Chill Stuff & Co.

100 Modern Classic Movies

2008-08-01T07:59:00.018-05:00

Instructions are to bold movies we’ve seen. I’ve added my own comments — so you can see if we share the same tastes or not.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994) — Reminds me of the boys on Pine Street. Language is unbearable.
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03) — Not a fan.
3. Titanic (1997) — A movie I could watch anytime.
4. Blue Velvet (1986) ???
5. Toy Story (1995) — I'm sure this will come up again, I'm not a Tom Hanks fan. But this film was cute.
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998 ) — Wow... didn't know Tom would come up again so quickly. This is a terrific film. Loved it.
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) — I have not seen this film but it's on my list.
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — I saw this in the theater. Great acting, disturbing film.
9. Die Hard (1988 ) This was a favorite for a long time after seeing it the first time.
10. Moulin Rouge (2001) — This movie always makes me think of my stepson, Bo. While watching it once he shouted, "THIS MOVIE MAKES ME WANNA SING!"
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984) -- Great film. Kirk Demaris introduced me to this film.
12. The Matrix (1999) — Saw this movie in the theater in Santa Barbara. While leaving the theater, a guy in front of me said, "I have no idea what that movie was about... but I LOVED IT!" It was my sentiment exactly!
13. GoodFellas (1990) -- Haven't seen it; want to.
14. Crumb (1995) — ???
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990) — Not a fan.
16. Boogie Nights (1997) - I confess, I enjoyed this film. Probably the era. Distrubing.
17. Jerry Maguire (1996) - Not a big fan of this film.
18. Do the Right Thing (1989) - Didn't see this film. It should probably be on my list, but not drawn to it.
19. Casino Royale (2006) — Didn't see.
20. The Lion King (1994) — Enjoyed it.
21. Schindler’s List (1993) — Powerful film. Terrific!
22. Rushmore (1998 ) Didn't see.
23. Memento (2001) – Haven't seen.
24. A Room with a View (1986) — ???
25. Shrek (2001) — Bleck!
26. Hoop Dreams (1994) — No interest.
27. Aliens (1986) — I can't believe I haven't seen this classic. On my list.
28. Wings of Desire (1988 ) — ???
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004) — Awesome film! Awesome series.
30. When Harry Met Sally… (1989) — Not a fan.
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005) Powerful film. Beautiful cinematography.
32. Fight Club (1999) — Disturbing and LOVED IT!
33. The Breakfast Club (1985) — Great classic film.
34. Fargo (1996) One of my favorites! (What's up with me an all these 'disturbing' films???)
35. The Incredibles (2004) — Didn't see.
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004) — Love Spidey!
37. Pretty Woman (1990) I don't know why I like this movie so much but I do. Normally I shun chic-flicks.
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) — Haven't seen... on my list!
39. The Sixth Sense (1999) This film bent my mind. Really enjoyed it.
40. Speed (1994) — Not a fan.
41. Dazed and Confused (1993) — Haven't seen it... it's on my list.
42. Clueless (1995) — Funny movie.
43. Gladiator (2000) — It was okay.
44. The Player (1992) — ???.
45. Rain Man (1988 ) — Great film.
46. Children of Men (2006) — ???
47. Men in Black (1997) — Not a Will Smith fan. Okay film
48. Scarface (1983) — I can't believe I haven't seen this film. On my list!
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) — I liked this movie.
50. The Piano (1993) — I really liked this film.
51. There Will Be Blood (2007) — ???
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988 ) — Love them all.
53. The Truman Show (1998 ) — Clever film.
54. Fatal Attraction (1987) — Okay.
55. Risky Business (1983) — Reminds me of college
56. The Lives of Others (2006) — ???
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998 ) — H A T E D it!
58. Ghostbusters (1984) — Didn't care for it.
59. L.A. Confidential (1997) — Haven't seen this film.
60. Scream (1996) No desire to see this film.
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Had to go see it... entertaining.
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989) - Didn't care for it.
63. Big (1988 ) I can't stand watching this movie. I think this was the film that turned me off to Tom Hanks. Seemed rediculous.
64. No Country For Old Men (2007) — Looking forward to seeing this film.
65. Dirty Dancing (1987) — Mildly entertaining.
66. Natural Born Killers (1994) - Enjoyed.
67. Donnie Brasco (1997) - ???
68. Witness (1985) — Excellent film. I saw this in the theater a couple times.
69. All About My Mother (1999) = ???
70. Broadcast News (1987) I enjoyed this film.
71. Unforgiven (1992) - I think I've seen it? LOL
72. Thelma & Louise (1991) — Didn't get into this movie.
73. Office Space (1999) — Great movie. Loved it!
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989) - ???
75. Out of Africa (1985) — Great movie. Loved the house.
76. The Departed (2006) — ???
77. Sid and Nancy (1986) - Never saw it.
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) — Love the T movies.
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996) — One of my favs. Hilarious.
80. Michael Clayton (2007) — ???
81. Moonstruck (1987) I enjoyed this movie! "Snap out of it!"
82. Lost in Translation (2003) — Good movie.
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987) — uh... NO!
84. Sideways (2004) — I really didn't enjoy this movie.
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005) - No desire to see this film.
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002) — ???
87. Swingers (1996) - ???
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) - I enjoyed all the AP films.
89. Breaking the Waves (1996) - ???
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) — I was Napoleon Dynamite before Napoleon Dynamite was cool.
91. Back to the Future (1985) — Culture classic but not a big fan.
92. Menace II Society (1993) - ???
93. Ed Wood (1994) - Haven't seen but I think I'd like it.
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987) - Another Classic 80's film I haven't seen.
95. In the Mood for Love (2001) - ???
96. Far From Heaven (2002) - ???
97. Glory (1989) - ???
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) - I loved this movie as it's set in Italy.
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999) - Haven't seen it. No desire.
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999) — Dumber than Dumb & Dumber. No desire!

Um, where was Braveheart? Boy, that's embarrassing.

Agree? Disagree?
Please let me know if you share your thoughts on your own blog. I want to see!
Instructions are to bold movies we’ve seen. I’ve added my own comments — so you can see if we share the same tastes or not.

TCM's

2008-07-15T08:17:00.002-05:00

Side note: Boy this year is flying by. I can’t believe it’s already mid-July.

I have been wanting to post something here for awhile but not really sure of what to share. It seems like there’s a lot going on while at the same time nothing is really happening. Ha. How’s that for a contradictory statement?!

What I really want to share today is my recent obsession with TCM--that is the Turner Classic Movies cable network. I am obsessed. It seems like recently, every night when I get home from work I find the most interesting old movies to keep me up until the wee hours of the morning.

The other day A Thousand Clowns was on and it reminded me of another classic movie, the movie I listed in my last post as my favorite movie, Ordinary People. There is a line in Ordinary People that references the play which the movie A Thousand Clowns was based. I have always wondered about this play/movie since seeing Ordinary People in the early 80’s.

A Thousand Clowns was a terrific film; one I would highly recommend to anyone looking for 2 hours of pure enjoyment.

I looked for a clip to post of line, “We’re doing A Thousand Clowns this year” from Ordinary People, but I couldn't find one. But I did find a wonderful clip from the movie to share.

Ordinary People had a profound impact on my emotional development as I transitioned into adulthood. It has served me well when faced with different issues that have arisen over the years. I can’t help but think of the line Conrad says after his theraputic outburst, “I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t here.” I think to myself, “I don’t know what I would have done had I not seen this film 28 years ago!"

Enjoy a terrific clip of Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch’s performances as Conrad Jarrett and psychologist, Dr. Tyrone C. Berger. This is certainly the scene that won Tim the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and Judd the Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in this film.

The beginning is very dark, but hang in there, it gets better.

(Be forewarned, this clip contains language that may be offensive to some)

Ordinary People

2008-07-15T08:14:00.001-05:00

All About Me (2008 Update)

2008-05-26T03:52:00.004-05:00

I thought I would update this list as a few things have changed in the past 3 years:

Nicknames: Genor, Gern
Parent's names: Marvin and Nada
Number of candles that will appear on your next birthday: 47
Date that you will blow them out: March 23
Pets: 3 cats: Jaki, Niki and Bobi
eye color: Blue
hair color: Red
Piercing: none
Tattoos: none
Ever egged a house? No
Favorite color: Blue
Hometown: Amboy, Illinois
Current Residence: Harrison, Arkansas
Favorite Food: Currently, Curry Chicken Salad
Been to Africa? Yes. Egypt
Been toilet papering? Every weekend my last 2 years of high school.
Loved somebody so much that it made you cry? regretfully, yes.
Been in a car accident? Yes, a few
Croutons or Bacon Bits? Neither
Sprite or 7UP? Sprite
Favorite movie: Too many to choose. Probably "Ordinary People"
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite Day of the Week: Saturday
Favorite word or phrase: "Let's make this the best night ever!"
Favorite Hobby: gosh, too many.
Favorite restaurant: The Brown Pelican, Santa Barbara, CA
Favorite cola: Don't drink it any more.
Favorite sport to watch: College basketball
Preferred type of ice cream: Vanilla
Favorite Sesame Street Character: Elmo
Disney or Warner Bros.: Disney
Favorite Fast Food: Salad
When was your last hospital visit? Never been in the hospital
What color is your bedroom carpet? Beige
How many times did you fail your driver's test? Passed 1st time
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? No
What single store would you choose to max out your credit card in? Nordstrom
What do you do most often when you are bored? Play solitaire on the computer
Name the person you are friends with that lives the farthest away: Dean Reusser, Kabul, Afghanistan
Most annoying thing people ask me: Do you like working nights?
Bedtime: Approximately 4-5 a.m.
Favorite all time TV show? Will and Grace
Last person you had dinner with: My wife Chris
Last movie you saw in the theatre: I have no idea

Thought for the Week

2008-03-09T13:21:00.002-05:00

Think of Excellence

Philippians 4:8 "...Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Your beliefs become your thoughts.
Your thoughts become your words.
Your words become your actions.
Your actions become your habits.
Your habits become your values.
Your values become your destiny.
- Mahatma Gandhi

Keyboarding skills

2008-02-22T12:25:00.001-06:00

Try this out. It's fun!

62 words

Speed test

Frozen Grand Central

2008-02-09T02:54:00.001-06:00

This is awesome! I think I would freak out if I had stumbled upon this little stunt. Enjoy.

The Real McCain

2008-02-04T03:19:00.000-06:00

I wish I could find the entire documentary but for the moment, enjoy this:

John McCain Vs. John McCain

PAY ATTENTION!

2008-01-06T06:26:00.000-06:00

I’m going to preface this post by saying that anyone who reads what I’m about to write and would really like to give me a piece of their mind but doesn’t want their comments published on my blog, I invite you to send me a personal response to my email address at gene.sullivan@cox.net.

The idea of posting some Anti-Bush bumper sticker quotes came to me after I posted a Bush Countdown Clock on my blog earlier today. Almost immediately after I posted the clock, I decided to remove it, for various reason. Primarily because I decided I didn’t want a permanent element of my blog dedicated to this function for the length of time left for this administration. But I must admit that there was a tinge of conviction that I was being disrespectful of the office of President.

I am a reasonably patriotic American and I do feel that the office of President does command a high level of respect; however, I am absolutely convinced, to my core, that our current administration is rotten to it’s core! What the Bush administration has done to our national reputation is appalling. And like the bumper sticker says, “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention!”

I have several friends now that live abroad that I communicate with on a regular basis (thanks to the internet) and what I keep hearing from almost every single one of them is that the rest of the world now sees the United States of America as hateful, tyrant, selfish, and torturous.

Unfortunately I don’t believe that the world’s opinion has been shaped by our countries terrible behavior over the last six years. But rather, it’s because of the 2004 election and the associated public support our country had for Bush and his policies. In the past when our government screwed up, folks in other countries would give us the benefit of the doubt, and they were often proved correct: American’s would not tolerate tyranny on their watch But under Bush, the American people explicitly embraced tyranny on their own behalf by re-electing him, thus revealing a hateful side of our national character that we had not revealed quite so clearly before. The difference in our standing in the world now is that we have showed the world that the American people are in fact capable of these things I mention: hate, tyranny, selfishness, torture, etc. I guess in truth, you really can’t blame Bush, he didn’t re-elect himself.

Which brings me to the meat of my message. Folks, we need a change. And we need a change which provides us someone that can help restore America’s reputation in the world. Someone that will promote our interests, while ensuring security and advancing our values.

Our world is facing colossal global problems during the next presidential term (climate change, poverty, disease, and terrorism) that will require us to be strong and engaging. Make certain friend, that you are paying attention and that the person you support can fit the bill!

Okay, let me have it… really give it to me! www.gene.sullivan@cox.net

I'm Exhausted...

2008-01-03T23:59:00.000-06:00

...but I have to punch out something. I can't blow a New Year's Resolution in only three days. I had a full body massage this a.m. and worked for 10 hours right afterwards. UGH! So needless to say, I'm really tired.

More tomorrow....

Bo's goin' to Yellowstone!

2008-01-02T20:54:00.000-06:00

I'm happy to announce that Bo was offered a summer job at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming! He's supposed to report in at Gardiner, MT on June 4th. We're very excited for him!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-01-01T22:29:00.000-06:00

"Let's Make This The Best Year Ever!"

