"Judge Not, ..........."

 As it happened, I recently caught myself in a really poor choice of grammar usage. (I thought about using the word grammarage, but you would know that I made it up.) Well, in describing something that everyone once did, I used the word "useta". As in, "Remember when we "useta do that." OMGoodness, I said to anyone who was listening. Did you hear what I just said? Well, I was aghast!

Fast forward to today. A very nice, older woman was telling me how her grandfather was in the Calvary in WWI. She talked for quite a length of time about a photograph, that she had in her possession, of the fine horse that her grandfather rode in the Calvary. 

Now, had it not been for my recent faux pas, I might have attempted to correct the woman with some snide remark about her grandfather's service in the Holy Land, during the war, on Mt. Calvary. Oh, how I wanted to. But, I didn't. I kept my mouth shut and nodded to express my interest in her story. 

Lesson learned. No one is perfect. Not even a charter member of the North Kansas City Grammar Police.

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Great Lord. Patience is a virtue. So is silence. Please, help us to concentrate on the virtues, of a life well lived. Guide us all down the right path. Remind us (especially me) that Silence is truly Golden.

"They grow in caves underneath the ground."

About 70 years ago, my well-meaning parents took me on a tour through Marvel Cave, in Branson, Missouri. I remember the circumstances, clearly. It was hot and I was scared to death. That tour, nearly three quarters of a century ago, began with at least 4 million stairs down into a dark, cold, wet hole in the ground. I remember going down the stairs and after that, I don't remember anything, because I think I was crying hysterically! 

So, my traveling companion, who has been exploring and photographing caves, for years. says, "Come with me on a guided tour of an underground laboratory, in June." I asked if it were safe, and when the answer was yes, I agreed to go. This lab, dear readers, is a cave. 

Truthfully, I knew it was a cave, when I agreed to go. I also knew that we were going to be camping overnight, at the cave site. Now, I have camped more recently than 1952, I just haven't camped, in this century!

I went. I survived and I mostly enjoyed the experience. My companion made sure that I was thoroughly prepared. I wore a caver helmet, complete with a powerful headlamp. Once I figured out how to walk without staggering under the weight of the "hat", I was quite comfortable. And, only when I asked another explorer, near me, if there were any stairs involved at this cave, did my enthusiasm waver. That person, who was directly behind me said, "Some. Maybe just a few more than Marvel Cave."

I did not fall, nor did I get trapped underground in a tiny space. I made it in and out and I am even considering trying spelunking, again. New experiences or even re-visiting old experiences are adventures and growth. I intend to run toward new adventures, for as long as I can.

Gracious God. Open our hearts so that we may feel your constant presence. You are always with us. You are our Shield and our Protector.

"Let Them Eat Cake"

On a recent trip back to my hometown, I was reminded that memories are sweet. However, sweet memories, of good food, can sometimes leave a bad taste in your mouth.

One of the special treats of my childhood was taking a trip to a local bakery. Now, this was a classic, old-world type of place, complete with an authentic brick oven. This bakery was known for their Italian bread, which had extra crispy crust and soft white insides. And, they had the best breadsticks. These breadsticks were hard, crispy long fat wads of rolled dough. The baker gave them free, one apiece, to kids who came into the bakery with an adult customer. On a lucky day, they were warm, right out of that brick oven.

Well, for 70 years, I've treasured memories of those crunchy bread sticks. Nothing I have eaten, in 49 states (I haven't been to Hawaii) and several foreign countries has ever come close, to the ones I remembered eating as a child. 

Now, just recently, I was told that you could purchase those same cherished bread sticks, at one of the grocery stores, back in my hometown. Well, I sure as shootin' filed that away in my  "Gotta do that, ASAP" Bucket List. This week, while visiting my hometown, I stopped at the suggested store, and purchased 2 bags of the cherished bread sticks.

Yes, they looked just like I remembered them. But, alas. They weren't really very tasty. My traveling companion, likened them to burnt toast. Well, I wouldn't quite go quite that far....just maybe stale toast. Could the reason be, that I didn't have a stick of Oleo to spread on it? Maybe, my taste buds are a bit more refined then they were, at age 5 or 6? Anyway, this was one time that the memories are far sweeter than the actual present-day thing!

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Dear Lord, we remember many things. As we look back on the good memories, help us remember the blessings and gifts that we have been given. Show us how to be thankful and non-judging. Remind us to do our best and to love one another.

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"

This year is half over. For you technical folks, that isn't exactly fact. That's science according to Nancy's "sorta" calculations. But, with the year reaching a middleness, Moi, your aging philosopher, perceives that it is time for a little reflection.

Nothing, in life, stands still. The universe is constantly in motion, and so are its inhabitants. The circumstance of our existence is constantly changing. Who we are and what we do changes from day to day. I like that. I choose to embrace that. 

And, we have to move forward. The world spins.....in only one direction, folks! Lives are not improved by dwelling on what should have happened or what could have happened. Stuff happens. We'll never know why. Accept it, learn from it and move on. Live in the present. Yesterday is a memory. Tomorrow is a hope. Let's face it, the present is all that we really have!

The following is not original, but I think it is a good thought, at this half-way month......"A good place to be happy is here. A good time to be happy is now." (author unknown)

Please, be happy. Know that God is Good.