The Darius

christmas 2011

2011-12-12T21:01:00.001-06:00

christmas 2011, a set on Flickr.

it's beginning to look allot like Christmas

Handley Cemetery

2011-11-12T15:42:00.001-06:00

Handley Cemetery, a photo by monica_riney on Flickr.

I like this shot.. hard to believe this Cemetery is in the shadow of a Power Plant

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T12:28:00.001-05:00

Halloween 2011, a set on Flickr.

What a blast!

Halloween prep 2011

2011-10-25T18:51:00.001-05:00

Halloween prep 2011, a set on Flickr.

here we go it's at about 85%

Taps

2011-05-30T08:48:00.000-05:00

on Memorial Day we honor those who gave everything.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Gillette Safety

2011-04-11T19:48:00.001-05:00

Gillette Safety, a photo by monica_riney on Flickr.

my safety razor wasn't fancy enough so I turned a purple heart handle for it

vegie garden

2011-04-03T19:53:00.001-05:00

vegie garden, a photo by monica_riney on Flickr.

well it doesn't look like we spent a weekend working on this but we did. well OK we did allot of yard work but the Veggie garden was the prime focus.

In order to cope with the slope and run of our yard we decided to go with a container garden. note the two containers made from Lowes buckets, they have been adapted with a false bottom to be a self watering container for plants.

Chasing dreams

2011-03-28T21:53:00.001-05:00

Just a Poem I wrote several years ago...

I have no need for chasing dreams
For wandering through the morning mist
I have no need to follow moonbeams
Or to think that fairies might exist

I do not need to seek my fortune
Seeking fame in far off lands
I do not need to make girls swoon
With pretty words and soft laid hands

I have no wish to be a knight
Saving towns from dragons fire
I have no wish to gain such height
That I can not see what first inspired

I have no need to chase a dream
Or such flights of fancy they invite
I have no need to chase a dream
When I hold mine in my arms at night

She is my fortune, fame and song
She is my faith, my heart, my life
She is the one to who I belong
She is my dream, my light, my wife.

halloween 2010

2010-10-30T21:46:00.001-05:00

halloween 2010
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

Everything is ready for tomorrow night, the lights are set the candy is bought and the Rangers won and so did the Stars.. tonight has been a very good night

Dry Vs Wet Pt III

2010-09-05T20:45:00.000-05:00

The bacon is smoked and sitting chilled in the down stairs fridge. Labor day break fast should be interesting

Dry Vs Wet continued

2010-09-05T10:19:00.003-05:00

The bacon is cured and now on the smoker for about an hour to an hour and a half. The texture and consistency difference between the two slabs of bacon is amazing. If I hadn't cut them from the same belly I am not sure I would believe they were cut from the same piece of pig.

The Dry cure as expected has been dessicated by the dry crusting of a salt based cure. It is dense and a nice deep reddish pink in the lean areas.

The wet cure slab has plumped and increased in size and weight as it macerated and absorbed liquid from the brine cure. it still has a very stiff feel to it which is due to the curing process. the lean is a softer shade of the reddish pink

Once it is smoked i will chill it overnight and slice it tomorrow.

Sunday Epicurial

2010-08-29T11:09:00.000-05:00

Canadian Bacon on the Smoker, along with the legs, wings and thighs of an 18 Lb Turkey, and one half of the Turkey Breast boned seasoned with kosher salt, Black Pepper and wild honey then rolled and tied. The other half with the same treatment will be fire roasted with indirect heat in the kettle grill. Cooking the carcass and giblets down for stock and trimming a Pork Belly to start curing for Bacon.... (see yesterdays post)

I must really like to cook or some such!

Dry Vs. Wet

2010-08-28T13:11:00.002-05:00

Cured Bacon that is, which is better a Dry Cure or a Wet Cure, hopefully over the next week or so I will begin find out. I am taking a trimmed Pork Belly and cutting it in half. One half I will dry Cure, the Other I will Wet Cure. They will both be smoked at the same time. the best part of this test is that it will likely have to be repeated many times to ensure consistent results.. Oh Darn I will just have to have pounds of fresh cured smoked bacon on hand...damn the luck and my commitment to research! (and the salt pork from the belly trimmings, and the Canadian Bacon that also uses the Brine, and Brats and other sausages.... mmmmm... Sausage....)

Geocache

2010-03-28T17:34:00.002-05:00

Much more fun than I had expected. My First cache was an Ammo box in Randol Mill Park at N 32° 45.408 W 097° 08.371 . My Blackberry got me within 6 feet of the cache and then I had to hunt. This one took me about 10 minutes to locate once I was on site but it was so cool to open it up and sign the log! the Second Cache i hit was much harder, and still worth every minute of the drunken bee dance.

Hickory

2010-03-01T14:39:00.002-06:00

wow I have found that my sinuses object strenuously to Hickory. both times I have used Hickory in the smoker I have been miserable the next day. Pecan seems to be fine which surprises me as it is in the Hickory family. Oh well I'll have to find some apple chunks!

Yo

2010-02-24T20:11:00.002-06:00

Well it's been a while but I am alive and Well. I have been adjusting to a new job which I am thankfull to my Time in the US Navy that I have the skills to provide for me and mine in these F'ed up times. Looking forward to Schools in Chicago and many meetings at the lodge for Blue lodge and for OES.

Waste of Air

2010-01-05T22:01:00.001-06:00

Wow! Some people are a _waste of air_!

A couple of hours ago I heard a Dog Yelp out side and heard my neighbor start yelling (Cussing which he almost never does) at some one. Being concerned that his dog had gotten hurt I ran outside and he told me what had just happened:

A car driving by had slowed down and bodily thrown a small dog out the window onto the curb across the street. Unfortunately he was to shocked and outraged to get a license number. My Boy sat out side keeping the little dog warm and feeding him till we could get ahold of animal services to come pick him up and get him looked at by a vet. Ended up locking up our dogs and bringing him in to wait cause it was getting colder fast out doors.

