THURSDAY JULY 1, 2021 - INDEPENDENCE WEEK

 THURSDAY JULY 1, 2021 - INDEPENDENCE WEEK

Welcome to July - the seventh month of the year - six months down and six to go!!!  Hang on!!  (At least this year many of us are not scared of COVID!! But, not all!!)

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Back to the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Now a lot has changed from 1776 and 2021.  But, let’s start with the premise that “all men are created equal”.  Let’s extend that a little.  In 1776, to be a voter, you had to be a landowner (and white).  

In 2020 (last year), and at various times in the 245 years of this political institution “all men” has been restrictive on ‘all’.  Blacks couldn’t vote until after the Civil War; Women couldn’t vote until 1919; adults under the age of 21 couldn’t vote for many years (now they can vote, but not buy liquor!!).  

There has been discussions lately about voting rights.  From the last election where one candidate said there was widespread fraud, many states have been tightening up voting restrictions.  Shorter times to vote, more proof of voter eligibility.   Some of the media talk has been that restrictions were needed because of the fraud; but other media has accused those favoring restrictions of cracking down on Blacks and minority voting.  

From a group called “Global Citizen” (you can determine if the writing is slanted one-way or the other!!)

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The 2020 election was really unique because of COVID-19. We had to acknowledge that we didn’t have a pandemic-proof democracy. A lot of changes happened that were good and based on sound information to increase vote-by-mail and early voting. Sometimes that happened at the local level, sometimes it was a board of elections that made that call, and sometimes that required an executive order by the governor or the state legislature passing a new law.

The courts became the battleground for voter suppression and were dealing with this narrative of voter fraud.

All of these things became the legal battleground for confusing the voters and rapidly going back and forth between laws. There was a substantial amount of third-party interest lawsuits that kept that conversation going and IT REALLY STOPPED BEING ABOUT THE VOTER. IT STOPPED BEING ABOUT DEMOCRACY AND IT STARTED BEING ABOUT HOW TO USE THE PANDEMIC AS A POWER GRAB TO TRY TO SWAY THE ELECTION. (emphasis is mine)

From George Washington’s Farewell address we have this thought about political parties (“factions”)

““The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism….In governments purely elective, [a spirit of party is] not to be encouraged.

A FIRE NOT TO BE QUENCHED, IT DEMANDS A UNIFORM VIGILANCE TO PREVENT ITS BURSTING INTO A FLAME, LEST, INSTEAD OF WARMING, IT SHOULD CONSUME.” (emphasis mine)

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In my experience, political parties have gotten more partisan.  (I also “blame” the media for blowing on the coals and stoking the fire into hot flames).  We had a riot in the Nation's Capitol on January 6th, 2021 - where seemingly one partisan group believed that massive fraud occurred and their candidate was not reelected.  Both of the major political parties have been lobbing grenades into the other’s camp.  Impeachment.  Fraud.  

How could we get so extreme in our viewpoints to the statement that “all men are created equal” to say “My side is right and your side is wrong”? Have we forgotten our morality that was present in the signing of that Declaration?  Where did love one-another go?  Is forgiveness out of style these days?

Matthew 5:44 says “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2 says “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”

Are you praying for our leaders (whatever party they might be in)? Are you loving your enemies?  Or, are you rejoicing when somebody trips up?  

This blog has been saying “LOVE WINS” for a long time.  I know my attitudes and thoughts have changed.  And as I have aged, I see heaven as a goal, not the election of some politician.  

Psalm 20:7 adds this “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

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No politician can solve all the problems of this world.  Two political parties that throw more gas on fires aren’t going to solve the problems of this world.  

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And, let me go one step farther (watch out):

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

So, all men have rights to life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness - did the original signers of the declaration believe that?  Did they know that there are people on our southern border looking for life and liberty?  Did those signers know about the human rights violations around the world?  Did they think there might be some strange people out there that want life, liberty and to be happy?  Our creator endowed us with these rights - but didn’t guarantee them!!!

As we come into our 245th anniversary of the signing of this declaration are we any closer to what it proposes?

But, I know that LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 - INDEPENDENCE WEEK - with MP Jeremiah Smith

 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 - INDEPENDENCE WEEK

The last day of June for this year!!  Are you going to celebrate?  (I think I’ll wait until the weekend to celebrate - American Independence!!)

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We’ve been looking at factors that led to the American Revolution and I have more today.  Most are taken from: www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3218p

I’ll be throwing in some comments from Jeremiah Smith - a Member of Parliament (aka - an “MP” made up person) who has not been to the colonies.

