LET FREEDOM REIGN!

Today is Memorial Day, here on the Moon, and we acknowledged our military.

We would like to personally give thanks to all the brave men and women who have gallently fought for all of us, putting themselves on enemy lines, giving themselves to fight for our freedom, before home and family, and sadly, to all of the valiant men and women who have lost their lives, in the name of freedom.

To all of the courageous men and women of our military, be you past or present, we here on the moon, want to say "Thank you!" and......LET FREEDOM REIGN!!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon.............Lj

OFFICER...YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!

Today I was surfing, here on the Moon, and found the craziest thing. I found a site that informs you on dumb laws that are supposed to be enforced here in the United States.

I chose to look at some of the laws that could affect the people that I know, living in some of these states. These laws are so silly, that it makes you wonder how in the world they ever got written. So, here are a few laws in the states where I have family and friends.......

OKLAHOMA: Females are forbidden to do their own hair without being licensed by the state.

Dogs must have a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.

Oklahoma will not tolerate anyone taking a bite out of another's hamburger.

It is against the law to read a comic book while operating a motor vehicle.

Whaling is illegal.

It is illegal to have the hind legs of farm animals in your boots.

People who make "ugly faces" at dogs may be fined and/or jailed.

Cars must be tethered outside of public buildings.

Oral sex is a misdemeanor and is punishable by one year in jail and a $2500.00 fine.

In Oklahoma City, no one can walk backwards downtown while eating a hamburger.

In Oklahoma City, the mayor may not go on strike.

In Oklahoma City one may not tip over a casket at a funeral.

In Oklahoma City, it is illegal to own a stink bomb.

In Oklahoma City, while it is legal to serve alcohol in a pool hall, all intoxicated persons must leave the premises.


OHIO: It is illegal to fish for whales on Sunday.

It is illegal to get a fish drunk.

The Ohio driver's education manual states that you must honk the horn whenever you pass another car.

Participating or conducting a duel is prohibited.

Breast feeding is not allowed in public.

It is illegal for more than five women to live in a house.

No one can be arrested on Sunday or be arrested on the Fourth of July.

In Cleveland, it is illegal to catch mice without a hunting license.

In Cleveland, women are forbidden to wear patent leather shoes, lest men see reflections of their underwear.

In Strongsville Ohio, Catch 22 is banned.


ILLINOIS: You may be arrested for vagrancy if you do not have at least one dollar bill on your person.

You must contact the police before entering the city in an automobile.

The English language is not to be spoken.

In Chicago, law forbids eating in a place that is on fire.

In Chicago, it is illegal to give a dog whiskey.

In Chicago, it is illegal to fish while sitting on a giraffe's neck.

In Chicago, spitting is forbidden.

In Chicago, all businesses entering into contracts with the city must sift through their records and report any business they had dealing with slaves during the era of slavery.

In Chicago, it is legal to protest naked in front of city hall as long as you are under seventeen years of age and have legal permits.


IDAHO: It is illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than fifty pounds.

It is against the law to fish on a camel's back.

Riding a merry-go-round on Sunday is considered a crime.

In Pocatello Idaho, a person may not be seen in public without a smile on their face.

In Boise Idaho, residents may not fish from a giraffe.


CALIFORNIA: Women may not drive in a house coat.

No vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 miles per hour.

It is a misdemeanor to shoot any kind of a game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.

Animals are banned from mating publicly within 1500 feet of a tavern, school or place of worship.

Sunshine is guaranteed to the masses.


TEXAS: It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.

Up to a felony charge can be levied for promoting the use of, or owning more that six dildos.

It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.

When two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone.

It is illegal to milk another person's cow.

A recently passed anti-crime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hour notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.

The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home.

One must acknowledge a supreme being before being able to hold public office.

In Dallas, it is illegal to possess realistic dildos.

In Houston, it is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday.

In Houston, beer may not be purchased after midnight on a Sunday, but it may be purchased on Monday.

In Mesquite Texas, it is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts.

In Port Arthur Texas, obnoxious odors may not be emitted while in an elevator.

In Texarkana Texas, owners of horses may not ride them at night without tail lights.


NEW MEXICO: State officials ordered 400 words of "sexually explicit material" to be cut from Romeo and Juliet.

Idiots may not vote.

In Carrizozo New Mexico, it is forbidden for a female to appear unshaven in public.


Well, there you have it. Those are some pretty silly state laws, don't you think? If you'd like to go check out some more crazy state laws, the site that I found is at www.dumblaws.com.

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon...................Lj

MOMMA ALWAYS SAID.......

Ok.....Today on the Moon, I heard something that struck me kind of funny, on the news......It has recently been reported that the miracle drug Viagra, is now causing blindness.

