Some Things really Bug Me...

Social Media is all awash with people freaking out about drops or proposed drops of insects from planes or helicopters. Some have claimed it’s a conspiracy to infect millions of people with the next “new disease”. The three basic creatures (ticks are not insects) that people have been worrying about are: mosquitoes, ticks, and now screw flies.

There are two things to remember when reading about insect drops.

#1 many of these sites are just trying to get people to read their content because the more visitors they get, the more they get paid. So of course controversial is the go-to content. Because it’s technically their opinion, they do not have to substantiate what they say.

#2 Dropping serialized male insects to reduce populations is not new. It has been used since the 1950s. The screw worm was eradicated from the US using the technique. The recent new occurrences are basically because they haven’t kept up with it.

The basic idea for sterilized insect releases to control pests or diseases was conceived by E. F. Knipling (https://ipmworld.umn.edu/bartlett) in 1937. He used x-rays (later gamma rays) to cause sterility in male insects. It has been used around the world on a variety of beetles, flies, and mosquitoes to eradicate diseases and pests on fruits and vegetables. It is a tried and true method of control. In most species, especially mosquitoes and ticks, it is the female vector that carries the disease. The males do not feed on blood, They drink plant juices. Virtually all the released insects or other vectors are all male. So bokes of ticks dropped from planes (again not a new thing) are not feeding on other animals, they are just not reproducing. Many insects and other creatures mate only once so if it mates with a sterile male – no offspring.

Like anything, it can have issues. It is important to make sure that the insects released are truly sterilized.  One benefit is that it needs no insecticide so no resistance and no poisoning the environment with toxic chemicals. All in all, one of the better successes of applied science.

I hope this helps calms some fears for those that can’t resist scrolling. For more in depth information try this site. https://www.iaea.org/topics/sterile-insect-technique

Invisible.

Have you ever had a moment where you felt invisible? Where you wanted to find a mirror and see if you were really there? I rarely feel that way. As a teacher I’m kind of always in the limelight. Oh, I may feel like they are ignoring me, but never invisible. 

This week I found myself in one of those moments. I was on my way to the state park for a one man show day. (Meaning I was the only person on the schedule.) I decided to treat myself to a nice morning coffee. Black coffee with hazelnut and cream is my go to drink. I walked in and stood by the cash register. I was greeted with - silence. For 5 minutes I stood there. One employee walked past me 3 times without even looking at me.  I was screaming inside, “hello?!” I understand busy. I was expecting a short wait. But there was only silence. I turned around without saying a word, without being noticed, and without coffee. 

Now the day did not end up bad. After a call to customer service, I actually received $5 credit on my next visit. Still it left a lasting impression. I did not like it at all. 

I see it with the poor and homeless. That afternoon on the way home there was a man standing with a sign. He didn’t even look at the cars. Most never acknowledged him either. I usually carry some spare change just for this occasion but I realized I had left it on the dresser. All I could do is smile. The next day he was there again. My change was also still on my dresser. This time I apologized for not having anything. He just smiled and said, “It’s all good.” I hope he’s there again. I want to help people know they are seen. I may not have anything with me to meet their needs but I can at least acknowledge that they exist. We can do better. Wherever we go, let’s make the invisible seen again. 

Be Smarter Than What You’re Working With!

I have often watched short video clips of people trying to do simple things and thought, “Can people really be that clueless?” Now that I have a few years under my belt, I understand what my dad meant when he would say, “Be smarter than what you’re working with”. Now, my wife would correct me and tell me that my sentence form is incorrect. It should be, “Be smarter that that with which you are working”. Nope. It just doesn’t sound the same. Sometimes it’s worth ending with a preposition. So in honor of our untrained Gen Zers (or whatever generation we are in) this week I thought I would give some pointers about commonly used tools.

I need to clear up one issue though. Being the “MacGyver” type guy that I am, you may see me using tools in unconventional ways. Why just today, I used a screwdriver as a lever.  Mostly because I was already on the floor under a desk and didn’t want to get up, but also because I knew it would work. The main thing it to know the limits of your tools. I’m not above buying tools at the discount places, but I also realize they may not be top quality and need to be treated that way. So let’s get too it. Here are basic hints for some commonly used tools.

The Adjustable Spanner – It is also called an adjustable wrench or a “crescent wrench”. Crescent made the wrench popular and now has its name associated with the product, much like how tissues are also called Kleenexes.  Tip: Once you have adjusted it to size always face the smaller jaw (the adjustable one) facing the direction of the turn. If the bolt or nut is very tight, use a box end wrench.

