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mental health monday...special tuesday edition

Mental Health Update

• I received a voice mail on FRI 9/23, notifying me that my health insurance had been restored, retroactive to 8/1/16. MOOD ENHANCED!
• On MON 9/26, I called my pharmacy after getting a text that a long-awaited psychoactive medication had finally been filled. When I asked if insurance had covered it, I was informed that it had NOT. Now I will most likely have to call my health insurance rep again today. MOOD DE-STABILIZED!
• On MON 9/26, I received a phone call from my other insurance company, notifying me that they had been notified that my health insurance had been reinstated. I stated that since my most current addendum to my original letter of appeal, along w/my most current medical documentation, should have been received by them, since I had express-mailed it to them, guaranteed-delivery by FRI 9/23 by 3:00p, & the deadline for having all appeals & documentation was SUN 9/25; & the deadline fell on a SUN; I assumed that I had met the criteria for meeting the deadline. MOOD MILDLY ENHANCED.
• I was informed that the mailed material went to a separate bldg, so, no, my rep had NOT yet received it. HOWEVER, she allowed "about" a week's "grace period," & "most likely" would be receiving it within the next few days.
• She told me that she would give me a call when she received it. MOOD NEITHER ENHANCED NOR DE-STABILIZED.

Reasons to Be: Cheerful ... Gloomy ... Depressed ... Optimistic ... Anxious ... Calm ... Somewhere in Between

From Lincoln Journal Star (8/31):  "Your dog really understands you. A brain scan shows how. Your dog gets you. I mean, he really gets you. No, really--he actually does. So say scientists in Hungary, who have published a groundbreaking study that found dogs understand both the meaning of words & the intonation used to speak them. Put simply:  Even if you use a very excited tone of voice to tell the dog he's going to the vet, he'll probably see through you & be bummed about going . . . " [First, can we really trust scientists from a former communist country? On the other hand, according to my maternal grand-mother, I may have some Hungarian ancestry. On the other hand, this has implications for taking my dog on therapeutic walks.] *

* fitbit update:  When I got back from my late evening stroll w/Sammy on MON 9/26, I was informed that I had achieved 10,685 steps--meeting my daily goal. Today,  besides walking him, I also hope to get the entire lawn mowed.

From Norfolk Daily News "Ask the Doctor" (9/20): "How germy is that toilet seat, actually? DEAR DR. ROACH: Like most women, I was raised to avoid letting any part of my body touch the seat of a public toilet. As I age, I find it more & more difficult to maintain 'the stance.' Just how dangerous is that toilet seat? What awful diseases are we chancing by giving in to our quivering thighs & sitting down? Millions of women want to know!--B.G. ANSWER from DR. KEITH ROACH: Toilet seats are comparatively very clean & free from unhealthy bacteria. I say 'comparatively' since the 50 bacteria per inch on a toilet seat compares to 10 million per square in on a typical kitchen sponge . . . 
      "It is possible--however unlikely--to catch a disease from a toilet seat. If the last person who used it had a contagious gastrointestinal illness (Noro-virus & Shigella are the main ones), it's possible you could pick it up . . . " [Those of us w/a diagnosed general anxiety disorder & OCD are NOT comforted by your answer, Doctor.]

Also from LJS (9/24): "Chill out, ladies. Stress can erase benefits of your healthful diet. Life sometimes foils the best of our intentions. New research on women, stress & diet amply illustrates that sad fact. It shows that even when women greeted a new day w/a 'better-for-you' fast-food breakfast, that meal's expected health-promoting qualities were washed away by the carry-over effects of yesterday's stresses . . . " [Two insights to share:  2 McD's breakfast burrito's w/mild picante' sauce = "better-for-you" FF breakfast & my wife the 1st grade teacher would attest to the veracity of this study.]

Ditto OWH (8/20): "Some common beliefs on hydration are wrong.

1. "True or false: Coffee & tea count toward hydration. True. [I try to avoid tea since it may promote the formation of kidney stones, & I have had my share of kidney stone issues. However, I have been known to indulge in coffee.] *
2. "Coconut water hydrates better than water. False. [Ever tasted coconut water? If you were marooned on a desert island w/nothing but coconuts to sustain you, you might choose to die from lack of hydration. I'm just sayin'.]
3. "Drinking extra water will keep your skin moist. False. [I think I remember one of my RN sisters-in-law spreading this fallacy years ago. Hopefully my RN niece learned otherwise in the enlightened 2010s.]
4. "The foods you eat can help you stay hydrated. True. [Biscuits & gravy?]
5. "Drinking water may help you lose weight. True. [I.E., coffee may help you lose weight.]
6. "You need to drink before you get thirsty. False. [Does this apply to beer?]
7. "You should aim to drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day. False. [Many, many years ago I tried the Weight Watchers regimen, which included this fallacy. I faithfully followed this routine & lost weight. I gained it all back, which is proof--I'm fairly certain--that witchcraft is not good practice when trying to lose weight.]

* After dabbling in McCafe Dark Roast & Trader Vic's Dark Ground Coffee, I'm back to Seattle's Best Dark #5.

Taglines from Drudge Report (9/16):

• "The American exorcists . . . HUGE increase in demand . . . Pagan activities in full force . . . " [I was a little concerned about the noises coming from my neighbor's house last Saturday until I realized he was hosting a Cornhusker party.] *
• "HAWKING:  Humans Have No Future If Don't Go To Space . . . [The Bible has something apt to say about this. I'm not a hater; I'm just sayin'.]
• "Creepy Clowns in MORE States . . . [I have nothing against clowns personally. In fact, did you know that Plainview, NE, is the Clown Capital of Nebraska?]
• "Huge meteor crashes to earth . . . " [I haven't seen any fresh "vole-holes"--faux meteorite holes(?) in my yard lately, so I'm pretty sure that none of the fragments struck close to home.] **
• "Roller coasters cure for kidney stones . . .  [Does CPS know about this break-thru in medical science?]
• "Temporary tattoos treat chronic health issues. [Hmm. Live w/depression or get multi-colored tattoos w/my grandkids' names & birthdates on both arms . . . ]
• "Sex makes men more likely to believe in God . . . " [I chose not to read this article, but I can't help wondering if there was corresponding data to indicate whether sex is more likely to make women agnostic.]

