Greeting to all and welcome new friends to the East Wing,
Calling yourself Catholic is no more making you Christian than standing in your garage for one hour each week makes you a car, seems to have touched a nerve for lots of folks.
Wow! Did I ever get comments on that thing. Some good, some bad, but lots of comments. Just like dancing, some folks can and some folks can’t and some folks wish they could dance. Oh well, just depends on ones point of view, the way ya see things I life.
Saying thing like that is a paraprosdokian figure of speech in which the back part of a sentence or phrase is so surprising or so unexpected in such a way that causes ya to go back and look at the front part again. Those things just kinda makes ya stop and rethink the whole deal from the start to the finish. And some times, sometimes they just make ya smile, or even laugh out loud, from, time to time.
Paraprosdokian figures are fun things to think up and even more fun to write. Things like, If I agreed with you then we’d both be stupid, or we don’t know what we don’t know and we don’t know that we don’t know it, you’re never too old to learn something dumb, I didn't say it was your fault; I said I was blaming you. I was looking back to see if your were looking back to see if I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me.
Alistair Cooke is credited with on of my personal favorites for paraprosdokian figures of speech when he, while speaking of the Duke of Windsor, said “he was at his best when the going was good”. Paraprosdokian figures of speech, fun things to play with. Words, ever gentle on your mind, gota love ‘em.
Did ya see the meteors Thursday night? Well if ya went out somewhere after ‘round 9:00 o’clock or so and looked toward the east, a little southeast, then you’d be bound to see ‘em if ya looked for any time a all. 30 to 50 meteors per hour was what I’s seeing when I’m standing out there in the cold, wondering why I’m out here standing in the cold. Now I’ve seen this same meteor light show every year and still go out and stand in the cold night of November like I’ve just been introduced to meteors. It’s a little magic show in the sky. They sometimes come and go so fast, ya wonder if ya really seen it or not, them sneaky little meteors. Then sometimes the meteor will go from horizon to horizon, now that's kinda cool. Ya don’t see too many of those kind, but when ya do, it’s kinda cool.
I just don’t stargaze like I used to when my brother in-law was alive. Ed and I enjoyed a rather unique style of stargazing. Ed was no longer able to look thru the eyepiece of the telescope, I was. The way it worked for Ed and me was I’d set up the telescope, and look at whatever I wanted to. When I found something interesting, I’d give Ed the coordinates by computer webcam and he’d either find my position in his star chart reference books or more likely, Google Sky.
Ya know ‘bout Google Earth, but don’t know ‘bout Google Sky. Well just like the Staples commercial, hit the “that’s easy” button, ‘cause Google Sky has been right there on you computer all the time, Ya were just having too much fun with Google Earth, finding your house, then the house of everybody you know.
Yep, Google Sky is right there on the top row, in the icons, ‘bout in the middle as I recall, just click and ya go from looking down on earth to looking up from earth. The Google Sky is lot easier to get lost than Google Earth, ‘cause after all, the distances in Google Sky are a lot farther than from the East Wing to Alabama. Google Sky is so good, sometimes when I’m too lazy to set up the telescope and go out in the cold, I just look at Google Sky.
Now ya gota remember that the images displayed in Google Sky came from a better vantage point than the East Wing in the dark. There’s a little telescope high in the sky taking all kinds of really neat pictures from space. Ya might have heard of it, It’s called the Hubble Space Telescope. That’s a different brand than the one I use outside on the north deck of the East Wing. I bet the controllers of the Hubble don’t have any more fun looking at the stars than I do, but they don’t have to go outside on crisp cold clear winter nights to see the best stuff like I do. I miss stargazing with Ed. Stargazing’s more fun with someone to share with.
Last Tuesday me and the she found ourselves in Michigan City IN when it was time for supper, went to Ryan’s and had a buffet which is a bad place to go for a diabetic for supper. Oh well, if ya watch what ye eat then ya can eat anywhere, and so I do. The one thing that stuck in my head was cornbread with Jalapeno Peppers inside.
Now I’m telling ya that’s not the hillbilly way, putting those Jalapeno Peppers in cornbread and all, but I was surprised that it worked well. I liked it. Can’t say the same for all the other stuff there, but the kicked up cornbread with a 5,000 unit Scoville rating, I’d eat again.
Did ya ever hear ‘bout Wilbur Scoville? Well don’t feel bad most people never did, I just happen to have had a chemistry professor one time in the past who just so happened to know a chemist by the name of Wilbur Scoville back in the day, and my professor delighted in sharing the fact that he knew someone that had made a name for himself so to speak and he was hot item in the scientific circles. And continues to be so to this day.
Now Wilbur Scoville was a chemist in the early 1900’s, as I remember the story, and working for Parke Davis, a pharmaceutical company when he developed a method of measuring the heat level in chili peppers. He ground up chilies with a sugar water solution and diluted the concentrations in measured steps till ya couldn’t taste the heat any more.
Testers sipped the stuff till they reached the point where it no longer burned their tongue. At that point a number was assigned to that chili based on the dilution factor. And just that easy the Scoville Organoleptic Test was born. A way to measure the heat of given chili peppers against all other chili peppers. Now that organoleptic word is just a quasi medical term that refers to qualities that affect our senses, taste, sight, smell, touch, that kinda stuff.
Like most pioneers in laboratory research, someone else comes along and improves upon the original work. And so it was with Wilbur Scoville, and the red hot chili peppers.
Machines now measure the heat of chili peppers, but even with the high tech of Liquid Chromatograph and pepper heat never touching tongue, the Scoville name remains as the acknowledged unit of measure for the heat of peppers. A researcher from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station listed most all peppers from the mildest to the hottest. Those in the pepper business refer to the pepper heat as the pungency level.
Here’s the Scoville Units of pepper pungency, so pick a peck of pickled peppers.
0 -100 Scoville Units: Bell/Sweet pepper varieties
500 -1000 Scoville Units: Big Jim, Anaheim peppers
1,000 -1,500 Scoville Units: Ancho, Pasilla peppers
1,500 - 2,500 Scoville Units: Sandia, Cascabel, Rocotillo peppers
2,500 - 5,000 Scoville Units: Jalapeno & Mirasol peppers
5,000 - 15,000 Scoville Units: Yellow Wax, Serrano peppers
15,000 - 30,000 Scoville Units: de Arbol peppers
30,000 - 50,000 Scoville Units: Piquin, Cayenne & Tabasco peppers
50,000 - 100,000 Scoville Units: Chiltepin, Thai, Santaka peppers
100,000 - 300,000 Scoville Units: Scotch Bonnet & Habanero peppers.
