Who invented fish oil?

If it is God, then I am sorry for complaining about the smell, but if it is man-made, then, I am complaining. The ads for this particular product claims to NOT have the fish smell and after-taste but believe you me, if I do not close the top tightly on the bottle of Mega-Red, the smell of fish about knocks me over! Not an easy thing to do…phew! It reminds me of the days when alewife fish would wash up on the beach at Red Arrow Park and decay in the heat of summer. For some reason, it used to seem hot in WI when I still lived there, hot enough to rot the fish. I wonder if that is what is used to make these smelly fish oil pills that I take…

My friend, Peggy, the dentist, strongly encouraged me to take my multivitamins and such when I was in there Tuesday, so once again I am dedicated to faithfully taking my supplements. Recently I was talking to one of my friends who has life-long weight problems and is starting a new program someone else is using with success. Something with drops, like hormones or similar, which fool the body into thinking the body is pregnant and breaks down the fat deposits. I believe that’s how she explained it to me. Her friend who did it first also does the Metabolic Research Diet and is losing fast and furious.

I had done the Metabolic program at one time and quit after awhile. The introductory costs do not take into account the multitude of supplements a client is coaxed into purchasing on nearly every visit which really runs into money. I encountered this same situation with the LA Weight Loss place where I had to buy protein bars plus other products, and simply could not eat all the foods they required in one day’s time. My BFF, Judy C., did manage to lose weight on their program and has kept it off, but she did not have near as much to lose as do I.

How did I get off on this tangent? Oh, yes, opening the kitchen cabinet and smelling fish! Yesterday at lunch, I was telling Justin how my brain simply will not recognize the prospect of eating fish tacos. Patiently he described it to me, how even I can tolerate a taco shell with ‘some’ shredded lettuce, then add a piece of fish (even breaded fish, he claims!) but no tartar sauce because that is American. I asked him if the Mexicans use fish in their tacos and he said the fish taco comes from California. Oh, yes, I remember when CA used to be part of the USA! It IS so like another country on its own out there…As he described it to me, just to push his buttons, I asked, “Well, why not just use hamburger then?” See? I cannot “wrap” my brain around it!

When visiting Marian yesterday, she told me about the church services held at her facility, none of which are Lutheran. She said she goes to hear the Word read and what the preacher has to say. She has her own Bible bedside, but has problems reading with her eyes being goofy. Marian is going to the eye doctor in the near future, I forgot which day she said, because she sat on her glasses and broke them. The lens now keeps popping out and she has focus problems, which will hopefully be taken care of in a week or so. Marian said she has a Portals of Prayer devotional, but no Meditation book, so I told her I would get the large print edition sent to her. The pastor from Christ the King, Palm Coast, has informed me that he will contact both Marian and Biff soon. Marian also mentioned seeing a man ‘sportin’ his Packer attire but she has not engaged him in conversation. He just might be Lutheran, too, and can have devotion with Pastor and Marian when he comes there.

“My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine…” This hymn is swimming through my mind today, especially after reading a particularly thought-provoking posting by a WELS-trained teacher, married to a WELS teacher. She wrote about her concern that people’s love for Christ is growing cold, which indeed gave me the chills. I cannot help but feel that way myself sometimes, thinking about Elijah’s lament. The Lord informed him that indeed there were 7000 faithful who had not bent their knee to Baal. Only, the Lord did not shout at Elijah, He used a ‘still, small voice’ to get his attention. What is our ‘Baal’ now days? “..oh, hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away. Oh, let me from this day be wholly thine!” I thank the Lord for our dedicated pastors, teachers, Sunday school teachers, and Christian parents for their work in serving Him and sharing the Good News!

Oh my! I've run out of day!

Well, nearly out....still a couple hours left before midnight. The moonlight is beaming across the floor and the foot of my bed, which is so cool to come home to. My eyes would like to sleep right now but it is too early for that. As I write tonight at this hour, I am eating my dinner, the delicious mac 'n cheese from Panera Bread. This evening I had a "Thy Strong Word"-type of meeting and did not even take one spoonful of my food, which had already been packaged to-go. The conversation was food enough for me, which I washed down with a Diet Pepsi.

