Strange or Why Not?

I am sure you, as I have seen many service dogs as we travel about the country. I am always fascinated by the patience and attentiveness of these well disciplined animals. Along a similar animal discipline is the therapy dog. One of our granddaughters had a trained therapy dog that she frequently took to nursing homes and hospitals. People, especially the elderly were excited to engage with the pup. Of course, I'm partial to dogs due to a lifetime of ownership of mixed-breeds and purebreds.

Another granddaughter recently moved into a college dormitory, which accommodates four female individuals. One of her roommates has reason to have a therapy animal. The animal is NOT a Dog, not a Cat, not a Parakeet but a Porcupine...that's right a Porcupine!

Gives a new attitude about 'cuddling,' eh?

(Touch)
Strange Things

The Man Knows Mental Illness

President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the main problem behind the plethora of America's gun violence is 'mental illness,' in-spite of research indicating that only 22% of America's mass shootings are at the hands of the mentally ill.

I should think Americans should listen to Trump for he has told us that he never had to ask for forgiveness of sin, he is the King of Israel and The Chosen One.

You got that?!

Why The Empty Sandlots?

A recent study findings concluded that sport participation amongst youngsters 6-to-12 years of age is down from 45%-to-38%. A quick answer to the question, 'why' would likely point a finger at youth's addiction to the Internet and electronic games. There is little doubt that such youthful fascination with electronics contributes significantly to the growing 'couch-potato-gang' but it's no longer the greatest single factor.

We must consider the old adage, 'follow the money.'  Before we do that let's agree that several factors have caused a decline in informal 'sandlot' sports engagement by young kids. Parents feel their children are unsafe outdoors when unsupervised, which leads to staying indoors and grabbing 'Game Boy.' Secondly, there has been a decline in community supported youth sports' offerings due to taxation financing and the rise of parent-driven and supported club/travel teams.

The travel/club teams is a fertile ground for parents not only to be more hands on as coaches but also offers a widely embraced social-engagement of parents as the team travels regionally for weekend tournaments. These parents will spend huge sums of money for equipment, uniforms, hotels, gas and Foods. Suddenly, the travel/club team becomes unaffordable for many families.

These teams may have most of the better players in a given community but NOT always. Parents are now willing to shell out big bucks to hire trainers, personal instructors and send their kids to expensive sports' camps and elite Showcases. Why the willingness to spend large amounts of money?
Make the team and get a college scholarship.

Is the State Of Youth Sports better today? I'm not sure. I do believe it's excluding some kids.

Whata You Done For Us Lately?!

Preface Disclaimer: I am a life-long St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. That said, please know that the following comments and opinions are NOT intended as 'pointing a finger' at the Chicago Cubs or their baseball fans. Recent Facebook postings and comments from Cubs' fans motivate today's blog.

It seems many Cubs' fans are wanting management to get rid of relief pitcher Pedro Strop and fire Manager Joe Maddon even though the Cubs are currently tied for first place with the Cardinals in the National League Central.

If you please, before the Cubs won the 2016 World Series, they had gone 108-years without winning the Fall Classic. It was during that long dry spell that the Chicago Cubs were embraced by their fans as "the lovable losers" and we all heard the season ending familiar cry, "wait 'till next year." Well, lo' and behold three years after the Cubbies' incredible season of 2016, a first place division tie heading down ain't good enough! I get it, believe me, I get it. Can you image how we Cardinals fans feel when our team flounders considering the reality of eleven(11) World Championship Banners blowing over our stadium.

If I may, please let me clarify something for you angry Cubs' fans who wish to trade one player and fire the manager or fire the high school coach. The pro manager or high school coach is NEVER as good as you really think he is and never at fault as often as you think. Talent compared to competition becomes a huge factor as does good fortune, which together forms that 'perfect storm' yielding a Championship. Meanwhile,  remember that winning begets expectations and expectations in the heart of a fan is volatile.

Finally, if Pedro Strop was leading the league in 'save' opportunities his cocked-ball cap would not anger Cubs' fans.

The Omnipotent One

Omnipotent: >>all powerful, almighty, supreme, most high, preeminent, despotic, totalitarian, autocratic, invincible, unconquerable and "an omnipotent deity," i.e. Jesus Christ.

