This is a rant.

So our leader (we all know many others are pulling the strings) is talking about a 3-month suspension of the federal gas tax to "help ease the burden."

Every little bit helps, yes, but in this case, it's not going to make that much of a difference... and may actually make things worse longer-term.

#ThinkAboutIt

According to whitehouse.gov, the federal gas tax is 18 cents per gallon of gas, 24 cents per gallon of diesel.

So if you're paying $4.99/gal gas, it'll go down to $4.81.  Over 10 gallons of gas you'll save $1.80.  20 gallons, $3.60.  20 gallons at $4.999/gal = $99.98.  Shave off $3.60 and you're all the way down to $96.38.  Woo.  

I'm no mathemagician, but that ain't much.

According to TCSFuel.com, "semi-truck fuel tanks come in varying sizes, but they hold an average of 125 to 300 gallons of fuel."  So for this argument, I'll err on the high end (since I don't know squat about tractor-trailers). The 24 cents per gallon will make a bit more of difference there, but still, looking at the big picture, not that much. 

24 cents per gallon x 300 gallons is $72.  If diesel is already $5.60/gallon (pretty much what it is here), 300 gallons of that comes to $1680.  Shave off $72.  Woo.  Now of course nobody is filling those tanks from completely empty, but you get the point.

The North Carolina gas tax is 38.5 cents per gallon, according to igentax.com.  South Carolina and Tennessee are 26 cents per gallon, Virginia is 26.2 cents per gallon.  Georgia is 29.1 cents and Florida is 19 cents.  (Source - https://igentax.com/gas-tax-state/#table)

For gasoline, North Carolina has the highest state tax in the southeast.  I will give the devil his due, our main roads are for the most part in pretty good shape, nicely paved, lines painted, etc.  Our secondary roads, they're absolute trash in most cases, but that's another argument for another day.

(According to NCDOR.gov, "Effective January 1, 2017, the motor fuels tax rate is set at a flat rate of 34 cents per gallon multiplied by a percentage. The percentage is plus or minus the sum of the annual percentage change in state population for the applicable calendar year, multiplied by 75% and the annual energy index percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, multiplied by 25%.")

NC has a diesel tax of 38.5 cents/gal.  Add that in with the fed's 24 and you have 62 cents/gal.  Over 300 gallons, that's $186.

A few drops in the bucket.  Every little bit helps, yes, but..........

In case you were wondering, per the igentax.com website, the highest gas tax in the nation is Pennsylvania (57.6 cents/gallon) followed by California at 51.1 cents/gallon.

Sadly, suspension of the tax isn't going to lower prices in the long term.  According to TaxFoundation.org, "the savings from zeroing out the gas tax would likely be enjoyed at least in part by producers, rather than passed entirely to consumers.  Even if savings were passed to consumers in the form of lower gas prices, it could make the misalignment between demand and supply worse—-reducing taxes on gasoline could spur further increased demand for gas, and in turn, higher prices."

If you still really believe this is a "Putin price hike," well, you're entitled to believe what you want, even if you're wrong.  Sure, some of this is the fact that we're no longer buying Russian oil, but prices were spiraling upwards long before the first shot was fired in Ukraine.  Remember, our president, on his first day, shut down the Keystone pipeline and subsequently placed crippling regulations on oil companies.  Because that's what his masters told him to do.

Want to TRULY help people?  Cut income taxes, slash business regulations, especially on oil companies.  Open it up and drill, baby, drill.  We have enough resources right here in the US to be energy independent (again) and put thousands of workers BACK to work.  Restore the pipeline(s).  No, the effect wouldn't be immediate -- I believe we're going to have these prices through at least the end of the summer -- but increasing supply, using THE ABUNDANT RESOURCES WE HAVE HERE instead of relying on enemy states, would be huge.

And don't talk to me about 9,000 leases or whatever the left's talking point is on that.  Even a few minutes' thought on that causes one to realize that there isn't oil on all of those lands, and with the crippling regulations the left keeps placing on oil companies, what incentive do they have to do anything?  Why would they risk even MORE regulations?  I wouldn't.  

