Anniversary Tidbits + Kudos to Iowanians + Popcorn

Happy Anniversary

Happy 42nd Anniversary to my wonderful wife Lois--truly a gift from the Lord. Speaking of favorite anniversary stories, I have fond memories of our 1st anniversary. We were living in Chicago. We traveled to Galena, IL. I had broken my hand, so we had to have help setting up our tent. It was rainy much of the time we were there. We bought a steak to grill, using our tiny hibachi grill, so I had to keep running to & from the tent to grill the steak, & as I remember it, & the results were less than satisfactory. We went out to eat at a very nice restaurant that we had read about in the Chicago Tribune. There was quite a wait, & we were talked into sharing a table with another couple. They bought the appetizer, which was very nice of them. After that it was a very awkward supper. We just did not have anything in common, which made conversation difficult to impossible.
      We try to take a special trip for our anniversary each year. Although it's somewhat past our anniversary, this year's trip, which is also on our bucket list, will find us exploring the northeast corner of MN. We couldn't get our passports in time to make it into Canada, but we will still be driving along the North Shore of Lake Superior. There are a plethora of waterfalls & many other scenic attractions, museums, & other natural wonders to enjoy. My favorite will no doubt be the MN Dialect Museum [Ya, Sure, You Betcha], which you won't find in any guide book. Since I doubt if I will be taking my laptop along, you may have to wait for my return to learn about our highlights. We'll be leaving on FRI 6/2 & returning on SUN 6/11. And I forgot to mention we'll get to spend some time w/our grandson Calvin in Eagan, MN. And his parents.

Kudos to Iowanians

I've been known to speak playful yet possibly disparaging words about our good neighbors to the east. That would be natives of Iowa. [Nickname:  "We May Have People with More College Degrees, but We're Still Smellier than Nebraska."]
      According to an article in the Omaha World Herald (5/31), Iowa has 22 cities w/34.1%  of their population boasting college degrees. Nebraska could only muster 6 cities w/34.1% of their population boasting the same. Yes, Iowa has a much larger population than Nebraska, but proportionately it still comes out on top. Way to go! *
* I should & will point out that Norfolk, Ventura (Ven-TOO-Ruh), & Garrison did not make the cut. 

There Is No Place Like . . . Tennessee?

From Norfolk Daily News (5/30):  "Man denied movie popcorn assaults officer. A Clarksville, TN, man is accused of throwing a popcorn container at a movie theater worker because he was irate that the concession stand was closed, then punching & hitting a police officer . . . West was charged w/aggravated assault & other counts. West was jailed TUE on $22,500 bond." MY COMMENT: A quick survey of those living at 1606 Skyline Dr., Norfolk, NE, agreed that there is no excuse for punching & hitting a police officer but also felt that refusing to re-open the concession stand so that he could buy popcorn should have been taken into account.

Juggling + Mixed Marriages + Unconfirmed Rumors + Stinky Flowers

CORNHUSKER BLOG LITE (MON 5/29)

From Omaha World Herald (5/28):  "Judge rejects man's request to juggle during his trial. A judge has denied a man's request to juggle during his trial to show jurors he was just clowning around when he allegedly tried to rob a convenience store."  MY ADVICE: Appeal it to the 9th District Court.

From Lincoln Journal Star (5/19):  "Marriage. More & more Americans are marrying people of different . . . ethnicities . . . "  MY COMMENT:  I can relate. Lois was born & raised north of I-70. I was raised south of I-70. For most of our married life * things have gone smoothly, except when the topic of the War Between the States ** comes up in conversation between us.
* Our 42nd wedding anniversary will be celebrated on WED 5/31. I haven't figured out how to set up a GoFundMe acct yet, so checks made out to "Cash" would be an acceptable alternative.
** D--n Yankees refer to this as the "Civil War." ***
*** An alert blog follower **** who wished to remain anonymous pointed out that this blogger was born in Odell, NE, located well north of I-70.
*** It was me.

From Norfolk Daily News (5/19):  "Suing for a Ticket. A TX man is suing a woman he went on a date with for the price of a movie ticket after he said she texted through the film & left him at the theater. Brandon Vezmar filed the claim for $17.31 recently . . . he met the woman online & they went to see 'Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 . . . He said the 35-year-old woman refused to stop texting. Vezmar said he suggested she step outside to text. The woman then left the theater & never returned. The woman told the newspaper Vezmar asked her later for the cost of the ticket, but she refused because 'he took me out on a date.'"  MY COMMENT:  Caveat emptor. *
* I shouldn't have to remind you, but I am multi-lingual.

From NDN (5/19):  "Trump: 'Very close' to naming FBI director . . . " MY COMMENT:  I can neither confirm nor deny that his short list includes Larry Bird, George Brett, & me.