My day began with Bible study at Victory where today the men outnumbered the ladies. Two of our regular ladies were absent. The class was excellent, with the lesson comparing Lutheran and reformed views on baptism, with the Lutheran stand being Scripture based instead of using human reason to make sense of it. Pastor H. has an uncanny way of tying today's headlines into our lessons but fortunately he did not mention the carryings-on in our mutual home state! He did mention the tremendous spreading unrest in the Mideast and parts of Europe, where countries are striving to be independent and self-ruled, free.

After class Justin and I went in my car to PF Chang to have lunch where he could order from the vegetarian menu, although his buddy and he decided that fish was allowed on their week-long program. I had the delicious honey chicken with brown rice (yes, I love the brown rice!) and brought half of that home with me. Justin ate his entree but had a whole bowl and a half of rice to take home with him.

Justin drove us back to church to get his car and I left from there for Palm Coast to see Marian. Justin had been there last night, along with his father so he gave me specific directions to help me find the place. My GPS on the phone would have taken me on non-freeway routes so he directed me via the Interstate and I drove right up to the place. I had to search the place to find her, and a nice CNA took me to physical therapy to find her. In a few minutes she came out and we went to another room as she wanted to participate in an activity going on there. Okay....I just sat to the side and waited until she was done. We went to her room to chat where she checked her schedule of events to see when the next activity was taking place. We had just over an hour which was fine since I had the meeting this evening and had to get back. I did not get to see Biff or Tina this time but perhaps I will on my next visit.

When I got home, an hour's drive each way, I took a bit of a rest before heading over to Panera. The good news about the length of the ride is that I got to chat with Mom on the way to Palm Coast and Linda on the way back, although I lost Linda's call on the bridge. Tomorrow there are tentative plans to have lunch with my neighbors at our 'usual' place and in the afternoon, a haircut. After all, it is the full moon! Good night all!

At least it is not raining---yet!

It looks like it could at any moment but am not sure if it will or not. The report on the radio just now indicated that it is mostly cloudy and he is correct, not a spot of blue to be seen from this vantage point.

Over and over today, at the top and bottom of the hour, the news features a grieving dad begging for the hit-and-run driver to come forward, who struck and killed his 21 year old daughter as she crossed a busy highway last night. It is heart-wrenching to hear the pain in his voice. The police are looking for a smaller pick-up truck with ‘obvious front end damage’. That just makes me sick, thinking about it, how someone could just drive off and not look back, so to speak. Hopefully the culprit will turn themselves in, or their family will.

On St. Valentine’s Day, since I do not have a beau to spend it with, I was pleased that my neighbors did indeed come for a while to have some wine and look at the scrapbook, etc. Monday. One of the ladies who came is in the process of being divorced by her spouse of 25 years and she was having a bad day. Michelle was so glad to be invited in and I am so glad I asked her. We swapped a couple movies as she is a movie nut. She took “Letters to Juliet” and then is passing it to Tracy and Cassidy. We are our own NetFlix without leaving the building!

Monday morning, though, I had a treat right off the bat. My friend, Judy R., called me from Winona to tell me happy Valentine’s Day, after she had called her children and grands. Her mom-in-law had passed away a week or two ago so she has been busy tying up loose ends with her father-in-law and other relatives. They sorted through the clothing and other personal belongings, deciding what to keep and what to share, doing this with her sis-in-law while the men folk took care of the legal aspect of her passing. Judy told me that awhile ago she had come upon some letters written between her in-laws in their courting days and such, saying she learned so much more about them through the letters than she’d ever have guessed. Immediately my mind went to a book some day written from these letters…perhaps after Dad is gone.

