One thing I love about Michigan is our government’s endless generosity. I’ve never requested an absentee ballot, but my wife’s and my ballots always arrive in the mail.
In fact, we got an extra set today. Our first set of ballots came earlier this week. I’m not sure if I am supposed to vote twice or sell the extra ballots. I still have a few weeks to figure it out.
Thank you for your attention to this very important matter,
BDH
How can there ever be understanding – not even peace, just understanding, when every side, religious or political, is willing to lie and spread mis-truths to hurt the opposite side?
For years I thought the Quran said to kill all non-Muslims. That’s not what it says at all.
Al-Baqarah (2:190–193)
190. Fight in the cause of God only against those who wage war against you, but do not exceed the limits. God does not like transgressors.
191. Kill them wherever you come upon them and drive them out of the places from which they have driven you out. For persecution is far worse than killing. And do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they attack you there. If they do so, then fight them—that is the reward of the disbelievers.
192. But if they cease, then surely God is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
193. Fight against them until there is no more persecution, and religion is for God alone. If they cease, then let there be no hostility except against the aggressors.
This is one passage in the Quran, and I haven’t read the Quran, much less studied it. Yet. I’m reading and studying the Holy Bible right now. After that, I plan to read other religious books, including the Quran, I’m not afraid that I will be tempted away from my faith.
“Fear and hate are closely related. Fear keeps us ignorant. Fear can keep us filled with hate.”
Yes, Brian D. Hawkins said that.
I’m certainly not an apologist or protector of Islam or any other religion.
Are there other sections where the Quran says to kill non-Muslims? Maybe, but after this blatant fake news I keep hearing, I kind of doubt it. I’m not one to take things at face value or to blindly follow the sheep. I read every day. I don’t need agenda-driven propagandists telling me what to believe. I can and will read for myself.
But hey, you do you.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
BDH
Yesterday, my wife and I attended a free retirement seminar put on by the Township of Ypsilanti. Thank you, Ypsi.
I got the most pressing question answered – I have to work until 139 years old, or until I die. Whichever occurs first.
Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.
BDH
The word “Fear” has been bothering me throughout the Bible. Turns out that it translates differently than how we think of fear today in English. If I am fearful of you, I don’t trust you. That didn’t make sense to me. Now it does. Thank God.
The Hebrew word for “fear” used here (yirah) combines elements of reverence, awe, and respect rather than mere fear or dread, illustrating an attitude of profound recognition of God’s majesty that was central to ancient Israelite spirituality.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
BDH
Day one of my garage sale went well. Once a year, a huge chunk of the community has a city/township yardsale weekend. That’s this weekend for Belleville, Michigan.
I’m not a people person, but I met some interesting people. I got reacquainted with a bunch of neighbors.
We made about $450 for day one (Saturday), but more importantly, we cleared out a ton of stuff.
Hopefully tomorrow we can get rid of enough that I can reclaim my garage back.
Last year we did so well with a yard sale that I lined my garage with tables and set it up for a permanent weekend garage sale. But I decided I liked my time way more than the money.
That stuff has stayed in my garage for an entire year. I want my space back. Bad.
And I got my 10K steps in without leaving the house. I’m wrecked. Those steps were harder on me than they are at work.
One more day. Wish me luck.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
BDH
Update – Day Two: I call the garage sale a success. We made over $600 and cleared most of the things I needed out of the garage. By the end of the day I was literally giving everything away. I even set out two tables in the yard overnight with a sign, “Free Stuff.” I don’t plan on having another garage or yardsale for a long time.
Health Tip: I achieved my 10,000 steps by 4 PM Saturday. That sounds great, but I did it in my slippers. Not smart. Don’t do that.
I’ve always liked Spider-Man, but probably not enough to see it at the theater. What sold me on it today was that The Punisher was in it.
And this Spider-Man (Brand New Day) was a good one. I know, you saw it last week. I’m always late to the party.
I didn’t know Aunt May had passed, so I guess I missed No Way Home.
After the movie, Texas Steakhouse was just a few minutes away. And a large porterhouse sounded good. I was right. Even though I knocked myself out of ketosis for a few days.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
BDH
This is me really not wanting to drop the deck but wanting to play with my new pulley.
I was feeling pretty smart when it worked like a charm. That lasted about three minutes – until I realized I’ve lost the blade that came off. 😩
The mulching blade that fell off (this mower has two) was gone. I mean, really lost. As in you look for hours, two days in a row, lost. You clean your entire garage lost.
Not feeling so smart now, huh?
The good news is I got to show off my cheap pulley.
Where would I be if I was as sharp as that blade? 🤔
Thank you for your attention to this important matter,
BDH
Update: Of course, it was the stupid spindle. It was stripped. Another $130, and I should have been mowing.
Nope.
Not me.
It can’t be that easy.
Back to Ace Haedware. BTW, I believe the Ace Hardware in Sumpter, Michigan, is one of the last real hardware stores where you can buy almost anything you need, BUT ALSO get almost any hardware, equipment, or home repair question answered. Can you say that about your local Home Depot? I can’t.
I digressed. 😉 Back to Ace to buy a second set of mulching blades. They work perfectly. I actually have the original blades that came with the mower, and they’ve never touched the grass. But I want muching blades. Especially with fall closing in, mulching up those leaves is the only way to go. No rake for me.
Anyway, the mower is like new again.
Oh, and guess what I found a week later while having my garage sale? Yep. That mulching blade. Right under my workbench. Right where I must have put it.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter, again.
BDH
I was hoping to see season 3 this fall, but production delays (pay negotiations, Sheridan and Billy Bob Thornton availability conflicts, and the Texas heat) have pushed it back. Now we can expect Landman Season 3 mid to late 2017.
Between Yellowstone, Marshalls, Landman, 1883, 1923, and Mayor of Kingstown, Taylor Sheridan owes me a bunch of time. These shows are too good to pass up.
Thank you for your attention to this very important matter,
BDH
I don’t get out to many restaurants anymore, but when I do, L George’s is at the top of my list.
L George’s has other locations, but we go to the one in Canton.
43711 Michigan Ave,
Canton Township, MI 48188
Google Maps
They are always busy, but they are faster than many fast food dives.
You have a limited time to visit. They are only open 6 AM to 3 PM, and closed on Sundays. It would be amazing if they were open on Sundays, because it would be the perfect stop after Church.
I’m eating low-carb, so my old favorite of corned beef and hash turned to an omelet and a side of ham. Still, a fantastic meal.
If you’re ever near Canton looking for a great meal at the speed of light, give L George’s (Menu) a try.
Thank you for your attention to this very important matter,
BDH
Note: This was NOT a sponsored or paid ad, I just like the place well enough to share it.
At least it doesn’t have to. Today’s lunch had so much food that my dog ate half of it.
Two cheeseburger patties with mayo and zero-sugar ketchup, cottage cheese, jalapeño-stuffed olives, and two small dill pickles.
8½ carbs, 1,254 calories (I’m not counting calories – *See update below), 110 grams of protein, and 73 grams of fat.
* Update: Seen my doctor today. He’s very happy with my weight-loss progress, but I’ve stalled at 224.5 LBS for a week. Doc says low-carb is definitely the way to go (for me), but to watch those calories as well. I was on vacation and NOT getting in those 10,000+ steps, but the amount of food still needs to create a deficit, even with the exercise.
Exercise
+
low-carb
+
natural, unprocessed foods
+
fewer calories eaten than burned
=
A finer and healthier hunk of a Brian
Thank you for your attention to this very important matter,
BDH