Seems like “Deja vu all over again,” as Yogi Berra like to say.

I’m talking about our trip home from Hastings last Wednesday afternoon.

We were still a ways north on Show Boat Road when we saw a dark cloud hugging the earth east-southeast of Lawrence. It was darker than other clouds in the sky and seemed to be coming from a specific place. We thought maybe we were seeing a repeat of that prairie fire of just several weeks ago.

We watched it all the way home as it seemed dust and smoke were being blown northeast. Once in Lawrence we noticed the fire department was not out . . . so we wondered what was happening.

We learned shortly after getting home that the Nelson Fire Department had been called out and three vehicles could not find a fire.

Seems it was just dust and ash from the same area that burned a couple of weeks ago.

Seemed like the real thing to me. Thank God for small favors.

A O

More good news last week as well. We all know of the liberal establishment’s effort to undermine the traditional values of Christians in the United States. They took away the mere mention of a God in our public schools. They want us to believe there are more than two genders of humans: male, female and ? ? ? They want us to believe we have to “fundamentally remake America” as one past Democrat president liked to say.

I’ve been seeing a number of small, little successes being recorded for those of us who don’t believe some of these changes are necessary.

Last week a Federal Appeals Court ruled that the ‘Miss United States of America’ organization could exclude a transgendered woman from competing in its competition.

I don’t know if this common sense ruling will follow similar situation in our schools and universities where what are called ‘transgendered’ people want to compete in women’s sports in order to have the unfair advantage of having a male body and muscle to compete against women.

The fight to continue our traditional “Christian” nations never ends.

A O

As long as I’m talking about various things, I’ll relate a surprise I got last week.

For some time, I’ve been receiving a number of small pamphlets specific to one particular subject. For example: “water,” like in the Little Blue NRD’s production of “Out Of The Blue.”

Other water related publications often grace my mailbox.

However, several weeks ago I was surprised when a pamphlet showed up by the name of “DIRT.”

It was a simple little pamphlet and I had to see what it was all about. To my surprise, it was from an insurance company and was addressed to “Ostdiek Insurance Agency.”

I guess they didn’t know I no longer carried a state license to sell insurance.

Not a big thing . . . but I got a good laugh out of it.

A O

Another little bit of good news comes from Florida of all places.

Seems the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine approved a new rule banning puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries for minors.

Support for ending such treatments for minors comes with scientific evidence supporting these complex medical interventions is extraordinarily weak, noted Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo.

A O

Do you think ? ? ?

I support the University of Nebraska and most of the research projects they have done over the years. However, last week I read the results of one of their research project.

It said simply: “Irrigation contributes to our high humidity levels every summer.”

Gosh, I thought everyone already was aware of that, but I guess it is good to have an expert support the theory.

Just as a side-light, the article noted that irrigated land accounts for 40 percent of the food grown in the U. S.

A O

Finally, for this week.

We attended the ‘Induction Ceremony’ into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame several weeks ago. We heard a few speeches from those so honored during the ceremony and two of them I’d like to remember.

First: One honoree noted: Among the earliest news reporters in history were those four men about 2,000 years ago who reported the good news. In fact they were so good they combined to help write a book.

I don’t know their last names, but their first names were: “Matthew,” “Mark,” “Luke,” and “John.” They also were inspired by God to write the words they did.

The second honoree was a professor from the University of Nebraska. He noted that there has been a great decrease in the number of students who continue courses in English, along with journalism. He felt that maybe the art of reporting news had suffered somewhat because of it.

Something to think about.

A O

O K, this is really the final item for this week.

“Veteran’s Day.”

We are all veterans of something, even if a young person. This week, November 11, we stop to recognize our military veterans. To do that properly, a person has to have a little understanding of history.

I related a story of my meeting a young Hastings College student one time. She was working as a check-out person in a Hastings store. I was using a credit card to pay for my purchase and then she said she also needed another source of identity.

I usually just pull out my driver’s license and that is all I need. However, this time, my military veteran’s card was easily available, so I used it.

My photo and name was on it and she said everything was OK.

The congenial young woman asked what service I was in, and then what war I was in.

Usually when asked this, I simply say I was in the service during the Viet Nam era. However, this time I said, I served my country during the “Cold War.”

This seemed a real surprise to her and noted she was not aware of what that was, and when did it happen, and why did it happen.

I extended my stay at the check-out counter and attempted to pass along a little experience and education.

Often wondered if she knows any more now about the Cold War than she did when I left.

The number of military veterans is dropping very quickly. WWII veterans are getting hard to find and Korean War veterans are passing more quickly than we like.

There are reasons and consequents for this. The reason is that there are just so few men (and women) in the military these days, so that leads to fewer veterans.

Consequents, right here on the local level are apparent.

There are American Legion Posts all across Nebraska (and rural American, for that matter) that will soon no longer be able to function. Locally, Lawrence, Guide Rock and Blue Hill, are just several towns that may see their American Legion Posts cease to exist in the not too distance future.

I’m proud of the Lawrence American Legion for in the face of declining numbers and people willing to serve Legion programs, they have committed themselves to not only continuing their programs, but to leave one last mark on the community.

They have committed (and completed) plans (with all community members) to help establish a “Community Center” in which they would not own, but have a place to use, far into the future.

This plan has resulted in raising almost $500,000 towards a new building and work continues on raising the balance that is needed.

Without any permission to do so, I reach out to all who read this to consider (and then do) contributions towards this building. Whether you live in Lawrence, Nelson, Lincoln, Chicago or California, I humbly ask for your help. Contributions of any size will be gratefully accepted, however, larger donations are begged for and will be gladly accepted. Recognition will be made in the new building as interest in “Memorials” has been questions. “Family Memorials” will be accepted.

The American Legion just wants to be remembered as doing their part to help themselves and the community of Lawrence.

Donations may be sent to: Lawrence Community Center, PO Box 62, Lawrence, Neb. 68957. Checks should be made out to: The Nuckolls County Foundation.

The foundation is a certified non-profit and qualifies your donation for a deduction on your income tax return if you itemized your deductions.

Happy Veteran’s Day to all veterans across the world.

A O