The Weather - The weatherpeople were correct when they predicted rain for today. It is very wet outside!

Current forecasts indicate several storms will drop as much as 13 inches of rain in this area! (Northern California) Rain is predicted through the weekend—with the heaviest rainfall expected on Thursday. Fortunately, temperatures are expected to be relatively warm— with lows in the range of 48° to 50° and highs of 55° to 60°. Wind advisories predict winds to be 10 to 30 MPH. Wind gusts are expected to reach 35 to 40 MPH.

Flooding is not expected to be an issue here in Corning, but the outlying areas may well suffer flooding. Flooding is uncommon here, but it does happen. If memory serves me correctly, it has been around 10 years since last there was flooding in this area. Flooding within the city limits of Corning takes place when the rainfall exceeds the capability of the sewer system. It is advisable to be prepared, and several locations are producing and providing sandbags.



When I see reporting on television of the devastating flooding that has taken place in other areas, I thank God that we are fortunate to live in an area that suffers very little from weather conditions.

I then ask myself why people chose to live where weather poses a significant and predictable threat. I would move elsewhere.

Where do the hummers go when the weather is bad?

Addiction Counselor Charged with Murder in DUI - I stared at this headline—imagining that the pressures involved with counseling people suffering from addictions had taken a toll upon this person and "driven him to drink," as it were. I was completely unprepared for the story behind the headline!

The convertible the addiction counselor was driving hit the victim so hard that it knocked him out of his shoes and lodged him in the windshield. As he lay dying on the hood, police said, the counselor drove another two miles—until other motorists swarmed her car at a traffic light and grabbed her keys.

The counselor was charged with DUI and murder. She had a blood alcohol content of over twice the legal limit. She had a history of drug addiction and criminal activity. She was convicted of first-degree burglary in 1989 and a month later of having narcotics while in custody. In 1994, she was convicted on one count of burglary and given nine years in prison.

This story particularly saddened me—not simply because of the tragic, unnecessary death of the victim—but because someone with such a history of drug addiction and criminal activity would be placed in the position of counselor to addicts. This seems so absurd to me that I simply cannot imagine the vetting process under which such a person would be found acceptable for such a position.

I followed the story online and determined that such appointments are commonplace.

Why???????

To Serve and Protect, Animal Kingdom, -and- Homeland Insecurity

To Serve and Protect - 2 officers fired for Web misuse
Animal Kingdom - crows wield tools with human-like skill
Homeland Insecurity - CIA, FBI computers used for Wikipedia edits

On this day in history: August 17, 1948 - Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is arrested for bad checks in San Luis Obispo, California. In court a fortnight later, Hubbard pays the $25 fine.

Born on this day in history: August 17, 1786 - Davy Crockett (1786 - 1836) frontiersman, soldier, politician. "The King of the Wild Frontier" was said to have grinned down bears; was one of the legendary figures to die at the Alamo.

Today's Video: Proper Road Rage Defense - submitted by Frank
Chicks prefer the Nitro over the Hummer! Click to enlarge.

[While I slept] I awakened, feeling thirsty, and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. As I walked toward the kitchen, my attention was drawn to the large window in the adjacent dining room. The moon lighted the yard beyond the window and made the outdoors appear very inviting. As I gazed at this scene, I noticed movement near the barn. The barn shaded this area from moonlight, and, in the shadows, I saw a large form moving toward the barn. I decided to investigate.

I armed myself with a Colt AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, which I kept in the pantry. I took a large Maglite from a shelf in the pantry, attached it to the rifle, turned it on, and walked to the barn. As I entered the barn, I heard the sound of heavy breathing and slipped the AR-15 into the firing position. I probed the darkness with the Maglite. There, lying on a bed of hay, was Storm! I engaged the safety on my rifle, walked to Storm, knelt by her side, and began stroking her massive frame. Storm purred deeply and contentedly. “Welcome back, my friend,” I said. Storm fixed her gaze upon me and purred even more loudly. “Wait here and rest, Storm,” I said. “I shall return quickly with food and water for you.”