* FYI:  We beat Northwestern despite shooting ourselves several times in the foot during the first half . . . & I better not hear from any gun control fanatics!

** Are you impressed that I know the difference between a meteor & meteorite?

WHY I DID NOT WATCH LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE

From OWH (9/27):  "A Brawl That Got Personal. Trump attacks Clinton on her stamina & emails; she goes after his misstatements & his business history." [Since I chose not to watch last night's debate . . . nor did I read the rest of this article . . . nor did I check-out the Drudge Report this morning, I can neither confirm nor deny that part of their exchange included this immature bout of insults:  DT: "Is it true that when a Goodwill Center sees you coming, it jacks up the prices of its pant-suit inventory?" HC: "Really? At least my mother doesn't wear Army shoes!"]

Don't Trust Princes . . . or Politicians . . . or Presidents!

Walking in the Non-partisan Truth

Some opening devotional thoughts...Please bear with me!

I hope my heading wasn't so off-putting that you make up your mind to stop reading & don't follow through  w/the rest of this devotional, because I think God's Truth bears some powerful non-partisan Truth to the theme. Whether my devotional thoughts contribute anything to today's conversation remains to be seen. I'm optimistic, but, as always, I trust God's Truth over my thoughts.

Today's Truth from Scripture

"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
      "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven & earth, the sea, & everything in them--the Lord, Who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed & gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.
      "The Lord watches over the alien & sustains the fatherless & the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord."  Psalm 146

More devotional thoughts

Today's political discourse seems unprecedented in its hatred & venom, but if you are a student of American history--particularly the years leading up to the Civil War & the years of the Civil War--you know that we've endured very public, very uncivil discourse in our nation's past.

Abraham Lincoln, considered by many on both the left & right, to be perhaps our country's greatest president, was called a "gorilla" by members of his own political party. While in office he was attacked by abolitionists for being too meek in the cause of abolishing slavery . . . attacked by states' rightists for switching the cause of the Civil War from the preservation of the Union to the abolition of an institution that many felt had biblical connotations. Ultimately he was assassinated . . . and I'm not the only "historian" who feels that our nation's history is the poorer for it. But I digress.

Many put their faith in Abraham Lincoln to "save" the country. It didn't happen, just like those who put their faith in Robert E. Lee & Jefferson Davis were sorely disappointed . . . & those who put their faith in progressive politicians such as Teddy Roosevelt [Wasn't he a Republican? That's a rhetorical question.] & Woodrow Wilson were also sorely disappointed.

Modern-day conservatives see FDR as a villain, but I know dyed-in-the-wood conservatives who think he saved the American farmer & despite their social conservatism still vote Democratic out of loyalty to a man who suspended civil rights & may have stayed in office long enough to betray our allies in Eastern Europe. [Sorry--I may have slipped into partisan, political discourse there.]

I refuse to enter into the debate re:  today's politically partisan causes. My point is fairly simple . . . I hope. [My political blogs? Wish I could promise the same.]

Call them princes . . . congressmen . . . judges . . . governors . . . candidates for the POTUS . . . and, yes, even the POTUS himself . . . The True God of our fathers is quite clear throughout Scripture but particularly in today's text.

"Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing."

So is our nation doomed? Well, some argue that you get the political leadership you deserve . . . & many have voted for our current political leadership . . . or stayed silent about the political course of our country for the last how many generations?!

Where's the Gospel in all this?

      "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven & earth, the sea, & everything in them--the Lord, Who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed & gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.
      "The Lord watches over the alien & sustains the fatherless & the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord."

I don't think that I've been given the gift of prophecy, so I can't look into the future to speculate about the future of our country. I DO believe that I can distill Gospel from Law in this passage, & the latter words of God's inerrant Psalm-writer provide hope & comfort for those made righteous--not by our own works--but by the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ, our only truly partisan Way, Truth, & Life.

For this & this alone we are able to proclaim with the Psalmist:  "The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord."

Today's Prayer Thoughts

Ask the Lord to bless us with godly leaders. Thank Him for blessing our country in so many ways. Ask for His forgiveness & genuine, repentant hearts when we put our trust in ungodly leaders & policies that are far removed from His plan of salvation & holy living.

Missionary News

Lois & I have "adopted" two missionaries:  Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese, who are preparing to serve in Ghana & West Africa, probably beginning soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

Collectibles + Olive Oil + Bad Behavior

whimsical WED

Wednesday Whimsy

Speaking of hobbies, my earliest hobby was collecting rocks & minerals. It started on a family vacation to the Mesabi Range in MN--Summer of 1960. We visited an open pit iron mine [Do they even operate any more?], plus a museum. The red gravel everywhere piqued my interest, & my dad explained that the red coloring came from iron ore, so I grabbed a handful & that was the beginning of my rock & mineral collection.
      The next summer our family vacation took us to the Black Hills, & we toured a gold mine in either Lead or Deadwood. We were allowed to take a sample of "gold-ore"--I'm guessing it was either fool's gold or back when the price of gold was so low that no one was operating gold mines. Anyway, not only did I bring back a sample of "gold ore," I also bought a small, souvenir rock & mineral collection, which I kept for years. Don't know whatever happened to it & would give just about anything to have it back.
      And then there were baseball cards. We all collected baseball cards:  Topps bubble gum cards, baseball cards off the back of cereal boxes. I never came close to getting a whole year's collection, never worried about keeping my cards in pristine condition, & eventually sold my collection to my little brother for a pittance. There may have been some true, collectors' items in that collection . . . maybe someday I'll get a nice, fat check from him when his conscience has bothered him long enough.