575,000 Scoville Units: Red Savina Habanero peppers.
855,000 Scoville Units: Naga Jolokia peppers (Professional pepper. Do not try this at home) .
16,000,000 Scoville Units: Pure Capsaicin (Don’t even think about it.) This is the chemical that makes the fire. I think if ya just put pure capsaicin on your tongue, ya don’t have to die to go to hell, you’re there.
Ya just gota love that word “pungency”. Ya don’t find good descriptive words like pungency around too much anymore. I think President Obama’s Word Czar took most all those good descriptive words from the dictionary, but maybe the House Republicans will bring ‘em back. I think that was part of the deal.
With the end of year winter holidays fast approaching, Thanksgiving is on the radar this week. Thanksgiving, such an American Holiday, a day recognized by all as a special day to thank God for all that we’ve received in life. I'm sure there are some who may not agree, but it you’re reading this, then you’re on the right side of the dirt, and that’s something worth being thankful for, unless you’re a mole.
Being an almost exclusive American Holiday, Thanksgiving has its origin all the way back into the very earliest history of the people who suffered so much to get to this land, this thing we call home, this America, started. An Indian played a major role in the process of thanksgiving becoming a holiday. Yes an Indian, a fellow by the name of Squanto, taught the Pilgrims how to feed themselves in this new and hostile land.
Seems I recall that fish played a key part in Squanto’s success, but he didn’t invent the dish “Fish and Loafs”. That’d been used to feed large crowds in the past, way before Squanto’s time. I think that “Fish and Loafs” deal was the start of the first catering business. Oh by the way, Squanto is the great, great, great, great grandfather of Tonto.
Good thing Squanto was around, else the Lone Ranger would’ve been just another cowboy with a mask, and probably would’ve went to the dark side, I mean with the mask and all, what other line of work could he get into? And he’d even have to changes horses, ‘cause everybody knows that ya can’t go to the dark side while riding a white horse, that’s just not right.
I think I’ve already invited each and every one of you to join me for Thanksgiving Dinner at Grand Central Station in North Judson IN. We’ll start at 12 noon and eat till everyone’s full or the food’s all gone, whichever comes first. I bet we get full first, ‘cause for backup there’s always Fish and Loafs.
Stay safe in Afghanistan.
From the East Wing, Paraprosdokian Figures, Google Sky, Wilbur Scoville, Squanto, Tonto, And Fish and Loafs
I wish you well,
BobbyRay
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
From the East Wing, With Spike Doing Well, Sophia Moon Walking, Email Scams, Father Mark From the Mountains
Greeting to all and welcome new friends to the East Wing.
Thank you one and all for your concern for the Birthday Kitten, The Man Cat, Spike. Spike is doing well and is currently holding court in the East Wing. Now having joined the inside pets completing his special elective surgery, he’s truly one of the gang. They still look at his rear end hair cut and laugh, but oh well, things are like that in the East Wing. We some have hair and some don’t
While Spike has settled into his new role as house cat, Sophia on the other hand is yet to come down from the clouds of euphoria. Wow! Talk ‘bout a cat high, ya wouldn’t believe a cat could get so high till ya see Sophia walk on air. Remember Michael Jackson’s Moon Walk? She can. I’m telling ya, Sophia can Moon Walk with the best of ‘em. On her back legs, standing tall, Moon Walking Cat. And I thought she looked good doing the back flips, till I saw the Moon Walking.
Sophia says she’s glad the President is out of the country. 'Cause every time he leaves the country his approval rating goes up. She thinks it’s ‘cause people want him to get as far away as possible. Damn Republican Cat.
Was last week’s weather great or what? How many thought for sure that’s Indiana Summer? Wrong! Indian Summer don’t start till St. Martin’s Day. November 11, is considered the beginning of Indian summer, a period of warm weather following a cold spell or hard frost.
An old saying is “If All Saints’ (November 1) brings out winter, St. Martin’s brings out Indian summer.” Indian summer can occur between St. Martin’s Day and November 20. And if ya remember, last Thursday sure felt like summer, being 70° and all. But for the rest of the Indian Summer, it kinda cooled down, down toward winter, but that’s ok too, ‘cause winter’s kinda cool. At least two summer like days fall within the St. Martin to November 20th time frame this year. Some times it just don’t happen at all, so were blessed this year with a short Indian Summer. Sometimes it’s quality not quantity that counts.
Seems I remember hearing somewhere the origin of the term, Indian Summer, some say that it comes from the early Native Americans, who believed that the condition was caused by a warm wind sent from the court of their southwestern God, Cautantowwit. I wonder what those old Indians were smoking when they thought that one up. Pot’s old, and been ‘round a long time ya know.
Some times I think my email is like a pop quiz, ya never know what’s coming next. A fellow asked if I knew the name of the full moon of November. HELLO ! I’m a stargazer, have been so forever. Not really forever, but for a long time. Did ya ever wonder ‘bout things like how long is forever. I think it’s as long as it needs to be and then it’s some more.
Talking ‘bout forever, I had some people want to talk a while back ‘bout the “end of time”, did I think it was near, did I think it was far. I told ‘em right up, “if ya die today, then your end of time is near. I hope mine’s far”.
The answer is yes, I know. The Full Beaver Moon of November. I should’ve answered back and said do ya know why it’s called the Beaver Moon. I didn’t, but almost did. That would’ve been the wrong thing to say to a person who may not know. But I almost did. Smarty pants from guy Montana, trying to get me to sin by talking mean to a person I don’t even know, but I almost did.
Oh, and that Full Beaver Moon, well they called it that ‘cause that’s the time of the year to make sure ya set all the beaver traps before the creeks and rivers and everything freeze. That way you’re assured a goodly supply of warm Beaver Furs for the winter. And we all know how important that is today.
We don’t do much beaver trapping from the East Wing. I just rely on the hunting skills of the 2girldogs to keep me supplied with warm animal furs for the winter. It turns out that my warm furs pretty much amount to Pup Baby laying at the foot of my bed while I sleep. Oh well, at least it’s warm fur for the winter. Along with Sophia and Spike, I sometimes have more warm furs than I need, even in the winter.
