Craig's Observations

Today's iWalk

2012-02-01T09:26:00.000-08:00

I am going in!

Tyler Glenn

2012-01-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-26T09:22:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-25T09:41:00.001-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-24T09:47:00.001-08:00

More Reflections

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-23T09:58:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk Part II

2012-01-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-06T09:50:00.001-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Today's iWalk

2012-01-04T09:51:00.001-08:00

Today's iWalk

2011-09-05T06:30:00.001-07:00

iWalk

2011-09-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Today's iWalk

2011-08-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

Today's iWalk

2011-08-04T09:50:00.001-07:00

Dog spa

Today's iWalk Part II

2011-08-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

Today's iWalk

2011-08-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

The History Center

Today's iWalk

2011-08-02T09:32:00.001-07:00

Downtown Orlando

Today's iWalk

2011-08-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

Downtown Orlando

2011-07-29T10:08:00.001-07:00

Official Google Blog: Wyoming has officially gone Google

2011-06-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Official Google Blog: Wyoming has officially gone Google

Amazing Grace in Cherokee Walela

2011-01-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

This really touched my heart...

Just and observation...

Craig Glenn

Jonathan Lake

2011-01-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Lake - Soccer Coach

A story from the US Youth Soccer Show about a young coach overcoming undeniable odds.

Never say never!

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Looking Behind the Curtain

2010-09-20T14:15:00.001-07:00

My brother, his family and mine are now faced with caring for our parents. I can’t think of a better way to describe the early phase of this process than to borrow the title of a valued resource Maureen and I have found to help us prepare for this journey. The book is called Stuck in the Middle and was written by Barbara McVicker. I will devote more time to this book and why everyone facing this situation should own a copy later. For now, the simple truth is we are stuck in the middle; the middle of our lives, the middle of our career, the middle of caring for kids and grandkids. I guess the event is no stranger to anyone, but I have been quite surprised by some of the issues and feelings that hit me without warning. I would like to share my observation on one of those feeling today.

I feel as though I have done the unthinkable and sneaked a peek behind the curtain. The almighty Oz has been exposed. Our lives as children began with a good healthy fear and respect for our parents. I remember standing on trembling legs before them wondering how they could possibly know I had dismantled the bicycle that I had received from Santa and hacked the forks off of my old bicycle to extend the front wheel of my new bike to look like a chopper motorcycle. It occurred to me much later in life that they simply looked out the window. At the time I was certain that they had magical powers and somehow knew my every move. Dorothy and her friends surely knew this feeling as well as they stood trembling before the all knowing Oz.

Just like you can’t un-ring a bell, you can’t undo the peek. I have seen what’s on the other side; sadly I can’t un-see it. My parents are old and weak. They have no magical powers. They are not all knowing. They are not immortal. Of course you learn this when you are much younger and have your own kids. The curtain becomes thinner and thinner as you see your kids growing up and observe the same wonderment in their eyes. It makes you sad to know that one day they will peek too and see the small frail and scared person you really are. However, nothing prepares you for that final unveiling, that ultimate peek, the truth revealed. They are now dependant on me.

Now I stand before Oz, not trembling with fear but hoping for courage, hoping for a brain, hoping for a heart, but mostly, I just want to go home. God please grant us the courage, knowledge, and compassion that we need.

~sigh~

I'm coming mama...

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

You Might be Nuts If

2010-08-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

You Marinate your Cat

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Police say a traffic stop led to animal cruelty charges after they found a live cat "marinating" in oil and peppers in the trunk of a car.

Buffalo police say officers heard the cat meowing when they stopped 51-year-old Gary Korkuc of Cheektowaga to ticket him for running a stop sign Sunday night.

They say they checked the trunk and found 4-year-old Navarro in a cage, his fur covered with oil, crushed red peppers and chili peppers.

Police say Korkuc told them he did it because Navarro was ill-tempered. Korkuc was charged with cruelty and released; his phone number isn't listed.

Police say he told them he was going to cook Navarro. But they say Korkuc also complained that the neutered male cat got pregnant after he was spayed.

Animal advocates have cleaned Navarro and put him up for adoption.

SOURCE

~sigh~

Yea, I am going with NUTS!

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Poop Car

2010-08-06T09:25:00.001-07:00

This new British car blows the opposition away - it's powered by human poo.

The Bio-Bug has been converted by UK engineers to run on methane gas.

Excrement flushed down the loos (toilets) of just 70 homes is enough to drive it 10,000 miles - a year's average motoring.

The two-litre VW Beetle convertible is said to be the first gas-powered car that does not suffer reduced performance.

Mohammed Saddiq of Bristol-based sustainable energy firm GENeco, which developed the prototype, says it will pave the way for a green motoring revolution.

He boasts that it drives like a conventional car and will "blow away" electric models.

SOURCE

~smelly sigh~

I don't want to be following that car...

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Free Laugh - The Future is in their hands

2010-07-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

The following questions were set in last year's GED examination. These are genuine answers (from 16 year olds).

Q. Name the four seasons
A. Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar

Q. Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink
A. Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists

Q. How is dew formed
A. The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire

Q. What causes the tides in the oceans
A. The tides are a fight between the earth and the moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon,and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins the fight

Q. What guarantees may a mortgage company insist on
A. If you are buying a house they will insist that you are well endowed

Q. In a democratic society, how important are elections
A. Very important. Sex can only happen when a male gets an election

Q. What are steroids
A. Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs (Shoot yourself now, there is little hope)

Q.. What happens to your body as you age
A. When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental

Q. What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty
A. He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery (So true)

Q. Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A. Premature death

Q. What is artificial insemination
A. When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow

Q. How can you delay milk turning sour
A. Keep it in the cow (Simple, but brilliant)

Q. How are the main 20 parts of the body categorised (e.g. The abdomen)
A. The body is consisted into 3 parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart
and lungs and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels: A, E, I,O,U..

Q. What is the fibula?
A. A small lie

Q. What does 'varicose' mean?
A. Nearby

Q. What is the most common form of birth control
A. Most people prevent contraception by wearing a condominium

Q. Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarean section'
A. The caesarean section is a district in Rome

Q. What is a seizure?
Roman Emperor (Julius Seizure, I came, I saw, I had a fit)

Q. What is a terminal illness
A. When you are sick at the airport.(Irrefutable)

Q. Give an example of a fungus. What is a characteristic feature?
A. Mushrooms. They always grow in damp places and they look like umbrellas

Q. Use the word 'judicious' in a sentence to show you understand its meaning
A. Hands that judicious can be soft as your face. (OMG)

Q. What does the word 'benign' mean?
A. Benign is what you will be after you be eight (brilliant)

Q. What is a turbine?
A. Something an Arab or Shreik wears on his head

A Funny Video - Portable Toilet Prank

2010-07-26T14:40:00.000-07:00

~LOL~

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Funny Video of a lottery winner

2010-07-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

~sigh~

Maybe I will win next week!

