixth grade. Lyndon Johnson was president of the United States. The Vietnam War was in full swing. My best friend was Roger. I played first base and center field for my Little League baseball team. My affection for the Red Sox was in its infancy. They continued to get our hopes raised that this was the year that they break the curse of the Bambino only to dash them upon the rocks of reality. It was a more innocent time.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">5. It's the first of May so let's run with it-</span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">first things first, don't know the first thing about it, first dibs on something, first impression, first rate, first cousin, first string, first come first served, at first light</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">-which phrase can best be applied to something in your life currently or even recently?</span></b><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>First thing first for us. SWMBO and I are in the process of refinancing our home. It is a step by step process and nothing is easy. We will hopefully get through the process soon and close on the new loan.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>6. Insert your own random thought here.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i> On Monday we had the water line from our artesian well to the house replaced. The old water line had become brittle with age and was cracked in a few places. You may recall we discovered a water leak in February which had to be dug up and spliced to get us through the rest of the Winter months. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i> This time they dug a fifty foot trench from the well to the house using a small excavator. The whole job took about four and a half hours. The new water line should last forty to fifty years which is thirty to forty years past normal life expectancy.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i> Now we have our water back on. The pump pressure is within design parameters. Hopefully nothing else breaks. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i> Water is like electricity in that you don't really appreciate its value until you lose it. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i> Have a great week everyone!</i></b></span></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-12133986436967668262018-04-25T09:08:00.000-04:002018-04-25T09:08:09.017-04:00FAREWELL AND REST IN PEACE HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF90LAvnEFXwzxZ2l3Jk7seL07yacE09wJoBA79RaRdbrS9yqTrKBvKfTqd6iqQe0VNstKGb6qh7bboulgqgQB1LLwok-x6AE682ZvUjm-cH6CsjEVYHkjyWYVuZgK6eXAJl3OwusrAEY/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF90LAvnEFXwzxZ2l3Jk7seL07yacE09wJoBA79RaRdbrS9yqTrKBvKfTqd6iqQe0VNstKGb6qh7bboulgqgQB1LLwok-x6AE682ZvUjm-cH6CsjEVYHkjyWYVuZgK6eXAJl3OwusrAEY/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">A very good morning to one and all in Hodgepodge land. I wish you all the best that life has to offer. Here in the Granite State it is a beautiful day. My beloved SWMBO and I went out for a nice breakfast. It was a nice start to our day.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;"> We recently lost a very classy first lady. Barbara Bush was a woman who distinguished herself as a wife, as a mother and as a first lady. Her devotion to improving literacy for all people everywhere was, and still is, so much needed. Her exemplary efforts to combat AIDs in children was inspiring. Her personality was welcoming and her sense of humor was remarkable. Farewell dear lady and rest in peace. </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;"> Today being Wednesday, we have a new Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce Daley. Enjoy!</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">1. They say you learn something new every day. What did you learn yesterday?</span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> Yesterday while I was channel surfing I happened upon the Who performing their rock opera, Tommy, at the Royal Albert Hall. I learned that seeing Tommy performed live was much better than listening to the album(s).</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">2. Have you ever had a now or never moment? Elaborate.</span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /> <span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am sure that I have had such moments but nothing comes to mind.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">3. April 25th is National Telephone Day. Do you still have a land line or have you gone mobile only? When you receive a text message do you respond immediately? Last time you turned your phone off? In two or three sentences share with us a story/memory/incident from your childhood (or something current if that's too hard) where the telephone is featured.</span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> We do still have a land line. When I receive a text I try to respond in a timely fashion. Sometimes it is immediately, other times, for a variety of reasons, it is later.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> The last time that I turned my phone off was on a Sunday, at church.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> We had one phone in our house when I was a child. We were not allowed to answer the phone. Once, I answered the phone. The caller asked to speak to my dad. I hung up the phone to go look for him and tell him that he had a call. I failed to get the name of the caller so we never knew who it was I hung up on.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">4. Close call, at someone's beck and call, call the shots, call a meeting, call it quits, call in sick, call on the carpet, wake up call...which call have you 'heard' recently? Explain.</span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I am at someone's beck and call. I call her SWMBO! I know that that does not come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">5. What subject do you wish you'd paid more attention to in school?</span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I wished that I had paid more attention in Algebra class. That failure to pay attention adversely affected my education, much to my regret. I had to retake Algebra which resulted in my not taking trigonometry which caused me to fail miserably when I took physics. I am here to tell you that choices and stupidity has consequences. </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Two police officers were seated in a restaurant eating breakfast. An armed man walks up to the window where the officers were seated and opened fire killing both officers. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Yesterday a man drove a van down a Toronto street deliberately running over pedestrians, killing ten people and injuring more.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> A man with a history of aberrant behavior opened fire on a Waffle House in </i></b></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i>Tennessee. He killed four people and injured four people.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i style="color: blue;"> It seems to me that we have devalued human life. You cannot read a newspaper without reading about some horrific act of violence and mayhem. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i style="color: blue;"> The problem is not too many guns. The problem is not enough God. We once had a respect for the principles embodied in the ten commandments, the rule of law and in the golden rule, "</i><span style="color: red;">...doing unto others what we would have done unto us.</span><i style="color: blue;">" </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><b><i style="color: blue;"> I pray that God creates in us a new heart and renews a right spirit within all of us. Amen!