From Parade Magazine (7/10): "Robots, Gnomes & Beatniks--OH MY! What makes collectors tick?" [It's going to seem like I'm making fun of these people--probably by including my LAMENESS RATING SCALE--but don't be fooled. Just by including this feature, it may be an indication of grudging respect . . . or not.]

• "Heidi Manley. What she collects: Desk Service Bells. How many she has:  46." MY LAMENESS RATING 4.5 on 5.0 scale. Very unique. Who distracts the desk clerk while she purloins the desk bells? Inquiring minds want to know.
• "Justin Pinchot. What he collects: Toy robots, vintage cars, microphones, wristwatches." LAMENESS RATING 4.0. I suspect he may have trouble focusing--so I feel some empathy.
• "Bruce Tyler. What he collects: Exotic beads. "How many he has: Thousands of individual beads & several hundred strands of beads." LAMENESS RATING 3.0
• "Susan Kaufman. What she collects: Kissing Dutch figurines. How many she has: 7 complete sets, including a gay couple. I only collect ones that are separate figures designed for show--no salt & pepper shakers, for example."  LAMENESS RATING 2.5 I'm not a hater! It's just that I picture their eyes following me every time I walk past them.
• "Ellen Feig. What she collects: Kreiss & Co. Psycho Ceramics. How many she has: Close to 30."  LAMENESS RATING 4.0  A little creepy but also pretty unique.
• "Elias Schendler. What he collects: Garden gnomes. How many he has: 37--I want to wind up w/100." LAMENESS RATING 2.0 I'll bet this would annoy the neighbors more than my crabgrass.

It strikes me that this feature may be somewhat mean-spirited, so I'll divulge my adult-collections, which are somewhat pathetic.

• Rubber bands. I subscribe to both a morning newspaper & the Norfolk Daily News. One of those newspapers always comes with a rubber band. Both of them used to.
• Hotel soap, shampoo & conditioner. DISCLAIMER:  I use them up--haven't had to buy any for probably 8 years at least.
• Coffee cups. I used to have them hanging on the wall until my wife redecorated. Favorites include {a} a National Parks anniversary mug, which I got as a present. I did not purchase it at a National Park, but it reminds me of Lois & my 40th anniversary odyssey--summer of 2015--to the Grand Tetons & Yellowstone. {b} 2 cups we obtained in Hawaii, including a free cup we got at Hilo Hattie's on the Big Island--both made in China?!; {c} a large, yellow, to-do list cup, which I got as a perk from the LHNE music groups on one of our spring trips when I drove the equipment van; it came w/a special marker, so I actually could have used it as a to-do list, but I lost the marker; {d} "My wife is a 10." For obvious reasons.

Food for Thought

From Omaha World Herald (9/19): "Olive oil frees man's head stuck at jetty ahead of incoming tide. A man who got stuck head-first between two rocks at a Rhode island jetty while trying to retrieve his cellphone was rescued with the help of olive oil . . . firefighters & police spent most of the afternoon trying to free him before the tide came in. After about 2 hours they were able to remove him by using olive oil." [More convincing proof that the Mediterranean diet can result in a longer life.]

Special Feature for English Majors

Dept. of Dialogue from Favorite Comic Strips

Pearls Before Swine, OWH (8/30):

Goat: Do you ever think about why we choose to kill certain animals & let others live?

Rat:  How do you mean?

Goat:  Well, if cows could write poetry, would we still kill them?

Rat:  I'd kill them faster.

Pause

Rat:  Snooty cows.

Ditto, OWH (8/31):

Rat & Zebra are sitting at a lunch counter.

Rat:  Goat thinks that if cows could write poetry we wouldn't kill them & eat them.

Zebra:  I suppose that's true. How could we destroy such literary talent?

Pause while scene shifts to include Cow at opposite end of lunch counter.

Last frame. Cow is writing poetry:

"Roses is red, Violets is blue, Plees don't shoot, Moo moo moo moooooo.

Ditto. OWH (9/14)
Goat: Every time I get depressed about people's intelligence I see a story that gives me real hope.
Rat: Like what?
Goat: Like this story. It says book sales are up for the first time in 9 years.
Rat: What's driving the sales? History books? Science books?
Goat: Adult coloring books.
Goat: (Pause) We're ****** doomed.
Pig: Look. Reading learns me.

Political Whimsy

Re: She-Who's-Health-Shall-Not-Be-Questioned-While-the-Mental-Health-of-Her-Supporters-Is-Open-to-Question-Since-They-Appear-To-Be-Living-in-La-La-Land

From Minneapolis Star Tribune Letters to the Editor (9/4):  "I'm a suburban piano teacher. I vote in all national, state & local elections, but that is about the extent of my political activity. I'm trying to wrap my head about the MST's contention that a philanthropic foundation conflicts w/political office. Leave aside the issue that, if this foundation shuts down, innumerable people--the majority probably being children--will suffer. (Apparently those calling for its demise are unconcerned about this consequence.) The Clintons are not benefitting financially from contributions to their foundation. What dicey scenario might be imagined? Let's say a contributor country expects a return on an investment. How would that threat work? 'Give us what we want, or you'll never get that school for underprivileged children built.' What absurdity!"

Ditto (9/4):  "The Clinton Foundation has provided life-saving assistance all over the world. Over the years, hundreds of millions of dollars have been raised from countries far & wide. If organizations like the Clinton Foundation didn't exist, more of our tax dollars would be used to assist those who are in extreme poverty & oppression. If, as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton had the ability to access billionaires who are willing to contribute to make the world a better place, I admire her ability to do so, I see it as an asset that she has these kinds of connections. But it's a crime?"

