Hip-Hop Co-Op

Happy Birthdays Tim and Beth!

2010-11-03T20:18:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRIS!

2010-06-21T07:46:00.002-05:00

Please note: Due to the fact that Bethie is a counselor at Bible Camp this week, Tim kindly placed her on his brand new i-Pad so she could be part of our family birthday photo.

Reflections on the Oil Spill

2010-06-16T10:01:00.002-05:00

In 1987, there was a big rain storm in Minnesota in July. On the 20th, we received 9 inches of rain. Then, three days later, on the 23rd, 11 inches fell on the already saturated ground.

We remember this day for several reasons. The fun reason was that we had a party at our house that night because Terry's brother Ken was visiting. No one could leave, so we had 15 or 20 unexpected overnight guests! "Here's a pillow, you get the couch." "Here's a sleeping bag, you're on the floor."

It was a fun memory, until Ken got up off the couch in the basement in the morning and his feet went "squish, squish". Then it turned into lots of work and cost us a few bucks. We sucked up water, we removed destroyed carpet.

We thought about what we had to do to solve the immediate problem and prevent a future problem.

A few weeks later, another storm hit. It wasn't as bad, but the water had found a way to come in through the foundation and Terry and I spent the night on the couch in the basement with the wet vac all night taking turns getting up every 20 minutes sucking up the water.

So what does this have to do with oil? A lot, I say.

Our water problem had several aspects. The immediate one was sucking up the water as it entered our house. We really couldn't control the flow of it in our house since we can't control the rain. All we could do was try our hardest to minimize the damage till the water flow stopped.

Solving the problem was an issue of managing it. It was an issue of looking at the problem and prioritizing the solutions. It was an executive issue.

We knew we had to wait for the rain to stop before our problem would end, but we didn't just sit there. We used the wet vac. It was exhausting work, but was something we could do, so we did it.

A few weeks later, we made a plan. We called up the nice people who do basement water-proofing and they came in with jack hammers and chiseled out around the perimeter inside our basement, put in drainage tile and a sump pump.

Now back to the oil problem. The leak is kind of like the rain. Rain is generally good and necessary, but not when it is out of control. Oil is also good and necessary, but not when it is out of control. Right now, the leak can't be stopped. I'm sure no one wants that leak stopped more than BP. They have the most incentive and they know more about oil, they need to work on this.

In the meantime, oil from the spill is invading our country. The role of the President is "to preserve, protect, and defend" the United States. I have no idea why he didn't "stay up all night with the wet vac", so to speak. It would have prevented a lot of damage.

Passing laws, increasing taxes, stopping drilling on land or in shallower water is not helping this situation. The hole needs to be plugged, the mess needs to be cleaned up. Laws and taxes are more like putting in a sump pump. You have to get the water out of your basement before you move on.

My theory is that this is a case where some executive experience, rather than legislative experience, would have been a big help. In the meantime, all of us who love vacationing on the Gulf hope the clean up goes well and the hole gets plugged really soon.

It's Katie's Birthday!

2010-05-20T09:05:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday, Katie! I love you very much.

Here's a photo you posed for this year. :)Or, maybe I'll use this one where you seem to have gotten your paws on my camera. I love the festive bow in your hair.

Health Insurance: A Primer (Part Four of Many)

2010-03-31T09:05:00.006-05:00

April is the time our insurance comes up for renewal so I have the handy dandy premium chart from Blue Cross before me. Here are the current numbers.

We have a $7,000 family deductible. No pre-existing conditions. No tobacco. No substance abuse coverage.

Current Yearly Cost= $ 15,060.49
$13,062.00 (Actual Premium) + $ 1,998.49 (FICA/Medicare)

We are pondering raising our deductible to $11,600. In that case, our cost for the year would be $11,767.52.

Here's what Congress did last week to the cost of our health insurance. In two years, the maximum family deductible allowed will be $4,000. We will be in the same pool as tobacco users and substance abusers. Minimally, (not accounting for the fact that the rates will go up since pre-existing conditions must not be denied) when the law goes into effect our premium (I'm looking at the Blue Cross chart) will be: $20,082.95 (taking into account that Congress still charges FICA on the premiums of the self-employed, but not those whose insurance is provided by their employer).

The legislation just passed last week will leave us no choices in terms of coverage and will increase our premium by $5,022.46 each year...until the actuarial tables kick in for all the pre-existing conditions that are added. Then, the sky's the limit.

Lesson 4. The action Congress took last week made health insurance MUCH LESS affordable to millions of Americans.

Health Insurance: A Primer (Part Three of Many)

2010-03-24T11:41:00.004-05:00

Now I will talk about COBRA.

First of all, it's called COBRA. That should be enough to scare people away.

If that doesn't scare you, then just the length and wordiness of what the acronym stands for should.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. COBRA. Generally speaking, I've found any phrase with the word "omnibus" in it is probably not good. But, I digress.

Here's what the US Dept. of Labor web page says about COBRA:

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102 percent of the cost to the plan.

Basically, if someone gets laid off or chooses to move to a different company, they get to keep their health insurance coverage for a limited period of time while they seek new coverage.

Difficulties arise when someone with a pre-existing condition gets laid off or wishes to take a different job. In the first case, they are now unable to get health insurance. In the second, they are tied to their place of employment because to leave would be to lose needed coverage.

Raise your hand if you know someone in one of those two positions.

So, then, is the solution, to make expensive, freedom limiting, 2,700 page changes in the law that apply all Americans? No, the solution is to have health insurance purchased by the insured and not by their place of employment.

Here's how you do it, Congress. Instead of having the employer pay the employee a salary plus benefits. Have the employer pay the total value of both and let the insured purchase his/her own health insurance.

Then, have two lines on the income tax form. The first line subtracts the cost of health insurance premiums from wages so that the adjusted gross income does not include the cost of health insurance premiums. The second is a credit that would be added back to account for the extra FICA/Medicare that was withheld. (Not sure how the employer gets his matched FICA/Medicare back yet, but I'm working on it!)

So, lesson three. Health insurance should be owned by the insured and not tied to the place of employment. It should also not be taxed.

Health Insurance: A Primer (Part Two of Many)

2010-03-22T16:05:00.003-05:00

Now, let’s talk a bit about health insurance premiums, the tax code, and how that relates to people who purchase their own health insurance rather than have it supplied as a “benefit” from their place of employment.

Let’s start with people who get health insurance from their employer. If you are in that category, be sure to thank your employer and thank Congress for the wonderful tax benefit that they have bestowed upon you.

