Brave New Schools, You Say It's Your Birthday, -and- The Scarlet Letter

Brave New Schools - kindergarten Pilgrim, Native American costumes banned
You Say It's Your Birthday - 106-year-old woman celebrates birthday on wrong day for a century
The Scarlet Letter - South Korea seeks to jail actress for adultery

On this day in history: November 26, 1975 - Manson family member Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme found guilty of attempting to assassinate President Ford.

Born on this day in history: November 26, 1922 - Charles (Monroe) Schultz (1922 - 2000) Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, cartoonist Charles Schulz submitted a sample strip entitled "Li'l Folks" to many newspapers before United Features accepted it, renaming it "Peanuts" (1950). It became one of the world's most successful strips. Schulz based the Charlie Brown character on himself.

Scripture of the Day: [Jesus said] "Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" — John 11:26

Video of the Day: Happy Thanksgiving

Laura received a beautiful floral arrangement when she was ill. This is a rose from that floral arrangement. Click
to enlarge.

Thanksgiving is nearly here. I wish to take this opportunity to wish all visitors here a very Happy Thanksgiving. If you are not traveling, I wish you a very happy and festive day at home. If you are traveling, I pray for your safe journey and wish you a happy and festive day at your journey's end.

There will be no blog tomorrow, but the blog will return on Friday. While I do not intend to open my office on Friday, I shall produce the blog on my notebook, from the comfort of my recliner.

Fighting Back, ET Phone Home, -and- A Girl's Best Friend

Fighting Back - 8-year-old boy rescues babysitters from robbers
ET Phone Home - woman thinks husband is an alien, attacks with hammer
A Girl's Best Friend - Lesotho mine yields nearly 500-carat diamond

On this day in history: September 22, 1975 - In front of the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, Sara Jane Moore pulls out a Smith and Wesson .38 revolver and points it at Gerald Ford. Before she can assassinate the President, a bystander named Oliver "Bill" Sipple grabs Moore's arm.

Born on this day in history: September 22, 1958 - Andrea Bocelli (1958– ) Born in Lajatico, Italy, tenor singer Andrea Bocelli became blind at the age of 12 after a sports injury, and later studied law, but decided on a singing career. His break came in 1992 when star opera singer Luciano Pavarotti recorded with him. International success followed.

Scripture of the Day: "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." — 1 Corinthians 9:22

Video of the Day: Scuba Cat - submitted by Danica

Go, Sarah! Click to enlarge.

Dear Abby,

I am a crack dealer in Beaumont, Texas, who has recently been diagnosed as a carrier of HIV virus. My parents live in Fort Worth. One of my sisters lives in Pflugerville and is married to a transvestite. My father and mother have recently been arrested for growing and selling marijuana. They are financially dependent on my other two sisters, who are prostitutes in Dallas. I have two brothers: one is currently serving a life sentence at Huntsville for the murder of a teenage boy in 1994. My other brother is currently in jail awaiting charges of sexual misconduct with his three children. I have recently become engaged to marry a former prostitute who lives in Longview. She is a part time 'working girl.'

All things considered, my problem is this: I love my fiancée and look forward to bringing her into the family. I certainly want to be totally open and honest with her.

Should I tell her about my cousin who supports Barack Obama for President?

Signed,

Worried About My Reputation

A Star Is Born, Fighting Back, -and- Stupid Criminals

A Star Is Born - the world fell in love with Sarah Palin
Fighting Back - couple fights off shotgun-wielding intruders
Stupid Criminals - alleged thief uses his own signature with stolen credit card

On this day in history: September 5, 1975 - Manson Family member Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme almost assassinates President Gerald Ford with a .45 automatic in Sacramento, California. But Fromme is tackled by a Secret Service agent before she can remember to rack a round into the firing chamber.

Born on this day in history: September 5, 1847 - Jesse James (1847–82) Born in Centerville, Missouri, Wild West outlaw Jesse James fought in the Civil War. Then, with brother Frank (1843 – 1915), he led numerous bank, train and stagecoach robberies in and around Missouri. Robert Ford, a member of the gang, murdered James for the reward.

Scripture of the Day: "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." - Nehemiah 9:5b

Video of the Day: Sarah Palin Acceptance Speech, Part 1

Okay, let's work this out logically without a lot of emotion.

If you vote for Obama,

You get this:



But if you vote for McCain,



You get this:




Looking at this in a logical manner, McCain appears to be the better candidate.

They're Not Here!, 'Tis the Season, -and- Come Fly with Me

They're Not Here! - alien ad campaign angers New Mexico tourism officials
'Tis the Season - Americans fed up with "Happy Holidays"
Come Fly with Me - regional airlines lower bar for pilots

On this day in history: November 26, 1975 - Manson family member Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme found guilty of attempting to assassinate President Ford.