</i></b></span></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-66015606361607002812018-04-18T05:30:00.000-04:002018-04-18T05:30:27.465-04:00CUE THE BEATLE'S "WHEN I'M SIXTY FOUR" HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o3t5vOoZ2E_p5Zr31m0tsBsRnOZ7Xejz20k6_6aTbEep-HGWZIXaWHAAFKkFaTPwgJIsOrtXy1HmbBnRxgTV_762aUr_QGWygh488TE7RR0X9XzJTaBdrSFKdTgQydu5SS55XHS86L4/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o3t5vOoZ2E_p5Zr31m0tsBsRnOZ7Xejz20k6_6aTbEep-HGWZIXaWHAAFKkFaTPwgJIsOrtXy1HmbBnRxgTV_762aUr_QGWygh488TE7RR0X9XzJTaBdrSFKdTgQydu5SS55XHS86L4/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> <span style="color: #666666;">Happy Hump Day to all who have made it this far. We are into the 2nd quarter of the year. How is your year going so far? As </span></i></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i>usual, our year has been fraught with some ups and some downs, but we endure by the grace of God.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i> Yesterday, SWMBO and I celebrated the completion of my 64th trip around the ball of burning hot gas called the Sun, hence the title of this post.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i> The baseball season is well underway as are the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I hope your team does well, that is unless they are playing my team.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i> We have another Wednesday Hodgepodge today, so thank you Joyce Daley for another set of questions. So, without further ado...the Hodgepodge!</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">1. Three things on your spring bucket list? If you don't have an actual list that's fine, pretend you do.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Three things on my Spring bucket list is watch and score Red Sox Baseball, with Bruins Playoff Ice Hockey and refinance our home mortgage.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">2. Where do you find rest? What restores your soul? When was the last time you did whatever it was you answered here?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I find rest in watching and scoring a baseball game. I find that sharing a meal and sharing good conversations with my beloved SWMBO or good friends restores my soul. The last time that I did that was last night when SWMBO took me out to dinner.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">3. April is National Celery Month. Who knew? Do you like celery? What's your favorite dish made with celery? On a veggie and dip platter which would you reach for first-carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or cherry tomatoes? </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I do like celery. I do not think I have a favorite dish but I like celery in soups. I like celery filled with cream cheese or peanut butter. As regarding veggie and dip platters I usually do grab a few stalks of celery first. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">4. I read here eight things to do before 8 am to make your day less hectic-Start one load of laundry, drink water, empty the dishwasher, read your Bible, know what you're having for dinner, get dressed, brain dump (two lists-one what you're thankful for and one what's weighing on your mind), and after the brain dump make your to-list for the day</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">How many of these are you currently doing? Which one do you think would help the most if you added it to your early morning routine?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>The only thing that I do before 8 am is get dressed. I usually do by Bible study and quiet time in the evening after SWMBO and the "Littles" go to bed. I also do my brain dumping in the evening. I drink water throughout the day, along with a cup of coffee or two and/or maybe a cup of tea. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">5. Describe the view from your window</span></b><span style="color: #38761d;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Looking out the window from where I am typing this I see our unpaved gravel driveway below me. To the right is our front lawn. To the left is our garden shed. At the end of our driveway on the left is a utility pole with a transformer. Also on the left is a smattering of trees. At the end of our driveway on the right is our mailbox and a lamp on a pole. There is also a smattering of trees. Across the street from the end of our driveway is a wetland and looking up I see gray overcast clouds. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> This past weekend our church held our annual youth rally. There were around forty teens from area congregations. Our speaker was a former member who now preaches full time. He travelled with his lovely bride from the Lone Star State to speak to us. The theme of the weekend was "Jesus, The Good Shepherd." The sermon text was the 23rd Psalm. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Several members of the congregation stepped up to take responsibility for various functions that are necessary to host such an event. Several members stepped up to help those members complete their functions that made the weekend a success. I am so proud of the church members and their heart for God and for young people. I pray God's blessings upon all who participated.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-79922655484472666552018-04-11T05:30:00.000-04:002018-04-11T05:30:15.373-04:00GO BRUINS AND GO SOX HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvdvI0IzINqt-bhWrdHxUae6WPuxH494AvtlmjoMz2DR2VXSdM61IDrUBCixS0iWyN9cMImlHlScgd0mUOoGkZ110RShu0xuO0D2qTVbrwnO8xnXblAdgnj46PKJ5dCHy7fQWqP_Hj4w/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvdvI0IzINqt-bhWrdHxUae6WPuxH494AvtlmjoMz2DR2VXSdM61IDrUBCixS0iWyN9cMImlHlScgd0mUOoGkZ110RShu0xuO0D2qTVbrwnO8xnXblAdgnj46PKJ5dCHy7fQWqP_Hj4w/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> A pleasant good morning to one and all. Welcome back to our Hodgepodge Mistress and thank you for another wonderful set of questions. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> My beloved Red Sox have begun their season in good style. As of this writing they are 8 and 1 on the young season. This is the first time in franchise history that they have begun a season so well. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> My beloved Bruins ended their season in less than stellar fashion but they clinched a spot in the upcoming playoffs so life is good. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I encourage you to participate in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. It really is easy. Click on over to "From This Side of the Pond" and simply follow the directions. You will be glad that you did.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> And now....the Hodgepodge. </i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">1. April is National Jazz Appreciation Month. Are you a fan? If so what's a favorite you'd recommend to someone new to jazz listening?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU20F0syWKpeSCQwQfxAPIrwK1Vl1W33R5jt7NsXhd5KdUAuLYMzYqkIMpzPfa_OTwJsJivVmXt0VJonx41gGRVyTfgeLJCJO8g7pAG5T7zbPdPYPFqY7-ZgbjvBGDg6DG2sSmbSe15M/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU20F0syWKpeSCQwQfxAPIrwK1Vl1W33R5jt7NsXhd5KdUAuLYMzYqkIMpzPfa_OTwJsJivVmXt0VJonx41gGRVyTfgeLJCJO8g7pAG5T7zbPdPYPFqY7-ZgbjvBGDg6DG2sSmbSe15M/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I am a fan of most types of Jazz. My taste runs more to the smoother side of the genre. I would recommend newcomers start there, listening to someone like Kenny G. and then explore other styles and artists until they find something or someone more to their taste.</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">2. Mandolin, ukulele, harp, accordion or banjo...which would you be most interested in learning to play? Or do you already play one of the instruments listed?</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I think that I would choose the mandolin. It seems to me to be more akin to the guitar with which I sometimes succeed in making music.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">3. Do you judge a book by it's cover? Elaborate. You may answer in either/both the literal or figurative sense of the word.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> To be completely honest, yes I do. If I am looking to buy or borrow a book to read, the cover synopsis has to grab me, or I will not buy or borrow the book. