Monday Words

Roast turkey breast,

cornbread dressing,

fresh snapped green beans,

hot rolls,

fruit salad,

cranberry relish,

stuffed celery,

pumpkin pie,

pecan pie.

I think I am having a flashback!

Friday Quote

The fruits of love are; health, home and happiness.

Thursday Words

Happy Thanksgiving.

Wednesday Words

This morning over breakfast my wife and I had a semi-serious discussion. In the background the television was joyously resounding with sound of clowns and the glee of the moment.

In our discussion I insisted that I was a conservative while she insisted that having been married to me for 75% of her life she knew I was a Republican. I insisted I was a Conservative with no party affiliations I merely voted Republican 90% of the time because their candidate came closest to my viewpoint. In the background the clown clammered on from Washington.

Seriously it is time to forget party lines and vote, believe and live what is best for our great nation. In this season of Thanksgiving and thinking back over the past year in our personal life there is much to be thankful for. Our love is still strong, our health is good and our children are safe. There isn't much about our nation over the past year to be thankful for and that makes me think it is time for a personal renewal.

If we all practice Christian conservatism in our own personal life and vote for those who meet our standards and hold them to that standard, I believe God will restore our nation to its once secure standing. What we are experiencing in our nation is the absence of God's grace. I am most thankful that even in the darkest times His presence is there wanting only repentance and renewal from His people so He can once more restore America to be a "Shinning city on a hill" before the world. America we have nothing to be ashamed of except our personal choices, I pray we will accept responsibility for our own selves and become again God's people.

Tuesday Words

This is Bocephus. He visits us every year and has staked out our yard and feeders as his summer dwelling. He has brought hours of enjoyment into our lives as he feeds, breeds and defends his territory from all those who would dare to enter his domain. He will be missed till the coming spring as his little wings have taken him to his winter home on the Yucatan Peninsula. I hope he brings as much joy there as he does here. Bon voyage Bocephus, see ya next year.

Monday Words

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Thanksgiving happened every week.

Just think of the possibilities. People would gather as families.

People would think of their blessings and give thanks. People would go out of their way to see that the homeless and needy have a good meal. And last but not least congress would be on vacation and wouldn't be spending us deeper into debt.

Friday Quote

I pledge allegiance to the flag

Of the United States of America

And to the Republic for which it stands,

One nation,

Under God,

With liberty and justice for all.

Thursday Words

No matter how clever I might think I am it seems my wife can tell when I am not being completely truthful. It has been that way since we were married so many years ago. I have often wondered how she could see right through me when in my mind I was being so clever. I have finally figured it out.

After watching our president, Nancy and Harry and all those others who have pushed so much spending on us. No matter how they manipulate and spin (Washington correctness for not telling the truth) when you stop and think about it, well it never passes the test of reason much less their history.

I can see right through it every time.

Conclusion on my part is they either don't think we are smart enough to see past what they say to what our reason tells us they are doing or as someone once said to me, "If you tell a lie enough, in your mind it becomes truth."

I can promise my wife I will always be 100% honest with her and know that it becomes my responsibility to live up to that promise. I am a better man and husband for it. Would it not be wonderful if politicians came to the same conclusion? The truth shall set you free, I think with God's help I will try being what I want others to be.

Wednesday Words

I want to say a word about Good common sense. I believe we are all born with common sense. Just as all God's created animals have instincts, humans I believe are born with common sense. Having said that I believe Good common sense is learned by the experiences that we have in life. It is individual, it is learned and it is instinctive and shaped by life's experiences.

For example my experiences in life have led to my belief in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He has sustained me in times of stress and trial, He has protected me in harms way in situations that without Him I would have lost my way and possibly have perished. He has shown me the value of His Word and through over fifty years of reading and meditation in His Word, common sense has taught me that His Word requires me to be responsible for myself and the decisions I make.

I believe the difference between common sense and Good common sense is where it comes from.

If it is based on my experiences and the wisdom of others it is common sense. If it comes from my experiences, the wisdom of others based on a firm foundation in my Creator then it becomes Good common sense. Friends we battle not against principalities but against the forces of good and evil and a fear of the Lord is the basis of Good Common Sense.

Tuesday Words

To say that cats have a mind of their own is probably the understatement of all time. As my blog title implies I am retired and share the major part of my life with these three feline individuals.

