Lumpy's "Run to the Wall" and Adventure's

11-11-11 * Veterans Day

2011-11-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

Today we salute the brave men and women who have fought to keep America free.

Flag Day, June 14, 2011

2011-06-14T00:56:00.000-07:00

The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.

On June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, planned appropriate ceremonies for the children of his school, and his idea of observing Flag Day was later adopted by the State Board of Education of New York. On June 14, 1891, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day celebration, and on June 14 of the following year, the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution, celebrated Flag Day.

Following the suggestion of Colonel J Granville Leach (at the time historian of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution), the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America on April 25, 1893 adopted a resolution requesting the mayor of Philadelphia and all others in authority and all private citizens to display the Flag on June 14th. Leach went on to recommend that thereafter the day be known as 'Flag Day', and on that day, school children be assembled for appropriate exercises, with each child being given a small Flag.

Two weeks later on May 8th, the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution unanimously endorsed the action of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames. As a result of the resolution, Dr. Edward Brooks, then Superintendent of Public Schools of Philadelphia, directed that Flag Day exercises be held on June 14, 1893 in Independence Square. School children were assembled, each carrying a small Flag, and patriotic songs were sung and addresses delivered.

In 1894, the governor of New York directed that on June 14 the Flag be displayed on all public buildings. With BJ Cigrand and Leroy Van Horn as the moving spirits, the Illinois organization, known as the American Flag Day Association, was organized for the purpose of promoting the holding of Flag Day exercises. On June 14th, 1894, under the auspices of this association, the first general public school children's celebration of Flag Day in Chicago was held in Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt, Lincoln, and Washington Parks, with more than 300,000 children participating.

Adults, too, participated in patriotic programs. Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, delivered a 1914 Flag Day address in which he repeated words he said the flag had spoken to him that morning: "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."

Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

2011-01-15T21:12:00.000-08:00

To everyone who is calling for stricter gun laws in light of the tragedy in Tuscon, may I offer this little tidbit: If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk, and spoons made people fat! Remember: Hold the person accountable for their actions, not the means they chose to utilize!!!

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

01/01/11

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Greatest man in history named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Happy Bill of Rights Day

2010-12-15T20:47:00.001-08:00

On Dec. 15, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt by proclamation celebrated the first Bill of Rights Day. It was the 150th anniversary of the ratification of those first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, amendments that spelled out our freedoms as well as our rights.

On this 219th anniversary, we would do well to reflect on history for it was history that spawned the Bill of Rights.

When the U.S. Constitution was being drafted in the late 1780s, the idea of a central government wasn't an easy sell. Men of genius had come up with a plan for three governmental branches — executive, legislative and judicial. And they had built in checks and balances among the branches. But people of the various states — reflecting on history — had a healthy fear that a dream of a government serving the people could quickly change to a nightmare of people being subservient to government.

Angry rallies and boycotts ensued. Buckets of tar and bags of feathers were made ready.

To get the Constitution ratified by the states, the framers had to promise there would be a bill of rights to protect individuals from a strong central government. This bill of rights would not be a list of checks and balances between government and the people. It would simply be a list of checks against government to ensure vital freedoms.

It took four years, but in 1791 a list of 10 rights was ratified by enough states to be attached to the Constitution.

Without that list, history books about the United States of America may well be thin, out-of-print tomes.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

December 7, 1941

2010-12-07T05:43:00.000-08:00

On an otherwise calm Sunday morning on December 7, 1941, the Japanese shocked the world by bombing the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

This 'dastardly attack' was the turning point for America and for the War.

On December 8, the nation was gathered around its radios to hear President Roosevelt deliver his Day of Infamy speech. That same day, Congress declared war on Japan. On December 11, Congress declared war on Germany.

The slogan 'Remember Pearl Harbor' mobilized a nation and helped awaken the mighty war machine and economic engine that is America.

2010-12-03T22:20:00.000-08:00

R. Lee Ermey

2010-11-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

I saw this commercial on television today and really got a chuckle out of it! I believe more people need this type of therapy. Tissue? Crybaby...

Jack Wagon

n. Slang term derived from the Freight or Chow wagons used in the late 19th century. These were often the last wagons in a wagon train, making them the least favorable to drive due to the dust, waste, and debris from the front of the train.

When used as in insult it refers to one's lack of intelligence, implying the insultee is capable of no more than operating a Chow wagon.

You're doing it wrong, you Jack wagon!

2010-11-25T13:00:00.001-08:00

47 years ago today!

2010-11-22T13:33:00.001-08:00

Remember where you were when you heard the news?

The assassination of John F. Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, took place on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (18:30 UTC) in Dealey Plaza. Kennedy was fatally shot while riding with his wife Jacqueline in a Presidential motorcade.

President Kennedy with his wife, Jacqueline, and Texas Governor John Connally in the presidential limousine, minutes before his assassination.

NYPD cop shoots suspected motorcycle thief

2010-11-20T21:08:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

Associated Press

NEW YORK — An off-duty New York City officer shot and wounded a man suspected of trying to steal his motorcycle.

Police say the officer awoke to noises outside his bedroom window Monday. He went outside to discover two men trying to steal his motorcycle. His wife stayed inside to call 911 and heard shots being fired. One suspect fled the scene, and the other was struck once in the neck and is in stable condition.

There were no eyewitnesses and it's not clear what prompted the officer to fire. He cannot be interviewed by police until after the district attorney investigates, a standard procedure.

No weapon was found. Police say the injured suspect scaled a 7-foot fence before he was found by police hiding in a stairwell around the corner from the officer's apartment.

http://online.wsj.com/art...33384a779d409a5f285.html

This Officer should be punished for this outrageous performance.

The cop should be made to do at least 4 hours range practice every day for a month or until he can pop 99 out of 100 rounds into the center of the body mass from 21 feet, every time!

2010-11-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

Here is something else that boils my blood!

2010-11-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

Califonia Supreme Court upholds in state tuition for illegal immigrants. First off lets be clear here... these individuals are illegally here in this country.

Illegal immigrants who graduated from California high schools can continued to receive lower, in-state tuition at state universities and colleges the State Supreme Court decided unanimously.

This Story Makes My Blood Boil!

2010-11-15T16:25:00.002-08:00

November 12, 2010

13-year-old Cody Alicea rides with an American flag on the back of his bike. He says he does this to be patriotic and to honor veterans, like his own grandfather, Robert. He's had the flag on his bike for two months but Monday, was told to take it down.

A school official at Denair Middle School told Cody some students had been complaining about the flag and it was no longer allowed on school property.

"In this country we're supposed to be free," said Cody. "And I should be able to wave my flag wherever I want to. And they're telling me I can't." Cody had to take the flag off his bike and put it in his backpack, where he kept it all week.

Cody's grandfather says the school was concerned about racial tensions or uprisings because of the flag. He feels if there was really a problem it should have been brought up two months ago, not during Veterans week. And if it was an issue of safety, parents should have been contacted.

"No action should be taken. We don't want any repercussion," said Roger Alicea. "We just want Cody to be proud of what he's doing." Roger says the family is not planning to take any legal action, but they do want to meet with school staff.

Cody says he wants to serve in the military some day, and is raising money for a trip to Washington, D.C. in the Spring.

A lot of Americans need to wake up and learn a lesson from this young man. You can see the love and PRIDE for his country in the tears he sheds. There are still a lot of TRUE BLOODED Americans that will fight for our country and stand proud and strong with you. God bless you Cody. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

2010-11-15T13:26:00.001-08:00

Veterans Day 2010

2010-11-11T09:26:00.000-08:00

Future and Past

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.

For every woman and man who has ever served America, I salute you.

Remember when?

2010-10-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

Remember when you were young and couldn't wait to grow up?

WOW...what the hell were we thinking?

Sliced Bread!

2010-09-26T21:46:00.000-07:00

What was the best thing since sliced bread?

Hot Water

2010-09-22T21:50:00.000-07:00

Why do we have hot water heaters when hot water doesn't need to be heated?

‘Until They Are Home’

2010-09-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

“Prisoner of War, missing in action, gone but not forgotten!”

Held on the 3rd Friday each September since its entry into presidential proclamation on July 18, 1979, National POW/MIA Recognition Day honors US military men and women captured, killed and or missing in action from not only the Southeast Asian War, but those before and after. For many, the death or loss of a family member or loved one is hard enough when the answers to what lead to their fate are there for one to see, but when their condition and whereabouts bear questions unanswered even years later, it is doubly hard. Such is the case for many of our family , friends and loved ones who have courageously served our country throughout the years. Deemed foolish sacrificial lambs by some, brave war heroes by others, these summoned soldiers headed to the call of their government and stepped onto the battlefield knowing in their hearts that a return home was not certain. There is much to say about why we fight wars, and who the winners and losers are. Some would say America won many. Some would say otherwise. A wise man once said that in war, there are no winners or losers, for the price paid is deep and longstanding. We celebrate those who have found their way home, honor those who have given their lives, and pray for those still out on the battlefield, today and everyday. However you choose to celebrate our uniformed personnel, remember these humbling yet powerful words from a true revolutionary:

“An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind.”

-Mahatma Ghandi

Junk Mail!

2010-09-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

Can't the postman give it to the garbage man and save us the hassle?

Work?