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I sometimes judge people "...by their cover," in a manner of speaking. I have become quite cynical after my many years in law enforcement. A police officer's survival could very well depend upon their ability to evaluate people and distinguish between those who pose a danger and those who do not. I therefore tend to take a wait and see attitude before I'm willing to "buy the book." If that makes me a bad person, well, so be it.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">4. According to a </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-nutritious-foods-in-the-world-2018-3#ocean-perch-3" style="color: #6e698f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">recent study </a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">the ten most nutritious foods are-</span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;">almonds, cherimoya (supposed to taste like a cross between a pineapple/banana), ocean perch, flatfish (such as flounder and halibut), chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, swiss chard, pork fat (shocking! but I don't think they mean bacon), beet greens, and red snapper</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">. Are any of these foods a regular part of your diet? Any you've never ever tasted? Which would you be most inclined to add to your diet?</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I eat a fair amount of almonds. I do not eat fish due to allergies. I have never tried any of the other items mentions. I would be most likely to add cherimoya to my diet because I like both banana and pineapple.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">5. Besides a major holiday what is the most recent thing you've celebrated with your people? Tell us how.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> That's easy! My beloved SWMBO and I celebrated the 35th anniversary of her 29th birthday in late March. The day began with her receiving a tasteful birthday card. She was then treated to a fine breakfast at one of our favorite breakfast restaurants. Then at dinner, we went to the Outback restaurant where we had a fine meal and some wonderful conversation. A fun time was had by all.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIZo9ih_MrBCWaVniBY4CAwQo_qrtpQw1B0VHLp5lT3pC2PLwlBrBqvIyJihslLk7rvFow3ShauNktcpQQ_wI1vMuhFSXT8SvYgZcWh6RqRpxYGNPlWyGGAma5NPwcHKdGJWabxpLt_s/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIZo9ih_MrBCWaVniBY4CAwQo_qrtpQw1B0VHLp5lT3pC2PLwlBrBqvIyJihslLk7rvFow3ShauNktcpQQ_wI1vMuhFSXT8SvYgZcWh6RqRpxYGNPlWyGGAma5NPwcHKdGJWabxpLt_s/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> BREAKING NEWS: The Boston Red Sox just spanked the "Evil Empire," AKA the New York Yankees beating them by a score of 14 to 1. Happiness is a Red Sox win. Ecstasy is a Red Sox win against the Yankees. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> People will sometimes ask me which baseball team is my favorite. My answer is that I have two favorite teams, the Boston Red Sox and whoever is playing the Yankees.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> The rivalry is real! However, and at the risk of my losing my citizenship in Red Sox nation, there are players who wear, or have worn, the Yankee pinstripes who have garnered my respect and admiration. In my estimation, the only flaw that I can see in these people is that they played for the Yankees. Otherwise they were exceptional human beings and outstanding baseball players.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> GO RED SOX!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-70905410275574670172018-03-28T05:30:00.000-04:002018-03-28T05:30:30.610-04:00SPRING HAS APPARENTLY SPRUNG HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aZ9HOQ8TCKiaRVhR8ih9-RYav3c0oVvjmxteYI-0FijQwGeSASWf2mtpRCrOnmWVNYxC8qEsfhf53NBv0xfdiKEYsMHZBfOWJL7Aiu7_1P_OTHVrNRvYdA2W7l2TO2Nvr0cjbs3X-cY/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aZ9HOQ8TCKiaRVhR8ih9-RYav3c0oVvjmxteYI-0FijQwGeSASWf2mtpRCrOnmWVNYxC8qEsfhf53NBv0xfdiKEYsMHZBfOWJL7Aiu7_1P_OTHVrNRvYdA2W7l2TO2Nvr0cjbs3X-cY/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Good morning fellow bloggers and blog followers. I hope that you are all well on this Spring day. Thank you, Joyce Daley, for another set of probing questions. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The Major League Baseball Season begins in earnest tomorrow. My beloved Red Sox had a very good Spring training and are ready to go. Traditionally, Red Sox fan are optimistic but history has shown us that optimism, AKA hope, often gets dashed on the rocks of reality. All the same....GO SOX!</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Since Joyce has gone to the trouble of posing a few questions, I might as well answer them. Here is this weeks Wednesday Hodgepodge.</i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">1. What's a word that describes your life? A word you </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">wish </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">described your life?</span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i> </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Anxious is a word that is a pretty close description. I wish the word that described my life was "Relaxed." Perhaps, Lord willing, things will begin trading towards becoming relaxed.</i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">2. Back in my day we___________________________________?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> ...actually had to get up to change the television channel and we only had three channels to choose from AND all three channels signed off the air at midnight and came back on the air at six in the morning.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">3. When it comes to takeout are you more likely to opt for Italian, Mexican, or Chinese food? Does a typical week at your house include takeout?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Our takeout usually consists of either pizza or Chinese food.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">4. Think about the people you most respect. What is it about them that earned your respect?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The things that earn my respect are people who treat people, regardless of their station in life, with respect and dignity. My life has been blessed with people who are prodigiously talented and accomplished and yet remain humble and respectful. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">5. What's something your friends might see and say is 'so you'?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> SWMBO and I sitting together at the back of the church auditorium and my arm is around her shoulders. My beloved wife and I still love cuddling and holding hands. She so seldom has to open a door for herself that she may have forgotten how. What can I say? I am still so madly in love with her.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Yesterday we celebrated the 35th anniversary of SWMBO's 29th birthday. The day started with a tasteful card in her favorite color, purple. We then went out to breakfast after we dropped the dogs off at daycare. This evening we went out to dinner at the Outback Restaurant. It is one of her favorite places to dine out. All in all it was a pretty fine day. Oh, she also received a small birthday cake, also in her favorite color. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to have been by her side for the vast majority of her life. Just in case you missed it in the previous question, I am so madly in love with my beloved SWMBO, even after all these years together. </i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-3439315496182641542018-03-21T11:13:00.000-04:002018-03-21T11:13:23.309-04:00A MAD MARCH MADNESS HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzaEr2b8t8idImqTMPFNvCgrJU66pDjhsJZOnTnf_3NY-ElRKmT_S_n_9RgXG9XOLl0lk6AiCAsdnMxOZ_GAfxC14pdO4uDXsFVuK8kZYJSHyI0NPpeLSljz5mn1_egxACe4ErxlV5iw/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzaEr2b8t8idImqTMPFNvCgrJU66pDjhsJZOnTnf_3NY-ElRKmT_S_n_9RgXG9XOLl0lk6AiCAsdnMxOZ_GAfxC14pdO4uDXsFVuK8kZYJSHyI0NPpeLSljz5mn1_egxACe4ErxlV5iw/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Apparently New England is taking a pass on the first day of Spring. Another northeaster is bearing down on this region of the </i></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>good ole US of A. AAAARRGGHHH! </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> In our Nation's capital the kabuki theater of government rages on. If this wasn't so serious I would think that these events are taking on the appearance of a soap opera. God help us.