One day you're takin care of business. The next day, you are being taken care of.
Just working the way I always do but was brought up short with a blocked artery to my heart.
It was about 85 degrees on the 24th of June. I stepped into the house all sweaty and tired. Suddenly began to feel severe pain in my chest. At 1:30 PM I called 911, as there wasn't any doubt what it was. EMT and rescue was there within 15 and I was on my way to emergency before 2 PM. God bless those boys. I had taken an aspirin, but they gave me 4 more and a couple of nitroglycerin tabs on the way to the ER.

They pushed be into the operating room where I was fortunate to have had a couple of the best cardiologists in the country on hand. I was awake as they inserted a couple of stents in my heart. Then a week of poking and prodding, catheters, ekg's, sonograms, blood checks...Never ending and no rest, especially for me. With a bad back and hard to lay on my back, it just seemed so long and I can't sleep that way.
I want to compliment the nurses and staff of Sherman Hospital in Elgin. I can't imagine there being a better group of professionals. I was in the critical care unit while I was there. They were attentive and doing everything they could to ease your pain and make you comfortable. God bless them all,
from the EMTs and rescue squad to the doctors and nurses.
I was fortunate to have had my brother and his wife here visiting for a my granddaughters wedding. They were able to help me out for a few days as well as my kids who bent over backwards to be sure dad would be all right. Didn't make the wedding but you can see my boutonniere on my classy flannel shirt. Ü
We were able to have part of the little party I had been preparing for anyway and I feel I am much on the mend and ready to start rehab and meet the next 20 or 30 years with Gusto.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. “The Lord bless you and keep you;  
The Lord make His face shine upon you, 
And be gracious to you;  
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’

On the Mend

A few years ago but I still feel the same.

I have never considered myself an intellectual. I always thought they would be much more intelligent than I am. I find now that it is not by our intelligence that we form ideas but our curiosity. As I get older, I find I am much more apt to dwell on a subject or idea. Perhaps it's because I have more time to do so, but I think it has more to do with a genuine interest or a more intense caring for what matters. Of course I speak of what matters to me. But earnestly my feeling is that what matters to me should matter to everyone, because most of what I think about these days concerns the human condition.
My home is in the USA and I am afraid that the average American just goes through their daily routine without giving a great deal of thought to how blessed we are to live here. "There but for the grace of God go I" is a phrase that has been heard many times, but Oh My, when you think of it. I might have been born in Somalia, in Iran, Afghanistan or deep in the Amazon. But no, I was born in Philadelphia on the 4th of July and perhaps that is one of the reasons I care so much. It makes me cry to learn of the way we treat one another. The way our government tells us stories, half truths and out and out lies. It is said that we shouldn't talk politics or religion if we don't want to start a fight. The problem is that it is pretty much all I think about so why wouldn't I speak of these things.
On my mind today......
1.)Benghazi and the cover up.
2.)The Holy Spirit and how to pray in spirit and in truth.
3.)Favorite old hymns.
4.)Golf.

I think much and pray daily. Searching for biblical truth is not a hobby but the least that I can do. God is good and he provides so many answers. 

Why so much trouble in Islamic cultures?

 It all began with Ishmael. Genesis 16:11-12, the Angel of the Lord reveals the future of Hagar's unborn baby to her: "The angel of the LORD also said to her: 'You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael [which means 'God hears'], for the LORD has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."

Charters of Freedom - The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights

Charters of Freedom - The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights

I am posting this today and thinking of this amazing country we live in. As we consider events of this world today, I like to go back to where we started as a nation, some of the trials we have suffered through. 

Especially regarding our ideals and what was aspired to. 

I wish that we could return to the dignity and integrity that seems to me to be lacking in this world today. I have stated everywhere I can proclaim it, that I believe in God. In saying that, let it be said that I really believe in God. I believe that the bible is the inspired word of God. I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

I have experienced in my seventy years, a great renewal in the church and worship. I have witnessed things that were only dreamed of in past generations. I have seen miracles and heard God's voice. He said "In the last days, I will pour out my spirit on all flesh",  and I have seen this and experienced it. If we open our eyes we all can witness the changes that are taking place around us. The signs in the heavens and the earth. The earthquakes, the wars and rumors of wars, signs in the heavens with meteorites falling from the sky. Especially, we are witnessing the falling away of the believers. Those who say they believe in God but don't accept all that is brought to us in God's holy word. Christ said, "when you see these things come to pass. Look up, your redemption draws near. The kingdom of God is at hand. 

I pray that anyone who reads this will consider carefully where you stand with God and that you might ask him to reveal himself to you and give you understanding of the events that we are witnessing today.

