Happy Forth Of July

What Are Your Values?

What if we took religion out of the equation and just asked ourselves just what our values were?

First off,I don't believe that I can totally do that.I don't think I can totally evaluate my values without equating my religious affiliations into them on some level of my conscienceness.My religious values are ingrained into my being-entwined and twisted into my psyche/my DNA too richly to totally let go...

...but I am going to try.

I can only speak for myself.

I believe in love.Whatever it is.Be it an attraction,a decision, a chemical reaction,or something simply beyond our power to control or understand(or some semblance of the above mentioned powers),I believe in love.

I do not believe that hate is the opposite of love,but a kindred spirit.I believe that indifference is the opposite of love.

I believe in right and wrong.But I also believe-wrongly or rightly-that these definitions change as daily as they are also firmly etched in stone.

I believe in compassion and tolerance.

I believe I devalue myself when I devalue other people,their values or ideals.I do not have to agree with them,but neither do I have to ridicule them.

I am part of something bigger,better and /or greater than myself.

Rules are made for this greater good to better operate.

Rules are made to be broken.

I believe that unexpected good things happen as well as unexpected bad things...and that 'time' sometimes twists these things around.Sometimes there is no difference.Sometimes it is all in how we view it,and sometimes there is no getting around it.We decide which is right and which is an illusion.

I believe in the power of hope.

I believe in the destruction of despair.

I believe in the energy of 'group-think'.

I believe overwhelmingly in prayer....though I guess I should state it as channeling the sum of all parts for positive outcome.

I believe in getting out of a tree before you ruin it,so I will end this post here.

The New Screen Door and Other Various Ramblings....

When our front storm door finally went kaplooie,Robyn came up with the keen idea of replacing it with just a screen door.It was a little larger than our storm door so I had to do some fancy finagling to make it fit(for me,anyways).Somehow I managed to get it up.I was going to put a spring loader closer on it...but we decided that we liked that sound of the door slapping shut.Robyn was the real player in this episode.She painted the whole front door area...and it really looks sharp.

Nice job,dear.

My taste in beer is slightly askew,me thinks.I am the only one I know that actually likes the taste of the new Bud Light & Clamato{sort of like spicy V~8 juice} concoction called,'Chelada'.I just can't drink enough of it.It goes down so deliciously smooth...Mmmm...good stuff.I can not see why(or how)no one else likes it...I sure do.

I believe that Michael Jackson's downfall began when he bought-some say stole-the publishing rights to the Beatle's catalogue.Urban legend has it that while recording a song with Paul McCarthy that Paul told him how much he(Paul)was going to bid and Michael simply outbid him.I don't know how much truth there is to this story,but it does seem that Jacko went wacko soon afterwords.

Anyway...new news reports state that Michael may have given them back.

More than Neverland,Michael Jackson's life story seems more like something out of a Grimm's Fairytale.A cautionary tale for sure.

Wilco has a new album called,'Wilco-The Album'.There is even a song called,'Wilco-The Song'.Since they called the new recording an 'album',I got the grandiose thought of purchasing the actual Lp.Smart move,Ex-Lax..while the cd has been out for over a week,I still don't have the Lp:-(

Wilco is one of my favorite groups.Both,'Hotel Foxtrot' and 'A Ghost Is Born' are fantastic albums.Some of the best music of the decade.Well,all of their cd's are good,really.Those two are just both,just classics.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth is getting thirty days in jail for his drunk driving accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes.

Meanwhile,the man that stole Lance Armstrong's time trial bike is getting 'three years in jail'!

Maybe it is comparing apples and oranges,but...I guess it pays to be a professional athlete.

Anyway,I hope that you are having a very nice summer.Good luck all.

Happy 'Father's Day' To me...

Hi,Every one.I had a great Father's day.I woke up to a great breakfast...cheese omelet with rehydrated morale mushrooms.Next,came the gifts...a Uof T hoodie;a coffee cup made by Tido,and 'Grand Torino'...just an excellent movie.



Off to Columbus ...a nice treat of overpaying for coffee at Starbucks..there isn't one anywhere near us,so it was worth it.











We went to see,'Up' in 3-D...
...just one fantastic movie..totally awesome.

