Cowboys and Aliens Movie- Trailer

I just learned that "Cowboys and Aliens" is a comic book (one I don't read), and it was made into a movie that just came out. The movie DOES look interesting, maybe because it includes hunky Daniel Craig (James Bond) and Harrison Ford. :)   The trailer looks good, too. Of course, I've always loved cowboys. - Rob

VIDEO The Greatest Show On Legs 'balloon dance'

  This may have happened 29 years ago, but it's still funny and entertaining. Thanks again to Mom F in Maine for sending this video! 
  CAPTION:  The Greatest Show On Legs 'balloon dance' caused a national outcry when it was aired in the UK in 1982. The dance involves 3 naked men dancing whilst swapping balloons to cover their genitalia.
   Broadcast on a show called O.T.T., which was a late-night adult version of the anarchic children's show "Tiswas" and was on at 11.00pm on Saturday nights for one series in 1982.

Photo: When Birds Can't Handle Too Much Talking

Thanks to mom F in Maine, this is a picture of what happens when one bird just can't stand listening to another chirp and chirp and chirp! :)

Rob to Guest on the: Unknown Paranormal Radio Sunday, July 31 9:15pmEDT

I'm going to be a guest on the Unknown Paranormal Radio show this Sunday, July 31 at 9:15 p.m. EDT. The show starts at 8pm EDT, so please tune in.Join Host Kevin Weddle, Founder of Unknown Paranormal, along with Co-Host, Jeff Stirl for an evening discussing all realms of paranormal and spirituality.

TO LISTEN LIVE:

Here is the Link to the Radio Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/unknownpg

We'll be discussing my book, "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium," and how science explains the presence and behavior of both ghosts and spirits!

Observation from Tom about Debt Ceiling

Tom added to yesterday's blog: 
The rich need to keep in mind that they were allowed to prosper in this country because of the political atmosphere and climate.  If they wish for that climate to continue, so they can continue to enjoy their prosperity and potentially earn more, then they need to pony up to ensure that things continue as they have for the past 200+ years.  All of the money needed cannot come from the poor and middle classes.  History has shown us that societies that attempted to shuffle the burden onto the backs of the lower classes did not prosper for long.  Think the French Revolution in 1789.

The Debt Ceiling Stupidity

Every night we watch the news and grow more and more disgusted with some of the politicians in Washington, D.C just like everyone else.
 - Although both sides need to work together and come to a compromise, (THINK ABOUT THIS:) you CAN'T balance the budget by cutting bills only. You need MORE INCOME. That's why people get a SECOND JOB!  - So, that's why the Republican party's refusal to increase taxes on those making over $250,000 annually is Stupid.  (People making over $250k pay tax rates back to year 2001 levels - and wouldn't YOU like your taxes to be back at 2001 levels?) 
  I wrote to senators in various states that I lived in- and who are the Biggest offenders and fools: Kentucky and Florida. The Maryland senators support a balance of cuts and tax increases- That's how it should be.
 - Do you know anyone on Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security? I know quite a number of friends and relatives that live on those benefits. Under the Republican Party plan- they will be Reduced and Cut!  What the hell? 
  What is the benefit for the GOP to cater only to the rich?  I don't understand. The Republican Party has proven they're only supporting big corporations and people who make more then $250K. If you don't fall in any of those categories and you vote for Republicans in the next election, you're simply voting for your own financial demise. 

Friends Visit from Mass.

Our friends Tracey, Rob and Jordan visited this week from Massachusetts. They were in town for a fireman's convention because Rob is a fireman... We've known about this for a couple of months, and got together for dinner and conversation. We met them at Baltimore's fun, wacky "Paper Moon Diner" that's loaded with crazy stuff, mannequins, toys, etc. all stuck to the ceilings, walls, and even outside! This is a fun, wacky place to eat, unique, and a MUST for all visitors!!

Outside the Paper Moon diner are bizarre mannequins!

Superhero toys are just some of what's inside

Jordan next to a HUGE pez display

The dining room where we dined!

Tracey, Rob and Jordan next to a funky mannequin

L to R: Tom, Rob,Jordan, Tracey & Rob

Dog Days of Summer

Dolly inside a cool room!

This has been THE hottest summer that I can remember in 20 years in Maryland. We've now had three weeks where the high temperatures have reached the 100+ mark Fahrenheit. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Today), the heat index has been 116F, 119F, 118F and 101F respectively. There's no relief in sight either, as temperatures are expected to remain in the 90s over the next week here.
 - As a result, asphalt heats up to over 130F so we cannot walk the dogs after the early morning hours, until very late at night, when the sun is setting and it cools down. --- the Hot Asphalt would burn the skin on their paws...
think of walking barefoot on hot asphalt yourself.

