A Collection of Quotes

“The truth is like a lion. You don’t have to defend it, let it loose, and it will defend itself.” 

-St. Augustine of Hippo

"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." The Doctor, "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy" (1988)

“During working hours, we make a living. During leisure hours, we make a life.” – Dorothy Enderis, Milwaukee Recreation Director, 1920-1948.

Track and Field and an Air Show!

Over there, on the track, Smiley is running in the full wrath of an 80+ degree sun. Me? I'm comfy and cool on my parade chair here in the shade, enjoying the breeze and reading "rants & raves" on Craigslist. It's a good hour for Dad.

A formation of jets just flew over the field, close enough to really get a good look at them, did a maneuver, then went back around to do it again. I wish I could have zoomed in better. The noise - wow!

The jets continue to twist and turn overhead, sometimes appearing so close you could grab them out of the sky. #FrontRowSeats #WowYesWow

Parents Day at Swim Class!

This morning LK and I biked to and from her swim class, and unbeknownst to us it was Parents Day and I got to sit and watch. She was the only kid in the class to do the elementary backstroke without assistance! Good job kid!!

A Bank Complaint

Yesterday when my credit card was lost I called and had the bank put a temporary hold on it; I was very pleased with them, since I was pretty sure the card was lost in the house or car but wanted to be safe. Alas, after finding it today the bank at first refused to release the hold, saying they have no such policy and I'd need to wait 7 days for a new card. That's what 17 years of customer loyalty will do for you nowadays. After raising a fuss and pointing out I had asked about the temp hold ON A RECORDED LINE, I got management approval to reactive the card. What a sh*t bank.

Smiley tries Sushi

I ordered a salmon roll today (seaweed, rice, raw salmon) and Smiley asked to try it all on his own. He took two bites and didn't like it. [If we were anyone else I'd have to add that he didn't spit it out, but if a kid of ours ever spit out food they'd have bigger problems to deal with than a bit of sushi they didn't like]. Anyway, I was proud of him and I'm pretty confident he'll become a fan later in life. He also tried a slice of fresh ginger, on its own, but skipped the wasabi.

The Air Show

You know you're a red-blooded American when the sound of military jets overhead sends a thrill down your spine - not just because they're cool, but because you know you're part of one of the biggest, baddest m'fing nations in history. Who needs tickets to the airshow? From here you can see them just as well.

Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!

It sucked. It sucked big time. And Tara Reid? Someone please put her out of her misery. My word.

The Beer Can Cake

Here's the beer can cake Lisa made our nephew for his 21st birthday on Monday. On Tuesday he came over for dinner and hung out a few hours, something I hope he does more often in the future.

Swim Class

Only two of us showed up for swim class today. The instructor said that's typical for an adult class, which usually winds up with zero students by the end. Anyhow, I tread water today for the first time, managing to do it twice for a minute apiece.

A Brewers Trade

The Brewers have traded Aramis Ramirez to the Pirates.

Good for Him!

Ouch

Lisa took the kids and their friends to Fox Brook Lake today while I caught up on my sleep, and they had a blast. She also came home as red as a lobster, despite slathering on sunscreen. *shakes head* Crazy northern European skin. Me? I bronze like a mf'ing *god*.

37 years of Progess

LOL

A Free Pass for the Dem

A Cosby Meme

Again, to be clear, the subject matter is NOT a laughing matter. But the meme is.

NASA News

NASA has released the first new picture of the entire Earth (well, one hemisphere's worth) since 1972.

If Only

Sure, it sounds piggish. But it's a dang shame that the stars of the '30's and '40's  (like Ginger Rogers in this pic) didn't live in an era of on screen nudity and cell phone photo leaks. :( #truth

Yup

If there's anyone that knows less about home improvement than I do, it's the employee's at #TheHomeDepot

Full Circle

A new idea? Only if it's 1915. Neat tho - and pricey.

School Supply Shopping

Lisa I got most of the school supply list for the youngest three polished off yesterday, courtesy of a run to Target and a massive layaway at K-Mart. Now all we have to do is pay off the layaway. And buy school clothes. And shoes. And we still haven't even seen YaYa's supply list yet. So, um, yeah, all that.

Custard takes a leap of faith

While I'm bored and lonely, I might as well mention that a couple of weeks ago our one eyed cat Custard jumped out of Yaya's second floor window, landed on the cement fifteen-twenty feet below, marched up the back porch, and meowed until the frightened kids ran downstairs to check on her and let her in. Just jumped. No reason. Crazy - and lucky - cat.

Go to Sleep Lu

I went to bed before midnight, woke up at two (oddly, it was after a sweet dream, one where Parker cuddled up next to me to watch a movie) and can't fall back asleep. Yet. Just as well, since LuLu is still awake and posting on FB! LOL

I wish I could screenshot the ongoing Messenger chat with Lu. She's a pre-teen nut, but she is mighty entertaining. Go to sleep!!!!

Jonah Turns 21

Today my nephew/Godson Jonah turns 21. He was our "practice" kid, something every future parent should have to learn just a bit about what it takes to raise a child of their own. Some of our good parenting - and none of our bad - is owed to the years we spent with him. It's a cliche because it's so accurate, but I can't believe how fast the years have flown by. I still remember the day he was born like it was only a week ago. Enjoy (full) adulthood Jonah, and remember to make the world a better place. Happy 21st Birthday! Love you!

You Can Count on Them

Once again my friends came through for me. The van died at the grocery store, and no one offered a jump. One call to JJ and Lisa, Yaya and the groceries were home; one call to Roy S and he had a guy on the scene, jumping the battery. Half an hour later, I had a new battery and was back on the road. Gracias guys!