Podcasts--they must be easy to make with the right tool

I've become a fan of podcasts, but I've got a lot to learn. I only listen, I don't create. Today I found a podcast of a publication of mine, "AI Podcast of "Annotated Bibliography on Agricultural Credit and Rural Savings: IV". I don't know how it's done, but it is fascinating to listen to--even I didn't know all this stuff (written in the 1980s), but somehow this AI generated, British accented (?) voice managed to find "fascinating highlights" and amazing details in what I wrote about Thai farmers or Latin American banks. I'm not sure you can access the link because I've joined the platform, but it is free to sign up for the basic level. I've been using it for Biblical scholarship, but it covers all topics. If you've published something, it may now be on a podcast.

https://www.academia.edu/ai_podcast/116016187?

The Epstein files--what happened to the list of clients?

I'm not going to get in a froth about the Epstein files. When Trump stood up after being shot, he said fight, fight, fight. I don't know what that means to you, but I think he meant fight for the country. If Republicans allow the enemy to get them sidetracked, then they might as well quit now. He has his eye on preserving the United States, an idea or promise that over half the country can't even comprehend.

There are lots of strange things in politics. Some are still questioning all the theories about the deaths of JFK and RFK and MLKjr. I'm still questioning why both parties ignore the years 2020-24 and all we citizens suffered as victims of BOTH parties with the Covid epidemic. Trump gave us CARES ( Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act) a clearly inflationary "benefit" to save jobs and lives and he also pushed for the vaccine (untested and unproven still). He thought he was right to do so, to save the country. He also paraded Dr. Fauci before us on TV for many weeks to explain the ever changing research and rules. The Democrats who first maligned Trump for attempting to get a vaccine out quickly, then ignored their own lies, shut the country down and deified Fauci! Yet today, neither party will even speak like it was important (individuals yes, but not the party), nor will Pres. Trump, nor former Pres. Biden.

 
Democrats get the faints when discussing an "insurrection" that wasn't yet ignore what's going on in our blue cities and social media today with riots and deaths. Mysterious deaths occurred in Minnesota and Walz goes mute. The hypocrisy is so thick it is gagging intelligent people so they can't speak or don't know who to support.

 
I never thought I'd see anti-Semitism raging on our elite campuses either, and certainly not Jewish legislators and celebrities keeping quiet about it. I never thought I'd see Democrats running a professing Communist to manage our premier city.

 
I never thought in our sex saturated national culture people would tolerate the genital mutilation and body damaging medical experiments on children which would make Dr. Kinsey blush. We've sunk that low and I can find several such clinics right here in Columbus--so I should be alarmed about teenagers being lured to a life of excitement with celebrities? Compare that to what--sex trafficking with our open borders?

So yes, I should stop being surprised or asking for all the answers. There are no answers for evil, duplicity, envy, greed, hatred, obsessions, and mental illness.

Damaged brains caused by TDS

There are lots of hoaxes and fakes on the internet these days. I just saw one of those free automobile fake offers on Facebook by just clicking. But the climate hoaxes combined with TDS are really swarming with the Texas flood.

There are actually fewer weather crises these days than 100 years ago, but there is more commercial and home building in areas prone to flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes and fires so the death toll and costs are higher. We're actually in a cooling period.

Then add that misinformation to their Trump hatred and they've decided that warning systems weren't working because of Doge! Doge cuts target fraud, waste and DEI. So, riddle me this. Are Democrats so addled by years of climate hoaxes and TDS, that now they believe flood warnings would be more effective if more women, trans and minorities were there in the middle of the night to warn sleeping people about water that rises 25 ft in 45 minutes? All those DEI WOKE grants and scams made no one safer; they did make some richer. It was billions going to bureaucrats and politicians as a way to buy votes.

The old rugged cross--a Michigan gospel song

The publication I use with my morning meditations is called "The Magnificat" and is Roman Catholic using a liturgical year theme. I enjoy it because of its excellent stories, history, scripture and art. I was surprised that the hymn for today was, "The old rugged Cross," by George Bennard published in 1913. I was baptized in the Church of the Brethren and since 1974 have been Lutheran (ALC, ELCA, NALC synods but all the same congregation). That gospel hymn in the 50s and 70s when my hymn books were published was not sung in our churches, although I'd always known it. So as often happens I got sidetracked and researched this hymn which was consistently named America's favorite gospel hymn in surveys between 1925 and 1960. After reading about it in my own sources, I switched to podcasts, and found this one by Randy Melchert and his interview about the Old Rugged Cross Church and Museum in Pocagon, Michigan. Some of these interviews have been on TV. Enjoy--this hymn has a very interesting background. And if you live in the mid-west, it looks like a great site for a trip.

