Pie in the Sky

The weekend draws to a close but I still have one more day to goof off. Even though the Florida trip was cancelled I went ahead and burned two days off. If I don't I will lose it. Right now the plan is to head south this weekend if the weather cooperates. Bowling was a bust tonight. As a team we just couldn't get in sync. Oh well, plenty of weeks left. Church was great and the Souper Bowl get together was a lot of fun. It seemed this weekend we managed to eat late every night this weekend. The house dynamics were pretty much the same as they have been the last few weeks.

I won't say much in this venue as people tend to take offense and want to disagree with even the basic premises. So that has been a major factor in me shifting part of my writing to a journal. Sometimes I need to be able to vent and speak my mind without getting second guessed or having it interpreted differently. Yes, for those who read between the lines I am not a happy camper. I wish I was but it seems to not be in the cards. Maybe I have watched too much TV and had dreams based on what I saw. While I hold to my principles and that which matters most ... my dreams have crumbled a bit. Will I let it get me down? No, I just keep moving forward and searching. I will blame the TV and books for giving me the wrong view and vow to never trust them again. But, sadly I will because we all seek to be needed and have that pie in the sky relationships that only are seen on "Father Knows Best" and "The Little House on the Prairie." I would sure love to say "Dad, what would you say or do."

Wild Mom gets another week of rest before we invade her place and eat her out of house and home. Who knows maybe we will do a little work. :)

Lady was on the go all weekend and stood there with me this weekend through thick and thin. After baby showers, soup dinners, exercise routines and grandkids ... she is ready to go back to work.

#1 froze his butt off as the temps dipped into the negative numbers. Betcha Florida is looking good to him about now.

#2, well lets just say he participated in life.

Starr is still in our life and leave the rest to we agree to disagree. She went shopping to get some clothes for work tomorrow and also bought some clothes from Hot Topic at the mall. Not my kind of clothes store but she sure liked it.

Princess did her time at the station, hung out with her best friend and even squeezed in some work at Yorkshire restaurant.

Lew was a hand full this weekend. He had a major attitude both days. Maybe he copped some of mine? Getting him dressed to go to Grandma's today was quite a negative experience. We finally just stopped, wrapped him in a blanket half nekkid and carried him there. The body is designed only to take so much then you quit and exert you will.

Still no pictures from Mormonville of the new baby. Could it be the new-fangled camera has out-witted the new dad?

Quickie 105

Well, the road trip to Florida is off. High chance of rain down there and ice/snow up here and down the way we go to Florida made it prudent to not go this weekend. But next weekend we are a GO. Feeling better today as I get use to that missing tooth but that stupid tongue still checks the space out. Maybe if I tie it down it will stop. A little duct tape to the rescue. So now I get to plan my weekend and try and not work the whole time.

For now the Mediterranean Cruise is back on. Hopefully everything is resolved.

Blue man Group coming to town on March 13 ... gotta gets some tickets for that one.

Wild Mom is disappointed but she understands the reasons besides it won't hurt to wait a few days. We all know she can't have her way all the time. Well, only Mother Nature gets that. She is happy that her train ticket to Reno is done. I hope she doesn't pack like it was the end of the world and makes the train add another baggage car.

#1 reports all is well and the snow bunnies are so elusive. Psst, someone tell him to bag his face and he might have better luck. On second thought ... forget the snow bunnies because all they will cause is trouble.

#2 found the secret to passing the Virginia drivers test ... read the book. Congrats, my insurance will never be the same now. If you read the book, will you get a job?

Starr continues to apply the pressure for a tattoo. But I still manage to keep my wits even with all the sweet pleas.

Princess is getting ready for her weekend hiatus at the station. She was a sleep when we got home last night so I was unable to move my wrestling record to 93-0. No boyfriends over last night so that must have been painful. I wonder if the Animal Society will be doing their thing at El Agave this weekend?

Mormonville is doing well. We spoke for a while last night and I was happy to hear all was going well with baby and mom.

Quickie 104

Well, let me see where do I start? I am sorry if I don't write as much since I started journaling everyday. I needed somewhere to vent and ramble on. Sometimes it is hard to rehash something I said in the journal. Besides after I have unloaded my feelings and thoughts in that forum I just have nothing left for this one. Pleas for the location of that journal are not going to be honored.

Last night ended with us really wondering about our cruise in November. Their shift to the new and bigger boat left us in a smaller room and down in the lower floors. Yes the suites got bigger but the peasant class got worse. Looks like we may cancel and schedule a cruise on a ship we know is better and costs less. The Mediterranean cruise is nice but I will only bend over so far.

The day started off by getting a tooth pulled. That meant “no coffee” So that adventure got things rolling really well.

Someone remind me if I ever slip and consider taking in another kid that "no more kids are allowed after the present ones are gone." I guess some of the shininess is gone and I have come to realize that what I believe is right and how it should be done ... isn't so. For I have built my life and character on several concepts and pillars. I am too old to change besides I believe my ideas are right.

