I remember when our moms dropped us off somewhere in town and told us to have fun, never eat an apple before it was inspected, and don't take your sister's candy until we divide it all later. We would eat candy for weeks.
The grandson is just starting his plundering here in a mini-me Frankenstein suit. Pretty cute. How could you not give this guy lots of sweets to keep him up for the next few days?
I've been busy - what else is new. Our government has been too. But I am not sneaky like they are. We as a nation need to be defended, because we love our Starbucks and right to talk about things other countries execute over. So with our several amendments we are overall happy. The executive branch is signing a $680.2 billion defense policy. Cool. I am all for defending this country even though it includes California and Vermont and most of Massachusetts. Can't get away with that - yet. So we get to R&D really cool stuff like this rocket below.
A cone of moisture surrounds part of the Ares I-X rocket during lift off Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, on a sub-orbital test flight from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-B in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara).
I trust most of you would think that providing support to our troops is a great thing. It allocates $550.2 billion on regular military stuff, $130B on contingency ops, and a 3.4% increase on cost-of-living pay for our troops. However, there was also a "hate crime" provision - which has nothing to do with the defense bill - that was "attached" at the very end... supposedly hidden under the good stuff. This "hate crime" bill makes it unlawful to be mean to various ethic groups, to include certain races and sexual orientations. What was conspicuously left out of the bill was a group that many citizens spat upon when they came home from fighting for our freedom - the vets! So though the hate crime bill is attached to the Defense Department bill - it's apparently not enough to protect our military from being targets of hate crimes... but we must protect the "others". Here is more of your government at work this week...
House Minority Leader John Boehner speaks behind a copy of the Democrat's version of the health care bill during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009.
I have seen this guy on many street corners of late.
Our life span was getting up there. Say goodbye to certain social aspects once this healthcare reform passes. My taxes have already gone up $200 this year already, on top of 8 mandatory furlough days. You can't tell me this change is good....
Good thing Pelosi and Reed are out there fighting for us. Otherwise we'd be in a lot of trouble.
The Pups are 5 weeks old today. The AKC mother (Isabelle) is 4 years old (black with white paws) while the AKC father (Harley) is just over a year (orange sable). Harley's father and grandfather are both champion bloodlines as they have placed 1st in show in Cincinnati AKC competition.
Here are pictures of the puppies: male (blk), female (blk) and female (wolf sable).
If you are wondering after the pics, "yes" I can tell the two black ones apart. They have different mannerisms...
All are running around and chasing mom and dad and sometimes the cat. I began feeding them little mini chunks of dry puppy food as their puppy teeth are in. They love it. So does Isabelle. I think she is ready to wean them...
If you or you know someone who is interested in bringing one of these pups home, they will be available at the 8 week mark. By then, they will have their first shots and ready to start their own families. They are already AKC registered, so payment and transfer of ownership is all that is needed.
They are very cute now, but they will go through an "ugly stage" at about 4 months. They will get their second coat and begin to get their shape. If you are not familiar with Poms, know that ours will not weigh any more than about 5lbs. (Harley weighs 4.3 lbs now) and they are very active "lap" dogs. They love attention and will follow you everywhere. They are also great watchdogs, but I doubt intruders would take them seriously....
For those seriously considering ownership, please email me at: rrsusaf@yahoo.com and I can answer more questions and discuss terms.
For more official information, go to the American Kennel Association (AKC.org) and this link for Pomeranians.
Just in time for Christmas.... from our home to yours.... NLM
The chase. The male is in the front with Lizzy close behind. Indigo, the second female is getting hung up on a comforter.
Lizzy breaks out as Indigo considers a shortcut. Tune in next time for a bunch of close-ups that took over an hour to photograph.... NLM
It is so much easier when someone else sends items of interest. I spent the last couple of days, as nice as they were, cleaning out the garage, putting up shelves and putting things back in a more orderly fashion - rather than in boxes. Looks a little better, but needs more work.
In the meantime, Hatch is celebrating his 2nd Halloween by using sharp instruments on a vegetable....
We were invited to a unique event yesterday. It was called the 5th Annual School House Cannon Shoot and BBQ. The weather did not cooperate as much as it could have, but in the end, several shell casings and grams of gunpowder were dispersed.
