Not everyone likes Santa

Some kids are scared of the jolly old man. If you think this is Parke and Ben, you had better look again.

Real Live Preacher

The Preacher has been excellent lately. Don't miss his latest thought provoking essay.

Alert!

On a routine perusal of Jeanne's website I noticed that her CD is now available on I-Tunes.

Not so Random Dylan . . .

"When I was in Missouri they would not let me be.
I had to leave there in a hurry. I only saw what they let me see."

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Shelly finally made it home today. The girls sure were missing their Momma. There is no better medicine than having a two-year old curled up in your lap.

Shelly's still recovering. She probably won't make it back to school for the first week. But she's definitely getting better. Yesterday I didn't think she'd be able to come home today.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. Have a good new year!

Emergency Appendectomy for Mrs. Seamhead

I just wanted to let everyone know that Shelly had an emergency appendectomy Wednesday evening. She made it through the surgery ok, but Roger says she won't be released from the hospital until Saturday. Thus, she and the girls will have to forgo their annual Christmas pilgrimage to Wisconsin.

Please everyone keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

A Christmas Tale

Here's a Christmas Tale to warm your hearts on a cold day.

WIZARD OF BOZ

Tom and Tammy, we haven't heard from you lately. How about an update. Your days of quiet, peaceful dinners, restful nights, and sleeping late are almost over.





You'll have your hands full!

Why the Cards are still the best team in the NL

Because he plays for the birds..........


.......and they don't.

CURE FOR THE WINTERTIME BLUES

Lake Springfield in winter. You can't beat it.

HUH?

Our Fake Drilling Debate

G.F. Will or G.F. Swill?

1,001 and counting

This one is for you Andy B. You called for a debatable topic...here it is.

At 12:01 PT, Stanley "Tookie" Williams will be given a lethal injection after being denied clemency by the Governator. Despite his claims that he did not commit the killings, he was convicted of the 'execution style' slaying of three individuals.

His supporters request for a stay of execution has primarily been based on the argument that he should be allowed to continue his anti-gang work. Whichever side of the capital punishment fence you fall on, this is a weak argument. His supporters are using a non-legal argument to try and rectify a legal situation. But I guess if the normal arguments haven't been working, sometimes you have to try a new approach.

Andy, consider the pot stirred...now the fun begins.

The hot stove is fired up...

The KC Star is reporting that the Royals are planning on trading Jeremy Affeldt and Mike MacDougal for Anna Benson and a player to be named. Rumor has it that player may even be Kris Benson.

Palindrome

I just got done watching the movie "Palindrome" that Jeff was talking about quite a few post ago, and thought it was great. It's very disturbing, and makes you go "what the?", but that's exactly what I expected having seen his other movies. It's the kind of movie that will have you thinking about it long after you're done watching it.

If any of you have seen it, I would like to know what you think.

Ain't Science Grand??

Researchers have found out something that we have known for years...

Another Cupcake Killer

This is Abby at the birthday party. I feel Abby and I have a special bond. I can tell by the way she orders me around when we play.

Twisted Sisters

Here's another picture from our weekend at the Daw Mansion. Lexi and Willa had a fine time together. They even made money helping Aimee around the house.

Tangled Up In Blue

What a weekend the Phillips family had at the Daw mansion. The food was wonderful. There was a lot for the kids to do. They let me win beer at golf. They let my wife win cash at poker. We highly recommend it for a November Vacation Hotspot.

Seriously, it was a blast. A big thanks to do the Daws for having us. We might try to do it all over again on the Saturday after Thanksgiving if anyone is interested. There will probably be poker for sure. The golf, of course, is at the mercy of the fall weather.

And let me tell you, no one knows fun like Isa does.

Concerns

I talked to Sweet Lou the other night. He filled me in on a situation that some of you may have heard about. Lou and Misti's son Cody will be undergoing an operation to repair a hole in his heart on November 22nd. Lou said the Doctor makes it sound routine. They will go in through a vein in the leg and plug the hole with a piece of wire mesh shaped like the plug in a piggy bank. Eventually, the heart tissue will grow around the mesh and completely repair the hole.

Keep Sweet Lou and Misti in your thoughts and prayers.

DAMMIT!!!

I watched the World Series until the start of the 7th inning, feeling as if I was watching the 15th mile of a marathon. That damn Lance Berkman and Willie Tavarez getting key hits again, giving me flashbacks to the NLCS. The only thing missing was a really bad call by the umpires. Realizing I would never last until the end of the game and disheartened by the uninspiring play of the White Sox, I gave up. I just now looked at the sports scores and damn if I didn't miss three great innings of baseball. Another ding-dong given up by Lidge - what a shame. I bet it doesn't go past 5 games. The stros have a chance with Oswalt on the hill but that's it. Just like last year, the American League champ is on a roll (won 13 of their last 14 I think).

I wish the Cards had arms in their bullpen like the Sox have. I looked up Brian Giles' career OBP - .413. Not too shabby. I wouldn't mind having him and Eckstein in front of Pujols, Edmonds and Rolen.

Potted Meat

I have turned on a feature designed to fight Spam in the comments. From now on when you comment you'll be asked to verify some letters that you'll see on the screen. This will slow down automated Spam comments like we have seen in our comments. If you have a problem, just shoot me an email.

Somewhere in this Favored Land

Now we have an entire winter to speculate on the moves the Cards need to make. What do they need to do? Walker is gone. Will Reggie be gone too? Will they bid on the services of Brian Giles?

What about the bullpen? Ray King's tirade ensures the exit that his poor performance made probable. The Reyes injury really was a big problem in the postseason. Tavarez just isn't as depenable as Reyes.

The real problem is when you play a team with three starters like Oswalt, Clemens, and Pettite in a short series you can't make any mistakes. You have to stay within a run to enable the offense to try to manufacture runs. When you're down three you can't give away outs to get one run. That's what happened to them Wednesday night. When they had two on nobody out they couldn't bunt the runners over and try to scratch out a couple runs.

There was no room for error against these Astros. The Cards didn't play error free and they lost. What can they do to improve for next year?

Take your mind off it

If you need a little help getting past the mourning stage, get over to Paul's blog and enter his new contest. You won't want to miss this contest. Get your entries in now!

That's a Winner!!!

Wow!! How many of you saw it? No lying! How many of you went to bed?? Tell the truth . . . It was awesome!!

Joyless in Mudville

Ever since Howdy blogged October baseball the Cardinals have played horribly. Tonight the frustration seemed to boil over. Edmonds cannot lose control there. That was a huge at bat.

Do they have a miracle in them this postseason?

Good Day

Today, I escaped from the ranks of the unemployed. About three o'clock this afternoon I received a call offering me a position at the very medical center where my pathologist brother toils away his weekdays. Indeed, it's the job the Shelly and I desired the most. Another prayer answered.

Also today, I found myself mentioned on Andy's blog. It's always a good feeling to be remembered by your friends. In his blog, Andy muses about when a person has the right to speak for someone whose experience he does not share. For instance, I could offer my opinion about the quality of a certain hair stylist, but my opinion wouldn't have much weight. Certainly I wouldn't want Andy making statements on behalf of bald men.

But some people have no voice. Someone needs to speak for them. Someone needs to hear their voices even when they are just a whisper. So, Andy, I would say one needs to do more than presume to speak for others. One needs to seek out their whispers and amplify them.

The Speechalist

This may not be new, but it was new to me and one of the funnier videos out there.

The Speechalist

"Louisiana is a city that is largely underwater . . ."

In 2003 and 2004, the Bush Administration cut the funding for the levees that protect the city of New Orleans. Now, I've already heard the Bush apologists claim that any administration would have done the same considering the economic pressures. So, I'm gonna pretend that 100% of all presidential administrations would play Russian roulette with an American city that happens to be our largest sea port, because, you know, we wouldn't want to run up massive budget deficits.

Once you've cut the funding for the levees it seems to me the least you could do would be to be ready to act when the inevitable hurricane smashes into New Orleans. George Bush told the nation that no one could have predicted the damage the hurricane would do. Of course that's not true.

Readers of National Geographic knew of this scenario. The Army Corps of Engineers knew of this scenario. In fact this scenario was well known. For goodness sake, the National Weather Service knew exactly what would happen when Katrina hit.

