Here in “sunny” Florida, it’s just that…SUNNY! It’s an absolutely beautiful start to another day! Though it reached 41 here at the house, things are going to warm up nicely, with the coming week being in the low 80’s for the high.

Most know that my walk with our Lord is literally in its infancy stage. Yes…I’ve always believed, shoot, I’ve talked to Him daily for years now, sometimes several times a day. Yet, I really never came to know His word.

In all honesty, so many of you have become so close and dear to my heart. We’ve laughed, joked, and shared many things this past year and a half or so. In Deb’s regard, we’ve even shared tears together. You all have been so much help and support to both Deb and I, and I could never, ever, repay you guys for such concern and love you’ve given me.

It has been awesome, but the incredible thing to Deb and I both was simply that you guys, in all reality…didn’t even know us. We were in the true sense of the word…total strangers. Yet, through the kindness in your heart, your love shown was not only sincere, but heartfelt!

I know on many occasions that Deb would come up to me and make the statement, “I can FEEL their love!” Honestly, through your contact…I could as well!

Thank you all so very, very much!

My walk with God is because of you guys once more, at least to a heavy extent. SO MANY of you talked with me on this subject, and through, once more, your love and concern for me, you’ve blessed me once again!

Here’s the kicker, in my regard at least…through the heartfelt e-mails, phone conversations, and talks with friends that I have here around me, you guys were concerned for me enough in regards to my spiritual life, that you stepped up…and made yet another difference in my life.

This simply by pointing me in the direction of…eternal life.

I honestly can say to each and every one of you, that by this, I cannot believe where I’m at today. Life IS…so much better! Thank you again.

Now, in studying HIS Word, I haven’t even scratched the surface, and I pray each day for God to give me more knowledge to learn and absorb HIS Word much more profoundly.

I believe that total understanding of His Word is probably not possible, not during our time here on this earth, but the teachings are there, in black and white, to grasp thoroughly HIS intent! Through this we at least grasp the reality that our life with Him is simply…a choice.

Do you want to grow in God, or, live life without God? This really is our choice.

Personally, I want to know our God, and as I get a little further along in this journey, I see that without a doubt, I want to possibly help others have an understanding of HIM as well. Just like you guys helped in me in my own choice.

This is really what it’s all about isn’t it?

Am I a good Christian? Well, I honestly think not…not at this point, but I try to work on this. Shoot, I’ll still get aggravated by someone, or something, and let some language fly, that I know full well is not appropriate.

The difference in my life in this regard now is that when I let this happen, I’ll walk off…and ask for forgiveness. It bothers me to act in this way now. I understand this, and through this understanding, I’ve changed.

Enough of this though…

Wed. morning, I got up at 2 am, only to see that Romney had conceded. I liked to have fell out of my chair. I was crushed in the fact that our Country now had come to the point, that the people in our Country had literally rejected…all our great Nation has stood for, for so long.

Virtue, integrity, morals, strength of character, love of Country, a strong work ethic, the family unit, respect, not only for ourselves, but others as well, had literally, pretty much became a thing of the past…OVERNIGHT.

It was devastating to me. Literally…I was ashamed.

Ashamed for our Country, number one, ashamed for the people with the same moral values I hold so dear, like MY WORD meaning something, ashamed for all our children and grandchildren, and what WE had allowed to happen on OUR WATCH !

I think about the number of lives lost by our veterans throughout our history that now seem today to have been in vain. This deeply saddens me.

I voted at my polling station, then took our daughter-in-law to hers. We stood outside for 2 hours surrounded by constituents that obviously did not hold the same feelings I have in regards to our Country.
Not all, but I know in my heart that most of them were voting, not for the freedoms and opportunities our Country provides, but in turn a political agenda introduced by our politicians as a way to, in the end, create a constituency for their own power, basically for as long as they want it.

Sadly, this has come to pass.

We are now living in a Country where something for nothing has become the norm. Where in all honesty, right…has become wrong. We all KNOW, although our leaders declare this as…not right, but receiving something for nothing is totally, unabatedly…WRONG!

Wrong in every sense of the word. It is incredible to me that the hard-working people of our Country have even CONSIDERED this an obligation (ENTITLEMENTS), much less ALLOWED the sweat of their own brow to be taken from them, AND GIVEN to a class of people that could care less about us doing so, number one.

But to allow our leaders to destroy us from within, and that’s exactly what has happened, is on us people. WE allowed this to happen. Human nature itself is to get as much as you can, for as little as you can, right? Well, we as the true believers are to blame.