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The Declaration of Independence gives many reasons to be independent of England the the English King

10. "He has erected a multitude of New Offices to harass our people."
The royal government had appointed tax commissioners and other officials.

Although several hundreds of miles away, the King (and the government in England) controlled the colonies.  He (the King or authorities acting in the King’s name) appointed the governors, appointed tax commissioners.

The British government was having a little financial crisis.  The French and Indian War had cost a lot.  To pay off debts from that war (and other areas), the King put additional taxes on the colonists.  I imagine the reasoning went something like this: “We sent troops to defend these little colonies from French and (their Indian allies) on the North American continent, so those residents of the North American continent should help pay the bill.”

Putting some perspective on this, is this analysis: “The American Revolution began on April 19, 1775, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The next year, the Declaration of Independence laid out the Americans’ case for freedom, portraying George III as an inflexible tyrant who had squandered his right to govern the colonies. In reality the situation was more complex: Parliamentary ministers, not the crown, were responsible for colonial policies, though George still had means of direct and indirect influence.”

Like the Congress of today, there must have been different factions.  In my opinion the “hard-liners” probably pushed for more taxes.  After all, they were in England, the colonies were far away, and the best tax is the tax that other people pay!!

MP Jeremiah Smith - “Don’t those crazy colonists understand that everything we do is in their best interest?  We found the French and Indian war to protect them. And, that cost us a lot.  They are paying off their indebtedness for our protection.”

(Ahh, the “taxation without representation” argument)

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11. "He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies."

The Crown had kept an army in the colonies after the Seven Years' War without the consent of the colonial legislatures.

The English powers treated the colonies as children that were unable to make their own decisions.  I can imagine a statement like this: 

MP (Parliament member) Smith “The Massachusetts Colony just passed a law nullifying the Stamp Act”

The other parliamentary members laughing up a storm (while sipping their tea)

Smith (again), “And, they passed another law expelling the army.  I think those colonists must be eating some kind of locoweed!! Or smoking that “wacky tobacco”.  They’ve lost their senses!!” 

And, again, laughter.  Treating the colonies like children was the norm.  Can you imagine if the United States Congress was run by children from 10 to 18 years old?  (Aside - sometimes it seems that way!!!)

***

12. "He has affected to render the Military independent of Civil power."

The British government had named General Thomas Gage, commander of British forces in America.

MP Smith “It is obvious that they don’t understand - WE are in charge.  Spare the rod and spoil the child.  No, we need a firm hand in putting down these foolish colonists.”

***

13. "He has subject[ed] us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution."

The royal government had claimed the power (in the Declaratory Act of 1766) to make all laws for the colonies.

MP Smith “Father (or in this case, the British crown), knows best!!”

14. "For quartering armed troops among us."

The Crown had required the colonies to house British troops stationed in America.

MP Smith “To keep our expenses down, we are going to force those colonists to put up our soldiers (which are there to protect those colonists from the radicals in American society) - kind of a free B & B program.  And their children will grow up with an appreciation of English Justice”.

15. "For protecting them from punishment for Murders."

Parliament had passed a 1774 law permitting British soldiers and officials accused of murder while in Massachusetts to be tried in Britain.

MP Smith “But of course, they will be tried in Britain.  We’ve had ‘trial by peer’ for centuries, and there sure aren’t any peers in that wilderness!!”

 

21. "For taking away our Charters."

Parliament (in 1774) had restricted town meetings in Massachusetts, had decided that the colony's councilors would no longer be elected but would be appointed by the king, and had given the royal governor control of lower court judges.

MP Smith again. “Don’t those idiots know that we - the Parliament - are in charge?  It's like the blind leading the blind over there.”  

22. "For suspending our Legislatures."

Parliament (in 1767) had suspended the New York Assembly for failing to obey the Quartering Act of 1765.

MP Smith “That’s right, show them the upper hand!!!  They are like errant children who need a good spanking.  And, we are going to administer that spanking!!!”

*****

I’m not sure the American Revolution would happen today.  The communications channels would be buzzing, there would be ‘fact finding’ commissions on both shores.  Rational minds might say “How can we work together”.  (But, of course, Fox News, MS-NBC news, and CNN would be covering the situation - heaven forbid that we could really get along!!)