Sometimes think the worst thing I could have ever done in my lifetime is to register with National Diabetic Association after being diagnosed with diabetes back in the spring. I now get lots of email related to diabetes. Today I received the ultimate email on diabetes.
It was from a law firm, that email letter on diabetes, they didn’t identify their location. Them folks wanted to know if I had ever taken ad drug called AVANDIA. I have not. They told me ‘bout lots of people having taken Avandia for their diabetes and having such bad things happen to them medically. They even went on and on ‘bout the Federal Government investigating the makers of Avandia.
Told me there was going to be a large sum of money set aside for people who’d taken this drug and had experienced a bad medical outcome, those email lawyers. All I had to do was just fill in the blank spaces on the form and I’m going to get some money, lots of money. Now the fact I never took Avandia didn’t seem to matter at all, just fill in the blanks and wait for the money.
Sounded like a democrat scheme to me so I decided to get Sophia’s input. Now for you that may not know the inter working of the East Wing, Sophia spends most all her time lying on the back of my chair when I'm in the East Wing. And for those who don’t know ‘bout the East Wing at all, it’s a 24x20 room built onto the original east end of my house. Three sides are all glass walls, floor to ceiling, the 4th side is the original outside of the house, with just enough walls to support the roof. The East Wing, where me and the 2girldogs, Sophia, Spike and the She call home. Although the She don’t stay in the East Wing as much as the rest of us do.
Sophia stays on the back of my chair for a simple reason. That way she can read the screen as I type, also so she can whisper into my ear, only on problem, Sophia don’t do whisper. Sophia knows I’m deaf without my hearing aids, so with her laying on the back of the chair, she can yell into my right ear with ease. And believe me she does, both loud and often.
When asked ‘bout the Avandia, Sophia said “there’s a sucker born every minute, you grape or orange?” Very few people like smart ass cats. But ya gota love the Calico Cat when she smiles. The Moon Walking part, well that’s just like gravy on biscuits, it’s just been made extra special.
Remember this time ‘bout a year ago or so, I was talking ‘bout a Catholic Priest from Kentucky coming to my church in North Judson. Well guess what, today we had another Catholic Priest from Kentucky come to my church in North Judson.
Father Mark Dreves from the Diocese of Lexington. Now when most folks think ‘bout Lexington, they tend to think one of three things, Blue Grass, Race Horses, or the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The Catholic Church’s not widely associated with the State of Kentucky, yet the Catholic Church puts forth extensive efforts in Southeastern Kentucky, both spiritual and charitable. Most all of this work goes unnoticed by the rest of the world, noticed only by those who’s lives are touched by the efforts. That alone is the reward for the effort.
Father Mark currently serves in the capacity of Vicar General in the Diocese of Lexington. Now for you non Catholic folks, the Vicar General is kinda like the Vice President, in the sense he’s the number two guy in charge. That’s where the similarity ends. The main job of the Vice President is to wait around for the President to die so he can be President.
Not the case with the Vicar General, this is the go to position that makes any diocese work, and Father Mark appears, from my too short a visit with him, to be just the right man for the job. He probably don’t think so, but I’ll bet ya his Bishop does.
Talk ‘bout Devine Intervention, last Saturday I had a certain amount of work that just had to be completed in my office. A deadline I had established two weeks prior. I was aware the Father Mark was on his way to my office and my concern was I’d have to ask him to cool his heels while I finished my work for the day. It was with that thought in my mind that I continued to process the stuff that had to be done.
The work got finished, checked and rechecked for detail, it was acceptable, I pushed the button to both save and print. It was as the very last page of a long document exited the printer that Father Mark knocked on my office door. Some times things work out so good ya just say “Thank you Jesus” and go on ‘bout you life.
At mass this weekend in both North Judson and San Pierre, Father Mark brought the message of the need for assistance in Southeastern Kentucky. The difficulty of life in the mountains, the struggle to maintain a family relationship, the frustration of chronic unemployment. Lack of money, lack of clothing, lack of food, lack of education, and in many instances lack of hope. Life is hard in the mountains for many people who call those mountains home.
Kind and gentle people, both saints and sinners mixed together right there in the mountains, much the same mix as any other place in the world. There’s always charitable need throughout the world. It’s something ya can’t dwell upon forever or you’ll become so depressed you’ll join the hopeless.
But ya just do your part, and the Family of Howard’s part to assist the Diocese of Lexington in their charitable efforts in Appalachia is to provide clothing. We don’t know how much or how it’ll get delivered. But it will. Those are details which will fill in as we go forward with the program.
It’s one thing to hear of a human need, kick in ten bucks and forget about it. It’s another thing to hear of a need close to home and decide to try to do something about it. It’s kinda like calling ourselves Catholic and not responding, why would we not respond? Pray that our efforts to provide clothing for those in need in Magoffin and Floyd County Kentucky will be successful, better yet join me in the effort.
Now ‘bout that calling ourselves Catholic statement, think about it. Calling ourselves Catholic no more makes us Christian than standing in our garage one hour a week makes us a car. Did ya ever wonder ‘bout the number of cars at mass?
And they’ll know we are Christian by our deeds.
Stay safe in Afghanistan
From the East Wing, With Spike Doing Well, Sophia Moon Walking, Email Scams, Father Mark From the Mountains
I wish you well,
BobbyRay
Thank you one and all for your concern for the Birthday Kitten, The Man Cat, Spike. Spike is doing well and is currently holding court in the East Wing. Now having joined the inside pets completing his special elective surgery, he’s truly one of the gang. They still look at his rear end hair cut and laugh, but oh well, things are like that in the East Wing. We some have hair and some don’t
While Spike has settled into his new role as house cat, Sophia on the other hand is yet to come down from the clouds of euphoria. Wow! Talk ‘bout a cat high, ya wouldn’t believe a cat could get so high till ya see Sophia walk on air. Remember Michael Jackson’s Moon Walk? She can. I’m telling ya, Sophia can Moon Walk with the best of ‘em. On her back legs, standing tall, Moon Walking Cat. And I thought she looked good doing the back flips, till I saw the Moon Walking.
