Hambone v3.0

Friday Christmas Lights Open Comments

Why not take a break from all the hubbub of the season and go out and look at Christmas lights with your sweetie/family? Here are some to get you in the mood:

This house in Denver is a little more understated:

Some people can’t quite find a unifying theme, so they shotgun it:

Then we have the overachievers who are not content with hanging lights from the eaves and festooning the shrubbery with lights. These heroes have to invest in computer systems to animate their displays in a Las Vegas casino sign manner:

Finally, we have the display from the Yoders, an Amish family from Eastern Ohio:

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205 responses to “Friday Christmas Lights Open Comments”

  1. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Mornin’ Gang 😉

  2. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Mornin’ Gang 😉

  3. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    I don’t know who Katy Perry is but Magnolia High School (our son’s old school) did a lip dub of her song Firework. Perry has given them a shout-out on her FB page and Michael Barry was mentioning it yesterday. Pretty good.

  4. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    I don’t know who Katy Perry is but Magnolia High School (our son’s old school) did a lip dub of her song Firework. Perry has given them a shout-out on her FB page and Michael Barry was mentioning it yesterday. Pretty good.

  5. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Ahh Christmas lights, I was never a fan of the gaudy displays until my Baby Girl came along. She wanted Christmas lights something fierce, of course I being the wonderful Dad sucker that I am, I went to Wally World and got 8 strings of 25 lights to frame the roof. Daughter was 2, almost 3, and we got up on the roof and put the lights on. Mom wasn’t real happy seeing her sitting on the peak of the roof in her pink hooded parka, handing me the bulbs to screw in. It probably took me 2 hours longer by having her help because I had to keep my eyes on her and never let her get more than a foot or so away. The next year a got a Santa and Reindeer set and hung the Reindeer and sleigh along a parachute cord tied from the roof down to the maple tree. Every year we added something else, Nutcrackers, 3’ tall candles and 12 toy soldiers complete with their homemade fort made out of a shipping crate. Daughter wanted to win one of the Association prizes so we came up with different stuff and finally won with our extra Christmas tree with presents by the swing that had Mr. and Mrs. Santa in it. We won one more time a few years later. 😀

  6. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Ahh Christmas lights, I was never a fan of the gaudy displays until my Baby Girl came along. She wanted Christmas lights something fierce, of course I being the wonderful Dad sucker that I am, I went to Wally World and got 8 strings of 25 lights to frame the roof. Daughter was 2, almost 3, and we got up on the roof and put the lights on. Mom wasn’t real happy seeing her sitting on the peak of the roof in her pink hooded parka, handing me the bulbs to screw in. It probably took me 2 hours longer by having her help because I had to keep my eyes on her and never let her get more than a foot or so away. The next year a got a Santa and Reindeer set and hung the Reindeer and sleigh along a parachute cord tied from the roof down to the maple tree. Every year we added something else, Nutcrackers, 3’ tall candles and 12 toy soldiers complete with their homemade fort made out of a shipping crate. Daughter wanted to win one of the Association prizes so we came up with different stuff and finally won with our extra Christmas tree with presents by the swing that had Mr. and Mrs. Santa in it. We won one more time a few years later. 😀

  7. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Now this is neat “The day Niagara Falls ran dry”

    It’s taken 41 years, but a previously unseen set of photos of the mighty Niagara Falls reduced to nothing more than a barren cliff-top have finally surfaced.
    The stark images reveal North America’s iconic – and most powerful – waterfall to be almost as dry as a desert.
    In June 1969, U.S. engineers diverted the flow of the Niagara River away from the American side of the falls for several months.

  8. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Now this is neat “The day Niagara Falls ran dry”

    It’s taken 41 years, but a previously unseen set of photos of the mighty Niagara Falls reduced to nothing more than a barren cliff-top have finally surfaced.
    The stark images reveal North America’s iconic – and most powerful – waterfall to be almost as dry as a desert.
    In June 1969, U.S. engineers diverted the flow of the Niagara River away from the American side of the falls for several months.

  9. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    A couple of days ago my Sweetie heard a car or truck screeching it’s tires in front of our house, when she looked out there were tire tracks in the grass (the road is about 120′ from our house). Yesterday morning I go out to look it over and see a decapitated rabbit under a tree nearby the tire tracks, just the head gone, body still intact with no wounds. When I was approaching it there was a hawk knawing at it.

    It seemed too coincidental not to have something to do with the drive-by, but googling around it is pretty common for hawks to do this for the fat in the rabbit brain for their young (would they have young this time of year?). Very odd.

  10. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    A couple of days ago my Sweetie heard a car or truck screeching it’s tires in front of our house, when she looked out there were tire tracks in the grass (the road is about 120′ from our house). Yesterday morning I go out to look it over and see a decapitated rabbit under a tree nearby the tire tracks, just the head gone, body still intact with no wounds. When I was approaching it there was a hawk knawing at it.

    It seemed too coincidental not to have something to do with the drive-by, but googling around it is pretty common for hawks to do this for the fat in the rabbit brain for their young (would they have young this time of year?). Very odd.

  11. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    BTW, is there anything google won’t pull up? Amazing times.

  12. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    BTW, is there anything google won’t pull up? Amazing times.

  13. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    Don’t remember if I knew this or not (advantage of getting old, everything is always new :D), the story of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.

    Evelyn’s bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938. Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn’t even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn’t buy a gift, he was determined a make one – a storybook!

  14. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Don’t remember if I knew this or not (advantage of getting old, everything is always new :D), the story of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.

    Evelyn’s bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938. Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn’t even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn’t buy a gift, he was determined a make one – a storybook!

  15. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #5 Tim

    So what do you think happpened? Did a car hit the rabbit? Did the car skid into your yard trying to avoid and/or hitting the rabbit? Did some stinker throw a headless rabbit into your yard? Or did a hawk kill the rabbit and that driver swerved into your yard while yakking on the cell phone?

  16. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #5 Tim

    So what do you think happpened? Did a car hit the rabbit? Did the car skid into your yard trying to avoid and/or hitting the rabbit? Did some stinker throw a headless rabbit into your yard? Or did a hawk kill the rabbit and that driver swerved into your yard while yakking on the cell phone?

  17. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #5, #8 The driver was yacking on the cell phone (holding it and not using a hands free device) while the hawk was on attack, the rabbit was on or near the street. The driver saw it at the last minute and had an “OH SH!T” moment and swerved off the road.

  18. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #5, #8 The driver was yacking on the cell phone (holding it and not using a hands free device) while the hawk was on attack, the rabbit was on or near the street. The driver saw it at the last minute and had an “OH SH!T” moment and swerved off the road.

  19. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    Either that or it was space aliens.

  20. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Either that or it was space aliens.

  21. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Tolerance

  22. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Tolerance

  23. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    MEXICAN DRONE crashed in backyard n El Paso, TX USA.
    To add further outrage:

    “We are collecting data about the crash. We don’t have the aircraft because it was returned to its owner,” said Keith Holloway, spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board,

    Reyes, D-Texas, former chief of the U.S. Border Patrol-El Paso sector, is chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence.
    Perez said Reyes’ staff was certain that drones were not part of the equipment earmarked for Mexico under the Merida Initiative.