So, FEMA took advantage of the two days from when Katrina turned category IV and when she hit the coast? That was not the case. Of course FEMA has been neutered by the Bush administration and is run by an incompetent. Michael Brown's main job for eleven years was the commissioner of judges for the international Arabian Horse Association. And he was forced to resign from that job.

And so the horror show continued. The director of homeland security was unaware that thousands of people where at the convention center until NPR told him. I guess he had no TV. The head of FEMA couldn't understand why people hadn't evacuated when the order to evacuate had been given.

And thousands of people died. While I think Kanye West was wrong, I don't think his comments were absurd at all. Certainly the Bush Administration, the State of Louisiana, and the City of New Orleans didn't leave these people behind because they were black. They did it because they were poor. They didn't feel it was necessary to waste time planning for a contingency that only affected the poorest and most vulnerable of their constituents. Kanye West was understandably confused because most of the poor people in New Orleans are black.

So we have demonstrated once again the lack of compassion of the Bush administration. Just like NCLB, just like the Iraq War, just like the giveaway energy policy, and just like the Medicare bill, we see the poor paying the way for the people in power.

As Keith Olbermann points out, this administration won reelection by running around this country claiming the other side couldn't protect them. Meanwhile, they left New Orleans and her most vulnerable population unprotected.

Christopher Mark Arrives

Christopher Mark was born 8/15/05 at 4:35pm weighing in at 8lbs 1oz and a "height" of 21 inches. Mark says everyone is adjusting well at home.

Howdy

Has anyone heard any news from the Howdys? I've received inquiries. We've assumed that his uncharacteristic silence was due to the new addition in his family. If you've heard anything leave the news in the comments.

Cards Win!

On Saturday, August 13, Roy, Rochelle, Mom and I made the pilgrimage to Wrigley Field to watch our Cardinals do battle with the small bears. After enduring a three hour rain delay, we watched a fine ballgame. Chris Carpenter pitched a complete game. Albert Pujols homered, and the Cards won 5-2.

The highlight of the game for us, however, came on a Pujols foul ball. We were sitting behind the plate, a little to the right, when Pujols fouled one back. It looked like it would land 10 or 20 rows behind us at first, but the prevailing winds at Wrigley took over.

As it came down it drifted slowly toward us, until it came down in the row behind us. I saw it the whole way and could have made a play if I had stepped on my mother. Roy almost had a play on it and claims he would have caught it if he'd brought his glove.

The ladies behind is knocked it down and it was rolling around when Roy reached down to snag it. The lady behind us smacked him across the side of his back and made a remark about stealing her ball.

The day became a little surreal when the husbands returned, and the ladies related their tale of the stolen ball. One of the men made several provocative remarks. We made a few return remarks. You didn't expect Rochelle, Mom, and me to be quiet did you?

One of the women said something about stealing the ball from her eight-year old. Roy said he was going to sell it on E-Bay. Not really. I wish he'd said that, but he said his seven-year old would enjoy the ball.

Of course, being Cub fans they had to leave early. The loquacious husband made a departing crack, "I hope you enjoy the ball."

And let me tell you, we will enjoy the ball. Willa and Parke were thrilled to see it. Roy's plan is to take it to spring training next year and get Albert to autograph it.

To be fair, on our other trip to a Cards game at Wrigley we were treated wonderfully in spite of all our Cardinal regalia. So we won't draw any lasting conclusions from this trip.

So . . . .

Does everyone remeber exactly what they were doing the last time the Royals won a baseball game? It was so long ago.

I will have a real post soon. As soon as my brother emails me a picture from our Wrigley Field outing. We have a good story to tell.

Brush with umm . . .

Everyone rush over to Paul's blog and check out his brush with ummm, fame I guess. Or maybe he found his long lost brother. Either way, you'll see some 'Big Ass Heads' over there.

Crime and Punishment?

As if baseball didn't have enough troubles...

Kenny Rogers, who physically assaulted a cameraman who (from all reports I've read) was quietly doing his job, was reinstated from his 20-game suspension. This wasn't a run-in during the heat of a game. He attacked, walked away, CAME BACK and attacked again. Then for good measure, he went after the cameraman a third time when he put the camera back on his shoulder. The arbitrator felt as if Rogers had served his time and should not have been suspended for 20 games. I always suspected that Bud Selig had no power...this confirms it.

At the same time, a frustrated DJ sounded off on the sad state of the Giants (gee, I wonder what he'd say about the Royals). He exercised his right to voice his opinion (he should have stayed away from the word 'Caribbean'...he may have gotten away with it). He was promptly called 'a messenger of Satan' by manager Felipe Alou. He chose to make fun of that on the air and was fired, along with the program director and morning show producer.

So let me see if I have this straight...a player can physically attack another person and is punished, but his penalty is reduced, a manager can call someone a 'messenger of Satan' without any recourse, but a radio DJ and others lose their jobs for making fun of being called Satan.

This sounds peculiarly like a government-run operation...or maybe it is.

Support Cindy Sheehan

Cindy Sheehan is holding vigil in Crawford, Texas. She has Vietnam Vets standing with her. Sheehan would like to speak with the President about the Downing Street Memos. Sheehan's son Casey died in Iraq on April 4, 2004.

It's a painful thing to realize your son was a pawn in someone else's game. It's painful to discover the war that took him was pre-planned, boxed up, marketed and served to Americans like the latest, greatest ground beef sandwich a red and yellow clown could dream up.

It will only get worse as the talk radio screamers and the Fox talk shows start to devour her as the latest traitor in their great 'War on Terra.'

Eventually they'll arrest her. They'll say she's a threat to national security.

Meanwhile, our great protectors will continue on, outing CIA agents for political vengeance, ignoring elected bodies that don't fall in line, and promoting torture.

I used to sleep at the foot of Old Glory
And awake in the dawn's early light
But much to my surprise
When I opened my eyes
I was a victim of the great compromise

The Great Compromise - John Prine

After Midnight

Yessir, some of you might have missed SweetLou's costume change complete with the slogan for Lou&Mistifest '06. And just look at Howdy - he started practicing for next year as soon as the crowd dispersed. Funny thing is I never saw him grope the pole once while he was practicing. Lou, tell him he's doing it all wrong!

Big Party

We returned from Warrensburg again yesterday after putting in some work on the house. We are plumb tuckered out, but we're excited about the approaching festival at Lou's Place. I'm sure the fierce golf competition will be adequately balanced with the fellowship and camaraderie that Saturday night will bring.

I hear last minute rehearsals going on as you read this. I'm sure more than one attendee will be hitting some golf balls at the range tomorrow. Everyone gearing up for some fun.

Of course, I didn't start this post without a point. My point, as it is so often, is to gloat. After the grand festivities on Saturday, Roy, Sarah, Shelly and I will be heading to the Cards/Cubs game at Busch on Sunday.

What a great weeknd we have on tap!

That's a Winner!!!

Albert does it again! The Cards steal one from the surging 'Stros. That's a beauty. Let's get rolling after the break.

Back online!!!!!!!!

The Phillips family is back online. And now with a shiny, new cable modem. We're high-speed, baby.

A shout out to all who helped make our move a great success (I still owe Paul and Dave a round of golf). Extra kudos go to Lou. He recognized how tired and worn I was from moving (and forgetting my golf shoes), and he let me put a serious golf pounding on him. Myron was not nearly so generous.

We are venturing back to the 'Burg next week to take care of a few things. But I should have some blog time coming.

We will be at the Lou Fest '05. I think my bro' and his wife will be with us. I'm hoping he'll play some tunes too. I think we'd all like to hear the song he posted plus a little 'Big Iron' with the Marty Robbins lyrics.

Partial Crime Scene

Here is a picture of the 13th hole on the course where Rog's purported victory occurred yesterday. This picture was taken from Roy and Sarah's deck. The green on this par 3 is to the left of the lake just on the other side of the cart path.

A Week of Goodbyes

We sat in a circle in the old one-room schoolhouse on Sunday picking some old-time music. I never made it to play with these good folk as often as I would've liked. And Sunday was the last opportunity before we move away.

We meandered through all of everyone's old favorites. I picked 'Bury Me Beneath the Willow' and 'Down in the River to Pray' for my last couple of picks. I was thrilled when Herb picked 'Eight more miles to Louisville.' Lisa went against the norm and pulled out Creedence's 'Down on the Corner' since the lyrics are eerily reminiscent of life in Warrensburg.

