For those of you who enjoyed the last entry and want to comment, please do so on this one. I have no idea how Peppermint got through but I am unable to respond, so Peppermint, I say "Hello and thanks for the comments. I'm going to look those other stories up.  The collection I read was called Sixes and Sevens. I highly recommend it for winter and summer nights."

O Henry is an underrated American writer.  He led a fascinating, well travelled and, ultimately, sad life. He was one of those people who let his weakness overcome his talent, which was great. He wrote great short stories of New York, the South, and the West.  I love his descriptive prose. 

Here are some excerpts from his short stories of which I am fond:

The Caballero's Way

The Cisco Kid had killed six men in more or less fair scrimmages, had murdered twice as many (mostly Mexicans), and had winged a larger number whom he modestly forbore to count. Therefore a woman loved him.

The Kid was twenty-five, looked twenty; and a careful insurance company would have estimated the probable time of his demise at, say, twenty-six. His habitat was anywhere between the Frio and the Rio Grande. He killed for the love of it--because he was quick-tempered-- to avoid arrest--for his own amusement--any reason that came to his mind would suffice. He had escaped capture because he could shoot five-sixths of a second sooner than any sheriff or ranger in the service, and because he rode a speckled roan horse that knew every cow-path in the mesquite and pear thickets from San Antonio to Matamoras.

Tonia Perez, the girl who loved the Cisco Kid, was half Carmen, half Madonna, and the rest--oh, yes, a woman who is half Carmen and half Madonna can always be something more--the rest, let us say, was humming-bird. She lived in a grass-roofed jacal near a little Mexican settlement at the Lone Wolf Crossing of the Frio. With her lived a father or grandfather, a lineal Aztec, somewhat less than a thousand years old, who herded a hundred goats and lived in a continuous drunken dream from drinking mescal. Back of the jacal a tremendous forest of bristling pear, twenty feet high at its worst, crowded almost to its door. It was along the bewildering maze of this spinous thicket that the speckled roan would bring the Kid to see his girl. And once, clinging like a lizard to the ridge-pole, high up under the peaked grass roof, he had heard Tonia, with her Madonna face and Carmen beauty and humming-bird soul, parley with the sheriff's posse, denying knowledge of her man in her soft melange of Spanish and English.

 

The Missing Chord

I stopped overnight at the sheep-ranch of Rush Kinney, on the Sandy Fork of the Nueces. Mr. Kinney and I had been strangers up to the time when I called "Hallo!" at his hitching-rack; but from that moment until my departure on the next morning we were, according to the Texas code, undeniable friends.

After supper the ranchman and I lugged our chairs outside the two-room house, to its floorless gallery roofed with chaparral and sacuista grass. With the rear legs of our chairs sinking deep into the hardpacked loam, each of us reposed against an elm pillar of the structure and smoked El Toro tobacco, while we wrangled amicably concerning the affairs of the rest of the world.

As for conveying adequate conception of the engaging charm of that prairie evening, despair waits upon it. It is a bold chronicler who will undertake the description of a Texas night in the early spring. An inventory must suffice.

The ranch rested upon the summit of a lenient slope. The ambient prairie, diversified by arroyos and murky patches of brush and pear, lay around us like a darkened bowl at the bottom of which we reposed as dregs. Like a turquoise cover the sky pinned us there. The miraculous air, heady with ozone and made memorably sweet by leagues of wild flowerets, gave tang and savour to the breath. In the sky was a great, round, mellow searchlight which we knew to be no moon, but the dark lantern of summer, who came to hunt northward the cowering spring. In the nearest corral a flock of sheep lay silent until a groundless panic would send a squad of them huddling together with a drumming rush. For other sounds a shrill family of coyotes yapped beyond the shearing-pen, and whippoorwills twittered in the long grass. But even these dissonances hardly rippled the clear torrent of the mocking-birds' notes that fell from a dozen neighbouring shrubs and trees. It would not have been preposterous for one to tiptoe and essay to touch the stars, they hung so bright and imminent.

                                                           

And for laugh out loud fun, read The Ransom of Red Chief.

I went undefeated last week.  0 losses.  After the bye week (sorry, really busy - trying to buy a puppy) we're back:

Det @ Chi  (-5)

Indy @ Car (6.5)

Phil @ Minn  pick 'em

Pitt @ Cincy  (3.5)

Hou @ SD  (-11.5)

Jax @ TB  (-3.5)

Wash @ NE  (-16.0)

GB @ Den  (-3)


Good Luck Suckas;)

Last Saturday night my wife and I attended a Chinese Dance performance.  I did enjoy it but it ran flat up against a rather important event: UK's win over #1 ranked LSU in NCAA football. 