Sophia says she’s glad the President is out of the country. 'Cause every time he leaves the country his approval rating goes up. She thinks it’s ‘cause people want him to get as far away as possible. Damn Republican Cat.
Was last week’s weather great or what? How many thought for sure that’s Indiana Summer? Wrong! Indian Summer don’t start till St. Martin’s Day. November 11, is considered the beginning of Indian summer, a period of warm weather following a cold spell or hard frost.
An old saying is “If All Saints’ (November 1) brings out winter, St. Martin’s brings out Indian summer.” Indian summer can occur between St. Martin’s Day and November 20. And if ya remember, last Thursday sure felt like summer, being 70° and all. But for the rest of the Indian Summer, it kinda cooled down, down toward winter, but that’s ok too, ‘cause winter’s kinda cool. At least two summer like days fall within the St. Martin to November 20th time frame this year. Some times it just don’t happen at all, so were blessed this year with a short Indian Summer. Sometimes it’s quality not quantity that counts.
Seems I remember hearing somewhere the origin of the term, Indian Summer, some say that it comes from the early Native Americans, who believed that the condition was caused by a warm wind sent from the court of their southwestern God, Cautantowwit. I wonder what those old Indians were smoking when they thought that one up. Pot’s old, and been ‘round a long time ya know.
Some times I think my email is like a pop quiz, ya never know what’s coming next. A fellow asked if I knew the name of the full moon of November. HELLO ! I’m a stargazer, have been so forever. Not really forever, but for a long time. Did ya ever wonder ‘bout things like how long is forever. I think it’s as long as it needs to be and then it’s some more.
Talking ‘bout forever, I had some people want to talk a while back ‘bout the “end of time”, did I think it was near, did I think it was far. I told ‘em right up, “if ya die today, then your end of time is near. I hope mine’s far”.
The answer is yes, I know. The Full Beaver Moon of November. I should’ve answered back and said do ya know why it’s called the Beaver Moon. I didn’t, but almost did. That would’ve been the wrong thing to say to a person who may not know. But I almost did. Smarty pants from guy Montana, trying to get me to sin by talking mean to a person I don’t even know, but I almost did.
Oh, and that Full Beaver Moon, well they called it that ‘cause that’s the time of the year to make sure ya set all the beaver traps before the creeks and rivers and everything freeze. That way you’re assured a goodly supply of warm Beaver Furs for the winter. And we all know how important that is today.
We don’t do much beaver trapping from the East Wing. I just rely on the hunting skills of the 2girldogs to keep me supplied with warm animal furs for the winter. It turns out that my warm furs pretty much amount to Pup Baby laying at the foot of my bed while I sleep. Oh well, at least it’s warm fur for the winter. Along with Sophia and Spike, I sometimes have more warm furs than I need, even in the winter.
Sometimes think the worst thing I could have ever done in my lifetime is to register with National Diabetic Association after being diagnosed with diabetes back in the spring. I now get lots of email related to diabetes. Today I received the ultimate email on diabetes.
It was from a law firm, that email letter on diabetes, they didn’t identify their location. Them folks wanted to know if I had ever taken ad drug called AVANDIA. I have not. They told me ‘bout lots of people having taken Avandia for their diabetes and having such bad things happen to them medically. They even went on and on ‘bout the Federal Government investigating the makers of Avandia.
Told me there was going to be a large sum of money set aside for people who’d taken this drug and had experienced a bad medical outcome, those email lawyers. All I had to do was just fill in the blank spaces on the form and I’m going to get some money, lots of money. Now the fact I never took Avandia didn’t seem to matter at all, just fill in the blanks and wait for the money.
Sounded like a democrat scheme to me so I decided to get Sophia’s input. Now for you that may not know the inter working of the East Wing, Sophia spends most all her time lying on the back of my chair when I'm in the East Wing. And for those who don’t know ‘bout the East Wing at all, it’s a 24x20 room built onto the original east end of my house. Three sides are all glass walls, floor to ceiling, the 4th side is the original outside of the house, with just enough walls to support the roof. The East Wing, where me and the 2girldogs, Sophia, Spike and the She call home. Although the She don’t stay in the East Wing as much as the rest of us do.
Sophia stays on the back of my chair for a simple reason. That way she can read the screen as I type, also so she can whisper into my ear, only on problem, Sophia don’t do whisper. Sophia knows I’m deaf without my hearing aids, so with her laying on the back of the chair, she can yell into my right ear with ease. And believe me she does, both loud and often.
When asked ‘bout the Avandia, Sophia said “there’s a sucker born every minute, you grape or orange?” Very few people like smart ass cats. But ya gota love the Calico Cat when she smiles. The Moon Walking part, well that’s just like gravy on biscuits, it’s just been made extra special.
Remember this time ‘bout a year ago or so, I was talking ‘bout a Catholic Priest from Kentucky coming to my church in North Judson. Well guess what, today we had another Catholic Priest from Kentucky come to my church in North Judson.
Father Mark Dreves from the Diocese of Lexington. Now when most folks think ‘bout Lexington, they tend to think one of three things, Blue Grass, Race Horses, or the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The Catholic Church’s not widely associated with the State of Kentucky, yet the Catholic Church puts forth extensive efforts in Southeastern Kentucky, both spiritual and charitable. Most all of this work goes unnoticed by the rest of the world, noticed only by those who’s lives are touched by the efforts. That alone is the reward for the effort.
Father Mark currently serves in the capacity of Vicar General in the Diocese of Lexington. Now for you non Catholic folks, the Vicar General is kinda like the Vice President, in the sense he’s the number two guy in charge. That’s where the similarity ends. The main job of the Vice President is to wait around for the President to die so he can be President.
Not the case with the Vicar General, this is the go to position that makes any diocese work, and Father Mark appears, from my too short a visit with him, to be just the right man for the job. He probably don’t think so, but I’ll bet ya his Bishop does.
Talk ‘bout Devine Intervention, last Saturday I had a certain amount of work that just had to be completed in my office. A deadline I had established two weeks prior. I was aware the Father Mark was on his way to my office and my concern was I’d have to ask him to cool his heels while I finished my work for the day. It was with that thought in my mind that I continued to process the stuff that had to be done.
The work got finished, checked and rechecked for detail, it was acceptable, I pushed the button to both save and print. It was as the very last page of a long document exited the printer that Father Mark knocked on my office door. Some times things work out so good ya just say “Thank you Jesus” and go on ‘bout you life.
