The Fats of Life, Man's Best Friend, -and- Burp!

The Fats of Life - woman sheds 110 pounds to join Army
Man's Best Friend - man punches shark, saves his dog
Burp! - Utah bans alcoholic malt beverages

On this day in history: October 1, 1993 - Richard Allen Davis kidnaps Polly Klaas during a slumber party in her Petaluma, California home and later murders the 12-year-old. The horrific ordeal transforms her father, Mark Klaas, into a major media figure.

Born on this day in history: October 1, 1903 - Vladimir Horowitz Biography (1903 - 1989) Russian pianist. He attended the Kiev Conservatory and made his debut in 1921. His stunning technique gained him a large international reputation, and he became an inveterate touring performer, giving 100 concerts a year in the U.S. alone. In 1933 he married Arturo Toscanini's daughter, Wanda. Always susceptible to nervous strain, in 1953 he decided to quit public performance; his return to the concert stage in 1965 was attended by great publicity. He favoured the works of Romantics such as Robert Schumann, Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, and his friend Sergey Rachmaninoff. He continued to perform into his 80s.

Scripture of the Day: Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. — Isaiah 10:1-2


Video of the Day: Rats Having Fun - submitted by Darin

Go, Sarah! Click to enlarge.

"Fireproof": Setting box office on fire! A Christian film has been blazing hot in movie theaters—earning $6.8 million and becoming the fourth best-selling movie in the nation! "Fireproof" had the highest opening weekend box office of the year for films released on 1,000 screens or less. Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof," starring Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea, is a faith-based movie with a powerful message to couples: "Never leave your partner behind."

"Fireproof" was produced by Sherwood Pictures—a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Director Alex Kendrick is an associate pastor at the church. He and his brother, Stephen Kendrick, wrote the screenplay.

Laura and I are particularly excited to see "Fireproof" doing so well, since we have been great enthusiasts of the films produced by Sherwood Pictures—"Flywheel" and "Facing the Giants"—and of Kirk Cameron's work in the "Left Behind" series and "The Way of the Master."

For dinner last evening, I made Cajun Rice with Beef: I placed 1 1/2 cups of Calrose rice in a large sauté pan. I added 2 1/4 cups of juice from the a batch of salsa I made last week. I then added thinly sliced top sirloin steak that had been grilled Sunday, a large white onion (sliced), three large Jalapeños (diced), a stalk of celery (thinly sliced), a head of garlic (finely chopped), a small habanero pepper (finely chopped), two large cluster tomatoes (diced), sea salt, Gebhardt's chili powder, and Tony Chachere's More Spice. I brought this to a rolling boil on high and cooked for five minutes. I lowered the burner to one notch above low and cooked, unattended, for 45 minutes. It was wonderful.

They're Here!, Eat Your Vegetables!, -and- Animal Kingdom

They're Here! - Tom Cruise building bunker for protection against alien attack
Eat Your Vegetables! - the boy who is allergic to almost EVERY food
Animal Kingdom - bear rescued from California bridge

On this day in history: October 1, 1993 - Richard Allen Davis kidnaps Polly Klaas during a slumber party in her Petaluma, California home and later murders the 12-year-old. The horrific ordeal transforms her father, Mark Klaas, into a major media figure.

Born on this day in history: October 1, 1935 - Julie Andrews (1935 - ____) actress, singer, author. She won an Oscar, 1964, for "Mary Poppins;" Oscar nominee for "Sound of Music," 1965; writes children's books as Julie Edwards.

Scripture of the Day: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

Video of the Day: Passion of the Christ Music Video - submitted by Donny

This should be enough garlic to ward off any threat of vampire attack! Click to enlarge.

The weather cooperated fairly well for Friday's Homecoming Parade. While it was not sunny and not particularly warm, it was fairly pleasant and dry. This morning, there were a few rain drops on Mr. Nitro when I departed for my office. This is not a good sign.

Saturday, I made a scrumptious frittata with red potatoes, garlic (two heads!), white onion, Jalapeños, Habaneros, Italian sausage, spinach, eggs, pepperjack cheese, sea salt, ground black pepper, and Red Monkey Cajun spice. We ate only half and shall have the balance for an evening meal.

Saturday evening, Laura grilled large New York strip steaks, Jalapeños, large white mushrooms, yellow squash, and red potatoes. It was delicious. Laura grilled everything perfectly. The steaks had excellent grill marks and were charred nicely on the exterior and rare in the middle.

Sunday, we snacked on Mission Cilantro and Lime tortilla chips, homemade salsa, and Cuervo Especial margaritas and played Scrabble. Laura played well and won one game. It is not an easy task to best me at Scrabble play, and Laura is to be commended. While I was overall champion, her win is significant—given my Scrabble prowess. I would like to take this opportunity to assert there is no truth whatever to the rumor that I have taken steroids to enhance my Scrabble play! These rumors are patently untrue.

Sunday morning, while Laura tended to the nursery at Harvest Christian Center, I produced a very fine pasta salad—composed of large pasta shells, sliced celery, sliced radishes, diced red onion, garbanzo beans, diced red pepper, pear tomatoes, sea salt, ground black pepper, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, and wasabi paste. I completed the salad at 11:30 AM, and it sat in repose in the refrigerator, awaiting dinner time. Laura marinated seven large boneless, skinless chicken breasts with extra-virgin olive oil, rice wine vinegar, sea salt, ground black pepper, and Red Monkey Lemon Pepper spice. She grilled the chicken perfectly. It was succulent and moist and very flavorful. The salad was wonderful. A goodly amount of leftovers await later dining pleasure.