Lake Travis summer fun

What could possibly say "summer" more than a picture like this?

What made this summer evening even better is that we shared it with Grammy, Grampy, and Joey.

Look, Mom--no hands.

Joey's maiden leap into Lake Travis

Hey, these life jackets really work!

Jimmer with his signature "meditation pose" jump.


An approximate 240 lb. cannonball

The aftermath

Grampy was a good sport and rode the "rolling taco" with Joey. (This is their third video clip. They just kept wanting to ride!)



Floating on the lake watching the setting sun--

Now that says summer.

Radical Islamic Cleric Revises Fatwa to Apply to "Less Freedom-Loving U.S."

Yemen--A prominent radical Islamic cleric who had previously issued a fatwa declaring war against the "freedom-loving bastion of liberty that is the U.S. government" revised his fatwa yesterday. It now applies to the "kind-of-more-socialistic enclave of intrusive state-run programs that is the U.S. government."

The cleric said the revised fatwa was necessary because the character of the U.S. has changed so much in the last couple of years that his "terrorist followers were becoming confused as to what is the target of their religiously-motivated hatred."

Radical Islamic officials said the U.S. "still has a free-enough feel to it" to justify "really disliking the U.S." but the clarifications to the fatwa were necessary because "some terrorists were thinking the fatwa maybe applied to China, where tax rates are going down and free enterprise is increasingly encouraged."

Radical Islamic Cleric Revises Fatwa to Apply to "Less Freedom-Loving U.S."

Yemen--A prominent radical Islamic cleric who had previously issued a fatwa declaring war against the "freedom-loving bastion of liberty that is the U.S. government" revised his fatwa yesterday. It now applies to the "kind-of-more-socialistic enclave of intrusive state-run programs that is the U.S. government."

The cleric said the revised fatwa was necessary because the character of the U.S. has changed so much in the last couple of years that his "terrorist followers were becoming confused as to what is the target of their religiously-motivated hatred."

Radical Islamic officials said the U.S. "still has a free-enough feel to it" to justify "really disliking the U.S." but the clarifications to the fatwa were necessary because "some terrorists were thinking the fatwa maybe applied to China, where tax rates are going down and free enterprise is increasingly encouraged."

Blazing Bows :: Fiddlin' around again

The kids had a fun little gig tonight at the Broken Spoke. They've been workin' their little fingers and rosined bows off to learn some new fiddle tunes.

As luck would have it, Grammy & Grampy were here with one of the "dousins" (one of the twelve cousins), Joey, to see their first live performance of the Blazing Bows.

Kids with Mary Hattersley, the group leader
TRIVIA: Mary's band, Greezy Wheels, was the first Austin band ever signed to a major record label. That was back in the 70s.
Here they are in action with The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Well, I can only see the tops of their heads in this video...but they're back there playing away.



After they "played it hot" on stage, they got hot and sweaty sliding around on the dance floor having fun with their fiddle friends
.
One fun evening...ending with a round of ice cream cones.

Obama Administration Debuts New Social Engineering Site Taxbasebook.com

Washington, D.C.--The Obama White House today announced the debut of a new "social engineering" website called Taxbasebook through which the federal government could monitor private citizens' every move and craft regulatory policies accordingly.

"We're already seeing lots of updates from people saying how much they're enjoying the latest Starbucks latte," said one administration official, "so we're sending proposed latte tax legislation to Congress."

A White House spokesman said that on Taxbasebook, unlike Facebook, there won't be an option to deny a friendship request from the government, and accepting a Taxbasebook friend request will allow the Obama Administration to share members' personal information with the IRS, the Census Bureau, and the Department of Health and Human Services, and to more efficiently announce tax rate increases to the Taxbasebook community.

"It's weird that everyone's pictures are tagged Sucka," said one new Taxbasebook member, "but I'm looking forward to getting to know all my new 3,042,965 federal bureaucrat Taxbasbook friends."

Obama Administration Debuts New Social Engineering Site Taxbasebook.com

Washington, D.C.--The Obama White House today announced the debut of a new "social engineering" website called Taxbasebook through which the federal government could monitor private citizens' every move and craft regulatory policies accordingly.

"We're already seeing lots of updates from people saying how much they're enjoying the latest Starbucks latte," said one administration official, "so we're sending proposed latte tax legislation to Congress."

A White House spokesman said that on Taxbasebook, unlike Facebook, there won't be an option to deny a friendship request from the government, and accepting a Taxbasebook friend request will allow the Obama Administration to share members' personal information with the IRS, the Census Bureau, and the Department of Health and Human Services, and to more efficiently announce tax rate increases to the Taxbasebook community.

"It's weird that everyone's pictures are tagged Sucka," said one new Taxbasebook member, "but I'm looking forward to getting to know all my new 3,042,965 federal bureaucrat Taxbasbook friends."