We watched as our rights were taken away, little by little.

We watched while prayer was taken from our schools. We watched as the political powers that be became more and more socialist in THEIR regard, through excessive taxation, government regulation, awarding the unions 20% of GM, the takeover of GM, Insurance companies, political correctness, no child left behind, affirmative action, and the massive programs that now are unsustainable, as we now see.

Entitlements being only being one of these, not just for the poor, but the entitlements our political elite have now bestowed upon themselves. Once again…it’s on us guys!

By our sitting still and taking everything the politicians have enacted, we lost the Republic. I’m not feeling very secure in my thoughts today over the future we have bestowed upon our children. Again, I’m ashamed, BUT, I too sat back while our elected elite literally took over our Country.

There is no more meaning to the phrase… “We, the People.” WE…gave this away. WE, the silent majority have been silent for way too long, and now, we’re reaping exactly what we’d allowed to be sown.
I’ve read many of the comments that have been put out there by the far-left, such as, “Ha-ha-ha. We won, etc., etc., etc…”

The powers that be surely think this is funny, this is where their uncontested power originated from, BUT, their constituency, now laughing as well, will see down the road that the last laugh…will be on them as well.

Their give-away programs WILL come to a stop eventually. They CANNOT be sustained! It’s only a matter of time…mark my word.

At this point, they will finally come to the realization, as their free world comes crashing down on them, the error of their ways. The me, me, me mentality that enabled the politicians to play them like the fools they have actually been, will hit them right between the eyes, and they’ll FINALLY realize that the political elite that professed “SUCH CONCERN” for them was…nothing but a lie all along!

They’ll all be asking the same question… “WHAT HAPPENED?”

The day will come to pass…the checks stop! IT has to happen, yet, what does our elected elite continue to promise these people? EVEN MORE giveaways!

I read a piece by Rush Limbaugh. It simply stated that the reason we lost this election is not because of our morals, or beliefs in our freedoms. It simply is because…we cannot defeat… “Santa Claus!”

It can’t be done.

When will we realize that it’s not our politicians who are Santa Claus, they only pass the “gifts” out. Santa Claus is in reality…YOU AND I! WE are the providers, through our taxes, that enable our politicians to put on the air that it is them who are Santa Claus!

In a child’s terminology, because in reality, IT IS as simple as a child’s understanding, that you know what…our politicians, and sadly the majority of our fellow neighbors and Countrymen, HAVE BEEN…naughty and not nice.

Does Santa leave presents to the naughty and nice? Not in my knowledge of “ole Santa,” so, when do we decide as all, “the Santa’s” out there that, you know what, NO MORE GIFTS! You’re not deserving of our gifts any longer.

Until you change your way of thinking, we’ll just skip your house this year, and the next, and the next!

This is what it’s going to take people. No more funding of our own destruction! We’ve been funding this, our own destruction, now for the past 40 years or so.

We don’t come to this simple revelation…we’re toast as a Republic. It’s over!

Didn’t Johnson’s statement of creating a “great society” so many years back, create exactly that? We, as Americans, have little to be proud of today… “of this GREAT society.” Why? How in the world can you be proud to live in a “Nanny State?” To me…it is inconceivable!

So simply, do we as a people decide to quit funding such blatantly wrong ideals, remember, if you enter a state park the first thing you see is a sign declaring…please, don’t feed the bears! This “handout” will cause the bears to become dependent on…just that…handouts!

Our elected elite knew this, and depended on, a constituency that could not, or would not, think for themselves!

Our fate is now in our own hands. Use it, or lose it!

Back to Our Faith

In reality, we, and our fate, are truly in God’s hands. This is inevitable!

Our election is now a thing of the past. Don’t let it bother you any longer. The cards we are to play have been dealt…live with them!

God will always be there for us, in good times as well as bad!

So, if you haven’t come to know Christ, maybe you should. We are going to see some very, very hard times in our Country.

But this too, will become an opportunity for us…an opportunity to withstand all that the left throw at us. We don’t have to continue to be the “silent majority.” We don’t NEED to continue to do so.
Our voices need to be heard, and by this, making our political elite UNDERSTAND…you know what…we just might have pushed these guys to far!

If you’ve ever been going to stand up for your rights…now is the time.

Also, look to God for guidance. He’ll show you the way.

With that being said, I’d like to share with you all, an e-mail I received from a dear friend…Sallie Kay. It is very appropriate in my opinion in regards to trials and tribulations we may soon come to see, and experience, in our Country!

