Homeland Insecurity - video shows terror training in Pocono Mountains Slither - latest massage technique uses snakes Global Cooling - cyclists brave freezing-cold weather to promote global-warming awareness
On this day in history: October 23, 1995 - The murderer of the popstar singer Selena, and president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar, found guilty in Houston of her slaying.
Born on this day in history: October 23, 1925 - Johnny Carson (1925–2005 ) Born in Corning, Iowa, and raised in Nebraska, comedian and talk show host Johnny Carson first hosted TV quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" (1958?63). As host of the "Tonight Show," 1962?92, Carson leveraged his midwestern innocence and cosmopolitan wit into a 30-year run. Upon retiring, he was regarded as almost a national institution.
Scripture of the Day: "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. — 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
Video of the Day: Komodo Dragons - submitted by Cap'n Jack
Southern Sheriff Pulls Over Obama Campaign Bus For Broken Taillight! Click to enlarge.
Sometimes I talk in my sleep. This morning, at 5:20 AM, I was talking in my sleep so loudly that I awakened myself. I was dreaming; and in my dream, I was recounting the story of an event that took place in my life many years prior. I was telling this story with such excitement and animation that I awakened myself.
On this day in history: September 15, 1998 - Rap artist Coolio is arrested in Lawndale, California after being pulled over for driving a 1996 Hummer on the wrong side of the road. He was carrying an expired license, a loaded 9mm semiautomatic firearm, and a small quantity of marijuana.
Born on this day in history: September 15, 1946 - Tommy Lee Jones (1946-) Academy-Award-winning actor, director, and screenwriter born September 15, 1946, in San Saba, Texas.
Scripture of the Day: [In talking about others having the right to be supported in their ministry, the apostle Paul says] But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. - 1 Corinthians 9:15
Video of the Day: Origami Frog - submitted by Danica
Yikes! Say it is not so! Click to enlarge.
Following the early service at Harvest Christian Center yesterday, I produced a delectable Oriental salad: I poached sliced white mushrooms for 20 minutes. I added a package of Oriental noodles to the boiling water and continued to cook for 3 minutes. I then added a package of snow peas and turned off the burner. I allowed the mushrooms, noodles, and snow peas to remain in the water for another minute then drained into a colander. I shook the colander vigorously to further drain and emptied the contents into a large stainless-steel mixing bowl. I added a quantity of chopped green onions and sliced water chestnuts. I sliced leftover grilled London broil into thin strips and added to the salad. I grated a large quantity of fresh ginger onto the salad and seasoned with Tony Chachere's More Spice, garlic powder, parsley flakes, crushed red pepper, and celery salt. I dressed the salad with a mixture of one part teriyaki sauce, one part extra-virgin olive oil, and three parts rice wine vinegar. I tossed the salad, covered with a paper towel, and placed in the refrigerator. It was a delightful evening meal.
Sunday afternoon, I photographed the Harvest Christian Center softball tournament—the second of the year. I shall produce a slide show from these photographs and share them soon.
Fighting Back - man uses martial arts to stop alleged carjacker Superboy - 12-year-old 7 feet tall, still growing Global Cooling - 2008 so far coolest in 5 years
On this day in history: August 21, 1996 - Superfreak Rick James (prisoner J29237) is released from Folsom Prison after serving a two year sentence for drugs and assault. He had planned to marry his fiance, Tanja Anne Hijazi, upon release but she had been nicked for shoplifting a pair of boots two days earlier.
Born on this day in history: August 21, 1956 - Kim Cattrall (1956-) Born Clare Woodgate in Liverpool, England, and raised on Vancouver Island, Canada, actress Kim Cattrall was first noticed by director Otto Preminger in 1975. In 1998, Cattrall became an international celebrity playing Samantha Jones in HBO’s award-winning comedy series "Sex and the City."
Scripture of the Day: He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice." - Luke 8:21
Video of the Day: "Wall-E" Final Trailer - submitted by Cindy
Michael Moore goes to Cuba - again! Click to enlarge.
My 1974 Maria Muldaur photograph was published in the Sacramento News & Review today! Not only is the photograph featured in an article about Maria Muldaur, it is featured on the front page of the online edition!
To view the front page of the Sacramento News & Review, Click Here -or- click the image below to enlarge!
To view the article, Click Here -or- click the image below to enlarge!
On this day in history: February 27, 1977 - Rolling Stone Keith Richards arrested in Toronto with his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg for possession of heroin. Found guilty at trial over one year later, he manages to get off with a suspended sentence plus benefit concerts for the blind.
Born on this day in history: February 27, 1932 - Elizabeth Taylor (1932– ) Born in London, film star Elizabeth Taylor was a child actor, notably in "National Velvet" (1944). Later films included "Butterfield 8" (1960), which earned her an Oscar, and "Cleopatra" (1962), which led to her well-publicized marriage to Richard Burton. With Burton, Taylor made several more films, including "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966). In 1985, she founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research. She has been married eight times, including to U.S. Senator John Warner (1976–82). Taylor became a dame in 1999.
