A Retirement Choice

          As we get older many of us contemplate where we might go to live.  While we often don't want to leave our homes, the work and stress of maintaining them often forces us to consider other possibilities.  Alternatives can be very expensive and are not without their problems as well.  Entrance fees and monthly expenses for facilities can be excessive.  Are there any other possible choices?

          Well recently I heard of another alternative - checking into a Holiday Inn.  For a combined long term stay discount and a senior discount you can get a reservation for $59.23 per night.  Breakfast is included and sometimes there are even special treats in the afternoon or evening.  And rooms are cleaned daily at no extra charge.

         At that rate one can enjoy lunch and dinner in any restaurant you want or even room service.  Plus they have television, a spa, swimming pool, workout room, lounge, washer-dryer, etc.  Most have free toothpaste, razors, soap and shampoo.

         TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem. They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience.   The Inn has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks to see if you are ok. If not, they'll call an ambulance . . . Or the undertaker.

          And about $5 a day in tips and you'll have the entire staff scrambling to help you.  They will treat you like a customer, not a patient.

          There's probably a city bus stop out front and seniors might even ride free.  Fake a decent limp and the handicap bus will even pick you up.  And to meet other nice people call a church to arrange to have their bus pick you up on Sundays.

           For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there.   And while you're at the airport, fly somewhere. Otherwise, your cash keeps building up. 

         While It takes months to get into decent nursing homes, Holiday Inn will take your reservation today .  And you're not stuck in one place forever - you can move from Inn to Inn, or even from city to city. Want to see Hawaii ? They have Holiday Inns there too. 

          If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn may upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life. 

          And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.  The grand-kids can use the pool. 

         You don't like the Holiday Inn?  Well check out the Hilton or Marriott Hotels - you can pick out your favorite.  What more could you ask for? 

         So, when you reach that golden age,  don't forget this possibility. Face it with a grin.

Ring, ring, ring

          The first successful bi-directional transmission of clear speech by Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson was made on March 10, 1876, when Bell spoke into the device, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you." and Watson complied with the request. Bell tested Gray's liquid transmitter design in this experiment, but only after Bell's patent was granted and only as a proof of concept scientific experiment to prove to his own satisfaction that intelligible "articulate speech" (Bell's words) could be electrically transmitted.

          And that day our lives were changed forever.  The telephone would eventually be a key instrument in our lives as well as a regular distraction.  Over the years we have gone through party lines, answering machines, cell phones, smart phones and texting.  Today you can carry your phone with you and even have it attached to your ear.  You can even talk on it while getting distracted and walking into something or even worse hitting something while driving.

          It is also said that the first phone call that Bell received informed him, after a brief delay, that his car guarantee had expired and that it could be renewed at a reasonable amount.  If it really wasn't thismessage, then that first call might have been to inform him that he had won a three-day trip to Florida,

          Now I do not like to talk on the telephone.  When it rings I usually wait for my wife to answer it.  If she can't do it, then I reluctantly answer.

          We are old fashioned.  We don't text and we don't have caller ID on all of our phones.  So it is often hard to sort out our calls since we can't see the caller's number in advance.

          One of the things that I don't like are the many spam calls that we receive daily, especially those which are recorded.  I am tired of hearing that our auto coverage has expired, that we qualify for a rebate since we were overcharged for electricity, that we are eligible for solar power, that our credit card interest can be reduced, that a large charge has been added to our amazon account, that our credit card has been suspended, or that our congressman has a message for us.

          Then there are the live call scams.  At least you can reply to those if you want to.  One time a caller said he could reduce our electric bill.  I replied that we are Amish and don't use electricity.  He apologized and hung up. Then there are calls telling us that there is a problem with our computer - usually with Windows.  I play along to a point since we do not use Windows. I do get upset about the calls asking for money such as to help the police fund their projects.  I just hope thst they might not be a real police person who I might need to deal with in the future on another matter.

          One type of spam call that I do enjoy handling are the calls from a "grandson" telling us of the trouble he is having and how he needs money.  We enjoy playing along with them until they finally give up and hang up.  The scary one was the call we received a few days ago.  Instead of using "grandma" this time he actually called my wife by her real name.  That was a first.  He claimed that he was in jail and needed bail money.  Finally she said that she would pray for him.  His reply was that he didn't need prayer, he needed money.  And then he gave up and hung up.  I enjoy asking them about their studies in areas like chemistry.   I can't believe that folks really fall for this scam.