For the sake of argument, let’s say you make $50,000 per year and your employer provides you with $15,000 worth of health insurance. Your taxable income for the year is $50,000. In addition, you pay 6.2% of that $50,000 in FICA and 1.45% of the $50,000 for Medicare. Your employer is required to take that out of your paycheck. In addition, your employer is required to match that contribution. A total of 7.65% is taken out of your check and your employer matches that amount. 15.3% of your salary is sent to the United States Treasury for Social Security and Medicare before any Federal income taxes are taken out.

Bottom line for the person above: $50,000 wages + $15,000 benefits = $65,000 total package. $3,825 is taken for FICA/Medicare for the year. Only the wages are taxed, NOT THE VALUE OF THE BENEFITS.

Stay with me now. This is important.

Here’s how the math works if you are a self-employed, make $50,000, and purchase your own health insurance. First of all, to purchase the same policy as the guy in the above scenario, you would have to make $65,000 in order for you both to have $50,000 to spend after purchasing health insurance. Being self-employed, means you double the FICA portion since you are the employee and the employer. Thus, all self-employed people from the start (before income tax) pay 15.3% of their income for FICA and Medicare.

Here’s the dirty little secret. If you are self-employed, you do get to subtract your health insurance premiums from your taxable income, BUT NOT FROM YOUR FICA/MEDICARE INCOME.

Bottom line: A self-employed person purchasing his own health insurance will pay FICA and Medicare to the tune of 15.3% on their health insurance premiums. For a $15,000 per year policy that translates into $2,295 more in taxes. All that because you are self-employed and purchasing your own health insurance.

In the first situation, the TOTAL FICA/Medicare taxes for the year taken are $3,825. (And, $3,825 is matched by the employer)

A self-employed person pays a TOTAL of $9,945 with the same salary and benefits because not only do they match the FICA, but they have to pay FICA on their health insurance premiums.

It gets even worse for those who are not self-employed and purchase their own health insurance. Not only do they pay FICA and Medicare on the health insurance premiums, they get to pay income tax on that amount, as well.

Lesson Number Two: If Congress really believed small businesses are the backbone of this country and cared about everyone having health insurance, they would have started with the simple fix of correcting the inequalities in the tax code. That fix would be quick and inexpensive. Either they are uninformed about them or they have a different agenda than making health insurance more affordable.

Health Insurance: A Primer (Part One of Many)

2010-03-22T11:57:00.002-05:00

Having been the chief procurer of our family's health insurance for the past 27 years, I am somewhat of an expert in the field. Today, I wish to pass on my vast knowledge.

When the hubs started his business in 1983, we needed to buy health insurance. Let's back up a minute, we didn't NEED to buy health insurance, we chose to purchase it because it was the responsible thing to do.

I called around and the broker at Blue Cross gave me some very wise advice. He said, "The purpose of health insurance isn't to pay for all of your health care, but to cover major medical issues (surgeries, cancer, etc.) that would quickly turn into a hardship. "We have lots of plans," he went on, "Your job is to figure out the amount that you could come up with in a year if there was a major illness in your family. If you choose a policy that covers everything, the premiums will be much higher."

We chose a high deductible (I believe around $2,000 at the time). We opted out of maternity coverage. Our last three babies were "cash and carry babies". I stayed one night in the hospital. I could have stayed as long as I wanted, but when you are paying, you think twice.

In order to purchase health insurance, we chose to NOT do other things. We gave up major purchases, drove older cars, took fewer vacations, bought and did less stuff.

So, lesson one. Health insurance is not designed to cover all health care needs. It should be just what it says, insurance for when the tough times come.

Happy Birthday, Nicole Marie!

2010-03-14T00:04:00.001-06:00

I like this, ya know what I'm saying?

2010-01-20T11:37:00.001-06:00

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

The Dahlen-Smith Wedding

2010-01-01T22:42:00.008-06:00

Amidst sparkling, twinkling lights, Mindy and Ross said, "I do," on New Year's Eve.

Jeremy and Jennifer are next in line to say, "I do." Awww, for cutes.

Tim helped pass out the programs. They never told him to stop, so here he is after the ceremony doing his job tirelessly.

The brownies with raspberry sauce were delicious. Jeanne thought the raspberries were ginormous.

Is this a great shot, or what?

It was a little odd that the bride and groom wore Christmas crowns at the head table, but, oh wait, no this was at our house on Christmas Day...how'd that photo get mixed in?

This is much better. The happy couple. Mr. and Mrs. Smith!

Countdown to Christmas: Today's Song

2009-12-21T10:01:00.002-06:00

My favorite Christmas song is I Heard the Bells. Did you know that the words to this song were written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow? My favorite version is done by Johnny Cash. Here he is singing it with June. Enjoy!

Christmas Treats #1

2009-12-18T17:47:00.002-06:00

Beth and I just made these. They involve my new favorite wrapped little candy. The Rolo™. Apparently the Rolo™ has been around since 1937, having been originally created in England. York to be exact. Of course, as everyone knows, the Hershey's company has held the U. S. production rights since 1969. Thank you, Wikipedia.

Countdown to Christmas: Today's Song

2009-12-17T22:08:00.001-06:00

Paul Sunde

2009-11-28T13:27:00.001-06:00

Paul Sunde
October 7, 1951 - November 29, 2009

Why We Celebrate Thanksgiving and Who We are Thanking

2009-11-26T10:52:00.008-06:00

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
Abraham Lincoln

A Major Award

2009-11-22T09:12:00.004-06:00

Dugan Design Group won a major award! No, it's not a "leg lamp", it is the ECPA/dp Book Cover Award, recognizing superior cover design! Congrats, DDG!

Here is the link to the winners.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BETHI!

2009-11-03T22:42:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday, Beth. Love you.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2009-10-31T23:23:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween from R2 and the cow.

At Our House We...

2009-10-31T18:37:00.004-05:00

...give out junky candy and......put out creepy decorations.

What do you do?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!

2009-10-27T14:46:00.002-05:00

Tim can now be tried as an adult, buy cigarettes, and gamble. Oh, yes, he can also vote! Now that's something to celebrate with the 12 ounce rib eye steak and eggs at the Sofitel! Happy Birthday Tim! Love you!

Bemidji Kitsch

2009-10-19T19:40:00.005-05:00

My loyal blog followers, all two of you, might remember that I love kitsch. In fact, I did a whole post on the kitsch we came across on a trip to Colorado back in 2006. I am pleased to say there was kitsch awaiting us in Bemidji last weekend and I took photos.This sculpture resides in downtown Bemidji. Nothing says "Stop Domestic Violence" like a metal statue of an Indian with some type of weapon. Also, this sign is a good reminder, "Next time you want to beat someone up, have a Pepsi instead."

