CONGRESSMAN MARK SANFORD – REALLY?

Now, I must admit that I do not know anybody from South Carolina or even anyone who lives there.  No doubt there must be some reasonable, intelligent, discerning folks there – however – they are obviously not a majority among the voters.  It is beyond my comprehension how a lying, cheating, self-centered criminal could  win a seat in Congress, except for the claim by Sanford that God’s redemption led to his victory.  A few of us would have some questions for Sanford’s God about this particular decision.  Bottom line – a dysfunctional Congress is directly attributable to a dysfunctional electorate - QED. 

GRADE SCHOOL HUMOR

Silas, our oldest grandchild, claims to have made this one up – regardless of the veracity of his claim, I think it’s funny!

“Your momma is so fat, I can’t believe she’s not butter.”

FOR THE LOVE OF HEIDELBERG

The Heidelberg Year In Review – 2012-2013

What an amazing year and truly a wonderful group of students.  In my parting comments, I bid them Farewell, but more importantly, my wish for them is to Fare Well.

IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY…..



The Bull Nebula Taurus



I always check out my horoscope so that I can properly plan my day – kidding of course.  You can read all about us Taureans here.  But to summarize just a bit: 

Patient and reliable
Warmhearted and loving

Persistent and determined

Placid and security loving

And here is how my year will be shaping up – sounds exciting

Forecast for April 2013 to April 2014

If You Were Born Today, May 3:

Thoughtful and involved, you express yourself well, possess quite charm, and easily endear yourself to others. You have an artistic bent that is undeniable, and your creative mind can help bring financial success. You are multi-talented and many of you spread yourself over multiple career paths and hobbies as a result. You expect a lot from yourself, and sometimes too much, which can lead to indecisiveness. Famous people born today: Bing Crosby, Sugar Ray Robinson, James Brown, Mary Astor, Christopher Cross.

At times you can be quite assertive this year. You are especially interested in setting goals and challenges for yourself, and taking the necessary action to meet them. You may meet or interact with others who encourage or inspire you in some way to have more confidence in yourself. Your desire nature is strong, and increased physical activity is likely. Independent work is favored and competitive activities may also thrive this year. Even so, impulsiveness and rashness should be watched for. Your temper might easily be aroused during this period of your life.

You are particularly dynamic right now, sometimes impatient, and you often experience bursts of energy. You are courageous, but be careful to not go to such extremes that you are foolhardy, as this inclines you to mishaps.

However, in October and November, Saturn transits opposite your Sun. At this time, you may experience some form of disillusionment with regards to an important person in your life, with authority figures, with personal plans and achievements, or with aspects of your own personality. You may feel “left out”, blocked from advancing in your chosen life path, or temporarily lacking in energy and confidence. Ego boosts don’t seem to be forthcoming, or if they are, you don’t see them in such a light. Some sort of buckling down is necessary at this time, and is often perceived as limitations coming from other people or from circumstances. A general feeling of “slowdown” is likely, and if regular tasks seem more overwhelming than usual, it is likely due to poor spirits and lack of motivation. Sometimes, this transit is associated with problems with the teeth, bones in general, and the skin. It is also associated with mechanical breakdowns in your life. However, these generally happen because you haven’t been managing your life effectively, and Saturn calls upon you to identify the weaker areas of your life, and to fix or strengthen them. Take the time to sort out your life, improve your work, and to become more efficient. Taking a slow and steady approach to life is necessary now. Pushing too hard will likely lead to frustration and setbacks. Take it easy and work on self-improvement. Results are not immediate, but will eventually come and bring healthy rewards. This influence lifts rather quickly, lasting only approximately a month.

You want your objectives to reflect what you’re really about, and you are likely to rid yourself of unsatisfying goals this year. Your ability to concentrate and focus helps you to achieve what you set out to do. A new project or goal begun this year has a good chance of being successful and long-lasting. Your sexual and physical activities tend to be more intense, passionate, and focused. It’s an excellent year in which to make a lifestyle change, as your ability to concentrate on what really matters to you is enhanced. Temper and impatience are the things to avoid most – these will surely trip you up.

Venus conjunct the South Node of the Moon in your Solar Return chart suggests a review of your love or social relationships in terms of whether they are truly contributing to your growth. Making changes may be difficult, but possibly quite necessary as well this year, when it comes to your love relationships.

