Frankeinstein's Laboratory

I call my computer workbench "Frankenstein's Laboratory" because it's a mess of wires, pipes and humming devices. Once in a great while I get a customer, usually a friend or family member, who knows I can help them (for cheap). This is how I hope to get a little word of mouth. My workbench computer, used to rescue data and research stuff online, is on the right. The computer on the left just received a new motherboard, memory and power supply. Fortunately, the CPU had no issues. The new parts are playing together well, so I can relax and enjoy a Bass Ale now.

Jingle's Story

Anne once had a cat named Precious who was killed in the road in June 2001. So for Christmas, Julie and Rand picked out a lost kitten from the Humane Society to surprise Anne and named him Jingle (which had a Christmas-like sound to it). He had been found in a factory living off garbage, and he had the worst gas you ever smelled when we brought him home. Once his worm issues cleared up, he was fine.

So, as you can see, he has it pretty good at this "factory." I pamper him even more since his companion "Bear" died last September. They used to play together all the time. I keep him busy with a thin wire on a fishing pole and some occasional catnip.

When the U.S. Becomes More Like Canada

"Canada is a model of what could happen in America if the so-called hate crimes legislation becomes the law of the land, and the Democrats will doubtless make this a priority if they win the presidency. Barak Obama has said that he will use the “bully pulpit” to promote homosexual rights and will make this one of his highest priorities."

Above from wayoflife.org.

If it sounds intriguing to you, read on... http://www.wayoflife.org:80/fbns/hate-crime-laws-canada.html

Our House...

... is a very, very, very fine house. Julie and I like the way our house looks, especially when fall comes and the leaves turn color. We like living on the edge of farm country, yet close enough to where you need to go for stuff. The small town lifestyle is a good thing too. Crime is non-existent here. I've lived in a few cities in my younger years, but frankly, I don't fell like I'm missing out on anything important. I will show readers a winter shot or two that might shock dwellers of warmer climes, but if being cold is the only natural disaster to worry about, I can take it. This area is free from earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes (almost never), brush fires and even floods on this high ground.

Todd in Scotland (1980)

These pictures were taken with an Instamatic camera in the summer of 1980. I had the opportunity to travel for an overseas study program at Michigan State University. The class I took was "mass media" and it was at the University of London for about 3 weeks or so. After that, I hitch hiked with my backpack through Whales, through the Lake District of Northern England, and then up into Scotland. Of course, Scotland was the best. The top picture is a coastal town on the Irish Sea. The middle picture is the Heavyweight Championship of the Highland Games. The bottom picture is a twenty-two year-old Todd partying with some locals.

R.I.P. Freedom & Democracy

With the elections looming so close, I just had to put in my two cents.

Who wins or looses the upcoming presidential election is basically irrelevant as the recent pow-wow of world bankers has demonstrated. Would you ever see elected officials get together on an international scale and agree on something nearly overnight? Hell no! That just goes to show you that the unelected international banking conglomerate big-whigs had a plan all along and were just waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger. That's how it happened nearly overnight.

The function of the election is to further anesthetize the masses with the illusion of freedom & democracy. Democrats wavered long ago from the party of Roosevelt to where they embrace anything far left and socialist. Republicans are just as guilty of straying from conservative principals like "small government." Let's face it, regardless of the party in power, the government has ballooned steadily over the years, and although a republican president might promise less tax, the Federal Reserve is ready to simply print more money in lieu of taxes which piles on the national debt. Besides, the republicans were right there with the democrats voting in the "bailout" which amounts to socialized banking (or turning more in that direction).

Be sure to set aside twenty minutes to see my link to Ron Paul on the Federal Reserve for the history of how the international bankers met in secrecy in 1913 and even feigned "fear" as our government "voted" on the creation of the Federal Reserve as the "solution" voters were looking for. Sound familiar?

Stockpiling non-perishable foods at this point might not be a bad idea. People who live in the country with access to hunting and gardening will be better off. If you live in densely populated urban areas, you might want to consider your options. The average citizen today has little practical skills or open farmland compared to the average citizen of the 30's depression era.