Scripture of the Day: Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries." - Daniel 2:27-28
Video of the Day: Star Wars according to a 3-year-old
Don't tell Bill I'm quitting. He's having fun.
Due to financial issues, Bill's campaign for Hillary has been scaled down considerably.
Beautiful weather! It is another beautiful day today. It is forecast to be 70 degrees today and warmer yet tomorrow and Friday. The weekend promises to be in the mid-70s. While spring is 23 days away, this weather is very spring-like, and it is very welcome!
Hot Air - global-warming scientist warned of global freezing in 1971 Don't Watch - Turkey bans access to YouTube again Watchers - Northern California fire stations under surveillance?
On this day in history: September 21, 1915 - With a winning bid of £6,600, Mr. Cecil Chubb purchases Stonehenge and 30 acres of land at auction. He donates the monument to the British state three years later.
Born on this day in history: September 21, 1947 - Stephen King (1947 - ____) novelist, short-story writer. He is the current master of popular horror stories; wrote "Carrie," 1954; "The Shining," 1976; and "It," 1986.
Scripture of the Day: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Video of the Day: It's JerryTime: The Karate Date - submitted by Cindy
[While I slept} Cynthia called and asked whether I would like to go to the park with her and have a picnic. I said that sounded entertaining and would, indeed, like to do so. She suggested that we meet at her house and travel to the park in her vehicle. I agreed and said that I had a few chores to do and would meet her in an hour. She said that would be fine.
I spent the next hour tending to my chores: I watered the houseplants, took out the garbage and rolled the dumpster to the street for the following day’s pickup, fed the tropical fish in my large salt-water aquarium, and showered. I dressed in shorts, Hawaiian shirt, and sandals, dried my hair, and began the drive to Cynthia’s house.
As I drove, I was suddenly aware that I could not recall where Cynthia lived. I consulted my Pocket PC and quickly found Cynthia’s address. I was, however, unfamiliar with the street and had no idea how to reach Cynthia’s house. I checked my cell phone and determined there was no listing for Cynthia. I consulted my Pocket PC again and found that Cynthia’s listing showed only her email address, street address, and work telephone number. There was no entry for her home telephone number. I returned to my house, got Cynthia’s home telephone number from the Caller ID on my home telephone, and entered this into my Pocket PC and cell phone. I returned to my red Dodge Charger R/T and called Cynthia using the hands-free UConnect feature as I drove. When she answered, I told her I needed directions to her house, and she laughed and said, “You’re kidding, right?” I assured her I was serious, and she gave me directions—speaking in a flat tone that indicated she was displeased that I could not recall where she lived.
As I followed Cynthia’s directions and drove toward her house, I found myself in an area of the city with which I was unfamiliar. I was certain I had never been here previously. Soon, I was at Cynthia’s house. It did not look familiar. The white Chevrolet Tahoe in the driveway did look familiar, however. It had distinctive aftermarket wheels and tires, and the rear license plate looked particularly familiar and said, “CYNDY 1.” Obviously, I was at Cynthia’s house.
I rang the doorbell, and Cynthia quickly answered the door. At least, I assumed it was Cynthia, since I suddenly realized that I had no recollection of what Cynthia looked like or any details about her life! I felt very confused and attempted to hide my confusion with a friendly smile. “Great!” she said. “You made it. I wasn’t sure if you could follow my directions or not.” “The directions were good,” I said. “So you really don’t remember being here before?” she asked, as she motioned me to enter.
I decided to be completely honest: “Cynthia,” I said, “not only do I not recall having been here, I do not recall you at all. I do not recognize you as someone whom I know.” “Well,” she said, “that’s sure flattering.” She was obviously upset. I rued having upset her but did not regret my honesty. “Cynthia,” I said, “you are a particularly lovely young lady, and I am certain that had we met previously, I would not forget you!” This softened Cynthia’s tone and facial expression, and she said, “Well, let’s write it off to too much wine and not enough sleep—on your part, k? I sure remember you. You charmed me totally and made my friend, Heather, green with envy when you played that song I wrote on a napkin and had the cocktail waitress give to you and you pointed right at me and smiled and read my name on the napkin and said, ‘Cynthia, this song’s for you.’” My head began to spin. I had not performed on stage for over ten years! I felt dizzy and walked to a sofa and sat. “How about some Chablis?” she asked. “We don’t need to leave for a while. I’m still getting the picnic stuff ready.” “That sounds great,” I said, relieved by the notion that Cynthia would be occupied in the kitchen, and I would have time to gather my thoughts. She quickly brought me a glass of Chablis and disappeared. I sipped the wine and relaxed and thought.
As I sipped the wine and mused about what Cynthia had said, my eyes fell upon a large tarantula, sitting on the nearby coffee table. It did not move, and I wondered whether it were alive. My curiosity bade me to investigate: I reached out and prodded the creature gently with the forefinger of my right hand. It did not react. “Ah,” I thought to myself, “it is either the product of taxidermy or a particularly realistic ersatz tarantula.”