*****

So, here we are - four days before American Independence Day - four days before celebrating with picnics, fireworks, and fun.  But, this was serious stuff to the colonists - pushing new taxes on the colonies, forcing decisions made in London down “our” throats, and putting soldiers on every corner (and in local houses).  

May we not forget Micah 6:8 - love justice, but show mercy, and be humble.  

LOVE WINS!!

Karen

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2021 INJUSTICES LEADING TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

 TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2021 INJUSTICES LEADING TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

From the Declaration of Independence we have some reasons for seeking independence from England/Great Britain.  (A lot of these come from: https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3218 

Let’s look at some of the reasons:

1. "He has refused his Assent to Laws necessary for the public good."

Life in the colonies was different from life in England.  England had been a settled country for centuries, but the colonial region was a new land.  If there were ‘native’ people in England, they had long ago been assimilated into English life.  In the colonies, the people were dropped into a world that was inhabited by native peoples. 

[Aside, it wasn’t a good thing for the American natives (aka “Indians”) as The settlers brought various illnesses that wiped out some native tribes and weakened others.  And, sometimes the natives attacked the settlers and took animals, food, etc.  An analogy might be to say (whenever colonies are formed on the Moon or Mars), that they had to abide by the same rules as back home.  

2. "He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of pressing importance."

“Royal governors had rejected any colonial laws that did not have a clause suspending their operation until the King approved them.”

Let’s say a colonial assembly had passed a law establishing a speed limit in towns (like saying horses in a town need to walk at a slow pace (making that up)), then the Royal Governor had to send that law to the King (approximately a 6 week voyage back to England, then a while while the king decides, then a six week trip back to the colonies).  Then the kind might reject that law (“Why are those stupid colonists making stupid laws like that - everybody knows you need to slow down in town”).  

3. "He has refused to pass Laws unless people would relinquish the right of Representation."

“The Crown had failed to redraw the boundaries of legislative districts to ensure that newly settled areas were fairly represented in colonial assemblies.”

Yesterday, I used this research: “By 1760, the population had reached 1.6 million, not including African slaves, and by 1775, the white population stood at 2.5 million. Philadelphia was the largest city in that year, with a population of about 34,000.”

So, as the colonies grew in population, the legislative districts didn’t change. Currently, with a census every ten years, states are mandated to adjust legislative boundaries to include the new areas.  For example, Texas will gain two seats in Congress because of the 2020 census.  But, not so in colonial times.

4. "He has called together legislative bodies at places distant from the depository of their public records."

“Royal governors sometimes had forced colonial legislatures to meet in inconvenient places.”

So, it would be like the Governor of Texas demanding that the Texas legislature meet in Dalhart Texas (on the Oklahoma/New Mexico/Texas border) - which is an eight-plus hour drive in a car.  Or forcing the Massachusetts colonial body to meet in North Adams (on the Vermont/New York/ Border) forcing Bostonians into several days of travel in the wilderness.

5. "He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly."

“Royal governors had dissolved colonial legislatures for disobeying their orders or protesting royal policies.

6. "He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected."

Royal governors had delayed in calling for elections of new colonial assemblies.”

Now, in a democracy, representative bodies meet and discuss the governance of their region.  

But, the Royal Governors (appointed by the King), were not elected to serve the people.  Legislatures were elected to serve the people.  This was definitely a conflict of interests - protecting the King’s views or the views of the populous. 

LEGAL ISSUES:

8. "He has obstructed the Administration of justice."

The King had rejected a North Carolina law setting up a court system.

9. "He has made judges dependent on his Will alone.”

The Crown had insisted that judges serve at the King's pleasure and that they should be paid by him.

18. "For depriving us of the benefits of Trial by Jury."

The royal government had deprived colonists of a right to a jury trial in cases dealing with smuggling and other violations of trade laws.

19. "For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried."

A 1769 Parliamentary resolution declared that colonists accused of treason could be tried in Britain.  (So, I might be considered a treason for writing today’s blog - and thus, I could get put on a ship (with about six weeks of travel) to England to be tried.  And, maybe held in a prison cell awaiting trial, and even if declared innocent I would have six weeks of travel back home. Meanwhile, my job would be gone, my family might be gone, I was probably considered "guilty".

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TODAY’S WRAP UP.

In today’s world, we have our political pundits analyzing all actions within minutes of a press conference or any action.  News media go crazy on their shows bringing in “experts”that tell us how great the action was - or how terrible the action was.  In the colonial world - without instant communication - and with such power vested in the king and royal governors - little issues became burning issues.  Trust evaporated.  And, chaos ensued (leading to a revolution!!!)