2010-09-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

If work is so terrific, how come they have to pay you to do it?

Immigration

2010-09-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

In Iran, if you cross the border illegally, you get put in jail and have to pay $500,000.00 to be deported.
In the United States of America, you cross the border illegally, you get welfare, food stamps and free health care!

Take me out to the ball game

2010-09-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game," when we are already there?

Lindsey Lohan who?

2010-07-26T23:20:00.000-07:00

I can't believe the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20- something year old.

Here are a few 20 year-olds worth knowing about: Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matt Weikert 29, Justus Bartett 27, Dave Santos 21, Chase Stanley 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew King 23, Christopher Goeke 23 & Sheldon Tate 27.......

These 20-something years old gave their lives for you this week.

These precious soldiers gave everything for us. Yet the media is all about Lindsey Lohan, a irresponsible actress who doesn't think the law applies to her.

She is safer than our soldiers as she sits in jail for a few weeks.

I support our troops with all my heart.

God Bless them and their families who are anxiously waiting their safe return.

What Does the 4th of July Mean to You?

2010-07-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

It's an historic date. It's a three-day weekend. It's an excuse to party. It's a noisy nuisance.

What does the 4th of July mean to you? With the 4th of July holiday upon us, the whole idea of ‘Independence Day’ has inspired me to ask this question.

Independence Day is all about freedom… But I believe that each one of us probably has a different idea or definition for what freedom really means.

What does true freedom mean to you?

For The Record...

2010-06-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

My Father's Day was GREAT!
Thanks to my family, I love you. Dad

Flag Day

2010-06-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Flag Day, always June 14, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

HELP!

2010-06-09T22:07:00.001-07:00

So...Where are all the "Save the Gulf" concerts? Where are the TV benefits with celebrities and musicians giving heart felt speeches for the poor fishermen, wildlife, beaches, loss of income and gulf economy? I find it rather strange how so many were so quick to help Haiti and other...countries...and now America needs help and nobody is stepping up.

Something to Ponder

2010-06-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Memorial Day, 2010---America The Beautiful

2010-05-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day should be more than barbecues and picnics.

Memorial Day should reminds us of our duties towards the wounded soldiers and the bereaved families, orphans and widows of the dead soldiers.

We should honor the dead by adorning their sacred remains with flowers and garlands and show our gratitude towards them.

We should adorn the graves of the soldiers with flags or flowers.

We should visit cemeteries and memorials.

We should furl the American Flag at half-mast until noon.

Keep silence for a minute at 3 p.m., 'National Moment of Remembrance' and listen to Taps being played.

Take a pledge to aid the disabled veterans, widows, widowers and orphans of the dead and keep it.

Offer thanks to the veterans.

I listened to many video's, but how can you top this one by Ray Charles. Please take a few minutes and watch and listen to it, then thank God you're American, or wish you were!

Marty Cooper, Father of the Cell Phone

2010-05-23T23:13:00.000-07:00

There are seven billion people on the planet, and nearly five billion cell phones - meaning most of the Earth's population is connected for sound, for picture, and for heaven only knows what else.

The cell phone has brought us a world without end of talking, twittering, texting, even of sexting. If you don't know what that is, ask any high school kid.

And, in my opinion has created the most rude, inconsiderate and thoughtless society.

It is all a result of Marty Cooper's big idea. He built the first one 37 years ago. It ushered in a technological and social revolution.

He made the first public cell phone call on the sidewalks of New York, in 1973.

Survivor, Outwit, Outsmart, and Outplay

2010-05-16T23:29:00.000-07:00

Russell deserves the title of sole survivor, I cannot believe how these people hold grudges. They are so upset that he outwitted, outlasted, and outplayed all of them (in both games he played). There is no reason why he should not have won. Those jurors need to be reminded that the basis of the vote is on who outwitted, outlasted, and outplayed everyone else to get to the end.

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

There is a tradition in our family that was started 17 years ago by my brother Don. The tradition, men in the family make omelets for the women, starting with the eldest mom, making one omelet at a time working our way down to the newest mom.
The children go around taking orders from the mom's, then the men assemble the breakfast plate. We have fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls, sausage patties, orange juice and coffee.
The "mashed to hell" tater tots are to die for, so says my sis.
Here is a sample of a plate that has partially been eaten. We love our moms' wife's and daughters.

Happy Birthday Debbie

2010-04-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my wife. Your all my happiness.

Tax Day 2010---The Last 10 cents...

2010-04-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

A father walks into a restaurant with his young son...
He gives the young boy three 10 cent coins to play with to keep him
occupied.

Suddenly, the boy starts choking and going blue in the face...
The father realizes
the boy has swallowed the coins and starts slapping
him on the back...

The boy coughs up 2 of the 10 cent coins but is still choking.
Looking at his son, the father is panicking, shouting for help.

A well dressed, attractive, and serious looking woman, in a blue
business suit is sitting at a coffee bar reading a newspaper and
sipping a cup of coffee.

At the sound of the commotion, she looks up, puts her coffee cup down,
neatly folds the newspaper, places it on the counter, gets up from her
seat and makes her way, unhurried, across the restaurant.

Reaching the boy, the woman carefully pulls down his pants; takes hold
of the boy's' testicles and starts to squeeze and twist, gently at
first and then ever so firmly... tighter and tighter !!!

After a few seconds the boy convulses violently and coughs up the last
of the 10 cent coins, which the woman deftly catches in her free hand.

Releasing the boy's testicles, the woman hands the coin to the father
and walks back to her seat at the coffee bar without saying a word.

As soon as he is sure that his son has suffered no ill effects, the
father rushes over to the woman and starts thanking her saying, "I've
never seen anybody do anything like that before, it was fantastic. Are
you a doctor? "

"No," the woman replied.

"I'm with The Internal Revenue Service..."

My First USPSA Shoot

2010-04-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

Man, was this a hoot. Thanks to my buddy George for capturing and posting this clip. This sport is becoming very addictive!

New Tile Flooring, Day 2

2010-03-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

The tile layers got about half of the flooring done on the first day and finished up the rest today, day 2. They will grout on day 3, finish and clean up.
We went and picked out baseboard this afternoon. The rest of the job is on me!

New Tile Flooring

2010-03-29T11:13:00.001-07:00

We had another water leak inside the house, second time in 5 years. The faucet for the kitchen sink sprang a leak and we didn't realize it until 12-18 hours had passed.

Thin set mortar is used as an adhesive to glue the ceramic tile down. We are going with ceramic tile this time around. :)

There is a pallet of tile in the back of the truck with all the tile tools in the trailer.

Some of the hand tools of the trade that are used.

This is the entry to the house.

Some final scraping to clean up the high spots and old linoleum backing.
More final clean up. After the first flood I laid laminate wood flooring. We liked laminate so much that after the second flood I laid laminate a second time. Guess what? Laminate is a sponge for water! Not good!

Happy Pi Day!

2010-03-14T19:10:00.000-07:00

Today is March 14, which means one thing: It’s Pi Day! (For those of us who slept through math, pi = 3.14 = March 14

3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062865089986280348253421170679...

Computers have corrected to about 1,000,000,000,000 places.

This Will Make Your Blood Boil!

2010-03-12T20:07:00.000-08:00

President Obama has proposed a 1.4% pay increase for active duty military in 2011. This is THE LOWEST SINCE 1973! Nice to know that during a time of rampant inflation, while war is fought in 2 theaters, our men and women in uniform get A LOWER PAY INCREASE THAN WELFARE RECIPIENTS!

The Over 30 Crowd, Do you remember?

2010-03-10T20:01:00.000-08:00

If you are 30, or older, you might think this is hilarious!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning.... Uphill... Barefoot... BOTH ways? yadda, yadda, yadda

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!
But now that I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia!
And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!

Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!

There were no MP3's or Napsters or iTunes! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself!

Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio, and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished, and then the tape would come undone rendering it useless. Cause, hey, that's how we rolled, Baby! Dig?

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, that's it!

There weren't any freakin' cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn't make a damn call or receive one. You actually had to be out of touch with your "friends". OH MY GOD !!! Think of the horror... not being in touch with someone 24/7!!! And then there's TEXTING. Yeah, right. Please! You kids have no idea how annoying you are.

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your parents, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, the collection agent... you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy PlayStation or Xbox video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your screen guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen... Forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel!!! NO REMOTES!!! Oh, no, what's the world coming to?!?!

There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little rat-finks!

And we didn't have microwaves. If we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the stove! Imagine that!
And our parents told us to stay outside and play... all day long. Oh, no, no electronics to soothe and comfort. And if you came back inside... you were doing chores! And car seats - oh, please! Mom threw you in the back seat and you hung on. If you were luckily, you got the "safety arm" across the chest at the last moment if she had to stop suddenly, and if your head hit the dashboard, well that was your fault for calling "shot gun" in the first place! See! That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980 or any time before!

Regards,
The Over 30 Crowd

Word History 101... SHIT!

2010-02-14T16:12:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting fact you should know. I was once told that this was a word of nautical origin, but never knew the story behind it. Thought you might like to expand your field of general knowledge.

Authoritative sources rarely agree on the origin of most words. Sometimes, it can be as simple as the following explanation:

Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, a by-product of which is methane gas.

