Eli's Bath

There is nothing like taking a bath in front of the fire. Especially when it's cold and raining outside.

More cats at Friday Ark

Global Warming Funnies

Why I laugh at the global warming twits. Over 600+ reasons to laugh and growing.

The Democrat Garden, Nothing Grows But Weeds

I don't think there's a grand conspiracy over at CNN, but there are plenty of people that do have agendas. Those agendas are to make the Democrates look good and the Republicans look bad. With that said, I don't think Anderson Cooper is one of them, but he should have a little more idea of what is going on around him. He's an experienced journalist, the questions being asked should have raised alarms on his BS detector. Come on, CNN had plenty of time to vet these people and their questions. You've got extraordinary odds here, out of the 1,000's of videos submitted and 32 that actually made it onto air, there were at a minimum four involved people who were declared Democrat supporters, actual staffers or activists.

I believe that Democrates should ask Republican candidates questions, but it's another thing to lie about who you support. CNN really screwed this up and I think the Republican candidates need to have more control on the questions and debate format before they agree to debate on CNN again.

M/M has it all.

Amazon.com Christmas Orders

I ordered a bunch of books from Amazon over the weekend. A little Christmas present to myself. I usually go for the free shipping because I really don't care when I get the books and I like saving money. When I finished ordering, Amazon told me that the estimated date of delivery was January 14th. Wow! Do I really want to wait that long? I changed my delivery options and I still couldn't get anything delivered before Christmas unless I shelled out nearly $100. I would be able get the books within the week. Amazon was essentially telling me there was no guarantee of books before Christmas unless I paided for it. I kept the free shipping since I really don't need the books before Christmas. I got an e-mail from Amazon yesterday. They were shipping out one of the books. Hmmm, maybe I'll get the rest of the books before Christmas.

Have A Merry Christmas

I hope the stores are paying attention to what people are asking. When I am checking out, please tell me "Merry Christmas"!

As the holiday season begins, 67% of American adults like stores to use the phrase "Merry Christmas" in their seasonal advertising rather than "Happy Holidays".

No more of the politically-correct substitutes. It dilutes the significance of the Christmas season. We still want to hold true to the traditions and reason for Christmas. Hopefully next year the retailers have finally gotten it and we don't have to fight the war for Christmas.

Arkansas, Houston Nutt Resigns

So, the soap opera has come to an end. Those that really hated Nutt are celebrating that they got rid of him. I never did think Nutt did all that bad of a job. He didn't do everything perfectly, but these past 10 years have been rather good for the Razorbacks. Considering all that has happened this past year, it's probably for the best. He has the 3.65 million dollars to console himself and another coaching job in the wings. So, who's going to replace him?

Stop Shopping, the Economy's Bad!

It looks like most people totally ignored the doom and gloom peddlers in the MSM. Heck, even in the midst of all these people shopping the MSM is still saying that everything is bad and people are just stupidly ignoring it.

The nation's shoppers set aside worries about higher gas prices and a slumping housing market and proved their resilience over the Thanksgiving weekend, giving what the nation's merchants wished for - a strong start to the holiday shopping season.

Dang it people, you weren't supposed to be out shopping. You were suppose to be home, huddled around the TV being all miserable.

ShopperTrak reported late Sunday that sales on Friday and Saturday combined rose 7.2 percent to $16.4 billion from the same two-day period a year ago. Total sales on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, rose to $10.3 billion, up 8.3 percent from the same day a year ago. Martin had expected increases no greater than 5 percent.
Meanwhile, Internet research firm comScore Inc. reported a 22 percent gain in online sales on the day after Thanksgiving compared with the same day a year ago and estimated online sales would exceed $700 million online Monday, the official kickoff to the online shopping season.

All this spending is making the Democrats look bad. They've been telling us how miserable we are and that we need to make a change. They're saying that President Bush's economics have really suck these past 8 years and they'll correct it. Apparently, shoppers disagreed by going out and spending as if they wouldn't mind another 8 years of Bush economics.