At mass this weekend in both North Judson and San Pierre, Father Mark brought the message of the need for assistance in Southeastern Kentucky. The difficulty of life in the mountains, the struggle to maintain a family relationship, the frustration of chronic unemployment. Lack of money, lack of clothing, lack of food, lack of education, and in many instances lack of hope. Life is hard in the mountains for many people who call those mountains home.
Kind and gentle people, both saints and sinners mixed together right there in the mountains, much the same mix as any other place in the world. There’s always charitable need throughout the world. It’s something ya can’t dwell upon forever or you’ll become so depressed you’ll join the hopeless.
But ya just do your part, and the Family of Howard’s part to assist the Diocese of Lexington in their charitable efforts in Appalachia is to provide clothing. We don’t know how much or how it’ll get delivered. But it will. Those are details which will fill in as we go forward with the program.
It’s one thing to hear of a human need, kick in ten bucks and forget about it. It’s another thing to hear of a need close to home and decide to try to do something about it. It’s kinda like calling ourselves Catholic and not responding, why would we not respond? Pray that our efforts to provide clothing for those in need in Magoffin and Floyd County Kentucky will be successful, better yet join me in the effort.
Now ‘bout that calling ourselves Catholic statement, think about it. Calling ourselves Catholic no more makes us Christian than standing in our garage one hour a week makes us a car. Did ya ever wonder ‘bout the number of cars at mass?
And they’ll know we are Christian by our deeds.
Stay safe in Afghanistan
From the East Wing, With Spike Doing Well, Sophia Moon Walking, Email Scams, Father Mark From the Mountains
I wish you well,
BobbyRay
Sunday, November 7, 2010
From the East Wing, A Happy Cat, Part of History, November Holidays, Oklahoma Heroes, Spike & The Knife
Greeting to all and welcome new friends to the East Wing.
Now I’m not saying the Sophia’s happy, but did ya ever see a cat do a back flip? Twice? From Sophia’s point of view, things went just swell that election night, November 2nd 2010. Now that’s not the case for everyone involved, such is life, win some, lose some, life goes on. Right now Sophia’s so happy with the outcome of the election she’s not even bad mouthing the President. Although Sophia said she thinks everybody in the whole world got the message except Obama and Pelosi. But you know how those Republican Calico Cats can stretch the truth. I think he got the message. We’ll see about Pelosi, she’s from California ya know, it sometimes takes longer for the word to get that far.
It’s kinda interesting to note that just 24 months ago it seems the whole country just couldn’t get enough of then President Elect Obama and now we seem to have collectively said Uh Oh! Guess that just goes to show ya, a majority is not necessarily always right. Collectively we make mistakes and collectively we correct such mistakes. Some have been corrected, and some still remain.
It's amazing that the largest shift of one political party to the other since the 1940’s has occurred with our participation. Now that’s assuming ya voted. If ya didn’t --- shame on you. But one thing ya gota keep in mind, if ya don’t vote, ya can’t complain. And that’s why I always vote, just in case I need to complain. I voted.
One of the things which seem to be lost in the national media is the extent of the political swing to the concretive point of view. On a national basis this is the largest shift of political position in the history of this nation. At the state level, the change in political position is historic, at the local level, across the nation, the same political change in position tends to reflect the national view.
Never in the history of politics have so many changed so fast because of so few. But what’s so both amazing and gratifying ‘bout the American Electorate is the success of those most demonized of all, the Tea Party.
And to paraphrase “Larry The Cable Guy” when talking ‘bout the Tea Party. “They Got ‘er Done”. And so they did. The American political landscape has been changed forever. Like it or not, it just has, and a new national thought process has come to the forefront. They got ‘er done. Sophia the Republican Cat is all smiles, and I’m glad, ‘cause ya don’t have to live with a mad cat. I do.
Is summer turning to winter while going through fall a neat time of the year or what? Gotta love November. Such major holidays that few participate in, such as November 4th, Will Rogers Day. Now I have some friends who live in Oklahoma, and I’m telling ya, Will Rogers Day is a big deal in Oklahoma. ‘Course if ya ever been to Oklahoma then ya’d know why Will Rogers Day is a big deal in Oklahoma. Will Rogers once said “I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” Wow, would he have a lot of “facts” to report now days. Will Rogers (1879–1935)
One thing ya can say ‘bout Oklahoma is, its north of Texas, and everybody knows ya don’t mess with Texas. But the really best thing I can say ‘bout Oklahoma is I’ve met Buddy Evans. For those of you who may not know Buddy Evans, well set back and enjoy the Buddy Evans story.
Buddy came into my life unexpected and uninvited and I’m so glad he did. Without fanfare or Gloria last Friday late afternoon, I found myself engaged in conversation with a fellow named Buddy Evans, He’s from Oklahoma, and he’s from Oklahoma, came to Indiana for a wedding to be held at Grand Central Station the next day. Well Buddy turns out to be one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met in a long, a long time.
Buddy graduated from high school in 1950’s and can’t wait to go see the world, but seeing the world in Oklahoma turns out to be a lineman for the county. Looking for a way to escape Oklahoma, Buddy turns to the military recruitment. The army tells him, “we can take you in six weeks”, the air force tells him “ we can take you in three weeks”, the navy tell him “we can take you in two weeks” the marines tell Buddy “we got a bus leaving Tulsa tomorrow” Buddy was on the bus. He spent six years in the Marines. Buddy got his wish to see the world.
Buddy was in southeast Asia, Vietnam, at a time when it was not the politically correct thing to do. He spent 30 days in the jungle, in the river, alone, just Buddy and God, he survived, ‘cause God wanted him to. Jungle food is somewhat limited to things that move, both in the day light and the darkness. Buddy ate ‘em both.
And then the sky angles, the Hueys, those Helicopters sent by God, plucked Buddy out of the midst of the Vietcong and delivered him into the arms of freedom. Buddy came home to a hostile American Public. He was spat upon and laughed at, ridiculed and assaulted as he blended into civilian life.
A hero walked among ‘em and they knew him not. Buddy had paid the price for their freedom and they never even knew. The real important thing ‘bout Oklahoma is not Will Rogers Day, it’s the Buddy Evans’s of Oklahoma. For those that never said it when it should have been said “Welcome home Buddy Evans, and thank you.” And that comes from BobbyRay.
