Bailey's Buddy

Merry Christmas

2009-12-20T07:52:00.001-06:00

Specialis Procer Lodge - Installation of 2010 Officers

2009-12-19T00:48:00.004-06:00

It is late I may write more tomorrow. It was a fantastic night.

And so it is tomorrow and I am still processing yesterday. I am so very proud of this Lodge and its (new) traditions. We were not even thinking of starting a new lodge but it happened and last night the first elected core of officers was installed by Past Grand Master, Don Mosier. It was extra nice as Don was the one who gave us our original Dispensation which started the process. He became a member of the Lodge after his term as Grand Master was over and will serve as Marshall during the coming year.

Brother Tim Bonney who was our first Worshipful Master handed over the reigns of office

to Brother Kurt Hoffmann who has an ambitious plan laid out for the Lodge for the ensuing year. It is appropriate that his first act as Master was to have Brother Bonney presented behind the Altar and gave him a Paul Revere Jewel. This beautiful piece of Masonic Art was made at The Master's Jewel in California. Brother Bonney almost did not receive it as when I opened the package I decided that I would just keep it because it is so beautiful.

I have one of Drew' pieces. Mine is the "Man Who Would Be King" Jewel but now I want the Paul Revere Jewel. Oh well, I guess you can't have everything.

New Worshipful Master, Kurt Hoffmann's, remarks may be found here.

Following the Installation we retired to the Banquet Room for refreshments and conversation. Then some of us (not knowing enough to go home) adjourned to the library for yet more conversation. I got to bed about 1:00 AM and have been dragging all day today. I uploaded the pictures last night and wrote the minutes of the meeting. They are awaiting the Master's approval and then I will send them out. I hope everyone had a great Saturday The "boys" and I have been relaxing. Have a wonderful Sunday. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Breakfast Sunday

2009-12-18T23:22:00.000-06:00

1141 69th St, Windsor Heights, IA is the address where Waveland Park Lodge holds a breakfast (8:00 - 12:30) every month for the benefit of their scholarship fund and also to help kids at Parkland Academy with supplies and warm coats as well as mittens, etc.

Not only is it a worthwhile cause you can get a great breakfast for $6. and they are helping kids at the same time. Sunday Morning this is the place to take the family and friends for a great breakfast and to help out a worthy cause.

Wordzzle

2009-12-18T16:00:00.002-06:00

As always click on the button to see the guidelines. And don't forget to go to Raven's Nest to see all the others.

Words for this week's 10-word challenge are: spaghetti, woe is me, mythology, avarice, windy, pathetic, paper towels, water, all my children, books

And for the mini: best deals of the week, Nobel Peace Prize, sleep deprived, cauliflower, practice

Phrog was feeling much better, the past two weeks had been difficult and he was looking forward to a nice supper with the Salamander Sisters. Sallyie and Saydie had planned to take him to a spaghetti parlor to participate in one of the best deals of the week
"Woe is me," said Sallyie. "I was sure that you would win the Nobel Peace Prize, this year after all of your work to bring peace between the Dragons and the Order."

"I agree," chimed in Saydie, "Phrog should have won the prize. After all he won a place in the Dragon's mythology. Poor sleep deprived dragons."

"The aavarice of the dragons is well known," said Sallyie. They like to lay claim to everything and it was Phrog deciding to leave the secret headquarters of the Order so that they could have it and thus avoid war. So he should have won it."

(Just then the chef walked in wondering if he should include cauliflower in the menu for the banquet he was planning for next week.)

"If it is to windy the practice for the dramatic presentation planned for the grand banquet would have to be cancelled". continued Sallyie, ignoring the chef.

Well, that is just pathetic and it is not right," said Saydie. Oh, please had me those paper towels, I just spilled water over all my children, their pictures and their books.

