Garden Time II

Vietnam era

The mid sixties brought protests to college campuses, integration to high schools,  hippies to the west, Woodstock to New York, and free love and illegal drugs to anyone who wanted it.  There isn't any event that changed America like Vietnam did and while the United States won every battle in fought during that war it lost the war itself and we lost tremendously at home too.  God was kicked out of the schools and drugs became front and center in the hearts and minds of many of the young.  We've been fighting that part of the war ever since and getting our butts kicked in the process. 
  Personally I never took part in the protests, , never partook of any of the drugs,  volunteered for two tours of duty in Vietnam, and got through school with my faith in God stronger than when I went in.  Still, the war had a profound effect on my life, and probably not all in a good way. 

Garden time, vegatable and flower

From top to bottom: White Iris, Black Iris, Orange Iris, Purple Iris, purple/yellow Iris, Purple Heart, Purple Ice, Lily of the Valley, Rock Garden with yellow Iris, Knockout Roses, Grape vines, Fruit trees with Cherry, peach and apple tree. 

Day off to a rough start

First, I awoke at 2 am and knew that I wasn't going back to sleep so I played on the computer and did my glucose test.  At 4 I fixed my breakfast; the usual with oatmeal and eggs and coffee.  I decided to add a few Rote tomatoes to my eggs and that is when things started to go wrong.  I dropped the bowl of tomatoes when putting them back into the fridge and took time to clean them up.  Meanwhile my eggs were overcooked and the oatmeal got dry.  I spilled a little coffee on the counter and had to clean that up too. 
  After I ate I realized I had not turned one of the stove burners off  so I did and since the pan was hot I decided to cool it off with cold water.  The cold water on a hot pan caused some steam which set off the fire alarms.  The security company called the fire department before calling me to cancel the alarm.  My poor wife has been woken up twice and it's only 4:45.  I sure hope the remainder of the day goes better.

Cash back credit cards and other freebies

I have to admit that I own a credit card.  Most folks are owned by their card but I am fortunate in that I have been able to pay mine off in full every month for the past 14 years.  I have a reward card that gives me points for using the card and I can cash those points in for cash.  I recently di that and received $387.00 back.  I know the credit card company has to hate me.
  For the majority of folks offering cash back is not a money making scheme for the consumer but a gimmick to get you to go into debt faster.  After all I can afford to give you 1% back if I charge you 18.9% interest plus late fees.  Some cards charge you just to carry them around.  What kind of deal is that? 

Dave Ramsey

I'm taking a Dave Ramsey financial course at church and he makes a lot of sense.  I remember the first thing I purchased on credit.  It was in the sixties before people had credit cards and I stopped in a men's clothing store in downtown Hickory, NC.  I was in need of a belt and I had a couple of dollars.  I found a really nice one but was shocked at how much it cost.  I didn't have the means to shop around and my pants were falling down.  When I told the clerk I didn't have enough money he asked me who my parents were.  When I told him he said "Just buy it on credit."  So I did.
   I stopped in every week and gave them some money.  It seemed like the payments on that belt lasted about as long as the belt did. 
  I've found that if you can afford to make credit card payments you can afford to pay cash.  You just have to save up first.  I know we really want it now but with patience you will get what you want and remain debt free.  Many credit cards carry 18 to 21 percent interest.  If you want a big screen TV that had been $1000.00 but find it on sale for $800.00 and use your credit card to purchase it you believe you made a good deal and saved yourself $200.00.  Unless you have the cash to pay that credit card off it full then you have made a bad deal.  If you make the minimum payment on that card each moth it will take about 7 years to pay for that TV and you will pay around twice the original cost.  Not such a good deal after all.   
  Dave Ramsey has lots of good ideas and not just about credit cards.  Some are about budgeting, saving, emergency funds, insurance, etc.  If you erver have the change to go through the course it is well worth the cost. 

Mom Shares Terrifying Story About Alleged Encounter With Human Traffickers at IKEA

  The woman explains that she was with her two toddlers and her baby and her Mom at an IKEA store when two men followed them around the store for over an hour before she and her Mom made a trip to the restroom and then contacted IKEA security.  She believes she was the target of human traffickers. 
   The incident probably happened but I seriously doubt it had anything to do with human traffickers.  They may have been interested in kidnapping the baby or looking for the children to distract her or her mother so they could slip[ off with a purse or two. 
  If, in fact, they were traffickers in the sex trade they would not last long.  First of all, traffickers don't kidnap mothers with their children present in public places.  They prefer women who are young, venerable, and unattached.  Most traffic victims go willingly because they have no other place to go or find themselves in a situation that it is impossible to get themselves out of. 
  No, I think most likely one of the guys saw something he liked and just wanted to sneak a peek.

Extra Income

I'm retired and receive enough money to replace what I had earned when I worked/  However my wife suffered a brain aneurysm 3 years back so her income has dropped significantly.  Our income is enough to sustain us  but doesn't leave much room for extras.  I had written a book a few years back but it has all but stopped producing income and the articles I had published were one time deals.  I did write some for the local paper but those were free-bee articles. 
  I thought about taking a job but I really hate the thought of punching a time clock again.  Writing won't do it for several reasons:  I don't have the great American novel inside me and the competition is stiff for paying positions  and those would probably go to the younger crowd who are better trained and more ambitious. 
   I suppose I could generate revenue by putting ads on my blog but then I would have to get wildly popular and what I am expert at  isn't in big demand.  
   I guess I'll just suck it up and deal with it. 

The case for Christ

I changed churches a month or so ago and I'm really glad I did.  I am now attending Academy Street Baptist (yes, the church on the hill near the SECU and Thomas Tire.  The pastor is young (just 29.  he is the first pastor I've ever had that uses expository style preaching and he does it really well.  The church was once community church but is now a Baptist church.  It has everything needed to be a first class facility except a baptistery.  The congregation is mall and not as faithful to the church as what I'm used to but they are good people and rather friendly. 
  The music is traditional which I really like I would like for the church to grow, become more faithful while retaining that small church friendliness.  It just seems harder and harder to get people interested in church.  More and more the church and Christians are mocked and Christ is rejected.  It seems the more we need Christ, the less people care. 
  Our country is in grave danger from our enemies yet we open our borders and welcome them in with open arms, we approve and even encourage the acceptance of decadent life styles, think that killing unborn children is our right and just an effective method of birth control, and that the one thing that America needs most is not only rejected but made fun of. 
  The older I get and the more I learn about Jesus the more I am convinced that the country needs to turn to Christ.  If we don't I don't believe this country will survive as it is today. 