God bless America!

Bemidji

2009-10-18T21:03:00.002-05:00

Where Did the Weekend Go?

2009-10-04T21:49:00.003-05:00

Zoom! This weekend just flew by. Friday evening, Tim was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the community college honor society. Congratulations, Tim. Inductees are able to choose one teacher to honor with the Golden Apple award. He chose Chuck Chalberg, aka G.K. Chesterton--check out his link. Here he is presenting Chuck with the award. Saturday morning, Erin (and David's!) baby shower. Samantha was there and looking so cute I had to post this photo.

We played the ever popular guess what candy bar is smooshed into the diaper game. It's always fun to take photos of the guests while they sniff the diapers. Here is Nikki attempting a guess.

Great, great nephew Hunter got the modeling gig for the Target brand peach-mango puffy snacks. Here he is posing with the snack that bears his photo. Way to go, Hunter!

The mom-to-be with her mom and two of her sisters. We missed you, Ali!

Phil Stacey in concert.

Matthew West in concert.

Michael W. in concert.

Cafe Latte after the concert. Chicken Salsa Chili for the hubs. Seattle Smoked Salmon Chowder for me. Yum-o!

We took home desserts. Chocolate, chocolate cake. Key lime cheesecake. Lemon cake. Delisch!

Will and Samantha came over while their mom and dad hosted their small group. Okay, everyone, it's time for footie pjs. (I will have to get me some footie pajamas.)

All in all, a lovely weekend.

It's a Rainy Day

2009-10-01T15:13:00.001-05:00

You CAN Judge a Book By Its Cover

2009-09-30T23:02:00.005-05:00

I am pleased to announce that Dugan Design Group has been nominated for a prestigious 2009 ECPA/dp Book Cover Award. Yes, that is correct, you heard me. Only 4 categories for awards and DDG is one of three finalists in the Best Cover From a Mid-Sized Publisher Category. Go here. Check out the nominees. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to give Vera Wang a call so she can design my gown for the awards...what's that, you say? The award will be announced online at Online Design Forum on November 20th at 11:00 am ET? You mean I won't be needing a gown? Shucks.

National Parks I Have Been To

2009-09-28T23:01:00.003-05:00

1. Sequoia
2. Yosemite
3. Bryce
4. Zion
5. Grand Canyon
6. Petrified Forest
7. Black Canyon of the Gunnison
8. Rocky Mountain
9. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
10. Yellowstone
11. Badlands
12. Virgin Islands National Park
13. Shenandoah
14. Mt. Rainier
15. Olympic
16. Grand Tetons
17. Glacier

And that doesn't count the National Monuments.
Thanks Mom and Dad for the great summer vacations to beautiful places.

What I Bought at Trader Joes

2009-09-26T21:41:00.004-05:00

The hubs let me loose for the afternoon and I went crazy.

Headed to Minnetonka to the General Store and roamed about looking at stuff. Heading home, I decided to proceed east on Highway 7. Hadn't done that for years. Went by the old Hellman's Mayonnaise plant that is now an empty building that's for sale. However, I did note that it had been called "Mayon Plastics" before it's demise. As I passed by, I thought I was most likely the only one on the road who knew that "Mayon" plastics probably got it's name because it was housed in a former mayonnaise factory. How's that for trivia?

Proceeding east on 7, I passed Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and remembered how I used to love the beautiful stained glass window there. Still there and still lovely. Then, just before Sam's Club, I remembered there was an old drive in that had been there for years--ever since I could remember. The kind from Happy Days. It's now called Galaxy Drive In.

Well, lo and behold, I looked and the place was hopping. Fresh coat of paint, workers in retro uniforms looking cheery, lots of patrons and it was late afternoon. 4:00 or so. Check it out here. I'm going back!

I proceeded east on 7 headed for Trader Joes. This of course is the mistake I often make when I head to Trader Joes coming from the West. After growing up in St. Louis Park and living within 10 miles of it all my life, I can't seem to remember that Trader Joes is on Excelsior, not Highway 7. (NOTE TO SELF: WHEN HEADING TO TRADER JOES OR WHOLE FOODS, TAKE EXCELSIOR, NOT 7. WHEN HEADING TO YUM, TAKE MINNETONKA. GENERAL RULE FOR SELF: NEVER TAKE 7.) So, I did the usual backtrack to get to 100 to head south to Excelsior. ANOTHER NOTE TO SELF: NEVER TRY TO HEAD SOUTH ON 100 FROM HIGHWAY 7. THEY FORGOT TO PUT IN A MERGE LANE.

I made it to Trader Joes and knew enough to park on the street rather than to attempt to enter the TJ parking lot. There I was, a lazy Saturday afternoon, nothing to do, and Trader Joes before me. They got me at the entry with the pumpkins. $3.99 each. Can't beat that. I loaded one in the shopping cart. Next it was on to the marcona almonds and mini fresh mozzarella balls (to make a Caprise Salad with the heirloom tomatoes my sister gave me a couple days ago). I couldn't resist the new pudding mixes. Chocolate and vanilla in the retro boxes. And while heading down the freezer section to get my favorite frozen Mac and Cheese, I stumbled upon the Mandarin Orange Chicken. Picked up two bags of it for tonight's dinner. Of course, cookies are above the frozen foods at Trader Joes, so I grabbed the classic chocolate Joe-Joes. I finished off my shopping spree with a crate of lovely peaches and a bottle of Mango Green Tea. I love Trader Joes.

Fun with Photo Booth

2009-09-24T23:22:00.001-05:00

Tim's Eagle Scout Project

2009-09-20T14:27:00.004-05:00

Tim finished the actual work on his Eagle Scout project yesterday! Doesn't it look great! Thanks to all who helped saw, sand, dig, haul, and assemble. A big thanks to the Dahlens for letting the Boy Scouts invade their garage, borrow their saw, and fill the garage with sawdust last Sunday!

Tim designed and built (with lots of helping Boy Scout hands) three benches and made a fire pit for the men of Damascus Way Re-entry Center in Golden Valley.

Great job, Tim. Now, on to all the Eagle Scout paperwork! Good luck with that!

Our state fair is the best state fair, don't miss it, don't even be late...it's the best state fair in the state!

