Hide and Seek

Lyla is a pretty smart dog. When she sees me putting up the dog gate, she knows I'm leaving. Today she saw me put up the gate and she ran off and hid. I finally found her and as you'll be able to see, she wouldn't look at me. It's like she thought she was invisible.

Winning in 2012

In honor of the world-wide web (www), my three posts this week will each begin with the letter "W". Welcome to Sesame Street blogging! ...

The Obama Campaign for 2012 would like nothing better than to lose the 2010 Congressional elections. The administration has already installed as much of a social democracy as the American people will tolerate for the time being, and the agenda cannot be carried further without another voter mandate, i.e. a presidential victory in 2012. That will allow Obama to finish the job with immigration amnesty, taxes to fund health care, etc.

A victory in 2012 requires a foil. That's where a Republican victory in 2010 would actually help Obama. He'll then have a handy scapegoat for the current failure of the US job market.

Simply put, it's easier for Obama personally if he throws his party under the bus this November.

Walk the walk

What do you girls think about taking a walk?

Whippee!!!

Look at me Lyla! Can you jump like this?

Weather Comments

In honor of the world-wide web (www), my three posts this week will each begin with the letter "W". Welcome to Sesame Street blogging! ...

People often say they want to move because "of the weather". This strikes me as odd for a couple of reasons, but then again, maybe it's just me.

First, it seems shallow to rank weather as a dominant reason to relocate a family. it would seem there'd be a hundred more important factors revolving around opportunity and relationships one should consider before checking the weather charts.

Second, the comment is usually packaged with a desire to move to a "warm weather" locale in which every day is the same. I like pizza, but I don't eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, every day of the year. Sometimes a nice rain fits one's spirits, and there's nothing more awesome that watching a storm move in.

Michael's Baptism

We were able to celebrate the baptism of our grandson on Sunday. The service was extremely nice. Michael, Jr. didn't seem to mind at all that water was being poured on his head. When it was over, he promptly fell asleep and allowed us to enjoy the wonderful brunch that our daughter-in-law prepared.

I wish I had taken pictures of the chaos that ensued on Saturday. Amber and I took the girls to eat lunch and then to the grocery store to buy 4 dozen eggs, plus other food supplies. Then we headed back to the house to prepare food for the brunch on Sunday. Now keep in mind that the refrigerator broke on Thursday. And along with 3 grandkids, there were 2 extra kids that were at the house that Amber was watching for a friend. And it was so humid that just standing still, I had sweat rolling down my face. But Amber handled all of it like a trooper. I never saw her get ruffled or out of sorts. And the food was delicious!

Whitey's Day

In honor of the world-wide web (www), my three posts this week will each begin with the letter "W". Welcome to Sesame Street blogging! ...

Whitey Herzog entered the hallowed territory of baseball's Hall of Fame this weekend.

He hit the St. Louis baseball scene like a ton of bricks, wheeling and dealing at lightning speed to improve a dull and mediocre team that had failed to generate any heat for the previous decade. In doing so, he acquired talent such as Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, and Jack Clark.

Whitey was also a savvy on-field general, taking the team to the World Series three times in the 80s (and inspiring Jack Buck's famous "go crazy, folks!" call).

Another measure of Herzog's impact: attendance to Cardinal games rose from 1.4 million to 3 million under his leadership.

Congratulations to the White Rat!

Good and Bad Stimulus

In financial circles, there's the concept of "good debt" and "bad debt". Good debt are those liabilities one takes on, when necessary, to purchase appreciable assets. After paying the debt down, you stand an excellent chance of being better off than you were before. Bad debt is credit which you assume to buy a depreciating asset such as a car or refigerator. Bad debt should be paid off as quickly as possibly as it drags you down financially,


I think there is such a thing as "good stimulus" and "bad stimulus", too, and it bothers me that policy-makers don't seem to grasp this all-important nuance. Throwing dollars at temporary giveaways is bad stimulus. Based on economist's grade of our last stimulus - that it did more harm than good - we must conclude that it largely consisted of the bad variety.


So, if we must pour federal dollars (i.e. the people's dollars) into the economy, let's at least make sure it's "good stimulus". Let's train and hire the engineers and teams to build new bridges, levees, harbors, cross-country trains, and nuclear reactors.


We will continue to encounter new and frightening economic "bubbles" without the creation of American jobs which drive personal wealth. We must lead, without apology or angst.

