My Tony Curtis Story

My friend Dianne has a post about Tony Curtis over at her Blog. You should read it. Click here.

I have two Tony Curtis Stories I can tell. I will only tell one.

In 1968 I was visiting my Aunt Ellen in Los Angeles. One of her house mates, Cathy, needed to go to Cedars Hospital every day to see her father. I would drive her over and sit in the waiting room and watch people while she visited her father. I really enjoyed watching the people all of whom seemed to know each other.

One day there was a Rolls Royce parked in the lot where we parked and the parking lot attendant told me that it belonged to Tony Curtis. I didn't know much about him but I had enjoyed his movies. The Rolls was parked away from other cars and across three or four parking spaces. (Listen if I had a Rolls, I would have parked it the same way.)

I walked over to look at it up close and saw a red cardigan sweater in the seat. I assumed it belonged to Mr. Curtis. As I leaned in to look at the sweater (which I can still see in my mind's eye) I noticed the label. Tony Curtis purchased that sweater at Sears. I thought it was kind of neat. Big Hollywood Star and he still bought his sweater at Sears. Just thought I'd tell my Tony Curtis story. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs. j

A Chance to help

Sam sent me this. If you are in the area please consider helping.

Carol and Wayne Guttenfelder have a grand daughter who learned about the FES bike that the YMCA Healthy Living Center is trying to raise money to purchase. She really wants to help grandpa be able to use this bike to get stronger, so she had an idea to help raise money for the bike.

Rachel's FES Fundraiser Event: "TIP NIGHT AT PIZZA RANCH"

WHEN: Monday, October 11th, from 4:45 pm-9:00 pm.
WHERE: Waukee Pizza Ranch Restaurant

How you can get involved:

• You can come and eat at the restaurant that evening and leave a "tip" that would go towards the FES bike
• Spread the news and bring family and friends
• or You can help us by working a shift that evening
• Shift work includes: buffing tables, filling napkin holders, sweep & mop & vacuum at the end of the evening
• If you are interested in helping that night, contact Carol Guttenfelder and she will set up the shift times
• Carol's number is 987-4244
  

Any way you choose to get involved, will really help!

What is the FES Bike?

• FES stands for Functional Electrical Stimulation, a rehabilitation technique whereby electrical current stimulates nerves to evoke muscle contractions.
  

• With the RT300, FES creates patterned movement of the arms or legs, enabling your muscles to work and perform active cycling even though you may have lost voluntary control of those muscles.
• This bike will help individuals who have had a stroke, Parkinson's Disease, MS, neuromuscular disease, spinal cord injury, etc...
  

As you can tell, this will help many of our friends at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.

Get in touch with Carol and sign up to get involved!

Thanks everyone and I'll see you there!

Trina

Trina Radske-Suchan, MPT, CSCS
Medical Director
YMCA Healthy Living Center™
www.healthydm.com
515-210-0720
trina.radskesuchan@dmymca.org
trina650@hotmail.com

Tall and Straight

Incredible Dancing

(Click to watch it Full Screen)

Found on Firedoglake

Bishop Spong Honored

One of my heros has been honored with having his portrait placed in the Hall of the Prophets at Morehouse College. I subscribe to his Newsletter and this was on the bottom - I share it with you. Congratulations Bishop, It is a well deserved honor.

a copy of a press release from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia issued last week, together with a citation from that college about our columnist, John Shelby Spong. We feel sure his readers would like to know about this honor bestowed on him.