    I have a real “high degree of confidence” in the preceding statement – /sarc off.

    This is just like a bunch cats with the drizzles in a big sand box:

    “We worked collaboratively with the GOM and other U.S. federal agencies to coordinate the return of the UAV to (Mexico).”
    Neither Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Border Patrol officials would say why the drone was returned to Mexico before investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board could inspect it.
    Border Patrol Agent Ramiro Cordero said only that numerous agencies were involved in returning the drone to Mexico on Wednesday.
    “It is an ongoing investigation,” Cordero said.

    I am becoming ever more convinced that a big chunk of our Federal Authorities could not find their collective butts with both hands and written directions.

  24. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    MEXICAN DRONE crashed in backyard n El Paso, TX USA.
    To add further outrage:

    “We are collecting data about the crash. We don’t have the aircraft because it was returned to its owner,” said Keith Holloway, spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board,

    Reyes, D-Texas, former chief of the U.S. Border Patrol-El Paso sector, is chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence.
    Perez said Reyes’ staff was certain that drones were not part of the equipment earmarked for Mexico under the Merida Initiative.

    I have a real “high degree of confidence” in the preceding statement – /sarc off.

    This is just like a bunch cats with the drizzles in a big sand box:

    “We worked collaboratively with the GOM and other U.S. federal agencies to coordinate the return of the UAV to (Mexico).”
    Neither Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Border Patrol officials would say why the drone was returned to Mexico before investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board could inspect it.
    Border Patrol Agent Ramiro Cordero said only that numerous agencies were involved in returning the drone to Mexico on Wednesday.
    “It is an ongoing investigation,” Cordero said.

    I am becoming ever more convinced that a big chunk of our Federal Authorities could not find their collective butts with both hands and written directions.

  25. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    #8 mharper

    I think it was kids doing a drive-by, it happened a couple months ago as well and a hawk be-headed the rabbit, two strange coinky dinkys. If I hadn’t seen the hawk, I prolly wouldn’t believe that.

  26. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #8 mharper

    I think it was kids doing a drive-by, it happened a couple months ago as well and a hawk be-headed the rabbit, two strange coinky dinkys. If I hadn’t seen the hawk, I prolly wouldn’t believe that.

  27. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #12 Bones

    with both hands and written directions a GPS.

    FIFY

  28. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #12 Bones

    with both hands and written directions a GPS.

    FIFY

  29. bweldon Avatar
    bweldon

    The battle for private property rights must be vigorously defended. I am of the belief that all the current arguments against taxation and rampant spending fall short of the greater argument for property right. One of the original foundations of this country is the rights of her citizens to own property and that property is safe from government confiscation. Our money is our property. We the people GIVE the government its power to do what it does.

    Couch the overall arguments in terms of individual private property rights as outlined in the Constitution all other arguments will fall short. It has been a long time since I have heard any Congressman or Senator argue the Constitutionality of what OUR money is spent on.

    John Adams had this to say about property and why private property rights MUST BE DEFENDED.

    Property is surely a right of mankind as really as liberty. Perhaps, at first, prejudice, habit, shame or fear, principle or religion, would restrain the poor from attacking the rich, and the idle from usurping on the industrious; but the time would not be long before courage and enterprise would come, and pretexts be invented by degrees, to countenance the majority in dividing all the property among them, or at least, in sharing it equally with its present possessors. Debts would be abolished first; taxes laid heavy on the rich, and not at all on the others; and at last a downright equal division of every thing be demanded, and voted. What would be the consequence of this? The idle, the vicious, the intemperate, would rush into the utmost extravagance of debauchery, sell and spend all their share, and then demand a new division of those who purchased from them. The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If “Thou shalt not covet,” and “Thou shalt not steal,” were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free.

  30. squawkbox Avatar
    squawkbox

    The battle for private property rights must be vigorously defended. I am of the belief that all the current arguments against taxation and rampant spending fall short of the greater argument for property right. One of the original foundations of this country is the rights of her citizens to own property and that property is safe from government confiscation. Our money is our property. We the people GIVE the government its power to do what it does.

    Couch the overall arguments in terms of individual private property rights as outlined in the Constitution all other arguments will fall short. It has been a long time since I have heard any Congressman or Senator argue the Constitutionality of what OUR money is spent on.

    John Adams had this to say about property and why private property rights MUST BE DEFENDED.

    Property is surely a right of mankind as really as liberty. Perhaps, at first, prejudice, habit, shame or fear, principle or religion, would restrain the poor from attacking the rich, and the idle from usurping on the industrious; but the time would not be long before courage and enterprise would come, and pretexts be invented by degrees, to countenance the majority in dividing all the property among them, or at least, in sharing it equally with its present possessors. Debts would be abolished first; taxes laid heavy on the rich, and not at all on the others; and at last a downright equal division of every thing be demanded, and voted. What would be the consequence of this? The idle, the vicious, the intemperate, would rush into the utmost extravagance of debauchery, sell and spend all their share, and then demand a new division of those who purchased from them. The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If “Thou shalt not covet,” and “Thou shalt not steal,” were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free.

  31. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    Sweetie went out with our “L” friends last night for Thursday Girls Night Out, no G’s, B’s or freaky T’s, just L’s and S’s (straights). I always laugh at them calling it Girls Night, if they were straight wouldn’t it be Couples Night Out? And how is it fair the straight girls can’t take their spouses, hmm?

    Ah, the tangled webs …….

  32. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Sweetie went out with our “L” friends last night for Thursday Girls Night Out, no G’s, B’s or freaky T’s, just L’s and S’s (straights). I always laugh at them calling it Girls Night, if they were straight wouldn’t it be Couples Night Out? And how is it fair the straight girls can’t take their spouses, hmm?

    Ah, the tangled webs …….

  33. bweldon Avatar
    bweldon

    Bah humbug

  34. squawkbox Avatar
    squawkbox

    Bah humbug

  35. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #16 “L’s”?? Do you mean someone from Lesbania?

  36. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #16 “L’s”?? Do you mean someone from Lesbania?

  37. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #13 Tim

    We put out bird seed on our back yard patio year round for all the seed-eating birds in the area. I have learned a lot about Houston birds by observing out the back windows. On several occasions I have seen a bird on the ground in the clutches of a Cooper’s hawk, a species that preys only on other birds.

    I know we need these hawks ’cause otherwise we might be hip deep in pigeons and doves, but the Cooper’s is a really mean looking raptor. Especially when it has blood dripping off its beak — not a pleasant sight.

  38. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #13 Tim

    We put out bird seed on our back yard patio year round for all the seed-eating birds in the area. I have learned a lot about Houston birds by observing out the back windows. On several occasions I have seen a bird on the ground in the clutches of a Cooper’s hawk, a species that preys only on other birds.

    I know we need these hawks ’cause otherwise we might be hip deep in pigeons and doves, but the Cooper’s is a really mean looking raptor. Especially when it has blood dripping off its beak — not a pleasant sight.