There's a phrase that we regularly say at work that goes like this, “Let’s make this the best night ever!” It’s a phrase that's always spoken with just a slight hint of sarcasm. But it's a phrase that never ceases to put a smile on the face of those within ear shot. I hear it almost every day. It’s a phrase often quoted after one is greeted with an unpleasant task; or upon arrival on a day when traffic is unusually high. But it's a phrase that gives us hope that we can arrive at the end of the day still with a smile on our face.

My challenge to you today, “Let’s make this the best year ever!” Towards that effort, let me offer a few ways to deal with the things that may come your way and try and steal away peace of mind and happiness this year:

1. Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

2. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

5. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.

8. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

9. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

10. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

11. The second mouse gets the cheese.

12. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

13. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

14. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

15. Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

16. We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box..

17. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have an awesome year, the best ever!

Goodbye 2007

2007-12-31T22:53:00.001-06:00

I have about an hour and 7 minutes to say goodbye to 2007. I don't think I'm going to miss it too much. It's difficult to take my mind off all its atrocities: The massacre at Virginia Tech, the recent assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto, the continuing nuclear standoff with Iraq, unrest in Myanmar and George Bush's ongoing war in Iraq... the deadly bridge collapse in Minnesota, wildfires in California and Greece, a rise in foreclosures, huge fuel prices... and worst of them all, the spectacle surrounding Anna Nicole Smith's death (enough already)... Never has the term goodbye been more appropriate! GOODbye 2007.

Hello 2008! I hope you'll bring us better times. I am hopeful; although, with the freaks we're turning out in our schools, still another year of Bush (God help us), Global warming and a media force out to publish and broadcast what sells, I'm not too hopeful. I think perhaps one of my resolutions should be to turn off the TV and disconnect the high speed internet.

We bade adieu to many celbs this year. A few of note: Luciano Pavorotti, Dan Fogelberg, Evil Knievel, Robert Goulet, Merv Griffin, Tom Snyder, Tammy Faye Messner, Charles Nelson Reilly, Beverly Sills, Porter Wagoner, Joel Siegel, Dick "Mr. Wipple" Wilson, Lady Bird Johnson, Liz Claiborne, Tommy Newsome, Don Ho, Marcel Marceau and Larry "Bud" Melman. They were wonderful entertainment and inspiration.

On a much more personal note, I will dearly miss Derek Masters. Derek was one of Kip's best buds during high school and a close friend to everyone in our family. His life was cut short on November 10th when he was killed in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina. I will miss his spontaneous visits when he was home on a leave. I will miss his wonderful grin and innocent temperament. One would never have guessed this wonderful young man would grow up to be a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps, but he did. We were and are so proud of his accomplishmens and service. Our hearts and prayers go out to Mike and kelly and the rest of Derek's family.

Well, I have 5 minutes left. Let me take that time to say how much I love & appreciate my family; my wonderful wife, Chris (today is our 7th wedding anniversary); my stepson Kip & his wife Jessica, they are such a terrific team; my precious step-daughter Jewell who is amazing; and my most incredible stepson Bo, who I hope never doubts the depth of my love. I love them all so much.

May you be blessed in 2008!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Kids

2007-12-26T03:04:00.001-06:00

Here are a couple pics of the kids from our recent trip to Colorado.

Kip & Jessica

Bo & Jewell

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2007-12-25T08:16:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

Skype hype!

2007-12-23T14:00:00.000-06:00

I now have a Skype name: GeneSullivan

If you are not familiar with Skype (it rhymes with type), it's a software program created to allows users to make telephone calls from their computer to other Skype users free of charge, or to landlines and cell phones for a fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer, short message service, video conferencing and its ability to circumvent firewalls. It's pretty cool. Last night I had video conversation with my pal Brady in Romania that lasted about an hour and a half and it was just as clear as could be. It was terrific.

Log in today, download the program, and get connected! www.skype.com If you have question or problems getting signed up, let me know and I will try and help you.

Cheers!

Friendships vs. True Friends

2007-12-23T05:32:00.000-06:00

"A "friendship" is a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem (honor, revere, respect), and affection. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism (the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others). Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them. Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating on a consistent basis: the tendency to desire what is best for the other, sympathy and empathy, honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart mutual understanding."

"A 'true friend' is one who supports their own friends through emotional difficulties. This term also denotes a large degree of altruism (the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others), in that the true friend often sacrifices something of his or her own (usually their time and resources) in order to help the friend in need. True friends also are known to be very rare. A true friend may not be your best friend but someone who you know will be there for you."

I thank G-d for all the TRUE FRIENDS that I have.

Meet Invisible Gene

2007-12-12T12:53:00.000-06:00

Your Superpower Should Be Invisibility

You are stealth, complex, and creative.
You never face problems head on. Instead, you rely on your craftiness to get your way.
A mystery to others, you thrive on being a little misunderstood.
You happily work behind the scenes... because there's nothing better than a sneak attack!

Why you would be a good superhero: You're so sly, no one would notice... not even your best friends

Your biggest problem as a superhero: Missing out on all of the glory that visible superheroes get

What Should Your Superpower Be?

HOW WE GO OUT

2007-11-28T12:12:00.001-06:00

Make certain you are not drinking anything when you watch this video because if you do, it will surely come out your nose when you laugh so hard!

Neiman Marcus Cookies

2007-10-28T19:46:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons I'm getting anxious for Thanksgiving is so I can make some Neiman Marcus cookies. I LOVE these cookies! I’ve made them several years now for Thanksgiving. They are by far and above my favorite. I believe it was my older sister Cindy that introduced me to them about 20 years ago and I have loved them ever since.

Somehow in the last year I misplaced my recipe for them though. So today I went online to search for the recipe. The first place I found was actually the Neiman Marcus website. They had a story and the recipe listed. But, it was NOT the recipe that I have used all these years. My recipe has oatmeal. The one on the Neiman Marcus site did not have oatmeal. MYSTERY! Makes me wonder, did they post a bogus recipe so people don't really have their recipe OR is the recipe that I had an entirely different one, never really from Neiman Marcus (probably the latter)?

Well, fortunately, I found the recipe that I have used and will continue to make the cookies this way. Here's the recipe if you want a real treat:

(Recipe may be halved):

2 cups butter
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups brown sugar
5 cups blended oatmeal (measure oatmeal and blend in blender to a fine powder)
24 oz. chocolate chips
1 tsp. salt
1 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated)
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)
2 tsp. vanilla

Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies.

Shape of my heart

2007-10-26T02:54:00.001-05:00

Prepare to be AMAZAED!

YATES

2007-10-16T04:34:00.000-05:00

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

by W.B.Yates

I WILL arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

50 Things I Like

2007-10-11T02:22:00.000-05:00

I don't know what's up with the list thing, I guess I've seen a lot lately. Here's my latest. It's all about me. 50 things I like:

1. good friends
2. planning a vacation
3. nighttime
4. cheese--all kinds
5. the Brown Pelican restaurant in Santa Barbara
6. Saturday morning coffee on the beach
7. cool Autumn nights
8. hot summer days
9. walking in snow under a full moon
10. Thanksgiving road trips
11. scalp massages
12. my mom's hugs & kisses (dad's, too)
13. wearing my dad's class ring
14. the last 5 minutes of a plane ride
15. waking up from anesthesia
16. red wine
17. the smell of eucalyptus
18. lasagna
19. Sushi
20. peach cider
21. crossword puzzles
22. magazines
23. knitting and crocheting
24. Torah study
25. down comforters
26. the movie "Rudy"
27. adventure traveling
28. my cat Jaki
29. thin crust pizza
30. hearing my step-daughters voice on the phone
31. that last glance at night of my step-son sleeping
32. Kenny Chesney's song "Old Blue Chair"
33. maps
34. family reunions
35. motivational books
36. drinking coffee
37. being right
38. strawberry lemonade
39. buying flowers
40. Dairy Milk milk chocolate bars
41. napping in a hammock
42. grocery shopping at 2 a.m.
43. a good, medium rib eye steak
44. surfing the internet
45. laughing so hard I cry
46. chocolate pecan pie
47. Seeing a good play
48. Wahoo fish tacos
49. cheering for Notre Dame
50. dreaming

WHO* Avian Flu Update

2007-10-03T05:49:00.000-05:00

Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia – update 17

2 October 2007

The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. A 21-year-old male from Jakarta Province developed symptoms on 18 September, was hospitalized on 25 September and died in hospital on 28 September. The investigation found that the case was an egg seller in a traditional market. All of the contacts remain healthy, where they will continue to be monitored for ten days after their last contact with the case.

Of the 107 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 86 have been fatal. (80.37%)

*World Health Organization

Hollywood Squares

2007-10-02T19:18:00.000-05:00

And now for something a little lighter...

If you remember the original Hollywood Squares and it's comics, this may bring a tear to your eyes. These great questions and answers are from the days when "Hollywood Squares" game show responses were spontaneous, not scripted, as they are now. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions, of course.

Q: Do female frogs croak?
A: (Paul Lynde) "If you hold their little heads under water long enough."

Q: If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be?
A: (Charley Weaver) "Three days of steady drinking should do it."

Q: True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years?
A: (George Gobel) "Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes."

Q: You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
A: (Don Knotts) "That's what's been keeping me awake."

Q: According to Cosmopolitain, if you meet a stranger at a party, and you think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's married?
A: (Rose Marie) "No, wait until morning."

Q: Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A: (Charley Weaver) "My sense of decency."

Q: In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say "I Love You"?
A: (Vincent Price) "No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty."

Q: What are "Do It," "I Can Help," and "I Can't Get Enough"?
A: (George Gobel) "I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment."

Q: As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking?
A: (Rose Marie) "You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget."

Q: Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A: (Paul Lynde) "Because chiffon wrinkles too easily."

Q: Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year?
A: (Charlie Weaver) "Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries."

Q: In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A: (Rose Marie) "Ralph, the pin boy."

Q: It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics, what is the other?
A: (Paul Lynde) "Tape measures."

Q: During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A: (Rose Marie) "Unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom."

Q: Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A: (Marty Allen) "Only after lights out."

My Personal Favorite:
Q: When you pat a dog on it's head he will wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A: (Paul Lynde) "Make him bark?"

Q: If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A: (Paul Lynde) "Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark."

Q: According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A: (Charley Weaver) "It got me out of the Army."

Q: It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A: (Paul Lynde) "Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected."

Q: Back in the old days, when Great Grampa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A: (George Gobel) "Get it in his mouth."

Q: Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A: (Paul Lynde) "Who told you about my elephant?"

Q: Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occassions. What are they?
A: (Charley Weaver) "His feet."

Q: According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?
A: (Paul Lynde) "Point and laugh."

We don't stop laughing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop laughing!

Ask the Dr.

2007-10-02T04:45:00.000-05:00

I found this Human Avian Flu information today on WebMD.com:

Weighing the Odds
The key to widespread outbreaks or a multicontinent pandemic is for the virus (H5N1), carried by domestic and wild birds, to morph into a form that can be passed from human to human via a cough or sneeze. Scientists are all over the map on whether this will happen.

Robert G. Webster, the Rosemary Thomas Chair at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., is sometimes called "The Flu Hunter." Webster recently says there is a 50-50 chance the virus will become transmissible human-to-human. If it does, he projects that half the people in the country would die. He has stored a three-month supply of food and water at his house.

Others cite the swine flu scare of several decades ago. That one fizzled.

The upshot is no one knows for sure. The World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, and countless local governments are taking bird flu seriously and trying to plan.

The irony may be that for all of this planning, taking care of cases will probably fall to individuals and take place in the home. This is the view of Gratton Woodson, MD, a primary care doctor at the Druid Oaks Health Center in Decatur, Ga., who has made a years-long study of bird flu on behalf of his patients and has published a bird flu preparedness manual to help them cope.

The CDC also has put up a web site helping people to prepare for this possibility. It's www.pandemicflu.govhttp://www.webmd.com/click?url=http://www.pandemicflu.gov.

Get Prepared...

2007-09-30T05:38:00.000-05:00

(Click the picture above to see a larger image)

Scientists now say that a pandemic of some sort is inevitable. If you are not aware of just what the H5N1 flu virus is about, you should do a Google search and spend a hour or so reading about it. I think you might be a little more than concerned.

What concerns me is that the virus can now be spread from Human to Human. And more than 1/2 the people that are getting infected, die. The numbers are disturbing. My advice: GET PREPARED! I think it's just a matter of time before this thing hits. And when it does, it's going to spread like wild fire.

When the Great Pandemic of 1918 reached Chicago, almost 5,000 people died during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of October. And the first case wasn't even reported until the 27th of September. Professionals say that a Pandemic today would make the one in 1918 look like a cakewalk. It's terribly alarming folks and I think we need to start preparing.

Are You Ready?

2007-09-29T02:14:00.000-05:00

How does one prepare for a pandemic that could kill 1 of every 10 people in your community?

I was prompted to do a little research after I heard an ad on the radio while zipping around Branson today. It was an public service announcement on a small radio station out of our hometown, in Harrison, AR for pandemic preparedness. My quick and simple research yielded me tons of information.