More tomorrow and for the rest of the week.

LOVE WINS

HUGS

Karen

(And, maybe we need to quote Patrick Henry - “Give me liberty or give me death”!!!)

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 LEADING UP TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

 MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 LEADING UP TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Having colonies was a normal thing over the years.  Spain had most of South American (with the exception of Brazil and some small states).  Great Britain had Canada, the American Colonies, and eventually, India, Australia, and many other areas.  (The statement “The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire” was true).  France stayed closer to home with many African colonies directly south across the Mediterranean Sea - but also had a foothold in Laos, Vietnam.  The Dutch had possessions in Africa and the “Dutch East Indies” (now Indonesia and area) plus Aruba.  The Germans were late mostly because they were not a unified country until later in the 1800s and had some colonies in Africa.  Portugal had Brazil and some other areas.

But, since my blogs this week are leading up to the American Revolution, we’ll focus on Great Britain’s American Colonies.  

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First - let’s think.  Would you be a colonist from Great Britain to the American Colonies? 

First a look at Jamestown: ““The starving time” was the winter of 1609-1610, when food shortages, fractured leadership, and a siege by Powhatan Indian warriors killed two of every three colonists at James Fort. From its beginning, the colony struggled to maintain a food supply. Trade relations with the Virginia Indian tribes were strained because a severe seven-year drought stressed food supplies for everyone in the region.”  

Another source said “In 1608 Smith was chosen to be president of Jamestown's governing council and proved to be an able leader. Yet Smith returned to England in 1609, and only 60 of the 214 colonists survived the Starving Time of the ensuing harsh winter.”

Not an auspicious start - the Indians killing two out of every three colonists and of the rest, winters killed off many.  (Not that “winter” as a season killed people, but lack of food, lack of safe water and housing that would be condemned today led to the deaths)

Likewise in the Plymouth Colony, we have this information: “More than half of the English settlers died during that first winter, as a result of poor nutrition and housing that proved inadequate in the harsh weather.” 

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But, it did get better!!  A source said this: “If there was one inarguable fact about the American colonies in the mid- to late 18th century, it was that they were growing like crazy. In 1730, the population of the 13 colonies was about 655,000. Boston was the biggest city, with a population of about 13,000, while New York and Philadelphia were home to about 8,500 people each.

By 1760, the population had reached 1.6 million, not including African slaves, and by 1775, the white population stood at 2.5 million. Philadelphia was the largest city in that year, with a population of about 34,000.”

That article goes on to suggest: 

“One was the natural birthrate of the colonists. Partly because of the time-honored farm family tradition that large families meant more people to work (and maybe because there wasn’t much else to do on those long winter nights in the country), the size of many American families was astounding.”

“Benjamin Franklin wrote of a Philadelphia woman who had 14 children, 82 grandchildren, and 110 great-grandchildren by the time she died at the age of 100.”

“The growth rate was even more astounding when you consider the high infant mortality rate. One woman was reported to have lost 20 children at birth or soon thereafter.”

“Although the colonists shared problems common to people all over the world in the 18th century, such as nasty epidemics, they generally ate better, lived longer, and were more prosperous than any of their European counterparts. Land was cheap and had to sustain fewer people because the population was smaller. Because labor was often in short supply, wages were higher, which raised the standard of living.

While enjoying the protections of the formidable British Empire’s military, the average American colonist, if he paid any taxes at all, paid far less than his British cousin.” (source: https://www.dummies.com/education/history/american-history/the-population-explosion-in-1700s-america/) 

And, infrastructure had improved - better roads (although not by today’s standards), better housing, and local food changed the bleak world of Jamestown and Plymouth Colonies into prosperous areas.  

But, today you can fly from Boston to Philadelphia in under two hours, but that trip from Boston to Philadelphia would have taken John Adams about four weeks.  (But, back on the continent, a similar trip would also have been about four weeks!!)

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So, life in the colonies was ‘reasonable’ by the 1770s as compared to standards in the rest of the world.  No electricity, no computers, no cars, no television, no modern conveniences.  

Most of the citizens of the “new world” (aka United States area) were of British background (about 85% from one source).  

So, why would the American people want to break off from England?

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The Declaration of Independence has some statements:

Quoted from the Declaration - I will return to this this week.

“To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

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Sorry to have copied such a long passage. 
“Obviously the writer Thomas Jefferson is considered the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, although Jefferson's draft went through a process of revision by his fellow committee members and the Second Continental Congress.”

