Rain Requested, Without Wind, Please

Move NORTH and EAST(not Southwest!)---we NEED the RAIN!!!

Tropical Storm Arthur, the first storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season has formed near the coast of Belize. The National Hurricane Center said Arthur formed Saturday afternoon, and was already moving inland. The system began in the Pacific, as Tropical Storm Alma, and broke up over Central American before reforming in the Gulf of Mexico as Arthur.
The Mexican government has issued a tropical storm warning for part of its coast -- from Catoche south, to the border with Belize.
Tropical storm conditions were expected within six to 12 hours.
The storm was expected to weaken Saturday as it moved over land.
Arthur was not expected to affect Central Florida.

(But we would accept some nice tropical rain.)

Thanks, Dear Chris

I Need A Hero

Uncommon Common Sense

Sean Hannity's Top 10 Items for Victory

1) To be the Candidate of National security:

a) Victory in Iraq

b) Fully support NSA, Patriot act, tough interrogations, keeping Gitmo open

c) A Candidate that pledges to NOT demean our military while they are fighting for their Country. eg Harry Reid: "the surge has failed", "the war is lost"

d) Candidate that promises to ensure that our veterans can live out their lives in dignity.

2) The Candidate who pledges to oppose Appeasement:

a) The Candidate will oppose any and all efforts to negotiate with dictators of the world in places like Iran, Syria, N.Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela without "pre-conditions"

3) The Candidate Pledges to support Tax CUTS, and fiscal responsibility:

a) The American people are NOT under taxed, Government Spends too much

b) The Candidate who Pledges to ELIMINATE and VOTE AGAINST ALL Earmarks

c) The Candidate pledges to BALANCE the budget

4) The Candidate Pledges to be a supporter of "Energy Independence":

a) supports Immediate drilling in Anwar and the 48 states

b) Building new refineries

c) Begin building and using Nuclear Facilities

d) expand coal mining

e) realistic steward of the environment while simultaneously working with private industry to develop the new energy technologies for the future, with the goal being that America becomes completely energy independent within the next 15 years.

5) The Candidate pledges to secure our borders completely within 12 months:

a) build all necessary fences

b) use all available technology to help and support agents at the border

c) train and hire agents as needed

6) Healthcare:

The Candidate will look for Free-Market solutions to the problems facing the Healthcare industry, and will vigorously oppose any efforts to "nationalize healthcare".

a) The Candidate will fight for Individual health savings accounts, that includes "catastrophic insurance" for every American, so people can control their own healthcare choices.

7) Education:

a) The Candidate pledges to "save" American children from the failing educational system

b) The Candidate will fight to break the unholy alliance of the Democratic party and teachers unions, which at best has institutionalized mediocrity, and has failed children across the country

c) fight for "CHOICE" in education and let parents decide

d) fight for vouchers for parents

8) Social Security and Medicare:

a) The Candidate will "save" social security and medicare from bankruptcy.

b) Options will include "private retirement" funds so people can "control" their own destiny.

9) Judges:

a) The Candidate vows to support ONLY judges who recognize that their job is to interpret the Constitution, and NOT legislate from the bench.

10) American Dream:

The Candidate accepts as their duty and responsibility to educate, inform, and remind people that with the blessings of Freedom comes a Great responsibility. That Government's primary goal is to preserve, protect and defend our God given gift of freedom.

That Government's do not have the ability to solve all of our problems, and to take away all of our fears and concerns. We need their pledge that we will be the candidate that promotes Individual liberty, Capitalism, a strong national defense and will support policies that encourage such...

It is our fundamental belief that limited Government, and Greater individual responsibility will insure the continued prosperity and success for future generations.

We the people who believe in the words of Ronald Reagan, that we are "the best last hope for man on this earth," "a shining city on a hill," and that our best days are before us if our Government will simply trust the American people.

'Nuff Said

Cypress Gardens Outing

We spent Sunday at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven. It was a perfect Sunday. We had a breeze, not too much humidity and school district employees got in free. Can't beat a deal like that. Dwain, Brooke and Donnie and your happy blogger spent the whole day visiting "Florida's First/Original Theme Park." Cory and Danielle are busy preparing for their Alaskan Land & Sea excursion, courtesy of Danielle's grandparents. (They're going to be gone almost three weeks and we're dog sitting for their sweet Dixie.)