Our Bible Study is shifted to Wednesday night since Choir practice moved to Thursday night for a few weeks.

Wild Mom is getting the food ready but we are unsure if we will head that way tomorrow night since there is a 50% of rain. More to follow.

Lady is having fun at work. She does her exercises upstairs now and I enjoy the view. I have a new book that should prove a lot of fun to read together.

#1 is doing well and settling into the Colorado life style. We are hoping we can see him a bit in March. For some unexplained reason we miss him but we know it is the best for him.

#2 is having fun on the new computer and generally not looking for any work. He is also struggling with the Drivers test as Virginia's test is harder than West Virginia's test. :)

Starr keeps life interesting if not a bit hectic at times. But we love her and having her here. She didn't have enough tattoos so she got another one last night. Before you know it she will have no clear space for a father/daughter one.

Princess got one too. I probably never will understand the need to have so many of them but what the heck it is her body. Oh, she had her new squeeze over last night to look at pictures. I reserve my comments on that.

Baby Girl is the word from Mormonville and mom and daughter are doing well. Dad hasn't figured out yet what to do with all the cigars.

I heard today that a new law was going to require registered sex-offenders to register their email address so they could be monitored. Well excuse me but all the normal people in the world know that everyone has at least 2 or more addresses they use. So what is the point? They give them bubba@hotmail and then terrorize all the kids using another one that they use. If they feel they are being watched then get another one. It is stupid and wasteful to use something that is unregulated to try and regulate someone. Perhaps the law makers need a wake-up call .. Let’s say .. Get a life!!

Is Rubbing Your Eyes Allowed?

Well, Monday starts rather early this week with a call from work at 06:18 am. After a while playing with printers and 3 cups of coffee, I sit here wide awake. Thank you God for allowing me to see the sunrise on Monday morning.

Bowling this weekend wasn't a fun time. The kids lost going 0-4 and the evening team went 2-5. What is a real pisser is that I had to bowl two people blind and that usually means "loss." Particularly, I am pissed at the person who was supposed to be there and wasn't. We gave away 20 pins automatically because of the blind scores and I lost the first two games by 30 pins each. We won the last by only 2 pins so that was a bit suspenseful.

On the church scene, they took a vote Sunday to allow the building to be used by another church startup. I was disappointed as we have the facilities being used everyday by numerous groups. I so dislike coming in on Sunday morning and finding all my tables and chairs removed from my classroom. It seems nothing is ever done about this problem except say "we are working on that." I prefer so see people step up and make a personal commitment (financially and time-wise) to the Church. But we lost 9-2. To me the best move was to have us step up and get involved and then offer our facilities to the NEW church as a gift and make their contribution more of a donation if they are able. If they are unable, then it is a gift from us to help them get started. Charge them rent or give them a gift ... which is more the Christian way?

This weekend I head for Florida for a workday at Wild Mom's unless the weather doesn't cooperate and we get rained out. Don't you just love the prospect of a 15.5 hour drive to end the week and the same drive back to start the week?

Saturday night was game night at the farm. As usual, I won. We did have a good time or at least I thought so. I guess the next time someone else (they claimed dibs on picking the game) will pick the game they think they can win at. But they don't realize I won the Base Championship at Udorn RTAFB playing that game. :) Victory is sooooooooo sweet.

Lady is trying to figure out what happened to her weekend. The week was so full and then the weekend just flew by before she could get everything done. Hmmm, dare I say "shove the job?"

#1 continues to work, play soccer and enjoy the snow. He is not having too much luck with the patch. Smoking is such a nasty habit to break once you start.

#2 is playing games when he is here. At least the room is partially clean ... what can you expect!

Star is having a bumpy road right now and she is tired of jiggling all the time. She wants to sign up as a volunteer firefighter/EMT at Station 16. Can I stand having 2 people as EMT's? I won't get into a long diatribe about this move. I will just wait and see. If anyone has a gizmo that will alert you when a tree is near, please forward it too me. A tree this weekend jumped out and attacked my van while Star was driving and the tree managed to mess up the rear taillight and some body metal. Those things are so dastardly. It attacked from the rear with no warning. She was ok while just sporting a new shade of red on her face.

Since Star and Princess are doing the same thing and basically hanging out with each other ... maybe I can just combine the comments about each of them. Saves some writing.

Princess ... ditto ... see above comments. Really, school is going well except for the math and while it has improved, it remains closer to the tail than the head. Yes, the room got rearranged again. Also the cry "puppy please" was resurrected. Speaking of puppies. I saw a cute one (Rottie/lab mix) at PETCO on Saturday and almost brought it home. But reason prevailed and we parted ways. Actually, it reminded me so much of JJ. That is my rottie that died a few years ago and I can't even tell you how much I miss her. After 16 years, JJ left a big hole. Even Lady J almost brought one home, German Sheppard, ... she was closer to doing that than me.

