I was fascinated by the Petrified Forest...... http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

.....and would recommend looking into purchasing a National Parks pass if you intend to visit several or some different ones on your return trip. http://www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

Of course the Grand Canyon is a must! When you come upon it and travel back mentally to imagine what the pioneers must have experienced when they first discovered it, it takes on even more spectacularity!

The technique my DIL uses to pick is this: Which animal would beat which animal i.e. Wildcats vs Spartans. Buckeyes vs Shockers, Crimson vs Hoyas Sometimes she has a tough time because.....what's a Hoya....a Billikin? Seems like a coin toss would work just as well.

I hope I at least have one team left after the 1 round. The games are no fun when your bracket is busted before you even get going. 

What if  "college" was still true to its original intent?  It seems to me that college has been sold as the only way to enrich our lives and get qualified to go forth in the world. Many young people are not all ready for college, nor is it necessary for everyone. For many, it is a complete waste of time and money. Then on top of that, when they are ready to graduate, we tell them to go in whatever direction their dreams take them.   If that advice is correct, why did they go to college in the first place?  Has college become a boondoggle? I think so. 

Man oh man! We should have watched that game but we didn't check the schedule. We were trying to avoid any SOTU coverage so we went straight to Netflix.  I think we watched House of Cards. We also hate Michigan (not the state.) BTW, the best thing about Michigan is Hillsdale College. 

So far, the comments have been exceptional, thoughtful and just what I had counted on! Thank you all. To my mind, this video brought back the memory of Nancy Pelosi and her encouraging words to those who yearned to fulfill a dream "career" and still be taken care of by the government.

Remember this?

I commented on my son's post that I thought the video was "liberal propaganda," perhaps a poor and hostile phrase to use. It really infuriates me that parents spend outrageous sums of money to send their children to college, the more expensive the better, and that they come out being brainwashed liberals with no real preparation to enter into the "real world" where they suddenly have to become responsible for earning a living. 

Doing what you like to do can come in hobbies, as curtmilr points out. We do have lots of leisure time as John Peabody reminded us. Sometimes we are fortunate to have a job we love, but it's the exception, not the rule, isn't it? Unfortunately, most of us have to work for a living. But you can find  your happiness in other ways. Over word count-more later.

Terry,

Thanks for this post! You are correct! This important event should have received more attention on Ricochet. I regret I didn't think to do it.  I live near Dallas but can't be there today, however Sarah and Todd Palin will be. She had an wonderful comment on her Facebook page earlier today.  The focus seems to be on that lunatic in California. The world is definitely upside down. I find I'm unable to share her entire comments  from Facebook ,but you can read them by going to her FB page.

Here's just a bit of her post:

 "I find it sad to see that flags aren’t flying at half staff for this American hero. We’re surrounded today by American patriots here in Texas – by Chris’ fellow veterans and active duty warriors. In honor of them, I hope our commander in chief pays his respects in some gesture of condolence for their comrade in arms....God bless this great warrior. Let us keep his wife and children in our prayers, and may we never forget him or his sacrifice." - Sarah Palin

I am not an O'Reilly fan, although I once was. I don't recall the final straw that caused me to vow never to watch again, but his ego and his pretentious pomposity had annoyed me gradually more and more until, one night, I shouted "enough!!" My husband agreed. O'Reilly's radio show has already failed to get an audience and was cancelled. Over at PJ Media, Allen West and a team of two conservative stars, Michelle Fields and Jason Mattera, have joined forces to tackle the messaging of conservatism to our young people. As new media expands and old media contracts, even cable news might have to take a backseat. I'm ever hopeful. My 37 year old son has decided he no longer needs TV except for viewing sports, Netflix and playing DVDs. He gets all his news online.

I was bubbling over with enthusiasm on the way home. I hoped I didn't talk too much, as is my way, even though I am basically a shy person. I did find out on the drive home that Greg, brother of Mary the Fifth, didn't hear a word we said, so perhaps we should find a more acoustically friendly location for our next meet-up. The conversation could have gone on all night, as far as I'm concerned. The Meet-up was a unqualified success! Thanks Olive! BTW, the pizza was awesome, as was the waitstaff and the customer  that took our picture.  

I felt compelled to explore the meaning of nincompoop which then lead me to nincompoopery. Isn't that a great word?  I found the following google links for nincompoopery..... I especially like numbskull, ninny, and lamebrain (like the VP.) Unfortunately, the president is a demagogue not a nincompoop. Oh that he was just a dolt.....our battle might be easier. 

Searches related to nincompoopery definition

definition of nincompoop

nincompoopery webster dictionary

dullard definition

numbskull definition

ninny definition webster

dolt def

lamebrain

numskulls

Brent states the problem perfectly. The problem with Cornyn's (and others) statement is that he uses "liberal speak." This seems to be the biggest problem (I concede that maybe there are a few bigger problems.) Republicans  have forgotten how to speak "conservatism." This is mainly because establishment types are actually moderates. This is why I feel so strongly against Dewhurst....and Cornyn. BTW, in Texas we have a much bigger problem: Joe Straus, newly reelected Speaker of the Texas House. In Texas politics, he is actually more powerful than the Governor. 

We liked a short 5 episodes  series called: 

Collision2009 TV-PG 5 Episodes

After a car crash leaves two people dead, a detective and his partner begin an investigation that unearths dark secrets, corporate crime and murder. More InfoStarring:Douglas Henshall, Kate AshfieldCreator:Anthony HorowitzOften the longer the series runs, the more it gets bogged down. 

I'm so glad I made it to last night's meet-up. Such great conversations on so many different topics in such a short time. Let's do it again soon. Thanks Olive! 

Great topic for discussion at the Meet-up tonight. I completely disagree with you regarding David Dewhurst. I would rather see Cornyn challenged by Louie Gohmert, although I haven't heard his name floated. Dewhurst is another establishment guy......another Cornyn IMHO

Kay Bailey Hutchinson was even less of a conservative. Now that she is gone, the focus will be on Cornyn. Ted Cruz is soooooo conservative that Cornyn will look even more like the moderate he is by comparison. 

I will be there. Joycelyn and I are coming together. How will we find you?

How Beer Saved the World......Just plain fun, and I saw it on Netflix streaming. 

The World Without Us .....what would happen if the United States were to suddenly remove itself from the world stage? 

Ayn Rand and the Prophesy of Atlas Shrugged