I think the most amazing thing I found so far is that right here in the state of Arkansas, there has been an official 147 page Influenza Pandemic Response Plan drafted within the last 14 months. It's 147 pages long folks! That's a huge document guys (yes, I printed it). It includes everything from Influenza Suerveillance to Information about Influenza to Clinical Guidelines and even an example of an Home Quarantine Order and Facility Quarantine that Communities can use. Yikes!

I just watched a very interesting and disturbing documentary which showed the effects of a possible future outbreak of avian flu and how it would spread across the world. It's a 1 1/2 hour YouTube video and if you've got the time, watch it. You can see it by clicking here.

Well, I won't make this too long. I just thought I'd let you know my most recent tangent. Besides, I have to go to the store right now and buy some rice and water. Later.

Friday Flashback

2007-09-28T14:41:00.000-05:00

POOL PARTY

AUGUST 1965

Vehicle Needed

2007-09-25T02:30:00.000-05:00

I'm just going to throw this out here and see what happens. My stepson Bo is in desperate need of a different vehicle. Although Chris and I have taken a firm stand with all three of the kids that they were responsible for purchasing and insuring their vehicles, if they choose to have one, we have been supportive of their efforts as well. So in that light I am trying to assist him in locating a vehicle for him that might be for sale.

Bo currently has truck that is on it's very last legs and would like his "new" vehicle to be more fuel efficient. If you or someone that you know has an older vehicle for sale that you might think would fit the bill, please let me know. He needs something extremely inexpensive as he has very limited funds at this time; something that would get decent gas mileage; a vehicle that would hopefully run for at least one year. It doesn't have to have bells and whistles, just be reasonably dependable.

Again, please can call me if you think you can help him out: 870-365-5711

Thanks!

PS Bo is willing to travel for the right deal, so don't let distance deter you if you live away and think you have something. Thanks.

Cornerstone of Good Citizenship

2007-09-23T06:07:00.001-05:00

I am posting a podcast today. It is a chapel address to the student body of Olivet Nazarene University by former Assistant Secretary of State of Ohio, Monty Lobb. Monty and I were classmates at Olivet. I never really knew Monty well but we had several mutual friends and I remember he was tall; and wore interesting glasses; and he was a super terrific nice guy.

Anyway, I found his chapel address inspirational and I thought I would post a link. I think there are a few of you that read me that might also enjoy it and take the time to listen. It's about 25 minutes long. Not too bad. Click here to listen to the message. You can also see the "Declaration of Uncommon Sense" that Monty talks about in his address by clicking here.

A Different World

2007-09-23T04:17:00.000-05:00

I was listening to the radio on my way home from work the other evening and I heard that someone has invented a flying car that should be on the market in less than 2 years. I'll have to see it to believe it, but I hope it's true. Perhaps one of my lifelong dreams will come true, to drive a flying car.

I love this picture of my dad and grandpa. It was taken c. 1942, on the farm where my dad was born and raised. It reminds me just how much our world has changed in my father's lifetime.

25 Amazing Things I've Already Done

2007-09-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

I've watched a sea turtle lay her eggs in the sand...
... it was amazing!
I've climbed a pyramid in Giza, Egypt...
... it was amazing... x10!
I've snorkled in the Red Sea...
... it was an amazingly beautiful and brief experience!
I've read The Agony And The Ecstasy...
... it's amazingly long... and amazingly interesting!
I've seen the Sistine Chapel...
... it was an amazing feat!
I've crocheted a blanket (several)...
... they are amazing! (okay... maybe not so much)
I've lived in Santa Barbara County, California...
... it is amazing how much I still miss it!
I've shaved my head bald...
... it was an amazing feeling!
I've rode a camel in the Sahara Desert...
... it was also an amazingly feeling!
I've watched a spider spin an entire web...
... it was truly amazing!
I've stayed in a 5-Star hotel for 2 weeks...
... it was amazingly lavish!
I've walked down the middle of the Reflecting Pool in D.C....
... it was amazingly cold (It was January and it was frozen!)
I've taken a Castle tour on the Rhine River...
... it was an amazing gift! Thanks Steve & Nancee!
I've stood on the 50 yrd. line of Notre Dame Stadium...
... it was an amazing shared experience! Thanks Dave!
I've shook Rosa Parks hand...
... it was amazing and humbling!
I've lived in 5 states...
... that is amazing! (okay... again, maybe not so much)
I've stood inside the Colosseum in Rome...
... it was amazingly sobering!
I've crossed the Aswan Dam...
... it is amazingly BIG and secretive!
I've visited Abu Simbel...
... it was amazingly old! (Did you know they moved those suckers?)
I've had open incision, lower back surgery...
... it was amazing that it was an outpatient surgery!
I've seen Michael Jackson in concert in Paris, France...
... it is amazingly embarrassing to admit!
I've spent a night on top of Mt. Sinai, Egypt...
... it was amazingly cold and amazingly, my 35th Birthday.
I've researched my family tree and met family I didn't know I had...
... it was amazing how much we looked alike.
I've remained close with high school friends ...
... it's because they are amazing people.
I've fully recovered from Barrett's Esophagus...
... it's because of an amazing product, AmbrotoseTM by MannatechTM

Hillary's Health Choices Plan

2007-09-19T01:55:00.000-05:00

Click here to see Hillary Clinton's proposed health care plan. I think it's time, folks!

Friday Flashback

2007-09-14T04:18:00.001-05:00

Gotta love those 80's!

Mail Order Madness

2007-08-27T06:39:00.000-05:00

There is a hilarious line in the movie "Best In Show" where Parker Posey, playing Meg Swan, is dialoging with her husband Hamilton, played by Michael Hitchcock and she says, "...We are so lucky, we are so lucky to have been raised amongst (mail order) catalogs." Ha. Michael adds, "It's so much easier, because, especially you don't have to deal with people as much. You can just talk to the person on the phone..." and then Parker adds, "Or not." It's a very, very funny scene.

This weekend I was doing some sorting and cleaning and I decided to attack our ridiculous stack of mail order catalogs. I am embarrassed at the number of catalogs we get. And how we ever started getting some is a mystery to me, but I enjoy them all. I think I will probably call them bulk of them though and ask them to take us off their mailing list. Now with the internet, it's just as easy to shop online. And I'm sure we'll save a few trees.

I thought I'd post my collection here for you to enjoy. Check them out online if you feel so inclined. There are some good ones. I have to say, I feel as do Meg & Hamilton, so lucky to have been raised with the catalogs!

Allergy Control Products, Inc.
800-422-3878
allergycontrol.com

Allergy Solutions, Inc.
800-491-4300
allergysolution.com

American Girl
800-845-0005
americangirl.com

Atlas Pen & Pencil Corp.
800-342-8889
atlaspen.com

Ballard Designs
800-367-2775
ballarddesigns.com

Bass Pro Shops
800-227-7776
basspro.com

Baudville
800-728-0888
baudville.com

Best Impressions
800-635-2378
bestimpressions.com

Bits and Pieces (puzzles)
800-884-2637
bitsandpieces.com

Blair (women’s fashion)
800-458-2000
blair.com

BOMBAY
800-829-7789
bombaycompany.com

Bose
800-414-2073
catalog.bose.com

Boston Proper
800-243-4300
bostonproper.com

Brookstone/HardtoFind Tools
800-926-7000
brookstone.com

BrownCor International
800-343-9228
BrownCor.com

Campmor (camping)
800-226-7667
campmor.com

Champion America (Safety)
800-521-7000
championamerica.com

CHARNSTROM
800-328-2962
charnstrom.com

CHEF’S
800-338-3232
CHEFScatalog.com

Conney Safety Products
800-356-9100
conney.com

The Container Store
800-733-3532
containerstore.com

Cooking.com
800-663-8810
cooking.com

Country Curtains
800-456-0321
countrycurtains.com

CRAFTSMAN Power & Hand Tools
800-377-7414
sears.com/craftsman

Crate & Barrel
800-323-5461
crateandbarrel.com

Crutchfield
800-955-3000
crutchfield.com

DansComp (bikes)
888-888-3267
danscomp.com

Day-Timer
800-225-5005
daytimer.com

Eastbay (Shoes)
800-826-2205
eastbay.com

Eddie Bauer
800-426-8020
eddiebauer.com

Figi’s
800-422-3444
figis.com

FranklinCovey
800-514-1776
franklincovey.com

Garage Equipment Supply
800-261-7729
GESForLess.com

Grill Lovers
800-241-8981
grilllovers.com

Hammacher Schlemmer
800-543-3366
hammacher.com

Harry & David
800-547-3033
harryanddavid.com

Hershey’s Gifts
800-233-2168
hershysgifts.com

Hickory Farms
800-222-4438
hickoryfarms.com

Hold Everything
800-421-2264
holdeverything.com

Home Decorators Collection
800-245-2217
homedecorators.com

The Irish Rose
888-298-5301
TheIrishRose.com

J.Crew
800-562-0258
jcrew.com

L.L.Bean
800-221-4221
llbean.com

Land’s End
800-356-4444
landsend.com

Levenger
800-544-0880
levenger.com

Lillian Vernon
800-545-5426
lillianvernon.com

Linen Source
800-431-2620
LinenSource.com

Midnight Velvet
800-398-3020
midnightvelvet.com

National Allergy
800-522-1448
nationalallergy.com

National Business Furniture
800-558-1010
NationalBusinessFurniture.com

National Geographic
888-225-5647
shopNG.org

NORDSTROM
800-285-5800
nordstrom.com

Northern Sun Merchandising
612-729-2001
northernsun.com

Old Glory
800-892-3323
oldglory.com

Omaha Steaks
800-960-8400
omahasteaks.com

The Paragon (Gifts)
800-657-3934
paragongifts.com

Pin Gallery
800-896-9219
pingallery.com

Pottery Barn/Kids
800-922-5507
potterybarn.com
potterybarnkids.com

Quill
800-789-1331
quill.com

redENVELOPE
877-733-3683
redEnvelope.com

Restoration Hardware
800-762-1005
Restorationhardware.com

Sales Guides, Int’l
800-352-9501
sales-guides.com

Seventh Avenue
800-356-9090
SeventhAvenue.com

The Sharper Image
800-344-4444
sharperimage.com

Siegel Display Products
800-626-0322
siegeldisplay.com

Sierra Trading Post
800-713-4534
SierraTradingPost.com

Sketchers (shoes)
800-746-3411
sketchers.com

Smith+Noble
800-248-8888
smithandnoble.com

Sticker Planet
800-557-8678
stickerplanet.com

Successful Events
800-352-9501
Successfulevents.org

Successories
800-535-2773
successories.com

The Swiss Colony
800-544-9036
swisscolony.com

The Territory Ahead
800-882-4323
territoryahead.com

Times to Cherish by Current
80-848-2848
TimesToCherish.com

Thompson Cigar
800-216-7107
thompsoncigar.com

Touchstone
800-745-9159
touchstonecatalog.com

Design Toscano
800-525-0733
DesignToscano.com

ULINE
800-295-5510
uline.com

U.S. Chess Federation
800-388-5464
uscfsales.com

USI (Lamination & More)
800-243-4565
USI-Laminate.com

Victoria’s Secret
800-888-8200
VictoriasSecret.com

Viking Office Products
800-421-1222
vikingoffice.com

What On Earth
800-945-2552
whatonearthcatalog.com

William-Sonoma
800-541-2233
william-sonoma.com

Wine Country Gift Baskets
800-394-0394
winecountrygiftbaskets.com

Wissota Trader
800-833-6421
wissotatrader.com

Z Gallerie
800-908-6748
zgallery.com

Amalfi Coast

2007-07-16T14:06:00.000-05:00

This is cool, too:

10 Years Ago

2007-07-16T13:03:00.001-05:00

Enjoy this clip I've put together of my good friend, Roberto. He was a SERVAS host that I stayed with in Savona, Italy in 1997 and we've stayed in touch over the years. Chris and I stayed with him for a week when we were in Europe 2 years ago. He's a beautiful and generous person. It's hard for me to believe that it's been 10 years since we met. Enjoy my first attempt at video editing:

A 4th to Remember... A 5th to Forget!

2007-07-16T10:10:00.000-05:00

I may regret doing this but I could not resist. For the few of you who will, enjoy:

A Day No Pigs Would Die

2007-07-09T06:56:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading this book last night and I LOVED it. It should be made into a movie!

I'm sure many of you may have read it during High School or Jr. High. It's one of the top 100 books recommended for students to read. I had never heard of it when Mom gave it to me a few months ago.

I've kept it on my nightstand and it's taken me forever to read. It's not a long book, it's just that I can only ready a few paragraphs in bed before I'm out like a light. But last night I got on a roll and read until I finished the book.

I won't spoil the story should any of you want to pick it up and read it. But if you grew up on a farm, like I did, you will really enjoy the story.

Daylilies at Work

2007-06-16T02:43:00.001-05:00

My good friend and pal Dean Reusser inspired me to share some picutures of daylilies. I don't quite have his green thumb but I will try and share some of the calalilies that are in bloom in my front yard. These are flowers that are on property at the resort where I work. Here are a few of the daylilies that are in bloom at Thousand Hills in Branson. There are so many and they are really very beautiful. Enjoy!

What the...

