Sequestration

Day Thirty-One

Today, Easter Sunday 2013 we set aside the short term problems facing the citizens in the United States to discuss the long term future for all who believe in God!

We all know the familiar Bible Verse:  John 3:16 which states "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  Verse 17 goes on to say:  "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world thorough him."

I learned this many years ago, however prior to my Confirmation of my Baptismal Vows in 1954 I also learned this which is contained in many places in the Gospel, but I quote here from I Corinthians 11 verse 23 and following:

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,  "This is my body, which is for you you; do this in remembrance of me."  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,  "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in rememberance of me."

The words of Jesus Christ as he implemented the "Lord's Supper" appears to be an additional requirement in addition to believing in him as required in John 3:16.

It is my understanding that Jesus Christ established the "Lord's Supper" to allow us a means of grace to also strenghten us in our Faith.  We now have an opportunity to show our graditude for the Death, Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven of our Savior.

Years later I learned in an Adult Bible Class during a study of James that Faith without works is dead.

We believe, we have faith in our God, yet we must remember God because we must also be able to show God our Graditude for the work he has accomplished for us.  Work that we could not even do!!!

Therefore by the Grace of God I am a redeemed Child of God who has a future in Heaven.

Sequestration

Day Thirty

Many of the readers here may not know that I reside within one half mile of the I-475 By-Pass around Macon, Georgia.  Additionally, I-75 which is one of two main routes from the North to Florida runs through Macon, Georgia.

It is my understanding that record numbers of travelers are taking to the roads this Easter Holiday.  My reporters have informed me that the majority of travelers traveling South to Florida appear to be mature adults.  One would think that the roads would be filled with younger citizens traveling to the beaches of Florida for Spring-Break.  Such does not appear to be the case. 

A friend traveled to North Atlanta on Friday, 29 March 2013 and has reported that both the North and South bound traffic was often at a stand still.  I get the impression that the Sequestration concerns has not impacted the average citizen to the point that they are not traveling this Easter Holiday/Spring Break Week-end.  Or, maybe, this is the last fling while it is still possible to acquire fuel for such a trip.

Your comments/observations on this situation would be appreciated.  As I compose this entry I realize that Easter Sunday 2013 is less than three hours away, therefore, Have A Blessed Easter!!!!!

Georgia Challenge

Greetings everyone.  It has been some time since I have published a Challenge.  Can anybody identify the church and city where this Pipe organ is located?

If you think you know the answers, please respond in the comments section below.  The first correct answer received will earn a "Lunch" provided by Alan at a facility of his choice.

The deadine for your response is Thursday, April 4, 2013 no later than 7:00 P.M.



Sequestration

Day Twenty-Nine

For several days I have been focused on what can be done to eliminate/reduce the current financial crisis facing our United States of America.

Just this morning I read in my local print media how "Scotter ads face scrutiny from government, doctors."

The article indicated that in 2011 between 40 million to 80 million was expended for the purchase of Scotter Chairs by our U. S. Government.  I also learned that many are obtained for citizens and that the paper work cannot substantiate the actual need for such devices.

I know  that this is pocket change when it comes to reducing our governments expenditures, but a bit here and a bit there and soon we are talking about real money.

We have all heard of "Obamaphones" and did you know that some estimate that our government is expending over two billion dollars a year for this benefit.  While it is true that this is an ongoing program started in the 1980s, it is also interesting to know that many Obamaphone users increase the minutes available by paying for them.  If they can afford the extra minute, why did our government give them the phone in the first place.  You can learn more about this program by visiting:

http://www.newsmax.com/US/obama-phone-costs-billions/2013/02/12/id/490022

I know, a mere 2.2 billion dollars a year does not seem like much, but again over time these expenditures do add up to real money.

Thus my suggestion for today:  I would suggest that our government take a very close look at the myrid of programs that use "Taxpayer and also borrowed money" to enable folks that in many cases have only one job.  Vote for the proper candidate who will allow them to continue their lavish lifestyle at the expense of those who work for a living!!!

There, I said it.

Sequestration

Day Twenty-Eight

As you view this lovely garden gate I would suggest that you contemplate what is on the other side. 

As citizens of the United States of America, we would do well to also contemplate what is on the other side.

This is expecially true as we prepare every two years to vote on who will represent us in the U. S. Congress.

As I contemplate what is currently going on in our beloved United States I often get the impression that We The People have not been doing to well lately when we select our lawmakers. 

Sequestration appears to have been a big emphasis on nothing.  If I read correctly our Secretary of Defense has announced that the anticipated 21 or 22 day furloughs for civilian workers may now be reduced to 14 days. 