https://www.vcy.tv/our-christian-heritage-with-randy-melchert/videos/the-old-rugged-cross-church-with-bob-molly-shafer

A follow up on VBS at UALC

 This note was sent to the congregation:

"In the midst of June's heat wave, UALC had the opportunity to welcome people from all across Columbus to the Oasis of God's kingdom that we call our church home. Each day, nearly 240 adult and teen volunteers were able to welcome about 650 children and their families to Mill Run for Young Kids and Big Kids VBS. From greeting participants in the parking lot to singing on the stage, each volunteer role played a huge part in welcoming these families into the house of the Lord and assuring them that we could dwell in this space with our good shepherd forever!

During our week of VBS we had the opportunity to see a special kind of spiritual growth form in the lives of the children who attended Big Kids VBS. They worked on memorizing ten different verses from David's portion of the Psalter (including the six verses of Psalm 23), heard David's story with a fresh perspective on his journey from shepherd to king, learned how his story points forward to the work of Jesus Christ, and explored the very character of our Lord as they heard Jesus' invocation of the title "good shepherd." Conversations sparked all over the place about trusting God as we walk through difficult things, being able to go to him in prayer, trusting Jesus to walk with us into school buildings, onto soccer fields, or in friendships and family relationships.

While all the excitement of Big Kids swarmed the building, 180 preschoolers and their parents were singing, dancing, and shouting Jesus' name in the Fellowship Hall! Our Young Kids VBS program was full and thriving this year. Each morning, kids from birth to five years filed into the building with their parents and guardians to be led by 22 amazing teens in songs, crafts, games, and worship. They saw the story of King David played out on stage, heard the gospel over and over, and had the words of scripture sewn into their hearts throughout the week. There were many parents there who had participated in VBS as a teen or as a child, and they brought their kids to experience the fun. There were also many parents there who don't have a church home or didn't know the gospel, and they got an invitation into Jesus' family. After YKVBS each day, preschool parents gathered on the playground for free iced coffee and play time, as well as time to connect with each other and our church staff.

One of the best parts of the week was watching the confidence of the preschoolers grow each day. In the first two days of learning songs and motions, they generally stayed close by their grown up's side. But by the end of the week, there was a huge group of preschoolers gathered together at the edge of the stage, dancing their hearts out, confident in their worship, shouting out "He's my good, good shepherd!" It was a beautiful picture of heaven and the uninhibited worship that our hearts and bodies are made for."

Republicans want the perfect bill--there's no such thing

Big beautiful bill. Republicans demand the perfect; Democrats demand that anything Trump must be hated.

 
Donald J. Trump has had the most successful presidency that I can remember (closed the border using current law, lowered the crime rate, raised incomes, negotiated the tariffs sending stock market soaring, worked with Israel for the successful bombing of Iran's nuclear development stores thus fulfilling the work of 15 years [under 2 other Democrat presidents, btw], got NATO to increase their share, brought warring African countries to the table, put roadblocks against racist policies in universities, defied stupid DEI and climate policies), yet there are Republicans who are pouting because their favorite piece isn't in the puzzle. So they can screw up the biggest tax cut for the middle class, in an attempt to help their state, but hurt the rest of us. Or just because they too hate Trump's success. So much for patriotism. Like VDH observes, they won't harvest at 70% success and wait until the hail destroys the entire crop.

Republicans Who Voted Against Big Beautiful Bill Revealed

Final performance for VBS

Don't you just love seeing the kiddoes after a week or two of VBS? I don't recall the exact numbers, but I think the pastor said ca. 650 kids and maybe 250 volunteer teens and adults. But we had some performances in church today with many decked out in their VBS Psalm 23 (theme) t-shirts. I wish I'd pulled out my camera. Our service is still on the move so we're worshiping back at a local school. The little ones did some songs for us, and when they were finished we saw the boys jump off the stage and the girls walk carefully down the steps. Some things don't change. Tonight the church is having a dinner in the park (we're too tired to go--birthday party for a friend) to pray for the local, national and world events. This is a good week to do that! https://www.ualc.org/visit

The latest Democrat bad idea for NYC mayor

Zohran Mamdani is such a hypocrite--but what else could a communist be?

He's whiter and far more rich than I am, yet he preaches envy, and hate toward whites who are ethnically European, immigrants who fled socialism and succeeded with capitalism. He makes Tik Tok videos to be consumed by a generation who can't read, understand history or figure out biology, and he was voted in by rich, white liberals still feeling cheated by the Harris and Biden dog and pony show. Democrats have a lot on their plate, and they'd better stop the TDS hate and get busy tending business in their own party.

