Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tuesday Reading

Song of Solomon 5-8.


Hard to believe tomorrow is already Wednesday. I love the Monday holidays. The weekend will be here before you know it.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Monday Reading

Song of Solomon 1-4.


It was interesting out in the yard today. More cicadas have emerged. I saw a few in the process of molting. I noticed several crawling across the grass. I had a few fly into me as I was walking around. One bounced off my head.

It started to creep me out a little bit, as I could imagine a sudden deluge from the deep ascending in a giant swarm.

The really funny thing is I haven't noticed they've done any harm to anything so far.

I just wonder how bad it's going to get and how long it's going to last. I'm not looking forward to the lawn crunching as I walk across it this summer.

Sunday Reading

Ecclesiastes 9-12.


These babies have been in the ground since before 9-11 happened. They're now emerging from the ground and their shells are littering up some of my plants, particularly the tomato plants, although I don't think they've done any harm.

When I saw some on my daylillies, I had to snap some photos of these 13 year cicadas. From my reading about them, they emerge from the ground as nymphs and then molt to the adult stage, leaving behind their shells.



Here's the colorful adult stage.


They look to be a couple of inches long.


Believe it or not, they are a delicacy in certain parts of the world.


Uhh...no thank you.


Now they'll go mate and die. The little ones will make their way into the ground. Only God knows what they'll do down there the next 13 years, but just think of all the things that are going to happen before they emerge again. Heck, it could be Mad Max time the way the world is going.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Saturday Reading

Ecclesiastes 5-8.


Some thoughts about birds, as I was outside a lot of the day and my mind had a tendency to think on such things.

Why do birds seem to know other birds are birds? If any other type of animal approaches them, then birds fly off. But not other birds.

I routinely see mourning doves and sparrows and cardinals all congregating around my birdfeeders and peacefully settling in, even though they are different species of birds.

It's like the birds have formed secret societies. They know who is "in" and who is "out".

They must have done this, because not all birds are welcome in the social network. You never see pigeons hanging with hawks. Hummingbirds aren't "in" either.

When did this happen? Has it always been this way? How do they recognize each other? Instead of a secret handshake, do they have some sort of wing flap that let's the others know they're in the club?

Do they have initiations, like gangs? I've long suspected this, considering how often my car is doused with crap.

And did you ever notice that birds never sing off-key? They never hit a sour note when they are singing. Why is this? Humans can't do this. We supposedly have a higher functioning brain. Yet we cannot execute perfection.

If there's a perfect argument against evolution (besides the eyebrow), it has to be this one. What are the odds that all bird singing is so melodic and never off key, just by chance?

It has to be that they were made that way. If this ability was just randomly developed, there'd have to be some clinker notes evolve in there some where.

But there aren't. The aesthetics are brilliant.

And I've come to call our backyard bird feeders, because of the volume of birds that turn out, "The Place To Be". Frank Costanza would be proud. The only differences are the birds don't play pool and don't take off their pants in my back yard.

Saturday Reading

Ecclesiastes 1-4.


The Heat look unstoppable. The Bulls need someone who can score points.

That series reminded me of the Knicks-Bulls playoff matchups in the 1990s. The games would be close and hard fought. But one team could close, the other couldn't. Frustration ensued.

Aaack. Bad memories.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Thursday Reading

Proverbs 29-31.


I always thought Larry Bird could shoot, but Dirk Nowitzki is playing at a level of efficiency I've never seen. I'm kind of glad to see him playing so well. Although if the Bulls can come back, I'll have to root against him.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wednesday Reading

Proverbs 25-28.


Ugh. I can't believe the Bulls lost that game last night. Should have had that one. Had to have that one. Looks like only the Mavs can stop the Heat train now.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Tuesday Reading

Proverbs 21-24.


Believe it or not, these are pictures of Macho Man Randy Savage, when he was very young and a baseball player, in the Reds and Cardinals farm systems. Hat tip Uni Watch.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Monday Reading

Proverbs 17-20.


I don't know what I'd do without the internet.

A long time ago (I think it was during this life but it's long enough now I'm not sure), I would watch Tennessee Tuxedo as I ate breakfast or got ready to go to school.

I remember vividly Tennessee, Chumley, Baldy, Yak, Mr. Whoopee, Flunky, Jeroboah Jump, Tiger Tornado...and of course the biggest jerk in the cartoon universe, zoo director Stanley Livingston.

Out of all the episodes I watched, the one thing that stuck out in my head was the crazy song "Abracadabra". Well, that and Yak's breathless doofus voice.

