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?

The LA riots of 2025--mostly peaceful?

Watching TV news of the LA riots I see how desperately Los Angelas wants to keep its illegal immigrants, it's obvious they are very important to its economy. Follow the money. Payout to the protesters vandalizing and threatening ICE is nothing compared to all the gardeners, maids, babysitters, janitors, construction workers, trafficked sex workers and enforcers who work very hard for Angelinos to keep their freedom, It's a fraction of the cost American workers would charge. It's always about the money.

"DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "It is sickening that Governor [Gavin] Newsom and Mayor [Karen] Bass continue to protect violent criminal illegal aliens at the expense of the safety of American citizens and communities. This cold-blooded killer is who the rioters are trying to protect over U.S. citizens."

She added, "The brave men and women of ICE put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent criminals like this and protect the lives of American citizens."  https://www.theblaze.com/news/murderers-rapists-gang-members-ice-busts-12-of-la-s-worst-illegal-alien-criminals-amid-riots?

Although the rioters are flying the Mexican flag, ICE is removing from LA jails a Vietnamese (murder), Filipino (sex crimes), Ecuadorian (drug charges in FL), Peruvian (robbery) Honduran (drugs), Indonesian (drugs) as well as various Mexican nationals. California has protected these illegals who are also charged with other crimes from ICE in the past, and now the piper has to be paid. I'm sure some may be more than happy to go home. Now the rioters, who may be citizens who voted for Candidate Newsom and Out of town mayor Bass, should receive a trial and jail time for assaulting police, vandalism and looting.

Title IX, Marissa Rothenberger and softball

In July 2019 we sat on our porch at Lakeside and watched a sample of championship softball (a women's sport--until recently). I wrote in my blog: "Wheelersburg, Ohio, (on the Ohio River) has a championship girls little league softball team, and the family of the pitcher is renting 2 doors down. We sit on the porch and watch a powerhouse pitch like I've never seen--12 years old--as she practices with her dad in the yard. Her older sister already has a college scholarship in the sport, and there are 4 other girls in the family."
So, I had a week or two of following not just these girls, the sport, but the towns and counties in the U.S. who build their local culture around this sport. And now? Well, as powerful as those young girls were, they now have to compete for those scholarships and honors against males. Call them transwomen, if you wish, but there is no such being on this planet. Men don't transition into women. It's a fantasy. Marissa Rothenberger, is a boy and is playing on a girls' team and of course it's in Tampon Tim's state, Minnesota.

https://www.totalprosports.com/ncaa/transgender-pitcher-destroyed-females-high-school-softball-championship-lawsuit/?

https://www.scripps.org/news_items/7637-common-sports-injuries-in-women-causes-and-prevention?

This is what actual, real slavery in the 21st century looks like

Two Eritrean teen-agers in 2019 telling their story to a journalist: 

"Thousands of migrants were held in hangars around the town. In Bani Walid, Even and Saeed (15 and 16) found out that the sponsors of their boat had sold them to an Eritrean trafficker known as Knife, who worked for a local Libyan kingpin. Knife is said to have been granted asylum in Canada, where he now owns a barber shop. In Libya he made a living from torturing migrants in order to extract money from their families. ‘Every morning you’re on a phone calling your family. You tell them: I’m dying, send me the money,’ Even told me. His mother sold her jewelry to pay the ransom of $4500. He calculated that since leaving Eritrea three years earlier, he had shelled out $11,500 to people smugglers and traffickers."

Libya’s refugees and detention centres – Martin Plaut

Democrat prospects

I remember way back when Obama came into view and Rahm Emanuel appeared. I probably said (in my blog) some not so nice things about him and his brothers. He's had a lot of government jobs including mayor of Chicago and Obama's enforcer. Now based on all the other possible stars, like AOC and Jazzy Crockett, that light up his party, I think he looks darn good. His name Emanuel means "God with us" and was adopted by his father to honor an uncle who died in 1933. Although it's possible he's too old (65), too white, and too Jewish to meet Democrat standards.

The Trump vs Musk fight

Yesterday was tumultuous for Republicans and gleeful for Democrats who 2 minutes ago hated Musk for turning Twitter into an advocate for free speech and tackling the waste, fraud and abuse in the federal financial system. That really hurt the corrupt NGOs, the DEI crowd, the child abusing educators and their unions and the Climate gangsters sucking the federal teat for their existence. That's where Dems have their power.