From OWH (5/29):  "Despite ill-time bloom, stinky plant attracts droves. Father & son David & Michael Ferrah made near-daily trips to Lauritzen Gardens [Omaha] last week, hoping to catch a rare whiff of one of the smelliest plants on Earth. They, like so many others, were awaiting the flowering of Amorphophallus titanum, an odoriferous tropical plant whose flowering has been documented only 220 times in a cultivated setting . . . 
On Sunday morning the Ferrahs of Omaha were among the record crowd at the gardens. The more than 10,000 people who came got a chance--albeit a diminished one--to smell the 'corpse flower,' as it is known . . . The flower blooms largely at night & emits the odor of rotting flesh to attract nocturnal carrion beetles & flies as pollinators. It takes 7 to 10 years to produce a flower, & the blooming period typically lasts less than 24 hours. 'People could learn a lot from the flower, including patience & beauty,' Ferrah said." MY COMMENT:  He's gotta be talking about Iowanians.

A Time to Be Born and a Time to Die.

Some devotional thoughts

As a rule, I haven't enjoyed funerals too much. I tend to get emotional, even when it's a funeral for someone I didn't really have a strong emotional relationship with. But in the last few months, I have participated in two funerals where my attitude has been different.

Earlier this year Lois & I attended the funeral of my Aunt Dolores. This past FRI 5/26. We attended the funeral of my Uncle Harold. Hymns & Scripture readings, which were chosen by the family, really spoke to me. Amazingly, I did not get emotional. 

Here are some gleanings from last FRI's celebration.

Hymn: "On Eagles'Wings" (LSB #727)  **

(St. 1) "You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, 

Who abide in His shadow for life,

Say to the Lord: 'My refuge, My rock in whom I trust!'

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His hand."

MY COMMENT:  My aunt & uncle died in the faith. Jesus was their refuge, their rock in whom they trusted. I can visualize them being raised up to heaven on eagles' wings. ASIDE:  My Uncle Harold's middle name, "Martin," came about because he was born on Martin Luther's birthday.

** Source:  Lutheran Service Book (CPH), 2001.

First Reading:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a . . . "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die... "

MY COMMENT:  When Uncle Harold was given the news that there really nothing that could be done for him medically, & the only option was for him to begin hospice care & receive only nourishment & some medication, his comment, despite his Alzheimer's, was "There's a time to live & a time to die." 

Hymn: "For All the Saints: (LSB #677) **

(St. 6) "The golden evening brightens in the west;

Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;

Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

MY COMMENT:  Lois & I lost a baby just after he reached the stage of viability. Later that spring or early summer we sang in our church's--Trinity Lutheran in Lincon--choir at an outdoor worship. We sang this hymn. I got very emotional as we sang this stanza. It was the emotion of grief. I was able to sing it last FRI with the sure knowledge that my aunt & uncle were faithful warriors who are resting in the sweet calm of paradise.

** Source:  Ditto

Third Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9 ..."For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one boast."

MY COMMENT:  Right up there with my Top Five Favorite Bible passages. Since we are helpless to save ourselves by our own good works, God the Father intervened & sent God the Son, Jesus Christ, who proved God's grace by His sacrificial death & glorious resurrection.

From The Apostle's Creed

". . . I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

Homily:  Like many sermons that I've heard in Lutheran churches, while the pastor mentioned exemplary ways that my uncle had served his Lord, the focus was on his love & trust in Jesus Christ, His Lord & Savior.

From the Right of Committal:  (Jesus said), "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live; even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die." John 11:25-26a

MY COMMENT:  My aunt & uncle believed in Jesus, our resurrection & life. Even while their bodies are entombed, their souls live on. Someday their souls & bodies will be united on Resurrection Day. So will all of us who believe that Jesus is the Resurrection & the Life.

A Devotion for WED 5/24

My Heart Is Heavy

Devotional thoughts

Earlier this year my Aunt Dolores died. Earlier this year my brother-in-law Jerry's mother died. Just a few weeks ago my Uncle Harold died. His funeral is this FRI 5/26. Lois & I will leave for the funeral on THU 5/25. Last weekend our good friend's Aaron & Laura Liess suffered the loss of their baby, stillborn at full-term. I think the funeral is also on FRI 2/26.

How to fathom all this tragedy? The Bible tells us that the Lord never tests us with more than our faith can handle. We are also told that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. I also know that everyone grieves in his or her own way, so I won't pretend to know how those who mourn the loss of these loved ones are grieving. I can only share what I hang my grief on.

Truth from Scripture

Last Sunday this was part of the Epistle read in our church. "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him." 1 Peter 3:12-22

More devotional thoughts

Lois & I lost an unborn baby boy just past the date when he could have been declared viable. A nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, NE, offered to baptize him. We thanked her for her kind offer but declined. We explained that as Lutherans, we did not believe in baptizing the dead. What do I believe based on the scripture I included?

• Jesus Christ conquered death & sits on the right hand of God.
• Our Savior is a God of mercy.
• We commend our loved ones into His care, including our babies who died before they were baptized.

Hymns that spoke to me

Here are some hymns that also spoke to me during last Sunday's worship. *

Long before the World Is Waking (LSB #485)

(St 4) "Christ is risen! Grief and sighing, Sins and sorrows, fall behind;

Fear and failure, doubt, denying, Full and free forgiveness find.