spring/summer projects

 Last year I built a privacy fence but really didn't want to put much money into it.  The reason for the fence is that when we are sitting at the dinner table and the neighbors are on their back porch we are looking at each other.  It is as if we are staring at them.  I made the fence by putting 4 x 4 posts into the ground 8 ft apart and then putting sheets of plastic lattice between the posts.  The idea worked great but over time the posts became wobbly and the lattice was too flexible so I decided to fix the problem. 
  I dug new holes, dropped the posts in the hole and filled the holes with concrete.  Then I nailed strips of 1 x 4 between the posts and then attached the plastic lattice to the 1 x 4 strips.  That keeps the posts upright and the lattice from flapping in the breeze. 
   Another project I wanted to do was rebuild my patio.  I built it originally using the concrete landscaping squares one gets at the big box hardware stores.  Some were red and the others just regular concrete gray.  The finished product looked really nice but over the years the concrete grouting dried and cracked allowing grass and weeds to grow between the blocks.  I also didn't get all the blocks perfectly straight so the patio had low and high spots making the table and chairs a little wobbly.  Seems I have problems with wobbly., 
  It was time to redo the patio and I also needed to make it just a little larger.  so I added a foot to each end changing the patio from a 10 x 10 to an 11 x 11.  This time I framed the area using 1 x 4's and filling in the area with 1520 lbs of concrete (19 80 lb bags).  Not only is the patio level, it is large enough to accommodate my table and chairs and there is not way weeds are going to be growing on my patio. 
  I was rather surprised by the weeds because I did use a weed barrier under the original patio but I suppose it must have deteriorated. 
  The only other project I wanted to do was to make a new vegetable garden space.  The summers are too dry around here and with a yard of red clay not being the best medium for growing stuff in my gardens have had mixed reviews.  Last years I tried growing my stuff in containers which worked better than a regular garden but had it's drawbacks too.  This years I built a raised garden on one side of the house and filled it full of good quality garden soil.  The area is small, maybe 4 feet by 30 feet
but it is big enough for a dozen tomato plants and a few pepper plants.  The area gets morning sun and evening sun and is shady during the middle of the day plus it is close to a water source so hopefully it is the perfect tomato garden spot. 
  Except for planting, my summer projects are done.  I am contemplating coating my patio with a thin coat of cement to make it smother but for now I'm not convinced that is necessary.  Maybe I can find time to go fishing this summer.  I don't have all the church projects to do no nor nearly as many projects around the house.
  I did have a peach tree to die but it looks like I will actually have a peach crop this year.  Mu apple trees are in bloom for the first time ever so I'm looking forward to that.  H
hopefully my cherry trees with have cherries this year.  I covered my blueberry bush with a netting as last year the berries disappeared when they ripened and I didn't get any for myself.  I am also looking forward to some fresh grapes and picking blackberries for the freezer.
  Yes, I'm really looking forward to a relaxing summer.    

Another classmate gone

  I graduated from the largest class that ever graduated from Hickory High School (officially known as Claremont Central) and am at the age when classmates passing away isn't that uncommon.  It seems ever three months I get an update on a classmate dying.  The latest one was a friend of mine.  We were not the best of friends.  I really only had one really close friend but we lost touch after we went off to college and he transferred to another school and then joined the Navy.  It seems no one knows what ever happened to him. 
  I had a secret crush on one girl who eventually married the guy that was always my rival for my position on the baseball team.  He became a big star for Lenoir-Rhyne College baseball.  He died a few years back and his widow has Altzimers.  It seems the people whom I was closed to are either dead or have not been heard from in many years.  I think that is strange. 
  Still, most of them had successful lives and long marriages to their first spouses, which speaks volumes about the different values we had growing up that generations since then.  I am just about the oldest member of my graduating class as I was born at that awkward stage where I would have had to start school at 5 in order to be with my age group.  In my junior and senior years of high school that age difference played to my advantage but that is a totally different story. 
 Even though I have only run into a couple of my old classmates throughout the years as I have never been to a reunion, I still miss them when they are gone.  Rest in peace dear friends.

Random acts of kindness

  I had just finished a visit home after "a" school and was heading to Charlotte to catch an Eastern flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico  for my first duty station.  Mom was driving but two girls in a car in front of us keep waving at me.  Made me feel good but I know it was my dress blues that they found attractive.   While boarding the plane, the stewardess that checked my ticket said she would come sit with me once the plane took off  and then the stewardess standing at the entrance to the second class section told me to have a seat in first class. 
  Never in my life have I ever been treated so kind, before or afterwards.  I was really sad when Eastern Airlines went out of business but it was the kindness of those ladies who gave comfort to a sailor leaving America for the first time.  It's been fifty years now but I still feel good when I think of them.

Some disturbing facts

 Our pastor had to fly to his home state for his grandmothers funereal so I visited another church because mine didn't have services.  Some churches are full on Sunday mornings but not well attended on Wednesday nights.  And most churches  seem to be over populated with old people.  Now I like old people as I am one but when we die out who will be attending our churches? 
   Part of the problem is that churches have changed their services and programs to cater to the wants of the younger generations but it seems to have failed.  When I was young I grew up in a rural area.  The nearest town had a population of around 12,000 but the church I attended had an average attendance of over 1,000 on Sunday mornings.  The population of America has doubled and the population of the nearest town has tripled but the average attendance on Sunday morning at that very church is now around 350.  By population growth the attendance should be between 2 and 3 thousand. 
   The decline began when evolution and the women's movement began.  It seems the churches that continue to teach the fundamentals of the faith as has always been taught are aging out and the churches that that attracting young people and growing are preaching a more social gospel and appeal to the more basic wants of people. Instead of music that uplifts the name of God and praises him, more churches are playing music that entertains.  Churches are hiding their denominations by changing their names, and teach about God's love, grace and helpfulness and leave out the service, the sacrifice and the blood. 
 Christ is still relevant today.  I still believe there is a way to get the message out so it will be received but in the mean time we Christians cannot give up.   

Millennial Attitudes Toward Work That Might Surprise You

4 Millennial Attitudes Toward Work That Might Surprise You

Date: June 08, 2016

Related Content: Analysis Economy Employee Training Hiring Labor National

A new survey contradicts much of the narrative that surrounds the country’s largest labor force.

Millennials have taken over. Not in any apocalyptic sense—at least not yet—but the generation does make up the largest share of workers in the country.
This much-discussed generation—encompassing workers in their late teens to mid-30s—will make up over one-third of the labor force by 2020, according to a new report from ManpowerGroup. As working demographics change, small business owners need to adapt to the evolving pool of job candidates and employees.
THE NOT-SO-DISTANT FUTURE: WHO IS GENERATION Z? 
Below are some of the most surprising insights into how millennials view employment, job security, and what they value in the workplace.
1. Contrary to popular belief, young workers don’t like job-hopping.
Although Gallup published a poll in May calling millennials “the least engaged generation in the workplace,” ManpowerGroup’s findings tell a different story. Sixty-five percent of millennials intend to stay with their current company for at least a few years, and 39 percent of millennials define job security as “a secure job for the long-term,” according to the report. The most important factors that contribute to where they work are money, security, and benefits, according to the report.
2. Their entrepreneurial spirit is strong.
Many millennials entered the job market during a brutal recession, so it would make sense that they crave job security. But nearly one-third of survey respondents said they would consider working on a freelance or contract basis. The entrepreneurial spirit is also strong with this group, as 41 percent said they would consider self-employment as a future career path.
3. Millennials like feeling appreciated.
Don’t forget your thank-yous: Nearly half of millennials would consider leaving a job if they felt underappreciated. Authors of the report suggest that managers should incorporate more positive, face-to-face feedback to combat any perceived lack of gratitude.
4. Young employees are hungry for advancement.
Individuals just beginning their careers are hungry for opportunity, and millennials are more willing than previous generations to take initiative to learn new skills if it means advancing in their company, the report found. Forty-five percent of millennials believe that improving their skills and qualifications is necessary to get promoted.

   Benefits like health insurance were originally given as an incentive to attract workers during WWII as many men were in the military and few seasoned workers were available.  It seems that now incentives aren't enough.  People are starting jobs with the idea they are special and should be among the few that run the company.

  Once upon a time employers let you stay as long as you did your job but from this article it seems that the younger generation is saying "I'll stay as long as you appreciate me, give me benefits, and provide opportunities for me to get promoted"  Of course we all felt like that.  I liked to fell appreciated, liked my benefits, and I did receive promotions often in my working career.  I was promoted because of my work etic and my skills, not because I felt like I was special. 

   I have only taken two jobs in my life with the expectation of not staying long term     Both jobs were second jobs.  One was to earn a specific number of dollars and the other was to pay off a debt. 

I changed jobs most often due to my employer going out of business although I was fired once because I said I wanted to get more education . 

  I do believe that many employers could and should treat their employees better.  Many employees think that companies making a huge profit is wrong and that the profits, made off the backs of the working person, should be shared.  That seems right except that sometimes companies lose money.  I wonder if those same people are willing to share the loss? 

USA Gymnastic coach asked to resign

During the last Olympics I made the comment that the male coach would hug the gymnasts after their event and often the girls would look away and not act happy about the hug.  I stated then I just don't think the men should be hugging the girls.  If the coach can hug these young women in public and get away with it, then what is he getting away with out of the public eye? 
  It seems the situation has blown up now and the truth is coming out.   