Now, I'm sure that this is not so funny to all the Viagra users out there in the world, and I truly am sorry about this horrible side-effect, BUT how ironic is this? Haven't you always heard, all your life that, "You'll go blind!"??

Well, maybe it's just me and maybe I'm the only one to find the humor in this news report, and again I must say that I mean no harm in making light of this tragic news, but you must admit that this is, kind of funny.

'Cause you know, Momma always said there'd be days like this.....so......'ya better listen to your mother! I guess the part about getting hairy palms was the old wives tale!!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon............Lj

CALIFORNIA OR BUST!

Last night, on the Moon, I had the delightful opportunity of meeting two great guys, Jeremy and Ryan.

My daughter had called me from Cleveland, earlier in the week, and told me that some friends of hers were driving from Cleveland Ohio to Oakland California, and that they would be coming through Oklahoma City, where we here, at Tranquillity Base, reside. She asked me if we minded if her friends could stay the night at our house, before hitting the road again the next morning. Well, of course they were welcome to stay the night, and now I feel so thankful to have been able to meet them.

Jeremy and Ryan were such gracious guests, and we had a fantastic visit with them. They were so nice to bring us two bottles of sweet delicious white wine, one with the name of "Blue Moon", which I really thought was so clever and thoughtful.

We talked about alot of different subjects, one of which is my favorite, MY daughter, Tamara. Jeremy informed me of so many wonderful things that she had done and was doing, that even I didn't know about. He said that she was the most phenomenal minister he's ever known. He said that her deliverance, charm, and subject matter was the best. He said that she totally captures the attention and love of her congregation and that even the prime minister there, realizes her power and worth.

Jeremy has been a member of her congregation for a year now and has been by her side much of that time. Since he is getting ready to go to seminary school in Oakland, he was really thankful to have had the chance to see and be a part of her realm. (He also told me that he wasn't just saying this just because I was her mother!)

He told me that he had learned alot from her and that they had alot of things in common. He was telling me this because he felt it to be the truth, and that she truly was this good in what she does. He did tell me though, that she is a bit too hard on herself, which does not surprise me a bit!

So, needless to say, I am very proud of Tamara and cannot wait until I have the opportunity to see her in all her glory, guiding her loving congregation. I must admit though, I had better have a BIG box of tissues with me, because I will be crying the mother's tears of pride.

So, after having our wonderful glass of wine and our awe-inspiring conversation, I pointed out the places for them to get some shut-eye, and we all called it a night. Then this morning they quietly got up, knowing that we sleep in late, showered and sneaked out of the house and got on their way, and I never heard a thing.

Tonight they will be staying with some of their friends in Albuquerque New Mexico, and then onward to California. CALIFORNIA OR BUST!

I was so delighted to meet these wonderful guys, Jeremy and Ryan, and I hope that someday our paths will cross again.

Thank you, Tamara!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon..................Lj

CLOSE.....BUT NO CIGAR

Well, early this morning on the Moon, I actually did stay awake, believe it or not, and ended up playing that Free Roll Texas Hold 'em poker tournament. I did this without the nap and without the toothpicks for my eyes!

Unfortunately though, I never really got dealt any great cards, but I did manage to maneuver my way an hour and a half through the game and ended up eighteenth out of a thousand.

Yes.....it sounds good, considering my lousy cards, but eighteen doesn't pay anything. Only ten and below gets the goods! I was close though, and I thought for a slight moment that I might place, but no chance. I was definately out-chipped.

Maybe I'll try my luck again later this early a.m. I'll let you know, if I win that cigar!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon...............Lj

WHERE'S THE TOOTHPICKS?

Well, as much as I wanted to play that Texas Hold'em poker tournament, here on the Moon last night (or really this morning I should say), I wasn't able too.

I was informed late last night that one of my co-workers was ill and wouldn't be at work ,so I would be working her shift for some extra hours today (yawn), so therefore, I would have to come into work in the morning, early. This translates to: GO TO BED!

Since I am such a night owl, having worked the night shift for twelve years, you can imagine that, I don't do mornings. But, I had to do morning and night today, so playing the tournament early this morning was going to have to be postponed. This translates to: GO TO SLEEP!

But now, tonight I feel that I must be getting my second wind, because I am already beginning to think about (yawn) tonight's tournament. I'm just hoping that I can stay awake long enough to enter and play it. This translates to: TAKE A NAP!

If I can stay awake tonight, I'll do my best to keep focused on the game and hopefully win! I've had an early (yawn).....long.....busy day though.....so, may the Force be with me! This translates to: I NEED TOOTHPICKS TO KEEP MY EYES OPEN!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon................Lj

COME ON ACES!!

