The Great Circle of . . . Stuff.

Here is something we have enjoyed of late. Kaaryn notices a bird's nest a few weeks ago. There were eggs in it. I refused to count them so as to, once again, assure compliance with axiomatic knowledge. However, they hatched this week. Three birds. I named them after the three wise men: Larry, Moe, and Shemp. Enjoy the pictures.

Strait from the White House Lawn. . .


Luckily, I have a lot of experience creeping through bushes with a camera.


Call them chicks? You pig!


Unfortunately, I had just vomited all my food for Salem.

Sweet, summer rain. You know, they say God blessed Texas (with more, that is, than a hair trigger on the execution order). Today, I have the proof.

Somehow, north Texas has arraigned some kind of deal with God, wherein He waters our lawns for free. This may be difficult for those in Arizona to believe, but it's true. I have photographic proof. Check out this morning's Texas thunderstorm.

This is at 7:30AM. Before the rain.








After the rain began.

I write this post, not to boast, but just to show everyone how much better I am than them. Kaaryn and I have recently proved ourselves to be thrift store champions. "What's that", you say, "aren't thrift stores for losers?" Well, yes. Thrift stores are for losers. You, my reader, have won this round, but I'll be back, rest assured.

I will explain for anyone unfamiliar with thrift stores. Thrift stores have goods donated to them by well-meaning, yet wasteful people. After wading through the aftermath of said donations, and rubbing elbows with the lumpenproletariat, the store will sell you the goods in exchange for a small amount of American dollars and your dignity. However, in my case, the joke is on them, since I gave up my dignity when I attended Arizona State. Anyhow, we were frequenters of some stores of the thrift variety back home. But, we had to find new stores here in Fort Worth. And, as luck would have it, we found a couple of stores we really like.

Each thrift store has its own cause it benefits. I can't recall the name of the first thrift store, but it benefits a local pregnancy center. It was tidy and well done. The people were very nice. It was definitely one of the more classy thrift stores, evidenced in the lack of lice warnings on the clothing racks. We found some good things at this one. Check it out.

Hat for baby: $1.50


End table: $5.00


Frames: $5.00 each


The other store we found is a Goodwill. As were approaching this particular branch, Kaaryn noticed the word "Superstore" written across the side of the building. "Wow!" She exclaimed. "It's a superstore!" "What does that mean?" I asked. "I don't know. But it sounds great!" So what is a Goodwill Superstore? As far as I can tell, there are three major differences between this Goodwill and others. The differences are: 1. The Superstore had about 35% less stank than the typical Goodwill. 2. The body fat of the average shopper at the Superstore dropped down to a scantly 40%. And, finally. number 3. The employees were not trying to hang themselves in the belt section. Other than that, the stores were identical. Goodwill stores also have a charitable cause. They employ those in need of job training or who are otherwise difficult to employ, namely: the mentally and physically handicapped, ex-convicts, and ousted congressmen. We found some more deals here. Check them out.


Chandelier: $5.00


Plates: 4 for $4.00


Plates: 8 for $4.00


Picture and frame: $5.00


Sewing desk: $20.00


These were not all of our deals. But it will give you an idea.