Politics. You Choose.

IN  NO  PARTICULAR  ORDER......

A brewer in Seattle puts a Police slur on each can of beer.

Rob Bonita - a California Assemblyman....a Democrat....is formulating a wealth tax designed, and intended for, people that move out of California. For 10 years, those that move out of state, would be liable to pay taxes as if they still live in California.

Seattle Police Chief, resigns.  A woman of color.  Not because she could not do the job, rather, the entire city council voted to de-fund Seattle's police budget, something the Police Chief could not accept.

 

New York governor begs for people to return to the state.  Many New Yorkers leaving the state.

 Joe Biden takes credit for the Israel / United Arab Emirates peace agreement that was gaining traction when he and Obama were in the White House.

And while in the White House, the Obama-Biden administration sent $1.7 billion dollars to Iran.

Nancy Pelosi  adamantly says that President Trump, being nominated for TWO Nobel Peace Prize's, is just a distraction. He is just a lousy president.

Jerrold Nadler says all the riots and  destruction that is going on in our cities is just a myth. 

The Pledge of Allegiance left out the word GOD, when recited at the opening of the Democratic National convention.

Nancy Pelosi refers to President Trump as 'whats his name'.

The Los Angeles Tourism Office suggests that residents of LA stay home, keeping their money local.  This money is desperately needed for Los Angles to keep running and viable.

Democratic Catholics in the House of Representatives, and Biden and Pelosi, also Catholics, haved blamed President Trump directly for the 180.000 Corona Virus deaths.  These same Catholics say nothing about the 1 million abortions performed in 2020.  The Roman Catholic Church is Pro-Life.

Pelosi caught with no face covering, (totally ignoring her own demands that all wear masks) in a hair salon in San Francisco.  That salon is shut down to regular customers due to California political leaders.

Kamala Harris makes us believe  she is pro-women.  Then Harris visits felon Jacob Blake in the hospital, stating that he doing so well and she is proud of him.  He is a violent felon, abusing and raping women,  fights law enforcement, and was shot while reaching for a knife, totally ignoring Police commands.

Violent rioters disrupt Pittsburgh diners.

Hollywood, claiming to be strongly pro woman, says nothing about the new movie 'Cuties'.  Cuties exploits 11 year old girls being sexualized in the movie.

Pray for these political Democrats.  Prayer works.

Hi Arthur

The picture to the left, I mean the right, is me and Arthur...me face on, and Arthur in profile.
What an outstanding little Yorkie.  We were with Arthur for 12 +/- years.  We had to euthanize him about 5 years ago......failing health.

Arthur was a Democrat. Somewhat liberal......and although I did not like his ideas always, we loved each other, went for walks together, took care of each other, and at times barked at each other.  But at the end of the day, we ate popcorn together. With grated cheese on the popcorn.

I wish our politicians today could treat one another as Arthur and I did.......   Oh well.

13 years later

This December 9th will be my 13th year of sobriety from alcohol.  December 9th, 2006 at 9:30 in the morning, I stood up from my desk at work and said 'God, I need help'.  A very simple prayer.  My prayer was answered at that moment.  My need, and desire to drink left me. 

To me, a miracle, that also included family and friends planning an intervention for me, that literally saved my life.  I did not know about the intervention, and my family did not know about my prayer.  After my prayer in my office, I did not drink, nor did I want to drink, for 4 days. On that 4th day was the intervention. Not one desire to drink during those 4 days.  God had His plan.  At 10:30 am on Saturday morning, I accepted the intervention, and went to treatment.   After finishing the 28 day program, and an additional 8 days in a hospital, I walked away from my career of 35 years, and 18 months later, I started working at the very same treatment center I was a patient at.  For 8 years I worked the graveyard shift, helping addicts, sharing my addiction story, and my testimony how God saved me.  Through that very small prayer.  Please seek the Lord, and believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.  That is how I live today, full of gratitude for my family, and friends, and with thanks to God for His forgiveness. God had a plan for me, and to this day I am so thankful for our Lord's grace, and, again, for His forgiveness.

I plan on more posts.  I chose this post first.  It represents my gratitude.  Some posts will be serious. some will be funny, and then, everything in between.  Maybe some politics thrown in......

Now, go out and make a difference.  Start with eating ICE CREAM.  Tillamook.  Chocolate Peanut Butter.   All right!!!

TomG

Well Now What

Well.

Now.

What.

Oh,  lets go to church this Sunday.  We might meet new friends.  We will hear a sermon.  The good stuff.

Oh,  lets watch the Super Bowl.  Also this Sunday.  DVR the game.  Only if you go to church.

Oh,  what about a quick phone call to brothers or sisters.  My siblings do not like our president.  They call him a liar.  They say he is immoral and a racist.  Hey, how do you come to that conclusion brothers and sisters?  Just be nice and tell them you love them.

Oh,  and all the snow this year fell last year.  Back to the future type thing.  What?

Oh,  if you have any questions about your faith,  go to channel 378 (DirecTV) and watch Todd Friel on his daily WRETCHED TV.  His humor might just cast you into a frenzy of wanting more information about.......The Creator.  Do not watch him if you don't like to laugh.

