Family Matters

Today, my niece CJ Mitchell became a grandmother. Little Connor Sage and mama Amy Jo are doing great. I think that makes me a great great aunt to Connor – whatever! Let’s just say I’m great. :)

My cousin Ethelyn’s husband (Elwyn) is doing well after his surgery. He’s hoping to get a drainage tube out tomorrow.

My cousin George just had heart surgery.

Tomorrow, my cousin Richard has an angioplasty.

My sister-in-law Esther is back from her travels to Maryland for her sister-in-law Barb’s memorial service. Barb struggled for a long time with brain cancer.

Please keep all of these folks in your thoughts and prayers.

Harry Potter – for the Third Time

Today, I saw the latest HP move for the third time and my friend Karen saw it for the second. The theater was packed. I wonder how many had already seen it before.

We had a huge thunderstorm this afternoon. The temp went from 88 to 77 in just about an hour.

From Derek Hunter via Townhall.com:

Here are some staggering numbers that are important to know.

1) The government spends $10 billion a day, $4 billion of which is borrowed.

2) The interest on our national debt is $29 billion per month. AGAIN: The interest on our national debt is $29 billion per month.

3) In Fiscal Year 2001 the federal budget was $1.86 trillion. In 2011 the federal budget is $3.82 trillion. That’s more than double in 10 years and STILL not enough for some liberals.

Finally, all this talk of cuts aren’t cuts at all. While they won’t mention it, everything these politicians are talking about are not only theoretical, since no Congress can bind any future Congress when it comes to spending, they aren’t cuts at all. They’re talking about spending more, just slightly less. While normal human beings hear someone is cutting spending and thinks they’re actually going to be less than before, language is like clay in Washington and can be made into anything you want it to mean.

Here’s how to think of it. Say you went on a date and spent $100 on dinner. The next week you’re going on another date and think you’ll spend $150 on dinner. Then you go on the date and actually end up spending $125 on dinner. Would you say your dinner budget was cut by $25, or would you say it was increased by $25? Keep in mind that you’re broke and this is all on credit cards. You’ve added $125 to your debt, but $25 less than you expected you might.

In reality you should probably be eating at less expensive places, but in Washington-speak you just saved $25.

Further, what you end up being is dependent upon your date, who is future Congresses in this analogy. You can plan and hope to spend whatever you want on the date, but if your date wants the most expensive thing on the menu and orders a bunch of drinks, there’s nothing you can do about it. Just like this Congress can’t bind a future Congress on spending, you aren’t going to tell your date, “Hey, how about you just get the soup and a glass of water?” So if you end up spending $175 on the date, that’s what you spend, even in if you only planned on spending $150.

The only difference between this “date” and what’s happening in Congress is you may only have hope on the date, with Congress we’re guaranteed to get screwed.

Until next time…

Social Security Checks Aug. 3rd

Mark Levine on WGST talk radio.  He is a Constitutional lawyer.  He quoted from a U.S. House committee investigative session where it was discovered that the U. S. Treasury will have sufficient funds to pay Social Security and Veterans benefits for the month of August 2011.  So the head of the Social Security Administration was questioned as to how these benefits would not be paid (Obama had threatened to stop Social Security payments on 3 Aug.).  The committee found that Social Security does not have the authority to issue checks.  The Social Security checks are issued by the Treasury Department headed by Timothy Geithner.  Even Geithner does not have the authority to not issue Social Security unless he is directed by President Obama to not issue the checks.  Pres.Obama alone will be responsible if Social Security checks are not issued starting on August 3, 2011.  Every senior citizen and every American should work to remove this tyrant from the White House in 2012.  Had enough change yet?

It should be noted that this debt ceiling crisis is a boondoggle. The government takes in about 172 Billion dollars each month. Debt service amounts to about 49 Billion, leaving money for Social Security, Veterans Benefits, and pay for the US Military – the foreign aid, EPA, DOE, AFTBE, etc. can wait or shut down – the economy would probably improve if lack of funds force the federal government to NOT be able to enforce all of their ridiculous regulations.

Interesting History

They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families
used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken &
Sold to the tannery.......if you had to do this to survive
you were "Piss Poor"

But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't
even afford to buy a pot.....they "didn't have a pot to
piss in" & were the lowest of the low

The next time you are washing your hands and complain
because the water temperature isn't just how you like it,
think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about
the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their
yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by
June. However, since they were starting to smell . ..... .
Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.
Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting
Married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man
of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then
all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the
children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so
dirty you could actually lose someone in it.. Hence the
saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no
wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get
warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs)
lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and
sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof...
Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the
house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs
and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence,
a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top
afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into
existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other
than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had
slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet,
so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their
footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until,
when you opened the door, it would all start slipping
outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way.
Hence: a thresh hold.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big
kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit
the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly
vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the
stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold
overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew
had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence
the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas
porridge in the pot nine days old.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home
the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests
and would all sit around and chew the fat.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high
acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food,
causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with
tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were
considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt
bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests
got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination
would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days.
Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and
prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen
table for a couple of days and the family would gather
around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake
up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running
out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins
and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the
grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins
were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they
realized they had been burying people alive. So they would
tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night
(the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus,someone
could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.

And that's the truth....Now, whoever said History was boring!!!

Until next time..

