Fighting Back, Boo!, -and- Weapons of Choice

Fighting Back - fed-up family apprehends mailbox-vandal suspect
Boo! - police blame ghosts for damage to home
Weapons of Choice - guns best crime deterrent after all

On this day in history: February 29, 1692 - Sarah Good & Tituba, an Indian servant, was accused of witchcraft in Salem.

Born on this day in history: February 29, 1904 - Jimmy Dorsey (1904-1957) Born in Shenandoah, PA, musician and bandleader Jimmy Dorsey and brother Tommy formed their first band as teenagers. The Dorsey brothers played with all the big bands in the 1920s, debuting their own, The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, in 1934. Its sweet-toned instrumental style combined a big band sound with popular dance music, and quickly emerged as one of the most innovative bands of the Swing Era.

Scripture of the Day: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation ..." - Luke 2:29-30

Video of the Day:They have come up with a way to clean the inside of
your computer screen. Here is a link to have it cleaned for free. - submitted by Frank Clean Your Screen

This kitty is going to take a shower! Click to enlarge.

Why Leap Years Are Used

February 29, 2008

The year 2008 is a leap year. If you look at a 2008 calendar, you will see that February has five Fridays–the month begins and ends on a Friday. Between the years 1904 and 2096, leap years that share the same day of week for each date repeat only every 28 years. The most recent year in which February comprised five Fridays was in 1980, and the next occurrence will be in 2036. February 29, the leap day, has been associated with age-old traditions, superstitions and folklore.

What is a leap year?

A leap year is a year in which one extra day has been inserted, or intercalated, at the end of February. A leap year consists of 366 days, whereas other years, called common years, have 365 days.

Which years are leap years?

In the Gregorian calendar, the calendar used by most modern countries, the following three criteria determine which years will be leap years:

Every year that is divisible by four is a leap year; of those years, if it can be divided by 100, it is NOT a leap year, unless the year is divisible by 400. Then it is a leap year.

Why are leap years needed?

Leap years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the earth's revolutions around the sun.

Weapons of Choice, Lost, -and- Brave New Schools

Weapons of Choice - turnpike toll-collectors' guns taken
Lost - man's stolen wallet found and returned after 46 years
Brave New Schools - student suspended for 10 days for taking vitamins

On this day in history: February 28, 1574 - Two impenitent heretics are burned at the stake in Mexico at a spectacular auto-da-fe comparable to those in Spain. The two are the first victims of the Inquisition in the New World, dying for their heretical crimes of Lutheranism.

Born on this day in history: February 28, 1940 - Mario (Gabriele) Andretti (1940– ) Born in Montona, Italy (now part of Slovenia), racecar driver Mario Andretti began in midget car racing, and soon emerged as one of motor racing's most versatile drivers. In a Formula One career (1968-82), he competed in 128 Grand Prix, winning 16. Andretti is the only person who’s won the Daytona 500 (1967), the Indianapolis 500 (1969, 1981) and the Grand Prix (1978).

Scripture of the Day: Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah. - Jeremiah 2:28

Video of the Day: Clockworks by Edward Barrett - submitted by Amber

"Sheesh, Rush is soo right - She does sound like Nurse Ratchett!" Click to enlarge.

A gentleman entered my office yesterday morning and inquired about Internet access. I gave him pricing for wireless and dial-up services, and he said dial-up would satisfy his needs and better fit into his budget. I reached into my desk and retrieved a SnowCrest CD. The man said, "I can't use CDs. My computer's too old to use CDs." I was disconcerted and asked, "What version of Windows is your computer using?" "It doesn't have Windows on it," he said. "A friend tried to install Windows a long time ago, and he said it wouldn't work." I thirsted for knowledge of the nature of his computer. I asked, "If your computer does not use Windows, what operating system does it use?" "I don't know what you mean," he said. "It is likely that your computer is not capable of accessing the Internet," I said. "Allow me to view this machine, and I shall evaluate it at no charge and advise you." He said he would bring it in next Monday morning. I am eager to see this creature and determine its nature. I shall sleep fitfully until this examination takes place!

Off to Never-Never Land, Heat of the Moment, -and- Separation of Church and State

Off to Never-never Land - Michael Jackson faces forced sale of ranch
Heat of the Moment - temperature monitors report worldwide global cooling
Separation of Church and State - IRS investigating Obama's church

On this day in history: February 27, 1977 - Rolling Stone Keith Richards arrested in Toronto with his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg for possession of heroin. Found guilty at trial over one year later, he manages to get off with a suspended sentence plus benefit concerts for the blind.

Born on this day in history: February 27, 1932 - Elizabeth Taylor (1932– ) Born in London, film star Elizabeth Taylor was a child actor, notably in "National Velvet" (1944). Later films included "Butterfield 8" (1960), which earned her an Oscar, and "Cleopatra" (1962), which led to her well-publicized marriage to Richard Burton. With Burton, Taylor made several more films, including "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966). In 1985, she founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research. She has been married eight times, including to U.S. Senator John Warner (1976–82). Taylor became a dame in 1999.

