Self-Therapy + Reasons To Be Up...Down...But Not Out

mental health monday

My Mental Health Update *

* And a reminder that I blog for self-therapy, hoping that some of my story might benefit some of my readers.

• I've been struggling big-time w/my general anxiety & OCD symptoms recently. I think that I can attribute this to several circumstances.
• My medical disability, which I have been on since November, 2014, officially ends on 2/17/17, which means that I have a target retirement date of 3/1/17.
• My "temporary" health benefits will end on 2/28/17, so I need to obtain my own health insurance, also by 3/1/17. [By the way, these "temporary benefits" have been a great blessing in our lives.]
• I say "target retirement date" of 3/1/17, because I found out by speaking to a CRP benefit consultant last FRI 1/27, that my plans to start receiving retirement benefits in March may be unrealistic.
• Today I'll try to connect on-line again--I could go into detail about all my trials & tribulations trying to connect, but on 2nd thought, I'd rather not--& initiate the process.
• I was told that CRP allows themselves up to 90 days to begin delivering benefits. [Yet I am reminded again that the Lord has seen us through these last 2+ years; so why should I/we doubt His work for us now?]
• This morning I dropped off my Honda at the body shop, where I've been told it will take 11 business days to repair the damages from the accident in Lincoln on 1/16. 
• Then I spent an hour in the dentist's chair, getting a crown replaced.
• I still have to drop off paperwork at Faith Regional Psych Services.
• I still have to make arrangements for a rental car.
• Tomorrow I have my 1st appt w/a new mental health provider.

In summary, heaping all these things together in a relatively short amount of time does  NOT contribute to the mental well-being of someone w/a general anxiety & other assorted mood disorders . . . in other words . . . me. There's a fine line between whining, venting, & blogging for self-therapy . . . sigh. I'll stop now before I start feeling any worse.

Reasons to Feel . . . Up!

KUDO's to one of my favorite sons-in-law, who came over w/a piece of heavy machinery on WED 1/25, about 9:00p, & plowed out our driveway. That was after we received almost 9" of global warming, beginning on TUE 1/25 & lasting into the night on 1/25. *

* My other favorite son-in-law is deployed in Bagdad. I'm sure if he lived in Norfolk & had access to heavy machinery, he would have been eager to lend a hand, as well.

• From Norfolk Daily News (1/28):  "Man saves U.S. flag w/fire extinguisher. A man wielding a fire extinguisher has rescued a burning U.S. flag from protesters in Iowa City. Organizers said that THU's demonstration across from the Old Capitol Mall was aimed at racial & social injustice & U.S. imperialism . . . The protesters' actions drew angry comments from some bystanders . . . One man, Matt Uhrin, used the extinguisher against the flames &, despite some pushing & shoving, took one of the flags from the protesters & walked away. Uhrin returned when they set another aflame. More pushing & shoving ensued, but he was unable to retrieve the 2nd flag & lost extinguisher in the effort . . . " [I uphold Freedom of Speech & the right to burn the American flag. I've checked, & it turns out that using a fire extinguisher also falls under the category of "protected speech."]
• From Lincoln Journal Star (1/18):  "Girl Scout cookies go on sale Friday. When Girl Scout cookies go on sale FRI there will be a new cookie in the mix--Girl Scout S'mores, a new twist on the long-time campfire treat . . . " [Despite their recent history of PC actions, what's not to like about Girl Scout cookies? Thin Mints! Woo Woo Woo!]
• From Omaha World Herald (1/27):  Israel plans to accept 100 orphaned Syrian kids. While the Trump administration was preparing plans to close its borders to Syrian refugees, Israel announced plans THU to accept 100 orphaned Syrian children from around the battered city of Aleppo. Critics immediately dismissed the plans as window dressing designed to enhance Israel's public image. Nevertheless, the proposal represented a changer in Israel's relationship w/itsnorthern neighbor . . . "  [In my next whimsical WED blog, I plan to share a link to an article that corrects most of the misinformation being spread by the drive-by media re:  the President's executive action re:  immigration. Meanwhile, KUDO's to Israel. When's the last time you read anything about any Islamic countries accepting refugees from any other Islamic countries? I'm just sayin'.]
• Also from LJS (1/28):  "March for Life held in Washington. The politically ascendant anti-abortion movement gathered FRI for a triumphant rally on the National Mall, rejoicing at the end of an 8-year presidency that participants said was dismissive of their views. VP Mike Spence told there crowd at the March for Life that anti-abortion policies were the top priority of the new administration, & Pesident DT tweeted that the rally had his 'full support' . . . "  [This was not the only place in the drive-by media where I saw coverage of the Right to Life March.]

Down . . . But Not Out

• The viciousness of those committed to the pro-abortion cause continues to dishearten me, especially when the conservative, Christian right has been painted as being hateful & vindictive.Video evidence betrays which side practices charity & which side consistently promotes hate . . . & that makes me sad.
• Yet we have a God who not only wants everyone to be saved but who encourages us to love others--not just a ourselves, but as Christ loves us . . . & He loved us enough to die for us. [And I constantly remind myself, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.]
• My daily quiet time--scripture, meditation, prayer--continues to help me through the down times . . . as long as I don't let my OCD tendencies overcome this, too.
• Still struggling with cluster headaches . . . also on a regimen of prednisone, which has some unpleasant side effects, i.e., insomnia [bad for those who are prone for depressive episodes] & high blood sugar [ditto for those w/Type II diabetes].
• The Good News? The onset of these headaches seem to be coming with lesser frequency . . . And my preventive medications seem to be keeping them from developing into full-blown, "feels-like-somebody-is-trying-to-push-out-my-left-eyeball-by-driving-an-ice-pick-through the-back-of-my-skull-headaches. [And I may have jinxed myself, because just as I was settling down for my bedtime reading, I felt the onset of a headache, so I took a pill. Symptoms started getting worse, so I hooked up to my oxygen machine. Symptoms kept getting worse, so after 20 minutes I did a nose spray. Finally after about 35 minutes the headache cleared up, but this was the worst headache of this cycle, although still not a crippling headache.]
• Did somebody just call me a wimp? I stand convicted.

I'm Conflicted . . . But Forgiven

walking in epiphany truth  

Some of this may sound familiar, if you read my special wednesday 1/25 edition of my mental health monday blog. I was expressing how conflicted I felt re:  how I respond to those who've been "Facebooking" in support of the recent women's protest marches. Here's what I wrote with a few revisions, which have been bold-faced.

Today's Truth from Scripture (Romans 12) & my devotional thoughts *

* A quick reminder. I capitalize "Truth from Scripture," because God's Word is Truth. I choose not to capitalize "devotional thoughts," because I do not pretend that my thoughts are equivalent to God's Truth. I pray that my insights are truthful & offer you some insight into scripture. I always welcome your feedback.

