Troop Supporters?

Protesters in Portland, Oregon burn an American Flag - and an American soldier in effigy!!! Is this the anti-war, left wing Democrats of today??? How DARE they!!!



Would you hate-monger traitors turn away the Coast Guard when they come to rescue your slimy asses from the dangerous waters off your shores? Would you protesters turn away the National Guard when they come to rescue your slimy asses from a mud slide, avalanche, or flood? Don't bitch if they "can't find you" during their search. But you know that would never happen, don't you? They aren't terroristic morons like you. Unlike you, they value life.

If this doesn't make your blood boil, you are not a troop supporter in any way! These people are no better than the terrorists we're fighting across the Atlantic. They wish their own people dead, too. As far as I'm concerned, these American-hating, death-wishing traitors can go to Gitmo, or straight to Hell! It matters not to me.

May your cowardly faces be put on the internet for all to see.

Rest In Peace, My Friend

A very close friend and "family" member went Home last night (Friday) at about 10:30. Today, the 17th, is his birthday. Although expected as much as could be, it was not expected so soon. It appears he went in his sleep, and simply quit breathing. That part was a blessing. He was riddled with maladies such as heart/lung disease, total kidney failure, a rare form of cancer, etc. He had been beating the odds for quite a while, and was a real fighter.


Jerry had an extraordinary talent for, and love of music. He could play any instrument from the minute he picked it up, or sat at it. He created his own musical scores on his computer. He loved cars - sporty ones, fast ones, classic cars, unique cars, all kinds of cars. He could tell you anything about them.

He will be missed greatly. He was like my brother.

Rest in Peace, Jerry. May God give you the rest you so much desired. Use your talents to make beautiful music for the Lord.

O for the wonderful love he has promised
Promised for you and for me
Though we have sinned,he has mercy and pardon
Pardon for you and for me.

(Lyrics From "Softly and Tenderly")

Stormy Weather

Storms finally moved through the area last night. I was able to get many shots, some yet undeveloped - on film. Below is some of the light show I captured with my digital.

Shots such as these were nearly non-existent in the Amarillo area last year, a drought being the cause.

It was a beautiful sight, with the storms passing by at a perfect distance for safety and visibility.


I captured this one in video mode with my Samsung:


Here are some I got with my 35mm camera.





oo00O00oo

This isn't the only stormy weather we've seen lately. One of my best friends has been having health problems - and he took a nose dive on Groundhog Day. We almost lost him due to his health that morning. Today, he has defied the odds and is still with us. Unfortunately, he is not able to stay at home, and nobody can afford to hire a caregiver to be with him. The only option is a 24-hour care facility - a nursing home. He has been uncooperative and verbally combative, having hopes and dreams of returning home. His safety and well-being cannot be sacrificed to allow that to happen. I know it's a very hard pill for him to swallow, but this is the way it has to be - for his own good. If he improves to the point of being able to care for himself in all ways, without fear of falling or other lack of self-care, he'd be welcomed home in a second. If he doesn't change his mind again, he will go there tomorrow.

oo00O00oo

A few weeks ago, my Dad and older-of-my-two sisters came down for a visit for a few days. It was a bittersweet time. The situation with the friend I mentioned above created a difficult scenario. Knowing they were here, I felt the responsibility and desire/need to spend time with them, and at the same time to "be there" for my friends - the friends I've live with as family for nearly 3 years. It was difficult at times, but I guess it worked out. It was really nice seeing them for the first time in years, but it could have been at a much better time.

I'm still kinda put off by my baby sister, the one who arranged the trip for my other sister, and refused to put it off because of my situation at the time. It seems she has to have everything her way, period. She gets put off when the shoe is on the other foot.

oo00O00oo

I trust you all got your clocks set ahead one hour. If not, you'll be an hour late for everything today.

I hope you all have been doing well, and continue doing so.

May God Bless!

Amarillo By Morning

Amarillo woke up this morning to about 4" of snow, with up to 14 or 16" expected, depending on the station you listen to.
By noon we had 6", and an hour or so later it was up to 8". It's going to keep up all day and into the night. Winter storm warnings are up until 6am tomorrow (Sunday). If we're lucky, they'll close the college Monday and we'll get a day off - like this guy's doing.

Simple Home Remedies

AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

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1. If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto. The blockage will be almost instantly removed.

2. Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.

3. Avoid arguments with your partner about lifting the toilet seat by simply using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. Have a bad toothache? Smash your thumb with a hammer and you will forget about the toothache.

7. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you will be afraid to cough.