Oh,  I'm making dinner tonight, so hurry up and read this.

Oh,  I will be back. 

Oh,  Pickles & peanut butter washed down with an orange.  Burp.

Oh,  that wasn't dinner.  That was snack.  Good snack.

Oh,  dinner was barbecue burgers.  No buns though.

Oh,  and did anyone read the story about small galaxies (an oxy moron) spiraling around our Milky Way Galaxy in the same direction as the Milky Way, and on the same plain.  For the longest time, astronomers believed these Galaxies were on the outside of the Milky Way, in no particular order......Chaotic they said.  This finding is messing with their brains.  Hey astronomers, God designed the Universe.  That is how this new discovery is explained.  And, what took you so long to figure this out?

Oh,  a year ago I was shoveling snow in 20 degree weather.  45 degrees right now.  11 PM.

Oh,  if you want to hear another view regarding Creation vs. Macro-Evolution, look to Google and YouTube, and put in 'James Tour'.  His lecture is "THE STORY OF LIFE: AN INSIDE STORY"  Tour is a chemistry professor at Rice University.  Done in 2016, it will change your mind.  If you do not listen, and if you do not agree, listen again.

Oh,  see you tomorrow.

Enjoy your ice cream Charles Darwin.

Evolution is a theory. 

Been around for the last 150 years or so. 

Charles Darwin thought up his theory, while at a Dairy Queen. 

Well, not quite a Dairy Queen yet.

(Darwin wanted a Dairy Queen now).

But it needed to be built.

Anyway, Darwin was at a neighbors house, and was served a very delicious slushy type drink. 

Darwin was hoping like heck that his drink would be carbonated.

But it was not.

Carbonation had not yet evolved. 

An intelligent person did find, and perfect, carbonation a little later.

Darwin was getting frustrated with the theory of evolution.  He wanted that carbonation. 

Oh well. 

Dairy Queen however, would, over time, evolve in those 150 years.

But not without newer and better building materials.

And lots of talented labor to build the building.

Hey, a new building just couldn't build itself.

Those builders were necessary.

The materials needed to be put together properly.

Not randomly.

It had to look like a Dairy Queen.

Not a tree house.

Or a pile of wood.

Dang! Darwin says.

Getting back to that slushy drink.

That cold slushy thing that Darwin enjoyed would not evolve into a yummy chocolate sundae.

Someone with great intelligence, had to create, and perfect ice cream.

"Dang it" said Darwin. 

He wanted that Dairy Queen to evolve, as his theory said it would. 

Sort of like his theory of evolution, and all of the animals, and humans, and flowers, and bacteria.

And sea monsters, and birds, and crocodiles.

And DNA, and bones, and blood, and human organs, and human eyes.

And giraffes, and enzymes, and elephants, and fruit flies that did evolve. 

All evolved, his theory says, over millions and millions, and more, millions of years. 

Or did they? 

Maybe evolved.

Hopefully evolved.

Probably didn't evolve.

Were created.

By God.

Science today refutes Darwins theory of evolution. Science today confirms just the opposite.  Creation.  Science today confirms that we are here through the creation of God.  Very simple.  All documented in the Bible. God created everything.  Even science. 

Just about everything

did you hear the birds this morning?  yes they were beautiful........

you have to buy a volkswagen bug convertable.  good investment for your mental health and your marriage....oh yea baby.

and you must own your own ice cream maker.  really. actually quite fun, and when you
use a sugar substitute, you can eat about a gallon a night and have no worries.

before you die, get a job at a homeless shelter.  or just volunteer.  life changing.

are we human?  or are we dancer?  whats that mean?  google 'the killers'.  a song of theirs.

what a sunset.  always amazing.  think of this.  our sunsets are one of trillions to the tenth power.
who made our universe?

google again.....get on your laptop and go to google...... type in  'andy grammers' 'fresh eyes' on you tube and get the version with the man looking back at you.....watch and listen to an outstanding story...... it has something to do with one of the above items......ok!

right this minute my wife is doing a post.  a cool subject, i'm sure.  i inspire her.  do you really want the truth?  ok.  she inspires me.

over 50 million babies have died due to abortions.  50,000,000.  heaven has room for them.

don't lend the ice cream maker to your neighbor.  instead, invite them over to your place.  tell them when they arrive when they have to go.

cocaine.  a very famous song sung by my friend eric clapton.

wait a minute.  i never said that.

last night was not good for sleep.  the dark house did not challenge me.  many rooms to visit and no where to go.  took my time getting to the recliner.  oh that was nice.  hello sleep.

playing the piano.  what a sound.   mostly good and for a purpose.

