Yard Angel II to the Rescue!

A few days ago, yes, here in Virginia, we had about ten inches

of snow. And, for several days the temperatures have been below freezing. As I'm typing this it's about 20 degrees.

Anyway, the morning after the snow, Yard Angel II was at my house clearing a path.

As I've babbled on before I surely don't believe in gods, and as such, I have little faith in anything. That said, Yes, I have faith in the Yard Angels. They are always there looking out for me and doing what they can.

Faith in a so-called, god? No. Yard Angels, yes.

All of you so-called believers who continue to pray to so-called gods...hey, pray for a Yard Angel.

Ahh, here are some photos from a previous Yard Angel rescue.

I Think I May Feel Sorry For Our President....

Our local paper published an AP article today about our

president.

Here are a few of the quotes from the article.

President Donald Trump wants people to know he's "like, really smart" and "a very stable genius."

Trump says "my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart."

He says going from successful businessman to reality TV star to president on his first try "would qualify as not smart, but genius .... and a very stable genius at that!"

For almost twenty years, I was paid (small bucks) to do mental health evaluations and diagnose people. For every person who I interviewed, I had to list a diagnosis. Sometimes I used NOS (not otherwise specified) and sometimes I used RO (rule out a particular diagnosis).

Am I qualified to diagnose our president? Well, any of us can see the obvious...Trump has at least two personality disorders-narcissistic and grandiose. And, folks, that's not good for anyone...especially someone, who as Trump says, has the Big Nuclear Button.

And, why would I feel sorry for him? Good question. He has created a mess and he must surely at times know what he's done. Of course, my feeling sorry for him has nothing to do with changing my opinion that he's a lying scumbag who's not fit to hold any public office, much less be our president. And, remember folks, being rich or whatever term you want to use doesn't mean you're smart.

Maybe we should all pray (couldn't resist).

Yes, a couple of 55-word stories about our president.

That Trump’s Something, Ain’t He?

“What do you mean?”
“First president with no government experience and was never in the military.”
“Hmm.”

“First big-deal billionaire.”
“Hmm.”
“TV star, too.”
“Anything else?”
“What do you think?”
“Know of two firsts. President with the smallest hands and the first First Lady who we can see nekid with a couple of mouse clicks.”

January 20, 2017


BTW, if you'd like to see the First Lady, click here for another of my postings.

Accident left him in a Coma

Happened Christmas 2015 and was doubtful he’d regain consciousness.
Family worked in shifts to be by his side in case he awoke.
He did December 2016.
“Tell me, what’s new in the country?” he said.
“Trump is president-elect and Palin is considered for VA secretary,” his brother, said.
“Please, put me back in a coma!”

December 16, 2016   

EDIT: Hmm, actually I think I need to better define in my mind what "feel sorry for" means before I commit to that as far as Trump is concerned.

Another Brief Rant About Prayers and Praying....

It’s 1:00AM and I can’t get to sleep. So, as I’m ticked off about several things

thought I’d hit the computer for a few minutes and pound out some of my frustrations.

I’m sitting here in Virginia Beach, Virginia and the temperature is in the teens. And, we recently had 10 or more inches of snow. Thousand without electricity and of course all business comes to a halt and the roads are dangerous.

For you folks who believe in God (BTW, when I write about religion I’m using the Christian religion as I know a little about that…not so much about the others) I would pose the question, why in the hell would He allow weather like this?

The only positive thing I can think of that it accomplishes is the kids get to play in the snow and stay out of school.

And, for the many of you who prayed, Please, please Mr. God, spare us this horrible weather, now what? Still, believe in old God? Of course, you do.

What kind of twisted logic did you use to excuse Him from not answering your prayers? Oh, He had so many other more important things to take care of. Well, there just weren’t enough of us praying.

Of course, did it ever occur to you that this all-knowing God would already know what you’d be praying (for)…so, why bother?

OK, where was I?

And, how about all of the horrible events in just the past year…hurricanes in the Islands, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas (yes, I may have missed a few). There were millions of people praying. Millions. And, why did the hurricanes come after all the prayers?

Ahh, yes, I can answer that one. Let’s for once try to use a little logic and reason, OK?

1)  There is no God so you’re whistlin’ Dixie. Just pissin’ away your time when you should be at the store getting needed supplies.

2)  If there is a God, then either He doesn’t give a crap about our welfare and wellbeing or He isn’t in control of anything and has no power.

3)  Lastly, you could throw in with Pat Robertson and others of his ilk who say God is mad about homosexuals and so on and is punishing us.

OK, Christians. Where do you stand? Pick one! Unless I'm missing something it has to be one of these three. Can you think of anything else to explain it? Can't? Then pick one, please.

