Doing What Needs To Be Done

Good morning friends,

This video was posted at Bustednuckles and when my husband played it for me I said "forward that to me, please". Please click the link for a larger video.

This is exactly why we voted for Donald Trump. 

And we give thanks every day for our President and all those working with him to implement the changes necessary to keep our borders secure, make our cities safer, rid the government of wasteful spending and fraud, ensure fair elections, maintain our freedom of speech and so much more.

This is the exact opposite of what we had to endure during the previous administration. Be grateful those days are behind us. The present may not be perfect and there may be a few bumps in the road, but President Trump inherited a huge mess and it will take some time to clean it up. Be patient and stay positive.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Doing The Right Thing

Hello Friends,

I don't have anything earth shattering for you today, but what I do bring to you is important on a human level. First a little background. All of our lawnmowers are old and either inherited (Daddy's 1994 Yard Man) or given to us by friends (the gray mower) or from the family of a friend who had passed. All three have had their issues, but all are, for the most part, functional.

Fast forward to current times. The Yard Man has the original tires from 1994 and they've been on their last leg for a couple years. Now it was critical. Hubby had to keep putting air in them the last time he mowed, so he ordered a set of 4 tires. We waited and waited and finally he ordered 2 front tires from another seller because those were in the worst condition.

Of course, the set of 4 arrived the very next day. The day after that the next tires arrived, only instead of 2 tires, he received 4 tires. Wow, service and a bonus.

There was a phone number to call, and even though he purchased them through Amazon, they were sold and shipped from another seller, so he called they guy (we'll call him Sam). "Hey, how many tires did I order?" "Uh, 2" came the answer on the other end of the line.

"Oh, well FedEx just delivered 4." More discussion mixed with laughter followed.

I only heard bits and pieces of the conversation, so when he was finished, I asked how it went.

Sam told Hubby that it was their fault and he could send an RMA for him to return them. What got me is that Sam said "you didn't have to do that". Meaning he didn't have to call and say he had received 4 tires instead of the 2 he ordered. Maybe some folks would have just kept them and not said anything, but it wasn't the right thing to do.

In the course of conversation, Hubby mentioned that he had originally intended to order a total of 6 tires, a complete set for one mower and front tires for the other two. So he would just pay for the 2 extra tires and save the guy from having to pay return shipping. 

After they had agreed on $60, Sam was in the process of saying all the things like "thank you" and "have a good day" when Hubby reminded him he had a fellow here ready to throw money at him, and maybe he should take it. More laughter ensued. The guy had been have 'one of those days', and said he hadn't laughed that hard in ages. 

Now, what had inspired me to write about this was a post was from Sarah Hoyt, another blogger whom we read regularly. This quote will explain it, "Or it could be saying the right word to the right person at the right time. Making treat for someone who is very down. Say something that turns their lives around. That puts them on a better path." but please read the entire post.

Likely their conversation was not that life changing, but I think maybe it turned his day around. Honesty, humor and laughter can really make a difference. This is Sunday, and I hope this post finds you well today. Share a laugh with someone you love, or someone you don't know. You will all feel better for it.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

The Rat Snake Is Not Your Enemy

Hello Friends,

What we have here today is a juvenile rat snake. Unfortunately, it is recently deceased in our front yard. I have no idea what happened to it. Hubby came in from the mailbox and said I found a snake in the yard. Alive? No. Show me.



Now, upon seeing this in your yard, alive of course, what would you do? Walk away and leave it alone? Do like me and get pictures and video? Or, would you grab a hoe and dispatch it? The final option would be like my aunt who saw a snake and SCREAMED for my uncle who had already left for work. This was in New Hampshire where there are very few venomous snakes to begin with.

Note that these snakes are non-venomous. Did your answer change?

These snakes are your friend and your yard's friend because, as their name implies, they eat rodents. As we know, rodents can carry disease which makes these snakes very beneficial to have around. They are not, however, a friend to your feathered friends as they also like to eat eggs.

