A Song From The New White House Musical:Eveything's OK:

George:Pore Saddam is daid,Pore Suddam Hussein is daid,All gather 'round his cawfin now and cry.He had a heart of gold.And he wasn't very old.Oh why did such a feller have to die?

Pore Suddam is daid Pore Suddam Hussein is daid,He's lookin' oh so peaceful and serene

Saddam: And serene!

George:He's all laid out to rest With his hands acrost his chest His fingernails have never been so clean!

(Spoken)Then the preacher'd get up and he'd say:

(Chanting)Folks, we are gathered here to moan and groan over our brother Suddam Hussein, who hung hisself up by a rope in his smokehouse

(Spoken)Then there'd be weepin' and wailin'... from some of those women. Then he'd say:

(Chanting)Saddam was the most misunderstood man in this here territory. People used to think he was a mean ugly feller and they called him a dirty skunk and an ornery pig stealer

(Sung)But the folks that really knowed him.

(Chant) Knowed that beneath them two dirty shirts he always wore

(Sung)There beat a heart as big as all outdoors

Saddam:As big as all outdoors.

George:Saddam Hussein loved his feller man

Saddam:He loved hes feller man

George (Spoken):He loved the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. He loved the mice and the vermin in the barns, and he treated the rats like equals, which was right. And he loved little children. He loved everybody and everything in the whole world! Only he never let on, so nobody ever knowed it.

(Sung)Pore Saddam Hussein Pore Saddam Hussein is daid His friends'll weep and wail for miles around

Saddam: Miles Around!

George:The daisies in the dell will give out a different smell Because Pore Saddam is underneath the ground.

Saddam:Pore Saddum is daid A Candle lights his haid He's layin' in a cawfin made of wood

George: Wood...

Saddam:And folks are feelin' sad Cause they useter treat him bad But now they know their friend is gone for good

George: Good..


Both: Pore Saddam is Daid a candle lights his haid!

George:He's lookin' oh so purty and so nice He looks like he's asleep, It's a shame that he won't keep But it's summer and we're running out of ice.

Both: Pore Saddam, Pore Saddam

New Year's Eve Fable-You Do The Math

This is a fable,or maybe a riddle...well,sort of a little of both.More of a story,or a math problem,really. Now,I know that I am not the first person to think of this,but I have had this idea in my head for a story now for twelve years or so.

Here is the basic plot:A married couple goes to a medium and the foreteller of truths,this fortune presumer,says that the younger of the two will kill the elder .Years past,then,the wife,who is born the year before her husband,poisons him because she can no longer stand the suspense of when he is going to kill her!THUS FULL FILLING THE PROPHECY!

I was going to say:FIND THE ANSWER-HERE-TOMORROW.But,what the hay.This is neither that suspenseful nor that clever of a trick.The answer is thus:The husband was born on 12:01 am on New Year's morning in New York City.His wife was born 11;59 pm New Year's Eve in Los Angeles,California.While she was,in reality,born almost three hours later then her husband,she was also actually born a day ,and a year earlier.Quite a trick,huh?

This sent me onto a TIME kick.If you look up on a clear night sky,what you see is absolutely right now...but,still,it isn't.The stars and galaxies that you are looking at are as they were,perhaps millions and millions of years ago.Millions and millions of years from now,some alien will be looking up in it's nighttime sky and will be seeing US as we are NOW,though we will be millions and millions of years dead.

So much for time being a coherent whole.Yet,this,in a way makes us timeless.

Another view that I like on time is the Earth's time zones.To follow noon,time travels backwards-which is totally normal to comprehend-until you realize that this backward movement of time goes backward into tomorrow!Here,in the Eastern time zone,we are three hours in front of the Pacific coast.Yet,Hawaii is two hours behind them...but,if you go backward even further,to say,New Zealand,it is already tomorrow!Is that amazing or what?

Scientists are claiming that the faster you travel the slower time goes...all relativity speaking.In theory,if you travel faster then the speed of light,time actually slows down{At this point going faster actually make you start going slower!!!}.

Say you go to some far flung distant planet in the universe with your speed peaking just beyond the speed of light,theoretically,when you have returned,you'll have aged,perhaps,nil,while your husband or wife could have long been dead of old age.

How will families survive this way of travel in the future?Everyone go along?Just think of the trouble that coming back from a day trip could bring..you could be coming back to greet your great grandchildren(I think the terminally ill will be on some of these flights).

Time,it seems,is quite fickle.That is if there really even is such a thing as time(I won't even get into'God's Time').For all practical purposes,there is only'THE NOW'.You can not go into the past or the future...no one can.Time is fixed on the present.Always has been...always will be.

So,the nearest fix that I can get on time is that we measure it by light.Therefore,you can assume,time is a product of light.

And so is everything else.Science has reduced down matter to it's smallest denominator...and guess what it is made of?That's right:Light!This idea of weight and space is also an illusion of light.

What does all of this baffling bullsh*t prove...Nothing really...

...but I will leave you with this to think about:

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth,
the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.
Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

I am not asking you to believe..I'm just saying.....

