True Stuff that I Made Up

Breaking News from the Beer Industry

2009-11-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

Beer brewer researchers now claim that their studies show that "beer makes you smarter!".
Actually, it was a small study of only one guy, named "Bud", but they still insist that beer made Bud wiser.

The Kump Family Castle in Austria

2009-11-14T10:10:00.000-05:00

Here are some links to web pages and photos of Schloss Matzen in Austria, and owned by the Kump family:

Overview. Lots of pictures inside and out.

Another majestic photo.

More history.

Schloss Matzen: One of Europe's most romantic medieval castles, lies high in the Austrian Tyrol, where the air is crisp and clean.
The location is Reith im Alpbachtal, in the Tyrolean Alps of western Austria, approximately 30 miles/50 km northeast of Innsbruck, about a 90 minute drive or train from Munich or Salzburg (it is less than 5 minutes drive from the nearest train station and Autobahn exit).
The castle was first referred to in 1167 and has been privately owned ever since. It's history includes highlights such as its Baroque chapel being twice consecrated by bishops who would go on to become Pope, Teddy Roosevelt visiting as a hunting companion of the former owner at the turn of the last century, etc.
The size of the building is approx. 20,000 square feet, including the 6 story tower, on a 2.4 hectare (approx. 6 acre) lot, half-surrounded by an Austrian nationally-protected public park. There are approximately 60 rooms, depending on how you count rooms (there are several long, arcade passageways), including 12 guest rooms appointed with antique furnishing and private bathrooms with modern heating, plumbing and electricity. It is connected to the local sewer system and has its own private spring water supply.

The Last Teardrop

2009-11-05T10:36:00.000-05:00

David & Sarah,
A great many years ago, the parting from your Mother almost destroyed me.
That loss was deeply intimate, and it seemed to me that it was the end of my world.
In the years that followed, there have been many other challenges and life lessons.
I discovered since then, over and over again throughout those years, that what I thought was the last teardrop wasn't even close to the end.
What I did learn is that the only thing that really matters and makes any difference is being true to yourself and what you know is true, getting up each time you stumble and doing the best you can with who you are.
Throughout all of this, I have been both fey and fortunate (blessed). God has reached out and lifted me up, over and over again, and He still continues to stretch out His arm to me.
Love,
Dad

Cinderella & The Civil War

2009-11-03T14:10:00.002-05:00

From: Larry D. Kump
Subject: To Ward Clem, whose inquiring mind wants to know more Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 10:12 PM
Ward,
The info you seek is available from Gary Gimbel (304-263-7242 or ggimbel@citlink.net)
The Falling Waters Battlefield Association website is http://www.battleoffallingwaters.com/
Larry
--------------------------------------------------------------
Larry, could you provide me directions to the waterfall? It's always been a mystery to me regarding where the falls are. Also could you provide me directions to the other stops on your itinerary? Karen and I would like to explore further. Much appreciated. Ward

--------------------------------------------------------------

On Sun, 11/1/09, Larry D. Kump wrote:

Subject: Thank You
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 5:40 PM
Dear Library Pals,
Yesterday afternoon's well attended events and all who participated in the Spring Mills (WV) Library Branch "Grand Opening & Open House" was well worth my time and interest.
It deeply touched my heart to see the absolute delight in the rapt faces of the little children when they met "Cinderella".
(Jaime did so much of a better job as "Cinderella" than I ever could have attempted as "Cinderfella".)
Those special memories no doubt will linger with those little folks throughout the rest of their lives.
However, Gary Gimbel's interactive presentation about the 1861 Civil War "Battle of Falling Waters" was the event that brought me to the Library that day, and I was not in the least bit disappointed.
In point of fact, on my way to the local LDS Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) services in Spring Mills this Sunday morning, Gary's symposium yesterday prompted me to stop at the "Falling Waters" waterfall, which is bigger and better than I previously remembered.
(The State Of West Virginia owns the property surrounding that waterfall. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a "pocket-sized" state park and a picnic table or two at that location?)
In any event, continuing to drive South on Route 11 to take another look at the home place of Davy Crockett's grandparents, I then traveled another short distance to the monument of General (then a Colonel) "Stonewall" Jackson.
After our LDS Church services, I then went to the nearby "Stumpy's Hollow", to take another gander at the place where Colonel J.E.B. Stuart single-handedly captured a company of Union soldiers.
Thanks to all of you for all of that.