Here is some additional information on our yard and garden buddies. Please click the link for the whole article.

The Natural Pest Control Benefits of Rat Snakes in Your Garden 

1. Expert Rodent Control
2. Chemical-Free Pest Management
3. Low Maintenance and Self-Sustaining
4. Balance in the Ecosystem
5. Disease Reduction

Finally, if you are in the screaming or dispatching category, here is a video on the rat snake which might help put your mind at ease and safe the life of a well-meaning, helpful yard guardian.

Next time you see a snake in your yard, consider that it may be one of the good guys and just leave him to do his job.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Climate Change...Crisis or Hoax?

Hello Friends,

Let's talk about it. This subject has been in the news in one fashion or another for decades. Dire predictions have come and gone and we're still here. First it was cooling, then it was warming, now it is encompassed into the generic "climate change". I believe in protecting the environment as much as the next person, but I do not subscribe to the climate crisis theory. I have been reading and collecting information and articles on the subject for a while and rather than summarize them, I will provide a blurb from each source and the link for you to read the full article. I realize that their narrative is beginning to crumble, but there are still many onboard with it. If that is you, it is my hope that by the time you finish, you will have a better understanding of what has been going on for years, and that you see the "climate change" scam for what it really is. These are not in date order.

66 Million Years of Earth’s Climate History Uncovered – Puts Current Changes in Context (September 10, 2020)

"A continuous record of the past 66 million years shows natural climate variability due to changes in Earth’s orbit around the sun is much smaller than projected future warming due to greenhouse gas emissions."

10 Reasons To Prove That Climate Change is a Hoax (No date listed)

"Let’s take a look at the top 10 reasons why all of the talks you are hearing of climate change is nothing more than a huge hoax. After you read this information, you can decide for yourself whether you believe the hype or if you agree with most others and say that it is nothing more than a big hoax."

1. Ice Records
2. Cold Temperatures
3. Record Levels of Snow
4. It is good for the Bears
5. Rising Oceans
6. Moose are Thriving
7. Scientists are not falling for the Hype
8. Carbon Sinks are around
9. Long History of no Global Warming
10. NASA says so

Carbon Dioxide revealed as the “Miracle Molecule of Life” for re-greening the planet (May 9, 2017)

"The “War on Carbon” is rooted in the most outrageously dangerous, dishonest and degenerate anti-science bunk that’s ever been shoveled into the minds of the masses. Far from being a “pollutant,” carbon dioxide is the “Miracle Molecule of Life” for re-greening the planet through reforestation. This essential molecule supports the entire web of life on our planet, and without it, all plants, animals and humans would die."

Carbon Dioxide: The “Gas of Life”: Tiny amounts of this miracle molecule make life on Earth possible (August 21, 2013)

"It’s amazing that minuscule bacteria can cause life-threatening diseases and infections – and miraculous that tiny doses of vaccines and antibiotics can safeguard us against these deadly scourges. It is equally incredible that, at the planetary level, carbon dioxide is a miracle molecule for plants – and the “gas of life” for most living creatures on Earth."

Simple Facts Expose The Climate Change Hoax (October 25,2024)

To believe in the climate change hoax, you must believe 5 (palpably untrue) things:

1. CO2 is the "control knob" for the climate. This has been proven to be ridiculous.
2. CO2 is harmful. Wrong! CO2 is plant food.
3. We are at historically high leves of CO2 in the atmosphere. Again, not true.
4. It's nonsensical to create government policies based on future hypotheticals about natural processes.
5. If we can't even predict the weather, how can we control it?

“The greatest folly is to believe in the palpably untrue. It is the chief occupation of mankind.” – HL Mencken

50 Years of Failed Doomsday, Eco-pocalyptic Predictions; the So-called 'experts'; Are 0-50 (September 23, 2019)

"Modern doomsayers have been predicting climate and environmental disaster since the 1960s. They continue to do so today. None of the apocalyptic predictions with due dates as of today have come true. What follows is a collection of notably wild predictions from notable people in government and science." There is a list with the initial 41 failed predictions plus an bonus update to bring the total to 50.

