Des Moines Scottish Rite KCCH Investiture

Tonight they held the Investiture for the Knight Commander Court of Honour at the Consistory.  It is a very special event and is only held every two years.  I was the Grand Treasurer and prompter for the evening. It was a very nice evening.

The Banquet was held in the Tapestry Longue named for the Tapestry which hangs there.

New KCCH members.

I can't believe he said that!

Cain: "We need a leader, not a reader."


h/t TPM

Anti-Bullying Video

Note - Strong Language

Losers from Everynone on Vimeo.

Reminder - this Saturday Polk City Eastern Star will have its annual Fall Bake Sale, White Elephant Sale and Beef & Noodle Lunch. We have homemade apple butter and mincemeat and also nuts (pecans, mixed nuts, almonds, chocolate covered peanuts, cashews, chocolate amaretto pecans). We will be at the Polk City Community Room from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. All are invited!

School Stories

One of my students (former) posted this on Facebook. It reminded of her of what I used to do when a student would complain about something. I would start this little verse that someone taught me:

Your story has touched my heart

The tears are about to start

I have in my pocket a miniature violin

(at this point I would rub my forefinger and thumb together) 

Nhu nhu nhu na hah,,

That sometimes made them laugh and we went on from there.

Sex Education - 

Always a fun time.  When I taught at Roosevelt School, the other teacher taught Science so he had the sex education unit to teach.  One time after the unit a couple of boys (who happened to be cousins) came up to him to ask a couple of more questions.  (This was out on the playground) 

One of the boys asked if there was ever a time when the woman could not get pregnant,  

He said that they were being serious and so he said that during the time of menstruation the egg wasn't there to be fertilized.

Cousin one asked "What happens then?"

Without missing a beat Cousin two answered, "You get a lot of practice!"

Spelling Lesson needed

Again later when I was teaching Sex Education I wondered just how much the students already knew. So I devised a plan.  I got a bunch of Blue Books that the College students use for written exams,  I had several questions which I had the students answer.  One of them was "What is sexual intercourse?"  

My favorite answer which indicated that we needed more spelling lessons was this:

"It is when the man puts his pennies in the woman's Virginia.  

Thanks for stopping by, Have a great Wednesday - We are halfway to the week-end.

This 'n That

 This week-end I saw (and enjoyed) the movie J. Edgar.  It was well done if somewhat fictional.  I don't think anyone should minimize the accomplishments of this man. He was flawed but he did establish a law enforcement Bureau which is second to none.  They completely left out his Masonic accomplishments and he did rise very high in the fraternity.

The rest of the week-end I read and sat in front of the computer.  I did get a phone call on Sunday from Frank O who is in Arizona.  He wanted to wish me a Happy Birthday.  I let him congratulate me on the 70th anniversary of my birth as I am not having Birthdays any more. To many bad memories and I don't want to turn into a septuagenarian.  I PREFER TO REMAIN A SEXAGENARIAN.   After all who wouldn't rather be sexy than septic.

 I drove over to Jefferson tonight for the Masonic Service for Jack Watts.  (Link to his Obituary) There were Masons there from all over the State.  Even the General Grand Master of the General Grand Council drove in from north of Detroit.  He said it was less expensive and took less time to drive.  I took this picture (above) on the way over.  The service was admirably given by Brother Doug Tucker a life-long friend of Jack's  It was very meaningful and used the York Rite as its a great part of the service.

When it was over I rushed back to Ames to see Trevor who is in town from New York City on his way to San Francisco.  Trevor travels all over the country and just got back from Pakistan.  He is 23 and I met him when he joined Arcadia Lodge in Ames.  He became a great friend and is now the CEO and Co-founder of the Lean Start Up Machine.

He and Jeremy were at the Okaboji Grill. I joined them and ordered dinner (after I got someone to bring me a menu and wait on me)  I ordered a steak which was supposed to come rare.  It was well done and tough so I sent it back.  There was also a problem with Jeremy's dinner and later when Trevor ordered a drink it came with a bug in it.  I don't anticipate going back there again although the company I was keeping was great.


Trevor stays at Jeremy's house when he is in Ames as Jeremy was his advisor when he was in the Acacia Fraternity when he was going to school in Ames.


I was listening to NPR on the way over to Jefferson and there was an interview with a 75 year old author who had just finished a book.  He said he still felt like he was 23.  I know what he means.  I forget sometimes that I am getting old and creaky when I hang out with the younger guys.

Jeremy is a Past Master and Past Grand Lodge Officer and currently is serving as a City Council Member for Ames.  All three of us had our phones out - Trevor's was the most active.  He had to leave twice for phone calls.  I hope he does well with his business.

I took Trevor over to Cedar Rapids so he could join the Scottish Rite and it was a great day.  I think that is when we became good friends.  There is nothing like Masonic Travel to cement friendships.

The rest of the week is busy.  I have a practice tomorrow at the Scottish Rite for the KCCH Investiture which takes place. Then Friday I have the Specialis Procer stated meeting.  Busy, busy, busy.  Bailey will miss me.  Thanks for stopping by,  Hugs,