At the end of it they asked me to share a 'signature' song. So I was able to share Guy Clark's song, 'The Cape' with them. (If you ever get a chance to sing a song in Warrensburg's old, one-room schoolhouse you should do it. The acoustics in there are incredible. Even I sound decent in there.)

We shared, and then we said goodbye.

This week will be full of goodbyes for the girls and me. Goodbye to places and faces we've loved. Goodbye to the sights and sounds of the 'Burg. Every time we visit someone or someplace we'll think, "Will this be the last time?" (Thank God. They have custard shops in Springfield.)

Meet David

If you're wondering why I'm posting this, it's all Jagua Piru's fault. . . .

Most of you have met my husband of six years, David, but I wanted to put his picture up and tell you a little bit about him. For those of you who don't know him, I hope David will have the opportunity to meet you at Lou-and-Mistifest next month.

Last month David graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He has a job next year teaching math at a small high school just outside Jefferson City.

This was David's second attempt at higher education. His first attempt was, well, less than stellar. After that, he worked several years in construction. He hurt his back and had spinal fusion surgery in March 2001, which included the permanent insertion of two steel rods and six screws in his back. He knew his days as a construction worker were over.

His first course was 8 weeks of summer calculus. I think he was pretty miserable, but he stuck it out. His next-to-last semester, he took 20 credit hours so he could graduate in May 2005.

Anyway, after David graduated, we took a seven-day trip to Ixtapa, Mexico (see my previous post today). When we returned, I started a new job here in Jefferson City.

So, that's the story of part of David's life as told by me. I hear people complain about marriage, but I often catch myself daydreaming about how happy and lucky I am to be married to David. He is a gentleman but also a good hunter-gatherer, and his personality complements mine (read: he's neither obnoxious nor bossy). I know he'll make a great father someday if we ever get around to having a real critter and not just a spoiled dog!

Audience Check

I just wanted to post something since it's been a few days since any new musings appeared. I took this picture during the vacation David and I went on last month to Ixtapa, Mexico. David really liked these birds, which have black legs with bright yellow feet.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Paulie Live! At Deja Vu!

Paulie knocked them dead at Deja Vu on Friday.

Here is a picture of Paulie's first heckler. Also, see Travis' review at his blog.


These photos were taken by Rocky.

Big Show Tonight!

We're hoping to see a bunch of you guys tonight! We will be running late. We should be at Flat Branch before 8 pm though. We are going to wait for the Skeeter man. He has to work until after 6.

But we'll be there! And it's going to be blast. The weather is looking awesome. I won't mind if we're on the patio at Flat Branch. Save us three seats!

**UPDATE**
I just read my email. Tammy's Dad suffered a heart attack yesterday. So send your prayers for his recovery. Tammy and Boz will not be able to join us tonight.

Big Show Tomorrow!

Hey guys! Paulie's big show is tomorrow, and it appears that Mr. Weather Maker Man is finally going to give Paulie his big break. Do you guys want to meet at Flat Branch? Does anyone object? Is 7:30 a good time?

Let's say our tenative plans are to meet at 7:30 at Flat Branch. If anyone needs directions go here.

It's going be a blast. The weather's going to be perfect.

I wish I may, I wish I might . . .

On Saturday night as we lay down to sleep, my lovely bride peered out the window.

"A falling star! I saw one streak across the sky! I better make a wish."

I just began thinking how wonderful it is to wish on a falling star when she exclaimed again, "Another one! I saw another one!"

I began to think of MD and his meteor storms. How odd that she could see one of those in the little piece of sky visible from our bedroom window. It seemed a little too fantastic for me.

Then, dejected, my wife said, "Oh no, it was only lightening bugs."

After what my wife claimed to be an hour of shrieking laughter, I was able to say in the same manner a child talks between sobs, "You . . . . Wished . . . . . On . . . . . a . . . . Lightening . . . . . Bug!" And then another 30 minutes of shrieking laughter ensued.

I guess a few lightening bugs can really throw a Wisconsin girl for a loop. She claims they don't have many up there. I wonder if the Wisconsin readership can confirm this for us. I'm a little suspicious.

I am left wondering what happens when you wish on a lightening bug? Tonight, I'm gonna wish on a street light.

Big Show Friday!

Just a reminder that Paulie is scheduled once again to make his Deja Vu premiere on Friday. I will be going to the show. If anyone else is planning on going let me know. We'll make some pregame plans.

Friday Song

This Friday song is for my wife.

Let Me Walk

Let me walk with you tonight.
Found a gaping hole in the night.
I looked in the book, but the pages were faded.
I hope the music holds the last bit of light.

Write me a poem I can read to myself.
Make me a promise I can keep to myself.

Promises echo
Across mountains and valleys
‘Til they fall
Broken in the dirt.

The shards of the promises
Slice at the feet
Of those
Who already hurt.

Let me walk with you tonight.
Hold yourself steady on my arm.
We’ll pick us some roses with dew on the petals.
We’ll sing us some songs and spin us some yarns.

Let me walk with you tonight.
We’ll find us a soft place to lie.
We’ll hold each other close in the dark.
Comfort each other when we cry.

Write me a poem I can sing to myself.
Make me a promise I can keep to myself.

Promises echo
Across mountains and valleys
‘Til they fall
Broken in the dirt.

The shards of the promises
Slice at the feet
Of those
Who already hurt.

Let me walk with you tonight.
Put our love to the quest.
Live strange places. Love strange faces.
Hold each other when we rest.

Seven Years Ago Today . . .

Seven years ago today, my wife and I started our married lives by hauling MD's ass back to the hotel. (Upon arriving at the hotel, MD had to call his wife and find out their room number.) Thus began the long, strange trip during which we've added a couple of kids and a cat (We already had one cat). We've survived sickness, poverty, a tornado, and an ice storm with only the occasional trip to the emergency room.

Through it all, we've grown. We grown closer to each other. We've grown spiritually. And I think we've actually gotten a little better at this marriage business.

In a few weeks, we're making a bold move. It's one that we think is best for us and for the kids. It may be tough, but we'll make it work in spite of ourselves. (This CD is good for a marriage.)

Happy Anniversary, Shelly!

Mules Again Today

The Mules lost yesterday in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Luckily it was their first loss in the double elimination tournament. They get a rematch with Florida Southern today at 2:30. You can listen here.

The winner will face North Florida in the championship game on Saturday. The championship game will televised on CSTV, ESPNU or Metro Sports for Kansas City viewers.

Big Announcement!

The Big Show has been rescheduled. It will be Friday, June 17th at he Deja Vu Comedy Club in Columbia, MO. The shows will be at 10:30 and 11:30.

Don't miss it! It should be a great show. Paulie recently sharpened his chops at an Open Mike night at Stanford's Comedy Club in Kansas City.

Odds and Ends

I wanted to cover a couple things before I head off to whip Jason and Dale on the golf course this weekend.

1. A couple of contributors told me that they think Sweetlou's post shouldn't be considered an actual post. It's cool to have a party and invite everyone (I'll be there, Lou), but these contributors insist that Lou should provide us with another post. They contend that a real post has some intellectual value. They want a post that provides some insight on a topic or offers up some witticisms. And barring any of that, the post should at least talk about the value of beer or sex. I am inclined to agree with these contributors unless it makes Lou mad enough to cancel his party. In that case, I think those guys are crazy.

2. During the Colorado series I went to bed during the games twice. The Cards came back to win both of these games. The middle game of the series I stayed up to watch, and they lost. Does this mean anything?

3. This weekend I am in the position of having my incompetence at golf pay off for me. And since my incompetence is great, it gives me a better chance. I will, however, still put a whippin' on Dale and Jason since they are just as incompetent as me.

4. The Baseball Mules are playing in the Division II national semifinals tonight at 6:30. They are ranked no. 1 and have already beaten No. 2 ranked Florida Southern and the No. 3 ranked defending champs, Delta State. If you're interested you can listen here. Go Mules!

5. Oops! Never mind!

Have a great weekend!

**UPDATE** I forgot to mention the Mules when I originally posted this.

Best Songs with Car/Truck/Motorcycle Metaphor

Anyone have an opinion on the best (or their favorite) songs using a car/truck/motorcycle metaphor? I just heard one of my favorites on the radio: "1952 Vincent Black Lightening" by Richard Thompson.