$700,000 dollars later, planned parenthood went home a little poorer after the republican candidate beat the democratic candidate down in atlanta.  how many of those $700,000 dollars were your tax money?

our trailer is back in nampa.

our redmond properties we still own.

heaven has room for lots of people.  even the most despicable ones.  isn't that something?

i have owned the most powerful paper shredder for many years.  it is scary.  it will handle about 4 pages at once.  it trims my fingernails sometimes.  not really.  well, maybe.

moody blues concert at chateau ste. michelle winery in woodinville washington.  outstanding.

it is not only a concert, it is a way to meet others. those that just go for the music miss lots.

it is an opportunity  to put your best foot forward.  it is not hard to do.

take advantage of time and places.  you may not ever get them back.

what about that red licorice as opposed to the black licorice.  red wins.

are you close to your family?

do you drive by the cardboard holders at freeway on-ramps?

are they being truthful, needing money for food?  or drugs?

we are victims of the night.

mechanical physical kryptonite.

so suddenly i'm in love with a stranger.

ok.  ice cream now.  not later.  maybe some popcorn too.  and diet 7-up.  or, maybe an apple.

i just cant decide.  help me decide.

i have never caught a person falling 25 feet from  a sky ride.

knock knock.  who's there?

hi all 7 grand kids!  love all of you. now go have fun.

hi chris.  now go on a vacation!

ice cream now.

i will return.

tomg

DO YOU AGREE?

Our generation is becoming so busy trying to prove that women can do what men can do that women are losing their uniqueness.
Women weren't created to do everything a man can do.  Women were created to do everything a man can't do.

I AGREE.

Abortion ?  NO.     Adoption!  YES.

I AGREE.

Don't underestimate me.  I know more than I say, think more than I speak, & notice more than you realize.

I AGREE.

Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother.

I AGREE.

All I need today is a little bit of coffee, and a whole lot of Jesus.

I AGREE.

True love isn't Romeo & Juliet, it's Grandma & Grandpa who grew old together.

I AGREE.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"

I AGREE.

The fact that I'm a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I'm a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.

I AGREE.

OPPORTUNITY LOST

Yesterday at Albertsons, one of our local grocery stores, I was in line to pay for my celery, cucumber, 3 beautiful tomatoes, and 2 cases of my favorite beverage, what I call Pretend Diet 7UP......Albertsons private labeled diet Lemon Lime.

I was in line.  The lady in front of me had a cart full of groceries.  A variety of this, and that.  The check out line that she and I were in was intended for those of us that had 15 items, or less.  She was well over the limit.  I took this time to practice my patience, and to just appreciate what we all have in our beautiful land.  Shelves of food, nice employees, a clean store.  We are very blessed to say the least.

This lady never looked at me (too embarrassed?).  Obviously, an apology never happened.  She seemed to not care.  It was about her.  Her little indiscretion was 'no big deal'.  It did not matter to her that most shoppers followed the 'rule'.....15 item line?  It's OK to maybe have 17 items, 20 at most.

Why is this a big deal?  Because this customer decided by herself, that she will do what is good for her, and not others.  That is sad.  She could have decided to do the right thing, and in doing so, she could feel good about herself, simply by doing the right thing.  It is a healthy way to live.  We need to put others first, and not ourselves.  If we do that, if we live by that, we can feel good about how we live, and how we can be thankful for what we have.

If this lady is fortunate enough to be a parent, a mother, I wonder how she teaches her children.  Does she teach her children that it is OK to cut corners in life?  Remember, it's no big deal.  Where does she draw the line.  Does she have a line?  Probably not.  Sad.

My rule is simply this.  I ask, 'what would Jesus do'?  Corny? Not really. It is my accountability.  It allows me to live a happy, purposeful life.

She missed an opportunity at real joy.  Oh well.

Another Moron, another Moron, and another..and another.....

Caught on camera, a young lady supporting Trump at one of the woman's marches, had her hair lit on fire by a deranged, angry, miserable, female soul.  Pray for both.  The arsonist.......moron.
1-24-17  2 PM  

Chelsea Handler says Melania Trump can barely speak English. That's correct.  Melania Trump speaks English, and 5 other languages fluently.   Chelsea Handler.......moron.
1-24-17   4:06 PM

The lady on the flight leaving Baltimore heading to Seattle, escorted off the flight because she is mad at Trump for winning the presidency (I think).......she needs clam chowder and she needs more meditation while looking at beautiful Mt. Rainier.  Oh, I guess it is better to be totally angry because she didn't get her way.  Sad...........moron.
1-24-17  11:10 PM

Some FAMILY members of Chrisette Michele, a singer who performed at President Trumps inauguration, said they would no longer TALK TO HER.   Family members.......morons.
1-25-17  10:15 AM

Questlove, upon hearing that Chrisette Michele accepted an invitation to sing at President Trumps inauguration, offered Chrisette Michele money NOT TO PERFORM...........moron.
1-25-17  10:16 AM

The Marchers. Wow. Lots of them. Some wonderful. Some not so much.

