Wow! The Yankees get it right Blue No More!

I'm not talking baseball. I'm talking politics. It appears that the electorate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have decided to elect a Republican to the United States Senate. It appears they are tired of being blue!


On the eve of President Obama's first anniversary in the White House it appears that his party and that of Senator Harry Reid and Representative Nancy Pelosi are receiving a set back. They are seeing red! Not since 1972 have the residents of Massachusetts sent a Republican to the United States Senate.

Not claiming that the Red folks have it right. It just makes the blue folks stop the back room deals. This makes Mr. Nelson's deal in Nebraska a mute point.

Quoting someone last January, " the ground is shifting beneath the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long," well, at least the last year.

I do applaud the work in concept to make change. I just don't agree with the reduced access, the gaming of the answers, and the deals to shut out those with different opinions.

My thanks to the citizens of Massachusetts. Maybe there is something to the Red Sox after all. My thanks because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

There maybe something to the Massachusetts Miracle.

Help us to Prevent - Milk Voice

We have discovered a new ailment that will require a telethon, a ribbon, and a national marketing campaign. It is an ailment called milk voice. I know, your thinking that Louis Pasteur handled everything that deals with Milk.


This occurs only after you have consumed a glass of milk or drained an ice cold milkshake. There is a something that happens that produces weird sounds in your voice. Something happens to your throat.


Our family discovered this ailment after enjoying, on a Thursday evening, some frosted goodies from Sonic. By the way the concept of the Happy Hour at Sonic, is a wonderful money saving event in the middle afternoon. All kinds of cool flavors!

Okay, back to the topic at hand. My lovely spouse decided to talk to the rest of the family after enjoying her chocolate milkshake. The strangest noise, that use to be her voice, was emitting, from her mouth. It sounded like her voice but it wasn't the full volume. It also had a strange wobble in it. At first there was concern. Then the first chuckle and then the full scaled laugh. It is unfortunate but yes, we did, laugh at the expense of one of our own. Family life is a tough place.

Once the source of the strange sound was discovered the group immediately worked to name the ailment. So there in the car, Milk Voice was discovered.

I wonder if a whole family can receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine for a ground breaking discovery. We aren't doctors, but, we have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

Kiffin Set a PACing for the West Coast

One and done. Young Mr. Lane Kiffin, former head coach of the University of Tennessee, decided that it is easier to exist in a football conference that doesn't have a Championship Game. After barely a year he packed his bags and ran from Rocky Top, it appears that the mighty mouth of the SEC has unvolunteered.


After Pete Carroll, Coach of the USC Trojans, decided that he was on the move to Seattle. Kiffin made the move to a place where you can shoot off your mouth and no one cares.

Can you say scared? After under performing in the Southeastern Conference Kiffin decided that Hollywood was more to his style. All flash and no substance.

Kiffin, your entertaining comments will be missed. You should have stayed with the conference that has won the last four national championships in football. The Ducks and Cardinal are waiting for you.

Celebrating a National Championship at Bama!

Congratulations to the Alabama Crimson Tide. After the last three years finishing every play, playing the defense of a stone wall, and rebuilding, the University of Alabama Football team has arrived at the pinnacle of the sport. A National Championship! Winners of the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, California.

How wonderful that the game was played in the Rose Bowl. Many years ago when the Alabama fight song was written the Rose Bowl was mentioned specifically in the song. See lyrics below.

So, here is yours truly celebrating the win! My thanks to my sister Liz for the giant foam number one.

Thanks to Coach Saban for bringing us back! Roll Tide! 14 and 0!

Lyrics:

Yea, Alabama!Drown ‘em Tide!Every ‘Bama man’s behind you;Hit your stride!Go teach the Bulldogs to behave,Send the Yellow Jackets to a watery grave!And if a man starts to weaken,That’s his shame!For ‘Bama’s pluck and grit Has writ her name in crimson flame!Fight on, fight on, fight on, men!Remember the Rose Bowl we’ll win then!So! Go, roll to victory,Hit your stride,You’re Dixie’s football pride, Crimson Tide!

It's Snowing, and snowing, and snowing!

I'm not going to get into the whole global warming discussion right now, especially, since the temperature outside is currently 12 degrees Fahrenheit. With the wind it feels like 6 degrees. Nope, not going to talk about warmth. (BRRRRR!) Since I can't feel my fingers and toes from just stepping outside for a few minutes. Nope, not going to talk about warming.

For the last three weeks we have seen a bunch of snow. We received another 4 plus inches last night that landed on the 6 inches we received on Christmas Eve. And that piled on the 10 inches we already had on the ground. As of this writing it is continuing to snow.

This is the snow on the back deck of the house. The young lady is standing with snow almost to her waist.

