"...you're my brother, and I love you....."

.......but don't ever take sides against the family again.....ever!!!" From Michael Corleone to Fredo, the turn-coat older brother, who defended a hotel and casino owner from a takeover by the "family". Michael would have none of that! In one scene Michael grabs Fredo's face, gives him a huge smooch (it is New Year's Eve) and tells him he knew it was him all along who betrayed the family. "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart, you broke my heart!" Eventually it will be curtains for Fredo, who finds himself on the outside of "the family" looking in, at least as long Mama is alive. Once she is dead, good-bye Fredo..........great drama! But I don't want to give it all away......

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Joanne and I ate dinner at home tonight, enjoying some ribs baked with golden mushroom soup with roasted carrots and potatoes. I made it, so, naturally, our meal was delicious! While dining in the family room, we watched a movie Suzanne let me borrow called "Secondhand Lion" which was really, really good! Thank you, Suzanne! It was such a wonderful movie, complete with unexpected turns of events, my favorite being the bar fight! Two old guys still full of character, among other things! And then the end when the helicopter lands....Rent it, or get it from the library, it is worth the viewing! Almost as good as "The Godfather" series!!!!

"The Social Contract"

There seems to be so much anger these days, all around us. Even inside of us. It seems I have written or thought enough about grumpy stuff these past couple days. The Board Meeting started this ball rolling, where I had to fend-off being pressured to serve but agreed to speak on behalf of the Board at the Annual Meeting next week. Yikes!

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I am now listening to a House episode called "The Social Contract" where a man suffers from some brain malady which "forces" him to say exactly what he is thinking, removing his inhibitions and politeness. He says hurtful things to those he supposedly loves, criticizes others around him, including their physique, or praises their physique if he is not related to them. Quite crass and vulgar things. How come never truly praiseworthy? Is everything ugly that is left unsaid??? One of the doctors was told by the patient that his nose was too large and another doctor had a false bedside manner. When discussing it later, the two doctors reinforced each other, playing down the large nose and friendly nature each other has, according to "the social contract". We just do not do those things which are deliberately hurtful or cruel----right?

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This was sort of like what my dad experienced when he was manic during his bipolar episodes. The psychiatrist claimed this was the real "Bob" coming out, and at the time, we felt like the doctor was out of his mind. In hindsight, what the doctor was saying was most likely true, but fortunately our "balanced" nature is to mind our manners, keep inappropriate thoughts out of our mouths and heads, and pray that the Lord will make that happen in us. Something chemical or physical can remove the "brakes" on our nature which keep us within the "social contract" of decency, morality, and not saying the first thing which comes into our heads.

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The Lord has worked in us, helped us to keep impure thoughts and actions away from our lives, and gave us the strength we need to battle against the old evil foe. It seems nowhere is safe, nowhere or nothing we can do to avoid hard, hurtful feelings, sometimes even from people whom you would not expect to dish it out. Whether in our homes, at church, out in public, in courtrooms, on the street, on the news, endless doses of acrimony and dissension. Just wait until the Congregational Meeting and Annual Owners Meeting this coming week......

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Once this patient is cured, fixed with brain surgery, Dr. House remarks that now this man can return to his normal "happy hypocrite" state, which means not saying the first thing that comes to his mind, keeping his snide and hurtful comments to himself. Why does this sound so negative instead of positive??