I was going to make comments about the above listed three reasons for your so-called God not acting, but I will not.

BTW, the next time you folks have the urge to pray…hey, do something else. Do something that makes sense. Have a drink. Take a nap. Read a book. Clean your house.

I’ll close by including one of my 55-word stories that might explain some bad weather.

What the Hell Happened Here on Earth?

Citizens inspected.
“Look at the geography. Deserts, Arctic ice, so many places we can’t live. Poisonous plants, venomous snakes, and ferocious animals. How did this happen?”
“Some think the Devil took over. Others think God got confused and rested on the fifth day. Truth be told, he got drunk and cavorted with the darn angels.”

Thank You God for Pat Robertson!!!!

Here's an article by Hemant Mehta. Pat Robertson, who I am

sure has God on his speed dial, says at least for the time being, we're not going to have a nuclear exchange with North Korea.

According to Robertson God has a bunch of other stuff He's working on. I'm sure we all feel so much better. Hmm. I thought old God was a multitasker. You mean He can only work on a few things at a time. Dang, I'm disappointed.

Actually, I feel blessed to live here in Virgina Beach, we not only have Robertson and CBN, we have the Edgar Cayce center where you can find every kind of bogus pseudoscience and all things that aren't real.

Yes, truly blessed.

To add a little levity, here's one of my 55-word stories. Yes, nothing better than politics, God, and religious whackjobs!

President Cruz, Called Staff to War Room!

“You are here on an urgent matter. God told me to bomb Russia.”
Those in attendance looked at each other, wondering if this was a bizarre joke or something.

“Mr. President, I’m confused, we now have a great relationship with Russia,” said General Adams. “They pose no threat. Could you get God on the speakerphone?”

January 3, 2017

When Cruz was on the campaign trail, he famously said, “I put God first, my country second….” Suppose he’d been a Muslim and said that?

Do You Want Your Marriage to Last? Here's What You Can Do!!!!

To some of us, this is not amazing. To most, however, it will be shocking.

All you need to do is to toss your Holy Bible in the trash and 

To add a little levity.... This is NOT mine.
Borrowed from ING.

start spending your Saturdays and Sundays relaxing and not going off to pray.

The studies that show atheists have fewer divorces is provided by an evangelical Christian organization. Thanks, guys.

Evidence, Reason, and Logic vs Faith

Yes, you may find all of this silly, but that said I have a point to make.

You want to paint a room and want a light blue color. You get to the paint store and tell the salesperson what color you want. There are hundreds of unlabeled cans with no colors on them. When you question the salesperson about what colors are in the cans, they say, Pick one. Just have faith.

You are told the car you're considering buying gets 100 mpg and goes 200 mph. You ask the salesperson, do you have any evidence to back up these claims? Road tests? Just have faith.

You're buying a house. You are told the payments are $1000 per month. When you are given the contract to sign, the selling price is shown but not the monthly payments. Just have faith the salesperson says.

Yes, I could go on and on and list more examples of the three above. However, I've made my point, I think.

Now you are 35 or so and have never paid much attention to religion. Have never gone to church. Yes, of course, you read about God and people going to church and so on, But, you've just never had any interest. It never seemed important as what little you knew made no sense.

Your best friend has asked you several times to attend church with him. Finally, you go. After the service, you learn your friend has made an appointment with the pastor.

The three of you meet in the pastor's office. The pastor goes over the history and the tenants of the religion. Afterwards, he says, Well, what do you think?

Frankly, it all sounds crazy. There's no reason, logic, or evidence in what you've said.

The pastor leaned back in his chair and smiled.

Well, I feel the same way. You're right, none of it makes any sense and none of it is logical or reasonable. However, all you have to do is have FAITH!

My New Year's Resolutions and This Video is Worth Watching....

Hi Folks,

Yes, I'm still working on my New Year's Resolutions. Actually, I basically have them finished I just don't feel like writing them out. Plan to do that soon. Honest!

That said, this video is only a few minutes long. Please watch it.

Thanks.

Yes, resolutions from an atheist. He talks about reason and critical thinking. Whether you are a believer or not, please watch this as it applies to far more than religion.

Ahh, It's Time For Rehab!!!!

Luann de Lesseps, is the latest who's in trouble with the cops.

Actually, needing to go to rehab is not funny or a joking matter.

That said, it seems all too often when so-called stars and celebrities run into trouble with the police, regardless of the cause, they head for rehab. I would imagine that usually, it's with their lawyer's encouragement or suggestion.

Yes, it seems that most of them think when they make it to court they can proudly proclaim that they are in rehab. Hmm, as if the judge has never heard that one before.

