Gloria Cain Stands Up For Her Husband

This evening, FOX Network will air an interview of Gloria Cain by Greta Van Susteren.  Bottom line is, she will stand up for her husband saying, "To hear such graphic allegations and know that that would have been totally disrespectful of her as a woman, and I know that's not the person he is," Gloria Cain says.
My position is that I did a lot of things 12 years ago, that I wouldn't do now, nor might I remember them now. I think if these women were so upset, they should have spoken up then. Not now. I'm just saying ....

Insider Trading in Congress

I was shocked and appalled while watching 60 minutes tonight, when they covered the members of Congress ability to legally take advantage of their inside information, to trade stocks before the general public gets the same knowledge. Seems that many of our "representatives" make a fortune in the stock market.

Check it out at " http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-57323518-10391709/questioning-pelosi-steve-kroft-heads-to-d.c/?tag=contentBody;listingLeadStories

Music Theory?

Although I sung professionally, and play piano and guitar, I know nothing about music theory. Heck I can't even read music!
Now my granddaughter, a freshman in college is struggling with music theory class, and I hate it that I can't help her. Are there any good books that simplify this, or make it understandable?

Just Checking

For your own sake, Move!

As a stroke victim, I found this article to be of interest. All about how exercising and controlling alcohol consumption can help prevent stroke.

Regular exercise can also help you control your blood sugar, build strong bone to help prevent osteoporosis, help prevent some forms of cancer, promote weight loss, and on and on. Good intentions do not help you. You must have a regular regimen, and stick to it continually. The good news is, as little as 20 minutes of something as simple as a brisk walk, 20 minutes a day 3 times a week, can have dramatic results.

Skeptical? Go to google search box and type in the "exercise to prevent to" and sit back and read a few of the many article. You will be convinced!

Paterno - Followup

So when I got home from work tonight, I saw on tv that Joe Paterno announced that he was going to resign after the season.  The newscaster also said that the university might no even let him finish the season.  I am very sad to hear this. I'm especially annoyed with the coverage by CNN's Headline News Network. They are beating a dead horse, and the horse is the coverage of Joe Paterno, and failure to handle the Sandusky sex scandal.

Joe made a mistake. He went to the university rather than notify the police. He should have had the police investigate (as should have the person who told the coach about the incident), but he didn't. Bad judgement, I agree, But the coach is an old man coming to the end of a brilliant career.  Why not let him go out with dignity rather than use him as a scapegoat? He went to his superiors and did what he thought was the right thing to do.

My feeling is the university president is just as guilty of bad judgement as the others. If Joe Paterno is to be blamed and bullied into quitting, then his superior should be treated the same.  It's sad that this happened, but it's doubly sad that the media is besmirching the reputation of a man with a sterling career. The incident happened, it's been reported, move on!

I am sick and tired of CNN and the like jumping onto one news item, and making it the top story, day after day after day. There are plenty of other crimes and items of interest happening daily, yet they jump onto a trial of someone famous and cover it for hours at a time, and for days and weeks. How about doing what you used to do CNN? In the early days, you knew that the news on Ted Turner's station was going to be fresh and updated all day long. Now, there's no use to even watch HLN on Saturday or Sunday, 'cause it's just going to be a rehash of the previous week.

When I watch a news network, I want to see news! Not clips from tv comics making fun of politicians, and people critiquing movies. I want to see something that is going to let me know what is going on today. Right now! In other words, I want the old network back.

This wasn't very well written, but it's the way I feel ..... Just saying!

Concerning Joe Paterno: Many are calling for his resignation, because of the scandalous behavior former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky. In my opinion, this is a harsh over reaction. Seems to me that the media are always looking for someone to crucify, in order to get ratings. I'm tired of it. I am not a sports fan, especially football. But I think it is unfair to make Paterno pay for Sandusky's sins.  Now if it turns out that Paterno knew of the instances of abuse, that would be different. But until that happens, leave the man alone!


In other news, asteroid YU55 made its pass of the Earth today, at a distance of 202,000 miles at 6:28 p.m. EST. That's just inside the moon's orbit; the average distance between Earth and the moon is 239,000 miles. Whew, that was close! Actually, I suppose it is close, but nothing bad happened.  I guess the next predicted "near miss" is in 2028.