“The document was drafted by a committee made up of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Jefferson, recognized for his ability with words, wrote the first draft; then it was edited by the others, and then edited again by the whole Congress.”

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Was this enough to go to war to create a separate American State?  We’ll look at that this week leading up to the Fourth of July next Sunday!!

*****
But, as always, LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

(Comment on the painting - "The Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull" is in the Yale University Art Gallery - and I have seen it!!! A cropped version is on the Two-Dollar bill!!)

SUNDAY FUNDAY - JUNE 27, 2021

 SUNDAY FUNDAY - JUNE 27, 2021

And, it really is SUMMER!!  Hot days, warm nights.  Your air conditioning runs almost non-stop!!

WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EVENTS, LET’S LOOK AT THE NATIONAL CALENDAR.

June 27 - National Bingo Day

My mother lived to age 98, but had macular degeneration - so her vision was greatly decreased.  She was in an assisted living facility that played bingo regularly.  She memorized two bingo cards at age 95.  So when they played bingo in the facility she had her regular cards and she knew where everything was.  I was impressed that she would memorize two bingo cards (I’m not sure I could do that today)  But, once when I visited, they had been playing for their standard time and she hadn’t won.  So, after the first winner was declared, she slipped a marker onto her card and declared a win!!!  They got the miniature candy bars so she wanted some candy!!!

Also, June 27 - National Ice Cream Cake Day

How to make two fantastic things better - combine them.  Cake - good; Ice Cream - good; cake and Ice Cream together - wunderbar!!!  (Okay, a commercial - I LOVE Dairy Queen’s Ice Cream cakes - a million calories per bite - and totally delicious!!) 

June 28 - National Tapioca Day

I liked things with lumps - like tapioca and oatmeal - my sister didn’t - I knew she was missing out!!!

June 29 - National HUG Day

I mentioned hugs before.  The link says “hugging releases oxytocin into our bodies, which help to strengthen social bonds. It also brings that warm fuzzy feeling that comes after a hug —” and “that lots of hugging leads to "less severe illness symptoms." In everyday terms, that means that folks with plenty of hugs in their lives get sick, they get less sick than people without hugs.  So - handshakes and hugs today!!  WOOOO!!!

WORD PUZZLES - ANSWERS AT BOTTOM

1. 

Issue issue

Issue issue

Issue issue

Issue issue

Issue issue

Answer:  TEN_ _ _     _ _ _ _ _

2. 

[TAX]

_ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

3. JAW JAW

_ _ _ _ 

4. 

NSHELLUT

_ _    _    _ _ _ _ _ 

TODAY IN HISTORY - SOME HIGHLIGHTS

June 26, 1945 - United Nations Charter Signed.

In the Herbst Theater auditorium in San Francisco, delegates from 50 nations signed the United Nations Charter, establishing the world body as a means of saving “succeeding generations'' from the scourge of war.

June 27, 1950 - President Truman orders US troops to Korea!!!  (And, no, contrary to popular opinion, Alda Alda, Loretta Swit and Harry Morgen were not assigned to the 4077 Mobile Army Surgical Hospital at that time)

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Short Story:

Carla lived alone.  Fortunately, she had two pets - Ariel , her beloved Chiweenie (a dog mix between a Dachshund and a Chihuahua), and Felix  (a long hair Siberian cat).  Her life had been tough - an abusive father, and then an abusive marriage. But, those were all years ago, and she had forgiven them.  

Her pets kept her happy as she aged into her 80s.  She sometimes wondered which of the three would go first.  

Felix  was the first to die.  His eyesight failed, and his kidneys failed.  Soon, he started dragging his left back leg.  Paralysis maybe?  Then came the day when she petted him, and he just died in her arms.  

Ariel  was old for a dog, 21 years.  Carla had looked that up, and said that Chihuahua mixes generally lived for 15 to 20 years.  Carla tried to walk Ariel  twice a day, but the walks were getting shorter as Ariel  did her ‘duty’ and preferred the indoor life.  

And, Carla was also getting older.  She would be 83 on her next birthday, but with failing eyesight, diabetes, and a knee that acted up and should have been replaced years before she hobbled around her small apartment.  

Her friend, Rachel, would stop by weekly and take Carla places.  There was the grocery store, the pharmacy, the beauty shop, and Walmart (for litter and pet food).  But, even those trips were becoming fewer as the grocery store, pharmacy and Walmart all had delivery options.  

