It's All Going-On In Nature

Vasan, a baby Tapir explores its enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland, Friday March 30, 2007. The birth is a special event as it is the first time a Malayan Tapir has been born at the zoo and is also the first baby for this particular adult Tapir. Tapirs are hoofed mammals and are related to rhinos and horses. (AP Photo/Andrew Milligan)

Giant Panda cub Mei Lan snuggles with her mother Lun Lun (R) after refusing to go out into her outside habitat at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia REUTERS/Tami Chappell

Corgi Pups

Turn, Turn, Turn

I wasn't all that patient. I worked my eleven days straight. Three months, six days a week. Nine and ten hour days. I can't say I was always at my best, but I made the effort. Finally, Peak Season (for US) has begun to dwindle-off. That's the way it always goes. The Parks are super-busy, we're slower. We're super-busy, the parks are slower. I'd spend the day at D/MGM tomorrow, but it'll be too busy. Worth laughing about when I'm no longer so tired. (Katharine, I AM counting my blessings, as you can read.)

Because Some of Us Are Ugly

"Study Explains Why We're Not All Beautiful"--headline, LiveScience.com, March 28

Time Again For Loch Laggan, Scotland

This Is/Was Me

From The Weekly Standard's William (Bill) Kristol on Bush's "Kick Me" Sign:

"Many Republicans may be tempted to give up in exasperation on a Bush administration that often seems incapable of defending itself. This would of course be bad for the country, leaving the nation at the mercy of the Democratic Congress for the next year and a half. But it would also be a political mistake. Even though Giuliani and McCain and Romney and Thompson have a fair amount of distance from the Bush administration, there is almost no precedent for a party's retaining the presidency if the outgoing administration ends its term in a shambles. So if Republicans--even not-particularly-Bush-friendly Republicans--want to save the country from a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress in 2009, with all that implies for foreign policy and the Supreme Court, they need to fight to save the Bush administration. It would be helpful if Bush would fight too."
--William Kristol

There Are Things I Don't Miss About Oklahoma

Springtime in Beaver County, OK

Wednesday, March 28, '07

Another Oddity

Flamesville is a small community about 5 miles northeast of Weleetka. A rock sits on the corner that reads FLAMESVILLE. By the looks of it, someone repaints this rock about once or twice a year, because it never dulls. The main feature of this small community is a little church. Church services are still conducted year-round. Next to the church is a bell. It has been said if you ring that bell "they`ll" come after you.

Oh No, Not Again!

Wrong, wrong, wrong. And yet he remains.

I'd threaten not to watch (not that anyone would care), but I'd miss Melinda and others that DESERVE to be there.

Shut Up and Eat

Rhode Island Elementary School Bans Talking at Lunch After 3 Choking Incidents

A Roman Catholic elementary school adopted new lunchroom rules this week requiring students to remain silent while eating. The move comes after three recent choking incidents in the cafeteria. (No one was injured.)

An Open Letter

Dear President Bush and Republican Senators and Representatives:

You still haven't figured it out yet, have you? You still think that so many of your numbers were turned-out in the last election because voters actually preferred Democrats. You don't realize that voters expected you to act like true fiscal conservatives, rather than record-setting binge spenders. What happened to smaller government, tax reform, and truly closing the borders?

Republicans have a knack of being able to talk tough and walk the walk when dealing with terrorists, but Republicans become weak-kneed, simpering, apologetic wimps when dealing with liberals and Democrats. Why is that?

Formerly-proud and outspoken Republican, but conservative no matter what,
KEQW

Who Knew? American Idol Top Ten

Borrowed from a blog I forgot to take note of:

Jordin Sparks has garnered the most attention in CCM circles. The daughter of former NFL player Phillippi Sparks, she regularly performs at her home church, was a finalist for the Gospel Music Association’s Seminar in the Rockies, and even opened on tour for Michael W. Smith, who gives his endorsement.

Melinda Doolittle is a graduate of Nashville’s Belmont University, a Christian school, and has sung backup for the likes of CeCe Winans, Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, and Aaron Neville. She’s not only impressed everyone with her vocal prowess, but also her humble attitude—friends describe her as a “really strong” Christian woman and a prayer warrior.