I get the impression that our President and those who surround him are coming to their senses.  They may be comprehending that "We The People" see through this scam when we hear how our top Leaders continue to enjoy their self appointed Lavish lifestyles. 

Sequestration

Day Twenty-Seven

Just maybe the resolution of our current problems in the United States of America can commence if we as a Society acknowledge that we were founded on the principle of "Freedom of Religion," not "Freedom From Religion."

I happen to be a baptized Child of God.  I am content with my situation and appreciate what my Parents did for me so many years ago.  In face 73 years ago this past Sunday.

Most everyone acknowledges that there is a "God."  Even our U. S. Senate and our U. S. House of Representatives has an assigned "Chaplain."

It is my proposal today that our Elected Leaders uphold the laws that they swore to uphold when they took their respective "Oath of Office," and focus on what is essential for all of us "We The People."

I do believe that even our Declaration of Independence starts with words such as "We The People."

Sequestration

Day Twenty-Six

Last week I had the pleasure to visit a Garden of over 200 acres.  The daffodils were in various states covering over 20 acres of tree studded property.  As I strolled through the gardens I was impressed with the beauty that surround me at ever turn of the path.

I understand that there are 20 different types of daffodils so there are blooms each and every week of March.

I received the impression that the designer of the Garden had a Vision for the total project.  In addition to the daffodil gardens there is a Japanese Garden that takes up 40 acres.  This garden is such a calm and peaceful place to simply sit a spell and take in the beauty.  My frequent readers here know that in recent days I have been offering proposals/solutions to our duly elected officials in Washington D. C. as they fuss and feud about how to manage our Nation's finances.  Today, I am suggesting that they have a vision for what We The People need in the next fifty years.  I would suggest that they act to insure that this is possible.  I know for a fact that we cannot spend out way out of debt.  The immediate future may be a challenge, but I think that most Americans realize that we simply cannot continue as we have in the past ten years.  A debt of over 16 trillion!!!!!  

My Dear Mr. President and Lawmakers - Do What Is Right.  Develop A Vision and Work as a Team to make that Vision come to life.  Thank You!!!!!

Sequestration

Day Twenty-Five

This picture was taken during the last day of the 31st Annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia on 24 March 2013.  It is my sincere hope that these happy young citizens have a great future in the United States of America.  That stated, I realize that our current President and Lawmakers must think seriously about what they are currently allowing to happen in our country. 

As you know, I am offering suggestions to resolve the current crisis.  This picture certainly displays the need for our Lawmakers to seriously think about the long term consequences of their actions each and every day that they meet.  The future depends on their actions today and tomorrow.

These happy young citizens deserve a future!!!!

Sequestration

Day Twenty-Four

ARABIAN SEA (March 23, 2013) - German frigate FGS Hamburg (F220) and the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) steam alongside fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) while guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) steams astern of Hamburg during a replenishment-at-sea. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Hue City and Hamburg are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility promoting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan D. McLearnon/Released)

I have recently learned that only about 24 percent of our Nation's Males in the age group 18 to 24 years of age are qualified for service in our Nation's Military.  The other 76 percent are not qualified because of:

Obesity

Unable to pass the mental test

Criminal Record

or

A combination of the above.

I also understand that the average age of an Aircraft Carrier Crew is about 19 years and six months.  I sometimes get the impression that our Nation's House of Representatives and our Senate do not understand the "teamwork" concept that is employed on every ship in our Navy as well as in or on every unit in our entire U. S. Military.

Thus my proposal for the resolution of the current debt/financial problems facing our Country is for our Nation's lawmakers to practice the teamwork concept that even our young crew members of every Military Unit employ to complete the assigned task.  

If a bunch of nineteen year old kids can work as a team to operate an Aircraft Carrier crew of about 5000 I am confident that a small organization such as the U. S. Congress of 535 can also be taught/learn to function to meet the needs of "We The People."

Please be aware that many years ago I was also a part of the crew of an Aircraft Carrier in our U. S. Navy.  I know for a fact that it was done, is still being done and my expectations today are that OUR GOVERNMENT CAN DO THE SAME!! 

Becoming A Child of God

Baptism

24 March 1940

The Flower Child was baptized on 24 March 1940.  I know it was an at home baptism because that is what I was told by my parents. 



I remember when my second Sister was baptized in 1944.  It also was an at home baptism.  In the upper Midwest that was the custom in the Winter months so that babies would not have to travel to Church.  In fact, my first three siblings as well as myself were born at home.



Sequestration

Day Twenty-Three

Twenty three days and we are still amazed at the actions of our Lawmakers and our President.  What a shame.  Here you see this Blog's Author as he prepares to to go to work on the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-32), which was undergoing overhaul in Long Beach Navy Shipyard.  This happened in 1976 as our United States of America celebrated 200 years as a Nation. 