All the soul's dark night is past, Morning breaks in joy at last.

(St 5) "Morning breaks, and Jesus meets us, Feeds and comforts, pardons still;

As His faithful friends He greets us, Partners of His work and will.

All our days, on ev'ry shore, Christ is ours forevermore!"

God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It (LSB #594)

(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 and ashes Faith's assurance brightly flashes;

Baptism has the strength divine To make life immortal mine.

(St. 5) "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 soul continues praising:

I am baptized into Christ; I'm a child of paradise!"

* Source:  Lutheran Service Book, copyright 2006

A Prayer in a Time of Bereavement *

Heavenly Father, into whose keeping we entrust our loved ones, help us to look to You in our times of sorrow, remembering the cloud of faithful witnesses with which we are surrounded. Grant that we may one day share in the joys of those who now rest in Your presence; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

* Source:  Lutheran Service Book, copyright 2006

Cornhusker Blog Lite

Life Lesson + Optimism + Historian + Hostess Goodies + Dietician + Raising Kids + Fruit Pies + Swimming Lesson

My Uncle Harold died two weekends ago. He was the youngest of 3 siblings on my mom's side of the family. My mom & Uncle Jack--whom I never met--preceded him in death. He & my Aunt Mabel have been living in Sierra Vista, AZ, for some time now. Previously they spent their winters in AZ & their summers in a house on Little Island Lake near Park Rapids, MN. That's why the family has decided to have the funeral in Dorsett, site of their summer church, this coming FRI 5/25. It's close to Park Rapids. They were faithful in their church attendance, & I know that Harold sang in the church choir. I also know that he attending an LCMS convention. As a circuit delegate.

Harold was a little bit of a "character," so today's entry will include a few anecdotes.

• Life Lessons . . . My family joined his family for a week at the Lynn Haven Resort on Little Island Lake for four summers when we were growing up. I learned important life lessons from him while fishing at that lake. For example, I learned that if I saw a big bass swim by & into a thick bed of lily pads, I should NOT through my Rapala into the middle of those lily pads when there was really no realistic way to retrieve the fish & lure & if I actually hooked it. Yes, I did, &, yes, I got a lecture.
• Role Model . . . I think he enjoyed seeing his kids & nieces & nephews catching fish as much as he did catching his own fish. He also exuded optimism. I saw his plethora of tackle boxes in his basement once, packed w/a plethora of fishing lures. It seems that every time he was in a bait & tackle shop, if the proprietor would recommend a lure, he would buy it. Many of those lures had never been taken out of their original packages.
• Family Historian . . . I learned a lot of Handel family history from him. I learned that the land on which the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, MN, resides had once been owned by Handel predecessors, prior to their move to CA. The past few years, when we were staying at David & Carmen's at Little Island Lake & Harold & Mabel were also spending time at the Lake, he would reminisce about growing up in Lodi, CA, which also meant more anecdotes about family history, including stories about my granma & mom.
• Healthy Diet . . . He drove a Hostess truck for many years, & so when we would get together in the summer, he had a plethora of Hostess goodies to distribute. Cupcakes, Twinkies--one summer he had double-stuffed Twinkies that had accidentally gone through the cream-filling line twice. My siblings & I couldn't get enough of them. Our cousins could barely look at them without getting nauseous. [I do not blame him for my Type II Diabetes.]
• Speaking of cousins, we were at his house in the cities once, & my cousin Mike, who was a little tyke at the time, kept coming into the house to ask what time it was. [I think my brother Mark & other cousin Craig were playing in the backyard.] Whenever Mike came in to ask what time it was, Uncle Harold would reply with a time that had no relation whatsoever to the actual time. Mike would always go back outside, satisfied, & Harold would explain, "How does Mike know what time it really is?"
• Which reminds me of another time we were at this same house . . .  It was the summer before Hostess Fruit Pies were introduced. Employees were encouraged to take home as many boxes of fruit pies as they wanted in order to "test market" them. The downside? The boxes were unmarked & the wrappers were unmarked, so you had to open a box, open a wrapper, & bite into a pie in order to discover what pie you were about to eat. Harold & my cousins had been feasting on pies for so long that if they went through this cumbersome process & encountered a pie whose contents was unpalatable to them, they merely wrapped it up, threw it away, & tried another one. It was mind-boggling to my siblings & me. [I even seem to remember that pineapple was not their favorite, while cherry was not mine. Everybody hoped to unwrap a chocolate pie.]
• We were at his house in Eden Prairie(?) one time. He had a small swimming pool attached to the house. It was overcast & bitterly cold. Our cousins & my siblings & I were in our swim suits, sitting on the side of the pool, shivering & trying to avoid hypothermia. He was throwing coins into the pool, trying to encourage us to dive into the Arctic water & retrieve the coins. When that didn't work, he dove in, clothes & all. When Aunt Mabel came out to see what all the fuss was about, he was in the process of throwing his wallet, along with all the cash, onto the deck next to the swimming pool.