There you have it; a dictionary definition and the only once-in-flesh example: Christ Jesus

However, many of my brothers and sisters' in faith,' who support President Donald Trump to the extent he is given a pass on any and all transgressions, make the argument that Trump is ordained by God to be Leader of the Free World as he functions as America's President.

And it's fair to state that Trump operates as an 'omnipotent deity.' First, from his own lips he declares that he has never needed to ask God for forgiveness. (This means he has never sinned).

He has never needed to apologize. He states that his Presidency has likely been the best in American history. The economy has never been as good under any other leader. He shows disdain for some religions as evident in his Muslim Ban. He refers to brown-skin people from Central America as invaders as he characterizes Mexicans as thugs, murderers, rapist and drug dealers.

Now, the Omnipotent Leader of the Free World struts his power over Israel as he tells them to 'Ban Entry' of two United States elected officials. (I wonder if Israel might some day not accept  American dollars coming into to their country?)

An American Truth

Set aside all the immigration debates, all the political pontificating poppycock and embrace this fact:

                                                      "US" was once "THEM."

Let's Be Honest

The serious negative health effects from smoking cigarettes is well documented. The studies and research is so irrefutable that smoke free laws have been enacted in 27-states in restaurants, casinos, bars, etc. We have become a nation very much aware of the dangers in smoking and the dangers in 'second-hand' smoke. All tobacco products sold in America carry printed warnings on packages. We ain't playin' when it comes to this war on tobacco.'

The aforementioned all sounds proper and good to me notwithstanding the fact if we didn't have tobacco users our economy would collapse without the taxes. However, we should be interested in warning our fellow countrymen about those things that could harm their health. This brings me to my rant.

Have you readers noticed the physical largeness of folks in the checkout lines? Well, it's a fact obesity is on the rise in the US of A. This week at the Iowa State Fair folks are excited about some popular menu treats. The two that certainly caught my attention are the deep fried funnel cake and the deep fried Oreo Cookie. One deep fried State Fair funnel cake carries 760 calories, 44 fat grams and 80 carbs. Of course the deep fried Oreo Cookie has far less calories and carbs, only 98 and 11 respectively....but then who can eat only one Oreo Cookie?

Here's my questions: Should we not place warning labels on food packaging about health dangers and should we not insist making buyers of such products eat those 'obese-producing-foods' behind closed doors to avoid 'second-hand temptation?'
Big Folks in Health Danger

Confused Christian; That I Am.

Racism and bigotry long predates Donald Trump's Presidency as did anti-Semitism predated Adolph Hitler's dictatorship. That said, Hitler targeted Jews as a scapegoat to mobilize his support much like Trump targets Hispanics to rally his supporters.

Interestingly, seventy-three percent of Americans claim to be Christians, which I understand to mean that 73% of Americans FOLLOW the teachings of Jesus Christ, although I personally believe that the percentage of true followers likely reaches only10% of Americans.

Why do I think so few? Matthew 25:35 "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,..."

(Touch)
By Our Love

Unbelievable and Unforgivable

Koch Foods is a food processor and distributor company located in Park Ridge, Illinois. Of course, the actual nasty business of killing and processing thousands of chickens every day is done in plants located where there is cheap labor, which means most of Koch Foods' processing plants are in the deep south. Many of Koch's 14,000 employeees are minorities and many are undocumented, a fact known by the employer.

Yesterday, President Trump visited two American cities where mass murders claimed 31- lives, mostly Hispanics. The President claimed he was received by hospital staff, patients and first responders with great respect and love. One day after his self-proclaimed love fest in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, Trump's administration gave thumbs up to ICE raids on undocumented Koch Foods workers in six Mississippi cities. Approximately 700 undocumented workers were arrested. Sure, you guessed, Hispanics.

These raids took place on the first day of school attendance in most of these communities. Now let's reflect for a moment. All you white mommies and daddies, like me, can recall our little darlings first day of school each year...sure we can...THINK! We couldn't wait until our little turd blossoms sat down at the supper table so we could ask all those feel good questions, which drips of our gooey love and adoration. I took part in that little game with three kids and I've seen and heard stories about fifteen grandkids and now the great grandkids. My God in Heaven the thought of my kids coming home from the first day of school to an empty house because mommy and daddy were arrested for playing America's illegal economic profit-game is unfathomable. But it happened in our 'What Would Jesus Do,' Christian America!

