Fools rush in where fools have been before.

Early post so I can watch the second debate. And the first one illustrated the value of watching over just listening. The President's body language was one of the factors contributing to an overall weak performance. I'm interested to see how that part of his demeanor changes tonight. More physically animated? Bigger gestures? Aggressive gestures?

Steve sent me this earlier today. Laughed out loud.
Mighty Mouse

Noel just stopped in to see me. He and his wife live in the next block and the two of them spend their summers at their home in Minnesota. Noel is five years into a diagnosis of ALS and the disease's progression since I saw him last May is obvious. His wife puts his hands in his pockets before he leaves the house for a walk because he can't support the weight of his arms anymore. We talked about what's happening. He knows what's coming and can see the end is on its way. He figures he has a year. Noel is a very, very nice man. His neighbor Marvin, who also stops in from time to time, tells me he's antagonistic to the gospel. Noel knows I'm a pastor, and I hope sometime soon we can talk about life after death.

I spent an hour cleaning the office/laundry room/sewing room. Just my corner though; I'm not stupid. Came across some pictures I don't remember having. I think they're from the mid-60's. All four of us kids are stil at home, and Scott moved out in 1967 or so.
I realize they don't mean much to you, but they're a time capsule that shows ordinary life from that by-done era.

This is my sister, Kathy, holding Poco who came as a puppy, and looks to still be one in this pic. I have no idea what house that is in the background. Not ours.









This was BD (before dishwashers). One kid washed, the other dried and put away. Scott, as the oldest, would get to choose which he wanted to do and Kathy, next in line would do the other. Once Scott left home Kathy choose and I did the other. By the time she left...we had a dishwasher and Mark was off the hook.







Dad, mom, and Grandma Helen, my mom's mother. She was a wonderful, godly woman. Swedish, and not the least bit stern, no matter what she looks like here. Her husband, my grandpa, died when I was pretty young but I have wonderful memories of Grandma Helen.







One Christmas (maybe when all of these pics were taken) we got one of those hockey games that are now antiques. Dad and Kathy are competing here, with Mark, the youngest, watching.








Mom was an amazing cook. We ate on a budget but you'd never know from the taste! All of it outstanding - except for the Brussel sprouts. (blech!) And we always had a choice of at least two desserts, sometimes three.

And this must be Christmas, too, with my mom opening a present. Ours was one of those homes where we dressed up for occasions like Christmas, even if it was just family. That's what you did. We were taught decorum.
Ozzie and Harriet. That was then. This is now.