  39. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    Bah humbug

    Yeah, WB trys to get us in a festive mood and alls we wanna talk about is animal sacrifices, L’s and John Adams. 😀

  40. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Bah humbug

    Yeah, WB trys to get us in a festive mood and alls we wanna talk about is animal sacrifices, L’s and John Adams. 😀

  41. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    #16 “L’s”?? Do you mean someone from Lesbania?

    That would be yes, as opposed to the T’s from Transylvania.

  42. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #16 “L’s”?? Do you mean someone from Lesbania?

    That would be yes, as opposed to the T’s from Transylvania.

  43. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    #19 mharper

    That’s horrible, I think PETA should get right on this. 😀

  44. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #19 mharper

    That’s horrible, I think PETA should get right on this. 😀

  45. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    The bill to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policies passed the house (250 to 175) and it looks like the senate will have a cloture vote tomorrow.

    Run for your lives! Gays with guns!

  46. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    The bill to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policies passed the house (250 to 175) and it looks like the senate will have a cloture vote tomorrow.

    Run for your lives! Gays with guns!

  47. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    Johnny’s Mother looked out the window and noticed him “playing church” with their cat.

    He had the cat sitting quietly and he was preaching to it. She smiled and went about her work. A while later she heard loud meowing and hissing and ran back To the open window to see Johnny baptizing the cat in a tub of water.

    She called out, “Johnny, stop that! The cat is afraid of water!”

    Johnny looked up at her and said, “He should have thought about that before he joined my church.”

  48. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Johnny’s Mother looked out the window and noticed him “playing church” with their cat.

    He had the cat sitting quietly and he was preaching to it. She smiled and went about her work. A while later she heard loud meowing and hissing and ran back To the open window to see Johnny baptizing the cat in a tub of water.

    She called out, “Johnny, stop that! The cat is afraid of water!”

    Johnny looked up at her and said, “He should have thought about that before he joined my church.”

  49. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    TGIF yall Hamoustonians™ !!!

    Been so dang busy here I can barely stop by to partially read much less contribute……..

    THEREFORE – I’d like to pass along wishes for the MERRIEST and JOYFUL Christmas possible and all blessings for a New Year – we’ve survived the gubment’s idiocy thus far so let’s keep on keepin on (including keeping our boots on the necks of the inside-the-beltway thieves!)

    On a lighter note – yall need to check out Al’s young son’s young guitar playing son – this kid may not be quite ready to steal Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s job just yet but he’s pretty darned good!

    Young Blues Man’s Licks

  50. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    TGIF yall Hamoustonians™ !!!

    Been so dang busy here I can barely stop by to partially read much less contribute……..

    THEREFORE – I’d like to pass along wishes for the MERRIEST and JOYFUL Christmas possible and all blessings for a New Year – we’ve survived the gubment’s idiocy thus far so let’s keep on keepin on (including keeping our boots on the necks of the inside-the-beltway thieves!)

    On a lighter note – yall need to check out Al’s young son’s young guitar playing son – this kid may not be quite ready to steal Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s job just yet but he’s pretty darned good!

    Young Blues Man’s Licks

  51. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    The last few days there’s been a Cooper’s Hawk sitting in a big old Willow Oak as I’m leaving work. He periodically swoops down along the fence line and snags a sparrow out of the Ligustrum hedge. The guy’s pretty clever. The hedge is on the other side of a chain link fence and the sparrows hang out in it. He comes down on the wrong side but has found a hole under the fence. He hits them from underneath, a direction they’re probably not expecting a hawk to come from. Now if I can just train him to go after all those feral cats in the neighborhood….

  52. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    The last few days there’s been a Cooper’s Hawk sitting in a big old Willow Oak as I’m leaving work. He periodically swoops down along the fence line and snags a sparrow out of the Ligustrum hedge. The guy’s pretty clever. The hedge is on the other side of a chain link fence and the sparrows hang out in it. He comes down on the wrong side but has found a hole under the fence. He hits them from underneath, a direction they’re probably not expecting a hawk to come from. Now if I can just train him to go after all those feral cats in the neighborhood….

  53. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    I think you’d need a red-tailed hawk for that.

  54. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I think you’d need a red-tailed hawk for that.

  55. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    If one of my daughters was dating a man 40 years their senior, I wouldn’t be happy about it. But I wouldn’t go this far.

  56. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    If one of my daughters was dating a man 40 years their senior, I wouldn’t be happy about it. But I wouldn’t go this far.

  57. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    If any of you are familiar with the Seabrook Shipyard area, you would know that there are a number of wild parrots among the numerous other birds that hand out there year round. The resident hawks seem to like parrot in their diet as well as fish. One day while fishing, I saw a hawk pluck a mullet right off the surface of the bay – sort of a miniature eagle taking a salmon I suppose. Anyway, as the hawk flew away, it was laboring under the additional weight of the fish and could not gain any altitude. It flew under the highline wires across a road and then finally gave up and dropped the fish, but I’m pretty sure the nearby raccoons knew what to do with it.

    Another time I was watching a mullet jumping vigorously, obviously being pursued by something under the water. Also watching was a pelican sitting on the water relaxing. As the mullet came by, the pelican open his mouth and the fish jumped right in. All I can surmise from this is that when it’s your day, it’s your day, and when it’s not your day, it’s just not your day.

    Pretty interesting some of the things you can see looking at the water. Underneath all that serenity, the never ending battle of eat or be eaten goes on 24/7.

  58. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    If any of you are familiar with the Seabrook Shipyard area, you would know that there are a number of wild parrots among the numerous other birds that hand out there year round. The resident hawks seem to like parrot in their diet as well as fish. One day while fishing, I saw a hawk pluck a mullet right off the surface of the bay – sort of a miniature eagle taking a salmon I suppose. Anyway, as the hawk flew away, it was laboring under the additional weight of the fish and could not gain any altitude. It flew under the highline wires across a road and then finally gave up and dropped the fish, but I’m pretty sure the nearby raccoons knew what to do with it.

    Another time I was watching a mullet jumping vigorously, obviously being pursued by something under the water. Also watching was a pelican sitting on the water relaxing. As the mullet came by, the pelican open his mouth and the fish jumped right in. All I can surmise from this is that when it’s your day, it’s your day, and when it’s not your day, it’s just not your day.

    Pretty interesting some of the things you can see looking at the water. Underneath all that serenity, the never ending battle of eat or be eaten goes on 24/7.

  59. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Need help from the guys, please. I have a father-in-law (sort of) and I don’t have a gift for him yet. He has emphysema, but still drives. As a matter of fact, he is the main driver when he and MIL go on their many trips. Other than that, he can’t get out and do much due to his illness. He likes to play cards, specifically Skip-bo with MIL and friends, but I haven’t seen him do any other entertainment type of activity. They watch TV, but not much on the movie thing. I don’t even know if they have a DVR or DVD player. He wears a cowboy hat and jeans most of the time, has facial hair.

    Question: What can I get him that (1) I can make myself, cheap or (2) will be inexpensive? Money is extremely tight this year, and I can’t afford anything extravagant.

