ADVICE

Thomas Jefferson was a statesman, a farmer, a lawyer, a diplomat, an architect, and a philosopher.  He was a writer of the Declaration of Independence, organizer of the Louisiana Purchase, the first Secretary of State, a President of the United States after being the Vice President.  He was one of our Founding Fathers.  

The Jefferson Memorial stands in his honor in Washington D.C.  It is a large structure made of marble and limestone with a statue of his likeness in the center of the interior.  The four sides of the domed and pillared monument have quotations and excerpts of his writings carved into them.  Along the facing under the dome is carved this special quotation: 

"I have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of a man."

Do you get it?  Jefferson was decrying anything that subverts our minds, makes us believe lies, leads us astray the truth.  It was a solemn feeling for him.  

He advocated all the freedoms he wrote into the 'Declaration' and admired in the Constitution but more than that, he wanted everyone to have an independent mind.  Free to make one's own choices.  Free to make well-informed decisions.

He wrote this two centuries ago but it is current today.  It would be aimed at today's press and media or at today's educators or at those who monopolize the internet - all these and more.  

I say, resist their control as best you can.  Guard your children.  Educate and re-educate yourself.  Challenge your own beliefs.  Pray for our country and the world.

MIDWEEK PRAYER

 I visited a hospital a couple of weeks ago.  It was a joyous occasion.  I stopped into the gift shop with one of my daughters and they had a bowl of papers with the sign "take one".  I took one.  Here is what it says.

HIS LOVE

Today, whatever occurs, whatever burden you shoulder,

keep steadfast in your trust of God.

NO day is too dark and no burden too great

that God in His love cannot penetrate.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;  fear the Lord and shun evil.

Proverbs 3:7

Have a great day!

WORDS ON THE WALL

 Can you locate this place by the words I found on the wall?  Tell me if you can.

MUST . . . HAVE . . . COFFEE

WICKED CHICKENS

Deviled Eggs

The Olde Homestead

Dairy Fresh Milk

Stay positive -  Always smile

NEVER LEAVE HUNGRY

*

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

 I must tell you that I'm not getting a positive vibe that anyone is taking these Quizzes seriously.  I'm going forward with at least one more.  This one again has a musical flavor.  Put your thinking caps on.

In the 1960's (maybe I'm going back too far for my millions of readers), there was a song I loved that most of you should be familiar with it.  Like many, in those days, I wasn't sure what it is about.  You know, I was never into the 'drug scene'.  Any way, I've copied it for you. The song is "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan.  Just figure out what it is all about - what exactly "Mellow Yellow" is - and you win the prize.   

Donovan is a he and he can be described as a pop-folk-psychedelic singer.  The 1960's were big for this type of artist. Listen to it and give me your best guess what it is about - answer on Friday.

https://youtu.be/bb3WpOJvsug?si=lS0ci6XEF69AdaMX

SON DAY

 Have a great day!  

I LOVE YOU.

NEWS OF THE WEEK

Our Bengals suffered another gut-wrenching loss.  That's one of the reasons I love sports.  There's no better place to have your gut wrenched than watching a sporting event.  It's just a game. Yikes!  I said that?

Our Reds introduced Tito Francona as their new manager.  He is tasked with turning the young Reds into a contender.  Everybody loves him.   David Bell, on the other hand, is sitting on his patio with his feet up, sipping a cocktail and collecting millions of dollars for the next two years.  

Two family members had birth anniversaries in the last week.  New mamma, Katie Fuhrman and old buckeye, Lucy Lysaght.  Katie can now drink again and Lucy will have to wait one more year for her first taste of alcohol.  

The family Fantasy League is droning on.  I don't sense much excitement and I'm shocked that the young men are not showing the proper respect to the elderly. 

ANSWER

The answer to last Monday's quiz is "Letter her in."  In case you didn't know it and didn't look it up, here is a video of this masterpiece.

https://youtu.be/N4VR5xp87XU?si=HQEmHFngNSo0-xvr

ADVICE

Short and sweet!  Genius!

Nothing cures fear except action!  

Do what you are afraid to do.  

MIDWEEK PRAYER

Almighty God, maker of all things, 

have mercy on those in our country effected by hurricanes.  

Give strength and courage to those recovering from Hurricane Helene.  

Let them persevere through hardship and maintain hope in the future. 

To those about to be effected by Hurricane Milton, grant safety.  

Let them make wise decisions and maintain faith in the future.

Let us all look at the power of nature 

and think of the awesome power of God.  

May those of us unharmed 

have the charity to help those in need.  

We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, 

who, 2000 years ago,

quelled the storm and calmed the sea.

Amen

WORDS ON THE WALL

 Here is one I ran into this past week at a golf course club house.  I'm sure you can guess where I saw it.

"Stand closer.  It's further down there than you think."

This reminded me of a sign on the wall at the first real job I had.  We had a very nice, modern office (for the 1960s) with a kitchen, dining and rest room area downstairs.  I was in my early twenties and all of those I worked with were much older.  The sign in that restroom said, "Those with short arms, stand closer."  I thought it was funny but the old guys told me that in the Army during World War II, they used to have what they called "Short Arms Inspection."  Those who failed that inspection were sent on "sick call".  

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

Back to music.  

 John Travolta boasts one of the really great lists of performances on both the small and large screen.  From Welcome Back, Kotter to Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Pulp Fiction and so many more, he is one of the most prolific and celebrated actors of our time.  

 In the early 1970's, when he was newly 'hot', he could do it all and he even took his shot at music.  Of course, he had great success collaborating with Olivia Newton-John in the Grease album.  But even before that, he fancied himself as a soloist.  He cut an album if songs with his name as the title.  There was a song on that album he also released as a single.  It actually reached number 10 on the charts.  Does anyone remember that little ditty?  

 Does anyone remember it from 1976?  If you don't, you could go to YouTube and listen;  he lip-synched it on the American Bandstand TV show with Dick Clark.  It's so Cheeeesey!  Answer to come on Friday with other good info.

BIRTHDAYS GALORE!

CONGRATULATIONS KATIE.  As a reward for your birthday, you will now forever be known as "Mac's Mom".  

CONGRATULATIONS LUCY.  As a reward for your birthday, go study!  

I love you both!  

NEWS OF THE WEEK

 Peter Edward Rose passed away at the age of 83.  Cincinnati through and through.

 Israel sent troops into southern Lebanon in search of Hezbollah militants.  Iran sent hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israel.  I see no end to this fighting - in my lifetime . . .  or in this century.

 The VP candidates met in simulated debate form accomplishing little.  As for their partners, one can't talk and one can't shut up.

 The Bengals won last Sunday - Andy Dalton looked as good as ever - or was it our defense that made him look so good?  

 The major league playoffs have begun.  Eight teams played in the best-of-three Wildcard series.  The winners now take on the better two division winners in each league.  It's a long process, folks.  

 My son, Andy, celebrated his half-century on Earth all last weekend.  Of course, more celebrating is planned.  My family has moved into the 'concentrated birthdays' time of year.

 Sadly, despite my best efforts, my golf game has not improved much this year.  I may be entering golf-depression.  I think it's a real disease.

ANSWERS

 Here are the list of cereals from Monday and the correct date they were introduced.

Alpha-Bits  1957

Cheerios  1941

Cocoa Puffs  1958

Corn Flakes  1894

Crispix  1983

Frosted Flakes  1952

Frosted Mini-Wheats  1969

Grape Nuts Flakes  1897

Kix  1937

Life  1961

Lucky Charms  1964

Shredded Wheat  1893

Special K  1955

Trix  1954

Wheaties  1921

I'd say that they must have discovered sugar in the 1950's.