Have you been getting ready for the Marcus Fair that starts on Thursday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, August 14? We have had more “heat” than rain, so it will be interesting as to what some of the entries will be.
Sad news reached us on Saturday that Joann Johnson had died. She had been at the Heartland Care for a number of months prior to her death. Many memories are of her. She was janitor of Faith Lutheran Church for more years than we have fingers. Not much went on at church that Joann wasn’t involved in! She will be missed. Funeral plans (as of this writing) are Thursday with visitation on Wednesday. Pastor Liz Piffle will be officiating due to Pastor Cummings testing positive for COVID.
As of Tuesday (Aug. 9) Steve will be a surgical patient. Not being able to drive for 2 weeks, it was impossible for him to deliver Sioux City Journal papers. Zachary and Bethany have helped him before and know the route, so they will be helping him. He will be home on Wednesday, so if you didn’t get a paper or something else was wrong, call him and he will help you. It is fortunate that he could have help from someone that knew the places to deliver.
I helped the older kids deliver papers (many years ago!) and found the early morning hours were very relaxing compared to what the remaining days hours were. The two helpers are not “early morning people” but their help is less than 2 hours. Maybe they will find “early” is when birds are chirping and very seldom is there a vehicle on the street.
I am still having problems with the computer. After the Fair, I am going to get to the bottom of problems that are present. I am still missing My Files that had all my stories that haven’t been printed, addresses and phone numbers of people, my income tax, bank numbers, as well as the articles that had been printed. Anything that went into the Marcus News or hadn’t been printed, was color coordinated so I knew exactly which file they were in. All this started out with two printouts from the printer that didn’t make any sense. This happened when we were gone for a week. I have not internet so it is puzzling as to what this is all about.
I am so tired of the Red, Blue, or any other color parties that are trying to get votes in November by traveling to places that are “hot” spots. China had announced a series of military operations and drills, which followed promises of “resolute and strong measures” if the person from U.S. came to Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and it views visits by foreign government officials as recognition of the island’s sovereignty. The person was the highest-ranking American official in 25 years to visit the self-ruled island claimed by China. The traveler framed the trip as part of a broader mission at a time when “the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy.” This visit came after the unwelcome visitor had led a congressional delegation to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in the spring, and serves as a capstone to the many years of promoting democracy abroad. What would the U.S. have done if this person was kidnapped or assassinated? Would they have overlooked this or would they have probably started World War III?
This questionable trip to Taiwan makes me think of something I witnessed where “look at me” was present. Many years ago I was waiting for Old Faithful to go off. All around that area are signs warning people of smaller eruptions and to stay out of these areas. Well, two men in their early twenties, went past the signs and were having someone take a picture of them to prove how brave they were. Just then there was one of these that erupted and the men were badly burned as they were taken to a hospital.
Then there are those that are “endorsing” others in hopes of the November vote. Is this “endorsing” person having their campaign paid for by a certain group as to why all of a sudden these endorsements involving tax payers’ money is at stake. November cannot come to soon. Chances are we are in for a long haul until 2024. Some have said that there should be a “ceiling” to money spent on campaigning as well as a time limit. All the money spent on traveling, etc. could have been made to better use for all those who are starving. In Sunday’s paper, there is a comic strip where Curtis’s father says, “I don’t know what’s going to happen if grocery prices stay so high…Curtis replies, “Maybe eat every third day?” Father says, “I know you mean that in a joking way, Curtis…but that might be the grim reality for some families.” (The aforementioned thoughts are only mine and probably not what others think.)
In looking for a certain article, I ran across one from Sept. 19, 2021 where The Price is Right was celebrating 50 seasons. On Sept. 30, 2021 there was a two-hour primetime special that would include a look back at the biggest winners, never before seen out-takes and a salute to Barker.
“The Price is Right” made its debut on NBC in 1956, with Bill Cullen as host and consisting of four people bidding auction-style on items. The show was canceled in 1965, but the version we see today was revived in 1972 at CBS, with Barker as host, influencing a nation with his sign-off advice to get “pets spayed or neutered.” Drew Carey, present host, has kept that slogan in his honor. Barker taped his final episode in 2007.
Since 1972, producers say over $300 million in cash and prizes have been given away. More than 2 million audience members have attended a taping over those years and 68,000 of them have become contestants. More than 8,400 cars have been given away. “The Price is Right” has been called a positive show as everybody pitches in and wants everybody else to win. George Gray, is the announcer that always says, “Mama May”, states the he thinks wanting somebody to win is always a bright spot in people’s days.
I also ran across an article “More Holocaust Survivors to get German Pension”. The organization that handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis have said that Germany has agreed to extend compensation to Jewish survivors who endured the World War II siege of Leningrad and two other groups who had not received any monthly pensions from Germany.
The payments will be going to approximately 6,500 survivors around the world, primarily in Israel, North America, the former Seoviet Union and Western Europe. The new funds are targeted toward about 4,500 Jews who survived the Leningrad siege and about 800 who lived mostly in hiding in France during the Nazi’s terror reign, and some 1,200 Jewish survivors from Romania. All of them will start getting a lifelong, monthly pension of $435 from July on.
Because I cannot get into files for articles I need for this week, I am bringing up some that have been filed away and NOT in the computer.
Remember in your thoughts and prayers those who have lost loved ones to death and have had their lives changed, have health issues some of which are terminal, have a job but are still struggling financially, encourage those not working, if they are able to work, to find a job, and help those who are still distanced from family and friends to build a bridge and not a wall.