Bishop Spong's Portrait Placed in Hall of the Prophets at Morehouse College In a moving ceremony in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta the recently commissioned portrait of John Shelby Spong was unveiled. This portrait of the retired Episcopal bishop, author and passionate advocate for human justice will hang permanently in the Hall of the Prophets of the King Chapel alongside Dr. King, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, Rosa Parks, Jimmy Carter and other civil rights leaders of recent history. The decision makers on the board of the King Chapel indicated that in their opinion Bishop Spong not only had been a long time opponent of racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism, but that he was the leading religious voice in America and around the world for ending the violence of homophobia. He has been, one of them commented, to the emancipation of homosexual people from the homophobic prejudice of the past what Martin Luther King, Jr. was to the emancipation of people of color from the racism of the past. The portrait, painted by a local Atlanta artist, was unveiled by Dr. Robert M. Franklin, President of Morehouse College and the Rev. Dr. Lawrence Carter, Dean of the King Chapel. Bishop Spong, in Atlanta to deliver five lectures on "Building a New Christianity for a new World," was accompanied by his wife, Christine Mary Spong, and his daughter, Ellen Spong of Richmond, Virginia as well as by a host of friends. A copy of the official citation follows. Tribute to Bishop John Shelby Spong Unveiling and Induction of his Oil Portrait into the Martin Luther King Jr. International Hall of Honor at Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA September 19, 2010 by The Reverend Dean Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. A liberal, evangelical Christian, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate, a critical thinker, a preeminent scholar, author of 24 books with over a million copies sold internationally and an acclaimed speaker; A holder of seven honorary degrees and claimed by: The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia, Union Theological Seminary in New York, Yale University Divinity School in New Haven, The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Harvard University and its Divinity School in Cambridge, Edinburgh University in Glasgow, Cambridge University in Cambridge, Oxford University in Oxfordshire and Morehouse College in Atlanta, You served 24 years as a presiding, teaching bishop; Host of an online community, "A New Christianity for a New World"; A champion of open, scholarly and prophetic, inclusive Christianity; A strong proponent of the rights of the harassed, the violated, the oppressed, all races, women, gays, and the poor; Extoller of the virtues of the ecumenical movement; Yours is a faith engaged with the Post-modern world; You dared to understand in Southern segregated Sunday Schools the strange intersection between sexual attraction and racial fear and that racism was an omnipresent irrational force; You are the target of hostility, fear, death threats, called Anti-Christ, hypocrite and the Devil incarnate, but so were Gandhi, King, Mandela, and the crucified Jesus; Your baptism into Christ is un-intimidated by un-Christian ignorance; You fight nonviolently for an authentic Christianity based on integrity, love and equality, not hate; You make contemporary theology accessible to all; You are priming more pulpit pumps than any other liberal evangelical American homiletician; You have taught that the evil we do is not because we have fallen, but because we have not emerged into humanity; You believe that in and through the fully human Jesus, we engage in and interact with the reality of God; Your unwavering goal is to reform the church and make Christian faith a force against injustice and a lack of compassion; We know your heart, we see who you are, we feel your pain, we have been there too — and we know you belong to Jesus; And so, it is my privilege to forever link your name with that of Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor you as the greatest living Christian prophet! Mr. President, you may unveil the canvass and let the trumpets sound.

Maxine for Wednesday

Let's face it

After Monday and Tuesday...

even the calendar says -

W T F

English is an interesting language.

Did you know that "race car" spelled backwards is still "race car"?

"Eat" is the only word that, if you take the first letter and move it to the end, it spells its past tense, "ate"?

And if you rearrange the letters in "tea party Republicans," and add just a few more letters, it spells: "Shut the fuck up you free- loading, progress-blocking, benefit-grabbing, resource-sucking, violent, hypocritical racist low information anti-intellectual douche bags, and deal with the fact that you nearly wrecked the country under Bush and that our president is black."

Isn't English the most interesting language?

Bear Tagging Video

My friend Don sent me a link to a video by Rick Mercer. It is cute and funny about his trip out to tag a bear.

Monday notes

I haven't written much this week-end. I have been busy. I went to Specialis Procer Lodge on Friday and then on Saturday drove to Iowa City in the rain to attend a reception for the Grand Master of the Grand Council. That was rough as it was a long trip and I was tired and I do not like driving in the rain by myself. The party itself was very nice and you can see the pictures I posted earlier.

Bailey is still waking me up at 5:00 AM to be let out (after he has used the potty paper) and then it is sometimes hard to get back to sleep.

I had minutes to write and notes to get out on Sunday and in the evening drove over to Grand Junction to pick up a Lodge Brother who was coming back to school from a visit home. There really has not been much of interest to write about. Same old same old. I appear to be completely over the flu I had. (The twenty-four hour flu that lasted 6 days) but need to rebuild my energy.

I just really want to write about toast. This morning when I woke up the idea of toast was in my head. I usually have some sort of granola bar for breakfast but I am completely out. (I need to go to Costco as I am also low on Irish Butter.) So I opened up the Vienna Bread that I had and made 4 slices of toast for breakfast.

I love bread. I especially love Vienna Bread with sesame seeds on it (this didn't have them) toasted golden brown and slathered with butter. Comfort food. I had a steak on Friday night following Lodge at Sbrocco. (I had Grilled Bluff County Farms NY Strip Steak ‘au poivre’ and instead of potatoes I had - with a Medjoul date, cucumber & cashew ‘salad’ ) the only thing missing was bread. I also had soup. It was wonderful but I needed bread for the soup and also to soak up the meat juice (au poivre) of the steak. Would have been perfect then.

