Fighting Back, Stormy Weather, -and- Sleep Well

Fighting Back - retired Marine tackles bank robber
Stormy Weather - iPod users report lightning strikes
Sleep Well - new bed mattress costs $60,000

On this day in history: July 12, 1843 - Mormon leader Joseph Smith discloses a divine revelation instructing his followers to take multiple wives, in what the LDS Church calls "plural marriage" but everyone else calls polygamy. The Mormons are ultimately forced to disclaim the practice in September 1890.

Born on this day in history: July 12, Oscar Hammerstein (1895 - 1960) lyricist, musical comedy author He was influential in the development of musical comedy; known especially for his collaboration with the composer Richard Rodgers.

Today's Video: Anti-Helium Makes Jay Leno Talk Like Ving Rhames - submitted by Chris

The weatherpeople were right! It rained yesterday! It rained lightly for approximately 15 seconds. It rained sufficiently that the coating of dust on Mr. Nitro turned to mud. It was most unseemly for Mr. Nitro to appear in public in this condition. I took him to the car wash and cleaned him thoroughly. I then drove him to the river and back to air-dry him. He was most grateful.

Fighting Back, Hi!, -and- Waaa!

Fighting Back - ex-Marine, 72, teaches pickpocket a lesson
Hi! - man spends year in jail for waving at daughter
Waaa! - apple juice tantrum causes emergency landing

On this day in history: June 27, 1988 - Hillel Slovak, original guitarist from the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, dies of a heroin overdose in Hollywood.

Born on this day in history: June 27, 1930 - H. Ross Perot (1930 - ____) computer industrialist, philanthropist He is a self-made billionaire; founder/owner of Electronics Data Systems, 1962-84; presidential candidate, 1992.

Today's Video: Surfing Dog! - submitted by Laura

Here is a new photograph showing Mr. Nitro's personalized license plate. Click to enlarge.

We received a shipment of pickled ginger and wasabi sesame seeds yesterday from Asia Foods. We buy pickled ginger from this source regularly. The wasabi sesame seeds are a new item. They are wonderful! We had a salad last evening, featuring mixed greens, green beans, kidney beans, white onion, white mushroom, Jalapeños, yellow squash, and tomatoes. We sprinkled wasabi sesame seeds and Red Monkey Lemon Pepper spice on our salads, atop ranch dressing. The combination of the lemon pepper spice and wasabi sesame seeds was delicious and exciting.