Okay , a happy song to offset the sad song

I'm a huge Muppet fan and thought their music was always fun and sometimes even a bit insightful. My favorite all time song is Rainbow Connection for two reasons, 1) the banjo is the main instrument and 2) you have Kermit playing the said banjo and singing. Perfection! So here are the words to Rainbow Connection... just to bring happy thoughts to you.

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

All of us under its spell,
We know that it's probably magic...
... Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.... I
s this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm s'posed to be...
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.
Laa, da daa dee da daa daa,La laa la la laa dee daa doo...

A song of regret

I was listening to the ol' IPod on the way home from watching Michael play baseball (his team won by the 10 point mercy rule!), just cruising, listening to ABBA when this song came on. What a sad song! I guess any song about regret would be a sad song but this one just rips at the heart. Made me wonder what inspired it...

They passed me by
All of those great romances
You were, I felt, robbing me
Of my rightful chances
My picture clear
Everything seemed so easy
And so I dealt you the blow
One of us had to go
Now it's differentI want you to know

One of us is crying, one of us is lying
In her lonely bed
Staring at the ceiling
Wishing she was somewhere else instead
One of us is lonely, one of us is only
Waiting for a call
Sorry for herself, feeling stupid, feeling small
Wishing she had never left at all

I saw myself
As a concealed attraction
I felt you kept me away
From the heat and the action
Just like a child
Stubborn and misconceiving
That's how I started the show
One of us had to go
Now I've changed and I want you to know

One of us is crying, one of us is lying
In her lonely bed
Staring at the ceiling
Wishing she was somewhere else instead
One of us is lonely, one of us is only
Waiting for a call
Sorry for herself, feeling stupid, feeling small
Wishing she had never left at all
Never left at all
Staring at the ceiling
Wishing she was somewhere else instead
One of us is lonely, one of us is only
Waiting for a call
Sorry for herself, feeling stupid, feeling small

I guess what makes this song really sad is that she could've made the call... why wait? Okay, that is my downer song for the month.

Hope everyone had a great Thursday!

Sllvr's Back!

What joy a simple phone call brings.

"Hey dad, I'm home. Standing here in the student center waiting for my ride."

"Bet you are ready for a shower, some sleep, and chilling."

"Yeah, can't sleep on a plane and we spent our last night in New Zealand with our host families. Talked until 4 in the morning with them. I'm ready for bed and hours of sleep."

"Glad you're back home safe. Won't keep you up. Love you."

"Love you too dad."

A simple conversation. A joyful heart. Life is pretty good.

Pico Purging

I chop my jalepenos fine
I mince the garlic too
Cilantro added for divine
Flavor among a tomato crew.

Eyes filled with tears
Sweat running free
I know there is no fear
Of my pico taken mildly.

Eyes are swollen
Tongue on fire
Pray for my colon
Before its a flaming pyre.

Is the pico too hot?
Should I make it mild?
Nope I thjnk I've got
To keep it scalding wild.

I think it's worth the pain
To colon, eyes, and finger
As I've never had the mange
Or worms in my gut to linger.

Yuppers, it is always a fun time making the real stuff and then enjoying the fresh taste of nature's own de-worming device, pico de gallo. Hope you all had a great Tuesday.

Tuesday Tidbits 06/27/06

"Dedicated to providing irrelevent information that is partially accurate"

International News

Japan to Get Patriot Missles

In an attempt to protect the Japanese from a possible North Korean Missle attack, the US is sending Patriot missle batteries to be placed on Japanese soil. The missles are designed to intercept ballistic missles, planes, or kamakaze ducks with an attitude before they can reach their targets. They first made history when they were seen intercepting SCUDs fired at Israel during the Gulf War. Since then they have been improved, made into a leaner, meaner, missle eating machine.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense was thrilled with the acquisition of the Patriot missles and stated emphatically in a press release, "Oh, so big. We should make them smaller. North Korea will know we mean business now, and not the kind of business taken care of at a saki or sushi bar."

President Bush concurred. "We can't be letting those Korean guys strut around like a bunch of banshee chickens, no, we have to let them know we won't consolidate such behavior. We'll smack 'em real good with our Patriots and don't worry Japan, I'm not going to let Dick Cheney do the launching."

North Korea insists they have a right to launch the test missle and have even taken the position of perceiving any attempts to shoot their test missle down as an act of aggression. "Patriots, smatriots! We're not afraid of a few little missles, not when we have this big honking one here."

The drama continues as the time nears for the launch leaving many questions unanswered;

Will North Korea back down?

Will the US attack if North Korea launches?

Will Japan develop a smaller Patriot?

Will Steve find out Betty's baby really isn't his but belongs to a travelling Hungarian poodle salesman from Greece?

The suspense is getting thick...

National News

Teen Pregnancy Declines

Officials are cheering the latest report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation which has found fewer teens are getting pregnant. High fives were rampant upon the Hill as Congress and the Senate took immediate credit for this dramatic decrease.

Researcher Dawn Brak was quick to report the reasons behind the decrease were as bad as the problem of teenage pregnancy. "Kids are poorer and there is more malnutrition among our teenagers so in essence they are too hungry and to poor to have sex."

"Exactly! trumpeted Utah Senator Bob Maloney, "It proves our social programs are working. We have successfully reduced the amount of hormone production in our youth so they don't have the energy or the desire to make whoopee out in the school parking lot. Oh sure they are hungry and maybe on the brink of starvation, but look at it this way, they aren't obese so we have successfully addressed that issue as well. It is a win, win, win, win situation."

Brak argues it isn't a win, win, win, win situation and would be shakey at best to consider it a win, win, win situation although in reality it is more like a win, lose, lose situation. Or possibly even a lose, win, lose, lose situation. Anyway, when your teens are too hungry and too malnourished to be engaging in premarital sex, then we think there is a problem afoot that should be addressed."

Immediately after that remark a fist fight broke out among the researchers and elected officials which this rag considers a win, win, win, win, and yes, win situation.

State News

Kinky Gets on the Ballot

Musician, columnist, novelist, and weed tokin' gubenatorial candidate Kinky Freedman is officially on the ballot after getting enough signatures to rate a spot in the upcoming election. Kinky fans are already printing signs to be placed in yards, bumper stickers, and one innovative entrepreneur has even come out with Kinky rolling papers that states, "When you want a mellow ride, roll with Kinky."

