Today

Fall is trying to push the summer heat out, the summer is not budging. Another hot muggy day here in the river valley of Arkansas. This summer has very warm at times very humid.

I took my wife to the doctors toady, to have your bandage changed from her surgery. On the way out there was an elderly woman  in a wheelchair. I stopped a moment and asked howshe was doing. I gently touched her hand, softly spoke " May God's blessing go with you"  Her eyes had a twinkle in them. We are always in such a hurry. Sometimes we should stop and say hello to a stranger, encourage them with a positive word.

I am a retro male, I like using items from a bygone era. I shave the old fashion way. With a brush, soap and a safety razor. I write using a fountain pen, with colored ink. Now that I am out to pasture I won't use black ink. My interest in fountain pens began when a sales clerk tried to dissuade me form buying a fountain pen.
The clerk informed me that a left handed person, would have difficulty using a fountain pen. That a roller-ball would be more suitable. It was from that statement that started me to use a fountain pen.  From there I began to collect vintage fountain pens.  When pick up a vintage pen, begin to write it is like magic. I collect vintage postcards. I enjoy writing to my pen pals, postcard exchanges. I make my own postcards from my own photos.

In my first year of college, I began to develop my political opinions. My opinions would lean to to the left and support for the Democrat party. As I matured my opinions matured they moved more to the center than to progressive. Recent events that occurred in this country has a radical shift in my opinion. I have left my progressive options along the wayside, adopted a conservative opinion. I have become disillusioned of our political process. How this nation is quickly shifting towards a socialist, big government does not work.
The moral cowardice of this nation has become repulsive. We take a man's infidelity to his wife, sensationalize, talk about his numerous trysts, making the women into instant celebrity. Than the it is news  for months. Do not we have issues that are far greater then a sports celebrity extramarital affairs.
Our very own State Department foots the bill of Rauf  and his wife for a Muslim good will tour. Why?
Our very own president bows, boldly proclaims that we are not a Christian nation but a secular one, then he endorses the building of the Mosque at ground zero. The background mysteriously changes from the American Flag to mid eastern decor. Is there any doubt that he is not Muslim?

The Ground Zero Mosque is a victory flag, on the site of their victorious battle when they crash into the twin towers. I personally oppose the Mosque being built. It is not about freedom of religion, it is about the what  this Islamic center will represent. It represent hatred for America, Christians, Jews. We are infidels standing in the way of Islam being a world religious. Propaganda is heard daily throughout the Muslim world, kill the infidels. Is there any doubt that they are the enemy.

In closing we must think hard about the road of ruin we are on. That are only saving grace is that we repent as a nation and bring God  back into this nation.

As August comes to a close.

As August comes to a close, one reflects back this summer. This has been my first summer since I was 12, that I was not working. After being wrongfully fired from my job last September. No employment was to be found. I started receiving my disability this past April. I have severe Arthritis in  most of my joints.

This is my sixth summer in Arkansas, the heat this this summer has indeed been intense. I put the Chicago skyline in my rear view mirror six years ago. While the summer has been blistering hot, I will endure the summers here, to have mild winters. I have kept busy most days, that is my nature. I am not  one to sit idly.
As summer comes to its last hurrah birds are ready themselves for their big flight south.

In the cool of the morning I like sitting on my balcony. I am entrained by the Hummingbirds that frequent our feeder. They play a game I call hummer tag. One Hummer goes to the feeder, than another comes and nips on him on the butt. Then chase each other through both sides of the balcony. Sometimes one will misjudge where the eve is, then you here thump. I think wow major headache coming. I marvel at Hummingbirds, there diminutive size and aggressive they play. I wonder how this bird that weighs less than a dime, flies across the Gulf to Costa Rica , non stop. God is their copilot.

I refuse to use the word retired. I prefer to use  "out to pasture". It is the first time in a long time that I have slowed down. Last summer I pushed the envelope too far. As that summer ended I  was both physically and mentally exhaust. That after giving so very much to a job, they showed their appreciate by firing me. As I at their listen to the lies my old self temper rose. God, muted me and silenced me. In the months that followed have been a struggle, very soul searching.

Jobs for a male over fifty are non-existent. I accepted that early on, I keep applying anyhow. For the first  time in my life turned the control over to God. In the past I run from God, instead of running into his arms.
God, has been faithful to myself and wife through this time. During this time you begin to understand what a need is verus  a want. That you life is not defined by a job or the amount in your bank account. It depends about how you are storing your ture riches with God. God, is the focus of my life, my journey and it's odd turns.