Another Year Gone

Another year comes to a close. Much has happened in my part of the world.

Drought ravaged the panhandle.
Fires raged, blackening a million acres and killing 12.
When the drought ended, flooding took one life in town.
My divorce became final.
I celebrated my first anniversary at my new job.
I spent my third Christmas in my new home - with my friends and extended family.
Snow and ice hit us three times - unusual for year's end.
The third is working on us as I type. I hope we don't lose power.

While the year had its ups and downs, the net result was very much "up". I look forward to the New Year, and what it has waiting for us. I know it will be just as good if not better!

Here's wishing you all a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

Be well, and be safe.

Jerome Murat

This is really cool!

jerome murat
Uploaded by segalier

Christmas Tradition

A friend and I have started a Christmas tradition a few years ago. We swap ornaments.

This is the one I got. Since I'm a proud veteran, she appealed to my patriotic side. I love it! :)

It's a Hallmark keepsake ornament called "The Proud and Brave".



On the back, it says:

Dedicated.

Undivided.

Strong and free,

we stand united.

So be it.

Kidness

No, that's not a type-o or misspelling. Toy stores can bring it out of you - kidness. :)

I couldn't help myself yesterday. I was at a local toy store, similar to Toys R Us, but smaller and very much unlike it. I just had to play with their toys! ...and they didn't mind at all. In fact, they seem to encourage one to do so. The employees would come around and explain what they were, and how they were to be played with.

This was a dedicated toy store, one that had generations of toys - from the latest radio controlled cars, to the board games and wooden (and die-cast) trains of yesteryear. There were Wheel-O's and dolls. (No, I didn't play with the dolls.) There were stuffed toys and tops, stick horses that relied on the rider to make the sounds, gun sets to battle Indians and outlaws with. I remember being on many a cattle drive in my younger days, and keeping law and order in the old West on my trusty steed. They had microscopes and telescopes, banks that looked like safes, doll houses and toy ovens that did absolutely nothing - but spur a child's imagination. Ladies, do you remember the ovens of yesterday? They didn't make noises. There were no lights that flashed, no bells that dinged. There were only gourmet meals that magically appeared - after suitable baking time.

Speaking of baking, it's about the time of year when kringla need to appear. I need to make a list and check it twice - to make sure the ingredients are readily available.

Kringla

1	c	Sugar
½	c	Butter or oleo
1		Egg
3	c	Flour
1	ts	Vanilla
1	ts	Baking soda
2 ½	ts	Baking pwd.
½	ts	Salt
1	c	Buttermilk

Mix sugar, butter, unbeaten egg. Add buttermilk and soda, then flour, salt, baking powder and vanilla. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Must keep dough cold as you work with it so just take out of the frig. what you need at a time. Roll out small pieces like a pencil on a floured pastry cloth. Can make them into a circle, a bow shape or a figure eight shape. Bake at 400 F. on an ungreased cookie sheet til very lightly browned, only about 8-10 mins. Serve spreading butter on the bottom. You can double this for five dozen. These freeze well and warm in microwave oven for drop in coffee friends.

And, VOILA!

Tora! Tora! Tora!

December 7, 65 years ago. Our complacency and arrogance resulted in a sucker punch. On that day, 2388 were killed in that attack. Only 48 were civilian. It could never happen to us.

September 11, 6 years ago. Our complacency and arrogance again resulted in a sucker punch. On that day, over 2700 civilians were killed. It could never happen to us.

Today, wheels are in motion in our Government that would set up the same situation again. They fail to see the root causes of both of the aforementioned attacks: Complacency and Arrogance. We were comfortable and complacent in our comfort zone. We were too arrogant to believe it could happen to us. It did - twice. It will again, if we do not become passionately aggressive and forget about political correctness.

Mr. Politician, tell our fighting men and women what outcome you wish them to achieve - and "...let slip the dogs of war!" Let fighting men fight, and let politicians sit back and shut the hell up.

Our wimpy stand and desire to talk to madmen intent on killing all who do not think like them will be our undoing. You cannot reason with unreasonable people. You cannot reason with one who is sworn to kill all who are not radical Extremist/Fascist Muslims!

Let us keep Pearl Harbor from occurring a third time. May we never forget that we are vulnerable and that people wish us dead. We have been told twice, on 7 December 1941 and again on 11 September 2001. How many times do we have to be told? Let us honor those who died at Pearl Harbor and on September 11th, by not allowing it to happen again.

Remember September 11.

Remember to Remember.

May our comrades' souls rest in peace.