I be home for Christmas...You can count on me...Please don't have snow, but have Mistletoe and presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me...Where the lovelight gleams...I'll be home for Christmas...Even if I have to walk.
PHR
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Brave Companions
Friday, December 18, 2009
Catering
Well it has finally happened...I have done everything. Today at work we had a meal which I ordered from a catering service, and it was great. I guess I just never saw myself planning a meal for a group of people. Maybe it's not so much planning the meal as much as it being a hit. Thanks to Affordable Best Catering. I knew it had to be the best by the name. It was affordable and the best.
PHR
Friday, December 11, 2009
Happy Birthday - Daughter
Happy Birthday my daughter. You have grown so much from the small child I called "Goopy". Do you need me to explain why I called you that?
Your mother and I are very proud of you and love you more than you will ever know. I hope and pray that you remain the same intelligent, smart, and honest person you are today. I wish nothing but the greatest things for you in the future.
Oh, just to practice for next years birthday...."No! You can not have the keys to the car!"
Your mother and I are very proud of you and love you more than you will ever know. I hope and pray that you remain the same intelligent, smart, and honest person you are today. I wish nothing but the greatest things for you in the future.
Oh, just to practice for next years birthday...."No! You can not have the keys to the car!"
Easy Crock Pot Roast
Ok, I do not know if it is possible to screw up a crock pot meal. I made a pot roast for dinner last night. Came out great. Below is what how I did it.
3.5 lb Roast
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom soup
1 packet of onion soup mix
1 package of baby carrots
1 Can of Beef Broth
1 Onion
Tony's Creole Seasoning
Put carrots in bottom of crock pot. Coated roast with Tony's Creole Seasoning, and browned in skillet. Put roast in crock pot on top of carrots. Spread Cream of Mushroom soup on roast, put onion soup mix on top of that, and then emptied can of beef broth over whole thing. Finished by putting cut onions around the side of the roast.
I put in the fridge until morning. Before leaving for work started the crock pot on low and let cook all day.
My sister-in-law made some herb and butter mashed potatoes which went really well with the roast.
I do have to admit that it was the best I have made, and it did not last long.
PHR
3.5 lb Roast
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom soup
1 packet of onion soup mix
1 package of baby carrots
1 Can of Beef Broth
1 Onion
Tony's Creole Seasoning
Put carrots in bottom of crock pot. Coated roast with Tony's Creole Seasoning, and browned in skillet. Put roast in crock pot on top of carrots. Spread Cream of Mushroom soup on roast, put onion soup mix on top of that, and then emptied can of beef broth over whole thing. Finished by putting cut onions around the side of the roast.
I put in the fridge until morning. Before leaving for work started the crock pot on low and let cook all day.
My sister-in-law made some herb and butter mashed potatoes which went really well with the roast.
I do have to admit that it was the best I have made, and it did not last long.
PHR
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Our United States
Hey!!!!!!!! Is anyone out there?
As we inch forward, or should I say as we run headlong, to Socialism...America you better wake up or you are going to find the country you loved no longer exists. It is slowly being destroyed under the guise of political correctness, entitlements and tolerance.
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are the only "unalienable rights" or natural rights of man. So how does that explain all of the entitlements today?
You may as well get ready...we have another one coming our way. Right from the people this country elected. Health Care
As we inch forward, or should I say as we run headlong, to Socialism...America you better wake up or you are going to find the country you loved no longer exists. It is slowly being destroyed under the guise of political correctness, entitlements and tolerance.
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are the only "unalienable rights" or natural rights of man. So how does that explain all of the entitlements today?
You may as well get ready...we have another one coming our way. Right from the people this country elected. Health Care
Monday, December 7, 2009
December 7, 1941

I hope everyone remembers that today 68 years ago the United States was attacked by the Japanese, and a generation of brave Americans stood up and to defend our country from aggression.
We today need to thank God for those brave Americans, and also the ones defending us today.
God Bless Our Troops!
PHR
Tiger Woods
I do not understand, why don’t you explain it to me, Tiger.
You have a beautiful wife, beautiful children, and you play golf for a living. Why would you risk all of that to chase skanks? How many is it now? Six? A mistake is one thing, I think you have ventured way beyond that.
Do you not have enough respect for yourself and your family to live by the commitments you have made? If you where going to live a “skirt” chasing type of life, why did you not stay single?
Tiger, you are just another athlete with money who can not control themselves. Kind of ironic being that golf takes such great control.
I hope you can save your marriage. Elin would be a far better person than you deserve. As far as I am concerned, you deserved a driver to the melon, and a putter to the kiwis.