Born on this day in history: November 26, 1938 - Tina Turner (1938 - ____) singer. She won Grammys for "Proud Mary," 1972 and "What's Love Got to Do With It?," 1984.

Scripture of the Day: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28)

Video of the Day: Laser Cats - submitted by Phillip

I hope that everyone had a festive and safe Thanksgiving. The weather here was beautiful throughout Thanksgiving and the weekend. Mornings were cool, but the sun was bright, the sky was clear, and the days were warm and wonderful.

Laura and I attended a candlelight Thanksgiving service at Harvest Christian Center Wednesday evening. It was an awesome experience.

Following the candlelight Thanksgiving service, we dined upon a 10-topping Freschetta pizza and retired early.

Thursday morning, we made preparations for Thanksgiving dinner. I poached two large bundles of asparagus and placed in the refrigerator to chill. I sliced a loaf of garlic sourdough bread into cubes and toasted in the oven. I sautéed two medium white onions, two heads of peeled and chopped garlic, six diced Jalapeños, a diced red bell pepper, four large sliced white mushrooms, three sliced celery stalks, and seasonings in extra-virgin olive oil. Laura tended to this as I drained two jars of Pacific oysters. Laura added the oysters to the sauté pan and broke them apart with wooden spoons. Laura then added a large package of baby spinach to the sauté pan and continued to tend it. I took the toasted sourdough cubes from the oven and placed them in a large stainless-steel bowl. Laura added the contents of the sauté pan and a can of chicken stock and stirred the dressing. She then placed it in a large Pyrex baking dish, covered with aluminum foil, and placed in the refrigerator. She did a spicy dry rub on a 5-pound turkey breast. I roasted the turkey breast at 350 degrees for one hour, uncovered, in a roasting pan. I placed an aluminum foil tent over the turkey and continued to roast for another two hours at 225 degrees. When the turkey was done, I removed it from the oven, covered with the aluminum foil, and allowed it to rest while I baked the oyster dressing for 30 minutes at 300 degrees. I sliced the turkey breast, removed the asparagus from the refrigerator and placed it on the dining table, along with the sliced turkey breast, oyster dressing, a pot of turkey gravy, and a bowl of cranberry sauce. The meal was delightful. Champagne accompanied the food.

Friday evening, we revisited the Thanksgiving meal—without the asparagus, which had been fully devoured on Thanksgiving.

Saturday morning, I made baked cubed white potatoes, sliced white onion, a head of whole, peeled garlic cloves, and two sliced Jalapeños in the microwave oven in a Pyrex baking dish for eight minutes. I removed this from the microwave, seasoned with sea salt, ground black pepper, and Cajun seasoning, cracked six jumbo eggs and arranged them on top, and baked in the conventional oven for twenty minutes at 400 degrees. Laura grated some medium cheddar cheese and distributed it atop the food when I removed it from the oven. It was a delightful meal.

For dinner Saturday evening, Laura made chicken enchiladas—using the four leftover chicken breasts I had grilled earlier in the week. I made a fresh salsa with diced Roma tomato and diced Jalapeño. It was a wonderful meal. Five enchiladas remain and shall be our dinner on Wednesday, following Bible class at Harvest Christian Center.

Sunday, I grilled a large tri-tip and made a casserole of steamed white potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, and baby carrots. We enjoyed this with an extraordinary Woodbridge Zinfandel.

Now, it is Monday, and it is time to toil once again!

Law of the Land, Beach Patrol San Diego, -and- Mommy Dearest

Law of the Land - Scientology faces criminal charges
Beach Patrol San Diego - 16 face charges after beach brawl
Mommy Dearest - 5-year-old designated driver for drunk mom

On this day in history: September 5, 1975 - Manson Family member Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme almost assassinates President Gerald Ford with a .45 automatic in Sacramento, California. But Fromme is tackled by a Secret Service agent before she can remember to rack a round into the firing chamber.

Born on this day in history: September 5, 1940 - Raquel Welch (1940 - ____) actress, model. She starred in "One Million Years, BC," 1967; famous for her figure and sexiness; starred on Broadway in "Woman of the Year," 1982.

Scripture of the Day: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" (Matthew 28:18-20)

Video of the Day: Backspace - Unfold

Here is a recent photograph of Laura’s daughter, Rachel, and granddaughter, Parker. Click to enlarge.

Interestingly, while Laura and I were watching "Beach Patrol San Diego," a riotous encounter between drunken beach-goers and police was taking place on a San Diego beach. There is now renewed interest in banning alcohol from San Diego beaches. This is something we discussed while watching the show. It would seem—given that the majority of problems on the beaches involve alcohol—many problems would be avoided if alcohol were banned. See the second story in today's news links to read about this beach fracas.