"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."Proverbs 27:17
Good morning, my family, friends, and foreign invaders; how the hell are you this most amazing Friday morning? We got a little rain last night, and I think the weather will turn around; I’ve got meetings most of the day, but I think if I check a few boxes, I can wrap up by 4:00 and enjoy a Friday evening with my wife in our little neighborhood.
We had a family tragedy, and we will need your support. Years ago, we bought a countertop ice machine and aptly named her Icey; for years, Icey provided ice to ourselves and our Air B and B guests, fresh ice whenever you needed it, but after thousands of ice cubes were made, she no longer could function. We discovered this upon our return home. We had a little service, bought a plot on applicancedeath.com, and once we get her headstone, we will ship her off for her final resting spot. Her replacement should arrive today; we will name her, love her, and look forward to the frozen treats this new family member will provide. If you don’t have a countertop ice maker, rethink your decision.
In a continuing effort to show DEI is a sham, a Former DEI executive for Facebook and Nike got 5 years in prison for stealing $5M to fund her luxury lifestyle. In one instance of fraud, Barbara Furlow-Smiles claimed the funds she was stealing were needed for a 'Juneteenth' event. Soon, another “d” will be added to the three letters, there will be a slight shuffle of the letters, and we will no longer hear about this push to comply with the woke mindset of a small group of individuals.
One of my wife’s favorite things is working in our Indy backyard. It’s a small courtyard, and we have it professionally updated every spring; by the time we arrive, everything is popping, but we do have some weeds that need to be pulled; yesterday evening was her time to get outside and get dirty, she pulled the weeds, swept the deck, I called and will have our deck and pergola pressured washed in time for our gathering next Sunday, it’s nice to have paradise in your backyard.
Upon returning to each home, we make a Costco run and get our essentials; they include pounds of meat, Nicorette gum, cheese, tortillas, and everything we need to make our pup's dog food. As of today, our dog eats the following in the morning and evening. Chicken, beef, beef heart, tuna, spinach, and green beans. She might be the most spoiled dog on the planet, but our love for our little lady is second to none; Parker Van Halen is one special beast.
I cooked about 12 pounds of carnitas last night. It’s all bagged, and the juice has been added to each bag. We need it for stirfry, tacos, and other dishes, so we have it ready to roll. As I bagged it, I tasted it, and there was something about a nice pork loin seasoned to perfection. If you are not using an Instapot, see my note about a countertop ice machine. I’m only here to help you live your best life.
Many kids are protesting; the month's flavor seems to be the Middle East. The president is to give a commencement speech at an HBC on Sunday. They are worried the kids will protest, but according to the New York Times, black college kids don’t look past our country. They don’t have the same interest in foreign affairs as the whites, and thus, they don’t expect any shenanigans. I think they are underestimating kids' passion, no matter their color. Good luck, Joe. Show them what you got, kids!
In a big win for religious freedom, A Riverside County school district has agreed to pay $360,000 to settle a lawsuit from a former teacher who was fired last year after refusing to adhere to policies regarding transgender or gender-nonconforming students, citing her Christian beliefs. Jessica Tapia, who taught physical education at Jurupa Valley High School, claimed in her wrongful termination lawsuit that her free speech and religious rights had been violated. She had refused — hypothetically, in statements to district personnel — to use students' preferred pronouns, to allow them to use the locker room matching their gender identity, or to "withhold information" from parents about their child's gender identity, according to the federal lawsuit. You can find this story in the L.A. Times. Is the pendulum swinging back a little? We will see, but this is good news for people who stick by their faith and values.
We have a busy weekend. I shared that my wife and I will enjoy each other tonight, just the two of us; we have a lot of connections we would like to make when home, so our time is essential to protect. Tomorrow night, one of our teammates, Aaron, and his band, The Smoking Horses, are doing a show. We are going to go see them play. I’ve watched them on YouTube; they are pretty darn good. Sunday, we have tickets to see the Indianapolis Indians. So far, we have one grandkid joining, and we are waiting for confirmation on two more. Minor league baseball is a great, fun, low-cost activity; if you want something fun to do, catch a game and enjoy the family time.
I have my monthly men's meeting today. It’s a 3 hour deep dive into the lives of fourteen men and one woman. We all come to the meeting with an open heart and open mind, and we support each other through the highs and lows of life; it’s a place where men can show emotion; the bonds formed in the group are like no other, my brothers would take a bullet for me and I for them. Connecting with other humans past a surface level and getting down into the emotional baggage is something most never experience. Still, I was blessed to be invited to join years ago, and it’s made me the man I am today. Never underestimate the human connection and love of others. Enjoy your Friday; I’ll be back tomorrow, God willing!
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."Proverbs 27:17