Last night, here on the Moon, well really this morning at 2:30 am, I played a Free Roll tournament game of on-line Texas Hold 'em poker. (Free Roll meaning it cost nothing to enter the tournament to play) Well, I did pretty good.....out of 1000 entrants, I came in fourth! I ended up winning ten dollars, real money!!

That was really fun, winning! But, you know, I've come to the conclusion that the game of poker is really a fun game, when you're winning.....but, the game truly sucks when you don't win. And I'm not usually a sore loser either, because I know that someone has got to lose when you're playing a game. But when it comes to playing poker, darn it, I want to win! I guess that I have that love/hate relationship with the game. It's kind of like golf.....I've always heard that it's the most fun game you'll love to hate.

Well, I guess I'll try my luck at another on-line poker tournament again tonight, or should I say, in the morning. Wish me luck.....'cause you know, I don't want to lose!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon..................Lj

A LAZY SUNDAY MOVIE DAY

It's Sunday, here on the Moon, again and I guess we could call this day, a lazy Sunday movie day.

We started off with the first movie of the day, "Super Size Me". In this movie, filmaker Morgan Spurlock unravels the American obesity epidemic by subjecting himself to a diet for thirty days straight of only eating, every meal, breakfast...lunch...and dinner, at McDonalds. It is truly amazing! The weight that he ends up gaining, and the way that he begins to feel, and what his doctors tell him is mindblowing.

Then, the second movie of the day was the Michael Moore documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11". WOW!! Moore presents an examination of the role played by money and oil in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11. There are many facts and revealing interviews that will totally blow you away. This film will definately make you realize and think about all the behind the scene actions of our government. Mind-boggling!!

After the second movie, we had to watch something silly. I mean we just had to! So, leave it to the Wayans to entertain us with something mindless, but very funny.

The third movie of the day was, "White Chicks". Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans, directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, are two fumbling FBI agents who disguise themselves as mega-rich high society WHITE girls. It was so funny! Their makeup is fantastic and the story line is cute. We enjoyed watching it.

So, that pretty much raps up Sunday here on the Moon. Of course, we can't forget that we had to top the evening off with the season finale of, "Desperate Housewives". Yes, we watch the show and enjoy it too, I'll admit that. It really is a well written show and has a really great cast, and of course, gets you hooked and keeps you hanging on for the next episode. Thats so true, isn't it? Don't try to hide.....You know who you are!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon..............Lj

QUOTABLE WOMEN

Today on the Moon, it was a pretty laid-back day. The "Brats" were glad to have their mommy home today and their mommy was glad to be home today with the "Brats". I did read a few interesting quotes today, that were all written by women. I would now like to share them with you........

Indira Gandhi said, "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist."

Katherine Graham said, "To love what you do and feel that it matters.....how could anything be more fun?"

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

Edith Wharton said, "If only we'd stop trying to be happy, we could have a pretty good time."

Marie Lloyd said, "A little of what you fancy does you good."

Janis Joplin said, "Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got."

Billie Burke said, "Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese."

Marlene Detrich said, "It is the friends you can call up at 4am that matter."

Doris Lessing said, "Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself."

Marie Curie said, "One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done."

Beverly Sills said, "You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."

Anne Shaw said, "Fond as we are of our love ones, there comes at times during their absence an unexplained peace."

Margaret Mead said "One of the oldest human needs is having someone to wonder where you are when you don't come home at night."

Han Suyin said, "Love from one being to another can only be that two solitudes come nearer, recognize and protect and comfort each other."

Gloria Vanderbilt said, "That is the best.....to laugh with someone because you both think the same things are funny."

Sophia Loren said, "Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life."

Agatha Christie said, "I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely, miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."

Faith Whittlesey said, "Remember.....Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels."

I also heard this quote once, but honestly I cannot remember who said it, but they had to have been a dog lover.

"Never underestimate the warmth, of a cold nose."

I love that quote! So, now those days when I'm startled by that cold nose, on my arm, or my leg, or wherever I'm touched, I always think back and that quote comes to mind.

I guess, you could say, that now I'm touched when I'm touched.

Well, I hope that you have enjoyed the quotes.

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon.................Lj

FOUR LITTLE WORDS

All I have to say today is..........T.G.I.F. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon..........Lj

BACK TO REALITY

Well, Thomas survived another birthday yesterday, and we, here on the Moon, were fortunate enough to be able to spend the whole day together. I scheduled this day off from work, to celebrate, and so did he.

We had a wonderful birthday dinner at "On the Border", and then went by "Hollywood Video" and got the, free video on your birthday, movie. We watched "Lemony Snicket's-A Series of Unfortunate Events". Cute movie and, as usual, Jim Carrey was fantastic.