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> March Madness college basketball has stumped many avid fans of the sport and busted pretty much everyone's bracket.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Thankfully, today is Wednesday and we have our usual break from the cares of this world that is the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce for this little respite from the world. And now, ladies and gentlemen....the Hodgepodge!</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you're looking forward to in this season of the year.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> <span style="color: #666666;"> I am looking forward to getting out more.</span> <span style="color: #666666;">God willing, spending more time with my grandchildren. Nothing is better than that. Perhaps SWMBO and I can do a little hiking.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Clean out closets or clean out the garage? Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Any of these tasks recently completed?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> <span style="color: #666666;">When it comes to Spring </span></i></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Cleaning , I'd rather not. I'd really rather not do any of the tasks that are listed, BUT, because SWMBO still lets me live with her for some unknown reason, I would do, and have done, most of the listed items. We have not begun our spring cleaning because we are still butt deep in snow with more to come.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? Sour cream? Whipped cream?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> <span style="color: #666666;">My favorites are cream cheese on an onion bagel, sour cream on a baked potato and whipped cream on a pecan pie.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">4. I read </span><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g4408/mispronounced-words/?src=nl&mag=ghk&list=nl_gga_news&date=020518" style="font-family: georgia, utopia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, serif; text-decoration: none;">here</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"> a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation?</span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I was surprised to learn that I have been mispronouncing about half of the words listed. I often have trouble pronouncing some of the names listed in the Old Testament of the Bible. I also find a lot of medical terms difficult to pronounce.</i></b></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">5. What's a song you love with the word 'rain' in the title or lyrics?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>The problem with these type questions is that there is never just "a _____" there are always several. </i>"</b><b>Rhythm of the Rain</b><b>" <i>the Cascades</i>; "Who'll Stop the Rain" and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" <i>Creedence Clearwater Revival</i>; I Wish it Would Rain" <i>the Temptations</i>; "Let it Rain" <i>Eric Clapton</i> and "Fire and Rain" <i>James Taylor. See what I mean?</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i> I began thinking about Spring since Spring is upon us. Here are a few thoughts. In Winter everything is barren, frozen cold, and lifeless. In the Spring what was dead comes back to life. What was frozen warms up. What was barren becomes lush.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;"> The soul of humans is not so different. We all have a sin problem. In a manner of speaking we are all cold, dead and barren. The Bible tells us that "</span><span style="color: red;">...the wages of sin is death</span><span style="color: #666666;">" (Romans 6:23).</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;"> There is only one person in all of history who has lived a perfectly sinless life, and they nailed Him to a cross and because they did and because He rose from the dead three days later we all have hope. "</span><span style="color: red;">...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span><span style="color: #666666;">" (Romans 6:23)</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i> The only cure for our sin problem is the precious blood of He who was nailed to a cross. His blood cleanses us of all sin, not just some, but all. It makes us who were dead in sin alive in Him. We become renewed like the world in the Spring with the added feature of having eternal life. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i> Sadly, some choose to remain dead in their sins. I urge you with every fiber of my being, please take care of your sin problem before it's too late. The cure is free for whosoever will. God bless you!</i></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-63217363741522995792018-03-14T05:30:00.000-04:002018-03-14T05:30:20.464-04:00WINTER'S DEATH SPIRAL HODGEPODGE<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXMyF5luXDOqTS7O38yTTPfLjD-bWO9cFytcepNiPK3Oq0I68wJQYck4QzoAIZhIFZMX4i7WQGkxYKTGRHsXqZ_NmsSBqxGdis8ZcZID59h4FyqXh8OmDy7-A0TbsBO62YwuJuWBmOsE/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXMyF5luXDOqTS7O38yTTPfLjD-bWO9cFytcepNiPK3Oq0I68wJQYck4QzoAIZhIFZMX4i7WQGkxYKTGRHsXqZ_NmsSBqxGdis8ZcZID59h4FyqXh8OmDy7-A0TbsBO62YwuJuWBmOsE/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Erin Go Bragh! Saturday is St. Patrick's Day so a shout out to all who are of Irish ancestry. May the wind be always at your back and may you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Another Wednesday Hodgepodge is upon us once again. May the Lord bless you in a tangible way today. Thank you Joyce for your return and for another fine set of questions. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: red;">1. Best place you've been lately?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> SWMBO and I had occasion to go to a fine restaurant with some close friends and enjoy a wonderful meal and great conversation. The restaurant is called the "Copper Door." It is a somewhat upscale restaurant with great ambience and food. We had a great time.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: red;">2. What's something you should say yes to today? Or this week? Or even this year?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>I should say yes to snow shoveling. As I write this we are in the throes of another northeaster. Old Man Winter is just refusing to realize that his time is up and that he needs to move on. This is his second snow tantrum in as many weeks. Ten to eighteen inches of snow is expected. YUCK!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: red;">3. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way, shape, or form? If so tell us how. In Western cultures the color green is typically associated with jealousy, nature, good luck, and growth. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'green'?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>We don't usually celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We might go to McDonald's for a Shamrock Shake but that would be about it.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The thing that comes to mind when I hear the word green is the grass at Fenway Park. When you first walk into the stands the grass is so green that it almost seems like a special effect. It is really striking. I imagine other major league ball parks are similarly beautiful and striking.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: red;">4. What's a product or service you love so much you'd happily be their spokesperson? Tell us what makes you such a fan.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Anyone who has read my blog posts knows how committed I am to my faith in God. I am a kind of a spokesperson for God and His Gospel. All who have obeyed the Gospel are also spokespersons, #GreatCommission. Neither God nor His Gospel are products or services to be sold but I could see myself being a spokesperson for the Gospel. It is free to whosoever will.