2007-06-15T07:42:00.000-05:00

Niki Delivers

2007-06-10T05:39:00.000-05:00

It was about 10pm Thursday night when I got the call. Chris was on the other end of the line and in a very excited voice she practically shouted, "We're having babies!"

I can't believe it but Niki only had 2 kittens and unfortunately one did not survive. At least we have one healthy baby. I guess it's not unusual for a cat to only have 2 or 3 kittens her first litter. I thought she seemed bigger than only 2 kittens though.

Mommy and baby are doing well and hopefully I can put up a picture of the little critter soon. It's as cute as... well... not so cute yet. Have you ever seen a newborn kitten?! Not so cute.

Bathroom Remodel

2007-06-06T04:28:00.000-05:00

Our Master Bathroom project that I started, um... well, too long ago, is once again in motion. I took some time this past weekend and stripped the walls and started to tear out the drywall around the tub. I'm going to tile the entire bathroom and since there was never any backerboard around the tub, I am putting it in.

We haven't picked out the exact tile yet but have had fun looking for ideas. I think what we're going to do is a combination of 12"x12" Travertine tiles around the tub and 1"x1" Travertine mesh mounted tiles in the rest of the room.

I would also like to use a large amount of mirror in the bathroom.

I LOVE the bathrooms at the new Andy Williams Moon River Grill in Branson. They used mirrors to make a rather small bathroom look twice as big. And that is what we need in ours because it's very small. Hopefully I can get a good price on some mirrors to create the same effect.

I think that I am going to have to have the bathtub professionally refinished. It's a very nice tub but there are a few chip in the porcelain finish. I have heard that you can do it yourself, but I think in order to get a professional looking job, I need to hire a professional. I'm going to research it anyway and find out what it will cost.

Well, stay tuned for bathroom updates too!

Tuesday has come and gone ...

2007-06-06T04:16:00.000-05:00

... and Ms. Niki is still with kitten! And playful as ever. I took these snapshots just minutes ago. I can't imagine she can go much longer. I'll keep you posted.

Kitten Countdown

2007-06-02T06:09:00.000-05:00

Our petite, Ms. Niki is about to pop! She is VERY pregnant and I expect will give birth in the next few days. I'm am predicting she will deliver on Tuesday. We'll see. Hopefully she'll have less than six kittens but our veterinarian told me on Wednesday that she could have as many as ten! ZOINKS! :-o

mycokerewards.com

2007-05-30T03:34:00.000-05:00

dude... i have like 1,543 coke rewards points! AWESOME!

i think i'm gonna buy like some kitchen knives or something. SWEEEEEEET!

anybody else save coke points?

Rufus

2007-03-08T03:44:00.001-06:00

I was introduced to Rufus Wainwright by National Public Radio (NPR) a couple years ago. I purchased one of his CD's, "Want One," just days later and I've been hooked ever since. It has become one of my most played CD's.

I think I have downloaded almost every song Rufus has produced on my iPod and I listen to them all, frequently. I just love his sound and style.

All that said, he isn't for everyone. Just ask anyone in my family. They hate him. I guess it's his voice. It's a little smokey. Or as they describe it, "It's like he has a mouth full of spinach."

But I like it. He has a complete security of intonation, even over a dense accompaniment. See what you think.

"Surrender" to Mike Rizzo

2007-03-07T11:54:00.001-06:00

Laura Pausini is an Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-winning Italian pop singer, especially popular in Italy, Spain and Latin America, famed for her soulful voice, her romantic Adult Contemporary ballads and love songs. In 2002 Laura released her first English Album. Her single "Surrender" saw success peaking Billboard #1 in the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Enter Mike Rizzo. Rizzo is a progressive, remix producer from NYC and has an extensive list of number 1 Billboard dance club remixes. He has created this amazing underground sound that to me, quiet frankly, is incredibly inspirational. Ihave this song on my iPod and it's my favorite treadmill warm up song. Enjoy!

Wear Sunscreen

2007-03-07T05:01:00.001-06:00

I am going to try and find this single on CD and start giving it as a graduation gift. I just heard it the other day and LOVED it. I'm sure every one of you will agree that the advice is profoundly true and poignant! Baz Luhrmann presented and produced the song that hit the charts in 1999. The lyrics were written by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich, and the vocals were performed by Lee Perry. Enjoy!

Music for the Masses

2007-03-07T04:44:00.000-06:00

I discovered a site, hipcast.com, that will allow me to share music on my blog. I'm just trying this out to see how it works--we'll see how it goes. I'll probably be my typical obsessive-compulsive self for a few days, downloading a lot, so... just bear with me... I'm sure this, too, will pass. Enjoy the tunes.

New Horizons

2007-03-07T04:36:00.001-06:00

This is a terrific remix of a great old song. It's right up there with Break My Stride. I can still see Betsy skipping around the lodge... Maybe I need to break this song out at the next Chill!

Six Hours Later...

2007-03-03T05:11:00.000-06:00

Six hours later is just about the difference in my schedule compared to the average day person. You see, I'm an evening Operations Manager at Thousand Hills Golf Resort and Conference Center in Branson, MO.

I am regularly asked, "Do you like working the night shift?" Or people will frequently say, "I could never work those hours!" Personally, I love the evening shift because, you see, I'm a night person.

This evening I joked with a salesperson over the phone that I had spoke to earlier in the day. At the end of our conversation, she wanted to know when a good time to call me back would be. I said, "call me anytime--24 hours a day... I'm a vampire!" Ha! Sometimes that is what I feel like.

I rarely see more than an hour or two of daylight during the week. And it's not much more on the weekends during the winter. I'm pale as a ghost.

But that's okay... because I like the night. I always have. I feel like I'm more productive once 8 o'clock rolls around. Why, I don't know? Maybe it's just my imagination but I'll tell you this, I have never wanted to go to bed before midnight. Ever.

Sometimes I blame my mom. When I was a young boy, she hung poster in my bedroom of Charlie Brown and the caption read, "I hate to go to bed at night, And I hate to get up in the morning!" Sometimes I think staring at that poster all of those years drilled the idea in my head that "night is better" and in time it became self-fulfilling.

But "blame" is probably not the right word. I should probably "Thank" Mom. Who knows what kind of a boring schmuck I would have turned out to be had the poster read otherwise.

I'm thinking of making a new, revised Charlie Brown poster for my desk at work that reads, "Early to bed, Early to rise, Makes Charlie a boring Schmuck!" Charlie would be sporting a high collared cape and fangs! Ha!

Maybe not!

Well I better get to bed. It's almost midnight (6 AM). But it is Saturday and I'm off. I plan to sleep in so don't call me before 10 (4 PM).

"Good Grief!"

Good 'Nite!

The 20 Best Medicines for Men

2007-02-25T03:16:00.000-06:00

I recently read an article that I thought had some interesting information. It may seem a little strange to some of you to see me print this information on my blog, knowing my attitude about using medication. However, there are those rare instances when I have wondered, "What would be the best over-the-counter for…." So, guys, I present to you what 3,000 pharmacists of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) picked as the "best Med" in a dozen different categories, based on their clinical knowledge and practical experience. There won’t be too many surprises

ALLERGIES, MULTISYMPTOM

Claritin

Why it won: One dose helps halt hay fever and other sinus allergies for up to 24 hours, compared with 4 to 6 hours for other antihistamines. Claritin is also the first OTC antihistamine that's truly nonsedating, which means you can finally operate heavy machinery (or just drive your car). One caution: Claritin-D also contains a decongesting stimulant, so take it at least 4 hours before bedtime, says Paul Doering, an OTC expert at the University of Florida.

Maximize it: Anytime you're anticipating an allergy attack, pop a preemptive Claritin. "This will make your reaction less severe than if you treated it after it began," says Steven Pray, Ph.D., D.P.H., a professor of nonprescription drugs at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Generic equivalent: Loratadine, 10 milligrams (mg)

ALLERGIES, SKIN

Benadryl

Why it won: Whether it's the burning of a bee sting or the itching of poison ivy, skin reactions involve more histamine—the body's allergy-causing chemical—than sinus flare-ups do. As a result, Claritin may not cut it. "There's some proof that nonsedating antihistamines have an effect on these allergic reactions, but not as great an effect as Benadryl has," says Linda Krypel, Pharm.D., an associate professor of pharmacy at Drake University. But that power comes at a price: Benadryl can make you too drowsy to drive a forklift.

Maximize it: Mix Benadryl with Tagamet, an OTC antacid. Tagamet contains cimetidine, what's known as an H2 histamine blocker. Benadryl uses an H1 blocker. "Take an H1 and an H2 together and you get more relief because they affect different parts of your allergy-response system," says Michael Roizen, M.D., a professor of medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Generic equivalent: Diphenhydramine, 25 mg

ATHLETE'S FOOT

Lamisil AT

Why it won: "Lamisil AT inhibits an essential component of the fungal cell membrane," says Donnie Calhoun, R.Ph., owner of Golden Spring Pharmacy in Alabama. "Without its membrane, the fungus will die." In an Australian study of 217 people with athlete's foot, researchers found that terbinafine, the active ingredient in Lamisil, cleared up the symptoms in 85 percent of people who used it for 1 week, compared with only 56 percent of those applying clotrimazole.

Maximize it: Use Lamisil until your symptoms disappear—and then keep on using it for an addi-tional 2 weeks. "Fungal infections are extremely hard to get rid of," says Dr. Krypel. "Even if you can alleviate the symptoms, the under-lying infection may still be there."

Generic equivalent: None

BURNS

Solarcaine

Why it won: It uses the king of the 'caines: benzocaine. In addition to being a powerful painkiller, benzocaine may be safer than other anesthetics, such as lidocaine, which can cause side effects, such as blurry vision and dizziness, says Michael Oszko, Pharm.D., an associate professor at the University of Kansas. Another advantage of Solarcaine is that it's an aerosol; creams can hurt when you rub them in.

Maximize it: Before you reach for the benzocaine fire extinguisher, run your scorched skin under cool water to prevent blistering (don't use cold water, because the drastic temperature change can aggravate your epidermis). "The heat starts breaking down the proteins on the surface of your skin, and that's what results in your blister," says Dr. Pray.

Generic equivalent: Benzocaine, 20 percent

CANKER SORES

Zilactin Cold Sore Gel

Why it won: It leads a double life at the drugstore. Though Zilactin is marketed as a cold-sore medication, pharmacists chose it for canker sores because it contains benzyl alcohol. Like a liquid bandage, benzyl alcohol temporarily seals off the sore, protecting it from the irritation caused by eating. Minimize the irritation and you'll maximize the healing.

Maximize it: Apply Zilactin about 10 minutes before dining in order to create the strongest possible seal, says Doering.

Generic equivalent: Benzyl alcohol, 10 percent

CARDIAC CARE

Ecotrin

Why it won: It may save your life and your stomach, thanks to a special, slow-disintegration coating. "Ecotrin is dissolved and absorbed in the intestines, so it lessens the risk of stomach irritation that can occur with regular aspirin," says Janet Engle, Pharm.D., a clinical professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago college of pharmacy. But use only the low-strength version—81 mg. A study in the journal Circulation determined that taking less than 100 mg aspirin daily offers the greatest level of cardiovascular protection, and that higher doses may actually increase the risk of heart trouble.

Maximize it: Don't take Ecotrin and drop an antacid at the same time. The antacid will cause the special coating to dissolve too quickly, turning Ecotrin into reg-ular aspirin.

Generic equivalent: Enteric coated aspirin

COLD SORES

Abreva

Why it won: Since cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, the only way to knock the disease back into dormancy is with an antiviral medication. Abreva is presently the only topical antiviral treatment available over the counter. A study of 737 people published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that docosanol (the active ingredient in Abreva) helped heal cold sores 19 percent faster than a placebo (in 4 days instead of almost 5).

Maximize it: After you apply Abreva, rub on a little Zilactin Cold Sore Gel. The Zilactin will help relieve the pain while the Abreva fights the virus, says Dr. Pray. Otherwise, it's hands off. "The virus will heal faster the less you touch the sore, because when you touch it, you can reinfect it with the virus," says Dr. Roizen.

Generic equivalent: None

CONGESTION, NASAL

Sudafed

Why it won: It's like nasal Drano. While most other decongestants only reduce sinus swelling, Sudafed also loosens the mucus, thanks to the inclusion of the expectorant guaifenesin. Pharmacists also point out that when Sudafed is combined with a spray decongestant, such as Afrin, it can prevent a person's ears from clogging up during air travel.

Maximize it: Add ibuprofen to your decongestion regimen. A new study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology showed that stuffed-up subjects who took ibuprofen with pseudoephedrine—the main ingredient in Sudafed—had 22 percent less congestion than those who took pseudoephedrine by itself.

Generic equivalent: Pseudo-ephedrine hydrochloride, 30 mg, and guaifenesin, 200 mg

COUGH

Robitussin

Why it won: This cough remedy edges ahead for what it doesn't contain as much as for what it does. Whether you choose Robitussin Guaifenesin to loosen the mucus in a congested chest or Robitussin DM to also help quiet a cough, neither formula contains alcohol. "Alcohol swells bronchial tissues, which could make the cough worse," says Calhoun.