2009-09-03T10:18:00.027-05:00

September 1. A beautiful day to head on over to St. Paul for the great Minnesota Get Together. We started with the usual. An Americano from the Java Jive and mini donuts. Not just any mini donut, mind you, they must be Tom Thumb donuts. You know, the ones right next to Ye Old Mill. (Forgot to document this with a photo, you will have to use your imagination.)

Lunch was the usual Pronto Pup. NOT CORN DOG! It's the "Wiener dun in a bun" "Since 1947"!

Beth went with me to play The Office game. It was the ever popular "Throw the Crumpled Memo in the File Drawer" game! I'll have you know that my first memo (of three tries) went right in that file drawer and I won a bag! Inside the bag was a coupon for a breakfast sandwich at Sonic! Hmmm, will I have to declare that sandwich on my taxes next year? I think prizes are taxed...

Cheese curds, karaoke, and Nathan Johnson a winning combination. (All you Eagan Republicans, be sure and vote for Nathan for state rep in 2010).

Honey sticks at the Horticulture Building. A must have.

Chris had his Dole Whip.

The turkey leg at Heritage Square. Beth fell asleep. All that tryptophan.

Every year I insist on this photo. Every year, he complies. What a guy!

Princess Kay and a 90 pound slab of butter. Need I say more?

Met up with Will. He shared Grandpa's fruit plate and box of fudge. Your two basic food groups.

Nikki sang. Lovely.

Will "listened" to Mommy sing.

So did Samantha.

What do you know. The cousins ran into each other outside the Corn Roast. Time for "Jazz Hands" everyone!

It was off to the Midway for the only game that you can almost always win. The "Toss the Whiffle Ball in the Goblet" game. Put a little English on it and you can usually get yourself a stuffed piece of junk for only $30 in tickets.

Although Chris won "Shamu" in this game. Of course he played against only his siblings, so someone in the family was bound to win!

Big. Fat. Bacon. Nuff said.

Sweet Martha's Cookies and milk on the way out of the fairgrounds. Nuff said.

Ran into Jeremy and Jennifer also eating cookies. Stopped to chat. Fireworks started. We had the perfect seats AND cookies and milk! What good fortune. A great day at the fair!

He Likes Dylan

2009-08-24T08:20:00.002-05:00

Be Careful

2009-08-20T08:10:00.000-05:00

We're Going Camping Now, We're on our Way....

2009-08-15T09:27:00.029-05:00

Tuesday, August 11, We left for Itasca State Park. I was the guide in the backseat of Chris's CRV. Ahead of us, Katie's Element with her, Beth, and the hubs. A beautiful sunny day.

The men made the fire.

The gals cleaned up. As it should be.

At sunset, we saw Bigfoot near the shore.

We did a puzzle.

Katie and Beth found my camera and don't they regret it now.

I'm guessing there are some tax dollars involved in this lovely work of art.

We went to the headwaters.

And walked across the Mighty Mississippi.

We went on a hike. The longest 2 miles in the history of mankind. As you can see, we are experienced hikers. None of those fancy backpacks. Those are for city boys. We always opt for the Target paper bag. Much more eco friendly.

We hit the trail.

Oh, no. There was a tree across the path. Not to worry, Tim had his trusty Swiss Army knife. 3 days later, we were on our way.

A good mother always reminds her children to wear proper foot attire. As you can see, I forgot to remind Beth to go with the flip flops and instead she wore her hiking boots. This was a big mistake. After all, it's more important to look good than to feel good. I will try to do better next time.

Again, some grainy footage of Bigfoot. I think we're on to something.

The happy hikers.

Posing with the hubs.

My birthday fudge.

Singing the Happy Birthday song quietly (it was after 10:00 at the campground, so quiet hours had begun).

My birthday cherry cobbler, made over the fire in the Dutch Oven by the hubs.

I read a book at the dock. (The Magician's Nephew)

Chris and Tim fished, Beth looked on, and Katie, um, Katie took photos of herself.

Look what Beth caught. You should have seen the one that got away!

But all good things come to an end. Here is Chris packing his new card/picnic table. He just bought it. And, the cool thing is that a CRV came with it for FREE!

Finally, our trip would not have been complete had it not been for the metal moose in the trailer of the truck next to us at the Holiday Station in Little Falls. Can't wait for the next camping trip!

Mom

2009-08-10T10:11:00.001-05:00

May 21, 1921-July 16, 2009

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18

Psalm 62

2009-07-06T07:33:00.000-05:00

Psalm 62

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

¹ My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.

² He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

³ How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

⁴ They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah

⁵ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

⁷ My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

⁹ Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.

¹⁰ Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.

¹¹ One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,

¹² and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

4th of July Memories (2006)

2009-07-04T22:49:00.002-05:00

Freedom!

2009-07-04T05:56:00.000-05:00

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Happy Birthday to Chris!

2009-06-21T18:20:00.001-05:00

It's DOCTOR Evil!

2009-06-20T12:33:00.003-05:00

Did anyone hear whether or not Senator Boxer called Brigadier General Walsh by his title "Brigadier General"? I'm thinking he worked a lot harder for that title than she did for hers.

The Homecoming

2009-06-14T08:37:00.013-05:00

Waiting for the plane. Do you like Tim's sign?

Greeting daddy.

Meeting Samantha Rose.

How cute is this?

Waiting for luggage. Past her bedtime. (Meaning Grandma's bedtime.)

Opening the box that was shipped last week and handing out presents.

A great hat from the Aran Islands for dad.

Eating the brownie cake that Beth made and decorated at Angel's.
Up till 3:00 talking.
Now we are sleeping in.
Home sweet home.

I Want My Baby Back!

2009-06-13T17:06:00.007-05:00

Welcome home balloons in place.

Hand picked bouquet made by Beth from the flowers in our yard.

Assortment of British foods and Nutella. Also a sheep for familiarity.

Fresh orange Gerberas and a funky coordinating pyramid shaped box of Kleenex on the nightstand.

Now all we need is Katie!

Really Nice Blog Post

2009-05-27T08:26:00.002-05:00

I just read a recent and very nice blog post by Paul Sunde and recommend that everyone read it.

Here's the link.

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T09:19:00.003-05:00

It's Memorial Day and instead of my usual Flander's Field post, I thought I would offer you a poem written by my dad...a man of many talents. Poetry writing was one that surprised me, but when you are in your 20's and in Europe fighting the Nazis, there comes a need to express yourself. Here is how he did it.

Night of Terror
Darkness is upon us.
The sun is down.
The moon shines, faintly,
From a cloud filled sky.

Slowly, cautiously, we move
Feeling our way about
In search of a spot
To make our beds.

