Friday, September 29, 2006

Weird things




There are some really weird creatures in this world, and I know that the caterpiller isn't really all that weird, but it is truly amazing when you think how it is transformed into a butterfly. Can anyone tell me anything about the other two pics? It looks like the same guy to me, but I have no idea what it is, and the website where I got these didn't tell me either. Y'all know I didn't take these shots, although I would love to learn how. Even if I came across something like this, I can't focus this close up with my camera. Let me hear from you.

Monday, September 25, 2006

World War II Memorial




Coming across the pic of this plane reminded me of a segment I saw yesterday on CBS Sunday AM. (I TiVoed this and watched it after attending Sunday School and church.) Anyway, they were telling how this group in Hendersonville, NC decided to send all of their WWII vets to Washington to see the memorial. Many of them needed assistance and nurses to accompany them, but they really appreciated seeing that. Many were greeted by friends and family members too. A few of them talked on camera about the war. One veteran was a prisoner of war, and he was there to see General Patton coming in on his Jeep, and he saw the Nazi swastika coming down and our flag going up. A deep sense of gratitude and pride welled up as I watched. As it was stated, "These are those who helped save the world."

Thursday, September 21, 2006

History of Computation








Well just the other day someone was looking for a sliderule at the office, and I said, "My pocket calculator can do whatever you want much faster." He said that he knew that, but he wanted the sliderule for sentimental reasons. So I remembered learning how to use one in high school and continuing on in college. (I understand how the abacus works, but I never really got proficient using one.) So I got to thinking what tools man has used in helping him to perform mathematical operations over time. As you see, we start out with simple pencil and paper, then move on to abacus, and then sliderule. Then the simple pocket calculator, and then the modern computer. We have come a long way--it kinda makes you wonder what will we see next?

Monday, September 18, 2006

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe


This is definitely a must-see movie for everyone reading this post. I am not kidding, this was a surprise in that it was so much better than I had thought possible. I am sure many of you have read the book, and some have read all of C.S. Lewis' books on Narnia. (Actually I am ashamed to admit that I have not read any of them.) As you watch, you wonder how anyone ever dreams up a story like this. Lewis definitely had talent far and above average. I would even say the man is a genius. Disney did a great job, not only with the special effects, but conveying the message or theme of the book. It is such a great parallel to the Gospel story. I am not a great reader, but I will definitely have to get a hold of the book now.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Ben gets a perfect 18!!



Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. Ben finally got the perfect score on our little minigolf game. Here is the proof. We will have to hear from him as to how he aced no. 17. I suppose I will have to concede defeat at this point. Obviously I will never be able to beat that score, and if I am able to somehow tie that score, I could never prove that I did it because the scorecard would look the same as his. Anyway, I was reminded at the beach how I enjoyed beating my two sons in various competitions when they were young. (I suppose that it is good that I beat them then, because there are definitely some sports that I can't win now.) Mucho congrats to Ben on the perfect score!!!

Friday, September 15, 2006

Binturong




Some of you, I say, some of you may have grown tired of the endless scorecards showing my score at minigolf compared with my son Ben's score. So you may now ask, what is that strange creature (for Ernest T. Bass fans that's pronounced creach-tur) is shown in the above pics. It is called a binturong. You can find them in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia--I say you can find them, I don't think I will. You may have a little trouble now, though as they are an endangered species. They live in trees, have black fur, and can weigh up to 40 pounds. They are mostly nocturnal, that is they come out mostly at night, but can be seen sunning themselves at times. Why am I talking about this animal? I heard about it on the Laura Ingram show today. She was talking about all of the weird animal that were on the Larry King Live show. I think its good to learn something new from time to time, and there is very little chance that I will come across one, unless it happens to be in a zoo that I happen to visit. And I am sure some of you will ask how does it taste? I really don't know the answer to that one, but I heard he smells like popcorn. Can you imagine having binturong while watching a movie? I didn't think so.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

No longer tied


Ben now has this ridiculous score for minigolf. I am really hoping that someone will go ahead and get 18, just to prove it can be done, but hole 17 looks real mean. Anyway, congrats to Ben, who really should spend more time studying his Greek, but then that is all Greek to me.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Tied with Ben!!!


Now you can see that I have tied my son's score at 21, and I must say the competition is getting serious. Just remember, practice makes perfect. No, actually, it's perfect practice makes perfect.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Still at 23



Well as you can plainly see, I am still at 23. I think that 21 is safe at least for a while.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Ben's new score--Sigh!



Well, just when I thought I had beaten my son at this game with my last posted score (23) he emails me his scorecard showing a 21!!! Yes, he has deuces on holes 4, 6 and 17, and of course everything else is an ace. I have posted his scorecard this evening for any unbelievers out there. It really seems that 18 isn't that far away any more. Are there any other challengers? Enjoy.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

My new low minigolf score


Well, you know if you work hard enough, its bound to happen, so here is my best score so far. I wish all of you contestants well. Although this is a bit of a time killer, you have to admit that this is good, honest computer-game fun. Life is good.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Ben's minigolf score


I'm visiting Ben and Sarah in Louisville, and I just witnessed his new low score of 24! It is interesting to watch his expression as he makes hole-in-one after hole-in-one. Yes, and now for a late Labor Day addendum: I now have a pic of Ben achieving his score of 24. One can sense the pure joy of hitting a new low--score that is. But now its time for him to hit the books as a new school week approaches. And some of you may ask, why didn't 007 get a new low score over the weekend. I have an excuse, as lame as it may be: I could never adjust to the touch pad on the Mac laptop. I told you it was lame. I will be working on it this week, with Ben and Dan the man knocking down the 24.