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.

BENGALS BRIEF

Are you excited about the NFL season getting started?  I am.  This will get us started.

Here is a list of Bengals' coaches who won more games than they lost.  

Not Paul Brown

Not Sam Wyche

Not Bruce Coslet

Not Zac Taylor

Bill Johnson  1976 - 1978

Forrest Gregg  1980 - 1983

Marvin Lewis  2003 - 2018

SURPRISED?

Now, a list of Bengals' coaches who won more playoff games than they lost.

Sam Wyche  3 - 2

Zac Taylor  5 - 2

The following is a list of Bengals' coaches who won a Super Bowl while coaching here.  

MIDWEEK PRAYER

I've been doing these midweek prayers for a long time now.  My followers should have learned a few things about prayer.  Here is a quiz to see how far you've come.  The quiz is not hard at all but, maybe, it will be an eye opening moment for you.  Which of the following is the good prayer and which is not so good?

1.  Dear God, I have these plans for my life and for my family, I pray you would make it all work out the way I want it.  Amen

2.  Dear God, whatever you have planned for my life and for my family, I pray for your help so that I can  accept both the gifts and trials with which you have blessed me.  Amen

Do you recognize that your prayers are like one of these - albeit with more specifics?  Keep in mind just who is in charge here.  

I love you.  

TACO TUESDAY

Not so much about tacos as about the foibles of my reckless cooking career.  

I've still got the "loaf" of goetta in the freeezer from the big batch I cooked up a few weeks ago.  It'll take a little while longer for me to go back to eating it.  I gave the half bag of pinoats to a golfing buddy so he could make his own goetta.  Good luck.  Last week I bought a cylinder of instant oatmeal because I like the cereal - I got home with it and found I had a whole can unopened.  More oats! Ugh!

I still have the "close to the bone ham" in the freezer from the ham I cooked for last Christmas.  Well, I finally bought a bag of pinto beans and two big boxes of vegetable broth to make a large cask of bean soup.  Hopefully, I'll have the courage to start soon.  You know, you've got to soak the beans for a day before you make it.

I did buy some frozen dinners for a change.  They're in the freezer.  Mostly, they're too small to satisfy me but it seemed like a good idea.  My freezer is full so now I need to do something about it.  I think I'll eat out.  

MOODY MONDAY

We Irishmen are allowed to have moods.  I like to think that mine is continually UP!  BUT, I have some secondary moods that are not so great.  I fall into a mood of not totally agreeing with anything people say.  I turn into a contrarian.  It might seem as if  I just like to argue - and sometimes I do.  I think I'm hard to be around when this mood overtakes me. Just smile and don't try to argue with me - I'll never give up even if I know I'm wrong.

Here is some good advise related to moods; a real truism if you ask me:  

Life will be easier and better if you learn to control the four Ms:  

Your Mouth, Your Mind, Your Mood, Your Money.  

Think about it and do your best.  Being Irish, my mouth is seldom in control.

SMILE

FUN AND GAMES ANSWERS FOR 8/28/26

1.  It's a lie.  Lobsters have 10 legs not eight.  I don't have personal knowledge of this although I did see one boiled alive in a bucket while I was in the Army.  I wouldn't eat it then but now I do like them.

2.  It's probably a lie.  There is no reason to think that our Moon will someday crash into the Earth.  The Earth's mass and attraction, the Sun's mass and attraction and it's speed in orbit pretty much prevent it from getting closer or further away from Earth.  I know, everything we put into outer space falls into a decaying orbit and wants to fall back to Earth.  But, no.

3.  It's a lie.  Umber, Ochre and Sienna are earth pigments used in paint and they were named after cities  - BUT cities in Italy not France.

4.  It's a weak lie.  Of course, the exclamation "Pshah" or even Pshaw had nothing at all to do with the Shah of Iran.   

5.  This is totally true.  Can you believe it?  All that work for a ball.  Oh, Pshaw, how disgusting.  

COLLEGE ATHLETICS

College football is now in full swing.  It's a great time of the year.  I think it would be good to see how the dollars and cents of college athletics falls out.  Penn State University has a pretty typical big time college sports program.  Here is their profit and loss statement for all sports programs for fiscal year 2025.  Yes, + means profit and - means loss.