PHR
You have a beautiful wife, beautiful children, and you play golf for a living. Why would you risk all of that to chase skanks? How many is it now? Six? A mistake is one thing, I think you have ventured way beyond that.
Do you not have enough respect for yourself and your family to live by the commitments you have made? If you where going to live a “skirt” chasing type of life, why did you not stay single?
Tiger, you are just another athlete with money who can not control themselves. Kind of ironic being that golf takes such great control.
I hope you can save your marriage. Elin would be a far better person than you deserve. As far as I am concerned, you deserved a driver to the melon, and a putter to the kiwis.
PHR
Friday, December 4, 2009
Christmas Shopping
Ok guys, if you want to get something for your wife or girlfriend, and do not want to go to the mall click here. Buy everything you need to make her happy on-line. Your purchase will be sent directly to you, so no more of the painful Christmas shopping.
One other thought on something I learned very early in my marriage....Do not, I repeat, Do not buy your wife or girlfriend clothing of any type. If you do, you may as well package it with the receipt so it can be returned the day after Christmas. You will also get the "Nice Try but you are an knuckle dragging Neanderthal" look.
Good Luck
PHR
One other thought on something I learned very early in my marriage....Do not, I repeat, Do not buy your wife or girlfriend clothing of any type. If you do, you may as well package it with the receipt so it can be returned the day after Christmas. You will also get the "Nice Try but you are an knuckle dragging Neanderthal" look.
Good Luck
PHR
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
All I Want For Christmas
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is over. I have eaten all of the turkey and sweet potatoes I can stand until the next time. Why does it seem like this time of the year just flies by so fast? And why is left over turkey so good?
Ham and potato salad for Christmas anyone?
Ham and potato salad for Christmas anyone?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Adam Lambert AMA Performance.
After watching the AMA's last night I can say I will not be wasting my time listening to Adam Lambert again. With the talent that he showed during American Idol, the performance last night was "trash". Maybe what he wants is to be controversial, so people will talk about him. Well, he got the one time. From this point on I am not gong to listen to him, not going to purchase his records, and not gong to mention him. What a waste of talent.
As far as the AMA's...I will be sticking with CMA's. The AMA's are just not worth my time.
As far as the AMA's...I will be sticking with CMA's. The AMA's are just not worth my time.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Palin-Beck Ticket?
Would a Palin-Beck ticket not be interesting to watch? I bet the two of them would hold nothing back.
To read the full story click here.
What do you think?
To read the full story click here.
What do you think?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
GOP's Coburn Plans to 'Read' Healthcare Bill
Again, this is why we need more Senators like Sen. Tom Coburn R-Okla. Go get them Tom!
To read the article click here.
To read the article click here.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Killing Myself
OK, I signed up Thursday night to torture myself. I got on some mid-evil machines on Saturday and Sunday, and today I had a hard time putting my shirt on because my arms did not want to bend without putting me into shock.
My sister-in-law says you just need to work through the pain, and it does get better. She better not be lying to me.
The pain does seem to be less if you can force yourself to move the appendage.
Does anyone know if I can buy "Icy-Hot" in bulk?
My sister-in-law says you just need to work through the pain, and it does get better. She better not be lying to me.
The pain does seem to be less if you can force yourself to move the appendage.
Does anyone know if I can buy "Icy-Hot" in bulk?
Conceal and Carry Laws
What do you all think? Should a person have the right to carry a firearm to protect themselves and their families? What do you think about signs saying "No firearms Allowed"?
It seems to me that a lot of the time a person goes on a shooting spree in an area where guns are not allowed. Would it have been different if a trained person with a concealed weapon had been there?
By the way, I am all for pilots being trained and armed. Let a potential hijacker think about negotiating with an armed pilot.
It seems to me that a lot of the time a person goes on a shooting spree in an area where guns are not allowed. Would it have been different if a trained person with a concealed weapon had been there?
By the way, I am all for pilots being trained and armed. Let a potential hijacker think about negotiating with an armed pilot.
Friday, November 13, 2009
H.R.25 - Fair Tax Act of 2009
OpenCongress Summary
Resurfacing for the 6th consecutive congressional session, this bill strives to repeal the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax, and to replace them with a national sales tax at a rate of 23%. It sets forth provisions for the states’ collection of sales tax revenues and the Treasury’s handling of the remittances of such revenues while setting up two new tax bureaus in the Department of Treasury in the place of the IRS.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h25/show
What do you think would this be a good thing?