Hey Doug,

I found it strange that while I was disappointed at the results of the election last night, I was not really even surprised. I just could not believe the polls and didn’t want to get my hopes up just to be devastated by a loss. So, I guarded my heart and asked God to help me through this just as I did four years ago.

1. The just shall still live by faith. The political situation of
Jesus’s day was probably far worse than we have it today, and yet it
didn’t keep Jesus from fulfilling God’s calling for His life. He
came to love and set people free. The fields are still white unto
harvest.(John 4:35). May we pray, as Jesus taught, that God would
send more laborers into His field. (Matthew 9:37,38)

Love in Him,

Prior to closing…read a chapter of the Bible for me, or yourself today if you would…Isaiah 53. I read this last night. It was suggested by my good, good friend, Sonnie.

You guys all have a great day, and God Bless! As Deb always said, “Keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!”

Dub

I think maybe you guys just MIGHT want to “pull up a chair” this morning, cause I’m probably gonna get a little long-winded! Shoot, I ain’t talked to you in a while, so…bear with me!

Today I’d like to share a few things with you that have literally touched my heart, and it couldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the love of our good Lord…and you.

It’s amazing how God can touch you in the most opportune times. I am a living breathing example of this. We truly are blessed with a God of love.

I haven’t posted in a week or so, and to be honest, I’d been going through a period of, I don’t want to use the word depression, I feel it too strong in my case, but at least a period of…being confused.

Wondering what to do in my life. Wondering why I had to lose my partner. Wondering how in the world to keep up with all that’s going on since Deb’s passing? Wondering how to keep smiling and exhibiting a happy face, when in reality…I wasn’t all that happy?

The last 4-5 days had been kinda rough on me. In reality, even though I thought I was fairly happy considering, it became a real burden to focus on even menial tasks. I saw it, I felt it, but I kept trying to “work through it.” Shoot, what else can you do?

Well, come this past Sunday, it was really beginning to get me down. Even though we needed the rain, it was cloudy and overcast, so I was pretty much penned up in the house all day, or most of it at least. I swear, it seemed just like the walls themselves were closing in on me. I was literally miserable.

Then, guess who steps in and turns this around? God…through guys just like yourselves. It was incredible. Honestly it was.

For those who KNOW me, they know that although I am a Christian, cept maybe not a good one, at least in the attempt by me to live more as God would like to see me live, they know I have my “set ways.”

I love to laugh, but will tell a risque joke from time to time. Okay, so I’ll tell a pretty raunchy one from time to time too.

I can swear with the VERY BEST of them. Although I do anymore try to watch this, if you make me angry there’s a pretty good, okay, a VERY GOOD chance I’ll let em fly. Even in only talking to people I just can’t seem to totally not throw in a damn, or worse every so often.

I think that God must understand that if I were to quit cussin altogether…I’d lose at least 35% of my working vocabulary!

When I was much younger, early, early twenties, I was not a very good person at all. In reality, the word terrible probably would not be too harsh. I got involved in drugs, I was a terrible Father, and through this I lost my family for a long period of time.

Thankfully, this has been “patched up” through the years.

I got married and didn’t finish school, but instead married my first wife, Sandra, who was pregnant at the time. SO…I have an 11th grade education. I regret the education factor, to an extent, but I’ve always continued to read, so…I consider myself…home-skhooled. (I know it’s spelled with a C, but thought I might jerk your chain). LOL! GOT YA! Thanks to Webster’s!

Sandra, my first wife was a good woman, and a great Mother! My second marriage I wasn’t too blessed, but, at that point in my life I deserved everything that was dealt me.

THEN…I met Debbie. Changed my life so very much, and the change I experienced was all good.

SHE taught me how to love, how to share, and how to let God into your life. SHE taught me about a marriage being a two way street, and the give and take that is required to make it work. I loved her so.

THEN, for whatever reason, God decided he needed her more than I, or her family here on this earth.

We all were devastated to say the least. I mean here we all were, basically with our world revolving around our wife, our Mother, our Grandmother, but most of all…our friend.

BOOM…this is all gone?? WHY?

God Has a Plan

Because God has a plan. I know this, and I believe this with all my heart, so, I put my trust in God and that’s what I do.

Then this past week, when things were kinda building up inside…a few things happened! Right out of the blue, and it was…God’s doing. No question.

