FamGuyToday by Aunty Fox

to other artists in the family, I am posting this picture done by Kari when she was taking art in college. A masterful use of color and texture. Our family is blessed with talent...

There comes a time to stop wasting good oil paint, and I've reached it on this picture. Seemed like a good subject when I picked it. A view from our hotel room in Amalfi, showig a sailing ship at rest. Just the thought of all the possibilities, through the open window. Alas, easier pictured than painted. I can't do straight lines with a paint brush, and there's nowhere to do texture, so, I just reached the point where I'M DONE, but I did learn something, which is worth something. (What I didn't learn was how to rotate pic on blog. I can rotate it in photo program, but can't figure out anyway to do it when transferred to blog. Whatever, I quit.)

challenging her to come outside and play. Not sure what Bailey would do, if they ran into each other, but they sure do watch each other through the window and get all excited. This morning, Bailey was with me as I was hot tubbing and a big flicker kept getting closer to her. Our 'scaredy cat' finally ran for the open door to the house. Not such a tuff kitty after all..

is based on a wonderful memory, when Carol and I visited our lovely daughter at her hostel in Amalfi. Several hundred steps up, (Kari could probably tell you exactly how many) it provided a stunning view of the beautiful Mediterranean. Love the memory, but no more pics of people. Too hard...

that is a REAL picture that I painted today. And, to answer a question, it took about 4 hours. And, if you click on the pics, you can enlarge them.

I didn't say it was a GOOD picture, just my FIRST picture. 'Twas kinda fun, Think I'll call it "Tuscan Villa".

Kari got me this calendar, and it is full of a good sampling of the crap this buffoon continues to do. Will occasionally share some of the best (worst?) stuff with you. How some people can support this jerk is totally beyond me...

of just doing another negative GWB rant, which is almost TOO easy, I am posting an altenative. Haven't totally researched him, BUT from everything I can read about Ron Paul, I really agree with his positions, on about everything. Wanna know what's really crazy? He is a Texas Republican. UNBELIEVABLE. But, check him out, and listen to the music. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=192671941 What you think???

that I hope I can enjoy. When I was (much) younger, used to do some oil painting, and actually showed a (little) bit of talent in that area if I must say so myself. (My mother would agree). Anyway, Carol got an oil paint set that I am eager to try. Went to library and got aninstruction book and Hobby Lobby for some more supplies and am ready to start pretty soon. Even have an idea for my first pic. I figured that by putting my plans, out here, it would help me get motivated. Am looking forward to it, but will try not to bore you with it.

What a cutie. We had a great time with her, AND the doggies. Just didn't get a picture of them...

"Twas wonderful, but went WAY too fast. The kids came over and we ate and drank too much and and had way too much fun. I think the Guitar Hero's were a hit. I was totally spoiled and can't believe it's over. Pretty sweet today, as we woke up to snow and it kept snowing 'til late afternoon. Really nice, unusual 'White' Christmas. Carol and Bailey hit the hay early and I'm not far behind. Pretty snow, but it's getting a little old, already....

Scroll down a ways, click to enlarge. Pretty cool, I think. Bet they'd be very comfy. http://www.sweetfeetshoes.co.uk/onthehorizon.php

just realized that they could finally agree with the rest of the world, in the global warming 'debate', 'cause by the time they would have to make any token efforts, W would be long gone. BRILLIANT! Like the war in Iraq, keep it going 'til you can dump it on the next president. BRILLIANT! And I thought he was/is stupid. He's BRILLIANT!!!

This pic was taken in the early 40's when she was working at The Pentagon, in Washington, DC. Quite a switch from walking 2 miles to school in a town of under 500, in rural Nebraska. She has taught piano lessons for over 60 years and still teaches, into her 80's. Got a rotten deal with TWO recalled, defective hip implants, but is 'hanging tough', and planning on a cruise this January. You go, girl...

If we would't have gotten Bush? No Iraq war! Hundreds of billions of dollars, spent for us, instead of Haliburton, oil companies, weapons and ammunition manufacturers. What a different world it would be. World opinion would be WITH us, after the Trade Center disaster, Oil wouldn't have quintupled in price. Wow. Sweet. BUT, we got BUSH!!! Enjoy! Pay for it! For a looonnnggg. time......

on The History Channel, how info is sent on fiber optic cable. Simple, to a point. Binary language, dots and dashes, sent as bright light, and dim light. Simple? Yes! BUT, at the time of the program, it is sent at the rate of 40 billion dots/dashes PER SECOND!!!.. Totally unbelievable, at least for my primitive brain....

http://www.teslamotors.com , pretty cool...

Bailey decided she needed a bath, and thought the washing machine was a good place for it. We shoulda obliged her, but couldn't decide how much detergent/softener to use, to wash a kitty. Maybe next time...

This pic was taken in Hawaii, during WWII, while he was stationed there for 3 1/2 years. Looked at his photo album this last T-giving, and saw several good pics, but also saw where several had been removed. Heard they were a little risque for 'the kids'. Must have been quite a time. Interesting, yet boring, at the same time, never knowing when you were headed to 'the front.' He was actually on board a ship when 'the bomb' was dropped. Game over. Go home. Musta been sweet....

if I'm not PC here, but this sucks. Lisa Simpson, yes, her real name, just won a two and a half million dollar judgement against CU, for a "rape" that occured several years ago. This unfortunate incident, took place AFTER Lisa, sought out the recruits, invited them to her apt, after buying large amounts of liquor, AND a dozen condoms, then proceeded to get totally drunk, and naked, and invited at least two of them into her bedroom. HMMMM, doesn't sound like rape to me... BUT, she got a good lawyer, who made about a million bucks, and won her case against CU. Please... I can remember (sort of) what it's like to be a drunk, horny, 18 year old. She got what she wanted, and CU got screwed. This really sucks....

Mountain News had a column by Paul Campos that really touched my heart, as it is something I could have written myself. He says, " was going to write about how several people have told me that my opinions have gotten increasingly shrill and vitriolic. I planned to muse thoughtfully on this issue, and to consider what larger trends in society have driven a person such as myself-a squishy ideological moderate who until recently was not all that interested in politics per se- to spend more and more time shouting from the metaphorical rooftops that, for instance, the Bush administration has become a cesspool of incompetence and corruption (oops, I did it again). ------- Couldn't have said it better myself......

a good story. I have a remote controlled golf cart that I used one day with my good buddy Scott Harper and his son Zach. I convinced Zach that it was voice controlled and while we spoke to it I was actually controlling it with the remote. Anyway, I explained he had to be 'nice ' to it, or it would become upset with him and not listen. He must have not been nice enough, because, because, pretty soon, it was chasing him around, which was pretty funny, but the best part happened when we were on the 9th tee at Eagle Trace. Zach didn't know I lived there, and after my tee shot, we were near my house. I explained to him that there was a real nasty guy living in that house with the the fountain, and convinced him to follow me into the house to steal some beer out of the refrigerator, because, 'he deserved it'. While we were in 'his' kitchen, I heard a noise upstairs, and we RAN out of the house. To this day, I don't know if he knows that it was my house. BUT,...

New clubs. Will be trying them out tomorrow morning, (prob'ly about 30 degrees), and hope I will be able to hit them. Your Christmas presents depend on it, so wish me luck. Bad news is, I'm playing against some real sharks. Stay tuned...

I have had the same set of Ping irons, which I got used, for over 25 years now. Because of new technology, I feel I have been at a disadvantage, when compared to my well equipped opponents. Have been watching E-bay and Craigslist for quite some time for just the right set of irons at the right price, Hopefully, I have finally found them. Keith, who I found on Craigslist, is supposedly going to deliver some slightly used Callaway X18's, 3-SW, tomorrow around noon. We will see. Am really looking forward to FINALLY getting some new irons, and possibly a hybrid 3. C'mon, Keith, I'm waiting.....