Just an observation,

Craig Glenn

New Deck

2010-07-08T10:36:00.001-07:00

An observation of a job well done!

To the moon Alice

2010-01-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

My first attempt at a moon shot.

(click to enlarge)

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Looking back on 2009

2009-12-31T10:26:00.000-08:00

...as 2010 sneaks up from behind...

There are a few things I would like to get off my chest, or in the case of number 1, my waistline. The year 2009 was a good year for me in most ways. In most ways I was good, in some… not so much. Here are my observations of another year that has slipped past me and hope for the new year to come.

30 lbs

To all my blogger friends...

If I didn't comment on all your post last year... consider writing better post... I assume that is why you didn't comment on mine.

I secretly wanted to write a novel in 2009.

I am jealous of most of my blogger friends as they are wittier and take better photo's than me. Especially that Carolyn…OnLine lady. This is who I stole the idea for this post from. Sorry for stealing your idea but hey, it’s the internet, get over it.

I resent the fact that I don't have a cool screen name like Captain Dumbass or Vodka Mom.

I envy the happiness and joy for life that Braja has. Hello, you got hit by a truck! And yet you are still beautiful and at peace with the universe and all that other crap you lay on us. She just finished and published a book by the way. I am hoping 2010 will bring me my autographed copy. She's great, she's wonderful, bla bla bla... Damnit I should have wrote a book... happy b@#$%...

I was sad when I thought I was losing one of the best blogs of all by one of my best friends and down right confused that she didn’t know how great she was in the blogging community. I was mad that she deleted some of my best work! Still her biggest fan though.

I wish I could have gone fishing with Tom.

I wish I had the inner beauty, poise, and prose that Shadow has.

10)
My deepest regret is not telling M how much I love her enough. I love you precious!

~sigh~

I can only hope to have half the love and friendship in 2010. I love you all and sorry I only mentioned a few of the dozens of dear friends I have come to cherish over the last year.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Observing the observer

2009-12-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

Don't tell Maureen, but the wasp was actually in the house and I was outside looking in!

~sigh~

She probably wont see this, right?

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Merry Christmas and Happy New year

2009-12-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

Enjoy

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Cool things I saw in the Bahamas Part 3

2009-11-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Here is another great piece from Atlantis:

Click to enlarge!

~sigh~

I miss vacation.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

There's an app for THAT?

2009-11-05T06:35:00.000-08:00

I had no idea!

According to this article, 20% of iPhone users watch porn on their handset on a regular basis.

~sigh~

So much to learn, so little time!

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Did I say that out loud?

2009-11-04T12:11:00.000-08:00

What was he thinking?

~sigh~

Yea dude, she aint coming back. Nice ad though!

Just and observation...

Craig Glenn

Cool things I saw in the Bahamas Part 2

2009-11-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

I just loved all the fancy lights and art work at Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Here is a really cool Seahorse light.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Cool things I saw in the Bahamas Part 1

2009-11-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

This was a very interesting and colorful piece of art!

Can anyone identify where this was taken?

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Not a problem in sight

2009-10-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Reflections from the cruise.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Aim low boys, they are sinking fast!

2009-10-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

Aim low boys, they are sinking fast!

My little brother severed our country for 6 years in the Navy, thanks Scooter! My Grandpa served in the Navy as well in WWII. I wanted to share a story with you from Grandpa's tour.

Grandpa served on one of those supply ships carrying supplies back and fourth across the pond. They have been saddled with a bunch of unwanted metal dust pans, destination no where, and his boss was tired of looking at them.

Boss: "Lovette, get rid of them pans, I don't care how, just get rid of them!"
Grandpa: "Yes Sir!"

Some time later...

Announcement: "General Quarters! General Quarters!"

The alarm was sounded and off every one ran to their stations. Supply ships were under frequent attach from enemy subs and the radar said they were under attack! In no time at all Depth Charges were flying overboard!

Grandpa's boss ran by: "Not a word Lovette!"
Grandpa: "About what Sir"
Boss: "Exactly!"

I am happy to report that those enemy metal dust pans became a casualty of war and are safely resting at the bottom of the ocean.

Thanks for stopping by,

Craig Glenn

Walking in Spirals

2009-10-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

I found these cool photos in the land of Twitter

Enjoy!

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

VIDEO: Mike Rowe Gets Personal About His Love Life, Singing and 'Dirty Jobs' - Inside TV Blog

2009-10-13T12:55:00.001-07:00

VIDEO: Mike Rowe Gets Personal About His Love Life, Singing and 'Dirty Jobs' - Inside TV Blog

Shared via AddThis

Where the wild fern grows

2009-10-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

~grin~
I love these little ferns!
Just an observation...
Craig Glenn

Grandpa Jones

2009-10-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

My hero's have always been cowboys.

Well sometimes they were just country boys, but you get my drift.

I was wandering around on my lunch walk today, wondering about stuff again. As we have discussed before I tend to do this a lot. Wondering about stuff while I wander around, walking off the pounds of one too many of M's excellent meatloaf suppers. I have to say M is the best cook ever. Sorry mama but it's true! Just don't tell grandma, 'cause, well, just 'cause.

So anyhow, I was reminded by the reminder thing that exists in all of us. You know the one. If you tried to remember such an event it would not come but some trigger goes rushing back and pulls out files long ago stored and keep for just such wondering occasions.

One of my favorite shows from the old days was Hee Haw and a favorite skit from the show was when off camera cast members would ask Grandpa Jones, "Hey Grandpa, what's for supper?"

"Buttermilk Biscuits smothered in chicken gravy, home-fried potatoes, collard greens and Grandmother's fresh-baked blueberry pie a la mode!" Then the entire cast would answer "YUM, YUM!"

A running gag was that the window he pretend to polish in this skit had no glass, and that Jones would slip his fingers through the empty panes.

~sigh~

That's good eatin' right there! But, alas, I have chosen to live on a higher plane now. No more 'tatars and gravy for me. M does do a great job now with the best tastiest healthy food on the planet!