Oh, and don't forget at "On the Border", to tell them that it's your birthday. They'll bring you a huge, complimentary piping hot brownie topped with ice cream. It was wonderful!

Here on the Moon, we also got to spend some time with our girls, which they are always happy to do with us. They are such loving souls.

So, all in all, Thomas had a really nice laid-back birthday. But now, it's back to reality today!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon.............Lj

WELCOME TO HISTORY, HONEY

Well.....Today is May 18th, and it is my husband's birthday. I researched some events that happened, in history, on this special date. I'd like to share these with you......

1096...Crusaders massacre Jews of Worm
1291...Sultan of Egypt and his son take last Christian stronghold of Acre.
1619...Hugo the Great sentenced to life in prison.
1642...Montreal Canada was founded.
1652...Rhode Island enacts law, declaring slavery illegal.
1756...England declares war on France.
1804...Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed Emperor of France.
1843...United Free Church of Scotland forms.
1860...Republican Party nominates Abraham Lincoln for president.
1889...Jules Massenets opera "Esclarmonde" premieres in Paris.
1896...U.S. Supreme Court affirms race separation. (Plessey vs Ferguson)
1897...Irish Music Festival first held in Dublin.
1910...Passage of Earth through the tail of Halley's Comet causes near-panic.
1917...U.S. passes Selective Service Act.
1920...46th Preakness: Clarence Kummer aboard Man o' War wins.
1927...The Ritz Hotel opens in Boston.
1927...Grauman's Chinese Theater opens in Hollywood, CA.
1933...Tennessee Valley Act signed, by FDR, to build dams.
1934...TWA began commercial service.
1940...German troops conquer Brussels.
1941...Jewish veterens honor their dead.
1942...New York City ends night baseball games for the rest of WW II.
1948...Saudi Arabia joins invasion of Israel.
1951...The U.N. moves headquarters to New York City.
1952...Professor WF Libby said Stonehenge dates back to 1848 BC.
1953...Jacqueline Cochran is the first woman to break the sound barrier.
1956...Micky Mantle hits a home run from both sides of plate for record.
1964...David Frost interviews Paul McCartney on BBC.
1965...Gene Roddenberry suggests 16 names, including Kirk, for Star Trek Captain.
1967...Silver hits record $1.60 an ounce in London.
1969...Apollo 10 launched toward lunar orbit.
1973...Russian party leader Brezhnev visits West Germany.
1974...The "Streak", song by Ray Stevens, hits #1.
1978...Italy legalizes abortion.
1980...Mount St. Helens blows its top in Washington State.
1982...Unification Church founder Rev Sun Myung Moon is convicted of tax evasion.
1985...First remote location for TV show "Nightline", is stationed in South Africia.
1986...Chung Kwung Ying did 2,750 "atomic" hand-stand push-ups.
1991...U.S.S.R. launches 2 cosmonauts to MIR space station.
1992...Supreme Court rules that states could not force mentally unstable criminal defendants to take anti-psychotic drugs.
1994...Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip.
1994...Tropical Butterfly Garden at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opens.
1997...Tiger Woods wins Bryon Nelson Golf Classic.

So......yes, it looks as though May 18th was a pretty busy day in history.

Of course, my favorite event on May 18th, was the birth of Thomas......my husband, my best friend, my soul mate.

Welcome to history, Honey......and Happy Birthday!!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon..............Lj

MY KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR

My husband, Thomas, has a birthday tomorrow, on May 18th. I am so thankful that he was born. Thomas is the most compassionate, sympathetic, kind-hearted, supportive person I know, and I feel so lucky to not only just know him, but to be his companion, his wife.

Our life together is truly a joy, and we both feel so very blessed to have one another. We also feel blessed, to both share a very strong deep affection, for our four, four-legged girls; Katana Jazz...Maleena K...Celeigh Jade...and Bailey June, aptly nicknamed, "The Johnsonville Brats". They have given our life, here on the Moon, completion. Thank you girls, for also being born!

So.....Happy Birthday tomorrow, Sweetheart. You truly are my Knight in Shining Armor and I love you.