First let me say something…

Judi and Brian, and the Canada Free Press got Deb and I involved in this website, “Ridin Out the Recession,” for those who didn’t already realize what a “couple of idiots” like us were doing cutting up on this site.

Now you know! It’s their fault!

But without Deb and I realizing it at the time, those same two, Judi and Brian had blessed us big time, yet we had no idea of this being the case.

Through their blessing…we met all you guys! No doubt!

I almost said, “No s+++, but caught myself! LOL! Wouldn’t THAT have been appropriate this morning with my message?? LOL! See, I’m getting better already!

Anyway, through our site, we’ve met so many wonderful, caring people. Now remember…you guys were TOTAL strangers, yet, through your responses, your concern, and your prayers, you blessed Deb and I to no end, and this continues today in my regard. You have become…family.

Crazy stuff, huh? Yet, it’s true.

To name just a few, and I’m not leaving anyone out intentionally it’s just that I’m getting a little older and forgettin a little more by doin so. Right off the top of my head there’s Gerry, Bill and Sandy, Sandra (Mississippi), Diane, Barbara, Craig, Roger, Edith, Kunochi, and SO many others.

Hey guys!

This has really been a road we enjoyed traveling together, and in my case…I’m still traveling it. Once more, you all mean so much to me, and you did to Deb as well. Thank you.

This I realize more and more this was a part of a much bigger plan than just you and I…it was God working through you. See where I’m coming from?

There’s more…

As I said earlier, Sunday was really rough. I don’t know why, but there’ll be times where I feel so low? It just happens. I’ll be fine with Deb’s passing, going along remembering our good times together, and WAM…it all comes back.

Just outta the blue…I’m lost.

Well, God continues to bless me and put different people into my life, again, good, caring people. I swear, it’s almost like they just appear out of nowhere. It is truly amazing.

There’s Laura, in West Virginia, who somehow found our channel on YouTube, and began commenting. She too had gone through the same thing that I had, and that so many of you others have gone through too.

Laura and I responded back and forth some, and today, Laura has become just like you guys too…a friend…even family. She’s a wonderful person, or she’s got me buffaloed one. Just kiddin Laura.
But early Sunday evening I check my e-mails. Lo and behold…there’s one from Laura.

Here I was feeling very low, and just kinda goin through the motions, and in her e-mail, she’s expressing to me how God works in mysterious ways.

I was like, man…he sure does. Through her caring enough about me to sit down, drop me a few lines, or short novels as she claims, God WAS helping me…through Laura. The despondency was easing immediately, honestly. I could FEEL it.

Hey Laura!

Crazier yet, I’m going through my e-mails Sunday and there’s a friend invite from Facebook from a lady I didn’t think I’d ever even heard of?? From a…S.K. Second time this invite had been sent.
Well, I got to thinkin…what’s this about, yet I thought no more about it.

Then, while I was forwarding another e-mail a friend had sent, I was going through my contact list. There at the bottom was a contact I’d never noticed prior…from S.K. I thought this to be just too ironic, so I e-mailed them to find out if they were in fact the same person as the Facebook invite, and if not…my apologies.

Well, a little later they responded that yes, they were one in the same. They also explained that they had just became involved with Facebook and that all her e-mail list had “been jacked” as she called it, and friend invites had been sent out, unknowingly by her, to all her contacts.

Obviously, I was one. The reasoning after corresponding with her was that she had read about Deb and I, and sent condolences to us. This was how she ended up being on my contact list as well.
I then apologized for not remembering her and stated that it was such a crazy time in my life during Deb’s last days, and that there were far too many people I hadn’t responded back too.

So, we sent back a couple more e-mails kinda laughing this off, but both of us kinda surprised how this even took place??

Anyway, in her last e-mail she was describing how that she loved to garden, and had a “green thumb,” etc. Even saying that she had cried for Deb and I.

I mean, look at this from my perspective…a total stranger…crying for Deb and I. Isn’t that amazing? It is to me! Yet, there’s my point…God working through others in our regard. Again…TOTAL strangers!

This is just awesome, isn’t it?

The point she made that stuck in my mind though was this. I had never heard the topic of sin discussed in such a way before, and the way she looks at it, and deals with it, was very enlightening to me to say the least.

“I discovered that I have a green thumb and just love to work my yard. I go outside and pull weeds while I pray for people. The weeds are symbolic of sin to me. So when I pull them out, I am praying for a sin of the person I pray for to be removed.”

