All Live Matters...The Bible Tells Us So

Walking in the Truth::Special THU Edition

Today's Truth from Scripture

"Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God thorough faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are al one in Christ jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Galatians 3:23-29

Today's Devotional Thoughts

When faced with the Law, we have a tendency to:

• Get all self-righteous, i.e., "I'M not the guilty party. It's THOSE people who need to change."
• Despair, i.e., "It is what it is. Nothing's gonna change. Why bother to even try?"
• Get defiant, i.e., "Don't tell me what to say or do! Either you hate black people & love cops, or you hate cops & love black people!"

In the face of what appears to be a racial tension that continues to grow in our country, how are we to "process" what's happening, as believers?

1. We shouldn't be surprised. We are sinful people living in a sinful world. Racial animosities have always existed. This does not excuse biased behavior, prejudiced speech, & hateful talk. 
2. We love pointing fingers. When black people get shot by police . . . when white people get shot by police . . . when policemen are targeted by snipers . . . it is human nature to look around for villains to blame. Once again, this does not excuse sinful attitudes, talk, & behavior.
3. Laws do not change people's hearts. Pass all the gun regulations you want, & you still won't get to the heart of the problem. Enact all the hate speech regulations possible, & you still won't get to the heart of the problem. SEE point #1.
4. What's the ultimate solution? What changes behavior . . . speech . . . behavior . . . What brings about a change of heart?

Back to the Bible . . . St. Paul lays out the case for the Gospel carefully & clearly to 1st century believers & to 21st century believers. It is only the Gospel . . . the Good News of forgiveness & life forever under God's grace . . . His undeserved love for all people . . . that brings about truly changed hearts . . . truly changed attitudes . . . truly changed behavior.

Did I mention His love for all people? [Actually, that's not my original thought.]

" . . . in Christ Jesus you are ALL sons of God through faith." (3:26)

"For as MANY OF YOU as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (3:27)

"There is NEITHER Jew NOR Greek, there is NEITHER slave NOR free, there is NO male and female, for YOU ARE ALL ONE in Christ Jesus." (3:28) *

* All emphases added.

• TO Jesus Christ, ALL lives matter. 
• IN Jesus Christ, ALL lives matter. 
• As we are called by God's grace to believe in Jesus Christ, we are enabled to: "[An expert in the law answered Jesus] . . . 'Love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 'You have answered correctly,' Jesus replied." (Luke 10:27b-28a)

Today's Prayer

Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace *
Lord of all nations, grant me grace To love all people, every race;
And in each person may I see My kindred loved, redeemed by Thee.

Break down the wall that would divide Thy children, Lord, on every side.
My neighbor's good let me pursue; Let Christian love bind warm and true.

Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred By loveless act and thoughtless word.
Make me to see the wrong I do Will grieve my wounded Lord anew.

Give me Thy courage, Lord, to speak Whenever strong oppress the weak.
Should I myself the victim be, Help me forgive, rememb'ring The.

With Thine own love may I be filled And by Thy Holy Spirit willed,
That all I touch, where'er I be, May be divinely touched by Thee.

* Source:  Lutheran Service Book, Hymn #844

Bison + Saggy Pants + Celebrities + Bonus Feature

whimsical WED

Wednesday's Whimsy . . . Home on the Range

From Omaha World Herald-column by Irene North (5/10):  "Bison represent what nation values. As I left Old Faithful Inn for a hike w/my family in Yellowstone National Park, I noticed a bison, sitting less than 12" from the driver's door of our rental van. My mother-in-law asked how I was going to get in & drive. 'I'll get in from the passenger side & climb over,' I said. 'I'm not going anywhere near that thing.' 
      "I really wanted to go near it. I wanted to touch it, mostly because I've never felt its fur. Is it coarse? Is it soft? . . . The National Bison Legacy Act . . . will make the bison the first national mammal of the U.S. According to the Washington Post, the bison represents the country's first successful foray into the wildlife conservation . . . " [I love bison--& I can totally relate to what this writer is saying. When Lois & I lived in Chicago, we bought bison steaks. She wasn't quite as enthusiastic as I was, & I made an unfortunate decision to start singing "Home on the Range" during supper. She refused to finish her steak, & it was a long time before we bought & ate bison meat again.]

Also from OWH (5/14):  "For $6,000, you get a big housebroken bison. An 8-yr-old bison named Bullet has outgrown its (Argyle) TX home, & the owner wants to find a new place for the 1,000-lb pet to roam. Karen Scheme said that Bullet is occasionally allowed inside the family's house but needs more space & grassland. She says the bison is tame & housebroken. Bullet is for sale for almost $6,000." [Sadly . . . 

1. We don't have an extra $6,000 to spare.
2. I'm not sure our city codes would allow us to keep a bison in the backyard.
3. Lois says "absolutely NOT" to allowing a bison in the house, whether it's house-broken or not.
4. Not sure how Sammy would adapt.
5. Not sure how neighbors would react when taking Bullet for a walk.

From Sioux City Journal (7/5):  "4 people injured this year by bison at Custer State Park in S.D. Bison have injured 4 people in Custer State Park this year, despite warnings that the animals are dangerous & shouldn't be approached, park official say. The attacks have come after a 5-yr stretch of no such incidents . . . " [After seeing how close some people got to bison when we were in Yellowstone National Park last summer, I'm not surprised. DEPT OF IMAGINARY CONVERSATIONS:  Husband: "I'm getting out of the car to take a picture of this bison." Wife: "That bison is only 5' away from our vehicle." Husband: "How about if you pose with your arm around the bison's cute, shaggy, sharp-horned head?" Wife: "Okay."]

There Is No Place Like . . . 

South Carolina!

Also from OWH (7/7): "S.C. town bans sagging pants, threatens fines. Wearing saggy pants could get expensive in Timmonsville, SC. A new town ordinance approved this week outlaws wearing sagging pants, trousers or shorts that intentionally display a person's underwear. After initial warnings, 3rd & subsequent offenses carry a fine ranging from $110-$600 . . . " [I protest this egregious violation of free speech! . . . No I don't! Ha ha ha ha ha! Lock the door & throw away the key!]