• "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." (v. 9) [Abortion is evil. I am convinced that calling it for what it is the right thing to do.]
• "Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse." (v. 14) [Making snarky comments in response to those who advocate for abortion rights & Planned Parenthood--that is equivalent to cursing others. I am genuinely sorry for that & must try to do better."
• "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." (v. 16) [Living in disharmony is a contradiction of my Christian values. Those who have other values than mine are NOT people of low position. My volunteer work on behalf of Orphan Grain Train is service on behalf of people whom the world judges to be in low position. God does NOT judge these people to be "of low position." Neither do I. There are many passages in the Bible which state that God exalts these people.]
• "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody." (v.17) [It is God's role to repay evil for evil, not mine.]
• "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." (v. 19) [My opinion is that God's judgment MAY be harshest on those who entice women or even force women to abort their unborn babies.]
• "On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (vv. 20a, 21) [When I start letting the negative overwhelm the positive, I am letting evil overcome good. This leads me to reflect on whether I've been spending too much time on political content on the Internet & in newspapers lately . . . again.]

Some additional devotional thoughts *

* Source:  A Year in the New Testament-Meditations for Each Day of the Church Year, p. 23. (Concordia Publishing House), 2001.

"The new life that you have through Baptism is Christ's own life. This is a life that does not seek to "pay back" others for the wrongs they do you as Christ does not 'pay us back' for the wrongs we did to Him. Rather, it is a life that blesses those who make your life miserable; rejoices with those who rejoice; weeps with those who weep. It is a life of harmony where haughtiness has no place--how can it when you are but a poor sinner who lives only from the saving mercy of God in Christ? Instead of giving yourself airs, you consider what is honorable, & as far as you possibly can, live at peace with all. A person may well be your enemy in their estimation of you, but your estimation of them is that they are poor sinners in need of mercy & so you seek to serve them in any way you can. The cardinal rule of the new life is simply this; do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good . . . "

Today's prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for calling me, a poor miserable sinner, to be Your child. Forgive me for my haughtiness in judging others to be less worthy of your love. May I remember to love others not just as myself but as You love me; and You gave up Your life for me. May I give up my life in service to others. Amen.

Weather + I'm Juiced + I'm Conflicted

special wed edition . . . mental health Monday

G.O.M.E.R. *

Last night at around 9:20p I posted that it had been snowing off & on since 8:00a. We were in a winter storm advisory calling for 6-9" of snow by the time the storm ended around noon today. Lois' school sent faculty, staff, & students home at 12:30p. I left the OGT offices also about that time. When I got home I pushed snow off of Lois' half of the driveway **, then waited for her to get home.
      We started watching a new series on Netflix. [More on that later, if I remember.] Went to bed around 9:00. Lois had been checking on school cancellations off & on most of the evening. By the time we went to bed, freezing rain was coming down. No announcements by the time we turned off the light, but our neighbor was using his snow blower, which made it a little hard to get to sleep.
      Woke up to the sound of the snowblower again, sometime a little before 5:00a this morning. Lois' phone went off just a little after 5:00a, announcing "no school." Duh. Had trouble falling back to sleep but eventually dozed off a little. Finally gave up & got up around 6:40a. 

* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants
** Because that's just the kind of husband I am

Reasons to Be Upbeat, If not at Least a Little Joyful

Political Whimsy

• On MON 1/23, DT signed an executive order, restoring the "Mexico City policy," which prohibits non-government agencies, such as International PP, from receiving government funds to pay for abortions, w/o reducing government aid. [No comment necessary.]
• From Omaha World Herald (1/18):  "Obamas donate swingset to D.C. shelter. From now on, children at a family shelter in southeast Washington, D.C., may get a kick out of the fact that they are swinging & sliding where two of the country's most children once played. On MON, as part of their move from the White House, President Obama & first lady M.O. personally donated to the shelter the play set they surprised their daughters w/8 years ago, when the girls were 10 & 7."  [KUDOs where KUDOs are due.]
• From Norfolk Daily News (1/20):  "Hugs, handshakes. President Obama & first lady M.O. welcomed President-elect DT & his wife, Melania, to the White House on FRI morning. The Obamas greeted the Trumps at the grand North Politico, the column-lined entrance facing PA Ave. They exchanged pleasantries, & MT brought a gift for M.O. MT initially reached to shake M.O.'s hand, but the first lady instead gave her a hug."  [Presents & hugs are good things.]
• Also from OWH (1/21):  "Trump praises Hillary & BC:  President DT, in brief remarks at his inaugural lunch at the Capitol, said he was honored that HC, his rival in the White House race, came to the event . . . "  [No matter what you think of the Trumps & Clintons, this was a classy thing to do.]
• Also from NDN (1/21):  Political cartoon from Jeff Koterba, cartoonist for the OWH. "Cowboys: Know Your Interstate Signs . . . " Panel 3 depicted a cowboy riding along the Interstate w/his cell phone in his holster. the sign read, "Don't Text and Cattle Drive." [Well, I thought it was hilarious. I also know what it's like to be stalled on the highway by a cattle drive . . . & it's a cool thing.]

Bracing for & Racing for Retirement

• Finally this past week I was able to access mycps.org & check-out my options for Concordia Retirement benefits, beginning in March. It looks like Lois won't have to pursue evening & weekend hours at Casey's. Also, I was informed the the LHSANN BOD has acted to grant me a peaceful release from my Call to LHNE, effective 3/1/17. Both of these actions are helping me achieve some closure, finally.
• From OWH (12/8/16):  "Older Americans are happiest in Hawaii, Arizona, New Hampshire. Despite the creaky knees & reading glasses that come w/old age, Americans tend to get happier as they grow older, a new analysis finds . . . But much can spend on where one lives. The states w/the highest levels of well-being among older people are HI, AZ, NH, ND, & CO; the lowest levels are in WVA, KY, OK, OH, & IN . . . "  [Hawaii? Too expensive? New Hampshire? Too progressive. Cold winters. ND? Winters too cold. Colorado? Two word. Mary Juana.]

Jinxed . . . and Juiced

I've been have recurring cluster headaches since before Christmas brakes. Fortunately, I've yet to have a full-blown, crippling headache. I've been to my neurologist once & had one of my preventative meds increased. There was an initial improvement, but then they returned. I called his office last FRI & was told that he had left orders for a change in meds, so I left a voice mail for his nurse. She didn't get back to me until MON morning. She told me that my doctor had phoned in a prescription. I told her that I hadn't had a headache for 3 days. She told me that I could either forget the prescription or pick it up in case I had a recurrence.
      So guess what? I got a headache on MON afternoon, so yesterday I picked up the new prescription for Prednisone, which is a steroid. I'm on a 5-6 course of treatment, & I took my first pill this morning. It's a progressive course of meds w/diminishing dosages thru the 1st week of FEB. A downside of steroids is that they increase blood sugar levels, so I have to increase my protein & decrease my carbs. Will I have the will power to do this? Please pray for me.