 
Republicans loved Musk's help and even his joyful silliness, but his complaints about the BBB made no sense to Trump's base, those who had followed Trump during his campaign. Trump has been delivering on his promises to the voters. It was a plus, sure, but all candidates say they will stop waste. Why not have the smartest man in the world tackle it? No one I know who voted for Trump thinks Musk affected the outcome in November. If money talked, Kamala would be president and Beyonce would be secretary of state.

 
Now the fight is getting personal. Truly, I felt like a 5 year old watching a divorce of my parents--hopeless and helpless--tugging at their knees saying, "Please stop!". Or being asked to take sides in a girls' middle school clique fight when you like them all. The smartest man in the world was spitting in the eye of the most powerful man in the world, one who values loyalty almost more than anything else,
When I saw that "good-bye" in the oval office a few days ago and Trump gave him that odd gift, I was watching Musk's face and it was obvious he was not happy. He's on the autism spectrum (I've heard) and it's hard to know. I thought he might break his teeth from clenching. Trump looked the same--everything's great until it isn't.

Today I was reading Acts 25. It's all about massive power and wealth (Festus, Drusilla, Agrippa and Bernice) coming up against the gospel preached on the world stage by the greatest missionary for Jesus Christ. Wow. What a battle. No one in this week's cat fight can compare to that, but we know God was in charge then and still is.

A shocker came through the mail slot today

Our retirees group had talked about it, but still, it was a shock. I'm still going to carefully examine a check I received from the U.S. Treasury today with no letter of explanation. Teachers in Ohio in the public pension system do not get Social Security, whether earned or spousal benefit, and a new law changed that. It ended the "windfall" and "offset" provisions.

(CBS News) "The Social Security Administration (SSA) has processed over 2.5 million retroactive payments for teachers, firefighters, police officers and others with public pensions who were previously locked out of retirement benefits, the agency said last week.

Signed into law by President Biden in January 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act requires the agency to adjust benefits for 3.2 million people, including future and past benefits. Social Security has completed 90% of its caseload, according to its May 27 update. "

Dog bite month, not just a week

Dog Bite week used to be in April, but now it gets a whole month. June. The 2025 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign by the United States Postal Service (USPS) takes place throughout the month of June 2025. The theme for the 2025 campaign is "Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track". When I was the Vet Med librarian at Ohio State I kept a huge file on this topic--injuries and hospitalizations and deaths. My motto: All Dogs Will Bite. And it's primarily a male problem. Male dogs owned by young men biting young boys.

"About 4.5 million persons sustain animal bites in the US per year, about 750,000 of which require medical attention. Bites are a combination of laceration, crush, avulsion, and puncture injuries and can cause abscess, cellulitis, and lymphangitis.[17] Most dog bite injuries are soft tissue injuries, fractures, sprains, strains, or crush; less than 1% are skull fractures and damage to intrathoracic, abdominal, pelvic, or intracranial cavities. Dog bites account for 60% to 90%, and cat bites 5% to 20% of bites receiving care. Results from a retrospective study of dog and cat bites in California found dog bites highest in boys younger than 10 and cats highest in women older than 80, mainly occurring in residences and during the summer.[18]" StatPearls, Animal bites, 2025 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430852/

Baby snacks

I decided I needed a pot of flowers to last at least 2 weeks for a spot of color--we got a hanging pot from a school sale last summer that lasted several months. But enough about my brown thumb. While I was browsing at Marc's grocery, a mommy with a 6 month old ( I'm guessing) in the cart was also looking. Just the cutest and smiling with 2 teeth so I smiled back. I wondered if I should tell mommy that her sweety was eating the flowers while she was distracted. I didn't. Some mom's just don't want advice, and others don't care about herbicides and bugs.

Existential threat

I have never used the word "existential" except to quote someone else. I don't have any idea what it means when others use it. So, I looked it up and here's what Britannica Editor said: It's used 3 ways,

 
"existential threat
existential questions
existential crisis

The first phrase, existential threat, is used in texts or discussions about politics, usually politics in the Middle East. In this context, existential is being used literally. An existential threat is a threat to a people’s existence or survival.

The second phrase, existential questions, references Existentialism, a 20th century philosophy concerned with questions about how and whether life has meaning, and why we exist. (For more information, look up Existentialism or the philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre.)

The third phrase, existential crisis, is also a reference to Existentialism, but it is often used in a humorous or sarcastic way, to suggest that the person or people being described spend too much thinking about themselves and the meaning of their lives.

In sum, existential can be a reference to survival, or to the meaning of our lives, or used to poke fun at others who might take themselves a bit too seriously."

Hmm. I probably still won't use the word. But I will say, it is overused and overrated.