Sunday Baseball at the K

We arrived at Andy's church Sunday fifteen minutes late. We thought the service started at 10:45, but it started at 10:30. That set the tone for the rest of the day. Andy has already blogged the game and posted pictures from his digital camera.

It was a beautiful day for baseball at the K, and the seats contained more red-clad fans than blue-clad. But the blue-clad fans had more to celebrate when it was all over. David Eckstein's horrific day in the field gave the Royals a big lead in the first inning. The Cardinals never threatened that lead.

It was free hot dog and beverage day for the kids though. Plus, we earned free Krispy Kreme doughnuts since the Royals were able to get twelve hits (it turns out that if you give them more than three outs per inning they get a lot more hits). The Cards did take two out of three from the Blue Crew this weekend, so all was not lost for Cards fans.

The Birds at the K

Andy and I are taking the families to the K to see the Cards battle the Royals on Sunday. The K is a great place to watch a ballgame. It doesn't have the same electric atmosphere you'll find at Busch or at Wrigley, but it is a beautiful, relaxing ballpark.

One of the best things that can happen at the K is when Royals deliver twelve hits. That means your ticket stub is good for a dozen, delicious Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Now, if they get twelve hits Sunday and lose, it will be a magic day. However, the Royals haven't had many games with twelve hits this year.

Willa be will attending her third MLB game and her second Cardinals game. Isa will be attending her first game ever.

Don't tell Andy, but it looks like the Royals will be using a Minor League call-up to pitch against the Cards on Sunday.

I'll be back on Monday with a full report.

Media Intimidation

Newsweek Magazine retracted a story about the mistreatment of the Holy Koran this week. Or, rather, they were intimidated into retracting the story by the Bush Administration. The story is probably true. It's been widely reported in the New York Times, Washington Post, ABC News, the Seattle Times, the Houston Chronicle, and others.

The Pentagon claims it investigated and found nothing. They must not have read any earlier inquiries or interviewed any of the released (i.e. innocent) prisoners.

This is plain and simple media intimidation. The kind that undermines democracy as most Americans envision it. Check out the Rude Man for more citations and a more profane take.

Nice Shorts, Andy!

Hey, everyone pop over to Andy's blog today and tell him how wonderful his shorts look. And don't forget to check out his daughter Cori who is quickly running out of teeth.

And then there was one...

After months of promising and planning, I have decided to leave the land of the unposted and strand Lou as the last remaining non-poster.

Welcome to the middle of the spring, affectionately known around our house as softball season. Amanda's team, Blue Springs Lightning Black, just played their 24th and 25th game earlier today and still has two left to play tonight. Tomorrow begins the single elimination tournament where the team could play as many as three more games. As of right now, their record is 20-5 (an .800 winning percentage ain't too bad). Before Nationals are played in Oklahoma this July (where it will be 108 degrees in the shade), the Lightning will probably play in the neighborhood of 70-75 games. To play 70-75 games in the old Khoury League would take you about five years. Amanda even got to play four games on her birthday. Now I know that to some of you, that seems like a lot of softball, but to many of us, that would have been ideal when we were growing up. Check out the team's website for more information. I try to keep it as current as possible with schedules, scores, and pictures.

Right behind Amanda is Lindsey. She is in her first year of machine-pitch ball and is having a blast. She has an intense competitive spirit (she'd fit right in with this group) and is going to be tough to keep off of the softball fields for the next couple of decades. Sorry, no website for the Superstars.

(OK, Lou, it's all on you.)

Big Show Cancelled!

Once again the Big Show is cancelled. Paulie is weatherbitten. He will let me know as soon as the show is rescheduled. I guess this isn't the time to take Paulie to the Boat.

Big Show Friday!

A reminder that Paulie's big show is Friday. I am planning on going. I'll just plan on being at Flat Branch shortly after 7 pm. The weather is looking good so far.

The shows are again scheduled for 10:30 and 11:30 pm at the Deja Vu comedy club in Columbia, MO.

Come on out! Enjoy the show!

**UPDATE** Jeff has offered his home for pre-show beers and laughs. This sounds like a great option to me. If you want directions leave a comment here or email Jeff or me.

Hit over the Head

Since someone said I've been hitting readers over the head with my beliefs, I wanted to give examples of what it really means to hit someone over the head with beliefs. In Kansas, they want to teach a religious belief as if it were a credible alternative to the foundation of modern biology. In Texas, they want to exclude Gays and Bisexuals from being foster parents. In Waynesville, North Carolina, nine members of the East Waynesville Baptist Church had their membership revoked because they are Democrats.

I just write what I think and encourage everyone else to do the same. I think it does all of us good to see the humanity of the people arguing from the other side. Too often the media highlight the differences and shield the humanity that binds us. This dehumanization makes it easy to discriminate against those who are different. It makes it easier to turn hate on other humans. It makes it easier to turn weapons on other humans.

This site is here for all to participate. All points of view will be considered and argued here. However, no one should be criticized for expressing their opinions here.

Anyone who knows me can become a contributor. Just email me your wish to join and an email address.

**UPDATED** Changed to reflect the correct state for Waynesville.

Mulholland Drive

Blog Daddy was able to rent some movies this week. Shelly and I both watched Napoleon Dynamite. I watched Mulholland Drive while she slept.

I have thought about Mulholland Drive for a couple days. It was a good flick. I'm a big David Lynch fan. I think the whole movie is Diane Selwyn's fantasy or dream. After she wakes up I think we see the reality that brought about her fantasy. I believe she had Camilla killed in reality. In her dream, Camilla survived, Diane re-entered her life with a new identity. I loved the Silencio scene. I'm not sure of the scene's meaning though. I'll keep thinking about it.

Napoleon Dynamite as a good flick too. Tons of laughs in that movie. Thanks for the suggestions.

**UPDATE** In the Silencio scene, Rebekah Del Rio does a Spanish version of Crying that is amazing. It is called Llorando. You can hear a clip of it here.

Going Shopping

I went to the zoo with Mrs. Laws kindergarten class today. We had a blast. I was going to post a picture from the trip, but most of the pictures are still on the film in my camera. This gem was on the roll that I had developed today though. The girls are heading out to do a little shopping. They are quite a pair.

Another Magical Evening

The Cards scored seven runs in the top of the ninth to beat the Reds 10-9 last night. John Mabry hit a two-run shot to put the Cards ahead. It's going to be a fun season.

Maybe they can reach the 100-win mark again.

In a couple of weeks I'll be attending the big interleague matchup at the K. I'm going with Andy who for some reason is a big Royals fan. How're you feeling about that game these days, Andy?

Dignity

The Real Live Preacher wrote yesterday about children in the worship service. My wife and I have always wanted our children to worship with us. Without them the service would seem superficial to us.

Sometimes, of course, the children bring a touch of chaos into the service. Some people are upset by this. The Preacher looks at it a little differently.

So away with the idea that worship is meant to be produced by experts and performed by professionals. Away with the idea that worship takes place up on a stage where it can be carefully orchestrated, controlled, and reproduced week in and week out, like some sort of TV show. I don’t want order in church; I want dignity. And dignity comes not from control, but from understanding who you are and taking your rightful place in the world.

Some control is surrendered, but the payoff is immeasurable.

I find a similar problem with the Bush Administration these days. Keep the immigrants out, they say. Prevent war with war, they say. Our beliefs are what these people need, they say. We can control them, they say.

But it will never work. You don't change the way people see you with bombs and guns. You can't beat them over the head with your own beliefs.

It takes compassion. It takes love. It takes the recognition of dignity in others.

Sometimes there will be chaos. It won't be easy. But if you want to change people's hearts, you must care for them and recognize their dignity.

The van speaks for itself

This van often is parked on a main thoroughfare in my neighborhood that connects to a main thoroughfare across the street from a middle school. The van speaks for itself . . .

Not lacking in artistic flavor

It gets better

In all its glory

Show Rescheduled!!

The Big Debut of Paul and the Violent Farmers has been cancelled and rescheduled! Paulie will be performing Friday night, May 13th, at the Deja Vu Comedy Club in Columbia, MO.

Tell your friends and neighbors! Tell your enemies! Tell everyone!

