11/9/2018

When I came out of the br this morning and picked up my laptop, I had the following song in my head even though I had to look up who sang it. As is often the case, I found much more depth in the talent of the rock star than one can gather by simply listening to the radio (big selling) version. I found a video where Aerosmith (the group) performed this with the California Children’ Choir. It has a great quality and made me wish for a symphony to perform it. The words are good, just needs a verse preaching the gospel of Christ.

“Dream On” is a power ballad by Aerosmith from their 1973 debut album, Aerosmith. Written by lead singer Steven Tyler, this song was their first major hit and became a classic rock radio staple.

I think I understand now, what a “power ballard” is. Like Bohemian Rhapsody, or the 13 minute Gershwin piece, Rhapsody in Blue, they are a solid link to what has long been held as “classical” music.

Talent is an interesting thing to examine. It has such a broad spectrum of coverage. A person can use mediocre athleticism and through developed talent become a super athlete, yet take them away from their chosen sport and little talent shows up. Same thing is true in music. The raw talent in vocal music is just to hear and carry a tune. But develop the skill and one might become a “talented super star.” I grew up hearing and thinking I understood the term “natural talent.” When I first mentioned this to a coach of young boys, he bristled at my words and rebuked me with “it isn’t natural, it’s environment!” Ahem. I stand corrected.

But his isn’t always the correct assessment. When a sportscaster or seasoned veteran of any particular performance art sees a young person do extraordinary things, a common remark will be, “You can’t teach that” or “it’s in him (or her) to do that!” I believe that is true. Many perform things, then when asked where did that come from, will reply, “I don’t know, it just seemed right to do it,” or some remark similar. Was it just an accident? I doubt it. I believe there is such a thing as natural talent and likely, more times than not, it is never developed or exercised. Do I think we could have thousands of Van Cliburns, Michael Jordans, Louis Armstrongs, and Joe Theismanns? (He was the last one known to have offers from 3 professional sports.) Yes, I do. So, why don’t we? Personal desires are the driving force behind all development of any talent, not the talent itself.

Personal desires are altered or advanced based on a variety of things which come our way. Being an only child, being a middle child, or the first or last of a big brood might change what is naturally there. We also change in association with whom we may fall in love. Or an unrequited love. Great desires met, great desires denied, etc., etc.

Once again we fall back to why things turn out the way they do in our individual lives and rest on the one prevailing thought: you become what you think. Too “pat” an answer for you? Expand the thought to include physically, you are the sum total of what you eat, drink and breath, and thusly, mentally, you are the sum total of what you hear, read and think.  Still not ok? Remember, as we are the creation of the Lord God of the universe, we are triune, as is He. We are body, soul and spirit. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is a triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It seems perfectly logical that we come forth, grow to maturity, and perform our lives in this same triune way.

The Lord’s word in English, the King James Bible, shows us very clearly these “3s” with which we have our being. Even in early education, as Lincoln was credited with saying, “What’s important are the 3Rs.” People have always known the joke which came from that saying. But, the truth of the 3Rs is Reading, Rhetoric, Recitation, and those are the basics of all education.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/8/2018

The two most expensive purchases normally made in most families around the world are homes in which to live and transportation vehicles in which to leave and safely return to where we live. In our country, we can “buy” at fair market value, a home or land on which to build a home. When we start a family it is paramount that we seek permanent shelter for them. Our market system has built a nomadic sort of buy and sell, buy and sell, while we move from place to place to satisfy our needs.

You’ll notice there are quotation marks around the word “buy” above. All we who make a purchase of land or home do so in good faith believing in the shelter provided and that we have the integrity and the fortitude to pay for everything we need. But, then come taxes. Even in a low real estate tax state such as where I live, there are taxes on real estate. If one does not pay the taxes, the state decides he no longer can “have” the property he “purchased.” So, did he really purchase it? No, he didn’t. It’s like blackmail. Once you pay a blackmailer, you will always pay the blackmailer. And, once you pay out a huge sum of money for a home, you must keep on paying the blackmailer for the home, every year.