Oh boy, the news these days is nothing but unrest and upset in various parts of the world, and even in my home state! Yesterday I was lying on my back, nearly standing on my head, watching Fox News while getting my teeth cleaned and I asked the dentist to give me the nitrous oxide. The press conference was on, where PresBO was discussing the budget proposal. I am so glad I don’t have little ones and feel so badly for those who do. In running the numbers, right now, every man, woman, and child (even Angelo!) in the USA owes $12,000 to cover the debt. This is current debt, not future expenditures. I did hear something about some envoys trying to get overpayments made to the UN back again as well as getting those countries who owe money to our nation to pay up. We have to just hope and pray that China does not do the same thing to us!

The country of Italy has a 'state of emergency' because too many Tunisians are fleeing their country and flocking to Italy for refuge. Italy wants to keep the refugees moving north to other countries but at least two nations in the EU already said they would not accept them. Oh brother! The rioting in Greece last fall where people took to the streets of Athens and other major cities was in protest of changes to their entitlements including union benefits and retirement age. Rioting and protests in London, where Prince Charles and his wife were accosted, was because of hikes in tuition for college. Where do people expect the money to come from? Do they even know where the money comes from to pay the benefit packages and or pay the professors?

One of the morning commentary programs I listen to had the host talking about similar subject matter today. Parents raising kids in the 50’s and 60’s had hopes that the children would do better and have better than they had, be it jobs, advantages, or conveniences. That did happen in many cases, and to this day, most parents want good things for their kids. In Neal’s household, he exceeded his parent’s ‘lifestyle’ by having more than one car to drive. His producer, Belinda, exceeded her parent’s lifestyle by having indoor plumbing. No lie…her parents did not have indoor plumbing in their rural GA home until after Belinda had left home and was on her own. Imagine that! But now, there is less hope for that, as Belinda expressed about her young children, as the economy and such will prevent the flourishing and exceeding ‘our’ generation has enjoyed.

Last week at the Woman and Finance luncheon I attended, I had spoken with the sole male in the room (father to 7-year-old triplets) about a book I'd seen, and my regret at not grabbing it. While I cannot remember the exact title, I sure do recall the topic, about raising children in this entitlement society. On Amazon this a.m. I found several that fit the bill, including one published in 2009 which is the right time frame. In my case it would be closing the barn door after the horse has gotten away, but I think it might be good reading anyway.

Justin and his friend, Jesse, are following a ‘meat-free’ program for one week, in efforts to avoid dining at fast-food restaurants. Supposedly this would force them to eat in rather than out, but I could easily find a loophole in that thinking.

Anyway, when he picked up my food trays and such Saturday, I did give him permission to buy veggies and such for his week-long program. He also took home my leftover crackers and some cheese dip. Yesterday he was working with Jesse and his step-dad, who wanted to treat the boys to lunch at Bono’s BBQ. Oh, oh! Justin said he ate corn nuggets but I don’t know if that’s all he ate or not. Mac ‘n cheese was on the menu, too, and green beans---wait, they put bacon in their beans.

I remember when Mom would winter with me and followed a low-carb diet. She was hesitant to eat out thinking she was not able to order in accordance with her diet. Easily a burger would work, sans bun, or a grilled chicken breast served with fruit or veggies, but Mom hated to discard the bun or ask for it without the bun. This might have been prior to the resurgence of the Atkin’s Diet craze when some restaurants catered to those adherents, like Ruby Tuesday. It is possible to do most programs in a restaurant, but making the right choices---that’s the hard part!!!

What is all that racket?

Oh, I see now what it is---a helicopter hovering just over the water, scaring the daylights out of a little boat and its passengers. Likely it is a Navy boat with a Navy chopper practicing some maneuvers. When the “helihopter” is so low, it is quite hard to see against the dark trees on the opposite side of the river. I could hear it, but not see it immediately.

