Bag of Randomness for Wednesday, May 13, 2020


I visited my ophthalmologist yesterday and surprised I still have 20/20 vision after 44-years. For the past six months, I’ve been frustrated at how much my vision has deteriorated. I miss my supervision and don’t like this mortal vision.


Last night PBS was showing a special on Asian Americans which caught my attention. I couldn’t watch the whole thing but I recorded it since I connected with the pieces I did see. Kuddos to my father-in-law who called WifeGeeding during the program and told her we should turn on PBS and watch this piece of history. That really meant a lot. There’s still a lot of “old” East Texas in him, but he’s a kind man, and him calling impressed me.


Bigamy is no longer a felony in Utah

For decades, bigamy was a third-degree felony, legally punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. The new law makes it an infraction, putting the offense on par with getting a traffic ticket.

This is my boss – Jonathan Hart, a self-made millionaire. He’s quite a guy. This is Mrs. H – she’s gorgeous. She’s one lady who knows how to take care of herself. By the way, my name is Max. I take care of both of them – which ain’t easy; ‘cause when they met, it was murder.



This was a nice unexpected treat for us Monk fans, I know all of us were curious how he would be handling this epidemic. It turns out Tony Shalhoub fought through COVID-19 last month, no doubt he must have laughed at the irony.

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8 Responses to Bag of Randomness for Wednesday, May 13, 2020

  1. Bizarro Big Tex says:

    Interesting on the change in Utah. Made me think of a germ of an idea that has incubated with me for the last several decades. Warning: it will make some very unhappy.

    I have become more convinced as the years pass by that what we knew as the United States, a democratic republic, is slowly turning into a de facto theocracy before our eyes. If a leader professes Faith (whether true or a convenient lie), it excuses almost every transgression of our national social contract these days. The Leader should be trusted and granted great latitude because of that so-called Faith, or so a growing number of citizens believe. And any who dare challenge that leadership are harangued and denigrated. Religious convictions affect national policy on medical decisions, health insurance, reproductive health, adoption rights, housing, property rights, marriage as a function of state records, and on, and on, and on… All these things should be the purview of public laws, applied equally to all, irrespective of religious dogma. If your individual conscience has an issue, opt out. That is only right and fair, to preserve the rights of the individual. But religious dictates are increasingly used to trump public policy and force these exceptions of conscience on the masses, wanted or unwanted. I do believe historical record that our Founding Fathers were individuals of Faith and Conviction, but I do not believe they would be comfortable with our national direction being increasingly taken over by the pulpit. In spite of what is sung in our hymns on Sunday, most major religions have had a dismal record of representing, caring, respecting, and protecting the least among us. It was hoped at one time that government that flowed from city hall, the state house, and the Capitol would be the great equalizer. Whether you were saint or sinner, believer or unbeliever, saved or lost soul, government would aspire to treat all citizens the same. Unlike some religions. Sorry for the gloomy postulation. Just a thought from a tired old soul hoping all People of Good Will can someday make Peace in the War of Faith(s).

    • Ben W. says:

      There’s a lot of truth in here. While the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion, in this period of history that seems more and more to be interpreted as “freedom of MY religion,” so long as that religion is the “right” one. Piety in democracy is, in fact, neither.

      • Bizarro Big Tex says:

        Thanks Brother Ben W. A difficult observation for me to type today.

        Some days when I get up, I believe it completely. Some days I don’t. I have been asked by the spouse during several family discussions if I have lost my Faith in the Lord Almighty. I have not. I have, however, lost a great deal of faith in my Fellow Man, unfortunately. But I have Hope.

        • Geeding says:

          Hope is just not a river in Egypt. I mean, I can get a heck of a good look at a T-Bone steak by sticking my head up a butcher’s but. . . No, wait. It’s gotta be your bull. Nah, that’s not it either. Oh, never mind.

          • Bizarro Big Tex says:

            Geeding, you always bring a ray of sunshine and a chuckle to my rainy day doldrums. And Tommy Boy: best movie EVER!

            Oh, that’s gonna leave a mark!

    • Kathy says:

      Amen, Bizarro!

  2. AndreaJN says:

    Love that doc picture, the Hart-to-Hart reference, and the Monk video! Take care and stay safe.

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