Taught Sunday School

I taught the Sunday School lesson yesterday.  It was just a one time deal but I really enjoyed doing it. 
Another member is going to teach the second half of the lesson on the 19th.  We won't be having Sunday Scholl on the twelfth, I guess because it is friend's day. 

Friends Day

March 12, 2017 is Friends Day at Academy Street Baptist Church in Randleman, NC.  I would really like for you to come.  Sunday School is at 10, worship service is at 11 and we are having dinner afterwards. 

New games on MSN

I enjoy playing  the solitaire games on my computer.  Today I was dismayed to discover that MSN has now changed the games to "guaranteed solvable decks".  I'm good at Free Cell but I do know that all the Free Cell games are solvable except one but I have played plenty of other games that it seems impossible to win so I eventually give up believing that the game is unwinnable. 
  The height of frustration would be to try over and over but can't come up with the solution to a guaranteed win.     The height of embarrassment is to actually lose a game of Free Cell. 
I prefer to believe I won a game because I was either good or persistent enough to  find the solution if one is possible.  If MSN thinks that making sure the game is winnable is encouraging me to play,it is   wrong. 

tap water vs bottled water

Myth: Bottled water is better than tap water

'Global bottled water sales have skyrocketed over the past several decades thanks to the misguided belief that 'spring water' is healthier or cleaner than the water that comes out of your tap. Bottled water is generally not worse or better than tap water because over 50 percent of it is just tap water. Plus the EPA publishes detailed data about water quality, while most bottled water companies won't tell you anything.' —Morton Tavel, MD, clinical professor emeritus of medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine

That is what the experts say.  From my own experience:  I once filled bottles with tap water and placed in my refrigerator so I could have a cold bottle of water whenever I wanted one.  Using tap water only, I learned that I had to be careful to rotate the bottles.  If one was in the refrigerator for more than three days it began to have an "off" taste.  After a week it was almost undrinkable.  We purchased a water filter and now it doesn't seem to matter how long a bottle of water remains in the refrigerator.  It isn't uncommon for me to leave a bottle for a month before drinking it and it tastes just as clean and fresh as the day I bottled it. 

  I have not uncapped store bought water and left it in the refrigerator for an extended period of time to compare but my conclusion is this:  tap water is water treated with chemicals to kill undesirable stuff in the water and the filter is there to remove any impurities that the chemicals left behind thereby giving me a clean healthy bottle of water.  It doesn't matter if the water is stream or spring or city tap water as long as it has been properly filtered.   The debunked myth is not a myth at all.  Bottled water that is properly filtered is better than water straight from the tap.

free fish

  I have two water ponds.  One is stocked with Koi and the other with comet goldfish.   Once not long ago my Koi pond was productive and I made a little extra money selling off the babies when they were a year old but a few years ago for some unknown reason all the fry were black, like regular carp.  There might have been one or two colored carp (koi) in the pond but even those did not have bright distinctive colors.  I just have too many fish to raise babies so I need to get rid of these.  I'm not sure if I want to begin again or just remove the pond. 
   I like my goldfish and will keep that one but I'll have to move it as I need the dirt surrounding it to fill in the hole left by removing the koi pond. 
   If interested in taking the fish you can contact me on Facebook and make arrangements.

Losing weight

Every January people resolve to lose weight and they begin by heading to the gym but quit soon afterwards because of two reasons: they don't like exercise and their body wasn't magically transformed into that slim strong person they envisioned themselves being. 

  In stead of the gym others turn to fad diets or salads to lose weight.  Some believe vegetables are free foods and one can eat all they want and still lose weight.  The trouble with salads is that they don't contain all the nutrition's we need in the proper amounts and after realizing salads are a bland boring meal, people dress them up with chicken strips, eggs, bacon bits and crotons and pour on the calorie laden salad dressing. 
  
    After a week or so and all they have to show for their efforts is an unchanged bathroom scale and stomach cramps they resign themselves to believing the efforts aren't worth the trouble as there is little if no reward. 

  Work out all you want but you will not lose weight.  A game of racquetball burns 640 to 880 calories an hour.  You have to play racquetball for an hour everyday  Monday through Friday to lose a pound.  The truth is, exercising alone can actually lead to weight gain.  Muscle weighs more than fat and as you build and tone your muscles you may actually gain weight.

    The trouble with fad diets is that they may take too much time and can be expensive  and some, while working, can be unhealthy and lead to other problems.  What works for one person may not work for another.  Many articles on what to eat suggest salmon but I don't particularly like the taste and I am not about to spend my few remaining years eating stuff I don't like. 

   The best advise I can give is to engage the services of a good nutritionists and follow their guidelines.  That way you may eat healthy, lose weight, and get the proper amount and type of exercise you need. 

  Remember, you didn't get to be round overnight and you won't become a stick figure overnight either.   

The fixer upper

Earlier this year, Buzzfeed ran a story that the Gaines' pastor was preaching anti-gay values.

   I doubt that is true.  The bible is not anti-gay people as many believe.  God is a God of love but He is also a God of righteousness.  God created people and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. 
  In order to build anything, one must adhere to a set of standards.  In the United States of America we use one set of standards and in Europe another  (metric) is used.  A builder from Europe and a builder from the USA cannot bring their own tools to a job site and build a successful structure. 
   In construction, time measurement, and in all other situations where standards have to be adhered to it is the government that sets the standards.  You may not like the yard stick but if you want to build houses in the USA you have to use that measurement.  It isn't that the government hates the metric system or is anti-Europe.  It is just that their measurements are not compatible with the standards here.    God set the standards that we are to live by.  God doesn't hate gay people, or liars, or thieves, or mean people.  He died on a cross at cavalry to pay the penalty for them.  If they do not accept that penalty  then they have  rejected God. 
  Homosexuality is a violation of God's command to be fruitful and multiply just as lying is a violation of God directive to tell the truth and lusting after other people's processions and   persons is a violation of God's command not to covet.  We are by nature sinful people so "being born this way" is not excuse.  We are all born liars. Who reading this has known a parent who had to teach their child to lie? 
  A person can lie if they so choose just as a person can steal your belongings or take your life. 
Most times their is no criminal penalty for lying but sometimes there is (perjury), sometimes there is a penalty for murder and sometimes there isn't (abortion).   Unfortunately society has decided it has the right to set the standards but that is not our right.  That right has always belonged to God and still does. 
  Countries and cultures which have decided to set their own standards have always failed. 

Why people hate police.