Maximize it: Take up drinking—water. "If your body's cells are hydrated, it will be easier for the medication to work at the receptor sites and provide relief," Calhoun says. "Proper hydration will help you get better faster."

Generic equivalent: Guaifenesin, 100 mg (Robitussin Guaifenesin); dextromethorphan HBr, 10 mg, and guaifenesin, 100 mg (Robitussin DM)

CUTS AND MINOR WOUNDS

Neosporin

Why it won: Three reasons: bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin. A recent University of Virginia study showed that ointment containing this antibiotic trio eliminated 96 percent of bacteria in 6 hours, while a salve sans neomycin killed 14 percent. That said, if your gash or rash becomes more inflamed after you apply Neosporin, you may be allergic to neomycin. Instead, go with a double-antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin.

Maximize it: Even the best bandages can become unstuck, allowing the Neosporin to rub off and the wound to dry out. (Moisture speeds healing time.) If the cut is in an inconspicuous place, Dr. Roizen suggests sealing it with a piece of Saran Wrap and two rubber bands instead. "Saran Wrap really protects the wound because it stays tightly pressed against your skin," he says.

Generic equivalent: Bacitracin zinc, 400 units; neomycin, 3.5 mg; and polymyxin B sulfate, 5,000 units

DIARRHEA

Imodium A-D

Why it won: Imodium A-D puts the reins on the runs by slowing down the movement of your intestines, whereas other products focus only on decreasing "fluid production." However, if the cause of your distress is payback from a certain Aztec emperor, reach for a bottle of Pepto-Bismol instead: The active ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, can help kill off stomach bugs.

Maximize it: Drink a milk chaser. "Calcium increases your body's ability to slow the intestines," Dr. Roizen says. Down one glass of skim milk twice a day for the necessary 600 mg calcium.

Generic equivalent: Loperamide, 2 mg

GAS

Gas-X

Why it won: Gas-X contains the ingredient proven to stop explosive gas leaks fast: simethicone. "It breaks the surface tension of small gas bubbles, helping them pass quickly through the body," says Dr. Krypel.

Maximize it: Besides altering what you eat—less soda and beans—change how you eat. Specifically, slow the heck down. You swallow more air when you eat quickly, thus increasing the number of gas-producing air bubbles in your system, says Dr. Pray.

Generic equivalent: Simethicone, 125 mg

HEADACHE

Regular Strength Tylenol

Why it won: Tylenol held a slight edge in a clinical cage match with Aleve. Research published in Cephalalgia showed that 37 percent of people who took 1,000 mg acetaminophen saw their headaches disappear after 2 hours, compared with 32 percent of those who popped 375 mg naproxen. However, if the pain is between your eyes, skip both meds and see a doctor. "In almost every case, this is a sinus infection with a sinus headache," says Dr. Pray.

Maximize it: Don't delay. "Most headaches are caused by vascular spasm—a tightening of blood vessels in your head—or the release of that spasm," says Dr. Roizen. "Take medication early and you can stop the spasm from reaching its worst level."

Generic equivalent: Acetaminophen, 325 mg

HEADACHE, MIGRAINE

Excedrin Migraine

Why it won: In addition to acetaminophen, it also has the proven pain-busters aspirin and caffeine. In a recent study presented to the International Headache Society, researchers compared the equivalent of two Excedrin Migraine tablets with a prescription headache med. Their finding: Eighty-seven percent of people on the acetaminophen-aspirin-caffeine combination reported complete or partial symptom relief after 2 hours, versus only 75 percent of those given the prescription drug.

Maximize it: Make Excedrin's job easier. Researchers at the University of Miami determined that migraine sufferers who received two weekly 30-minute head massages reported decreases in headache pain.

Generic equivalent: Acetaminophen, 250 mg; aspirin, 250 mg; caffeine, 65 mg

HEARTBURN, ACUTE

Mylanta

Why it won: Mylanta combines two balms for the burn: aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. "They work immediately, but their duration is short," says Dr. Oszko. Still, it's a longer reprieve than other antacids offer; University of Oklahoma researchers found that Mylanta's ingredients neutralized acid about 22 minutes longer than calcium-based products did.

Maximize it: Stick with liquid Mylanta. "If you take the tablet form, you have to chew it well and drink water to make sure it's absorbed," says Dr. Krypel. "With liquids, you're already there."

Generic equivalent: Aluminum hydroxide, 400 mg, and magnesium hydroxide, 400 mg

HEARTBURN, ACUTE

Mylanta

Why it won: Mylanta combines two balms for the burn: aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. "They work immediately, but their duration is short," says Dr. Oszko. Still, it's a longer reprieve than other antacids offer; University of Oklahoma researchers found that Mylanta's ingredients neutralized acid about 22 minutes longer than calcium-based products did.

Maximize it: Stick with liquid Mylanta. "If you take the tablet form, you have to chew it well and drink water to make sure it's absorbed," says Dr. Krypel. "With liquids, you're already there."

Generic equivalent: Aluminum hydroxide, 400 mg, and magnesium hydroxide, 400 mg

HEARTBURN, CHRONIC

Prilosec OTC

Why it won: It contains omeprazole, a chemical that can slow your stomach's acid pumps. Just one pill can decrease acid production, but a 2-week course is necessary for lasting relief; a new University of Michigan study showed that 43 percent of people on omeprazole for 2 weeks stayed heartburn-free for 3 months.

Maximize it: As you're popping Prilosec, try dropping pounds. "Weight loss changes the angle of the esophagus," Dr. Roizen says. "A sharp angle makes it harder for the acid to come back up."

Generic equivalent: None

HEMORRHOIDS

Preparation H

Why it won: Hemorrhoids are just dilated blood vessels, which are best treated by chemicals called vasoconstrictors. Preparation H contains a vasoconstrictor—phenylephrine—while other brands have only anesthetics. Caution: If your hemorrhoids bleed or last more than a week, see a doctor.

Maximize it: Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water and down 25 grams of fiber daily. The water and fiber will correct the cause of the hemorrhoids—straining too hard—as well as help promote healing, says Dr. Roizen. "It usually has an effect within a day."

Generic equivalent: Phenylephrine, 0.25 percent

JOCK ITCH

Lotrimin AF

Why it won: The fungus in your Fruit of the Looms needs to be treated differently than the type between your toes. The combination of the warm, moist environment in your underwear and the ease with which you can scratch the itch ups the odds of a bacterial infection. Enter Lotrimin AF. In addition to fighting fungus, "the clotrimazole in Lotrimin may help prevent a secondary infection," Dr. Krypel says.

Maximize it: Buy the cream and rub it in well. "The skin protects the fungus, so you need to spend enough time rubbing it into the affected area," Dr. Krypel says.

Generic equivalent: Clotrimazole, 1 percent

JOINT PAIN

Advil

Why it won: Advil owes it all to ibuprofen. When French researchers recently studied 222 people with osteoarthritis, they noted that those who took 400 mg ibuprofen had 23 percent more pain relief during the following 6 hours than those who swallowed 1,000 mg acetaminophen. What's more, after 2 weeks of treatment, the people popping ibuprofen still reported less pain and stiffness.

Maximize it: Employ a pincer move: Use Advil to attack the pain from the inside and a heat wrap to hit it from your skin in. Wraps, like those made by ThermaCare, are better than ointments, says Dr. Pray, because they penetrate deeper and last longer (8 hours).

Generic equivalent: Ibuprofen, 200 mg

POISON IVY

Cortaid

Why it won: Steroids. Not the Jason Giambi variety, but a topical steroid called hydrocortisone, which helps relieve both the itching and the inflammation that are caused by an ivy attack. Other topical creams, such as Benadryl and Caladryl, work only to soothe the itch.

Maximize it: Soak in oats. Before you rub on the Cortaid, immerse your itch-afflicted area in a mix of warm water and colloidal oatmeal for at least 15 minutes. One Australian study showed that patients who were treated with colloidal oatmeal for minor burns reported less itching and needed less medicine than those treated with another anti-itch ointment.

Generic equivalent: Hydrocortisone, 1 percent

bransonLIFE.blogspot.com

2007-02-18T06:39:00.000-06:00

If you are interested in learning what Branson, Missouri might have to offer you in the way of food, entertainment, shopping and more, check out my new sister blog, www.bransonLIFE.blogspot.com. Right now it looks like it's going in the direction of just restaurant reviews, but as time goes by I will list and review some of the shows, attractions, shopping, and activities as well. My hope is that this will stir an interest and motivate my family and friends to come to town. Selfish motive I know! Enjoy!

Bwahahaha...

2007-02-17T19:00:00.000-06:00

Some people are like Slinkies - not really good for anything but you can't help but laugh when you push them down the stairs.

Windy Windy Windy

2007-02-17T12:44:00.000-06:00

Is it cold and windy where you are? It sure is here! My goodness, I thought I would blow away last night on my way home from work. I could hardly keep the car on the road. A construction sign had blow over the freeway while I was caught up in a song from the 70's and almost did't see it. I dang near swearved off the road!

It's been quite a winter here.

Christmas Wish List 2006

2006-10-29T01:59:00.000-06:00

Everyone Loves Raymond Season I
Everyone Loves Raymond Season II
Everyone Loves Raymond Season III
Everyone Loves Raymond Season IV
Everyone Loves Raymond Season V
Everyone Loves Raymond Season VI
Everyone Loves Raymond Season VII

I just loved that show!

Thanksgiving 2006 -- Twenty Years!

2006-10-29T01:09:00.000-06:00

This year will be my twentieth anniversary of Thanksgiving's with the Leech Family in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It's difficult for me to believe that 20 years have come and gone, but they have. We have had some terrific years together and this is sure to be nothing but the best.

This years theme is "The Best of the Best!" I'm not exactly sure how that will be played out, but my Mom has set the bar high. You see, almost every year Mom has graciously and generously prepared bread for our gathering. And every year it's something new along with the annual favorites. Well, this year she told me that she was going to prepare 20 varieties, one for each year. She called the other day to tell me she had just finished making the THIRTY FIFTH variety. She got so excited I guess she couldn't stop. I'm not making this up! The next day she emailed me the list of breads she's sending this year. Here it is:

1. Cranberry Pumpkin
2. Pumpkin Swirl
3. Cream Cheese Pumpkin
4. Pumpkin Pinapple
5. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip
6. Strawberry
7. Rhubarb
8. Pear
9. Plum
10. Blueberry
11. Cherry
12. Applesauce
13. Apricot
14. Lime
15. Lemon
16. Pistachio
17. Orange-Blueberry
18. Sweet Potato
19. Carrot
21. Raisin Bread
22. Cinnamom Raisin Bread
23. Old Fashioned Date Nut
24. Chocolate Banana
25. Pinapple Banana
26. Cranberry Fruit Bread
27. Cranberry Orange
28. Gift of the Magi (My Favorite)
29. Gumdrop Loaf
30. Tex-Mex
31. Savory Cheddar
32. Peanut Butter
33. Butterscotch Bread #1
34. Butterscotch Loaf Bread#2
35. Eggnog

In case you may be wondering, these aren't all full size loaves of bread. They are a smaller verson, but large enough for everyone to have some. Hopefully there will be a full version of Pumkin Swirl and Gift of the Magi though! They're annual favorites! I am determined to make a book out of this so stay tuned!

Thursday, October 5th

2006-10-06T04:50:00.000-05:00

It was cloudy today but still seemed pretty warm.

Wednesday, October 4th

2006-10-06T04:47:00.000-05:00

Sunday, October 1st

2006-10-01T21:15:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of the tree across the road from our house and on off our back deck. I am going to try and take these two shots every day in October. We'll see how the fall color unfolds. Stay tuned.

A Day With Jewell

2006-10-01T21:07:00.000-05:00

It was a joy and a priviledge to spend this afternoon with Jewell and her roommate Megan. We went to a movie, School of Scoundrels (hilarious), shopped and then had dinner at The Olive Garden. All-in-all, it was a great day!

Read This Book!

2006-10-01T03:14:00.000-05:00

This is an INCREDIBLY insightful book! I highly recommend anyone who plans to vote in the next election get a copy and READ IT!

TIP: If you're vocabulary is like me, you'll need a dictionary by your side... Mr. Rich is the "rich" in Readers Digest "Enriching Your Word Power."

Take your time though and read this well written book. It will open your eyes folks.

Wake Up America!

2006-09-17T03:38:00.000-05:00

My New Hobby

2006-09-16T18:50:00.000-05:00

Pied Beauty

2006-08-26T02:36:00.000-05:00

GLORY be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.

2 Months Later...

2006-02-07T03:26:00.000-06:00

And sometimes we don't blog.

But I'm back. I can't believe it's already February 7th. Goodness!

Well, let's see, where do I begin? I guess the most significant thing that has transpired since my last post is that on January 10th I had back surgery. Yeah, what a blast! Ha. Actually it's really been quite a breeze. Thanks to a terrific doctor, great meds and a supportive, loving, and caring family the past four weeks have flown by and I'm recovering brilliantly. I am walking about 4 miles a day now and taking physical therapy 3 days a week. I hope to be back at 100% very soon.

We had nice holidays... blah blah blah. (Gene, it's been 2 months... come on!)

Well, I will try and get back to more interesting things again but will let this suffice for now.

Cheers!

December Is Here...

