Cover Me, To Serve and Protect, -and- Daredevil

Cover Me - DOJ sues Honeywell over defective bulletproof vests
To Serve and Protect - S.F. police chief skips out on target practice
Daredevil - two men scale NY Times building on same day

On this day in history: June 6, 968 - Senator Robert F. Kennedy dies at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. The Democratic lawmaker had been campaigning for his party's Presidential nomination when he was shot three times by Sirhan Bishara Sirhan.

Born on this day in history: June 6, 1955 - Sandra Bernhard (1955-) Born in Flint, MI, comedian and actress Sandra Bernhard developed brash, in-your-face comedy in the 1970s. A multi-talented performer, she has appeared in movies, TV shows, and written several books. In 2001, Bernhard hosted her own A&E TV talk show.

Scripture of the Day: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - Matthew 6:6

Video of the Day: Captain Kirk for President! - submitted by Frank

Welcome to Texas! Watch your speed! Click to enlarge.

While certainly not as violent as the wind that plagued us earlier in the week, the wind has increased considerably since yesterday. Hopefully, this will soon pass. The forecasts are for warm, calm weather.

We watched "The Smoking Gun Presents the World's Dumbest Daredevils" yesterday evening. It is amazing what people do for attention and the danger to which they expose themselves. Some of the daredevil stunts were truly stupid. Others were bizarre. All were dangerous. I felt no urge whatever to reproduce any of them.

Fighting Back, Somebody's Watching You, -and- Fruit of the Vine

Fighting Back - Packers running back foils home intruder
Somebody's Watching You - cell phone users secretly tracked in study
Fruit of the Vine - alcohol cuts risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis

On this day in history: June 5, 1968 - Seconds after Senator Robert F. Kennedy is shot dead by Sirhan Sirhan in a Los Angeles hotel, witnesses wrestle the Palestinian to the ground and grab his smoking .22-caliber revolver. Sirhan later claims to have been acting unconsciously, possibly the result of hypnotic brainwashing.

Born on this day in history: June 5, 1878 - Pancho Villa (1878 - 1923) Born Doroteo Arango in Hacienda de Rio Grande, Mexico, revolutionary Pancho Villa fought against Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz in 1909 and led the successful revolt against Victoriano Huerta in 1914. Although pardoned in 1920, Villa was assassinated.

Scripture of the Day: If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. - Romans 6:5

Video of the Day: Zürich Chamber Orchestra - Roller Coaster - submitted by Chris

The wind has abated! The fierce wind that has plagued us for several days has abated. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and clear, and birds are singing. It is likely that this weekend will benefit from beautiful weather.

Gasoline prices were disturbingly high this morning. At the Valero near our home, I noticed that current pricing for 89-octane gasoline is $4.55 per gallon. Yikes! I do not drive much, hence I fill Mr. Nitro's tank infrequently. I do not generally view the gasoline prices as I pass Valero each morning. Something bade me look this morning. Although Mr. Nitro's fuel mileage is certainly better than many SUVs (18.5 MPG city / 23.5 MPG highway), it is significantly lower than that of Laura's Toyota Yaris, which averages 40 MPG. Since Laura commutes to Chico each weekday, she is continually made aware of the high fuel costs. For me, this morning's revelation was shocking.

For dinner last evening, I removed the meat from the bones of the leftover baby back ribs, added it to the leftover beans, and stirred in cooked penne that remained unused from a previous meal. I made small cubes of extra-sharp cheddar cheese. We placed the cheese cubes in bowls and topped with the beans, rib meat, and penne. It was delicious.

Mutual Attraction, Outbreak!, -and- Fruit of the Vine

Mutual Attraction - girl swallows 30 magnets, steel balls
Outbreak! - antibacterial wipes can spread superbugs
Fruit of the Vine - new hints seen that red wine may slow aging

On this day in history: June 4, 1967 - The Emmy for best comedy TV series is won by "The Monkees."

Born on this day in history: June 4, 1975 - Angelina Jolie (1975– ) Born in Los Angeles, the daughter of movie star Jon Voight, actress Angelina Jolie began studying acting at age 11 at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute. Her film roles have won awards and box office appeal, including "Gia"(1998), "Girl, Interrupted" (1999), "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," with Brad Pitt (2005).