As I said my favorite Vienna bread has sesame seeds on it and I prefer getting unsliced so I can slice to my thickness.

I had a great-aunt who preferred her toast burnt. Not me. Light golden brown is my preference. I used to have (probably still do somewhere) a ceramic antique toast rack it was kind of fun to use that pretentious server for toast but now I just pile them on the paper plate and it is much easier to keep them from the dogs.

John K sent me this today. As I watched it my taste buds on the sides of my mouth clenched and remain so now. Be warned. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Quote of the Day

Stephen Colbert testifying before Congress:

"I like talking about people who don't have any power, and it seems like one of the least powerful people in the United States are migrant workers who come in and do our work, but don't have any rights as a result. And yet, we still ask them to come here, and at the same time, ask them to leave. And that's an interesting contradiction to me, and um... You know, "whatsoever you did for the least of my brothers," and these seemed like the least of my brothers, right now. A lot of people are "least brothers" right now, with the economy so hard, and I don't want to take any one's hardship away from them or diminish it or anything like that. But migrant workers suffer, and have no rights."

Some in Congress (like Iowa's Steve King) didn't get what it was all about. More shame them.

Miles on Monday

Miles has decided that he is a lap dog. Fortunately my lap is large enough to hold this 80 pound puppy.

Every day he climbs up to sleep on Uncle Jay.

He has bony elbows and Sunday night he had some burrs in them from his trip to the river with Jon.

These pictures are cropped so you won't see my fat a__ __ or the mess around my chair. See the shelf behind I used to have inch thick dust on them..now it is two inches thick. Too many little things to move to bother dusting them.

He finally settled down a bit. I used one of these as my new Facebook profile picture.

I like this one the best.

Or maybe this one. He is so beautiful.

Pictures from Most Illustrious Jason Wolcott's Reception

Refresher Course - Education in Texas affects all

Found For Friday

Happy Friday everyone.

A little boy was sitting on the footpath with a bottle of Turpentine. He was shaking it up and watching all the bubbles.

A Priest came along and asked the little boy what he had.

The little boy said, 'This is the most powerful liquid in the world; it's called Turpentine.'

The Priest said, 'No, the most powerful liquid in the world is Holy Water. If you rub it on a pregnant woman's belly, she'll pass a healthy baby.'

The little boy replied, 'If you rub turpentine on a cat's ass, he'll pass a Harley Davidson!

"Doc, I can't stop singing The Green, Green Grass of Home."
"That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome." "Is it common?"

"Well, It's Not Unusual.

A group of ladies, who were in the same class at school, met up for a reunion every ten years.

When they were thirty they to the Ocean Grill because the waiters were so handsome and sexy.

When they were forty they went to the same restaurant because it was near to the weight loss clinic they all attended.

When they were fifty, again they chose the Ocean Grill as the view of the sea was unparalleled.

When they were sixty it had to be their old haunt because the menu had easily chewable dishes.

When they were seventy the Ocean Grill was ideal because of its wheelchair access.

When they were eighty they went to the Ocean Grill because they'd never been there before.

I'm Tired of Working

For a couple years now I've been blaming this feeling on lack of sleep and too much pressure from my job, but now I found out the real reason: I'm tired because I'm overworked.

The population of this country is 300 million. 167 million are retired. That leaves 133 million to do the work. There are 85 million in school, which leaves 48 million to do the work. Of this there are 29 million employed by the federal government, leaving 19 million to do the work. 2.8 million are in the Armed Forces, which leaves 16.2 million to do the work. Take from the total the 14,800,000 people who work for State and City Governments and that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.

At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals, leaving 1,212,000 to do the work. Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons. That leaves just two people to do the work. You and me. And you're sitting at your computer reading jokes.

Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One goes to a family in Egypt and is named Ahmal. The
other goes to a family in Spain and name him Juan. Years
later Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. She tells her husband that she wishes she
had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."

For Spo -

'I haven't left my house in days. I watch the news channels incessantly. 
All the news stories are about the election; all the commercials are for Viagra and Cialis. Election, erection, election, erection -- either way we're getting screwed!' -- Bette Midler.
w

I met a fairy today who said she would grant me one wish.
"I want to live forever," I said.

"Sorry" said the fairy, "I'm not allowed to grant wishes like that!"

"Fine," I said, "I want to die after the Republicans get their heads out of their asses!"