Larry

cc: Other Members of the Posse Comitatus

The Neo-Lumpenproletariat

2009-10-31T08:38:00.001-04:00

There continues to be those who make unsupported and vicious allegations about "hatemongers", who they shrilly claim "spread misinformation, but also incredible lies".
Wouldn't the quality of our political understanding and discourse be so much better if folks of every political persuasion stopped accusing those with contrary views of being "evilmongers", thus fanning even more rabid hatred and intolerance?
Even better, wouldn't it truly be wonderful if folks read, viewed, and otherwise studied political discourse from sources other than just those that appealed to their personal political biases?
As just one example, a person who reads a wide spectrum of news source and political discourse magazines such as the "National Review" (Conservative), "Reason" (Libertarian), and "The Progressive" (Liberal) has a much richer understanding and appreciation of our nation's current events than anyone who becomes a victim of the Neo-Lumpenproletariat mindset.

Another "Field of Dreams"

2009-10-29T09:47:00.002-04:00

David,
As we discussed last night, a friend gave me a good tip about a much healthier pasta product for diabetics and also for those who want to reduce their carbohydrates.
It's the "Dreamfields" brand of pasta, which has a 65% lower glycemic index, five carbs, and five grams of fiber.
I picked up some at our local "Martins" supermarket, and it is within the same price range as other brands of pasta, and I really can't tell any difference in its taste.
More information on it is available at 1-800-250-1917 or by visiting http://www.dreamfieldsfoods.com/.
I still almost never eat pasta anymore (or anything else that tastes good), but this is a much better alternative than regular pasta, or, even worse, egg enriched pasta.
Love,
Dad

Important & True Stuff (that I didn't make up!)

2009-10-26T02:43:00.011-04:00

If we had some ham, we could have ham and eggs...if we had any eggs.
Beware the power of stupid people in large groups (Proverbs 13:20)
Choose your friends wisely, because you'll tend to be like them.
Don't ever get mad, except on purpose.
Expand the leadership.
You can't beat a plan with no plan.
Employees need unions to protect them from Management, but who protects employees from their unions? (Westbrook Pegler)
My soul standeth fast in the liberty in which God hath made us free.(Pahoran, 62 B.C. - Book of Mormon: Alma Chapter 61, Verse 9)
Don't treat good guys like you treat bad guys.
It's not over 'till it's over. (Yogi Berra)
Beware those who don't know which side of a duck has the most feathers. (Do you know? Ask me, and I'll enlighten you.)
Don't ever trust anyone until they have stuck with a good cause that was losing.
Nothing moves unless it's pushed. Even so, it's easier to pull a piece of string than to push it.
Don't issue orders, just lead.
Winners aren't perfect. They just keep on trying.
Do not go gently into that good night (Dylan Thomas)
Wopila Tanka! (Thank You, in the Dakota Tribe language)
One good reason is better than lots of little reasons.
The initiative goes to those who are best prepared.
When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout! ;)
Always return and report.
Morality is a best source of power.
Ask God for help, listen to His counsel, then go out and do it!
The LDS Church's 14th Article of Faith (not really): We believe in meetings-all that now are scheduled. We believe that there yet will be many more great and important meetings. We have endured many meetings and hope to endure all meetings. If there is a meeting, we seek after it.
"There is not one among us in whom a devil does not dwell. At some time, on some point, that devil masters each of us. It is not having been in the dark house, but having left it that counts." (President Theodore Roosevelt)
Repentance is a lifetime process.
Never stop caring about the little guy. It's always all about him.
It's always time for a nap.
It really does take two: someone else & You!
Sans peur et sans reproche.
Nemo me impune lacesuit.
...and good night to you, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. (Jimmy Durante)

Best Buddies (originally posted in 2003)

2009-10-20T02:03:00.000-04:00

Re: the swimming pool photograph...

Let me tell you about that man with me in the swimming pool.

I was raised in a prominent local church in Hagerstown, Maryland; mostly at the insistence of my Mother.

At age 12 I already was disturbed and troubled about the purpose of life.

My Sunday School teachers couldn't answer my questions, and my several attempts to read the Bible left me even more confused and frustrated (It probably didn't help that I began with the Old Testament).

I even made later inquiries into non-Christian religions and philosophies, which intrigued but still dissatisfied me.

Finally, at the tender age of 14, I came to the reluctant conclusion that either God really didn't exist, or, if He did, He just wasn't interested in or accessible to me.

