Anybody who was somebody left Sunday to go with Wednesday to Tuesday's house by Monday.

How about everyone putting up a smaller one of their own. We keep one up year round in our home. This year is the first year we plan to put one up outside.

Owners didn't do anything about "the protests" until the continuation of same affected their bottom lines. There are plenty of right ways to work for change. or help out in your community, or protest. Taking a knee during the national anthem to protest anything is showing disrespect for our country, and the men and women who died or were maimed protecting or defending this nation. Might I suggest those so inclined pay for tv, billboard, magazine, or newspaper ads to get their point across or even better get active in their communities and help change others lives for the better. Surely if the players are so united in a cause, they could take one community at a time and make a difference. That is unless the protest is all about them as individuals (with needy egos) and not their brothers. And I'll just breathe a last prayer, dear God, bless us all with patience and understanding and give us peace.

PulletSurprise, I'd say I don't want money, but that would be a lie.

It's just the other folks I meet in my life that want some from me--the grocer, the local tax collector, the electricity provider, the doctor, all those lawyers in congress, that car note holder I have because I really don't want to walk 15 miles one way to work, the insurance agents, the bankers, the beggars or con "persons" on the phone, and all those charities that just need a small monthly donation.

My problem is that I like to spend money for all the prior mentioned things---in addition to clothing, shelter, food, computer/tv time and medicines. Somehow the incoming funds are trying to catch up with the out going funds. Right now, if nothing else happens, in the next 6 years or so, If I'm careful not to buy anything else, get sick or nothing else breaks in the household, money won't be a problem for me 'cause everyone else will have what I've earn drafted out of my bank account before I get any "money" to spend.

So sp-lain Lucy, how this progressive view of my wanting money means that I'm evil and need to be very very careful.

Why doesn't someone start with challenging the new laws restricting and defying federal law to the Supreme Court? Can't those passing the laws be charged with aiding and abetting lawbreakers? Seems like a lot of those liberal judges are quick to challenge federal laws. Why aren't the state judges being challenged when they seek to gut federal law? Why isn't someone getting arrested for defying and breaking federal law? Why isn't the federal government challenging the state laws that seek to prevent adherence to federal law? Seems like there ought to be some way to arrest those aiding abetting the breaking of national laws since federal law trumps state law. Not a lawyer, someone care to explain to those of us who don't understand how a town, state, law enforcement officer, elected or appointed official can hinder a federal law enforcement officer or seek to protect someone breaking national law? For example at a traffic stop you cam be arrested for hindering an investigation if you voice opposition to someone being stopped as a person of interest. As a driver in a getaway car you are guilty of murder if a cohort k**ls someone in a bank...The husband or wife who gets locked up when they object when an abusing spouse gets arrested for interfering with a police officer in the performance of their duty when that spouse objects to the arrest.. Just saying..someone explain please. <This should be good.>

If I had any I would, unfortunately Obama's left me with "change." <smirk> Registered independent, 'cause I still like to think for myself and have been know to argue both sides of a debate. Of course, I lose arguments with myself too! <sigh>

Have conceal carry permit, not permitted to carry to work. Will that one work for you Srloren39? Good lawsuit for loved one left behind if something happens on the job.

Couldn't tell, don't know. Nice enough kid. Polite, well-spoken, neat, clean. Dressed in food service work uniform. I don't know about this but I'll pass one of mom's sayings on...'cause I honestly think that in a time of disaster that I'd take exception to it and I've seen some homeless a time or two, "you can't help being poor, but you can be neat and clean." Guess that was just the folks she knew or our life circumstances. Mom'd just about scrub the hide off if we were dirty, the clothes were clean and neatly patched (even if there weren't that many of them). I know from the cashier side that "food stamps" didn't buy soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. So guess what I take when we're taking to a family that needs help? You guessed it, well maybe sort of-- Dawn, All, Baby Wash, razors, paper towels/plates/cups, toothpaste, tooth brushes. Darn it, now I've got to get that child a "friendship basket" with a gift card to Food Lion. Why? Because it'll bother me as a "sin of omission" if I don't.