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon.....................Lj

A DAY IN HISTORY...... MAY 16TH

Here on the Moon, we recognize that Today has been a very important day in history.......May 16th

Here are a few examples of some of the events that were found:

1717...Voltaire, the French political writer, was imprisoned in the Bastille.
1770...Marie Antoinette marries future King Louis XVI of France.
1817...Mississippi River steamboat service begins.
1836...Edgar Allen Poe marries his 13-year-old cousin.
1860...Republican convention selects Abraham Lincoln candidate.
1862...Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir builds first automobile.
1866...Charles Elmer Hires invents root beer.
1891...George A Hormel and Co introduce SPAM.
1911...Remains of a neanderthal man found in Jersey UK.
1920...Joan of Arc canonized a saint in Rome.
1927...Supreme Court ruled bootleggers must pay income tax.
1929...First Academy Awards were given out.
1938...First animal breeding society forms in New Jersey.
1939...U.S. Food Stamps are first issued.
1946...Musical "Annie Get Your Gun" premieres in New York City.
1948...Israel issues its first postage stamps.
1956...Great Britain performs nuclear test at Monte Bello, in Australia.
1963...Gordan Cooper completes 22 orbits of Earth in Faith 7.
1965...Spaghetti-O's first sold.
1971...First class postage now costs 8 cents.
1975...Junko Tabei became first woman to reach Mt. Everest's summit.
1980...Brian May of rock group Queen, collapses on stage with hepatitis.
1981..."Betty Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes hits #1 on the charts.
1983...Lebanese parliament accept peace accord with Israel.
1984...U.S. performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
1986...The movie "Top Gun" premieres.
1988...U.S. Supreme Court rules trash may be searched without a warrent.
1988...Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, reports nicotine as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
1992...U.S. space shuttle STS-49 lands. (maiden voyage of Endeavour).
1992...Polls show Perot, Bush, and Clinton could be in a deadlock.
1994...Tennis star Jennifer Capriati arrested on possession of marijuana.
1997...Brook Mehealani Lee of U.S. crowned 46th Miss Universe.

But, the most important history fact for this day of May 16th is..........that JILL was born! Happy Birthday Jill! We love you very much and are so glad that you are a part of history.......especially ours!!!!!

We celebrate YOU......Jill!!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon..............Lj

DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS?

You know, when God said that we should all rest on the seventh day, we, here on the Moon, take these words to heart. Yes, today is Sunday, and Tranquillity Base is practicing tranquility.

But is Sunday the seventh day? Our calendar, on the Moon refrigerator, shows that today, Sunday, is the first day of the week. Now I'm confused! Should I have practiced tranquility, yesterday?

So, I went into search mode and did some research on this, and found some information, requarding this mind boggling question.

Contrary to what Christians believe, Sunday was not observed by early New Testament Christians, as a day of worship. They kept Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as their Sabbath.

The question of how Sunday, the first day of the week, replaced Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as the main day of Christian worship, has received increasing attention in recent years.

One widely acclaimed study, for example, suggests that the weekly Christian Sunday arose from Sunday-evening communion services in the immediate post resurrection period, with Sunday itself being a workday, until after the time of Constantine the Great, in the early fourth century. Eventually, however, Sunday ceased to be a workday and then it became the Christian's Sabbath.

Some simpler and more popular views are that, (1) Sunday was substituted immediately after Christ's resurrection for the seventh-day Sabbath, or, (2) Sundaykeeping was introduced directly from paganism during the seventh century or later.

One thing is clear: The Christian Sunday, whenever it did arise.....did not at first generally become a substitute for the Bible seventh-day Sabbath, Saturday; for both Saturday and Sunday were widely kept side by side for several centuries in early Christian history.

So, I guess, here on the moon, we will keep the most popular tradition of resting.....on Sunday.

Although, we could have the best of both worlds, and take it easy, lean back, kick our feet up, and relax.....on BOTH days. Now, that sounds like a winner to me!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the moon..............Lj

BLACK CAT DOOM

Here on the Moon, we "flew under the radar" on yesterdays dreadful "day of doom". Yes, Friday the 13th, was just another typical uneventful day, with no reign of terror encroaching our humble domain. Actually, my first thought of the day was, "thank God it's Friday"!! But, I guess for some, the superstitious side of life, gets the best of them.

A Friday occuring on the 13th day of any month is considered to be a day of bad luck in many superstitions around the globe. The superstitious fear of Friday the 13th has been named, "paraskavedekatriaphobia". THAT is a mouthful, for any of us!

The fear of Friday the 13th stems from two separate fears...the fear of the number 13 and the fear of Fridays. Both fears have deep roots in Western culture, most notably in Christian theology.

Thirteen is significant to Christians because it is the number of people who were present at the Last Supper. Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th member of the party to arrive.

Christians have traditionally been wary of Fridays because Jesus was crucified on a Friday. Some theologians hold that Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit on a Friday and that even the Great Flood began on a Friday. In the past, many Christians would never begin a new project or plan a trip on a Friday, fearing they would be "doomed" from the start.