Resurfacing for the 6th consecutive congressional session, this bill strives to repeal the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax, and to replace them with a national sales tax at a rate of 23%. It sets forth provisions for the states’ collection of sales tax revenues and the Treasury’s handling of the remittances of such revenues while setting up two new tax bureaus in the Department of Treasury in the place of the IRS.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h25/show
What do you think would this be a good thing?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Blueberry Buckle

Below is a Recipe for Blueberry Buckle that I watched Alton Brown make on one of my favorite shows "Good Eats". It turned out great, and I have made it several times since. I used frozen blueberries which worked very well because you could stir them without damaging the berry. Try making it. It is something like a coffee cake.
Ingredients For the cake:
Nonstick cooking spray
9 ounces cake flour, approximately 2 cups
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
5 1/4 ounces sugar, approximately 3/4 cup
1 large egg
1/2 cup whole milk
15 ounces fresh whole blueberries, approximately 3 cups
For the topping:
3 1/2 ounces sugar, approximately 1/2 cup
1 1/2 ounces cake flour, approximately 1/3 cup
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2 ounces unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
For the cake:
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Spray a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and ground ginger. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 1 minute. Add the egg and beat until well incorporated, approximately 30 seconds. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until incorporated and then add 1/3 of the milk and beat until incorporated. Repeat, alternating flour and milk until everything has combined. Gently stir in the blueberries and pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
For the topping:
In a small bowl combine the sugar, flour and nutmeg. Add the butter and work into the dry ingredients using a fork to combine. Continue until the mixture has a crumb-like texture. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the cake. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 35 minutes or until golden in color. Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Learning to Love Fishing
At this time of the year, I am often asked by people “Do you hunt?” My answer to this question is always “No”. Maybe it should be “Yes”.
I went hunting twice. Once with a friend from college I walked the fields of Nebraska hunting for quail. I might add that I was not carrying a weapon, so I was more like the retriever. The second time was with my brother-in-law hunting for pheasants. I might add on this trip I was carrying a shotgun. I think I fired it 2 or three times, and never at a pheasant. My brother-in-law did manage to kill a rabbit which I can almost guarantee was never eaten once it hit the freezer.
So, do I hunt? I guess my answer is “No”. Then the question comes to my head, why?
I love the outdoors, and I would probably be a pretty good shot with some practice. So, why do I not hunt? I guess I will blame it on my father. He did not hunt as an adult, at least not that I ever knew. My siblings may know different, but they will have to answer that question. He did hunt as a child with his father, of which I occasionally heard stories. Coon dog, wild boar, no vet, you can figure out from there. I guess any hunting he did, did not carry down to me.
Did I miss anything by not being a hunter? I will probably never know.
I do know that my dad did teach me to fish. He gave me the bug early. He spent hours rowing me around the lake in the pictures below. Fishing for crappies, sunfish, or anything else that would bite. Some of you may not recognize the lake, but I had some of my best times fishing there. The Sea Girt Inn is gone, but in my memory I can still hear the squeak of the oars, and my father saying “Only one more cast then we have to go.”
Thanks Dad for that “last cast”.


I went hunting twice. Once with a friend from college I walked the fields of Nebraska hunting for quail. I might add that I was not carrying a weapon, so I was more like the retriever. The second time was with my brother-in-law hunting for pheasants. I might add on this trip I was carrying a shotgun. I think I fired it 2 or three times, and never at a pheasant. My brother-in-law did manage to kill a rabbit which I can almost guarantee was never eaten once it hit the freezer.
So, do I hunt? I guess my answer is “No”. Then the question comes to my head, why?
I love the outdoors, and I would probably be a pretty good shot with some practice. So, why do I not hunt? I guess I will blame it on my father. He did not hunt as an adult, at least not that I ever knew. My siblings may know different, but they will have to answer that question. He did hunt as a child with his father, of which I occasionally heard stories. Coon dog, wild boar, no vet, you can figure out from there. I guess any hunting he did, did not carry down to me.
Did I miss anything by not being a hunter? I will probably never know.
I do know that my dad did teach me to fish. He gave me the bug early. He spent hours rowing me around the lake in the pictures below. Fishing for crappies, sunfish, or anything else that would bite. Some of you may not recognize the lake, but I had some of my best times fishing there. The Sea Girt Inn is gone, but in my memory I can still hear the squeak of the oars, and my father saying “Only one more cast then we have to go.”
Thanks Dad for that “last cast”.
Message from My Senator
I wanted to share this letter from my Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma. We need more like him.
Correspondence from Senator Coburn
From: Senator_Coburn@coburn.senate.gov
Sent: Mon 11/09/09 11:17 AM
To: ryalspr@hotmail.com
November 9, 2009
Dear Mr. Ryals,
Thank you for taking the time to email me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you, and I welcome the opportunity to respond to your email message.
