LIFE IN TURN FOUR

Happy Baseball Dance

2010-10-27T16:00:00.004-06:00

The Yankees lost...the Yankees lost...the Yankees lost!!!!!!

Go Rangers.

That is all.

Not Dead Yet

2010-10-27T15:40:00.003-06:00

Still here. I knew I wouldn't be any good at this but honestly didn't anticipate a six month period of silence. So much has happened and I've probably spent more time reading blogs than writing one.

Good gravy, the world is a mess isn't it? I knew at some point we'd climb in the handbasket and begin the downhill slide but I didn't know it would be this fast. It's truly amazing and apocalyptic in many ways. Here are some quick hits with the thoughts that have been running through my head for the past six months.

1. The US is in huge financial trouble.
2. China owns us. This can't be good.
3. The president is a Marxist. I believe this. I don't "feel" it...I know it. And I base it on his own words.
4. I don't know what to do about the financial situation. Shut down the 401K before the Gov. takes it over? Buy gold? Stuff it in a mattress? How long will the dollar be worth anything?
5. I remember the Jimmy Carter years. It's scarier now.
6. Leftists are cruel, nasty and evil to those with whom they do not agree.
7. I am sick to death of Palin-hate. It's old, silly, petty and a load of nonsense. And they think they are the compassionate ones. Defies logic.

No. I did not run into Chicken Little while taking my blog hiatus. I can see and sense all this on my own. Sometimes I with I could insert my head back in the sand but I can't. However, in general, the personal life has been pretty good lately and I'm thankful for that. At least the Marxists can't take that away. I'm sure they'll try. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

He Just Can't Seem to Help Himself

2010-04-13T10:01:00.007-06:00

Again with the bowing. While this guy is conducting some sort of summit on the dangers of nuclear weapons the Obama "Bowing Around the World" continues. While I've done enough research on our Narcissist-In-Chief to know exactly where he's coming from politically and globally, I still scratch my head at the bowing. It's funny, embarrassing, troubling and maddening...all at the same time. In case you missed his latest act of obsequiousness directed at his Chinese Communist BFF, here you go. If, as is probably the case, no one sees this, at least it will be preserved for my grandchildren and their children.

Okay, okay, so that last one didn't happen. It could have.

(Note to future generations: Our Glorious Leader felt no compulsion to bow to Queen Elizabeth or British PM, Gordon Brown. He escorted the Dalai Lama out the back of the White House past the trash bags. Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House but, wow, it was a pretty bleak visit. The Great One allowed no official photographers nor would he meet the press in the presence of the Israeli PM. He also left Netanyahu to fend for himself while our gracious Pres went off to have dinner with his family. THIS is how our Awesome Leader treated the Head of State of Israel. THAT'S the one that's going to come back to haunt us.

Snow, Global Warming and Texas

2010-02-21T21:00:00.004-07:00

Well, we're trying to drive down to Texas for a week or so. It'll be fun to visit with the grandkids and see them engaging in a variety of activities related to school, sports, etc. On the spiritual side of things, our youngest grandson will be baptized next Sunday and that's one of the highlights of the weekend. There's only one problem...weather. This has been one heck of a winter - everywhere. Snow, snow and more snow with freezing temperatures in the oddest places. I expect to be cold in Colorado but when a foot of snow is falling in Dallas, it sort of makes you wonder. On the other hand, should it? Not really, when you consider that this earth is a lot older than anybody living today. I've thought a lot about that nincompoop Al Gore lately. I'm not sure what igloo he's been hiding in this winter but surely he's noticed that it's been rather cold over the last few months. I truly believe that the God of the Universe has a wonderful sense of humor and this winter is His wry way of telling us that we are not in control, have never been in control and will never be in control of our weather, the sun, moon and stars or anything else that He created. I believe that to the depths of my soul. Does He want us to be responsible stewards of the earth in a common sense way? Of course. It's so simple and logical that I scratch my head wondering why most people miss it. So whether or not Mr. Danger and I are able to dodge oncoming storms and get ourselves down to Dallas is pretty much out of our hands. We'll do the best we can and pray we don't end up in a snowbank somewhere in north Texas. I'm so thankful that I don't have to trust my present or future to the hand-wringing plans of the people in charge of our government or the UN or anyone else. They can tax us up the wazoo but it isn't going to do a thing to change the temperatures, the weather patterns or anything else. Good ole' Al has made a small fortune on this ridiculous hoax (estimates are around 500 million), but in the eyes of the Creator, he's an ineffectual buffoon.

The Bell Tolls For Thee

2010-01-20T15:10:00.003-07:00

You know, I've been screaming "Code Blue" regarding my country since President Bush signed on to the TARP bill in late 2008. It showed terrible economic judgment and made his presidency end on a sour note for me. However, nothing comes close to the abomination of the past year under the presidency of Barack Obama. I'm convinced in both my heart and mind that he is a committed 60's radical with an agenda that includes the systematic dismantling of the American economy and way of life. Folks, I'd pretty much given up.

At the end of the day, what's important to me is my eternal soul and I know my soul and my future are secure in God's hands but you know something, I'm an American and I love my country. Seeing what's happened over the last year and the rapidity of the decline, it's been sorrowing to say the least. I figured this country was finished and that the majority of it's citizens were following the radical left like a bunch of zombies.

Then came the Tea Parties. Then came the elections in Virginia and New Jersey. Crumbs of hope. Little hints that the liberty-loving and Constitution-loving people in the U.S. still had a pulse. But nothing prepared me for January 19th. I've lived a long time and seen a lot of things but I've never seen the slightest spark of political originality from the decent people of Massachusetts. Republican - bad; Democrat - good; Anyone named Kennedy - super good. Don't ask me to explain Mitt Romney because I can't. I'm talking about the senate seat of a lush who's lack of responsibility and cowardliness led to the death of a young woman. A man who's dicey love life and incoherent ramblings only made him more popular. How he won re-election year after year baffled me.

To see what many considered to be Kennedy's hallowed senate seat (or throne) snatched away by an independent Republican was proof positive to me that there is still life in the United States of America and I do not plan to give up on my country. In fact, I plan to do what I can to see that my own state, Colorado, is grabbed from the hands of the leftist crazies as soon as possible. We'll start with appointed senator, Michael Bennett. When we get his senate seat back we'll get back the governorship, then the state house then we'll work on Mark Udall. I hope the good people of other states will do the same.

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, Harry, it tolls for thee. And every other senator and member of Congress that's been a part of this attempted Marxist takeover.

God bless America.

Boo-Flippin'-Hoo

2009-12-29T15:10:00.004-07:00

So the Big Guy is tired. Well, who can blame him. Flying off for Broadway dates in NYC, 10 trips to foreign parts in 11 months, countless golf and basketball games, dismantling the US Constitution, shoving Marxism/Socialism down the throats of average Americans, jetting to Copenhagen twice on vital issues like securing the Olympics and receiving a prize for...nothing. Heck, I'd be tired too. I'd be exhausted. Poor baby. I'm really distressed that he's currently enjoying a Hawaiian vacation at absolutely no expense to himself or his family. I wonder who's paying for it? Oh right, you and me, sucker.

How fondly I look back and remember President George W. Bush. Say what you will, but the man was tireless. Even when he went on vacation he went to HIS OWN HOUSE, and most of the time he continued to conduct the business of the nation. I also wish we still had a president that took the terrorist threat seriously. So far, we've had a US soldier killed at a recruiting center in Little Rock and a Muslim terrorist masquerading as an Army doctor mowing down 14 people at Ft. Hood. Now we have another delightful Muslim terrorist attempting to blow up a plane over Detroit using explosives in his underpants. Sources in Yemen claim the possibility of 200-300 more attacks in the planning stages. Wonderful. All our Glorious Leader has to say about these three terrorist attacks on his watch is...not much. I don't recall him saying anything about Little Rock and his comments on the other two was that they must have been, "isolated extremists". Only in your world, dude.

Where is Jack Bauer when we need him? For that matter, where is George W. Bush when we need him?

Get lots of rest Big Guy. You're going to need it. I have a feeling that rough times are ahead. On the other hand, if the job is too much for you, you can always resign. Maybe not. After all, that would make Joe Biden president and I'm not too sure I could handle that either. Better yet, let's just dump this freeloader in 2012 and get a REAL President.

These Days Anything Can Happen!

2009-10-12T11:45:00.012-06:00

DR. GREGORY HOUSE WINS NOBEL PRIZE FOR MEDICINE

Well, why not? The track record of the Nobel Prize committee is odd at best. A peace prize was given to Jimmy (snerk) Carter for his efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. I think we've all see how that worked out. Internet inventor Al Gore won a peace prize for his stellar work of fiction, "An Inconvenient Truth". In the process, the committee chose not to give the prize to Irena Sendler, a woman who smuggled about 2500 Jewish children to safety during World War II. Children destined for Nazi death camps. Gosh, I can't see any reason why she'd deserve the prize over Al Gore, can you?

All of which leads me to my new cause - the Nobel Prize in Medicine for Dr. Gregory House. I know, I know, he's fictional. However, it might be argued that Obama is a little fictional, too. Seriously, we know so little about him. Born in Hawaii, became a Senator for a few months, became president. Has some really strange friends and advisors. Likes to travel a lot. That's all I know. I suppose that sounds partisan but I'd really like someone to tell me what he's done to bring peace to the world in the last nine months. It's all fictional at this point. What's real is that the Middle East is a powder keg. Iraq is stable but you have to give credit to Bush for that. Afghanistan is a mess and all O seems to do is ignore the problem. Iran wants to wipe out the Jews and they're close to having the nukes to do it thanks to the Russians. The Russians are just waiting for the Middle East to blow up so they can control the oil. North Korea is completely out of control as they strut across the stage of history while starving their own people. And let's not forget the Chinese who own just about everything. Does anyone realize how indebted we are to them? Yes, I do know that George Bush is responsible for a large part of that. About all I've seen this president do is fly all over the world apologizing for America, it's horrible policies and people. It's so tiresome and anything but peaceful, but at least he's gotten a lot of trips out of the deal. His wife too. Need to go shopping? Hop a government-owned and taxpayer subsidized jet to Paris. No problem. It must be a lot of fun but doesn't do much to bring about peace in a troubled, messed-up world.

"House", at least, is a pretty darn good show and in reality, it's taught me a lot about the world of medicine, diagnosis, hospital politics, and how to avoid doctors that might be scarfing pain drugs. And fiction is so much more pleasant than reality isn't it? Americans live in a fantasy world most of the time so why shouldn't these "prestigious" awards reflect that sort of mindset. Never mind all the real doctors and researchers around the world who might actually deserve the award. The Peace Prize committee never bothers with them - they just make political statements with their award. So let's hope the committee that decides the award for medicine just chucks reality and makes a really "fun" decision this time. After that, maybe Dr. House will run for president.