Some historians suggest that the Christian distrust of Fridays is actually linked to the early Catholic Church's overall supression of pagan religion and women. In the Roman calendar, Friday was devoted to Venus, the goddess of love. When Norsemen adapted the calendar, they named the day after Frigg and Freya, the Norse goddesses connected to love and sex. Both of these "strong" female figures posed a threat to the male-dominated Christianity, so therefore the Christian church defamed the "day" which was named after them.

The Christian perspective on Fridays and the number 13 is the most relevent today, but it's only one part of the Friday the 13th tradition. Strangely enough, there is evidence to suggest that Friday the 13th is actually unlucky for some. Psychologists have found that some people are especially likely to have accidents or fall ill on Friday the 13th. This has been attributed to people feeling a heightened state of anxiety on that day. The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Ashville, North Carolina estimates that, in the United States alone, millions of dollars are lost in business each Friday the 13th, because some people refuse to travel or even go to work on that day.

So, I hope that you had an uneventful "day of doom" yesterday. I'm sure there were plenty of wonderful things that happened for many of us......I mean, heck......yesterday was payday!!! It can't get much better than that.

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon...........Lj

QUICK! THROW ME A LIFE LINE, PLEASE!

Oh my gosh!!!! Yesterday while I was calmly driving myself on the highway to work, I realized that I had forgotten a very important part of my everyday life........"My Cell Phone"!!

I then began frantically fumbling throughout every "nook and cranny" compartment of my purse, trying to persuade myself into thinking that surely "I" would NOT have left Tranquillity Base without it.

Not retrieving it, I just knew that at any given moment, my world, as I knew it, was getting ready to crash down around me! What was I to do?

I was now beginning to believe that I was destined to get a flat tire or maybe run out of gas. Or maybe I would have a "fender bender" or possibly even get CAR JACKED!! I became a nervous wreck, just thinking of these possibilities of pending doom, and "ME" without my precious link to salvation.

Just how have we as "mankind" made it this far, through all the tribulations of life, without our cell phone? I see people using it everwhere! They're talking on it in their car, or they're receiving urgent calls at work. Others are "jacking their jaws" in the elevator, and some are even having "all important" conversations at the local grocery store!

What ever happened to the day when people were able to do the natural task of shopping for groceries, without that reigning connection to home base? What ever happened to writing out the grocery list? Silly, isn't it?

Well, I must admit to you though, that I too, have also been guilty of engaging in all the cell phone activities that I have just mentioned above.

I don't know, but the more I think about it, the crazier it sounds. I mean it truly is a priviledge to have the whole world at your fingertips, but then on the other hand, I try to remember back in my life, when I would have never even considered it. Funny thing, that thing called, Technology.

I do know one thing that is for sure.....that in this crazy, fast paced, hustle bustle, world that we all live in, TODAY when I leave the Moon, for work, I will NOT forget my cell phone!!!

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon...........Lj

MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH, NOT IN YOUR HAND

Here on the Moon, we love to eat chocolate. Chocolate has become one of our favorite treats. I really prefer the Dark chocolate variety, but of course, any 'ol chocolate will do. Did you know that Dark chocolate is actually good for you? Just one ounce of Dark chocolate, can pack more than twice the healthy antioxidants of red wine.

For instance, Dove Dark, made by, Mars,Inc., contains a cocoa that has superhigh levels of antioxidant flavonoids called flavanols. Studies have shown that people with high blood levels of flavonoids have a lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes. Bottom line: The chocolates with the highest cocoa content, have the highest flavanol content. So read those labels, people!!

Now, to the subject at hand. My dream has finally come true! I've been wondering why this hasn't been reality, for the longest time. I just saw a commercial, on the television, that showed a product "coming soon" to our local stores. Can you believe it?.....Dark chocolate M&M's!!!! Why has it taken you so long, M&M company?? The thought of Dark chocolate, covered with that "candy shell", makes me sooooo happy!! I guess it took the promotion of the new "Star Wars" movie, to get the Dark chocolate M&M's, introduced to the "milk chocolate loving" public. Rock on, M&M's!!! It's about time. I bet the M&M company will see alot of people going over to the "Dark Side".

So, needless to say, here on the Moon, we will be enjoying these little Dark delights, very soon. May the Force be with us!!

Until we meet again.....Greeting and Salutations from the Moon............Lj

The Johnsonville Brats

You may have wondered about the title of our website, " The Johnsonville brats". Well here's the story.......

Brat #1: Katana Jazz.
She is a solid white Huskimo. Her precious soul joined our family in 1999, on my wife's birthday, June 2nd, when our dog hungry hearts were in desperate need of a family addition. After exhausting searches far and wide, in our own home town, at a rescue organization, we found the beautiful Katana Jazz. Her name was Snow White at the time. We pulled in and immediately saw her. "Look at that white Shepherd" I proclaimed. "You mean that white Husky?" my wife replied. So we slowly walked down all the pens until we reached hers. We decided to take her for a walk to test her temperament. The guy who brought her out talked to us for over thirty minutes, while Katana sat waiting patiently for the walk that never came. We had lovingly taken her for a "stand". Then we walked her to the car, as she joined our family.