January 21st, 2017.   On that day the world, yes the world, saw millions of people (oh yea, there were men also marching.....no football that day I guess) march for women's rights.  I believe many of those attending were for good, and noble causes.  Treating women badly, bullying them physically, and emotionally, should never happen. That, for most of us, is understandable. We must honor all women respectfully and with love, for they are, like men, made in the image of God. Grab your Bible and look at Genesis 1 verses 26 and 27.  No Bible?  Go buy one fool.  If after reading it a couple of times and you don't like it, give it to someone.  I doubt you'll give it away however.  If you read it a couple of times, you will keep it. So, now, keeping your Bible that you have read a couple of times, you can go buy a Bible and give it to someone.  How wonderful.  I must warn you......if you read the Bible, you might change.  Be careful.

Now, observations of people at the marches.......

The Hollywood female speakers....scary and angry they seem.......

Madonna......thinking of blowing up the White House.....a moron.

Ashley Judd........hatred coming out of her mouth, equating Trump to Hitler.....a moron.

Women marching with signs that most of us would never read or print......many morons.

The Washington DC leaders....Linda Sarsour, Carmen Perez, Vanessa Wruble, and Bob Bland (oh no, a guy......he needs football....come on Bob!)  One of them, or all of them, turned away a whole group of women that wanted to march, but they were told they were not welcome to march, because.....gulp, and sit down......they were PRO-LIFE....you know, against abortion, against murder, very decent women.  The 4 DC leaders.....ALL MORONS.

By the way, I had to decide between the word Moron, or Idiots......I chose 'Morons'.  More descriptive and just has a good ring to it.  Let me know if you agree, or if you have a word that you would use. Please, only good, printable, descriptive, moron-type words.

Morons. What a word.  It is becoming one of my favorite top 10 words. Ice Cream is my top word....OK, words .....ice cream.  Love that ice cream.  Makes for a good desert before dinner, and after.  Any time of day.....Yummy!

Oh, sorry.  More morons.

Mr. and Mrs. Darnell in the women's Seattle's march.....Allowing their 7 year of daughter to lead a chant about president Trump.. 'Hey Hey HO HO, Donald Trump has to go!'.  Hey Darnell's, find some crayons for your daughter........Morons.

(See Seattle Times front page picture Sunday edition Jan. 22, 2017 for that picture.......morons).

Seattle Times......Putting that picture on front page......morons.

Spelling woman this way....womxn.  Weird.........morxns.

OK.  Here is the plan.  Pray for all the morons.    And pray for our new President. And our old President.  Yes, they were both morons at times.  But we all are morons at times.  God forgives Morons.  Thank goodness.  Morons.

Moron

Democracy

Best wishes to our new President Donald Trump.  And thank you to Barack Obama for your service to our country.

A very sad, mad, politician....

Dr. Ben Carson went before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and answered many questions from many of the committee members, including Elizabeth Warren.

Elizabeth Warren chose to use much of her time asking Dr. Carson, that if approved to become the HUD director, can he make sure that 'not one dollar of tax payers money will go to President Elect Trumps properties, financially benefiting neither him, nor his family'.  She was quite concerned that there might be a possibility of this happening due to Trumps vast real estate holdings, some of which might benefit low income people in need, thus putting tax payers money in his pockets.  Not one dollar!

Elizabeth Warren has no problem using tax payers dollars that fund Planned Parenthood, an organization that is in the business of abortion, and a killer of millions of babies.

It is not rational.  She needs help.

IF I WERE A BACHELOR.....

If I were a bachelor....

I'd eat lots of pizza.  And ice cream.

I'd probably never wash my sheets.

I'd use a sleeping bag to sleep in. Sell the sheets.

I'd have 5 dogs.  That would sleep on my bed.

I'd make a huge pot of coffee, and drink it over 3 days.

I'd use the same coffee grounds twice.

I'd get rid of most of the furniture in the house.

I'd use plastic forks and spoons. 3 real steak knives, 1 ice cream scoop.

I'd get rid of the vacuum and just use the leaf blower.

I'd wash my car.  

One side per week.  Yea, my car.  

I'd continue to wash the darks with the whites.  With bleach.

I'd hire teenagers to do my lawn, gardens, looking crabby all the time.

And then pay them a lot.  Still looking crabby of course.

I'd sit on the front porch early mornings drinking coffee.

I'd barbecue something for breakfast.

I'd call my brother more often.  Forget texting.

I'd do my best to be Christ like all the time.

I'd spend lots of time with my grand kids.

I'd still be a bachelor even though I have grand kids.

Don't worry about the details.  Ask my wife.  I'm still a bachelor.

I'd be a darn good bachelor.

I'd pick up hitchhikers. 

But only if they are real old, male, using a cane, holding 2 bags of groceries.

Oh yea, in the snow, and they have fallen down.  And they can't get up.

I'd call Kimmy and Todd lots more.

I'd eat peanut butter and pickles on sourdough.  Quite often.  Really.

I'd have a pallet of Diet 7-up in the garage just for the fun of it.

I'd stay off alcohol.

I'd dye my hair.  No I wouldn't.  Yes I would.  MMMM...no I wouldn't.

I'd be a Conservative.  

I'd face issues head on.  Christ like of course.

I'd eat a snickers bar whenever I want to.

I'd eat peanut M and.........M's........ whenever I want to.

I'd go to movies a lot. Pixar stuff.  Star Wars stuff.  Comedies.

