Michael sent this advise concerning, well, read on.

Spring has been wonderful and we’ll soon be into summer… and BBQ season! So it’s important that we brush up on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity as it’s the only type of cooking a “real” man will do, probably because there’s an element of danger involved. When a man volunteers to do the BBQing, the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine stuff…

• The woman buys the food.
• The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes the dessert.
• The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils, spices and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill, beer in hand.

Now, here comes the important part…

• THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine stuff…

• The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
• The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring him another beer while he deals with the situation.

Very important step…

• THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.

More routine blah blah blah…

• The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
• After eating,the woman clears the table and does the dishes.

Finally, and most important of all…

• Everyone praises the man and thanks him for his cooking efforts.
• The man asks the woman how she enjoyed her “night off” and, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there’s just no pleasing some women.

Happy BBQing!

While contemplating my Patriot’s Journey post for today, I remembered reading some time ago a poem written by Robert Mitchum’s brother, John, that described the reasons he loved our great country. This morning I ran across the poem being recited by none other than John Wayne and decided to share it with those of you that may not have read or heard it until now. The poem is called America, Why I Love Her. Click on the image below and enjoy.

Be sure to check out the other Patriotic Journeyers… JimK, Scott, Larry, Drumwaster, and Cosmicbabe.

Today marks the 63rd anniversary of D-Day, an epic event in the history of our nation and the world. As the sons and daughters of democracy, we must remember this historic day and honor those brave liberators who defended freedom in Europe and around the world.  And we must resolve never to forget such hallowed words as Anzio, Nettuno, Salerno, Normandy. These names speak of the sacrifices of our parents and the freedom of their children and grandchildren.

Twenty three years ago, on the 40th anniversary of D-Day, President Reagan delivered a moving speech during the Normandy Invasion Ceremony at the Omaha Beach Memorial at Omaha Beach, France. I’ve linked to the entire speech, but here are a few of his words that remind us why we acknowledge D-Day and honor the brave soldiers who so valiantly stormed the beach that day.

“No speech can adequately portray their suffering, their sacrifice, their heroism. President Lincoln once reminded us that through their deeds, the dead of battle have spoken more eloquently for themselves than any of the living ever could. But we can only honor them by rededicating ourselves to the cause for which they gave a last full measure of devotion.

Today we do rededicate ourselves to that cause. And at this place of honor, we’re humbled by the realization of how much so many gave to the cause of freedom and to their fellow man.”

These champions climbed the cliffs, took the beaches, braved the machine gun nests, took out the gun batteries, did the unthinkable – the unimaginable. Their deeds that day define their valor and deserve our deepest gratitude and respect. They are the heroes we honor today.

Be sure to check out the other Patriotic Journeyers… JimK, Scott, Larry, Drumwaster, and Cosmicbabe.

Early June 1944, the beginning of the final phase of World War II in Europe. Most of the continent is held in the grip of Adolf Hitler’s occupying forces. German garrisons dot the French coast facing the English Channel. On the other side, a massive Allied buildup of men and machines of war has swollen in southern England. As a break in bad weather is finally forecast, the order is given to go on June 6. D-Day, the invasion of Normandy, has begun.

On June 6, 1944, the Allies invaded occupied France. Some 175,000 British, American, Canadian, French, Polish, Norwegian and other nationalities participated in the first 24 hours of the Normandy invasion. Here are 15 things, compiled by Don Sweeney for the Sacramento Bee, you may not know about D-Day:

1.  The “D” in D-Day doesn’t stand for anything - it’s just a designation for whichever day a military operation begins.

2.  D-Day planners used holiday postcards of Normandy to help fill in details.

3.  Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the go-ahead for D-Day with the words, “OK, let’s go.”

4.  British Lt. Den Britherage, shot shortly after midnight while storming a machine-gun nest on Pegasus Bridge, was the first allied soldier killed by enemy fire on D-Day.

5.  100 of 355 glider pilots ferrying British troops to Normandy before the beach landings were killed or wounded.

6.  A dog used to listen for enemy movements required rescue when its parachute snagged on a tree.

7.  Midget subs, which surfaced near the coast to flash colored lights as beacons, guided the invasion fleet to Normandy.

