Craft day at The Estates

I'm not very crafty, but today we made greeting cards with buttons and scraps of yarn and cloth. Mine is the yellow with heels and the green one with a basketball, So, if you have a birthday or a good day you might hear from me.

Trafficking and slavery and Kafala

Before Trump makes deals with Saudi Arabia, he needs some deals to free foreign domestics in that country who are enslaved by their kafala system. Particularly Kenyan and Filipino women. There are many more slaves today than in the 18th century Atlantic slave trade and yet some Americans seem more concerned about racial sneers and DEI than true slavery. It was Arab Muslims enslaving Africans and Asians in the 17th and 18th century and it still is.

  Saudi Arabia: Migrant domestic workers face severe exploitation, racism and exclusion from labour protections - Amnesty International

https://www.respicio.ph/commentaries/ofw-abuse-in-saudi-arabia?

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounders/what-kafala-system?

Global: Filipino domestic workers exploited and subjected to sexual abuse in Saudi Arabia - Amnesty International

Obama's key campaign promise to end the war

When I hear members of Congress grilling members of Trump's war advisory group it makes me wonder if they remember that Obama continued a war he promised to end for eight years. Getting out of the war in Iraq was his key campaign promise, and yet he gave them the ability to create the monster that Trump is trying to slay.

From L.A. Times: "U.S. military forces have been at war for all eight years of Obama’s tenure, the first two-term president with that distinction. He launched airstrikes or military raids in at least seven countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan.

Yet the U.S. faces more threats in more places than at any time since the Cold War, according to U.S. intelligence. For the first time in decades, there is at least the potential of an armed clash with America’s largest adversaries, Russia and China.

"Obama slashed the number of U.S. troops in war zones from 150,000 to 14,000, and stopped the flow of American soldiers coming home in body bags. He also used diplomacy, not war, to defuse a tense nuclear standoff with Iran.

But he vastly expanded the role of elite commando units and the use of new technology, including armed drones and cyber weapons."

https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-pol-obama-at-war/?

Obama’s Tarnished Legacy in the Middle East – The Cairo Review of Global Affairs

President Obama and the Middle East: a Mixed Legacy : IEMed

Needs or wants in the affordability argument

"When young people struggle to buy a home and start a family, we shouldn’t be surprised to see a loosening attachment to heteronormativity." The American Conservative, June 2023 article about wokeness. 

Just because both the right and the left constantly preach this same affordability myth doesn't make it fact.

I did what the mythmakers should have done. I looked up housing prices and inflation. We bought our first home in 1962 for $14,000 at 6% interest. To call it a fixer upper would be a joke. A gravel driveway, no garage, and a dirt floor basement on a street zoned for business in a racially mixed neighborhood. Based on inflation figures, that would buy a house for $155,500 today. And I found several by checking the real estate ads. In that county one can find a slightly run down 3 bedroom, 1 bath ranch in need of a strong 24 year old with a wife and baby, very little money and some home repair skills learned in high school. I'll leave out the part where he hired a young ex-con as part time help who left after one day.

Along with inflation since 1962 there have been a number of generous government programs to add to a low wage job which makes that home very affordable (and btw virtually no adult works at federal or state minimum--realistically entry at McDonald's is about $16/hour with benefits). What today's young homebuyer would have to give up today would be the same things we didn't have--college loan payments, eating out, travel, nice clothes, multiple tech toys, phones, TVs, and leisure activities.

It's not that a house today isn't affordable. It's the lifestyle, and that's something we choose. Get out of New York City or DC or Seattle or LA and there are plenty of places to live and jobs with opportunity. 325,000,000 of us manage to live outside those money pits (Co-pilot figured it out for me).

Soccer. World Cup.

Trump made it happen; the nay sayers have to eat their words. And even I watched yesterday--although I didn't have a favorite and I really didn't understand much. At lunch today our table of 5 ignored politics (some were Democrats) and had a lively conversation on how much FIFA and the World Cup has contributed to not just the sports world but to the U.S. (to say nothing of the economy of the localities).