The Dems' stated goal (and yes, our inept leader said the quiet part out loud in recent days) of getting everyone to electric vehicles... I'm glad they believe we have a power grid capable of plugging in however-many-million electric cars every night.  You think your light bill is high now?!  Get yourself a $55,000 electric car and plug that baby in every night.  But it'll help the environment!  No, it won't.  Where do the resources come from to build those batteries?  What happens to the batteries when they eventually wear out?  

But at least I'll save $2.46 per 13.7-gallon tankful in my Cruze.  Woo.

My son and I were gifted tickets to see the Atlanta Braves on July 20th.  I decided to upload the pics as part of a blog, broken down into three groups -- the stadium tour, downtown images taken by Nathan, and then the game.

Here's part 1 - the Battery and around the ballpark, and then the ballpark tour.  Click/tap on each to enlarge.  Some images are captioned.

There are a few I want to post as standalone....

Nathan wanted to go into downtown Atlanta to see the sights.  He handled the camera while I drove.  These are a selection of the pictures he took.  Again, click/tap on each to enlarge.

Finally, there was a baseball game, in which the Washington Nationals defeated the Braves by a score of 5-3.  The key highlight was a home run by Brian McCann into the Chop House in the 7th inning.  These pics are both from the "good" camera and my phone.  Nathan took nearly all of these pics.   Again, click/tap to make 'em bigger.

It was a wonderful experience, one that we wouldn't have been able to have had it not been for this friend.  I spent more money than I should have, but as someone once said, money can be earned back, but time... can't.  

DISCLAIMER:  I'm writing this from the comfort of a home-away-from-home.  After convincing from family and my landlord, I made the decision late Thursday / early Friday that my son and I need to leave Whiteville.  I have been fortunate enough to have been fed and watered, have had air conditioning and a comfortable bed while the storm raged wind, blinding rain, and tornadoes over the city and county I call home.

I write this with the full realization that a great many people have not enjoyed such luxuries.  Including people I know and love... people who had National Guard troops show up at their door telling them, "you're leaving now."  

I will try to be as sensitive as I can with my words.  And with most things I attempt in life, I will likely fail.  If your feelings get hurt, that's your problem.  End disclaimer.

A meteorologist friend of mine in Virginia stated before the storm struck that they had individuals on their Facebook friends list upset that the storm wasn't hitting there.

Let me repeat that... they were upset... that the storm... was NOT... going to strike their location.

I've been furious and kind of stewing over it since my friend stated this.  

Why on Earth would ANYONE ...WANT... this kind of storm to hit?  What kind of sick individual would wish what has happened in [[Whiteville, Lumberton, Riegelwood, Lake Waccamaw, Tabor City, Nakina, Leland, Wilmington, Loris, Longs, et al]] to hit... ANY location?

I know meteorologists and storm enthusiasts... and other general idiots... who look forward to the wild weather hitting, so they can chase the storm, or maybe ride around taking pictures, getting lots of shares, getting their name in print, making it look like they're some kind of special.  They have nothing at stake, so it's "fun" to them.  They don't have a home in the direct path, or loved ones in the direct path.  So they don't care.  They're only doing it for themselves, their goal is not to "inform" or to help people.  Their motivation is purely self-interest and name recognition. 

A certain famous "extreme meteorologist" comes to mind, and a certain famous meteorologist from a national weather-related broadcast network comes to mind.

Those mentioned above are different from meteorologists who look at these once-in-a-generation storms as tests of their forecasting skills, wall-to-wall, non-stop work.  THOSE are meteorologists who ARE trying to help protect people, who are trying to inform the public, working to help keep people informed and safe.  Whether or not the public follows their recommendations is another story altogether.  They don't look forward to the destruction and devastation caused by a potentially cat-4 storm striking.

There are members of the public who assume the meteorologists are "over-hyping" the storm... stating that we're somehow making it sexier than it would be... that what was then a category-FOUR storm with 140 mph winds... somehow it just "won't be THAT bad."  

The storm weakened to a 2, and then a 1.  So from a wind standpoint, SE NC and NE SC dodged a huge bullet.  Got very, very lucky.  (By the way... "category" ONLY has to do with the wind.  Not the volume of rain coming, or the forward speed of the storm.  A hurricane's category rating is exclusively based on wind speed.  As we have seen, a 2 or a 1 can bring about just as much devastation as a 5.)