Box End/Open End Combination – These wrenches usually come in basic sets like US standard or metric. One end is closed in, the other has an open slot. Tip: Use the box end to break it loose or finish tighten and the slot to turn it when it is freely moving.

Claw Hammer – The claw hammer is a tool used to hammer nails on the blunt side and remove them using lever action on the claw side. They can have wood. Metal or fiberglass handles. Tip: When hammering, hold the hammer as far back on the handle as possible. You get more swing that way. It wouldn’t hurt to practice your aim either. Get and old piece of wood and a handful of nails. Practice until you can hit the nail square on the head with the hammer most of the time. You can even practice removing them. If a nail is sticking out to far for the claw to remove it, place a piece of wood in between the board and the hammer to increase you leverage. 

Ratchet & Sockets – If you do any shade tree car mechanic work, you had better make friends with your socket set. Now this one can be a rabbit hole. You see, one can never have enough sockets. Again, they come in metric and standard. Biggest Tip: Your ratchet is not a hammer. Don’t do it. You’ll thank me later. Keep in mind, “Righty tighty; Lefty loosey”. I guess I shouldn’t leave that without an explanation. Turning to the right normally tightens; turning to the left normally loosens. Oh, and wear a set of mechanic gloves. Your knuckles will be thanking you.

Measuring Tape – The retractable measuring tape is a life saver. Buy a quality one so that you know the markings are correct. Tip: The wider the tape the farther it and reach without falling over. I recommend a 20 feet/ ¾ inch tape for most projects. Always recheck your measurements in several places to be accurate. Remember, measure 3 times, cut once.

Screw Divers – Screw drivers come in many different kinds and sizes. The most common are Philips (+ head) Flat-blade, torx (looks like a star) and one that is gaining in popularity, the square drive. Tips: Find the right kind and the right size. Push down and turn. Remember: “Righty tighty; Lefty loosey”.  In a pinch Flat-blade screwdrivers can be used to pry things open, and even as a chisel. Again, if you are not sure, proceed cautiously.

One last very important tip. Always use proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) what working with tools. These include: Safety glasses or goggles, gloves, hearing protection, proper shoes and a hard hat if required. You can always replace a tool, but spare eyes, ears or fingers aren’t readily available. I hope this helps!

How Did We Get Our American Flag?

Since I did a post about Memorial Day last year, I thought I would post about the flag this time. Our current flag of the United States is the twenty-seventh version since its original design in 1777. It is composed of thirteen alternating stripes, seven red and six white, with a blue rectangle and stars in the top left hand corner. The star alternate in six rows of six and four rows of five. The fifty star flag that was adopted after Alaska and Hawaii joined the union is the longest running version of the flag.

The first flag was call the Continental Colors and looked like this.  It was the first official flag of the thirteen colonies. it was also called the Grand Union Flag. There we other flags used in the colonies during this time including Gadsden Flag, Don’t Tread On Me and the Moultrie Flag that was a field of blue with a blue and white circle with the word Liberty in it.

The first flag to have the stripes and stars, often referred to as the Betsy Ross flag, was commissioned in 1776 by George Washington. From there the design changed as states were added. Sometimes the stars were in rows, other times in a circle or star shape. Many of these had fifteen stripes. In 1818 the flag had twenty stars and thirteen stripes.

At some point we may add other states, possibly Puerto Rico, Guam, and/or the Virgin Islands, current US Territories, which would necessitate a redesign. They have been talked about, but are still currently just territories.

Since Monday is Memorial Day and you may see several flags during the day, I thought I might review proper flag etiquette. These can be found in The Federal Flag Code.

Displaying the Flag

·        Hours: Display the flag from sunrise to sunset. It may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated.

·        Weather: Do not display the flag during bad weather unless it is an all-weather flag.

·        Hanging Vertically: When hanging the flag on a wall or window, the blue starfield (union) must be positioned at the top and to the flag's own right (the observer's top left).

·        With Other Flags: When flown on the same halyard, the U.S. flag must always be at the peak. When displayed in a group, it must be at the center and at the highest point. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Respect & Usage Constraints

·        Never as Decoration: Do not use the flag for draping, festooning, or as bedding. Use red, white, and blue patriotic bunting for decoration instead.

·        Clothing & Merchandise: The flag should not be used as apparel. However, lapel pins and uniform patches (for military, police, and patriotic organizations) are acceptable.