Down . . . But Not Out

From OWH (1/9):  "Some drugs won't help many who take them. Clinical trials, set up by drug manufacturers, exaggerate results, analysis concludes . . . "  [I have been on "Placebo" for many years. I wonder . . . ]
From NDN (1/14):  "Your children may be worse off than you. Millennials are falling behind their boomer parents. With a median household income of $40,581, millennials earn 20% less than boomers did at the same stage of life, despite being better educated, according to a new analysis of Federal Reserve data by the advocacy group Young Invincibles . . . "  [An advocacy group undoubtedly made up of, you guessed it, Millenniials. Also, some of my children may have more letters after their last name, but my "letters" derive from the school of "hard knocks." O snap!]

Protestors & Abortion

I have been under a cloud since I started following Facebook & conservative punditry re:  the world-wide women's marches, beginning last week & still continuing. Why?

• It seems like so much of the message of the women's marches, along with messages of support by those who wish they could be joined in, involve support for abortion.
• Yet we continue to be saturated by fake news about the mission of Planned Parenthood. 
• I strongly, strongly encourage those who actively support or even mildly sympathize with PP to do some homework. They do NOT merely provide health care for women, which sounds so innocent. They actively promote & provide the killing of unborn babies.
• Carefully read Psalm 139:13-16:  "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully & wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be."
• The Almighty God is the Creator of human life. Unborn babies are not "an accident." The argument that unborn babies are a blob of fetal tissue is a blasphemous argument that flies in the face of the psalmist's hymn of worship to our Father in heaven for His creative acts.

But I also stand convicted after reading these verses from Romans Chapter 12. [My comments follow.]

• "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." (v. 9) [Abortion is evil. Calling it for what it is the right thing to do.]
• "Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse." (v. 14) [Making snarky comments in response to those who advocate for abortion rights & PP--that is equivalent to cursing others. I am genuinely sorry for that & must try to do better."
• "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." (v. 16) [Living in disharmony is a contradiction of my Christian values. Those who have other values than me are NOT people of low position. My volunteer work on behalf of OGT is service on behalf of people whom the world judges to be in low position. God does NOT judge these people to be "of low position."]
• "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody." (v.17) [It is God's role to repay evil for evil, not mine.]
• "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." (v. 19)
• "On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (vv. 20a, 21) [When I start letting the negative overwhelm the positive, I am letting evil overcome good. This leads to reflect on whether I've been spending too much time on political content on the Internet & in newspapers lately . . . again.]

What kind of Messiah are you looking for?

walking in epiphany truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

"Jews demand miraculous signs & Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews & foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews & Greeks, Christ the power of God & the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, & the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."  1 Cor. 2:22-25

Today's devotional thoughts

What kind of Messiah did 1st century Jews expect? As God's chosen people, subjugated by the hated Gentile Romans, they did NOT expect or welcome a Messiah who preached the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . the meek . . . the merciful . . . the peacemakers . . . Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you & falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." (Matt. 6:3a, 5a, 7a, 9a, 11)

Nor did they expect a Messiah who would be crucified on the cursed tree, as Jesus ultimately would be, also by the Gentile Romans--with no little help from pious yet sinful Jews--or pious yet sinful Gentiles. What about us 21st century Christians? What kind of Messiah do we expect?

Living in a culture where individual freedoms & rights are not only expected but demanded, do we expect a Savior who--instead of encouraging us to fight tooth & nail for our entitlements--encourages us to "Rejoice & be glad, because great is your reward IN HEAVEN, because in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you . . . "?? (Matt. 5:12) Remember, an "epiphany" can be, "The reality or essential meaning of something . . . " [dictionary.com]

Today's prayer thoughts

Ask the Lord to bless us that we may love others, not just as ourselves, but as Christ loves us. He gave up His life for us!

Retirement Plans + Big Macs + Fighting Fake News

whimsical WED

Bracing for + Racing toward Retirement

Inspired by "Life on the road as a peanut or hot dogger," from Omaha World Herald (1/14): " . . . Two local residents have chosen to travel the U.S. in the Planters Peanutmobile & Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. 'Peanutter' Travis Rupp, 23, of Omaha & 'hot dogger' Ashley Eisert, 23, of Papillion, have spent the last 8 months promoting the Planters & Oscar Meyer food brands from the inside of large vehicles shaped like food. And they are loving every minute of it . . . 
      "In addition to their salaries--which they said are comparable to entry-level work in an advertising or public relations firm--their travel expenses are paid by the company . . . 
      "An avg week for Rupp & Eisert begins on Mondays, when they travel to the city of their next scheduled appearance. Tuesdays & Wednesdays are their days off, which allows them to explore & visit tourist attractions. On Thursdays through Sundays, they are working wherever the Nutmobile or Wienermobiles are scheduled . . . " 

PROs:  What's not to like? Travel . . . Getting paid to travel . . . 

CONs:  Having to drive an unwieldy vehicle, often in urban locations . . . Only 2 days off per week, leaving little time for other interests . . . "Each year 1,500 recent college graduates apply to be members of the Nutmobile or Wienermobile teams. Of those, 12 are chosen to be hot doggers & 9 are selected to be peanutters . . . Being stereotyped as a "peanutter" or " wienermobiler."

CONclusion:  Ain't gonna happen.

There Is No Place Like . . . Nebraska!

Also from OWH (1/12):  "Malls keep an eye out for trouble. After holiday violence, some in U.S. ban unaccompanied minors. Banning teenagers from the mall might sound like a horror element added to a 1980s movie, but some shopping centers around the country are doing just that after a spate of violent fights over the holiday shopping. Teens (& parents) in the Omaha are, no need to fear:  Malls & shopping centers aren't following suit here. They say they've got rules in place--& security--to prevent bad behavior . . . " [I am relieved, since one of my favorite Mall-pastimes is laughing at teenagers--their hair-styles & colors, the way they dress, etc.]

Ditto OWH (1/5):  "You know you're in Nebraska when . . . you mention how cold it is & you're told, 'You should have been here last week.' During a recent trip to northwest NE, the temperature on my car read 14 below zero.
      "But a waitress at Rushville's Cozy Corner said that week earlier, the thermometer at the family ranch bottomed out at a frosty 30 below . . . " [I'm typing this on TUE 1/17. Lois had an inservice cancelled yesterday, due to the ice storm that started late SUN & lasted thru the night into MON. A late start was announced for TUE. She dutifully headed to school early on TUE to get her classroom ready, plan lessons, etc. She called me a little after 8:30a, letting me know that her principal had called to let her know that school was cancelled. Last night, I PREDICTED that most schools that were already announcing late starts would eventually cancel. Streets look like skating rinks.]

