Our youngest grandchild....so far

The truth about being a police officer!

The media, now that we are past the reporting every minute about Covid-19; has been having a field day.  They're spending a lot of time posting every single instance they can find of police officers doing something wrong, so that they can smear the profession.  In some cases it has worked, as mayors in some cities are acting very agreeable to defunding police, and other ridiculous ideas.  They are caving to the pressure of groups of people who don't have a CLUE as to what their lives would be like without the police forces in their cities and states.
Here is a Facebook post created by my son.  We support him in every way with his career choice and his tenacity!  A lot of people NEED to understand exactly what officers do on their jobs.  It is my humble opinion that most people in their jobs do not have to encounter such things, and frankly, could not cope.   So, here is my son's post:

June 19, 2020

As I ponder the start of year 20 on the State Police, I feel very fortunate to have scored highly enough on the exam and had a clean enough background to make it into the academy, and enough drive to make it through 26 weeks without dropping out and resigning (as 56 of my fellow recruits did - a loss of 28% of the class). 15,000 people took that test in 1998, and only several hundred made it all the way. I’ve lost a handful of classmates so far who died from cruiser accidents, cancer, heart attacks and suicide. Another handful had to retire early due to job-related injuries. I’ve worked at a few barracks (Sturbridge, Middleboro, South Yarmouth, Dartmouth) and a couple units (Bristol County Detective unit-Homicide squad, and Crime Scene Services). Going through the Academy at age 27, I first worked some private sector jobs where I met some good people, but I have to say that, overall, the coworkers that I have met and worked with in the State Police and related professions (municipal police, campus police, Sheriff’s, State Corrections, Federal agents, firefighters, crime lab, and Asst. District Attorneys and their staff) thus far have been of the highest caliber in their personal and professional lives, more so than anywhere else I have been employed. It’s been a great 20 years. I put away a lot of murderers into prison, helped too many people to possibly count, and have seen terrible things that nobody should have to see. I’ve seen and put my hands on about 800 dead bodies, seen every manner of suicide, dead infants, toddler autopsies, people burnt beyond recognition, a kindergarten aged girl lying dead in a basement in a pool of blood with her throat sliced, a teenager’s brain in the street after a school bus ran over his head; I’ve been into disgusting hoarder houses, stepping over needles in heroin den apartments, and I’ve seen the worst of people. Been called every vulgar name you can think of by arrested subjects who were out of control of their emotions. But, I’ve also seen the best of people. Strangers helping others. Heroic efforts made by police officers and citizens alike. I’ve been hugged by family members of homicide victims who appreciated the measure of justice I helped them get with an arrest and conviction. I have always and will continue to treat all those I encounter with kindness and respect, but I will not hesitate to use the appropriate tools at my disposal to control those people out there intent on hurting or killing me or others, or infringing on all of our rights through their illegal behavior. However, by far, my greatest accomplishment in the last 20 years is this almost 3 year-old little boy right here. 

I saw the best post on Facebook yesterday

With all of the videos of peaceful protests, violence and burning and destruction, I saw a great post on Facebook.

"With all that lootin, no work boots were taken."

HAHAHAHA  We need a laugh during this pandemic and outrageous public behavior.

When yeast can't be found in stores:

Watson Caran told HuffPost, “To create a wild yeast starter from nature, my suggestion is simple: 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup flour, put in a wide mouth quart-sized jar.” Watson said to be sure to use filtered or spring water since chlorinated water will kill the yeast. Next, she said, “mix well and cover with a cheesecloth or plastic wrap. About 24 hours later, feed the starter with another cup of flour and enough water to get the same consistency as before.” She said to look for bubbles, which will indicate the process is working. The starter will be ready to use as a yeast substitute when it floats on top of the water in the jar.

Easter 2019 during the Covid virus lockdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba69webBT-0

MAKE YOUR OWN MASKS, instructions below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xueb4VHqXQU

Corona virus

Well, we're smack dab in the middle of the Corona Pandemic right now across the country.
Every channel on TV has bad news for all of us, along with warnings regarding how to stay safe..

Those who are first responders or those who work in hospitals, dentists, clinic workers, are all at a great risk.
The poor clerks at the supermarket are trying their best to cope with all of the customers, one after the other, without any slow down.
I know that they are also being exposed to all types of people, with all types of germs.

Most churches are reaching their parishioners by using live video broadcasts so that we can all join together online to pray and hear scripture verses, even join in with singing songs.
It's a tough time, but we will get through it.  I just hope it doesn't take too long.

Young people had to come home from college, and I feel badly for those who were all set to graduate this year.  It will be a non-event, rather than the traditional celebration.
Those who have lost loved ones cannot even have large family gatherings during funerals.
The Corona virus has cut everything short and intruded into so many lives.

The news never lets up on TV and online with tips of what to do and how to stock up to get through a few weeks of staying home, only to go out to the grocery store.
The store employees are striving to get the job done, but a lot of shelves are empty, especially in the larger stores, such as WalMart.

I noticed that the expensive meats are still on the shelves, whereas the cheapest meats are being snatched up quickly.  The same goes for the dairy aisle.  The more expensive organic milk sits idly on the shelf.

After a couple of trips to my local markets I have come to the conclusion that everyone in New England lives on pasta and bottled spaghetti sauce, along with most types of bread.  Another nearly empty aisle in the market is the soup aisle.
I have taken to grabbing a few things that I've never tried in my life, just because the choices were slim.   Maybe this will open up a whole new way of trying new foods for me.
In any case, I must say that I have seen a lot of politeness in the stores, and people are respecting the requested 6 feet space away from other shoppers. 

There is a togetherness happening, which is great, and we see it in all emergencies.
Although people are anxious, they are showing strangers and friends that they care and many are offering part of their stash of food and paper products, willingly.

Amid all of our prayers, I believe that we will quickly conquer this terrible virus, which has already harmed so many families and taken so many lives.

Lord, keep us all safe.

New Phone Hands-Free Law in Massachusetts

https://turnto10.com/news/local/hands-free-law-goes-into-effect-in-massachusetts?fbclid=IwAR00olOQBV6lp_JpCWWCvXcH03UeN69vuacNnJum-9cTcwRR39-Gx7FQWN8

Here is the link to my son, Sgt. Laliberte, being interviewed regarding the new law.