Food for Thought

From Norfolk Daily News (7/8):  "Healthy contest. An event at a (Buffalo) NY food festival is being billed as the world's healthiest eating championship. Competitors sanctioned by Major League Eating are famous for downing hot dogs by the dozen but will compete for the 'Kale Up' at this year's Taste of Buffalo food festival on SAT. They'll have 8 Min. to consume as much of the leafy green vegetable as possible. The winner will take home $2,000." [Kale? Eating championship? TASTE of Buffalo? This is heresy . . . & you deserve whatever notoriety results from this travesty, you blue state!]

Wonderful Wide World of Wacky Celebrities

From Minneapolis Star Tribune (6/30):  "Cher uses bomb emoji in her tweet about Istanbul. Cher outraged the internet by tweeting her sympathies to the victims of TUE's Istanbul airport bombings...w/a bomb emoji & an explosion emoji Uh...'We will pray for innocent ppl in turkey airport,' wrote the 70-yr-old, before adding the figures for some reason . . . " [This may erase memories of "Gypsies, Tramps, & Thieves."]

Also from OWH (7/18):  "Colbert crashes RNC. A video posted online shows 'Late Show' host Stephen Colbert taking over the microphone on stage in Cleveland in a 'Hunger'Games'-themed prank at the site of the Republican national Convention. The video shows Colbert behind the podium . . . banging a gavel. A man who appears to be security then confronts Colbert, who said 'I know I'm not supposed to be up here, but let's be honest, neither is Donald Trump." [It might be time for a new category:  "Wonderful, Wide World or Wacky One-Trick Pony Celebrities."]

Criminal Minds

From USA Today (7/6):  "Fireworks footage blows up in PBS' face. PBS apologized early TUE after a storm of criticism for airing old 4th of July footage during a live broadcast of the July 4th fireworks in Washington, D.C. The station, which first tweeted that the footage was 'the patriotic thing to do' because it was difficult to view the fireworks in foggy weather, said it was sorry for 'any confusion' the scenes had caused . . . " [First, note that this is what is called a "qualified" apology. Second, would we really expect anything less from a PBS affiliate? DEPT OF IMAGINARY CONVERSATIONS:  Studio Technician: "It's really overcast tonight, & I'm not sure how well the live fireworks display will televise." Studio Executive: "Well, we haven't done anything to insult our audience's intelligence or deceive them this week, so how about airing old 4th of July footage to see if anybody notices?" Technician: "Okay."] 

Cheerful News for English Majors *

Also from OWH (4/10):  **  "Science shows how Moby Dick could totally have sunk that whaling ship. It took Herman Melville 135 chapters to get to the part in his 1851 classic 'Moby Dick' when the massive sperm whale & the peg-legged Captain Ahab finally do battle. No spoiler here:  Moby Dick wins, smashing his enormous head into Ahab's ship, the Pequod & sinking it.
      "But it took 165 years for an international team of scientists to finally solve this burning question:  Would a sperm whale actually use its massive noggin as a battering ram to down a whaling ship 5X the animal's size? The short answer:  It probably could--& live to tell the tale . . . " [A novel like "Moby Dick" could never get published today due to the likely protests of P.E.T.S.W.w.A.M.I. *** ]
* As if I owed anybody an explanation, I am a secondary English major.
** This may be outdated, but it's my blog.
*** People for the Ethical Treatment of Sperm Whales with Anger Management Issues

Political Whimsy

Also from OWH (7/17):  "What To Watch-RNC 2016 Cleveland. Security . . . Because Ohio is an open-carry gun state, protesters who are legally allowed to carry firearms can do so without permits. But people are banned from carrying 72 other items, including tennis balls & bicycle padlocks. As a result, protesters & counter protesters can't bring water guns but can bring assault rifles."  [A victory for super soaker rights advocates!]

Also from MST-column by Gail Collins (6/27):  "Tell-all book falls short on Clinton facts. I am so excited to tell you that we're returning to the question of whether or not Hillary Clinton threw a vase at her husband in the White House. Really, this one hasn't come up for about 20 years. But Gary Byrne says he saw the pieces! In a Box! Byrne is a former Secret Service officer who has written a tell-all book, 'Crisis of Character,' about the (horrible/embarrassing/appalling) incidents he purportedly witnessed during the Bill Clinton presidency.) . . . " [As a bonus feature, I include the following multiple-choice item.] 

Which of the following statements is most accurate?

1. The Minneapolis Star Tribune is a spear-carrier for the corrupt Clintonista's.
2. Gail Collins is a boot-licking lackey of the looney Clintonista's.
3. By "falls short" this writer means "No one could possibly publish a book big enough to include ALL the facts.
4. All of the above.

Hiatus Announced

My blog will be on hiatus the week of July 26-30. *
* Which is just as well, since my diatribes are being to sound, well, just like diatribes.

Reasons to Feel Optimistic + Bonus Devotional

mental health MON

Reasons to be Optimistic?

Recently(?) I blogged that while everyone's experience w/chronic mood disorders is unique . . . & it's not always possible to THINK or WILL your way out of the dumps . . . it MAY be possible to strive to look for reasons to be more optimistic. So, by reason of my altruistic(?) motives re:  my mental health MON posts, in conjunction w/my own personal experiences *, then by adding a "teaspoon" reminder that, as always, this is MY blog . . . here are some reasons why I am trying to feel more upbeat . . . more optimistic . . . less anxious these days:
* Which I can neither confirm nor deny as to their effectiveness