Dolly about to give Daddy Tom a  big kiss!

Franklin recovering from paw surgery on a comfy bed

Sprite looking like an opossum!

 - So, here are a couple of pictures from this weekend of the dogs inside. We have let them outside in the back on the grass (which is a lot cooler) for about 5 minutes. Because Sprite, our 14 1/2 year old Dachshund/Chihuahua mix has a heart condition, the really bad air has been making him cough alot. It's also affecting Rob's asthma. Sigh!

Franklin's Paw Surgery

Franklin's going to be zonked after Surgery

Our 7 year old Dachshund Franklin had surgery on his front paw today. It's been inflamed for about 4 weeks and we've been to the vet a couple of times. We initially thought it was a bee sting, but Benadryl didn't work. The vet did a little exploration 2 weeks ago and removed 2 little things that could've been stingers, but despite 2 weeks of antibiotic, the swelling never went down. 

  So, today he had to have surgery to drain the area and remove anything else that was in there causing infection. His surgery took an hour, and the vet said that there were a number of 'foreign bodies" in his paw, including a couple of "seed-sized" things that were hard. There was also some hair and fibers.
  The vet said that it could have taken months for the body to break that stuff down, and that the next time it happens, if it doesn't go down in a week, to have it surgically removed. 

  Franklin's going to be away from his favorite hobby of digging for awhile, and zonked on pain medications for the next week until his paw heals. 

Dedicated to all our Senior Friends

This is dedicated to all seniors, to all of you who know seniors, and to all of you who will become seniors. (Thanks to Mom F in Maine for this one).


 
"WHERE is my SUNDAY paper?!"
The irate customer calling the newspaper office, loudly demanded to know where her Sunday edition was.

"Madam", said the newspaper employee, "today is Saturday. The Sunday paper is not delivered until tomorrow, on SUNDAY".
There was quite a long pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a ray of recognition as she was heard to mutter, ..

..."Well, shit, that explains why no one was at church either.

Not My Day...

Monday. That says it all. Today was definitely a Monday.

- Our 7 year old Dachshund, Franklin has been on antibiotics for 3 weeks now, and has had his paw treated, drained, etc. twice now at the vet because something either stung him or he got something in his paw that infected it.

 - I've been bathing his foot twice a day for about 2 weeks, giving him antibiotic, applying medicine on his paw and wrapping it in a clean (baby sized) sock daily. (I affix the sock with velcro around his leg, so he can't pull it off! - clever, eh?).

 - Today I had to take him BACK to the Vet at lunch to get blood drawn in prep for surgery. Yes, he has to have it surgically drained this week. ICK.

 - Once I returned home and pulled the truck into the driveway, I got the dogs out (Dolly came with Franklin and I, and Sprite stayed home).  I was getting Franklin out of the truck when the house and truck keys  slipped out of my pocket onto the seat and I didn't see them.

 - Then I hit the auto lock, thinking the keys were in my pocket.  When I closed the truck door, I saw them on the truck seat.  DAMN!!  Of course, it's 95F Outside and  the HEAT INDEX was near 100F. 

   So, I called Tom, and he came home from work in 20 minutes. Thankfully he works close to home now.

   Meanwhile, Franklin, Dolly and I sat in the sun porch with the ceiling fan going and I was able to set out a bowl of fresh water for them (we have a bowl in the backyard, and the outside faucet works, thankfully). Once in, I again cooled off the dogs with cool water and I took a shower because I was dripping wet from sweat. ICK. How do people work outside in this weather?

Franklin

Amazing Technology: a Printer that makes 3-D Objects!

This is an amazing technology from a company in Massachusetts that has developed a
"Printer" that can take an image of something and make it into a 3-D object using a plastic-like
resin/powder. Watch this video from the National Geographic Channel!
 http://www.wimp.com/functionaltools/

New Room - Carpeting In!

We've been converting the garage into a room, and one of the last steps was laying down carpet. 

 Over the weekend, Tom did the installation of the carpet (tiles) into the new den/exercise room. Here are some pictures of the progress...

Tom coated the floors with adhesive and started installing carpet

A stack of carpet tiles (back), small area left!

The finished carpeting!

Joke of the Week: Fives Surgeons Discussing Best Patients for Operations

Here's the joke of the week, from Mom F in Maine. 