Scott McClelland, former spokesman for the dumbass in the White House, states, in a new book, that he was 'mislead' by the Pres and his inner circle, about the 'outing' of CIA agent Valerie Plame. Won't get into the whole thing, but, bottom line, Joe Wilson, her husband, the acknowledged nuclear expert on the region (appointed by Bush, Sr, who actually HAD has some basic intelligence), told the cowboy con-man, that there was NO WAY, Saddam had WMD. Just happened to be the truth, we now know, but the oil-man crew already had a plan to get oil to $100/barrel and told him to shut up. He didn't, and VOILA, we have the Iraq war and the 'outing' of Valerie. As I said, Duh, who didn't know that? Just the idiots who support him at all costs because they are too ignorant or too stubborn, (or BOTH) to admit the truth. They are still out there, but the number IS shrinking. Enough. You know how I feel....

call the police. A couple weeks after we were robbed, Matt called me to 'commiserate'. Seems he went to work last Monday and noticed theives had cut into the chain link fence area behind his office and stolen 'The Bronc'. Unbelievable! This was a hunting 'beast'. Big new motor, headers, lift kit, big wheels and tires, chains, killer sound system, etc. Will be interesting to see how insurance handles it, as it was nowhere close to a standard Bronco. Same place the pop-up was stolen from a few years ago, after we fixed it all up. Damn crooks! They're all over the place....

What a movie! Can't wait til others see it and we can discuss it. If you liked Fargo, I think you're gonna like NCFOM. What the Coens did for North Dakota, is redone for west Texas. What a cast of characters. As the review said, 'the best (or worst?) villain since Hannibal Lecter. Tommy Lee Jones IS the sheriff, and Josh Brolin is perfect. I liked it better than Carol, and I'm not sure if it is 'picture of the year', as many reviewers say, but if the measure of a movie is to have you engrossed, during and after, then this is quite a picture. If you see it, please explain the ending, as I don't quite get it. Will be interesting to get other opinions. Later.....

in a way I've never felt bad before. We had a poker game last night, at Scott's, with the usual suspects. Scott, Dave, Bugs, Matt, Wally, Dawg, and me. We played the normal games, 3-35-57, Wildnest, Jacks-Trips, etc. Normally we play 'til about midnight and go home. Last night, it went til about 3:30, and we had two taxis who eventually found the place, cause no one was in any shape to drive, and we were smart enough to know it. I slept on the couch. But, the bad thing is, I counted my winnings this morning, and, in a game of quarters, I won $244. I feel terrible. Not that most guys couldn't afford it, (except Bugs), but I can remember bluffing my way to most of my wins, and that doesn't seem fair against a bunch of drunks, but that's what happened. Not sure why I feel bad, or what I'm gonna do, but it just feels wrong. I DIDN'T CHEAT, but, I took advantage of the situation. Whatever, it just doesn't feel right....

Thornton police arrest six in busy theft ring The wide-ranging burglars entered homes and took car keys, vehicles, laptops and cellphones, officials say. By Kirk Mitchell Thornton police arrested six members of a metro theft ring that went into homes to steal car keys and then drove away in stolen cars, officials say. "You have a very brazen set of criminals who were rummaging through homes for keys while the occupants of the houses slept," said Matt Barnes, Thornton police spokesman. The cat burglars have been stealing as many as three cars from a single home a night, Barnes said. They allegedly broke into 13 homes and stole 19 vehicles in Thornton alone, but they also stole cars across the metro area, he said. "We made several arrests yesterday. We believe the major players of this ring have been identified and are in custody," Barnes said Wednesday. "We anticipate more arrests." Police are withholding the names of the suspects while they seek three othe...

Guess we should be glad they didn't steal our car. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14588725/detail.html

Had lunch with my buddy from Crocs on Friday, and asked him lots of questions. Bottom line, I came away feeling real good about CROX. Am thinking I'm gonna wish I had used this opportunity to buy some CROX 'on sale', if I don't. According to Dennis, things are just fine with the company. Some growing pains, mostly diversifying too much, too fast, caused distribution problems, but production is ramping up, so they will be able to better meet demand in the future. And the future includes major expansion throughout the world, with many new products. Not sure if there is gonna be much movement before next quarter's earnings, but my guess is it will gradually creep up. The downside is a major market meltdown that could carry CROX down with it. Who knows, but there is no way the stock deserved a 50% haircut, and I'm thinking that will become evident in the near future. For what it's worth, in my humble opinion, $38/share is a steal...

Maybe so. At least I can't remember a better one. Carol and I just started a regular "Saturday Night Date", and for our first time out, decided to try a new restaurant, Saltgrass Steakhouse, near 92nd and Sheridan. Found out later, it is part of the Landry chain, which helps to explain the excellent quality. The long line to get in was our first clue that this might be pretty good food. The salad, the Key Lime pie and veggies were all first class, but, the steak, WOW. Hard to describe, but the combination of flavor and tenderness made my T-bone beyond delicious, and Carol's filet was just as good. Will continue to try new places, but we will be going back to the Saltgrass Steakhouse.

Obviously, CROX can't find a bottom, no matter how low it goes. Am trying to keep some dry powder for when it seems to stabilize, BUT, when is it gonna be? Obviously not 54, or 44, or 40, like I thought. We can only hope it goes up as fast it it has gone down, which I HIGHLY doubt. One would think, 36, which is less than half of where it was, would be a safe buy-in point. BUT, I am so gun-shy now, waiting for the other shoe to drop, I just can't pull the trigger any more. Please, wake me when it's over, and some type of sanity has returned. Until then, point me toward the 'Food Stamp' office...

I never have to fly a helicopter, to save my life. The game is kinda fun, though. WARNING----ADDICTIVE--- http://www.helicoptergame.net/

Thought I had seen the bottom, twice, and bought more CROX. Wrong! It just keeps dropping, after beating earnings estimates, it can't find a bottom. All I can think of is there must be something we don't know (yet). Just doesn't make sense for this stock to lose nearly half of it's value with continued growth. Oh well, technically haven't lost yet, cause I haven't sold, but I sure don't like the looks of it...

Those of you who know me, (both of you who read this drivel), realize one of my main interests is golf. Sad, but true. At my age/situation, it is hard to find interesting pursuits. Anyway, I just signed on for a FANTASTIC deal. For the next 365 days, we (my golf group) have a tee-time EVERY day. For a mere $667 each, our group plays every day (foursome) for the next year, including cart and range balls. Not only that, but it is on TWO really good courses. Heritage and Legacy Ridge. I'm thinking the average cost is gonna be less than $10/round. Just played Saturday, w/ Carol and a buddy and his wife. Would have been $260, but it was FREE. PLUS, 2 for 1 beer. Sounds to good to be true? WRONG. It is for real. Seems too good to be true, BUT, since I have actually played both courses, and all I had to say was, 'Corporate Golf Member, # ___', it IS for real. Anyway, this old guy is hooked up with free golf for the next year. YAHOOOOO, doesn't get much better, from my point...