What is rehab? How does it work, or not. And, are there alternatives?

For this posting, I'm going to use alcohol and alcohol problems. To some extent, drug treatment works similarly. But, I'm going to concentrate on alcohol.

Unless you've lived in a cave your entire life, you've been around people who have had problems with alcohol. This could be old Uncle Henry, who every holiday gets blitzed and causes family turmoil. Could be a close friend, relative, or spouse who ongoingly readily admits to a drinking problem but does nothing to get their drinking under control. And, yes, some people get a divorce because of alcohol use. Then there are the DWIs and loss of jobs. Alcohol use does cause many problems. The other aspect of alcohol is that we do things under the influence that we would never do when sober. Well, you know what I’m talking about. Too much alcohol impairs our judgment and tosses our impulse control put the window.

Before going further, I'd like to mention that many communities have city-sponsored detox centers. I think that the lines are blurred and you may well find the same services at some detox centers that you'd find at rehab. That said, the celebrities that we read about are surely going to private hospitals (psychiatric) and not using the community-based services.

Detox may be a misnomer, as most people don't actually have to detox from alcohol. By that I mean, if they stop drinking they will not have any type of physical/medical problems from stopping alcohol. That said, yes, there are some who when they stop drinking should be medically monitored in case there are physical or medical problems caused by stopping the alcohol use.

So, what’s available for treatment? I’m going to lump the detox center and the private hospital (both can be reffered to as rehab) together. Most hospitals will have all of what I’m listing and detox typically fewer.

1) Information and education about alcohol and how it affects the body and mental status.

2) AA’s twelve-step program. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this program if you will is relied on too much. God is mentioned, if I remember correctly, six times in the twelve steps. In fact, courts have said prisoners can’t be forced to attend treatment that uses the AA model, as it’s a religion. Another thing I don’t like is that those who participate in the program state that they are powerless over the alcohol. If they are actually powerless, hey, there’s nowhere to go from there.

3) Group meetings.

4) Visits by a psychiatrist and or counselor for individual therapy.

While I’m a little out touch I guess I would say, not having worked in six or seven years, I doubt if things have changed.

Would imagine most city/county or state funded detox centers are short term. Get in and sober up, participate in some groups, and be offered ongoing treatment when leaving the center. This would be individual or group counseling with an alcohol and drug counselor. Of course, some folks who have problems with drugs are also mentally ill. And, the discharge plan from the detox center would include mental health treatment and a case manager.

Now, the fancy places that the rich and famous go I would assume would have somewhat regular visits by a psychiatrist as well as individual counseling with a licensed counselor (LPC, LCSW, and psychologist).

 Of course, the fancy places would have a discharge plan for ongoing treatment.

Does any of this stuff work? Well, you’d have to define work. It’s not like a broken arm. You can go into a hospital and have your arm fixed. It’s surely not the same as dealing with drinking alcohol that’s causing you problems. You can't go to rehab and get fixed. You can go into rehab and possibly have a better chance of making changes in your drinking-surely, no guarantees.

EDIT: Time for a comment. Nothing I say here is medical advice. I am merely giving my opinions. If you have a problem with alcohol, I suggest you look into whatever treatment is available to you and try to make an informed decision.

 Now, that said, unless you have medical problems that might make detoxing a problem I’d most likely try to stay away from the hospitals and detox centers. This does not mean I’m saying you shouldn’t seek help. Most communities have free help through community services boards and if you have insurance, it will usually cover a counselor.

What I would watch out for are the places that may well be scams. I know of folks who’ve paid $50,000 plus for out-of-town treatment that seemingly are not any better than what should be available locally. And, there are some actual scams out there. Let the buyer beware. And, good luck!

I've read over this several times. Obviously, this surely is not a complete survey of problems with alcohol or alcohol treatment. Though I think the information can be helpful if you seek treatment, ask lots of questions. And, if you are having problems and can't seem to get going again or whatever term you want to use, seek help!

New Years' Resolutions, Anyone?

Well, hope to have my resolutions for 2018 ready soon.

Actually, most likely a little later this evening. Unless of course, I get distracted.

Here's how I hope to go about creating my list.

Don't put it on the list unless it's accomplishable. As an example, the Marines surely won't have me. And, no I'm not going to be president. Though I will say I could surely do as well...as you know who. Heck, any of us could. And, most of us have bigger hands...or, is it larger. Well, you know what I mean.

If it's something you haul from year to year, Hey, you might want to give it a rest.

Remember, it's not a todo list. OK, you could have a resolution that says you will perform every listed todo item on the day it's scheduled. Other than that, put it on your todo list.