If you think it can't get any crazier, then check this out.

Climate scientists want to shut off the sun (April 27, 2025)

"Let’s quickly review: the Sun, and more precisely, its distance from the Earth, is what makes life possible. Sure, there are other factors, but you get the point. So, of course, greenies reeling from Donald Trump’s drying up their Green New Deal funding have come up with another brilliant plan to “save” the planet:"

I don't know about you, but I enjoy living, breathing and having food to eat. So now that you have been through all the information and digested the fact that CO2 is essential to all forms of life and that the harm being done to our planet is a threat to our very existence, I trust that you have reached a state of unanimity, and we're all on the same page here.


Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Choices?

Just a little food for thought as we continue to peruse the national and world events unfolding around us. 

Would you want to live this country?

• Where men pretending to be women can participate in women’s sports and have access to women-only spaces. 
• Where perversion is normalized and celebrated.  
• Where there is the rapid, unchecked immigration of millions of criminals. 
• Where murderers, drug cartels, gang members and pedophiles are protected. 
• Where elected politicians call for violence against fellow Americans. 
• Where wasteful spending, fraud and abuse are called out and instead of fixing it, we just continue down the same path of destruction we have been for years, or even decades.
• One that is broke, crime-ridden and overrun with gangs.
• Where your speech is censored for speaking the truth.
• Where there is rampant mental illness.

Or would you prefer this country?

• Where men are men and women are women. No question...end of story.
• Where normal family values are seen everywhere from homes, schools and churches to city parks, from businesses to charitable enterprises.
• Where you have safe and secure borders.
• Where criminals are arrested, prosecuted and jailed.
• Where violence isn't a commonplace solution to a perceived problem.
• Where the wasteful spending, fraud and abuse is not only called out, but the damage repaired for our benefit as well as future generations.
• One that is prosperous, safe and free.
• Where our freedom of speech is protected.
• Where the mentally ill get the help they need.

You complain about the billionaires who are working to makes things better, yet you are okay with the likes of Bill Gates, George Soros, Klaus Schwab (recently resigned) and others like them (WEF) who are making decisions for the world that benefit no one but themselves. Hypocrites!

Folks, we are at a crossroads in history. Some would say we have sides to take. I prefer to say that we have choices to make. Maybe you should ask yourself, what kind of country do I really want to live in? And then make the appropriate choices.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Porch Cats

Good morning friends! After all the political and news-related posts lately, let's take a break and get back to our roots here at R2R while we visit with our neighbor's kitties.

This is Spot, also known (for obvious reasons) as Spotnose by her mama.

This is Adrian, named after Rocky Balboa's wife in the Rocky movies.

Spot is next to the chair I was sitting in.

They are both sweet and talkative. In fact, you can hear Spot coming from all the way over in her yard, and she knows some very long words, too. 

They do seem to enjoy hanging out with us and even helping with the chores on occasion. They were very interested in lending assistance when we were putting stain on the porch last fall. That was challenging to say the least, but we did get it done.

Our acquaintance with them started out by visiting in our neighbor's yard, giving them pets and scritches. Soon they started cutting through our yard going to and from on their adventures, but would skitter away when they saw us. Eventually, they got comfortable enough to be petted and follow us around the yard. You have to watch out for Spot, though, because she will trip you up if you're not careful. I say she is channeling Dood, because he used to do the same thing to us.

You know they like you when you come home from church on a Sunday morning to find Adrian sitting on the front porch.

Let me know if you're cat people too. You can see more cats here at my Facebook page Cats and More.