Chris Sligh, the son of missionary parents, has attended three different Christian colleges in the last ten years. Lately he’s served as a worship leader at his home church while fronting his own band, Half Past Forever. On Idol, he’s already performed songs by Mute Math and dc Talk.
They’re not alone.

Phil Stacey has attended two Christian universities and is a minister of music at his home church in Jacksonville, Florida.

LaKisha Jones has the support of her friends and family from her home church in Michigan, who say that “her faith is important to her.”

Elliott Yamin Video

My favorite "Idol" from last year's competition, Elliott Yamin, has release his CD. Here's the first single, "Wait For You." Elliott is no Melinda Doolittle, but he'll do, Pig, he'll do.

For The Cubicle Workers of the World and More

Listen To A Movie
When you can't watch, you can always listen. Well, not in MY line of work, but most.

She's his Valentine
This guy REALLY thinks Melinda Doolittle is world-class and could achieve "Ella" status. Naturally, I agree with him.

Haunted Places in Oklahoma

This post appears on a blog by Bluebeerriver. (I have no way of verifying its' veracity, but it was interesting and I'd never heard this one before.)

Weleetka - A long time ago there was a wreck at "cry baby" bridge, a mother and her baby. The mother had retrieved the crying baby, soon after the baby died in the mothers arms. The mother had cried for her baby before she realized she was dead and died herself with her baby. If you were to go to "crybaby" bridge at night and you will hear a baby crying underneath the bridge and you will see the mother at the end of the bridge with her baby lying in her arms rocking back and forth crying.

Pics As Promised

There are so many cars in the driveway now, it's difficult to get a good pic, but you get the general idea.

What Do You Mean We're OUT of Dr. Pepper?

Farewell

Frank Thornton, Wendy Richard and Trevor Bannister leaving the funeral of actor John Inman yesterday.

Almost New

I'll be posting pics later (if I ever get to be home for more than an hour at a time) of the almost new Toyota we got last night. It's a 2006 Camry with only 14K miles on it. We got the CarFax report on it and the mileage was accurate and it didn't go through Katrina!! It's nothing fancy, but it's just my size. The Highlander and I always had a love/hate relationship. (I loved it for it's reliability, but I'm more of a car person.) We didn't do a trade-in so we're selling Brooke's old Altima and Dwain can drive the Highlander. I'm at work, so I guess that's all for now. More to come.

It's About the Voice

Well, not entirely about the voice. He's a mere child, but he ain't bad to look at. Watching for tour dates in Florida for Josh Groban.

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

The US Attorney firings were not unlawful, however, the response has been bungled from the get-go. What's it all about, Alfie?

"...the first thing Democrats want to do --particularly Chuck Schumer the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee -- is get Karl Rove under oath in the committee room. I mean, he is just salivating over that possibility."

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas

Mickey! What About MY "Dreams"?

Once again, they have extended our OT. We are WELL into April now. Are you getting sick of reading about it yet? I know for a fact that I am sick of harping on it. They wonder why the call-outs have increased. Duh. You think it's because of 3 months of continuous six day weeks and ten hour days??? Ya think? Okay, I'm finished griping...for now.

Target Could Have FIRED Them

"Target offers alternatives to Muslim employees"

3/19/2007 9:11:30 AM
By Steve Karnowski
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- "Muslim cashiers at some Minneapolis Target stores who object to ringing up products that contain pork are being shifted to other positions where they don't need to, the discount retailer said Saturday.

The Star Tribune reported last week that some Muslim cashiers at local Targets had declined to scan pork products such as bacon because doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs. They would ask other cashiers to ring up such purchases or, sometimes, customers would scan the items themselves, the newspaper reported.

Minneapolis-based Target Corp. has now offered its local Muslim cashiers who object to handling pork the option of wearing gloves while cashiering, shifting to other positions or transferring to other nearby stores.

"We are confident that this is a reasonable solution for our guests and team members," Target spokeswoman Paula Thornton-Greear said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press on Saturday."

The company I work for would not have hesitated to fire the lot of them, with enough attorney-power to back it up.

The headline should have read "Target Caves!"

