How Big are they?

Well, Aiden is here and nothing will be the same now. Peanut is gaining all them mom skills ... like hearing through doors and always knowing something isn't right. And the conversations you can hear in the room. "Gee, he has big b-lls, well, I wouldn't know since all I have ever seen is grownup b-lls. The night before it was boobie topics. Oh well, life in the fast lane.

Wild Mom and muffin are still bonding. Any odds on who will be trained first? I take Muffin and 14 days.

Lady is busy with payroll and spoiling Aiden. With 3 little ones now ... will she retire and take more time?

#1 is enjoying the last snow while we are warm.

#2 is totally mesmerized with all that is going on ...

Peanut is doing fine. The whole process went fine with only a few minor hiccups. It was fun talking with her as some realizations kicked in ... like "I am fixing to be a mother and Wow, I still have feet and they aren't swollen." Well, now life starts and from my limited perspective ... Aiden has a good start.

We haven't seen Lew and Lil Princess this week but the weekend grows closer and I know we will then. Lil Princess got Lady's heart rate up Sunday night as she tried to swallow a piece of paper. Finally she coughed it up enough to be pulled out. Of course Lil Princess was mad about all the fingers stuffed in her mouth.

Sidewalk adventures on a very windy day. They walk out of the building not realizing how windy it is and boom ... the skirt, both front and back, is up over their head. At least 3 hats have flown out into the 5 lanes of traffic going by ... and most have been flattened. One funny one was a hairpiece almost being launched ... caught at the last second. Forget counting the number of pieces of paper flying out of the hand. Another topic for another day is "following the signs."

Welcome To America

Aiden James Mellott
Born 28 April 2008 at 12:18 pm
weighing in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 21.5 inches long.

Oh ... Taxi!!

Well, it is Friday Night and it is party time. Another week has passed and to my suprise ... nothing changed. There is a lot to do this weekend so it will fly by and Sunday Night I will just as tired as now. Retirement is sure looking good. The kids (#1, #2, Peanut, Lew and Lil Princess) are all fine. I expect to see most of them this weekend and for the little ones we will play and do kids things together. #1 is enjoying the late spring snows in Colorado and it will only make his return to Virginia that much better. I have the route planned when I head out to get him and it is about 1800+ miles. Will Peanut make it to Monday? Maybe we should get a lottery going as to when the boy will be born. Work was the same this week. They complained that the room was hot ... so I corrected their screwing up of the thermostat ... and then they groused because the air coming out of the vent was too loud. Are we spoiled? Does someone need a reality check? Geesh, sometimes I wonder if this place is full of kids and prima donnas. I am sitting here watching a tour group (about 50) of school age kids walk by. It is amazing how they look like a gaggle of ducks going all over the place. Another good thing about my office is it over looks the construction dumpsters for the new building. Watching the homeless dig for stuff is another fun time. Two days ago, one of the guys went head first over the edge into the dumpster as he tried to get something. He only had minor cuts on his forehead as he definitely hit something good. Did he stop? Nope, he climbed right back in ... all to obtain a new cardboard box. Watching people walk bay this new building is an adventure all in itself. Sometimes they don't realize that someone might be watching. A young man and his female friend walked by and he got frisky, pinched her, she stumbled, then smacked him good. Of course, they made up but I sure wish I had a camera. Maybe I should start a new column ... "Life of the Sidewalk Looker" Oh, clothes is another fun item to watch ... how could someone wear something like that ... fashion or no common sense? Time to run and get ready for "Chinese Food Night."

You could have heard a pin drop.

Everyone should remember at least one of these Four Great Stories

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.

You could have heard a pin drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then there was a conference in France where a number of International engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?' A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?

You could have heard a pin drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, 'whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible, Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. "Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any damn Frenchmen to show it to."

You could have heard a pin drop

Dandelion Hell

Ok, time to catch up. The winter Bowling leagues are finally over after about 30+ weeks. The adult team finished in fourth. It was a wild finish with the last ball thrown being worth about $400 of prize money. No pressure. The youth team finished fourth and will have their trophy party this Sunday. Work is the same. Why doesn't it seem like a party that you see on TV ... they sing and dance and carry on. Less than a month till the road trip to Colorado happens. We bought a new electric lawn mower yesterday, in conjunction with the sump pump dying and one electric outlet shorting out. So it was a pretty interesting day. The weather has been nice ... rain and sun ... but now the grass and weeds are growing faster than Lil Princess is.