Another big November Holiday is November 6th its Sadie Hawkins Day. Now not everybody remembers Sadie Hawkins Day ‘cause it was invented by a cartoon artist, fellow by the name of Al Capp, creator of the Li'l Abner comic strip. On this day, unmarried ladies could pursue (literally) their men; if caught, marriage was unavoidable. The idea took off in real-life. In 1938, the first ever "girls-ask-boys" Sadie Hawkins Dance was held. Sadie Hawkins Dances were still popular into the 1960’s. I think girls ask boys for more stuff than just dancing now days.
November 7th , not a holiday but important date for sure. Daylight Saving Time Ends at 2:00 A.M. Now if you’re reading this Monday Morning after showing up for church yesterday an hour early, oh well, don’t fret. Come spring time, ya can forget again and show up for church an hour late and everything will be back in balance in your world.
Seems that Ben Franklin first thought up the idea of Daylight Savings Time back in the 1780’s. Was first put into wide use in World War I and again in World War II. Ben Franklin was a kinda neat guy, flying kites and making stoves and all. Done a couple other things too, like opened a post office and proposed a system of public education. To this day some people think both those ideas failed.
They didn’t. Where else can ya send a letter across the whole country, misspell every word and it still costs less than a cup of coffee. I think Ben got his picture on some money too, but I seldom see those kinda dollar bills.
Of course the best for the last of November Holidays is always Thanksgiving, always the last Thursday of November. A special day, for a special nation, set aside to allow us, one and all, to reflect on these gifts we have received from his bounty.
Come Thanksgiving Day, the Family of Howard, will once again offer a Thanksgiving Dinner to all those near and far who choose to join us for the meal. It’s something we started six years ago. Our first year we had 64 guests, and many thought there was some kinda catch to it. There was not. The Thanksgiving Meal has grown in size every year. This year we will cook for 500. Welcome one and all to join the Howards for Thanksgiving at 301 Lane Street in North Judson IN. We even offer free rides and carry outs. Come join us, you’ll be happy.
Last Wednesday Purdue University put up a website called ''Impact: Earth!'' it’s a site that allows ya to calculate the potential damage a comet or asteroid would cause if it hit the Earth. It’s totally programmable. It’s a fun thing to play with. I programmed it to calculate the damage of a direct hit to the East Wing with an asteroid the size of a canned ham traveling at 1,200 miles per hour. When I pushed the button to calculate the damage, I thought I was reading a Soprano’s script, it simply said “Forget About It!” It’s worth the trip at http://www.purdue.edu/impactearth
I think I told ya ‘bout my cat Spike, a boy cat, Spike. A birthday present last May. A gray striped tiger cat, a walking birthday present with white boots. Like all Gods creatures, Spike grew up. He’s no longer the little birthday kitten, he not the little boy cat. He’s Spike the Man Cat, the Spikester in white boots.
Now there comes a time in the life of all Gods creatures, great and small, that a person makes a decision which will have a profound effect on their future. The decision may be as glorious as to pamper the animal for the rest of its life. A new family pet. Provide food for the birds of winter. To end the suffering, to end the life.
And so such a time had come for the Birthday Kitten who turned into the Man Cat, Spike. A decision was made which would have a profound, detrimental impact on the night life of the Man Cat. The date was set, the time agreed upon. The instructions were given me to not feed the Spike after 6:00 PM Friday. The only remaining unknown was how to convince the gray tiger in white boots to go along with the program.
Daylight Saturday Morning revealed the first snow of the season on the window of Mr. Lincoln and temperatures below freezing and a man cat that wanted only to sleep in for the morning. It took some doing, but I convinced Spike we were going shopping at Pet Mart for Sophia’s birthday present. Spike jumped into the cat carrier with glee. In the car Spike asked why I hadn’t fed him breakfast. Told me we would eat out later.
Our destination was Michigan City, a full hours drive from the East Wing. A scant 5 miles from home and Spike is complaining ‘bout his accommodations, too small, nothing to play with, no water, no food, and the list went on an on. Now Spike’s a good fellow but with all this complaining I started to think he’s sounding like Joe Biden jumping on the Tea Party. And we all know that didn’t work either.
Checking Spike into the system was straight forward and easy. They paw printed Spike right up, had me sign my approval for the procedure, and the Birthday Kitten, the Man Cat in white boots, the Spikester, was about to become number 12.
A lady dressed in green scrubs, a net over her hair, wearing glasses and carrying a roll of 1” cream color paper tape, that thin kind ya use when ya want to mask off something for painting. The kind that if ya don’t tear it just right, it splits and then ya have a terrible time getting the end from half way around the roll, that kind of tape. She tore off ‘bout 1” and pasted it to Spikes head, right between his ears. She was pretty good at tearing the tape, I think she’s had lots of practice. That didn’t look like a new roll she was using.
She had a magic marker, a Sharpie, she wrote the number 12 on Spikes little piece of paper tape, right there between his ears. She asked me if I wanted her to write the same number on the back of my hand so we could cross reference my cat when I came back to pick him up. I declined, told her I thought I could recognize Spike even without his number 12 and even after having work done his plumbing. I rubbed Spikes head just past that little paper square with his number 12 and held his paw and told him I’d be back later in the day to take him home. Spike acted leery of the whole deal.
It’s hard to read the green eyes of a birthday kitten, a Man Cat in white boots. Spike meowed as I turned and walked out the door. I don’t know if cats cry, but it sure sounded like Spike was trying to.
They told me I could pick up Spike at 7:00 – 7:30 PM. I arrived at 6:30, just in case. It was 5 minutes after 7 when the doors opened to release the cats of the day. I was in the front of the line. I grabbed the cat with the number 12 on his head and sure enough it looked just like the same fellow I brought up that morning. Don’t know who was most glad to see whom, but Spike sure had a lot to say on the way home.
South bound through Michigan City Indiana at night is a big deal for a country cat. Spike loved the twinkling of the lights. The Pet Mart Sign was lit. By the time we were five miles from town, Spike was out of cat carrier and lying on my shoulders. He whispered in my ear “we didn’t get Sophia’s birthday president” and after he bit my ear lobe, said “that wasn’t Pet Mart you took me to either.” We drove on into the night, me and Spike, going home. They all wanted to see his stitches when we got home, but he didn’t get any, they all liked his partial hair cut, but Spike can only see his hair cut from upside down.
