Final Countdown + Fathers' Day Redux + Political Whimsy + Hiatus

whimsical wednesday . . . special THU edition

Countdown to Hill Family Summer 2016 Family Reunion

According to my calculations, there are seven (7) calendar days remaining until the Family  Reunion begins in Minneapolis on THU 6/30. NOTE TO HILL FAMILY, both familial members & camp followers:  This is the last countdown you'll get from me! *
* Read this & weep.

Fathers' Day Follow-up Whimsy

If you followed the "conversation" including Sarah [my oldest daughter], Nathan [my son] & me on Fathers' Day, you know that "I" posted that Sarah provided my best Fathers' Day present . . . Well, my clever daughter {'Clevuh guhl . . . " * ] had pilfered my iPad & accessed my FB account while I assumed *** I was in a safe & secure locale . . . I was mistaken.
      Subsequently, rightfully quizzical responses to my pseudo-post ensued . . . I responded . . . I may or may not have implied that Sarah's present(s) may or may not have included "freebies" from a National Guard event . . . which elicited a response from my son Nathan who implied . . . given his frequent forays to running expos & other such events . . . that he would no longer have to spring for expensive Fathers' Day presents for me.
* Phonetic rendering of clever, possibly obscure cultural reference from original Jurassic Park movie **
** "Clever," as always when referring to my blogs, being a relative term.
*** And you know what happens when one assumes. ****
**** In the interest of trying to keep this blog as family-friendly as possible, I will try to stop this strand of dialogue . . . NOW.

I feel compelled to set the record straight . . . on behalf of salvaging . . . if possible . . . my daughter's reputation . . . Yes, that's the sort of father I am . . . so I'm determined to document how all three of my loyal children gifted me on Fathers' day . . . also . . . perhaps regrettably . . . how they may have inherited some vestiges of their father's humor DNA . . . 

My Youngest Daughter Rachel

On the evening of SUN 6/19, my daughter Rachel, accompanied by my son-in-law Derek & grand-son Bentley, hand-delivered, despite the late evening hour & another stop to be made at her father-in-law's . . . 

• Archer Farm pistachios [I sampled them on MON 6/20 . . . They were delicious.]
• An Aladdin heavy-duty travel mug . . . 
• A package of Starbucks, whole bean, espresso beans [which I will grind & use as soon as I finish my current supply of Seattle's Best Dark #5).

My Oldest Daughter Sarah

On the morning of SUN 6/19, Sarah presented a gift bag to me . . . while I was sitting in the front seat of our car . . . getting ready to head to Bible class @ Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln [Yes, you might say she was delighted with her gifts & couldn't wait until we all got together at her house after church.] . . . You should know that she & Craig attended a National Guard event in Lincoln on SAT 6/18, & Sarah accumulated quite a few "trinkets." I have thoughtfully color-coded those items.

• 2016 National Park Service Centennial Mug [You can never have too many coffee mugs.]
• Book:  Off the Beaten Path Nebraska. {I'm looking forward to reading it . . . after I read the current book I'm working on . . . to find out which, if any, of these places I've already visited . . . I smell road trips in my future!]
• Book: The Elephant in Room-Sharing the Secrets for Pursuing Real Financial Success."
• A Humana lanyard
• 2 Dept. of Veterans Affairs plastic cups (blue)
• Dept. of Veterans Affairs stress "squeeze" ball (blue)
• VA Health Care business card holder
• Dept. of Veteran Affairs plastic pill holder (daily compartments, 1 week)
• NE National Guard Magic Grip jar opener
• United Health Care sticky notes pad [not a tiny pad either]
• Dept. of Veterans Affairs plastic band-aid holder
• VA Health Care pocket-size, plastic mini-flashlight
• First Command blue & silver, heavy duty key chain
• NE National Guard anti-baceteriala spray
• Military One Source clip-on lanyard w/retractable cord [Both Craig & Sarah warned me that this cord was NOT capable for use to rappel down a building.]
• "Support our Troops" rubber wristband
• Assortment of pens from United Health Care, VA Health Care, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Military One Source

My Oldest Child & Son Nathan

Awaiting me in the mail when Lois & I returned to Norfolk from Lincoln on SUN 6/19, was a large, color, glossy, picture collage, containing these pictures:

• Calvin & me
• Calvin, Nathan & me x 2 different pictures
• Calvin, Bentley & me
• Lois, Calvin & me

Criminal Minds

From Norfolk Daily News (6/14): "Not dead. A Virginia hospital is apologizing after accidentally sending a sympathy card to the family of a woman who's still alive . . . Marilyn Mullins received a card from the chaplain . . . almost a month and a half after her 3-day stay there. The card, which was addressed to Mullins' family, said her family was in the hospital's thoughts after her death. The only problem is that Mullins is still alive . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny that when contacted, the chaplain's reply was, "Have you checked your pulse recently? What makes you so sure that YOU are a medical expert?"]

Wide, Wacky World of Celebrities

Tagline from Drudge Report (5/11): "Bieber INSTA Meltdown: No More Fan Photos! . . . " [I had my hair cut recently by a stylist who had been to a Justin Bieber concert. I must admit that it is somewhat intimidating to be in the presence of a true "Believer."]

From Omaha World Herald (5/24): "Angelina Jolie to teach at London School of Economics. Oscar-winning actress & activist Angelina Jolie has been appointed a visiting professor at one of Britain's most prestigious universities. The London School of economics announced MON that Jolie will be working w/students studying for a master's degree in Women, Peace & Security." [Because first & foremost the LSE vets its professor's carefully, mindful only of the academic credentials & pedagogical skills that they can contribute to this venerable institution of higher education.]

Food for Thought

Also from OWH (5/31): "Americans no longer bowled over by cereal. General Mills, Kellogg fight the trend by marketing snacks to millennials. Ashley Peters is the kind of consumer who cereal makers such as General Mills court as well as fear. She grew up eating breakfast cereal--from Cheerios to Cap'n Crunch--& now, at age 30, she's part of the coveted millennial demographic. Today, Peters usually reaches for a granola bar at breakfast, which she often eats on the job . . . " [Growing up, our house-hold staples were Cheerios, shredded wheat, Wheaties . . . Am I forgetting anything, Mark & Carolyn? FYI, since you are most likely eager to know, here is a list of my current, favorite standbys.