Once more, feeling down on this particular Sunday evening God had put someone in my life, a total stranger, that had…made a difference. Not down the road some, but RIGHT NOW!

The Blessings Continue

So, by now I’m feeling much better, and KNOWING that God HAD put these people in my life, it was dawning on me just how fantastic our God truly is. He loves us guys…EACH and EVERY one of us. He is amazing.

After going downstairs and deciding to watch a little TV, I start channel surfing. Used to drive Deb insane! She’d say, “WHY don’t you find something we both like and…JUST watch it?” Bless her heart.

Well, I find a couple things that kinda interest me, but I keep surfing to make sure I don’t miss something I’d like even better.

I never watch religious TV at night but while surfing, I come across Joyce Meyer. I had watched her prior, but really not LISTENED to her before. I tuned in in time to catch her very early in her broadcast.

We have a very, very good friend, Sonnie (yep, he spells it IE, and I’ve given him a hard time ever since finding out he spells SONNY…with an IE. Matter of fact I now call him…IE!)who is a good Christian man, as well as his wife Pat.

I asked him once, “Sonnie, I have asked God to come into my life before, on several occasions, but I gotta tell ya…I don’t feel any differently. Why?”

One of Joyce Meyer’s opening remarks… “I get asked all the time. You know Joyce, I have asked God to come into my life, but I feel no change. Why?”

Her answer quite simply was that you need to study God’s word.

This clicked to me immediately…I wasn’t doing this. I needed to study God’s word. Through this, he would reveal to me much more than I can possibly understand about his love at this point. Again…study his word.

Joyce Meyer then used the description something to the effect of, “weeding your garden is symbolic to getting rid of the sin in your life…”
I almost fell down!

After meeting S.K., whom I’d never spoken with before, and her revealing to me her own outlook of sin that just struck, and stuck, with me as soon as I read it, here was one other person, also one I’d never before listened to in the evening, saying pretty much the very same thing.

Any doubts that I may have had before in God’s regard…were now outta here! This was just too incredible for coincidence!

This day that had started out so bad, and continued throughout pretty much the whole day, was now becoming very, very uplifting. BAM!

God was showing me his love…through strangers!

Laura, S.K., and now Joyce Meyer, had unwittingly turned my whole outlook completely around…it was in God’s plan for me. It WAS God working through them once more, helping me to cope.

Sonnie, or IE, called a little before Joyce Meyers broadcast had ended. I explained all this to him and his response was simply, “I told you.” Then he shared other examples of how God comes into your life. What a great day this had become.

I ended the evening speaking with one other person over the phone.

She too is a very, very dear friend who lost her husband a few years back. She and Ronnie were two people who came to be loved by Deb and I both. We spent A LOT of time together…for years! Many times…every day at some point.

Since Deb’s passing, Katherine has become my confidant, my shoulder to lean on, and is there for me anytime…day or night. She’s my best friend, and my respect for her is boundless. There’s times we’ll talk for an hour or two…pretty much about nothing.

She’s a very strong willed Christian woman. She’s easy to be around, level-headed, and her heart is ALWAYS in the right place. She loves to hunt and fish…and’s a “looker” too. Shoot, if her Daddy owned a liquor store…man, that’d be marryin material for sure! LOL!

I do love ya Katherine, and thanks for all you do in my regard! You’re too kind for your own good.

Her entire family as well. Her kids and grandkids all mean a lot to me. Shoot, they too are my family.

Anyway, I shared the exploits of my day with Katherine as well, and she, just like Sonnie, emphasized the role to me that God plays in our lives.

So ending up a GREAT Sunday conversing with Katherine was a very fitting end to a day that had gotten me down…bad.

Once more…God is there for us all. You only need to acknowledge this fact. I promise, he’ll be there for you!

If this testimonial of mine today touches but only one heart…that was God’s plan!

In closing, thank you to Judi and Brian of the Canada Free Press. You guys made this all possible.

Also, to all our friends and “family” that give us a looksee from time to time. You guys are simply amazing! Deb, nor I either one can ever repay you for the kindness you all have displayed to her and I both.

I love you all!

I promise you this though. You guys, just like me, now have a very special angel looking down on you! She too is filled with love.

You guys have a great day, and God Bless! Please…Be sure to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub

Today we’ll change up just a little and talk about the fate of our Country some, and touch on our religious beliefs as well.

For all that didn’t know Deb, you missed out. She truly was a good Christian woman. She believed in God, she loved God, and she’d profess her faith in God to all that inquired, “How can you stay so happy and upbeat dealing with your cancer?”