I appreciate your kind words of encouragement and support. It is always nice to read encouraging email messages from fellow Oklahomans. As you know, I too am opposed to government-run health care. I will continue to advocate for a common sense alternative to socialized medicine. One way I am doing this is on a weekly radio show, which you can tune in to at http://republican.senate.gov/doctors. Please allow me to update you on the status of my own health care proposal, The Patients' Choice Act, S.1099.
The Patients' Choice Act was proposed before any Democrat sponsored bill, and has been seen as a legitimate, credible alternative to current bills which propose a government-takeover of our nation's health care. My office has received thousands of calls, emails, and letters from Oklahoma constituents, and we anticipate many more. I have discussed my bill at length with many Republicans, as well as Democrats, both in Congress and in the Administration.
Currently, there are eight Senators who are cosponsoring this bill. One independent estimate of the Patients' Choice Act concluded that it would save American taxpayers approximately $70 billion over a 10 year period. Further, I am currently working to obtain a cost-estimate of the bill from the Congressional Budget Office.
During the debate over the government-run health care system in the Senate's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I offered the Patients' Choice Act as an alternative health care plan. Unfortunately, the Patients' Choice Act was voted down on a party-line vote. However, I plan to continue to advance my common sense ideas for reform and attempt to get this piece of legislation passed. I also plan to continue to discuss the merits of the Patients' Choice Act with my colleagues, and when possible, with the American people.
Thank you again for contacting me. For additional information, please visit my website at www.coburn.senate.gov. I can assure you I will continue my efforts to fight a government-run health care system and to advance the ideas of my health care proposal. Please feel free to contact me again if you should have any additional questions or concerns. Best wishes!
Sincerely, A
Tom A. Coburn, M.D.
United States Senator
TC: ler
Correspondence from Senator Coburn
From: Senator_Coburn@coburn.senate.gov
Sent: Mon 11/09/09 11:17 AM
To: ryalspr@hotmail.com
November 9, 2009
Dear Mr. Ryals,
Thank you for taking the time to email me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you, and I welcome the opportunity to respond to your email message.
I appreciate your kind words of encouragement and support. It is always nice to read encouraging email messages from fellow Oklahomans. As you know, I too am opposed to government-run health care. I will continue to advocate for a common sense alternative to socialized medicine. One way I am doing this is on a weekly radio show, which you can tune in to at http://republican.senate.gov/doctors. Please allow me to update you on the status of my own health care proposal, The Patients' Choice Act, S.1099.
The Patients' Choice Act was proposed before any Democrat sponsored bill, and has been seen as a legitimate, credible alternative to current bills which propose a government-takeover of our nation's health care. My office has received thousands of calls, emails, and letters from Oklahoma constituents, and we anticipate many more. I have discussed my bill at length with many Republicans, as well as Democrats, both in Congress and in the Administration.
Currently, there are eight Senators who are cosponsoring this bill. One independent estimate of the Patients' Choice Act concluded that it would save American taxpayers approximately $70 billion over a 10 year period. Further, I am currently working to obtain a cost-estimate of the bill from the Congressional Budget Office.
During the debate over the government-run health care system in the Senate's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I offered the Patients' Choice Act as an alternative health care plan. Unfortunately, the Patients' Choice Act was voted down on a party-line vote. However, I plan to continue to advance my common sense ideas for reform and attempt to get this piece of legislation passed. I also plan to continue to discuss the merits of the Patients' Choice Act with my colleagues, and when possible, with the American people.
Thank you again for contacting me. For additional information, please visit my website at www.coburn.senate.gov. I can assure you I will continue my efforts to fight a government-run health care system and to advance the ideas of my health care proposal. Please feel free to contact me again if you should have any additional questions or concerns. Best wishes!
Sincerely, A
Tom A. Coburn, M.D.
United States Senator
TC: ler
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Who Won?

The Republicans did not win yesterday, conservatism won. So the Republicans had better not start congratulating themselves, because the country is not giving them a free pass. We are expecting them to stand up and fight against what is happening in this country. There are a few (Senator Tom Coburn, Representative Michele Bachmann) who are standing up, the rest had better get on board, or the Conservative Express is going to run them over.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Home at Last.
I finally made it back home this past weekend. Boy do I miss it there, or maybe it's just that I miss my girls that are there.
Thanks to the three of you for making it such a nice weekend. It was really hard to leave this morning. I am already missing you.
I enjoyed handing out candy on Saturday night. How many kids do you think we had? I really wish all of the "ghost hunters" would find something, so I could get on with my life.
PHR
Thanks to the three of you for making it such a nice weekend. It was really hard to leave this morning. I am already missing you.
I enjoyed handing out candy on Saturday night. How many kids do you think we had? I really wish all of the "ghost hunters" would find something, so I could get on with my life.