Lew was his usual self though he did pitch a few fits at the most inopportune times. I am getting too old for those games. But it takes just one hug and an "I love you" to reset your tolerance level until the next time.

Quickie 103

Well, not much going on except work and more work. Some people get dumber and dumber. I am still amazed at how workers these days will ask you a question by email and include your boss in the addressee's. Are we so micro-managed that we must do that or are we wanting to make the other person look bad? If I were the manager, I wouldn't want to see that petty crap ... deal with it. before email, you had to type an extra copy or xerox it thus making it harder. Now you just add an address and sit back.

Wild Mom finally got the County to show up and see her water problem. Only time will tell now what they will do and how soon. My project is all planned and just waiting for our weekend to head down there.

Lady is still working and enjoying the commute. Not! She is already looking forward to March and our short vacation to Reno.

#1 found out the patch didn't work so well and it is back to Marlboro time. Work is still going good. I wonder how the furniture quest is going.

#2 finally got his new computer so we haven't seen much of him this week.

Star has been kinda of quiet the last few days and spending a lot of time with her sister. I guess time will tell me why.

Princess not only cleaned her room (finally) but rearranged it. It must be in a woman's genes to rearrange every time they clean. Is it that they move the furniture to cover the mess?

***** ***** ***** *****

My solution to the illegal immigrant and school problem is to charge every child to attend school. If it takes $2000 to teach them each year then charge them $2000. Then each year you claim that on your income tax and get a refund of the money. If you don't file because you aren't paying taxes ... then you don't get it back. The illegals pay for school and the legals get a free education. A similar plan could be used for medical expenses. I could tolerate the illegal immigrants being here and working if they paid their way (school, health, property taxes and such). But I don't like the fact they get free what I have to pay for.

If the military wants to ease manpower problems then change the 50% retirement to 30 years. I retired at 20 years and was only 38 years old. I felt I had a lot more to offer but the USAF pushed their early retirement crap. USAF ... you lose.

Bi-partisan cooperation ... all I have seen is Democratic strong handing, unmoveable positions, squabbling and nothing getting done unless it is a pet project of someone. Tackle the hard problems such as Social Security, Health care, Medications and a Balanced budget. We have already seen your non-action plan for Iraq and settling in to grouse about the Bush Plan instead of doing something.

Coffee Cups

Saw this and thought you might like it ...

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He told the group to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up quickly, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups ...

... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of the Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. God brews the coffee, not the cups ... Enjoy your coffee!"

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. You are the miracle, my friend, your life either shines a light - or casts a shadow.

Have a wonderful day!

Brrrrrr

Well, here I am again. When does this ride end? January is almost over and I don't seem to know where it has gone. The weekend started quietly and ended with a bit more excitement. The first ice/snow of the year appeared on Sunday and driving was an experience. I escaped with no fender dings just a few slip and slides and close calls. Bowling was fun as usual since you can forget the world for a while and focus on just the job at hand. The best game was a 265 and made things really fun. The kids went 2-2 and we don't know yet for Sunday Night as the other team will make up later this week. But we did give them some good scores to deal with. Wish the cruise would hurry up and get here.

Wild Mom got me the information needed for the water project and it is now planned. All we have to do now is get the stuff and do the work. Looks like the first weekend in February is the target now.

Lady slept in this morning as she avoided the worse of the rush hour and snow/ice issues. Maybe now this week it will be harder to put in 40 hours. She couldn't resist calling #1 on Sunday to announce "we have snow." :)

#2 is still waiting for the new machine.

Lew was here and managed to provide 676,329 laughs and a few "glad he goes home later." He was there to speak with "knucklehead" who promptly called him "punk." It was fun Saturday night watching him shadow box while the Boxing was on the TV.

Star was at the Installation on Saturday too. She managed to turn a few heads with her fancy hairdo, revealing dress and new jewelry. Hmmm, hope she broke no necks as they swiveled about. Sitting at the Beauty parlor with her as her hair was done was an experience. Some of the people that showed up there made it worthwhile. Wrinkles and sags to boot.

Princess racked up hours at the Fire House, danced the night away at the "Installation" and got bonus time at the Fire House during the storm.

****** ***** ***** *****

Wouldn't you just love it if Hillary got zero votes!!!

Our first snow/ice of the year and the great Road Crews of Virginia were their usual inept selves. They knew this was coming, had a couple of days to prepare and still managed to blow it and not be ready.

Congrats to the Colts and Bears. By the way, the Ravens are still whining about their piss poor effort.

Ok, Democrats, if Bush's plan is bad then submit your own plan that will solve the War. But you won't since any plan has a chance of failure and you don't have the guts take that chance. You would rather snipe, grip and whine with a little bit of backstabbing than fix the problem and help save the lives of the soldiers you claim to care so much for. We ought to exchange the whole Democratic Congress for a bunch of French men. At least we know where they stand.

