Miles on Monday

 Miles hasn't been here for awhile.  Today was a "Spa" day for him.  He looks beautiful.  But then he always looks beautiful.

He has to check out things in the back yard.

 And then back inside to harass Cassie and Bailey.

who also went to the Spa but did not feel like posing for photos so all I got was this blurry one.


Addendum -  Naptime/

Recommended Reading

John Shore wrote a truly great post on What Jesus left out of the Great Commandment.  Go read it here.

Dogz for Halloween

Since the pictures were not coming through  I have deleted them.  I do leave the post up because Don M commented on it and I agree with him.  I was just being lazy because I did not have any Miles Pics to post but he is here now after visiting the Spa this morning so there will be pictures of him (without costumes) later.

Halloween Three- Splash's Revenge- dog tricks training

Thanks to Marsha for finding this.

Busy

This is the week-end for Eastern Star Grand Chapter and I had to go down on Friday to Altoona for an Eastern Star Home Board meeting.

When that was over I came home and did some things around the house and then I fell asleep.  I imagine it has something to do with waking up at 5:00 AM and not being able to go back to sleep.  Anyway I did not wake up until too late to go down to the Scottish Rite which is also meeting this week-end.  What is it they say "It never rains but what it pours."

Today I have to go back down for the business meeting and give the Report to Grand Chapter from the Board.  It is not a difficult task but you never know when you are going to be called on to give it and I will have to hang around near the podium until I am called upon.  Then I will try to make a quick stop at a bookstore before I head home.  I need a "book-fix" -  The nicest thing about it is that I am really enjoying driving the new car.  I came back home by the back road today and it was wonderful to see the harvested fields and the river valley.  I had a ham sandwich at the Nevada Battles' BBQ.

That is it - not much to report.  Thanks for stopping by.  Hugs,  j

Tears for Bella

I received the following from The Elephant Sanctuary.  Tears are in my eyes for Tarra and all who loved Bella. R.I.P Little One.  You are loved.

My dear friends, I write to you with very sad news. Tarra's little dog Bella has died. We found her body on Wednesday and have been dealing with the aftermath ever since, trying to work out what happened while we look after Tarra and each other. We noticed Bella was not with Tarra at breakfast on Tuesday and later that morning she still had not appeared. Tarra and Bella have always spent short periods apart as one goes off exploring briefly on their own, but this longer absence worried us deeply and a search of the property was started which continued into the next day. The search ended tragically when Bella's body was found close to the Asia barn that had long been home to Tarra, her five sisters and Bella. During the time of the search our usually social Tarra chose to remain alone, watched over by concerned Caregivers. Dr. Scott, our vet of sixteen years, examined Bella for the last time and, with advice from the experts from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, determined the probable cause of death was an attack by animals, most likely coyotes. We have sent off samples to see whether there were any other contributory causes. Having carefully examined Bella's wounds and the place where she was found, we concluded that Bella had not been attacked near where she was found and neither could she have walked there. As these investigations were taking place observant Caregivers, even more watchful of Tarra than usual, noticed blood on the underside of her trunk, evidence that pointed us in the direction of what likely happened that fateful night. The most probable scenario is that during the night Bella strayed from Tarra briefly and was set upon. Tarra arrived too late to save her but was able to stop further damage being done to Bella's body. With deep sadness and deeper wonder we come to comprehend what likely happened next—that Tarra picked Bella up and carried her home. Further evidence in support of our belief for what happened comes from Tarra herself. After Bella had been found, Caregivers ensured Tarra had every chance to inspect Bella's body before it was buried and to come to terms with her death, as this is an important part of the grieving process for elephants. But Tarra was not interested in either Bella or the group of Caregivers who would normally have drawn our inquisitive Girl to see what was happening. It was only later when we had pieced together the whole picture that Tarra's behavior at Bella's grave made sense. Our poor, brave, loving Girl knew what had happened to her beloved Bella and, in the dark hours of the night as she carried her body home, had come to terms with her death. Tarra's sisters will help her through her sadness. Although we cannot take away Tarra's pain immediately or the pain of all those that knew Bella, I do know Bella knew true love and true freedom. It will always be so for animals that find Sanctuary.    CEO ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are very concerned for Tarra and the grief she must feel at the loss of Bella. Caregivers are carefully monitoring her during her time of mourning. She still has a healthy appetite, and we are sure she will lean on the support of her elephant sisters, especially Shirley, during this difficult time.  She appears to be doing remarkably well under the circumstances, and we will, of course, keep you informed through updates in the Asian Ele-Diary and in Ele-Notes. Please pay your tributes to Bella on her Tribute Page. We will be posting a press release shortly to the news section of the website. “Bella, you will live on forever in our hearts. Don't worry, we will continue to look after Tarra, just as you looked after each other.” The Elephant Sanctuary Staff Memories like these make us smile through our sadness…. Tarra and Bella in the Snow Tarra and Bella Summertime