Her answer was always the same. She’d point skyward with that little finger of hers and state, “HE…shows me the way.”

And he did. Of this I have no doubt. Deb used to tell me, “He talks to me.”

In the beginning I’d have reservations of this ACTUALLY taking place. I’d think, “Well, maybe she dreamed that he spoke with her.” As time passed, I became convinced that Deb did in fact hold conversations with our Lord.

After living with Deb our last 14 and a half months together it was so apparent to me, and anyone else that had contact with her, we just knew this woman was indeed living, and having, a very, very special relationship with God. He smiled on her daily.

Before carrying on with this post this morning I’d like you to stop for just a moment and ponder, “Is God living in my life?” If so, you know what I’m talking about. If not, I only wish you would take just a moment and ask God to come into your own life. He’s there for us, we only have to ask him in.

In my own regard, I personally struggle every day in my attempt to live a better, more fulfilling life as a Christian. It ain’t easy, and I come up short far too many times for even my own liking, but fortunately for us all…we have a forgiving God. He loves us each and every one!

Now, in regards to our Country today, we know as Christians, things aren’t looking too promising, are they?

We see our Christian beliefs, our beliefs in our family units, are belief in a good, solid work ethic, our beliefs in helping each other instead of our government getting their hand into this, our beliefs in raising our OWN children, all being taken from us through what they call “political correctness,” or their not wanting to offend others.

Offending others? What about offending US? Which by the way,we happen to be the majority in our Country. Two words stand out to me in that last sentence…OUR Country!

We’ve let our own government, ELECTED officials mind you, to take away, or at the very least water down or dilute the very principles our great Nation was founded upon. In many cases adhering to, or what I call, “kissin butt,” to put it mildly, people in our Country that have NO right to be here in the first place.

Why? Well maybe because they’re here…ILLEGALLY!

They give them shelter in OUR Country, they feed, clothe, educate, and GIVE medical treatment to them.

What’s up with this Obama care debacle…I mean those people are getting it FREE anyway, right? Our health care on the flip side was costing us $1,900 and some change per month. Since Deb’s passing, it’s only a mere…$1,200 a month, yet, most if not ALL, illegals get it free.

This on top of ALL the others that ARE citizens but have not worked a lick for generations now! Why?? Why good gracious folks, that’s simple enough to answer, it’s because they’re…ENTITLED!
ENTITLED??? ENTITLED to WHAT?? OUR hard-earned money?? Gimmee a break here people!

You know what I’m entitled to? Let’s start with an EMPTY belly at night if I don’t work! I’m ENTITLED to live in a tent somewhere if I don’t make my house payment. I’m ENTITLED to no electricity if I don’t pay my power bill.

I’m ENTITLED to no cell phone, no TV, no hospital care, and in many cases today no job…if I don’t take a DRUG TEST! That’s the ENTITILEMENT program I’m on.
Oh, one more thought on this.

I went to renew my Florida driver’s license a couple weeks back. I tried to renew online, but since Deb had renewed our license that way last time, I had to go to renew at the license office.

I had to produce my birth certificate. I was like, “C’mon guys, I have two picture ID’s, my tax returns, my proof of residence, AND I have had a Florida driver’s license for…40 YEARS! 40 years!!

They go, “Nope…you have to produce a birth certificate.”

Well, I explained that Deb had passed away, and I know we have a copy of my birth certificate, and I’ve looked, but haven’t found where she’d put it as yet. Again, here’s ALL my other information.

Long story short, I have to send off for another copy of my birth certificate?? A taxpaying citizen of the US, born and raised here in Florida, holding IN MY HAND my old Florida license with MY photo on it along with other ID, yet…I can’t get a license without a birth certificate??

Kind of ironic isn’t it? I can’t renew my Florida driver’s license, which I’ve had for 40 years, without a VALID birth certificate, yet I could be President of the United States of America…and not have one! Well, I couldn’t obviously, but there are some that can. Go figure that one out??

Honestly, why aren’t WE entitled just the same as these other people? In reality, if our elected leaders are givin OUR, once more, OUR money away so freely to illegals AND people who won’t work, no, no, I didn’t say didn’t want to work but can’t find a job, I SAID, WON’T work!

Then why aren’t we getting an equal cut ourselves. Once more, it is OUR money!

