Animal Kingdom, Stupid Criminals, -and- The Fugitive

Animal Kingdom - dog survives 8 days trapped in rubble
Stupid Criminals - man steals T-shirts while girlfriend applies for job
The Fugitive - woman caught 32 years after prison escape

On this day in history: April 30, 1993 - During a quarterfinals match in Hamburg, deranged tennis fan Gunter Parche sneaks up on Monica Seles and stabs her in the back with a boning knife. Parche was just paving the way for Steffi Graf, whom he was actively stalking, to take the top ranking from Seles. His plan succeeds.

Born on this day in history: April 30, 1982 - Kirsten Dunst (1982-) Born in Point Pleasant, NJ, actress Kirsten Dunst began as a child actor and successfully transitioned into adult roles. She has already garnered over 40 film and TV credits, including films like "Interview with the Vampire," at age 11, and a string of Hollywood productions, including "Little Women" (1994) and "Spiderman" (2002), opposite Tobey Maguire.

Scripture of the Day: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. - Ephesians 4:30-31

Video of the Day: Python versus Alligator

There was a gala wedding reception in the gazebo at Corning Lake last
Saturday. Click to enlarge.

The best man takes the wedding limo on a beer run. Click to enlarge.

Hillary versus Obama - the Game: Play Hillary versus Obama!

It is cold this morning! Mr. Nitro's exterior temperature display indicated it was 43 degrees at 6:30 AM this morning, as I drove to my office. It is forecast to be 72 degrees this afternoon—up two degrees from yesterday. The weatherpeople predict warmer temperatures for the weekend. Good!

For dinner last evening, we had grilled pork loin chops and dirty rice. I cooked a package of Tony Chachere's Dirty Rice in the rice maker. Laura dry-rubbed two huge bone-in pork loin chops with Tony Chachere's More Spice and ground black pepper. She grilled them perfectly—charred slightly on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. While grilling, she sprayed them with a mixture of one part extra-virgin olive oil and three parts balsamic vinegar. It was a delightful meal.

Stay, Here Comes the Bride, -and- Book Him Dano

Stay - doomsday sect won't leave cave
Here Comes the Bride - wedding night brawl lands couple in jail
Book Him Dano - man tasered after noodle-tossing at Taco Bell

On this day in history: April 29, 1992 - Rioting erupts in Los Angeles after Rodney King's assailants are acquitted by a jury. The looting and destruction begins in South Central L.A. and quickly radiates outward. By the time things are under control, 51 are dead and the city has sustained $1.5 billion in property damage. Civil disorder manages to spread to other North American cities, through the influence of live TV coverage.

Born on this day in history: April 29, 1957 - Daniel Day-Lewis (1957– ) Film actor, born in London, UK, the son of C Day-Lewis. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic and, after several small roles on stage and television, became well known for "My Beautiful Launderette" (1985) and "Room With A View" (1985). He won awards for his portrayal of handicapped Irish writer Christy Brown in "My Left Foot" (1989, Oscar, BAFTA).

Scripture of the Day: But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. - Deuteronomy 4:29

Video of the Day: World Record Huge Catfish - submitted by Darin

The Great Escape! Click to enlarge.

Pop Some Bubblewrap! Relieve some stress. Pop some bubblewrap!

Yesterday, it was warm. Although cooler—at a high of 84 degrees—than Sunday—which saw a high of 93 degrees—yesterday was the first day this year that I found it necessary to turn on the air conditioning here at my office. Today is forecast to be ten degrees cooler. Yikes!

For dinner last evening, I made fettuccine with marinara sauce. I simmered ground pork sausage, minced garlic, sliced white onion, sliced white mushrooms, and diced Roma tomatoes in Cabernet Sauvignon—seasoned with Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, ground Cayenne pepper, sea salt, and Italian seasoning. This simmered for two hours. Laura stirred in a bottle of Classico basil and tomato marinara sauce and cooked a package of Barilla fettuccine until al denté. I sliced half a loaf of garlic bread, arranged on a pizza pan, and placed in the oven. Laura watched it and removed it when ready. At the table, we added DiGiorno shredded Parmesan cheese and crushed red peppers. It was a delicious meal. A quantity followed Laura to Chico for lunch, and a goodly amount remains for another dinner Thursday.

Freedom of Speech, The Kids Are Alright, -and- Just the Fats

Freedom of Speech - last day to save Christian radio?
The Kids Are Alright - Guinness names teen youngest professor
Just the Fats - 300-pound inmate complains jail doesn't feed him well

On this day in history: April 28, 1789 - In the middle of the South Pacific, the crew of the HMS Bounty mutinies, setting Captain William Bligh and 18 other crewmen adrift in an open boat.