Obama Faces Jilted Voters on Raucous Jerry Springer Show

Chicago, Illinois--Just days after appearing on ABC's talk show "The View," President Obama continued his trash TV tour by appearing on the Jerry Springer Show, where he was confronted by his own jilted voters.

"You told me hope and change, hope and change!" screamed one disgusted supporter, pointing to another woman offstage. "But you never told me about her!"

"Nancy gave me what I needed!" said Obama. "Where were you when I wanted to dedicate one-sixth of the economy to government control?"

The audience was whipped into a frenzy when the Speaker of the House stormed onstage and began pulling other voters' hair. According to one audience member, "When security tried to separate them, Speaker Pelosi yelled something about how she has the constitutional authority to make people buy better weaves."

Obama Faces Jilted Voters on Raucous Jerry Springer Show

Chicago, Illinois--Just days after appearing on ABC's talk show "The View," President Obama continued his trash TV tour by appearing on the Jerry Springer Show, where he was confronted by his own jilted voters.

"You told me hope and change, hope and change!" screamed one disgusted supporter, pointing to another woman offstage. "But you never told me about her!"

"Nancy gave me what I needed!" said Obama. "Where were you when I wanted to dedicate one-sixth of the economy to government control?"

The audience was whipped into a frenzy when the Speaker of the House stormed onstage and began pulling other voters' hair. According to one audience member, "When security tried to separate them, Speaker Pelosi yelled something about how she has the constitutional authority to make people buy better weaves."

A little fun with Grammy, Grampy, & Joey

They all arrived on Friday, and we've been having a variety show ever since.

Foosing Fun
Kathleen, Mary Kate, Joey
We initiated Joey into our Ministry of Silly Walks. (He willingly and happily consented.)





I guess Grammy & Grampy were sort of initiated into the Silly Walks as well...from an entertainment observer perspective.


Those darned kids even made their Grammy cry...but in a good way!

Grampy made it through this trip to the pool...

amazingly.

Let me just say...

I'm hoping I feel this good at nearly 74.

I guess there's not much chance for that since I can't even currently toss our kids like this.

More fun ahead...

Heart Shape Stone

Love Flower Fragrance

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Love Juice

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Hearts Vectors and Lines

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Happy Kid Love Heart

White House Aide: "I Think We Need to Put the Post-it Closer to the Center of the Mirror"

White House Aide: "I Think We Need to Put the Post-it Closer to the Center of the Mirror"

Why Businesses Aren't Hiring (click image to enlarge)

Associated articles: Heritage Foundation; Wall Street Journal

Why Businesses Aren't Hiring (click image to enlarge)

Associated articles: Heritage Foundation; Wall Street Journal

Younger Voters and the Political Circus

Younger Voters and the Political Circus

Obama "Invigorated" Following Latest Vacation in La La Land

Washington, D.C.--White House officials said President Obama was "invigorated" following his latest vacation in La La Land, a favorite get-away for the cerebral chief federal executive.

"Few things recharge the president's batteries like visions of cash growing on trees and the smell of newly-printed money," said the White House press secretary.

The La La Land Chamber of Pipedreams reiterated its pleasure with Obama's latest stay in the favorite destination of utopian dreamers.

"Tourism was down over the last many years, and lots of European leaders now prefer to stay grounded in the reality of their own country's economic circumstances" said a Chamber official. "But things are finally picking up now that the leader of the free world is becoming a regular vacationer here."

Obama "Invigorated" Following Latest Vacation in La La Land

Washington, D.C.--White House officials said President Obama was "invigorated" following his latest vacation in La La Land, a favorite get-away for the cerebral chief federal executive.

"Few things recharge the president's batteries like visions of cash growing on trees and the smell of newly-printed money," said the White House press secretary.

The La La Land Chamber of Pipedreams reiterated its pleasure with Obama's latest stay in the favorite destination of utopian dreamers.

"Tourism was down over the last many years, and lots of European leaders now prefer to stay grounded in the reality of their own country's economic circumstances" said a Chamber official. "But things are finally picking up now that the leader of the free world is becoming a regular vacationer here."

Art!

Once again, the kids took a summer art class at our friend's art studio, Taku Art Studio. This year it was a sculpture class.

Friday after class is always the highlight since the kids collect all of their projects and have their own little art show of sorts.

I get to see their progress throughout the week, so they love it when Dad shows up for their presentations.


Jimmer was thrilled since this was his first year.

Kathleen claimed this was her favorite art class. She says this every year!


The new art display in our home.

The 4 gangly characters inspiration came from these Alberto Giocometti sculptures. Here's an online tutorial for this figure sculpture project.

from Alberto Giacometti's City Square, 1948
Inspiration for Kathleen's Easter Island-esque statue is from a moai figurine we have at home. (Thanks Steve and Connie!)

Or was it from this Calvin & Hobbes strip?


I think the "face vase" is slightly haunting.


After this project, never again will there be "a quick trip to the hardware store" with the kids for us.

I may as well get an iced tea and set up my folding chair in the wing nuts and bolts aisle.

MK's doggie