Fun and games on Mary's brithday

The morning started with the 3 kids helping to make the chocolate ganache frosting for the birthday cupcakes.

Steve and Catherine enjoying some time together.

The birthday girl

Helping Grandpa put together Mary's new big wheel bike.

Taking the big wheel out for a spin.

Grandpa, the great-grandma's, Catherine, Mary and Michael out for a walk.


Check out Amber's blog for the actual party pictures.

The Hike

Elaine and I took the girls on a hike today. We passed through forest, wetlands and finally made it to the beach. We had a really good time. Catherine took this picture of the three of us.

She also took this of Elaine.

And this one of Mary and me.

I took all of the following. It was perfect out on the Cape today. High was only about 80 with a lovely breeze blowing.

The Way We Played

There was an article the other day discouraging parents from letting kids play with the classic "army men" toys. Too violent.

Of course, articles by young politically correct journalists had absolutely zero social impact on me, but did stir some pleasant memories of hours spent deploying my army men for battle.

There are so many pastimes which kids once enjoyed which you don't see much anymore ...

... like soldier helmets and toy machine guns. I also had cowboy outfits and gun holsters. Equipped thusly, I was able to clear the neighborhood of indigenous people while simultaneously fending off foreign invaders.

... like playing in the dirt for hours with toy trucks and farm equipment.

... like riding miles to a store to buy a soda which was funded by collecting glass bottles from the roadside on the way there.

... like bubble gum in your baseball cards.

... like climbing trees.

... like dialing a phone. And carrying no wireless devices other than a $3 transistor radio.

... like keeping a baseball glove on your bike's handlebars in case you happened across a game in progress.

... like counting stars. There seemed to be so many more of them.

I just want a kiss!

As you can see, Lyla can't get enough of Bailey. When Bailey won't chase her, she decides to help things along by nipping at Bailey's legs and ears.

Where's Lyla?

If you read Tommy & Jena's blog, you probably saw their latest video, "Where's Lyla?". Well, she's not in LA anymore!

She came home with Steve so she could visit Bailey.

Here they are having some fun!

The Travail of Travel

I've been gone for a bit, and suffered some abuse from the travel powers-that-be.

First, the Hilton Garden Inn in Gilroy, California, charged my credit card three times for one night! That's never happened before, and I wonder how a company could be so inept.

While stewing over that mishap, I hopped a flight home on the ever-friendly skies of American Airlines (you know this isn't going to turn out well, right?). My million-mile status had secured a nice aisle seat in the exit row, but when Lyla the pup accompanied me home, that all changed.

We were banished from the exit row and charged extra for it! An upcharge for a downgrade ... go figure.

Further, the older gentlemen (my phrase for all males who appear even the slightest bit more aged than me) in my front decided to keep his seat in a 45-degree recline for the duration of the flight. So this was the extent of my view for four hours:

While I started the flight feeling sorry for Lyla because she was crammed into a duffel bag, it was really myself who was treated like the dog! At least she could lie down and nap.

Flight 815

Hitting the Curveball

Many big league ballplayers confront their downfall trying to master the art of hitting a curveball. Throw the ball straight and with predictability, and things are great. Put some spin on the pitch, and they're reduced to mediocrity.

This post is not about sports, however; it's about life and dealing with the inevitable diet of twists amd turns it serves up with regularity.

We crave the fastball and do well when the pitch is straight. But we are defined, and ultimately succeed or fail, on how we adapt to the curves thrown our way.

I think my sons are big-league curveball hitters. They've handled a variety of surprises with skill and courage. Tommy is a recent example as you can infer from the following pictures (very poor quality ... sorry) taken in the hospital.

When I sit in his room, it's difficult to see the TV due to the various IV bottles ...

Tommy can handle a curve ball. He's big league.

Shots of color

Sorry, I've been so lax about updating my portion of the blog. I thought I'd share some pictures that I've taken the last few weeks.

This is from my backyard.

Elaine and I went to the Botanical Gardens on the 4th of July. The flowers were all wearing their most vibrant colors in honor of Independence Day!

Last Friday Judy and I made a quick trip to Ikea in Chicago. We bought lots of good things. Here she is relaxing in downtown Naperville.

Heather and I went downtown to watch fireworks. I haven't been down there for a few years. Well worth the heat, humidity and bugs!

Now you're all caught up!

Crossover TV

A popular prime time TV trick places characters from one show into a plot for another show on the same network. CSI: Las Vegas frequently visits CSI: Miami, the Clampetts sometimes showed up on Petticoat Junction, and Yogi Bear sometimes hung out with Huckleberry Hound.

