MIDWEEK PRAYER

This is the last day of September, 2026.  It is my son's birthdate.  Why do we say "happy birthday" instead of "happy birthdate"?  Birthdate has to be more correct.  Oh well.  Thinking of him, I want my prayer today to be one of thanks.  Of all the wonderful gifts I have been given, he is a special one.  (His sisters were pretty good too)

Jesus Christ, my Lord and God, I give thanks for your loving-kindness and all the blessings You have richly bestowed upon me. I fall down in worship and adoration before You, the King of Glory.

I praise You, I glorify You, I bless You and I give thanks to You for Your great goodness and tender mercy. To You I come, my sweet Lord and loving Master.

Shine in my heart the light of Your grace. Enlighten my mind, that I may walk uprightly all my life by keeping Your commandments. Glorified and exalted is Your holy name, now and forever. Amen.

HAIR LOSS

I'm looking into human hair loss. Not because I hope to regain my lost mane but just to inform you, my curious readers.  "Curious minds need to know" ya know.  Who said that?

Head-hair loss is called alopecia to us medical paraprofessionals. Here's some facts. Losing 50 to 100 strands of hair per day is considered normal. You were born with all the hair follicles you'll ever have.  Hair grows at about 1 centimeter per month.  (I've been alive about 975 months so my hair could be 975 centimeters long.  For you unmetricized individuals, that is about 32 feet long.  Somehow, I doubt that.)

Rogaine (Minoxidil) is a FDA-approved medicine that can be prescribed to stimulate hair growth.  It is not FDA-approved for women (except, maybe, the bearded lady in the circus.)  Other meds are in the testing process for men and women.

My mom thought my wearing a ball cap all the time caused my early hair loss.  Later, she said she thought the war caused it.  Why didn't she notice that her dad was totally bald?  

Real causes of excessive early head-hair loss include genetics, of course, and hormones and environment.  Temporary hair loss can be caused by stress, medication, illness and body changes such as childbirth. Some autoimmune desease sufferers, like those with rheumatoid arthritis, have been able to regrow hair with the medications they take.  This is being studied now. On the other hand, everyone knows that most chemotherepy meds will cause temporary head-hair loss.

To conclude, bald people do not like to be called "Chrome Dome", "Cue Ball", "Mr. Clean", "Baldilocks" or even, just plain "Baldy".    

I wouldn't mind  "Baldilicious" or "Smooth operator."

LISTS

 Here I go again.  More lists.  

You're going to love this one.  This is a list of the most often used cuss words in non-English speaking European countries plus Ireland and Russia.  So, you want to be multi-lingual?

Ireland   "Feck"                                Poland   "Kurwa"

Iceland   "Fokk"                               Belarus   "Pizdec"

Portugal   "Caralho"                         Ukraine   "Suka"

Spain   "Joder"                                 Russia   "Blyat"

France   "Putain"                              Greece   "Malaka"

Netherlands   "Tyfus"                       Romania   "Pula"

Denmark   "For helvede"                  Bulgaria   "Kur"

Norway   "Faen"                               Turkey   "Siktir"

Sweden   "Javlar"                              Italy   "Cazzo"

Finland   "Perkele"                            Switzerland   "Scheisse"

Estonia   "Kurat"                               Luxemburg   "Putain"                           

Latvia   "Dirsa"                                 Belgium   "Putain"

Lithuania   "Pzda"                             Germany   "ScheiBe"

Hungary   "Kurva"                            Cyprus   "Malaka"

Austria   "Oida"                                Malta   "Qafca"

Croatia   "Jebote"                              Albania   "Qifsha"

Serbia   "Jebiga"                               Czechia   "Kurva"

Moldova   "Pizda"

Now, guess what they mean.  

NUGGETS

The future of war seems to be largely unmanned.  We now have:

Drones!  

Drone bombs and rockets!

Drone aircraft!

Drone naval ships!

Drone tanks!

and in the future you'll have 

Automatons!  Drone men!  Drone creatures!

Just like a sci-fi movie.

Don't worry. Just have your personal robot fix you another cup of tea.

BENGALS BRIEF

 The Bengals win over the Texans was heartening.  The guys from Houston were tauted to have a great defense - and maybe they do.  They had two young edge rushers - one we couldn't handle one-on-one.  Luckily, the Texans were without top receiver Nico Collins and a couple of  defenders.  The Bengals were the beneficiaries of great field position throughout most of the game and, of course, there's the incomperable Ja'Marr Chase. It's a big thing to beat a good team at their home field.  "Two and Oh" has a great sound to it - one we haven't heard for a few years.  Maybe the reworked defensive unit is as good as we hoped.