          But there are things I don't like about many legitimate calls.  Many people don't immediately tell you who they are and without caller ID it often takes awhile until you know who is actually calling.  Telephone courtesy is just not common today.  Sometimes you just need to ask who they are.

          Once in awhile you have a caller who takes off at full speed and you can't get a word in until they unload a variety of topics.  You often can't seem to get rid of such callers who really don't want a conversation until they have nothing left to say..

          The opposite is the quiet person who takes forever to comment, forcing you to either fill in the "dead space" or just put up with the long silent times.

          Then there are those who ask if you are busy.  When you reply that you are, they just ignore your answer and keep on talking.

         Now part of the problem with calls for me is that I need time to listen and analyze before responding.  So I do enjoy e-mail contacts.  Our computer is open most of the day when we are home and we usually reply rather quickly.  It gives me time to think before I must answer.  And I can quickly delete the many spam e-mails we receive.

          So send me an e-mail.  I'm waiting. 

Our Sundays

         The pandemic has changed our Sundays.  We have not been able to attend our church for over a year and so we have looked for other ways to worship and grow in the Lord.  We miss our friends and out fellowship, but after trying numerous streaming possibilities we have settled into a solid routine on Sunday mornings.

          First, we continue to listen to the beautiful gospel music played all Sunday morning on radio station WDAC. We wake up to that.  They play many of the traditional hymns that we have grown up with and it helps us worship and prepare for the streaming worship services.  We are so thankful for this good music.

          Then at 9 am we are ready to watch and listen to the streaming service from our home church.  We enjoy catching up on the announcements and the solid Bible teaching from our young pastor.  Our services have had major changes over the past two years but the preaching is solid and helpful.

          For a few months we tried different services following our own.  We saw many different styles but we kept searching until one day we "accidentally" found Chuck Swindoll's Sunday service from Stonebriar Church in Texas.  The service features a professional sounding orchestra, brass and string ensemble, an excellent choir, congregational music that we recognize and can sing along with, and the exceptional teaching of Chuck.  That now has become our 10:30 service.

         The current streaming service from Swindoll's church isn't available until late Sunday afternoon so we always watch the previous Sunday's service.  So on Palm Sunday we watched the service from March 21 which featured their 5th and 6th grade choir and ensemble,  They were exceptional and touched my tender heart.

          I was touched first because they reminded me of our many years leading and teaching elementary age children in churches, VBS's, camps and in Awana.  I loved to lead children in enthusiastic singing and have so many good memories of that.  Unfortunately, those days are now gone but the memories are still there.  I thank the Lord for all of those opportunities when I was young and healthy enough to do it.

          And I was also touched because of the numbers which they sang - hymns which I loved.  One especially spoke to me, "In Times Like These".  Not only was it well done, but the words were so appropriate for the current messed up world in which we live.  Today we indeed need the Bible and a Savior.  I especially enjoy the final verse which states, "In times like these I have a Savior, In times like these I have an anchor;  I'm very sure, I'm very sure.   My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!"

           As they sang I sang along with them and prayed that the Lord would keep and use each of these precious children as they grow up in this troubled world.   May the words that they sang be a reality in their lives, as well as in my life. 

(1)   In times like these you need a Savior

In times like these you need an anchor;

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;

This Rock is Jesus, the only One!

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

(2)    In times like these you need the Bible,

In times like these O be not idle;

Be very sure, be very sure 

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;

This Rock is Jesus, the only One!

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;

This Rock is Jesus, the only One!

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

(3)    In times like these I have a Savior,

In times like these I have an anchor;

I'm very sure, I'm very sure

My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;

This Rock is Jesus, the only One!

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

But that wasn't all.  Six girls from the chorus concluded their part in the program by singing, in parts, with string accompaniment.  one of my favorite new songs.

1.     What love could remember, no wrongs we have done

Omniscient, all-knowing, He counts not their sum

Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

2:    What patience would wait as we constantly roam

What Father so tender is calling us home

He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

 3:     What riches of kindness He lavished on us

His blood was the payment His life was the cost

We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

 Chorus:   Praise the Lord

His mercy is more

Stronger than darkness

New every morn'

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

          Indeed it was a special program and the Lord spoke to me and touched my heart that morning.  Indeed we do need a Savior in these troubled times and we have One whose mercy is more than we need, greater than all of our sins.