Choices

The young boy awoke from a deep sleep as something wet brushed across his face. Still as he was half awake, the young boy could feel something heavy on his chest while still feeling something wet on his face. Opening one eye he tried to see what it was but quickly closed it as once again something wet touched his eyelid. Rolling to his side he tried to open his eyes and was successful and then he could see what was happening. A brown puppy with the largest tongue ever sat there staring him in the face all the while the puppy's tail smacked his stomach. Every time he moved now the puppy yapped at him as if to say "lay still I am not finished." The young boy then gathers the dog in his arms and applied his own kind of love. As he hugged him and cried, he promised the dog they would be friends forever and nothing would ever separate them.As time passed, the boy and dog were inseparable. The dog sat at the door every afternoon waiting for his best friend to return home from some place he wasn't allowed to go. No matter the separation, the two of them went through the same routine day after day for months on end. But one day things changed as the puppy wasn't there in his usual spot by the door. The young boy searched all about and finally found his best friend out in the back yard playing with various toys that had been bought for him over the years. In the past he had been too preoccupied to play with them. "Mom, why is he out there and not waiting at the door for me like he use too?" Mom slowly dried her hands and then placed the big pot on the stove. "Son, he waited as usual but it seems you get home later and later." The young boy look astounded ... but? Mom smiled, "your soccer practice, stopping off with friends, sleep overs and just generally not hurrying home as made you later and later each day." "But he can wait!" the young boy replied. "Yes, but you have changed your habits so can't he change his?" The boy looked amazed, "he is just a dog ... he could wait." Mom smiled, "No son, you decided to do what you wanted too and you changed the priority of how important he is. The dog just found something else to occupy his time." But mom, I want him to greet me at the door and play like we use too." The feeble protest was attempted and the mother looked at him without answering. After a bit she spoke softly, "then you must be here like you use too, you must choose where he stands in your life." The boy pouted as he stood there. "He hates me that is why he didn’t and he is so selfish if he doesn't want to wait for me." Mom didn't even bother to answer. The boy sat there and cried some. After awhile mom spoke, "just go outside and play with the dog and if after dinner you feel that way, we will get rid of him." Reluctantly, the boy got up and went into the back yard only to attacked by a giant fur ball with a giant tongue. The two of them played for what seemed an eternity and were brought back to reality at the sound of mom's voice calling them that dinner was ready. About halfway through dinner, Mom queried the boy. "Do you still want to get rid of him?" The boy looked at her with a shocked look. "Why? All he needed was me to make some time for him. He is still my best friend." Mom smiled, "that mutt would die for you."

Quickie 102

Just another day in Paradise. Don't you love those people who expect preferential treatment? They want to do it their way which usually doesn't match what everyone else does or is allowed to do. Well, it seems I have to deal with one everyday and no relief is in sight any time soon. Oh well, maybe a steel suit of armor would work well. At least I am old enough I will die before it turns into forever. Work continues to be busy dealing with other people's "emergencies." It is amazing how someone's stupidness is my problem with a deadline of yesterday. I am reading a good book but I will have more to say about that later.

Wild Mom is waiting. We have a plan to fix her water problem without eating up too much of my inheritance. Looks like either Jan 27 or Feb 3 for a work weekend. The final detail will get ironed out by Sunday and then it is time to play weather watcher.

Lady is still working and thinking of the good life. She has been rather silent the last few days so in time her real position will be known. If not, just get use to the quiet.

#1 reports nothing new except more cold weather and snow.

#2 still waits for the computer and surprise his room is almost clean. Ok, I will pause as you put your socks back on after they got knocked off. --- Pause ---

Star paces the floor waiting for the government to get their paycheck straightened out. Hmmm, sounds like a major shopping trip when they do. Oh, speaking of shopping. This weekend is Shaw Jeweler's New Year sale and I have a bunch of coupons to spend. I have $700 to spend before I spend any of my money. I wonder if she will go and find something pretty for me to waste the coupons on. If not I will find a pretty girl walking by or just spend it on me.

Princess is at the Fire House, school or asleep.

Lew is resting up and getting ready for the invasion of our house on Saturday.

Yesterday's post about Jefferson's Book has brought me quite a few emails in support of it and all of them wish others would heed and learn a lesson of history.

Quickie 101

Well, it's hump day and the going looks clear for a hard landing. I need to put on my U.S. Keds and do some serious braking or I will be a geezer without ever experiencing life. This means I may have to write faster and more often ... hmmm ... sounds like a plan. Work is basically the same. The same people pulling the same crap ... will they ever learn? Gee, let me see ... I think the command is DEL *.*

Wild Mom will get a visit from me in the next couple of weeks. Me and a few friends will go down there and fix her water run-off problem. I suggested she take more showers using the run-off and save on the water bill. But as usual, she didn't listen. Oh, well, my aching back will get use to all the sonny-do's.