Cynthia entered the room, carrying a picnic basket in one hand and an ice chest in the other, and said, “I see you’ve met Howard.” “Howard?” I replied. “The tarantula? Is it real and stuffed, or is it just a really detailed toy spider?” “Howard isn’t either one! He’s an AC/DC spider!” “An AC/DC spider? What in the world is an ‘AC/DC spider.’” I asked. Cynthia gave me a puzzled look and said, “Are you serious? You don’t know?” I assured her that I had no knowledge of AC/DC spiders. “Oh, but they’re so popular these days, it’s amazing you haven’t seen one before.” She continued, still looking puzzled, “Howard is a robotic spider. He eats flies, and when he eats flies, he recharges his system from the power in the flies.” “Oh, I see,” I said. It must have been obvious that I did not “see” at all. “Right now,” she said, “Howard is discharged, because there aren’t enough flies in here. I’ll have to plug him in and recharge him.” She put down the ice chest and picnic basket, removed a cable from her purse, connected one end of the cable to Howard’s rear and the other to a nearby wall socket, and said, “This should only take a couple of minutes. Let’s stow the picnic stuff in my Tahoe while Howard recharges.” Off we went to stow the picnic basket and ice chest in Cynthia’s Tahoe.
When we returned to the living room, Howard’s eyes were glowing bright red. “Good,” Cynthia said, “Howard’s all charged up and ready to go with us to the park!” “Great,” I answered. Just as Cynthia unplugged Howard and reached to pick him up, a fly buzzed near him. Howard quickly leaped into the air, caught the fly on his tongue, and noisily devoured it! As he devoured the fly, Howard’s body shook, the hairs on his body vibrated, and his eyes glowed and pulsated—alternating from bright to dim several times. After a few moments, the shaking ceased, and his eyes turned black. Cynthia placed Howard in her purse, and we departed for the park.
The park was lovely. Massive oak trees shaded the picnic table at which we sat. We feasted upon the various delicacies Cynthia took from the picnic basket, sipped Chablis, and enjoyed the sounds of the gentle breeze in the trees, the water in a nearby stream, and birds singing. A fly buzzed near Howard. Howard ignored it. Cynthia saw this and said, “Oh, poor Howard. He’s all run down again!” She took a car adapter from her purse and charged Howard in her Tahoe. A few minutes later, she returned Howard to the picnic table. I had my camera and took dozens of photographs of the park, Cynthia, and Howard.
We continued to enjoy the food and wine and the various sounds of the park. Nearby, a small girl chased after a small puppy. They appeared to be alone. I saw no sign of the girl’s guardian. I turned to remark to Cynthia that the little girl seemed to be alone, and Cynthia was not there. I turned a bit more and saw her walking toward the restrooms. I turned back to see the little girl and the puppy, but they had disappeared. A familiar sound drew my attention to Howard. He was greedily devouring large flies. His eyes glowed bright red and pulsated, and his body shook greatly.
When Cynthia had not returned after several minutes, I walked to the restrooms and called her name. The little girl I had seen previously exited the women’s restroom, followed by the puppy. “Are you looking for someone?” she asked. “I am looking for my friend, Cynthia,” I replied. “She must be inside.” “There’s no one in there,” the little girl said. She and her puppy walked away.
I returned to the picnic table. The ice chest and picnic basket were gone. Cynthia’s Tahoe was gone. Howard was gone. My camera bag was the only item on the table! I picked up my camera bag and walked toward the entrance to the park. Along the way, I encountered friends. They appeared to be preparing to leave. I asked them for a ride and gave them directions to Cynthia’s house.
When we arrived at Cynthia’s house, my Charger was there, but Cynthia’s Tahoe was not. In the driveway was an older Jeep Cherokee. I thanked my friends for the ride and walked to the door. A gentleman answered the door and said there was no one there named Cynthia. He asked me whether the Charger were mine, and when I replied that it was, he asked me why I had parked it in front of his house. “I have no idea,” I said. I walked to my car and drove home.
I downloaded the photographs from my camera onto my laptop. When I viewed them, there were images of the park, the little girl, and the puppy. There were no images of Cynthia or Howard, although I had taken several photographs of them! I sat in my recliner and thought about the day’s events. Soon, I was asleep.
When I awakened, it was dark. The blinking light on the answering machine attracted my attention. I walked to the machine and pressed “Play.” “Hi! This is Cynthia. I just wanted to say I had a great time today, and I hope you won’t forget me again!”
I awakened. It was morning. I was in bed. I realized, with great relief, that it had all been a dream.
The telephone rang. I answered it. It was Cynthia. She asked whether I would like to go to the park with her and have a picnic.
Global Cooling - snow in Buenos Aires first time in 89 years No Pets - petless family flees flea invasion So Low - Madonna's guitar solo at Live Earth faked?
On this day in history: July 10, 1992 - Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega sentenced to 40 years in prison for eight counts of drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering.
Born on this day in history: July 10, 1943 - Arthur Ashe (1943 - 1993) tennis player, AIDS spokesperson. He was the first black player to win the men's singles at Wimbledon, 1975.
Today's Video: Dodge Sniffing Dog
Shopping for a new head can certainly be a chore. Click to enlarge.