Christmas Eve-Eve

Christmas Eve-Eve has long been a day of celebration at my house. When I was in the tree business it was traditionally the last day of work before Christmas,so I would always bring in small gifts(cigarettes,lottery tickets,Dollar tree books,etc)to all the guys on all of the crews where we parked.And then I would go out Christmas shopping with my brother Carl,and my cousin,Frank.Celebrating was always part of the day.

Since moving to Bellefon- taine, though I have never given out gifts at work,the day has continued to be a day of joy and celebration.This Christmas Eve-Eve was no different.Robyn's parent's-the great Mi-Mi & Pa-came over to enjoy a Christmas supper with us and to exchange presents.Pa always brings his 'Set It and Forget It' prime rib.And boy is it goood.Robyn made the various other dishes,like cheese and broccoli,green beans,the from scratch mashed potatoes,etc.Of course Mom made her award winning blue ribbon cheese cake(complete with different toppings:-)

After the boys helped me clean up the dinner dishes we opened our presents and then played a fun card game called Quiddler.You have to spell out words for points.Of course the crossword puzzlers (Robyn,Mi-Mi & Pa)did the best,but it was fun.Thanks for the very nice Christmas Eve-Eve visit,Mom& Dad.Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was the time to be together with my clan.It actually seemed like a quick two hour trip up to Port Clinton to see almost everyone(Matt is in New Zealand and his older brother,Todd is teaching in Korea).Marcus made it from Denver-though he had to drive to get here,and Tom and Nicole made it up from Mt.Aires,N.C.

Robyn made a fantastic French Toast casserole.Carl's wife,Tammie,brought tons of fresh fruit(hmmm raspberries and watermelon:-).My sister,Nora,brought an egg casserole and some of my Mom's style fried chicken.Carl brought the pickled pigs feet.Great & Lori brought bacon and eggs.Greg not only made eggs in a blanket,but made his famous (and delicious),Gregnog...yum:-)

We did our gift exchange(a sort of secret Santa style thing)with Grandpa and Gramma still giving way too much to everybody,and then it was off for back home.Thanks everyone.

I

I wish I would have brought a camera to our Christmas Eve live nativity Presby- terian service,because the service (and the church)was absolutely stunning.We came home had a little party(and kept switching to and from 'It's A Wonderful Life','Miracle On 34th Street' and 'A Christmas Story').Yes,it was one great Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day

Christmas day was a hoot.I came downstairs first to check for Santa and to turn the tree lights and our Christmas Cd on,and then we opened presents.Robyn painted the corn-hole(bean bag tossing game) we had made with an Ohio State motif.Clothes and hiking & sports equipment were the theme for the day.

Next,though I forgot my camera,we went to Robyn's brother's house for a nice family brunch and gift exchange..Thank you very much,Ben & Sara.

After a relaxing break, Adam's cute girlfriend, Marissa, came over to enjoy Christmas supper with us(marinated turkey breasts,broccoli & cheese,garlic bread,etc) and to exchange gifts with Adam.

After Marissa went home(she had to go over to a family function),we went to see 'Night At The Museum'...an Ok movie at best.Adam went to visit Marissa once she got back home and the rest of us chilled.It was one great Christmas Day

The Drew's Christmas Wingding

I would like to wish all of my friends and family ,a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Dharma, you have always been way beyond a good friend to me.I truly love you.I wish you good luck at school and work.I hope you get everything you want for Christmas and I hope you and your family has a great holiday.Mixter,there are many ways of being a hero.Not only your courage and outspokenness makes you a hero to me,but also your kindness and compassion.Merry Merry Christmas.Estaban,maybe the Democrats will screw up and the Republicans will get back into power,but if they don't,Merry Christmas anyway.Sixer,keep daring to dream the big dream!May all of your Christmas wishes come true.Osquer(my lady),may you and Jay find all the happiness two young lovebirds deserve.May your poetry,art and love never end.SBS and Chickapea.God be with you.He put you two together.I still read you every day.You are a brilliant writer.Let love and mercy endure,always:Merry Christmas.Jenika,I still owe you a present or two:-).Julie and Brad,I hope you have a very Merry holiday season,the greatest loves are seldom perfect.Fight for your love and friendship and hope for the best.To my evil twin-I'm watching you(whenever I can get your blog to pop up).Ravyn,you inspire me to no end.You say what you mean and mean what you say,and do it oh,so beautifully.May you and Racheal have a great Christmas.Em,I know you are not reading this,but Merry Christmas.Kathleen,Merry Christmas,I think of you kindly very often.To my secret Friend,my desire is constant and on going.I wish there was some way we could get together and I could prove it to you;-)To my secret reader,whomever you are,thanks for reading.Knowing that there are people like you that do secretly read my stuff inspires me to write more.Finally,to my friends and family that religiously don't read my blog...you're missing some good stuff.I love you very very much,anyway and always will.Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.Love,TheDrew

The Saturday Cinema:"It's A 'W' Life"

Epilogue:In Heaven, somewhere in the depths of the north wing of the Angel Building.The angel, Gabriel, is talking to our three presidents, Kennedy,Nixon & Reagan.Behind him on the 72" HDTV is George W.Bush giving a speech to a cold but large outdoor audience.George-who's voice we can not hear-appears to be giving a very passionate and animated speech.