Governor Rick Perry has stated there is no fear from Kinky running as Texas is an uptight state. "There is no way Texans are going to vote for some brain fried musician whose band is called the Texas Jewboys. They won't stand for it as we are a conservative state and hold our heros and elected officials to a higher standard."

Willie Nelson, unofficial hero of Texas, has countered Governor Perry's statements with his endorsement of Kinky. "I've rolled with Kinky for years. Rolled some fat ones, skinny ones, dusted ones, and one night when we were really stoned, we even rolled some with ten dollar bills. If you want to party Texas, vote Kinky."

Non-Profit Corner

Order of Unitarian Children Huggers to Host Great Hug-Off

The local Order of Unitarian Children Huggers has announced this weekend will be full of Unitarian Children Huggers walking through grocery stores and malls, randomly grabbing children and giving them a big hug to let them know the Unitarians love them. This will be the second year for the Great Hug Off and the OUCH chairperson, Gladys Pernsipal, is hoping the public will be more receptive this year.

"Last year some folks just didn't grasp the concept of the children hugging. We had several of our members hit with purses and I was hit a couple of times with pepper spray and once with a Taser by some totally mental behometh who was convinced I was trying to harm her child. We are not trying to harm your children, we just want to hug them and let them know they are being loved by a Unitarian."

Anti-Hug protestor, Molly Tucker, doesn't see the need for Unitarians to be grabbing children at random, hugging them, and telling them that they are being loved by a Unitarian. "Last year they almost frightened my little Billy to death. Why some mad woman grabbed and squeezed him so tight I thought his eyes were going to pop out. Why it took three sprays to get that cow to let go of my poor little Billy and even then I had to zap her one with my trusty Taser."

For more information about the Great Hug Off you can contact your local OUCH chapter and they will provide you with information of possible hugging stations if you would like to join in on the fun. For parents who are a little freaked out about this, Joe's Better Weapons Barn is offering a 20% discount on all cans of pepper spray and reloads for Tasers.

Editorial

Please Release Me, Let Me Go

Last Saturday I was pulled over by one of Abilene's finest for doing 41 in a 30. He was pleasant and polite, taking my liscence and asking for insurance proof, he quietly informed me of my infraction. I didn't get a ticket and he did such a good job of informing and correcting me, I had to smile at the thought of all the excuses I was thinking of to give this guy when he pulled me over. I could have gone with the standards;

"I have to go to the bathroom really bad. Follow me!"

"My wife is having a baby! I need to get to the hospital now!"

Or something more conventional such as;

"There is a sale on asparagus at United and they only have one flat of them... if we move quickly we can get our fair share!"

"They're premiering a new donut at Jack and Jill's and I wanted to be there to see you guys enjoy yourselves!"

"What? 41? My speedometer only showed 21... are you sure you read that speed thinga-ma-whopper correctly?"

"I'll show you my liscense and insurance if you'll show me yours..."

"I told my friends you were a maverick and wouldn't give someone like me a ticket, just on principle's sake, and so I had to get you to pull me over. I was starting to sweat it because I wasn't sure I was going fast enough to get your attention."

My point is I told the man the truth. I was late to an interview but there really wasn't any emergency. I was in violation of the law and wouldn't deny it. I am not sure honesty is why he didn't give a ticket but I am sure he appreciated not hearing a smart remark from the guilty.

Perhaps we should all try a little honesty with our law officers and then perhaps our experiences with them will be better. Or not... I'll will have to contemplate that tonight while I'm out toilet papering the neighbor's trees...

Movie Review

Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang

Can you say, Miss Miss, Lame, Lame? The potential for the movie was tremendous but I fear Robert Downy Jr. was still trying to get the drugs out of his system when he made this flick as his acting was horrible. Val Kilmer was great, as always, and the actress in the lead role was good too. However, the storyline sagged and waned, the dialogue was cute at times but mostly sucked, and ending is too weak for such a promising storyline. I give this movie 1 1/2 quills for some sort of intelligence being portrayed through an absolutely horrid film.

Disclaimer: Some of the facts in the Tuesday Tidbits are true... most aren't... so quote at your own risk.

Let me push the button...no, let me push the button

North Korea has been able to garner another "friendly" watcher for their soon to launch missle test. There neighbor and not so kind friend, Japan, is more than a little interested in this test with many Japanese calling for the destruction of the missle and perhaps a small little nuclear explosion in North Korea too.

They have a right to be anxious as the last test North Korea conducted was over the Sea of Japan so I would think the pucker factor is extremely high for them. Today I listened to an interview on the radio where some Japanese were even suggesting they have the right to nuke the North Koreans because they are the only country to have been nuked so the next time a button is pushed, they should be the ones doing the pushing. Hmm, interesting logic but a bit farfetched.

I am a bit concerned with everyone wanting to push the button. Egad man, aren't there enough worries in this world without a bunch of button-pushing, brain-dead, blockheaded boobs brashly brandishing their buttons? Sheesh, world leaders and their toys...

My secret hope is the missle loses control and lands in China somewhere. I think North Korea would find out what Chinese barbecue is all about. Oh well, the world isn't a safe place and as long as you have a finer strain of idiot running the countries, it never will be.

Excuse me, I am going to see if there is some button pushing that I can do...

Countdown to SL contest

So I sitting here thinking I should at least make a vain attempt at getting my legs presentable for the Mr. Sexy Legs Contest on the 4th. I've heard a few suggestions and even thought of a few of my own to try to make them worthy of at least 1 vote. Here are a few I've had given to me...

1. Tan them or at least get some of that rub on tan. (No thanks. Orange legs would really scream "Hook 'Em" and while I'm into that, I just don't want to be walking around with a sickly looking fake tan so I'll dispense with that notion.)
2. Tan them #2 - Actually get some sun on them. (Hmm, that would be getting outside during the heat of the day, right? Nope...)
3. Hire a stand-in for the photo and let them think his legs are your legs. (While this is tempting, I fear I will be walking around in shorts and it wouldn't take anyone long to realize my legs weren't the muscular svelte limbs on the picture. Oh the scandel!)
4. Wax my legs for effect. (Effect for what? I think I could do some effective screaming during the waxing but wouldn't smooth legs conjur up a more questions than answers? Such as; What? Shave legs? Is that guy gay? (nope...) Why would anyone want smooth white legs for? Is he competing against the next lunar eclipse? (see, too many questions and besides, I'm allergic to pain.))
5. Wrap legs up in bandages while claiming you were in a bad motorcycle accident where they were treated to severe road rash. (This idea actually sounds pretty good to me except a) I don't ride motorcycles and b) I'm afraid someone would want to look)
6. Stuff the ballot boxes with my own money. (Hey I am desperate but not that desperate. Okay, maybe just $20 worth of votes...)
7. Go Muslim for a day. Tell everyone they can just try to guess what my legs look like beneath the robe... (This sounds kind of sweaty to me...)
8. Walk around with my brilliantly white legs hoping the reflection from the sun off of them will blind folks so they can't really see what they look like. (This is probably my plan and I can only hope the humiliation won't last a life time.)