Thanks M!

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Idiot Sighting Round 3

2009-10-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Brenda Lee Duclos got behind the wheel and passed out drunk with the minivan running in Broward County Florida. Here is the sad part. She was on the way to pick up her oldest child at school. That's right, this woman is blotto and on her way to a busy school full of kids. Oh, speaking of kids, her three and four year old were in the van with her. They must have gotten bored, because they wandered off after a couple of hours and left 'Mom of the Year' in the van, still running.

~sigh~

The good news is that the kids are all fine and mom is in jail. Bail is set at $5,000 if anyone wants to get her out. Yea, me either...

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Reflecting on my iWalk today

2009-09-24T16:29:00.001-07:00

Reflecting ... Get it?

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

LOL

2009-09-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

Lets talk about the ever popular LOL shortcut used all over the world and in several mediums. I know I am guilty of abusing and thus destroying the meaning of this most useful of cyberspeak. But how many times do we really laugh out loud? I will admit for my part, that it's not as many times as I type it. In fact I am sure there are times when I don't even smile, or grin, or even think about laughing. It has become an automated response to what you imagine the person on the 'other side' wants to hear. What does this make us? Liars? Well I don't think it's all that dramatic, but still it can be quite an over reaction to an otherwise slightly amusing comment. Besides, when we really do laugh out loud, what are we supposed to do? Type LOL (really)? Well it's now longer a short cut, is it?

Well mama always said, don't just point out the problem, offer some kind of solution; so here are some suggestions:

MA: Mildly Amussing
LIMH: Laughing in my head
LQTM: Laughing quietly to myself
NF: Not Funny
NECTF: Not even close to funny
And to kick LOL up a notch...
ITIJPM: I think I just pissed myself

~sigh~

Remember to practice and tell your friends. (I am such a trend setter in the bloggin' word)

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Life's a beach

2009-09-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Bar, beach, snacks...

~sigh~

Life is good.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

A child

2009-09-05T18:14:00.001-07:00

A child is more precious than the ocean is vast.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

The weekend

2009-09-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, the weekend.

~sigh~

Gotta love a weekend at the beach!

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Love Poem

2009-09-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

A REDNECK LOVE POEM

SUSIE LEE DONE FELL IN LOVE,
SHE PLANNED TO MARRY JOE.
SHE WAS SO HAPPY 'BOUT IT ALL,
SHE TOLD HER PAPPY SO.

PAPPY TOLD HER, SUSIE GAL,
YOU'LL HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER.
I'D JUST AS SOON YO' MA DON'T KNOW,
BUT JOE IS YO' HALF BROTHER.

SO SUSIE PUT ASIDE HER JOE
AND PLANNED TO MARRY WILL.
BUT AFTER TELLING PAPPY THIS,
HE SAID, 'THERE'S TROUBLE STILL.'

YOU CAN'T MARRY WILL, MY GAL,
AND PLEASE DON'T TELL YO' MOTHER.
BUT WILL AND JOE, AND SEVERAL MO'
I KNOW IS YO' HALF BROTHER.

BUT MAMA KNEW AND SAID, MY CHILD,
JUST DO WHAT MAKES YO' HAPPY.
MARRY WILL OR MARRY JOE;
YOU AIN'T NO KIN TO PAPPY.

~sigh~

Ain't love grand?

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

iMushrooms on iWalk

2009-09-01T11:19:00.001-07:00

Here is another seen from my iWalk.
~sweaty grin~
It's really hot out there.
Just an observation...
Craig Glenn

Seen from today's iWalk

2009-08-31T10:52:00.001-07:00

This is one of the pretty views I get to enjoy on my daily iWalks.

~grin~

I love my iWalks.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Ted Kennedy

2009-08-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have to say I am not a big fan of any politician. I certainly do not want to debate one over the other as most Americans love to do. I see many blogs touting one extreme opinion or another, often at the peril of what otherwise could have been a friendship. Another certainty is that I will most likely be pigeon holed for my opinion, unfairly I might add, just by the nature of what would appear to be neutrality. The truth is, I don't really care for any of them. I am not of the opinion that the left or the right is any better than the other as long as they are both driven by selfish greed. Our country is driven by money; that's it, that's all there is to it.

Now for the upside. I love my country and do not wish to live anywhere else in the world. In my opinion Ted Kennedy was as guilty of this government by greed as any of the rest of them, I was however, saddened to hear of his death and his family's loss.

~sigh~

God speed Ted Kennedy and God bless America.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Introducing the iWalk

2009-08-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

I just finished my daily lunch walk, hereafter known as my iWalk. Although iWalks burn the same amount of calories as the old walk, they are much more pleasurable, thanks to iTunes, Rod Stewart, and Fleetwood Mac. 'Mac' reference intended.

Yes that is right my dear reader(s), I am now the proud owner of an iPhone.

~iGrin~

How did I make it all these years without one? It's like a crack addiction, only it's called iCrack.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Be careful what you wish for

2009-08-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

A married couple in their 60's were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quite, romantic little restaurant. Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table. She said, "for being such an exemplary married couple and in honor of your loving relationship for all these years, I will grant you each one wish."

The wife answered, "oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband." The fairy waved her magic wand and *POOF* two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands. The husband thought for a moment: "Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I am sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me." The fairy and the wife both looked at each other with disappointment in their faces, but a wish is a wish.

So the fairy waved her magic wand and *POOF*!

The Husband became 92 years old.

~sigh~

Be careful what you wish for.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

The Sparrow

2009-08-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

~Sigh~

I so want to hug my daddy right now...

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Pizza delivery

2009-08-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: This is not a political thing for me, well it is for the ACLU, but for me it was just funny!

The future of pizza delivery... Click here

~sigh~

I love pizza...

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Idiot Sighting Round 2

2009-08-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

IDIOT SIGHTING:

My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, You gave me too much money. I said, Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back. She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my equest. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said We're sorry but we cannot do that kind of thing. The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1.75 cents in change.

~Sigh~

What did they do with my education taxes?

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Idiot Sighting Round 1

2009-08-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

IDIOT SIGHTING:

Found online...

We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower. I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, NO, it's not.
Four is larger than two...

We haven't used Sears repair since.

~sigh~

How is he not an unemployment statistic?

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

My dangerous world

2009-08-05T11:00:00.001-07:00

My dangerous world

I came across this article and thought it might be interesting to my blogger friends who don’t know much about the part of the world I call home. Follow the link below and for a short read and photographic tour of home sweet Florida!