Wild Mom is still bonding with Muffin. The list of sonny-do's grows and I must find a time to get down there. Anyone want a Florida vacation?

Lady enjoys her job. That cruise sure looks good right about now.

#1 sold his cavalier and is pretty much ready to head east.

#2 still looking and now the odds start as to whether his hands will fit on the new mower handle. Odds?

Peanut still has about a week to go. She is dilated a bit but the boy is riding high in the saddle. She loved the new clothes. Sending the weekend with us was great as it always is. Now I get to hear more crafts and cooking stuff as Peanut and Lady chat away as we sit there.

Lew is ready to head for Indiana. he wants to go "right now."

Lil Princess is almost standing. It is a blast watching her grow. Of course, she loves to mess with all the knobs and lights on the TV. It is amazing how fast she covers the ground to the front of the TV.

***** *****
Enjoy the Off-Season ... Capitals!!!

Rosy Days

Gee, I have managed to miss writing this week. The good part is that the weekend is here and time to have some fun ... anyone say P - A - R - T - Y and I - C - E C - R - E - A - M!!!!! All the computers were finished and delivered. All the taxes were done with minimal pain and now the fun comes with the refunds and the rebate. This Sunday afternoon will be my first free one since last September as the Youth league finished last week. In one more week my Sunday will be completely free. The Masters Tournament was a bust as the TV died. I am still awaiting for the repair people to show up and fix it.

Wild Mom is doing "Puppy day" on Saturday. There goes the peace and quiet ... yap!

#1 is already. His car will be sold and there is basically nothing left to do but wait. Hmmm ... a month to go.

#2 no change as the jobs out race him.

Peanut is getting close ... almost close enough to even feel the pain. We are looking forward to having her with us this weekend. Last weekend she went to church with us and that was a great pleasure. We are selfishly hoping for a repeat. Oh, Lady went on another shopping spree for her ...

Lew and Lil Princess are special. Lew is all excited about going to NaNa's home in Indiana. He can't wait and wants to go right now. Lil Princess is very close to walking ... won't be long now.

The weekends are the best because I can see all the kids ... isn't life great?

Weekend Escapades

The weekend is here and there is a lot to do. 6 computers to be built out and delivered along with some taxes. Not to mention Lew and Lil Princess to fill up those free seconds I somehow manage to find. Throw in Church and bowling and ... wow, where did all the time go? Tonight we will try out another restaurant for the second time. Last time it was ok ... Throw in the Master's Tournament, there is no way a red-blooded American can miss that golf game. I am willing to sacrifice the Nationals ball games since they lose to much. The Capitals will basically be eliminated in the first round by the end of the weekend so there is no since in watching them.

Wild Mom is scoping out the puppies. Lhasa Poo?

Lady is staying busy and getting prettier.

#1 is prepping to come home by the Memorial Day weekend. That should be a fun ride back with him. Though I will have to try and keep him from stopping at all the Risque Cafe's along the way.

#2 - No Change.

Peanut keeps growing and how many ways can you say big? We love having her over on the weekends and this one will be no exception.

Lew and Lil Princess ... Batten down the hatches and hang on.

It is such fun having all the kids at the house on the weekend, in a couple there will be another wee one and come May, #1 will make it complete. Add our good friends, the Johnson's, and how could it get any better?

Love is in the Air

Well, are we having fun yet? I am. This is Master's week and I can get my fill of Golf. I love to watch this tournament. Bowling this weekend was ok. Since it is the end of the season it is hard to get really excited. This summer I would like to find a Bowling Alley that has a pro shot put down and see how I would do. There is one but it is on Monday Night and I would have trouble making that one. The kids are in third place and the night team is in fifth place. I most likely will be out of pocket a few days the end of this week. I am going to run down and pickup my niece and take her to Florida. That should be a real good time. She is a joy to ride with and we haven't done that in a few years. The downside is I will have to drive back alone ... too bad no one wants a free ride to Florida and back. The wedding last weekend was great and we all had a fun time. Though the music was a bit loud for my taste, it gave me a reason to get up and move around. The van seats are finally out of the driveway and the extra parking space is a luxury.