You, like I may be thinking, what would our Country's Founders think of the current situation?  I suspect that they may be wondering how we could be so in debt!!!!   Anyway, I also suspect that they would be concerned about the legacy we are leaving to our own dear Children and all future generations. 

It has almost been thirty-seven years since we all celebrated the Bi-centenial of our great United States.  What are we going to do in the next sixty-three years so we can celebrate 300 years?

My suggestion/proposal today is to focus on what needs to be done for the long term to insure the financial health of not only our United States of America, but to also strive to insure the financial health of each U. S. Citizen.  "We The People" should expect no less.  In that regard, we need statesmen and stateswomen in Washington who are not concerned about the perks they can garner for themselves, but to be servant leaders like the signers of our Declaration of Independence.  If I recall my history correctly, many of these founders made great sacrifices to birth our country.  Mayby our President and current Lawmakers would do well to emulate our founders.

For anyone who is interested, our Navy still has a USS John Paul Jones.  The current USS John Paul Jones is a Guided Missile Destroyer operating in the Pacific Ocean to protect our National Interest. 

Sequestration

Day Twenty-Two

Of course this picture was taken many years ago.  More than likely in 1965 when I was stationed in Washington D.C.  I was in the U. S. Navy, as well as my buddies shown here.  We all lived in Barracks 166 at the Washington Navy Yard.

Of course we enjoyed our Liberty, but every one of us went to work every day.  None of us ever missed work and of course we enjoyed our Liberty as the picture clearly shows. 

I post this picture today because I get the impression that our President and our Lawmakers appear to be more focused on Vacations/Holidays/Breaks versus doing what is needed for the United States of America.  Thus my recommended and also proposed solution to the problems facing our United States of America is for our President and Lawmakers to:

Get To Work!!

By the way, just in case you are interested, Big Dick is on the far left.  Little Dick is next to him.  I am the third from the left and of course Bill is on the right.  

2013 Cherry Blossom Festival

Sunday, March 17th

Cherry Street

Macon, Georgia

A lovely day for a parade.  The High School Bands, the Color Guards and the various Floats were nice to view, although at times it was a bit difficult to see the units approaching!!!!!

No need for additional comments, the pictures speak for themselves.

Yashino Cherry Blossom Blooms

2929 Ingelside Avenue

Macon, Georgia

"The Cherry Blossom Capitol of the World"

I captured these images this morning at the home of the original Yashino Cherry Tree in Macon, Georgia.  Here is proof that they are now in bloom just in time for the high point of the 31st Annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

Sequestration

Day Twenty-One

"Breaking News"

I just heard a newscast as I was returning from my morning errands.  Our President of the United States (POTUS) has adopted the Republican concept of being concerned about the future of our Children and our Grand Children.

Today the POTUS has discussed the future for the youth in Palestine and Israel.  He pointed out that they need to resolve the  many years of strife between their respective countries so that the future will be better for the Young People.  I believe he also cited the fact that his own dear children look toward a great future, and that this future should also be available to the young of Palestine and Israel.

When I heard this my mind quickly raced to the current economic situation here in the United States of America.  I would suggest that today our POTUS and our 535 duly lawmakers in Washington D.C. adopt the mantra that he is lecturing our friends in the Middle East to do.

What a wonderful resolution to the concerns regarding our U.S. Budget and our Debt if our POTUS and our lawmakers could also be concerned about the future of our own dear Children and our Grand Children in the United States of America.  I would suggest that the pilots of Air Force One quickly load up our President and bring him back to Andrews Air Force Base and that the U. S. Marines quickly bring him to the White House in Marine One so that he can place his new found concern about Children and Grand Children into operation for the future generations of U. S. Citizens.

What a wonderful world we live in when our Leaders actually see what needs to be done and also spread their concerns throughout the world.  Well Done POTUS!!!

Sequestration

Day Twenty

Twenty Days of U. S. Government posturing to attempt to have the people accept the inability of our elected leaders to produce a viable budget and program to reduce our National debt.  The smoke and mirrors produced by our Leaders in Washington D.C. may impact those who are expected to work fewer hours in various Government Jobs; however the majority of Americans realize that this is a sham to protect/isolate the the duly elected official from doing their jobs.

Today, March 20, 2013 the Flower Child was part of a group who visited North Georgia to view the lovely flowers.  Americans are still enjoying the beauty that our Creator and the efforts of mankind have developed.  

Here you see the Flower Child taking a break from his visit to these lovely gardens in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains.  What a shame that our leaders who we elected cannot be statesmen/stateswomen and do what we elected them to perform.  Oh, well, maybe they will soon learn their task will not be done, unless they perform.