    I’m thinking of making a caddy for his cell phone, glasses, and maybe a map pocket for the car. I could get one of those car window cup holders, cut off the cup holder part, and sew up a caddy with a few pockets to keep their cell phones and glasses safe. (They have no arm rests.) It’s something I think they’ll use and I can use my existing fabric and now-working sewing machine to put them together. Until the bobbin doesn’t want to load again. /sigh

    Any other ideas?

  60. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Need help from the guys, please. I have a father-in-law (sort of) and I don’t have a gift for him yet. He has emphysema, but still drives. As a matter of fact, he is the main driver when he and MIL go on their many trips. Other than that, he can’t get out and do much due to his illness. He likes to play cards, specifically Skip-bo with MIL and friends, but I haven’t seen him do any other entertainment type of activity. They watch TV, but not much on the movie thing. I don’t even know if they have a DVR or DVD player. He wears a cowboy hat and jeans most of the time, has facial hair.

    Question: What can I get him that (1) I can make myself, cheap or (2) will be inexpensive? Money is extremely tight this year, and I can’t afford anything extravagant.

    I’m thinking of making a caddy for his cell phone, glasses, and maybe a map pocket for the car. I could get one of those car window cup holders, cut off the cup holder part, and sew up a caddy with a few pockets to keep their cell phones and glasses safe. (They have no arm rests.) It’s something I think they’ll use and I can use my existing fabric and now-working sewing machine to put them together. Until the bobbin doesn’t want to load again. /sigh

    Any other ideas?

  61. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    What? No rock star invitation!? How DARE they!

    /anticipating a change to the invite list shortly

    /sarc off

  62. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    What? No rock star invitation!? How DARE they!

    /anticipating a change to the invite list shortly

    /sarc off

  63. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I guess “tantamount to torture” means this little poofter can’t watch Glee.

  64. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    I guess “tantamount to torture” means this little poofter can’t watch Glee.

  65. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Hammy, from your link:

    “There’s no basis to be holding in a maximum detaining status for any other reason than to punish him,” Paterson continued. “The whole rationale for pretrial confinement is to assure that the defendant shows up.”

    Let’s see: he has friends all over the world. Think he might make a run for it? Or go on a speaking tour, further damaging our relationships with foreign governments? Or get killed by someone he’s threatened or wissed off, becoming a martyr to the cause?

    Our world is drowning in stupidity.

  66. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Hammy, from your link:

    “There’s no basis to be holding in a maximum detaining status for any other reason than to punish him,” Paterson continued. “The whole rationale for pretrial confinement is to assure that the defendant shows up.”

    Let’s see: he has friends all over the world. Think he might make a run for it? Or go on a speaking tour, further damaging our relationships with foreign governments? Or get killed by someone he’s threatened or wissed off, becoming a martyr to the cause?

    Our world is drowning in stupidity.

  67. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    I knew that the announcement of the formation of the Tea Party Caucus in the Texas Lege would be met with hoots and howls from Establishment Republicans, but I didn’t realize how bizarre some would be:

    ‎”We appreciate the opportunity to work with Senator Patrick and the Caucus. That’s been our goal for the last two years – to create a direct link between our elected officials and the citizens of our state.”

    Bizarrre. I’ve never met Ms. Hall but I know this – I have a direct link to my state rep, John Davis, and my state senator, Mike Jackson. I don’t need an intermediary to tell them what I think.

    There’s no requirement for anybody to go through intermediaries. It is a lead pipe cinch, however, that the Advisory Committee can be expected to do a better and more effective job of expressing the opinions of citizens of the state, because they are going to be lots harder to ignore than making individual calls.

    There is, however, something scary brewing:

    Big Jolly Politics Just to be clear, it isn’t a FOIA that I want to file, it is a Texas open records request – I just can’t think of the right acronym.

    14 hours ago via HootSuite.
    Big Jolly Politics I need help filing a FOIA request. Anyone know an inexpensive attorney? #txlege #txgop

    14 hours ago via HootSuite.
    Big Jolly Politics Okay, so now I have the list of Dan Patrick approved Teaper leaders. Because they agreed to this, are they subject to FOIA re their emails?

    14 hours ago via HootSuite.

    Is this some kind of veiled threat? Is the Establishment going to try and read the emails that Tea Partiers exchange with the members of the Advisory Board? The emails the Board has with the members of the caucus? Does the Open Records Act extend to communications between voters and their Representatives?

  68. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    you would know that there are a number of wild parrots Parakeets among the numerous other birds that hand out there year round.

    The Monk Parakeet is the largest of the family.
    FIFY 😉

  69. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    you would know that there are a number of wild parrots Parakeets among the numerous other birds that hand out there year round.

    The Monk Parakeet is the largest of the family.
    FIFY 😉

  70. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    The ex-employee didn’t have much respect for Harrod’s property, but you have to give him some credit for seasonal style.

    Gaining access to a maintenance control room, Lloyd Hudson, 35, from Ilford, Essex, was able to locate the chart and corresponding switches for Harrods’ 10,000 external lights.
    Barracading himself in, Hudson disabled the correct lights until he could spell out his feelings to Harrods bosses and Christmas shoppers alike.

  71. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    The ex-employee didn’t have much respect for Harrod’s property, but you have to give him some credit for seasonal style.

    Gaining access to a maintenance control room, Lloyd Hudson, 35, from Ilford, Essex, was able to locate the chart and corresponding switches for Harrods’ 10,000 external lights.
    Barracading himself in, Hudson disabled the correct lights until he could spell out his feelings to Harrods bosses and Christmas shoppers alike.

  72. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #26 Hamous

    train him to go after all those feral cats

    When I lived in Oak Forest (old heavily treed subdivision in NW Houston) many years ago, there was an owl that would swoop at cats that were prowling on the grass at night… My impression was that the owl didn’t know it was a cat till it got pretty close to it on the down swing. I never saw it strike or even attempt to strike a cat — it would pull out of the dive when it was 4-5 feet above the target.

  73. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #26 Hamous

    train him to go after all those feral cats

    When I lived in Oak Forest (old heavily treed subdivision in NW Houston) many years ago, there was an owl that would swoop at cats that were prowling on the grass at night… My impression was that the owl didn’t know it was a cat till it got pretty close to it on the down swing. I never saw it strike or even attempt to strike a cat — it would pull out of the dive when it was 4-5 feet above the target.

  74. meglettx Avatar
    meglettx

    mharper69, I grew up in Oak Forest, lived on Dubarry.

  75. Lawrence Avatar
    Lawrence

    mharper69, I grew up in Oak Forest, lived on Dubarry.

  76. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    If Joesph and Mary had iPhones…

  77. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    If Joesph and Mary had iPhones…

  78. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #37

    Larry666, I lived on Ebony Lane.

  79. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #37

    Larry666, I lived on Ebony Lane.

  80. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    One day while fishing, I saw a hawk pluck a mullet right off the surface of the bay

    I didn’t know Billy Ray Cyrus knew how to swim.

    The Monk Parakeet is the largest of the family.

    It also has OCD and spolves crimes.

  81. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    One day while fishing, I saw a hawk pluck a mullet right off the surface of the bay

    I didn’t know Billy Ray Cyrus knew how to swim.

    The Monk Parakeet is the largest of the family.