Re:  He-Who-Lives-in-a-Country-which-Has-Afforded-Him-Opportunities-to-Get-Rich-Beyond-His-Wildest-Dreams-and-Provide-Him-with-Police-Protection-so-that-American-Flag-Loving-Patriots-Don't-Jump-Out-of-the-Stands-and-Try-to-Pummel-Him *

From "No Respect for National Anthem Hater," by Brent Bozell & Tom Graham, posted on MRC News Busters (9/3); I read it on 9/8:  "'I am not going to stand up & show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people & people of color,' Kaepernick answered. 'There are bodies in the street & people getting paid-leave & getting away with murder ' . . . Seventy-nine police officers have been killed in the line of duty this year. It's unclear if this means a thing to Kaepernick."

* Not that any aforementioned patriots that I know would attempt to do this, given their love for our flag & the country & freedoms, including freedom of speech, which it represents.

More political whimsy

From Norfolk Daily News (9/19):  "Congress works to prevent shutdown. Driven by a desire to free up endangered lawmakers to campaign, congressional negotiators are working to quickly complete a spending bill to prevent an election season government shutdown & finally provide money to battle the threat of the Zika virus." [I'm so glad that our country's leaders are staving off a government shutdown & battling a public health crisis for altruistic reasons. Wait . . . what?]

Also from OWH More Commentary by Bob Schieffer (9/20):  " . . . If they (HC & DT) do get out of line, the moderator must remind them--forcefully, if necessary--that voters expect them to abide by rules they both agreed to. And one final tip to moderators:  If the candidates start throwing things, just dive under the table. Considering what we've seen this year, we'll all understand."

• [This makes me wish that my wife, the trained, Love & Logic expert & experienced 1st grade teacher was serving as moderator. It seems to me that years ago she used to have kids who weren't getting along sit next to each other, holding hands, until they were ready to be nice to each other.
• Another possible tactic if candidates "get out of line:"  Make them stop & say 10 nice things about the other before they continue.
• This also makes me regret that we won't get to see the Green Party candidate on stage. Who wouldn't love to see spray paint flying around if things got out of hand?]

Rum Cake + Amorous Chickens + More

mental health MON . . . special TUE edition

Why I blog:  A quick refresher

1. Writing is good self-therapy.
2. I tell myself that I'm being altruistic, especially w/my mental health MON entries, by including information, commentary & insights that may benefit others.

My personal mental health update

Dear "personal mental health self-therapy journal," *
      I've continued to struggle with issues involving anxiety & some depression, brought on--I'm quite certain--by my ongoing conflict w/one of my insurance carriers, which has resulted in my loss of health insurance. In my opinion, they appear to be stone-walling me, because a formal appeal to them, which I've made, should have resulted in temporary health insurance. They appear to be stalling that appeal on a technicality. This is resulting in insomnia & increased OCD behaviors; also creating stress--in my opinion--for my dear spouse.
      Thank you for letting me vent. "Writing is [supposed to be] good self-therapy."
* a.k.a., "not so personal" mental health MON {special TUE edition} blog entry

Perfectionism:  I'm still not quite done w/this topic *

• "Perfectionism is a self-destructive & addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought:  If I look perfect, live perfectly, & do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, & blame. [As I was developing what I realize in hindsight was a bad case of burnout as head administrator of LHNE, I realize that I was increasingly trying to look & live perfectly as an administrator, resulting in MANY OCD behaviors. Example? Spending hours on tasks that previously took me much less time, like newsletters & reports.]
• "Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there is no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Additionally, perfectionism is more about perfection--we want to be perceived as perfect. Again, this is unattainable--there is no way to control perception, regardless of how much time & energy we spend trying. [This should be--& I emphasize SHOULD be--to any Christian.]
• "Perfectionism is addictive because when were invariably do experience shame, judgment, & blame, we often believe it's because we weren't perfect enough. So rather than questioning the faulty logic of perfectionism, we become even more entrenched in our quest to live, look, & do everything just right. [It creates a vicious cycle--I spent an hour putting together a memo re:  how grades should be updated in our on-line reporting system. Not every teacher "got it." Solution? Next time I spent TWO hours on a memo.]
• "Feeling shamed, judged, & blamed (& the fear of these feelings) are realities of the human experience. Perfectionism actually increases the odds that we'll experience these painful emotions & often leads to self-blame:  It's my fault. I'm feeling this way because 'I'm not good enough.'

"To overcome perfectionism, we need to be able to acknowledge our vulnerabilities to the universal experiences of shame, judgment, & blame; develop shame resilience; & practice self-compassion. When we become more loving & compassionate w/ourselves & we begin to practice shame resilience, we can embrace our imperfections. It is in the process of embracing our imperfections that we find our truest gifts:  courage, compassion, & connection . . . [But as Christians, are we really supposed to "embrace our imperfections?" Well, maybe a correct way to look at it is this way. We should lay our imperfections at the foot of the cross.]

      " . . . I think perfectionism exists along a continuum. We all have perfectionistic tendencies. For some, perfectionism may only emerge when they're feeling particularly vulnerable. For others, perfectionism can be compulsive, chronic, & debilitating, similar to addiction . . . "  (pages 57-58) [Once again, in hindsight I've been able to recognize that as I became increasingly vulnerable while I was becoming ever more burned out, I was becoming ever more compulsive, & my OCD, perfectionist behaviors & attitudes were becoming more chronic, debilitating, & similar to addiction . . . which was very destructive not only to me but to those I served & those in my family.]

MY COMMENTS:  See comments in brackets.

* SOURCE:  The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be & Embrace Who You Are," by Brene' Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W. (Hazelden), 2010.

Reasons to feel optimistic...upbeat...hopeful...cheerful

From Lincoln Journal Star (9/14): "Sept. 20: National Punch Day/Rum Punch Day. You pick which holiday to celebrate. According to History.com punch was invented as a beer alternative in the 17th century by men working the ships for the British East India Co . . . the beer held in cargo bays grew rancid & flat, so on shore the sailors created new drinks out of ingredients indigenous to their destinations--rum, citrus & spices." [How about . . . RUM CAKE?]