Just had the worst ass-kicking I've ever had in the market today. Why? CROX announced earnings yesterday, and instead of the .63/share they had forecast, they earned .66. Sounds good, right? Some analysts had predicted .70, SO, they lost 36% of value. From $74 to $47 in one day, after BEATING estimates. Pure manipulation, lead by Cramer, the bald headed bastard, who actually cut a Crocs shoe in half on his show. The day before he had a special on how to manipulate stocks. I'm kinda sick, although Iwas playing with 'house money', it's still real money. The perfect storm. Miss 'the street' guess, then the company conference call/video got screwed up so no one could hear, followed by a massive across the board sell-off on Wall Street. Oh well, easy come, easy go, but it still hurts, to guess right on earnings, and be punished so hard by the insiders. Bottom line, haven't lost any actual $ until I sell, but on paper, I got my ass kicked up between my shoulde...

that Ted and Nate tried to walk over in the middle of the night, awhile back. Same snow that tried to collapse our tents, BUT made it easier to 'DeerSleigh' out the elk. Kinda pretty from a distance, huh? Also, the packaging went VERY smoothly this year, I thought. Guess we're just getting better at it. And, very importantly, this year's elk is excellent. From a distance, and now that I'm finally starting to shake the 'bug' I had, this year's hunt is losing some of it's negatives, and next year, I just might go back.

We meet on Saturday for the final step in "Operation Deep Freeze". That is, cutting, grinding and packaging this year's elk. Much easier now that we bring it all back, deboned. (Or is it boned?) Whatever, for ?th time, we meet to process the coming year's main protein source. Like Ringo says, "It don't come easy, you know it don't come easy..." It's worth it, though, I think... Note the loins, on a table between Matt and Nate. Wow.

for a financial/political update. The HUGE fires in LA/San Diego are said to have caused nearly $ 1 billion in damage. Well, just to put numbers in perspective, King George just asked for an additional $48 billion, on top of $150 billion this year, PLUS the tens of billions, 'off the books', for his little adventure in the desert. Not counting the price of oil, now over $90/barrel, to enrich his buddies. The $2.4 TRILLION, price tag is totally incomprehensible. Bottom line, I can afford it, BUT, you young people are gonna be paying for this your whole lives. At last count, the war is costing each man, woman and child in the US, over $8000 each. My solution... Let the people who actually support this buffoon, all 28% of them, pay for his idiocy. That would end it, SOON. The problem is, his supporters, for the most part, don't make any $$, or pay any taxes, BUT, are pumped up by Limbaugh and O'Reilly to 'be patriotic', and, are his base. Sad, but true.

If you click on the picture, you can see the front wheel/tire laying in front of the Bronco, as well as the snow trail left when I rolled it back, after it flew off, cleared the fence, and rolled out into the field. This, as we drove to our hunting area in the pre-dawn cold and darkness. Luckily we had two jacks, or we would have been stranded. A little background,,, The last two years we have lost our brakes, cause the mud froze to the chains and brake lines in the evening, then tore the lines off as we left in the morning. Three years ago we had a wheel 'problem', cause the tire shop didn't tighten the lug nuts. WELL, it happened, AGAIN. Big O tires, didn't torque down the lug nuts, and BOOM. One minute we are cruising down the country road, and the next we see the wheel/tire clearing the fence as we grind to a halt. 4 years in a row. Impossible, you would think, but NO. It happened. Bad enough, right? No. We lost the front wheel/tire a 2nd time, a few hours later, ...

before it started to snow. The youngsters and Matt, standing beside the pop-up and the lounge, not showing the tent on the right. Later the next day, we were scrambling to keep a foot of heavy, wet snow from collapsing everything. Got three elk, but WORKED getting them out. Will follow with more pics and stories.

It's that time of year again, to replenish the little white packages in the freezer. This pic is from 2 years ago, when the weather was ideal for Matt and Nate and myself. Last year we arrived to a foot of snow and it snowed a bunch more while we were there. No pics cause my camera was frozen (weak battery in cold), but the hunting was good, as it always is at Snake River. Ted joins us this year, for his first ever hunt. Hope he has a good time. Got groceries this morning and was amazed at the prices, as it had been awhile since I have actually shopped. Oh well, we shouldn't starve. Get back to you with results next week.

Am finding out who works with me and who doesn't. Verizon sucks, and they are history. Discover card is great, VISA isn't. Our bank is OK, at best. Broomfield cops don't even return phone calls, and MAY take an interest in the ATM (that I tracked down, with time and date of withdrawal) that was used to rip $500 from Carol's account, IF we can make a trail of donuts to it. Otherwise, I don't think they care. Hope they prove me wrong...

Click here: Break.com , I can make it spin either way, ( and don't know what that says about me) but originally it spun clock-wise. Don't really agree with all the interpretations, but it's kinda neat.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 — In a sweeping indictment of the four-year effort in Iraq , the former top commander of American forces there called the Bush administration’s handling of the war “incompetent” and said the result was “a nightmare with no end in sight.” Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez , who retired in 2006, blamed the Bush administration for a “catastrophically flawed, unrealistically optimistic war plan” and denounced the current addition of American forces as a “desperate” move that would not achieve long-term stability. “After more than four years of fighting, America continues its desperate struggle in Iraq without any concerted effort to devise a strategy that will achieve victory in that war-torn country or in the greater conflict against extremism,” General Sanchez said at a gathering of military reporters and editors in Arlington, Va. He is the most senior war commander of a string of retired officers who have harshly criticized the administration’s conduct of the war. Will it ...

Having to replace my computer, I-pod, digital camera, and phone, has been a double-edged sword. Lotta time, research and trial and error, BUT, I did upgrade. Had been w/Verizon for about 14 years, but when they wouldn't help me trace the crook's calls on my stolen phone, even though they COULD have told me, I dropped them. They came back with the info, but it was too late, I had switched to ATT&T. Got a hot new Sony/Ericson phone w/some really cool features, including a 2-gig micro memory card, an FM radio and and 2 megapixel camera with zoom and video. Speaking of 2 gig, the new computer is much faster w/the 2 gig RAM. The new camera, Canon SD 750, is awesome as well. Got a 2 gig card for it, for $24! Unbelievable how chap storage has gotten. The new 80 Gig I-pod was less than a USED 40 Gig was 2 years ago. Anyway, got a bunch of help from Ted, last night, setting up the wi-fi, and loading new programs, as we watched the Rockies win game one of the NLCS. Hopefu...

Finally got my new computer set up so I could post to my blog. For those of you who haven't heard, or even if you have, we were robbed by some real professionals, approx 3 AM on Oct 10th. While we slept, someone came in thru the side garage door, rifled thru the cars and garage, then came in thru the house/garage door, and VERY QUIETLY, stole everything they wanted from our house, including identity information. My laptop, cell phone, I-pod, digital camera, Carol's purse, some golf clubs, knives, etc, are gone. Am noticing new stuff all the time. Pros? They got Carol's purse, found her SS#, and date of birth, and called her Discover card, FROM OUR PHONE, set up a PIN, and about an hour later, withdrew $500 from an ATM, at 4:40 in the morning. Luckily, they tossed Carol's purse as they were robbing another house (one of four) in the neighborhood that night, and most of the contents were still there. A couple of nights earlier they robbed several houses in the Bro...

had another defection, today. His largest partner, among the 'Coaliton of the Willing', a term you haven't heard for a long time, lost it's main supporter, Great Britain. After Tony Blair sacrificed his political career for being W's lapdog, the English have stated they are cutting their troops down to 2500 by early 2008, with ALL their people being home by the end of next year. Hmmm, that about does it. We still Got Ivory Coast, with their 3 soldiers, BUT, the coalition is going, going , GONE. What a surprise. W's war isn't working. Duh, who woulda guessed it????

is looking kinda pretty this year. The koi have really grown and Bailey loves playing/hunting around it. The local fox likes to check it out, too. Not sure how many golf balls are in it, but last year there were a bunch. Gonna miss the flowers, tomatoes and apples when the snow flies. Oh well, been a great summer....