Words for next week's 10-word challenge are: space cadet, silver lining, wood, turtle soup, minaret, ice, grease, sales, mandala, mug

And for the mini: broken bones, slide rule, garbage, Chinese, sanguine

Found For Friday - Christmas Edition

2009-12-18T07:00:00.002-06:00

Little Johnny,

It is near the Christmas break of the school year. The students have turned in all their work and there is really nothing more to do. All the children are restless and the teacher decides to have an early dismissal. Teacher: "Whoever answers the questions I ask, first and correctly can leave early today."
Little Johnny says to himself "Good, I want to get outta here. I'm smart and will answer the question."
Teacher: "Who said 'Four Score and Seven Years Ago'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Susie says, "Abraham Lincoln."
Teacher: "That's right Susie, you can go home."
Johnny is mad that Susie answered the question first.
Teacher: "Who said 'I Have a Dream'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Mary says, "Martin Luther King."
Teacher: "That's right Mary, you can go."
Johnny is even madder than before.
Teacher: "Who said 'Ask not, what your country can do for you'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Nancy says, "John F. Kennedy."
Teacher: "That's right Nancy, you may also leave."
Johnny is boiling mad that he has not been able to answer to any of the questions. When the teacher turns her back Johnny says, "I wish these bitches would keep their mouths shut!"
The teacher turns around: "NOW WHO SAID THAT?"
Johnny: "TIGER WOODS. CAN I GO NOW?"

Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 1, 2009
RE: Gala Christmas Party
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols... feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchanges of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees!
Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!
Merry Christmas to you and your family,
Patty

Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 2, 2009
RE: Gala Holiday Party
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on, we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians and to those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols will be sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Patty

Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 3, 2009
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?
Somebody?
And sorry, but forget about the gift exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and the executives believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.
REMEMBER: NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: October 4, 2009
RE: Generic Holiday Party
What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet, and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms.
Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each group will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men's table.
To the person asking permission to cross dress, the Grill House asks that no cross-dressing be allowed, apparently because of concerns about confusion in the restrooms. Sorry.
We will have booster seats for short people.
Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet.
I am sorry to report that we cannot control the amount of salt used in the food. The Grill House suggests that people with high blood pressure taste a bite first.
There will be fresh "low sugar" fruits as dessert for diabetics, but the restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Sorry!
Did I miss anything?!?!?
Patty
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F*%^ing Employees
DATE: October 5, 2009
RE: The F*%^ing Holiday Party
I've had it with you vegetarian pricks!!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your f*%^ing salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!
The rest of you f*%^ing wierdos can kiss my *ss. I hope you all have a rotten holiday!
Drive drunk and die,
The B*tch from H*ll!!!
Company Memo
FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: October 6, 2009
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her.
In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
Happy Holidays!
Joan

Christmas Cookie Rules...

1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.

2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.

3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calories free, (rule #1) yours is also. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being the friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.

4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.

5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.
6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones!

7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.
8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking
Causes calorie leakage.

9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate have no calories since the calories
Rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate.
We all know how calories like to CLING!

10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It's a rule!

So, go out and enjoy those Christmas Cookies - we only get them this time of year!

CHRISTMAS EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great and Merry Christmas!!
And this isn't technically a Christmas joke but I loved it so the Pastor is visiting her on Christmas Eve. Work with me on this folks.

Miss Beatrice, the church organist, was in her eighties and had never been married.

She was admired for her sweetness and kindness to all.
One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room.
She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea. As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cut-glass bowl sitting on top of it. The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated, of all things, a condom!
When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat.
The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.
"Miss Beatrice", he said, "I wonder if you would tell me about this?" pointing to the bowl.
"Oh, yes," she replied, "Isn't it wonderful? I was walking through the park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground. The directions said to place it on the organ,
keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease.
Do you know I haven't had the flu all winter
Thanks for stopping by - Have a great week-end. God Bless.'

Oh, I found another one: This is for Lyssa

Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies

1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup or brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
1 cup of water
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality.

Take a large bowl.

Check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality. Pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one peastoon of sugar. Beat again.

At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still ok, try another cup just in case

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit off the floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who geeves a sheet.

Check the Jose Cuervo.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the wishdasher.

Cherry Mistmas !

Speaks for itself

2009-12-17T22:33:00.000-06:00

Snow Day

2009-12-17T16:39:00.007-06:00

Click to Embiggen

Health Care

2009-12-17T15:08:00.002-06:00

Details of the Senate Health care plan - CompromiseCare may be found here. Many thanks to Grandmère Mimi for pointing this out.