Thanks For The Sunshine, Beetle

My Buddy Taranto Today

Those Resilient Sunnis!

Do journalists unthinkingly side with America's enemies? Consider this Associated Press headline on a Baghdad dispatch: "U.S. Troop Deaths Show Sunni Resilience."
Can you imagine the AP or any other "mainstream" news outlet using the same headline in reverse: "Sunni Deaths Show U.S. Troops' Resilience"? We didn't think so.
Of course, this doesn't prove that whoever wrote the AP headline was unthinkingly siding with the enemy. But the alternative is worse, isn't it?

James Taranto/Wall Street Journal

''Fatherland or death, we shall overcome''

If this wasn't so pitiful, it would be funny. Not a good idea to come to Miami and quote Castro. McCain and now Romney---open mouth, insert foot. Did these so-called "leading" Republicans hire Democrats for speech writers and strategists? (I guess they are their OWN worst enemies.)

"Lauren" Meets Tony Blair

I knew someone would post this on YouTube and make my afternoon. Tony Blair get's it. Catherine Tate's character Lauren meets the Prime Minister.

The Sixty Second Song Remix Contest (mp3s)

The good, the bad and the downright ugly. An interesting mix of submissions.

Kiss Me I'm Irish

Rarely has a flag possessed such lasting relevance as that of the "Tricolour," the national flag of the Republic of Ireland.

Its three equal stripes illustrate the Irish political landscape as accurately today as in 1848, the year the flag was first unfurled.
orange — standing for Irish Protestants
green — signifying Irish Catholics and the republican cause
white — representing the hope for peace between them

St. Patrick's Day holiday reminded me I was interested in reading more about the history of the Irish Potato Famine. Here's a good place to read more.

Another (Shake Your Head) Submission

Could these guys do or say SOMETHING, ANYTHING right?

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) - Republican presidential contender John McCain on Friday used the term "tar baby," considered by some a racial epithet, and later said he regretted it.

Answering questions at a town hall meeting, the Arizona senator was discussing federal involvement in custody cases when he said, "For me to stand here and ... say I'm going to declare divorces invalid because of someone who feels they weren't treated fairly in court, we are getting into a tar baby of enormous proportions and I don't know how you get out of that."

After the event, McCain told reporters: "I don't think I should have used that word and I was wrong to do so."

The senator said he hoped it wouldn't be viewed as a racial remark. He argued that he was trying to say that it wouldn't make sense for him to have a role in something left to the courts.

Courtesy Katharine, thanks.

Oh! That's Why!

Looks like I've been missing more than the news lately. There was a reason everyone I talked to today was from PA, NY, CT, NH, VT, RI, ME, and MA. (Probably missing a few.) Florida was drizzly and dreary most of the day, but by the time my shift ended, the sun was shining brightly and we had a cool, brisk breeze. I missed the weather news that elsewhere a snowstorm was making a late-winter appearance. Can't blame them for wanting to be in Florida.

St Patrick's Day Wishes

May your neighbor respect you,

Trouble neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And Heaven accept you.

Courtesy Susan, (thank you) via Lucianne

Because You Asked

Now. About my long weekend, for those curious friends down south. I can report that a good time was had by all. (I'm not posting pics now, because most of them are quite hideous, but I'll think about it for later.) I took full advantage of my long overdue three-day weekend.

On Friday, I went to see Dr Craig and had my two temp crowns replaced with two permanent crowns. That didn't take long. My second stop took me to a new "puppy" store in St Cloud that Brooke had seen earlier in the week. (She didn't think the conditions were up-to-par, so I was nosey.) The storefront looked like a puppy-mill to me. The puppies didn't have their own spaces, but were crammed about a half dozen at a time into stalls in the front window. The place reeked and one little puppy was coughing. I decided to make a friendly call to our county Animal Control folks to inquire about a welfare check on the place. I left my name and phone number in case they needed more info from me or wanted me to sign a complaint. (More on this aspect of the day later.)

Next, we (Brooke, Caroline and the mother-of-the-bride) were off to a bridal store in Orlando to look at a designer that's captured Brooke's fancy. I don't have any pics, because we weren't permitted to take photos. Brooke looked lovely in all of the dresses, but one was complete perfection and made me a little teary. We took copious notes and she'll probably go for that one.