Food for Thought

From Parade Magazine, 'Parade Picks' (1/15):  "Mac Attack. Say hello to Mac Jr. & Grand Mac, coming on 1/18 to all 14,000+ McDonald's restaurants nationwide. The original Big Mac was introduced 50 years ago in PA by franchise owner Jim Delligatti, who died last year at 98. His family said he ate at least one Big Mac a week."  [I have several keen observations to make. First, the Big Mac is still one of my favorite fast-food sandwiches, although it is extremely unwieldy to eat while driving. Secondly, I predict that the Mac Jr., which McD's has undoubtedly, shrewdly developed & marketed as a "healthier" alternative to the Big Mac will fail in this endeavor. Why? Customers will simply order 2 or more at a time. Third, Jim, who died at the age of 98, was still eating at least one Big Mac per week. Can you say, "Big Macs can rightfully be considered a healthy, fast food item?" No? Well, then I'll say it for you.]  

Political Whimsy

From OWH (1/9):  "Golden Globes . . . Streep, who spoke at the Democratic national Convention, called the president-elect's mocking of a disabled reporter on the campaign trail the year's performance that most 'stunned her.' Arguing for the international makeup of Hollywood, Streep listed off the far-flung homes of stars from Dev Patel to Ryan Gosling.
      "'Hollywood is crawling with outsiders & foreigner & if you kick them all out, you'll have nothing to watch but football & mixed martial arts, which are not the arts,' Streep said to loud applause . . . 

• [First, I probably should have known better than to get into a FB conversation about this, but . . . 
• Second, I took offense at Ms. Streep's comments re:  FB & MMA, because . . . 
• They demonstrated how out-of-touch Hollywood celebrities are with America's "deplorables," &
• They demonstrated the disdain & contempt that Hollywood celebrities have for the aforementioned deplorables.
• I am not a DT apologist. I, too, was appalled by his mocking of a disabled reporter. 
• Having said that, those apologists for Ms. Streep who used DT's comments as justification for her comments, uh, isn't that like a parent scolding a child for getting in trouble at school, having the child try to use the excuse that other children were behaving badly, so the parent excuses the behavior? Sorry, most of us parents wouldn't buy the excuse. That would be, well, childish, right?]

From Lincoln Journal Star (1/13):  "Obama praises Biden as a 'lion' of U.S. history. At the dusk of both of their political careers, surrounded by teary friends & family, President Barack Obama on THU bestowed the presidential Medal of Freedom on Joe Biden, the man he called 'the finest vice president we have ever seen' . . . " [As an English major, I know hyperbole when I see it. Also, did you know that of all the major, African cats, the lion spends more time sleeping & dozing than any other? And, finally, for the last 8 years it was often said in some circles that VP Biden was the POTUS' best insurance against impeachment.]

"FIGHTING FAKE NEWS" FEATURE

After reading a column by Margaret Sullivan, "Time to bury 'fake news,' in the OWH (1/13), (via The Washington Post), I was inspired to do my part to fight the fake news phenomena. Ms. Sullivan notes, "So, here's a modest proposal for the truth-based community. Let's get out the hook & pull that baby off stage. Yes:  Simply stop using it. Instead, call a lie a lie. Call a hoax a hoax. Call a conspiracy theory by its rightful name. After all, 'fake news' is an imprecise expression to begin with."
      Ms. Sullivan's credibility was especially salient to me, given that virtually all of her examples consisted of conservative complaints of fake news from the left. But I digress.
      I have determined to do my best to assist Ms. Sullivan in addressing this ever-growing threat to the mainstream media. Here goes.

From OWH (1/16):  "Trump team mulls relocating White media corps. Routine media access to the White House could be a thing of the past under DT's presidency, with top officials of the incoming administration saying SUN that they're exploring more spacious options nearby . . . Pence said the move is intended to reflect the Trump administration's 'commitment to transparency, to free & independent press' . . . The news raised alarms that it was just the opposite--an end to the long-standing tradition of daily press briefings in the White House."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FCC NOMINEE APOLOGIZES FOR CNN SLIGHT                                              Announces More Football, MMA Programming

An unnamed "mole" from the Cornhusker State Blog Political Source File has discovered that Sarah Palin, Donald Trump's choice to serve as the new chairperson of the FCC, has apologized to CNN for the President-elect's treatment of a CNN reporter at Trump's recent press conference. The president-elect shouted down the reporter's attempt to ask questions, further calling CNN a "fake news" network.
      "We want to extend an olive branch of reconciliation," said the former VP nominee. "We will give CNN reports front-row seats at our new White House Press Corps Auxiliary Housing Complex, located in Fairfax Station, VA. "I can see this new facility from where I live, next to the Lincoln Memorial," she added.
      Palin also announced an agreement w/ESPN, which will add an additional 40 hours per week of football & mixed martial arts programming.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

STREEP TO STAR IN BIOPIC                                                                                        Another scoop from Cornhusker State Blog Hollywood Celebrity Source File!

Michael Moore has announced that production will start soon on a biopic of Donald Trump, entitled "The Trumping Down of America." This represents a radical departure for the award-winning filmmaker, who up till now has concentrated on so-called pretentious yet leftist, cliche' worn documentaries.
      In an even more stunning revelation, Moore announced that Meryl Streep will play the role of Melania Trump, exotic trophy wife of the man who shocked the Hollywood elite & everyone except those living in states between California & New York in the recent presidential election.
      "It's the role of a lifetime," said Golden Globes winner Streep. "It will give me a chance to brush up on my so-called overrated movie accents."
      Jimmy Fallon, who "compared Trump to the belligerent teenage king Joffrey of "Game of Thrones'" at the recent Golden Globes ceremonies, will play the role of a fictional, belligerent late-night talk show host who shamelessly exploits Trump to boost his ratings, only to turn on him in an effort to court favor with the vacuous Hollywood elite.

Feeling the Call

walking in epiphany truth *

Today's Truth from Scripture

"The next day [after Jesus' baptism] John [the Baptist] saw jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A Man who comes after me has surpassed me, because He was before me' . . . Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ). And he brought Him to Jesus."  (John 1:29-30)

Today's devotional thoughts

Last week I shared this definition of "epiphany" from dictionary.com, "An appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity." It was certainly an "epiphany" when John the Baptist saw Jesus of Nazareth approaching. 

Also an "epiphany" when Andrew--first a disciple of John--feels the call to follow the Messiah, then shares this calling with his brother. [I have a feeling we'll hear more about both Andrew & his brother Simon Peter.]

Another definition of "epiphany" I shared with you was this one:  "A Christian festival observed on Jan. 6." [ASIDE #1:  The Eastern Orthodox Church traditionally observes Epiphany on Jan. 13.] We actually call this day the Festival of Epiphany. The Christian Church designates the Festival of Epiphany as the day when the Wise Men first encountered the Christ child. [ASIDE #2:  And I also shared w/you last week that if you check Matthew chapter 2, you'll find out that Jesus was, in fact, no longer a baby in a manger.]

The Festival of Epiphany is also referred to as the "Gentile Christmas" . . . The Bible's first account of non-Jewish people encountering Christ, "the Anointed One."