I am pro law enforcement.  They are necessary for our protection.  I, like everyone else, hate to get stopped by them because it is embarrassing and in the likely event I get a ticket it costs money: fines, court costs and increased insurance premiums and maybe higher interest rates when buying a new car.  In my younger days I had a tendency to speed and I often got caught.  I'm glad there is such a thing as cruise control. 
  I have come to the aid of policemen many times in my life.  The first time was a policeman was trying to control a homeless man behind a store where I worked but the cop was too small to handle him.  I asked if he needed help and he said yes.  Another time there were two cops trying to handcuff three neb but they decided to fight and were winning until I asked one of the cops if I could help.  Numbers being even, we quickly got the situation under control.  When I worked at Lowes grocery in Greensboro   a man standing about 6 foot 11 inches tall and his muscular buddy were stealing wine.
In store security and a uniformed cop stopped them and tried to place them under arrest.  The big guy tossed the cop over the customer service counter.  The only thing that prevented him from leaving was the pepper spray had blinded him so he didn't know which way to go.  Store security had the stocky guy on the ground but he needed help in securing him. 
  The cop crawled back over the counter and tried to get the big mans arm behind his back but the tall man was too strong and the policeman was getting tired.  Everyone in the store was just watching.  I had just finished by day and was observing what was going on as I approached the time clock.  I asked the policemen if he needed help and he said yes.  Together we got the big man in hand cuffs and the cop went to the aid of the security guy and got that fellow handcuffed.
  Once I was heading home after an early morning shift when I saw a cop pull over a motorcycle.  When the policeman exited his vehicle the motorcyclist gunned it.  He made the mistake of missing a left hand turn and was headed for a dead end.  The police vehicle stopped in such a way as to block but the dead end street and the through street so I jus waited to see what would happen.  The cyclists
waited on his bike for the cop to exit his vehicle.  I knew the man was going to make a run for it and he did as soon as the cop had both feet on the ground.  He tried to go around me behind my vehicle but I put my truck in reverse and floored the gas petal knocking the bike from under the driver. 
  The man jumped up and started running.  He was obviously faster than the cop and just might have gotten away but I sped after him and when he saw me he just gave up. 
  Yea, I think cops are good people and I have the greatest respect for a female cop in Hickory.  She still visits my Mom on a regular basis.  Still, there are bad cops out there.  I was pulled over once for speeding in Bay St. Louis and fined $50.00.  When I asked for a ticket and a court date the cop pulled out his night stick and told me to step behind a building and we would talk about it.  I had one cop in High Point, NC steal $20.00 from me and one in Greensboro refuse to help me. 
  Except for family court I've found the justice system (including cops) to be fair and honest people trying to do the right thing.  I say family court but what I mean is a particular judge in High Point that found all men guilty regardless of the circumstance.     

cookie Jam

I started playing that game because of a challenge from an acquaintance of mine who thought she was better than me.   I do have to admit she won a few rounds, maybe 15 of the first fifty, and hung with me until around 80, and then I left her in the dust.  I almost gave up on 598 but pushed forward anyway and made progress until I hit 898 and I thought that was it.  I was initially happy to have reached 700  but I had made it past my goal.  898 just seemed like a queer number to quit on so I pushed onward and finally beat that round.  There are some tough ones but those two proved to be the hardest for me.  Believe it or not but this old man made it past 1000 to 1016.   I suppose I could win a few more rounds but I decided to delete the game to not be tempted to waste more time on it. 
  It was enjoyable and a nice diversion for me. 

Who reslly is the divisive one?

Shia LaBeouf’s Donald Trump protest has been shut down by the Museum of the Moving Image, and will not continue for its intended four-year duration. See statement below.

As Gossip Cop reported, LaBeouf started his “He Will Not Divide Us” live stream on Inauguration Day last month. The project consisted of a camera attached to the outside of the museum’s city-owned New York building, where anyone could come and be filmed 24/7 saying “he will not divide us.” LaBeouf planned for the protest to last throughout Trump’s four years as president.
But after multiple skirmishes, including one that led to LaBeouf getting arrested, the museum has decided to stop the outdoor exhibit.

  Instead of vowing to work with the new President to solve issues facing this country many have chosen to protest about Trump dividing the country.  For the last four years we heard a lot about how uncooperative the Republicans were in Congress but we didn't see wide spread protests against Obama.  In fact, I've never known the citizenry to protest the elected President before.  Yes, there have been protests like the numerous ones against the Vietnam War and then many in favor of Civil Rights.  Protests have been used to gain attention for many causes in USA history like for women's suffrage or against the draft (not Vietnam as the draft was eliminated but in New York in WWII. 
 
  But in all our history has there been protests against a President for the mere fact that he was elected.  Women staged a protest in favor of right they already have (I have yet to understand that one).  In any case, if you are the one out protesting then you are the one being divisive. 

  Just let that one sink in for awhile.  

High Winds

The winds were stiff around her yesterday (2/9/2017) but I didn't notice much damage.  I noticed one pine tree blown over in someone's front yard on HWY 42 in Asheboro just before getting to the YMCA.  My ceramic lighthouse was blown over (which about any puff of wind will do), a large section of my neighbor's wooden privacy fence had fallen over and the sign for One Way Baptist Church  at the corner of US 311 and Stout Street was virtually destroyed. 

IQ tests and Mensa

  Mensa means table in Latin and is an intelligentsia organization that requires an IQ that is in the top 10% of people.  An article about the IQ of certain celebrities stated that an IQ of 140 qualifies one for Mensa membership.  That statement is not true.
   There are numerous IQ tests that have different numerical scores.   In 1969 I was invited to a Mensa meeting and then offered a chance to see if I qualified for membership.  I had been offered a mini test which I came close to the required IQ.  A friend of mine was also given the mini test and he did better than I so he was invited to test for membership. 
   An IQ is not a number that is fixed for a person for all of time.  An individuals IQ can vary but will always remain fairly constant barring any health related changes.  There is no one single test to determine ones IQ   but a whole battery of tests.  The maximum scores on the various IQ tests ranged from 130 to 180.  The testing facility where my friend and I were tested used ten different tests and took 8 hours to complete.  We were notified about two weeks later. 
   The most commonly used test measured IQ on a scale with 180 being the maximum.  Another regularly used test measures on a scale up to 160. For Mensa testing, all test results are converted to the 180 scale and one must score 160 to qualify for Mensa. 
  My friend, who did well on the pre-test, scored well but not well enough to qualify for Mensa.  My overall score was measured at 159 but due to problems with one of the tests, my IQ was rated high enough to qualify me for Mensa.  So at any Mensa meeting I also considered myself the dumbest one in the room. 
   Being intelligent does not translate into being wealthy or successful.   There are other factors like opportunity, application, motivation, health, and inspiration just to name a few that can affect
   ones earnings in life.  I have always been an average student but now and then I find myself motivated to actually make an effort.  I scored 2 points from a perfect score in the match section of the college boards.  I was the first student to make an A in Mr. Helms economics class at Chowan college.   I received two free years of college from the results of a CLEB test. one of only three  to receive credit out of over 1,000 taking the test, with the other two receiving 6 hours and 3 hours credit.  One of my proudest accomplishments was when I took my insurance exam.  I passed two sections, health insurance and life insurance, at the same time n the first try.  I didn't know that was a very rare feat. 
  Being smart has it's drawbacks and certainly does not make one always right nor does it insure one understands everything.  It is what it is and does not make one any more special than anyone else.  If I had my choice I'd rather have the ability to make friends but I have one of those brains that wants everything to make sense and to be placed in it's proper order. 
  God made us all different and we should be glad for what we have and who we are and not concern ourselves for what we don't have and can't do.  One never knows but the person you envy just might be jealous of you.   

Good day for a walk at the zoo

Didn't get to see the polar bears or the Africa side of the zoo but still had a nice time walking around looking at the animals.  Not many people but it seemed that most of the folks there had babies.  I'm talking at least 90% of the pre-lunch crowd were pushing strollers and many of those doubles. 

Upsetting upset

I don't know how to feel about the results of last night's game.  I'm sure if you are an Atlanta fan you are upset by the collapse of your team.  If you are a Patriots fan, I'm sure you are excited about the brilliant comeback.  It's all in the perspective. 
  Back when I used to work, it seemed I worked every Super Bowl Sunday  so it does me no good to want to see one.  It has been many years since I've even seen any kind of football game.  Even so, one can't help but see highlights, hear or see scores and hear others talk so it's not like one can live with their head in the sand.  I know Atlanta has always been a tough game for the Panthers.  I remember last year when the Panthers had a perfect season and had already beaten Atlanta twice by good margins and should have beat them soundly a third time but lost anyway. 
  I wanted to check some things on the computer last night after church and I saw the wide spread Atlanta had over New England and was totally surprised.  I would not have been had New England been winning.  As I saw the score getting closer my thoughts were did the Patriots linger too long before staging their big comeback?  It's like a cat playing with it's prey.  Even though the cat usually wins once prey is caught  now and then one makes a lucky escape. 
  I found out this morning that the cat won last night.  Sad, in a way.

