A little humor…

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.

Whew…

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…

Settled science…

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???

The chickens…

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…

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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…

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!!!

This one…

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…

A little humor…

To start the week…

The following are all replies that Detroit women have written on Child Support Agency
Forms in the section for listing ‘Father’s Details,’ or putting it another way…

Who’s your baby’s Daddy?

These are genuine excerpts from the forms.

1. Regarding the identity of the father of my twins, Makeeshia was fathered by
Maclearndon McKinley. I am unsure as to the identity of the father of Marlinda,
but I believe that she was conceived on the same night.

2. I am unsure, as to the identity of the father of my child as I was being sick out of a
window when taken unexpectedly from behind. I can provide you with a list of names
of men that I think were at the party if this helps.

3. I do not know the name of the father of my little girl. She was conceived at a party
at 3600 East Grand Boulevard where I had sex with a man I met that night. I do remember that the sex was so good that I fainted. If you do manage to track down the father, can you please send me his phone number? Thanks… (The runner-up).

4. I don’t know the identity of the father of my daughter. He drives a BMW that now has a hole made by my stiletto in one of the door panels. Perhaps you can contact BMW service stations in this area and see if he’s had it replaced.

5. I have never had sex with a man. I am still a Virginian. I am awaiting a letter from the Pope confirming that my son’s conception was ejaculate and that he is the Saver risen again.

6. I cannot tell you the name of Alleshia’s dad as he informs me that to do so would blow his cover and that would have cataclysmic implications for the economy.
I am torn between doing right by you and right by the country….Please advise.

7. I do not know who the father of my child was as they all look the same to me.

8. Tyrone Hairston is the father of child A. If you do catch up with him, can you axe him what he did with my AC/DC CDs?  Child B who was also borned at the same time… well, I don’t have a clue..

9. From the dates it seems that my daughter was conceived at Disney World. Maybe it really is the Magic Kingdom .

10. So much about that night is a blur.The only thing that I remember for sure is Delia Smith did a program about eggs earlier in the evening. If I had stayed in and watched more TV rather than going to the party at Miller Ave, mine might have remained unfertilized.

11. I am unsure as to the identity of the father of my baby, after all, like when you eat a can of beans you can’t be sure which one made you fart. (This made number #1).

Y’all have a good week, and be safe if you’re travelling for Turkey Day!!!

Rural issues…

It’s ‘that’ time of year. You have to be careful on the roads…

Note- The camera made it MUCH brighter than it actually was…

I was coming home Friday night right at sunset and the sun was definitely in my face. I kinda ‘thought’ something didn’t look right…

I was doing 60 and he was doing about 20, when I finally realized there WAS something actually in front of me, and I laid on the brakes!

It’s hard to believe that something that big could disappear in the sun, but it did. You can tell from the shadows how low the sun actually was.

Took me about 10 minutes to get the seat cushion out of my ass when I finally got home. Take care out there, folks!!!

Ummm…

This one is kinda under the radar, right now anyway…

Crypto’s having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad month, and it could get worse before it gets better, experts said.

Cryptocurrencies have cratered this month, losing more than $1 trillion in value in recent weeks. Bitcoin’s dropped to the lowest level since April and is on track for its worst month since 2022. It’s down more than 33% from its all-time high above $126,000 in early October, which officially pushes the digital unit into bear market territory defined as at least 20% lower than the record high.

Bitcoin’s now down about 10% this year, and likely will see more selling which could mean its first annual loss since 2022, experts said. At 1:29 p.m. ET, Bitcoin was down 3.18% at $83,776.81.

Full article, HERE from USA Today.

Ironically, apparently AI and high valuations of companies like NVIDIA, along with rumblings of a stock bubble have exacerbated the fears of overvaluation of all of the crypto currencies…

Considering that there really isn’t any actual backing for Bitcoin or any other crypto that I’m aware of, I’m frankly surprised it’s taken this long for the fall to start…

The real question is, how far will it fall?