Pitch, Cubits & Gopherwood

Amidst the struggles of a very trying & tiring week, found a few quiet moments one afternoon mid week, to share with Kael (condensed Cliffs Notes version mind you due to highly abbreviated attention span) the timeless story of Noah's Ark. He listened well for the most part. Having a toy ark on hand to further illustrate your story never hurts either eh? Time well spent. ;-)

Braveheart

I suppose there was that life defining moment when young "Wolfy" came face to face with his first harpsichord, or lil' Danica settled in behind the wheel of her first go-kart. There simply must be that magical moment in each of us, when time slows, countless endorphins release, & a crystal clear path beckons our hearts to follow. But I confess, I'm not certain when or where my oldest son became completely devoted to some of our planet's greatest mysteries. What I do know is over the course of his brief life, the fascination has only intensified. I mean, I might be wrong, but I doubt there are too many other eight year old boys who, out of the clear blue, petition their father on the validity of the Pangaea Theory in the middle of the Wal-Mart bakery section while hanging onto the opposite end of the shopping cart for dear life.

Without question, if this interest persists into a future field of study, he will have an uphill battle. Reason being: modern science not only rejects Creationism, it scoffs in the face of it.

But much like his feisty, head strong, Irish, never-say-die mother stated after the crippling Obamacare passed the House & Senate, ensuring a much more difficult road in her chosen profession...''GAME ON!''

Though now entering only his tenth year of life, this little one is no stranger to adversity. Never be afraid to go it alone my precious son. The truth will sustain you forever. Happy Birthday Caleb.

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalm 119:30 NIV

Rise of the Pink Elephant

In case you've been detained, out of office, under the weather, or just flat out disengaged from the American congressional election process, the political equivalent of the "Thrilla in Manila" went down in the state of Delaware yesterday evening.

Once again, the puzzling arrogance of the corrupt media, & those taking up residence in our nation's Beltway, have underestimated the veracious power of John Q. Public.

Only lately, it's coming more & more in the form of Jane Q. Public.

Cynic w/ eyelids half shut: Now Chessking, why does some dull primary up in Yankeeville have anything to do with the cost of wheat down here in lil' ol' Bugtussel, Oklahoma? Besides, the ball game was on last night.

Chessking: Well, it's quite simple mate. You see, those drab elections way up yonder determine which candidates move on to congress who then determine not only the cost of that there wheat up theres in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, but what methods they are legally allowed to grow, harvest, & sell it to the good folks over there in Toad Suck, Arkansas...pawd-nuh.

Point #2: Elections are a nation's report card. For better or worse, they reflect the current pulse of our values (which is also why politics & religion are joined at the hip). Therefore, we the people largely determine our own fate by our actions OR INACTIONS. Simply put: we deserve the candidates we elect... Duh.

As I write, the worst congress in United State's history with the lowest approval rating ever, is about to be dethroned in roughly six weeks (God willin' & da creek don't rise!). And as I stated in a recent blog about insects come fall, "Good riddance to you all!" (with the exception of Minnesota's Michele Bachmann, who has managed not to lose her soul amidst the sea of corruption, back door deals, & unprecedented greed).

Christine O'Donell's unlikely victory last night, indicates a slumbering nation is awakening. She is but one of an unparalleled number of conservative female candidates on the ballet this November. True, some are billionaire ebay founders, but many are average housewives terrified of the direction our nation is heading.

I can't speak for you, but if I'm given the choice of a carefully groomed out of touch ivy league elitist, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, or a soccer mom who knows the hardships of shuttling children to & fro while roasting a chicken in the oven, while simultaneously dealing with more month left over at the end of her paycheck, I'll choose the battle tested mom every time!

I hope you will too. Your future, but more importantly, our children's future, depends on it.

You can help Christine O'Donnell by clicking here http://www.christine2010.com/

What Really Lies At the End of the Rainbow

Ladies & gentlemen of the jury, I present to you three joyous, jubilant jumping beans...which begs the question "Who needs a pot of gold when you have a trampoline? Eh? I'll bet most rational three-year-olds would concur with my thought process on this matter. Come to think, why are there so many, songs about trampolines? And what's on the other side? ;0) I'll be here all weekend. Be sure to tip your waiters & waitresses. (du-dump-chhhh).

