On Being A Parent

Octuplets mother Nadya Suleman was questioned yesterday by police and child welfare officials after her 4-year-old autistic son showed up at school with a black eye and bite marks. Orange County’s Child and Family Services and two La Habra police detectives visited Suleman’s home but it was not clear if any action would be taken against the mother of 14, said Jeff Czech, Suleman’s attorney.

The 45-minute visit, first reported by RadarOnline.com, was arranged when a teacher noticed Aidan’s injuries and reported them to authorities, Czech said. The attorney said the boy likely got the black eye from a fall and suggested one of Suleman's 2-year-old twins may have caused the bite marks.

Czech said he doubts Suleman will be seriously reprimanded, “but I know CPS takes it very seriously.”

I started to post a picture of my son Evan here, taken this weekend. Evan had just gotten a bath and was trying to get away from his mother (that seems to be his favorite new game—running away from us). He was holding a plastic cup in his hands. As he ran, he tripped and fell. His chin hit the cup and caused a cut on his chin. If you have ever cut your face, you know how much you bleed. He bled. He has a cut on his chin. And, no bandaid will stay on that little boy! Seriously? It’d be like putting a bandaid on a slick, slimy fish. The drool just prevents a bandaid sticking and staying.

Now, should his teachers at daycare have called child protective services on us? Did we do something wrong? Should the police be involved? Should we need to hire a lawyer and keep him/her on retainer, just in case?

Well, if his cut on his chin would get us in trouble, I’m sure the small bruise on his leg would really get us in trouble, because in all honesty, who knows how he got that bruise. I would think he bumped against the table or fell in the yard as he played or tripped on his toy fire truck. Why don’t I know for sure? Well, Evan is active. He’s all boy. He runs. He plays. He falls. No one is pushing him. No one is hurting him intentionally. No one is abusing him. he’s just playing and having a great time with life.

Now, if Nadya Suleman is abusing her son or any of her children, then throw the book at her. Lock her up. Throw away the key. Seriously. But, children are children. They have bruises, cuts, bumps on the head.

That is unless all they do is sit and watch TV and play video games. Then, in that situation, parents get in trouble because their children aren’t active enough, maybe overweight, and obviously lazy! Lousy parents.

It really is impossible to be a parent.

Speed Racer He Ain't!

When I first read the following story, my first thought was “California!”

After you read the story, I bet many of you will think the same thing! We’ve just come to expect things like this from California. But, not this time. This time, it’s from Little Falls, Minnesota. Yes, Minnesota!

It seems that a 40-year-old man is behind bars after leading deputies on a 57-mile chase—in a garbage truck. At one point, a Morrison County sheriff’s deputy tried to stop the truck by firing a shotgun into its engine.

Police said the pursuit started when authorities received a report Tuesday about an intoxicated man trying to get into a home. The man left, driving the truck, before deputies arrived. Authorities said the driver swerved at squad cars and accelerated in reverse. Deputies tried stopping the truck with stop sticks, but it kept going with several flat tires.

The driver eventually pulled over and was caught by a police dog as he ran into the woods.
The suspect was treated for dog bites, then jailed, pending charges.

Well. At least it ended well. The man was arrested. A police dog got involved. He’s now in jail. A few dog bites. All’s well that ends well. Police 1. Drunken thief 0.

No Harm No Foul? Right!

White House Military Office Director Louis Caldera apologized for any panic caused by a flight mission and photo op that looked like Air Force One and fighter jets heading toward the New York City skyline Monday morning.

Caldera said he approved the mission last week and that federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey.

But for people who work in the New York financial district, the event brought back nightmares of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Numerous buildings in lower Manhattan evacuated in a panic during this morning's false alarm. (Here's a link to NBC New's coverage of it last night.)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"It's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused," Caldera said in a White House issued paper statement.

The plane that flew in New York Monday was a version of the Boeing 747 that's called Air Force One when the president is aboard.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg blasted the photo opportunity for being insensitive and showing "poor judgment."

In a brief statement after the flight, the New York Police Department acknowledged it was aware the flight was happening, but claimed the Federal Aviation Administration told them not to talk about it.

