LISTS

 It's amazing how the price of everything keeps going up.  Well, not really amazing, just notable.  So, how much have things changed in the last 25 years?  I could have looked up the price of everyday items but I found something more remarkable.  People are just so rich.  It blows my mind.  Our country is full of very rich people.  Here is a list that shows the number of BILLIONAIRES per country this year and 25 years ago.  

2001                                            2026

USA  182                                     USA  988

Germany 16                                China  539

Japan 13                                      India  229

Hong Kong 11                             Germany  212

UK  10                                         Russia  147

France  9                                     Italy  89

Italy  8                                        Canada  82

Canada  8                                    Hong Kong  71

Mexico  8                                    Brazil  70

Switzerland  7                            Taiwan  69

Russia  5                                     UK  56

These are the top eleven. China, India, Brazil and Taiwan have moved into the top spots.  Japan, France, Mexico, and Switzerland have fallen behind.  Info borrowed from Forbes' estimates.

QUESTIONS!

 Here is something I've been pondering.  

Do birds ever fly for fun? 

  

I sit on my back porch, drink a cup of coffee and watch them.  The weather has been beautiful for a month until last week.  I could go for a walk for fun or a drive just for the enjoyment of driving.  If I could fly, I'd fly for fun.  Sometimes I fly in my dreams.  It can be scarry.  

I seldom see birds flying alone.  My guess is that they only fly to avoid a predator, find food, to seek nest-making material or a sexual partner. 

Well, come to think of it, that's pretty much what motivates all we people do, too.  

What do you think?  Do they fly for fun? 

EXTRA EXTRA

I was asked the other day if I would blog on the elections   Okay, here are my disjointed thoughts. 

I was surprised at the decisiveness of the results.  Trump put the country in a negative mindset with the war with Iran and his constant declarations that it would end soon. 

I was shocked at the quantity of text and e-mail messages I received for the past months.

I was confounded (as were the Rs) at the evident huge negative that data centers were made out to be.  AI depends on data centers. They use a lot of electricity - maybe 3% of all generated by 2030.  Businesses rely on AI.  A state with sufficient data centers will have an edge in attracting businesses of all types.  Accepting a higher electric bill now could reap many opportunities and savings in the future.  It's something to argue about both ways.  It was one-sided during the campaigns.

I was disgusted with the tone of all media ads during the process.  I have no answer how to rectify it unless we demand better - possibly constructed forced interviews or debates.

I was appalled to find out that $12 billion was spent nationwide on campaigns for people to capture jobs that pay not much more than the average for any citizen.  FYI - the Ohio governor makes $176,255; our U.S. Senators make $180,000 and our U.S. Representatives make $60,584.  What's really appalling is they all retire millionaires on those salaries.

I am afraid we have taken a step toward socialism nationwide.  Make all our children take history in school.  

FUN AND GAMES

 Last week I asked if you knew where you could find Maria Tallchief or her likeness.  This prima ballet dancer can be found on the back side of a Washington quarter or a golden Sacagawea dollar coin.

This week I'm asking you to identify this celebrity in his early years.  Look closely and see a future star.  This was a shot taken on the set of the stage play Camelot.

BENGAL BRIEFS

The Bengals played the Tennessee Titans last Sunday and won in overtime.  It wasn't supposed to be that hard.  Our defense could not hand a young quarterback named Cam Ward, who did win the Heismnan Trophy while playing for the U.  Our offense was brilliant when they weren't turning over the ball.  Joey is still setting records with exclusive passing skills.  BUT, a Titan defensive back named Amani Hooker picked off three of his tosses.  Ja'Marr is still catching everything near him and screaming at coaches on the sidelines.  Tee is a magician.  Gesiki caught another touchdown pass for a record five games in a row.  Dex did the Dexi after saving the game with a sack of Ward.  The usual.  Sadly, rookie edge, Cashius Howell broke a bone in his wrist and had to be put on the IR. He joins tight ends Eric All Jr and Tanner Hudson on that list.  All we could say about the game was "A win is a win!"

This Sunday the troops will be in Madrid, Spain for a clash with the Atlanta Falcons.  The Falcons were shut out by the Bucaneers last week and have a 3-5 record.  A running back named Bijan Robinson is the focus of the Bengals attention in this one.  Like all other good runners in the league, Bijan will have to avoid the middle and beat our linebackers and DBs around the corners.  The gamblers have made the Bengals a 3-point favorite.  Go to church real early or on Saturday night - the game begins at 9:30 EST.  

If you were wondering if I forgot my daughter's birthday today - I did not.  I just forgot to mention it.  Did I forget to get her a card - I did not.  I just forgot to mail it.  Did I forget to buy her a present - I did not.  I just forgot to give it to her. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE SUZANNE

MIDWEEK PRAYER

IN DIFFICULT TIMES

God of love and mercy, assist me in this time of trouble and anxiety.  Ease my burdens.  Strengthen my faith.  Increase my trust and confidence in Your compassionate care.

Give me the courage I need, dear Lord, to face the difficulties before me, knowing that with Your help, miracles happen and lives are restored.  

I pray for a share in Your healing graces and ask that You surround me with Your comforting goodness, for health in mind and body, and for a heart filled with hope and peace.  Amen

REALITY

Coach to player or boss to worker:   "My job is to find someone better than you. Your job is to make sure I can't."   

This might sound harsh but it is reality.  The world is constantly looking for improvement and it should.  

Let's hope the results of the voting today yield someone better.  