The angel Gabriel speaks,"Men,you did a great job.Because of you,the president giddily turns his life around and takes charge of his last two years of being in office.Oh,some people laugh because of the change,but he puts a stick in the spokes of Mr.Potter's wheelchair and sends him flying."

"Believe me,"interrupts lieutenant Don Knotts,"No one ever makes fun of him after that."

"Again,you are to be congratulated and Heaven salutes you."Both Gabe and Don give the presidents a swift,stiff salute."You will each receive in the mail a permit for a temporary wings license within a week .Once again,great job,men."

Somewhat later,JFK and Ronald Reagan are riding along with Tricky Dick in his 1965 cherry red Cadillac convertible.It is warm and the sun is setting into the horizon,"Hey,"states Ronald,"I got a bootleg copy of a hit CD from six months from now.Wantta hear it?"

"Damn straight,"smiles Jack,"Everyone knows that Heaven has the best music.Isn't that right,Dick."

"Word.Damn straight.Put it in Ron."

"Well,OK,"Ron slips the CD into the player.As they drive off into the Heavenly sunset,You can hear the music playing...

...."(Ladies and gentlemen,the Vice President of the United States.Ladies and gentlemen,the Vice President of the United States):MY NAME IS/MY NAME IS/DICK CHENEY
MY NAME IS/MY NAME IS/DICK CHENEY

"Humpf-Yo dog,I'm the V.I.P./Wantta see rich/take a look at me/Ipiss in a lake/call it Texas tea/you'll never ever see someone as rich as me
I am what you can a ba-billionaire/your son's in my army?I don't care/ya call it blood money/I guess that's fair

"MY NAME IS/MY NAME IS/DICK CHENEY
MY NAME IS/MY NAME IS/DICK CHENEY"




THE END


...And A Merry Christmas to all,and to all a good night:-)

Friday's Flick:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Fourteen:

With a start our hero awakens in his study,an open Bible on his lap.George looks down at what the open Bible says:

" Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

And

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

"That's good!Real good!"George says,laughing.He,still laughing,runs down the hallway and into another room.At the end of the room are two doors that open to an outside balcony.He throws the doors open and runs out to the balcony railing,and pressing his waist against it,throws up his arms and yells,"I'M THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD! I'M THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD!

Quickly,onto the freshly fallen snow,with his gun in tow,comes a secret service agent from deep within the White House.He looks up to see what the commotion is.

George waves to him,[giggling],"Hey!Jose,what day is it.(Oh,what a wonderful fellow)."

"Today is Monday,December 25th,2006.Christmas day,Sir."

"Ya...ya mean it all happened in one night?"

"Sir!?!"

"Jose?Do you remember that turkey I pardoned at Thanksgiving?Well,"George says,full of mirth,"Tell 'em he's lost his reprieve.Now go.Go on.And if you're back here with him by noon,I'll give you a three week vacation in Hawaii."

"Sir!Yes,Sir,"and off the agent goes running.

George goes back into the room and picks up the phone,"Ya,this is the president.Get me a direct line to that Kim fella in North Korea.Yes,right now...

...."Hello,Kim,ya little fruitloop.Know what I'm eating,right now.A delicious Big Mac....mmmm it sure is tasty.You know what I'm having for lunch?The biggest fattest turkey you ever saw,stuffed with a duck,stuffed with a chicken.Mmmmm.It's gonna be good.You know what I'm having for supper?Your ass,hotshot.You build one more nuke and I'm kicking your ass with all the weapons at my disposal.Go ahead-tell the world.They already think you're crazy.MMm,what a tasty Big Mac,"CLICK,he hangs up and starts dialling another number,"Merry Christmas,Mr Potter.You're fired.From now on,your job is to just sit there and shut up."He hangs up the phone,and then picks it back up,"Hello?Get me the CEO of Honda...."

I have been tagged by Mixter with a book meme.I'm game:-)Okay, here goes...The Rules -* Find the nearest book* Name the book* The author* Turn to page 123* Go to the fifth sentence on the page* Copy the next three sentences and post to your blog.* Tag three more folks.

The book closest to me right now is a book second on my reading list-sitting next to the computer so I know ecactly where it is.I am in the mist of the L.Ron Hubbard sci-fi dekalogy(10 books) called 'Mission Earth'.I am 2/3's done with book #7,'Voyage Of Vengeance'.The book next to me is book#9(#8 is to the left of it-in order.I do not have book ten,yet:-)in the series and is called,'Villainy Victorious'.The series has been somewhat fun,but there is nothing in them that would make me want to have L.Ron as my leader.
Here is what it says on page 123,sentences 5-7: She was lying on her side now,looking in Madison's direction."Well,wring him out!"she cried.
Madison snatched his robe in panic.

The Thursday Theater:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Thirteen:

George Walker Bush is finally off to bed.He pulls the covers back and hops in.He turns over to Laura to snuggle up.George says,"Hey,baby,wantta play some Duke Nukem?"

"Sure,"

"Aaaaaaaaaah!!!"George is again startled.This time enough to jump out of bed-dancing on his tip toes...Mr.Reagan!?!What are you...I mean..how are you...Crap!!!Just Crap!!

Ronnie sits up,pulling the sheets comfortably around his waist.He pats the bed next to him,"Here,George,come sit.We need to talk."

