Deck the Halls

"Deck us all with Boston Charlie . . ."

Happy Holidays, Y'all

Carolyn's Christmas Poinsetta

Happy Birthday, Daniel

Seventeen and never been kissed . . ., except by granny.

Happy birthday, Cartman!

BTW, I found this and some more of your self-made pics on my camera. I shall post some more on my Flickr page.

HoHoHo!

Honest Ma, It's Not What You Think!

Breanna, the Oreo Kid.

Happy Birthday, JJ

Don't look now, but middle age is fast approaching.

George's Fence of Desperation, or, How to Help Republicans Get Reelected

So we're going to build a 700-mile-long fence on our border with Mexico. What the hell is that going to prove or prevent? It will give illegal aliens several years work building the damn thing. Can you pronounce Halliburton in Arabic and in Spanish? Ii and Si. It is pronounced as "We get what we want".

Will said fence prevent the importation of weapons and biological agents?

George W. Bush has to be the most naive person that I've ever heard about. He just don't get it and he doesn't want to get it; we stop the illegal immigration from within, not on the border.

• Stop giving jobs to illegals and make employers pull jail time along side the illegals they hired, then deport the whole bunch
  
• Stop George W. Bush and the "big business can't do anything wrong" attitude that permeates the Republican Party
• Stop the welfare for illegals
• Vigorously protect our Ports of Entry
  
• Pass and enforce laws protecting America, its citizens, and all of its borders
  

We kill people that kill people, so why not severely penalize people that take away our hard earned way of life? Make the punishment fit the crime! My dad bled real American blood in Belgium in WWII, and he carried shrapnel for the remainder of his life from his wounds. His and the sacrifice of countless others should not be trod upon in the name of "business", or for any other lame conservative cause or excuse.

This coming election day, put the congressional politician's feet to the fire. Vote in new blood all the way around, even if it means voting Democratic. Folks, I'll admit that modern day Democrats aren't much, but they are better than what we've been handed by Bush and his clones, with their in-your-face lies and smirky* little grins. Maybe the "L" word isn't so bad, after all.

But, if you don't vote, I can't say as I blame you. Whomever is elected will be getting elected for themselves, not for you and me.

*Google the word "smirky". A big part of the entries have Dubya's name in the article.

How Old Is Alice?

You don't look a day over 37 in this photo, and except for a stray gray or two, you still don't look any older.

Your courage in times of distress and sadness, and your devotion to your beliefs have been an inspiration to me for all these years.

Your choice of kitchen wallpaper is . . ., well, I better not say.

Carolyn said to say "happy birthday".

Happy Birthday, JEREMY

Happy 24th birthday, Jeremy. Granny and I miss you very much and are looking forward to you coming to visit next weekend.

Proof

You, yes you, are living proof that Darwin was right.

Laws

When a lawmaker makes a bad law, he is cursing his offspring.

Bro. Hill

Gary Steven Hill 1949-2005.

We miss you big time Bro.

Happy 87th Dot

Happy Birthday, Dot!

You always said that we would miss you when you were gone, but I don't think any of us knew how much you really would be missed.

We all love you very much.

From Wayne, Ivy and all the rest.

Happy Birthday Carolyn

Happy birthday punkin.

I'll leave you alone the rest of the day and not pester you further about turning 60.

So go ahead and remove your glasses and put your teeth in a cup and take your afternoon nap as you oldsters are so prone to do.

And yes, the color you had put on your hair looks natural.

No, I'm not thinking of auctioning you off on eBay as an antique.

Who would ever believe that a lad of my tender years would be in love with a 60 year old woman?

Happy Birthday Vanessa

Happy birthday, 'Nessy. I hope you are having a good one.

Your dad would have celebrated his birthday with you, as would your mom, being it would have been their anniversary.

Fred:

I really miss you. It seems like I think of some of your witty sayings more often as of late; at least you thought they were witty. I can still see you climbing out that old, green Chevy truck. It was a better fit for your personality than was the big Ford. If Ken Moore is remembering your day, I'll bet that he is cracking open one of those disgusting Buds.

Take care, my friend.

Who Was The Real Adam?

As I am one of the two smartest people in the world—I don't know who the other one is—I am often asked questions that require the deepest of thoughts for an answer that is matter of fact, in as much as the evidence will allow.

One such question which is asked more than I think it should be is: "Who was the "real" Biblical Adam"?

There is only one true answer.

Adam was the first human created by God.

