Today is Wednesday.
Cody goes in for knee surgery today. He is having a ACL put in. He is very nervous about this. He had his other knee operated on last year.

The sun is shinning and the temperatures is rising. Mid seventies by the end of the week.

Louie resigned as the music man at Westwood. I am waiting to see what happens in respect to who they hire or what style karaoke machine they will use.

Twenty-seven years ago, I married a beautiful Irish girl from upstate New York.Who would have thought I would not only be fortunate enough to marry her, but remain happily married for 27 years. It is wonderful that she still loves this fat boy with heart problems. What is our secret? ................. What part of the word secret don't you understand? Maybe because we are both nuts?

Give me a break.
Yesterday, in different cities, they reenacted the tea party to protest taxes. For most of the people, it was a non partisan event. To some others it was a chance to slam our president. I use the word"our" because we elected him. He has done just what he said he would do to straighten out the mess we are in. Our free enterprise system needed to be bailed out. This country is made up of "we", not me, and Obama is trying to show this. The "me" crowd got us in this situation. Now the "me"crowd is yelling at the government, which is like yelling at yourself. The government is the people. The one thing that is true is that the IRS is an antiquated system that should be dissolved. Eliminate income tax, and tax all goods that are sold. No tax exempt and all people pay taxes according to their needs. You could start this by taxing all non foods. If not enough is raised then you can start taxing non essential food stuff and then maybe a small tax on food. This should more then cover the needs of federal, state, and local municipalities. Give the president a line item veto to get rid of fat.
This is so simple it is laughable.

Happy Easter

I am excited about this Easter. This may be the last Easter we as a whole family have together for quite a while. In August, Don and Aki move to Japan for a couple of years. Today we will all gather together and eat food. Every year there is change in participants. My brothers and sisters have moved on to their own family, Dad is gone, but this is the first years for Don and Aki, and Sean and CAt as married couples. Liz still puts together Easter baskets for the kids. Last night we had a big bonfire and will most likely have one again tonight. Life is good.
Tomorrow Cat will start her classed for nursing assistant. After 2 weeks, she can take her state boards and seek employment. God is good.

Hello everybody. I have a spring cold. I hate colds. When you are on cardiac meds, there is not much you can take to ease a cold. For the most part you have to grin and bare it. Plenty of fluids, sleep, and feed a cold.
Thousands of you out there know that I am a sports fan, and now that march madness is over, pro basketball is winding down, and baseball is starting up, it has to warm up so I can go outside. My alternative is to watch baseball and golf, which is slightly more entertaining then watching grass grow. That reminds me, I have to plant grass this year.

MSU MSU MSU MSU

fOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS, I AM TALKING COLLEGE BASKETBALL.

Michigan State University is in the final four in the NCAA tournament. They will play this weekend for the national championship. This is something good happening in Michigan. The final four will be held in Detroit, another plus for Michigan.
It's almost April and there is snow on the ground. Hopefully this will be the last of it.

Just a little side note for those of literary excellence and biblical expertise. My son,Don, has started a blog. He will be going to Japan this fall to teach English and to be a missionary. His blog is http://amorcineris.blogspot.com. Check it out

Don't it make you wonder. The great state of Michigan, highest jobless rate, in the middle of a depression, and it's governor"s claim to fame is that she is on a list of "hot"female Governors. That should bring new jobs to Michigan. In all fairness, she might be in the top 10.

Insurance companies, the root of the problem in the medical care business needs to be bailed out. If our medical system and health care are better off then other countries, why are they going broke?

What crisis has hit the oil industries. Usually it takes a hurricane, war, or other catastrophes to make the gas jump up in price? Greed?

Just when Louie sold off the chapel, it was on the news that Heritage Reformed Church in Hudsonville is being auctioned off. The interesting thing about this church is that they had just gone to a contemporary worship service with karaoke and screen. Many other churches are going out of business and the same solution is to appeal to the young people. It sounds like they are trying to become a better social club.