*

*

*And finally,we went to 'BD's Mongolian BBQ for supper....yum,yum,yum...one super-duper Father's Day.Thanks family.

HEY...









...Thanks for showing me that when you disagree with someone that you shun them,and throw your relationship with them away.

That makes it perfectly acceptable for me to do this...













...'F' You,Olive Garden!

I come to your place for overpriced somewhat generic Italian food,not to be preached right-wing political mumbo-jumbo.

David Letterman's joke fits well within the politically acceptable humor standards of today's comedy.

If anything,Letterman should be accused of being late with this joke.

You ban Letterman.I ban you.

If you want to push your right wing political agenda,fine.But not with my $$$.

You will no longer get my business.

Capisci?

Drinking Schlitz

Yes,Schiltz.

I have been reading about the re-introduction of the 'older' formula of this classic beer for some time.

My memories of this brew began in the 1960's.It seemed like one of the only beers my family would drink at family reunions.

My own drinking experiences of it in the late '70's & early '80's were limited.Good times were had,but it got a low~end rep.I and most of my friends just didn't drink it all that much.

I haven't seen hide or hair of it in a long time.

But the hype,the news about the return of the 1960's formula peaked my interest.I wanted to taste the taste that my parents,aunts and uncles all tasted when they exclaimed,"Aaah,Schlitz,this is what beer should taste like."

So,I was pleasantly surprised when I found it in our local grocery store.I immediately bought and chilled a six pack.

I was hooked from the first sip.It is slightly heavier than your average beer(ie.Budweiser),yet has a very pleasant aftertaste similar to what you would experience in a high end beer,say,a Sam Adams.Love that aftertaste.

It is very drinkable..and by drinkable,I don't mean the modern term meaning,'no taste'...but just the opposite.Schlitz tastes good.Really good.'Schlitz tastes like beer should taste like'.

I introduced it to a buddy,Shane.Schlitz is all he will drink.

And,there is no headache afterwords either...not bad for a beer with some kick.

Am I a Schlitz drinker..?Yes,Yes I am.Damn straight I am.

HAPPY FLAG DAY,AMERICA !!!

While The Cat's Away...

While Robyn is off on her once in a lifetime 9 day vacation down at Siesta Key with three of her friends...I,too am having a grand time.I have been partying with friends and family...Buddies,graduation parties..you name it.

Siesta Key is con- sist- ently voted one of Ameri- ca's top beaches,so I know my beautiful wife is having the time of her life.The beach itself is as white as snow.Even in ninety degree heat you can walk on it in your bare piggies and it is as cool as can be.An the sunsets...WoW!

Don't even get me started on all the great places to eat.

Meanwhile,back at the ranch,Tyler was even home this weekend

(that's him with a graduation present that he made) to pick up the van

for his final week of school return.

The rest of the time has been all Andy,Adam(with Marissa),and Nikolas time.We have been having great fun.Eating out(pizza-wings,etc)

or at home(My famous homemade-light as air-pancakes;beer boiled hot dogs),and just having fun.

Yesterday,we played church softball...yes,I said we..I was re- cr uited because we were short.I went two for two and even scored the go ahead run(Presbo's 1st win:-).I ran like the six million dollar man(in slow motion),but sometimes it is better to be lucky than good....Oh Adam & Nik did great,too.

Tonight,we played Frisbee golf.The boys are really good..not me.It was a blast.

Tomorrow...Walleye and perch with the in-laws...

...This..ah-hem...is not even metioning the summer music mixes that I have been putting together,and...

...let's just say Robyn might be surprized to know that I have been really enjoying driving around in a new 2005 Dodge Stratus this week.

D-Day 2009

I am not a hero

I never claimed to be one

just being there doesn't make you one

does it?

just surviving

how

does that make me a hero?

Does dying make me one?

or living with the scars

or the fears?

I am no hero

in my nightmares

or when I panic

seeing the death

in it's quickness

that lives forever

cuz'

it's the fear

that keeps me in the tree

holding on for dear life

Finding Tido

Before I officially start this post,I want to give a big shot out to Mother Nature...this photo is of an upcoming storm this morning.

