I Don’t Even Like Led Zeppelin, But I Love This Video.

Posted on by

Here’s a refreshing break from my ranting. I love talented kids. This bunch rocks the house. I know how hard it is to get adults to coordinate and practice anything. But youngsters? From different schools? For a long piece? WOW!

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Here it is, an amazing video of kids playing a Led Zeppelin piece. They are the Louisville Leopard Percussionists. Go for it!

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

The Islamic Threat Is Real, Mr. President.

Posted on by

Since I’ll flush a few readers with this one, I’d just like to say, “Thank you for dropping by. I hope you’re not beheaded or burned alive. Too bad you were offended, but not sorry I offended you.”

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Let’s just get down to the brass tacks out of the gate (love mixing metaphors):

Barack Obama’s administration is completely incompetent in dealing with foreign affairs, especially in the Arab world.

While the man talks about ISIS being a “J.V.” team, it’s pretty clear that his clown squad isn’t even up to middle school synchronized lying. From Gropey Joe Biden down to Jen Psaki, they do nothing but disparage our national interest and embolden our enemies. Biden, when he slips up, does come to our defense. I don’t want him on our side, so that doesn’t work out too well. He’s the most potent personal defense item the president has: nobody wants Joe’s finger on the nuclear button.

The reality, Mr. President, is that Islam is not radicalized as practiced by ISIS or Al Qaeda: it is pure. You’ve read the book, tingled to the call to prayer, and practiced the religion by your own admissions, Barack. You surely remember the parts about Jizha, slaying infidels, beheadings, Jihad, and all the other wonders that are Islam in it’s own manual, the Koran. How is it that you dismiss the actions of its most ardent followers as being an aberration?

Me? I’ll take the lax followers of Islam any day of the week. They’re like Catholics in Italy in 1320: not much choice. This is not to disparage Catholics: they follow the teachings of Jesus when they do it right. He’s the messiah of my preference. Peace. Love. etc. But most Christians don’t have a passion for the things taught in the new Testament like the ISIS kids do with the Koran. If they did, the world would be a better place. Lax Muslims consort with infidels (me) and let me eat in their restaurants. They argue with me. They … well, we have way more in common than we hold in differences.

BUT THE CRUSADES!!! Yeah. That was how many centuries ago? ISIS was torching people last week. Boko Haram is still kidnapping children for sexual slavery and forced conversion as of an hour ago. Throwing homosexuals off of buildings is still kind of a spectator sport in Syria as of … right this minute.

The point is, Mr. President, that some things are evil and wrong. ISIS and the other scum do not need jobs. This is not an economic argument. I wish your straw men burned as easily as Jordanian pilots. You are the master of misdirection. Some might call you the king of liars, but that title is reserved for only one being. Close, but no cookie.

Every time Barack Obama soft pedals the cruel and diseased religion that is Islam, he ignites their cause to an even larger fire. The King of Jordan gets it: kill them. The Egyptian leadership, Al Sisi has called for a religious reformation in Islam. I’m all for that: keep three or so of the Five Pillars and we’ll be on the road to recovery. If you modify them a tad, we can keep all five. Just make the pilgrimage to Green Bay, pray twice a day (optional if you’re really busy), give 5% to the poor and needy, proclaim Jesus as the messiah (again, optional if you don’t cook that way), and keep the fasting/self denial during Ramadan (but hold it during January because the days are shorter.) That would be wonderful. Personally, I don’t give him a year before some maniac assassinates the man.

So, here’s a reality check: what in the last two paragraphs automatically makes me eligible for a death sentence in several nations? If you answered questioning Catholicism, you are wrong. A guy named Luther something did that already. Nope, questioning Islam’s tenets, and making fun of, or suggesting changes to, the five pillars is auto death. Good thing Baptists don’t do that except for… well, we don’t do that whole “put the heretic to death” thing. Starting to see the difference between the west and Islam?

If you’re a big Obama fan, you need to really read what he’s said (himself and his minions) about Islam in the past three weeks. I won’t ask you to go back even ten years. Just three weeks. (You can even skip the “woven into our national fabric” nonsense if you’re busy. It’s too time consuming to even pretend to justify that one.) The time period when the most horrific slaughter has taken place by ISIS. If you can justify what they’ve done, and agree with what he’s said on the topic, you’re soul is lost. Simple, no? He’s on their side this month.

Is this too political? Probably. But when our own president is taking the positions that he has, he’s not on our side. Rudy Guiliani has some serious flaws, but he was right on the money when he said that Barack Obama doesn’t love America.

