Dennis Miller sums it up

"If two gay guys want to get married, I couldn't care less. It's their business. If some foreigner wants to blow their wedding up, I want my government to eliminate him."

Dennis Miller, Jan. 2004

Yet another great book!

I love this part of my job! Here is another great picture book:

Mole and the Baby Bird
by Marjorie Newman, illustrated by Patrick Benson
Bloomsbury Childrens Books, 2002
ISBN 1-58234-784-0

Chuck

10 days and counting

After this morning's OB appointment, Cole is in the "any minute now" stage. Of course, it could still be December 6th before Miri shows up. I'll keep you posted.

Chuck

Yet another book

There are many, many, MANY "Christmas miracle" story and picture books out there, but I just found one that tops them all so far. Go out and find a copy of "The Christmas Cobwebs" by Odds Bodkin (grin), illustrated by Terry Widener (Guliver Books, 2001. ISBN 0152014594). Not Caldecott level illustrations, but a wonderful story.

They should have made this one instead of destroying "The Polar Express."

Traffic hazards

Dammit! If you own a dog, don't let it run free and unsupervised! Not only is this impolite, but it is dangerous for the dog. I hit one on a busy street last night, which I consider a tragedy. I love dogs and to be the cause of pain to one of those happy, trusting creatures is soul-crushing to me. But it could have been avoided completely if the dog's owner had not let it roam free. Moron! Idiot! Poor dog...

Hard to believe...

I really am going to be a father soon. Cole and I finished the last little touches in the nursery this morning and it was so cute that I got a little weepy. Now all it needs is the baby!

And it might be sooner than we expected! The due date is in 3 1/2 weeks, but is already showing signs that lador is approaching (no details: I don't want to embarrass her).

Chuck

Itsy-bitsy spider

Last night, while getting ready for bed, I noticed a small brown spider moving slowly across the floor. Usually, I leave spiders alone since they eat the bugs I really don't want in the house, but something about this one made me think twice. I killed it and checked it out. As I suspected: brown recluse, complete with little violin pattern on it's thorax. Great. The second most deadly species of spider in the US has taken up residence in my house. Uh! Kansas!

On a more happy note: Only four weeks till the arrival of Princess Miriam Littlegirl!

Kid's fiction recommendations

Gee, maybe the childrens librarian should recommend some titles. Okay! Let's go!

The Edge Chronicles #1: Beyond the Deepwoods
The Spiderwick Chronicles 1-5 (series complete)
Midnight for Charlie Bone
The Puppeteer's Apprentice
The City of Ember
Bailey School Kids (series)
Among the Hidden

Picture books:
Sector 7
Tuesday
Showdown at Lonesome Pellet
An Octopus Followed Me Home
any of the "McDuff" books by Rosemary Wells

Post -election thoughts

OK, usually I'm not one for conspiracy theory, but since this one is my own, I'm going with it:

Most people seem to think that Sen. Kerry conceded the election because the Ohio numbers really weren't there, added to the fact that the President won the popular vote nation-wide by 3.5 million (and beating history in the precess). I think, however, that he conceded because he got a call from Clinton: "John, concede. You aren't supposed to win. You are screwing up Hilary's 2008 campaign."

Just an idea. :) Oh, and...Rudy G. in 2008!

Chuck

Now when I was a boy...

Our first Halloween in Wichita brought a surprise: not only is there no specified times for trick or treating, but kids are driven from house to house by their folks. Hmm, let's see...take your kids out for sugary treats and make sure they don't get any exercise by walking. Oy, these kids today!