Happy Birthday!

          There are a few things that I still miss about my 39 years of teaching.  One of those is celebrating my birthday on April 6.  On that day I would create mathematical clues to have my students discover my age.  Then I would celebrate by treating my students to good fresh doughnuts from Willow Valley.  But now the Willow Valley Bakery is no more and I am retired.  Life changes.

          So today you can be my student and solve the following.  My age is the product of five prime numbers, one of them used four times.  (Hint - I am not 112 although some days I feel that old,)  My age is a palindrome in bases 3, 6, 9, 15, 19 and 39.

          Now for you Bible students, I am the age that Moses was when he spoke to Pharaoh on behalf of his people.  The prophet Daniel was this old at the time of the banquet given by Belshazzar when he had to interpret the prophecy written on the wall of the royal palace.  This number is also used 16 times in the Bible.

          As far as what happened on the day I was born, with the exception of my birth, not much.  The invasion of Yugoslavia, also known as the April War or Operation 25, was a German-led attack on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers during World War II.   In the 8th US Masters Tournament at Augusta National Country Club - Craig Wood won his first major title, three strokes ahead of runner-up Byron Nelson.  And of course Gheorghe Zamfir, Romanian musician, and Hans W Geissendorfer, Augsburg Germany, director, were born the same day - whoever they were. 

          Now there were some "significant" things that happened on other April 6's. In 1722 Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia, ended the tax on men with beards.  Maybe Trump should have brought that tax back to fund the wall.  In 1830 Joseph Smith and five others organized the Mormon church in Seneca Co, NY.  But they never found that one wife was enough.  In 1889 George Eastman began selling his Kodak flexible rolled film for the first time.  Do you remember what that was like?  In 1893 Andy Bowen and Jack Burke boxed 7 hrs 19 mins to no decision (111 rounds).  It's good they didn't have advertisements then to add hours more to that record.  In 1909 the North Pole was reached by Americans Robert Peary and Matthew Henson.  Fortunately they made it before climate change took over.  In 1930 Hostess Twinkies were invented by bakery executive James Dewar.  Now that was a tasteful event.   In 1973 Yankee Ron Blomberg became the first designated hitter in baseball and he walked.  And the American League was changed forever.  And in 1980 Post It Notes were introduced.  Now they are hanging everywhere.   So many interesting things happened on April 6, but I guess my birth didn't make the list.

          April 6 is a great day!  It's not really my birthday, it is the anniversary of my birth.  X number of years ago I was born in a hospital in Sunbury. My father was able to watch my appearance, something I never had the opportunity to do with the birth of my three sons. But sometime after my birth they tore down the hospital and moved it to another location (which is now also closed.).  I wonder if my birth had anything to do with that decision.  They never even asked me if they could do it.  But they did build a new junior high in that location so my wife could attend it more than a decade later.

          Now what are my plans for celebration this year?  Well two days before we'll celebrate Easter, isolated at home.  Because of Covid we can't be with our family or go out to eat.  This marks the second birthday that we are forced to celebrate this way.  The day before I will celebrate by getting my second covid shot, watching the NCAA basketball championship on television and watching the Phillies lose.   On my birthday I will take my wife for an appointment with her cardiologist.  And that will be my exciting birthday experiences for 2021.

           Now, have you solved my puzzles?  If not, this might help.  In Roman numerals I am LXXX.  Surely you remember Roman numerals from many years ago.   And in base two I am exactly 10100002 years old.  Now do you have it?  If so, then treat yourself to a doughnut.  I wish I could join you.

           Seriously I have so much to thank the Lord for over all of these years.  He has been my provider, my protector, my guide and my faithful friend.  And He is my Savior.  What more could I ask?

Some day life's journey will be o'er

And I shall reach that distant shore,

I'll sing while ent'ring Heaven's door

"Jesus led me all the way."

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.

If God should let me there review

The winding paths of earth I knew,

It would be proven clear and true

Jesus led me all the way.

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.

And hitherto my Lord has led,

Today He guides each step I tread,

And soon in Heav'n it will be said

Jesus led me all the way.

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels

As I lay my burden down

"Jesus led me all the way.