We also talked about how expensive it is to raise up a little one to play soccer. One couple has a granddaughter entering the teen years and decisions have to be made NOW and it will be very expensive. Another at the table has a granddaughter who is a soccer coach on the side at $50/hour so her players can qualify just for the middle school level.

I wonder why politicians aren't factoring in costs of private lessons and travel to games into the "affordability" school/family costs conversation. All I hear about are houses.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force – The White House

The Lakota language

 Today on Facebook I saw something about a Lakota prayer. I'd seen that before, so I asked an AI assistant whether it was the British or French  who developed a writing system (alphabet, grammar, etc.) for that native American language group.  This brilliant assistant said--neither, "it was developed by missionaries,"  Duh! And what was their language? Oh well. I reworded my question several times and finally left out language and used evangelized and got Jesuits, Franciscans, Baptists, Methodists and later the Lutherans. Since Lakota was upper midwest and Canada and several language groups, I'll just have to let you do the research.

Poetry Jam at The Estates?

I enjoy writing (but not publishing) poetry. There are at least 5 of us here at The Estates who have expressed an interest in having poetry events or Jams occasionally. We did have a gathering in April (poetry month) with readings in a variety of styles. I think 11 attended. Today I came across the story of Anne Channing Porter who published her first book of poetry at 83. Might become an inspiration or our guardian angel. If I were to average our age it's about 92.

Anne Porter's poetry highlights faith, suffering and the wisdom of age | National Catholic Reporter

Anne Porter | The Poetry Foundation

A Short Testament by Anne Porter - Poems | Academy of American Poets

Adam Weybright, 1974-2026

 I was shocked to learn yesterday of the death of the son of my college roommate, JoElla Masterson Weybright, Adam Weybright, of the Seattle area.  I couldn't find an obituary, but I think he died around April 19, 2026 based on a GoFundMe report. There is a TV report on his sudden death because he was a well known teacher and coach.  This is AI generated.

"Adam Weybright was a 51-year-old science teacher at Nathan Hale High School and Lacrosse coach at Shorecrest High School in the Shoreline and Seattle communities.

He died suddenly in April 2026 following complications from a routine medical procedure.

Weybright, who previously worked as a scientist before becoming a teacher, is remembered for his profound impact on students and athletes. His legacy is honored through a "Live Like Weybright" (LLW) campaign by his lacrosse team, an assembly at his school, and a GoFundMe established to support his widow, Elizabeth Weybright, and their three children."

JoElla and I were childhood friends, having met in first grade in Forreston, Illinois, where her father was the school superintendent.  Our parents also knew each other from college days and we attended the local Forreston Lutheran church and were also members of the Church of the Brethren. Her husband Myron (Mike) and I are distantly related--something like third cousins.  Our grandmothers, both Weybrights by marriage, used to correspond. JoElla and I usually corresponded around birthdays and Christmas, but had talked on the phone in the last year or two. I had kept up on her children's activities, education, marriages, children, etc. over the years.  I had only seen Adam as a toddler when JoElla and I were both visiting our parents in Mt. Morris.

Also: Shoreline Area News: Shorecrest lacrosse coach Adam Weybright dies unexpectedly

 

Trump vs. Smithsonian

President Trump didn't attack the Smithsonian; the Smithsonian attacked the United States, so being a patriot, President Trump is suggesting more fairness and honesty in a Report.

Smithsonian-Report-Saving-Americas-Story.pdf
The United States government legally owns the Smithsonian Institution, holding its land, buildings, and collections as a perpetual public trust. Congress created the Institution by statute in 1846 after accepting a private bequest from British scientist James Smithson, and its charter is codified at 20 U.S.C. Chapter 3.

The Board includes members drawn from all three branches of government and the private sector:
The Vice President of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States
Three Senators, appointed by the President of the Senate
Three Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House
Nine citizen members, appointed by joint resolution of Congress (two must reside in Washington, D.C., and no two of the remaining seven may be from the same state). Sounds like the Board needs a shakeup.