You are more spontaneous, emotional, and reactive in the year ahead, and your personal magnetism runs high. However, if you push too hard, obstacles and blocks are likely to trip you up. Patience is necessary because progress may not always be steady, and energy can be stop and go. Love requires inner changes.

2013 is a Number Five year for you. Ruled by Mercury. This is a year of exploration and freedom. It’s a time when exploration and reaching out to others brings opportunities. It’s a good time to advertise and sell. Surprises are in store, and the routine is broken. This is a year when exciting relationships can be formed, or, if you are already in a partnership, new life is breathed into the relationship. Advice – explore, look for adventure, keep your eyes open for opportunities, mingle.

2014 will be a Number Six year for you. Ruled by Venus. This is a year of relative contentment. It is a time when love is the easiest to attract, and partnerships formed under this vibration have a better chance for longevity. You are able to attract others, and material things as well, this year. This is a good year for establishing harmony in the family and in the home. Advice – develop existing relationships, be positive and receptive because these kinds of energies help you to attract what you desire.

MAY DAY MUSINGS

 

May Day has never meant anything in particular to me, and even today, it only means that my birthday is just two days hence!  Rather than dancing around the Maypole, we are shoveling snow once again.  Earlier in the week, it was in the 70′s and now last night’s rain has turned to snow – at least six inches thus far and probably at least another six on the way.  We did not get the first picture, but rather the second……

 

Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson is a dolt, and a pernicious one at that.  After last night’s win by the Nuggets, he was whining about the Nuggets’ ‘hit men’.  That’s laughable.  Let’s see – who was it that received not one, but two Flagrant 1 fouls last evening?  Wasn’t the Nuggets.  And hatchet man Andrew Bogut should have received a Flagrant 2 for his double stiff-arm to Kenneth Faried’s neck – watch for yourself below and tell me why that wasn’t a Flagrant 2.  And who was it who pushed an opposing player after a foul?  Hint – Stephan Curry doesn’t play for the Nuggets – and he too a whiner.  The refs bailed Curry out by giving a double technical.

 

 

         

 

Also on basketball – CU Boulder’s Andre Roberson should have stayed in school rather than leaving early to enter the NBA draft.  My prediction – he will either be drafted in the second round [there are only two rounds, and second-rounders do not get a guaranteed contract] or he will not be drafted at all.  He will be exceedingly lucky to make any NBA roster next season, and likely will be playing on a developmental squad.  I believe that his family sees dollar signs, but I think that it was not a wise decision.  Time will tell….

 

 

Just finished a book entitled Charades- A Retiring Teacher’s Diary by Ken Zimmerman – a pseudonym for someone that many of us know.  It is a diary of a teacher’s last year in the classroom, after 31 years of teaching experience.  It is both humorous and sad, the latter being that Zimmerman accurately describes the sorry state of public education today, from the students, to the parents, to the administrators, to politicians, to the younger teachers.  All are in a state of decline with collapse being a distinct possibility.

 

 

Also finished up our 2012 tax forms – Federal, Colorado and California, as well as paying our 2012 property taxes.  It’s not particularly edifying to see how much of what one earns ends up in the federal, state and local tax coffers.

 

Enough curmudeontary for now – gotta go shovel some more…..

GRINER & STARR – THE ODD COUPLE

 

Baylor president Judge Ken Starr, center, jokingly joins the postgame news conference table with Brittney Griner (42) and Odyssey Sims (0) after an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in Waco Texas. Baylor won 86-45.

 

 

Starr and Griner are probably the two most recognized names associated with Baylor University.  Griner, the 6’8″ dunking star of the Lady Bears, and Starr, Baylor President, former Special Prosecuter and law professor and dean at Pepperdine University.  You don’t have to look too hard to find negatives for either Griner or Starr, but I have to give them both some positive support.  Much has been said about Griner’s sexuality, even to the point of claiming that she is actually a man.  Recently Griner came out in a very low key manner as a lesbian, which could have caused quite a kerfuffle at the Baptist University.  However, in classic Starr mode, he has supported Griner in a variety of ways, including making confetti angels on the court with Griner after Baylor had clinched  yet another Big 12 Championship. 

 

 

I learned to know Ken during the time that we were both at Pepperdine, and while I certainly do not agree with him on every issue, I learned that he is sincere, honest, and caring person who certainly is not hostile toward those who disagree with him, even those who vilify him.  He is obviously brilliant and will no doubt tread carefully regarding the issues of gays and lesbians at Baylor.  But, he is also wise and will likely find some common ground and forge some positive outcomes as the discussions proceed.