BlogBirth Days!

Margo's Maid's Shadowlands' BlogBirthDay was earlier this week. Kae's Bloodnut Blog has been giving us the benefit of her red-headed wit and wisdom since a year ago today (or tomorrow, depending on which time zone you're in). Paco Enterprises is hosting a bash Memorial Day for Paco's anniversary day.

I am honored to be among them.

Dick Cheney is the MAN!

Did you hear his speech? I didn't - but I've read the transcript at The Weekly Standard. This man has my unending gratitude and support for just about any damn thing he decides to do. Including running for Sexiest Man Alive.

From the transcript:

For me, one of the defining experiences was the morning of 9/11 itself. As you might recall, I was in my office in that first hour, when radar caught sight of an airliner heading toward the White House at 500 miles an hour. That was Flight 77, the one that ended up hitting the Pentagon. With the plane still inbound, Secret Service agents came into my office and said we had to leave, now. A few moments later I found myself in a fortified White House command post somewhere down below.

There in the bunker came the reports and images that so many Americans remember from that day – word of the crash in Pennsylvania, the final phone calls from hijacked planes, the final horror for those who jumped to their death to escape burning alive. In the years since, I’ve heard occasional speculation that I’m a different man after 9/11. I wouldn’t say that. But I’ll freely admit that watching a coordinated, devastating attack on our country from an underground bunker at the White House can affect how you view your responsibilities.

To make certain our nation country never again faced such a day of horror, we developed a comprehensive strategy, beginning with far greater homeland security to make the United States a harder target. But since wars cannot be won on the defensive, we moved decisively against the terrorists in their hideouts and sanctuaries, and committed to using every asset to take down their networks. We decided, as well, to confront the regimes that sponsored terrorists, and to go after those who provide sanctuary, funding, and weapons to enemies of the United States. We turned special attention to regimes that had the capacity to build weapons of mass destruction, and might transfer such weapons to terrorists.

This is a MAN. I bet BarryO and his band of merry boys and girls leave puddles on the floor at the thought of Dick Cheney. No wishy-washy meandering, no dithering, no umm-err-ing, no doublespeak. A Real, Self-confident, Good-in-his-own-skin MAN. *sigh*

Mary Katherine Ham seems to agree:

"In rereading his speech, it's in this sentence:

Today, I’m an even freer man. Your kind invitation brings me here as a private citizen – a career in politics behind me, no elections to win or lose, and no favor to seek.

Hmmm, the very thing that brings our hero (Obama) to his knees is what makes Cheney ever more powerful by the day. Mwahahahahaha. It's almost as if he were taking this super-villain thing seriously. Be afraid, Barack. Be very afraid."

Gotta love it!

Also, a selection of Cheneykus from Jim Treacher, whom I first encountered at Tim Blair's place a few years back.

Remember, lefties
I'm not running for office
Your polls make me laugh

***

Hello, Jon Stewart
You cried on September 12
But haven't since: Why?

***

I'm bald and morose
I don't look good in swim trunks
Eight years, no attacks

***

Every time I sneer
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed faints
Try that one, Barack

***

The talent level in these blogs makes me happy to have made this my hobby! I LOVE that last one listed here, just LOVE it!

Don't Mess With Texas - even on campus, I hope

Got My Chief (ret.) home sick today, so don't know how much time I'll spend at the computer. He's sleeping MOST of the time, but the fever broke around 3:30, so we'll see if he gets hungry later. I'm taking the Pixie to the commissary to get a few things, too. And it's raining - yeah, that's a newsflash, eh?

I did find this article, though, you might want to check out. Texas seems to be fast-tracking a concealed-carry ON CAMPUS law. Way to go, TEXAS!

I just signed up for a free membership to the NRA, via a link from Merlin, my friend in Colorado. He's sent me another link I'll try to remember to post tomorrow which is fitting for Memorial Day weekend, I think. Oh, nevermind, here it is now - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Organization. Thank you for both of those, Merlin.