One is an old Tom who we obtained at a prison in south Texas.

What they didn't tell us was that he was an inmate. He is aggressive, though the years have mellowed him a little, his requirements are to be left alone to sleep, eat anything that he spies and when my wife is in her recliner he becomes the perfect lap cat. He wouldn't sit in my lap if it were filled with fresh fish.

One is an elderly patch work quilt we appropriately call Patches. She also is independent and has a confused personality. She is a picky eater, wants to be left alone 90% of the time, has six toes on each paw but when she is in one of her social moods she has a wonderful personality. One look at her face and you know what her mood is.

The other is a little black girl that I rescued one night as a small kitten. She was separated or deserted by her mother, covered with mud and hours from death for sure. We had to nurse her with a eye dropper and in general restore her to life. She follows me everywhere I go and her greatest joy is to stick her head in my smelly shoes. Unfortunately I nursed her soon after her eyes were open and believe she thinks I am her mother.

I jokingly tell my wife that with the experience I have gained since retirement I will pay for my sins (yes we all have them) in heaven by being assigned to take care of heaven's litter boxes for you see unlike many I believe cats will be in heaven if for no other reason than to remind us of who we are and where we came from.

Monday Words

I just finished my last visit to Dr. Deer after having cataract surgery. He seemed so pleased with himself as to how it turned out. It seems that at the age of 67 I now have 20-20 vision at a distance and will only need to wear reading glasses for close up work. He said he could give me glasses to make my distance vision better (to tell you the truth I couldn't tell the difference) he said this kind of result sure made it hard to maximize his business and then tried to sell me a pair of sun glasses with built in readers, they were nice but I didn't even want to ask the price. Thanks Dr. Deer for making at least one part of me as good as it was in my younger years.

Friday Quote

Friends....

they cherish one anothers hopes.

They are kind to one another's dreams.

Henry David Thoreau

Thursday Words

There has been a lot of discussion since the Terrorist strike at Ft. Hood about the Muslim Extremist who initiated the strike. Into the discussion comes 'combat stress syndrome'. As an ex Marine I would like to say that I agree with Generals Patton and Puller of the Second and Korean wars. There is no such thing as combat stress. There are people who don't belong in the military, there is a lack of training in combat situations and there is cowardice. I believe it was General Puller who said about Marine Corps. training, "If the first time a Marine faces live fire and a death experience is in combat then we have failed to train him for the experience." At Ft. Hood we see a good example of someone who should not have been allowed in the military much less trained as a doctor and promoted to a field grade officer. In the aftermath we have numerous examples of political correctness that has stifled the words of Generals Patton and Puller and many others who have followed and the common sense approach to war that made them among the elite combatants of our history. When one faces an enemy in combat it is essential that one is tougher, meaner and better trained than his adversary if he is to carry the day. I wonder where our Pattons and our Pullers have gone?

Wednesday Words

I heard about a bumper sticker that said, "If you can read this, thank a teacher and since it is in English thank a veteran!"

Happy Veterans Day to any who might read this and many thanks for your service.

Monday Words

The best advice I ever got was in a Sunday School class when I was a young teenager. It was from a man named Buck Burrow's, who was a great educator in the public school system in Texas who loved the Lord. Buck said to be careful of the friends you make as you will be influenced by them and your reputation will be formed by those you hold dear.

When you think about that it explains a lot of what is going on in our lives today. When we are choosing what we believe and who we will trust we should remember there is no gray area, there is only right and wrong. What may seem right to the mind of man and justified by his reasoning must always in our minds pass the test of is it right or wrong.

We must as individuals have a strong base of accountability. Hold our beliefs and answer for them and remember that our beliefs are in great part shaped by others. That makes Buck's advice all the more important. Not only should we choose our friends wisely, and our truth very carefully we should apply them to those who we would choose to place trust in. I believe God's Word puts it this way, by your fruit you will be known.

Fridays Quote

Take my will and make it Thine,

It shall be no longer mine;

Take my heart, it is Thine own,

It shall be Thy Royal Throne.

Frances R. Havergal

Our hearts go out and our prayers go up for those who lost loved ones and suffered injury yesterday at Fort Hood Texas. Father let Thy spirit protect those who protect us in our military. In the air, on the sea and on land keep them strong to their creed, the Constitution, Your Word and keep those in harms way safe in your Spirit. Amen.