    It also has OCD and spolves crimes.

  82. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Sarge — hang onto your day job. 🙂

  83. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Sarge — hang onto your day job. 🙂

  84. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Via Sally Stricklett who notes:

    The Texas Speaker race is interesting. Those who support Straus, have deep pockets, enough to run banner ads on national news sources. What ever could they gain? ha

    From Empower Texans, who are accused of using thier deep pockets to astro turf a grassroots campaign to get rid of Straus as Speaker:

    Texans frustrated by ever-rising property taxes have special reason to be engaged in the speaker race. Incumbent Speaker Joe Straus not only opposes efforts to cap property taxes, but has made sure any such reforms die in committee.

    Right after being elected speaker in 2009 — brought to power by 65 Democrats and 11 Republicans — Mr. Straus told a roomful of local officials that he opposed restrictions on property tax increases. This group, which fought appraisal caps and other limitations on government growth, were told by Mr. Straus that they now had a “friend” in his office.

    snip

    Mr. Straus made good on his opposition to property tax caps by placing liberal Democrat Rene Oliveira of Brownsville as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

    In turn, Mr. Oliveira refused to even have hearings on any taxpayer protection initiatives.

    Chairman Oliveira bragged to the Texas Association of Counties — a tax-funded lobby group working to stop taxpayer protection legislation — that he blocked tax caps and taxpayer protection efforts, and would continue to do so.

    And lets not forget this.

  85. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Via Sally Stricklett who notes:

    The Texas Speaker race is interesting. Those who support Straus, have deep pockets, enough to run banner ads on national news sources. What ever could they gain? ha

    From Empower Texans, who are accused of using thier deep pockets to astro turf a grassroots campaign to get rid of Straus as Speaker:

    Texans frustrated by ever-rising property taxes have special reason to be engaged in the speaker race. Incumbent Speaker Joe Straus not only opposes efforts to cap property taxes, but has made sure any such reforms die in committee.

    Right after being elected speaker in 2009 — brought to power by 65 Democrats and 11 Republicans — Mr. Straus told a roomful of local officials that he opposed restrictions on property tax increases. This group, which fought appraisal caps and other limitations on government growth, were told by Mr. Straus that they now had a “friend” in his office.

    snip

    Mr. Straus made good on his opposition to property tax caps by placing liberal Democrat Rene Oliveira of Brownsville as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

    In turn, Mr. Oliveira refused to even have hearings on any taxpayer protection initiatives.

    Chairman Oliveira bragged to the Texas Association of Counties — a tax-funded lobby group working to stop taxpayer protection legislation — that he blocked tax caps and taxpayer protection efforts, and would continue to do so.

    And lets not forget this.

  86. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    The police and the prosecutor were wrong on the law when they arrested and charged the dude, and he was right to fight them in court. Had he been wrong in understanding the law, he could have been sent to prison for 16 years.

    The people we pay to know the law were flat out wrong and violently harassed a guy and his family. What consequences to they face? None whatsoever.

  87. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    The police and the prosecutor were wrong on the law when they arrested and charged the dude, and he was right to fight them in court. Had he been wrong in understanding the law, he could have been sent to prison for 16 years.

    The people we pay to know the law were flat out wrong and violently harassed a guy and his family. What consequences to they face? None whatsoever.

  88. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    OK Gents MARK your Calendars!

    Only 1 week until shopping day!

    MEGASNIKKER™

  89. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    OK Gents MARK your Calendars!

    Only 1 week until shopping day!

    MEGASNIKKER™

  90. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #43

    Judge Andrew N. is the “good” Napolitano. He does an excellent job reporting on official malfeasance.

  91. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #43

    Judge Andrew N. is the “good” Napolitano. He does an excellent job reporting on official malfeasance.

  92. meglettx Avatar
    meglettx

    #39. One of my best buddies lived on Ebony between Oak Forest and Piney Woods, his mom still lives in their childhood home there.

    Gee, unless your a lot older or a lot younger than me, I’m sure I ran across you at some point.

    BTW, I’m 27, ripped, and a dead ringer for Brad Pitt – how about you?

  93. Lawrence Avatar
    Lawrence

    #39. One of my best buddies lived on Ebony between Oak Forest and Piney Woods, his mom still lives in their childhood home there.

    Gee, unless your a lot older or a lot younger than me, I’m sure I ran across you at some point.

    BTW, I’m 27, ripped, and a dead ringer for Brad Pitt – how about you?

  94. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    I wondered who joined Patrick on his caucus project. A Google search of ‘Tea Party Caucus advisory committee’ turns up a list of fourteen names. Considering how many groups and leaders there are, that seems a small number. That is a different list than the 48 congress critters in the caucus, fwiw.

  95. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    I wondered who joined Patrick on his caucus project. A Google search of ‘Tea Party Caucus advisory committee’ turns up a list of fourteen names. Considering how many groups and leaders there are, that seems a small number. That is a different list than the 48 congress critters in the caucus, fwiw.

  96. meglettx Avatar
    meglettx

    OK, OK, would you believe 53, my six pack has morphed into a keg and a dead ringer for Rodney Daingerfield?

  97. Lawrence Avatar
    Lawrence

    OK, OK, would you believe 53, my six pack has morphed into a keg and a dead ringer for Rodney Daingerfield?

  98. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I was watching something the other night on TV and saw someone that could have been your brother. Danged if I can remember who it was. I think he was a coach.

  99. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    I was watching something the other night on TV and saw someone that could have been your brother. Danged if I can remember who it was. I think he was a coach.

  100. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    47 gtotracker42 says:
    December 17, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    I wondered who joined Patrick on his caucus project. A Google search of ‘Tea Party Caucus advisory committee’ turns up a list of fourteen names. Considering how many groups and leaders there are, that seems a small number. That is a different list than the 48 congress critters in the caucus, fwiw.

    I’d say that the list will either grow, or those on the list will coordinate with others. I can say that I’m very happy with the local representation on there.

    And its a big improvement over the old “top down” structure of the Legacy Republican Party.

    Things are going to change there, or a third party will be formed.

  101. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    47 gtotracker42 says:
    December 17, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    I wondered who joined Patrick on his caucus project. A Google search of ‘Tea Party Caucus advisory committee’ turns up a list of fourteen names. Considering how many groups and leaders there are, that seems a small number. That is a different list than the 48 congress critters in the caucus, fwiw.

    I’d say that the list will either grow, or those on the list will coordinate with others. I can say that I’m very happy with the local representation on there.

    And its a big improvement over the old “top down” structure of the Legacy Republican Party.

    Things are going to change there, or a third party will be formed.

  102. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Phew, internet back on line. Did i miss anythnig exciting?

    Awesome lights wagon. This time of year’s celebrations bring so much cheer.

  103. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Phew, internet back on line. Did i miss anythnig exciting?

    Awesome lights wagon. This time of year’s celebrations bring so much cheer.

  104. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Good to hear from you Darren. I was beginning to think my cat got your tongue.

  105. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    Good to hear from you Darren. I was beginning to think my cat got your tongue.