"No thanks.I'll think I'll stand.This is just too creepy on too many levels...yuck."

"Oh come now,George.It's not like I'm gay.I'm grandfatherly."

"This is totally freakin' me out.Huggin' up to the ghost of Reagan...Oooooh."

Now cut it out,George.It's not like I'm Lincoln or anything."

"Wha...?"

"Yes,Lincoln was gay."

"Oooh,I don't care about whose gay.Mary Cheney is gay...and I like her.I like her allot.Some of the nicest people I know are gay.I don't mind gay...A ghost in my bed..your ghost...now,I mind that."

"What?You don't mind gay people."

"Hell,no.Never did.I was taught not to hate.Not to be a hater.It's just an act.Gotta keep the power base happy."

"Well then,is your stance on abortion just a lie,then too?"

"Well,I don't know...I'm sort of wishy washy on that one.But how can I tell a Mother to not have an abortion when I'm sending her kids off to maybe die in Iraq and Afghanistan.Again,it's a power base thing.Gotta keep the constituents happy."

"And stem cell research!?!"

"Heeeell,I don't care.If I scratch my arm and a few cells flake off...is that murder?If you're gonna fertilize eggs,and you're not gonna need 'em.What ya gonna do?Throw 'em away?How's that helping anyone?Hell,everything that lives,dies.It's the value of the time lived that counts.Not the length.Only God brings life into the world.Only he can take it out.Isn't it what we do with the life God gave us that counts....You were president.You know.It's a power base thing."

"Why yes..yes..I do."

"And another thing.You know what those people in Iraq need?Jobs.Put a Honda plant in there and bam.You'll have a progress explosion.Not only will ya have Honda...you'll have all the little Honda side plants....stamping plants..glass making plants...wire harness factories.Hell those people would be too busy and tired to tell Sunni from Shiite ...let alone to blow each other up."

"Why,that IS a GOOD idea."

"But Potter says it won't go.Halliburton is the way.He says there are too many lost jobs here.People would complain.I'd lose my power base."

Ronald Reagan pats the side of the bed next to him,and this time George sits down,"Now,George,none of us is perfect.I wanted to strengthen the worker unions,not destroy them,but I was talked out of it.I always wished I could have changed that,but I didn't.But it is not too late for you.Those are good ideas you have."

"Ya,for all the good they do me,"he shrugs his shoulders,"They say they're stupid."

"George,you are the President of The United States Of America.You are the LEADER of the free world."

"Yeah,"says George moping,"So?"

"So Lead.Where the head goes-the body follows.Where you go,the country will go.Don't be some puppet with a hand up your butt.Use your ideas and lead.The Republicans are losing.You're a lame duck.Who cares about your power base?At least don't put them before what is right.Lead,George.Lead,"with that,Ronald Reagan puts his hand on George Bush's shoulder and immediately dissolves away...."Lead,George.Lead,"are his last words as he's departing.

Chapter Twelve:

George W.Bush is in his private White House kitchen micro-waving a mug of whole milk.'Ding!'It is done.He opens the micro-waves door and instead of his mug of warm milk he sees Richard Nixon's head,"Boo!"

"Geez!"yells Dubya,turning away quickly.This time he sees the whole body of Richard M. Nixon,head and all,"Aaaah,"George screeches.He turns away,again.Again,he sees the ghost of Nixon,"Whoa!"George turns right into a cupboard,knocking himself to the floor.Tricky Dick,bends over-shoulders hunched,hands together-and asks,"Are you all right?"

Suddenly,George jumps up and tackles our thirty seventh president.They both go sprawling to the ground,"Ha-ha,do you think this is funny?Come on,you creepy ghost,say uncle."

"Now just wait a gosh darned minute,"yells Nixon,"I'm here to help you."

"Say uncle,first,"the scrapping George yells at Dick,"What ya gonna tell me about anyway,huh?"

Single word answers escape Nixon's mouth,"Darfur.Sudan.Iraq."

Soon the forty third president has the thirty seventh in a headlock and is twirling around on the floor trying to pin him,"None of those words is 'uncle'.Try again....

"Uuugh,Afghanistan,Katrina,cough-cough.No health insurance,unemployment,China,North Korea...cough ugh."

"Ya gotta say 'uncle' first,before I'll listen,"says George applying the pressure.

Suddenly,Richard M.Nixon remembers he's from Heaven and taps George on the hip,thus causing George enough pain to let him go.

"Why,why,that's cheatin,"claims Dubya,"And I had ya,too.Ouch,by hip is mighty sore."

Tricky Dick helps our hero up off the floor,"You're quite a scrapper.I wasn't expecting that."

"Well,"says 'W',"I was a cheerleader.What's all those words got ta do with me,anyway?Can ya tell me?"

"George,right now there is allot of suffering going on in the world.Kids in Darfur getting their hands chopped off.Soldiers in Iraq losing their legs.Poverty and good hard working people just barely getting by."

"Ya can't change nothing.It's always been like that.I'm only one man."'Ding'.George hears the micro-wave go off.Instinctively,he turns around and opens the door,and graps his mug of milk,"Besides,Potters says...hey,were ya go...?"

The Tuesday Theater:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Eleven:

"George,wake up.George,"Our president feels someone nudging his shoulder,"Come on,now,George.I don't have all night."

