Stupid Criminals, Hic!, - and - Who's Your Daddy?

Stupid Criminals - burglar showers, cuts hair, cooks chicken, refuses to leave
Hic! - dad charged with DUI after son calls 9-1-1
Who's Your Daddy? - John Edwards admits he fathered child with videographer

On this day in history: January 21, 1992 - Former child star Dana Plato ("Diff'rent Strokes") arrested on charges of armed robbery for holding up a video store in Las Vegas. She served 200 hours of community service as sentence.

Born on this day in history: January 21, 1956 - Geena Davis (1956 - ) Born in Wareham, Massachusetts, actress Geena Davis was a model before making her film debut in Tootsie (1982). She then won acclaim for playing Thelma in the controversial film Thelma and Louise (1991). Davis also appeared in several TV series, including 2005's "Commander in Chief."

Scripture of the Day: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life." — Galatians 6:7-8

Video of the Day: Hitler Finds out Scott Brown Won Massachusetts Senate Seat - submitted by Cap'n Jack

Dog vs. cat! Click to enlarge.

The Weather The storm raged fiercely all day yesterday and into the night. Our power went out at home early this morning and returned two hours later. Currently, the wind that has plagued us with such ferocity has abated significantly, and the rain has become light. Forecasts indicate the storm peaked during the night. This is certainly good news, since local steams and creeks overflowed their banks yesterday, and the Sacramento River crested the bridge across it near here. The Woodson Bridge across the Sacramento River—on our route to Chico—was anticipated to reach flood stage today. The River at that location stood at 180 feet last evening. Flood stage is 183 feet. It appears this is no longer a threat. Praise God!

Other areas near here are not so fortunate, and Southern California is suffering greatly from the storms. We pray for their safety.

Technology News
Grounded teen tries Facebook to embarrass parents
YouTube begins HTML5 rollout
Apple fixes a dozen holes in Mac OS X

Fighting Back, Homeland Insecurity, -and- Net Result

Fighting Back - hot sauce wards off knife attack
Homeland Insecurity - Louisiana man detained over "Don't Tread on Me" bumper sticker
Net Result - student's Wikipedia hoax fools newspapers

On this day in history: May 8, 1999 - Actress Dana Plato, who played Kimberly Drummond on Diff'rent Strokes, dies in Oklahoma of an overdose of Valium and Loritab. Just the previous day, Plato had appeared on the Howard Stern syndicated radio program claiming to be clean and sober.

Born on this day in history: May 8, 1884 - Harry S Truman (1884 - 1972) Born in Lamar, MO, 33rd President Harry Truman (1945-53) was elected to the U.S. Senate (1935-45), and gained national attention heading "The Truman Committee," which investigated wartime production. That gained him a spot as Franklin D. Roosevelt's new vice-president in 1944. When Roosevelt died, Truman became president, going on to win the close 1948 election. The "everyday American" surprised everyone by dropping the atom bombs on Japan, forming the post-war Marshall Plan and proposing the "Truman Doctrine" of Communist containment.

Scripture of the Day: However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Video of the Day: Dodge Charger Police Car Burnout

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Dinners
For dinner Wednesday evening, I grilled a nice pork tenderloin and made a pot of Cajun black beans. The pork tenderloin came from the market marinated with Italian seasonings and sealed in a vacuum bag. For the beans, I simmered diced Jalapeños, diced white onion, chopped celery, diced cluster tomatoes, and chopped garlic in Merlot. I added ground black pepper, ground Cayenne pepper, Gebhardt's chili powder, ground cumin, and red pepper flakes. This simmered for two hours. I added a can of black beans and a can of red beans. The meal was delightful, and there is a large quantity of leftovers remaining for another meal.

For dinner last evening, I made the filling for chicken wraps. We used green leaf lettuce instead of tortillas. The filling consisted of diced grilled boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped green onions, chopped heart of celery, diced Jalapeños, green peas, quartered seedless green grapes, mayonnaise, ground ginger, ground Cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, adobo seasoning, dried parsley flakes, red pepper flakes, and ground cumin. It was quickly devoured.

Car Shows!

May Madness - the Corning Car Show takes place this Friday and Saturday. For details, visit the May Madness Web site. Friday will feature a Cruise on Solano Street and a Car Show Mixer at Corning Ford. Saturday will feature a Show and Shine, Burnout Competition, Hydraulic Competition, 4X4 Competition, Raffle Prizes, and Trophy Awards.