I walked to the house, prepared a bowl of leftover roast beef and a bowl of spring water, removed the Maglite from the rifle, and walked back to the barn, the Maglite clasped between my left arm and rib cage and a bowl in each hand. Storm rose as I walked to her and ate and drank with great relish. I sat with Storm for nearly two hours. When I prepared to return to the house to continue my sleep, I told Storm, “Storm, please stay here, and I shall return in the morning.” She appeared to understand, reclined on the hay, and held out her right paw toward me. I took her massive leopard paw in my right hand and squeezed it, smiling at her. I returned to the house and quickly fell asleep.

In the morning, I awakened, dressed quickly, and walked to the barn with a large bottle of water and some leftover grilled chicken breast. Storm was there! I was overjoyed to see that she had remained through the night. I filled her water bowl and put the chicken in her food bowl. I stroked her beautiful fur as she ate and drank.

After she had eaten, I told her, “Come to the house with me, Storm. I must eat something, and then we shall go on an adventure!” She seemed to understand and followed me to the house. I gave Storm a small bowl of milk. She lapped at it with her huge tongue while I prepared myself a spinach, bacon, cheese, and mushroom omelet. After I had eaten, I strapped on a black ballistic nylon holster, inserted a Sig Sauer P229 semi-automatic pistol into the holster, and beckoned Storm to follow me.

Together, we walked the perimeter of my property, pausing at one point so that Storm could drink from the small creek that fed the pond. It was a beautiful day—warm but not yet unpleasantly so—the sky was blue, and the birds were singing. We walked about my property for several hours. We stopped at the pond, and I caught several nice trout for our dinner.

At dusk, I prepared the trout, some poached asparagus, and some brown rice with celery, red onion, and mushrooms. Storm lay on the tile floor in the kitchen and watched me as I cooked. She seemed to enjoy watching me prepare our meal. I deboned the trout and prepared plates of food for us and set them on the dining room table. I placed a bowl of water and a small bowl of milk at Storm’s place at the table and poured some Chablis for myself. Storm appeared to be waiting for me to start eating, as she had made no move toward her food. I said a prayer—thanking God for the bounty we were about to enjoy and for Storm and her great friendship—and we began eating. Storm was so large that she sat on her haunches and easily reached her food. The dinner was delightful. Storm watched me wash the dishes and bowls.

We went into the den and watched Animal Planet. Storm sat near me and seemed to enjoy watching all the animals on television. She was close enough that I was able to reach out and stroke her massive back. In time, Storm grew tired. She lay on the floor of the den and yawned—her huge mouth opening incredibly widely, exposing large, sharp teeth. “Storm,” I thought to myself, “I am certainly glad we are friends!”

I was tired, also, and I rose from my chair and said, “Come, Storm. You need not sleep in the barn.” Storm followed me to the bedroom. She fell asleep on the floor at the foot of the bed. I fell asleep while delighting in the sound of her breathing.

Don't Call, Unamerican Activity, -and- The Kids Are Alright

Don't Call - anti-cell-phone lawmaker rear-ends car while on cell phone
Unamerican Activity - Las Vegas orders Hummer dealership to take down U.S. flag
The Kids Are Alright - CA teen girl climbs Mt. Everest

On this day in history: May 21, 1979 - A judge gives Dan White only seven years for the premeditated murders of Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone, prompting thousands to march on San Francisco's City Hall. In what will come to be known as the White Night Riots, the demonstration takes a violent turn, resulting in significant property damage and the torching of twelve SFPD cruisers. Police respond with brutal beatdowns at gay bars in the Castro district.

Born on this day in history: May 21, 1844 - Henri Rousseau (1844 - 1910) artist. He was the archetype of the modern naive artist; his primitive works possess a dreamlike quality: "The Sleeping Gypsy," 1897.

Today's Video: M-134 Full Automatic BB Minigun! - submitted by Phillip

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

Here is another photograph from the recent May Madness Corning Car Show. Click to enlarge.