On the Way to Rebalancing

Greetings to you on one of Cincinnati’s favorite days – Opening Day for baseball. No city embraces the season’s start as Cincinnati, and weather should be warm. Until Major League Baseball decided to focus on money over tradition, Cincinnati always opened the season. I’m contemplating taking time away from the task at hand to spend some time downtown, but only time will tell if I follow through with that thought.

How was your weekend? Come on now …. tell us about it.

We had an evening on the ballroom floor and attended a going-away party for a friend. Sandwiched between those two events was our continuing effort of unpacking and organization.

A huge thank you to those who participated in my extended Exploring series that took readers on a journey from the far reaches of the universe, then toward Earth, and finally landing on our planet with a trip around the world. It was fun to put together. Although I wasn’t replying to comments, I kept up with the reading, so thanks for the smiles you caused.

I will ease myself back into posting this week with at least three posts. Then again, I leave the door open to more.

Celebrations this week

• (Week) Week of the Ocean, Root Canal Awareness Week, Be Kind to Spiders Week, Publicity Stunt Week, Scoop the Poop Week, Golden Rule Week, Laugh at Work Week, Testicular Cancer Awareness Week, Straw Hat Week
• (Mon) Sleep Apnea Day, Orange & Lemons Day, Clams on the Half Shell Day, Tater Day, She’s Funny That Way Day, Bunsen Burner Day
• (Tues) April Fools Day, Boomer Bonus Day, Myles Day, Library Snap-Shot Day, Fun at Work Day, Reading is Funny Day, St. Stupid Day, Sliced Bread Day, Sourdough Bread Day, Poetry & the Creative Mind Day
• (Wed) Ferret Day, Children’s Book Day, Day of Hope, Whole Grain Sampling Day, Walking Day, Peanut Butter & Jelly Day, Autism Day, Love Your Produce Manager Day
• (Thurs) Party Day, Find a Rainbow Day, Tweed Day, Pony Express Day, Weed Out Hate – Sow the Seeds of Greatness Day, Don’t Go to Work Unless It’s Fun Day, Chocolate Mousse Day

The past six weeks have been a whirlwind, but we are working toward the normal balance in our life … however, no way I will ever be this balanced. Have a good week!

Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 210

On Politics
When listening to the party-spin about the recently released Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report, it’s easy to get the impression that there were two reports … not one.

Lyle Denniston, a respected writer about the US Supreme Court, provides this interesting piece about executive orders.

Lee Hamilton, the respected former Congressman from southeastern Indiana, wrote this interesting op-ed regarding Congress and budgets.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Super Bowl packs up, leaves town in 40-wagon train
Man on vacation suddenly realizes no one feeding his hostages
New chip snack evades digestive system, burrows straight to heart
Area woman said “Sorry” 118 times yesterday
Nation terrified after millions lose consciousness for 8 hours last night

Interesting Reads
Columnist David Brooks on what machines cannot do
Shapes and names
How to talk about evolution with family
The first battle of Isonzo in WW I
Darwin’s Pigeons slideshow
Physics of freezing rain
Interesting graph of US labor force demographics

On Potpourri
Bad News: Punxsutawney Phil prognosticates 6 more weeks of winter.

Good News: Buckeye Chuck says spring is around the corner.

TBD News: Who is right? So far, and with the 7-day forecast, it’s Phil.

A tip of the cap to Jay Leno, who after 4,600 shows and almost 44,000 jokes, leaves the Tonight Show. Interesting, his number one joke target (by far) is Bill Clinton.

Last week I wrote the following: The anticipated debate between science advocate Bill Nye and Answers in Genesis President Ken Ham is approaching, and no doubt will deliver a narrow view, thus providing a false choice. Several days later, the Cincinnati Enquirer supported my point with the following headline on its Sunday front page: Bible! Science! Who Will Win? : It’s creationism vs. evolution as Answers in Genesis founder Ken Ham debates Bill Nye, TV’s Science Guy.

I did not watch the debate, but I trust this review from the team at BioLogos.

Given any unforeseen circumstances, the opening act of Life: The Musical will be next Thursday Wednesday at 9:30 pm (Eastern US). I will announce the theme on Monday.

It’s a handbell Sunday for us. The director moved me to the biggest bells for this tune, which are quite heavy. Because I didn’t find a good video of this song, enjoy this quality recording.

Thanks to everyone who visits here knowing my time for reciprocating is currently very limited.

Here are your weekend celebrations

• (Fri) Wear Red Day, Bubblegum Day, Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day, Ballet Day, Girl Scout Cookie Day, Cordova Ice Worm Day, Pinocchio Day, Send a Card to a Friend Day
• (Sat) Laugh and Get Rich Day, Opera Day, Fly a Kite Day
• (Sun) Man Day, Autism Day, Read in the Bathtub Day, Stop Bullying Day, Toothache Day, Hershey Chocolate Day

Here’s another throwback from the 80s to lead us into the weekend. It’s not about the weather, but the title is fitting for many of us in the central and eastern US. Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.