Upcoming Schedule:

- Trip to Florida (04-10)
- Youth League ends (04/14)
- Peanut's Baby watch (04/15)
- Sunday Night League ends (04/21)
- Lady heads for Indiana (05/16)
- Denver Trip (05/23)
- Williamsburg (06/07)
- Sonny-Do excursion (07/15)
- Cruise (01/09)

Wild-Mom is still keeping busy. I am not sure what her travel plans are but she sure wants me to find her a cruising buddy for next January. Hmmm, I wonder who might be available for a trip to the Southern Caribbean?

Lady is busy and is starting to plan her road trip to Indiana. Lew will be going with her and that should definitely provide her with some excitement. She is still busy getting the taxes ready for the company. The treadmill asked me to use it the other night since I go at a slower speed. Something about it needing some relief.

#1 doing those last minute things to get ready for the trip home.

#2 still looking and getting his hands dirty with some outside chores.

Peanut is waiting for her time. She spent the weekend with us and that was great. We need to do that more. All the bags are packed and things are at the ready for the grand entry of the baby.

Lew is a dynamo that has no stopping in it. He is learning how to jerk #2 around and that is interesting to watch.

Lil Princess just charms us all, luckily I have resisted her charms so far. It seems every weekend when we see her, she has changed so much. It is only a matter of time till she lets go and walks. She has learned the stand and reach attack and has found a whole new world to get into.

***** ***** *****
Go Braves ... Nationals, well try and not finish last or below .500.

SpringTime Thoughts

We survived and made it to the weekend. Now to survive that. The kids [] will be over tonight and the weekend. Saturday is Bobby's wedding and that should be a lot of fun. Sunday will be our usual activity as the bowling season winds down. I for one will be glad to see it end. I am now most of the way done getting the taxes done and it looks like I won't get crushed to bad by the amount to pay back. Some years it seemed like I owed enough to pay off the U.S. Trade Defict and have change left over. e managed to find a day to barbecue outside this week. Hopefully that will be the first of many this year.

Lady gave the new treadmill a workout the other night. I guess it is now my turn. Right! Retirement is looking better and better to her.

#1 has been quiet but the days till he returns to Va just keep clicking off.

#2 is still looking for that elusive job.

Peanut is still waiting for the wee lad to make his appearance. She now has a larger room and that will make storing all the baby gifts easier.

Lew continues to grow and even manages to frustrate #2. I can't wait for the day Lew beats him on the video games. That should really be interesting.

Lil Princess has learned to kiss. Time to get the baseball bat out and get ready for all the evil guys that want one. Marriage and Love isn't an option till she is 25+. She now has two teeth and I have managed to keep my fingers clear of those chompers.

Later this month, QSS (where the Blackhawke Servers are located) will be moving to a new location in Warrenton. The current building has been sold and will be torn down for a new Bank. Just what we need. I am surprised the Banking Industry is crying the woes and they want higher fees while they constantly build new banks. This is just like the Oil Companies bellyaching about the cost of new refineries while they divide their billions of dollars in profits.

Who?

Well the weekend is over ... who authorized it being shortened. I know it was supposed to be longer. This one was short but we managed to have some fun and spend time with the family. Bowling was ok. The kids won and have 2 weeks to go and the Sunday Night crew lost with 3 weeks to go. This time next month I will have Sunday's free to have even more fun. But I am afraid my newfound free time will be occupied with chores of the non-paid nature. Miss GungHo is still at Camp Geiger with no time set for her to come home. Our prayers are with her, maybe she can come here for a short visit. Brother #1 and #2 are still running around Germany ... I guess they have been good since there has been no International Incident. With the bowling ending and baseball starting ... perhaps a few afternoon naps are in order.

Revised Upcoming Schedule:

- Bobby's Wedding (04/05)
- Youth League ends (04/14)
- Peanut's Baby watch (04/15)
- Sunday Night League ends (04/21)
- Lady heads for Indiana (05/09)
- Denver Trip (05/16)
- Williamsburg (06/07)
- Sonny-Do excursion (07/15)
- Cruise (01/09)

Items still on the burner:

- Weekend trip to Chincoteague Island
- Weekend trip to Cheat River

Lady wanted more weekend but had to settle for work today. The search for a wedding dress to wear this weekend to Bobby's wedding began. I hope the pocket book holds up. The week trip to Indiana starts to take shape with Lady and Lew taking a short road trip. She also ordered us a new treadmill. Mind you, we didn't wear out the last one we just upgraded to a model that exercises for you. It will run once a day whether you are there or not.