Who Owns the Smithsonian Museum? A Federal Trust - LegalClarity

Read through the report and the riots and attacks on police and the DEI in the classroom might become clearer. No surprise we're being taken over by Communists dressed up like Democrats

Bill Wilcox, architect and friend

 We were talking today about an architect friend and when I checked my blog I see I had not recorded his death--back in 2007.  Back in the 60s and 70s we were very close and knew him through professional and church organizations.

William Wilcox Obituary (2007) - Columbus, OH - The Columbus Dispatch

Victor Melaragno

 We've recently lost one of our residents at The Estates. Victor Melaragno. Victor J. Melaragno Obituary Jul 6, 2026 - Newcomer Columbus

President Trump prays in statement for USCCB for 250th birthday of nation

Considering how anti-Christian the Communists in the U.S. are (colluding with the Democrat Party who were booing God 3 decades ago) and how anti-Catholic the far Right and some Evangelicals in the U,S. are, I suppose I can understand how difficult this story was to find in the news, even with the help of AI. But here it is. A revolutionary action by the current President.

"Members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops — which is currently gathered in Orlando, Florida, for its spring assembly — came together for the consecration service on Thursday (June 11) in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The occasion, marked by a presidential statement, is seen as a high point in acceptance of the Catholic Church in the historically Protestant country.

"Today, Melania and I join in prayer with Catholic Bishops gathered in Orlando, Florida, as they consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the occasion of our 250th year of American Independence — a powerful moment in our national story and a poignant reminder that America has always been guided by the loving hand of God,” the president said in a statement from the White House."

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4605151/catholic-bishops-consecrate-us-trump-melania-prayer/

Trump highlighted the role of faith in shaping the nation’s identity, from Christian missionaries and settlers to chaplains and churchgoers throughout history. He linked the consecration (by the Bishops) to the nation’s founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and noted that the Sacred Heart of Jesus would bless the U.S., protect families, strengthen the Church, and guide the nation for generations.

Even so, 8 states opted out of participating in the 16-day “Great American State Fair” in Washington, D.C., which celebrates the United States’ 250th birthday. They just wanted to thumb their noses at Trump. Those governors denied their own citizens the right to tell the others how great their people and products are (which is what state fairs have been doing since 1841).

I see it as just one more way President Trump has brought warring sides together--the far Left and the far Right--not since the Founding Fathers has a leader managed to so clearly make a shout out to our First Amendment--he didn't establish a religion and he didn't prohibit its exercise and he honored a religious group the right to peaceably assemble.

President Trump's speech on the National Mall

A powerful storm front postponed the speech and fireworks about 2 hours.  The Fox hosts did a valiant job of ad-libbing and singing and small talk, but eventually, a few minutes before midnight, the show went on.

https://www.youtube.com/live/6MgYQnkldTA?si=fjOsLF51lL85jCvK

The President honored many military--one even 107 years old. He spoke out against Communism, which is again rearing its ugly head.  100,000,000 dead in the 20th century, and most of its victims were its own citizens.  He honored Artemis II, with Astronaut Apollo 17 Jack Schmitt and Gold Star Families. 

Brilliant scientist and billionaires still can't figure out what to do with plastics

 36376.jpeg (1200×1200)

More than 52 million tons of plastic waste remain unmanaged every year around the world and developing countries bear the brunt of the crisis. This is according to a 2024 research article published in the academic journal Nature. ( A local-to-global emissions inventory of macroplastic pollution | Nature ) This means that an estimated fifth of all municipal plastic waste in the world ends up in the environment or is burned in an uncontrolled manner.

Looking at the data on a per-capita basis, many nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, but also in Central America, the Pacific, Asia and the Middle East let large amount of plastic waste go unmanaged, causing degradation, health hazards and air pollution (in the event of uncontrolled burning). The study found that the lower levels of plastic pollution in the global North were mostly caused by littering, while in developing countries, waste not being collected was the biggest issue.

In absolute terms, India was the biggest emitter of plastic waste identified in the study, with high absolute volumes also set free in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. China, often named as the major emitter in older studies, ranked fourth for absolute volumes, reflecting the progress the country has made, according to the authors. The makers of the report based on their findings suggest a multi-sectoral approach to reducing plastic waste, including reducing plastic use, improving waste collection and better recycling systems.