The kids are all watching the school and business closing list with mild interest. The ante was upped by a couple of school systems that pulled the trigger on not having class on Monday already. This is causing a number of discussions about the need to lay out clothes, some mild challenges about bed times and my favorite; From my youngest, she would like to know if I get snow days at work so we could have some more vacation together.

All of this snow has allowed for outdoor activities; some snowballs, a snow person, sledding, and icicle eating.

Here is the start to the snow person. Along with some team participation to put the next layer on the base.

Then celebration when the person was completed.

Just looking at the pictures of the winter events makes me cold. Having a great time with the snow. But, I am beginning to think about Spring.

Who's a Tough Guy? Go Pope!

On Christmas Eve, as we were preparing to take our long winter's nap, the news flashed that Pope Benedict the XVI, (16th) for the non roman numerals people, was knocked off his feet by a woman jumping over a security barrier. All is well! Thank Goodness!!

Once the shock of the incident wore off my mind turned to who is a tough guy? Today if someone ran up to me an knocked me to the ground I'm not sure how I would respond. If you want to see it watch here. (Sorry about the video being in Italian) The whole words I would use thing would be a challenge. I'm sure the Pope doesn't have the same challenge that I would have.

Getting knocked down like that!! Wow! The Pope is 82 years old. With some help he was up and walked off to finish Christmas Mass. Impressive. It shows that someone is looking out for him.

All the best to Coach Meyer and his family

As an Alabama Football fan my first reaction to the initial news about Coach Urban Meyer was excitement. Our biggest competitor was wrapping it up and leaving!!! It seemed strange but I'd take the good news. You know the saying; don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

I'm sure my fellow SEC fans from the Eastern Division of the SEC were just as shocked, but willing to accept the departure. Comments?

Once seeing the press conference today from New Orleans there were questions asked and unanswered. What ever Coach Meyer and his family is dealing with, my hope, it is not serious and doesn't affect his quality of life. You, your family, your team, and fans are in my thoughts and prayers.

Isn't it amazing that all of the professional success in the world is unimportant when family and health come to the forefront. Jobs come and go. Family and health are a one shot deal. Get this wrong and there is no do over or instant replay.

Coach, it is my hope that whatever it is you are dealing with in private, is brief. You have again showed many a life lesson. All the best to you and your family.

Meet with Newest Member of the Family

Boo is in the house. She is our new black lab puppy that joined the family on Halloween.

Notice the picture of my lovely wife holding the puppy. This was an instance of me making a command decision. Yep, I said it. I didn't have spousal approval before deciding to add a mouth to feed to the crew.

The kids didn't believe that we had made the adoption. My two eldest daughters used language of doubt when first informed of the acquisition of the four legged friend. Surprise!

Boo, has been a great addition. We are getting use to the sharp puppy teeth. She has done very well with the doing her business outside. Will be sure to keep you all updated on Boo.

Cadet Carlton slays the Commodores

Dad, I hope you were watching football today. Your Cadets beat the Vanderbilt Commodores in overtime!!!. I’m sure you’ve heard already. The question I have, isn’t a Commodore a Navy rank? Not looking to far ahead.

It was nice to see the Golden Knights of the Hudson with a win over an SEC team. Okay, maybe not an SEC powerhouse. But, academically, these folks probably match up closer than any other team.

Cadet Alex Carlton, 186 pound sophomore, from Wilmington, Delaware, kicked a 42 yard field goal in overtime to beat Vandy. The game was played at the Michie Stadium on the West Point campus. Okay, it was close; the field ball did bounce off the upright, but, good is good.

At this point in the season the cadets are 3 and 3. The next team will be Temple in Philadelphia.

I can hear the cheer now. (The rocket!)

Cultural Season Begins

It was a big night on Friday evening. The beginning of the cultural season. I'm not talking about the ballet or the start of the symphony musical season or the opera. This season does showcase some extremely talented participants. There is coordination, creativity, and grace in motion. The season that started last night has Stars, Blues, Flames, there are also Penguins, Rangers, Avalanche, and Canadians. The 2009 National League Hockey Season is underway.

Got Ice? Got a Stick and a Puck? We've got hockey again!!

This is the last season for the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. The Penguins will move to the Consol Energy Center for next season. It could be the last season for the Phoenix Coyotes in the desert. The chase for the coolest trophy in sports, The Stanley Cup, is on.

The Pittsburgh Penguins lifted the Stanley Cup banner last night in Pittsburgh before facing off against the New York Rangers. Here is some great video of the event. The Penguins won 3 to 2 over the New York Rangers. Tonight Coach Dan and the Pens face the New York Islanders.

The first of 85 cultural events with the pens have taken place. Can't wait for the next match.

Let culture reign! Let's follow the pens.