Thinking about todo lists. A dear friend from many years ago, who died suddenly at the young age of 55, always started her list with something she'd already done. Yes, she started her day with at least one item checked off. Hmm. I always thought that was pretty cool...though I might ask, Is that like cheating at solitaire?

Well, I'll be back later with my resolutions.

EDIT: One last thing. Be specific. I will be a better person is not a good resolution. Be specific about what you are going to do to be a better person.

Ahh, A Few Comments and Thoughts on Hell!

First off, I don't believe in gods and as such surely don't believe in Hell. That said, I guess this posting is for those of you who do believe in Hell. And, folks, if you believe in Hell not only is it really sad and pathetic, if you will...well, anyway.

Though I surely don't know it to be true and surely am not all that concerned, there are some of you believers out there who continue to trudge to church every Sunday hoping that you'll be spared, yes...going to Hell. That is sad and pathetic (yes, another sad and pathetic).

BTW, if anyone actually reads this, don't nitpick at my ignorance of the bible and Christianity in general. OK? Just read what I have to say.

Now, as I best understand it there are many reasons why God will send us to hell. That said, if folks don't believe in Him (yes, I'm going to use capitals), wow, they are going to get a direct flight...no stopover. Dang, just a straight shot to the eternally burning lake of fire (or, whatever you think it is).

Now, this God of yours is supposed to be all-knowing, compassionate, understanding, loving, and all the rest. Right? And, we humans are made in his perfect image? Right?

OK. So he made me as I am. And, I surely don't believe in any that stuff...you know, Him, virgin births, and all the rest. So, he's going to throw me in the pit? One for God!

It seems that we ongoingly learn of tribes and civilizations, to use that word, that are in the Amazon or wherever that surely couldn't know about this really terrific God. You know, the one all you Christians go ape about. Now, is old God going to toss these folks into the lake of eternal fire? Yes, what a Prince He must be!!!!!

OK, I'm running out of enthusiasm for this post and I'm going to stop.

If you folks, yes, you believers want to keep trudging to church, listening to your pastors, priests and so on spouting absurdities, hey, keep at it.

Thankfully, I don't have to worry about all of it.

I hope we all have a best-ever new year in 2018. And, folks, please...for 2018, for cryin' out loud, stop believing all of that nonsense. Please.... Look for evidence to support your beliefs. Evidence, folks!!!!!! Not fables, myths, and superstitions. Not BS spouted by your so-called spiritual advisors.

Oh, well. Yes, still beating my head against the wall.

EDIT: BTW. Yes, I almost forgot, A few years ago I started what I called crap head awards. OK, folks, you surely know where this is going. Yes, your so-called God surely rates a crap head award.

Sad News.... There Will Never be a Z!

Sue Grafton died December 28, 2017. Sue was 77. I'm 78.

Somewhere in the cosmos, the roulette wheel of life was spun and her number came up. Mine didn't. I guess I could ask, Why her and not me?

For those of you who don't know, Grafton wrote an alphabet- series of books, starting at A. Her last finished book was Y. Her alphabet had 26 letters. Ironically, just a few weeks ago, after not having read any of her books in several years, I bought W is for Wasted.

My mom was a fan and I bought Grafton's books for her as soon as they were available.

Though I never gave it a lot of thought, looking back I guess I'd say Grafton was a safe writer. Well, for me at least. I knew her books would give me many hours of reading pleasure. 

A few of her quotes:

Ideas are easy. It's the execution of ideas that really separates the sheep from the goats.

If high heels were so wonderful, men would be wearing them.

I focus on the writing and let the rest of the process take care of itself. I've learned to trust my own instincts and I've also learned to take risks.

For more information on Sue Grafton go here.

Ahh, the Virgin Birth....

December 28, 2017.

I "borrowed" this from ING

Yes, just a few days after Christmas, that time when we (Christians) go nuts over celebrating the birth of baby Jesus.

I wanted to do a little research before writing this. After spending a few wasted minutes on the internet my prayers were answered. Our local newspaper, The Virginian Pilot, blessedly had this editorial.

Yes, I read it. Dang, you really have to be committed to wade through all of this. I will admit that whoever came up with this had a fertile imagination or had just smoked a giant joint or both.

For this posting, I'm only concerned about the virgin birth. Yes, I have a few questions.

OK, I understand that supposedly Mary didn't have sex. I guess I could ask, why? Too dirty or yucky? Or, is it the old, Good girls don't have sex? This may have been answered in the VP article, but how was Mary chosen? Lottery? Card game? Oh, well. Was she able to give informed consent?  Or, was this just forced on her?