All is well with Spike, the 2girldogs, Sophia, Bentley and the she, as this first Sunday of November comes to the end of the day with the approaching darkness showing up an hour earlier this day than the day before. Daylight Saving Time has gone away.
It’s the middle of Fall and most leaves have. Autumn will soon be gone and winter will bring the special beauty of what only winter can show us. We’ll then complain ‘bout too cold, too much snow, too dark, can’t wait for better weather, and a whole bunch other winter stuff we complain ‘bout every year. But ya gota remember what I said earlier, “if ya don’t vote, ya can’t complain”. Now ya know the rest of reason voting.
Stay Safe in Afghanistan
From the East Wing, A Happy Cat, Part of History, November Holidays, Oklahoma Heroes, Spike & The Knife
I Wish You Well,
BobbyRay
Now I’m not saying the Sophia’s happy, but did ya ever see a cat do a back flip? Twice? From Sophia’s point of view, things went just swell that election night, November 2nd 2010. Now that’s not the case for everyone involved, such is life, win some, lose some, life goes on. Right now Sophia’s so happy with the outcome of the election she’s not even bad mouthing the President. Although Sophia said she thinks everybody in the whole world got the message except Obama and Pelosi. But you know how those Republican Calico Cats can stretch the truth. I think he got the message. We’ll see about Pelosi, she’s from California ya know, it sometimes takes longer for the word to get that far.
It’s kinda interesting to note that just 24 months ago it seems the whole country just couldn’t get enough of then President Elect Obama and now we seem to have collectively said Uh Oh! Guess that just goes to show ya, a majority is not necessarily always right. Collectively we make mistakes and collectively we correct such mistakes. Some have been corrected, and some still remain.
It's amazing that the largest shift of one political party to the other since the 1940’s has occurred with our participation. Now that’s assuming ya voted. If ya didn’t --- shame on you. But one thing ya gota keep in mind, if ya don’t vote, ya can’t complain. And that’s why I always vote, just in case I need to complain. I voted.
One of the things which seem to be lost in the national media is the extent of the political swing to the concretive point of view. On a national basis this is the largest shift of political position in the history of this nation. At the state level, the change in political position is historic, at the local level, across the nation, the same political change in position tends to reflect the national view.
Never in the history of politics have so many changed so fast because of so few. But what’s so both amazing and gratifying ‘bout the American Electorate is the success of those most demonized of all, the Tea Party.
And to paraphrase “Larry The Cable Guy” when talking ‘bout the Tea Party. “They Got ‘er Done”. And so they did. The American political landscape has been changed forever. Like it or not, it just has, and a new national thought process has come to the forefront. They got ‘er done. Sophia the Republican Cat is all smiles, and I’m glad, ‘cause ya don’t have to live with a mad cat. I do.
Is summer turning to winter while going through fall a neat time of the year or what? Gotta love November. Such major holidays that few participate in, such as November 4th, Will Rogers Day. Now I have some friends who live in Oklahoma, and I’m telling ya, Will Rogers Day is a big deal in Oklahoma. ‘Course if ya ever been to Oklahoma then ya’d know why Will Rogers Day is a big deal in Oklahoma. Will Rogers once said “I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” Wow, would he have a lot of “facts” to report now days. Will Rogers (1879–1935)
One thing ya can say ‘bout Oklahoma is, its north of Texas, and everybody knows ya don’t mess with Texas. But the really best thing I can say ‘bout Oklahoma is I’ve met Buddy Evans. For those of you who may not know Buddy Evans, well set back and enjoy the Buddy Evans story.
Buddy came into my life unexpected and uninvited and I’m so glad he did. Without fanfare or Gloria last Friday late afternoon, I found myself engaged in conversation with a fellow named Buddy Evans, He’s from Oklahoma, and he’s from Oklahoma, came to Indiana for a wedding to be held at Grand Central Station the next day. Well Buddy turns out to be one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met in a long, a long time.
Buddy graduated from high school in 1950’s and can’t wait to go see the world, but seeing the world in Oklahoma turns out to be a lineman for the county. Looking for a way to escape Oklahoma, Buddy turns to the military recruitment. The army tells him, “we can take you in six weeks”, the air force tells him “ we can take you in three weeks”, the navy tell him “we can take you in two weeks” the marines tell Buddy “we got a bus leaving Tulsa tomorrow” Buddy was on the bus. He spent six years in the Marines. Buddy got his wish to see the world.
Buddy was in southeast Asia, Vietnam, at a time when it was not the politically correct thing to do. He spent 30 days in the jungle, in the river, alone, just Buddy and God, he survived, ‘cause God wanted him to. Jungle food is somewhat limited to things that move, both in the day light and the darkness. Buddy ate ‘em both.
And then the sky angles, the Hueys, those Helicopters sent by God, plucked Buddy out of the midst of the Vietcong and delivered him into the arms of freedom. Buddy came home to a hostile American Public. He was spat upon and laughed at, ridiculed and assaulted as he blended into civilian life.
A hero walked among ‘em and they knew him not. Buddy had paid the price for their freedom and they never even knew. The real important thing ‘bout Oklahoma is not Will Rogers Day, it’s the Buddy Evans’s of Oklahoma. For those that never said it when it should have been said “Welcome home Buddy Evans, and thank you.” And that comes from BobbyRay.
Another big November Holiday is November 6th its Sadie Hawkins Day. Now not everybody remembers Sadie Hawkins Day ‘cause it was invented by a cartoon artist, fellow by the name of Al Capp, creator of the Li'l Abner comic strip. On this day, unmarried ladies could pursue (literally) their men; if caught, marriage was unavoidable. The idea took off in real-life. In 1938, the first ever "girls-ask-boys" Sadie Hawkins Dance was held. Sadie Hawkins Dances were still popular into the 1960’s. I think girls ask boys for more stuff than just dancing now days.
November 7th , not a holiday but important date for sure. Daylight Saving Time Ends at 2:00 A.M. Now if you’re reading this Monday Morning after showing up for church yesterday an hour early, oh well, don’t fret. Come spring time, ya can forget again and show up for church an hour late and everything will be back in balance in your world.
