Bracing Myself + Ups & Downs + A Bonus Feature

mental health MON

Bracing for but no longer Racing Toward Retirement

• It will be 3/1/17 in only two days. That's right . . . March 1, as in my official retirement date. After months, well, maybe weeks of alerting you to this phenomenon, the date is finally upon us. Well, upon me. And how am I doing, you may wonder? I will let you know, whether you wonder or not, since this is still my blog, & I get to do with it as I please.
• There is still that pesky, possibility that I will need some supplemental income to keep my precious spouse living in the lap of luxury. Thus, I was dismayed to note the following . . .
• From Lincoln Journal Star (2/24): "Bacon boom stalling. The bacon boom seems to be ending. Wholesale prices for pork bellies, the cut used for making bacon, plunged 14% on WED, the biggest slump since AUG. The drop sent wholesale pork down the most in more than 3 years. Costs are tumbling as demand is easing for bacon after soaring this winter, a counter-seasonal move . . . It's finally gotten so expensive that the high costs are stemming the tide of bacon indulgence, according to David Maloni, a principal at the American Restaurant Association . . . "

MY COMMENT:  Ironically, I was going to time the release of my "All Bacon, All the Time:  The Secret Success of the 24/7 Bacon Diet" to my 3/1/17 retirement date. Go back & read the excerpt from the LJS again. Admittedly, I am an English major, not an economics major, but this news makes so sense to me. Suffice it to say, after spending hours * on this project, it looks like its all for naught.
* Trust us. It took him 2 minutes to skim the article, another minute to clip it, & maybe 10 minutes to write this "gem." CSBCT **
** Cornhusker State Blog Consulting Team

Reasons to Be Up

• Orphan Grain Train has made me an offer that I can't refuse. My responsibilities will be expanding. I will most likely be writing a devotion for our quarterly slick, glossy, colorful newsletter in addition to the devotions I already write.
• I will be attending more conferences & conventions, mostly to accompany our OGT display materials, especially in connection with our organization's 25th anniversary in SEP.
• These opportunities could include county fairs, the NE state fair, an LWML National Convention, the NE District All Professional Workers Conference this fall, & more.
• I've written many times about my love of writing. Those who know me also know my love for conferences & conventions, so this is a huge blessing for me.
• I pray that God will continue to use me to be a blessing to the mission & ministry of this wonderful organization.

Reasons to Be Down . . . But not Out

• Cluster headaches:  Last week I noted that since doubling the dose of one of the meds I take to prevent them, I haven't had a cluster headache since 2/7. Well, I may have jinxed myself. * I woke up from a nap yesterday w/a cluster headache. I was hoping this was just an anomaly until I woke up at 1:00 a.m. this morning with another headache. And my insurance declined to cover botox treatments. [I'm actually not too bummed about that, other than I've lost the novelty of blogging about botox treatments.] On the upside, I still haven't had a full-blown, crippling cluster headache throughout this cycle, which actually began before Christmas. * Just for the record, Lutherans don't believe in jinxing themselves.
• One of my favorite pundits for years has been Thomas Sowell. Sadly, he has retired. However, The Norfolk Daily News is going to replace him with "the writings of Charles Krauthammer & Rich Lowry. I believe they're excellent additions to our lineup of columnists from the political right (as they are) & those who lean toward the left or middle ground." That was a quote by NDN editor Kent Warneke, a personal friend of mine, also responsible for the notoriety of my blog. 
• I had previously noted that political news & punditry was having an effect--not a good one--on my mood disorders. One of my sister-in-law--whose identity I recklessly revealed--challenged me to go a week without indulging in political news & punditry. My week has expired . . . & it has not been easy. I have avoided the Drudge Report. I have abandoned Jonah Goldberg. I caught myself automatically tuning the radio to 1400 KLIN, as I was driving to & fro in & around Lincoln last week, when I could have indulged in both Rush & Sean. I did not. I have spent a lot of time grinding my teeth. Has it improved my mental health? Have I noticed a decline in my general anxiety & OCD? No, I have not. I may give it another week. Meanwhile . . . 
• From the LJS (2/16): "It's time to make spellcheck great again. The mangled spellings that were a staple of DT's presidential campaign are flourishing in the White House      . . . " HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! The headline caught my attention, because I am a secondary English major, but, sure enough, it was merely an excuse to start bashing our president-elect. [Deep breath, Paul] And just for the record, I read this before I started my moratorium, as referenced above.

Bonus Devotional Thoughts *

* Source:  A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Phillip Keller. (Daybreak Books), 1970.

"Living as we do in an era when numerous confused voices & strange philosophies are presented to people, it is reassuring to the child of God to turn to the Word of God & know it to be the Shepherd's hand of authority. What a comfort to have this authoritative, clear-cut, powerful instrument under which to conduct ourselves. By it we are kept from confusion amid chaos. This in itself brings into our lives a great sense of quiet serenity which is precisely what the psalmist meant when he said, " . . . Thy rod . . . comforts me."

Jealous of the disciples? A little . . .

walking in the truth on transfiguration sunday (2/26)

Today's Truth from Scripture

"After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountainy themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus . . . While He was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!.'" Matt. 17:1-3, 5

Today's devotional thoughts

Your word for today is "theophany:  A manifestation or appearance of God or a god to a person." [dictionary.com] When a voice spoke from the cloud on the Mount of Transfiguration, that was a theophany.

Have you ever been just a little jealous of the disciples? Well, I'm not too proud to admit that I have been a little jealous. Peter, James, & John literally had a mountain-top experience that probably rivals or exceeds any mountain-top experience you or I have ever had. It was a theophany that included not only the Son of God but also the voice of God the Father.

And for three years all of the disciples & many others witnessed the theophany of Jesus walking among them, teaching, performing miracles . . . 

. . . and ultimately dying on the cross . . . 

. . . but also risen from the dead! [Do you think there was such a thing as PTSD in those days? If there was, seeing Jesus alive, listening to Him talk, touching his spear-scarred side & spike-ravaged wrists probably would have cured it, don't you think? But I digress.]

Here's the deal. We also have our own theophany every time we worship together. Jesus Christ IS present among us, too. 

