FrogFur

Cheryl's Trotsky...

2009-01-22T15:01:00.002-05:00

Believe me Cheryl your experience with little Trotsky is only a Taste of things to come!!!!!

Back Yard Inventory

2008-06-03T09:44:00.002-04:00

I recently checked my back yard to see if there might be a few more critters hanging around the old home stead. I turned up a few. Unfortunatly my neighbor came over to see what I was doing and got a little too close to one of them...

A New Topic !!

2008-06-02T13:23:00.004-04:00

In attempt to show some semblance of life in this Blog I offer for your consideration the premiss that things are often far from what they appear to be. As a forinstance the next time a liberal politition offers you an Icecream Cone at a fund raiser it might be wise to think twice before licking.

Peppys ? about Al-Khidr

2008-04-29T15:33:00.001-04:00

The later legend derives from the "Water of Life" tale in the Eastern versions of the Alexander Romance, where Alexander and his servant cross the Land of Darkness to find the restorative spring. The servant in that story is in turn derived from Middle Eastern legends of Al-Khidr, a sage who appears also in the Qur'an. Arabic and Aljamiado versions of the Alexander Romance were very popular in Spain during and after the period of Moorish rule, and would have been known to the explorers who journeyed to America.

Peppy And Ponce

2008-04-29T09:40:00.005-04:00

It would appear from recent comments made on my daughter's blog that one of my Child-hood Chums has referred to me as an "Old Geezer". Thinking back into the mists of time it would appear that one of two things must be happening here.... The first would seem to be an open admission by Peppy that she too was a member of the Geezer generation. I find this hard to believe however as women are not often prone to this sort of revelation. The second and far more intriguing possibility is that Peppy has discovered the secret of "TIME TRAVEL"!! Yes, I think this is it! Peppy has traveled back in time and has joined up with either Al-khidr and like the Salted Fish has bounced back to youthful exuberance or even more likely she has joined forces with Juan Ponce de Leon and discovered the Fountain of Youth somewhere in Florida. I have carefully studied the scene with de Leon in the swimming pool an I think I see one image that looks a lot like Peppy but alas being an "Old Geezer" my eyesight is not what it used to be. Perhaps others could give me a hand here..... Is Peppy in the pool with Ponce???

Firing a S&W 460 Magnum

2008-04-18T10:18:00.003-04:00

For those of you that have not experienced the events that take place after pulling the trigger on a S&W 460 this is what happens when the revolver is fired

An American Hero

2008-04-17T11:08:00.002-04:00

Probably honed his skills while hunting as a boy with his father. Maybe even hails from a "Small Town".

On Thought & Thinking

2008-04-16T14:53:00.003-04:00

On Heavy Thinking (thanks AT)

Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean that politics won't take an interest in you. -- Pericles, 430 B.C.

It started out innocently enough.

I began to think at parties now and then -- to loosen up.

Inevitably, though, one thought led to another, and soon I was more than just a social thinker.

I began to think alone -- "to relax," I told myself -- but I knew it wasn't true.

Thinking became more and more important to me, and finally I was thinking all the time.

That was when things began to sour at home.

One evening I had turned off the TV and asked my wife about the meaning of life.

She spent that night at her mother's.

I began to think on the job.

I knew that thinking and employment don't mix, but I couldn't stop myself.

I began to avoid friends at lunchtime so I could read Thoreau and Kafka.

I would return to the office dizzied and confused, asking, "What is it exactly we are doing here?"
One day the boss called me in. He said, "Listen, I like you, and it hurts me to say this, but your thinking has become a real problem. If you don't stop thinking on the job, you'll have to find another job."

This gave me a lot to think about.

I came home early after my conversation with the boss.

"Honey," I confessed, "I've been thinking..."

"I know you've been thinking," she said, "and I want a divorce!"

"But Honey, surely it's not that serious."

"It is serious," she said, lower lip aquiver. "You think as much as college professors, and college professors don't make any money, so if you keep on thinking, we won't have any money!"

"That's a faulty syllogism," I said impatiently.

She exploded in tears of rage and frustration, but I was in no mood to deal with the emotional drama.

"I'm going to the library," I snarled as I stomped out the door.

I headed for the library, in the mood for some Nietzsche.

I roared into the parking lot with NPR on the radio and ran up to the big glass doors...

They didn't open. The library was closed.

To this day, I believe that a Higher Power was looking out for me that night.

Leaning on the unfeeling glass, whimpering for Zarathustra, a poster caught my eye. "Friend, is heavy thinking ruining your life?" it asked.

You probably recognize that line.

