Friends,
You have got to see this amazing footage of a large meteor...part of the Leonid metoer shower this past Tuesday night. It crashes into the atmosphere on the upper right side of the screen...and indeed looks like some sort of alien invasion, but in South Africa, not here. ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAoUyXGWm0w.
Blessings, Don
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly -- 2009 NFL Week 11
Friends,
Week 11 Update...
The Good: Saints (So many weapons...); Colts (Ditto); Vikings (His Favreite year? I think so); Chargers (Go whipping past the Donkeys into the AFC Worst lead); Cardinals (Better hope Warner isn't out long); Pats (Smacking back the smack talkers, eh?); Titans (4 wins in a row -- have Denver and Tennessee exchanged teams?); Packers (Start quick and hold on against Niners); Fins (Finding ways to win...and without Ronnie -- pretty impressive); Jags (a very quiet 6-4...big rebound from last year); Matthew Stafford (400+yards and 5 TDs...are you kidding me?); Chefs (Again...are you kidding me?)
The Bad: Bengals (Can't beat the Steelers one week, then lose to the Rudders); Falcons (Snelling does well, but not the "D"); Stillers (Can't lose to the Chefs -- sorry EM); Donkeys (4 losses in a row...time to panic? Yeah); Mice of the Midway (The "savior"...ain't); Belles (See Dick go bye bye...which is too bad, but Fluffalo is BAD); Cowboys "O" (December swoon in November? Yikes!); J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets (Not so smackin' now)
The Ugly: Brownies and Lions "D"s (Yo...no show); Cowboys 7, Skinned 6 (Perfect definition of an "ugly" win...Skinned still find ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory); 1976 Expansion Revisited -- Seachickens (Score 41 on Jags earlier in the year...how can you be so bad now?) and Yuccaneers (Yuck, Yuck, Yuck...).
The Game of the Year? -- Lions 38, Brownies 37 ...what??????????
The Who-Are-You-And-What-Have-You-Done-With-Brady-Quinn_Award? -- Brady Quinn
The Lone Star Hope: (Brief NCAA note) Texas vs. TCU National Championship (Still alive for another week)
Super Bowl: Vikings vs. Colts
Stupor Bowl: Seachickens vs. Fluffalo Belles
Blessings,
Don
Week 11 Update...
The Good: Saints (So many weapons...); Colts (Ditto); Vikings (His Favreite year? I think so); Chargers (Go whipping past the Donkeys into the AFC Worst lead); Cardinals (Better hope Warner isn't out long); Pats (Smacking back the smack talkers, eh?); Titans (4 wins in a row -- have Denver and Tennessee exchanged teams?); Packers (Start quick and hold on against Niners); Fins (Finding ways to win...and without Ronnie -- pretty impressive); Jags (a very quiet 6-4...big rebound from last year); Matthew Stafford (400+yards and 5 TDs...are you kidding me?); Chefs (Again...are you kidding me?)
The Bad: Bengals (Can't beat the Steelers one week, then lose to the Rudders); Falcons (Snelling does well, but not the "D"); Stillers (Can't lose to the Chefs -- sorry EM); Donkeys (4 losses in a row...time to panic? Yeah); Mice of the Midway (The "savior"...ain't); Belles (See Dick go bye bye...which is too bad, but Fluffalo is BAD); Cowboys "O" (December swoon in November? Yikes!); J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets (Not so smackin' now)
The Ugly: Brownies and Lions "D"s (Yo...no show); Cowboys 7, Skinned 6 (Perfect definition of an "ugly" win...Skinned still find ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory); 1976 Expansion Revisited -- Seachickens (Score 41 on Jags earlier in the year...how can you be so bad now?) and Yuccaneers (Yuck, Yuck, Yuck...).
The Game of the Year? -- Lions 38, Brownies 37 ...what??????????
The Who-Are-You-And-What-Have-You-Done-With-Brady-Quinn_Award? -- Brady Quinn
The Lone Star Hope: (Brief NCAA note) Texas vs. TCU National Championship (Still alive for another week)
Super Bowl: Vikings vs. Colts
Stupor Bowl: Seachickens vs. Fluffalo Belles
Blessings,
Don
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Just Because...
Friends,
From my father-in-law...bless him -- changed a bit to protect the innocent... :-)
A group of friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck. "Where's Henry?" the others asked. "Henry had a health issue of some kind...he's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied. "You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired. "A tough call," nodded the hunter, "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"
Blessings,
Don
From my father-in-law...bless him -- changed a bit to protect the innocent... :-)
A group of friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck. "Where's Henry?" the others asked. "Henry had a health issue of some kind...he's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied. "You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired. "A tough call," nodded the hunter, "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"
Blessings,
Don
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly -- 2009 NFL Week 10
Friends,
Week 10 Update...