2005-12-05T02:32:00.000-06:00

December is here and I am glad. Thanksgiving was nice, too. We had another good visit with our friends the Leech's. It seems the road to Steamboat gets shorter every time we drive it. We did have a longer trip home though as we drove through some of the bad weather the Mountains and plaines states had last weekend. I always say I don't want snow to visit me, I will go visit it. And we certainly got some on this trip.

I have an appointment on Wednesday with my neurologist to determine just how bad the two discs in my lower back are herniated. I will be so glad when this problem is fully diagnosed and resolved.

I called Kip tonight and spoke to him briefly. He will be coming back to Arkansas Christmas Eve and he will be staying home for good. His diesel training will be complete. I'm very proud of his accomplishments up there in Alaska. He has a job lined up here with an excavating company and he will maintain all their heavy equipment. I know he is very anxious to be back and near his fiancée, Jessica. One would hope he is will be excited to be around us, too. But I know how that goes.

Well, Have a great week. I hope to have more interesting posts soon.

P.S. Are any of you like us and yet to decorate for Christmas? I need to get that monkey tree up!

Ithica

2005-11-20T15:26:00.000-06:00

As you set out for Ithica
hope your road is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
angry Poseidon - don't be afraid of them:
you'll never find things like that one on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
wild Poseidon - you won't encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

Hope your road is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you enter harbours you're seeing for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfumes of every kind -
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to learn and go on learning from their scholars.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you're destined for.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you're old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

Ithaka gave you the marvellous journey.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka won't have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you'll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

~ Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)

My Salsa Recipe

2005-11-19T23:32:00.000-06:00

This is the original copy of my salsa ingredients that was penned over 10 years ago. I still have it in the same gold frame that it has been in since the summer of '95. It can be found in our kitchen, tucked away somewhere out of the way, but always ready in case we need a salsa fix. I no longer make the salsa in my "Handy Chopper" but rather in a food processor. I only pulse it for a couple seconds, just enough to chop up the ingredients.

I have posted this recipe for CJD and others that would like to have it. I would love to learn how to can it in jars so that I can keep it on hand. Anyone out there that cans, please send me instructions.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Memories

2005-11-12T13:44:00.000-06:00

These three pictures represent the things that keep me coming back for more, every year now for 19 years: Endearing friendship, terrific scenery and great food!
These photos are some of the earliest ones I have, from the second year of our gatherings, 1988. I was only 26 years old but Beth and Charlie haven't changed a bit. My how time flys.

When I saw this snapshot I laughed out loud. This was in 1989 in Colorado Springs. Charlie and Tao Woo entertained Beth and I to some interpretive dance. At one point I think Tao turned into a whirling dervish.

No Thanksgiving is complete without several phone conversations with Betsy to check in on their celebration. This particular year, 1993, Beth was prepared with a headset and extra phones.

Over the years several friends have joined us in our celebrations: Barbara Powers-Berger, Cathy Schwamberger, Lance Osbourne, Cole Smith, Brady Cline, Aaron Szabo, and Jordan Duncan. This was in 1994 when Lance joined us. He was only on the ski slope for about 15 minutes when he fell and sprang his wrist.

This was the first year the Chris and the kids joined us. It was about a month before our wedding in 2000. We rode out with Jim, Barbara and Alexander Berger. What a great group. My how the kids have grown.

And this was the first year Andy Leech joined us! 2001. What a wonderful addition to the Leech family and the holiday. And I'm trying to remember if this is the first year we shared the holiday with the Murphy's? They sure have become good friends, too. Aaron Szabo and Brady Cline joined us this year as well.

Well, I could go on and on but you will have to catch the whole story in our book that will come out in a couple of years, hopefully. We have discussed on several occasions the idea of putting together a book of snapshots, recipes, crafts and humor of 20 years of Thanksgiving Memories.

Hopefully one of these years we are going to convince my mom and dad to join us on our journey. That would be the best year ever! For years mom has made bread and cookies to send out with us. Her bread has become know as "Nada Bread" (her name is Nada). And I am not making this up when I say that she has probably made us close to two dozen kinds of bread over the years. Our favorites are Pumpkin Swirl, Banana Nut, and my favorite, The Gift of the Magi (filled with chocolate chips, coconut, cherries and all kinds of goodness. There is sure to be a large chapter in our book dedicated to the Nada Bread!

Well, this has been a little random, but hopefully just a little window into our almost 20 year tradition. I hope this year is full of wonderful memories as well! We leave in a week or so!

Cabinetry and Country Music

2005-11-11T05:46:00.000-06:00

For almost as long as we’ve lived in this house I have been telling Chris I was going to build an island for our kitchen. For a couple years now I have been doing research, reading books, visiting home centers, looking for ideas and drawing up plans for an island. This week I finally put all the planning into action and I have been working diligently in our basement building the cabinets that will make our island. I’m very excited about being done with this project. Not because I’m not enjoying the task, but simply because I’m anxious to see it finished. I really think it is going to be a huge improvement to our kitchen and our home.

While working on this project I have had a very antiquated and tired boombox tuned into our local “Hee Haw” country music station. Why, I don’t know. As a general rule, I do not listen to country music. A couple years ago I decided that I would no longer say the words “I don’t like country music” because it had become so diverse, with so many different artist and styles that I thought surely I could find something in the genre that I could appreciate.

Well, after a week now of listening to songs with lyrics such as (and I am not making these up) “Mama’s in the graveyard, poppa’s in the pen…”, “Tequila makes her clothes fall off…”, and “She never cried when Ol’ Yeller died, she wasn’t washed in the blood of the Lamb…and I ain’t gonna cry when she’s gone”, I have, once again, decided that I do not like country music.

Country music is like a roller coaster ride of emotions. At one moment I’m feeling happy for the estranged wife that “let herself go” to Vegas and Honolulu and the next I’m in tears for Sarah, the cancer patient teen whose boyfriend just compassionately shaved his head. And when the songs are over I feel just as sick to my stomach as I do when I get off a roller coaster.

I guess the good news is that I am now in the running for a new four-wheeler. I called into the station when they announced that the next five callers would be put in a drawing for this “toy” and I was caller number one! The guy that answered the phone simply asked me my name and asked promptly, “You do know you have to be present to win?.” I said yes but as soon as I hung up the phone it occurred to me that I had no idea who where or what business was holding the give away. Zoinks! I had to listen for another half hour before they announced it was at the local “Car-Mart”. Again, I’m not making this up. Car-Mart is a real place. Kind of the Wal-Mart of dealerships I guess.

Well, I guess I will continue to listen to the country music while I do cabinetry. They seem to go together. And who knows, maybe next week there will be a drawing for something that I can really use, like a hot tub to relax achy, breaky back.

Have a great weekend.

P.S. Jewell turns 18 today! Yee Haw!
P.P.S. The island is 6'x3'

All About Me

2005-11-06T01:46:00.000-06:00

I always find it interesting to read these type of lists that people email around. Here's how I filled out the last one I saw thanks to my friend Andrew:

Nicknames: Genor, Gern
Parent's names: Marvin and Nada
Number of candles that will appear on your next birthday: 44
Date that you will blow them out: March 23
Pets: 2 cats: Jaki and Niki
eye color: Blue
hair color: Red
Piercing: none
Tattoos: none
Ever egged a house? No
Favorite color: Blue
Hometown: Amboy, Illinois
Current Residence: Harrison, Arkansas
Favorite Food: Currently, Lasagna
Been to Africa? Yes. Egypt
Been toilet papering? Every weekend my last 2 years of high school.
Loved somebody so much that it made you cry? regretfully, yes.
Been in a car accident? Yes, a few
Croutons or Bacon Bits? Bacon Bits
Sprite or 7UP? Sprite
Favorite movie: Too many to choose. Maybe "The Sixth Sense"
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite Day of the Week: Saturday
Favorite word or phrase: ?
Favorite Hobby: Carpentery and crossword puzzles
Favorite restaurant: The Brown Pelican, Santa Barbara, CA
Favorite cola: Diet Coke
Favorite sport to watch: College basketball
Preferred type of ice cream: Vanilla
Favorite Sesame Street Character: none
Disney or Warner Bros.: Disney!
Favorite Fast Food: Steak and Shake
When was your last hospital visit? Never been in the hospital
What color is your bedroom carpet? Beige
How many times did you fail your driver's test? Passed 1st time
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? No
What single store would you choose to max out your credit card in? Nordstrom
What do you do most often when you are bored? Play solitaire on the computer
Name the person you are friends with that lives the farthest away: Chris Wulliman, Sudan
Most annoying thing people ask me: If I can fix their cell phone or look at their cell phone bill
Bedtime: Anytime after 1:30 a.m.
Favorite all time TV show? Too many to choose
Last person you had dinner with: The Stuckey Family
Last movie you saw in the theatre: don't remember

Fall Colors

2005-11-01T21:00:00.000-06:00

This is a tree that is directly across the street from our house. It's beautiful this time of year. And this year the color is especially brilliant. You can see in the snapshot the gap out of the top. A couple years ago it was struck by lightening and they lost a big limb and the top of the tree. It really was a shame, but as you can see it is still beautiful.

Four New Monkeys

2005-10-31T18:52:00.000-06:00

Some of you are aware that I have a monkey Christmas tree. For those of you that didn't know that, I do. It is a 7' narrow Christmas tree and every single ornament on the tree is a monkey. Why? I really don't know. I guess it goes clear back to a conversation I had with Beth Leech one afternoon while strolling State Street in Santa Barbara. I told her I wanted to collect something but I didn't know what to collect. She suggested monkeys.

My mother is the Christmas tree queen. She has... plenty. At least one in every room of their home. And several of them are theme trees. I think it started way back on the farm when she started collecting pig ornaments. Then there was the kitchen utinsel tree, the victorian tree, the mittens tree... it goes on and on. Well, I wanted a theme tree after Chris and I got married and I suggested monkeys. Why? Like I said, I really don't know. But everyone thought it was a good idea and now, several years later, we have many monkeys on this tree.

Yesterday I was in Springfield at the mall and I found 4 new ones. They aren't anything spectacular, but anytime I find one I'm pretty happy because they aren't that easy to find. Here are the ones I got yesterday:

Happy Halloween / Creepy Photo

2005-10-31T01:06:00.000-06:00

This one is for you, Andrew. I had forgot about this picture until this evening when I was going through snapshots. This is a photo I took at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, last month when we were up for there for the Irish Festival. It was taken down the hall on the second floor that was supposedly used for the movie "The Shining." Remember the child on the bicycle? Well, when the photo was developed, there was this eerie light that was showing up in the picture. I have seen and heard a lot about images similar to this purported to be manefestations of spirits. Isn't this creepy. Happy Halloween!

Kitchen Valance

2005-10-31T00:46:00.000-06:00

Just a quick post to let you guys see some of my handiwork. This is the valance/awning that I made last week for our kitchen window. I think it's pretty neat. Chris really liked it, too. I started and finished it in one day. Pretty obsessive, but I was anxious to get it done. I ordered the 8" cafe curtain rod on the bottom several months ago and it had been leaning up against the wall for too long. I know Chris was glad to see me finish this project. Now on to finishing the island! That won't be a one-day project though.

Elba

2005-10-25T01:13:00.000-05:00

I feel like I'm jumping around a lot with my blogging, but I have to mention my newest travel destination passion: Elba. Why? Well, honestly I would have to say the interest was sparked by Roberto Crochetta, my physician friend in Rome this past July. One afternoon while discussing great trips, he mentioned Elba as the perfect Italian beach retreat in early summer. He made it sound so perfect that since we returned in August, I haven't been able to stop reading and researching the place.

Roberto suggested a two week Elba/Tuscany trip as a near perfect 2 week Italian experience. And now after a couple months of thought and research, I feel he may just be right. I would would love to make a trip in April or May for a couple weeks, but with Jewell's graduation and Kip's wedding, I am quite certain that it will be out of the question next year. But I am going to keep dreaming and planning. Who knows what the new year will bring?

Here are a couple cool snaps I've found of the Island:

Come join me to the Old Country!

The Motorcycle Diaries

2005-10-23T12:16:00.000-05:00

Chris went to Gentry to visit with her sister this weekend. She took Jewell so Bo and I are home alone for a couple days. Last night I went to Blockbusters and picked up a half dozen movies to occupy some of our time.

The first one that I watched was a foreign film called "The Motorcycle Diaries". Released in 2004, this movie is the story of two Argentineans, Ernesto Guevara, a 23-year-old medical student specializing in leprosy, and Alberto Granado, a 29-year-old biochemist, as they traveled out of Buenos Aires in 1952 on a 1939 Norton 500 motorcycle. Before they parted some eight months later, they had ridden, walked, hitchhiked and sailed some 8,000 miles of Latin America. En route, they came face-to-face with a continent of poverty and injustice they yearned to change. It was a beautiful movie that made me reflect on my journey with my compatriot, Brady Cline, in 1997.

As I am researching more on the lives of these two individuals though, the picture is becoming less attractive.

"The Motorcycle Diaries" is a film about the sowing of revolution designed for the approval of bourgeois gentlefolk - for the very type of person that Che, once one himself, would not think twice about putting a bullet into. Why didn't the film acknowledge that violence and repression were at least as much a part of his legacy as egalitarianism, martyrdom and a really popular poster?