I’m sure the readership just dropped into the tank. So be it. I will not say nice things about a man who doesn’t cry out against this kind of horrid brutality and savagery. I just wonder what he’d say if it happened in Cleveland? Well, it was just 21 Christians on a beach. Probably photo-shopped in its entirety.

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

Restaurant Review: Henning’s Pizza Of Naples, Florida **Updated**

Posted on by

A correction is in order. My sources inform me that my description of the location as being in the southern part of Naples, Fl is not correct. The area is actually identified by highly knowledgeable local residents as being East Naples. I stand corrected.

(If I didn’t do this, my Mom would punish me. Never argue with your mother – blogger rule #47.)

Restaurant review time again. This one is pizza. In Florida. Everyone knows Florida is famous for pizza. Then again, maybe not. That might change after this review of Henning’s Chicago Kitchen, in Naples, Florida.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Let’s cut to the chase: pictures first.

Florida: where you can eat pizza outside without a parka.

Florida: where you can eat pizza outside without a parka.

This is the stockyards smoked brisket. Wonderful stuff.

This is the stockyards smoked brisket. Wonderful stuff.

Big picture of the Stockyards Smoked Brisket.

Big picture of the Stockyards Smoked Brisket.

Life is not complete without pepperoni. This one is the Grabber.

Life is not complete without pepperoni. This one is the Grabber.

Let’s do this right: I’ve eaten a lot of pizza, quite a bit of it in Italy. In my youth I was there fairly often courtesy of Uncle Sam. I know what cheap pizza is (had some of that a week ago when I was too lazy to do anything but dive into the freezer at home) and I’ve had some pizza that was so expensive that my judgement was questioned. The real question should be: was it good pizza? If you’re asking about Henning’s, the answer is yes.

My beloved / sainted / long-suffering mother (all apply with kids like us and a couple of big dogs thrown in) lives in Naples and we just completed a visit. One of the things that has been lacking on her end of the city was a decent pizza place. There was pizza, but it was not up to snuff. Especially in light of the fact that about 1/2 the population comes from New York, New Jersey, and other east coast spots that know what a real pie should be when it hits the table. Enter Henning’s.

It’s the owner’s first restaurant, and he’s an amiable fellow. We chatted for quite a while as we devoured our selections. He didn’t know he was being interviewed. Based on his story, he did it right. He studied, trained under real pizza chefs, and sought out great beverages and ingredients for his restaurant. Most importantly, he got staff that cared about the product.

We had two pizzas: the Grabber and the Stockyards Smoked Brisket.

The problem was, we ordered the Big Sexy, not the Grabber. Writing a review, that would normally be a big problem. It wasn’t for two reasons: the server was very gregarious and a large truck rumbled through as we ordered – easy to confuse it considering we’d asked him about the Grabber earlier. The second reason for not making an issue was – both pizzas were so good that the person who got “cheated” was ecstatic about the pizza they got.

I’ve never had a non-traditional mix as good as that Stockyards Smoked Brisket. I’ve eaten some strange things on a pile of dough, but this was the best. Sweet (not overpowering) and tender. The various meats were masterfully prepared. Every bite was savory and the occasional hint of onion was a delight.

The Grabber was one of those pizzas that I have dreams about. Every bit as good as it looks and superior flavor to the pepperoni. There was a bit of heat to the sausage which is unusual. Pepperoni is usually so bland and tasteless as to be useless. Not here: more like Chorizo. I loved it to say the least.

Service was okay. The first waiter left before we were done and handed us off to another employee. His name is Max and he did a superior job. As the only table outside (it was 70 in Florida: cold, nobody sits outside) we kind of got lost in the shuffle when he left. The waitress who took over our coverage did come around in a bit and was quite pleasant. If that’s the only part of things that doesn’t work, no problem in my opinion. I don’t think it was a slight, but an oversight.

Overall rating:

Food: 4.5 of 5 (Had better pizza other places, but not in a long time.)
Service: 3.5 but suspect it’s lots better if there were a few more people outside and a few fewer inside.
Overall: 4.0 for all pizza joints. But in Naples, they’re the winner on the south[east] side without a doubt.They are a 5 star location for Naples.

I will go back. Nice people, good pizza, and they deliver to the nearby developments. Matter of fact, their delivery zone is huge. Give them a try if you’re in South{East] Naples.

Need a pizza in Naples? This is the place.

Need a pizza in Naples? This is the place.

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

Three Decades Of Putting Up With Joe Courtemanche. Happy Anniversary, Honey.