Found For Friday (Halloween Edition)

 HALLOWEEN THINGS THAT SOUND DIRTY BUT AREN'T

1. So...What did you get in the sack?
2. Once you get under the sheet, start moaning and groaning!
3. Just hop on that broomstick and ride it!
4. Those small suckers are gone in a few licks.
5. You scared me stiff!
6. Quit screwing around on the porch!
7. Stick your hand in and guess what you're feeling.
8. Can I eat your Zagnuts?
9. They'll suck you dry if they get their teeth in you.

10. I bobbed but couldn't get my mouth around it.

 Two men were walking home after a Halloween party and decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery just for laughs. Right in the middle of the cemetery they were startled by a tap-tap -tapping noise coming from the misty shadows. Trembling with fear, they found an old man with a hammer and chisel, chipping away at one of the headstones. "Holy cow, Mister," one of them said after catching his breath, "You scared us half to death -- we thought you were a ghost! What are you doing working here so late at night?" "Those fools!" the old man grumbled. "They misspelled my name!"

 Top Ten Reasons Why Trick-or-Treating is Better Than Sex

10. You are guaranteed to get at least a little something in the sack.

9. If you get tired, wait ten minutes and go back at it again.

8. The stranger you look, the easier it is to get some.

7. You don't have to compliment the person who gave it to you.

6. Person you are with doesn't fantasize you're someone else, you already are.

5. If you get a stomach ache, it won't last nine months.

4. If you wear leather and chains, no one thinks you're kinky.

3. Doesn't matter if kids hear you moaning and groaning.

2. Less guilt the next morning from over-indulging.

1. If you don't get what you want at one place, you can always go next door to get more!

 Question: Why don't witches ever have babies?

Answer: Warlocks have hollow weenies.

Question: Why can't Witches have babies?
Answer: Because their husbands have crystal balls

 Top 10 Signs You Are Too Old to Be Trick or Treating 

10. You get winded from knocking on the door.

9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.

8. You ask for high fiber candy only.

7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.

6. People say, "Great Keith Richards mask!" and you're not wearing a mask.

5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or..." and can't remember the rest.

4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.

3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.

2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with awalker.

1. You avoid going to houses where your ex-wives live.

 The Cab Driver And the Nun

A cab driver picks up a nun. She gets into the cab, and the cab driver won't stop staring at her.

She asks him why he is staring and he replies, "I have a question to ask you but I don't want to offend you." 

She answers: "My dear son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive."

"Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me." She responds, 

"Well, let's see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2 you must be a Catholic." 

The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I am single and I'm Catholic too!" 

The nun says, "OK, pull into the next alley." He does and the nun fulfills his fantasy. 

But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying. "My dear child." said the nun, "Why are you crying?"

"Forgive me sister, but I have sinned. I lied, I must confess, I'm married and a I'm a Baptist." 

The nun says, "That's OK, I am on the way to a Halloween party, and my name is Kevin." 

 Costume Party

A couple was invited to a swanky masked Halloween Party. She
got a terrible headache and told her husband to go to the
party alone. He, being a devoted husband, protested, but she
argued and said she was going to take some aspirin and go to
bed, and there was no need of his good time being spoiled by
not going. So he took his costume and away he went.

The wife, after sleeping soundly for one hour, awakened
without pain, and as it was still early, she decided to go to
the party. In as much as her husband did not know what her
costume was, she thought she would have some fun by watching
her husband to see how he acted when she was not with him.

She joined the party and soon spotted her husband cavorting
around on the dance floor, dancing with every nice chick he
could, and copping a little feel here and a little kiss there.
His wife moved on up to him and being a rather seductive
babe herself, he left his partner high and dry and devoted
his time to the new stuff that had just arrived.

She let him go as far as he wished; naturally, since he was
her husband. Finally he whispered a little proposition in her
ear and she agreed, so off they went to one of the cars 
and had a little romp.