Veterans Forever Gala, Free Tickets

This promises to be a really fun event. Twila Paris is one of my favorite singers. In my grubby little hands I have some free tickets for anyone who wants to attend. There is a limit of 2 per person. I only have 8 tickets so
Email me quick.

Bumped to top: I still have tickets!
UPDATE: The Tickets are all gone! See you at the GALA!

Centerton Mayor's Double Life

Wow! Don LaRose or Ken Williams.

"It's absolutely incredible," (Steve) Womack said. "There are no words to describe how bizarre this is."

You hear about stories like this and you wonder how a person can just drop a whole life. Boy, I'd really like to know what's going on in his head.

Kieragan's Run

What a Blast! I had soooo much fun! Saturday I went to Springfield for a NADAC dog agility event. This was the first time that Casey has been to an agility show. I was going mostly to acquaint Casey with the whole atmosphere, lots of dogs and people. I needed to get him use to it, and to know how distracted he would be by all the smells and activities. I entered him in only one event, the tunnels. I was so pleased on how well he did. He didn't go crazy with all the other dogs and people and he quickly relaxed. When it came time for the tunnel run, I was able to led out and he kept his attention on me. He wasn't distracted. Thank God! He worked with me during the course and got hung up only on one part that was the most difficult. I knew he would have trouble at that spot. Oh boy, but is Casey fast! Amazingly Casey came in 3rd place! I was so excited, the very first time he's run and he gets 3rd!
I was fortunate in that a number of people from Fayetteville also went, including my trainer, Mari. She was a big help. She commented on other people's runs, what were the problems and what was good. I learned quite a bit. She help me walk through the tunnel run, planning my strategy. I was not able to get pictures of Casey's run, everyone was running the course. I did get Mari with her dog Kieragan.

Harold G Hutcheson, Rest In Peace

They buried another World War II veteran yesterday. Harold Hutchenson was laid to rest at the West Fork cemetery. He was a preacher, author, and newspaper publisher/reporter. Based on what I read and what was said he must of been a wonderful person to know. I know he was proud that he was a writer. The first day that I met him he handed me a booklet "We Call It Home" that had some compilations of his work. Unfortunately, I met Hutch only recently at the Fayetteville Veterans Home. Hutch was not doing well and most of the time I spent with him was helping him out with various stuff. We mostly spoke of minor things and he made it known that he didn't like growing old. He told me many times not to grow old. Hmmm, I can't avoid that but I hope to be as active as he was as he grew old. At the end of my visit I would always get a kiss on the hand and a hug. He must have been quite a gentleman.

HAROLD G. HUTCHESON
Harold G. Hutcheson, 92 of West Fork, Arkansas, died Friday, November 16, 2007 at Fayetteville Veteran’s Home.

He was born September 5, l915, six miles south of West Fork, on Winn’s Creek, a son of Virgil T. and Zada Southern Hutcheson. He had been a member of the West Fork Presbyterian Church since September 3, 1972, serving as an elder for several years and before retiring had been a pastor of the West Fork church for almost l6 years. The Hutcheson family moved from the Winn’s Creek community to West Fork in l928 and the deceased graduated from West Fork High School with the class of l933. Later in l934 the family moved to Towanda, Kansas. The deceased enlisted in the Kansas National Guard in l940 and was mobilized into federal service in December of that same year. He served with Companies”I” and “M”, l37th Infantry, 35th Division, in the States in combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II and was discharged in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, 11 October l945. He was a member of the 35th Division Association, the America Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled Veterans of America. Before retiring in l978, Mr. Hutcheson spent 33 years publishing daily and weekly newspapers in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. He was co-founder and publisher of the Washington County Observer. In preparation for full time Christian service after retirement, he attended Manhattan (Kansas) Christian College in l978 and l979 before returning to Arkansas in l979. He completed the bachelor degree in Biblical Studies with the graduating class of August l981. He was preceded in death by Leone T.( Hughes) Hutcheson, his wife and by Dorothy (Gardner ) Hutcheson, his wife, a brother LeRoy “Arky” Hutcheson and a sister, Christine Yaryan. He is survived by: One daughter: Susanna K. Hutcheson of Wichita, Kansas One step-daughter: Cathy Keck of Fayetteville, AR Two Step sons: Roy G. Smith of West Fork, AR John Hughes and wife Margo of Arley, AL One Sister: Gretchen Wright of Gravois Mills, MO One Nephew: Sammy Hutcheson of Overland Park, KS Several step grandchildren.

