No Sense of Direction, Up Up and Away, -and- Passing Gas

No Sense of Direction - FedEx delivers 200-pound marijuana shipment to wrong recipient
Up Up and Away! - lawn-chair balloonist flies from Oregon to Idaho
Passing Gas - mechanic claims car gets 110 MPG

On this day in history: July 7, 1942 - Himmler gives the go-ahead for sterilization experiments at Auschwitz.

Born on this day in history: July 7, 1980 - Michelle Kwan (1980-) Born in Torrance, California, figure skating champion Michelle Kwan began skating at five, winning her first competition a year later. Kwan went on to capture the world title five times.

Scripture of the Day: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8

Video of the Day: Rats Take over KFC/Taco Bell - submitted by Amber

This will not end well! Click to enlarge.

We did not travel last weekend. The only fireworks we saw were on television. It was hot, and the sky was filled with smoke from the fires. California fires continue to rage. It was reported that the fire in Big Sur may not be fully contained until November!

One of my brothers came to dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, I marinated Tyson boneless, skinless chicken breasts in extra-virgin olive oil, rice wine vinegar, granulated garlic, powdered ginger, cumin, lime juice, and Tony Chachere's More Spice. I grilled over indirect heat. For the final few minutes, I placed the breasts over high flames and charred slightly. I made a potato salad with diced white potatoes (steamed in the microwave oven), sliced radishes, chopped red onion, chopped red bell pepper, green peas, chopped hard-boiled egg, chopped celery, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, spicy brown mustard, wasabi paste, celery salt, Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning, and lime juice. It was an excellent meal.

For dinner on Sunday, I had planned to make fettuccine with marinara sauce. Laura indicated that she hungered for a steak, however, so following the early service at Harvest Christian Center, I shopped. I bought some thick New York strip steaks and marinated them in extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, granulated garlic, Tony Chachere's More Spice, powdered ginger, ground black pepper, sea salt, and Italian seasoning. I sautéed julienned red bell pepper, julienned red onion, and sliced Roma tomatoes. I placed a quantity of green beans in a casserole dish and covered with the sautéed vegetables. I covered the casserole dish and cooked in the microwave for 3 minutes. I sliced garlic bread and placed on a baking sheet. Laura baked this in the conventional oven while I tended to the grill. I charred the steaks on both sides over high flames. They were perfect—charred on the outside, with nice grill marks, and rare in the center. It was a delightful meal.

Stay, Here Comes the Bride, -and- Book Him Dano

Stay - doomsday sect won't leave cave
Here Comes the Bride - wedding night brawl lands couple in jail
Book Him Dano - man tasered after noodle-tossing at Taco Bell

On this day in history: April 29, 1992 - Rioting erupts in Los Angeles after Rodney King's assailants are acquitted by a jury. The looting and destruction begins in South Central L.A. and quickly radiates outward. By the time things are under control, 51 are dead and the city has sustained $1.5 billion in property damage. Civil disorder manages to spread to other North American cities, through the influence of live TV coverage.

Born on this day in history: April 29, 1957 - Daniel Day-Lewis (1957– ) Film actor, born in London, UK, the son of C Day-Lewis. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic and, after several small roles on stage and television, became well known for "My Beautiful Launderette" (1985) and "Room With A View" (1985). He won awards for his portrayal of handicapped Irish writer Christy Brown in "My Left Foot" (1989, Oscar, BAFTA).

Scripture of the Day: But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. - Deuteronomy 4:29

Video of the Day: World Record Huge Catfish - submitted by Darin

The Great Escape! Click to enlarge.

Pop Some Bubblewrap! Relieve some stress. Pop some bubblewrap!

Yesterday, it was warm. Although cooler—at a high of 84 degrees—than Sunday—which saw a high of 93 degrees—yesterday was the first day this year that I found it necessary to turn on the air conditioning here at my office. Today is forecast to be ten degrees cooler. Yikes!

For dinner last evening, I made fettuccine with marinara sauce. I simmered ground pork sausage, minced garlic, sliced white onion, sliced white mushrooms, and diced Roma tomatoes in Cabernet Sauvignon—seasoned with Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, ground Cayenne pepper, sea salt, and Italian seasoning. This simmered for two hours. Laura stirred in a bottle of Classico basil and tomato marinara sauce and cooked a package of Barilla fettuccine until al denté. I sliced half a loaf of garlic bread, arranged on a pizza pan, and placed in the oven. Laura watched it and removed it when ready. At the table, we added DiGiorno shredded Parmesan cheese and crushed red peppers. It was a delicious meal. A quantity followed Laura to Chico for lunch, and a goodly amount remains for another dinner Thursday.

Run for the Border, To Serve and Protect, -and- Doctor Death

Run for the Border - Taco Bell's fare baffles Mexicans
To Serve and Protect - cop falls during rescue of baby, sues parents
Doctor Death - suicide Web site operator arrested

On this day in history: October 11, 1981 - Andy Kaufman successfully defends his World Intergender Wrestling Champion title in Atlantic City, by defeating Playboy magazine's Miss September, pinning her at the 18-minute mark.

Born on this day in history: October 11, 1906 - Charles Revson (1906 - 1975) businessman He turned Revlon, Inc. into the largest retail cosmetics and fragrance manufacturing firm in the United States.

Scripture of the Day: "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." (Psalm 62:1)

Video of the Day: Tap-dancing Bride

It is chilly outside, but the wind that has plagued us of late has gone. The sky looks gloomy, and rain may appear today. Inside, it is warm. I shall remain inside.

I produced a large pot of soup for dinner last evening. I simmered two sliced medium onions, three tablespoons of minced garlic, three sliced celery stalks, three diced Jalapeños, three diced medium yellow squash, two diced medium cluster tomatoes, one cup of brown rice, and a diced chicken breast in water, Chardonnay, chicken stock, sea salt, ground black pepper, and poultry seasoning. This simmered for four and a half hours. We enjoyed it after Bible class at Harvest Christian Center. There was a quantity of soup remaining following our dinner. It now resides in the freezer and shall be enjoyed at a future meal.