Super Bowl

  I have never, ever sat down in front of a TV set, popped a beer, and watched a football game.  The closest I came was I had been invited to watch the  game with a friend who was a manager at a
big hotel in downtown Greensboro  and he had reserved a room to watch the game.  There were some there that consumed alcohol.  Actually, I think that is about the last time I ever watched a Super bowl game.  It seems my Sunday to work always fell on that particular Sunday.  Once I tried to avoid contact with anyone who had anything to do with knowing the score so I could go home and watch the recorded version and I made it to closing time and was headed to my car to go home  but someone asked me how I felt about a certain team winning the game which kind of spoiled the game for me. 
  
   I would catch a regular season game from time to time but that was seldom.  I remember when I first went to work for Harris-Teeter I worked four out of every five Sundays and worked 13 straight during one stretch.  One day I read where there were only about 7 or 8 minutes of actual action during the average football game and whenever I watched one I was conscious on the down time and the game became really boring to me.  I know that it has been at least 8 years since I have watch a football game including pre-season, regular season and playoffs. 
  People say baseball is boring but if baseball kept score like football does, there would be plenty of games where teams would score 50 to 200 points per game.  If football teams scored 28 to 70 points per team per game, that would be some wild offense. 
  But even though I never watch and I never hope Atlanta beats anyone, I will still feel good if the Falcons beat the Patriots. 

Bring up a child

I was just reading an article on the biggest mistakes that parents make when raising their children and one of them was being to strict  or to religiously strict to be specific.  Often parents will hold up standards to the children and expect them to live up to those standards when the adults themselves cannot. 
  First in doing so, the parents have to believe that religious standards, or codes of conduct, makes one righteous.   First those parents need to understand that Christianity is a relationship and not a moral code, if indeed Christianity is the religion that the writer was referring to.  I'm sure he wouldn't feel so free to criticize the way a Muslim family raised their children. 
  I know the man is right, whatever definition of religion one uses.  I have an acquaintance who is upset that one of his kids has begun using marijuana.  This man is a deacon in his church and one of the pastors hand picked favorite people.  he testifies often about how he came to be saved 22 years ago but admits that for the longest time he was just "Playing church". 
   Rightly or wrongly, I'm not taking sides here, but the pastor has repeatedly asked that no one attend church services or be on church property in shorts.  Yet this man, who mows the lawn, will wear his shorts and also go shirtless.   He has repeatedly promised to quit smoking but he continues to puff away.  His oldest son, who is still in  his thirties still lives with daddy and he smokes  marijuana 
  A father cannot justify his refusal to obey the pastor, his allowing one son to use marijuana while supporting him, and his criticism of another son who is in school and holds a job.   His actions and his words are at odds with each other making him a hypocrite.  Not a religious hypocrite but a parental hypocrite. 
  It isn't always easy for a parent to adhere to the standards we want our children to live up to but I believe the children can understand the occasional lapse in judgement but when the transgression is a lifestyle of contradiction then there is a more serious problem here. 

In search of a new church

There seems to be a church on every corner.  Unlike churches of my youth, parking lots are empty and services seemed to be more laid back.  Finding a new church isn't always easy.  First, I had to whittle the list down by denomination.  I realize that many churches have dropped the denomination title from their name but it is important to me.  I've been to a church that welcomes all of differing denominations and it is easier to upset people when things are preached or taught that doesn't line up with ones belief system.  I would rather know the basics before I go.
  Sunday School is important to me.  I want to be a serious student of the bible so you better keep me interested and challenged.  I went to one church and they had two separate classes for the adults.  One was an all men's class  which was the one I attended.  The "teacher" read the Sunday School book to us word for word.  He read slow and some words he had trouble with.  He mentioned that one man "laminated' although the correct word was lamented.  Seriously?  I can read the lesson for myself, understand it better if I had, and I learned nothing except what was on the written page. 
  One turn off at church is when you arrive, no one says anything to you and no one lingers after service to talk but when the preacher says "turn around and shake hands" everyone wants to act as if you are their best friend.  Either talk to me or don't but don't be a phony. 
  I have sat under some fire and brimstone preachers but for me it is about the message not the delivery.  Of course I prefer a sermon to be delivered with some enthusiasm and yelling, romping, stomping, arm waving, foot stomping, leg kicking, amen demanding sermons just don't do it for me.  neither do catch phrases like "honey" and amen".       One preacher says "honey at least 70 times a message, another says amen after every sentence and twice if amen is part of what he is saying.  When they really get warmed up they will say "amen, amen I like it when you say amen, amen. Amen."  Please spare me brother.
   Don't you just love it when the preacher asks "Can I say something without making you mad?"  Well, he either  already has or he is going to say it anyway in spite of the fact I answered no.  Saying such stuff tells me he don't care what I think.
  I don't like preacher who are the opposite of what they claim.  Don't tell me you don't fight your battles from the pulpit then stand up and take a parishioner apart because their job changed and now requires them to work on a Sunday now and then or make statements like "well, you can believe what you want too' whenever the Sunday School teacher mentions something you disagree with.  Talk to these people in private, please. 
  If a pastor preachers a sermon and upholds the name of Christ and preaches Jesus and not a bunch of catch phrases then he can hold my attention.  I like being able to be a part of the service.  It Sunday School I like when the teacher asks questions or gives us a chance to make comments.   

3 mistakes to avoid if you want to make a million

1.  Spend to much
2.  Earn to little
 3.  fail to have a plan

Leadership

I just read a couple of articles about leadership which reminded me of lessons long ago learned but forgotten now that I've been out of the work force.  When I worked in drug stores,  management at store level was normally done by young people without much experience.  Each store had an order book and if left to order what one felt was right for their store, I found that the stores would be overstocked on slow moving items and low on better selling merchandise or completely out of stock.  I also noticed that managers scheduled work around what worked best of them and most managers took the attitude that there job was to supervise employees.
  To combat /these problems I constantly had to monitor what was being ordered in the store by putting order quantities in the order book and checking regularly to be sure the order book was being followed.  This resulted in  my stores having the lest inventory per store in the chain yet having virtually no out of stocks.  I also wrote the schedules for each store to maximize worker efficiency and to minimize union problems. 
  Those things were easy.  The hardest part of my job was to train my managers  to recognize that every job in the store was theirs to perform and that employees were there to help them. Having a boss that thinks they need to constantly tell you what to do is demoralizing and causes resentment.  Having a boss that works beside you, teaching you, and helping you learn your job makes one feel valuable and part of the team. 
   By working hand in hand with my young management team, teaching them not only their jobs but how to do mine as well, I succeeded in having highly successful stores and the highest retention rate in the company  as well as more employees promoted to supervisory positions in the company. 
  One thing my managers learned is that things like inventory and schedules  are best left to formulas but people are best treated as people.  You show a genuine interest in them and they will show a genuine interest in you. 

Home Security

I do have an alarm system with glass break protection for my home and out building.  I wanted a security camera and the alarm company wanted $500.00 to install one plus $5.00 a month additional monitoring fee.  That would be fine except it would only protect the house and then only if someone broke in the front of the house.  A burglary could, and probably would, come in from the back and not be seen by the camera at all or someone could break into my out building and not be seen. 
   I ordered two security cameras from Amazon (Anran cameras) and a DVR which was Amcrest. 
  I installed the two cameras and plugged them up and they worked great.  I used by old computer or when I got my new computer so I have a nice, big screen to view by house.  One camera shows my out building and the other my back door. 
  I decided to get a third camera for the front door but wanted one that would give me alerts on my computer and/or my phone so I decided to go with Amcrest.  I also decided to order directly from the manufacture.  I wanted a wireless camera so I didn't have to crawl under the house, drill more holes, and string more cable.  Of course the camera didn't work and the instructions said it recommended using Ethernet cable.  What is the point of having wireless if I have to hook the camera up using Ethernet?  After 10 days I still didn't have the camera working and repeated contacts of customer service resulted in a run around.  I asked for a return slip but never got one.  I finally just gave up and sent the camera back.   
  I then ordered a wired  camera and while awaiting it I crawled under the house and strung the cable.  The wired Amcrest camera came so I plugged it up and nothing.  I asked for a return label, immediately it was provided so I just printed it, boxed up the camera and dropped it at UPS an ordered a third Anran camera.  I ordered it Tuesday and it was delivered today.  I plugged it in and I have a clear color image of my front porch.  Simple. 
  I don't understand why Anran cameras work with an Amcrest DVR but the Amcrest cameras don't. 
  I may never know the answer to that but I did learn not to order direct anymore.  Doing so cost me my leverage in getting service and being able to return the product. 