So very glib writers, experts who know how to write words to explain the justification for taxes devise the deception to the gullible. Make the whole society believe the taxes are “fair.” OK, OK, I know upon which thin ice I tread! My purpose is to remind all who will ever read this to remember the first lines of the paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence: “When in the course of human events,” …and “We hold these truths to be self evident…” and “Such is the sufferance of these colonies…”

As I mentioned above I live in a very low real estate tax state, especially appreciative of the exemption status generally applied to older people. But every county is not like ours. Some parts of the state are not a lot different than places like Texas, where real estate taxes are through the roof!

What shall be done? Live with it? How shall our government raise the revenue to finance its burdens? Ahh, we have reached the crux of the issue. Why have we the people, who “in the course of human events” once revolted over taxes, why now do we live under the tyranny of taxation again without recourse? Who “burdened” the government? If we go back to 1910 and examine the country’s finances, we would not have any of today’s taxes except the tariff and specialty taxes which always had an end. We also had very few paid politicians, none on lifetime pensions equal to or greater than their workaday salaries.

You say, well today we have these roads/bridges/parks, etc. Today we have huge policing units of all kinds, fire brigades, etc., for which all these also deserve retirements and pay till they die. You say, we’re a rich nation and we must all pay our fair share?

OK. Let’s do that. Let’s all pay 10% of what we make, let’s all be honest in our method of payment, let’s not have tax police known as the IRS. Can we the people trust we the people to do that? I think I do not have to write the answer down.

The only fair tax is a tax on what we spend (and it will have cheaters devising new ways to get around it.) But it is the only way anything is “fair” about taxing. So, 10% it is, on everything, for everyone. One more thing. No government agency can spend one dime they do not have in hand. That, my friends will work.

Oh, we can’t go that far? Can’t get that done? The people will not put up with what they must go through? Well, then, we live with what we’ve become. And so it goes.

This morning, I awoke singing “Sheltered In The Arms of God” —written by Jimmy Davis and Dottie Rambo. Others wrote versions and the original poem was by Hillary Scott, I think. Perhaps my sheltered position is what caused the above writing, I don’t know. But I just watched the fiasco of our election process and the billions of dollars spent on getting or failing to get elected is rather sickening—they sought this power to spend the people’s money as if it were a bottomless pit. Sometimes I just get fed up. (And I’m a very positive minded man.)

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/7/2018

Welcome to a short-lived world without political signs! It will not last long. In some comments last night was this: 2020 campaign starts at midnight! Don’t that just show how really sick our society is? Seldom will you ever hear me say, “There oughta be a law!” But, I’m inclined to call for a referendum vote to limit electioneering to 90 days before any election and one can only campaign for election in the next upcoming election. Any mention of a future election will bring about immediate removal of the candidate’s name on the ballot. How ‘bout that? No long campaigns! We have enough media invading our homes and personal electronic devices that any candidate can be heard by anybody who wants to listen every day for 90 days. If that won’t make up your mind, you got a mind problem. …….  Oh, well. Just a thought.

Interesting SIMH today, it was as clear as a bell when I started out of the bedroom, now it has nearly faded. If I dredge it up again, I’ll probably have it bouncing off the walls of my skull all day. “We are the Champions” —by Freddy Mercury and Queen. Talented but troubled is how I would describe Queen. This song depicted Mercury’s life. The short time he lived, he made unforgettable music, and gave charitably. Which, as far as is publicly known, did nothing to gain him eternal life. I hope he had someone come along and show him Christ died for his sins, was buried, and was raised again for his justification. Talent is not a saving grace.

The morning is beautiful here on the mountain, 44 deg. going to 64, bathed in sunlight! It’s a wonderful time of year to enjoy daylight hours. But, you gotta hurry, we gave one of those away last Saturday night, right? Another political boondoggle which makes sane people walk away mumbling under their breaths. Just leave the clock alone!