• On FRI 7/15, thanks to an accumulation of Fuel Savior points at Hy-Vee **, I paid $1.50 for 11 1/2 gallons of gas. ***
• I resumed walking Sammy around our "long" block earlier last week, thanks to Lois' assistance & encouragement. **** On FRI 7/15, despite being severely hampered by an injury to my left big toe, I accumulated 5,449 steps on my fitbit & walked Sammy to the short end of the block & back. Not impressed? It was my first solo trek w/our dog since before my hip replacement on 3/15. [Yes, I am truly a legend in my own mind.]
• I am striving to get a handle on some of the OCD behaviors that have reared their ugly heads since I slipped into a depressive state in April. For example, after posting a Hill Family Summer Reunion 2016 entry on SUN 7/10, I have promised myself that I will now cease discrete Hill Family SUN entries. *****
• I am striving to limit my blog entries to 3/week, namely, mental health MON, whimsical WED, & walking in the truth--FRI devotional.
• Last but not least, I encountered the following Truth from Scripture & Devotional Thought from my favorite reformer during my quiet time on JULY 8. "The Lord has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death." Psalm 118:18  We Shall Not Die But Live:  "We should recognize this verse as a masterpiece. How mightily the psalmist banishes death out of sight! He will know nothing of dying and of sin. At the same time he visualizes life most vividly and will hear nothing but life, as Christ says, 'If anyone keeps My Word, he will never see death.' (John 8:51) He so immerses himself in life that death is swallowed up by life and disappears completely, because he clings with a firm faith to the right hand of God . . . " [Source:  Martin Luther Day by Day, Concordia Publishing House]

** Never let it be said that I won't give credit where credit is due. With that in mind, I hereby give due credit to my spouse, who helped me accumulate these points through her own shrewd purchases, plus pointing out to me this morning that if I purchased Meat Package #4, I would gain 40 fuel saver points on that one purchase alone!

*** I can neither confirm nor deny that my purchase at the Hy-Vee Convenience Store, located adjacent to the Hy-Vee West Grocery Store in Norfolk, NE, included a Hershey's Dark Chocolate bar, which we all know [or should know] is loaded w/anti-oxidants.

**** We all know [or should know] that regular exercise promotes better mental health.

***** Don't be lulled into a false sense of security, Hill family members, both familial & camp followers . . . I reserve the right to include Hill family entries in my other blog entries.

Reasons to be depressed & anxious? *

Tagline from Drudge Report (7/15): "Hackers steal millions from ATMs, without cards . . . " [I was too anxious to read the article.]

From Omaha World Herald (7/11):  "Patrols increase after killing of protected owl in New Mexico. More officers have been put on patrol in the Caja del Rio area near Santa Fe after the reported killing of a burrowing owl, a federal Bureau of Land Management official said . . . " [Whoops! My bad . . . This excerpt should have read "Patrols increase after increased sightings of undocumented aliens near Santa Fe, a Dept. of Homeland Security official said . . . Wait . . . What?!"]

There Is No Place Like . . . Florida! From Norfolk Daily News (7/7):  "Florida in battle with stinky algae blooms. Amid a growing outcry--& national headlines--about a massive algae bloom fouling FL's southern beaches & rivers, Gov. Rick Scott . . . promised to dedicate millions more to battle the problem." [In related developments, "She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" blamed Republicans for budget cuts that defunded algae eradication; "He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" pointed out the Democrats' support for undocumented algae; "He-Who-Turned-Out-To-Be-a-Loser-&-Sell-Out" blamed "big business" for their lobbying efforts on behalf of the "stinky algae" industry; & P.E.T.S.A. threatened massive demonstrations if any hostile action is taken against "innocent" algae blooms, who have just as much right to peacefully co-exist alongside killer jellyfish & deadly electric eels."]

* I never said I was cured.

More Reasons to be Happy . . . Cheerful . . . Optimistic

Another Milestone!  On SAT 7/16, I mowed the front yard. This was the first time I mowed the lawn since the fall of 2015, before I had my hip replacement.

From "Trivia for the Toilet," by Gavin Webster (Fall River Press, 2002):  "Humans shed about 600,000 particles of skin every hour--about 1.5 lbs/year. By 70 yrs of age, an avg person will have lost 105 lbs of skin. [I am less than 7 yrs away from my goal of losing 105 lbs!]

From St. Paul Pioneer Press (6/4):  "First lady gives final graduation speech . . . " [I am NOT a hater.]

Also from OWH--column by David Ignatius (4/22):  "Young Arabs are fearful of Islamic State, terrorism . . . here's a surprising snapshot of what young Arabs think:  They're scared about the islamic State & terrorism; they year for more freedom & gender equality; they fear that the Arab Spring has made life worse; & they're increasingly skeptical about the role of traditional religious values." ["God Is in Control," Twila Paris]

Also from NDN (7/7):  "Cabbie who turned in $187K offered cruise. The Boston cab driver who got a $100 reward from a man who left a backpack containing more than $187,000 in his taxi has been offered a free cruise. Royal Caribbean on WED offered 72-year-old Raymond "Buzzy" MacCausland . . . a 7-day trip to the Caribbean, including airfare to FL." [The only comments I can come up with are disparaging comments about the guy who could only summon the generosity to give Buzzy a $100 reward for returning his $187,000 . . . so THREE CHEERS for Royal Caribbean!]

Also from OWH (6/17):  "No 'meatless Mondays' for the troops. If men & women serving in uniform want hamburgers, they should get hamburgers. That's the position of Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., who this week successfully pushed a provision into a defense spending bill that would prevent the exclusion of meat from the Defense Dept's food serve program manual . . . " [There is no place like Nebraska . . . & its representatives!]

Leckband Soiree vs Hill Family Reunion + My Feenawmuhnul Vokab

Leckband Family Summer 2016 Soiree

The Virgil Leckband branch of the Leckband family tree is also having a family event this summer. What it lacks in scope & sequence--compared to the Hill Family Summer Reunion--it makes up for in, well, I'll be giving that some thought.

The ostensible reason for this soiree is the occasion of my brother's 20th anniversary in the pastoral ministry, serving the dual parishes of St. Mark-Garrison & Zion-Shellsburg, both in Iowa. Ostensibly * this would also be the occasion of my sister-in-law Christy's 20th anniversary serving as "pastor's spouse" in the dual parishes of St. Mark & Zion. Don't believe that this is a significant role? Ask any pastor's wife.
* My word of the day. **
** Modesty inhibits me from mentioning that yesterday (7/16) Lois alerted me to a Facebook quiz:  "How Large Is Your Vocabulary?" I scored 29,800 words, putting me in the top .16%. ***
*** Fortunately for me, my lack of social restraint compels me to mention this.