at Yellowstone (note steam in background), getting lots of 'thumbs up' and 'right on, brother'. Noticed our glorious leader is at an all-time low, for over-all approval ratings, as of this morning, (and that's pretty low, even for this buffoon) He did show some fiscal responsiblity, though, by vetoing the children's health care bill. Can't be wasting money on them, while spending hundreds of billions in Iraq. Gotta have priorities, you know...

from the Swedish Chef. Spent yesterday afternoon chasing down green chilis, from Lafayette, to Broomfield, to Federal Hts, and eventually found a roaster in Westminster. Either they are kinda rare this year, or people were shining me on. Finally lined up a half bushel, bought some pork roasts, garlic and onions, picked some tomatoes and slow cooked the biggest roast over-night. Spent the morning peeling and cleaning the peppers, shredding the pork and adding all the special ingredients. Gotta say, it turned out pretty good. Could be hotter, but can always add some heat. Had an unusual lunch. Green chili and leftover sushi from my date with Kari, at Benihana's, last night. 'Twas great to see/talk with her, and hear she is doing well, though busy, with her many different classes at Coal Creek. Oh yeah, the cooking tip. After I crock-potted the pork roast, I removed the meat and was left with a bunch of fatty juice. I added ice cubes, which caused the fat to form in a...

Just read an article about how Halle Berry finally got pregnant. After trying, 'nearly every available chance, day and night for several months', according to Halle, and going thru dozens of pregnancy tests, she is finally prego. Poor guy. Get him some Gatorade and vitamins. Tough job , but someone's gotta do it....

At least from what I've seen, and I (being OLD) have seen a bunch. All things considered, the unlikely winning streak, with a bunch of young guys, the Padres losses this last weekend, the one game wild-card play-off, the bad calls, (home run not counting), being down 2 in the bottom of the 13th, Trevor Hoffman on the mound. Unbelievable!!!. Was lucky enough to be there, with tickets from my buddy Matt. Am still hoarse, with a sore throat, but wouldn't have missed being part of the amazing energy, and cosmic circumstance that was at Coors Field last night. When the home plate ump signalled Matt Holliday, 'SAFE!', the place exploded. From the depths of depression after a 2-run homer, runner on first, no outs, in the top of the 13th, to a WIN. Never been a part of anything like it. Thanks Rockies, and Matt...

but I did something really stupid today. Golfing w/Reilly, Homer and Webb (not pictured), I was asked, by Homer, to 'tend' the pin, which means he was WAY far away and he couldn't see the hole, so he needed me to 'tend' it, which meant I should hold the pin until after he putted, then remove it, because if he hits the pin, when putting 'on the green' it is a penalty. Well, he did a full shoulder turn and wacked it. I was mesmerized as it came toward the hole, expecting it to veer off at any moment. It didn't. It died, right in the hole, with the pin still there. I yelled, "WOW, great putt.' Reilly yelled, 'Penalty'. I said, you can't penalize me for spacing out. He said, 'No, penalty on Homer.', (who happened to be Reilly's (JR's) parner, not mine. After a long discussion, settled by the club pro, it was decided it WAS a penalty, not on me, but Homer. Webb and I wanted to overlook it, but JR, a stickler f...

or a REALLY LARGE elk, hiding out over the ridge. We were driving along, at the north end of Yellowstone, and I saw this view. Can you imagine the neck muscles it would take to carry that rack? Like the back muscles some women need. Never mind.....

to see the rightwing nut jobs go crazy about Ahmadinejad (sp?) speaking at Columbia today. Sure, he's a bad guy, but how many countries did he (oops, bad intel) invade? How many hundred thousand (innocent Iraqis), plus a few thousand Americans, has he killed? Nowhere close to what Bush has done. It's all relative, and until he does anything CLOSE to what W has done, give me a break, try to figure out who the REAL bad guy is.....

from a great trip to Yellowstone/Tetons. Just in time, too. Today in Jackson, the high is in the 40's, with snow. We had great weather, but the last afternoon it started raining and you could tell snow was coming in. We saw the best 'colors' you could imagine, though, with the aspens and scrub oaks blazing. Saw all the animals, including this 'big boy' bull elk, that I felt SO SORRY for. Notice his 'privates' dangling below him. Not sure what's going on, but that would hurt so much to go thru the woods/bushes hangin' out like that. Poor guy...

Just played in a golf tournament at Arrowhead, which HAS to be one of the most amazing golf courses anywhere. Thanks to my buddy Scott, got to participate in all-expenses paid tournament, incl free food (prime rib) and drinks. What a day, but this old body is kinda hurtin, 'cause after 36 holes on Monday, then extra golf after the tourney, I'm just a bit sore. Not complaining, BUT, can definitely feel it today. Don't know what I'd do without the ol' hot tub. Next, we're off to the 5 star resort in Jackson Hole that Carol found on-line, with a stop in Pinedale at our favorite cabin-on-the-lake first, then we check out Yellowstone. Life Is Good! Oh, and can't forget a stop at Johnny B. Goode's in Steamboat, on the way. I know it's only natural, this time of year, for the body to want to pack on a few pounds for the upcoming winter, but I gotta be careful, winter's not gonna be THAT long and cold, I hope...

The paper was full of Bush related stories that 'did my heart good.' From Alan Greenspan, a Republican, saying, how they ( Bush Admin) "traded principles for power, and lost both", to an article on atheists, saying how nothing has caused more atheists to come out of the closet, than two terms of "Bush, the Christian". Also, a report from the APEC conference, where Bush referred to it as OPEC, called the Australians, Austrians, and assured those present, "We are kicking ass, in Iraq." I am SO PROUD to have this guy in charge......

It was good to see a picture of Kelli and her dog, Ace, with Milan, Nate and Laura's dog, in The Broomfield Enterprise after enjoying Dog Daze again this year. DD is held each year after the water park closes and before it is drained and closed for the winter. The doggies get to visit 'The Bay' and we have a real hoot, watching hundreds of them run around, chase tennis balls, go down the slides, and just thoroughly enjoy themselves playing in the water. It has become so popular that reservatons are required and there are three shifts of pooches. The following week, the pool is stocked with fish and 'special' fisherpersons are allowed to reel 'em in. A great idea, that, as far as I know, is done only in Broomfield. However, it may begin to 'catch on' in other areas. Ted, Kari's husband, was in Algeria on business this week, and while watching French television, same a news tidbit featuring Dog Daze, in Broomfield, Colorado. Not only that, but they als...

because they work. Some people are stupid enough to believe them, and that is W's base. ----- WASHINGTON - The television commercial is grim and gripping: A soldier who lost both legs in an explosion near Fallujah explains why he thinks U.S. forces need to stay in Iraq . "They attacked us," he says as the screen turns to an image of the second hijacked airplane heading toward the smoking World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. "And they will again. They won't stop in Iraq." Every investigation has shown that Iraq did not, in fact, have anything to do with the Sept. 11 attacks. But the ad, part of a new $15 million media blitz launched by an advocacy group allied with the White House , may be the most overt attempt during the current debate in Congress over the war to link the attacks with Iraq.----- WAKE UP PEOPLE-----Ignorance isn't just sad, it's dangerous. It has given us Bush, for TWO TERMS. I rest my case.....

goes like this. We were sitting on the patio, 5 0'clock club, and Carol said, "I bet Bailey is walking up the path". (South side), cause Cassie ( the neighbor's Lab) was staring toward that part of our yard. Anyway, we saw Bailey come around the side of the house. Then, Cassie barked and Bailey charged the fence. She hit the fence nearly full speed, going right at Cassie's face. Cassie jumped back and stared at Bailey. Bailey charged through the 4" opening in the fence and Cassie, the smart dog she is, ran as fast as she could to her deck. Bailey chased her half way, then turned and walked, with her tail held high, back home. A well taught lesson to the dogs in the neighborhood. NO BARKING, from, 'The Enforcer". You Go Girl.......