Spitting at Giants and Three Wishes

2009-09-09T15:20:00.011-06:00

While it's no secret that I'm a raging NASCAR and Tony Stewart fan, it's also a little known fact that I have a fondness for Major League Baseball along with some very distinct likes and dislikes team-wise. Having spent my childhood years in Southern California and actually being ALIVE when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles (I know! It makes me sound so old!), I possess a deep and abiding affection for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Always loved 'em, always will. Hey, I went to games when some of the true greats were active - Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, John Roseboro, Don Drysdale, Roy Campanella, to name a few. But I feel sure that my beloved Dodgers will forgive me for my increasing respect and fondness for my new home team, the Colorado Rockies. I think it comes down to my desire to always see the underdog win. Always. That's why I get so irritated at the New York Yankees and their unbearable sense of entitlement. Ok, it's more than that. It's all the World Series games I endured when they whomped on my Dodgers. But the true enemy of the Dodgers, the truly hateful, awful, cringeworthy team to any Los Angeles fan was and is the San Francisco Giants. I don't ever say the word "Giants" normally. I sort of spit it out. That's how much I loathe them. Well, here we are, playing baseball in September, in a run-up to the playoffs and my dear Rockies are battling another team for the National League wild card slot. And who, you may ask, are they battling? The Giants (spit). The horrible, stinky, ugly San Francisco Giants (spit). So far, we are holding our own at three games ahead but two of our terrific starters have hurting backs and are sitting out the next few games. That's going to make our lead over the Giants (spit) dicey at best. I don't know if we'll be able to pull it off, but we're going to try. Just like a couple of years ago when the Rockies won me over with their "Little Engine That Could" run to the World Series. I have three wishes as my two favorite sports grind slowly to a halt:

1. Tony Stewart wins the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.
2. The Rockies get the Wild Card and go into the playoffs.
3. The San Francisco Giants (spit) experience a massive losing streak and the Diamondbacks end up third in the NL West.

Anybody got a lamp I can rub?

AMERICAN REQUIEM

2009-03-30T15:16:00.005-06:00

I mentioned in another post that my mother and father found their way to the Los Angeles area during the Great Depression in the 1930's. I was born in November, 1943, and can tell you with complete truthfulness that my first living memory is of a day in August, 1945. If you do the math, you'll see that I was only 20 months old at the time of this brief and fleeting memory so you'll have to just trust me when I tell you that the memory is very, very real.

The day I remember is August 14, 1945. Ring a bell? I didn't think so. Most people neither know nor care that August 14, 1945 was V-J Day - the official end of World War II. Victory in Europe had been declared in May of the same year but the war still raged in the Pacific for the next three months. As my family lived in the Los Angeles area and were specifically affected by having loved ones in the Pacific theatre, V-J Day was huge for them. I've told you that the memory is fleeting but here's what it is. On V-J Day, my sister was almost eight years old. While I can't tell you exactly what she was carrying, I remember that she was walking up and down our street beating on something like it was a drum. It was her way of celebrating. I remember a general feeling of happiness and relief in our home. While I cannot recollect any conversations and had (of course) no concept of the import of the day, I was aware that it was a good day and everyone close to me was happy.

The war was a hard time for everyone. While Americans never suffered the hardship, deprivation, bombings, etc. of those in Europe, it was still a very hard time. My mother has told me about the rationing coupons and the very odd recipes that made up her culinary repertoire. Later we called it "Depression Food" but it could be called "War Food" also. Creamed beef on toast, SPAM, salmon patties (made from canned salmon). Looking at what I've written, I guess we're lucky we had any kind of meat at all. Yes, it was a hard time but, you know, we were fighting for something. Of course it was our military that suffered the most but the folks who were holding things together on the homefront were fighting too. There was disagreement between pro-war and anti-war factions before the attack on Pearl Harbor but once war had been declared, it was a done deal. This country pulled together and they did what they had to do because the maniac in Germany needed to be stopped and so did that guy in Japan. They were leaders who were filled with hate and a huge sense of their own importance and they had to be quashed. It took lives and it sent back men who were damaged for the rest of their lives but there were no regrets and no post-war years of navel-gazing to determine who was "right" and who was "wrong".

I've thought a lot about it and I don't think the America of 2009 has what it takes to fight a Hitler or Tojo. We would fold. We would be pitiful and weak. That shames me and I'm thankful to have lived at least a part of my life in the America that stood for something. I grieve for that America and I think I always will.

Sometimes a picture says it all...

2009-02-20T11:53:00.006-07:00

I see it's been a month since I've had anything to say or the time to say it. So I decided to let the pictures do the speaking for me. These are signs seen at a stimulus bill/mortgage bill protest in Arizona. By the way, these are just a few of signs but they speak volumes. Is it any wonder regular Americans are buying pitchforks and torches? After this, I plan to blog about fun, everyday stuff because this political road to Marxism is depressing.

What Is Wrong With These People?

2009-01-21T12:52:00.004-07:00

I'm placing this video on my blog but I don't advise watching much of it. I could only take about three minutes before I felt I might require a puke bucket.

First of all, let me say that I don't begrudge these people their enthusiasm for the new president. No problem there. Sometimes I wonder why they just don't erect the gold statue and altar and get it over with, but other than that, they are certainly entitled to their euphoria. I felt that way myself after the dismal years of Jimmy Carter - Ronald Reagan was a breath of fresh air and represented a new beginning, so I can understand a bit of what they feel. There's just one big difference. I didn't worship Ronald Reagan and I didn't know anyone else who worshiped him. This is just...weird.

Here's my question. These people are pledging to smile, love their children, get to know their neighbors, help the poor, etc., etc., now that the Dawn of The Day of Obama has begun. Did they not do these things over the last eight years? I'll be frank here - I could not stand Bill Clinton. For me, he was a pompous, self-important, morally corrupt windbag. However, over his two, four-year terms, I never felt like killing myself and never threatened to leave the country. I loved my children, I smiled, I knew and helped out my neighbors, gave regularly to charity and did some volunteer work. My happiness never, for one moment, depended on the occupant of the White House. I'm sincerely gobsmacked by people who suspend their happiness, joy and peace of mind because they hate and despise the current president.

Anyhow, at least now these charming folks can begin to do all those things they've been holding back on because of their severe cases of Bush Derangement Syndrome. It's rather sad that their children have had to suffer from their surliness for the last eight years but hopefully, now that SALVATION HAS COME, these sweet kiddies will discover that their parents actually might love them after all. I still don't expect Demi Moore and the rest of these elites to get to know their neighbors unless their neighbors are just like them.

Let's just hope their smile muscles still work. As for me, I'm laughing myself silly.

Change We Can Believe In - #1

2009-01-14T15:21:00.003-07:00

WASHINGTON (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama called disclosures about Treasury choice Timothy Geithner's tax problems an embarrassment Wednesday but said Geithner's "innocent mistake" shouldn't keep him from confirmation as the new administration's top official in urgent efforts to revive the economy.

Let me get this straight. This guy, this Timothy Geithner, our Glorious Leader's choice for Secretary of the Treasury, is a tax evader. A. Tax. Evader. Let's think about that for a minute. If that happened to me or if that happened to you - poor crumbs of the earth that we are - what do you think would happen? Heck, even Wesley Snipes and the Departed Leona Helmsley got in loads of trouble for the same thing. So, it's not just the pathetic crumbs, it's anyone with no association with the Chosen One.

I'd like to present as Exhibit A, race car driver Helio Castroneves. This guy got arrested back in October for, you guessed it, tax evasion. He was led to the jail in chains folks. Hand cuffs and leg chains. Just like he was Hannibal Lector or something. Not only that, when he asked permission to pursue his chosen career during the time between his arrest and trial in order to make a living, he was denied. That's why he's not racing this season.

Summing it up, for some people it's an offense worthy of heavy fines, leg chains, public humiliation and jail time. For others it's just an "honest mistake". Guess it depends on who you know.

Yep, this is Change We Can Believe In.

There's Something For Everyone in The Twilight Zone

2008-12-31T13:50:00.010-07:00

Here are a few random thoughts on New Year's Eve 2008, and don't worry, it will all relate to the title. I promise.

In short, I've always hated this "holiday". For most people who get all excited about it, it's just an excuse to get hammered and party. Neither of these appeal to me (though I've been known to enjoy the occasional party), so the whole thing is just a non-event. I feel a lot like Jerry Seinfeld. He once referred to New Year's Eve as his least favorite holiday. He compared it to an empty jar of mustard. People keep sticking a knife into the jar to get something out of it but there's nothing there and it should just be thrown away. Couldn't agree more.

Apparently most Americans get all excited about a Waterford crystal ball that drops within sight of thousands of happy, giddy people cramming Times Square in New York City. They are all set to celebrate...the next day. This is supposed to be the greatest New Year's Eve celebration on the planet. Well, big whoop. Here's how a group of hearty souls celebrate the new year in Colorado Springs and I defy anyone to come up with something cooler - and I mean that literally. Meet the Pikes Peak AdAmAn Club. Since 1922, a group of people have spent December 30 and 31 climbing the very icy Barr Trail in extremely cold temperatures to set off fireworks at the summit of Pikes Peak for the enjoyment of everyone in the area and to welcome the new year. As I type this they are working their way towards the summit. To be honest, Mr. Danger and I are rarely awake to watch the show but we know that they're there, and that once again they've made it. When we have stayed up for the fireworks, they're pretty cool. Drop a ball? Climb a 14,000 ft. mountain? You tell me.

I can think of another good thing about New Year's Eve and that's the one thing you can always count on - The Twilight Zone Marathon on the SciFi channel. One right after another they come for two days - one Zone right after another, people! If you can't find one of your favorites then I can't help you. We get all the great outer space stuff, the average Joe/Jane who finds himself or herself confronting some historical figure or another, the beautiful woman who thinks she's ugly because everyone else in her world has a pig face, and then there's the classic, "To Serve Man". That's the one where the space people land on earth and seem like benevolent friendly beings until the humans slowly discover that they are going to be the food source for their out-of-world visitors. Then there's my all time favorite Zone - the gentleman who's the only survivor of a nuclear blast that destroys all mankind. He is a quiet recluse who's only desire in life is to read every book he can get his hands on. He joyfully approaches the library (which amazingly still has in-tact books!!) only to step on his coke bottle glasses and crush them to bits. To this day I have a spare pair of glasses because of that episode...because you never know. Thank you SciFi Channel for making an otherwise stupid holiday something fun and I promise I won't sit in front of the TV all day.

Other than that, I can't see much point to all that goes on every December 31. Maybe it's time to heave this particular mustard jar off the top of Pikes Peak and send it into the twilight zone.

And that brings it all together.

Have a great 2009. There's always hope and I live on hope.

