HILL TEMP CHALLENGE

I don't usually do Hill family temp checks, but I made an exception today. Here are the results, based on wunderground.com at 7:15a, CST.

#1, Norfolk, NE, (Lois), -3

#2, Wichita Falls, TX, (David), 17

#3, Kingsburg, CA, (Wanda), 35

#4, Fayetteville, NC, (John), 53

#5, TIE, St. Petersburg, FL, (Kathy) & Ft. Walton Beach, FL, (Anita), 64

NOTES:  I thought that David & Carmen had a good shot at #1 this morning, but #2 isn't too shabby. Kathy & Anita are the Balmiest Hills.

MENTAL HEALTH THU

"Men who tend to worry have increased risk factors for heart disease, stroke:  study." Fox News Online

"STUDY:  Body fat linked to cognitive decline." Drudge Report

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE . . . CALIFORNIA

"LA mayor took maskless photo with Magic Johnson. His defense: 'I'm holding my breath.'" Drudge Report

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Biden quietly withdraws Whoopi Goldberg SCOTUS nomination." Babylon Bee

SIGNS YOU'RE WATCHING TOO MUCH CNN *

* Compliments of Babylon Bee

> You think the pandemic is still going on.

> You still think one of these investigations is going to "get" Trump.

> You haven't left your house in 2 years.

> You haven't heard of any of Biden's foreign or domestic failures.

> You walk by a fiery riot & think to yourself, "Ah, what a peaceful protest. Mostly anyway."

> You drop to the floor & convulse any time you see a MAGA hat.

> You watch any CNN at all.

SIGNS YOU'RE WATCHING TOO MUCH FOX NEWS *

* Compliments of Babylon Bee

* You give your wife the "Tucker Carlson" look while she's talking.

* Sean Hannity is starting to look attractive.

* The other people in the old folks' home say, "Hey, Gilbert! Turn off the Fox News already!"

* You instinctively add the phrase "may he live forever" every time you say "Donald Trump."

* Your crazy uncle's rants at Thanksgiving are starting to make a lot of sense.

* You call everything you don't like "woke" or "cancel culture."

TRUE SIGNS THAT YOU'RE GETTING OLD *

* Compliments of msn.com, 1/14

> You realize you should exercise.

> You hate crowds--all crowds.

> You've been known to say, "When I was your age . . . "

> You embrace your looks.

> You talk to yourself.

> You're lost w/o your readers.

> You still own a VCR or DVD player.

> You forget at least one thing every day.

> You send greeting cards.

> You enjoy quiet time with family.

> You can't get over how quickly time passes.

THANKFUL FOR THIS LIFE

"Maybe you've heard people say, 'In my next life I want to be . . . ' Then they fill in the blank with something they think might be an improvement. I can't imagine having another life. My current life tends to be about as much as I can handle . . . [My grandmother's skillet], & her middle name, are the only possessions she left me. I treasure the skillet for the meals it has served my loved ones & for the memories it holds for me; & I treasure our name for reminding me that I will always be her daughter. Why should I want to be a cast iron skillet [in my next life]? Five reasons:

1. It's incredibly strong & it never ever breaks.

2. It's not fancy, but if you need it, it's nice to have around.

3. For some things, like bacon on a high flame or injustice to the innocent, it burns hotter than the hinges on the gates of hell. But when the bacon is done, or the injustice is righted, it always cools down.

4. It's a little on the heavy side, but nobody seems to mind.

5. It feeds a family, holds a wealth of memories & keeps on doing what it does best.

"Think about it: You could run for office with less character than a cast iron skillet & probably get elected. I'm thankful for this life. I don't plan on a 'next' one. But I'm hoping that skillet can teach me things it taught my mother & my grandmother & a lot of good cooks before them. I'd like to be as strong & good & purposeful as they were. At the least, I'd like to bake a decent cornbread. I'm not there yet, but I'm still learning. And learning is life."  Sharon Randall, column in Norfolk Daily News, 2/1