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> From a more earthly perspective, I do love Skippy's Chunky Peanut Butter. I think I could serve as a spokesman.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">5. March 14th is Pi Day. How are your math skills? What's the last thing you did that required math of any kind? And most importantly do you like pie? What's your favorite kind? With ice cream, whipped cream, or please hold the cream?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> My math skills are fair. The last time I used math was to figure out our finances. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I most certainly do love pie. I love those small Table Talk Pies you can get in the grocery store. My favorite pie is Pecan Pie with a dollop of whipped cream.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> On Monday, news broke that someone was delivering bombs in the form of packages in Austin, Texas. To date three bombs have been delivered and detonated. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> A task force of State, Local and Federal law enforcement has been formed to bring the serial bomber to justice. This will not be easy. You may recall that it took eighteen years to bring Ted Kascinski, the Unabomber, to justice. I pray God that this case doesn't take nearly that long.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> There is an undeniable fact. There are evil people running loose in the world today and these evil people do not obey laws that the rest of us do. It is not the implements that they use that is evil, it is they who are evil. May God protect us all from such people.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Have a wonderful week and c'mon Spring!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-10325155706651102852018-02-28T05:30:00.000-05:002018-03-01T13:47:08.827-05:00A GENERIC WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo4IYsJ5awx_p4jy6Bzk3tyrC5Rht9zGRzBExX1ebUF77vBxgy_E-kIt0SHvcYWAoeObH96IoFRvkhu3yCh40ee7w0YqbriJEC4AEr0G_latlr97Qv6kNO4Qj9vLdUPYfC9Ijc5z-qmI/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo4IYsJ5awx_p4jy6Bzk3tyrC5Rht9zGRzBExX1ebUF77vBxgy_E-kIt0SHvcYWAoeObH96IoFRvkhu3yCh40ee7w0YqbriJEC4AEr0G_latlr97Qv6kNO4Qj9vLdUPYfC9Ijc5z-qmI/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i style="color: purple;"> Good morning to all my fellow Hodgepodgers and to all who read our scribblings every week. Thanks again to Joyce Daley from "</i><span style="color: #0b5394;">This Side of the Pond</span><span style="color: purple;">" <i>for these weekly writing prompts. </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><i> Spring is rapidly approaching and cannot come soon enough. We have been blessed with milder temperatures here in the Granite State and by milder I mean with highs in the 40's and 50's. </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><i> Another rite of Spring is navigating around the frost heaves and potholes in the roadways. Some of them can be quite impressive. </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><i> Well enough about the joys of Spring, here's the Hodgepodge.</i></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>1. Are you currently operating at 100% capacity? If not, what % are you? What's keeping you there?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I have seldom operated at 100% capacity. Depending upon the day and the circumstances I generally operate from about 80% to 95% on a good day. I have no idea what is keeping me there.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>2. Have you done your taxes? Planned/booked a summer holiday? Thought about or started your 'spring cleaning'? Besides what's listed here, tell us one task that needs doing before spring rolls around.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> No, I have not done our taxes, yet. I traditionally procrastinate on this particular chore. I have not planned or booked any summer holidays. I have "thought" about starting my Spring cleaning. One thing that needs to get done before Spring rolls around is I need to renew the car registration and get a safety inspection. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>3. What's a favorite food from your part of the country?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I have several favorite foods from my part of the country. I love sliced sharp cheddar cheese and sliced cortland apples. I love Boston Baked Beans and sometimes brown bread. This is the season when the sugar houses are gathering maple sap to boil down into maple syrup. I love maple syrup, maple butter, maple candy, etc. Finally, who could resist a slice of Boston Cream Pie.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>4. This isn't a leap year, but let's run with it anyway...look before you leap, a leap of faith, grow by leaps and bounds, leap to conclusions, leap at the opportunity...which phrase might best be applied to your life currently (or recently)? Explain.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I am looking before I leap. With recent life changes this year I must tread carefully before I exercise my options. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>5. As the month draws to a close list five fun and/or fabulous things (large or small) you noticed or experienced in February.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> (1) </i></b></span><b style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>SWMBO's health continues to improve;</i></b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> (2) </i></b></span><b style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>My daughter got over her fear and played her guitar on stage, in public, with some bandmates;</i></b><b style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i> (3) MLB Spring Training has begun; (4) The USA Womens Ice Hockey Team took the gold medal in the Winter Olympics in South Korea; (5) A man asks for 10 volunteers to shovel snow for seniors and over 100 people showed up.</i></b><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b>6. Insert your own random thought here.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>There is a lot of discouraging news everywhere. It would seem that nothing good is happening. That is most certainly not true. There are many good deeds being done. For an uplift in your spirit, Google "Good News 2018" and you will be pleasantly surprised. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></b></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><i>The fact of the matter is that most people are decent, kind, and compassionate. With all the bad news, it is easy to forget that fact. I urge you to look for the positive news, that news which portrays the better angels of our fellow travelers on this planet.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> May God bless you this week.</i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-10244160616647908032018-02-21T05:30:00.000-05:002018-02-22T17:26:18.908-05:00A NATION MOURNS ONCE AGAIN HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tnJCVIS_Yyh6B4zJIipKcmCZId7kLuXSc39FotlphcBVD11IF4LUWYswZmU1cjPkO_CYcJ8YYxZZe3Epy9BImLD-piEKxdM8TixkM5hHpvR-qhDYwaBFGL4j08Q47PuMGhCp7awcC48/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tnJCVIS_Yyh6B4zJIipKcmCZId7kLuXSc39FotlphcBVD11IF4LUWYswZmU1cjPkO_CYcJ8YYxZZe3Epy9BImLD-piEKxdM8TixkM5hHpvR-qhDYwaBFGL4j08Q47PuMGhCp7awcC48/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>How is your week going so far? We are rapidly approaching the end of February. March Madness will soon be once again upon us and yet another death knell of Winter sounds. YAY!</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> As usual, today being Wednesday, another Wednesday Hodgepodge is in the offing. I thank our Hodgepodge Mistress, Joyce Daley, for another set of thoughtful questions. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Here is this week's Hodgepodge.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>1. Where do you go when you need some inspiration?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first place I go is to God. The second place I go to is to </span></i></b></span><b style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God's Word, the </span></i></b><b style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bible. The next place I go to is to God's creation...nature. I believe that anyone who draws breath cannot go out into a forest or upon a mountain or to a crystal clear lake without being inspired. </span></i></b><br />