Scripture of the Day: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. - Ephesians 6:4

Video of the Day: Best Card Trick in the World - submitted by Amber

For dinner last evening, I made a sausage and penne dish: I simmered Johnsonville brats until approximately 75% cooked and set aside. I simmered six cluster tomatoes (cut into eight sections), a head of peeled garlic (whole), a large white onion (julienned), 3 medium Jalapeños (julienned), two small zucchini (cut into 1/4-inch sections), and four large white mushrooms (sliced thickly) in two ounces of Almaden Cabernet Sauvignon. I seasoned this with Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, and Italian seasoning. After an hour, I sliced the brats into 1/2-inch sections and incorporated into the vegetables. I cooked a box of Barilla penne for 8 minutes and plunged quickly into cold water to stop the cooking process. 30 minutes later, Laura incorporated the penne into the sauce, and we allowed this to simmer for another 15 minutes before serving. At the table, we added crushed red peppers and DiGiorno shredded Parmesan cheese. It was delicious.

Just the Cricket, Stupid Criminals, -and- That Sinking Feeling

Just the Cricket - eating bugs saves Earth
Stupid Criminals - suspect arrested returning to Starbucks he had robbed
That Sinking Feeling - 100 stuck cars close Daytona Beach

On this day in history: June 3, 1968 - Valerie Solanas, author of the SCUM Manifesto, arrives at the art studio of Andy Warhol and shoots him three times in the torso. Warhol barely survives the attempt on his life. Solanas is later jailed and institutionalized.

Born on this day in history: June 3, 1906 - Josephine Baker (1906 - 1975) Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, MO, singer-dancer Josephine Baker debuted on Broadway in Shuffle Along (1921). In 1925, she appeared in an all-black act at the Folies Bergère and became an instant success. In the 1950s, Baker supported racial equality, and addressed crowds at the 1963 March on Washington.

Scripture of the Day: Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? - Romans 6:3

Video of the Day: Very Funny Dogs 11 - submitted by Darin

Goodbye! Click to enlarge.

The sky is strange-looking and somewhat ominous this morning. It is warm yet unseemly humid. It is already 65 degrees, and it is 6:59 AM. The humidity is at 59%. Hopefully, the humidity will drop.

Update: At 7:15 AM, the humidity had dropped to 51%, the sky had cleared, and it appeared that this would be a beautiful day. A mere 30 minutes later, the sky is now overcast again, the temperature has dropped to 62 degrees, the humidity has risen to 58%, and showers are predicted! Yikes!

Johnny Mnemonic, I'm Researching a Part, -and- It's in His Kiss

Johnny Mnemonic - students soon will download lessons directly into brains
I'm Researching a Part - Tatum O'Neal busted for cocaine, crack
It's in His Kiss - teen DUI blames drunk boyfriend for her BAL

On this day in history: June 2, 1793 - Jean-Paul Marat recites names of 29 people to the French Assembly, virtually all of whom will be guillotined. Over the next year 17,000 will be executed in the Reign of Terror.

Born on this day in history: June2, 1972 - Wayne Brady (1972-) Born in Orlando, FL, comedian-actor Wayne Brady started at local clubs and Disney World and moved to Los Angeles in 1996. His break was on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," ABC’s version of the British improv show. Brady went on to star in his own variety and daytime talk shows.

Scripture of the Day: Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2

Video of the Day: Mecum Auction Presents - Lot # S115 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda - submitted by Cindy

Great Scott! Drunk again! Click to enlarge.

The weather was beautiful throughout the weekend. It was not as warm as it had been forecast to be, yet it was wam and without the wind that plagued us earlier in the week.

We had BLTs for dinner on Friday. We made them from toasted sourdough bread, bacon, sliced beefsteak tomatoes, sliced avocados, and baby spinach. They were delicious.

Saturday evening, I grilled New York strip steaks that I had marinated for four hours in extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Tony Chachere's More Spice, and ground black pepper. I also grilled large white mushrooms, Jalapeños, and red potatoes. It was a delicious meal. I grilled three steaks—planning the third to be used for Sunday brunch.

Sunday, we had Potatoes O'Brien, sunny-side-up fried eggs, and the New York strip steak from Saturday's dinner. This was a delightful brunch.

We had Cajun black beans and baby back ribs for dinner Sunday evening. Laura made a spicy dry rub (Tony Chachere's More Spice, garlic powder, ground black pepper, brown sugar, crushed red peppers, Gebhardt's chili powder, and dry Chinese mustard) and applied it to an enormous rack of baby back ribs. She barbecued them over indirect heat, bone-side down, without turning, for four hours—brushing every 20 minutes with a sauce I made from apple cider vinegar, Tony Chachere's Louisiana hot sauce, and garlic powder. I simmered sliced white onion, sliced Jalapeño peppers, diced Roma tomatoes, minced garlic, and minced garlic in extra-virgin olive oil. I seasoned this with Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, Gebhardt's chili powder, and crushed red peppers. After simmering for an hour, I added a can of black beans, stirred, turned the heat to low, and allowed this to simmer for 30 minutes. It was a wonderful meal. We both declared the ribs were the best we had ever had! Leftovers await our dining pleasure on Wednesday evening, following Bible class.