"You crafty bastard," said the fairy.

Taxicab Confessions

A passenger in a taxi leaned over to ask the driver a question and tapped him on the shoulder. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb, and stopped just inches from a large plate glass window.

For a few moments everything was silent in the cab, when then the still shaking driver said, "I'm sorry but you scared the daylights out of me."

The frightened passenger apologized to the driver and said he didn't realize a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten him so much.

The driver replied, "No, no, I'm sorry, it's entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I've been driving a hearse for the last 25 years."
Taking Life By The Horns

An Army Ranger was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana and he wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking. After becoming very frustrated with the "no haggle" attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the Ranger shouted, "maybe I'll just go out and get my own alligator so I can get a pair of shoes made at a reasonable price!"

The vendor said, "By all means, be my guest. Maybe you will run into a couple of Marines who were in here earlier saying the same thing."

So the Ranger headed into the bayou that same day and a few hours later came upon two men standing waist deep in the water. He thought, "those must be the two Marines the guy in town was talking about." Just then, the Ranger saw a tremendously long alligator swimming rapidly underwater towards one of the Marines.

Just as the alligator was about to attack, the Marine grabbed its neck with both hands and strangled it to death with very little effort. Then both Marines dragged it on shore and flipped it on its back. Laying nearby were several more of the creatures.

One of the Marines then exclaimed, "Damn! This one doesn't have any shoes either!"

Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of
the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his
feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet,
he suffered from bad breath. This made him (oh, man, this is so bad, it's
good) ... a super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

To become a pilot you must have a great altitude

!

A new Redneck law was just recently passed
When a couple gets divorced, they are STILL cousins.
Did you hear that the Redneck Governor's Mansion burned down?
'Yep.. Prit'near took out the whole trailer park.. The library was a total loss too. Both books went poof . . . Up in flames and the Governor hadn't even finished coloring one of them.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.

I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot
of tequila.

Thanks for stopping by - Have a great week-end everyone!

Mock the dummies

Get ready to VOTE!

GOP Pledge to America.

Part of this "Old Whine in New Bottles" as Mustang Bobby calls it states the following:

" In a self-governing society, the only bulwark against the power of the state is the consent of the governed, and regarding the policies of the current government, the governed do not consent.

An unchecked executive, a compliant legislature, and an overreaching judiciary have combined to thwart the will of the people and overturn their votes and their values, striking down long-standing laws and institutions and scorning the deepest beliefs of the American people.

An arrogant and out-of-touch government of self-appointed elites makes decisions, issues mandates, and enacts laws without accepting or requesting the input of the many

...The American people are speaking out, demanding that we realign our country’s compass with its founding principles and apply those principles to solve our common problems for the common good

...We pledge to honor families, traditional marriage, life, and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values."


I will vote in this election and for the first time I will cast a ballot that is against as much as it is for. It is important for everyone to see that the Republican party put our country in this mess (under the "worst president ever") and they just want more of the same for themselves. They want that unchecked executive.... (Remember Free Speech Zones where anyone who objected to W an C had to go to protest...Remember the middle finger salute that Bush gave us as he drove by. Remember the signing statements that said I am not going to enforce this law or this part of the law?) -

Self appointed elites? I don't feel Bush was elected but was rather appointed by a Supreme Court over the will of the people.

As far as what is going on now in this country. Conservative billionaires are financing a "Tea Party" of thinly disguised racists who are out there making the most outrageous statements with no basis in fact to scare people into voting for the most outrageous, outlandish people possible....I mean really how could the majority of American people really want someone in the Senate or the House who expresses the view that humans and mice have been cross-bread and we have mice with human brains or any of the myriad other statements that these people were making. Real Republicans are not that nutso.

I get depressed when I think of how gullible the folks in Delaware are to put that person on the ballot and as for the opportunist from Alaska and the man from Arizona...He thinks if you just repeat something over and over it will be true. Accepted as true perhaps by people who don't do their research but that does not make it true.

Yes, I AM disappointed in the Democrats because they step up to the plate and refuse to even swing for fear of missing (whoever thought I would use a baseball metaphor?) but considering the alternative of having these people back in power I would crawl out of a sick bed to vote and NO ONE who really values the American way of life where we do believe in helping each other and taking care of each other should do otherwise. Corporations are powerful and they have a lot of money but they cannot tell us how to vote once we have that ballot in hand. That is up to us and our conscience. Look though the same old same old from the Republicans and cast your ballot appropriately. We do not need a return to the way things were.

