Last night my wife and I went, with friends, to a coffee shop to listen to some local singers. While there, a gentleman from the High School come over to our table to show one of our friends the treasures he had found that day. They were 4 Indian arrow and spear heads. He estimated that one spear head was close to 3,000 years old. (note: he is an expert on Indian arrow heads and has a collection of several hundred) I have always been fascinated with the past...visiting civil war battlefields, old western towns, other historic spots, visiting museums, reading history books, especially family history, etc. The past is what has brought us to today and the reasons our lives are shaped the way they are. My wife is watching "Walking the Bible" on DVD right now. The author is visiting the various historic spots in the first 5 chapters of the Bible....Garden of Edan, Mt. Ararat (Noah's Ark resting place), the desert where Moses and his followers wandered, the burning bush, etc. I have already watched it and it made me want to visit the Holy Land even more . Last fall one member of our church and one of our neighbors visited Isrial and Egypt for 2 weeks. Not once did they fear for their safety because of the current crisis over there. The actual conflict was a very long distance from where they were visiting. They said they can not wait to go back and if anyone has ever thought about going....go!
So many places to visit...so little time (or in today's economy so little money!).
Later
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Say What?
Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: 'Take two aspirin' and....... 'Keep away from children'
Grandchildren
This is one of my favorite pictures. It was taken at the headwaters of the Mississippi river, in Itasca State Park. That log bridge, over the Mississippi, was fairly narrow and my grandson was just too nervous to cross it. Both grandma and grandpa tried to help him across even if we just carried him. After several times of trying to convince him it was safe and he wouldn't fall off, we gave up. As my wife and I were talking to other visitors I happened to look over at the bridge. Murphy's big sister was helping him over the bridge. He trusted her! Pretty soon they were both running across it. Of course grandma and grandpa were the ones that then got nervous. "Kids don't run! You might fall off!" In life there is always someone you trust more than others. There is a natural trust among siblings.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Ramblings
I have been invited to a Republican Conference in Des Moines next week. I will get to meet and listen to various State Republican leaders and meet with the State Legislature. My first reaction was "Are you kidding?? Why would I travel 160 miles, (one way) and spend a whole day listening to speakers who got us into this position....Republications no longer in the majority?" I decided to go, if for no other reason than to tell our representatives, to their face, that I will not support any Republican that does not show me that they have a back bone and will truely stand up to the Democrats. I'll let you know how it goes.
Say What?
"When I die, I want to die like my grandfather---who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car."
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ramblings
Today Rush pointed out that if President Obama were to confiscate 100% of all the money earned by those individuals making over $250,000 this year, it would only pay for 1/2 of all the money President Obama has asked for in his budget. Remember he said.... for the upper 5%, taxes would go up ....the other 95%...under $250,000..their taxes would go down. Where is he going to get the other half....hummm??? I'll bet you are guessing right!
.JPG)
.JPG)
Travel
My wife and I were in Tuscon, AZ, with a couple of close friends, a couple of weeks ago. We needed a break from the snow and cold and I was having "Golf" withdrawals. It SNOWED in Tucson! This is a picture of us driving to Tombstone. They had closed the golf courses. Businesses and schools were closed because of the snow. Oh what tramau!! 1/2"-3/4" of snow that lasted until noon. That morning the tempature was actually warmer in Iowa than Tucson. I guess the "Global Warming" phenomenon hasn't reached Arzonia yet. Even though the temperatures never reached 70 degrees we still got to play golf and had a great time. If you ever have a chance to visit Tombstone...do! It's a little commercial but you really get a sense of what it was like in the Old West. There also many very intresting sights to see in the Tucson area. Well worth a week long vacation.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ramblings
Well, the speech is over.
As usual President Obama gave an articulate, inspiring and baloney filled dissertation of how he wants to spend our money. He said “I get it!”…but he doesn’t. No Pork in the stimulus bill…..excuse me??? How does 9 billion dollars for a high speed rail system, from Disney Land to Las Vegas stimulate the economy right now? It is not “shovel” ready and won’t be for several years. Plus most of the passengers will just be heading to Las Vegas to gamble……people who have money to waste and will not be worrying about people who have lost their jobs. If you were to use that 9 billion dollars for people who have lost their jobs or are in foreclosure, you could send 450,000 families a check for $20,000, to help get caught up on their mortgage payments or, along with unemployment benefits, help tide them over until they secure a job. On Wit and Wisdom's blog, a V.P. of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is quoted:
“We want to be good stewards of the resources our donors have been kind enough to give us.”
Our Government is certainly not good stewards of our taxes.
Obama, while campaigning, kept taking about how terrible the economy was. Elect him and he would stop the downward spiral. The DOW was at approx. 9,600 just before the election. Since the election the DOW has dropped another 2,500 points. So much for hope and change! Sure would like to be back to 9,600!