• Varieties of instant oatmeal, mostly high fiber & containing cinnamon {rumored to have blood-sugar-lowering properties, topped w/fruit, sometimes w/a dash of half & half . . . an acknowledgment of my age & health . . . but I have grown to enjoy it}.
• Caramel-frosted, cinnamon-brown sugar pop tarts.
• Cocoa Pebbles.
• Breakfast burritos from McDonald's.

There Is No Place Like . . . 

California?

Also from OWH (6/20): "26,500 car break-ins fuel San Francisco feud. Across the street from San Francisco's main jail, business is booming at Auto Glass Now, where more than a dozen motorists show up on an average day to replace windows broken by thieves. 'It's been insane,' said Julio Lara, the shop's manager, who says nearby competitors are busy as well. 'It's nonstop.'

      "San Francisco is in the grips of an auto burglary epidemic. No other place in the country--not New York, Chicago or L.A.--had as many 'Smash-&-grabs' per capita as S.F. last year . . . " [I'm not sure where the "feud" aspect of this story applies. When I visit w/family members at our upcoming Hill Family Summer Reunion 2016, I'm hoping that they can enlighten me.]

Nebraska!

Also from OWH (6/22): "Giant taquitos, walking tacos & more at CWS. If there's one thing you can say about the fans dining at the College World Series, it's that they're not afraid to talk food. They're also not averse to sharing. 'You want a bite?' was maybe the 2nd thing Jacky Jensen asked me when I approached her & her friend, Jeannie Franson, after I saw them walking away from the concession stand holding one of this year's hot new CWS food items:  the South O Giant Taquitos.

      "I refused (a Reuben sausage was in my own dinner plans) but I did have my own questions for the two Ft Calhoun women. Namely, why? Why would you order an $18, foot-long duo of fried taquitos, filled w/chipotle chicken & cheddar jack cheese sitting on a veritable sea of shredded lettuce, all topped w/sour cream, 'zesty' chili lime cream & pico de gallo?

      "'Our husbands made us come & get it,' Jensen said, laughing . . . " [Yes, Nebraska is home to many women who still understand the Biblical principle of submission to the husband as head of the house . . . and, no, I do not care to get into a theological discussion.]

Political Whimsy

CAVEAT:  This is NOT political potpourri!

Also from OWH (4/9): "Global warming is changing how Earth wobbles. Scientists say the shift to the east is harmless but also meaningful . . . " [Dept. of Imaginary Headlines: "Scientists blame global warming for male-pattern baldness--say it's harmless but also meaningful."]

Also from NDN (6/21): "Hillary Clinton's VP search more intense . . . " [Rumors that I was on the short-list, due to the attention I've garnered from my blog, thanks to the link on the NDN web site, turned out to be just that . . . rumors.]

Also from NDN editorial page (6/21):  An editorial cartoon was printed, depicting a historical marker, inscribed w/SWSNBN's picture & the following inscription:  "Fort Dodge. The last time the national media was granted the honor of a press conference w/SWSNBN during the 2016 Democratic Primary was on this site on Dec. 4th, 2015." [I've been by or through Ft. Dodge.]

Also from NDN (6/22): "Obama to sign toxic chemical rules . . . " [Being the English major that I am, my first reaction to this headline was, is this article about "toxic" chemical rules or "toxic chemical" rules? Naturally, I didn't bother to read on.]

Some Closing Whimsy

Also from NDN (6/22): "Papyrus w/Jesus' wife' likely a fake, professor says . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny that Jesus' support for global climate change does lend a certain measure of credibility to this manuscript.]

Dept. of Dialogue from Comics *

* You have to use your imagination . . . Sorry.

Pearls Before Swine from Minneapolis Star Tribune (date??):
Goat: Look at that bird sitting on the automatic sprinkler.
Pig: Yeah. That's Benny the Flightless Robin.
Goat: Why's he just sitting there?
Pig: He's hoping that one day the sprinkler will turn on & pop him up into the air giving him the illusion of flight.
Benny:  That, and it's cheaper than a bidet.
Goat:  That's both sad & revolting.
Benny:  A little privacy please.

Pearls Before Swine from OWH (6/13):
Sound: Phone ringing.
Goat: Aren't you gonna get that?
Rat:  No, it's just the house phone.
Goat: So?
Rat:  So the only people who still call on the house phone are telemarketers & people w/the wrong number.
Goat:  When did our home phone become the least effective means of reaching us?
Rat:  I just keep it in case I ever need to strangle someone?

Ditto (6/14):
Goat:  What are you doing, Rat?
Rat:  Selling surplus drones I bought from the Pentagon. They're for regular folk.
Goat: To do what?
Rat:  Spy on bad neighbors. Intimidate them, or, if you just can't see eye-to-eye, level their house.
Goat:  You're insane! Who wants to use a drone to level their neighbor's house?
Rat: You really underestimate people.
First person in a very lone line of people: I have a coupon for the Hellfire missiles.

Ditto (6/22):
Goat:  What are you doing, Rat?
Rat (standing in front of a coffin, labeled "SAID"): Holding a funeral for the word "said."
Goat: What happened to the word "said?"
One lady speaking to another: So the Rat goes "Come to the funeral." And I'm like "Why?" And he's all, "You'll see."
Goat: Never mind.

The Flying McCoy's from OWH (6/22):  A drawing of a glass door. The inscription on the door reads, "Jehovah's Witnesses Hall." A sign posted beneath this inscription reads, "NO SOLICITING." 

I AM TAKING A HIATUS . . . 

I'm taking a break from my blog. Look for it again sometime later in the week of July 4.

There is thunder . . . & then there is thunder . . .

Walking in the Truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

"The Lord will roar from Zion & thunder from Jerusalem; the earth & the sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel."  Joel 3:16

Today's Devotional Thoughts

If you keep up with current events, you have to--don't you?!--agree with me that we are living in a world filled with much roaring & thundering . . . much trembling. Not all of it appears to be the doing from the Lord.

Very recently the United States was victimized by an act of terror again . . . & much roaring & thundering ensued from many sources. The massacre [How else could you describe it?] at the nightclub in Orlando engendered widespread finger-pointing, much of it aimed at Christians who have been accused of creating a hateful climate which encourages such outrageous acts . . . because of our hateful words & prejudiced actions against the LGBT community.