<b style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Another place I go to for inspiration are to those fellow human beings who overcome tremendous barriers and achieve amazing things that most people would say are impossible.</span></i></b><br />
<b style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Inspiration can be found almost anywhere if you look hard enough.</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>2. What's under your bed?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The floor! All kidding aside, we have a couple of bed quilts encased in plastic containers. We also have a few board games and a LOT of dust.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We are taught that we are made from dust and that we will return to dust. Well, if you look under our bed, someone is either coming or going.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>3. Thursday, February 22nd is National Chili Day, National Margarita Day, and National Cook a Sweet Potato Day. Of the three which would you most like to celebrate? Is that likely?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i> </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I will opt for Chilli please. I also like the sweet potato idea. I am not a Margarita fan, with all due respect to Jimmy Buffet.</i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;">4. What are you 'snowed under' with right now?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> Interestingly enough, not much. Our snow has pretty much disappeared after a couple of days of unseasonably warm weather. It is quite amazing considering that we received about six inches of snow this past Sunday. </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><i> Other aspects of life are going fairly well. So we're okay, bearing in mind that that is subject to change without notice.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>5. Tell us three to five things that make you feel balanced?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Things that make me feel balanced is my relationship with God, reading God's Word, my beloved SWMBO, my church family, and music.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>6. Insert your own random thought here.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The State of Florida and many people across the country are still reeling from the shooting spree in the High School in Parkland, Florida. Of course, the usual suspects wasted no time in taking to the media and to the streets calling for more gun control. They are using/manipulating High School kids in their attempt to enact their agenda.</span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Experience shows clearly that restrictive gun laws DO NOT WORK! Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore have some of the most stringent gun laws in the country. They also have some of the highest level of gun related crime in the country. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Also, murder is against the law. Theft is against the law. Selling illegal drugs is against the law. What effect has those laws had on reducing the incidents of those crimes? What makes anyone believe that gun laws will be more effective? That's all I have for now. More to follow in future postings later.</i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-76192135531740681702018-02-14T05:30:00.000-05:002018-02-14T05:30:40.650-05:00A BIG RED HEART HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_LjESfpne6PKNKkDWobD72NTXmUWvKGpZIHJNXocVg5dFqDPML67zgtsEJIfJ2lWH7UxVS_pRjGLn-ZvPCNhQlj0dO9LNs1jw80WzuM_SAc43C83WH6uUYRN8CknS2UiyjDBeq56TP0/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_LjESfpne6PKNKkDWobD72NTXmUWvKGpZIHJNXocVg5dFqDPML67zgtsEJIfJ2lWH7UxVS_pRjGLn-ZvPCNhQlj0dO9LNs1jw80WzuM_SAc43C83WH6uUYRN8CknS2UiyjDBeq56TP0/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The manufactured holiday of Valentine's Day is once again upon us. It is a day where men everywhere get themselves into trouble for not remembering to honor the day and their beloved. This happens because someone, somewhere many moons ago decided that cards, candy, flowers and jewelry must be bought to show how much you love your beloved on this 14th day of February. It's a scam I tell you ! It's a scam!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> One thing that's never a scam is the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Today being Wednesday our friend Joyce Daley, has come up with more questions. Joyce has a very inquisitive mind. So grab your favorite hot beverage, sit back and enjoy the Hodgepodge.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">1. When's the last time you had a heart to heart talk with someone? A change of heart? Experienced figurative 'heart failure?'</span></b></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This morning. My beloved SWMBO and I went out to breakfast at a local Friendly's. We always love having a meal together. It is a great time to just be together. Today we discussed recent life changes and what adjustments these changes necessitate us making. The consensus reached that whatever happens we will face it head on, together, and will kick it's butt. </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">2. Champagne, chocolates, flowers...what's your Valentine pleasure? Any special plans for the day?</span></b></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> SWMBO usually receives a thoughtful greeting card, some candy and sometimes, not always, a bouquet of flowers. Carnations are her favorite.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> We have no special plans for the day. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">3. Are you a hopeless romantic or do you fall more in the category of practical and pragmatic? What's a gesture you find romantic?</span></b></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I think I fall well within the practical/pragmatic camp. A gesture I find romantic is when I am unexpectedly served one of my favorite meals.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">4. Do you ask a lot of questions in life or are you pretty content with what you already know?</span></b></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I certainly do! I am keenly aware that no matter how much I know, there is so much more to learn, and sadly, sometimes to re-learn.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">5. Your favorite power ballad?</span></b></span><br style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;" /> <span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>There are a few favorites..."</i>I Can't Fight The Feeling Anymore" <i>by REO Speedwagon; "</i>Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" by Meatloaf; "Heaven<i>" by Brian Adams. There are more but I'll go with these three.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There have been a number of news stories that have grabbed my attention and not in a good way.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> One story is the kabuki theater going on in our Nation's capitol. It appears that the Democrats were the ones to collude with the Russians to affect our elections, not the president. It appears that the warrant that was submitted to the FISA Court was knowingly false but was submitted anyways. The warrant that was issued allowed the government to spy on American citizens. This, and many other things that have come to light, is chilling from a civil liberties standpoint. It also calls into question whether we are truly a nation governed by laws.