Since Tyler...affectionately called,'Tido',by his college pals,still has two weeks of school left,we decided to go south to Nelsonville to go visit him.

Tido showed us some of his art work...not for any of classes,mind you,just something he does on the side...all of these were done on any object that he could find lying around.He does them with just a can of spray paint.In the photograph,it loses most of it's three dimensionalism...but it still looks way cool...

Here is a pic with Adam and Tido......

....and here's another with him and Nikolas.

These are famous Nelsonville'Star' bricks.
They are the bricks that they used at Indy.

Adam,Tido,me and Nik.

*

Adam,

Robyn,

Tido and Nikolas with Tido holding Millie.

The Marriage Of Science And Religion

"Scientists seek the lawfulness of events.
It is the task of Religion to fit man into this lawfulness."

Frank Herbert

I came across this excellent quote while re-reading Frank Herbert's sci-fi masterpiece,'Dune'.I have written about the conflict between science and religion before.I have decided to revisit the topic,here,with another post.

First off,I consider myself a Christian.Secondly,I love science.I see no conflict.I,however,am not naive enough to assume that everyone else believes the same as I do.From agnostics that shout that there is no place in human evolution for religion,to the religious ignoring science based facts,I know that there are groups on both sides of these issues that see no common ground.

My guess is that for most people the conflict between the earthly and the divine/the proven and the hoped for,is an on going issue.I know it is for me.While I feel blessed to have been born and raised Christian,the conflict between what is science and what is religion rages on inside me.

As a daily reader of The Bible,I know that studying this living,breathing 'Word Of God' is just the tip of the iceberg of knowledge.Debates on it authenticity-alone-fill volumes of books and discussions.To me,the real truth of these canticles is the debate that they inspire.What is truth?Justice?Right?Wrong?

The Bible opens my mind to further debate and opinions.The truth can be found in music,love,poetry:any place I care to look.But,like everyone else,the answers I find,must suit my nature;must{if I am truthful} answer to my soul;to exactly who I am.

Thus,in searching for the essence of my being,The Bible-far from being my only source of knowledge-ends up being more correctly-like an appendix and/or index that I can always cross reference.It becomes-as science would say-my 'control group'.

Because in essence,I am a scientist.I love facts and figures.I am inspired to try and figure things out.That is why I like the book of 'Romans' so much.It is a step by step analyst of why Jesus matters(that it took me until my sixth time reading of it,to get this point is a lesson in itself).'Romans' did not hook me by faith,hope or love,but,rather,by cold-hard explanation.

It appealed to the scientist in me.Because I like science.

In my opinion,when man officially became man,it was not distinguished by either the touch of God or the leap from monkey unto man,but by the effect this moment caused on man>the ability to wonder>the ability to reason.

To me,what makes man man is not his ability to create tools so much as his need to wonder.How did I get here?Who made the stars?Why?Why?Why?

A question after man created the club that probably was almost as pertinent as,'what do I kill?' was probably,'What don't I kill?'(Unless this moral issue was already decided before hand-then,the club might have been invented simply as a means to defend).

Either way,right and wrong quickly became a quintessentially human issue.Those whom did wrong-probably because survival depended on these perceptions-were ostracized:good and evil were born.

Science and religion(as they still are today)became intertwined:build me a weapon and give me a reason to use it.

That neither science nor faith were exact was not the point.Cause and effect had to be addressed.'We did everything right,yet our crops failed.We were gentle,peaceful farmers,yet enemies came and raped our women.

Also,unexplained positive forces had to be addressed.Lighting that started fire.Rain that came unexpectedly during drought...how could this have happened?

Lacking both the knowledge and the understanding,mankind took on some assumptions.One must had been that,'There are powers beyond us at work here.'

Addressing the,'Why?'both science and religion were born.

In contemplating this post I asked myself where would man be if he never developed religion?While there were many 'near' universal truths,the only firm truth that I could come up with is that mankind has always and in almost all forms always believed that fire burns.

[Some nears misses are:there is always night and day;with water you get wet;everyone dies.]

Mankind,being the social animals that we are,had to adjust our thinking to social laws that would develop a survival rate acceptable to the tribe...ie form laws of social conduct.Laws were easier to enforce via power,or threat of punishment.