• We hear the Living Word, as it is read to us & preached to us from the pulpit; as we read it responsively; also as we sing it in some fantastic hymnody. [Yes, even in some fantastic contemporary hymnody.]
• We know that Christ is present in the Water of Life, poured out on babies, young people, & even old codgers [No offense, I hope.], as they are baptized.
• We eat & drink the body & blood of Christ in, with & under the bread & wine of Holy Communion.
• "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood . . . '" (Matt. 26:26-28a) That's right--The Lord's Supper is so much more than just a memorial rite.

Some of the disciples got to see the first Transfiguration, but make no mistake. As believers touched by the grace of God, we, too, have had our lives transfigured by Christ, as well!

Today's prayer thoughts

Give thanks that your life has been touched by the grace of God, & it continues to be transfigured by Word & Sacrament. Alleluia? Alleluia!

Missionary News

It's been awhile since I posted news about the missionaries we adopted, Stu & Deb Freese.  The Freeses will be serving in Burkina Faso, West Africa. They are currently undergoing intensive French language training in Montreal. Pr. Freese will serve as Church Planter/Pastoral Trainer in West Africa. Deb will serve as Communications Director in West Africa. This excerpt is from their Jan & Feb 2017 newsletter.
      "In our French class we have a young woman from Argentina, one from Bolivia, one from Columbia, & one from India. We also have a young man from China, & a middle-aged man from Indonesia. How do we communicate w/each other! Do we all speak Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Bahasa, English or French? No! How can we possibly communicate!
      "This is where faith & trust in the Lord come in. Without the abilities God gives us, we would not be able to learn other languages. If we try to take things into our own hands, like the people of the Tower of Babel, God will confuse our plans.
      "God has called us to serve the people of West Africa, many of whom speak French. God is also the One who will give us the ability to speak the languages that we will need to share the good news of salvation."

Prayer Needs:

• For support of our mission work in W. Africa
• That we are able to learn the French language
• For the West African missionaries who are moving to new countries to spread the Gospel
• For the people of Burkina Faso so they are willing to hear & share God's Word

Contact/Follow Us

• FACEBOOK:  www.facebook.com/FreesesInAfrica/ OR www.facebook.com/LCMSWestAfrica/
• FINANCIAL SUPPORT ONLINE:  http://www.lcms.org/freese
• MAIL TO:  Mission Central, 40718 Hwy E16, Mapleton IA  51034 OR                   LCMS, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO  63166

CCM *

       Matt Maher is probably my favorite contemporary Christian recording musician at this time.. I've been listening to his "All the People Said Amen" live album ad infinitum, especially since Lois & I saw him in concert at FishFest in Ralston, NE, last summer. He's Catholic, yet one of my favorite songs on this album is Mighty Fortress.
      Here are some sample lyrics:  "You are the Rock of Salvation, My only Foundation, Lord of All. You are our Hope never failing, a Mighty Fortress is our God." Take this one lyric out of this song, & you would be tempted to think that this guy could be a Lutheran!

* Christian Contemporary Music

NE vs HI + Fighting Fake News + Retirement News + Politics

whimsical WED

There Is No Place Like . . . 

• Hawaii . . . From Omaha World Herald (2/8):  "Crowds drawn to perfection at the peak spur restrictions. {Haleakala National Park, HI} Well before dawn each morning, throngs of tourists from around the world make their way to Maui's tallest peak, a dormant volcano, to see what Mark Twain called the 'sublimest * spectacle' he had ever witnessed. They drive up a long, winding road through the clouds to an otherworldly lava-rock landscape at 10,000 feet. Then they bundle up & take their place for a dazzling day-break show . . . " [Although we did make it to Maui several times during our idyllic stay in Paradise, we never made the drive to witness this enchanting vista. Look for it on our bucket list.] 
• Iowa . . . Also from OWH (1/22):  "Iowa club raises funds to illuminate crosses along I-80. Three crosses tower above Interstate 80 near Neola. The town's Lions Club chapter erected the crosses in June, inspired by a national organization. And now the group is working to illuminate them for nighttime drivers . . . " [From time to time I've been know to subject Iowanians to some good-natured hazing, so, KUDOs to Iowanians.]
• Iowa, redux . . . Ditto OWH (1/31):  "Expert says invasive weed in IA should to be ignored by farmers. An invasive weed that can grow up to 7' tall is found in nearly half of IA's counties, & experts say farmers need to act quickly if the plant is found in their fields . . . " [At least it's not "weed." Take THAT, Coloradans!]
• South Carolina . . . From Lincoln Journal Star (2/10):  "Orange gator puzzles residents. No one seems to know why there's an orange alligator in a pond near Charleston. Residents joke the gator used too much self-tanning lotion. Or maybe it's a fan of the Clemson Tigers, who are known for their orange colors . . . " [I wish I knew how to insert pictures, because a picture accompanies this news article, & by golly, this reptile is orange from snout to the tip of its tail.]
• Texas . . . From OWH (2/4):  "Texas boy lifts toilet lid, finds rattlesnake hiding inside. Yes, it was a snake looking up. Snake-removal expert Nathan Hawkins said FRI that he was called to a home near Abilene last month after a boy lifted the toilet lid & was surprised to find an adult rattlesnake . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny that this sign has been erected on the outskirts of town:  "Abilene: Home of the Toilet Rattlesnake!"]

* Sublime: "supreme or outstanding" (dictionary.com)

Nebraska!

• From Norfolk Daily News (2/15):  Prairie dog law targeted by Chambers. NE's longest-serving lawmaker is once again trying to repeal a law that could allow county officials to kill black-tailed prairie dogs on private property if a neighbor complains . . . " [Just to show you that our unicameral doesn't waste its time on trivial matters.] *
• We've had high temps in the 60s & 70s this past week. Back to freezing temps starting tonight & thru the weekend. PLUS, a chance for snow, beginning tonight & into tomorrow. Depending on which forecast I choose to believe, we are in for anywhere from 1-3" to 6-10".

* Mr. Chambers represents a district in Omaha. I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of prairie dogs, black-tailed or otherwise, in the immediate confines of his district.

Fighting Fake News . . . You Be the Judge! 

