Soggy Wednesday And A Crock Pot 1/7/2026

 Good Morning,

I just started drinking my hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee and it is time to write. 

This morning when I let our two dogs out to do dog business you could  feel the dampness penetrate my body as I stood in the door way  to the house. It is going to be one of those cold soggy days, with the possibility of this dampness turning to snow later today or tonight. To borrow one of my dads expressions this morning, "What will be will be, I think I will have another cup of coffee and watch the weather go by".

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

My short point for today is this. There are just some things you can't do a dang thing about and the weather isn't one of them. Yes what you get in the form of weather is what you get. But you can make the best of it. Thank God for crock pots today and good recipes. There is nothing like a hot bowl of chili on a cold damp day. Better yet, share a container with the gift of chili to someone.  Break out your favorite warm clothing. If you don't have a favorite sweater for days like this, designate one to be your comfort sweater. Try to make the best of the situation and turn your day into a blessing. I don't really like to wear sun glasses, I won't need them today! There is one in the win column for me.

Clean out the closet where you finally found your favorite sweater and maybe you will be able to find your hat. Finally take time to pray for others and yourself. Find something to laugh about. As I took my mother's crock pot off of the shelf to make some chili this morning, I can't tell you how my brother and I laughed when we were cleaning out our parents home, when we looked inside the crock pot. That's where Dad kept his cash on hand. And he was the one who always said to keep your money in the bank and a safe place! 

In just around an hour into the morning, I changed soggy, into tolerable or even a little better.

God bless, 

Marty

 

The Ever Changing Highways 1/6/2026

 Good Morning,

My Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee is hot and it is time to write, before it cools off.

My wife and I live adjacent to a bigger city than our small one. But we are connected to the rest of the world by the federal highways and some state roads. The highways are in need of some major work to accommodate the increased traffic volumes. In order to accomplish the work needed to improve and repair the roadways, there needs to be a lot of re-routing of traffic. Some roads need to be closed for long periods. Needless to say, that the ever changing lanes, road closures, and car accidents can be more than confusing as you navigate through the city. At times the automobile navigation systems are a handful to use or trust. There are daily changes and many sources of information to follow. A couple of times I ended up going where I did not want to go.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good work.

For traveling through life we can be glad that there is only one source of directions. A source that never changes with the mood of the times. God's word is our infallible source of truth and guidance. 

All too often the electronic navigational systems can be fooled by weather, old maps, and ever changing conditions. They can be fooled and fool you as well. 

Navigating our life's directions is simple. God's word can be trusted and never fails us.  More time spent in the Bible, lessens the need for life changes due to following the wrong directions. 

Food for thought.

Marty

By The Way, We All Have Opinions 1/5/2026

 Good Morning,

There is a hot cup of Door County White Christmas Coffee tending to my cold body this morning as I wait for the fire to crank up a little more. 

It is a damp day and for some reason I just can't seem to warm up. 

Proverbs 18:2 ESV A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 

I had an uninvited conversation with a young lady and to say the least she is very passionate about her side of the fence in the political world. This young lady was parked next to me at the grocery store. During the conversation I would nod my head or answer politely if I felt I needed to answer at all.This conversation lasted about 20 minutes. As I was walking away I heard her say. "By the way" which is always a signal that there is more to come. I turned to her and acknowledged that I heard her. Since she really hadn't asked for my view but told me that my Biblical views on life were foolish and showed a lack of education. I really did not feel that spending any time bantering with her was going to profit anything. I politely ended the conversation. Truthfully, I had somewhere else to be in a few minutes. I did comment that I am praying for the state of the union and for the nation and our world. 

By the way! She blew up and I do believe the name idiot was applied to me and then added some expletives that I won't repeat in writing. 

"By the way" it is a sad world, when you are forced to converse, because while loading groceries into your car your Bible is spotted. And your life becomes fodder for insults. 

By the way. We all have opinions and it is ok to share them, but "By the way" we need to be decent about it. It's easier to hear when someone isn't shouting in your ear. 

God bless. May you all find some time to pray and enjoy some peace today.

Marty

Is A Picture Really Worth More Than A Thousand Words? 1/4/2006

 Good Morning,

I just filled my mug with Door County White Christmas Coffee and it is time to write.

In the past few years my wife Rene and I have traveled a little more than we have in the past. We have seen some beautiful scenery that had us viewing it with our mouths hanging open. The trips in our mind were awesome and each minute was filled with great experiences. We took plenty of photographs and now and then I browse through the pictures and say to myself, "that was great, but not as good as being there". 

Psalm 19:1 ESV The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 

A photo does not capture the conversation of the moment, nor the emotion of the viewer experiencing the view. I am not knocking photographers at all. But they really can't capture a moment and the emotions going on at the time. They do a great job, but can't take your breath away like being in the moment does. 

God could have easily made the world and all of it's scenery in a cookie cutter fashion. Each country would look the same as the others. He did not have to add mountains, waterfalls, beaches, or sunsets. 

But He did. And He knew what day you would be standing at a waterfall in Hawaii or in the mountains in Georgia. He knew just when He was going to take your breath away. He knew what day three cardinals would be dining near your kitchen window. He knew who you would be sharing those moments with. A picture does not capture feelings, but being there does. He knew what morning you would be sharing a pond of water with a deer and it's fawn. 