"You Don't Mess with the Zohan is a 2008 American satirical action comedy film with Adam Sandler. It's the story of an Israeli super soldier and counter-terrorist commando who fakes his own death to pursue his dream of becoming a hairstylist in the United States while contending with a crooked businessman, a superhuman terrorist arch-rival, and the grudge of a certain taxi driver." from Wikipedia.

Wearables and JFKjr

I'm no expert on data collection, privacy, or health, but I think this is the dumbest idea ever to come out of the Trump Administration. Every American should be required to measure their health with a wearable? Or maybe, it means you can't take the Democrat out of a Kennedy even if he's a Republican appointed cabinet member. I have no problem with wearables if people choose them, but I've seen a lot of very unhealthy people with terrible eating and exercise habits that own them, and they either keep them in a drawer, or never look at them. They may have an addiction, a family tendency or an underlying problem, but looking at graphs and numbers to change behavior hasn't made them healthy.

I never took a college course in nutrition, but I know that a dessert of fresh fruit is healthier for me than a slice of "death by chocolate" cake at a restaurant. I've seen the "science" on eggs, coffee, cholesterol, etc. come and go. I know the trend to take a shot at 60 to make up for overeating as a teen/young adult is not going to end well for health care costs. I learned as a pre-schooler that I should be outside in the sunshine even when I didn't know about vitamin D and I still prefer not to get sweaty.

I know that I have 2 implanted devices (not called wearables, but I'm wearing them) right now and I really don't know anything about the data being collected and where it is going. Meanwhile my cell phone tells me I haven't walked enough this week. With AI already in our lives, I just don't like this government intrusion after our experience with the required, "good for you" so "do it or else" covid vaccine.

I also like Casey Means, think she's done good things, but she's invested in a "wearables" company (Levels) and she's also been nominated for Surgeon General. If it smells fishy when it's Pelosi or Warren, it also smells of fish for Kennedy and Means.

RFK Jr.'s Public Health Plan? Get Every American to Buy a Wearable Device | PCMag

Casey Means MD

Casey Means, Levels Health, on maximizing human potential - Levels

Ingredient List and Nutrition Facts for zero calorie Propel

I like to stay hydrated, but don't drink a lot of water, energy drinks or soda pop. This year I began using Propel, which I cut by half with water, or plain tea or juice. I use "immune support" because the energy drinks have caffeine. 

Information from Foodzilla:  "To give you a better understanding of Propel's composition, here is a typical ingredient list and nutrition facts for a Propel beverage: Ingredient List: 

Water, Citric Acid, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (Preserves Freshness), Potassium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sucralose (derived from sugar same as Splenda, 600x sweeter than sugar), Sodium Citrate, Acesulfame Potassium, synthetic 200x sweeter than sugar) Calcium Disodium EDTA (Preserves Freshness), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6).

From advertisement: 

Immune Support: Propel Immune Support helps support a healthy immune system with 100% of the recommended Daily Value of Vitamin C per bottle and an excellent source of Zinc.

Zero Calories and Zero Sugar: Created by the makers of Gatorade, Propel is a zero calorie, zero sugar, fitness water made to replenish and rehydrate active lifestyles.​

Electrolyte Hydration: Made with Gatorade Electrolytes, Propel helps you hydrate and enjoy your best workout with zero sugar.

Vitamin Enhanced Water: Propel is the original zero calorie electrolyte water that offers a variety of flavors and is an excellent source of vitamins B3, B5, B6, Vitamin C and Zinc.

Nutrition Facts (per 1 bottle (591 ml) serving):

Calories: 10
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 270mg
Potassium: 70mg
Total Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 0g"

So in other words, it's water with a vitamin pill and artificial flavor and artificial sugar.

The "tea" I use isn't really tea, but Celestial Seasonings herbal supplement, Vitamin C Shine, which contains "natural flavors."  What Do Natural Flavors Mean on the Ingredients List?

While studies are mixed, a 2022 study in the Journal of Physical Education, Health and Sport suggests that coconut water rehydrates as well as traditional sports drinks. These study authors also point out that coconut water has antioxidants, which traditional sports drinks typically lack. The antioxidants might be able to help with minimizing stress at the cellular level from intense exercise. (This is an Indonesian journal--not sure of its quality.)

What are New Yorkers thinking?