"The flight of a VC-25 aircraft and F-16 fighters this morning was authorized by the FAA for the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty with directives to local authorities not to disclose information about it but to direct any inquiries to the FAA Air Traffic Security Coordinator," the statement said.

The aircraft involved in this morning's mission, a VC-25, is the military's version of a Boeing 747, with state-of-the-art communication and electronic equipment. It is a backup plane that is sometimes used as Air Force One to carry the President of the United States.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs was asked several times about the flight during his daily briefing and promised he would try to get back to reporters with some answers.

So, question. What the heck was the White House staff thinking? Flying very low, toward the New York City skyline with the backup Air Force One? What could be the purpose in doing that? What did they hope to accomplish, having "Air Force One" being tracked by two military jets?

I can't wait to hear what their "explanation" will be. Maybe it will be more convincing than their statement that President Obama didn't bow to the king of Saudi Arabia. The video said differently. Here, the pictures and the near panic say differently.

Locks of Love

Of the 22 Homewood (Alabama) girls who started growing their hair in September, eight have made the final cut so far. Other members of the Shades Cahaba Elementary School after-school Locks of Love Club had hoped to have their ponytails snipped for donation to their namesake cancer charity by last Friday.

They named their group Locks of Love, inspired by the nonprofit organization that collects donated tresses to be woven into wigs for cancer patients who lose their natural locks due to treatments. Several hadn’t quite made the 10-inch minimum required by the agency, said Lisa Mooresmith, a first-grade teacher who co-founded the group with Rebecca Smith, a fourth-grade teacher.

The mission to donate their hair was the catalyst that started the club of children in grades three, four, and five, which meets monthly. Now, there’s much more than charity on its agenda.

Mooresmith and Smith saw the half-hour sessions as another opportunity to emphasize character education, for which the school has received national recognition. The teachers, with help from school counselor Delisa Brooks, aimed to help the girls gain confidence and self-esteem, acknowledge accomplishments and express concerns, Mooresmith said.

Students who completed surveys in September had a hard time coming up with positive attributes and achievements about themselves, Mooresmith said. That gave her and Smith goals.
“Conversations have been great,” Mooresmith said. “We’ve talked about school, getting along with peers, dealing with differences with best friends, and the trepidation most fourth- and fifth-graders feel about the transition to middle school.”

There’s also been music and lots of giggling. “Our main responsibility is academics,” said school Principal Sue Grogan. “But we don’t teach just academics. We want to teach the mind and the spirit of the child.”

Grogan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, shared her journey and optimistic prognosis with her students. She donated her hair to the Locks of Love project, but under special circumstances. There’s a big demand for gray hair, so Grogan said the Locks of Love representatives were happy to receive the six inches she was able to donate for a short wig.

You know. There are still great kids in the world! Unfortunately, their stories aren’t often told and they aren’t told enough! Way to go Shades Cahaba Elementary girls! We are proud of you!

Beyond Belief

A shocking X-ray shows how a man died with up to 30 nails fired into his skull by a high-powered nail gun.

Sydney, Australia, homicide squad detectives released the graphic image as they make a fresh appeal for information about Chen Liu’s murder. The decomposed body of the 27-year-old, also known as Anthony Liu, was found dumped in the Georges River last November, wrapped in a domestic rug. He was bound with electrical wires and an extension cord and the carpet was neatly folded with each end tucked in and then bound with three strips of wire.

Officers with Strike Force Renfree, formed to investigate the murder, have revealed they believe he was shot dead elsewhere and driven to the river in his own blue 2005 Range Rover Sport 4WD.

Detective Inspector Mark Newham said that post-mortem examination results had showed Liu was shot repeatedly in the head up to 30 times with a high-powered nail gun. “Similar types of nail guns can fire nails up to 85mm long,” Insp Newham said.

Detectives said the nail gun used in the murder was a standard cordless, framing, gas-charged gun, widely available for sale and hire.

You know, no jokes here today. I can’t even imagine being shot once in the head with a nail gun, much less 30 times. I can only hope that the man had died before much pain was inflicted on his body. Sure seems someone was making a point, doesn’t it? (I started to say, driving home a point, but as I said, no jokes here today.)

Very sad what our world has come to these days.

Happy Anniversary to Me!

It's sad.

It really is.

I've been so busy that I have not even noticed what today is! It is my one year anniversary of my blog!