This week our boys travel to Pittsburgh.  L

ast weekend, the Steelers played like they never saw a football before.  That's good and bad.  Pro teams seldom play two really bad games in a row.  Note that even the Browns found a way to win last Sunday.  It would be great if the Bengals jumped out to an early lead or the Steelers do something really bad the first time they get the ball.  I'd love to see the Pittsburgh fans turn on their team.  Let there be boos.  

"Three and Oh" sounds even better than "Two and Oh".  

Please don't fall into a trap.  And Lord, don't let T.J. Watt hurt Joey B.  And don't tell me that Porter guy is coming back.  "Just saying the word Pittsburgh makes me puke"

I have a great-grandson with a birthday, today.  Mac is two and I really do have underwear older than that.  He's fresh and cute as a button, unlike my underwear.  

MIDWEEK PRAYER

 HERE'S ONE OF MY ENTRIES FROM FOUR YEARS AGO.  I LIKE IT.  I LIKE IT A LOT!

3/30/2022

MIDWEEK PRAYER

 First, a note:  I only call this the midweek prayer because I do it on Wednesdays - you can use it any day of the week.

I've often thought about how people greet each other and how that has changed over the years.  As best I can remember, "Hi" and "Hello" were the standards when I grew up.  As in many languages, "Good morning, afternoon or evening" are very common.  

Somehow, in the seventies and after, it has come to "What's up?" and then "sup?"  "How you doin'?" and "How YOU doin'?" "How's it going?" and then "How's it hangin'?"  

Well, I could go on and on (it's kinda fun) but what does this have to do with prayer?  My thought is that we hear in the Bible, more than once, Jesus greet others with "Peace be with you."  That is a prayer in itself and one Catholics hear at mass but not often elsewhere.  

Jews still greet other with "Shalom aleichem"  meaning "Peace unto you" and reply "Aleichem shalom"  or "Unto you, peace."  It is a wonderful way to greet someone.  This week let's try to wish or pray that others have peace.  Not only peace as opposed to war, but peace as opposed to the angst and anxiety that so many carry with themselves every day.  

I'll move to song for help in a prayer today.  

"Lord, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.  Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.  As God is our father, brothers all are we.  So let me walk with my brothers; in perfect harmony."  Amen

try this:

  

https://youtu.be/uGoEJyV7Snw

TACO TUESDAY

 Not so much about tacos, but about food...and it is Tuesday.

The latest craze among old people (my pals) is to load up on proteins for breakfast.   What a great idea.  You gotta love proteins.  Bacon!  Sausage!  Ham!  Chicken!  Steak!  SPAM!

Yes, SPAM!  SPAM is one of my essential foods.   I'm not sure where it sits on the current food groups' chart - all I know is that it tastes good.  It's basically a combination of ham, pork, salt, some binders and preservatives.  You can actually buy several variations with less of some things or other meats added.  I like the Original.  

SPAM was developed in 1937 and really got going after World War II.  All the GI's came home from the war and had been indoctrinated in living on ready-to-eat food in a can.  It was an instant success.  Now, it's sold all over the world by Hormel Foods.  It provides over a quarter of your daily need for protein in just a 3-1/2 oz serving.  What a great way to start your day.  

Sadly, it became a bad name in the age of computers.  Spam is such a terrible thing to call unwanted e-mails and text messages.  What a shame.  I have a great idea in that regard.  I hope all of you are with me in this.  Let's start calling unwanted junk on your phone or computer by the name "cauliflower".  For me, it would be so much more appropriate.  Let's do it!

LISTS

Yes, I love lists.  Here's the latest I've come across.  These are the average prices of homes sold in the USA per year - the equivalent in 2025 dollars and, in two cases, what I spent on homes that year.  Yes, I got tired of typing all the years - you can interpolate.

1965  $21,500   $213,381 

1967  $24,600   $229,023   $15,300  

1970  $26,600   $210,932

1972  $30,500   $226,493   $30,500

1975  $42,600   $242,248

1980  $76,400   $279,400

1985  $100,800   $291,061

1990  $149,800   $353,346

1995  $158,700   $326,297

2000  $207,000   $375,461

2005  $297,000   $476,294

2010  $272,900   $392,960

2015  $352,700   $470,622

2020  $391,900   $474,485

2025  $541,300   $541,300

FUN AND GAMES

Doesn't it seem as if the Summer is slipping away from us much too quickly?  Yes.

Do you know what a solstice is?  How about an equinox?  