Meteorologists didn't get it wrong.  Florence was every bit the badass as she was advertised.  The winds came and went, and the rains continued.  And continued.  And continued.  Then they stopped for a bit... and then Florence went out with a bang with tremendous rainfall and tornadoes... just to add insult to injury.

My county is still recovering from Hurricane Matthew two years ago.  Long-promised recovery funds are still sitting in someone's pocket in Raleigh.  Because politicians.  It'll be my pleasure to vote against the good "governor" Cooper at the next election.  

While people wait, Florence came along and left Columbus County lying on the mat, desperately holding on to the bottom ring rope to stop the referee's count. 

Cities and towns were submerged. 

The beautiful Lake Waccamaw showed a devastatingly angry side, rose over her banks, and destroyed nearly everything in her sight. 

Picturesque White Marsh raged over roads, through neighborhoods, and as of this writing STILL blocks major roads east of Whiteville. 

Soules Swamp submerged a large portion of downtown Whiteville.  Small businesses, still recovering from Matthew, have received a brutal body-blow. 

Some will rebuild (again), some may decide to cut their losses, take the insurance money, and run.  I certainly wouldn't blame them. 

The eastern half of the county still remains largely isolated from society. 

The National Guard, fire departments, first responders, and many others selflessly worked to rescue innocent people from the rising flood waters... from their own homes. 

Imagine yourself sitting in your living room with waters rising all around you... desperately hoping and praying those National Guard troops get to you before you drown?  .....in places where it never floods?!

Tell me again WHY you would WANT this to happen in your area?  

The power has been out for many days... in 90-degree heat... with humidity... with nighttime temps in the mid 70s.  

Tell me again WHY you would WANT this to happen in your area?

Farmlands ruined by nearly 30 inches of rain.  Crops lost.  Thousands and thousands of dollars and an entire summer's work lost.  Sure, that's what insurance is for, but still....

Tell me again WHY you would WANT this to happen in your area?

People in one of the emergency shelters had to be re-evacuated and taken to another place... and were told to leave the stuff they had at the shelter behind.  They had to be emergently re-evacuated because the shelter was damaged and water was rushing in.

Tell me again WHY you would WANT this to happen in your area?

Trees down, power lines down... countless trees and power lines.  Old trees that have been around for decades... down and killed.  Absolute destruction everywhere.  Roads impassable.  Roads washed away, destroyed, and it will be many weeks before they're open again.

Tell me again WHY you would WANT this to happen in your area?

Homes ruined.  COUNTLESS homes ruined by the flood waters.  That's not something you can just shop-vac up and call it done.  Water ruins the sheet rock, the studs, the carpeting, the flooring.  Mold develops.  All of that has to be torn out and rebuilt.  Yeah, for the most part, FEMA or insurance will cover the repairs, but.....

Tell me again WHY you would WANT this to happen in your area?

All of your belongings destroyed by the flood waters.  Those photo albums that got submerged in feet of sewage- and insect-infested water.  Irreplaceable family heirlooms destroyed.  Things you've had for generations, passed down from long-deceased family members.   Will FEMA money or insurance replace those?

Tell me again WHY you would WANT this to happen in your area?

Rivers cresting higher than they have ever crested in recorded history.  The water rolling downstream... devastating areas with a new wave of flooding a couple days after the storm is gone.  

Tell me again WHY you would WANT this to happen in your area?

Where's that "extreme meteorologist" now?  Oh, last I heard he is still in Wilmington because there aren't any roads open in or out of the city.  Good for him.  Maybe he can do something to help homeowners pick up the pieces.  (But I'm sure his fame gets him free services wherever he wants to go.)  

Where's that famous guy from that national TV network?  Oh, the storm's over, and so is his work.  He got to flex his biceps on TV, make himself look great, pretend to care..... but now that the REAL battle begins, seeeee ya.  

Gas is in short supply in some areas, while other areas are able to get back on their feet a little more quickly.  Food and life necessities are critically low in some areas.  People who are normally "spoiled" in life now have to enjoy MREs, sleep on cots, or a floor.  People are still in the dark, they're hot, smelly, and exceedingly short on patience.  

Please... PLEASE tell me... WHY you would WANT this to happen... not only in your area... but in ANY area?  

The images below are courtesy The News Reporter and various contributors, and other sources such as Facebook. 

Tell me, again, why you are such a despicable individual that you'd WANT this to happen. 

