CURRENT EVENTS

Be Brave

For decades now the media and so many other people have been pushing fear. It has got so bad that people driving in a car by themselves are seen wearing a mask. 

The USA was the land of the free and the home of the brave. If we aren’t brave, how long do you think we will be free?

Try the above, you will be surprised to lear that it actually works.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I have found this book most helpful over the years in my quest to be a better person.

Living a Life That Matters

By Harold S. Kushner

Drawing on the stories of his own congregants, on literature, current events and, above all, on the Biblical story of Jacob (the worldly trickster who evolves into a man of God), Rabbi Harold S. Kushner addresses some of the most persistent dilemmas of the human condition:

Why do decent people so often violate their moral standards? How can we pursue justice without giving in to the lure of revenge? How can we turn our relationships with family and friends into genuine sources of meaning? Persuasive and sympathetic, filled with humanity and warmth, Living a Life That Matters is a deeply rewarding book.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Agatha Christie’s Poirot

Series 4

I was having a hard time finding anything to watch that I liked, so I went back to Agatha Christie’s Poirot series. I am now into series 4 of the collection. 

If you like Sherlock Holmes, I think you will like Hercule Poirot.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Should’ve Been A Cowboy

By Toby Keith

I started out early in life as a cowboy, but unfortunately lost my way.

ART OF THE WEEK

Liberty Bell

Years ago, when I was in Philadelphia,

I saw the Liberty Bell and took this photo.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Detroit Police James Craig

Look around at our troubled cities such as Seattle, Portland, Chicago and New York. Detroit is calm compared to those cities. Police Chief James Craig is one of the primary reasons for that. 

People tend to do what you allow them to do and Police Chief Craig isn’t allowing what is going on in many of our major cities. 

I think the people in the cities I mentioned made some very poor decisions when they voted and now they are suffering the consequences.

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Diets

I suspect in the long-run, most diets don’t work. I believe you might be far better off with small lifestyle changes such as increasing your physical activity and cutting out a few things you are eating, which aren’t helping you reach your weight goals. Nothing drastic, just small little sustainable changes over time.

CHARACTER TRAITS

I hope this thought provides some small comfort to those of us who are suffering. And for those of us that are doing fine, I hope this helps remind us to be grateful for what we have and are experiencing.

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

Social Distancing

MISCELLANEOUS

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CURRENT EVENTS

Term Limits

I understand that the Chinese have a saying, white shirts and politicians are best when new.

If you look at how long so many of our key political leaders have held office, do you ever wonder if they are going to fix something, why didn’t they fix it decades ago.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I believe there are no people without flaws, Jefferson had great flaws but he also did great things. There is much more to Thomas Jefferson than you are likely to hear from the media or even today’s schools.

Jefferson

By Saul K. Padover

An abridged version of the classic biography of the U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.

This is a stirring portrait of an extraordinary American—Thomas Jefferson—third President of the United States, architect of freedom and democracy. He began his remarkable career as a lawyer, served in the Virginia House of Delegates and subsequently became Governor of Virginia, Ambassador to France, Secretary of State, and President.

He wrote his own epitaph, because he hoped to be remembered for three of his contributions to the American nation—author of the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom—and Father of the University of Virginia. Yet, curiously enough, most of Jefferson’s life was a struggle between his desire for a quiet, scholarly life on his plantation at Monticello and the sacrifices he had to make in order to serve his county.

Here, Professor Samuel K. Padover deftly reveals the personality of Jefferson, the devoted husbabnd and father, the farmer and philosopher, as well as the crises and achievements of his brilliant career as a statesman, in this absorbing, highly readable book.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Dancing With The Tsars

If you enjoy Dancing With The Stars, perhaps you will enjoy this show.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Beethoven

ART OF THE WEEK

Art From Peru’s Man-Made Floating Islands In Lake Titicaca

I bought this hanging decoration in 2017 from one of the Indians on the floating islands. They, like everyone I saw in Peru; absolutely refused to accept handouts. They want you to buy something from them, not give them something for nothing.