The Second Greatest Thing About Christmas

2008-12-28T13:09:00.006-07:00

Let me start off by saying that I'm glad Christmas is over for 2008. I don't intend to go into the reasons for this statement other than to say that it wasn't my best day - in fact it was a very hard one. Anticipating the holiday, I knew it would be rough so I made early plans to focus on the birth of Christ and all that event entailed. Doing this went a long way toward making the actual day a little less...difficult. So there you go. To quote Mr. Gump, that's all I'm going to say about that.

I try not to overuse platitudes and hackneyed phrases but Jesus really is the reason for the season. Full stop. Beyond that, it's all been pretty much an invention of time, tradition, big business and the media. Fine. Other than cringing at hearing Christmas songs in the store in early September and seeing my local Hobby Lobby go into decoration overload, I try not to get too worked up about it.

The Christmas holidays I spent as a child remain a precious memory for me and the Christmas times spent with my own children are days I cherish. However, as an empty-nester, the entire ordeal just leaves me cranky. I don't anticipate these particular holidays and silently cheer when they're over, but there's still one thing that I anticipate with relish and that's the appearance of a small kiosk at our local mall that's selling, for one month only, my beloved See's Candy.

You see, I grew up eating this stuff. When I was a wee child, See's was unique to California. My dad used to receive boxes and boxes of these delicious chocolates as Christmas gifts from business associates. He seriously brought home pounds of the stuff, especially when his colleagues realized that he wasn't a drinking man. My folks gave some of them away but our family consumed the majority of these delicious chocolates. Besides, there were See's candy stores all over the Los Angeles area so we could stop in and buy some anytime we got a hankering.

Sadly, Colorado Springs doesn't have a See's store. Looking at my belly, that's probably a good thing but for this one month, I indulge. Oh yes, I indulge.

My favorites are the soft centers - preferably the chocolate, vanilla and raspberry varieties though I'm open to all of them. My oldest son, Joel, always loved the bordeaux chocolate so I eat a couple of those in his honor. As a child, I always got dibs on the scotch mallow. The scotch mallow is a delightful combination of caramel and marshmallow, so as a tribute to my happy childhood, I grab those and make short work of them. My daughter loves the Toffee-ettes, like Almond Roca, only better. I can't exactly remember Andrew's favorite variety but when I do, I'll eat them too. See how this is going?

I don't want you to think this all happens in a matter of a day or so, oh no, I buy enough so I can be eating these wonderful chocolates right into the spring. Since Mr. Danger loves nuts and chews, we get some of those. He eats the chocolate-covered nuts and I eat all the chews. It's a marriage made in heaven. So far, we've consumed a box of nuts and chews, an assortment, and half a box of soft centers. So far, so good.

Now, like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter, I've hidden away another box of soft centers and one of milk chocolates. That's what's going to have to last us/me till spring. I think the bloom is off the rose with Mr. Danger so what's left will be mine. All mine.

Over the years, See's Candies has burst beyond the borders of California and there is one outlet in Denver - 65 miles north of us. I know this and if I ever really, really need some, that option is always open. However, right now, I prefer to keep this a private little celebration of candy buying that will take place only this one month of the year. It's better that way. Better for my bank account. Better for my waistline. Better for the harmony of my home. It's a celebration of Christmas past and present, Hanukkah, Festivus and whatever else works, and I love it.

In closing, I'd like to send along my eternal thanks to the lovely lady who made all this possible, Mary See. Thank you Mrs. See. Every time I see your face on that one pound white box, I just smile all over. As they say at the See's corporate headquarters, "See's Candies are a Happy Habit". Boy howdy, isn't that the truth!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

2008-12-21T14:49:00.006-07:00

I enjoy the poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and around this time of year especially love hearing his poem, later set to music, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Pardon the pun, but this poem fairly rings with truths that are timeless. Doesn't seem to matter in which decade you live or what generation you belong to, the circumstances of life make it easy to think that God is, indeed, dead. Longfellow certainly toyed with that thought and there's a good reason why. This particular poem was written during the American Civil War. Within weeks of the first shot fired on Fort Sumpter, Longfellow's wife Fanny died as the result of a fire at their home. Longfellow is known for wearing a full set of whiskers. What is generally not known is that the whiskers were grown to cover the burn scars he sustained while trying to save his wife's life. The following Christmas, Longfellow's journal entry for December 25th 1862 reads: "'A merry Christmas' say the children, but that is no more for me." About a year later, Longfellow's son, Charles was severely wounded in battle. He did not die of his wounds but the following Christmas, Longfellow's journal is silent. On Christmas day of 1864, he wrote the words to the poem, "Christmas Bells". The poem so beautifully expresses the confusion, sorrow and despair of the times in which he lived and the personal loss he had endured. But it ends with a triumphant cry of hope and that cry is as relevant today as it was in 1864. It's interesting to note that Longfellow wrote seven verses to his poem - only five of them are sung today. Two of them very pointedly refer to the war that's raging in the US at the time. It's sad to me that these verses have been eliminated from hymnbooks and songbooks published today. Someone smarter than I am said that if we forget the past we are doomed to repeat it. Wouldn't hurt us to remember what happens when a country is divided against itself.

One personal sidenote: Mr. Danger and I have been attending the same church for the last eight years but we have yet to sing this one at Christmas time. I've been thinking about having a word with our music pastor about this. Maybe one of these days I'll get up the nerve. There's a message here - it's ancient and timely altogether and it acts as a balm to the despairing soul.

Christmas Bells
(The original poem, complete with all seven stanzas)

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Let Me Make Sure I Understand This

2008-12-18T13:51:00.010-07:00

Ok, I'm used to liberal hypocrisy but what's going on with filling the New York senate seat borders on laughable.

Let's cast our mind back to Sarah Palin. That amazing woman was relentlessly derided and mocked for...wait for it...having NO EXPERIENCE. Heck, she said she could see Russia from her house in Wasilla, AK. Hahahaha, stupid, ignorant woman. But wait, she NEVER SAID IT - that line was actually dropped by Tina Fey in a comedy sketch on the very unfunny SNL. But of course, Americans being stupid, most people actually believe Palin said it. Even people I know and actually love, tried to convince me that she was a walking disaster - a greenhorn of the first order and utterly unqualified and inexperienced to be Vice President, let alone anything else. Of course, the fact that she was governed a town for several years - successfully - and has been a state governor for several years - again successcully - cut no ice with these kool-aid drinkers. She was grossly inexperienced and besides that, she gave birth to a flawed child, which is just...not...done. (If you read heavy, dripping sarcasm there, it's intended.)

Folks, meet Caroline Kennedy - American Royalty. Well, at least until Barak and Michelle ascend their thrones.

Now, let's fast forward to today, December 18, 2008. It seems the lovely and anointed Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg has decided she wants Hillary Clinton's senate seat. Ok, forget the Schlossberg part. Apparently she never took her husband's name after they married. I mean why would she? Remember, she's American royalty so it's important to cling to the name. Take Queen Elizabeth for example. She's married to Philip Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. You'd never hear her take the name Elizabeth Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, would you? See, it all makes sense.

So what I want to know is this - how did a wealthy, reclusive socialite such as Caroline Kennedy suddenly become the recipient of the wealth of knowledge that it takes to be a New York senator because the press seems to think this is all hunky-dory and she's good to go. I'm really trying to figure that out and I think I might have come up with an explanation.

I was watching the news this afternoon and they were eagerly following Ms. Kennedy around New York as she palled it up with Rev. Al Sharpton. Apparently Bro. Al took Ms. Kennedy to lunch at Sylvias. And here's the amazing part - it's the VERY SAME RESTAURANT IN WHICH SHARPTON HAD LUNCH WITH THE CHOSEN ONE, BARAK OBAMA. I know this because Bro. Al mentioned it about five times. Wow. It's hard to take that in. So amazing. They ate in the same restaurant, in the same booth as The One.

So here's my theory. Since Ms. Caroline Kennedy, the wealthy socialite, parked her butt in the same place as Barak Obama, she must have absorbed some sort of amazing knowledge and experience which will set her up nicely as the new Senator from the state of New York. Because folks, she's going to get this thing. She asked for it and she'll get it and there's only one reason why, her name is Kennedy. Case closed. This has really got to tick off Hillary because Caroline Kennedy could be setting herself up to be the Democrat pick for president in 2012. Assuming there's still a United States to govern.

So now you know the secret of great knowledge and experience. Sit where Obama sat. Eat where Obama ate. Absorb the magic and enjoy the change. Hang on folks, it's going to be an interesting ride.

(Postscript of Sarah Palin. Frankly, looking back, I'm kind of glad she was able to return to her family and life in Alaska. I think she's an amazing woman but unfortunately, in the climate in which we live today, she'd never get an ounce of credit for it and her life would be torn apart. She'd probably even have shoes thrown at her.)

[In the interest of truth and accuracy, I am editing this particular blog post. I'm happy to say I was...like...wrong. Like...Ms. Kennedy...like...sort of botched her chance at...like...being appointed to the US Senate.]

Christmas, The Real Christmas

2008-12-13T16:29:00.003-07:00

I just got back from doing some shopping. I went for groceries but yep, I did some Christmas shopping too. With all the talk of a collapsing economy and hard times, I was surprised at the crowds I encountered in the streets, the shops and in the parking lots. It was as bad as it's ever been in Christmas seasons past. Folks, it was nutty out there. Frankly, I was glad to get back home alive.

After putting things away and making a hot cup of tea, I sat down with my MacBook and started reading some of the blogs I follow. It was a delightful surprise to find a link to this lovely youtube video. Since I love boy choirs and this is one of my favorite carols, I'm posting it here.

What a wonderful way to calm down and be reminded of the real meaning of Christmas. This is just purely beautiful.

NOTE: Sung by the Gloucester Cathedral Choir

Top Ten List #1

2008-12-10T15:56:00.004-07:00

Top Ten Reasons I'm Glad the Election is Over

10. John McCain will realize that I'm not his "friend".

9. Sarah Palin can give her spot in front of the firing squad back to George W. Bush.

8. No more hoping for the change and changing for the hope and hoping to be changing and hoping. Seriously.

7. Relatives will soon understand why I've been stocking up on food and toilet paper and will all want to borrow.

6. Less money per month means balancing my checkbook will be easier.

5. Joe Biden can be hidden away in the black hole reserved for Vice Presidents.

4. Obama can finally drop the fake southern accent.

3. Kool-Aid will be scarce because most of it has already been consumed.

2. I can realize my lifelong dream of learning to play Gimn Sovetskogo Soyuza on the flute.

...and the number one reason why I'm glad the election is over...

1. Comrades! We can finally stuff that pesky Constitution under a rock somewhere and embrace our Utopian dream.

Who Is This Woman?