I wavered between agnosticism and outright atheism.

It was at that time in my life that I became both mystified and amused by my new next door neighbor and best friend Ray Geyer, who only was 12 at the time.

He was enthusiastic about his recent ordination as an Aaronic Priesthood Deacon in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and anxious to share the Gospel with me.

After many discussions and arguments with Ray, I reluctantly sat down with two LDS Missionary Elders, and challenged them with my questions.

To my surprise and chagrin, Elder Wayne Platt Smith's humble spirit immediately touched my heart.

Even more surprising to me, he was able to readily answer all my questions that had stumped all the learned and experienced ministers from so many other faiths.

Elder Smith warned me that neither he nor anyone else could convert me to Christ, and this was something that I had to wrest for myself.

He also encouraged me to continue to meet with my parents' pastor and others, so that I could better sort out truth from fable for myself, and not be led astray.

And so it was that I began to read the Book of Mormon to find out for myself if all of this really could be true.

Subsequently and after reading the Book of Mormon and also the Bible (cover to cover), and alone in my parents' home one hot Summer afternoon, I confessed to God that I still had serious doubts about Him, but nevertheless asked Him to tell me if He was real and if the Book of Mormon was true.

The answer which came to me was both surprising, satisfying, and immediate.

Continued personal prayer and reading the Book of Mormon then further opened the way for me to read the Bible with new understanding and appreciation.

One of my favorite Book of Mormon passages is 2 Nephi 28: 29 and 29:3-13.

My parents were not supportive of my newfound faith, and refused to give me permission to join the LDS Church.

However, when I reached age 21, I was able to choose for myself and was at long last baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As an adoptive and divorced parent, more than twice recovered cancer victim, and one who has been through my share of personal trials, I promise you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that the Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on Earth and contains the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ (in tandem with the Holy Bible) as well as the answer to your heartfelt prayers.

All I am or ever hope to be I owe to the Book of Mormon and a childhood friend who took the time to lead me to the truth.

So, this is my response to those of you who have been curious about the swimming pool photo of me and my best friend Ray, for whom my love and gratitude exceeds all others.

(Also read in the Book of Mormon: Mosiah, Chapter 2, verse 4; and in the Doctrine & Covenants: Section 112, verse 11 and also Section 121, verses 41 & 42).

For a free copy of the Book of Mormon and/or the King James version of the Bible, call 1-888-537-2200, on any day or hour.

More Reflections on my "Sacred Grove" Home

2009-10-19T09:01:00.000-04:00

(Originally posted 10/1/06)

It rained heavily during the night.
Earlier this morning, I noticed the rays of Sunshine streaming through the morning mists and woods surrounding my home.
That scene reminded me again so much of Joseph Smith, when that unlettered farmboy knelt in his own "Sacred Grove" and had a revelatory experience that changed the world (and also profoundly affected my life), as previously pointed out to me so many years ago by my daughter Sarah.
For a photo of my wooded homesite, go to www.indynerds.com/larry.
Also, for the same photo, but a better description of my home; scroll down these entries to "My Sacred Grove Home".

My "Sacred Grove" Home ( first posted in 2004)

2009-10-18T01:02:00.000-04:00

An email to a friend on the West Coast:

Dave just posted the photo of my home on his website about me. Thank you for emailing that photo to him.

Thank you also for the "Sacred Grove" reference about my home. You spoke of things near and dear to me, but also stirred up memories which had faded away with time. Those memories are precious to me beyond words.

I took my daughter Sarah and son David to the Church "Hill Cumorah" pageant when they were just little tykes. The weather mostly was foul and we watched the pageant in a heavy downpour, but we had a rare gift of sunshine when we visited the "Saced Grove" near Palmyra, NY, where Joseph had his first revelation and visitation from God and his son Jesus Christ, in answer to his heartfelt prayer of which Church to join. The New Testament Scripture that led him there to pray in private (James 1:3-6) to this day is a guiding star in my life.

Anyway, I previously had thought that our visit to Palmyra had made little impression upon my children, and that they were far more entranced by the amusement park that we visited near Canidiqua and the boat ride at Niagara Falls. However, in 1991, when I purchased the three acre lot upon which I was to make my home and Sarah was helping me pound in metal lot boundary markers, she remarked to me that my little section of woods reminded her of the "Sacred Grove".