I'd buy the large popcorn and 7-up with a budget of $20.    

Oh yea, Red Vines.  To honor someone.

I'd always drive with my window down. Snow.  Rain. Sleet.  All of it.

I'd buy a convertable.

I'd have the top down all the time.  Snow.  Rain.  Sleet. All of it.

I'd always live by above entry by theimperfectpastor......and......Com.

I'd put my blender, toaster, tools, and work boots in the dishwasher.  Really.

I'd paint my house.  One side per year, forever.  Like my car.

I'd learn to use tools.

I'd never put my blower away.

I'd bleach everything.

I'd adopt every time.

I'd drive an old car.

I'd spend my money on a 65 inch TV.

I'd give away the rest.

I'd continue to be a little different.

I'd be more peaceful.

I'd confront people as needed.  Like Jesus did.

I'd continue to watch my grand kids grow up. 

But I'm a bachelor.  I'm confused.  Oh well.

I'd get married so I could have grand kids.

I'd never get on Face Book.

I'd eat peanut butter and banana sandwiches also.  Of course on Sourdough.

I'd look for my vacuum cleaner.

I'd paint more often.  I don't know what though.  I know! Gravidee.

I'd continue to watch stories about dog rescues on YouTube.

I'd then buy more Kleenex.

I'd continue to go to concerts.

I'd probably see my wife there.  Hi Chris.

I'd still be confused being a bachelor and having a wife. 

"Hey girl.  What's your name again?"  I always forget my wifes name.....

But you all must know. I am not a bachelor.  I am married to the coolest, radically

good wife that has allowed me to do the above things.  

She encourages me to do them.

Pretty Cool!

Rick, I'm closing this place down, there's gambling going on!

You must remember this
A kiss is still  kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by

Now, all you young people just quit reading this.  You won't understand this post.  Not the title.  Not the above stanza.  In fact, none of you youngsters know what the word Stanza means.  So, go tweet. Or text. Or go get a half gallon of ice cream.  Oh yeah.  Get me some ice cream while you're out there.  I'll use my Face Book account to tell you the flavor to pick up.  No I wont.  I don't use Facebook.  Is it Face Book or Facebook?  You are known as millenials.  Poor things.  Big babies.
Probably the only thing I have in common with you all is ice cream. That's OK.

Sorry for picking on you youngsters.  I got carried away I guess.  But it all boils down to one thing.
And I can't remember what that is.  So lets get to the point. The point is, that the mystery title and the ....stanza....according to Siri.....is about the movie Casablanca.

In the year of the antelope, 1975, I was on the ship processor Pacific Shrimper having a meal.  Now, realize,  I was a deckhand on the Mar Pacifico, a 125 long shrimper, and we sold our catch to the Pacific Shrimper.....the processor.  Get it?  Don't be a dummy.    And we delivered our haul of shrimp every 5 to 6 days.   At that time, there was no limit to how much shrimp we could deliver. And boy (or girl) did we deliver!  Year 'round.  Calm seas.  Scary seas. And I was the cook.  Now that was an experience.  I was quite creative.  My skipper, Dale Samuelson, finally started liking me the day I served chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, and vanilla ice cream.  For Breakfast.  Oh well.  Made lots of money.  We fished on days that other boats wouldn't.  Crazy skipper, but he knew his stuff running our boat.  He pushed us hard, but always stressed safety.  Liked to yell a lot.  We yelled back.  Quite a cozy family on board that boat.

So, back to Casablanca. Was on the Pacific Shrimper on our day off, in their galley, having lunch.  Or dinner.  Or some meal.  Brain is rusty, and somewhat forgetful.  And as we were eating, the ships
staff brought out the movie projector, screen, and the movie Casablanca.  I was hooked so to speak.
So, speak.

What a movie! If you have not seen this masterpiece, I just say......Get.  A.  Life.  I thought then and there, and over here and over there, I will rent this movie and throw a party at my new girl fiends house in Seattle.  Only one problem.  I could not find a DVD copy, a VHS copy.....nothing!  I started sweating.  Mostly on my forehead.  Then I remembered.  DVD, and VHS, were not invented at that time.  Now what. I'll tell you what Now what.  I rented a movie projector, a screen, and a movie theater quality tape of the movie Casablanca!  I had to charge our guests for the popcorn (not microwave popcorn....no microwaves then) to cover the cost of the movie production.  And by the way, my girlfriend in this story is long gone.....just kidding ya'll.  The girlfriend I mention is my wife of 48 years (give or take 9 years) today.  What a catch.  Not the shrimp.  My wife.  I can never remember her name. "Hey, girl! What's your name?"  'Oh Tom, you know my name'.  She always says that when I forget her name.  Dang.

So, in a round-about-way, Casablanca has given us 7 beautiful grandkids.

And to answer the above secret question, the shrimper Mar Pacifico could carry a 130 tons of shrimp
at a time.  That's a lot of shrimp.  Ate a lot of chocolate cake, frosting, ice cream.

That's all folks.          TomG

8 or 9 hours in the car. It's OK.