Before we drape ourselves in the mantle of a pity-party, I think the honest thing to do is some soul-searching . . . soul-searching as to whether our thoughts, words, & deeds in relation to those who are homosexual & transgender . . . especially those who live an open & active & unrepentant lifestyle . . . are in fact fact hateful & unloving . . . But I digress from my thoughts about today's Truth from Scripture . . . 

Because today's Truth from Scripture is from one of those OT prophets who spoke in God's judgmental voice against His people . . . railing against their many forms of unrighteousness . . . threatening & promising all manner of plagues & other terror because of His wrath . . .

Some quick asides . . . 

• Do you think there were people in Israel who tried to walk the straight & narrow path that led to salvation?
• Do you think they were spared when the terrible hand of God's judgment struck their nation with a crushing blow?
• Would you describe the cultural path that our country has been walking as generally being a straight & narrow path, pleasing God's sense of righteousness?
• Would you say that those who strive to walk God's path of righteousness will find themselves exempt from the consequences that may befall our nation because of our culture's generally perverse wantonness & corruption?

But the roaring & thundering from coming from Jerusalem in the passage above . . . coming from the Lord our God . . . appears to be directed at the nations that have been, are, and/or will be enacting God's judgment on His people . . . 

Let that sink in for a moment . . . 

The nations whom God allows to serve His Will will not be exempt from their own consequences?! God's ways are truly far beyond our ways . . . our reasoning.

And ultimately there is a word of Gospel to be found in what seems to be words that reek only of Law & judgment . . . "The Lord will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel."

Even as God ultimately delivered His OT people from the hands of their enemies, so He has promised to deliver His NT "people of Israel," the Kingdom of all believers, both Jews AND Gentiles [which includes me & possibly most of you] from an earth of dreary, seemingly, never-ending trembling . . . 

Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ has defeated sin, death, & Satan. By His grace, our sins are forgiven. We are saved. There will be a resurrection from the dead. There will be eternal life in a new & much better Jerusalem that was conquered, razed, & rebuilt innumerable times in ancient & not-so-ancient history. That's Gospel . . . That is most certainly true!

Today's Prayer Thoughts

• Ask the Lord to grant healing of body, mind, & soul to the survivors of the terrorist attack in Orlando.
• Ask that somehow, someway . . . Jesus' grace & mercy can be spread to the survivors & families of victims of this tragedy.
• Ask that doors may be opened for us to reach out in mercy to the survivors & families of victims of this tragedy.
• Ask that we may have compassion on those whom we find difficult to love . . . those whom our Savior loved enough to go to the cross to save . . . just as He went to the cross to save us.

Letter re: OCD + Hill Family Reunion Feature

mental health Monday

This morning's letter

Dear Friends, I've previously revealed * that one of my diagnosed issues is an obsessive-computer disorder (OCD). Although it's on the lower end of the spectrum, it's very real & at times very annoying to myself & others. I'm writing to you again today in case you {a} think you might be troubled by this affliction; {b} are very confident that you are troubled by this affliction; and/or {c} suspect that someone you know is afflicted with this affliction. **
      Maybe you'll see something you can relate to . . . Maybe you'll find something helpful . . . Maybe this is a good time to move on . . . 
      
DISCLAIMERS:  > I am not a mental health professional > Only a mental health professional is capable of providing you with a helpful diagnosis. > Only a mental health provider should be consulted re:  bona fide  treatment options. > OCD is very treatable. > As I've previously shared re my other:  other mood disorders, its's easy to become comfortably wrapped in the skin of OCD & use it as a crutch to excuse boorish & self-defeating behaviors. I'm just sayin'. 
* Both for the sake of transparency & self-therapy
** Dept. of Redundancy is at work.

A WORD ABOUT MY PRIMARY SOURCE:  Once again, I am choosing to use the Mayo Clinic's web site (mayoclinic.org). There are many other on-line resources. I will be using links which, unfortunately for those of you using the link from the Norfolk Daily News web site, you will NOT be able to automatically follow. However, you can still go to this source by:

1. Googling: mayoclinic.org
2. Typing "obsessive-computer disorder" into the search box.
3. Following the links on the site.

DEFINITION

      Here is a helpful definition of OCD, found on the mayo clinic web site:  "OCD is characterized by unreasonable thoughts & fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). It's also possible to have only obsessions or only compulsions & still have OCD. With OCD, you may or may not realize that your obsessions aren't reasonable, & you may try to ignore them or stop them. But that only increases your distresses & anxiety. Ultimately, you feel driven to perform compulsive acts in an effort to ease your stressful feelings."

OBESSSION

      A more comprehensive list of common themes & symptoms of obsession & obsessive behaviors can be found by checking out this mayo clinic OCD link. I'm going to limit myself to the ones that have typically plagued me.

• "Fear of contamination or dirt."
• "Having things orderly & symmetrical." [A shock to those who've seen my dining room table or remember my office desk at home]
• "Doubts that you've locked the door or turned off the stove." [In my case, doubts that I've remembered to put my keys or wallet or pill box in my pockets, leading to repeatedly checking throughout the day.]
• "Intense stress when objects aren't orderly or facing a facing way." [Again, this would surprise those who remember what my desk looked like in my office at school, but it explains why, despite repeated offers by others to help straighten up my desk, I demurred . . . because I was the only one who knew exactly where everything was supposed to face!]
• "Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately." [Shouting obscenities . . . no . . . Thoughts about picking up objects & hurling them through windows or glass doors when I'm overcome w/frustration . . . yes. *] * Note: I haven't acted on this obsession yet.

COMPULSION

      And here is an explanation of compulsion symptoms, also helpfully provided by the Mayo Clinic web site. ". . . Repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety related to your obsessions or prevent something bad from happening. However, engaging in the compulsions bring no pleasure & may offer only a temporary relief from anxiety.
      "You may also make up rule or rituals to follow that help control your anxiety when you're having obsessive thoughts. These compulsions are often not rationally connected to preventing the featured event."

Typical themes & symptoms

      Once again, I've chosen to go with those that have more commonly afflicted me. You can use this mayoclinic.org link to OCD for a more comprehensive link.