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Here is another story that struck me where I live. This past week six police officers were murdered in the line of duty from around the country. In Ohio, two police officers responded to a domestic disturbance and were both shot and killed upon their arrival. It was reported that afterward the police station received a number of calls expressing happiness that the officers were killed and cheering for the killer.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Have we sunk so low as a people?</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Please join me in prayer for our National Soul. We are in the process of losing it. </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-24676046462466519912018-02-07T05:00:00.000-05:002018-02-07T05:00:34.784-05:00KUDOS TO THE EAGLES HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrhg-JWuYpr8hHyilzQFSd5t6nLyNZFa5DKqc_896sicWFvOjh2rj_lwd3Npke8wnjM1fUm5jubb30Pawhf7dqEAKRpqXE8RliqteimHUz5cknJxHbktSKYs7bBFd8dQfPLTJMHa5LRg/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrhg-JWuYpr8hHyilzQFSd5t6nLyNZFa5DKqc_896sicWFvOjh2rj_lwd3Npke8wnjM1fUm5jubb30Pawhf7dqEAKRpqXE8RliqteimHUz5cknJxHbktSKYs7bBFd8dQfPLTJMHa5LRg/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Greetings from my top secret bunker located far beneath the surface of the earth. I have relocated to my bunker to protect my beloved SWMBO and I from rampaging Philadelphia Eagles fans. All kidding aside, congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles for their first ever Super Bowl win. Likewise, kudos to my acquaintances who are Eagles fans. Enjoy the win Eagles Nation. You earned it with your long-suffering devotion to your team.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Another Wednesday is upon us. Old Man Winter is dying, and not too soon. Another Wednesday Hodgepodge is upon us. Thank you Joyce Daley for another set of writing prompts. I look forward to this weekly writing exercise. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> So, Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Hodgepodge!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>1. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> February is one of the harshest months of the year. We have to contend with bitter cold and incessant snowfall and the Winter blahs. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I might select exercising more simply because I can do with more exercise. The good ship "How I Look in a Bathing Suit" has long sailed and is lost at sea. Also I'm not a "bath" person. I much prefer a hot shower.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> A couple of things that I might suggest is (1) Walk through a mall, and (2) Go outside on a crisp, cold day and get some color in your cheeks.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> It is good that February is a short month.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> On Sunday evening our church small group met for a devotional. Afterwards we settled in to watch our beloved Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl. Of course, we were profoundly disappointed at the outcome of the game. However, there was plant of fellowship, good food and loud yelling. It was a super evening. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>My wife made a hamburger chili that was wonderful. Fortunately she made a lot and there was some leftover. That is what I had.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I am cheering for the Red Sox Equipment Truck that departed from Fenway Park on Monday enroute to Florida. That means Winter's demise is at hand.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> <span style="color: #0b5394;">My interest level in the Winter Olympics is around a 5 or 6. The event that I am most interested in is Ice Hockey. I will </span></i></b></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>switch to the coverage from time to time while watching other things, but I will not be watching all the coverage.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I have two things I want to share with all who care to read them.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>First, I congratulate the Philadelphia Eagles for their Super Bowl win. They played an superb game and earned the win. I further congratulate them for a most excellent season. Having a back up quarterback step up and perform as well as Nick Foles did after the number one guy went down to injury was exciting to watch. Therefore, I thank the Eagles for making this season a memorable one. I look forward to a rematch next year.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Second, there are a number of events that signal the coming death of Winter. The first such death knell is the Super Bowl. The next one is the equipment truck leaving Fenway Park and driving to Florida. The next after that is pitchers and catchers report for Major League Baseball Spring Training. Then, all the players report for Spring Training. DIE WINTER! DIE!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> Have a blessed week everyone! </i></b></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-926731832483780722018-01-31T05:30:00.000-05:002018-01-31T14:03:08.269-05:00A PRE-SUPER BOWL WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZwxsup0LADvbkED-oeLxyrBPwZazVMhxaqNG7HR88xqhxYQr0Vta2bFtvw43UnPpmrEdnjhktprQSuPRR1EB5myC2MZzOJLynqYHOrsK5c3VKiSgttlPQl-1kycNECGKIn_NoJl3Tlo/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZwxsup0LADvbkED-oeLxyrBPwZazVMhxaqNG7HR88xqhxYQr0Vta2bFtvw43UnPpmrEdnjhktprQSuPRR1EB5myC2MZzOJLynqYHOrsK5c3VKiSgttlPQl-1kycNECGKIn_NoJl3Tlo/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I hope that you are all well on this Wednesday morning. Are you looking forward to the upcoming Super Bowl? We citizens of Patriots Nation most certainly are. I am equally certain that the citizens of Eagles Nation are likewise looking forward to the game. I hope that it is a good game where the best of each team is put on display. I hope that no one gets injured. I hope that the officiating is fair and accurate and that it does not affect the outcome of the game. It bodes to be a great game.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> Another Wednesday Hodgepodge is once again upon us. I thank our Hodgepodge Mistress for her constant efforts to come up with challenging questions each week. Thank you Joyce Daley.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> Now onto the Hodgepodge....</i></span></b><br />
<br />
<b>1. Speaking of endings....at your wit's end, at loose ends, a dead end, burn the candle at both ends, all's well that end's well, or no end in sight...which 'end' phrase might best be applied to your life lately? Explain. </b><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> I would have to go with "no end in sight." My beloved SWMBO's health is a constant, never ending challenge. She is now contending with a sinus infection, swollen lymph nodes and possibly strep throat. So, she now has to take a course of medication to address the infections above and beyond what she is already taking for her cancer. She continues to fight valiantly with perseverance and an indomitable spirit. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> By the way, thank you, and you know who you are, for your continued prayers and words of encouragement. They do help so much.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b>2. What was a must have accessory when you were growing up? Did you own one? If so tell us what you remember about it.</b><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> At the risk of dating myself, what comes to my mind is a clock radio. I did have one. I would listen to it while doing homework. They often broadcast the Red Sox games on the radio. </i></b></span><b style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>I would also listen to a talk radio show out of Boston's WBZ, 1030 AM on your radio dial. </i></b><b style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>The radio also had a sleep setting where it would turn off after an hour or two so I could fall asleep while listening to the radio.</i></b><br />
<br />