PHR
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Food For Thought
Ok, this may be the best Carrot Cake I have ever ate. My sister-in-law has a gift when it comes to desserts, and you all know who I am talking about.
Maybe she will put the Recipe in a comment.
By the way, she is also very good at making egg rolls.
Honey, I am doing fine here.
She is also really great at working with chocolate, but it never lasts very long.
October 31st Every Year.
I think Halloween is my favorite holiday. I do not know why. Maybe it is the time of the year when I can scare my wife without fear of retribution. No, that can’t be it, I still receive the retribution. Maybe it’s because I can still hear a story in my head that my evil sister, let’s call her “Pam”, used to tell me…...
When my parents would go out for the evening, which thankfully was not very often, they would leave me with Pam. She would entertain me with stories. (Man, I wish there had been cable when I was young.) The one story that sticks in my mind even today is of the mass murderer that lived in Wisconsin. (We lived way to close to Wisconsin.) She would describe in great detail, to this impressionable 7 year old, how this evil man would take his curved blade knife, cut into people’s attics, wait until they were asleep, then kill them, strip their skin, and make lamp shades out of them. The story would always have a long pause where she would ask “Did you hear that noise?” Of course I heard the noise in the attic, and at seven, I was 100% sure that by morning I would be a “lamp shade”. Great! No sleep for me. My parents always wondered why I was so happy to see them.
Maybe this story will give insight to my family why I like scaring people. Thanks Pam, you made Halloween real for me, and I look forward to it every year.
By the way, I got the last laugh several times. (Future postings) But, I still have problems turning on a lamp at night, and I still hear noises in the attic.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Golfing vs Fishing
Now that I am living in Minnesota, two of my favorite activities, golfing and fishing, are coming to an end for the season. Snow will be falling, the lakes will freeze over, and the greens will be covered. What am I going to do? I do not like to fish on the Ice, and indoor golf does not seem right. Honey, think I need a vacation. What is really bad is the real winter has not started.
Friday, October 23, 2009
House Votes to Extend Hate Crime Law to Cover Gays
Is not every crime a "hate" crime? If a crime is committed against you, the justice should be the same no matter who you are, black or white, female or male, straight or gay. Are we saying that a crime against a straight person is not just as bad as one committed against a gay person? Does anyone else think we have lost our common sense in this country?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/08/congress-expected-extend-hate-crime-law-cover-gays/
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/08/congress-expected-extend-hate-crime-law-cover-gays/
Thursday, October 22, 2009
On Fishing

If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles.
-Doug Larson
I think it's time for me to get out, because at the moment I'm only thinking about fishing 21 hours a day, and they're the waking moments. And even when I close my eyes I'm thinking about it.
-Rex Hunt
The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.
-John Buchan
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.
-Steven Wright
Larry, my friend, these quotes are for you. I hope one day in the future we can meet up to go fishing again. Never have I fished with someone who would share so much without giving up any of his secrets. ("Electric Chicken" and "Smelly Jelly") Keep the pictures coming.
By the way, I think we did cross the line a time or two, and "stand on the shore like idiots". Funny also that you are standing on the shore.
Perry
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
$871 Billion vs $900 Billion
Ok, How stupid do they think we are? A $29 Billion difference. Has there ever been a government program that has come in for less than projected. And after hearing from my older sister about all of the issues she has had dealing with the government on my fathers behalf, do we really want a government in charge of running our health care?
I am sorry but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi I do not trust you. Does anyone else think she looks like the "Wicked Witch" from the Wizard of OZ?
PHR
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/20/house-receives-preliminary-cbo-estimates-health-care-reform/?test=latestnews
I am sorry but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi I do not trust you. Does anyone else think she looks like the "Wicked Witch" from the Wizard of OZ?
PHR
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/20/house-receives-preliminary-cbo-estimates-health-care-reform/?test=latestnews
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The White House vs. Fox News.
I do not know about the rest of you, but the fact that the "White House" would spend so much time "worrying" about what Fox News reports worries me. I feel that if there is nothing to hide they should have nothing to worry about, but the fact they are going out of their way to attack Fox News, we all need to question how long we are going to have the freedoms we hold dear.
I am personally grateful that someone is publicly questioning everything the government does.
Go Get Them Fox!
I am personally grateful that someone is publicly questioning everything the government does.
Go Get Them Fox!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Who Said?
“History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap. To keep the peace, we and our allies must be strong enough to convince any potential aggressor that war could bring no benefit, only disaster.”