Mom & Dad (Recent Pix)

Paul "Malcolm" and Marian

(Tennessee visit, 2007?)

Some Old Family Favorites

Dave, Todd, Randy

(Chrismas 1961?)

x

x

Todd, Randy, Dave

(1959?)

Back: Paul "Malcolm", Marian and Todd

Front: Dave, Randy

(December 1958)

Grandmother (on Mother's side)

Jewel (left) and my mother (Marian)

1979?

This is the only picture of my mother's mother that I have. Jewel, better known as "Mother" had a nice farmhouse in Ohio. I will always remember the trip there for Thanksgiving. In later years after her second husband Bernard, passed away, my parents had an adjacent property that "Mother" owned completely renovated to include an in-law apartment. That is the view above where they lived for only a few years before relocating to Florida.

Donnie

Fall 2005?

Donnie, the eldest of Nancy's two sons, passed away unexpectedly February 10, 2006. He loved his Pit Bulls, was well-liked by many a young folk in his home town, and found fun in whatever he was doing. You live on in our hearts, Donnie!

The following is a tribute written by his brother Jarred:

Though today...
The sky is grey.
Tomorrow the sun will shine
for this jester, warrior, king
was yours and mine.
Living everyday as if were his last, he
cherished every moment, as that
moment passed.
Now, he looks down from our heavenly
sky, wanting nothing more than to see
us smile; but for now we shall cry...

Sisters-in-Law (and the bride-to-be)

Julie with her Sisters

1981?

Back: Nancy who has an awesome view of a valley from her home and is most like Hilda
Front Left: Carroll who is an excellent cook and had been inspired to enter the nursing field by Julie
Front Right: Julie who was destined to meet me about seven years after this picture. Rand was already born and either one or two at this point.

Brothers-in Law

Julie's Brothers

1981?

Back Left: Roger who is quite the logger and hunter
Back Right: Bobbie who is my buddy and and excellent photographer in his free time from driving for Walmart. See Bobbie's photography at http://www.photostockplus.com/homei_50322
Front Left: Ronnie who lives in an awesome log cabin home in the hills and works heavy construction equipment for the highway department
Front Right: Richard, better known as "Dickie" passed away after battling surgery complications and diabetes in 1999. Dickie is fondly remembered and refered to by Julie as her "protector."

Great Niece Madison

Madison

Born 9/22/2008

Here's a picture of Madison, daughter of David Jr. and Sarah, born September 22, 2008. Marian, her great-grandmother (my mother) is holding her.

Great Nephew Kaiden

Kaiden

Born 8/29/2008

Kaiden is my newest great nephew. His parents are Scott and Brandi. They are also parents to Khristian.

Julie's Grandmother (on Father's side)

Hilda and Fred Wedding Picture

1919?

I only knew Hilda as an elderly lady with a sense of humor. She always used to say, "In 1999 I will be 98." She would return to that memory when other memories had failed. She raised her ten children as a single mother after her husband was killed in an accident. She was known to say that she got pregnant every time her husband hung his hat on the bedpost! Sweet and funny to the end, she passed on in 2000.

Julie's Parents

Richard and Anne

1951?

Richard (better know as Richie) is one of the hardest working men I've ever known. He's been a logger forever. Anne (my daughter's namesake) passed away after a long battle with cancer in 1982. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet her. Julie always has fond memories of her mother. It makes my heart ache to listen to how much she misses her.

Rand and Lisa

July 2007

Here's Rand and Lisa (Jack's parents) in the hot tub. Rand is all the son I ever needed; very smart and successful in the health care insurance industry. Lisa is pretty and very much in love with her hubby since 2002.

Thanks for your old computer Rand! I fixed it up with an awesome 200GB Seagate hard drive and it's smokin'!