Lady still looking for some relief at work. Won't take many more 40 weeks to convince her the retirement home in St. Kitts BVI is a great place.

#1 is snowbound and haven't heard much fom him in the last few days. Some inventory thingy is happening and he will be busy. No snowbunnies have caught his eye yet.

#2 still dancing around awaiting for the computer that should be here anyday. Crunch time on the room cleanup is coming even faster.

Star is just as active as ever and keeping us laughing at her antics. Nothing like a new bride separated from Hubby to liven things up. Oh the aches and pains!! This past week or so has been great having her around and seeing her act "OLD" as she says.

Princess is at the Fire House or asleep.

All quiet on all the other fronts. Either they are having a great time or they don't want us to know anything. Such is life.

Historic Jesture or Rubbing it in our Nose?

I find this article interesting in that what was supposed to be a noble and historic jesture might just be a snub that we can't learn from History! How many times has that occurred lately?

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Subject: Thomas Jefferson's Quran

Democrat Keith Ellison is now officially the first Muslim United States congressman. True to his pledge, he placed his hand on the Quran, the Muslim book of jihad and pledged his allegiance to the United States during his ceremonial swearing-in. Capitol Hill staff said Ellison's swearing-in photo opportunity drew more media than they had ever seen in the history of the U.S. House. Ellison represents the 5th Congressional District of Minnesota.

The Quran Ellison used was no ordinary book. It once belonged to Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and one of America's founding fathers. Ellison borrowed it from the Rare Book Section of the Library of Congress. It was one of the 6,500 Jefferson books archived in the library.

Ellison, who was born in Detroit and converted to Islam while in college, said he chose to use Jefferson's Quran because it showed that "a visionary like Jefferson" believed that wisdom could be gleaned from many sources. There is no doubt Ellison was right about Jefferson believing wisdom could be "gleaned" from the Muslim Quran. At the time Jefferson owned the book, he needed to know everything possible about Muslims because he was about to advocate war against the Islamic "Barbary" states of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Tripoli.

Ellison's use of Jefferson's Quran as a prop illuminates a subject once well-known in the history of the United States, but, which today, is mostly forgotten - the Muslim pirate slavers who over many centuries enslaved millions of Africans and tens of thousands of Christian Europeans and Americans in the Islamic "Barbary" states.

Over the course of 10 centuries, Muslim pirates cruised the African and Mediterranean coastline, pillaging villages and seizing slaves.

The taking of slaves in pre-dawn raids on unsuspecting coastal villages had a high casualty rate. It was typical of Muslim raiders to kill off as many of the "non-Muslim" older men and women as possible so the preferred "booty" of only young women and children could be collected.

Young non-Muslim women were targeted because of their value as concubines in Islamic markets. Islamic law provides for the sexual interests of Muslim men by allowing them to take as many as four wives at one time and to have as many concubines as their fortunes allow.

Boys, as young as 9 or 10 years old, were often mutilated to create eunuchs who would bring higher prices in the slave markets of the Middle East. Muslim slave traders created "eunuch stations" along major African slave routes so the necessary surgery could be performed. It was estimated that only a small number of the boys subjected to the mutilation survived after the surgery.

When American colonists rebelled against British rule in 1776, American merchant ships lost Royal Navy protection. With no American Navy for protection, American ships were attacked and their Christian crews enslaved by Muslim pirates operating under the control of the "Dey of Algiers"--an Islamist warlord ruling Algeria.

Because the pirates were destroying American commerce in the Mediterranean, the Continental Congress agreed in 1784 to negotiate treaties with the four Barbary States. Congress appointed a special commission consisting of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, to oversee the negotiations.

Lacking the ability to protect its merchant ships in the Mediterranean, the new America government tried to appease the Muslim slavers by agreeing to pay tribute and ransoms in order to retrieve seized American ships and buy the freedom of enslaved sailors.

Adams argued in favor of paying tribute as the cheapest way to get American commerce in the Mediterranean moving again. Jefferson was opposed. He believed there would be no end to the demands for tribute and wanted matters settled "through the medium of war." He proposed a league of trading nations to force an end to Muslim piracy.

In 1786, Jefferson, then the American ambassador to France, and Adams, then the American ambassador to Britain, met in London with Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja, the "Dey of Algiers" ambassador to Britain.

The Americans wanted to negotiate a peace treaty based on Congress' vote to appease.

During the meeting Jefferson and Adams asked the Dey's ambassador why Muslims held so much hostility towards America, a nation with which they had no previous contacts.

In a later meeting with the American Congress, the two future presidents reported that Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja had answered that Islam "was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Quran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman (Muslim) who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise."

For the following 15 years, the American government paid the Muslims millions of dollars for the safe passage of American ships or the return of American hostages. The payments in ransom and tribute amounted to 20 percent of United States government annual revenues in 1800.

Not long after Jefferson's inauguration as president in 1801, he dispatched a group of frigates to defend American interests in the Mediterranean, and informed Congress.