Brat #2: Maleena K-Mart ( the "Mart" is silent)
In December 2001, God led me to the very loving black and white spotted hounddog, known now, as Maleena K. At this time, I was a Realtor and had just finished showing a home. I had no other appointments that morning as I drove toward home. Then it hit me, I had to go to the restroom like you wouldn't believe. I mean now!! (Ok stop laughing long enough to appreciate the story.) Of course, at this time of morning, all the fast food places were closed. So, I whipped into K-mart, it would have to do. As I scurried through the parking lot, a sad little spotted hounddog was walking up to random people, with that "please help me look." Recently a new mother, she was pitiful and I just walked passed her. I thought about this poor little dog while inside and knew I had to help. I came outside and lured her with a bank cookie, that Katana was too good to eat. Nobody ever answered the lost signs, that I placed. And so, after a $500 fix for her tick disease and one spay later, we were a 2 dog family. She is the most loving and sweet little "spotted mess" that you will ever meet, and that year she became Katana's live Christmas squeaky toy. We are blessed, and the funny thing is, I always thought that I had saved her! Isn't that a laugh.

Brat #3: Celeigh Jade (originally known as C.J.)
Word had obviously gotten around at work that Leonda and I were quite the dog lovers. My daytime receptionist was on her way out of a relationship where a precious black and white Springer Spaniel Border Collie mix was going to continue living a boring non cared for life, as her current owner was allergic to her long hair and could only be around her in very short doses. We were presented with a beautiful picture of her and thought in great detail about if we could handle three dogs. We decided we could. Upon arrival we thought we had been bamboozled ( is that really a word?), anyway she had been cleaned up in the yard with a hose and you could see all her pink skin through her very thin white hair on her skinny body. We took her anyway, even though we sure didn't know what to think. She has a beautiful full coat now and being skinny is far from being her problem. She is still very shy, but once again we had found a perfect match. Our blessings were sure to continue.

Brat #4: Bailey June
Bailey is truly her own person. She made her way in life to the car lot, I work at, in April of 2004. She was obviously a case of abuse, because no one could touch her. She is the most streetsmart dog I had ever met and she was only about 6 months old at the time, but this dog literally looked both ways before crossing the busy 3 lane highway in front of the lot. For 2 solid months she stayed at the car lot and would follow us around as we worked with customers. She always acknowledged us and appreciated us, however it always had to be under Baileys terms. After two months of living around the lot, the pound trapped her and took her in. They thought that she was mean, because she was scared and acted aggressively. They wanted to put her down, but I was able to convince them she wasn't mean. So they separated her from another dog, in the pen, and she acted fine by herself. Whew. Still, waiting to be able to claim her, she contracted Parvo. Once again, "we're going to put her down", was not a solution livable for me. I had bonded with her during our conversations on the lot, and I was determined to save her. Now this was the catch 22. In her condition, she could not have lived through being spayed, however, you cannot get a pound dog that has not been fixed. Wow. What next? After working with a kind worker, we came to the conclusion that we would "bend" the rules and allow me to claim her as my own, as a "lost pet", since she had "lived" on the lot with us for 2 months. She is now a very happy healthy solid black Chow lab mix. I had promised her that if she would live through the upcoming events (it took her strong will and $1000) that I would give her a great life. She lived up to the promise and so did I. She has been with us a year now and has learned trust. She is a happy blend for our family. Her name is very special, as well. She roamed the Steve Bailey lot and she finally came home in June, thus we have a fabulous dog named, Bailey June.

Our lives are complete with our four legged children. They are all dogs with previous lives, that only they know about. They seem happy, and they don't seem to mind, living in Johnsonville. Oh, and needless to say, they are all definitely BRATS!!

So that is how we came to name our website, "The Johnsonville brats"

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon........Tj

A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE, UNDER HEAVEN

You know TIME is a funny thing for all of us. It's an all important part of everyone's life, here on the Moon, and around the world. We all, adhere to it.

TIME controls our daily lives, whether we are "running late", "running on time", "arriving too early", "arriving too late", "arriving in the nick of time", or just flat, "running out of time". We all are joined in this crazy acknowledgement of TIME.