Ok, off to the rest of the day, thanks for stopping by!

Marco Rubio!

More links at Paco Enterprises & The Other McCain -- He doesn't have the name recognition of our 'esteemed' Governor, but I sure like what I hear here:

Scobey, Montana

One of the places I lived when I was young was Scobey, Montana. It's in the FAR northeastern corner of Montana, near the Saskatchewan and North Dakota borders. I spent all of 6th grade there. My dad worked for the phone company, my mum taught 4th grade at the school. I was in Girl Scouts, for the only time in my life (spent a year in Brownies in Malta, Montana).

A couple summers ago, I flew to Denver, rented a car, and spent a couple weeks wandering in places I had never driven - because I was too young to drive when we lived there. I found my way to Scobey, which is still a very small town on a very big prairie where the wind blows...all the time. I stopped in to talk with the woman at Bev's Sewing Center. Beverly Lund is a friendly, talented woman. She helped refresh some of the memories I had and we have continued an online friendship, too. I recently ordered some fabric from her to do a project I've had on my list for quite some time (arrival of the Pixie set things back a bit, but we're getting there).

Anyway, the point of this post is to alert you to the new links in my blogroll. One is for flannels4baby.com, where you can buy baby-print flannels and quilting cotton and other supplies at VERY reasonable prices. Read the testimonials if you don't believe me! The other link is for Donovan Slippers, a footwear item made in Scobey, Montana that is going to be my favorite piece of footwear once I get around to ordering some. Bev has a blog, too, where she takes readers through the steps of making a quilt - is that cool, or what!

Thanks for your time and hard work, Bev, and the news you send from a place I will never forget.

UPDATE...but more of a revision, I suppose...
The year we lived in Scobey, it snowed a couple of feet - on the first of May!

I'm it - with thanks to Paco, of course!

Paco has seen fit to tag me for "eight random things about myself." I try NOT to spend a lot of time thinking about myself, so this has taken a little while, Paco - I hope you enjoy it!

1. I was born in Montana on the anniversary of the day Montana became a state. I think it's the most beautiful state in the Union, and not because of the mountains. I'm a prairie cat, y'see, and wide open spaces covered in sky are my idea of heaven.

2. I attended first grade at Bowdoin School outside Malta, Montana. It was a one-room school, with one teacher, Mrs. Beyer. She and I lived in town & she drove me to school every day. I adored her. She'd had my grandfather as a teacher when SHE was in school. She started with 8 of us at the beginning of the year, till another family moved to a farm down the road, which gave us 10 students at the end of the year. The Stiles kids sometimes rode their horse to school & would take me for rides at recess & lunch. I went to see the place a couple years ago & it made my heart ache at the horrid condition it was in. It was the best year of all my school years.

3. I spent over a week in hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada when I was 13, while they ran every test they could think of (EXCEPT a pregnancy test, I think). I was about 3 1/2 feet tall and I weighed in at 55 lbs. And had been that same size since I was 8 or 9, but now my skin looked almost mummified, the hair on my back was 2" long, and the hair on my head was the texture of straw AND it was falling out. I was also cold & tired all the time. Diagnosis was hypothyroidism and I've been taking medication for it ever since. I grew 6 inches in the first 8 months after I was released. But I still never made it to being 5 feet tall.

4. I can make gravy. GOOD gravy. The secrets, I have learned over the years, are that if you use flour you must 'cook' it so the flour taste goes away AND it takes TIME to make decent gravy.

5. I thread needles and deal cards left-handed.

6. I don't like music or movies much. Some of them speak to me at certain times, but mostly I'm kinda *meh* about the whole "art" scene. I couldn't act my way out of a wet paper bag and I have little or no musical ability. I listen to talk and sports-talk when I listen to the radio, and I watch almost no television unless it's cooking, gardening, D-I-Y or sports.

7. I tried to go to school to learn interior design, but couldn't seem to make it a priority (divorce and fear were further up on the list), so ended up dropping out. Now I do my own interior design with far fewer 'rules' than the classes would've had me learn.