Here's the scenario (say it like Sean Connery):  I agreed (during a moment of lack of concentration I'm sure) to go see some "culture".  It was my own fault as I had brought home one of those artsy about town papers for her to look at.  Well she found something and it was right around the corner. I liked that part.  Driving in Atlanta is best done, well, never.  Or 3:30 a.m. but this doesn't really suit many people.  Anyway, she got tickets for Saturday night.  I knew I'd have to work that Saturday and figured that I would miss a game anyway. I usually just keep track via Internet while at work.  So, I thought it would be big of me to say "yes" to the performance.

Well, UK threw a monkey in the wrench by actually playing a game at 3:30 pm which means that I would be able to see the last 10 minutes.  This dawned on me on Friday before the game. But I dare not mention it.  Meanwhile I was secretly hoping that she'll change her mind and not want to spend money on the tickets.  She is pretty frugal.  But I was determined to bear it like a man if she still wanted to go.  If I've been working all day the last thing I usually want to do is go out and mill about in a crowd.  But what the hey, I enjoy the theatre once in a while.  And it makes her extremely happy. 

So I get home and of course, UK is driving for a TD as I walk in the door.  My wife sees me eyeing the TV and starts to get a concerned look on her face. Not for UK's hopes of winning, no, it is that she thinks I may back out at the last minute or make us late for the show.  Instead, I get ready and we're out the door during the next timeout. 

As we are leaving I tell her, "You know, that's a rather gigantic deal going on in there. UK has never won a game like this as far as I can remember, beating a number one.  "  She says, "You told me UK is a loser football team."  I reply, "No I said it is a loser PROGRAM but this team is different.  We haven't had a team like this in 30 years. I might have to turn in my Man Card for this."  She says, "No, you'll actually receive a Man Card for doing this."  Pretty good line.  I'm definitely putting that in a book one day.  Women.

Now, in Atlanta, home of about 4 million people including the surrounding counties, we have 4 major radio am stations.  Apparently only 1 of them works while the sun is not out.  And it had the Atlanta Thrashers pre-game show on. Oh boy!  The Thrashers are 0-5! And it's October. And I live in the South.  And it's Hockey!  Crud.  So I tune in desperately to another station that is mostly static but at least it is giving updates on the football scores.  As we pull into the parking lot the announcer guy says, "Wow. UK and LSU tied at 27 with 39 seconds left."  

I don't know what has happened to me lately but I take things in stride now.  I told myself "You said you'd do it. Be on time. This is your wife. You love her. Don't whine. Okay, let's go."  So I manfully turn off the car and walk my wife into the show.  In my head, I'm thinking, "We're gonna win. I can feel it. This is our year."   

How was the show?  Well a pretty woman in an asian dress came out and I said, "Look! A Chinese Woman!"  My wife looked at me with a smile like, "I'm in too good a mood for you to irritate me".  And then the woman started speaking and I said, "Hey, I must know chinese. I understand every word she's saying."  My wife looked at me and said, "Shut up, honey."  (The woman was speaking perfect english - she's from Atlanta.)  I settled down after that.  There were many dance sets lasting about 3 minutes each.  Lots of pretty costumes and dresses and lots of "plinky plink plink" music with big drums and flutes thrown in.  The dancers ranged from 5 yeard olds to adult women in their 50's. I assume the latter were donors to the group who muscled their way in.  Some of the dancers made missteps and I was concerned for them. I figured they would be sent off to some awful place for messing up.  But then I looked at the program again and it said "The ATLANTA Chinese Dance Company" so I was relieved.  And I had read somewhere that, in China, hissing is how they applaud a good performance.  Well, they don't do that anymore.  Boy, are the ribs on my left side sore. 

So a good time was had by all.  I get to the car and now 0 am radio stations are working.  I go to the cell phone. There is a call from my mom. I smile.  That means we won.  She didn't even leave a message but I knew.  My wife chuckled and said, "Your mom called for that?"  I just looked at her and shook my head. Some people you just feel a little sorry for.  Anyway, I knew we won but I used the GPS internet connection on my phone and found out we had won in 3 overtimes.  The other drivers looked a bit put off as they swerved outta my way. 

So everything turned out great and I had fun because my wife had fun.  Life is especially wonderful somedays.

Conservatism, while a natural inclination and great for individuals, is not practical for a national society.  No, I'm not crazy.  Think about it.  How long did it take for America to come about anyway?  All the preceding cultures did not come close to what we have.  There are still few other governments/societies who are even close to our Representative Republic and democratic process.