As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, there was a significant BOOOOM! ...and lots of floating wood shards..

Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening..

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term 'Ship High In Transit' on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.

Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T. ' (Ship High In Transit), which has gained official "word" status, and has come down through the centuries and is still in use to this very day.

You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I. I had just always thought it was adapted as a golf term!

Yeah, I know... Sounds like so much bullshit!

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

Here are my three valentine's

US Soldiers using "Jesus rifles"

2010-02-12T22:05:00.000-08:00

ABC News reports that US soldiers are being issued Trijicon sights for their weapons. Trijicon, who makes some of the best weapon sights in the world has been called out for placing biblical passages on their product. Tom Munson, director of sales and marketing for Trijicon, says that the inscriptions have always been there.

The article quotes one of the complainants "It's wrong, it violates the Constitution, it violates a number of federal laws," said Michael "Mikey" Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, an advocacy group that seeks to preserve the separation of church and state in the military.

"It allows the Mujahedeen, the Taliban, al Qaeda and the insurrectionists and jihadists to claim they're being shot by Jesus rifles," he said.

Thought the story was interesting and kind of ironic, given our enemy's reason for fighting. The entire story can be read here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/us-mil...ory?id=9575794

DMV - Excuse for a ride...

2010-02-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

I needed to take care of some paper work at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Since it was 62 degrees I decided to ride.

The hill's are turning green. Looking east toward the lower Sierra mountains.

As the map shows, the route I took around the county took me through a lot of orange orchards, grape vineyards and farm land.

Is there any other?

The hills are green now, but wait for a couple of months and they will be brown and ugly.

The road up though the hills.

Is there any other, really?

This shot is looking over the San Joaquin Valley in the direction of Arvin and Lamont

And some of the farm land. As usual always hazy.

There is a saying in the valley, "where the water flows the food grows" Water is very critical in the valley and it seems like the farmers are always having to fight for water. Seems like the Delta Smelt is more important than human life.

This is the way water was pumped in years gone by.
This is the way water is pumped today.

Eighty miles later, I got my DMV taken care of including a great ride

Do you feel lucky? Well do ya...

2010-02-09T18:50:00.000-08:00

I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I've kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum - the most powerful hand gun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question--Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk!
Dirty Harry

The Pueblo Incident

2010-02-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

A few days ago at work a song came on the radio, my work buddy Tim asked me if I knew the words to this particular song. After listening to the tune for a few moments I knew I had heard the song before but admitted not knowing the words. The song was performed by the one hit wonder "Blues Image"

An international incident 42 years ago remains shrouded in mystery.

On the bitterly cold morning of Jan. 23, 1968, an American intelligence vessel, USS Pueblo, was operating in international waters off the coast of North Korea. It was surrounded by four North Korean patrol boats, with two MiG aircraft flying overhead. The boats ordered the Pueblo to stop and let the North Koreans board. The order was refused. The Pueblo headed further out to sea. The North Korean boats immediately opened fire. Armed with only a 50-caliber gun secured from the freezing temperatures by a tarp, the Pueblo was unable to fight back.

With more North Korean boats appearing on radar and heading its way, the Pueblo had no choice but surrender -- the first U.S. Navy ship since 1807 to be captured by a foreign power.

One Pueblo crew member was killed in the attack; the remaining 82 spent 11 months in a prison camp before being released. The Pueblo remains in North Korea.

The Pueblo was immortalized in song; 'Ride, Captain Ride' and is played to this day on radio stations across the USA, yet few Americans realize the true meaning of the popular 70's song.

Some people think the song was written in response to the "Pueblo Incident"

Listen to the song

Welcome to 2010

2010-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

I think 2009 was pretty hard on most folks! I wish 2010 will be better in all aspects for everyone.

Merry Christmas, 2009

2009-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Have you been naughty or nice?

I bought a new vehicle!

2009-12-15T22:28:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately it was not a Red Corvette :(
...but is was a van like this. If your in the market for a new car you owe it to yourself to go to Three Way Automotive Group and talk with Ted. His staff makes the automotive buying experience a breeze.
Three Way Chevrolet has been the #1 Chevrolet dealer in the State of California for over seven years!

This Day in History, December 12,1986

2009-12-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Honey.
You have given me many happy memories.
I Love You.

December 7, 1941---Never Forget

2009-12-07T06:20:00.000-08:00

Aircraft and midget submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy began a surprise attack on the U.S. under the command of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Despite long-standing assertions that this attack could have been predicted and prevented by the United States Military, the U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor appeared to be utterly unprepared, and the attack effectively drew the United States into World War II. At 6:09 a.m. on December 7, the six Japanese carriers launched a first wave of 183 planes composed mainly of dive-bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters. The Japanese hit American ships and military installations at 7:55 a.m. The first wave attacked military airfields of Ford Island. At 8:30 a.m. a second wave of 180 Japanese planes, mostly torpedo bombers, attacked the fleet anchored in Pearl Harbor. The battleship Arizona was hit with an armor-piercing bomb, which penetrated the forward ammunition compartment, blowing the ship apart and sinking it within seconds. Overall, nine ships of the U.S. fleet were sunk and twenty-one ships were severely damaged. Three of the twenty-one would be irreparable. The overall death toll reached 2,350, including 68 civilians, and 1,178 injured. Of the military personnel lost at Pearl Harbor, 1,177 were from the Arizona. The first shots fired were from the USS Ward on a midget submarine that had surfaced outside of Pearl Harbor, the USS Ward did successfully sink the midget sub at approximately 6:55, about an hour before the assault on Pearl Harbor.

Top-end Rebuild, The Assembly

2009-12-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

After the gaskets on back order were received, the parts were all cleaned and ready for the install, I got started with the assembly. I realized that the assembly was just the reverse of the disassemble so I didn't take any pictures and just concentrated on the job at hand.

Getting the pistons into the cylinders with the proper orientation was about the only stumble I had. The pistons are marked "Front" or "Rear" with an arrow that needs to point to the front of the engine. After I got the rear piston/cylinder mounted to the connecting rod I looked into the cylinder and noticed I had mounted the arrow pointing rearward instead of forward! When transferring the assembly to the engine, I hadn't taken into effect of working backward on the bench and then transferring the assembly to the bike. One picture I did take is of me putting oil on a head bolt just before installation. The torquing of the head bolts is a series of four sequences in a cross pattern ultimately getting all head bolts torqued to 42 ft. lbs.

This is one of four push rod tubes that was assembled and ready for installation. They are two piece with "O"-rings on each end and one in the middle.

New spark plugs, this one is getting a coat of anti-seize. Anytime you put steel spark plugs in aluminum heads you should apply anti-seize.

Top-end Rebuild, Part 12

2009-12-01T22:44:00.000-08:00

While waiting for the base gaskets to arrive I repainted the cylinder heads.
So, I taped off all the pertinent areas.
The EPA will not allow the MoCo to ship acrylic paint to the great Kommunist state of Kalifornia.
Therefore I was unable to use the paint that may have been the best.
So, I purchased a can of high temperature barbecue paint.
The finish of the paint is suppose to "texture". I tested a small area and
then helped it along with a heat gun.

The head on the left is done and the head on the right is ready for the tape to be removed and the edges to be cleaned.
I was happy with the results that I was getting. I gave the heads three heavy coats of paint.

After 15 minutes I got a rag and some denatured alcohol, rubbing the
machined edges to expose the shiny. I allowed the heads to sunbathe
in the California sun (75 degrees) for three full days to cure.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-26T00:21:00.000-08:00

Though many competing claims exist, the most familiar story of the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Colony, in present-day Massachusetts, in 1621. More than 200 years later, President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Minnesota is the top turkey-producing state in America, with a planned production total of 49 million in 2008. Just six states—Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri and Indiana—will probably produce two-thirds of the estimated 271 million birds that will be raised in the U.S. this year.

In a survey conducted by the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans said they eat turkey at Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds, which means some 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S. during Thanksgiving in 2007.

Just think - if the natives had given the Pilgrim fathers a donkey instead of a turkey, we all would be having a piece of ass for Thanksgiving.

The first time the Detroit Lions played football on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934, when they hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit stadium, in front of 26,000 fans. The NBC radio network broadcast the game on 94 stations across the country--the first national Thanksgiving football broadcast. Since that time, the Lions have played a game every Thanksgiving (except between 1939 and 1944); in 1956, fans watched the game on television for the first time.

Update on Gaskets

2009-11-25T15:30:00.000-08:00

Gaskets did not come in...Surprise, surprise...

Top-end Rebuild, Part 11

2009-11-24T11:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I ran into my first snag on this job.

I originally ordered gaskets, waited 14 days for their delivery, picking them up on Saturday. I got home, opened up the gasket package, damn, no base gaskets.

I returned to the dealership the next day, Sunday, talked to the parts manager that I had to rustle up from the back of his office, he originally told me that they would be closed tomorrow, Monday, and that he would re-order the parts on Tuesday, again having to wait the 14 days to be shipped and received.

I objected, he reconsidered his options, said he would order the parts from his home on his day off (Monday) and have them delivered on Tuesday by 3:00P.M.

I'm not going to hold my breath, but will keep my fingers crossed!