And make sure you come out. I'll be there again. I'm going to call my buddy Jerry and try set up some poker or golf or both for Saturday. If you're interested in either or both, let me know!

A Shout Out to Boz

Yesterday my Grandmother called. She was so happy. My Grandpa had been reclassified by the Veteran's Administration from a 25% disability to 100%. This is going to make their lives much less complicated.

The idea to get my Grandpa reclassified came from Boz when he interviewed him for the POW project. He told me that most POWs from WWII are classified 100% by now. Once my Grandma, my Uncle, and my Dad were apprised of this information, they made sure my Grandpa did everything the VA asked to get reclassified.

So thanks again Boz. I already use this space to tell everyone how great it is to have the transcripts from my Grandpa's interview about his POW experiences. Now, they will have a lot more comfort in their golden years.

El Dulcedumbre

A musical parody to honor the return of Sweetness, sung to the tune of "Big Iron" by Marty Robbins.

9- IRON (THE BALLAD OF SWEET LOU)

To the town of cabeza grande rode a stranger one fine day
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn't have too much to say
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
For the stranger there among them had a 9-iron on his hip
9-iron on his hip

It was early in the morning when he drove into the town
He came in slowly from the east side looking all around
"He's a high handicapper" came the whisper from each lip
And he's here to do some business with the 9-iron on his hip
9-iron on his hip

In this town (cabeza grande) there lived a golfer by the name of old Seamhead
Many men had tried to take him and that many men had failed
He was short, bald and cocky though a young man he was no more
And the notches on his putter numbered one and nineteen more
One and nineteen more

Now the stranger started talkin, made it plain to folks around
That his name was Sweetness (el dulcedumbre) and he wouldn't be too long in town
He'd come with his 9-iron to shoot a score in the red
H'd come to teach a lesson to his rival old Seamhead
His rival old Seamhead

Wasn't long before the story was relayed to old Seamhead
But Seamhead didn't worry, men that tried before had failed
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip
Twenty-one would be the high handicapper with the 9-iron on his hip
9-iron on his hip

The morning passed so quickly, soon it was time for them to play
It was twenty past eleven when the two teed off that day
Folks were watching from their windows, everybody was tight-lipped
They knew the high handicapper was about to get his butt whipped
About to get his butt whipped

There were four hundred yards between them and the 18th green that day
And the fortunes of the high handicapper are still talked about today
For Seamhead had not cleared the water, and Sweet Lou let one rip
And Sweet Lou's aim was deadly with the 9-iron on his hip
9-iron on his hip

It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round
There before them lay the putter of old Seamhead on the ground
Oh he might have went on winning but he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match el dulcedumbre with the 9-iron on his hip
9-iron on his hip


Well done Sweetness and many happy returns.

Big Show Rescheduled!!!!

The Big Debut of Paul and the Violent Farmers has been rescheduled! Paulie will be performing next Friday night, April 29th, at the Deja Vu Comedy Club in Columbia, MO.

Tell your friends and neighbors! Tell your enemies! Tell everyone!

And make sure you come out. I'll be there again. I'm going to call my buddy Jerry and try set up some poker or golf or both for Saturday. If you're interested in either or both, let me know!

Big Show Tonight!

Tonight, at the Deja Vu comedy club in Columbia, MO, Paulie makes his professional comedy club debut. I hope a bunch of you are coming. My sis' and I are meeting at 7:15 or so at the Flat Branch Brew Pub. Everyone is welcome to show up there and pregame with us.

If you have nothing to do tonight come on out! The shows are at 10:30 and 11:30 on the patio.

**UPDATE**
The big show has been cancelled because of the weather. Paul says it will be rescheduled for next Friday or the one after that. I will post it here as soon as I know. I will be at the show when it is rescheduled. We can get new plans going as soon as we know which day it will be. Paulie wants to thank everyone who was coming. He appreciates the effort and hopes you can come to the rescheduled show.

Tree Hugger

Here's Willa climbing the Magnolia tree in the front yard. I thought we needed to break up the monotony a little with a picture.

We went to the kindergarten school this evening and watched the kids sing. They were fantastic. Willa enjoyed performing, and Isa enjoyed the show.

I can't wait to see some other pictures up here!!! Let me know if you need some help.

You know what else we're waiting on? (Besides Dave and Lou)

Part 2 of Howdy's riveting tale.

Nascar Simulator

Today, Blog Daddy had the chance to sit in a Nascar Simulator. It was an old Nextel Cup car converted into a simulator. It was the #41 car of one of Paul's favorite Drivers, Casey Mears.

Blog Daddy hit many things. None of them were cars though, because they were all too far ahead. Rest assured, if he could have caught them, he would have hit them too.

It is probably best for Blog Daddy and his family that he is not a Nascar Driver.

Saturday Golf

On Saturday Blog Daddy, the league's leading money winner, went head-to-head with Jason and Dale again. This time, with no league money to affect his strategery, he pounded them. Jason made a valiant comeback on the back nine, but of course, he came up short. Blog Daddy hopes this victory inspires as much songwriting as his prize money victory did last week.

Blog Daddy would like to congratulate the Boz man. He and his brother traversed to Milwaukee this weekend and attended the Cardinals' three-game sweep of the Brew Crew. It also turns out the Miller boys are a bit masochistic. They attended an NBA game while they were there.

Nonetheless, they have turned the Cards around. If anyone would like to buy them tickets to future Cardinal games to maintain the momentum, I'm sure they would not turn those tickets down.

Beautiful Thursday

Today as Blog Daddy prepares to venture out on the first night of Golf League and punish Jason for his insolence, he wants to welcome Boz into the fold. He's in rhythm right away hitting us with some haiku.

Now, I want a couple of you other guys, who I will call Dave and Lou for this post so as not to reveal your identities, to see how Boz did it. First he joined the blog. Then he posted. Got that? Joined . . . then posted. Joined . . . then posted.

Now what the mysterious Dave and Lou have done is joined. And that's it! No posts. No Haiku. No kid intros. Sure we get a couple of stories in the comments, but we're looking for some real action here.

So get out there and post! Now!!

Big Announcement!

Hey guys, I'd like to announce a big star is coming to the Deja Vu Comedy Club in Columbia, Missouri. On Friday night April 22, Paul and The Violent Farmers will be appearing on the patio at the 'Vu for two shows, 10:30 and 11:30.

I plan on being there for both shows. I'd like to get some golf together for Saturday as well. I hope some of you guys show up! It will be a good time.

Let me know if you're going and want to play some golf! I can post directions if enough people are going.

Don't miss it!!

**UPDATE**
It now appears that I will have to work overtime on April 23rd. I won't be able to play or arrange any golf. I will still make the shows though. Come on out!!

Birthday Song for Seamhead

Happy 37th birthday to my big (some would say big-headed) brother! You are approaching middle age at a rate similar to the rate at which our natural resources here on earth are diminishing (damn fast!) and physically are not what you used to be (surely you've perceived this). But fear not, there are ways to overcome the limitations of your age and the inevitable mental and physical deterioration. My song for you:

YOU KEEP ME ROCKIN ALL NIGHT

I'm in love with a girl that I just met
She makes my heart pound and my palms sweat
She gets my motor to racing fast
I think this love is gonna last

When we're together nothing goes wrong
Her love keeps me going strong
She gets me hot when the lights go out
She taught me what real love is about

Cialis you keep me rockin all night
When I'm with you love sure feels right
Since I found you I've been feelin so good
Doin things I never knew I could

This love of mine makes everything new
And if you had her you'd feel it too
I don't care if she takes all my money
Cause her lovin makes me feel like I'm twenty

Now she and I, we make a strange pair
And sometimes when we're out, people stare
But I don't care what those people say
Her lovin takes my breath away

Cialis you keep me rockin all night
When I'm with you love sure feels right
Since I found you, I've been feelin so good
Doin things I never thought I would

Well, getting older ain't no fun
But with you, baby, I get things done
And I know your love will stick around
Until I'm six feet under the ground

Cialis you keep me rockin all night
And lovin you, it sure feels right
Since I met you, I've been feelin so good
Doin things I never knew I could

Repeat as many times as you like, but if the song lasts more than 4 hours, seek medical attention!