They're At It Again

April 21, 2025: "Today, four more Democrats — Rep. Robert Garcia of California, Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida, Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, and Rep. Maxine Dexter of Oregon — are in El Salvador, picking up their party’s mantle of prioritizing a deported illegal immigrant MS-13 gang member over the Americans they represent." - The White House website

I cannot begin to imagine why anyone in their right mind would prioritize a deported gang member over American citizens. However, the answer may be in that very statement. I'll leave you to parse that out.

These four congress persons embarked on another trip in an apparent effort to try and drum up sympathy for this individual who is now ensconced in an El Salvadoran prison. Which, by the way, is his home country. To refresh your memory, this is the "Maryland dad" I talked about here.

Each of them is individually named in this report, with the question "Why hasn’t Rep. [name] spoken about these illegal immigrants putting his/her region at risk?" Then it goes on to list some of the illegal immigrants in their region and the crimes they either committed or are charged with, which includes murder.

These are representatives elected to serve the best interests of those who voted for them, i.e. their constituents. Do you think that is what they are doing? I certainly don't. I'd love to hear your reactions in the comments.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

You can read the full story at the above White House link.

Update: They were "blocked by local authorities", who cited that the visit was not officially authorized.

Yea or Nay?

I have a question for you. How does it make sense that a senator (U.S. elected official) would align himself with a known gang member¹ who had been in this country illegally, and was legally deported? He actually flew to El Salvador to meet with this individual. One would assume he would go to the prison, be escorted to a meeting room and sit behind glass and have a brief conversation.

If accounts I have seen are accurate, it looked more like a restaurant setting where old friends were conversing over drinks and appetizers. The MS-13 member was dressed in a plaid shirt and a ball cap, simulating normalcy.

It should be mind boggling that Senator Van Hollen's allegiance is so far out of line with our American values, but actually it is what we have come to expect from the extreme left. If conservatives are in favor of something, the liberals are against it, so much so that they are not really for anything, but only against everything that is right, just and moral. They have become truly anti-American, slaves only to hate and greed, and violence is often their response.

Back to Senator Van Hollen, and his new best friend. He personally went to check on him to make sure he was healthy and not being mistreated, yet when the Laken Riley Act was up for vote, he voted...you guessed it, NAY.

As if that is not bad enough, he could not be bothered to reach out to a grieving Maryland mom (a constituent) whose daughter was brutally murdered by yet a different illegal immigrant. No phone call was made, no personal condolences were offered. This was a high-profile case, and yet nothing was heard from the same senator who personally went to check on a recently deported gang member.

If you're not familiar with the Laken Riley Act. you can read about it here, and here you will find a story on Rachel Morin, the young lady mentioned above.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, and as always, stay safe and stay sane.

¹Some sources allege that he is affiliated with MS-13, but not initiated.

It's For Real!

No, you can't fake support and yes

We support our President!

Promises Made, Promises Kept.

We're getting exactly what we voted for...

And More!

Easter Dates Explained

Here is a handy little poem that explains how the date of Easter is determined every year.

"Thirty days hath September,"

Every person can remember;

But to know when Easter comes

Puzzles even scholars some.

When March the twenty-first is past

Just watch the silvery moon,

And when you see it full and round,

Know Easter'll be here soon.

After the moon has reached its full,

Then Easter will be here,

On the very Sunday after,

In each and every year.

And if it hap on Sunday

The moon should reach its height,

The Sunday following this event

Will be the Easter bright.

~Boston Transcript, 1895

So my friends, have a joyful and blessed Easter!

Looking Back to Look Ahead

“If you have to be persuaded, reminded, pressured, lied to, incentivized, coerced, bullied, socially shamed, guilt-tripped, threatened, punished and criminalized ... If all of this is considered necessary to gain your compliance -- you can be absolutely certain that what is being promoted is not in your best interest.” - Ian Watson

This is a very powerful quote when you think about all the things that were forced on not only those of us here in the U.S., but all around the world during the time of covid. This quote is in direct response to the covid "vaccine" and the pressure placed on people to get these untested injections. The emergency use authorization was based on a lie, because it could only be used if there weren't any treatment options available. That was a lie because the valid treatments that had been being used successfully were suppressed and vilified by the CDC and the FDA.

