Stupid Criminal, Waste Not, -and- All Dried Up

Stupid Criminal - bank robber disguises himself as tree
Waste Not - "green" light bulbs pack toxic ingredient
All Dried Up - woman arrested for not watering lawn

On this day in history: July 9, 1997 - Attempting to spring him from the Arizona state prison at Florence, Rebecca Thornton meets her husband Floyd at the perimeter fence with a rifle. There the escape plan goes haywire, and Rebecca shoots her death-row husband after he instructs her: "Shoot me! I'm sorry things went wrong. Shoot me! Shoot me!" Then they are both gunned down by the guards.

Born on this day in history: July 9, 1908 - Paul Brown (1908 - 1991) football coach He is a NFL hall of famer who, as a coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, was known for calling plays from the sidelines.

Today's Video: The Zimmers Backstage at Graham Norton - submitted by Jeffrey

It was hot over the weekend, and this heat wave is forecast to continue through Wednesday—when the temperature is expected to drop below 100 degrees for the first time in several days.

We visited with my mother Saturday. Laura made shrimp wraps with large tortillas, medium shrimp, diced Jalapeños, slivered red onion, slivered tomato, julienned butter lettuce, minced garlic, mayonnaise, and curry powder. They were wonderful.

We journeyed to Chico in Mr. Nitro. Mr. Nitro recorded the best highway fuel economy to date: 22.1 MPG.

Sunday—following service at Harvest Christian Center—I made a pot of beans. I stewed the bone from a large spiral-cut ham in two bottles of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot ale for two hours. I took the bone from the pot, removed all the meat, returned the meat to the pot, and added a sliced red onion, a sliced white onion, a head of garlic (peeled, whole cloves), five stalks of celery (sliced), sea salt, ground black pepper, and cumin. Laura added three tablespoons of brown sugar and tended the pot for two hours—at which time she added four cans of white beans (drained), stirred, and turned the burner to low. It was a delightful meal.

Leftovers, Never Too Young, -and- Never Too Old

Leftovers - dinner guest finds bodies in freezer
Never Too Young - 11-year-old girl charged with DUI, 100-MPH chase
Never Too Old - 84-year-old man opens BB-gun range for kids

On this day in history: July 6, 1944 - Fire breaks out at a matinee performance of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Baily Circus burning 168 people to death, and injuring an additional 250. The main tent had been waterproofed with wax thinned by gasoline.

Born on this day in history: July 6, 1946 - George W. Bush (1946 - ____) 43rd US President. He was the first Governor in Texas history to be elected to consecutive four-year terms.

Today's Video: Sam the Bellhop - submitted by Frank

Here is a recent photograph of Parker. Parker is the daughter of Rachel and David Gideon—Laura's daughter and son-in-law. Click to enlarge.

Fighting Back, Where the Boys Aren't, -and- Open Wide!

Fighting Back - new Missouri law protects killing of intruders
Where the Boys Aren't - all-female beach opens
Open Wide! - piranha caught in North Carolina

On this day in history: July 5, 1946 - Louis Reard's latest swimsuit creation, the two-piece Bikini, goes on sale in Paris.

Born on this day in history: July 5, 1810 - P. T. Barnum (1810 - 1891) circus owner. He created "The Greatest Show on Earth," 1871, complete with flashy ads and freak shows.

Today's Video: My Cat and Turtle

It appears that the warm weather has arrived! Click to enlarge.

I hope everyone had a safe and festive Fourth of July! Laura, Zeus, Thor, and I stayed indoors, relaxing, watching marathons of "Cops" and "King of the Hill," snacking on chips and salsa, and sipping Jose Cuervo margaritas. It was wonderfully restorative and peaceful. For dinner, we had grilled boneless, skinless chicken breasts and grilled corn on the cob. Laura rubbed the chicken breasts with Red Monkey Barbecue Spice Rub and grilled them perfectly. She pre-cooked the corn in the microwave for five minutes then charred on the grill. It was a delightful meal. The Red Monkey spices are incredibly delicious!

Fighting Back, Saved!, -and- Let It Shine!

Fighting Back - Subway customer hero for gunning down robbers
Saved! - "gay"-rights leader liberated from homosexuality by God
Let It Shine! - humans accused of overusing Sun

On this day in history: July 3, 1971 - Jim Morrison is found dead of an apparent heart attack in his Paris apartment bathtub.

Born on this day in history: July 3, 1947 - Dave Barry (1947 - ____) columnist, humorist. He is a syndicated columnist with the "Miami Herald," 1983--.

Today's Video: Buying an iPhone - submitted by Cindy

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots.

Thanks to Chris for this great photograph! Click to enlarge.

Where's the Garlic?, Fish out of Water, -and- iRevolution

Where's the Garlic? - man beats peacock he says was vampire
A Fish out of Water - freakish eel skull turns up far inland
iRebellion - Universal in dispute with Apple over iTunes

On this day in history: July 2, 1937 - Attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe in an airplane, Amelia Earhart disappears over the Pacific with her navigator, Fred Noonan.

Born on this day in history: July 2, 1925 - Medgar Evers (1925 - 1963) civil rights leader He was shot to death in front of his home; became martyr for civil rights cause; awarded 1963 Spingarn Medal.

Today's Video: "Mac or PC" Rap Music Video

While on my way to the office this morning, I encountered this fine-looking deer. Unfortunately, there was insufficient time to slay it and prepare it for the grill. Click to enlarge.

We had a frittata for brunch on Saturday. I prepared it while Laura was at the salon, having her hair trimmed. The frittata consisted of Johnsonville ground pork sausage, three small red potatoes, two heads of garlic, four large Jalapeños, 2 large habaneros, one large white onion, six jumbo eggs, and a quantity of pepperjack cheese. It was delicious, and there was such a quantity that the balance shall serve as our evening meal tonight.

We drove to Red Bluff on Saturday and viewed "Ratatouille." Rarely does feature-length animation reach such heights. It was a wonderfully engaging and delightful movie. I highly recommend it to everyone.

We rarely see movies in theatres—preferring to rent them, when released, from NetFlix and watch them at home. Despite enjoying "Ratatouille" greatly, I was reminded why we so seldom go to the theatre: The seat was uncomfortable—compared to the recliner from which I view movies at home—,the noise of other theatre patrons was annoying, and—worst of all—there was no beer!

For dinner last evening, we had a lovely London broil—well-rubbed with Red Monkey Steak Spice—, mushrooms, yellow squash, and red bell pepper—all grilled perfectly by Laura. It was a delicious meal.

8:30 AM UPDATE: When I arrived at my office this morning and turned on all the monitors, I determined that Pandora (my secondary computer system) had died. I generally greet situations such as this with stressful unease. This morning, however, I cast my care and relied upon God for direction. A few moments ago, I heard a voice—as distinctly as I now hear the clicking of the keyboard keys as I type this—say, "Turn around and look at Pandora." I turned and saw that Pandora is alive! I can offer no reason for her earlier demise. I offer now only the constant that with God all things are possible! Praise God!