Go ahead.  Click on them and enlarge.  Take a good look. 

I've been wanting to write for a while, and a close friend (actually a couple close friends) suggested I write.  But struggling to decide what to write about.

Until February 14, 2018, when Nikolas Cruz, with cold murder in his heart and no amount of humanity remaining in his soul, caused the lives of 17 people to come to an end.  And politicians getting on the TV assuming they alone have all the answers.

I don't profess anything.  I'm the least qualified of anyone in America to write about how to "fix" the wiring in these kids' heads... that causes them to commit such an act.  But the First Amendment allows me to opine on the subject.

​You can make up a million-and-one new gun laws.  Maybe perhaps we could actually enforce the ones we have now.  

But here's the thing:  

Nobody can stop evil people from doing evil things.  

Their hearts are corrupt and damaged beyond repair.  

Shooting up a school is no different than an ISIS operative lobbing off someone's head.  

The person doing it has been broken of their humanity.  Their heart has been destroyed.

Until you somehow "fix" the root of a person's heart, this kind of thing (or similar) will continue to happen, over and over again.  

Socialism isn't going to stop it.  Books upon books of gun laws isn't going to stop it.  Maybe it will slow them down, yes, make it a little harder... 

...but if a person is truly set to do evil, they'll do it.  

And it's a conscious choice on their part to do the act.  

When a person takes the time and money to buy a weapon (or multiple weapons), either legally or illegally, they take the time to plot out an attack, they physically take themselves to the location, and carry out the attack.... that's all a conscious choice on their part. 

All of the other factors that politicians and brainless "celebrities" like to endorse -- the gun, society, Donald Trump/Republicans/GOP, the green grass, depression, drugs.... none of that matters anymore. 

The person carried out a deliberate act. 

Of their own volition. 

Someone who is "crazy" doesn't plot out something like that.  

Blaming anything/everything else... that only provides the actual killer with aid and comfort.  You make excuses for them.  You're helping them.  

Me?  I think "fixing" the problem should start at home.  As parents.  

Parents... not "society at large"... have the responsibility of raising their kids.  Monitoring their social media accounts.  Being educated on the latest text-message shorthand acronyms.  Staying one step ahead.  

Society/government should not be the mommy and daddy.  If you think they should be, then why don't we just surrender all children to the State the day after their born?  Why not?  

By saying it's society's role or government's role to raise children, essentially that's what you're advocating.  You're jettisoning your own responsibility as the parent. 

If the two of you created that child, why can't the two of you be responsible for raising that child?  Teaching little Johnny or little Suzy right from wrong.  Rewarding them when they make correct, good, and honorable choices, and lowering the boom on them when they don't.  That's how they learn.

Parents tell their child not to touch the burner on the stove... but you let them do it because that's how they learn.  They learn, real quick, "Shazaaam, that kinda sucked.  Maybe mom and dad aren't as dumb as they look."  

And yes, this should even include invading so-called "privacy" such as a journal/diary, or their room, or their computer / phone / tablet.  

An article on Fox News documented that a Washington state grandmother likely thwarted another tragedy by reading in her grandson's journal... he had made "upcoming and credible threats" of a plot to attack a high school.  Turns out he had the means and capability.  But she had the courage to invade his so-called privacy, alerted law enforcement, and now the 18-year-old is in jail.  Where he belongs.  

Setting rules and boundaries, and initiating punishments when those rules or boundaries are broken.  

NEWS FLASH:   As a parent, you're not your child's "BFF."   They are not "equal" to you in rank in the household.  "That's not how any of this works."

Kids don't respect authority because they're being brought up not to respect authority in the home.  You're the parent.  You're the authority.  They're the child.  It's not a democracy.  

NEWS FLASH:   Your child shouldn't automatically get everything they want, even if they stomp their foot and throw a temper tantrum.  Shove them in their room, shut the door, and let them scream it out.  They'll survive.

NEWS FLASH:   Giving little Johnny a firm pop on the behind or speaking to him in a sharp, loud voice when he steps out of line isn't going to make little Johnny the next Nikolas Cruz.  On the contrary, it'll probably make him a better citizen.  

We didn't have school shootings "back in the day," even though there were gun racks in every pick-up truck.  Children learned how to handle and fire weapons... at a young age... and also learned to respect the instrument that was in their hands.  