I hope we get to share some Harold stories when we get together for his funeral this coming Friday.

Cornhusker State Blog Lite

Fun memories, Faulty memories, Fierce headaches, Fun w/grand-kids, First grade follies, Fishing follies, Fast cars, Fidget spinners

Fun Memories, Part I

My Uncle Harold died last weekend. He was preceded in death by my mother & Uncle Jack, so that's it for the Handel side of the family. The funeral is on FRI 5/26. I have so many fun memories of my uncle, like the time he dove into a swimming pool while fully clothed in order to retrieve coins that he had been tossing into the freezing water to encourage his kids & us nephews & niece to take a plunge. I think I'll do another blog to share other fun memories.

Fun Memories, Part II

I attended my first graduation at  Lutheran High Northeast since 2013, this past SUN 5/14. I don't miss all the time & effort it took to plan & carry out this event. Also, due to my anxiety disorder & OCD I was making the event longer & longer &, well, you get the picture. It was fun to relive the good memories. It was fun to see how the event has been stream-lined. It was fun to see these graduates--sophomores during my last year @ LHNE. It was fun to listen to the valedictorians' & commencement speaker's messages. It was fun to hear the band & chorus perform. And it was fun to see that the Pro Deo et Schola Award was kept in the ceremony.

Faulty Memories

By all rights this should go in a Mental Health MON blog, but remember? This is my blog. For the past few weeks I've been plagued by a lot of symptoms related to a depressive episode. These have included problems w/short-term memory, like losing my train of thought during the middle of a conversation or forgetting somebody's name or forgetting what highway I am driving on. I forget appts that I've made. I forget to write down important items on my TO-DO list. I forget to put down the garage door after I drive off. Could it be a medication issue? I see my nurse practitioner on MON. I saw my optometrist this past MON & ruled out complications from my recent fall as a contributing factor.

Fierce headaches

I am in a continuing cycle of cluster headaches. That's all you really need to know.

Fun with grand-kids

I'm in Lincoln. I dropped off Brianna at Lincoln Lutheran this morning. Hadley is already going to daycare for the summer. Yesterday Rachel dropped off Bentley at the 1st Grade Picnic @ Ta-hazouka Park. We had fun. After the kids & teachers went back to school, we hit the playground, then did some fishing, swung through the McDonald's drive-thru, went home to eat supper, walked to the playground at Bel Air School--just down the block from our house--accompanied by Sammy, met Lois there when she got home from school, walked back home, watched cartoons on the iPad & waited for Derek to pick him up.
      Did I mention that Bentley is 3-years-old? Sample conversation:  ME: Would you like chicken nuggets & fries for supper? Or we could stop for pancakes? BENTLEY:  Chicken nuggets & French fries! ME: Are you sure? BENTLEY: Yeah! I want McDonald's. [Minutes later we are in the line at the drive-thru @ McDonald's] ME:  It's just about our turn to order. Are you positive you want chicken nuggets & French fries? BENTLEY [emphatically] Yeah! I want chicken nuggets & fries! [I order nuggets & fries for Bentley, pancakes & sausages for me. We go home. Bentley starts unpacking our supper, while I get drinks ready.] BENTLEY: Papa, you got pancakes? ME: Yes. BENTLEY: I want packages. [Bentley eats 1/3 of my pancakes & some fries, plus 1 chicken nugget after he drops one on the floor.]

First grade follies

Once again this year I was assigned to the ever popular fishing station. Picture yourself with a 1st grader standing on either side of you. Now picture yourself rigging a fishing pole for each kid, putting on a bobber & baiting the hook with a worm.
ME to kid on my right:  I'm going to throw the line out for you. Don't do anything until I throw the other line out. OK?
KOMR:  Okay.
ME to kid on my left:  I'm going to throw the line out of you. Then I'm going to help the KOMR. If your bobber starts to move up & down, start to reel your line in very slowly. [I show her what I mean.]
ME [turning back to KOMR] Why is your bobber in the middle of the lake scum? I thought I told you not to do anything until I got done w/KOML?
KOMR: [shrugs; I reel in his line, clear all the scrum off his hook, I throw it out again & repeat my instructions] "Are you listening to me?" [he nods] "Do you remember what to do?" [he nods his head.]' NOTE TO SELF: By nodding his head 'yes,' he means 'no.'
ME: [turning to KOML] Where is your bobber? [I see it 2 ft under water. As I grab her pole, I say] "Don't you remember what I said?"
KOML: [shrugs]
ME: [I try to hook the fish & reel it in. Too late! The worm is gone.While I'm re-baiting her hook,  & throwing her line out I say,]  "Do you remember what to do?" [she nods his head.] SEE comment above.
ME: [turning to KOMR] Where is your bobber? [I see it in a patch of pond scum; as I grab his pole & start to reel it in, I say] "Don't you remember what I said?"
KOML: [shrugs] . MULTIPLY THIS  BY 6 stations X 15 mins per station.