2008-12-08T18:40:00.004-07:00

I don't know who Christy Lane is. She appears on my TV hawking music CD's every December. For the remaining 11 months of the year I don't hear a peep about her. I've never heard a song sung by her on my radio. I've never heard of her doing a concert tour. I've never even heard her sing on PBS. I popped over to iTunes and did a search but she's not there either. She's like the groundhog in Pennsylvania who sticks his head out the hole every February to predict the duration of winter. She's the female, singing version of the groundhog. I'm sure she's a nice lady with 80's hair and a voice that is pleasant enough, though ordinary. I mean her no disrespect, I'm just curious, so after posting this I'm going over to Wikipedia and see if they know anything. I'll let you know.

Pet Peeve #2

2008-12-08T18:26:00.004-07:00

Ok, let's keep this short. My #2 pet peeve is people who say, "The fact of the matter is..." I know you've heard this because hardly a day goes by that this phrase doesn't assault my ears. While most everyone says it, or is tempted to say it, it still remains the favorite pet phrase of the politician. Lately, I hear it most from that amazing paragon of political virtue - Barney Frank. (Oh please, don't get me started on this guy.) This phrase is a conversation stopper and it's intended to be so. You can be going along, having a spirited, but friendly disagreement on some issue and you've just made a really good point and are enjoying the give and take. Don't get comfortable because this person you've engaged in conversation suddenly pauses, looks at you and whips out, "The fact of the matter is...", and it stops you cold. That's what they want. They don't have any "facts" - chances are, they don't know any real facts, they just want to use that ultimate one up. When someone says, "The fact of the matter is...", they are telling you that nothing you say matters, they are telling you that nothing you think or feel on the issue makes one bit of difference to them. They are arrogantly stopping the conversation by telling you that they know more than you do so shut up and listen. Next time someone says that to you, ask for the "facts"; ask them why they think they have the right to shut you down with their arrogance. Lay out the real facts - throw it right back in their face. Don't let them get away with it. And never, ever say to anyone, "The fact of the matter is..." It's insulting and demeaning and virtually meaningless. I hate it.

November Musings

2008-12-02T21:27:00.010-07:00

There hasn't been much to say in November. That's not to imply that nothing happened - quite the opposite because it's been a really eventful month. Early on both Mr. Danger and I had vicious bouts with bronchitis and though doing fine now, are both stuck with "the cough that will not die". It's very annoying but fortunately, gets a little better every day. Then there was a trip to Dallas for Thanksgiving with our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren followed by a harrowing trip home through a surprise northern New Mexico snowstorm. We are blessed and thankful to have arrived home without ending up in a ditch. Blogging just hasn't been a priority.

However, it occurred to me yesterday that November is a strange month for me because I always spend a lot of time thinking about my mother. November was a big month in our home when I was growing up. My mom's birthday was on the 15th and my sister and I both had birthdays on the same day near the end of the month. Since we were both born on Thanksgiving, we shared our birthday with that holiday every seven years or so. My grandmother also had her birthday in November as did one of my aunts. It was a month of family and birthday celebrations. So it seemed appropriate and oddly ironic that Mom died on November 11, back in 2002. Again, November. I guess you could say that her life came full circle during that one particular month.

My mother grew up in the early decades of the 20th century. As one of six children, life wasn't always easy on a small West Texas farm. My mom wasn't a big one for watching movies (the exception, oddly, was any James Bond movie with Pierce Brosnon), but back in the 80's I suggested that she watch "Places in the Heart", because of it's depiction of working the cotton fields of Texas. She gave me one of those "looks" of hers and said rather sharply that she'd picked enough cotton to last a lifetime and had no need to watch some movie about it. I got the point and didn't argue.

She was a young wife during the Great Depression and a mother during WWII. She and my father knew what it meant to live from hand to mouth, to work hard and take nothing for granted. They left Texas during the Depression to begin a new life in California. Dad was promised a job but when he arrived in the Los Angeles area was told that the job was no longer available. He began to look for anything he could find to take care of his wife and ended up working as a bartender until another job became available. If you knew my Dad you would know how out of character it was for him to take a job in a bar but he was raised to do what he had to do to meet his responsibilities so he just did it. He was eventually given a job digging ditches for a utility company in Los Angeles. When war broke out he was turned down for the military because he worked for a public utility. I never asked him how he felt about that. My parents didn't discuss the war much. For them, it was over and done...no need to keep beating that particular dead horse. That's so different from how people are today. We work and rework things to death, don't we? Anyway, Dad worked hard and rose through the ranks and remained with that company until his death in the early 70's. He was an amazing man but since this post is about my mom, that's all I'll say about him for now.

My mother was a housewife (that's what they called it back then and no one was offended). She took care of her daughters and she took care of her home. She fixed our breakfast, our lunch and had dinner on the table when my dad got home from work in the evening. Believe it or not, she seemed happy with her life and as far as I could tell, loved what she was doing. She was active in church. She was part of a ladies group, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and spent many summers in charge of the church's Vacation Bible School for children. My mother loved God and was a follower of Jesus Christ. Her faith was as much a part of her as her own skin. As far as I could see, she didn't have a hypocritical bone in her body. Her best friends were her sisters. These remarkable ladies remained friends for as long as they lived. I suppose they might have had their differences but I didn't see it as a child. My aunts and cousins were part of my life - for better or worse.

My ancestral heritage on my mother's side is Scottish. If you know anything about those people you know they don't bleed in public. They keep their joys and sorrows inside, very tightly wrapped up. I never knew when my mom was hurt or depressed or in any kind of emotional pain. I might have suspected that something was a little off, but she dealt with things privately and never burdened her children with her own personal angst. I see those traits in myself and after years and years of trying to change, have accepted that my reticence is part of the fabric of my soul. It hasn't changed in all these years and probably never will.

I loved my Mom and I knew she loved my sister and me. I don't remember tons of hugs and kisses. I was never told that I was cute or beautiful or could "do anything I set my mind to do". She didn't teach me to read before I went to Kindergarten - but I grew up loving books. She didn't buy me a closet full of clothes but I was clothed and well-fed and had no idea I was missing anything. I didn't feel deprived. Not one bit. My overwhelming memory of my childhood and life with my mother and father was a life of security, dependability and love that defied definition. It wasn't something that had to be repeated endlessly with words. It just was.

Even when I hurt and disappointed my mother and father deeply, I didn't feel the sting of their anger or experience the slightest bit of rejection. They loved and forgave and we went on because that's what parents are supposed to do.

I'm thankful for them both, but this November, I'm especially thankful for my Mother and I miss her.

Killed Him a B'ar When He Was Only Three...

2008-11-03T13:51:00.018-07:00

Ok, probably not, but that was from the lyrics to "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", the song that opened the Disney adventure series that ran in the mid-50's. We watched it on our very small black and white TV set and enjoyed every episode. I didn't know at the time that my family was related to Davy Crockett through one of his aunts. It's really a pretty cool connection and everyone in my family is inordinately proud of it. Davy was a Tennessean and a Texan of Scots/Irish descent as were my ancestors on my mother's side. When my cousin began tracing our lineage, she uncovered the connection to Davy Crockett while visiting with one of our distant cousins in Austin. We all wear this relationship to Davy as a badge of honor - especially my Texas grandchildren. I was proud to learn last night that at this year's "Living History Day" at her school, my granddaughter Lauren plans to dress up as Davy. I'll post a picture later in November.

Why am I wittering on about Davy Crockett? Well, I've been thinking about President George W. Bush and what it must be like for him these days. I'm not going to go into the pros and cons of his presidency because to my way of thinking, there have been ups and downs with all presidents so he's nothing new or unique. Hello??? Jimmy Carter???? W just happened to have the misfortune of being elected as a Republican president in a year when the vote was extremely close. I suppose bitterness was inevitable, however, the maniacal anger this bitterness unleashed over the next seven years was like nothing I've ever witnessed in my life. Frankly, I don't believe he deserves it. Other presidents have presided over unpopular wars so that's nothing new. The economy has been in the tank many times over the last 200 years so that's nothing new. So far we aren't starving like the pitiable people in North Korea or held under the thumb of a lunatic like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. We have so much to be thankful for that it makes the deafening clang of complaints rather hard to understand. Considering that Jack Bauer is not currently running for President, I'm not sure trading him in for a new model is going to make things all that much better.

What we have in George W. Bush is a man that, after 9/11, devoted his presidency to keeping the American people safe from another devastating terrorist attack. Maybe that gave him tunnel vision but clearly, this focus of his is a problem for most people. He's risked his reputation, his legacy and his popularity to keep the sorry butts of the people safe and this is the thanks he gets? Well, pardon me for being glad that I haven't had to watch, once again, while my fellow Americans die in front of my eyes. For this, I thank George W. Bush and his stubborn refusal to back down in the face of people who want to kill me. Well, he's leaving in January and while I'm sure the nutjobs will continue to blame him for everything from hurricanes to bug infestations in Uzbekistan, he finally gets to leave DC and get back to his beloved Texas.

What does all this have to do with Davy Crockett? Well, when George W. Bush and his classy wife Laura depart the White House in January, I hope they do so without a backward glance at the people who never understood or appreciated what he tried to do. You know the type, they suck up to your power and position but mock and deride you behind your back. I don't know if that ever happened to Davy but I suspect it did. I'm sure that even then, there were eastern elites that saw him as nothing more than a hillbilly yahoo clodhopper. I'm guessing he knew that because here's what Davy had to say after his Congressional defeat and I hope George will be leaving the cesspool of Washington DC with a bit of this same panache:

"Since you have chosen to elect a man with a timber toe to succeed me, you may all go to hell and I will go to Texas."
Davy Crockett

God's Truth Abideth Still

2008-10-31T18:25:00.003-06:00

I've read many blogs today celebrating Martin Luther and the day he nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. There's nothing I could say that would come close to matching the brilliance of what I've read on blogs of people far more intelligent and theological than I am or ever could be. I decided to mark the day with Luther's grand hymn, "A Mighty Fortress". It's been a favorite of mine since my days attending 1st through 4th grade at Faith Lutheran School in Los Angeles. I can remember to this day the magnificence of hearing that hymn sung in their beautiful sanctuary. What strikes me as I read the lyrics penned by Luther is their relevance in 2008. God's truth abideth still...indeed!

A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever.

Negative or Positive?

2008-10-30T15:07:00.002-06:00

Barak Obama calls these "negative liberties". Apparently, the wisdom of Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Washington, et. al., and the blood spilt in defense of these rights isn't good enough for him. He knows best. He's the chosen one. Wow. It's hard to find the words to express the outrage at his arrogance.

Frankly, I see nothing negative about these RIGHTS which have stood the test of time for over 230 years. Mistakes along the way notwithstanding, Americans have always been a people who have corrected their mistakes at the cost of lives - thousands of lives. These RIGHTS were given to us to keep the government out of our business, our faith and our homes. I hate to see that change. I pray the people of this country will wake up from their drugged slumber and see this man for who he is. In case you haven't figured it out yet, he's a Marxist. There, I said it.