Sigh.

Egad.

I wonder if it is too late to get a tanning booth.

Building Pitching Boards

Spent yesterday morning cutting out and building washer pitching boards for the 4th of July family festival. The good thing is these boards can be taken to the clubs afterward and used for games there too.

Best part of this activity was getting to hang with my good friend Mike and his son, Michael. There is just something great about having a chance to chat, work, and complete a project with friends.

My dad understood that better than anyone as he would take his boys to places where someone needed a helping hand and there in a pea patch, or in the middle of thousands of pigs, or in a hayfield, you worked together, joked together, had great conversations together, and at the end of the day, celebrated a project completed together. Those were great times and some of the few times we were able to spend quality time with him as he was always at the office trying to provide for six boys and our mom.

Days like yesterday are days to savor. Okay, maybe not someone siphoning gas out of my tank... but still, for the most part a most excellent day.

Selling Soul Speedily, Silly Sam Siphons Sinfully

Somebody siphoned gas from my tank. Not much because there were only about 5 gallons in it, but still it is a nuisance since my fuel gage works half the time and I go by miles travelled. So here I sit in a car with a 400 mile range, out of gas at 290 miles. I'm telling you, my calculations remain constant and I can tell you within a half a gallon how much it will take to fill the tank, so imagine how thrilled I was when the ol' car sputters to a stop, in the middle of a hot Texas day, and I am now walking for a ride.

Whoever siphoned the gas, I hope you needed it for something worthwhile. If it was an emergency, I wish you would've knocked on my door, let me give you cash for gas, instead of having me walk in the heat for mine.

Luckily I was rescued by a sweet angel who took me for a gas container, then for gas, and then back to my car. Such sweetness and compassion is treasured, especially on such a hot and humid day and besides, she was cute to boot.

So maybe I should be thanking the siphoner of gas... it did break up my day and I did get extra excercise plus was rescued by a pretty Good Samaritan. Life gives you lemons, make lemonaide, right? However, my first offer stands... if you need the gas, let me help you out with cash. I may not always be so fortunate when it comes to walking for help.

Oh great, a contest I'll definitely lose

My organization is responsible for the 4th of July activities this year. That's right, if you want something fun to do on Independence Day in this town you will need to come to Nelson Park where we will be offering free games, contests, fun activities and much more for kids and their families. Events such as pitching washers, punt/pass/kick competitions, three legged races, water balloon toss contest, whiffle ball chipping, frisbee golf, frog hopping, basketball toss competition, watermelon eating contest, and a cool run (a chance for kids to get wet) will be available, free of charge, with prizes given out to winners.

I'm excited about all of it but have to admit I'm nervous too... it needs to be a success so we can build on it for next year. Hours have been and are being spent in hunting down sponsors, working through the red tape of municipal, county, and state governments just to get permission to have a professional fireworks team ignite the show for the big event. Volunteers are a concern too as I need bunches of them on a holiday no less. Guess who has a bit of stress in his life?

There is one contest that will be fun and won't take any effort on my part and that is the Mr. Sexy Legs contest. A picture of me, a picture of my legs, a five gallon jug, and a table where I will be placed next to five other candidates is all that is required. Votes are counted by the amount of money dropped into the jug. At the end of the day, the person with the most money is crowned Mr. Sexy Legs.

Egad.

I have the most un-sexy legs in this town. I can only hope for the sympathy vote or perhaps the humiliation vote. Oh the horror, the horror... So here are 10 quick reasons I shouldn't be in this contest;

1. My legs haven't seen sunshine in a decade.
2. Funny looking knees
3. My legs have been used at the hardware store for folks to find just the right "bright white" color of paint to paint the walls of their rooms with.
4. My legs have been used to fish for crappie at night. They are attracted to bright white objects...
5. My legs have enough scars on them to make a road map for Texas.
6. My legs were once mistaken for a lunar eclipse.
7. My legs are so white I don't have to use reflective gadgets when I walk at night.
8. Moths keep bumping into my legs at night...
9. On years that Rudolph is sick, Santa uses my legs to guide his sleigh
10. When I visit my son in Wisconsin, they won't let me walk around in shorts at night as their brightness blocks out the Northern Lights.

Yup, this is one contest I am going to totally bomb in. Sigh. Egad.

Giggle Session

Nothing is quite as invigorating as a good ol' fashioned giggle session. Silliness reigning, nothing making any sense, just down home laughing, snorting, with maybe a good guffaw tossed in.

"Act your age!"

"Now you are just being silly! Get serious!"

"Can you believe it? They have totally lost control with all that silly giggling. Why they are absolutely insane!"

Yup, those kind of phrases from the stern, austere, and totally laughless portion of society just make me want to laugh harder, to get even more zany, increasing the level of giggling to an overload status.

We need the giggles. We need the insanity. We need the release of uninhibited silliness to get us through a life most serious.

I say, giggle on. Tickle each other, push each other over the edge of "propriety" and into the canyon of uncontrolled laughter. You may not accomplish much, but you will reach a state of euphoria where stress is not allowed.

I need me some giggles...

Full Empty Conversations

"Staying busy?"

"Yup, long days, long hours, but a good feeling when I go home."

"How's the kids?"

"Doing well, scattered to the winds. Making their own way which is how it should be."

"You doing okay?"

"Yup, I'm doing fine. How is your family?"

We chat about this
We chat about that
Avoiding the abyss
Of serious chats
We keep it light
We speak of fluff
We stay with trite
Telling only enough
To keep them sated
With bits of news
As we guard the gate
To our heart's view.
We speak not of pain
From empy nights
The sadness gained
From our lonely fight.
No, we avoid the abyss
Of serious chats
And chat about this
Chat about that.

"So everything is good in your world?'

"Yup, everything is fine. Let's do lunch sometime."