If the question had been "Who was the real Adam?", then the answer would be quite different. If you combine the Adam of Genesis with historical fact and reasoning, then Adam was the first person who's legend was passed down to other generations.

Adam was the first remembered man.

Either way, Adam would have been the first man, but the historical Adam may have not been called Adam at all. The Bible may have influenced the remembrance of the historical man as Adam, or he may actually have been called Adam, thus influencing the creation story.

I Remember Bob Thaves

I recently found out that another of my mentors died. Bob Thaves, creator of the very popular Frank & Earnest comic strip, died on August 1st at age 81.

From his "Malaprop Man" strips to his legendary looks at human evolution, or the lack of human progress, Bob kept ordinary folk in his sights. I sometimes compared him—often at the expense of Bob's discomfort—to another of my teachers, the late Walt Kelly, as they both found the meaning of life early in their careers.

Bob was well educated, with both bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology, although he never let educated truth interfere with the facts of human spontaneity.

Bob, I will always remember you.

PS: Tom, I know that you will carry your father's banner high.

My Hero, Walt Kelly

I wish you wuz still with us, cause we need Pogo to run for office of the President of these here United States and outlying territories. Since the November 2000 election, we can honestly say with renewed vim that "We have met the enemy and he is us". Any critter of your creation, even ol' Molester Mole would be a marked improvement on what we got now. Well anyway, happy 93rd birthday to Walt, Pogo, Albert, Churchy, and all the Okefenokee gang.

"http://www.pogopossum.com/walt.htm" is a link to Walt's short autobiography.

I Vote 2006

Is anyone going to vote in the “off-year” congressional elections in 2006? If so, why? Nothing is going to change at the Federal level; at least changes for the “good of all” aren’t going to happen.

Think for a minute and ask your self why anyone would want to be a member of the House of Representatives or Senate. It all boils down to money. Do a little online research and see for yourself what these rectums get in compensation for screwing up the lives of middle-class Americans. It is outrageous, to say the least. And when they finally retire from the hallowed halls with pats on the back from their peers and the corporations that they represented, they get a lifetime of perks, including the best medical care that our tax money can buy. No deductibles to pay; no limit to the amount of money that can be pulled from the treasury to keep them and theirs healthy and pretty. It is all about money.

They may fool you into thinking that they can change things and make them better for you, their beloved constituents, but they and their political, corporate, and yes, foreign governments, are in for the flow of dollars that will keep them happy for years to come. No, I take that back. The corporations and outlanders are never happy for very long. There is always another piece of pie that they seem to need, and are willing to purchase as many lawmakers as it takes to get what they want.

Does any politician have a workable plan to justly remove us from the unjust war in Iraq? No! Does any office seeker have a workable plan to secure our borders and make us a little safer from terrorists? No! Does any of these “public servant” wannabes have a workable plan to make our nation energy independent? No! The only plan that they have—or need, for that matter—is to become status flaunting servants of the middle class. I would laugh but it is hard to do while I’m puking.

Think about it and do what I’m going to do; vote with your butt. Yes, I’m going to sit at home on my butt and watch something on “Animal Planet” or maybe “Spongebob” instead of doing my civic duty and voting for one of these anuses. I’m a liberal and have always voted democratic, but no more. I shall remain a liberal, but I will never go to the polls to vote for anyone again. Even if I run for office, I won’t vote. I will be watching Spongebob and Patrick annoy Squidward.

Happy Happy-Joy Joy

Today, for the first time in more than a month, I feel as if I may recover. I can, at least, use the computer keyboard without too much difficulty. Now to start getting over the depression that I've inflicted on myself.

Cath. Part Two

The un-needed cath. went as expected; they found nothing; no heart of any kind. Actually, about a month ago my arthritis doc finally talked me into getting a "family doctor" for general purposes. I told Carolyn that a family doctor these days is nothing more than a specialist referral service. So I went to the new doc, Dr. Guha, and she stuck her finger in my butt and referred me to an urologist, who found nothing wrong with my prostate after sticking his finger in my butt. Dr. Guha sent me to a heart doc for a stress test, in which I passed the stress part, but failed the follow-up scan (I guess I should have studied harder). He found a shadow and thought that I had a blockage. After the cath, he realized that, because of my height, I may have been mis-aligned in the scanner. That caused my diaphragm to shadow over part of my heart, resulting in the mistake. I was expecting the heart doc to stick his finger in my butt, too.