<b>3. Something that made you smile yesterday?</b><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>The thing that made me smile yesterday is the same thing that makes me smile everyday...my beloved SWMBO. Another thing that has been making me smile lately are GIF's that I have been watching on Pinterest. Some of them are just too funny. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b>4. January 30th is National Croissant Day. Do you like croissants? Sweet or savory? We're having chicken salad for lunch...would you rather have yours served on a croissant, a wrap, a bagel, bread, or a roll of some sort?</b><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Who comes up with these National Days? Yes, I do like croissants. I like chicken salad on croissants. I'm okay with chicken salad on a wrap, a roll, or bread. Not too keen on the bagel idea, though. </i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b>5. Sum up your January in fifteen words or less.</b><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Our January can be summed up in one word...Change. New medical insurance, etc.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b>6. Insert your own random thought here.</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I watched the State of the Union address last night. I think that President Trump did a respectable job. He is not a gifted public speaker, he never has been. However, a lot of what the president said resonated with me. I like to think that I am not alone.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I was profoundly disappointed in the democrats reaction to much of what the president said. They just sat there, dour faced, as the president reported the reduction in unemployment, the growth of the stock market and other positive trends that are good for the country. It seemed as if the democrats were mourning the success of the president's policies.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> Our government is deeply divided. I do not think that there is much chance of that changing given what I witnessed last night. May God have mercy on these United States.</i></span></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3937120481424950544.post-22403850042934327352018-01-24T13:53:00.000-05:002018-01-24T13:53:14.306-05:00A "WHERE'S MY DESK?" HODGEPODGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFz9huznIa1m24aGu6SrQX6VfM9Q3zUu_ul5q4jiuyq66dCymPhqjZ38bMxyZ6dSYYR3qq93gR9wc0bfjvixVTL-zSXy70tJYRZQ98W3kKxzHtyjW9eorKX8nLV1wMTJCBjYbcO0AVWg/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFz9huznIa1m24aGu6SrQX6VfM9Q3zUu_ul5q4jiuyq66dCymPhqjZ38bMxyZ6dSYYR3qq93gR9wc0bfjvixVTL-zSXy70tJYRZQ98W3kKxzHtyjW9eorKX8nLV1wMTJCBjYbcO0AVWg/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> <span style="color: #444444;">A very pleasant good morning to one and all. How about </span></i></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>dem Patriots, eh? They are in the habit of pulling their chestnuts out of the fire and winning during the last few minutes of the game. Whether you are a Patriot fan or a Patriot hater, it is equally nerve wracking until the end of the game. Then there is either joy and celebration or weeping and gnashing of teeth. My condolences to the weepers and gnashers. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> Today being Wednesday we get to enjoy another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce Daley for another series of writing prompts. Enjoy!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">1. January 24th is National Compliment Day. Is it easy or not so easy for you to accept a compliment? Share a recent compliment you've given or received.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> <span style="color: #444444;">We have a young man at church who recently immigrated from Nigeria with his three siblings to be reunited with their parents. He was just inducted into the National Honor Society. He is in oh so many ways a remarkable young man! I complemented him on his character and on this achievement.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">2. Ten little things you are loving right now.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>The littles things that I am loving right now, in no particular order, are (1) that first cup of coffee in the morning, (2) music, (3) our two Chinese Crested dogs, (4) my iPhone, (5) cold, clean water, (6) my Mitchell acoustic guitar, (7) Electricity, (8) my Apple Watch, (9) banana nut muffin, (10) my computer. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> There are a few things absent from my list simply because they are not "little." Among these are the God of the Bible, my beloved SWMBO, my children and grandchildren. There are more because I am lavishly blessed.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">3. Would people describe you as a positive person? Do you see yourself that way? I read</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/avelist/positive-people_b_8348936.html" style="text-decoration: none;"> here </a> </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">a list/description of eight things positive people do differently-</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;" /><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">Positive people find something to look forward to every day, they celebrate the small stuff, they're kind, they stay busy, accept responsibility for their actions, forgive themselves, know when to move on, and resist comparisons</i><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;" /><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;">Which action on the list would you say you do regularly? Which action could you add to your life to give you a more positive outlook? If you're a positive person, what's something you do regularly that's not on the list?</span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I am a positive person, depending on the context. I do some of the things on the list. I tend to be kind. I do take responsibility for my actions. I do move on. I do forgive myself, but that is not easy for me. I tend to be my harshest critic. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> One thing I often do that is not on the list is I try to be encouraging to others. I believe that things can always get better. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">4. Homemade chicken soup, beef stew, or a bowl of chili...what's your pleasure on a cold winter's day?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> <span style="color: #444444;">I'll take the bowl of </span></i></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>chili with corn chips or corn bread. Although,a nice homemade beef stew is good as well.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">5. The best part of my day is....</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i> ...waking up. Any day on this side of the grass is a good day.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><b><span style="color: red;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I have a room in my house that has two desks in it, or so I'm told. I have begun an archaeological dig to uncover and rediscover them. You know how it is, you come home from a meeting late at night and you throw your stuff on top of your desk with the intention of putting it away later. You do this time and time again until the next thing you know your desk(s) disappear. I hope that this brief explanation gives you an idea about the title of this blog post.</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The government recently shut down for three days. Some are calling it the "Shumer Shut Down." Others are calling it the "Trump Shut Down." Once again the Kabuki Theater that is our government continues. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The distinguished Senate Minority Leader forgot that recorded video never forgets. Senator Shumer was recorded back in 2013 saying the exact opposite of what he was saying in 2018 regarding the use of a government shut down to advance a political agenda. He shows himself to be a hypocrite...once again. </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> The really sad part is that there are many other hypocrites in government on both sides of the aisle. May God help us!</i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><br /></span>Life SPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01144882478474633926noreply@blogger.com5