Poor guy was malnourished and would not have survived a night abandoned in 25 degree weather. Part of me wishes some one would starve the A-hole who did this and toss them out on a cold freezing street in the middle of nowhere and leave them there to fend off the night Alone and betrayed by those they trusted most. But I'll settle for hoping they try to go to the shelter and claim the little guy. The animal control officer said not to hold my breath but he'd be more than happy to arrest them for animal cruelty if they did show.

Thank you

2009-11-11T09:40:00.001-06:00

Raising

2009-10-21T12:30:00.001-05:00

My Raising was last night and I am now a Master Mason, though I still must complete the work and present my proficiency as such. It has been a most gratifying and enlightening experience thus far, I look forward to a life long daily journey in quest of light.

Master Mason Scheduled

2009-10-01T10:45:00.001-05:00

Well I have completed my Proficiency as a Fellow Craft and on October 20th at 7 PM I will be raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

Almost here...

2009-09-29T20:40:00.001-05:00

Halloween... Dallas Stars regular season... Glad I don't have to choose!

Name

2009-08-15T07:36:00.001-05:00

The name of the truck has been decided

"Blue Thing"

Long week

2009-08-13T07:36:00.007-05:00

Well it has been a long and hard week since last Thursday morning. It started out OK on the morning of the 6th.. right up until 5:30 AM when I got T boned in an intersection. that event left my F150 which I referred to as "The Beast" mortally wounded. The Beast was put down Monday Morning when Insurance totaled it.

Last night after much paperwork I picked up the successor to the Beast, I have not quite decided what to call it yet, "Son of a Beast" and "Were-Smurf" are under consideration. The color according to Ford is "Blue Flame"

2nd amendment

2009-07-26T16:16:00.002-05:00

Well I have once again after many years been able to assert my second amendment rights. A Taurus PT 111 is now held in my home.

messed up

2009-07-17T09:37:00.001-05:00

My cats look at me like this and I don't even have a journal... guess they have been reading my Blogs!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Independent Rants

2009-07-14T14:00:00.001-05:00

Looking back over my personal blog I have allot of personal general post interspersed with political rants based from the point of view of an independent voter. Being an Independent is important to me as I believe the two party system is inherently flawed and only by the introduction and infusion of turbulence, rabble rousing and fresh idea's can a Democracy continue to function in a healthy fashion.

so come check out my new blog "Independent Rants" at http://independent-rants.blogspot.com/

new adventures

2009-07-07T13:42:00.002-05:00

So fate and choice would have it that I began a new adventure last month. On the 23rd of June I was made an Entered Apprentice Mason. I am enjoying the Proficiency work and look forward to a future time when I may wear the ring of a Master Mason.

Havoc Fanatic

2009-07-06T12:48:00.001-05:00

We are now proud holders of season tickets for the Dallas Stars in the Havoc Fanatic section! Sec 332, Row H, Seats 10,11

The Declaration

2009-07-03T07:34:00.003-05:00

This being the start of the 4th of July weekend I thought it right to re-read the document that started it all on that summer day in 1776.

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm

I have read this document many times, though more and more it seems the leaders of our nation have forgotten the basic objections raised by The Declaration.

things like

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance."

And now our own government creates office after office each of which strips us of some small portion of our freedom and liberty, ensuring we all do things the governments way because they know what's best for us.

"He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power."

We have all seen the continued encroachment of the use of our armed forces to control our own people. Our Leaders even going as far as to assign federal troops to be at the disposal of DHS to be used to control civil unrest caused by the economic recession.

"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:"

Our President has openly stated that _Foreign_ courts and constitutions should be considered and heeded in our domestic policy. that we all are subject to _their_ idea of rule and law.

"For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:"

Now our leaders hide taxes and economic pressure on it's own citizens hiding it in so called environmental initiatives like cap and trade, or telling us it's for our own good when they pass sin taxes on sugary foods and drinks while subsidizing the industry that produces them.

"For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:"

Federal Agents may detain a citizen of our country indefinitely for simply being a considered as a possible threat to national security. held and imprisoned without trial or even consultation with an attorney.

"For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever."

The Stimulus bill pushed through the legislature Forced the governing bodies of all 50 states and the territories of our nation to capitulate authority and give over a level of States Rights and Sovereignty.

These things have been done by Democrats, and Republicans alike. it has not been a sudden change but a slowly growing cancer eating away at our lives, liberties and our pursuit of happiness.

Still yet I will celebrate my nation upon the anniversary of it's birth. I will remember that my freedoms and liberty's were born of blood shed by brave men and women. That that same blood is still being shed for this purpose and will continue to be shed in the future by those who commit their lives to protect the US and it's constitution against all enemies Foreign and Domestic.

I will celebrate My nation and its history, I will celebrate it's future I will celebrate what this country has been, What it is and what it still can be. the icon of hope and liberty for all people who live beneath The Stars and Stripes. I shall also celebrate the freedom I have to Stand and openly disagree with those who rule and cast my vote against them.

Fort Worth Nature Center

2009-06-07T14:47:00.001-05:00

DSC_0180
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

A rejuvenating 7 hour hike with my camera is what I gave myself for my birthday. I saw many birds including a Prothonotary Warbler Deer and even Prairie Dogs! Check out the full set on Flickr!

Private sitting

2009-05-30T20:18:00.003-05:00

I got a new lens for my Nikon D40 Thursday and on Friday I was treated to a private sitting with a bob cat to christen it!

I was walking on the trail at river legacy and this guy walked right out onto the trail in front of me. over the course of about 20 minutes he and I walked about a quarter mile with me snapping shots of him. At one point he started walking directly towards me ears forward and curious he stopped about 3 feet away from me and sniffed and then made a snuffing noise and turned to continue on the trail. As we walked he always made sure he knew where I was but did not act like he considered me to be the slightest bit of a threat. It was a rare privilege to have such a beautiful creature share a short amount of time with me.