“You and I know and do not believe that life is so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. If nothing is worth dying for, when did this begin...? ...Should Moses have told the children of Israel to live in slavery under the pharaohs? Should Christ have refused the cross? Should the patriots of Concord Bridge have thrown down their guns and refused to fire the shot heard 'round the world?"
“The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away.”
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
“Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
In my eighty years, I prefer to call that the forty-first anniversary of my thirty ninth birthday, I've seen what men can do for each other and do to each other, I've seen war and peace, feast and famine, depression and prosperity, sickness and health. I've seen the depth of suffering and the peaks of triumph and I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life."
-Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan was the first President I was old enough to vote for. I saw the dark days of Jimmy Carter. I hope and pray we have a similar visionary step up to lead us out of the dark days of Barack Obama.
“You and I know and do not believe that life is so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. If nothing is worth dying for, when did this begin...? ...Should Moses have told the children of Israel to live in slavery under the pharaohs? Should Christ have refused the cross? Should the patriots of Concord Bridge have thrown down their guns and refused to fire the shot heard 'round the world?"
“The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away.”
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
“Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
In my eighty years, I prefer to call that the forty-first anniversary of my thirty ninth birthday, I've seen what men can do for each other and do to each other, I've seen war and peace, feast and famine, depression and prosperity, sickness and health. I've seen the depth of suffering and the peaks of triumph and I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life."
-Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan was the first President I was old enough to vote for. I saw the dark days of Jimmy Carter. I hope and pray we have a similar visionary step up to lead us out of the dark days of Barack Obama.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Who Said?
“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.”
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.”
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
“My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
-John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Anyone have any thoughts about how he would feel about the United States of America today?
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.”
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
“My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
-John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Anyone have any thoughts about how he would feel about the United States of America today?
Friday, October 16, 2009
Children...The Perfect Play Toy.
Having a child is a great thing. They look up to you like a hero, at least until they know better. As they grow, I believe, they go through four different phases.
Phase One: “You are my Hero” Phase
This phase lasts from the time they are born, until they are 10 or 11 years old. You can do no wrong. They look up to you. You know everything that can be known in the universe, at least in their mind. This is the phase you can train them to become a “Minnie Me”. With the reward of candy they can be trained to do just about anything a Labrador Retriever will do, just not as fast.
Example #1
I trained my daughter to hide in the dirty laundry until my wife came in the room and then say her name in a scary voice. Somehow I managed to be the one to get into trouble for this little stunt which was fully my child’s idea. Oh, the injustice.
Example #2
I could also make my daughter cry on command. I could drop my wife at the door of a store, and then tell my daughter, as we drove away, that we needed a new mommy. My daughter would think I was joking until I began pointing out different potential “mommies” as they came out of the store. Tears would begin to well up in her eyes until her one and only mother would exit the building and I would pick her up all smiles. That wonderful daughter of mine never let on about our game until the one day that “mommy” dropped off the grandmother, and my daughter spit out “Mom, I think we need a new Grandmother.” My wife, thinking of how horrible a statement her child had just made, began to scold her, and under the pressure she stated, “Dad says the same thing when you go in the store”. Needless to say my cell phone rang, and some how I again got in trouble for something my child had done. I am beginning to change my opinion on how great it is to have a child, now as I write these thoughts.
Phase Two: “You are embarrassing me” Phase.
This phase starts right after the “Hero Phase” and the end has yet to be determined. (She has not reached the next phase yet.) In this phase everything you do is embarrassing to the child. They live with the fear that you are going to do something dumb. Needless to say, my daughter lives in constant fear of my stupidity. She knows I am going to do something at sometime in the future, and she does her best to make sure that she does anything she can to keep it to a minimum. I, on the other hand, purposely go out of my way to do stupid stuff just to drive the women in my life “nuts”.
Example #1
Surely you have all seen the movie “Hitch”. Well, unfortunately for my daughter, I have seen it also, and needless to say I can do most of the dances that Kevin James does on the “big screen”. Now that is not the embarrassing part…that comes when I offer to teach her friends the same moves. I am talking all of her friends, be they girls or boys. I have also been known to “break a move” or hip when I hear a good song. By the way, Walmart does occasionally play good music in their stores. Need I say more?
Example #2
I also have been known to sing occasionally. Most, I repeat most, of the time it is in the car with only wife and daughter present. Still, when I hear my favorite tune of the day, I may break into singing no matter where I am at, and my daughter is well aware of this fact, and tries her best to distract me. Did I mention that “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake is one of my favorites? I can hear it in my head right now. “I am bringing Sexy Back….” Just seems to fit me, and when I “bust a move” and sing…Watch out!
Phase Three and Four: “Yet to be determined.”