"I would like that. My schedule is full right now, but I'll call you."

"Give my love to your family."

"Will do...."

No Tidbits Today, back next week

My apologies for missing the Tuesday Tidbits today but a little swamped and the work doesn't seem to be easing up much. I do want to submit the following post...

Louisiana governor orders National Guard troops to patrol New Orleans...

Really. Does this mean the folks in N.O. can be violence and insane without a hurricane? It appears that even FEMA wasn't required to stir up a little trouble in the Big Easy. I'm guessing they'll blame it on something else... like a failure of the local, state, and federal governments getting the city back up on its feet in a timely manner. Or, perhaps they are just into the lawless mode right now and to kill six people over the weekend just "fit" into their weekend celebrations.

The governor claims five were drug/revenge motivated with one death being over an incidental disagreement about beer. (Less filling! Tastes great! Less filling! Tastes Great! Less Fi.....gasp, gag, death rattle...) Either way six people is a bit of an overkill in any urban community's book so maybe it is time to bring in the National Guard.

I think it goes to show you don't have to have a natural disaster and a human blunder to tear up your town. In fact I'm pretty sure you can kill people at random if you are the dregs of society and have an agenda. Is it legal? Nope. Do they care? Nope. Bring on the Guard baby, and while you are at it, grab a jazz band or two so we can groove as the locals rape, pillage, burn, and destroy all of New Orleans.

Sheesh.

New London

Made it to New London yesterday on my way home. Took in the monument, the cemetery at Overton, and enjoyed soaking up a little history. I did notice that this town of 987 people has moved up in the world as their one and only convenience store in town has a Pakistani running it. Needless to say, my instructions from him on how to find the cemetery smacked of trying to get tech support from Dell computer.

I was able to ask a nice woman in the parking lot who had grown up in New London who gave excellent directions;

"You turn right, go until you come into Overton. At the stoplight, you turn right again and go until you come to the building that used to be a hospital but isn't any more, turn right again. Look for the old school and when you see it, look back over your shoulder and you'll see the cemetery right there."

She was right. Once found I spent some time walking around looking at the gravestones to find the graves of some of the children who perished in the school explosion on March 17, 1937. You can find more information about it by googling "New London School disaster" which is an excellent website outlining the events before and after the worst school disaster in U.S. history where 293 children died, 311 people died counting teachers and staff.

The town is so small I can only wonder how devastating such a disaster was to the morale, the economy, and the spirit of this once thriving town. It was definitely worth the trip and next time I go I will make sure I go when the museum is opened so I can enjoy the complete New London experience.

Arkansas in the early morning, orange marmalade by night

I'm back! Made it to Arkansas by 6:30 a.m., found my daughter's car, changed brakes, rotors, and put gas in her car before 8:00 a.m., just in time to have it start raining on me. Realized she need to have a caliper/piston replaced so that means another road trip in August. No problem...

I didn't spend much time with the locals this trip as I finished up, cleaned up, and drove over to Shreveport for Cajun food and to have a jumping off place for my New London expedition the next day. My one interaction with folks actually occurred in Ft. Worth at the Ol' South Pancake House where I sat next to two "ahem" men who were obviously on their first date "ahem". Their conversation went something like this:

"Are you going to eat all of your fries before you eat your sandwich?"

"Yes, I eat my fries first, then my sandwich. It is how I always eat my meals when they have fries with them."

"That is ridiculous! Who eats their fries first and then eats their sandwich?"

"I do. Do you always criticize the way other people eat their food?"

"No, just the ridiculous ones. Why would you order a sandwich in a pancake house? You get pancakes here, not a sandwich with fries. Maybe you get eggs and bacon, perhaps sausage, but not sandwich and fries. Oh, are you going to eat the pickle after the fries? It is next in line on your plate."

"No, I don't like pickles. Do you want it?"

"What? A pickle with my eggs, bacon, and pancakes? Ridiculous! So are you going to eat your pickle next?"

"No, I don't like pickles. You can have it and eat it later if you like, when there isn't anyone ridiculous around eating sandwich and fries in a pancake house."

"No, I just thought it would be strange if you did like pickles, that you wouldn't eat it next."

About this time I am struggling to suppress an all out guffaw as the sandwich man is obviously driving the Breakfast Nazi nuts when the Breakfast Nazis turns and watches me spread orange marmalade on my biscuit.

"Are you British?"

"Excuse me?"

"Are you British? You're putting orange marmalade on your biscuit."

"No, not British. It is a Paddington the Bear thing."

Hmm, I sound British about as much as our President does and besides, when is orange marmalade consumption limited only to the British? Ridiculous...

Road Tripping

Heading out to fix Slvr's car this weekend. I am planning to stop for the night along the way so if there is internet access, will do a post or two. Have my tools, have my parts, have my tunes... ready to rock and roll!

Interviewing

It is search time again as I begin to interview possible candidates for a director's position at one of the clubs. Of course there are your basic questions you ask as well as your basic questions you avoid, but there should be a category of questions you would want to ask but aren't sure you would be allowed to. Such as:

• Who did you root for in the Rose Bowl?
• If you realized the only clean shirt you had to wear to work was a Texas Aggie shirt would you a) wear it with pride b) wear it and apologize profusely c) put on a dirty shirt, or d) come without a shirt?
• How do you feel about expensive presents being given to your boss on Bosses' Day?
• We've been working hard all day and take a break for an ice cold diet Coke. Realizing there is only one left and there are two of us, what would you do? a) Offer it to me, your boss b) offer half of it to me, your boss c) offer me a sip, your boss or d) drink it all while you are cleaning out your desk
• A mouse is terrorizing your club and has now turned it's attention to you. Would you a) flee the building, screaming like a girl b) put a trash can over it and "herd" it back outside, c) call 911 or d) stomp that sucker flat to bring the terror to an end?
• Name the last 10 US Presidents in reverse order while hopping on one foot and juggling knives. (No this has nothing to do with the job, I just like to be entertained...).
• Which comic strip character do you find to be the most cerebral?

Oh well, I guess I'll stick to the standards and avoid the questionable ones. Sigh.

Flag Day

Yuppers, today is Flag Day and around town you will see the Stars and Stripes proudly displayed as local citizens get into the patriotic spirit. I love flags so this is one of my favorite days, just wished more people would fly a diversity of flags such as the Don't Tread on Me flag, or the Betsy Ross flag, or my personal favorite, the Bonnie Blue flag. Hey, if I had a yard to fly one from, I'd be there!