Pa

2009-04-28T20:30:00.000-05:00

This song always told me where my great Grandfather stood.

How Small?

2009-04-24T21:48:00.002-05:00

Very Small, the population at the 2000 cencus was 2330... that's less than the Student population at the HS my kids go to.

View Larger Map

Small Town

2009-04-24T21:34:00.002-05:00

I went to School in a Small town. Took me 20 years to appreciate it. Now that I live in the city for a number of years, I've learned to miss it some.

Tax Day Respect.

2009-04-16T07:28:00.002-05:00

DSC_0162
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

What makes these Tea Party Protest different? _Respect_ Respect for our nation and it's constitution respect for our fellow protesters, and Respect for our Nations Flag.

For years watching video and pictures of protest I saw individuals expressing their anger and their freedom of speech by showing disrespect to the symbol of our nation, even going as far to burn it. At the Tea Party I saw Matt Foster, one of the organizers of the Arlington Tea Party helping to fold our flag the way it is prescribed to be done in US Code.

In Pictures and video I saw individuals throwing rocks and jeering at the police, Last night I saw individuals helping each other in traffic and thanking the officers in attendance for their service.

I am proud of these Protest for many reasons, but the quality of the people involved tops the list.

Pride

2009-04-14T20:17:00.003-05:00

I am proud to say that tonight I sat down with my son and read over the Constitution of the United States of America. I remember being in Washington and gazing at this document in the national archives along with the Deceleration of Independence. I feel as much pride now as I did that day when I was only 17 gazing upon those vellum pages. I am not proud that I did my duty as an American and went over this document with my son I am proud that he sat and listened and asked questions and based upon the words of this document began to question national affairs and the acts of our congress and our president. I am proud to have a son who considers it his duty and his privilege to question his government.

Left or Right?

2009-04-14T14:41:00.003-05:00

Left, Right, Republican, Democrat, who cares!? I am an American first foremost and always! I hear Liberal commentators vilify the tea parties saying it's "astroturf" laid down by the GOP. I hear the GOP and ultra conservatives touting that America is rising up against the liberals at long last. I don't think either side is actually paying attention.

I intend to protest what both Republicans and Democrats have done with my tax dollars. Last time I checked there were members of both parties in congress when these benighted bailouts were voted on in sesion to be signed by both Republican and Democrat presidents.

I am pissed off that they no longer give a damn about the people they are supposed to represent. I am pissed off the only choice I have at election time is "who I would rather vote against" No body votes for a person or proposition any more they vote against things they find unpalatable. We no longer really have a choice of what we want just between which person or thing we want less.

Wake up Liberals and conservatives, republicans and democrats. wake up and smell the coffee. Americans of every walk of life are just tired of being played.

Tea Party

2009-04-13T11:46:00.012-05:00

I am proud to be an American. A proud veteran of the US Navy. I get a tear in my eye as I hold my hand over my heart and listen to the stirring chords of the Star Spangled Banner. I am proud to be guaranteed specific rights and liberties by the Constitution of the United States of America. It is my privilege and my private vanity that I put my name on the line and offered my life as a soldier to protect these rights and liberties for all American citizens.

I am embarrassed.
I am embarrassed not by my country.
I am embarrassed by those who have been appointed and elected to care for it's needs.

I am ashamed of the members of the House of Representatives, those that are elected to ensure that the people of every district across the land has a voice that will be heard and a hand upon the tiller of our great nation. I am ashamed that our Representative spend more time and money campaigning to keep their job, than they actually spend _doing_ their job. That they willingly turn a deaf ear to those who are not convenient to hear.

I am appalled with our Senators. Who's sacred trust is that they should craft legislature that protects the Constitution and the people who live beneath it's laws. Instead I see them crafting lies that then become laws in the name of special interest groups. Lies that become law that strip the Constitution of it's precious freedoms one word game at a time.

I look with pity and a sick heart upon the Supreme Court of this land. They who should have been the last best refuge and defense of the rights and liberties of "we the people"; they who now dictate terms and partisan politics to congress, the president, the people, and the world.

I am abhorred by what has become of the Executive branch of the United States Government. They who for all these many years should be leading us and standing firm upon the foundation our founding fathers laid, they who should be the ultimate patriot, the greatest cheerleader the nation has; I see instead not one or two but multiple Presidents and vice Presidents who are and have been more interested in apologizing to the world for our existence, than in the business of showing us and all nations on earth that we are in fact the greatest nation alive! I see our executive branch setting the example that we should be ashamed of who we are, that it is wrong to be prideful of being called "American".

I am proud to be an American. A proud veteran of the US Navy. I get a tear in my eye as I hold my hand over my heart and listen to the stirring chords of the Star Spangled Banner. I am proud to be guaranteed specific rights and liberties by the Constitution of the United States of America. It is my privilege and my private vanity that I put my name on the line and offered my life as a soldier to protect these rights and liberties for all American citizens. I am proud to stand up and say these things are wrong and hope my voice may yet be heard. I am proud to stand up not only for _my_ Rights and Liberties but for those of my children and my children's children.

Come stand with me. Stand and let the sky tremble with the native greatness of America. Let us make a sound so great that those who have abused their power remember that it was we who, by our own inaction, gave power to them and it is we, by taking action, who can take it away!

find a tea party near you today.
http://taxdayteaparty.com/

what a month

2009-04-12T19:42:00.002-05:00

Surgery PT going back to work and catching up.. wow what a month. and to top it off I have managed to knit a couple of pair of socks! ...

no not by hand but using an antique circlar sock knitting machine nearly 100 years old. tres cool no?