·        Condition: The flag should be kept clean and mended. If it becomes too worn to serve as a symbol, it should be disposed of in a dignified manner, such as burning.

 

Salute & Pledging

·        Civilians: Stand at attention facing the flag with your right hand over your heart.

·        Military: Uniformed personnel render a hand salute. Veterans may render a hand salute or place their right hand over the heart.

 This not the whole code but does cover the basics. I hope you enjoy this Memorial Day and Always remember what it stands represents.

Many facts taken from: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/short-history-united-states-flag

 

Hydrangeas by the doorway…

Last summer my wife bought a small hydrangea plant as a decoration. We decided to plant it outside by the back door. I t did almost nothing all winter. At one point she was afraid it was going to die. Then as it warmed up in spring, it finally started sprouting a few branches. Things got busy and I almost forgot about it. A couple weeks ago I noticed it had a few flower buds. Cool, it didn’t die. My wife said something about it, but I never got out there to check. This week I was catching up on some backyard gardening, and low and behold, that little plant was sporting the cutest purple flowers! I was glad they were purple. That’s my wife’s favorite color.  I was about to take credit for that. You see, hydrangeas often change color ranging from blue to pink in response to the soil pH. Ya, turns out she bought it as purple on purpose. (I still think I helped it stay purple.)

It got me wondering about where it originally comes from so I decided to jump down the rabbit hole. The scientific name for hydrangeas is Hydrangea macrophylla, AKA Big Leaf Hydrangea. According to the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/hydrangea-macrophylla/) hydrangeas are native to Japan, China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Flower colors range from white to pink, blue, or purple flowers, depending on the soil's acidity (pH). Acid soil produces blue flowers; Soil that is alkaline produces pink flowers. The flowers are a cluster of small flat flowers surrounded by a larger ring of more showy flowers called “lacecaps”. They usually flower in the spring, but some cultivars can have a second blooming cycle, especially in warmer climates. It is a perennial and will come back year after year if properly cared for. It can grow to a bush of about 6 feet tall. In cold winter areas it will need to be covered to shelter it from the freezing winds. Here in California it may keep its leaves all winter. They can be trimmed after they finish blooming, but remember to keep it light. New buds form on the old wood. Be sure to do any trimming before August, because it will start forming buds for spring starting in the fall.

One interesting thing I learned is that the dead hollow stalks from the previous year can often give native bees a nesting sight. Since most native bees either can’t sting are rarely choose to sting, and they are great pollinators, hydrangeas can help your other garden plants.

If you decide to plant hydrangea (or a few) there are many online sites and lots of videos to help you on your adventure. Plant flower – color your world! 

AI: How Far Is Too Far?

This week one of my friends decided I needed an upgrade. He took a picture of me manning the soundboard at Hst Ministries, the place where we feed the homeless and under resourced in Modesto. in just a few seconds I looked like one of the bandits from the movie Home Alone. I love using parts of AI, but this? Hmm, I'm not a fan. I mean, a good head of hair for 65 but still, nope. It brings up one of the main drawbacks/issues with new technology. How do we tell real from fake? If something that never happed can look so real, how can we be sure what is real and what is not?

Now don't get me wrong. I love using Siri for road directions, even when she can
sometimes make mistakes. It sure beats trying to navigate with a map. I have enjoyed using AI to help correct Chemistry equations quickly. I even get some entertainment listening to Alexa throw the other AI entities under the bus. (She can sometime be a little arrogant.) In many ways Ai has made our lives easier. CGI has gotten so much better using AI. Fantasy can now look seamlessly real. 

Like any technology, it is only as good as its users. AI can be instructed to create false narratives or pictures that have never happened that can then be used to deceive and humiliate. Kids have used it for cyber bullying. Students are trying to short cut the actual writing of assignments without doing the work. A simple video that would have been evidence of an event is now brought into question. It's getting hard to tell what is real and what is not. 

So how can we filter through all of the fake stuff?  (some ideas from https://www.popai.pro/)

• Unnatural Movements - Check the background details. Do all the people respond accordingly? Do items just magically appear or transform? Are there things out of place?
• Check for an AI Generated mark - Honest people will normally show it is done with AI
• Textual Clues - Are there strange spelling errors in the text or the closed captioning?
• Perfect but Unrealistic Graphics - Does it look to perfect or violate the laws of physics?
• Unusual Voiceovers or Lip Syncing
• Inconsistent Lighting and Shadows - AI often struggles with shadows and shading
• Repetitive Content Patterns 
• Check the content - Does the writing seem too well polished for the grade level?