The super rich are preparing for the end of the world

 When I took my first job after the military I though I would have it made if I could bring home $200.00 a week.  By the time I made that much it wasn't enough.  If I made that much now I couldn't survive.  I suppose survival is what the article the headline  is written for is about.  I suppose the super rich can do things to ensure they survive whatever destruction man may bring upon the earth and according to the doomsday clock destruction isn't but a few minutes away. 
  But what is there to survive to?  Would not it be better to just let the human race die out so the animal can live it relative peace again?  Of course they won't as they will continue to hunt and kill each other but only for their personal survival and not out of malice or fun. 
  I'm not sure what the super rich think they will have if they survive that they don't already have:  bragging rights I suppose, but to whom are they going to brag.  Most of their stuff won't work anyway.  No electricity, no gas or oil for their homes, no roads for their cars, no grocery stores to purchase food from, no clean drinking water.  Chances are they will die a much more painful death that all of us who could not afford to prepare. 
  But don't despair.  There is a way for the rest of us to prepare, survive, and to thrive.  Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.  Accept Christ as your savior and follow him and he will be there to take care of you.  In fact he will take you home with him if the end of the world is near so you will not suffer nor will you die.  So if you are one that would like to survive the end of the world but do not have enough money to do so, take heart in knowing the answer is not in money, or things but in Jesus.  It is not what you place your trust in but whom.

A lesson learned.

I wanted to purchase a new item so I dealt directly with the manufacturer.  I couldn't get the product to work, could get ineffective customer service at best, was refused to be allowed to return the item although it was under warranty, but sent the item back anyway.  It has neither been fixed and returned nor has a credit been issued. 
   I should have gone with Amazon.  The item was the same price and could have returned it for credit with no hassle.  I also would have a little leverage in getting issued resolved.  I don't think I will ever deal directly with a manufacture again.   

Madonna Clarifies Her Anti-Trump Speech from the Women’s March: ‘I Spoke in Metaphor’

Exactly what part of 'I think a lot about blowing up the White House" metaphoric?  When in the book of Revelation the word great dragon is used, it is meant the Antichrist.  When it talks about the naked women riding upon the great beast, it is referring to God's people and the birth of Jesus Christ.  When Madonna says "I think a lot about blowing up the white house" it means "I think a lot about blowing up the white house". 
   Does she think we are so stupid we do not know what a metaphor is?  She threatened the newly elected President of the United States promised to leave the country if he was elected, and now expects me to believe that the threatening phrase actually means sometime else?  Maybe it means "I am making plans to assassinate Donald Trump"  or "I am encouraging someone to kill the President"? 
  Pray tell Madonna, exactly what is that phrase a metaphor for? 

  As the kids used to tease "Liar, liar pants on fire." 

Where the women protesting in favor of abortionb rights?

    I don't know what the Million Women March was about or what Trump has done that have so many women upset.  I tried reading an article to find out but it never said and the comments by readers turned out to be nothing but childish arguing and complaining without really saying anything.  I did kind of get the feeling that some of it might have had to do with abortion rights.  Many the women believe that Trump is fearful enough to actually  be able to reverse abortion rights. 
    I hope not.  I do believe that a women should not be forced to carry a baby to term in the case of rape, incest or if her life is threatened.  I do not believe abortion should be used as a birth control method to undo the results of irresponsible behavior.  I do not believe that a women should be forced to go to a back alley doctor to get an abortion  nor do I think that getting an illegal abortion should be considered a criminal offense. 
   The solution is to encourage men and women to have responsible sex.  I know that there is a criminal element out there and unwanted pregnancies will always exist and abortion should be available to those who really need it. Abortion should not be used as a method of birth control.  There should be some form of penalty whether it be 'responsibility" classes or community service working in an abortion clinic or material discussing the consequences of abortion, keeping the baby and alternatives or maybe a combination of all of the above. 
  If women were really that concerned about controlling their own bodies then maybe the number of .  babies that needed to be aborted would take a dramatic drop and women would lead healthier and happier lives. 

This will not change anything but...........

  A story about the million women march denigrates into comments about how a man let his wife have knee pads and another claiming he gives his wife a day off each month.  People calling each other idiots and Republitards and Demorats and all kinds of disgusting names and terms.  Have you ever really listened to men discussing their favorite teams? 
  My team is going whoop on your team and your coach is a fool and your quarterback can't hit the broad side of a barn and a bunch of other useless, derogatory, and inflammatory statements that only cause hurt feelings and accomplishes nothing. 
  When I was in "A" school we were told if the commander asked us a question that we better be prepared to give reasons for our onions.  If the Captain wanted to know how we liked the cafeteria don't just say the food sucks but be prepared to tell him why it was bad and what could be done to improve it. 
  One man expressed his opinion and someone commented he was wearing his 'tinfoil hat" too high.  He never did express why he thought the guy was wrong or what he was wrong about and why he thought he was wrong.   One woman wrote in favor of the MWM and said it was for women's rights.  Which rights did she think she needed she didn't have?  Or was she fighting to keep a right that she thought was threatened. 
  I didn't learn a thing about what the purpose of the march was but I did learn that people had strong feelings about it but they could not or would not articulate their concerns. 

This is just wrong

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky woman was fired and interviewed by the Secret Service after she posted a tweet about assassinating President-elect Donald Trump, according to WAVE.
Heather Lowrey’s tweet read, “If someone was cruel enough to assassinate MLK, maybe someone will be kind enough to assassinate Trump. #bekind #trump #lovetrumpshate.”
The tweet has since been removed and her account deactivated.
After the tweet, several employees decided to fire her, including the Va Va Vixen’s burlesque group.
Their statement read:

Please, know that we, at Va Va Vixens, do not condone the behavior of Heather Lowrey. She was dismissed the moment we were informed of this incident. We have a zero tolerance policy for such. It’s no secret that we are in the midst of a divided nation. With so much hate and anger in the world, our hope is to be a sanctuary that welcomes all walks of life with open arms. We do not condone hate by any party and will not partake in it. We in no way support negative behavior or malicious intent from anyone.

American Income Life — Travis Moody Offices Kentucky-Indiana also posted a statement the incident on Facebook.

Heather Lowrey is no longer contracted with the Travis Moody Agency. The Travis Moody Agency, its agents and its staff do not share the same views, nor opinions as Heather Lowrey. We have a zero tolerance policy and would never condone this behavior.

  The first time I ever heard about something like this I was a Junior in college and a fellow student said that someone should shoot that man, referring to MLK.  I told the guy that nothing MLK had ever done warranted a death penalty.  We just can't go around shooting people we disagree with.  She should indeed be dismissed for such a tweet as this.  Advocating the violent out throw of the government   (Trump is the executive Branch) is a serious offense. 

Confrontation near parade route escalates, pepper spray used

Some people view themselves as liberal meaning that they ae tolerant of differing viewpoints and view solutions to problems with a wider field of solutions yet it seems some of them only tolerate ideas  that they agree with. 
  In reading comments on various topics it seems people on both sides of an issue resort to name calling and insults to make their point which is that the other side is wrong.   I can understand the viewpoint that what a man earns should be his to keep and just because you are in need should not give anyone the right to take from you and give to another.  Yet, there are those in need, some through unfortunate circumstances that really need a hand up.  Then there are those who have contributed for years but due to a medical condition are not capable of taking care of themselves. 
  The argumenr should not resort to name calling but to sit down and have a reasonable discussion to work out a solution. 