• "Counting." [In my case especially, counting & recounting things . . . making budget development an ordeal.]
• "Checking." [Ditto]
• "Demanding reassurances." [Ask my spouse how many times I've asked her to repeat something that she's already told me . . . It may be--as she often suspects & rightfully so--that I wasn't listening to her the first time . . . It also may be that I DID hear her the first time, but I need reassurance{s}.]
• "Checking doors . . . stove repeatedly." [SEE comments above re: keys, wallet, pill box.]
• "Following a strict routine." [This played itself out at school with my routine when arriving at the office. I won't go into detail. Suffice it to say that if I was NOT able to follow my routine, it caused me distress & fed my OCD. There was also a time when I HAD to have all my dress shirts & slacks arranged in the correct order, MON-FRI, hanging on my side of the closet, by SUN night, prior to the school week. I have {mostly} broken myself of that compulsion.]
• "Silently repeating a prayer, word, phrase." [I've blogged before about the comfort I've found in my daily "quiet time." Having said that, I have to constantly be on my guard re: my prayer list. {1} That I don't turn it into an obsessively long list. {2} That I don't revert to compulsively prayer-phrases in my mind, turning my prayers into empty, ritualistic babble.]

Bringing this letter to a merciful end

1. Remember . . . I blog for self-therapy. At this point, I have to stop. There's a fine line between blogging for self-therapy & blogging that becomes OCD.
2. Maybe . . . just maybe . . . you find something in this letter that strikes a chord . . . leading you to do some more digging . . . resulting in some good that will benefit you.
3. This will make me feel that my mental health MON entries are more than just self-absorbed ramblings meant only for my own comfort.

Exclusive Hill Family                                    Summer Reunion 2016 Factoids

• The countdown continues . . . only ten {10} calendar days remaining until this familial & camp follower extravaganza begins in the Twin Cities on 6/30/16!
• From Omaha World Herald (6/20):  "Nurses start strike at 5 Twin Cities hospitals. About 4,800 nurses at 5 Minneapolis-area hospitals began a weeklong strike SUN over a contract impasses. [Why I'm not worried! The strike will theoretically be over before our reunion begins. Nothing is mentioned about ST. PAUL-area hospitals. We have RN's who are part of the Hill Family Entourage.]

Musings on Father's Day & Family Reunion News + Sneaky Devotional

Father's Day Reflections 2016

It's 7:20a, & I'm writing this at my daughter's home in Lincoln, NE. ADVANCE DISCLAIMER:  This may be a little abstract random, reflecting my current mental state. You've been warned.

• It's a blessing to have two sons-in-law & a son who are wonderful fathers. It's a blessing to get to see them in action fairly often enough to make that call. [You can call me biased . . . I don't care . . . IMB.*] 
• DIGRESSION FOLLOWS:  I'm sipping my 2nd cup of Sumatran Reserve coffee, courtesy of my daughter Sarah & her Keurig. She knows it's my favorite Keurig-coffee product & almost always keeps a supply on hand. It ranks right up there [I'm almost loathe to admit.] with Seattle's Best Dark Roast #5. My daughters [I have two of them.] & daughter-in-law [I have one.] are cool, too. I love them all. 
• IMPORTANT REMINDER & OBVIOUS INSIGHT:  You cannot honestly celebrate Fathers' Day without acknowledging the contributions made by mothers in order to make this Hallmark day possible. I'm just sayin'. 
• QUICK ASIDE:  My son Nathan writes a wonderful blog, "Twin Cities Runner." His most recent post focused as much on his experience thus far this summer taking care of Calvin **. My son is a very good writer. [SEE previous comments re:  bias.] I have to admit to being a little envious . . . the thought never entered my mind to take time off from work to be a stay-at-home dad & devote myself full-time to the care of my son . . . Why not? [Lois possibly wouldn't have let me?]
• REMINISCENCE #1:  Playing catch with my dad. In my last season playing Little League baseball, I played pitcher, among other positions. Our coach sent a catcher's mitt home with me with the instructions to spend time every day playing catch with my dad. [I wasn't as faithful as I should have been . . . maybe explaining why I wasn't the ace on our staff?!] We would walk a few houses down the alley to the gravel lot behind St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Concordia, MO, pace off the distance between the pitching rubber & home place, & my dad would "catch me." I still remember the pained look as some of my "fastballs" [Quotation marks denote the relative use of the term.] struck the catcher's mitt squarely in the palm instead of the web. I thought it was funny. Looking back years later, I realize that it was one of many examples of how I was a little jerk.
• REMINISCENCE #2:  We were driving back from a family vacation to Colorado, Summer of 1971. It was the first visit my brother, sister & I made to the Rockies . . . It was awesome . . . & we were suitably awed! **** Dad was driving & thought I was napping in the back seat. I heard him comment to Mom about how much I really seemed to love the mountains. That felt like a strong moment of bonding to me . . . It felt like he really understood what the experience meant to me.
• REMINISCENCE #3:  Lois & I helped my parents get packed up to move from the house on Main St. where we grew up in Concordia, MO. While we were doing "triage" on the years & years of accumulated "memories," + I found Dad sitting on the back porch steps, sorting through boxes of cancelled checks. It was a nostalgic time for him. As I stood there, he showed me a check that he wrote in 1967. It was for my first year's tuition at St. Paul's College High. It was for $400.
• REMINISCENCE #4a:  This one is bittersweet . . . After Mom had her stroke & moved into the Good Shepherd Home, Dad was left alone in the only house they over owned [on Orange St, almost directly behind & one block west of the house on Main St.]. We had seen signs of his forgetfulness, but after he was on his own, it was obvious how much Mom had been a crutch for him. Eventually, he, too ended up in the Good Shepherd Home . . . and eventually dementia overtook him . . . followed by alzeimer's. It's jarring when the strong, stalwart man who was your father becomes the frail, faltering man in a wheelchair . . . 
• REMINISCENCE #4b . . . Yet he's still your father, isn't he? We grew up in a family that wasn't particularly demonstrative when it came to expressing emotions such as love . . . not a lot of hugging . . . not a lot of verbal expressions of "I love you." ++ In those last couple years, as I witnessed my father's failing health, I think I grew to love him . . . felt more compassion for him . . . more strongly. I found myself often placing my hand on his shoulder, his back, hugging him as I told him, "Good-bye" . . .  I found myself getting emotional when I said my good-bye. [The same could be said for wishing my mom a good-bye, as well.] . . . and the words, "I love you," became easy to express.

* "It's my blog."

** Our newest reason to celebrate Fathers' Day & the blessing of 2 sons-in-law & 1 son who are wonderful fathers. Calvin *** is our 2nd grand-son & 4-months old.