The take away is that we are now at a point where we have to be very careful to check the source and content before we react.  What we see may not be the truth. It reminds me of what John said in I John4:4, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Was I a Blessing to Someone Today?

One of my personal growth goals a few years back was to leave anyone whose path I cross doing a litter better for having met me. I t might be just a kind word or a simple smile, but it would be something it elevate their existence. On the way to working at the State Park this weekend I was praying, “Lord help me to be a blessing to someone”. Simple enough. As I rounded the last curve before going into the park I saw some sparrows flitting along the roadside as the often do. This time one of them got to close and ended up smacking into the front corner of my car. Not a good start I thought. I saw him on the road still fluttering but I do not know if he made it. I was kinda sad about it, a then thought, “Maybe there’s a very hungry hawk who just needed a meal”. At least I could be a blessing to him? Not how I was planning to start the day though.

We spent the morning weed eating a large berm area that cannot be mowed with a mower due to Native American burial remains being in the area. It took a while but at least we got it out of the way. One of other aide decided to take a picture of us and send it to our supervisors. We got a nice kudos email of thanks for our hard work. Ok, I was being blessed, but I really hadn’t been able to help anyone else (except maybe the hawk). Later one of the camping groups came over and gave each of us something to drink. I ended up being given a couple sparkling sodas – something I really enjoy. I continued through my day. Yes, I helped a family with directions and made the park a little cleaner. But It still wasn’t what I was expecting. I guess I was fixated on being a big blessing to someone.

On the way home, I noticed that since I was given an extra soda I had not used the one that came in my lunch. I decided to take it with me in the car for the ride home. As I got to the exit on the freeway I noticed a man standing with a sign that said “Old Man Needs Help”. I usually try to keep a few dollars in my wallet for just such occasions.  This time, I was fresh out. I saw the flavored soda water that was still cold and held it out to him. “It’s all I’ve got”, I said. His face broke out in a smile and he said “thanks” as I handed it to him. The lady in front of me handed him a couple dollars. I made me think: None of the things I did today was grand or spectacular. But maybe, just maybe, they were all that was needed. Baby step, add up. Tomorrow’s another day. Who can I help next? If we all help, It can add up to big change.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 NIV

Do You Want a Little Cheese With That Whine?

 

Ok, let’s face it. Most of us Americans are whiners. Maybe not all the time, but we all have something that easily comes to the surface. With teenagers we often tease them that we will call the “Wambulance” if they don’t stop. “Why can’t we…”, The temperature is too…” ‘Pizza again?’ These classes are too long.” I’m bored.” I have nothing to wear.’

We have so much that we have forgotten what it was like to do without. If we really look around, we have it pretty good.

·         Instead of an outhouse, we have indoor plumbing. (Ya, ask grandma.) Oh, and add toilet paper instead of leaves or corncobs. (That I don’t even want to think about.)

·         We have cars, bikes, Scooter, & skateboards to get around instead of “walking uphill, in the snow, both ways’. We can cover great distances in a short time.

·         We have hot and cold running water in our houses. We don’t have to go to a well or a pump every day.

·         We have sealed houses with good roofs and central heat and air. We may use a fireplace for ambiance, but it is usually a choice.

·         We have personal cell phones with free long distance. I remember having a party line that we shared with neighbors! Now we can find anyone anytime 24/7.

·         We have talking GPS. It used to be maps and compasses.

·         We have carpeted floors to keep our feet warm in the morning.

·         We have modern HEPA filter vacuum cleaners. No more endless sweeping and beating out rugs.

·         Teacher have white boards, smart boards, tablets, and TVs. No more beating the chalk dusk out of the erasers.

·         We have FaceTime and other video calling. As a grandparent, that’s huge!

·         We can email around the world in seconds. No more waiting weeks for a precious letter.

·         We have record high life expectancy & more free time than any other generation.

·         We have superstores that have everything we can think of, and will often bring it to your car.

·         We have free schools for learning. Education is there if you want it.

·         We have movie choices 24/7. I remember when television stations had a signoff time and just showed a test pattern. (no old jokes please.)

·         We have microwave ovens so even kids can cook for themselves without burning down the house. Popcorn was never the same…

Next time you feel the urge to whine, think about some of these and thank God for the creative minds that He has given humanity to make our lives easier. A little cheese wouldn’t hurt either.

What Are You Leaving?