I'm copying these to this blog for no one in particular because this is, after all, the "blog that nobody reads", but they're here for my grandchildren and their children. I pray by the time they read this they won't be quaint, forgotten concepts relegated to a dusty history book somewhere.

Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Do We Really Need This?

2008-10-25T15:40:00.009-06:00

While driving one of my frequent routes home the other day, I spied a new build on the corner of Stetson Hills and Tutt, just a little west of Powers Blvd. on the east side of Colorado Springs. It's on a commercial corner so I'd been curious to see what was going up as I always harbor the faint hope that it might...just might...be an El Pollo Loco. Don't laugh, it could happen. Anyway, no joy for me this time. There was a sign and unfortunately this is what it said, "HERE WE GROW AGAIN", with a background of, wait for it, the wretched Golden Arches. I do not kid. We're getting ANOTHER McDonalds. Just what the world needs.

I have an extreme antipathy toward McDonalds and basically refuse to eat anything that comes out of their dubious kitchen. In fact, I think their food stinks except for the sausage biscuit and hot fudge sundae and I haven't ingested either of those in over a decade. They load up their food with sugar, people!!! I'm not kidding. If you don't believe me, you haven't seen the documentary, "Super Size Me". No parent could watch that movie and allow their children to eat that stuff ever again. Heck, no adult watching that could let themselves eat that stuff again. They put sugar in the hamburger buns, for corn's sake so is it any wonder that children all over the planet crave that stuff and beg their parents to go there for breakfast, lunch and dinner? (I realize I've used the word "stuff" three times in the last paragraph but I'm trying really hard not to say "crap".)

Yes, yes, I'm aware they have salad and little pouches filled with apples. Oh goody. Have you ever had a salad at McDonalds? I'm guessing they figure out a way to get sugar in the salads too. And since the apples haven't turned brown, there have to be some serious preservatives in the handy little pouch. Besides, have you ever known a child to willingly give up their fries in favor of apples when ordering a Happy Meal? Yeah, right.

So I'm ticked off, but I also know that in the current economy, this new McDonalds will do very well. It's going to be situated right across the street from a Ruby Tuesday. Considering that we are just months away from screaming inflation, higher taxes and politicians determined to make us over in the image of France or Venezuela, where do you think the average American will go to get his or her hamburger fix? The cheapest hamburger at Ruby Tuesday runs around $7.50 and a Big Mac is around $2.50. Do the math.

As for me, when I crave a good, inexpensive hamburger, I'll be heading for our local Culver's. It's just a couple miles from home (low gas consumption) and their famous Butterburger is very good. Fresh tasting, and handmade with whatever goodies you desire to top it off. If you don't have a Culver's in your area, I'm truly sorry. They also feature delicious frozen custard in a variety of flavors that blows away the clown's fakey fake ice cream. As far as I'm concerned, McDonalds can pound sand.

Footnote: I haven't given up on getting an El Pollo Loco in Colorado Springs. After 15 years, Jack in the Box is returning to Colorado. There are already three new locations in the Denver area and The Springs will be getting one soon. If Colorado can welcome Jack back after all that happened back in '93, we can get the crazy chicken.

They're Koming to Amerika (with apologies to Neil Diamond)

2008-10-22T13:59:00.009-06:00

It's been a weird couple of weeks. I've wanted to write some of my thoughts down almost every day but just haven't been able to do so. It's this darn election. I'm a believer in Christ and basically, the future doesn't scare me all that much. Oh, I admit to the occasional wondering if I'm going to be reduced to eating catfood or grubbing in the dirt like Scarlett O'Hara, but I'm well aware that the God who minds the sparrow that falls isn't about to forget one of His children. So, whatever happens in the future, I'm going to be fine.

This problem I'm having is just plain old frustration. At stupidity. At absurdity. At viciousness. At what's going down in general and no sane person's ability to stop it. I reduced some of this to a list (I love lists):

1. A smart, attractive, accomplished professional woman and her family are savaged relentlessly by the press, television and her opponents. She didn't go to Wellesley or Bryn Mawr or wherever the heck intelligent women are supposed to go so she's considered an idiot. She believes in God and Jesus Christ so she's automatically victimized by the vampires - perhaps for that alone. Now they're starting in on her clothes. I'll betcha nobody ever said a word about Hilary's $6,000.00 pantsuits - and they were ugly. I have to stop now in consideration of my blood pressure.

2. A regular guy playing ball with his son in front of his house stops and asks a question of a candidate for President of the United States. Apparently this question touched a nerve somewhere because for the next two weeks the guy is given a media rectal exam and then ridiculed on a daily basis by this same candidate, his VP candidate and the rest of his henchmen. As of today, this guy is having trouble finding a job because of what's been done to him. He asked a question and this is a problem? Is this America?

3. Change is good. Change is wonderful. We all need change. Vote for change. Change is awesome. WHAT IS THE CHANGE THAT'S BEING PROPOSED? WHAT WILL THIS CHANGE CONSIST OF? HOW WILL THESE CHANGES AFFECT ME? HOW WILL THESE CHANGES AFFECT THE COUNTRY? WILL THESE CHANGES BE CONSTITUTIONAL? HAVE THESE PEOPLE EVER READ THE CONSTITUTION? I. WANT. TO. KNOW. Why aren't people asking these questions? Why isn't the candidate for change answering them? All we know so far are those haunting words..."spread the wealth"...let me see, where have I heard that before (see item #5).

4. Why don't we know anything about the Democratic candidate's background? Why is he surrounded in a murky fog of missinformation and diversion. What I do know scares the living heck out of me.

5. And so, what I'm hearing is the increasingly loud drumbeat (or should I say goosestep) of encroaching Socialism/Marxism. I grew up in the 50's and I know that Marxism breeds two stratas of society. The only people who are rich are the leaders. Everyone else is standing in line for toilet paper and hoping they don't say something that will bring down the thought police. (Think I'm exaggerating - we already have a form of thought police. It's just going to get a lot worse.)

I think what I'm trying to say here is that the way I feel today, America deserves what she gets. Apparently a good part of the population of the US have been blinded by their multiple flat screen TV's and satisfied enough to just ignore the red flags and ringing bells of caution that are swirling all around us. OK, then let's just elect this guy and get it over with.

We may not recognize our country in a couple of years but we'll at least have experienced CHANGE.

Let's Lighten Up!

2008-10-08T14:31:00.008-06:00

Hey, I've had about enough of dire economic disasters, plunging stock markets, bad and really bad presidential contenders and creeping (or shall I say galloping) Marxism. It's time for a little good news. (I think that might have been a country song at one time but I'm not sure.) Anyway, my beloved Tony Stewart finally and valiantly drove for a win at Talledega this last weekend. It was awesome.

Talledega is one of those awful restrictor plate races which I hate. Mostly because there's never a lap without the possibility of disaster. You just take off and hang on for dear life hoping your driver doesn't wreck someone, get caught up in The Big One, or blow a tire...something that happens frequently at these racetracks. Your driver can be in the lead for most of the race and be leading in the last lap then a driver will burst up to the high side of the race track and if there are two or three cars behind and they are all drafting together, they can shoot by your guy and win the race. It's maddening and I've seen it happen to Tony more than once.

This year he simply didn't let it happen. He was in the lead for the last few laps with three cars from DEI freight-training right behind him. If Tony makes one mistake, these guys will just blow right by him. This time, he was determined to win the race and drove like the champion he is. Young driver, Regan Smith was right behind Tony and on the last lap dropped to the inside of the track, below the Very Important Yellow Line, and drove right past Tony. Regan passed the finish line and declared himself the winner.

There was just one problem. He didn't win. You see, at Daytona and Talledega NASCAR has a rule - the yellow line is an ever-fixed mark that cannot and must not be crossed. There's a good reason for this which I can explain, but won't. It would take too much time and probably bore you senseless. It's adequate to say that these tracks are huge and have a lot of real estate. A driver can only be below that line if he's forced down there. And if he's forced down there, he cannot IMPROVE HIS POSITION in so doing. Key words, my friends, key words. Regan Smith dived below the yellow line, passed Tony, which in anyone's book is "improving your position". NASCAR wisely declared Tony Stewart the rightful winner, black-flagged Regan Smith and moved him to 18th place. As a matter of fact, Tony was the first victim of the Yellow Line Rule after it was instituted. He dived below it in a race at Daytona, was black-flagged and sent to the end of the longest line of cars. So Tony knows how Regan feels, he's just glad that this time he was the one who came out on top.

Anyway, congratulations Tony! I'm so pleased he finally got a win this year - his first Talledega win! Can you believe he's finished 2nd there six times so finally winning is really sweet. Especially since this is Tony's last year with Joe Gibbs Racing and Zippy, Tony's long time crew chief. It 'bout killed me when Zippy was interviewed after the race and was practically in tears. I think I'm going to need some Kleenex myself after the last race at Homestead. It's hard to see this successful partnership end.

Let's hope this race will signal a change in Tony's fortunes for the remaining six races. It's going to be tough to get past Jimmie, Biffle and Carl (I like to call him Eddie Haskell), but if anyone can do it, Tony can.

Random Thoughts on an October Saturday

2008-10-04T18:21:00.010-06:00

Lots of things circling in my head today so I figured if I put some of them in writing it would sort of flush them out, so to speak. Anyway, it's worth a try.

1. Helio Castroneves - As is apparent, I like motor racing and "Dancing With The Stars", so I was pretty surprised that Helio was in big trouble for tax evasion. Wow. I guess you just never know. I can't excuse that because those of us who consider ourselves "little people" have to pay our taxes so the folks making the big bucks should have to do the same. However, when I read in the paper this morning that Helio was led into the Miami courtroom in leg irons and handcuffs, I sort of came unglued. What did they expect him to do? Cut loose and shoot everyone in the courtroom? Start hitting people with his steering wheel? Run over the judge with his car? I don't get it. I just don't. In view of the fact that the American people were just raped and robbed by the United States Congress and all of those perpetrators went home this weekend to their mansions after trips in their limos and private jets, I think the wrong person was chained up. That aside, I think Helio is in real trouble. The IRS gets quite annoyed when people don't pay their taxes and apparently fame (Wesley Snipes), reality TV notoriety (that guy Richard from "Survivor"), or being at death's door (Leona Helmsley) will keep you out of the slammer. It also seems that claiming you knew nothing about it doesn't cut it either so I'm thinking our handsome, wee race car driver has a bumpy road ahead.

2. Sarah Palin and the Media - I almost don't want to get started on this. All the things that seem a negative about this woman come up as positives for me. Not a Washington insider? Check. Speaks her mind? Check. Goes after her own political party if they're in the wrong? No problem there. Possibly doesn't read the New York Times? I'm firmly on the bandwagon. So far, no problems. The fact that she gets under Katie Couric's skin is also a big plus and, ok, she let herself be sandbagged by La Katie but as far as I'm concerned, that's just another positive for this woman. I love that she hauls her baby around. I love that she has a cool husband who fishes and hangs out with oil guys. I love that she says "you betcha" and "golly". To my simple mind, she's exactly the kind of person we need in Washington. Which leads me to my next thought...