8.  D-Day involved 4,126 landing craft.

9.  British and Canadian troops used tanks fitted with revolving flails to clear beach minefields.

10. German Gen. Erwin Rommel was the first to describe D-Day as “the longest day of the century.”

11. A Bible in the breast pocket saved the life of U.S. Staff Sgt. Lou Havard when it stopped a bullet.

12. All but 2 of the 29 amphibious tanks deployed by U.S. forces on D-Day sank.

13. Hollywood director John Ford led a camera crew on Omaha Beach filming newsreel footage.

14. More than 156,000 Allied troops landed at Normandy on D-Day. Total Allied casualties are estimated at 10,000 for the day, with 2500 dead. Total German casualties are not known, but estimates range from 4,000 to 9,000.

15. 27 war cemeteries hold the remains of more than 110,000 dead from both sides during the Battle of Normandy that followed D-Day.

Be sure to check out the other Patriotic Journeyers… JimK, Scott, Larry, Drumwaster, and Cosmicbabe.

This image has been around for awhile. I wish I knew the story behind it. If you do, please share it. Or make something up…

Cousin Mike sent this…

Judy, a professional genealogical researcher, discovered that Hillary Clinton’s great-great uncle, Remus Rodham, a fellow lacking in character, was hanged in 1889 for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana. The only known photograph of Remus showed him standing on the gallows. On the back of the picture was this inscription: “Remus Rodham - horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.”

The researcher promptly contacted Clinton for comments. Hillary’s staff of professional image adjusters cropped Remus’ picture, scanned it, enlarged and manipulated it with image processing software, and produced a rather handsome head shot which they sent back to Judy. The accompanying biographical sketch read as follows:

“Remus Rodham was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.”

And that, folks, is how it’s done!

I‘m a little under the weather today. Actually, way under. It started Saturday while attending a chili cookoff with friends, got progressively worse Sunday and has reached new heights today.

Precipitated by lots of sneezing, I had at first written it off as allergies. We live in the Sacramento area which means, if you didn’t have an allergy when you moved here, you eventually will. Coincidentally, we’re having all new carpeting installed. Wool carpeting. And while I don’t believe I’m allergic to wool, the horrible thought that I might be having an allergic reaction to our new carpets had already crossed my mind.

But today I’m pretty sure this is some kind of super head cold and, while it ‘s unlike any of my prior colds, it’s evolved into more familiar head cold symptoms. And I’m miserable. Yes, I’m drinking lots of fluids, especially hot tea, and swallowing cold caps the size of horse pills, but I’m unable to stay home and “sleep it off” because the carpet installer (and sundry other renovation workers) are in the house working. Besides, it’s “month end” at the office…

So I’m limping along at work, Dawn’s feeding me hot tea and I’m trying to decide whether to cancel or keep appointments scheduled for the remainder of the week. Like always, I suspect I’ll “play it by ear”…which usually means I’ll try to tough it out.

All this is leading up to a preemptive excuse for the limited posting that’s sure to follow for the rest of the week. I’ll try (desire, discipline) but, if I get any worse, I may not be up to writing (reality, common sense.) I guess I’ll play that by ear, too.

“Proud to be an American” means different things to different people. Ask anyone and I’m sure they’ll provide a story that defines their patriotism.

Looking back, I guess I’ve always felt a sense of pride in being an American. From reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in grade school to standing as our flag passed during a parade, I’ve carried that sense of pride with me. And, as I’ve grown older, it’s grown deeper.

My father flew B-29s during WWII and I think I inherited some of my pride from him. He taught me the value of hard work and self reliance, the meaning of honor, and about love of country. I was proud of him and was honored to follow in his footsteps during the Viet Nam war. Military service further honed the love I felt for my country and I was proud to serve her.

After 9/11, I felt the national swell of pride as American flags flew from cars, storefronts and front porches. There were rallies every weekend and I attended many of them. The country was again united, proud Americans all.

And although there are fewer rallies and fewer flags adorning cars these days, I know that most of us are still proud Americans. Pride in America helped mold me into who I am today and I think I’m a better person because of it. I’m truly proud to be an American.

Be sure to check out the other Patriotic Journeyers… JimK, Scott, Larry, Drumwaster, and Cosmicbabe.

This sage advise comes from Heather via Michael. Says Heather:

My mailbox is flooded with email concerning gas prices and illegal immigrants - whether or not to boycott oil companies, provide amnesty to illegal immigrants, etc. - so much so that I’ve become jaded to the various solutions proposed by the Republicans, Democrats, Sierra Club, ACLU, et al.