Scripture of the Day: Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries." - Daniel 2:27-28

Video of the Day: Star Wars according to a 3-year-old

Don't tell Bill I'm quitting. He's having fun.

Due to financial issues, Bill's campaign for Hillary has been scaled down considerably.

Beautiful weather! It is another beautiful day today. It is forecast to be 70 degrees today and warmer yet tomorrow and Friday. The weekend promises to be in the mid-70s. While spring is 23 days away, this weather is very spring-like, and it is very welcome!

Hic!, Weapons of Choice, -and- Do You Want Fries with That?

Hic! - drunk driver unaware he was missing wheel
Weapons of Choice - Montanans insist on gun rights
Do You Want Fries with That? - restaurant offers 134-pound burger

On this day in history: February 26, 1974 - A U.S. Senate report reveals Ford Motor's involvement in Nazi Germany's war efforts, for which CEO Henry Ford received the Grand Cross of the German Eagle from Adolf Hitler himself. After the war, the car company was paid nearly $1M reparation by the U.S. government to compensate for one of its plants that was bombed within the Reich.

Born on this day in history: February 26, 1932 - Johnny Cash (1932–2003) Born in Kingsland, AR, singer Johnny Cash, one of the greatest stars of country music, recorded his first hits, "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues," in 1956. In 1968, he married June Carter (1929-2003), a member of country music's famous "first family." Cash was inducted into the Country Music Association (CMA) Hall of Fame in 1980.

Scripture of the Day: As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. - James 2:26

Video of the Day: fin d'été - end of summer - submitted by Amber

Hillary stares in horror as the vote count is reported. Click to enlarge.

Warm weather! It is forecast to be 70 degrees today and tomorrow and 74 degrees on Thursday! The weekend is forecast to be warmer yet! Praise God!

The Price Is Right, Meow!, -and- Pet MD

The Price Is Right - restaurant lets customers determine cost of meals
Meow! - cat survives three weeks in storage container
Pet MD - suicidal pets get anti-depressants

On this day in history: February 25, 1932 - Austrian Adolf Hitler granted German citizenship, to meet a "minor" technical requirement in order to run for president.

Born on this day in history: February 25, 1943 - George Harrison (1943–2001) Born in Liverpool, England, musician George Harrison played lead guitar and sang with the Beatles, developing an interest in Eastern music and religion. After the Beatles’ break-up, he made solo albums, including "All Things Must Pass" (1970), and performed with other artists, notably "super-group" The Traveling Wilburys (1988–90). He also produced several films, such as "Monty Python's Life of Brian" (1979). Harrison died after a long battle against cancer.

Scripture of the Day: Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. - John 2:24-25

Video of the Day: Little Girl Sings "Indescribable"

This is a photograph I took at Harvest Christian Center. It represents the passing of the mantle from Pastor Rob Kee to Pastor Mike Sharp. Click to enlarge.

Following a weekend of near-hurricane-force winds and torrential rain, today is a beautiful day—filled with sunshine and the singing of birds!

Saturday evening, my two brothers came to our house for dinner. I made pasta with marinara sauce. The pasta was Barilla thick spaghetti. For the sauce, I simmered Johnsonville Italian sausage (mild, since one of my brothers eschews spicy foods), sliced white onion, sliced white mushrooms, diced red bell pepper, diced Roma tomatoes, a package of bacon (cut into 1-inch strips), minced garlic, Italian seasoning, ground black pepper, and Tony Chachere's More Spice in Almaden Cabernet Sauvignon. Laura stirred this while it simmered for two hours. She then added a jar of Classico marinara sauce and stirred. I cooked the pasta until al dente, and Laura incorporated it into the marinara sauce and transferred it to a large pasta bowl. I toasted garlic bread under the broiler. At the table, we added DiGiorno grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red peppers. We had a delightful Woodbridge Zinfandel with the meal. It was a delicious dinner.

Saturday morning—following The Lord's Table class at Harvest Christian Center, I made an excellent frittata with diced red potatoes, diced Jalapeño peppers, a large habanero pepper (sliced very thinly), a package of bacon (cut into 1-inch pieces), a sliced white onion, two heads of garlic cloves (peeled), six jumbo eggs (beaten), and eight slices of sharp cheddar cheese. We ate only 1/4 of this, along with tortilla chips and salsa.

Sunday morning, we attended a very special service at Harvest Christian Center. The mantle was passed from Pastor Rob Kee to Pastor Mike Sharp. For a press release of this event, Click here. It was a wonderful event, and the sanctuary was filled to capacity and dozens observed from the foyer.

Sunday even, Laura grilled a large London broil, halved red onion, two large Jalapeño peppers, two large halved red potatoes, and two large halved Roma tomatoes. The wind had abated sufficiently for Laura to grill outdoors. It was a delicious meal.

Following church service, we had another 1/4 of the frittata and a package of miniature Pillsbury biscuits. We shall enjoy the balance of the frittata following Bible class on Wednesday evening.