PT

2009-03-16T05:36:00.001-05:00

PT after surgery drags on, IT hurts but it is helping range of motion is slowly coming back. THe Dr says I can go back to work with restrictions next week

the dreaded pics

2009-03-10T17:49:00.001-05:00

Well got a scanner hooked up so I thought I would share the pics my Dr so thoughtfully snapped while he was working the first set is as he was just getting started the second is when he was almost done

Sunday

2009-03-08T09:51:00.002-05:00

Well it's a good 4 days since the surgery. The shoulder is still swollen but it has come down quite a bit. I can now fit into an over sized t-shirt as long as I am very very careful putting it on. Tried to be up and about and do too much yesterday morning ended up crashing most of the afternoon and then going to bed at normal time. I just didn't have the energy to stay up and do anything so I didn't make the Poker game last night. Oh Well I start PT on Tuesday morning that should be an excersize in pain.

surgery

2009-03-05T09:38:00.001-06:00

well surgery went well, we got home about 3:30-4:00. I spent most of yesterday knocked out on drugs. feeling pretty good today just very tender.

24 hours

2009-03-03T05:58:00.002-06:00

well just over 24 hours really. tomorrow morning I go in and get knocked out. My Dr as told me he will be sure how much repair on the shoulder is needed once he has the scope in place and looks around. I will wake up either in a sling or an imobilizer, either way I'll be on drugs for a few days after.

Wish me luck!

the date

2009-02-21T18:32:00.001-06:00

Wed arch 4th.. I go to Euless to Harris HEB to have my shoulder redesigned by a professional!

Shoulder surgery

2009-02-11T14:41:00.000-06:00

Well it's official the Ortho surgeon decided yesterday he needs t scope my shoulder and do some repairs so now I am waiting on the paper wheels f insurance,, Wheee!

Halloween Planing

2009-01-30T09:13:00.002-06:00

that's right I am already starting to Plan for next Halloween. I am thinking of making more use of my orb web technique so that I can make the drive way look more creepy. I definitely have to work more on the lighting of the webs the LED UV lights I built are to tight beam I need some flood type lighting for those and to make my light shilding boxes look more like rocks.

FEMA classes

2009-01-30T08:13:00.001-06:00

Ice on on the ground was certainly more exciting then the rest of my week. I spent most of it taking FEMA emergency preparedness courses online... Whee!

Bobcat at River Legacy

2009-01-20T18:24:00.002-06:00

DSC_0042a
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

This striking creature is a regular along the trail at River Legacy Park in Arlington. he was very patient with me as I took is picture but in the end got bored with me yawned and wandered off into the brush

Rotator

2009-01-09T09:53:00.002-06:00

So I went to the DR back at the beginning of December because my shoulder was hurt (tightening a 20 inch flange at work) after several weeks of PT and anti inflammatory drugs they send me for an MRI. I go in today since the results are back and the Dr calmly says "you have a partial thickness tear of the rotator cuff and since the shoulder isn't responding to therapy and has marked weakness I am refering you to an orthopeidic surgeon for evaluation"! what a way to start 2009!

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T12:26:00.001-06:00

Well another one is gone to memory. and wow it was a heck ofa year. Looking forward to 2009 and hopefully a little less eventfull year.

Wal-mart?

2008-12-07T15:22:00.001-06:00

I finally found my handkerchiefs... 100% white cotton.... at Walmart. Well I guess old Sam must have taught his kids a thing or two after all

Heathens

2008-12-05T15:38:00.001-06:00

We have become heathens. today I went to JC Penny , Dillard's and Target just looking for plain white handkerchiefs. they had none.

Early Christmas

2008-12-04T12:49:00.002-06:00

My Wife got me my Christmas present today. Tickets to 4 Stars Games! Yes she puts up with my shit and still gets me great stuff.

Ragged Old Flag

2008-11-20T09:55:00.001-06:00

there are things we should remember.

Another project

2008-11-16T17:33:00.001-06:00

Blue Shawl - Debbie
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

along with all my other honey do's my DW gives me tasks such as "make me a triangle loom so I can weave a shall!" so I did and here it is in use.

Veterans Day

2008-11-11T07:56:00.000-06:00

To those who have served and those who are still serving:

Watson Cemetery

2008-11-10T13:13:00.002-06:00

Watson064s
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

I have recently begun to indulge my affection for ornate headstones and old cemeteries with my Nikon the first one I visited is an old (mid 1800's) Cemetery in Grand Prairie, TX called Watson Cemetery. it is still active today as well. It is right off of 360 and I30

Family Portrait

2008-11-03T09:55:00.002-06:00

the New Family Portrait! we had a blast doing Halloween this year went through 25 Gallons of candy!

Here are the rest of the pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/mriney/sets/7 2157608600342612/

DSC_0114
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

Jack o Lanterns

2008-10-29T14:14:00.001-05:00

DSC_0001
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

Wow it's been a busy month getting ready for the big night. me and the kids did our pumpkin carving last night and we are all waiting for Friday (albeit impatiently)

2008-10-07T14:53:00.001-05:00

OK for those who don't know I am a Halloween Nutcase. I build corpses in my garage and haunt my house because it is a blast to do. This year one of the top 10 huanted houses in the nation may not happen because of some pussy dickweeds who are willing to steal from kids.

see the story about the theft here http://www.kcra.com/news/17613546/detail.html

Stealing from a business is one thing but stealing from a charity that helps kids?

I have been in contact with the co-ordinator Jerry Jewell (As nice a guy as any one would ever hope to meet) Jerry runs a special effects buisness and is taking a pretty hard personal hit trying to keep Hagan ging after this robbery. this is what he sent me

"Hi Don,

We’ve had some good donations of computers and vide projectors and a little bit of cash. So right now cash is king. We now have to hire a guard to stay there each night. If you can hit the Halloween forums and help fund raise that would be great.