Just before unmasking at midnight, she slipped away and went
home and put the costume away and got into bed, wondering
what kind of explanation he would make for his behavior.
She was sitting up reading when he came in and asked what
kind of a time he had. He said, "Oh, the same old thing. You
know I never have a good time when you're not there."
Then she asked, "Did you dance much?"

He replied, "I'll tell you, I never even danced one dance.
When I got there, I met Pete, Bill Brown and some other
guys, so we went into the den and played poker all evening.
But I'll tell you... the guy I loaned my costume to sure had
a real good time!"

 What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?
Frostbite... 

Why do witches use brooms to fly on?
Because vacuum cleaners are too heavy... 

How do witches keep their hair in place while flying?
With scare spray... 

 What is a vampire's favorite holiday?
Fangsgiving... 

What did one ghost say to the other ghost?
"Do you believe in people?" 

What do you call someone who puts poison in a person's corn flakes?

A cereal killer... 

By Royal Command - Eat Your Damn Oatmeal!

HAPPY WEEK-END EVERYONE!

Quote of the Day

I believe Christianity has to do not with guilt and sin, but with increased humanity and heightened awareness; with breaking barriers that separate us from one another in our quest for survival and with calling us to move beyond self-consciousness into universal consciousness where, I believe, we touch the edges of eternity.  

 John Shelby Spong


I found this on Facebook:

Rick Mercer's Rant on bullying

It has been awhile since I put up a post about bullying.  This is excellent.

Meet a Barred Owl - Photos by Bob Kelly

Friends of mine told me how this owl had adopted their back yard, and invited me over to photograph it, and I did!  It posed for me and never flinched one bit, beautiful, stoic, and elegant.  It is about 20 inches tall and has a wing span of about three feet.  You can read more about it here:  Listen to it here.

Why Occupy Wall Street?

Everybody needs to watch this 12 year old girl..

Vote for Georgy

Take a minute to vote for Georgy and help him win.  You can vote once a day.

Vote for Georgy in the Fido Casting CallTM

www.fidocastingcall.ca

With your help, Georgy could appear in a Fido ad. Plus, Fido is donating $1 for every vote to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. Check out this pooch’s Casting Sheet and vote every day at http://www.fidocastingcall.ca/

Tuesday This N That

 I found some "stuff" on the Internet and thought I would share them since I  really don't have anything happening right now.

There is a reason that the dog is sitting beside the man.  Dogs are always your friend.  I have lost too many of the other type over the years.  I still miss the friendship I used to have.  The next three speak for themselves. Hope your Tuesday is a great day.

There is a Grand Master's Area Meeting tonight.  I went to one last year and it was rough.  I may go but then again I may just stay home.  

Recommended Reading

Robert G. Davis has posted a thought-provoking Essay over at his blog. I suggest reading

May Brotherly Love Prevail, and Every Moral and Social Virtue Cement Us

Some people wonder if an organization founded over 400 years ago can have relevance for today's society.  I think you will see that there is a purpose for the Rites in our world today and as Masons we should do what we can to extend its influence.

A Step Worth Taking

I did it. I cancelled my land line.  I am now a cell phone only person.  I still have my land line phone number.  That was what was keeping me from doing it before. The phone number I had was my grandparent's phone number and I really liked it. I mean I have had that number in my family since I was in High School.  The thing I like about the number is that it is straight down the middle 2 5 8 0.  

When I found out that I could keep that number on my cell phone I was ready to make the change.

Of course there are some disadvantages to the number:

1) children playing phone games are likely to use that number as an easy one to call so I can get phone calls to see if my refrigerator is running or asking whether or not I have Prince Albert in a can.

2) It is the same last for digits for Scott Randall Real Estate so I get calls asking if I have an apartment for rent.. (That actually will come in handy when I get the downstairs fixed up to rent to a quiet, non-smoking, single quiet student who loves to shovel snow and mow grass.) Their number starts differently 233 rather than the number I get my calls on.

3) it is also close to the Coach House Gifts number (theirs is 3580) and so I get calls about candles and cards and how many do I want.

But those are minor and all in all I love the number.  Aside from that I really didn't do much of anything this week-end.  I had a "Movie Night" last night and watched 3 movies which I had DVRed overnight.. Since there wasn't anything else on that I wanted to watch I saw"

1) About Schmidt
2) Krull, the Conquerer.
3) Max Dugan Returns.