New York City mayoral Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani won in Tuesday’s Democratic primary and promised government run grocery stores and free city buses. Woot. What a campaign. Wait 4 hours like the BMV or SS office to "buy" food paid for by raising taxes on millionaires and ride in filthy buses instead of a private cab or uber. They probably won't allow bicycles because it would be competition. Competition brings down prices. Government run anything raises prices. But it sure sells to stupid voters. All 8% of them (I heard, haven't verified it.)

I met a friend for coffee at McDonald's today--60 cents for seniors. It was hot, free refills, served within a minute, the store was clean, and the employees were paid far above the so-called minimum wage that Democrats like to moan about--probably $15/hour with free tuition at the university. Good stores will close if Mamdani is hired by New Yorkers, and then where will the illegals go?

Trump's other peace deals--in Africa

Trump did another peace deal while we were watching Iran's nuclear storage bombing on Saturday evening. It's not the two I was watching (South Sudan and Ethiopia Civil wars), but still worthy of note. The media really don't care about those black lives.

"President Donald J. Trump has brokered a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, marking a significant diplomatic achievement in Africa. This deal aims to end one of the continent’s deadliest and longest-running conflicts, characterized by violent bloodshed and instability.Trump announced the breakthrough on his social media platform, Truth Social, crediting the efforts of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in facilitating the treaty.

The agreement represents a potential turning point for regional stability and peace in Central Africa.

This development has also drawn international attention, with Pakistan reportedly nominating Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts, although this nomination is separate from the Congo-Rwanda deal.

Notably, India has disputed Trump’s claims of involvement in resolving the India-Pakistan conflict, asserting that bilateral talks were conducted directly between the two nations." 

(Trump brokers peace in Africa, AI generated, June 24)

The Iran Israel conflict 2025

 It's hot, hot, hot east of the Mississippi. We're home and unpacked and laundered after a week in Lakeside. We have 2 TVs going--one of Midsomer Murders (I have no idea which series--there are 25) and one of the crisis in Iran. Praying for the people to take back their government. I want no more forever wars, but this one had gone on almost 50 years. None of their allies seems to come to Iran's aid.

Summer School of Faith, 2025

2025 Summer School of Faith: Ancient Faith and Modern Wisdom--How Neglected Doctrines Provide Guidance and Hope for Today 

These were the first words uttered by Jesus Christ, as recorded in the earliest gospel written.: 

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark, Chapter 1:15) 

REPENT WHAT? BELIEVE WHAT? HOPE FOR WHAT? FIND OUT.

 

June 10th--Genesis: “In the beginning …” a Subversive Revelation 

June 17th--Genesis and Original Sin: its History, Theology and Implications for Today 

June 24th-- Genesis and Evolution – Compatible? 

July 1st-- Secular Narratives of the Fall Present in Today’s Culture July 8th--The Council of Nicaea and the Development of Doctrine

I've followed Charles Craigmile for years, but the current teaching is very difficult to find.  I'm dropping the schedule right here, so I can find it! This is the link for June 10, 2025.

https://youtu.be/ww-iFb6v8-8?si=AW6KP35kOc4HWo8X

2025: #1 Ancient Faith and Modern Wisdom---Genesis: "In the Beginning. . . "a Subversive Revelation

On June 21 around 8:50 p.m. . . .

The secrecy and deception needed for this attack on Iran's nuclear facilities against a country that has promised to wipe out the USA is stunning. Even our Democrat presidents had their spies and enemies within (and Biden had a bevy), but they have tried so hard to destroy Trump. No one leaked! Democrats/Socialists/Communists have put all their effort into creating cells and chaos with the infiltration and bussing-in our enemies. Once Trump stopped that within weeks, they moved to plan B of creating riots and stupid "insurrections" beyond anything seen on Jan. 6. Trump held his ground, did his deals, worked for peace, gave it a chance, and then took aim. The man is amazing. ALL the middle east is safer now, our Democrats have been dealt another blow in their plan to destroy the Constitution and Democracy. But be vigilant. They are the party of KKK and Jim Crow. They know how to gaslight and confuse the innocent.

Kagan, Sotomayor and Jackson

When I see these three in a story or decision it crosses my mind that the 19th amendment (guarantees American women the right to vote) might have been a mistake. Women achieved so much through the struggle and protests and then let it all go to waste after 1920.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/justice-sotomayor-says-supreme-court-just-countered-decades-of-precedent/ar-AA1GYqeA?

Every Liberal Supreme Court Justice Sits Out Decision in Rare Move - Newsweek

A day for the Democratic appointees on SCOTUS — but what does it mean?