Once again, our relentless team of blog investigators seeks to ferret out sources of fake news, sparing you, the reader, unnecessary anxiety & confusion.
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Why Do Geese Honk? Georgetown Scientists Defy Conventional Wisdom

Researchers from the prestigious College of Bird Studies at Georgetown University are ready to make a startling announcement. Geese don't honk to encouragement. Geese honk because they are back street drivers! A reliable source within the Dept. of Goose Studies revealed this startling theory to a researcher from the Nebraska Cornhusker Blog earlier this week. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said, "It's been thought for millennia that geese honk at the gander leading the V-formation in order to encourage him, as he leads the flock or skein. We've uncovered evidence that female geese are honking 'messages' similar to what you deplorable laypeople would consider 'backseat-driving.'
      This unimpeachable source, well-known within the wider scientific goose community, went on to say, "A study of honking, made possible by recently developed drone technology, has made it possible to identify distinct patterns of female geese communication. Examples include, 'Speed up! There's no reason to fly this slow over North Dakota!' 'You've had your left wing signal on for the last 20 minutes, but we're still headed right!' 'Why are we landing in this South Dakota cornfield when we've flown over a plethora of delectable Nebraska cornfields?' 'You just made a hard right turn without using your right wing signal!'"
      When asked why he was unwilling to speak on the record, he seemed shocked. "Why would I speak on the record & be accused of sexism, junk science & misogyny? Why would I tarnish the reputation of our esteemed institution, not to mention trash my legacy?"
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Racing Toward + Bracing For Retirement

My official retirement date of 3/1/17 is less than one week from today. I may need something to help occupy my additional free time . . . also a source of supplemental income. Here's an idea, compliment of the OWH (11/7):  "Luxury meets forest in treehouse hotels. There's nothing like a treehouse to reawaken your childlike sense of wonder. Make it luxe & stick it in the middle of a tropical clime, though, & you've got a vacation fantasy fit for well-heeled adults. Here are five treehouse hotels--all new or recently expanded--where you can bring it all to life. >> Secret Bay, Dominica . . . Playa Viva, Juluchuca, Mexico . . . Acre, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico . . . Papaya Playa, Tulum, Mexico . . . Hoshinoya, Bali, Indonesia . . . "

PROs

We have four stately pine trees towering over the north end of our backyard . . . Our deck would only add to the ambience of a luxury treehouse hotel . . . When I was growing up, I always wanted a treehouse in the big maple tree in the southeast corner of our backyard, just outside our back porch . . . We could add an extra unit & live in it . . . Extra bedrooms when the kids & grandkids visit . . . State funds could be available, since a luxury treehouse hotel would only add to Norfolk's promotion as a tourist site . . . We would probably be the envy of our neighbors.

CONs

. . . Or our neighbors might object to a major construction site next door . . . & our neighborhood might not be zoned for a luxury treehouse hotel . . . Norfolk may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think "middle of a tropical clime" . . . A huge investment may be required, not likely to be completely covered by any state tourist grants . . . I'm not all that interested in helping to manage a luxury treehouse hotel, which would add to the burden of my better half . . . Four pine trees limits us to four luxury treehouse units, limiting potential income.

CONCLUSION . . . Total fantasy. Fun to write about & that's about it.

Bucket List

• From OWH (11/7):  "Luxury meets forest in treehouse hotels. There's nothing like a treehouse to reawaken your childlike sense of wonder. Make it luxe & stick it in the middle of a tropical clime, though, & you've got a vacation fantasy fit for well-heeled adults. Here are five treehouse hotels--all new or recently expanded--where you can bring it all to life. >> Secret Bay, Dominica >> Playa Viva, Juluchuca, Mexico >> Acre, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico >> Papaya Playa, Tulum, Mexico >> Hoshinoya, Bali, Indonesia . . . "
• Hawaii Inter-Island Cruise, which would include side trips to Haleakala National Park on Maui, the drive to Hana, also on Maui, plus visits to Molokai & Kauai, which we never made it to while we enjoyed our idyllic sojourn in the Cook Islands.

Political Whimsy

• I've hinted * in my mental health MON entries that politically-charged FB items, punditry, & both partisan & drive-by media "news" aggravate my general anxiety news. One of my sisters-in-law, whose identify I will fiercely guard, ** challenged me to go a week w/o sourcing any of these thorns in the flesh. My week started on SAT 2/19. I'll let you know how this turns out.
• I didn't pledge to avoid inserting political whimsy into my blog. So, from the LJS (2/17):  "Politics could spice up Academy Awards . . ."  [Just for the record, I will be boycotting the Academy Awards this year. Not that I would be attending in person, but I will not be dialing the Academy Awards broadcast either, especially since Lois & I are enjoying the original MacGyver series on Netflix.] ***

* "Hinted? That's an understatement." Cornhusker State Blog Consultants

** I'll give you a hint. It was "Isty-Chray."

*** "Big whoop. This blogger dropped cable & direct TV & can only access Netflix & Apple TV. Plus, he can access sources by using high-speed Internet.

Road Trip + Comfort Food + Little House Roid Rage +

mental health MON

My mental health update

Road trips

• I've mentioned before that road trips seem to have a soothing effect on me. Last THU 2/26, I was in Lincoln for my weekly routine, helping Sarah w/my 2 grand-daughters while my son-in-law is deployed. I motored up to Fremont, NE, about 1 hr north of Lincoln, to visit a friend. He was my assistant principal & AD for many years. When I began my "sabbatical" from LHNE in NOV 2014, he became interim head administrator. He left LHNE at the end of last year in order to accept a Call to serve as principal of Trinity Lutheran School in Fremont. Not only was Greg a top-notch English teacher, assistant principal, AD, & coach, we became very good family friends, as well. But I digress.
• Besides a wonderful visit w/Greg, including a visit w/his better half, I got to tour his school, * I drove past Lake Wanahoo, a new feature since we moved from Lincoln to Hawaii to Norfolk. It's near Wahoo. The hwy now detours around Wahoo. Remember when Wahoo was the Home Office of the David Letterman Show? Even though we never regularly watched David Letterman, ** I always got a kick out of his Top 10 lists & frequently went to his web site just to check out the latest Top 10 list.
• I also saw a historical marker that I had never seen before, just outside Fremont next to the Platte River. The content explained how there used to be some pretty consequential Pawnee Villages located along the bluff. As I got back on the highway, I noticed a sign pointing toward "Pawnee Meadows." Hmmm. All these features made it a delightful road trip. ***

* Lois & I had been there over 20 years ago for a NE District Professional Workers' Conference.

** It was past our bedtime years before it became mandatory to become past our bedtime. In my case, it became age- & medication-related.