*** A Lutheran baby named "Calvin." Still can't get over it. Still love him. Still chuckle about it.

**** So much, in fact, that when Dad & Mom gathered us around the dining room table the next winter & discussed where we should spend the next summer vacation, Carolyn, Mark & I all voted for the Rocky Mts again. We vacationed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. So much for the democratic process. *****

***** I'll admit that Mackinaw Island was pretty cool.

+ In one of the closets upstairs, there were boxes that had accompanied their move from Kansas in the summer of 1954 . . . boxes never opened.
++ Maybe not uncommon in families of Northern Germanic ancestry . . . but I don't know.

Countdown Continues :: Eleven {11} Days from Today!!

The Hill Family 2016 Summer Reunion officially begins on THU 6/30 in the Twin Cities. According to my "inside" information, my wife, one of The Sisters, will be arriving there already on WED 6/29 . . . which should count for something . . . I'm not sure what.

Also, I'd like to remind familial members that I have both a "camp follower" designation, as the spouse of one of The Sisters, but also what I consider to be a "familial" designation, as I am related to the offspring of David Hill . . . who is married to Carmen . . . who is my 1st cousin . . . making their progeny my nephews AND 2nd cousins . . . This, too, should count for something . . . I'm not sure what.

"Sneaky" Sunday Devotional

Today's Scriptural Truth:  "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" (Romans 8:15)

Today's Devotional Thought:  According to St. Paul, whom I would say is a much more reliable source than Paul Leckband, the Almighty Creator of all things . . . including you & me, invites us to call Him . . . Daddy! 

Amazing Father . . . Amazing grace!
Today's Prayer Thoughts:

• Give thanks that the Almighty Creator of the Universe invites us to call Him "Daddy."
• Ask God to open the heart of those who may not yet know Jesus as the Son of God, sent by the Father to be our Lord & Savior.
• Thank God for godly father's.
• Ask Him to bless children with godly fathers & grand-fathers.
• Ask Him to especially bless those women who are forced to raise their children in the absence of a father.

Finding Truth & Comfort after Orlando

Walking in Comforting Truths

Today's Devotional Thoughts

What to make of the massacre in Orlando . . . What to make of the aftermath, the fallout . . . I blogged earlier this week about my disappointment at how even while the murdering was continuing, people & groups were busy politicizing the event . . . busy pointing fingers . . . busy looking to find villains & affix blame.

But that's human nature, isn't it? Pointing the finger at everybody else whose pointing fingers? That's human nature, too, isn't it? * And if a person is looking for meaning . . . striving for deep meaning . . . desperate to make sense of it all . . . events like this are not only very disturbing . . . They are prone to make a person cynical . . . depressed . . . maybe even make a person throw up his or her hands & say, "I give up!"
* Note to self: This is called self-righteousness.

And the Bible's answer? Well, that would be sin, wouldn't it? I know, I know . . . Too simple, right? There must be something more complex at the root of this kind of evil . . . 

Maybe this is why "deep thinkers" [Did you assume that I claim this mantle? I assure you that I do not.] dismiss the Bible . . . They shouldn't . . . We shouldn't.

The focus of my devotional this morning, however, is not on the topic of "sin," as found in Scripture. I want to focus on what Scripture has to say about comfort & wisdom, as found in Scripture.

Today's Scriptural Truths

"Take my instruction instead of silver, & knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, & all that you may desire cannot compare with her. 'I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, & I find knowledge & discretion. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride & arrogance & the way of evil & perverted speech I hate. I have counsel & sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.'" (Provers 8:12-14)

"And Jesus cried out & said, 'Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness.'"  (John 12:44-46)

"And now, O sons, listen to Me; blessed are those who keep My ways. Hear instruction & be wise, & do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting beside My doors." (Proverbs 8:32-34)

"The Lord is near to the broken-hearted & saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, & the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10)

"(Jesus said), 'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:  just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.'" (John 13:34-35)

"Jesus said to (Thomas), 'I am the way, & the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me . . . If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, & He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you & will be with you.'" (John 14:6, 15-17)

More Devotional Thoughts

It's uncanny how often the scripture & devotional readings found in my daily "quiet times" seem to speak directly to the events most troubling to me at the time. The scriptural truths found above are all taken from "Treasury of Daily Prayer," * the main devotional resource I've been using for some time now. Remember . . . these are scriptural truths, not Paul Leckband's truths . . . 
* Concordia Publishing House, 2001.

Here are my devotional thoughts . . . 

• In the Old Testament Book of Proverbs, "wisdom" is the personification of Jesus. That's not coming from me; it's coming from Biblical scholars. It has helped my reading of Proverbs to substitute Jesus' name whenever the word "wisdom" is employed.
• The first passage from Proverbs is fundamental to our/my understanding that Godly wisdom is found in a Godly source . . . that would be Holy Scripture.
• Some have claimed that Jesus was certainly a great moral teacher . . . also certainly not the Son of God . . . The first passage from John's Gospel uses Jesus' own words to dispel that.
• Proverbs 8:32-34, teaches that blessings come to us when we listen & hear Jesus' instruction daily . . . Where would that come from? His Holy Word in the Bible [Daily "quiet time.] & weekly worship [in church, alongside fellow believers.]
• The passage from Psalms reminds us that while we may look for comfort from many sources . . . it's the Lord who ultimately provides true comfort for the "broken-hearted & crushed in spirit." [Once again, words found in Scripture . . . also words spoken by fellow believers.]
• The "fear of the Lord" mentioned in Proverbs 9:10, doesn't necessarily have to be thought of as abject fright . . . although bringing to mind the picture of God the Father Almighty, make of heaven & earth, shouldn't necessarily eliminate a certain degree of fright. Rather, for me it's helpful to think in terms of fearing the Lord by acknowledging the absolute & total sovereignty of the Lord . . . the absolute & total Truth & Power of His Word.
• "A new commandment . . . " It's one thing to love others as myself. Loving myself is usually not an issue. [Another name for that might be . . . selfishness?!] Loving another as Jesus loves me? Jesus loved us so much that He laid down His life for us . . . That's a tall order . . . and it implies . . . no, MORE than implies that we are to love & pray for those of a different sexual orientation than our own . . . those who worship a different god other than the True Way, Truth, & Life . . . those who feel the need to murder on behalf of their false gods . . . those who point the finger of hate . . . 
• Finally, a reminder . . . found in one of my favorite passages from Scripture . . . one that I have included in my devotionals many, many times before . . . found in John 14 . . . Jesus is the Way . . . the only Way to forgiveness & salvation . . . Believers, who are blessed with saving faith by God's grace--His undeserved love--receive the gift of the Holy Spirit . . . This unimaginable gift enables us to believe . . . & enables us to accomplish what Jesus intends for us to do . . . 
• And that includes loving others . . . not just as ourselves . . . but as Christ has loved us . . . 
• If nothing else, to me that translates into . . . at the very least {1) praying for those outside the Kingdom of God that they, too, may come to know Jesus as the Way, the Truth, & the Life; {2) looking for opportunities to witness about the love of Christ in my life; {3} acknowledging my sin, repenting, praying that--by my life--others may know the love of Christ that lives in me.