Unfortunately, most of my fellow countrymen are unmoved by children detained in cages at our Southern border or children left to fend for themselves after school because those children have brown skin and privileged white folks just can't relate.

Okay, for all you hard-core, play by the rules, logical thinkers out there who take the position that these illegals "Put their kids in this situation, therefore it's the parents' fault," well let's take your hard-ass thinking to the next level. Let's arrest the CEO of these plants hiring undocumented immigrants. Every business can easily determine legal vs illegal workers before hiring...not a difficult exercise. Those business people know damn well what they're doing and why they do it! And our government also knows the illegal game being played. Shame on our government.

Trump's administration is tainted with heartless bigots. Bigots for profit.

To Wear or Not To Wear

Let me think, how shall I approach today's rant subject. Perhaps I should first advance a few disclaimers: 1) I am not a fashion expert, 2) I am not a chauvinist, 3) I am not a prude and 4) I do have a preference regarding the matter.

Okay here's the 'matter.' Maternity tops...to wear or not to wear that is the question. I am on record as one who openly preaches that mothers are mankind's greatest gift and it begins with the incredible personal sacrifice made by every woman who experienced the pregnancy journey. It cannot be a walk in the park to grow new life in your body for nine months undergoing the drastic physical changes with its accompanying pain and discomfort.

Showing my 80-years and conservative upbringing, I expect pregnant women to wear maternity tops, which seem comfortable, fashionable and discreet. (Discreet as in modest.) And on this latter point, I cannot nor would not attempt to defend that judgment or opinion. Therefore, I yield to the readers, this morning to weigh-in with thoughts on two questions: First: Has women's attitudes regarding the public display of the pregnant body changed? Secondly: Is there a different attitude regarding a man's view on the issue versus that of a woman's view?

A personal note for background information. I am the oldest of three sons in my family. My brother Tom is four and a half years my junior and I am fifteen years older than younger brother Marty. I was a teenager when my mother was very pregnant with Marty. She and my father were very handsome people and out in the public at many of my summer league baseball games. I was incredibly proud of my mother during that summer...she was beautiful. I offer that because most teen boys showed very different feelings about their expecting mothers.

Now, your view and opinion...maternity tops or showy-growing belly?

Crippled by Our Fears

A friend recently posted on the Internet the following Confucius saying>> "The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential...these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence."  When I read this I could not help but pose the question, 'Why does not more people achieve that personal excellence; that desirable personal mountain top?' What stops them?

For a moment consider...By the numbers antidepressant drug use is on the rise in American. One out of six Americans take antidepressants or other psychiatric drugs. The rate increase of antidepressant/anxiety drug usage has reached 65% over the past 15-years. You might ask, 'Why?' I say WHY NOT! From the moment a child begins to comprehend parental directions the messages, although they might be subliminal in delivery they are none-the-less crystal clear: Be Fearful for Evil Lurks. "Don't talk to strangers." "Never accept a ride from somebody." "Do you remember our family 'codeword' should somebody tell you they've been sent by your parent to pick you up?" "No, you can't ride your bike  that far." These are just a few of the bedrock anchors children have seared into their psyche. It is a fear-foundation strongly suggesting to the impressionable child that the world about is a very dangerous place.

As the adolescent comes to understand that they must get a formal education beyond high school in order to survive a material world they then act on the demand only to amass a financial debt that weighs on the mind and compromises joy for years. Along with those personal burdens, the world about them seems unclear, vague and ill-defined. Nuclear chaos is always on the horizon while  global warming suggests a doubtful future and racial tensions produces endless concerns and social tensions.

Only in America's westward expansion was personal safety so problematic in this nation. We cleaned up the frontier towns making the cowboys check their guns at the Sheriff's office when in town. Today, we go about our communities to theaters, concerts, eateries, worship centers and schools with the real possibility that a weapon of mass destruction is likely in our midst and moments away from usage. Let's admit that we (Americans) need metal detectors at every venue outside our homes. The airport TSA folks may be keeping us safe from foreign terrorists but we really need to be safe from home grown American (neighbor) terrorists.