Declaring that America was going to spend "millions for defense but not one cent for tribute," Jefferson pressed the issue by deploying American Marines and many of America's best warships to the Muslim Barbary Coast. The USS Constitution, USS Constellation, USS Philadelphia, USS Chesapeake, USS Argus, USS Syren and USS Intrepid all saw action.

In 1805, American Marines marched across the dessert from Egypt into Tripolitania, forcing the surrender of Tripoli and the freeing of all American slaves.

During the Jefferson administration, the Muslim Barbary States, crumbling as a result of intense American naval bombardment and on shore raids by Marines, finally officially agreed to abandon slavery and piracy.

Jefferson's victory over the Muslims lives on today in the Marine Hymn, with the line, "From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we will fight our country's battles on the land as on the sea."

It wasn't until 1815 that the problem was fully settled by the total defeat of the entire Muslim slave trading pirates.

Jefferson had been right. The "medium of war" was the only way to put and end to the Muslim problem. Mr. Ellison was right about Jefferson. He was a "visionary" wise enough to read and learn about the enemy from their own Muslim book of jihad.

Who really cares and does it matter?

Ok, who stole the weekend? I heard it coming but never saw it get here. Needless to say, time just flew by this weekend. We did manage to find El Agave for Saturday dinner with some friends. Bowling was a mixed bag this weekend as the Youth team lost and the Sunday Night team won. Lew was with us and as usual he was a blur of activity and "what's that." He did get to meet the "trunk monkey" this weekend. I made sure not to show him the button that releases him from the trunk.

Work is frustrating and becoming less fun and more of a drudge. If the frickin web page doesn’t work (bad code) don't blame my email system. Some people are so dense they can't do wrong in their mind. I reset 13 mail accounts today. The people said they couldn't check mail and it was crucial to them in order to keep up with email from the boss. 5 of the accounts haven't checked email since SEPTEMBER 2006. The oldest was MAY 2006. So how in the blazes can it be crucial to them? I say get off your lazy butts and do your job you are being paid to do. I think I will quit working on the network, let it meltdown, and only focus on the crucial issues --- stupid crap dreamed up by little minds.

Lady went over the 40 hour mark this week and it isn’t a pretty scene. Won’t take too many of those and it is “retirement here we come.” WooHoo!

Wild Mom is dealing with water run-off and it gets frustrating at times getting something done about it. Guess I am going to have to make a trip down there and do it myself if possible. But the thoughts of the rest of the sonny-do list is frightful.

#1 is snowbound and loving it.

#2 comes and goes and waits anxiously for the new computer to come. But the bedroom mess must be cleaned up before that happens.

Star is still here and keeping life interesting. Her constant request is "can I have a Lizard?" Of course our visit to Petco on Saturday following dinner only whetted her appetite for one. Well, I could think of a few worse things for her to ask for. :) But I am getting good at saying "no" since I have had a lot of practice. Really, it is nice having her around. We know she misses hubby and wants to go there but we are stingy and want to keep her here for at least a while longer.

Princess is at the Fire House.

Congrats to the Saints, Bears, Colts and Patriots. I hope they finish in that order too.

I love the news story where the local government wants to force more housing and parking next to Metro Stations. They seem to forget it isn't the lack of housing, though more would be nice. The problem is the stupid cost .... Who can afford $750,000 for a 2 bedroom condo? Surely not half of the people here.

Heard parts of the story about the Duke case and the DA. Seems like the DA had an agenda to hide evidence, to the point of even lying about it. Perhaps his is one of the 4 strains of the mysterious DNA?

Jeepers, Mr. Bill

Contrary to popular belief, my New Years Resolution wasn't to disappear from the face of the Earth. It has been that hectic and frustrating.

With the computer issues at work I seem to spend all my time with my head stuck in them. Of course the stupid stuff with the users continues. Two users grousing over their names being too much alike and confusing others in their email. Well, excuse me, but I didn't give you those names so don't get mad at me. Oh, and I laugh at the one who bellyaches about "no printers" and they have a job that is due in 15 minutes. Their printer was messed up for over two weeks and they just now say something. Your emergency of dumbness is my problem how? It is amazing just how stupid some users are ...

Sunday was our first day of Youth Bowling for the new league. We did pretty well as we went 3-1. The new bowler averaged 65 and I was happy since the first 6 balls she threw were straight to the gutter. My life flashed before my eyes and thoughts of "why me!" I managed a 211 average but I doubt I will carry that 13 weeks as if I wanted too anyways. This will be a tough league since there are several stronger teams.

The Sunday night team started slow but we finished 5-2 and stayed in the top 5 teams. Could this be the year we surprise them and win? Time will tell.

Struggling with an issue that in my mind I will lose either way I go. But that is par for the course. No one said life would be balanced and fair.

Time to start planning Reno. Will try and decide on the Hotel soon and the train trip is a given. This years tournament promises to be special and one long remembered.