Cogent Non-Trivialities re:  the Leckband 2016 Summer Soiree

There are significant differences between Leckband Soiree's & Hill Family Reunions.

1. First of all, it helps if you do NOT view this as a rivalry. One is NOT better than the other. *
2. Leckband Soiree's are demographically smaller, since we do not have the plethora of familial members & camp followers that is characteristic of the Hill Family gatherings.
3. Just because the Leckband Soiree will include two LCMS seminarian-trained church workers & six graduates from schools of the CUS, one should not think of the Leckband Soiree as being more spiritual. [One of these trained seminarians graduated from the "other" seminary, but I can neither confirm nor deny that he requires our women-folk to cover their heads before joining any conversation of a Biblical nature.'
4. We DO have to be careful how we discuss religious matters, since one or two of [whose name I will refrain from mentioning ** ] us belong to another synod ***.
5. Despite my close to 30,000 word vocabulary, which places me in the top .14% ****, there will be at least two "scholars" present who presumably have a working knowledge of Greek. This will put me at a disadvantage since--especially if they start throwing "fake" Greek words back & forth at each other, coupled with knowing glances--since no one else including me will know the difference.
6. As the oldest [ouch!] Leckband present, I SHOULD proudly wear the crown of Patriarch. However, knowing the clientage in attendance, I seriously doubt as to whether I will be accorded the proper respect.
7. Politics is a worthy topic of discussion, although two caveats must be taken seriously. {a} Once again, someone who shall not be named has taken a rather dangerous path down the progressive pathway to perdition. {b} I will enter this soiree without advance knowledge as to whether anyone has joined the "He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named' retinue.
8. One thing we DO have in common with the Hill Family Reunion . . . We do NOT hesitate to talk about those family members & camp followers who are not present to defend themselves.
9. There will NOT be a plethora of exotic beer, fine wine, and/or other products of a distilled nature. Hopefully, there will be one or more bottles of wine produced at the winery of my grand-parents former home in Ocheyedan, IA. *****

* Well, one is possibly a little less DYSFUNCTIONAL than the other. I'll leave it to my readers to decipher which one I am referring to.

** It's Nathan. SEE previous comment re: my lack of social restraint.

*** I'll give you a hint . . . It's one of the 168 Lutheran synods common to the Twin Cities area.
**** Have I mentioned that before? Not that I want to make a big deal about it, despite the invidiousness it may cause.
***** Nickname:  "Home of the Highest Point in Iowa Not Located on a Former Hog Lot"

A Brief History of Garrison, Iowa *

Garrison ** supposedly was named after the famous abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. According to my impeccable, unimpeachable sources at the Small-Town Iowa Legacy Institute of Forensic Science ***, there is some controversy about the actual origin of the town name. Some favor the town being named after Horace "Bubba" Garrison, originally a member of the Amanda Colonies, a lesser known off-shoot of the Amana Colonies.
      The Amanda Colonies held much of the same beliefs as the Amana Colonies, except there was a strict prohibition against serving "family-style" meals. "Bubba" Garrison was controversial because he insisted on wearing plaid coveralls & voted for Abraham Lincoln in the first, documented Iowa caucuses. Shunned for his unconventional beliefs & practices, Bubba emigrated to what is now the Garrison area & homesteaded a modest plot of ground, rumored to be the current site of the parsonage of the LCMS church. 
      Legend has it that on stormy nights, the ghost of Bubba can be seen, wandering the streets of Garrison, moaning, "Pass me the green beans! Pass me the mashed potatoes!"

* I apologize in advance IF this feature offends anyone. 
** Nickname:  "Home of the Miracle Library Lady"

*** STILIFS

My favorite reformer is doing the heavy lifting today

Walking in the Truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

"He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts." Luke 1:51

Today's Devotional Thoughts from Martin Luther *

"These words ("He has shown strength") . . . are not bound to any one time, but are intended to set forth in general the works of God that He always has done, always does, & always will do. Hence the following would be a fair translation:  'God is a Lord whose works are of such a nature that He mightily scatters the proud & is merciful to those who fear Him.' In the Scriptures, the 'arm' of God means God's own power, by which He works without the medium of any creature. This work is done quietly & in secret, & no one becomes aware of it until all is accomplished; so that this power, or arm, can be known & understood only by faith."

My Thoughts

• This was one of the meditative readings that was part of my "quiet time" on July 4. It seemed especially relevant at the time & even more so in light of subsequent events.
• We . . . or at least I . . . would prefer a God who acts boldly & decisively like the God of the Old Testament . . . striking down our enemies in dramatic & awesome fashion.
• Yet our God is a God whose "work is done quietly & in secret" . . . & no doubt this is the face of a merciful Savior.
• St. Paul writes, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Prayer Thoughts  

• Give thanks for a merciful God who ultimately will deliver us from sin, death, & Satan. 
• Ask God to bring healing to those wounded in recent terrorist & sniper attacks.
• Ask Him to bring comfort to the families of loved ones who have been killed.

* Source:  Martin Luther Day by Day, from The Magnificat {Luther's Works 21:339), Concordia Publishing House.

Sammy & fitbit + M.O.A. Odyssey + Twinkies

whimsical WED

Wednesday Whimsy

From Minneapolis Star Tribune (6/5):  "Here's a competition that hasn't made it to ESPN yet. Digging their way to the top, 18 2-man teams of Hungarian gravediggers displayed their skills FRI for a place in a regional championship to be held in Slovakia later this year. Participants in the contest held in plot 37A of the public cemetery of the eastern Hungarian city of Debrecen being judged on their speed were also getting points for style--the look of the finished grave mounds . . . " [Call me old-fashioned, * but this sounds more appealing to me than watching the X games. ** ]
* Ok . . . "You're old-fashioned!"
** Do they even broadcast the X games anymore? Inquiring minds want to know.