Flags are great reminders of the history of conflict and war. They tickle our memories of soldiers long gone who died fighting for our freedom. Their presence nudges us in the direction of realizing everything comes at a great cost whether it be freedom of speech, taxation with representation, freedom of religion, or the right to own and bear arms. Unfortunately they are taken for granted, abused even, and left to rot in the elements.

I get ticked off whenever I see a frayed flag flapping in the wind. Torn and shredded by the elements, sometimes even soiled from dust storms, these flags appear to be calling out to passers by for a dignified removal/disposal, a task any American Legion will perform. Even more irritating is the flying of the Texas flag upside down. White on top people, white on top! As a lady once put it, your bandage (white) goes on top of the wound (red).

So today fly those flags proudly. Treat them with respect, keep them clean, and please, keep them out of the weather. I know it is just a piece of cloth, but it is a piece of cloth representing legions of sacrifices offered at the altar of freedom, stained with American blood.

Tofu Blues

I'm the type of guy who doesn't mind sampling different foods from different cultures with perhaps the exception of roasted insects or Malaysian Rat on a Stick. Other than that I will be game to at least take a bite or two of almost anything, once. So last night I had my first taste of tofu as my daughter and son-in-law treated me to a nice stir fry they had concocted in a kitchen in the backwoods of Buffalo Gap. The pristine bed of rice held a Thai dish complete with a spot of tofu, which looked amazingly a lot like some sort of meat. I poked at the square pieces of unidentifiable "meat" and asked, "What kind of meat is this and when did you stop being a vegetarian?"

"Tofu"

"Gesundheit. So what type of meat is this?"

"Tofu."

"Hey, watch your language. Just asking a simple question. You still have all your dogs running around your place, right?" I had to ask because the little squares of meat weren't like anything I had ever seen.

"No dad, it's tofu. There is no meat in this dish."

"Tofu huh? Hmm, well I'll try anything once." I sampled the tofu and it wasn't bad at all. I do believe it does something to the system though because I was trounced by the two guests in Scrabble so it had to be the tofu.

Yup, I'll eat it again if it is served and have now broadened my horizons that one day I might actually sample a toasted insect if that is all there was to eat. Still think I will pass on the Rat on a Stick.

Tuesday Tidbits 06/13/06

"Dedicated to providing irrelevent information that is partially accurate"

International News

Bomb Killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Successor Named

Major General William Caldwell reported to the press yesterday that it was in fact a bomb that brought the life of al-Zarqawi to an end. After a four hour autopsy, the results proved the lungs of the former leader of Al-Qaida were squashed and the lack of the lung's ability to put oxygen in the blood brought about the demise of Zarqawi.

"Yup, the bomb done it," Bill Caldwell was quick to report. "We surmised at first it might be the bomb when we dropped two 500 pounders on the boy and he seemed to quit functioning. At first we thought he was faking but when we realized he wasn't trying to accesorize his outfit with a matching suicide belt, we knew he probably was ready for a fork to be stuck in him, cause baby, that boy was done!"

Rumors had been running rampant about the possibility al-Zarqawi had been beaten to death after the fact of the bombing but Billy Caldwell put that to rest quickly.

"We didn't beat anyone. Okay, we did drop the bombs that tossed him around in the house like a rat on meth in a dryer, but other than that, we didn't touch him. The bombs done the trick, the boy is dead, let's get down to business of eradicating the other al-Qaida vermin."

Al-Qaida hasn't wasted anytime in naming a successor to al-Zarqawi, Abu Luvu Plesdonshootme Ibleedezily, who released a statement saying, "We will not stop our war against the Great White Menace. Oh sure, we might be taking a little vacation to mourn the death of al-Zarqawi and to let the boys catch a little sun, maybe swim in the ocean, and rest up a bit, but we will be back... sometime. You don't call us, we'll call you."

National News

Supreme Court Rules on Lethal Injections

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy ruled people on death row waiting for their lethal injection should have more time to appeal their cases. In an apparent move away from the death penalty, Kennedy implied such use of needles may not be constitutional.

"Okay, needles give me the heebie-jeebies and since you are already going to die, which would seem stressful enough, they come at you with a needle? How humane is that? I'm not saying it shouldn't be done, but I am saying we may want to rethink the whole needle thing. Go back to the old days when we killed a man humanely, with gas, or a bullet, or even fry them like a catfish in a cast iron pan, but no needles. Come on, no one likes to get stuck, especially in front of an audience."

The ACLU is still trying to come up with an appropriate comment. Steven Shapiro's statement in response of the ruling was somewhat confused.

"Uh, this is a great victory for the legal system in America to give convicted murderers more time to appeal their decisions in order to avoid the needle. Okay, we're a little confused about the whole gas chamber, firing squad and light 'em with ol' Sparky segment, but we still believe it is a move in the right direction...or at least we think it is a move in the right direction, okay, possibly this is a move in the right direction. Wait, uh, we want to clarify that, no comment."

State News

Karaoke Club Owner Pleads Guilty to Mental Abuse

Sung Bum Song plead guilty to charges of bringing young Korean women over from South Korea to work as forced laborers in his karaoke club. He is facing 25 years in prison and $100,000 fine if the judge gives him the maximum sentence. Dallas police detective, Joe Bob Hunsucker stated this was not a quick arrest but took hours of undercover work to produce enough evidence to charge Sung Bum Song.

"First we had to prove he was holding these girls against their will and that mental abuse was actually occurring. But after you hear three hours of "Feelings", "Born in the USA", and "Love Shack" it wasn't hard to decide there was some serious violations of human rights going on here. We are talking a violation of American principles, an assault on everything that is good. Why that @+)#&+)*+@#*@# didn't even have one Country and Western song in his collection. Just that techno, rock and roll, druggy crap from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. No wonder those poor girls were so unhappy."

Sung Bum Song had no comment for the press but did hum us a little ditty that sounded something like "Free Bird."