10 Betty White Moments That Prove She's a National Treasure

I like Betty White, or at least I liked some of her comedic work like what she did on the Mary Tyler Moore show and the Golden Girls.  Saw her in a movie once.  I had no idea she could be so foul mouthed. 
  I read the article with the title the same as the headline.  Didn't prove she was a national treasure to me.  All it showed was that she drank too much and was a smart aleck .  A couple of the lines were funny but most were just mean.   

160 million Americans can't afford to treat a broken arm

The headline is the title of an article outlining the results of at. study.  The conclusion is that unexpected financial events are harder on poor people than on people that are more financial secure. 
The average cost of fixing a broken arm was reported to be $1400.00. 
  I thought that was what Obamacare was supposed to take care of. 

real entertinment

Went to church last night.  Actually I went to another church but ended up going to my home church.  It was youth night/snack night.  We had a guest speaker , some singing then the guest preacher was introduced. 
  I believed he talked louder than anyone I've ever heard, sweated like a stuffed pig, was highly animated, singing arms and flailing about  like a prize fighter shadowing boxing.  I believe half the congregation found him entertaining but I found him a little frightening.   

Diasppointed

I wanted to visit another church tonight but apparently the church must have called off services.  it sure would have been nice if the church had posted that information but I guess they assumed that no one interested in coming except members.  I wonder who they put their faith in.

security system a bust

I purchased a DVR and two security cameras and wired everything up and I can see everything just fine on my monitor.   I just haven't been able to set up e-mail  notification nor have I succeeded in getting the video to my PC. 
  I just purchased a wireless camera for the front and so far I haven't been able to even get a signal to my DVR.  I am giving the manufacturer until 5 pm on Monday to help me get the problem resolved or I am sending the camera back. 

Racist or no

    Just read a story.  A women sees what she thinks is a man prying open a car window, getting into the car and driving off.  She follows, dialing 9-1-1 and reporting the man for stealing a car.  The police stop the car.  The man steps from the car, hands in the air and with a cell phone in one hand.  The police gives him an order which the man doesn't comply with so he is tackled, handcuffed and mirandized.  The man then informs the police he was fixing broken window trim on his own car.  Turns out he was telling the truth.
  Another incident.  A mans pulls away from a service station in the wee hours of the morning and drove about a block when a policeman pulls him over.  He places his hands on the steering column and waits for the policeman to approach.  When the police get to the car he lowers the window.  The cop asks him who the owner of the car is and he informs the policeman that he is.  When the policeman asks for ID, registration and proof of insurance, he hands the policeman his license and a folder containing the requested documents.  The policemen checks in the information, hands all the documents back to the driver, apologizing for punching in the last digit of his tag as an 8 instead of the "B: it really was.  With an 8 the tag comes back as stolen.  Have a good day and please accept my apology.   
   Guess which driver was black. 
  

Pursuing My Ministry

    My pastor removed me from my position as deacon telling me he believed I should be pursuing my ministry.  He was shocked when I resigned all my duties at the church and gave him my keys.  The only thing he was really concerned about was the changing of the message on the sign which I had done for several years.  I had given that duty to another member but he neither knew what to put on the sign he wasn't motivated to get it changed in a timely fashion.  I had just volunteered to take it back but if being a deacon took too much of my time so as to prevent me from pursuing my ministry then so did each and every duty. 
   The truth is that there are some things we disagreed on and neither of us was going to back down.  He has this humongous ego and he concerns himself right on every issue.  For example, I was teaching a lesson from Revelation where Jesus separates the sheep and the goats.  The sheep were Christians and the goats were lost.  The pastor said he disagreed, that no one would be saved during the tribulation period. 
   Again, teaching from Revelation I made the remark that the new earth and new heavens didn't mean new as in another of the same kind to take the place of but the old remade into something totally different.  but still like unto the first.  I used three baseballs as an illustration.  One ball was dirty and represented the present earth.  The second baseball was brand new but was exactly the same as the first.  To replace the old ball with the new ball was just replacing the dirty with the clean and was really not new but just the old cleaned up.  But neither is the earth and heavens to be replaced with something different, like replacing a baseball with a softball or tennis ball or golf ball or any other kind of ball.  No the new earth would be like the third baseball, brand new but while still a baseball like the old it was different: the same and different at the same time.  The third baseball was a promotional ball printed with the team logo and team colors.   He didn't like that. 
  I made the statement that in the Jewish bible, the phrase "spirit of God' was replaced by the word Wind.  I said I liked the term because it clearly illustrated the nature and character of the Spirit of God.  He didn't like that.
  He didn't like the fact that he couldn't answer my questions in Sunday School.  When we were in the "little church" there were several members who often stated that they loved my teaching.  I think that hurt his ego. 
  Be that as it may, I am venturing out to find opportunities to teach and preach where I am needed and appreciated.  I cannot serve my savior where I am oppressed and hindered.

Amazing barn finds

It seems that there is a story about amazing barn finds .every month.  One time it was a building full of "vets, another time a Camaro and now today a mustang.  I believe most of us would like to discover something old and valuable that would suddenly change our lives.  One also wishes to understand how someone could lock away an old car for so many years.  Well, I know one story.
    My uncle Frank was an illiterate man who was married to my Mom's sister.  She was a big fat woman but I loved her anyway.  Frank was tall and lanky and worked in cotton mills.  I'm not sure what he did but he wasn't ever anyone boss.  He was the sweetest old man and laughed at everything.  He called by older brother "doc" for his own reason.  He was 92 when he was diagnosed with cancer and his funereal was attended by his 5 older brothers and sisters.  Frank and his wife only had two kids, log ago deceased.
   The girl was the first to die.  She was a pretty thing but wild and an abuser of things best left alone.  She had been at home in the bathroom and on the phone with her mother.  She called as soon as she got home from her stay in the hospital.  Her death was ruled a suicide.
   The boy had been an alcoholic and every day he would find himself in more trouble than the day before.  One day he decided to change his life.  It was his birthday and Frank told him if he would clean up his act that Frank would buy him a new car.  That was the summer of 1954.  For one year the boy lived clean and sober, held a steady job and for the first time seemed to have direction and a little happiness.  I think the death of his twin daughter at the age of two may have been the motivating factor in him changing his life although it might have been his wife leaving him.  Anyway, it was his 25th birthday and he went over to "Pops" house for cake and ice cream and a day with his parents.  That was the day that Frank handed him the keys to a 1955 Chevy, red with white interior,  It was brad new and had only been driven the  two miles from the dealership to Pops house.  Pop backed the car into his garage and covered it up. 
   It due time the boy kissed his parents goodbye, got behind the wheel of his bright red car and drove down the driveway, stopping only long enough to be sure no traffic was coming before pulling out into the street.  Frank heard a horn blowing and thought maybe his son had forgotten something.  Frank walked the short distance to the car which was stopped next to his mailbox.  His son was dead, slumped over the steering wheel, his chest pressing the ring that blows the horn.  Dead of a heart attack. 
  The Price men were a stubborn lot, preferring to do things on their own.  Franks son was no different but if he had just gone to the doctor a time or two maybe the doctor could have warned him that the stress on the body from alcohol withdrawal could lead to a heart attack about a year recovery, he would still be alive to enjoy his new car.  As it was, Frank backed the shinny red car back into the garage and covered it up once again, not to be uncovered for the next 50 years.  When Frank died one of his nephews inherited the car.   