It's Friday and the sun is shinning. I officially have spring fever. I want the warm weather to get work done outside. This summer will be different without the chapel on Sunday nights. I no longer can hear Cliff wax eloquent, Brian explore new areas of interest, and have a podium to express my beliefs. I enjoyed the Hammond and the piano together with Lou and Cliff. We got to hear from some very interesting people and heard great music from different people and great groups. The chapel is now history, and the subject of great reminiscing. Will the story's expand? Most likely. Even though, it was a great run with great friends.

Is the honeymoon over for Obama. A lot of people, especially Republicans, are saying that. If you are calling a few days during the inauguration a honeymoon, then the answer is yes. That party is over. We have seen every president go through this in their first 100 days. The Republicans and the Democrats battle for strength of party and everyone else can go to hell.
Our last Democratic President, Wild Bill Clinton, went through a similar 100 days. The difference is that George Bush 1 left the country in better shape then George Bush 2 did. We are now in a depression and drastic measures need to be taken. We gave little George 8 years to get it right and he did to the country what he did to his other business projects before he became Governor and then President. I know very well that one man can't take all the credit or all the blame. We need people who are open minded enough to realize that this is not a game. The trickle down economics did not work. and that was from one of my favorite presidents. You don't give a thief your money(bailout) after he has stolen from you. He will pocket the money and continue to steal from you.
The last heartbreaking story is that the list of billionaires has shrunk. I wonder if it is because they are in jail for ponzi schemes.
Speaking of schemes, here are come legal schemes to look out for.
1- If you are on social security, the law states that no one can garnish your funds. The scheme to get around it is to get a garnishment order from a judge, give to the bank, and the bank will garnish the account. This way the bank blames the lawyer, the lawyer blame the judge, and the judge blames the bank. Meanwhile if you want to fight it, you have to hire a lawyer. now the reason for this law, to protect the poor, has been circumvented.
2-Pork barrel spending. Need I say more.
3- Credit ratings for car insurance.

More to come on later blogs.

Have you noticed how many experts there are about the state of our economy and how to fix it. This reminds me of the panhandler in Las Vagas telling people where the hot slot machines are. What amazise me most, is that we were here back in the twenties. We knew what caused it, we know what fixed it, and we know what we have to do. The handbook is already written.
The republicans thought they found the "holy grail" with the trickle down theory. The only thing that trickles down is bull*##&. I believe that 70% of the business done in the United States is through small business. So what do we do, bail out big business, and let the little business fail.
The bail out bills are so full of pork that it will be a surprise if it get off the ground. Simple solution, Line Item Veto, problem solved.
We are the laughing stock of the world when it comes to health systems. The independent system has shown that it cannot continue without government support. It needs government regulation and control. Canada and Japan have an excelent health care system that is run by the government. The joke is on us, not them.

It seems a little strange, Sunday night and no chapel. This day was full of unusual happenings. First, this morning, it started by turning the clock forward. No big deal, except that I usually have to call Louie to remind him. This Sunday he is off driving his new truck. Last I heard was that he was in Oregon. This meant I had to fill in for him at Westwood. This also meant directing the choir while accompany on the piano. The service at Westwood has added a video screen so that people can sing the songs off the screen instead of the book. They are still getting the bugs out of the system and sometimes not all the words are on the screen. It almost like playing the organ during an old movie. I've never done that before but I've seen old footage of people doing that. The day's of the church organist or pianist are numbered because of the automation and electronics. Once again, computers are taking over the jobs of the musician, that is until the power goes out.