  106. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #46

    I was already middle-aged when I lived in Oak Forest in the late 80’s. I rented a little cottage on the west edge of OF, near TC Jester park. Sounds like your friend was a lot farther east.

  107. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #46

    I was already middle-aged when I lived in Oak Forest in the late 80’s. I rented a little cottage on the west edge of OF, near TC Jester park. Sounds like your friend was a lot farther east.

  108. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #49 Hammy

    saw someone that could have been your brother

    Is this addressed to anyone in particular? I’m pretty sure you don’t know my brother. 😳

  109. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #49 Hammy

    saw someone that could have been your brother

    Is this addressed to anyone in particular? I’m pretty sure you don’t know my brother. 😳

  110. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    Did i miss anythnig exciting?

    Only that there is a WoD’s and teh gayz.

  111. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Did i miss anythnig exciting?

    Only that there is a WoD’s and teh gayz.

  112. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    Oh, and Coulter’s a man.

  113. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Oh, and Coulter’s a man.

  114. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    I’m pretty sure you don’t know my brother

    He was a coach too? 😛

  115. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    I’m pretty sure you don’t know my brother

    He was a coach too? 😛

  116. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Speaking of Christmas lights, I will drive out into my subdivision this Sunday night with a load of WINNER signs in the back of my truck. Yes, I the atheist am the judge for our Christmas yard decoration contest, in case anyone finds that mildly ironic. The toughest category is Best Traditional, where we often have 4 to 6 that are very good, and only one winner per category. Pyro’s 2nd photo would fit well in that group, but probably wouldn’t win.

  117. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Speaking of Christmas lights, I will drive out into my subdivision this Sunday night with a load of WINNER signs in the back of my truck. Yes, I the atheist am the judge for our Christmas yard decoration contest, in case anyone finds that mildly ironic. The toughest category is Best Traditional, where we often have 4 to 6 that are very good, and only one winner per category. Pyro’s 2nd photo would fit well in that group, but probably wouldn’t win.

  118. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    bob #52;

    🙂

  119. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    bob #52;

    🙂

  120. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    mharper #58;

    Yes, I the atheist am the judge for our Christmas yard decoration contest, in case anyone finds that mildly ironic.

    Not ironic in the least. Enjoy the judging and, of course, use good judgement. 🙂

  121. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    mharper #58;

    Yes, I the atheist am the judge for our Christmas yard decoration contest, in case anyone finds that mildly ironic.

    Not ironic in the least. Enjoy the judging and, of course, use good judgement. 🙂

  122. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    GJT #55;

    Only that there is a WoD’s and teh gayz.

    Dang, I gotta catch up on the issues.

  123. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    GJT #55;

    Only that there is a WoD’s and teh gayz.

    Dang, I gotta catch up on the issues.

  124. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    #51

    Yep, and as B42 mentioned, teh gayz got guns now. They best remember the ones they think they can hit on now got guns too.

  125. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #51

    Yep, and as B42 mentioned, teh gayz got guns now. They best remember the ones they think they can hit on now got guns too.

  126. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Is this addressed to anyone in particular? I’m pretty sure you don’t know my brother.

    Since it followed immediately after the comment I was addressing I figured the object of my address was implied.

  127. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Is this addressed to anyone in particular? I’m pretty sure you don’t know my brother.

    Since it followed immediately after the comment I was addressing I figured the object of my address was implied.

  128. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    Help meeeeee!!!!!!!

    I’m being held hostage at a Christmas party with many, many of the geriatric set.

    It’s hosted by one of Yellow Hair’s buddies, so I can’t self-medicate too much.

  129. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Help meeeeee!!!!!!!

    I’m being held hostage at a Christmas party with many, many of the geriatric set.

    It’s hosted by one of Yellow Hair’s buddies, so I can’t self-medicate too much.

  130. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #64

    An opportunity to learn from your elders?

  131. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #64

    An opportunity to learn from your elders?

  132. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    I only wish that could be the case.

    Maybe I could offer this up and get a couple of eons knocked off Purgatory for someone…

  133. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I only wish that could be the case.

    Maybe I could offer this up and get a couple of eons knocked off Purgatory for someone…

  134. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    A question for some of the amateur (or real) shrinks out there – if you go to the Texans football game and are sitting in the stands watching the teams huddle up on the field, and you know that they must be talking about you, could there be a problem?

  135. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    A question for some of the amateur (or real) shrinks out there – if you go to the Texans football game and are sitting in the stands watching the teams huddle up on the field, and you know that they must be talking about you, could there be a problem?

  136. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Do you have a big booger hanging from the schnoz?

  137. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Do you have a big booger hanging from the schnoz?

  138. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    Maybe.

    Would that be a problem?

  139. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Maybe.

    Would that be a problem?

  140. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    …if you go to the Texans football game and are sitting in the stands watching the teams huddle up on the field, and you know that they must be talking about you, could there be a problem?

    Possibility #1:

    They’re not talking about you and you’re paranoid. That’s a problem.

    Possibility #2:

    They really are talking about you. That’s also a problem.

    So either way it goes, you’re problematic. I recommend sending me a lot of money immediately. It won’t help your problem, but as I’ve shown, you have problems either way. But it will help me to alleviate potential financial problems, so at least you’ll be doing some good for your fellow man. At least you can feel good about yourself while being a problem.

    🙂

  141. Dude42 Avatar
    Dude42

    …if you go to the Texans football game and are sitting in the stands watching the teams huddle up on the field, and you know that they must be talking about you, could there be a problem?

    Possibility #1:

    They’re not talking about you and you’re paranoid. That’s a problem.

    Possibility #2:

    They really are talking about you. That’s also a problem.

    So either way it goes, you’re problematic. I recommend sending me a lot of money immediately. It won’t help your problem, but as I’ve shown, you have problems either way. But it will help me to alleviate potential financial problems, so at least you’ll be doing some good for your fellow man. At least you can feel good about yourself while being a problem.

    🙂

  142. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    Gaahhh!!! Bitten by formatting issues again. See? I really do need your help.

  143. Dude42 Avatar
    Dude42

    Gaahhh!!! Bitten by formatting issues again. See? I really do need your help.

  144. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Faced with a break-in from robbers who threatened to harm him and his family, a Houston jewelry store owner was forced to defend himself with deadly force Thursday. The 52-year-old man killed three armed robbers, police say, after they used zip ties to bound his wife. But when they went to subdue Ramon Castillo, the store owner reportedly garnished a pistol out of his waistband.

    In the next moment, a gun shootout ensued, leaving gun shells and bullet fragments littering the store. After killing one crook with his pistol, Castillo grabbed a shotgun and fired at the other two. In the end, the three would-be robbers were killed at the scene.

    Dang, and the store owner ain’t even gay.

    Gotta love them Texans.

    LINK

  145. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Faced with a break-in from robbers who threatened to harm him and his family, a Houston jewelry store owner was forced to defend himself with deadly force Thursday. The 52-year-old man killed three armed robbers, police say, after they used zip ties to bound his wife. But when they went to subdue Ramon Castillo, the store owner reportedly garnished a pistol out of his waistband.