And so it has been for me, a place of healing, solitude, and prayer. Thank you again for drawing these spiritual threads together for me.

Postcript: In response to several inquiries about my home, the photo is somewhat deceiving, inasmuch it gives the impression that it just is a small cabin, due to the angle of the photograph. My home actually is much larger than it appears in the photograph, and includes four bedrooms and a personal library/office.

"...through a glass darkly..." - A Cautionary Tale

2009-10-09T18:46:00.000-04:00

Previously, I was First Vice President of the Indiana State Employees Association (ISEA).
Up until that time, ISEA had been a very effective and independent state employee advocate, and had made great strides in gaining Raises, Leave, and Health Care Benefits; plus the elimination of the 2% Club (where employees were forced to make payroll deduction "contributions" to the political party in power).
Our Legal Team representing individual ISEA members in the workplace was top notch.
We were very active in one-on-one meetings at the local level with State Legislators, and were a real political player, especially when you consider that our membership was only around ten percent (10%) of all state employees.
It was about that time that we received affiliation overtures from AFSCME, AFT, UAW, CWA, IBEW, SEIU, NEA and others.
In the beginning, ISEA Board of Directors resisted these suitors, but, as time went on and we were all taken on wine-and-dine trips to Washington D.C. and other places, more and more of the Board members were won over (or bought out).
We decided to narrow it down and thoroughly investigate the choices between the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and staying independent.
AFT effectively sweet-talked almost the entire ISEA Board of Directors, basically on the promise from AFT that we would maintain our "autonomy" and be given major additional resources.
The ISEA President and I were the only two that realized that these promises were a travesty, and that, as soon as you turn over your membership list to an outside entity, your "autonomy" is gone.
At the ISEA annual convention where the AFT affiliation was to be voted on by our membership, rumor and smear campaigns were started against the President and myself. We ended up resigning from office, and the AFT lackeys took over ISEA.
Then the Indiana Governor forced a sweetheart "collective begging" system on us, which only allowed us to ratify being screwed by the Administration.
The International Unions were fat and happy with this arrangement, because they had their little "exclusive bargaining" units.
Nevermind little details like lobbying the Legislature or pursuing "real" collective bargaining.
Thereafter, there was year after year of wage freezes or 1-2% of tiny cost of living raises, and a total end to "merit" (longevity) raises, along with reductions in other benefits and staffing.
All of this was dutifully ratified by the "unions".
These same Unions also abandoned efforts to gain more meaningful collective bargaining through the Legislature .... something that might have actually given us some permanent rights ... in a time in history where they might have actually been able to accomplish this.
In conclusion, I list the following "truths" (according to me):

1.If you affiliate with an International Union, there's no such thing as independence or autonomy.
2.The International Unions are more interested in whatever benefits THEM, not YOU.
3.No matter which way you go, you can only rely on YOURSELVES to do the real work.
4.No matter how much money an International Union promises, this will soon end after you affiliate.
5.Collective Bargaining (without meaningful employee rights) isn't.

Roger McNeill in Indiana

P.S.: After ISEA's affiliation, the Indiana State Employees' Appeal Commission (SEAC) was abolished, and our state employees lost access to an employee complaint procedure. We now are considered "Employees at Will" and have no job protection.

To Affiliate or not to Affiliate? That is the MCEA Question!

2009-10-09T17:48:00.000-04:00

Sent to MCEA Leaders:
Having been an inside eyewitness to an international union affiliation question conundrum when I was Executive Director of the formerly independent Indiana State Employees Association (ISEA), please allow me to share two major concerns with which Maryland Classified Employees Association (MCEA) leaders and members should grapple on this same issue.
Obviously, any affiliation agreement document should include crystal clear protections for MCEA's independent self-determination.
However, of even more critical importance is the integrity, behavior, and attitude of the prospective affiliation organization.
In any agreement, specific contract language is important.
Nevertheless, it is the behavior, attitude, and integrity of the contractual parties that is the decisive determining factor for a successful and equal partnership.
This isn't a kid's game of bean bag.
The stakes are high, and it would be foolish to expect MCEA's supplicants for affiliation to be anything less than completely determined and machiavellian in their pursuit of bending MCEA's leadership to their own purposes and taking over MCEA's state employee dues deduction privileges.
After all, the allegiance and obligation of MCEA's suitors are to their union employers and not to MCEA's independent membership or Maryland's public and retired public employees.
Cajoling campaign promises and fawning flattery are one thing.
The behavior afterwards of a successful suitor is yet another thing.
Keep in mind that the MCEA President already has appointed an affiliation committee, and "as of this date, several meetings have taken place with different unions" (Source: MCEA President's Report to MCEA's October 12th & 13th Convention Delegates).
For more background on the ISEA affiliation experience in Indiana and an independent perspective on what happened, ask Roger McNeill.
Roger was ISEA Vice President at the time of their affiliation and still is an Indiana state employee.
You may e-mail him at Mcneillbld@aol.com.
Yours for job justice and workplace liberty,
Larry D. Kump

