Imagine How Proud...

Cole Allen: from graduate to gunsel

...his parents must be!

"Ma," Dad crows as he points to the TV screen, "our boy Cole just tried to assassinate the president of the United States!"

"I know," she replies contentedly, "we're practically famous now!"

Their son certainly is, but according to the left, the profound mystery here is "who was he really trying to kill?"

Reporters?  Celebrities?

The Gray Lady (aka The New York Times, and here we must assume "Gray" is used as a synonym for "Delusional") claims we may never know:

But wait...the overweening Mr. A was condescending enough to leave us a detailed explanation:

<Gunman's Manifesto>

Very revealing!

He explicitly states his target was Trump and his administration.

Ironically, he chose the White House Correspondents Dinner to make his doomed-to-failure attempt, but then again, why not?

Was there anyone in that room who hadn't written a hit piece on Trump?

With a democrat to republican ratio of almost 100 to 1, rare indeed is the msm journalist who doesn't despise Donald J Trump.

The dems have been calling Trump and Maga "Hitler" and "Nazis" for years now, and their lapdog stenographers have dutifully regurgitated every attack.

Intellectual featherweights like Jamie Raskin...

..and Temu Obama, Hakeem Jeffries...

...have been leading the charge, while the propaganda arm of the DNC have been faithful apparatchiks, breathlessly repeating every outrageous claim.

Cole Allen was simply the weak minded weapon they locked and loaded with their <non-stop litany of hateful rhetoric toward Trump and his followers>.

In the aftermath of yet another attempt to assassinate President Trump, there will be the usual farcical political theater, hand wringing and of course, "DARVO":

Deny the accusation;

Attack the accuser;

Reverse Victim and Offender.

We've never tried to incite violence against Trump, but Trump constantly attacks us!

He's not the victim, we are!

Of course it's Trump's fault!

Just another day in paradise.

My daily prayer:

"Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered."

    - Proverbs 11:21

Lord, let it be so.

We're going to change subjects without even a half hearted attempt at a clever segue:

You guessed it, my first round of the season!

The good news?

This pretty picture is not the best thing that happened on the course.

In other words, it was a decent round for my first time out.

Hit ok from the tees, well from the fairways, and surprisingly well around the greens with my lofting iron.

Putting, as usual, was my downfall.

I play bogey or better wins the hole, double bogey or worse loses, and this was a win, 5 holes to 4.

Definitely committed to playing better as the season progresses, but I walked off the course feeling ok about my round:

A little exercise, a little solitude, and a pleasant stroll through the countryside.

Let's hit the 23 Skidoo trail:

big happenings this past week: #2 grandson tied the knot...

...and Larry opened his cottage up north.

we're making some progress with the courtyard...

...and Lady Baysweep is back in action.

the ornamental cherry tree in Ryan's Corner is getting ready to bloom...

...and the lilacs are making their welcome appearance.

in springtime Tom Turkey's thoughts turn to love...

...while the thoughts of his intended turn to fleeing.

It's an oft repeated request, but please pray for peace:

"I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men;

"For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

    - I Timothy 2:1,2

later, mcm fans...

The Exact Moment...

Trump inaugural speech, Jan 20 2025

 

...Slo-Joe realized he's no longer prez.  

I'm sure it came as a shock to him; most things do.

Even finding out what day of the week it is surprises Dementia Joe.

"Monday?  Really?  Well I'll be a dog faced pony soldier..."

Interesting to see all those libs dressed to the nines welcoming "Hitler the Fascist Dictator and Threat To Democracy!!" back to Washington.

At least that's what they all screamed in the runup to the election.

You don't suppose they're so morally bankrupt they spewed lies...

...in a desperate attempt to retain power, do you?

Either way, we can rejoice the curtain has finally fallen on 4 tortuous years of constant deceit ("the border's secure!", "inflation is low!", "crime is down!") and abject incompetence.

With America finally back in good hands - Thank you, Lord - how about we move on to something apolitical for a change?

thought you might approve

Here's a fave mid century modern item:

That's an <Austin Cox> chess set from 1962.

These were originally made by the Alcoa Aluminum company and given as executive gifts in the early 1960's; over time they've become a collector's item.

Here's what the pieces look like when set up:

the board that goes with it is stored in a closet and I'm too lazy to retrieve it at the moment

They're obviously unique and really quite elegant.

Years ago I was a casual player but eventually realized I lacked the requisite temperament, time and let's be honest - IQ points - to excel at the game, so I gave it up.

former world champion, antisemite and bona fide looney tunes

True chess players are like musicians; they're born, not made.

Of course anyone can learn the moves, memorize openings, study strategy and end game tactics, and improve their game.