OK, I'll give you guys that (no sex) it was the Holy Spirit that somehow made it so Mary was with child, right? How did that happen? Did he toss a magic seed that somehow ended up in Mary? Or, was this event a forerunner of what we now call in vitro? Did Mary actually have a regular pregnancy? You know, her stomach getting bigger? Craving dill pickles and ice cream? Morning sickness? Did she actually have OBGYN checks? Or, were they needed (maybe more magic)? Were the paramedics standing by in case something went wrong with the delivery? Who came up with the name Jesus? And, are you sure it isn't pronounced Heysus?

Another question. How did baby Jesus arrive? You know, He surely wasn't delivered vaginally, was He? Maybe he just popped up, if you will, in the animals' feeding trough....or, all of a sudden He was being cuddled by Mary. Maybe God sought advice from David Copperfield. No matter the answers, this was truly some heavy-duty magic. But, I guess I need to remember that God works in mysterious ways and can do anything.

Speaking of the Holy Spirit or Ghost...for some reason I thought they were all God. You know, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amazing, sort of like the Swiss Army Knife of gods. That's kind of confusing to my pea brain. And, I'm not seeing any utility value. Why couldn't old God just do all the magic? And, why would God want to have Jesus come along if eventually, Jesus is part of him? Oh, just remembered, he has to kill Jesus so that the sins that He caused us to have (talking snake and apple) will be mitigated. Wow.

OK, am I missing something? I'm just not smart enough to be religious. It's all just too complicated for my limited intellect to make sense of.

Presently, I'm working on my third book of 55-word stories. Here's a story from my upcoming will-never-be-a-best-seller third book.

The Real Story Behind the Virgin Birth

They jammed themselves into the small area and crowded around the manger.
“What’s going on?”
“Mary’s going to have a virgin birth.”
“No way!”
“Yep.”
“How does it work?”
“Not sure.”
“It’s rumored God does it this way so he doesn’t have to pay additional child support. He’s already on the hook for six kids.”

I hope we all have our best ever new years in 2018. 

Just a Couple of Short Comments About one of My Favorite Subjects.... Yes, Religion!

Well, finally someone, well... a country got it right. Yes, Australia will no longer allow religious exemptions for vaccinations.

Here's the article from the Guardian. In the States, I believe most if not all of the exemptions come from the individual states and there are some whoppers that just about sanction parents killing their children because of their religious views. Gotta love the religious stuff.

Just when you think religion can't get more bizarre, crazy,

stupid, or what-have-you... of course it does. OK, remember back when Mitt Romney was running for president? You may have forgotten that Billy Graham called the Morman religion a cult. Yep, a cult.

Then Mitt paid Billy a visit and according to Graham Mormonism was no longer a cult. Yep, just like that. It started out as a Your religion is weirder than mine argument, as I like to say.

Where was I?

Joseph Smith, I'm sure a serial philander, was walking through the woods in the 1800s and an angel struck up a conversation with him. (Yes, an old talking to an angel story.) The angel told him where the magic gold tablets were and thus we have the start of the Mormon religion. 

Going forward to today.

Listen carefully, this is a little much even for religion. The Mormons baptize people after they have died.

Well, let's start with what baptism is supposed to do. After a search and a little reading take a look here for what the Mormons say, Yes, amazing. Mercy.

OK, so we have people getting pissed off because the Mormons baptize those who weren't Mormon. Of course, I could have read it wrong but I think that in some cases the Mormons un-baptize them. Think about this for a minute. OK, I readily admit my writing is worse than usual...but, dang this is just so weird that I'm not all that enthused.

Must mention the magic underwear. Yep, the Mormon's magic underwear.

You folks remember Bob Larson the guy who goes around the country getting the devil out of people. You know, he's a so-called exorcist. I think I mentioned in a previous posting that if you have little education, no job skills, morally and

ethically compromised, and don't mind being a sleazeball and taking advantage of people-well, here's all you need. Just pick up a Holy Bible and a crucifix and practice shouting, In the name of Jesus, come out foul Devil.

Also, I think you could be ahead of the competition and start a good hustle by going around the country and ridding peoples' loved ones of unwanted baptisms. Seems a wide- open field at the present.

Yes, I'm as crazy as the rest of them.

Thank God! Roy Moore Lost!

We, it would seem, have little control over our intelligence. Well, if we work hard at it

I guess we can improve it. 

That said, being controlled by religion is one of the worst things that can happen. If we take religion and ignorance...hmm...here's what you end up with.

I give you Ted Crockett, spokesman for Roy Moore. And, these are the people who are governing us.

PLEASE watch this video!!!!

CNN, Roy Moore's spokesman.