Today's Prayer Thoughts...Starters...Suggestions

1. How are you doing with your daily "quiet time?" How could it become more meaningful for you?
2. In what ways is Jesus more than just a great moral teacher in your life?
3. What about those in the circle of great friends--in the circle of your family--who may not yet Jesus as their Lord & Savior?
4. How can you fashion a short, simple, testimony about the love of Jesus & the difference it's made in your life?

Family Reunion Countdown + Exclusive Political Content

Family Reunion Countdown...Flag Day Changes...Orlando (Sigh)

Guaranteed Exclusive Political Content . . .               Found Nowhere Else!

BUT FIRST . . .

The Summer 2016 Hill Family Reunion Countdown Continues . . . Thirteen days from today until this monumental event begins in the Twin Cities!

Back to more serious [I know that's hard to believe!] stuff! My never-tiring, fearless, fact-finding, political operatives have uncovered the following  exclusive political bombshells * . . . and remember . . . you read it here first! 
* CAVEAT:  Meant as a metaphor describing our upcoming Independence Day celebration w/o any intention of a tasteless "quip" in reference to other political features in today's entries. **
** Pinky promise! 

Flag Day Laws Will Change in 2017

A respected member of the White House press corps, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed sweeping changes in store for Flag Day in 2017. Flag Day was recently celebrated across the nation on June 12, featuring a plethora of American flag displays & cemeteries garnished with flag-draped memorials to our country's veterans.
      According to this source, one of the POTUS's last executive orders will enact sweeping changes that reflect his long-held beliefs that Flag Day is a "deeply divisive holiday" that "promotes the fallacy of American exceptionalism" & "divides instead of "unifies" our "polyglot of rich ethnic, racial, & gender diversity."
      Expected changes include multiple flags to be flown and/or displayed prominently on Flag Day, "given equal prominence & billing with the red, white & blue." According to the unnamed but respected member of the White House press corps, the POTUS wants to add flags that respect "all the colors of the rainbow & other celestial bodies, such as the crescent moon." When asked about the Confederate Flag, the spokesman hinted that one step being considered is the elimination of all flags "from all locations, public & private," including "Old Glory," which POTUS believes will eliminate this controversy "in perpetuity."

Candidates "Tease" with VP Hints

Representatives from both major political parties' camps have "leaked" lists of potential Vice-presidential running mates, possibly meant to "test the waters" prior to this summer's national conventions.
      At a recent press concert held on an anonymous Middle East oil-sheikh's yacht, SWSNBN was asked to confirm a widely held belief that her running mate will be "whatever donor has the deepest pockets." Fox News subsequently reported that SWSNBN responded with a "cackle," followed by an angry denial, blaming a "vast, right wing conspiracy which has been doggedly seeking to persecute my husband & I, even before we left the White House, nearly penniless." ABC, NBC, CBS, & CNN reported that her denial was gracefully handled. MSNBC reported that the Fox reporter, "drooling & literally spitting venom," had to be physically restrained, as she sought to launch a verbal AND physical attack on the "future POTUS."
      Meanwhile, a spokesperson for HWSNBN disputed "conventional wisdom" that the other major political party's candidate is considering such "mainstream" running partners as Chris Christie or Newt Gingrich. According to this spokesperson, HWSNBN is "Heeyooglyyy disappointed in the New Jersey's governor inability to keep him stocked with freshly dry-cleaned suits & shined shoes." As for Newt Gingrich? "There is a concern that Newt's messy divorce may reflect poorly on HWSNBN's character."

National Fireworks' Restrictions Unveiled

Fireworks' distributors & vendors are scrambling in the wake of an expected executive order calling for national restrictions on fireworks that go far beyond even the strictest of current state & local safety codes.
      An imminent executive order from the POTUS is expected to enact the following restrictions:

1. Sparklers may be sold, but they may only be waved around, not lit.
2. Those little "whatever-you-call-them's" that you can toss at the feet of pets & little children, which make them (the incendiary devices, not animals & children] explode & scare them to death? Sorry . . . you can still purchase them, but they can't explode. You will have to verbalize your own sound effects.
3. Roman candles? The name itself sounds exclusive, not inclusive. They will be relabeled "Diversity candles" . . . and you will have to purchase an app for an electronic device of your choice. You will then be able to download a video of a colorful display of "Diversity candles" exploding in a plethora of colors . . . not a live performance of course . . . an animated, life-like rendition by Pixar.
4. Public fireworks' displays? Forget it. These are seen as being divisive & promoting American exceptionalism . . . particularly when large groups of people gather to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the Star-Spangled Banner. You will have to settle for small gatherings, held indoors, & keep any such recitations & singing at a volume consistent with conversations held at funeral home visitations.

Political Potpourri

Re:  Global climate change

I found this Link re: global climate change while browsing the Drudge Report on TUE 6/14. It was posted by Michael Bastasch" on 6/13 via The Daily Caller News Foundation. The article is entitled, "Dem Congressman: 1st Amendment Doesn't Protect Global Warming Skeptics." [At least those who believe in settled science also firmly defend the Bill of Rights . . . Wait . . . What?!]

Re:  SWSNBN & HWSNBN

I discovered this Link while browsing the Drudge Report on TUE 6/14. It was posted by Brian Maloney via media equalizer. The article is entitled "SWSNBN-supporting website selling severed HWSNBN head T-shirts." [No, I am not providing this link as a protest against HWSNBN. I am providing this link to give you some insight into the other political party's maturity, especially considering how they like to portray their opponent's maturity. I'm just sayin'.]