Nine One

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. It signifies the end of my least favorite month, & the beginning of the end of Summer. Hurray! And as Calvin, from "Calvin & Hobbes" says, "Bugs are dying by the truckloads! Good riddance to you all!"

My sentiments exactly.

Pictured: A typical late Summer West Texas Sunset. Our clouds & sunsets are second to none!

Founders' Fridays

He's been accused of finding a conspiracy under every rock. His antics are nothing short of hysterical & borderline inappropriate on live T.V. The back of one his best selling books contain the vilest personal insults from well known "journalists" (& I use that term in its loosest sense) & famous personalities, while he mockingly sheds a tear in the background. He eats Chinese takeout on the air, out of a little decorative white cardboard box, with chopsticks (& noodles hanging out of his mouth) while conducting serious interviews with his guests. He has a shiny red phone that only the White House has the number to, should they ever choose to call & correct his reportings (might have a long wait). He's also a devout Mormon, a recovering alcoholic, & unapoligetically cries at the drop of a hat.

Hard to believe I had never heard his name before he came to cable television.

Upon first impressions, he seemed like a bit of a sensationalist (I know, I know, "Said the pot to the kettle" coming from the likes of me).


But love him or hate him, no one can deny Glenn Lee Beck has turned an otherwise death sentence of a time slot, 4:00 p.m. central standard time (thank goodness for DVR's eh?) into the kind of ratings that have surpassed even that of Queen Oprah herself.

The icing on the cake came however, when Beck introduced his "Founders' Fridays" segment this past spring. That's when I officially became a "Benn Gleck" junkie. ;-)

Not only was I hooked, I was completely dumbfounded at the topics & information allowed to air on national television. At times, I didn't know whether I was watching a news station or the old timey suh-thun gospel hour (minus the corniness & big hair mind you).

It was hands down the most educational, jaw dropping, inspirational, programming I have ever witnessed. From "Samuel Adams" (the dude, not the beer) to "Women of the American Revolution", to "African-American Founding Fathers" (his highest rated show ever I might add), I was beyond impressed with the highly knowledgeable guests, (including Dr. Martin Luther King's niece, who oozed the love of Christ Jesus all over his studio right there on national t.v. mind you!), the material, & how it was all carefully packaged & presented in a one hour segment.


Yes, I soon came to realize "Founders' Fridays" alone, was worth the entire cost of my monthly Dish Network bill.

And while I'm handing out kudos, much praise to David Barton, of http://www.wallbuilders.com/, & actress Janine Turner (Northern Exposure) & founder of http://www.constitutingamerica.org/, for their invaluable contributions to the show as well. Both Barton & Turner are raising considerable awareness to new generations of Americans about our cherished history.

As if all the above wasn't impressive enough, thousands will gather tomorrow at the The Lincoln Memorial for Beck's much anticipated "8-28 Restoring Honor" project which you can learn more about by clicking here www.glennbeck.com/828/

In an increasingly critical hour in our nation's story, wars abound, debt skyrockets, & economic collapse threatens within. But despite the never ceasing turmoil, Glenn Beck has managed to become a resounding beacon of light, by simply reminding us of our past... one Friday at a time.

The Wonder Years

Year 1, Act 1, Scene 1: And...rolling...

Tense morning. Sausage undercooked, infant tears, baby bottles on the fly, sun in my eyes, wired traffic, overloaded backpacks, allergies flaring, multiple alarm clocks sounding, nose bleeding, miscommunication, blasted speed bumps, sun STILL in my eyes, soccer mom behind me in overpriced, self indulgent, gas hog of an SUV who clearly got her driver's license out of box of kiddie cereal. And last but certainly not least, I just swatted a mosquito on my neck & a thick, tarry, dark brown substance splattered everywhere.

Repugnant, yet pitiful.

None of the above however has the slightest to do with me being the least bit nervous about dropping my children off at their strange, entirely foreign, tax payer funded institutions of higher learning for the first time... or my daughter's first day of junior high. Did I mention she's the apple of her daddy's eye? Did I mention there are BOYS at her school???? Well...DID I???? AND YOU KNOW WHAT HAVING BOYS AT A SCHOOL MIXED WITH GIRLS CAN ONLY LEAD TO!!!!??!!

Daddy needs a sedative. :0(