Fearing infection from the incision for the cath., the arthritis doc took me off my meds for three weeks, because they are immune suppressors. So, I am now nearly bed ridden, being so sore from the arthritis that I can't do much. I can go back on the meds Thursday next, but it will take them about two weeks to affect me. You can imagine how peeved I am at the medical system. Other than that, life is great.

I'll bet that the docs and the hospital will expect me to pay for all these "services".

Better

I'm feeling better. Got to get a heart cath. done 06/01. Maybe I'll pull through.

Whoo-Hoo Vanessa

Congratulations Vanessa! Your dad would have been so proud right now that he would be impossible to be around. He was one of the most special persons that I've ever known and you too are very special. He adored his little "Nessy". I'll bet that mom is also beside herself.

You are walking into a new world, a world that has become a mess due to my generation's neglect and misdeeds. If anyone can succeed now, it will be you. And if things start getting to you, just ask mom; she'll know what to do.

I'm deeply sorry that I couldn't be at your graduation, but at the present, I'm not supposed to be out in public contamminating anyone else.

Love,
Ken

Getting Into "Hot Water"

What is a "hot water heater", and why is one needed? Why do we need to heat water that is already hot? Why not just call it a "water heater", which is what it really is?

Another peeve of mine is the word "vehicle". Folks, it is pronounced "v-ick-el", not "v-hick-el". The "h' is silent. But what gets me is the fact that so many people have been using the v-HICK-el pronunciation so much, that it has become an accepted form of the word. But that doesn't make it correct. I learned the correct pronunciation in the eighth grade.
Everyone from presidents, doctors, engineers, and yes, a few scholars, pronounce it incorrectly. It's no wonder that Americans are falling behind the rest of the "civilized" world in education. We can't speak our own language.
If you say ve-HICK-el, then you are most likely a hick. And the heck of it is that I'm from Tennessee, the birthplace of hickdom.

Amen

Once, while waxing philosophical, one of my children at the enlightened age of six stated: "If I don't have to go pee, I have to go poop, and if I don't have to go poop, then I have to go pee. I just can't get anything done".

Learning Linux

I am messing around with Ubuntu Linux (or it is messing around with me). Definitely a whole new learning curve.

Vandalized

The "bloods" have struck small-town America.

Orion Nebula from HST

Whether you believe in the "Big Bang" or the "Big Guy", you gotta believe that this is an awesome sight.




Click on image to enlarge for the most stunning view.

Old Enough

By the time you're old enough to know better, you are too old to do better.

Does life have meaning? If it does—and maybe I'm dumber than those whom believe that it does—in my 61+ years, I've failed to ascertain any reason for human existance except for the fact that we are here.

I"ve got to get my methotrexate injection tomorrow. That is reality.

Spring-SPRING-Spring

The first Spring flowers; one of Natures' most beautiful sights.

Shamrock Man

Apple Tree

Photo captured near Jonesborough Tennessee at the old Joe Oliver farm, Spring 1982.

Nikon FE, Nikkor 43-86 lens, manual exposure, Kodak 400 film pulled to 200.

Copyright 2006 by Ken Anderson

Nightscape

Photo captured in Jonesborough Tennessee, Spring 1982.

Nikon FE, Nikkor 43-86 telephoto, manual exposure, Kodak 400 film, pulled to 200.

Copyright 2006 by Ken Anderson

Elderly Driver Problem Resolved

Everyone under the age of 60 knows that we "seniors" are a terror on the streets. To those youngsters, all we do is create problems for all the "good" drivers, in other words, them. If we're not slow-poking around at the speed limit or less in our Buicks and Mercurys, we are causing accidents in other ways, such as not seeing red lights and stop/yield signs. Of course this leads to, at a minimum, head shaking and hand gestures on the part of our young friends. At times, "road rage" has been known to happen, usually with dire consequences for those involved.

After some hard musing about this predicament, I believe that I have an answer for the problem. First, all people over the age of 60 are to be banned from operating any kind of motorized, self-propelled, or otherwise propelled vehicle outside their homes. No autos, no riding lawn mowers, no airplanes, not even a bicycle.

Second, if they are caught operating any of the above machinery outside their homes, they are to be punished by having all their clothing taken away from them, including shoes, for a period of one year. For that time, they can do whatever they normally to do except operate moving machinery in public or in view of the public, as long as they are completely naked.

Third, if they breach their probation, or after the end of probation, they again attempt to operate a vehicle, the clothing ban will be continued or reinstated for a period of three years. Also, if they are deemed physically able, they will be required to gather trash from along the most traveled highways in their area, and they will be naked. All motorists that drive by while the geezer is gathering said trash, is encouraged to toot the car horn, roll down their windows, and yell "woo, woo" at the offender.