A few years back I Googled a few of the lyrics. "Abracadabra...change-o range-o ree, if I recite these words just right, their magic will change me". I got one hit in a far remote outpost of the internet. But I was excited to see I wasn't the only one who remembered this song.

A little over a year ago I tried it again. This time I really hit paydirt. Not only was there exponentially more material, but I found the actual episode it appeared in on YouTube.

Since then I bought a DVD of "Tennessee Tuxedo And His Tales" which contains this episode. Not only can I watch the episode and sing this song whenever I want to, I've played it enough times that sometimes the song gets stuck in my head for days.

Which is what I hope for you to have happen if you hit the play button below.

And dig the fancy dance steps, too! Enjoy!


Sunday, May 22, 2011

Weekend Reading

Proverbs 9-16.


Last night had the first crop of lettuce from the garden. It tasted so great it is indescribable. Planted it from seed a few weeks ago, picked some last night, put it in cold water and straight to the table (okay, had to wash off the dirt, too). Nothing like a cold fresh salad.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Friday Reading

Proverbs 5-8.


I am in mourning.

He was, of course, my favorite pro wrestler of all time. He was hipster, crazed, hilarious and the greatest showman ever. What a character.

He's also made multiple appearances on this blog, so it won't be the same without him. Just search this blog for "Macho Man" if you don't believe me.

I'll have to snap into a few Slim Jims in his honor.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Thursday Reading

Proverbs 1-4.


I kept wondering when Hell's Kitchen would be on again. Usually it's on by this time of year. But it looks like not until July.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wednesday Reading

Psalms 141-150.


Hard to believe we're done with Psalms.

Watching the Bulls play the Heat tonight reminded me of Lebron James' ridiculous comments about winning 7 or more championships after signing with Miami.

Which in turn reminded me of the Super Fans "minimum 8-peat" comment about the Bulls when MJ was on SNL from 9/28/1991. Love this skit. It also has the famous "Ditka vs. a Hurricane".


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tuesday Reading

Psalms 131-140.


Bulls looked good against the Heat Sunday. Hopefully they'll get a quick KO on that team and make them go away for awhile.

Monday Reading

Psalms 120-130.


It looks like this baseball season will be one of lost opportunities. This bullpen is a complete mess. And I have no confidence that the Cards' GM can fix it. I bet Walt Jocketty could.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sunday Reading

Psalm 119.


For all the cool, rainy weather this spring, the flower show so far has been outstanding.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Saturday Reading

Psalms 111-118.


As I've said before, you have got to love Psalm 117.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Friday Reading

Thursday was Psalms 91-100.

Friday is Psalms 101-110.


Couldn't post yesterday due to a Blogger glitch. This hasn't happened for quite a while. It still wouldn't let me post this morning. Overall I've been pretty happy with Blogger. There was a time I thought about another host, but unless this keeps happening I'll stay right here.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Wednesday Reading

Psalms 81-90.


Some of the Psalms are very negative and accusatory.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tuesday Reading

Psalms 71-80.


I was typing in a note on my computer today, and got some letters mixed up. Instead of typing "EKG done in the office", I instead typed "KEG done in the office". I'm just glad I noted what I had done before signing it.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Monday Reading

Psalms 61-70.


If I call you on your cell phone, I want my ringtone to be the theme from "Jonny Quest." Just so you know.

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Sunday Reading

Psalms 51-60.


Happy Mother's Day. This has been around awhile but is still pretty funny.

Saturday, May 07, 2011

Saturday Reading

Psalms 46-50.


This is hilarious. I didn't know you could read my blog in French. Check out my post about bagpipe rock- even the comments are in French.

So then I did Spanish.

And then Hindi.

Then Swahili.

I really liked Arabic and Hebrew.




"Awesome...totally awesome."

Friday, May 06, 2011

Friday Reading

Psalms 36-45.


Looks to me like Lance Berkman will be the future 1st baseman for the Cardinals. He's playing great and will come much cheaper than Albert.

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Wednesday Reading

Psalms 31-35.


My tulips' blooms are still hanging in there after 3 weeks, although just barely. Must be the cold weather.

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Tuesday Reading

Psalms 21-30.


This could be the year for the balance of power to tilt in the NBA. The playoffs are getting interesting. First time in years that they have been.

Monday, May 02, 2011

Monday Reading

Psalms 11-20.


I saw on Fox News that Usama Bin Laden had been killed.

That's great, I suppose. But I'd be even more excited if they'd have gotten Osama Bin Laden instead. I really wonder if they'll ever get him.

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Sunday Reading

Psalms 1-10.


It wasn't his fault he got hurt, but I get the feeling David Freese will never play a season without going on the DL.