Crazy, Stupid Love

Today, I say the movie Crazy, Stupid Love starring Steve Carrel, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Kevin Bacon, and Marissa Tomei. It’s one of the best movies I have seen all year. Very entertaining and very surprising.

This afternoon I visited the library to return all of the books I had taken out, then I checked out seven or eight other books. I’m currently listening to Sacred and Profane which I think is the second of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazurus novels by Faye Kellerman.

My cousin Richard finally has an appointment for Monday to have angioplasty. I guess he has to stay just one night.

Donut Burger at NYS Fair… 1500 Calorie

According to a radio station web site:

Updated 7/28/11 3:03 p.m.
Posted 7/28/11 12:32 p.m.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - Want fries with that ... doughnut?

A food booth in Syracuse will unveil the "Big Kahuna Donut Burger" at this year's New York State Fair.

For between $5 and $6, the adventurous eater will get a quarter-pound burger in between slices of a grilled, glazed doughnut. Toss on some cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion and you've got yourself a 1,500-calorie meal.

America's state fairs can be counted on to provide foods featuring offbeat ingredient combinations. Wisconsin has chocolate covered bacon on a stick, you can get fried beer in Texas, Massachusetts provides fried jelly beans and North Carolina has the "Koolickle," pickles soaked in Kool-Aid.

New York's fair opens Aug. 25. Per WLS 890 AM

Until next time…

Iffy Internet Connection Today

For the second day in a row, my Internet connection has been very iffy. What’s worse is that I have restart my computer whenever I lose the connection.

Not much going on anyway. My cousin is right now at the doctor’s finding out, hopefully, what they are going to do about his heart.

I’ve been reading more Faye Kellerman and Aunt Dimity books. I have a couple of books on tape to listen to, but probably won’t do that until later.

Tomorrow, I think I’ll go see Crazy, Stupid Love.

Until next time…

Rainy, Rainy

In Florida, it doesn’t often happen that it rains all day. Today, it did, well, for the most part. I did manage to go to Waffle House for breakfast this morning without getting too wet. Then, I went to my storage space and picked up a couple of boxes to facilitate my move from one camper to the other (haven’t picked out the new one yet) and didn’t get too wet doing that. I also stopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond and the library in between the rain drops.

Just got off the phone with my brother Jeff. He, his wife Kathy and her mother Grace are in Destin, FL spending a couple of days at the beach. I think Kathy starts teaching again next week so it was their last chance to really get away.

Hopefully, tomorrow, my cousin will find out what’s going on with his heart situation, whether they do angioplasty or surgery.

Well, back to Aunt Dimity Takes A Holiday.

Until next time…

Confusion Reigns

Apparently, the doctor(s) that were going to do my cousin’s triple bypass have decided not to do it and they are going to try angioplasty instead. He finally got an appointment for Thursday to consult with a doctor about it.

Today, I went to the bank to deposit a check and then to Publix for a few groceries. My nap was interrupted by a text message, but I did go to the library to drop off 4 books and pick up a couple I had placed on hold. I’m on my third Aunt Dimity book – they are short, but interesting.

Tonight, Karen and I went to Kazbor’s for wings. They were so crispy and good – it doesn’t get much better than that. Dickie had already eaten at Bob Evans so he didn’t want to go.

For the first time in a while, I’ve had trouble keeping an internet connection today. Hopefully, I will get it to stay on long enough to publish this blogpost.

Until next time…

The Check WAS in the Mail

Finally, the check I’ve been expecting for ages came in the mail today. It has been deposited into the bank. Now, once it clears, I can begin seriously checking out RV sales places for a somewhat bigger travel trailer. I have lots of requirements, including an island bed, a comfortable chair, lots more storage space inside and out, at least a little counter (don’[t have any right now), compatible electric brakes, compatible hitch set up, and so on and so forth.

It may be a while before I can do any serious looking since I’ll probably be spending a lot of time at the hospital with my cousin while he undergoes and recovers from triple bypass. We still don’t know when it will take place, but I know he’s anxious to get it over with.

Cynthia McKinney

If I ran the state of Georgia or the city of Atlanta or whoever is responsible for the street named after former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, I would be moving mountains to change it. She has been overseas (in Iran of all places) blasting the US, saying we’re responsible for assassinations and that we are the most violent on the planet. I knew she had a screw loose, but she is so anti-American, we should invite her to leave this country.

You have to wonder about the people that once elected her, because once they got rid of her, they elected Hank Johnson, who is afraid Guam is about to tip over. What’s up with that?

Hot Dogs Can Wreck Your Health (according to the following billboard:

According to theblaze.com, a group called Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has paid to put this billboard outside Indianapolis International Speedway.  The Blaze also discovered that this group is linked to an animal rights group.

While hot dogs may not especially good for you, this billboard would not keep me from eating them. We should be able to choose. It’s funny how, over the years, this group or that will say such and such is good for you or not good for you.

Well, it must be almost time for dinner. Think I’ll have a hot dog. :)

Until next time…

Donald Trump Explains Obamacare

No one can sum it up better than Trump! "Obama Care Explained" Let me get this straight . . . .... We're going to be "gifted" with a health care plan we are forced to purchase and fined if we don't, Which purportedly covers at least ten million more people, without adding a single new doctor, but provides for 16,000 new IRS agents, written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that didn't read it but exempted themselves from it, and signed by a President who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, for which we'll be taxed for four years before any benefits take effect, by a government which has already bankrupted Social Security and Medicare, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke!!!!! 'What the hell could possibly go wrong?' Captain America This morning I went to AMC to see Captain America starring a bunch of people I didn’t know except for Tommy Lee Jones. and Stanley Tucci. Samuel L. Jackson was also in it for a few seconds at the end. Stanley Tucci was terrific; Tommy Lee Jones not so much. After the movie, I picked up my cousin Richard and we had lunch at Olde Town Pizza. It was delicious. Hopefully, tomorrow we’ll find out when my cousin will have his triple bypass. We expect it to be on Tuesday, but have to wait for the doctor to decide. Until next time…

Debt-Free America Act....