We didn't have school shootings "back in the day" ... because parents were allowed to actually discipline their children without the fear of some government moonbat in a suit showing up at the door with their own guns drawn... because you dared pop little Suzy on the rear end when she stepped over the line.

There are some societial influences... society isn't totally blameless:  We didn't have school shootings "back in the day" because we didn't have video games and music that glorified such actions.  Not one time did Pac-Man or Qbert pick up a gun to shoot another kid.  Super Mario fired little fireballs at jumping turtles with wings.  I'm not aware of any piece of music or rap before the 1990s that advocated gun violence and killing people for sport.  Instead of playing violent games and listening to violent music, kids were outside playing in the dirt, drinking from a garden hose, hitting a ball with a stick.  

But guess what?  They also played cops-and-robbers, and good-guys-and-bad-guys, and cowboys-and-indians (without being called racists!), all without having the impulse to kill everyone in sight (for real).  

I myself got plenty of beatings as a child.  I very much remember what it was like getting the yard stick (that was the "switch" of choice in my household growing up).  In actuality I probably should have had even more beatings.  

Nathan has it easy in my home, yes.  I'm nowhere near as strict as I should be.  But he knows right from wrong, and he also knows very well when he crosses a line ... it doesn't end well for him.  While he has it easy, my home is still not a democracy.  It IS a dictatorship, and I am the judge, jury, and executioner.  He doesn't get a say in the matter.  Like I said, when he DOES cross the line, it usually ends up with tears on his part.

No... you don't beat your kids to the point of submission or numbness.  That, too, crosses a line.  There's punishment, and then there is abuse.  A pop on the behind is the last resort.  

The movie, "A Christmas Story."  When Ralphie drops the f-bomb at dad.  He ended up with that bar of soap in his mouth.  I'm honestly surprised that's allowed to be shown today... I'm amazed some leftist group hasn't come out condemning that as blatant child abuse.

Actually if we do that a little bit more, 8-, 9-, 10-year-old kids wouldn't have language saltier than brine.  

What does any of this do to "fix" the corrupt, wounded hearts of kids now?  Nothing.  That's where we probably should be more proactive. 

It's unfortunate, but having armed security at schools, OR arming the teachers and staff.  Have them undergo extensive background checks, and when they pass the checks, train them, and arm them.  I'd have no problem if I pulled in the parking lot to drop Nathan off at school if I saw Mr. Worthington with a piece holstered on his belt.  It would actually make me feel quite good.  

Metal detectors at each entrance/exit.  Locking down once the school day has begun... having a "double entry" where you enter one set of doors and are met with an armed 'greeter' to find out who you are and what you want, and then step through the metal detector. 

Yeah, our schools will seem like prisons, but if it keeps the kids safe, I'm all for it.  

But that doesn't FIX the problem.

"Lets make this law" and "lets make a new law" -- none of that works.  You'd think these idiot politicians would get that.  As I said much earlier, all the laws in the world aren't going to stop someone who woke up this morning with cold murder in their heart.  They're going to do it.  The only hope is to have the courage to stop them before they can act upon it, like the Washington state grandmother.  

The answer, in my view, doesn't lie with the State.  Politicians only care about themselves and getting rich.  A large, large part of fixing the problem starts at home.  

But what do I know?

Mississippi State University is the only school (that I'm aware of) with all-online programs for bachelors (and masters) degrees in meteorology.  In 2010, when I decided it was time to change the direction in my life course, this was a perfect fit for a then 37-year-old nobody from a no-name town who wanted to make something of himself, and maybe provide a better life for the family. 

Some people derided my decision about online schooling, saying it was a "soft choice," implying that the coursework is somehow easier.  I assure you, it's not.  There are a myriad different ways it's more difficult.   Make no mistake, distance learning is very convenient.  I don't have to spend my days in lecture halls and commuting to/from a campus.  I can do my homework... "whenever"... as long as it's submitted by the due date and time.  That's where the easy part ends.  

On the other hand, it's harder because you don't have a professor right in front of you to ask a question, or a classmate, etc.  The detractors say, "well you can use your book (or Google) for your tests."  While that technically is true, there are time limits on the online tests, and if you think you can look up the answers to multiple essay questions or 100 M/C questions over a 50-minute time limit, you give it a try.  You still have to know the material.  