Carla’s church had live streamed their services during the COVID pandemic, and had opted to continue the video services.  Carla watched them on her Android phone, but about half the time, she would fall asleep during the sermon.  

Rachel was aware of the aging process.  She had a key to Carla’s apartment - ‘just in case’.  Rachel would text Carla before coming over to visit.  This particularly Sunday afternoon, Carla didn’t answer Rachel’s texts.  Rachel called her friend, but there wasn’t an answer.  And finally Rachel went to see what was going on - and took the key - ‘just in case’.  When Rachel knocked on the door, she could hear a faint arf-art from Ariel , but nothing else.

Letting herself in, Ariel greeted Rachel with happy tail-wagging.  

Going into the bedroom, Rachel saw Carla in the bed.  Rachel spoke to her, but didn’t get a response.  Rachel had not been around dying and dead people.  Rachel shook Carla, but there was no response.  She tried to get a pulse but didn’t find one.  She didn’t know if this qualified as an emergency, but called 911 anyway to report a possible death.

EMTs arrived in seven minutes and didn’t run their siren.  The head EMT checked her vitals and pronounced Carla dead.  

Rachel excused herself and went outside and cried.  She knew that day was coming - but it had arrived that day.  She then went into celebration mode.  Carla had been a good friend and had a strong faith.  Carla kept various documents in a large white envelope on her refrigerator with phone numbers and relevant information.  Rachel found the number she wanted, Cassy Weinmueller, Carla’s daughter who lived about an hour away.  Rachel called Cassy.  

The EMTs had taken Carla’s body for a standard autopsy.  Rachel called Crestview Baptist Church, where Carla had attended for years and left a note for the pastor.  Cassy arrived about two hours after she was called.  The two women hugged and cried.  

Cassy thanked Rachel for her love and friendship with her mother (and they hugged and cried again).  Rachel called 911 again, not for an emergency again, but to see where they had taken Carla’s body so Cassy could see her again.

A week later, a small memorial service was held at Fish, Corey, and Weed funeral parlor.  There were about twenty people - Carla’s daughter, son-in-law, their two children and their spouses, and some friends from her neighborhood and church.  

Leaving the service with a heavy heart, Rachel thought she heard something in a tree outside the funeral parlor.  She saw an image of Carla, her every present smile, and with a brief wave, she disappeared.  Rachel was relieved.

*****

There are single people around us - do they have friends like Rachel in this story?  Who checks up on the shut-ins?  Love still does win - even in death!!!

**************************

You can find what song was #1 on your birthday with this link:

https://playback.fm/birthday-song

(The number 1 song on the day I was born was “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette” by Tex Williams!!!)

Today in Music

1955 Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado

1960 Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool sung by Connie Francis

1965 Mr. Tambourine Man - the Byrd

1970 The Love you Save - Jackson Five

1975 Love will keep us together - The Captain and Tennille

Today in Country Music

1955 Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young - Faron Young 

1960 Please Help me, I’m Falling - Hank Lockin

1965 Before you Go - Buck Owens

1970 Hello Darlin’ - Conway Twitty

1975 Trying to Beat the Morning Home - T.G. Sheppard

American League Baseball Champion

1955  New York Yankees - MVP Yogi Berra

1960  New York Yankees - Roger Maris

1965  Minnesota Twins - Zoilo Versalles

1970  **Baltimore Orioles -Boog Powell

1975  Boston Red Sox - Fred Lynn

National League Baseball Champion

1955  **Brooklyn Dodgers - MVP Roy Campanella

1960  **Pittsburgh Pirates - MVP Dick Groat

1965  **Los Angeles Dodgers - Willie Mays (Giants)

1970  Cincinnati Reds - Johnny Bench

1975  **Cincinnati Reds - Joe Morgan

** won World Series

WORD PUZZLES ANSWERS

Tennis shoes  (ten issues)

Tax Bracket

Jaws

In a nutshell

*****

Wrap-up!!

Another warm week.  (How could you live in Texas before air conditioning?)

Halfway through 2021.  Just think back to last year.  At this point in time the number of COVID cases were growing, hospitals were running out of beds, it was a worldwide disaster. In the National Day section today, we have national handshake day and national hug day - both of which we couldn’t do last year.  There are still issues and outbreaks around the world, but we seem to be okay.

Remember that we will celebrate Independence Day (aka “The Fourth of July” next week) - wear your Red, White, and Blue!!

Love Wins!!!

Have an awesome week!!!

Karen