Fighting Back, How Ironic!, -and- They're Here!

Fighting Back - armed doctor chases off robber at restaurant
How Ironic! - stolen credit card used to buy program to prevent identity theft
They're Here! - mystery vibrations have Green Bay couple spinning

On this day in history: July 24, 1999 - Former Guns N' Roses guitarist "Slash" is arrested in West Hollywood for allegedly beating his girlfriend at the Le Parc Hotel five days prior.

Born on this day in history: July 24, 1970 - Jennifer Lopez (1970-) Born in the Bronx, New York, actress and pop singer Jennifer Lopez got her break in 1997 in Selena, making her the highest-paid Latina actress in history. Lopez's musical career also took off, and the 2001 J. Lo album debuted at No. 1. Lopez's romances have been widely publicized, including with rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs, actor Ben Affleck and current husband singer Marc Anthony.

Scripture of the Day: What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord! - Romans 7:24-25

Video of the Day: Western Spaghetti - submitted by Amber

Laura worked late yesterday. It was the only evening this week that she was not scheduled to work in the nursery or sing on the worship team during this week's David Woods crusade at Harvest Christian Center. Tonight, she will be working in the nursery, and Friday (the final evening of the crusade) she will be singing with the worship team. I decided that last evening would be a perfect time for a pre-birthday dinner! I grilled the remaining two Omaha Steaks filets mignons that were sent us by reader Chris. I also grilled two large white mushrooms and two white potatoes. I steamed and chilled a quantity of broccoli. We shred a bottle of 2001 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon. It was a truly delightful meal.

Again today, the air quality is abysmal. The wildfires are under control, but they continue to smolder, and the wind drives the smoke into the city.

I have not yet removed the carcass of the dead Sony CRT TV from the wall mounting in my office. I have been enjoying Sirius satellite radio via the Internet. Since I have an account for Mr. Nitro, listening via the Internet is free. I listened to Jazz Café Tuesday and Blues yesterday. I am listening to Blues again today. Perhaps I shall go to Netflix and watch a movie. I am surviving well without a television. Who would have thought?

Busted!, Mommy Dearest, -and- Outsourcing the Picket Line

Busted! - Lindsay Lohan arrested for DUI, cocaine
Mommy Dearest - mom accused of hitting kids on flight
Outsourcing the Picket Line - union hires homeless for protest

On this day in history: July 24, 1999 - Former Guns N' Roses guitarist "Slash" is arrested in West Hollywood for allegedly beating his girlfriend at the Le Parc Hotel five days prior.

Born on this day in history: July 24, 1898 - Amelia Earhart (1898 - 1937) aviatrix She was the first woman to solo across the Atlantic and from Hawaii to California; mysteriously disappeared, 1937.

Today's Video: Ghost Ridin' Grandma

[While I slept] I was seated in the outdoor-dining area of a restaurant in Cabo San Lucas, conversing with a group of people who were sharing my table. I had just met them, and we were sharing our backgrounds. I felt something brush against my leg and looked down to see a small gnome-like boy crouching beneath the table. I remarked upon this, and a young woman seated to my right said, "Oh, that's just Bahia—Bahia the Crumbsnatcher. He spends his days scuttling about beneath the tables here in search of fallen morsels. Ignore him, and whatever you do, do not feed him."

I thought her warning odd, took pity on young Bahia, and secretly handed him a warm tortilla. He took it and devoured it greedily. I reached down to hand him another tortilla and felt great pain in my hand. I quickly brought my hand up from beneath the table and held it high, displaying to all a large Gila monster dangling therefrom, its sharp teeth tearing into the flesh of my hand. I screamed in pain and flailed my hand about.

The young woman sitting next to me grabbed my flailing hand and pierced the Gila monster's neck with a bamboo skewer. The Gila monster released its grip upon my hand. The young woman held the Gila monster for a moment, suspended by the skewer, then shook him loose from the skewer. It fell to the floor and scurried away.

"I cautioned you against feeding Bahia," she said, as she poured tequila on my wound and bound it with a linen napkin.