I assume there has to be a 3 and 4, if not I am going to continue to be an embarrassment to my daughter. Hold on!!!!!!!! I was just thinking, maybe there is no Phase Two, and I am just an embarrassment? No, that can’t be, “I’m bringing Sexy Back! Yah!”
Phase One: “You are my Hero” Phase
This phase lasts from the time they are born, until they are 10 or 11 years old. You can do no wrong. They look up to you. You know everything that can be known in the universe, at least in their mind. This is the phase you can train them to become a “Minnie Me”. With the reward of candy they can be trained to do just about anything a Labrador Retriever will do, just not as fast.
Example #1
I trained my daughter to hide in the dirty laundry until my wife came in the room and then say her name in a scary voice. Somehow I managed to be the one to get into trouble for this little stunt which was fully my child’s idea. Oh, the injustice.
Example #2
I could also make my daughter cry on command. I could drop my wife at the door of a store, and then tell my daughter, as we drove away, that we needed a new mommy. My daughter would think I was joking until I began pointing out different potential “mommies” as they came out of the store. Tears would begin to well up in her eyes until her one and only mother would exit the building and I would pick her up all smiles. That wonderful daughter of mine never let on about our game until the one day that “mommy” dropped off the grandmother, and my daughter spit out “Mom, I think we need a new Grandmother.” My wife, thinking of how horrible a statement her child had just made, began to scold her, and under the pressure she stated, “Dad says the same thing when you go in the store”. Needless to say my cell phone rang, and some how I again got in trouble for something my child had done. I am beginning to change my opinion on how great it is to have a child, now as I write these thoughts.
Phase Two: “You are embarrassing me” Phase.
This phase starts right after the “Hero Phase” and the end has yet to be determined. (She has not reached the next phase yet.) In this phase everything you do is embarrassing to the child. They live with the fear that you are going to do something dumb. Needless to say, my daughter lives in constant fear of my stupidity. She knows I am going to do something at sometime in the future, and she does her best to make sure that she does anything she can to keep it to a minimum. I, on the other hand, purposely go out of my way to do stupid stuff just to drive the women in my life “nuts”.
Example #1
Surely you have all seen the movie “Hitch”. Well, unfortunately for my daughter, I have seen it also, and needless to say I can do most of the dances that Kevin James does on the “big screen”. Now that is not the embarrassing part…that comes when I offer to teach her friends the same moves. I am talking all of her friends, be they girls or boys. I have also been known to “break a move” or hip when I hear a good song. By the way, Walmart does occasionally play good music in their stores. Need I say more?
Example #2
I also have been known to sing occasionally. Most, I repeat most, of the time it is in the car with only wife and daughter present. Still, when I hear my favorite tune of the day, I may break into singing no matter where I am at, and my daughter is well aware of this fact, and tries her best to distract me. Did I mention that “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake is one of my favorites? I can hear it in my head right now. “I am bringing Sexy Back….” Just seems to fit me, and when I “bust a move” and sing…Watch out!
Phase Three and Four: “Yet to be determined.”
I assume there has to be a 3 and 4, if not I am going to continue to be an embarrassment to my daughter. Hold on!!!!!!!! I was just thinking, maybe there is no Phase Two, and I am just an embarrassment? No, that can’t be, “I’m bringing Sexy Back! Yah!”
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Marriage and a Friend
They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning.
-- Clint Eastwood
Married couples who love each other tell each other a thousand things without talking.
-- Chinese Proverb
Successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
-- German Greer
A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
-- Milton Berle
Being married a quarter of a century to the same woman (also known as Angel and Saint), I feel gives me the right to offer some suggestions on marriage. So here we go…
First, when you choose your mate you need to make sure you are friends first.
My wife and I started out as two young people in the same youth group at church. I can say at the age of 15 we did not see “eye to eye” on very many things including what a hot hunk of man I was. So we dated off and on (more off than on) until we were both out of college. After college I was finally able to make her realized what a hot hunk of man candy I was/am. She fell immediately in love with me, so I asked her to marry me. She said “yes” without hesitation, and begged me to take her to the preacher the following year because she could not wait any longer than that to become my bride.
So what did we learn from this love story….the “friends thing” is crap. The attraction gets you to the alter, the “friends thing” keeps you together and makes you thankful everyday that you have someone in your life that knows you better and love you more than you ever thought anyone could. They are the person that misses you when you are gone, and hugs you tight when you are together.
Second, you had better learn to laugh.
You are going to have some very trying times in a marriage. So you need to make sure you have a sense of humor. I believe my wife will confirm that I do have a sense of humor and at times maybe too much. Believe me when I say, there are going to be two types of tears in a marriage Sad and Happy. You need to make sure that the balance tips to the happy side more than the sad. Understand, no matter the situation you control how you approach it.