Today, I watched an episode of In Plain Sight on my computer, visited my cousin Richard, went to the library and then to Publix. I wanted to make sure I had an ample supply of books for next week when my cousin is in the hospital. I got six Aunt Dimity books – I think I might have read one about her at one time, but can’t remember.

Got an email today about this Debt Free America Act:

This Obama gang is diabolical. Is your Soc. Sec. check on direct deposit? WAKE UP AMERICA HR4646 1% tax on all bank transactions HR4646. Watch for this AFTER November elections;

Remember this BEFORE you VOTE in case you think Obama's looking out for your best interest. 1% tax on all bank transactions HR 4646. This government just cannot think of enough ways to hurt the American people! I sure hope this dies!!!!!

FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW! 1% tax on all bank transactions HR 4646 - ANOTHER NEW OBAMA TAX SLIPPED IN WHILE WE WERE ASLEEP. Checked this on snopes, it's true! Check out HR 4646. President Obama's finance team is recommending a one percent (1%) transaction fee (TAX). Obama's plan is to sneak it in after the November elections to keep it under the radar.

This is a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution - banks, credit unions, savings and loans, etc. Any deposit you make, or even a transfer within your account, will have a 1% tax charged. ~If your paycheck or your social security or whatever is direct deposit, it will get a 1% tax charged for the transaction.

~If your paycheck is $1000, then you will pay Obama $10 just for the privilege of depositing your paycheck in your bank. Even if you hand carry your paycheck or any check into your bank for a deposit, 1% tax will be charged. ~You receive a $5,000 stock dividend from your broker, Obama takes $50 just to allow you to deposit that check in the bank.. ~If you take $1,000 cash to deposit at your bank, 1% tax will be charged. Mind you, this is from the man who promised that, if you make under $250,000 per year, you will not see one penny of new tax. Keep your eyes and ears open, you will be amazed at what you learn about this guy's under-the-table moves to increase the number of ways you are taxed.

~Oh, and by the way,if you receive a refund from the IRS next year and you have it direct deposited or you walk in to deposit that check, you guessed it. You will pay a 1% charge of that money just for putting it in your bank. Remember, any money, cash, check or whatever, no matter where it came from, you will pay a 1% fee if you put it in the bank. Some will say, oh well, it's just 1%. Are you kidding me? It's a 1% tax increase across the board.

Remember, once the tax is there, they can also raise it at will. And if anyone protests, they will just say, "oh, that's not really a tax, it's a user fee"! Think this is no big deal? Go back and look at the transactions you made from last year's banking statements. Then add the total of all those transactions and deduct 1%. Still think it's no big deal?

1. snopes.com: Debt Free America Act •••
Is the U.S. government proposing a 1% tax on debit card usage and/or banking transactions?
  ...It is true. The bill is HR-4646 introduced by US Rep Peter deFazio D-Oregon and US Senator Tom Harkin D-Iowa. Their plan is to sneak it in after the...
  ...moved beyond proposing studies and submitted the Debt Free America Act (H.R. 4646), a bill calling for the implementation of a scheme to pay down the...
  ...[2010] by Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.). His "Debt Free America Act" (H.R. 4646) would impose a 1 percent "transaction tax" on every financial transaction...
Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:25:13 GMT http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/debtfree.asp

At this time, with the economy in its current state, I am opposed to any new taxes or new fees and certainly not a 1% banking transaction fee.  What are these people drinking?

Now, if the federal income tax were eliminated, it seems to me we might entertain a consumption/transaction fee on any financial transaction, including sales of goods and services, banking transactions, etc., but I don’t think it would have to be a whole percent – maybe 1/10th of one percent or even less. But, right now – no way. Boy, are these guys sneaky or what?

Well, lots of reading to do.

Until next time…

Friends with Benefits, Economics, and If Any

Today, I went to the theater to see the movie Friends with Benefits starring Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, and Jenna Elfman. If I had remembered that Woody Harrelson was in it, I wouldn’t have gone. It was a cute movie with a lot of nudity, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It dealt in part with Alzheimer’s and the effect it has on the patient and on the family.

I got a couple of emails today that I thought were worth sharing:

Economics

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had recently failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan"..

All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A....
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.

The second test average was a D! No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.
As the tests proceeded, the scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that. (Please pass this on)

Remember, there is a test coming up. The 2012 elections.

If Any Of Our Other Presidents…

 

SOME OF YOU WILL APPRECIATE THIS AND SOME OF YOU WILL NOT.  I DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR SENDING THIS BECAUSE ALL OF IT IS TRUE. 

If any other of our presidents had doubled the National Debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would You have Approved?

If any other of our presidents had then proposed to Double 
the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had criticized a State Law that he admitted he never even read, would you think that he is just an ignorant hot Head?