    In the next moment, a gun shootout ensued, leaving gun shells and bullet fragments littering the store. After killing one crook with his pistol, Castillo grabbed a shotgun and fired at the other two. In the end, the three would-be robbers were killed at the scene.

    Dang, and the store owner ain’t even gay.

    Gotta love them Texans.

    LINK

  146. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    GJT;

    Yep, and as B42 mentioned, teh gayz got guns now.

    Tha’ts old news. On Lone Star Times I linked Pink Pistols after my father-in-law told me about them.

  147. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    GJT;

    Yep, and as B42 mentioned, teh gayz got guns now.

    Tha’ts old news. On Lone Star Times I linked Pink Pistols after my father-in-law told me about them.

  148. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Do you have a big booger hanging from the schnoz?

    I did at work today. Discovered it myself at the end of the day. I wonder how long it was there. 😕

  149. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Do you have a big booger hanging from the schnoz?

    I did at work today. Discovered it myself at the end of the day. I wonder how long it was there. 😕

  150. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    “Put poetically, we teach queers to shoot.”

    (Don’t ask me if the narrator is a man or a woman)

  151. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    “Put poetically, we teach queers to shoot.”

    (Don’t ask me if the narrator is a man or a woman)

  152. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    “Light and darkness cannot occupy the same place at the same time…”. Therefore, Look to the Light.

    Good night and a Merry Christmas to all.

  153. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    “Light and darkness cannot occupy the same place at the same time…”. Therefore, Look to the Light.

    Good night and a Merry Christmas to all.

  154. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    #75

    Sexual Minority Community, heh. BTW, was that braless thing a L,G or a freaky T?

  155. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #75

    Sexual Minority Community, heh. BTW, was that braless thing a L,G or a freaky T?

  156. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #72 Darren

    I had never heard of The Blaze website where your posted story about storeowner kills 3 robbers came from, but it sports some odd use of the English language.

    garnished a pistol out of his waistband.

    Call me a purist if you must, but I never heard of “garnishing” a pistol. I suppose the writer meant to say “brandish a pistol”. The verb in “to bound his wife” is also incorrect.

    Clicking some links on the site, I found that The Blaze is a Glenn Beck production and that the author of this piece “earned her degree in political science and history from The George Washington University.” So I am even more surprised by the poor quality of the writing. Sign of the times in our good ole USA…

  157. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #72 Darren

    I had never heard of The Blaze website where your posted story about storeowner kills 3 robbers came from, but it sports some odd use of the English language.

    garnished a pistol out of his waistband.

    Call me a purist if you must, but I never heard of “garnishing” a pistol. I suppose the writer meant to say “brandish a pistol”. The verb in “to bound his wife” is also incorrect.

    Clicking some links on the site, I found that The Blaze is a Glenn Beck production and that the author of this piece “earned her degree in political science and history from The George Washington University.” So I am even more surprised by the poor quality of the writing. Sign of the times in our good ole USA…

  158. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #73 Darren

    I’m not sure your Pink Pistols could get into the military even if the gubmint does repeal DADT… 🙂

  159. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #73 Darren

    I’m not sure your Pink Pistols could get into the military even if the gubmint does repeal DADT… 🙂

  160. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    Maybe he slapped on some highly festive and decorative grips on the pistol?

  161. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    Maybe he slapped on some highly festive and decorative grips on the pistol?

  162. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    Sprig of parsley in the barrel?

  163. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    Sprig of parsley in the barrel?

  164. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    G42 — Hey, those are good possibilities that never occurred to me. I just thought it was a malapropism.

  165. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    G42 — Hey, those are good possibilities that never occurred to me. I just thought it was a malapropism.

  166. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    I think smart geeky girls are hot.

  167. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    I think smart geeky girls are hot.

  168. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Getting myself all worked up over pistol garnishing has made me remember a girl I knew who had a habit of coming up with delightful language errors. Her specialty was a cross between the malapropism (misuse of a similar sounding word) and the neologism. Merriam-Webster defines neologism as “a new word, usage, or expression” and secondarily as “a meaningless word coined by a psychotic”. It’s a tossup which definition applied in my friend Kathy’s case.

    My favorite Kathyisms:

    Glossamer — what a spider web is made of.
    Barnswoggled — knocked for a loop, I think.

  169. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Getting myself all worked up over pistol garnishing has made me remember a girl I knew who had a habit of coming up with delightful language errors. Her specialty was a cross between the malapropism (misuse of a similar sounding word) and the neologism. Merriam-Webster defines neologism as “a new word, usage, or expression” and secondarily as “a meaningless word coined by a psychotic”. It’s a tossup which definition applied in my friend Kathy’s case.

    My favorite Kathyisms:

    Glossamer — what a spider web is made of.
    Barnswoggled — knocked for a loop, I think.

  170. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    Optilusion–optical illusion.

    ‘I may be having optilusions, but I don’t think you ran that pipe straight.’

    I’ll never forget that superintendent.

  171. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    Optilusion–optical illusion.

    ‘I may be having optilusions, but I don’t think you ran that pipe straight.’

    I’ll never forget that superintendent.

  172. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #84

    Merriam-Webster defines neologism as “a new word, usage, or expression” and secondarily as “a meaningless word coined by a psychotic”.

    Syn: Palination

  173. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    #84

    Merriam-Webster defines neologism as “a new word, usage, or expression” and secondarily as “a meaningless word coined by a psychotic”.

    Syn: Palination

  174. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    G’Saturday morning all

    Here’s my Christmas card to all you Hampsters.

    Lin

    http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2007134554829&source=jl999

  175. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    G’Saturday morning all

    Here’s my Christmas card to all you Hampsters.

    Lin

    http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2007134554829&source=jl999

  176. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Gonna be serious for a minute. Enjoy the holidays and their respective parties, but please be responsible. Any one of the people in this film could wind up being you.

    Nuff said. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8

  177. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Gonna be serious for a minute. Enjoy the holidays and their respective parties, but please be responsible. Any one of the people in this film could wind up being you.

    Nuff said. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8

  178. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    O.K., back to being me

    The Obama deal with Republicans to extend tax cuts and jobless benefits was a win-win for both parties.

    The Republicans say they’re thrilled with the tax cuts and the Democrats leaving Congress say they’re thrilled with the jobless benefits.

  179. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    O.K., back to being me

    The Obama deal with Republicans to extend tax cuts and jobless benefits was a win-win for both parties.

    The Republicans say they’re thrilled with the tax cuts and the Democrats leaving Congress say they’re thrilled with the jobless benefits.

  180. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #88 OTL — Very nice, thanks.

  181. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #88 OTL — Very nice, thanks.

  182. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    I try to be honest and open, but sometimes it doesn’t work.

    After 43 years of marriage Dee asked me, “How many women have you slept with?”

    “Only you, Darling. – – With all the others, I was awake.”

  183. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    I try to be honest and open, but sometimes it doesn’t work.

    After 43 years of marriage Dee asked me, “How many women have you slept with?”

    “Only you, Darling. – – With all the others, I was awake.”

  184. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    From Drudge’s link about solstice and lunar eclipse:

    “Wiccans don’t think of things as being good or evil — they just are.”

