How it's Done

Framing the Historical Argument

A thought for the day

Right and Wrong

In this world, there is right and there is wrong. We all should know the difference between the two, but sometimes it doesn't work out the way that it needs to as illustrated below.

Blogging requires that you constantly prove that you're not a robot by responding to questions such as, "which two pictures have women flashing their breasts?" (No, nothing as fun as that.) I propose that the robot question deal with, whether or not you are a maniac (as the post-it graphic above illustrates).

Trick-or-Treating the White House

Insight into ISIS

A Dog's Life

Redneck Innovation

Swimming Pool

BBQ

You may be Possessed

I never took the ice bucket challenge, though friends of mine did. I'm not sure what it was for other than just dousing yourself with ice water. However new facts have come to light as set forth above.

Pastime

For the historical record, I have never done this. However, when dementia sets in, it's one of half a dozen potential scenarios.

Rost in Transration

When you leave the "west" and travel, you begin to note that "we're" not the only ones who wear t-shirts with sayings on them. 

The shirts below offer both cautionary advice - and suggestions for more meaningful romance.

Getting Biblical

When?

The Perils of Grave Robbing

There aren't many of this class of old firearms from the 18th Century above ground. That's because they are firearms designed to take on grave robbers.

Grave robbers worked at night so as not to be seen, but this also meant that they may not see these guns mounted on a grave, and would probably not see the trip wires. 

Several trip wires could be fitted to the trigger mechanism, running in different directions. This not only covered a wide area, but it also meant that any one of these wires could swivel the gun in the direction of the intruder. (h/t)

They were referred to as "Grave Guns" or "Cemetery Guns".

Party?

Klu Klux Klan carnaval in Canon City, Colorado. 1925

Sometimes there is weird and sometimes weird takes on an entirely new meaning. 

Lies

Negotiating with Obama

“Negotiating with Obama is like playing chess with a pigeon. The pigeon knocks over all the pieces, shits on the board, and then struts around like it won the game.” - Vladimir Putin

The Obama Administration has denied that Vladimir Putin said that, so consider it in that light.

The Shape of Truth

Truth does not become more or less true, whether those who know it are many or few. It has never been masses or mobs who shaped destiny but single individuals, visionaries, innovators who are scorned and isolated by the very masses who reap such benefit from their work.

Freedom and Spiritual Danger

The Human Condition:

We cannot be free without being free to harm ourselves. Advances in technology can remove physical dangers from our lives, but when it does, spiritual dangers increase. By spiritual danger, I mean danger to your integrity, your decency, your sense of life. 

Spiritual danger can not conquer you without your own consent. But once you have consented, those dangers are all-powerful because no outside force can come to your aid. Spiritual dangers are always faced alone.

Turning Four

It's worked out for my grandson, who is playing T-Ball with the Angels:

His favorite Ninja Turtle is Raphael:

And that explains the theme today:

Passing Time

Gold and White

No, I have no life. Which is why I'm sitting at my computer on a Saturday night when I should be  out, doing something wicked.  

This has been around the Internet with people speculating on the color of the dress in the photo below. It looks gold and white to me - not blue and black.

Visiting Snow

My grandson, Liam, and my daughter had to travel three hours to find snow. There are parts of the US where finding snow is far less of a challenge even during this epoch of global warming.

A Message to School Kids

A Father's Love

A man was telling his buddy "You won't believe what happened last night. My daughter walked into the living room and said, "Dad, cancel my allowance immediately, forget my college tuition loan, rent my room out, throw all my clothes out the window, take my TV and my laptop. 

Please take any of my jewelry to the Salvation Army or Cash Converters. Then, sell my car, take my front door key away from me and throw me out of the house. Then, disown me and never talk to me again. Don't forget to write me out of your will and leave my share to any charity you choose."

"Holy Smokes," replied the friend, "she actually said that?"

"Well, she didn't put it quite like that. She actually said, 'Dad, meet my new boyfriend--Ossama. We're going to work together on Hillary's election campaign!'"

T-Ball Season

3 years old and it's his first official day of t-ball practice. He's been practicing with his older brother, but now it's all on him. Don't hit me up for World Series tickets when he's playing with the majors -- just don't.

Pets down the Sewer

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, named after four Renaissance artists, trained by a large rat (Splinter) in karate. From their home in the storm sewers of New York City, they battle petty criminals, evil overlords, mutated creatures, and alien invaders while attempting to remain hidden from society.

They came into popular media when my children were young. Now that I have grandchildren, they are making a come-back and my 6 year old grandson wanted a turtle themed birthday cake.

According to comic book lore, the pet turtles were flushed down the toilet into the New York City sewer system where they came in contact with radioactive material and grew to be about 5'5" tall. Yes, the scenario is realistic.

Perspective

Moments with Grandsons

Sleep anywhere

Getting accustomed to a new brother

Awards Assembly where my 5 yr old grandson received an 

award for excellence in Mathematics. Chip off the old block...

Newest warrior in the Frog Family.

Islamic Terrorism in France

The solution should be the same solution that someone would have in Nebraska, Wyoming, Texas or Arizona:

Life's Little Challenges

In contemplating life (in general) it may/may not be useful to consider the hedgehog's dilemma.