Trying to get back into my old walking routine, by my body is saying no. I will persist, you can rely on that!


Last but not least, Herman Cain says he has no memory of the latest woman coming forth to accuse him of sexual harassment. I want to be clear that I am 100 percent against sexual harassment. But, I would be more concerned about it if it happened last week. I did and said a lot of things 12 years ago, that I would not consider doing today. If Jesus was here, would he stoop down, draw in the dirt and say "Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone."  I'm just saying ...


When I clicked on preview, I noticed a good deal of it is highlighted. I have no idea why, but I'm posting it any way. :-)


Have a good day (or night).

Trying Again

I've tried to blog before, but it seems like most days I just don't have much of anything to say. Still, I hate for it just to remain unused.
Therefore, I am going to try to make remarks about news items, things that have happened to me, religious observations etc.

Today was a day off from work it was an uneventful day other than waiting for and watching the verdict be given in the Conrad Murray be given. The prosecutor had done an excellent job of presenting the case, so I wasn't surprised at all when he was pronounced guilty. I don't think he purposely killed Michael Jackson, but I do think he was careless and negligent. I understand the most he can get is four years, and I'm sure there are many who won't think his sentence is harsh enough. Personally, I'm just glad the trial is over. Maybe the media will actually report on the news! To me, the whole thing should have been a civil case, and not a criminal trial. In my opinion, if the victim had been anyone who was not famous, we'd have never heard anything about it.

Knee is better, and I am going to try to start walking again. I've gained weight, and feel rotten! Wish me luck.

Pleasing God

 ¹⁵ Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. ¹⁶ For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. ¹⁷ And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. I John 2:15-17 NLT.


Oh God, I freely admit that I have been guilty of loving the Lord. Of having the desire to please and be loved by all around me. My prayer and my desire is not to be carnal, but to be holy. Help me oh Lord, to surrender my entire heart and life to you, from this day on. In Jesus name I pray, Amen,


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GttTP7sbMaE

I'm So Over...

I'm so over these rainy days (4 out of 5 of my vacation days, it rained.).
I'm so over people spreading rumors about me at work. Just because I'm friends with a woman does not mean we're in a sexual relationship!
I'm so over all the drama in my life.
I'm so over dealing with depression, when I should have the joy of the Lord.
I'm so over having too much month at the end of the money.
I'm so over having to work for a living.
I'm so over being constantly asked for advice by people who are not going to take it.
I'm so over this diet!
I'm so over other people making all my decisions for me.
I'm so over all of the physical ailments that have suddenly come upon me in the last couple of years.
I'm so over coverage of the royal wedding.
I'm so over Christian girls putting revealing pictures of themselves on Facebook.
I'm so out of time to bellyache any more. Sorry about the rant, but it did make me feel better!

Staycation Day Two

Took son to Bedford to fill out paperwork for temp agency. Decided I would walk I walked, and ended up walking for 80 minutes. Ended up walking just short of 4.5 miles. Weather was perfect for a walk.

I was feeling really bad about not being able to fulfill our plans to take Marsha to Memphis on my vacation, but I guess I should now feel grateful, as the weather there last night (when we would've been there), were horrendous. I'm not so vain as to think God kept me from going because of the storm, while allowing everyone else to suffer, but I am grateful nonetheless. Maybe I'll quit whining so much about my "staycation".

Worked out with bands last night. About killed me. Plan to do more tomorrow, and every second day to help my fitness level. My upper body strength leaves much to be desired!

A Better Day

Off work for the week, and today I have done a much better job of sticking to the diet. Also walked 60 minutes at a good brisk pace. Then later in the day, I walked 20 more minutes at a more leisurely pace then worked on upper body for about 10 minutes with resistance band. Just getting on started on that, and the plan is to work out 3 times a week, gradually increasing time and resistance as I go.

It will be summer before you know it, and I want to get much closer to 200 pounds or less than I am now. It's all up to me.

Chest Pains Again.