*** A little stress was involved. SEE below.

Reasons to Be Up

• Cluster headaches:  Since doubling the dose of one of the meds I take to prevent them, I haven't had a cluster headache since 2/7. This is significant, since this cycle began before Christmas break & had progressed to 2-3 headaches, most of them relatively minor, by early FEB. I'm still waiting to hear back from him, since the last time I contacted his nurse, I was told that my insurance was being contacted to approve a series of botox treatments. I'm hoping these injections [I assume it will be injections.] will also eliminate the bags around my eyes.
• PP:  [Did I just hear someone giggle? You are soooo immature.] From Lincoln Journal Star (2/17): "Planned Parenthood resolution passes. The House voted THU to make it easier for states to deny federal family-planning funds to groups such as PP that also perform abortions . . . " ["One small step for human-kind. One giant step for unborn baby-kind.]
• Lutheran High Northeast. Last month was the 20 year-anniversary of my move from Hawaii to Norfolk to help initiate the mission & ministry of LHNE. I did NOT experience any depressive episode, which I consider progress. I delight in the positive p.r. I see about the school,like the recent full page Tracking the Eagles feature in the Norfolk Daily News (2/2). It was a wonderful write-up about the Eagle Speech Team & their coach, Preston Sunderman.
• LHNE, Part 2. I am typing this on SUN 2/19. As I was browsing FB, I saw that our Silver Talons once again crushed the competition at the State competition & brought home championships in Class C2 Hip-Hop & Jazz. We are a juggernaut!
• Partisan pundits:  A recent editorial by Kent Warneke, editor of the NDH, highlighted the news that "In the coming days, readers of this page will be able to enjoy the writings of Charles Krauthammer & Rich Lowry . . . " [I agree w/Kent--I personal friend of mine & the reason my blog is posted on the NDN web site--when he continues to write, "I believe they're excellent additions to our lineup of columnists from the political right (as they are) & those who lean toward the left or middle ground."]

Reasons to Be Down . . . But Not Out!

• Road Trip continued . . . As I mentioned in a footnote above * on my way to Fremont last THU 2/16, I missed a turn-off. To my credit(?), I was listening to a Christian CD. Then, because I had entered the wrong address into the travel app on my phone, I took off on a jaunt to the opposite side of Fremont. By the time I ran into pretty much of a dead end [taking me closer to Norfolk than TLS, I surmised], I was humming "This is not where I belong." **
• I called my friend, who told me how to get to the school. I took me an extra 10-15 minutes to get there, & I missed one turn. This delayed our visit to Village Inn, where I had too many carbs. +
• Although I completed my on-line registration for retirement benefits in time to meet a deadline, there is paperwork that I need to sign & return before those benefits begin to be directly deposited into my bank account. Unfortunately, that paperwork had not arrived by the time I left town for Lincoln last FRI. This means I will most likely NOT receive a check in MAR. However, I was assured by my CPS rep that my benefits will be retroactive to MAR 1 & included in future benefit payments, most likely beginning in APR.
• I'm still on steroids to help prevent cluster headaches. I noted earlier that I haven't had a cluster headache since 2/7. That's the good news. The bad news? I STILL haven't noticed any changes to my physique, & I think I experienced a mild case of "roid rage" last FRI on my drive home from Lincoln. An oncoming car flashed its headlights at me under the mistaken perception that I had my brights on. I flashed mine back briefly. He STILL flashed me, so I waited until he was just a few car lengths from me & put my brights back on. That was not only a grumpy thing to do, it was also unchristian.

* SEE footnote under Road Trips, under My mental health update.

** Kudos to Building 429, a favorite CCM group. ***
*** If you are anti-CCM, please don't get your shorts into a knot. ****
**** I know this sounds snarky, but you often provoke me. *****
***** And I know that this comment is anything but mature.
+ I don't intentionally want my friend to sound cheap. I never gave him an opportunity to pick up the check. That's just the kind of guy I am.

• From Omaha World Herald, TV Q & A, (2/12):  "Q. My wife & I have been wondering what became of the little boy actor who played Albert on 'Little House on the Prairie.' Where is he now? A. He was Matthew Laborteaux while playing Alert Ingalls on the family on the family drama. These days he goes by Matthew Labyorteaux, his given name, & is 50 years old! According to the Internet Moview Database he works mainly as a voice actor in animated productions & video games."  [Sorry, Matthew. This is very uncharitable of me, but I couldn't care less about your career. The fact is, I remember how Lois & I--& for awhile her sister Anita--faithfully watched "Little House." It doesn't seem THAT long ago, but now I read that you are 50! That's at least mildly depressing.]

The Lord Is My Shepherd *

      "Just as sheep will blindly, habitually, stupidly follow one another along the same little trails until they become ruts that erode into gigantic gullies, so we humans cling to the same habits that we have seen ruin other lives. Turning to 'my own way' simply means doing what I want.It implies that I feel free to assert my own wishes & carry out my own ideas. And this I do in spite of every warning.
      "We read in Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25, 'There is a way which stems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.' In contracts to which Christ the Good Shepherd comes gently & says, 'I math way, the truth, & the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me' (John 14.6). 'I am come that they might have life, & that they might it more abundantly' (John 10:10).
      "The difficult point is that most of us don't want to come. We don't want to follow. We don't want to be led in the paths of righteousness. Somehow it goes against our grain. We actually prefer to turn to our own way even though it may take us straight into trouble."
      [MY COMMENTS:  I continue to quote from Phillip Keller's book. It may seem this would be more appropriate for my devotionals, but I include them in my mental health MON posts, because I worked my way through his book as part of my daily quiet time. My daily quiet time has been an incalculable part of my mental health "strategies."]

* Source:  A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Phillip Keller, (DayBreak Books), 1970.

More "epiphanies"

walking in epiphany truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.  1 John 3:1-3.

Today's devotional thoughts

Yes, in the church calendar we are still in the season of Epiphany. I'm not sure what the weather is like in your location. In my location, it was 70+ degrees yesterday. But I digress. Once again, I'm working with this definition of "epiphany," from dictionary.com:  "The reality or essential meaning of something." Here are some of my personal "epiphanies" gleaned from this reading from 1 John 3.

