indiana territory: March 2006

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Thursday, March 30, 2006

YES!!!! ICE AGE 2

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown is coming to the Strand. In fact it will be there for a Friday matinee at 2 pm. It will also be shown at 7 and 9 pm.

RED SKELTON EMAIL

This email has been going around the country. One of my husband's friends - Duke - sent it to him and he sent it to me.

RED SKELTON'S RECIPE FOR THE PERFECT MARRIAGE
1. Two times a week, we go to a nice restaurant, have a
little beverage, good food and companionship.
She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays.
2. We also sleep in separate beds.
Hers is in California and mine is in Texas.
3. I take my wife everywhere.....
but she keeps finding her way back.
4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our
anniversary. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long
time!" she said.
So I suggested the kitchen.
5. We always hold hands.
If I let go, she shops.
6. She has an electric blender, electric toaster and electric bread
maker.
She said "There are too many gadgets and no place
to sit down!" .. So I bought her an electric chair.
7. My wife told me the car wasn't running well because
there was water in the carburetor.
I asked where the car was; she told me "In the lake."
8. She got a mud pack and looked great for two days.
Then the mud fell off.
9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling "Am I too late
for the garbage?" .... The driver said "No, jump in!"
10. Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.
11. I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her
first name was Always.
12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months.
I don't like to interrupt her.
13. The last fight was my fault though.
My wife asked "What's on the TV?"
I said "Dust!"

Can't you just hear him say all of these?
I love it.........this is the good old days
when humor didn't have to start with a four letter word.......! .
just clean and simple fun

A Picture Share!

This is a cell phone picture of the wildflower garden at Parkview Noble in winter time.

FAMILY AND MOVIES

This is Cameron with Little Ann.

I don't believe that a film has to be rated "G" or "PG" to be considered a family film - it is all in how you define family. If you mean absolutely everyone from a wee tot a reserved great aunt, then, yes, some films are not "family" fare.

But I'll tell you this: my grandson, daughter-in-law and I are going to V for Vendetta - an "R" rated movie about a futuristic totalitarian England. Cameron is 13 and interested in history and governments so we will be have, no doubt, discussions about what happens in the movie. The "R" is for strong language and violence and that is on TV and in the street nowadays. I think relating to a kid in conversation certainly outweighs hearing an "F" word or seeing a fight or a shooting.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

TWO!!!!! RUMMAGE SALES

Every spring and fall I make certain to go to the rummage sales at the Catholic Church, Faith Methodist, the Presbyterian Church and Trinity Methodist. Not that I don't go to other church sales, it is just that these are churches where I have consistently seen the signs and a habit has evolved.

Well, this Friday, two of them - Faith Methodist and the Catholic Church are BOTH having sales. Faith Methodist will open at 8 am and the Catholic sale at 9 am.

This is going to take some strategy - and then Saturday is bag day!!!!

RIGHT NOW - ON SOONER SITE

This LINK right now will take you to stuff about Sampson. They will probably take it down soon. Ack . . . another bad pun, totally unintentional.

22 years overall - 435-248 (.637)
11 years at OU - 259-100 (.721)

Possessing the highest winning percentage in school history (.721), Oklahoma head coach Kelvin Sampson is one of college basketball's most respected leaders. Sampson, a nine-year National Association of Basketball Coaches board member who served the 2003-04 term as the organization's president, has guided OU to eight consecutive 20-win seasons. The Sooners have averaged 25.0 wins over those eight campaigns and have averaged 26.0 victories over the past six years. He has directed the Sooners to postseason tournament berths in each of his 11 seasons (10 NCAA Tournaments), with a Sweet 16 showing in 1999, a Final Four appearance in 2002 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2003. His teams have also played in the Big 12 Tournament title game five times in the past eight years.