Now listen to these words from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, spoken hundreds of year's before the Christ's birth:  "'I will also make You a light for the Gentiles, that You may bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.' This is what the Lord says--the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel . . . " (Isaiah 49:6b-7a)  

That's an Epiphany--very, very good news--for God's people, including Gentiles--yesterday, today, & forever!

Today's Prayer **

St. 1  "The people that in darkness sat A glorious light have seen;
The light has shined on them who long In shades of death have been,
In shades of death have been.

St. 3  "To us the Child of hope is born, To us the Son is given,
And on His shoulder ever rests All pow'r in earth and heaven,
All pow'r in earth and heaven.

St. 5  "His righteous government and pow'r Shall over all extend;
On judgment and on justice based, His reign shall have no end.
His reign shall have no end.

St. 6  "Lord Jesus, reign in us, we pray, And make us Yours alone,
Who with the Father ever are And Holy Spirit one.
And Holy Spirit, one.

* Adapted from a devotional I wrote for The Headliner, Orphan Grain Train's weekly e-newsletter.
** "The People That in Darkness Sat," from LW #77.

Reasons to be Down but Not Out + The Good Shepherd

mental health MON

Down . . . But Not Out! *

* First comes some items which MIGHT have me feeling a little down--at least a little disconcerted--followed by signs that I am not necessarily feeling "out."

• National Review Online is a favorite source of reliable, partisan news & commentary, so I jumped at the chance at a free, one-year subscription. Apparently I didn't notice that it would be a free, one-year, EMAIL subscription . . . the plethora of NR articles is serving to clog my emails, yet I hesitate to delete any of the articles before I at least give them a quick perusal. [Which I did this morning, MON 1/16, as I performed some quick, email triage. I especially noted some NR news & commentary re:  the recent Golden Globes & Meryl Streep debacle.]
• I'm waiting to hear if the LHSANN Board acted on my formal request for them to grant me a peaceful release from my Call, effective 3/1/17. I was told that they would act upon my request at their Board mtg on 1/16. If & when that happens, I can request emeritus status from the NE District LCMS Office. I have no reason to think that this won't happen, but I will feel much better when it happens. ["Oh ye of little faith," NCSBCT. *] UPDATE:  I found out at yesterday's Bible Institute that tonight's LHSANN Board Mtg was postponed to later in this week. Patience, Paul, patience!
• Inability to be resolute about resolutions. I think I've blogged before about my skepticism re:  the efficacy of New Year's resolutions. Well, I also think I've mentioned my skepticism re:  a resolution to shy away from politically-charged items, & I was [semi-] serious about this resolution for the sake of my mental health . . . so why do people--including some of my own family members--keep provoking me?! Do you/they not understand the concept of agape love? **
• After what seemed like weeks of weather forecasts of dire predictions of an ice storm that would strike our area, beginning late last evening, it happened. Christ Lutheran did not have school because of a teacher in-service, which was cancelled. I got a text message earlier this morning, informing me that the Orphan Grain Train offices would be closed. Lois just told me that one media source just described local streets as "beyond treacherous." We both have the day off, meaning that we get to enjoy each other's company. Not sure why I'm including this under "Down . . . but Not Out." It may be because my better house may start delivering gentle reminders any time about the plethora of household tasks that I need to attend to?!

* Nebraska Cornhusker Blog Consulting Team
** "First, there you go again, flaunting your multi-lingual perspicacity. Second, are YOU displaying agape love with this comment? We're just sayin'." NCSBCT 

Reasons to Feel Happy . . .or at Least Content

• On SAT 1/14, I put 41, 2016 Christmas cards containing "generic" 2016 generic "Merry Christmas/Epiphany from the Leckband's in Nebraska" letters in them. This allows me to cross an item off my TO-DO list, which has implications for my OCD; also allows me a certain measure of closure.
• Cluster headache update:  I think I've reported earlier that I began a cycle of cluster headaches before Christmas. They slacked off, then resumed after we returned from Texas. I paid a visit to my neurologist, who prescribed an increase in one of my preventative medications. After a few days, my headaches disappeared--for three days. Sadly, I had to take medicine at bedtime last night, accompanied by oxygen. It was more of the headache precursors than the actual skull-piercing agony, & I wasn't entirely sure that I hadn't over-reacted. Well, I was awakened at 1:30a by pain in the usual spot, just above & behind my left eyeball. I got up & took a pill, went back to bed & did controlled breathing. I omitted the oxygen, because I didn't want to wake up Lois. There was pain, but not the unendurable type, & after about 15 minutes it was gone. * [* Yes, technically this should belong in the "Down . . . but Not Out" feature, but I had started this entry when it looked like my cycle was over. I was too lazy to move it. And--as if you needed a reminder--it's still my blog.]

A recent addition to my quiet time resources

I've been reading through A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Phillip Keller (Daybreak Books), 1970. It's been around for awhile, & I've often come across gems from it, but I've never gotten around to reading it. I ran across it at a book fair hosted by the Norfolk Rescue Mission. As I've been reading excerpts as part of my daily quiet time, I'm finding--which often happens--that daily meditations speak directly to spiritual challenges that are affecting me here & now. Here is an example.
     "One of the great revelations of the heart of God given to us by Christ is that of Himself as our Shepherd. He has the same identical sensations of anxiety, concern & compassion for cast men & women as I had for cast sheep. This is precisely why He looked on people w/such pathos & compassion. It explains His magnanimous dealing w/down-&-out individuals for whom even human society had no use. It reveals why He wept over those who spurned His affection. It discloses the depth of His understanding of undone people to whom He came eagerly & quickly, ready to help, to save, to restore.
      "When I read the life story of Jesus Christ & examine carefully His conduct in coping w/human need, I see Him again & again as the Good Shepherd picking up 'cast' sheep. The tenderness the love, the patience that He used to restore Peter's soul after the terrible tragedy of his temptations is a classic picture of the Christ coming to restore one of His own . . . "  [page 64] *
* You will have to acquire this resource yourself to find out the author's definition of "cast sheep." I can't do everything for you!

Late Whimsy + GOMER Returns + Exclusive Resort Review

special sat edition of whimsical wed

Wednesday Whimsy . . . on Saturday

From Lincoln Journal Star (1/7):  "Do I really need this? . . . Box of love. Can't express your feelings adequately through emoticon-filled text messages? For you, there's the Lovebox. The wooden box--made by a French startup, of course--plugs into an outlet & connects to Wi-Fi. A heart on the outside spins when you get a message. Open the lid to see a digital screen with the message. You can reply with a digital heart by rotating the heart on the box . . . " [You probably think I'm going to make a snarky comment about the French. How little you know me . . . I can hardly wait to put this on the next Hill Family Christmas drawing list!]