Basketball!, we’re playin’ basketball! Last night on my few channel choices, I had the choice of 8 games to watch. I’m an Indiana fan by default, a Duke fan by choice, and there’s not a small college team I would fail to watch, given the opportunity. So, I watched Indiana(re-formed), then Duke annihilate Kentucky—Wow! Might be a long but fascinating season.

Here’s another basketball related “goals” story. It was the Summer between my 8th grade and Freshman years of school. Several of us had been playing basketball on the outdoor court behind the high school. Everyone left except me and a pretty good player 2 years ahead of me. We were just shooting around and he said, “let’s go get a coke.” I said ok, but I don’t have any money. He said, “I got two dimes, I think I can pay.”

We sat and he talked, I listened. He said, “You know what my goals are for this year?” Not being sure what he meant by “goals,” I wisely said, no. He said, “by the first basketball game in November, I will have my car paid off, be going steady with … … ….. (someone might recognize the girl), and start on the varsity.” He sounded so sure. He then said to me, “do you think I can do that?” (While I was sure he thought he could, I had never heard of that sort of planning for one’s life.) I said, “Well, I don’t see why not.” (in an I-don’t-know-how-to-think-like-that voice.) He said, “I know I can do it!”

He did. The “goals” in one’s life lead to fulfillments.

He went on to become one of the most prolific scorers in our school’s history, then on to become a successful business man. Though I spent a bit of time with him and always thought of him as my friend, we were not close friends. But from afar, I have watched his life from time to time. I hope he has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. I’d like to know him in eternity.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/6/2018

Good election day morning! It is an enormously different day in this country compared to other countries. I’m 76 and been watching elections since 1956. This year is really something.

Yet, as we who believe the bible is God’s word know, this is just as temporal as the next election. Do I believe we should vote? Absolutely! Do I believe it will change the outcome of the world? Absolutely not! However, it will change the face of the world you and I live in (which is so very small compared to the world the Lord will one day rule over.) But, we’re not called to change the world, we’re called to be ambassadors for Christ; to speak the power of God unto salvation, and give the same hope we have in the gospel of Christ to any and all with whom we come in contact. How can we do what we need to be doing with the least encumbrances from the world’s losing system? By not losing the freedoms we have accustomed ourselves to using.

Each saved individual ambassador, living in their own  country, utilizes the flexibility of his or her political limitations as we see with our Apostle. Take a good look at Paul from prison in Acts 16. He used his Roman citizenship as a plus for the ministry, as he did again in Acts 21 through Acts 28—I hope you say “amen” to that because of Rom.8:28, and not just slough it off and say, “none of this matters anyway.” It all matters. Leading a quiet and peaceful life isn’t just for our comfort, it is for our ease in telling the truth. Very few nations in the world allow people saved and willing to name the name of Christ to do so. If we are to utilize our time for the Lord, let’s do it freely.

Internet freedom…who knows how long that will last, is an amazing thing. This morning, I started a dialogue through emails with someone half way around the world. Isn’t that simply amazing? Snail mail would mean days or weeks for mail to get exchanged. He and I exchanged thoughts this morning as if we were sitting in the same room! Any influence we have in any capacity used toward not losing this access should be employed.

The SIMH today is another old one I heard sang first by an old man, of maybe 60, when I was about 8 or 9 in Shiloh Seperate Baptist Church (that’s the way their sign spelled separate.) He had become a preacher of sorts and my father’s opinion of him was that he started too late. But he sang this song pretty well! “When God Dips His Love in My Heart” —written by Cleavant Derricks (again.) He said, “Well I said I wouldn’t tell it to a living soul, how He brought salvation and it made me whole, but I found I couldn’t hide such love that Jesus did impart….” Great truth in those words. the line about the title says …when God dips his pen of love in my heart (opening verse says God “wrote my soul a blessing”.) Dipping of a pen is not known today without a history lesson. Until after WW2, (1946) writing pens were repeatedly dipped into an ink well in order to write. Mr. Derricks wrote this song in the ‘30s.