• Our heavenly Father calls us children of God. This is agape, or godly love. Sinful people are given the same designation as Jesus, the Son of God. Why? Because of Jesus' agape for us.
• The world doesn't know us, & so we face ridicule & persecution, & we shouldn't be surprised. Jesus was rejected during His time on earth. He is still rejected today.
• Those who are persecuted--sometime to death--in other parts of the world would very likely trade their persecution for what we think of as persecution as Americans. 
• When Jesus appears at His 2nd coming, we will be resurrected. Our earthly bodies will give way to our heavenly bodies. In our mortal state we can't even begin to imagine what that will be like, but it will be glorious.

Today's prayer thoughts *

We sang this hymn in church last Sunday. It is one of my favorites & always resonates w/me, because it is a testimony to the redemptive power of Baptism.

(St. 1) "God's own child, I gladly say it:  I am baptized into Christ!
He because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price.
Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any
That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity!

(St 4) "Death, you cannot end my gladness:  I am baptized into Christ!
When I die, I leave all sadness To inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust & ashes Faith's assurance brightly flashes:
Baptism has the strength divine To make life immortal mine.

There is nothing worth comparing To this life-long comfort sure!
Open-eyed my grave is staring:  Even there I'll sleep secure. Though my flesh awaits its raising, Still my should continues praising
I am baptized into Christ; I'm a child of paradise!

* SOURCE:  "God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It," LSB #594, CPH 2006.

CCM *

Matt Maher is probably my favorite contemporary Christian recording musician at this time.. I've been listening to his "All the People Said Amen" live album ad infinitum, especially since Lois & I saw him in concert at FishFest in Ralston, NE, last summer. He's Catholic, yet one of my favorite songs on this album is Mighty Fortress.
      Here are some sample lyrics:  "You are the Rock of Salvation, My only Foundation, Lord of All. You are our Hope never failing, a Mighty Fortress is our God." Take this one lyric out of the album, & you would be tempted to think that this guy could be Lutheran.

* Christian Contemporary Music

Rush, Sean, Sex ed, Retirement, Fighting Fake News

whimsical WED...special THU edition

Political Whimsy

When I drive to Lincoln to help Sarah w/my grand-daughters, I often get to listen to Rush Limbaugh & Sean Handy. Rush is my favorite talk show host. I'll listen to Sean when I have to, but I like Rush better. First of all, Rush listens to his callers & rarely talks over them. He asks questions to elicit their opinions. Sean asks questions like this:  "Don't you think that . . . " "Shouldn't the President be . . . " These questions are meant to elicit a specific opinion.     

He interviews a lot of people, which Rush doesn't, but he also likes to invite a fellow partisan to help him "debate" a partisan from the opposite side of the political spectrum. Then the two of them badger & bully this over-matched [SNARK ALERT!] yokel, both talking over him or her, jumping on every answer they don't like . . . if you listen to Sean, you get my drift. [On the other hand, if you are a DRTF, * don't even bother congratulating me for this wise perception.] 

The Omaha World Herald ran a front page article in its SUN 2/12 edition, hailing the new Omaha Public School's sex ed curriculum. Among the gems it noted were the following.

• "In a nutshell, the curriculum encourages abstinence, but it assumes some h.s. kids will have sex. It teaches about contraception, including a condom demonstration in 10th grade." [Good psychology! Parents, teachers, tell kids from early on that the absolute, safest, 100% guarantee that you will {a} not have an unplanned pregnancy; & {b} not acquire a nasty, sexually-transmitted disease, is to abstain from ANY form of sexual activity until after are married to an also sexually abstinent partner. THEN tell them, "Since you're going to have sex anyway, practice safe sex. Here's how."] [CAVEAT:  Parents, here's a good reason to send your child to a Christian school. Well, most Christian schools. Some have fallen under the spell of PC sex ed.]
• "(10th grade) Abortion is presented as an option for unplanned pregnancy. A woman considering it should seek counseling & accurate information, a textbook says. 'Abortion is a highly controversial issue,' the textbook says. Some people think that abortion is wrong & should be illegal. Others think that abortion should be legal, but be more restricted. Still others think that abortion is a personal decision that should remain legal.' The controversy is not explored in detail. Specific procedures are not mentioned . . . 
• '"There are also 2 other choices (re: an unplanned pregnancy) someone who is pregnant had the right to consider--what are they?' the teacher says. Teachers are prompted to probe for & write on the board, 'Place the baby for adoption' & 'Have an abortion.' Students take part in an exercise where they list reasons why a teen might choose one of the 3 options. The teacher is prompted to say, 'In the end, however, it is every pregnant person's right to choose what they do about their pregnancy.'"
• The article continues to say that whatever the choice, the mother should make a decision early in the pregnancy. If they keep the baby, they will need to get prenatal care. It's important to know the state's parental-consent law for teens who want an abortion. While NE law requires girls under 18 to get parental or guardian consent, minor who want to get an abortion w/o consent can file a petition seeking a court order to allow it."

MORE "HATEFUL" COMMENTS FROM THIS BLOGGER.

• I couldn't help but notice that . . . 
• Abortion is called controversial, but nowhere is morality mentioned. Of course not! This is being taught in public schools, where morality is considered religion.
• Lots of emphasis on discussion. Guided discussions are good. Free-wheeling discussions in this context? Those of us who have taught in high school & led free-wheeling discussion know from experience how these kinds of discussions usually go.
• Emphasis ultimately is on every pregnant person's "right to choose."
• No mention of the father in any of these scenarios.
• Making a decision early is mentioned. Abortions in the 1st trimester ARE medically safer--for the mother, not the baby.
• Prenatal care is mentioned. We know what happens when any pregnant woman goes to PP for prenatal care. No mention is made of the many pro-life clinics that offer free prenatal care.
• I don't see adoption mentioned anywhere as a loving alternative to keeping the baby or having an abortion.
• Parental consent is mentioned, but so is the option of seeking a court order.
• When I served as principal at Lincoln Lutheran from 1987-1993, it was well-known that PP helped pregnant teens obtain these court orders; also that PP provided transportation for pregnant teens to abortion clinics.

* Trump Deranged Syndrome Fanatic

Bracing Toward & Racing Toward Retirement

Still looking at 3/1/17, as my official retirement date, & still thinking I may need some supplemental income to help keep Lois living in the lap of luxury to which she's grown accustomed. I think I would make a pretty good talk-show host. Bear with me here.