And now look at us. The experiment is failing.  Most humans obviously want someone to run their lives for them.  They want to be told what to do and given what they need:  jobs, healthcare, child rearing, cars, internet access, schooling etc etc.  On the Right, we have wealthy toads who couldn't care less who is President as long as they get cheap labor and big profits.  They don't want to hear from Christians.  Borders and nationality and a unique culture are passé to them.  The candidates are just corporate cutouts with no primary male characteristics.  These candidates stay out of most controversial discussions in case they poll poorly.  Heavens. We wouldn't want to hear someone's opinion - we might get the vapors if we don't like it. We have President Bush telling Texas that Texas better adhere to some frickin' UN court! 

On the Left, we have disgusting socialist less-God commies who should be ashamed to look their children in the face at night.  The Left is what Seinfeld was all about.  It’s about inconsideration and selfishness. The only difference is the Seinfeld characters were funny.  Dem/libs care for no one but themselves even when they claim they are doing it “For the children”.  It's all about making themselves feel better.  They don't want to push themselves too hard.  Success in life takes effort but that’s not fair. Obviously there are some Americans who just are not up to making an effort.  To Dem/libs, $80,000 a year is too little to pay for healthcare but it's too much to take home. Gotta tax it.  (I'm confused – which is it?)  They think the government and corporations are in existence to provide for citizens from cradle to grave.  And they'll lie to get their way. Actually, the only way liberal ideas can take hold is if they control the medium whence the messages come.  

 

Which brings me to the press.  With a few exceptions the Great American Press has turned into exactly what they were always fighting against in the old days:  tyranny, deceit, becoming an arm of the government.  The press used to warn against government corruption and oppression.  Now they cover for it.  But only if it is Dem/libs doing it.  They actually admire the “spin” and “savvy” of Dem pols who can get away with it. They sweep any negatives under the rug.  The Devil must be laughing.  Our own citizens using our laws and freedoms to destroy ours (and their) country. 

 

So now we talk of a third party.  Well, for the longest time (what was it, 45 years?) the Repubs were out of power.  We got our chance, have nearly blown all of it and now we’re going to break the party down even further.  The question is do we win and try to change the party even though we risk getting shut out or do we split and go with our morals?  PasadenaPhil, DaveCat and others have been wrangling with this for a while.  Now, I’m for a third party because I have a strong sense of justice.  The Stupid Party deserves to go to the elephants’ graveyard if they cannot adjust.  You don’t want me, I don’t want you.  Some will not make the jump because they’re afraid that it will take 20 years to get back in control.  And guess what? They are right.  Think about Jimmy Carter. And Bill Clinton, Their decisions, 30 years ago and only 10 years ago have huge ramifications today.  But America survived both of them.  I say we take our medicine but give out cod liver oil to the GOP.  We’ll do it the Chicago Way.   But I doubt it will happen. The conservatives will still vote for Guiliani or Hillary, (I get them mixed up).  And Repubs will keep watering down their bills and playing nice for the Dem/libs and the press. 

 

This is why I have concluded that a kingdom is best.  I’ve written before about man’s longing for a King to rule his life.  The only problem is, Americans are too proud and stubborn to vote for a King.  They’ll just keep tripping down the path to the new USSR instead.  Or maybe we’ll end up learning Arabic like they do in Michigan. 

Another week chock full of promise.  And trepidation.  Will TO meltdown and attack his teammates if Randy Moss outshines him on Sunday?  Why are San Diego and Chicago giving points this week?  Will anyone watch the Giants at Atlanta on Monday night?  Will Vinny Testaverde be tackled by the son of someone who tackled Vinny back in the 80's?  Tune in and find out. 

Cincy  @  KC  (3)

Miami  @  Cle  (-4.5)

Minn  @  Chic  (-5.5)

Tenn  @  TB  (-3)

NE  @  Dall  (5.5)

Oak  @  SD  (-10)

NO  @  Sea  (-7)

NYG  @  Atl  (3.5)

On momentous decisions I drag my feet.  I call it easing into the idea or thinking it over, taking my time, warming up to it.  In reality, I already know the right decision to take but I just can't let go of a habit. Who knows what new worlds I'll find if I do it?  I might end up realizing some repressed dreams or increasing my IQ and who wants that?  I'm talking about pulling the plug on the TV. 