Wild Mom still the same. Crafting and thinking of sonny-do’s.

Lady working getting the year end stuff done at work.

#1 loves the snow.

#2 is 21 and trying out life. Sure wish he would try the world of employment. The first trip to DMV proved less than satisfactory. Try again in a week or so.

Starr is here and we are loving it. Seems like old times only better. Now I have to find out where she has stashed the Wedding pictures so I can see them.

Princess is at the Fire station.

Cowboys – Rookie Mistakes!!!

Giants got what they deserved.

Go Saints!!!!

Some Last Thoughts for 2006

Gee, 2006 is coming to an end and what ever happened to the 365 days? I can only remember 299 of them. Help, I have been cheated out of some great times.

Here are some highlights of the year from my eyes. I know I have forgotten something so please don't execute me ... I am getting older.

January - Our new Years Cruise -- oh what fun.

February - A much sadder month as Dad went on to be with the Lord. Just to think, he is up there having fun. I miss him so.

March - National Bowling Tournament in Corpus Christi Texas and a great week with my Mom.

May - Two things happened to change my life. Someone who means the world to me turned 50. And a beautiful high energy Blonde came into our life. It has changed our life forever --- for the best.

June - Daughter #1 graduates from High School and our hearts beat proud for what she has done.

September - Financially free ... oh how it feels so good.

October - Son #1 moves to Colorado as he leaves the nest. A great opportunity for him but we sure miss him. Pssst ... Don't tell him though. Daughter #1 gets married and makes us as proud as possible. We love her so.

November - Paul blesses us with a whole year of healing and prayers. God is good.

December - Our first Christmas without Son #1 and with Daughter #2. I won't trade a moment except to have Son #1 here for the Holiday's and share the season with him.

I have many reasons to be happy and thankful for but one is the most important. Without her I would have been lost 31 years ago. My wife is so special I can't even start to tell you. In my mind, she defines wife, mother, friend, lover, and companion. If only I could find the right way to tell her the depth of her meaning to me. I can't wait for the next 31 years and then some.

Happy New Year and May whomever you worship may they bless you with a great life.

Christmas - Part 3

We celebrated 31 years last night. In my humble opinion it was as good as the first. Our best friends went with us and we had a slow and fun dinner. Work continues to provide a million laughs even if they aren't wanted. I just love those early morning phone calls especially when it is a morning to sleep in a bit and regain some of what I lost last week. Oh well! Do you realize it is time to once again plan for the tax day and start collecting that pile of supporting paperwork. Gee, with New Year’s Eve approaching, I wonder hat resolutions I can make so I can have something to break in January 2007.

Upcoming Events:
28 – Polish up the Baseball bat and practice saying “no.”
31 – New Year’s Eve party
3 - #2 Birthday – 21st isn’t that old? Time for a beer belly?
11 - #1 Birthday – 25th now that is ancient .. He may even have grey hair now.

#1: Battening down for another snowstorm. Imagine, he left this beautiful 60 degree weather for that. Maybe he has found a snow bunny to keep him warm.

#2: Chomping at the bit to get his new computer on order. He has already changed his mind from what he decided on earlier this week. Shall we try for 4 times?

Star: Will be here in a few days when she finishes tying all the loose ends together. I think she just wants to keep me waiting ... but I won't beg.

Princess: Oh the travails of boy friends. I guess we now will start riding that roller coaster. I wonder how many she will go through before Mr. Right shows up. 100? The 2-day sleep over has ended. What excitement that 5 young ladies generate. We now have several "new colored" towels to use following the latest hair coloring adventure. They even wanted to color mine ... what a waste of dye.

Toy: sorting life out after sending the Fiancé for a cold shower and a long walk. I think it was the right move though trying to explain a hunch is very hard. We had a long talk while Princess was pining over "babe". I some times wonder why they want to grow up so fast; I always thought being a kid is fun. Perhaps we as a society have failed by forcing our kids to be an adult too soon. Could that explain the 45% divorce rate ... married too soon?

Christmas - Part 2

Hope Everyone had a great Christmas and will have a even better New Year. I will.

I am still amazed at how some people operate their computers. By the way, the servers still give me fits as the bugs are slowly ironed out. Usually, the server gets wrung out for a few weeks before it is ever put into action. But I didn't have that luxury. Today, the main backup server decided to crap out so that is what I am working on now. The chuckles these people provide still continue. Someone complained their Internet didn't work. I fixed the problem and told them it was good. They replied no it isn't. It still has that error screen on the monitor. So I clicked a button and all was good once again. "What did you do? I clicked on the REFRESH button. Oh, I would have never thought of that, I am not the techie type." Another one! "Come and fix my mail. "After you fixed the server my mail folders are gone." So I checked the program, clicked once and the folders all appeared. "What did you do? I clicked on the plus sign by the mail folders icon. Oh, you really know your computers." Yet another one! Someone else informs me that the operators are not techie types and the engineer should fix things and let them focus on creative things. (Yeah, right, like surf the internet or generally pound their pud. Then later that day they come to me "can you record the show @ 3 pm for replay at 7pm? Do I look like a creative type? People want a paycheck and don't want to do anything for it. At times you just want to run and get away from the whole mess. I say "automate the whole lot" and get rid of the "creative ones."