The individual was subject to the will of the whole.I.E.The whole became greater than the individual.Whether real or imagined,[Man]Gods were created.Real or imagined suddenly,there was a glue to hold a people together.

So,to dismiss religion into man's development is simply ludicrous.

But to discount science is to be equally so.

The power over people's lives without moral clarity can lead to corruption of ideals.Proven facts are needed to extinguish the flame of prejudice,ignorance and arrogance.

Thus,the marriage of Science and religion.

As an example,let's take on the issue of abortion.The moral high-ground on the issue was equally divided for and against it.On one side was the moral obligation to the mother.On the other side of the coin were the proponents of the value of life of the fetus/child.

It was science that ultimately turned the tide of public opinion against the procedure.Science grayed the issue by finding the technology to save younger and younger premature babies outside of the womb.It was science that exposed the fetus as a nearly fully formed child inside the womb sucking it's thumb.

Only science oriented people that refused to believe their own scientific data remained 100% pro-abortion.Abortion became an issue cleverly debated:Mother's rights vs. life itself.

Science gave the evidence,but it could not be the moral arbitrator.

Now,I am not saying that it will be religion that will resolve this issue.Debate should be waged on both sides of the issue.What I am stating is the moral equivalent to religion-the legal arbitrators of the law-will prevail...in fact..already have.

The obligation to social justice is inbreed into human beings.Perhaps,religion with God as the supreme being,will someday evolve out of the human experience,but as a Christian,I don't believe that this world will soon lose any of it's major religions.In fact,I believe just the opposite will be true.

But as a scientist,I hope that there continue to be those outside the faith that push us inside of it to reach for the greater good,the better value of human existence,the higher truth.The holier love.

After all...isn't that the goal of all great marriages?

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

We Love ya,Ma

Hi.All.I hope that you are having a fun and fantastic Memorial Day Weekend.

First things first...was that or was that not just a great-with literally only one second left-shot by LeBron James Friday night?WoW!The shot that saved Cleveland.

Earlier in the day I did a seven hour buzz(tree) job.It involved three moderately sized silver maples that had lots of over overhang[tree #1-overhanging not only the house,but the patio;tree #2(SHOWN BEFORE AND AFTER,BELOW)-involved large limbs overhanging not only a shed and a smaller mulberry tree but utility wires as well;and,finally,tree #3-limbs overhanging the electric lines,another shed and the tree needed tons of dead wooding].I could not have done any of these trees without the help of two of my boys:Nikolas and Adam.They pulled ropes,tied things on(like much needed water and/or my pole pruner),threw ropes,drug brush,cut things up on the ground,etc...thanks guys.The owner was so pleased he even gave us a $30.00 tip!

Meat- ball pizza for super..and then the Cav's last second miracle win to boot....One great day!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all:-)For pre-Mother's Day,we decided to once again go morel mushroom hunting....

...This time with the boys and Adam's girlfriend Marissa.

Robyn,of course, found the two biggest ones:-)

Here is Robyn... anything for a laugh,or to embar- rass Nikolas,Tyler and Adam.

*For Mother's Day,we went out with Robyn's ex- tended side of the family(27 people) to The House Of Szechwan to celebrate.I liked the orange beef the best.

Fun was had by all

Mi-Mi & Pa(Robyn's great parents)really enjoyed the get-together

Mi-Mi and her kids.

How To Throw A Great Morel Booster Party

First,you have to rinse,slice,soak and dry your morel mushrooms...add egg,flour and secret ingredients and fry those babies up

Next,marinate then grill some super fine Flat-Iron steaks.

Serve with yummy sweet potato french fries

Add the world's absolutely best in-laws...and some red and white wines...

For dessert,add the new Pepsi Throwback(Pepsi made with real sugar instead of corn syrup...can't wait for Coke to do this) and some great pecan pie,and...




...Bingo...best time ever:-)

Various

Howdy strangers...

Robyn and I decided to go Morel mushroom hunting yesterday.On top,is a picture of us 'setting the trap'.That is me with our first 'roon'.We only got a few,but hunting them on a beautiful spring day was a reward in itself.