Posted on by

sizedkipandjoeinhaiti

That picture is a few years old. We were in Haiti on a missions trip with Healing Haiti. It was, by far, our best anniversary by any measure. Serving God, warm weather, years of spiritual growth together. And, a pretty awesome cake thanks to our friends.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Thirty years ago we headed off to Lake Tahoe with a handful of friends. All of us active duty, all of us linguists. I’ve looked at that wedding picture in places I can’t even talk about, but always with a smile and a question: How did I get such a babe?

The answer is not that there was a huge dowry. Nor did we think we’d set the world on fire as a singing duo. Nope, we loved each other with an unreasoning passion. We had to get married or die. I sure felt that way. I think she did as well.

Now, after more speed bumps and obstacles than any couple should face, we can look back on thirty years together. We’ve both grown in Christ. I know I’ve grown in other ways, but you can fix that by purchasing larger sizes at Fleet Farm.

I consider myself blessed to have this good woman as my wife.

If you are considering marriage, or your marriage is in trouble, let me offer you some free advice: “For better or worse, in sickness and in health” means just what it says. Stick to your mate, tough out the bad times. Love each other and offer support when it gets dark and stormy rather than run out the door looking for a respite.

Be one. Be joined. Cleave unto each other.

It’s worked for us for three decades. I hope another three are on tap.

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

Brian Williams Is Not Equivalent To Any Of The Ones You Are Pointing Out: Relative Evil/Lying Is still Lying/Evil.

Posted on by

Today it started: “Brian Williams just fibbed a little. What about…” Enough. Let’s talk about this below and sort out why this kind of stupidity is so hurtful to our processes.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

Bill O’Reilly is the main target of this stupidity. He once said he was in combat. He was pretty clear about where and when: as a reporter armed with a pen in Central America. He never claimed to be in the military (that I could find,) nor did he claim to be in combat with United States forces in the Persian Gulf. Bill isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and I can barely stand him. I am not a regular viewer.

But it saddens me that people are purposely misconstruing his words (I sought out the clips and listened to them. Yes, on the left-wing Fox News bashing sites themselves. It’s very clear what he does/doesn’t say) just to make it political. It’s not. Bill is a pundit. But he didn’t lie about this issue.

Brian Williams is the voice of one of the largest companies in the nation. He has a nightly audience in the millions/tens of millions. He is allegedly a journalist, not a pundit. His lie about the aircraft taking fire is bad enough. But now his other reports are called into question. What about that dead body floating by during hurricane Katrina? Was that a lie? If it was, it helped turn the nation against the president more than any other statement I remember. What else was made up?

He had a significant platform that was supposedly impartial. O’Reilly was always a partisan for Bill O’Reilly. And that’s the last time I mention his name, for the rest of this post goes to the issue of bald-faced lying.

Speaking of Hillary Clinton, presidential candidate, she was even more egregious than Mr. Williams. She lied about many things, including Benghazi, during her time in the public eye. But none stands out more than the piece of video below. I didn’t make it up, they are the woman’s own words from her own evil mouth. Take a minute to watch and then read on below. (The source is CBS News. Not exactly a right-wing cabal.)

Simply put, no military unit, no Secret Service agent, no aide to the First Lady would allow her, and her child, to be brought into an area with an active sniper. The plane would have gone on elsewhere. Period. End of story. Only a completely deranged liar would put that story out with the video present to watch on the web, and thousands of people involved in that trip. That describes Mrs. Clinton.

I’m sure some of you are squirming in your seats about my political viewpoint. The truth is ugly. But if the press is on your side you figure you can get away with anything. If she hadn’t been running against Obama for the nomination at that moment, but was already in the general election phase, I’m pretty sure John McCain wouldn’t have been seeing that on his television when he tuned in at night. It would have been the sound of crickets.

I’ll make it clear to all of you for whom moral relativism is the daily flavor: I don’t care what someone else did, or did not, do in comparison to your boy/girl. If they are guilty of the deeds that Brian Williams clearly is, if they have twisted the truth as Hillary Clinton has, how can you repose trust and faith in them ever again? It’s not just a cute war story that gets better with a couple of vodkas at the VFW. Those are almost always embellished. That’s part of the context. We know they are embellished because they start with phrases like, “This is no ****” or “There I was, minding my own business” or “Back on the U.S.S. Ustafish, we had a kid…” We all know they’re “sea stories” and most are like fairy tales. Some are true. But we know how it’s done.

When you do it every night on NBC, or running for the White House, it’s not just a fib, it’s a public statement that you think all of us (watchers and voters) are stupid and deserve to be lied to so you can be more important. I hate the fact that these two evil (yes, evil) people who lie to all of us so boldly, will go on to regain most people’s respect because they will buy the spin and forget the truth.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the work of Satan.

********* ********** *********** ***********

I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.