The Good: Saints (This Bush was burning); Colts (Would you like a ribbon on that gift?...complements of BB); Bengals (5-0 in their division...proving to be doggone tough); Chargers (LT playing like his old self all of the sudden); Cardinals (Playing more like last year's version); Titans (3 in a row...owner needs to chill); Cheeseheads ("D" makes its occasional appearance); Skins (Betts they can't do this regularly); Banana Girl's Team (114 pts...CTCC FFL record)
The Bad: Pats (Not trusting the "D" is costly...but then again, it is Peyton we're talking about with 2 minutes left); Falcons (Ryan experiencing Sophomore jinx); Broncos (Three's a trend this way, as well...no Orton means no "O," but "D" has been the real problem of late); Lions (Stafford was reasonable...but until he finds Megatron, they will stink); Roy Williams (The receiver -- not the DB or UNC Coach...although either of them could have probably made some of the catches that he didn't); Cowboys (Get trapped by a trap game...and they shouldn't have)
The Ugly: Brownies (Ugliest offense I have seen in watching 40 years of football...this team has no clue); Commitment to (HA!) Excellence Team (Run over by the Chefs...stinky -- tied for biggest circus with Brownies); Mice of the Midway (Way too many pics for this to work...Cut-it-out-ler continues); Bills (What...T.O. is now making noise?)
The Somebody-Please-Put-Them-Out-of-Our-Misery Award -- Brownies
The Lone Star Hope: (Brief NCAA note) Texas vs. TCU National Championship (Still alive for another week)
Super Bowl: Vikings vs. Colts
Stupor Bowl: Brownies vs. Cut-it-out-lers
Blessings,
Don
Week 10 Update...
The Good: Saints (This Bush was burning); Colts (Would you like a ribbon on that gift?...complements of BB); Bengals (5-0 in their division...proving to be doggone tough); Chargers (LT playing like his old self all of the sudden); Cardinals (Playing more like last year's version); Titans (3 in a row...owner needs to chill); Cheeseheads ("D" makes its occasional appearance); Skins (Betts they can't do this regularly); Banana Girl's Team (114 pts...CTCC FFL record)
The Bad: Pats (Not trusting the "D" is costly...but then again, it is Peyton we're talking about with 2 minutes left); Falcons (Ryan experiencing Sophomore jinx); Broncos (Three's a trend this way, as well...no Orton means no "O," but "D" has been the real problem of late); Lions (Stafford was reasonable...but until he finds Megatron, they will stink); Roy Williams (The receiver -- not the DB or UNC Coach...although either of them could have probably made some of the catches that he didn't); Cowboys (Get trapped by a trap game...and they shouldn't have)
The Ugly: Brownies (Ugliest offense I have seen in watching 40 years of football...this team has no clue); Commitment to (HA!) Excellence Team (Run over by the Chefs...stinky -- tied for biggest circus with Brownies); Mice of the Midway (Way too many pics for this to work...Cut-it-out-ler continues); Bills (What...T.O. is now making noise?)
The Somebody-Please-Put-Them-Out-of-Our-Misery Award -- Brownies
The Lone Star Hope: (Brief NCAA note) Texas vs. TCU National Championship (Still alive for another week)
Super Bowl: Vikings vs. Colts
Stupor Bowl: Brownies vs. Cut-it-out-lers
Blessings,
Don
Monday, November 16, 2009
Moon Water
Friends,
You probably heard that NASA launched a fascinating $79 million probe about a month ago in order to discern if there was any water on the moon. The idea was for one portion of the probe to blast the moon with explosive force, causing a geyser (hopefully) to rise up into the air, and then the second part of the probe would collect a sample of any water that might be there. Well... bingo! It was official, as of a few days ago -- water has been discovered on the moon.
The NASA probe discovered beds of water ice at the lunar south pole when it impacted the moon last month, mission scientists announced. And this is not just some small amount, but a significant amount of water has been "unmooned." Ultimately, the goal is to return astronauts back to the moon by the year 2020 in order to do further checking on the lunar surface to see what the future might hold. If mankind is ever going to be able to colonize the moon in the form of establishing a lunar base, finding water that could be usable was an important step in the process. So...to this point -- mission accomplished! Blessings,
Don
You probably heard that NASA launched a fascinating $79 million probe about a month ago in order to discern if there was any water on the moon. The idea was for one portion of the probe to blast the moon with explosive force, causing a geyser (hopefully) to rise up into the air, and then the second part of the probe would collect a sample of any water that might be there. Well... bingo! It was official, as of a few days ago -- water has been discovered on the moon.