Fishing follies

The bass in Doug's pond were the beneficiaries [or, bene-FISH-iaries] of my fishing ineptness last weekend. I wanted to get some practice with my new Shakespeare Tiger 6.5' stiff pole w/14 lb test line on it. I caught 2 16" + 1 15" bass, but I also lost at least 10 bass by either setting the hook too soon or too late or reeling the lure right out of its mouth just as I got them up to shore. And I lost my balance as I was standing right at the end of the pond, trying to change lures. [I don't need your pity. It was in 3-4" of water, & I didn't fully submerge.]  Fishing is supposed to be good for my general anxiety disorder. This experience was not therapeutic.

Fast cars

Finally got my car to the body shop last MON. My loaner is a brand-new Hyundai Sonata sports car. Not quite a red Mustang convertible--my DREAM sports car--but it will do in a pinch.

Fidget spinners

One more & I'm outta here. As I was waiting in the express line at Hy-Vee in Lincoln this morning, I noticed fidget spinners for sale. I know what they're used for, & I've shared before that I am self-diagnosed w/AOADHD. * So, what do you think? Should I get one?
* Adult on-set ADHD

Christ Has Risen! He Has Risen Indeed!! Alleluia!!!

O Death, Where Is Your Sting? O Hell, Where Is Your Victory?

My uncle died yesterday. Not that long ago an aunt died. I was at her funeral & committal. Soon I will be attending his funeral & committal. 

In church this morning two of the scripture readings really hit home. here they are.

Truth from Scripture

"Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, 'Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Acts 6:54-56.

Some devotional thoughts

"He" is Stephen, one of the first elders in the early Church. The "Son of Man" is Jesus, standing next to God the Father. They who "ground their teeth" at him?" The religious leaders whom he had just accused of murdering the Son of God. Where is Jesus standing? He is standing in heaven. In the next few minutes they will pick up rocks & throw them at Stephen until he is dead. There is a heaven. My aunt & uncle are in heaven with Jesus. "Our hope is built on nothing less . . . "

More Truth from Scripture

(Jesus said), "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe God; believe also in Me. In My father's house are many rooms. if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?L And if I go and prepare a place for y0u, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.
      "Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me . . . '" John 14:1-6

A few(?) more devotional thoughts

My Uncle Royce was a god-fearing man who was a faithful church-goer . . . who walked the walk & talked the talk. You know what else I glean from these passages? Especially coming so soon after our celebration of Easter?

• We have a Savior Jesus Christ who conquered sin, death, & Satan by His sacrificial death & glorious resurrection.
• We know our Father in heaven accepted Jesus' sacrifice on behalf of poor miserable sinners--that would be you & me--because He raised His Son from the dead.
• You want the Truth? The Truth in a culture that increasingly scoffs at the idea that there is One Truth? Here it is.
• There is one God. There is one Savior. It is Jesus Christ.
• "It is by grace you have been saved through faith. It is a gift from God, not works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

I will miss my aunt & uncle. I will look forward to a joyful reunion with them.

A prayer

We sang "Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain" * in church this morning. It also resonated with me.

(St. 2) "'Tis the spring of souls today:  Christ has burst His prison

And from three days' sleep in death As a sun has risen;

All the winter of our sins, Long and dark, is flying

From His light, to whom is giv'n Laud and praise undying.

(St. 5) . "Alleluia! Now we cry To our King immortal.

Who, triumphant, burst the bars Of the tomb's dark portal.

Come, you faithful, raise the strain

Of triumphant gladness!

God has brought His Israel Into joy from sadness!

* SOURCE:  Lutheran Service Book, #487

Fish, Grandkids, Headaches, Passports

MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY

Fishing Report

Fishing my favorite--well, technically, only--bass pond is great therapy for me, as long as I'm catching fish. And I am catching fish. Yesterday's tally included several 15" bass [I lost count.], 3 16" babies *, including one that measured 16.5" [probably the biggest bass I've caught in the last few years.] Oh, & one tick.
* figurative language

Grand-kids

• Hadley the 7-year-old, weeks away from finishing 1st grade . . . Last week while I was in Lincoln, we were discussing the best way to deal with a nemesis. We decided that telling him I worked for the CIA was not a good option. Ditto having me show up, calling him out of the classroom & applying "persuasive techniques. So my 3rd suggestion was this . . . ME: "Whenever he threatens to tell the teacher that he's going to tell on you for something you didn't do, just smile & say, 'Whatever.'" Oh, & don't ever tell say 'Whatever' to your teacher." HADLEY: "That's a good point." Sometimes she really cracks me up.
• Bentley the 3-year old, whom we took with us to some graduation receptions on SAT while his parents were at a wedding . . . When I asked him how he liked the pasta at the first reception we attended, without looking up from his entree, gave me a resounding thumbs up.
• Bentley, Part II . . . While driving to another reception, we were discussing our summer, grand-kids' camping trip, which will include Bentley this year. We are staying at Two Rivers State Park in one of their camping cabooses. [You'll have to Google it yourself.] After describing the relatively rustic naturing of the accommodations, I asked him if he'd rather stay in a hotel with Papa or in a caboose with a bunch of girls. His emphatic answer? "No way!" 
• I guess you had to be there.