Updates:  Sammy & fitbit

On MON 7/11, I walked around the block w/Lois & Sammy. The significance? It was the first time I've had Sammy on the leash since before my hip replacement on 3/15 . . . & it went well. I also recorded 6,213 steps on my fitbit that day. It's a start.
      I received this email on TUE 7/5:  "Splendiferous! You've earned the Serengeti Badge. You may not have seen wildebeests, giraffes or zebras on this trek, but you have walked 500 miles--the same distance as the Serengeti, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World."  [I've shared before that these commendations don't particularly move or motivate me. Plus, I stopped wearing my fitbit while on vacation, because it stopped syncing w/my phone app . . . Hence, no daily record of walking, which DOES appeal to my OCD. When we got back to Norfolk, I recharged my fitbit battery & tried again . . . Still no results, so I asked Lois to reset it for me . . . Funny you should ask . . . I had inserted the battery backwards. LOL. * ]
* Looney old Lutheran.

Mall of America Odyssey

M.O.A. is the only Mall I love to visit . . . and I got to spend time there during the Hill Family Summer 2016 Reunion on SUN 7/3.

• I got to use my Starbucks gift card when I made a stop at Starbucks #2. [Ordinarily I boycott Starbucks because of their support for  Planned Parenthood, but, sadly, I do love their coffee, & my mercenary instincts won out.] I enjoyed a Caffe’ Americano.
• I was able to buy a St. Paul Pioneer Press, which I read while enjoying Chinese food at the main Food Court. 
• People watching is one of the things I love about M.O.A. I saw “Steve Urkel” . . . I saw a little boy & young man [millennial?] w/aqua-colored hair. [Sorry, dude . . . I had to stifle a laugh.] I also saw  "Frances McDormand" . . .  And I saw a man wearing t-shirt that read “I refuse to apologize for my faith, my values, my love for our constitution” . . . I complimented him & he beamed & thanked me.

How to Recognize a Store or Eating Establishment w/a Pretentious Name

• It has a name w/reverse letters, especially the letter "E".
• It has letters w/umlauts. [I can't figure out how to reproduce either of these effects.]
• It makes use of accent marks. EXAMPLE:  Lacoste'.

Criminal Minds

From Minneapolis Star Tribune (7/1):  "Dentist who killed lion still being investigated. One year after a beloved lion was killed in an American hunt carried out by a Twin Cities marksman, setting off an international firestorm, federal authorities said THU they are still investigating the death of Cecil the lion . . . "  [He should be thankful that it wasn't a gorilla.]

Food for Thought *

From Omaha World Herald (7/11):  "40-year-old Twinkie still going strong at Maine school. In a glass box in a private school in Maine sits a 40-year-old chemistry experiment still going strong:  a decades-old Twinkie. ABC News reported that the experiment started in 1976 when Roger Bennatti was teaching his high school chemistry class about food additives & shelf life.

      After a student wondered about the shelf life of the snack, Bennatti sent the students to the store. When they returned w/the treat, Bennatti ate one & place the still-surviving Twinkie on the blackboard. Bennett has retired, & the snack now resides in the office of George Stevens Academy's dean of students."  [My uncle used to drive a truck for Hostess. When we visited him on family vacations, he always shared a bounty of Hostess treats, including--one summer--DOUBLE stuffed Twinkies.]
* I haven't sold out! I received no remuneration of any kind for this blatant product placement. **
** That being said, I probably wouldn't have turned down a lifetime supply of this confectionary gem. ***
*** Even a year's supply would have been gladly accepted.

I'm a Secondary English Major . . . Remember?

Tagline from Drudge Report (5/21):  "Naked ladies perform Shakespeare in Central Park" . . . [Inquiring minds want to know . . . Why? * ]
* I didn't bother to read the accompanying article.

Wide, Wacky, Wonderful World of Celebrities

From Norfolk Daily News (5/14):  "Vanessa Hudgens. Actress Vanessa Hudgens paid $1,000 in restitution for carving a heart into a red rock wall during a trip to Sedona. Hudgens posted a photo of the carving bearing the names 'Vanessa' & 'Austin' on her Instagram page around Valentine's Day, along w/other photos of the couple amid towering red rocks that draw throngs of tourists to northern Arizona."  [I can neither confirm nor deny that she plea-bargained her way down to a $1,000 fine by pleading "innocent by reason of dumbness."]

Self-Therapy + G.O.M.E.R. Returns + Sponge Bob

mental health Monday

Advance Notice . . . frightful FRI to end

I've come to the conclusion--with some encouragement from family members--to cut back a little(?) on my blogging. For that reason, along with other reasons accompanying the all-too-fragile state of my mental health--I plan to eliminate my frightful FRI blog entries. Some of those entries were more applicable to my mental health MON entries anyway.

Blogging for Self-Therapy

Before embarking on our extended vacation [June 24-July 6], I promised myself that I would take the following steps to minimize my symptoms of depression, anxiety, & OCD. And how did I do?