Beds made of blankets
Upon a crimson, foreign soil,
Drenched by the rains and snows
Of storms of recent months.

We go to bed, knowing full well
That before the dawn
Our blood may spill
Upon this alien, slimy mud.

Silence reigns, broken only
By the changing of the guard,
A machine gun's rattle, or
Cracks of a rifle, sharp and clear.

The enemy is everywhere.
We toss, but sleep as best we can,
Waiting for the dawn to soften
Fear that darkness tends to magnify.

The night drags on.
Blackness at last gives way
To streaks of gray, and soon the
Welcomed dawn breaks, bright and clear.

I miss my dad. (He passed away on Election Day 2000...Bush/Gore...remember that day? We all went to the polls anyway, knowing he would have wanted that.)

I am grateful that I live in the USA and I am grateful for all the soldiers who have served to protect us.

God bless America.

30

2009-05-22T09:27:00.006-05:00

The dilemma with posting birthday wishes on your blog on your children's birthdays is that sometimes you get confused about what day it is. I realized on March 16th or so that, while I had wished Nicole a happy Facebook birthday, I had neglected to wish her a happy blogspot birthday. "No problem," I thought, I will post my wishes on April 14th, the one month anniversary of her 30th birthday, but then April 14th came and went, so I thought, May 14th, that will work because March and May start with "M's". Well, that didn't work, did it? Then I got to thinking that I should just post while I am thinking about it. Hope you (and Samantha) enjoyed the crepes at the Sofitel on the day before your birthday when this photo was taken. Yum!

So, happy 30th birthday, Nicole!
Love you,
Mommy

21

2009-05-20T06:46:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Katie!
Love you,
Mum

My Thoughts on Miss CA

2009-05-13T23:03:00.001-05:00

Crunchy Con has a column that nicely sums up my thoughts on Miss California.

Here's the link.

Quote of the Day

2009-05-13T09:44:00.002-05:00

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
-Thomas Jefferson

Michelle Obama vs. Me

2009-05-05T11:46:00.008-05:00

Last Friday, while at Sears paying the Discover bill, I noted these Land's End shoes were 50% off. I pondered whether or not a new pair of shoes for $20 would be a frivolous expense. I decided they would be worthwhile and nicely complement my $2.50 Old Navy flip flops for those times when I needed something more substantial in a foot covering.
Michelle Obama worked at a food bank in these babies. $540 by some designer I have never heard of. These people really tick me off.

Susan Boyle vs. Elaine Paige

2009-04-17T07:43:00.003-05:00

Everyone must have already heard of Susan Boyle. I think Katie even saw it live on the T & V set in London. I first read of Susan on the Crunchy Cons blog. In her little speech at the beginning she mentions Elaine Paige, so I Googled. I love Google.

Elaine Paige. British musical theatre actress. I love wikipedia!

Thought you might want to compare the two and see if Susan Boyle is like Elaine Paige since she said she wanted to be.

Here's Elaine Paige singing "I Dreamed a Dream".

And now, Susan Boyle.

I gave you the link to the full clip, but when I read the Crunchy Cons article on Susan Tuesday night, the site I originally saw it on had 2 million views. When I showed it to Mr. D the next day, it had 8 million views, yesterday afternoon when Nikki, Beth, Tim, and I watched it, it was at 12 million views, and it currently has almost 19 million views.

Why I Watch Fox News

2009-04-16T07:52:00.002-05:00

What idiotic "reporting". And, just who was being harrassed? The reporter, who kept interrupting the guy or the guy trying to answer and Fox News?

April 15th

2009-04-15T08:34:00.001-05:00

I'm the taxman, and you're working for no one, but me...

Easter

2009-04-12T08:02:00.004-05:00

But, the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

2009-04-11T08:22:00.001-05:00

What a Love, What a Cost

2009-04-10T07:16:00.001-05:00

More Places I Haven't Been and Things I Haven't Done

2009-04-03T21:12:00.004-05:00

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. You know, those little islands off the coast of Europe about the size of Oregon.Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes...

Quintessential England and quintessential Katie in England.

I've Never Been Here or Done This

2009-04-01T13:49:00.010-05:00

I've never been to The Eagle and Child.I've never had high tea. Love the pinkies.I've never seen the changing of the guard.

Or, Big Ben.

But Katie has and sent these photos today. Yay for free wifi at the McDonald's in Liverpool.

Mr. D and His Savvy Ways

2009-03-30T10:58:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was quite an eventful day. After visiting Baby Samantha and her daddy and mommy at the hospital, we headed over to The Barn to enjoy a chicken dinner in honor of Vonnie's 80th birthday. Look at all the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids who were able to gather in her honor! Wow!After the party, we headed back to the hospital to see Lilypie, I mean Samantha, once again. So precious.
Mr. D was a tad bit thirsty, so headed to the vending machine for a suitable beverage. He settled on this healthy Arizona beverage and mentioned that it only cost $1.50 in the vending machine. At this point, someone in the room pointed out the large 99¢ mark emblazoned on the can. Nasty capitalists.

Samantha Rose

2009-03-29T11:47:00.002-05:00

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

2009-03-28T21:58:00.001-05:00

England Swings

2009-03-26T10:06:00.006-05:00

Katie went to Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Windsor castle today. Me, I'm going to Co-op, but as I do, I am whistling this classic ditty.Three comments. What is the third verse all about? What's up with the quirky dance moves? Finally, when I heard this on the radio as a kid and would sing along I always sang, "We ask Mr. Abbey, the Tower Big Ben," and wondered who Mr. Abbey was and what they were asking him. This is partly because Roger Miller slurred the words, but mainly because I had never heard of Westminster Abbey.

Off to London to Visit the Queen

2009-03-24T23:40:00.003-05:00

Blue Shadows

2009-03-22T22:55:00.006-05:00

Katie leaves for London on Tuesday. So, we sat by the fire on the patio for a little family time tonight. Suddenly guitars materialized. We started with Kum Ba Ya and suddenly we were singing Blue Shadows. Or, trying to sign Blue Shadows.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T11:23:00.000-05:00

Mr. D is in Good Company

2009-03-09T07:15:00.001-05:00

Oops!

2009-03-06T19:49:00.001-06:00

What We Did on the Snow Day

2009-02-27T07:55:00.009-06:00

Terry came home in the mid afternoon yesterday thanks to the raging blizzard. We had a cozy, inside afternoon. Terry snuggled up in our "Snuggie" (it's the "blanket with sleeves", you know). Katie gave us a Snuggie for Valentine's Day to symbolize the "warm" place she has in her heart for our family. Awwww, so sweet. She also did it because IT'S A GOOFY SNUGGIE!

