HODGE PODGE WEDNESDAY

     My beloved SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed), AKA, my wife, answers these Hodgepodge questions every week and has challenged me to participate as well. I am one of the few men who is secure enough in his manhood to do so!

1.  When were you last facing an ocean? Using just ONE word, describe how you felt as you faced that ocean.
We took our dogs to the seacoast one weekend two years ago and drove up along the coastal highway to Maine. My one word would be "Awed."

2. What are three sounds you hate to hear?
(1) SWMBO moaning in pain; (2) Any child crying; (3) Screeching tires that precedes a crash!

3. This question comes to you courtesy of some real life friends. Hi real life friends! When you shop for yourself, do you try everything on in the store before buying or do you buy, try on at home, and then return what you don't like or what doesn't fit?
I try on pants, shoes and jackets. I buy and try on the rest at home .

4. February 26th is National Pistachio Day...are you a fan of the little green nut? Do you use them in cooking and baking or prefer to eat them right out of the shell?
I love pistachio nuts and pistachio ice cream.

5. When did you last have to compromise with someone?  Were you happy to reach the compromise or slightly irritated it was necessary? 
Being married for as long as I have compromise is often necessary. Generally, I do what SWMBO wants me to do. Sometimes I dig in my heels and she compromises. Somehow it works out for both of us.

6.  Have you ever written a letter to an elected official? Did you get a response?
I wrote my Congresswoman for voting for a bill she had not read. She responded with a form letter response.

7. We 'March' into a new month at the end of this week...what's something on your March calendar guaranteed to make you smile?
March Madness basketball. This is another nail in Winter's coffin, meaning we are that much closer to Spring and Summer!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
SWMBO writes the blog, Life Through Bifocals. She is the love of my life, my dearest and best friend and the most wonderful person that I know. Travelling through life with her by my side is an absolute privilege and pleasure!

Well, how did I do for my first time Hodgepodge-ing?

HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND?

     Well,that weekend went by fast! Where did it go? Does that mean I'm getting old because time seems to be going by so fast? It seems like it was just yesterday that I posted my 100th blog entry. 
     I've been blogging for over three years. Granted, I didn't do much in 2012 but I started this blog in 2010. Time flies!
     Now back to the weekend. Friday night SWMBO and I were invited to join another couple, who are dear friends, for supper at the Longhorn Restaurant near the Mall of N.H. in Manchester. It made for a really pleasant start to our weekend. We shared a wonderful meal, some laughs and the pleasure of each others company.

     On Saturday I had an Elders meeting at the church office. This was our regularly scheduled meeting with the Deacons. Preacher Dude joined us because our regularly scheduled meeting with the preacher was snowed out by a nor'easter two weeks ago and he had some things he needed to discuss with us that couldn't wait. 
     I must say again that I am really blessed and privileged to be able to associate and serve with such godly men. Preacher Dude, our Deacons and my fellow Elder a really fine, dedicated men.

     After the meeting SWMBO had a wonderful lunch prepared for us. She made soup in the crock pot and chicken salad sandwiches. Have I mentioned how lucky I am to be married to SWMBO? She is my very best friend and the most wonderful person I know!

     Sunday morning brought yet more snow. SWMBO and I opted to listen to the highway safety advisories and stay off the snow slicked roadways and stay home. Church is important, very important. However, we need to arrive safely to reap the benefits of attending. 
     SWMBO shoveled the back deck and walkways. I shoveled the back deck and walkways. SWMBO had to tougher job because there was about four inches of wet, heavy snow when she shoveled. There was only about two inches when I shoveled.
     I also shoveled the front stairs and walkway as well as unburying the trash and recycling bins. 

     Sunday evening brought small group. We observed the Lord's Supper, sang a few songs and then studied a lesson on loving others as yourself. It was a good time.
     We spent time in prayer for our youth group who were at a youth rally this weekend. On the way home they were involved in a traffic accident. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries just bumps and bruises. God is good!