The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation. Numbers 14:18

But showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.   Exodus 20:6:

I have often thought that these verses just talked about what children learn and the influences they receive growing up. Kids grow up to be criminals because they learned it. But what if there was more? What if we can pass our trauma, our fears, the hints of major life altering events, though our DNA? Could we also pass things like cultural preferences also? We used to think it was fantasy, but recent research might be saying otherwise.

A couple years ago I ran across an article about an emerging science field called Epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of cellular variations that are caused by external, environmental causes that switch genes “on” or “off,” thus making changes in “phenotype” or genetic expression without concomitant changes in the DNA sequence. (Krippner) Turns out, there is good evidence that trauma can actually change our genetic makeup, turning genes off or on. It has been documented in holocaust survivor families. This could lead to offspring having a built in response to what happened before they were even born. Could this be what God was talking about? Conversely, there have been studies that parental nurturing can help erase these responses. One of the most interesting studies was with mice who were taught to fear and passed it down to their offspring. Here is an excerpt from the article.

 

Of more direct relevance to transgenerational effects of trauma, is a mouse experiment conducted by Dias and Ressler (2014) examining how the olfactory (smell) experience of male parent mice might influence their offspring. The parent mice were conditioned to manifest fear when they smelled cherry blossoms. This was accomplished by pairing the odor with a shock to the foot. This fear changed the organization of the animal’s nose, leading to more cells that were sensitive to that particular smell. This structural alteration was also found in future generations as was a fear-generated “startle” when the mice were exposed to the odor. The reaction to other odors was not affected. Their pups were found to be afraid of the odor and passed that fear down to their pups. The results suggest that the experiences of a parent, before conceiving offspring, markedly influence both structure and function in the nervous system of subsequent generations. The authors hypothesized that micro-RNA involved in gene expression enter the bloodstream and deliver odor information to sperm cells. … Dias and Kessler maintained that these behavioral and olfactory effects “were inherited and were not socially transmitted from generation to generation” (p. 89). They reached this conclusion after conducting in vitro fertilization so that there would be no contact between parent mice and their offspring. Micro-RNA maintains the activity of the gene and it is possible that these activities can be inherited, even when the original stimulus for their expression is no longer present (Mattick et al., 2009).

Stanley Krippner, Ph.D.  https://cttjournal.org/transgenerational-trauma-effects-the-role-of-epigenetics/

 

I know that as far back as I can find, my family, especially on my dad’s side, has a trail of Godly men. My great, great ,great, grandfather, Jacob Cross, had written in his obituary that “he died true to his God and true to his church.” I no longer take for granted the Godly heritage in my past. It very well may have made things easier for the rest of us – a generational blessing if you will. It makes me happy to pass that on to my children and grandchildren. We are still responsible for our own choices, but an extra blessing can’t hurt. And if you come from a troubled past? You can still be the one to break the chain of fear and judgement and start your own generational blessing. I don’t think we even know the half of it. It will be interesting to see where these studies go.

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22 

Celebrating Easter in Other Countries

 This week the Musings and the Notes from Papaw collide. (It means they’re both the same.)

Have you ever wondered how other countries celebrate Easter? Easter is when we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In America, many go to a special church service, have a special Easter lunch with family, and decorate with flowers like the Easter lilies in this picture. Children often get Easter baskets with eggs that are supposed to come from the “Easter Bunny”.

Easter Around The World.

Here in America, it’s the beginning of Spring. For the Southern Hemisphere however, it’s turning to Fall. Things are getting colder. In Australia, many celebrate with hot cross buns - a spiced sweet bread marked with a cross. They think of rabbits as pests so there is no Easter Bunny. Instead they have the Easter Bilby, an endangered species that kind of looks like a rabbit. In Vanuatu, a South Pacific island, they like to have a sunrise service for worship. In Columbia, there are solemn processions in the streets during Holy week.

In Africa churches are adorned with butterflies, flowers and bright colors. The night before Easter morning they have a vigil that begins quietly but erupts into singing and dancing at sunrise.

In the Philippines, Easter morning begins with two separate processions. The men follow an image of Jesus, while the women follow one of his mother Mary. At the church, they encourage each other that Jesu has risen.

In India, there is not a very large percentage of Christians. Instead they have a Spring festival. They often purchase lavishly decorated egg for their children.