• Exercise regularly. [GRADE D. I walked with Lois around the SPLHS quad & St. Paul's Lutheran Church cemetery once while in Concordia, MO, for my Class of '71 Reunion; walked extensively thru M.O.A. while participating in the Hill Family 2016 Summer Reunion in the Twin Cities; also went for a moderately strenuous 30-min. walk in the Lebanon Hills Regional Park {Eagan, MN], also during the Hill Family Reunion. Other than multiple casts w/my fishing pole, * while fishing at Little Island Lake while up north--prior to the Reunion--that was the extent of my deliberate exercising. So, that would be 3 deliberate exercise episodes over 13 days.] * One could aptly describe this as mostly an "exercise" of futility.
• Avoid the subject of politics. [GRADE C-. I deliberately avoided any partisan, radio talk-show programs. I bought more daily newspapers than I intended, which necessarily included the reading of partisan pundits. I engaged in more political discussions than I had intended, which were not always of my making. * ] * At times it was other people who goaded me into partisan, political, pontificating.
• Avoid or minimize OCD behaviors. [GRADE C. I successfully avoided pathologically arranging & organizing my clothing, either in closets or my duffel bag, even going so far as to heedlessly tossing clean laundry into my duffel bag after it had been washed. Although I hadn't promised myself that I wouldn't buy newspapers, I did find myself searching them out, whether in vending machines--for which I started saving change--convenience stores, and/or book stores . . . AND, regretfully, I started noting and saving articles for further clipping & referencing in my blogs. * ] * Some of which have been put to use already since we returned home & I ended my blog hiatus.
• Enact a blogging hiatus. [GRADE B-. The good news? I did not post a single blog entry will on vacation. The bad news? I did take notes for future reference for when I resumed my blog upon my return. I should note--to my credit--that I refrained from blogging even though I did take our laptop along for purposes other than blogging, which I cannot recollect at this time.]
• Healthy eating habits. [GRADE D-. Let's not go there.]
• Striking a balance between reticence & effusiveness. [GRADE D. As I approached both my high school class reunion in Concordia & the Hill Family Reunion in the Twin Cities, I shared these two anxieties w/my long-suffering spouse. First, that I would wither & withdraw, since I've been in a depressive state since APR, & that includes an apprehension about being in crowds--also a vast amount of insecurity-- leading to a need to be alone for "Paul time." Second, that I would have a hard time, for lack of a more succinct mental-health term, keeping my mouth shut. Although there were times when I found myself quiet, reserved, & withdrawn, needing to pull away & spend time by myself, I just as often let certain stimuli provoke me into comments {rants?} that, while spontaneous, were surely tiresome & possibly baffling to the victims. First, it was my classmates, then, my family. For that I am sincerely sorry. I also did a lot of intimate sharing about my personal mental health condition. I had struggled in advance as to whether I should make myself vulnerable by risking this sharing, but I took a chance. I shared quite a bit with my classmates, then later w/my cousin Ted. My perception was that they were all very accepting, very forgiving . . . It was also amazing to find out that some of them had similar experiences or had children or other loved ones who had similar experiences. I was treated with patience & love.]

More Self-Therapy . . . or More Pity Party?

I'm still struggling to work through a depressive episode which began in April. I continue to see my therapist every-other week. I'm visiting my psychiatrist every 2-3 weeks, & last week he prescribed an additional medication for me. I have very mixed feelings about adding yet another psycho-tropic medication, because in the past I feel that I've been all too will to use medications as a crutch, rather than take the harder step, which would be to make lifestyle changes.

      Lois continues to be a huge blessing in my life . . . She especially bears a burden when I'm struggling, because I tend to be a little [a lot], shall we say [Yes, we shall say it!] edgier. 

      Being transparent, I hope, is a way to provide some insight for others who may have suffered, are suffering now, or suspect that they may be suffering from one or more mood disorders. I gotta tell you . . . it adds to some of my symptoms, but I'm going to try to persevere.

       Which brings me to one last point . . . a daily quiet time, including Scripture, meditative, devotional readings, & prayer, continues to be a benefit for me, even as I struggle to keep it from becoming just another OCD symptom.

G.O.M.E.R. * Returns to a New Time...A New Place

* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants **
** Because I'm a grumpy old man. I have an obligation to elucidate . . . I have an obligation to rant. It's what I/we do.

Re:  Police Shooting Black Men & Sniper Shooting Policemen in Dallas . . . First of all, yes, this does add to my depression for several reasons.

• Why is it assumed that we must be polarized into one camp or another? We must be either pro-police & anti-Black Lives Matter, or we must be anti-police & pro-Black Lives Matter? Can't we be both/and? [DISCLAIMER:  I gained this insight after watching a link on Facebook from a late-night talk-show host on SAT 7/9. Unfortunately, his name & show escape me.]
• I also recently saw another link on Facebook that highlighted a spokesperson--I think representing a Black Lives Matter group--who loudly proclaimed that anyone who flaunts a "All Lives Matter" banner is racist. Once again, the name escapes me. My reaction? Give me a break . . . All lives DO matter . . . & I am NOT a hater!
• I most assuredly despair at any lives--black or white--that are lost if & when police overreact--just as I despair when people apparently take justice into their own hands & apparently execute police in retaliation. Having said that . . . 
• It certainly doesn't help when politicians "rush to judgment" before all the facts are in, because they seem to be more interested in scoring political points than using their bully pulpits to calm anger & soothe tensions. EXAMPLES? "A suburban police officer who killed a black motorist likely wouldn't have fired if the driver had been white, MN's governor declares, jumping into a suddenly reignited national debate over how law enforcement treats people of color." [Norfolk Daily News, 7/8] . . . "Obama: Police must root out bias . . . " [Also from NDN, 7/8]

From Minneapolis Star Tribune (7/3):  "Abortions drop to historic lows in state . . . " [DEPT of Imaginary News Releases:  In light of recent court decisions restoring state funds to Planned Parenthood, the organization now plans to file suit, arguing that abortion rates be restored to historic levels.]

Reasons to be Depressed? Anxious?

Also from MST (7/1):  "Fresh off the grill: Tiny, sharp brush wires. When Deborah Zvosec fished around in her mouth during dinner & pulled out a small grill brush bristle one recent evening, there was a terrifying moment around the table as her 2 guests looked down & found their own metal fibers sticking to the chicken & potatoes. What happened next was just as awful . . . Zvosec went to Hennepin County Medical Center the day after the 5/27 dinner because she felt discomfort. Imaging scans found a 1.7 centimeter wire segment embedded deep in her tongue . . . "  [I use a wire brush to clean off our propane grill. If I was planning to fly any time soon, I could potentially avoid a costly medical examination & test via a TSA scan.] *
* And, yes, it does occur to me that--in light of this poor woman's medical emergency--this reaction may be considered in poor taste.

Reasons to be Happy

Source: Trivia for the Toilet, compiled by Gavin Webster. (Fall River Press, 2002). *

• "When Bugs Bunny first appeared in 1935, he was called Happy Rabbit." [Still ranks as one of my favorite SAT a.m. cartoon shows. **]
• "People who laugh a lot are much healthier than those who don't . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny whether this is a recommendation for reading my blog or not.]

* I acquired this gem of a book at the Barnes & Noble bookstore @ M.O.A. will participating at the recently concluded Hill Family 2016 Family Reunion.
** In light of the cartoons I occasionally watch with my grand-kids, I am Paul & appalled at how cartoon standards have devolved. Sponge Bob Squarepants? Give me a break! ***
*** Yes, this easily could also have qualified for my G.O.M.E.R. feature above.