If any other of our presidents joined the country of Mexico and sued a State in the United States to force that State 
to continue to allow Illegal Immigration, would you question his patriotism and wonder who's side he was on?

If any other of our presidents had pronounced the Marine Corps as if it were the Marine Corpse, would you think him an Idiot?

If any other of our presidents had put 87,000 workers out of work by arbitrarily placing a moratorium on offshore oil drilling on companies that have one of the best safety records of any industry because one foreign company had an accident, would you have agreed?

If any other of our presidents had used a forged document as the basis of the moratorium that would render 87000 American workers unemployed, would you support him?

If any other of our presidents had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through 
a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If any other of our presidents had spent hundreds of thousands of Dollars to take his First Lady to a play in NYC, 
would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had reduced your retirement plan holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had given the Queen of England an IPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought it to be a proud moment for America ?

If any other of our presidents had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia , would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had visited Austria and made reference to the nonexistent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If any other of our presidents had filled his Cabinet and circle of Advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current on their Income Taxes, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had stated that there were 57 states in the United States , wouldn't you have had 
second thoughts about his capabilities?

If any other of our presidents would have flown all the way to Denmark to make a five minute speech about how the Olympics would benefit him walking out his front door in his 
home town, would you not have thought he was a self-important, conceited, egotistical jerk?

If any other of our presidents had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de Cuatro" in front of the Mexican Ambassador when it was "The 5th of May" (Cinco de Mayo), 
and then continue to flub it when he tried again, wouldn't you have winced in embarrassment?

If any other of our presidents had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a Hypocrite?

If any other of our presidents' Administrations had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by 
a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If any other of our presidents had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest, with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans, would you 
want it made into a major ongoing Political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If any other of our presidents had created the positions of 32 Czars who report directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America , 
would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive?

Can't think of anything?

Then you'd better start worrying.

He's done all these things in 28 months -- and you have less than 19 months to come up with an answer.

Every statement and action in this email is factual and correctly attributable to Barrack Hussein Obama.

Every bumble is a matter of record and completely verifiable. 

Another Trip to Zephyrhills

This afternoon, my cousin Richard and I made another trip to Zephyrhills, this time to see his endocrinologist. Unfortunately, they kept us waiting over an hour and since Richard has to have a triple-bypass next week, he decided we’d waited long enough. We left.

We stopped in at K-Mart where they had Diet Sun Drop on sale for 4 for $12. When I got to the register, I found out it was only $10 for 4. Love that stuff.

That long-awaited check is still in the mail. Today, I found out the lawyer’s office put the wrong street number on the address. The address she mistakenly put on the envelope belongs to a family of snowbirds so the check has no doubt been mailed to somewhere in Pennsylvania. I suggested that the lawyer’s office stop payment on the check, but the person who made the mistake said there is no money left in the account for the stop payment. It occurred to me later that the lawyer’s office should handle that charge since they made the mistake. Oh well, I guess I’ll just wait.

I picked up 3 or 4 more library books today and took all but 1 of the others back.

Time to get reading.

Until next time…

Planned Parenthood Exposed

National Black Pro-Life Coalition Releases Startling New Abortion Awareness Video (this really tells the truth about Planned Parenthood)

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/national-black-pro-life-coalition-releases-startling-new-abortion-awareness-video/

Today, I drove my cousin Richard to Zephyrhills for his heart cath. The doctor said he would need to have a triple bypass. He’s going to call and schedule it for next week. Just got home (6:00 pm). Who would think that sitting around waiting and reading would be so exhausting?

Well, I’m keeping this short tonight. Finishing up my last library book, but will get more tomorrow.

Until next time…

Unbelievable

Mark Steyn, who occasionally subs for Rush Limbaugh, is quoted today in an article by John Hawkins st Townhall.com:

"How do you ‘invest in the future’? By borrowing $188 million every hour. That’s what the government of the United States is doing. It’s spending one-fifth of a billion dollars it doesn’t have every hour of every day of every week — all for your future!" -- Mark Steyn

This morning, I waited in vain for a check to be delivered. It should have been sent by my cousin Alger’s lawyer a week ago yesterday, but when I called yesterday, I was told it hadn’t been mailed until last Thursday or Friday. I’m inclined to think they didn’t mail it until I called them yesterday. Oh well, no big deal. It’s not like I’m starving without it. It’s just the principle of the thing.

I had to go to Crosstown Stor-and-More to show them that indeed, their check had been in the mail. In fact, they cashed it on 7/1/2011. They found it while I was there, but what a pain.

After that, I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 AGAIN. It was just as good the second time. I saw a few things I hadn’t noticed before. As I told a friend, I’ll probably go see it again before it leaves the theater.

On the way home, I stopped and got gas – the price has gone from $3.399 the last time I bought it to $3.549 this time – almost $70 to fill up my tank. Yikes.

I traveled the back way from the gas station and on Kingsway Rd, saw 4 Sand Hill Cranes crossing the road. I slowed down, then stopped and took some pictures. I couldn’t see what I was doing, but a couple of them turned out pretty good:

I cropped and blew up the picture of the one above. You can get an idea of how big they are by checking out its size in relation to the fence.

 It’s kind of hard to see them all, but here are 4 Sand Hill Cranes in this picture.

I’m currently reading Prayers for the Dead by Faye Kellerman.

Tomorrow, I go to Zephyrhills to wait for my cousin Richard to have a heart cath. Hope all goes well.