I realized I couldn’t come up with a solution for the whole country, so I decided to address the issues as they directly affect me. My solution solves both my gas and illegal immigrant problems. Here’s how it works:

I’ve hired illegal immigrants to push my car. They’re plentiful and cheaper than buying gas. Then I pay them in pesos so they have to go home to spend their earnings.

I love it when a plan comes together!

Pentagon officials have announced the capture of a top anti-Americam terrorist shown in the unretouched photo below. Glad to have this one off the streets…

Thanks Mike! Have a great weekend all!

Yesterday wrapped up the month of May for us at the office so the next few days will be somewhat consumed with the work of  “Month End.” Posts may become a little more sporadic these next few days…

So for today’s “Patriot’s Journey” entry, I’m sharing an article excerpted from Zig Ziglar’s Life Lifters (© 2003 Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee). I couldn’t possibly have said it more eloquently!

I love America because we are a compassionate land. If there is an earthquake in India or Turkey, Americans are the first there with the most aid. If there is a typhoon in the Philippines, Americans are there first to render aid. If there is a famine in Afghanistan, even as we bombed that land in response to the terrorist attacks, we were also flying in food to the starving. Even before the war started, America gave more aid to Afghanistan than did any other nation. If there is a drought in Africa, floods in Central America, poverty in Haiti or Somalia, or ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, America and Americans are there to help.

We are a haven for asylum seekers from all over the world. Millions of immigrants apply every year to enter our land. Once they become citizens, these immigrants, regardless of where they come from, are four times as likely to become millionaires as are those who are born here. In short, they take advantage of the opportunities America offers. I love America because it’s not where you start that counts.

I love America because despite what some say, historical evidence is absolutely irrefutable that we were founded as a Christian nation, although we have strayed away from those roots…In the early part of the nineteenth century, Alexis de Tocqueville from France said he had seen everything America has to offer, but it wasn’t until he went into the churches that he discovered America’s greatness. His conclusion was that America is great because America is good, and America will be great as long as it is good.

I love America because of what it has permitted me to do and become. I was the tenth of twelve children. My dad died when I was five; my mother had a fifth-grade education. But because of the concern and help so many people have given me throughout my life, I count twenty-six men and women whose photos appear on my “Wall of Gratitude.” Their help, love, and encouragement have enabled me to become successful in my chosen career and in my personal and family life beyond what anyone could reasonably expect.

I love America because of people like Oprah Winfrey, who was born to a single mother, raised in poverty in Mississippi, sexually abused by relatives, gave birth as a young girl, and overcame all of these things to positively influence people all over the world. Mary Kay Ash started her great company on a shoestring and built it on the philosophy that God comes first, family second, and Mary Kay Cosmetics third in the lives of her representatives. Her pink Cadillacs, won by literally thousands of her directors all over the world, are shining lights of opportunity. Mary Crowley founded Home Interiors and Gifts and gave opportunities to countless people through her charitable efforts, literally rescued several Christian colleges, and provided scholarships for thousands of deserving young men and women. These three women have enriched the lives of millions of people and been responsible for billions of dollars in our economy.

I love America because we are a nation of laws.

I love America because a black lady, Rosa Parks, refused to leave her seat in the front of a bus and move to the back with the simple statement, “My feet hurt.” As a result, the boycott in Montgomery, Alabama was on and Martin Luther King’s crusade for civil rights caught fire. When Rosa Parks refused to stand up and move back, an entire people stood up and moved forward – that’s America.

Most of all, I love America because of the freedom she offers. This is not to say that America is perfect. But of all the nations on the face of this earth, this is the one that offers the most opportunity to those who are willing to obey the laws, go to work, and do their best.

Yes, I love America because I can tell a thousand stories of men and women of every race, creed, and color, with every physical handicap you can possibly imagine who have taken the resources they had and, because of their faith, friends, families, and freedom, have accomplished great things and made a difference in the lives of countless other people. Yes, I love America because it truly is the “land of the free and the home of the brave,” the land where any man or woman has an opportunity to do great things, and most of all to enjoy the privilege of freedom.

It really is “America the beautiful,” and I hope you will do your part to help keep her that way.

Regular contributer Michael sent this clip demonstrating MIT’s “I/O Brush”, which allows you to paint using the world as your pallette.

Look promising? Get the full lowdown here.

This image has circulated the ‘Net for a few years, I believe, but Ted sent it again and I thought it was cool enough for a reprise…