Lost Woman by Grandmère Mimi

2009-12-17T10:41:00.001-06:00

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.

"She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be an Obama Democrat."

"I am,"replied the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Republican."

"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"

"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."

York Rite Christmas Party

2009-12-16T23:03:00.005-06:00

I didn't take a lot of pictures tonight. Too busy talking. The York Rite in downtown Des Moines (I am a dual member) held their Christmas Observance and Party tonight. Excellent food and fellowship and I met some new members of our Rite.

Thanks for stopping by.

Notice the nice blue and grey ensemble which our North Central Department Commander (David Dryer) is wearing. I would really like to see our Grand York Rite Officers wearing something like this.

The emblems in the breast pocket could be changed depending on the office you hold and then is would be distinguished and stand out. But it would be a hard tradition to change. They seem to like the red, purple and gold coats (though thankfully the Commandery is not wearing them this year) which make it look like the circus is in town. Oh well, just me on my soap box again. ARTYAL, Hugs,

Merkley to vote against confirming Bernanke.

2009-12-16T13:06:00.003-06:00

I admire Senator Jeff Merkley (D - OR) for his courage in standing up for his principles. I wish more in government would do so. (And I wish some of them had other principles than greed)

“Tomorrow, I will vote against confirming Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. The reason, in short, is that as Chairman, Dr. Bernanke failed to recognize or remedy the factors that paved the road to this dark and difficult recession. Following our economic collapse, it is also apparent that he has not changed his overall approach to prioritizing Wall Street over American families.

“My decision is based on my fundamental belief that our economy cannot recover if we do not put Main Street first.

“Our nation is just beginning to emerge from the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression, and there is no guarantee we will continue on the road to recovery over the long or short terms. Unemployment remains far too high, credit is unavailable to too many businesses, and families are plagued by falling home prices and high foreclosure rates. Even as we move forward with our efforts to get our economy back on track, it is critical we carefully examine what led us to this point.

“For too many years, federal regulators turned a blind eye to signs of an impending financial crisis. Tricks and traps proliferated in the credit card and consumer lending industries. Predatory mortgage loans exploded, fueling an unsustainable housing bubble. Regulators lifted rules requiring banks to keep adequate capital, and a laissez-faire approach to securitization, derivatives, and proprietary trading encouraged excessive risk-taking on Wall Street. As a member of the Board of Governors, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, and then ultimately as Chairman of the Board of Governors, Dr. Bernanke supported each of these decisions, failing to take the necessary precautionary steps that could have averted or mitigated financial collapse.

“These failures are very relevant to the future. We need economic leaders who understand that the ultimate goal of economic policies and the key to meaningful economic recovery should be financially successful families, not oversized Wall Street profits.

“Indeed, it should be recognized that although Wall Street prospered in the short-term from reduced leverage requirements, securitization of faulty mortgages, and the explosion of derivatives, Americans did not. The expansion that occurred from 2002 to 2007 became the first economic expansion in which working families were worse off at the end than at the beginning. This is not a path that we can afford to travel again.”

Christmas with Grandma --

2009-12-16T07:34:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Anne for sending this.

And always remember, if you quit believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear for Christmas!!

I BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her. On the way, my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted .... "Ridiculous! Don't believe it! That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement.. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down."Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share,

HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

Scottish Rite Installation and Holiday Party

2009-12-15T23:02:00.001-06:00

The movie is dark but you can hear the music that was played when the officers were piped into the Lodge Room

Scottish Rite Installation from Jay Simser on Vimeo.

Things I Miss

2009-12-15T13:21:00.001-06:00

Some are still around, I just never see them perform any more - Others have gone on to sing with the angels. = Thanks for stopping by, Enjoy!

Carol

Barbara

Beverly

Dixie and the Designing Women

Sophia

Dino

Luciano and Frank

Kate Smith

The Statler Brothers - do you remember these?

Miles (and Bailey) on Monday

2009-12-14T18:36:00.004-06:00

The back yard is not a fun place for Bailey but Miles seems to like it. He makes the rounds and checks out the perimiter (Click to embiggen the picture to see him checking out the back corner.) and comes to the door to be let in when he is ready. He does not bark, he just waits at the door to be let in. Such a polite young man.
Also very intelligent. When he wants more food he picks up his bowl and starts moving it around to let me know that it is empty and he needs to be fed.