Top-end Rebuild, Part 10

2009-11-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

I got up this morning and had a great breakfast that my wife made, after which I made my way down to the Harley shop to pick up some of the parts that were on back order.
Taking into account that the bike is 13 model years old, (some people would say it's a classic) I ordered some silicone spark plug wires to replace the original ones.
These are the new pistons that I ordered.
Note the designation to the orientation that is stamped on the top of the pistons.
F= front cylinder, R= rear cylinder, arrows need to be installed pointing to the front of the engine.
I will get these down to the machinist on Monday so they can be fitted to the cylinders.

Top-end Rebuild, Part 9

2009-11-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

While waiting on parts, I'm checking some of the other items on the motorcycle, here's the carburetor.I disassembled the carburetor checking the internal parts for any wear. Also, I checked the jet sizing and needle shims to insure that the proper sizes were installed for the increase in compression.

I used compressed air to blow out all the passages. After it all was reassembled I cleaned up the outside. It's all ready for the install. Where are the part's?

Top-end Rebuild, Part 8

2009-11-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

While I'm waiting on parts I am doing some deep cleaning and other adjustments
that I have been wanting to do, specifically adjusting the handlebar. I didn't like
the position that I had them in, also, I couldn't get the clamps to tighten
enough to hold them in place.
So, here is my attempt to secure the handlebar. I drilled and tapped the top
saddle clamp for a set screw. I positioned the handlebar where I wanted, tightened
the clamps down almost tight, then ran the set screw down as far as possible,
then gave the clamps a final tightening. I think it's going to work great.

Top-end Rebuild, Part 7

2009-11-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

Another specialty tool that is needed is a device that holds the lifter/roller inside the lifter block while assembly.
There are several ways that are suggested in the factory manual to accomplish this, one being a magnetic tool, well here is my attempt...
I went to the hobby shop and bought some ferrite ceramic magnets, each having
a pulling/lifting capability of 7 lbs. I used hot glue to assist in holding the
magnet to the orange u-shape holder. I tried it and it worked beautifully.

IHACI

2009-11-18T15:54:00.000-08:00

Today, three fellow employee's and myself attended a trade show that was held in Pasadena, California.
The Institute of Heating and Air Conditioning Industries, Inc., is a non-profit trade association of contractors, manufacturers, distributors, utility firms, and related businesses actively engaged in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and sheet metal industries.
Formally incorporated in 1948, IHACI remains a progressive association dedicated to the education, promotion, and growth of our industry.
Sign in booths, register, receive name tag and goody bag.
Through membership involvement and participation, and adherence to the IHACI Code of Ethics, the association is able to render a myriad of services and benefits to its participating members.

Top-end Rebuild, Part 6

2009-11-14T14:48:00.001-08:00

Some of the procedures I'm doing requires specialty tools specific to the job. The above picture depicts a lifter block tool that is used to align the blocks when installing said blocks. This insures that the oil galley/holes line up correctly to ensure proper lubrication to the lifters. I didn't want to purchase these tools for just one time use, so...I fabricated them.

I took some 1/4-20 bolts 2" long and wrapped the thread to protect them.
I then took some two part epoxy putty, kneaded it together and applied to the bolts in a pyramid shape.
After epoxy hardened I chucked the bolt up in the drill press and using a file I "lathed" the part into shape.

These are close to the finished product. Just a little more fine filing and I was there.This tool pictured and the lifter block alignment tool pictured above I made after getting the idea from Todd8080 at Todd's Harley Pix. The clearances are so tight between the rocker boxes and frame that you need this allen wrench tool for 4 of the fasteners.

Top-end Rebuild, Part 5

2009-11-14T14:43:00.000-08:00

Well, it was suggested that I check the rollers on the lifters,
as much as I didn't want to find a problem I did! The hardening on the surface of one roller and and the corresponding cam lobe was subject. So, down to the dealer I went, $245.34 later I have a new Andrew's 27 cam shaft, HD lifters and associated gaskets, seals, bushing and bearing to replace the faulty parts.
Here are the new lifters soaking in oil, getting them ready for the install. Please don't tell Debbie I'm using her good Tupperware. :)
A look inside the cam cavity.
I will replace the seal and brass bushing in the nose cone.

Top-end Rebuild, Part 4

2009-11-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

Here is the pile of old gaskets and seals.

Some of the parts cleaned and ready for install. I have the heads and cylinders down at the machinist. He made measurements of the cylinders, no problems. I ordered pistons, gaskets and misc other parts. Seven to ten days back order on all the parts, I guess that's what you get when you own a classic, so says the dealer! That just fries my ass. The bike is only 13 model years old and the dealer doesn't stock the basic parts! WTF!

States I have ridden.

2009-11-12T18:49:00.001-08:00

visited 27 states (54%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Top-end Rebuild, Part 3

2009-11-11T18:38:00.000-08:00

This is the rear rocker box that was leaking at the corner. You can see
where the gasket was compromised.

Both heads, nothing appeared to have failed.
Getting down to the cases.
Little closer, more detail.
The other side of the bike. A little carbon built up on both pistons.
Cylinders looked good, can still see honing marks.
Will get the heads and cylinders down to the machinist in the A.M.
Curious to see what the measurements are of the cylinders and pistons. Rings
are in good condition, none broken or seized.
Clean, thanks to regular oil changes.
Down to the cases. Now it is time for the tedious job of cleaning and prepping
for the assembly. I have about 3 hours into the job now. The assembly
will take three times that I'm sure. More pictures to come...

Top-end Rebuild, Part 2

2009-11-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

I got the tunes rocking and started in on the wrenchin'
I started by getting the "Bible" out to have handy if needed.
You start at the top and work your way down.
Fuel tank on the bench, away from the gas water heater, don't want to go ka-boom!
Have the console laid back out of the way.
It really gets dusty and dirty up under the tank.
I'm going to go through the carb while it's off. I had a intake leak that I found.
The intake manifold to the head gasket was cooked.
This is the rear intake port. This is the gasket surface that had the cooked gasket.
I am the original owner of this bike. I have never had the intake manifold off
prior to this job. Notice the manifold is bent. It must have been dropped on the assembly line.
Anyone have an extra one laying around?
I've been anal about service on this bike, changing the fluids what some
say is excessive, every 2500 miles. Look how clean the interior surfaces are!
Keep in mind this motor has 60,000 miles.

I'll get the other head and the cylinders off tomorrow and to the machinist.
I'm leaning to the Screamin' Eagle cast pistons with 10.0 to 1 compression.
The cam that I'm running will bring the compression down around 9.47 to 1.
Going to go with the stock heads, stock thickness head gaskets, just freshen them up.
Any suggestions, I only want to do this once.

Veterans Day, November 11, 2009

2009-11-10T23:24:00.000-08:00

We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. From the Minutemen who stood watch over Lexington and Concord to the service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, American veterans deserve our deepest appreciation and respect. Our Nation's servicemen and women are our best and brightest, enlisting in times of peace and war, serving with honor under the most difficult circumstances, and making sacrifices that many of us cannot begin to imagine. Today, we reflect upon the invaluable contributions of our country's veterans and reaffirm our commitment to provide them and their families with the essential support they were promised and have earned.

Happy Birthday, Marines

2009-11-10T20:09:00.001-08:00

On November 10, 1775 — 234 years ago today — the Continental Congress passed a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines to fight for independence, and thus the Marine Corps was born.

Top-end Rebuild, Part 1

2009-11-09T10:28:00.000-08:00

Well, I think I'm going to get this project started.
This is a stand that I made several years ago.
I have about $20.00 invested in remnant steel to build the stand.
I'm using tie downs just in case we get the big one (earthquake)here in California.
The jack was $10.00 at Harbor Freight.
I painted the garage floor three years ago after several years of contemplating
what the best product was for the floor. I was hesitant with everything that
was suggested. This two part water based epoxy is the best!
Rocker box started leaking after 60,000 miles.
Just made everything a mess!
I took several short rides after it started leaking, made a mess of everything.
Mist of oil got on frame, bags, and the rider!
I'm approaching this job at a very slow pace, going to do a lot of deep
cleaning while I have it apart.
More pictures to come later...

9-11-01 Never Forget

2009-09-11T14:40:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday U.S.A.

2009-07-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

I feel privileged to live here. I know the U.S. is not a perfect place.

We have provided opportunity for a great many people from a great many places in the world. Our sons and daughters have fought and died around the world in places where we had no strategic interest.

Our private citizens gave more money to the relief of the Tsunami in S. E. Asia than did the governments who talk smack about the U.S. and it's people.

We are the most tolerant, open, caring and forgiving bunch of people on the face of the planet. For that, we are attacked by social and religious fanatics who hate us for our tolerance and openness.

America isn't perfect, but ask yourself this. How many people risk their lives trying to sneak into North Korea, Iraq, France, Canada, or Mexico?

Our system of government, Representative Democracy, works pretty well. Almost everybody gets a say in how things are run, sometimes to our detriment.

We have had a few rogues and charlatans in power, but we have survived them and continued on, the stronger for it.

We have been forgiving and even generous to our enemies and loyal to our friends.

All things considered, I can't think of anyplace I would rather live. I am proud to say I am an AMERICAN. The colors are flying outside my house today. How about yours?