3. Congress - Right off the bat I need to say that I'm not an anarchist. I think our Constitution and system of government is the best in the world. In many ways I think our founding fathers were God-led in a lot of their decisions. Yep, they needed to get their attitude toward slavery sorted out but even in 1776, there were men forming the nation who knew that slavery was wrong, but I digress. So I don't want to see our government fall. I just want to see new people and start from scratch. And I'm talking about all of them. From the presidency to the congress to the supreme court, start over with a clean slate and it would be just like they did after the Revolutionary War. I would also slap term limits on all of them. Two terms for the President, two terms for Senators and Congressman and no more than 10 years for Supreme Court judges. Time corrupts. We're in the mess we are now because I believe all of them are corrupt. I don't think all of them WANT to be corrupt, they just get that way from the special interest groups, the kickbacks, the lobbys, the whole mess. We need men and women who stand for something and I believe we don't need a lot of lawyers. We need an abundance of people like Sarah and Todd Palin. The United States is full of great people and we need them. We need change, and I'm not talking about the same kind of change Barry is talking about.

4. The Bailout - It all went wrong in the mid-90's. The money started flowing into pockets and it was great for the people involved in Freddie and Fannie. The banks were held up at gunpoint being told that they must give low or no interest loans to people who had little or no income. Perhaps it was a noble idea in the beginning but what good does it do if the people who get the loans can't pay? Then over the last eight months or so the chickens have all come home to roost and it's all falling apart. So who gets to pay for the mess made by the politicians? You and me. As I said in point #1 - we have been raped and robbed and the people who made this mess in the first place are the ones overseeing "fixing" it all. To use an old cliche, the foxes are in charge of the hen house. It's going to get real interesting.

5. Barack Obama - For some reason when I see this man or hear him speak the tune, Gimn Sovetskogo Soyuza, comes to mind. I hear the tune and I see fuzzy hats and onion domes. Maybe it's just me. I'm not sure I'm ready for the Union of Soviet Socialist America just yet so he won't be getting my vote. I'm not real keen on the other guy but we really only have two choices. God help us.

6. 1930 - Check out the picture at the top of this blog entry. It's a bread line and the picture was taken in the early 1930's. Ring a bell? It should as it's known as the Great Depression. I add it here to remind us of what we have and what we could lose if someone somewhere doesn't get a brain and some courage. That reminds me of a song and that song reminds me of some of those jokers in our Congress. Too bad their brainless decisions have landed us in this mess.

I'd unravel any riddle
For any individ'le
In trouble or in pain

With the thoughts you'd be thinkin'
You could be another Lincoln
If you only had a brain

A Moment With "The Boys"

2008-09-28T14:24:00.003-06:00

Last week was stressful and frustrating for me in many ways into which I will not go. (Awkward, yes, but I refuse to end a sentence in a preposition, so that's what you get.) Yesterday was an especially depressing day for me and I was all set to get on the blog and rant and rave on a variety of topics:

1. Economic disaster perpetrated by bad people
2. Creeping Marxism
3. Financial uncertainty
4. Lying and those who lie
5. Disappointment

You get the drift. Instead, I ran across a charming video on YouTube. Someone took film of my beloved Laurel and Hardy and set one of their dance numbers from "Way Out West" to modern music. I think The Boys would have loved it. It made me smile and that's what I needed to do.

Trouble Ahead????

2008-09-26T13:33:00.005-06:00

Interesting week in our country. Words of scripture come to mind. Words on the subject of fools...

Proverbs 1:22-33
22 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?

23 If you had responded to my rebuke,
I would have poured out my heart to you
and made my thoughts known to you.

24 But since you rejected me when I called
and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

25 since you ignored all my advice
and would not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you-

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me.

29 Since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the LORD,

30 since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,

31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm."

PET PEEVE #1: "I heard it was a great concert and I wish I would have went."

2008-09-19T19:52:00.012-06:00

Now, y'all, I don't consider myself the grammar police or anything but I simply cannot stand people saying "I should have went." Trust me when tell you that I hear this horrific grammatical error almost every day. I hear it on TV. I hear it on the street. I read it in blogs and message boards. Shoot, even Mr. Danger made this mistake a few days ago. On several occasions, I have even heard my favorite NASCAR driver of all time, Tony Stewart, commit this grammatical crime. I was appalled.

I graduated from college with degrees in English and Teacher Education. Even with this background, grammar wasn't my favorite part of the curriculum. I'm much more of an English Literature person. However, I know proper grammar. I just have a hard time explaining the rules. I'd like to take a shot at explaining this one very, very simply because it really isn't all that hard. Here goes:

1. It's all about the verbs. "Go" is a verb that is in the present tense:

I love to go skiing.
He goes to the market every day.
They go hunting on weekends.
We go on vacation every July.

2. "Went" is a verb that is in the past tense. "Went" is a stout, wee fellow who likes to stand alone. He doesn't need help when he makes his statement. "Went" is a loner. He doesn't need anyone. He is self-sufficient. This is important because you will never, ever, ever put "had" or "have" in front of "went". If you do, "went" will not be happy. He will punch you out.

My brother went into the army.
I went with my father to visit a friend.
Frank went to the store to get some bread.
George went crazy.

3. Now "gone", on the other hand, is a past participle and a weak little dude. "Gone" has a few problems and must always be helped along by a friend. We call this friend a "helping verb". Say it with me, "helping verb". "Gone" has lots of little friends to help him. Here's a list of his good friends - "am", "is", "are", "was", "were", "has", "had", "have".

I heard it was a great concert and I wish I had gone.
My boyfriend is gone and I'm glad because he was a punk.
Jenny came to visit but I was gone.
We were gone when my uncle and aunt came to visit.

Got it? It's not that hard. I went. He went. We went. They went. I have gone. I am gone. He is gone. They are gone. We are gone.

I'm just saying.

Who Do People Say That I Am?

2008-09-14T14:38:00.005-06:00

Wow. I figured it was only a matter of time before someone actually likened Barak Obama to Jesus. Seriously, didn't you just know that was going to happen?

Honest, I didn't want this to be a political blog. I had in mind more of a stream of consciousness thing that where I could dump whatever popped into my head. Then, when I'm nearly dead, I can tell my family and they can have a good laugh. That's truly all I had in mind here.

However, recent developments in the arena of politics have been jaw-droppingly blog-worthy, I just cannot stay silent.

Anyway. Obama seems a sincere sort of guy. I think him calling someone else inexperienced is pretty funny, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. My problem with him is his Marxist ways. The evidence is there. Look at his record. Look at his buddies. If the average follower who is swayed by his warm, fuzzy persona would just LOOK IT UP, they'd see it. Trouble is, most of them won't. He won't tell me what we are going to CHANGE into. I need to know what the CHANGE is going to involve. There's good change and bad change. I don't know what he means by CHANGE. Jesus was very clear about the change He wanted to bring and how it would affect me. He said it over and over and it was crystal clear. I'm not getting that from our modern day, would-be messiah.

Here's an interesting portion of scripture where Jesus actually asked his disciples the following:

The Gospel of Mark, chapter 8
27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am?"
28 They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets."

29And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

Let's see. Jesus actually asked his followers that very question..."Who do people say that I am?" I believe the disciples answered Him based on what they'd heard. Some were saying he was John the Baptist, some Elijah or another of the prophets. I think these answers were reasonable considering the context of the times. But good old Peter had the right answer. He'd been listening, watching and thinking. He simply said, "You are the Christ." You can also add "Messiah", "Anointed One", and in another scripture passage, "Christ the God".

Definitely not a community organizer. During Jesus' approximately three year ministry on earth he never lived in one particular community. He probably spent most of His time in and around Capernaum but he traveled all over Israel and Samaria, from one town to another. He was a teacher, a rabbi, Messiah, Savior...........God in human form. Absolutely not a community organizer. One could argue that he organized 12 divergent men into a group but the way I read it, He found them, called them and they followed. That's about the extent of the organizing.

That's about all I have to say about that. It really isn't Barak Obama's fault. Somewhere along the way he was given this mantle of greatness, destiny, hope, whatever. But Jesus, he most definitely is not. I wish he had the guts to stand up and call these stupid people on the comparison. If he knew Jesus at all, he would.

One more thing. There are many, many places in the Bible that describe who Jesus is. Here's one of the best:

Isaiah 9:6
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

If anyone still thinks that describes a presidential candidate then I feel sorry for them.

We'll get to the Sarah Palin / Pontius Pilate comparison another time. Right now I'm too tired to even get started on THAT.

"I'm Gonna Need A Hacksaw"

2008-09-12T13:25:00.012-06:00

Full disclosure...I am a "24" fan. A raging "24" fan. I was a bit late to the party and ignored this TV show until the summer of 2006. I found the DVD's for season one at the library, grabbed the boxed set and took it home. You have to understand at that time our library required that DVD's be returned in one week. Did you get that? One week to watch 24, one hour episodes of a TV show. It was going to take some serious dedication. (I know what you're thinking, I could just keep them longer and pay the fine but I don't like paying library fines so it was going to be done in a week or not at all.) So the saga begins.

Long story short, Mr. Danger and I watched season one of "24" in one week. That's one week, people. We watched 3-4 episodes every night. The show was like potato chips or nuts, it was hard to stop with one episode anyway. I felt like we were wasting a lot of time watching the tube but wow, that first season was good stuff. Well, I decided the library route wasn't going to work anymore so began to get each season from Netflix and during the summer of 2006, we watched seasons one through five. It was quite a feat! I was totally on board with the show and watched the less than stellar season six with the rest of humanity. I cringed at some of the storylines, grieved over Michelle and Tony dying and nearly howled that my former home town, Valencia, CA, was nuked in episode six.

As all "24" fans know, season seven was cancelled due to the Hollywood writer's strike so we all anxiously await the new season starting in January. But WAIT, the powers that be at "24" have planned a little gift for us in November and I seriously cannot wait.

This November (don't know exact dates), Fox will be airing a season seven "Prequel" - more or less a season 6.5. Basically a two-hour special. It will involve Jack in Africa and reportedly also stars the very talented and often scary Scottish actor, Robert Carlyle. Robert will, apparently, be a friend of Jack's who gets mixed up in some of Jack's doings. Knowing Carlyle's talent for playing bad guys, I have a suspicion that his character might not be Jack's friend for long. (In a wild departure from his usually manic characters, Robert was excellent in one of my favorite BBC shows ever, "Hamish Macbeth". Watch it if you ever get the chance but a warning - it's only for those people with a weird, quirky sense of humor. If you think Will Ferrell is funny, you probably won't like it.)