Well, this has been kind of a long-winded post. Sorry.

Until next time…

Unusual Activity

This morning, I got out my weed-eater and “mowed” my lawn. Usually, the park does it, but it was getting pretty high (a foot or more for some of the weeds) and I wanted to do the weed-eating anyway so I spent an hour or so running the weed-eater. This afternoon, of course, Byron came by on the lawn mower and mowed the lawns here in the camping part of the park. I guess I’ll have to go back to total procrastination.

After a shower at my cousin’s, he and I went down to the Tax Collector’s office and transferred the title on my former mobile home. He’s been living there since mid-December, but waiting for my cousin Alger’s estate to settle before he could pay me. I’m glad to have that done.

I also went to the library today and picked up 4 books to read (took back 5). I only took out 4 because I have some on hold and I like to pick them up as soon as I can. I’ve read about 1/2 of one already.

Well, back to reading.

Until next time…

A Rainy Hot Sunday

Right now, it’s raining with thunder and lightning. I expect Florida would be as hot as the rest of the country were it not for our afternoon rains.

Kind of quiet and not much going on. I had a refreshing 2-hour nap this morning. I spent a little time with my cousin this afternoon. It sure is good to have him home.

I have one more library book to read (which I will finish today), so I’ll probably visit the library.

I hope all of you have seen the 1 minute 22 second video Laura Ingraham put together showing how Obama really is serving Jimmy Carter’s second term. You can see it at:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/laura-ingraham-airs-scary-obama-remix-of-jimmy-carters-malaise-speech/

I know many of you will remember the despair that overwhelmed this country during the Carter years. Up until Obama, I thought he was the worst president EVER, but I was wrong.

Back to my reading.

Until next time…

Dinner at Carrabba’s

Tonight, my cousin Richard and I went to Carrabba’s for dinner. It was delicious as usual. The Carrabba’s in Plant City is one of the best I’ve ever eaten at. It’s about the same size as most others I’ve been at, but it’s laid out in such a fashion that it seems much roomier than most of the others.

My cousin arrived home late last night. This morning, I helped him unload his car and spent a couple of hours catching up.

I finished reading Milk and Honey by Faye Kellerman on tape. I’m now listening to Day of Atonement by the same author. These are really good books. The main characters are an LAPD detective named Peter Decker and his wife, Rina Lazurus. They are both Orthodox Jews and the culture discussed is very interesting.

I’m also in the middle of a book by David Baldacci. It’s not like the others of his I have read, but it’s still a great read.

Until next time…

Tampa’s Own “Fast and Furious”

Operation Castaway (Tampa’s “Fast and Furious”)

I’m sure you have all heard of Operation Gunrunner (also known as Fast and Furious) where the ATF and ICE allowed weapons to be bought when they knew “they would end up in the hands of criminals across international borders.” In this case, it is thought the weapons went to Honduras. Our government is absolutely, totally OUT OF CONTROL.

How to Solve the Debt Crisis

Judge Andrew Napolitano (a former NJ Supreme Court judge and one of my favorites from Fox News)wrote the following open letter to Speaker John Boehner. It is well worth reading.

“Dear Mr. Speaker,

When the Founders at the Constitution Conventional in 1787 created the House of Representatives, it was fashioned to act as the voice of the people within the institutional checks and balances of the Federal Government.  That’s why the entire House faces reelection every 2 years.  That’s why Constitutionally, you don’t have to even be a member of Congress to serve as speaker. And that’s why the Constitution allows for thousands of members of the House for our current population.  It is the people’s house, and the people spoke last November.  They cried out against a government completely out of control.  After President Bush grew the U.S. debt by $7 trillion dollars in 8 years in office, and President Obama added $4 Trillion in just 2 years in office, the people cried out against big-government policies that are sabotaging the economy and taking over our lives.  And because they cried out, you are no longer just John Boehner from Ohio.  You are now the second in line to succeed to the presidency.  You are the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives has just 8 working days left before the August 2nd debt ceiling deadline, and by wide margins in whatever way the question is asked, Americans do not want to see the debt ceiling raised.  They’re sick and tired of paying interest on borrowed money; money borrowed in their name.  The Federal Government borrows so much money from so many sources, Mr. Speaker, that no-one knows for sure just how much it owes to its lenders.  It already appears that it has exceeded the legal limit set by the congress at $14.294 trillion, and they actually at this moment in time are closer to $14.5 trillion.  The White House is putting intense pressure on you and on Congress to raise that limit.  The President’s apologists have even suggested invoking the 14th amendment to bypass the will of Congress and borrow money without legal authority.  Given the way the White House has run roughshod over your House in the matter of the “not-war“ in Libya that our military is still ”not” engaged in, the word of the President’s lawyers that there is no presidential power in the 14th amendment to borrow money on his own can hardly be trusted.  This is a president who does not regard the Constitution as a limit on the exercise of governmental power.  But the President can only get away with violating the Constitution, Mr. Speaker, if you let him do so.

If you stand up for the will of the people, you will restrain him.  This is the moment of truth for the Congress, Mr. Speaker.  The scare-mongers and the chicken-littles in DC will tell you that the sky will come tumbling down if the debt ceiling isn’t raised, even though your colleagues, Senator Pat Toomey and Rep. Tom McClintock, have introduced legislation that would prevent the United States from defaulting on its debt obligations.

