R.I.P. Chuck Yeager - 08 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 271

Micah 6:8
Joel 2:15
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Sad news hit the air and the wires today. General Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier (that's flying faster than the speed of sound), died yesterday (on the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor). He was one of the original "right stuff" guys, and a hero to many. He will be missed.

On a more celebratory note, today is National Lard Day! No doubt there are many of you out there who can't imagine why anyone would ever celebrate lard. I would submit that those are nearly the same group of people who have never tried a pie crust made with lard (or if they have, didn't know that's why that pie crust was far and away the best, flakiest, tastiest crust they had ever eaten). Pie crust made with lard (and cornbread as well!) is simply better than pie crust made with butter and/or vegetable shortening.

Today is also National Christmas Tree Day. One supposes that means today is the day to set up the tree - and that doesn't sound like a bad idea. Of course this year I think we'll find that there are many folks who've had their trees and other decorations set up for quite a while already. Not exactly any port in a storm, but rather here's something good and true that we can actually celebrate in spite of everything else going on around us. Christmas trees are great (and no, I'm not a pagan who worships the tree, thank you very much.).

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.