Whimsical Wednesday

Retirement

Lois has commented that July 4 used to feel like the end-of-the-summer. From that point on, thoughts turned increasingly to the start of the new school year. This year she experienced no such thoughts.

Road Trips

Last SAT 7/20, we returned from our week at David & Carmen's chalet on Little Island Lake, located near Park Rapids, MN. On the last pontoon ride around the lake on FRI, we saw a bald eagle, perched on a tree on the island.

Our next road trip begins on TUE 7/30. Lois will be at Sister Bash, which this years is hosted by her older sister Wanda at Lake Tahoe. I will be at our favorite KOA, next to the Badlands.

Food for Thought

• Spicy diet linked to dementia  Drudge Report 7/24
• Paleo tied to heart disease  ditto

There Is No Place Like . . . Texas

• Man rides electric scooter on Dallas highway during rush hour  ditto

Nebraska

"Study ranks Nebraska a best state for retirement. The perfect place to retire varies from person to person, but Nebraska is the best state for retirement overall, earning top rankings for both affordability & wellness, according to a new Bankrate study.  --Omaha World Herald 7/11

Christ Alone

We are easily broken over the pain and suffering we see around us, and well we should. But what a day of rejoicing it is when our hearts are broken by the sweet bitterness of seeing that suffering and our own sinfulness against the blinding purity of the Son of God; when our fists begin to loosen our grip on the stones we would self-righteously cast at others, and when we finally approach God, not as his advisors, but as sinners in need of mercy and forgiveness! When the intent is right and the mirror is the Word of God in flesh and historical context, the revelation that true beauty lies in Christ alone will only drive us ever closer to the restoration of our own beauty in God. Such an encounter with our Creator is not to be found amidst the cacophony of noises within the factory of dedicated god-crafters; it is best seen when nothing obscures our view of the cross.  --J.M. Njoroge, Slice of Infinity

Political Potpourri

The only way to restore a common standard in politics is for both sides to rebuild trust, step by step. And that can only happen when both sides share common goals and values. Otherwise, everyone will decide that losing by abiding by the rules must take a back seat to victory by any means. And that means the destruction of our standards, one by one, until there are no standards left. --Ben Shapiro, Townhall 7/24

Extremism

Abortion extremism is the new normal for Democratic politicians. Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren was asked if she could think of any way abortion should be limited, and she said no. At least 12,000 late-term abortions take place yearly. But that's not enough for Democrats. --Betsy McCaughey, Townhall 7/24

Fairytales

The world in which most liberals live is one of magic and fairytales -- where socialist systems have starved millions of people and destroyed every economy forced into its model, but which certainly will work the next time. It is a world in which using fascist tactics to silence opponents actually makes you an anti-fascist; and where presidential candidates can promise everything for everyone, and still have enough money left over to cut taxes. In this fantasy land, anything is possible if you just feel it to be true. Perhaps nowhere is the Left’s disconnect from reality more acute than in its assault on the Second Amendment. Despite decades of gun control proposals debunked time and again, the same schemes and arguments regularly are recycled and repackaged. Democrats remain convinced that Americans are just waiting for permission to hand over their firearms and their God-given right to self-defense. After all, Democrats say, other countries are doing it, so why not us?

-- Bob Barr, Townhall 7/24