I'm hoping for good things when the regular season starts in January. The series creators took a big hit for season six (deservedly, I guess). They made some bad choices and the stories seemed to dart in wildly different directions with plot holes you could drive a truck through. Still, at it's worst, "24" is better than most TV shows on the networks these days. I now own each and every season on DVD - yes, even the bad ones. I told you I was a fanatic.

Golly, sometimes I wish we had a real Jack Bauer out there who was looking out for all of us in a sometimes terrifying world. God certainly has everything under control, but in an earthly sense, a real life Superman might be kind of nice and comforting. Someone who didn't give a hoot about politics or who he might offend. Just a man who wouldn't mind breaking the kneecap of the terrorist in order to find out where the nuke was hidden. Maybe that's why the show is so popular, bad plots and all. We humans are attracted to a hero and Jack is right up there with the best of them.

Let's hope the next 24 hours of saving the world exceeds expectations. I'll be along for the ride.

Jack Bauer: "When I'm finished with you, you're gonna wish that you felt this good again."

JUST DON'T CALL IT TERRORISM

2008-09-11T13:47:00.019-06:00

Seven years ago today nearly 3000 human beings were killed in a terrorist attack on the United States of America. It was a bolt out of the blue. It was one of those days when we know exactly where we were and exactly what we were doing when the terrorists struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I was in a tiny hotel apartment in Dallas, Texas. I was taking a shower. Nothing was really the same after that. I've used the word "terrorists" twice in this paragraph. On purpose. Get used to it.

If all this is so, if all the above is factual information, if the photo is real and not photoshopped, why have the majority of Americans relegated this event to some sort of dusty, dirty closet where we can forget it even exists? I confess I have no answer to that question but here are some possibilities:

1. Americans like fun, bright, shiny things that make us happy. If it doesn't make us happy, we want to forget it.
2. Sheesh, nothing has happened since so it must have been some sort of isolated incident.
3. Well, don't we all know that this was a conspiracy conjured up and executed by the evil Bush Administration, Halliburton, Dick Cheney, big oil, the CIA and the FBI. I mean, Michael Moore says that's what happened and we all know how honest he is.
4. Terrorists? Of course not. They're just oppressed people and we are the oppressors.
5. We deserved it.

Sigh. If only life were that simple and fantastical.

I'm old enough to know that the terrorist attacks against the US began long ago. I think the first I was aware was when a gentleman in a wheelchair by the name of Leon Klinghoffer was cruelly dumped, wheelchair and all, over the side of a ship - killed by a gang of Palestinian terrorist thugs who hijacked the Achille Lauro. Mr. Klinghoffer's only crime was being Jewish. I recall being horrified at what happened to this man and his family and I cried for them. He was killed because he was a Jew. I didn't understand and I still don't. It was my introduction to terrorists and terrorism.

Almost thirty year of terrorist attacks in different parts of the world culminated on 9/11/01. Is it over? Was that the worst we can expect? Oh no. They are just biding their time. You see, most of the people of the world have far more patience than Americans. They don't mind waiting. They are in no particular hurry. As long as the United States continues to thrive, promote a lifestyle regarded as evil by radicals around the world and most importantly, as long as we are strong supporters of the NATION OF ISRAEL, we will be a target. Under our current administration, we have enjoyed seven years of relative calm with no repeat of the horrors of 9/11. I can't tell you why, I only know that good people have been working hard and serving in hard places to keep the rest of us safe and there are no words to adequately thank them for their sacrifice and their diligence. I know this is a fact because Mr. Danger used to be one of those people and I know they work hard and they care.

If we continue in our complacency we will be in trouble again. These evil terrorists have not stopped hating us and wanting to destroy us. Their goals are the same as they were on 9/10/01. The media wants to hide the film of people jumping from the windows because they didn't want to burn to death. The media hauls out and dusts off the film of the towers falling once a year - shows it once or twice - then hides it away because "we don't want to upset people". Keith Olberman has a hissy because John McCain's video at the RNC refers to the towers falling. So?? Is he worried that it will make his candidate look bad. Good grief, is politics the most important thing is this guy's life? If we don't learn from our history, how are we supposed to avoid repeating the same mistakes?

I pray I never see another day like that day but if we didn't learn anything then, if we can so easily write it off as some sort of aberration or fiction or whatever, how can we ever be safe again? If we as a country don't learn something about ourselves and about evil, we are doomed and God help us.

For the folks who died on 9/11/01, in the towers, in the Pentagon and in the planes...I promise I won't ever forget. I couldn't if I wanted to.

"One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!" ...Winston Churchill

Stand Up, Chuck!

2008-09-10T14:19:00.013-06:00

You have to love Joe Biden. You have to love him in the same way you couldn't help but love Dan Quayle. I'm old enough to remember Dan. He was the Vice President for about four years and, all things considered, he was relatively harmless. He was a good-looking guy and a bit of an empty suit but his biggest problem was the media. Now, we all know the mainstream media hates Republicans. This is nothing new. Poor Dan couldn't sneeze without someone in the media calling him an idiot. We know he couldn't spell "potato", but that was just one example of the way he was relentlessly mocked by the braintrust in the media. Which brings me to Joe Biden telling a guy in a wheelchair to stand up.

Joe is scary politically and philosophically but seems a decent enough person, albeit a doofus. The difference between Dan and Joe is the fact that Joe is a doofus belonging to the Democratic Party so you'll never hear a word against him. He can spout gaffs till the cows come home but he'll still be.....AWESOME! Leave him alone! He's our doofus and we love him. That's our United States media. They're just so darn great, aren't they?

Joe's latest was telling a guy in a wheelchair to "Stand up, Chuck." The last time I heard of anyone actually doing this was when the Messiah did it back around 28 AD. I refer to Jesus, the real Messiah, not the one running for President right now. There's a big difference though. Jesus also told the man that his sins were forgiven right before the paralytic man actually got up off his bed and walked home. (See Luke 5:18.) I know it's not exactly popular to talk about sin these days. I even know a few people who call themselves Christians that don't want to talk about sin, but that's for another blog on another day.

Back to Joe Biden. While his doofy gaff towards the man in the wheelchair gave me the best laugh of the day, it also made me think about how important it is to separate the real from the fake. In case you're wondering, yes, I know it was only a silly, verbal mistake. Biden wasn't trying to heal the sick, he just screwed up. I'm looking for a deeper truth here so ride along. Even if he tried, Joe Biden could never, ever make a paralyzed person walk and for that matter, neither can Barak Obama, (the adoration of the masses notwithstanding). Only one Man could ever do this in the entire history of the planet. And that Man was also God. However, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was as concerned for the gentleman's eternal soul as he was for the man's physical well-being.

I think this is something we need to remember when we go about patting ourselves on the back for our good works. Without presenting forgiveness of sins through Christ to those we serve, the good we do is only temporary. Jesus beautifully articulated this in John 4:13-15, and it's a lesson we need to learn.

I'm not sure how I got from Joe Biden and the Man in the Wheelchair to Jesus Healing the Paralytic, but that's how my mind works and it makes perfect sense to me.

Hands Off the Kids...As Long As We Agree With Your Point of View

2008-09-02T15:48:00.008-06:00

I avoid talking about politics and politicians because when I do, I rant. Up goes the blood pressure. Hinky goes the heartbeat. Loud goes the voice. I'm passionate that way. I confess to being a registered Republican though there have been times I have repented of that decision and vowed to re-register as an Independent. Whatever an "Independent" is...I'm not sure I know. The one thing I know for sure is that I cannot, under any conceivable circumstance ever be a Democrat. No way, Jose. Ever. In this lifetime.

This kerfuffle over Sarah Palin and her daughter is a perfect example of why. It's the gloating, wolf-like, weaselly hypocrisy I see raging among the ravenous, demonic press that glorifies anything associated with Democrats and reviles and ridicules anything associated with Republicans. It's also the pathetic, double standard, holier-than-thou Democrats that say outside one side of their mouth, "The children are off-limits", but do nothing to stop THEIR press corp from sharpening their blades to cut this family to ribbons. All the time taking the high road yet knowing that the job will be done while they act like they're above the fray. Obama could stop this feeding frenzy with one word but he won't because he doesn't want to. They don't fool me for one minute.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Sarah Palin is a good woman. A strong, experienced, well-spoken woman with principles and courage. She has taken on shady Republicans, for pete's sake, and I love that. I don't much like John McCain and had decided that I wouldn't be able to pull the lever for him in November but all that changed last Friday when he chose Palin as his running-mate. Personally, I wish she was running for President.

I heard about a woman who's a big shot at CNN who couldn't conceive of McCain picking Sarah Palin to run with him because this woman, "had never had lunch with her." So the requirement for a good Vice President is someone who regularly lunches with members of the media? Wow, I didn't know that. From that I conclude that Democrats lunch with the media and Republicans don't.

All this brings me to Bristol Palin. Here's a young woman who finds herself pregnant and unmarried. She goes to her parents and are reassured that they love her, support her and want the best for her in these circumstances. I wish them every good thing and they will be in my prayers. Beyond that, it's not my business and IT'S NOT THE BUSINESS OF THE PRESS. I simply cannot believe what I've been seeing over the past two days. It's like sharks tearing the flesh off a child. It's a low I never thought I'd see in my lifetime. That's where we are.

If this was happening to a child of Barak Obama, Joe Biden, Robert Kennedy, Jr, Evan Bayh, name your Democrat, it might have been mentioned once, in hallowed tones of course, then the subject would be dropped and not heard again. Yes, I am completely aware that both BO and JB have said the kids are off limits, but they are doing nothing to stop the press from this horror that is unfolding. Make no mistake about it, they could stop it but they won't. And it's an attempt to destroy a child and her family. May God have mercy on their souls.

Fortunately for the Palin family, they know God well and, more to the point, God knows them and He loves them. I pray for Bristol. Her mom chose not to kill a child because it had a defect and her daughter is choosing not to kill a child because it's an inconvenience. My prayer is that for this, and for standing strong, they will be blessed beyond anything these pontificating liberals could ever conceive.

Matthew 25:40, says, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" I recall Barak Obama throwing around this scripture when he was having his Q & A with Rick Warren. I hear a lot of people throwing this verse around these days. Most of them, including Barak Obama, completely misuse it considering the context. They just love to use it to make the rest of us feel guilty. Let's look at the following:

BARAK OBAMA: Votes three times in the Illinois legislature to allow babies who survive abortion to die. Translation: if an abortion is attempted and the baby manages to survive alive, he's perfectly fine with letting the child die of starvation in some dark hospital hallway.

SARAH PALIN: Allows her child to be born in spite of Down Syndrome and has a daughter that choses to keep her child in spite of her age, circumstance and unmarried state. Sad situations, God-honoring decisions.

You decide who cares more about "the least of these".

It's not what we say, it's what we do.