Click here.

~sigh~

And Joan says South Africa is a dangerous place to live!

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

Akeem

2009-07-29T13:34:00.001-07:00

I just received this email and wanted to share it with you along with my response.

Dear Friend,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise, however,it's just my urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I am a banker by profession from Burkina faso in west Africa and currently holding the post of Manager Auditing and Accounting unit of the bank.

I have the opportunity of transfering the left over funds ($10,500,000.00) of one of my bank clients who died along with his entire family in Central England in the year 2003 and since his death occured, no body have show up as his next of kin for the claim because the account is untraceable.

If you agree to my business proposal.further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail. have a great day.

Thanks Yours,

Akeem Hadi

Dear Akeem,

You have no idea just how surprised I am my friend. Just the other day I tried to friend you on FaceBook but have not received your reply yet; I hope everything is well with you. I did hear about your recent promotion to MAA. That is really exciting news! Have you thought about a Linked In account? Networking is a great way to meet others in your field.

$10.5M is certainly not something I would say no to under ordinary circumstances. But I must tell you that I just last week received a letter from Ed stating that I may have already won $20M. How exciting is that?

This could not have come at a better time. The girlfriend and I were really starting to feel the pressure of this horrible economy. I guess it’s hardest on our dog. We really love her. That is why we are only eating her one leg at a time. Her name is Ilean by the way.

I am really sorry to hear about the family who died in central England. England is such a small country. I didn’t know they had sectioned it out. Central England, is that near London? I have heard of London. I was glad to hear that no bodies showed up at the bank. That would just be uncomfortable, right? Why would bodies need the money anyway?

One last thing, maybe y’all should not make these accounts untraceable. I am sure the next of kin could really use this money. It would seem much more likely for you to find the next of kin, knowing your clients name and address and such. I don’t know, just a thought. You found me after all, way over here in Central Florida. LOL ok, now I get it! We divided Florida up too!

Oh well, my dear friend, I will let you know if this whole $20M clearing house sweepstakes thing doesn’t work out for us and I really hope you are able to get rid of all that extra money over there in Africa.

Truly yours too,

Craig

~sigh~

And the money just keeps rolling in. I do plan to share with all my blogging friends. I also expect my follower count to really start climbing any day now.

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

Wandering...

2009-07-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

"Not all those who wander are lost." J.R.R. Tolkien

~grin~

Honey my baby saw this quote and thought of me. I saw this duck and thought of you. Thank you for following my blog.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Sun Flower

2009-07-12T20:01:00.001-07:00

Click to enlarge.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Minor Surgery

2009-07-08T21:01:00.000-07:00

Darby the Golden Retriever

Brace yourselves my dear readers. I am about to let you in on a little piece of personal information about an upcoming surgery I am considering. Nothing to make a fuss about I assure you. It’s just something I have been meaning to do for some time now. Before you folks start pulling out your prayer list, incense, and tea leaves, just hear me out.

I am seriously considering having the button taken out of my ars! What is it with children, dogs, and telephones? I no sooner sit down in my nice leather theater seat in front of the TV and BAM, just like clock work Darby the Golden Retriever wanders over and stands there looking at me. You people must know what I am talking about. If you ever had any of these three things I know you know what I am talking about. You sit down and like magic the button gets mashed and there they come, holler, bark, or ring!

Darby has tuned in on whatever frequency my particular butt button is tuned to. Like I said, he comes over then stares at me. I know it’s coming so I just stare back and eventually say WHAT?. This just encourages him and so he growls or grunts whatever is considered just below a growl. I turn away and this triggers more conversation. Bark! Ughhh. Bark, he says, you know I have to poop! Let me out. Ughhhh, Darby, I just let you out five minutes ago! Yea, he says, but you didn’t mash the button so I couldn’t; now I can! LET ME OUT!

I am having it taken out. I am having whatever scan there is to find this cursed button and having it removed. So, pray if you must, burn the little smelly sticks if you must, read the leaves if you must, but don’t worry, I am sure it will be fine.

~sigh~

But Darby, I am gonna miss “So you think you can dance”! Ugh!

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

July 4th

2009-07-04T05:53:00.000-07:00

~Free~

God bless America.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

My first Sky Watch Friday

2009-07-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

Contrails!

Also Please visit the SkyWatch home page.

~wink~

Don't you love happy skies?

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Bike Week 2009

2009-07-02T01:50:00.000-07:00

~grin~

You should have seen the chick this bike belong to!

Just and observation...

Craig Glenn

What movie would you like to see sir?

2009-06-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

I know that I am not old in the grand scheme of things. “Old” seems to have a lot more to do with perspective than with facts or hard data on the subject. I will wait patiently, something that I acquired with time and by no means God given, God honed, or God infused, perhaps, but not natural to my good nature, but I will wait patiently for the inevitable comments to come about what a baby I am. In my brothers case of course I am an antiquity from the dark ages, but those comment have slowed down quite a bit since he crossed the forty something threshold. The point of this post is not however to quibble over how we define “old” but rather come to terms with the inevitable trap of age as it relates to time and perspective.

I will make it easy for you so there is no guessing involved. I was born on October 31 1962. That’s right; I was 2-3 years old before I knew my name wasn’t ‘Pumpkin’. Being born on Halloween had no other advantages that I have found. No, I am not embarrassed by it and yes the red-head has picked up on it. My brother, most of you know as Scooter, is six years younger than me. We have passed the lordy lordy forty barrier and I think we are both seeing life a lot differently than we did before. The down side of this new found wisdom is that ‘others’ see us differently too! Yea Scooter, I said ‘US’, deal with it!

This became blaringly obvious to me the last time Maureen and I took little Sara to see a movie. We waited in line until the 12 year old (what happened to child labor laws?) behind the bullet proof glass with her Brittney Spears headset on, called us forward. I took out my plastic money and said to the metal speaker, “two adults and one child, please”. I was immediately greeted with an expression only a teenage girl can make, you know the one, “DUH?”, and “which movie would you like to see sir?”. I looked at the red-head for conformation, what’s wrong with this girl, my shrug asked?, is she on drugs?...

Maureen just smiled to assure me I was having one of my time warp senior moments and looked at the child in the window and said, “Night at the museum”, as if that explained everything. WELL EXCUSE ME! Whose idea was it to put 32 movies in one building anyway?!? I know they have been around a while! I get it! What was I thinking?