As for the Democrats - If by some fortunate stroke of fate you do hold on to Congress you had better tell the President to give up trying to govern by bi-partisan politics. It has not worked so far. So far the Republicans have used every trick in the book to block and stop. It is time to forget about them and do what is right for America. That should be the real Pledge to America. Not this phony screed from the Republicans.

I just found this over at Firedog Lake....(Yes, I know it is a left leaning blog) - Their take on The Republican Pledge to Screw America Again..

A guy over at Time Magazine (thanks John)

said this:

Are you mad as hell?

Are you mad at Wall Street Pay and bonuses?
Then why vote for the party that also gives them tax breaks?

Are you mad at Wall Street greed?
Then why vote for the party that wants to give them social security?

Are you mad at the federal debt?
Then why vote for the party that created it?

Are you mad at health care reform?
Then why vote for the party that stifled it?

Are you mad at Congress?
Then why vote for the party of NO?

Are you mad at illegal immigration?
Then why vote for the party that obstructs immigration reform?

Are you mad at unemployment?
Then why vote for the party that punishes the jobless?

Are you mad at Socialism?
Then why vote for the party that funds corporate welfare?

Are you mad at the direction that America is going?
Then why vote for the party that filibusters recovery?

It’s time to break the conservative chokehold on America.

Part 1 of the Epic finale

Part 1??? - They milk these for all it is worth. I may just sit this one out til it comes out on DVD. That way I can pause during the scary parts.

Feeling Autumnally Equinoxed

From Wikipedia

An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth'sequator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) andnox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day are approximately equally long. It may be better understood to mean that latitudes +L and -L north and south of the Equator experience nights of equal length.

I have to say that the Internets are wonderful. Because of them I have a Blogfriend in Arizona. I have never met him but I read his blog every day and he reads mine. I found another blog to read today through him and through that found a wonderful artist. Levi Kreis has become one of my new favorite artists. If you click on the link you will find a web site which plays his music. He had never popped up on my radar before. I also found that he has a Facebook page which he appears to update himself. Speaking of Facebook the title from this post came from Anne who used to live across the street from me when I lived on Southdale. (I still miss that house and neighborhood but the back yard here is better for the boys.) She put it up as her Facebook Status a few days early and now that we are actually there I thought I would use it.

My status for today is the Chesterton quote which I also found as I was fishing around the blogs. Come to think of it I got it from the same blog where I discovered Levi..

I finished my book "Sword of Avalon" last evening. It was about the making of Excalibur and it was one of the best Avalon books I have ever read. I have another one to pick up today. The greatest thing about being retired is that I can read if I want to. When I want to... most of the time.

I really hate being sick and I think I am finally over it. I drove to Sioux City last Thursday and have been sick until yesterday. It makes me down. I haven't felt much like anything and I am sure it showed. In fact Shrinky called me on it. I think things are on the upswing again. I have some things to think about and they have been on my mind of late. Right now I am looking forward to eating out with the York Rite at Hickory Park tonight. (Which is a good thing because I only have soup in the cupboard - must get to the grocery store.) and Specialis Procer Lodge on Friday Night and a trip to Iowa City for the Grand Master of the Grand Council Reception on Saturday. Good thing I am better now.

My friend Kurt has finished his Kitchen Remodel and the pictures look wonderful. I am glad for him and for Lyssa. Now perhaps he will have time to do some other things (like finishing fixing the ceiling. October is going to be a busy month. Which is a good thing. The boys are getting tired of having me around. They spend most of the day sleeping at my feet and then when the new TV shows come on that I want to watch Miles wants to play. I throw the toy for him and he climbs up on my lap to snuggle. He is a wonderful dog (but you knew that) - Well this is Hump day so happy humping...dont let the wingnuts get you down. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Here's Levi

Quote of the Day

" I want to do even more here in Iowa..."

Chuck Grassley

Perhaps it is time to grant him his wish and bring him back to Iowa.

Another quote from Senator Grassley:

"We can't wait on Washington to do it."

...but Senator, you ARE Washington.

Music, Music and an update

It is evening and I have had another quiet day. But I am feeling much better. I even was hungry and I did not sleep as much as I did yesterday... the top of my head does not feel as if it were about to fly off into the stratosphere.

But I can't really think of much to say so I am going to share a couple of videos that I found on facebook. The first is

Chris Botti featuring Katharine McPhee [I've Got You Under My Skin]

And the second is Dancing at the Movies.... Enjoy!