Five surgeons from big cities are discussing who makes the best patients to operate on.
> > The first surgeon, from New York , says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered.."
> >
> > The second, from Chicago , responds, "Yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them is color coded."
> >
> > The third surgeon, from Dallas, says, "No, I really think librarians are the best, everything inside them is in alphabetical order"
> >
> > The fourth surgeon, from Los Angeles chimes in: "You know, I like construction workers... Those guys always understand when you have a few parts left over."
> >
> > But the fifth surgeon, from Washington DC, shut them all up when he observed: "You're all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There's no guts, no heart, no balls, no brains, and no spine. Plus, the head and the ass are interchangeable. "

New Driveway upgrade!

Thanks to our city and the taxes we pay, we got a new cement "apron" for the end of our driveway. The city has been doing that to driveways in the older part of town for years, and this year it was finally our turn. Of course, Tom has been sending them emails asking for our neighborhood to be done- so we think they wanted him to stop! :)

Workers tearing up the end of the driveway

the nice, neat, new cement driveway "apron" with drainage!

What's with this week's hatred against gay people?

This week, three public figures have come out with hateful or stupid remarks against gay people:
1) Michelle Bachmann (see yesterday's blog)
2) Willow Palin - Sarah Palin's daughter 
3) 50 Cent- Homophobic rapper

1) See yesterday's blog. Bachmann and her goofy husband have a "clinic" to "reform gays." Stupid.
2) Willow Palin, daughter of half-term Alaska governor Sarah Palin, responded to criticism of her family’s new reality show on Sunday with two anti-gay slurs on Facebook.  A young man named Tre, who went to school with Willow, wrote: “Sarah Palin’s Alaska, is failing so hard right now” on his own Facebook wall.
Willow Palin responded on her former classmate’s wall by writing: “Haha your so gay. I have no idea who you are, But what I’ve seen pictures of, your disgusting … My sister had a kid and is still hot.”  Moments later Willow Palin posted another reply which read: “Tre stfu. Your such a faggot.”  STORY: http://www.fenuxe.com/2010/11/17/sarah-palins-daughter-calls-young-man-faggot/
3) 50 Cent, also known as Curtis James Jackson III, has taken his homophobic opinions, usually found on stage and screen, to cyberspace again in a recent tweet. The rapper, actor and Vitamin Water spokesman wrote: “If you a man and your over 25 and you don’t eat pu**y just kill your self damn it. The world will be a better place. Lol.” 50 Cent tweeted the anti-gay remark from his Blackberry using ÜberTwitter on Wednesday 9/29/2010 to his 3.3 million followers.http://www.fenuxe.com/2010/09/30/50-cent-tells-gays-to-commit-suicide/

JB: Why Do You Have to Be So Mean?/ MB: You Idiot!!

JB: Why Do You Have to Be So Mean?
We've been following politics and we're really incensed that John Boenher refuses to work with the President on the debt ceiling.  Yesterday he said (I heard it on TV in an interview): "This is not the GOP problem, it's the President's problem (and he needs to do what WE tell him to do)." WRONG, idiot.
   It's a serious issue. Social Security checks will be stopped if they don't reach an agreement financially stranding millions of seniors. Bonehead (that's what we call him) refuses to raise taxes on people making over $250,000.00.  I don't think more than 5% of Americans make that much money. I don't know anyone that does, do you? Regardless, even Greece is raising taxes to get out of their financial turmoil. We HAVE to do it and who would feel the tax increase less than ultra-rich people?
  This is a nasty game that Bonehead is playing. You can't balance a budget with cuts only. You need to increase taxes back to the level they were TEN YEARS AGO (the Bush tax cuts) and remove benefits to oil companies who had record profits last year and FLAUNTED them!
MB: You Idiot: Michelle Bachmann is more of a nightmare than Palin is. She and her stupid husband own a counseling service and claim they can "turn gay people straight through prayer." That ridiculous idea has long been discarded as useless AND harmful to gay people. It doesn't work and it creates emotional distress.
   Their christian counseling service located outside Minneapolis. Bachmann started the center with her husband, Marcus who is the lead counselor at the clinic.
  According to CNN,  For at least five years, Bachmann and Associates has faced accusations it uses a controversial therapy that encourages gay and lesbian patients to change their sexual orientation.
  The American Psychological Association is sharply critical of efforts by counselors to change a patient's sexual orientation, what's known in the mental health community as "reparative therapy."
FULL STORY:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/whats-going-on-at-the-bachmann-clinic/?hpt=hp_t2
   SO, we have  TWO FOOLS in the news.