We always thought that Bailey was just a lovable mutt, BUT, found out, she is a distinctive, and very special and valuable breed. She is a Maine Coon cat. No doubt about it. From her huge 'duster' tail, to her distinctive markings, her extra-soft water-proof coat, her amazing hunting instincts, NOT a 'lap-cat', to her distinctive 'chirping' sounds. With her 'Lynx-type' ears, her ability to retrieve toys, and her characteristic 'always wanting to help' you, she is definitely a Maine Coon cat. Kittens in the paper for sale today for $450. We got a bargain. Popular myth says they are descended from coons and cats mating, which is impossible, BUT, the most accepted theory is that the breed came from the six pet cats Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine, when she was planning to escape the French Revolution, and they mated with the local 'Norwegian Forest Cat', brought to the 'New World' by the Vikings. What a cool lineage...

this weekend, reprinted from New York Times. Seems the company that has profited MOST, and that says alot, from military contracts in Iraq, is KBR. KBR??? I'd never heard of them, so I Googled them. Seems they are a branch of Haliburton. Now does it make sense? Cheney, and his inner circle, are all Haliburton people. Contracts, in the hundreds of millions of dollars, many awarded without bids, to friends of the administration. Who woulda thunk??? So, if you don't understand why we are in Iraq, other than to disrupt the oil economy, think $$ and Haliburton. Oh yeah, it all makes sense......

http://www.fnarena.com/index2.cfm?type=dsp_newsitem&n=B03AAE1A-17A4-1130-F5A895FE45EDE2AA Kinda scary, when you compare charts on 2 of the worst crashes of all time. Not making any predictions here, but 'chartists' swear by this stuff. Not sure about the eclipses and full moon stuff. Maybe time to take some profits off the table. Not selling my CROX, though....

of an interview with Cheney, on the web right now. He lays out, with surprising accuracy, why we SHOULDN'T invade Iraq. He claims the world wouldn't support us, and, among other things, that Iraq would spiral out of countrol, with all the different factions fighting each other. He states it would be too large an order for us to try to maintain order after such an invasion, and the Arab world would never forgive us. For once, this puppet of the oil industry was right. Only problem, the interview was after Desert Storm, when Bush senior refused to invade Iraq, citing many well thought out reasons. Seems W is much smarter though. He realized we would be greeted with flowers in the streets and worshipped as liberators. OOPS. Jeez, who could have seen this mess coming? Anyone with a brain that's who. That leaves out W and his ilk. Oh well, only 508 more days and this cowboy clown gets put out to pasture where he belongs. Just can't come soon enough....

in George's War, had to be Abu Graib, where detainees, many turned in for the $5000 cash reward, were humiliated and tortured. Cheney, Rumsfeld and Bush, overturning the Geneva Convention rules, stated torure was OK, but ONLY if traditional methods didn't work. Once the pictures and accounts of the treatment of prisoners at Abu G were released, further inflaming anti-American sentiment around the world, we were assured those responsible would be held accountable. Well, yesterday, the ONLY offficer charged with a crime was sentenced. Reservist Stephen Jordan received a REPRIMAND, not for torturing detainees, but for disobeying an order to keep silent during the investigation. Sorta shows, in a nutshell, what W and his crew is all about. In the meantime, an investigation is being begun into the no-bid contracts awarded to 'friends of the administration' in King George's War. Should be interesting...

and am really pissed off at my 'My Pictures' program. Will not let me add any new pics to my blog. Have tried all I can think of. No go. BUT, had a mahvelous time at 'The Cat Ranch', near Lake Powell. Where to begin.... If you've ever been to Lake Powell, you know it is like another planet, but you can see some mountains in the back ground. At the base of these, six miles off the road that leads to Powell, past Goblin Valley, lies the Cat Ranch. Nearest neighbor approx 20 miles away. A bit of heaven on earth, with unbelievable views, and a stream running thru it. The old homestead is no longer used, but the new house is very comfortable. All the water you want, and, with propane refrigerators, ice is no problem, but electricity has to be rationed. A $40,000 solar system, with battery back-up, provides enough juice to run a TV and a few lights, but forget about hair dryers and waffle irons while the lights and TV are on. No big deal, but after a cloudy, ra...

but not having much luck. The reunion is over, and, like, 'rocking chair moments', got few if any comments, and I can understand. Bush/Iraq fiasco is such an obvious screw-up, no one, that I care about, argues that anymore. Am having a problem downloading pics into my new computer, so I don't have any new pictures to share. Whenever I want to download into this program, it loads ALL the pics on the card, almost 1000, instead of just NEW pics. If anyone has the disc that comes with a Canon Powershot SD, (ZoomBrowser EX) I would love to borrow it, 'cause I do have some good new pics. Crox went up, then way down, now back up, but that's not interesting unless you are an owner, and if you are, you already know about it. Most people don't care about golf. SOOO, am uninspired at the moment. We're watching the dogs while Nate and Laura join Jen and Jess at the ranch/Lake Powell, then we hand off the animals to Ted and Kari and head out for Lake Powell for awhile. S...

for Hurricane Dean. Is supposed to hit the US, based on current models, late next Weds. We have Lake Powell planned on Thursday. It never fails. Not that it is for certain it will hit, and I will be needed, BUT, whenever I get an 'adjuster' call, you can bet I already have plans. Never fails. We'll see, but am not looking forward to going to Texas, in August, to a disaster zone, but, it's what I do....

only you golfers will appreciate this, but I had an amazing experience on the the golf course today. On the 4 par three's, today, I played them 2 UNDER. Which means, two pars and two birdies. Pros would be happy with this. PLUS, I was a half inch from a hole-in-one. What makes it even more special, I started the day at the chiropractor, who REALLY cracked me good. Life is good...

Don't know if you saw/liked the other 'Bourne' movies, but 'The Bourne Ultimatum' is really good. Fast paced, great action, and good story. At least I (and Carol) thought so. Amazing scenery in Europe. If you wanna go to a movie, and don't know what, let me recommend the new Bourne movie. You won't be bored...

if it seems like I'm bragging, but maybe I am. If you read me at all, you know I had a GREAT time at the reunion. Seeing old buddies, and showing off my beautiful wife. 'Twas a fantastic time, and loved the golf and everything. One of only two people to get appplause, at program, (Cause of that game winning shot) But just realized, my two cart partners, for the two golf tourneys, were; Tom Heller, best man at my wedding, and the ONLY guy from Kearney to ever be World Herald (biggest newspaper in Nebr.) Athlete of the Year, All-State Everything, (could tell you LOTS of stories), and 2nd day, Scott Nelson, the guy who put the whole thing together. Was honored by my friends. Good times......(Again, sorry for pride, but when you get old like me, you look back on the Good Times)

Am 2 for 2 being published with Letters to the Editor. First, Broomfield Enterprise, then, on Aug 9th, the Rocky Mntn News. The latest had to do with a political cartoon I took exception to. It featured two ball players looking at a scoreboard that read, Insurgents 3, USA 2, in the first inning. A player was saying to the one with DEMOCRAT on his back. "We're down 3-2 and you want to QUIT??" My reply, to the editor, was, (paraphrasing), "If we're in the first inning, this is gonna be 'one, long game', since it's been about 5 years, we're still in the first inning. Our fearless leader. continuing his 'reign of error', refuses to listen to the majority. It's time to bring our troops home, now. Anyway, Carol saw it and told me. I would have missed it. Oh by the way, have I ever mentioned, I REALLY don't like that retarded cowboy in the White House?