Rand's myspace can be found at http://www.myspace.com/irishrand

Daughter Anne

Class of 2008

Honor Graduate

What can I say about Anne other than the fact that she's beautiful and smart? Julie and I never had to ask her to do her homework. She's in college now on a path to Art Education. She loves Irish Rock and playing Irish jigs on her violin. She will probably criticise me for posting this picture (she had her own done for the yearbook). She hopes to make it to Ireland next summer to visit her long-distance boyfriend too. You can see her myspace at http://www.myspace.com/annexthecelt

Todd and Julie in Adirondacks

Fall, 2006

Fall is my favorite time of year, and the Adirondacks is the place to be when the leaves change. Julie and I enjoy a weekend when we can, or even a day trip. The air smells of Fir trees and the sky is blue and cloudless.

Julie and I have been married for 18 years as of this post, and we seem to grow closer as we mellow with age. She likes Cape Cod better, but there's something about the Adirondacks that makes my heart feel glad.

Here's to you Julie, life-long partner and friend!

Great Grandparents (on Father's side)

Below is a picture taken by Jesse W. Cunningham, better known as "J.W." He was quite an eccentric character who I only know from childhood. I can remember his Airstream trailer and how everything in his garage was organized and labeled. He published a book which listed his wit and wisdom titled "Corn on the Cob." There's only one copy that I know of in the family, and if I can get my hands on it, I will scan it in its entirety for all to read.

(1962)

Back row, from left to right: Kathy, Mary, Vicki, Laura (Grandma King; later Grandma Yonkee), Herman, Jack, Malcolm, Marian

Front row, from left to right: Tina, Steve, David, Randall, Todd

Scottish Ancestry

Thanks to some research by my nephew Scott, I have a family tree tracing our family back to Scotland from my father's side of the family. I will figure out how to post that family tree at a later time.

I did a little research on Scottish history, and learned that my ancestors (if they were Highlanders) were persecuted for about 100 years starting in 1746 with the Battle of Culloden. When I get a chance, I will research the family tree to see if my ancestors were the "savage" Highlanders (a.k.a. Jacobites), or the Lowlanders who were inclined to succumb to rule under the English Monarchy.

England engaged in systematic ethnic cleansing of the Scottish Highlands, known as the "Highland Clearances." The tartan, the bagpipe, weapons and even speaking Celtic were all outlawed. Entire villages were burned and the occupants were sometimes forced onto ships with nothing but the clothes on their backs bound for the Americas, where they were sold into slavery. That's right, my ancestor may have been a slave!

Here's the link to follow if you have the time. It's five chapters long. I was spellbound enough to read it from beginning to end. Read a chapter at a time if you like...

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/Skyewrites/clear1.html

Battle of Colloden Monument

Where's my scholarships? Where's my special privileges?

Ted's Nuts

Be sure to check out the link to Ted's Nuts in the left margin of this blog. Ted is a fellow I work with who is a striving enterpreneur who has a great product-- Cinnamon roasted nuts! They make a great gift, and I can tell you first-hand that they are addictive.

Jack-Jack Poopie Pants

Here's Jack (a.k.a. Jack-Jack Poopie Pants) in all his glory, with a big grin! This is Julie and my first grandchild, and oh how spoiled he will be when visiting grandma's house!

Family Hero

God Bless You Michael!

You are in our thoughts and prayers!

Mike: I hope all is well with you wherever you may be at the moment. Your family here in Upstate New York are looking forward to your safe return. Julie and I are plotting to put together a care package, so be sure to tell us what items it should include.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

--Winston Churchill

And to all readers, here's a Marine's motto to live by:

Great Grandparents (on Mother's side)

John T. Crawford **** Addie Marie Mosier

Wedding Certificate

December 23, 1885

My first post

So, this is the start of my blog site. I suppose I should elaborate on what my intentions are.

• List random thoughts


• Make pictures available to friends & family in places I would like to travel but oftentimes have excuses not to


• Set a tone similar to the kind you would feel on a late August evening around a campfire with a few friends and family members


• Avoid being an expert on anything (since I am a jack of all trades, and a master of none)

Having said that, let's hit the PUBLISH POST button! (right after I insert a test picture below)

From the left: Paul Malcolm (Father), David, Marian Claire (Mother), Todd, Randall

Spring, 1961?