Big difference here, so don’t let the liberally twisted, I mean minded, continue to feed you that crap. Let me make this quite clear…WE ARE FUNDING, through a political agenda that we’re not even part of the equation in, OUR OWN DEMISE! Yep, our politicians are using, well, a better description is, TAKING OUR money…and destroying us in the process.

They don’t give one hoot in hell for us, or the “poor oppressed people” they claim to be fighting so hard for! IT is about only ONE thing…THEMSELVES! Their power, their greed, their friends and cohorts, and their staying in office.

Anyway, my point to this today is that unless we stand up and start being JUST as vocal, and JUST as goal-oriented as our liberal counterparts in regards to our own beliefs, we are in fact going to lose our Country, our rights as citizens, and our religious freedoms.

With that being said, let me share with you guys a prayer I received last night from a dear friend of ours. She too is a fine Christian lady and I think the world of her.

I had seen this prayer before, and many of you may have already read it as well. But last night I had the time to stop, read this, and let it sink in as to what the prayer was about, and just how appropriate it is in regards to our Country today.

I also had time to send over to this friend a return e-mail with a description of a “platonic relationship.” This being and inside joke between the two of us, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to “gig her” one more time this morning on this topic! LOL!

Too many times we are so busy and tied up with other events taking place that we only “skim over” things sometimes, and I am guilty of this far too much myself.

It is supposedly written by Rev. Billy Graham, but in today’s world far too much you read on the internet is not always what they seem, or were actually written by whom others claim did write it.

With that being said, I did not “Snopes” this for actuality, but to be honest, I’ve gotten to the point I don’t ALWAYS believe everything “Snopes” claims is fact or fiction either.

Nevertheless, I would truly like to believe this is in fact a prayer by Rev. Graham, and if someone can verify this to be factual, I’d appreciate it. Even if it was not written by Rev. Graham, in my own belief, this prayer is so “right-on” in its meaning and so descriptive of the happenings in our Country, I could not fathom not sharing it with you all today.

If you have read it previously, please, re-read it, and then share it with others.

Please, don’t skim over this as I did the first time this was sent to me. Take the few minutes to sink in and contemplate its message. I was very glad it had been sent to me once again…

“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.

Amen”

Thank you all for stopping back by to visit with us again. Please take care, God Bless, and for heaven’s sake…keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart.

Dub and Deb

The young men I’m speakin of are Devin who’s 15 and is our oldest son, Josh’s oldest son. The other half of this tandem is Willie, 13, whose real name is Clay, and is our oldest daughter Michelle’s youngest son.

They came down last Wed. and stayed until Sunday afternoon when Willie went home. We miss him…

Until we go get a Mounds ice cream bar outta the freezer…then we’re kinda glad he’s gone! LOL! Not really Willie…hee-hee-hee.

Seriously though, these two have been so much help to me. They really got me back in the game as far as getting my feet set firmly back under me again. Nothing really major, just things.

Giving our house a GOOD cleaning was one of my priorities, and boy did we! While I knew we’d be cleaning, I felt I really needed to move some things around, kinda just give me a “different look” if you know what I mean.

So much reminds me of Deb, and I don’t want to get rid of anything, but the boys and I redid our bedroom and changed some dresser drawer configuration for me.

I put my drawers in a nightstand next to my bed…bet she had a “hissy-fit!” I figured shoot, ya roll outta bed, grab a pair of clean drawers right there at ya, waltz into the bathroom, and you’re off to a flyin start.

With some of the added “chores” I’m still tryin to organize some sort of half a you-know-what schedule. It didn’t seem to be workin out though. Seems the more I did, the more I had to do??

By Devin and Willie coming, pitchin in, and grabbing the bull by the horns with me, we whipped it right out.

We moved our beds around, went through the library (yea, I can read…some), and pretty much moved our books around quite a bit. One of the last times Deb and I went out, I bought several books, got home and…no room. At least not where they needed to be anyway.

So…that’s now solved.

We then turned into the downstairs and put the ache on it as well. We mopped floors, dusted furniture and blinds, got up in the bathtubs and showers and cleaned those too…with the tile around them to boot.

For the finishing touch…we washed windows inside and out and cleaned the sills, then went outside and bleached, scrubbed, and washed down the porch. Everything is lookin good!

You know we’d started some seedlings, and Devin and I have all but just a few tomatoes potted in 4 inch pots. Quick as they get a little size I’ll utilize some in the greenhouse and the grow area then sell what’s left.

We saved quite a few pepper seeds and some of those I’ll use to restart another batch. As things smooth out even more I’ll start savin some other seeds as well.