The NASA probe discovered beds of water ice at the lunar south pole when it impacted the moon last month, mission scientists announced. And this is not just some small amount, but a significant amount of water has been "unmooned." Ultimately, the goal is to return astronauts back to the moon by the year 2020 in order to do further checking on the lunar surface to see what the future might hold. If mankind is ever going to be able to colonize the moon in the form of establishing a lunar base, finding water that could be usable was an important step in the process. So...to this point -- mission accomplished! Blessings,
Don
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly -- 2009 NFL Week 9
Friends,
Week 9 Update...
The Good: Saints (The Comeback Kids ride again); Colts (Dodged one thanks to Texans kicker); Steelers (Here you go, Erik -- look complete right now...grudge match with 85's team this week); Cowboys (Big time win against Eagles...the faithful are becoming believers again); Cardinals (Roller coaster was up for last week...hope it is back down at home against 'hawks); Titans (Nothing spectacular with Vince...just inspiration, I guess); Pats (Heading toward another showdown with Colts); Good Bay (Yuccaneers?)
The Bad: NFC Least -- Ugglees (Hahahahahaha!), Mutants (Defense seems to have quit on new DC), Skinned (Riggo says owner has "dark heart"...getting uglier in the capital); Niners (Lose four in a row?...you're on the bad list); Broncos (Two smack downs in a row...but 'skins should be good medicine this weekend); Bad Bay (And we thought it was Tampa...not! How long before Rodgers gets hurt with his OL giving up record sacks?)
The Ugly: Brownies (At least they had a bye week to ease the pain...now BQ is the new hero, once again -- YAY!); Mice of the Midway (If not for the TE, the Cards game would have been REALLY ugly); Lovable Losing Lions (The Lions had me nervous...up 17-0 against 'hawks, but thankfully, they reverted to their old form -- 5 pics works just fine :-); Dirty Birds (Only 7 points for the vaunted Baltimore O? Uh oh)
The Going to Make Someone Mad Award (Ha ha) -- Me...Go Bengals! (Only because I have two of their receivers ;-)
The Lone Star Hope: (Brief NCAA note) Texas vs. TCU National Championship (BTW...Iowa finally got what they had coming to them...a loss, and they will get another one this weekend).
Super Bowl: Cowboys vs. Steelers -- why not? Just like old times.
Stupor Bowl: Commitment to (Ha ha) Excellence Team vs. Lambs (Even on bye weeks, they can't escape)
Blessings,
Don
Week 9 Update...
The Good: Saints (The Comeback Kids ride again); Colts (Dodged one thanks to Texans kicker); Steelers (Here you go, Erik -- look complete right now...grudge match with 85's team this week); Cowboys (Big time win against Eagles...the faithful are becoming believers again); Cardinals (Roller coaster was up for last week...hope it is back down at home against 'hawks); Titans (Nothing spectacular with Vince...just inspiration, I guess); Pats (Heading toward another showdown with Colts); Good Bay (Yuccaneers?)
The Bad: NFC Least -- Ugglees (Hahahahahaha!), Mutants (Defense seems to have quit on new DC), Skinned (Riggo says owner has "dark heart"...getting uglier in the capital); Niners (Lose four in a row?...you're on the bad list); Broncos (Two smack downs in a row...but 'skins should be good medicine this weekend); Bad Bay (And we thought it was Tampa...not! How long before Rodgers gets hurt with his OL giving up record sacks?)
The Ugly: Brownies (At least they had a bye week to ease the pain...now BQ is the new hero, once again -- YAY!); Mice of the Midway (If not for the TE, the Cards game would have been REALLY ugly); Lovable Losing Lions (The Lions had me nervous...up 17-0 against 'hawks, but thankfully, they reverted to their old form -- 5 pics works just fine :-); Dirty Birds (Only 7 points for the vaunted Baltimore O? Uh oh)
The Going to Make Someone Mad Award (Ha ha) -- Me...Go Bengals! (Only because I have two of their receivers ;-)
The Lone Star Hope: (Brief NCAA note) Texas vs. TCU National Championship (BTW...Iowa finally got what they had coming to them...a loss, and they will get another one this weekend).
Super Bowl: Cowboys vs. Steelers -- why not? Just like old times.
