I haven't forgotten about you dear readers, really I haven't. There have just been some things going on around here that have taken all of my attention. I will be back soon with more pithy commentary on the matters of life. There are just other things that have to be dealt with at the moment.

Beginner indeed

Hehehehehe. Michael Ramirez hits it on the head again.

Vacation morning

What a beautiful morning for vacation. The sky was cloudless, the air was cool and the lake was calm. These were the mornings that we lived for when I was in Jr. High and High School because we would be out on the boat by 6a and skiing on the glassy water. Perfect of slalom and barefooting.

Cool

Mom and I had thought to go to the grocery store yesterday morning (we go to the grocery store ALOT) but Dad came up and told us that they were putting together a house down at the North end and we needed to see it. So, we hopped on the golf cart and toodled up to the North end.

They indeed were constructing a house and it was a very interesting process. Late last week they had trucked in the three separate parts of the house and left them, on their wheels up at the far North End. Early this morning a VERY large crane came along the road that we all use to get to the North Side cottages.
This was such a cool process to watch. The different pieces of the house come totally prepared even down to the carpet already being installed and the chandelier in the living room in place

They lifted piece one up, turned it 180 degrees and carefully put it in place on the foundation. We weren't sure what they were going to do about the roof. We thought that they might just construct it from scratch after the had all the basic pieces in place. What was amazing was that when the first piece of the house was in place they climbed up to the roof area and just lifted the first half of the roof up. It was already built and just tilted up. Cool!

While they were putting up the roof the crane operator was lifting, rotating and setting in place the second part of the house. This crane operator was an absolute master. The second part of the house was actually lifted into place at an angle so that it could be put in place correctly.

The final part of the house was the kitchen wing that went on the back. The kitchen was already prepared including all the appliances. The fellow for whom the house it being made told me that they are hoping for occupancy in 4-6 weeks.

What better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon than trying to break something vital by being pulled on an inner tube behind the back of a boat. Actually I had "tubed" for a while and Jana (the excellent sister-in-law) wanted to double up so here we are flying through the air. It was loads of fun.
The lake was a tad rough today, not the roughest we have ever seen but enough that you got bounced around a tad. That didn't stop our enjoyment though.



Here is oldest progeny flying through the air. She is quite an expert on the spectacular wipe out.




Meg and Beth just can't seem to keep it together.

Quandry

I am in a quandary and I am not quite sure what to do at this point. Ever since I can remember, I have watched the Olympics. I count down the days until the Opening Ceremonies and I mourn when the last broadcast is done. I love the Olympics.

However, I am not sure how much of this Summer Games I will watch. The more I read about China, the repression of Christians there, the draconian measures they are taking before the Olympics start and a myriad other issues I am torn. I know that watching supports our athletes who train hard for many years to compete. But, watching also give approval to China and what they are doing. I am not sure that the one doesn't out way the other.

Many are now dubbing the games the "no fun" Olympics because of all the restrictions. Last week it was reported that even banner supporting athletes will not be allowed. People who have tickets to attend different events are now having trouble obtaining visas to get into the country.

Just as a side note, President Bush SHOULD NOT, I repeat, SHOULD NOT be going to the open ceremonies. That I can tell you.

I will let you know if I watch, which may be a limited amount. I am participating in the Hat Dash hat knitting over on Ravelry for the Ravelympics so I will be participating in some way. I am just not sure.

Thoughts on Obama 1

I am SURE as the days get closer to November I will have other thoughts on Mr. Obama, and they won't be favorable ones just so that you are forwarned. However, these aren't my words but the words of Charles Krauthammer from this piece on RealClearPolitics. Read the entire thing for yourself. It is excellent.

"There's nothing new about narcissism in politics. Every senator looks in the mirror and sees a president. Nonetheless, has there ever been a presidential nominee with a wider gap between his estimation of himself and the sum total of his lifetime achievements?

Obama is a three-year senator without a single important legislative achievement to his name, a former Illinois state senator who voted "present" nearly 130 times. As president of the Harvard Law Review, as law professor and as legislator, has he ever produced a single notable piece of scholarship? Written a single memorable article? His most memorable work is a biography of his favorite subject: himself."