I've done without cable before for quite a while and it wasn't so bad, but I always had the local channels to fall back on for a fix.  But yesterday, there I was flipping endlessly through channels trying to find something to hold my attention for more than a few minutes. There was nothing. Nothing. The whole afternoon and night.  Now, you may wonder why I didn't find anything else to do. Well, I wanted to vegetate. I did not feel like reading anything,which is a rare occurrence.  I wasn't in the mood to start my fantastic novel or write the spooky Halloween short story.  I didn't feel like leaving the house to mix with crowds or go for a walk. Just one of those days where I felt like watching something like "The Biggest Loser" marathon.  Nothing. What I did find appalled me. It was like seeing a tape of yourself when you were drunk - I was thinking "I used to find this stuff amusing?" Why did I ever find this stuff interesting?   I will feel cleaner if I quit TV.

Then some of my favorite shows came on and they insulted Christians, American patriots, the War effort, etc.etc.   Sigh. 

I decided that I would definitely have to cut it out with the TV shows.  There are no funny comedies anyway. They are all extremely stupid and low brow.  I get sick of the news shows and the cop car chase shows.  The reality shows that are scripted. The movies - which if they're not cut up beyond all recognition - are predictable.  I will have to convince my wife to get over her fear of no "America's Top Model", medical reality shows and the 3 jewelry channels but I think I can wean her off if I set a good example.  

And, besides, with movies by mail, downloadable movies, and all the news and information via the Internets, why would I need TV?  I also listen to a lot of radio - which I should cut down on too.  There are recordings of old-time radio shows available, I'll start listening to them. 

(Here comes the wobbly part)  OK. So some  shows are not so bad.  There are the games which I really would like to see.  I enjoy O'Reilly and 'em about once a week.  I like "Burn Notice".  And some of the old comedies are fun.  I like the learning channels.  It's fun to learn spanish while watching "El Corazon en Fuego" or some such torrid soap opera. 

So here's what I'll do. I'll figure out what I want to see ahead of time. Ration my hours of watching and find constructive things to do with the rest. Like read Don Quixote or learn the rules of logic.  Or read more philosophy  and history and expand my mind.  Like I used too.

Hello sports fans! Time for the picks o' the week.  Point spreads have been introduced to make things more interesting. No illegal betting allowed of course, as this is all for fun.   I was struggling to figure out how many games to pick each week because I think 12-14 is too many. So I looked at the schedule for this week and saw only 2 interesting games - Cle @ NE, and Dallas @ Buff.  These hold interest because every outstanding, patriotic, God-fearing, handsome American man will be rooting for the underdogs.  But 2 is too few.  So I added weather, subtracted violent fans, divided by how many times teams have moved, carried the 7 and came up with 8 games per week. I think this will be plenty.  And we'll all start over with our records.  As long as we all remember that one of us had a .733 clip going.  

Spread is on the home team's side.

Atl @ Tenn  (-8)

Cle @ NE (-17)

Det @ Wash  (-3.5)

Sea @ Pitt (-6)

TB @ Indy  (-10)

Chi @ GB  (-3.5)

SD @ Den  (E)

Dall @ Buf  (10.5)

Looks like a homer week to me.  Or IS it?

I'll take: Atl., NE, Wash, Pitt, TB, GB, Den, and Dall

I just want to say "Good luck, and we're all counting on you."



  

This is a great story about perserverance and the human spirit.  The Nazi hunters of the Justice Dept. have tracked down a Nazi and he's been living in my neck of the woods. Paul Henss, 85, used to train guard dogs and worked at the infamous Dachau and Buchenwald Concentration Camps during World War II.  

Paperwork filed by the Criminal Division’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said Henss joined the Hitler Youth organization in Germany in 1934 as a 12 or 13-year-old boy and joined the Nazi Party in September 1940.

In early 1941, Henss volunteered to serve in the Waffen SS and became an SS dog handler in 1942 after serving in the elite Waffen SS combat unit “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.”

Investigators also said that Henss taught other concentration camp guards at Dachau and Buchwenwald how to use attack dogs to guard prisoners and prevent their escape.


This is one of those time warp stories that shows the importance of knowing history.  On the one hand, you see this old guy and you might think, "Well, he probably didn't want to do it. It was a long time ago. He's changed his ways. Leave him be."  And I do believe in redemption. But I also believe in justice. Just look at a photograph from those camps and you'll be reminded of the atrocities of our enemies. This old man needs to be deported and whatever else the process involves. 

I also admire the perserverance of the Justice Dept and other organizations which are determined to track down every last one of these War Criminals.  It demonstrates nobility in Man. It shows that we have decided that Life has a high value indeed.