Since we know the answers to many questions about how covid (and the subsequent "vaccines") came to be, and those who are most likely responsible, we can see just how much the words in this quote are true. That one event changed the world and we are still trying to recover. In the event that this scam is ever tried again, keep these words in mind and understand that it is not in your best interest.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Thirty-eight Years

Happy Anniversary to Us!

 April 17, 1987 to April 17, 2025...and counting.

Unsettled Thoughts

After about 7 years, it's back, the continuing the story of Charlie and Alex and the case of the scuzzy art dealer, whom they called SAD, and the murdered Russian.

After a long week filled with stakeouts, tedious investigative research and the continuing of Alex’s portrayal of Alan around town, the tension was starting to get under their skin.

Charlie was at this desk early the morning before the artifact was to be received by Sato Yasahiro.

Deep in thought, Charlie jumped when Diane spoke, “Charlie, you’re here early, would you like a cup of coffee? Seeing his reaction, she exclaimed, "Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” As Charlie looked embarrassed, Diane smiled at him. “Thanks," he said "that would be great – cream and sugar please. I’m up to my eyeballs in this case, and our day of reckoning is drawing near,” Charlie explained.

As Diane left to get the coffee, Alex appeared in the doorway. “Want to chat a minute,” Alex queried?

“Sure, pull up a seat” Charlie said, as he indicated the armchair across from his desk. “What’s on your mind?”

“Have you ever had a weird unsettling feeling that you couldn’t explain? Like you know something isn’t right but you can’t put your finger on it,” asked Alex quietly?

Charlie eyed Alex carefully as he asked “case related?”

“Maybe,” stated Alex flatly. “Tomorrow is the ‘the day’ and I...for the first time doing this job, I am worried. It’s probably nothing, but the fact that SAD is still basically an unknown and, I don’t know, it’s probably just my imagination.”

Charlie thought for a moment and then said “when I first joined the bureau fresh out of the academy, a senior agent, probably around 60 then said ‘Son, always trust your gut. If you think something just doesn’t add up, it probably doesn’t.' So yeah, it is worth keeping in mind. Is there anything specific that is bothering you? Are you and Bobby good? I know it's a bit odd to switch partners, even if just temporarily.”

Alex and Charlie were partners, but for the sake of this investigation, Alex had teamed up with Bobby to go undercover in the art district. While Charlie and Kyle worked the seedier angle. All of Charlie's team were friends, but it was still a bit stressful when working a case with a different partner, wondering if you'll catch their subtle signals at a crucial moment.

“I guess,” Alex replied. “Maybe it is just the change in routine, but we get along okay. I think he's moved on from the whole wild turkey incident on the camping trip. Hey, I need to go get into character. Thanks for listening. I’m sure it’s nothing, but I’ll keep my eyes open and my guard up.”

Two hours later, Alex and Bobby hit the street in their undercover getup. "What do you say we hit up Sato to check on the progress," asked Alex? 

“As they entered the store, Sato was at his desk in the store's alcove. From there he could see the comings and goings and be ready to assist any potential customers.

"Ah greetings my friend,” called Sato congenially. “What may I help you with today?”

Alex, known to Sato as Alan Wainright, said, “Greetings to you also. "I know it is early, but I was wondering if perchance my item had arrived sooner than expected?"

“Alas, no, but I am assured it will be here tomorrow afternoon,” Sato confirmed. I will phone you with the details for pickup. I assume you will have the money?”

With a calmness he wasn't necessarily feeling, Alex replied, “I will.”

“Good,” Sato responded with a grandiose gesture. “Until then,” and Bobby and Alex left the store.

“What did you make of that exchange,” Alex asked Bobby when they were a ways down the street.

As if confused by the question, Bobby asked, “What do you mean? He was very businesslike and confirmed the deal and details. Seemed okay to me, why?”