It comes from the standard Thinker's Anonymous poster.

Which is why I am what I am today: a recovering thinker.
I never miss a TA meeting.

At each meeting we watch a non-educational video; last week it was "Porky's." Then we share experiences about how we avoided thinking since the last meeting.

I still have my job, and things are a lot better at home.

Life just seemed...easier, somehow, as soon as I stopped thinking.

The road to recovery is nearly complete for me.

Today, I registered to vote as a Democrat...

-- Anon --

see the proof below.......

This is a great Segue into the next post!

Food for thought.. A small tidbit that I fully embrace

2008-04-16T13:44:00.002-04:00

------------------Rich Lowry on Obama------------------

'BITTER' BLUNDER
OBAMA'S ELITIST ARROGANCE

Barack: Fulfilling the stereotype of out-of-touch Democrats.

'BITTER' BLUNDER
April 15, 2008 -- Barack Obama was caught saying something that he believes.

At a San Francisco fundraiser, away from the prying eyes of the press, Obama reflected on why small-town voters in Pennsylvania and the Midwest seem resistant to his appeal. He said those areas had lost jobs for 25 years. Therefore, people "get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Obama has apologized for his phrasing while defending the substance of his statement. And why not? He was retailing an article of left-wing orthodoxy going back centuries: that the working class is distracted by religion and other peripheral concerns from focusing on its economic interests and embracing socialism.

Versions of Obama's insight have been expounded by a world-famous 19th-century economist (Karl Marx), by a 1960s New Left philosopher (Herbert Marcuse) and by a best-selling contemporary liberal writer (Thomas Frank, author of "What's the Matter With Kansas?"), among many others.

It's so commonplace that Bubba-friendly Bill Clinton wrote in his memoir that Republicans wanted to undermine confidence in government so voters would be more receptive to "their strategy of waging campaigns on divisive social and cultural issues like abortion, gay rights and guns."

At bottom, this is a profoundly insulting point of view. Consider Obama's formulation. He makes it sound like no one would be a hunter or a Christian absent economic distress, that economic circumstances drive people into such atavistic habits.

Has he considered that some people simply enjoy hunting? And view the right to bear arms as a guarantor of American liberty? As they used to say, "God made men, but Sam Colt made them equal."

The assumption is that only liberal attitudes are normal and well-adjusted: If only these small-town people could earn more income, get an advanced degree and move to a major metropolitan area, they could shed their chrysalis of social conservatism.

Obama prides himself on his civility, but it has to go much deeper than dulcet rhetoric. A fundamental courtesy of political debate is to meet the other side on its own terms. If someone says he cares about gun rights, it's rude to insist: "No, you don't. It's the minimum wage that you really care about, and you'd know it if you were more self-aware." But Democrats have an uncontrollable reflex to do just that.

Since the McGovernite takeover of their party, they have struggled to work up enthusiasm for Middle American mores. (Since 1980, only Bill Clinton managed it, which is why he was the only Democrat elected president in three decades.)

When the liberal reflex is coupled with a Ivy League-educated candidate who seems personally remote and uncomfortable with everyday American activities, it's electoral poison.

After the likes of Al Gore and John Kerry, Republicans had to be wondering, "Could Democrats possibly nominate yet another candidate easily portrayed as an out-of-touch elitist?"

With Obama, Democrats appear to be responding with a resounding "Yes, we can!"

Obama brings a special measure of arrogance to the standard liberal critique of Middle America. His candidacy has always been characterized by two paradoxes. How can he be so hopeful at the same time he and his wife, Michelle, portray America as a sink-pit of despair? And how can he claim to be a uniter when he's an orthodox liberal who has risked little or nothing for bipartisan outreach?

Now, we know. Obama defines hopefulness as liberalism, specifically liberalism as embodied by himself. Only with Obama's election will America be redeemed from its harrowing false consciousness. We will be unified, not by Obama reaching out to conservatives to hammer out compromises, but by conservatives shedding their bitterness and becoming Obama liberals.

This is the underside of hope: arrogance fading into a secular messianism based on the fallenness of everyone who disagrees with Barack Obama.

And it's small-town voters who are deluded?

comments.lowry@nationalreview.com

Perhaps this will stir the creative juices of the readership!!

What's Not To Love

2007-12-14T16:21:00.000-05:00

I am begining to worry about my daughter and her "PETS???"

No... I aint dead

2007-12-03T11:21:00.000-05:00

To dispell any rumors that I have crossed the great divide as it were, I figured that I had better show some signs of life!! so here is a late photo of my developing Ham Radio Station W1XU. Its getting there but is still a bit of a rats nest in spots.