called, "Carol doesn't play golf". As some of you may know, last Friday Carol went to her best friends' husbands' b-day party and I went to the first day of my of my class reunion. Anyway, as I was on the driving range, before our second day of golf, a friend asked why Carol wasn't playing with us, as several of the guys' wives were golfing with us. I said, "Carol doesn't golf." Which, as those of you who know us, know is true. And he said, "OH REALLY", with a bunch of attitude in his voice. But, Carol had played in a golf tourney, over a hundred miles away, for the 3rd round of her life, WITH, the daughter of the guy on the driving range, the day before, AND, his daughter had called him, telling him he was she was playing with a classmate, Carol Olson. HUGE coincidence, but, just now realize, I guess you had to be there. 'Twas funny....

from reunion. Two of my buddies swear it's true. "Donnie", his brother and their parents, liked to go to Nebr football games together. They also like to drink, A LOT. So, after tailgating, drinking from a flask during the game and celebrating afterwards, the boys decided dad was too drunk to drive home, and had a more sober friend take the folks home. The boys decided to drive dad's new Cadillac to his house and get their cars. On the way, they rolled it. No one was hurt TOO bad, and the car was still barely driveable, although the roof was about 10" lower. When they got to the folks' house they found dad, passed out in bed. Donnie had a great idea. They carried him to the car, drove to a field a few blocks from home, and put dad behind the wheel. When they spoke w/him the next day, he said how lucky he had been to roll the car and not get hurt, but he didn't remember any of it. Understandable, they said. Several months later, a friend mentioned to 'd...

I liked.... Telling you to pray, while you can see the devil on his shoulder. AND, Born on third base, and he thinks he hit a triple....

Just got back from my 40th Reunion, and I know what you're thinking. "How can a bunch of people that old, get together and party"? Well, we did, and it was a GREAT time. Golf tourneys two days, and two cocktail/dinner parties with interesting programs. Amazing how little people had really changed. Sure we were grayer, heavier, (some a lot, but most not much, and some not at all), but at this point we are all friends and the camaraderie was fantastic. Some of the rich guys threw in nice little extras like a dance band, a caricaturist (lost mine, and it was GOOD), and a roving photographer who took hundreds of shots, the first night, then printed them and gave 'em out the 2nd night. Carol was a dancing fool and made the rounds with her favorite guys. I was more subdued. Have been to 10, 20, 30, and now 40 year reunions. Can't believe next one will be 50th. But I'll be there (I hope) 'cause they are REALLY fun. I knew we had an exceptional class,...

would have to be an 'Oh Wow' moment from several years ago. Back before we hunted Snake River Ranch, we used to scout out new, likely looking, elk hunting territory, when we decided a 'new place' was in order. Matt and I were doing a weekend scouting/camping trip up in the Flattops Wilderness area, and were in the middle of nowhere, on a 'semi' 4WD trail when we ran over a sharp rock and tore up a tire. Matt had just gotten the Bronco, and I wasn't too worried 'cause we had a good spare and the necessary jack and lug wrench. We also had, we noticed for the first time, an anti-theft lug nut on each wheel. The kind that takes a special 'key' that fits in the lug wrench. What we didn't have was the 'key'. We decided to walk in different directions, to high ground, and see if there were any ranches/people around. After a long walk we both made it back w/the same news. Nothing in sight. And the sun was going down. The road was too bad to d...

Just when you think they can't sink lower than whale shit, they do. W wants to sell Saudi Arabia, his cohorts in raping the American consumer, 20 billion $ worth of high tech weaponry. This is the country that MOST of the 9-11 killers came from ( Iraq had ZERO, for you hardcore idiots out there). It is in the interest of his biggest contibutors, Big Oil, and the whole military-industrial, war machine complex, to keep the Mid East in constant turmoil, and BushieBoy is an EXPERT at accomplishing it. Stir the pot,baby. Make your buddies even MORE obscenely wealthy. If only you could personally share in some of the agony you are causing....

to combat global warming. Although the administration stands by it's policy that global warming is a liberal plot, they have devised a plan to combat it. To appease the left-wing wackoes who use such scare tactics as 'scientific proof' and 'expert testimony', the Bush Boys have decided to forego 'Daylight Savings Time' in the future, because that extra hour of sunlight may be the culprit behind the 'alleged' warming. If that proves successful, as W hopes, they may use clock manipulation to make our summers cooler and winters warmer, in an effort to save energy. Stay tuned, Georgie boy is ON the problem....

to say, I TOLD YOU SO. Crocs reported earnings, after hours today. HUGE upside surprise!!! Not a surprise to me, but to the market, it was. Trading up about $10/share, after hours. Don't know if it'll hold tomorrow, but if it's even close, I'm a happy camper. My January calls should be off the chart. See ya later, I'm gonna go celebrate....

saying CROX is gonna have an 'upside surprise' when they report this quarter's #'s. This company, and it's stock, is gonna kick ass, and I've been telling you that since it was 26, pre-split. Closed at $48, or so, today, but just wait. Any company that can sell plastic shoes for $30, and be sold out everywhere, PLUS have all the other stuff going on, is a BUY. You read it here first, kids, see you at $70....

Am kinda afraid to admit I 'pulled the trigger' on a big CROX trade today. Bought options, for the first time ever, but I feel good about it. Bought Jan, 08, 50's, @ 7.60. I think it's a good play, obviously, or I wouldn't have done it. We'll see, but at least I'm up front, with my gambling. Go CROX. Have 6 months for my gamble to work out. I'm excited....

as it was happening, kinda worked, cause I can really picture/feel/hear it like it was yesterday. Carol reminded me of it, the other day when, Peter Tosh's reggae version of 'Johnny B. Goode' came on. We were skiing Keystone, on a picture perfect ski day, with fresh snow, a clear blue Rocky Mountain sky, and a 'just right' temperature. I had my I-pod, with the Peter Tosh song cranked, and really got into moving with the music and I schussed down 'Frenchman', one of my favorite runs at Keystone. It had been closed for grooming after the fresh snow, and we were at the top when they opened it for the first run. Had it all to ourselves, in PERFECT conditions. That kind of feeling is what skiing/boarding is all about. Just to be able to lose yourself in the moment, when movement is as effortless as flying. A true rocking chair moment I plan to repeat....

rocking chair moments, has to come from the Big Ten Championship basketball game when I was a senior in high school. We were playing Columbus, at home, and, in the 3rd quarter, we were 17 points behind. The gymnasium was packed, SRO, but the crowd was getting kinda quiet, with the home team at a huge disadvantage. Then, Tom Heller and I started warming up, shots started dropping, and, with a few seconds left in the game, we were down by one. I rotated out of the low post, and, with a guy in my face, launched a 20 ft jumper. From my point of view, it seemed to hang in the air forever, but eventually caught the bottom of the net. The place exploded, and classmates, friends, relatives and strangers mobbed us on the floor. Big Ten champs! Have been reminded of it lately, as I exchange e-mail with friends in advance of our 40th reunion this summer. Have had a lot of highlights in my life, but none with the drama of that game winning shot, in front of so many people I cared about. Rocking ch...

From an old guy's point of view. Designate a cigar box, or bag, whatever, BUT, keep all of your concert, movie, 'whatever', ticket stubs. It's easy, and you WILL look back on it some day, and really appreciate the trip down memory lane. I've got some good ones, but really wish I would have kept them ALL, esp in chronological order. You won't be sorry.....

his anal-cranial inversion, it must have been interesting for the Dr. performing his colonoscopy. First, his head would have to be removed from the area to be examined. After the 'scope' was removed, to maintain his degree of comfort, I assume he would have had his dense noggin firmly reinserted. We'll see if his rapidly diminishing fans continue to follow his lead, and briefly remove their heads from their arses, and take a look around. I doubt it.....