Contributions can be made by check to

Jewell Performing Arts Center Inc
10457 Ambassador Dr
Rancho Cordova CA 95670

916 600-2295

Paypal payments to info@skulltronix.com will be forwarded to the non-profit.

Best regards

Jerry"

I have already posted on www.Halloweenforum.com but I figure why stop there these are kids that were stolen from so pass it along to any one you know who might be willing to help a worthy cause. (Wish we could give them some of that bail out pork!)

Jack-o-lantern

2008-10-02T06:42:00.000-05:00

here's a fun little web site! go use your mouse to carve a Jack-o-lantern!

http://www.cubpack81.com/images/carve_pumpkin.swf

Dust in the Wind

2008-09-30T09:39:00.001-05:00

Way Way too funny

George in the crows cage

2008-09-29T14:25:00.003-05:00

It took me a better part of Saturday to build it. there is a full how-to on Halloween Forum

george all finished

2008-09-22T19:46:00.001-05:00

DSC_0036
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

Now I make a Crow cage for him to hang around in!

the Corpsing of George

2008-09-19T05:55:00.001-05:00

DSC_0034
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

Halloween prep is in full swing. George the Blucky is getting a make over this year (A "blucky" is one of those cheap blow mold skeletons) I have done some work on the plastic itself cutting away in between the bones on the hands lags and ribs, re working his eye sockets and jaw and now as you see applying rotted flesh to his boney form. in this pic the adhesive is still very wet as it dries the panty hose that are used for the corpsing process regains it's color later after he fully cures I will go in and ad some gore via wood stain and paint.

The gear

2008-09-17T10:26:00.003-05:00

OKk so last night I hit the storage shed and pulled the Halloween decorations out of storage. started hacking into my blucky with knife and tape so I can corpsify him a bit for the pillory this should be alot .. and I mean _allot_ of fun this year!

I am such the happy Halloween freak!

Jack's hands

2008-09-14T20:00:00.002-05:00

the pumpkin headed guardian that is right next to the road in my Halloween display is getting new hands this year. I am using a variation on the technique some have used to make zombie hands out of pillow batting and carpet adhesive they are looking really good and creepy so far I'll post pics when they are done!

Halloween

2008-09-08T11:32:00.001-05:00

Planing and production has began! I want to add a Pillory to the front yard this year and hopefully a small crypt!

Obama - Biden

2008-09-03T06:56:00.003-05:00

This is no reflection on how I feel on candidates just an observation of marketing graphics used by one campain.

I think Obama's people need to figure out a better way to type set the two names, whane I see

OBAMA
BIDEN

I first start to read "Osama Binladen" and then correct myself.

As I said it has nothing to do with the candidates them selves just a phonetic similarity between "Obama" and "Osama" followed by a name starting with the letters "Bi". The name "Osama Bin Laden" has been driven into our minds by the media and that is what we are accustomed to seeing.

Retaining wall

2008-09-02T07:24:00.002-05:00

Well the damned thing is finally finished. the project started out looking simple then I got a stomach virus delaying the start of the work by a day then My son and I spent a full day breaking concrete we found in and behind the old wall (with rotten timber in between the layers of concrete absorbing half the force of each hammer blow.) then the rain began so I had to wait for it to stop raining and the ground to dry before starting in again. this last Saturday I finished the demolition and My son and I built the new wall yesterday. now on to the next project!

"I have a Dream"

2008-08-28T19:41:00.006-05:00

.... I am saddened today. I am saddened by s the media's coverage of this DNC that cheapens the memory and the message of a great orator. Dr Martin Luther King.

Dr King said,

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Yet what I hear from the media is how momentous and eventful it is that a black man has been nominated. Clearly we have not achieved this wondrous dream where in the color of a mans eyes would be noticed before the color of his skin. Yet tonight on the anniversary of that historic speech I see the media proclaim the wonder that a Black man has been nominated. How far we have fallen from Kings message. How far have we strayed from his faith that one day this nation would understand what it means to say "All mean are created equal". How far from the truth must we stray before we can simply accept each other as fellow humans, discarding superficial differences.

Barak Obama is a fantastic orator. One day he may become a brilliant leader of nations but for now I weep for him. Barak Obama's personal achievement as the DNP's candidate has been cheapened. Cheapened by the press and the international media in the name of making a buck. Listening to the reporters on this historic anniversary I find that they ignore the magnitude that a major party has nominated the _man_ Barak Obama. Instead they tell me that I should remember this moment because he is a black man. Dr King, I believe, would hang his head and said 'did you not listen?'

We have not achieved Dr Kings Dream. I hope one day we do. I hope one day we view a different passage of this speech as the true historic statement of the day

his closing words,

"And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Unfortunately thanks to the modern media... today is not that day.

Texas Fresh Water Fishery

2008-08-27T14:16:00.002-05:00

DSC_0152

Last Saturday the wife and I went out to the Fresh Water Fishery in Athens. Herself spent the day Spinning and knitting with her friends while I tromped about on the nature trail the rest of the shots I have uploaded are here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mriney/sets/72157606956722767/

spanish

2008-08-18T13:42:00.000-05:00

Funny Videos | Funny Cartoons | More Video Clips

My Reactor

2008-08-14T07:41:00.003-05:00

When I was Navy Nuc school we used to wander around base singing this.

(sang to the tune of "My Bologna has a first name")

My Reactor has a first name, it's classified as hell

My Reactor has a second name it's classified as well

I like to run it every day and if you ask me why I'll saaaaaaay.....

Cause radiation has a way of fucking up your DNA!