Getting ready to leave our home in Nampa.  And.....heading to Redmond Washington our old home.   Leave November 1.  Return same month. 

Takes about 9 hours comfortably.  Do it in 8 hours.....it is possible.  Lots of terrified looks and emotions as the 8 hour time frame requires really bad driving, speeding, screaming, loud music, and of course, driver side window always open.  The 89 mile-per-hour speed creates hurricane type sounds that keeps the driver totally awake.  And the passenger.  Passenger usually my wife.  In fact, it is always my wife.  We never, never, never pick up hitch hikers.  Don't have any room in the car.  We always bring a ton of items, food, coolers, bikes, spiders, clothes, and lots of other garbage.....you know, stuff we do not need. 

Got a LOF for the car.  Put our studded tires on......4 studded tires!  Of the 7 hour trip, 4 of those hours are across mountain passes, and about every 20 minutes or so, we see signs that say something like this "Chain up Area 1/2 mile"  and  "Chain removal Area 1/2 mile".  Chris hates putting on chains.  She says she gets very cold.  The solution?  We do not travel back and forth during the cold months.  So, no chains required.  Smart.  LOF means Lube, Oil, Filter by the way.  Car likes LOF.  Runs like a sewing machine with that new oil.

To be continued.......heading out for some fresh air, and load the chains should we need them.  You just never know.  Chris hates those chains.

I think it is now 3 days later.....I think I had to visit the kitchen for some kind of goodie.....such as ice cream, or popcorn (with shredded sharp cheese on top of it) or hidden chocolate chip cookies, or pretzels and diet 7-up, or if really desperate, grapes.  In any case, it's all good stuff.  It would be nice to find a chocolate cake every once in a while.  That never happens.  I'd eat 2 or 3 servings if I did find a chocolate cake......definitely.  And if fortunate enough to find some good Tillamook vanilla ice cream with very minimal preservatives, I'd slather it all over the chocolate cake wedges.  And I just know that while scooping the ice cream, I'd have chocolate frosting all over my face.  But of course, I never find chocolate cake.  I blame my partner, my significant other, my best friend, my soul mate.....crap, whats her name?  Oh yea, Polly. No, Candace. No, Muffin.  Muffin? I don't think so. What is her name...!  I'll be right back.  Found it.  Chris!  Whoa.  I can't remember the last time I forgot her name.  I think it was October 2015.  Chris is the reason I get no Chocolate cake.   I really don't understand her at times.  Mean.  Oh well.

So, weather here in Idaho is down-right pleasant.  End of October, and we have shorts on, no umbrellas used,  roses still blooming.  It makes me want to just dance!  That gives me a memory.  Without a lot of detail, I was once asked to leave the dance floor while trying to learn country line dancing.  In a tavern in Seattle with Chris before we were married.  It was painful for her.  Very embarrassed I think.  I have to tell you that I also felt horrible.  Not really.  The guy on the microphone calling out the steps ...... was basically a creep.  He just couldn't see me as a dancer and he gave up on me. "You, in the plaid shirt.....please leave the dance floor"  "Yea, you pal".  "Yes, off the floor now".  Sad.  Not real sad.  Medium to above medium sad.

Hey,  Chris just told me that I get the TV if we divorce.  She gets everything else.  That's fair. "Hey Chris, can I have the weed wacker too?  Please".  I love the weed wacker.  She said she'd think about it. She's tough.  Said I could come back to the house and use the weed wacker anytime.  I remind her that we are going on 39 or 40 or 42 years of marriage.  Can't  quite remember which is correct.  I'd say close to 40 years.  Dang.  No divorce here.  We are too much in love.  How's that sound?  Sorta weird if you ask me......."Chris, can I have some ice cream?"  She is so nice.  She will bring me a scoop.   Oh yea.
 
OK.  That's all for now.  Gettin ready for a great Sunday.

OUR NEXT PRESIDENT

We have Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

We all have opinions of both.  We all have our reasons to vote, or not vote, for either of them.

No worries.  Really. 

Start today, praying for our next president. 

And pray for them every day.

That's all.  Very easy.  Just pray.

Maybe we will see them change.

Because of prayer.

RANDOM THOUGHTS OF LOTS OF STUFF, AND PEOPLE OF COURSE

Well, they left Nampa, headed to Portland, the whole family....son-in-law Mark, the leader of the pack.  Daughter Kimmy, the director of the pack, and 5 grand kids.  Yes, 'The Pack'.

And who are the pack you ask?   Well.....pay attention.

Lulu......one of our 3, most beautiful, inside and out, granddaughters.  Lulu is our first grandchild. There are six more now behind her. Lulu is so joyful, and what a role model.  She has a special place in my heart.  Lulu loves the world, and she loves to learn.

Levi.......Is there anyone out there that has a sword, real, or made of wood, or a picture of some crazy fancy car, boat, railroad car, or a pile of Lego's.    Levi loves all that stuff, and much more.  He is sorta quiet, but loves everything and everybody.  A thoughtful grandson.  He has five behind him.