~sigh~

Perhaps I was just remembering a simpler time. When the little girl behind the window didn’t call you sir and you watch the movie that was in town at the time. Change is good, I guess; keeping up is a bitch sometimes.

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

Love

2009-06-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Scooter)

Love

Love is a mystery
And quite often elusive.
Sought for eternally
I’ve found nothing conclusive.

But sometimes it's simple
As easy as one, two, three!
Your tails in a crimple
Just get naked and be free!

~wink~

Ain't love grand!

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

In The Garden

2009-06-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

IN THE GARDEN

C Austin Miles

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear,

Falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

He speaks and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

I'd stay in the garden with Him,

Tho' the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go;

Thro' the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

And he walks with me

And He talks with me,

And He tells me I am his own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

They say God speaks to us. I don’t know. I guess I have always been one of those who believe that He gave us the bible for that reason. This is not some big theological question that is haunting me. I am not looking for enlightenment, sorry Braja, I mean that only as it relates to this post! LOL.

I do have to wonder though, when I see people all over the world freaking out over a piece of toast or rust on their bathtub, why would God choose to communicate that way and why to only certain people. I guess it’s just human nature to want to see Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in everything. Maybe it gives them hope in a world that seems to have slid off it’s axis at times.

At any rate, perhaps my brother the philosopher will have some insight on this latest communication. Please consider the photo above carefully. I promise I have not edited it in any way. I did crop it for context but that is all. First of all it’s not a good photo from a bird blogger point of view. I was shooting against the light and hoping to just get a good silhouette shot of this Mallard.

Now look at the reflection in the water. Is it just me or is that Daffy Duck!

~sigh~

What is God trying to tell me now?!?

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

Looking up old friends

2009-06-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

Over the last year I have really enjoyed the world of social network marketing. I found it a fun way to communicate with friends and family. This all started with a Facebook account and grew to Twittering and Blogging. Although my ‘friends’ list looks pretty sad to most, I am quite happy with the results so far. I am constantly amazed at people with 238 friends! I am sure I don’t know 200+ people! Nevertheless, SNM is a convenient way to keep in touch with my children, brother, and close friends. What a great way to share photo’s and trivialities like “what are you doing now”?

There is a special kind of joy in hearing form one of your kids as soon as they experience some new found joy in life, usually as soon as they feel it themselves. Blogging has opened my sheltered horizons and afforded me with new friends across the globe. I have taking two of my passions, nature and writing, and now have become a happy member of online blogging communities with wonderful people that share my interest.

One of the many project ideas I have for my blog ‘Craig’s Observations’ is to telling stories from my childhood. I tell these stories often to whoever will listen and seem to get a lot of positive feedback. As you can imagine, reliving these stories takes you back and I can’t resist looking people of from my past to see where they are in life and reconnecting if I can.

One particularly funny story involved a close neighborhood friend and I burning down his fathers’ barn. It was most likely just a wood shed with tin siding but you would thought it was the Taj Mahal when his father got hold of us. But before I tell the story let me share with you what I have discovered to be the dark side of all this instant access to global knowledge. My friends name was Lee Shinholster. Not a common name so I thought this would be a snap. I had not seen or heard from him since my family and I moved from that small town in south Georgia when I was 13 years old. Although the story took place when we were around 9 or 10.

I Googled my old childhood friend and this is what I found.

The Ocilla Star Newspaper, Dec. 1998Lee ShinholsterMr. Lee Shinholster of Fitzgerald died Saturday," December ,5,' 1998, in Fitzgerald. He was 36. Mr. Shinholster was born June 21, 1962, in Worth County, the son of Danny L. Shinholster and Faye Mixon Smith. He was sales manager of Haulmark of Georgia in Fitzgerald. Mr Shinholster had lived, in the community most of his life. He was a former employee of Harvey's Supermarket,Fitzgerald Ford-Lincoln Mercury and Pace America of Fitzgerald. He had_served in the U. S. Navy. Mr. Shinholster was talented musician and sang with the Gospel singing group, Witness. He was a member of Ocilla Church of God.Survivors' include his wife, Julie Croft Shinholster of Fitzgerald; one son, Travis Shinholster; mother, Faye M. Smith of Fitzgerald; father, Danny Shinholster of Sylvester; and one brother, Curt Smith of Fitzgerald.Services were held at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel of Fitzgerald on Monday, December 7 at 4 p.m., with Rev. Gene Evors, Rev. Walter Shuman and Rev. Sonny.Pate officiating. Interment was held at Evergreen Cemetery of Fitzgerald. Paulk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

I was too late.

As I said, I had not heard from or seen Lee since I was 13. In my head he was still 13. I made this discovery a couple of months ago but have put off writing this until now. I suppose you could guess why. I do not know the details of his passing. I do not know what kind of man he became or what life he led other than what is revealed in the obituary above. All I have are simple childhood memories of the friend I once had that lived up on the paved road no more than a block from my house on the dusty dirt road.

All of my memories are from the eyes of a child. Everything is bigger than I am sure it was in real life; the barn, the fire, the distance from my house to his. This is hard to write, not because of grief, but because of the overwhelming flood of memories from that time and space. It’s hard to focus on just the story when you remember every detail and can see it in your head like an old video forever stored in your mind. Memories like watching my father with a water hose spraying the dirt road in front of the house late in the evening to keep the dust down from all the people coming home from work. Images like these are slamming into my conscious like walking into a door you forgot was there.

So at the risk of loosing my readers I will try and finish the story. Lee and I had somehow managed to convince our parents to let us camp out in the barn overnight. Remember we were most likely 9 or 10 years old. We had some fire wood but it was wet. Being the creative kids we were we developed a plan to really get the fire going. We had our fire pile and our wood pile. It was decided, by whom, I do not remember, that we would presoak the wood pile with gasoline. Yea I know…

I remember picking up a stick of wood and throwing it at the fire. You had to throw it you see, it was soaked in gasoline and went SWOOSH when it hit the fire. Imagine the fun at that age! Anyway, the piece I threw hit the fire and bounce back into the gas soaked wood pile, which was right next to the wood wall of the barn. Next thing we know there are fire trucks involved and Lee’s daddy is chasing him around the yard with a belt and I am screaming, “it was my fault, it was my fault”, to no avail.