Sunday, May 17th, C.H.V.A. (Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association) presents the 35th Annual Red Bluff River Park Car Show - Registration at 8 AM - Awards Ceremony at 3 PM. All pre-1984 vehicles welcome. Spectators free admission. Everyone welcome. People's Choice Awards. 50/50 Raffle, Raffle Prizes. Food.

Fighting Back, No Granny No!, -and- All Aboard!

Fighting Back - two boys with baseball bat stop man with gun from killing woman
No Granny No! - woman bites granddaughter, blames dog
All Aboard! - man survives being run over by train

On this day in history: January 21, 1992 - Former child star Dana Plato (Diff'rent Strokes) arrested on charges of armed robbery for holding up a video store in Las Vegas. She served 200 hours of community service as sentence.

Born on this day in history: January 21, 1957 - Geena Davis (1957- ) Born in Wareham, MA, actress Geena Davis was a model before making her film debut with a small role in Tootsie (1982). She won acclaim for playing Thelma in the controversial "Thelma and Louise" (1991). Davis also appeared on several TV series, including the 2005 debut of "Commander in Chief," playing the first woman president.

Scripture of the Day: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Video of the Day: "Boston Legal" Spoof - submitted by Danica

For dinner last evening, Laura brought home two orders of General's Chicken from Sierra Nevada. It was a delightful meal that featured tempura chicken, rice, fried won ton skins, and a sweet and hot sauce. Leftovers followed me to work this morning and shall soon be devoured greedily.

I placed an image of a dragonfly on my photography blog yesterday, and it quickly became the Top Post. Dragonflies are very popular, it would seem—in particular, since previous photographs of dragonflies have met with similar results on the site.

No doubt thinking of dragonflies—daydreaming, actually, about spring and dragonfly photographic opportunities—and eating garlic- and Jalapeño-stuffed olives from The Olive Hut caused dragonflies to dominate my sleep. I dreamed of giant dragonflies that swooped down and clutched dogs, cats, and small children with their gripper hands and carried them off into the sky. I do not recommend eating garlic- and Jalapeño-stuffed olives just prior to retiring.

Fighting Back, Heat of the Moment, -and- Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Fighting Back - robber fatally shot by Miami jewelry store owner
Heat of the Moment - cold water thrown on Antarctic warming predictions
Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite! - NY subways invaded by blood-sucking insects

On this day in history: May 8, 1999 - Actress Dana Plato, who played Kimberly Drummond on Diff'rent Strokes, dies in Oklahoma of an overdose of Valium and Loritab. Just the previous day, Plato had appeared on the Howard Stern syndicated radio program claiming to be clean and sober.

Born on this day in history: May 8, 1884 - Harry S Truman (1884–1972) Born in Lamar, MO, 33rd President Harry Truman (1945–53) was elected to the U.S. Senate (1935–45), and gained national attention heading "The Truman Committee," which investigated wartime production. That gained him a spot as Franklin D. Roosevelt's new vice-president in 1944. When Roosevelt died, Truman became president, going on to win the close 1948 election. The "everyday American" surprised everyone by dropping the atom bombs on Japan, forming the post-war Marshall Plan and proposing the "Truman Doctrine" of Communist containment.

Scripture of the Day: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Video of the Day: Baraky - Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton in their own words! - submitted by Jeffrey

The many face of Hillary Clinton. Yikes! Click to enlarge.

Last evening, at Harvest Christian Center, a graduation ceremony for those who had completed The Lord's Table program supplanted the Bible class which is generally held on Wednesday evenings. Laura and I were among those who gave testimonies and received diplomas. It was a beautiful ceremony.

This weekend is the annual May Madness Corning Car Show. Friday evening, there will be burnouts (in front of the police station!) and a cruise. Saturday will feature burnout finals and a car show. It is an excellent event. If you find yourself near this area, I highly recommend that you attend this event.

Fighting Back, To Serve and Protect, -and- The Fats of Life

Fighting Back - woman with black belt tackles burglary suspect
To Serve and Protect - grandmother arrested for not pulling forward at McDonald's drive-through
The Fats of Life - 500-pound NYPD cop loses pension bid

On this day in history: January 21, 1992 - Former child star Dana Plato ("Diff'rent Strokes") arrested on charges of armed robbery for holding up a video store in Las Vegas. She served 200 hours of community service as sentence.