Ila May.......what can I say about this free spirit.....lots! As soon as Ila May could walk and talk, she was fun to watch.  How funny, how loving, how driven......oh, Ila May wanted to know how things were done, and you better be with her to  show her how things get done, otherwise she will create how things are done.....yes, create.  One of our 3, most beautiful, inside and out, granddaughters. 4 more after her.

Silas........our 'open heart surgery guy' at 12 months, grandson.  So, now, look out.  Silas gets up and goes!  Likes to wrestle, likes to run, likes to ask questions.  Totally listens to his older siblings, and tests them also.  Not so much testing Mom though.  3 more.

Isaac.  Our youngest  grandchild.  Beautiful kid, with the makeup of a bulldog..  (sorry Kimmy).
Watch out Levi and Silas......I foresee a three way wrestling match in the near future......watch out for the bulldog.  Oh yes, 2 more.

And.....we have two beautiful grand kids in Seattle....Trey, the dinosaur man, and his most gorgeous sister, Scarlett.  Watch out Trey, Scarlett is watching you.  Are you missing any dinosaurs Trey?  You might want to inventory your cool toys Trey! 

So, I am very proud of our 7 grand children.  All unique (isn't that Gods plan?).  All happy.  All silly.  And all have outstanding, unique, happy, and of course, silly parents.  Mark and Kimmy.....and  Todd and Stephanie......

Hall of Fame

Saturday night in Nampa Idaho......8/6/2016 and it is 11:12 PM.   And here I am after a pretty good day...... Chris has gone to bed and I thought I'd put some things down.

First of all, if you have not read my previous post about miracles, please read it, or, at least get to the bottom of the post and click on the radio link for the James Dobson interview.  Listen carefully and you will experience a miracle. So do it!  Then after reading my story and my miracle with alcoholism, and the James Dobson link, and you are still hesitant to believe in God, well, just keep looking, and praying.  You will one day see God right in front of you.  Just open your eyes a little bigger.

It is sort of funny writing this post.  As I type in the various words, a little red, squiggly line automatically positions itself under words that are spelled wrong.  First sentence above, forth word "Nampa" is underlined.  Stupid spell check. Nampa is spelled N A M P A.  Like I said, sutpaad spall chcek.

Now, here is some more advice.  Listen carefully.  On google, enter in 'Cloverton Hallelujah on YouTube'.  It is a beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohens original Hallelujah, with different lyrics.
On the right hand side of the screen, there is a choice of 50+  Mix,  Cloverton type songs......hit that and listen to some some outstanding music.  Pay particular attention to Lindsey Stirlings version of Hallelujah.  Wow. It is also beautiful.

I watched on TV tonight the National Football Leagues class of 2016 hall of fame inductees.  With Chris also watching, we watched and listened to 4 of the inductees, and we will finish watching the rest of the inductees on Sunday.  All of their speeches were worth listening to.  All spoke of their families, and how love and support were key reasons for their success, reaching the NFL hall of fame.  They also mentioned coaches, and team mates, and church leaders, and many others, that made an impact in helping these new NFL hall of famers reach this point.  These new members are so thankful.  They all realized that they could not have done this on their own.  These inductees took the time to say thank you to these people, for their help, and support, and love.

For me, it was sort of hard to listen to.  I wondered how far I could have gone had I received the love and support of my family, in particular my dad.  You see, I, along with my two older sisters, and younger brother, basic survival is how we existed.  My dad was a self centered alcoholic and he really missed his chance at molding a future 'Hall of Famer'.

From my earliest memory, to my last day before I left for college, (probably for many years after that) my dad caused much fear, sadness, tension, misery, tears, and anger for my family, and much more.  It was not good.  All of us kids suffered the same daily (yes, daily)  routine, as did our mother.  It was so constant and direct, I think we all figured that this was normal.  It was not normal.  My dad affected all of us.  He dominated all of us with his everyday anger and selfishness.  And he never let up.  He was fueled by alcohol.  After my sisters moved out to start their new lives, my brother and I had to put up with this chaos, and we did our best to protect our mom.  My dad was not a roll model in any way.  As a father, a husband, a neighbor.  He knew it all, and it was always his way.  My poor mother.  She put up with my dad for way too long.  She should have left him.  My brother and I had many instances where we had to physically confront our dad to protect ourselves, and our mom. I often think of the various outcomes had I taken a more active roll dealing with my dad.

So, here is why I am writing tonight.......I wonder what I could have accomplished had my dad been there, supporting me, guiding me, being a roll model for me.  He was not any of that.  He was barely a dad, and I am sure as he got older he had many regrets as to his neglect of his kids. In the end, my dad missed out on many things.  And he could never get it back.  How very sad for us, but also for him.