Cluster Headaches

I've been plagued with a cycle of these headaches off & on for a month or more, & none of the treatments prescribed by a plethora * of medical personnel have worked. This means that

• I am using my medications way too often, which is probably causing brain damage which no one is even noticing.
• My sleep cycle is being disrupted, since a headache is waking me every night, precisely at 12:40 p.m. ** . . . 
• . . . which is contributing, I'm pretty sure, to a lengthy nap every afternoon . . . 
• . . . which is leaving me a groggy mess the rest of the afternoon & evening.

Your suggestions are welcomed & encouraged.

* two 
** What's with that?

Passport Predicament

As we expected, the U.S. State Dept. sent us both a letter, rejecting our applications for passports for lack of an official seal. Apparently, having your birth certificate notarized at Wall-Mart is not acceptable. Now we don't have enough time to make the corrections in order to make a side trip into Canada this summer. Fortunately, I no longer need to work the Orphan Grain Booth at the Nebraska State Fair at the end of July, which leaves me with free time to visit Greenland, one of the places on my personal bucket list. *
* Ha! LCSBLCTC **
** Leckband Cornhusker State Blog Consulting Team Captain

An Easter Season Devotion

Jesus' Body & Blood + Bread & Wine? TIMCT **

(St. 3) "That last night at supper lying Mid the Twelve, His chosen band,
Jesus, with the Law complying, Keeps the feast its rites demand;
Then, more precious food supplying, Gives Himself with His own hand.

(St. 4) "Word made flesh, the break He taketh, By His word His flesh to be;
Wine His sacred blood He maketh, Though the senses fail to see;
Faith alone the grue heart waketh To behold the mystery."  *
* "Now, My Tongue, the Mystery Telling," Hymn #630, from Lutheran Service Book, Copyright 2006.

We sang this hymn at church this morning, & a thought struck me, which is unusual at church. Usually it's Lois striking me when she notices that I am starting to doze off.

The very first Passover observance took place on the Eve of the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt. The Lord gave Moses specific instructions re:  how the Passover was to be celebrated.

Not long after, as the Israelites camped near The Mount, God once again gave Moses very strict instructions re:  the observance of Passover, which was to be celebrated annually.

Over a thousand years later, Jesus the Lamb of God broke with this ages-old tradition on "the night He was betrayed."

When He celebrated Passover with His disciples on Good Thursday--which we observed not too long ago--He instituted Holy Communion or Eucharist or whatever you choose to call it. We Lutherans believe that as He consecrated the bread & wine, His true Body & Blood became one with the natural elements. We say that the Body & Blood still today are "in, with, & under" the bread & wine as the pastor speaks the Words of Institution.

There's your lesson and/or review of the Lord's Supper.

** This is most certainly true.

Man's Best Friend, Sequel

Retirement Odyssey . . . R+66

Man's Best Friend, continued from THU 5/4

• PART 1 . . . On WED 5/3, after the little girls & I got home [I picked them up after school, as usual.], Oreo [their dog], was masticating contentedly on a bone-chew toy while laying on the living room/dining room rug. That inspired me to give Sammy [my dog] a bone-chew toy, since there was an open package on the kitchen counter. Things went smoothly until Oreo looked up & noticed Sammy's "bone." Oreo went berserk, attacked Sammy & drove him off the "bone," absconding with it. Poor Sammy, remembering that he was a guest, retired meekly to the corner by the front door. Oreo took the "bone" which he had nefariously purloined, went back to the rug, & dropped it next to the "bone" which he had been contentedly chewing mere moments before. Then he started trading glances from one "bone" to the other. You could almost hear him thinking, "Uh, where did I get two bones? Seriously, I was sitting here chewing on one bone, & now I have TWO bones. What the heck is with that?!"
• PART 2 . . . At the supper table I mentioned that the Worley dog had tried to mug my dog. I won't name names, but somebody's excuse was, "You never treat our dog nice!" I can neither confirm nor deny that my secondary English major kicked in, & the following conversation ensued.  ME: Nicely. I never treat your dog nicely. OTHER ADULT AT THE TABLE. That's what I said. ME: No, you said, "Nice." You said, 'You never treat our dog "Nice." OAATT: "So?" [Said in a very disrespectful tone of voice] ME:  So you're using "nice" as a modifier of "treat" which is a verb. "Nice" can't modify a verb, since it is an adjective. Adjectives can't modify verbs. Therefore, you should have said, "You never treat our dog "nicely." That would turn "nice," an adjective, into "nicely," an adverb, & your sentence would make sense. [It was obvious that my words had struck a chord.] The girls kept eating their spaghetti while staring at their Papa in awe-awe.