Seems that Ben Franklin first thought up the idea of Daylight Savings Time back in the 1780’s. Was first put into wide use in World War I and again in World War II. Ben Franklin was a kinda neat guy, flying kites and making stoves and all. Done a couple other things too, like opened a post office and proposed a system of public education. To this day some people think both those ideas failed.
They didn’t. Where else can ya send a letter across the whole country, misspell every word and it still costs less than a cup of coffee. I think Ben got his picture on some money too, but I seldom see those kinda dollar bills.
Of course the best for the last of November Holidays is always Thanksgiving, always the last Thursday of November. A special day, for a special nation, set aside to allow us, one and all, to reflect on these gifts we have received from his bounty.
Come Thanksgiving Day, the Family of Howard, will once again offer a Thanksgiving Dinner to all those near and far who choose to join us for the meal. It’s something we started six years ago. Our first year we had 64 guests, and many thought there was some kinda catch to it. There was not. The Thanksgiving Meal has grown in size every year. This year we will cook for 500. Welcome one and all to join the Howards for Thanksgiving at 301 Lane Street in North Judson IN. We even offer free rides and carry outs. Come join us, you’ll be happy.
Last Wednesday Purdue University put up a website called ''Impact: Earth!'' it’s a site that allows ya to calculate the potential damage a comet or asteroid would cause if it hit the Earth. It’s totally programmable. It’s a fun thing to play with. I programmed it to calculate the damage of a direct hit to the East Wing with an asteroid the size of a canned ham traveling at 1,200 miles per hour. When I pushed the button to calculate the damage, I thought I was reading a Soprano’s script, it simply said “Forget About It!” It’s worth the trip at http://www.purdue.edu/impactearth
I think I told ya ‘bout my cat Spike, a boy cat, Spike. A birthday present last May. A gray striped tiger cat, a walking birthday present with white boots. Like all Gods creatures, Spike grew up. He’s no longer the little birthday kitten, he not the little boy cat. He’s Spike the Man Cat, the Spikester in white boots.
Now there comes a time in the life of all Gods creatures, great and small, that a person makes a decision which will have a profound effect on their future. The decision may be as glorious as to pamper the animal for the rest of its life. A new family pet. Provide food for the birds of winter. To end the suffering, to end the life.
And so such a time had come for the Birthday Kitten who turned into the Man Cat, Spike. A decision was made which would have a profound, detrimental impact on the night life of the Man Cat. The date was set, the time agreed upon. The instructions were given me to not feed the Spike after 6:00 PM Friday. The only remaining unknown was how to convince the gray tiger in white boots to go along with the program.
Daylight Saturday Morning revealed the first snow of the season on the window of Mr. Lincoln and temperatures below freezing and a man cat that wanted only to sleep in for the morning. It took some doing, but I convinced Spike we were going shopping at Pet Mart for Sophia’s birthday present. Spike jumped into the cat carrier with glee. In the car Spike asked why I hadn’t fed him breakfast. Told me we would eat out later.
Our destination was Michigan City, a full hours drive from the East Wing. A scant 5 miles from home and Spike is complaining ‘bout his accommodations, too small, nothing to play with, no water, no food, and the list went on an on. Now Spike’s a good fellow but with all this complaining I started to think he’s sounding like Joe Biden jumping on the Tea Party. And we all know that didn’t work either.
Checking Spike into the system was straight forward and easy. They paw printed Spike right up, had me sign my approval for the procedure, and the Birthday Kitten, the Man Cat in white boots, the Spikester, was about to become number 12.
A lady dressed in green scrubs, a net over her hair, wearing glasses and carrying a roll of 1” cream color paper tape, that thin kind ya use when ya want to mask off something for painting. The kind that if ya don’t tear it just right, it splits and then ya have a terrible time getting the end from half way around the roll, that kind of tape. She tore off ‘bout 1” and pasted it to Spikes head, right between his ears. She was pretty good at tearing the tape, I think she’s had lots of practice. That didn’t look like a new roll she was using.
She had a magic marker, a Sharpie, she wrote the number 12 on Spikes little piece of paper tape, right there between his ears. She asked me if I wanted her to write the same number on the back of my hand so we could cross reference my cat when I came back to pick him up. I declined, told her I thought I could recognize Spike even without his number 12 and even after having work done his plumbing. I rubbed Spikes head just past that little paper square with his number 12 and held his paw and told him I’d be back later in the day to take him home. Spike acted leery of the whole deal.
It’s hard to read the green eyes of a birthday kitten, a Man Cat in white boots. Spike meowed as I turned and walked out the door. I don’t know if cats cry, but it sure sounded like Spike was trying to.
They told me I could pick up Spike at 7:00 – 7:30 PM. I arrived at 6:30, just in case. It was 5 minutes after 7 when the doors opened to release the cats of the day. I was in the front of the line. I grabbed the cat with the number 12 on his head and sure enough it looked just like the same fellow I brought up that morning. Don’t know who was most glad to see whom, but Spike sure had a lot to say on the way home.
South bound through Michigan City Indiana at night is a big deal for a country cat. Spike loved the twinkling of the lights. The Pet Mart Sign was lit. By the time we were five miles from town, Spike was out of cat carrier and lying on my shoulders. He whispered in my ear “we didn’t get Sophia’s birthday president” and after he bit my ear lobe, said “that wasn’t Pet Mart you took me to either.” We drove on into the night, me and Spike, going home. They all wanted to see his stitches when we got home, but he didn’t get any, they all liked his partial hair cut, but Spike can only see his hair cut from upside down.
All is well with Spike, the 2girldogs, Sophia, Bentley and the she, as this first Sunday of November comes to the end of the day with the approaching darkness showing up an hour earlier this day than the day before. Daylight Saving Time has gone away.
It’s the middle of Fall and most leaves have. Autumn will soon be gone and winter will bring the special beauty of what only winter can show us. We’ll then complain ‘bout too cold, too much snow, too dark, can’t wait for better weather, and a whole bunch other winter stuff we complain ‘bout every year. But ya gota remember what I said earlier, “if ya don’t vote, ya can’t complain”. Now ya know the rest of reason voting.
Stay Safe in Afghanistan
From the East Wing, A Happy Cat, Part of History, November Holidays, Oklahoma Heroes, Spike & The Knife
I Wish You Well,
BobbyRay
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