Wild Mom survived camp and now attempts to survive my sister's visit with the grandkids and great grandkids. Hmmm, cut down on the sonny-do's and have them do them instead. She is still trying to get a cruising partner for next years adventure.

#2 still looking. Perhaps he is magnetically opposite to work. Maybe he is living proof opposites don't attract.

Peanut spent most the weekend with us and we had a lot of fun. It is interesting sometimes to watch the expressions on her face when the baby starts moving or fighting for a better position. As big as she is you would expect the boy to have plenty of room like there is in the trunk of a 56 Dodge.

Lew spent the weekend with us and even managed to see "Horton hears a who!".

Lil Princess spent Sunday with me at the bowling alley. Now that was an adventure. She is definitely a babe-magnet. And those baby-talk conversations sometimes seem so real.

Weekend Hopes

Well, the weekend is here ... wow! what a short week. I like this. This weekend should be full. I hope I have enough energy to get everything done (spread the mulch, clean-up the yard, might even have to mow). I am looking forward to El Agave since it has been a while. Isn't there a law about missing a Mexican dinner for more than 7 days? I also need to find me a new movie partner ... too many of them that I want to see and no one to go with. Plus, Sunday I will get to use the new bowling balls on the house lanes and see how they do. I am thinking I will do good.

Upcoming Schedule:
- Bobby's Wedding (04/05)
- Denver Trip (05/16)
- Williamsburg (06/07)
- Cruise (01/09)

Lady is busy getting ready for tax time at work. I think it is close to a Cheat River trip. I also need her to start walking with me more ...

#2 is still looking. Won't be long till the last of the finances runs out.

Peanut - still getting bigger, but also getting closer to the big day. I can't wait to see what she does with her hair. Most of the preparations are done, at least the ones that can be done.

Lew and Lil Princess should be over this weekend. That should be fun as it has been a while since I have seen them and at their age they grow so fast.

Thoughts for a Friend

Recently, a friend asked a question and I finally found the article I wanted to reference.

The Father Challenge

Sam Keen challenges us to recognize that "there is no way for men ... to recover wholeheartedness, to become passionate and truly free, without rediscovering the central importance of the family." To rediscover the family, we, as men, must rediscover ourselves as fathers and parents, and place this role of the many roles we play at the center of our lives. It is within the context of the family that we live our lives, and it is here that we receive our deepest wounds and most profound joys.

As Keen and many others have observed, we men tend to view ourselves as independent actors. As warriors, controllers, providers, protectors, and occasionally as lovers. We peg our self-worth on our tax brackets or how much we've published or how many women we've been with. We constantly look to the outside world for our valuation. Within the "men's movement" there is a tendency to talk about how I was treated by my father, about the lacks I had in my life, about my own confusion and pain and grief, about initiation (without any idea of what we want to initiate our children into). These are legitimate experiences that afflict our lives, but there comes a time when we men have to look beyond our own suffering and recognize that we are also causing suffering.

About a year ago I attended a symposium on fathering in Eugene, Oregon. One of the things that I learned, deeply, was how I was continuing to wound my own children in the way I was wounded. I was foisting the expectations and demands that my father laid on me onto my sons and daughter. It was a painful realization, but confirmed what I already knew intellectually about the "sins of the fathers," and how I needed to honestly and directly deal with what I was doing. I can't say that I've done as well as I'd like to on this or most accounts in my life. But one thing I have realized is that in as much as I consciously work to avoid wounding my children, and in loving them for exactly who they are, I am healed of my wounds. We receive our deepest and subtlest wounds within a family context, and it seems that here is the best place to heal them. This is not easy, as it requires a level of emotional courage, honesty, and sheer perseverance that few of us ever learn. Beginning what often seems to be a sisyphean task is a gift in itself, for it opens the door to our own hero's journey.

As fathers, we give our children many gifts along with many wounds. Paradoxically, the wounds and the gifts are two sides of the same coin. When we give time and attention, we heal the wound of abandonment. When we acknowledge a child's accomplishments, we give the gift of confidence. When we support the free expression of feelings, we give the gift of self esteem. In essence, if we show with our time, love, attention, nurturing, touch that we truly value our children, they will come to value themselves and us.