A distance-learning program such as this allowed me to continue working my regular job, allowed me to continue being a husband and father, and allowed me the flexibility of doing my coursework at 2 in the morning, as often was the case.  It allowed me to pursue the opportunity to take a lifelong hobby and make it (hopefully) a career... or at least open some doors to some other opportunities that were not going to come my way continuing to work in a dying industry.  I knew a change needed to be made, but I also knew that I didn't want to just "settle" for working some minimum- or low-wage job somewhere, and being miserable in the process.  I was already achieving that particular goal... especially the misery.

But that's not the point of this blog.

I caught wind recently of an individual retiring from the news media who apparently has a pathological hatred for everything Mississippi State stands for.  I'm honestly not sure what his claim to fame is.  I don't want to give this
"in-duh-vidual" any press by listing his name, but suffice it to say I had never heard of him before today, and I'm already glad he's retiring... the world is a better place.  For the sake of this blog, we'll just call him "Dan."  "Dan" wrote in his blog that, quote, "we’ve watched a small university in America’s poorest state become an online factory for TV weather guessers."

While "Dan" certainly is entitled to his opinion -- we still do have the First Amendment -- his comment shows a high level of ignorance about the Mississippi State Operational and Applied Meteorology programs.  Calling us "weather guessers" is an insult to the years of math and science that we study to earn our degrees.  (It's the same level of insult when someone says we're wrong 70% of the time but still keep our job.)  I'm sure there are many who have "earned" a watered-down degree, those who developed a sharp command of "how to use Google to answer test questions" -- but I'm sure that occurs everywhere.  (I personally watched kids at Southeastern Community College with their phones in their lap during exam times, every few minutes looking up to see where the instructor was, and then quickly thumbing something on that phone.  (I always wondered why teachers weren't more suspicious of kids looking down at their crotch during test sessions.))  It's okay, these folks will be exposed the first day they get a job someplace and have no clue what they're doing.  

But I digress.  You have to put in countless hours of homework and study and test-taking and lecture-viewing to earn the degree from Mississippi State.  I can personally attest to the joy and tears that have come on this rollercoaster ride.  I have worked very hard over the past several years to earn my degree.

A few tidbits about the Meteorology programs at Mississippi State:

"This program focuses on the study of atmospheric processes and climatic variability. Upon completion of the program (operational emphasis), students will have met the coursework requirements for the National Weather Service, the private meteorology sector, or they may continue their education in graduate school. Students choosing the program with the broadcast emphasis can also work for the National Weather Service and also earn the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval.

"The Professional Meteorology Program (PMP) track prepares students for graduate school and/or a career as an operational forecaster.  Outside of the core meteorology curriculum, PMP students are encouraged/expected to take courses in advanced mathematics (calculus), statistics, computer programming, Remote Sensing, GIS, and other courses depending upon individual students' interests.

"Recent graduates from the PMP have attended meteorology and climatology graduate programs at the University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, Florida State University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and others. The USDA, the EPA, the Weather Channel, and the National Weather Service also employ our PMP graduates as forecasters." (Miss. State)

Some argue that MSU's program is somehow "subpar" ... or "Meteorology Lite" because it doesn't have the Calculus requirements (at least the program I have enrolled in -- Operational Meteorology) that would be found at OU or Penn.  That said, I took Calculus at the community college level, struggled through the course, but ultimately passed the course, so that argument is rendered moot.  I understand that the National Weather Service has further calculus course requirements; these courses can be obtained online from various locations, and can also be taken at an accredited community college.  Any other coursework needed to obtain the AMS Seal can be acquired via distance learning from various locations.  (Broadcast meteorologists use little advanced calculus on a day-to-day basis.)

I don't regret my decision to enroll at Mississippi State University.  I regret not being able to be a part of the whole "campus life" experience -- football games, parties, classrooms, etc. -- but the Distance Learning program has served me quite well.  I have been able to pursue my dream.  In December, I will, to borrow a phrase from Ric Flair, "walk that aisle" at graduation, and my degree will say "Bachelor of Science" .... NOT "weather guesser."  

So, "Dan," you can kiss this Bulldog's a**.  

Why are we always in such a rush?  

It seems that we're always rushing through life.  