We're not talking about how atheists got prayer kicked out of schools and schools are creating safe spaces and Muslim prayer rooms and teaching Muslim religion with our tax dollars.
We're not talking about teachers injecting their political bias into the classroom instead of teaching the students that they are supposed to teach.
We're not talking about bullying of students by teachers when the students don't agree with the teacher, been around a while automatic fail if student doesn't agree or comply with teacher's view.
We're not talking about the loss of debate sk**ls, when name calling results instead of sticking to the issues-pro or con.
We're not talking about how we can be proactive to help others, and not by protesting.
We're not talking about how we can "get up off that thing" and make a real difference, starting with one person, family, neighborhood, block, town, county, state, region.
We're not talking about how we should be paying our blessings forward.
We're not talking about how we need to find something positive about each day.
We're not talking about how sharing a smile can make someone's day.
We're not talking about how " "I' need to make a difference in someone's life today" and going forth and doing so.
We're not talking about how something we have in excess can help another and going about giving it away.

What's your "we're not talking about" trigger phrase?

No so sure about snap never had it. Grew up with the era of food surplus, no one wanted to stay on it unless they had to do so. Pinto beans-dried, navy beans-dried, rice, flour, lard, dry milk, rolled oats, split green peas, govt cheese, peanut butter, canned spam, dried eggs. Mom added yeast or baking powder, home canned tomatoes or corn, and some potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, onions, sugar, vanilla. Not the fare of steak, ground beef, ham, chicken I saw going through the grocery lines on those who used "food stamps" as a newly wed cashier. Seems like a whole better premise would be to limit items that could be purchased on snap the same way wick is limited. No colas, candy, sugar, processed snacks, meats, high dollar meal bars either. More hungry persons could have snap, however, you wouldn't want it unless you really needed it. Recently saw a young girl buying over $15 dollars worth of snack foods for a meal because she was hungry--with an EBT card at a gas station. In a grocery store or outlet grocery store that's eggs, milk, a loaf of bread, peanut butter, cheese, even jelly or grits. Enough for multiple meals not just one meal and a snack. Kept my mouth shut though, it was so hard to do....The things that aren't taught these days. [Sigh.]

I remember having to get my daughter, who is now 46, a social security card as an infant (under one year of age) in the state of NC, believe it had to do with claiming her as a dependent on income taxes...that goes back to the early 1970's. My mother and father in law had NC ID and driver's licenses even though both were in a nursing home and were in their 80's when they died, that's back to late 1920's and early 1930's. We're in our late 60's and early 70's that's back to the late 40's and early 50's. Most everyone I know has always had a driving license since they were 14-16 years of age. Here in NC if you don't have a license as a teen you sit at home. Not much public t***sportation available. Now my dad's mom and dad couldn't read and write but(you got it) they both had NC identification. So sorry for all those folks who don't have proper Id, don't you think it's time they came up with some? Let's see, I need mine for the doctor, the bank, a job, the IRS, insurance, driving, medication, weddings, births, travel, Medicare, jury duty, and on and on ....so what's so bad about showing it as a citizen to v**e? Just asking!

I remember when you went to church on Sunday morning (Sunday School and preaching) and evening (Training Union and preaching), Wednesday evening Bible Study and preaching and had a covered dish meal fellowship on Friday that most all members attended. I remember what is called a Blue Law Sunday and almost everything was closed...things still got bought and sold, just not on Sunday.

I remember when parents taught you right and wrong and the government, social services, and cps stayed out of it. God, the church, and your church community were your guides. I remember when it was shameful to ask for help, but your church, family, and friends would help you without being asked.

I remember when having a job and doing it well were something to be proud of, instead of asking what's in it for me, when do I get coffee and phone breaks and how much can I get by with not doing. I remember when not doing the job for which you were paid to do would have been considered stealing.

I remember mom teaching us how to cook as we stood behind the table and helped fix the meal. I remember a wringer washer and wash tub and h*****g clothes out on the clothes line to freeze, only to bring them back in again to dry around the wood heat stove. I remember sharing a bedroom with a grandmother and 2 sisters. I remember pulling weeds in the garden, planting, watering, harvesting, canning food so there'd be something to eat in the winter. I remember owning 3 sets of underwear, 2 pairs of shoes, and 3 changes of school clothes, one church dress, one heavy coat and one sweater. Shorts were pants that got too short and weren't fit as a hand-me-down.

I remember binding together to help one another to get tasks accomplished, roofing, bringing in the coal, digging an out house, weeding, k*****g chickens, hand scrubbing clothes, whirly lawn mower. I remember 78 records, the radio, and holding the antenna for one of 3 tv stations.

