Fighting Back, Daddy Dearest, -and- That Sucks!

Fighting Back - Pizza Hut driver suspended for shooting robber
Daddy Dearest - drunken driver flees crash, abandons injured daughter
That Sucks! - fans willing to donate blood to keep "Moonlight" on air

On this day in history: April 3, 1882 - Notorious outlaw Jesse James is shot and killed in his own home for a $5,000 reward. The assailants are Charles and Robert Ford, both members of the James gang.

Born on this day in history: April 3, 1924 - Marlon Brando (1924-2004) Born in Omaha, NE, actor Marlon Brando played his greatest stage role as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams's "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1947), also playing the screen version (1951), which earned four Oscars. Other award-winning films followed, including "The Wild One" and "On the Waterfront" (both 1954). Brando went on to a half-century of intense highs, self-indulgent lows and a tempestuous personal life. He is remembered as a consummate actor.

Scripture of the Day: It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality... - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Video of the Day: Berkeley Protests Marine Recruiting Center - submitted by Laura

A change in the weather this morning brought unexpected snow. In order to reach my office, it was necessary to employ alternative transportation. Click to enlarge.

The caption for the above story is a lie! It is sunny, warm, there is no wind, the sky is blue and clear, and birds are singing! It is forecast to be in the low 70s today and in the high 70s by Saturday!

Fighting Back, Brave New Schools, -and- Somebody's Watching You

Fighting Back - 84-year-old ex-Marine thwarts robbery
Brave New Schools - teachers say principal threatened to kill them over poor test scores
Somebody's Watching You - spy drones in demand by U.S. police

On this day in history: March 28, 1979 - Three Mile Island nuclear accident, Harrisburg PA.

Born on this day in history: March 28, 1970 - Vince Vaughn (1970-) Born in Minneapolis, MN, actor Vince Vaughn landed the role of smooth-operating Trent in 1996's surprise hit "Swingers," which led to stardom in Steven Spielberg's "The Lost World: Jurassic Park."

Scripture of the Day: Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see. - Deuteronomy 3:27b-28

Video of the Day: Duplex Cookie Board Games - submitted by Cindy

I spotted this bumper sticker on the way to my office this morning. Click to enlarge.

Rain? It is relatively cool this morning, but there is no sight of rain (yet). The weatherpeople predicted rain in great quantity today. It is dry now, and there is little wind. The sky appears clear, but this could easily change quickly.

Yesterday was a fast day on our food calendar. The fast ended at 7 PM. I made grilled chicken and black bean enchiladas. They were delicious. I sautéed sliced white onion, minced garlic, sliced Jalapeño peppers, and shredded grilled chicken breast in extra-virgin olive oil, seasoned with Tony Chachere's More Spice and Gebhardt's chili powder. I added a can of black beans. I spooned this mixture into flour tortillas, rolled, and placed in a large Pyrex baking dish that had been sprayed with olive oil Pam. I drizzled Tony Chachere's Cajun Garlic Sauce over the enchiladas and covered with sliced cheddar cheese. When it was time to dine, Laura baked the enchiladas in the microwave on reheat until the cheese melted. At the table, we added fresh salsa and crushed red peppers.

Seller Beware, Semper Fi, -and- Never Too Young

Seller Beware - woman faces $10 million fine for eBay business
Semper Fi - Berkeley gives Marines the boot
Never Too Young - West Virginia considers hunter training in schools

On this day in history: February 1, 1964 - Governor Matthew Welsh of Indiana declares "Louie, Louie" as recorded by The Kingsmen (originally by Richard Berry & The Pharaohs) "pornographic." And while the FCC couldn't figure out the lyrics, the governor's move backfires by making the song one of the most covered titles in existence.

Born on this day in history: February 1, 1968 - Lisa Marie Presley (1968-) Born in Memphis, TN, daughter of Elvis Presley, singer Lisa Marie Presley was sole heir and inherited Graceland, the King of Rock’s legendary estate. She has been married and divorced three times, including to superstar Michael Jackson. Presley now pursues a singing career, and debuted her first album in 2003.

Scripture of the Day: My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. - 1 John 2:1-2

Video of the Day: Pancakes II - submitted by Amber

It is dry today! It was foggy earlier this morning, but the only moisture on the ground is from the fog. Hopefully, today will be dry. Yesterday, the rain and wind were relentless. Laura reported that the power went off in Chico yesterday. Sierra Nevada, where she works, has its own power, so the company was not affected by the outage. Many others in Chico remained without power for extended periods. Some still are without power. We did not suffer any outages here in Corning. Hopefully this respite from the storm will last through the weekend.

For dinner last evening, we had chicken fajitas. I made a quantity of guacamole, with two large avocados and salsa. I sliced a large white onion, 16 garlic cloves, a large red bell pepper, two large Jalapeño peppers, and two grilled chicken breasts. Laura sautéed the vegetables in extra-virgin olive oil and seasoned them with Tony Chachere's More Spice seasoning and ground black pepper. When they were cooked but still crisp, she added the chicken, stirred, covered, and removed from the heat. She warmed flour tortillas, and we dined. It was delightful. We ate it all!

Homeland Insecurity, From the Halls of Montezuma, -and- Ahem!

Homeland Insecurity - US video shows simulated hacker attack
From the Halls of Montezuma - Marines barred from making commercial in SF
Ahem! - motorist arrested for "coughing"

On this day in history: September 27, 1964 - The Warren Commission Report is finally released, definitively proving once and for all that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, without help.

Born on this day in history: September 27, 1722 - Samuel Adams (1722 - 1803) revolutionary, statesman. He was leader of the Massachusetts "radicals," and the force behind the Boston Tea Party, 1773; signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Scripture of the Day: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

Video of the Day: Bill Dube wrecks the fastest electric motorcycle - submitted by Phillip

I spotted this squirrel on my front lawn this morning. He was snacking on the wild mushrooms growing there. Click to enlarge.

Zip Code Database: Type in the zip code you are interested in and you will learn more than you ever wanted to know! Zip Code Database

For dinner last night, we had grilled pork loin chops, yellow squash, white mushrooms, and Jalapeños. I made a tasty teriyaki sauce, using bottled teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, molasses, soy sauce, ground Cayenne pepper, and lime juice. Laura grilled the pork and vegetables perfectly. It was a delightful meal.

Bad Taste: Responding to pressure from Christian groups, the Miller Brewing Co. is asking organizers of a "gay" street celebration in San Francisco to remove its logo from a promotional poster portraying Jesus Christ and his disciples as "half-naked homosexual sadomasochists."

In a statement on its Web site, Miller said while it has "supported the Folsom Street Fair for several years, we take exception to the poster the organizing committee developed this year."

It is sadly coincidental that this is Samuel Adams' birthday. I can only imagine how disgusted he would be with the Miller Brewing Co.—a major player in an industry he was instrumental in creating!