Thank you for stopping by. I've made some really great "friends" over the last year! You've stuck with my blog, commented as you felt comfortable, and put up with many ramblings over the last 365 days!

Thanks for being here. Who knows where the next year will take you, or me, or anyone for that matter.

Maybe we'll meet back here next year at this time and stand in awe at what God did in the year.

Steve

What Were They Thinking!

Apple Inc. is apologizing for allowing a 99-cent iPhone game called “Baby Shaker” that let a player quiet a virtual crying infant by shaking the device.

Apple removed the program from the iPhone’s App Store on Wednesday, but critics pressed for an apology Thursday.

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said Thursday that the game was “deeply offensive” and said it should not have been approved for sale.

“We sincerely apologize for this mistake,” Kerris said in a statement.

Apple approves the programs that outside software developers make available in the store. “Baby Shaker” came from a company called Sikalosoft, which has not commented.

The game asked players to see how long they could endure a baby’s cries and then shake the phone to stop the wailing.

So, let me see if I understand this. Apples approves a game for their new phone. Apple makes $.99 per application. Apple makes money off something so offensive and terrible. Then, people complain. And, Apple is sorry? Give me a break.

How could a company approve a game like baby shaker? Did no one at Apple see the danger in such a game? No one! What does that say about Apple?

Incoming Message

Their thumbs sure have to be sore.

Two central Pennsylvania friends spent most of March in a text-messaging record attempt, exchanging a thumbs-flying total of 217,000.

For one of the two, that meant an inches-thick itemized bill for $26,000.

Nick Andes, 29, and Doug Klinger, 30, were relying on their unlimited text messaging plans to get them through the escapade, so Andes didn't expect such a big bill. “It came in a box that cost $27.55 to send to me,” he said Tuesday. He said he “panicked” and called T-Mobile, which told The Associated Press it had credited his account and was investigating the charges.

The two Lancaster-area residents have been practically nonstop texters for about a decade since they attended Berks Technical Institute together. That led Andes to search for the largest monthly text message total he could find posted online: 182,000 sent in 2005 by Deepak Sharma in India.

Andes and Klinger were able to set up their phones to send multiple messages. During a February test run they found they could send 6,000 or 7,000 messages on some days, prompting the March messaging marathon. “Most were either short phrases or one word, ‘LOL’ or ‘Hello,’ things like that, with tons and tons of repeats,” said Andes, reached by phone.

Andes sent more than 140,000 messages, and Klinger sent more than 70,000 to end the month with a total of just over 217,000, he said.

A spokesman for Guinness World Records didn’t immediately return messages asking whether it would be certified as a record.

This story leads me to ask a simple question: Don’t they have jobs? Or, maybe one more question: You mean their wives tolerated these two guys texting all the time?

I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to keep up with emails and Facebook messages, much less sending and receiving 1,000s of text messages. Then again, and this will show my age I suppose, I don’t do text messaging. I just don’t see the point in it. I’d rather talk to the person on the phone or even email. Why send a note over your cell phone? If is really necessary to text them “hello?” Is that necessary? Or, how about “U OK”. Sorry. I just don’t see it.

What about you? Big texter? What am I missing? And, in a month’s time, what’s the most texts you have sent? Be honest!

I Am Invisible! Really I Am!

Police say a man dressed liked a ninja used a sword in an attempt to rob a Weymouth (MA) dry cleaner. According to police, a convenience store clerk called police Monday after she noticed a man walking into the store wearing a ski mask and carrying a sword in a sheath on his belt.

When the man noticed her, he pulled his mask off and asked if she was calling about him, police said. Pulling off your mask is a good move too. Shows real brains!

When she said she was, police said the man left the store and walked into nearby Galaxy Cleaners.

There, police said he pointed a sword at the register and asked a clerk to give him all the money inside. Police said he left after she told him she couldn’t open the drawer.

Police still are searching for the man, who witnesses said appeared to be in his late 20s. I think it might be important to note that he was dressed in a ninja outfit, with a sword on his waist. That might help in the apprehension, don’t you think?

I guess the ninja didn’t think the police would spot him if he robbed the store next to the store where the manager was calling police. Then again, it would appear that the thief was correct, the police didn’t catch him at the scene! Not sure which is more foolish. The man in a ninja outfit, or the police not being able to catch him.