We have to be willing to be available to our children as often as we can, and to be with them as often as practicable. There is no substitute for time with children. They know it and so do we. As fathers, we can no longer afford to use such excuses as "college funds," "personal growth," "bigger houses," " more cars, gadgets, or other toys" to justify our abandonment of our children. For at a deep and profound level all men are the fathers of all children whether they are biological or not. We have to go beyond the personal to the communal, and work to heal all of the damage our forefathers still perpetrate through us.

Where to begin is the question I usually get asked when I talk about these issues. Where do we begin? The trite answer is still true - where we are. The process of change begins with the awareness that change is needed, then what needs to be changed, and , lastly, what options are available. As a movement, we're still back at step one, having realized changes in how we fathers are needed; however, we haven't begun to examine the options. I believe it is past time that we join together as we can to support and assist other men in re-creating what a father is and does.

firstborn

you were the golden child
framed by the sun that was your hair
my phaestos to grab the reins of my chariot
and be the child
and young man
my father wanted me to be
and still to be as you (me) are
i bind you in chains
teach you to fight your dream
witness the rising of your anger
and grief
i have held you
and held you apart
i have wondered at your neediness
and not seen
that it is not yours
but mine

Copyright © 1995 by Kent Cumbo

Most Excellent Adventure - Final

Well, things came to an end and we headed for home. Wild Mom flew home while Curious George and I rode the train back. We even managed to get a sleeper for the Albuquerque to Chicago leg. The countryside was beautiful especially through Raton Pass in New Mexico. We even had snow as we went through the pass. Antelope, Mule deer, coyotes, turkeys, hawks, eagles, wolf, and regular deer highlighted that passage through the remote mountains at 7500+ feet. The train ride was pretty uneventful and not very late in arriving home on Tuesday afternoon. We managed to get quite a bit of rest. Now it is time to start planning Las Vegas (2009) next year. There is a rumor that Baton Rouge La. will change to Orlando Fl. in 2011. Now it is time to see how the rest of the crew did while I was gone. Questions such as; when are you coming home (#1), got a job yet? (#2), baby hanging any lower? (peanut), will you share some of that energy? (Lew) and how's the tongue doing? (lil princess). I have a few other questions but they are for another day and another forum.

Work hasn't changed a bit. Today, while I was cleaning out some 30,000+ spam emails --- one person called to complain about their 12 spam messages. Get a Life!

Getting home I saw where the grass was growing and greening up. How I hate what comes next. Even the pixies didn't come and spread the 15 bags of mulch in the front yard. Sheesh, how much do I have to pay?

Wild Mom's shopping sprees required us to procure a 2x2x2 foot box to send everything home. It was a sight seeing her bouncing on the luggage trying to squeeze everything into it. She arrived home safely on Sunday and immediately started planning the next excursion.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 5

Well, like all things good ... it is time to return back to life. The tournament for me is over until Las Vegas next year. Though I wished I could have done better I have nothing to be ashamed of ... I am average. The day was spent getting the bowling balls being worked on at the Visionary booth. Wild mom went to the historic old towne and of course ... shopped. It is fun watching her stuff it into the luggage. Dinner was at the Texas Land & Cattle restaurant. That was some great beef. The sirloin was smoked and very tender. Wild Mom ordered fried pickles and took half of them with her as a snack while we bowled. The rest of the day was spent packing (stuffing in Wild Mom's case) and resting up.

Wild Mom continued her rampaging ways. First thing this morning she pulled the towel bar down after they unclogged the tub drain. Must of been her hangover from the Pina Colada's last night.

Do we have to come home? It is so nice out here. But if we do come here ... bring the body lotion for my poor skin is dry.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 4

It is Friday and the real work begins ... later. We went sightseeing and the weather was beautiful. Sunny, no clouds, and in the 60`s. We visited the Indian reservation and spent some money in the gift shop. There was a small herd of buffalo next to the Indian Center and that made for some good pictures. Even managed to not run over a Road Runner that crossed in front of the car. The rest of the day was spent checking things out at the Convention Center. In all cases Wild Mom helped the economy and made sure she needed another bag to haul stuff home.