I would list Max Dugan as my favorite of the three and About Schmidt as the second favorite. I had seen both of them previously and loved them both.  The Krull movie was OK. I like Kevin Sorbo the lead actor so that made a fantasy palatable.

I accidentaly deleted The Good Wife so I will have to watch it on HULU tomorrow.  I did watch the new show "Once Upon A Time"  and I enjoyed it.  It probably won't last for that reason.  There has not been much new to watch this season that I am interested in.  The new Tim Taylor show is just a redone Tool time with daughters instead of sons.  I watched about 1/2 of the first show before I gave up on it. I am mad at ABC for taking Brothers and Sisters off so I am boycotting Desperate Housewives...
Thank God for PBS.  Have a great week and Thanks for stopping by

Did I Tell You

That I went to this show?   Ha! - They have released a clip of some of the scenes.  They must have filmed it at the Civic Center.. Enjoy

Occupy Ames - October 21, 2011

Article in the Ames Tribune on this event.  Click here.

Old Fart tells it like it is!

Found For Friday

The teacher gave her fifth grade class an assignment: Get their parents to tell them a story with a moral at the end of it. The next day, the kids came back and, one by one, began to tell their stories.

There were all the regular types of stuff: spilled milk and pennies saved. But then the teacher realised, much to her dismay, that only Janie was left.

"Janie, do you have a story to share?"

"Yes ma'am. My daddy told me a story about my Mommy. She was a Marine pilot and her plane got hit. She had to bail out over enemy territory, and all she had was a flask of whiskey, a pistol, and a survival knife.

She drank the whiskey on the way down and then her parachute landed her right in the middle of 20 enemy troops. She shot 15 of them with the pistol, until she ran out of bullets, killed four more with the knife, till the blade broke, and then she killed the last with her bare hands."

"Good Heavens,' said the horrified teacher. What did your Daddy tell you was the moral to this horrible story?"

"Don't f**k with Mommy when she's been drinking

 The Italian says, "I'm tired and thirsty. I must have wine."


The Frenchman says, "I'm tired and thirsty. I must have cognac."
The Russian says, "I'm tired and thirsty. I must have vodka."
The German says, "I'm tired and thirsty. I must have beer."
The Mexican says, "I'm tired and thirsty. I must have tequila."
The Jew says, "I'm tired and thirsty. I must have diabetes."

Jewish marriage advice: "Don't marry a beautiful person. They may leave you. Of course, an ugly person may leave you too. But who cares?"

My father says, "Marry a girl who has the same belief as the family." I said, "Dad, why would I marry a girl who thinks I'm a schmuck?"



If a married Jewish man is walking alone in a park and expresses an opinion without anybody hearing him, is he still wrong?

 A Jewish woman goes to see her Rabbi and asks, "Yankele and Yosele are both in love with me, who will be the lucky one?"


The wise old Rabbi answers, "Yankele will marry you. Yosele will be the lucky one.

 Dear Abby,  

A couple of women moved in across the hall from me. One is a middle-aged gym teacher and the other is a social worker in her mid twenties. These two women go everywhere together, and I've never seen a man go into or leave their apartment. Do you think they could be Lebanese?

Dear Abby,

What can I do about all the Sex, Nudity, Fowl Language and Violence on my VCR?

 Dear Abby,

I have a man I can't trust. He cheats so much, I'm not even sure the baby I'm carrying is his.


Dear Abby,
I am a twenty-three year old liberated woman who has been on the pill for two years. It's getting expensive and I think my boyfriend should share half the cost, but I don't know him well enough to discuss money with him.

 Dear Abby,

I've suspected that my husband has been fooling around, and when confronted with the evidence, he denied everything and said it would never happen again.

 Dear Abby,

Our son writes that he is taking Judo. Why would a boy who was raised in a good Christian home turn against his own?

 Dear Abby,

I joined the Navy to see the world. I've seen it. Now how do I get out?

Dear Abby,
My forty year old son has been paying a psychiatrist $50.00 an hour every week for two and a half years. He must be crazy.


Dear Abby,
I was married to Bill for three months and I didn't know he drank until one night he came home sober.

 Dear Abby,

My mother is mean and short tempered. I think she is going through mental pause.


Dear Abby,
You told some woman whose husband had lost all interest in sex to send him to a doctor. Well, my husband lost all interest in sex and he is a doctor. Now what do I do?

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a Great Week-end