Fat People--You Are Next on the Endangered List

Okay, are you ready for this?

I hope you are sitting down before you read this next statement. It seems that the rising number of fat people was blamed for global warming on Monday.

Scientists warned that the increase in big eaters means more food production—a major cause of CO2 gas emissions warming the planet.

Overweight people are also more likely to drive, adding to environmental damage.

Dr. Phil Edwards, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “Moving about in a heavy body is like driving in a gas guzzler.”

Each fat person is said to be responsible for emitting a ton more of climate-warming carbon dioxide per year than a thin one.

It means an extra billion tons of CO2 a year is created, according to World Health Organization estimates of overweight people.

The scientists say providing extra grub for them to guzzle adds to carbon emissions that heat up the world, melting polar ice caps, raising sea levels and killing rain forests.

Maybe, and this is just me speaking here, maybe this is just craziness! If we follow this logic, couldn’t skinny people also be part of the problem? Every skinny person I have ever known is always cold-natured. There’s not enough blood flowing through their veins or something. So, what do they do? They turn up the heat in the house or car, hence using more fuel. Or, they wear more clothes—and we know that takes more wool from the sheep, which in turn are cooler than they should be.

Sure seems to me that some scientists have far more time on their hands than they should!

Cletus Take the Reel!

Just Below the Surface

A Colorado woman digging a sprinkler system discovered a grenade that police say may date back to World War II.

Grand Junction Police Bomb Squad Sgt. Stan Ancell said the grenade discovered Saturday was harmless because a detonating mechanism had been disabled.

Joann Martinez said her shovel pulled up the grenade and she briefly picked it up, then set it back down and covered it with a wheelbarrow before calling police.

Ancell said it appeared the grenade had been buried a long time.

I love Sgt. Ancell’s statement. The grenade has been there a long time? Dud! If it does date back to WW II, then, yes, that was a LONG time ago.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve found in your yard? Other than a few rusted out beer cans left behind by the builders or electrical cable left buried in the yard, that’s about it for me.

So, do tell. What’s the strangest thing left behind in your yard?

Just One Question Mr. President

Georgetown University hid a religious inscription representing the name of Jesus during President Obama’s address there Tuesday, because White House staff asked the school to cover up all religious symbols and signs while the president was on stage.

The monogram IHS, whose letters spell out the name of Jesus, and which normally perches above the stage in Gaston Hall where the president spoke, was covered over with what appeared to be black wood during the address.

“In coordinating the logistical arrangements for the event, Georgetown honored the White House staff’s request to cover all of the Georgetown University signage and symbols behind the Gaston Hall stage,” university spokesman Andy Pino said.

The White House said that the backdrop, which included blue drapes and a host of American flags, was standard during policy speeches and other events.

Georgetown is a private Catholic institution founded by Jesuits in 1789. The auditorium where the president spoke Tuesday is adorned with religious imagery, but only the symbols directly on the stage – those likely to be picked up by a television camera–were obscured.

The White House insisted that the move was made only to provide a proper setting for the speech—and said that “any suggestions to the contrary are simply false.”

I have just one question, just one: “Mr. President, what’s the problem you seem to have with Jesus?”

Two Tickets or One?

Overweight passengers hoping to travel on United Airlines may have to buy two tickets to fly the friendly skies.

The third largest U.S. airline announced Wednesday that it will join other carriers and start charging passengers for two seats if they can’t properly fit into one.

United made the change as a result of the hundreds of complaints it receives each year from customers who “had to share their seat with the oversized guest,” United Spokeswoman Robin Urbansky told Bloomberg.com.

According to the airline, the policy will be enforced only in the event that the passenger can’t be relocated next to an empty seat. If the flight is full, the passenger will have to change their ticket to the next available flight and purchase a second seat for that flight.

United is the fifth major airline to adopt a policy of this kind.

A few weeks back, I flew to Dallas for a meeting. I flew the orangish, brown airplanes, the ones where the attendants actually try to make the trip fun. Anyway, I was in group A. That meant I was entitled to board in the first group to board. I was actually number 16 to enter the plane--yes, I counted. As I entered the cabin, I immediately noticed that the first seat, on the right, was empty! I thought, what a lucky day! Then, I looked at the person sitting next to the window. Let's say that he would, if flying American Airlines, be asked to buy two tickets.