The day is a little warmer than it has been lately, about mid 60’s right now, with hopes of going closer to 80 later in the week. Yippee! I mentioned last week that my little friend, Mary Lew, was wondering when we would get back to our water aerobics and I laughed about that idea. There is no way I would consider getting in the water until it is just short of boiling and the sun beating down on us---those are my rules! Now, a few times last season I did go to, and stay in, the pool when the sun went behind the clouds but that was exceptional. My friend, Louise, told me about going to the Heartland Rehab Center for water exercises and said one does not need a doctor’s referral to join. I am planning to check it out because I would truly enjoy being indoors and in a heated pool in the winter/spring.

The other day Justin was here and did the vacuum cleaning in my bedroom/office. It was getting quite messy looking from dust bunnies whirling around and sticking to the rug or under the dresser. At one point he expressed, “Ach! They are even in here!” from my dressing area. “This didn’t happen when you just wore your swimsuit!” and he is correct. These bunnies must be from the sweaters (he suggested I wear two turtlenecks for layering instead of putting a sweater over the top…) and from my Snuggie, I think. Between the bunnies and the regular dust situation, it gets frustrating! May all our problems be so trivial!

Speaking of trivia, this evening I am going to Southside to play Trivia with my Victory friends. First I will stop in to see MamMa, my friend, Tracy’s grandma, in Mandarin. Last week I did not go to Trivia because of the birthday party at The Club so I do look forward to taxing my memory this evening. My teeth are sparkling clean, although I yet taste blood, after having them cleaned by the dentist herself today. Yikes! Peggy, who is also my friend, said she usually does not see people’s teeth before they are cleaned but one of the hygienists had a family emergency and in Peggy’s words, “I didn’t have anything else to do!”, so cleaned my teeth.

Her regular assistant sat in, as well, and before they got started I put my scared face on and asked, “Is there something that I don’t know going on here????” which made them laugh. Like it was trick to get me in the chair. She was telling about there being a bat problem at the office next door to theirs, where my endodontist is located in my ‘old’ office. Last year, too, they had a problem over the doors or somewhere and their poop is getting dragged in on people’s feet. Yech! Double yech! I guess there is no sure solution to getting rid of bats, even though I suggested posting a sign addressed to the bats, telling them ‘No Hanging Around These Doors”…”Quick, stick some tools in her mouth to shut her up!”

Recap of the weekend

My friend, Rosalie, commented on the photo posting from Sunday, saying she does not know how I find so much to write about. Sometimes I have to let the pictures do the talking!

On that same page I wrote about Ricky and Christopher coming by early in the day, before noon, to drop off a gift and spend some time. Loved it!! Fortunately I was up and dressed, with some things already organized and such, basically presentable for guests. Justin arrived when they were here yet, which was nice, but he was going to be picking up the prepared trays plus some beer at Publix, and then had vacuuming to do before events got underway.

No problem, he got it all taken care as well putting in a load of wash. I stopped him from making a single load out of a full hamper, heavy with jeans and sweatshirts, which might be why his 2^nd load is presently being washed as I write. He had left on Saturday, leaving the laundry behind, and when I put some wash in the laundry room, discovered he had not put his wash into the dryer. I did that for him, and just now was going to put the dried clothes into the hamper. It was then it appeared that this portion had not been washed yet, my sniffer is sensitive to these things!!! He is coming by later to pick up his wash and hopefully the 2^nd load will be dry by then. I am not wrong either; it definitely required two loads, to treat my machine kindly.

We had some down time between finishing the chores and preparations before guests would arrive so we listened together to part of Friday’s radio show, which he had not heard yet. First though, we viewed the reading of the Declaration of Independence from before the Super Bowl, which he had not yet seen. It’s so good to see and hear, even if the Declaration was abbreviated.

At a certain point I could no longer sit and wait, so got busy putting the foods out for the guests. Martie arrived and helped to get the table filled with dishes. All things were ready! Brenda W. was the first to arrive after Martie did and I was so glad to see her! It has been way too long since we got together, our schedules and such just won’t allow, or we won’t let it allow. I vow to correct that situation!