    Yet another “religion” that seems to have no real reason to exist. Like UU, IMHO.

    http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Solstice+eclipse+first+years/3983582/story.html

  185. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    From Drudge’s link about solstice and lunar eclipse:

    “Wiccans don’t think of things as being good or evil — they just are.”

    Yet another “religion” that seems to have no real reason to exist. Like UU, IMHO.

    http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Solstice+eclipse+first+years/3983582/story.html

  186. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    To finish the quote:

    “Wiccans don’t think of things as being good or evil — they just are. Our experience of them makes them positive or negative for us.”

    Actually the Wiccans have a pretty solid religion. They believe that God is the Mother of the universe and she has a bunch of minor gods tending to things for her, much like a Christian God and Christian Angels. They do not worship Satan as many people think. Their primary creed is “Do as ye will, but harm nothing.” which is pretty much the Great Commandment and the 10 commandments rolled into one.Their moral code comes from the question “If I do this, how will it effect others? (paraphrased). They do believe that spell can be cast but don’t do them because of the unknown consequences.

  187. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    To finish the quote:

    “Wiccans don’t think of things as being good or evil — they just are. Our experience of them makes them positive or negative for us.”

    Actually the Wiccans have a pretty solid religion. They believe that God is the Mother of the universe and she has a bunch of minor gods tending to things for her, much like a Christian God and Christian Angels. They do not worship Satan as many people think. Their primary creed is “Do as ye will, but harm nothing.” which is pretty much the Great Commandment and the 10 commandments rolled into one.Their moral code comes from the question “If I do this, how will it effect others? (paraphrased). They do believe that spell can be cast but don’t do them because of the unknown consequences.

  188. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #94

    OK, I stand corrected. I quit reading at the point _I_ quoted. So they are “good” witches?

  189. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #94

    OK, I stand corrected. I quit reading at the point _I_ quoted. So they are “good” witches?

  190. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #93 M42, While I make an effort to be respectful, I’m equally skeptical of all un-evidenced claims regarding the supernatural. However, I disagree with your assertion that (was that some or all?) religions have no reason to exist. Creation of beliefs and religions is demonstrably innate in our species. Religions and belief systems would not continue to exist if there were no reasons or benefits of their existence.

    I don’t consider myself “religious” yet I attend church religiously. Our former minister spoke to this a few years ago.

    Why would an atheist go to church? I know that this looks like just another catchy title for our marquee sign, but I have often been asked this question when people learn that we have a significant number of professed atheists in our congregations. I have an overly simplistic answer to this question: For the same reason everyone else goes to church.

    Perhaps you’ve heard the story of Sam and the Rabbi. The Rabbi is talking to Sam, a regular attendee at temple, but an avowed atheist. The Rabbi says, “Sam, everybody knows you don’t believe in God, but I see you here every Sabbath. Why do you come to temple?” Sam says, “You know my friend Bernie? He comes to temple to talk to God. I come to talk to Bernie.”

    I benefit from attending my church in a number of ways. I’m a social critter, enjoy intellectual stimulation, opportunities to help others, and especially the challenge of trying to sing. I suspect a lot of folks with more conventional beliefs share some of these aspects. An additional benefit to UUism is that I don’t have to pretend to be something I’m not, and nobody gives a hoot.

  191. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    #93 M42, While I make an effort to be respectful, I’m equally skeptical of all un-evidenced claims regarding the supernatural. However, I disagree with your assertion that (was that some or all?) religions have no reason to exist. Creation of beliefs and religions is demonstrably innate in our species. Religions and belief systems would not continue to exist if there were no reasons or benefits of their existence.

    I don’t consider myself “religious” yet I attend church religiously. Our former minister spoke to this a few years ago.

    Why would an atheist go to church? I know that this looks like just another catchy title for our marquee sign, but I have often been asked this question when people learn that we have a significant number of professed atheists in our congregations. I have an overly simplistic answer to this question: For the same reason everyone else goes to church.

    Perhaps you’ve heard the story of Sam and the Rabbi. The Rabbi is talking to Sam, a regular attendee at temple, but an avowed atheist. The Rabbi says, “Sam, everybody knows you don’t believe in God, but I see you here every Sabbath. Why do you come to temple?” Sam says, “You know my friend Bernie? He comes to temple to talk to God. I come to talk to Bernie.”

    I benefit from attending my church in a number of ways. I’m a social critter, enjoy intellectual stimulation, opportunities to help others, and especially the challenge of trying to sing. I suspect a lot of folks with more conventional beliefs share some of these aspects. An additional benefit to UUism is that I don’t have to pretend to be something I’m not, and nobody gives a hoot.

  192. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    So they are “good” witches?

    As much as any other society. There are good ones and bad people in any society.

  193. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    So they are “good” witches?

    As much as any other society. There are good ones and bad people in any society.

  194. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #94 OTLin, that is a very accurate and concise summary of Wicca.

    In addition to delving into every belief system I’ve ever heard of (along with a few I haven’t) my mom “dabbled” in Wicca for several years. It’s interesting, and contrary to what some believe, harmless.

  195. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    #94 OTLin, that is a very accurate and concise summary of Wicca.

    In addition to delving into every belief system I’ve ever heard of (along with a few I haven’t) my mom “dabbled” in Wicca for several years. It’s interesting, and contrary to what some believe, harmless.

  196. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #96 Bob

    benefit from attending my church in a number of ways. I’m a social critter, enjoy intellectual stimulation, opportunities to help others, and especially the challenge of trying to sing.

    My point exactly! None of what you cite has anything to do with religion! UU is just a social club.

    I understand why what I regard as real religions exist.

  197. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #96 Bob

    benefit from attending my church in a number of ways. I’m a social critter, enjoy intellectual stimulation, opportunities to help others, and especially the challenge of trying to sing.

    My point exactly! None of what you cite has anything to do with religion! UU is just a social club.

    I understand why what I regard as real religions exist.

  198. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    x=100-1 M42, you’re an atheist, right?

    So what do you regard as “real” religions, and what standing have you to make such a distinction in the first place?

  199. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    x=100-1 M42, you’re an atheist, right?

    So what do you regard as “real” religions, and what standing have you to make such a distinction in the first place?

  200. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #100

    Since when does it require “standing” to state an opinion? I have nothing to defend or prove on this subject.

  201. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #100

    Since when does it require “standing” to state an opinion? I have nothing to defend or prove on this subject.

  202. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    x+2, I do not intend to imply that establishing standing is prerequisite to stating any opinion, informed or otherwise. I respect freedom of thought.

    I am very definitely questioning your logic and (politely, I hope) asking you to be more specific about your opinions as to which religions are “real” or not, and why. In other words, can you state logical criteria behind the development of your stated opinions?

  203. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    x+2, I do not intend to imply that establishing standing is prerequisite to stating any opinion, informed or otherwise. I respect freedom of thought.

    I am very definitely questioning your logic and (politely, I hope) asking you to be more specific about your opinions as to which religions are “real” or not, and why. In other words, can you state logical criteria behind the development of your stated opinions?

  204. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #102

    Naw, I’ll keep it to myself.

  205. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #102

    Naw, I’ll keep it to myself.

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