In Europe, there are many different fun traditions. Germany is the originator of the Easter egg. They even put them on Easter trees.  In Poland, families gather for Easter Sunday breakfast, which often includes a sweet bread called babka. In the French town of Bessières, people gather together to cook a giant omelet. It is said to go back to the time of Napoleon. I guess he really liked omelets!

Meals, festivals, and candy are all fun as long as we don’t forget What Easter really stands for. Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord was crucified, buried in a tomb, and according to the scriptures raised the third day to take His place in heaven as our mediator and High Priest before God. Enjoy the season; just don’t forget the sacrifice!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matthew 28:5-8

Until Next Week!

Most information is from https://www.wycliffe.org/blog/featured/how-easter-is-celebrated-in-countries-around-the-world

It’s Lonely at the Top, Especial When You Don’t Realize You’re There…

As teachers, we can often feel we are on our own - huge responsibility, held to a high standard, often juggling many responsibilities. While we are often feeling overwhelmed (but not showing it) our students look up to us. Oh, high schoolers don’t acknowledge it very often, but it still sneaks through. Show any kind of extra skill and you are now “the GOAT”. It took me a while to realize this was a good thing and not students making fun of me. There are things I have learned to do very well over my 40+ years of teaching. A simple cut with a scalpel or scissors in a dissection that the students couldn’t manage and I’m now the “greatest of all time” – the GOAT.  And although I feel really well supported by our admins, Sometimes I feel that the little “miracles” we do in the classroom often go unnoticed. Or so I thought.

In the last month I have received two special notes from some of our precious early elementary students. One was thanking me for allowing their class to come see the science room and all the animals. Another told me how much they liked science and how they wanted to be a scientist like me. I didn’t even know they knew who I was. I started noticing how many called my name if I was over on their campus helping fix the Wi-Fi or a colleague’s computer. They loved seeing me there. I would get hi-fives, some of them super hard, because “I’m tough” I guess. I began to realize just how high they perceived I was. While I was feeling like I wasn’t enough, they were aspiring to get to where I was.

So I wrote special notes thanking them for their notes, and delivered a little box of candy to each of those students. You would have thought they had met the president.

 Typically, I walk like a man with a mission. I don’t mean to ignore people; at my age I’m just trying to remember where I’m going and what I’m going to do when I get there. I’ve decided to slow down. I’m taking the hi-fives and fist bumps more seriously now. I don’t want to be up here all by myself. I want them to come join me. Many don’t believe they can, not yet. But hopefully they will.

So who will you pass today that secretly hopes you will notice them? It might be at church, at the store, or even in front of your house. It could be a friend, a student, a grandchild. Be sure to slow down and lift somebody up with you. It can be lonely sometimes at the top, but it’s a great view.  Make sure you share it.

 

Worry? Who Me?

War in the Middle East, Violence in the streets and on public transit. Rising gas prices. Taxes. Corruption in government, extortion, and money schemes. It’s enough to keep you up at night. It can be especially unnerving when you feel like there is nothing you can do about it. The problems are huge and I’m so small. So what is a person to do?

Now I’m all for letting your voice be heard, calling your Congressperson, and writing letters. But I thing we often leave our greatest weapons on the shelf.

If there ever was a person who knew anything about “things unraveling” it was King David. He was anointed King of Israel, kind of out of the blue, and then spent many years running and hiding just to stay alive. Saul hated him, The Philistines hated him, even his wife made fun of him. Still from this fugitive king we get some of the greatest inspirations in Scripture. Many of our favorite Psalms where written by him.

So what can we learn from David?

Trust – David trusted in the God who called him. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. ‘Psalm 56:3 NIV

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Pray – David prayed for God’s Protection.   Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Psalm 86:1-3 NIV

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 NIV

Continue Serving - David was a faithful servant. We should also continue the do the “good works” God has called us to do.

The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;  according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; … The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,     according to my cleanness in his sight. “To the faithful you show yourself faithful,              2 Samuel 22:21-22, 25-26 NIV

Will everything be safe, fun, and happy in all of your daily life? Obviously not. We all go through struggles, trials, testing, and feel the effects of a world filled with sin and corruption. But do I have to be afraid? No, that’s a choice. I am as safe in the battle as I am in my house because God is with me.

 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".

Isaiah 41:10

 

St Patrick’s Day

Over the years, my mom and I have spent many hours trying to trace the Cross linage. The war of 1812 and the burning of all the records in the Maryland area have caused us a load grief.  We can get back to the early 1800s, but no further. I would really like to know if William Cross, born in the late 1790s, was English or Irish. My sister and I are hoping Irish, because we both love the music.