Without Delay

I don't usually like to post so quickly after others have posted, but this is an important one. I want to make something clear about what we've learned about Tom Delay over the past week. He was getting money from foreign agents. He was taking trips paid for by foreign agents.

Now, the trip he took in 1997 was financed by Russian foreign agents. Hmm, 1997. That's a little weird. Oh yeah!. That's when he told President Clinton that he would support a resolution to bomb Serbia, and then he marshaled his forces to defeat the resolution.

So, he was taking money from foreign agents who supported Slobodan Milosevic when he undermined the resolution in Congress. I thought that he just hated Clinton so much he'd rather support a mass murderer. I may have been wrong, but the truth may be much worse.

Living Will

On the advice of my sister I've decided to make provisions for when I'm hit in the head by one of Lloyd's shanked golf balls. I looked everywhere for some help, and Myron came through. Here's the living will I like the best.

Living Will



I, _________________________ (fill in the blank), being of
sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive
indefinitely by artificial means.

Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of
peckerwood ethically challenged politicians who couldn't pass
ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it.

If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to sit up
and ask for a cold beer, it should be presumed that I won't
ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I
hereby instruct my spouse, children and attending physicians
to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and call it a day.

Under no circumstances shall the hypocritical members of the
Legislature (State or Federal) enact a special law to keep
me on life-support machinery. It is my wish that these
boneheads mind their own damn business, and pay attention
instead to the health, education and future of the millions
of Americans who aren't in a permanent coma.

Under no circumstances shall any politicians butt into this
case.  I don't care how many fundamentalist votes they're
trying to scrounge for their run for the presidency, it is
my wish that they play politics with someone else's life
and leave me alone to die in peace.

I couldn't care less if a hundred religious zealots send
e-mails to legislators in which they pretend to care about
me.  I don't know these people, and I certainly haven't
authorized them to preach and crusade on my behalf. They
should mind their own business, too.

If any of my family goes against my wishes and turns my
case into a political cause, I hereby promise to come back
from the grave and make his or her existence a living hell.


Signature _____________________ DATE__________
Witness  _____________________ DATE__________

The Cardinals Take the Field

It's Chris Carpenter throwing today against Astros' ace Roy Oswalt. These aren't the same Astros the Cards played in the NLCS back in October. Their outfield will be totally different since the lone returnee, Lance Berkman, is sidelined with an injury. But anytime you beat Bagwell, Biggio, and Clemens it's a good win.

Forget about the off season. Forget about last season. Spring is here. Optimism abounds. Barring a slew of injuries, the Cardinals should be able maintain our optimism through October.

Right now the Cubs are tied for the division lead. I'm sure that's not going to last too long. Will the Cubs or Astros be able to give the Cards a run for their money? They both have pretty good pitching staffs. Both staffs need to avoid injury to have a shot.

The team that could surprise in the division is Cincinnati. The everyday lineup and the bullpen are solid. The starting staff has young pitchers and underrated pitchers. They don't have a reliable ace, however.

So it should be the Cards. The offense is the best in the National League. Four 15 game winners return to the starting staff. The bullpen should be dependable. Let the games begin.

Big Monday

It's Opening Day! It's 70 degrees and beautiful here in the 'Burg. If I were independently wealthy I'd be stalking the fairways at a local golf club. But I'm not, so I'm sitting here wishing the Cardinals were playing today.

I want to make an announcement today. The news is about a week old. We wanted to make sure we told everyone who doesn't need to find out by reading our blog.

My wife was offered a job at an elementary in school in Chatham, IL. Chatham is the school district where my nephew Parke attends school. It will also be the district were we plan to send Willa next year.

My wife is thrilled with her new position even though it won't be at the school where Parke and Willa will be going. It's a position similar to the one she had here in Warrensburg.

We are so excited to move. We have a lot to do before then, and it'll be here before we know it.

Hopefully by the time we get to move, the Cardinals will be in first place with big lead.

Friday Song

I am posting this tonight because it is unlikely I will have time to do it on Friday.

As you may or may not know, I recently spent a year in Charlottesville, Virginia, in order to obtain some additional training in my medical specialty. This part of Virginia, as well as the rest of the state, is exceptionally beautiful and rich in American history, and I highly recommend visiting if possible. I think they even race cars there! Charlottesville is just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains and about 25 miles from Shennendoah National Park, the Appalachian Trail, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, which offer fabulous vistas and lots to do for outdoor lovers. Unfortunately for me, however, the forces that be conspired to keep my wife and two sons in Missouri during this period of time. This song is about that year.

MOUNTAINS BLUE

Well I watched you, I watched you get on that plane
And I could barely, I could barely stand the pain
It's a long flight back to those mountains blue
And my head is hurtin cause I'm missing you
Well it's four more weeks till I'm home again
I hope some day, son, you'll understand
Cause I don't want to feel this way anymore
Yes I'm mountains blue, yes I'm mountains blue
Yes I'm mountains blue cause I'm missing you

I headed east to cross those mountains blue
Alone with just my thoughts and memories of you
My apartment was nothing but a cold, hard floor
And there was no one there to greet me when I opened the door
My only salvation hung there on the wall
Hearing your voice at night, when you would call
Now I came home from time to time, but things weren't the same
The leavin was always there, weighing on my mind

Well I watched you, I watched you get on that plane
And I could barely, I could barely stand the pain
It's a long flight back to those mountains blue
And my head is hurtin cause I'm missing you
Well it's four more weeks till I'm home again
I hope some day, son, you'll understand
Cause I don't want to feel this way anymore
Yes I'm mountains blue, yes I'm mountains blue
Yes I'm mountains blue cause I'm missing you

It was a long cold winter and it rained all spring
But the sun was shining the weekend you came
Well, it felt so good to hear you, to hear you laugh
And three days never went by, never went by so fast
I bet you don't remember climbing those mountains blue
But that's why the always make me think of you
Well, you had to go, you had to fly away
And I can't forget the look on your face, as I

I watched you, I watched you get on that plane
And I could barely, I could barely stand the pain
It's a long drive back to those mountains blue
And my heart is achin cause I'm missing you
Well it's four more weeks till I'm home again
I hope some day, son, you'll understand
Cause I don't want to feel like this ever again
Yes I'm mountains blue, yes I'm mountains blue
Yes I'm mountains blue cause I'm missing you

Now I'm back home and things are right
I'm there to tuck you into your bed each night
Any you fall asleep so fast cause you know I'm near
Seems you've forgotten all about that year
Well it's hard to say if leaving was right or wrong
But I didn't think one year would be so long
I thank my stars every night that I'm back with you
Instead of living in the shadow of those mountains blue

I watched you, I watched you get on that plane
I could barely, I could barely stand the pain
It's a long drive back to those mountains blue
And my heart is achin cause I'm missing you
Well it's four more weeks till I'm home again
I hope some day, son, you'll understand
Cause I don't want to feel like this ever again
Yes I'm mountains blue, yes I'm mountains blue
Yes I'm mountains blue cause I'm missing you

And I don't want to feel like this ever again
Yes I'm mountains blue, yes I'm mountains blue
Yes I'm mountains blue cause I'm missing you

That's the year in a nutshell! I'm glad it's over.

RWP

Making Cookies with Isa

I'd like to you all to meet Isa. Unlike Willa, there are plenty of you who haven't met her. She is quite hilarious. She doesn't really like to play with toys. She likes computer games, musical instruments, and audio-visual equipment. She will play with a toy if it happens to be one that Willa wants. She loves dogs and cats.

Isa turned 17 months old on the 23rd of March. She already likes to play tricks on people. She'll pretend she's going to give you something, and then she'll turn and run, giggling the whole time.

She already loves singing, dancing, and clapping along to music. She loves eating. She loves helping out in the kitchen. She loves being outside.

The best part of having two children is watching them together. Nothing makes Blog Daddy's heart warmer than watching them make each other laugh.

The last few weeks Isa is having an explosion in her vocabulary. Sometimes words fly out that she didn't even expect. She looks so excited when that happens. When you give her something (especially food) she says 'taytoo.' And it's the sweetest little 'thank you' you could ever hope to hear.

P.S. Her name is prounced 'eesa' like Lisa without an L.

Blog Daddy Returns

After a short vacation Blog Daddy has returned. The Daddy and his family spent a few days in Springfield, IL as guest of Roy and his family. They also spent a night in Jefferson City as a guest of Rochelle and her family.