Also OWH (9/18):  "Harvard prof says laziness is in our nature . . . " [One less thing to feel shame or guilt about. It's in my DNA! SEE related comments re:  perfectionism above.]

fitbit update

TUE 9/13:  7,017 steps
WED 9/14:  9,911
THU 9/15:  9,581
FRI 9/16:  13,528
SAT 9/17:  9,094
SUN 9/18:  8,988
MON 9/19:  7,048

1. I've blogged before that physical exercise can be very therapeutic for those struggling with depression and/or anxiety.
2. This should make you feel important. Although I am under no obligation, by posting my results I am in effect making myself accountable to you.
3. My goal is 10,000 steps per day . . . or should I say, fitbit has mandated my goal to be 10,000 steps per day. * You can see that I came very close several times this past week. When I got back after taking Sammy for his evening stroll, I discovered just how close I had gotten. Had I known how close, I most likely would have taken another lap down to the end of the block & back. Or not. [SEE entry above re:  laziness.]
4. A point in my favor:  Several of these dates were travel days which included time in the car back-&-forth between Lincoln & Norfolk.
5. Another point in my favor:  Several of these were also rain dates.

* Who died & made them king?

Reasons to feel depressed...distressed...oppressed

From Omaha World Herald (9/15):  "Kissing chickens can be bad for your health, CDC warns . . . " [The idea of kissing poultry is revolting to me, but I have friends & acquaintances in Wayne, NE, home to the internationally acclaimed Chicken Festival, so I include this warning out of distress for them, since I've heard rumors about how amorous that weekend can become.]

From Parade Magazine, "Boost Your Flu IQ" (9/18): " . . . So what can you do to beat the flu?

1. "Get the Flu Shot." [Which I did over the weekend. Alas, they did not have serum-coated sugar cubes available . . . & my shoulder is still a little sore.]
2. "Dry Your Hands. You already know that frequent hand-washing is crucial during flu season. But drying them properly is just as important." [Seriously? And all these years I thought drying my hands on my shirt & pants after using public washrooms was an acceptable hygiene practice.]
3. "Stop Touching Your Face. One study reported that people touched . . . their mouth & nose 3.6 times per hour . . . " [Sorry, honey. There will be no kissing during flu season. What's that? Yes, I suppose you can still slap me for making smart-alecky comments. Or mentioning you in my blogs.]
4. "Stay Away From Sick People." [Wait . . . What?! Said my wife, the 1st grade teacher.]

Taglines from Drudge Report (9/20): [I was too anxious to read the articles that followed.]

• "Creepy Clown EPIDEMIC . . . " [Actually, I personally have nothing against clowns, but I've seen the devastating effect they can have on little children. Even teens. Especially millennials.]
• "Election 'Depressing' . . . " [Or as my son would say, "Thank you, Captain Obvious."]
• "'Internet addiction' sign of larger mental health issues . . . " [If you're reading my blog altering spending 6 hours on the Internet . . . this applies to you.]

Please be patient with me today . . .

walking in the truth

I'm feeling a little "abstract-random" as I sit down to write this devotional--also struggling a little more than usual w/my OCD, so I'm going to offer some "snippets;" also let others way more astute than myself do the "heavy lifting." I'm pretty sure--in fact I am CERTAIN--that you will be the better for it today.

Today's Truth from Scripture

"See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it." Deuteronomy 30:15-16

A devotional thought from me

If you know your Old Testament history [& even if you don't, in which case you'll have to trust me], you know that God's OT people continued a pattern begun soon after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt:  fall away, suffer really, really bad consequences, plead to God for help, be restored by a God who is ultimately a God of mercy . . . but also a God who allows us to suffer the consequences of our bad choices. The history of God's OT people--lest we be judgmental--could rightfully be many of our own personal, spiritual histories. Amen?

Another Truth from Scripture

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead." Colossians 2:8-12

Another devotional thought from me

Do I understand much of that passage from the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Colossians [as well as his letter to us]? Of course not, because I lack the omniscient mind of the Holy Spirit who inspired St. Paul to write those words. I also lack St. Paul's infinitely greater wisdom than my own. Here's what I do know. We can over-think Scripture & let today's culture & our own intellect lead us away from the inerrant Truth of Scripture. 

More devotional truths & Truths from Scripture

"Not only has God placed a yearning for our true home in our hearts, God has also promised to clothe the perishable with the imperishable & the mortal w/immortality through Christ's own death (1 Cor. 15:54). In the meantime, the light of the gospel shines an eternal perspective upon our service to God & humanity, fusing all of our activities with significance." SOURCE:  "The Last Enemy," RZIM Slice of Infinity devotional, by J.M. Njorogoge (9/15).

"There Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) . . . "Therefore Christ not only was crucified & died, but by divine love sin was laid upon Him. When sin was laid upon Him, the Law came & said, 'Let every sinner die! And therefore, Christ, if You want to reply that You are guilty & that You bear the punishment, You must bear the sin & the curse as well.' Therefore Paul correctly applies to Christ this general Law from Moses: 'Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree.' Christ hung on a tree; therefore Christ is a curse of God. And this is our highest comfort, to clothe & wrap Christ this way in my sins, your sins, & the sins of the entire world, & in this way to behold Him bearing all our sins." SOURCE:  Martin Luther Day by Day, (Concordia Publishing House), Sept. 15.

Today's Prayer Thoughts

Ask the Holy Spirit to grant you someone with far more wisdom & insight than me to guide you, as you read & meditate on the inspired Word of Holy Scripture.

Missionary News

Lois & I have "adopted" two missionaries:  Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese, who are preparing to serve in Ghana & West Africa, probably beginning soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

The Living Word Does Not Change

walking in the truth

Introduction:  How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? Change? What change!? [Sorry. Many of you have undoubtedly run across this "joke" before, but it seemed like a good preface to this devotional.]