Drought Spreads Its Pain Across 14 States

Summer is here, and that means drought in the Mid-Atlantic. At least that's the way that the last 5 years have been with the season. At least this year, we're getting thunderstorms once every 1 or 2 weeks, and they dump about 1/2" to 1" when they pass through. BUT, not everyone sees them.   - The drought has become very serious in the southern U.S., and the New York Times just published a story and clear graphic about the situation.Both follow.   Rob

Drought Spreads Its Pain Across 14 States 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/us/12drought.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all

COLQUITT, Ga. — The heat and the drought are so bad in this southwest corner of Georgia that hogs can barely eat. Corn, a lucrative crop with a notorious thirst, is burning up in fields. Cotton plants are too weak to punch through soil so dry it might as well be pavement. 

   The pain has spread across 14 states, from Florida, where severe water restrictions are in place, to Arizona, where ranchers could be forced to sell off entire herds of cattle because they simply cannot feed them.

   In Texas, where the drought is the worst, virtually no part of the state has been untouched. City dwellers and ranchers have been tormented by excessive heat and high winds. In the Southwest, wildfires are chewing through millions of acres. 

Drunk Man Asks Police for Directions

From the stupid people file - Today's headline: Aberdeen Man Asks Police for Directions, is Arrested for DUI

In New Jersey, an officer observed the car swerving and detected alcohol.

An unrelated Stupid Sign from failblog.org. Figure this one out!

By Nicole Ogrysko  Patch.com  July 6, 2011

 Gerald M. Steier, 69, of Aberdeen, was charged and arrested Sunday on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in New Jersey after asking a police officer for directions, PhillyBurbs reported.

   Police reported that Steier pulled to the side of Route 130 in South Jersey and asked an officer for directions. The officer said he witnessed Steier's car swerve and could smell alcohol on his breath.

  According to PhillyBurbs, Steier was also charged with reckless driving and refusing to submit breath samples.  Police said they also found several empty alcohol bottles in Steier's car, according to PhillyBurbs.

Injury Update

Earlier this week I posted a blog about injuries that I and our Dachshund Franklin are dealing with.
FRANKLIN PAW - After another vet visit for Franklin this morning, his abscess/infection in the paw is not healing. So, we had to have it cultured and the next step is a surgical draining of it (which is next week's adventure after the culture comes back). - 

Actor Chris Evans didn't injure his ab

  - He was very good and patient while they were probing his paw and they thought he was the perfect dog. That is, until he came to the waiting area, and a woman brought in her Border Collie, and Franklin went nuts barking at it! :) Yup, that's our little "angel with horns."
WRIST SPRAIN/TORN? - As for my (Rob) wrist, I went to the doctor this week- wound up having Xrays because it may be a torn ligament. It's painful in one 1" area, and the back of the hand is weak, so I'm keeping it wrapped up.
ABS SPRAINED - Meanwhile, dull stomach pain was also checked out. Apparently, I've SPRAINED my lower ab muscles in my stomach from doing 150 leg lifts (I got carried away one morning) in addition to my daily 500 situps. Such is what happens when you're in your 40s and try to get healthy. You injure something. :) 
  - PHOTO: I thought I'd post a picture of Actor Chris Evans' abs - who plays Captain America in the upcoming movie. My abs are not quite as defined as his are, and he's a whole lot better to look at! : )
So, I'm being treated for that, too - in physical therapy. Oh, yeah, the tailbone pain is still there, but waning... still being treated for that "pain in the butt." Damn, it's tough to keep in shape!

A New song: from our friend Fitz

Our friend "Fitz," Mike Fitzgerald is a talented musician and singer and has been in the business in the Washington, DC area for a number of years. He led the group called "The Mesmers" (check out their CDs). He's working on a solo CD and just put out a single called "Still Got Your Picture."

 - I've listened to it over and over today, and love it. Give it a listen!
 - For the lyrics, go here: http://citizenfitz.com/logs-2011-07-01-still-got-your-picture.htm

A New Barrel Shed

Tom found a nice looking all-wood barrel bin on-line to match the style of the house. So, we ordered it and Tom put it together.  Not that I'm not competent to do it, (okay I'm not good at construction, but I'm hell at Destruction!) but I (Rob) was cleaning and dog tending during the construction. Although everything was pre-measured and manufactured it took hours to get it together.  Now that we don't have a garage to store barrels in, we needed a shed. As always, Tom did an outstanding job. :)

Come to a Medium Event on July 16th with Us!