George opens his eye,"Aaah!!!"He curls up in a ball,"it's,it's true...this place is haunted...I thought I saw your portrait's eyes looking at me once!"

"That wasn't me.Now,get up,George,we have allot to talk about."

George braces himself,and comes to his feet.He re-arranges his clothing by tugging at his shirt.In bravery,he stiffens his lower lip,and puts out his hand,"Mr...Mr.President..Mr.Kennedy,I'm,I'm please to meet you."

JFK,with his usual charm,smiles back and shakes George's hand,"George,I'm from Heaven.I am here to help you out."

"Look,Condi,is just a fantasy."

"No,you moron.Not with the chicks."

"Then..then how?"

"George,you have lost your way.I am here to help put you back on the correct path."

"He-he.I like the way you said 'correct',instead of 'right',cuz,there could of been some confusion.Republicans are 'right'.Democrats are 'left'.Maybe you could have meant the right sided path-not to pick the one on the left...he-he.I'm nervous,meeting a ghost and all."

"Hmmm,right path...that gives me an idea...what do you think,Donald?It just may work."

"Who..who ya talking to?Donald,Donald Trump?"

"He's not dead,yet."

"But he is well connected."

"George,"says John F.Kennedy,putting his arm around George W.Bush,"I'm gonna show you what could have been...."

....They are somewhere in North Vietnam.Jane Fonda is sitting behind a Soviet made anti-aircraft gun.People are taking her photo,and she is looking happy,sexy and smiling.Suddenly,she accidental pushes the trigger and the giant gun goes off,"Oh,Pooh,"she says.

George and JFK follow the projectile as it shoots up and up and up.They continue to follow it as it aims right for an American F-4 Phantom.As it hits the left wing,the picture we see is of the pilot inside,a young George W.Bush,"Aah,crap"states the young George Bush,"And I was short,too."

"Hey,that's me...see,that's why I didn't want to go over there.I KNEW that would happen."

"Just watch,"states Kennedy.The young George is fighting with the controls of the jet.It is shaking him something awful,and he is losing control.He looks for a place to land,and sees the anti-aircraft gun that Jane Fonda shot him down with.Still fighting the controls,he aims his craft towards it and says,"Pay back's a bitch."

JFK and George are back on the ground next to Jane and company.They all look on as the disabled and smoking jet heads straight towards them,"Ooopsie,"claims Jane just before the massive fire ball explosion!

George pokes John in the ribs,"Hell,looks like I made the right choice,there.Now,that's funny,except me dying.See,see,that's why I didn't go there.I KNEW something like that would happen."

"George,"states Kennedy,"That crash changed the war.Your Father saw how senseless the war was and did everything in his power to end it.The North sued for terms of peace...they really liked Jane Fonda.The united Vietnam started making Nike tennis shoes allot sooner because of you."

"This is all well and good.But do you have anything that doesn't involve me dying.I didn't like that part.Didn't like it at all."

"But you saved thousands of lives,and knocked off Jane Fonda,to boot."

"Knocking 'up' Jane Fonda,I could've lived with,he-he.But this just ain't me.What else you got in that bag of tricks of yours."

"Well,alright,but you're not gonna like it."

The scene changes.It is an outdoor event in Florida.George and his brother,Jeb,are walking up some steps to a podium in front of a giant crowd,"I'm sorry,George.I wish I could have helped you,but the rights of the people of my state must come first.How could I have ever looked anyone in my state in the eye.They elected me."

"You're a piss poor excuse for a brother,"whispers George as he reaches the podium,"People of the great state of Florida,and of the whole United States of America as well.I concede the presidential race to Al Gore."

"Whoa,there,fella.No,no,no,no,no,no.NO.I didn't do anything you didn't do.Don't throw this at me."

"I didn't do anything like that...Bobby did."


With a start,George W.Bush wakes up,"Huh...what?I'm tellin'ya,"he says speaking to no one but himself,"No more Cajun chicken pizzas for me before bedtime,"he sets the Bible in his hands down on the table next to him,"Time for a warm glass of milk then I'm off to bed."

The Boys Turn 17

On the 17th,my boys turned 17.Our digital camera is broken,so I only got to take a couple quick cell phone photos,but they had a good time without too much proof.They had cake out their ears(Sunday school,lunch,and at youth group),and some nice presents.Robyn's parents came over to help celebrate by going out to a Mexican lunch with us.All and all a fun day.We even read my journal from the day they were born...we waited until the Browns won in overtime before we went to the hospital(Hey!I had tickets-but didn't go to the game..isn't that a good compromise???)Congratulations Nikolas,Tyler and Adam.I hope you each have 100 more.

The Monday Movie:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Ten:

George is sitting in his White House study reading The Bible out loud,"Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?"Recognizing their craftiness he said to them,"Show me a denarius;whose image and name does it bear?" They replied,"Caesar's."So he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

He gently closes the book,"Huh,Could that possibly be talking about the separation of church and state?"

Slowly,George re-opens the Bible again at random,and begins to read,"Samuel's response was:"You have been foolish! Had you kept the command the LORD your God gave you, the LORD would now establish your kingship in Israel as lasting;but as things are, your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and has appointed him commander of his people, because you broke the LORD'S command."

