On this day in history: April 23, 1985 - The Coca-Cola Bottling Company announces that it has irrevocably changed the formula for its flagship beverage, unveiling "New Coke." The company stands firm on its decision until public pressure finally forces them to reintroduce the original drink, exactly 79 days later.
Born on this day in history: April 23, 1936 - Roy Orbison (1936 - 1988) Born in Vernon, TX, singer-songwriter Roy Orbison began playing at age 8 on radio stations, and had his first hit single, "Only The Lonely" (written for Elvis Presley), in 1960, followed by a succession of smash hits, including signature "Oh, Pretty Woman" (1964). Tributes to his music continue long after Orbison's sudden death from a heart attack.
Scripture of the Day: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. - Philippians 4:23
Video of the Day: Terry Tate - Get Out the Vote
Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing the park on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.
Heat Wave: We are experiencing a heat wave. Weather forecasters say this heat wave will end today, and temperatures will drop by more than 20°! This will be a short-lived respite from the heat, however, since scorching, triple-digit temperatures will soon be the order of the day.
Yesterday, this was the temperature outside Mr. Nitro, as displayed by his exterior temperature probe. Fortunately, the inside temperature was cool and comfortable. Click to enlarge.
To Serve and Protect - citizen issues parking citations to cop Waste Not - man fined for overfilling dumpster I Robot - homemade "Bum Bot" patrols in Atlanta
On this day in history: April 23, 1985 - The Coca-Cola Bottling Company announces that it has irrevocably changed the formula for its flagship beverage, unveiling "New Coke." The company stands firm on its decision until public pressure finally forces them to reintroduce the original drink, exactly 79 days later.
Born on this day in history: April 23, 1936 - Roy Orbison (1936–88) Born in Vernon, TX, singer-songwriter Roy Orbison began playing at age 8 on radio stations, and had his first hit single, "Only The Lonely" (written for Elvis Presley), in 1960, followed by a succession of smash hits, including signature "Oh, Pretty Woman" (1964). Tributes to his music continue long after Orbison’s sudden death from a heart attack.
Scripture of the Day: Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. - John 4:23-24
Video of the Day: Funny Dogs - submitted by Darin
While driving to my office this morning, I spotted this enterprising gentleman. Click to enlarge.
Rain! Just as the weatherpeople predicted, it rained yesterday. It did not rain much, and it did not rain for long, but it did rain. Everything is rain-washed and clean-looking this morning, the sun is shining brightly, the sky is blue and clear, and the birds are singing. The weatherpeople are predicting thunder showers and lightning today. It certainly does not look as if this forecast will materialize. Then again, only time will tell.
On this day in history: December 5, 1933 - Fourteen years of Prohibition end when Utah ratifies the 21st Amendment.
Born on this day in history: December 5, 1935 - Little Richard (1035 - ) Musician, born in Macon, Georgia, USA. One of the early and most flamboyant stars of rock 'n' roll, he sang and played piano in church choirs and with gospel groups throughout his childhood, performing in medicine shows on the Southern vaudeville circuit. He made his recording debut with RCA in 1952 in Atlanta, and continued to record in a blues style for independent labels in Houston and New Orleans over the next four years. In 1956 he had a breakthrough single, "Tutti Frutti," which sold three million copies and established his basic style of histrionic singing and manic piano playing. Over the next three years he sold over 18 million records and appeared in several motion pictures, but in 1960 he became a minister in the Seventh Day Adventist church and renounced rock 'n' roll and his own homosexuality. He returned to rock in 1963, touring England with the Beatles and Rolling Stones, and he straddled the worlds of pop music and evangelism over the next 30 years. In 1986 he became an inaugural member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. "Tutti Frutti" was named the official rock song of the state of Georgia in 1989.
Scripture of the Day: "Therefore Jesus said again, 'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'" (John 10:7, 9-10)
Video of the Day: Terry Fator, Part 3 of 5 - submitted by Frank
Recommended Site:Nikon Photographer - A free forum for all photographers (NOT just Nikon users!) and anyone interested in photography!
A Baby's Hug
We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?' Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.' Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.' Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'
Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.' I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.'
Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.