PROs

• I can be pretty glib, albeit sometimes a little snarky. *
• I am well read & keep very well informed via FB, Drudge Report, NRO, etc.
• As I was driving to Lincoln last WED 2/8 [SEE excerpt above.], listening to KLIN, 1400am [Not a paid, product placement!], that they are making two $1,500 scholarships available to students enrolled in a radio journalism program in an accredited institution of higher education.
• I like to talk . . . No, seriously, I really do like to talk!

CONs

• I used to be a lot more well-read on the left spectrum of partisanship, but I've lost interest in those whom I consider to be in the TDSF **  camp.
• Sometimes a can get a little snarky. *
• The conservative talk radio market is already a little saturated, & I really don't have the time, energy, or patience to start on the ground floor & work my way up, especially since I just turned 64.
• Hosting a national talk-radio program might cut in on all my other activities, not to mention my soon-to-begin bucket list.
• I just recalled that the scholarships, which undoubtedly will be somewhat competitive, also had some strings attached, i.e., the deadline is March 1, & today is Feb. 16 . . . I am not enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education . . . which makes it nearly impossible to accumulate the 60 credits in radio journalism that are also required by 3/1/17.

* I know, I know . . . one of my consistent complaints about those of you whose political persuasion runs counter to mine is that I have to constantly keep doing your homework for you. Well, once & awhile I'm willing to make an exception. This is one of those times. The definition of "snarky," according to dictionary.com, "testy, irritable, short." Don't get used to this courtesy.

** Trump Deranged Syndrome Fanatics

CONclusion:  Probably not gonna happen anytime soon.

Fighting Fake News

Once again, in my efforts to fight fake news, I am using my cabal of secret, Washington & other news sources to ferret out what could be misleading stories versus legitimate news stories that could still make your hair curl. Here goes.

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Planned Parenthood Announces Corporate Sponsorship of Omaha Public Schools

(Omaha, NE MON 2/13) A front-page article in the SUN 2/12 edition of the World Herald has emboldened Planned Parenthood to announce its corporate sponsorship of Omaha Public Schools, beginning in the 2017-18 school years.

      "Yes, we know this curriculum is controversial, and, yes, we know that Planned Parenthood tends to garner more than a little controversy, mostly from religious fanatics on the far right--plus Republicans--but this partnership is a natural."

      This spokesman, who spoke off-the-record" w/a blogger-journalist from the increasingly popular Cornhusker State Blog, noted, "While this curriculum does make a fleeting reference to abstinence, which we all know doesn't work, it also teaches teenagers with raging hormones how to use condoms & also promotes abortion. Everyone with a lick of common sense, even the majority of deplorables, knows that Planned Parenthood derives millions of dollars annually from the abortions that are performed in our clinics."

      When asked about a recent reveal that the Planned Parenthood clinic in Houston, one of the largest in the country, doesn't have a single mammogram in the entire facility, this spokesperson replied, "That is a total fabrication." Our blogger-journalist noted that this incriminating item was posted by a reputable source on Facebook.

      "Well, there you go," was the response by the increasingly agitated Planned Parenthood spokesperson. "Everyone knows that you can't trust sources on Facebook."

      "Including propaganda posted about Planned Parenthood's services?" asked the blogger-journalist.

      "Exactly!" was the responses. "Wait . . . what?"

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Correction

In an earlier blog, I complained about Nebraska's new license plate. I complained about the generic look, including the heading, plus Nebraska's name in block letters, printed in white across a blue background along the top of the license plate. Upon closer examination it turns out that the letters are colored in yellow. This IS a big whoop-dee-doo, because these happen to be Michigan State's colors. Duh! 

This entry is long yet cathartic.

mental health MON

Reasons to Be Up!

• I'm writing this on THU 2/9, while enjoying a relatively stress-free day at my daughter Sarah's in Lincoln. Lunch is leftovers from Lois' & my take-out dinner from Applebee's last MON 2/7, when we celebrated my beloved spouse's birthday. She enjoyed a commendably healthy salmon dinner, while I indulged in a favorite--fish & chips. The seasoned fries are, ehhh, but the battered cod filets, dipped in tartar sauce, while not necessarily carb-friendly, are delicious. KUDO's to Applebee's! [NOTE:  This is not a paid, product placement.]
• I'm continuing my course of steroids as a cluster headache preventative. The doctor doubled the dose of one of my other preventative meds, & I have gone over 24 hrs w/o a headache. Knock on wood! * 
• One of the hymns we sang in church on SUN 2/12 was "God's Own Child, I Gladly Say it," found in the LSB, #594. It's one of my favorite hymns, found in the "Baptismal Life" section, & I plan to comment more in my devotional entry later this week.

* Let me clarify. Lutherans shouldn't knock on wood.

Bracing for & Racing toward Retirement

I thought it might be a good idea to start sharing some "bucket list" ideas for our travel ideas after the little woman & I are BOTH retired. I invite your comments. This list is hopelessly long for the time on earth our Good Lord has apportioned for us &, truthfully, * while heaven offers a richer reward than any travel bucket list, I could still use your commentary. So here goes. **

• Visit the Philippines [KUDO's to our nephew's wife Erose, thanks to a link she shared on FB.] ***
• Australia. [Thanks to a book I've almost finished, entitled "In a Sunburned Country," by Bill Bryson.] ****
• Alaskan cruise [My parents cruised the Alaskan coast & took a few side trips for their 50th anniversary.]
• Mackinaw Island [My brother & sister-in-law Christy stayed at a B & B on The Island. Lois & I spent a few hours there while we waited for a car repair in Mackinaw City back in the summer of 1970. We'd like to return for a more leisurely visit.]
• North Shore of Lake Superior.

* Would have you have your faithful blogger blog any other way than truthfully?
** CAVEAT:  This list is in no particular order. I've been jotting down ideas as they come to me, & kindly remember my OCD.
*** CAVEAT:  Cost may be prohibitive. 
**** CAVEAT:  Cost may be prohibitive, but you should buy this book if {a} you like reading travelogues; (b} you've read other books by Bill Bryson & haven't read this one; {c} if you haven't read Bill Bryson. He's hilarious.

Reasons to Be Down . . . But Not Out!