I hope your day goes well and that you will exercise your right to vote, even if you think it is futile. Remember, it is your personal space, in which you are supposed to live peacefully. Your time there is precious. Your effort for the Lord which could be hindered or helped, whatever you believe about politics, go vote anyway.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/5/2018

To all my friends who might find themselves reading this: have you decided how November is going to be for you and your family? What? You say how could I know that? I want to give you a couple of examples about how you can know. The Great Example is the Lord Jesus Christ, look how matter-of-factly He taught this:

Lk.14:28, For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Notice, the Lord didn’t say, “here’s an idea….” No, the strong implication is that only a fool would start something without knowing ahead of time what the expected outcome will be. How many of us trudge through our days not knowing if what we need or believe we should have is within our reach?

This thought pattern in my mind this morning is partly prompted by the SIMH today: “If I Were A Rich Man,” from Fiddler on the Roof. The singer mused, “Lord who made the lion and the lamb, You decreed I should be what I am. Would it spoil some vast, eternal plan, If I were a wealthy man?” Ensuing verses, he begins to say what he would do if…. As though he truly had nothing to do with it at all! We do not live in such a time. We live in the dispensation of the Grace of God. And one “grace” that is delivered to us at birth is the grace to do and be whatever we decide to pursue with all our heart (and if the heart ain’t in it, you ain’t gonna get it!)

Here’s another explicit line from the same song: “…it’s no shame to be poor, but it’s no great honor, either!”

Find your way to your King James Bible and read Prov.16:1-3, and see if the Lord agrees with your plan. Then, flip back a few page to Prove.3:5-10. All these verses call for trust. Do you know the Lord? Then who do you think you can trust?

So, lay your foundation, count the cost, and get after it. Oh, and expect to make constant in course corrections. Thinking correctly doesn’t make one’s performance perfect. Everyone has to greet the obstacles head on and do the bear hunt thing..Remember, can’t go under it, can’t go over it, gotta go around it!

Getting personal wealth is not the point of these principles. The point is to eliminate negativity and make progress toward a goal before you that satisfies your need whether it be a need to help some one or many who are not as well off as you, or whether it is a noble pattern you wish to set for others, or reaching the lost with the gospel of Christ, any pursuit you find yourself wanting to engage in is available for you.

Please don’t think otherwise. If you are 22, it should be thought to be long term; if 52, you can see some time limitations to gaining it; if 82, shorten your project by an expected time, or prepare someone to whom you can hand it off. The days may be long, but the years rapidly gather us in (often spoken by a good friend.) And if, on your journey, the Lord himself should descend from heaven and shout your name, forget the goal, the journey’s over: the prize is right there before you

Happy Pathway!

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/4/2018

Every blogger in the country is probably talking about the time change this morning, I suppose. Here’s one thing and one thing only from me: it makes my early morning longer and provides an extra hour of study time. I know that’s not true tomorrow, and it’ll cost me next Spring. But, today is mine!

SIMH this morning was “Coat of Many Colors” —Dolly Parton wrote and recorded it. She wrote this hit song on the back of a dry cleaning receipt. She wrote it in 1969 and recorded it first in 1971. (Porter Waggoner had the receipt framed and hanging.) Since it was an actual event in her life, eventually a book was written about it and a movie followed. …Is it any wonder she had Dollywood built?

There was a football game last night in Baton Rouge, LA. Roll Tide. It was hard fought, and LSU “held” the high scoring Alabama team to only 29 points. LSU didn’t score. No gloating, just facts. I have many friends on both sides of this aisle and I appreciate their loyalty factor.

Heading to Chattanooga this morning to take Bro. Steve Atwood’s place for both bible classes. He’s in North Carolina eating Mexican food (ain’t Facebook grand?) He’s doing a weekend at Charity Bible Church with Bro. Brian Sipes and the gang. Me, I’m trying to figure out how to make a message be short enough for one session or long enough for both sessions. You see, it isn’t quite the same people in both, but there are some for both, but also some for the first and some for the second. It might be confusing. Wait, maybe I’m the one confused.