July 3 at the Estates

 

 

We had a wonderful buffet lunch and a great movie in the evening, Solo Mio with Kevin James.

Usually at The Estates we have old movies, but Friday the 3rd we had a 2026, "Solo Mio."

 Kevin James plays Matt, a groom left devastated when his fiancée, Heather, abandons him at the altar in Italy, leaving only a note explaining she is not ready for marriage. Determined to continue his planned group tour alone, Matt meets Gia, a charming local café owner, and forms a connection with her while navigating heartbreak and self-discovery. The story explores themes of love, resilience, and second chances, culminating in Matt returning to Gia after selling his engagement ring to buy a motorcycle (Wikipedia). What doesn't appear in the reviews are two performers Andrea Bocelli and Jonathan Roumie best known for portraying Jesus in the hit series The Chosen

1776 the musical (film) was our entertainment last night

At the Estates last night, a large group enjoyed the movie, "1776 The Musical" (1972), adapted from an earlier stage play, which was adapted from the history of the drafting and writing/approval of the Declaration of Independence. I hadn't seen it during the bicentennial, and really enjoyed it. I found it about as accurate as a film could be for something adapted from a book/play adapted from actual history. After all, one could fill a library with important books on this event and biographies of all the people of the Continental Congress. Some critics of the time complained the timeline was wrong--too condensed.

So, I checked this "wrong timeline" idea with the Library of Congress which noted there were numerous drafts then 5 men who worked on it, and then about a week when the whole group met. Considering what we get today as "news," I'd call this accurate.

"Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia behind a veil of Congressionally imposed secrecy in June 1776 for a country wracked by military and political uncertainties. In anticipation of a vote for independence, the Continental Congress on June 11 appointed Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as a committee to draft a declaration of independence. The committee then delegated Thomas Jefferson to undertake the task. Jefferson worked diligently in private for days to compose a document. Proof of the arduous nature of the work can be seen in the fragment of the first known composition draft of the declaration, which is on public display here for the first time.

Jefferson then made a clean or "fair" copy of the composition declaration, which became the foundation of the document, labeled by Jefferson as the "original Rough draught." Revised first by Adams, then by Franklin, and then by the full committee, a total of forty-seven alterations including the insertion of three complete paragraphs was made on the text before it was presented to Congress on June 28. After voting for independence on July 2, the Congress then continued to refine the document, making thirty-nine additional revisions to the committee draft before its final adoption on the morning of July 4 . . ." https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/declara3.html

We've been having a film series for the 250th anniversary celebration.

A prayer for our country from 1791 for our 250th celebration

This prayer was composed by John Carroll, the first American Archbishop, in November 1791 and is often used at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but is surely heartfelt as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation. Perhaps the wording sounds a bit formal given our modern-day church services, but it contains what many of us have heard and prayed for all our lives--pleading that the Gospel be spread throughout the world, for the church, for the President, The Congress, for the state governors, for our fellow citizens, our departed loved ones and those who have been the benefactors.

"We pray, O almighty and eternal God, who through Jesus Christ has revealed thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of your name.

We pray Thee, who alone are good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, the pope, the vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, all other bishops, prelates and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct your people into the ways of salvation.

We pray O God of might, wisdom and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the president of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.

Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by your powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to your unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to you, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of your servants departed, who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech you, a place of refreshment, light and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior."
Amen.

Note: The U.S. Constitution became the official framework of the federal government on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it, meeting the requirement under Article VII that nine of the thirteen states approve the document for it to take effect. The Constitution had been signed earlier on September 17, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, but it required state ratification to become binding. After ratification, the Constitution officially replaced the Articles of Confederation, and the new federal government began operations on March 4, 1789. All states had ratified it by May 29, 1790. So, the country was still very young and fragile--one year old--when this prayer was written, And now it is welcoming Islamists and Communists into the Congress.

Interesting that NH is participating in the Great American State Fair, and it was the State that got the Constitution ratified, yet the Governor of Pennsylvania the state where it was signed is pouting and being disrespectful to its own citizens and all U,S. citizens.