I asked Brenda if Jimmie was coming but she would not say yes or no, and I guessed correctly that he wanted to surprise me…I WAS surprised because JD came along with him! Brenda N. came, as well as many friends from church, both churches. Brent B. was not able to come as he was celebrating his wedding anniversary that weekend. Others could not make it for one reason or another but I do rejoice in those who did!!!

As I probably mentioned, there were leftovers and I was truly glad that Laurie was able to take the little roll-up sandwiches and the fruit tray home with her. The next morning at church, the boys thanked me for the fruit and she told me it was nearly gone. Wow, they do like fruit at their house! It was great to have her family back at GS, and perhaps this will happen more often now.

After all were gone home and things tidied up, I retired to my room and vegged out, savoring the day. Bruce had offered to put the chairs back for me which I greatly appreciate, but then it is hard to clear the table and get around it, so declined his offer. I wonder if he is available today….

Sunday was a good day, with our little choir singing the first stanza of a new song from the Supplement, to introduce it for the congregation. The song had a lot of “I’s”, about being a child of the light. Guess we can’t be too critical because our recommendation from the report at SoWE was to use the Supplement. Some hymns/songs are just stronger than others are, and that’s it! The song did fit well with the theme for Epiphany. The attendance was up a bit too yesterday, which is great!

When I came home, I checked the TV listings once more to make doubly sure there were no NFL games going on somewhere (ha, ha) and opted to watch a movie. It still felt good to just relax even though I had a good night’s rest the night before. Sunday mornings require more standing at a time, so again it feels great to just recline or incline in the afternoon. Later in the day, the AMC network was showing “The Godfather II” back to back to back, having shown the first one yesterday in the same fashion. I got through it once and nearly the second time but then switched over to something lighter, “The Holiday”, which is fluff by compare. Good to fall asleep to!

This a.m., after my morning walk, I fell back to sleep for a bit and had a silly dream. One of our shut-in members who is about my age or so, and with numerous health problems, was camping. With me!!! We were in adjoining tents, lying on mattresses and they were soaking wet from the rain. No way! No way! No way, this would NEVER happen. I camp at the Holiday Inn and never on the ground. What in the world??? I think I might have even awakened, laughing!

Today’s mail brought a lovely thank you card from Rosalie. She wrote in the card that both Hal and she came to the conclusion that I needed something that Rosalie sells through her Internet store, and I should look for it next week. How nice! This really gives me something for which to look forward! Tonight I have invited a few of the ‘shelf sitters’ in my building to come by for a glass of wine, I already told them it was cheap wine, and to see the little memorial before I put it all back again. Some have already said they would be here which I love knowing.

I also got another blessing in regard to the Great Flood and its result---a settlement check from the building’s insurance carrier. It was more than I anticipated and I checked with my insurance adjuster who told me everyone was paid who was expecting to be paid. I asked him, “Well, now what?” and he said, “Christmas just came early for you this year!” Thanks be to God!

Some photos from the Timmy remembrance, Feb. 12th

Ricky and Christopher stopped in early in the day to bring me a gift and spend some time. Jen and Memrie had a girl scout function they were attending and could not come. Ricky's grandma was ill so they were planning to go and see her in the evening. It was wonderful to have some time with Rick, and Chris was kind enough to carry the dining room chairs to the family room for me. It was too bad they would not see the others from our former workplace but I was glad for the time I could get!

This table was set-up to display photos and other Timmy memorabilia, including the scrapbook. Many, if not all, stopped to look at the items and take those trips down memory lane. Fond memories!

Pastor K. is chatting it up with Emily, as Brenda N. regales Lynn K. and Kristi with the story of her job interview at our business. Timmy was there, playing with some coins and other things in his little office, trying to move things along so his father and he could go get 'ahs cream'....

Brenda's first day of work was the Monday after the funeral. When I thanked Emily for coming, she said, "I couldn't NOT come...", which moved my heart!

