Phoiling the Philistines

                   So, here we are, at some sort of impasse.  

It's important to remember the details of the "David and Goliath" story (1 Samuel 17:1-58) to see the implications, like the Israelites (Dems, public workers, citizens) are being held hostage in the valley, The Philistines (Repubs and obedient followers) are in the hills with an obvious advantage. 

However, their advantage has recently taken a pummeling. And the leader is big, but we have to remember he is flanked by a guy with a shield, as well.  At this point, it looks like Mitch McConnell could represent the guy who's defending

 the one we shall not name.  

It could turn out that the guy with the shield might pleasantly surprise us, but that seems doubtful. 

             If we get an unlikely hero or heroine with an  equally unlikely maneuver, like a slingshot, to go forth and conquer, we will have found our "David".  It could be Nancy, or it could be another unexpected person and strategy.  

The thing about the way Bible stories are presented is we tend to clean them up a bit.  Even overcoming the mess could get messy.  

But to keep the faith, we have to believe in some kind of Divine Order at work.  Because the whole message of the story is that there's a Power Greater than Ourselves, even when the powers that be think they're somehow equal. 

 The outcome proves they're not.

From Free Bible Images

Playing my Part

Sometimes, I think that life is like a play. Of course YOU would, you say. But think of it; people enter stage right, and exit stage left all the time, including eventually, yourself. I like to look out the window in the morning and watch the neighbors now throwing snow off their cars and snow blowing the driveway. They're still young retirees playing an active role. The guys that pick up the garbage and recyclables; the mail people are active too. An "old" guy walks by walking his dog. Right now, I'm playing the part of the senior lady with nothing to do but watch. I'm just the lady sitting there drinking my coffee. Not a bad role.

2019 Begins

I just went to get my fake wine🍷 from the kitchen, and the ball🏐 had already dropped. But oh well, the New York people looked happy. 🥳Then, Bill had me watch a murder mystery, about a murder mystery writer,✒️ (I won't give away the plot) which made me feel like maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea to be writing the genre I've been trying to write. 🔎 I figured it out toward the end.🧐

The Writing on the Wall

(Taken from the Picture Bible, David C. Cook, Publisher.)

I consider myself fortunate, as I was introduced to Bible stories early in my clergy home.  It was a simple way of presenting them, through cartoons.

But I find a sort of comfort in reviewing them, because the idea of either mad or incompetent "King" is honestly reported. No excuses.  

So, we can refer to them, now and again, to find out where certain expressions come from.  

The King was upset, due to "the Writing on the Wall" and asked 
 Daniel to interpret.

The Cheeks of a Blue Fish

Why share this? It reminded me of when I was a naive kid just out of Luther College, my brother's former father-in-law told me a tall tale, at a restaurant, about filet mignon. He said, it was "the cheeks of a blue fish", and I believed it. 
He asked me how it tasted.
I said, "It tastes like beef". 
He replied, "well, sometimes the cheeks are so thick, they taste like beef."
"Really?"
"Yes, and sometimes, they've been known to go on land and carry a walking stick." 
At this point, my cousin, at the table, involuntarily spit out his drink.

Close "Call"

After Yoga, 🧘‍♀️attempted Christmas shopping at my favorite book shop, and it was like a magical fairy land for kids' stuff👧...
But then, after consulting with my other 1/2 🧔on my cell, drove intently toward home, 🚗and attempted getting chicken on Sr. discount. This involved getting there before 9 p.m. 
One car was in front of me, as the clock ⏰was ticking: "Yeah, I'd like Famous", 8:54, "What do you have in Famous?" 8:55, "Sides?" "Yeah, I'd like beans."🍲8:56, "No, I changed my mind; make that Mac 'n Cheese."🧀 8:57...sweat, sweat...😢 "Will that be it?" "What did you say you had in Famous?" (unintelligible) "Is that it?" 8:58, sweating buckets, now.🥵 "That will be $19.95."
 "Hello?" "Yes, may I take your order?" Whew, and for 1/2 the price, too!😜

New Neighborhood Grocery bellies up

Well, Fresh Market is closing out, had to get a few items, and they deducted half my purchase. 🥰 Of course, I had to leave a token of my esteem...my hat, 💂‍♀️ (which was placed on a post outside, never to be seen again, by me).
 But I did run into a friend from childhood,👧 and we agreed the design and atmosphere wasn't like the old Plumbs, the open and friendly neighborhood market. 
Bill said they must have hired a consultant.👨‍🏫