Fayetteville Budget Cuts, Telecom Board

The Fayetteville city council did not pass a recommended property tax increase of .9 mills. The painful process of making cuts to the budget is beginning. On November 13th, Mayor Coody issued a memo that had a proposed list of budget reductions. These are only the Mayor's proposed cuts. The city council will be meeting several times to decide which of these they may agree to cut or come up with some themselves.
Now, I understand many people will not happy to see some favorite activity or division get eliminated or reduced. I, however, don't think that derogatory remarks need to be made, especially by sitting board members. From NWA News

Board member Jon Zimmer, like Drake, did not like the idea of the city losing its cable administrator.
" So far as I’m concerned, this is by far the most misguided proposal I can imagine, " he said. " How much money is being spent right now putting up Christmas lights ? The whole Square, for the last two weeks, has been occupied by monstrous machines and highly paid, I’m sure, rednecks, climbing up and down to put up all these lights. I think the cable channel is infinitely more important."

Mayor Coody and the city council need to make a statement that such comments are not to be made. If some one is unhappy about a cut they can say so without insulting people, especially those who have no input in the process. If an activity or division is that important it is far better to expend energy in finding funds for it instead of putting down people. I truly hope that Jon Zimmer fully intends to apologize for his insult.

Scratching Table

I've recently made a pause table to add to agility equipment in the back yard. The paint on the table top is mixed with sand to give Casey traction when he jumps on it. Bows discovered that she can get a good scritch going if she rolls around on it. It also has the added benefit of not getting dirty as one would if they rolled in the dirt.


More cats at Friday Ark

Gene Long, Candidate for District 89, Arkansas

At the Washington County Republican Committee meeting, Gene Long introduced himself as a candidate for the seat currently held by Representative House. Gene and his wife Cheryl own their own insurance business. Gene has served in the Navy 6 years, 3 years in the Reserve. Gene said it was the right time in his life to run for the office. He is able to leave his business at times now,several of his children work with him, and he wanted to serve his state. He remarked that he knew how to campaign since several of his family members in Louisiana have been elected to offices.
Gene spoke mostly on the budget. He commented on how fast the current legislature got rid of the budget surplus. He noted that the state is not going to see that big of a surplus again and wouldn't be surprised that it might start running a deficient. He said that leadership was needed to plan for the future and as a business owner he knew how to balance a budget.
Gene was very well spoken, he answered questions without hesitation and he seemed very knowledgeable about how he was going to run his campaign. A lot of people talked with him after the meeting and I believe that many are going to be willing to help him get elected.

Casey at White Rock

Is it my imagination or has the time change made the whole day shorter? I don't seem to have time any more to get on the computer. I did make time this past weekend to go to White Rock to see the fall foliage before it faded out. It was simply beautiful!

More dogs at Friday Ark

Christmas, Heave-ho the Ho,Ho,Ho

The PC madness continues to run amok. From Australia

THERE'LL be no ho, ho, ho this Christmas. Aspiring Santas have been told not to use the term "ho" because it could be seen as derogatory to women.

Quick, go to the garden centers and get rid of those hoes! Think of all those women we've been offending!

Titillating News

What a laugh I had this morning! I wonder if the print version had the same error. You must admit the headline really grabs your attention.

Fruitcake Alert

Calling all Fruitcakes. Oh jeez, not you, Ron Paul. I've notice that there was no restrictions on how old the cake can be. Maybe have a special award for the oldest cake. Drag out that cake you've stored in the freezer!

Eli, Interrupting Work

"I want up there! Pick me up!" I don't really want to because I'm trying to get some work done and he just wants to be hugged and petted.