8. To keep with Paco's theme, I do enjoy detective fiction a LOT, and wanted to be a private eye a long time ago. But not so much Miss Marple, more like Hercule Poirot (without the mustache) when I was feeling mellow or Mike Hammer when I wanted to fight. Lovely Daughter used to accuse me of spying or being psychic because of things I'd know about what goes on in my house when I'm not here...because I seem to pick up on little clues and notice things are added, rearranged or missing. Being Detective Mom was much tougher on my heart than being Grandma Daycare.

There you are, Paco. And of course, once I start thinking of things about me, NOW I can come up with probably another 8 or 10...but I won' t bore any of my several readers with more just yet! I will, however, tag SwampWoman, Kae, and Rodrigo!

Cool and rainy here in NEFL, think I'll make barley vegetable soup for My Chief (ret.). Thanks for stopping by!

Shadowlands is ONE!

Go visit Margo's Maid in the Shadowlands - you won't regret it. Being one of the mainstays of Blair Nation, the commentary is witty and original...even if it IS borderline slanderous! Love it, Margos, thanks for an interesting year!

And, like the slowpoke I've always been, I'm finally getting around to linking her here. Sheesh.

And in the news from Montana...

...we find this little thing from Helena...I'd be on the lookout for a silver-haired gent wearing a white linen suit...

In the biggest news from Montana since the Unabomber and Ted Turner, it seems I may already be part of War Between The States: Part II - States' Rights. It's an AP article in the SanFran Chronicle...which puzzles me in the first place, but what-the-heck. You can read the text of the bill here, after scrolling through the preachifying.

Bit of a soggy morning here in NEFL, and with hubby home for the day, I may not get back on here much, so y'all go make it a good day, and thanks for stopping by!

Operation Gratitude

Operation Gratitude can use your vote here. I put a link on my Facebook page, no idea how it'll work here, but with Richard at Three Beers Later AND the CEO of Paco Enterprises aboard, you'll be in good company. It's the LEAST you can do, isn't it?

UPDATE: I don't want Andrea to talk snark about me, so I'm voting for Operation Gratitude again first thing in the morning!

Typical "Do as I say, not as I do"

BarryO is a hypocrite. Biden makes things up (or borrows things someone else already said, or plants his foot FIRMLY in his mouth). Pelosi is a liar, too. Are ya proud of Your Elected Officials, America? These upstanding citizens seem to be running your country like they run their own lives, but they SAY the right things (usually, at least in public - most of the time, anyway, right, Joe?), so it's ok with you, right?

A New York Daily News op-ed has this:

A close examination of their finances shows that the Obamas were living off lines of credit along with other income for several years until 2005, when Obama's book royalties came through and Michelle received her 260% pay raise at the University of Chicago. This was also the year Obama started serving in the U.S. Senate. . . .

In April 1999, they purchased a Chicago condo and obtained a mortgage for $159,250. In May 1999, they took out a line of credit for $20,750. Then, in 2002, they refinanced the condo with a $210,000 mortgage, which means they took out about $50,000 in equity. Finally, in 2004, they took out another line of credit for $100,000 on top of the mortgage.

Tax returns for 2004 reveal $14,395 in mortgage deductions. If we assume an effective interest rate of 6%, then they owed about $240,000 on a home they purchased for about $159,250.

This means they spent perhaps $80,000 beyond their income from 1999 to 2004.

James Taranto at Best of the Web Today:

Everyone knows by now what happened: Pelosi was encouraging the Angry Left as it demanded retribution against Bush administration officials for their efforts to protect America from terrorist attacks in the wake of 9/11. Now that she has been exposed as complicit in those efforts, she is reaping the whirlwind of hatred that she helped stir up. And she is going to war with the CIA--a war in which even someone with much more intelligence than Nancy Pelosi would be vastly outmatched.

Hey, Blair Nation - I'll make more popcorn, eh?