Recently fell off the low carb wagon. Why, I don't know. I've gone from feeling good and having lots of energy, to no energy, joint pain, and other symptoms.I guess I must be self-destructive.  When something works, one should stick with it. Have gained 16 pounds in just over a month.
Low-Carb dieting can be expensive, especially in the first stages, so it's hard for me to get back on the wagon. I sure don't like feeling this way though.

Things Must Change.

Although I have been faithful to my commitment to walk an hour each day, I have not been faithful to my commitment to eat in a balanced, nutritious manner. I was down to 208 in January, and now am at 222.
Nobody but I, can do anything about this.  It seems that every day I fail, and then say to myself "I'll do better tomorrow." Unfortunately, tomorrow never comes. I just keep getting bigger.
Tomorrow, April 9th, 2011, I am going to try keeping a food diary to see if it will help me to be accountable to my self and others about what I ingest.  If you are reading this, I hope you will say a prayer for me, or send me some encouragement. I get so down, and then when I do, I eat. It's an endless cycle of depression, despair and failure.
Let's hope tomorrow really comes.

Exercising With Fibromyalgia - Exercise can help!

Exercising With Fibromyalgia - Exercise can help!

Pass this on to your friends with Fibromyalgia. It is difficult to make your self exercise if you have fibro, but it (in my opinion) is the best treatment available.

A reflection on forgiveness and revenge, sewing and reaping.

I'm thinking a lot about forgiveness, lately. Forgiveness and revenge. Thinking of revenge, because it is futile. Futile because it does not serve any purpose. The hurtful act that caused you to want to exact revenge, is not undone. The hurt is still there, and then you get to feel guilty and foolish, because have now become just as guilty as the party on whom you wanted revenge. And, foolish because you now realize that you've gained nothing by your act of revenge and regenerated the hard feelings that you so want to lose.

Then there is the fact that if you are like me, a follower of Christ, revenge doesn't even belong to you. It is a right belonging only to God. Romans 12:19 (NIV) says, "Do not take revenge my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay, ' says the Lord." Christ on the cross, while they about to murder him, prayed,"Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34 - NIV). How can we dare take revenge on someone because they have hurt us in some way, and still call ourselves a follower (imitator) of Jesus?

A third point: Galatians 6:7 (NIV) says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. After I became a Christian, some people were quite hateful to me, and it made me very angry and hurt. But after I calmed down, the gentle voice of the Spirit, reminded me that I had done spiteful and hateful things to these people. Lied, cheated and deceived them. That's when I learned that when you plant bad seed, even if afterward you have given your heart to the Lord, you still have to reap the harvest of those seeds in some way. God helps you through it, but even if you plow the harvest under, there will always be some plants that will survive and grow.  Eventually, the good seeds you are planting now will grow and thrive and life will get better.

Even if you are not a Christian, you find the principle of sewing and reaping is to be found in almost every existing religion.  Food for thought and reflection, my friends.

Love you all,

Vern

Prayer for Japan

I am so concerned for the people of Japan. The pictures of the devastation are heart breaking, and I am certain people are now struggling to get food and supplies to sustain themselves.

I know that there are a lot of people volunteering there, and that many countries and aid organizations are doing their best to help the people, but the logistics of getting the food and supplies must be a nightmare.

Dear Lord, please intervene on behalf of the citizens of Japan.  Please guide us, so we know the best and most effective way that we as individuals, can do our part to help. And protect those of us who would help, from evil people who would look at this as a money-making opportunity.

I pray that you would give wisdom to the leaders of the county to know how to handle the problems with the reactors. Thank you Lord, that we can rely on you to answer our prayers. We have confidence in you, and we ask these things in the name of Jesus, Amen.

What happened to the Cleanest City?

Walked around my old neighborhood in Bedford while my son got a haircut this afternoon. I could not believe the condition of the sidewalks, or how dirty things had become, and only a couple of blocks from downtown!  It made me very sad.

It doesn't seem like so very long ago, that Bedford won the Cleanest City Award. I remember being very proud to live in such a town. I guess I shouldn't complain, since I don't live there anymore, but it just seems such a shame.  I had my camera with me, but I just didn't have the heart to take such a figure.