Democrats and The Crazy Chicken

2008-08-26T11:10:00.011-06:00

Before you ask, no, this is not a commentary on politics. Well, not totally. Frankly, I'm just not into political conventions. Here's the deal. I care about who eventually becomes President, I don't particularly care about the process. I don't make decisions about voting on what these guys SAY. They'll say anything. I'm far more interested in their past voting records, their actions and the people they chose to hang out with. In other words, what they DO. We have one guy who is wildly inexperienced and appears to be somewhat of a Marxist. The other guy claims to be a Republican but is actually a Democrat who ran as a Republican because he wouldn't have been elected in his home state of Arizona as a Democrat. Be what you are, if you can't do that, I don't have much use for you. So to me, they both look pretty bad right now and I don't think the outlook for the USA is very bright. Maybe it's just me.

Anyway, what this IS about is my burning need to go to Denver. I live in Colorado Springs. My house is about 60 miles south of Denver and we keep hearing the local news tell us about the traffic up there, the crowds, the protestors, the possibility of the I-25 being shut down at different times and all these things tend to discourage the timid from making the drive. All things considered, it seems a little foolish to enter this four-day festival of Democrat mayhem just to get chicken. (Sidebar. Why are the "Recreate 68" protestors at the Democratic Convention? What are they protesting? Iraq, I suppose. But how can this be a problem since Mr. O will give them what they want. Besides, I thought protestors and the Democrats were buddies these days. Again, maybe it's just me.)

Background. I love El Pollo Loco. In case you don't know, this is a huge chain of fast

food establishments featuring freshly grilled, marinated chicken served with tortillas, a variety of side dishes (I prefer rice and beans) and a most delicious house salsa. They grill this chicken in front of you. I salivate thinking about it. Unfortunately, this California chain has not seen fit to franchise one of their palaces of poultry in my fair city. They are all over Arizona, Utah, Georgia (for pete's sake) and a host of other less worthy places, but, oh no, not beautiful Colorado Springs. About a year ago, I was thrilled and surprised to find that one had opened in Denver. Oh joy. Unfortunately, it seems fiscally foolish to make a 120 mile round trip just for chicken so we needed good reasons to go up there and indulge ourselves. For a time, Mr. Danger needed some treatments for his knee and it necessitated trips to Denver so each time I went along and we feasted on El Pollo Loco. It was heaven. We would also go when we needed to visit the outlet shops at Castle Rock. That was south of Denver, but we could rationalize another 15 miles or so in order to enjoy this splendid meal.

Which brings us to the present. I haven't had this stuff for months and months and have had a craving for El Pollo Loco for weeks now. I don't understand this, I really don't. And before you ask, yes, I do have a life. We planned to go last week but something came up and based on the aforementioned convention-related issues, Mr. Danger does not want to make the drive and frankly, neither do I. So what do I do? I blog about it. Maybe it will help and maybe it won't but I'll be glad when the Democrats clear out of the Mile High City and head back to whatever rock politicians climb out from under. I don't have to worry about what will transpire in Minneapolis next week and I can travel to a normalized Denver and eat my chicken.

In a Seinfeldian way, this is a blog about nothing but it makes me feel better and in blog world, isn't that all that counts? And may I close by screaming out a plea to the good folks at El Pollo Loco? Colorado Springs is a large, growing city, filled to the brim with ex-Californians who need, I tell you, NEED an El Pollo Loco franchise in their town. If I had a couple million right now I'd have one built at the corner of Powers and "pick your cross street" in a few months time. It would be a winner and that's guaranteed. We are getting an Apple Store and if that isn't a sign that our city has arrived, I don't know what is. An APPLE STORE, people! Until then, a portion of my carefully rationed, rapidly increasing in cost gasoline will be squandered between here and Denver. Thanks for listening. Next time I might make a case for Baja Fresh Mexican Grill.

The Mystery of the Waistline

2008-08-19T14:45:00.007-06:00

I don't have a whole lot more to say about the Olympics. My favorite events are swimming, diving and gymnastics. Swimming is over, gymnastics (at least the artistic style) is gasping it's last. As to diving, I continue to enjoy it but it's frustrating when the only divers that are winning gold are the Chinese. Not that they aren't amazing - they are - it's just that the contest is for silver and bronze which somewhat dims my enthusiasm (jingoist, I know but there you go).

So all that leads me to the young man who has won the most gold medals in a single olympics. The young man with the name that has become as familiar to me as the names of my own children. Apparently, enough repetition in a small period of time will do that. Michael Phelps. Let me say it again...Michael Phelps! I'm amazed at his talent in the water The dude is a fish. I seriously believe he has gills somewhere hidden under that super slick, tight swimming suit. His medals are well-deserved and the subsequent wealth that his fame will bring is something I don't begrudge. He's worked hard and deserves whatever comes. Grab it while you can.

My problem is his waistline. I don't know where it is. How do you find it? Now I understand he has a long torso and shortish legs. I believe one commentator said he has the torso of a man 6' 8" and the legs of a man 6' 1". That's weird but probably adds to his prowess in the water. But wow, he needs to pull up his pants. The level to which they fall is seriously disturbing. He's dropping to refrigerator repairman levels in the back and I don't even want to get into what's going on in the front. Considering the fact that those LZR suits have welded together seams that split easily, the guy could have a wardrobe malfunction of epic proportions. I saw a picture of him this week in casual clothes, shirt, jacket and jeans. I swear the pants were at the same level as the swimsuit. I don't get it.

So, Michael, as you venture forth into fame, fortune and training for the 2012 Olympics in London, I admonish you on just this one thing. In the spirit of Magellan, please find your waistline. It's there. It has to be. And when you find it, please pull up your pants! You don't want to embarrass the Queen.

Oops. Where did it go?

2008-08-14T14:00:00.008-06:00

Because I am an idiot, I lost an entire post I'd done a few days ago about the Olympics. Apparently I have a lot to learn about the workings of blogspot.com, but we'll get there eventually. Won't even try to recreate what I posted previously but will cast out some random thoughts on the happenings in Beijing.

OPENING CEREMONIES

Gorgeous. A feast of light and motion that boggled the mind. Probably the most beautiful OC I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of them). I love the Olympics - it makes me all schmoopie and during those two weeks I watch more sports than I watched in the four years since the last one. It's good stuff.

POLITICIANS

Personally, I'm glad the Pres went. Yep, there are serious human rights issues in China but what's the point in boycotting? Worked real well in 1980, didn't it? His presence gave him a chance to ask Putin what the heck he was up to in Georgia and I hear he also confronted the leader of the PRC about the oppression of Christians in China among other things. You do what you can. I apologize for seeming to trivialize the problems of the poor people of Georgia. I cannot begin to imagine what it's like to struggle for your own country against a giant. I wish the US could reach out and help them but we are otherwise occupied right now. At least we can help in a humanitarian way (as we always do).

Putin. Scary dude. Nice of him to order an invasion of a sovereign nation during the hoopla surrounding the Olympics. Didn't work, did it? Didn't work with John Edwards either but it was a good try.

MICHAEL PHELPS

I mention him because I don't think he's getting enough attention.

SWIM RACES

The men's relay where Jason Lezak caught up to Alain Bernard to win the medal for the US men was the best swim race I've ever seen. Ever.

CHINESE GYMNASTS

Who really believes all those wee girls are 16? May I see a show of hands? Didn't think so. Being a rule-follower like I am, it annoys me that not every country has to follow the rules and I'm sure many countries had 13 year old gymnasts that might have improved their medal chances but what can you do? Who's going to argue with the Chinese? But, wow, those little things are great gymnasts, aren't they? Congrats to them and to the feisty, hobbled US team that managed to get the silver.

PARADE OF NATIONS

My favorite part of the Opening Ceremonies. I love seeing all the athletes march in wearing such an amazing variety of outfits. My personal favorites are the ones who wear garb that represents their nation. Of course there are the countries like the USA, Canada, etc., that pay big bucks for clothes by major designers. The US athletes looked retro and dapper wearing their Ralph Lauren stuff but what was with the enormous Polo insignia? Crass. Not to mention that they didn't look very comfortable in clothes hardly suited to a stifling stadium with 200% humidity. I'm guessing it didn't smell too good in there.

Then there are the athletes wearing jaw-droppingly awful ensembles. It must come down to taste because the folks wearing them looked pretty happy about the whole thing. I offer for your consideration the dresses and hats worn by the Hungarian women. I don't think I need to say anything. In case you missed it, the picture is at the top of this entry. No, it was not an eye test.

Oh Looky, Looky

2008-08-13T16:03:00.006-06:00

Who says Americans are the only country obsessed with image and beauty? I offer for your consideration the pictures on your left.

Apparently the little girl on the right has a beautiful voice but her bad teeth, hair, etc., don't exactly project the perfect image the Chinese are attempting to throw out to the world. So, what do they do? They pick out little Cutie Pie on the left and haul her into the Bird's Nest to lip sync the song sung by Bad Teeth on the right. Okay..........

I have a suggestion for the Chinese. Take Bad Teeth to your gymnast factory (currently buried somewhere in the bowels of Beijing), throw her into the machine, teach her to jump, flip and swing fabulously on the gymnastics apparatus and put her in the 2012 Olympics. By then she should be, oh, about 10. They can fix her teeth along with her passport and they'll have another winner on their hands. That should be adequate compensation for the slight paid to her on 08-08-08. As to Cutie Pie - I think she's going to do just fine because she's...you know...cute.

If the Chinese don't want her, I'll take Bad Teeth and adopt her because personally, I think she's a sweetie. Besides, think how well she'd do on "America's Got Talent".

The Restart

2008-08-08T15:00:00.009-06:00

LIFE IN TURN FOUR? Really? I'm a NASCAR fan and if you know anything about racing, you'll get it. If you don't, I can't help you. Just trust me when I tell you I'm older and I'm a woman. A woman who enjoys NASCAR. Strange. But it's only a small part of what I like, feel, believe and think so this isn't a racing-oriented blog. It isn't oriented toward anything. It's just the random thoughts of someone who is way too old for MySpace and Facebook. I can just see it: "MJ has 0 friends". Besides, both of those take too much time and tend to invade one's privacy. I really like privacy.

This isn't something that will ever be widely read. In fact, I don't think it will be read at all but when I kick the bucket, it will be here and maybe my children and grandchildren will get a kick out of it. Either that or they'll mock it completely.

As for me, I read passionately, love history, NASCAR, Tony Stewart and am an admitted reality TV junkie. I hate hypocrisy, politicians (aren't they one and the same?), and phoniness. I've been married for a really long time - to the same person! Fancy that. Hereafter, he shall be known as Mr. Danger.

The most important thing in my life is my faith in Christ and my family - in that order. If my faith threatens anyone, move along. Fine with me.

I've tried blogging before but it didn't take. I hope this latest attempt will be the one that makes me come back and actually work at it a bit. Don't want to mess up the restart.