Army Sgt. Joshua W. Soto, EOW, June 16, 2009

2009-06-28T13:02:00.000-07:00

Today, I participated, along with other "Patriot Guard Riders" in support of a fallen soldier. Today a lot of people are mourning the death of two cultural icons, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I’m not one of them. I don’t have anything ill to say about either one of them…but their deaths mean very little to me. Their friends and families are understandably mourning. But I don’t get the wall-to-wall media frenzy that has almost immediately ensued. I guess I’m feeling this way because just before hearing about Farrah’s death, I found out about the death of somebody much more important. But, in the news today will be little coverage or mention of another American Soldier who gave his life so that others might live free and in peace.Army Sgt. Josh Soto, 25, was killed in action in Iraq June 16 when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. It was his third tour of duty.

Army Sgt. Joshua W. Soto, was laid to rest with full military honors Saturday at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary.

A few comrades waiting to pay their respect.

Some of the 40 or so "Patriot Guard Riders" arriving to the services.

Biker Buzz, Vietnam Vet, USN

Buzz is proud of his service to his county and being a "Patriot Guard Rider"
Some of the riders assembling to pay their respects.

Hill of Valor
Honor Guard
A couple of patches in attendance.

Taps, a bugle call that beckons us to remember patriots who
served our country with honor and valor, it is the most familiar call and
one that moves all who hear it.
Buzz's Bike

Monuments on the Hill of Valor
American Flag, POW-MIA Flag.
American Flag flies at half staff.
Hill of Valor, memorial to fallen soldiers.
Military man in thought...
Two of several Flags that were presented to the family.
A military color guard fired three volleys.
A formation of Army helicopters flew overhead. (Click on picture to enlarge)

Day Trip, Yosemite National Park

2009-06-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

The wife and I took a day trip to Yosemite National Park on Friday. On the way we stopped off at Bass Lake.

Bass Lake is a man-made lake now used for recreation, hydroelectric power and irrigation. Pacific Gas & Electric Company currently owns the 4-½ mile-long lake, and land surrounding the Bass Lake community , which is part of the Sierra National Forest.

The Pines Resort (in the background) is located on the shores of Bass Lake. Tucked at a 3,400-foot elevation in the Sierra foothills, the resort is just 17 miles south of Yosemite National Park’s south entrance and 55 miles northeast of Fresno.

Bass Lake is a popular outdoor playground rich with opportunities for fishing, water skiing, patio boating and canoeing.

From 1899 to 1931, the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company operated miles of narrow gauge railroad track. During that time, nearly one and a half billion board feet of lumber were harvested from the forests. Five wood burning Shay locomotives hauled massive log trains to the mill over the extensive rail network.

Shay number 10, built in 1928 weighs 83 tons and is the heavest operating narrow guage Shay locomotive today.

This is the sight you first see when entering Yosemite Valley, Half Dome in the back ground and Bridelveil Falls to the right. Bridelveil Falls is one of the smallest falls in the valley at 620'.

Ribbon Falls is the seventh highest waterfall in the world at 1,610 feet.

Upper Yosemite Falls from across the valley.

Upper Yosemite Falls closer up.

There were a lot of bikes in the park, high temperature on this day was 75 degrees.

The Ahwahnee hotel pictured above was specifically designed to highlight its natural surroundings, featuring Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Glacier Point. The destination of queens and presidents alike, The Ahwahnee offers a perfect balance of history, hospitality and elegance.

This is the Ahwahnee lounge.

The crown jewel of Yosemite dining, the award-winning Ahwahnee Dining Room is both magnificent and intimate. The 34-foot-high beamed ceiling with large sugar pine trestles that complement the room’s granite pillars, floor-to-ceiling windows, chandeliers, linen tablecloths and beautiful china create the perfect ambiance for a memorable dining experience.

Yosemite Falls is actually three separate falls, Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 ft.), Middle Cascades (675 ft.) and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 ft.). The total 2,425 foot drop makes Yosemite Falls the highest in North American and fifth tallest waterfall in the world.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Rising 3,593 feet from the valley and 7,569 feet above sea level, El Capitan, is a breath taking sight. Favored by expert rock climbers from all part of the world, El Capitan is the largest exposed granite monolith in the world. In fact, El Capitan is almost twice the height of the rock of Gibraltar!

Left click on the above two pictures and you will be able to see some fools climbing. It takes climbers 3-5 days to scale El Capitan.

We had a great day visiting Yosemite and Bass Lake. We would like to plan a summer trip back to Bass Lake, stay a few nights and enjoy the High Sierra's.

Air Show, Porterville California

2009-06-13T23:22:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take advantage of the great weather we are having here is Central California, so I jumped on the Road King and headed up the road 40 or so miles to Porterville.
Porterville is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

John Colver and his North American Texan T-6

The North American T-6 Texan was known as "the pilot maker" because of its important role in preparing pilots for combat.
In all, more than 17,000 airframes were designed to the Texan standards.
Today, over 350 T-6 Texans remain in airworthy condition.

North American AT-6F Texan
Here is a close up view showing all of the races that the plane has been in and how it has finished.
For a few bucks you could take a ride in this bi-plane.

Some airplane's were air worthy...

...and some were not!
Cal Fire / CDF S-2F water drop.
The S-2F is one of the most cost effective and maneuverable fire fighting aircraft.
It's small size and turbo-prop engines allow it to operate from airfields ranging from commercial to small municipal runways. The S-2F can maneuver and fly slow enough to make accurate drops where the larger tankers can't safely navigate.

Cal-Fire OV-10 Bronco Forward Air ControlThe Cal-Fire OV-10 Bronco was originally a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. Built by North American Rockwell in the 1960s as a special aircraft for military COunter INsurgency(COIN) combat, its primary mission was designated as a Forward Air Control (FAC) aircraft. The canopy design offers excellent visibility, a very important feature when it came to CDF/Cal-Fire upgrading from the old Cessna O-2 Skymasters.
1958 Beech J35
Frank Donnelly in his clipped wing Taylorcraft.
Donnelly’s Taylorcraft, N6588C, was originally flown in the Southeast, where it was eventually underwent a Swick conversion that turned the humble taildragger into a more mighty aerobatic mount. N6588C has shorter wings (clipped-wing conversion), one seat rather than the original two seats; larger control surfaces; 120-hp Lycoming engine rather than the stock 65-hp Continental.

The pilot reported after a few maneuvers that he was experiencing control problems and that he would be ending the performance early.

After landing, he ended up going off the side of the runway flipping the plane, ending upside down. It was reported the pilot sustained no injuries.

Had a nice leisure ride home through the orange groves and olive orchards.

Until next time, keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up!

"D-Day", June 6,1944

2009-06-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

On 6 June 1944 the Western Allies landed in northern France, opening the long-awaited "Second Front" against Adolf Hitler's Germany. Though they had been fighting in mainland Italy for some nine months, the Normandy invasion was in a strategically more important region, setting the stage to drive the Germans from France and ultimately destroy the National Socialist regime.
Army troops on board a LCT, ready to ride across the English Channel to France. Some of these men wear 101st Airborne Division insignia.

Forward 14"/45 guns of USS Nevada (BB-36) fire on positions ashore, during the landings on "Utah" Beach, 6 June 1944.

A convoy of Landing Craft Infantry (Large) sails across the English Channel toward the Normandy Invasion beaches on "D-Day", 6 June 1944. Each of these landing craft is towing a barrage balloon for protection against low-flying German aircraft.

Army troops wade ashore on "Omaha" Beach during the "D-Day" landings, 6 June 1944.
They were brought to the beach by a Coast Guard manned LCVP.

Wounded men of the 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, receive cigarettes and food after they had stormed "Omaha" beach on "D-Day"

Sinking off "Utah" Beach after striking a mine during the Normandy invasion, 7 June 1944.
USS PT-509 and USS Pheasant (AM-61) are standing by.
Photographed from USS Threat (AM-124).

Coast Guard manned USS LST-21 unloads British Army tanks and trucks onto a "Rhino" barge during the early hours of the invasion, 6 June 1944.
Note the nickname "Virgin" on the "Sherman" tank at left.

Landing ships putting cargo ashore on one of the invasion beaches, at low tide during the first days of the operation, June 1944.
Among identifiable ships present are USS LST-532 (in the center of the view); USS LST-262 (3rd LST from right); USS LST-310 (2nd LST from right); USS LST-533 (partially visible at far right); and USS LST-524.
Note barrage balloons overhead and Army "half-track" convoy forming up on the beach.

USS LST-325 (left) and USS LST-388 unloading while stranded at low tide during resupply operations, 12 June 1944.
Note: propellers, rudders and other underwater details of these LSTs; 40mm single guns; barrage balloon; "Danforth" style kedge anchor at LST-325's stern.

Senior U.S. officers watching operations from the bridge of USS Augusta (CA-31), off Normandy, 8 June 1944.
They are (from left to right):
Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk, USN, Commander Western Naval Task Force;
Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley, U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. First Army;
Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble, USN, (with binoculars) Chief of Staff for RAdm. Kirk; and
Major General Hugh Keen, U.S. Army.

It is an opportunity for us as a community and individually to honor the veterans of D-Day, living and dead.

To all of them we say, thank you. Always.