Blog Daddy was able to spend an afternoon on the golf course with his brother. More importantly, Shelly had a job interview with representatives of several school districts in Sangamon County. According to her, it went splendidly.

Blog Daddy was extremely pleased to see the songs and other posts on the blog. He was overjoyed to see the results of another ultrasound. The Daddy fondly remembers how the ultrasound brought the first realizations that something was indeed alive in there.

Blog Daddy was also thrilled to see Carl Edwards take the racing world by storm. The Daddy loved seeing the kid do the flips off of his car after he won.

The Daddy has some pictures from the vacation. He will do the long overdue introduction of Isa. He also plans some Cardinal talk in the coming week. The Cards open in Houston on Tuesday, April 5th.

Paul's Friday Song Contribution

Since Roger mentioned this song a week or so ago, I thought I would start my first Friday song posting off with it. I'd also like to mention that Jeff's Friday song idea got me thinking, and I am doing something similar on my blog, except it's with haiku. It would be awesome if you guys checked it out and submitted a haiku. Here's the song:

Daddy

I know I was an accident/ I was a bastard child

Daddy left before I was born/ Before the child support was filled

Mom you always kept me in good supply of daddies along the way

I'm even counting that guy you made me call Uncle Bob/ Although I'm pretty sure he was gay

To make me fill good you always lied and told me dad got killed by a pack of goats

I don't know about that but there is one thing that I'd like to know

Did daddy have a big ass head?

Because mines as big as the moon

Did daddy have a big ass head?

Because mines all blown up like a balloon

Was he Charlie Brown or a Water Buffalo

the Elephant Man I'd like to know

Did daddy have a big ass head?

Did he use his head to flag in ships?
When he jumped real high did the sun eclipse?
When he got a hair cut was it an all day trip?

Did daddy have a big ass
Did daddy have a big ass
Did daddy have a big ass head?

He Doesn't Talk Back With Words

He doesn't talk back with words.
He doesn't have to. Sometimes you just know. Sometimes it is obvious. Like a burning bush. Or, walking away unscathed. I've been sitting on this story for a little while now. Partly because we have been dealing with this. Partly because I wanted to establish a "poster's presence" on the blog without a bias of shock or sympathy by posting this story first. Partly to put this behind us far enough to want to even share the story very far. But I've seen my queue. He can tell us things without talking.

Why were my wife and son driving in this small car? Because the milk my son had unknowingly spilt in the "safe" car had soaked into the seat and began to smell like the stench of a dead rodent. They were only going to be out a short time, so they took the Neon. She had worked a 1/2 day at the adoption agency and he had been at grandma's house. They were on their way home. A short 13 minute ride.

It was Jan 31st, one week after Wade's 3rd birthday and Michelle's first ultra-sound on the new baby, at approx 4pm when I received the proverbial dreaded call. The phone rang repeatedly, incessantly. Someone was desparate to reach me. I answered. It was my wife's voice, strained with emotion, "We've been in a bad car accident. Come as fast as you can. It's on Hwy 79. Hurry." The line went dead. Throwing down the phone, I flew from my desk chair, grabbed my coat and ran to the car. Trying to drive as fast as possible yet maintain calm and control, I hurried down the highway when suddenly the thought hit me "Did she just call me or did she call 911?". It was at that exact moment when I reached an intersection and saw the ambulance go flying by, lights and sirens ablaze. Knowing already that it was heading to the scene of my wife's accident, I tried to follow and keep up, but the ambulance soon distanced me leaving me to maneuver through the heavy afternoon traffic. Taking the shoulder on the right at about 40mph, I honked and flashed lights at cars who were trying to sneak a peek around the stalled line in front of them. Finally, when I was close enough to see the lights of the stopped rescue vehicles ahead, I made a dash across the line and took the opposite highway lane the rest of the way to the scene.

Like a 30 second MPEG video, I still recall with vivid clarity my first view of the scene. Me running the final steps toward the ambulance, my mother-in-law standing at the back of the open door. My wife sitting inside on a cushioned bench and holding my son while a squatting paramedic was feeling Wade's legs evaulating him for injuries. No blood, no visible broken bones, no external gore that I fully expected to to see. Rescue personnel were buzzing about everywhere. The ambulance interior seemed tiny and the doorway congested with various, fire, police, and rescue personnel popping their heads in and out. Seeing my family was secure for the moment, I quickly moved to look around at the chaos. A large number of on-lookers had gathered in the flat bottom field on the east side of the highway. Morbid curiosity had drawn the trailer dwellers out of their holes. Drivers of vehicles who narrowly missed being involved in the accident huddled and hurriedly recanted what just transpired before their disbelieving eyes. The scene was charged with the the kind of energy we humans exhalt in the aftermath of a catastriphic event like a devastating storm.

As I looked about, I began to spot the wrecked vehicles. A southbound red 95 Monte Carlo with a smashed rear end, some demolished car about 40 yards into the field-trailer dwellers nearby, a silver 2002 Hyundai Sante Fe with a crushed front end resembled a half smashed aluminum can. Not until after a double take of the scene did I realize the scrap of metal remains in the field was what was left of what was once "The Neon". That was our car? My sickened stomach sank into a bottomless pit which was quite a steep fall from being stuck in my throat. Already pale from shock, my face turned ash white.

TO BE CONTINUED........

Avoid Making a Bad Situation Worse

Here is my public service message for the day. Do with it what you will.

I'm gonna tell you two names. You can probably figure out what I'm going to say once you read them: Terri Schiavo. Nancy Cruzan. You see where I'm headed. Nancy Cruzan was 25 when the car wreck occurred that changed her life; Terri Schiavo was 26 when she entered the condition now at the center of the battle in Florida.

I received an e-mail today from The Missouri Bar. The bar president's mother-in-law had Alzheimer's. He is trying to prevent other families from experiencing the implosion that often occurs when making important health decisions for another family member who has become incapacitated. The bar encourages people to "establish[] advance directives regarding future health care decisions" to "ensure that a person's wishes are met" and to "relieve families from having to make difficult decisions at a time of great stress."

If these goals interest you, and you live in Missouri, you might want to download the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Health Care Directive forms and the accompanying HIPAA form provided and recently revised by The Missouri Bar.

The form compiled by the bar is generic, so it does not necessarily meet everyone's needs. If you think it will work for you, then you should gather 'round your loved ones and talk about it. That's what my hubby and I will be doing this weekend. Please don't wait until it's too late.

Congrats, ye Packer Fans!

I just wanted to say congratulations to all my faithful readers who are Packer fans. I know you are excited (relieved?) to hear that Brett Favre is returning for at least one more season. I'm also glad to hear his wife is doing well in her cancer treatments.

It's always fun to watch Favre play, but what about the time between now and then? Will the Brewers make the time pass quickly? Or will they will make the time pass in the excruciating fashion that the solution drips from an I. V. Bag?

Too bad they have to play the Cardinals so much.

The Mouths of Babes

Our Pastor, Dale, said during the Taize Service tonight that his son Will had asked him what God looks like. It shook me a little because yesterday Willa asked me if anyone had ever seen God. As Dale said, "What do you tell a child? What do you tell yourself?"

I told Willa I had never known anyone who had seen God. In fact, I suspect most people would rather not run into him. "Why?" she asked with complete innocence. I told her it was bit like the mascots. They are exciting and she loves them, but when she gets right up face to face with them, she trembles with fright. God would be like Truman the Tiger and Fred Bird and Mo the Mule and all the other mascots rolled up into a mascot the size of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

I thought this might scare her considering her fear of mascots, but she kept going. "Has anyone ever talked to God?"

People talk to God all the time. That's what prayer is.

"Does he talk back?"

He doesn't talk back with words. I think he knows how frightening that would be. He can tell us things without talking. Well, he could, I guess, if we were quiet enough, if we slowed down enough and if we paid enough attention.

In the end Dale was right. We don't know much more than the children. We've come so far and learned so little. When you answer those surprisingly prescient questions from the mouths of babes, pay close attention to your answer. You'll probably learn something.

UPDATE: Check out Andys's blog to see the wisdom of his son.

My Grandpa

Yesterday, my friend Boz sent me a link to a great column about World War II veterans. On the surface this may not seem like much. But I thought this blog would be a perfect place to tell you what Boz has done for my family and my Grandpa.