Fair Oak Winery is in production

2007-10-14T13:11:00.000-04:00

The F.O.W. is making wine in my cellar. The house has a wonderful fruity smell about it. come on down stairs and take a look at 60 Gallons of Pino Grigio, Merlot, Burgundy, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes all happily fermenting away. Everyone needs a hobby!!

And Finally Part 3

2007-10-14T12:32:00.000-04:00

Part 2 Booth Bay

2007-10-14T11:26:00.001-04:00

A Trip to Maine

2007-10-14T10:07:00.000-04:00

Lori and I went up to Wells and then Booth Bay Harbor Maine to visit with good friends. Join us for a rambling mix of imagery from the trip...

Kristen.... The early years

2007-09-13T10:45:00.000-04:00

Recently Family members and friends were interviewed and reported that her early years were the most difficult. Potty Training was a monster battle with the little angel. The accompanying photo was taken at the age of 12. As you can see she was out of diapers but still had a long way to go!

Kristen - A historical Narative

2007-09-13T10:21:00.000-04:00

Many people are unaware that one of the people that frequent this blog was once a medical doctor!!! Yes it is true our little Kristen was at one time a fully certified Dr of Groinacology. Luckily we have located photographic documentation of one pivotal moment during the beginning years of her practice. Here we see Kristen performing an extremely difficult "Manual Manipulation in search of abnormal Testicular Growths". Unfortunately she discovered such a growth in this case and the second picture shows the results of the Emergency Surgery that she performed to remove it!

The K lady is having a tough day

2007-09-10T16:28:00.001-04:00

Lordy Lordy I jes lubs dem Aunt Jamima pankakes.... Um Um Um

2007-09-10T15:19:00.000-04:00

A little LSD goes a long way!!

2007-09-04T13:36:00.000-04:00

I am looking at some of Cheryl's latest Pictures. A thought struck me that if a picture doesn't give you what you want then go ahead and have some fun with it. Her "WaterPool" for instance through the eyes of Timothy Leary...

Someone is having a Bad Day

2007-08-29T13:41:00.000-04:00

Sunday... Mushrooms to Motorcycles

2007-08-26T09:38:00.000-04:00

I'm getting ready to cut the lawn and as I walked around back I came upon a little village of nature's undertakers. Then thought "what a contrast" and grabbed a few shots of the Cruiser. I don't think you can come up with greater opposites... This is a challenge!

The House

2007-08-25T18:51:00.000-04:00

I dont think I have posted a good picture of the house so here goes.

A Walk in the woods.

2007-08-25T16:37:00.000-04:00

I ran out to Cheryl & Daves this morning and the three of us went for a very hot walk in the woods near their home.Lots of beautiful stuff to look at and take pictures of...

She has her mother's eyes

2007-08-24T09:41:00.001-04:00

She had this Way of looking at you that would melt your heart!!

Cheryl's Mystery

2007-08-24T09:27:00.000-04:00

My #2 Daughter has posted some interesting pictures of Hands. The question that she posed was "Which one was hers?". I couldn't figure out the answer so I dug through some old pictures and found close up of her the day she was born. I think I see the connection!!!

Michael Ann's rendering..

2007-08-23T11:06:00.000-04:00

She did a neat job on enhancing the letering on the markers. And de emphasis on the background.. What did you do Mikie

And finally some Dread into her "Hidden Grave Yard"

2007-08-22T17:08:00.000-04:00

Perhaps a little more mystery about "Into the woods"

2007-08-22T16:41:00.000-04:00

Fun with Cheryl's Howelspond

2007-08-22T16:24:00.001-04:00

Same lensclose up and then greater distance....

2007-08-19T16:11:00.000-04:00

These 2 shots are handheld and you can get a feeling of the versatility of a medium telephoto lens (105mm).

Playing with a longer lens.

2007-08-19T14:33:00.000-04:00

Typically as you go to a longer focal length lens, in this case 105mm, you are looking at subjects at longer than normal distances from the camera. By using either a close up ring or a Micro version of the Longer lens some interesting close ups can be captured.A tripod was used on the cone flower shots, hand held on the yellow flowers.

On to the Pot Holes at the end of our trip

2007-08-12T20:37:00.000-04:00

We followed the river that runs under the Bridge of Flowers and finally came upon an amazing sight. As the last ice age in North America came to a close massive glaciers that covered most of the country began to melt. As they did enormous torrents of water were released. In this area of New England this rushing water picked up smaller stones and swirled them around in whirl pools that formed. Over time these stones carved circular pockets into the under lying granite. You can see the results!

