Opinion

Trivia Too

Trivia Too – Cats make for great distractions

There is so much stress in the world today. Trains are turning over with chemicals which start big fires, the weather has been so unpredictable and harsh in many places, and the conflicts between countries seem to be increasing. Maxine McQueen, a favorite columnist that I’ve quoted before, wrote this stress-free story about her two cats which I found to be entertaining. “Fortunately, I have my menagerie to focus my mind on happy things. I have two cats with enormous patience.

Focus on Faith

Focus on Faith – A Transfer of Power

In recent days the Church has had its problems. According to a recent Gallup Poll, church membership in the U.S. has declined steadily over the last two decades. Since 1998 church membership has declined across denominational lines by 20%.

The Washington Times published a piece in July that says, “Just 59% of 18 to 34-year-olds in the U.S. say they believe in God, a prime factor in the decline of overall belief in God from 90% in 2001 to 74% in May of 2023.”

Bits and pieces

Bits & Pieces – Ghost, goblins and ghouls; no thanks

It’s beginning to look a lot like Halloween season as many are putting up “spooky” decorations. This year, the giant size seems to be pretty popular as more and more of them seem to be popping up around town. 

Trivia Too

Trivia Too – When traveling goes awry

A lot of people make travel plans that just don’t seem to work out, and I read about two such situations in the Wall Street Journal. Julie Dean Larsen and her husband had planned to travel to

Thomas Jefferson who put his soul into the Declaration of Independence. (Painting by Rembrandt Peale, 1800),

Looking Back – Those who risked it all for liberty

“When in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.”

So begins the Declaration of Independence, our most sacred and revered national document.

We need to right the ship!

As Americans watch their favorite national news station, we can all agree that our country is a mess. We can’t blame it all on the Republicans or the Democrats. Every voting member of this nation has had a hand in this disaster. We are all caught with our hands in the cookie jar.

Pointing our finger is so easy and very unproductive. We’ve whined and complained for the last several years about what needs to be done and how it should be done.

Trivia Too

Trivia Too – Sounds of the calliope

When I was 12 years old, I always became very excited when I heard the calliope.  The calliope is a musical instrument, and at that time, created music by the use of steam.  So the employees on the steamboats had to continually shovel the coal to maintain enough steam for the calliope.  The calliope music was so shrill that you could hear it miles below the river and miles above the river and you knew that the showboat was coming. 

Bits and pieces

Bits & Pieces – Celebrating another year ‘younger’

Eleven days ago I celebrated my birthday. Yes, friends, it’s great to be 78! There were no sirens, whistles, but there was a parade in “my” honor. Actually, it was the Fall Fun Festival parade. I just like sharing it with them.Every few years the festival falls on the 23rd and 24th of September. This was one of those years. The 23rd of September was also the birthday of my late husband, Chuck. Chuck and I always had a good time together and even more so on our birthdays.When our three kids were little, we used to tell them there was a parade uptown for our birthday.

Looking Back – A nation based on law

“The government was set to protect man from criminals, and the Constitution was written to protect man from the government.” ~ Ayn RandFrom the founding of this republic, the United States has been a bold experiment as a nation of laws enacted by the representatives of her citizens.“A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.” ~ Ambrose BierceThis new century has seen both – a growing disregard for law and a decline in patriotism. Places like Chicago, San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, and New York are witnessing growing lawlessness. There are prosecutors have refused to prosecute criminals. Illinois has abolished cash bail which often is labeled “catch and release.” Police morale has declined. In fact, it has become increasingly difficult to find men and women who want to be officers of the law. This is what happens when police no longer believe government has their collective backs.