I have two words for you, Mr. Speaker.  Stop it.  That’s right, just stop it.  For too long our government has spent beyond its means and in our names, sinking us and generations as yet unborn into deeper and deeper debt.  And you, Mr. Speaker, can stop it.  The President stands with the big-business, big-banks, big-government complex, and against the American people.  He’s even prepared to defy the laws of economics.  But the American people are not ignorant as he thinks they are, and you know that.

Mr. Speaker, you have the opportunity to do something that no standard bearer of small government has ever been able to do in our modern era; get the government to live within its means.  You can do it by standing firm with your colleagues in the Congress who are leading the call for change.  You can stop it.  You can force the Federal Government to make the difficult decisions to bring itself within its means and begin to loosen the chains of debt that have been foisted on our country by a centuries worth of progressive big-government architects.  End it this summer, Mr. Speaker.  Stop it.  Tell the President, “not a penny more.”  Stand up for the American people, bring government within its means, and begin the restoration of our republic.

If you do this Mr. Speaker, if you restrain the federal beast, you will become one of history’s great champions and heroes of freedom.  If you don’t, we‘ll all go through this again the next time a president wants to spend beyond the government’s means and chain us all down to more debt.

Mr. Speaker, don’t let us down.

-Judge Andrew P. Napolitano”

River Disappears

Did you hear about the Guacalito River in Costa Rica disappearing after an earthquake Tuesday?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Today, I saw the new Harry Potter movie. In some ways, I was disappointed since a few of the scenes deviated from the book. For example, when they were in Bellatrix LeStrange’s vault at Gringot’s, there was no mention that the multiplying cups, etc burned those who touched them.

On the whole though, I really liked it. There was a lot of applause, especially when the villains got beaten. I cheered right along, most loudly when Molly Weasley blew away Bellatrix LeStrange using words right out of the book. Hard to believe this is the end of Harry Potter movies.

Well, back to reading.

Until next time…

Monte Carlo

This morning, I went to AMC and saw the movie Monte Carlo starring Selena Gomez and a number of others I did not know. Andie McDowell, whom I did recognize, made a cameo appearance. It was a movie based on look-a-likes, someone impersonating someone else. I enjoyed it.

It was raining when I got home so I spent the next few hours drying out while I napped and read – a pretty typical afternoon (well, not the drying out part).

Tomorrow, it’s the latest and last Harry Potter film. Sad in a way, but I don’t mind re-reading and re-watching. It’s amazing how different the kids look from the first movie to the last. The world has watched them all grow up.

Is Obama bluffing? He warned Eric Cantor not to call his bluff so it would seem he is. I hope the Republicans don’t cave on this debt ceiling issue. If they do, they will probably not get re-elected.

I expect my cousin Richard home tomorrow or Saturday. This morning, I made his bed (he washed his sheets just before he left) – I didn’t want him to have to do it after a long day of traveling. I also ran the vacuum. Tomorrow morning, I will try to do a little dusting. After all, who wants to come home from vacation to a bunch of boring household chores? It will be good to have him home again.

Until next time…

Hot Out?

A friend sent this, but probably you folks up north and out west might better appreciate it. It’s been a little hot, but not as bad as it could be.

Speaking of heat, I talked with my cousin Richard today. He is visiting family in South Carolina and said that yesterday, with the heat index, it was 115 degrees. Sure glad I live in Florida.

I did my laundry this morning and finished by Garden of Eden book by Faye Kellerman. I have another Jerrilyn Farmer book to start pretty soon.

I just bought my ticket on-line to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 for the 10:45 showing on Friday morning. Can’t wait, but I guess I’ll have to. Tomorrow, I’ll probably try to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. From the previews I’ve seen, it doesn’t necessarily follow the book, but they have all been like that to some extent.

Well, still feeling kind of punky. I think I’ll have an early night.

Until next time…

The Problem with the “S” Word

First, sorry I didn’t publish yesterday’s blog until today. It was all done, but I guess I just forgot to publish it.

Tonight I watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I’ll watch all of the rest sometime before Saturday when I go to see the last of the last of the films.

The Problem with the “S” Word

There is a terrific article at Townhall Magazine. I don’t know that anyone could say it better.

http://townhall.com/columnists/bobburney/2011/07/11/the_problem_with_the_s_word!/page/full/

Florida Gator

A few miles from Lake Wales (!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! These first 2 pictures were taken by a KTBS helicopter   flying over Lake Thomas ,  Winter Haven , Florida  The helicopter pilot and the  game wardens on the ground were in  communication via 2-way radios. Here is a transcript of  their conversation. 'Air1, have  you a visual on the gator, Over' 'Approaching  inlet now, Over' 'Roger   Air1' 'Gator  sighted. Looks like it has a small animal in its mouth....moving in, over' 'Roger   Air1' 'Oh Crap it's  a Deer!'    'Confirm   Air1.. Did you  say Deer?, Over' 'Roger........a Deer in it's  mouth....looks like a full sized buck...that's a big  gator, boys.  We're gonna need more men, Over' 'Roger   Air1....can you  give me a idea on size of animal, over' 'Its a big  one.....25 feet at least, please advise, gator is heading to inlet....do I pursue?,   over' That has to be  a HUGE gator to have a whole deer in its mouth!  The deer was later found to be a mature Stag. If you  ski at the west end of the lake ---- try not to fall overboard. This alligator  was found between Lakeland and Winter Haven Florida near the house of Anita and Charlie Rogers,  who could hear the beast bellowing in the night. Their  neighbors had been telling them that they had seen a mammoth alligator in  the waterway that runs behind  their house, but they dismissed the stories as exaggerations. 'I didn't  believe it,' Charles Rogers said, but after the alligator was killed, they  realized the stories were, if  anything, understated. Game wardens  were forced to shoot the alligator.  Joe Goff, a 6'5" tall game warden, shown below, walks past the 28-foot, 1-inch long alligator that he helped shoot and kill in the Rogers  ' back yard. WOW!!