While Brooke was in the fitting room trying on wedding dresses, I got a call on my cell. I didn't recognize the number, so I let it roll into voicemail, thank goodness. The OWNER of the puppy store left me a message, calling me by my name and for some unknown reason my maiden name saying the Animal Control people had just left his store. He thanked me for filing a complaint against his business but wanted me to know that he had their full approval. He said "God bless you and have a good day." Totally non-threatening, but a little unnerving nonetheless. What the dickens? Turns out, Animal Control gave him my name and phone number, as it's a matter of "public record." They said it's routine when someone makes an inquiry or files a complaint. For the love of Pete!

When I expressed my dismay that they gave out my personal information to the store owner they said it was SOP to give out that information, but that I could contact my city, county or state representatives if I didn't like the law. I was so ticked-off. I asked the Animal Control employee if I had made the complaint anonymously, would they have been so jolly-on-the-spot about sending an inspector by the business. She assured me that they would have gone out right away. Note to self: when making complaints, do not give name or phone number. I'll do my good deeds and keep my personal info to myself next time.

After a good lunch at Firehouse Subs with the "girls" I headed home. Dwain and I checked into Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was kind of funny because we were assigned a room with a queen bed and bunk beds. That's not really the kind of upgrade I had in mind. I'd have preferred a Savannah View instead, but there are so many viewing areas we were sure to see plenty of animals.

We drove over to Disney's Polynesian Resort to have dinner at O'Hana's restaurant. It was quite good. They feature four meats, grilled kabob-style and served straight from the open fire at the table. The grilled turkey was especially tasty. Initially they brought out appetizers with dipping sauce, but the entree followed so quickly we were soon chowing down. Grilled vegies and potatoes au-gratin. The dessert was bread pudding a-la-mode with a Bananas Foster sauce. Words fail to describe the bread pudding, which is one of my favorites.

We didn't even need a winch to extricate ourselves from our seating O'Hana's and decided a walk along the lagoon was in order. We walked over to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and back. By that time, the fireworks (Wishes) were exploding over Magic Kingdom; made especially delightful because of the reflection off the lagoon. We found chaise loungers and watched the fireworks from afar. The breeze off the water was a little cool, but it was worth it to stick it out. It was a cloudless night and it was good to be outside under the stars.

Luckily, AKL was peaceful and we had a good stay for the night. We woke-up fairly early on Saturday and we spotted zebras, giraffes and some wildebeest-kinda animals grazing in the Savannah areas. Brooke met us at the lodge and we went for breakfast at Animal Kingdom at Donald's Breakfast-A-Saurus. It was a buffet and again--waaaaaaaay too much food, dozens of choices. (I'm not a real breakfast person, with a bagel being my usual fare, but Dwain and Brooke wouldn't need lunch after their feast.)

We didn't spend much time in the park because Brooke was suffering from a rip-roaring bladder infection and didn't feel like driving herself home. The rest of the day was spent at home, watching television and napping. Wonderful.

Sunday was chore day for the many household duties that have gone undone around the homestead because of OT and comings and goings. Laundry and spending time with Lucy and Dixie highlighted my Sunday. Reading, blogging and more napping.

I'm reminding myself why work is necessary when NOT working is so much more fun.

Don't Take The Job If You Have Issues

Some Muslim cashiers at Target refuse to handle pork, setting off another debate over the place of religion in society.

Plenty of OT and No OB

Oh where oh where have my orange blossoms gone?

Oh where oh where can they be?

It's MARCH! Where are the lovely orange blossoms, wafting over usually not-so-perfect-smelling Florida? I know growth and building is at an all-time high in Central Florida, but are all the old orange groves being turned into housing developments? Maybe in my area, yes. After all, at one time we were the only houses in sight, smack-dab in the middle of a cow pasture. March was something to look forward to. Especially at night. Sitting on the back porch, the breeze overflowing with the smells of sweet orange blossoms. It was so "Florida." I'll update the post if this was premature. We still have a bit of March left. It could still happen.

My Weekend

Don't Know Who Said It, But It's True

"Laughter is an instant vacation."