Today's Truth from Scripture

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace . . . " Hebrews 13:7-9a [emphasis added]

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a lamp unto my path." Psalm 119:105

"Jesus answered, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by Me." John 14:6

Today's Devotional Thoughts

The very first course I took when I started working on a Masters in a state university in the late '70s was taught by a very well-educated professor--who, we surmised--had possibly never taught at any previously level. [True confession time:  I didn't quite finish this Masters program. I started & completed another Masters when we moved to Nebraska.]

I say that for two reasons. She would lecture, stopping every once & awhile to turn & write something on the white board before resuming. When it was time for our break, she would leave the classroom. We would glance at each other's notes. Despite a white board crammed full of words & phrases, all of our notebooks were . . . blank. As in, absolutely.

The second reason was the major research paper we were assigned to write. She explained the topic at our first meeting. [We met once per week in an evening class. Most of us were English or reading teachers, somewhat or very familiar w/the mechanics of composition.] Her explanation was "somewhat" vague. The next week a student complained about one of her requirements for footnotes. So the professor changed her guideline. The following week there was another complaint, & the professor changed her guideline again. This was followed by groans & a flurry of complaints, because by then some students had began writing their papers [I wasn't one of them. The paper wasn't due until the end of the term.] & now they would have to go back & make changes. So the NEXT week, after thinking things over, she allowed us to be flexible with our "foot-noting" style. It was a long semester.

Where am I going with this? Well, first of all, the analogy between my professor & Jesus Christ is weak insofar as the former being a mere "teacher" & the latter being the Savior of the world. Jesus did His fair share of teaching & it wasn't long before He earned the label "rabbi," even from His opponents, but His message was clear & consistent--& radically different--from the beginning.

"I AM the Way THE Truth & THE Light . . . " Since OT times "I AM" was language reserved for Yahweh & Yahweh alone. How dare Jesus refer to Himself in the same manner! Talk about an inconvenient truth--He identified Himself with this godly reference because He was--in fact--God, Jesus ("savior") Christ ("the anointed one"), the Son of God.

More than a rabbi or teacher, Jesus came into the world to save sinners. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one & only Son that whoever believes in Him will not die eternally but have eternal life." (John 3:16) His message remained consistent day after day, week after week, throughout His earthly ministry.

His message ran counter to the religious thought of His day, which taught that one could only be right with Yahweh by observing not just the moral Law of the 10 Commandments but also literally hundreds of rabbinical laws added to the Law over the course of hundreds of years . . . how many steps you were allowed to walk on the Sabbath . . . whether it was lawful to heal the sick on the Sabbath, just to name two.

His message was radically different & He remains "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" yesterday, today, & tomorrow. Forgiveness & salvation are only possible through faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior . . . & faith in Jesus is only possible by the grace of God. We can't earn it. We can't buy it. We can't wish it.

And how do I know this? 

• "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
• His "word is a lamp unto my feet and a lamp unto my path."
• Jesus Christ--the Living Word--has His stamp imprinted all over His inerrant, written Word . . . Holy Scripture.

Today's Prayer Thoughts

Jesus Loves Me
"Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so." *
* Source:  LSB #588, st. 1

Thy Strong Word
"Thy strong word did cleave the darkness, At Thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank Thee, While Thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light does send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

"From the cross Thy wisdom shining Breaketh forth in conqu'ring might;
From the cross forever beameth All Thy bright redeeming light. 
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light does send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!" *
* Source:  LSB #578, st. 1 & 4

Missionary News

Lois & I have "adopted" two missionaries:  Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese, who are preparing to serve in Ghana & West Africa, probably beginning soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes traveling to spread the word about the mission work in Africa & raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

Millennials-Your Time to Shine...Politicians? Not So Much

Another THU edition of whimsical WED

Millennial Whimsy

I've been know to "pick on" millennials from time to time--all in good fun. Actually, it's their parent whom I should be picking on, since their responsible for their children's millennial-like attributes. In any case, here are some helpful general descriptors of generations [which means they are also generalizations], which I clipped from the Omaha World Herald (4/27) in "A Boom for Millennials."

• "Silent Generation. Born:  1928-1945 [my parents]. 'Silent' label refers to their conformist & civic instincts...Most likely to be veterans. Children of the Great Depression & WW II.
• "Baby-Boomers. Born: 1946-1964 [my siblings, my spouse, her siblings--w/one possible exception--me]. Consider their work ethic important...Participated in social revolutions {civil rights, women's rights}; 2nd-highest household income after Gen X.
• "Generation X. Born 1965-1980 [responsible for most of millennials--their attitude AND behavior]. Often depicted as savvy & entrepreneurial. Consider their generation overshadowed or less unique. More than 6 of 10 identify as patriotic. Bridge between mostly white boomers & diverse millennials.
• "Millennials. Born: 1981-1997 [my children & most nieces & nephews]. Most racially diverse generation. On track to become most educated generation. Struggling w/student debt but upbeat about financial future. Place parenthood, marriage far above career, financial success."

I at least skimmed through most of these articles. * 

* As far as you know.