Justices Sotomayor and Jackson slam idea that U.S. is ‘colorblind’ in affirmative action dissents

Balance and the Figure 8

 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2802825/  This is for walking.  We don't usually walk in a straight line in doing daily activities. Practice figure 8.

Easy Exercise to Improve Balance In Seniors | ELDERGYM®

25 Balance-Building Exercises to Keep Seniors Active and Steady

Hand exercises for flexibility

https://youtu.be/00RV5TCPCIU?si=-tkQ7nSZi7UbSC9G

After years of demonizing Trump, Dems call for calm

This is rich. After trying to destroy Trump financially, politically and by assassination before his second term and organizing thousands of protest rallies and violent protests for June 14 with the help of some of our richest oligarchs, while calling him a Nazi, White Supremacist and "king," Democrats are shocked and amazed that violence has gotten out of hand and Trump must do something about it!

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/minnesota-shootings-manhunt-06-15-25?

CLG News June 15: "Minnesota Democrat and husband killed, another pol and his wife injured after madman posing as cop shoots them in 'politically motivated attack' --Authorities are now searching for Vance Luther Boelter, who was appointed by Gov. Tim Walz to serve a four-year stint on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, in connection with the shooting, police source said. | 14 June 2025 | A Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband were killed, and another politician and his wife seriously hurt, in a "politically motivated assassination" after a madman who had "No Kings" flyers and posed as a police officer turned up at their homes overnight and opened fire, authorities said. Former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were gunned down in their Brooklyn Park home around 2 a.m., while Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were injured in a similar shooting at their home just five miles away, authorities said. The killer is still on the loose despite exchanging gunfire with officers who responded to Hortman’s home and briefly cornered him inside -- though he left behind a "manifesto" listing the names of other politicians and a stack of papers stating "No Kings" in reference to the nationwide anti-Trump protests."

• 
  

Why the National Guard?

Here's how it works. The local police deal with and arrest the rioters. The national guard surrounds and protects the federal property. If the governors (of California, Minnesota and Oregon) behave as they did in 2020, Trump knows the chaos will continue and it's his responsibility to call on the guard to relieve the local police to do their job. Newsom should have done it,  but is running for president; he's not doing a good PR stunt. The burning cars and foreign flags being flown should be on every GOP poster and ad. They are now tracking the money and much of it comes from NGOs who have been receiving USAID grants. Democrat appointed judges will probably try to be president-lite, but I don't want my tax money going to burn down buildings I've already paid for.

https://www.theblaze.com/news/rooftop-korean-tony-moon-la-riots?

DOJ slams Newsom's 'crass political stunt' over Trump's call-up of National Guard amid LA anti-ICE riots

National Guard to protect ICE agents as they make arrests in LA – NBC Los Angeles

The firing of the first Librarian, Carla Hayden

I just found out that Trump fired Carla Hayden the Librarian of Congress in May. In her bio she's always called the first woman and first black to ever hold that position. I was thinking she was also the first librarian to ever hold that position. It was never considered important enough to have an actual librarian in that position. Well, since it's always been a political position, she was also appointed by Obama, was a Democrat and is 72 years old. That she's a Democrat is not odd, since probably 95% of librarians are very liberal and routinely support the far left issues. ALA is an advocacy group, but not for children, or reading or education. Trump didn't fire her during his first term, so I'm guessing she's said some unflattering things about him and his policies. You have freedom of speech to speak ill of the boss, and he has the freedom to choose someone else for the job. It's a titular position and someone else is doing the actual work. In the past it's been a position for a scholar, not a real librarian.

"On Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Hayden of putting "inappropriate books for children" in the library, which receives a copy of every book that is copyrighted in the United States each year. She also claimed the librarian had done "quite concerning things ... in the pursuit of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), and "did not fit the needs of the American people." "
(Newsweek)

However, if Ms. Leavitt said this, it isn't accurate. Works are protected automatically, without copyright notice or registration. If LC received a copy of every book that is copyrighted in the U.S. there wouldn't be a building large enough to hold them.

"Copyright protectable works receive instant and automatic copyright protection at the time that they are created. U.S. law today does not require placing a notice of copyright on the work or registering the work with the U.S. Copyright Office. The law provides some important benefits if you do use the notice or register the work, but you are the copyright owner even without these formalities." (Copyright quick guide, Columbia University Libraries) If I write a letter to my friend or draw a horse on a postcard, you don't have a right to use it.

 
Perhaps she meant Ms. Hayden was putting in the Library of Congress children's material that couldn't be read aloud in front of Congress because it was disgusting and salacious?