Currently

Good morning and happy hump day! Wednesday means, in the words of Jon Bon Jovi, that "we're halfway there!"

(*Pause for gratuitous musical interlude*)

CURRENTLY...

The Weather

It's a comfortable, though humid, 72 degrees and raining. Tropical storm Fred is making himself known in the keystone state today. Temperatures will top out at 75 degrees and the rain is expected to be constant with some heavy downpours, bringing us a total of 2-3 inches when all is said and done.

Celebrating

Nothing. Last night finished up my birthday celebrations. My Bible study group got together, but didn't study. Everyone brought some kind of food and we had a good time talking and hanging out. We had meant to play a game, but just enjoyed sitting out on our teacher's deck overlooking the lake and gazing up at the stars while chatting. They also blessed me with several gifts.

By the way, my birthday on Sunday was good. Rebels that we are, Tim and I drove to Columbiana, OH...yep, we crossed state lines and we took no masks...for the Shaker Woods Craft Festival. It's totally not Tim's kind of thing but he put up with it for my birthday, following me all around and lugging the things I bought without any complaints. When we got through the festival, we headed over to Boardman, OH for dinner at the Springfield Grille. We had stuffed shrimp, baked potatoes, and asparagus. YUM!

It was only one day, but man, it felt good to get out of town and away from home for a little bit! 

Reading

Still working on Lysa Terkeurst's Forgiving What You Can't Forget and I've also started Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse by Timothy P. Carney.

Forgiving What You Can't Forget is still a good read I'd recommend for everyone. Even if you think you don't have anyone that you haven't forgiven, I can probably guarantee that as you read through the book (and do the accompanying workbook pages) you will come to realize that you do have some hurts in your past that have shaped your thinking. And at the very least, the book will give you some insight into why people do what they do and why you react the way you do.

Alienated America isn't a quick read, but it is very interesting and worth the effort to understand what is shaping America into something most of us barely recognize these days. 

From Amazon:

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump proclaimed, “the American dream is dead,” and this message resonated across the country.

Why do so many people believe that the American dream is no longer within reach? Growing inequality, stubborn pockets of immobility, rising rates of deadly addiction, the increasing and troubling fact that where you start determines where you end up, heightening political strife—these are the disturbing realities threatening ordinary American lives today.

The standard accounts pointed to economic problems among the working class, but the root was a cultural collapse: While the educated and wealthy elites still enjoy strong communities, most blue-collar Americans lack strong communities and institutions that bind them to their neighbors. And outside of the elites, the central American institution has been religion

That is, it’s not the factory closings that have torn us apart; it’s the church closings. The dissolution of our most cherished institutions—nuclear families, places of worship, civic organizations—has not only divided us, but eroded our sense of worth, belief in opportunity, and connection to one another.

Listening

Leah is a major fan of both the Frozen and Troll movies. She loves singing and dancing along with the music from both. I don't mind because it's fun music! My favorite is Kristoff singing Lost in the Woods in Frozen 2. It's a great tribute to the soaring power ballads of the 80's.

Cooking

Chicken, stuffing, green beans, and gravy casserole in the Crock Pot today. Mashed potatoes cooked separately.

Covid

Is beginning to make itself known in the area again. Not that I know anyone who currently has it or have even heard anyone I know say they know someone. Still, some businesses are strongly suggesting masks. Most are not enforcing it, just asking you to comply. One grocery chain being the notable exception. They want you to wear a mask. Period. If you can't wear one for health reasons...they will be happy to provide a face shield. Point being, you'd better be wearing something over your face if you pass through their doors.

Last week the school said no masks. Yesterday the text came out saying the kids will have to wear them. 

Our governor said earlier this year that he would never impose all those mandates again. As this proceeds we'll see how he handles it. And how people react. 

Thinking

About all the people left behind in Afghanistan. Sheesh....could Biden's administration have handled our withdrawal any worse? What a cluster. Please, please keep the Americans who are still stuck there, the Afghani nationals who fought alongside our troops, the women, and the personnel who are still trying to get people out in your prayers.

Pray, also, for the people of Haiti. They have been devastated once again by a big earthquake. They hadn't really recovered from the last big one thanks to a corrupt government. 

Loving

These two kids with all my heart.

Today's Agenda

No work. I rescheduled today's client for tomorrow due to all the rain. So, I plan to spend the day cleaning, doing laundry, and other odd jobs around the house. I do have to go out once to get one of Tim's prescriptions filled. I hope to find time to do some reading, as well.