ARIZONA

When it's 24 degrees with about a foot of snow on the ground and the roads are as greasy as a bacon-filled frying pan, it's time to think of warmer environs. Since I'm heading out to Sierra Vista, Arizona sometime in March, I thought I would check to see what that city had to offer. Here's a quote from the current mayor of Sierra Vista. I hope I have an opportunity to meet him.



"Welcome to Sierra Vista, Arizona! Located 70 miles southeast of Tucson, this thriving community of nearly 43,000 is the regional center of southeastern Arizona and the home of historic Fort Huachuca. Surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of majestic mountain ranges and the San Pedro River, Sierra Vista boasts a temperate year-round climate, abundant sunshine, and clean, fresh air. Whether you're here to stay or just passing through, we hope you enjoy your virtual visit to Sierra. "

MUSIC TRANSPORTATION

This past Tuesday, the G-woman treated me to a surprise concert. Art Garfunkel, the taller and curlier hair half of Simon and Garfunkel, performed at the beautiful Forest Hills Performing Arts Auditorium. It was a special treat for me to hear many songs I knew by heart from all the way back to the late 60's, sung by one of the two which formed the greatest singing duet of all time.

Art is not a showman. In fact, he seemed a bit ill at ease on the stage, but he provides a great show! His band consisted of two keyboardist, a drummer, and a guitar player. One of the keyboardists (formerly with Steely Dan) was incredible as he produced an incredible range of sounds from the synth.

Music has a unique way of transporting us to a different time and a different place. Sometimes the memories are good...sometimes not so good. Tuesday evening I was transported back the the late 60's as I remembered laying in my college dorm room listening and meditating on the lyrics from S & G.

In addition to singing old standards such as: The Sound of Silence, Scarborough Fair/Canticle, The Boxer, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Cecilia, El Condor Pasa, Art sang a number of new and fresh songs from his latest CD. He created a special moment for the crowd when he sang Mrs. Robinson and inserted Jerry Ford in place of Joe DiMaggio in the lyrics.

Thanks for the memories Art!

Thanks for the surprise and making those memories possible G!

Enjoying a hazy shade of winter,
Dibs

CULTURE WARS

Quote of the week ... "I believe in the culture war. And you know what? If I have to take a side in the culture war I'll take [the conservative Christian] side. Because if you give me the choice of Paris Hilton or Jesus, I'll take Jesus."-- Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as quoted in The New York Times

Isn't it interesting that it seems perfectly normal in this culture to spend more time learning about someone like Paris Hilton than Jesus?

PISTONS IN MID-SEASON SWOON

What has Joe done to the Pistons? We've got two Flips and their both struggling! Billups goes down with an injury and a string of losses pile up. And then, in an attempt to turn things around, Chris Webber is signed! What's up with that? I thought Joe understood the importance of chemistry. Mr. Webber has created turmoil in every NBA locker room he has changed his clothes. Even though he's back "home," it won't make a meaningful differene in the Pistons season.

Prediction: Pistons finish in third, and lose in the first round of the playoffs.

A Prayer of Invitation

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.


“Take My Life and Let It Be” by Frances R. Havergal

24 is coming...

In less than 24 hours a new day begins. Jack Bauer will take on terrorists and save the USA with Chloe's help. I'm so ready for this to begin with the monster 4 hours on Sunday and Monday.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Matt Millen, GM and CEO of the Detroit Lions will be back for another year. The Lions have posted an incredible 23-70 record under his leadership. Millen is Ford's new Edsel.

Recently, while checking some recent death statistics for the U.S. on the web, I found the following disturbing numbers. Remember, these are deaths that are directly attributed to some behavior or action, each year.
1. 435,000 deaths from Tobacco
2. 365,000 deaths from poor diet/physical inactivity
3. 85,000 deaths attributed to alcohol
4. 26,347 deaths from automobile crashes
5. 20,308 homicides
6. 17,000 deaths from illicit drug use

C'mon, where's the outrage?

Why do people own cats? Why do people feed them?
In the summer, I love to eat outside....In the winter, I hate it.

The first cup of coffee always tastes the best.

Michigan has lost the last two games of the season, for 3 straight years. There's a pattern....

It really doesn't matter who the Lions pick in the draft. By the time they surround that high draft choice with some real talent, he'll be ready to retire.

I love it when people say that it will take the Lions a few games to learn the new coach's system.

I love what's happening in the Detroit Tiger organization. Mr. Ford, are you observing?

A couple of nights ago, I watched some old clips from the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson from the 60's and 70's...Classic! What surprised me was the current event humor in Johnny's monologue wasn't funny since the names and events were meaningless.

Beef tenderloin is my favorite hunk of meat, followed closely by a ribeye steak. Never ruin a good hunk of meat with steak sauce.

Shrimp and sweet cherries are a real delicacy on New Year's Eve.

Randomness is refreshing.

Oh, by the way, the photo above is of my grand-daughter, Savannah, enjoying another sunset at Lake Michigan.

GRAND RAPIDS...THE FINAL RESTING PLACE

Former President Ford's body was laid to rest today in Grand Rapids, Michigan, his hometown.

IT'S A NEW YEAR....

but the Christmas season would not be complete without a Christmas lawn decoration rant.

As I drove around during the past month, I discovered that some people have way too much time on their hands, and they're directing it toward an energy sapping lightshow on their front yards. The traditional lights strung on bushes and small trees have been joined by, roof hung icesicles, lawn inflatables including Frosty and Santa, bright ligts that outline roof lines, and multi-colored displays including manger scenes with Santa and his elves looking on in wonder.

No wonder my lights get dim and my hot tub is hard to keep at 101 degrees, during this time of year.

The worst of the worst award for the Tackiest Lawn Ornament of 2006, is a holdover from last year. Yup, you guessed it...the electronic grazing deer in the front yard wins the award. Those deer displays that are animated receive bonus points for creativity and effect.

In may research this year, I happened to come across a new deer lawn ornament for 2007. Watch for this one to appear at a laW traM store near you.