Kristi, Suzanne, Anne H., Laurie, and Carol are all visiting, catching up on each other's news.

Bruce and Pastor H. love to discuss golfing and I believe that was their topic when I snapped this photo.

A group shot across the room, toward the end of the event. Sadly, I got so caught up in the activity and excitement of having my friends there, I forgot to take pictures earlier!!! Jimmie, Brenda, and JD W. were all there, as were Judy J. Judy C., Martie, Robbie, and of course, Justin! Michael, the house boy, was going to come and bring his girlfriend for us to meet but he was delayed helping a friend move and did not come. Rats!

Here is the table all dressed for my guests. You know I love nothing better than folks around my table, and if not actually at the table, eating from it! To answer Judy J.'s question, "Yes, I am happy!"

Today is the day

It feels like I should be up and about, scampering from room to room to make things ready for today's event, but I am not. Justin is coming around noon to do some vacuuming and such. Then, will go to the store to get the ordered trays and some beer before we get underway here around 4:00 pm. Plenty of time, so I can pace myself and not get worn out before folks arrive. I rejoice because the sun is shining in my room, certainly all over the place, but I am most aware of it where I am. Yay!!! Love having the sun back! The temps were in the thirties again last night, but are expected to nearly double as the day proceeds.

Martie and I had a lovely evening here last night, as I made us a nice little dinner from a package, recommended to me by Justin. I just had to pour the contents of the bag into a dish and microwave it, stir the food, and microwave again---done! We had cottage cheese with pears halves as our side dish and lo mein as our entree. With so much news being made on Friday, we had the TV on and discussed the events of the day besides other catching up. It was quite the busy news day and we speculated along with the other CIA insiders (a.k.a. TV reporters) regarding what is going to happen in the Mideast. Even the hierarchy at Google.com presumably had a hand in this overthrow, along with some union organizers and activists from the West. Hmmmm....I am a bit concerned about the Christians in those countries now with the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, with only a month or so having a car bomb go off outside a Christian church somewhere in Egypt.

Martie and I marveled at how long these people can jump up and down and wave their arms in the air. I would likely have only a few good jumps in me, ala Super Bowl victory for the Packers. So, this a.m. I am watching the replay of the 4th Hour of the radio show from yesterday, which streams just fine on a Saturday morning. And I am roaring with laughter. The two guys who do the 4th hour are watching from their studio as the events were unfolding in Cairo, and were saying how thankful they were to be living in the USA, despite the situations we are facing here, that we do not have the 'power' to simply overthrow by demanding a new form of government. And then, the two guys are watching their monitors in the studios, TV networks showing people in the streets of Cairo, carrying their chickens around with them, raising them over their heads, and cheering. Stu said, "That's what I love about our country---we never have people in the streets waving their chickens around..." and I busted out laughing. You had to be there, I guess. Linda, wait until you see the 4th hour when you get a chance, you better sit on a towel!

Terri T. got back to me yesterday regarding the potential upgrade for my Internet service, saying the low price I saw was for new customers only (of course). As Justin and I ate lunch at Bono's yesterday, I told him about this research she was doing on my behalf, and he asked me why I was even looking. He said, "Your Internet is fast enough..." and again explained the problem is not on my end (but it is!!!!!) but that the demand for the service is so high and not being transmitted powerfully enough for all the customers.

That is the price of a successful enterprise, I guess, and patience is demanded on my part. Watching/listening LIVE at 9:00 a.m. is not always the best option for me since I have things to do in the mornings and other show I listen to as I work at my desk. Can't be 'distracted' by having to watch. And make no mistake---I HAVE to watch!! The other option is to wait and watch the show the next morning when F & F is on, multitasking. Until the program can boost its coverage, that is what I will have to do...or simply listen to the podcast on iTunes and not watch...which flies in the face of the I HAVE to watch!

