You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’ s initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

…..attributed to Abraham Lincoln but apparently by Rev. William J. H. Boetcker. Ronald Reagan quoted this too in a speech.

I love my town. I love that it has old town roots in the middle of upcoming suburbia. I love going downtown and shopping on the square. I love the creaky old hardwood floors in my favorite lunch place.

We discovered when we moved here almost 15 years ago that the downtown square offers a jewel of sales and service in the appliance store sitting facing south on Oak Street. McNeills. More creaky hardwood floors.

We’ve bought most of our appliances from McNeills. We like to shop there because they have great prices, competitive to the big names like Home Depot, Lowes and Sears. They deliver with a smile. But more than the great prices is the awesome service.

It goes like this.

“Hi. This is Mrs Fabulous Fifty. My dryer is making a horrible squeaky noise and my refrigerator dispenser sometimes doesn’t turn off when I’m getting water.” I listen while she finds me in her paper files.

A van pulls up with the repairman who stops to pet my puppies and then he heads to kitchen to attack the machines he’s been called to repair. He knows the make and model from my paper files.

When he’s done, he visits with Mr Fabulous Fifty and me about the upcoming election, pets the dogs once more and takes my check as he heads out the door to meet his wife for church. It’s amazing how friendly folks can be when they have your dryer opened up and they are sitting on your floor.

Thanks McNeills. Thanks Darrell. You make me happy to live here.

We had a great, awesome, memorable morning at church. Besides getting additional excellent insight into 2 Corinthians 5, we were encouraged by the story of a Jordanian missionary who’s recent passion has been to share the good news of Christ with those in the Iraq including Kurds. And the exciting part is understanding that they can get into the country and share their message because our US soldiers were there, defending and protecting democracy. (Thank you to those who serve, protecting our nation!)

To top off the morning, like whipped cream and a cherry on top was my favorite song (at the moment) which I’m convinced is merely choir practice - for heaven.

All praises be to the King of King and the Lord of Lords - He is Wonderful!

Antique Mommy has a saddle. I’ve heard of stories with guns, crossbows, swords, bulldozers and 1969 mustangs without engines.

I have: a “total gym”, chin-up-gizmo, a KLR motorcycle, a pile of golf club pieces and parts in my garage. I have a high school trumpet circa 1972 in my guest closet. I have a spare bedroom with 1,223,888,999 books.

What do you have that’s part of the quirky factor?

The world seems particularly unsafe to me these days. Financial panic in the news. Impending elections that do not seem to support Life. Folks of low character proclaiming a voice to the masses without Truth. It’s a scary time.

Because He loves me, He will rescue me. When I call His name, He will answer.

…There’s no doubt I am safe under His wings.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Ps 91