Greetings…

and good morning from the heart of Illinois.  It is the day after the storm that mostly passed us by (Thank you God!)  It is 19 degrees here right now and the new snow on the ground only amounts to about 1 inch.   My son in the Chicago area wasn’t as lucky though as they got several inches.

I do need to go out in a bit and start the car as it hasn’t been started for a couple of days.  I am not planning on going anywhere today though.

You know, I have been thinking after my post a few days ago about rules to live by, and how very important a smile is.  It can brighten someone’s day and it sure is a lot easier on your face than a frown.  I spent many years working with the public, my last years working with the military at an AFB.  In my last position at the AFB I dealt mostly with officers.  Most of them were very nice although I can remember two in particular that were real horse’s patooties.

patootie (plural patooties)

1. (chiefly US, slang) The buttocks.

These two were really difficult to work for although they each were responsible for me getting high commendation letters from HQTRS ATC in Texas.  So the best thing to do in respect to them was just to grin and bear it and get on with the job.  I was the only civilian in this particular office and the work I did was not shared with the others in the office because they were enlisted personnel.  But getting back to the smile; I dealt with quite a few satellites connected to our base.  There was one colonel I dealt with at an arsenal here in IL that often told me I sounded liked I had a smile in my voice.  I have never forgotten that, or that gentleman.  I suspect by this time that he is long gone, perhaps one of my guardian angels.    Heaven knows I need all of them I can get.

Enough nostalgia for today.  I hope you all have a peaceful weekend.  Do try to stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

OOPPS!!  I almost forgot to mention that Spring Countdown stands at 59 days.

A Memorial Day Prayer

By Rev. Dick Kozelka (ret)
First Congregational Church of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN.

Eternal God,
Creator of years, of centuries,
Lord of whatever is beyond time,
Maker of all species and master of all history --
How shall we speak to you
from our smallness and inconsequence?
Except that you have called us to worship you
in spirit and in truth;
You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;
You have lifted us up with your loving kindnesses.
Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling
[though we sometimes feel that low]
and without fear
[though we are often anxious].
We sing with spirit and pray with courage
because you have dignified us;
You have redeemed us from the aimlessness
of things' going meaninglessly well.
God, lift the hearts of those
for whom this holiday is not just diversion,
but painful memory and continued deprivation.
Bless those whose dear ones have died
needlessly, wastefully [as it seems]
in accident or misadventure.
We remember with compassion those who have died
serving their countries
in the futility of combat.
There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation,
when all the answers we are offered
fail the question death asks of each of us.
We believe that you will provide for us
as others have been provided with the fulfillment of
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Justice Samuel Alito, I applaud you!

My heart was heavy yesterday when I learned of the outcome of a Supreme Court case, a consideration of protests at military funerals.  The Court voted with an 8 – 1 decision which they said falls squarely on the First Amendment.  This means that anti-gay funeral protests will continue to be allowed.  This sickens me.  Our brave men and women in the military are fighting and dying on foreign soil to protect countries that don’t even want us there.  Fighting for us here at home, and yes to protect our freedom of speech, however I, for the life of, me can’t understand how the first amendment can allow protestors to picket at the funeral of a fallen soldier.  The Westboro Baptist Church evidently (my opinion) doesn’t have a Christian among their members!  Surely God is looking down on these protestors and shaking His head in sorrow.

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I am just home from a fasting lab which required 4 tubes of blood.  My niece went with me and we went to Bob Evans afterward for breakfast.  Next Thursday is my doctor appointment for the results.  Not looking forward to that.

I need to go out and run some errands so I will catch you all later.  Stay safe and be happy!!

  Beth

The Final Inspection

 

THE FINAL INSPECTION

 

THE FINAL
INSPECTION

The Soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass..

'Step forward now, Soldier ,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear..

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the Soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you Soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

It's the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the freedom of the press.

It's the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.

It's the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..

It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military,
Please pray for our men and women
Who have served and are currently serving our country
And pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom....

THESE COLORS DON'T RUN

AMEN!

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!God Bless Our Military

  Beth

 

 

Our Homeless Vets http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm

“Veteran-specific highlights from the USICH report include:

23% of the homeless population are veterans
33% of the male homeless population are veterans
47% served Vietnam-era
17% served post-Vietnam
15% served pre-Vietnam
67% served three or more years
33% were stationed in war zone
25% have used VA homeless services
85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans
89% received an honorable discharge
79% reside in central cities
16% reside in suburban areas
5% reside in rural areas
76% experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems
46% are white males, compared to 34% of non-veterans
46% are age 45 or older, compared to 20% non-veterans
Service needs cited include:

45% need help finding a job
37% need help finding housing”

These are newer statistics from what I posted in another one of my blogs.  These statistics are heartbreaking.  Please read this link to find out what we all can do to help.

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This has been a rather lazy day for me.  To be quite honest, all I have done so far today is to clean out the small hallway closet.  I need another room for as much junk as I have.  I thought when I moved that I was getting rid of a lot, evidently not nearly enough.

Kroger has small turkeys for 59 cents a pound this week.  With careful maneuvering I managed to get a 12 pound one in the freezer above my fridge.  This necessitated my cleaning out the freezer, which I hate to do and in the process I discovered a bag of frozen banana puree.  I save the bananas that are too ripe and mash and freeze them.  This meant I had to make banana bread yesterday which I hadn’t planned to do.  Recipe on my recipe site listed under Breads.  I gave most of it to my daughter who is planning to treat her co-workers tonight.

I hope this is a super weekend for us all.  I plan to do some more Christmas shopping tomorrow.

  Beth

Veterans Day Prayer and Meditation

 

May we take a few moments to reflect, remembering those who served our country well ...

"You gave for peace with courage
That families may be free
So children could grow strong
And safe they'd ever be.

In giving for the sake of peace
You may have suffered loss
Your body may still show its wounds
From taking up the cause.
May remembrance of your time away
Your sacrifice for peace
Spur us on to strive more strongly
For freedom, that there'll be release.
From causes that sent some away
To fight that we may freely live
With gratefulness we thank you, veterans
For all you gave and give!"

Prayer by Susan Helene Kramer

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I am remembering our veterans today with heartfelt thanks to all of those men and women who unselfishly fought for our country in the past and the ones who are involved in the turmoil of our world today.  May God Bless them all.  A special thanks to my brothers who spent several tours of duty in ‘Nam, to my Jim for his time spent in Korea and to all of my friends and relatives who served us in the military.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  Beth