More cats at Friday Ark

Iraq, Bad News, For Democrats

They are at it again. In the face of obvious success in Iraq, the Democrats absolutely insist that America must lose the war on terrorism.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives will try again to end U.S. combat in Iraq when it debates legislation this week tying new war funds to troop withdrawals, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday.
As they have done in the past, House Democrats will try to attach conditions requiring the Pentagon to immediately begin withdrawing some of the 169,000 troops in Iraq, with the goal of completing the withdrawal by December 2008.

In the meantime, Michael Yon continues to report wonderful news from Iraq.

Thanks and Praise: I photographed men and women, both Christians and Muslims, placing a cross atop the St. John’s Church in Baghdad. They had taken the cross from storage and a man washed it before carrying it up to the dome.

A cross lifted up for hope, love and peace for the Iraqi people.

Arkansas Politicians as Bad Farmers

A couple of Arkansas legislators have been lining their pockets at the expense of taxpayers.

When the bill that would extend farm subsidies for five years goes to the Senate floor this week, eight senators will have special reason to pay close attention: They or their relatives collected about $3 million in federal payments from 1995 to 2005, according to government records compiled by a non-partisan environmental group. Records show Lincoln and her family members collected $715,000 from 1995-2005, the most recent year complete data are available. She said she personally received less than $10,000 a year, and the subsidies ended in 2005 when her land was sold. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., says the system works well. He and his family's farming interests received almost $2.4 million in federal payments from 1995-2005, records show. His net worth in 2005 was $1.7 million to $6.6 million, according to his financial disclosure statement. "He has firsthand experience of how this really benefits farmers," said his spokeswoman, Angela Guyadeen

Yeah, I imagine he does and I getting firsthand experience paying multi-millionaire politicians to be lousy farmers.

Pat Robertson's Endorsing Rudy Giuliani

Christmas may have come a little early for Guiliani. Pat Robertson endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President. That's one endorsement I didn’t expect Rudy Giuliani to get.

Robertson on Wednesday said Giuliani is the best candidate to handle the War on Terror. He said Giuliani understands the need for a conservative judiciary, and that he is a "true fiscal conservative" who is tough on crime. "The overriding issue before the American people, is the defense of our population against the bloodlust of Islamic terrorists," Robertson told the National Press Club audience. "Our world faces deadly peril...and we need a leader with a bold vision who is not afraid to tackle the challenges ahead."

The question will be whether other Christians follow Robertson’s lead. I've been really concerned that many Christians will go for a third party candidate that would just concentrate on abortion and gay marriage. I'm glad to see some one like Robertson step out and remind Christians that there are other issues to be concerned about. Keeping us safe here at home trumps gay marriage and abortion. It'll be interesting to see if Robertson’s endorsement at least loosens the reins on Christian voters to examine all issues and make decisions based upon a broader range of concerns. I’m not a fan of Robertson and have often had a world-class "cringe" at his statements. Today, I applaud his stand in supporting Giuliani.

Ron Paul Enthusiasts Win

Although I'm not sure they'd be please to what contest they won. According to a WIRED comparison, they have wrenched the title of being the Nuttiest from Apple Fanatics.
Congratulations People!

Hollywood Writers

I wonder if the Hollywood's writer strike is going to affect people all that much this time around. I certainly am not watching TV all that much anymore. I spend most of my time on the computer rather than watching TV. I haven't seen it much in the news which may mean that people are all that concern about it. If my TV went out I could care less, but if I lose my Internet connection, Horrors!

Biofuels, Starving People

It's official, biofuels are causing starvation and called by Jean Ziegler, the UN's special rapporteur, as "a crime against humanity".

Even the International Monetary Fund, always ready to immolate the poor on the altar of business, now warns that using food to produce biofuels "might further strain already tight supplies of arable land and water all over the world, thereby pushing food prices up even further". This week, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation will announce the lowest global food reserves in 25 years, threatening what it calls "a very serious crisis". Even when the price of food was low, 850 million people went hungry because they could not afford to buy it. With every increment in the price of flour or grain, several million more are pushed below the breadline.