“I don’t know, maybe I’m a bit on edge about this one. I’ve been in some tight spots, so it doesn’t make sense, but still…” his voice trailed off, and they walked along in silence each absorbed in his own thoughts.

to be continued...if you want to catch up, this particular episode starts with Going Under listed below.

Other Adventures of Charlie and Alex:
Risky Business

Aliens, Really?
The Colombians
The Key
Stranded
The Last Laugh
The Morning After
Bears, Beans and Beer
Kidnapped
Jenna's Misfortune
Murder in the Warehouse
A Rough Week in Philly
San Francisco Connection
No Grunt, No Glory
Crush Or Be Crushed
Going Under
Let's Make a Deal
So now we wait

Swimming Upstream

Words Matter

Dance like nobody is watching.

But write like everyone is reading.

Whether they are or not.

Because you never know who might read your words today and need to hear your message, be it inspired, serious or just plain funny.

Words do matter!

If you're one of those who writes, know that your words do matter, even if you're the only one who reads them.

If you read the words of others, know that they would be pleased and hope their words were of benefit to you.

I hope you'll visit me in the comments sometime.

A Tale of Two Sources

This is the tale of two news sources, one from the right and one from the left, covering the exact same story. 

As usual, the left is lying, manipulating, and playing on emotions in order to draw sympathy to the gang member they allege to be an innocent father.

The man in question was most certainly not a normal dad who tragically got arrested and accidentally deported. Nope, absolutely not. This man was a leader in the horrible MS-13 gang. You've heard of them, right? If you haven't, here's a blub from Wikipedia:

Mara Salvatrucha members are involved in the trafficking of narcotics, primarily cocaine and marijuana, into the United States, as well as the transportation and distribution of illicit drugs throughout the U.S.^[8] Conversely, the gang is engaged in the trafficking of stolen vehicles from the U.S. to Central America. MS-13 also utilizes intimidation and violence to extort payment from legal and illegal businesses operating in its territory.^[9] Members partake in additional criminal activities including alien smuggling, weapons trafficking, assault, homicide, rape, kidnapping, identification theft, home invasions, carjackings, prostitution, robbery, and vandalism.^[6][8]

Here is the real story from two different sources, PJMedia, and The Gateway Pundit.

SICK: Obama Judge Orders Return of Deported MS-13 Gang Member to U.S.

Karoline Leavitt SHUTS DOWN Fake News Reporter for Latest Hoax Claiming Trump Deported Innocent “Maryland Father”

What actually happened with the "accidental" deportation was that while he was eligible for deportation, he had been granted a "Withholding of Removal", and was not supposed to be returned to El Salvador. However,  he could be deported to any other country that would take him. He was not on the original list destined for El Salvador, but was an alternate. Due to various reasons, others were removed from the flight and he was moved up the list and assigned to the flight. His deportation was carried out in good faith based on a final order of removal and his purported membership in MS-13.

Now here is how CNN and The Atlantic spin it to fit their narrative.

An ‘Administrative Error’ Sends a Maryland Father to a Salvadoran Prison

After a Maryland father was mistakenly deported, his community prepares for the worst

If you think you are getting the truth from mainstream media whether it be newspapers, TV or online publications, you are sadly mistaken. You are constantly inhaling the stench of their lies.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Being Conservative in a Liberal Church

Wow, that is a big statement and controversial as well. Yes, it is and although our denomination has long been liberal, our church was not noticeably liberal for the first 10 years or so after we joined. We knew the pastor was a democrat, but he rarely let that show in his sermons, which were strictly from scriptures. I described his style as more teaching than preaching, which I enjoyed very much.

The story of how we came to this church is that friends invited us to visit. We went because of the invitation and stayed because of the pastor. Way too soon he decided it was time to retire. Now I can understand that because he is our age and we've been retired for a while.