Editorial

Baseball is a Great Teacher of Life

As the summer presses on I fear we are missing out on one of the great instructors in life, the game of baseball, specifically the Major Leagues. Yes, it is a slow moving game with an emphasis of pitchers dualing steriod injected batters trying to get them to not hit the ball, but it still has a lot to offer generations to come. Some of the more obvious lessons this great American tradition has to offer are;

• Life is full of disappointment. Take the Texas Rangers, for instance, a team that always seems to be on the brink of greatness. They start off strong, hold on to the All Star break, giving you hope of finally seeing a pennant in the State of Texas, only to dash those hopes with their late summer fade. Your optimism and hope are replaced by disappointment and remorse. Life is like that and so this is a lesson all youth should learn at an early age.
• Life isn't fair. The athlete who works out, puts in hours of practice is overshadowed by your Barry Bonds who shoots himself up with steriods and jacks 715 balls out of the park. Is it fair that you haven't gotten any glory because you followed the rules? Nope, but life is full of that sort of unfairness. Bring the kids out to the ballpark, they need to learn this lesson of life early!
• Life can be brutal. Have your child sit through a boring four hour game in the hot Texas sun, getting dehydrated, sunburned, while watching your team lose the game on an error in the 12th inning. Excruciating pain. Heartbreak. Yes, life being brutal at its most brutal. Kids need to learn this lesson immediately in order to get them ready for the pain.

See the importance of baseball in our culture? Be the one to lead the charge pack to the ball park where you can purchase inflated, overpriced, chemical inudated hotdogs to eat while you watch life's lessons unfold before your eyes. Your kids will thank you down the road, most likely in a most brutal fashion. Batter up!

Volunteer Opportunities

Fred Gilmore Society to Host "Wine Sampler" at Bubba Bob's Better Boozery

The Fred Gilmore Society, a local non-profit dedicated to its mission of obliterating American excesses and waste, has announced the first annual Wine Sampler at our local vineyard, Bubba Bob's Better Boozery. Tickets are $75 a person and include a tour of the vineyard, sampling of the 35 wines produceds at Bubba's, and a sack lunch from Dale's Burger Shack. President Callie Chuggerman is excited over the potential of this fundraiser.

"We believe the public will find this Wine Sampler fun, educational, and relaxing. The executive board has met with Bubba Bob at least four times during the last week, checking out the sampler room and making sure the 35 wines are of a quality that will impress anyone who comes. I can't quite remember all the details of those meetings but I do know everyone was happy to sign onto a 50 year commitment with Bubba Bob so you know this is a match made in heaven. We will be using these funds to educate the public on the dangers of doing anything to excess."

Call down to the Fred Gilmore Society for more information. They do request you wait until after lunch when their heads don't hurt so much.

Movie Review

The Marksman (out on DVD)

I am a Wesley Snipes fan but have to admit this flick isn't worth the price of rental as is stinks to high heaven. The story line is predictable, the soundtrack is horrific (I fear some composer on herion wrote it, trying to capture the spirit of the movie soundtracks from the 50's with dramatic rises in the score and subtle nuances of romantic frames during tender moments... but he is always two scenes behind), and the acting... the acting... can you say "suckles" to keep it biblical.

I give this movie the al-Zarqawi, it bombed.

Disclaimer: Some of the facts in the Tuesday Tidbits are true... most aren't... so quote at your own risk.

Charity Begins with Bugs

Sitting here looking at my bruised and scratched arm after having a conversation with a great friend about how changing the battery out of a VW Beetle is not an easy task (modern beetle, not the under the back seat variety). His response was,

"So whose Bug was it?"

"The Ex's Bug. Battery was dead, gave her a jump, followed her to Auto Zone and then changed it out for her."

A long look of incredulity is followed by, "You know you aren't obligated to do that, right? Are you freakin' nuts?"

"Call me soft hearted or just being a friend, but if help is needed, it should be given, right?"

The conversation took an interesting turn then and we explored all the reasons I didn't have to fix the Bug including the existence of a little thing called an Auto Shop. This morning as I work the stiffness out of the arm I'm thinking maybe an Auto Shop wouldn't have been such a bad idea.

Oh well, I did get to Auto Zone and did pick up brake pads and rotors for Slvr's car as I will be road tripping this weekend to Arkansas to fix her brakes before she gets back from New Zealand. It will be a fast and furious trip but shouldn't take me long to change out her brakes and be back on the road again. Planning to travel mostly at night, work on her car by daybreak, and get the heck out of Arkansas. Nothing like living on the edge.

Or so I hear...

I love my Mondays

I can already feel the day coming on as my list of contacts to be today is already two pages long and I fear will continue to grow as the day wears on. Mondays are always taxing but in a weird way, I like them. They seem to stand at the entrance of the week, taunting, teasing, testing, and tasking us; daring us to step up and fight them for the right to continue on with our week.

"Let me introduce you to my little friend... I like to call him Mr. Crises..."

"Have another meeting on me. No, have two, they're small."

"OOOOOOHHHHH, you think you're good? Try doing Monday with a little intestinal discomfort."

"Hmm, maybe you should enjoy a worry free Monday. NOT!"

"Go ahead, open up your email. Guess how many people want to talk with you before 10 a.m.?"

"Hee, hee! The red light on your answering machine is blinking. Guess how many employees aren't coming in today?"

"I love the smell of deadlines in the morning."

Yup, Mondays are fun. They keep the blood a pumpin'.

Mavs making move for title

I have to admit last night's game was a treat. Shaq being held to a career low... two four point plays in a game... the Mavs totally dominating defense. It would be sweet to sweep but I don't see that happening as Miami will probably win on Tuesday night. Go Mavs!

Mad Mime Maimed Mercilessly

This post has nothing to do with the title, I just enjoyed writing it for all sorts of perverse reasons. It does have something to do with creative juices though...

I enjoy watching people be creative, whether it is in writing, telling a story, art, problem fixing (the Southern equilivent to the ever popular Problem Solving), or engagement in contests, athletic or otherwise. The amazing way people can adapt to acheive their ultimate goal is down right inspirational in my book and it is worth taking a step back and just admiring their handiwork.

Case in point: I watched a kid at the apartment complex try to move a bulky box from his apartment to a friend's apartment and after struggling with the box for a few minutes, he disappeared to return with a scooter. Slide box on scooter and roll that baby down the street. Genius in my book, problem fixin' at its best, I say.

So when people quit trying to figure out a solution to their problems I have to wonder if the creative juices in this world are drying up. Maybe we have become to quick to accept failures and embrace our downfalls versus seeking a creative device to overcome the obstacle. Does that mean creative juices sometimes come at a great cost? Yuppers, it does, but it also means when the victory is won, the sweet succulent taste of success is pleasent upon the palate because you were inventive, willing to experiment, and had faith in yourself to try something different, failure be damned.

