Fighting Back, To Serve and Protect, -and- A Very Redneck Christmas

Fighting Back - home-invasion suspect fatally wounded by resident
To Serve and Protect - Parole Commissioner in state car nabbed at DUI checkpoint
A Very Redneck Christmas - man accused of running over neighbor’s Christmas decorations, shooting him

On this day in history: December 10, 1993 - Adolf Hitler is baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a ceremony performed inside their London temple. Mormons use this strange retroactive baptismal ritual to ensure ancestors or other relatives may join them in heaven.

Born on this day in history: December 10, 1830 - Emily (Elizabeth) Dickinson
(1830–86) Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, poet Emily Dickinson published only two poems during her lifetime. After her death, sister Lavinia Dickinson published several more collections. Dickinson has now gained a cult-like following.

Scripture of the Day: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him." (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Video of the Day: Ferrari Drive - submitted by Frank

Here are some photographs I took this weekend of the native American gathering at the Sacramento River near here. Click to enlarge.

Recommended Site: Corning California Net - A free forum for Corning, California!

Recommended Site: Nikon Photographer - A free forum for all photographers (NOT just Nikon users!) and anyone interested in photography!

Saturday, Laura and I journeyed to Chico to Home Depot to replace the exploded microwave oven. I attempted to purchase the oven upon which we decided online but received a message that shipping to our Zip Code was unavailable. I felt that Corning was being slighted. When I entered the Zip Code for the Home Depot store in Chico, the same message appeared. Apparently, shipping is not available anywhere. That is interesting.

As we passed the Chico Mall, we noticed that the parking lot was completely filled. Not a single parking space was available. Yikes! When we reached Home Depot, however, there were several good parking spaces available. I parked Mr. Nitro in a secure area, and we strolled into the store. The microwave we desired was on display. There was none in inventory, however. We took the display oven and received a 10% discount. It is a beautiful 2.1 cu ft GE Profile oven with black body and stainless-steel front. It has enormous capacity and many features that were not present on the previous oven.

Last evening—following a delightful dinner of grilled London Broil, white onion, red potatoes, Jalapeños, and red bell pepper, we settled into our recliners and watched a Johnny Cash DVD. The new microwave made a wonderful batch of popcorn.

Child Labor, Animal Kingdom, -and- That Stinks!

Child Labor - longshoreman puts 4-year-old son on payroll
Animal Kingdom - studies show no limits to intelligence of animals
That Stinks! - NYC doorman fired for having bad breath

On this day in history: December 7, 1941 - Pearl Harbor, Oahu bombed by Japanese planes

Born on this day in history: December 7, 1932 - Ellen Burstyn (1932 - )Actress. Born Edna Rae Gillooly in Detroit, Michigan. Burstyn left home at the age of 18 to work as a model. In the late 1950s, she landed her first regular acting gig, as a dancer on television's The Jackie Gleason Show, billed as Erica Dean.

Scripture of the Day: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;'" (John 11:25)

Video of the Day: Terry Fator, Part 5 of 5 - submitted by Frank

Here is the graphic that appears on my new T-shirt.

Recommended Site: Corning California Net - A free forum for Corning, California!

Recommended Site: Nikon Photographer - A free forum for all photographers (NOT just Nikon users!) and anyone interested in photography!

The microwave exploded! I made a casserole of celery, white onion, baby carrots, and red potatoes. I placed the casserole dish in the microwave, set it for 5 minutes, pressed the power button, and the microwave exploded! Flames appeared inside the oven, smoke emanated from the vents, and the acrid stench of burning electronics permeated the air. I jerked the microwave's power cord from the wall, extricated the casserole dish, and tossed the smoldering, reeking carcass that was once a GE Profile microwave oven onto the front steps.

I sautéed the vegetables. When they were nearly done, I added two large boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the sauté pan. It was a delightful meal.

Later that evening, while watching "Bait Car" on Court TV, Laura asked, "Would you like some popcorn?" "Yes," I said—snickering quietly. It did not take Laura long to determine that it would be impossible to make microwave popcorn without a microwave oven!