Born on this day in history: April 28, 1974 - Penelope Cruz (1974– ) Born in Madrid, Spain, actress Penelope Cruz trained in classical ballet in New York City, and parlayed her dancing into an acting career, landing a role in "All the Pretty Horses" (2000) and "Sahara" (2005). Cruz has been romantically linked with actors Matt Damon, Tom Cruise and, most recently, Matthew McConaughey.

Scripture of the Day: They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. - Acts 4:28

Video of the Day: Cooking with Christopher Walken - submitted by Danica

Hillary shows her masculine side! Click to enlarge.

HOT! Yesterday was HOT! At 2:45 PM, Mr. Nitro's exterior temperature probe displayed 93 degrees, as Laura and I journeyed to a meeting at Harvest Christian Center! Today is considerably cooler. It is forecast to be 81 degrees this afternoon. It is forecast to drop significantly—to the low 70s—Tuesday and Wednesday.

One of my brothers came to dinner Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, I grilled New York strip steaks (marinated for four hours in extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Cabernet Sauvignon, and minced garlic), giant shrimp (marinated for four hours in extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice wine vinegar, and lime juice), and asparagus (poached lightly then tossed onto the grill and spayed with a mixture of extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It was delicious.

Sunday, Laura grilled boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I marinated them for four hours in extra-virgin olive oil, grated ginger, garlic powder, brown sugar, lime juice, and soy sauce) and Johnsonville hot Italian sausage. I sautéed cubed baby red potatoes (I pre-cooked in boiling water for 5 minutes), green beans, thinly sliced red bell pepper, thinly sliced white onion, and a head of peeled garlic (roughly chopped) in extra-virgin olive oil—seasoned with Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, and sea salt. It was wonderful.

Crude, All in the Family, -and- Rent

Crude - Brazil oil find may end reliance on Middle East
All in the Family - Missouri sheriff's wife charged with identity theft
Rent - San Francisco landlords accused of tenant terror

On this day in history: April 25, 1994 - Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz (King Adrock) is sentenced to 200 hours of community service for battering a TV cameraman during the memorial service for actor River Phoenix.

Born on this day in history: April 25, 1969 - Renée Zellweger (1969-) Born in Katy, TX Renée Zellweger was first noticed in "Jerry Maguire" (1996), opposite Tom Cruise, and, in 2001, became an international star in the film adaptation of Helen Fielding's bestseller "Bridget Jones's Diary." In 2004, she won an Oscar for the Civil War drama "Cold Mountain." Zellweger married country music star Kenny Chesney in 2005, then filed for an annulment four months later, citing "fraud."

Scripture of the Day: He [Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. - Romans 4:25

Video of the Day: Spider Kills Bat - submitted by Amber

Michelin denies paternity suit!

The weather looks good for weekend grilling! The weatherpeople forecast temperatures in the mid-to-high 80s for this weekend. Today is sunny, the sky is blue and clear, and the birds are singing. It is forecast to be in the high 70s today and warming through the weekend. This will be great weather for outdoor activities! My brother is coming to dinner tomorrow. We shall grill New York strip steaks. Sunday, we intend to go for a journey in Mr. Nitro and perhaps a nature trek and photo expedition. If sufficient energy remains following this excursion, I intend to wash Mr. Nitro.

For dinner last evening, I removed the meat from the half rack of baby back ribs that remained from last Saturday's dinner. I added it to the leftover red beans and rice from that meal and allowed it to simmer for an hour. I warmed flour tortillas. It was a delightful meal.

Fighting Back, Jaws of Death, -and- Meow!

Fighting Back - Houston pawn shop owner shoots man during holdup
Jaws of Death - woman finds 8-foot alligator in kitchen
Meow! - woman fights to keep nearly 150 cats at home

On this day in history: April 24, 1995 - The Unabomber strikes, killing a timber industry lobbyist. Gilbert Murray is killed in his Sacramento office, opening mail addressed to the man he replaced.

Born on this day in history: April 24, 1982 - Kelly Clarkson Biography (1982-) Singer, songwriter. Born Kelly Brianne Clarkson on April 24, 1982 in Burleson, Texas. Clarkson graduated from Burleson High School in 2000, where she sang in the school choir. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career.

Scripture of the Day: "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you -- and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." - Mark 4:24-25

Video of the Day: Dodge Challenger - It's On!

Zeus stays abreast of the political scene—photographed by Laura. Click to enlarge.

The thunderstorm that was forecast for yesterday did not materialize. It was calm and sunny most of the day. There was a fierce wind in the early afternoon, but it abated quickly, and the evening was calm and relatively warm.

Today is sunny and beautiful. Forecasts are for mid-to-high 80-degree weather for the weekend. Let the grilling begin!