An Evening of Music

presented by

The Department of Fine Arts

of the

Bibb County School System

Monday, March 18, 2013

Performing Arts center

of Central High School

Last evening I took the opportunity to attend this gala event which showcased the Bibb County Honor Choir and the Central High School Chamber Ensemble.

The Bibb County Honor Choir under the superior direction of Ms. Elise Davenport assisted by the accompanist, Mr. Gregory Austin performed thirteen selections.  No sheet music was visible.  A terrific accomplishment which resulted in a standing ovation for this Choir which consisted of 63 Elementary School singers.

The Central High School Chamber Ensemble performed three complex selections under the direction of Ms. Patricia McCall.  These 32 performers were so well regarded by the audience that I overheard a comment that they could well be performing with the Macon Symphony Orchestra (MSO).   These High School Musicians performed the following:

Allegro in D by Antonio Vivaldia/arr. Steven Frankenpohl

Lullaby by William Hofeldt

Bacchanale by Camille Saint-Saens/arr. Gregg Porter

The performance by the Ensemble also earned a standing ovation for their work!!!

A terrific evening of excellent music.  The performance exceeded the title:  "An Evening of Music."





Interesting!!!!!

Right!!!!

Sequestration

Day Nineteen

My Sequestration - Day Eighteen Post started the series of proposals that can help eliminate our current problems.

My proposal and suggestion today is to have everyone realize that they are "We The People" and encourage everyone to vote in all future elections.  The picture above is the Macon-Bibb Election Board.  Here is where you go to register to vote.  Of course you can also register at the following locations:

All Public Libraries

Driver's License Bureau

Department of Family and Children's Services

All Military Recruiting Offices

For residents of the City of Macon and also the County of Bibb our next elections will be conducted on June 16, 2013 for the election of our next leaders who will take office on 1 January 2014 in the consolidated government. 

The deadline for registrating to vote in this July 16th election is June 17, 2013. 

Therefore my suggestion commences with electing leaders at the local level.  Then, as the State and National Election cycles approach, it is essential that we all continue to vote in every election. 

I have always firmly believed that We The People get what we elect, or you may also say, we deserve what we elect.  If you are not pleased with the "sillyness of sequestration" let me remind you that your voice starts at the ballot box.

I recently heard that visitors to our U. S. Capitol in Washington have to now wait in long lines because "Sequestration" has closed some of the access points because of a lack of people/guards to staff all the entrances.  Another portion of that story also related that the people/guards were told to roam the halls and stay busy while they were duty, but not staffing the entrances.  The purpose of this edit was to make it aggravating  for visitors to visit the Capitol and their duly elected Lawmakers. 

That to me is totally wrong, thus my statement "sillyness of sequestration."  We all deserve better!!!!!

Sequestration

Day Eighteen

For seventeen days I have pointed out the folly of this Sequestration because we in the United States of America do not have the money.  So what is new?  We have been spending at record amounts for several years now.  However the last four years and two months have been really sad.  We all know what is wrong. 

Starting today I hope to focus on some solutions.  First off, we expend large amounts for the removal/elimination of trash.  The picture today clearly displays the results of a shopping trip to a local food market.  They did not have paper bags today.  For those who are not informed, plastic does not degrade as quickly as paper.  Thus plastic adds to the "Land Fill Crisis" which is germane for many of our urban areas.  Where are we to put all this plastic stuff?

Paper does rot away.  Besides that, we have more trees in the United States of America than when Columbus discovered America.  How do I know, you ask!!!!!  I know for a fact, that while Columbus did not conduct a census of the tree canopy it is common knowledge that much of our great country was covered in grass and open plains.  In fact, I even read that fact in a book before the Internet was invented.  

We as a Nation, as a Society can reap great savings by using paper bags when marketing.  Even better, you can acquire cloth bags to bring home your food items, which is what I do.  Although this idea may appear to the average citizen as a small step as regards future savings, let me remind everyone that we have to start somewhere!!!

There are some in Government that see Sequestration as real.  I see it as an attempt to whip the citizens into believing that we have a financil crisis so that we will accept anything that our Current Rulers implement.  Again, a sad and sorry situation.  Solutions must be put into place, thus my comments today.

Together we can help, but following our current Leaders may be the cause of our current problems!!!  Just my thoughts on the matter.  We The People deserve better than to be treated like small minded children who are ready to accept what our Leaders shove on us.



Cherry Street

Macon, Georgia

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Enjoy the Views!!!

Candid Views of all the Fun

The Pink High Heel Shoe Race

was a very interesting event

to watch.