My Grandpa was a POW during World War II. He didn't like to talk about it much. He did show us a little book that he wrote in while he was in the prison camp. I remember seeing line after line of the foods he loved to eat. That's about all I knew.

Then I was talking to Boz one day and discovered he was involved in a project looking to document the stories of these POWs. He told me that he interviewed the POW and added his account to the archives. I decided it would great if my Grandpa was able to give his story to Boz.

Boz interviewed my Grandpa and put together a transcript for him to review. My Grandpa reviewed it. I found out the last time I was home that he will be getting a bound copy. Everyone in our family will be able check it out.

So I just want to say, Boz, you the man. I'm really looking forward to reading that transcript.

The Darn Tiggers

The season was already lost for the Tigers, but it is always nice to see the Jayhawks go down. There will be no one seed for the Jayhawks. Now, I can root for them to lose in the first round of the NCAA tourney. Do you think Quinn saved his job yesterday? Do you think he deserves another year at the helm?

It was a nice college basketball day in Missouri yesterday. In addition to MU's Flaming Jayhawk, the SMS Bears served up some Fried Saluki in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. The Bears will play the Creighton Blue Jays for the conference title tonight at 8 pm on ESPN.

And to top off yesterday's basketball, the CMSU Mules, under the guidance of former MU star Kim Anderson, won the MIAA conference tournament for the first time in 21 years. They also won the regular season title and are in the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since 1997. The Jennies also made the tournament this year. They haven't been since 2000.

Report from the Amer-Asian Day Celebration

What a party we had last night at the Island Bar. Paulie was in rare form. He debuted a new song called 'Did Daddy have great big Head?' It was wonderful time. Dave bought me plenty of beer. I remembered most of the lyrics during my performance. And of course we all enjoyed the haunting version of "I blew a truck driver to get to you." We're all hoping to get Paul and the Violent Farmers t-shirts.

There was an actual Violent Farmer band last night. Well, there was guy backing Paul up on Cowbell. Good work Josh! And the 'Ku Kung Fu Fighting' finale brought down the house. Paulie made me learn that right before the show, so I could play it for him. It was pretty cool.

Jeff has suggested I try to find a venue for a show here in the 'Burg with Jeff, Paul, and myself performing. I think I can do that. I will keep everyone updated.

Happy Amer-Asian Day!

Is it a coincidence that Paulie makes his first post on the eve of the great Amer-Asian Day Celebration? I don't know. But if you live in the KC area I implore you not miss the festivities. The fun starts at 8 pm at the Island Bar in Lee's Summit. I will open with a short set, and then Paulie will take the stage. If you haven't seen his show his style of music embraces an eclectic set of obvious influences including Jack Black, Jimmy Buffett, Shel Silverstein, and Russ Meyer. It's beyond politically incorrect. It's hilarious.

You can't afford to miss Paul and the Violent Farmers tonight.

My Baseball Tale

I seems as if the blog is being dominated by Baseball stories, so I thought I would use my first posting to tell one of my own.
My tale starts in the sixth grade. I was not the most lithe of children and as such was not picked to participate in many sports related activities. So when I recieved the sign up sheet to play baseball for the very first time, I was overjoyed. I ran straight home to get my mom to sign my permision slip so I could start playing ball the following week.
I was relieved to find that my mom was more than happy to sign my slip. Usually she would just take a drag off her cigerette and tell me that I couldnt do it because there was probably going to be some hidden charge. I wasn't about to question her when she handed over the signed paper.
The next day I held my head up high as I presented my teacher with my cheeto stained permission slip. She looked the paper over and then said "Oh how nice. I see your mother has signed up to be a coach."
I was dumb struck. The only physical activity I had ever seen my mother do was to point me in the direction of her purse so I could get her another smoke, and now she was going to be teaching me and 8 other kids how to play baseball. Uhggg
When I got home I found my mom flipping through two books on how to play baseball that she had checked out from the library. She admitted to knowing absolutley nothing about the game, but she felt that she could learn enough from the books to teach us a "thing or two". She then proceeded to fall asleep in the chair while reading the first chapter.

The first day of practice was horrible. The chapter that she had read had shown her how to make wrist strengthening devices out of old rock filled socks attached to a stick with some twine. This being the only chapter she read she made the team do these wrist rolls for what seemed to be hours. After that she suggested that we each give ourselves nicknames to put on the back of our shirts. Without getting my input, she told everyone that my nickname was going to be "Cookie", because I liked to cook.

The next practice was more dirty sock rolls, and the official decision on what names were going on the back of our shirts. The other kids felt that "Cookie" was a great name for me, but that they would just like to have their real last names on the shirts.

By the third practice all of our wrists hurt from the sock rolls, and the kids were getting restless because we hadn't even touched a ball yet. One of the boys fathers having seen enough sock rolling, grabbed a bat and ball and started hitting grounders to us. My mom was furious. She asked the father what he thought he was doing, and he said "Actually practicing" and then my mom said "Fine, then you can do it without me!! Come on Cookie."

And that my friends is the first ever time I got to be part of a baseball team. It doesn't quite bring back the same fond memories as your stories, but it does hold a place in my heart.

Jeff the Bird Dog

Jeff reads my post about the Cardinals and responds that he too is delighted that the spring bird watching season is upon us. He's never heard of this 'Pujols' species of which I speak so highly.

This brings us to an important point on this blog. We need to figure out where Jeff grew up. Did he really grow up amongst us so near to Busch stadium? How did he develop this apathy for everything Cardinal with us all around him?

One of my great memories from high school was in the fall of 1985. I guess Jeff had gone off to college by then. After school one October afternoon we raced over to Brenda's house to watch the end of the playoff game between our beloved Cardinals and the Dodgers. I'm not sure who all was there, but we were crowded in the basement hanging on every pitch.

This was the day that Ozzie hit his first left-handed home run ever to beat the Dodgers in Game 5. Jack Clark would homer to beat them in Game 6 sending the Birds on to the World series.

Do you guys have memories like these? Does Jeff? I think he may be an alien.

I have many, many more memories like these. I think ,soon, I will relate to you the ole' Milt Thompson Broken Bat game on here. I think it was Myron that was with me that night.

That's a Winner

Well, it's on us. The single game tickets go on sale Saturday. Cardinal fever has been creeping up my face ever since the pitchers and catchers reported. The winter hibernation is almost over. I'm waking from my dreams of Rick Ankiel tossing strike after strike.

Of course, I am optimistic. The four game sweep in the series was tough (especially since I was going to game 5). But I think they can make it back and give it another crack.

They must stay healthy. Pujols, Rolen, and Edmonds need to play as many games as possible and be healthy when the playoffs roll around.

They must get some good starting pitching. The three biggest keys will be Mulder, Carpenter, and Morris. Can Mulder rebound? Can Carpenter stay healthy and pitch as he did last season? Will Morris rebound the way Duncan and LaRussa believe?

In some ways it doesn't even matter. I'll watch as much as I can even if they aren't playoff bound. It's worth it to see the effort that Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds, and Walker will put out on a daily basis. That truly is a special group of players.

On Old-Time Music

Yesterday, I ventured over to the old one-room school house that the Johnson County Historical Society has restored. Every Sunday afternoon they have an old-time music jam there. I don't get over there often enough.

Yesterday we had a banjo player, a mandolin player, a couple of fiddlers, a standup bass, three guitars, an autoharp, and the lady with the harmonica collection. What a wonderful time we had.

The music we play is from before the time when most Americans could write. It was a time when history and legends where passed using music. People have gone to great lengths to record and document this old music. The movie Songcatcher is a great example of this. If you haven't seen it check it out. (Iris Dement is in this movie.)

Some of the people at the Jam session know the history of their favorite songs. When it is their turn to pick a song they'll also tell the story. We'll play the song in a bluegrass style. That means you play it through singing verse and chorus. Then play it through again with instruments taking the lead. You do this over again until all the verses are exhausted. Plus we play old fiddle tunes where there is no singing, just instruments taking their turns on lead.

This week I'm going to venture over to the music store and buy a collection of these songs. I just don't know enough of them. But I can't wait to learn.

Jeff, if you're ever near the 'Burg on a Sunday afternoon, give me a call. I've got a guitar you can borrow.