Mr. D sipped Caribou Obsidian and read his miniature copy of The U.S. Constitution. Isn't that how most people spend their snow days?Chris stopped by in the late afternoon. He and Tim chopped wood.

Bethie posed for the snow photo on the back patio that seems to have become an annual event. We had a great day.

We Found Some Money

2009-02-25T06:39:00.005-06:00

Since it appears we are going to be paying for college and healthcare for all Americans, we have been looking for ways to save our pennies so that we are able to give more to our Uncle Sam who is bankrupt.

Here is what we have come up with. We saved over $600 per year by raising the deductible on our home owners insurance from $250 to $1000. That knocked $50 off of our mortgage payment and we will get a nice little check in the mail for the difference, since our escrow is now overfunded. If we can go a little over a year without a claim, we are ahead of the game.

Terry redid his term life insurance. When he signed up many years ago, they were using old actuarial tables. We stayed with Allstate. Even though he is older and stayed with the same company, the premium is, get this, $1,934 less per year!

Milk. Did you know that you can get 2 gallons of milk at Holiday for $5.00! I'm sure some of you did. But, how handy is that. You go to Holiday and have to go in anyway to use your Cub gas coupons and since you are there, you just grab 2 gallons of milk. Or, if you are Barb, you just grab 10 gallons of milk. Anywho, I'm thinking we go through 3 or 4 gallons a week. Let's say 3, and save about $1 per gallon. That's $150 to spend on mochas at Caribou.

So, those are my tips for when Obama raises taxes. What are yours? Let's share.

In particular, we need advice on the cable thing. Right now we are bundled with Qwest and have Direct-TV. I NEED Fox news and the Food Channel, so getting rid of the cable is not an option! What do you recommend?

Rod Dreher

2009-02-23T11:11:00.002-06:00

I really need to add the Rod Dreher link to my site. I'll put that on the "To-do" list.

In the meantime, go ahead and read this link to see his comments on Bill Maher at the Oscars last night.

Then, while you are at it, read this nice piece on William F. Buckley that Rod linked. It was written by his son Christopher on the one year anniversary of WFB's death.

Here's a little taste from the Buckley piece.

My father was a man of devout, unflinching, sometimes exasperating Catholic faith. He believed absolutely in heaven and hell. I lost (or misplaced) my faith, but I find myself on this anniversary hoping that I’m wrong, and that he’s there, correcting God’s grammar. I have on my desk an editorial cartoon showing him arriving at the Pearly Gates, St. Peter whispering to an angel, “I’m going to need a bigger dictionary.”

Ouch!

2009-02-22T17:12:00.002-06:00

I just watched Sunset Boulevard.

Gloria Swanson was 51 when she played the pathetic/aging/has been silent picture actress, Norma Desmond, who dreams of her comeback.

There is one line at the end that was particularly disturbing to me.

It was when William Holden's character says:

There's nothing tragic about being fifty. Not unless you're trying to be twenty-five.

Ouch, that hurt.

Give Me Liberty

2009-02-22T08:15:00.001-06:00

Don't Sign This Pledge!

2009-02-20T21:45:00.003-06:00

I signed this pledge. Then, my friend Jennifer told me it was sponsored by People for the American Way. Very liberal. Those sneaky rats!

Martin Lloyd Jones says:

2009-02-20T09:56:00.001-06:00

Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc.

Somebody is talking. Who is talking? Your self is talking to you. Now this man’s treatment was this; instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" he asks. His soul had been depressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says: "Self, listen for a moment, I will speak to you . . ."

The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself. You have to take yourself in hand, you have to address yourself, preach to yourself, question yourself. You must say to your soul: "Why art thou cast down" -– what business have you to be disquieted?

You must turn on yourself, upbraid yourself, condemn yourself, exhort yourself, and say to yourself: "Hope thou in God" -– instead of muttering in this depressed, unhappy way. And then you must go on to remind yourself of God, Who God is, and what God is and what God has done, and what God has pledged Himself to do.

Then having done that, end on this great note: defy yourself, and defy other people, and defy the devil and the whole world, and say with this man: "I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance, who is also the health of my countenance and my God.”

All the Women are Strong...

2009-02-18T11:28:00.006-06:00

One of my dad's distant relatives put together a very big history book tracing the family back to the ship (called Ship Friendship) which left Cowes, England on June 20th, 1727 and arrived in Philadelphia on October 16th, 1727. It carried my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather Johannes.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the writings of my distant relatives which speak of their love for God, their adventures, their real estate purchases, and various bits of history.

My absolute favorite section is something someone wrote about my great, great, great, great grandfather's niece. Her name was Ruth Buckwalter. Isn't that a great name. She was born on April 23, 1763.

Here's what is written about her:

Ruth grew up to be a stout and handsome young woman and it is a family saying that during the winter of 1777, while her father and brothers were in General Washington's army at Valley Forge, a British foraging party came to steal their hay, and she and her mother and sisters, armed with pitchforks, bayonets, such weapons as they possessed, successfully drove them (the marauders) from the barn and premises. The foragers had gotten so far as to have the hay partly loaded, having men in the mow pitching hay down to the wagon. When they were discovered, Ruth climbed upon the wagon, drove the man off who was loading, and pitched the hay from the wagon. They made several efforts to reload, but when ever they made the attempt, Ruth rolled the hay off the other side, and when they attempted to take her from the wagon, she would thrust, or bayonet them with the pitchfork. Finally the foragers became tired of this kind of strategy and retreated. On two other occasions during the same winter, their premises were raided by British marauders and a squad of soldiers took possession of the house and were quartered there for some time, compelling the family to provide from their household provisions and cook the same for them. The soldiers remained until all was eaten. On one occasion when Ruth was carving meat for them, one of the soldiers offered her an indignity, whereupon she slashed him with the carving knife. Another time the English soldiers drove off a fine herd of horses.

Ruth was 14 when all this happened! I'm looking forward to meeting Ruth one day and am glad I come from "strong stock". From people who are willing to say, "Enough! Stop!"

The Grasshopper and the Ants

2009-02-16T13:45:00.003-06:00

Gerald Celente

2009-02-16T09:27:00.007-06:00

In the last few days, I have heard the name Gerald Celente from several different sources. I am really hoping the guy is a nutcase.