I made a very quick decision--to take that empty seat, leaving the middle seat empty. I have to admit that my motives weren't completely pure. You see, I knew that no one, in their right mind, was going to sit in the middle seat--even if they could have sat there. The window passenger was more than spilling over into the middle seat.

Sure enough. I was right. No one sat there. Gave me plenty of arm space and leg room. The only problem. The window passenger snored worse than a sailor. Or, my father-in-law! That's bad. Plenty of space. Just no sleep for me.

I watched as the rest of the 120 or so passengers boarded the plane. The vast majority of them immediately spied the empty seat next to me and their eyes brightened. And, then, to the person, the also spied the window seat man. They kept on moving toward the back. Not their lucky day.

If American keeps this policy, I don’t know about you, but I smell a lawsuit coming. Where’s the ACLU on this one?

Send Your Money. Now!

Treasury Department Issues Emergency Recall Of All US Dollars

Really. You Don't Need to Be So Generous!

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, millionaires from his best-selling books, made $2.7 million last year and paid just under one-third of their adjusted income in federal taxes. While the income, mostly his, was far more than the U.S. median household income of about $50,000, it was quite a decrease from the $4.2 million the Obamas made in 2007.

Obama earned $139,204 as a Democratic senator from Illinois last year before leaving his seat after winning the November election. Michelle Obama received a salary of $62,709 from the University of Chicago Hospitals, where she was an executive.

The couple's total federal tax came to $855,323. That was 32 percent of their adjusted gross income of $2,656,902. The Obamas overpaid by $26,014, and elected to apply that amount to their 2009 taxes. The couple’s federal tax deductions included about $50,000 in home mortgage interest.

They reported contributing $172,050 to charity last year, including $25,000 each to the CARE international relief agency and the United Negro College Fund. They gave a total of $1,400 to five churches. In contrast to 2007, they gave nothing to the Trinity United Church of Christ.

The White House also released Vice President Joe Biden’s tax returns. Biden and his wife, Jill, earned $269,256 last year. The Bidens’ main sources of income were salaries from the Senate, Widener University, Delaware Technical & Community College and royalties from the audio rights to the vice president’s memoir, “Promises to Keep.” According to tax returns released by the vice president’s office, the Bidens paid $46,952 in federal income taxes and $11,164 in Delaware state income taxes. They donated $1,885 to charity.

So, let’s see. An adjusted gross income of $2.656 million. And, $1,400 given to five churches. An adjusted gross income of $269,256. And, donations to “charity” of $1,885.

I guess the Washington, D.C. churches will be lining up in hopes that the Obamas and Bidens will join their church! They are such strong believers in giving a biblical tithe.

A Mother's Love

[Photo from Google, not the real criminal]

A 37-year-old Great Falls, Montana, woman is accused of driving her son and his friends around the city as the teens stole items from cars.

Police learned about the case Saturday morning when the woman’s husband called authorities to report he found a pile of stuff in his back yard that he suspected had been stolen. Court records say over $3,000 in items were stolen, including a set of golf clubs and power tools.

Lisa Dilley is charged with accountability to theft and accountability to criminal trespass to a vehicle, along with endangering the welfare of children.

Two 18-year-olds, Justin Julian and Julie Surratt, also face the accountability charges. Five juveniles were arrested in the case, including Dilley's 16-year-old son.

You know, I could never have imagined my mother doing this. My mother would even let us stay out pass 10:00 PM on the weekends!

A Blog About Nothing

Seinfeld was a show about nothing.

Really. Nothing. Just every day life for New Yorkers. Places to eat. Walking down the street. Work. Friendships. Strange people coming in their lives.

Jerry Seinfield and his real life friends became very rich talking about nothing.

Today's blog will be much like that. I doubt, though, that I'll get rich from this blog. Nice thought. Wishful thinking maybe. But, not going to happen. Too bad. I could use a little wealth about now.

Lately, I've been thinking about a few things. Here are my random thoughts.