I asked Bailey to open her mouth and PROVE she had chewed and swallowed that last nasty spider she chomped. She opened her mouth, showed me it was gone, and won the contest...

I hope I never lose, would be a special evening on a cruise ship in Montego Bay, Jamaica, mon. About half way thru a Carribean cruise, we docked in Montego Bay, and Carol and I spent the day sight-seeing and taking a Lazy River Cruise, on a raft piloted by David, who had built the raft from bamboo. The trip consisted of a bus ride to the mountains (or hills), then a leisurely float downstream thru the jungle as David told stories and sang songs. He was VERY good at his job and we got some local souvenirs from him. We arrived back on the cruise ship just as the sun was setting, a local Reggae/steel drum band was setting up near the ship's pool, and an outdoor feast, with rum punch, was being readied. Can still vividly see the outrageous orange and pink sunset and hear the band, made up of three generations of an extended family, as we had a seafood feast in the tropical evening. Truly one of those magical times that don't happen often enough, but when they do, WOW....

check out my June 5, '07, post. OF COURSE, no one bet, we all know what a crook W is....

the 1st annual 'Booze Cruise'. 'Twas at Wildnest Lake, deep in the the Canadian wilderness, accessable only by float plane, then boat. After an idyllic day of fishing for walleye and northern pike, followed by a fish feast of epic proportions, Matt had the idea for the 6 of us to get into our 3 boats, load up our cocktail hour supplies, along with boom box and tunes, and head out to the middle of the bay near our cabin. We tied the boats together and watched an amazing sunset as the loons and eagles welcomed us to their home. Unbelievable echoes as our shouts bounced off the mirror-calm water and around the islands. Then it got dark and the magic started. If you have never seen the Northern Lights, it is impossible to describe, especially when you are right beneath them on a crisp, clear night. They started slowly, in an arc dissecting the sky above us, then spread, in showers of light, to the entire sky. At first, it was all oohs and aahs and "Look at that!...

Carol just came up with a new theme, cause I REALLY needed something. It's called "Rocking Chair Moments", and, in case you need a definition, it's memories you WANT to have when you are old, and stuck in a rocking chair. SOOOO, I am gonna bore you with some of my, 'Rocking Chair thoughts', which I am gonna try to preserve, to provide some comic reief, or just 'good thoughts', when my spirit is confined to 'remembering the good old days'. I DO have some. So, in an effort to provide a 'spark' to get my addeled old brain a place to go, when I need it, I am gonna try to provide some 'Rocking Chain Memories', to helpfully send my old age thoughts in the right direction, and hopefully, I can access this when I need to.....

I rec'd a challenge/assignment from Laura, to respond to a bloggers thing, regarding 8 random things about myself. Am having a bit of a problem, cause I'm not sure what, if anything, to do with this. When I consider what to include, it seems to fall into 3 basic categories. The first would include, what I would call, bragging, and it would be easy to do, but am not sure how well it would be rec'd. Next, would be degrading stories, which i am not sure I would want to share. That leaves boring stories. SOOO, what do I do? IF, I decide to participate, I guess I would try to do a mix, but would that be random? Kinda struggling here, caue I could throw out some random stuff, but why? Most people who know me, KNOW me, and those who don't, don't care. But, for lack of anything better, I'll throw out a couple of things. 1. The most important thing in my life, by far, is my family, and the older I get, the more I love and appreciate them, and I feel so bad when I hurt or...

Check it out, his LIES and STUPID STUFF. He's got a million of 'em... http://www.peacecandy.com/gwbush/dishonestdubya/

don't give Walgreen's a chance to rip you off, like they did us. With my outrageous back pain, went to chiroprator and then to Dr., and got prescription. Carol went to Walgreen's to have it filled. Bottom line, Walgreen's said, "Will be ready in 20 minutes," but we waited for nearly 40. THEN, after paying $126, I called to compare prices at King Sooper's. EXACT same scrip was $72. Thanks a bunch, you crooks...... P.S. Called Jim @WG's and explained 'problem' He said return pills, get scrip back, and go from there. Carol took everything back, except for 1 pain pill and 1 anti-inflammatory, which I took, CAUSE I WAS IN PAIN, while we waited for 40 mins. Jim said that VOIDED it ALL, cause ONE PILL was gone. No exchange---no refund. Company Policy--- No Exceptions. Asked to speak to his supervisor. Yadda Yadda. He hasn't heard the last from me.......

how miserable it is to have your back 'go out'. I'd been having trouble for a while, but it was mostly just inconvenient with occasional shooting pain. This morning I was bending over to pick up a bag of potatoes and BAM, something broke loose/seized up. OWWWEEE. Won't go into all the details, but I am pretty well 'laid up' for awhile. Can't get comfortable, no way. Hopefully can get up the nerve and suck it up to go the chiropractor tomorrow. As always, my main guy, Dr Thomas is unavailabe when I need him. Never fails.... Hopefully it's not as bad as it seems, but, when a Valium and 4 Advils have no effect, it's not good....

SOOO, Bush, the poster boy of the "challenged" thinkers, is saying he 'might', listen to SOME of what the Iraq Commision recommended about a year ago. This dumbshit, bottom 15% graduate will finally, MAYBE, take some of the direction that a bi-partisan, blue ribbon panel of experts said he SHOULD have done a year ago. YAHOO... Too little, too late, from the worst president EVER, according to all polls. Cheney and Halliburton might let him do it. They are already rich beyond their wildest dreams, and , what is there to lose at this point? It's already all lost.....

I mean even worse than ever? Even his hard-core(idiot) supporters are jumping ship. Kari said at Mdm Toussad's Wax Museum, the biggest line was to have their picture taken with Bush. Flipping him off, that is, or mooning him. The (thinking) world HATES him, and what he's done. The rest of you (25%, and dropping), pull your head out of your ass, wipe the sh*t out of your eyes, and face reality. Never mind, go down with your sinking ship. We don't need you and your ilk. Hasta la vista, baby.....

Did anyone else notice? I-25 was shut down, for FOUR hours today, because there was some SALT spilled on it. It took the Bush Boy agency, Homeland Security, 4 hours to decide it was salt spilled on the highway. 4 hours, folks. Hiway closed. But, these boys got to justify their huge paychecks. Protecting us from the 'Bad Guys'. They ARE the bad guys. Incompetent jerks. Never mind, don't want to be unpatriotic......

What an evening..... Turned on the HUGE mega sprinklers (Toro) on the golf course, (with my illegal key) this evening, with a good breeze blowing towards the house. Bailey was outside playing, and, every once in awhile, the water would blow over us. A really nice, cool spray. But, Bailey doesn't like water, in the air. Anyway, nice evening, with our favorite, free, entertainment. Toro water sprinklers. COOOOOLLLL....