Sampson, who holds a 435-248 (.637) career record and a 259-100 mark at Oklahoma, directed the 2004-05 Sooners to a 25-8 record and the school's first-ever Big 12 Conference regular season title with a 12-4 league record. Three of the four previous seasons were some of the most successful in school annals as OU won three Big 12 Tournament championships and seven NCAA Tournament games. The Sooners finished 27-7 in 2002-03 (No. 3 final AP ranking), 31-5 in 2001-02 (No. 3) and 26-7 in 2000-01 (No. 13). Oklahoma's No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed in 2003 was its first since 1990 and its 31 wins in 2002 tied for the second most in single-season school history. Sampson earned national coach-of-the-year honors from the NABC and CBS/Chevrolet following the 2001-02 season.

SECOND LINK

A NEW COACH AT INDIANA

Read about it. Yes, we have a new coach at IU. He's from Oklahoma - well, maybe it will be OK.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

WILL THE WILDFLOWERS BE BACK?

The picture in the title bar above features the wildflower garden at Parkview Noble during the fall of 2005. It has been since mown down for the winter, but, gee, April, is just around the corner and perhaps soon, it will start to turn green again.

In my opionion, wildflower vistas are more pleasing than what one normally thinks of as flower gardens. I think there is always a sense of freedom in a wildflower garder. Well, anyway out in the Texas Hill Country, wildflowers are a sure sign of spring. Check out this article.

UPDATE: Alison, who is an RN at Parkview Noble says they are getting ready to do a lot of landscaping.

Monday, March 27, 2006

PRIMARY TIME

Well, it is that time again - an even year - '06 - means an election; spring means primaries, so we will soon start seeing signs in yards. I once knew a lady who said that political yard signs were ugly. I told her I thought they were more more like democracy's flowers. Well, I didn't use that phrase; I think I just said she should be thankful she lived in a country that had them.

SOMEONE TOLD ME THIS STORY

Just this past week I was talking with a gentleman who spoke of his son's tour of duty in Iraq. This is part of what he told me:

He really made an impact. He was at a checkpoint and a villager came up to him carrying a child. She had been bomb burnt. The villager said - and this is to a young kid who happens to be a soldier - "Please, sir, can you help?" My son got aid for her and she was sent to a hospital ship where her leg had to be amputated - it was that bad. The father/farmer saw the way his daughter had been treated and went back to his village and said, "The American military is nothing like we have been taught." Everyone of the men in that village became an Iraqi Freedom Fighter.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

SEE!!!!

Look at this and tell me again why we don't have one class basketball anymore in Indiana?

HELLO

Friday, March 24, 2006

MOVIES

This week you can watch V for Vendetta (MPAA Rating: R for strong violence and some language.) or Curious George. G Rated.

I LOVE SPORTSWRITERS

Ten years from now, in the midst of possibly an all-pro career, Morrison might wake up in a sweat at some swank NBA hotel after a flashback of the UCLA defeat.

Remember the IU loss to Gonzaga? And then Gonzaga led for all of the seconds in the UCLA game until the last nine . . . Well, whatever your loyalties, you gotta like this article from the L.A. Times.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

GREEN CENTER

I drove through Green Center yesterday - I think. It was an intersection with what looked like a converted old country store on the NE corner. And, darn, I forgot my camera.

BIRTHDAY

Today is Kathyrn Feller's birthday.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

YOUNG FAMILY FUNERAL HOME

I want to take a moment to remark on the change in ownership of Berhalter-Hutchins to Young Family Funeral Home. I interviewed Kathy Young and Steve Wheeler for an article on funerals today and some of the things people in this profession face.

In a way, I mind seeing the old name go - even tough I stumbled on the pronunciation for one reason or another, but I understand. And Kathy has been there for 31 years so Berhalter-Hutchins had has a lot of Young in it for quite awhile.

I am glad the business will now continue as it was begun - as a family owned endeavor.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

BUFFALO BABY

Here's a calf from Cook's Bison Farm.

Monday, March 20, 2006

COBRA KISSING

I am not even going to make a link to this page because it is a video and listed in CNN headlines and that may change. A man kissed a cobra 51 times without being bitten and at the end, the cobra tried to bite the floor in frustration.

So, who is up for kissing a cobra 52 times and breaking the record? Oh, let me rephrase that: who is stupid? If he did this for some religious purpose, I mean no offense, but I can't stifle my amazement.

UPDATE: It wasn't a religious thing; it was a national pride thing. Read about it HERE.

COMMUNITIES THAT CARE CHALLENGE

Communities That Care® (CTC) has been working hard to line up some well-known “celebrity judges” for their community-building challenge, Extreme Makeover: Noble County Edition. The group recently confirmed that Brad Miller, local resident and NBA all-star, has agreed to serve as one of the judges for the community challenge. “I am very excited to have Brad serve as one of our contest judges,” says Kristen Johnson, CTC Coordinator. “Not just because he is a famous basketball player, but also because he has remained a great supporter of the community throughout his celebrity status. I am honored to have him work with us on this project.”

According to Johnson, she is trying to negotiate with a few other “celebrities” to serve as judges, along with local business people, including Kendallville Mayor Suzanne Handshoe. “Mayor Handshoe has supported this project from the beginning, and is looking forward to serving as a judge. I am still trying to confirm the others, so I can’t say who they are, just yet.” says Johnson. “However, I will say that I sent a letter to the producers of the original TV show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, asking for host Ty Pennington to come out and judge for us. Obviously, I don’t expect him to actually do it, but wouldn’t that be a kick if he did?”

Extreme Makeover: Noble County Edition is a challenge to neighborhoods, church groups, businesses, non-profits, classrooms, and others to develop and implement a project within Noble County that improves the appearance, safety, collaborative spirit, cultural pride or sense of belonging in a neighborhood, school or community area. Examples of some eligible projects might include a neighborhood or school cleanup project, a community beautification project, a neighborhood watch or other public safety program, community education projects or events, or neighborhood or block events and activities that build relationships.

Once all the projects are completed, they will be reviewed by the judges, and the top three projects will receive an award of $1000 for their group or organization, or for the non-profit group of their choice within Noble County.

The deadline to submit a project entry form is only a month away, on April 15th. After that, groups have until June 30th to complete their projects. Judging will take place sometime between July 20th and August 10th.

A complete set of contest rules, along with the necessary entry forms, can be obtained by contacting Kristen Johnson, Communities That Care® Coordinator at (260) 636-2320, or via email at kjohnson@dfnc.org.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

BIRD FLU, EGYPT, ISRAEL

In today's headlines, the news is that the bird flu is responsible for one death in Egypt and has been identified in Israel. That country is now destroying its turkeys and chickens.

These pieces of news are not something one has to dig for - they pop up when you got to a news site - they are, indeed, headlines.

FOX news
CBS News The slaughter of turkeys and chickens is breaking news at this site.

IT'S OVER

IU lost last night, quite possibly because fouls put their own players in jeopardy and gave Gonzaga an incredible number of points. They swished the basket many times with the three, but it wasn't enough.

My mother - remember she calls Gov. Daniels "that boy" - watched the towering lanky guys on the Gonzaga team - especially noting Morrison's appearance and characteristics and said said after the game, "They shouldn't let people over 6' tall play basketball."

Mother can be short with her comments . . . but that might be a little too much so - I'd say no taller than 6'4".

Saturday, March 18, 2006

RECOGNIZE THIS SYMBOL?

Yes, it is the SUN. The temperature is supposed to reach 38, which is a bit on the cool side . . . but, at least the sun is shining. It has been gray for many days this year.

PASSING ON SOME INFORMATION

I received this email from Kristen Johnson, one of the people who is working to help the youth in the area and whom I met while at a two-day seminar meeting by Communities That Care:

WANTED! Caring adults who are interested in making a positive impact on the lives of youth!

Noble County PRIDE is currently looking for several adults to serve as advisors for PRIDE chapters in the following locations:

§ West Noble Elementary and Middle School
§ Avilla Elementary and Middle School
§ Kendallville Middle School
§ St. John’s Elementary and Middle School
§ St. Mary’s Elementary and Middle School
§ Wayne Center Elementary School

Advisors are asked to meet at least two times per month with their group to provide alcohol and drug prevention education, as well as to participate in other fun activities and events.

Advisors are provided all training and educational materials needed, and receive on going support and assistance from the Noble County PRIDE Coordinator.

REWARD IF CAPTURED! PRIDE Advisors are paid a stipend of $250 per year for their work with groups of up to 25 youth. For groups over 25 students, Assistant Advisors are needed, and each assistant receives a stipend of $150.

Noble County PRIDE serves youth in grades 5 through 12 in a variety of ways, including providing alcohol and drug prevention and education programs, philanthropic activities, community service activities and much more.

This is a great way to give back to the community and get involved in fun youth activities!

Anyone who is interested in additional information about the PRIDE organization, or about becoming a PRIDE Advisor, please contact Kristen Johnson, Noble County PRIDE Coordinator at (260) 636-2320, or via e-mail at kjohnson@dfnc.org.

Friday, March 17, 2006

MOVIE TRIP TONIGHT

Cameron and I will be going to see Firewall at the Strand tonight. He will get a large popcorn and I will "share." I think the guys working the concession must think I am a little odd: my drink of choice is a mixture of Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew.

MOVIE TRIP TONIGHT

SNOW COVERED EAGLE

On sunny mornings when I drop my grandson off at KMS, I turn on Diamond Street and see the eagles carved from tree trunks standing watch in front of the school, outlined against a blue sky.

I like to see them; I can feel my spirits lift. So, this morning, I drove home and picked up my camera and shut my mind to the fact that students might be looking out the window while I snapped away. Gee, I love digital cameras.

OH MY GOSH - IU WINS!!!!!

I went to sleep but Alison told me this morning, IU beat San Diego State University thanks to a 3-pointer in the last few seconds. I'm speechless . . . On to Gonzaga . . . which really didn't play like a No. 3 seed team last night; then again Xavier didn't play like a No. 14 seed either.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

GONZAGA BEATS XAVIER

Alison is really upset; she went to Xavier as part of her nursing studies and says they were "kicking butt" and then, ZAP, the ZAGS won. Now Indiana is taking the court and we will see how she feels in a couple of hours . . .

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

PERSONAL SIDE TO TOLL ROAD

I don't think I'm too happy about this Toll Road lease thing, but I don't suppose Mitch Daniels cares too much about what I think - I mean he didn't call me up and talk to me for a minute or so when I emailed him and blogged about him in relation to Daylight Savings Time. The most I got was a generic email.

And, before I launch into my Toll Road story, let me linger here for a moment to mention that I told him in my email that my mother said she "wouldn't have voted for that boy" had she known what he was going to do with the time. Now, I think that would have been reason for Mitch Daniels to take notice, but no, "that boy" seems to have forgotten the people who voted for him. We'll see what my mother does at the polls when "that boy" has his name on the ballot again.

But, okay, I started out to talk about the Toll Road. They built it when I was a little girl and it ran through my grandparents' land located on the northeast side of Scott, Indiana. Let me help you out a little with that bit of information - Scott is a tiny village northeast of Shipshewana. The Pigeon River runs along the south of town, which is about a block and a half from my mother's place in the northeast. Yeah, it's real little.

Anyway when the engineers were working on that area of the road, they rented what we called the "west room" from my grandmother. I remember one Christmas opening the double doors that led to that room and peeking in at the drafting tables. They also installed their own stove in the room which made the entire house warmer. (In fact, in later years, that room would be called "the cold room" until we put a gas wall heater in.)

When they were gone and the road nearly finished, my parents, grandparents and I piled into the car and drove up the lane and got on the spanking new highway. We went along until we stopped because a bridge had not been built yet. I guess it was an interesting thing to do - I don't really remember it that way because I was sitting in the middle of the front seat looking at the dashboard the entire time. Oh, I could see out the windows . . . it's just that the viewing angle afforded me only sky. So we went home and that was that.

You know, come to think of it, Mitch, you're messing with my backyard.

IMPRESSION OF MAIN STREET

A couple of people stopped by my house this past Saturday and during the conversation remarked that Kendallville's Main Street looked not like a lot of other small town Main Streets. In other words, there weren't a lot of empty storefronts and the street appeared healthy and vital.

BIRD FLU NOW IN SWEDEN

FOX NEWS us showing in one of today's stories that the bird flu has been confirmed in Sweden. Denmark also has bird deaths but it has not yet been determined if this is the H5N1 strain.

Remember, a site which keeps up to date on the virus is Flu Wiki.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

LOOKING FOR A PICTURE

About 18 years ago, when I was living in West Chester, a subdivision of Cincicnnati, we got Time Magazine and this cover really caught my imagination and I framed it. I don't know if it had a Wyeth quality to it or if it seems to stir some part of me from a wished for life, it simply draws my attention.

I thought there was character in the phrase "The Big Dry" - character and stoicism. Now I can't find the picture and unfortunately in the back of my mind is the idea that it got wet and I had to throw it out. Now that would have been ironic. But I'm not quite certain . . . so I continue to look.

NORTHEAST INDIANA SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

I wrote an article about the this agency a few years ago and now my granddaughter is coming home and telling me that every Tuesday a representative is coming to North Side School to teach the kids about how to handle trash in relation to the earth.

You can take a look at the 4th grade program HERE.

When I was there at the center in Ashley, I spoke with Pam DeCamp - Program Coordinator and learned a lot about reuse and recycling. The recycling bin in Kendallville is located at the the Street Department on Weston.

Location of NISWMD in Ashley

Monday, March 13, 2006

REAL STORY OF SUDOKU

It is not Japanese - and, in fact, the puzzle was designed anonymously by Howard Garns, a 74-year-old retired architect and freelance puzzle constructor, and first published in 1979, according to THIS SOURCE.

It gained its popularity in British newspapers, and crossed the Atlantic to the US - which might have been a subtle plan to get revenge for the Revolution.

BIRDS AND COWS

Two weeks ago, I was talking about the Bird Flu because it was in the news . . . Now, the breaking news is that a cow that died in Alabama had Mad Cow Disease. You can read about it HERE; the disease was confirmed in tests conducted in Ames, Iowa, where the State's veterinary school is located.

I lived in Ames for two years - many moons ago - at 162C University Village when my husband was getting his master's in physics.

WOO-HOO . . . NUMBER 6 SEED

Go to THIS ARTICLE in the Indianapolis Star to read about the NCAA/IU selection.

IU vs. SDSU

Yes, at 9:50 pm, this Thursday night, IU will be playing San Diego State University. Alison is sitting here looking at the picture of the team and says, "Oh, look at them - they all sitting around happy that they got in." The game will be shown on WISH TV.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

A COOL WEATHER SITE

ANIMATED WEATHER MAPS showing the last six hours in animation give you a good idea of how storm systems move right through states/regions. You can see the North American continent or sections. Last night's storms look like a log rolling down the state.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

SECONDHAND SHAGGY DOG REVIEW

Robert, Alison, Colin and Summer saw the movie last night at the Strand and the verdict was: many thumbs up.

Monday, March 06, 2006

SCOOP ON NEW MOVIES.

Starting Friday, The Shaggy Dog and A Date Movie will be at the Strand.

The Shaggy Dog is a brand-new release and Date Movie is No. 8 on the top ten box office list.

MOVIE REVIEW

Good Night, and Good Luck is a good movie, enjoyable to watch even though there is no need for special effects, nor are there plot twists. This is, after all, history. It is also in black & white and serves as a reminder that the story is what is important. Color can be nice, but it is not necessary; sometimes you see more in black & white.

George Clooney did not emphasis his star quality at the cost of the protrayal of Fred Friendly, and by doing so, stressed his ability to act well.

FREE SPEECH IS DIFFERENT THAN THIS

At first it was just alleged that a student had driven an SUV into a gathering of students at the University of North Carolina because or connections to the Middle-East politics in relation to the United States. But now, the man has confirmed it and the story is HERE.

He has an American college education, but this is how he thinks:

Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar was accused of driving a sport utility vehicle through The Pit, a popular campus gathering spot, injuring nine people Friday. None of the victims was seriously hurt.

Police Chief Derek Poarch said Taheri-azar told investigators he intentionally hit people to "avenge the deaths of Muslims around the world."

I guess he wasn't paying attention in civics class. We don't do that sort of thing here . . . unless mental illness is involved.

CAMERON AND I TO THE MOVIES

Well, somewhere back in the beginning of this blog, I wrote about my grandson and I going to see Secondhand Lions at the Strand. Tonight we will be seeing Good Night, and Good Luck, a story based on Edward R. Murrow at the time of the McCarthy hearings. Cameron is interested in history and I think he will like this movie.

The movie is black and white, something I grew up with and something he only sees when he watches an old movie on Cable TV. I think we will have a good time; I will let you know - and I think I'll research a little bit on the hearing myself.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Let's suppose you have a child who has had perfect attendance at school for multiple years, but one year falls afoul of colds, flu and infection. Let's say you keep the ill and quite possibly contagious child home from school. Well, guess what? You will get a letter from the school system warning you about your child's absences and mentioning that, by the way, this could lead to your child being suspended, Saturday school and, yes, even the court system. Doctor's excuses do not count for a thing.

It does not matter if the child is consistently on the honor roll; it does not matter if his/her temperature was 105. It is an absence. But say, you know what the school does if a kid comes to the nurse's office complaining of feeling ill? If the temperature is 100 or over, he/she is sent home.

I do not agree with this policy. I do not like to think healthy kids are sitting next to sick kids because their parents are afraid of the new consequences of illness. I am not going to put a historically political label on the this policy, but I can think of some and they are not good.

Stay home because your head really hurts and your neck is stiff? Don't be silly - it probably isn't menningitis. Your doctor may want to test for it - but it had better be after school hours or the kid will be counted absent.

PRESENTING: THE PINOCHLE PLAYERS

The game table . . . Going around from left to right: John, Lon, Bill Vance (father) and Rod.

This would be my father-in-law concentrating . . .

The group: Bill Vance sitting with sons John, Ron, Lon and Rod behind him.

THE TRADITION: PINOCHLE

No, I don't play pinochle; I'm from Indiana, remember? We all play Euchre, well, we did before everyone started moving around so much. I think one of the first things we did at IU was to play some games in the gathering room - everyone knew how to play.

But back to Pinochle: my husband's family plays and today my husband, his dad and two or three of his brothers are meeting at one brother's home in Iowa City to battle it out. Now, I think they have sort of evolved this family game tradition which goes back as least as far as my husband's grandfather into a game of unique rules. As my husband tells me, the last time they played his brother and father had to leave the room to discuss what combinations of cards signified.

I have some pictures from that last time and I'm going to try and find them.

THE THE 500, BUT THESE GUYS HAVE GREAT ENGINES

Yes, it's a long title, but it's a long race - 1,000 miles in Alaska across mountains, tundra and frozen seas. The Iditarod - sled dogs and mushers - now there's a sporting event. I've just been reading about it HERE.

EDISON'S STORY

I stumbled onto this blog some time ago in a search for something I don't even remember. I came into the middle of it . . . and read a little forward and then a little back - then more each way. It is about a little boy who was born weighing not much over two pounds and had an esophagus taht did not connect to his stomach.

I got hooked and every day or so I check in with Edison who used to be called Dinky in the blog that chronicled his hospital stay.

SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE

It's coming - blue skying fading, snow coming. Accccckkkk!!!

Friday, March 03, 2006

BROKEBACK MOUTAIN

I watched a very good movie tonight at the Strand - Brokeback Mountain. There were not too many of us in the audience, and I found that disappointing because the movie was very tastefully presented, well-written and the scenery was beautiful.

Roger Ebert has this to say about it:

"Brokeback Mountain" has been described as "a gay cowboy movie," which is a cruel simplification.

The entire riview is HERE.

I am grateful to the Strand for bringing this Oscar nominated movie to Kendallville. I plan to go to the other movie, Good Night, and Good Luck during the week.

More tomorrow.

YES, I APPRECIATE GOOD GRAMMAR

My opinion is English is free and why not use it properly. I think if you are not a native speaker, you have a legitimate excuse for using incorrect grammar - but if you have been exposed to the rules of English, why not respect them. It is after all language that allows us to communicate; shouldn't we treat it well?

Ah, here's a quote from a lawyer and Assistant District Attorney:

Her and Mr. Williams are equal partners," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Rich. He reminded the judge that the pair studied Williams' Wachovia employees' manual before the first robbery, and composed the note used in the robberies together.

I found this in an article about the Cell Phone Bandit. What law school did he graduate from? I mean, he knew he was speaking with reporters who could quote him. Maybe I should ask what law school admitted him and what college let him graduate without a basic knowledge of subject case?

I am going to look this up.

UPDATE: He works in Virginia:
Michael E. Rich
Firm: US Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia
Address: 2100 Jamieson Ave
Alexandria, VA 22314-5794

SHARING HOPE

Hey, back a couple of years ago when I was lifting weights at Cardio-fit, I could feel my middle region getting into some kind of control. Then they closed and I just never made it to the YMCA, despite my membership. My middle got bigger. Now there is this article and I guess I will head over there.

JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED

Well, I think it is a safe bet to say this man is just a bad person. He got out of prison to donate a kidney to his son and instead took off for Mexico with his girlfriend.

Read it yourself right HERE.

CAMERA BATTERY DOOR

KEEPING UP WITH TIMES - YES, I USED A SELF CHECKOUT MACHINE.

THE BLURRED PICTURE AS THE CART STARTED TO ROLL AWAY.

THE CART STAND

Yesterday I took my little green car down to Vorderman's because it was charging the battery and, everything was not working, except the actual motor when we jump started it. I took my camera to take pictures of the car up on the hoist and whatever, and then realized I had left it on the front seat.

So I satisfied myself with a shot of Kroger's and the cart parking space. The reason the picture of Kroger's is a little blurred is because just before the picture snapped, I became aware of my cart rolling away behind me. No one was there to take the ensuing picture - which was probably good.

This morning I took pictures of Little Ann, the dog, and next post, I'll tell you why.

Oh, yeah, the title of this post? Well, I dropped the camera and only this morning noticed the plastic part had come off. Trying to get it back on, but having some trouble.

SUDOKU IS ADDICTING

I spent most of the morning working sudoku puzzles - the one from the South Bend Tribune, the one from the Journal Gazette and finally, the one from the magazine "Life" that comes tucked into Friday's paper. I am not very good at it, yet, despite this lack of innate talent, I find them exhilerating to attempt and work on. Doing it makes my brain feel so good.

I think, in a way, I am addicted - or at least flirting with addiction. Working them is supposed to be good for you - maybe a hedge against Alzheimer's. I hope so, at least I can use that as a reason for doing them and not other things.

TO THE MOVIES BY MYSELF

I am going to see Brokeback Mountain tonight - and I am going by myself. I'm not taking any grandkids because I don't think it is one they could grasp fully. I am also not taking them because they are gasping and saying, "Grandma's going to a gay movie." Laugh, laugh, laugh. I think that vindicates the first reason I gave here for not taking them..

I imagine there are some people in town who don't like that this movie has been made, let alone nominated for an Oscar. As I understand it, it is not a graphically shocking movie at all, just one that deals with a lifestyle that is not on the beaten path.

Tomorrow I will be able to offer a more informed opinion, if I don't overdose on popcorn.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

TWO NEW MOVIES AT STRAND

Starting on Friday, Brokeback Mountain (7 and 9:30pm) and Good Night, and Good Luck (7:15 and 9:15 pm) will be at the Strand.

The review for Brokeback Mountain from the linked above includes:

An epic love story, set against the sweeping landscapes of Wyoming and Texas, that tells the story of two young men--a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy--who meet in the summer of 1963 while driving cattle on a mountain range. They unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection, one whose complications, joys and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of love.

Good Night, and Good Luck is based on Edward R Murrow's career during the McCarthy hearings in the early 50's regarding un-American activities.

Brokeback Mountain is an Oscar nominee and Good Night, and Good Luck is highly rated by critics and viewers. I plan on seeing both.

IU REMINDS ME OF THE CUBS

Indiana won - beat Purdue 70-59

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

NURSE SHOES

No, not these. These are the shoes that originally were being sold for $88, but she got them from the "On the Counter" feature of Land's End for $3 - an $85 savings.

When I saw these shoes on the site, I thought to myself, "Who in the world would buy these?" Well, now we know.

REFERRING TO CALIFORNIA . . .

After having just written about the fine for littering in California - which was one fo the "inside" jokes about Will Farrell's character dropping a wrapper on the grass in the movies "Anchorman" which was shot is San Diego - I see California has now made the news with a near-riot during a student panel discussion of the cartoons about Islam.

You can look HERE to read about the event which Muslim Student Union members argued was "the equivalent of a hate speech disguised as freedom of expression."

Remember this started with a Danish newspaper published the cartoons depicting Muhammad, which the Islam religion says should not be shown in illustration.T hen riots of protest in Muslim countries resulted in deaths and the burning of the Danish Embassy. Believing the whole idea is that Muslims aren't to draw the Prophet Muhammad, but it is not wrong for anyone else to do so, I come down firmly on the side of Denmark - so much so that I am eating Dansk Butter Cookies in support.

UPDATE: CNN's story about this is HERE.

$1,000 IF YOU LITTER IN CALIFORNIA

I went for a short walk yesterday with my dog and look how much money the Kendallville/Indiana governments could have if they looked at people throwing trash around the same way California does.

Here's a can a Pepsi drinker left on the grass on the west side of North Side.

Bud Light on Riley

Rum Drink on Riley

This is my personal favorite: the packaged trash plus beer can.

Explorers used to go into unknown territory to see what was there; I am going into the realm of blogs to see what I can add, and, in writing posts about my life here in Northeast Indiana, to see what I can discover about myself and the place I live. Maybe this is not so much a new-fangled blog as it is an old-fashioned pot-bellied stove around which stories and news are exchanged and shared.

: Name: Jody

Yo, there. Okay, I don't exactly look like my picture here. I have written for some papers in different places and at present I am writing for the Kendallville Mall. You may have read some of my articles; you may not have. A lot of the time I write for myself, and sometimes I don't do it on paper. Sometimes I write in my mind where the words can soothe or encourage or firmly establish a feeling in my memory place. Would that be my heart? Maybe. Sometimes I write funny stuff; I think I am at times melancholy. I don't think of myself as a writer or storyteller. I believe I just have a need to attach words to things. Perhaps it is a way of praying , a need such as that expressed by C.S. Lewis in the movie Shadowlands:"That's not why I pray, Harry. I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me."

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