Humongo Melon

This is the biggest watermellon I have, personally, ever seen! I would guess it to weigh in at about fifty to sixty pounds.

The LOML eats a lot of melon, good thing too!

It was too big to get in the 'fridge, so we had to cut it up to store it.

New Toy

This is the new toy/economy vehicle. It is a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic. I bought it with 0 miles. This one is fuel injected, that means no choke, no warm up, and 55mpg on the highway.

It rides like your sofa up to about 75mph, then it will set your butt cheeks to tingling something fierce. The shop says they will look into that at the 600mile service. The vibration, not the butt cheeks.

.

At 253 miles I was involved in an accident while on the bike. That's about as close to getting the new look as I care to come. I was riding in the right lane, in a 45mph speed limit, with no one ahead of me in my lane. The Explorer in the left lane was fifty or so feet ahead of me in moderate traffic. An elderly hippy in a white Prius almost made a left turn across two lanes of on coming cars, but was jammed in the rear by a stripper, in a Saturn. The Prius, apparently motivated by the unexpected goose from the rear, came into the left lane of traffic, on my side of the road, in the wrong direction.

.

Bedlam ensued.

.

I was surprised by a loud "BAM, BAM" (was that Emeril?) and tire smoke, and solid wall of junk, blocking my lane.

.

Bummer!

.

If I could write down everything that went through my thoughts in that fraction of a second, it would take me an hour. I was on the brakes, and looking for a hole to ride through or crawl into. I only had time to decide to go right or hold on. I've had a bike down a couple of times, and there is something special about that impact against a large object, and I don't mean that in a good way! I saw it coming and had time to think about how bad it would hurt, and hope that this wouldn't kill me, just let me suffer for a while. Then I was stopped, with my front tire touching the rear tire of the Explorer. The only damage to my bike was a turn signal pushed off its mounting bolt, it didn't even break the lens!

.

Talk about shocked! I was speechless!

.

The stripper chick and the Explorer driver descended on me to see if I was in need of scraping off the road. They were as amazed as me. The bike was leaning on the right floor board. They helped me set it up and I backed up a couple of feet to clear the back of the Explorer. We helped the hippy out of her car and I cleared a lane of traffic of junk to allow cars through.

.

I got out for a hundred dollars of damage that the hippys insurance will have to pay.

.

We won't mention the pinch marks in the seat, and I deny all alegations of stains no matter how minor!

Life in a blender....

Or, situation normal for me.

I've recently spent time with a lawyer to help my Oldest Step-Daughter. Her legal involvement with the child care system is depressing. As is usually the case the most expensive shyster is helping the slime ball son-in-law. He, SBSIL, has quit his job making 40K a year, because he is worth more than that. He therefore feels that he should be able to reduce his child support.

News flash butthead, you are only worth what someone will pay you, and in the job market here, that's pretty well above average.

His shyster lawyer is working pro bono, or is that pro barter, he boards horses with the SBSIL family. The previous issues, and the shyster in question make it hard to find anyone to represent her. It took four days!

I bought a Motorcycle.

I started a new tatoo, this one will take several hours to complete.

I found the LOML a car, triple black Jag XK8, got to pick that up Saturday.

I was involved in a MVA with the NEW bike.

I bought the Biggest Water melon I have ever seen. I've got pics.

Were planning a vacation to Mexico, soon, but not soon enough.

I'm pooped.

Some in our nation have forgotten, before it is forbidden to mention the name of our faith, let us remind others where we came from!!

Do you know what it means?


LAUS DEO

by Wilda

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument .

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history , you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet , 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia , capital of the United States of America

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.


So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say ' Praise be to God!'

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo 'Praise be to God!'

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ..a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.



A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered b y the City of Baltimore ;
on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians;
on the 24th a presentation
made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy 'One Nation, Under God.'

