If Butterfingers are your go-to movie munchy or mini Nestle Crunch bars were the highlight of your childhood Halloweens, this is an extra sad Monday. Nestlé just announced that it's considering selling its American candy brands, which includes classic candy aisle mainstays like Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Gobstoppers, 100 Grand, SkinnyCow, Raisinets and Crunch bars.Now, before you go buying up your local drugstore and hoarding Butterfingers in your pantry, let's clarify — these products won't necessarily be gone foreverif the sale happens. However, the candy bars could be sold under a new label and possibly have a new recipe or formula, depending on who buys the rights.


"Nestlé will explore strategic options for its U.S. confectionery business, including a potential sale," the company said in a statement. Basically, nothing in life will ever be the same again.
If you're a fan of Nestlé's Toll House cookies, though, don't worry: Those won't be part of the sale, as they're held under a separate part of the company — as are Kit Kat bars, which are produced by Nestlé's international arm, not its American one.
Nestlé blames this decision on Americans being more interested in healthy snack choices. We may still love our sugar, but we’re eating less of it, and industries like candy and cereal are feeling the impact.
We're conflicted about this news. On one hand, hooray for U.S. citizens for finally taking their health into their own hands, getting educated and breaking our dependency (or at least starting to be less dependent) on sugars and processed foods. With our current obesity crisis and health care policy being very much in limbo, eating healthier is one simple way to keep our nation in better shape.
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However, there's definitely going to be some nostalgic sadness seeing Butterfingers, Crunch bars and Baby Ruths disappear from the candy aisle (even if they reappear with different packaging). They were childhood staples!
Nestlé hopes to have a deal in place by the end of 2017, so if this post hasn't convinced you not to hoard candy bars, you have time to stock up.

The surprising number of American adults who think chocolate milk comes from brown cows - The Washington Post

The surprising number of American adults who think chocolate milk comes from brown cows - The Washington Post

Céline Dion - All By Myself

She looks so much like______fill in the blank.

Conway Twitty - It's Only Make Believe [1990]

Michael Killian Died May 8, 2017

Chicago Skyline April 8, 2017

The top 10 leading causes of death in the United States - Medical News Today

The top 10 leading causes of death in the United States - Medical News Today

Number 1. is Heart Disease

Number 3. Chronic lower respiratory disease

Number 5   Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)

Number 7    Diabetes



The only people it seems who are willing to talk about death are doctors.  Even given the subject matter that pervades are airwaves the one remaining taboo is death.  You can write a book about it and how you fought it and overcame it but if you want to just talk about dying, well there's not to many people that want to 1) talk about it and 2) even less who want to listen to you talk about it.  But my social media page is my social media page.  I don't think of the miniscule number of people who see my posts are that interested in the first place and that's fine.  Most of us just want to hear ourselves talk anyway. 

So after my recent bouts with Influenza followed by a week or so later a mild heart attack I kind of have taken notice that saying I have 4 of the top 7 leading causes of death takes on more meaning than it has of late.  The first response from people is denial in its many forms.  They want you to fight it, etc. I'm not interested in fighting it.  I am interested in preparing for it.  The reason I think so many people are surprised by it is that they have not prepared for it when they were in a condition to allow them to prepare for it. 

I have the rudimentary outline of a disaster file.  The insurances I have. Where they are filed.  Who to call the day I die and cancel any subscriptions, insurance premiums, and payments for services that are on draft like my phone/cable/computer payments.  There are programs that cover these events more thoroughly and they need to be explored

These are only some of the considerations that need to be addressed.  I am guessing the funeral home is only to willing to take care of other matters (for a FEE of course) that need to be attended to as well.

But what I want to talk about has nothing to do with these pragmatic events.  I want to talk about dying in the here and now.  You realize you have these conditions and you thank God everyday that you wake up because you know any day now can be your last.  Not because of some unforeseen tragedy, like a tornado or car accident or murder.  But because in a real sense you are on a waiting list.

You have the credentials for death. 

What to consider?  Have you been seeing the people you would like to see before you die.  I have a few friends that fit that category.  Then too, there are my children and my grandchildren.  Fortunately, for me, everyone is near except Brendan, and that bothers me.  I would hate to think I have seen him for the last time.  So I have to start making some plans.  And it can't just 'be seeing them' at a cook out or ball game.  Like Friends, it has to be for a stated purpose, I'm really here to see YOU. 

It is a cold reality I guess but when you once die, you are not long thought of and what difference does that mean to you the dying one anyway.  You are dead.  So its these preparing times that are important.

I saw a callous weather report this morning where a reporter was talking about a tornado and flippantly said the father went to the store for bread and when he came home his wife and child were dead.  I could have punched him right in the face.  That is what I do not want to end up being. Dead without seeing my family.