And we don't have to worry about naked males and naked females sneaking into a clump of bushes to play hanky-panky while working together to keep our roadways clean and pay their debt to society. Everyone knows that people over the age of 60 just don't do the sex thing anymore; we're just too blamed old.

Furthermore, we will do the job the way we are told to do it because we don't know any better. Obviously we won't create problems because everyone knows that old people can't remember anything due to creeping degenerative senility, and if we can't remember why we are doing the work, there won't be a rebellion in our ranks. We will be positive roll models.

I believe that this will mostly solve the aggravating problem of elderly drivers. It may sound a little extreme, but such measures are generally called for in extreme situations. The good drivers will have the roads to themselves, and the world will be an eternal springtime.

Of course, these offended young people should consider the fact that they will probably reach the age of 60 and beyond, and my-oh-my, how time flies. They could be the next generation getting the "woo-woos" from the "youngsters".

Copyright 2006 by Ken Anderson

My Great-Grandmother

Elizabeth Jane Shaw
1857-1933

Colorized using Paint Shop Pro

After Hurricane Isabel

Tropical Depression Isabel approaches East Tennessee in September 2003.

The Real Me

Sometimes, I'm overcome with emotion just thinking about what a fine fellow I truly am.

Oh, Barney; How We'll Miss You

Don Knotts 1924-2006
Barney Fife was the only reason that I watched the show. He had enough talent to carry the series for several years.

Remember, Vern

Remember, Vern? Remember that night in Rangoon? Tai and you alone on the little beach? That first soft kiss? Those precious moments together? Remember, Vern?

Happy Birthday Ashley

Nineteen already?
Well, you're still a sweetie-pie!

We Remember Ansel Adams 1902-1984

"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment."
Ansel Adams

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_Adams

We Remember Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin
British Naturalist

"I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term Natural Selection."

Charles Darwin from "The Origin of Species"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin

Image Created With Paint Shop Pro 8

 

2006 State of the Union Message

 

Right to Die

As I surfed some blogs recently, I came across one that was addressing the so called "right to die by assisted suicide" controversy. This was written by a young college student who proclaimed himself as "a conservative, white, Christian male . . .".

Addressing the physical and mental condition of people living with an extremely high level of pain, and even those terminally ill and unable to care for themselves in any fashion, he says "It's morally repugnant to me and a sign of cowardice simply giving up because they're uncomfortable and therefore undignified." He groups these wretched people that need help finalizing their paradoxical existence with "a girl wishing to better her life by murdering her child" Of course, he is speaking of abortion and I won't get into that right now.

I truly hope this fellow is speaking from youthful ignorance. I would hate to think that it's his arrogant conservatism or his preferable whiteness or his religious ethics or his male superiority that is making him think in such a misguided and selfish way.

He is positioning himself as judge for those that he cannot remotely relate to. It seems to me that one's youth should be spent living, loving and learning instead of criticizing that which one knows nothing of. Life isn't found in Cliff's Notes or on any written page; only by living (hopefully long and well) and sharing will any meaning in life be found.

All I can say is: Young man, walk in the shoes of these uncomfortable and undignified folk, then you may be able to pass just a smidgen of judgment, if not on them, at least on yourself.

Sunday Morning

Sunday Morning

Under the hen house on my knees
I thought I heard a chicken sneeze
It was only the rooster saying his prayers
And handing out hymn books to the hens up stairs

-----------------

As told to me when I was just a lad by my late uncle Roy. Original author unknown.

Life in the Hills

Playtime

When I was growing up—being poor country people—we younguns had little to play with except for the stuff we created for ourselves or someone else made for us. At hog killing time, my uncle would bring me the hog's bladder, blow it up, and I had a balloon that would last an hour or so. For musical pleasures, we played the swinenet. We would take a hair from a horse's tail and stretch it across a live pigs butt and blow on it. Actually wasn't as much an instrument as it was something with which to annoy the adults. I believe it annoyed the pig more than anyone else. From time-to-time, the pig evened things out a little by reversing the flow of air. That music had character.

----------------------------------------------------------

Thanks, Cathy, for putting up with my nonsense. The balloon part is factual.

On Sundays, I feel like "Another Brick in the Wall". The rest of the week, I'm tearing down the wall.

Well said

"All that there is; all that there ever was; all that there ever will be."
Carl Sagan from Cosmos