Hill Family 2016 Summer Reunion Swan Song?

Exclusive Hill Family 2016 Summer Reunion Redux

HILL FAMILY SUMMER 2016 REUNION AWARDS & KUDO’S

1. You can qualify for multiple awards, KUDO’s, & honorable mentions; based solely on the discretion of the . . .
2.  . . . Hill Family 2016 Summer Reunion Awards & KUDO’s Commission, whose members were discretely taking notes even while the Reunion was in progress.
3. Much research, reasoned discussion, & careful logic went into these citations . . .
4.  . . . which is not to say that they are entirely objective.
5. DISCLAIMER #1:  While every(?) attempt has been made to award at least one citation to everyone who was present, regardless of his or her status, no attempt was made to divvy out awards evenly or attain a measure of fairness in selecting those whom the Commission felt were most deserving of specific citation(s) . . .
6. . . . i.e, the question may be asked, “Are these citations “fair & balanced?” Well, you’ll just have to be the judge . . . remembering, as always . . . It’s my blog!
7.  With one excepted category, you must have been present to “win.”
8. Although most citations will be obvious, some annotations have been added to clarify, just in case.
9. SUGGESTION:  Count how many times each name appears. See whose name shows up the most. Determine where your name ranks. We assure you that it has nothing to do with how you rank with the Commission or this blogger . . . as far as you know.
10. DISCLAIMER #2:  If the Commission has omitted your name in a category for which you rightfully feel that you should have received recognition, we sincerely regret our negligence.

Most Valuable Newcomers [Category: Familial & Camp Followers]

• Erose Hill
• Haiden Hill
• Calvin Leckband
• Faith Nino

Most Valuable Newcomer w/Distinction

• Erose Hill  [Despite her first encounter with this blogger, she took a selfie with the two of us @ Bubba Gump’s; also had a picture taken of the two of us on the bench outside of Bubba Gump’s . . . both @ M.O.A. I’d like to think that we bonded. Of course, I'd also like to see the KC Royals repeat as World Series champions.]

Cutest, Most Adorable, Smartest, and/or Most Strong-Willed Grand-Children [Category:  Familial & Camp Followers]

• Grace & Faith Nino
• Kylie & Haiden Hill
• Brianna & Hadley Worley
• Bentley Broders
• Faith Nino
• Calvin Leckband

Most Valuable Camp Followers:

• John Olson  [Among numerous other reasons, he noticed that this blogger was reading a Civil War history book.]
• Blake Nino  [Among numerous other reasons, helped keep our "wine cellar" replenished.]
• Jerry Wolfe  [Among numerous other reasons, listened politely while this blogger discussed his fishing success--or lack thereof--following recent expedition at Little Island Lake.]
• Craig Worley  [Among numerous other reasons, recently received Army National Guard "promotion" to Camp Ashland, located just north of Lincoln, NE . . . but still faces deployment later this summer.]
• Sarah Carman-Gertcher & Sophia [Seems to like this blogger; her daughter is close friends w/this blogger's grand-daughter Brianna Worley.]

Most Valuable Camp Followers w/Distinction

• Sarah Carman-Gertcher [Sarah—Laura’s sister--told me that I was funnier than my son, her brother-in-law.]
• Laura Leckband [She hosted our SUN 7/3 cook-out @ her realm, “Children’s Country Day.”]

“Trying to Herd Cats” Award for Her Attempt to Chair A Family Mtg to Determine Next Summer’s Famiy Reunion, including Both Location & Dates

• Wanda Olson  [GROUP CONVERSATION:  "Let's meet in Concordia . . . No, that's boring even if centrally located & most economical; also located too far away from Kansas City . . . Branson, MO? . . . No, too hot & humid; also too pricey . . . California? Ideal location for Chris & Megan's wedding reception . . . Probably inconvenient for some nieces & nephews . . . If CA means Lake Tahoe, too pricey . . . Chicago? Central location & lots of attractions & probably lodging options . . . Will it draw family from East & West Coasts? . . . Rapid City, Black Hills, Badlands, Wall Drug (Wall, SD) . . . Ideal location apparently only taken seriously by this blogger . . . "  LOCATION? "Earlier in June? Some family members still have school responsibilities . . . Later in June? Probably interferes w/some job responsibilities . . . 4th of July & later in July? Definitely interferes w/some job responsibilities, plus weather-related concerns re:  some locations . . . Early August? Interferes w/some back-to-school responsibilities.]

Honorable Mention
This blogger [Tried hard to help Wanda "herd cats."]

“Present in Spirit” Award

• Brother John Hill [John was unable to attend, due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. NOTE: This did not keep either familial or camp followers from talking about him, even though he was not present to defend himself. 2ND NOTE:  A “Where’s John?” picture was taken & posted, this blogger believes, on Facebook. 3RD NOTE:  This blogger was sworn to secrecy re:  what John’s big brother observed on the ground in the vacancy where John could have been standing in the “Where’s John?” photo. FINAL NOTE:  Brother John is a familial member, not a monk.]

KUDO’S for Funniest Comment Overhead by Blogger

• On TUE 7/5, during a conversation in the kitchen, which included David & Carmen Hill; & Anita Wolfe, this blogger commented, “My extensive knowledge of psycho-therapy should help us try to understand Anita’s behavior toward David . . . “; to which Kathy Farmer replied, “Well, THAT shouldn’t take long.”

KUDO’s for Most Solicited Medical Advice

• Kathy Farmer

Honorable Mention
Anita Wolfe 

KUDO’s for Most Patience Exhibited Throughout Family Reunion Week

• David & Carmen Hill [Graciously shared their vehicle w/this blogger on the ride from Little Island Lake to the Twin Cities on SUN 7/3]
• Lois Leckband [Duh . . . Married to this blogger]

Honorable Mention
Wanda Olson [SEE category above.] 