Stupor Bowl: Commitment to (Ha ha) Excellence Team vs. Lambs (Even on bye weeks, they can't escape)
Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Battlefield
Friends,
Our country celebrates Veteran's Day today, and this may be the most poignant time to remember in recent years...at least for our family. With the tragedy that took place at Ft. Hood this past week, and the ensuing lock down that affected our nephew's family, it brings the struggles for freedom and the threat of the enemy very close to home in may respects. In addition, our nephew, Dirk, who has been on his fourth tour of duty in Iraq, was seriously injured when the armored vehicle he was riding in struck a land mine this past Saturday. He is recovering and has been upgraded from serious condition...but, he will have to undergo back surgery in the near future. Dirk was fortunate...many people who experience what happened to his vehicle do not survive. I am thankful that he will be coming home soon and will not be going back.
However, there will be others who will go or go back and fight for us in Iraq and Afhanistan. I am grateful for the sacrifices that they and their families make on our behalf. The enemy terrorists that we fight are perhaps the most dangerous and deadly that we have ever fought, because they are so covert. It reminds me of the enemy we fight in the spiritual battle on a daily basis. He, too, is covert and seeks to cause us to stumble and destroy us by putting temptation and trial landmines in our path. There are times when we are able to steer clear of these, and at other times, we hit them and are damaged. We need, always, to humble ourselves before our almighty Lord who leads us and guides us through the darkness of this world...into His light. And, one day, we will not have to worry about the darkness at all, because we will be in His eternal light...for the battle will be over. Blessings,
Don
Our country celebrates Veteran's Day today, and this may be the most poignant time to remember in recent years...at least for our family. With the tragedy that took place at Ft. Hood this past week, and the ensuing lock down that affected our nephew's family, it brings the struggles for freedom and the threat of the enemy very close to home in may respects. In addition, our nephew, Dirk, who has been on his fourth tour of duty in Iraq, was seriously injured when the armored vehicle he was riding in struck a land mine this past Saturday. He is recovering and has been upgraded from serious condition...but, he will have to undergo back surgery in the near future. Dirk was fortunate...many people who experience what happened to his vehicle do not survive. I am thankful that he will be coming home soon and will not be going back.
However, there will be others who will go or go back and fight for us in Iraq and Afhanistan. I am grateful for the sacrifices that they and their families make on our behalf. The enemy terrorists that we fight are perhaps the most dangerous and deadly that we have ever fought, because they are so covert. It reminds me of the enemy we fight in the spiritual battle on a daily basis. He, too, is covert and seeks to cause us to stumble and destroy us by putting temptation and trial landmines in our path. There are times when we are able to steer clear of these, and at other times, we hit them and are damaged. We need, always, to humble ourselves before our almighty Lord who leads us and guides us through the darkness of this world...into His light. And, one day, we will not have to worry about the darkness at all, because we will be in His eternal light...for the battle will be over. Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Bat Men
Friends,
Tis the season for bats...and not just because of the holidays. The other evening (October 31st, of course), there was a bat swooping in on the Spurs as they were playing the Kings at home. Rather than continue to be bothered by the nuisance, Spurs player Manu Ginobli took matters into his own hands, literally. He swiped the bat out of the air and knocked it to the floor, in a feat of athletic agility that was remarkable. Now, there are a couple of things to consider here -- first...had Ginobli really thought it through, he might have allowed "the bat authorities" to come and take care of it. What is one primary thing that we associate with bats? Yes, that's right -- rabies. So, now Ginobli is having to undergo 16 rabies shots over the next 30 days...with long needles, no less. Yikes! Second...of course where would we be without some of the PETA folks getting involved...or in this case -- PETB...people for the ethical treatment of bats. I am being a bit sarcastic, to be certain, but once again it begs the question -- a rogue bat, really? I mean...c'mon man.
Transitioning from the furry type of bat to the wooden type...it has been quite a World Series. It is a shame that the Phillies are not winning the overall series, for a number of reasons. One...I tend to root for the Rangers, Mariners and anyone playing the Yankees...just the way it is. :-) Second...Chase Utley, the Phillies second baseman, is not going to get near the props that he deserves if the Phillies do not win...which looks unlikely...but, you never know, as there are still two games to go. (One is actually going on right now, but I have no idea what the score is, as I have not caught up to my DVR yet :-). Utley has nearly single-handedly carried the Phillies, having hit five home runs, which is remarkable...and he ties Reggie Jackson, Mr. October, for the most in a series. So...I guess we can now anoint Utley, Mr. November, right? Either way, he has had an amazing World Series and deserves a lot of respect and honor for his performance. Hats off to you, Mr. November.
