Mark Steyn's Website Explains the Lutheran Ovaltine Set

 Andy Devine accidentally injured himself as a child, and that affected his voice, which became his trademark.

I was looking for some reading matter to promote drowsiness, so I looked for something entertaining on Mark Steyn's website. He is often on TV, his style reminding me of a 110 appliance plugged into a 220 electrical socket.

His guest reviewer discussed various Christmas classics, such as It's a Wonderful Life and The Bells of St. Mary. Mrs. Ichabod and I favor old classics. We watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington for the 10th time and agreed it remains one of the best. We also saw A Star Is Born in its original 1937 form, with Uncle Jingles (Andy Devine) playing the role of publicist. Savvy entertainment reviewers like to show off their vast knowledge of all media and drop hints to make people confused. So I did that. He was in a Shakespeare movie (Romeo and Juliet) as well, so I imagined him saying "Plunk your magic twonger, Froggie" from his TV show.

In discussing the relative merits of each Christmas classic movie, readers began sparring with each other and the writer about their various opinions.

I thought, while reading the opinions, "There are just like the Lutheran Ovaltine set, expending vast amounts of time and energy arguing over trivia and getting very upset with each other. Likely they are as distant from each other - asking if Uncle Billy fits in It's a Wonderful Life - as the Lutherans are."

David Becker quoted me on the ALPB Online Forum, and they responded with hissy-fits and name-calling, aimed at me! The real issue is whether they can address the doctrinal issues instead of claiming our church is lodged in a garage.

I had fun on their site with the garage fantasy, but it made me wonder, "Why would a pastor promote a false scenario in order to feel superior?"

American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Online Forum - Champeen Poster - Arrested!Over 10,000 ALPB Posts!

 ELCA Pastor Steven Tibbets, aka Pastor Zip was recently arrested. He seems to be a member of STS, the high church, smells and bells Lutheran worship group.

Lutheran Pastor Arrested In Godfrey, Charged With Distributing Child Pornography by Dan Brannan  and Chris Rhodes published July 4 2020 5:02 AM updated July 4 2020 7:02 AM Listen to the story 3 Share29 EAST ST. LOUIS - The U.S. District Court - Southern District of Illinois - on Wednesday announced a federal criminal complaint was filed late on Friday, June 19, 2020, against a Madison County pastor, Steven P. Tibbetts, 61, for one count of knowingly distributing child pornography in December 2019. At the time the complaint was filed, Tibbetts was employed as the head pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Godfrey.

Steven Tibbetts, ALPB Contribution Leader

Posts:

10,214 (1.739 per day)

Personal Text:

Big tents are for circuses.

Gender:

Male

Age:

61

Location:

Godfrey, Illinois,
Government House follows

 Pastor Zip's touching tribute to Bishop and Mrs. Guy Erwin - grab your hankies - or perhaps a heavy duty barf bag. Guy will be president of the United Lutheran Seminary, because Theresa Latini, the previous president, was not gay enough for the students.

From the Balm to the Weed to the Stars

Opportunistic Bee Balm is having a great time elbowing other plants aside to gather as much sunlight as possible. I planted those little wads of roots a few years ago, and they absorbed two very rainy summers in a row to dominate the upper air spaces, side spaces, and spaces over the driveway and sidewalk.

When I cut a bunch of them in half to spare our postman, the remnants bloomed immediately at knee height.

Meanwhile, the Joe Pye is subordinate to no plant. Where Bee Balm reaches six feet, Joe Pye reached eight feet and gently spreads its strong branches upward to cast shade on any interloper. The enormous bulbous blooms add to the shade below and no paisano weeds try to grow in the stygian darkness below.

 We had the entire front yard covered with wood mulch on cardboard. Now plants and weeds compete for sunlight and rabbits walk securely in the shade.

Ranger Bob knocked on the door Sunday afternoon and Sassy began issuing orders for Milk Bone. They are a series of sharp barks that make conversation impossible, until I go to the garage and get one to hand to Bob. Sassy pranced off  to enjoy her treat, and Bob said in a conspiratorial voice, "Did you know what is out there? You have to do something!?"

"What?"

"Two hummers are at your feeders and they need changing, immediately. I'll help."

Sassy came back to keep Bob in line and Mrs. Ichabod joined the group to enjoy the shade and conversation. PFC was excused to visit his grandmother.

The hummingbirds appeared again and Bob said, "I will grab the feeders, you get them washed and filled." He strolled into the garden and grabbed the two busiest ones.

I told a Facebook/reader friend about this, and got this response, "Bob obeys Sassy, and you obey Bob."

The conversation turned to a mutual appreciation of telescopes and astronomy and soon we were in the chapel looking at used books on astronomy.

My favorite book on the topic followed us on our journeys, but was given away twice. I had the hardback, then the paperback. The paperback of Ferris' Galaxies sells for $200 now.