Most Valuable Mothers [Category:  Familial & Camp Followers]

• Teresa Nino
• Tasha Hill
• Laura Leckband
• Sarah Worley
• Rachel Broders

Honorable Mention
Wanda Olson
Carmen Hill
Anita Wolfe
Lois Leckband 

Most Valuable Grand-Mothers

• Wanda Olson
• Carmen Hill
• Lois Leckband

Most Valuable Fathers [Category: Familial & Camp Followers]

• Blake Nino
• Kyle Hill
• Craig Worley
• Nathan Leckband

Honorable Mention
John Olson
David Hill
Jerry Wolfe
This blogger 

Most Valuable Grand-Fathers [Category: Familial & Camp Followers]

• John Olson
• David Hill
• This blogger [NOTE:  I have mentioned this before but feel compelled to mention it again . . . I have dual status as both a familial member & a camp follower. SEE previous Hill Family Summer Reunion 2016 posts.]

“Lewis & Clark” Award for Impeccable Directions & Role-Modeling while Driving

• Anita Wolfe [Example #1:  “Wolfe Rumpus” … Example #2:  Swerving across two lanes of traffic {This blogger has witnesses.} from the left-hand turn lane on the interstate in order to exit onto the right-hand turn lane.]

KUDO’s for Coping w/Middle-Child Syndrome in the Midst of Persecution by Many Familial & Camp Followers

• Kory Hill  [Please note that this blogger was an exception who consistently stuck up for you—even when you weren’t around to stick up for yourself.]

Honorable Mention
David Hill
Carmen Hill
Anita Wolfe
Sarah Worley
Lois Leckband

Special Note:  It is the opinion of this Commission that Kathy Farmer does not qualify. One can hardly qualify as a “middle child” when one is the 2^nd of 7 children. We’re sorry IF this offends you.] 

KUDO’s for Exhibiting Exemplary Behavior Despite Suffering from Only-Child Syndrome [Category: Familial & Camp Followers]

• Lia Wolfe

Honorable Mention
Bentley Broders
Calvin Leckband
Sophia

KUDO’s for Exhibiting Exemplary Behavior Despite Suffering from Oldest Child Syndrome

• Wanda Olson
• This blogger

Honorable Mention
Teresa Nino
Kyle Hill
Nathan Leckband
Sarah Carman-Gertcher

KUDO’s for Remembering this Blogger’s OCD re:  His Collection of Hotel Soap, Shampoo & Conditioner

> Kyle & Tasha Hill

• 1 bottle dental rinse & 1 bottle “refreshing” mouthwash [I couldn’t ascertain whether the seals had been broken.]
• 14 bottles of shampoo
• 4 bottles of body lotion
• 6 bottles of conditioner
• 2 bottles of shampoo w/conditioner
• 1 bottle of “invigorating” bath gel
• 11 tiny soaps
• 7 small soaps
• 8 big soaps

Honorable Mention:  John & Wanda Olson

• 9 bars of soap, mostly small
• 4 bottles of “conditioning” shampoo  

KUDO'S for Sticking Up for His Uncle @ Bubba Gump's

• Kory Hill [There was an unfortunate, ugly, & quite unnecessary incident while the family was {trying} to enjoy supper at Bubba Gump's {M.O.A.}. One of The Sisters offered an appetizer to this blogger, who interpreted her so-called gesture of hospitality as extending to everyone at his table. Henceforth, he appropriated the appetizer--making no effort to hide his intentions--& returned to his table. This provoked completely unwarranted & ungracious cries of outrage from not just the "party-pooper" table but some familial members of his own table. Kory was one of the few members of this blogger's table to stick up for his uncle.]

Frightful Friday? My hiatus is regretfully over...

whimsical wednesday . . . special friday edition

WED Whimsy . . . on FRI!

From Sioux City Journal (7/6):  "Last living person to work on Mt. Rushmore turns 95. The last living person to work on the Mt. Rushmore National memorial turned 95 years old on TUE. Don Clifford tells the Rapid City [SD] Journal that working on the monument was 'the greatest thing with which I was ever involved' . . . " [I met Don Clifford at a book-signing event at Mt. Rushmore a few summers ago. He autographed a copy of his book for me. My brilliant, incisive conversation with him? ME: "It must have been a great experience." DON CLIFFORD: "Nothing like it."]

Criminal Minds

From Omaha World Herald (7/7): "Man fails to sneak into Switzerland inside luggage. Swiss border guards caught a 21-year-old Eritrean trying to sneak into southern Switzerland inside a piece of luggage on a train from Italy, a tactic not previously seen by local authorities amid an influx of migrants trying to reach northern Europe . . . " [Dept. of Imaginary Conversations. POTUS: "I've come up with a brilliant idea for getting more refugees into the country right under the noses of our conservative "friends." SOS: "Whatever it is, I'm all over it like a cheap suit."]

There Is No Place Like . . . 

New York?

From Norfolk Daily News (6/23): "NYC lawmakers pass novel requirement for free tampons. NYC is on track to become the nation's first city to require free tampons & sanitary pads in public schools, homeless shelters & jails after lawmakers approved the idea TUE amid a national discussion of the costs of having a period . . . " [Will there also be a mandate to put machines--dispensing free tampons, of course--in both men's & women's restrooms? Inquiring minds want to know!]

Food for Thought

Also from SCJ (7/6): "Summer food mysteries solved . . . How about an ice-cold beer to battle that summer heat? Hmmm...Despite the ice-cold container, beer may not be the best choice to keep you cool as alcohol creates dehydration . . . " [What's so mysterious about this? And what does keeping cool have to do with anything?]

Wide, Wacky World of Celebrities

Also from OWH (6/23):  "Colbert's 'Late Show' will air live during conventions.  Stephen Colbert will air two weeks of live programs during the Republican & Democratic conventions . . . CBS said WED that Colbert will host the 'Late Show' from his usual studio in NYC . . . " [Hmmm...Stephen Colbert...live programs from the conventions...aired by CBS...Because nothing says "fair & balanced" political, non-partisan commentary like Stephen Colbert on CBS.]

Political Potpourri

From Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial page (6/28):  "A major victory for women's health. If new abortion clinic requirements put in place by TX were really necessary to protect women's health, then one would expect a leading medical group to decry MON's U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the Lone Star State's restrictive mandates . . . " [Correction . . . "What we meant to say was, 'A major victory for women EXCEPT for UNBORN women babies . . . '"]