• Also OWH (4/27):  "Boomers, it was bound to happen . . . They like socialism. They don't eat breakfast cereal. They save more money than previous generations. They enjoy a work-life balance, & they often don't think they're millennials. [Just ask my son.] Now, they're the largest living generation in the U.S." [Have I mentioned recently how much I admire millennials?]
• Also OWH (5/16):  "Millennials eat worse, stay skinnier than everyone else . . . " [Any comment I made would only sound like sour grapes.]
• Ditto (5/16):  "Millennials crushing the dreams of marketers . . . " [I didn't read the article. However, I assume that most marketers are baby boomers and/or Gen X-ers, who are responsible for millennials, so what goes around comes around, eh?]
• From Norfolk Daily News (5/24):  "Goodbye, empty nest. Millennials staying longer with parents." [SEE previous comment.]
• From St. Paul Pioneer Press (7/3): "Why millennials are still living at home . . . a new analysis by Pew shows that the trend isn't being driven, primarily at least, by a common stereotype--that of the recent college grad who hasn't found his or her first job. In reality, behind the trend are older millennials, particularly those without college degrees, who are living at home in unprecedented numbers . . . " [College grads or not, they're still eating their baby-boomer & Gen X parents' pop tarts--but not cereal--hacking into their Netflix account, etc.]
• OWH (8/6):  "Harbaugh's style hits home w/millennials . . . " [Harbaugh & millennials--you deserve each other. I'm just sayin'.]
• From USA Today Snapshots (8/12-14):  "Searching for a job in the john. 30% of college & post-grad students have done a video job interview from the bathroom or conference room at their current job." [Helpful advice for millennials from Cornhusker State Blog: 1. Do not flush the toilet while doing a video interview. 2. Do not use your current job's conference room during work hours.]
• Ditto OWH "Breaking Brad" (8/17): "I'm just waiting for a parent group to say Olympic competition is wrong & we need to replace gold, silver & bronze medals w/participation trophies for all." [From Dept. of Shameless Quip Stealing]
• Also from NDN (8/18): "Millennials more likely to be scammed. The stereotype of the little old lady as a scam victim is wrong, & Millennials are actually more vulnerable to scam than Baby Boomers." [As another service for millennials from the Cornhusker State Blog:  Send me $14.95 in cash--no checks, please--& I will send you my helpful dvd, "How to Avoid Being Scammed Like Little Old Ladies."]
• "The rise of the Anti-Millennial Conservative Millennial," by David French, posted on NRO (9/14). I enjoy reading DF almost as much as I enjoy reading my favorite partisan pundit.

Inquiring minds want to know

• While picking up some items at the O St. Hy-Vee in Lincoln on FRI 9/9, I noticed that the breakfast "items" in the freezer section were actually labeled "breakfast solutions." I had not noticed this before, so it's very possible that these items are also labeled breakfast "solutions" in the Hy-Vee store on Taylor Ave. in Norfolk, where I do the majority of my grocery shopping. Seriously? Breakfast "solutions?" [Which got me to wondering:  Are there serious breakfast conflicts that are in need of serious breakfast resolution? As I contemplate my most likely, pending, early retirement in the next few months, is a career as a breakfast conflict resolution mediator on the horizon?]
• Which reminded me of another label. I first noticed this on a sign at a Subway sandwich shop in David City, NE, where Lois & I stopped to pick up sandwiches on our way back from a trip to Lincoln. [This was actually some time ago, so it's possible that I already blogged about this. If so, "Well, excuuuuuse, MEEEE!"] The sign was promoting "anti-biotic free chicken sandwiches . . . " [Which got me to wondering: What would happen if you ordered a chicken sandwich w/anti-biotic ENRICHED chicken? Also, were these "anti-biotic free" sandwiches or anti-biotic "free sandwiches?"]

Political Whimsy

NDN (9/9): "Iran demands money. Obama administration officials told Congress on THU that Iran wanted 'immediate access' to $1.7 billion paid by the U.S. in cash to settle a decades-old arbitration claim between the two countries . . . Christopher Backemeyer, a deputy assistant secretary of state for Iranian affairs said . . . it was his understanding that the money is going to 'critical economic needs' in Iran." [Dept. of Imaginary but Plausible Phone Conversations. Iranian Official: We need that $1.7 billion in cash & we need it yesterday! CB: You need it in cash? Why? I.O. We have a critical need for mis...for, uh, critical economic needs. CB: Is that snickering I hear in the background?]

OWH (9/8): "NOAA: Climate change doubled odds for downpour. Man-made climate change about doubled the chances for the type of heavy downpours that caused devastating Louisiana floods last month, a new federal study has found." [And I just won a bet w/myself.]

LJS (9/14): "Scientists 'besieged' by polar bears." ["We haven't been in the news much lately, said a spokesbear for the animals.]

OWH (9/13):  "Justice spreads blame for nomination fights. Democrats & Republicans are both to blame for the fighting that occurs when a president nominates someone to the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said MON . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny that RBG also added, "I suppose you could include activist judges like me, who make judicial decisions based on politics & a 'living' Constitution that has no basis in any facts outside our progressive-driven minds."]

Re: She-Who-Spray-Paints-Heavy-Machinery

OWH (9/8): "Stein defends spray-painting bulldozer. SWSPHM is nothing if not polite. The Green Party presidential candidate--who is eagerly courting former "He-Who-Turned-Out-To-Be-a-Sell-Out" supporters--told an Omaha crowd on WED that she had no choice but to spray-paint a bulldozer at an anti-pipeline protest in N.D. after being asked to by Indian leaders." [A campaign aide was quoted as saying, "Thank goodness they didn't ask her to jump off a cliff."]

Re:  He-Who-Will-Only-Be Part-of-the-Debates-in-His-Dreams

From "Aleppogate," by my favorite partisan pundit, via NRO, posted 9/8, via Drudge (9/9). [I thought to myself, the election will be here & gone before you know it, & I won't have mentioned the other candidates a single time.]

Re:  She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named

Taglines from Drudge Report (9/14): [I didn't bother to read all of these articles & I'll just let some of these excerpts stand w/o comment.]

• "Clinton Doctor:  All Good!
• "Chelsea:  Never Seen Mom So Tired . . . "

From Ann Coulter, "Could Hillary Tell Us What % of Muslims Are Deplorable?", posted 9/14, via Drudge (9/14).

From my favorite partisan pundit, "My Brain Injury Made Me Forget, but My Health Is Not an Issue!" posted on NRO 9/6, via Drudge (9/9).

Ditto, "Hillary Humiliated Her Flacks with Her Health Deception," posted on NRO (9/14).

Re:  He-Whom-I-Have-Not-Endorsed

Also from my favorite partisan pundit, "Trump's Moral Equivalence Game Is Right Out of the Left's Playbook," posted on NRO 9/9, via Drudge (9/9). [Concerns DT's glowing remarks re:  his bro Vladimir.]