But the great ones have an inborn ability to visualize in a way regular folks do not.

They can play chess without the board or pieces; they see it in their minds and can analyze many moves ahead.

It's why so many of the legends of the game were masters even as children:

8 year old Samuel Reshevsky playing and beating masters in simultaneous games, circa 1920 in Poland

In spite of my lack of talent for the game, I've always admired the beauty and symmetry of a well made chess set, and appreciate the constrained energy its starting formation implies:

Two armies on the brink of chivalrous war, the pieces practically trembling with pent up anxiety, awaiting the call to action.

An interesting story revolving around the game of chess is <The Queen's Gambit>, a Netflix series from 2020.

Based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, this one won't enhance your moral IQ, but it is an interesting look at the passionately obsessive, emotionally violent, high pressure world of championship level chess.

Last "winter" (in quotes because 'twas hard to tell) I was outside swinging my hickories more than all previous winters combined.

Not so this year...winter has reasserted itself with a healthy dose of icy vigor:

driveway's been plowed 5x this week

snowy back yard

a rare evening when it wasn't snowing

the view from my "office" window one morning this week

no judging; we'll remove the Christmas lights when we're good and ready

It's definitely been a Michigan January, and it has me anxiously counting down the <days until Spring>.

It's a new day in America; President Trump hit the ground running with dozens of executive orders...

...reversing Biden's "America Last" policies, righting many wrongs, and making trips to disaster areas that were neglected by FEMA under the failed Biden administration.

His landslide victory indicates most of the people in the country are more than ready for a return to common sense and sanity.

But even some who consider themselves conservative Christians aren't happy with Trump because of his well documented issues with both language and behavior.

He's not perfect, that's for sure; no one is.

He's also not your pastor.

He's the President of the United States of America, charged with upholding the constitution and safeguarding the citizens of this country.

As such it's worth remembering:

Ultimately, it's God who is in control and Donald Trump's heart is in God's hand.

The LORD will use Trump to achieve His will, in His time.

Our job is to continually pray for him and all those in authority over us (I Timothy 2:1,2).

later, mcm fans...

Survival Skills 101...

...or how to make "Go Juice".

#1 Grandson's wife gave us the cool mcm percolator; 1st one I've used made of glass, rather than metal.

Fun watching the magic happen as water is transformed into that essential building block of life, coffee.

Of course coffee snobs...

...eschew percolators as a means of acquiring their drug of choice, claiming it produces a bitter, strong drink.

I say if it's bitter you're doing it wrong, and if weak is your forte, drink Postum (insert involuntary gag reflex here).

If it doesn't put hair on your chest, you're missing the point.

So stop by your local antique shop, pick up a vintage percolator and start kickin' it old school.

see?  coffee percolators are smart!

Percolating coffee will make your kitchen smell great and banish annoying coffee snobs from your life.

You're welcome.

In other news, America is doomed if Slo-Joe's handlers can cheat him into office again come November.

We've gone from energy independence, low inflation, secure borders and a strong military to the exact opposite under Dementia Joe's "America Last" policies.

Equally troubling is the rapid rise of antisemitism in this country and our refusal to stand by our ally Israel.

Any country that turns against God's chosen people is doomed.

Kicking the clown in chief to the curb is not just a good idea, it's essential for our survival as a top tier nation.

that vacant eyed stare tells you the lights are on, but nobody's home

Since we're commanded in Scripture to pray for our leaders...

...I've chosen part of David's prayer from Psalms 109, verse 8:

"...let another take his office."

Please LORD, let it be so.

In another remarkably gracious act by yours truly, here's the only hickory golf pic you needs must endure this week:

That's my birdie putt leave on the par 4 fifth hole.

Decent tee shot with my brassie, followed by a good mid iron put me on the green in 2.

I'd love to write I drained that for my first birdie of the season...

...but conscience forbids; truth is I rimmed the cup and happily took a par.

Grabbed one more and should have had a 3rd, but rimmed the cup on #7 for a bogey.

So 2 pars, 5 bogeys, and 2 mind your own business's comprised this week's effort.

I am forever constrained by modest talent, advancing years and limited time - that’s a mouthful of restraints right there - but whatever progress I’m making this season...

...is due to the instruction and wisdom of Harry Vardon.

A quick peek out the window...

...tells me it's time to 23 Skidoo, so let's do this:

pool area is shaping up nicely

irises blooming in the courtyard

mr. O enjoying a bite of grape jelly

snowballs in may

the flamingos flew home

The season of floral beauty and outdoor living has finally arrived in all its natural splendor, so do your best to live a curated life of conscious choices.

That clock's a-ticking'...

And keeping with the theme of Davidic Psalms...

later, mcm fans...