I found the character of the Peruvians more impressive than so many in the USA, who want something for nothing. 

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Inspector Harry Callahan

(aka Dirty Harry)

Inspector Harold Callahan, also known as Dirty Harry, was portrayed in the Dirty Harry film series, which consists of Dirty Harry (1971), Magnum Force (1973), The Enforcer (1976), Sudden Impact (1983) and The Dead Pool (1988). 

From his debut, Callahan became the template for a new kind of cop: an antihero who does not hesitate to cross professional boundaries in pursuit of his own vision of justice, especially when the law is poorly served by an inept, incompetent bureaucracy.

All of the Dirty Harry films feature Callahan killing criminals, mostly in gunfights. Phrases he utters in armed stand-offs, “Go ahead, make my day” and “[…] you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?” have become iconic. 

Dirty Harry in Action

  WEEK’S JOKE

This Week’s Joke Compliments of the BBC

I was told the BBC was trying to be sarcastic.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Quarantine Coffee

This is for those of you who like to try different kinds of coffees or those of you who don’t like coffee at all.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

Adapt

It seems everyone has to adapt to our new environment.

MISCELLANEOUS

Gyms have been closed since mid-March and yet Michigan’s governor has now permitted Detroit’s casinos to be open. I have to wonder about the governor’s motivations, not to mention encouraging nursing homes to take in Coronavirus patients.

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CURRENT EVENTS

Elvis

(January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Tao of Elvis

By David Rosen

This little book is well worth reading.

Elvis Presley was an intensely spiritual man. Gospel was his music of choice, and his life–from innocence to addiction, from obscurity to fame–was one long quest to balance opposites.

The Tao of Elvis is the first attempt to illustrate Elvis’s Taoist nature and interpret his never-ending search for purpose and meaning. Highlighting Elvis’s journey from light into dark, Jungian expert and Elvis scholar David Rosen explores and examines his life through the structure of the Tao Te Ching.

In reflections on forty-two Taoist concepts–one for each year of Elvis’s life–Rosen reveals how the Tao, a mysterious force, was and is operating through America’s king. Like the Tao, Elvis is everywhere.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Unless you really love all things Elvis, you may want to skip this film. (Updated 08/17/20)

Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Elvis

Mr. singh (The Sikh Elvis)

ART OF THE WEEK

This is my Elvis hanging tree decoration.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Elvis

(January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)

Rather than a lot of words about Elvis, the think this Bobby Bare song, The All American Boy covers the life of Elvis very well.

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

WASHINGTON — Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, called for a nationwide mask mandate on Thursday, drawing a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump, who rarely wears a mask himself and opposes such mandates. 

“Every single American should be wearing a mask when they’re outside for the next three months at a minimum,” Biden said at a press appearance in Wilmington, Delaware. “Every governor should mandate mandatory mask wearing.

Three months minimum, is that like just wear a mask until we flatten the curve?

There is a saying that one rule for both the horse and the cow is unfair for both. Generally speaking, if you are a liberal you favor centralize control and if you are a conservative, you favor decentralized control. In November you are going to have to make a choice or not vote.

LEARNING TRAITS

Home Schooling

MISCELLANEOUS

Replacing Police

There has been considerable talk about replacing police officers in some situations with other qualified professionals. Normally, I’m against this idea, but in some instances this could possibly work.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

It Is Important To Be Positive

There is absolutely way too much negativity in the world and it seems to be growing worse. In some ways, I’m glad I don’t have that many years remaining to see where all this hate takes us.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Rules For A Knight

By Ethan Hawke

This little book is well worth reading.

A knight, fearing he may not return from battle, writes a letter to his children in an attempt to leave a record of all he knows. In a series of ruminations on solitude, humility, forgiveness, honesty, courage, grace, pride, and patience, he draws on the ancient teachings of Eastern and Western philosophy, and on the great spiritual and political writings of our time. His intent: to give his children a compass for a journey they will have to make alone, a short guide to what gives life meaning and beauty. 