That's what "Are You Being Served?" and "Are You Being Served, Again?" (Grace and Favour) in general and specifically, Mr John Inman did so very well.

Daylight Savings Time--Hip Hip Hooray

Not everyone likes or wants daylight savings time. I personally can't wait. I really don't like that it's dark when you're driving home from work. I don't think I have the "sunshine" malady that some people have in the winter, but I surely do NOT like feeling like it's time for bed at 7:00 pm. Yes, our IT staff at work has worked double-time on this one. I had my favorite little IT man Jed explain the whole thing to me at length on Thursday and it's a bigger deal than I thought it was for most businesses. Who knew? I thought, change the time, change it again when it "traditionally" goes into effect. What's the big deal? Apparently, it's a HUGE deal when 24 hours isn't measured in hours but dates. That's what Jed explained. (Secretly, I was mainly interested only on how it would affect me at home, because I KNEW our guys would take care of the work stuff. It's no big deal for home users, only an inconvenience.)

Give "Clatterford" A Chance

I know it's not Absolutely Fabulous. It's not meant to be. This is a kinder, gentler Jennifer Saunders. It's more like "The Last of the Summer Wine" than Ab Fab. But, watching "Jam and Jerusalem" (goes by that name in the UK) on YouTube, it grows on you.

RIP "Mr Humphries"

BLACKPOOL-

favourite John Inman has died at the age of 71.
Born in Preston but raised and educated in Blackpool, Inman was one of the biggest stars in the resort during the 1960s. He was best known for his "I'm Free!" catchphrase and his character Mr Humphries in Are You Being Served?, a BBC comedy smash during the mid 70s and early 80s. John was known and a loved around the globe for his unique style and was taken into the nation's hearts working alongside former Eastender Wendy Richards, Molly Sugden and Frank Thornton.

It's funny that the gang at "Grace Brothers" are like old friends. The dearest of all was always Mr. Humphries. He's free.

Look For the Silver Lining

Rather than spend an entire post belly-aching about the continued extension of required overtime hours at work, I'll just say Peak Season shows no sign of ending at DRC.

God's Will?

Detective Goren had a great quote on a repeat Law & Order: Criminal Intent tonight. While interrogating a radical Islamist suicide/homicide bomber, he asked:

"When did you stop looking for God and start looking for targets?"

James Taranto Biting

A PC Dilemma

"The Cherokee Nation vote this weekend to revoke the citizenship of the descendants of people the Cherokee once owned as slaves was a blow to people who have relied on tribal benefits," the Associated Press reports from Oklahoma City:

Charlene White, a descendant of freed Cherokee slaves who were adopted into the tribe in 1866 under a treaty with the U.S. government, wondered Sunday where she would now go for the glaucoma treatment she has received at a tribal hospital in Stilwell.
"I've got to go back to the doctor, but I don't know if I can go back to the clinic or if they're going to oust me right now," said White, 56, a disabled Tahlequah resident who lives on a fixed income.
In Saturday's special election, more than 76 percent of voters decided to amend the Cherokee Nation's constitution to remove the estimated 2,800 freedmen descendants from the tribal rolls, according to results posted Sunday on the tribe's Web site.

We suppose the politically correct thing to do here is to take the side of the descendants of the former slaves, but to resist the temptation to refer to the Cherokee Nation as "Indian givers."

Walter Reed IS Nationalized Health Care

With all the hub-ub surrounding the appalling conditions and treatments given at the nation's premiere Veteran's Hospital, doesn't it make us question what the other locations are like?

If you just CAN'T WAIT for the government to get in the health care business, take a look at what a WONDERFUL job they've done taking care of the heroes among us.

Always Fresh

For my money, this is the best music in the whole wide world. I don't say that lightly, as it's a been my super-ultra-favorite since junior high school. George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. This piece made me try music at college for two semesters, but music majors worked too hard for my taste. Generally speaking, if I don't get things right the first time around, I move-on to something else. (Most things did come easily, lucky for me.) People with drive and persistence have a decided advantage over those to who/whom things come too easily. (Too bad grammar didn't sink-in either.) Leonard Bernstein performs:







The french horns in the second part always make me a little misty-eyed. Sap.