This Tuesday, March 17^th, is St Patrick’s Day. In honor of that, I decided to do a little searching about the holiday. Since I knew very little, almost everything here is from a smattering of Googled sources. Take it with a grain of salt. AI is good but sometimes can go a little sideways.

St Patrick’s Day commemorates the death of Ireland's patron saint and the arrival of Christianity. No he didn’t wear green; it was St Patrick blue. He was 4^th century British, not Irish. He also never chased the snake out of Ireland. There weren’t any snakes there to start with.

There are some really interesting facts I have been able to sort through.

• ·       One source says that people started to wear green because they thought it made them invisible to leprechauns. It seems they like to pinch you when you are not looking.
• ·       Many Protestants began to wear orange to differentiate them from Catholics who favored green.
• ·       The Irish flag is green orange and white: often described as green for Catholics, orange for protestants, and white for peace between them.
• ·       Leprechauns are likely based on Celtic fairies.
• ·       St Patrick was said to try to explain the trinity using shamrocks (3 leaf clovers).
• ·       The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in St. Augustine, Florida in 1601, not Ireland.
• ·       Chicago dyes its river green for the festival.
• ·       The green food, shamrock shakes, green beer, and classic meals like corned beef & cabbage are Irish-American, not Irish. In Ireland they have Irish bacon and cabbage.
• ·       St Patrick’s real name was Maewyn Succat. (Ya, I’m glad they changed it.) 
• ·       Irish refugees who came to America during the 1845 potato blight were looked down upon. The immigrants began to rely on St. Patrick’s Day to proudly celebrate their cultural identity, and the American public eventually embraced the Irish.

The Irish have certainly left their mark on American culture and helped shape our history. Whether you wear green or orange, pinch or not pinch, or just avoid it all together, I hope you have a grand St Patrick’s Day Tuesday. Now I want a Shamrock Shake…

 

I leave you with a traditional Irish blessing.

"May you have warm words on a cold evening,

a full moon on a dark night,

and a smooth road all the way to your door".

 

Excelsior!

 

Weather Lore: Whether or Not?

 

Yesterday, March came in like a lion. The wind was blowing strong all day and even lifting the ceiling tiles in the classroom when someone opened the door. Remember the old adage? In like a lion, out like a lamb. It’s a very old saying. According to The Paris Review it is attributed to Thomas Fuller’s compendium, Gnomologia in 1732. I’m not sure how accurate it is. I guess we will have to see.

My grandson has been talking about the ground hog and his shadow. He thinks it’s all ridiculous. And I kind of agree. According to the ground hog, we are supposed to have 6 more weeks of winter.  It is supposed to be 80 here next week. Ya, so much for Punxsutawney Phil.

There are many wisdoms of weather lore that float in and out of our consciousness as we go about our daily activities. These come from Weather Lore Sayings - www.nps.gov. How many of these do you remember hearing? What is your favorite? Most of these have some merit, but I think I’ll still consult The Weather Channel as to when to have my picnic.

·         “When the dew is on the grass, Rain will never come to pass. When grass is dry at morning light, Look for rain before the night.”   if there is no dew on the grass, it means the sky is cloudy or the breeze is strong, both of which may mean rain.

 

·         “If a circle forms ‘round the moon,‘Twill rain soon.” The circle that forms around the sun or moon is called a halo. Halos are formed by the light from the sun or moon refracting (bending) as they pass through the ice crystals that form high-level cirrus and cirrostratus clouds. These clouds do not produce rain or snow, but they often precede an advancing low pressure system which may bring bad weather.

 

·         “When leaves turn their back ‘tis a sign it’s going to rain.” Some trees, such as oak and maple, have leaves that will curl when the humidity is very high and the wind is blowing strongly. Both these conditions indicate an approaching storm.

 

·         “I know ladies by the score Whose hair foretells the storm; Long before it begins to pour Their curls take a drooping form.” Human hair, especially blond hair, has a tendency expand in length as the humidity rises. This may cause naturally-curly hair to droop. Or it may cause straight hair to curl up a little. The higher the humidity, the more likely it is to rain.

 

·         “When sounds travel far and wide, A stormy day will betide.” Sound travels at different speeds through different substances. It travels faster through a solid substance than it does through air, for instance. Sound travels better in air that is heavily laden with moisture than it does in dry air.

 

·         “If birds fly low Expect rain and a blow.” When the air pressure is high, it is easier for birds to fly at a higher altitude. If the air pressure is low, indicating bad weather, birds can’t fly as high because the air is less dense.