Adieu Larry

2009-10-09T11:15:00.000-04:00

The death of Larry LaPrise, who died peacefully at age 93, previously escaped the attention of most of the world.
Larry wrote "The Hokey Pokey".
The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the casket.
They put his left leg in, and then the trouble started....

The Feast (a Letter to my Children)

2009-10-03T14:38:00.003-04:00

Dear David & Sarah,
It always has been a struggle for me to partake of spiritual feasts.
Even so, when I seek after this bounty, it never fails to fill me with both gratitude and growth.
My Dish Satellite Television Network brings some of these feasts directly to me in the comfort of my home, through the semi-annual Worldwide General Conference broadcasts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), courtesy of BYU-TV.
And so it was today that I was grateful to watch the first broadcast today from 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM (Eastern local time), and will watch an additional broadcast today from 4:00 - 6:00 PM, and two more tomorrow from 12:00 Noon- 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Then later tonight, I will go to our local LDS Chapel for the General Conference Priesthood broadcast from 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM.
From experience, what works best for me to prepare for these special broadcasts is to pray beforehand that my heart and mind be prepared to receive inspired guidance on what will be most helpful for my personal growth and development.
Sure enough today, the first session of conference (just concluded) brought forth my tears of gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, as well as specific personal guidance for me.
One Apostle today taught us more about how our "consistency" in righteous efforts and habits will create eternal "brushstrokes on the canvas of our souls".
It already has been my experience that consistent and sincere scripture study and personal prayer has brought the blessings of Heaven into my life, so much so that I scarce can receive it all.
I also have learned that consistency in participating in my church meetings further deepens my capacity to receive these blessings.
As pointed out today by yet another Apostle, none of us have to be perfect. All we have to do is sincerely "try" to be better.
The best part of me is my testimony of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which the Savior literally leads on our behalf, to bless us and all the world..
Love,
Dad

Sunday, October 5th Postscript:
In the first session of our LDS Worldwide General Conference this afternoon, yet another Apostle reminded me of my need to more diligently apply an enduring article of our LDS faith in my life...
13th Article of Faith
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Note to Friends who read this blog entry: For more information about the purpose of life, the true nature of God, if families can be together forever, where we go after this life, and answers to other eternally significant questions - visit http://www.mormon.org/ or call toll-free 1-800-438-7557.

The 14th Article of Faith (of the LDS Church?)

2009-10-03T11:17:00.000-04:00

We believe in meetings-all that have been scheduled, all that now are scheduled, and we believe that there yet will be many more great and important meetings. We have endured many meetings and hope to be able to endure all meetings. If there is a meeting, we seek after it.

Postscript: For those fellow Saints who are having a spiritual hissy-fit about the above, and also for those who just don't know any better....lighten up! (That's right, it's just hyperbole.)

A Great Exercise Program - It Worked for Me!

2009-10-01T01:23:00.000-04:00

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room on each side.
With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can.
Try to do this for at least a full minute, and then relax.
Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for a little bit longer.
After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks.
Then try 50-lb. potato sacks, and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.
(I'm at this level)
After you gain strength and confidence at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks.

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them

2009-09-29T11:41:00.000-04:00

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or That's Michael, He's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, She's dead. "

Card Tricks

2009-09-29T02:33:00.000-04:00

Our nation's addiction to ponying up money we don't have (deficit spending) reminds me of the family who makes their mortgage payments with their Master Card, and then uses their VISA card to make their Master Card payments.