He closes the book,"Now,I didn't get that one."

He closes and re-opens the good book,"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keeps the city -- the watchmen waketh but in vain,"Dubya closes the book,again,"This is all like a secret code.I just don't get it.One more try."

He opens the Bible again and starts reading,"Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

"This is really boring{yawn}stuff...like math,or troop strength{yawn}....I think I'll just close my eyes here a minute before I get back into it.......ZZZZZZZZZZZ"

The Sunday Cinema:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Nine:

The angel lieutenant Don Knotts is speaking,"Now,men,here is where our hero,George,starts losing faith.He is on the phone in the Oval Office."....

......"Yah,Hi,Bill..how ya doing?Look,things are really building up.Mr.Potter keeps telling me to shut up or he'll shoot me in the face...and ya know...I think he will.Laura keeps harpin' on me---don't tell her I said harpin'----bout getting some dang blasted hospital built in Iraq.I can't even promise her that.Karl keeps hsssing at me...and Rummy..you know(in a whisper)you know..I think he may have been wrong...Condi..well she's fine..real fine.Well and this Cindy Schiavo thing...and Terri Sheehan thing and this Katrina thing..Hell..sorry...heck..I've been there eight times what more could they ask of me..that's good leading.....

"....what?No,I'm not back on the sauce...well a little Jack Daniels before press conferences,but that's just for nerves.See,I'm Rehoboam.Yeah,Solomon's son...Gotta stay the course.Can't cut and run.I'm God's instrument..What?Everyone,Laura,Mr.Potter,Condi,Bill O'Reilly..They all can can't be wrong.They can?

"Ah,look,Bill..er...Billy...Mr. Graham,that's what I been thinkin,too.I mean them Democrats are in control now...but it was Katrina that got me thinking.See,I like New Orleans..If God punished it because it was sinful..well..I was like New Orleans...maybe God is punishing me...

"...You want me to do what?..Just at random?Before bedtime?Well...OK.I don't see how it'll...yes,Sir,yes,Sir,I do trust you.Yes,Sir,I am sorry to have interrupted your Christmas Eve sermon..."

With that the angel Gabriel speaks,"Now,men,Mr.Presidents,this is where you three come in....

Pay It Backward

Here is a heartwarming story that I first heard on 'DayBreak U.S,A.', a syndicated morning radio show.I liked the story so much that I e-mailed one of the hosts to get to story to pass along to you.It seems like the perfect Christmas story.I guess there is a thing as paying it backward:-) I will have Al Lerner tell it to you:

Thanks for listening. We really appreciate having you with us. Here's a copy of the Starbucks story that peaked your interest. Hope this helps.
Have a great week-end.

All the best,

Al Lerner
DayBreak USA

Thirsty customers at a Starbucks in Bloomington, Illinois found themselves taking part in an odd example of the holiday spirit Tuesday morning. For three hours, customers were having their coffee paid for by the person in front of them. Workers say one woman started the chain by paying for the drink of the person behind her, and then customers kept paying down the line. The store says 142 people paid for someone else's order. Starbucks workers say they've seen people pay for drinks before, never that many or for that long.

So intrigued was I that I actually called the Starbucks myself to verify this story.The only thing that the manager(sorry,I forgot to ask her for her name) added to the tale is that this was a 'drive-thru' event.She did say that they always have a pretty steady line and the chain kept going for 142 customers and that it did indeed go on for around three hours.

Isn't this just a great heart warming story?I think so.I hope you are having the most excellent of Christmas seasons...psssst, pass it on:-)

Friday's Flick:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Eight:

Next,Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Fortunate Son' is blaring out of the Tv's Bose sound system.A barrage of Iraqi war photos flick by...Night Vision aerial bombings-Saddam's statue being pulled down-George W.Bush in full pilot regalia aboard an aircraft carrier with the banner:'Mission Accomplished' behind him.We hear Georgy say the words,"Weapons Of Mass Destruction" and "Liberators" and "We are at War" and "Carry on as normal and "Lower taxes."

"Seems to me,"says Kennedy,"More like a party then a war.Cutting taxes?Shouldn't there be gas rationing,instead?""

"Oh,quit being an old fuddy duddy,"Says Ronald Wilson Reagan.

"I agree with Johnny.This seems more like a party at Yale then another Vietnam."

The music switches over to another C.C.R. song.This time it is,'Born On The Bayou'.Other imagines,now,project on the screen...Mass evacuations-Hurricane Katrina blowing in-people inside the Super Dome-people walking through waste deep waste water-helicopters saving people on roof tops-news reporters crying-dead bodies-people looting for food-and George W.Bush playing a guitar,"Wait,here's another one,"he starts singing,"Tip-toe through the tulips"...Finally the screen goes to the Houston Astro Dome in Texas as it is filling up with refugees.

The screen then goes blank.The three presidents hear these words coming from Barbara Bush,"Don't worry,son,this is a step up for most of 'these' people."

"Gentlemen,"goes the angel Gabriel,"This is where things start going south for our hero."

One Beautiful Morning

I don't have time for much of a post right now,so I will leave you with this beautiful morning photo that I took wth my cell phone this morning.