Horrible Bosses

Today I went to AMC and saw Horrible Bosses. It was hilarious and rightly labeled ‘R.’

It starred Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeik, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Anniston, Julie Bowen, and brief appearances of Donald Sutherland and Bob Newhart. You will not believe what they trouble get into.

Well, back t6o the books.

Until next time…

Zookeeper for 7/11/2011

Today, since I finally felt well enough to be out and about for a while, I decided to go to AMC and see Zookeeper with Kevin James.

Now, Kevin James has never been one of my favorite actors, but there are some roles that just seem to fit him perfectly. Other actors were Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, Ken Jeong (what a weird little character he played), and Joe Rogan. In this movie the animals talked and the voicing of these animals was superb.  The star-studded cast of voiceovers included:

Nick Nolte as Bernie the Gorilla

Adam Sandler as Donald the Monkey (incidentally, the movie was co-produced by Sandler)

Sylvester Stallone as Joe the Lion

Cher as Janet the Lioness

Don Rickles as Frog

I enjoyed the movie a lot, especially its underlying theme of “be yourself.”

After the movie, I went home, had lunch and (yes, you guessed it) read. In this case, the book was Access Denied by Donna Andrews. I finished it in between moments of napping. My next book will be one by Faye Kellerman – it’s actually a collection of short stores.

Tonight, I plan to visit my cousin’s house and watch the Season Premieres of The Closer and Rizzoli and Isles, i.e. if I can stay awake long enough.

Until next time…

Another Quiet Sunday

Except for going down to Dickie’s to take a shower, I didn’t leave my trailer today. I also picked up the mail from yesterday, I tried to do it yesterday, but for some reason, I just went down to the end of the street and turned around and drove right by the mailbox. I’m blaming my forgetfulness on the Nyquil I’ve been taking and on my congested nose and throat.

I finished reading A Dill of a Death by Susan Wittig Albert and have started All or Nothing by Elizabeth Adler. A Dilly of a Death was packed full of pickle jokes, real groaners, for example:

What do you call a pickle who is a sore loser? A sour pickle

What did the girl pickle say to the boy pickle on Valentine’s Day? You mean a great dill to me.

What’s the difference between a pickle and a psychiatrist? If you don’t know, you should stop talking to your pickle.

Well, seven o’clock and time to read myself to sleep.

Until next time…

Nanny-State Madness

Woman Faces Jail Over Veggie Garden… See the article at:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/nanny-state-madness-woman-faces-jail-over-veggie-garden/

I wrote the city manager and protested this. I hope you will too (email him at 'rfox@ci.oak-park.mi.us' ). Our government is completely out of control!

Feeling almost human today, but still very tired. I must have napped about 4 hours today and now it’s getting late (7:01PM :)).

Saw a picture of my friend Carolyn on Facebook today. She’s looking pretty good. She moved from Canandaigua, NY down to South Carolina to be with her daughter. I love Facebook for all of the pictures and the news you pick up. It really helps us keep in touch.

Well I just finished Bloodroot by Susan Wittig Albert and have stared A Dilly of a Death by the same author. Hope to finish it tonight.

Until next time…

Rain, Rain and More Rain

We got some beautiful rain today. Our pond is finally full again.

In short, it was a good day to spend in bed alternately sleeping and reading. About 3 pm, I did summon enough strength to take a shower and change clothes. Boy, did I feel better after that, but I will be glad to get back in bed. This whatever I have has lingered too long already. Maybe by tomorrow, I’ll have most of my voice back again.

I’m so thankful for Nyquil and Mucinex. I would have been a lot more uncomfortable.

I have been reading some and, when my eyes wouldn’t focus, listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What a great book! So many questions get answered.

Hopefully by tomorrow, I’ll feel well enough to get out for a while.

Until next time…

Not Much News

Been sleeping off and on most of the day, thanks in part to Nyquil. Very congested, but at least I can breathe and some of the dizziness is gone along with the earache. Planning to stay in again tomorrow, though I may try to go to the library in the morning. Some of the books I put on hold have come in.

Back to lie down now.

Until next time…

Let’s Be Clear!!!!!

My cousin Susan sent me this:

OBAMA'S OWN WORDS TRAP HIM:

2008: "Navy Seal Team 6 is Cheney's private assassination team."
2011: "I put together Seal Team 6 to take out Bin Laden."

2008: "Bin Laden is innocent until proven guilty, and must be captured alive and given a fair trial."
2011: "I authorized Seal Team 6 to kill Bin Laden."

2008: " Guantanamo is entirely unnecessary, and the detainees should not be interrogated."
2011: "Vital intelligence was obtained from Guantanamo detainees that led to our locating Bin Laden."

I HOPE THIS GETS SENT AROUND TO PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THE TRUTH!

Not feeling too well today. Sore throat, ache all over and sometimes dizzy – probably from ear ache.