Just before covid a change began to take place, not only because of the forced shutdown but because of changes in pastoral staff. Prior to this, our associate pastor had moved on to pastor his own church in another state. This lead to the hiring a temporary associate pastor, we'll call Joan, to serve until the permanent position was filled. This was the beginning of the change. She was liberal, but not so much outwardly woke. Still, you could tell Joan wasn't one of us. She stayed with us for nearly two years, almost twice as long as intended, probably because of covid. 

After her departure yet another woman was hired. We will call her Lisa. Now Lisa was way more liberal/woke, and it showed. She follows the new Progressive Christianity and is a strong supporter of LGBT...and more. She was hired as an associate pastor before our beloved pastor retired, after which she was asked and agreed to serve as interim pastor during the search for a full time pastor.

She brought nothing to the worship experience in my opinion. She quoted numerous progressive writers during each sermon and even said "... the Holy Spirit, SHE's a wild one" during a service on Trinity Sunday! There were other times she referred to God as "she" and "mother", which, quite frankly, did not set well with me. When she needed help with her pastoral duties, yet another woman was brought in, we'll call her Mary. Mary served as the parish associate and was equally woke, going so far as to talk about how great the pride parade was the previous weekend. This was going on in 2023-24. It got to the point that I didn't go to church much, and never when Mary was preaching.

Fast forward to August 2024, when we finally hired a new pastor. A man! Now he is still democrat/liberal, but probably less woke and progressive than the women were. He preaches from scripture which is a breath of fresh air after several years of endless progressive quotes. Recently we acquired a new parish associate, also a man, and former church member. Our denomination will always be liberal, but it is easier to deal with it when it is not in your face.

Now the big question I know is on your mind is why did we stay. A friend said "there are other churches" and that's true. We were almost to that point, but the search for a new pastor was underway, and we were praying God would lead someone to us who would preach and teach God's word from scripture. We got that so we stayed. I did have a short list of churches if we had decided to leave. 

On the up side, we have some friends there who are also conservative (and even some who are not...they're still nice people).

Based on what I have read and seen in my own church, it's my opinion that the reason for the downfall of churches is women. It seems to me that women are much more likely to be drawn into the "progressive" version of Christianity, which I view as false Christianity.

PJ Media recently did an article on progressive Christianity and women pastors. 

Glitter Blessings' and Women Pastors Who Say 'Queer' a Lot

Take care and God bless!

John 14:6: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

On Being Optimistic

AI generated image from Pixabay

Optimist: someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's a cha-cha. 

- Robert Brault

I was looking for something that sums up what a lot of people are feeling. While some are shrieking and clutching their pearls, I am calmly optimistic about the future. 

However, time will tell, and until then I remain hopeful and pleased at the well-thought out economic strategies currently in place that, if allowed to continue, should serve us well going forward.

I'm not going to spell this out now. This is just a lighter post to hopefully encourage those who are shrieking and freaking and rending their garments in distress.

Please calm down and breathe. If we come together and stick together, we'll be fine. Remember, it's just a cha cha, and things are already getting better.

In the meantime, take care and stay sane. It's still a crazy world out there.

Stronger Together

AI image of bison

Some of you may be familiar with Aesop's Fables. I enjoyed those as a child and find that as an adult they have even more meaning. As I walk through life, things I see, hear and read often remind me of one fable or another. While I was looking for examples for this post, I came across the fable about a bundle of sticks.

It seems there was a man, perhaps a farmer, who had several sons. It would seem that all would be right with his world. He had strong sons to help him, and to one day take over for him in his old age.

That was not necessarily true because his sons would continually fight among themselves, and one day he decided to turn things around. He brought forth a bundle of sticks and handed it to one of the boys and instructed him to break it. He could not. The bundle was passed to each son for him to try and break it. None could. The father then separated the bundle and handed each boy a stick. Now try to break it, he commanded them. Each boy was able to break the single stick.

The moral of this fable is that while each stick is easily broken, when they are bundled together they are much stronger.