From the time I was saved in 1964, I was never one to think we should only go for one of the Sunday morning hours. That could be a hold-over from the way I was raised, but it simply seemed to me there was a certain personal importance to hearing both messages. Back in the denominational setting, sometimes the Sunday School hour was hindered by a not-so-good class teacher. (I know because I was a very poor teacher in the early years—didn’t know any bible and didn’t know how to study it.) Yet, the one teaching was usually a very dedicated person who didn’t need to be insulted by us not showing up. So, we always went for both.

Baptist preachers often caused people to come & bring their kids to SS, but then not stay for “preaching” by the style and manner of their preaching — always trying to get “conviction” on the lost and “re-dedication” from the back-slidden. Neither of which was his job, but he was schooled to believe it was how he ought to end his sermons. Bad schooling. There was no such thing as an “altar call” or an “invitation service” ever found in the bible. Not even in evangelical churches until about the 1880s. A man, jealous over another evangelist’s conversion numbers which, at the time, were being reported in the morning newspaper (ain’t that a hoot!) began an invitational deal at the close of his messages so they could count their converts. ..Apostasy takes on strange forms.

Anyway, pray for all the preachers who teach the truth this morning; and pray that all those who don’t know the truth will learn it and preach it soon.

All that being said, let’s look for the Lord to come or for having a great and thankful November!

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/3/2018

This morning’s coffee is really special. Sarah began to carry coffee in the Blue Jug store while I was away and this is my first pot of Toomer’s Coffee, roasted by infrared heat which has the ability to raise the pH of the coffee somewhat. Making it with high alkaline water then gets the pH up high enough to get the full affect of the natural anti-oxidants in coffee. It tastes really terrific! I chose the Southern Pecan blend. (Toomer’s is an Opelika, AL company) This is a great addition to our inventory.

Writing on Saturday is easier because I’m seldom rushed. I doubt I could call it better writing, but it seems to help me keep the thoughts a little straighter, sentences a little longer, points a little better explained. After saying that, if today’s writing seems a bit messed up you’ll just have to conclude I am not a blogger and should be filling my time with something more productive or practical. But Saturdays are quieter, less going on in the neighborhood or road noise. No hustle. Am I showing my age?

One of the first movies I saw in a theater was West Side Story, a 1961 musical from a 1957 broadway play. I didn’t know what to expect on such a wiiide screen! It was truly an “in your face” experience, though I hadn’t heard of that expression, as yet. My reason for bringing it up is the SIMH this morning was “(Somewhere) There’s a Place For Us.” by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. It speaks of the theme to the movie, but on a bigger, more worthwhile vein of thinking, to where in this world is the place for us to fulfill what the Lord has in mind for us.

I can’t tell you one thing about what and where you should be, nor who to be with or not to be with. You are free to go and do and use time or waste it. However, if you belong to the Lord, if having had the precious moment in time when you, knowing you could not be good enough or try hard enough to bring yourself into a right relationship with our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, if then you placed your trust in His finished work (He died for your sins, was buried, and God raised Him from the dead to justify you), you now belong to Him. He is the Lord.

He is trustworthy to you now. You can rely on what He has said. And you can read it or portions of it daily. To us who believe, He has not gone away, nor is He any further away than our King James Bible and our thoughts or spoken words to Him. Let Christ speak to you, to answer your questions, to guide your feet on your path of life and your own words in your relationships with others. Stop right now and read: Phi.2:3 thru 11, followed by ch.3:4 thru 15; and ch.4:5 thru 9. What a speech the Lord has made! And no word in the KJB is hard to understand.