Memorial Day, 2009

2009-05-25T10:54:00.001-07:00

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. After the Civil war many people in the North and South decorated graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

In the Spring of 1866, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, suggested that the patriots who had died in the Civil War should be honored by decorating their graves.
General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk, embraced the idea and a committee was formed to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead. Townspeople made wreaths, crosses and bouquets for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast. On May 5 of that year, a processional was held to the town's cemeteries, led by veterans. The town observed this day of remembrance on May 5 of the following year as well.

Decoration Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed officially on May 30, 1868.

The South did not observe Decoration Day, preferring to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I. In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day, and soldiers who had died in other wars were also honored.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday in May.

California Strawberry Festival, 26th Annual

2009-05-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

The forecast for this past week-end was to be HOT, which it ended up setting high temperature records for the date, 105 degrees. So, I thought it would be a good idea to take a ride to the coast and cooler weather. I called my brother Don, asked if he would be interested on going and we were off.We took a route that led us through the Coastal Mountain Range, got to the elevation of just over 5000' at one point, but still felt no relief from the heat yet!

This picture is looking West toward the coast about 25 miles away, we could see the inversion layer and cooler temperatures waiting for us!

Some guy looking at a lizard that was in the shade of this flowering sage.

Stopped at the "Deer Lodge" in Ojai, had a light lunch and cooled off.

The "Deer Lodge" is a popular "ride to" destination.

"Strawberry Nachos"
From the end of September through the end of October, strawberries are planted and harvesting occurs from
mid-December through mid-July in Oxnard, CA, which produces more than 27 percent of the state's
strawberries. The peak harvesting season in California runs from April through June, when up to 10 million
pint baskets of strawberries are shipped daily.

The largest producing state, California harvests 83% of the strawberries grown in the U.S. on approximately
24,500 acres.

Although there is no real answer to the question of where strawberries got their

name, many people believe the myth that the heart-shaped berries were named in the nineteenth-century by

English children. They picked the fruit, strung them on grass straws and sold them. "Straws of berries" are

now sold as "baskets of berries" but the name strawberry remains.

Another theory is the name was derived

from the nineteenth-century practice of placing straw around the growing berry plants to protect the ripening

fruit.

Had a couple of bands playing, this one was playing "Strawberry Fields Forever"

Still others say the appearance of the fruit within the plant inspired the name. Strawberry plants have

short roots and a short stem. Leaves grow from the stem in groups of three, so the fruit seems to be strewn

among the leaves. The original strewberry therefore became known as the strawberry.

It was a great ride covering 250 or so... miles, huge temperature changes, changing elevations on mountain roads and coastal roads with major traffic.

What is a Street Rod?

2009-04-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

By definition a street rod is: An automobile of 1948 or earlier manufacture which has undergone some type of modernization, to include any of the following; engine, transmission, interior refinements, and any other modifications the builder desires. A street rod is to be driven to events under its own power and is to be used as a safe, non-racing vehicle for total family enjoyment. The "National Street Rod Association" (NSRA) was in town over the past week end. They have held the "Western Street Rod Nationals" in Bakersfield the last 23 years. I went with my father-in-law who enjoyed the oldies immensely. He could relate to some of the car and brought back many memories of "The good old days".

The National Street Rod Association produces thirteen of the world’s biggest and best specialty vehicle events.
The National Street Rod Association’s great slogan is “Fun With Cars.”
At no time in history have Americans been as interested in specialty automobiles as they are today.
A street rod is a means of self expression for the creator. The builder of a street rod is not confined to guidelines set down by someone else...he can be his own man, and the street rod can be whatever he wants it to be, as long as the basic vehicle was manufactured prior to 1949.

The street rod builder has the option of adding a late model engine and drive train from any make of car, he can modify the suspension to give better ride and handling characteristics, and he can incorporate whatever creature comforts he wants. Air conditioning, cruise control, AM-FM stereo radios and CD players, power steering and brakes, and automatic transmissions are common.
The vehicle can be driven for long distances in comfort, with safety to the passengers and others on the highway. In addition to making the car more comfortable, improvements in steering, lighting and brakes are nearly always included in the building of a street rod.

A street rod is a nostalgia trip, and while it retains most of the appeal of an old car, it still permits self expression by allowing the creator to incorporate his own ideas in paint, body work and the mechanics that make it go.

What's the problem officer?

April 26, Happy Birthday Debbie

2009-04-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

I Love You

Minter Field, Shafter California

2009-04-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

Took a ride to Shafter’s Minter Air Field this morning. A fly-in was being held for their open house. There were many type of aircraft from different eras to different branches of the military.
Operations at Minter Field began in June 1941.

Minter Field is base for many flying WWII aircraft, including Stearmans, Ryans, Stinsons, North American AT-6s, and Harvard, and a P-51 Mustang. The base was a major basic training facility where nearly 12,000 pilots received basic training in BT-13s, UC-78's, AT-6s, P-38s and B-25s. The field was named in honor of First Lieutenant Hugh C. Minter. By July 1942, Minter Field had become the largest training base of its type on the West Coast.
Click on any picture to increase picture size.

Radio Control Jets

2009-04-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

This past week-end I went to Buttonwillow , California to watch some radio controlled jets. You can go to their web site (www.ca-jets.com) to read all about them. They were really cool to watch. I went out both Saturday and Sunday and took over 1000 pictures, here are about 40 or so. Click on the pictures to enlarge them and see better details.

Notice the after burners of this jet. Click on picture to see.

The details of the workmanship was amazing. Click on picture for better details.

There was a pretty good crowd on Saturday, I would guesstamate around 2000 or so...Sundays crowd was very bleak, but there were plenty of planes still flying.

Here is a picture of one of the power plants.

The pilot of the above plane stood it on end and held it vertical for several minutes. That must take some good dexterity.

This A-10 Wart Hog was my favorite

Cesar Chavez, California State Holiday

2009-03-31T17:26:00.000-07:00

1927	Cesar Chavez is born on March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Arizona, to a poor Mexican American family. They run a farm, grocery store, garage, and pool hall.
1938	The Chavez family is evicted from its land after losing their livelihood in the Great Depression. They become migrant farm workers in Arizona and California.
1942	Chavez quits grammar school to work full-time in the fields.
1946	Chavez enlists in the Navy, where he serves for two years in the Pacific.
1948	Chavez marries Helen Favela. Over the years, they have eight children. Chavez works as a ranch hand and at a lumber yard in San Jose, Calif.
1952	Chavez joins the Community Service Organization (CSO) in San Jose, Calif., and becomes an organizer in the Mexican American community, spearheading voter registration drives and fighting racial and economic discrimination.
1958	Chavez becomes executive director of the CSO, and moves to its headquarters in Los Angeles.
1962	Chavez founds the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) in Delano, Calif., with labor leader Dolores Huerta. The organization is dedicated to the rights of migrant workers, including a minimum wage, insurance, and collective bargaining.
1965	The NFWA, primarily made up of Mexican Americans, joins the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), primarily made up of Filipino Americans, who had begun striking against grape growers in Delano. It is the beginning of the five-year Delano grape strike, which received much national attention. Chavez advocated strikes, picketing, boycotts, marches, and other non-violent means to achieve the union's aims, modeling his movement on Gandhian philosophy. Dorothy Day of the Catholic Workers Movement and Martin Luther King's philosophy on civil disobedience were also inspirations.
1966	The strikers march 250 miles from Delano to Sacramento, California's capital, to present a list of their demands. Several grape companies agree to sign a contract with the union. These were the first contracts for American farm workers. That same year, the NFWA and AWOC merge, forming the United Farm Workers (UFW), which becomes an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
1968	Chavez leads a national boycott of California table grape growers, which becomes known as "La Causa." By the end of the boycott in 1970, 17 million Americans supported it, including many political and civil rights leaders. Robert Kennedy was a particularly strong supporter. Chavez goes on a 25-day hunger strike, which attracts enormous national attention. The fast reaffirms his movement's belief in non-violence.
1970	The UFW signs a contract with most California table grape growers, ending the strike. Chavez organizes a nationwide lettuce boycott.
1972	Chavez undertakes a 24-day fast.
1973	The UFW organizes a lettuce growers strike.
1975	The California Labor Relations Act goes into effect, allowing farm workers the right to boycott and to collective bargaining.
1988	Chavez undertakes a 36-day "Fast for Life" to call attention to the health hazards farm workers and their children face by exposure to pesticides.
1993	Chavez dies on April 23, 1993.
1994	President Bill Clinton awards Chavez a posthumous Medal of Freedom.
2000	California establishes a state holiday on Chavez's birthday to honor him.

“Flying Fortress”

2009-03-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

This past week-end the B-17 Liberty Belle arrived in town. For a paltry $430.00 you could take a 30 minute ride. I realized right away that the cost of riding in this plane was not in the family fund's. So, I settled on taking my camera out and took picture's.

Arriving at Meadow's Field

Flying overhead

Landing gear down

The Boeing B-17 is by far the most famous bomber of World War II. In 1934 the Boeing Aircraft Company of Seattle Washington began construction of a four engine heavy bomber. Known as the Model -299, first flight was achieved on July 28th 1935. As a result, the U.S. Government placed an order for production of 13 of these aircraft and began to take delivery of the 13 production aircraft between January 11th and August 4th 1937.