I am awed by Washington 's prayer for America Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

' Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of 'Laus Deo ', its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.' (Psalm 127: 1)

This E-mail came from the Love of my Life, I've seen it before, but it's never too late to spread the word. The "separation of church and state" is an interpretation, and as such it's subject, part of the Constitution, should be read as the framers intended, not as the ACLU decides.

Atheism is a religion unto itself, that of worship of man, and no less is the refusal to acknowledge something greater than ourselves a dogma.

On that premise alone would the ACLU and our liberal media lose their claim to tolerance and justice.

Interesting test.....

You Can Definitely Spot a Liar

Maybe you have good instincts. Or maybe you just have a lot of experience with liars. Either way, it's pretty hard for someone to pull a fast one on you. You're like a human lie detector.

http://www.blogthings.com/canyouspotaliarquiz/">Can You Spot a Liar?

Learned by watching my sister, and son in-law, they've been lying since they first said "mama"!

Dragonwatch

What Kind of a Western Bad-Ass are You? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Clint Eastwood Names aren't important as you dish out steaming bowls of piping hot brutality to your enemies. You also enjoy a good spaghetti dinner once in a while. Clint Eastwood 100% John Wayne 88% Lee Van Cleef 88% Charles Bronson 88% Lee Marvin 50%

Things that make you go...What The $&^@

Today while cruising around the Interwebz, I read an article about Da Reverant J Jackson. The author implied that Jesse has never been around a mike that he didn't love.
.
Well, that's a given, the man hasn't shut up since 1966, except when someone is asking about his (illegitimate, that is) children.
.
Then the Rev. jumped out in front and apologised.
.
The Obmessiah accepts his apology and floats above the reaction. Convenient, don't you think?
.
The premiere race baiter makes a "mistake", the racially diverse candidate forgives, and points out his superior moral differences from the old guard.
.
I wounder if the whole mess was arranged to give the Obamessaih some blue collar votes by showing that he doesn't identify with the likes of Jackson and Sharpton?
.
With the amount of time that the Rev. spends in front of a mike, the number of times that such gaffs show up in the public record, and the possible consequences of such mistakes, I would certainly keep my yak shut. I think Jesse would also.
.
Do I think the whole thing was set up as a spring board for political gain?
.
I wouldn't be surprised.

Jesse has let da rat outta da sack!

It's amazing what comes out when the mic is hot and no one knows it.

Da Reverant Jesse got caught in an indiscreet remark. That is, he was saying how he really feels about the Obamessiah. Castration was mentioned, while delivering the epitaph in "Ebonics" fo tawkin' down to black people.

I don't guess that's the same as a death threat, which will bring the Secret Service down on your stupid butt.

He's been on "Good Morning America" for ten long minutes, trying to obfuscate his way out of it.

Good luck chump, why don't you go extort another few millions from someone?

Short Guns I have known 2

.
This is the big daddy of the collection. A Dan Wesson .44 Mag with an eight inch barrel. This is reported to be one of the worlds most accurate handguns out of the box. That might be PR but they have some impressive stats to back it up.
.

I am by no means the best hand gun shot in town, but I'm better than most, and this gun is way better than I can make it perform. A ransom rest is needed to really put it through it's paces, but with practice I can hit a quarter sized bull at 25 yards regularly.

.

These pistols were manufactured with interchangeable barrels, they come with a clearance shim

and a barrel wrench. The cylinder to cone gap is adjustable as is the tension on the barrel.

Which brings us back to the design claims. Supposedly the barrel being under tension makes the vibrations that occur as a bullet passes through the barrel more consistent. Additionally the forward locking cylinder crane gives better alignment with the forcing cone.

.

When I bought the pistol, from a friend with a FFL, I picked it up late at night, and before work the next morning I returned it with a list of ten items I was dissatisfied with. He returned it to Dan Wesson who said they would do what they could. "What they could" turned out to be a trip to the company gunsmith shop for the full treatment, trigger, springs honing and smoothing the internal parts. The checkered hammer strikes a transfer bar, as you probably know this arrangement makes for a very safe weapon with the hammer down. Single action trigger pull is about three pounds, double is about ten. It is with out doubt the easiest to shoot of all my pistols. Dan and company believed in customer service.