Until next time…

A Summer Day in Tampa Bay

Today was what I would have to call a typical summer day in Tampa Bay. No rain here this morning and not too hot (yeah, right – it’s 95), but I expect we’ll get a little rain soon and then it will cool down for this evening.

Didn’t really do much today except wait at my cousin Richard’s for the mail – I was expecting a letter from an attorney that will finally bring to conclusion a legal matter that has been percolating for 18-19 months.. When the letter came (at 2 pm when it’s usually around 9:30 am), I had to take it to Seffner to have it notarized, then take it to the post office and send it (guaranteed next day by 3 pm) back to the lawyer. It’s all done except getting the check.

I’ve been reading the last of my Peter Abrahams books (The Tutor). I like it best of the three of his I’ve read and may pick up some more tomorrow when I go back to the library.

I was kind of surprised by the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial. I was sure they would find her guilty of everything just because of the heinousness of the crime, but they didn’t. I don’t know how I feel about it. I think she did it and she certainly acted terribly after the deed was done, but they didn’t really have direct forensic evidence proving their case. What a mess, but that’s what happens when people live according to what they think is right, each doing what is right in their own eyes instead of what God clearly lays out in His Word and in the hearts and minds of people. I know God must be saddened by what He sees and by what was done, but we can all rejoice and take some comfort in the tact that He welcomed little Caylee Anthony into His loving arms. All her pain and heartaches are gone. Let’s all pray for that family; maybe this whole thing will wake them up.

Well, I guess I’ll get back to my book.

Until next time…

I Will Pray for You

Today, there was an interesting article about offers to pray for others. You can see it at:

http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2011/07/04/i_will_pray_for_you/page/full/

State Flowers Card from Jacquie Lawson

Hope this link works for you – it is simply amazing:

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1221321706636&source=jl999

Happy Independence Day!

Happy birthday, U.S.A.

Transformers

This morning, Karen and I went to AMC to see Transformers: Dark of the Moon. This exciting movie lasted more than 2 hours and involved a lot of action and, yes, transformation. The special effects were amazing. Starring in the film are Shie LeBoeuf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson, Rosie Huntingdon-Whitely, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich and even Patrick Dempsey. Leonard Nimoy voiced one of the transformer.

I was surprised by how much I laughed during this movie. I don’t remember the other one I saw being so funny.

I’m almost done with my second Peter Abrahams book (fortunately, he doesn’t write like Stephen King) and will probably read the third tonight. Then, tomorrow, I can go pick up a few more.

Until next time…

How Much Is Too Much?

According to CNNMoney.com:

“One out of every three White House employees makes at least $100,000 a year, according to data released by the White House on Friday.”

Some Roseate Spoonbill Pictures

I finally downloaded the pictures I took with my Nikon of the Roseate Spoonbills:

 

 

Aren’t they beautiful birds. It’s too bad the color doesn’t show up better in the pictures. It’s clear why they are called “spoonbills”. Next time I hope to have my telephoto lense on the camera.

It looks as if I’ll be able to get a new travel trailer soon so this week, my intention is to inventory my pantry. In fact, I may pack up as much as I can in boxes. I’ve a number of features I would like to have in my next camper. It’s a little easier to know what I want now that I’ve lived in one for six months or so.

I’ve started a book by Peter Abrahamson and have 2 more of his to read. If I had seen the recommendations by Stephen King before I took out the books, I would probably have decided not to read them. I’m trying to give the first book a fair chance and will probably finish it.

Until next time…

Beatrix Potter

Today, I read a book by Susan Wittig Albert called The Tale of Hill Top Farm: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. I’ve heard the name Beatrix Potter, but never realized what I knew about her. She is the author of a number of illustrated children’s books, notably The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, The Tailor of Glucester, Benjamin Bunny, Two Bad Mice, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and The Pie and the Patty-Pan. I vividly remember sitting on my mom’s lap listening to the story of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter and their run-ins with Farmer McGregor.

Susan Wittig Albert does a wonderful job of bringing Beatrix Potter to life and, in novel form, blends the story of Ms Potter’s purchase of Hill Top Farm with some mysterious goings-on in Sawrey. I almost didn’t even start reading the book, but I did and am very glad of it.

If you get a chance, you might want to read it. I doubt you’ll regret it.

I took care of a few household chores today. After all, I don’t want you to think I laze around all day doing nothing but reading – well, I guess I mostly do, but I’m retired so I guess I can.

Now, I’m off to read another of Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayles books. I hope I have enough books to last me through Tuesday when the library opens again.

Sometime this weekend, I plan to start watching the Harry Potter movies in preparation for seeing the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I’m already re-reading (listening to them on my iPod) and am on the sixth of seven: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Until next time…

Larry Crowne

Today, I went to see Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. Tom’s real wife Rita Wilson had a small part, but she really looked a lot better than in the last movie she was in. Also in the movie were Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer. The movie was delightful. I enjoyed it a lot. It was a great story and caused me to laugh out loud and smile almost all of the way through it.

The movie was written and produced by Tom Hanks. Co-writer was Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

This evening I took Karen to Carrabba’s for her birthday. I have enough leftovers to feed me tomorrow night.

I’m now reading Indigo Dying by Susan Wittig Albert. Its main character is China Bayles and I hope to find that Albert has written more about her even though she’s a bit too environmentalist wacko for my taste. I guess we’ll see.

This morning there were a couple of Sandhill cranes in the field behind the park – what majestic birds!

Until next time…