The B-17, dubbed the “Flying Fortress” as a result of her amount of defensive firepower, underwent a number of improvements over its ten-year production run. B-17 Models ranged from the YB-17 to the B-17G model. Throughout the war the B-17 was refined and improved as the combat experience showed the Boeing designers where improvements could be made. The Final B-17 production model, the B-17G was produced in the largest quantities (8,680) than any other previous model and is considered the definitive “Flying Fortress”. With its 13 .50-caliber machine guns, Chin, top, ball and tail turrets; waist and cheek guns the B-17 was indeed an airplane that earned the respect of its combatants. In addition, the flight crews loved the B-17 for her ability to take and withstand heavy combat damage and return safely home.

The above picture is looking forward from the door opening which is on the right side of the plane about a third way from the rear.

This picture was shot from the same door looking to the rear of the plane. This is the hole the tail gunner had to climb through to get into position. The hump is the rear wheel recess.

During WWII, the B-17 saw service in every theater of operation, but was operated primarily by the 8th Air force in Europe and participated in countless missions from bases in England. A typical B-17 Mission often lasted for more than eight hours and struck targets deep within enemy territory. During the war, B-17’s dropped 640,036 tons of bombs on European targets in daylight raids. This compares to the 452,508 tons dropped by the B-24 and 464,544 tons dropped by all other U.S. aircraft. The B-17 also downed 23 enemy aircraft per 1,000 raid as compared with 11 by B-24’s and 11 by fighters and three by all U.S. medium and light bombers.

There were a total of 12,732 B-17’s that were produced between 1935 and May 1945. Of these 4,735 were lost in combat. Following WWII, the B-17 saw service in three more wars. B-17’s were used in Korea, Israel used them in the war of 1948 and they were even used during Vietnam.

Today, fewer than 100 B-17 airframes exist and fewer still are in airworthy condition. At one time, more than 1000 B-17’s could be assembled for mass combat missions, now less than 15 of Boeings famous bombers can still take to the sky.

This gentleman's name is Robert Charles Osborne. He is a local veteran that was a gunner on this specific plane. He told me that he had flown 16 missions on this plane. He has a book titled "Bail Out"
I asked him about his book title and he told me a story I could not understand, I guess I will need to go buy the book and read it.

Thank you Mr. Osborne and all veterans for your service to our country.

Inaugural Baseball Game, California State University Bakersfield

2009-02-21T17:45:00.000-08:00

California State University Bakersfield opened in September 1970 as the 19th member of the 23-campus California State University system.

CSUB Athletics has been a source of continuing pride for the university and community. CSUB's 17 sports programs have won 30 national championships. In 1998 CSUB won the Sears Cup as the best NCAA Division II program in the nation. In June, 2006, it was announced that the university was moving its athletics program to NCAA Division I. This will be the schools inaugural season for baseball.

The first pitch was Friday the 20th of February.

I attended and took a few pictures for posterity.

Presidents Day---George Washington's Birthday

2009-02-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

U.S. Presidents Day, officially known as Washington's Birthday, is a federal holiday and is celebrated on the third Monday of February.

Presidents Day was originally designated in honor of George Washington's birthday and is still legally called "Washington's Birthday." The first president of the United States was born on February 22, 1732.

Happy Birthday Mr. President

2009-02-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States. He successfully led the country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery. As the war was drawing to a close, Lincoln became the first American president to be assassinated. Before his election in 1860 as the first Republican president, Lincoln had been a lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and twice an unsuccessful candidate for election to the U.S. Senate.

The Day the Music Died

2009-02-03T19:12:00.000-08:00

On February 3, 1959, a small-plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, United States killed three American rock and roll musicians: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as the pilot, Roger Peterson. The day was later called The Day the Music Died by Don McLean in his 1971 song "American Pie".

Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the single was a number-one U.S. hit for four weeks in 1972.

The song is an abstract story of his life that starts with the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) in a plane crash in 1959, and ends in 1970; in the song he called the plane crash "the day the music died."

The song's lyrics are the subject of much curiosity. Although McLean dedicated the American Pie album to Buddy Holly, none of the singers in the airplane crash are identified by name in the song itself.

I Will Be Off Work a Few Days

2009-02-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

Slipped on some oil and in the process of breaking my fall I dislocated a finger on my right hand.

I was very impressed with the care I got at Central Valley Occupational Medical Group. This is the work comp facility that my employer uses. One hour and ten minutes is all it took from the minute I walked in until the minute I walked out.

Dr. Kamal Eldrageely was the physician that reset my dislocated finger. I opted not to have shots into the finger to numb it before being reset. I told the Doc he could have one shot, not to screw it up!

I'll have Hot & Cold pack for two days then will start Occupational therapy on Monday.

Brief History of the Super Bowl

2009-02-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

In 1961 the AFL and NFL agreed to merge together to create one "Super League" called the NFL. In this agreement between the AFL and the NFL they arranged to begin playing a championship game between two conferences the AFC and NFC after the 1966 season.

Originally the Championship game was named the AFL - NFL Championship, but it was soon nicknamed the Super Bowl. According to one story, one NFL team owner, Lamar Hunt, architect of the AFL and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, thought the formal title was... well, too formal. Lamar came up with the new name while watching his daughter play with a super ball and was given the inspiration for the name "Super Bowl" for the championship game between the upstart American Football League and the old-guard National Football League. The truth is probably more mundane and the name was most likely created by a sportswriter who invented the tag. As is apt to happen the name "Super Bowl" was immediately picked up by the rest of the NFL community and then finally by the NFL.

Since the AFL and NFL merger, the Super Bowl has been the NFL Championship Game, played between the NFC and AFC champions, who first have to make the playoffs then emerge as the conference champions from those playoff games.

The Superbowl is the climax of the season, but unfortunately the Super Bowl has all too often been anti-climactic. Surprisingly the average margin of victory has been about 14 points. The 14 point Superbowl victory margin is well above the average for a regular - season NFL game. Historically the conference championship games have been more interesting to watch as the games are far more competitive.

Inauguration Day Janurary 20, 2009

2009-01-19T21:42:00.000-08:00

Inauguration Trivia

George Washington's was the shortest inaugural address at 135 words (1793). William Harrison's was the longest at 8,445 words. (1841)

Thomas Jefferson was the only president to walk to and from the inaugural, and the first to be inaugurated at the Capitol. (1801)

The first inaugural ball was held for James Madison. (1809)

Abraham Lincoln was the first to include African-Americans in his parade. (1865)

Women were included for the first time in Woodrow Wilson's second inaugural parade. (1917)

The first president to ride in a car at his inauguration was Warren Harding. (1921)

Calvin Coolidge's inauguration was the first broadcast on radio. (1925)

The parade for Franklin Roosevelt's fourth swearing-in was canceled because of gas and lumber shortages brought on by World War II. (1945)

Harry Truman had the first televised inauguration. (1949)

John Kennedy's was the first to be televised in color. (1961)

The first poet to participate in an official inauguration ceremony was Robert Frost. (Kennedy's, 1961)

Lyndon Johnson remains the only president to be sworn in by a woman, U.S. District Judge Sarah Hughes. (1963)

Ronald Reagan's second parade was held on Super Bowl Sunday. (1985).

Bill Clinton's second inauguration was the first to be broadcast on the Internet. (1997)

George W. Bush mentioned the word 'freedom' more than 20 times in his second inaugural address. (2005)

Barack Obama will be our 44th president and his inauguration will be the 56th formal one. Fifteen presidents were elected to a second term, and Roosevelt was elected to a fourth term. (2009)

2009-01-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

Martin Luther King, Jr., (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968) was born Michael Luther King, Jr., but later had his name changed to Martin. His grandfather began the family's long tenure as pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, serving from 1914 to 1931; his father has served from then until the present, and from 1960 until his death Martin Luther acted as co-pastor. Martin Luther attended segregated public schools in Georgia, graduating from high school at the age of fifteen; he received the B. A. degree in 1948 from Morehouse College, a distinguished Negro institution of Atlanta from which both his father and grandfather had graduated. After three years of theological study at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania where he was elected president of a predominantly white senior class, he was awarded the B.D. in 1951. With a fellowship won at Crozer, he enrolled in graduate studies at Boston University, completing his residence for the doctorate in 1953 and receiving the degree in 1955. In Boston he met and married Coretta Scott, a young woman of uncommon intellectual and artistic attainments. Two sons and two daughters were born into the family.

In 1954, Martin Luther King accepted the pastorale of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Always a strong worker for civil rights for members of his race, King was, by this time, a member of the executive committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the leading organization of its kind in the nation. He was ready, then, early in December, 1955, to accept the leadership of the first great Negro nonviolent demonstration of contemporary times in the United States, the bus boycott described by Gunnar Jahn in his presentation speech in honor of the laureate. The boycott lasted 382 days. On December 21, 1956, after the Supreme Court of the United States had declared unconstitutional the laws requiring segregation on buses, Negroes and whites rode the buses as equals. During these days of boycott, King was arrested, his home was bombed, he was subjected to personal abuse, but at the same time he emerged as a Negro leader of the first rank.