We arrived with our pot of baked beans to the 3,000 sq-ft "very-well" insulated barn. It is the site of furniture refurbishment and unique wood creations. This is where all of the food was to include BBQ smoked beef brisket, sausages and chicken. There were very few vegetables there other than macaroni salad (which I did not eat). There was also an exurbanite amount of deserts. The manly food alone made this a great day. However, there is only so much you can do inside a barn, so we all went outside to shoot stuff...
The weather was a balmy 28 degrees. The weather put a damper on the tomahawk throwing, flint knapping and other primitive mountain man skills. Without the use of horses for horseback riding or a cab for the ATVs, the only think left was to go to the range. Imagine about 50 guests roaming about inside the barn, getting there fill of meat and sugar - all with firearms strapped to them in some fashion - then utilizing those same firearms against various targets to include water bottles (some frozen), Dr. Pepper cans, stuff animals, and bumper stickers of various politicians.
Here is Poot as he lines up his shot.
Another to show the activity in the background - can you say "earplugs"?
Poot has a .22 caliber that can quickly and easily switched to a .410 shotgun. During times of despair and turmoil, we will be able to hold off hoards of people from our house with our weapons. The proper method is to use the .22 for longer distances, but if someone makes it into the house, uninvited and attempts to do us harm, then the .410 is for center mass at short range. It's a teachable moment.
You might notice in the background there is a large group of people. Many of these people are female. The females had the biggest, loudest guns. They weren't messing around as they knew exactly how to use them. They were quick to fire, quick to reload, and quick to fire again.
Other than the meat, desert, and massive displays of single combat firearms, we were afforded a most excellent display of very large caliber (for the average, everyday, common citizen) cannon. This, along with a 4" mortar, gave a demonstration of which we were all in awe... Here is someone showing the .500gm bag of gunpowder needed to project the 4" can over 1,000 ft in the air. Ironically, it was a "vegetable" can - filled with concrete.
Poot has a new wish list for Christmas. It used to be a laptop. Now it has someone to do with massive projective energy.
The guy behind Poot is placing the .500gm bag in the mortar, followed by the can, then lights the fuse. It was very loud. It was very cool.
The cannon was next. It takes about 1,000gms of gunpowder and projects a 2.5" steel ball. All I had with me that day was my cell phone (camera) so I wasn't able to provide the best shoots. However, I did manage to get a picture of the 5 gallon cans of water exploding upon impact at about 30 yards - maybe further.
It could be 50 yards I guess. I am actually pretty good with the cellphone... don't you think? Note the water being blown out of the 5 gallon can. Here is the second shot.
Not a bad way to spend a Saturday. We hope to come again next year. We heard last year was a lot warmer and short sleeves were in order. This day saw ice, the beginning of snow and temperatures below 30 degrees. I blame Al Gore and Global Warming. However, I believe if it weren't for our current politics and our leader's recent acknowledgment of the Noble Peace Prize (from the inventor of dynamite, by the way), we wouldn't be having the fun and excitement we are having today.... Until next time.... NLM
Someone has to do it. On a recent trip to Ohio, there was a family reunion of sorts. As everyone was greeting everyone else, I did my duty and set up a watch as the grandson ran around the beach on the lake.
He was intent on playing football (maybe he is a Bronco by proxy) and if necessary, I would tackle him before he made it to the water. It wasn't necessary but I prepared myself in the event I needed to get out of my comfy chair. I watched him like a hawk watches a bunny rabbit.
Note: My disclaimer - I did not take these pictures, but it is apparent of the intensity by which I performed my duty. I never wavered and I am proud to say the grandson played a good long while...
Our search and rescue team recently played in a volleyball tournament. We played beyond our expectations and came in second overall. Here are some of the more exciting action shots.
Notice the vertical extension - without leaving the earth.
Notice the location of the hand (slapping in a downward motion) and the whereabouts of the ball. This technique will not normally work to get the ball over the net.
Here is the young lady once again showing her height prowess as she almost gets the left foot off the ground.
Showing moves that were once reserved for the Broadway stage, Capt Bob adjusts his sights for one of the many failed rallies.
Here is Nekked Lizard Man as he dives (sorta) or maybe he is picking up the ball or maybe he is falling. We are not really sure what he is doing, but there is one thing for sure. His left foot is off the ground as much and the vertical leaping lady's was ....
The tournament was hard fought and exhausting. One of the members fell to a torn hamstring. Another secumbed to post swine-like symptoms. I hurt my knee. Medications were adjusted. But as I said, our tried and true efforts rewarded us with second place.
Of course, there were only 2 teams....
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