Bowling was ok ... nothing to brag about but good enough to feel satisfied. The team was really different with 3 subs. Sure miss the old gang but that is life. Curious George did ok and his knees have held up pretty good so far. Tomorrow is doubles and singles and that should prove fun if not tiring since we start bowling at 11:30 pm.

Wild Mom is out checking out the Pina Colada's down at the lounge. Especially appealing is the tickets that makes them free. And yes, she has my tickets as I write this blog.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 3

We have arrived in Albuquerque. The day was filled with sights of wild animals as we passed through some beautiful country. There was even snow on the ground at the higher elevations. Breakfast was spent with a gentleman from from Minnesota (Highway patrol) and his daughter. They were on a father-daughter excursion for the weekend. We spent almost the whole day watching the terrain pass by and cat-napping in between the good sections. Unlike last years ride, we never got more than 15 minutes behind. Unlike the eastbound train from LA that was 25 hours behind. However, those train seats did get hard by the time we reached Lamy New Mexico. The train was full and I am glad we got off when we did because at our stop 28 people got off and 100 people got on. So there was no extra room.

Albuquerque is a beautiful town and even with a GPS system we managed to get turned around a few times. Curious George and I have had a blast chatting back at the GPS which we have named "Wanda." Kritty would love the rental car ... 2008 Ford Taurus ... and it is loaded. We had dinner tonight at Sadies, a southwestern Mexican restaurant. The food was great and if it was closer to home, El Agave would have some major competition. So if you ever come here ... make Sadie's one of your stops. The air is very dry and I can't drink enough water ... but I am trying.

Wild Mom made it without getting thrown off. She did manage to chat on the phone every time she had 3 bars.

Curious George met some new friends and one turned out to be a nun returning to her work in Raton New Mexico. A mild surprise when she changed into her habit just before she reached her destination. Go figure!

Sure miss everyone .. but I wouldn't miss this trip.

Top Speed: 82
Highest Elevation: 7852 ft.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 2

Full of chili dogs and Cinabun rolls we left Chicago ... dragging Wild Mom from a sweet talking vendor. Like yesterday's train ... this one was full too. By Kansas City we were already 30 minutes late. Dinner was good and of course Wild Mom got onto the wait staff. With the train being full ... there were no sleepers available. But the coach seats are big and comfortable ... so it will be tolerable. There has been plenty of wild life to observe both in and out of the train. What a few beers will do to a perfectly normal (?) person. Don't sweat ... it isn't Wild Mom and her Long Island Ice Teas. Getting bumpy and dark ... until tomorrow ... we love you all.

Wild Mom buys craft stuff at every stop. Time to buy another suitcase.

Top Speed: 92

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 1

The adventure begins. Just getting to the train station was fun. We sat through two different traffic backups plus a side trip to Sterling. The train left on time but immediately got behind. First for a generator that wouldn't stay on line and then some guy who hit a lady. We had to wait for the paramedics to show up. So we were 90 minutes late and never made it up. Arrival in Chicago was uneventful. Good thing we didn't head south from Chicago ... the train track was washed out and under water south of St. Louis.

Wild Mom is flirting away with anyone that talks sweet. She gets a bit feisty when the waiters get slack.

Top Speed: 65

Strike!

Well, all reservations are made and everything is ready for New Mexico. Wild Mom arrives on Thursday and we leave the following Tuesday. Lady is deeply involved with the candy Easter Egg project at church ... they are very good and loaded with calories but also a lot of work. Work is the same but tolerable since I know I have a break coming up. The kids bowling is going well as they hang onto 3rd place. The adult league in the evening is challenging. We are tied for 4th. This week we went 5-2 and it took everything we had. I averaged 207, Pete averaged 208 and George averaged 204 and we just squeaked by a crew of 140-150 average bowlers. They were hot and almost caught us. I was very happy because with one week to New Mexico, I finally bowled like I wanted too and to the level I know I am capable of. I need to start figuring out what kid I will bowl with for the next league. I doubt I will bowl with the current one again. Some kids will listen and want to learn. This one loves to argue and doesn't learn. So the search begins again since it is still 4-5 years before Punk is ready to bowl in a league. The guest room is finished for the time being. The walls are painted (sea foam green) and the trim and doors is what is left. But that will be a project for another time.

