Ozark Steam Engine Association, Part II

Ed and Jack in front of a real sized International Harvester tractor. The picture below that toys of the same type of tractor. Some of the toys can sell for hundreds of dollars.

Harvesting Grapes, Part I

My brother makes his own wine. He's also planted some grape vines in his back yard. Here he and my dad harvest this year's crop.

The various netting and gauze like material were used to try and keep the birds away. The netting had very limited success.

Harvesting Grapes Part II

My dad and Ed continue harvesting the grapes.




















































































Here's the haul for this year.

Groundskeeping at Dad's House

I helped my dad with some work with his yard. Here we are raking up the grass clippings and putting them into bags. We took the grass to the dump. To get there you have to cross this very rickety looking one lane bridge.



















Here I am doing my best Groundskeeper Willie imitation.

MS Ride

Tomorrow Ed, Jennifer and I are off on the MS Ride. We are getting picked up by a friend of Jennifer's at 5:30 am to take us to the starting point in a town called Clever which is about 30 minutes from Springfield. We are only going to do the first day of the ride. Our goal is to do 80 miles.

The weather forecast has been all over the place. It was supposed to rain. Jennifer feels like she is always going to do the ride in the rain. Last year the second day got canceled because of a hurricane. Now it seems the chance of rain is only around 30%.

My hope is that we start out with clear weather and get some miles under our belts before any rain. Hopefully we won't get any rain at all.

W won't get back until late from the ride. Pictures of the ride and the grape harvest and steamorama will be posted on Sunday.

Ozark Steam Engine Association

My dad, brother and I went to this today. This is video that my brother took. It is a very interesting window into a different time when steam was king. At the end of the video you see some of a tractor pull.

Harvesting Grapes

My brother makes wine. He's also growing grapes in his back yard. Here we are harvesting the grapes that he has on his vines. There aren't that many but then this is a work in progress.

Pictures of the Trip Out

I am more than certain that I've stopped at the gas station with the urologist's office across the street from it. After all I think it would be pretty rare to have another urologist across from another gas station. The picture with the sign is how the vending machines were set up at one of the rest stops. And the arch is well the Gateway Arch at St. Louis.

Made It to Missouri

It was a long drive. But I made it through. I talked to my brother several times over the course of the journey to let him know where I was and to forward the information along to a friend via e-mail.

Here's a sample:

Approaching Columbus, 9 a.m. EDT

30 miles east of Dayton at a rest stop, 9:49 a.m. EDT

Travel notes:

Stopped for gas at a station next to a urologist's office.

Rest stop where this update was filed had foul-smelling soap. Hands stink ...

Sunny in Ohio, upper 70s


Lunch stop, Plainfield Rest Area, just west of the Indianapolis beltway. 12:07 EDT

ETA in Springfield: 8 p.m. CDT.

That is all for now.

Gassing up at Marshall, Ill., just over the line from Indiana, 2:35 p.m. CDT. Some problem starting the pump. Stand by for more details as they become available.

More from Marshall, Ill., fillup. Reason for pump problem: Did not press "start" button.

Averaging 33+ mpg since previous fillup.

Jason did report another noxious smell, but I will not elaborate.

Tunes: Making use of his iPod, Jason played the live version of "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac, stimulating memories of the concert he attended with you.

I think Jason is about 375 miles from Springfield. At a 60 mph pace, he would need at least 6 hours, which would put him in Springfield around 9 p.m. CDT.

Jason arrived at 9 p.m. CDT, a bit tired and apparently hungry for grease. I guided him to a Burger King after he reached Springfield, where he ordered a burger, large fries and gigantic drink, which he consumed at our dad's house. Jason will have more on his blog later today.

2Political Episode 16

2PP016 - 15 September 2009

2Political Podcast Episode 16 is now available. You can listen to it on the widget on the right side of my blog, or you can go the podcast site, 2political.com. You can leave comments there as well as download or listen to any episode.

