Final guess

 The answer to yesterday's guess: A. I have never been to Guyana. Today's guess (A. B. or both) A. When I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Joel in 1967 we had to escape to a refugee camp in Ann Arbor because fires were burning throughout Detroit in one of the bloodiest and most destructive urban uprisings in American history. B. In 1969 When I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Kirk, we (including the staff) of Gethsemane Lutheran Church climbed to the top of the bell tower to watch the joint Canada/U.S. July 4th fireworks and the staff had a hard time getting me down.

Another guess

 Guess which one or both are true: A. I have been to Jamaica twice, once for a conference and once to teach at the theological school.  B. I have been to Guyana twice, going with Wartburg students to learn and serve there.

Jennaya Hope

 MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF HOPE  People from various local churches in Mason City, Iowa, organized the event “Notes of Hope.” Featured speaker and soloist this afternoon was Jennaya Everist, recent Wartburg College music therapy graduate, who shared the impact of music in her life as she lives with a severe case of Crohn's disease. 

Naming water lakes and gulfs

 Trump may sign an order to rename the Gulf of Mexico "The Gulf of America, but the rest of the world calls it the Gulf of Mexico. Trump may sign an order to name Lake Ontario "Lake America" but the rest of the world calls it Lake Ontario. And even "America" can't just be the United States, there is North America, Central America and South America. We are the "United States of America." Words matter. Names matter. 

sailor

 The young sailor who suffered so much on the aircraft carrier Lincoln that he jumped overboard in an attempt to end his life, is now facing punishment. He is charged with malingering, faking an illness and going AWOL. If this is not enough, the national news report after showing this compassionate story went for a "commercial break" trying to sell the viewers a "luxurious ocean cruise."

 "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."  We love you, Canada. We have traveled through nine Canadian provinces. They are not and do not want to be the 51st state of the U.S. They deserve our respect so that we can again be good neighbors.

Trump!

 Trump starting a trade war with Canada. Trump wanting an aircraft carrier named after him (no ship ever named after a sitting president) instead of a black WW 11 war hero. What else can he possibly do? We have to stop him! Vote, people vote! 

 The answer to my latest question is B. I have been to Carnegie Hall more than three times to hear the Mason City High School choir sing.

Guess 3

 The answer to yesterday's "guess" is "A" I have never been to Egypt. Today's guess: A. B. or both: A. I have been to more than 3 Carnegie free public libraries. B. I have been to Carnegie Hall 3 or more times.

Guess 2

 It is true that I both body surfed in the Southern Ocean and walked across the Red. Guess today: either A or B or both: A. I taught in Cameroon, Central African Republic and Tanzania all in one trip. B. I attended an international religious conference in Alexandria, Egypt and traveled up the Nile River. 

voting

 Be aware of voting requirements. It would be wise to register to vote now, e.g. if you have changed your address or not voted in awhile. The Save Act (The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act)  is a federal bill that would fundamentally change how Americans register to vote. If it passes voters would need to present documentary proof of citizenship in person before completing registration, effectively eliminating most current online and mail registration methods. For most people, that means a passport or certified birth certificate and for women who have changed their name, a marriage certificate.

Women's Equality Day

 August 26 is celebrated as Women’s Equality Day, marking the 1920 day U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation certifying the 19th Amendment. This action officially added women's constitutional right to vote into the U.S. Constitution

I remember: Guess which one or both are true. A. I went body surfing in the Southern Ocean, off the coast of South Australia, near Adelaide. B. I walked across the North Sea to Holy Isle off the Northeast coast of England at low tide which was 3 miles and took about l 1/2 hours. 

I Remember 1

 From time to time I will post two "I remember" items for you to guess which one or both are true. A. In Des Moines I rode "Curbliners," electric trolley busses with the ability to pull directly to the curb to load passengers safely. B. In Mason City I rode busses that went all the way directly up and down Federal Ave.

Burton and Norma

 Burton and Norma Everist, 64th wedding anniversary, married August  26th, 1962 August 26th is also celebrated as Women's Equality Day marking the 1920 day U.S. Secretary of State signed the proclamation certifying the 19th Amendment. This action officially added women's constitutional right to vote into the U.S. Constitution

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus statue

 

Trump and vaccines

 President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to reshape the federal government’s approach toward childhood vaccines, insisting that infants should receive fewer immunizations over a longer period despite little scientific evidence supporting such sweeping changes. Trump is not a scientist. He is not a doctor. This executive order will endanger our children. 

The wide-ranging order proposes reducing the total number of immunizations recommended for children in their earliest years and dividing the nation’s childhood vaccine schedule into three categories.

It also advises that the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine be separated into three individual shots — a dramatic change that goes against broad scientific consensus but is in keeping with Trump’s insistence in recent months that the widely administered shot be altered.

Orchid still blooming

 My orchid started blooming on Epiphany. It bloomed on Easter and Pentecost. It is still blooming on my Baptismal birthday. August 6 is also the baptismal birthday of our youngest son Kirk.  And Hiroshima Day, when we dropped the Atomic bomb on Japan. A sign of life in a deathly world.

Med

 I suggest you keep a list of your medications in your billfold or purse. We do. A few years ago a friend of ours was out to dinner with a number of us, and she, sitting beside me, collapsed. Neither we nor the medics that came knew what was going on since we didn't know what meds she was on.  A list could save your life.