Foretold by Malachi (Chapter 4, Verses 5 & 6)

2009-09-24T18:46:00.005-04:00

David & Sarah,
As you already know, our Campbell and Henry family lineage (through your Great Great Grandfather Montford Guyon Seylar, your Great Grandmother Rhoda Leona Seylar Kump's Dad) goes back to the patriot Patrick Henry, but it goes back still even further than that.
Today, I completed more LDS Temple submissions on "Ma-Maw" Kump's family line, back through Scot and Irish Kings, and which includes Henry I of England.
That portion of our family genealogy now has been completed back to the First Century A.D., and the work continues on it as well as the other branches of our family tree, all of which has been posted at http://www.familysearch.org/.
The Spirit of Elijah continues to inspire marvelous works and wonders.
Love
Dad

From "The Sword of the Lady" by S.M. Sterling

2009-09-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

"...unless a man be tested to the utmost, none may know what hidden weakness lies in him, nor may he know his own...Devils seek to rule men, the Gods give us opportunities to rule ourselves, which may be infinitely more difficult, and to assist each other...which is harder still..."

The Sting

2009-09-17T15:55:00.002-04:00

Earlier this afternoon, while attempting to clear brush from near the fruit trees on the far side of my home, I disturbed a nasty and noxious nest of bees.
They were not amused.
I was badly stung, close to a dozen times.
These tiny terrorists even got under my clothes.
I also was not amused.

911 Memories

2009-09-11T11:54:00.002-04:00

September 11, 2001 was on a Tuesday, and I had called in to take an unscheduled vacation day from my job as a prison case manager at Roxbury Correctional Institution in Hagerstown, MD.
Very early that morning, I had awakened with a strong need to go serve in the Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Inside those sacred walls that morning, there was no hint of the outside chaos that soon began to unfold.
When I left the Temple, one of the groundskeepers approached me, and said, with a deathly pale expression, "We just have been bombed!"
Numbly, I nodded and continued on to my car in the parking lot, wondering what have caused his trauma and if he just was the victim of some scurrilous rumor.
To my chagrin and utter dismay, the truth of this tragedy soon began clear to me when I turned on my car radio.
I'll never forget the ongoing panic and mass hysteria that day in our nation's capitol.
It felt almost was as if I was in a third world banana republic, in the midst of a coup de'etat.
That day is forever burned in my memory.
I hope and pray that I never forget that awful day and the blessings of liberty that we all take so much for granted.

Lest We Forget (an Important Law)

2009-09-10T10:55:00.000-04:00

Obey gravity.
It's the law.

Better than "Hallmark" (and just for you)

2009-09-08T03:29:00.000-04:00

My tire was thumping.
I thought it was flat.
When I looked at the tire,
I noticed your cat.
Sorry!

Heard your wife left you,
How upset you must be.
But don't fret about it.
She moved in with me.

Looking back over the years
that we've been together,
I can't help but wonder.
"What the heck was I thinking?"

Congratulations on your wedding day!
Too bad no one likes your husband.

How could two people as beautiful as you
Have such an ugly baby?

I've always wanted to have
someone to hold,
someone to love.
After having met you,
I've changed my mind.

You brought Religion into my life.
I never believed in Hell until I met you.

As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am...
That you're not here to ruin it for me.

Congratulations on your promotion.
Before you go.,
Would you like to take this knife out of my back?
You'll probably need it again.

To My Children

2009-09-07T10:42:00.000-04:00

Dear Sarah & David,
Throughout my adult life, much of my time each day has been spent in personal prayer.
Some of it has been on my knees in a more formal mode, but most of it throughout the day is in almost constant whispered and sometimes even subvocal conversations with Our Father in Heaven.
And so it is that, over the years, I have learned to more fully recognize the gentle whisperings of the Holy Ghost, which are easiest for me to hear and heed when I am quiet and calm.
Accordingly, this morning, as I was studying the most recent words of the Prophets (Scripture), the prompting strongly came to me to share these thoughts with both of you.
Of all the people in my life, you two have been the most intense and constant focus of my prayers, on behalf of your personal welfare and happiness.
Perhaps mostly unbeknownst to you, it has been gratifying for me to see the hand of God and His ministering angels active in watching over you and removing some of the worst stumbling blocks from your paths, while also allowing you to experience and grow from the consequences of your choices.
In my living room hangs a reproduction of my favorite painting.
It is of a little boy, dressed in a Superman outfit and holding the hand of his Dad as they stroll down the sidewalk.
The caption reads, "Even Superman Needs a Dad".
It is the same with us and Our Father in Heaven.
With all my heart, thank you for allowing me to be your earthly Dad.
Love,
Dad