It is well with my soul

This hymn, sung at church today, has a poignant story about why and when it was written. Horace G.
Spafford had lost his four-year-old son and his property had been destroyed in the Chicago fire, leaving him poor financially.  He sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to Europe, planning to follow when some business was completed.  The ship was in a collision and his four daughters drowned, his wife surviving. He left for Europe and when his ship reached the spot where his daughters drowned, he wrote this  poem, which was set to music by Phillip Bliss.
     
               IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

Not NO, but hell no

No to more money for Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood.  That guy Obama insists on giving Egypt 450 million dollars immediately, with more to follow.  This comes after  riots and attacks on our embassy and after  president and member of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohammed Morsi  has warned the United States to change if we are to get along with Arabs.

While Obama wants to give money to Egypt, the United States is  giving American  tourists a terror warning. Terror and a bribe, they go together.  Christians, the few still alive, are fleeing Egypt  for their lives. How many times have you heard Obama speak up for them and condemn the Egyptian powers for religious persecution? To Obama only Islam has rights as a religion.

If  Obama persists in giving Egypt money, let him take it from the l.4 billion he and Michelle  cost taxpayers in less than four years.  No other presidential family has been so costly,  personally and in government.

Jessica takes on more duties

It is not as if Jessica doesn't have sufficient time-consuming academic studies at Duke, she has taken on two additional responsibilities.  She is training to assist at an animal shelter and also training to tutor students who need guidance  and assistance to meet their academic  requirements.

The old adage is still true -- if you want something done call on a busy person. 

Spending the night with Sophia Loren

Came across some negatives in a box in the garage, glanced at a few and concluded they were made at a luncheon and reception I had for industrialists in the Chicago area some 30-plus years ago. I can remember the photographer complaining about  "campaign contributions" he was forced to make in order to operate. He talked  about corruption in Illinois government and especially Chicago. His office was across the street from the small but fancy hotel where  my event was to be held.

Later the photographer's wife mentioned that Sophia Loren was staying at the hotel, asking me if I had seen her. She then said that if her husband slept with Sophia she would "give him that."  I remarked that I didn't think my wife would be that forgiving.

Remodeling was in progress and the large restaurant was closed, but the manager promised all work would be completed before our event was to be held.  She invited me to have dinner that night with some special guests, including Sophia Loren. I thanked her but said no. 

The reception and lunch a couple of weeks later was co-hosted by Senator Russell Long and was well attended by company executives.

But back to the earlier trip  to make the arrangements for the lunch and reception. I was telling Jen, my wife, about being invited to have dinner with Sophia Loren. "Did you?" she asked. I told her, "No, but  we spent the night  together."   Jen wasn't shocked for a second. (Doesn't it count -- we were at the same hotel at the same time?)

Listen to the Mockingbird

Birds were chirping in the pear tree this morning, a cheerful sound that I don't hear often.  I began thinking that what small ability I once  had to identify birds by sight and/or sound has left me.  We see few birds around, not like it once was on the farm when among others one could hear the killdeer across the field.

My favorite birds were the mockingbird, blue bird, cardinal and robin.  Blue birds built a nest and laid four eggs in our mailbox once (we didn't get much mail) but the birds abandoned the nest after humans had touched the eggs.  Among the birds that we saw often in addition to those already named included red headed woodpecker,  sparrows, black birds, crows, blue jays, purple martins, hummingbirds, quail, and wrens. We heard the owls at night but seldom saw them. 

For several years seven crows stayed in this neighborhood, often being seen at Albertson's. One year there was only six and then they disappeared.  We enjoy the visits by robins each spring; they stay late some years before heading north.  When we had two apple trees in bloom one year, a group of finches paid us a visit and then moved on.

I would be pleased to hear from anyone about their experiences with birds, the ones they see, how to attract and care for them, etc.

Just the facts, maam.

Will the Obama administration stop its lying about Libya and give us the facts?  We are adults and can handle the truth if we ever get it from Obama or Hillary. The president yesterday at the UN stuck to apologizing and blaming a movie for the murder of our ambassador and three other Americans.

However, the Libyan president  has said repeatedly that the  anti-Islam film  had "nothing to do with the attack." United States officials knew within 24 hours after the attack that it was the work of Al Qaeda.

Among the questions Americans want answered  is with 9-11 approaching, why was security not beefed up?  We are left with the only explanation being that Obama does not want Americans to know the truth.

I complete a survey on nation's condition

I hope this is the last survey I am called on to do for Gallup. Questions were on such matters as is the economy getting better or worse; is medicare in danger; what should be done about social security; is Obama doing a good or poor job in foreign affairs; what about the economy; and what about Congress. Do I consider myself a Republican, Democrat or Independent and whom am I going to vote for president?

I gave poor ratings in response to nearly every question.  I added comments such as   regulations and uncertainty about taxes are obstacles for companies that would hire and create jobs.