Mr D. first mentioned him last Friday when I told him about a Rod Dreher blog post I had read. I reacted to that post buy buying 3 pounds of rice and 2 pounds of dried black beans. Mr. D reacted to that blog post by clicking on some of the links and came across Gerald Celente's web page.

We discussed our finds while walking our 2 miles and conclulded, well, we concluded nothing exactly! Oh, yeah, I think we decided to not let the gas tank get below half.

So then, on Saturday night, someone we know very well (who is not prone to overreacting like I am) e-mailed me and said she had seen this guy named Celente on TV on Saturday and he made some sense. It might be a good idea to have some extra food around the house.

Then, I Googled and found Celente on You Tube. One of them was an interview on Russia Today! I thought the Russian interviewer asked smarter questions than the average American reporter.

Then, this morning I went to Rod Dreher's Crunchy Con's blog and there was the interview. The blog post was entitled "Cannibalism by Christmas". Here's the link.

Here's the RT interview. Whatever you do, don't Google "amero".

Anyone have any great recipes for rice and beans?

I Like Tacos, Do You?

2009-02-15T23:46:00.000-06:00

The Non-stimulus Bill

2009-02-13T09:46:00.000-06:00

2009-02-09T22:13:00.002-06:00

Truth be told, I've stolen the last few quotes from George Grant's blog.

In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.-- John Adams

Happy 100th Birthday Carmen Miranda

2009-02-09T12:11:00.002-06:00

Nedra has just informed me that today is Carmen Miranda's 100th birthday. Let's all put fruit on our hats and party!

On Greed

2009-02-09T10:14:00.001-06:00

2009-02-08T18:55:00.000-06:00

Desperate always reaps stupid.--Dave Ramsey

2009-02-08T08:02:00.001-06:00

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."--J.R.R. Tolkien

Why I Felt Like Weeping When Obama Got Sworn In

2009-01-27T08:16:00.006-06:00

A week ago, Obama became our president. Tom Brokaw wept. So, did George Stephanopoulos. And I suppose Chris Matthews again had "tingles" run up and down his legs. Many people wept last week.

I was sad. I was sad because I knew what he was going to do, first thing, because it was something he had pledged. He was going to sign an executive order allowing foreign aid money go to fund foreign abortions.

It's bad enough that abortion is legal. Horrific, in fact. It's worse that US taxpayer's money goes to fund some. It's worse yet when we are paying for worldwide abortions.

I'm told nearly 2 million people gathered in DC last Tuesday. To put this horror into perspective, picture all those people gathered. Now, imagine all those gathered being legally killed (some at taxpayer expense) just because someone didn't want them around. Now, have another 2 million gather the next 25 days--most of February. And, each day allow them to be legally killed. That would be 50,000,000.

Our country has allowed that. If you don't feel like weeping about that, then something is wrong with you.

Another Word I Don't Like

2009-01-26T19:42:00.002-06:00

I don't like the word "justice".

When I hear someone say "justice", the first thing that comes to mind is that they want to make killing babies legal. So, that's why I don't like the word justice.

Thankyouverymuch.

Barb Has the Best Quotes to Steal

2009-01-25T11:31:00.001-06:00

Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

You Guys, This is Creepy

2009-01-24T18:05:00.002-06:00

My pledge: Right now I am going to go around the house and turn on all the lights and flush all the toilets. Just because I want to and it's still legal to do so. Thank you Rod Dreher, my new favorite blogger, for making me aware of this.Oh, and hey, Demi, while you are freeing a million slaves this year, what are you going to do about the 1,000,000 babies that are being murdered through abortion in America? Oh, yeah, you are going to support my tax money going to fund them.

You guys, this is bad!

Roe vs. Wade

2009-01-22T17:26:00.003-06:00

In 1973, Roe vs. Wade opened the door to abortion on demand in the USA.
Since then, 50,000,000 little babies have been murdered.
Our current president supports the taking of innocent life.
A compassionate person doesn't murder little babies.
That's why I didn't vote for him and hope he repents soon.

Nathan posted the top ten murderers of the 20th Century.
I hope you take the time to see the names and numbers.
Then, I hope you contact our new president and tell him what you think.

Top Ten Murderers Of The 20th Century
10. Ante Pavilic (Croatia), killed 300,000 from 1941-1944

9. Theoniste Bagosara (Rwanda), killed 1,000,000 from April-July 1994

8. Pol Pot (Cambodia), killed 1,400,000 from 1975-1979

7. Saddam Hussein (Iraq), killed 2,000,000 1979-2003

6. Mohamed Suharto (Indonesia), killed 2,000,000 1967-1988

5. Kim Il Sung (North Korea), killed 3,000,000 1948-1994

4. Adolph Hitler (Germany), killed 11,000,000 1939-1945

3. Joseph Stalin (USSR), killed 20,000,000 1929-1953

2. Mao Tse Tung (China), killed 35,000,000 1949-1976

1. Harry Blackmun, William J. Brennan, Chief Justice Warren Burger, William O. Douglas, Thurgood Marshall, Lewis Powell, and Potter Stewart (United States of America), killed +50,000,000 and counting 1973-Present

Cheese on Italian Food is Good, Cheese on Chinese food is Disgusting

2009-01-22T06:04:00.001-06:00

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Wednesday Poetry

2009-01-21T12:08:00.003-06:00

I read this post about yesterday's inaugural poem. It took me to this site where I was able to generate my very own poem. Here is my poem. I hope you like it.

See, see the consistent sky
Marvel at its big puce depths.
Tell me, Terry do you
Wonder why the rhino ignores you?
Why its foobly stare
makes you feel sleepy.
I can tell you, it is
Worried by your rexford facial growth
That looks like
A moldy casserole.
What's more, it knows
Your farkle potting shed
Smells of frog.
Everything under the big consistent sky
Asks why, why do you even bother?
You only charm rotten potatoes.--

Life: Imagine the Potential

2009-01-21T09:04:00.000-06:00

Moving on, I think I'll Bash Thomas Friedman

2009-01-20T11:31:00.004-06:00

In my random googling to find the text of Rick Warren's prayer which I missed because I was on the phone, I came across the Crunchy Con section of beliefnet. I enjoyed the book Crunchy Cons, so was happy to come across the Ron Dreher blog at beliefnet.

Anywho, I noted on the side bar the mention of Thomas Friedman and since Tommy graduated from St. Louis Park High School the year before I did (never met him) and went on to great things at the NYTimes, I thought I'd see what was said. It was hysterical. A little off color, but hysterical.

Here's the link. In case you're wondering, buncombe means nonsense.