Today we’ll get rid of almost everything that was in the greenhouse and by tomorrow we’ll be settin out some beets, and radishes. I use them in my daily juice, but for now I’m out. Again, beets are awful hard to find down here in a store.

Our eggplants are doin well, and we’ll pot them in the next day or two. Same as the tomatoes, what we don’t use we’ll just sell. I’m looking forward to getting this off the ground also.

It’ll help to occupy my time number one, I love growing them number two, and in reality it’ll give me some sort of income here off the place. It will also allow people who want the plants or veggies to come through the gate…when it’s open.

That’ll allow me to “socialize” some during the course of the day without ever leavin the place. You come in and buy something, shoot, we’ll socialize up a storm…ya don’t want to “purchase,” well I’m probably pretty busy. LOL!

I’ve got a couple more greenhouses, so as or if, this produce thing expands, I’ll put them up too. I just want to start small and as the traffic picks up then we’ll grow as needed. Gotta leave time to wash clothes, vacuum the house, dust the furniture, cook supper, you know…let my feminine side come out. LOL!

I was thinkin just the other day, shoot, if I’d of handled all the housework and let ole Deb make the livin for us, our “relations” outlook might have been better. Why? Well, unlike Deb, even as many times as I asked her, I WOULD HAVE opened the door with just my apron on!! LOL!

After contemplating THAT picture in my mind, it wasn’t long before I figured out that wouldn’t have been a very pretty sight! LOL!

But, getting back to the greenhouse, things are starting to look up once more. Next week we’ll go ahead and till the grow areas and start setting it out again.

Then when our daughter Michelle and the rest of her bunch, along with Josh and his family picked Willie up they had me a little surprise…a puppy.

First off, Cheyenne is “our little girl,” and she’s helped me out SO much since Deb’s been gone. This means IF Cheyenne doesn’t like a new boarder in the home, then…the new boarder has gotta go. No question on that, but, so far so good. We’ll continue to evaluate that situation.

They had asked me, in a moment of weakness if I wanted one. They told me the breed and I said, “Yeah, I’ve always wanted one.” They then told me the female pups were 400 bucks. I said that actually I didn’t like the breed THAT much for sure, and my sayin I wanted one was only a slip of the tongue.

But, they pitched in together and bought her for me. Today’s Tuesday and as of yet…no name. Don’t want to name her and Cheyenne says she’s outta here! So, I call her…you don’t want to know! LOL!

I believe though that it’s lookin as if she just might make the cut. Cheyenne seems pretty comfortable with her and really has kinda “mama’d up to her.” She’s letting her lay up beside me on the couch some, but most times with her beside us as well.

The pup’s breed…a Catahoula Leopard Cur. Great dogs.

Very intelligent, very owner oriented, good cow or hog dogs, just really good dogs to have around the place. IF she makes the cut with “Shiny Girl,” she should be a good addition to “the family.”

She seems to be house breaking pretty easily so that’s a BIG plus in her favor, although yesterday while I was workin on the bow flex some, she uses the bathroom on my mat the bow flex sits on. BOTH kinds of usin the bathroom, side by side!

That didn’t go over well and she got a pretty good swat across the backside for that little episode. Michelle told me over the phone, “DAD, you shouldn’t have done that! The kennels they were raised in were concrete, BUT, they had rubber mats where they used the bathroom.”

My response?

“So, you’re point? I just imagine the kennels “they were raise in” DIDN’T have a dern bow flex on the mats, right?”

But, as you guys can see, I have had a pretty dern good week, and I’m beginning to round the corner of life some.

Boy, I still sure miss my Deb, but the pain is going away, or should I say easing, cause I don’t think that it’ll ever go away. Honestly I’m not sure if I want it to ever go away completely anyway. At least I’m hittin on all cylinders again now though. Life is good!

Once more I’d like to say thanks to Devin and Willie both. I don’t think those two may ever realize the help they were to me. By getting me caught up, they’ve allowed me to stop and take a deep breath. By doing so I see the direction I need to be moving in.

I knew all along where I was headed, but just couldn’t seem to organize myself to get the job done. I was working, and workin my tail off, but again, it was like I was spinnin my wheels. That’s now behind me.

So to all out there, I’ll say again, God sure knew what he was doing when he blessed us with grandchildren. I know they’ve sure made Deb smile down on us this past couple weeks too. She has every right to be proud of them…they sure stepped up!

Well, gotta go for now. You guys have a great day, and God Bless. Always keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb