Happy New Year 2007

Wow, where has 2006 gone.

As you may have noticed, posting has been light lately. It's time to rethink this blog.

Recently, a new version of Blogger software has come out. One of the options is to allow us to create a truly private blog, readable by only the members. It also considerably more user-friendly.

So, mull it over. Where would you like to see this weblog go in the coming year?

Until then, Happy New Year. See you in 2007.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Merry Christmas

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:1-14

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

See you in 2007.

A Literary Interlude

"Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening"

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sounds the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

-- Robert Frost

Huhhhh?

Richard Lisko, who lives near Waucousta, Wis., holds out one of the extra legs located half way up the leg of a deer he hit with his truck last month on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, in Waucousta. Lisko hunts deer with a bow but got his most unusual one driving his truck down his mile-long driveway. The young buck had nub antlers _ and seven legs. Lisko said it also had both male and female reproductive organs. "It was definitely a freak of nature," Lisko said. (AP Photo/The Reporter, Patrick Flood)

"Air Raid Pearl Harbor. This Is No Drill!"

On a bright Hawaiian morning, war came to the United States. In a matter of hours, the core of the American Pacific Fleet was destoyed, American air power in the Pacific destroyed, and American forces were under attack not only in Hawaii, but in Wake Island, Guam, Midway, and the Philipines.

John of Argghhh! remembers, as does Cdr. Salamander.

And Victor Davis Hanson looks at America then and America now.

God As An Engineer

Seen at the Corner, offered without comment:

Three engineers were arguing about the Creator.

"God is a mechanical engineer," said the first. "Look at the beauty with which our joints are constructed. Only a mechanical engineer could put together our bodies with such flair."

The second countered, "No, God is clearly an electrical engineer. Consider the elegant use of electrical charges by the millions of neurons in our brains. This is the handiwork of an electrical engineer."

"You're both wrong," said the third. "God is obviously a civil engineer. Who else would put a toxic waste pipeline right through a recreational area?"

The Clock Has Started

The countdown to launch the space shuttle on Thursday night (Dec. 7) has begun.

It will be a night launch - that hasn't happened in a while.

You can follow the progress on NASA's own Launch Blog (click on the link).