I know it has been a long time since I have posted, but not really much goes on in our lives here in west Texas. We just go to work and school. Wed did finally get some rain recently, so that was nice. Oh, and Kelli got a new washer and dryer. She has been real nice to me since. Had I known the effect it would have, I would have bought them sooner. I hope everyone stays healthy through the swine flu outbreak. Just remember, in 1976, the same thing happened, and the cure was worse than the disease. So maybe we shouldn't panic just yet.

Have a good day,

kp

NOW APPEARING ALL WEEK AT THE IMPROV.

Just a funny pic from the weekend at Big Spring.

Stem Cell Advances

I mentioned in my last post about Bill Clinton's ignorance concerning embryonic stem cells, and it seems that most people probably suffer to some extent the same concerning scientific matters. I found an article on The Weekly Standard detailing a relatively new technology in stem cell research. Without getting too technical, the new technology, "induced pluripotent stem cells", "produces the biological equivalent of embryonic stem cells without creating, using or destroying any human embryos." One very important potential advantage coming to light with this technology is that it is patient specific. In other words, immune rejection is not a problem. Embryonic stem cell technology can only make this claim through cloning. Below is the link for the article. I encourage you to read it.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/258hdaij.asp

Wintry weather hits

I was feeling pretty lucky yesterday. It was beautiful here yesterday, while the rest of the country seemed to be locked in winter weather. Today, however, is a different story. It is 32 degrees and drizzling.

Kyler has been running track the last few weeks. He came home Monday, and told me they ran quarter miles for time. He ran an 85 second quarter, which was quite an improvement for him. He said of the experience, "you know that feeling your stomach makes right before you throw up. That's what mine did." Welcome to track and field. Wish him well.

I don't know if you heard this yesterday, but the president told a group of business execs that "things....not as bad as we think they are now." I guess charging 787 billion to our credit card is already starting to help.

Recently, in an interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, former president Bill Clinton talked about the issue of embryonic stem cell research. BILL CLINTON: I think -- the answer is I think that we’ll work it through. When it’s -- if it -- particularly, if it’s done right. If it’s obvious that we’re not taking embryos that can -- that under any conceivable scenario would be used for a process that would allow them to be fertilized and become little babies, and I think if it’s obvious that we’re not talking about some science fiction cloning of human beings, then I think the American people will support this. I agree with the president. As long as these embryos will never be fertilized, they should be able to use as many as they want. God help us.

Photography website

I found this website, and it has some beautiful pictures. They are all in black and white, taken in N Dakota. If you are into that sort of thing check it out. www.chuckkimmerle.com. Not much to report from West Texas. We are thankful it is Friday, and Ky is celebrating by camping in the backyard. He said he would probably come in about midnite. He's got alot of his mother in him. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Pray for rain.

kp

We just got back from Nocona, after a trip to a funeral of a good friend of mine. If you knew Kevin Bailey, you knew he was a stand up guy. He was the kind of kid that your parents didn't worry about you hanging out with him. His passing sure makes you realize not to take for granted those you care about.

If you didn't hear, the past few years, global temperatures have held steady, in the face of continued increases in CO2 production. Apparently, the earth is giving us a chance to get things right, before it unleashes its fury on us. Please buy the expensive light bulbs and check your air pressure in your tires before it is too late.

Some time in the coming weeks, President Obama's tax cuts should start appearing in people's paychecks. At an average of $13/week, we should certainly some rapid improvement in the economy. I think you can buy a 12 pack of beer for 12.99. Just a suggestion.

Just some pictures

The top pictures are some of Anna's that I scanned, (Anna, I still have your pics), I thought they were cute. The one of Anna and the cat reminds me of Olivia and the puppy. The other two are from a night training evolution we did the other evening.

NOW SOLIS!

President Obama's Labor Secretary Nominee has her hearing delayed after reports that her husband just paid off tax liens against his business, going back 16 years. Apparently democrats don't even know what taxes are, much less how painful they can be.

Your Voice Counts

Tom Daschle steps down today from his nomination. (If you don't know what I am talking about, you don't care anyway.) The reason, a groundswell of opposition from everyday people, like you and I. Your voice still counts. Don't let your freedom go without a fight. Geitner, Daschle, Holder. The list goes on. How much are you willing to allow?

Wintry Weather hits

Did anyone see this on the news. I woke up this morning hearing about this plane crash this morning. It was a Fedex jet that slid off the runway and burned, here in Lubbock. I didn't realize how bad it was til this afternoon, when I read the paper. Everyone walked away, but, it doesn't look like any freight survived. It has been a very busy week for the LFD. Last shift we worked a head on collision about 2 miles from my station. A 20 y/o female drifted across the center line and struck an oncoming car. She was killed instantly and the other driver was pretty torn up. It can be very sobering, thinking about how quickly tragedy can strike. I'm sure neither one intended to not go home that night. The worst part about a job in public safety or medicine is that you see all the ways there are to die. Then you spend your time worrying about your family. So pay attention out there!
On a lighter note, Jack Frost struck here in west Texas. It is about 20F, with ice everywhere. I think I will just stay in all day.

Finally got some pictures up.

sorry it took so long, but here are some puppy pictures. They move so fast now, it is hard to snap a shot of them. But, here you go. We are all doing good here. It has been very warm the last couple of days, climate change I guess. Love to all. KP

Maybe not dangerous, but inconvenient at best...

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Wildlife officials said a rhesus monkey known to throw feces when mad is on the loose in Tampa Bay. Authorities have been trying to capture the primate since Tuesday afternoon, but it managed to evade a bucket truck and tranquilizer dart.

Gary Morse with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the adult male is thought to have escaped from an unlicensed source. It was last seen in Clearwater.

The monkey is not considered dangerous. 
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

I saw this headline on Drudge.  If anyone is going to Florida, please take the appropriate precautions. 

Sight seeing

We decided to go on a road trip. We went to the head waters of the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. It lies about 1 1/2 hours north of Lubbock. As you drive across the plains, all you see is grass and sky. Then all of a sudden, you drop off into a canyon. These pictures don't do it justice. It is really pretty neat. This is where the Red river starts. You could pee in the river here, and in just a few days, it would pass Grandpa's house. At least that is what the sign says. We also ran into this little alien. He let us take his picture.

Now, I'm no geneticist...

but I think this yellow pup may be have snuck in to the litter when we weren't looking. It is hard to tell but most of these pups look similar, mostly German Shepard. They are finally starting to open their eyes, and they cry alot.