Born on this day in history: January 21, 1957 - Geena Davis (1957– ) Born in Wareham, MA, actress Geena Davis was a model before making her film debut with a small role in "Tootsie" (1982). She won acclaim for playing Thelma in the controversial "Thelma and Louise" (1991). Davis also appeared on several TV series, including the 2005 debut of "Commander in Chief," playing the first woman president.

Scripture of the Day: See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. - Deuteronomy 1:21

Video of the Day: When Cobras Attack - submitted by Frank

Hazardous materials alert! Be careful out there! Click to enlarge.

Recommended Sites:
Nikon Photographer Forum - a free forum for photography enthusiasts
Corning California Message Board - a free message board for Corning
Olive Hut Blog - specials, olive news, recipes, and more

RAIN! The weatherpeople failed miserably at forecasting today's weather: They predicted sunshine and 61 degrees. It is raining and cold! When I looked outside this morning, it appeared dry, so I shod myself with sandals. Later, when I took cans and bottles to the recycle bin, I discovered it was raining and appeared to have rained throughout the night! Yikes! I slithered out of my sandals and replaced them with running shoes. I ran to Mr. Nitro and engaged the wipers and defogger—wishing I had been provided the benefit of an accurate weather forecast and had, therefore, set the heater/defogger controls in order to allow starting Mr. Nitro remotely from the warmth of the house. Oh, well, I am up, dressed, drying, and nested at my office. I am enjoying a large mug of hot tea with Splenda and daydreaming of spring.

Cop Gone Wild, Animal Cruelty, -and- Wrong Turn

Cop Gone Wild - sheriff captain charged as peeping tom
Animal Cruelty - woman faced jail time for staring at police dog
Wrong Turn - teen hits school during driving lesson

On this day in history: June 6, 1991 - For robbing a Las Vegas video store five weeks earlier, a judge gives former "Diff'rent Strokes" child star Dana Plato a six-year suspended sentence. Plato's haul from the caper was $164, which she obtained by brandishing a pellet gun at the clerk.

Born on this day in history: June 6, 1887 - Ruth Benedict (1887 - 1948) anthropologist. She was an expert on American Indian tribes; wrote classic "Patterns of Culture," 1934; "Race, Science and Politics," 1940.

Today's Video: Funniest Cat Ever

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Ultimate List of Car Songs! View the list and submit your favorite car song(s)!

Here is Mr. Nitro visiting with his grandfather. Click to enlarge.

For dinner Monday evening, I poached Atlantic cod fillets in white wine, seasonings, and dill weed. I steamed broccoli and baby carrots. Laura declared that Atlantic cod is her favorite white fish.

For dinner Tuesday evening, I had planned to serve leftover black bean and chicken chili, but Laura declared she was tired of the chili—having eaten it for dinner Saturday and lunch Monday—and wished to have a pasta dish. I cooked whole-grain gemelli and sliced and seasoned zucchini, red bell pepper, and cluster tomatoes. Laura sautéed the vegetables in extra-virgin olive oil and minced garlic. When the vegetables were done, she introduced the gemelli. We sprinkled our pasta with grated mozzarella cheese and crushed red pepper at the table. It was delightful.

Let Freedom Ring, Help!, -and- A Stupid Thing to Doo

Let Freedom Ring - 2nd Amendment more important than ever
Help! - "Spider-Man" father saves son
A Stupid Thing to Doo - ticket payment smeared with dog waste

On this day in history: May 8, 1999 - Actress Dana Plato, who played Kimberly Drummond on "Diff'rent Strokes," dies in Oklahoma of an overdose of Valium and Loritab. Just the previous day, Plato had appeared on the Howard Stern syndicated radio program claiming to be clean and sober.

Born on this day in history: May 8, 1884 - Harry S. Truman (1884 - 1972) president (33rd), politician. He was U.S. president from 1945-53 when he propounded a doctrine of containment of communism.

Today's Video: Children See - submitted by Laura

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

When IT and taxidermy collide: A U.S. artist and inventor has combined IT and taxidermy to create a computer housed in a dead beaver.
Kasey McMahon, 34, from Los Angeles, spent three months creating his Compubeaver, reports Metro News.