From Omaha World Herald (1/10):  A figure to inform, or maybe freak out, parents-to-be. Expecting a baby? The Dept. of Agriculture says the estimated cost of raising a child from birth through age 17 is $233,610, or as much as almost $14,000 annually . . . " [SEE related excerpt which follows.]

Also from OWH (1/10):  "5 mistakes Americans make with their money.  1. Not paying their bills on time . . . 2. Carrying too much credit card debt . . . 3. Spending too much on housing . . . 4. Living outside your means . . . 5. Tapping their retirement accounts early . . . " [Based on previous excerpt, I'm adding . . . 6. Failing to keep all receipts related to child-raising expenses, enabling parents to present offspring w/bill when offspring move out of house.]

G.O.M.E.R. Returns *

Weather Forecast:  Since last night I've been following weather reports--both online & on the radio--about a winter storm watch that could affect both the Lincoln & Norfolk areas . . . 100% chance of an ice storm, including up to 1/4" of ice, beginning Sunday & lasting into Tuesday. For years now the tendency of weather forecasters has been to go with the worst case scenario, which is better for them than to fail to call a winter storm & be wrong. This does not make it easy for those of us suffering from general anxiety disorders. Hey, here's an idea for weather forecasters! When they nail it, they get a bonus. When they miss it, they get fined by the FCC or FAA or NCAA or whomever. Seems fair to me.
* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants

Bracing for & Racing toward Retirement

It still looks like my official early retirement date will be 3/1/17 . . . & it still looks like I may need some supplemental income. Imagine my delight to see this item, also from the LJS (1/13):  "Austrian town looking to hire a part-time hermit. Wanted, PT: a hermit. Experience not necessary. Municipal & Roman Catholic church officials in the Austrian town of Saalfeldern are looking for someone to live in a nearby hermitage built into steep cliffs characteristic of the Salzburg region . . . "
      I got my hopes up. What's not to like? A hermit-like existence! Undoubtedly a beautifully, scenic, mountain-top fortress! And no mention of a need to renounce my Lutheran heritage . . . And then I read on . . . 
      "But a 2nd job is advisable. The parish website says the position is unpaid. And because it's unheated & without running water, the hermitage is inhabitable only between April & November."

CONclusion:  It ain't gonna happen.

Exclusive Bonus Resort Review

Lois & I were privileged to stay at the Casa de Hill in Wichita Falls, TX. checking in on Dec. 26 & checking out on Dec. 30. We've stayed there before; as always we were not disappointed.

• Reservation process:  ***** out of ***** stars
• Host & hostess ***** out of ***** stars  COMMENTS:  Always a delight to visit with this charming couple. They laugh at my jokes & it's fun to talk football with the host.
• Accommodations  *** out of ***** stars  COMMENTS:  Although the bedroom was somewhat small compared to the suites we are used to, we had our own private lavatory, & the Texas motif was warm & welcoming. Also, plenty of shampoo & soap [although no extras to take home w/me.]
• Amenities  **** out of ***** stars  COMMENTS:  There was a hot tub located outside. I did not use it. Lois did & found it adequate. Daily newspaper was provided & I found it very informative & suitably conservative, unlike deplorable USA Today, provided at so many other resorts & hotels these days. TV generally tuned to FB games--nice since Lois & I cancelled Direct TV at home--also rarely if ever tuned to CNN & MSNBC. [Must point out that guests were watching CNN one morning.]
• Food & Coffee Service  ***** out of ***** stars. COMMENTS: Ample selection of dark coffee, wine & beer was available. Also, biscuit & gravy breakfast casserole. We were introduced to this delicacy at the hosts' related resort property at Little Island Lake near Nevis, MN last summer. Much better than biscuits & gravy at Super 8.
• Other guests  **** out of ***** stars. COMMENTS:  We had been led to believe that we dared not discuss politics & religion w/these guests, but it turned out that--for the most part--we were able to set aside hypothetical differences & converse like adults [even w/guests who technically may not have achieved "adult status."] One minor complaint . . . the hot tub was located just outside our bedroom window. One night two of the younger guests--rumor has it that one of them may have been the hosts' youngest offspring--caroused late into the evening. Evidence in the form of a plethora of "empties" were left on the patio for all to see the next morning.

Down--but not Out + National Championship + Pancakes

special Tuesday education of mental health monday

Down . . . But Not Out! *

* First comes the "down." Hang with me & I will get to the "not out." Pinky promise!

2016 was a rough year. 

A hip replacement in March . . . Notification by one insurance company in late July that my disability status had been revoked, which led to two months w/o health insurance, a lengthy appeal process, and a depressive episode that lasted from late August well into December . . . My wife's own struggle with anxiety, undoubtedly over my own situation . . . Health issues affecting other members of my family . . . the 2-year anniversary of my unplanned "sabbatical" from Lutheran High . . . 

2017 has not gotten off to a particularly good start.

A cycle of cluster headaches began just ahead of Christmas break, then seemed to dissipate, then resumed after Christmas & followed me into January. I saw my neurologist last week. He increased the dosage of one of the meds I take as a preventative; so far I haven't noticed any improvement . . . A run-in, literally, with another driver while taking my grand-daughters to school in Lincoln on FRI 1/6. Although I entered the intersection first, the insurance company is refusing to accept any liability. I finally got an estimate earlier this week, so I was able to send in my accident report to the state. Hopefully it will make a difference. . . . Continued news re:  politics, abortion, climate change, that leaves me vexed, plus unwilling and/or unable to cope.

Abortion . . . I Just Don't Get It

Last week I posted a comment in response to a link I saw on Facebook re:  the nasty Republicans & their attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. My comment was in response to a series of other comments that were probably running 10-1 in support of PP & abortion rights. I had just read that the largest PP clinic in Texas doesn't even have a mammogram in its facility! So many educated people--especially those with medical backgrounds & a knowledge of human physiology + human embryology--can't possibly deny the human nature of an unborn baby. 
      Having said that, I should know better than to get embroiled in a FB conversation about this topic . . . or maybe I should continue to stand for what I know is right?!
      Ditto the gullibility of so many who choose to fall for the continued propaganda machine of the pro-abortion industry. One person who responded to my comments pointedly scolded me because PP is "pro-choice, not pro-abortion." Wait . . . what? Also, fetuses have no legal rights. Sad . . . 

Politics . . . Why Can't We Have a Truce?

I also let myself get embroiled in a FB conversation re:  Meryl Streep's comments at the Golden Globes ceremony. I am no apologist for DT. Having said that, my contention with Ms. Streep was based on her platform, which was a fawning audience of Hollywood celebrities. It reminded me, as I commented, about the Dixie Chicks who many years ago used a platform in Europe to bash George W. Absolutely no courage was displayed in either venue. Let the Dixie Chicks announce from a stage in Texas that they're ashamed that President Bush was born in their home state. Let M.S. bash DT at a news conference somewhere in flyover country. That will engender more respect from me.
      And while I'm ranting, many of the comments I saw railed at DT for his illiberal comments & why they must be curtailed. MS's comments are praised . . . Let's talk about the double standard applied to freedom of speech in our country! [Okay, Paul . . . Take a deep breath . . . maybe it's time to go to the mall & go for a walk . . . or go to IHOP & eat pancakes?!]