Justin and I ended up having lunch after my original plans fell through with Tracy, MamMa, and Cassidy. MamMa was coming to Orange Park from her rehab facility to see the doctor and then we were having our Friday afternoon lunch at La Nopalera. Then, Tracy was contacted by the Home that MamMa (Willie Mae) was taken to the ER overnight, which they later determined was over reaction to something, so no lunch for us. Since I had to go to Fleming Island anyway to go to the bank, Justin said he would meet for lunch. He was working on Thursday and not able to attend Bible study/lunch so this worked out great. Thursday he was helping his friend and Friday he was working for his father, prepping items for a rummage sale at our old office. I really strongly dislike these type of sales and was not much help advising Justin about pricing things. No one was happier than me when our church decided to forgo having a rummage sale last year. I felt guilty for not helping more when we did have one but my heart is simply not in it. Then, the Great Flood happened and the rummage sales at Christ Lutheran and Victory benefited greatly from my donations! All unpriced, in my opinion, the worst part (almost) of hosting such a sale...

When I got home from the bank and lunch, I was carrying my to-go box and stopped at the back of my car to grab another 12-pack of soda to carry up with me. Gus, my downstairs neighbor, was outside and offered to give me a hand. I was doing fine, thanks, but enjoyed seeing him outside. He is just now finishing up the repairs and redoing of his condo after the Great Flood, and is breathing a sigh of relief. He knows about my gathering here today and is comfortable to cry around me, which I truly love. Once more he told me about his wife dying and leaving him to raise his two daughters. He has done a good job, his one daughter leaving the State job of Secretary of Transportation to become the County Manager in her home county! He often tells me that he cannot imagine losing one of his daughters and then gives me a hug.

Both the control valves have been replaced in his unit, one no longer operational before the replacement (yikes!!) so we both agreed this 'accident' has brought much needed attention to the failings of our plumbing system in the building. Gus, who is simply worn out by the ongoing work in his unit, assured me he does not blame me, knows it was no one's fault, and then commented how happy he is that this was the only thing he has to worry about. His next door neighbor, Mike, lives in a motorized wheelchair all day long, his head bent wwaayy to one side (we were all so glad when he quit driving a few years ago...), and has many health problems. Both men are older guys, beyond 70 years, and Gus rejoices that the only thing he has to worry about is getting the right color paint for his replaced walls. Love it! Have I mentioned lately how much I love my neighbors??

One of my Facebook friends, the wife of a former member of GS who is now a WELS pastor in MN, is attending CPAC this week/weekend. We had quite a chat yesterday on-line as she filled folks in about what she has been doing---the speeches, the seminars, and events she has been able to attend. All this is made available to her through a member of the church where her hubby is serving a vacancy, the member being on the staff of Sen. Michele Bachmann. Michele is also a Lutheran but since taking office has downplayed her church membership because she is quite outspoken politically, and does not want any 'bad' publicity for the Synod or church. So, since this bus from MN was going, Tammy got a chance to catch a ride and off she goes. Tammy was telling about the unhinged group attached to the Paul for President contingency, the great majority of them being young people. Tammy said it is obvious they don't know what they are talking about, but give the impression they do...whatever. This group was booing and heckling some of the speakers, the non-Libertarian speakers, and behaving not like adults, as it were.

At lunch, I was telling Justin about it, and he said, "Of course, the drug thing..." Wow, that did not even occur to me...I was thinking these folks, these young people, were rallying for freedoms and adherence to the Constitution and all that, and it was really about the decriminalization of drugs!! I was so disappointed, and deeply saddened. That is exactly what this nation needs, more legalized drugs to dumb the people down. Anything to keep their eyes off the ball. Yikes! As was pointed out at the CPAC event, Ron Paul has little chance of winning in a presidential run, but still, young folks, although mislead, are becoming actively involved in the process. They might come away with some knowledge, if not experience, if they remember what they heard while there, from outside their camp. Tammy is going to pick up a commemorative pin for me and will send it when she gets home. Cool beans! And what a great opportunity for her.

Time to get ready for the day!