Thanks, Anne for the heads-up on the YouTube posting.

Odd Bits

"Clatterford" aka " Jam and Jerusalem" begins this Friday on BBC America.

We'll be doing an outing at Disney's Polynesian Resort and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Friday night. (Note to self: DVR)

Mark Steyn is at his best this week. A great piece, an entertaining thinker. (Another note to self: Insert hyper-link.)

Do you think we've heard the last of Anna Nicole Smith?

Random thoughts, to be continued...

Being Hateful, Selling Books & Selling TV Shows

Ann Coulter, who prides herself on being outrageous, but sells herself well and who I usually think is brave, smart and witty (regarding comments on presidential candidate John Edwards) and Bill Maher, who I disagree with in general, (regarding comments about Vice President Dick Cheney). I have tons of thoughts and very little patience to put any of it into words. I've read the pundits and opinions, both sides. Coulter, laughingly, seemed to think she was making a joke and Maher made the point he is perfectly serious. I'm sick of them both. I'm sick of people saying anything and everything because they can, in an effort to sell themselves. Was it always this way? I'm going to stop reading for a while and watch the dog show on Animal Planet.

Cute Oklahoma Bit

Megan Mullally and Kristin Chenoweth ARE famous Oklahomans!

Odd Week

We've had an odd week. We spent five hours at the ER in Kissimmee with Brooke on Tuesday. Brooke's migraines are acting-up. But it's been more worrisome of late because she's fainted twice and on Tuesday she had a tremor on the right side of her body. (Usually her migraine symptoms affect her left side and she has never gotten the shakiness before this week.) Her CT scan was negative, blood-work was good. However, she's still getting referred to a neurologist and has an MRI scheduled.

On Wednesday, we heard that we have a new Whitehouse family member. Dennis and Penny welcomed Hannah Paige to the world. Mother and child are fine. Now Penny and Dennis have a high school senior, an elementary student and a newborn. It's good pacing. LOL

Yesterday, Thursday, I'm quite sure I got a case of food poisoning at our lunchroom at work. It'll be LONG, LONG time before I can eat turkey again. Within thirty minutes of eating lunch, I was throwing up and it didn't stop until about ten o'clock. I had diarrhea and tons of nausea and couldn't drive myself home. Luckily, Brooke dropped Cory off at DRC and he drove me home. I was so grateful, I know I'd never have been able to do it myself. I'm better today, but still rather weak, wimpy and every muscle in my torso is sore from the wretching. I started forcing liquids, which eventually helped when I stopped vomiting. They were kind enough to let me work tomorrow instead of today so I'd have a day to recover. (Think I have a case to sue? I doubt it, but Aramark is on my list. If I don't pack a lunch, I'll do without.)

However, still counting our blessings as we were spared the severe weather with this cool front. (I do not refer to it as a cold front as meteorologists do in Florida. We'll still be in the 50's and 60's when the front passes. That is NOT a a cold front, now is it?) Those other folks in Alabama, Georgia and Missouri weren't so lucky. Praying God's blessings on all those hurting.

News Flash From Wisconsin! ALERT!!

Slippery Roads Lead To Crashes

Roads are snow-covered, icy and slippery, and motorists must be careful while driving to work and school, authorities said this morning.

The US Could Take Lessons In "Spin"

What's Arabic for 'Chutzpah'?

"[Abu] Abir [spokesman for a 'Palestinian militant group'] blamed the Jewish state for the desecration of the Gaza synagogues by Palestinian Arabs, claiming the decision to leave the structures intact was part of an Israeli conspiracy. Israel 'left the synagogues behind so the world would see the Palestinians destroying them,' Mr. Abir said."--New York Sun, Feb. 27

Thanks again, James Taranto. He doesn't miss a beat.

Who Needs Television After All?

I recently had a quite a bit of time to watch the wee-small-hours-of-the-morning television. It was hideous. By contrast, this has got to be one of my favorite Little Rascals episodes. It's Alfalfa's first appearance and that's his real brother, too. I love it when the presenter calls Spanky "Barrymore." Who could NOT love the Flora Dora Dollies and The Five Little Cabin Kids? Presented here in two parts:




This is part one even though it doesn't look like it at the beginning.