We call ourselves Christians and Believers. A "believer", is someone who believes God's word. A "Christian", is someone who follows God's word and works to be Christ like. As Christians and believers it is time to speak up. To stand against the ungodly thoughts and ways of this generation. In Acts 17:30 it says "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent. I like the King James version which says "to wink at". We should hope and pray that he has been winking at or overlooking the sins and failures of this time in history.
I love the first psalm, I think it is just about my favorite, and I try to follow this truth. Psalm 1 verses 1 through 6 says,
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
Three groups are spoken of here....The ungodly, sinners and the righteous.
And to put it quite simply, to me it says that in that day, the ungodly are gone, the sinners will be there, but just there and the congregation of the righteous will commune with and be the partakers of the promise. I continue to work towards being a part of that congregation.

Our Supreme Court is trying to come to a decision today regarding Gay marriage. This is what brings these thoughts to mind. It would seem so simple, but we live in a time of the ungodly. A time of sinners and unbelievers. They would try to convince us that these things are ok. That we shouldn't deny them the same rights and benefits that are accorded to a marriage of a man and woman. I don't want to deny them any right or privilege, but to say that it is the same is foolish. Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Husband, Wife. These are words that will take on new meaning. It is a simple decision for me. Live your life as you see fit.. Call it a Civil Union or whatever you wish, but don't call it a marriage. That speaks of acceptance by the Church and by God. That is not going to happen. At least not going to happen in any church that follows God's word. You want to say these things are normal for some. It is not. Live any way you want. Do whatever you desire. It is still NOT NORMAL!!!!! It is totally against nature. The natural creature will join together, the female will conceive and bear young.
All in all, I just want to say that what you are doing is wrong. I don't hate anyone and I may still be a friend to you but that lifestyle is really just not right.  

If anyone wishes to comment....just click on (no comment), I don't know why this is done this way, but that is how it is. 

This is nuts! It's easier for people in Russia and Germany to see this than my family and friends.
Guess I need to start naming people and then a search engine will connect it. Not about to do that though, cause I worry about people around the world gettin hold a too much info, ya know. Let me mention here The United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, France, Bolivia, Mexico. Let's see if those key words pick anything. And don't wonder why I picked those. They were just the first to come to mind.

Issues on my mind today

Critical issues in today's news and my thoughts.

Gays in the scouts.

I think they should form their own scout organization. I don't object to their existence, but do object to an organization with long standing traditions of honor, respect and loyalty to be subject to other's views of what stands for these tenants.

Let them form their own Gay Boy Scouts of America or Gay Girl Scouts....GBSA or GGSA.

Please stop trying to change what has existed proudly and honorably for so long. Form your own and quit trying to take what belongs to someone else. You think it shouldn't matter, but damn it, it does and always will. Whether it's stated or not, it matters.

Gay Marriage....

I have no objection to gays having all the rights afforded to any other couple or individual. However, when you call it a marriage, it speaks of biblical principals, and if it speaks of those principals it would follow that the church and God almighty sanctions this event. Not so. That will never be the case. I realize that some churches have lent their approval to this issue, but know this.....God hasn't, nor will that day come. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was due to similar behavior.

So much of it is semantics. Call it a civil union  and you have my vote. All rights afforded to any married couple will be given to this union.

Immigration

This is a very difficult issue. I don't blame anyone for seeking the freedom and liberty of this great country. It is strange though that by bending and ignoring the laws and regulations of this great country, it tends to threaten that freedom and liberty for citizens who have fought,  bled and died to protect those rights. It doesn't seem right to turn a blind eye to the law.

Now to the existing situation, but wait it's not just an existing situation, it's a continuing situation. Therefore the fact that it continues tells me that we must stop this flow of illegal's from crossing the border. We must enforce the existing laws and make the penalty severe enough to discourage anyone from attempting to enter the country illegally in the future.

For those existing illegally in this country, a path should be set to grant citizenship if that is what they desire.

I hesitate to use the term amnesty because that would intimate that all is clear and like a baptism they are washed clean of all transgressions. There still needs to be a cost. Mainly because they have stolen something that doesn't rightfully belong to them and in doing so, they denied another person who followed the rules the same opportunity.

Some of these individuals have actually fought and died beside us defending this country and what it stands for. That is an example of and proof of their willingness to give back for what they have taken. There could be some guidelines of community service or some gestures of contrition for having taken something that did not belong to them.

There is much more to this issue and each case would have to be addressed on the  individual circumstances.
And under any circumstances, a person should at least apply for citizenship and take whatever steps are necessary to accomplish this.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Thinking about my Mom today. She had Irish and German roots and always enjoyed St. Patrick's Day.