Have you ever noticed that there's always one co-worker who keeps asking and asking and asking if a project is being handled the right way. And, no matter how many times you say yes, you can count on that person asking at least a hundred dozen more times if it is being handled correctly.

Have you ever noticed the guy in the beat up old car that rides your bumper trying to get around you, has no where to go if he/she does get around you, because traffic is backed up in both lanes. You know that person? It's almost tempting to slam on your brakes and let him run into your back bumper, until, that is, you realize he has no insurance!

Have you ever noticed that you call your doctor a week in advance and schedule an appointment, show up 15 minutes early to make sure you aren't late for your appointment, only to have to sit and wait for 30 minutes as your doctor meets with a drug rep who came with no advanced calling and is giving out freebies to the entire office staff and talking about going golfing at the beach. Wonderful medicial system we have! Next time I go to the doctor, I'm taking a nice set of golf balls as a present. That and my $20 co-pay.

Have you ever noticed that when you are having medical issues and people find out, they are more than happy to share with you stories about every other person they know who has the same problems as you. They don't mind sharing the details either. The other person was REALLY sick. Or, the other person spent weeks in the hospital. Or, the other person died! And, people wonder why I keep my medical issues to myself for the most part.

Have you ever wondered why Monday-Friday the weather is absolutely beautiful and then on Saturday and Sunday is rains. Sure seems to be our pattern these days in Alabama. Wonder if I can shift my work week to Saturday-Wednesday?

Have you ever wondered why your car breaks down the week after you pay it off or the warranty expires. Is there a switch in the car's computer that the car company activates knowing that you'll have to come in and have it repaired. And, why is it, when you take the car in for something to be repaired, they always find something else to fix.

Have you ever considered life. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something goes totally crazy. Totally out of control. Totally blindsides you. And, it hits hard. And often. And from all sides.

Maybe it is just me. Maybe those are just my thoughts and no one else has ever had any of them.

Thanks for stopping by today. Come back again. Next time, I'll try to write about something!

Lego My King!

A Swedish church unveiled a life-size statue of Jesus Christ during their Easter morning mass.

The nearly 30,000 Lego bricks used to make the 5.8 foot statue were donated by parishioners, Per Wilder, the pastor of the Oensta Gryta Church in Vaesteras.

“It is a fantastic installation and it will be there as long as we think it is in a good spot,” Wilder said. “All those I spoke with were full of praise, saying how fantastic the model looks and how much good work we put into this.”

Wilder said work on the statue was started a year and a half ago.

Wonder if they have spent an equal amount of time telling people exactly who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross and through the empty tomb.

He's My King!

Don't Forget, Sunday's Coming!

Freedom Rock

Every year, for the last nine years, a talented artist, Ray (Bubba) Sorensen II, has done a Memorial Day tribute to our servicemen and servicewomen, both past and present, with a stirring tableau painted on a large granite boulder which stands next to Highway 25 in rural Iowa. The huge granite boulder came out of the nearby Schillberg Rock Quarry and it weighs approx. 56 ton and is 12 ft high.

For years this boulder was known as “the graffiti rock” and was decorated for high school rivalries, love interests, etc. Since the Memorial Day paintings began, the “rock” has remained with the annual tribute intact.

When Sorensen was 19, he saw Saving Private Ryan and he felt that patriotism was at an all time low and was not being taught in our schools and this motivated him to paint the rock. People were always driving by to see what was painted on the rock. Sometimes there were bad things and other times it was good. He knew if he painted the rock a lot of people would see it.
Sorensen paints over the previous year’s mural with white paint and starts with a black canvas. He draws a sketch of his idea on paper and then draws the design by free hand onto the rock. This takes him anywhere from one to three weeks to paint. He gets his ideas from books, movies, previous artwork and images by other artists.

Here are two pictures from last year’s mural. For more information, visit this Web site.

A Prayer Request

May I make a request today.

Prayer.

May I ask you to pray for me?

At 10:45 AM (Central Time) I will undergo a test to determine whether or not I'm having a medical problem. At a later time, I'll provide the details. But, for now, just pray. Not that I'm not having problems. What I'd like to request in prayer is that the doctors and nurses will know what's going on and can provide the answers to whatever I need.

In the grand scheme of life, my problem is minor and totally unrelated to last fall's health issues. Nonetheless, some answers would be appreciated.