     After small group and upon returning home, SWMBO went to bed because she was really tired. I had supper and watched the Academy Awards while I typed this blog entry.

     I hope that your weekend was a memorable and enjoyable. God bless you all!  

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT...MY 100TH BLOG POST?

     Upon checking my blog account's stats when I started to write this blog entry I learned that this is my 100th blog post. I was quite surprised to discover this little factoid! I find it hard to believe that to date I have written 100 blog posts. 

     So, after making this discovery I took a walk down memory lane and read my first blog post. The date was August 10, 2010, over two years ago. I started the blog to give me a forum to express my opinions on a variety of subjects. I have been told that I do have a talent for expressing a coherent thought in writing. When I began the blog I purposed to write about the three areas of my life, the Spiritual, the Personal and the Working, hence the name of the blog, "Life SPW"

     During this walk down memory lane I looked at some of the entries that I had posted over the years. On the Spiritual side I tried to share my faith in God. I wrote explaining the reasons why I believe as I do. 
     I also wrote concerning the church. I believe that the Lord established just one church and I gave reasons why I believe which church He established.
     I wrote about the nature of God. I wrote about His character, His love, His faithfulness and His constant care and providence.

     I also wrote about what was going on in my Personal Life. I wrote about my beloved SWMBO and the many ways that she enriches my life with love, devotion and Joy. She also makes me laugh a lot!
     I wrote about a trip we took to Niagara Falls in September 2010. It took four installments to cover the events that occurred during that misadventure. I was deported from Canada if you can believe that!
    Another few blog posts told you about a kitchen remodeling project that took much longer than it should have.

     My work life was problematic when it came to writing about. As a police officer much of what occurred was confidential and it was not appropriate for me to write about. I did write about my retiring after a 30 year career. I am proud of some of what I accomplished as a public servant. I am glad that I have time to concentrate on keeping SWMBO happy and showering her with some of the love and devotion that  she has given to me over the years. 

     Other blog entries expressed my opinion regarding a variety of other topics such as homosexuality, current events, our government and some of the things it has done or didn't do that it should have, and many other issues of the day that provoked me speak out.

     I took a hiatus for much of 2012 for no particular reason, there were several reasons. Anyways, I am back now and I still have stuff to say, shooting to reach 200 blog entry posts.

     Thank you for taking the time to stop by, reading what I had to say and supporting the blog. I further appreciate any and all comments that you left, whether or not I agreed with them. Please continue to stop by and continue to leave your comments. 

IT'S WEDNESDAY...WOO HOO!

     Today is Wednesday, AKA hump day! After today it is all downhill to the weekend! Last weekend, hopefully, is a pleasantly fading memory. Next weekend is filled with anticipation of fun and recreation to be had. Woo hoo! It's important that, no matter what kind of work you do, you take time for yourself on the weekend! I assure you that the world can spare you for a day or two. Please do not forget to take care of yourself! Rest and Recreate! Do it for you...do it for your family...do it for the rest of us!

     Wednesday holds special meaning for yours truly. Every Wednesday, a group of like-minded people meet to share a meal together and to enjoy each others company. It's a nice time away from the cares and hassles of everyday life. It's a good thing for people to be able to go someplace where they are welcomed and accepted as they are and to share a meal.
     Immediately following the meal is a mid-week church service. We gather together and sing a few songs, share a prayer and then have a devotional thought brought to us.                     
     Following this time of devotion we have a Bible study. 

     This is really a nice way to break up the week. It's a really nice way to get away from the cares of the world for a couple of hours and to spend time with some really, nifty people.

     Wednesday also is special for another reason. On Wednesday, Becke the Wonder Dog, gets to stay home with yours truly and get spoiled. Her brother, August Rush, the yappy Chinese Crested, has an agility class with my beloved SWMBO. Becke does not tolerate being left alone in SWMBO's office so SWMBO leaves Becke home with me so she and August Rush can focus on agility class.
     Becke will follow me everywhere as I go about my business around the house. She often naps and everytime I go to the kitchen she thinks she is going to get something to eat. She is often correct. Throughout the day Becke gets a few extra treats, maybe some doggy ice cream or a special chew bone. It's not easy being Becke, the Wonder Dog, but she does it so very well. She is 13 years old. That's about 80 in human years, so she is treated like she's a queen. 
     We love our Wonder Dog. She so enriches our lives and we let her know it every chance we get.