In 1957 he was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization formed to provide new leadership for the now burgeoning civil rights movement. The ideals for this organization he took from Christianity; its operational techniques from Gandhi. In the eleven-year period between 1957 and 1968, King traveled over six million miles and spoke over twenty-five hundred times, appearing wherever there was injustice, protest, and action; and meanwhile he wrote five books as well as numerous articles. In these years, he led a massive protest in Birmingham, Alabama, that caught the attention of the entire world, providing what he called a coalition of conscience. and inspiring his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", a manifesto of the Negro revolution; he planned the drives in Alabama for the registration of Negroes as voters; he directed the peaceful march on Washington, D.C., of 250,000 people to whom he delivered his address, "l Have a Dream", he conferred with President John F. Kennedy and campaigned for President Lyndon B. Johnson; he was arrested upwards of twenty times and assaulted at least four times; he was awarded five honorary degrees; was named Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963; and became not only the symbolic leader of American blacks but also a world figure.

At the age of thirty-five, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement.

On the evening of April 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony of his motel room in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was to lead a protest march in sympathy with striking garbage workers of that city, he was assassinated.

Freedom

2009-01-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

We are a free people, yet each day we see our freedoms eroded by well-meaning do-gooders intent on sabotaging our basic rights gifted to us under the Constitution.

Benjamin Franklin once wrote that "A society that gives up its rights in the interest of the governmental protection and safety guarantees that it will neither be safe, nor free."

In other words, one does not give up rights to protect rights.

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T17:53:00.000-08:00

He who breaks a resolution is a weakling;
He who makes one is a fool.
~F.M. Knowles

Merry Christmas, 2008

2008-12-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

Remember the reason for the Season!

December 7, 1941---Never Forget

2008-12-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

Death Valley, California---Beatty, Nevada

2008-12-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

It has been cold, wet, foggy and down right depressing here in the southern San Joaquin Valley the last couple of weeks. This is fog season and we can go for weeks without seeing the sun. So, this past week-end my buddy Jim and I took off for an over nighter through Death Valley with Beatty Nevada as our final destination. Beatty is 35 miles south east of Scotty's Junction.
Click on map to enlarge.

Here we are packed and ready to roll.
We left Bakersfield heading east on Highway 178 through the Kern Canyon up to Lake Isabella. We stopped at the "Dam Corner Cafe" which is located just below the dam that holds back the waters of Lake Isabella and had breakfast.
After breakfast we saddled up and continued east on Highway 178 until we hit Highway 14. Riding north on Highway 14 we soon merged with Highway 395 ending up in Lone Pine. After gassing up in Lone Pine we traveled east into Death Valley.
Stopping at "Stovepipe Wells Village" we ran into this group of riders who were also from Bakersfield.

When Bob Eichbaum envisioned a resort in Death Valley he could never have imagined that one day a million people a year would visit the park. Stovepipe Wells Village, a modest oasis named for a historic site located a few miles to the northeast. There, long ago, an old stovepipe was sunk into the sand to form the shaft for a much used well. Stovepaipe Wells is at sea level and just east of here a few miles the elevation drops to 232' below sea level. The lowest point in Death Valley is Bad Water at 282' below sea level making it the lowest point in the United States. Just 76 miles to the west is Mount Whitney which is the highest point in the continental United States standing at 14,505'

Panamint mountain range in the background.

We arrived at Beatty around 3 in the afternoon, finding this hotel, reserving a room then cleaning up for an evening in the casino...
After a few hours in the casino and having no luck what so ever we turned in for the night. Sunday morning we headed north out of town, after a few miles we came across this site...it was closed.
This plane was there...I would like to know the story behind it?
About 60 miles north of Beatty is "Scotty's Castle" named after "Death Valley Scotty". He told everyone that he built this castle in northern Death Valley with money from his "secret" gold mine. That was not quite the truth. A Chicago millionaire and his wife built their "Death Valley Ranch" in the cool of Grapevine Canyon and they let their friend Scotty live there as a guest.
Hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley, the Death Valley Ranch, or Scotty's Castle as it is more commonly known, is a window into the life and times of the Roaring 20's and Depression 30's. It was and is an engineer's dream home, a wealthy matron's vacation home and a man-of-mystery's hideout and getaway. Walter Scott, Death Valley Scotty, convinced everyone that he had built the castle with money from his rich secret mines in the area. Albert Mussey Johnson actually built the house as a vacation getaway for himself and his wife Bessie. Scotty was the mystery, the cowboy, and the entertainer, but he was also a friend. Albert was the brains and the money. Two men as different as night and day, from different worlds and with different visions - who shared a dream.
Here you can see the "Castle" on the left, the guest house is on the right and in the background is the clock tower.
This is a generator that is powered by water. The valve you see in the front controls water flow into the volute which turns a generator that is coupled to it. Direct current is sent from the generator to a bank of 12 volt batteries which are used for lighting.There are many tunnels under the castle. The tunnels were used for all plumbing and electrical. Services like food, laundry and maids also used the tunnels. The tile you see in the photo below was purchased and shipped in from Spain for the pool which was never completed.After going through two different tours of the castle and guest house we headed south to the "Ubehebe Crater". The crater is a large volcanic crater 600 feet deep and half a mile across. This crater was created by steam and gas explosions when hot magma rising up from the depths reached ground water. The intense heat flashed the water into steam which expanded until the pressure was released as a tremendous explosion.After taking in the sights around the crater we made a bee line back to the cold, wet, foggy and down right depressing San Joaquin Valley... and that ends another Lumpy Adventure!

Note: I found the following information on the plane at the National Transportation Safety Board web site.

THE PILOT LANDED ON A 1700 LONG STRIP AT THE ELEVATION OF ABOUT 3500 FT MSL. HE ELECTED TO TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS AND AVOID SUN GLARE OFF THE COVER OF HIS ENGINE AND ON THE WINDSHIELD. HE STATED THAT SOFT FIELD PROCEDURES WERE USED IN ORDER TO CLEAR A 30 FT HIGH POWER LINE CROSSING HIS PATH AT AN ANGLE. DURING TAKEOFF, HE PULLED THE NOSE UP TO CLEAR THE LINES. HE STATED THAT HE GOT ABOUT 20 T0 25 FT AGL WHEN THE POWER LINES STARTED COMING UP. HE BANKED LEFT TO AVOID THE LINES AND THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED. WHEN HE KNEW THAT HE COULD NOT CLEAR THE LINES, HE SET THE PLANE DOWN IN A DRY WASH. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 600 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND ALL GEAR COLLAPSED BEFORE IT CAME TO REST.

Lumpy's "Run to the Wall" and Adventure's

11-11-11 * Veterans Day

Flag Day, June 14, 2011

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

Happy Bill of Rights Day

December 7, 1941

R. Lee Ermey

47 years ago today!

Remember where you were when you heard the news?

NYPD cop shoots suspected motorcycle thief

Here is something else that boils my blood!

This Story Makes My Blood Boil!

Veterans Day 2010

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.

Remember when?

Remember when you were young and couldn't wait to grow up?

WOW...what the hell were we thinking?

Sliced Bread!

Hot Water

‘Until They Are Home’

Junk Mail!

Work?

Immigration

In Iran, if you cross the border illegally, you get put in jail and have to pay $500,000.00 to be deported.In the United States of America, you cross the border illegally, you get welfare, food stamps and free health care!

Take me out to the ball game

Lindsey Lohan who?

I can't believe the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20- something year old.

Here are a few 20 year-olds worth knowing about: Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matt Weikert 29, Justus Bartett 27, Dave Santos 21, Chase Stanley 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew King 23, Christopher Goeke 23 & Sheldon Tate 27.......

These 20-something years old gave their lives for you this week.

What Does the 4th of July Mean to You?

For The Record...

Flag Day

HELP!

Something to Ponder

Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Memorial Day, 2010---America The Beautiful

Marty Cooper, Father of the Cell Phone

Survivor, Outwit, Outsmart, and Outplay

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Birthday Debbie

Tax Day 2010---The Last 10 cents...

My First USPSA Shoot

New Tile Flooring, Day 2

New Tile Flooring

Happy Pi Day!

This Will Make Your Blood Boil!

The Over 30 Crowd, Do you remember?

Word History 101... SHIT!

Happy Valentine's Day

US Soldiers using "Jesus rifles"

DMV - Excuse for a ride...

Do you feel lucky? Well do ya...

The Pueblo Incident

Welcome to 2010

Merry Christmas, 2009

I bought a new vehicle!

This Day in History, December 12,1986

December 7, 1941---Never Forget

Top-end Rebuild, The Assembly

Top-end Rebuild, Part 12

Thanksgiving 2009

Update on Gaskets

Top-end Rebuild, Part 11

Top-end Rebuild, Part 10

Top-end Rebuild, Part 9

Top-end Rebuild, Part 8

Top-end Rebuild, Part 7

IHACI

Top-end Rebuild, Part 6

Top-end Rebuild, Part 5

Top-end Rebuild, Part 4

States I have ridden.

Top-end Rebuild, Part 3

Top-end Rebuild, Part 2

Veterans Day, November 11, 2009

Happy Birthday, Marines

Top-end Rebuild, Part 1

9-11-01 Never Forget

Happy Birthday U.S.A.

In Iran, if you cross the border illegally, you get put in jail and have to pay $500,000.00 to be deported.
In the United States of America, you cross the border illegally, you get welfare, food stamps and free health care!