Retirement Odyssey . . . R+65

Mental Health Update

I was taken to the woodshed, figuratively speaking *, by some of my feckless readers, due to the length of my last posting. Either that or they didn't understand who the initials stood for, nor did they "get" the link between the initials & witty riposte (or "ripost," according to dictionary.com). Also, they may be dismayed by the frequency of my blog posts. Conventional wisdom says that a new blog post shouldn't be posted more than once every few days. 

To that I say this:

1. My blog will be shorter today or perhaps not as dense.
2. I reminded myself that it's my blog & I blog for self-therapy.
3. Look what happened to the Democrats & "She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named", due to their "conventional wisdom." [Sometimes I crack myself up.]
4. In my daily quiet time I've been working through the Book of Exodus, & there is nothing, thus far, that speaks to the issue of blogs . . . neither their length nor frequency.

* Oh, I'm terribly sorry for inflicting my secondary English major acumen on you. You'll have to go onto dictionary.com yourself & look up "figurative."

Man's Best Friend Update *

* continued on FRI 5/5

I realized that I haven't blogged much about Sammy for awhile. I confess that I have been woefully lacking in taking the beast out for regular walks for quite some time. The proof is in his paunch. *

• I'm at my daughter's house in Lincoln. I walked Sammy around the block this morning.
• Because of the plethora of oak trees in the neighborhood, there is also a plethora of squirrels . . . fat, cocky squirrels.
• Result? When Sammy sees a squirrel that he thinks he can assasinate, he goes into "crouch & stalk" mode.
• If I let him, he'll advance as close as he can. If the squirrel doesn't scamper up a tree too soon, Sammy will suddenly lunge.
• This may be the year of my first rotator cuff surgery.

* Mine, too.

Political Musings *

* continued on FRI 5/5

For the most part, I've tried to continue my political moratorium that began as something I gave up for Lent. Although Lent officially terminated when we celebrated Easter, I'm still trying to restrain myself. But it's hard! I think some people on one side of the family *

are intentionally trying to provoke me.

• From the Lincoln Journal Star (5/4):  "Governor says he'll move fast to collect inmate DNA. Gov. Pete Ricketts said Nebraska will take 'swift action' to get prison inmates' DNA samples after a report revealed that dozens of inmates have refused to comply w/state law requiring felons to submit them . . . "  This is very disappointing to me, not so much that there are prisoners who refuse to submit to DNA testing. Isn't that what we would expect? It's disappointing because anybody who watches procedurals on Netflix, ranging from Blue Bloods, to N.C.I.S., to the CSI franchise can tell you that you can get DNA by being a little sneaky w/a person's water glass and/or toothbrush and/or haircut. The governor & NE State Corrections officials shouldn't need me to point this out to them.

* You know who you are. Ask yourself, "Do I really want to get into a FB war w/the Nebraska Cornhusker Blogger?"

Retirement Odyssey . . . R+64

E-Mailbag

My LCSBCT * has received a plethora of e-messages ever since I began blogging again, using a shorter format than before. They've shared a representative batch of messages with me, which I shall endeavor to provide cogent yet pedantic answers to. **
* Leckband Cornhusker State Blog Consulting Team
** E-messages have been edited for clarity & length.

• Most Esteemed Blogger, Are you ever going to acknowledge your ignorance about settled science & apologize for your nonsensical views concerning global climate change? NF, St. Petersburg, FL.
• Cornhusker State Blogger: In 1616, the Inquisitorial Commission declared heliocentrism "foolish & absurd." Galileo was forced to recant & spent the rest of his life under house arrest for challenging "settled science." I suppose I'll apologize when & if the NOAA issues a posthumous apology to Galileo. [NOTE:  My source is Wikipedia.]
• To Whom It May Concern, Speaking of apologies, we've read plenty of jabs aimed at Iowanians. Are we ever going to read anything positive about our state? JB & CB, Ventura, IA. P.S. Who uses words like "cogent" & "pedantic?"
• Cornhusker State Blogger: Now that you mention it, this was posted in the Omaha World Herald (11/17/16), "'Suck it up, buttercup' bill planned by Iowan. Law would penalize universities that spend extra resources on post-election counseling." Alas, I do not know if this bill, planned by Republican Bobby Kaufmann, was introduced, nor do I know whether--if introduced--it was adopted.
• O Magnificent Blogger, What words of flattery can you offer the Lone Star State? KH, Wichita Falls, TX.
• Cornhusker State Blogger:  From the Norfolk Daily News (3/7/17), "Beer delivery. A South Texas woman who said she gave up beer for Lent won a case of Budweiser delivered to her home by a team of Clydesdales."
• Dear Sir, To the best of my recollection, you have NEVER posted anything about the District of Columbia, where I happen to be pursuing my higher education. LH, Washington, DC
• Cornhusker State Blogger:  That's fair. Here goes. Also from the NDN (2/13), "Euthanasia drug found in recalled dog food. A pet food company is recalling several lots of dog food because it may be contaminated with a euthanasia drug . . . pentobarbital . . . " To be fair, this was the only article in my voluminous file of clippings that came anywhere close to a link re:  your request. [SEE previous entry re: Iowa.]
• Dear "Uncle," At least I like to think of you as my uncle. Don't you wish you lived in a normal state, like I do? LW, Tallahassee, FL.
• Cornhusker State Blogger:  Here's an interesting retort I clipped from the Lincoln Journal Star (4/18), "Green iguanas a suburban scourge in sunny Florida . . . Perched in trees & scampering down sidewalks, green iguanas have become so common across . . . Florida that many see them not as exotic invaders, but as reptilian squirrel . . . " Did you get that? "Reptilian squirrels." That really cracks me up.
• Most Illustrious Blogger, Some of your readers have such thin skins. Not me! You frequently throw darts at the "Left Coast," & rightfully so, but it's been awhile. What say you? CP, Campbell, CA.
• Cornhusker State Blogger. Also from LJS (4/17), "Neanderthals in California? Maybe so. Study: First-known Americans arrived more than 100,000 years ago . .  " First of all, I don't believe the earth is that old. Secondly, it was at this point that I realized the article was not going to address the likes of Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, and/or Jerry Brown. I immediately lost interest & didn't read the rest of the article.