1.   Football   +$57,593,000.00

2.   Mens basketball    +$172,000.00

3.   Mens fencing    -$498,000.00

4.   Womens fencing   -$543,000.00

5.   Womens golf    -$562,000.00

6.   Mens golf   -$569,000.00

7.   Mens tennis   -$760,000.00

8.   Womens tennis   -$813,000.00

9.   Mens gymnastics   -$934,000.00

10. Field hockey   -$1,118,000.00

11. Mens volleyball   -$1,143,000.00

12. Womens swimming/diving   -$1,171,000.00

13. Mens swimming/diving   -$1,184,000.00

14. Womens gymnastcs   -$1,471,000.00

15. Mens lacrosse   -$1,548,000.00

16. Womens lacrosse   -$1,565,000.00

17. Mens soccer   -$1,565,000.00

18. Wrestling   -$1,673,000.00

19. Mens track/XC   -$1,687,000.00

20. Womens track/XC   -$1,788,000.00

21. Softball   -$1,864,000.00

22. Womens soccer   -$2,184,000.00

23. Womens ice hockey   -$2,243,000.00

24. Mens ice hockey   -$2,386,000.00

25. Womens volleyball   -$2,610,000.00

26. Baseball   -$3,015,000.00

27. Womens basketball   -$4,739,000.00

Athletic department total   +$223,679.00

LISTS

I never expected to make a list out of this.  Here are the places President Donald Trump, at his egotistical best, has attempted to effect a name change on the world and it's cartographers.  

1.  Most recently, he attempted to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America.  He's in a spat with our best neighbors in the world over tariffs; tariffs that both countries are using as weapons for imagined inequities in cross-border pricing.  I don't think this has much hope of sticking.  I remember the lakes by saying HOMES.  I'd have to remember SHAME!  Brilliant!

2.  We all know that he has pushed the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the Gulf of America.  Maybe! 

3.  He wants Alaska to call Mount Denali by a new name:  Mount McKinley.  The natives always called it Denali.  It is the highest mountain in North America.  It had been known by both of those names until President Obama officially named it Denali. (McKinley was a Republican) Trump officially changed it to McKinley.    It's still tall.

4.  In February of this year, the President and Congress reverted to calling the Army base in North Carolina, by it's original name:  Fort Bragg.  In 2023, it had been changed to Fort Liberty.  

5.  The Trump administration changed the name of the National Renewable Energy, Solar Energy Research Institute to the National Laboratory of the Rockies.  It is located in Golden, Colorado and I'm all for this change.  The original name was way too long.

6.   President Trump attempted to cajole the local professional football team to change it's name from the Washington Commanders back to Redskins.  No luck.

 7.  No!  I'm not going to list all the items, places, buildings etc. the President has or has  attempted to have his name placed upon.  Yikes!

MIDWEEK PRAYER

This is a prayer I borrowed from the 12-step program used by those attempting to overcome the control of addiction.  They call it the Step 3 Prayer.  I have adjusted it slightly.  We all have some addiction or challenge we need to overcome.

Dear God, I offer myself to you . . . to build with me and do with me as you choose.  Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do your will.  Take away my difficulties that my victory over them may bear witness to you . . .  and that those I would help would see your Power and your Love and the value of my new way of life.   May I do your will always. Amen

TACO TUESDAY

Note:  Taco Tuesdays will be dedicated to food for the time being.

Did I tell you that I've turned into a chef?  Well. that may be hyperbole.  I do cook meals for myself almost every day  Some better than others. 

Last Friday, I was beset by a bulious attack.  I ate so much goetta my body went into rejection mode.  I had to refrain from eating anything for half a day. (for me, that's an accomplishment).  Of course, you ask "Why, Patrick, did you eat so much goetta?"  Here's why.  I like goetta.  A golfing buddy tauted me on how easy and effective it was to make your own.  I went for it.

Dorsel's pinhead oatmeat was just the right thing to use and the recipe was on the package.  Ground pork, groung beef, bay leaves, a diced onion, salt & pepper and water was all that is needed.  I put it together in the crock pot slow cooker.  Lots of stirring, lots of cooking and that's about it.  (Of course, I blew the recipe quantities a little but it shouldn't have mattered.)  Five or six hours and I had so much goetta I didn't know what to do with it all.  I froze a third and put the rest in the fridge for immediate consumption.  

Holy Smoke,  I ate goetta every morning for aight days.  I had goetta sandwiches for lunch several days.  And still, the goetta was still in the fridge looking at me every time I opened the door.  Now you know.  I just had to finish it off.    

Oh yeah.  The goetta I made wasn't terrible but . . . never agian.

MOODY MONDAY

 I may be a little late with this public service announcement but better late than never.  This year, we in SW Ohio have heard very little about and from our yearly friends; the cicadas.  I never heard from them until a week ago.  

Each year one brood or another pops up out of the ground (literally) and annoys us for a time.  Some broods are larger than others.  One large group lives for 17 years underground planning their attack on the human population.  This year the brood was a very small one.  

But, I had an incident.  Last Monday, playing golf in Mason I was brutally attacked.  Just me!  Not my friends or any of the 11 guys in our group.  They ran into me numerous times.  They'd land on me when I was swinging, dive bomb me while I rode in the cart, one crashed directly into my forhead and sunglasses as I prepared to hit.  

We all came to the conclusion that it was the bright yellow-gold golf shirt I was wearing.  I don't know if they thought I was a flower or a female cicada but certainly they liked me.  I hope it never happens again.  

I write this as a warning to you to be careful of the color of your clothing this time of year.