Thursday Words

I remember when we were living in North East Texas and I was working at Lone Star Steel. The plant was about 30 miles from where we lived and the drive home was a good time to settle down from the stress of the work day as an electrical foreman. On this particular day it was a slow drive as we were having the first snowfall of the season (a semi rare event). I was in a long line of 18 wheelers and others as we slowly made our way over the hills.

It was the days when everyone was a CBer so we were carrying on a steady chatter as we creeped along. I remember one trucker and I were having a great time sharing tales but there was this one guy in front of me driving a big Buick with Michigan tags that kept butting in about how slow the traffic was and how none of us "rednecks" knew how to drive and we would not know what to do if we really saw some bad weather.

As we approached Linden, Texas (where I lived) there was a small Toyota Road Grader working to clear the road. The guy from Michigan couldn't pass up the chance, "No wonder the roads are in such bad shape, look at that miniature grader."

Over the CB came a call, "Break for the Tree Frog (that was my handle) this is the Big Hammer."

I replied, "You got the Tree Frog come on Big Hammer."

Big Hammer asked, "Tree Frog do you know the difference between a Yankee and a hemorrhoid?"

I replied, "Know I don't Big Hammer come on."

Big Hammer, "They are both a pain in the ass and neither one of them will go back where they came from!"

I replied, "Ten-four good buddy."

The rest of the trip was made in silence.

Wednesday Words

Our future home, if Washington doesn't start listening.

I watched the returns last night from Virginia, New Jersey and New York on Fox News. I listened to the talking heads, Republican and Democrat as they analysed what I was watching. A referendum on the Obama policies, a comeback of the Republican party, and omen of things to come.

At least on that last thing they were right but they still don't get it.

The average hard working, tax paying American (that leaves out about 40% of the people who have been reduced to living on government hand-outs) are mad and aren't going to stand by and watch America be destroyed.

Let me say it again, although I know no one in politics will listen, it is not about Democrats or Republicans. We are mad about the lack of representation in Washington, stop sending money you don't have, stop blaming everyone for your failures, stop expanding government, stop doing anything that puts us deeper in debt. Become responsible, honest legislators and quit being idiotic demagogues. If you can make it better without spending what you don't have and you can by reducing regulations that inhibit competition and the freedom of Americas free market.

In short start reducing government and taxes and do only those thing the Constitution explicitly sets forth, restore checks and balances and stop special interests.

What you saw last night was no matter who you are; president, senator, representative, democrat or republican if you don't do right We the People will find someone who will.

Tuesday Words

I can't understand people who feel like they are entitled to this or that.

I can't understand how what happened to others in the past entitles someone to entitlement just by virtue of who they are.

It seems to me that those who get something at the expense of others (isn't that what entitlements are?) neither appreciates what they have or respects those who sacrificed for it.

I remember when I as a young man how proud I felt when I finally got what I could call my own bedroom. For all my young life I had either shared a bed, or a room with a sibling or kinfolk or just slept on a couch or pallet in the living room. It didn't seem to matter much at the time as I always had clothing and don't remember ever going to bed hungry. But boy that first room of my own! What a thrill!! And as a bonus I got to share it with a new bride!!!

That was a long time ago and it may seem like a little thing but it was a source of pride and achievement to me as no one gave it to me or made it easy, I got there on my own. Somehow I feel too many in our society are being cheated out of the pride of accomplishment by the feeling of entitlement.

Monday Words

Could be the trail the headless horseman rides down! Well Halloween has come and gone again. We live in one of those quiet, enclosed subdivisions that people like to bring their kids into as it is well lit and for the most part user friendly.

Each year we give away more candy as more and more people find us. That's alright as the kids are very cute in their costumes and seem to be well mannered and respectful.

I find I need to give a "I'm sorry" to my wife for the use of the term "we" when speaking of the Trick or Treaters. I help buy the candy, help get it ready but I am M.I.A. when the little goblins and critters come. Someone ought to tell M.L.B. not to have the World Series at this time, never mind the Yankee's (the best money can buy) beat the Phillie's (who I am pulling for) I need to realize that if I catch the last two innings I know what happened.

So to my wife I pledge, next year I will be a part of the "goodie parade" and share the duties of caring for the creatures that come to our door---promise.