Finally, communicate with each other.
Unlike my wife, I am no mind reader, and I do not get clues very well either. At times it takes a bat to make me understand. I would offer up the idea of verbal communication. Tell each other what you think, feel, or hope, and guys when she tells you …nod and say “yes, I fully agree”, unless the question is “Does this make my butt look big?” then just walk away very fast.
In conclusion, you can see from above I have no clue about what makes a marriage successful and happy. It takes work and common bonds. Stick with it and prepare for the ride of your life.
A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it.
--anonymous
Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you.
--Author Unknown
-- Clint Eastwood
Married couples who love each other tell each other a thousand things without talking.
-- Chinese Proverb
Successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
-- German Greer
A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
-- Milton Berle
Being married a quarter of a century to the same woman (also known as Angel and Saint), I feel gives me the right to offer some suggestions on marriage. So here we go…
First, when you choose your mate you need to make sure you are friends first.
My wife and I started out as two young people in the same youth group at church. I can say at the age of 15 we did not see “eye to eye” on very many things including what a hot hunk of man I was. So we dated off and on (more off than on) until we were both out of college. After college I was finally able to make her realized what a hot hunk of man candy I was/am. She fell immediately in love with me, so I asked her to marry me. She said “yes” without hesitation, and begged me to take her to the preacher the following year because she could not wait any longer than that to become my bride.
So what did we learn from this love story….the “friends thing” is crap. The attraction gets you to the alter, the “friends thing” keeps you together and makes you thankful everyday that you have someone in your life that knows you better and love you more than you ever thought anyone could. They are the person that misses you when you are gone, and hugs you tight when you are together.
Second, you had better learn to laugh.
You are going to have some very trying times in a marriage. So you need to make sure you have a sense of humor. I believe my wife will confirm that I do have a sense of humor and at times maybe too much. Believe me when I say, there are going to be two types of tears in a marriage Sad and Happy. You need to make sure that the balance tips to the happy side more than the sad. Understand, no matter the situation you control how you approach it.
Finally, communicate with each other.
Unlike my wife, I am no mind reader, and I do not get clues very well either. At times it takes a bat to make me understand. I would offer up the idea of verbal communication. Tell each other what you think, feel, or hope, and guys when she tells you …nod and say “yes, I fully agree”, unless the question is “Does this make my butt look big?” then just walk away very fast.
In conclusion, you can see from above I have no clue about what makes a marriage successful and happy. It takes work and common bonds. Stick with it and prepare for the ride of your life.
A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it.
--anonymous
Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you.
--Author Unknown
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Mom's Advice
I wanted to touch on advice my mother used to tell me when I was a little boy. She always said “Make sure that you have clean underwear on when you go out, in case you get into an accident.”
Now reflecting back on this advice I always considered it sound. Yes, I did have the thought that if I was in an “accident” I would more than likely soil what had previously been clean. I also doubted that the nurses or doctor would pay much attention to the condition of my underwear if I was actually in need of their services from an “accident”.
So why did my mother have the concern over the condition of my underwear? After 47 year I have come up with the most plausible answer. She was not concerned with my embarrassment, she was concerned with hers. Just think for a minute, a loving mother sending her son to school with “skid marks”, does she not love him? What would people say if they found out? “She does not care about her child, look at the dirty underwear.” “What kind of mother is she?” “Oh! The humanity!”
So, my child, this might explain why your mom and I are so concerned with your “underwear”, or even your hair and make-up. We may be concerned with the reflection on us as parents, more than on you, or maybe we just want you to have clean underwear on.
Mom, just to let you know I still put on clean underwear every day, and sometimes a couple of times a day. Don’t ask, at least I started with a clean pair.
Now reflecting back on this advice I always considered it sound. Yes, I did have the thought that if I was in an “accident” I would more than likely soil what had previously been clean. I also doubted that the nurses or doctor would pay much attention to the condition of my underwear if I was actually in need of their services from an “accident”.
So why did my mother have the concern over the condition of my underwear? After 47 year I have come up with the most plausible answer. She was not concerned with my embarrassment, she was concerned with hers. Just think for a minute, a loving mother sending her son to school with “skid marks”, does she not love him? What would people say if they found out? “She does not care about her child, look at the dirty underwear.” “What kind of mother is she?” “Oh! The humanity!”
So, my child, this might explain why your mom and I are so concerned with your “underwear”, or even your hair and make-up. We may be concerned with the reflection on us as parents, more than on you, or maybe we just want you to have clean underwear on.
Mom, just to let you know I still put on clean underwear every day, and sometimes a couple of times a day. Don’t ask, at least I started with a clean pair.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)