....Current affairs joke#1 {The new 'Star Trek' movie comes out this Friday}:What did Jesus say to Captain Kirk,when Capt.Kirk asked him to operate on a man? "Damn it,Jim!I'm a miracle worker,not a doctor!"

....Joke#2{worthy of Rush Limbaugh}:Grandpa used to say that we would have a black president when pigs fly...the two big news stories this past week:Obama's first 100 days and swine flu.

I am getting back into tree work...just as much for fun as for profit.I did my first job last Friday..a nice size muti-trunked silver maple.Had to rope stuff off over her roof,miss a fence,another house,a clothes line,etc.It was fun.I sliced my right ring finger pretty good throwing a branch(teach' me not to always wear my gloves-had to put my glove back on just so I couldn't see myself bleeding),and I had just a few scrapes and bruises(a really big bruise on my butt).But,God it was fun

Thanks to my buddy,Shane for helping run the ropes.

You see,I have been told for years that I should do something just for myself.Now,just because I don't always 'act' immediately on given advice,that is not the same as not listening or condemning the advice giver.

In this case,I just needed the opportunity...and the balls...to do it.I wanted to get back into climbing for years,but I needed a good new tree saw.I finally said screw it,paid the cash and got it.You can not believe how pumped having the right piece of equipment can be.Actually,Robyn was over joyed by my decision,too.

Finally,here are a few more 'roon' photos...not the greatest catch ever,but good by our standards...mmm...can't wait to eat them:-)

Visiting The Old Homestead

Because Robyn had to go to not one,but two showers(a baby and a wedding shower)up in my old home town,I got the chance to see my old homestead.It is now occupied by my nephew,Matthew and his pregnant wife,Laura.The place sure has changed both inside and out.It was the first time that all of my brothers and my sister have been able to get together since Christmas time.Pictured above are my sister,Nora;Carl;Dad;Ted;Greg and me.

Because they were 'showers' I had the chance to escape and I even got to visit my Mom's grave.There was the strong possibility that the tombstone would already be in place,but alas it wasn't.It will be set by Memorial Day-God willing.

Best of all,it was two days of getting together with my family.Beer was consumed,laughs were had...it was an all around great time.I can't wait for the wedding.

3rd Anniversary

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of my blog.

[A camera phone flips open.Fingers work the buttons until a video pops up.It is of George.He is in a bar.A neon Schlitz sign is lit up behind him.He's nursing a double shot of something brown..whiskey,maybe.]This whole economic crunch,;banks being bailed out,car companies going under.This is all just a big scheme to make the working man work of less...

...shit,already people are happy just to have jobs.Furlough days,pay cuts,less insurance.People ain't bitchin'.They're thankful...


I think it's bullshit.This whole mess is just another excuse to put it to the little man.You don't see the bankers-the CEO's takin' less...

[George slams his drink.The screen freezes.Fingers push another set of buttons.Another video pops up.George is holding the phone camera camera on himself,talking.He is going pee in what looks like a bar's men's room.You can hear him relieving himself.He is somewhat shakey,and slurred in speech.] 'Nother thing-Fox an' the 'Conservative right':Asshole right,talkin' 'bout how's this is all Obama's fault:'Secede from the nation,bull...shit! Is that fucked up...or what?Fuck Fox News: Baaa,Baaa,we're fuckin' sheep ma...

[the screen again freezes and again the fingers do their magic.George is filming himself entering a Bar called,'The Black Horse Tavern'.It is drizzly and judging by how red his nose is and the cloudy puffs of breaths coming
out when he exhales,it must be somewhat cold.]I'm going to go have a few beers-maybe a shot.Teabagging.Is that a legitimate 'news' term?I don't think we have news,anymore.You shouldn't be using the term,'teabagging', over and over on the news.That's not news.

Not,not that news stations and supposed fair and balanced media stars throwing staged tea parties is news either...Oh,they're creating news.Can you imagine Walter Cronkite set up a a anti-war rally?These,these,news-fake news media outlets are a joke.Prop-A-Ganda!Propaganda.

I need a drink,excuse me.[The screen freezes.The fingers push 'stop',and the menu screen appears.The fingers flip the phone closed.].