Man, suddenly I feel pumped. Wonder if there really is a mad mime that I can maim mercilessly... just kidding. Mimes have nothing to worry about from me. Now my mime eating Rottweiler, that might be a different story.

For Beef

I sold my AK to purchase a S&W 809. Never owned a 9mm before and was skeptical of its performance until yesterday when I finally got to take it out for a spin putting it through the paces of 100+ rounds. The groups were terrific, the lack of any jamming made me happy, but most of all, distance didn't seem difficult to overcome and compensate for. Finally an auto I can enjoy.

So Beef, ever shot one before (the S&W)? I have their revolvers, but never the auto. Sweet.

Al-Zarqawi is dead and I don't feel so good myself

I know I stole the line from the late Lewis Grizzard (Elvis is dead and I don't feel so good myself) but somehow it seemed appropriate here. The bad boy of Iraq is now being treated to 70+ virgins, courtesy of Allah. Or is he? Not sure how Allah works when it comes to technicalities such as:

• He died from a bombing
• His death wasn't from his carrying out a mission against the Great White Satan, no, he was pretty much on static display
• So, if you died while just sitting around, do you still get the virgins? I'm thinking... no.

You would hope the loss of their beloved and inept leader (the man struggled with weapons, as the videos show...) who didn't mind sending his minions into public places to kill innocent people, would dampen the spirits of the terrorist but I suspect he just made the postage stamp scene for the underground terrorists mail carriers. I suspect he is now considered a beloved martyr in the cause against Satanic Influence Ne'erdowells (SIN). Yup, give this man the bomb and he becomes the bomb... so to speak.

I did notice that Americans weren't in the streets with weapons raised high doing a high shrill trilling sound while celebrating Al-Zarqawi's death. Is it because we are shy when it comes to displays of shrill trilling or is it because we don't know how to properly trill at such a shrill pitch? Shouldn't there be classes available such a thing? Someone contact Homeland Security, they should be utilizing this method as a defense against possible terrorists. "Hey, we will shrill trill over your dead body if you mess with us, bucko!" Hey, it might work.

I am hoping Al-Zarqawi's death will give our soldiers a respite from the daily threat of bombings but I fear it will be the opposite. For some odd reason I think we just gave them some encouragement to increase the violence. I'm reminded of a dialogue from Munich, the movie, where the lead assissin from Israel wonders if removing one bad person is practical since another person who is worse, steps up to take his place. A vicious circle for sure. May the madness end soon.

Obituary

Today I will be attending the funeral of past co-worker who I used to car pool with. Our conversations we had coming and going to work were interesting, sometimes combative, but always in good fun.

Reading his obituary yesterday I saw the same ol' information about birth, work, hobbies, civic duties, family, church, death and thought maybe folks should consider a change in the format. Maybe we should be reading about his favorite dog, beer, cigar, joke, movie, but more importantly, maybe we should have a section of comments overheard at the viewing from those who had worked and lived with the deceased.

"Ol' Joe sure was a pain in the butt to work with. Never showed up on time, never did his work right the first time, but boy could that guy pass gas in a 30 mph wind storm and it would still travel up wind. He had "the gift" you know..."

"Patsy was a terror to live with and a demon to work with too. If she hadn't gone when she did I think I would have killed her, bless her little heart."

"So how do they know Grandpa is dead? Looks like he's doing what he always was doing... just laying there."

"Memo this, memo that. That's all that woman could do was send a memo! Well take a memo, Lucy, you are dead and the memo pads have been thrown out!"

"Well at least he is finally taking a break from working..."

I think those would be much more revealing and more entertaining to read than where they attended church or what civic activities they were involved in. Maybe that's just my sense of morbidity. So what would some of the comments be in your obit?

Midnight Visitor

A little after midnight last night, I felt a hand shake me awake from a little snooze I was taking on the couch. My eyes opened to see my daughter standing there grinning and tsking at the same time.

"Dad, you left your front door unlocked. Anyone could've walked in."

"I left it unlocked for you in case I fell asleep on the couch."

"But anyone could've walked in and cleaned you out."

"Well, hopefully I would awake sometime and could help them carry the stuff out to the car."

We chatted some more, she helped me with my Ipod, and then invited me over to supper next Monday evening. I have to admit such a late night visit is good for the ol' Frustrated Writer. I'm proud of my kids and it always does my heart good when they check up on their ol' dad. Monday night will be a treat as I haven't had dinner with them in a few weeks. She is a vegetarian though which makes the meals interesting and fun. Wonder if I should offer to bring my own meat...

Tuesday Tidbits Return!

Tuesday Tidbits
Dedicated to telling the truth about somethings, lying about others, but totally making all of it up.

International Scene

Chinese Blow Up Temporary Dam

A group of Chinese engineers blew up a temporary dam today releasing the fury of the Yangtze river on the 3 Gorges dam. In preparation of the massive onslaught of water, fish were repelled away from the existing dam with electroshock warnings. The engineers are fairly sure over 90% of the fish fled the scene with only 10% taking the hit of almost 3,000 tons of concrete rubble flying by.

Cheif Marine Biologist, Tang To Pao, was adament the 10% that died chose to rise up in rebellion against the mother land and therefore deserved their untimely death. He went on further to say his lab techs had deciphered the responses from the remaining fish and after each jolt of juice, the fish were reportedly screaming, "Hit me again baby! Let me have another zap of that joy juice!" The rest of the world's scientist are questioning the response of Tang To Pao and many are being bold enough to venture the fish didn't make any response of any kind. Wildlife biologist for the Apache Reservation in Arizona, Chief Rain Bo Trout, was quick to condemn the action of the Chinese Engineers. "Those dam fish didn't have a chance as that dam was coming apart in chunks big enough to brain a good sized elk."

National Scene
President Bush to Visit Alien Free Site

President George Bush visited Artesia, New Mexico today to examine the new Border Patrol training facility housed outside of Artesia's International Airport. President Bush was impressed with the operation of the facility stating,
"They got this place so secure that I bet not one illegal alien will ever get into it." We're thinking he just might be right.

Charity Update
Fred Feelgood's Foundation For Failing FlimFlammers Feeds Fish Friday.