When are people ever going to learn? Those environmental wackos do more harm than good when they try to meddle. For us here in the U.S., the ethanol disaster is only hurting us a little bit with higher energy and food costs. In third world countries, people just starve to death. But, hey, these liberals shouldn't be judged because of the damaged they did. After all "it’s the thought that counts”.

Fayetteville, Budget Cuts

At the Parks and Recreation meeting last night, Connie Edmonston, P&R Director discussed the memo she sent to the Mayor and City Council. Parks and Recreation have to reduce their budget about $160,000. Most of the recommendations were the discontinuance of some activities we enjoy, Lights of the Ozarks, Gulley Park Concerts, July 4th Fireworks and Movies in the Parks. While the suggestion is to discontinue these, hopefully City Council can reduce the scope of these events instead of entirely eliminating them. There could also be a reduction of hours at the Wilson Park Pool and Yvonne Richardson Center. One idea that is very workable is not to mow some of the smaller parks as frequently. This could eliminate some part-time summer workers.
At the Council Meeting where the proposed tax increase was voted down, one Alderman made the comment that we may need to stop being so generous with taxpayer's money. I heartily agree with that idea. The Boys and Girl's Club receives $250,000 from the city while the Council on Aging receives $50,000. I see no reason why these organizations get city money when they can work a little bit harder to get more donations. I'd really like a good portion of the budget reduction come from these 2 items. If people really value these organizations they'll step up with some donations.
One thing is for sure, a lot of people aren't going to be happy. I think this slimming down is good for the city. It's time that people stop planning a city budget as if it was going to get a raise every year. The city has gotten use to spending more and more money every year. It's time to stop thinking that every year the city is going to get more money to spend.

It Feels Like Autumn

Autumn has come to NW Arkansas. Last night I gathered up all the peppers and green tomatoes left in the garden. Tonight I'll be putting towels over the rosemary on the porch and I've brought the fern inside the house. Saturday, I hiked around White Rock. The trees' colors had started to peak. It should be really great this weekend. I really like going to White Rock. Not only is the view magnificent, the hike around the rim is easy. The drive out to White Rock can be a bit of an adventure. In order to get to White Rock you have to drive on dirt roads, which can be steep and narrow. My favorite road is the one out of Combs. I'm going to try to get out there again this weekend.

The Dreaded Collar

I had no choice. Eli's allergy was irritating him so much that he was licking himself raw in a couple of places. It is a bit funny watching him try to maneuver around in it.


More cats at Friday Ark

The Pumpkin Tax

The Iowa Department of Revenue officials attempt to tax pumpkins got squashed.

The statement didn't say why the department changed its policy, but the controversy apparently spooked Gov. Chet Culver. He issued his own statement after administrators went public with their reversal. "It has come to my attention that a policy change made in December of 2006 - before I took office - is resulting in this ridiculous pumpkin tax," Culver said. "I have directed the Department of Revenue to do the common-sense thing and suspend collection of this tax and offer refunds to consumers or retailers who have been affected."

Hey, that'll teach them to mess with our holiday fruits and vegetables.

Hillary Clinton Whines

Oh you poor, poor thing! I feel so sorry for you Hillary. All those mean men ganging up on you!

Hillary Clinton’s top advisers charge that the presidential candidate was unfairly targeted by moderator Tim Russert during Tuesday night’s Democratic debate in Philadelphia. Russert asked Clinton a number of tough questions during the MSNBC-sponsored debate, including one on Social Security and another on the release of documents from the Bill Clinton administration, as she sought to fend off attacks from her Democratic rivals.

There, there little girl. Don't cry! Maybe you should reconsider running for President. Espcially if those men are going to play nasty. Maybe you should just go back home to your husband and little girl. You can go back and learn how cook, do some cleaning, redecorate the house and maybe get involved in some charity work. Hillary, honey, you should go back home and take care of your husband because, honey, he's been running around with a lot of women. You might consider staying home and making him happy. You might want to check his supplies of cigars. I think he might be using way too many of them. Just forget about all stuff about running for President. Because from all the complaining and whining you're doing about that last debate, I don't think your strong enough to take on the men.