The Anchoress has a post the reminds us why we Americans are blessed to live in this country. Immigrants come from the other side of the world for the opportunities not found where they come from.
Category: America
Warnings
I gave this charging valet from Brookstone to Honeybun for Christmas.
Keeps her gadgets organized. Notice the wood finish. Of course it comes with the obligatory warning “Do not use in the bathtub.” Really, it did.
The question is, is Brookstone really worried about a lawsuit so much they warn about the obvious, or are people so stupid now days that someone actually has put a wooden valet in a bath tub.
I notice they didn’t warn me that the valet was “not intended for use as a hang glider.” I’m thinking about giving it a go…
Thanksgiving blogging
Happy Thanksgiving. Here is a day in the life of Jason
8:15 am
Heard Bailey waking up. It’s about 23 degrees and cloudy, but the sunshine is bright in my house.
9:30
Put our Sunshine down for her nap. Honeybun is preparing the bird. Breakfast is in the oven.
10:00 Breakfast
Had my wife’s famous breakfast casserole (eggs, sausage, green chili, cheese), cinnamon rolls, and juice. Put the turkey in the oven.
11:30
Got the house cleaned up (I vacuumed!). Honeybun is taking a quick nap. Bailey is still sleeping. That means its time to catch some of the football game. Someone has to do it. The game isn’t going to watch itself.
2:00
My buddy’s car won’t start. Gotta go pick him up.
2:30
Setting the table.
3:15
We’re getting close. My father-in-law is cutting up the Turkey.
I think this shows my cleverness. Notice how I avoided this messy job by giving him “the honor” of carving the bird.
3:30
Dinner’s on! Let’s see what’s on the table.
Deviled eggs
The relish plate
Some like the olives
Celery and cheese (straight from the can)
Fruit salad
Classic green bean salad (originally served by the Pilgrims – no, really)
Sweet potato casserole
Mashed potatoes – real potatoes
Stuffing – yes, boxed
Gravy!
Cranberry sauce (yes, from the can)
Artisan bread
None of this would be complete without…
The Turkey!
And Cheerios for one. She did get to share in some turkey, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, but these are her favorite.
5:00
Time for the clean up. Not so clever in getting out of this one. Since Honeybun did the cooking, I figure its only fair to do my part.
7:00
Bed time for the little one. Its about an hour early, but with all the commotion she wouldn’t go down for an afternoon nap.
7:45
Time for desert.
Holiday foods we don’t need
Hurry to the store now and you may be able to pick up your ham flavored soda. No, really. Jones Soda Co. is making holiday themed flavors. The ham flavor comes in the “Christmas pack” that will also include traditional favorites such as Egg Nog, Sugar Plum, and Christmas Tree. Ummmm, OK.
There will also be a Hanukkah pack featuring Jelly Doughnut, Apple Sauce, Chocolate Coins and Latkes sodas.
I’m getting that urpy feeling just thinking about it.
There’s even more good news. All the flavors are supposedly Kosher (even the ham) and caffeine free.
Real-life anti-matter ray gun
Fox News is reporting that scientists at the University of North Carolina have produced the world’s most powerful antimatter beam. I prefer to refer to is as a Death Ray. I just wonder where they found enough dilithium crystals to power it.
Awesome. We’ll be flying to work in X-wing fighters in no time.
(Yes, I’m mixing my sci-fi universes, I know).
An inspiring Marine
This video of a Marine has gone viral. And for good reason:
Vote for a Mormon?
Paul at Thoughts of a Regular Guy wrote a post about Mitt Romney where he said:
“Are Mormons Christians?…as a Catholic, I might say the same about Protestants.”
There are great differences between Mormons and Protestants. Mormons believe that God was once a man. Protestants (like Catholics) believe God was always God. Mormons deny the Trinity. Protestants believe in the Trinity(like Catholics). Mormons believe we can become gods. Protestants (like Catholics) believe it is sinful to try to become gods (see Gen 3:5). Mormons believe that God had physical relations with Mary, Protestants hold to the Virgin Birth (like Catholics).
I am conflicted about Romney. I don’t want to support the idea that that his religion is correct. At the same time, I would rather vote for a candidate who supports my values (e.g. the sanctity of marriage, pro-life) which is more than I can say for any Catholic candidate for office. How sad is that?
Character
I found a blog post showcasing a picture of President Bush helping Democratic Senator Byrd walk during a medal ceremony for the Tuskegee airmen.
I think this is an amazing photograph that gives us a glimpse of the true measure of President Bush. In a candid moment, he is helping a political opponent. The leader of the free world showing human compassion for his political enemy. But politics do not matter when it comes to human need; he reaches out and helps the senator. A small act, but significant.
Racism rears its head
Yesterday I enjoyed watching the NFC and AFC championship games. The Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts both advanced to the Superbowl. It was only in watching the post-game coverage that I realized this Superbowl is now considered historic as both coaches are African-American. Never before has an African-American head coach made it to the Superbowl.
That the game analysts felt it necessary to discuss the coaches’ ethnicity seems racist to me. African-Americans have achieved enough that it should no longer be news that someone who has accomplished something great has a dark complexion.
It seems that true equality for African-Americans will arrive when the first African-American to accomplish something is not referred to as “the first African-American to….”
Joe Rosenthal
Joe Rosenthal died today at the age of 94. He is best known for taking the most famous photograph in WWII – raising the flag at Iwo Jima.
What many people don’t know is that three of the flag raisers died in the following days at the Battle of Iwo Jima.
When asked if the Marines posed for the picture Rosenthal said if it had been posed he would have ruined it by choosing fewer men and making sure their faces could be seen.
Right place at the right time. God bless Joe Rosenthal and the Marines of Iwo Jima.