I don't know where I'm going with this. Maybe somebody will read this, and try to make things a little better.  I hope so.

Wisconsin Democrats Make Me Mad ... Again!

Just saw on CNN, that the Democrats (who finally decided they should come home) are now declaring that the fight is not over. They will now concentrate on getting the state's Republican legislators recalled.  This makes me furious!  In my opinion, they are the ones who should be recalled.  They are the ones who refused to stay on the job and do their duties. You know, the ones that they were duly elected to do?  Their cowardly departure from their state when they knew they were probably not going to be able to overcome the Republican efforts to save the state's finances (which is what the people of Wisconsin elected them to do) is blatant dereliction of duty. If their staff left work because they didn't like the way things were going, they would fire and replace them. I think the people of Wisconsin should do the same. Fire them all and replace them.

Just one man's opinion.

On the Nuclear Reactor Problem in Japan

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704296604576197340900789296.html

Free Redbox Rental

Click on the link, to receive a free one night rental.

Supreme Court sides with churchgoers who picketed military funeral.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-court-protests-20110303,0,7382749.story

I have mixed feelings about the Supreme Court's decision in the Westboro Baptist Church Case. I am a firm believer in the right to free speech. I am also a firm believer in their right to believe and practice their religion. What I have a problem with, is how in the world they can be so callous about the feelings of others, and still call themselves Christians.  The word Christian, so I've been told, means like Christ.

While Christ did on occasion lash out against the hypocrisy of the church of the day, he never lashed out against individuals, nor did he speak out against the government.  He didn't judge the woman at the well because she was of a different faith. He didn't take the opportunity to pass judgement on the woman caught in the act of prostitution when the religious people wanted to stone her. He saved her from being stoned, and told her "Neither do I condemn thee. Go, and sin no more." He never spoke out against homosexuality. As far as I can tell, he never even mentioned it. (St. Paul did, but not Jesus.)

He did encourage us to be humble and meek, and everywhere he went, he showed compassion on people. He didn't picket them or do things to break the hearts of the families of dead people.  He left judgement and vengeance up to the Father. I don't who these "Christians" out in Westboro Kansas are patterning themselves after, but it's not the Jesus that I know.

I pray that these folks will see the error of their ways, and stop creating havoc in the name of the Lord.  And by the way folks, God doesn't hate sinners, just sin. His desire for us is that we all should repent and reap the benefits of belonging to him.

  2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willingthat any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Obama talks health care -- and praises GOP rival Romney - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency

Obama talks health care -- and praises GOP rival Romney - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency

I already thought Mitt Romney would be a poor choice for the Republican candidate for President. The fact that President Obama is showing any kind of support for Mr. Romney or his Health Plan, does not give me any reason to change my mind.

The fact is, the RNC really doesn't have any outstanding candidates to get behind. Last election, I was hoping Mike Huckabee would get the nomination because his stand on the moral issues, and his conservative outlook. But the fact that he did so poorly overall, doesn't bode well for him having a chance next time around. Ron Paul might stand a chance, but I don't really think he has the charisma to carry general public.

I would really like to see a president and a legislature that would work together to restore our country's financial stability. I would also like to see something done to bring back jobs to America. As far as all the talk about entitlements, I don't know what the answer is, but I firmly believer we would do better to stop spending all our tax dollars on being the World's Police. That would save billions!

I'm no genius, and I don't have all the answers, but I do know that the change Americans voted for in the Presidential Election, is not the kind of change we want or need. As far as who to vote for the next time, I just don't see anyone coming to the forefront that is going to excite anyone , just yet. Time will tell.

'Toning' shoes a stretch for some, not others | The Columbus Dispatch

'Toning' shoes a stretch for some, not others | The Columbus Dispatch

The link above is an article about toning shoes, and whether or not they actually "shape you up" as some of the ads proclaim. I recently bought a pair of the rocker bottom type shoes from Payless. I had been suffering for some time with constant foot pain from plantar fasciitis. Withing 3 days, all my pain was gone. Once I realized how much the shoes were helping me, I went back to payless and bought two more pairs.