You have to trust me when I say it was a funny story told in the right context. Now it’s just a childhood memory of an old friend that I will never see again. I have no way to contact his family or no way of knowing if they even remember the kid that lived down on the little dirt road called Flint Street.

~sigh~

If these humble words do find their way to the family of my friend, please let them know that I am sorry. I am sorry about the barn and I am sorry for their loss.

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

Cypress Cone

2009-06-05T11:49:00.001-07:00

Lost in thought:

I actually looked that up in an online dictionary. Maybe I have lost more than a thought!

It did occur to me that I had not written in a while and I am sure my few readers were wondering if I too was lost. Perhaps so, but not in the since that my creditors and persecutors could not find me. I do feel lost sometimes though and think perhaps many people do. The definition, by the way, said that to be lost in thought was “concentrating or pondering over something”. I do this a lot, ponder that is. Maureen says I wander a lot too, but that is another post. Yes, I did mean wander and not wonder, although I do wonder why I wander so much.

This all started while on my daily lunch walk yesterday. I was drawn to a small cypress tree off to the side of the walk. They are now quite green and starting to grow small cones, so I stepped off the side walk and wandered over to take a closer look as I often do on my walks in hopes of finding some interesting bug or observation in nature to post on my nature blog. I did in fact find a really cool stink bug and have posted him proudly on the nature blog. But, I was not lost yet.

It was the small green carved cone that did slip me from reality. As I said before this happens to me a lot and I wonder what the passers by must think the strange man in the middle of the city is doing as he stares into the bushes? I am sure many a finger has been tempted to call 911 and report the weirdo with the camera as he peers through the branches! It was a most peculiar sight as you can now see; a lovely shade of green and carved by the hands of God himself.

So I stood there; lost; lost in my thoughts. I do not know how much time passed. I do not know how many cars passed behind me. The stink bug was only inches away, but I had not discovered him yet. Thoughts, at the speed of electricity firing from neuron to neuron, passed through my head. Thoughts of God. Thoughts of man. Thoughts of this man. Feelings of insignificance. Wonderment. Curiosity. You know, the normal stuff that goes through one’s mind when they are lost. Or is it just me? LOL I wonder…

~sigh~

Maybe I should have just posted the photo and waited for the oooo’s and ahhh’s. Perhaps some thoughts are best lost.

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

I will not weep

2009-05-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

I am going to attempt to make a point without getting bogged down with all the details. I know this will come back to bite me in the ars… but here we go.

Here is my premise: I am convinced that we as a nation weep for the wrong people.

I have chosen two subjects in the news to make this point; the treatment of terrorist and the crucifixion of Michael Vick. Look out toes I am about to step on some!

Let’s talk about what this is not. This is not a 9/11 tribute, I could never do that day justice. This is not about cruelty to animals, so back off PETA heads. This is simply a 10,000 foot view of how the media, driving by whatever forces that be, wish to promote their agenda to elicit an emotional response to further a cause. I will also point out that there has to be the rule of law and of course I in no way condone cruelty to animals. That being said here is my observation.

Are you really asking me to feel sorry for the terrorist? Really? ‘Cause you are not going to like my answer. On the one hand, I do not necessarily believe we should go around poking bamboo shoots up the fingers of prisoners and I really don’t think this is what they were doing. Do I feel sorry for the poor terrorist with a hood on being intimidated by a big mean dog? NOOOOO, I do not. So you can show that picture on the news all you want. I just close my eyes and see towers falling and trust me the pain I feel is not for the poor terrorist.

I am not a waterboarding expert and don’t really know all that it entails, but it certainly seems a damn sight shy of a having an exploding 747 shoved up his ars. Did we pour jet fuel on him and throw a match? I don’t think so. In short I am not above pushing some murdering terrorists’ buttons and inflicting a little discomfort in order to prevent another 9/11.

Michael Vick did a bad thing. If you ask me, he paid an appropriate price for it. I love nature and animals and this is evidenced by my nature blog that I spend so much time on. So don’t start on me with how the animals were treated. Dog fighting is wrong and a stupid activity for civilized humans to be involved with. However, if you ask me I find it very convenient that we can overlook fellow humans beating each others brains out in front of millions of people after they get their bets down. I know, I know, those people have a choice, but stay with me. I agree that dog fighting is wrong and we shouldn’t do it and we should punish the ones that do. I just wanted to drop that thought out. Hypocrisy is the sliest of all human failures and so easily overlooked.

Now back to Michael and what the media would have us do with him. Should he be allowed to play football again? Are you kidding me? If this was some Joe Smo working down at the Wal Marts, who would really care if he was allowed to go back to work after he did his time. Leave the man alone. And if you think I am a Michael Vick fan, you are wrong. I couldn’t even tell you what team he played for and I have never seen him play. I am just tired of the media feeding on something that is over. The man seems to have learned his lesson and is volunteering his time to repay his sins to nature and society. Let him go back to work.

Yea, you say but what does that say to the children who worship sports heroes. Well it says this you idiot, they are just men and they make mistakes. When they do, they have to pay for them. If they are strong they will get back on the horse and carry on. Is that such a bad lesson?

~sigh~

So there you have it my dear reader. I will not weep for the terrorist. When a man pays for his sins and shows real repentance, who am I to put him on the cross?

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

HEY, cut out that racket!

2009-05-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

An 82 year old man from Goslar, central Germany, had reached his breaking point and called police to report his neighbors irritating music. At odd intervals, the same song would be playing over and over throughout the day. Police arrived to find a musical greeting card on the windowsill overlooking the neighbor’s house. The slightest breeze opened the card just enough to play the tune.

~sigh~

Why do those people keep singing Happy Birthday to me?

Just and observation…

Craig Glenn

Hey lady! Mind if I zapp your kid?

2009-05-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Sgt. Walter Schmidt of Carrabelle, FL after zapping at least two kids with a 50,000 volt stun gun for demonstration purposes, is most likely questioning him judgment now. Apparently, the Department of Corrections Secretary is not. He has been fired. Sgt. Schmidt has been reported as saying that the parents gave him permission to shock the kids during thier "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" event.

~sigh~

Sure, go ahead, zapp ‘em! I could use the money…

Dumb ars…

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

Possible origin of swine flu

2009-04-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a popular photo going around the internet. Is this how it it got started?

~sigh~

I doubt it.

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Look at me!

2009-04-24T08:49:00.001-07:00

Look at me! I’m falling!... oh crap…

According to FoxNews, a 23 year old man pretended to fall off a bridge, then actually fell.