Also, this morning I feel rested up from the trip. The work of the trip was in the driving—I need a driver. Hmm, which would be more expensive, a car and driver, or to fly all over the place? A car and driver can get me to the door, but a plane is faster. Know someone who wants a driver job? Low pay, gone from home a lot, did I mention low pay? Must want time to read a lot while I’m at where I’m going and, I’m sorry, low pay. I’ll be sitting here all day interviewing candidates for the job.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/2/18

I’m enjoying my coffee with the peace and quiet of home. It’s very relaxing to know I don’t have to get dressed and go anywhere immediately. The week away was tiring but fruitful, I believe. I arrived back home at about 4pm, we had an early dinner, and went to bed at 8pm—dog tired. However, as is my usual, 5 1/2 hours later I awakened and knew it would only be short little naps thereafter. That’s ok, I feel fine.

Our friend in Christ, Ivette Ramos Levy, a Dallas artist, has just finished and published an Adult Coloring Book, called Feed on the Word. It is very beautifully done, about 30 pages of exquisitely drawn pictures, each page having an accompanying bible verse from the King James Bible. She is quite an accomplished artist and professional illustrator. (I didn’t know there were such things as adult coloring books, but it seems I’m the one out of step—immediate google number was 394,000,000 pages found!). It is a form of stress relief and quiet entertainment and obviously very popular. Ivette has made her stress relief to also reflect the power and presence of the word of God in her work. You can find Feed on the Word at facebook.com/illustratedbyivetteramoslevy or  google books. Enjoy!

When my “first sleep” came to a close about 1:30am, my “middle night” crept into consciousness with an oldie but goodie going on, the SIMH was “So Rare” by Jerry Hearst and words by Jack Sharpe. Never heard of them? They wrote and composed this in 1937, but Jimmy Dorsey’s Orchestra was the first to make it a hit in 1957—20 years before anyone knew about it. Let that be a lesson to you if you write songs or music, hang on to it—money’s coming someday!

Well, the day is going to unfold slowly, it seems. I’m waiting on a repairman (plumbing), then I go get a screening of my blood-flow (I can tell it’s still moving), then in the afternoon, it’s pay bills before actually getting down to business. I suppose there will be some followup for some if not all these things. I shall not reveal much about my personal health, however.

Great story: my father had a pacemaker put in when he was about 80, on a Thursday. That Sunday he and my mom came to Mobile, AL with my brother Pete to visit us. On Tuesday, he said are we gonna play golf? Pete and I said, “sure, if you feel like it,” he said, “Oh, I feel fine.” So we played with my mom’s stern admonition, “you watch him, he’s not doing real well.” He did fine as I asked him on a couple of turns if he was ok. He said, “ah, yeah, I’m fine.” the next day he said let’s go play golf again. We did, and my mom said (wringing her hands) please watch him. So, a couple of times I asked him how he felt. He said, “real good, it doesn’t hurt like it did yesterday!”  So was my father’s attitude about how-are-you questions. He was fine. No matter if it did hurt. Great mental state.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/1/18

Another new month!

This may be the perfect way to start the month of November: may SIMH this morning was “I Can Feel His Hand in Mine, that’s all I need to know”—fella named Roy Brown gets credit for writing this on the sight promoting Elvis singing it and many others. But, I couldn’t nail down which Roy Brown it was. Hovie Lester also wrote a song with this title, but it sounded different  A long time ago, Bill Gaither’s brother recorded it while he was dying of cancer. I loved listening to his rendition. What a great comfort song it is!

Well, it’s “homeward bound” for me today, maybe that should have been my song. It’s been a long but enlightening week. Started with many great messages from God’s word, followed by a safe trip to Texas, met and got to know some interesting folks there, visit a couple of old friends, talk with a couple more, then on return visited some new friends in Lake Charles (enjoyed looking that city over after having gone through there close to a kazillion times.) Now about 6 hour drive away from home, Lord willing.

Chuck and I have learned many things about what needs to be tweaked in what we’re doing. We see where the “holes” are revenue-wise, we catch that the scope of work to open stores is a little different for each place and that makes us see the need for a “model” store, I think. We’re sort of past a “concept” stage, into the “let’s get this settled for real” stage.