A few housekeeping bits start us out today—including that we’re now recording roughly every ten days instead of two weeks. Then, after Jason’s Special Days, it’s on to today’s topic, healthcare. We begin with the president’s speech, then move on to the state of the debate. Along the way, Arthur delivers a small rant about healthcare, the debate and distractions; after that, you’ll understand where he’s coming from.


Get 2Poltical Podcast for free on iTunes

Sunday Smile

It's a bright and glorious sunny Sunday and the temperature couldn't be better. That's definitely worth a Sunday smile.

Fireworks Out My Window

I was watching some TV last night when I heard the familiar sounds of fireworks going off. I thought that was pretty odd. I opened my front door and didn't see anything. Then I looked out my back window and there they were. I went upstairs for a better view and this is what I saw.

Rep. Joe "the putz" Wilson

If for some reason you haven't heard in the middle of President Obama's speech where he was debunking the lies about health care reform one being that illegal immigrants would get benefits. After Obama said this Rep. Wilson shouted out in the chamber you lie. You can see it here.



Absolutely unbelievable but then again it's really not that surprising that something like this would take place. After all Rep. Wilson is a Republican and they've shown again and again their lack of respect for the President. I guess we only owe respect to a Republican president who's be a "real" American.

And what did the bozo say in his defense:

This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.

How about apologizing to the entire country. No wonder Congress is held in such low esteem.

Oh one funny note Rep. Wilson's Congressional web site is down for "maintenance" how convenient is that.

2Political Episode 15

2PP015 - 9 September 2009
2Political Podcast Episode 15 is now available. You can listen to it on the widget on the right side of my blog, or you can go the podcast site, 2political.com. You can leave comments there as well as download or listen to any episode.

We begin today with a few housekeeping bits, then I offer a rebrand the Republican Party—a sort of truth in labelling, you could say. Special Days are next, then it’s on to the topics of the day—the state of the campaign for healthcare reform, the crazy people and the extent to which the mainstream newsmedia has made things worse. We also talk about liberals’ impatience with Obama. Will the Republicans be able to capitalise on all this in the next election? The truth is, no one knows or can know this far away. The September 11 anniversary is this Friday, so we talk a bit about where things are now. That brings us back to Republican distortions.


Get 2Poltical Podcast for free on iTunes

I'm doing the MS Ride in Missouri

I'm doing the MS Ride with my sister-in-law and my brother in a week or so. We got my brothr to ride by deciding to do the one day option.

Here's some information:

Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. This chronic disease of the central nervous system stops people from moving forward with their lives. We don't yet know the cause of MS, and we're searching for a cure for more than 2.5 million people worldwide. That's why I registered for Bike MS: Ozark Ride 2009, and why I'm asking you to support my fundraising efforts with a tax-deductible donation.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS but they can't do it without our help. It's faster and easier than ever to support this cause that's so important to me. Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. If you prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below.

Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.

P.S. If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from Bike MS: Ozark Ride 2009 are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit nationalmssociety.org.

If you would like to support me follow this link.

Maryland State Fair

For something completely different on Saturday my friend Mark and I went to the Maryland State Fair. It wasn't all that big but it had all the essentials for a fair. Lots of food that was not good for you. Rides that could make you sick and then pig races. The weather was great bright and sunny and not too hot.

It was a very fun time.












































































This is a hive of bees. The hive was on a turntable with a sign saying not to touch or turn.



















One of the many interesting rides that we didn't decide to ride.


















The view of the fair from the racetrack.

Food at the Fair

What would a fair be without all sorts of food around. Some you get to eat and some was there just to be judged. And who can resist a fried twinkie. In the last picture is an apple underneath all that good stuff.

Funnel Cakes

Here's the super low-cal, low-fat funnel cake that I had. It was topped with strawberries. They made it right in front of you. The plate was rather heavy and hot. And it was soooooo good.

Pig Races

Nothing says fair more than pig races!!!!!

At the Race Track

Right next to the fair was the Timonium race track. We went over and saw a couple of races and even bet on one.