Oh Little Walled Town Of Bethlehem

O little town of BethlehemHow still we see thee lieAbove thy deep and dreamless sleepThe silent stars go byYet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting LightThe hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight

These lyrics have deeper meaning this year for the residents of Bethlehem.It is now a walled city.Yes,the Israeli wisdom of the day is to fence these people in with a thirty foot wall.Why?To easier keep the terrorist in.I know,the Israelis have the right to do this-I suppose-just like the Nazi had the right to block in Warsaw during WWII.

I am repulsed by this.And I am pro-Israeli.I have made it my habit of following my God,but not his children,blindly.After all,Israel has a strong history of God coming down on them-and the people that side with them-when they do not follow His teachings.

And to me,this is not following his teachings.How can they justify the actions of the Nazi's creating the Warsaw Ghetto by building a thirty foot wall around a city of mostly innocent people and doing the same thing:for the same reasons?

Don't they know that walls don't work?The Great Wall of China is still around,but are the people meant to stay out side of it still outside?What about the Berlin Wall?What about our own wall we want to build against Mexico?I know that they say good fences build good neighbors...but this is ridiculous.People are starving,and unable to work.Some people have three walls against their houses.Is this type of persecution anyway to live?No,it is demeaning and cruel and must be stopped!

To read more about the closed Bethlehem,click here:

http://www.openbethlehem.org/ and pray they see the shining light.

The Monday Movie:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Seven:

"Next,"said the angel Gabriel turning away from the Tv screen to look at the president's faces,"Disaster struck."

The ex-presidents look on in a silent stunned horror.Lt.Donald changes the scene to George W. reading an upside down children's book in a Sarasota elementary class room.

"Why is he just sitting there?" asks president Reagan.

"Get up and do something,you fool,"shouts Richard Nixon.

"Ah,there he goes,"states JFK as he watches Bush finally leave the classroom.

Don Knotts speaks,"This is president Bush's finest hour.He actually raises to the occasion and forges the nation forward,"The giant 72' HDTV shows mutiple images of state after state;neighborhood after neighborhood,all showing every house and every apartment building displaying and waving American flags.

"This is what I am talking about!"gleams JFK.

'Skreeeeeeeeeeeech,'suddenly an awful noise penetrates evey fiber of the heavenly viewing room,"My,oh,my,"pleads Reagan covering his ears,"What is that racket?"

Nixon points to the screen.It is Donald Rumsfeld scratching his fingernails against a blackboard.Rummy speaks,"You want to get that mad-man's oil,I'm the man ta do it."

"Now,now wait just a guard dern minute.I said Laura said we should go after him.You know,to finish what my Daddy started.But shouldn't we finish with Afghanistan first?Shouldn't we show the people the head of Osama bin Laden,first.Ya know,all the generals are tellin' me we should stay the course-finish this mission..then if we have to..we invade Iraq."

"George,"begins Mr.Potter picking up a Bible,"Have you ever even read this?"

"Umm,bits and pieces,"

"Well,George,In the book of 'First Kings',it tells a story of Solomon's son,Rehoboam.Now,George,did you know that Solomon was Israel's wisest leader,and THE son of David...You remember David,don't you?"

"Say yessssss,"whispers Karl to the President.

"Yesssss."

"Well,Solomon was David's direct descendent...Just like Jesus....are you following me,boy?"

"No."

"Dang it boy.This is prophecy!Jesus is David,your father is Solomon....That means that you are Rehoboam.Say it."

"I am Rehoboam."

"Good,"goes Potter,"Now Solomon was the king who built the Temple.He had to raise the people's taxes to do it.But now that the temple was built and Solomon was dead,the people were asking why they should follow Rehoboam...just what was in it for them?"

"I am Rehoboam,"smiles George.

"Good,you're getting it.Not knowing what to do,Rehoboam went to his father's trusted advisors.They told him to lower the taxes,and the people would follow him forever."

"So,I,Rehoboam,lowered their taxes,right.That's wise."

Potter hits his cane against George's table,"No,dang it boy,you-Rehoboam-did not.He went to his younger generals and took their advice instead.They told him him that his thumb was stronger then his father's whole body."

"That's a mighty strong thumb."

"Dang it boy.He ended up raising taxes and splitting Israel in two forever.If he would had only listened to his trusted advisor's instead of his younger generals,Israel would have remained strong and never divided.Now,George,you are Rehoboam...are you going to listen to your young generals and divide this great nation,or are you going to trust your loyal advisors,and save this great country?"

"I get it....raising taxes is BAD!"

"Wha-?No...ah...Close enough.Now go on Rummy,you were saying."

"First-we don't need many troops.We will be greeted as liberators..."

The Sunday Cinema:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Six:


"He's the son of a president,Governor of Texas,yet people see him as one of their own,"states JFK.

"He raises the standards for education,yet dumbs down his speech,"muses Nixon.

"He farted in the presidential limousine.Nancy was soo mad."sneers Ronald.

Gabe speaks again to the BIG Three,"These were both glorious and dark times for our hero,gentlemen.Dark deals in smoky rooms.Dirty deeds done dirt cheap.Dubya slipped further and further down the slippery slope of major league politics as he rose higher and higher up the political machine.Mr.Potter encouraged him with his doctrine of twisted truths.Karl twisted truths into lies and George spouted them all.