WOW


I turned on the news yesterday and I still haven't recovered. All it was saying was how bad the economy is. We, Muskegon, have the highest unemployment numbers with more and more business laying of workers. Muskegon was listed as the worst place in the nation to live. Employment and chance of improved economy was taken into consideration. Churches are reporting that giving is way down, and food banks have long lines.
My wife and I have our daughter and her husband living with us. Both of them are down to part time work, and the money they do earn helps out his father who can't work. Cody and LJ are finishing school while living at home, and they can't find part time work.
Liz and I have health problems that limit us, and we are thankful for disability SSI.
I know of people who saved and saved for their retirement only to find out that their savings are gone due to the economy or some swindle.
Some Doctors are now requiring that all deductibles are paid in full before surgery is done. Liz has a great family doctor who supplies her with prescription samples, other wise we would be completely broke.
With the government stepping in, business are failing because they have to live up to rules. We as a country relay too much on wall street, and need to invest in main street. Wall street is nothing but a lavish Las Vagas.
General Motors have said that they need 30 billion dollars to survive or they will go bankrupt. Sappi has used the economy as an excuse to close their plant. Some companies have gone to 4 day work weeks in an effort to not lay off people and incur the cost of paying their unemployment. Who was the person that said that the technology age would benefit everyone?

Our next door neihbors are having the lead removed from their house. A program thru the federal and state government is footing the bill. The reason that they qualify is that they have a small baby, they have lead, and the area they live in. Many house have this dangerous lead paint and windows including ours. We don't qualify because are children are older. We are trying to reapply because we do watch a small girl. Wish us good luck

The times, they are a changin. That song once again proved prophetic. Yesterday was the last service for Lakeside Lighthouse Chapel. Louie and Earlaine decided to sell the building to another growing church. LLC never managed to bring in large numbers or money to support itself. It did bring together a unique group of people. Last nights announcement was a shock to us all. I had to honor of delivering the last message for LLC. If I had known it would be the last, I would have made some changes. Thank you all for the memories.

My list of favorite voices of radio has diminished with the passing of Paul Harvey. When as voice matches the personality of person, I call that a true art. I know when listening to that voice, I can trust him like my best friend. Paul Harvey was a friend to me, and million other people. I never met the man in real life, but I will miss him. I just watched an interview he did with Larry King, and it was wonderful.
My other two voices of radio that I deemed great, are still alive. My number two man behind Paul Harvey is Buck Matthews. Once again, a man who matches his voice. I have personally known and met Buck and his late wife.
My number three man, I have known for a few years. I never heard him on the radio, but have heard him speak many times. His name is Cliff Martin. He has that professional voice that only the men of radio have. Wisdom and sincerity are important in their delivery.
These men are the true genius of the lost art of radio.

Winter blues have really set in. I want to work on my car, but it is too cold. I want to work on the house, but it is too cold outside and too crowded inside. I'm tired of the dogs and cats being on top of us all the time. I can't wait to open up the windows and let the warm breeze of spring and summer take me away.
I hear people bitching and complaining about the economy, the jobless rates, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. I just feel better when the snow is gone. I know, why do I stay in Michigan? It gives me a reason to bitch

Well, it's me. I haven't been on line for a while because I had the computer in for repairs. This doesn't mean that life has calmed down around our place.
Liz got her shot in the back of cortisone. She has been able to walk around a little better but still is having problems.
I was able to get my taxes done and now that monkey is off my back.
I have been feeling good lately, as once again modern medicine has masked what ever problem I was having.

Well

I am alive a doing fine. For those of you you didn't know, last week I had another heart attack. The difference with this one is that while they were treating me for a heart attack, my pressure and pulse were elevated as well as all the other signs of a heart attack, the machine(ekg)said I was not. When the "attack" was brought under control, I was transferred to ICU. After 24 hours of testing, the doctor concluded that the heart was fine, and that no confirmed attack has happened. The stress test, blood work, and all other test showed no problems. So after 3 days in the hospital, I am recovering from a heart attack that didn't happen. I guess medicine is a practice.
Today I get the truck to get it's brakes repair. They also failed last week. Cody and Liz both have doctors appointment tomorrow to schedule their possible surgeries. Cody's is for his other knee (torn ligament), and Liz for her back.
A special thank to my friends and family that helped out this past week.