Today is the big 31. Anniversary, that is. I can only wish I was referring to my age.

I can't imagine what Christmas would be like without all the kids. Just watching their faces and listening to their excitement was great. Though maybe 12 kids would be a bit much. It would be fun if my newly married daughter had 12 kids. Then I could try it out and if it didn't work out I could just move away. Sounds good to me.

Wild Mom: fighting plumbing problems.

#1: is in his new apartment. Now comes the problem of furniture. Sleeping on an air mattress will get old. Remember those days?

#2: Same old Same old.

Star: heading our way for a long visit. Can't wait.

Princess: Sweetie, Honey .... Hey there! That sounds like someone with a boyfriend. Time to polish the baseball bat and get it ready for some Boy friend attitude adjustment. Attitude like "your hands stay on yourself", "those lips best be puckered to kiss your mom" and "any intentions in your mind best be in the future ... like 6 years from now."

Christmas - Part 1

Well, it is about time I wrote a word or two. Starting last Tuesday the wheels came off the skateboard. At work the server crashed big time (after some 9 years). What timing! So after about 35 hours, I went home and snagged about 4 hours sleep then headed back to fine some knucklehead opened an attachment that contained a virus. So not only did I get to rebuild a server, I have the joy of getting rid of a virus from about 60% of the computers. Sure wish I could fix "stupid". What a Christmas present.

Finally about 1 PM on Saturday, I just left and came back this morning to finish up. Then the Holiday kicked in. Friday night was a super party with friends, Saturday was Mexican Food then shopping. Sunday was Church, shopping, and Christmas Eve service. At the service, as we sang Silent Night my thoughts turned to Dad and I was tired by time Christmas day came around.

It was a great day. I talked with all my kids. Spent the day with four of them and loved every minute. So what did my perfect Christmas present have in it? A phone call to Wild Mom to her her say "I love you." A kiss from Lady. Three long phone calls from #1, Star and Blue. Plenty of hugs from Princess, Toy, Critty. And a "thanks Dad" from #2. With Lew sprinkling everything with "I love you Pap Paw and that squeezing hug." See I am a simple person who wants nothing more than being with his family. Those gifts will last for ever and bring back memories long after the words grow silent and the hugs wear off.

On the present's scene, It was mostly clothes and some tools. Heaven forbid I run out of clothes and have to run around nekkid.

Goody - Goody

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

What Holiday Food Are You?

A Dusty and Crumpled Letter

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival ... although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is My wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know; they tell me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year? Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work here. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

PS: Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And, do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember ...

I LOVE YOU, JESUS

SANTA CLAUS: An Engineer's Perspective

I. There are approximately two billion children (persons under 18) in the world. However, since Santa does not visit children of Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or Buddhist religions, this reduces the workload for Christmas night to 15% of the total, or 378 million (according to the Population Reference Bureau). At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per house hold, that comes to 108 million homes, presuming that there is at least one good child in each.

II. Santa has about 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 967.7 visits per second.

This is to say that for each Christian household with a good child, Santa has around 1/1000th of a second to park the sleigh, hop out, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left for him, get back up the chimney, jump into the sleigh and get on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 108 million stops is evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false, but will accept for the purposes of our calculations), we are now talking about 0.78 miles per household; a total trip of 75.5 million miles, not counting bathroom stops or breaks. This means Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second --- 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second, and a conventional reindeer can run (at best) 15 miles per hour.

III. The payload of the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium sized Lego set (two pounds), the sleigh is carrying over 500 thousand tons, not counting Santa himself. On land, a conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting that the "flying" reindeer could pull ten times the normal amount, the job can't be done with eight or even nine of them --- Santa would need 360,000 of them. This increases the payload, not counting the weight of the sleigh, another 54,000 tons, or roughly seven times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth (the ship, not the monarch).

IV. 600,000 tons traveling at 650 miles per second crates enormous air resistance --- this would heat up the reindeer in the same fashion as a spacecraft re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer would absorb 14.3 quintillion joules of energy per second each. In short, they would burst into flames almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them and creating deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team would be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second, or right about the time Santa reached the fifth house on his trip. Not that it matters, however, since Santa, as a result of accelerating from a dead stop 650 m.p.s. in .001 seconds, would be subjected to centrifugal forces of 17,500 g's. A 250 pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of the sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force, instantly crushing his bones and organs and reducing him to a quivering blob of pinkish goo.(editor note: easier to pour down the chimney :-)

V. Therefore, if Santa did exist, he's dead now.