Retaining walls

2008-08-07T08:20:00.001-05:00

Sigh Such is my lot come this weekend we had a landscape timber wall in our yard colapse so my Saturday is now consumed by cutting digging and pounding to re build it

And then he said to me,

2008-08-06T06:07:00.001-05:00

Dora

2008-08-03T12:02:00.001-05:00

Dora
Originally uploaded by monica_riney

This is Little Dora, she s fitting in well with the other dogs and the cats are giving us the cold shoulder (I think they liked out numbering the dogs)

BS

2008-08-01T07:05:00.002-05:00

I am sick of the BS! I hear on the news time and time again that "the Democrats in Congress are doing this" or the Republicans in Congress are doing that, so tell me what are the Americans in congress doing for the nation they serve? I mean irrelevant of party affiliation aren't we supposed to me Americans first?

Dora and the Wii Fit

2008-07-29T07:15:00.004-05:00

well last weekend we went and picked up our 8 week old toy poodle puppy. We have named her Dora. She is an honery little thing and is making Misha work his tail off to keep up. We also managed to get a Wii Fit (Impressive Nes Pas?) I synced it up to the console and was trying it out before the wife and daughter got back from the store last night and it started coming up with a message that said "your weight has changed" and then "are you fidgeting" Finally I look down and there is little Dora playing and fusing around my feet on the balance board. (she only weighs 2.6 pounds so I didn't even notice her till then)

Mile High Stadium???

2008-07-24T14:40:00.000-05:00

Wii

2008-07-22T06:10:00.002-05:00

Well the family has joined the console world for the first time in a generation. We bought a Wii. man that thing makes you work. no sitting on the couch with a brew for this game. It's up on your feet and moving. My shoulder and arms are sore from spending my vacation day playing Wii sports with my eldest daughter. She is liking the Wii allot because even as a quadriplegic she is able to operate the controllers and she actually whooped up on her step brother in Wii bowling!

Now the wife and the youngest daughter are after a Wii Fit. the things are damn tough to come by so the quest has begun!

Bone headed boys

2008-07-17T20:58:00.002-05:00

Well just got back from the ER My Son decided he need to be the teen age boy he is and jumped down the stairs in the house to the garage level. unfortunately for him there is an over hang about 2/3 of the way down. 4 hours in the ER and 4 staples later he now can't ride his bike to work as his helmet would put pressure on the staples, and he can't go swimming... yup he made a mess of the next two weeks of his summer.

Darn bone headed boy... must take after his father.

Remembering a friend

2008-07-16T06:01:00.003-05:00

Our little Kyra passed peacefully into the next world yesterday evening. We will miss her and she will always be a part of our life. For the three years since we rescued her from the Fort Worth animal shelter she has fought bravely against heart worm, cataracts, diabetes and finally a combination cushings and old age. through out all of this she gave love and happiness to all around her. She will be missed.

Little Kyra

2008-07-15T09:23:00.002-05:00

Kyra

The time has come to say farewell to our little Kyra. We can no longer control her diabetes with insulin and the Dr says she has quite likely developed Cushings as well. There are lots of things we could do to keep her 'alive' but only one thing that will give her peace from pain and suffering.

So today we commend to God our loving, loyal, little friend. May she find peace laying in a warm blanket in the halls of heaven.

flags

2008-07-15T07:57:00.003-05:00

I am not making allot of progress so far on my project but here is something congress is doing that I actually support. (what a change) a Congressional mandate for flags flown on federal property to be made in the US.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=5373967

Bird

2008-07-08T18:22:00.001-05:00

I found it! it is a "Black Crowned Night Heron"

Botanic Gardens

2008-07-08T06:23:00.001-05:00

DSC_0011
Originally uploaded by dariusobells

I got some great shots out at the Botanic gardens Sunday. This Guy was in the Japanese garden. Any one know what he is? the birds body is about one foot or a little better.

Doing my Part

2008-07-03T09:05:00.004-05:00

Yes I am taking a positive step in cutting fuel cost and conserving natural resources. This afternoon I pick up the co2 tank for a keggorator that was given to me last year and then a pony keg of Texas Blonde from Humperdinks here in Arlington Texas

How is getting a Keg at home environmentally friendly and a cost savings you ask?

First it will save me money Buying a Pony Keg cuts the cost of beer by around 50%. A Pony Keg is 7.75 Gal. This equates to about 6.88 12 packs. with a Pony of Shiner Bock running at about 50 to 55 dollars this means I am paying about $7.50 to $8 a 12 pack. If you can find it in bottles for that kind of price I want to know where. A pony of Texas Blonde from Humperdinks actually only costs me $40 giving me a solid tasty premium lager on tap for the price of $5.80 a 12 pack

You can get Kits to install a keg tap in almost any old fridge (It does have to be big enough for the keg) for $100 to $150 http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/kits/fridge-kits.shtml a used fridge to stick in your garage can be found pretty cheap usually looking at the classifieds in the news paper or asking around some appliance stores. I figure I am saving about 25 to 30 a month so the set up has less than a six month payback on your investment.

It also saves on my impact on the environment and our energy resources. No more runs to the store for a 12 pack, though I will still be buying the occasional six pack of beer for my hobby of trying and reviewing brews.

But the reduction of impact doesn't actually stop at emissions from my truck (which also saves money on gas). Fewer bottles means the energy I indirectly consume goes down as well. Think about it. Even though I recycle my bottles they still have a cost associated with the recycling process as well as the paper labels which are lost when a bottle recycled. Same for the chipboard pack itself, yes it is also recycled but at what cost and both glass and paper products when recycled are mixed with a given percentage of "virgin material" meaning My 12 pack still requires trees to be cut down, and minerals to be mined, not to mention the fuel for the furnaces and paper mills. Sure there is still an indirect energy consumption involved in me buying a keg but it is allot less than continuing to buy 12 packs.

Toping it off is the fact that a large thermal mass once chilled is easier to keep chilled than smaller individual portions (it has to do with surface area and heat transfer) this thermodynamic principal combined with less opening and shutting of the fridge (another big energy suck as you have to now cool all the warm air you just let in) In fact since my keg-fridge has a tap on the outside the opening and shutting of the door is virtually eliminated.

So beer drinkers unite and go green! Buy a keg!

Prices continue

2008-07-01T12:17:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I read an article how companies are starting to cut the amount of product inside their packages. A nice neat discreet way to hike their prices. The Bastards of corporate dictatorship strike again while we all scream about oil prices their prices seem to remain stable as they stand behind us pointing the ever faithful finger at the oil companies.

The Oil companies are crooks, making billion dollar profits and telling us it's our own fault, but while we are jumping up and down in a fit of rage we need to see who else has their hands in our wallets.

The Price

2008-06-26T12:41:00.004-05:00

the Price of oil goes up, so Gasoline goes up, Many say we need to use Ethanol instead, so the price of corn goes up, more farmers reject other cereal crops in favor of corn to sell at a premium for ethanol production, less is available for feed, the price of meat goes up. Less cereal crops have been planted the price of bread, and other staples goes up.

We need to realize when we are looking at energy cost we are not just talking about a gallon of gas, we are talking about our food our clothes our homes. We are talking about the millions of jobs leaving our country every year to countries that don't protect their workers who don't require environmental controls we are talking about companies whose actions would and some ways already have enslaved our freedoms in the name of turning a profit.

We need to produce our own energy, no it will not be easy and short term the price will be high, but the cost of not returning industry and energy production to American hands and American lands is enslavement of the American way of life. I think that is something worth fighting for.

Operation Overlord

2008-06-06T06:10:00.002-05:00

June 6th 1944 seem so far away now, a couple of pages in a high school history book is all our kids know of it. When I was a small child I thought D-Day was just my birthday (made sense to me since my name starts with "D") but the sacrifice of the thousands who died on the beaches of Normandy in order to make the defeat of the Third Reich possible, now resonates as a reminder to me on my birthday of just how much my life and freedom are really worth.

Flags

2008-05-25T16:35:00.003-05:00

I want to start something but I don't know how. I want to set up a non Profit that will give, for free, an American Flag and basic house mounting to any one who is willing to commit to flying it on national holidays and designated "Flag Days". I have talked to too many people who say they would fly the flag if they had one but this month they have to buy this or that (or in our current economy, buy gas). All of their reasons for not _buying_ a flag are very very real. So I want to give it to them. I am thinking I need a web domain www.fly-old-glory.org I want to start soon. I want people to be proud of the country we live in and be able to show it.

My basic plan is to start here in Tarrant County Texas. It's where I live and aas good a place to start as any. I know I can't start by promising every body every where a flag but maybe here and spread ...

I am going to start by contacting some flag companies and seeing if they would be willing to donate a couple of cases to the cause for free advertising on the website, then I have to figure out how to find the money for the domain and find funding for shipping.

I hope I can do this .. I really do.

Memorial Day

2008-05-25T14:38:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is the Observation of Memorial Day. A day set aside to honor all of those who have given their lives defending our nation and our freedoms. Representing the countless thousands who have died in the name of liberty are those who have no names. When I was 17 I visited my Dad neer Washington DC while there for a week I took the metro and witnessed for myself the Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. It was a hot June afternoon. I remember a tear coming to my eyes as the solemn, silent ceremony proceeded.
It is not the same as being there but here is a you tube video of the changing

For more info on the tomb of the unknowns go here

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/tombofun.htm

for more info about memorial day go here

http://www.usmemorialday.org/

To honor those who have fallen to protect your life and freedom, simply walk outside and raise a flag.

Gas

2008-05-22T14:32:00.004-05:00

Today I read how the Big oil companies are before a senate committee claiming they are hapless victims of economics, that they don't _mean_ to make 36 Billion dollars this quarter, the people of this country made them take the money. http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/658233.html

Some how I have trouble feeling sorry for them. I hear them say that all this is driven because there isn't enough refinery capacity... seems to me a couple Billion here or there could remedy that problem, and.. provide American Jobs! But no they will build refineries in other countries, all with our Government's help. Mean while refineries here will be shut down due to being to expensive to run (take a look at that profit number again they mean to make it bigger) More Americans will be out of work and forced to buy gas they can't afford that was refined in some other country and shipped here (driving up transport cost to excuse higher prices) because the so called American Oil Companies are sucking OPEC's collective dick.

I am buying a bicycle partially because I can barely afford to drive to work. Keep in mind I only work 3 miles from home... and I can't afford to drive to work. Even after buying a more fuel efficient truck (which is a necessity for my family as we haul a wheel chair) I still can't afford the gas.

And that is what we should all do, walk , ride bicycles, car pool. STOP BUYING GAS. That goes for this Ethanol stuff too, it's driving up the prices of food. It is driving up the Prices of BEER! Our fuel is becoming so costly we can't afford to eat or have a job. Foreign powers are breaking our nation, not with guns and paratroopers, not with a military invasion, but with a strangle hold on our economy.

Notes on the Refrigerator

2008-05-16T18:40:00.003-05:00

We all remember reading things our parents posted on the fridge when we were kids. I remember this from the fridge, My mother put it there while were were living in Germany during the Cold War. I remember reading it and feeling like I didn't need to ask any more why my dad was spending long hours at a listening post or why I found it normal to move aside an M-16 to get my winter coat.

While I was in the Navy I had that same note kept from years before posted on my Fridge. During this Election I have remembered it's words. It was an Editorial by Al McIntosh it read as follows:

A TIRED AMERICAN SPEAKS OUT

I am a tired American. I am tired of being called the ugly American. I’m tired of having the world panhandlers use my country as a whipping boy 365 days a year.

I am a tired American - weary of having American embassies and information centers stoned, burned and attacked by mobs operating under orders from dictators who preach peace and breed conflict.

I am a tired American - weary of being lectured by Gen. De Gaul (who never won a battle) who poses as a second Jehovah in righteousness and wisdom.

I am a tired American - weary of Nasser and all the other blood sucking leaches who bleed Uncle Sam white and kick him on the shins and yank his beard if the flow falters.

I am a tired American - weary of the beatniks who say they should have the right to determine the laws of the land they are willing to obey.

I am a tired American - fed up with the mobs of scabby faced, long haired youths and short haired girls who claim they represent the “new wave” of Americans and who sneer at the old fashioned virtues of honesty, integrity and morality on which America grew to greatness.

I am a tired American - weary unto death of having my tax dollars go to dictators who play both sides against the middle with threats of what will happen if we cut off the golden stream of dollars.

I am a tired American - who is tired of supporting families who haven’t known any other source of income other than government relief checks for three generations.

I am a tired American - who is getting madder by the minute of the filth peddlers who have launched American in an obscenity race - who try to foist on us the belief that filth is an integral part of culture - in the arts, the movies, literature, the stage.

I am a tired American - weary of the bearded bums who tramp the picket lines and the sit ins - who prefer Chinese Communism to capitalism - who see no evil in Castro, but sneer at President Johnson as a threat to peace.

I am a tired American - who has lost all patience with that civil rights group which is showing propaganda movies on college campuses from coast to coast. Movies denouncing the United States. Movies made in Communist China.

I am a tired American - who is angered by the self righteous breast beater critics in America, at home and abroad who get impossible yardsticks for the United states but never apply the same standards to the French,The British, The Russians, the Chinese.

I am a tired American - sickened by the slack jawed bigots who wrap themselves in bed sheets in the dead of night and roam the country looking for innocent victims.

I am a tired American who dislikes clergymen who have made a career out of integration causes, yet send their children to private schools.

I am a tired American who resents those who try to peddle the belief in schools and colleges that capitalism is a dirty word and that free enterprise and private initiative are only synonyms for greed. They say they hate capitalism, but they are always right at the head of the line demanding their share of the American way of life.

I am a tired American - real tired of those who are trying to sell me the belief that American is not the greatest Nation in al the world - a generous hearted Nation - a Nation dedicated to the policy of trying to help the “have nots” achieve some of the good things that our system of free enterprise brought about.

I am a tired American - who gets a lump in his throat when he hears that “Star Spangled Banner” and holds back tears when he hears those chilling high notes of the brassy trumpets when Old Glory reaches the top of the flagpole. I am a tired American who thanks a marvelous Lord that he was so lucky to be born an American citizen - a Nation under God, with truly mercy and justice for all.

Al McIntosh Rock County Star Herald 1964

Armed Forces Day

2008-05-15T20:33:00.003-05:00

Growing up on Military basis Armed forces day was almost as big as Christmas, there was soda meat on the grill, beer to be drank and party's to be had. I remember flyovers by groups of choppers and jets and competitions between units. I remember riding in tanks and APC's. For alot of folks the day off of work for memorial day is a big deal, for those of us who grew up children of the cold war, a day to celebrate those who fight for our lives and rights _today_ just as big... so Saturday, go buy a flag, thank a serviceman, stop at dawn for colors just because you can .. because so many are standing on a line to say " I don't care if your right or wrong, I am here to protect you!"

Democrats and Skeksis

2008-05-08T07:30:00.002-05:00

More and more watching the Democrat primary race I am reminded of the Skeksis in Henson's "The Dark Crystal" Just before the Chamberlain and the Garthim Master beat the hell out of a rock to see who would be emporer, you saw all the posturing and back biting and nastiness of those they surrounded themselves with. then they had a purposeless contest to see which would have the chance to hold an empty title that by the end of the movie meant absolutely nothing, Yup this has the Democrat Primary illustrated pretty well.

The Shed

2008-05-05T07:20:00.002-05:00

Well I got up yesterday morning and the day had dawned clear and cool... and calm. After rummaging around a bit getting grocery shopping out of the way and the wife starting Laundry the boy and I set out to build the shed. A project that has been laying in the back yard for about a month waiting for just such an occasion. I had to forgo grilling steak and had no time to relax whatsoever but the shed is at long last built now I need to grab some acrylic caulk and seal the edges to the foundation and all the seams and move all the Schtuff from the Garage to the new shed Joy of Joy's I get my shop and dart board back!

At Least Hillary Lies Outright

2008-04-22T09:59:00.005-05:00

What a concession to give a candidate for President of the United States, that she lies out right instead of being subtle about it. I am deciding in my mind more and more that Obama is not just unqualified for the office but that he is the Antithesis of what we need in office.

Before the Texas Primaries I heard Radio adds for Obama that sounded like a rally call for the Bolsheviks, I have seen Obama's campaign calling people racist for stating their opinion while he defends blatantly anti American rhetoric from his former pastor. I hear him say how Hillary and McCain both voted to invade Iraq and that he "Is the only candidate who has opposed this war from the beginning." Strangely enough when that vote was taken Obama wasn't in the Senate he was still in the Illinois State legislature.

Put nuts to Bolts here Hillary Was a Senate legal aid of some sort (Hell if I read right she helped in the Watergate investigation) and had been working in national politics before she married Bill. She has in fact seen the Full Spectrum of State , National and international Policy over the course of three decades.

John McCain Retired from the US Navy as a Captain, and has served since 1982 in both the House and the Senate. Keeping in mind he was the US Navy Liason to the senate from 1977 to his retirement. again over three Decades of experience in national and international Policy

Obama Served in the Illinois Legislature and three years as a Junior Senator. In addition to that .. Oh Wait that is it. No More. Just a little more tan ten years almost solely on the state level. with only three years experience in national and international affairs. Obama hasn't lied strait to our faces like Hillary, instead he is still playing Sneaky underhanded word games. in other words politics as usual Although since he seems to be pretty good at it Maybee worse than usual...