Fighting Back, Truckin', -and- Sympathy from the Devil

Fighting Back - man awakens, chases would-be burglar
Truckin' - monster-truck owner to lose home over fines
Sympathy from the Devil - Sean Penn praised by Venezuela's Chavez

On this day in history: August 3, 1996 - "Macarena" by Los Del Rio #1 on the pop charts. The accompanying dancing disease afflicts millions before final eradication.

Born on this day in history: August 3, 1887 - Rupert Brooke (1887 - 1915) poet. He was a gifted youth whose early death in World War I contributed to his idealized image; best known work is the sonnet sequence "1914."

Today's Video: Hitman - submitted by Darin

Our kitties love Jesus! That may seem a peculiar notion. I have very solid evidence of this, however: When I first arise in the morning, I usually turn on the stereo system and tune it to KLOVE, a Christian music station. I generally leave for the office before Laura leaves to begin her journey to Chico. If I have neglected to address KLOVE, I do so on my way out of the house. As I am leaving, I say a prayer over the house, Laura and me, and the kitties, Zeus and Thor.

When I return from the office, KLOVE is playing, the house is otherwise quiet and safe, and the kitties are in good spirits. They often perch in the window, awaiting my return. If not, they run to greet me when I enter. They have obviously spent the day dining and napping and are now ready to play! I entertain them with romps up and down the hallway, prompted by the beam of a laser pointer. This is followed by petting. As I go about my day, the kitties (Zeus in particular) press for more attention—winding about my legs and rubbing on me as I walk.

On the rare mornings when I neglect to turn on KLOVE, the kitties are listless when I arrive. They are generally sleeping fitfully and do not seek my attention. They are aloof and do not attempt to engage me in play.

It is obvious that a day of listening to KLOVE is emotionally beneficial to Zeus and Thor. It is not, then, an exaggeration to suggest that they love Jesus!

Stupid Criminal, Waste Not, -and- All Dried Up

Stupid Criminal - bank robber disguises himself as tree
Waste Not - "green" light bulbs pack toxic ingredient
All Dried Up - woman arrested for not watering lawn

On this day in history: July 9, 1997 - Attempting to spring him from the Arizona state prison at Florence, Rebecca Thornton meets her husband Floyd at the perimeter fence with a rifle. There the escape plan goes haywire, and Rebecca shoots her death-row husband after he instructs her: "Shoot me! I'm sorry things went wrong. Shoot me! Shoot me!" Then they are both gunned down by the guards.

Born on this day in history: July 9, 1908 - Paul Brown (1908 - 1991) football coach He is a NFL hall of famer who, as a coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, was known for calling plays from the sidelines.

Today's Video: The Zimmers Backstage at Graham Norton - submitted by Jeffrey

It was hot over the weekend, and this heat wave is forecast to continue through Wednesday—when the temperature is expected to drop below 100 degrees for the first time in several days.

We visited with my mother Saturday. Laura made shrimp wraps with large tortillas, medium shrimp, diced Jalapeños, slivered red onion, slivered tomato, julienned butter lettuce, minced garlic, mayonnaise, and curry powder. They were wonderful.

We journeyed to Chico in Mr. Nitro. Mr. Nitro recorded the best highway fuel economy to date: 22.1 MPG.

Sunday—following service at Harvest Christian Center—I made a pot of beans. I stewed the bone from a large spiral-cut ham in two bottles of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot ale for two hours. I took the bone from the pot, removed all the meat, returned the meat to the pot, and added a sliced red onion, a sliced white onion, a head of garlic (peeled, whole cloves), five stalks of celery (sliced), sea salt, ground black pepper, and cumin. Laura added three tablespoons of brown sugar and tended the pot for two hours—at which time she added four cans of white beans (drained), stirred, and turned the burner to low. It was a delightful meal.