X is "for the birds" *

Last week was an up and down kind of week.  We had the Grand Dog with us while MBD and SIL took a long weekend for some alone time.  (Which we HIGHLY encourage as "Grand Dog" isn't the only "Grand" life form Mrs J and I would like to have in our lives .... Ahem ... Hello? ... Anyone listening?)

Tallulah (pronounced (by me) Cholula). 

 As with most puppies, and Lieutenant Fighter Pilots, she's "All velocity, no vector".    Canine flight handled her generally well, a few growls and an ugly face or two seemed to convey their intended message.

Feline flight however, decided an extended stay in their closet loft was advisable.  But their humans are well trained,  water and kibble was delivered to their door.

We also paid off the remainder of the mortgage on this house.

2014 Texas Hills Vineyard Tempranillo  Most Excellent!

That called for a bit of a celebration.

But.....There's all those THINGS on Social Media and what passes for the news nowadays.  Makes one wonder if it's all going to 4377 in a hand basket.

I mean really...They want to impeach the President because he negotiated with the Ukraine? Isn't that what he's SUPPOSED to do?  Did he sign a treaty without the advise and consent of the Senate?  Where's the THERE there?

Apparently, one party is all frickin' in on "Hell yes, we're gonna take your AR-15".

Well, folks, I think you should read this document . I believe you'll find it interesting.  It begins with

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them...

 You say we can't leave?  We did it before, when "some people did something" and decided we didn't need our weapons.  In fact most of the reasons for leaving delineated in that glorious, wonderful document are becoming factors again.  So...Not being a constitutional lawyer, I think we just re-sign it and deliver it to Congress.  Done and Done.

As I said, an up and down week.  So, I get up this morning and head in to confer with the Big Guy.  Walking out to the truck, I see this sight.

Get to church and sit down and pick up the prayer book to read this week's reading (for to better understand the Priest's sermon among other things).  The first reading is Amos 8 4-7.

"Hear this, you that trample on the needy,
    and bring to ruin the poor of the land, saying, “When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain;
and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale?
We will make the ephah small and the shekel great,
    and practice deceit with false balances, buying the poor for silver
    and the needy for a pair of sandals,  and selling the sweepings of the wheat.”

 The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Surely I will never forget any of their deeds."

Ahhh. I say to myself.  It has always been thus.

Which pretty much summed up the Priest's sermon.  He's new-ish here, came from the Congo. Has a bit of a French accent, which I like, I have to pay attention to understand. He's also got a different point of view on how things are here compared to back home.  Which got me to thinking.  (Always a good thing in church).

Maybe, just maybe, things aren't so bad.  Maybe they're just being spun up and then brought to our attention to further someone's agenda.

Which is not to say that some things aren't actually bad, just that they're being blown completely out of proportion.  And people are over reacting, some intentionally.

So, I come home and start looking for a subject to post about.  When I come across this video

Which I think is exactly what's going to happen.  They're going to pick and pick and pick (peck if you wish), until a line is crossed.  Then Bang! They're exposed for the nothings they are.

So, again, another input from a seemingly random source.  Then I read this article.

Well, I mean really, if we're supposed to be at each other's throats, why didn't the driver keep it all for himself?

As I continued my daily perusal of the usual suspect bloggers, I stopped at Borepatch's.  I won't embed the video I found there, so go and bump up his visitation numbers.  I think you'll like it.


Finally, I'm walking back to check on Mrs J. (She's working on a trip for MBD/SIL's family) and brush across our bulletin board knocking some useless information off, and revealing a document that had been put up long ago.  It reads:

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen."

Okay, Lord...Got the message!  Will (attempt to) comply.

Besides,  Politicians and their enabler's are...

More Birds

All puffed up and strutting.  Who needs them?  Pretty much useless.  Except for the above...Around Thanksgiving.

Initial Sizing complete

I'm  going to spend some time in my shop.  Current project is a desk for my sister.

Or sit on the porch and watch Hummingbirds do Basic Fighter Maneuvers.

OR.....

Spend some time teaching my youngest how to drive.  Which will be important as Mrs J and I become older.  She's pretty good now, but her choices are steering or using the pedals, not both.

And taking care of someone I dearly love.

Because much like this morning...

Tomorrow, the sun will come up, and I will do what's necessary to take care of things that need taking care of.

Never Give Up, Never Surrender!



*  Values of X
Politicians,
The Press,
Bureaucrats,
School Employees
Communists, Socialists, Democrats (But I repeat myself)