 I believe the greatest illness of the 21st century America is 'Fear.' Fear of failure and fear of doom.

Praise the Lord and pass the antidepressants!

Insults One's Intelligence

Mick Mulvaney, President Trump's White House Chief of Staff postured himself with the most bizarre insulting comment towards the American people that I have ever heard. First, Mulvaney offered a pitiful defense of Trump's over-the-top divisive racially-charged rhetoric stating, "It's (mass shootings) should not be blamed on the President's rhetoric." Only a damn fool would believe that insulting defense.  If YOU support Donald Trump that DOSE NOT make you a racist or a bigot but your support of this President sure the hell does not exonerate him from his obvious racism, bigotry and divisive rhetoric.

Mulvaney went on to state, "These mass shootings are NOT APPROPRIATE. " Now, I don't know what kind of up bringing you all had but 'inappropriate' at my house might have been belching at the dinner table or interrupting an adult speaking. If you are capable of equating the killing of 29-people to letting a fart in public then your a bigger idiot than Mulvaney and challenging the moronic status of President Trump.

It Ain't Easy Living With A Real Christian

With great admiration, I can unequivocally state that my family members and friends will validate this claim: 'There is nobody who sends out more special occasion greeting cards than does my wife, Gerry Roustio.'  She is unquestionably an engaging people's person. She is genuine in her concern for others. When it comes to 'caring,' Gerry is the real deal. We would not have near the number of friends if not for her 'outreach personality.' I truly admire her. But I wish not to BE HER.

Our monthly calendar is displayed is the high visual traffic area of our kitchen. It reveals any and all daily appointments as well as family and friends' birthdays and anniversaries. Gerry makes it a point to telephone our three married children to remind them of a family member's birthday and/or Anniversary.

Okay, you got the picture. My wife will also visit the sick in hospitals and those home bound. Here is where my rant begins. Given my wife's inclination to do all the aforementioned things it's fair to assume she would relish others doing likewise. That's not the case with me. That said, I felt it necessary to adamantly explain to my better half that under NO CIRCUMSTANCE DO I WISH TO HAVE VISITORS WHEN HOSPITALIZED! The only exception...immediate family. Furthermore, I explained: If I'm sick at home, I don't ask people to stop by for a visit and I don't want her having dinner guests. Her response to my tirade? "Well, you're not very nice." She then looked up from her desk where she was writing our her monthly checks for St. Jude's, Alzheimer's Association and  Boys'  Town and said, "When I finish here, I want you to help me get all the bird feeders down so I can replenish their foods."

Our Shared Destiny

Through the years, I have had the honor to offer fifteen eulogies for departed family members and friends. Just this week, I was responsible for a friend's graveside service. When facing the charge to give a eulogy, I always find myself dealing with confusion driven by inconsistent feelings. I cannot fathom anybody worthy enough to speak abbreviated words in the attempt to summarize the totality of a person's lifetime journey; how dare we! So, you ask then, why do you accept the eulogy invitation? Two reasons push me to dare: First, my relationship with and love for the departed and secondly, my desire to speak words, which might ease the pain of loss for those who grieve.

When we gather to pay public homage with a eulogy...please consider:

On a day Not of our choosing, we are born into this life and begin our journey. On that day and in that birth moment, we are crying, we are fearful, we are uncertain and without knowledge. Yet those around us at our birth are laughing, hugging and joyfully celebrating.

We go into life's journey called upon to make many choices and assume many roles. We are a son/daughter; brother/sister; sweetheart-husband/wife and perhaps one day called to be a parent and grandparent.

My journey like yours seemingly has a Master's plan. The love of our God is nearby protecting,  guiding, and upholding. Considering all the choices and all the roles we might embrace, we are first and foremost a CHILD OF GOD. Therefore, on another day, Not of your choosing nor mine, our  journey comes to an end as God calls us home to a place of peace, tranquility and celebration.
In that death moment, we Christ followers believe that we pass into a place of peace, wholeness and joyful celebration and yet those around us are crying, uncertain and without knowledge.

May the time remaining in our respective journey's be filled with sharing the love of the Lord who commanded us 'To love one another as He has loved us.'

And...behold the hidden power, which controls our future.