God does not exist sentiment alive and well

It is sad the number of people who claim that they do not believe God actually exists.  I'm afraid too many people have bought into the evolutionary theory.  The most that theory has been able to produce is adaptation which is a far cry from evolution.  The headlines of a recent article claimed that mankind was on the verge of the first evolution change in hundreds of years.  What the article claimed was an evolutionary change was the introduction of bionics to the body.  I'm sorry but providing an amputee with a bionic limb is not evolution. 
  The big bang theory actually began as a joke.  Scientist were talking and one of them made the comment, "Well I guess it was just a big bang" and everyone liked that so they ran with that and now our children are being taught the evolutionary theory.  Creation is now considered religion and isn't allowed to be taught children are growing up to believe that God is just dark age superstition, forgetting that evolution is just a theory, not fact. 
  According to theory , there was nothing .  Scientific law says that something cannot be created from nothing but that is about to be changed.  Two things, forces, powers, or whatever they be collided and everything in existence was instantly created and even more miraculous, this new creation was in perfect harmony and was able to not only exist but to evolve.  The theory doers not explain two things that didn't exist was able to collide. 
   Humans have been causing things to collide every since and all we have been able to produce was either a mess or an explosion and that explosion generally results in a mess.  I'm not sure how two things that didn't exist  was able to collide and create something of value.  Now if a single cell being had no enemies, was able to have sex with itself, and had the perfect environment to exist in, then why did it need to evolve?  Or was evolution the result of that entity pursuing a food source?  The ameba ate some algae and the algae got tired of being eaten to it changed itself into grass and got out of the water so the ameba changed itself into an animal and crawled out of the water to eat the grass so the grass decided to change itself into a tree so the creature decided to develop an enzyme that developed into a disease that caused the tree to fall and die so the animal could eat its leaves but decided one day to change itself into a monkey to it could climb the tree to eat the leaves,   Then one day the monkey decided it was tired of swinging in the trees so it got rid of its tail which it needed for balance, and its fur, which it need for protection from the elements, and climbed down from the tree, which it needed to be in for protection from predators (which wouldn't have been necessary if it had been satisfied as an ameba) in order to stand on two legs and a brain, which should have made life easier but only turned the monkey into the most dangerous animal in existence and will eventually destroy itself and everything around it and we called this evolution and a good thing and them remembered we had invented this thing called a period and could stop and take a breather from time to time. 
  Gosh, that makes perfect sense to me. 
   Now if you believe that two things that didn't exist collided with each other and that collision resulted in everything that is came into existence at the same time should not have a problem believing that the things that existed that couldn't have was God and that the things that were created that couldn't have been were created by this God who wanted the things created to be. 
  When one looks at creation from a realistic point of view, the existence of God makes a lot of sense.   And if God created everything then He has the right to make the rules. 

Big Egos

I know a man who's ego is so big that if isn't number one he won't let you play.

First snow day of 2017

    Todays snow has been the main topic of the news, FB posts, and conversations.  Every year we are told to stay home unless we absolutely need to get out.  What constitutes that absolute need varies from person to person.  To me, an absolute need who be a medical emergency or many the house on fire but to others it might be "I've got another hour to wait until something I want to watch comes on TV". 
   In my working days I always went to work.  Sometimes it was difficult and some time it was nearly impossible but I always got there.  I missed one day due to illness in all my years of working so I'm just like a postman in that old saying.  Snow brings back memories of some funny things that happened. 
  Once when I was a district manager for a chain of retail pharmacies I supervised a location in Elkin, NC.  I lived in Hickory and was greeted by six inches of snow when I left the house.  I'm very reluctant to close a pharmacy because people need their meds and some people lives could be endangered if they can't get them.  I know one will say "Well the people should have anticipated the snow and got their meds a day earlier".  But that isn't always the case.  Sometimes a script can't be refilled until a certain day, sometimes the refills expired and the patient is waiting on the doctor to authorized additional refills, sometimes a pharmacy will be out of a particular med and has to wait on a new order.  There are other reasons a patient can't get their meds a day early.
  I drove from Hickory to Elkin only to discovery the store closed.  B y the time I arrived there was close to nine inches down but the snow had quit falling.  I drove to the managers house and called them.  The manager said she was unable to get to the store.  I told her to just walk outside as I was parked in her driveway.  I know she was shocked. 
  But if I could drive from Hickory to Elkin in the snow in a Chevy Celebrity then she could have made it 1/2 mile to where she worked. 
  I wouldn't recommend people doing that unless they have to.  I certainly wouldn't do it now.  There will be plenty of people driving around that would be hard pressed to give a good explanation of why they are out.   So, if what you say "sounds stupid" when said out loud, the don't go.

Decision time

  After a thoughtful time of reflexing on my life, the situation at church, and my wants and needs I made my fateful decision.  I know the pastor was glad I decided to resign my teaching position as he has been trying to oust me for years but the congregation kept re-electing me.  But with a big shift in the makeup of the class, the pastor thought he had enough power to get me out.  At first he was going to have voting by secret ballot but was afraid he still might lose  so he just flat out said that Rick would teach half the time and I would teach the other half.  So much for free and fair elections. 
  The one thing I was not expecting was to be removed as deacon.  But the pastor had a good excuse for that one to:  he said it was his belief that a preacher ought not to be a deacon but to devote his  a member of the board of trustees, time to developing his ministry.  Using the same logic, I resigned from being the teacher, and my jobs as sign maker, videographer, printer of church bulletins, and my membership in the planning committee.  I turned in my keys so I will not be responsible for regulating the temperature in the buildings prior to service. 
   It wasn't just that the desirable jobs like deacon and teacher should be taken away and the jobs that no one wants or is capable of doing remain.  I told the pastor that if a preacher  couldn't be a deacon because it took time away from his ministry that it was also true that all the other things I did around the church also took time away from my ministry so they would have to go as well. 
  No wonder the man doesn't like me.  I beat him at his own game. 
  From time to time this man offends someone to the point that they leave the church.  There are just a few people from prior congregants that he has not offended.  In fact he upset two people last night.  He emphasized in his message last night that he considerers anyone who works on Sunday a backslidden Christian.  Not only that but he referred to a specific job: a janitor in a nursing home, as examples on people who should not work on Sundays.  While he was specifically targeting this one poor lady, he inadvertently hit another lady.  She had to work on Sunday a day during 2016 and 4 times in 2015.  She was upset too. 
  The pastor has the biggest ego of anyone I've ever meet and I've 70 years old and have encountered plenty of cocky people in my life.  He thinks he is an authority on everything.  If, in a lesson, a mention something he disagrees with, he will take time in his next sermon or two to belittle my point f view.  He has even quoted non existent scripture before.   I doubt that anyone could convince him the scripture doesn't exist because he would claim it existed in principle if not in fact, which it doesn't even do that. 
  I mentioned one time in a lesson that in Hebrew the word for "spirit of God" in the creation story
is wind.  I said I liked the concept as this wind is a capital W and describes a n entity that covers everything everywhere, has power to move and change things, is invisible, and works by design with intelligence.   "God is not the wind" he exclaimed in his next message.  Well, I liked the concept as it is easier to visualize the Holy Spirit that what one normally thinks of ghostly figures and his exclamations and declarations against the idea in no way changes the fact that in the original Hebrew text the word used to describe the spirit of God was Wind. 
  Sometimes he is just an idiot and he will sooner or later offend the newer people too. 

business meeting

  I have been moved to the inactive list as far as being a deacon and we are electing a co-teacher.  The preacher is walking a fine line to get me out of his way without encouraging me to leave the church.  He doesn't like my teaching and we disagree about several scriptures and he wants to be in total control of everything.  Just hope it doesn't come back to bite him.

Losing control

Blood sugar reading this morning was 177.  After months of steady decline I seem to be losing control.  I started out 7 months ago with a A1c of 8,4 and an average reading of 435.  After starting insulin there has been a steady decline in my weekly average reading.  My average for the entire 7 months was 133 with a 6,7 A1c.  The last month my average readings were in the 117-120 range.  Last week thing took a turn for the worst with an average reading of 147 and this week was bad with todays reading being 177. 
  I think my sinus problems and the medicine I've been taking may be causing me serious glucose problems.  At least I hope that is what is wrong.  Anyone experience this?