Warning!

Have you looked at a beach ball lately? I saw one the other day at the hospital. The occupational therapist uses it for activities. On one of the white panels, I noticed a lot of writing.

There it was, enough to fill the entire panel, and written in several languages. It was a warning that the beach ball is not a life preserver.

I like to think of myself as open minded and tolerant, but if someone is so lacking of intelligence and common sense that they would think a beach ball is a life preserver; maybe they deserve to drown.

Dumb dot com illustrates a lot more warning labels on various products. Check 'em out for some laughs.

This is what happens when people find it necessary to shirk personal responsibility and blame any misfortune on someone else. Lawyers are on TV saying things like, "Have you ever taken drug X? Call me, you could get a check." Getting hurt is like winning the lottery if you get the right attorney.

There is a palpable fear of being sued. Companies have about 10 times more paperwork than is necessary to do their business. It exists to document or cover their ass in case of a lawsuit.

Maybe Shakespeare was right. I would quote him here, but I am afraid it would get me sued.

Until the next time
John Strain

Run Thru History 10K 2006

On Saturday Barbara and I ran in the 27th annual Run Thru History 10K in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Actually, I ran the 10K, Barbara, her sister Lisa, and niece Courtney all walked in the 5K.

The run takes place in the National Civil War Park. It is a beautiful setting for a run. The terrain is very hilly; monuments, plaques, statues, and canons dot the country side. One could spend hours driving the roads and reading about the significance of each site.

The weather was beautiful as you can see by the photo above.

I had a pretty good time, beating my goal of 48 minutes by running a 45:51. My official time will show a 46:16, but I didn't run through the shoot at the end and by the time I went back to get my card, several runners had come in moving me down in the standings.

I often take wrong turns or screw up like I did at the RTH. That's the breaks when you are a blind guy.

It is a beautiful spring day here in Covington. I should do yard work, but I think I won't. I am thinking another trip with Bear to the lake front.

Have a nice Sunday.

Until the next time
John Strain

Unintelligent criminals

I had to laugh when I read this article in our local paper.

Ashley Barnett may as well have had a sign on her that read, "PLEASE ARREST ME." I know Brent probably sees this sort of thing every day.

The best line came toward the end of the article when she explained to the officer what she was celebrating. I won't ruin it for you, just read the short article.

I also took note, that our local editor missed some typos. Xanax is not spelled Zanax. Also in the first paragraph they wrote, "possession on narcotics," instead of "possession OF narcotics." That kind of writing is a criminal offense itself.

I guess Miss Barnett is a pretty good girlfriend though. She tried to break into jail to take her boyfriend marijuana. That selfless act compares to a St. Bernard bringing a flask of rum to a snowbound hiker.

The way she is going, 22-year-old Ashley has a bright future ahead of her. I am glad to see she is making the most of her life.

Until the next time
John Strain

49 and feeling fine

49 years ago today, I got my start. It has been quite a ride thus far. Now I have one more year to make plans for my 50th birthday party.

Accomplishments? Let's see. I'm happy. I have friends, health, and family. I am working. I am not bored. There are more things I would like to do than I have time to do them.

I am enjoying more and more seeing other people happy. I like to see people succeed and if I can pass on information or encouragement to make that happen, then I feel even better.

I just like to live.

Speaking of living. I wanted to share a couple of thoughts about Mardi Gras. Unless you live around here, it would be difficult to comprehend Mardi Gras.

You have probably seen Bourbon Street, nudity, drinking, and bizarre characters. All of those things are part of Mardi Gras, but there is much more.

The folks who have grown up here associate many other things to the holiday much like the rest of the country might associate with Christmas or Thanksgiving. Think of the holiday season. There are gatherings, worship services, shopping, certain foods, music, dress, weather, and memories that make it all up. Mardi Gras is the same way.

It is about family, friends, and good times. Therefore, when the question about whether to do or not to do Mardi Gras would be like asking the question, "Should we have Christmas?"

It isn't about spending money or disrespecting people who cannot return to the city. It is about not letting something take away your normalcy. To have Mardi Gras is a way of saying, "We are still standing," or "We aren't giving up - life goes on."

I celebrated Mardi Gras in Covington this year. I don't usually go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras unless I am playing tour guide. (Someone come on down next year and give me an excuse to go.)

I took a bunch of photos of the crowd, especially the children. A parade makes them laugh and smile. In later years, these will be fond memories for them.

Click the photo to see more Mardi Gras pics

When these kids begin to date, the boys will put their girlfriend on their shoulders and beg float riders for throws.

When they are young parents, they will take their kids to the parades and remember how it was when they were the kid.

Time flies and soon they will be the old folks sitting in the lawn chairs behind the crowd.

Mardi Gras is about family, friends, and memories. The question is not, "Can we have Mardi Gras?" but "How can we not have Mardi Gras?"

No matter what we do, if it involves our family and friends, then it will be something of which good memories are made.

Until the next time
John Strain

My trip to the lakefront

by Bear

Mandeville lakefront photos

Hi everyone, it's me Bear again. Did you have a nice Mardi Gras? I sure did. My family stayed home and we took walks, and played, and ate good things that Daddy made on the grill. I like Mardi Gras.

I wanted to go to the parade, but in Covington, dogs aren't allowed at parades. Daddy said some bad dog bit someone a few years ago and they said no dogs could come to parades anymore. I hate it when one bad apple spoils it for everyone else.

Today, I want to tell you about my trip to the Mandeville lakefront last Sunday. I didn't even know we were going. Daddy just said to Mama, "Let's go to the lakefront and take Bear." She thought it was a good idea because the weather was perfect.

Daddy made a pot of coffee and put it in a thermos. Then he put a blanket in the back seat of the car. When he does that, I know I am going to get to take a ride. I was so excited I couldn't stand it. I was running around, wiggling, and wagging my tail.

Daddy took my leash and a water bowl and some bottled water in case I got thirsty. The ride to the lakefront was fun, because I was with my family.

When we got there, I was so happy. There were all kinds of new smells and lots of dogs. I got to sniff a lot of new friends. Most of them were nice, but a couple of them growled at me. Daddy said, "Don't mind them Bear, their mother was probably a bitch." Daddy is smart.

People were walking their dogs, jogging, riding bikes, flying kites, and just sitting on the sea wall. Birds were flying around and the gentle breeze felt good on my fur.

The sunset was beautiful and Daddy got some good pictures of it. When it got dark, we went back to the car and drove home. I had a lot of fun and I can't wait to go back down there. Maybe I will see some of my new friends again.

That's it from here. I have enjoyed writing. Daddy will probably be back tomorrow.

Take care and don't give up too much for Lent, hehe.

Bye for now
Bear