MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY
Just a quick reminder that I blog in order to inform & entertain, but also as a strategy to help me cope with my anxiety & depression. So, I hope you find my post worthwhile . . . just remember it's my post, & you'll have to indulge me.
2024 RESOLUTIONS REVIEW
* Lose weight. F. Still gaining weight. Just read that people who weigh 2-3 times a week tend to be more successful at losing weight. Maybe I'll give it a try. Or maybe I could practice more self-restraint?
* Limit myself to no more than 2 cups of coffee per day. C+
* Visit at least 1 National Park and/or National Monument. A+
* Limit my reading to no more than 1 conservative source per day. B. I think this bears some clarification. I made this resolution, not because I've turned to the dark side, but because political commentary--ANY political commentary--adds to my anxiety level. I can only tolerate so much.
* Avoid picking fights on Facebook. A.
* Walk at least 4X per week. C. I've been doing a little better. On OCT 5, Lois & I embark on an epic road trip [more below], & our excursions will force me on this one.
* Finish writing & publishing another 365-day devotion book. B. I finished writing "Buzzwords" earlier this year. I submitted proposals to several publishers, hoping to avoid the need to self-publish again, which is spendy. I'm waiting to hear back from Concordia Publishing House. And, I'm excited to say that Lighthouse Publishing has accepted my proposal & I will begin the publishing process with them soon.
G.P.A. C+
ROAD TRIPS
I'm heading to Omaha later tonight to pick up the little woman from Eppley Airfield. She's returning from the annual Hill Sister Bash, this year in Charleston, SC, & this year including 2 sisters-in-law. They had a couple dicey days weather-wise, due to torrential rains & a tornado warning associated with Hurricane Helene. Aside from some power outages, resulting in some serious caffeine withdrawal issues, things turned out okay.
Yesterday I got back from a visit to Niobrara & Ponca State Parks in Nebraska. That adds up to 14 road trips for me thus far. And on OCT 5, Lois & I embark on a cruise that will include time in London, several ports in Spain, Malta, & Italy, & a stop in Rome. If all goes well, you'll be getting travelogues from me!
SPEAKING OF NATURAL DISASTERS
I am privileged to work for Orphan Grain Train, a domestic & international relief agency that ships food & other humanitarian aid across the country & overseas. We are beginning the process of sending relief to areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene. One of the unique things about OGT is that 98% of your donation is directly spent for relief--only 2% is spent on administrative costs. If you have any interest in helping us provide relief, I encourage you to check out our website: ogt.org.
FOOTBALL FOLLIES
Yesterday I watched my grandson Bentley's YMCA team lose. He plays both ways on the line. He was disappointed but held his own. Our grandson Calvin threw a TD pass in his flag football game. Our granddaughter Claire kicked 2 goals in her soccer game. [They call soccer "football" in England.] Chiefs won. Cornhuskers won.
TODAY'S AWESOME TRIVIA
The 7th-largest pyramid in the world is the Bass Pro Shop in Memphis, TN. SOURCE: Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader
DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING
"My 9yo on Shark Tank: 'It's a shirt, but look, it's also a napkin!'" SOURCE: Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2024
LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH YEAR
"The God of the Gospel leaves no one alone. So the Christian fellowship does not ignore or avoid its members in distress. We fetch cups of cold water for each other (Mark 9:41). We absolve & intercede for each other (James 5:14-16). We assist in preserving surprise pregnancies instead of abandoning them to abortion. And we serve in terminal diagnoses instead of dismissing them to assisted suicide." SOURCE: Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin
THE WIT & WISDOM OF CAL THOMAS
"This suggests that making money & indulging in things that give one personal pleasure with little regard to how it affects others & the unity if the country is now the highest priority for many . . . Cultural elites demand we must accept any & every idea & form of human behavior (except conservative religious & political ideas) . . . If political leadership represents what the masses believe--from entitlement to other people's money, to no restraints on human behavior--that reflects who we are. We get what we deserve. What has become paramount are personal desires, not the greater good." SOURCE: Column in the Norfolk Daily News, 9/28