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I just watched this movie again because I heard that the Cancel Culture convinced  the Northwest Film Center (NWFC) in Portland, Oregon to pull this 1990 action comedy from its summer drive-in series. 

I think the concern of the Cancel Culture was that they did not like police officers in schools. 

It is just my own view, but if anything needs cancelling, it is the Cancel Culture.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (1990)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Garden Party

By Rick Nelson

ART OF THE WEEK

Here is a drawing by one of my favorite artists, Kurk Hasley Frederickson. I have three of his originals, but this drawing I grabbed off the internet. I liked the message.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Michelangelo

Michelangelo (6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance born in the Republic of Florence, who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art.

His artistic versatility was of such a high order that he is often considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with his rival, the fellow Florentine, Leonardo da Vinci. Several scholars have described Michelangelo as the greatest artist of his age and even as the greatest artist of all time.

A number of Michelangelo’s works of painting, sculpture and architecture rank among the most famous in existence. His output in these fields was prodigious. He sculpted two of his best-known works, the Pietà and David, before the age of thirty. Despite holding a low opinion of painting, he also created two of the most influential frescoes in the history of Western art: the scenes from Genesis on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and The Last Judgment on its altar wall. (Source: Wikipedia)

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Probably some of you like me, have been struggling with healthy eating vs. eating bacon. I hope this chart will help you with your decision.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

Stress can age you, as the science of carbon dating shows

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Chef Ronaldo’s Cooking Seminar

Saturday, I was fortunate to attend a cooking seminar put on by the world famous Chef Ronaldo. He taught us how to make holy water in your own home kitchen.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Since my movie of the week is Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which makes fun of Bruce Lee, I thought it only fair that I present another side to Bruce Lee. I found this book well worth reading and have reviewed my highlights and notes I made in this book a number of times.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I’ve seen this film three times now and I still enjoy it. However, to all you Bruce Lee fans, I apologize for making this film again my movie of the week.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Cornershop – Brimful Of Asha (Norman Cook Remix)

“Brimful of Asha” is a single by British alternative rock band Cornershop from their album When I Was Born for the 7th Time. The recording originally reached number 60 on the UK Singles Chart in 1997. After a remixed version by Norman Cook became a radio success, the song was re-released and reached number one on the UK chart and number 16 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

This song is based on the history of film culture in India. Since their beginnings, Indian films have relied heavily on song-and-dance numbers. The singing is almost always performed by background singers while the actors and actresses lip sync. Asha Bhosle is a playback singer who has sung over 12,000 songs. (Source: Wikipedia)

ART OF THE WEEK

Most people take photos when they travel. Here are some of the most popular travel photos of 2020.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Herman Cain

I first became aware of Herman Cain during the Republican Presidential Debates of 2012 (I also watch the Democratic debates). I didn’t know what to think of him, when I first saw him. But as time went on, I thought that I would like to vote for this guy. Unfortunately, I never got the chance.

Herman Cain (December 13, 1945 – July 30, 2020) was an American business executive and syndicated columnist.

Cain grew up in Georgia and graduated from Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He then graduated with a master’s degree in computer science at Purdue University, while also working full-time for the U.S. Department of the Navy. In 1977, he joined the Pillsbury Company where he later became vice president. During the 1980s, Cain’s success as a business executive at Burger King prompted Pillsbury to appoint him as chairman and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, in which capacity he served from 1986 to 1996.

Cain was deputy chairman, from 1992 to 1994, and then chairman until 1996, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. From 1996 to 1999, Cain served as president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.

In May 2011, Cain announced his 2012 presidential candidacy. By the fall, his proposed 9–9–9 tax plan and debating performances had made him a serious contender for the Republican nomination.

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

So many people say they want to make a difference.

Here is a method that works every time.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Spelling at times, is so important.

For instance, this should have read swallow “whole”

LAST WEEK’S POLLS