Driving Force, Animal Kingdom, -and- Don't Call

Driving Force - Oregon to require proof of residency for driver's licenses
Animal Kingdom - monkeys match humans in arithmetic tests
Don't Call! - UK drivers who use cell phones face jail time

On this day in history: December 20, 1971 - Talk show host Larry King, host of CNN's "Larry King Live," arrested in Miami on charges of grand larceny.

Born on this day in history: December 20, 1923 - Nadine Gordimer (1923– ) Born in Springs, South Africa, writer Nadine Gordimer takes on issues of race and repression in such works as "The Conservationist" (1974) and "The Pickup" (2001). She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.

Scripture of the Day: "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." (Luke 2:1, 4-5)

Video of the Day 1: Louie Giglio - Universe Comprehension

Video of the Day 2: Louie Giglio - Laminin

Recommended Sites:
Nikon Photographer Forum - a free forum for photography enthusiasts
Corning California Message Board - a free message board for Corning
Olive Hut Blog - specials, olive news, recipes, and more

The Wal-Mart Driver: A Wal-Mart driver was passing a rest stop and saw a little girl of about 5 years of age, standing alone near the entrance to the rest stop. The driver turned his truck around at the next exit and returned to the rest stop. He stopped, exited his truck, and walked to the little girl.

"Are you all alone, little girl?" he asked.

"I can't talk to strangers," she replied.

"Where are your parents?" he asked.

"I can't talk to strangers," she replied.

"Do your parents know you're here all alone?" he asked.

"I can't talk to strangers," she replied.

"Do you know your parents' phone number?" he asked.

The little girl removed her right shoe and held it up so the Wal-Mart driver could read the telephone number written inside the shoe. He called the telephone number, and the little girl's mother answered. The telephone number was the woman's cell phone number, and she and her husband and their other two daughters were 30 miles away, unaware that one of the girls had gotten out of the car while they were at the rest stop. The family quickly returned to the rest stop, reunited with the little girl, and thanked the Wal-Mart driver.

This is a true story.

Animal Kingdom, Just Say "No!," -and- Call Me!

Animal Kingdom - giant rat species found in Papua forest
Just Say "No!" - "gay" plans to target 2-year-olds
Call Me! - cell phone spending surpasses land lines

On this day in history: December 18, 1940 - Hitler formulates plans, issued today as Directive 21, for the invasion of Russia. The intent of Operation Barbarossa was to destroy the Red Army. Fighting on two fronts eventually caused Germany's defeat.

Born on this day in history: December 18, 1963 - Brad Pitt (1963-) Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, actor Brad Pitt got noticed in a bit part in "Thelma and Louise" (1991). Stardom followed with later films, including "Interview with the Vampire," alongside Tom Cruise, and thriller, "Seven." Pitt's personal life has been widely publicized, including divorce from actress Jennifer Anniston and romance with actress Angelina Jolie.

Scripture of the Day: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)," (Luke 1:68-70)

Video of the Day: Louie Giglio - Stars

Recommended Sites:
Nikon Photographer Forum - a free forum for photography enthusiasts
Corning California Message Board - a free message board for Corning
Olive Hut Blog - specials, olive news, recipes, and more

Today is a SHOE DAY! I rarely wear shoes. Throughout the warm months, I wear sandals. When it becomes uncomfortably cold, I wear thick, white cotton socks with my sandals. Today, however, it is raining! Large puddles dot the landscape, the rain that fell throughout the night continues, the sun is hiding, the wind is howling, and no birds are singing. It is, indeed, a SHOE DAY!

Tony Chachere's: Our order from Tony Chachere's Famous Creole Cuisine arrived yesterday. We got two 14-ounce containers of Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning and two large bottles of Tony Chachere's Cajun Power Garlic Sauce. I am eager to put these items to use. I have heard wonderful things about Tony Chachere's spices and sauces and will soon determine if all that I have heard is true. I shook some of the seasoning into my hand and found it delightfully spicy and tasty. I am eager to use it on some chicken, pork, or beef!

See Ya Later Alligator, Don't Call, -and- Prisoners in Pink

See Ya Later Alligator - 7-year-old woman finds exhilaration in gator hunting
Don't Call - CA bans cell phones for driving teens
Prisoners in Pink - inmates sue over forced attire

On this day in history: September 14, 1927 - Legendary dancer Isadora Duncan is killed in Nice, France when her long silk scarf gets tangled in the rear wheel of the convertible in which she is riding.

Born on this day in history: September 14, 1849 - Ivan Pavlov (1849 - 1936) physiologist. He discovered conditioned reflex [Pavlovian reflexes] with experiments on dogs; won Nobel Prize, 1904.

Scripture of the Day: "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." (Philippians 2:1-2)

Video of the Day: Unique Twist Lowriders - submitted by Darin

Laura shall soon depart for the Sacramento Airport, where she will board a Southwest Airlines plane and fly to Tucson, AZ to visit her daughter and granddaughter and other relatives. The cats, Zeus and Thor, and I shall miss her. We shall enjoy an exciting period of male bonding, however.

The weather remains chilly. The wind that plagued us yesterday morning appears to be gone, however. It is currently a fairly cool 57 degrees, and the humidity is at 72%. The high for today is forecast to be 79 degrees. Yikes! The sky is overcast, and dark storm clouds loom. Hopefully, the weather will improve for the car show in Durham tomorrow.

Laura spoke with her daughter, Rachel, on the telephone yesterday. Rachel told her that Tucson is enjoying triple-digit temperatures. This displeased Laura, who enjoys cooler weather. If it were possible, I should like to trade weather with Tucson—at least for the weekend.

Here is a logo I created for an upcoming project. Details on this project will be released soon.