Patience

And then the "look around" to see what is happening.

Oh yes, The Older statesman, Bailey. Looking somewhat disgruntled. He lets Miles know who is the boss. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Sioux City - KCCH

2009-12-14T10:56:00.003-06:00

It was a snowy day for a trip to Sioux City for the Valley of Sioux City KCCH Investiture but the roads were good on the way up. Coming home was another story but we made it.
It was great to see so many friends from Sioux City. Some I have known for years and others for less time but all Brothers.
This is just a small part of their lounge/library where cookies and coffee were being served.

The Lodge room set for the Investiture

And of course followed by a banquet (always) - I got home a little after midnight, tired but satisfied. It was so very nice to get out after being cooped up most of the week. Sioux City has a great many old aprons and pictures and Masonic memorabilia on display so it was really nice to see them. I took some pictures which are at the end of the album below. As always if you want to go to the Picasa Web Album you can see the photos larger.

Sunday Sunday

2009-12-13T09:00:00.002-06:00

This is Ginny's cat on a shelf by a tree decoration she has.
The other cat is just one I found on the Internet

Cassie would do that if I were putting up a tree. But I can't because of Miles so I have to look at pictures of trees instead. Maybe next year. A couple of Sunday Funnies for today.

I just found this clip over at Zaius Nation. - I know I declared this a No Palin Zone but this is too good not to share. The look on Shatner's face is priceless. Enjoy!

I am going to Sioux City with Shane this afternoon. Perhaps I will get some good pictures. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Arcadia Lodge Holiday Party

2009-12-12T21:28:00.006-06:00

The tree was decorated

The tables were set with Poinsettias in the center.

Brother Jeremy had been working all day preparing the Holiday dinner. This is the fifth year in a row that Jeremy has done this for the Lodge. He is a pretty good cook and his cheesy potatoes are to die for.

Everything was very nice and the helpers served the meal family style. No one went away hungry.

The little video is R,W. Brother Bill Yungclas reciting the poem "Jest fore Christmas" I used to read it to my kids but it is really nice to hear it recited. Of course he had to give the background for the younger folks in the audience. Enjoy the video.

Bill Yungclas recites "Just 'fore Christmas from Jay Simser on Vimeo.

How The Stritch Stole Christmas

2009-12-12T09:16:00.001-06:00

Just for the record. I love Elaine.

Happy Hanukkah

2009-12-11T18:04:00.001-06:00

Nefesh B'Nefesh brought over 150 participants together on Ben Yehuda Street for the first ever Jerusalem flash mob in honor of Hanukkah. לקראת חג החנוכה , ארגון "נפש בנפש" הביא מעל ל-150 משתתפים ל...

Wordzzle

2009-12-11T14:30:00.008-06:00

As always click on the button to see the guidelines. And don't forget to go to Raven's Nest to see all the others.

Words for this week's 10-word challenge are: sugar, mortgage, logical, roller skates, outlandish, Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, cummerbund, unexpected, photo album, scarecrow

And for the mini: tomatoes, turtles, basement apartment, circumference, make my day

"Go ahead and make my day, tell me that my circumference is smaller and my basement apartment is full of turtles and tomatoes..." Scarecrow was looking at the photo album which was found in an unexpected place behind the cummerbund embroidered with the phrase, "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." It was an outlandish purple and red color and had been hidden behind Phrogs roller skates. A logical place if you are hiding a mortgage, but Sugar, you should never put an embroidered cummerbund anywhere near a skateboard..It could bring you bad luck.

And now a Phrog joke -

Words for next week's 10-word challenge are: spaghetti, woe is me, mythology, avarice, windy, pathetic, paper towels, water, all my children, books

And for the mini: best deals of the week, Nobel Peace Prize, sleep deprived, cauliflower, practice

Straight, No Chaser - Who Spiked the Eggnog?