I was a loving child.  I was a peacemaker, with my family as a young boy.  I found little league baseball and football, and was good in both of them.  I had many friends as a kid.  I liked my friends.  They liked me.  In junior and senior high school, I excelled in football and baseball, and carried both into my freshman year in college. I graduated from the University of Washington.  I was offered a prized deckhand position on a fishing boat in Alaska.  I became a very good fisherman, and was just a shade away from becoming a captain on a 125 foot Alaskan shrimp trawler.  It was at this time that Chris and I met, and now, almost 43 years later we are still laughing, and loving, with one another.  With the help and support of Chris, I started my own business, and had it for 35 years.  It was a success because of hard work and impeccable customer service.  Chris and I are now retired, and our passion today is our Christian faith (and of course, our 7 grandkids!)  We have, as our goal, to treat all people with love. With joyfulness.

So, what does all of this have to do with my dad?  It is simply to wonder where I could have ended up had my dad been a different dad.  I wonder if I could have reached the Hall of Fame?  Obviously not the NFL hall of fame, rather the kind of hall of fame all of us can strive for, and one that we can all reach.  A result achieved by the support and love of our families, especially our dads.  

A good father has one chance in life to push their kids to do their very best.  To teach their kids to give 100%.  To teach them to get up when they fall down.  You know, just the basic stuff a dad does.

My dad missed his one opportunity to teach me, my brother, and my two sisters.  His loss.  Oh well.

Hey dads......you only have one chance.

Thanks all.  TomG

PS.  Now I feel better.        

Miracles. You Decide.

This December, 2016, will be ten years of sobriety for me.  I have told my story before, not to build me up, but to help others.  I want to help other alcoholics. With a passion.  Here is my miracle......

Very secretly, I drank for many years.  Mostly at my office where no one would see me.  Like all alcoholics, my drinking started slowly, but over time, it progressed, and took over my life. It affected my kids, my family, my business, my neighbors, strangers.  I put my wife through hell, because I was never around.  I was not a good husband.  Alcohol had taken over.  Today, Chris loves me dearly.  She did not give up on me, and for that I have prayers of thanks to God for Chris.  Every day.

Alcoholics cannot stop drinking on their own.  They need help.  I will say that again.  Alcoholics cannot stop drinking on their own.  They need help.  AA.....Alcoholics Anonymous....is the best, offering the 12 steps of AA.  Alcoholics cannot stop drinking on their own.  Ever.

I had no thoughts of stopping my drinking (not knowing at the time that it would be impossible for me to stop on my own).  And in my last year(s) of drinking, I would visit the liquor stores daily for vodka.  Lots of vodka.  I had to have it so I could function.  Very scary thinking about this.  And I was, like many alcoholics, self centered and relied on no one.  I could handle this.  For the rest of my life.  Never prayed.  Remember, I relied on no one, not even God.  But one day, something happened.

December 6, 2006, at 930 in the morning, I sat down at my desk, at work, looking out a large window, and said 'God, I need help'.  That is all I said.  And remember, alcoholics cannot stop drinking on their own.  10 AM the liquor store opens.  10 AM arrives, and I do not go. This is impossible.  All day, I did not go to the liquor store.  Again, impossible.  Thursday, I do not go to the liquor store.  Friday and I do not go to the liquor store.  I did not understand what was happening, but I did not buy vodka.  Saturday arrived, and Chris, my loving wife took me out for coffee.  I remember tears in her eyes.  We held hands for the first time in years.  I was, I think, confused. Two hours and then we headed back home.  I have been sober for 4 days.  No alcohol in my system.  Feeling pretty good. We got home, went through our front door (usually used our garage to get into the house) and there in our living room were 20 people for an intervention, for me, for my drinking.

Remember that prayer to God when I asked for help?  He answered.  He prepared me for treatment.  Physically, mentally, and spiritually.  And my daughter and family were praying every day that the intervention would work. And they were praying for me way before my little prayer.

I look back on those four days, and I truly believe that God saved me.  At the moment of my prayer, I lost all desire to drink.  Impossible.  It was a miracle.  Thank you Lord!

After I got out of treatment, I closed my business of 35 years.  I worked in public schools with young students, helping them. And I went back to my treatment center, and for 8 years, worked full time on the graveyard shift helping addicts.  The very best job I ever had.  Maybe Gods plan.  I know it was His plan. That is my miracle.

Family or friends with problem drinking?  Look into AA.  Treatment.  Do not give up.  AA has worked miracles for 83 years.  It works. It is the only way that works.  And pray.  God will answer.  I know.

Now hear a miracle!   Breaking the Silence, on Family Talk with James Dobson


click here

Thanks all, and believe in God.
Miracles happen.  Pray!    
Tom G

Thank you Lord for all that you have given me.

BE CONFUSED, PEOPLE

Here is what we need to do as humans......My wife sent me this knowing I would like it.  I do like it and I want to give it to you.  As it says, it is for confused people.  If you are not confused, don't bother reading this.

CONFUSED ABOUT THE "CHRISTIAN RESPONSE" TO SOCIAL ISSUES?

Here's a handy reference list.

Male - Love Them
Female - Love Them
Unsure - Love Them
Gay - Love Them
Straight - Love Them
Unsure - Love them
Addict - Love Them
Sober - Love Them
Believer - Love Them
Unbeliever - Love Them
Unsure - Love them

theimperfectpasror.com

So,  get confused.  And then start to live.