It is time once again for the Fred Feelgood Foundation's Fifth Annual Fish Fry and Hushpuppy Bobbing contest. This year the Order of Higher Bobbing Old Yahoos (OHBOY) will be frying 1,000 pounds of catfish, 25,000 hush puppies, and slicing and dicing away to make 500 pounds of coleslaw to raise funds for the flimflammers hardest hit by new technology.

"A good flimflammer good fleece you in a few minutes, back in the good old days. Not now, now he is lucky if he can pull the wool over one cat's eyes and everyone knows you can't live off of one skin a day, " George Gipperman, chairman of the Fish Fry, stated.

The general public is invited to come out and eat all the fish they can while having the opportunity to bid on the Brooklyn Bridge, which is currently setting next to the great white sandy beach of Phoenix, Arizona. Admission into the fish fry is $7, the bridge and beach will be extra.

Movie Review: Breaking Up

Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston should guarantee a knockout movie but this movie wasn't great because of their acting, but was great because of the supporting cast is flat hilarious. I would rate this movie a winner as it brings us to the real question in life during the final scene: Can Life Get Any More Frustrating? Yup, it is a cliff hanger folks and you will scream when you see the final scene. I guarantee it. I can't remember my rating system but if it was a 5 star system, then I would give this movie 3 1/2 stars.

Editorial

Catch and Release?

Climbing around the trout streams in Arizona I encountered a man who stopped long enough to look at me with contempt and ask,
"Did you catch anything?"
"Yup, caught two."
"I am a sportsman. I catch and release."
"I am a sportsman too. I catch and eat."

The haughtiness of the man really ticked me off since he also looked at my ultralight tackle and then at his expensive fly rod and obviously passed judgement on my fishing abilities. Hmm, is the man really a sportsman or is he a pansy, afraid to get his dainty little hands dirty by cleaning his catch? I would lean to the pansy side since I couldn't help but notice his meticulously kept manicured fingers.

Is catch and release all that sporting? How many dead trout do you have to encounter before you start to question the practice. Wouldn't they be better off cooking on a grill than rotting in the bottom of a stream? I think so. So to my lazy, "oh please, don't make me gut the nasty little fish" sportsman, fish in another W@#$)($+)@(#&* stream and leave us fishermen alone. We've got trout to slay, clean and eat... like God intended.


Annual

Catfish Chatter

Stopped for a few minutes today to get a quick trim and then was back to running like a madman. I did hear the following conversation while in the barber's chair.

"Are you related to Betty over at the Catfish Corner?"
"No, which one is Betty? What does she look like? I eat there all the time."
"Oh she is heavyset, short hair, colored an awful red, like your hair is done."
Silence.
Stony glare.
Clearing of the throat.

"Don't know her and I eat over there all the time."

Conversation #2

"So you eat at the Catfish Corner? I like Chicken Express' catfish better though. They don't use the same grease all the time."
"What? They serve catfish over at the Chicken Express?"
"Yup, they do. Good catfish too with just a smidgeon of breading. You get all fish, no extra batter crap."
"I like the breading, especially when it has been soaked in grease."
"Welp, you really ought to try out the catfish at Chicken Express."

Who knew catfish were such a hot topic these days? Certainly not me. I guess I am going to have to bone up on my fish and be ready for the next time such a hot topic arises in a barbershop.

A Class on Listening in Capitan

Driving through the rain last Thursday, I passed a church in Capitan with a parking lot starting to fill with cars as the ladies assembling for the weekly Ladies Bible Class made their way into the church. I pulled over to adjust my Ipod and select a new playlist and watched as the ladies returned from the inside of the church with chairs and sat them outside underneath the porch. You could tell they weren't chatting, they were listening to the rain fall on the covered porch, to water bubbling out of the parking lot into a freshly made stream that headed towards the street.

On this particular day, in this parched and thirsty land, the class wasn't focused on some doctrine or social blight, but instead it appeared to be focused on the sound of God's restoration of a withered land, the regeneration of his creation, the refreshment of life giving water. I would venture to say the impact of listening to the rain brought the class closer to God than any study from a workbook. Hopefully it spurred them to think about life and the need to be refreshed... and the importance of being still long enough to appreciate the gift of rain... no, the gift of life.

Some memories can't be contained in a photo

Driving towards Carrizozo (sp?) I was treated to a tremendous weather display. The thunderclouds were covering the top of the mountains and the tops of them looked to be white cliffs suspended above a churning black sea of violent weather. Underneath the clouds the winds had kicked up a huge dust storm so the figures of the mountains were mere images fluctuating in and out of the picture, depending on the intensity of the dust storm. From the floor of the desert to the infinity of the sky, everything was in turmoil, twisting, turning, churning, just waiting for the proper moment to explode into a torrent of fury.

I'm not sure a camera would have done the scene justice but the memory of this impending storm won't soon be forgotten. It is funny how our lives can be almost similar to this storm, filled from top to bottom with impending outbursts of conflict. I have to admit my first inclination was to circle the storm but instead, I drove straight towards it and was rewarded with a beautiful foggy/rainy trip through the mountains on my way to Ruidosa. Perhaps that is the way it was meant to be; we drive through our storms, not around them. In the end, when we have completed the journey, the beauty of the safe arrival won't be lost on us as we have seen the fury of the storm and survived it.

Changing my template back

I thought I would like the new look of the template but quite frankly, it wasn't me so I went back to my old standard. It's comfortable, it's known, and it's me.

I am working on getting wireless internet at the apartment but two attempts have failed because of the tower being too far away. Won't give up trying, will just keep looking for a fairly inexpensive option.

Other than that, not much new here. Just hanging, working on some pressing work stuff, and will have fun this afternoon changing out the pads on the rear drums of my car. I lead oh such an exciting life!

Will be bringing back the Tuesday Tidbits this week and should have some other posts as well. That's enough rambling for now...

Back from the mountain

I guess we all need a mountain event from time to time to clear our mind and get refreshed. The days spent in Arizona have been great with a celebration of my parents 50th anniversary and a brief memorial for my brother who died four years ago. Our family gathered around a room, swapping tales, giving and taking fun jabs at each other but the whole time loving the opportunity to sit and hang with each other.

I probably enjoyed the times fishing and driving around looking at the mountains, elk, antelope, and deer the best as they were calming and refreshing.

The fishing was great! Limited out! Nothing like grilling the fish and feeding the whole crew, what a great meal to share with everyone!

There will be more posts coming about this experience, just wanted to reflect for a second of the joy of being away for a week, spending it with family, and the joy of returning back home where you are needed. All in all, a good week.