Spending time with the kids, grands, and the dogs…
Mostly the dogs…
And another trip around the sun! Yea me!!!
Off to see the grandaughter get student of the quarter for 2nd grade. And I’m trying to ‘learn’ the math they are teaching these days… and breaking my brain.
I’ll be on the road for the next week, spending an early Christmas with my kids.
Blogging will be light to non-existant. Go read the folks on the sidebar.
Drift…
We usually get a group together for Sunday breakfast and this last Sunday the conversation took a number of unusual turns, to put it mildly…
It started with a discussion of the miracle on the Hudson (Sully Sullenberger) and what his options were (none). Which morphed into a discussion of altitudes allowed over the rivers in NYC, a discussion of the quality of the Intrepid museum, WHY is there an SR-71 on deck? The lousy signage, lack of specifics on the aircraft displayed, and segued into a discussion of the history of the Hudson River and the dredging of the channel.
Which changed to a discussion of the boroughs of NYC and their quirks, then became a discussion of telephone numbers and area code changes in NYC.
And Peter’s segue into South African 4,5, and 6 number phone numbers…
Which then became a discussion of zip codes… NYC, Chicago, and LA…
There were a couple of other digressions in there and then we were on colors and Homer. How he didn’t use blue among other colors, calling the sky ‘bronze’ and the water ‘wine dark’ and the ‘thoughts’ that people back then couldn’t ‘see’ colors. After the snorts of disbelief, the discussion went to linguistic theories about the evolution of color terms in ancient languages.
That became a discussion of colors our grandparents wore, and different types of cloth in the late 1800s early 1900s.
In other words, kinda a typical Sunday morning discussion among our group, a little more varied than normal, but…
And kudos to Cedar for the home made bearclaws and donuts fried in tallow!!!
Or commentary to start your week…
Written by Andy Rooney, a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy…….
I’ve learned …. That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I’ve learned …. That when you’re in love, it shows.
I’ve learned …. That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.
I’ve learned …. That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I’ve learned …. That being kind is more important than being right.
I’ve learned …. That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I’ve learned …. That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.
I’ve learned …. That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I’ve learned …. That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I’ve learned …. That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I’ve learned …. That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I’ve learned …. That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
I’ve learned … That money doesn’t buy class.
I’ve learned …. That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I’ve learned … That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I’ve learned …. That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I’ve learned …. That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I’ve learned …. That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I’ve learned …. That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I’ve learned …. That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I’ve learned …. That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I’ve learned … That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
I’ve learned …. That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I’ve learned …. That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I’ve learned …. That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I’ve learned …. That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I’ve learned …. That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I’ve learned …. That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.
I’ve learned …. That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
I’ve learned …. That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
I ‘think’ we’re done with the turkey and stuff at least until Christmas!
Folks came over and finished off most of the leftovers last night, and boy am I glad. I’m not a big fan of leftover turkey.
Ham, on the other hand, I can and will make sandwiches for a couple of weeks off that! And I’ve got pecan pie for breakfast for…maybe two days… maybe…
Many thanks to those who came a brought a dish, greatly appreciated, and we did away with a 22 lb turkey in two meals!!!
Now I’m gonna sleep in… Yawn…
Yeah, right. The more that is found, the less we actually know. A three thousand plus year old parking lot???
Wisconsin officials recently announced the discovery of a trove of ancient canoes in an underwater “parking lot” of sorts — including one that predates the Pyramids of Giza.
The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) announced this month that its experts have identified 14 canoes in Madison’s Lake Mendota so far, six of which were found this spring. The WHS worked with the First Nations of Wisconsin during the research process, a release noted.
The WHS also recovered a 1,200-year-old dugout canoe in 2021 and retrieved another 3,000-year-old one in 2022.
Full article, HERE from Fox News.
So, this kinda puts paid to the how long people have been in North America… again…
There is also the whole issue of travel and trade that now need to be reviewed for possible new revelations and research.
Who did it, WHY there, and why over thousands of years? What did our forebears know that we don’t know today? Was there a trading area, a town, a city near there? What did the land form look like 3000 years ago?
I have no idea, but I know that there are professionals who are now scratching their heads and the mental gymnastics must be rather interesting…
Anybody got in ideas???
Are coming home to roost… At least in the RGV…
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley – the South Texas nonprofit long known for its migrant shelter run by Sister Norma Pimentel – has been suspended from receiving federal funds and now faces a rare six-year debarment after a Department of Homeland Security investigation found major grant violations, according to internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents shared exclusively with Fox News Digital.
The action, taken by FEMA on behalf of DHS on Nov. 19-20, follows months of warnings and data reviews that auditors say uncovered sweeping inaccuracies, large gaps in migrant records and significant billing outside federally allowed timeframes.
The suspension applies only to this South Texas affiliate, not to Catholic Charities USA or any other Catholic Charities chapters nationwide.
