GRANDKIDS

Grandkids are the best, aren't they? We had a family reunion at Lake Okoboji last weekend, so we got to spend time with our 5 grandkids. They constantly delight us, & they love spending time with each other & their aunts & uncles, & (hopefully) us. Our oldest son Nathan, Laura, & their 2 kids, Calvin (6) & Claire (2) came back to spend some time with us in Norfolk this week (left yesterday). Tomorrow our daughter Sarah & her two kids, Brianna (18) & Hadley (12) will join us for Boomfest, & so will our daughter Rachel & Bentley (9). Speaking of Boomfest . . . 

BOOMFEST

As I've posted many times before, Boomfest--formerly referred to as Big Bang Boom--is the best fireworks display north of the Platte River. It's held at Skyview Lake, which is just a 1/2 mile walk for us, & it is awesome! There are other weekend festivities, including Wingfest at the lake tonight. Lois says we can go, "if we feel like it." So, we'll see.

NEWS FLASH! The little woman just returned from grocery shopping & brought a mongolian beef entree to fix for supper. So, no wingfest.

RESOLUTIONS REPORT CARD

Once again, it's time for me to provide a scorecard for my progress in meeting my 2022 New Year's resolutions. This may not be of interest to many (most?) of my followers, but it amuses me, so here goes.

* Lose at least 12 lbs. The good news? I didn't gain any weight in June, despite a road trip to California & family reunion at Lake Okoboji. The bad news? I also didn't lose any weight, so I'm not too optimistic.  D

* Cross 2 things off our bucket list. National parks are always on our bucket list, & we visited Dry Tortugas NP off Key West in FEB. We're planning a Hawaii cruise in NOV. B+

* Have fruits & vegetables at least 4X/week. A+

* Walk at least 4/week. I was struggling to meet this goal even before my hip started going out on me. [More below.] F

* Publish my 365-day devotion book. All my steps except one have been accomplished. It should be available on Amazon & other sites within the next month. I'll also be getting some hard copies in 2-4 weeks. B

* Write & publish another 365-devotion book. I've been working on another book & making sure but steady progress. B

FINAL GRADE:  B-

SPEAKING OF MY HIP

My right hip replacement is schedule for 7/14. Next week I have a hip replacement class [I hope this doesn't mean a DIY procedure.], visit w/the physical therapy people, home visit by an occupational therapist, & a pre-op check by my doctor. I've already passed my cardiologist & pulmonologist checks.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE TEXAS

"TX fisherman reels in massive alligator snapping turtle." If you want to see it, you'll have to go to Fox News Online.

TRENDING

"Supreme Court rulings must spark 'atheist' backlash, says WaPo columnist:  'America is not a Christian nation.'" FNO. I'm certainly glad that the drive-by media is reacting with restraint.

"Kentucky Catholic church holds 'Service of Apology to the LGBTQ+ Community.'" FNO. Could this be another sign that we're living in the End Times? Inquiring minds want to know.

"TX Border Patrol agents nab convicted sex offenders entering US illegally." FNO. More evidence that everything is going well on the southern border.

"Border Patrol in Rio Grande Valley nab 2 sex offenders, 9 MS-13 gang members." FNO. What I said.

"DOJ paying $1.5M for 'transgender programming curriculum' in US prisons." FNO. Of course they are.

"CNN'S Amanpour fears Taliban, 'repressive regimes' won't respect US after Supreme Court abortion ruling." FNO. Oh, for Pete's sake!

"UK climate activists glue hands to Vincent van Gogh painting at London Museum. FNO. Because van Gogh was a well-known climate-change denier.

CRIMINAL MINDS

"Washington man admits to jumping on beverage cart & trying to strip mid-flight, forcing lane to divert." FNO.

MUST-SEE LANDMARKS THAT TELL OUR NATIONAL STORY *

* Compliments of Fox News Online

Here are the landmarks that I've visited. How does it compare with your list?

> ARIZONA:  The Grand Canyon

> COLORADA:  Rocky Mt NP

> FLORIDA:  The FL Keys

> HAWAII:  Pearl Harbor

> IOWA:  National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

> KANSAS:  Dodge City

> MICHIGAN:  Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

> MINNESOTA:  Itasca State Park [source of the Mississippi River]

> MISSOURI:  Gateway Arch

> NEBRASKA:  Scotts Bluff National Monument

> NEVADA:  Virginia City

> NORTH DAKOTA:  Theodore Roosevelt NP

> OHIO:  Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

> PENNSYLVANIA:  Gettysburg National Military Park

> SOUTH DAKOTA:  Mt. Rushmore National Memorial

> UTAH:  Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

> WYOMING:  Yellowstone NP

If you're keeping score, that's 17 out of 50.

BEST SANDWICHES IN EVERY STATE *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2022

For the time being, I'm going with the states where our children, brothers, sisters, nephews, & nieces live. I'm anxious to see if they agree.

> ARIZONA:  Fry bread tacos. I've had the Nebraska & S. Dakota versions. Delicious!

> CALIFORNIA:  French dip. Delicious!

> COLORADO:  Fool's gold [peanut butter, blueberry jam, & a pound of bacon]

> FLORIDA:  The Cuban [roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, & sometimes salami]. Delicious!

> IOWA:  Maid Rite [a pile of steamed hamburger meat on a bun]. I've had the Nebraska version. Okay.

> MINNESOTA:  Walleye. Delicious!

> NEBRASKA:  Runza [a pocket sandwich with a ground-beef & cabbage combination]. Delicious!

> NORTH CAROLINA:  [Pulled pork with vinegar & pepper]

> TEXAS:  Beef brisket. Delicious!

> WASHINGTON:  Smoked salmon