Another Saturday is Here

Looking North from Allen's garage...a big Spider Man thingy in the neighbor's yard. These "jump up" devices seem to pop up all over the place on Saturdays around here. They are of course, used for things like children's birthday parties. I don't EVEN know how kids don't get hurt...as in a head kick or something...in these contraptions. They are also SO HOT in the warmer months.

I have been spending the last few days (right after work) watching re-runs of the old "Mission Impossible" TV show. I just read somewhere that that the real impossible mission is...to get that theme song to stop playing in your head!

It is very warm today, probably will hit 90 degrees or so.

--Dan

Another look

USAF Thunderbirds and their beautiful F-16's last Sunday, March Air Reserve Base, California.

Also, at the Rialto airport, an interesting white bus. This looks like a happy ride. Please "click" on the bus picture. It is not my church, but very fun to see and relate.

I know it's an odd mix of pictures...I am just sharing stuff today.

--Dan

My wife, Cruz, in the kitchen. She is toiling away for her family...the rest of us here. She is loading dishes into the dishwasher. You may also notice canisters next to her head. Those cans are powdered baby formula.

We have had our grandson living here since birth. It has been hard, but Cruz always says, "I love da boy".

Here is a recent picture of him, Baby Jesse, taken by his mom, our daughter, Serena. He does not usually look like this. Maybe it's his "Elvis lip thing" he is trying in the photo.

--Dan

A Big Air Show at March Air Reserve Base, CA

Rachel, our Rachel, at the air show in front of several F-16 fighter planes. March ARB, CA..

Other photo with small plane: the F-117 "Stealth" fighter (bomber, actually).

The "Snowie" ice treat stand, one of the vendors operating at the show...with
Allen and his wife, Jenn (Jennifer).

A B-52 intercontinental bomber visiting the air show from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

One of the Thunderbird's F-16 aircraft, being towed after going "down"...prior to thier great demonstration. A backup plane performed instead.

Robosaurus, a giant 40 ft. tall robotic beast that breathes fire and lifts cars to eat and crush them.

These descriptions are in no particular order, but I think they are easy to follow.

--Dan

A Bunch of Fun

Some images from "In the Attic", with Rachel Fuller, "Music Mikey", and Pete Townshend...and their internet broadcast. Included was Paul B's video image, and Gary's song.


I was testing my new digital camera.














----Dan L.

A Day in the Desert, Joshua Tree National Park

Top left = Tea Time with Lipton "Brisk" Iced Tea (no ice, sugar-free).

Top right = My little car in the desert

Bottom Left = Marion (one of our daughters) and cruz (my wife), side by side

Bottom Right = Rachel (another daughter) wandering the rocks

"Click" on the whole image for a bigger and grander view!

Taken at Joshua Tree National Park, Sunday afternoon, 4/23/06

--Dan

How low can you go?

F-4 Phantom, banking and turning VERY close to the ground. I don't know who took this photo, but it sure was close! The US no longer flies the Phantom, but the memories are all around.

--Dan

U.S.S Nimitz turns during Sea Trials?

This ship, the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, appears to be undergoing sea trials some years back. This is an amazing photo, taken by somebody, that demonstrates the amazing resilience of what is supposed to be a steady, relatively level platform of force extension and sea power. Note the lack of aircraft on the deck. This is certainly a test of ability for a huge ship that is normally a floating airport.

--Dan L.

Happy Easter!

May this Sunday bring you the joy of Easter!

As you may already know, we celebrate Easter here, in our home. It is 1:25 AM, Sunday morning. We have just returned from the Easter Vigil Celebration at a local parish. We are so excited...there will be gift baskets left out during the night by my wife, Cruz, for all the kids (even though the youngest is now 15!). We will then enjoy a wonderful (I hope) spiral ham, potato salad, and more...at a great meal later in the day.

Peace to all of you, whatever your faith may be!

--Dan L.

My art hangs high for the year to come

I was asked to participate in the design of a banner for the jubilee at our local parish church. I designed a sketch of St. Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus Christ. My drawing was completed, but I was then asked to simplify the details, and convert it to a "line" image. I was not in agreement with this, as it diminished the details and accuracy of my work. In the end, I did as they wished. The final product hangs in front of the church by the street. It is my contribution, though not to my liking so much...I am proud enough, just the same.

--Dan

Our Garage band, The FonTones

The FonTones: Allen, left. Dan, on the right. Marion, the part-timer, is taking the photo. We are pictured here, in the garage. The music of the evening was an attempt to play anything. We got...halfway there.

--Dan

An amazing sight!

This beautiful picture, I believe a "photo of the year" from National Geographic, was taken not too far from my home, from Joshua Tree National Park.

I so loved that visit from the comet. It was stunning and fantastic. We sat at dinner, while that comet graced the sky just outside (and very visibly) through our dining room window. It went on for days.

--Dan

Wow!

USS Iowa, full broadside, 16 in. guns.

There is a picture (maybe by now somewhere in my blog's "archives"), that shows the USS Iowa (A WWII era battleship) in it's early youth. This is a much, much later version of that same ship, probably 1990's. Look at the movement of that ship in the water!!

--Dan L.

Who is the king of the guitar?

There was a poll of some kind that took place recently in a popular music magazine. It rated guitar players according to their skills (you'd think). Pete was ranked somewhere around number fifty or sixty. I think they made a mistake. He is much better than that. Looking at this picture, I suppose he would agree...royally!

--Dan

On the road to San Francisco, you can see the local stuff...that makes America...America.

A gas station, Thursday, 3/23/06, on the bus route to Hayward, and San Francisco. A display of great "Americana".


"The gas station"

--Dan L.

Walk across a bridge

Our recent trip to San Francisco found us on a rainy walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. There were about 50 of us, and it was very drippy on the bridge walk of 1.7 miles . My daughter's high school band was in town to perform and visit the sights. We had a great time. More to come later...

--Dan

Gonna go to San Francisco. It will be the first time since late 1970's.

I was just up in that area in the spring of last year (2005), but only near Santa Cruz/San Jose. It will great to see the big city again. Yes, we will be visiting "The Rock", Alcatraz.

Me, my daughter Marion, and her school band, all rolling north.

--Dan

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For Friday, 3/17/06:

Here is the man of the day! It is not about green beer. Oh, and You can claim to be Irish if you wish. Have a wonderful day.

--Dan

The ants are marching one by one...

Our house is under attack from 451 million ants...or maybe 452 million. This picture is from a game, but this here, in our house, is no game. It's full on war!







(Picture ref. http://www.crashonline.org.uk/ no connection to me, just credit the picture to the site that reviewed the game)

The Sr-71 Blackbird - You had to have been there, but this will help

They don't fly anymore, but oh...when they did! Even while powering up on the ground, they looked awesome!

You can still visit one of these awesome aircraft at a museum near you. Even in England, for you folks over there.

--Dan