Other than the fact that waaaaaay more teachers and other school district employees showed-up than CG had planned for, leaving shortages at the fast-food and sit-down restaurants; it wasn't half bad. (Obviously, I couldn't help making Disney comparisons, but that's not really a fair fight.)

The ravages of Hurricane Charley are still evident at their Botanical Gardens. Everything is growing back, but many of the older cypress trees are halved. You can tell the vegetation isn't nearly as lush as on our last visit, pre-Charley, years ago.

Stolen

An old, blind man wanders into a Democrat bar in Washington, DC, by mistake. He finds his way to a barstool and orders a beer. After sitting there for a while, he yells to the bartender, "Hey, you wanna hear a Dumb Democrat joke?"The bar immediately falls absolutely silent.

In a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, "Before you tell that joke, sir, I think it is only fair, given that you are blind, that you should know five things: One, the bartender is a Democrat with a baseball bat. Two, the bouncer is a Democrat. Three, I'm a 6-foot-tall, 175-pound Democrat with a black belt in karate. Four, the woman sitting next to me is a Democrat and a professional weightlifter. And five, the lady to your right is a Democrat and a professional wrestler. Now, think about it seriously, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?"

The blind man thinks for a second, shakes his head and finally mutters: "Well, no; not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times."

We Can ALL Say Thank You

It's never been difficult for me to approach a US serviceman or servicewoman and thank them for their service to freedom. I see a military uniform or see a military ID at Disney and I make it a point to express my thanks. I'm not shy about shaking a hand and offering a hearty "God Bless You and your family." However, I do know some people feel uncomfortable or shy about speaking to someone they don't know. They want to say something, but maybe there isn't time or they feel awkward. Here's the answer for you. The Gratitude Campaign is a perfect solution. Thanks for the heads-up on this one Vivian.

A Week Late (More EPCOT F&GS)

The two old folks enjoying the EPCOT Flower and Garden Show. We go every year and every year, it's more beautiful. This year it seemed there were less topiaries and more varied species of blooming flowers. It's like a day in a tropical paradise and the crowds were not that bad.

Music File Hosting

Bummer. The site I was primarily using for file-hosting of my music has changed hands and wants MONEY to host my files. The NERVE!! Every file I linked to on my blog that was hosted by this site is now inactive. Kaput. Not that we're missing a lot, it was mostly just music that had limited appeal. My musical tastes have never been considered mainstream, but I did enjoy having my links work. Now I'm in the process of uploading a few more files, hopefully on another site that will remain fee-free.

Don't Take It Personally

Hussein Massawi, the former leader of Hezbollah, says:

"We are not fighting so that you will offer us something.

We are fighting to eliminate you."

Another Steyn worth every second,

every minute spent in the company of his words.

(I know I read and refer to his column every week, he's become a must-read.)

Mother's Day 2008 At EPCOT's Flower And Garden Show

From PoliPundit

"The first female Vice President?
No, not Hillary. The Breck Girl."

-- W.C. Varones

Funny.

Told Ya

Did you know that the only difference between a hurricane (from Hunraken, the Mayan god of storms), a cyclone (from Greek kuklos, circle) and a typhoon (from Chinese tai fung, "big wind") is their geographical origin?

Hurricanes happen in the Atlantic and North-East Pacific,

cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South-East Pacific

and typhoons in the North-West Pacific.

(I was asked this question the other day. Being the weather-geek that I am (and have always been), I knew the answer. I've ALWAYS had a very selective memory, and frankly, as I age, it comes and goes on a whim.

Read It, Believe It or Sound-Off At Your Own Peril

Too Complex, I Doubt It."

Thomas Sowell isn't afraid to tell the truth about the demand for oil in India, China and US taxes.

"Is there anything complex about the fact that with two countries-- India and China-- having rapid economic growth, and with combined populations 8 times that of the United States, they are creating an increased demand for the world's oil supply?"

It's about time someone cut through the "drama" and focused on Economics 101.

Of course, doesn't mean we have to LIKE it. (grin)

He IS an American, Right?

October 2007.

Dems must be so proud. I BET he puts his hand on his heart now.

Do It

George Carlin's Solution to Save Gasoline

"Bush wants us to cut the amount of gas we use.....