In general, the seasons end and begin on or about the 21st of March, June, September and December.  Astronomers with a stick up their butt will want to be more precise.  I don't.  

When I was a kid, Summer ended when I had to go back to school.  For me, that was the day after labor day.  

NO MORE FUN AND GAMES!

BENGALS BRIEF

Here's my take on last week's game.  So glad the Bengals won.  My review is mixed.  I don't want to dwell on the negative, so I won't mention that the defense never once held the Bucs in a position in which they had to punt.  They couldn't get off the field except by turnover.  Not good.  I also won't mention that we're probably not going to be gifted with three or four turnovers every game.  Won't happen.  Overall, keep in mind that no team is going to win very many games giving up 27 points.  Further, I'm not mentioning that we couldn't find a way to get the ball to the best receiver in the league but once for positive yardage.  Yikes!

Money Mac was Money!  Joey was mostly Joey!   The D-line had Baker throwing on the run most of the game!  Gesicki was sticky handed!  Tee brought on the Wow's!  Both linebackers led the team in tackles!  That's good.  Everyone seems healthy.  That's very good. 

This week's opponent, the Houston Texans, were edged by the Bills last Sunday in a shootout.  C.J.Stroud was 26 of 38 for 274 yds 2 TDs and no INTs for the Texans.  David Montgomery ran 20 times for 60 yds and 2 TDs.  Nico Collins was the top receiver with 7 catches for 75 yds and 1 TD.  Houston was purported to have a really good defense coming into the season based on last year.  They lost last week at home - they will not want to be 0-2 at home.  

It's hard to assess teams after a single game.  Don't bet the farm on the locals.  

MIDWEEK PRAYER

Today, let's pray for our children.  Not just little children, but all of our children.  Mine are past middle age unless they live past 100.  Here's one for your next meal.

God our father, of course we thank you for the food we have to eat, the water we drink, our health and the home in which we live.  But more than any of those we thank you for the most precious gift you have given us - our children.  Bless them, guard them from evil and the Evil One.  Help us lead them to you.  We ask this in the name of Jesus, your son and our Lord.  AMEN

TACO TUESDAY

 Do you know people who are constantly offering you food?  I do.  I don't mean while your walking down street, of course.  I mean when you're at their home or having a meal with them -   especially, desserts!   Oh my!

We expect that from waiters and waitresses - it boosts their probable tip.  I'm talking about well-meaning friends or relatives.  Geez!  

My weight has moved me from defensive safety to linebacker.  By the time I'm 85, I'll be on the defensive line.  I'd love to get back to my running back weight.  

Okay, like all overweight people, I like to find blame with others.  I'm sorry for that.  But I'm serious about the pushing of food on others.  Many are weak like me.  Don't aid in their problem by taking advantage of their weak resistance.  

MOODY MONDAY

Our society is acutely aware of moods and is always searching for ways to improve them.  We've found that a lot of things can effect your mood.  Beds can effect your mood.  Without sufficient sleep, even I get a little testy.  Weather, especially temperatures, can effect a person's mood.  Most people are nicer in the cold weather, I think.  

So, what other human constructs do we have to change our mood.  I knew we had mood music - that's for sure - but not so many other things that effect our mood. 

We certainly have mood meds.  I've been told that I'd be amazed at how many people use mood altering medications.  It's very common with women, I'm told.  Gummies are used for mood altering, I hear.  They come laced with THC.  You can find drinks with the same kick.

 

Did you know there are mood fabrics?  I didn't but there evidently is.  Come to think of it, some of my clothes do put me in a more festive mood.  Wear your best clothes if you need a boost to your mood.

All coaches know that there are mood altering speeches; pep talks, if you will.  We could all use one them once in a while.

Here's one I'm sure of.  Your smile, the look on your face, can effect the mood of those who see you.  Put a real smile on your face today - the whole world will be in a better mood.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

September 11, 2001.  Can you believe that it's been 25 years?  Almost 3,000 Americans lost their lives that day to a terrorist attack.  Many more lives were changed forever.

June 6, 1944.  Can you believe it's been 82 years?  About 2,500 Americans lost their lives that day on the beach in Normandy, France in an effort to end the 2nd World War.   Thousands more lost their lives in that conflict.

December 7, 1941  Can you believe it's been 85 years?  About 2,400 Americans lost their lives that one day during an attack on our Pearl Harbor naval and military bases.  It brought us into  World War II.

July 1-3, 1863.  Can you believe it's been 163 years?  About 8,000 Americans lost their lives during those three days in the Battle of Gettysburg during our Civil War.  Americans killing Americans. So sad.