When Am I Going to Grow Up? *

Kindly remember that one of the main reasons I blog is for self-therapy, & I really, really needed to do some venting this morning. Having said that, it doesn't make me feel all that much better about myself as a person. My engagement in both of the previous FB conversations did not leave me feeling triumphant. In retrospect, I recalled Jesus' words about removing the 2' x 4' from our own eyes before trying to remove the splinter from someone else's eye. [That's my paraphrase, not the KJV, by the way.] I had made a semi-resolute resolution to spend less time perusing Facebook's progressive postings . . . Looks like I'll either have to walk that one back or re-resolute myself. Please pray for me.
* Yeah, when ARE you going to grow up? CSBCT *

But Not Out!

My Quiet Time Experience Today

Here's some positive mental health behavioral advice for you. ["Do as I say, not as I do?" CSBCT *] Carving out some quiet time each day for meditation & prayer does wonders for the soul. My main source in 2017 has been "A Year in the New Testament." Here's what I read in the meditation for January 12:  
      "You are saved by works--Christ's works for you. His work on your behalf didn't stop on Good Friday. As your risen & exalted Savior, He continues to work for you. He speaks His Word to you, the Gospel Word that forgives all your sin & bestows all the blessings Christ accomplished for you on Calvary's cross. He clothed you with His righteousness at your Baptism, joining you to His death & resurrection. In His supper, He feeds you with His body & blood to forgive you & strengthen you in the faith.
      "We are saved by works, just not our works." ** 
* Cornhusker State Blog Consulting Team
** Concordia Publishing House, 2010.

• Clemson beat Alabama for the National Championship . . . It's obvious that some Hollywood celebrities & mainstream media types do not know one single deplorable from flyover destinations. Well, I don't know one single person who was rooting for UA to win another national championship, even though I have no personal allegiance toward Clemson whatsoever.
• My car may have been brutalized by someone driving too fast for conditions . . . but nobody got hurt & the car is still drivable.
• Although I'm having a series of cluster headaches, none of them have "blown up" into a wretched, "feels like someone is trying to push my left eyeball out of my eye socket by forcing an ice pick through the back of my skull" headache yet.
• The Norfolk Daily News--still the best small city newspaper that I have ever discovered [DISCLAIMER:  I subscribe to this journalism gem that--to the best of my knowledge--has never published any fake news.] still publishes a link to my blog on its web site.
• DT's first official news conference included his brusque shout-down of a CNN reporter. Reaction by DT haters, including the "drive-by media," was predictably over-the-top, but I loved it . . . & I suspect that a plethora of anti-anti-DT haters reacted in-kind.
• If it wasn't for my unplanned "sabbatical" from LHNE, I wouldn't be in a position to write devotionals for Orphan Grain Train, nor would I be able to help out my daughter & grand-daughters every week in Lincoln.
• Next weekend we plan to attend my grand-son Calvin's b-day party in MN. [Now, if I can only get him to repeat "Papa," which there are witnesses, which he clearly said to me over Thanksgiving break, when there weren't any witnesses.]

What's in a Word?

walking in epiphany truth *

Today's Truth from Scripture

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John [the Baptist]. But John tried to deter Him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented."  Matt. 3:13-15

Today's devotional thoughts

You may have grown up with the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. I did, but now, as a matter of convenience, I go to dictionary.com, & here are two definitions I found for "epiphany."

• "2. An appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity.
• "3. The reality or essential meaning of something . . . "

Believers throughout most of Western Christianity observe the Epiphany of Our Lord on FRI 1/6--the traditional date when the Wise Men found the infant Jesus after their long trek from the East. That event would certainly quality as an "epiphany," right? And if you have a Gentile ancestry, you can especially relate. [I know that I do.]

Another possible epiphany or two

• If you read the scripture account in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, you'll find that the wise men find the child--not a baby--in a house in Bethlehem.
• Furthermore, nowhere in Matthew 2--or anywhere else in scripture--are we told the number of wise men.
• Tradition seems to settled on three wise men because of the three gifts.

Back to devotional thoughts

How about another "epiphany" event--Jesus the Son of God shows up to be baptized by John the Baptist, the son of earthly parents. John is astonished that he would be chosen to baptize One who is already Righteous. Jesus insists. 

And to put an exclamation point on this event, a dove descends from heaven & a voice from heaven proclaims, "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased."

Not just any "epiphany" . . . A Holy Trinity Epiphany!

Today's Advent Prayer **

St. 1  "From God the Father, virgin born To us the only Son came down;

By death the font to consecrate, The faithful to regenerate.

St. 4  "Abide with us, O Lord, we pray; The gloom of darkness chase away;

Your work of healing, Lord, begin, And take away the stain of sin.

St. 5  "Lord, once you came to earth's domain And, we  believe, shall come again;

Be with us on the battlefield, From every harm your people shield.

St.  6  "To You, Lord, all glory be For this Your blest epiphany;

To God, whom all His hosts adore, And Holy Spirit evermore."

* Adapted from a devotional I wrote for The Headliner, Orphan Grain Train's weekly e-newsletter.

** "From God the Father, Virgin-Born," LW #74.

Missionary News ***

*** This entry has been virtually re-written. Lots of new, updated information.

Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese are the two missionaries that Lois & I have adopted. According to their latest newsletter, they have been "given the 'green light' to start our French language studies."
      They are "trying to find the best language school in either Montreal, Quebec or France, because the key word in learning a new language is 'immersion.' The best way to learn is to live in an environment where the language is spoken everywhere all the time."
      Debra also writes that they are "also searching for areas where the LCMS has churches where the services are conducted in French. This gives us the perfect opportunity to learn the French that will be needed in our missionary work."

Stuart will be serving as Church Planter/Pastoral Trainer. Debra will be serving as Area Communicator for West Africa. They will be headed to Burkina Faso. Besides language studies, they continue traveling to spread the word about their mission work in Africa & raise 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.