"There was only one bright spot in the otherwise dark but shining time for George W.Bush....Lieutenant."

Lt.Don Knotts pushes a button on the Tv remote in his hand.The 72 " HDTV immediately goes to the Oval Office.Condoleeza Rice is alone with the new president,sitting on his lap.Condi is showing off her voluptuous legs by crossing them over Dubya's lap.She is seductively twirling his hair with her finger.Her other hand flat against his shoulder,"But Georgy,you're different then other men,"she says,lightly kissing his ear,"The rules don't apply to you."

"But,but,Condi,darlin',isn't this what got Willey into trouble,"George says,gulping hard.

"Oh,poo,Georgey.Are you comparing me to an ugly intern?"she starts tracing her left index finger along his chest,"Don't you want me?"her left hand starts moving lower.

"Wha-what about Laura?"

"Georgy,"Condi whispers in W's ear,"You're the President Of The United States.You have men who will take bullets for you,"he feels her hand against him,"Is it fair for the man with his finger on the button to push it just because he has blue balls?"

The president gulps hard,"Ummm.."

"All of your Sadia friends have more than one wife.I could be your hot political wife.Hmmmm,do you feel like pushing the button,now?"

"Umm,no.Not really."

Condi,touching him,whispers in his ear in Russian,"Я хочу сделать, занимался любовью с Вами.[I want to make mad love to you.]"

"Hot damn!She is hot.Way to go,Georgy."

"This..this is disgusting...right..right in the Oval Office!"

"Oh,goodie,a love scene."

"Opps,sorry,"pleads Don Knotts,"I had this thing on 'Fantasy' mode.Click-Don aims at the Tv and pushes another button...

..."Mr.President?"Condoleeza is sitting across from President,George W.Bush.Her legs are crossed and she has a bunch of folders in her lap,"Mr.President?have you heard a word I've said?"

"I'm sorry,yes,go ahead,Condi."

"I was saying,Mr. President,that I think we can afford to put this,"she holds up a folder,"This Bin Laden,al-Qaeda,thing on the back burner while we try to figure out a way of getting into Iraq."

"Oh,yes,yes,of course."

Friday's Flick:"It's A 'W' Life"

Chapter Five:

The angel Gabriel,with a tap of his pointer,refreshes all three of the president's drinks and popcorn,"Life goes by quickly for George after this,"speeded up images quickly go by on the 72" HDTV,"Laura talks him into quitting drinking..."

"...Yet,"interjects lieutenant Don Knotts,"He still manages to project a 'playboy' lifestyle as the visual owner of the Texas Rangers[a clip of him throwing out a first pitch and hugging the catcher is put on the screen],and except for trading Sammy Sosa,everyone loves him."

"Soon he is helping is Dad run for president,and then running a race of his own.."

.."And he becomes governor of Texas-twice."

"Aaah,the governorship.Somehow,I think that if I would have won they would have been the best years of my life,"sighs,Richard Nixon.

"Oh,"begins Ronald sipping his cola,"I really liked them!That was where I first found Jelly Bellies."

"What the hell are Jelly Bellies?Is that some kind of new name for gerrymandering?"

"Well,no,they're jelly beans with flavoring not only on the outside shell,but also in the inside jelly,yes."

"They sound delicious...sort of like Marilyn Monroe"

"Oooh,"Nixon shudders.

"People,we are trying to watch a movie",interrupts Lieutenant Don.

"Now,"continues Gabe,"Let's pick up with a conversation between Dubya,Karl and Mr.Potter....

..."Dang it,George,"mumbles Mr.Potter,You've executed many prisoners before.Do you want to become president someday or not?"

"It's,it's just that he's retarded.How...how could he even know what he was doin'?"

"George..."hisses Karl,"I thought you called yourself a Christian?"

"I...I am.that's why I am thinking this way."

"George,"hisses Karl,again,"You sound so much like a liberal.Will you be preaching abortions or even gay marriage,next?"

Potter slams down his cane against his desk,"Karl,shut your trap.Just because you are correct,you have no right talking to young George that way,"Karl hisses as he backs up,"Now,listen to me George,you have a good heart,but Karl is right.While he has no right to talk to you that way,you should be listening to what he's saying.In fact,"snorts Mr.Potter,"Karl will never steer you wrong."

Dubya stares at the old man,as Mr Potter carries on,"But you are not seeing the BIG PICTURE.How many people died in this war of your father's..allot ,I suppose....but now the nations oil supply is secure."

"What's that got to do with killing ..."

"Dang it,George,how many people die in traffic accidents every day?Do the people care?No!Why?I'll tell you why,because the nation runs on oil.People's lives and lively hoods depend on oil.They have to get to work.It is a price the people are willing to pay.So what if uncle Jake dies in a car crash,or cousin Bertha in an industrial accident.The masses in their greed don't care.They still work.They still drive."

"Take away their precious oil and they will hang you up by your balls,"Hisses Karl.

Potter,again,snaps his cane at Karl,"Not all poor people are murderers,George.That's what this all about.Protecting the good folk.Tell me George,how are you protecting your people by not punishing a murderer?Why,you're the good shepherd-protect your sheep,George.It's your Christian duty."