A Sunday drive to Shelburne Falls, MA

2007-08-12T19:03:00.000-04:00

Lori and I hoped into the Jag and traveled up to the little town of Shelburne Falls. A drive of about an hour north and west of Springfield. One of the towns main attractions is the wonderful "Bridge of Flowers" An old Multi arch trolley bridge that has been converted to a beautiful Garden walk. Join us for a moment and share some of the sights in this beautiful New England town.

The House that I grew up in.

2007-08-02T10:14:00.000-04:00

I just received this picture from Tony D. He and I both grew up in Berkeley heights N.J. This is a picture of the old house on Mountain Ave. I lived here from 1942 until 1962 and then moved on. You can still see the "Doll House" on the right that my dad built for my mother to sew and display her dolls clothes which she would then sell to collectors. You can see several of the old fruit trees that dad planted in the front yard. I can remember spraying them with pesticides back in the 50's. Horrible stuff like Arsenate of Lead and Nicotine Sulphate. There were no controls then and no EPA either. I can remember shoveling the snow off of the stone driveway and struggling to get all snow and no stones on the shovel. The noise my bike tires would make in the gravel as you came down it. Good memorys all. My room was on the second floor to the left in the picture.

Inside the mill

2007-08-01T19:39:00.000-04:00

Follow up to the walk down the brook.... When I got to the old mill it appeared to be in poor condition. I had heard that someone had done this whole project as a lark. I walked around the building and noticed that the back door to the lower level was open. I looked in and here is what I saw. a main pulley (the big one) driving a belt around an Idler (smaller pulley to the right of picture) And thence a belt running up stairs to....... ? I had heard that the builder of this wonderful thing had a woodworking shop upstairs with everything driven by water. I will have to go back and take a second look......

90 + Degrees in Western MA.

2007-08-01T18:09:00.000-04:00

West of Springfield in the foot hills leading to the Berkshire mountains Salmon Brook winds its way toward the CT River. These pictures are in its head waters as it heads first to a holding pond and then part of it is piped 1/4 mile to a Water Wheel that powers a Mill. I hope the scenes will cool you off. They did me...

Bad Landing !!!

2007-07-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

A Tbird pilot decides that it is time to abandon ship during an air show demonstration. Such a shame!!!

Remembering Attitude Adjustment

2007-07-23T10:11:00.000-04:00

Its been almost a year since the Boat was sold and in a moment of reflection I dug out some old photos. The first was taken at dockside in the Back Basin of the Old Mystic Seaport. I spent a number of weeks in this spot during the seaports annual Sea Music Fest. In the background you can see one of the music stages being set up in preparation for 4 days of live music.

In a change of pace here we are in Newport, RI. Lori and I would end up in Newport many times over our boating years. Sometimes as planned and sometimes by accident. A very neat place to visit either by boat or by car.

Finally this is a shot of us leaving our home dock at Old Saybrook, CT. Lori is scurring up to the fore deck to secure lines, Tony Delia and I are on the bridge and Barbra Delia is sitting in the cockpit hopeing that Lori makes it back. Some gymnastics were required to get forward from the cockpit!!!

The boat is a 40' Egg Harbor Convertable built in New Jersey in early 1984. It weighs aprox 30,000 lbs and is powered by twin gas engines for a total of 700 horsepower. It carrys 320 gallons of fuel which would run the boat at 15 knots for about 9 hours. A fill up at current Marine Fuel prices would be $1300. Many a great adventure was had on this wonderful boat. Her side and stern boards now decorate my house and her spare props sit in front of my garage door.

Cheryl was right!!!

2007-07-18T13:55:00.000-04:00

Cheryl pointed out that my earlier photo of the Baloon Flowers was blown out... She is right. Here is the same picture with a little more care taken in processing it. Compare it with the earlier one below. Thanks daughter...

Lori and I relaxing

2007-07-18T11:15:00.000-04:00

The last of them..

2007-07-18T09:33:00.000-04:00

These Pixs complete the present invetory of plants with blooms at the house.. More when nature dictates.

Day 2 Photos and a new lens.

2007-07-18T09:28:00.000-04:00

These photos are all hand held in the late afternoon so pardon the shake!

2007-07-17T11:02:00.000-04:00

2007-07-17T10:53:00.000-04:00

And more...

2007-07-17T10:18:00.000-04:00

Here Goes Nothing

2007-07-17T10:09:00.000-04:00

Serious Digital Photography is a brand new challenge for me. So a lot of what is to follow will be awful!! Followed at some point in the future by just "pretty bad" etc etc.