Another Fascinating Hip Update + White Castle + More Political Insights

Frightful Friday
A Hip Update

• I have been driving regularly for a week now with no apparent, ill effects. On TUE 4/12, I made my longest drive since before my surgery . . . a round-trip to Wayne, NE.
• I keep gaining more flexibility in my left leg. I can take a shower by myself. [TMI?] I can get myself dressed & undressed by myself, sometimes w/little or no use of my "reacher." [TMI!]
• Getting the sock on my left foot can still be a challenge. Using white "anklet" socks & wearing my older walking shoes helps, but I've successfully put on dress socks once or twice. Then last night I had to ask Lois to help me take that left sock off. [Two steps forward; one step back?]
• This afternoon I will pick Lois up as soon as she gets off school & we will drive to Lincoln to take in Hadley's Spring Musical @ Trinity Lutheran School. This will be a longer time in the car, but there will be opportunities for me to get out & stretch, if needed.
• Next week is my 2nd post-op visit to my orthopedic doctor. He will watch me walk, which will help him determine whether I need additional out-patient physical therapy. I'll get my hip x-rayed, "to make sure everything's fitting together like it should be." [Wouldn't it be nice if there was some kind of x-ray or MRI or other scan that could be done for a person's brain to see if "everything's fitting together like it should be?"]
• Hopefully I'll remember to ask him if I will need some type of special ID to get me through airport security detection devices.
• Finally, I hope I'm not jinxing myself [but Lutherans aren't supposed to believe in jinxes, are we?], but a road trip next week while Lois & her little friends from Christ Lutheran attend the NETA Conference in Omaha is looking more & more like a real possibility.
• OPTIONS? (1) Love to visit the kids & new grand-son in Eagan, MN, but my spouse definitely put off some hostile body language at the breakfast table yesterday morning when I mentioned that option. (2) I'd kind of like to visit my brother Mark & sister-in-law Christy. They usually treat me well & I love the Chinese restaurant we usually visit in Vinton . . . but that trip is about 6 hours one way. (3) Ditto a trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, although my $10 Lifetime Senior's Pass to the National Park System is burning a hole in my wallet. (4) Ever since we stopped by the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, while returning from the Badlands & Black Hills w/the girls [summer of '85] I've lost most if not all interest in a repeat visit to this icon. (5) The all-you-can-eat, FRI nite seafood buffet @ Jo Dean's in Yankton, SD, is beckoning. 
• Probably, due to uncertain weather this time of year [No . . . seriously? In Nebraska?!], plus a few other considerations, I'll probably wait until the last minute before making any firm plans.
• I am open to suggestions, by the way . . . but no more than a 3-4 hour one-way drive from Norfolk. And historical markers must be involved. Hiking is out, although short walks would most like be okay, since I will be bringing my trustyYellowstone hiking stick along w/me.
• Almost forgot! Excerpt from Norfolk Daily News (4/14):  "Faith Regional Recognized for knee, hip replacements. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Nebraska has selected Faith Regional Health Services [of Norfolk, NE, &, yes, that's where I got my hip replacement] as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee & Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program." [And not just any distinction, mind you . . . A Blue Distinction as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program!]

What Do I Think about Government-Mandated   Minimum Wage Increases?

I 'm glad you asked, but first . . . 

• A CAVEAT:  My extensive use of links, which I've really grown increasingly fond of using, may have fooled me into thinking that my actually blogs are more succinct that they used to be. Being the astute blog-peruser that you are, you've already figured it out. Here's a tip. 
• Treat my links like I often treat the Drudge Report. 
• Go to the link. 
• Check out the tagline [or in the case of my link, the headline] & maybe read one or two opening senses or just be satisfied w/the graphic. 
• You'll achieve the same effect I get w/o necessarily having to reading the column--even though I put a huge amount of time & effort into finding, then posting the link--& I'll be none the wiser!

Here's a link for a column by Mark Wright that I read on National Review Online (4/11), entitled, "How White Castle Will Adjust to a $15 Minimum Wage in New York." [Are you familiar w/White Castle? I was first introduced to this chain in 1974, while I was student teaching in Detroit. Our host family RAVED about their "belly busters." Then after we moved to Chicago, which also had it's share of White Castles, our perception changed. A couple of trips to MN ago, my son Nathan & I stopped for lunch @ a White Castle, & it did bring back a plethora of nostalgic memories--as well as a brief twinge of acid reflux.]

And here's a link for a column by Chuck Devore, also found on National Review Online (4/11). This column is entitled "Minimum Wage Makes No Sense--Let's Do It Anyway."

Then there's this column by Thomas Sowell--one of my favorite partisan [or, as I like to call most of MY favorites, "reasonable"] pundits--also found on National Review Online (4/11) but originally posted on 3/18. It's entitled, "Minimum-Wage Laws: 'Ruinous Compassion.'"

Another column from a favorite partisan pundit--Kevin Williamson--once again found as I was browsing National Review Online (4/11). Originally posted on 7/29/15, it is entitled, "The Insidious Political Power of Minimum Wage Laws."

At the risk of beating a dead horse [Donkey? . . . And spare me your withering comments, animal-rights' fanatics!], here is a link to one . . . I promise . . . last . . . I promise . . . column. This one is written by my absolute favorite partisan pundit. It was one of five columns I read on National Review Online (4/11) re:  this topic. It's entitled "Passing the Minimum Wage Is the Perfect Way to Kill the Summer Job." It was originally posted on 7/24/15.

More Political Potpourri

What I said above.

Re:  "He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" . . . In my ongoing efforts to keep my blog "fair & balance," here is a link to a column I discovered & read on National Review Online (4/12). The column is dated 4/11.

Re:  "He-Who-Probably-Still-Has-All-The-Cards-Stacked-Against-Him-by-the-DNC" . . . While Neo-Cons have often been villified by "Progressives" for their blind allegiance to the State of Israel, you might want to read this column. What about the usual bizarre take on our Middle East ally by the Dark Forcers? Check out another link to a column I discovered & read on NRO (4/12), It was written by Matthew Continetti & originally posted on 4/9. [Yes, I actually read or at least skimmed through most of these articles . . . as far as you know.]

Re:  "She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" . . . While perusing the Drudge Report on WED 4/13, how could I pass up this link? [Keep your gaze focused on "She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Name's" eyes . . . Spooky, right? I prefer to consider this video a PSA.]]

Re:  Ted Cruz . . . I think it's time for you to start getting your head wrapped around the idea that TC could be the GOP nominee for president. Get over your predisposed, silly notions about TC . . . & get over your predisposed, silly notions about my favorite partisan columnist, & check out this link which I got to, courtesy of the Drudge Report  on 4/13.
* And what did I just say about your predisposed, silly notions. In the words of the immortal Eagles song, "Get Over It" . . . GET OVER IT!] **
** Also, it's looking increasingly obvious that I need a nick-name for TC. Suggestions? "He-Who-Bears-a-Slight-Resemblance-to-Preston?"]

Re:  Another twist to any already strange campaign season . . . Check out this link which I also found on the Drudge Report (4/13). [I may have to come up with another nickname . . . "He-Who-Shall-Be . . . " WHAT?]

Finally, here's a link to a column I discovered when doing a quick check of Downhill on THU 4/14, re:  both "She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" & Our Fearless Leader. Sorry, you will have to check it out yourself. I've grown weary of this blog.