I walk an hour a day, over and above my normal everyday walking that I do at work. I've been doing this every day without fail, since January 1st. I do not care whether these shoes are shaping up my butt or calves. I just care that my feet don't hurt! I highly recommend that you try some of these shoes. They are great. If the Champion brand (Payless) works that well, I'm sure the other look-alikes probably do to. I am sold on this type of shoe!

Borders files for bankruptcy, to close 200 stores | Reuters

Borders files for bankruptcy, to close 200 stores | Reuters

I was sad to hear about Border's Bookstore's financial problems. Growing up in Bedford, Indiana, my only experience with bookstores was from when there was a small nook in the now defunct Stone City Mall, called Waldenbooks (Actually owned by Borders, as it happens). There are still plenty of Waldenbook store I suppose, but in my opinion they are not bookstores in the truest sense of the word.

I still remember going into the Borders in Bloomington. I walked into the front doors, and the smell of books overwhelmed me. Books, hundreds of books, maybe even thousands of them. Books were everywhere! Not only that, but you could sit in chairs and read! Not the little hard wooden chairs like the ones at the library, but big wide overstuffed chairs that were so big and so comfortable that you could take a nap in one of them. And a couple of people were! People were perusing books and magazines and nobody was rushing them or asking if they planned to buy something. I'd never dreamed of such a place! Now 200 or more of them are closing.

I know that filing bankruptcy does not mean going out of business. Most times when a business files for bankruptcy, it saves them from failing in the long run. Still, 200 stores is a lot of stores, and who know how many lives it will change. People will lose jobs. Many will not find another, and those who do may never find a job that they will like half so well if they are indeed lovers of books.

Of course I've probably helped them along on the road to bankruptcy. I haven't been in a bookstore for a long time. It's too easy to go on Amazon.com or another web site, and order a book to be delivered right to my front door. Nonetheless, there's nothing like going to a real bookstore. My next day off from work, I think I'll just go up to the big city and experience a real bookstore again, before it is too late.

Higher Gas Prices Ahead

Suez Canal Company workers protest as they began an open-ended strike in front of the company's headquarters in Ismailia City, Egypt,Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. The canal stayed open as everal hundred workers demonstrated, demanding the resignation of their immediate boss Admiral Ahmed Fadel, the chairman of the Suez Canal Authority. Workers also wanted a pay rise and social equality.(AP Photo)

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Another development of the situation in Egypt. A tremendous amount of the world's oil comes through the Suez Canal. The canal is open right now, but if this continues, speculators are going to drive the per barrel price of oil up, exponentially. We all know what high oil prices have done to the ecomony. I don't know about the rest of you, but it's already costing me a fortune just to go to work and return home each week. I hope that the people of Egypt succeed in getting Mr. Mubarak out of office soon, and that they are able to gain their freedom. They've been suppressed too long.

Update on Egypt

My friend Debbie, whose son is in Cairo, sent me this url.  Her son informs her that things are not as bad as what the media is painting them to be, and this article seems to support that view.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/02/07/2011-02-07_muslims_turn_out_in_mass.html

      Protests in Egypt not as intense today.

I guess my questions yesterday about the Egyptian economy are partially being answered. Banks opened for awhile today, though withdrawal amounts were limited (especially for foreigners). Local businesses and the government are urging people to come back to work, and a number of people have.  The protesters are still in the streets, but they have been milder today in spite of a couple of incidents.

I just wonder where this is all going to end. I can't see any scenario that will end up being beneficial to the United States. Guess time will tell.

I'm wondering about the economic impact of the ongoing protests in Egypt. If these folks are out in the streets everday, how are they bringing in money for food, utilities, etc.?. What about the financial loss to businesses? Just wondering.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Started my workday of witnessing yet another argument between coworkers.  I'm a pretty laid back guy, and I don't like personal confrontation, whether or not I am personally involved, or just having to witness it between others.

There is no law that I know of that  requires you to like your coworkers, but it makes for a better workday for all, if everyone acts like an adult and performs their duty in a professional manner. It is hard on all workers there, when the rest know that two of them are going to go head to head at least once during the workday. Really makes you dread showing up for work.

Really? Could we just please make an effort to get along???