…the ubiquitous black rectangle is back.
I really wanted to use my little flip phone…
…it fits so nicely in my pocket and has a retro cool look and feel.
But...it has one major shortcoming with which I simply cannot live:
It can't connect via bluetooth to my Xlink device...
...and that's what makes my antique rotary dial phones work.
That, my friends, is a deal breaker.
After a little research I found out why it doesn't work:
TCL flip phones (both 2 and 3) use Bluetooth 4.2, and the Xlink uses version 5.0.
I scouted around a bit and found a Kyocera flip phone that would work with my Xlink, but I'm tired of spending time and money on this.
Especially since my old iPhone SE works with Puretalk; all I had to do was put my PT sim in my iPhone SE...
Flippy gets to stay on as a backup - it's free with my plan - so I've decided to take the L on this one.
Machine, 1 - Resistance, 0.
Just wait 'til next time.
According to our friends that prognosticate the weather...
...we're just a few short days away from Fall.
You recall for meteorologists, seasons begin on the first day of the month in which the astronomical <solstice or equinox> occurs.
Since the Autumnal Equinox happens on September 22nd, Fall begins on September 1st...3 days from now.
Why do we care?
I'm so glad you asked.
In a recent poll (of 9 fingered men who live in Michigan, are owned by 3 cats, and are married to the most beautiful woman in the world), Fall was voted the best season of the year because:
Duh! The magnificent crescendo of colors, of course. God, the Master Artiste, embellishes the countryside with glorious hues of red, yellow, orange, burgundy and brown.
Really? You had to ask? Pumpkin patches! You've got jack-o-lanterns to carve and sheaves of corn stalks to display.
And don't forget apple orchards with wagon rides, cider and donuts.
The primary advantage of apple orchards?
The world's best apple pie, courtesy of Karen. Truly a seasonal delight I crush on all year long.
Leave us not forget everyone's fave (autumn) holiday, All Hallows E'en.
Its shady origins aside, this is a great opportunity to share the truth of God's love with lots of smiling children (and their parents) as they come to your door and happily accept whatever you give them.
Why not include a gospel tract along with that candy?
You might just change someone's life for good...forever.
Lessee...did I forget something?
Not a chance, just saved the best for last:
Fall Golf.
Nothing beats a crisp early morning stroll through the countryside festooned with autumnal glory, chasing that little white ball from tee to pin with your hickories.
Truly, I could live year 'round in September, but alas!
'Tis but a single month, here and gone too soon.
Embrace it while you can.
It will reward you with beautiful vistas, delicious food and cherished memories for the rest of your life.
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| yep, we're jumping the gun a bit |
Speaking of hickory golf...
...that's my current playset: l to r, 20* long spoon, lofting iron, putter.
Humble, I know, but over the course of this so-so season, those have become my 3 best clubs.
For now, if I carry another one, it will only be for backup in case my long spoon breaks.
I've tried other long nose woods from the tees this season...been switching out clubs from 12* to 16*, but I don't hit any of those as consistently - or as far - as the one above.
So I figure why waste the round constantly scrambling, trying to salvage mediocre drives?
Last week was another push - won Monday, lost Thursday - we'll see if zeroing in on just the clubs I hit best makes a difference.
If nothing else, it cuts down on time trying to decide which club to use for each shot.
More to come...
My lawyers maintain insanity is a winning defense, so I say let's roll the dice and 23 Skidoo:
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| they never smile for the camera, probably bc they feel guilty eating the birds' food (enlarge the pic and look closely at his nose) |
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| we're getting an early start on our fall decorating... |
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| ... both outside... |
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| ...and in (love the orange owl from hobby lobby) |
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| mr. squirrel has nothing to fear from us, but seems like he's just a wee bit too relaxed |
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| right behind this beautiful garden in our courtyard... |
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| ...was a BIG nest of yellowjackets. sorry boys, but I'm allergic. |
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| just because I like it |
In December of 1973 "The Exorcist" premiered, but didn't make its way to Maine - where I was a junior in high school - until 1974.
A group of my classmates decided to go see it and urged me to join them.
I flatly refused.
"Why?" they taunted. "Are you chicken?"
I had to think about that.
I wasn't raised in a Christian home, and didn't come to know Christ until the early 80's.
In 1974, everything I knew about Christianity, demonic possession and the occult fit comfortably on the head of a pin.
So I knew nothing of God's explicit warnings in His Word about the dangers and consequences of the occult:
³¹ Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
- Leviticus 19:31
¹⁰ There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
¹¹ Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
¹² For all that do these things are an abomination to the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12
¹⁸ Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
- Exodus 22:18
¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
- Ephesians 6:12
Back in 1974, the only thing my 17 year old self knew was I didn't want to see it; it just felt wrong somehow.
Ironically, the Special Effects Director - Marcel Vercoutere, who won a Saturn Award for Best Special FX - felt the same way.
He was quoted as saying, "I felt I was playing around with something I shouldn't be playing around with".
The production of the movie was plagued with many problems, injuries and even deaths among cast, crew and family members; the 85 days allowed for filming ballooned to 200, and production cost overruns tripled the original budget.
Audience reactions were extreme - one reviewer reported access to bathroom sinks was blocked by all the vomit.
In spite of this, my classmates went ahead with their plan to see the movie.
The result?
The ones who actually watched the movie - several of them got up and left - told me privately they wished they hadn't.
One of them confided he now kept his bedroom light on all night.
They got no "I told ya so"s from me; I felt sorry for them, but really, what did they expect?
No sane person would drink motor oil; it's poison and will kill your body.
You think poisoning your brain with ungodly sights and sounds won't kill your mind?
That was more than 50 years ago, and I suppose by today's standards The Exorcist is considered light fare.
That's a very sad commentary on the downward spiral of our society.
The Apostle Paul wrote these words in his epistle to the Philippians:
⁸ Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- Philippians 4:8
Got that?
Fill your mind with whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Why?
Next verse: ⁹ ...the God of peace will be with you.
Bet my classmates would have preferred that to their nightmares.
later, mcm fans...