     I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday like I do! May you find God's blessings during your day!  

HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND?

     Here it is Monday already! Where did the weekend go? It seems like it just flew by but if you were to ask what I accomplished I'd have to say "Not very much!"

     I did finish reading a novel this weekend. It is called "The Last Patriot" by Brad Thor. This is the second novel that I have read that was written by Mr. Thor. It's an adventure/spy thriller in the manner of a Tom Clancy or Vince Flynn novel. I enjoy reading this type of fiction where a noble, special operations rogue operator, or group of operators, inflicts all manner of mayhem upon those evil minions who would dare attack the good old U.S.A, these selfless men and women keep America safe from all harm and preserve our way of life.

    I also cleaned the pellet stove and kept a supply of wood pellets on hand so SWMBO would be warm. I love keeping SWMBO warm and cozy. When SWMBO is warm, she is happy. If SWMBO is happy, I have a 50/50 shot at being happy!

    On Saturday SWMBO had to go to work. SWMBO teaches pet First Aid and CPR to the doggy daycare staff where she works. This class had been scheduled for awhile so she had to be there. Re-scheduling would be too much of a hassle. She had to work from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

   After she got home, I went to the grocery store and did the weekly food shopping while she got some much deserved rest. Don't worry, I was not without adult supervision. SWMBO and I have the same model of smart phone so we're able to converse face to face if the need arises. Also, we use the same grocery list app that automatically syncs when changes are made. So if SWMBO adds something to the shopping list on her phone after I leave the house, the list on my phone automatically syncs and dispays the new item.
   SWMBO loves seafood so while shopping I picked up a package of cooked shrimp as a surprise. Can you say "Brownie Points?"
    Another advantage to doing the food shopping is that I get to put things in the shopping cart that are not, strictly speaking, on the grocery list.

    Sunday morning, of course, was Worship and Bible class with the church family. Our minister, who I affectionately refer to as "Preacher Dude" gave a wonderful apologetical sermon on the truth of the Bible. I know, big surprise...right? I really enjoy a well crafted and well delivered sermon. Preacher Dude is skilled at both. I wish that I could do half as well as Preacher Dude routinely does.

    Sunday afternoon consisted of more pellet stove cleaning and keeping the home fires burning. Also there were high winds blowing all afternoon. There have been sporadic power outages in Goffstown, where SWMBO and I live, and the surrounding communities. The temperature outside is about 20 degree's, with the wind chill making it near zero! YUCK!!! So far, as I write this, we still have power and therefore warmth.

    So I ask again, where did the weekend go?

RANDOM THOUGHTS

CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE: "Children are our future!" Have you heard that said recently. After the recent horror in Sandy Hook Elementary School our politicians have been quick to exploit this event for political gain. They say that we need to do something to protect our children! We need to do something to keep our children safe!
Our children are our future!
     What I find so hypocritically inconsistent is that these same people who are so concerned about protecting our children have no problem keeping our children from being born. They have no problem with killing our children while they're still inside the womb. Specifically, the practice of partial birth abortion is nothing short of infanticide. So for some reason that escapes me, these children are not worthy of protection or our efforts to keep them safe. This is just wrong!

PRESIDENTIAL CREDIBILITY: President Obama's credibility is being seriously called into question over a variety of issues. The president says that 6 million new jobs have been created during his time in office. The fact is that less than half that amount has been created. The unemployment rate remains at 7.9 percent. 
    President Obama says that his administration is the most transparent in U.S. history. The fact is that we still don't know all the facts regarding the murder of our diplomats in Benghazi because of his administration's stonewalling the congressional inquiries into the incident.
     The Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) will reduce health insurance premiums. If you like your doctor you can keep him. If you like your health plan you can keep it. All of these assertions are patently false.
     These are just a few examples.