Peanut continues to get bigger ... only about 6 weeks till the wee lad pops out. Gee, in 2017 I will be able to bowl with him.

#1 is ready for Virginia but has to wait for the lease to run out in June. Who knows maybe he isn't too rusty to bowl with us once again. But then again, that is what handicap is for ... to compensate for his inability to keep up the pace. :)

#2 is still looking.

Punk and Lil Princess didn't make it over this weekend because of our hectic schedule. I am suffering from withdrawal. I wonder if I need to pay them to show up this week? Oh, Lil Princess overcame her virus and is doing well ... she even managed to let mommy have a taste of it. How Sweet!

Points to Ponder

HERE IS AN EYE OPENER TO START OFF YOUR DAY OR PERHAPS STIMULATE A BIT OF INTELLECTUAL PONDERING ... CAN A MUSLIM BE A MUSLIM-AMERICAN?

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT --

• IS MUSLIM-AMERICAN REALLY AN OXYMORON?
• CAN A DEVOUT MUSLIM BE AN AMERICAN PATRIOT AND A LOYAL CITIZEN?
  

I FORWARDED THAT QUESTION TO SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR 20 YEARS. THE FOLLOWING IS HIS FORWARDED REPLY:

• THEOLOGICALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HIS ALLEGIANCE IS TO ALLAH, THE MOON GOD OF ARABIA.
• RELIGIOUSLY - NO.
• BECAUSE NO OTHER RELIGION IS ACCEPTED BY HIS ALLAH EXCEPT ISLAM (QURAN, 2:256)
• SCRIPTURALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HIS ALLEGIANCE IS TO THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM AND THE QURAN (KORAN).
• GEOGRAPHICALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HIS ALLEGIANCE IS TO MECCA, TO WHICH HE TURNS IN PRAYER FIVE TIMES A DAY.
• SOCIALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HIS ALLEGIANCE TO ISLAM FORBIDS HIM TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH CHRISTIANS OR JEWS.
• POLITICALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HE MUST SUBMIT TO THE MULLAH (SPIRITUAL LEADERS), WHO TEACH ANNIHILATION OF ISRAEL AND DESTRUCTION OF AMERICA , THE GREAT SATAN.
• DOMESTICALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HE IS INSTRUCTED TO MARRY FOUR WOMEN AND BEAT AND SCOURGE HIS WIFE WHEN SHE DISOBEYS HIM (QURAN 4:34).
• INTELLECTUALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HE CANNOT ACCEPT THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SINCE IT IS BASED ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND HE BELIEVES THE BIBLE TO BE CORRUPT.
• PHILOSOPHICALLY - NO.
  
• BECAUSE ISLAM, MUHAMMAD, AND THE QURAN DO NOT ALLOW FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND EXPRESSION. DEMOCRACY AND ISLAM CANNOT CO-EXIST.
• EVERY MUSLIM GOVERNMENT IS EITHER DICTATORIAL OR AUTOCRATIC.
• SPIRITUALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE WHEN WE DECLARE "ONE NATION UNDER GOD", THE CHRISTIAN'S GOD IS LOVING AND KIND, WHILE ALLAH IS NEVER REFERRED TO AS HEAVENLY FATHER, NOR IS HE EVER CALLED LOVE IN THE QURAN'S 99 EXCELLENT NAMES.
  

THEREFORE AFTER MUCH STUDY AND DELIBERATION ... PERHAPS WE SHOULD BE VERY SUSPICIOUS OF ALL MUSLIMS IN THIS COUNTRY? THEY OBVIOUSLY CANNOT BE BOTH 'GOOD' MUSLIMS AND 'GOOD' AMERICANS. CALL IT WHAT YOU WISH ... IT'S STILL THE TRUTH.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF INTELLECTUALLY IN AGREEMENT WITH THE ABOVE STATEMENTS, PERHAPS YOU WILL SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS. THE MORE WHO UNDERSTAND THIS, THE BETTER IT WILL BE ... FOR THE RELIGIOUS WAR IS BIGGER AND MORE COMPLEX THAN MOST AMERICANS CURRENTLY KNOW OR UNDERSTAND.

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, A MAN WITH A MUSLIM UPBRINGING, WANTS TO BE OUR PRESIDENT ... "I THINK SOME RED FLAGS ARE GOING UP HERE"?