In The Woodlands, the unique store item is a big Ice machine for selling Alkaline Ice right from the start. (That’s with our 1500 model) In Lake Charles, the unique store item is beautiful cabinetry, focusing on our 3000 model being elevated to show behind a large “window.” this will be a great showroom/feng shui example. In Gadsden, the unique store item is compactness, yet building an ample space to flow through the store openly (our 300 model.)

Along with the rest of our board, we’ll seek the best of the best and attempt to put together as close to exact a model store as possible. (I see an ever increasing photo gallery in our future.)

I’ve been studying about what to preach this coming Sunday, doing both the first and second hours, and not yet coming up with a clear picture of how it should go. It always amazes me how the bible exudes an innumerable list of subjects and purposes with which to surround the gospel of Christ. The gospel is the only reason for having a bible class or a sermon because either the people need to hear the gospel for their salvation, or if they are saved, they need to hear the gospel preached in the context of how to learn their way to speak of it with other people.

Most bible study times make me walk away with too much on my mind (I feel so full!—like I’ve just eaten a big meal, which I have, of course.) Between now and Sunday, I’m sure His word will lift the fog, making it clear to me, where to start, what to preach and how to finish. You pray for me, I will appreciate it greatly.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

10/31/2018

Another strange calendar marking today, some are calling this a holiday? holi-day? holy day? I don’t think so. It is amazing how much emphasis is put on this or any other “day.” But, it is really strange how people who know the truth want to say, “it’s just for fun!” There’s never a reason for that which has a devilish nature in an open fashion to be called “fun.” Yeah, I know I’ll be excoriated for this. But, consider what we’re called unto, then consider this day’s connotations, and then think it is ok. No, it isn’t. Nuff said.

“A Reason To Believe” by Rod Stewart was the SIMH today. “Sir Rod” has lasted a long time in the music industry and most songs are listenable, a lot of blues rock, a lot of celebration songs. I don’t know why this one popped into my head at 4:47 this morning, but it did.

I have travelled I-10 from Jacksonville, FL, to the near end of it in California and I have never seen it without construction and re-construction. I have never been through Louisiana without rain till this past Sunday afternoon, nor ever through Texas without at least one total stop (well, maybe a couple of times.) It is the 8th busiest of all Interstate highways. I don’t need to go to the other 7.

The other highway I found this trip was a great relief from the Interstate. Because I was going to The Woodlands (North of Houston) the GPS routed me to turn in Beaumont, jog over to the North a couple of miles, then take TX 105 into Conroe. Good country highway, a lot to see, and a 75 mph limit. I, of course was much more safety conscious and kept it to 73-74. Beautiful countryside, though. Some more parts of Texas I had not seen. Big Thicket is on that road and I didn’t even notice.

The Blue Jug Alkaline Water & Health Market in The Woodlands (it’s actually across FM1488 from TW) is going to be a really beautiful store and should be a great purveyor of our water and all the other goodies. KayLynn and Rick Gibson, along with Ginae are going to do a great job, it is easy to see!

In a couple of hours, we’ll go over to the new store here in Lake Charles, confident we’ll see more of the same high quality workmanship. Both these stores should be open before Thanksgiving (thankfully.) Then, I head back to Alabama (Sweet Home Alabama) and drop off a couple of things at our 3rd new store to open this month in Gadsden!

We see and are working toward more new stores. Interest is very high for these stores because, let’s face it folks, there’s something wrong with our water supply in most every city. Don’t go blaming the water companies, they must follow FDA criteria on getting water through pipes and under pressure so it arrives at your home without bacteria or other toxic matter showing up. That should not be translated as “you have to drink those chemicals,” however. That’s where we come in: we take out the harshness of chemicals and VOCs, replace the good minerals and negative ions in the water, producing “Water the Way It’s Meant to be.”

Well, on with the day.

Thanks for reading, the Elder