Home foreclosures…..According to Obama we (nationally) are in a crisis. Guess what, the national average is approx. 6 out of 1000 (1 in 171) which is pretty close to normal. There are actually 4 states that are in a crisis….Nevada at 73 per 1000, Florida at 45 per 1000, Arizona at 45 per 1000 and California at 40 per 1000. Michigan, Georgia and Colorado are in the 25 per 1000 range. Over 80% of the states are not in crisis! All of the Mid-West states are around the national average or less. Why should 80% have to bail out the 20% who mis-managed their finances, were greedy or irresponsible?? I know that not all of the people that are being foreclosed on were greedy, irresponsible or mis-managed their money. Some have lost their jobs, have lost equity in their home and can't afford the payments any more. I truly do feel sympathy for them... however is it the governments responsibly to bail out everyone who has financial difficulties.....can't pay the Plasma TV payments, can't make the car payments, can't make the credit card payments, etc.? Or do they draw the line and just say "We'll bail you out for your house but nothing else". Oops.. what about medical expenses? That's a big ticket item also. I guess the more they owe the more the government will bail them out. I meant to say we the tax payers will bail them out. All I can think of is “Hang on to your hat!” We haven’t seen the last of the class warfare spending spree.
By the way did you notice President Obama did not ONCE look into the camera…at the American people watching...just left and right at the teleprompter. Pundits criticized Gov. Jindal for his speech. I don’t disagree with them on how he spoke and the setting. There was obviously something also wrong with his mike. But I totally agreed with the substance of his speech and he was looking you directly in the eye. (I know..I know, the teleprompter was on the camera...still he was looking at me!) Which is more important…style, delivery and fluff, or substance?
Later!
As usual President Obama gave an articulate, inspiring and baloney filled dissertation of how he wants to spend our money. He said “I get it!”…but he doesn’t. No Pork in the stimulus bill…..excuse me??? How does 9 billion dollars for a high speed rail system, from Disney Land to Las Vegas stimulate the economy right now? It is not “shovel” ready and won’t be for several years. Plus most of the passengers will just be heading to Las Vegas to gamble……people who have money to waste and will not be worrying about people who have lost their jobs. If you were to use that 9 billion dollars for people who have lost their jobs or are in foreclosure, you could send 450,000 families a check for $20,000, to help get caught up on their mortgage payments or, along with unemployment benefits, help tide them over until they secure a job. On Wit and Wisdom's blog, a V.P. of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is quoted:
“We want to be good stewards of the resources our donors have been kind enough to give us.”
Our Government is certainly not good stewards of our taxes.
Obama, while campaigning, kept taking about how terrible the economy was. Elect him and he would stop the downward spiral. The DOW was at approx. 9,600 just before the election. Since the election the DOW has dropped another 2,500 points. So much for hope and change! Sure would like to be back to 9,600!
Home foreclosures…..According to Obama we (nationally) are in a crisis. Guess what, the national average is approx. 6 out of 1000 (1 in 171) which is pretty close to normal. There are actually 4 states that are in a crisis….Nevada at 73 per 1000, Florida at 45 per 1000, Arizona at 45 per 1000 and California at 40 per 1000. Michigan, Georgia and Colorado are in the 25 per 1000 range. Over 80% of the states are not in crisis! All of the Mid-West states are around the national average or less. Why should 80% have to bail out the 20% who mis-managed their finances, were greedy or irresponsible?? I know that not all of the people that are being foreclosed on were greedy, irresponsible or mis-managed their money. Some have lost their jobs, have lost equity in their home and can't afford the payments any more. I truly do feel sympathy for them... however is it the governments responsibly to bail out everyone who has financial difficulties.....can't pay the Plasma TV payments, can't make the car payments, can't make the credit card payments, etc.? Or do they draw the line and just say "We'll bail you out for your house but nothing else". Oops.. what about medical expenses? That's a big ticket item also. I guess the more they owe the more the government will bail them out. I meant to say we the tax payers will bail them out. All I can think of is “Hang on to your hat!” We haven’t seen the last of the class warfare spending spree.
By the way did you notice President Obama did not ONCE look into the camera…at the American people watching...just left and right at the teleprompter. Pundits criticized Gov. Jindal for his speech. I don’t disagree with them on how he spoke and the setting. There was obviously something also wrong with his mike. But I totally agreed with the substance of his speech and he was looking you directly in the eye. (I know..I know, the teleprompter was on the camera...still he was looking at me!) Which is more important…style, delivery and fluff, or substance?
Later!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
As Tiger Woods said when he joined the PGA "Hello World!"
a-corn…(ā’kôrn, ā’kern) n. 1. The fruit of the Oak
The Oak is valued for the hardness, strength and durability of its lumber. The Oak tree provides wood for making beautiful furniture, kindling for warmth, shade from the sun and lumber for a shelter. These are several important essentials for a comfortable and fulfilling life. It also provides an Acorn to insure future generations.
The Oak tree is like a strong Mother and Father, which also provides an off spring (an Acorn). Without the nourishment, wisdom, support and love, from mom and dad, the Acorn will become nothing more than a weed.
My sister has encouraged me to write a blog. It is because of the strength of my family, I have decided to call it The Family Acorn.
a-corn…(ā’kôrn, ā’kern) n. 1. The fruit of the Oak
The Oak is valued for the hardness, strength and durability of its lumber. The Oak tree provides wood for making beautiful furniture, kindling for warmth, shade from the sun and lumber for a shelter. These are several important essentials for a comfortable and fulfilling life. It also provides an Acorn to insure future generations.
The Oak tree is like a strong Mother and Father, which also provides an off spring (an Acorn). Without the nourishment, wisdom, support and love, from mom and dad, the Acorn will become nothing more than a weed.
My sister has encouraged me to write a blog. It is because of the strength of my family, I have decided to call it The Family Acorn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)