Re:  HWSNBN

Contrary to popular believe, which--I must admit--may be chalked up to many previous blog entries, innuendoes, subtle yet clever asides, etc. . . . I can neither confirm nor deny whether I have endorsed HWSNBN for POTUS. 

• Some of things he's said & done, along w/his past history, seem unconscionable to me . . . 
• Yet the alternative seems equally unconscionable to me.
• Choosing not to vote would seem to be agreeing with those who say that if you don't vote, you forfeit your right to complain about the outcomes of elections.
• IF . . . & I emphasize the word "IF," I were to draw analogies between America & the Old Testament theocracy . . . I might be tempted to say that we've already had a taste of & perhaps will continue to have our palates "pleased" by the phenomenon most aptly described, I'll speculate, as "You get what you deserve" . . . That's right . . . In my not-so-subtle way, I am suggesting that our country has already been getting & may continue to get what we deserve, no matter who gets elected POTUS this next go-around.

Re:  Orlando & the All-Too-Predictable Aftermath

As I shared in yesterday's (TUE 6/15) whimsical WED/special THU edition blog entry, the murder & mayhem hadn't even cooled down before finger-pointing & blame assigning had begun. This has distressed me greatly I'm just going to count on my memory here [always an adventure for me], because I lack the emotional energy to retrace my "exhaustive" research, but based on what I saw on Facebook, read in two nationally-respected newspapers [Yes, I include the NDN . . . & yes, I couldn't be more serious!], & heard in snippets on the radio while driving around town these past few days [Sources included not only partisan talk-radio but also NPR . . . but I repeat myself], examples include [but may not be limited to]:

• Anti-abortion groups, because they promote a culture of hate in general
• Christians, because they promote hate against the LGBT community
• The NRA, gun lobby, & Republicans who support these villains
• "Lone wolfs" [sic]
• Certain presidential candidates, because of their hate-speech
• Hypocritical, white members of the LGBT community, who, while holding vigils in memory of those who were killed & wounded, were shouted down for being insensitive to certain ethnic groups who have been victims of LGBT harassment & hate crimes in the past

I have read several pundits who have speculated . . . rightfully so, I think . . . that this incident stands in stark contrast to how our country responded to 9/11 . . . who have speculated that we may have passed a time when America, currently so polarized & partisan, will ever be able to pull together in the face of any national tragedy . . . any terror attack . . . great or small . . . again . . . Pundits who have speculated that the time has past when we could accurately describe ourselves as a united people.

Here are two links I found while browsing National Review On-line on THU 6/16. I've shared before that this is a favorite partisan source for me. The risk for me is that as soon as you see the source, you'll automatically cease reading, when my goal is to provoke further thought . . . further conversation. So, I hope you'll check these sources out.

• Here's an article entitled "ISIS Won in Orlando, & It's Wining the Aftermath," posted by David French, also on THU 6/16.
• Here's another article, also written by David French, entitled "The Orlando Shooting Launches a War on Christianity," posted on WED 6/15. *

* I took the time to read both articles. **
** I read quite a few more articles throughout this past week, focusing on the Orlando massacre & its aftermath. In light of my chronic depression & general anxiety disorders, I question my judgment . . . but . . . too late! ***
*** I am growing fond of David French's writing . . . buy JG is still the man!

There is No Place Like CA? FL? NE! & Reunion Countdown Continues

Special THU Edition!! Whimsical WED

I'm not feeling very whimsical today . . . The killing hadn't even stopped in Orlando before both appointed & self-appointed spokespeople of all ilks started politicizing it. * So, my heart wasn't in it yesterday, which is why I couldn't summon the emotional energy to post a blog entry. I'll try again today, even though it's almost 4:30p (CDT). ***
* Which, I might & will add, was as predictable as She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named achieving her party's nomination to run for POTUS. **
** Further exclusive political news & commentary will be reserved for my frightful FRI blog entry.
*** Quick reminder . . . I blog for self-therapy . . . Purposely looking for the whimsical is one among a plethora of activities that may be helpful for someone who suffers from chronic depression. ****
**** DISCLAIMER:  I am NOT a mental health specialist.

There Is No Place Like . . . 

Alaska?

Norfolk Daily News (4/26):  "Not dangerous. Authorities said the green water flowing in the Ketchikan Creek that caused some panic & drew a response from multiple agencies was the result of a prank . . . Officials have determined that the dye dumped into the water on WED is non-toxic. Ketchikan police talked to the man responsible for the dye, but he was not arrested or cited." [This item also qualifies for Criminal Minds . . . My guess? He was not arrested or cited because he was an "undocumented" citizen . . . & I am NOT a hater!"]

Brazil?

From USA Today-Weekend Edition (4/22-24):  "'Wish I was in Dixie'--in Brazil; town embraces Confederate flag; Santa Barbara D'Oeste, Brazil. Bruno Lucke is a 9-yr-old w/a sweet smile, a love of soccer & his own YouTube channel. He also wears a cap w/the Confederate battle flag emblazoned on its peak. This city of more than 180,000, an hour's flight from Rio de Janeiro, site of this summer's Olympic Games, is perhaps the last place you'd expect to find the most controversial symbol in American history. It adorns everything from belt buckles to bumper stickers among the Fraternidate Descendecia Americana, an organization that celebrates the emigration of a group of defeated Southerners to Brazil after the Civil War 150 years ago. Yet in Santa Barara d'Oeste there is no negative association w/the flag that many Americans see as a symbol of slavery & segregation . . . " [I'm a little surprised that we haven't seen demonstrations @ the Brazilian embassy in Washington, D.C. . . . maybe I just missed them.]

California?!

Omaha World Herald (6/10):  "El Nino's epitaph: Not quite enough to refresh CA. This year's monstrous El Nino nicknamed Godzilla by NASA, is dead. It heated up the globe but didn't quite end CA's 4-year drought . . . " [I've mentioned in previous blogs that I grant NASA little or no credibility to NASA anymore, based on the impeccable credentials of my sources re:  anything climate-related . . . I still feel for my familial connections in CA.]

Also from NDN (4/12):  Goat guest. Police said a goat apparently needed a caffeine fix when it wandered into a Starbucks in Northern CA . . . " [As someone whose on-again-off-again caffeine dependence is decidedly on the ON side of the spectrum again these days, I totally sympathize with the goat . . . It is my hope that Starbucks did the right thing . . . DEPT. of Imaginary Headlines: "CA Starbucks First to Keep Live Goat on Site for Unique Goat Milk Latte's & Cappuccino's."}

Also from NDN (4/25):  "Averting train crash. Riverside authorities say a quick-thinking police helicopter crew shined its spotlight to alert a train's crew of a car on the tracks, narrowly averting a collision." [I can neither confirm nor deny that the driver of this car fell asleep due to caffeine-withdrawal while on his way to take a selfie. SEE related story which follows.]