Thanks to Bill and Beth for finding them.

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

White Knuckles

I wasn't going to watch this but I am glad I did. Dog lovers be sure to watch.

Quote of the Day

Thanks to Mustang Bobby for the Quote of the Day

"If you’re making $1 billion a year after a very bad financial crisis where 8 million people lost their jobs and small businesses can’t get loans, then I think that you shouldn’t be feeling put upon."

President Obama

“Congressional Reform Act of 2010

This is How You Fix Congress

Makes sense to me.. “Congressional Reform Act of 2010.” It would contain eight provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

I know many of you will say “this is impossible.” Let me remind you: Congress has the lowest approval rating of any entity in Government. Now is the time when Americans will join together to reform Congress – the entity that represents us.

We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House. These people will become American heroes.

CONGRESSIONAL REFORM ACT OF 2010

1. Term Limits.
12 years only, one of the possible options below:

A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

2. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.

Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.

The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

If you agree with the above, pass it on.

Today's Quote

If there is a Republican establishment, the Tea Party is it.

Dana Milbank in the Washington Post. (click to read)

Miles on Monday

I don't have any new pictures of Miles but I thought you might enjoy some from when he first came to live with us. I am still not feeling up to par and the pictures I took yesterday were all blurry. I will put anything new to say in bold.

Bailey has a new brother. He is looking up at Jon's new collie puppy. Miles Murphy Maximus

They are getting acquainted. Miles is full of puppy energy and Bailey is not sure what is going to happen.

Both dogs are nuts about Jon who got down on the floor with them.

Then Cassie had to get in on the party. She wound up going into the crate that Jon's friend Nick loaned him.

He is a Blue Merle and is absolutely beautiful - and curious and energetic and exciting to have here. Miles and Cassie have become great friends. He loves to play with her and she has always thought that she was a dog so they get along fine.

He also "talks" - He is not barking yet but whines a little.

Can you tell that we have one happy nephew and his new boy. We will always miss Max but this little guy will fill a space and we already love him. This is my favorite picture of Jon with Miles. He was so very depressed to lose Max (as were we all) that to see this look on his face was a real day brightener.

Miles remains a gentleman. He knows when you are not feeling well and twice this week-end he crawled up on my lap to lay his body across my tummy (it helped) and snuggle with me. I slept with him on my lap (all 500 (at least it felt that way) pounds of him. The only complaint is his bony elbows and (sometimes) where he steps when he climbs oh so very carefully up on my lap. Thanks for going down memory lane with me. Hugs, j

PCCB - Le duo des chats

I am still "under the weather" I went back to bed today and slept until noon. I am not enjoying the cold and the rain. I think the only thing I have really enjoyed today is this video. Watching the facial expressions on the boy on the right is priceless. Enjoy.

Click

Specialis Procer Lodge Awarded Gold

It was my honor to pick up the Gold Award for Specialis Procer Lodge #678, Des Moines for the Grand Design Award for the Web Site Design at the Grand Lodge Meeting this morning. You can visit the Web Site here.

W. M. Kurt Hoffmann is the Brother who designed the Web Site and he did a Masterful job. Congratulations Kurt for a job well done.

Rollen Phillips Receives T. S. Parvin Award at Grand Lodge.

Untitled from Jay Simser on Vimeo.

Click to play - Scroll down for more photos

Some weeks ago I mentioned to one of our newest Masons that I felt one of the nicest things about Freemasonry was the cross generational aspect of the fraternity. Justin Dodge is 31 years old, Rollen Phillips is 91 and yet the two of them have formed a bond that is a pleasure to see. Justin wrote the paper nominating Rollen for the T. S. Parvin Award at Grand Lodge and the award was presented tonight. It is well deserving.
Most Worshipful Grand Master Craig C. Hummel, Rollen Phillips and Justin Dodge (I have never see a prouder expression on Justin's face and I will tell you that there were tears in his (and my) eyes when the award was presented.

Rollen looks pretty proud, also.

That is Rollen's son on the right. He came all the way from Ohio to see the award presented. I think that when he showed up Rollen began to suspect something. Until that time Justin had kept him in the dark with a little fib to get him to come to Grand Lodge. And I know for a fact that it bothered Justin to to be entirely truthful but it is supposed to be a surprise. (He told Rollen that the Grand Lodge wanted to give him recognition for helping Justin to get his Masonic Instructor Certificate.

That is Rollen's wife Betty on the right and his daughter -in - law. Great picture.

Here are the rest of the pictures from this evening.

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