Monthly Archives: January 2020

Friday, January 17, 2020 – Portland Headlight, Portland, Maine

When I opened my laptop the other day this was the image on the screen.

On My Photographs wall is this picture. I took it in 1975. It was the summer Honeyboy and I visited Mrs. Traugh in Maine.

As you can tell the photographers were standing at almost at the same spot.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020,

I have no thoughts today. But you didn’t think I was going to leave up that banner all year, did you?

January 14, 2020 –

Congratulations to the LSU Tigers! It was a great game. Thank you for showing just how much more being in the SEC means.  Enjoy the victory; enjoy the long-term glory it will bring to the Coach O and the coaches and the players.

Moving on. I bought a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle. I had forgotten how much fun they are to work. I really did not want a puzzle with 1000 pieces, but I could not resist the books.

Here it is Monday after week one.

Then I received help.

Here it is Monday after week two.

Any bets on whether it will be finished by Monday after week three?

Wednesday, January 8, 2020 – Good Afternoon. This is Station S-N-E-Z bringing today’s playlist called Songs of Cedar Fever.

Send your suggestions in to the station. First up – a little Steppenwolf

You get your nose a running!

Tear out all the Kleenex!

Looking for an answer!

In whatever pill you take!

Born to Sneeze Wild!

Here is one based on Peggy Lee’s hit song –

CEDARRRR! Cedar in the morning; Cedar all through the night,

You give me fever! CEDAR!

Here’s an oldie from the juke box.

Oh, the wayward dust blows up my nose. A restless dust that yearns to wander.

And it makes my eyes go all a watering; and then stuff comes out my nose, all because of the wayward dust.

A little Annie Lennox

Here comes the dust again; going up my nose in a big commotion;

From Freddie and Queen

We are the histimines, my friends; And we’ll keep on fighting till the end;

From The Eagles

You can’t hide your waterin’ eyes; and your smile is a thin disguise

I thought by now you’d realize

There ain’t no way to hide your waterin’ eyes.

From Patsy and Willie

Sneezing! For thinking that I could control you.

I’m sneezing and crying and farting and blowing,

And I’m sneezing for all this spring.

Achoo! Sneeze Out!

Tuesday, January 7, 2020 – The Church of the Audio Visuals

Just read an article saying video screens in churches should be scrapped and congregations should return to using hymnals. I so agree. Here’s what I’m thinking.

I went to midnight mass on Christmas Eve with the Catholic members of my family. Of course, midnight mass was at 4:00 in the afternoon, but I suppose it was midnight somewhere. Besides, I don’t think Jesus wore a wrist watch.

Even though I attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church when I lived there, I had never been to the new church. Upon entering the sanctuary, and after doing the required genuflecting and kneeling, I look up and see Jesus on the Cross pointing to a video screen on either side.  A little too modern for the traditionalist like me, but I adjusted.

Since we arrived at 3:15 in order to obtain a seat, there was much time to look at this beautiful and modern church. Right in the middle of the sanctuary was a sky light with natural sunlight shining on something I could not make out from my vantage point. Just then I was informed that what I was looking at was the baptismal. Wait a minute! A free-standing baptismal right in the middle of the church? Even the Baptists put theirs behind the pulpit. When did the Catholics become full immersion (aka Dippers) versus not full immersion (aka Sprinklers)? And you get dipped three times? Ok – I’m ok with that, sort of. Not the way I did it, but whatever.

But then a slide show began on the video screens. There was information about upcoming events at the church, some community opportunities and then… with a bright yellow background with red lettering (good instructional design for getting attention) the following slides appeared on the two screens:

The water in the baptismal is not potable.

Please do not drink the baptismal water!

Then the instructions were in Spanish.

I have questions.

• Is the entire baptismal filled with holy water? I have seen hot tubs smaller than this and was just wondering.
• Is the water not potable because the baptismal is under the skylight making it prone to green stuff growing?
• How does one get in it? I mean the sides were about four feet high. More importantly, how does one get out? Perhaps, there are steps beyond my vision point.
• If one is old enough to read the slide about not drinking the water, isn’t he or she old enough to understand not to drink from the baptismal?
• Shouldn’t not drinking from the baptismal be covered in catechism? Part of the church visitation and tour during mine covered many do’s and don’ts concerning the holy water. These including, but not limited to, if a burn appears on your forehead when making the sign of the cross, please exit at the nearest exit immediately.
• Do those of Protestant denominations who believe in full immersion have such a sign in their sanctuaries?

About that time the service began, and everything flashed upon the video screens – the songs, the readings, the responses, and even the transubstantiation part.  Nope! Bring in the camel and the straw.

Here’s what I’m thinking. The role of the hymnal is to sing praises when looking ahead. The role of the hymnal when reading the scriptures and saying the prayers is to bow your head.  Bring the hymnal back!

Monday, January 6, 2020 – Back by Popular Demand – Here’s What I’m Thinking

I am not real sure how popular or how much demand there was, but I’m starting off again. Here’s what I’m thinking. I was unaware that posting to this site served as a barometer of my health and well-being. So, I shall try to update you.

I am blessed with great health. In fact, I donated a pint of blood last Friday and got this hoodie. I am hoping for matching pants at the next donation.

I go to the gym twice per week.  There my trainer, Jose, kills me by having me do three repetitions of 20 sit ups, 20 should tap push-ups, and 20 renegade rows with a 25-pound weight while he just stands around and looks good. I am entering a contest at the gym. The competition is significantly less when you check the Age Box for 70. I start next week. I’ll keep you posted.

I am not and have not been incarcerated in the city, county, state, or federal jail system. However, I do have a jury summons for next month.

I am not in a rehab or mental health facility, but probably should be at certain times.

I had wonderful holiday season. Santa hit the jack pot with my favorite restaurant, Abuelos, and Barnes & Noble gift cards and the always wonderful cash on the barrel head.

For New Year’s Eve I went to bed at 10:10 and the new decade came anyway. Not that I really wanted to keep much from 2019.

I bought myself this jigsaw puzzle last weekend. I did not want a 1000-piece puzzle but being such a book nerd, I was unable to resist.

Each Monday I shall post a photo of the week’s progress. I actually had more pieces put together, but I also have a cat. I had to almost start over.

Today’s goals are taking down the Christmas tree, take a nap, and then go to the Aggie women’s basketball game. We are playing the Hotty Totty Ladies from Ole Miss.

So that’s it for the first Monday of the new decade and you are all caught up.