Hello!
For the day before Christmas, there is some significant news.
Jim Mattis will leave the Defense Dept. at the end of the year, when his replacement, the Deputy Sec Def takes over as Acting Secretary. His name is Patrick Shanahan.
Democrats are trying to shut down a private funding effort of the Border Wall.
And the partial government shutdown continues.
Did you know a bio pic of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is opening Christmas Day? “On the basis of Sex” is the title.
Merry, Merry Christmas We’re All Gonna Die – Again
Pitching Prospect Surprises Parents with Christmas Gift
The Nativity Story isn’t about Refugees
The Dems spent 385 million more than the GOP in the Midterms
America The Right Way!!! 
A news report states that Sears may be “in its last 24 hours” of business.
Penneys is the department store I remember from childhood. I don’t think we had a Sears in the town where did most of our shopping…then in Galveston, there were a couple of local department stores we went to a lot.
The Sear’s near us was like a ghost town last time I was in it. I get my tools (Craftsman) at Sears and I should probably grab my wish list tools soon as our local Sears is on the list of closing stores.
Every year, every page of the Sear’s Christmas Gift catalog was thoroughly examined by the youthful Raven. I think I saved the last one somewhere.
Good morning everyone.
Molly, the article about comparing the holy family and refugees is perfect.
I love this: “To call them refugees would be like calling me a refugee for leaving the nation’s capital to visit family in Indiana.”
Yes, that was a good line….Good morning! Are you have a New Year’s Party at the Legion next week? Extremely mild day here ..one day only so we won’t get to enjoy it very long.
Yes. There is a New Year’s Eve party at the Legion. We will more than likely go. How about you? Are you going someplace?
No, except maybe out to eat, casual style, and a movie to watch at home
War Eagle!
Good morning everyone.
Good morning!
Don Richardson, author of Peace Child and Lords of the Earth passed away on Sunday. His work was used in my life to inspire me to what I do today.
Morning, Jem.
Sorry to hear that.
I was watching the morning TV and even FOX is nothing but victims and malcontents. Non-stop. I changed channels and there was a 10 minute piece on the ref cutting the wrestler’s hair. I changed again and it was the government shutdown and the parks (the reporter was taken aback because people were using the park without the rangers and didn’t notice a difference).
That’s why I read the news. I don’t need news that is editorialized.
For the past few weeks on Hulu I’ve been watching old sitcoms…I Love Lucy for one. 😉
Good afternoon everyone.
I read the news too, but lately the Fox site has even been too much. There is occasionally an uplifting story like the ones I have recently posted links to, but too often the Fox pieces are pretty depressing and sensational leaning stuff. UGH!
WOAH! President and Mrs Trump made surprise visit to our troops in Iraq, and the market looks to have had a very good day. Up almost 1000 points??!
Over 1000…largest single day point gain ever.
Great news.
Jaw Dropper
2017 financial media reports $598 billion was the holiday spending total.
2018 financial media reports $850 billion was the total holiday spending.
That’s a difference of $252 billion more spent in 2018. A year to year increase of 42%.
Good morning, Rav. Wow! Those numbers are great.
Good morning everyone.
lysie, thank you and hope your Christmas was a good one.
Good morning, Molly. Yes. It was nice. We spent the day with Sarah’s in laws. Nice people.
Wonderful link about the son and his parents. Very nice. Thank you, Molly.
Merry Christmas, everyone … end of a long, lovely, peaceful day. Spoke to all family in Europe. Son living in VA came over, but dear hub was not well enough to go out so we had to cancel plans for the nice Chinese restaurant, but son picked up Chinese carry out and that will have to suffice. All in all, a lovely, calm day. Hope all of your days were all you would wish for.
Am so sorry your husband wasnt’ feeling well, ED. Ours was quiet too. We skypped with everyone, and i cooked a small fresh turkey…listened to lovely Christmas music all day, and watched a Christmas Hallmark movie last night.
Thanks, Molly … managed to get DH an appt with an associate of our regular doc who, naturally, has taken the week off. He has two young sons, so his Christmas has to be very special. So we go this afternoon to see said associate and I hope they can get to the bottom of this … son suggests going into the hospital to be monitored for 5 days to a week. I’ve upped the “Boost” so he gets adequate nutrition but the weight loss is a concern … it’s just a whole host of issues with him now. In one year he went from a fairly rigorous 75 y/o to a frail 95. Life does have its twists and turns, but I believe it’s all in the Lord’s hands and will do whatever needs to be done within my (limited) capabilities.
My prayers are with you, your husband and family , ed.
I sure hope you get some answers soon! Take care of yourself too. Am keeping you two in my prayers as you struggle thru this, ED.
Merry Christmas everyone. Good morning.
Hi everyone! Merry, Merry Christmas!
From the piece I linked above..
And this is the world in which God sent his only begotten Son to redeem us by dying for our sins so we frail, flawed mortal beings might through His grace and mercy [receive] eternal salvation…
Yes. Merry Christmas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL! God bless us, everyone.
Good morning everyone. Thanks for the new thread, Molly. Thanks Rav for your posts, too.
Molly, the link about the 99 year old being honored….God Bless him.
Good morning lysie, Raven everyone…Thanks for your funny contributions Raven You are so creative. OH! Did you see that LeBron has gotten more and more controversial?? Why can’t he stick to basketball??
lysie Thank goodness for the man who persevered to get his friend that wonderful wonderful recognition.
So who’s behind the Wall St jitters? It is something like Soros is famous for.
Well, that is something to think about isn’t it? He doesn’t mean us well, that we know.
I’ve been thinking about an opinion piece I read some days ago predicting that Chief Justice Roberts will be the new Anthony Kennedy. It’s just too hard to resist.. the power and attention of being that unpredictable swing vote on the Court.
Molly — This is what you referred to?
Yes on that. I don’t know whether to be angry or disappointed and sad
Morning quote from Barry Latzer, WSJ:
[The article predicts a tsunami of crime when the above are reduced further by the recent crime bill. The short punishments for even serious crimes lessens the deterrent]
In a sign of the times, my neighbor was rear ended by a teenager (texting while driving). By some crazy law, the police couldn’t talk to the teenager and had to call her mother to the scene. The police then conversed only with the mother.
I’m not pleased with the new crime bill at all!!
Ho Ho Ho – Misc. this and that’s
— I was reading in Consumer Reports that the Instant Pot has their highest ever positive user feedback. I still don’t know what I’d do with it other than maybe using it as a pressure cooker.
— The Supreme Court may have their first ever sealed decision
— One of my college fraternity brothers tracked me down yesterday and filled me in on what’s been going the last 40 years since (as he put it) I entered the witness protection program. At least that’s what they all thought.
protection program
LOL