• I've been doing a fairly good job of watching my carbs, ever since I went on steroids, since they can elevate blood glucose levels . . . that is until the last few days. When my stress levels are high, my calorie intact rises in general & my carb intake goes up specifically. Eating for comfort, you know.
• Still experiencing an uptick in anxiety. Did you say you wanted me to share another cause for anxiety? There is an elevated danger of acquiring tick-borne diseases in our area. [You can look it up yourself.] I have to be extra careful when visiting my favorite bass fishing pond, because one has to thrash his way through a plethora of brush to get to it . . . but it's worth it. Big bass!
• Still trying to hold fast to my insight last week that God has not appointed me the apostle to those whom I disagree with politically & morally. It's a huge burden on me. I probably would be much better off, especially due to my various & sundry mood disorders, if I was much more judicious in my use of FB & partisan media sources. Alas, I don't seem to have the mental energy yet. Something to keep praying about. My therapist continues to be a blessing. My dearly beloved spouse continues to be an encourager [also an amateur therapist]. I hit it off very well w/my new psychiatric nurse practitioner & I am scheduled to have my 2nd appointment w/her this afternoon.
• When my new APRN(?) w/me for the first time, she asked if I had concerns about my meds. Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. [If you saw my med list, you would be appalled.] I told her that I wanted to be weaned off of a specific anti-anxiety med or possibly converted to an alternative. She agreed, but I also ended up on a new med to help w/my disrythmia(?). Also she had me start taking a pro-biotic. Although she will begin weaning me off some other meds soon, my list just got a little longer. On the flip side, my new additions maybe will benefit me psychologically, emotionally, physically.
• The Omaha World Herald's front page story on SUN 2/12 was about the new Omaha Public School's sex ed curriculum that has been adopted. Multi-pages are devoted to it. Among the charming details include condom demonstrations & promotion of abortion. I plan to comment further in this week's whimsical WED blog.

More Reflections *

"And He [the Good Shepherd] comes quietly, gently, reassuringly to me no matter where or how I may be cast down . . . We have to be realistic about the life of the child of God & face facts as they really are. Most of us, though we belong to Christ & desire to be under His control & endeavor to allow ourselves to be led by Him, do on occasion find ourselves cast down.
      "We discover that often when we are most sure of ourselves we stumble & fall. Sometimes when we appear to be flourishing in our faith we find ourselves in a situation of utter frustration & futility . . . 
      "The toughness it takes to face life & the formidable reverses which it brings to us can come only through the discipline of endurance & hardship. In His mercy & love our Master makes this a part of our program. It is a part of the price of belonging to Him.
      "We may rest assured that He will never expect us or ask us to face more than we can stand (I Cor. 10:13 **). But what He does expose us to will strengthen & fortify our faith & confidence in His control. If He is the Good Shepherd we can rest assured that He knows what He is doing. This in & of itself should be sufficient to continually refresh & restore my soul. I know of nothing which so quiets & enlivens my own spiritual life as the knowledge that--'God knows what He is doing with me!'"
      MY REFLECTIONS:  This has been true in my life.

• Too often when I am bogged down in temporal concerns, like I have been lately, which result in increased anxiety & OCD symptoms, I try to work my own way out of the swamp.
• At my advanced age I shouldn't have to, yet I need to be reminded yet again that my own resources just won't cut it. I need to go to the Lord in Word & prayer, informed by meditation on His Word.
• An advantage of the aging process is the ability to look back on devastating times in our lives & recognize now how God's hand was at work.

* Source:  A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Phillip Keller. Zondervan, 1970.
** "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Cor. 10:13 
* One of my favorite Bible verses.

An epiphany about doom? Or grace?

walking in epiphany truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.'" Leviticus 19:1-2
(Jesus speaking in His Sermon on the Mount), "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

Today's devotional thoughts

Throughout the Epiphany season--which is rapidly drawing to a close--I've been working with this definition of "epiphany," from dictionary.com:  "The reality or essential meaning of something. I like to think of an "epiphany" as comparable to drinking that first cup of dark roast coffee [Seattle's Best Dark Roast #5] in the morning, waking from my stupor, & with eyes wide open shouting, "Wow! I've just had an epiphany!"

God's Word is Truth, so when I read passages like those found in Leviticus & Matthew 5, I don't say, "Well, those verses applied to God's Old Testament people," or, "Jesus was preaching to people in 1st century Galilee." No, it's more likely that I say, "I am a poor, miserable sinner who can't possibly be perfect. I guess that I am surely doomed."

Once again, time for another epiphany. Here's what I read in 1 Cor. 3:11. "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." I take this to mean that my foundation is not built upon the sand of my good works. Jesus builds my faith upon His own solid Rock--my Lord & Savior's saving works. Forgiveness & salvation are found nowhere else. Amen? Amen!

Today's prayer thought *

(St. 1) "Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, 
Grace that exceeds our sin & our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured, 
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
(Refrain) Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon & cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

(St. 4) "Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
(Refrain) Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon & cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!"

* Marvelous Grace, source unknown.

Birthday Shout-Out...NE Uber Alles...Fighting Fake News

whimsical WED

Happy Birthday to the Best

It's my beloved spouse's birthday today, WED 2/8/17. [Yes, I'm keeping up with my blogs this week. This morning I can attribute it due to 3-5" of global warming, thwarting my trip to Lincoln early this morning so that I could take part in the governor's signing of a proclamation announcing FEB as Problem-Gambling Awareness Month. But I digress.] Back to Lois.

• She got to sleep in. CLS announced a late start, even though Norfolk Public & Catholic Schools did not. This is somewhat unprecedented, & I can only assume that her principal did it to honor her. KUDO's to her principal Steve!
• Birthday Trivia. Legend has it that Lois was born at 2:00p on 2/8/1952. I was born at 1:00p on 1/7/1953. That's right . . . we were born one hour, one day, one month, one year apart. Cue the theme music from "Twilight Zone!"
• Last night for one of our table prayers, I prayed, "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, & let this food to us be blessed, & thank You for Lois, 'cause she's the best." I do not think I was being flippant . . . I was totally sincere, I prayed from the heart, & it rhymed. I welcome your constructive criticism. [Just remember my ongoing, fragile, mental & emotional instability.]

There Is No Place Like Nebraska!