We spend all of our time with our eyes staring at our phones, that little digital world that we just can't possibly live without.  It's sad to go to a restaurant and see two people sitting at a table, no conversation between them, both looking straight down at their phone.

We're rushing to get from point 'A' to point 'B'.  We get on the road, we have our destination in mind, and to heck with anyone who gets in our way.  Hurry up and get there, now!

We rush through our work day, likely at the behest of a manager somewhere, the manager always demanding more, more, more.  The more widgets you produce in that 8-hour shift, the more profit the manager makes.  Even if your widget quality becomes somewhat sub-par. 

We rush through our daily routine in our homes, because everyone has to be someplace different at the exact same time.  Sometimes I wonder if parents forget their children's names because it's such a whirlwind of indifference.

We rush to get our news, and you can get whatever "news" fits your taste!  Back to that little digital world we inhabit, where we can get 24/7 news for liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, jokers, kids, and everything in between.  Even fake news!

Back to that little digital world we inhabit... heaven forbid we don't read and respond to that text message right this very moment, even if we're traveling down the interstate.  The sender of the text might be upset with that lack of immediate response.

We rush to offend, and rush to be offended.  

At every. little. thing.  

Why can't things just wait a minute?  

You don't exactly "save" that much time by driving 10 mph over the limit for a 30- or 40-minute commute.  You save, at most, a couple of minutes.  But you put everyone else's life at risk.  Is your destination THAT important?

Why is it impossible to leave the phone at home when going to the store, or going out to eat with friends?  Does our life depend on keeping that piece of circuitry, plastic, and glass in our hands at ALL times?  

Does life depend on responding to the text message that very moment?  It can't wait 5 minutes?

Maybe that's where our society is going wrong... we can't communicate anymore.  We can't look at someone else's face and talk to them... just simply talk.  About anything:  The weather, the ballgame last night, the man in the moon.

We can't make a phone call... instead we have to send a text.  And we can't even spell out the words properly in the text!  Are we really THAT lazy?  "I'll c u l8r."  Really?

It's a beautiful day today in southeast NC.  The sky is a deep, crystal-clear blue.  Fields are green, or are rapidly greening.  Greens and blues abound today.  How many people slow down enough to even notice?  What harm is there in slowing down just a bit... maybe allowing yourself a little extra time on that drive to Walmart.  Time to "take the back way," roll down the window, drive a little slower, take a deep breath, enjoy the day. 

We're wound so tight... I'm sure the idea of slowing down is quite foreign indeed.  

How about taking the long way home from work, just this once?  

Turn off the GPS and actually look out the window!  Guess what?  There's nothing wrong with getting "lost" once in a while.

Turn off the phone and actually talk face-to-face with someone!  ...or better yet, leave the phone at home.  

Is part of problem the fact we're a 24/7/365 society?  We no longer work a certain "shift," a set number of hours.  We take our work home with us; "bzzzz" goes that phone and we MUST respond RIGHT AWAY.  

Unless you're negotiating a nuclear weapons deal with North Korea, whatever the matter is, it really can wait.  

Bulletpoints.  

• We survived thousands of years without little electronic gizmos in our pockets.
• We survived thousands of years not rushing and multitasking through our day-to-day lives with hardly a moment to spare.  
• We survived thousands of years actually talking face to face, giving our complete, undivided attention to whom we are speaking.
• We survived thousands of years taking a few extra minutes to "take in" our surroundings, to acknowledge, gosh, it's a really nice day today.  
• We survived thousands of years not being nosy about what our neighbors are doing and with whom.
• We survived thousands of years not being a 24/7/365 society.  

My friend Jefferson Weaver posts a blog occasionally that references playing with the dog, making faces at a cat... enjoying LIFE.  God gave us LIFE.  He gives us everything... EVERYTHING.  He granted engineers the knowledge to develop the little electronic nightmare on which you read this blog.  He granted people the knowledge on how to build and operate roads, cars, airplanes, office buildings, pianos, supermarkets, restaurants, etc.  He granted farmers the knowledge on how to raise crops, like that corn that is starting to come up quite nicely in my local area.  The list of God's Goodness is endless.

Why can't we take 2 seconds to think about and appreciate these things?  

And be grateful.

I learned in a very severe way late last summer that life is very, very short... really a matter of mere minutes on the grand timeline of the eternities.  It's a shame we spend those precious few minutes in such a blinding rush.