**COME JOIN US!***  If you want to experience the talents of a learned Medium, hope to communicate with a loved one that has passed and are fascinated with how mediums get messages from those who have passed- our friend Barb Mallon is hosting a demonstration (limited to 35 people) in Chantilly, Virginia. 

Barb Mallon

 *We'll be there, too, and whenever I (Rob) get messages I pass them along. Last time I was there an infant, who died, provided me with messages -long story-and the women related to the little girl were in the audience and confirmed what I was saying. - The time before that a Chihuahua came through and gave me his name, told me who he was connected to and more. (just ask). 

Here are the details, and you need to purchase tickets in ADVANCE. (they're $35 on line, and $40 at the door).  - Normally INDIVIDUAL READINGS CAN BE $100! - This is a great opportunity.  ***WHEN: JULY 16,2011 from 6-8pm  WHAT:  Barb Mallon's Mediumship Demonstration. Space fills up QUICKLY.  Saturday, July 16 from 6-8pm at the Wyngate Hotel, Chantilly, Virginia (accessible from the Dulles Toll Road and I-66) To order tickets: http://julymediumshipdemo.eventbrite.com/

A CLASSIC STORY: Motorcyclist in helmet protest ride hits head, dies

Although this story is tragic, it is Darwin's law... survival of the fittest. Obviously this guy wasn't the brightest bulb. 

FROM USA TODAY:  A CLASSIC STORY: Motorcyclist in helmet protest ride hits head, dies
   ONONDAGA, N.Y. (AP) — A man riding bareheaded on one of about 550 motorcycles in an anti-helmet law rally lost control of his cycle, went over his handlebars, hit his head on the pavement and died, police said Sunday.

  The motorcyclist, 55-year-old Philip A. Contos, likely would have survived the accident if he'd been wearing a helmet, state troopers said.

  The accident happened Saturday afternoon in Onondaga, a town in central New York near Syracuse.

 FULL STORY: 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-04-motorcycle-helmet-protest-death_n.htm?csp=Dailybriefing

Happy Independence Day- Nature's Fireworks

Sprite and Dolly

Happy July 4th! We hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend.

Our thanks to all who have fought for this country. 

-Nature has provided fireworks this weekend in the form of strong to severe thunderstorms.

Last night a couple of severe thunderstorms rolled through with lots of cloud to ground lightning 

striking close by. Lightning struck the roof of a house just 2 miles away from us. According to Patch.com for our town, "it took 35 firefighters 20 minutes to contain."

   We all hunkered down for a good hour as the strongest storms rolled through. 

Sprite, Dolly and Franklin take up our bed!

SOME SAFETY TIPS: *Unplug the computer and television. *Stay off the land line phones *Don't shower or use water from the tap *Stay away from windows (after closing them all).

  Here are some pictures of how the dogs hunkered down... and a video of the kids later with their "dinosaur chews" and a befuddled Sprite.

Thunderstorm moving in

Cooking In/Eating Out

Our friends Jeff and Jose and their dog Daisy came over on Saturday, so we'd stop working on the house and finally socialize. We've been trying to see them since before their vacation 2 months ago. Jeff called this week and said, "we're coming." Period. Glad he did!

 - So, we cooked turkey burgers and hot dogs, spanish rice, pasta salad, baked beans, apple pie, wine, iced tea... It was great and a much needed break.

LtoR:Tom,Sprite, Dolly, Rob, Jeff holding Franklin, Jose, Daisy!

Jeff and Jose

3 Dog Chain: Dolly, Sprite, Franklin - yes, they sat that way!

2 Injuries

This week brought two injuries, one each in 2 and 4 legged inhabitants of our house.

Rob's sprained wrist/Franklin's bandaged paw

 - Our Dachshund Franklin has a bad habit of digging into insect nests, and everything else he can get his paws on. So, this week something got into his paw (we don't know if it was a stinger or bite from a bug, or splinter) and caused it to swell Twice it's size. We took him to the vet twice this week where it had to be drained (a LOT in just 2 days), medicated (he's also on antibiotics and pain pills) and bandaged.
 - At the same time, Rob realized that his left wrist was sprained, so that's been wrapped up all week. It happened from putting leashes for Dolly (Weimaraner weighing 64 lbs) and Franklin (weighing 24 lbs) around the wrist, while holding Sprite's (Dachshund 22 pounds of PULL backward) in the other hand. When Dolly and Franklin saw a neighborhood bunny, they pulled so hard, Rob's wrist got sprained!

Franklin leaving the vet on Saturday

Dolly with a message for Franklin's digging