.

This is a six round rumble of thunder. I scoped it at one time, but couldn't shoot it as well with optics (I know, old dog, new trick), so I went back to iron sights, so it will remain.

.

It may not be obvious, but the weapon is huge. It needs to be, recoil is impressive. If I allow

some one to fire it, they are required to wear a ball cap for the first few rounds, to ensure the vent rib doesn't split their head open. With a little instruction the cannon is easily controlled and somewhat pleasant to shoot, in an arm numbing kind of way.

.

It has Pachmayer grips and a red front sight blade. The sight blades are interchangeable.

.

Just in case anyone wondered, it is neither a concealed carry piece nor is it a home defence piece, that would be if you didn't care to shoot through the walls and hit a neighbor. Other wise feel free, if you miss, the concussion from the muzzle blast may knock your adversary unconscious or the muzzle blast might toast the critter on the spot.

.

They will for sure need a new laundry person.

Loooong Overdue blog love,

Here is some long over due Blog -Love for some very interesting folks.
LPN with an M-16. Cool profile Pic. with some very familiar sounding issues dealing with being in the Green Machine.
http://armylpn.blogspot.com/

Acute Politics, this gentleman has been over the mountain, as they say. An excellent writer with an educated view point on Iraq among other things.
http://acutepolitics.blogspot.com/

One of my favorites for last, Home on the Range. A really great writer that's also a really great cook. With some really cool Pics of meals and other interesting stuff.
http://mausersandmuffins.blogspot.com/

RATS!!!!

Blogger is driving me nuts (short trip, I am sure) I can only write in the field before adding a title or tag. Once there is a keystroke some where, I start getting a cross instead of a cursor.

Down that long sandy road,

.

to a future too bright to see. This is the Fourth of July, the most American Holiday. It's special to little boys particularly, for the fireworks, the water melon, and a break from the boredom of endless summer.

When I was growing up in the fifties and sixties, every summer was endless. When school was let out, no thought of fall and next years school ever came to mind. It was too far away to think about and overshadowed by all the wonderful empty days, that we would find a way to fill with adventure.

That might be fishing in the creek, or hitching to the pool, or wandering down a creek, or over a mountain. I was fortunate enough to be raised, or in some cases jerked up by the hair of my head, in the country or in a small town. In those places and times my extended family was every adult I met. Each and every one of them knew so much better than us how bright the future could be, and were determined to see to it that we lived long enough to enjoy it. There were some truly bad people, violent, drunken; irresponsible was the nicest thing that could be said for some of them. However, none of that ever extended to children. We were who they wanted to be, carefree and full of the possibilities of childhood.

Not to mention that if anything unfortunate were to befall us, the responsible party would have one of "those" discussions with the Uncles.

This was a fate to be avoided.

It didn't matter what you did, or where you did it, someone would tell your momma or daddy, that was only to put a little limit on your foolishness. Limits of that nature were good, we had a great reserve of foolishness.

It wasn't all sunshine and wading the creek, I can remember when my Grandpa died. My Daddy was home and some men came and talked to him. When my mother asked him who they were and what they wanted, he told her to shut her mouth and go inside.

That was a first.

He left for a while and when he came back, he had Grandpas wallet for Grannie. That's the first time I saw my Daddy cry. I can still see it, I was four.

Grannie moved to the country near her brothers and sisters. It wasn't a homecoming, she was destitute, although with enough pride to make her want to take care of herself.

That was the beginning of many summers in the sun, working or playing to fill the days.

I spent a lot of summers with my Grannie Amos after my Grandpa died. I didn't know until I was in my thirty's, that she was paid to watch me.