This same principle applies to animals, as in the herd of bison above, as well as humans. If we stick together and work together it will be much easier to achieve our common goals. 

Folks, we are being divided today six ways from Sunday. What it boils down to is whether you are a conservative or a liberal. No matter what the subject, we are divided by the party line. I have touched on some of these individual topics previously so I won't rehash them here. 

The thing that concerns me now is that the Republicans are not showing a united front. There are a number of congress and senate members that are coming out against the President's policies, to the extent that they are trying to pass legislation limiting the President's ability to use tariffs. It seems they are literally trying to throw up roadblocks. This is not the time for that. Like the fable tells us, we are stronger together. We can't blow our God-given opportunity by bickering among ourselves. As my mom would say "straighten up and fly right".

I hope this post finds you well and at peace. Please pray for our country, our President and all those working hard to heal our country and move us forward to economic stability once again.

Standing Up

AI generated image from Pixabay

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.  — J.K. Rowling

Who are the enemies in this quote? What does it mean to stand up to them and what does that do for us or take away from us? It is a simple quote, but there are multiple points to consider. Also why does she say it takes the same amount of bravery to stand up to our friends? Do we have more to lose?

When we are standing up for the truth and for what is right, we can face ridicule, censorship, and even be fired from our jobs.

An example of this was during covid when people were being forced to take the not-a-vax jab or lose their jobs. Employers often fired those employees who refused and hired more compliant people. Those who didn't comply were called names, censored online, restricted, shunned and the pro-vaxxers even wanted to round them up and put them in camps. They wanted to do this to fellow human beings. 

It wasn't just employers vs. employees. It was schools vs. students, sometimes to the point of vaccinating students without parental permission. It was doctor vs. patient, and the unvaxxed were often denied critical treatment. It was also friends and family who badgered and distanced themselves from those who stood their ground. 

It was a horrible time in our country's history, and one I have no wish to repeat.Those of us who resisted the pressure are confident in our decision. 

No matter what you are standing up for or whom you are standing up to, it is never easy and sometimes you end up being a black sheep. So be it.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Why We Need Voter ID in the U.S.

This is apparently a hot topic of debate right now. President Trump has signed an Executive Order requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. This is excellent, going forward, but how about now?

It seems the democrats are fighting tooth and nail against requiring voter ID. They are claiming that requiring ID to vote is voter suppression. Think I'm kidding? Watch this short video on X.

Hakeem Jeffries just called the SAVE Act “A voter suppression bill.” 

How did we even get here? If only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote, who is going to be suppressed by asking for identification at the polls? Every citizen who is eligible to vote should have a valid ID, passport or proof of naturalized citizenship.

I would think that all U.S. citizens would be happy to show ID if it helps in preventing voter fraud. I know I am. Currently, the requirements vary from state to state. If it were up to me, every state would require the appropriate ID and proof of citizenship if deemed necessary in order to cast a ballot. There would also be nearly no mail-in ballots with only a few exceptions and those carefully scrutinized. Elections must be fair and honest.

*Who cannot vote?

• Non-citizens, including permanent legal residents, cannot vote in federal, state, and most local elections.

• Some people cannot vote after being convicted of a felony or if they are currently serving time for other types of crimes. Rules are different in each state. Check this guide from vote.gov to understand the laws in your state.

• Some people who have a mental disability may not be able to vote. Learn about your voting rights. Rules vary by state.

• U.S. citizens residing in U.S. territories cannot vote for president in the general election.

That brings us to the question of why the liberals are so all-fired set on stopping the ID requirement. Hazarding a guess, I would say that they want to continue to (illegally) increase their voter base with those who could be persuaded to support them and their anti-American agendas. They will do anything to remain in power, and their rating among their own has dropped, at this writing, to about 21%.

One has to wonder how people can hate their own country and countrymen so much. Money and power, I guess.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

*Who Can and Cannot Vote