Thanks, in advance, for your prayers!

No More Words

Do you ever run out of words?

A dry spell. Nothing comes. Nothing to say.

I am there today.

So, if you've got some words to share, please comment. Otherwise, it will be a very quiet day.

Not For Long

An NFL coach once told an official that if he kept making calls like he was making that he wouldn't be calling games in the league for long, literally telling him what NFL stood for--Not For Long.

Maybe it is time for that same coach to tell NFL players that!

It's been a terrible off-season for NFL players. One player has been arrested for the death of a person, while he was DUI. Other players have been arrested on various charges across the country. Two NFL players died at seas when their boat capsized. Now, there's another story in the news.

It seems that NFL receiver Reggie Williams has been charged with drug possession after off-duty policemen used a Taser to subdue him when he refused to leave a bar.

Houston police spokesman Kese Smith says Williams was impaired when he refused to leave a bar Sunday night. He struggled with two off-duty officers who tried to escort him out and one of them used a Taser on him.

Police say jail officials later found a small bag believed to contain cocaine in Williams’ back pocket. He was charged on Monday with possession of a controlled substance and freed after posting a $2,000 bond.

In February, the 25-year-old unrestricted free agent was arrested in Houston on drink driving and possession of marijuana charges, which were later dropped. He played for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

You know, I love sports. I really do. I used to love playing sports. I still love watching sports. But, what I don't love is the attitude of so many players, many who have been pampered their entire live, and given anything they want. Now, they believe they can live above the law, do what they want, and will suffer no penalty for it.

As a fan, I'm tired of it. And maybe I need to learn the meaning of NFL--if this stupidity keeps up, that's about how long I should keep watching--Not For Long!

Honoring War Dead or Media Circus

The Air Force says the media were allowed to cover the arrival Sunday of an airman killed overseas, the first such opportunity since the Obama administration overturned an 18-year-old ban on news coverage of returning war dead.

The new policy announced in February gives families a choice of whether to admit the news media to ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, the entry point to the United States for the caskets of overseas war dead. Critics of the previous policy had said the government was trying to hide the human cost of war.

What do you think? Are we honoring the fallen soldiers or creating a media circus for political gain? I have an answer. Would love to hear yours.

Me as a Child

Well, in truth, that's not me. That's Evan! If you didn't know.

A co-worker of mine, a graphic designer, took a few liberties with a recent photo of Evan. He thought it would be fun to imagine what I looked like as a child!

Too funny Clay! I need to see if I can't find you some more work to do!

How to Wash Your Cat

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR TOILET AND WASH YOUR CAT AT THE SAME TIME.

Instructions:

1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.

2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.

3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may need to sit on the lid.

4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.

5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "power-wash" “and rinse".

6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.

7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.

8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.

YOUR CAT AND COMMODE WILL BOTH BE SPARKLING CLEAN.

Grammar Crackers

I am very thankful that one of my favorite bloggers is back at blogging. Heidi is a great blogger. She shares from her heart. If you don't want honesty, stay away from her site. She'll hit you between your eyes with unbelievable truth!

The other day, Heidi published this picture on her site. It is too funny! And, worth sharing here.

Thank You Mr. Obama

Health and Human Services nominee Kathleen Sebelius has corrected three years of tax returns and paid more than $7,000 in back taxes after finding “unintentional errors,” the latest tax troubles for an Obama administration nominee.

The Kansas governor explained the changes to senators in a letter dated Tuesday that was obtained by The Associated Press. She said they involved charitable contributions, the sale of a home, and business expenses.

She and her husband paid a total of $7,040 in back taxes and $878 in interest to amend returns from 2005–2007.

Several Obama administration nominees have been derailed by tax issues, notably the president’s first nominee for HHS secretary, former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle. He withdrew from consideration while apologizing for failing to pay $140,000 in taxes and interest.

For one, I can fully say that I am appreciative of all of the nominees that Mr. Obama has put forward who have come forward to correct their tax situation. I think a good idea would be to continue the revolving door of nominees who have not paid their taxes, place them up for nomination, and then magically watch as they realize the importance of paying their back due taxes.

Our economy is definitely on the rebound, just with Mr. Obama’s tax-dodging, I mean tax ignorant, nominees.