• Our weather forecasters have been scarily accurate lately. I shoveled 3-5" of global climate change off Lois' side of the driveway this morning, because it was her birthday, & that's just the kind of husband I am. [I also told her that we seriously need to consider buying our first snowblower for next snow season. She said that she would begin saving Menard's * SCRIP.]
• According to weather.com, at 8:38a (cst), when I finished scooping & pushing snow, the air temperature in Norfolk, NE, was 7. The wind chill was -10. I should have done a Leckband Temp Challenge, but I had things to do.
• I blogged quite awhile ago about the snit our citizens got into over our new license plates. Many people felt that the image of our sower, which adorns the top of our state capitol building in Lincoln, looked somewhat sexually suggestive. Whatever. A new license plate was designed & is now being distributed. I'll say this much . . . It is a very generic looking license plate. "Nebraska" is in white letters on a dark blue background along the top. The rest of the license plate is in white. The sower's outline is traced in blue in the background of this white, but it is so faint, that you have to get within 3-5 ft. in order to see it. As you might expect, this means you either see it on foot, or your other option is to tailgate dangerously close. Whatever whatever.
• From Omaha World Herald (2/7):  "New UNL pantry fills need, stomachs. The UNL's new food pantry is looking to provide more than a quick fix for student hunger. The Huskers Helping Huskers Pantry+ also is trying to address the root of student poverty . . . " [Yes, our students have better things to do with their time than planning & holding protest marches, &, yes, students can help themselves to more than just corn at this food pantry.]

* This is NOT a paid, product placement.

Alaska?

From Norfolk Daily News (1/20):  "(Anchorage)-59 takes toll on cars, pipes, state of mind. Cynthia Erickson woke up early, hoping her four furnaces were working. She owns a grocery store & the building that houses the post office in the village of Tanana, AK, which ranked as the coldest place in the state WED. The official temp at the airport w/a single gravel runway was -54. Nearby, along the Yukon River, it was 5 degrees colder . . . [OK, that's pretty cold . . . but Alaskawanians are used to their weather, right?]

Hawaii?

Hawaii may have its whale migration, but geese have been migrating for almost a month now. Yes, whales are majestic, especially when they breech or come right up to your tour boat. However, it costs a lot of money to go on a whale tour. Plus, it's illegal to approach a whale. It's OK if a whale approaches you. You also can't hear sounds that a whale makes. You can hear geese honking, which is especially eerie when they're flying overhead at night or in the clouds. Plus you can see literally hundreds, maybe thousands of geese flying overhead in V-formations. To the best of my knowledge, whales do not migrate in V-formations. Geese also gather by the hundreds, maybe thousands in corn fields within easy view of highways & byways. And snow geese are beautiful, especially when they are illuminated by moonlight or when the sun's rays hit them when they're aloft in the early morning hours.
      And don't get me started on the annual sandhill crane migration, which will start next month.

Criminal Minds

Also from NDN (2/2):  "Officials:  Don't scoop snow onto street. The snow had barely stopped falling in Norfolk last week when hardy scoopers were out in front of their homes pushing snow off their sidewalks. Some people like to scoop it before it's tromped on. Others like to wait to make sure the last flakes have fallen so they aren't doing the same job twice.
      "Shane Wiedner, City of Norfolk administrator, said . . . 'you don't push it onto the city streets. You can be fined for doing so . . . " [I'll make a deal with the City of Norfolk. IF I shovel snow into the street, don't issue a ticket to me, & I won't make a citizens' arrest of any city snow plow driver who pushes snow onto my driveway entrance, forcing me to shovel my way out again, wasting my time, risking permanent injury to my back. I believe the charge could be "obstruction of justice."]

Wednesday Whimsy

• Ditto NDN (2/4):  "Basketball closer to ending ban on headgear. The international group that governs BB is close to eliminating a longstanding ban on religious headgear in competition, clearing the way for athletes to wear hijab & yarmulkes in international competition . . . " [I get it, but what happens when players who practice the ancient Norse religion insist on wearing Viking helmets?]
• Ditto NDN (2/6):  "Pee-wee football:  No more tackling? Growing evidence of a link between FB hits & brain injuries has led all 50 states to pass laws aimed at protecting young people from concussions, but a NY lawmaker wants to go even further--banning tackle FB . . . " [Concussions are a serious issue, & I'm all for doing whatever we can to prevent them in both young & old. I can neither confirm nor deny that a CA legislator has introduced a bill to replace soccer balls w/beach balls in CA youth soccer leagues.]

Wonderful, Wide World of Wacky Celebrities

Ditto NDN (1/27):  "Shia LaBeouf arrest. Actor SLB was arrested in NYC early THU after he got into an altercation w/another man during a performance art project that has seen him chanting 'He will not divide us' in front of a live camera since DT's 1st day as president . . . " [Shia La Who?]
Ditto NDN (2/7 & 2/8):  "Coming to Omaha. Lady Gaga followed her lauded Super Bowl halftime performance w/the announcement of a world tour, which includes a stop at CenturyLink Center Omaha on Aug. 19 . . . Tickets to see her in Omaha go on sale 2/13 at 10:00a via Ticketmaster . . . 
      "Lady Gaga sees jump in digital sales following Super Bowl. The Super Bowl was a triumph for fans of the New England Patriots but it also became very lucrative for Lady Gaga. The superstar singer who performed at the halftime show sold about 150,000 digital albums & songs in the U.S. on SUN, a 1,000% increase over the day before, according to Nielsen Music . . . " [I didn't watch the Super Bowl. I did watch her performance on You Tube. It was quite entertaining. It was patriotic. I saw a link on FB that she was roundly criticized by TDSFs * because she didn't get political. All reasons why I can hardly wait for tickets to go on sale in August. **]
* Trump Deranged Syndrome Fanatics
** That doesn't mean that I will buy tickets to see her perform.

Fighting Fake News . . . You Be the Judge

Also from OWH (1/30):  "Obama nears Reagan in poll of greatest modern president. Two years ago, Barack Obama was a damaged-goods, lame-duck president who had just endured his 2nd consecutive midterm drubbing--thanks in large part to GOP efforts to tie Democrats to him & his eponymous * health care law. Today, Obama is virtually tied for 1st place in a new poll of the greatest modern president.
      "The Quinnipiac University poll indicates that 29% say Obama is the greatest president since WW II--just shy of the 30% who cite Ronald Reagan, the long-standing title holder . . . " * Rather than flaunt my vaunted vocabulary, I'll let you check out the definition of "eponymous" at dictionary.com.