"When other friendships have been forgot........ours will still be hot!"

I want to write about friendship. I assume that everyone has friends, but I would like to hope that each and every one of my readers has a couple of life-long friends. Friends that you can call on the phone, after a couple of weeks or even a couple of months of not talking, and continue in conversation, like you had talked to them yesterday. Really special friends.
I thought for a while that only women had that kind of friendship. Men are, after all, solitary creatures. We have come to believe that they don't form lasting relationships. Then, I met Jack and Ray. These two guys became friends, many years ago, through their church connection. They both had successful careers, grew older, retired and then ended up in the same senior citizen community. Ray and Jack are old friends. Now, they visit almost every afternoon.
One of the joys of growing older is that we tend to remember the past.....not always the present, but we remember the past. Therefore, old friendships are important.
Jack and Ray can talk about the past and they understand the backgrounds of each other. Ray can appreciate the pride that Jack has in his two daughters. Jack can attentively listen to Ray's explanation of navigating by using a sextant. They are buddies from way back.
Judy and Leslie, and more recently (after only 40 or so years) Sue, you will always be my special friends. I love you and I need you. I treasure our lifelong connection. You are a part of who I am.

All knowing and most powerful God. Thank you for giving us friends to love and to treasure. Thank you for showing us how to share and grow. We praise your Holy Name.

Killer instinct

I want to make it perfectly clear that I have never shot or held a real gun. Nor, have I ever been interested in doing so. We are not a family that hunts. However, I will admit that one of my most prized childhood possessions was a pair of ebony-handled toy six-shooters, with which I used to practice my quick-draw skills. Furthermore, I remember looking quite the fashion plate when I wore the silver studded holster, slung low on my black corduroy skirt with the contrasting white plastic fringe. But, that was 60 years ago.
But, recently, I have taken up shooting. Granted, my weapon of choice is only a pellet pistol. One shot at a time, makes it a one-shooter. And, my prey.....groundhogs.....have such tough skins, the most damage I can do (if I ever manage to hit any of the darn things) would be a sting on their backsides.
We have a large yard.
We didn't mind the varmints when they stayed in the far reaches of that back yard. However, I took up the battle when I found one on our back deck, nibbling on my potted plants.  Groundhogs are huge. They are herbivores and eat anything green. Now, the crazy things have burrowed along our foundation, on both ends of the house.
We have an invasion. Something has to be done. If the pellet gun doesn't work, I'm committed to trying gas or bombs, as a last resort.
I don't expect this violent phase of my life to continue. I will keep at it only until the groundhogs establish residency elsewhere.

Dear God: Our earthly life is full of unexpected turns. Show us how to meet each new event with joy and acceptance. Help us to see each day as a new normal. We praise you everlasting name.

"Grandma, you need to look in a mirror."

I have been reading quite a bit of criticism, in the news lately, about the clothes currently worn by political wives, as they attend state functions. One critic focused on the vibrant colors of one ensemble. Her colors were to bold. She should have worn more subdued colors.  Another critic pooh-poohed the style of the dignitary's clothes. Too high fashion and too expensive for a person representing a democracy, the critic decried..
Well. Let's be thankful that our political wives aren't dressing (or in a state of undress) like most of the celebrity women we see these days. Can you imagine a Trump wearing what Khloe Kardasian wears? Or, what Taylor Swift wears? Or maybe, and this is a frightening mind picture....Hillary in one of Beyonce's outfits?
I, for one, am thrilled that all of our recent First Ladies have been dressed with class and style. Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton. They are looked great and made our country look great..
And, frankly, I appreciate that they dress up........period. Too bad most of us don't try to emulate them. Have you looked around at your fellow Americans, lately. We don't care what we look like. And, it's pretty obvious.
The more holes and rips you have in your pants...holes make pants more expensive. Sneakers and flip flops have replaced shoes. Leggings have replaced slacks and no rear end looks attractive in leggings! Oh, and of course (as the commercial goes), we have a little plumber in all of us!
America......stop criticizing people because they can afford to look good.
America.......the next time you go shopping at Wal Mart, buy a mirror.

Dear Lord. What ever happened to forgiveness? Why can't we all just get along. Help me to work at becoming more forgiving and less critical. Help me to love more and complain less..