Holidays

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I’ve been fooling around with some AI lately and I understand that some users have been using AI to write code. So, I tried my hand at asking it to write a script for a countdown to the new year. I asked for JavaScript to be embedded in HTML and it produced the result seen below. The AI (Google Gemini) produced JavaScript, HTML and the Style Script (CSS). All I had to do was provide the HTML Header and Body and, voila, the counter worked right off the bat. Link to Gemini code.

If you see “Happy New Year” instead of the counter, then It is already (MST) 2026.

I’m posting this some 32 hours or so before the new year so visitors to the site can see the counter. I may (just for grins) change the code to countdown to 2027 after the new year.

So, from both The Damsel and I, we wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year in 2026!

UPDATE: I changed the target to St. Valentine’s Day 2026!

Merry Christmas 2025

Wow! This year has gone by so quickly! I guess that’s what happens when you keep busy in retirement, travel a lot and get caught up in everyday routines. At any rate, it’s time to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year in 2026.

The Birth of Christ according to the Gospel of Luke (summary):

The account of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke is one of the most famous narratives in history, focusing on the humble circumstances of His arrival and the celestial celebration that followed.

The Journey to Bethlehem
The story begins with a decree from the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, calling for a census of the entire Roman world. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, to register. He traveled with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was pregnant.

The Birth in a Manger
While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth. Because the town was crowded with travelers for the census, there was no guest room available for them. Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped Him in cloths (swaddling), and placed Him in a manger—a feeding trough for animals.

The Shepherds and the Angels
Nearby, shepherds were living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

The Message: The angel told them not to be afraid, announcing “good news of great joy”: a Savior, the Messiah, had been born in Bethlehem.

The Sign: The shepherds were told they would find The Baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

The Heavenly Host: A great company of angels appeared, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The Visit to the Child
Once the angels left, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. They found Mary, Joseph, and The Baby exactly as they had been told. After seeing Him, they spread the word about what the angel had said concerning the child, leaving everyone who heard it amazed.

The chapter notes that while the shepherds returned to their fields glorifying and praising God, Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy and blessed Thanksgiving! We enjoyed our Turkey Dinner this afternoon consisting of good breast of turkey with Dressing, Veggies and Cranberries. We had gravy on the turkey and dressing, of course.

We’re thankful for our home, our family, our neighbors, our friends and our country. May the Lord bless you on this special day and on every other day.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

Veterans Day 2025

Thank you, veterans, for your unwavering courage and sacrifice in defending the freedoms we hold dear. From the battlefields of past wars to the modern fronts of global conflict, you have stood as the shield of our nation, putting duty above self and protecting the American way of life for generations. Your service—whether in times of war or peace—has ensured that liberty endures, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

To every veteran who has worn the uniform, faced adversity, and returned home changed but unbroken: your legacy inspires us all. On this Veterans Day and every day, we honor your commitment, resilience, and the profound impact you’ve made on our country’s story. Thank you for your service to America—may we always remember and repay the debt we owe.

P.S. Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps Yesterday. Sorry for the late acknowledgement. OOHRAH!

Labor Day 2025

These AI-generated images sort of reflect our activities on this Labor Day. The theme is (of course) grilling filet mignon steaks in a desert backyard, which is what we’re doing today. I also got the AI to summarize the traditions and history of the celebration.

Happy Labor Day to you and yours. Many countries around the world celebrate Labor Day on this day to honor the contributions and achievements of workers. Here’s a brief overview of the day:

Labor Day History

  • Labor Day originated in the United States in the late 19th century.
  • It was first celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City.
  • The holiday was created to recognize the struggles and sacrifices of workers in the face of long working hours, low wages, and poor working conditions.

Traditions and Celebrations

  • Labor Day is often marked with parades, barbecues, and other outdoor events.
  • Many people take the day off work to spend time with family and friends.
  • Some countries also observe Labor Day with strikes, protests, or other forms of activism to advocate for workers’ rights.

So here’s hoping that everyone had a good holiday and God Bless.

Happy 249th, America!

Happy Independence Day, America! On the 249th anniversary of independence from our tyrannical overlords of yore, we seem to be enjoying much in the way of prosperity, peace and the blessings from above.

From The Patriot Post:

On July 3rd, the day before the Continental Congress affirmed our Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that the 4th of July “ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty.” He continued, “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

He added: “You will think me transported with Enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

The defense of Liberty requires eternal vigilance…

Image above: Proudly flying our National and State flags over our little domicile. Click on the image to view enlarged.

Today, we celebrated with prayers and thanks for our freedoms, followed by a steak and salad dinner.

UPDATE: Here is an interesting AI generated spam comment linked to some irrelevant music platform:

Really appreciate how you tied John Adams’ words to the present moment—his vision of posterity ‘triumphing’ feels especially relevant as we reflect on 249 years of hard-earned freedom. Your mention of prayer and gratitude before a simple, celebratory meal struck a meaningful balance between tradition and mindfulness. It’s a good reminder that patriotism can be both spirited and reflective.

It’s interesting how the AI robot parses the post and then generates a somewhat apropos comment. Of course, we won’t link to their clickbait. AI comments are getting to be more frequent, but still caught by the Askimet anti-spam plug-in.