NATION OF LAWS: We are a nation of laws, not of men. That means that all laws apply to all of us from the President of the United States down to the average citizen. However, our government doesn't have to follow the law, apparently. By law the government must publish a list of regulations that will have an impact on the economy exceeding a certain amount, I think the amount is a billion dollars, BEFORE that regulation goes into effect. The Obama administration has not published this list in contravention of this law.
     Law requires the Congress to produce a budget for the federal government every year. The Congress, particularly the Senate, has not produced a budget for the last three years.

IF I COULD WORK MY WILL: If I could work my will I would eliminate ALL pensions for Senators, Congressmen, the President, & Cabinet Secretaries. Elected office was never intended to be a career. People were expected to serve a term or two and then return to private life and live under the laws that they passed. This was seen as a restraint on the passage of oppressive legislation.
   I would pass a Constitutional Amendment that says Congress could NOT exempt itself from ANY laws that it passed.
   Congress would have to include the specific provision of the U.S. Constitution that authorizes any law that is under consideration.
   I would eliminate the Department of Energy, Department of Education, and Department of Veteran Affairs. I would fold their "necessary" functions into other cabinet departments.
   I would require people to show an ID at the voter check-in tables before they cast a vote.
   I would outlaw the practice of lobbying. 

   Well, this is what I think. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think! See you in church on Sunday! God bless you!

   

GUNS, ECONOMICS & COMMON SENSE

     How did you like the president's State of the Union address? Frankly, I didn't have the energy to watch it. My lack of energy did not prevent me from reflecting on a few issues that is affecting this country in significant ways.

     Consider the City of Chicago, Illinois. Last year that major American city had a record year for the number of homicides committed with a firearm. Most of them were gang and/or drug related. In effect, children are killing children to protect either their turf or their drug territory. 
     How many of these murderers do you suppose scrupulously followed the law and obtained their firearms legally? I mean, how many do your suppose properly identified themselves and passed a background check before they obtained their firearms of choice? I don't suppose very many!
     What is the City of Chicago's response to address this murderous problem? Mayor Rahm Emmanuel wants to pass more, restrictive, gun laws.
     Instead of making it possible for the law abiding citizens to be able to protect themselves by legally owning firearms, the public servants want to pass more laws to stop people who don't observe the ones already in force by passing more laws that they will no doubt ignore too.  
     Chicago is just one of many American cities facing this problem, most of which are trying to solve it by following Chicago's example. Lunacy! Unadulterated lunacy!

     I understand that President Obama is calling for raising the federal minimum wage law to $9.00 per hour. The president, with all due respect, is dismissing economic history. Every time that the minimum wage law has been raised in the past, there has been a reduction in the number of minimum wage jobs. The fact is that raising the cost of labor results in employers buying less of it. 
     Under the current condition of the economy where unemployment is running at 7.9 percent, the president is espousing a policy that will inevitably raise that level.
     Let me give you a practical example. I like walnuts! I like them on my ice cream, I like them on my salads and I like them on my jello. The price of walnuts has almost doubled in recent months, consequently, I don't buy walnuts.
     Employers buy labor to get things done that they need to get done to operate their particular businesses. If the cost of buying that labor costs more than employers can afford, then employers will likewise buy less of it. This is in addition to the labor that they cannot afford to buy because of the added prohibitive costs associated with the misnamed Affordable Care Act, AKA Obama Care!

     Now here is the common sense part. If we as a nation are to successfully address the problems plaguing us, we must accept the facts as they are, not as we may want them to be. 
     Above are just two examples where elected leaders are not seeing things as they truly are, but rather as they want them to be. As a result, their solutions are doomed to fail. They will not solve the problem, they will inevitably make it worse! Lunacy! Unadulterated lunacy!

     What do you think? Leave a comment below and let me know!