KUDOs

Tagline from Drudge (9/14):  "Gallup:  Trust in Media Historic Low . . . " [What was left unsaid? Trust in Cornhusker State Blog . . . Historic High!]

Anxiety + Perfectionism + Climate Change + Twinkies

mental health MON

Mental Health Update

• I'm still waiting for a resolution of my health insurance "quandary." The company administering my long-term medical disability notified me at the very end of July that I no longer met the criteria for this disability. That meant my health care plan was terminated, effective 8/1/16. I didn't get their official letter until the first week of August, so I couldn't file an official appeal until AFTER my health plan had expired. I can get temporary health coverage while my appeal is being examined, but as of SUN 9/11, when I picked up a prescription, I also had to pick up the cost, i.e., the company administering my disability apparently has NOT notified CPS of my appeal yet . . . which I filed at the beginning of August. I realize that I shouldn't be anxious about this--given that there are many who struggle w/the costs of health care--but for someone with a general anxiety disorder, this is adding to my general anxiety.
• Walking Sammy continues to be a benefit for me. If you suffer from any type of mood disorder, I am NOT recommending that you get a dog. I AM recommending that you walk or take time for some other type of physical activity every day. It's a proven strategy for counteracting depression & anxiety.
• I continue writing devotionals for Orphan Grain Train--also helping out with some letter-writing--& I continue w/my weekly blogging, which I have tried to limit to three posts per week. Writing continues to be self-therapeutic for me, although I've struggled recently with staying on-task [because I've had more trouble w/my OCD symptoms as my general anxiety symptoms have multiplied recently.] *
• Next month is the national Lutheran Education Association (L.E.A.) Convocation in Grand Rapids, MI. After I "voluntarily" took leave from LHNE--but before I went on long-term medical disability--I applied for & was accepted to lead a sectional re:  burn-out. So, I've started working on my presentation. I think I have some worthy insights to offer. On the other hand, I won't pretend that this doesn't create more anxiety for me . . . but I will persevere.

* I continue trying to be transparent because {a} I blog for self-therapy; {b} I hope my mental health MON entries might be of some use to others; & {c} it's my blog, so, yes, it's all about Paul.

More about Perfectionism *

      "Understanding the difference between healthy striving & perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield & picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it's often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, & life paralysis. Life paralysis refers to all of the opportunities we miss because we're too afraid to put anything out in the world that could be imperfect. It's also all of the dreams that we don't follow because of our deep fear of failing, making mistakes, & disappointing others. It's terrifying to risk when you're a perfectionist; your self-worth is on the line." [emphasis in original]

MY COMMENTS:  I can strongly relate to this on at least two levels.

1. Perfectionism can lead to a self-deception, i.e., "Perfectionism is a positive character trait that SHOULD be cultivated." What's wrong with striving to be perfect?
2. Perfectionism is intrinsically linked to OCD. In my case it led to accumulating an ever-growing TO-DO list on Microsoft Outlook, because there were too many important things that I just couldn't begin because the perfect time wasn't there to begin, then devote to them . . . And I couldn't cross things off my list, because I might forget something important & fail, which also added to my general anxiety.

* SOURCE:  The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene' Brown (Hazelden), 2010.

G.O.M.E.R. *

From Omaha World Herald (9/8):  "Team changes routine to nix anthem protest. The Washington Spirit (soccer team) prevented Seattle midfield Megan Rapine from kneeling during the national anthem by altering its pregame ceremonies. The NWSL team moved up the anthem, playing it while the teams were off the field . . . " [Thereby allowing one person to deprive all other players the opportunity to display their respect for those whose service & sacrifice to our country is represented by our flag.]

OWH (9/9): "MTV bets on bawdy women w/two new comedies . . . " [Because what we need on TV are more bawdy comedies . . . &, no, I didn't waste my time reading the article.]

From Norfolk Daily News (9/10):  "DiCaprio unveils film. "Leonardo DiCaprio has unveiled his climate change documentary 'Before the Flood' at the Toronto International Film Festival, saying the film is intended to 'give the scientific community a voice.' [First, I'd say the main-stream media has given the mainstream scientific community as much voice as it needs. Second, because we need well-respected climate change expert Leo DiCaprio to add his voice to the mainstream climate change debacle? **]

* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants
** Why do I call it a debacle? Just to be clear, it is MY contention that there has been so much dissembling on one side that it is virtually impossible to grant any credibility to anything they put out about climate change . . . or at least reasons behind climate change & strategies for reversing it. I'm just sayin'.  

Reasons to be Anxious

Taglines from Drudge Report (9/12):  [I lacked the mental & emotional energy to read the articles.]

• "China/Russia War Ready . . . 
• "US military: Iranian behavior getting worse in Persian gulf . . . 
• "N Korea ready to conduct another nuke test . . . 
• "ISIS female fighters vow to attack West . . . "

Reasons to be Optimistic & Confident

Psalm 121:1-2:  "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from where my help comes. My hep comes from the Lord, who made heaven & earth."

More Reasons to be Optimistic and/or Light-hearted

OWH (8/13):  "Partnership produces Deep Fried Twinkies. The deep-fried Twinkie is jumping from the state fair to the home freezer. Hostess Brands, the maker of lunchbox greats including traditional Twinkes & Ho Hos, on FRI launched Deep Fried Twinkies that marks its first foray into frozen foods. The cream-filled snack in vanilla or chocolate is the result of a year-long collaboration between Hostess & Walmart, as both companies look to spark food sales w/innovative products . . . " [If you read my recent NE State Fair entries, you know that I--regretfully--passed up multiple opportunities to sample deep-fried Twinkies.]

Dept. of Favorite Comics' Dialogue

OWH (8/26) "Pickles":
Gramma: Coloring books aren't just for children anymore.
Gramma: More & more adults are discovering the calming, soothing effects of coloring.
Grammar: And it's been proven to lower a person's level of anxiety.
Nelson (grandson): You're coloring outside the lines, Gramma.
Gramma: I AM NOT!!!!