I *heart* Dick Cheney

Haven't had much time to post or even read things I'd want to post this week. My Chief (ret.) has made it to Damascus, Virginia for Trail Days . He should be home early Sunday morning. Our friend Billy got off the trail Monday (Tuesday?) with a bit of a tummy problem, so Duffy's last couple days were hiked alone...or at least as alone as you can get during the high point of the season on the Appalachian Trail! If you'd like to read more about it, here's the link to Duffy's online journal. You can start with the prep hikes or look in the drop-down menu for the first journal entry on the trail on the 5th of May.

Now, back to Dick Cheney. I love the man. He's from Wyoming, home of My Favorite Cousin and Her Excellent Husband. His voice does something to my knees that...well, nevermind... I like his politics, I like his sense of humour, and I like his attitude.

Rich Lowry at JewishWorldReview:

Hmm — an executive order protecting secrecy in a sensitive matter involving national security. Who does that remind you of? If it's not enough to make Cheney smile, it should get a well-earned smirk out of him.

On the same topic, from Jonah Goldberg:

In short, these people can't be won over, at least not without apologizing for a lot more than George W. Bush. Admitting a few mistakes or releasing a few photos won't convince them we've turned over a new leaf, because their hatred of America stems from a hatred of modernity itself.

Meanwhile, giving the Jihadists propaganda tools to help them say "see, we were right" won't curtail recruitment, it will fuel it. At least that's what Obama's most senior military advisors reportedly told him.

It's good news that President Obama is open to such arguments. It remains to be seen whether he's actually persuaded by them.

Wesley Pruden has this to say about Fancy Nancy:

The speaker has told so many versions of what she knew about what was going on at Guantanamo, and when she knew it, that all we know now is that she can't keep her stories straight.

I don't hold my breath that this administration will do ANYTHING for the good of the Country. It'd be nice if they really DID the "public servant" thing in their work, but - based on past experience - I'd say the chances are (to quote my ol' dad) Fair to Horsesh#t.

Lemme know if that chance goes up, eh?

Don't politicians ever learn? Why should they?

"After virtually every disaster created by Beltway politicians you can hear the sound of feet scurrying for cover in Washington, see fingers pointing in every direction away from Washington, and watch all sorts of scapegoats hauled up before Congressional committees to be denounced on television for the disasters created by members of the committee who are lecturing them."

Thomas Sowell has a new book, called "The Housing Boom and Bust." His column is at JewishWorldReview.

Jokes that won't get told...

...in 'polite company' for the next few years, anyway. Thanks to Paco, whose link sent me to Doug Powers at WorldNetDaily.

My personal favorite: "If you're wondering why the president is in a good mood, it's because he's glad to be finished with his annual physical

. During his colonoscopy doctors removed two benign polyps and the White House Press Corps."

How's yer mum?

I'm a mother and I didn't see Lovely Daughter at all yesterday - but remember, we had lunch Friday, so I don't feel left out or ignored. I kinda wished I could see my mum, but hoped she got the multi-colored roses I ordered. I went to a meeting, then tried to finish up painting & tidy up for the Pixie's return this morning - there's been a LOT of stuff on the floor that could be trouble in those cute little hands.

The little family went for a visit at his mother's house...or at least that was the plan when we spoke. The Pixie had a bit of...umm..."tummy trouble that requires many diaper changes" so they may have stayed home. I'll find out later.

Handsome Hubby called around 3:30 or so - the hikers were at a hostel, Billy feeling Montezuma's revenge, hoping against hope to get back on the trail today, will see how he feels. Billy wouldn't let Duffy carry his pack, luckily it was a much easier day to hike, but Billy was crashed in a bunk when Duffy called me. I hope they get back out today, I hope Billy feels better soon. Sick on the Appalachian Trail? Not an experience I want.

Around 6 I had cleaned up enough to see about taking a break, got a coke & looked up my mum's number. No answer. Left a message. Lame.