2009-12-11T14:21:00.000-06:00

Albert Pike Birthday Party

2009-12-11T10:17:00.005-06:00

Illustrious Albert Pike, 33°

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction
The Bodies of the Valley of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
invite you and your guests to a party
celebrating the Two-Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of
Illustrious Albert Pike, 33°

(December 29. 1809—April 2, 1891)
Sovereign Grand Commander

of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree,
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America,

1859-1891
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite Temple Dinner Beginning at 6:00 p. m.
Celebratory Program to Follow
We request a donation of $12.50 per person to defray the costs of the dinner.
Gentlemen are asked to wear coat and tie.
To make your reservation, please call
(319) 364-2904 or e-mail registrar@crscottishrite.org

Found for Friday

2009-12-11T07:00:00.005-06:00

Click Pic

Morris returns from the doctor and tells his wife that the doctor has
told him that he has only 24 hours to live.

Given the prognosis, Morris asks his wife for sex. Naturally, she agrees, so they make love.

About 6 hours later, the husband goes to his wife and says, ‘Honey,
you know I now have only 18 hours to live. Could we please do it one more time?’

Of course, the wife agrees, and they do it again.

Later, as the man gets into bed, he looks at his watch and realizes
that he now has only 8 hours left.

He touches his wife’s shoulder and asks, ‘Honey, please… Just one more time before I die.’

She says, ‘Of course, dear,’ and they make love for the third time.

After this session, the wife rolls over and falls to sleep.

Morris, however, worried about his impending death, tosses and turns, until he’s down to 4 more hours.

He taps his wife, who rouses. ‘Honey, I have only 4 more hours. Do you
think we could…’

At this point the wife sits up and says, ‘Listen Morris, I have to get up in the morning… You don’t.

TIGER WOODS CHRISTMAS CARD

The Old Golfer"

A circus owner runs an ad for a lion tamer and two people show up.

One is a good looking, older retired golfer in his late sixties. The other is a gorgeous blonde in her mid-twenties.

The circus owner tells them, "I'm not going to sugar coat it. This is one ferocious lion. He ate my last tamer so you two had better be good or you're history. Here's your equipment -- chair, whip and a gun. Who wants to try out first?"

The girl says, "I'll go first."

She walks past the chair, the whip and the gun and steps right into the lion's cage.

The lion starts to snarl and pant and begins to charge her. About half way there, she throws open her coat revealing her beautiful naked body.

The lion stops dead in his tracks, sheepishly crawls up to her and starts licking her feet and ankles. He continues to lick and kiss her entire body for several minutes and then rests his head at her feet..

The circus owner's jaw is on the floor. He says, "I've never seen a display like that in my life."

He then turns to the retired golfer and asks, "Can you top that?"

The tough old golfer replies, "Hell yeah! Just get that damn lion out of the way!

a terrorist goes to heaven

It was just announced that Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed in Iraq by American forces.

George Washington met him at the Pearly Gates. He slapped him across the face and yelled, "How dare you fight against the nation I helped conceive?!"

Patrick Henry approached, punched him in the nose and shouted, "You wanted to end our liberties but you failed!"

James Madison followed, kicked him in the groin and said, "This is why I allowed our government to provide for the common defense!"

Thomas Jefferson was next, beat Zarqawi with a long cane and snarled, "It was evil men like you who inspired me to write the Declaration of Independence."

The beatings and thrashings continued as George Mason, James Monroe and 66 other early Americans unleashed their anger on the terrorist leader.
As Zarqawi lay bleeding and in pain, an Angel appeared. Zarqawi wept and said, "This is not what you promised me."

The Angel replied, "I told you there would be 72 Virginians waiting for you in Heaven. What did you think I said?"

There were three guys in a bar. Two are talking about the amount of control they have over their wives. The third remains silent.
After a while, one of the first two turned to the third and says, "Well... what about you, what sort of control do you have over your wife?"
"Well, on our honeymoon, I made darn sure my wife came to me on her hands and knees," he bragged and took another sip of beer.
His friends were amazed! "What happened then?" they asked, almost in unison."

"Well, then she said, "Get the hell out from under that bed and fight like a man!" he admitted

Don't you find it very interesting that after Monday (M) and Tuesday (T), the rest of week says WTF?!