2009-01-20T11:20:00.000-06:00

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

John Piper on a Pro-Choice President

2009-01-20T07:41:00.012-06:00

Almost 50,000,000 United States citizens have been murdered legally through abortion since 1973 and our soon to be president has vowed that some of his earliest actions as president will be to insure that there are yet more murders and that only the wealthiest American tax payers (ie those who have jobs and pay for their own homes, food, day care, health care) will be paying for them through the ever increasing burden on middle-class America. Here's what John Piper said in a sermon a few days before Clinton took office.

Please note, I disagree with the text used in this message. WE DO NOT HAVE A KING YET! Remember, it's government of the people, by the people and for the people. We are ruled by words on paper. For American Christians, that's the Bible and the Constitution.

Now for what Piper says:

Being Pro-Life Christians Under a Pro-Choice President

That is the title of a sermon I preached January 17, 1993 three days before Bill Clinton was inaugurated president. It is just as relevant—or more—today.

The text was 1 Peter 2:17, “Honor the king.” I closed with eight ways to honor a pro-choice president. The seventh was this:

We will honor you by expecting from you straightforward answers to straightforward questions. We would not expect this from a con-man, but we do expect it from an honorable man.

For example,

1. Are you willing to explain why a baby's right not to be killed is less important than a woman's right not to be pregnant?
2. Or are you willing to explain why most cities have laws forbidding cruelty to animals, but you oppose laws forbidding cruelty to human fetuses? Are they not at least living animals?
3. Or are you willing to explain why government is unwilling to take away the so-called right to abortion on demand even though it harms the unborn child; yet government is increasingly willing to take away the right to smoke, precisely because it harms innocent non-smokers, killing 3,000 non-smokers a year from cancer and as many as 40,000 non-smokers a year from other diseases?
4. And if you say that everything hangs on whether the fetus is a human child, are you willing to go before national television in the oval office and defend your support for the "Freedom of Choice Act" by holding in your hand a 21 week old fetus and explaining why this little one does not have the fundamental, moral, and constitutional right to life? Are you willing to say to parents in this church who lost a child at that age and held him in their hands, this being in your hands is not and was not a child with any rights of its own under God or under law?

Perhaps you have good answers to each of these questions. We will honor you by expecting you to defend your position forthrightly in the public eye.

You have immense power as President of the United States. To wield it against the protection of the unborn without giving a public accounting in view of moral and scientific reality would be dishonorable. We will honor you by expecting better.

A New Game For All to Play

2009-01-18T14:07:00.006-06:00

In some random blog reading, I heard about a new game and thought you might like to play it. It's a movie game and here's how it works.

I choose 15 of my favorite movies, head to IMDB, look up the movie, go to the quotes section, choose a quote, and post the quote. You, read the quote, and see how many movies you can correctly identify from the quote. You can't go to IMDB or do any Googling cuz that would be cheating.

The first person to identify the movie by commenting on the post is the only one who gets the credit. The person who identifies the most movies will win nothing, but will have the satisfaction of knowing that they share my taste in movies.

Let's play. The first one will be easy, just to get you started.

1. "You're Abe Froman?" ,"That's right, I'm Abe Froman.", "The Sausage King of Chicago?"

2. "I'm going to get eucalyptus candles cuz it makes my apartment smell Moss-a."

3. "And no farms. Everyone's pushing small town rural. A farm book would just be white noise."

4. "I'm packing your extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes just in case."

5. "Is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association?"

6. "What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?"

7. "If you fit into my pants I will kill myself."

8. "I been workin' here at the D.Q. for about, um... eight months? Seven? I don't know, somethin' like that, it's fun. Just do the cones... make sundaes, make Blizzards, 'n... put stuff on 'em, 'n... see a lot of people come in, a lot of people come to the D.Q... burgers... ice cream... anything, you know? Cokes... just drive in and get a Coke, if you're thirsty."

9. "Kids, we're gonna have to eat this cake by ourselves. Your Uncle Joey didn't make parole again."

10. "Oh, Fay, this is so scrumptious. Is this hand-shucked?"

11. "Before we begin tonight's performance I would like to make a brief announcement. I'd like to warn you that some of the floral arrangements at tonight's performance have dangerously low hanging vines and may be poisonous. So please, whatever you do, don't eat 'em and don't become entangled in them or trip, please."

12. "Ah, dessert! Chilled monkey brains."

13. "Oh, great. You killed the invisible swordsman!"

14. "P.Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney." I remembered it.

15. "But was this man tall, with great big brown puppy dog eyes and long silvery flowing hair?"

There you have it. This is pretty much a reflection of my eclectic movie tastes. I made it pretty easy, but, just a reminder, no Googling.

I'm Going to My Happy Place Now, Won't You Join Me?

2009-01-14T11:05:00.001-06:00

I just don't remember all the birds. What's with all the birds?

Happy Birthday Mark!

2009-01-14T08:59:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday to my favorite son-in-law!

My Happy Place

2009-01-14T08:10:00.006-06:00

Yesterday, Barb went to her happy place (which looks to me like it's somewhere on the Gulf coase, as well). She inspired me to go to my happy place today.

Sanibel Island, FL. I will be sitting at the Dairy Queen on Periwinkle Way at noon. If you'd like to join me for a Peanut Buster Parfait, I'll buy.

Thank you Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, whoever of you wrote this song. If I knew where Mr. D's CD was (or does that CD belong to Chris?), I would be playing this right now.

Going to leave this town forever

And go where I'll never

Nead an overcoat no more, where they cry ...

Ooh lalalala, every night and every day

Sitting by the Gulf coast just a thousand miles away

Where they cry ...

Ooh lalalala, on an island I will dwell

Starlit nights in paradise on the Isle of Sanibel

Bad Timing

2009-01-13T22:18:00.002-06:00

After paying the Centerpoint Energy bill last week, I decided to take action to see if I could save enough $$ on the next bill to at least buy a mocha or a cup of soup at Panera or something. So, I turned the thermostat down from a pleasant 73 to 69. What difference could 4 degrees make. Apparantly quite a big difference. It's freezing in here! But, I'm not giving in. At least until tomorrow.

Words I Dislike

2009-01-09T08:21:00.004-06:00

Since I really don't feel like blogging about anything too meaningful right now like politics (very troubled about our soon to be president and possibly soon to be senator who is xeroxing ballots to get more votes), I thought I would start a new feature.

It's called "Words I Dislike". I will offer little or no explanation. I will just simply, on occasion, post words that I dislike.

Today's word is: Missional. I dislike the word "missional".

Thankyouverymuch. Have a nice day.