My daughter, Tamara, told me recently, about this really fun website to watch, called HumanClock.com. It's a conglomeration of photos, from people all around the globe, that show, in each picture, a number which represents a TIME. It could be a photo of a bus, for instance, with the number 518 on it, or a store front picture, with the number 828 on it. I've seen addresses on buildings, numbers written in the snow, food formed into numbers, and then some people have just sent in a picture of themselves, holding up a sign, with the time 6:02 or 5:16 on it, etc. It is a very interesting concept.

Then I perceive, that the website then takes all these photos, puts them in order, of TIME, and then runs the photos in accordance with the time zone that you are residing in. It then becomes an actual clock, that you can watch and keep TIME by. I recommend that you check out this interesting, fun website.

I have noticed one thing, kind of funny, eversince I have tuned in to this human time clock. I have now found myself seeing potential TIME pictures everywhere. I find myself LOOKING for them!!

Yesterday, at the convenience store, I saw a Marlboro sign, in the window, that read 3.59 on it. I now notice EVERY vehicle that passes by me, seeing the car tag that reads XLT-420 or YZE 714. And, lets not forget the gas station sign stating the numbers 206! Yes...everywhere I look, now, there is a TIME. TIME rules! Lets face it. So, if you have a "minute", go see what I'm talking about. It truly is a cool website, and then you'll see that TIME really is a funny thing, for all of us.

Until we meet again.....Greetings and Salutations from the Moon.....Lj

A MOTHER'S DAY GIFT OF NATURE

Today we are celebrating Mother's Day, in a very special way, here on the Moon. Outside our front door, delicately nestled in a heart shaped flowered wreath, lives an expectant new Mother.

At first glance, we thought that this little new Mother, appeared to be an average sparrow, until the male, flew in to inspect the nest. To our surprise, he had the prettiest red crested cap and a rosy red chest. "This a not an average sparrow", we said dumbfoundedly. So, out came the "Field Guide to Western Birds", book.

We thumbed through several pages and found a picture that resembles the proud expectant Father and Mother, and they seem to belong to the Finch family. We believe they are the House Finch. And, glory be, there they are, on OUR house! All we have to do, to watch this loving family, is crack our front door alittle, and there they are.

What also makes this Mother's Day "gift of nature", so very special, is that the heart shaped flowered wreath, that adorns our home, also adorned my mother's casket. Thanks, Mom, I love you very much....Happy Mother's Day.

Until we meet again, Greetings and Salutations from the Moon........Lj

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!!

WOW!! Can you believe this...I've actually set up my own blog! I thought that this was really a rather quiet, lazy Saturday, here on the moon, until I entered and read one of my daughters blogs...(did I mention, that she is studying to be an attorney?) Needless to say, I am VERY proud of her!

Anyway, after reading her blog, I looked up at the top of her blog screen, and it said, "create your own blog". "hmmmmm", so I thought, "Well, that sounds like fun", so I gave it my best shot, and LOOK...here I am!!

In the meantime, my other daughter...(did I mention, that she is studying to be a UU minister?) Needless to say, I am VERY proud of her!....anyway, she telephones me from Cleveland and wants to know what I'm doing. Well, I tell her that I am "creating my own blog", and she thinks that is "really cool" of me to do. ( I smiled, realizing that I too, am ready to enter this new century, (yes, it's 2005) , I'm alittle behind, I know.) So, I put the "creating" to the wayside, for the moment, while we talked, and I mentioned to her, about a problem that I've been having in the "My Pictures" program of my computer...(have I told you yet, that my daughter is a genius?)

Anyway, she proceeds to "walk me through"...(did I mention earlier anything about 2 hours on the phone?) Oh, well, I never said that I was a genius. But, anyway, she walked me through my problem, and found a quick, (did I say quick?) fix for me...and now it works!! I've tried it out, and by golly, it works....I'm so excited!!

Then, at about the 2 hour mark, she tells me that she has to go....(she had to feed the dogs, change her clothes, unhook and load up her stereo in the car, run 10 miles, and be at the church, with the stereo, in about an hour or so)...MY GOSH!!! GO!..GO!!..GO!!!

Now I know for a FACT, that she DID NOT inherit that go go go...run 10 miles...gene from my side of the family!! When people tell you that your "little one" will grow up and become their own person, they're not kidding...She is the most motivated, inspired, talented, spirited, intellegent, and unstoppable person that I have ever known...(I also know for fact, that she was NOT "switched at birth")

Did I mention, how much I love her and how I wouldn't be able to celebrate "Mothers Day" without her? She is truly the BEST!!

Well, enough said. I'll return soon and relay more details about our life here on Blue Moon. I'm excited to acually see all this writing, entered and posted, on my brand new blog!

Until we meet again, Greetings and Salutations from the Moon.....(and there I thought that this was a rather quiet, lazy Saturday.............) Lj