A man called 911 to report his friend had fallen from a bridge at 5:00 AM last Sunday morning. He stated that his buddy said to pull over because he had to urinate. The 23 year old climbed to the ledge of the bridge, looked back at his friend, pretended to fall, and then, fell 30 feet into the marsh below.

Alcohol was involved in the incident.

~sigh~

Yoda says, do or don’t do, there is no pretend to do.

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

Time Travel - Time to travel?

2009-04-22T07:04:00.001-07:00

According to wftv.com, Bay County Sheriff’s deputies did battle Tuesday morning. An unidentified man in the Sting Ray Motel was acting a bit strange so the manager called 911. The Deputies were meet with resistance as 33-year-old Terrence Croskery through a battle ax and a 6’inch knife out the window. He then drew his broad sword and locked himself in the bathroom and promptly passed out.

If you ask me I say this is proof positive of the governments’ secret Time Travel project! I mean if someone yanked you out of the 5th century, you would be pissed too! Right?

~sigh~

What’s that Hun? But I don’t want to go….

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

Florida strikes again

2009-04-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Coconut Grove, FL

According to ClickOrlando.com, Police are questioning a 19 year old woman that was found sleeping in the back seat of a stolen vehicle.

Police say the SUV was stolen be the woman and her boyfriend. Her boyfriend pulled over to take a piss in the wrong neighborhood with the car running and the door open. That’s right, you guessed it! While the girlfriend slept in the backseat someone stole the car!

The carjacker, who stole the car at gunpoint has not been found.

~sigh~

Crime on crime doesn’t pay either.

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

That hollow feeling

2009-04-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get that hollow feeling? I think you know what I mean. I could be the only one I suppose but that just makes the feeling all the more pathetic. Please don’t let me be the only one! Please tell me that life just sneaks up and bites you in the ass from time to time. Circumstance, be it my own making or as my friend Braja would point out, just karma, seems to suck the life force right out of you until you are nothing but an empty shell of wasted flesh.

Ok, now before all three of my faithful reader start sending emails and comments trying to talk me off the ledge, take a breath and relax. Perhaps I overstate a bit and things are not as bad as they seem. I have been silent for a while and not writing as much as I would like but it’s because I hold back and don’t want to write what I am really thinking so I don’t write. Does that make any since? Of course it does!

Who among us has not felt like this little dog must be feeling. Having the light of condemnation and introspection shoved down their throats only to find that there is nothing left! But let them look. Screw ‘em and the horse they rode in on! That’s what I say.

~sigh~

Y’all have a nice day.

Just an observation,

Craig Glenn

Stress Management Technique

2009-04-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique.

The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile.

1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.

2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.

3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.

4. No one knows your secret place.

5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.

6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

There!! See? It really does work.

~sigh~

What a nice dream…

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

911! I am locked in my car!

2009-04-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Only in Florida! That’s right my loyal readers I am back after a break from blogging and there is no shortage of Florida brainiacs to get the ball rolling. This story comes to us from Kissimmee Fl, the home of Disney World and technology depended, errrr, people. This is far to close to home to call this one an idiot but you get my point.

“It’s getting very hot in here, and I’m not feeling well,” the lady explained to the 911 operator. She explained that all the electrical systems were out in her car and the doors were locked up tight. The panic stricken woman was in dire straights for sure.

Thank goodness for a calm professional dispatcher who told her to try pulling the lock up manually with her hand. Once again the highly trained 911 has saved another life. “Um, I’m sorry,” the unidentified woman said, after the lock opened.

Listen the woman's call to 911.

~sigh~

Y’all know I am not really from Florida, I just live here…

Just an observation…

Craig Glenn

CDC Warning

2009-04-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Centre for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weary Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT.

This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises. Take two good friends to the nearest grocery store and purchase one or both of the antidotes - Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) and Bothersome Employer Elimination Refreshment (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system. You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends. If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

~sigh~

I believe I have it...

Just an observation...

Craig Glenn

Begin at the beginning

2009-02-27T07:54:00.000-08:00

Alice came to a fork in the road. "Which road do I take?" she asked."Where do you want to go?" responded the Cheshire cat."I don't know," Alice answered."Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter."~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

"If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time." — Zig Ziglar

The answer is no, I am not trying to inspire you to action. The truth is, I am trying to inspire me. I don’t want to be left standing at the fork in the road asking the wrong questions. I want to question to be “which of these roads will take me to my desired objective?” Yes I do have objectives, goals, a bucket list if you will. The question is am I brave enough to voice them and seek for them? Will I ask the right question? Will my aim be true and precise?

~sigh~

Why can’t life be this easy… or is it?

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. ~Lewis Carrol, Alice in Wonderland

Just and observation…

Craig

The Great Train Robbery

2009-02-25T07:47:00.001-08:00

I know you are thinking Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland, me too!

Train robberies as a whole seem problematic to me. First there is the whole problem of “hey how do you drive one of these things?”. “Is there a steering wheel?” “Where is the gas pedal?”

Evidently this was not a problem in a resent Miami theft. A 120 ton diesel freight train was stolen from a storage unit in Miami. They did not find the thief, but the train was easy enough to “track” down.

~sigh~

Sorry I couldn’t resist.

Just and observation,
Craig

An Observation in Humanity...

2009-02-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

Today’s scores: 75 – 29

I remember an old comedy bit on the radio from when I was a boy. This sports announcer would give the days scores without mentioning who won. Well I guess you had to be there but it was funny back then.

Here is a score for you, 75 is more than 29; a lot more, especially when the numbers represent ages.

Samuel Dallas Jarvis, 29, in his youthful wisdom, committed a snatch and grab on a 75 year old Stuart Florida victim. He ran off with this gentleman’s brand new laptop and printer. He only made it 8 feet. This old man chased him down, tackled him, and held him until an off duty Martin Co deputy joined in and made sure Jarvis was charged with robbery by sudden snatching and battery on a person over the age of 65.

~sign~

The ignorance of youth, never underestimate the hard work of this generation.

Just an observation,

Craig

An Observation in Time...

2009-02-18T19:57:00.000-08:00

Spring is in the air!

I am learning to think globally now that I am a sophisticated blogger and all. Times are tough. No, I don’t mean “times are tough” like gas is $2.00 a gallon and poor GM needs a trillion billon dollars to save itself from itself. I mean keeping up with time, the o’clock kind of time, is tough. Why did Joan comment on my blog at 1:00 in the morning? Does she work nights? Is she a night owl? Oh, maybe it’s the fact that she is in South Africa! I think she is ahead of us here in the good old land of the bailouts. So does that mean she comments on my blog post before I write them and they just catch up later??? Oh, times are tough for a simple minded country boy.