I remember when disrespecting Anyone, especially an adult would get your butt whipped or you mouth smacked and if you'd complain you'd get more of the same. I remember when you were held accountable for your actions, no excuses, after all God sees all and excuses won't work when you meet Him face to face at judgement day--the parents were just teaching you the rules.

I remember when you knew mom and dad loved you because they were there everyday, no matter what. Heck, I remember when there weren't baby daddy's and baby momma's because you were husband and wife before there were children and you knew there was only one possibility of who was the parent (or if you didn't, no one was talking).

I remember when telling a lie was considered a sin and now it's just hype, spin, politics, or marketing.

All of these "I remembers", makes me glad I grew up in a Christian home with both parents and a Christian community who practiced what they preached.

We watched out for each other and helped one another, bullying and such weren't allowed even among siblings.

We had enough, though times were sometimes rough. Didn't have a lot materially, however; we had each other, a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, medical care when absolutely necessary, and most importantly our faith in God and His purpose for and in our lives.

I'm still growing as His Child, working on doing what he'd have me do, taking it one day at a time, one hour, or even one minute as I move forward in my life span. And just so you know, sometimes God does say, "not right now, maybe, and sometimes an outright "no"" to our prayers instead of saying, "yes."

It's up to us to just keep on trusting Him and keep doing His will.

God bless each and everyone of you, your families and your loved ones. I pray that each day you have Enough to carry you on your life's journey.

Normally I cook for two, I used to cook for three and planned meals for six (on a regular basis) so that there'd be enough left-overs for one meal. With only a refrigerator freezer, I make "tv" dinners from scratch which I freeze in 3 cup Glad containers. Both hubby and I usually weigh less when we eat mostly at home. I prepare "base" fixings for meals to which I add additional meats or vegetables. Generally speaking I can have a meal on the table in under 30 minuets, if I have the base ingredients on hand. I have done volunteer cooking for nonprofit organizations during fundraising. For the last 10 years or so, I cook for 50 at Christmas, all at my house on a regular 4-burner electric stove with a standard oven.

Couple of rules in my kitchen/house

The cook cleans the prep and cooking pots and pans, always: usually cleaned and put away before the meal is placed on the table. [Have noticed in commercial settings cooks who don't have to clean up after themselves are the most messy.]

Never wash table setting dishes with prep or cooking dishes.

Absolutely Never put a "loose" knife in a sink of water [Firing offense commercially.]

Guests must show up on time. I start serving at stated meal time even if you have not arrived. It's not fair to other guests for chronic late arrivals to hold up food service. Not to mention food service and presentation is timed for a specific stated time. No point in ruining a perfectly good meal "holding" it for someone who never arrives on time.

I provide a menu: you are welcome to bring one of these or something else but please let me know what you are bringing so I can adjust amounts and serving space.

Example: Christmas Menu

Meat Loaf & Ketchup
Chicken Breast and wide noodles or chicken loaf dressing/cranberry sauce
Cream Potatoes
Sugar Peas
Green Beans
Lima Beans
Corn
Carrots
Yams
Cooked Cabbage

Cold Oven Pound Cake
Peach Cobbler
Apple Cobbler
Blueberry Cobbler

Vanilla Ice Cream
Banana Pudding
Slaw
Deviled Eggs

I provide tea, coffee, hot chocolate, spiced apple cider: anything else-bring your own beverage.

I've tried to reduce the menu: clamors for every item. Favorite this-and-that in addition to diet restrictions. As long as I'm able to continue hosting, no one wants to drop the tradition.

Last year, we tried letting others bring items. Brother brought meatloaf, his wife brought fudge, one sister brought pound cake (my recipe) and ice cream. Another sister brought creamed potatoes and a bean salad. I suggested nieces and nephews bring desserts such as cookies and candy (didn't happen.)

I have the catering setups for hot and cold stuff to keep the food "safe served." The party was once again a success. No one wants to go out "Dutch" this year...so I guess hubby and I are still doing something right.

I enjoy cooking, looking for new ways to alter standard dishes. Prefer scratch cooking over "mixes." The food tastes better, has less preservatives, and fewer calories. Hubby would rather eat at home than eat out. Says the food tastes better and we know how clean the kitchen is.