She watched me all right, most of the time she watched me leave her place at about daylight and go down the road to my uncles house to work until dark, when I would come back and take a bath and sleep until morning and then do it again. From the age of six or so to eleven I worked on the farm, from can see, to cain't see, for all the milk and fresh vegetables I could eat. I had never heard of dehydration or heat stroke, probably the only reason I didn't die from one or the other.

I have memories that are in a glare of sunlight, chopping the weeds out of tobacco, look ahead and look behind, can't see the end of the row or edge of the field, look back at the ground and keep on choppin'. The night will come and we have another field tomorrow. The last two years I worked, I was paid ten dollars a summer. That was after I didn't come back, and I was missed for the work I had done.

Then there were my cousins from the mountains.

I was eleven and very small for my age, they weren't.

I have scars, and blurred memories of horrible impacts.

I should be dead.

It was great.

When I stayed with them it was, all Hell's out for lunch and the Devil gets the hindmost.

We would cut a vine and swing like pirates, sleep in the barn like runaways, run through the mountains like Indians on the war path. We played all those things, and more. We slept in abandoned houses like Huck Finn, fished every day, hunted with a pack of yard dogs every night. We hunted Ginseng, and Yellow Root for money, we sold drink bottles for change for the pool tickets. I could at any time of day or night borrow a shotgun and no one found that worrisome or unusual. We knew what it was for and what it could do. We could fight all day and still be best friends at night. We were family and blood was thicker than water, trust me, I saw enough of it to know.

I remember hiding in giant hollow logs left over from the Chestnut blight, watching the rain come up the hollow. I remember the old moonshine still we found. I remember "walkin' the TV line" to the top of the mountain to clear the limbs that were grounding the signal. Our heroes were on TV every Saturday morning, they wore white hats and rode the smartest horses. I can still see the paths in the woods, the ferns on the creek, the groundhogs and 'coons. We picked cherries out of an old orchard way up on the mountain, and ate until we were all sick. I remember sitting on the top of the mountain after midnight, looking at the top of the fog like a silver lake, with the moon full behind me.

For us, summer would never end.

I remember so much that is gone now.

We were the lost boys.

More Suthen-ism's:

Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fi t and a conniption fit , and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.

Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess." _____

Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder." _____

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, . as in: "Going to town, be back directly." _____

Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table. _____

All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well. _____

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a ne ighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin! _____

Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20. _____

Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash. _____

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn. _____

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb. _____

Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're "in line," . we talk to everybody! _____

Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage. _____

In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural. _____

Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them. _____

Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food. ((Actually- I love them anytime) _____

When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner! _____

Only true Southerners say "sweet tea," "sweet milk," and "light bread". Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. (The sugar needs to be put in after the water is boiled to blend in well- then the water or ice cubes, if you need it right away) Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk. And "Light bread" is white bread. _____

And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" ... and go your own way. _____

To those of yo u who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart! _____

And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language! _____

And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."

Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah !

Now...... Shugah, send this to someone who was raised in the South or wish they had been!

If you're a Northern transplant, Bless your little heart, fake it. We know you got here as fast as you could!

Now, all ya'll know, I didn't think this up. I could only wish!

Subject: Southern Girls (From The Love of My Life)

SOUTHERN WOMEN
Southern women appreciate their natural assets:
Clean skin.
A winning smile.
That unforgettable Southern drawl.

Southern women know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, sir."
"Why, no, Billy!

"Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
"Y'all come back!"
"Well, bless your heart."
"Drop by when you can.""
How's your Momma?"

Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity

Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach
The rivuh
The crick

Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals
Strapless sun dresses
Iced sweet tea with mint
Straw hats and big sunglasses

Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah

Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Steel Magnolias Gone With The Wind

Southern women know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football

Southern women know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy
Grits Eggs
Country ham
Mouth-watering home made biscuits with momma's homemade jelly

Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl'stn
S'vanah
Foat Wuth
N'awlins
Addlanna

Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform.
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler

Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon

Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food

Every body wants one, but not every body can have one.

I got mine!!!