My Slow Takes (Vol. 116)

1. Dee and I were in Buffalo, New York last weekend and watched the Bill’s squeeze a win over the Raven’s. My sister Kim and her husband Frank coordinated the tailgate party and tickets. A combination of family, friends and great weather made it an enjoyable day.

The Bill's entering the field.

Syracuse University Band at halftime.

2. On our trip to Buffalo we saw “crossing signs” that we don’t see in Virginia. Bears!

3. The Spider’s were off last weekend but face James Madison in Harrisonburg this Saturday. They are at 2-3. 

The Irish lads played a great game against Arizona State winning 37-34. They are at 4-2 and play at home against USC on October 19.

4. October 7 is the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of 1763. The British Government intended to protect the Native North Americans from infringement on their territories.

“We do further declare it to be Our Royal Will and Pleasure, for the present as aforesaid, to reserve under our Sovereignty, Protection, and Dominion, for the use of the said Indians, all the Lands and Territories not included within the Limits of Our said Three new Governments, or within the Limits of the Territory granted to the Hudson's Bay Company, as also all the Lands and Territories lying to the Westward of the Sources of the Rivers which fall into the Sea from the West and North West as aforesaid.”

The Proclamation drew a line separating the British territory from the Native territory. The land speculators and colonists did not agree with this. The line was pushed back as new treaties were made. The Native population lost land and continued to move further west. More info at Wikipedia.

A portion of eastern North America; the 1763 "proclamation line" is the border between the red and the pink areas.

5. Restoring the Military death benefits is a welcomed decision. What bothers me is that it was allowed to get to this point. We have been through shutdowns before and have not learned a thing. What if we posted a list of  the elected officials who allowed the shutdown. Then when their reelection comes around we don’t support them. Clean out the old and replace with new. Just my two cents.

6. The Senate has a Chaplain and his name is Barry Black. His prayer, as reported by USA Today.

"Lord, when our federal shutdown delays payments of death benefits to the families of children dying on faraway battlefields, it's time for our lawmakers to say 'enough is enough'," Black said. "Cover our shame with the robe of your righteousness. Forgive us, reform us and make us whole."

7. It's raining and has been since Tuesday. I'm okay with the rain as it brings to mind Steve Givens line, "This rain, hitting off the deck outside the door and splashing noiselessly into the thirsty earth, today speaks to me of prayer and the presence of God." Amen.

Read other "Takes" at Conversion Diary.