Just realized I've been reading some 'kinda crappy' books lately. James Patterson and Robert Parker. BUT, I guess you gotta go thru stuff like this, to appreciate the good, AND great. These guys are well respected, middle of the road authors, who sell millions of books. But, they are very mediocre, at best. Most people don't have the basis to judge books on a grand scale. OK, I know I'm on a limb, here, BUT, I think/know I read WAY more than average, and, just from that basis, I feel like I have the background to be somewhat judgemental. Never mind, don't like where I'm going here. Whatever floats your boat, whatever gets you thru the night, is OK. BUT, there is a HUGE difference out there, concerning books/authors, and I just don't want to settle for, average.... Sorry to preach, but, my HUMBLE advice, for what it's worth, find a good/great author with a LARGE inventory and ENJOY.

of how Bella abuses my poor little kitty. The first picture shows Bella's claws in my kitty's head, as Bella pulls her out of her favorite spot. The next pic shows poor little Bailey stuck in the 'low rent' section of the kitty condo. At least Bella is home now, and Bailey can lick her wounds and try to get some rest. She says it is SO nice not to have to fight, to get some of her kitty food. Poor thing....

to pat myself on the back, just taking this opportunity to point out that my AU, gold mining stock, which I posted as buying at $37, on Monday, is at $40.70, last time I checked it today. Up 10% in less than a week. Wow, I ought to charge you people for this advice..... I take that back. This is NOT advice to buy stock. I would NEVER do that. I am merely posting what I am doing. Totally different........

but she won't be doing that for awhile. I was awakened by Carol at about 5 o'clock this morning, holding Bella and saying, "Look who I found outside". Seems Carol noticed we only had one kitty this morning and Bella, who is normally on our 2nd floor bedroom deck/rail to start the day, was nowhere in sight. SOOO, she went outside looking/calling, and found Bella hiding in the flowers, below the deck, with a hurt paw. Left front, swelled up. Was gonna take her to the vet when they opened (not sure when/where on the 4th of July), but after leaving her in her favorite spot in the dining room, I returned a short time later to find she had climbed the stairs, jumped up on the 2nd floor railing, then jumped to her 'window spot' which is difficult to get to, even when NOT injured. So we decided to wait on the vet, as it looks alot like a sprained ankle and I'm not sure what, if anything, can be done. Anyway, she's moving around the house, jumping up a...

flying in from London on the 4th, after an amazing honeymoon. Can't wait to hear the stories. Am gonna miss Bella, though, and I'm sure Bailey is REALLY gonna miss her. Less than 24 hours, and I get Kari hugs. Looking forward to it......

I reported here, about a year ago, that I was buying CROX, at $26. The only stock I've bought in the last year. SOOO, am now saying I bought 'AU', Anglogold Ashanti, a gold mining stock, this last week, at $37, and change. I figure Bush has sacked our economy, for the benefit of his contributors, AND, as this becomes more apparent, to those, 'not paying attention', within the next few years, gold will again be a valuable commodity, as the value of US dollar is undermined by Bush's disastrous policies. And, I figure gold mining stocks will be even more volatile, than gold itself, on the upside. OF COURSE, I may be wrong, but that's where I'm putting a chunk of the $$ I have made in my recent investments, and I'm being upfront now. Win or lose, that's my opinion, and I'm not afraid to share. Bush, and his policies SUCK, but, there is a way to profit from it. Gold will be LARGE in the next few years, and gold mining stocks will be even larger. A...

Has anyone elses noticed how the traditional definition of 'hero' has changed? Now, hero, means anyone who signs up for Bush's war. Including the 26,000 aliens who are awarded citizenship if they agree to be targets in the desert. Used to be, you had to do something brave, unusual. Not any more, according to Bush and FOX. A hero, is someone who agrees to be shipped off to Iraq. Sure, there are some intelligent, informed individuals who want to be there. BUT, talk about a MINORITY. Most have no other choices. Want to be citizens. Want to feed their families after Bush shipped the jobs overseas. Sure, Kerry got in trouble for saying it, but, 'Give Me a Break', this war is being fought by the same uneducated, no-choice grunts who got stuck in Viet Nam. We just didn't call them 'heroes', unless they earned it.

just saw Brian Williams, on one of those 'liberal' news channels, report George W Bush is officially the lowest rated president EVER, and dropping. SURPRISE!!.. Just passing this on, cause Fox won't tell you. Who woulda guessed? The #1 answer to describe W, in a single word, in a national poll??????= INCOMPETENT.... I would have said LIAR, but 'incompetent' works....

just like they always do. The right wing attack dogs came out this morning and confused the issue about Scooter's 'get of jail free' card. They said it was because he was FALSELY accused of leaking Valerie Plames' name to the press and it was really someone else. WRONG! He was properly accused, convicted and sentenced, by a primarily Republican/bi-partisan legal system for repeatedly lying to a grand jury about who authorized the lies concerning Iraq's nuclear capability, in a rush to justify a bogus war. A war that has worked out SO WELL. Any thinking person knows it was Cheney/Rove and their puppet, Bush. By the way, the program of disinformation and outright lies worked pretty well. Over 40% of the US population believes Iraq attacked us on 9-11, and over 25% believe there were WMD found in Iraq. Unbelieveable, the level of ignorance in this country. But it works for W and his culture of corruption. Scooter still has to pay a fine. BIG DEAL. One of Georgieboys...

that Bush would commute Scooter Libby's prison sentence? OF COURSE NOT! Crooks and liars stick together. If we could just stick the whole lying, theiving administration where the sun don't shine, the world would be a better place. Cheney is now claiming no one can look at his records (of deals and kickbacks) for FIFTY years!! By then his Haliburton stock will have made all his heirs multibillionairs. Welcome to the Republican "Stick It To Ya" machine. Vaseline, please.......

but read a bunch of books, lately. A couple of James Patterson's, several Robert Parker's, who have been made into TV movies with Tom Selleck as "Jesse Stone", the struggling alcoholic who fled LA, as a detectective, only to find his new job as sheriff of Paradise, Maine, is NOT the easy slide into retirement he had envisioned. But my favorite remains Lee Child, with his Jack Reacher novels. Seems I am not his only fan at the public library. He has 8 novels, and, at best, there are 2 or 3, there, at a time. Anyway, taking a bit of a reading break, and doing more outdoor stuff. BUT, forecast in the upper 90's this week, so, other than some golf, am prob'ly gonna 'hit the books', again. BTW, Kari called from London this morning, and sounds like they are having a great time, like I knew they would. Can't wait to see them, and our other friends, on the 4th....

Was at Nate and Laura's condo last weekend, watching TV while Carol napped. In between golf and "Deadliest Catch", I saw an infomercial for "Flavorwave", a combination convection oven, broiler, infrared, and swirling heat. http://www.thane.com/products/housewares/flavorwavedeluxe_quick/fw-deluxe.php?Anyway , I decided I needed one, just in case I ever go on storm duty again, and need to cook in strange situations. Tried it out today, on a 1" thick frozen pork chop. From frozen to brown/sizzling in 18 minutes. Fantastic. Juicy, flavorful and healthy, 'cause it the fat drips away as it cooks. Can't wait to to try more recipes. Also, VERY easy clean up. Sound like a salesman, don't I? *******Am adding this the next day. Cooked elk burger, frozen hamburger patty, and 3 large chicken breasts, NOT at the same time, and they were all fantastic. Even won Carol over. This thing is GREAT!!!!

Ted and Kari had 8 lemons leftover from their reception, so I decided to make Limoncello, one of our favorite treats from the Amalfi area. I didn't realize, until I read several recipes, that you use only the outer rind. NOT the lemon itself, and you have to be careful not to get any of the white pulp right under the skin, as that makes it bitter, according to the experts. Anyway, I carefully peeled the lemons and soaked the yellow skin in a combination of vodka and Everclear, shaking it every day. After 2 weeks, you add sugar to water, boil it to make it dissolve, and mix together in the proper proportion. I saved the lemons to make homemade lemonade for the 4th of July party, where my limoncello will be available for tasting. Will see you there. Just got a call from Kit, and heard the honeymooners safely arrived arrived in London, after their cruise. Can't wait to see them and hear of their travels.....