Retirement Odyssey...R+63

Great May Day Snowstorm of 2017

Our official snowstorm total for 5/1/17 was just a tad under 3". Already people around N.E. NE are speaking of yesterday's weather event in hushed tones of reverence. [ASIDE:  It turns out that since I am a secondary English major, I am allowed to use a plethora of hyperbolization * in my posts.] 

* If that's not already a word, I want credit for it.

The Lawn

Recent weather & a variety of health issues have kept me from mowing the lawn for too long. The weather finally cooperated today, so I intrepidly tackled the front yard. It was a challenge. Imagine grass of such height & width that one had to proceed with great caution for fear of rousting out dangerously wild animals, like European boars. [SEE previous aside.] I am taking a break after finishing the front lawn in order to type this blog entry, also to summon up the courage & energy, both mental & physical, to undertake the back yard, which looks like a more formidable endeavor than the front yard.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Hey, Al! Remember the good old days when we were lawn mowing magnates? Entrepreneurs? I'll always remember my first customer, Mrs. Martens, who lived on the corner, one block down from us. When she asked how much I would charge--a question that caught me off guard--I ventured, "$1.50?" She replied, "Goodness gracious! I've never paid more than 75 cents! I'll pay you $1." Such were my negotiation skills. Then there was the little old lady [can't remember her name], who always told me to put my mower on the lowest setting. I politely reminded her several times that if I did this, her lawn would burn off. She politely insisted anyway. It took me awhile to figure out that if the lawn burned off, I didn't have to mow it as often. She didn't have to pay me as often.

A Theological Question

If it rains on the just & the unjust, does it snow on the just & the unjust? Yesterday's snow storm {SEE first entry above.] got me pondering this deep matter, since across N.E. NE there were snowfall totals ranging from a trace to over 3". A logical conclusion might be that the more snow a community received, the more unjust it must be, yes? My disadvantage is the lack of seminary training, so I would treasury a hermeneutically informed answer from those of you authorized to wear a collar.

R+61...E+15

Retirement + 61, Part 1

It's MON 5/1. Yesterday was SUN 4/30. It snowed for awhile during the afternoon, but there was no accumulation. When we got up this morning at 6:00a (CST), there was snow on the ground, on the street, on the trees. It continued snowing until about 7:00a. Visibility was not the greatest, so I can neither confirm nor deny that I saw a pack of Arctic foxes down at the bottom of our street, hunting for stray cats.

Easter + 15

I like Easter hymns at least as much as Christmas carols, even thought they have a different demeanor to them. Yesterday in church we sang LSB #476, Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow, which takes its inspiration from the two disciples from Emmaus. This hymn resonated especially with me because of family members who last week lost a mother, grand-mother, mother-in-law. It also called to mind the deaths of my father, father-in-law, & mother, who were called home within four months of each other some years ago.

(St. 3) "Who are You? Our hearts are opened In the breaking of the bread--
Christ the victim, now the victor, Living, risen from the dead!
Great companion on our journey, Still surprise us with Your grace! 
Make each day a new Emmaus; On our hearts Your image trace!

(St. 4) "Who are we who travel with You On our way through life to death?
Women, men, the young, the aging, Wakened by the Spirit's breath!
At the font You claim and name us, Born of water and the Word;
At the table still You feed us, Host us as our risen Lord!

(St. 5) "'Alleluia! Alleluia!' Is the Easter hymn we sing!'
Take our life, our joy, our worship As the gift of love we bring.
You have formed us all one people Called from ev'ry land and race.
Make the Church Your, servant body, Sent to share Your healing grace!

Retirement + 61, Part 1

It is now 8:03a, & it started snowing again. Did I mention it's May 1? I can't EVER remember it snowing on the 1st of May. A victory for global climate changers? Blame it on Trump? Who can say . . .