Blessings,
Don
Tis the season for bats...and not just because of the holidays. The other evening (October 31st, of course), there was a bat swooping in on the Spurs as they were playing the Kings at home. Rather than continue to be bothered by the nuisance, Spurs player Manu Ginobli took matters into his own hands, literally. He swiped the bat out of the air and knocked it to the floor, in a feat of athletic agility that was remarkable. Now, there are a couple of things to consider here -- first...had Ginobli really thought it through, he might have allowed "the bat authorities" to come and take care of it. What is one primary thing that we associate with bats? Yes, that's right -- rabies. So, now Ginobli is having to undergo 16 rabies shots over the next 30 days...with long needles, no less. Yikes! Second...of course where would we be without some of the PETA folks getting involved...or in this case -- PETB...people for the ethical treatment of bats. I am being a bit sarcastic, to be certain, but once again it begs the question -- a rogue bat, really? I mean...c'mon man.
Transitioning from the furry type of bat to the wooden type...it has been quite a World Series. It is a shame that the Phillies are not winning the overall series, for a number of reasons. One...I tend to root for the Rangers, Mariners and anyone playing the Yankees...just the way it is. :-) Second...Chase Utley, the Phillies second baseman, is not going to get near the props that he deserves if the Phillies do not win...which looks unlikely...but, you never know, as there are still two games to go. (One is actually going on right now, but I have no idea what the score is, as I have not caught up to my DVR yet :-). Utley has nearly single-handedly carried the Phillies, having hit five home runs, which is remarkable...and he ties Reggie Jackson, Mr. October, for the most in a series. So...I guess we can now anoint Utley, Mr. November, right? Either way, he has had an amazing World Series and deserves a lot of respect and honor for his performance. Hats off to you, Mr. November.
Blessings,
Don
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly -- 2009 NFL Week 8
Friends,
Week 8 Update...The Good: Saints (Doing just enough to win...but is it good enough? -- probably); Colts (Like the Saints...a slow week, but still more than enough); Cowboys (Props to Romo, who looks like Favre the past three weeks -- good company); Vikings (Is Favre 40 or 30?); Titans (Look like last year's team...well, at least for one game); Texans (Can they be on the list? Sure...but losing Daniels hurts), Eagles (Sometimes...WOW, other times YOW)
The Bad: Cardinals (Just when we thought they were starting to peak?); J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets (Can't stop their mouths...or the Dolphins); Broncos (An excusable let down?); NFC LEAST --Giants (All of the sudden look, well...soft still -- hard to believe, but I'm still okay with it) and Skinned (Ahhh, the bye week...now for some more ugly beat downs); Bad Bay (MNF looks pretty good, eh JG?); Seahawks (Missing key players...seems like every year)
The Ugly: Brownies (Can it get much worse? Probably); Bills (T.O. Scores!); Lambs vs Lovable Losing Lions (The Stupor Bowl comes to life early...save for Stephen Jackson, who was great); Jags (How do you tank against the Titan-ics?)
The Back to the Future Award -- Vince Young
The Fortunate: (Brief NCAA note) Iowa (Cardiac) Hawkeyes -- five pics and still win big to stay undefeated -- team of destiny or density?
Super Bowl: (Been with it from the beginning...so far, so good) Saints vs. Colts
Stupor Bowl: Yuccaneers vs. Brownies
Blessings, Don
Week 8 Update...The Good: Saints (Doing just enough to win...but is it good enough? -- probably); Colts (Like the Saints...a slow week, but still more than enough); Cowboys (Props to Romo, who looks like Favre the past three weeks -- good company); Vikings (Is Favre 40 or 30?); Titans (Look like last year's team...well, at least for one game); Texans (Can they be on the list? Sure...but losing Daniels hurts), Eagles (Sometimes...WOW, other times YOW)
The Bad: Cardinals (Just when we thought they were starting to peak?); J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets (Can't stop their mouths...or the Dolphins); Broncos (An excusable let down?); NFC LEAST --Giants (All of the sudden look, well...soft still -- hard to believe, but I'm still okay with it) and Skinned (Ahhh, the bye week...now for some more ugly beat downs); Bad Bay (MNF looks pretty good, eh JG?); Seahawks (Missing key players...seems like every year)
The Ugly: Brownies (Can it get much worse? Probably); Bills (T.O. Scores!); Lambs vs Lovable Losing Lions (The Stupor Bowl comes to life early...save for Stephen Jackson, who was great); Jags (How do you tank against the Titan-ics?)
The Back to the Future Award -- Vince Young
The Fortunate: (Brief NCAA note) Iowa (Cardiac) Hawkeyes -- five pics and still win big to stay undefeated -- team of destiny or density?
Super Bowl: (Been with it from the beginning...so far, so good) Saints vs. Colts
Stupor Bowl: Yuccaneers vs. Brownies
Blessings, Don
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