In their most recent newsletter, Stuart & Debra shared these prayer needs.
> To learn the French & Moore' languages
> To support their preparation for & mission work in West Africa
> To bless the congregation at St. Martin Lutheran Church
> To bless the people in Burkina Faso, so they are willing to hear & share God's Word.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

• 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

Resolutions + Retirement Plans + 0 Political Content

special THU edition of whimsical Wednesday

New Year's Resolutions

I stopped making New Year's resolutions awhile back for the same reason I stopped giving things up for Lent . . . it seemed a fruitless endeavor. I was making resolutions--or resolving to give things up--that I knew in my heart I was unlikely to succeed at keeping. Or I was making resolutions--or resolving to give things up--that I knew were a slam dunk. Examples:  Resolving to work for world peace. Resolving to stop shaving. Resolving to give up broccoli.
     Re:  2017, I had seriously contemplated reducing my # of weekly blog entries. Well, after a mental health MON, followed by a whimsical WED, here's a special THU edition of whimsical WED . . . & an epiphany devotion is right around the corner. Glad I didn't make THAT a New Year's Resolution.
     And I had seriously contemplated fewer politically-charged entries . . . but people keep provoking me! I'd be willing to declare a truce if others--you know who you are--would be willing to declare a truce--but it doesn't seem likely. For now we'll see if I can at least get through today's entry w/o a politically-themed riposte. *
* Oops. There's an example of a world-class vocabulary . . . & another contemplated resolution bites the dust. Oh, well. It's still my blog, & I still blog for self therapy. So, here goes.

Not sure where my next post will be coming from

I'm in Lincoln today, renewing my weekly commitment to provide limo service for my daughter & grand-daughters while by son-in-law serves his country in Bagdad. * So at 7:30a, I was outside, brushing snow off my car, when I heard some talking behind me. I turned around & saw two little girls standing on the sidewalk, watching me. I said, "Go ahead & get in the car. It should be warmed up by now." They just stood there.
    I repeated, a little bit more loudly, possibly tinged w/a little bit of annoyance, "Get in the car! I'm almost done." One of them said, "We're supposed to walk to school." It was then that I noticed through my fogged-up glasses that these two little girls were NOT my grand-daughters. I mumbled an apology & they hurried off.
      It's now 1:38p, & the police have yet to show up, so I am optimistic that my next post will not be coming from the Lancaster County jail.
* He's on our side in case there was any doubt.

Bracing for (Racing toward?) Retirement

If things proceed as planned [and, no, I don't take that for granted], I'm looking at 3/1/17, as an "early retirement" date. My lifestyle is unlikely to change. I will continue to serve as volunteer correspondent for Orphan Grain Train while continuing to seek other opportunities to volunteer . . . 
     . . . but I also may need some supplemental income. Imagine my excitement when I saw the following excerpt from the Norfolk Daily News (12/9/16):  "Ugly fish wanted. A $1,000 reward has been posted for catching an ugly fish out of Fontanelle Reservoir in western WY. The fish are called burbot & they're not native to the upper Green River drainage. Burbot compete w/native game species including trout. 
     "Burbot are eel-like but said to be good eating despite their appearance. Getting more people to fish for burbot is one way to reduce their numbers, so Game & Fish & Trout Unlimited are sponsoring a burbot raffle. Game & Fish has caught 25 burbot & tagged them w/raffle tags. The Rock Springs Rocket-Miner said anyone who catches a tagged burbot from Fontanelle may enter a raffle w/a $1,000 grand prize.
     "The drawing will take place at a burbot fishing rally at Fontanelle Jan. 7-8."

PROs:

1. I love fishing.
2. I love Wyoming.
3. I love road trips.

CONs:

1. Today is 1/5/17. I didn't give myself a lot of advance time to make arrangements.
2. For example, I'm not sure I have the right fishing gear.
3. I have no experience "burbot-ting."
4. I also don't have a boat.
5. How do I know that I won't drive all the way to Fontanelle Reservoir, only to find out that it's turned into an ICE-fishing derby? [See previous concern re: fishing gear.]
6. By the time I cover expenses, $1,000 won't go very far, even assuming that I win.
7. As a member of the Nebraska Gamblers' Assistance Commission, participation in a raffle--even held in another state--could be construed as a conflict of interest.

CONclusion:  It ain't happening.

License Plate Update

I think I've explained before how Lois & I keep track of license plates throughout the calendar year. In 2014, we accounted for every license plate, although it came down to "tagging" Louisiana on 12/30/14, in the parking lot of a shopping mall in OKC. Alas, in 2015, we tagged every state except NH.
     What about 2017? We missed Hawaii, Vermont & New Hampshire, which left us somewhat disconsolate. We drove past that same mall on our way to Texas for the holidays but didn't detour through the parking lot. Lois' sister Anita could have offered to drive us onto the AF base, located just north of Wichita Falls, TX; she did not. [In her defense, she did laugh at my jokes.] 
     Bottom line? We failed for the 2nd year in the row. In fact, we seem to be regressing. We will be making a road trip to the Twin Cities in a couple of weeks, thanks to a birthday party for our 1-year-old grand-son. Maybe a trip to M.O.A. can be fit in, although not a lot of out-of-state cars would be expected this time of year. I'll be attending the State L.L.L. Convention in York in March. Although York is located just off I-80, not sure how many snowbirds from New England states will be out & about. Yes, if the tone of this entry seems a little depressed, draw your own conclusion.

There Is No Place Like . . . Wisconsin!

From Omaha World Herald (12/26):  "Cop ties up student speeding to class, but it's a good thing. A Wisconsin police officer who stopped a speeding college student who was late for a presentation ended up tying his necktie for him. WBAY-TV reported the Menomonie PD posted dash cam video of the 11/30 traffic stop exchange on its FB page last week.
     "The video shows Officer Martin Folczyk pulling up behind the UWS student in a parking lot. The student explained he was speeding because he was late to give a presentation & was trying to find a friend who could tie his necktie. Folczyk asked for the tie & made a knot for the student. He even adjusted it after the student put it on.
     "The officer sent the student on his way w/a warning."  [Earlier today I was provoked--I admit, it didn't take much--into responding to a FB link which suggested that too many American cops "SITP" * when making traffic stops. I submit this as evidence that many DO NOT.]
* I try to do my level best to keep this blog family-friendly.

Food for Thought

From OWH (1/3/17):  "Humble dish offers taste of home for Mosul's displaced. "Long before it became famous as a battlefield in the fight against the Islamic State, the Iraqi city of Mosul was know for its ancient cuisine, enriched by Syrian, Turkish & Persian recipes. Mosul chefs make savory meat pies known as kubbeh * & spicy flatbread smeared w/ground beef that can be found in Middle Eastern restaurants the world over.
     "But among Iraqis the city is known for pache--animal heads, intestines & other parts boiled in giant vats . . . " [I can hardly wait to find out if my son-in-law has time to sample the local cuisine.]
* Commonly referred to by American G.I.'s as the Syrian Runza.

The Legacy of our POTUS

From Lincoln Journal Star (12/15):  "Wind-turbine rule permits eagle deaths. The Obama administration on WED finalized a rule that lets wind-energy companies operate high-speed turbines for up to 10 years--even if it means killing or injuring thousands of federally projected bald &  golden eagles. Under the new rule, wind companies & other power providers will not face a penalty if they kill up to 4,200 bald eagles, nearly 4X the current limit . . . " [My comments:]

• Notice how I avoided a politically-charged entry through the clever use of a heading?
• ELDM! *

* Eagle Lives DON'T Matter.