Full article, HERE from Fox News.
I know we’ve talked before about some of the sketchy things Catholic Charities seemed to be involved in, but this is the first time DHS has actually done a deep dive. Texas tried, and a judge shut it down in the last couple of years.
Yes, this may hurt some of the illegals coming across, but if the charity was actually billing as much as it was illegally, where did that money actually go???
Yes, she’s been praised by the Vatican, etc. etc., but that still doesn’t excuse the questionable business practices, nor the billing issues…
Maybe this is a crack in the ‘wall’ of NGO protection that most of them seemed to have against anyone trying to find out what was actually going on inside the charities…
Thanksgiving Day is a unique American holiday that brings together this nation of all faiths and cultural backgrounds around a common theme of thanks. Traditionally, we gather with family and friends to reflect on the year past, and give thanks for the blessings and freedoms we enjoy. It’s a time when we stop for a moment in our busy schedules to share bounty, food and fellowship.
We need to be mindful that for lots of Americans it has been a tough year. Hard times can serve to remind us to be more thankful, and if you have a chance, reach out to someone less fortunate this week.
Also, many of the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines are away from home on Thanksgiving Day. I ask that we all keep them in mind as we gather around the table on Thursday. Please include a thought of gratitude in your grace for the freedoms they defend, and those we enjoy as a result of their dedication and sacrifice.
I want to thank those who take the time to drop by and read my chicken scratchings, I appreciate every one of you and all of your comments. I also appreciate the chance this blog has given me to meet both literally and figuratively so many outstanding people, whom I may not always agree with, but that I know I can have an intelligent conversation with!!!
I learn something from y’all every day…
Take care, be safe, drive safe, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m late…
Getting everything thawed out for Thanksgiving!
At least the turkey is almost thawed, but I forgot to take the DDTs out until last night. Hopefully, everything will come together by the time folks start showing up!
We’re doing the usual ‘orphan’s Thanksgiving’ with the group, plus a few other guests, relatives, etc. And folks are pitching in with various dishes, so we should have a great spread!
And I don’t think we’ll get any ‘strange’ foods… Learned ‘that’ particular lesson in the military. Jerk chicken is one thing, but jerk turkey??? Or fish dish(es) from our Dutch guest… Edible but DIFFERENT to put it mildly!
Oh yeah, and clean the house, count noses and chairs, and get platters, etc.
If you’re traveling, please be careful, and take your time. It’s not worth rushing just to be on time. Trust me, folks would much rather you be late, than not get there at all. And if you’re spending it with family, just don’t react to the crazy uncle… just sayin…
And get off the intarwebz and enjoy the family! We’ll still be here when you get back! Have a Happy Thanksgiving, wherever you are!!!
Is getting legs…
Last week, Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and other Democrats shared a video directed at members of the military and intelligence communities. In that video, they said our armed forces have an obligation to disobey “illegal orders” given by President Trump and his administration.
President Trump called them out for it, and rightly noted the penalties for sedition and treason can include a death sentence. The Democrats, who just essentially called for a military coup against a duly elected President, responded to that factual statement by Trump as “proof” that he was calling for political violence against them.
Now, Slotkin went on ABC and admitted the President has not issued any illegal orders.
Full article, HERE from Townhall.
For something that the Dems ‘thought’ would be a throwaway and good for fundraising, it’s taking a turn they didn’t expect. The backlash from the administration and the military, along with the escalation of the questions are now to the point they are all being asked pointedly about actual illegal orders, and what they actually meant by their little video.
It also appears Mark Kelly, since he’s actually a retired officer, can potentially be recalled to active duty to face military punishment under the UCMJ. It’s going to be interesting to see where this one goes!
So far, not a single one of these idjits has come up with any illegal orders, and are obfuscating and crawfishing as hard as they can about ‘legalities’, yada, yada, yada.
Now here is Article 92 of the UCMJ- Failure to obey order or regulation
Any person subject to this chapter who-
(1) violates or fails to obey any lawful general order or regulation;
(2) having knowledge of any other lawful order issued by a member of the armed forces, which it is his duty to obey, fails to obey the order; or
(3) is derelict in the performance of his duties;
shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
Military personnel must not carry out blatantly unlawful actions, but the legal standard is narrow.
Unlawful orders are not simply orders someone dislikes or finds questionable. They involve clear violations of U.S. or international law, such as intentionally targeting civilians or committing acts explicitly prohibited by statute. It is not up to the individual military member to determine legality or illegality. That is the purview of the the Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers, usually in hindsight or years later depending on the politics of the situation… sigh…
This really gets to the core of who controls the military, which isn’t really a question. The fact is the military answers through the CJCS to the President, NOT to congresscritters. They should have, IMHO, kept their mouths shut and stop trying to foment problems within the military…
Grrrr…