Well, I will continue to study more on the lives of these two very interesting people and you have a good weekend.

Koshari

2005-10-20T15:08:00.000-05:00

When I was traveling in Cairo, Egypt in 1997 I was introduced to a vegetarian dish called Koshari. It was such an interesting and delicious meal that we returned to the restaurant a couple different times to enjoy it. After returning to the states, I often wished I had a recipe for this dish. I looked several times on the Internet with no success and after several years, had pretty much given up hope of finding this recipe.

Then one day several months ago I met an Egyptian woman in Harrison. Her husband is a doctor here and they had just returned from Cairo. I got up he nerve to ask her if she had ever heard of Koshari. She had indeed. She took great pleasure in sharing with me that it is a very common meal served in “fast food” type restaurants, sold from carts by street vendors and made in homes all over Egypt. “I’ll bring you the recipe” she said. I was ecstatic and the day she brought it to me I was so excited. It was like I was bringing home a part of my trip that I had lost.

Well, tonight I served Koshari to my family for the first time. And I think it was a big hit! It will forever be know in our house as “Egyptian Chili” and I think it is something we will have from time to time since everyone liked it. I think that the hot, spicy, red sauce that you put on top is the kicker. I understand that there are many variations to the sauce, and quite frankly mine was not even close to the hot sauce we had in Cairo. But it was delicious and I share the recipe with you! Enjoy.

KOSHARI
2 cups Bismati Rice cooked
2 cups small pasta (penne, elbow or shell), cooked
1 cup lentils, cooked
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
¼ cup butter

HOT SAUCE:
6 cloves garlic
2 Tablespoons white vinegar
1 can tomato paste (6 oz)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cumin
¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
Chili pepper to taste (if you like it hot!)

GARLIC SAUCE:
Crushed garlic
½ cup vinegar
½ cup lemon juice

1. Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside.

2. Cook pasta according to package instructions and set aside.

3. Wash the lentils and soak covered in water for at least 2 hours. Drain. (Although there is no need to soak lentils as with beans, soaking in warm water for several hours or overnight helps bring out the lentil’s flavor and maintain its shape during cooking.) Rinse lentils and put them in a pot, covering them with water and bring to a boil. Then simmer on a low heat until almost all water is absorbed and lentils are well cooked, about 20 minutes. Add extra water if longer time is needed.

4. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté until golden brown and slightly crispy, 10-15 minutes. Drain on a paper towel.

To make the Hot Sauce:
Slice garlic. Sauté in small amount of oil. Add vinegar, tomato paste, salt, cumin, water, and chili pepper, if desired. Cook until mixture boils. Lower heat and simmer until cooked.

To make the Garlic Sauce:
Combine the crushed garlic with the lemon juice and vinegar in a bowl and leave for one hour till flavors blend well.

The dish should be arranged as a layer of lentils (on the bottom), followed by a layer of rice, then another layer of lentils and another layer of rice. Sprinkle the onions and the sauce on top before serving.

Try it! You'll like it!

Global Trekker

2005-10-16T02:46:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed getting reacquainted with Ian Wright this evening while watching the program Global Trekker on the Discovery Travel Channel. I have surely missed his great English humor. I used to watch his show, Lonely Planet, over a decade ago when I was living in Siloam Springs. It was in great part the inspiration for my traveling in 1997. I have many VHS tapes in a box somewhere down in our basement of old episodes of Lonely Planet. I was absolutely overjoyed earlier in the week when I saw Global Trekker advertised. I was quick to set the TV to record the show... all episodes, new and old!

I could feel the adventure travel bug stirring within me while I watched the show this evening. I remember all too well the joy of finding a $10 hotel in Egypt; the joy of stepping off the ferry in Aqaba, Jordan; being fascinated watching a woman weave a rug on the isle of Rhodes; and playing cards in the 2nd floor kitchen of a hostel in Athens at 1 a.m. Surely there will me more of this for me in my future.

You can read a great interview with Ian Wright at this address: http://www.pilotguides.com/community/features/ian_wright_interview.php

Enjoy!

211

2005-10-11T02:11:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the hiatus. But today I finally got my blog back (as in "How Stella Got Her Grove Back").

I had to make a trip to Siloam Springs for a Dr.’s. appointment this morning. I was in Siloam all last week with several Dr.’s appointments to try and remedy this sciatica problem that has plagued me now for the better part of four months. I had a follow-up appointment with my MD (officially my "Primary Care Physician" as of about 9:35 this a.m... I got sick of my local Harrison MD just throwing painkillers at the problem for over four months!) this morning.

Well, after the visit and yet another Cortizone shot in the rear, it was still early in the day so I decided to venture over to Fayetteville to do some window-shopping. I didn't have much on my list of things I needed to buy. Just a gift for my sweet little nephew Kevin German who turns 5 tomorrow. Incidentally, he's getting a Toys-R-US pirate’s sword, buccaneer eye patch, skull and crossbones flag and a nifty looking glass all packaged neatly together. And the sword has this neat feature where if you push a button, the blade lights up and you hear the clinking sound like two real swords clashing. I'm sure little pirate Kevin is going to have hours of fun pretending with these items.

After finding Kevin's gift and a much too long walk through "Tuesday Mornings" and walking out empty handed, I was feeling a bit down. So, I got this bright idea to drive up to Rogers to try and meet up with my therapist of days gone by. I drove up 71B and took in all the new construction and growth. I must say that stretch of road is the ugliest business district I think I've been through in a decade. Regardless of the growth and prosperity of that area, they still seem to have no zoning codes. Crap boxes next to multi-million dollar business complexes. I would NEVER want to live, trade or own a business on or near that stretch of highway.

Once in Rogers I had a little bit of a difficult time finding the old offices of my therapist, Ross. I remembered it to be in the historic area, but I just wasn't quite sure what street it was on. It has been over 7 years since the last time I was over there. After driving back and forth for about 15 minutes I found it. The sight was ominous. The grass was overgrown and there was a Remax sign in the front yard. The place looked haunted. I couldn't believe it. My suspicions were true. They had closed up shop. Or at least moved to another location. The sign listing all the counselors was still standing in the yard, dusty and worn, with their phone numbers listed under their names. Ross' was the first one. At the top. A little poignant I thought as I always remember Ross as the best. At the top of the heap.

I took a stroll around the house, peaked in the windows and I could tell the place had been deserted for quiet some time. Inside I could see furniture was still there and the desk still in Ross' office just where it had been the last time that I had sat with him. As I approached the porch, high in the tree next to the house, a crow cawed several times as if to say, "Go away, nothing to see here. They're gone my friend. Their job is done." It was eerie.

I walked back to the van and picked up my cell phone. One by one I called each number under each name on the sign to see if I could get an answer from at least one to find out what happened. Each one answered with a message, "I'm sorry, the number you're trying to reach has been disconnected or is no longer in service at this time." Well, all but one. Ross'. But all that I got from his number was a mechanical automated answering machine stating "Please leave you name and number and someone will return your call as soon as possible." I did leave my name and number and hopefully I will get a return call. But if my gut instinct is correct, I don't think my phone is going to ring. I think the only "caw" I'm going to get if from the crow that has made his home in that old tree.

Across the street I saw an older woman leaving work, walking to her car. I thought she may know the story so I approached her and asked her if she knew how long the offices had been closed. "Oh goodness," she said, "I've worked here for over 2 years and there has been a for sale sign in the yard the entire time. I would guess a few years." And I must say the placed looked it. It was time to go.

Well, although he will probably never read this, Thank you Ross for all the time you spent listening to me during those hard years. Thank you for your sympathy, thank you for you understanding and insight and kind words. Thank you for never telling me what to do, but letting me figure it out. Thank you for cutting me off, even though I wanted to continue and I would get angry because you said "That's it this week!" You are a wise man Ross. Thank you for introducing me to Melanie during our first meeting. I would hate to think where I would be today if I had never met you guys! Thank you.

As a good friend of mine says, "Pain has been my teacher." Certainly many lessons I have learned. But I truly think that this poem on pain is one of the best, and one lesson I am still perfecting. But at least I know it. Thanks for this poem Ross:

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson

I. I walk down the street.
There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost.....I am helpless;
it isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

II. I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place;
but it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III. I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in....it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

IV. I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

V. I walk down a different street.

I will have to walk down a different street to meet with Ross again, but hopefully someday we will meet up and I can sit and visit with him. He wasn't just my therapist, he was indeed a caring friend. I will never forget him.

PS And this is just too weird… I just looked down to see what time it was when I finished this article. It's 2:11 a.m. Take a look at the picture and notice the street number on the house. 211. It's no coincidence my friends. And, oh yes, Gene has definitely got his Blog Back!!!

Memories of Irish Fest 2005

2005-08-29T01:00:00.000-05:00

My thoughts are drifting these days to merry memories of the Estes Park Scottish/Irish Highland Festival. Last year was my first time to go to this huge event. It is our country's largest festival of its kind and is held each year the weekend after Labor Day in Estes Park, Colorado. I am hoping that I will be able to join my Steamboat friends again in a couple weeks for the 29th annual festival.

Here are a few pics from last years event:

Saturday morning parade with pipers piping and drummers drumming, kilts and plumed bonnets, brave steeds bearing medieval jousters. Great time.

Hungry? A meat pie perhaps. These were delicious!

Andy enjoys his new sword.

Brad gets his picture with a Guinness gal at Friday night's Ceilidh (kay-lee, a Celtic New Year's party) while the Marine Band Twentynine Palms drum corp plays in the background.

"Tattoo" - The word means: evening drum, bugle, or piper signal recalling soldiers to quarters. The earliest form of the word is from the Dutch "tap toe" which literally means to "close the tap" of the cask in the barrooms.

The modern version of the tattoo is a parade ground concert of military bands. The tattoo at the Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival includes all of the visiting guest bands: the Marine Band Twentynine Palms; 3rd Infantry Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps; Air Force Pipes & Drums of Canada; Celtic cannons; Carol Reed's School of Irish Dance; Head Talk - a drumline; and Dogs of the British Isles.

The Saturday night tattoo at the festival is known throughout the world for its beautiful mountain setting and powerful performances. The massed bands' rendition of "Amazing Grace" was truly a moving experience.

Brilliant Slideshow of Cline Wedding

2005-08-27T01:07:00.000-05:00

For anyone that has not checked out Brady and Jeanette's wedding website, you must check out this tender, beautiful slideshow. The song that you will hear in the background is the tune that Brady's dad, Steve composed and played during the ceremony. It is absolutely charming. I feel so blessed to have been able to be there.

Simply click on the title of this entry and it will take you there. Be patient, it takes a few seconds to load.

Enjoy!

A Reason To Celebrate

2005-08-27T00:55:00.000-05:00

I couldn’t be happier to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of my oldest stepson, Kip to Jessica Dixon of Lead Hill. Kip proposed to Jessica last Wednesday and gave her a beautiful engagement ring.

Jessica is the daughter of Jeff and Amy Dixon of Lead Hill. She is a Senior at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, majoring in Public Relations.

Kip completes his training at Alaska Vocational Technical Center in Seward, Alaska in January. His focus is diesel/heavy equipment technology.

Kip and Jessica met through mutual friend’s three years ago. Chris and I have loved Jessica since the first time we met her. She is a treasure. She is intelligent, loving and very witty. I wish them all the best for a lifetime.

The wedding is planned for Saturday, May 27, 2006 at the Dixon’s farm near Lead Hill. I just realized, that’s only 9 months from today. ZOINKS!

The Summer of '68

2005-08-26T15:27:00.000-05:00

I don't know why I like this snapshot so much but it's one of my favorites. It's a picture of me and my sisters around our kitchen table. I was six years old and had just finished Kindgergarten. Perhaps this was the first day of summer vacation?

I'm sitting next to my oldest sister, Cindy and across the table is my younger sisters, Vonda, in pigtails, and Linda, in red. I'm always amazed when I think that mom had 4 kids in 5 years, almost to the day. Cindy was born 12/16/60 and Vonda, 12/10/65.

Here are some interesting things that happened that month, June 1968:

* June 1 - Helen Keller died in her sleep in Connecticut
* June 3 - Andy Worhol was shot and wounded as he entered his studio by one of his art stuendets
* June 5 - Robert F. Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles and died the next day
* June 8 - James Earl Ray was arrested for the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. 2 months ealier
* June 29 - In a letter to the church entitled "Humanae Vitae", Pope Paul V condemned birth control
* Median Household Income was $7,743
* Unemployment was at 3.8%
* A first-class stamp cost $0.06
* 31 American troops were reported missing in action in Vietnam.
* Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs Robinson" hits #1
* Rolling Stones release "Jumpin' Jack Flash"

Have a terrific day!

More Cline Wedding Snapshots

2005-08-11T21:57:00.000-05:00

The wonderful trio that entertained us at the reception. They were terrific!

Sparkling Wine over the Nahe. I liked this snapshot.

Steve and his new daughter-in-law. Brady is a chip off the ol' block.

Brothers.

The California couple. James and Dawn Marie Prather enjoy getting the party started.

The Arkansas couple. Chris and I later in the evening. We were thouroughly enjoying ourselves.

Great snapshot of James and Dawn Marie Prather.