MONDAY

Do you hate Mondays?  Here's a good way to start your week.  This is a blessing (a wish or a prayer) my daughter, Amy, sent me many years ago.  I love it.  Like all blessings in our family, she called it an Irish Blessing. You can send it to someone you love (even if they're not lucky enough to be Irish).

May God grant you always;

a sunbeam to warm you,

a moonbeam to charm you,

a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you,

laughter to cheer you,

faithfull friends near you, 

and whenever you pray

heaven to hear you.

HALLOWEEN

Some old entries of mine that I must repeat.

2005

A pagan festival when we encourage our children to get as much food stuff as possible that will make them obese, push them into hyperactivity and make their teeth fall out. I'm still searching for it's redeeming value.

2006

...Our Halloween was originated in Ireland. There it was and is called Samhain which means end of Summer and it is an agricultural festival. It is the time to take stock of your harvest and count your cattle and to decide what of each you needed to keep to get through the winter. The rest is sold, traded or shared with neighbors. The festival is marked by bonfires. These are fires into which the bones of slaughtered animals are thrown by all in the community. These fires are meant to bond them together and keep away evil spirits.

2007

"Hallowed be Thy name." To hallow is to honor; to consecrate; to set aside as special. Abe Lincoln used this word in the Gettysburg Address, "...we can not hallow ... this ground. The brave men..." Tomorrow is the day the Church traditionally honors all of its saints, all of those that are hallowed. Today is the eve of that day...All Hallows Eve or Halloween. Just a reminder!

You would think I don't like Halloween very much. I actually do - when I see large smiles on tiny faces and big ol' grins on proud young parents.

FUN AND GAMES

Last Friday, I asked in what song do you find the line "...don't spit into the wind..."  Why, of course, its "Don't Mess Around With Jim" by Jim Croce.  I love that song.

https://youtu.be/odkIEDi2x0g?si=KH_BMGikNAxsRTxP

This week I want you to tell me where to find a picture of Maria Tallchief.  "Who is she?", you ask.  Well, you should know that she is about the most famous dancer of her kind in our country's history.  Go ahead, "read up" on her.  You might come across the place where we can see her image.  Then, show me how smart your are in a comment - include your name or intials or some clue to who you are.  If you're real lazy, you can wait until next Friday for the answer.  

BENGAL BRIEFS

Okay, everyone is excited now.  The boys put on a real show in the second half of last Sunday's game.  I'm reminded to keep a level head.  Don't get too depressed things look bad and don't get too excited when things look great.  They managed to get on a real roll against the Ravens and couldn't be stopped.  Remember, it is the same team that played in the first half.  

This week Cincinnati goes up against the Tennessee Titans.  They've only won one game so far; they edged the Colts two weeks ago.  The Browns beat them by three last week.  Sounds like an easy mark for the Bengals we saw in the second half against Baltimore.  It won't be that easy.  The odds-makers have spotted the Titans 10.5 points this week.  It won't be that easy.  Their roster is dotted with first round draft choices.  It won't be that easy.  Their young quarterback, Cam Ward, was a Heisman Trophy candidate.  It won't be that easy.  Keep your eye on Carnell Tate, wide receiver.  It won't be that easy.  

All that said, it should be easy for the Bengals this Sunday.  

MIDWEEK PRAYER

Don't worry so much about all the rules and regulations.  Do what Jesus tells you to do:  "Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself."  There is much contained in that one line.  For sure, you must know what "Love" is.  Here is a short prayer for you.

Lord, help me to know what love looks like.  Grant me the wisdom to see the differenece between being tolerant and being loving - between being enabling and empowering - so that I may truly will the good of my fellow man.  Amen

ALASKA

Do you know what's going on in Alaska besides cold weather?  Here's what I know.

Dan Sullivan is a current U.S. Senator from Alaska.  He is running for re-election.  He is a Republican.  Mary Peltola, a former U.S. Representative, is running against him. No problem. so far.  

A third person has gotten himself put on the ballot.  It is Daniel J. Sullivan (not the Senator) who claims to be a Republican.  Two Dan Sullivans is bound to confuse some people.    

Pre-election polling puts the race as a toss-up.  One Senator of the fifty being elected could trip the balance of power in the Senate.  

The State of Alaska has printed ballots with Dan S. Sullivan noting republican incumbent and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr without party affiliation.  

If Dan Sullivan doesn't get elected, the U.S. Government's Justice Department intends to sue the State.  This could be fun to watch.

FRANK HAYES

Frank Hayes; what a common name.  It sounds like someone you should know but you can't place him.  This Frank was a stableman, race horse trainer and a jockey.  He was born in 1901 and died in 1923.  Hayes was born in Ireland which attracted me to him.  

Frank always wanted to be a jockey but he was too large a man.  He weighed 142 pounds when he was offered a ride, if he could make the weight, on a horse he was training at Belmont Park in New York.  It was a steeplechase race and he needed to weigh no more than 130 pounds.  Steeple chase races, you know, include not only racing distances but jumping fences and slogging through water in ditches like a countryside ride.  

The young man went on a diet, to say the least.   He starved himself and got down to the needed weight in just a few days.  His horse was named Sweet Kiss.  He rode her like the wind and crossed the finish line ahead of all others.  The horse slowed to a stop about a 100 yards from the finish and Frank slipped slowly off and landed face down.  He died sometime during the race of a heart attack probably because of his forced severe dieting.  

It was his first and last race as a jockey and he was the winner because his horse crossed the finish line with his body on it.  Sweet Kiss never raced again.  The Irish will not be deterred.