Also from OWH (4/27):  "Whale provides really smelly selfies. The massive, reeking carcass of a whale rotted TUE at a popular CA surfing spot, luring dozens of gawkers while authorities decided whether to tow it out to sea or cut it into pieces & load them on trucks . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny that authorities were also intimidated by a small but very vocal & boisterous group from P.E.T.R.W.C. * . . . Also, isn't it just like Californians to drop all they're doing--probably even in the middle of changing a baby's diaper or helping a little old lady cross the street--drive possibly hundreds of mile, just to take a selfie of a rotting whale carcass? Don't you people have rotting squirrel carcasses in your neighborhoods & deer carcasses along your highways, just like Nebraska?
* People for the Ethical Treatment of Rotting Whale Carcasses

Also from OWH (4/29:  "Whale on CA beach sent to landfill. Crews used earth-moving equipment THU to begin removing a massive gray whale carcass from Southern CA's San Onofre State Beach . . . " [According to my highly reliable but unnamed sources, P.E.T.R.W.C. demonstrators reluctantly unchained themselves from the rotting whale carcass only after officials assured them that a shrine at the site of the rotting carcass would be left intact AND that the carcass would receive a dignified burial, supervised by an indigenous shaman, at an EPA-approved landfill . . . located in Nevada.]

Colorado?

Also from NDN (4/26):  "Wandered off. "A greater one-horned rhino was able to leave part of its enclosure at the Denver Zoo & wander into a yard occupied by staff & volunteers . . . " [My impeccable yet unnamed sources can neither confirm nor deny that zoo employees were negligent due to the effects of suspicious, toxic "clouds," masquerading as air pollution.] *
* One could & should argue that this IS a form of air pollution.

Florida?

Omaha World Herald (4/29):  "Zoo defends decision not to kill tiger that attacked keeper. A FL zoo is defending its decision to tranquilize rather than kill a rare Malayan tiger that had attacked a keeper & was preventing rescuers from giving her aid . . . " [Nobody would have questioned a zoo's decision to kill a rare tiger if it was thought that any human being's live was in danger, would they? Would they?! . . . Wait . . . what?!]

Hawaii?

Lincoln Journal Star (5/20):  "Shark study seeks to explain bites. "New research related THU shows tiger sharks naturally favor waters near Maui that are close to some of the Hawaii's most popular beaches for humans . . . " [I may not be a marine biologist, & I didn't read the rest of the article, but let me summarize the talking points, which were undoubtedly articulated after months of expensive research conducted by highly-skilled government operatives. Here goes {1} Tiger sharks have been swimming in waters near Maui for centuries. {2} Popular beaches for humans are inhabited by a lot of, well, humans. {3} If you put a large number of humans into close proximity with a fair number of tiger sharks, the probability of shark bites will increase. There now . . . that wasn't so hard to figure out . . . & I'll bet I could have come to that conclusion without expending a lot of effort & without expending a lot of tax dollars . . . I'm just sayin'.]

I found this link while browsing the Drudge Report on TUE 6/14 . . . Link re: snow on Mauna Kea. [Lois & I have visited Mauna Kea & driven past the foot of this extinct(?) volcano. One time when I flew out of Maui, as the plan banked around Mauna Kea [or it might have been Mauna Loa] to make the turn back toward Oahu, snow was clearly covering the peak of the volcano. I don't remember what time of year it was.]

South Dakota?

Also from OWH (5/3):  "Fireworks linked to pollution at Mt. Rushmore. "Past fireworks displays at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial are the likely source of a pollutant found in water on the memorial grounds . . . according to a government report released MON . . . "  [My first question would be, "Is this conclusion based on research by NASA? My comments? I'm glad you asked. Fireworks & Mt. Rushmore go together like "He-Who-Is-Now-Absolutely-Positively-Irrelevant-But-Was-a-Great Distraction-for-a-Long-Time" & a love for all things Venezuelan.]

Massachusetts?!

Also from OWH (4/18):  "Rescued calf is companion for blind cow who lost pig. A calf that spent several days on the loose in MA is now a companion for a blind cow who recently lost a pig playmate. The cow, Baby, lives at the Don't Forget Us Pet Us animal sanctuary in Darmouth . . . "  [According to my highly esteemed yet anonymous sources, there was great rejoicing among the protestors linked to P.E.T.B.C. * & P.E.T.R.C.C. **]
* People for the Ethical Treatment of Blind Calves
** People for the Ethical Treatment of Rescued Calf Companions

Also from NDN (4/26):  "To die for. The owner of a new wester MA ice cream shop said his delicious dishes are 'a taste to die for.' That's because Petros Murices is opening his ice cream parlor in a former funeral home in Chicopee." [No further comment needed.]

NEBRASKA! *

* Most of these items need no further comments from me. **
** Most . . . but not all.

Ditto OWH (5/31):  "For his 9th birthday, Nebraskan takes leap of faith--from 2 1/2 miles up. Grand Island. Jumping out of a plane for the 1st time is a big step. Before he abandoned a plane 2 1/2 miles up, though, Marvin Donner wasn't concerned . . . "
Ditto NDN (4/26):  "Omaha police have announced the death of a squirrel that hung out around police headquarters & had his own Twitter following . . . "
Ditto OWH (4/30):  "Choir branches out to help plant pine tree. Members of Bancroft Elementary's 5th & 6th grade choir planted a tree FRI . . . "
Ditto OWH 6/13):  "Ride is a showcase of Nebraska's beauty. 425 people take part in the 740-mile  bicycle trek, battling heat & wind . . . " [What say you, RAGBRAI partisans?]

Countdown to 2016 Hill Family Summer Reunion

For those to whom it matters, * the 2016 Hill Family Summer Reunion begins 14 calendar days from today on THU 6/30. in the Twin Cities.
* Hill family members, both familial ** & camp followers
** Just a friendly reminder that I qualify as a familiar member. IF I choose to post an entry about the Hill Family 2016 Summer Reunion this SUN 6/19, I will try to remember to refresh your memories.