Boys behaving badly. Oh what a night!

Wulliman was having a great time and Trixie seemed to be enjoying herself as well.

Jeanette prepares to throw her boquet.

Cline-Dari Wedding

2005-08-11T13:13:00.000-05:00

This is a photograph of Brady and his mother. I don't think that I have ever seen Brady as happy as he was on his wedding day. He was handsome and quite Debonair, don't you agree. And Nancee was simply radiant.

The happy couple -- parents of the groom, Steve and Nancee Cline. This photo was taken just minutes before the ceremony began.

The wedding prayer. I love this picture. I suppose I should have been in quiet comtemplation with the couple as well, but I couldn't resist the photo op.

Brady and Jeanette leave the church as husband and wife for the first time showered with red rose pedals. I wonder if they will remember this? It was really such an exciting moment.

Mr. and Mrs. Brady Cline with Brady's twin brother Mychilo
looking on. This was outside the church where a brief mini-reception was held. We toasted with sparkling wine the newlyweds.

A fine, bright new day... PLEASE

2005-07-19T00:56:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note before I hit the hay. It's been a long day (very long) and I still have a lot on my mind and "to do" list, but I have a 7:30 a.m. meeting tomorrow and I must crash. One last long day before we take off at 11:30 Wednesday a.m. for Europe - I am so very psyched.

I hope that I can find a way to put all the sh*t from this day behind me so I can really enjoy our vacation. I can't wait to be back in Italy and enjoying their wonderful culture. It will be a wonderful reunion seeing Dr. Roberto Crochetta and being a guest in his home again. I can't wait for him to meet Chris and share his world with her, too.

Well, I can hear the wind and see the rain on the window pane. Perhaps it's been sent to wash away the grime from this day, to usher in a new day... a fine, bright new day. That would be my prayer this evening.

Peace.

"Yes" to "Just Say 'No'"

2005-07-13T00:03:00.000-05:00

I am loving the Capital One commercials with David Spade playing a snarky, dismissive customer service rep. They are some of the funniest I’ve seen in a decade. I especially like the one where David tells Patrick Warburton (David Puddy of Seinfeld fame) "No" one too many times and Patrick chases down Spades chubby co-worker in the bright yellow shirt. Hilarious!!!

And here's and intersting fact, I just read that Capital One spent over $285 million in 2004 on ads!

What's in your wallet?

Red Bites

2005-06-29T19:52:00.000-05:00

I had a great day today. But it didn't start that way.

I was very frustrated on my way to work this morning, wrestling with a negative attitude. This has been an especially rough week at work. A rough month for that matter, both at work and at home. I was considering making a phone call to someone who could cheer me up when something caught my eye. I spotted a book in the passenger seat next to me that I had purchased a few weeks ago. I had picked up this book, the "LITTLE RED BOOK of SELLING" by Jeffrey Gitomer, a few weeks ago at Barnes and Noble in Fayetteville.

While waiting in line for my sausage and cheese biscuit and a diet Dr. Pepper at the Hardee's drive-thru, I reached over and picked up the book and proceeded to open to the pages marked by the book's red ribbon page maker. The first paragraph I saw was titled "Bad day or bad attitude." It was one of the books informational bites called "Red Bites" and it hit me between the eyes! Here it is:

"Bad day or bad attitude? People always blame their attitude on the day. I'm having a bad day is baloney. What you're really saying is: I've let other people get to my attitude. I've let other circumstances get to my attitude. That's not only unjustifiable, it's a sign of mental weakness. If you tell yourself you're having a bad day, I promise you will have one, and if you tell yourself you're having a great day, I promise you will have one. The day is not bad unless you name it bad."

Talk about a slap in the face! It was a gift from God and it was just what I needed.

I had a great day today!

SIDEWAYS

2005-06-22T01:23:00.000-05:00

I received two nice Father's Day gifts this year. The first was a Cobra XRS 9678 Ultra-Performance Digital Radar/Laser Detector from Chris and the kids. This was not something that I ever asked for, but something I have found I absolutely love!

My second gift arrived in the form of my 20 year old stepson, Kip. We picked him up from the Little Rock airport on Sunday. He will be in Harrison for a couple months this summer. When he approached me in at the airport, I didn't recognize him. He's put on several extra pounds over the past six months, cut his hair quite short and grown a rather long, scruffy goatee. But as soon as he spoke, I recognized him. It was the strangest feeling to be looking at someone giving you the look of "you know me," yet your mind is saying, "I've never seen this person in my life." But is was so nice to be with him again and see how he is growing into independant adulthood.

I saw the movie Sideways on Sunday night. The movie is billed as a comedy, but proved to be a serious, and tragic look at how two men struggle to cope with addictions , immoral inclinations, and their extraordinary average lives. This movie is certainly not appropriate for children of any age. The movie did have some beautiful clips of Santa Barbara wine country, but save yourself the pain of enduring all the crude comments, obscene sexual references and nudity and visit the vinards in person. No stars.

Chris and I now have less than a month before our trip to Italy and Germany. We fly out of Springfield, MO on July 2oth. We get more excited every day. I brought home a 10 CD set of learning the Italian language about a week ago. We'll see how that goes.

Well, just a quick blog to attempt to get me back online. Have a terrific week.

Gene

Italy Bound

2005-04-24T02:07:00.000-05:00

Chris and I are are planning a trip to Europe this summer. We received our plane tickets in the mail this week and boy are are excited. We spent a good bit of time this evening at Barnes and Noble in Springfield looking at maps and guide books of Italy.

One of my best friends, Brady Cline, is getting married in Frankfurt, Germany on July 27th and we are so excited that we will be able to be in attendance. I'm excited to hear that there are several other mutual friends that are planning to make the journey and witness this union. I'm sure it will be a festive and time for everyone there.

I have to make a trip to the bank Monday morning and fish my passport out of our lockbox. On our drive home from Springfield this evening, it became obvious to me that my passport has certainly expired. I really wasn't even thinking about it until this evening. I have to get on the stick and get this taken care of as we leave in less than 3 months.

Happy Birthday to my niece Erin Ramos and my good friend Jim Berger, both celebrating today!

Ciao!

Secrets & Surprises

2005-03-31T01:04:00.000-06:00

I love secrets and surprises. Usually. But this year Chris opened her birthday gift a week early because… I JUST COULDN’T WAIT!!! I don’t know why I was so anxious to give Chris her gift this year, but I have been begging her to open the present every night since I purchased it. I got her a food processor. A good one. But wait…

Before you criticize me for buying her a kitchen appliance, please understand that Chris has been asking me for this for the better part of our marriage. And this weekend when I saw the KitchenAid Ultra Power KFP600 for less than ½ the retail price at Tuesday Morning’s in Fayetteville, I couldn’t resist. What a deal! But now I will spend the next week trying to find another gift that I can give her to open in a week. Any suggestions?

I enjoyed Amos Lee’s performance on Jay Leno this evening. What a musician! David Letterman introduced me to this wonderful artist just a few weeks ago and I have been hooked on his music since. A former elementary school teacher, this young troubadour really belts. I can just imagine the excitement his former students must experience when they hear his smoky voice on television.

Lastly tonight let me put in a plug for a new product I am trying out. It’s the Homedics TheraP Magnet Insoles. They are really terrific. I must confess that in the past I have been a big skeptic and scoffed at the idea of magnetic therapy for pain relief and pain therapy. However, since I have been wearing these insoles, for almost a week now, I have experienced great relief. It’s amazing. Working in retail and standing on a concrete floor for 8 hours a day has really taken a toll on my legs and feet. Most any evening I go home with achy feet and calves. But since I have been using these insoles, the pain has almost disappeared!

I hope you have a pain-free weekend.

Tribute to Terri

2005-03-25T01:16:00.000-06:00

As legal doors have been closing one after another this week for the Schindlers, parents of Terri Schiavo, I have been stirred emotionally. I'm frustrated and angry about this case. I am one who chooses to error on the side of life and find it unconscionable that anyone could deprive a fellow human being of water and food, regardless of a health condition.

It is certainly a case that is very complex, however, I feel the decision of whether or not to pull the feeding tube is quite simple. No food or water equals certain death and I really feel that this is a crime. This is justice triumphing over mercy and is shameful.

I have pondered what I can do and I must confess I feel quite helpless. But after watching a program on television this evening, I realized that one thing I can do to honor Terri is to protect myself and my family from such a similar situation. I have learned that living wills are outdated and the importance of health care proxy's, "Advanced Directives", and "Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare" are the only things that can really protect us now, in this age where there are people in power that believe you are better off dead than disabled. So I spent the better part of this evening surfing the web for a legal site that could assist me in drawing up these documents for myself.

I found my assistance at http://www.lawdepot.com/ and I would encourage everyone, regardless of where you stand on the Schiavo case, to visit this site and get these two documents, an "Advanced Health Care Directive" and "Durable Power of Attorney", on file in the event, God forbid, you should be in Terri's shoes. It is just a few dollars and money well spent.

Tomorrow morning, before I head to St. Louis with my family for vacation, I will be stopping by our Notary to have my documents witnessed, signed and tucked away in our secure place, hopefully to never be seen again. But should that day come, my family and I will be protected.

God Bless you and God Bless America!

Remembering Ice Cream

2005-03-21T01:27:00.000-06:00

I spent the evening tearing apart a framed collage of snapshots from way back in 1996. I am putting them in a more appropriate format, a scrapbook of sorts that will record some of the more poignant times in my life. I once read that "If life is worth living, it's worth recording." I've taken that to heart in several ways over the years with journaling, photo albums and videos. This new book I am working on is just another way of leaving a legacy in pictures. Please ask to see it if you are ever at the house. I'm anxious to show it off.

I took Chris and Bo to Branson on Friday night and we enjoyed "Lobsterfest" at Red Lobster. Coincidentally, I was the only one that enjoyed lobster. But everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal. We met up later with my Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law, David and Dana Ecklund, at the Stone Cold Creamery. What an incredible place that is, too.

This oh-so-good ice cream is blended with add-in's right before your eyes on frozen granite slates. You can order in three sizes: "Like It", "Love It", and "Gotta Have It." And let me tell you, all sizes are NOT created equally! Bo opted for some chocolate lovers nightmare and I, a coffee lovers dream. We both ordered the "Love It" size, however Bo got the deep end of the scoop. I was convinced the girl behind the counter thought I ordered a "Like It", but when she rang us up, it was apparent she just didn't have a good gauge on the size thing yet as she charged us for the same. But it was really a blessing in disguise, though, as the stuff is so rich I could barely get down what I did have. It was a real treat though and I'm sure we'll be visiting that place again... soon.

Anywell... have a great week.

Swimming

2005-03-17T02:26:00.000-06:00

Tonight I'm just getting in the water. Give me a minute to explain...

It has been quite some time since I have been swimming. It's my favorite form of exercise and I'm pretty bummed there is not a public (indoor) pool in this town. I have had some wonderful periods in my adult life when I swam somewhat regularly.

Swimming was one of the only "PE" classes I had in college. I remember those early mornings my sophomore year when my roommate Greg Tucker and I would get up oh so early to hoof it over to the pool to put in our time. I can remember the first time I could swim the entire length of that pool underwater without coming up for a breath! That was a pretty cool day.

Then there was the "season" in my life when I worked at DaySpring and decided I was going to loose weight for James and Dawn Marie Martin-Prather's wedding. I started mid-April going to the pool at JBU every day religiously to put in my 20 minutes. Every day for 3 months. I dropped about 45 pounds before their big day in August! It was a wonderful time.

And most recently were the days, and often nights, in Carpenteria when I would split my time between the city pool in Carp and the Goleta Health and Racquetball Club. Those were the Glory Days of my swimming experience. Both pools were surrounded by palm trees and there was almost always an ocean breeze to cool me off. But it isn't that easy for me. On some days it doesn't matter how beautiful the surroundings, I just simply do not want to swim!

And although I say it's my favorite form of exercise, I would regularly drag myself to the pool arguing, "All you have to do today is just stand in the water for 20 minutes if you don't want to swim." And many times I was determined that I would not swim. But in this exercise in discipline, to fulfill my commitment to "swim" every day, I was really playing a mind game.

It was a mind game because you can't just stand in water. Always within the first 5 minutes I would be turning out laps. You see, if you get in the water, something natural kicks in and you just have to swim. Which brings me to tonight.

I didn't want to blog this evening. Ever been there? But like my swimming exercise, my "getting in the water" tonight has once again lead to a healthy workout... this time it was a Blog workout!

Old Journals

2005-03-16T00:22:00.000-06:00

I don’t think there are many things more therapeutic than reading old journals. While hunting in our basement for some old photo albums last night I came across a box of my old journals. I ended up spending the better part of the evening and into the early morning hours reading of myself. Some of the writings were over 20 years old. I spurred me to kick off this new level of journaling and dive into the world of Blogs!

If you are a member of the 1980 graduating class of Amboy High School in Amboy, Illinois, let me encourage you to mark your calendar for our 25th Class Reunion. It is to be held Homecoming weekend, September 30 – November 2. I am sure going to try and be there and I hope that you will too.

Anywell… I guess I will end this first installment with a hope and a prayer that I will be able to keep this going. I think the idea is terrific!