Dad had some Irish too, but just a little. Anyway traced Mom's ancestry back to old Ireland and a James Gallagher born about 1793.

Swedish Carpenter

Thinking about one of my first employers this morning. I am remembering Carl Johnson, Carpenter contractor from Fontana, Wisconsin... Carl would pronounce his name Yoewnson. Fun memories. 1.50 an hour. Wow, that was 60 dollars a week. I was 17 and strong as a bull. I remember Carl had sent for another bride from Sweden because he had lost his first wife a few years before. She was a very nice blond lady but spoke no English.
There was fellow named Stanley working for him. Carl did a lot of work for S.P. Beers Lumber Company from Walworth and we did a lot of work along the South Shore of Lake Geneva.
Carl drove a powder blue, 1959 Ford pick up. Stick shift and Carl would ride the clutch so much that he would go through a clutch about once a year.
I can still hear his voice the day we were unloading some roofing tear off material. He was just flinging it out of the back of the truck when a piece of shingle caught me in the shoulder. Carl jumped back and said "Yeesus Yohnny, did I hurt ya." Still amuses me to think of it.
Then there was one of my first days and Carl says, "Yohnny yer gonna have ta carry dem shingles and dat feldt on da roof cause Stanley here's got a vooden leg." Well, I laughed and then Carl reached his hammer handle over and tap tapped on the wooden prosthetic that Stanley wore. Stanley had bummed around a bit when he was young and fell under a moving train. Think he use to tip a few back too.
Just a fun memory ya know. Yah, sure you betcha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ro_ASHev4

This is a song I wrote and recorded a number of years ago. Thought you might enjoy it. It's difficult to put this video on this site, but I can provide a link to my YouTube page. Hope you enjoy it.

about me

This was a trip my brother and I took this past September.

This is my very most favorite Great Granddaughter "Super Girl"

Anamosa, Iowa to the JPcycle museum

South rim of the Grand Canyon

I am sending a few messages out and wanted to give anyone a chance to view a profile more in depth. And to post a few recent pictures.

Profile

I love my home

I am a retired carpenter.... Have done a lot of interesting things in my life.

Worked in broadcasting in  the 60s and 70s, worked as a telephone lineman for Illinois Bell, as a television analyzer, union and non union carpenter, retired from carpenter's local 1 in Chicago. In more recent years I worked part time as a pick up and delivery guy for a local motorcycle shop. I am a songwriter and musician and still spend a great deal of my time on my music. I love my Ultra Classic but don't know how many more years I will be able to handle that big machine. Sad but "a time for every purpose under heaven". 

 

These good years I do have, I would enjoy spending with someone special.

I have been so very blessed in my lifetime. Though I have been divorced for 25 years, I still have good relations and am friends with my ex wife and I have been able to enjoy she and her husband's fellowship at family get togethers. I guess I always thought that God would bring that someone special into my life. I have always refused to date anyone younger than my children. The oldest is now 49.  It is not getting any easier. 

CD produced 1994

 Tom Gary and Self kickin it in Nashville 1995

I did spend a year in Nashville and tried to get something going with my music. I have never really stopped trying but I guess the Lord is not ready for that either. You can check out some of my more recent videos on YouTube.    Johnny B       

On the other hand maybe she has been there all the time and I have been too stupid to see, so open the eyes of my heart Lord. 

I really love life and am a Born again, spirit filled believer. And, if the Lord continues to bless and we aren't taken, I may be able to enjoy another twenty or thirty years. It would be great if there was someone I loved close, and able to share all the travel, all the plays and shows, all the time with grandchildren and great grandchildren and friends. 

Guess that's all I have to say for now....Hope you find me and look forward to your comments.

Haven't felt like saying much lately. Still deep in thought about what's next. I have been a little busy picking up some new guitars. I decided that that would be a good hedge against inflation or a devalued dollar. So anyway here's a couple of pictures of the latest.

This one I just picked up at a pawn shop for $60.00. It sells new for $279.00 retail but usually sale priced at $179.99. Still picked it up and fixed a loose connection. Also came with a gig bag and strap.

Some of these I have owned for a while and some I have added recently.
I had a BR-9 amp that I bought years ago. That amp originally came with a lap steel guitar. I recently purchased the lap steel that goes with it.

This Gospel Gibson is the same as my J-45 or could be compared to the Gibson Hummingbird. 

Have never owned a Fender Telecaster so I picked this Fender Highway One Tele up the other day.

Here is the group with a few others and missing a couple of others.