 

“Red sky in morning, sailors give warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight.” The weather patterns in North America generally move from west to east, when clouds arrive overhead at sunrise the sky will appear red, signaling a storm "moving in".

 

“Pale moon rains; Red moon blows.” ” White moon neither rains nor snows.” The more dust particles there are in the air, the greater the chance that moisture will have something on which to form raindrops

 

“You can tell the temperature by counting a cricket's chirps.” Crickets - Crickets are accurate thermometers; they chirp faster when warm and slower when cold.

 

“Flies bite more before a rain.” This rule does not always apply, but insects do calling more during moist weather, as flying is more difficult.

 

"The higher the clouds, the better the weather". Higher clouds indicate both dryness of air and higher atmospheric pressure. Both these qualities are present with fair weather.

If you would like more interesting weather lore quotes try The Farmer’s Almanac at https://www.almanac.com/facts-behind-weather-folklore

 

Who Killed John F Kennedy?

 

I often ask my grandchildren what they would like me to write about. Usually it various cool animals like capybaras , snakes, and sharks. This time one of my grandsons, Dylan, who’s a history buff ask about who killed JFK. Not bad for a middle schooler eh? Since he’s all game for a good conspiracy theory also, I figured I’d try to give him the gambit. So this week, my Notes from Papaw will also be my weekly Musing. Hold on, here it goes.

A basic Google search will usually outline six or seven main theories.

1. The Lone Gunman

• ·       The Theory: Lee Harvey Oswald fired three shots from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, killing President Kennedy and wounding Governor John Connally. Jack Ruby killed Oswald two days later on his own initiative.  Source: The Warren Commission (1964).
• ·       It is interesting to note that a majority of the American public reject this theory.

2. The Mafia Theory

• ·       The Theory: Organized crime orchestrated the assassination as retaliation against Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy’s aggressive crusade against the Mafia.
• ·       Jack Ruby may have had ties to the Mafia.

 

3. The CIA/Deep State Theory

• ·       The Theory: Elements within the CIA or the broader "military-industrial complex" killed Kennedy because they believed he was soft on communism, planned to withdraw from Vietnam, or was going to "splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces" after the Bay of Pigs failure.
• ·       The CIA did withhold evidence that they had Oswald under surveillance.

4. The Cuban Involvement Theories (Two Sides)

• ·       Pro-Castro: Castro retaliated after the CIA made multiple attempts to assassinate him. Oswald’s trip to the Cuban and Soviet embassies in Mexico City shortly before the shooting fuels this theory.
• ·       Anti-Castro: Cuban exiles, enraged by Kennedy’s refusal to provide air support during the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, killed him for "betraying" them.
• ·       It would be hard to prove it if only individuals were involved.

5. The Second Gunman on the "Grassy Knoll"

• ·       The Theory: Oswald was not the only shooter. A second gunman fired from a,knoll in front of the limousine, supported by analysis of the Zapruder film showing Kennedy's head moving backward and to the left.
• ·       Source: The 1979 House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA). The HSCA concluded that a "probable conspiracy" existed based on acoustic evidence suggesting four shots were fired, though that evidence has since been challenged.

6. The Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Theory

• ·       The Theory: Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson conspired to kill Kennedy to take the presidency and avoid being dropped from the 1964 ticket due to impending corruption scandals.

7. “Friendly Fire” Theory

• ·       The theory that a Secret Service agent accidentally killed President John F. Kennedy posits that in the chaos immediately following the first shots fired by Lee Harvey Oswald.
• ·       Agent George Hickey accidentally discharged his own weapon, firing the fatal headshot from the follow-up car.
• ·       There was a subsequent cover-up to protect the reputation of the Secret Service.
• ·       Source: JFK: The Smoking Gun: A 2013 documentary based on the work of Colin McLaren, an Australian detective, which popularized the theory.

To be honest, I do not think we will ever know the whole truth. I kind of lean toward the Friendly Fire Theory, but mostly because I really don’t want to believe that our government would be so brutal as to plan something like this. We do know they are good at cover-ups.

It kind of comes down to something one of my sons said. If the government can do all thses things, there not a lot that any one individual can do about it. So my advice to you is:

1. Trust God’s plan.

2. Be the best person that you can be.

3. Shine the light of truth to everyone you know.

4. Try to leave everyone who meets you better that they were before you came into their life.

That’s all I have this week. Later!