Two women were playing golf. One teed off and watched in horror as her ball headed directly toward a foursome of men playing the next hole. The ball hit one of the men. He immediately clasped his hands together at his groin, fell to the ground and proceeded to roll around in agony. The woman rushed down to the man, and immediately began to apologize.

'Please allow me to help. I'm a Physical Therapist and I know I could relieve your pain if you'd allow me, she told him.

'Oh, no, I'll be all right. I'll be fine in a few minutes,' the man replied.

He was in obvious agony, lying in the fetal position, still clasping his hands there at his groin. At her persistence, however, he finally allowed her to help. She gently took his hands away and laid them to the side, loosened his pants and put her hands inside. She administered tender and artful massage for several long moments and asked, 'How does that feel'?

Feels great, he replied; but I still think my thumb's broken.

Will was trying to to teach his son the evils of alcohol.
He put a worm in a glass of water & another in a glass of whiskey.
The worm in the water lived while the one in the whiskey curled up & d*ed.
"All right, son," Said Will, "what does that show you?"
"Well dad, it shows that if you drink alcohol you will not have worms."
The happiest time in a man's life is that period of time between his first and second marriage. The problem is ... he doesn't realize it, until the second marriage!
Please accept without obligation, express or implied, these best wishes for an environmentally safe, socially responsible, low stress, non addictive, and gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday as practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice (but with respect for the religious or secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or for their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all) and further for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated onset of the generally accepted calendar year (including, but not limited to, the Christian calendar, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures). The preceding wishes are extended without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee(s).
An older man went to the pharmacy for Viagra. The pharmacist said, "That's no problem. How many do you want?" The man answered, "Just a few, maybe 4, but cut each one in 4 pieces." The pharmacist said "That won't do you any good." The elderly gentleman said "That's all right. I don't need them for sex anymore, as I'm ...over 80 years old. I just want it to stick out far enough so I don't pee on my shoes".

Wife: 'What are you doing?'  Husband: Nothing.  Wife: 'Nothing...?  You've been reading our marriage    certificate for an hour.'   Husband:'I was looking for the expiration date.'

A new priest, born and raised in Texas, is nervous about hearing confessions, so he asks an older priest to sit in on his sessions. The new priest hears a couple of confessions and then the old priest asks him to step out of the confessional for a few suggestions.

The old priest suggests, 'Cross your arms over your chest, and rub your chin with one hand and try saying things like 'yes, I see,' and 'yes, go on,'and 'I understand.'

The new priest crosses his arms, rubs his chin with his hand and repeats all the suggested remarks to the old priest.

The old priest says, 'Now, don't you think that's a little better than slapping your knee and saying, 'No shit...what happened next

HAVE A GREAT WEEK-END - STAY WARM! j

Some Gratitude

2009-12-10T22:13:00.002-06:00

I found this on a blog this morning and have ordered the CD. Iowa Public Television used to run the Boston Pops shows and I loved them. I have been a fan of the Pops since Arthur Feidler was the conductor.

I was fortunate to see them when I was in Boston a few years ago. It was really an incredible experience. The ticket was $65 but I am glad that I was able to go.

The connections we have through television and the Internet are mind boggling to me. I used to have to use a phonograph and then the long play albums. (I had an incredible Boston Pops album along with Rachmaninoff and lots of Jazz. Now I have a Boise stereo and a Sony CD machine that holds 300 CD's. I suppose I could get an Ipod but enough is enough. As to the library. I have a lot of books and I still like to read them but at least 5 times a day I will "google" something to find out further information. Much faster than having to find it in a book.

The thing i really like today is the Internet. It has connected me to so many people. I have a former student living in The Netherlands, two of them in Seattle, and a Madpriest in the UK that I can connect with once or twice a week or daily in the case of Madpriest who blogs. I have 190 people who "follow" my blog, have had almost 110,000 hits (about half of them me editing but no matter) I can follow my friend Bob on his incredible adventure to Antarctica (he even telephoned me from there using the computer) - Anyway it is just awesome and I am grateful for it. Especially when it is a F&^%ing cold outside and I am stuck inside. Thanks for stopping by. Stay Warm.... Hugs, j