The best way to stop using so much gas is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants! That would be 11 million less people using our gas. The price of gas would come down.... Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the Border.... When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the border, hand him a canteen, rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq... Tell him if he wants to come to America then he must serve a tour in the military.... Give him a soldier's pay while he's there and tax him on it..... After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country..... He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot.......This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Iraq and the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves......If they refuse to serve, ship them to Iraq anyway, without the canteen, rifle or ammo....."

Problem solved! The thing about great comedy is that there's always a bit of truth involved.

Don't Get Me Started

U.S. Prices Not So Bad????

Even though we complain about gas prices, the United States is actually a lot better off than many places around the world. According to a recent study by AIRINC, a research firm that tracks cost of living data, the most expensive place in the world to fill up your tank is Bosnia-Herzegovina at $10.86 a gallon.

Here are some other pricy places:

Bosnia-Herzegovina: $10.86
Eritrea (In north Africa): $9.58
Norway: $8.73
United Kingdom: $8.38
Netherlands: $8.37

But if you are looking for a place where gas is dirt cheap, you'll have to travel quite a ways. Here are the top 5 places to steal gas.

Venezuela: 12 cents
Iran: 40 cents
Saudi Arabia: 45 cents
Libya: 50 cents
Swaziland: 54 cents

In the Orlando area, the average cost (for NOW) for regular unleaded is $3.58 a gallon, in Daytona Beach it is $3.68, and in Tampa it will cost you $3.59 for a gallon of unleaded gas.

Cell Pics

Taken from outside Mouse Gears, my weekend home. (Do not ask me why I felt the need to post these less-than-ideal pics.) You wouldn't know it, because I waited until the traffic subsided, but it was crazy-busy last night. We had a shower and you'd have thought we were in a Cat 5 hurricane the way the Guests were acting. Get over it. It lasted maybe a half hour. I was posted near the front and I never saw it pour down. It was a SHOWER, not a thunderstorm, people. Plus it was hotter 'n blazes yesterday, you'd have thought they would have found it refreshing. I truly think the sales of ponchos helped us meet budget for the day! LOL

Thank Your Luckies

"Oh, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars."

Bette Davis as Charlotte Vale in "Now,Voyager"

Time Does A Number On Us All

I remember a day my daddy and I were watching something on TV together. An old-time movie star was being interviewed. My dad lamented how time takes its toll on everyone. At the time, I didn't see the wisdom of his comment and thought I'd always look and feel young . Now I know so well why he looked sad. (Although, the alternative to getting old is less than to be desired as well.)

Even for the beautiful people, the march of time is a sad, cruel fact of life, (plastic surgery notwithstanding.)

Brigitte Bardot

'End of the Ethanol Dream'

From the CBC's Rex Murphy:

"The ethanol craze grew out of alarmism and the deep desire of governments, especially here in North America and Europe, to be seen as green. Now, it's clear that growing corn to make ethanol not only takes more energy to produce than it saves on the other end, but the subsidies, particularly in the States and Europe, for such production is one of the factors driving an international food crisis that, as always, is hardest on the poorest people of the world.

Did you know that the clearance of grassland for biofuel releases 93 times the amount of greenhouse gas that would be saved by the fuel made annually on that land? That's from "Science" magazine. The European Environmental Agency has warned that the commitment to biofuels will lead to, I'm quoting here, "the accelerated devastation of rain forests." The commitment to those noble Kyoto targets is leading to some strange results. World food crisis, great destruction of rain forests... who would have ever guessed that saving the planet could contribute to such unenvironmental ends?"

Did You Know?

There are four times as many rats as humans in Paris, according to the Paris City Council. Ewwwww. Eight million and counting.

Absolutely Appalling, Outrageous

If this is true, it surely is a crime against humanity. It's the U.N., why should I be surprised? Why are they still in the US? Americans should be ashamed of funding the lion's share of this travesty. President Bush is perfectly willing to give them $770 million of OUR money so all the rest of the world only has to pay $5 million. The update at the end of the story is too little too late. Food for oil, now this. The U.N. is a disgrace. How is this possible? Good people do nothing.

FOXNews.com - U.N.'s World Food Program Cried Poverty While Sitting on Cash Stockpile of More Than $1.22 Billion - International News News of the World Middle East News Europe News