Went back to whatever I was doing, and around 9 the phone rang as I was finishing up for the day. It was my mum. She'd been over to my cousin's house for dinner and an afternoon with that crew. I'm so glad she moved back to Montana, she sounds great. Her own little apartment (little - it's about the same sq.ft. as my little house), to come and go as she pleases. She's involved at the senior center, something she refused to do in Colorado. She got cataract surgery & can drive without glasses. She drives herself to visit other people in the state. ALL over the state. And she goes shopping in the bigger towns by herself, for herself. I think maybe she's finally happy. I miss her. I miss Montana.

*sigh* Oh yeah, she got the flowers, too, and says they're very pretty. *sigh again*

Well, Pixie's here, gotta run! Thanks for stopping by!

UPDATE: No visit to the other M-I-L, Pixie was going through diapers too fast.

An Irishman walks into a bar...

...in Dublin, orders three pints of Guinness and sits in the back of the room, drinking a sip out of each one in turn. When he finished all three, he comes back to the bar and orders three more.

The bartender says to him, 'You know, a pint goes flat after I draw it; it would taste better if you bought one at a time.'

The Irishman replies, 'Well, you see, I have two brothers. One is in America, the other in Australia, and I'm here in Dublin. When we all left home, we promised that we'd drink this way to remember the days we all drank together.' The bartender admits that this is a nice custom, and leaves it there.

The Irishman becomes a regular in the bar and always drinks the same way: he orders three pints and drinks the three pints by taking drinks from each of them in turn.

One day, he comes in and orders two pints. All the other regulars in the bar notice and fall silent. When he comes back to the bar for the second round, the bartender says, 'I don't want to intrude on your grief, but I wanted to offer my condolences on your great loss.' The Irishman looks confused for a moment, then a light dawns in his eye and he laughs. 'Oh, no, ' he says, 'Everyone is fine. I've just quit drinking.'

Heard it before, but swiped it this time from missred, with thanks.

What I've learned that Shamu's trainer also knows

I've mentioned here the retreats we lead a couple times a year, using what we call The Process. I took a break from painting (yes, again, and will get back to it soon as I post this), read the Lori Borgman column at JewishWorldReview.com, and realize the column topic is something we cover on those retreats. I hope it makes you smile!

Such beauty! Such fun!

I took a couple pictures of My Pixie, shortly before Grandpa left for the AT. You may not think she's as adorable as I do, but hey, it's my blog, if you don't want to see her pictures, go get yer own blog. I now return you to your day, while I go paint s'more!

I find something wonderful every day

It figures...I read an Australian blog, and what do I find but reference to an American blog I MUST now subscribe to. Thanks, Boy on a Bike. I don't get out much...

Go check out AfghanistanShrugged. It's well worth your time. Be sure you say Thank You to your Creator for having these guys on OUR side.

Retreat Weekend

This used to be the Girl Scout camp in Clay County. My very favorite place to "cabin" (I don't 'camp' anymore), and it's where we hold our retreats. The weather was perfect! THIS weekend's gonna be miserable hot, so we got it done just in the nick of time. The first pic was taken last Friday, the second was on Saturday and we were so glad for the bit of cloud cover. The last is Handsome Hubby getting breakfast from our good friends Angie and Scott, who fixed french toast and bacon both mornings. Yummo!



















Now that I've had a little break - again - I better get back to it. If you'd like to see more pictures, they're at the MySpace link in my sidebar. Thanks for stopping by!

Household fun again!

Paco's back, go look at his pictures, they're gorgeous.

Got some errands to run, more painting to do, and a few chores I'm not going to detail here (cat box, anyone?), but hope to post a picture or two from our Retreat later today. Have a great day, thanks for stopping by!

UPDATE: If you need something to read that won't rot your brain, Thomas Sowell is always a good choice, especially his columns this week on the upcoming Supreme Court vacancy.

"Empathy" vs Law is here. Then Part II, and Part III. I love Thomas Sowell, have I said that before? Recently? MORE UPDATE! Here's Part IV.

UPDATE: Running always a bit late, Lovely Daughter brought the Pixie to visit for awhile! What a beautiful pair of girls they are!