Friends, take lots of pictures. But when the moment allows, spend a few minutes longer taking it in. Absorb the sounds, the fragrances, and then look and see the emotions of the others around you. 

As we have traveled, I enjoy what I am seeing, but I really enjoy seeing the expressions on the faces of those I am with. They are priceless and a photo just isn't the same as the real thing. 

My friends, enjoy the scenes of your life and remember Who just painted your world at that moment in time. God bless. 

Marty

Well, I'll Be!!! 1/3/2026

 Good Morning,

I am writing today from my desk and drinking a hot cup of Door County Naughty Or Nice Grog Coffee. 

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and show you  great and mighty things which you do not know.

 

Yesterday I had the privilege of taking my neighbor shopping for some new shirts. I have written before about our neighbor Mikey. Early in last November, Mikey broke his elbow. The elbow already had a rod in place from a previous fall. Before the last fall Mikey;s arm was basically fused together by the rod in his arm, Only prayer and time were going to help Mikey to even get the arm back to a steady position. Last Monday was our appointment for an elbow healing evaluation. 

The x rays showed substantial healing and the ability to flex his wrist and move the arm better than before the last accident. My wife, Mikey and I gave praise to God for the extent of healing we saw. The therapist recommended that we purchase zippered shirts,  just for the ease of putting the shirts on and taking them off. Mike receives some assistance with dressing and undressing, But the improvement is amazing. 

Mention shopping and my wife kicks in the shopping mode at high speed. In no time flat she told me who had zippered sweatshirts and if they were in stock.  Note, Rene never shops online. She traveled to a few stores to see  who had what. 

So yesterday morning Mikey and I went shopping with Rene's plan in hand. 

Due to some strokes Mikey had years ago, He is a little unstable walking at times. The little trips we take are hard on his walking energy and pain levels. While laid up, Mikey was able to get some therapy on his feet and now he is walking much better, but needs to use a cane. 

Back to yesterday. After unloading Mikey at the entrance to the store, and then parking, I came back and found Mikey in front of a motorized shopping cart. He asked if he could try one out. I did not want to discourage his new found ability and courage. But with reservations I replied. "Awe, why not?" 

He hopped right in and before I knew it Mikey was buzzing down the aisles in the large market. I was amazed. But then after thinking it through, Mikey has been the subject of many a prayer warriors nightly prayers. That little ability to move the injured arm more than before gave him the ability to turn the scooter cart and navigate the store obstacles. His arch supports strengthened his feet enough to be able to use the foot brake and foot accelerator. 

Mikey' smile lit up the store and we were both in awe to the answered prayers. 

To see Mike have more freedom made my eyes leak a little. 

Later yesterday afternoon I went to bring Mikey some pheasant feathers he wanted and there he was sound asleep in his recliner. Mikey was wearing one of his new zippered shirts and the world was good!

Marty

Back To Normal 1/2/2026

 Good Morning,

My hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee is working just fine for me this morning and it is time to write.

Proverbs 26:17 NKJV He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing  dog by his ears. 

1 Peter 4:15 NKJV But let none of suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 

Our trusted antique biscuit cutter

Starting next week in our home the Christmas decorations will slowly be coming down and then stored away until next year. Believe it or not, they are taken out and displayed in a certain order and then stored away the same way. My wife has a "decoration process."

I stay away from the process and know better than to suggest a different way. She has her methods and step by step process and so far it has always worked for her. 

So here is my point. If Rene wanted my input she would ask for it. She has taken ownership of decorating our home for the seasons and holidays. It looks fine to me and she is happy with the results. So why would I want to interfere with how she does it? 

Sometimes it is best if we mind our own business. Many arguments are started when we interject with these words. "Have you ever thought of??? You should do it this way!!! Try it this way!!! You could have!!  Worse yet, we should never lobby for others to comment on supporting our ideas to help win an opinion war. Those wars are best left at home  and better yet, not started at all.

Some ditches are not worth dying in. So today my friends in 2026 lets avoid the small opinion wars that break the peace and tranquility of home. If you are one who likes to always share your opinion, take a big drink of shut up juice, and take care of your own biscuits and pass the gravy.

Food for thought,

Marty

And Away We Go!! 1/1/2026

 Good Morning, Happy New Year.

An insulated bottle of Door County Jingle Bell Java will be at my side today as I head out this morning.

Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 

19. Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." 

A new year has begun and as we have been doing for many years my family and I will be out hunting pheasants. Due to an injury, I can't carry a shot gun or shoot today, but I can walk along and run my dog Leo with the others. It is very cold, so I am hoping our two shooters can hit the target the first time. 

I am not sure how long this tradition has been carried out, but it is a good sum of years, I am guessing it is over twenty years by now. My point for today is this. It is a new year and although pheasants in the oven is always nice, it is important for us to take a moment and pray for the start of this New Year. We will do that for sure as well as asking God to provide a safe and bountiful hunt. After the hunt we will all sit down to a feast of cheese burgers and plenty of jocularity.

Enjoy the first day of the year and don't forget to write down the correct date! Pass the mustard please. 

Marty