Not only are times tough in our global community, seasons are tough as well. Take David McMahon in the land down under. They are just moving out of the heat of summer. This summer was a scorcher, in more ways than one, for our beloved friends in Australia. Fall is just around the corner for him with some well deserved relief from 115 degree temps. Not so here in central Florida. We had a mild winter. The mercury only dropped to freezing two maybe three nights all winter.

I love spring! This is my favorite time of year. The days are getting longer. No more waiting for my ride home in the dark. The clocks will spring forward soon and we will have another hour to play with. I guess this too would be another example of a localized phenomenon in the global community of our blog world. Is the US the only country that uses daylight savings time?

Flowers are bursting forth with reckless abandon. The birds are all twitter-patted. The grass will soon be green again. And yes, the most important thing of all about spring, baseball is just around the corner!

To all my blogging friends around the world, Happy Spring, whether it’s spring there or not!

Just an observation,

Craig

An Observation in Nature...

2009-02-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

Orange Blossom Special

The Orange Blossom Special is an old fiddle tune written by Ervin T Rouse in 1938. Written about a passenger train by the same name it is considered the best known fiddle song of the 20th centry. Known as the fiddle player's national anthem, it was often referred to as "The Special". A favorite at bluegrass festivals in the 1950's it became a staple song for all fiddle players. At that time if you couldn't play The Orange Blossom Special you couldn't be in the band.

Then the man in black came along and named his 1965 album after the song and did the song his way as Cash was apt to do with everthing. The fiddles were put aside and replaced with two harmonicas. He also sang the lyrics. This was not done by traditional bluegrass performers who played it strictly as an instrumental. The man in black, by the way, is Johnny Cash. Just occured to me that some people may not know that!

Why am I sharing all of these cool facts with you? Easy! Maureen and I spent some time at the local nursery last Saturday and I got some cool photo's of Orange Blossoms!

Here is a closer look. See the bug? Looks like a fruit fly but I am not sure.

Yes Joan, I didn't even know he was there until I downloaded the photo's and started playing with them! LOL I know I am hopeless!

Just an observation...

Craig

Little old Ladies and Ebay, Part II

2009-02-17T01:00:00.000-08:00

Bernice Gallego is back in the news. I wrote about her in the post Little Old Ladies and Ebay back on January 9, 2009. She found an old baseball card in a box and put it up on ebay for $10. She quickly learned that the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings team card was worth a good deal more and cancelled to auction and did her research.

Well played Bernice! The card was recently sold to Jeff Rosenberg, the president of a Houston company that promotes sports memorabilia shows. The card, one of only a few of it’s kind sold for a whopping $64,073!

~grin~

Good for you Bernice!

Just an observation…

Craig

An Observation in Nature...

2009-02-15T20:30:00.001-08:00

I saw these pretty yellow flowers in a patch of clover. At least I believe it to be clover, I am not much of a clover expert. But it looked enough like clover to me and it reminded me of the Irish. Maureen is Irish, yep red hair and all! So I took this and a few others to show her. I know, that was sweet, I am a sweet guy!

Anyway, I show her the photo's and she ask what king of bug is that? Bug, I asked?

Yea, right there on the flower.

And I named this blog Craig's Observations... LOL. Of course it's plain as day now but I never saw it until she pointed it out. Not sure it's good enough for an ID, but if you click to enlarge, maybe you can tell me what he is. Me, I was just trying to score points with the red head!

~sigh~

If I had seen that bug, I would have went for the really cool Macro shot, Joan... but I missed it!

Just an observation...

Craig

An Observation in parenting…

2009-02-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

“Mama, please don’t give me back to the Indians.”

Picture this, me not two watermelons tall saying this to my mother when I misbehaved. You never know how things like this stick with a child until you yourself grow up, and have probably already done damage to your own kids.

I am not sure just how much I believed this empty threat, but I do remember wondering more than once what it might have been like to live with the Indians. Our family would often go to the Smokey Mountains on vacation. We visited all the memorials telling the story of the Cherokee Indians and the Trail of Tears and saw their descendants, so I knew full well that they existed and there was a real possibility that one day I was screw up just enough to get shipped off to live with them.

Now before you judge my mother too harshly, please understand, my mother was lucky to survive my brother and me. Trust me when I say that we gave as good as we got. Those were different times, growing up in South Georgia in the 60’s and 70’s. Parenting was different back then; whether you view it as good, bad, or indifferent. Parents whooped their young’uns, if you’re not from the South that would be young one’s, but it was one word where I come from.

They, the parents, bound together too. They were not limited to whooping their own kids. It was not an uncommon site for a friend of the family to join right in. “Here”, one would say, “I will get this one while you whoop that one.” I kid you not people; there was no safety in numbers as a kid in South Georgia. The worst of this was if you were staying over at a friends house and got in trouble and you got a whoopin’, you prayed that your parents didn’t find out, in fact you begged the other parents not to tell them. This was a certain way to get yourself another whoopin’ when you got home for embarrassing your parents.

Some would argue that all that whoopin’ didn’t fix anything just damaged the kids. But thinking back now, I realize that most of the pain and suffering came thanks to our own devilment. It seems that we were punished on a daily basis for one thing or another. For the life of me I can’t remember why now but I do remember some of the things we did that we didn’t get a whoopin’ for and probably should have.

I set the carpet on fire once, playing with a lighter and sheets of paper. Instead of telling mama I just ran and hide behind the couch. She had to pull me out and ask me what I had done. I never told her though. Thankfully she had the good sense to go where I had ran from and found her bedroom on fire. Then there was the time Scooter and I would catch garden snakes from the water meter and place them at the front door. Then we would call mama and tell her there was a snake at the back door. We would run off and hide, waiting for her to open the door and step on that snake and scream. We just laughed and laughed.

Of course you just can’t beat the young’uns any more, and maybe rightfully so. I do wonder sometimes though. When I see kids disrespecting their parents as well as other adults it makes me cringe inside. If there is one thing I did learn from all those whoopin’s was a healthy respect for my elders and other people. For that reason I do not regret my punishments and the hard lessons I learned. I am sorry about the snake though mama and thanks for not giving me back to the Indians.

Just an observation…

Craig