Last week, the "biggest losers" visited The Bachelorette. Jake and Vienna, last season's bachelor and soulmate embarrassed the brand with a huge on-air cat fight. To me, it calls into question the very premise of this show. It may be entertaining, but it's not real, so what differentiates it from the WWF?

Back to Jake and Vienna ...

Anyone who watched the show knows she shouldn't have even been in the final group. And Jake comes off as a headline-grabber who has the worst decision-making skills this side of Washington, DC. Why is he angry at Vienna, when he personally culled her out of a group of 25 just a few weeks ago.

Consider this ...

There may be a reason all of these articulate good-looking people are unmarried.

Tiger Prediction

I've made some boneheaded sports predictions in the past. Once, I was positive that Christian Laettner should be drafted ahead of Shaquille O'Neill in the NBA Draft. There are other examples, but you get the idea.


Prediction: Tiger Woods will not attain Jack Nicklaus' record of 19 major championships won even though he is ahead of Nicklaus' pace now (he has 14).


He has the skill, youth, and talent to do so, but in my opinion, he lacks the support system to sustain his past pace.


He lost his father, his wife and kids are estranged, and he seemingly talks to no one. He even threw his long-time caddy under the bus after a recent tournament. I find it hard to believe that he is open to ongoing instruction to get his game back to past form.


You can't take on the whole world, and that's why I predict Tiger will not make history.


I could be wrong.

US vs. Arizona

So now the US government is going to sue the State of Arizona because the state is enforcing a federal law? It reminds me of the movie title Kramer vs. Kramer which suggests that fighting yourself will not be productive.

Besides, if I read the constitution correctly, it's not allowed.

As much as the administration wants to "emotionalize" the issue, this has nothing to due with race, your opinion of Hispanics, or prejudice. Those who want to boycott the state reveal themselves as easily manipulated by such emotionalism.

The US needs immigration in the worst way. Our birth rate will not sustain our country's needs, and our educational system is turning out too far too few math and science majors. Other countries are over-populated and in some cases, better educated, so common sense dictates a rational and aggressive immigration (should I say "recruitment"?) policy.

However, we need the right educational mix and people who are dedicated to America. We're not achieving that by looking the other way on illegal immigration and ignoring the enforcement of laws already on the books.

The federal government needs to adopt a positive attitude on this issue by designing a viable immigration policy that strengthens America. Suing Arizona and making this a race problem is not creative problem-solving.

Thoughts on Independence Day

It has just come to my attention that Michael had an article in the local paper concerning Independence Day. I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy!


http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100703/LIFE/7030301/-1/LIFE16

The 4th in LA

I was in LA on the Fourth of July, and you would have thought the Revolutionary War had been waged in the streets of Malibu. People started partying at 7 in the morning!

Well, I guess there's a bigger umbrella over America than just the states within the original 13 colonies, but some of the scenes in Southern California are unique.

Here's the revelry on Venice Beach:


The next day I rode a bike the other way, and came upon an amazing bike trail - right down the middle of the beach!

At least the fireworks are the same in California as elsewhere, although there always seems to be some water to provide reflections. Here are a couple of cellphone-quality shots of the Marina Del Rey display:

Happy July 4th!

This is a prayer said by Thomas Jefferson, our third President. It was written on March 4, 1801 in Washington, D.C.

Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thanksfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Summer Campout

A couple of weekend ago, two friends suggested a short backpacking trip close to home involving one night camping. This occurred about 48 hours after swearing off all Missouri campouts unless it fell somewhere in the October through April portion of the calendar (to avoid heat, humidity, snakes, ticks, overgrown trails, etc).

Of course, in a classic display of groupthink, I immediately accepted.

The hike was nondescript and quick, and we pitched camp by a moonlit lake. Very nice, except it was HOT. When it came time to sleep, no cover was required. One could only lie very still and attempt to generate as little sweat as possible.

Then it happened ...

The still night was stirred by a sudden and strong wind. The temperature dropped appreciably. and the sky became animated with distant flashes of lightning. Soon it rained and continued to do so for the better part of the night.

Lest you think sleeping outside in a storm is problematic, it was truly awesome to see all of this upfront and personal. Burrowing into my sleeping bag and appreciating the protection of my little tent, sleep came quickly and the morning dawned with a bit more energy than in previous days.